A gas-liquid separator

Abstract

A gas-liquid separator (1) comprising a fixedly connected head (11), a shell (12) and a spiral device (13), the head (11) is provided with an inflow channel (111) and an outflow channel (112), the inflow channel (111) is arranged in the head (11), the spiral device (13) is an integral structure, comprising a guide part (132), a spiral part (133) and a connecting part (131), the guide part (132) is located between the connecting part (131) and the spiral part (133), the spiral device (133) has an inlet (1311), an outlet (1312) and an inner cavity (1313), the inner cavity (1313) is communicated with the inlet (1311) and the outlet (1312), the inlet (1311) is located in the connecting part (131), the outlet (1312) is located in the spiral part (133), the working medium enters the inner cavity (1313) of the spiral device (13) from the inlet (1311), and at least part of the working medium leaves the spiral device (13) through the outlet (1312).

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to the parts of the thermal management system of the vehicle, in particular to a gas-liquid separator. BACKGROUND

[0002] The thermal management system of the vehicle includes a gas-liquid separator for separating the liquid component and the gaseous component of the refrigerant. In the vehicle air conditioning system, the refrigerant includes a mixture of liquid, gas and a small amount of liquid oil. In the existing air conditioning system, the separation of the liquid component and the gaseous component of the refrigerant is generally achieved by simple sedimentation of the liquid component or by adjusting the pressure and temperature conditions, but the separation performance needs to be improved, especially for carbon dioxide refrigerant. How to achieve and improve the gas-liquid separation performance with a simple structure and at a low cost is a technical problem. SUMMARY

[0003] The purpose of the present application is to provide a gas-liquid separator for separating the working medium components with a simple structure and at a low cost, which can be applied to the separation of carbon dioxide as the working medium component.

[0004] A gas-liquid separator includes a head and a shell, the head and the shell are fixed, the head is provided with an inflow passage and an outflow passage, the inflow passage is located in the head, the gas-liquid separator further includes a spiral device, the spiral device is a one-piece structure, the spiral device includes a guide part and a spiral part, the guide part includes a connecting part, the connecting part is located at the outer periphery of at least part of the guide part, the spiral device is limited by the connecting part and the head, the spiral device has an inlet, an outlet and an inner cavity, the inner cavity communicates with the inlet and the outlet, the inlet is located in the guide part, the outlet is located at the end of the spiral part, the working medium enters the inner cavity of the spiral device from the inlet, at least part of the working medium leaves the spiral device through the outlet, the outlet of the spiral device can tangentially deliver the working medium to the wall surface of the shell for gas-liquid separation.

[0005] In the above technical solution, the spiral device of the gas-liquid separator has a guide part and a spiral part, and the outlet of the spiral device tangentially delivers the working medium to the wall surface of the shell for gas-liquid separation, thereby separating the working medium components with a simple structure and at a low cost. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0006] Figure 1 It is a cross-sectional structure schematic diagram of an embodiment of the gas-liquid separator of the present application;

[0007] Figure 2 It is a cross-sectional structure schematic diagram of an embodiment of the gas-liquid separator of the present application; Figure 1 It is a cross-sectional structure schematic diagram of an embodiment of the gas-liquid separator of the present application;

[0008] Figure 3 for Figure 1 A three-dimensional structural diagram of a screw mechanism;

[0009] Figure 4 for Figure 3 A front view schematic diagram of the screw mechanism;

[0010] Figure 5 for Figure 4 Another three-dimensional structural diagram of the auger;

[0011] Figure 6 for Figure 5 A schematic diagram of the cross-sectional structure of the VV section of the screw mechanism;

[0012] Figure 7 This is a cross-sectional structural schematic diagram of another embodiment of the gas-liquid separator of this application. Detailed Implementation

[0013] The embodiments are described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0014] The vehicle's thermal management system includes a gas-liquid separator, which is used to separate the liquid and gaseous components of the working medium in the thermal management system. The working medium is mainly a refrigerant, including carbon dioxide refrigerant.

