JP6601022B2 - Gas-liquid separator - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a gas-liquid separator provided in an air conditioner.

  The air conditioner includes a gas-liquid separator that separates a gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant into a liquid-phase refrigerant and a gas-phase refrigerant. A typical example of the gas-liquid separator provided in the air conditioner is an accumulator. The accumulator separates the gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant that has flowed out of the evaporator provided in the air conditioner into a liquid-phase refrigerant and a gas-phase refrigerant. Only the separated gas-phase refrigerant is returned to the compressor provided in the air conditioner.

  Various ideas for improving the separation efficiency of the gas-liquid separator have been proposed. For example, Patent Literature 1 and Patent Literature 2 disclose a gas-liquid separation device provided with a capturing member that captures minute refrigerant droplets mixed in a gas-phase refrigerant. The gas-liquid separation device described in Patent Document 2 includes a cylindrical container, and discharges the gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant into the cylindrical container, and the released gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant swirls in the gas-phase refrigerant. Configured to form. By forming the swirl flow, the gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant is centrifuged into the gas-phase refrigerant and the liquid-phase refrigerant.

JP 2009-174836 A JP 2012-241963 A

(Problems to be solved by the invention)
The gas-liquid separation devices disclosed in Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2 are configured to capture a liquid-phase refrigerant by colliding minute refrigerant droplets existing in the airflow with a capturing member. The liquid refrigerant may be vaporized by collision energy (vibration energy) when the droplet collides with the capturing member. Moreover, as shown in Patent Document 2, when the gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant is discharged as a swirling flow into the gas-phase refrigerant, the liquid-phase refrigerant in the gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant may be diffused and vaporized. Further, the swirl flow formed in the gas-phase refrigerant disturbs the liquid surface of the liquid-phase refrigerant stored in the gas-liquid separator, and the liquid-phase refrigerant and the gas-phase refrigerant collide, and the collision energy at that time There is also a risk that the liquid phase refrigerant is vaporized by (vibration energy). Thus, the conventional gas-liquid separator including the gas-liquid separator disclosed in Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2 described above separates the gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant into a gas-phase refrigerant and a liquid-phase refrigerant. Although it has a suitable configuration, it is not configured to suppress the progress of vaporization of the liquid-phase refrigerant.

  Incidentally, recently developed air conditioners are provided with a gas-liquid separator called a receiver (more precisely, a receiver for cooling injection). This receiver is provided between the outdoor heat exchanger and the indoor heat exchanger provided in the air conditioner. The receiver separates the gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant flowing out from the outdoor heat exchanger into a gas-phase refrigerant and a liquid-phase refrigerant during the cooling operation of the air conditioner. The liquid phase refrigerant separated by the receiver flows into the indoor heat exchanger and is evaporated in the indoor heat exchanger. Cooling is performed by such evaporation. On the other hand, since the gas-phase refrigerant separated by the receiver is unnecessary in the subsequent process, it is returned to the intake port of the compressor without passing through the indoor heat exchanger. Thus, by returning unnecessary gas-phase refrigerant to the compressor without passing through the indoor heat exchanger, the efficiency during cooling operation can be increased.

  Such a receiver is required to suppress the progress of vaporization of the liquid-phase refrigerant in addition to the function of separating the gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant into the liquid-phase refrigerant and the gas-phase refrigerant. This is because as the vaporization of the liquid phase refrigerant proceeds, the amount of the liquid phase refrigerant sent to the indoor heat exchanger decreases, and the cooling capacity decreases. However, as described above, the conventional gas-liquid separator does not have a function of suppressing the progress of vaporization of the liquid-phase refrigerant. Therefore, when such a gas-liquid separator is used as a receiver, There is a problem that vaporization progresses and cooling capacity decreases.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a gas-liquid separation device that can separate a gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant into a liquid-phase refrigerant and a gas-phase refrigerant while suppressing the progress of vaporization of the liquid-phase refrigerant. To do.

(Means for solving problems)
The present invention is provided between an outdoor heat exchanger (4) and an indoor heat exchanger (3A, 3B) provided in the air conditioner (1), and the outdoor heat when the air conditioner is in cooling operation. A gas-liquid separation device (7) for separating a gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant flowing out from an exchanger into a liquid-phase refrigerant and a gas-phase refrigerant, and having a cylindrical shape in which the liquid-phase refrigerant and the gas-phase refrigerant are stored The container (71) in which the separation space (71a) is formed and the liquid-phase refrigerant in the separation space are opened, and the gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant forms a swirling flow around the axis of the separation space in the liquid-phase refrigerant. As described above, the gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant supply pipe (72) that discharges the gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant to the separation space, and the liquid-phase refrigerant in the separation space above the opening position of the gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant supply pipe opened so as to face the swirling flow at the location, the liquid-phase refrigerant outlet pipe for discharging the liquid-phase refrigerant from the separation space and (73) Thereby opening the gas phase refrigerant in the separation space, comprising gas-phase refrigerant discharge pipe for discharging the gas refrigerant from the separation space and (74), and to provide a gas-liquid separator.

