U.S. patent application number 09/761073 was filed with the patent office on 2001-08-23 for accumulator for an air conditioning system.
Invention is credited to Goulet, Kevin Joseph, Hornby, Randy John, Luther, Jeffrey Paul, Schroeder, Fred Georg, Shah, Hemant Sumentlal.
Application Number | 20010015078 09/761073 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 23276548 |
Filed Date | 2001-08-23 |
United States Patent
Application |
20010015078 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Schroeder, Fred Georg ; et
al. |
August 23, 2001 |
Accumulator for an air conditioning system
Abstract
An accumulator for an air conditioning system of a motor vehicle
includes a housing having an interior chamber and an inlet tube
connected to the housing to allow refrigerant and oil to enter the
interior chamber of the housing. The accumulator also includes an
outlet tube connected to the housing to allow refrigerant and oil
to exit the interior chamber of the housing and a single insert
disposed in the interior chamber of the housing to allow
refrigerant liquid/vapor separation, insulation, and oil
return.
Inventors: |
Schroeder, Fred Georg;
(Grosse lle, MI) ; Shah, Hemant Sumentlal;
(Livonia, MI) ; Luther, Jeffrey Paul; (Belleville,
MI) ; Goulet, Kevin Joseph; (Milford, MI) ;
Hornby, Randy John; (Canton, MI) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Daniel H. Bliss
Bliss McGlynn, P.C.
Suite 600
2075 West Big Beaver Road
Troy
MI
48084
US
|
Family ID: |
23276548 |
Appl. No.: |
09/761073 |
Filed: |
January 15, 2001 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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09761073 |
Jan 15, 2001 |
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09327440 |
Jun 8, 1999 |
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6223555 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
62/503 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F25B 43/006 20130101;
F25B 2400/03 20130101; F25B 43/003 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
62/503 |
International
Class: |
F25B 043/00 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. An accumulator for an air conditioning system comprising: a
housing having an interior chamber; an inlet tube connected to said
housing to allow refrigerant and oil to enter said interior chamber
of said housing; an outlet tube connected to said housing to allow
refrigerant and oil to exit said interior chamber of said housing;
and a single insert disposed in said interior chamber of said
housing to allow refrigerant liquid/vapor separation, insulation,
and oil return.
2. An accumulator as set forth in claim 1 wherein said insert is
made of a plastic material.
3. An accumulator as set forth in claim 1 wherein said insert
includes a deflector disposed beneath said inlet tube to deflect
refrigerant and oil onto walls of said insert.
4. An accumulator as set forth in claim 1 wherein said insert
includes an oil return extending axially to pickup oil from a
bottom of said interior chamber and return the oil to mix with
refrigerant vapor.
5. An accumulator as set forth in claim 4 wherein said oil return
has a plurality of notches at an end spaced from a bottom of said
housing.
6. An accumulator as set forth in claim 4 including a filter at one
end of said oil return.
7. An accumulator as set forth in claim 1 including a desiccant
disposed in said interior chamber.
8. An accumulator for an air conditioning system comprising: a
plastic housing having an interior chamber with an open end; a lid
disposed adjacent said housing and closing said open end of said
interior chamber; an inlet tube connected to said lid to allow
refrigerant and oil to enter said interior chamber of said housing;
and an outlet tube connected to said lid to allow refrigerant and
oil to exit said interior chamber of said housing.
9. An accumulator as set forth in claim 8 including a collar
connecting said lid and said housing together.
10. An accumulator as set forth in claim 8 wherein said lid is made
of either one of a plastic material and metal material.
11. An accumulator as set forth in claim 8 wherein said collar has
a general C-shaped cross-section.
12. An accumulator as set forth in claim 8 including a seal
disposed between said lid and said housing.
13. An accumulator as set forth in claim 8 including an oil return
connected to said outlet tube and a deflector connected to said
outlet tube.
14. An accumulator for an air conditioning system comprising: a
plastic housing having an interior chamber with an open end; a lid
disposed adjacent said housing and closing said open end of said
interior chamber; a collar connecting said lid and said housing
together; an inlet tube connected to said lid to allow refrigerant
and oil to enter said interior chamber of said housing; an outlet
tube connected to said lid to allow refrigerant and oil to exit
said interior chamber of said housing; and an oil return connected
to said outlet tube and a deflector connected to said outlet tube.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates generally to air conditioning
systems for motor vehicles and, more specifically, to an
accumulator for an air conditioning system of a motor vehicle.
