Oil separator and refrigeration device

Abstract

The utility model discloses an oil separator and a refrigeration device. An oil separator (50) is provided with: a container (51); an inlet pipe (52) through which the refrigerant discharged from the compressor (30) flows into the container; and an outlet pipe (53), at least a portion of which is provided inside the container and which causes a gaseous refrigerant obtained by separating oil from the discharged refrigerant to flow out from the container, the outer peripheral surface (53x) of the outlet pipe facing the inner peripheral surface (51c) of the container inside the container, the outlet pipe including a check valve (54), and the check valve (54) being configured to check the outer peripheral surface (53x) of the outlet pipe from the inner peripheral surface (51c) of the container inside the container. The check valve includes a straight pipe portion (55) and an expanded diameter portion (56) which has a larger diameter than the straight pipe portion and is provided inside the container, the straight pipe portion includes a lower straight pipe portion (55b) extending downward from the expanded diameter portion, the inlet pipe has an opening portion (52a) through which the sprayed refrigerant flows into the container, and the outlet pipe extends in a direction (X) in which the outlet pipe extends. The existence range (A1) of the opening part and the existence range (A4) of the lower side straight pipe part are overlapped.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to oil separators and refrigeration devices. This application claims priority based on Japanese Application No. 2024-002951, filed on January 12, 2024, and incorporates all the contents described in the aforementioned Japanese application. Background Technology

[0002] The refrigeration unit includes an oil separator in the outdoor unit to separate oil from the refrigerant injected from the compressor (ejected refrigerant). Oil separators can be of various types, including gravity separation and centrifugal separation (see Patent Document 1). Typically, the outlet piping extending from the oil separator to the outside is equipped with a check valve.

[0003] In the past, to achieve a more compact outdoor unit in refrigeration systems, studies have been conducted on simplifying the piping around the oil separator. It has been found that placing the check valve inside the oil separator is an effective way to simplify the piping around it.

[0004] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2017-008810

[0005] There are concerns that the oil separation efficiency may be reduced when a centrifugal oil separator has an internal check valve. Utility Model Content

[0006] The purpose of this disclosure is to provide an internal check valve in a centrifugal oil separator and to suppress the reduction in oil separation efficiency.

[0007] (1) The oil separator of this disclosure comprises: a cylindrical container; an inlet pipe through which sprayed refrigerant from a compressor flows into the interior of the container; and an outlet pipe, at least a portion of which is disposed inside the container, through which gaseous refrigerant obtained by separating oil from the sprayed refrigerant flows out of the container. Inside the container, the outer peripheral surface of the outlet pipe faces the inner peripheral surface of the container. The outlet pipe includes a check valve. The check valve includes a straight pipe portion and an enlarged portion with a diameter larger than the straight pipe portion and disposed inside the container. The straight pipe portion includes a lower straight pipe portion extending downward from the enlarged portion. The inlet pipe has an opening through which the sprayed refrigerant flows into the interior of the container. In the oil separator of this disclosure, in the extending direction of the outlet pipe, the extent of the opening portion overlaps with the extent of the lower straight pipe portion.

[0008] The oil separator with the above-described structure can reduce the pressure loss of refrigerant gas flowing inside the container. Therefore, in a centrifugal oil separator, a check valve can be installed internally, and the reduction in oil separation efficiency can be suppressed.

[0009] (2) In the oil separator of the aspect (1), it is preferable that, in the inside of the container, a range in which the opening portion exists and a range in which the diameter-enlarged portion exists do not overlap in the extension direction of the outlet pipe.

[0010] The oil separator of the above structure can reduce pressure loss of the refrigerant gas flowing in the container. Thus, in the oil separator of the centrifugal separation method, a check valve can be provided inside, and reduction in oil separation efficiency can be suppressed.

[0011] (3) In the oil separator of the aspect (1) or (2), it is preferable that a lower end of the opening portion and a lower end of the lower straight pipe portion are separated by 45 mm or more in the extension direction of the outlet pipe.

[0012] The oil separator of the above structure can reliably suppress the oil from flowing out of the outlet pipe.

[0013] (4) In the oil separator of any one of the aspects (1) to (3), it is preferable that an opening surface of the opening portion does not face the outlet pipe.

[0014] In the oil separator of the above structure, the inlet pipe can cause the ejected refrigerant to flow toward the inner circumferential surface of the container without contacting the outlet pipe. In this case, generation of the swirling flow is not hindered by the outlet pipe, and thus reduction in oil separation efficiency can be suppressed.

[0015] (5) In the oil separator of any one of the aspects (1) to (4), it is preferable that the opening surface of the opening portion includes a first end point at which a distance from the inner circumferential surface of the container is the smallest and a second end point at which the distance from the inner circumferential surface of the container is the largest, and the second end point, as viewed from the direction of the axis of the outlet pipe with a straight line that passes through the first end point and crosses the axis of the outlet pipe as a reference, is located at a position that is on an upstream side of the straight line in a flow direction of the ejected refrigerant that swirls inside the container.

