JP5786709B2 - Gas-liquid separator and refrigeration equipment - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a gas-liquid separator that separates a gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant into a gas refrigerant and a liquid refrigerant, and a refrigeration apparatus including the gas-liquid separator.

  Conventionally, a gas-liquid separator connected to a refrigerant circuit and separating a gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant into a gas refrigerant and a liquid refrigerant is known.

  For example, in Patent Document 1, a gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant that has a grooved body therein and allows a gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant to flow through the grooved body and be separated into a gas refrigerant and a liquid refrigerant by a surface tension action is disclosed. A liquid separator is disclosed.

Japanese Patent No. 4268994

  In the gas-liquid separator as described above, generally, there are an inlet pipe through which the gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant flows into the gas-liquid separator, and an outlet pipe through which the separated gas refrigerant and liquid refrigerant flow out of the gas-liquid separator. It has been established. That is, if the gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant is caused to flow into the gas-liquid separator from the outlet pipe, the gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant is not sufficiently separated and the gas-liquid separator does not function sufficiently.

  By the way, for example, in an air conditioner capable of cooling and heating operation, the refrigerant circulation direction of the refrigerant circuit that performs the refrigeration cycle is switched to switch between cooling and heating. Therefore, in a refrigeration system in which the refrigerant circulation direction of such a refrigerant circuit is switched simply by connecting the gas-liquid separator to the refrigerant circuit, the gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant is discharged from the outlet pipe when the refrigerant circulation direction is switched. It will flow into the gas-liquid separator and the gas-liquid separator will not function.

  Therefore, a check valve bridge comprising a four-way switching valve and four check valves is used so that the gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant flows from the inlet pipe into the gas-liquid separator even when the refrigerant circulation direction of the refrigerant circuit is switched. It is conceivable to switch the refrigerant flow path.

  However, the four-way switching valve and the check valve bridge are expensive because they have a complicated structure and a large number of parts. Therefore, the manufacturing cost of the refrigeration apparatus provided with the gas-liquid separator increases.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and an object of the present invention is to provide a gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant from a predetermined inlet pipe even if the refrigerant circulation direction of a refrigerant circuit that performs a refrigeration cycle is switched. An inexpensive gas-liquid separator capable of switching the refrigerant flow path so as to flow into the separator, and a refrigeration apparatus including the gas-liquid separator.

  A first invention is directed to a gas-liquid separator connected to a refrigerant circuit that performs a refrigeration cycle by circulating refrigerant and switching the circulation direction of the refrigerant, and uses a gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant as a gas refrigerant and a liquid refrigerant. A main body (41) having a gas-liquid separation chamber (41d) that separates into a gas, a gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant into the gas-liquid separation chamber (41d), and an inner diameter smaller than that of the inlet. A first branch pipe (48) connected to the refrigerant circuit, branched from the refrigerant circuit and connected to the first inlet pipe (43) and the inlet portion; A second branch pipe (49) connected to the refrigerant circuit and branched from the refrigerant circuit and connected to the inlet section; and the inlet section includes the first branch pipe ( 48) When the gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant flows into the gas-liquid separation chamber (41d), the gas-liquid separation chamber (41d) is the first branch of the first and second branch pipes (48, 49). When the gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant flows into the second branch pipe (49) while communicating with only the branch pipe (48), the gas-liquid separation chamber (41d) is connected to the first and second branch pipes ( 48, 49) having a check valve (9) that communicates only with the second branch pipe (49), and when the gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant flows into the first branch pipe (48), The gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant flows into the gas-liquid separation chamber (41d) mainly from the inlet portion of the first inlet / outlet pipe (43) and the inlet portion, and the liquid refrigerant in the gas-liquid separation chamber (41d) is When the gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant flows into the second branch pipe (49) while flowing out into the refrigerant circuit via the second inlet / outlet pipe (44), the gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant is transferred to the second inlet / outlet pipe (49). And the liquid refrigerant in the gas-liquid separation chamber (41d) flows out into the refrigerant circuit through the first inlet / outlet pipe (43). Configure to It is characterized in that is.