  According to the present invention, the gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant that has flowed out of the outdoor heat exchanger when the air conditioner is in cooling operation is formed in the container of the gas-liquid separator from the gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant supply pipe. To the separated space. The gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant released into the separation space forms a swirling flow in the separation space. By forming the swirl flow, the gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant is separated into the liquid-phase refrigerant and the gas-phase refrigerant.

  In addition, since the gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant supply pipe opens into the liquid-phase refrigerant in the separation space, the gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant flowing out of the outdoor heat exchanger is separated through the gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant supply pipe. It is discharged into the liquid phase refrigerant in the space. Since the gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant is released into the liquid-phase refrigerant, the diffusion of the liquid-phase refrigerant is suppressed as compared with the case where the gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant is released into the gas-phase refrigerant. Therefore, the progress of vaporization of the liquid phase refrigerant due to the diffusion of the liquid phase refrigerant is suppressed.

  Further, since the gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant forms a swirl flow in the liquid-phase refrigerant, as shown in Patent Document 2, as compared with the case where the gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant forms a swirl flow in the gas-phase refrigerant, There is little disturbance in the liquid level of the liquid refrigerant. For this reason, disorder of the liquid level of a liquid phase refrigerant | coolant is suppressed. Moreover, the traveling direction of the gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant is made one direction by the formation of the swirl flow. Therefore, as compared with the case where the traveling direction of the gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant is random, the disturbance of the liquid level of the liquid-phase refrigerant can be suppressed. Therefore, the progress of the vaporization of the liquid phase refrigerant due to the disturbance of the liquid level of the liquid phase refrigerant is suppressed.

  As described above, according to the gas-liquid separation device according to the present invention, the gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant can be separated into the liquid-phase refrigerant and the gas-phase refrigerant while suppressing the progress of vaporization of the liquid-phase refrigerant.

  Further, the container provided in the gas-liquid separator has a cylindrical portion (711) having an inner peripheral surface (711a) facing the side peripheral surface of the separation space, and the gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant supply pipe It is preferable that the liquid phase refrigerant in the separation space is opened so that the two-phase refrigerant is discharged into the separation space along the circumferential direction of the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion. According to this, by causing the gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant to be released into the separation space along the circumferential direction of the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion of the container, a swirl flow is easily formed in the liquid-phase refrigerant in the separation space. be able to.

The liquid-phase refrigerant discharge pipe, as opposed to the turning direction of the swirling flow, it is open in the liquid phase refrigerant in the separation space. According to this, the liquid-phase refrigerant | coolant isolate | separated by formation of a swirl | vortex flow can be rapidly sent into liquid-phase refrigerant | coolant discharge piping.

Further, the gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant supply pipe is different in the axial direction of the separation space so that the opening position in the separation space of the gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant supply pipe and the opening position in the separation space of the liquid-phase refrigerant discharge pipe are different. and the liquid-phase refrigerant discharge pipe is that is disposed in the separation space. According to this, the opening position of the gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant supply pipe and the opening position of the liquid-phase refrigerant discharge pipe in the separation space are deviated in the axial direction of the separation space. The residence time of the gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant swirling around can be increased. Thereby, the separation efficiency of the gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant can be increased.

It is a figure which shows the structure of the air conditioning apparatus to which the gas-liquid separation apparatus which concerns on this embodiment is applied. It is a typical perspective view which shows the structure of a receiver. It is a typical internal perspective view when the receiver is viewed from the plane direction. It is a figure which shows the internal structure of the receiver seen from the arrow A direction of FIG.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an air conditioner 1 to which a gas-liquid separator according to the present embodiment is applied. The air conditioner 1 includes a compressor 2, indoor heat exchangers 3A and 3B, an outdoor heat exchanger 4, a heating expansion valve 5A and a cooling expansion valve 5B, a four-way valve 6, a receiver 7, A heat exchanger 8 and an accumulator 9 are provided.

  In this embodiment, the compressor 2 is driven by a gas engine. In the compressor 2, a discharge pipe connection port 2a, a suction pipe connection port 2b, a heating injection pipe connection port 2c, and a cooling injection pipe connection port 2d are formed. The compressor 2 sucks the low-pressure gas-phase refrigerant from the suction pipe connection port 2b, compresses the sucked-in low-pressure gas-phase refrigerant, and discharges the compressed high-pressure gas-phase refrigerant from the discharge pipe connection port 2a. A heating injection pipe 10i described later is connected to the heating injection pipe connection port 2c. A cooling injection pipe 10h described later is connected to the cooling injection pipe connection port 2d.

