Methods and Apparatus For Reducing the Noise Level Outputted by Oil Separator

Abstract

A muffling apparatus ( 100 ) having a first, muffling segment ( 1010 ) and a second ( 1020 ), non-muffling segment is provided for placement within an oil separator of refrigeration or cooling system, wherein the apparatus has a non-straight shape and a lumen defined therein to allow for noise-creating pressure pulsations/waves to come into contact with absorbing material ( 120 ) of the muffling segment ( 1010 ) in order to attenuate the energy of the pressure waves/pulsations into heat and thus reduce oil separator vibrations caused thereby.

1 . A method for reducing the noise level outputted by an oil separator within a refrigeration or cooling system, comprising the steps of:
 providing a muffling apparatus having a first segment and a second segment, wherein the first segment includes an absorbing material; and   placing the muffling apparatus within an internal area of an oil separator.   
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the muffling apparatus has a non-straight overall shape. 
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the non-straight overall shape is selected from the group consisting of a bent shape and a curved shape. 
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the first segment has a substantially straight shape and the second segment has a substantially curved shape. 
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first segment has a first end, a second end and a lumen defined therebetween, and wherein at least a portion of the absorbing material is in direct fluid communication with the lumen. 
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein at least a portion of the absorbing material is in direct fluid communication with the lumen via a plurality of openings. 
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the step of placing the muffling apparatus within the internal area of the oil separator is accomplished by attaching the muffling apparatus to the internal area of the oil separator. 
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the muffling apparatus is attached to a first end of a support element, and wherein a second end of the support element is attached to the internal area of the oil separator. 
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the absorbing material is a fiberglass material. 
   
   
       10 . A muffling apparatus for placement within an internal area of an oil separator, the muffling apparatus comprising:
 a first segment having a first end, a second end and a lumen therebetween, wherein the first segment is at least partially constructed of an absorbing material; and   a second segment connected to the first segment.   
   
   
       11 . The muffling apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein at least a portion of the absorbing material is in direct fluid communication with the lumen. 
   
   
       12 . The muffling apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the first segment is comprised of:
 an external shell;   an internal layer formed at least partially of the absorbing material, wherein the internal layer is surrounded by the external shell; and   an internal shell, wherein the internal shell surrounds the lumen.   
   
   
       13 . The muffling apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the internal layer has a plurality of openings defined therein to enable direct fluid communication between the absorbing material and the lumen. 
   
   
       14 . The muffling apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the absorbing material is a fiberglass material. 
   
   
       15 . The muffling apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein each of the external shell and the internal shell is made of a sheet metal material. 
   
   
       16 . The muffling apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the muffling apparatus has a non-straight overall shape. 
   
   
       17 . The muffling apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein the non-straight overall shape is selected from the group consisting of a bent shape and a curved shape. 
   
   
       18 . The muffling apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein the first segment has a substantially straight shape and the second segment has a substantially curved shape 
   
   
       19 . The muffling apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the muffling apparatus is attached to a first end of a support element, and wherein a second end of the support element is attached to the internal area of the oil separator.