  According to this configuration, when the gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant flows into the first branch pipe (48) from the refrigerant circuit, the gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant flows from the inlet and the first inlet / outlet pipe (43) to the gas in the main body (41). It flows into the liquid separation chamber (41d). Here, since the inner diameter of the first inlet / outlet pipe (43) is smaller than the inner diameter of the inlet portion, the gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant mainly flows into the gas-liquid separation chamber (41d) from the inlet portion. The gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant that has flowed into the gas-liquid separation chamber (41d) is separated into gas refrigerant and liquid refrigerant in the gas-liquid separation chamber (41d). The liquid refrigerant separated from the gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant flows out from the gas-liquid separation chamber (41d) to the refrigerant circuit via the second inlet / outlet pipe (44).

  On the other hand, when the gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant flows into the second branch pipe (49) by switching the refrigerant circulation direction of the refrigerant circuit, the gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant flows from the inlet part and the second inlet / outlet pipe (44) to the main body part (41). ) Into the gas-liquid separation chamber (41d). Here, since the inner diameter of the second inlet / outlet pipe (44) is smaller than the inner diameter of the inlet portion, the gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant mainly flows into the gas-liquid separation chamber (41d) from the inlet portion. The gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant flowing into the gas-liquid separation chamber (41d) is separated into gas refrigerant and liquid refrigerant in the gas-liquid separation chamber (41d), and the liquid refrigerant is discharged from the gas-liquid separation chamber (41d) to the first inlet / outlet. It flows out into the refrigerant circuit through the pipe (43).

  In a second aspect based on the first aspect, the gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant flowing from one of the first inlet / outlet pipe (43) and the second inlet / outlet pipe (44) is introduced into the gas-liquid separation chamber (41d). A prevention means (41e) for preventing direct flow into the other of the first inlet / outlet pipe (43) and the second inlet / outlet pipe (44) is provided.

  As described above, the gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant flows from the first inlet / outlet pipe (43) and the second inlet / outlet pipe (44) as well as the inlet. Since both the first inlet / outlet pipe (43) and the second inlet / outlet pipe (44) are pipes for allowing liquid refrigerant to flow out of the gas / liquid separation chamber (41d), the liquid / liquid separation is performed with respect to the main body (41). The chamber (41d) is connected to the portion where the liquid refrigerant accumulates. Therefore, the gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant that has flowed into the gas-liquid separation chamber (41d) from one of the first inlet / outlet pipe (43) and the second inlet / outlet pipe (44) is not separated into the first inlet / outlet pipe (43) and There is a possibility of flowing directly into the other of the second inlet / outlet pipe (44) and outflowing into the refrigerant circuit as it is. According to this configuration, from one of the first inlet / outlet pipe (43) and the second inlet / outlet pipe (44). The gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant flowing into the gas-liquid separation chamber (41d) is prevented from flowing directly into the other of the first inlet / outlet pipe (43) and the second inlet / outlet pipe (44) by the prevention means (41e). The

  In a third aspect based on the second aspect, the gas-liquid separation chamber (41d) rotates the gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant flowing from the inlet portion to separate it into a gas refrigerant and a liquid refrigerant, and the prevention means (41e) is a spiral baffle plate having an axis extending in the swirl axis direction of the gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant.

  According to this configuration, a so-called cyclonic gas-liquid separator is realized. When the gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant flowing into the gas-liquid separation chamber (41d) from the first inlet / outlet pipe (43) or the second inlet / outlet pipe (44) hits the baffle plate (41e), the baffle plate (41e) Guided to turn.

  A fourth invention is directed to a refrigeration apparatus and includes the gas-liquid separator according to any one of the first to third inventions.

  According to the first invention, the refrigerant flow path can be switched so that the gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant flows into the gas-liquid separator from the inlet even when the refrigerant circulation direction of the refrigerant circuit performing the refrigeration cycle is switched. A gas-liquid separator can be provided. Since such a refrigerant flow path switching mechanism is composed of only one check valve and a pipe, the structure is simpler than the case where a four-way switching valve is adopted as the refrigerant flow path switching mechanism. The gas-liquid separator can be provided at a lower cost because the number of check valves is smaller than when a check valve bridge is used.

