Gas-liquid separator and air conditioning system

Abstract

A kind of gas-liquid separator, including shell, inlet pipe and outlet pipe, the outlet pipe includes first connecting pipe, second connecting pipe and third connecting pipe, the first connecting pipe is fixedly connected with the shell, the first connecting pipe and the second connecting pipe are bently connected by the third connecting pipe;The first connecting pipe and the second connecting pipe are arranged in the shell, the third connecting pipe is from the shell bottom and is out to the shell outside, and is fixedly connected with the shell.The advantages of the present application are that: the two ends of the third connecting pipe are fixedly connected with the shell, the strength of the outlet pipe can be strengthened, the outlet pipe is prevented from shaking due to medium scouring or use environment vibration, and the service life of the gas-liquid separator is enhanced.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of refrigeration technology, and in particular to gas-liquid separators and air conditioning systems. Background Technology

[0002] An air conditioning system typically includes a compressor and a gas-liquid separator. The gas-liquid separator is located at the compressor's suction port and is used to separate the gas-liquid mixture, discharging the gaseous medium to the compressor.

[0003] In existing technologies, the outlet pipe is usually located inside the gas-liquid separator. When the compressor vibrates, when it is used in a vibrating environment, or when the medium impacts, one end of the outlet pipe is not fixed and will shake, which will affect the service life of the gas-liquid separator during long-term operation. Summary of the Invention

[0004] To address the above problems, the present invention provides a gas-liquid separator, the technical solution of which is as follows:

[0005] A gas-liquid separator includes a housing, an inlet pipe, and an outlet pipe. The outlet pipe includes a first connecting pipe, a second connecting pipe, and a third connecting pipe. The first connecting pipe is fixedly connected to the housing, and the first connecting pipe and the second connecting pipe are connected by bending through the third connecting pipe. The first connecting pipe and the second connecting pipe are disposed inside the housing, and the third connecting pipe extends from the bottom of the housing to the outside of the housing and is fixedly connected to the housing.

[0006] It is understandable that the two ends of the third connecting pipe are fixedly connected to the housing, which can strengthen the strength of the outlet pipe, prevent the outlet pipe from shaking due to the scouring of the medium or the vibration of the operating environment, and enhance the service life of the gas-liquid separator.

[0007] In one embodiment, the gas-liquid separator further includes an oil return mechanism located outside the housing and at the same end of the housing as the third connecting pipe. The oil return mechanism is used to discharge lubricating oil from the housing.

[0008] It is understood that the oil return mechanism drains the lubricating oil in the housing back into the compressor to ensure that the compressor can operate normally.

[0009] In one embodiment, the oil return mechanism includes a filter element and an oil return pipeline. An oil return hole is provided at the bottom of the housing. One end of the oil return pipeline passes through the oil return hole and is fixedly connected to the housing. The other end is located outside the housing and is connected to the third connecting pipe. The filter element is installed on the part of the oil return pipeline located outside the housing.

[0010] It is understandable that placing the filter element and the oil return line outside the housing facilitates maintenance or rework when the filter element becomes clogged or is missing.

[0011] Furthermore, the oil return hole is located at the bottom of the housing, allowing the lubricating oil to enter the oil return pipeline entirely by gravity, resulting in a more thorough and uniform oil return.

[0012] In one embodiment, the oil return mechanism further includes a regulating valve located outside the housing. The regulating valve is installed on the portion of the oil return pipeline located outside the housing. The inlet end of the regulating valve is connected to the filter element, and the outlet end is connected to the oil return pipeline.

[0013] Understandably, the oil return volume is controlled by a regulating valve according to the condition of the compressor to keep the compressor in optimal working condition. The filter element is used to filter out impurities in the oil and is placed at the inlet of the regulating valve to prevent impurities from clogging the regulating valve.

[0014] In one embodiment, the oil return line between the regulating valve and the oil return hole is configured as a bend.