[0016] In the oil separator of the above structure, the inlet pipe can further increase a speed difference between a first flow rate at which the ejected refrigerant flowing from the vicinity of the first end point contacts the inner circumferential surface of the container and a second flow rate at which the ejected refrigerant flowing from the vicinity of the second end point contacts the inner circumferential surface of the container. In this case, swirling flow of the ejected refrigerant can be more smoothly formed, and a flow rate of the ejected refrigerant can be ensured. Thus, reduction in oil separation efficiency can be suppressed.

[0017] (6) In the oil separator of any one of the aspects (1) to (5), it is preferable that the outlet pipe further includes a filter provided at a position that is lower than the diameter-enlarged portion, and a length of the filter in the extension direction of the outlet pipe is smaller than a pipe diameter of the outlet pipe.

[0018] The oil separator of the above structure can simplify the structure of the outlet pipe. Thereby, the piping around the oil separator can be simplified.

[0019] (7) In the oil separator of the mode of (6), it is preferable that the filter be provided to the check valve.

[0020] The oil separator of the above structure can simplify the structure of the outlet pipe. Thereby, the piping around the oil separator can be simplified.

[0021] (8) In the oil separator of any one of (1) to (5), it is preferable that the outlet pipe further have an extension pipe extending downward from the lower straight pipe portion, and the filter be provided to the extension pipe.

[0022] The oil separator of the above structure can simplify the structure of the outlet pipe. Thereby, the piping around the oil separator can be simplified.

[0023] (9) The refrigeration device of the present disclosure has the oil separator of any one of (1) to (8).

[0024] The refrigeration device of the present disclosure can suppress a decrease in oil separation efficiency in the oil separator in the outdoor unit, and can simplify the piping around the oil separator. Thereby, in the refrigeration device, the outdoor unit can be compacted. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0025] Figure 1 is a schematic system diagram showing a refrigeration device having the oil separator of the present disclosure.

[0026] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram showing the overall structure of the oil separator of the present disclosure.

[0027] Figure 3 is a partial cross-sectional schematic diagram showing the oil separator of the first embodiment.

[0028] Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view as viewed in the arrow direction of line Y-Y of Figure 3 .

[0029] Figure 5 is a cross-sectional schematic diagram showing the outlet pipe of the first embodiment.

[0030] Figure 6 is a partial cross-sectional schematic diagram showing the oil separator of the second embodiment.

[0031] Figure 7 is a cross-sectional schematic diagram showing the outlet pipe of the second embodiment.

[0032] REFERENCE NUMERALS

[0033] 10: Refrigeration device

[0034] 30: Compressor

[0035] 50: Oil separator

[0036] 50A: First oil separator

[0037] 50B: Second oil separator

[0038] 51: Container

[0039] 51c: Inner peripheral surface

[0040] 52: Inlet pipe

[0041] 52a: Opening portion

[0042] 52b: Opening surface

[0043] 53: Outlet pipe

[0044] 53x: Outer peripheral surface

[0045] 54: Check valve

[0046] 55: Straight pipe portion

[0047] 55b: Lower straight pipe portion

[0048] 56: Enlarged diameter portion

[0049] 57: Filter

[0050] 59: Extension pipe

[0051] A1: Range in which the opening portion is present

[0052] A3: Range in which the enlarged diameter portion is present

[0053] A4: Range in which the lower straight pipe portion is present

[0054] P1: First end point

[0055] P2: Second end point

[0056] C: Axis of the outlet pipe

[0057] D: Diameter of the straight pipe portion

[0058] E: Thickness (length) of the filter

[0059] X: Extension direction of the outlet pipe

[0060] Z: Straight line DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0061] Hereinafter, the oil separator and the refrigeration device of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0062] [Overall structure of the refrigeration device]

[0063] Figure 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of the refrigeration cycle device of the present disclosure. Figure 1 A refrigeration device 10 is shown as one embodiment of the refrigeration device of the present disclosure. Figure 1 The refrigeration device 10 shown is one embodiment of the refrigeration device of the present disclosure, and is an air conditioning device that adjusts the temperature of air in an object space in which air conditioning is performed to a prescribed target temperature. In addition, the refrigeration device of the present disclosure is not limited to an air conditioning device, and can be a refrigeration device or the like, for example.

[0064] The refrigeration device 10 has an outdoor unit 21 and an indoor unit 22. In the present embodiment, a configuration in which one indoor unit 22 is connected to one outdoor unit 21 is exemplified. However, the number of outdoor units 21 and indoor units 22 provided in the refrigeration device 10 is not limited to this, and a configuration in which two or more indoor units 22 are connected in parallel to one outdoor unit 21 can also be adopted. In addition, in the case of a configuration in which a plurality of indoor units 22 are connected to one outdoor unit 21, the refrigeration device 10 can be configured to have a configuration in which the indoor units 22 are connected in series to the outdoor unit 21. Figure 1 In the example shown, an air conditioning device of the cold-heat switching type and of the heat pump type is exemplified, but the manner of the refrigeration device of the present disclosure is not limited to this, and can be a so-called cold-heat free type air conditioning device in which refrigeration and heating can be individually switched for each indoor unit 22, for example.