  According to the second invention, the gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant that has flowed into the gas-liquid separation chamber (41d) from one of the first inlet / outlet pipe (43) and the second inlet / outlet pipe (44) is converted into the first inlet / outlet pipe (43) and Since it is prevented from flowing directly into the other of the second inlet / outlet pipe (44), the gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant can be prevented from flowing out into the refrigerant circuit without being gas-liquid separated in the gas-liquid separation chamber (41d). .

  According to the third invention, the gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant flowing into the gas-liquid separation chamber (41d) from the first inlet / outlet pipe (43) or the second inlet / outlet pipe (44) is swirled by the baffle plate (41e). The gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant can be separated into a gas refrigerant and a liquid refrigerant by centrifugal force accompanying the swirling.

  According to the fourth invention, since the refrigeration apparatus includes the inexpensive gas-liquid separator, the manufacturing cost of the refrigeration apparatus can be reduced.

FIG. 1 is a refrigerant circuit diagram (during cooling operation) of the air-conditioning apparatus according to the embodiment. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the gas-liquid separator. FIG. 3 is a plan view of the gas-liquid separator during the cooling operation. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the gas-liquid separator. FIG. 5 is a refrigerant circuit diagram of the air conditioner (during heating operation). FIG. 6 is a plan view of the gas-liquid separator during heating operation.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. The following description of the preferred embodiment is merely exemplary in nature.
<Embodiment>
-Overall configuration-
FIG. 1 is a refrigerant circuit diagram of a refrigeration apparatus (1) according to an embodiment of the present invention. This refrigeration apparatus (1) is an air conditioner that can be operated by switching between heating and cooling. The air conditioner (1) includes a refrigerant circuit (10) that performs a vapor compression refrigeration cycle by circulating refrigerant.

  The refrigerant circuit (10) includes a compressor (2), an outdoor heat exchanger (3), a gas-liquid separator (4), an indoor heat exchanger (5), a four-way switching valve (6), And first and second expansion valves (7, 8).

  The compressor (2) is a fluid machine that compresses and discharges the sucked refrigerant, and its suction side is connected to a second port (to be described later) of the four-way switching valve (6), while its discharge side is four-way switching. The valve (6) is connected to a later-described first port.

  The outdoor heat exchanger (3) is, for example, a fin-and-tube heat exchanger, and heat is generated between outdoor air sent by an outdoor fan (not shown) and refrigerant circulating in the outdoor heat exchanger (3). Exchange. The outdoor heat exchanger (3) is connected to a later-described fourth port of the four-way switching valve (6) and to the first expansion valve (7).

  The indoor heat exchanger (5) is, for example, a fin-and-tube heat exchanger, and heat is generated between indoor air sent by an indoor fan (not shown) and refrigerant circulating in the indoor heat exchanger (5). Exchange. The indoor heat exchanger (5) is connected to a later-described third port of the four-way switching valve (6) and is also connected to the second expansion valve (8).

  The four-way selector valve (6) has a first port, a second port, a third port, and a fourth port, the first port communicates with the fourth port, and the second port and the third port. Is in a first state (indicated by a solid line in FIG. 1), and a second state in which the first port and the third port are in communication and the second port and the fourth port are in communication (indicated by a broken line in FIG. 1). Can be switched.

  The first and second expansion valves (7, 8) are, for example, electric valves whose opening degrees can be adjusted, and have a function of depressurizing the refrigerant. The first expansion valve (7) is connected to the outdoor heat exchanger (3) as described above, and is also connected to the gas-liquid separator (4). On the other hand, the second expansion valve (8) is connected to the indoor heat exchanger (5) and also to the gas-liquid separator (4) as described above.

  The gas-liquid separator (4) is a so-called cyclone type gas-liquid separator in which a gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant is swirled and separated into a gas refrigerant and a liquid refrigerant by centrifugal force accompanying the swirling. As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the gas-liquid separator (4) includes a main body (41), an inlet pipe (42), first and second inlet / outlet pipes (43, 44), and a gas outlet pipe (45). , First and second connecting pipes (46, 47), first and second branch pipes (48, 49), and a check valve (9).