[0015] It is understandable that bending the return oil pipeline between the regulating valve and the return oil hole can save installation space.

[0016] In one embodiment, the third connecting pipe is a "U" shaped pipe, the bending radius of the bend is smaller than the bending radius of the "U" shaped pipe, and the bend is located inside the groove of the "U" shaped pipe.

[0017] Understandably, this setup saves space and optimizes piping design.

[0018] In one embodiment, the second end of the housing is provided with a boss, and the oil return hole is located on the boss.

[0019] It is understandable that the protrusion extends outward from the housing to facilitate the installation of the oil return mechanism inside the oil return hole.

[0020] In one embodiment, the housing includes a first cover, a second cover, and a cylindrical body with openings at both ends. The first cover and the second cover respectively cover the openings at both ends of the cylindrical body, and the oil return hole is located at the bottom of the second cover.

[0021] In one embodiment, along the axial direction of the housing, the position of the oil return hole is higher than the connection between the oil return pipeline and the third connecting pipe.

[0022] It is understandable that the oil return hole is located higher than the connection between the oil return pipeline and the outlet pipe, so that oil can return by gravity and avoid the use of pumps or other devices.

[0023] This invention also provides the following technical solutions:

[0024] An air conditioning system includes a compressor, an indoor heat exchanger, an outdoor heat exchanger, and a gas-liquid separator. The outdoor heat exchanger is connected to the indoor heat exchanger, and the outlet of the compressor is connected to the outdoor heat exchanger. The gas-liquid separator is installed between the indoor heat exchanger and the compressor. The gas-liquid separator is the aforementioned type.

[0025] Compared with the prior art, the gas-liquid separator provided by the present invention strengthens the outlet pipe by placing the third connecting pipe of the outlet pipe outside the housing and fixing the third connecting pipe to the housing, thereby preventing the outlet pipe from shaking due to media impact or environmental vibration and increasing the service life of the gas-liquid separator. Attached Figure Description

[0026] Figure 1 This is a front view of the gas-liquid separator provided by the present invention;

[0027] Figure 2 A bottom view of the gas-liquid separator provided by the present invention.

[0028] The symbols in the diagram represent the following meanings:

[0029] 100. Gas-liquid separator; 10. Shell; 11. First end; 12. Second end; 13. First cover; 14. Second cover; 141. Oil return hole; 142. Boss; 15. Cylinder; 20. Outlet pipe; 21. First connecting pipe; 22. Second connecting pipe; 23. Third connecting pipe; 30. Inlet pipe; 40. Oil return mechanism; 41. Filter element; 42. Regulating valve; 43. Oil return pipeline; 431. Bend; 50. Support. Detailed Implementation

[0030] The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0031] It should be noted that when a component is said to be "attached" to another component, it can be directly on the other component or it can be in the middle of another component. When a component is said to be "set" to another component, it can be directly set to the other component or it may also be in the middle of another component. When a component is said to be "fixed" to another component, it can be directly fixed to the other component or it may also be in the middle of another component.

[0032] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention pertains. The terminology used herein in the specification of this invention is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. The term "or / and" as used herein includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

[0033] The present invention provides an air conditioning system (not shown) for controlling the temperature and humidity inside a building, or for freezing or refrigerating food.

[0034] The air conditioning system includes a compressor (not shown), an indoor heat exchanger (not shown), an outdoor heat exchanger (not shown), and a gas-liquid separator 100. The compressor inlet is connected to the gas-liquid separator 100, and the outlet is connected to the outdoor heat exchanger. The outdoor heat exchanger is connected to the indoor heat exchanger, and the indoor heat exchanger is connected to the gas-liquid separator 100. It should be noted that other accessories can also be connected between the above components.

