초록 ▼

A heated accumulator for a refrigeration system includes a cylindrical tank closed by upper and lower tank caps. The tank is divided into upper and lower chambers by a plate disposed near the upper tank cap, with the lower chamber defining a sump. The plate includes a central opening surrounded by s

A heated accumulator for a refrigeration system includes a cylindrical tank closed by upper and lower tank caps. The tank is divided into upper and lower chambers by a plate disposed near the upper tank cap, with the lower chamber defining a sump. The plate includes a central opening surrounded by smaller openings. An outlet U-tube has a first end disposed within the central opening of the plate, a second end which extends through the upper tank cap, and a central portion which extends into the sump. A refrigerant inlet tube includes swirl ports which direct refrigerant into a vortex against the inner surface of an upper portion of the tank. Heat is applied to this same upper tank portion, introducing heat directly into the swirling liquid refrigerant. Refrigerant vaporized by the heat rises into the upper tank chamber where it is drawn by compressor suction into the outlet U-tube.

대표청구항 ▼

A refrigerant accumulator for interconnecting a refrigerant evaporator with a suction port of a refrigerant compressor, comprising: an upright, cylindrical metallic tank, said tank having a side wall which defines inner and outer surfaces, and upper and lower ends, means closing said upper and lower

A refrigerant accumulator for interconnecting a refrigerant evaporator with a suction port of a refrigerant compressor, comprising: an upright, cylindrical metallic tank, said tank having a side wall which defines inner and outer surfaces, and upper and lower ends, means closing said upper and lower ends, a plate member disposed to divide said tank into a relatively small upper chamber located near said closed upper end, and a lower chamber which defines a sump, an outlet U-tube in the lower chamber having a first end disposed in vapor flow communication with said upper chamber via a first opening in the plate member, and a second end located outside said tank which is adapted for connection to a suction port of a refrigerant compressor, a refrigerant inlet tube having a first end outside the tank which is adapted for connection to a refrigerant evaporator, and a second end which extends into said tank, said refrigerant inlet tube defining at least one swirl port adjacent to said second end, with said at least one swirl port being located below and adjacent to the plate member, and oriented to direct liquid refrigerant which enters the inlet tube into a vortex against the inner surface of a predetermined upper portion of said tank side wall, and heating means for selectively heating said predetermined upper portion of the tank sidewall, whereby liquid refrigerant in the vortex is vaporized by the heating means in the upper portion of the tank, with vaporized refrigerant escaping the vortex and rising into the upper chamber via at least one second opening in the plate member, for removal via the outlet U-tube.