Refrigeration accumulator having a matrix wall structure

Abstract

An accumulator includes a housing having an open top end, an open bottom end, an outer wall, and an inner wall disposed within the outer wall to define an interior. The inner and outer walls are integrally interconnected by longitudinal partitions that define longitudinal channels with a downflow channel and an upflow channel positioned among the longitudinal channels. A top cover mounts to, and closes, the open top end of the housing, and has an inlet passage and an outlet passage therethrough. A refrigerant separator is positioned beneath the top cover for directing refrigerant from the inlet passage of the top cover to the interior of the housing, for venting gaseous refrigerant to the downflow passage of the housing while preventing ingress of liquid refrigerant therein, and for communicating gaseous refrigerant from the upflow passage of the housing to the outlet passage of the top cover. A cross-passage conveys gaseous refrigerant from the downflow passage of the housing to the upflow passage of the housing and includes a pickup tube for lubricating the refrigerant flowing through the cross-passage. Liquid refrigerant entering the accumulator collects in the interior of the housing and gaseous refrigerant is conveyed through an aperture in the refrigerant separator down the downflow passage, across the accumulator through the cross-passage, up the upflow passage, over the refrigerant separator, and out the outlet passage of the top cover.