[0065] The refrigeration device 10 has a communication pipe 23. The communication pipe 23 circulates refrigerant between the outdoor unit 21 and the indoor unit 22. The refrigeration device 10 is provided with a refrigerant circuit 40 that includes a compressor 30, a four-way switching valve 32, an outdoor heat exchanger 31, an outdoor expansion valve 34, a liquid cut valve 38, an indoor heat exchanger 25, a gas cut valve 39, and refrigerant pipes that connect these. The refrigerant circuit 40 includes a gas refrigerant pipe 40G and a liquid refrigerant pipe 40L.

[0066] The indoor unit 22 is provided with an indoor heat exchanger 25. The indoor heat exchanger 25 constitutes a part of the refrigerant circuit 40. The indoor heat exchanger 25 is a heat exchanger of the cross finned tube type or the micro channel type, and is used for heat exchange with air in the room.

[0067] The indoor unit 22 is provided with an indoor fan 26. The indoor fan 26 is configured to take in air in the room to the inside of the indoor unit 22, and to blow out the air after heat exchange between the taken-in air and refrigerant at the indoor heat exchanger 25. The indoor fan 26 is provided with a motor that can adjust the rotation speed by frequency control.

[0068] The outdoor unit 21 is provided with a compressor 30, a four-way switching valve 32, an outdoor heat exchanger 31, an outdoor expansion valve 34, a liquid shut-off valve 38, and a gas shut-off valve 39. The compressor 30, the four-way switching valve 32, the outdoor heat exchanger 31, the outdoor expansion valve 34, the liquid shut-off valve 38, and the gas shut-off valve 39 constitute a part of a refrigerant circuit 40.

[0069] The compressor 30 sucks in gas refrigerant at low pressure and discharges gas refrigerant at high pressure. The compressor 30 is provided with a motor capable of adjusting the operation speed by frequency control. The compressor 30 is a variable capacity type (capacity variable type) capable of changing the capacity (ability) by frequency control of the motor. However, the compressor 30 can also be a constant capacity type. In addition, the refrigeration device 10 of the present embodiment has one compressor 30, but the structure of the outdoor unit in the refrigeration device (air conditioning device) of the present disclosure is not limited to this structure, and can also be a structure having two compressors. In this case, the first compressor can be provided as a variable capacity type, and the second compressor can be provided as a constant capacity type.

[0070] The four-way switching valve 32 reverses the flow of refrigerant in the refrigerant circuit 40 and switches the refrigerant discharged from the compressor 30 to be supplied to one of the outdoor heat exchanger 31 and the indoor heat exchanger 25. Thus, the refrigeration device 10 can switch between cooling operation and heating operation.

[0071] The outdoor heat exchanger 31 is, for example, a cross finned tube type or a microchannel type heat exchanger for exchanging heat between air as a heat source and refrigerant. The outdoor expansion valve 34 is constituted by an electric valve capable of adjusting the refrigerant flow and the like.

[0072] The liquid shut-off valve 38 and the gas shut-off valve 39 are manual on-off valves. The liquid shut-off valve 38 and the gas shut-off valve 39 cut off the flow of refrigerant in the gas refrigerant pipe 40G and the liquid refrigerant pipe 40L by closing, and allow the flow of refrigerant in the gas refrigerant pipe 40G and the liquid refrigerant pipe 40L by opening.

[0073] The outdoor unit 21 is provided with an outdoor fan 33. The outdoor fan 33 is provided with a motor capable of adjusting the operation speed by frequency control. The outdoor fan 33 is configured to take in air outside the outdoor unit 21 into the inside of the outdoor unit 21, and to blow out the taken-in air to the outside of the outdoor unit 21 after exchanging heat between the taken-in air and the refrigerant at the outdoor heat exchanger 31.

[0074] The outdoor unit 21 also includes an oil separator 50. The oil separator 50 is a device that separates lubricating oil from the refrigerant (discharged refrigerant) ejected from the compressor 30. The oil separator 50 disclosed herein is a centrifugal separation type oil separator. The oil separator 50 includes a container 51, an inlet pipe 52, an outlet pipe 53, and an oil return pipe 60. The inlet pipe 52 is connected to an ejection pipe 36 connected to the ejection side of the compressor 30. The outlet pipe 53 is connected to a connecting pipe 37 communicating with a four-way switching valve 32. The oil return pipe 60 is connected to the suction side of the compressor 30. The outdoor unit 21 also includes a solenoid valve 35 disposed midway along the oil return pipe 60.

[0075] Oil separator 50 allows refrigerant (discharged refrigerant) injected from compressor 30 to flow into container 51 via discharge pipe 36 and inlet pipe 52. Oil separator 50 separates lubricating oil from the refrigerant by causing it to swirl within container 51. Oil separator 50 allows the lubricating oil-free refrigerant to flow out through outlet pipe 53. The refrigerant flowing out of outlet pipe 53 is delivered to four-way switching valve 32. The lubricating oil separated from the refrigerant accumulates in oil separator 50. The lubricating oil accumulated in oil separator 50 returns to compressor 30 via oil return pipe 60 when solenoid valve 35 is opened. The structure of oil separator 50 will be described in detail later.

