Gas-Liquid Separator Baffle Structure for Simple Refrigerant Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing gas-liquid separators in refrigerating systems have complex filter components that lead to high material costs and complicated assembly procedures, with a risk of damage during the welding process due to the small size of the welding portion and inability to withstand large forces.
Innovation Solution
A gas-liquid separator with a gas guide element comprising a baffle, flange, and bottom plate, where the baffle is inclined to shield the gas inlet of the outlet tube, reducing the flow rate of the gas-liquid mixture and preventing liquid from entering the outlet tube, and the gas guide element is made of a steel plate for simple manufacture and assembly, also serving to fix the outlet tube and reduce the need for a positioning device.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a filter component with filter screen and filter screen seat is used, then gas-liquid separation function is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the complex filter screen and filter screen seat components from the gas-liquid separator. Instead of using these traditional filtering components, the invention uses a simplified outlet tube structure with a flange connection that achieves the same gas-liquid separation function without the additional complexity of mesh screens and seated filters.
Solution Approach 2:
The outlet tube is segmented into distinct functional sections: a vertical section, a horizontal section, and a flange connection section. This segmentation allows each part to perform its specific function efficiently while simplifying the overall structure compared to integrated filter components.
2Ease of manufacture
If outlet tube is fixed by small welding portion, then assembly is simplified, but strength and reliability decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the outlet tube connection with a flange structure that is welded to the cylindrical body. This combination provides a large welding area on the cylindrical body while maintaining simple assembly procedures. The flange acts as both a structural strengthening element and a connection interface.
Solution Approach 2:
The flange is pre-formed as an integral part of the outlet tube assembly before installation. This preliminary formation of the flange connection structure allows for easy alignment and simplified welding procedures while ensuring strong mechanical strength from the outset.
3Ease of operation
If outlet tube is kept in suspension state, then installation flexibility is improved, but positioning accuracy and stability worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The flange connection structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides precise positioning of the outlet tube, ensures stable fixed connection through welding to the cylindrical body, and maintains installation flexibility through the standardized flange interface. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate positioning devices.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The gas guide element effectively separates gas and liquid mixtures while reducing manufacturing costs and avoiding compressor slugging, with a simplified assembly process and reduced risk of damage, making it suitable for large and medium-sized refrigerant systems.
Implementation Method 1
The gas, after entering into the inner chamber, passes through the filter screen 161, and passes through the gas guide holes 163 into the inner chamber of the cylindrical body 5 under the blocking of the filter screen seat 162. The liquid of the gas-liquid mixture falls towards the bottom of the inner chamber of the cylindrical body 5 because of the pull of gravity.
Implementation Method 2
The gas floats and enters into the outlet tube 102 under the influence of an external force, and enters into the compressor after being exported from the outlet tube 102
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
A gas-liquid separator applicable to a refrigeration system comprises a cylindrical body (5), an inlet pipe (1) fixedly connected to an upper end of the cylindrical body (5) and an outlet pipe (2) fixedly connected to a lower end of the cylindrical body (5), and further comprises a gas guiding element (7), the gas guiding element (7) further comprising a baffle (72), a flange (71) located at one end of the baffle (72), and a bottom plate (73) located at the other end of the baffle (72), the baffle (72) being located above the outlet pipe (2) and blocking a gas inlet of the outlet pipe (2); the flange (71) being fixedly connected to an inner wall of the cylindrical body (5); and the bottom plate (73) being fixedly connected to a side wall of a gas inlet end of the outlet pipe (2).