  A discharge pipe connection port 2a of the compressor 2 is connected to the four-way valve 6 via a first pipe 10a which is a discharge pipe. The four-way valve 6 has four connection ports (a first connection port 6a, a second connection port 6b, a third connection port 6c, and a fourth connection port 6d). The four-way valve 6 has a heating connection state in which the first connection port 6a communicates with the second connection port 6b and the third connection port 6c communicates with the fourth connection port 6d, and the first connection port 6a has the third connection port 6c. The connection state can be selectively switched to the cooling connection state in which the second connection port 6b communicates with the fourth connection port 6d. The first pipe 10 a described above is connected to the first connection port 6 a of the four-way valve 6. One end of the second pipe 10b is connected to the second connection port 6b. One end of the third pipe 10c is connected to the third connection port 6c, and one end of the fourth pipe 10d is connected to the fourth connection port 6d.

  The other end side of the second pipe 10b branches, the indoor heat exchanger 3A is connected to one branch pipe, and the indoor heat exchanger 3B is connected to the other branch pipe. Each branch pipe is provided with flow control valves 11A and 11B, respectively. The number of indoor heat exchangers may be one or three or more. The outdoor heat exchanger 4 is connected to the other end of the third pipe 10c. The indoor heat exchangers 3A and 3B and the outdoor heat exchanger 4 are connected by an intermediate pipe 10e. The indoor heat exchangers 3A and 3B allow the refrigerant to flow into the interior from the second pipe 10b or the intermediate pipe 10e, and exchange heat between the refrigerant and the indoor air. The outdoor heat exchanger 4 allows the refrigerant to flow into the inside from the intermediate pipe 10e or the third pipe 10c, and exchanges heat between the flowed refrigerant and the outside air.

  The intermediate pipe 10e includes a heating intermediate pipe 10f and a cooling intermediate pipe 10g that branch at the point C in FIG. 1 and merge at the point D when viewed from the direction toward the outdoor heat exchanger 4 from the indoor heat exchangers 3A and 3B. Have. A heating check valve 12 and a heating expansion valve 5A are interposed in the heating intermediate pipe 10f. The heating check valve 12 allows the refrigerant to flow in the heating intermediate pipe 10f from the point C to the point D and blocks the flow in the opposite direction. The heating expansion valve 5A expands the refrigerant passing therethrough.

  A cooling check valve 13, a pressure reducing valve 14, a receiver 7, and a cooling expansion valve 5B are interposed in the cooling intermediate pipe 10g. The cooling check valve 13 allows the flow of the refrigerant in the cooling intermediate pipe 10g from the point D to the point C and blocks the flow in the opposite direction. The pressure reducing valve 14 depressurizes the refrigerant flowing through the cooling intermediate pipe 10g. The receiver 7 gas-liquid separates the gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant that flows out of the outdoor heat exchanger 4 and flows through the cooling intermediate pipe 10g. The gas-phase refrigerant separated from the gas and liquid by the receiver 7 flows through a cooling injection pipe 10h described later. On the other hand, the liquid-phase refrigerant separated by the receiver 7 flows into the indoor heat exchangers 3A and 3B via the intermediate pipe 10e. This receiver 7 corresponds to the gas-liquid separator of the present invention. The cooling expansion valve 5 </ b> B expands the liquid-phase refrigerant that has been gas-liquid separated by the receiver 7.

  In addition, the heating injection pipe 10i is provided in a part in the middle of the heating intermediate pipe 10f between the part where the heating expansion valve 5A is interposed and the part where the heating check valve 12 is interposed. One end of the communication. The other end of the heating injection pipe 10i is connected to the heating injection pipe connection port 2c of the compressor 2 as described above. A sub heat exchanger 8 is provided in the middle of the heating injection pipe 10i. The refrigerant flowing through the heating injection pipe 10 i flows into the sub heat exchanger 8. Further, the heating injection pipe 10 i is provided with a heating injection on-off valve 15 on the upstream side of the sub heat exchanger 8.

  In addition, one end of the cooling injection pipe 10 h is connected to the receiver 7. The other end of the cooling injection pipe 10h is connected to the cooling injection pipe connection port 2d of the compressor 2 as described above. A cooling injection on / off valve 16 is provided in the middle of the cooling injection pipe 10h.

  The other end of the fourth pipe 10 d whose one end is connected to the fourth connection port 6 d of the four-way valve 6 is connected to the accumulator 9. The accumulator 9 gas-liquid separates the refrigerant that has flowed there. One end of the suction pipe 10j communicates with the accumulator 9. The other end of the suction pipe 10j is connected to the suction pipe connection port 2b of the compressor 2. Of the refrigerant separated into gas and liquid by the accumulator 9, the gas refrigerant flows through the suction pipe 10j and is supplied to the compressor 2.