  The main body (41) includes a cylindrical side wall (41a), an upper lid (41b) for closing the upper end of the side wall (41a), and a lower lid (41c) for closing the lower end of the side wall (41a). It has a hollow cylindrical shape.

  Inside the main body (41), a gas-liquid separation chamber (41d) is formed in which the gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant is guided while being swung from the upper side to the lower side and separated into a gas refrigerant and a liquid refrigerant. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the vertical direction is the turning axis direction.

  The gas-liquid separation chamber (41d) is provided with a spiral baffle plate (41e) that extends in the vertical direction and has an axis that matches the cylinder axis of the side wall (41a). As will be described later, this baffle plate (41e) is placed under the gas-liquid separation chamber (41d) so that the gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant flowing into the gas-liquid separation chamber (41d) from the inlet / outlet pipes (43, 44) will hit. It is provided over the entire circumference. This baffle plate (41e) constitutes a prevention means.

  The inlet pipe (42) is a pipe for allowing the gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant to flow into the gas-liquid separation chamber (41d). One end of the inlet pipe (42) is connected to the upper end of the side wall (41a) of the main body (41) so as to extend tangentially, and the other end is connected to the check valve (9).

  The first and second inlet / outlet pipes (43, 44) are pipes for allowing liquid refrigerant to flow out of the gas-liquid separation chamber (41d). These first and second inlet / outlet pipes (43, 44) are through-connected to the lower end of the side wall (41a) of the main body (41) so as to protrude from the bottom of the gas-liquid separation chamber (41d) where liquid refrigerant accumulates. Has been.

  The inner diameters of the first and second inlet / outlet pipes (43, 44) are smaller than the inner diameters of the inlet pipe (42), the check valve (9), the first connecting pipe (46), and the second connecting pipe (47). Is set.

  The gas outlet pipe (45) is a pipe for allowing the gas refrigerant to flow out from the gas-liquid separation chamber (41d). The gas outlet pipe (45) is connected through to the lower lid (41c) of the main body (41) so that one end protrudes to the upper end side of the gas-liquid separation chamber (41d), and the other end of the compressor (2) Connected to a compression chamber (not shown).

  The first branch pipe (48) is connected to the first expansion valve (7), branches, one branch end is connected to the first connecting pipe (46), and the other branch end is the first inlet / outlet. Connected to tube (43). The first branch pipe (48) is slightly inclined with respect to the vertical direction.

  The second branch pipe (49) is connected to the second expansion valve (8), branches, one branch end is connected to the second connecting pipe (47), and the other branch end is the second inlet / outlet. Connected to tube (44). The second branch pipe (49) is slightly inclined with respect to the vertical direction, like the first branch pipe (48).

  The check valve (9) is, for example, a cylindrical ball check valve, and has a spherical valve body (ball valve) (91) inside. The inner diameter of both ends of the check valve (9) is set smaller than the diameter of the ball valve (91) so that the opening of the both ends can be closed by the ball valve (91). The inner diameter of the part excluding is set to be slightly larger than the diameter of the ball valve (91) so that the ball valve (91) can move in the cylinder axis direction. Then, the check valve (9) is connected to the first connecting pipe (46) at one end, the second connecting pipe (47) to the other end, and the inlet pipe (42) at the center. Is connected. In the present embodiment, the first connecting pipe (46), the second connecting pipe (47), the check valve (9), and the inlet pipe (42) constitute an inlet portion.

-Driving action-
The air conditioner (1) is configured as described above. Next, the operation of the air conditioner (1) will be described. In the air conditioner (1), the cooling operation and the heating operation can be switched by switching the four-way switching valve (6).

<Cooling operation>
First, the cooling operation will be described with reference to FIGS. In the cooling operation, the four-way selector valve (6) is set to the first state. The outdoor heat exchanger (3) functions as a condenser, while the indoor heat exchanger (5) functions as an evaporator.

  When the user gives an operation instruction to the air conditioner (1), the refrigerant circuit (10) starts the operation of the compressor (2), and the opening degree of each expansion valve (7, 8) is in an appropriate state. The refrigerant circulates in the direction of the arrow in FIG.

