Combined Muffler and Oil Separator for Refrigerant System

Abstract

A refrigerant system ( 20 ) is provided with an enlarged chamber ( 32 ) that provides the functions of both an oil separator and a muffler. The chamber includes an oil return line ( 34 ) that returns separated oil back to a compressor. The chamber further includes at least one sound-deadening feature such that the chamber will also deaden the sound caused by the compressed refrigerant as it moves downstream from the compressor towards the condenser. In one embodiment, the sound-deadening feature is a torturous path ( 40 ) for the compressor discharge flow. In another embodiment, the sound-deadening feature is a sound-deadening material ( 52 ) formed within the chamber. Additional oil separation features may include an oil retention mesh ( 36 ) or a cyclone structure ( 102 ).

1 - 18 . (canceled) 
   
   
       19 . A refrigerant system comprising:
 a compressor for compressing a refrigerant and delivering a compressed refrigerant into a discharge line;   a condenser downstream of said compressor, an expansion device downstream of said condenser, and an evaporator downstream of said expansion device, with refrigerant passing from said compressor to said condenser, to said expansion device, to said evaporator, and then returning to said compressor;   a combined oil separator and muffler positioned downstream of said compressor and upstream of said condenser, and receiving a flow of refrigerant from said discharge line, said combined oil separator and muffler comprising an enlarged chamber, and an oil return line for returning separated oil back to said compressor, and said enlarged chamber further being provided with at least one sound-deadening feature; and   said at least one sound-deadening feature includes baffles forming a torturous path for the flow of refrigerant, said baffles also providing an oil separation function.   
   
   
       20 . The refrigerant system as set forth in  claim 19 , wherein said torturous path includes said flow of refrigerant serially encountering smaller cross-sectional areas and then enlarged cross-sectional areas such that sound is deadened. 
   
   
       21 . The refrigerant system as set forth in  claim 19 , wherein said at least one sound-deadening feature includes a sound-deadening material formed on inner surfaces of said inner chamber. 
   
   
       22 . The refrigerant system as set forth in  claim 19 , wherein said chamber includes an oil separating structure. 
   
   
       23 . The refrigerant system as set forth in  claim 22 , wherein said oil separating structure includes at least one of the following elements selected from the list of being a mesh structure, a perforated plate structure, a porous material structure, a centrifugal cyclone structure, a baffle plate structure or a combination thereof extending across said chamber to remove oil from the compressed refrigerant. 
   
   
       24 . The refrigerant system as set forth in  claim 23 , wherein said oil separating structure is a wire mesh. 
   
   
       25 . The refrigerant system as set forth in  claim 23 , wherein said oil separating structure is a cyclone separator. 
   
   
       26 . The refrigerant system as set forth in  claim 19 , wherein said oil return line leaves said combined oil separator and muffler at a vertically lower location, and the flow of refrigerant leaves said combined oil separator and muffler at a vertically upper location spaced vertically upwardly from said vertically lower location. 
   
   
       27 . A combined oil separator and muffler for use in a position downstream of a compressor;
 said combined oil separator and muffler including a body for receiving a flow of gas from a discharge line of the compressor, said body comprising an enlarged chamber and an oil return line for returning separated oil back to the compressor;   said enlarged chamber further being provided with at least one sound-deadening feature; and   said at least one sound-deadening feature includes baffles forming a torturous path for the flow of refrigerant, said baffles also providing an oil separation function.   
   
   
       28 . The combined oil separator and muffler as set forth in  claim 27 , wherein said torturous path includes said flow of refrigerant serially encountering smaller cross-sectional areas and then enlarged cross-sectional areas such that sound is deadened. 
   
   
       29 . The combined oil separator and muffler as set forth in  claim 27 , wherein said at least one sound-deadening feature includes a sound-deadening material formed on inner surfaces of said inner chamber. 
   
   
       30 . The combined oil separator and muffler as set forth in  claim 27 , wherein said chamber includes an oil separating structure. 
   
   
       31 . The combined oil separator and muffler as set forth in  claim 30 , wherein said oil separating structure includes at least one of the following elements selected from the list of being a mesh structure, a perforated plate structure, a porous material structure, a centrifugal cyclone structure, a baffle plate structure or a combination thereof extending across said chamber to remove oil from the compressed refrigerant. 
   
   
       32 . The combined oil separator and muffler as set forth in  claim 31 , wherein said oil separating structure is a wire mesh. 
   
   
       33 . The combined oil separator and muffler as set forth in  claim 31 , wherein said oil separating structure is a cyclone separator. 
   
   
       34 . The combined oil separator and muffler as set forth in  claim 27 , wherein said oil return line leaves said combined oil separator and muffler at a vertically lower location, and the flow of refrigerant leaves said combined oil separator and muffler at a vertically upper location spaced vertically upwardly from said vertically lower location.