[0015] Please refer to Figure 1 The gas-liquid separator 1 includes a head 11, a housing 12, and a spiral auger 13. The head 11 and the housing 12 are connected in a limiting manner. The head 11 is provided with an inflow channel 111 and an outflow channel 112. The inflow channel 111 is located inside the head. Figure 3The helical device 13 is an integral structure, the helical device 13 comprises a guide part 132 and a spiral part 133, the guide part 132 comprises a connecting part 131, the connecting part is a part of the guide part, the connecting part 131 is located at the outer periphery of the guide part 132, in the embodiment, the connecting part 131 is a circular tube, the guide part 132 is also a circular tube, the connecting part 131 and the guide part 132 are an integral structure, the connecting part 131 and the guide part 132 are connected into a straight tube, the connecting part 131 of the straight tube is welded and fixed with the head 11, so that the helical device 13 communicates with the inflow channel 111, of course, the connecting part and the guide part here can also adopt other structures, and the structure is not limited. Of course, the helical device 13 and the head 11 here are not limited to be welded and fixed through the connecting part 131, the connection between the spiral part and the head can adopt buckle connection, locking connection and other limiting connection modes, and the connection mode here is not limited; the helical device 13 has an inlet 1311, an outlet 1312 and an inner cavity 1313, the inner cavity 1313 communicates the inlet 1311 and the outlet 1312, the inlet 1311 is located at the guide part 132, and the outlet 1312 is located at the end of the spiral part 133; the working medium enters the inner cavity 1313 of the helical device 13 from the inlet 1311 and at least partially leaves the helical device 13 through the outlet 1312. The guide part 132 guides the gas-liquid mixture into the spiral part 133, after sufficient mixing, the outlet of the spiral part tangentially transmits the gas-liquid mixture to the wall surface of the shell for gas-liquid separation. The helical device has simple structure and low production cost.

[0016] As shown in Figure 2 , the guide part 132 is provided with at least one through hole 134, the through hole 134 is located on the pipe wall of the guide part 132, the through hole 134 communicates the inner cavity of the guide part and the inflow channel 111, the inlet 1311 of the helical device 13 and the through hole 134 both communicate with the inflow channel 111, and the through hole provided on the guide part 132 can reduce the blocking or noise of the low-temperature and low-pressure working medium after entering the helical tube.

[0017] As shown in Figure 2 , the gas-liquid separator further comprises a flow inlet 113, the flow inlet 113 is located at the head 11, the inflow channel 111 communicates the flow inlet 113 and the helical device 13, the axis of the guide part 132 and the axis of the inflow channel 111 form a first angle, the first angle is denoted as α, and 0°≤α≤25°. The angle of the inflow channel can simplify the machining process, avoid the design of flow channel bending, and reduce the production cost.

[0018] As shown in Figures 2-5 , the outlet direction of the helical device 13 is substantially perpendicular to the axis of the helical device, so that the gas-liquid mixture is tangentially transmitted out of the outlet of the helical device to the gas-liquid separation cavity, the mixture rotates in the gas-liquid separation cavity and starts to separate the liquid particles from the gas.

[0019] As shown in Figure 3 , 5As shown in Figure 6, the outlet end 1314 of the screw 13 is also provided with a beveled portion 135. The beveled portion 135 makes the end of the outlet form a second angle with the pipe wall at the outlet of the screw, the second angle is denoted as β, 0°≤β≤90°. The beveled portion 135 can increase the flow area of ​​the outlet, allowing the gas-liquid mixture to flow out of the outlet of the screw more easily.

[0020] like Figure 5 , 6 As shown, the spiral section 133 of the screw auger 13 is a circular spiral tube. The pitch of the spiral section is denoted as P, which is the distance between the centers of the cross-sectional circles of two adjacent spiral sections, 3mm≤P≤5mm. The diameter is denoted as D, which is the vertical distance between the central axis of the guide section and the center of the outlet, 10mm≤D≤20mm. The wall thickness of the spiral section is denoted as t, where the wall thickness is the vertical distance between the inner and outer walls. When the working medium is carbon dioxide, 0.5mm≤t≤1mm, thus ensuring both the strength of the spiral section and cost-effectiveness. The above embodiment uses a circular tube for illustration, but the spiral section of the screw auger can also be other tube forms, such as a flat tube. In this embodiment, the screw auger is made of plastic by injection molding. This type of screw auger has a simple structure and low cost; it can also be made using different materials and other methods.

[0021] like Figure 1 As shown, the gas-liquid separator also includes a receiving cavity 14, which at least includes the space formed by the end cap 11 and the housing 12. The gas-liquid separator also includes a suction tube assembly 15, one end of which is confined to the end cap 11, and the other end is freely disposed within the receiving cavity 14. The spiral portion 133 of the screw 13 is at least partially fitted and confined with the suction tube assembly. This arrangement not only firmly and tightly fixes the screw, but also allows the gas-liquid mixture to be tangentially transmitted from the screw outlet to the gas-liquid separation chamber. In this embodiment, the receiving cavity 14 serves as the gas-liquid separation chamber. The inner wall of the spiral portion 133 of the screw is at least partially fitted against the outer wall of the suction tube assembly 15.

