Suction accumulator

Details Suction accumulator Suction accumulator

1999-11-05

2001-04-24

McDermott, Corrine (Department: 3744)

Refrigeration

Refrigeration producer

Compressor-condenser-evaporator circuit

C062S513000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06220050

ABSTRACT:

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION
The present invention relates to suction accumulators for hermetic refrigerant compressors, and in particular, to so-called “high side” compressors, i.e., compressors in which the interior of the compressor housing, including the motor chamber, is at discharge pressure.
While it is known to simply attach a cylindrical accumulator vessel to the cylindrical housing of a hermetic compressor, such an arrangement provides a compressor and accumulator assembly package which requires a substantial amount of space. Further, compressors typically generate heat which is thereafter emitted through the housing and into the surrounding air space. Accumulator assemblies heretofore, typically have been thermally isolated, or far enough removed from the compressor housing so that insignificant heat transfer, from the compressor housing to the accumulator housing, occurs. Generally, the accumulator assembly includes liquid refrigerant therein, and through the rather slow process of natural vaporization, the liquid refrigerant transforms to gaseous refrigerant, however, utilizing heat generated by the compressor housing, significantly accelerates vaporization as the accumulator is exposed to the generated heat. Thus, a typical accumulator is often required to store a substantial amount of liquid refrigerant during compressor operation, necessitating a larger accumulator volume. An accumulator which provides faster liquid refrigerant vaporization is desirable because it may be smaller, reducing the package space necessary for the compressor and accumulator assembly. Further, an accumulator which, when attached to a hermetic compressor, requires less package space is also desirable.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention overcomes the disadvantages associated with prior accumulator and compressor assemblies in that it provides an accumulator disposed in close proximity to the compressor and having a shape which conforms to, or partially wraps about, the cylindrical compressor housing, providing increased heat transfer area between the components, thereby promoting high heat transfer from the compressor to the liquid refrigerant within the accumulator. Hence, the amount of liquid refrigerant which the accumulator must store during compressor operation may be reduced, for it will vaporize quickly and enter the compressor suction inlet. Further, because the inventive accumulator has a shape rather like a hip flask, having a generally kidney-shaped cross section which partially wraps about the outer surface of the compressor housing, a more compact compressor and accumulator assembly package size is afforded.
The present invention provides a compressor assembly and an accumulator assembly attached to the compressor assembly, wherein the compressor assembly includes a curved housing and the accumulator assembly includes a concave surface which partially surrounds the curved compressor housing.
The present invention also provides a compressor and suction accumulator assembly including a compressor mechanism disposed in a compressor housing and the compressor housing has an outer surface disposed thereon. The accumulator assembly includes an accumulator housing having an outer surface portion and the outer surface portion of the accumulator housing is interfacingly arranged with the outer surface of the compressor housing. The accumulator housing has an inlet and an outlet and the outlet is in fluid communication with the compressor mechanism. The outer surface portion of the accumulator housing is superposed with the outer surface of the compressor housing.


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