Virginia Chemicals Inc.

Stephen E Evans

Ernest W Schumacher

An integral low-pressure accumulator/filter-drier for use in air conditioning and refrigeration systems between the evaporator and the compressor is described. This device is installed in upright position and includes a filter-drier and an accumulator which are separated by a bottom filter-drier retaining member which positions, in cooperation with a top filter-drier retaining member, an annular filter-drier assembly comprising a pair of thin cylindrical filter cartridges which straddle an annular dessicant bed which is itself straddled, at top and bottom, by a pair of annular filter pads. A pickup tube within the accumulator is sealably attached to an opening within the bottom retainer plate and extends coaxially within the inner filter cartridge, being biased against the top retainer plate by a spring assembly so that it is securely held and resistant to vibrations and rotation thereof. While the in-flowing mixture of refrigerant and oil is passing through the dessicant bed, the liquid separates from the vapor and flows downwardly into the plenum chamber of the accumulator. Porosity relationships within the filter-drier assembly direct a minor portion, such as 15%, of the vapor into the accumulator for picking up the liquid through a bottom orifice in the pickup tube.

Integral suction line accumulator/filter-drier

A replaceable float oil separator, for installation in large refrigeration systems of the vapor compression type using refrigerant-immiscible lubrication oils, comprises a compact float assembly that is disposed transversely to the axis of its vessel and a removal assembly on the side of the vessel through which the float assembly can be removed for repair or replacement. The float assembly is compact in its design because a counterweight supports up to 90%, preferably 60%, of the weight of the float ball, in accordance with an energy balance equation. The removal assembly includes a flange cover, an o-ring, and a flange which is attached to the cylindrical side of the vessel, near its bottom where temperature cycling is minimal, whereby the vessel is semi-hermetically sealed. The float assembly is entirely supported by its oil return line which is attached to and passes through the flange cover of the removal assembly. Because the oil return line is off-centeredly disposed in the flange cover, the float assembly can be replaced only in its correct operating position when the flange cover is bolted onto the flange.

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Ellicott City, MD, United States of America

Stephen E Evans