Patent Publication Number: US-6220050-B1

Title: Suction accumulator

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application is related to and claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/109,859, filed Nov. 24, 1998. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to suction accumulators for hermetic refrigerant compressors, and in particular, to so-called “high side” compressors, i.e., compressors in which the interior of the compressor housing, including the motor chamber, is at discharge pressure. 
     While it is known to simply attach a cylindrical accumulator vessel to the cylindrical housing of a hermetic compressor, such an arrangement provides a compressor and accumulator assembly package which requires a substantial amount of space. Further, compressors typically generate heat which is thereafter emitted through the housing and into the surrounding air space. Accumulator assemblies heretofore, typically have been thermally isolated, or far enough removed from the compressor housing so that insignificant heat transfer, from the compressor housing to the accumulator housing, occurs. Generally, the accumulator assembly includes liquid refrigerant therein, and through the rather slow process of natural vaporization, the liquid refrigerant transforms to gaseous refrigerant, however, utilizing heat generated by the compressor housing, significantly accelerates vaporization as the accumulator is exposed to the generated heat. Thus, a typical accumulator is often required to store a substantial amount of liquid refrigerant during compressor operation, necessitating a larger accumulator volume. An accumulator which provides faster liquid refrigerant vaporization is desirable because it may be smaller, reducing the package space necessary for the compressor and accumulator assembly. Further, an accumulator which, when attached to a hermetic compressor, requires less package space is also desirable. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention overcomes the disadvantages associated with prior accumulator and compressor assemblies in that it provides an accumulator disposed in close proximity to the compressor and having a shape which conforms to, or partially wraps about, the cylindrical compressor housing, providing increased heat transfer area between the components, thereby promoting high heat transfer from the compressor to the liquid refrigerant within the accumulator. Hence, the amount of liquid refrigerant which the accumulator must store during compressor operation may be reduced, for it will vaporize quickly and enter the compressor suction inlet. Further, because the inventive accumulator has a shape rather like a hip flask, having a generally kidney-shaped cross section which partially wraps about the outer surface of the compressor housing, a more compact compressor and accumulator assembly package size is afforded. 
     The present invention provides a compressor assembly and an accumulator assembly attached to the compressor assembly, wherein the compressor assembly includes a curved housing and the accumulator assembly includes a concave surface which partially surrounds the curved compressor housing. 
     The present invention also provides a compressor and suction accumulator assembly including a compressor mechanism disposed in a compressor housing and the compressor housing has an outer surface disposed thereon. The accumulator assembly includes an accumulator housing having an outer surface portion and the outer surface portion of the accumulator housing is interfacingly arranged with the outer surface of the compressor housing. The accumulator housing has an inlet and an outlet and the outlet is in fluid communication with the compressor mechanism. The outer surface portion of the accumulator housing is superposed with the outer surface of the compressor housing. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The above-mentioned and other features and objects of this invention, and the manner of attaining them, will become more apparent and the invention itself will be better understood by reference to the following description of the embodiments of the invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
     FIG. 1 is a first side view of a first embodiment of a compressor and accumulator assembly according to the present invention; 
     FIG. 2 is a second side view of the compressor and accumulator assembly of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 3 is a top view of the compressor and accmulator assembly of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 4 is a bottom view of the compressor and accumulator assembly of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 5 is a side view of a first embodiment of an accumulator assembly according to the present invention; 
     FIG. 6 is a top view of the accumulator assembly of FIG. 5; 
     FIG. 7 is a sectional side view of the accumulator assembly of FIG. 6 along line  7 — 7 ; 
     FIG. 8 is a sectional side view of the accumulator assembly of FIG. 6 along line  8 — 8 ; 
     FIG. 9 is a top view of a screen assembly within the accumulator assembly of FIG. 5; 
     FIG. 10 is a sectional side view of the screen assembly of FIG. 9 along line  10 — 10 ; 
     FIG. 11 is an enlarged view of the encircled portion of FIG. 10; 
     FIG. 12 is a top view of a baffle plate within the accumulator assembly of FIG. 5; 
     FIG. 13 is a sectional side view of the baffle plate of FIG. 12 along line  13 — 13 ; 
     FIG. 14 is an enlarged view of the encircled portion of FIG. 13; 
     FIG. 15 is a sectional side view of a second embodiment of an accumulator assembly according to the present invention; 
     FIG. 16 is a first side view of a third embodiment of a compressor and accumulator assembly according to the present invention; 
     FIG. 17 is a top view of the compressor and accumulator assembly of FIG. 16; 
     FIG. 18 is an end view of the compressor and accumulator assembly of FIG. 16; 
     FIG. 19 is a side view of the third embodiment accumulator assembly according to the present invention; 
     FIG. 20 is an end view of the accumulator assembly of FIG. 19; 
     FIG. 21 is a sectional side view of the accumulator assembly of FIG. 20 along line  21 — 21 ; 
     FIG. 22 is a sectional bottom view of the accumulator assembly of FIG. 20 along line  22 — 22 ; 
     FIG. 23 is an end view of a screen assembly within the accumulator assembly of FIG. 19; 
     FIG. 24 is a sectional bottom view of the screen assembly of FIG. 23 along line  24 — 24 ; and 
     FIG. 25 is an enlarged view of the encircled portion of FIG.  24 . 
     Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views. Although the drawings represent embodiments of the present invention, the drawings are not necessarily to scale and certain features may be exaggerated in order to better illustrate and explain the present invention. The exemplifications set out herein illustrate embodiments of the invention in alternative forms, and such exemplifications are not to be construed as limiting the scope of the invention in any manner. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     FIGS. 1-4 illustrate a first embodiment of a compressor and accumulator assembly according to the present invention. Compressor and accumulator assembly  20  comprises vertically oriented hermetic compressor assembly  22 , which may be a rotary type compressor of the type disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,640,669, assigned to the assignee of the present invention, the disclosure of which is expressly incorporated herein. Hermetic rotary compressor assembly  22  is of a type which is commonly known as “high side”, i.e., the interior of the compressor housing  24 , in which the motor is disposed, is generally at discharge pressure. It is to be understood, however, that compressor assembly  22  may be of a type other than rotary. For example, compressor assembly  22  may instead represent a high-side scroll or reciprocating piston compressor. Compressor assembly  22  is also of the type in which suction gases are provided from outside housing  24  to the compressing mechanism therein directly through suction inlet tube  26 . Accumulator assembly  28  of the present invention is particularly beneficial in such “direct suction” compressor applications for in these applications the accumulator assembly also serves as a suction muffler. Compressor assembly  22  is vertically oriented and has base mounting bracket  27  attached to the lower portion of housing  24  and having mounting feet  25  which may be made of a vibration damping material such as, for example, rubber. The assembly is shown on generally horizontal mounting surface  10 . 
     Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, first suction inlet tube  26  extends through aperture  30  provided in the cylindrical sidewall of compressor housing  24  and is attached therein, by means of, for example, brazing. Suction inlet tube  26  connects to the inlet portion of the compressor mechanism (not shown) driven by an electric motor (not shown), both disposed within compressor housing  24 . Gases compressed by the compressor mechanism are discharged into the interior of housing  24 , from which they exit at discharge pressure through a discharge outlet tube (not shown) and are returned to the refrigerant system loop (not shown). Tube  26  may also be defined as the “outlet” of accumulator assembly  28 , since refrigerant gas at suction pressure exits accumulator assembly  28  through tube  26 . Tube  32  may also be defined as the “inlet” of accumulator assembly  28 , since refrigerant is received by tube  32 . 
     As best shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, through hole or orifice  29  is positioned in a lower portion of outlet tube  26 . Lubrication oil transported to accumulator assembly  28  with the refrigerant, which may accumulate at the lower portion of accumulator assembly  28 , enters orifice  29  and is returned to compressor assembly  22  via tube  26 . Orifice  29  includes a diameter which ranges from 0.025″ to 0.060″ to provide a means for lubrication oil to flow back to the compressor at a suitable rate. 
     Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, accumulator assembly  28  comprises first accumulator housing portion  34  and second accumulator housing portion  36 . First accumulator housing portion  34  includes end wall  33  having inlet tube  32  extending therethrough. Likewise, second accumulator housing portion  36  includes end wall  35  having outlet tube  26  extending therethrough. Housing portion  36  is adapted to be interfitted with lower end opening  38  of first accumulator portion  34  to form accumulator housing  37 . First accumulator portion  34  includes an expanded portion into which upper end opening  40  of second accumulator portion  36  slidably extends. This joint is sealed by means of, for example, brazing. Second suction inlet tube  32  extends through aperture  42  in end wall  33  of first accumulator housing portion  34 . Aperture  42  is defined by vertically extending collar  44  formed in end wall  33  of housing portion  34 , and suction inlet tube is attached therein by means of, for example, brazing. 
