Smart accumulator with oil circulation ratio sensing

Abstract

System and methods for oil circulation ratio (OCR) sensing with a suction-line accumulator are provided. The accumulator may include a sensor configured to detect the level of oil. The accumulator may further include a valve which opens when oil is at a high-level and closes when oil is at a low-level. The valve may release accumulated oil into the suction-line based on a level-sensor inside the accumulator.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An accumulator for a vapor compression cycle system comprising:
 a shell defining an internal cavity;   an inlet line to the internal cavity, the inlet line configured connect to a first suction line of the vaper compression cycle system and eject vapor and oil into the internal cavity;   an outlet line having a vapor inlet disposed in the shell, an oil inlet disposed in the shell proximate to a bottom of the internal cavity, and an outlet which extends out of the internal cavity of the shell and is configured to connect to a second suction line of the vapor compression cycle system;   a valve; and a level sensor disposed in the internal cavity,   wherein the valve is configured open and cause oil accumulated at the bottom of the internal cavity to flow into the oil inlet, out of the outlet, and into the second suction line when oil is accumulated at upper location of the level sensor, and   wherein the valve is configured to close and stop oil from flowing into oil inlet when oil drains to a lower location of the level sensor.   
     
     
         2 . The accumulator of  claim 1 , wherein the vapor inlet is disposed in the shell proximate to a top of the internal cavity, the oil inlet is disposed in the shell proximate to the bottom of the internal cavity, and the outlet extends out of the internal cavity of the shell proximate to the top of the internal cavity. 
     
     
         3 . The accumulator of  claim 2 , wherein the outlet extends through a top end of the shell. 
     
     
         4 . The accumulator of  claim 1 , further comprising a filter upstream of the vapor inlet to increase the differential pressure across the valve. 
     
     
         5 . The accumulator of  claim 1 , wherein the level sensor comprises a high-level switch and a low-level switch. 
     
     
         6 . The accumulator of  claim 1 , wherein the inlet line comprises a tube with a plurality of perforations disposed along a length of the tube. 
     
     
         7 . The accumulator of  claim 6 , wherein a shroud at least partially surrounds the length of the tube. 
     
     
         8 . The accumulator of  claim 1 , further comprising a baffle disposed in the internal cavity, wherein the inlet line ejects the oil and vapor onto the baffle. 
     
     
         9 . A vapor compression cycle system comprising:
 An accumulator connected in series with a suction line, the accumulator comprising:
 a shell defining an internal cavity; 
 an inlet line to the internal cavity, the inlet line configured to eject vapor and oil from the suction line into the internal cavity; 
 an outlet line having a vapor inlet disposed in the shell, an oil inlet disposed in the shell proximate to a bottom of the internal cavity, and an outlet which extends out of the internal cavity and is configured to connect to the suction line; 
 a valve; and a level sensor disposed in the internal cavity, 
   wherein the valve is configured open and cause oil accumulated at the bottom of the internal cavity to flow into the oil inlet, out of the outlet, and into the suction line when oil is accumulated at upper location of the level sensor, and   wherein the valve is configured to close and stop oil from flowing into the suction line when oil reaches a lower location of the level sensor.   
     
     
         10 . The vapor compression cycle system of  claim 9 , wherein the vapor inlet is disposed in the shell proximate to a top of the internal cavity, the oil inlet is disposed in the shell proximate to the bottom of the internal cavity, and the outlet extends out of the internal cavity of the shell proximate to the top of the internal cavity. 
     
     
         11 . The vapor compression cycle system of  claim 10 , wherein the outlet extends through a top end of the shell. 
     
     
         12 . The vapor compression cycle system of  claim 9 , further comprising a filter upstream of the vapor inlet to increase the differential pressure across the valve. 
     
     
         13 . The vapor compression cycle system of  claim 9 , wherein the level sensor comprises a high level switch and a low-level switch. 
     
     
         14 . The vapor compression cycle system of  claim 9 , wherein the inlet line comprises a tube with a plurality of perforations disposed along a length of the tube. 
     
     
         15 . The vapor compression cycle system of  claim 14 , wherein a shroud at least partially surrounds the length of the tube. 
     
     
         16 . The vapor compression cycle system of  claim 9 , further comprising a baffle disposed in the internal cavity, wherein the inlet line ejects the oil and vapor onto the baffle.