[0022] The suction pipe assembly 15 comprises an outer suction pipe 151, an inner suction pipe 152 and an oil return device 153. The inner suction pipe 152 is at least partially arranged in the outer suction pipe 151. The oil return device 153 is arranged on one side close to the bottom of the shell 12 and is connected with the outer suction pipe 151. The outer suction pipe 151 can output gaseous working medium (for example, gaseous carbon dioxide refrigerant) from the spiral device to the oil return device 153 in a pipe conveying manner. The inner suction pipe 152 can convey gaseous working medium (gaseous carbon dioxide refrigerant) from the oil return device 153 to the outflow channel 112 of the head 11. The part of working medium leaves the gas-liquid separator from the outflow channel 112. In addition, the outer suction pipe is provided with a drying bag 16. The outer suction pipe comprises limiting portions 161 which are protrusions arranged at intervals. The drying bag 16 is clamped between the limiting portions 161. The limiting portion structure is simple and occupies a small space. The drying bag can absorb moisture in the gas-liquid separator and dry the working medium.

[0023] In the embodiment, when the system works, the gas-liquid two-phase low-temperature and low-pressure working medium can enter the spiral portion 133 of the spiral device through the inlet 113, the inflow channel 111 and then the guide portion 132 of the spiral device. After being fully mixed by the spiral device, the mixed gas-liquid two-phase working medium flows out from the outlet 1312 of the spiral device. The mixed gas-liquid two-phase working medium rotates along the inner wall of the shell 12. The gaseous working medium rises, and the liquid working medium sinks. The liquid working medium is stored in the accommodating cavity 14. The gaseous working medium leaves the gas-liquid separator through the outflow channel 112 and can directly enter the compressor, which is conducive to reducing the liquid knock of the compressor.

[0024] Please refer to Figure 7 In the second embodiment, the head 211 of the gas-liquid separator comprises a first head 2111 and a second head 2112. The shell 12 comprises an outer shell 121 and an inner shell 122. The first head 2111 and the second head 2112 are limitingly connected with the outer shell 121. The connection manner is not limited and can be welding, riveting or other fixing manners.

[0025] The gas-liquid separator further comprises a fixing member 203. The fixing member 203 has two open ends 2031 and 2032 and a containing cavity 2033. The open ends of the fixing member 203 are in communication with the containing cavity 2033. The inner shell 122 is a tank body with an open end. One end of the fixing member 203 provided with the open end 2031 is sealingly fixed with the open end of the inner shell. The other end of the fixing member 203 provided with the open end 2032 is sealingly fixed with the first head 2111. The fixing manner is not limited. The fixing member is arranged to form a closed chamber, i.e. a second cavity 215, with the inner shell and the first head. The second cavity 215 can store working medium (liquid carbon dioxide refrigerant).

[0026] The first head 2111 is arranged in parallel with the axis of the guide portion of the screw 213, and can be coaxially arranged. The screwing portion of the screw is at least partially arranged in the accommodating cavity 2033. The structure and connection mode of the screw are the same as those in the first embodiment, and will not be repeated here.

[0027] Referring to Figure 7 The gas-liquid separator further comprises a flow guide 212 which is connected with the outer suction pipe as a whole, and can be an integral structure. The flow guide 212 is arranged below the screw 13 and is connected with the inlet end 1511' of the outer suction pipe 151'. The flow guide 212 comprises a supporting portion 2121 and a flow guiding portion 2122. The flow guiding portion 2122 is arranged along the outer wall of the inlet end 1511' of the outer suction pipe 151' to the inner wall of the shell, and is spaced apart from the inner wall of the shell by a certain distance. The supporting portion 2121 is at least one right-angled triangular supporting plate. The right-angled triangular plate is fixedly arranged along the outer wall of the outer suction pipe 151' and is perpendicular to the flow guiding plate in the direction of the screw 13. A plurality of right-angled triangular plates enclose a circle. The flow guiding portion in the flow guide can guide the mixed working medium to the inner wall of the inner shell, which is helpful for the separation of the gas-liquid and liquid working medium. The supporting portion in the flow guide can be used to fix the inner suction pipe. The structure and connection mode of the suction pipe assembly are the same as those in the first embodiment, and will not be repeated here.