[0076] When the refrigeration device 10 with the above-described structure is operating in refrigeration mode, the four-way switching valve 32 remains in the position... Figure 1 The state is shown by the solid line. High-temperature, high-pressure gaseous refrigerant ejected from compressor 30 flows into outdoor heat exchanger 31 via oil separator 50 and four-way switching valve 32. It condenses and liquefies by exchanging heat with outdoor air through the action of outdoor fan 33. When the refrigeration unit 10 is operating in cooling mode, outdoor heat exchanger 31 functions as a condenser. The liquefied refrigerant flows into indoor unit 22 through fully open outdoor expansion valve 34. In indoor unit 22, the refrigerant evaporates by exchanging heat with indoor air in indoor heat exchanger 25. The indoor air cooled by the evaporation of the refrigerant is blown into the room by indoor fan 26, cooling the room. The refrigerant evaporated in indoor heat exchanger 25 returns to outdoor unit 21 through gaseous refrigerant piping 40G and is drawn into compressor 30 via four-way switching valve 32. When the refrigeration unit 10 is operating in cooling mode, indoor heat exchanger 25 functions as an evaporator.

[0077] When the refrigeration unit 10 is operating in heating mode, the four-way switching valve 32 remains in the position... Figure 1The state indicated by the dotted line. The high-temperature and high-pressure gas-like refrigerant discharged from the compressor 30 flows into the indoor heat exchanger 25 of each indoor unit 22 through the oil separator 50 and the four-way switching valve 32. In the indoor heat exchanger 25, the refrigerant exchanges heat with indoor air to be condensed and liquefied. In the case where the refrigeration device 10 performs the heating operation, the indoor heat exchanger 25 functions as a condenser. The indoor air heated by the condensation of the refrigerant is blown out to the room by the indoor fan 26, and the room is heated. The refrigerant liquefied in the indoor heat exchanger 25 returns to the outdoor unit 21 through the liquid refrigerant pipe 40L, is depressurized to a predetermined low pressure by the outdoor expansion valve 34, and further exchanges heat with outdoor air in the outdoor heat exchanger 31 to be evaporated. The refrigerant evaporated and gasified in the outdoor heat exchanger 31 is sucked into the compressor 30 via the four-way switching valve 32. In the case where the refrigeration device 10 performs the heating operation, the outdoor heat exchanger 31 functions as an evaporator.

[0078] [Overall structure of oil separator]

[0079] Figure 2 is a schematic view showing the overall structure of the oil separator of the present disclosure. Figure 3 is a partial cross-sectional schematic view of the oil separator of the first embodiment. Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view as viewed in the arrow direction of the Y-Y line of Figure 3 . Figure 3 A first embodiment of the oil separator 50 of the present disclosure will be described. In the following description, the oil separator 50 of the first embodiment will also be referred to as a first oil separator 50A. In the following description, in the case where the oil separator 50 is simply referred to as "oil separator 50", the structure common to the first oil separator 50A and the oil separator 50 (second oil separator 50B, refer to Figure 6 ) of the second embodiment described later will be described.

[0080] As shown in Figure 3 and Figure 4 , the oil separator 50 of the present disclosure is provided with a container 51, an inlet pipe 52, and an outlet pipe 53.

[0081] (Container)

[0082] As shown in Figure 2 , the container 51 is composed of a cylindrical portion 51a and an upper and lower pair of end plates 51b. The container 51 is substantially cylindrical and has a substantially cylindrical internal space surrounded by the upper and lower pair of end plates 51b and an inner peripheral surface 51c. The inlet pipe 52 is inserted into a through hole 51d formed in the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 51a, and the outlet pipe 53 is inserted into a through hole 51e formed in the top of the upper end plate 51b.

[0083] (Inlet pipe)

[0084] The inlet pipe 52 communicates with the discharge pipe 36 (refer to Figure 1 ) of the compressor 30, and is a pipe member that causes refrigerant to flow into the internal space of the container 51. The oil separator 50 is provided with a pipe member 61 that fills the gap of the through portion between the inlet pipe 52 and the through-hole 51d. The inlet pipe 52 causes refrigerant to flow out from an opening portion 52a formed at the tip of the container 51 on the internal space side. An opening face 52b of the opening portion 52a is inclined with respect to the axial direction of the inlet pipe 52 at the opening portion 52a. In addition, in Figure 4 , the range of formation of the opening face 52b at the opening portion 52a is illustrated as a range B. In Figure 3 , the range in which the opening portion 52a exists in the extension direction of the outlet pipe 53 (the direction of the arrow X, hereinafter also referred to as the direction X) is illustrated as a range Al.

[0085] (Outlet pipe)

[0086] Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing the outlet pipe of the first embodiment. The outlet pipe 53 is a pipe member that causes refrigerant from which oil has been separated to flow out from the internal space of the container 51. The outlet pipe 53 communicates with the four-way switching valve 32 (refer to Figure 1 ). As shown in Figure 3 , the outlet pipe 53 is inserted into the inside of the container 51 from the through-hole 51e, and at least a portion thereof is disposed in the internal space of the container 51. The outer peripheral face 53x of the outlet pipe 53 faces the inner peripheral face 51c of the container 51. The oil separator 50 is provided with a pipe member 62 that fills the gap of the through portion between the outlet pipe 53 and the through-hole 51e. In addition, in Figure 3 and Figure 5 , the outlet pipe 53 of the first embodiment (hereinafter, also referred to as the first outlet pipe 53A) is shown. In addition, in the present description, in the case of being simply referred to as the "outlet pipe 53", the structure common to the first outlet pipe 53A and the outlet pipe 53 (second outlet pipe 53B, refer to Figure 6 ) of the second embodiment explained later is explained.