[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0004] It is known to provide an accumulator for an air
conditioning system of a motor vehicle. Examples of such
accumulators are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,184,480, 5,201,792
and 5,729,998. Typically, the accumulator includes a housing having
a first section and a second section, which are joined together to
define an interior chamber. The housing also has an inlet opening
through which refrigerant may be introduced into the interior
chamber and an outlet opening through which refrigerant may exit
the interior chamber. The accumulator also includes a separate
inlet tube, outlet tube, oil return, and desiccant bag disposed in
the interior chamber of the housing.
[0005] Although the above accumulators have worked well, they
suffered from the disadvantage that the housing is made of a metal
material, which requires welding. Another disadvantage of these
accumulators is that the weld does not allow for serviceability of
the accumulators. Yet another disadvantage of these accumulators is
that the metal material does not integrate with other parts of the
accumulator. A further disadvantage of these accumulators is that
they are relatively costly. Therefore, there is a need in the art
to provide an accumulator for an air conditioning system that
overcomes these disadvantages.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] Accordingly, the present invention is an accumulator for an
air conditioning system. The accumulator includes a housing having
an interior chamber. The accumulator also includes an inlet tube
connected to the housing to allow refrigerant and oil to enter the
interior chamber of the housing. The accumulator includes an outlet
tube connected to the housing to allow refrigerant and oil to exit
the interior chamber of the housing. The accumulator further
includes a single insert disposed in the interior chamber of the
housing to allow refrigerant liquid/vapor separation, insulation,
and oil return.
[0007] Also, the present invention is an accumulator for an air
conditioning system including a plastic housing having an interior
chamber with an open end and a lid disposed adjacent the housing
and closing the open end of the interior chamber. The accumulator
also includes an inlet tube connected to the lid to allow
refrigerant and oil to enter the interior chamber of the housing
and an outlet tube connected to the lid to allow refrigerant and
oil to exit the interior chamber of the housing.
[0008] One advantage of the present invention is that an
accumulator is provided for an air conditioning system of a motor
vehicle for accumulation of liquid and liquid/vapor separation.
Another advantage of the present invention is that the accumulator
has a one-piece plastic insert and/or accumulator body, eliminating
a welding operation, and being serviceable. Yet another advantage
of the present invention is that the accumulator has a metal to
plastic interface for better part integration. Still another
advantage of the present invention is that the accumulator provides
improved liquid/vapor separation and insulation to improve air
conditioning performance. A further advantage of the present
invention is that the accumulator has a new oil return tube to
improve lubrication to a compressor of the air conditioning system.
Still a further advantage of the present invention is that the
accumulator is relatively easy to assemble and less expensive than
previous accumulators.
[0009] Other features and advantages of the present invention will
be readily appreciated, as the same becomes better understood after
reading the subsequent description taken in conjunction with the
accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] FIG. 1 is a fragmentary view of an accumulator, according to
the present invention, illustrated in operational relationship with
an air conditioning system of a motor vehicle.
[0011] FIG. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary view of the accumulator of
FIG. 1.
[0012] FIG. 3 is a side view of the accumulator of FIG. 1.
[0013] FIG. 4 is a top view of the accumulator of FIG. 1.
[0014] FIG. 4A is a side view of an optional top for the
accumulator of FIG. 1.
[0015] FIG. 5 is a fragmentary view of another embodiment,
according to the present invention, of the accumulator of FIG.
1.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S)
[0016] Referring to the drawings and in particular FIG. 1, one
embodiment of an accumulator 10, according to the present
invention, is illustrated in operational relationship with an air
conditioning system, generally indicated at 12, for a motor vehicle
(not shown). The air conditioning system 12 includes a compressor
14, a condenser 16 connected to the compressor 14, an evaporator 18
connected to the condenser 16, and the accumulator 10 connected
between the evaporator 18 and compressor 14. It should be
appreciated that, except for the accumulator 10, the air
conditioning system 12 is conventional and known in the art. It
should also be appreciated that the accumulator 10 could be used
for other air conditioning systems besides motor vehicles.
[0017] Referring to FIGS. 2 through 4, the accumulator 10 includes
an accumulator body or housing, generally indicated at 20,
extending axially. The housing 20 is made of a metal material such
as aluminum or steel. The housing 20 includes a first or upper
section 22 and a second or lower section 24. The first section 22
includes a top or end portion 26 and a generally cylindrical side
wall or body portion 28 extending from the end portion 26. The
second section 24 includes a bottom or end portion 30 and a
generally cylindrical side wall or body portion 32 extending from
the end portion 30. The end portion 30 has a recess 34 centrally
located for a function to be described.
