Patent ID: 6311514
Filing Date: 2001-11-06
Classification: F25B

Abstract:
An accumulator comprising:a housing having an open top end, an outer wall, and an inner wall disposed within said outer wall, said inner and outer walls being integrally interconnected by a plurality of longitudinal partitions defining a plurality of longitudinal channels, said plurality of longitudinal partitions further defining a downflow passage and an upflow passage positioned among said plurality of longitudinal channels, said housing further having an interior defined inside of said inner wall;a top cover mounted to said open top end of said housing for closing said open top end of said housing, said top cover having an inlet passage and an outlet passage therethrough;directing means positioned beneath said top cover for directing refrigerant from said inlet passage of said top cover through to said interior of said housing, said directing means preventing liquid refrigerant from entering said downflow passage of said housing and communicating gaseous refrigerant from said upflow passage of said housing to said outlet passage of said top cover;venting means positioned beneath said top cover for venting gaseous refrigerant from said interior of said housing to said downflow passage of said housing; andconveying means interposed said downflow passage and said upflow passage of said housing for conveying gaseous refrigerant from said downflow passage of said housing across said accumulator to said upflow passage of said housing, said conveying means including pickup means for lubricating gaseous refrigerant flowing through said conveying means;whereby refrigerant entering said accumulator collects in said interior of said housing and is conveyed through said venting means, down said downflow passage of said housing, across said conveying means, up said upflow passage of said housing, over said directing means, and out said outlet passage of said top cover.