[0087] As shown in Figure 3 and Figure 5As shown, the outlet pipe 53 is configured to include a check valve 54. In the oil separator 50 of the present disclosure, the check valve 54 constitutes a part or all of the outlet pipe 53. The check valve 54 is a valve member that suppresses backflow of refrigerant flowing out from the inside space of the container 51 to the inside space. The check valve 54 is configured to include a straight pipe portion 55 and a diameter-expanded portion 56. The straight pipe portion 55 is a portion that is straight pipe-shaped. The diameter-expanded portion 56 is a portion that is expanded in diameter compared with the straight pipe portion 55, and internally houses a valve core 54a. The straight pipe portion 55 includes an upper straight pipe portion 55a that extends upward from the diameter-expanded portion 56, and a lower straight pipe portion 55b that extends downward from the diameter-expanded portion 56. In the oil separator 50 of the present disclosure, at least the diameter-expanded portion 56 and the lower straight pipe portion 55b in the outlet pipe 53 are located inside the container 51. In the present embodiment, the diameter-expanded portion 56 is provided at a midway portion in the axial direction of the straight pipe portion 55, but the position at which the diameter-expanded portion 56 is arranged in the check valve 54 is not limited to this. In the present embodiment, the diameter-expanded portion 56 is provided at a position that is closer to the upper end portion of the outlet pipe 53 than the lower end portion 53y, but the position at which the diameter-expanded portion 56 is arranged in the check valve 54 is not limited to this. Figure 3 and Figure 5 In the outlet pipe 53, in the extending direction (direction X) thereof, the range in which the outlet pipe 53 is present is illustrated as a range A2, the range in which the diameter-expanded portion 56 is present is illustrated as a range A3, the range in which the lower straight pipe portion 55b is present is illustrated as a range A4, and the range in which the upper straight pipe portion 55a is present is illustrated as a range A5.

[0088] As shown in Figure 3 and Figure 5 , the outlet pipe 53 is configured to further include a connection portion 58. The connection portion 58 is configured to include an upper connection portion 58a at the upper end portion of the outlet pipe 53, and a lower connection portion 58b at the lower end portion 53y of the outlet pipe 53. The connection portion 58 is a portion that is flared and expanded in diameter compared with the straight pipe portion 55, and is configured to be able to connect a pipe. In addition, in the manner shown in Figure 3 , the upper connection portion 58a is connected to the communication pipe 37. The lower connection portion 58b is used as a portion for providing a filter to be described later.

[0089] As shown in Figure 4 , in the present description, for ease of explanation, a first end point P1 and a second end point P2 are prescribed with respect to the opening portion 52a. Figure 4 The position of the axis (center line) C of the outlet pipe 53 is illustrated. In the oil separator 50 of the present disclosure, the position of the axis C coincides with the pipe center of the outlet pipe 53. The first end point P1 is a portion in the opening portion 52a that is located most outward in the radial direction of the container 51 when viewed from the direction of the axis C. The first end point P1 is a point in the opening portion 52a that has the shortest distance (M1) to the inner peripheral surface 51c of the container 51. The second end point P2 is a portion in the opening portion 52a that is located most inward in the radial direction of the container 51 when viewed from the direction of the axis C. The second end point P2 is a point in the opening portion 52a that has the longest distance (M2) to the inner peripheral surface 51c of the container 51. In addition, asFigure 4 In the present specification, for the sake of convenience of explanation, a straight line Z passing through the first end point P1 and orthogonal to the axis C is defined. In addition, in the present specification, a flow direction of the refrigerant flowing spirally inside the container 51 is defined as a flow direction R.

[0090] As Figure 4 indicated in the oil separator 50 of the present disclosure, the second end point P2 is located at a position upstream of the straight line Z in the flow direction R of the refrigerant flowing spirally inside the container 51 when viewed from the direction of the axis C of the outlet pipe 53.

[0091] The oil separator 50 of the present disclosure is able to further increase the speed difference between the flow rate of the refrigerant flowing out from the vicinity of the first end point P1 of the inlet pipe 52 when reaching the inner peripheral surface 51c and the flow rate of the refrigerant flowing out from the vicinity of the second end point P2 when reaching the inner peripheral surface 51c by adopting such a structure. In this case, the spirally flowing flow of the refrigerant can be more smoothly formed inside the container 51, and the flow rate of the spirally flowing flow of the refrigerant can be ensured. Thus, the decrease in the oil separation efficiency in the oil separator 50 of the centrifugal separation type can be suppressed.