  Next, the air conditioning operation (heating operation, cooling operation) of the air conditioner 1 according to the present embodiment will be described. First, the heating operation will be described. During the heating operation, the four-way valve 6 is brought into a heating connection state. When the compressor 2 is activated during the heating operation, the high-pressure gas-phase refrigerant compressed by the compressor 2 is discharged to the first pipe 10a. The high-pressure gas-phase refrigerant discharged to the first pipe 10a enters the four-way valve 6 from the first connection port 6a of the four-way valve 6 and passes through the second connection port 6b communicating with the first connection port 6a. It is sent to the double pipe 10b. And it flows in into indoor heat exchanger 3A, 3B from the 2nd piping 10b. The high-pressure gas-phase refrigerant that has flowed into the indoor heat exchangers 3A and 3B is condensed by discharging heat to the indoor air while flowing through the indoor heat exchangers 3A and 3B. At this time, the indoor air is warmed by the heat discharged from the high-pressure gas-phase refrigerant, and the room is heated.

  The refrigerant that has exhausted heat to the room air and has condensed is partially liquefied and flows out of the indoor heat exchangers 3A and 3B, flows through the intermediate pipe 10e, and then flows into the heating intermediate pipe 10f from the position indicated by point C. Then, after being reduced in pressure by the expansion valve 5A for heating to be easily evaporated, it flows into the outdoor heat exchanger 4. The refrigerant that has flowed into the outdoor heat exchanger 4 takes the heat of the outside air and evaporates while it flows through the outdoor heat exchanger 4.

  The refrigerant that has evaporated the heat of the outside air is partially vaporized, flows out of the outdoor heat exchanger 4, and flows through the third pipe 10c. And it enters into the four-way valve 6 from the third connection port 6c of the four-way valve 6 and is sent to the fourth pipe 10d via the fourth connection port 6d communicating with the third connection port 6c, and further from the fourth pipe 10d. It flows into the accumulator 9. In the accumulator 9, the refrigerant is separated into a liquid-phase refrigerant and a low-pressure gas-phase refrigerant. Only the low-pressure gas-phase refrigerant flows through the suction pipe 10j and returns to the compressor 2.

  Next, the cooling operation will be described. During the cooling operation, the four-way valve 6 is brought into a cooling connection state. When the compressor 2 is activated during the cooling operation, the high-pressure gas-phase refrigerant compressed by the compressor 2 is discharged to the first pipe 10a. The high-pressure gas-phase refrigerant discharged to the first pipe 10a enters the four-way valve 6 from the first connection port 6a of the four-way valve 6 and passes through the third connection port 6c communicating with the first connection port 6a. It is sent to the three piping 10c. And it flows in into the outdoor heat exchanger 4 from the 3rd piping 10c. The high-pressure gas-phase refrigerant that has flowed into the outdoor heat exchanger 4 is condensed by discharging heat to the outside air while flowing through the outdoor heat exchanger 4.

  The refrigerant that is condensed by discharging heat to the outside air is partly liquefied and converted into a gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant. This gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant flows out of the outdoor heat exchanger 4, flows through the intermediate pipe 10e, flows into the cooling intermediate pipe 10g from the position indicated by the point D, is depressurized by the pressure reducing valve 14, and then flows into the receiver 7. . The gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant is separated into a gas-phase refrigerant and a liquid-phase refrigerant by the receiver 7. Of the separated refrigerants, only the liquid phase refrigerant further flows through the cooling intermediate pipe 10g. Then, after the pressure is reduced so as to be easily evaporated by expansion by the cooling expansion valve 5B, the refrigerant flows into the indoor heat exchangers 3A and 3B through the intermediate pipe 10e. The liquid-phase refrigerant that has flowed into the indoor heat exchangers 3A and 3B evaporates by taking the heat of the indoor air while flowing through the indoor heat exchangers 3A and 3B. At this time, the refrigerant takes the heat of the room air, thereby cooling the room air and cooling the room.

  The refrigerant that has evaporated the heat of the room air is partially vaporized, flows out of the indoor heat exchangers 3A and 3B, and flows through the second pipe 10b. And it enters into the four-way valve 6 from the second connection port 6b of the four-way valve 6, and is sent to the fourth pipe 10d via the fourth connection port 6d communicating with the second connection port 6b, and further from the fourth pipe 10d. It flows into the accumulator 9. In the accumulator 9, the refrigerant is separated into a liquid-phase refrigerant and a low-pressure gas-phase refrigerant. Only the low-pressure gas-phase refrigerant flows through the suction pipe 10j and returns to the compressor 2.

  Thus, during heating, the indoor heat exchangers 3A and 3B function as a refrigerant condenser, and the outdoor heat exchanger 4 functions as a refrigerant evaporator. On the other hand, during cooling, the outdoor heat exchanger 4 functions as a refrigerant condenser, and the indoor heat exchangers 3A and 3B function as a refrigerant evaporator.