[0028] The gas-liquid separator comprises a first cavity 214 and a second cavity 215. The first cavity 214 comprises a space formed by the inner shell 122 and the outer shell 121. The second cavity comprises a space formed by the inner shell 122, the fixing member 203 and the first head 2111. The first cavity 214 and the second cavity 215 are communicated. The gas-liquid separator comprises a heat exchanger 216. One end of the heat exchanger 216 is fixed with the first head 2111. The other end of the heat exchanger 216 is fixed with the second head 2112. The first head 2111 comprises a high-temperature and high-pressure working medium fluid inlet 2114. The second head 2112 comprises a high-temperature and high-pressure working medium outlet 2115. One end of the heat exchanger 216 is clamped and sealed with the first head 2111. The other end of the heat exchanger 216 is clamped and sealed with the second head 2112. The heat exchanger 216 is one-time locked with each head by clamping, without welding or secondary action locking. The assembly is safe, reliable and convenient.

[0029] The main body portion of the heat exchanger 216 is located in the first cavity 214 and is arranged between the outer wall of the inner shell 122 and the inner wall of the outer shell 121. The heat exchanger 216 is filled with high-temperature and high-pressure working medium, and can be used for heat exchange with low-temperature and low-pressure gaseous working medium. The main body portion of the heat exchanger 216 is the main heat exchange portion.

[0030] The second end cover 2112 has a gas outlet 2113, and the gas-liquid separator further comprises a filter 217, which is located in the second cavity 214 and covers the outside of the gas outlet 2113 and is fixed between the inner shell 122 and the second end cover 2112.

[0031] In the embodiment, the gas-liquid two-phase low-temperature and low-pressure working medium in operation can enter the spiral device through the flow inlet and the flow channel, leave the spiral device through the outlet of the spiral device after mixing in the spiral device, and move along the inner wall of the shell in the first cavity. The gas-phase working medium rises, the liquid-phase working medium sinks, the liquid-phase working medium is stored in the first cavity (low-pressure liquid storage cavity), and the gas-phase working medium directly enters the second cavity and exchanges heat with the heat exchanger in the second cavity. The gaseous working medium after heat exchange leaves the gas-liquid separator after being filtered by the filter.

[0032] It should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the present application and are not intended to limit the technical solutions described in the present application. For example, the directions of "front", "rear", "left", "right", "up", "down" and the like are defined. Although the present application has been described in detail with reference to the above embodiments, it should be understood by those skilled in the art that the technical personnel in the technical field can still modify or equivalently replace the present application. All technical solutions and improvements that do not deviate from the spirit and scope of the present application should be covered within the scope of the claims of the present application.

Claims

1. A gas-liquid separator, comprising a head and a housing, wherein the head and housing are fixed, the head being provided with an inflow channel and an outflow channel, the inflow channel being located within the head, characterized in that: The gas-liquid separator further includes a spiral assembly, which is an integral structure. The spiral assembly includes a guide section and a spiral section. The guide section includes a connecting section located on the outer periphery of at least a portion of the guide section. The spiral assembly and the end cap are limited or fixedly connected by the connecting section. The spiral assembly has an inlet, an outlet, and an inner cavity. The inner cavity connects the inlet and the outlet. The inlet is located in the guide section, and the outlet is located at the end of the spiral section. The working medium enters the inner cavity of the spiral assembly from the inlet, and at least a portion of the working medium leaves the spiral assembly through the outlet. The outlet of the spiral assembly transfers the working medium to the wall of the housing. The guide section has at least one through hole located on the tube wall of the guide section. The through hole connects the inner cavity of the spiral assembly and the inflow channel. Both the inlet of the spiral assembly and the through hole are connected to the inflow channel.

2. The gas-liquid separator as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The gas-liquid separator further includes an inlet formed on the end cap, the inlet channel connecting the inlet and the spiral, and the axis of the guide portion forming a first angle with the axis of the inlet channel, the first angle being denoted as α, where 0°≤α≤25°.

3. The gas-liquid separator according to any one of claims 1 to 2, characterized in that, The outflow direction of the working medium at the outlet of the spiral tube is approximately perpendicular to the axis of the gas-liquid separator. The outlet end of the spiral tube is provided with a beveled portion. The beveled portion makes the end of the outlet form a second angle with the tube wall at the outlet of the spiral section. The second angle is denoted as β, where 0°≤β≤90°.