  Specifically, the refrigerant is compressed by the compressor (2) and is in a high temperature and high pressure state. The refrigerant compressed by the compressor (2) flows through the outdoor heat exchanger (3) and condenses by exchanging heat with outdoor air. Then, the condensed refrigerant is decompressed to an intermediate pressure by the first expansion valve (7) and becomes a gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant.

  The gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant flows into the first branch pipe (48) of the gas-liquid separator (4), and the first branch pipe (48) and the first inlet / outlet pipe ( 43) Divide to the side and flow into each.

  The gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant that has flowed from the first branch pipe (48) into the first communication pipe (46) flows into the check valve (9). Due to the pressure of the gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant flowing into the check valve (9), the ball valve (91) of the check valve (9) moves to the second connecting pipe (47) side, and the second connecting pipe (47 ) Close the opening on the side. Accordingly, the first branch pipe (48) communicates with the gas-liquid separation chamber (41d) via the first communication pipe (46), the check valve (9), and the inlet pipe (42). That is, the gas-liquid separation chamber (41d) communicates with only the first branch pipe (48) of the first and second branch pipes (48, 49).

  Thus, the gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant flows from the inlet pipe (42) into the gas-liquid separation chamber (41d) of the main body (41). Since the opening on the second connecting pipe (47) side of the check valve (9) is closed by the ball valve (91), the gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant flowing into the check valve (9) is in the second connection. It does not flow into the pipe (47).

  On the other hand, the gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant that has flowed from the first branch pipe (48) into the first inlet / outlet pipe (43) also flows into the gas-liquid separation chamber (41d) of the main body (41). Here, since the inner diameter of the first inlet / outlet pipe (43) is set smaller than the inner diameters of the first communication pipe (46), the check valve (9), and the inlet pipe (42), the gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant Mainly flows from the inlet pipe (42) into the gas-liquid separation chamber (41d).

  The gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant that has flowed into the gas-liquid separation chamber (41d) from the inlet pipe (42) is guided while being swung toward the lower lid (41c) (see the arrow in FIG. 4), and the centrifugal force accompanying this swirling Is separated into a gas refrigerant and a liquid refrigerant.

  On the other hand, the gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant flowing into the gas-liquid separation chamber (41d) from the first inlet / outlet pipe (43) hits the baffle plate (41e). Here, since the baffle plate (41e) is formed in a spiral shape, the gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant is guided to the baffle plate (41e) and guided to the upper lid (41b) side while being swung. And liquid refrigerant.

  The gas refrigerant separated in the gas-liquid separation chamber (41d) flows out of the gas-liquid separation chamber (41d) from the gas outlet pipe (45), and is injected into the compressor (2). Thereby, the intermediate-pressure gas refrigerant is supplied to the compression chamber in the middle of compression of the compressor (2).

  On the other hand, the liquid refrigerant separated in the gas-liquid separation chamber (41d) flows out of the gas-liquid separation chamber (41d) from the second inlet / outlet pipe (44). Then, the liquid refrigerant flows through the second expansion valve (8) via the second branch pipe (49), and is depressurized to a low pressure by the second expansion valve (8). The liquid refrigerant decompressed by the second expansion valve (8) flows through the indoor heat exchanger (5), evaporates by exchanging heat with the indoor air, and cools the indoor air. Then, the evaporated refrigerant is sucked into the compressor (2).

<Heating operation>
Next, the heating operation will be described with reference to FIGS. In the heating operation, the four-way selector valve (6) is set to the second state. Contrary to the above, the outdoor heat exchanger (3) functions as an evaporator, while the indoor heat exchanger (5) functions as a condenser.

  In the heating operation, the refrigerant circulates in the direction of the arrow in FIG.

  Specifically, the high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant compressed by the compressor (2) flows through the indoor heat exchanger (5) and condenses by exchanging heat with indoor air. Then, the condensed refrigerant is decompressed to an intermediate pressure by the second expansion valve (8), and becomes a gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant.