  Moreover, at the time of heating operation, a part of refrigerant | coolant which flowed out from indoor heat exchanger 3A, 3B flows in into the heating injection piping 10i, and also flows into the sub heat exchanger 8 provided in the heating injection piping 10i. The refrigerant flowing into the sub heat exchanger 8 is heat-exchanged with the cooling water that has cooled the gas engine for driving the compressor 2. The sub heat exchanger 8 evaporates liquid phase refrigerant out of the refrigerant flowing through the heating injection pipe 10i. The refrigerant evaporated in the sub heat exchanger 8 is returned to the compressor 2 from the heating injection pipe connection port 2c of the compressor 2 through the heating injection pipe 10i. Thus, efficient heating operation can be realized by flowing the refrigerant through the heating injection pipe 10i during heating.

  Further, as described above, during the cooling operation, the gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant that has flowed out of the outdoor heat exchanger 4 passes through the intermediate pipe 10e (the cooling intermediate) between the outdoor heat exchanger 4 and the indoor heat exchangers 3A and 3B. It is supplied to the receiver 7 provided in the pipe 10g). In the receiver 7, the supplied gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant is separated into a liquid-phase refrigerant and a gas-phase refrigerant. The separated liquid phase refrigerant flows into the indoor heat exchangers 3A and 3B as described above. On the other hand, the separated gas-phase refrigerant flows through the cooling injection pipe 10 h and is returned to the compressor 2 from the cooling injection pipe connection port 2 d of the compressor 2. As described above, during cooling, the gas-phase refrigerant that does not need to be sent to the indoor heat exchangers 3A and 3B (that is, does not contribute to evaporation) passes through the cooling injection pipe 10h without flowing into the indoor heat exchangers 3A and 3B. By returning to the compressor 2, an efficient cooling operation can be realized.

  FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view showing the structure of the receiver 7 corresponding to the gas-liquid separator of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 2, the receiver 7 includes a container 71, a gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant supply pipe 72, a liquid-phase refrigerant discharge pipe 73, and a gas-phase refrigerant discharge pipe 74.

  The container 71 includes a cylindrical portion 711, an upper lid portion 712, and a bottom lid portion 713. The cylindrical part 711 is formed in a cylindrical shape. The upper lid portion 712 has a bowl shape and is attached to the tubular portion 711 so as to close one end surface of the tubular portion 711. The bottom cover part 713 also has a bowl shape and is attached to the cylindrical part 711 so as to close the other end surface of the cylindrical part 711. And the container 71 is arrange | positioned in the predetermined | prescribed position (for example, the inside of an outdoor unit) of the air conditioning apparatus 1 so that the top cover part 712 is located upwards and the bottom cover part 713 is located below. A cylindrical separation space 71 a surrounded by the cylindrical portion 711, the upper lid portion 712, and the bottom lid portion 713 is formed inside the container 71. The separated liquid phase refrigerant and gas phase refrigerant are stored in the separation space 71a.

  In addition, three holes (a first hole 75a, a second hole 75b, and a third hole 75c) are formed in the upper lid portion 712. The gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant supply pipe 72 is inserted through the first hole 75a. Therefore, one end of the gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant supply pipe 72 opens into the separation space 71 a of the container 71. The other end of the gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant supply pipe 72 is connected to the outdoor heat exchanger 4 via an intermediate pipe 10e (cooling intermediate pipe 10g). The gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant that has flowed out of the outdoor heat exchanger 4 during the cooling operation of the air conditioner 1 flows into the gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant supply pipe 72 via the intermediate pipe 10e, and this gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant supply pipe. 72 is discharged into the separation space 71 a in the container 71.

  Further, the liquid phase refrigerant discharge pipe 73 is inserted into the second hole 75b. Accordingly, one end of the liquid-phase refrigerant discharge pipe 73 opens into the separation space 71a. The other end of the liquid-phase refrigerant discharge pipe 73 is connected to the indoor heat exchangers 3A and 3B via the intermediate pipe 10e (cooling intermediate pipe 19g). The liquid-phase refrigerant separated by the receiver 7 flows into the liquid-phase refrigerant discharge pipe 73 and flows into the indoor heat exchangers 3A and 3B via the intermediate pipe 10e (cooling intermediate pipe 10g).

  Further, the gas-phase refrigerant discharge pipe 74 is inserted into the third hole 75c. Accordingly, one end of the gas-phase refrigerant discharge pipe 74 opens into the separation space 71a. The other end of the gas-phase refrigerant discharge pipe 74 is connected to the cooling injection pipe connection port 2d of the compressor 2 via the cooling injection pipe 10h. The gas-phase refrigerant separated by the receiver 7 flows into the gas-phase refrigerant discharge pipe 74 and is returned to the compressor 2 through the cooling injection pipe 10h.