[0035] Please see Figure 1 and Figure 2 The gas-liquid separator 100 includes a housing 10, an outlet pipe 20, and an inlet pipe 30. The housing 10 has a first end 11 and a second end 12 disposed opposite to each other. The inlet pipe 30 is located at the first end 11 of the housing 10 and is connected to the indoor heat exchanger. One end of the outlet pipe 20 extends into the housing 10. The outlet pipe 20 is located at the first end 11 of the housing 10 and is connected to the compressor inlet. One end of the outlet pipe 20 extends into the housing 10 and extends to the second end 12, while the other end is located outside the housing 10.

[0036] Specifically, the shell 10 includes a first cover 13, a second cover 14, and a cylindrical body 15 with openings at both ends. The first cover 13 and the second cover 14 are disposed at the openings at both ends of the cylindrical body 15. In this embodiment, the cylindrical body 15 is cylindrical, and the first cover 13 and the second cover 14 are hemispherical. Of course, in other embodiments, depending on different designs, the cylindrical body 15 may also be cuboid or other shapes, and the first cover 13 and the second cover 14 may also be prism-shaped structures or other shapes that can cover the openings at both ends of the cylindrical body 15.

[0037] Furthermore, the outlet pipe 20 includes a first connecting pipe 21, a second connecting pipe 22, and a third connecting pipe 23. One end of the first connecting pipe 21 is located at the first end 11 of the housing 10, that is, one end of the first connecting pipe 21 is located outside the first cover 13 and connected to the indoor heat exchanger. The first connecting pipe 21 extends to the bottom of the housing 10 and is connected to the third connecting pipe 23. The third connecting pipe 23 is located outside the second cover 14. The other end of the third connecting pipe 23 extends into the second cover 14 and is connected to the second connecting pipe 22, that is, both ends of the third connecting pipe 23 are bent and connected to the first connecting pipe 21 and the second connecting pipe 22 respectively.

[0038] One end of the first connecting pipe 21 extends into the first cover 13 and is fixedly connected to the first cover 13. The first connecting pipe 21 extends into the cylinder 15 and the second cover 14 and extends to the second end 12, where it is connected to one end of the third connecting pipe 23. Both ends of the third connecting pipe 23 are fixed to the second cover 14 to strengthen the outlet pipe 20, prevent the outlet pipe 20 from shaking due to medium impact, vibration environment, or compressor vibration, prevent pipeline leakage due to vibration of the outlet pipe 20, and enhance the service life of the gas-liquid separator 100.

[0039] In this embodiment, the first connecting pipe 21 and the second connecting pipe 22 are straight pipes, and the third connecting pipe 23 is a "U" shaped pipe. Of course, in other embodiments, the first connecting pipe 21 and the second connecting pipe 22 may also be bent pipes or other shaped pipes, and the third connecting pipe 23 may also be a "U" shaped pipe with both ends bent or other shaped pipes.

[0040] In this embodiment, the inlet pipe 30 extends from the first end 11 of the housing 10, i.e., the outside of the first cover 13, into the first cover 13. The end of the second connecting pipe 22 away from the third connecting pipe 23 extends into the first cover 13. Along the axial direction of the housing 10, the opening position of the second connecting pipe 22 extending into the first cover 13 is higher than the position of the inlet pipe 30 extending into the first cover 13. This arrangement ensures that the gaseous medium after gas-liquid separation can smoothly enter the outlet pipe 20, preventing the gas-liquid mixture entering the inlet pipe 30 from entering the outlet pipe 20 without gas-liquid separation. Of course, in other embodiments, the opening position of the second connecting pipe 22 extending into the first cover 13 can be lower than the opening position of the inlet pipe 30 extending into the first cover 13, but the opening of the second connecting pipe 22 and the opening of the inlet pipe 30 are staggered.

[0041] Please continue reading Figure 1 and Figure 2 The gas-liquid separator 100 also includes an oil return mechanism 40, which is located at the second end 12 of the housing 10, that is, outside the second cover 14. The oil return mechanism 40 is used to discharge the lubricating oil in the housing 10 to the compressor.