[0018] The first and second sections 22 and 24 are joined together
near or above the middle of the housing 20 to define an interior
chamber 36. The second section 24 has a radial fold 37 and a radial
flange 38 spaced from the fold 37 and defining a channel 39 to
receive a seal 40 such as an O-ring made of an elastomeric
material. The first section 22 includes a flange 41 at one end of
the body portion 28 spaced radially therefrom by a connecting
portion 42. The flange 41 overlaps the flange 38, seal 40, and fold
37 and is radially crimped at 44 over the fold 37 to secure the
first section 22 and second section 24 together. The radial crimp
44 and seal 40 avoid damage to internal components of the
accumulator 10 due to excessive heat from any welding
operations.
[0019] The accumulator 10 includes an inlet fitting or tube 46
brazed or otherwise fitted to the housing 20 through an inlet
opening 48 formed in the end portion 26 of the first section 22.
Liquid and gaseous refrigerant such as Freon circulating from the
evaporator 18 and through the inlet tube 46 are introduced into the
interior chamber 36 through the inlet opening 48. It should be
appreciated that the refrigerant may contain oil mixed
therewith.
[0020] The accumulator 10 also includes an outlet tube 50 brazed or
otherwise fitted to the housing 20 and having a free end disposed
proximate the end portion 26 of the first section 22. The outlet
tube 50 extends from its free end through an outlet opening 52
formed in the end portion 26 of the first section 22.
[0021] The accumulator 10 further includes an insert, generally
indicated at 54, disposed within the interior chamber 36 of the
housing 20 to provide refrigerant liquid/vapor separation,
insulation, and oil return. The insert 54 includes a side or body
wall 56 extending axially from the end portion 26 to the end
portion 34. The body wall 56 is annular in shape. The body wall 56
is disposed between the inlet tube 46 and the body portion 28 of
the first section 22.
[0022] The insert 54 also includes a top or base wall 58 extending
radially and interconnecting the body wall 56 to form a dome area
60 between the base wall 58 and the end portion 26 of the housing
20. The base wall 58 is generally circular in shape and includes at
least one, preferably a plurality of apertures 62 extending axially
therethrough. The apertures 62 are located near the free end of the
outlet tube 50. The apertures 62 "filter out" the liquid
refrigerant, allowing only vapor to pass through for a function to
be described.
[0023] The insert 54 also includes a deflector 64 disposed
underneath the inlet tube 46 for the incoming refrigerant. The
deflector 64 extends radially a predetermined distance from the
body wall 56 and is inclined or sloped toward the end portion 30.
The deflector 64 acts to disperse the refrigerant onto the walls of
the insert 54, resulting in non-turbulent flow. It should be
appreciated that the deflector 64 coupled with the apertures 62 in
the base wall 58 of the insert 54, eliminate the need for a
separate dome.
[0024] The insert 54 includes an oil return 66 extending axially
from a center of the base wall 58. The oil return 66 is a hollow
tube having a generally circular cross-section. The oil return 66
has an interior wall 68, which is tapered from a smaller outlet 70
extending through the base wall 58 to a larger inlet 72 that
terminates a spaced distance from the end portion 30 of the second
section 24. The oil return 66 has at least one, preferably a
plurality of notches 74 at the inlet 72 having a generally square
shape. The notches 74 are spaced about the inlet 72 and guarantee
oil flow in the event the oil return contacts the end portion 30 of
the second section 24. The taper of the interior walls 68 acts as a
self-cleaning mechanism for the oil and may eliminate the need for
a filter at the inlet 72 thereof. It should be appreciated that oil
mixed with the refrigerant flows from the inlet 72 and through the
outlet 70 to the dome area 60 where refrigerant vapor mixes with
the oil and is directed to the outlet tube 50 at the top of the
accumulator 10.
[0025] The insert 54 includes at least one, preferably a plurality
of gussets 76 to provide structural support for the oil return 66.
The gussets 76 are generally triangular in shape and extend between
the oil return 66 and the base wall 58. The gussets 76 are spaced
circumferentially about the oil return 66.
[0026] Optionally, the insert 54 may include a filter 78 at the
inlet 72 of the oil return 66. The filter 78 is a molded screen
having a plurality of apertures 80 extending axially therethrough
to filter out contaminants.
[0027] The insert 54 is made of a plastic material such as Nylon 66
to provide material compatibility with the refrigerant and oil. The
insert 54 acts as an insulator to the refrigerant inside and
replaces the need for foam insulation on the outside of the
accumulator 10. The insert 54 is integral, unitary and molded as
one-piece or multiple pieces that are joined. It should be
appreciated that the single plastic insert 54 eliminates the need
for a separate dome, foam insulation, J-tube, and oil filter.