  FIG. 3 is a schematic internal perspective view when the receiver 7 is viewed from the plane direction. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the internal structure of the receiver 7 as seen from the direction of arrow A in FIG. In FIG. 4, the gas-phase refrigerant discharge pipe 74 is omitted. As shown in FIGS. 2, 3, and 4, a portion of the gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant supply pipe 72 that enters the separation space 71 a includes a first portion 72 a and a second portion 72 b. The first portion 72a extends downward from the first hole 75a along the axial direction of the separation space 71a. The second portion 72b extends from the lower end of the first portion 72a along the circumferential direction of the separation space 71a. The tip of the second portion 72b opens in the separation space 71a.

  In addition, the portion of the liquid-phase refrigerant discharge pipe 73 that has entered the separation space 71a includes a first portion 73a and a second portion 73b. The first portion 73a extends downward from the second hole 75b along the axial direction of the separation space 71a. The second portion 73b extends from the lower end of the first portion 73a along the circumferential direction of the separation space 71a. The tip of the second portion 73b opens in the separation space 71a. As can be seen from FIG. 3, the second portion 72b of the gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant supply pipe 72 and the second portion 73b of the liquid-phase refrigerant discharge pipe 73 are opposite to each other in the circumferential direction of the separation space 71a. It extends in the direction.

  In addition, a portion of the gas-phase refrigerant discharge pipe 74 that enters the separation space 71a extends downward from the third hole 75c along the axial direction of the separation space 71a. And the front-end | tip is opening toward the downward direction.

  As shown well in FIG. 3, the cylindrical portion 711 of the container 71 has an inner peripheral surface 711a that faces the side peripheral surface of the columnar separation space 71a. The second portion 72b of the gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant supply pipe 72 discharges the gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant from the opening at the tip along the circumferential direction of the inner peripheral surface 711a, that is, the circumferential direction of the separation space 71a. The inner circumferential surface 711a is disposed along the circumferential direction. That is, the gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant supply pipe 72 is open to the separation space 71 a so that the gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant is discharged along the circumferential direction of the inner peripheral surface 711 a of the cylindrical portion 711.

  2 and 4, the opening position of the tip of the second portion 72b of the gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant supply pipe 72 is more than the opening position of the tip of the second portion 73b of the liquid-phase refrigerant discharge pipe 73. Is also down. That is, the opening position of the gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant supply pipe 72 in the separation space 71a and the opening position of the liquid-phase refrigerant discharge pipe 73 in the separation space 71a in the axial direction (height direction) of the separation space 71a are different. As described above, the gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant supply pipe 72 and the liquid-phase refrigerant discharge pipe 73 are disposed in the separation space 71a. Further, the opening position at the tip of the second portion 73 b of the liquid-phase refrigerant discharge pipe 73 is lower than the opening position in the separation space 71 a of the gas-phase refrigerant discharge pipe 74.

  Further, as described above, the liquid-phase refrigerant and the gas-phase refrigerant are stored in the separation space 71 a of the receiver 7. 2 and 4 show the liquid level H of the liquid-phase refrigerant stored in the separation space 71a. Here, in the present embodiment, the gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant supply pipe 72 and the liquid-phase refrigerant discharge pipe 73 open into the liquid-phase refrigerant stored in the separation space 71a. That is, the opening at the tip of the second portion 72b of the gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant supply pipe 72 and the opening at the tip of the second portion 73b of the liquid phase refrigerant discharge pipe 73 are the liquid phase refrigerant in the separation space 71a. It is located below the liquid level H. On the other hand, the gas-phase refrigerant discharge pipe 74 opens into the gas-phase refrigerant in the separation space 71a.

  When the air conditioner 1 having the receiver 7 having such a configuration is in cooling operation, as described above, the gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant that has flowed out of the outdoor heat exchanger 4 passes through the cooling intermediate pipe 10g. It is introduced into the receiver 7. At this time, the gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant flowing out of the outdoor heat exchanger 4 and flowing through the cooling intermediate pipe 10g enters the gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant supply pipe 72 connected to the cooling intermediate pipe 10g. From the opening at the tip of the second portion 72 b of the liquid two-phase refrigerant supply pipe 72, the liquid 71 is discharged into the separation space 71 a of the container 71. In addition, as described above, the second portion 72b of the gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant supply pipe 72 extends in the circumferential direction of the separation space 71a, and at the tip thereof, the gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant is the inner peripheral surface 711a of the cylindrical portion 711. Are opened so as to be discharged into the separation space 71a along the circumferential direction. Therefore, the gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant released from the opening at the tip of the second portion 72b of the gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant supply pipe 72 is surrounded by the inner peripheral surface 711a of the cylindrical portion 711 of the container 71 in the separation space 71a. Proceed in a direction along the direction. For this reason, the gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant discharged from the gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant supply pipe 72 to the separation space 71a turns around its axis in the separation space 71a. That is, the gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant released into the separation space 71a forms a swirling flow around the axis of the separation space 71a in the separation space 71a.

