Oil and gas separator, air conditioner

Abstract

This invention provides an oil-gas separator and an air conditioner. The oil-gas separator includes a housing with an oil-gas separation structure inside. The oil-gas separation structure has an installation cavity communicating with the interior of the housing. A silencer assembly is installed in the installation cavity. The housing also has an air inlet communicating with the interior of the housing and an exhaust port communicating with the interior of the silencer assembly. The oil-gas mixture entering through the air inlet flows sequentially through the oil-gas separation structure, the silencer assembly, and the exhaust port. According to this invention, the oil-gas mixture achieves oil-gas separation under the action of the oil-gas separation structure. The separated gas enters the silencer assembly for silencing and is then discharged from the exhaust port. Thus, the oil-gas separator can both perform oil-gas separation and silencer operation. This is equivalent to combining the oil-gas separator and the silencer, making the structure more compact and saving internal space in the air conditioner. It solves the problem of the oil-gas separator and the silencer being two separate structures that occupy too much design space.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the field of air conditioning technology, specifically relating to an oil-gas separator and an air conditioner. Background Technology

[0002] The screw compressor in an air conditioner uses a rotor to compress and work, which inevitably generates noise during the compression process. The noise level varies at different frequencies. Currently, the noise reduction measure is to add a muffler to the external exhaust pipe of the compressor. While this achieves a noise reduction effect, the external muffler also increases the design space of the air conditioner. If the oil-gas separator and muffler in the air conditioner could be combined, space could be saved. Summary of the Invention

[0003] Therefore, the present invention provides an oil-gas separator that can overcome the shortcomings of adding a muffler to the external exhaust pipe of a screw compressor, which, although achieving a noise reduction effect, increases the design space of the air conditioner.

[0004] To address the aforementioned problems, the present invention provides an oil-gas separator, comprising: a housing having a receiving cavity, an oil-gas separation structure disposed within the receiving cavity, the oil-gas separation structure having an installation cavity communicating with the receiving cavity, a silencing component installed within the installation cavity, and the housing further having an air inlet communicating with the receiving cavity and an exhaust port communicating with the interior of the silencing component, wherein an oil-gas mixture entering through the air inlet flows sequentially through the oil-gas separation structure, the silencing component, and the exhaust port.

[0005] In some embodiments, the silencing assembly includes a first cylinder, the mounting cavity between the outer surface of the first cylinder and the inner surface of the oil-gas separation structure forming a silencing chamber, the first cylinder having a first flow channel, one end of the first flow channel communicating with the mounting cavity and the other end communicating with the exhaust port, the first cylinder having a porous unit, and the first flow channel communicating with the silencing chamber through the porous unit.

[0006] In some embodiments, the anechoic chamber is provided with multiple partitions, each partition dividing the anechoic chamber into multiple sub-anechoic chambers. The porous unit includes multiple porous groups, the number of which is the same as the number of sub-anechoic chambers and their positions correspond one-to-one.

[0007] In some implementations, the sizes of the sub-silencing cavities are not consistent.

[0008] In some embodiments, the porous group includes multiple silencing holes, and the number of silencing holes included in each porous group is different. The volume of the sub-silencing cavity corresponding to the porous group with more silencing holes is smaller than the volume of the sub-silencing cavity corresponding to the porous group with fewer silencing holes.

[0009] In some embodiments, a fixing plate is provided at the end of the muffler assembly away from the exhaust port, and the outer edge of the fixing plate is connected to the inner surface of the oil-gas separation structure. An oil-gas separation assembly is provided on the side of the fixing plate away from the muffler assembly, and the oil-gas mixture after separation by the oil-gas separation structure passes through the oil-gas separation assembly for secondary oil-gas separation.

[0010] In some embodiments, the oil-gas separation assembly includes a separator having multiple oil filter holes. The separator is fixed to a fixed plate, and the fixed plate has vent holes that penetrate the fixed plate. The oil-gas mixture that has undergone secondary oil-gas separation through the separator enters the silencer assembly through the vent holes.

[0011] In some embodiments, the oil-gas separation assembly further includes a second cylinder, which is disposed within the space enclosed by the separator and the fixing plate. The second cylinder has a plurality of vent holes penetrating the wall of the second cylinder and has a second flow channel, which communicates with the first flow channel through the vent holes.