[0092] [Oil separator of first embodiment]

[0093] As Figure 3 and Figure 5 indicated, the first oil separator 50A is provided with a first outlet pipe 53A. In the extension direction (direction X) of the first outlet pipe 53A, the range Al in which the opening portion 52a exists overlaps with the range A4 in which the lower straight pipe portion 55b exists. The first oil separator 50A is able to make the refrigerant flowing into the container 51 from the opening portion 52a reach the inner peripheral surface 51c without being hindered by the first outlet pipe 53A by adopting such a structure. Thus, the pressure loss of the refrigerant gas flowing inside the container 51 can be reduced. In addition, in the first outlet pipe 53A indicated in the present embodiment, the range A2 coincides with the range in which the check valve 54 exists in the direction X. In other words, the total length in the axial direction of the first outlet pipe 53A coincides with the total length in the axial direction of the check valve 54.

[0094] As Figure 3As shown, the first oil separator 50A configures the opening portion 52a of the inlet pipe 52 to aim at a portion in the enlarged diameter portion 56 where the diameter is reduced toward the lower side straight pipe portion 55b. The first oil separator 50 ensures the distance L between the lower end portion 53y of the first outlet pipe 53A and the lower end of the opening portion 52a by such a structure. In addition, the distance L in the first oil separator 50A is referred to as a first distance LI. Therefore, in the first oil separator 50A, the range Al where the opening portion 52a exists overlaps with the range A3 where the enlarged diameter portion 56 exists. In addition, in the first oil separator 50A, the range Al where the opening portion 52a exists can not overlap with the range A3 where the enlarged diameter portion 56 exists.

[0095] In the first oil separator 50A of the present embodiment, the first distance LI is about 67 mm. In other words, the first oil separator 50A ensures the first distance LI of 45 mm or more. The first oil separator 50A can reliably suppress the refrigerant before the oil is separated from flowing out to the outside from the first outlet pipe 53A by ensuring the first distance LI of 45 mm or more.

[0096] [Outlet pipe of the first embodiment]

[0097] As shown in FIG. 1, the first outlet pipe 53A has a structure in which the lower side straight pipe portion 55b is connected to the upper side straight pipe portion 55a via the lower side connection portion 58b. In addition, the first outlet pipe 53A has a structure in which the lower side straight pipe portion 55b is connected to the upper side straight pipe portion 55a via the enlarged diameter portion 56. Figure 3 and Figure 5 As shown, the first outlet pipe 53A is provided with a filter 57. In the first oil separator 50A, the filter 57 is built in the lower side connection portion 58b of the first outlet pipe 53A (the check valve 54). The filter 57 is held in the pipe of the lower side connection portion 58b by a protrusion-like pressing portion 58c formed in the lower side connection portion 58b.

[0098] The filter 57 provided in the first oil separator 50A has a disc-like shape and has a thickness (length) E in the axial direction. In the first oil separator 50A, the thickness E of the filter 57 is smaller than the pipe diameter (outer diameter D) of the lower side straight pipe portion 55b (E < D). In addition, the outer diameter D of the lower side straight pipe portion 55b is the pipe diameter of the portion with the smallest diameter in the first outlet pipe 53A. The first oil separator 50A with such a structure can suppress the increase in the total length of the first outlet pipe 53A even when the filter 57 is provided in the first outlet pipe 53A. The first oil separator 50A can achieve compactness by such a structure. In addition, the oil separator 50 of the present disclosure can set the length E of the filter 57 to be the size of the pipe diameter (outer diameter D) of the lower side straight pipe portion 55b or more in order to ensure the filter area of the filter 57.

[0099] [Oil separator of the second embodiment]

[0100] Figure 6 is a partial cross-sectional schematic view that shows the oil separator of the second embodiment. Figure 7is a cross-sectional view schematically showing an outlet pipe of the second embodiment. Figure 6 An oil separator 50 of the second embodiment (hereinafter, also referred to as second oil separator 50B) is shown. As shown in Figure 6 The second oil separator 50B is provided with a second outlet pipe 53B as the outlet pipe 53 of the second embodiment.

[0101] In the second oil separator 50B, the range Al in which the opening portion 52a exists overlaps with the range A4 in which the lower straight pipe portion 55b exists in the direction X. On the other hand, in the second oil separator 50B, the range Al does not overlap with the range A3 in which the enlarged diameter portion 56 exists. The second oil separator 50B is different from the first oil separator 50A explained earlier in this point. The second oil separator 50B is able to reliably suppress the flow of the refrigerant flowing into the container 51 from the opening portion 52a from being hindered by the second outlet pipe 53B by adopting such a structure. Thereby, the second oil separator 50B is able to make the refrigerant flowing into the container 51 from the opening portion 52a reach the inner circumferential surface 51c more smoothly, and is able to reduce the pressure loss of the refrigerant gas flowing in the container 51. In addition, in the second oil separator 50B, the range Al in which the opening portion 52a exists can also overlap with the range A3 in which the enlarged diameter portion 56 exists.

