Resistive suction muffler for refrigerant compressors

Abstract

A resistive muffler attenuates sound generated by the gas intake and suction valve during compressor operation of a refrigerant compressor. The resistive muffler is assembled inline with the suction gas flow of the compressor and is positioned within the compressor housing. The resistive muffler attenuates the sound generated by the compressor during its operation as refrigerant gas is drawn into the compressor from an evaporator and passes through the resistive muffler in transit to the suction valve and hence to the region of the compressor where the gas is physically compressed. The resistive muffler includes a muffler housing having an intake end and an exhaust end. An acoustic foam assembly is incorporated into the muffler housing. The acoustic foam assembly is selected on the basis of its ability to absorb sound over a broad range of frequencies and is the muffler containing the acoustic foam is assembled within the compressor so that the sound does not bypass the muffler and transmit significant amounts of the sound to the compressor housing. The acoustic foam remains chemically inert when exposed to the compressor fluids at elevated temperatures of operation, and retains its ability to absorb sound over a broad range of frequencies even when saturated with compressor fluids. The foam assembly should also be able to withstand very large pressure fluctuations without experiencing deterioration.