4. The gas-liquid separator as described in claim 3, characterized in that, The gas-liquid separator has a receiving cavity, which includes at least the cavity formed by the end cap and the housing. The gas-liquid separator also includes a suction tube assembly, one end of which is fixed to the end cap, the other end of which is a free end, and the other end is located inside the receiving cavity. The inner wall of the spiral part of the auger is at least partially in close contact with the outer wall of the suction tube assembly.

5. The gas-liquid separator as described in claim 4, characterized in that, The suction tube assembly includes an external suction tube, an internal suction tube, and a return oil device. The internal suction tube is at least partially located inside the external suction tube. The return oil device is located on one side near the bottom of the housing and is connected to the external suction tube. The external suction tube can output gaseous working medium from the auger to the return oil device via a pipe conveying method. The internal suction tube can convey gaseous working medium from the return oil device to the outflow channel.

6. The gas-liquid separator as described in claim 5, characterized in that, The end cap includes a first end cap and a second end cap. The shell includes an outer shell and an inner shell. The first end cap and the second end cap are fixedly connected to the outer shell. The gas-liquid separator also includes a fixing member. The fixing member has openings at both ends and an internal receiving cavity. The openings at both ends of the fixing member communicate with the receiving cavity. The inner shell is a tank with an open end. One open end of the fixing member is sealed and fixed to the open end of the inner shell. The other open end of the fixing member is fixed to the first end cap. The first end cap is fixedly connected to the auger. At least part of the auger's spiral portion is placed inside the receiving cavity.

7. The gas-liquid separator as described in claim 3, characterized in that, The end cap includes a first end cap and a second end cap. The shell includes an outer shell and an inner shell. The first end cap and the second end cap are fixedly connected to the outer shell. The gas-liquid separator also includes a fixing member. The fixing member has openings at both ends and an internal receiving cavity. The openings at both ends of the fixing member communicate with the receiving cavity. The inner shell is a tank with an open end. One open end of the fixing member is sealed and fixed to the open end of the inner shell. The other open end of the fixing member is fixed to the first end cap. The first end cap is fixedly connected to the auger. At least part of the auger's spiral portion is placed inside the receiving cavity.

8. The gas-liquid separator as described in claim 6, characterized in that, The gas-liquid separator includes a first chamber and a second chamber. The first chamber includes at least the space formed by the inner shell and the outer shell. The second chamber includes at least the space formed by the inner shell, the fixing member, and the first end cap. The first chamber and the second chamber are connected.

9. The gas-liquid separator as described in claim 8, characterized in that, The second end cap has an air outlet, and the gas-liquid separator further includes a filter located inside the second cavity. The filter covers the outside of the air outlet and is fixed between the inner shell and the second end cap.

10. The gas-liquid separator according to any one of claims 5-9, characterized in that, The gas-liquid separator also includes a flow guide, which is an integral structure with the external suction pipe. The flow guide is located directly below the screw and is connected to the inlet end of the external suction pipe.

11. The gas-liquid separator as described in claim 10, characterized in that, The flow guide includes a support part and a flow guide part. The flow guide part is an annular flow guide plate. The flow guide plate is arranged outward along the inner wall of the inlet end of the flow guide part. The support part is at least a right-angled triangular support plate. The right-angled triangular plate is fixedly arranged perpendicular to the flow guide plate along the inner wall of the inlet end of the flow guide plate towards the spiral direction.

12. The gas-liquid separator as described in claim 10, characterized in that, The gas-liquid separator includes a heat exchanger, one end of which is fixed to the first end cap, and the other end of which is fixed to the second end cap. The heat exchanger is placed in the first cavity and arranged between the outer wall of the inner shell and the inner wall of the outer shell. The heat exchanger is filled with a high-temperature and high-pressure working medium for heat exchange with the gaseous working medium.

13. The gas-liquid separator as described in claim 10, characterized in that, The gas-liquid separator also includes a drying package, and the external suction pipe has a limiting part, which is a protrusion spaced at a predetermined distance. The drying package is limited to the external suction pipe by the limiting part.

14. The gas-liquid separator according to any one of claims 1-2, characterized in that, The pitch of the spiral part is greater than or equal to 3 mm and less than or equal to 5 mm, the diameter of the spiral part is greater than or equal to 10 mm and less than or equal to 20 mm, and the wall thickness of the spiral part is greater than or equal to 0.5 mm and less than or equal to 1 mm.

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