[0012] In some embodiments, a filter element is further provided in the receiving cavity, the outer edge of the filter element is connected to the side wall of the receiving cavity, and the filter element is located below the oil-gas separation structure.

[0013] In some embodiments, a return oil pipe is also included, which extends through the housing and has its inlet located at the bottom of the receiving cavity.

[0014] In some embodiments, the oil-gas separation structure is a cylindrical body, which is fixed to the top wall of the cavity, and the air inlet is located near the top of the housing.

[0015] The present invention also provides an air conditioner including the oil-gas separator described above.

[0016] This invention provides an oil-gas separator and an air conditioner. By incorporating a silencing component within the oil-gas separator, the oil-gas mixture is separated under the action of the oil-gas separation structure within the separator. The separated gas then enters the silencing component for noise reduction before being discharged from the exhaust port. Thus, the oil-gas separator can perform both oil-gas separation and noise reduction. In other words, this invention integrates oil-gas separation and noise reduction functions into one unit, resulting in a more compact structure and saving internal space in the air conditioner. This solves the problem of separate oil-gas separators and silencers occupying excessive design space. Attached Figure Description

[0017] Figure 1 This is a cross-sectional view of an oil-gas separator according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0018] The reference numerals in the attached figures are as follows:

[0019] 1. Shell; 2. Oil-gas separation structure; 3. Silencing assembly; 31. First cylinder; 32. Baffle; 33. Perforated assembly; 4. Air inlet; 5. Exhaust outlet; 6. Sub-silencing chamber; 7. Fixing plate; 8. Oil-gas separation assembly; 81. Separator; 82. Second cylinder; 9. Filter; 10. Sight glass; 11. Oil return pipe; 12. Lifting lug. Detailed Implementation

[0020] See also Figure 1 As shown, according to an embodiment of the present invention, an oil-gas separator is provided, comprising: a housing 1, the housing 1 having a receiving cavity, an oil-gas separation structure 2 disposed within the receiving cavity, the oil-gas separation structure 2 having an installation cavity communicating with the receiving cavity, a silencer assembly 3 installed within the installation cavity, the housing 1 also having an air inlet 4 communicating with the receiving cavity and an exhaust port 5 communicating with the interior of the silencer assembly 3, the oil-gas mixture entering through the air inlet 4 flowing sequentially through the oil-gas separation structure 2, the silencer assembly 3, and the exhaust port 5. In this technical solution, by setting a silencer assembly within the oil-gas separator, the oil-gas mixture achieves oil-gas separation under the action of the oil-gas separation structure 2 within the oil-gas separator. The separated gas enters the silencer assembly 3 for silencer and is then discharged from the exhaust port 5, thereby enabling the oil-gas separator to perform both oil-gas separation and silencer functions. That is, the present invention integrates oil-gas separation and silencer functions into one unit, making the structure more compact, thereby saving internal space of the air conditioner and solving the problem of the oil-gas separator and silencer being two separate structures that occupy too much design space.

[0021] In one specific implementation, the silencing component 3 includes a first cylinder 31. An installation cavity between the outer surface of the first cylinder 31 and the inner surface of the oil-gas separation structure 2 forms a silencing chamber. The first cylinder 31 has a first flow channel, one end of which communicates with the installation cavity, and the other end with the exhaust port 5. A porous unit is constructed on the first cylinder 31, and the first flow channel communicates with the silencing chamber through the porous unit. After oil-gas separation, the gaseous refrigerant enters the first cylinder 31. During its journey within the first cylinder 31, the gaseous refrigerant passes through the porous unit and enters the silencing chamber, thus achieving silencing. After silencing, the gaseous refrigerant entering the silencing chamber returns to the first cylinder 31 through the porous unit and is finally discharged from the exhaust port 5.

[0022] See also Figure 1 As shown, the silencing assembly 3 also includes multiple baffles 32, each baffle 32 being fitted onto the outer surface of the first cylinder 31, and the outer edge of each baffle 32 being connected to the inner surface of the oil-gas separation structure 2. Each baffle 32 divides the silencing chamber into multiple sub-silencing chambers 6. The porous unit includes multiple porous groups 33, the number of which is the same as the number of sub-silencing chambers 6, and their positions correspond one-to-one. When the gaseous refrigerant enters the first cylinder 31, multi-stage silencing can be performed, resulting in a better silencing effect.