[0102] As shown in Figure 6 and Figure 7 In the second oil separator 50B, the second outlet pipe 53B is further provided with an extension pipe 59 extending downward from the check valve 54. The second oil separator 50B is further different from the first oil separator 50A explained earlier in this point. In other words, the second outlet pipe 53B is constituted by the check valve 54 and the extension pipe 59. The range A2 in which the second outlet pipe 53B exists in the X direction is the range in which the check valve 54 and the extension pipe 59 exist.

[0103] The extension pipe 59 is a pipe member connected to the lower side connection portion 58b of the check valve 54, and is provided extending downward from the lower side connection portion 58b. The lower end portion 53y of the second outlet pipe 53B is the lower end portion of the extension pipe 59. The second oil separator 50B ensures the distance L between the lower end portion 53y of the second outlet pipe 53B and the lower end of the opening portion 52a by providing the extension pipe 59. In addition, the distance L in the second oil separator 50B is referred to as the second distance L2. The second oil separator 50B ensures the second distance L2 of 45 mm or more. The second oil separator 50B is able to reliably suppress the refrigerant before the oil is separated from flowing out to the outside from the second outlet pipe 53B by ensuring the second distance L2 of 45 mm or more.

[0104] The second oil separator 50B adopting such a structure is able to easily ensure the distance L required to prevent the lubricating oil from flowing out from the second outlet pipe 53B by adjusting the length of the extension pipe 59 in the second outlet pipe 53B.

[0105] As Figure 6 and Figure 7 shown, the second outlet pipe 53B is provided with the filter 57 built in the extension pipe 59. The filter 57 is held in the pipe of the extension pipe 59 by the protrusion-like pressing portion 59a formed in the extension pipe 59.

[0106] The second oil separator 50B can suppress an increase in the total length of the second outlet pipe 53B by providing the filter 57 in the extension pipe 59. The second oil separator 50B can achieve compactness by such a structure.

[0107] [Effects of Embodiments]

[0108] (1) The oil separator 50 of the above-described embodiment is provided with: a cylindrical container 51; an inlet pipe 52 that causes the ejected refrigerant ejected from the compressor 30 to flow into the inside of the container 51; and an outlet pipe 53 that is provided at least a part thereof in the inside of the container 51 and causes the gaseous refrigerant obtained by separating oil from the ejected refrigerant to flow out from the container 51. In the inside of the container 51, the outer peripheral surface 53x of the outlet pipe 53 faces the inner peripheral surface 51c of the container 51. The outlet pipe 53 includes a straight pipe portion 55 and a diameter-expanded portion 56 that is larger in diameter than the straight pipe portion 55 and is provided in the inside of the container 51. The straight pipe portion 55 includes a lower straight pipe portion 55b that extends downward from the diameter-expanded portion 56. The inlet pipe 52 has an opening portion 52a that causes the ejected refrigerant to flow out to the inside of the container 51. For the oil separator 50, in the extension direction (direction X) of the outlet pipe 53, the range Al in which the opening portion 52a exists and the range A4 in which the lower straight pipe portion 55b exists overlap.

[0109] According to the oil separator 50 of the above-described structure, it is possible to reduce the pressure loss of the refrigerant gas flowing in the container 51. Thus, in the oil separator 50 of the centrifugal separation method, it is possible to provide the check valve 54 inside and suppress a reduction in the oil separation efficiency.

[0110] (2) In the oil separator 50 of the above-described embodiment, in the inside of the container 51, the range Al in which the opening portion 52a exists and the range A3 in which the diameter-expanded portion 56 exists do not overlap in the extension direction (direction X) of the outlet pipe 53.

[0111] According to the oil separator 50 of the above-described structure, it is possible to reduce the pressure loss of the refrigerant gas flowing in the container 51. Thus, in the oil separator 50 of the centrifugal separation method, it is possible to provide the check valve 54 inside and suppress a reduction in the oil separation efficiency.

[0112] (3) In the oil separator 50 of the above embodiment, the lower end of the opening portion 52a and the lower end of the lower straight pipe portion 55b are separated by 45 mm or more in the extension direction (direction X) of the outlet pipe.

[0113] According to the oil separator 50 of the above structure, the outflow of oil from the outlet pipe 53 can be reliably suppressed.

[0114] (4) In the oil separator 50 of the above embodiment, the opening surface 52b of the opening portion 52a is not opposed to the outlet pipe 53.

[0115] According to the oil separator 50 of the above structure, the inlet pipe 52 can cause the ejected refrigerant to flow toward the inner circumferential surface 51c of the container 51 without contacting the outlet pipe 53. In this case, the generation of the swirling flow is not hindered by the outlet pipe 53, and thus the decrease in the oil separation efficiency can be suppressed.

[0116] (5) In the oil separator 50 of the above embodiment, the opening surface 52b of the opening portion 52a includes a first end point P1 at which the distance to the inner circumferential surface 51c of the container 51 is the smallest, and a second end point P2 at which the distance to the inner circumferential surface 51c of the container 51 is the largest. With reference to a straight line Z that passes through the first end point P1 and intersects the axis C of the outlet pipe 53, the second end point P2, as viewed from the direction of the axis C of the outlet pipe 53, is located at a position that is upstream of the straight line Z in the flow direction R of the ejected refrigerant that swirls inside the container 51.

