Refrigerant Oil Separator Inlet Layout for Low Oil Outflow
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing oil separators in refrigerant gas systems are inefficient in separating oil mist from refrigerant gas, leading to increased oil outflow due to incomplete liquefaction and improper design of the gas inlet and outlet paths, which results in reduced separation efficiency and potential oil leakage.
Innovation Solution
The oil separator design includes a filter with a gas inlet pipe positioned higher than the lower lid and lower than the center between the upper and lower lids, featuring a liquefaction promoting member and an adhesive-sealed lower lid to enhance oil mist liquefaction and separation, ensuring efficient oil removal from refrigerant gas.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If the gas inlet pipe is positioned at the conventional location (lower than the lower lid), then the structure is simple, but the oil mist liquefaction is incomplete and separation efficiency is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The gas inlet pipe is positioned at a specific location (higher than the lower lid and lower than the center between upper and lower lids) to create optimal local conditions for oil mist liquefaction and separation, rather than using a conventional uniform positioning approach
Solution Approach 2:
The inlet pipe position is designed to preliminarily promote oil mist liquefaction before the refrigerant gas enters the filter, preparing the mixture for more effective separation downstream
2Reliability
If the oil separator uses a simple filter structure, then the device complexity is low, but the oil outflow increases due to incomplete separation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes parameters such as the inlet pipe position, filter material properties, and internal space geometry to enhance oil separation performance without requiring a completely new filter structure
Solution Approach 2:
The filter material acts as an intermediary between the oil mist and the refrigerant gas, facilitating the separation process through its specific physical and chemical properties
3Manufacturing precision
If the gas inlet pipe is positioned higher to improve separation, then the separation efficiency increases, but the pressure loss may increase
Solution Approach 1:
The inlet pipe is positioned partially elevated (not at the maximum possible height) to achieve sufficient separation efficiency while avoiding excessive pressure loss that would occur with higher positioning
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
This configuration effectively reduces oil outflow by promoting efficient liquefaction and separation of oil mist, improving the overall separation efficiency and preventing oil leakage, while maintaining refrigeration capacity by minimizing pressure loss.
Implementation Method 1
a filter configured to form an internal space by including a filter material filtering out oil from the refrigerant gas
Implementation Method 2
a lower lid bonded to a lower portion of the filter material
Data Source
AI summary
A disclosed oil separator provided in a flow path of a refrigerant gas flowing from a compressor to a refrigerator including a filter configured to form an internal space by including a filter material filtering out oil from the refrigerant gas, an upper lid bonded to an upper portion of the filter material, and a lower lid bonded to a lower portion of the filter material; a body accommodating the filter; a gas inlet pipe introducing the refrigerant gas into the internal space; and a gas outlet pipe ejecting the refrigerant gas from which the oil is filtered out by the filter from an upper portion of the body, wherein a lower end of the gas inlet pipe is opened to the internal space at a position higher than the lower lid and lower than a substantial center between the upper lid and the lower lid.