  In addition, as described above, the gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant supply pipe 72 opens into the liquid-phase refrigerant in the separation space 71a. Accordingly, the gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant released from the gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant supply pipe 72 to the separation space 71a forms a swirling flow around the axis of the separation space 71a in the liquid-phase refrigerant in the separation space 71a. That is, the gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant supply pipe 72 opens into the liquid-phase refrigerant in the separation space 71a, and the gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant swirls around the axis of the separation space 71a in the liquid-phase refrigerant in the separation space 71a. The gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant is discharged into the separation space 71a so as to form a flow.

  The gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant forms a swirl flow in the liquid phase refrigerant in the separation space 71a, so that the liquid phase refrigerant having a large specific gravity moves outside the swirl flow, and the gas phase refrigerant having a low specific gravity moves inside the swirl flow. Move to. In this way, the gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant is separated into the liquid-phase refrigerant and the gas-phase refrigerant. The separated gas-phase refrigerant gathers near the center of the swirling flow. The gas-phase refrigerant collected in the vicinity of the center rises and enters the gas-phase refrigerant discharge pipe 74 opened in the gas-phase refrigerant in the separation space 71a, and further enters the compressor 2 through the cooling injection pipe 10h. Returned. On the other hand, the separated liquid phase refrigerant enters the liquid phase refrigerant discharge pipe 73 opened in the liquid phase refrigerant in the separation space 71a, and further flows into the indoor heat exchangers 3A and 3B through the intermediate pipe 10e. To do.

  Thus, according to the receiver 7 according to the present embodiment, the gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant from the gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant supply pipe 72 is released into the liquid phase refrigerant in the separation space 71a. Here, when the gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant is released into the gas, the liquid-phase refrigerant in the gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant is diffused by being suddenly released into the gas, and the diffusion of the liquid-phase refrigerant is caused by such diffusion. Vaporization proceeds. On the other hand, in this embodiment, since the gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant is released into the liquid-phase refrigerant as described above, compared with the case where the gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant is released into the gas-phase refrigerant, The diffusion of the liquid-phase refrigerant in the gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant is suppressed. Therefore, the progress of vaporization due to diffusion of the liquid phase refrigerant is suppressed.

  Further, according to the receiver 7 according to the present embodiment, the gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant released from the gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant supply pipe 72 forms a swirl flow in the liquid-phase refrigerant. Due to the formation of the swirl flow, as shown in FIG. 4, the liquid level at the central portion of the liquid level H of the liquid-phase refrigerant is lowered and the liquid level at the outer peripheral portion is raised. In addition, although the liquid level of the liquid-phase refrigerant is slightly disturbed by the formation of the swirl flow, the swirl flow formed in the liquid phase has a smaller effect on the liquid level than the swirl flow formed in the gas phase. The liquid level disturbance of the liquid refrigerant is small. When the turbulence of the liquid level is large, the collision energy between the gas and the liquid is large, and the vaporization of the liquid phase refrigerant is promoted by the large collision energy. On the other hand, according to this embodiment, the disturbance of the liquid level of the liquid phase refrigerant is reduced by forming the swirl flow in the liquid phase refrigerant as described above. Therefore, the progress of vaporization of the liquid phase refrigerant due to the large disturbance of the liquid level is suppressed.

  Further, when the moving direction of the gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant released into the liquid-phase refrigerant is random, the liquid surface is greatly disturbed and the liquid-phase refrigerant violently collides with the inner peripheral surface 711 a of the container 71. When the liquid phase refrigerant violently collides with the inner peripheral surface 711a of the container 71, vaporization of the liquid phase refrigerant is promoted by the collision energy. On the other hand, according to the present embodiment, the gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant forms a swirling flow in the liquid-phase refrigerant and the movement direction thereof is made constant, so that the liquid level disturbance is reduced, The probability that the liquid refrigerant collides with the inner peripheral surface 711a of the container 71 also decreases. Therefore, the progress of the vaporization of the liquid phase refrigerant due to the large disturbance of the liquid level is further suppressed, and the progress of the vaporization of the liquid phase refrigerant due to the collision of the liquid phase refrigerant with the inner peripheral surface 711a of the container 71 is also suppressed. Is done.

  Thus, according to the receiver 7 (gas-liquid separation device) according to the present embodiment, the gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant is separated into the liquid-phase refrigerant and the gas-phase refrigerant while suppressing the progress of vaporization of the liquid-phase refrigerant. be able to. For this reason, more liquid phase refrigerant | coolants can be sent into indoor heat exchanger 3A, 3B, and, thereby, the efficiency at the time of air_conditionaing | cooling operation can be improved.