  The gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant flows into the second branch pipe (49) of the gas-liquid separator (4), and the second branch pipe (49) and the second connection pipe (47) side and the second inlet / outlet pipe ( 44) Divide to the side and flow into each.

  The gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant that has flowed from the second branch pipe (49) into the second communication pipe (47) flows into the check valve (9). Due to the pressure of the gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant flowing into the check valve (9), the ball valve (91) of the check valve (9) moves to the first connecting pipe (46) side, and the first connecting pipe (46 ) Close the opening on the side. Accordingly, the second branch pipe (49) communicates with the gas-liquid separation chamber (41d) via the second communication pipe (47), the check valve (9), and the inlet pipe (42). That is, the gas-liquid separation chamber (41d) communicates with only the second branch pipe (49) of the first and second branch pipes (48, 49).

  Thus, the gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant flows from the inlet pipe (42) into the gas-liquid separation chamber (41d) of the main body (41). Since the opening of the check valve (9) on the first communication pipe (46) side is closed by the ball valve (91), the gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant flowing into the check valve (9) is in the first connection. It does not flow into the pipe (46).

  On the other hand, the gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant that has flowed from the second branch pipe (49) into the second inlet / outlet pipe (44) also flows into the gas-liquid separation chamber (41d). Here, since the inner diameter of the second inlet / outlet pipe (44) is set smaller than the inner diameters of the second connecting pipe (47), the check valve (9), and the inlet pipe (42), the gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant Mainly flows from the inlet pipe (42) into the gas-liquid separation chamber (41d).

  The gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant flowing into the gas-liquid separation chamber (41d) from the inlet pipe (42) is separated into a gas refrigerant and a liquid refrigerant in the same manner as described above.

  On the other hand, the gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant flowing into the gas-liquid separation chamber (41d) from the second inlet / outlet pipe (44) hits the baffle plate (41e) and is separated into the gas refrigerant and the liquid refrigerant in the same manner as described above.

  The gas refrigerant separated in the gas-liquid separation chamber (41d) flows out of the gas-liquid separation chamber (41d) from the gas outlet pipe (45), and is injected into the compressor (2).

  On the other hand, the liquid refrigerant separated in the gas-liquid separation chamber (41d) flows out of the gas-liquid separation chamber (41d) from the first inlet / outlet pipe (43). Then, the liquid refrigerant flows through the first expansion valve (7) via the first branch pipe (48), and is depressurized to a low pressure by the first expansion valve (7). The liquid refrigerant decompressed by the first expansion valve (7) flows through the outdoor heat exchanger (3), evaporates by exchanging heat with outdoor air, and is sucked into the compressor (2).

-Effect of the embodiment-
According to the present embodiment, even if the refrigerant circulation direction of the refrigerant circuit (10) that performs the refrigeration cycle is switched, the refrigerant is such that the gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant flows from the inlet pipe (42) into the gas-liquid separation chamber (41d). The flow path can be switched. Therefore, even if the refrigerant circulation direction of the refrigerant circuit (10) is switched, the gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant can be reliably separated into the gas refrigerant and the liquid refrigerant in the gas-liquid separation chamber (41d).

  Moreover, since the refrigerant flow path switching mechanism is composed of only one check valve (9) and piping such as the first and second branch pipes (48, 49), there are four paths to the refrigerant flow path switching mechanism. The structure is simpler than when a switching valve is used, and the gas-liquid separator can be provided at a lower cost because the number of check valves is smaller than when a check valve bridge is used. As a result, the manufacturing cost of the refrigeration apparatus including the gas-liquid separator can be reduced.

  Compared to the case where a four-way switching valve or check valve bridge is used for the refrigerant flow switching mechanism, the structure is simpler and the size can be reduced, and a gas-liquid separator (4) is installed. The space for doing so can be reduced.

