Parker-hannifin Corporation

Robert F Prayne

Gary E Griffin

A device for separating oil from an oil/gas mixture in a refrigeration or heat pump system includes a cylindrical housing circumscribing a central axis with upper and lower end caps. A scroll-shaped separator baffle disposed in the housing defines a flow path extending radially-inward in a spiral manner from a peripheral region of the housing toward the central axis of the housing. An inlet conduit in the upper end cap directs an oil/gas mixture into the housing. An upper baffle plate supporting an upper end of the separator baffle directs the oil/gas mixture from the inlet to the peripheral region of the housing and into the separator baffle. The oil in the mixture generally separates from the gas in the mixture and deposits on the wall of the separator baffle the mixture flows radially inward through the separator baffle. An outlet conduit in the lower end cap aligned with the central axis and extending upwardly into the separator baffle directs the resulting oil-free gas stream from the housing. The oil on the baffle wall coalesces and drains downwardly through filter media supported in a lower baffle assembly at a lower end of the separator baffle. The filtered oil can be either directed through a drain tube to appropriate components, or directed through an opening in the outlet conduit for re-introduction into the gas stream.

Discharge separator and muffler for refrigeration, air conditioning and

An accumulator for a refrigeration system includes a housing having a cylindrical sidewall and upper and lower end walls. Inlet and outlet tubes are provided in the housing for directing refrigerant into and out of the accumulator. The inlet tube includes a first end fluidly connected to an inlet fitting at the upper end wall of the housing, and a second end located proximate the lower end wall of the housing. A longitudinal orifice is provided along the entire length of the inlet tube, from a location above the level of stored liquid refrigerant in the accumulator, to a location below the level of stored liquid. The orifice is oriented to direct fluid tangentially along the inside surface of the side wall. The inlet tube is formed by a strip of material where the side edges of the strip are brought together to define the opening, or the side edges can be brought into contact along a seam and a plurality of openings can be provided along the tube. The inlet tube can also comprise a strip of material which cooperates with the inside surface of the sidewall to form a flow path from the inlet fitting into the housing. In this case, both side edges of the inlet tube can be located against the inside surface of the sidewall. A series of fluid openings are formed along one side edge to direct fluid tangentially along the inside surface of the sidewall. Alternatively, one side edge can be spaced apart from the sidewall to define the longitudinal opening. In any case, the lower end of the inlet tube can be spaced from the lower end wall of the accumulator and can include an end cap or can be in contact with the lower end wall.

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Seneca Falls, NY, United States of America

Robert F Prayne