  Further, as described above, the second portion 72b of the gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant supply pipe 72 and the second portion 73b of the liquid-phase refrigerant discharge pipe 73 are respectively directed in opposite directions in the circumferential direction of the separation space 71a. It extends. Therefore, the opening surface at the tip of the second portion 72b of the gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant supply pipe 72 and the opening surface at the tip of the second portion 73b of the liquid-phase refrigerant discharge pipe 73 are directed in opposite directions, respectively. . For this reason, the liquid-phase refrigerant discharge pipe 73 is opened in the liquid-phase refrigerant so as to face the swirling direction of the swirling flow of the gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant in the separation space 71a. In this way, when the liquid phase refrigerant discharge pipe 73 is opened facing the swirl direction of the swirl flow, the swirl flow is easily sucked into the opening of the liquid phase refrigerant discharge pipe 73. Therefore, the liquid phase refrigerant separated by the formation of the swirl flow can be quickly sent to the liquid phase refrigerant discharge pipe 73.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the opening position of the tip of the second part 72 b of the gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant supply pipe 72 is positioned below the opening position of the tip of the second part 73 b of the liquid-phase refrigerant discharge pipe 73. ing. That is, the two-phase gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant supply pipe 72 in the separation space 71a in the axial direction of the separation space 71a is different from the opening position of the liquid-phase refrigerant discharge pipe 73 in the separation space 71a. A phase refrigerant supply pipe 72 and a liquid phase refrigerant discharge pipe 73 are arranged in the separation space 71a. For this reason, the residence time of the gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant | coolant which forms the swirl | vortex flow in the separation space 71a can be increased. Centrifugation can be sufficiently performed by increasing the residence time of the gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant forming the swirl flow, and as a result, the separation efficiency of the gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant can be increased.

  In the present embodiment, all three pipes (gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant supply pipe 72, liquid-phase refrigerant discharge pipe 73, and gas-phase refrigerant discharge pipe 74) are formed in the upper lid portion 712 of the container 71. It has entered the separation space 71a of the container 71 via the (first hole 75a, second hole 75b, third hole 75c). For this reason, in order to connect the container 71 and each piping, it is sufficient to provide a hole only in the upper lid portion 712. Therefore, the number of manufacturing steps for the receiver 7 can be reduced.

  As mentioned above, although embodiment of this invention was described, this invention should not be limited to the said embodiment. For example, in the above embodiment, an example is shown in which the opening position of the gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant supply pipe 72 in the separation space 71 a in the container 71 is lower than the opening position of the liquid-phase refrigerant discharge pipe 73. However, the opening position of the gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant supply pipe 72 and the opening position of the liquid-phase refrigerant discharge pipe 73 in the separation space 71a may be the same position in the vertical direction, or the gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant supply pipe 72 The opening position may be above the opening position of the liquid-phase refrigerant discharge pipe 73. In the present embodiment, the compressor 2 is driven by the gas engine. However, the compressor 2 may be driven by an electric motor or the like. Thus, the present invention can be modified without departing from the gist thereof.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Air conditioning apparatus, 2 ... Compressor, 3A, 3B ... Indoor heat exchanger, 4 ... Outdoor heat exchanger, 6 ... Four-way valve, 7 ... Receiver (gas-liquid separator), 71 ... Container, 71a ... Separation space 711 ... cylindrical part, 711a ... inner peripheral surface, 712 ... upper cover part, 713 ... bottom cover part, 72 ... gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant supply piping, 72a ... first part, 72b ... second part, 73 ... liquid phase refrigerant Discharge pipe, 73a ... first part, 73b ... second part, 74 ... gas phase refrigerant discharge pipe, 75a ... first hole, 75b ... second hole, 75c ... third hole

Claims (2)

An air-liquid two-phase refrigerant that is provided between an outdoor heat exchanger and an indoor heat exchanger provided in the air conditioner and that flows out of the outdoor heat exchanger when the air conditioner is in a cooling operation is liquefied. A gas-liquid separation device that separates into a phase refrigerant and a gas phase refrigerant,
A container in which a cylindrical separation space in which a liquid-phase refrigerant and a gas-phase refrigerant are stored is formed;
The gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant is opened in the liquid-phase refrigerant in the separation space, and the gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant forms a swirl around the axis of the separation space in the liquid-phase refrigerant. A gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant supply pipe that discharges to the separation space;
Open in the liquid phase refrigerant in the separation space above the opening position of the gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant supply pipe so as to face the swirl flow, and discharge the liquid phase refrigerant from the separation space. Liquid phase refrigerant discharge piping;
A gas-phase refrigerant discharge pipe that opens into the gas-phase refrigerant in the separation space and discharges the gas-phase refrigerant from the separation space;
A gas-liquid separator. The gas-liquid separator according to claim 1,
The container has a cylindrical portion having an inner peripheral surface facing a side peripheral surface of the separation space,
The gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant supply pipe opens into the liquid-phase refrigerant in the separation space so that the gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant is discharged into the separation space along the circumferential direction of the inner peripheral surface. A gas-liquid separator.

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