Phase separator for a sealed system

Abstract

A sealed system is provided. The sealed system includes a compressor and a phase separator disposed downstream of the compressor. The phase separator includes a casing that defines a liquid refrigerant collection volume and a gaseous refrigerant collection volume. A refrigerant inlet conduit extends between the compressor and the gaseous refrigerant collection volume, a gaseous refrigerant outlet conduit has an inlet positioned within the gaseous refrigerant collection volume of the casing and a liquid refrigerant outlet conduit has an inlet positioned within the liquid refrigerant collection volume of the casing. A plurality of cooling fins is positioned on an outer surface of the casing. A related refrigerator appliance is also provided.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0001]The present subject matter relates generally to refrigerator appliances and sealed systems, e.g., for refrigerator appliances.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]Certain refrigerator appliances include dual evaporator refrigeration systems. The dual evaporators can be useful for removing heat from two different locations within the refrigerator appliances. For example, a refrigeration loop can be provided that uses one evaporator to remove heat from a fresh food compartment and another evaporator to remove heat from a frozen food compartment. Such dual evaporator systems can be useful, e.g., to avoid temperature and / or humidity gradients that can occur with single evaporator refrigeration systems.[0003]Dual evaporator refrigeration systems are generally more costly and complex than single evaporator refrigeration systems. Dual evaporator refrigeration systems can also incur cycling losses when switching operation from the fresh food evaporator to the freezer...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The present invention provides a sealed system that includes a compressor and a phase separator. The sealed system has a casing with a top portion and a bottom portion, and the casing defines a liquid refrigerant collection volume at the bottom portion and a gaseous refrigerant collection volume at the top portion. The sealed system also includes a refrigerant inlet conduit, a gaseous refrigerant outlet conduit, a liquid refrigerant outlet conduit, and a plurality of cooling fins positioned on the outer surface of the casing at the top portion. The sealed system is designed to cool the freezer chamber and the fresh food chamber of a refrigerator appliance. The technical effects of the invention include improved efficiency, reduced noise, and improved cooling performance.

Problems solved by technology

Dual evaporator refrigeration systems are generally more costly and complex than single evaporator refrigeration systems.

Dual evaporator refrigeration systems can also incur cycling losses when switching operation from the fresh food evaporator to the freezer evaporator.

Evaporators in dual evaporator refrigeration systems can also be relatively large, which can impact the energy efficiency of the appliance in which the dual evaporator refrigeration system resides.

Some dual evaporator refrigeration systems also utilize dual compressors, which further increases energy usage and inefficiency.

When a refrigeration system is charged, small amounts of water, such as water vapor, may be inadvertently sealed within the refrigeration system.

The presence of water in the refrigeration system is deleterious to operation of the refrigeration system.

The drier is generally a separate component of the refrigeration system, but providing the drier as a separate component adds cost to the refrigeration system and consumes space within the associated appliance that is already crowded and needed for other components.

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