[0042] Specifically, the oil return mechanism 40 includes a filter element 41 and an oil return pipeline 43. An oil return hole 141 is provided at the bottom of the second cover 14. One end of the oil return pipeline 43 passes through the oil return hole 141 and is fixedly connected to the second cover 14. The other end is located outside the second cover 14 and is connected to the outlet pipe 20. The filter element 41 is installed on the oil return pipeline 43 and is located outside the second cover 14. The filter element 41 is used to filter lubricating oil.

[0043] The oil return mechanism 40 also includes a regulating valve 42, which is used to regulate the oil return volume. The regulating valve 42 is located on the oil return pipeline 43 and outside the second cover 14. The inlet end of the regulating valve 42 is connected to the filter element 41.

[0044] It can be understood that the filter element 41, the regulating valve 42, and the return oil line 43 are all located outside the housing 10. When the filter element 41 and the regulating valve 42 become blocked, it is convenient to maintain them. Moreover, if the filter element 41 and the regulating valve 42 are missing during the assembly process, it is convenient to rework and reinstall them.

[0045] Furthermore, the lubricating oil at the bottom of the housing 10 flows out from the oil return hole 141 and into the oil return pipe 43. This prevents different components of lubricating oil from separating due to gravity, thus preventing some lubricating oil from returning to the compressor. The lubricating oil of this invention can flow completely into the oil return pipe 43, making the oil return more thorough and uniform. Moreover, the oil return volume can be controlled by adjusting valve 42 according to the compressor's condition, ensuring the compressor operates at its optimal state.

[0046] Furthermore, the bottom of the second cover 14 is provided with a boss 142 facing the outside of the housing 10, and the oil return hole 141 is located on the boss 142. The oil return hole 141 is set facing the outside of the second cover 14 to facilitate the installation of the oil return pipeline 43.

[0047] In this embodiment, the regulating valve 42 is an electronic expansion valve. Of course, in other embodiments, other regulating valves 42 capable of adjusting flow rate may also be used.

[0048] The filter element 41 is located between the regulating valve 42 and the oil return hole 141, and can protect the regulating valve 42 from impurities. Here, the filter element 41 is a filter, and the filter is equipped with a filter screen with a mesh size of 100 mesh, 60 mesh or other mesh sizes.

[0049] Preferably, along the vertical installation direction of the gas-liquid separator 100, the position of the oil return hole 141 is higher than the connection between the oil return pipe 43 and the outlet pipe 20, so that the lubricating oil can flow out by gravity, avoiding the use of power devices such as pumps.

[0050] In this embodiment, the return oil line 43 is connected to the third connecting pipe 23. Of course, in other embodiments, the return oil line 43 can also be connected to the first connecting pipe 21.

[0051] In this embodiment, the portion of the return oil pipe 43 between the regulating valve 42 and the return oil hole 141 is set as a bend 431, which can save installation space. Of course, in other embodiments, the return oil pipe 43 between the regulating valve 42 and the return oil hole 141 is a straight pipe or a pipe of other shapes.

[0052] In this embodiment, the third connecting pipe 23 is a "U" shaped pipe, and the bending radius of the bend 431 is smaller than that of the "U" shaped pipe. The bend 431 is located in the groove of the "U" shaped pipe, which saves installation space and optimizes the pipeline design.

[0053] Furthermore, the gas-liquid separator 100 also includes a bracket 50, which is fixed to the second cover 14 along the circumference of the housing 10. The bracket 50 is used for the installation and fixation of the gas-liquid separator 100.

[0054] During operation, the gas-liquid mixture flowing from the indoor heat exchanger enters the shell 10 through the inlet pipe 30. Due to gravity, the gaseous and liquid media separate. The gaseous media enters the second connecting pipe 22, while the liquid media, mixed with lubricating oil, enters the bottom of the second cover 14. The lubricating oil enters the return oil pipeline 43 through the return oil hole 141, is filtered by the filter element 41, and the regulating valve 42 controls the flow rate of lubricating oil in the return oil pipeline 43. A certain amount of lubricating oil enters the third connecting pipe 23, mixes with the gaseous media, and then enters the compressor.