Furthermore, in this embodiment, the gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant flows not only from the inlet pipe (42) but also from the first inlet / outlet pipe (43) and the second inlet / outlet pipe (44). There is a possibility that the liquid two-phase refrigerant flows directly into the other inlet / outlet pipe without being separated into the gas refrigerant and the liquid refrigerant and flows out of the gas-liquid separation chamber (41d) as it is. Since it hits the baffle plate (41e), it can be prevented from flowing directly into the inlet / outlet pipe. Since the baffle plate (41e) is formed in a spiral shape, the gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant that has hit the baffle plate (41e) can be swirled to be separated into a gas refrigerant and a liquid refrigerant.
<< Other Embodiments >>
The present invention may be configured as follows with respect to the above embodiment.

  That is, in the above embodiment, the cyclone type gas-liquid separator is used. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a gas-liquid separator that can be separated into a gas refrigerant and a liquid refrigerant by a surface tension action is used. Also good.

  According to the present invention, the refrigerant flow path can be switched so that the gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant flows from the predetermined inlet pipe into the gas-liquid separator even when the refrigerant circulation direction of the refrigerant circuit performing the refrigeration cycle is switched. A gas-liquid separator can be provided, which is useful in that the manufacturing cost of the refrigeration apparatus can be reduced when applied to the refrigeration apparatus.

1 Air conditioning equipment (refrigeration equipment)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Refrigerant circuit 4 Gas-liquid separator 41 Main-body part 41d Gas-liquid separation chamber 41e Baffle plate (prevention means)
42 Inlet pipe (inlet part)
43 1st entrance / exit pipe 44 2nd entrance / exit pipe 45 Gas exit pipe 46 1st connection pipe (inlet part)
47 Second communication pipe (entrance)
48 1st branch pipe 49 2nd branch pipe 9 Check valve (inlet part)

Claims (4)

A gas-liquid separator connected to a refrigerant circuit capable of performing a refrigeration cycle by circulating refrigerant and switching a circulation direction of the refrigerant,
A main body (41) having a gas-liquid separation chamber (41d) for separating the gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant into a gas refrigerant and a liquid refrigerant;
An inlet for allowing a gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant to flow into the gas-liquid separation chamber (41d);
First and second inlet / outlet pipes (43, 44) having an inner diameter smaller than that of the inlet part;
A first branch pipe (48) connected to the refrigerant circuit and branched from the refrigerant circuit and connected to a first inlet / outlet pipe (43) and an inlet portion;
A second branch pipe (49) connected to the refrigerant circuit, branched from the refrigerant circuit and connected to the inlet section (44) and the inlet section;
When the gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant flows into the first branch pipe (48), the gas-liquid separation chamber (41d) has the first inlet of the first and second branch pipes (48, 49). When the gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant flows into the second branch pipe (49) while communicating with only the branch pipe (48), the gas-liquid separation chamber (41d) is connected to the first and second branch pipes ( 48, 49) having a check valve (9) for communicating only with the second branch pipe (49),
When the gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant flows into the first branch pipe (48), the gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant mainly flows from the inlet portion of the first inlet / outlet pipe (43) and the inlet portion to the gas-liquid separation chamber ( 41d), and the liquid refrigerant in the gas-liquid separation chamber (41d) flows out into the refrigerant circuit via the second inlet / outlet pipe (44), while the gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant flows into the second branch pipe (49). The gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant flows into the gas-liquid separation chamber (41d) mainly from the inlet portion of the second inlet / outlet pipe (49) and the inlet portion, and the gas-liquid separation chamber (41d) The liquid refrigerant is configured to flow out to the refrigerant circuit through the first inlet / outlet pipe (43). The gas-liquid separator according to claim 1,
In the gas-liquid separation chamber (41d), the gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant flowing from one of the first inlet / outlet pipe (43) and the second inlet / outlet pipe (44) receives the first inlet / outlet pipe (43) and the second inlet / outlet. A gas-liquid separator characterized in that a prevention means (41e) for preventing direct flow into the other of the pipe (44) is provided. The gas-liquid separator according to claim 2,
The gas-liquid separation chamber (41d) rotates the gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant flowing from the inlet portion to separate the gas refrigerant and the liquid refrigerant,
The gas-liquid separator is characterized in that the prevention means (41e) is a spiral baffle plate having an axis extending in the direction of the rotation axis of the gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant.   A refrigeration apparatus comprising the gas-liquid separator according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

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