[0028] Optionally, the accumulator 10 may include a desiccant bag
82 disposed in the second section 22 about the oil return 66. The
desiccant bag 82 has a slot 84 for liquid flow to oil pickup. It
should be appreciated that the desiccant bag 82 is conventional and
known in the art.
[0029] In operation of the accumulator 10, the refrigerant and oil
enter the interior chamber 36 through the inlet tube 46 as
indicated by the arrows 86 in FIG. 3. The refrigerant and the oil
separate and the refrigerant separates into a liquid and vapor. The
oil travels through the oil return 66 to the dome area 60 and the
vapor travels through the apertures 62 to the dome area 60. The oil
and vapor mix in the dome area 60 and exit through the outlet tube
50. The liquid remains in the interior chamber 36 of the
accumulator 10 near the end portion 30 of the housing 20.
[0030] Optionally, the accumulator 10 may have a housing 20 with an
open end 90 and a top cap 92 closing the open end 90. The insert 54
would be disposed in the interior chamber of the housing 20 and
closed with the top cap 92. The top cap 92 is secured to the
housing 20 by welds 94. It should be appreciated that the inlet
tube 46 and outlet tube 50 are attached to the top cap 92.
[0031] Referring to FIG. 5, another embodiment 100, according to
the present invention, of the accumulator 10 is shown. The
accumulator 100 includes a housing 102 extending axially. The
housing 102 is made of a plastic material such as glass reinforced,
heat stabilized nylon. The housing 102 includes a bottom or end
portion 104 having a recess 106 centrally located. The housing 102
also includes a generally cylindrical side wall or body portion 108
extending from the end portion 104 to form an interior chamber 110
with an open end 112. The housing 102 includes a flange 114
extending radially from the open end 112 of the body portion
108.
[0032] The accumulator 100 includes a lid 116 closing the open end
112 of the interior chamber 110. The lid 116 is generally circular
in shape and extends axially. The lid 116 has a flange 118
extending radially outwardly to abut or contact the flange 114 of
the housing 102. The lid 116 is made of a rigid material such as
plastic or metal. The lid 116 has a groove 119 therein for a
function to be described.
[0033] The accumulator 100 also includes a collar 120 connecting
the lid 116 to the housing 102. The collar 120 is generally annular
is shape and has an initial "L" shaped cross-section. The collar
120 is disposed about the flanges 114 and 118 and is crimped at 122
over the flanges 114 and 118 to form a solid radial ring with a "C"
shaped cross-section. The collar 120 is made of a metal
material.
[0034] The accumulator 100 includes a seal 124 disposed in the
groove 119 between the lid 116 and the housing 102. The seal 124 is
an O-ring made of an elastomeric material. The seal 124 creates a
seal between the housing 102 and the lid 116 due to a compressive
force exerted by the crimped collar 120.
[0035] The accumulator 100 also includes an inlet tube 126 to allow
refrigerant and oil to enter the interior chamber 110. The
accumulator 100 includes an outlet tube 128 extending through the
lid 116 to allow refrigerant and oil to exit the accumulator 100.
The outlet tube 128 has a general "J" shape with one end extending
through the lid 116. The accumulator 100 further includes a
deflector 132 disposed in the interior chamber 110 beneath the
inlet tube 126 to deflect the refrigerant and oil entering the
accumulator 100 onto the internal walls of the housing 102. The
deflector 132 is operatively connected to the outlet tube 128 by
the outlet tube 128 extending through the deflector 132. The
accumulator 100 includes an oil pick-up 134 connected to the outlet
tube 128 to pick up oil from the bottom of the interior chamber 110
and to mix with refrigerant vapor in the outlet tube 128. The
accumulator 100 may include a desiccant container or bag 136
disposed in the interior chamber 110 about the outlet tube 128 to
remove moisture from the refrigerant. It should be appreciated that
the inlet tube 126, outlet tube 128, oil pick-up 134, and desiccant
bag 136 are conventional and integrated with the lid 116.
[0036] Accordingly, the accumulator 100 is a cost reduction over
current accumulators and allows for a serviceable accumulator,
since there is no weld, and the metal collar could be modified to
latch and unlatch. The accumulator 100 has a plastic housing 102
instead of a metal housing and the weld is replaced with a radial
collar 120 and seal 124. The accumulator 100 has a one-piece
plastic accumulator housing, a metal to plastic interface, a
non-welded housing, and internal components attached to the lid
only to be serviceable.
[0037] The present invention has been described in an illustrative
manner. It is to be understood that the terminology, which has been
used, is intended to be in the nature of words of description
rather than of limitation.
[0038] Many modifications and variations of the present invention
are possible in light of the above teachings. Therefore, within the
scope of the appended claims, the present invention may be
practiced other than as specifically described.
* * * * *