[0055] The technical features of the above embodiments can be combined in any way. For the sake of brevity, not all possible combinations of the technical features in the above embodiments are described. However, as long as there is no contradiction in the combination of these technical features, they should be considered to be within the scope of this specification.

[0056] The embodiments described above are merely illustrative of several implementations of the present invention, and while the descriptions are relatively specific and detailed, they should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention patent. It should be noted that those skilled in the art can make various modifications and improvements without departing from the concept of the present invention, and these all fall within the protection scope of the present invention. Therefore, the protection scope of this invention patent should be determined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A gas-liquid separator, comprising a shell (10), an inlet pipe (30) and an outlet pipe (20), the outlet pipe (20) comprising a first connecting pipe (21), a second connecting pipe (22) and a third connecting pipe (23), the first connecting pipe (21) being fixedly connected with the shell (10), the first connecting pipe (21) and the second connecting pipe (22) being connected by bending the third connecting pipe (23). characterized in that The first connecting pipe (21) and the second connecting pipe (22) are arranged in the shell (10), the shell (10) having a first end (11) and a second end (12), the inlet pipe (30) being located at the first end (11), one end of the first connecting pipe (21) being located at the first end (11) and extending out of the shell (10), the other end extending into the shell (10) and extending towards the second end (12), the third connecting pipe (23) being located at the second end (12), the third connecting pipe (23) extending out of the shell (10) from the bottom of the shell (10), both ends of the third connecting pipe (23) being fixedly connected with the shell (10). The gas-liquid separator further comprises an oil return pipeline (43) and an adjusting valve (42), the bottom of the shell (10) being provided with an oil return hole (141), one end of the oil return pipeline (43) being arranged in the oil return hole (141) and being fixedly connected with the shell (10), the other end being located outside the shell (10) and being in communication with the third connecting pipe (23), the adjusting valve (42) being installed on the part of the oil return pipeline (43) located outside the shell (10), the oil return pipeline (43) between the adjusting valve (42) and the oil return hole (141) being arranged as an elbow pipe (431), the third connecting pipe (23) being a "U" type pipe, the bending radius of the elbow pipe (431) being smaller than the bending radius of the "U" type pipe, and the elbow pipe (431) being arranged in the notch of the "U" type pipe.

2. The gas-liquid separator of claim 1, wherein, The gas-liquid separator further comprises a filter (41), the filter (41) being installed on the part of the oil return pipeline (43) located outside the shell (10), the inlet end of the adjusting valve (42) being connected with the filter (41).

3. The gas-liquid separator of claim 1, wherein, The second end (12) of the shell (10) is provided with a boss (142), and the oil return hole (141) is located on the boss (142).

4. The gas-liquid separator of claim 1, wherein, The shell (10) comprises a first cover body (13), a second cover body (14) and a cylinder body (15) having two open ends, the first cover body (13) and the second cover body (14) being respectively arranged on the two open ends of the cylinder body (15), and the oil return hole (141) being arranged at the bottom of the second cover body (14).

5. The gas-liquid separator of claim 1, wherein, In the axial direction of the shell (10), the position of the oil return hole (141) is higher than the connection between the oil return pipeline (43) and the third connecting pipe (23).

6. An air conditioning system characterized by comprising: The air conditioner comprises a compressor, an indoor heat exchanger, an outdoor heat exchanger, and a gas-liquid separator, the outdoor heat exchanger is connected with the indoor heat exchanger, the outlet of the compressor is connected with the outdoor heat exchanger, the gas-liquid separator is installed between the indoor heat exchanger and the compressor, and the gas-liquid separator is the gas-liquid separator according to any one of claims 1-5.

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