[0117] According to the oil separator of the above structure, the inlet pipe 52 can further increase the speed difference between the first flow rate at which the ejected refrigerant that flows from the vicinity of the first end point P1 reaches the inner circumferential surface 51c of the container 51, and the second flow rate at which the ejected refrigerant that flows from the vicinity of the second end point P2 reaches the inner circumferential surface 51c of the container 51. In this case, the swirling flow of the ejected refrigerant can be more smoothly formed, and the flow rate of the ejected refrigerant can be ensured. Thus, the decrease in the oil separation efficiency can be suppressed.

[0118] (6) In the oil separator 50 of the above embodiment, the outlet pipe 53 further includes a filter 57 that is provided at a position that is lower than the enlarged diameter portion 56. The thickness E of the filter 57 in the extension direction (direction X) of the outlet pipe 53 is smaller than the outer diameter D of the outlet pipe 53.

[0119] According to the oil separator 50 of the above structure, the structure of the outlet pipe 53 can be simplified. Thus, the piping around the oil separator 50 can be simplified.

[0120] (7) In the first oil separator 50A of the above embodiment, the filter 57 is provided to the check valve 54.

[0121] According to the first oil separator 50A having the above structure, it is possible to simplify the structure of the first outlet pipe 53A. Thereby, it is possible to simplify the piping around the first oil separator 50A.

[0122] (8) In the second oil separator 50B of the above embodiment, the outlet pipe 53 further has an extension pipe 59 extending downward from the lower side straight pipe portion 55b. The filter 57 is provided to the extension pipe 59.

[0123] According to the second oil separator 50B having the above structure, it is possible to simplify the structure of the second outlet pipe 53B. Thereby, it is possible to simplify the piping around the second oil separator 50B.

[0124] (9) The refrigerating apparatus 10 of the above embodiment has the oil separator 50.

[0125] The refrigerating apparatus 10 of the present disclosure can suppress a decrease in the oil separation efficiency in the oil separator 50 in the outdoor unit 21, and can simplify the piping around the oil separator 50. Thereby, in the refrigerating apparatus 10, it is possible to achieve the compactness of the outdoor unit 21.

[0126] The above describes the embodiments, but it is understood that various modifications in the modes and details can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the claims.

Claims

1. An oil separator characterized by, The oil separator is provided with: a cylindrical container (51); an inlet pipe (52) that causes an ejected refrigerant ejected from a compressor (30) to flow into the inside of the container (51); and an outlet pipe of which at least a portion is provided in the inside of the container (51) and causes a gas refrigerant obtained by separating oil from the ejected refrigerant to flow out of the container (51), in the inside of the container (51), an outer peripheral surface (53x) of the outlet pipe faces an inner peripheral surface (51c) of the container (51), the outlet pipe includes a check valve (54), the check valve (54) includes a straight pipe portion (55) and a diameter-expanded portion (56) that is larger in diameter than the straight pipe portion (55) and is provided in the inside of the container (51), the straight pipe portion (55) includes a lower straight pipe portion (55b) that extends downward from the diameter-expanded portion (56), the inlet pipe (52) has an opening portion (52a) that causes the ejected refrigerant to flow out to the inside of the container (51), in the extension direction (X) of the outlet pipe, a range (A1) in which the opening portion (52a) exists and a range (A4) in which the lower straight pipe portion (55b) exists overlap.

2. The oil separator according to claim 1, wherein in the inside of the container (51), a range (A1) in which the opening portion (52a) exists and a range (A3) in which the diameter-expanded portion (56) exists do not overlap in the extension direction (X) of the outlet pipe.

3. The oil separator according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a lower end of the opening portion (52a) and a lower end of the lower straight pipe portion (55b) are separated by 45 mm or more in the extension direction (X) of the outlet pipe.

4. The oil separator according to claim 1 or 2, wherein an opening surface (52b) of the opening portion (52a) does not face the outlet pipe.

5. The oil separator according to claim 1 or 2, wherein an opening surface (52b) of the opening portion (52a) includes a first end point (P1) at which a distance from the inner peripheral surface (51c) of the container (51) is smallest and a second end point (P2) at which the distance from the inner peripheral surface (51c) of the container (51) is largest, with reference to a straight line (Z) that passes through the first end point (P1) and intersects an axis (C) of the outlet pipe, the second end point (P2) is located at a position that is upstream of the straight line (Z) in a flow direction (R) of the ejected refrigerant that flows spirally in the inside of the container (51) as viewed from the direction of the axis (C) of the outlet pipe.

6. The oil separator according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the outlet pipe further includes a filter (57) that is provided at a position that is lower than the diameter-expanded portion (56), a length (E) of the filter (57) in the extension direction (X) of the outlet pipe is smaller than a pipe diameter (D) of the outlet pipe.

7. The oil separator according to claim 6, wherein the filter (57) is provided in the check valve (54). ​ 8. The oil separator according to claim 6, characterized in that the outlet pipe further has an extension pipe (59) extending downward from the lower straight pipe portion (55b), the filter (57) is provided to the extension pipe (59).

9. A refrigeration apparatus (10) characterized by, The refrigeration device (10) has the oil separator according to claim 1 or 2.

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