[0023] In this embodiment, the sizes of the sub-silencing chambers 6 are inconsistent. The exhaust pulsation noise of the compressor contains multiple different frequency bands, and the inconsistent sizes of the sub-silencing chambers 6 can be used to eliminate noise in different frequency bands.

[0024] Specifically, the porous group 33 includes multiple noise-absorbing holes, and the number of noise-absorbing holes in each porous group 33 is different. The volume of the sub-noise-absorbing cavity 6 corresponding to the porous group 33 with more noise-absorbing holes is smaller than the volume of the sub-noise-absorbing cavity 6 corresponding to the porous group 33 with fewer noise-absorbing holes. This can further improve the effect of eliminating noise in different frequency bands. Among them, the smaller sub-noise-absorbing cavity 6 corresponding to the porous group 33 with more noise-absorbing holes can be used to eliminate high-frequency noise, while the larger sub-noise-absorbing cavity 6 corresponding to the porous group 33 with fewer noise-absorbing holes can be used to eliminate low-frequency noise.

[0025] See also Figure 1 As shown, a fixing plate 7 is also provided at the end of the muffler assembly 3 away from the exhaust port 5, and the outer edge of the fixing plate 7 is connected to the inner surface of the oil-gas separation structure 2. An oil-gas separation assembly 8 is provided on the side of the fixing plate 7 away from the muffler assembly 3. The oil-gas mixture separated by the oil-gas separation structure 2 passes through the oil-gas separation assembly 8 for secondary oil-gas separation. This makes the oil-gas separation of the oil-gas mixture more thorough and further reduces the amount of lubricating oil entering the air conditioning system.

[0026] Specifically, the oil-gas separation assembly 8 includes a separator 81, which is fixed to the fixed plate 7. The separator 81 has multiple oil filter holes. These filter holes have an adsorption separation function, removing smaller oil droplets. Therefore, when the oil-gas mixture separated by the oil-gas separation structure 2 passes through the separator 81, it undergoes secondary oil-gas separation. Furthermore, the separator 81 can redistribute the flow field, improving uniformity. Simultaneously, the fixed plate 7 has vent holes penetrating it. The oil-gas mixture that has undergone secondary oil-gas separation through the separator 81 enters the silencer assembly 3 through these vent holes.

[0027] The oil-gas separation assembly 8 also includes a second cylinder 82, which is disposed within the space enclosed by the separator 81 and the fixing plate 7. The second cylinder 82 has multiple vent holes penetrating its wall and a second flow channel. The oil-gas mixture passing through the separator 81 cannot enter the second flow channel of the second cylinder 82 all at once through the vent holes; some of the mixture impacts the outer surface of the second cylinder 82 before entering the second flow channel. This mechanical impact achieves a third oil-gas separation, further improving the separation effect. Finally, the refrigerant gas after three oil-gas separations enters the first flow channel through the vent holes in the second flow channel.

[0028] See also Figure 1 As shown, a filter element 9 is also installed inside the cavity. The outer edge of the filter element 9 is connected to the side wall of the cavity, and the filter element 9 is located below the oil-gas separation structure 2. The separated lubricating oil collects to the bottom of the cavity under gravity. The filter element 9 prevents the airflow from carrying the lubricating oil, thus avoiding the lubricating oil being carried back into the system by the gas. At the same time, a sight glass 10 is also provided on the housing 1 near the bottom for observing the lubricating oil level at the bottom of the cavity.

[0029] The oil-gas separator also includes an oil return pipe 11, which penetrates the housing 1 and has its inlet located at the bottom of the receiving cavity. The oil return pipe 11 can return the lubricating oil collected in the oil-gas separator back to the compressor, ensuring that the compressor has a sufficient oil level.

[0030] Specifically, the oil-gas separation structure 2 is a cylindrical body made of seamless steel pipe. The shell 1 is formed by an upper cover plate, a lower cover plate, and a circumferential wall between the upper and lower cover plates. The exhaust port 5 penetrates the upper cover plate, and the upper cover plate is also equipped with lifting lugs 12 for hoisting the oil-gas separator. The oil-gas separation structure 2 is fixed to the upper cover plate, and the air inlet 4 is close to the upper cover plate. The oil-gas mixture entering through the air inlet 4 is blown in tangentially along the oil-gas separation structure 2, causing the oil-gas mixture to swirl around the outer surface of the oil-gas separation structure 2, achieving oil-gas separation under the action of centrifugal force. At the same time, the oil-gas mixture will also collide with the outer surface of the oil-gas separation structure 2 and the inner surface of the shell 1, and oil-gas separation can also be achieved under this mechanical collision action.