     As best shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, outlet tube  26  extends through aperture  48  provided in end wall  35  of second accumulator housing portion  36 ; end wall  35  of accumulator housing portion  36  is provided with drawn collar portion  50  through which tube  26  extends and tube  26  is brazed into opening  48 . Outlet tube  26  extends within accumulator assembly  28  to a height such that its terminal end  51  is located in the upper portion of the accumulator. Those skilled in the art will recognize that as refrigerant is introduced to accumulator assembly  28  through inlet tube  32 , liquid refrigerant may accumulate in the bottom portion thereof, and as the liquid refrigerant vaporizes or boils off in response to it being at low pressure and/or its absorption of heat from the compressor assembly  22 , the refrigerant gas will enter terminal end  51  of outlet tube  26  and be conveyed to the suction inlet of the compressor mechanism within compressor assembly  22 . 
     Referring to FIGS. 1 and 3, it can be seen that accumulator assembly  28  includes mounting bracket  52  which is attached by means of, for example, brazing, to first accumulator housing portion  34 , and is provided with first and second ends  54  and  56  which are attached by means of brazing, for example, to housing  24  of compressor assembly  22 . Referring to FIG. 8, accumulator assembly  28  may be provided with additional second bracket  52   a , which is identical to bracket  52  and which has first and second ends  54   a ,  56   a ( 56   a  not shown) by which accumulator assembly  28  may be attached to compressor assembly housing  24 . Accumulator assembly  28  is thus attached to compressor assembly  22  by means of the brazed connections of outlet tube  26  and the first and second ends of brackets  52 ,  52   a.    
     Referring to FIGS. 1,  2  and  3 , accumulator housing  37 , formed from first and second accumulator housing portions  34  and  36 , is generally hip flask shaped and includes a periphery or outermost portion having a kidney shaped cross-section. Specifically, accumulator housing  37  includes a generally continuous exterior surface which includes first surface portion  39  having concave profile  60  which interfaces with the generally curved outer surface of compressor housing  24 . Opposite to concave profile  60 , positioned radially and outwardly with respect to compressor assembly  22  and surface portion  39 , is convex profile  58  disposed on second surface portion  41  of accumulator housing  37 . Side portions,  43  and  45  having generally convex surfaces, connect convex profile  58  to concave profile  60  to form the hip flask shaped accumulator assembly  28 . First surface portion  39  superposes, partially surrounding, the generally curved outer surface of compressor housing  24  to promote heat transfer to accumulator housing  37  from compressor housing  24 . However, it is envisioned that the interfacing surfaces of accumulator housing  37  and compressor housing  24 , may comprise alternative complementary profiles such as planar profiles, jagged profiles, curved profiles or any other suitable superposable profiles which promote high heat transfer and reduce overall assembly size. 
     Thus, heat generated by compressor assembly  22 , via the compressor mechanism and/or the electrical motor therein, transfers to compressor housing  24  and thereafter to accumulator housing  37  to more rapidly vaporize the liquid refrigerant. 
     Furthermore, accumulator assembly  28 , by partially surrounding or wrapping about cylindrical compressor housing  24 , accommodates reduced compressor and accumulator assembly packaging requirements by providing radial compactness. 
     Referring to FIGS. 3,  4 , a gap between compressor housing  24  and concave profile  60  of surface portion  39  of accumulator housing  37  is in the range of approximately 5-10 mm. This clearance allows paint to be deposited on the interfacing surfaces to prevent corrosion of compressor housing  24  and accumulator housing  37 . Those skilled in the art will recognize, however, that where suitable materials or surface protectants are used (e.g., platings) accumulator assembly concave profile  60  may be positioned so as to abuttingly contact the outer surface of compressor housing  24 , thereby providing further improved heat transfer therebetween. The improved heat transfer characteristics of the inventive accumulator assembly provides more rapid vaporization of liquid refrigerant therein, thereby allowing the overall volumetric size of the accumulator to be minimalized, thus, refrigerant which would otherwise be stored as liquid in the accumulator instead is urged into a vapor phase. 