[0031] According to an embodiment of the present invention, an air conditioner is also provided, including the oil-gas separator described above.

[0032] It will be readily understood by those skilled in the art that the aforementioned advantageous methods can be freely combined and superimposed without conflict.

[0033] The above are merely preferred embodiments of the present invention and are not intended to limit the present invention. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, and improvements made within the spirit and principles of the present invention should be included within the protection scope of the present invention. The above are merely preferred embodiments of the present invention. It should be noted that for those skilled in the art, several improvements and modifications can be made without departing from the technical principles of the present invention, and these improvements and modifications should also be considered within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. An oil-gas separator, characterized in that, Includes a housing (1), the housing (1) having a receiving cavity, an oil-gas separation structure (2) being provided in the receiving cavity, the oil-gas separation structure (2) having an installation cavity communicating with the receiving cavity, a silencing component (3) being installed in the installation cavity, the housing (1) also having an air inlet (4) communicating with the receiving cavity and an exhaust port (5) communicating with the interior of the silencing component (3); The silencing component (3) includes a first cylinder (31), and the mounting cavity between the outer surface of the first cylinder (31) and the inner surface of the oil-gas separation structure (2) forms a silencing chamber. The first cylinder (31) has a first flow channel, one end of which is connected to the mounting cavity and the other end is connected to the exhaust port (5). The first cylinder (31) is constructed with a porous unit, and the first flow channel is connected to the silencing chamber through the porous unit. The silencing component (3) is provided with a fixing plate (7) at one end away from the exhaust port (5). The outer edge of the fixing plate (7) is connected to the inner surface of the oil-gas separation structure (2). A vent hole is constructed on the fixing plate (7) that penetrates the fixing plate (7). An oil-gas separation component (8) is provided on the side of the fixing plate (7) away from the silencing component (3). The oil-gas separation assembly (8) includes a separator (81) and a second cylinder (82). The separator (81) is fixed on the fixing plate (7) and has multiple oil filter holes. The second cylinder (82) is disposed in the space enclosed by the separator (81) and the fixing plate (7). The second cylinder (82) has multiple vent holes penetrating the wall of the second cylinder and has a second flow channel. The second flow channel is connected to the first flow channel through the vent holes. The oil-gas mixture entering through the air inlet (4) flows through the oil-gas separation structure (2), the separator (81), and the second cylinder (82) in sequence to achieve three oil-gas separations, and then enters the first flow channel through the second flow channel and the vent hole.

2. The oil-gas separator according to claim 1, characterized in that, The silencing chamber is provided with multiple partitions (32), each partition (32) dividing the silencing chamber into multiple sub-silencing chambers (6). The porous unit includes multiple porous groups (33), the number of porous groups (33) and the positions of the sub-silencing chambers (6) are the same.

3. The oil-gas separator according to claim 2, characterized in that, The volume of each of the sub-silencing cavities (6) is inconsistent.

4. The oil-gas separator according to claim 2, characterized in that, The porous group (33) includes multiple sound-absorbing holes. The number of sound-absorbing holes included in each porous group (33) is different. The volume of the sub-sound-absorbing cavity (6) corresponding to the porous group (33) with more sound-absorbing holes is smaller than the volume of the sub-sound-absorbing cavity (6) corresponding to the porous group (33) with fewer sound-absorbing holes.

5. The oil-gas separator according to claim 1, characterized in that, A filter element (9) is also provided inside the cavity. The outer edge of the filter element (9) is connected to the side wall of the cavity, and the filter element (9) is located below the oil-gas separation structure (2).

6. The oil-gas separator according to claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes an oil return pipe (11) that penetrates the housing (1) and has its inlet located at the bottom of the accommodating cavity.

7. The oil-gas separator according to claim 1, characterized in that, The oil-gas separation structure (2) is a cylindrical body, and the oil-gas separation structure (2) is fixed on the top wall of the cavity. The air inlet (4) is close to the top of the shell (1).

8. An air conditioner, characterized in that, Includes the oil-gas separator as described in any one of claims 1 to 7.

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