     Referring to FIGS. 7 and 8, there is shown screen assembly  64  which is disposed within first accumulator housing portion  34 , the screen assembly conforming to the interior surface of first housing portion  34 . Screen assembly  64  is disposed intermediate terminal end  51  of outlet tube  26  and terminal end  66  of inlet tube  32 . Screen assembly  64  comprises frame or holder  68  to which is attached screen element  70  by means of, for example, crimping (as shown), welding, riveting or by any other suitable means. Screen assembly frame  68  is provided with a plurality of openings  72  through which refrigerant may pass and which are completely covered by screen element  70 . As best shown in FIGS. 7 and 9, screen assembly frame  68  is provided with central rib  69  which extends between center most openings  72 . Rib  69  lies directly below terminal end  66  of inlet tube  32 , and directly above terminal end  51  of outlet tube  26 , and serves to deflect the flow of refrigerant from inlet tube  32 , preventing the refrigerant from flowing directly into outlet tube  26  and into the compressor cylinder. Screen element  70  may be made from interwoven stainless steel, brass or other suitable metallic or non-metallic fibers having a mesh of 80×150 fibers/inch, and have the ability to withstand increased temperature and pressure conditions. Such a mesh will prevent debris measuring approximately 90 microns or more from passing from the refrigerant loop to the compressor, however, the screen mesh is anticipated to prevent debris measuring between 80 and 120 microns from passing through to the compressor. Frame  68  is provided with depending circumferential surface  74  which slidably contacts the interior surface of first accumulator housing portion  34  and which is attached thereto by means of, for example, press-fit, brazing or welding. Screen assembly frame  68 , in addition to providing a substrate on which screen element  70  is supported, also provides a means of stiffening accumulator  28  and providing baffle means by which suction pressure pulses carried by the refrigerant may be dampened, improving the performance of accumulator assembly  28  as a suction muffler. 
     With reference again to FIGS. 7 and 8, baffle plate  76  is disposed in second accumulator housing portion  36 . In the manner of screen assembly  64 , baffle plate  76  conforms to the interior of the accumulator assembly and is provided with central aperture  78  through which outlet tube  26  extends. Baffle plate  76  has a plurality of other apertures  80  through which refrigerant may flow and depending circumferential surface  82  which slidably contacts the interior surface of second accumulator housing portion  36  and is attached thereto by means of, for example, brazing or welding. FIGS. 12-14 show baffle plate  76  in greater detail. Baffle plate  76  provides a means of stiffening accumulator  28  and, due to the material separating apertures  80 , serves as a baffle for breaking up pressure pulses carried by the refrigerant flowing through the accumulator in the manner of screen assembly  64 . Those skilled in the art will recognize that the filtration and/or muffling provided by screen assembly  64  or baffle plate  76  may not be necessary for all types of compressors and may accordingly be omitted from accumulator assembly  28  as appropriate. However, because of the close operating tolerances of the moving parts within a rotary compressor mechanism, it is particularly important to exclude refrigerant liquid from entering the compressor assembly. 
     FIG. 15 shows a second embodiment of an accumulator assembly, according to the present invention, which may be used with compressor assembly  22 . Unlike accumulator assembly  28 , accumulator assembly  28 ′ has a three piece housing construction. As shown, inlet and outlet tubes  32  and  26  are unchanged from the previously discussed embodiment, but accumulator assembly  28 ′ includes first housing portion  34 ′, second housing portion  36 ′, and central housing portion  90  to form the hip flask shaped accumulator housing  37 ′. Central housing portion  90  slidably fits within the open ends of first and second accumulator housing portions  34 ′,  36 ′ and is attached thereto by means of, for example, brazing. Accumulator assembly  28 ′ is otherwise substantially identical in outward appearance to accumulator assembly  28 , having respective convex and concave profiles  58 ′,  60 ′, and is similarly provided with brackets  52 ′ having ends  54 ′,  56 ′ ( 56 ′ not shown) by which the accumulator assembly is attached to the exterior surface of compressor assembly housing  24 . 
     As best shown in FIG. 15, through hole or orifice  29 ′ is positioned in a lower portion of outlet tube  26 . Lubrication oil transported to accumulator assembly  28 ′ with the refrigerant, which may accumulate at the lower portion of accumulator assembly  28 ′ , enters orifice  29 ′ and is returned to compressor assembly  22  via tube  26 . Orifice  29 ′ includes a diameter which ranges from 0.025″ to 0.060″ to provide a means for lubrication oil to flow back to the compressor at a suitable rate. 
     Referring to FIG. 15, accumulator assembly  28 ′ is provided with screen assembly  64 ′ which is disposed at the upper axial end surface of central portion  90 , and which is brazed thereto or to the interior surface of first accumulator housing portion  34 ′ . Screen assembly  64 ′ conforms to the interior surface of accumulator housing  37 ′ and is provided with frame  68 ′ and screen element  70 ′ , which may be 80×150 mesh like screen element  70 . Accumulator assembly  28 ′ is provided with baffle plate  76 ′ having central aperture  78 ′ , through which outlet tube  26  extends, and a plurality of other apertures  80 ′ (not shown). Baffle plate  76 ′ conforms to the interior surface of central housing portion  90  and is attached thereto by means of, for example, brazing at a location intermediate first and second housing portions  34 ′ ,  36 ′ . Further, end wall  35 ′ of second accumulator housing portion  36 ′ is provided with aperture  48 ′ which is defined by upwardly extending collar  50 ′ , through which outlet tube  26  extends into. Likewise, end wall  33 ′ of first accumulator housing portion  34 ′ is provided with aperture  42 ′ which is formed by upwardly extending collar  44 ′ , through which inlet tube  32  fits. Tubes  26  and  32 , respectively, attach to collars  50 ′ and  44 ′ , respectively, by means of, for example, brazing. 
     Referring to FIGS. 16-18, there is shown a third embodiment of a compressor and accumulator assembly according to the present invention. Compressor and accumulator assembly  120  comprises horizontal rotary compressor assembly  122  and accumulator assembly  128 . The reference numerals referring to each of the elements of compressor and accumulator  120  correspond to elements of compressor and accumulator assembly  20  by adding 100 to the reference numeral of elements comprising compressor and accumulator assembly  20 . Thus, it can be seen that horizontal compressor and accumulator assembly  120  comprises hermetic compressor assembly  122  and partially surrounding kidney or hip flask shaped accumulator assembly  128  fluidly connected thereto by means of outlet tube  126  which extends through aperture  130  provided in cylindrical compressor housing  124 . Outlet tube  126  is directly attached to the compressor mechanism (not shown), which may be a rotary, scroll or reciprocating piston compressor mechanism, located within the right hand end of compressor housing  124  as viewed in FIGS. 16 and 17. Refrigerant at suction pressure is received from the refrigerant system loop into accumulator assembly  128  through inlet tube  132 . 
     Accumulator housing  137  comprises first accumulator housing portion  134  and second accumulator housing portion  136 . Housing portions  136  and  134 , respectively, include a pair of end walls  135  and  133  having outlet and inlet tubes  126  and  132 , respectively, extending therefrom. Housing portion  136  is adapted to be interfitted, with lower end opening  138  of first accumulator portion  134 . First accumulator portion  134  includes an expanded portion such that the upper end opening  140  of second accumulator portion  136  slidably extends therein. This joint is sealed by means of, for example, brazing. Inlet tube  132  extends through aperture  142  in end wall  133  of first accumulator housing portion  134 . Aperture  142  is formed by horizontally extending collar  144  which is formed in end wall  133  of housing portion  134 , and inlet tube  132  is attached therein by means of, for example, brazing. 
     Compressor and accumulator assembly  120  is provided with first and second base mounting brackets  127 ,  127   a  attached to compressor housing  124  and having mounting feet  125  which may be made of a vibration damping material such as, for example, rubber. The assembly is shown on generally horizontal mounting surface  110 . As shown in FIG. 16, first and second brackets  127 ,  127   a  are fashioned to slightly elevate the left hand side of compressor assembly  122 , which allows oil disposed within housing  124  to collect at the interior right hand side for providing lubrication to the compressor mechanism therein. 
     Referring to FIGS. 16,  17  and  18 , accumulator housing  137 , formed from first and second accumulator housing portions  134  and  136 , is generally hip flask shaped and includes a periphery or outermost portion having a kidney shaped cross-section. Referring to FIG. 18, accumulator housing  137  includes a generally continuous exterior surface which includes first surface portion  139  having concave profile  160  which interfaces with the generally curved outer surface of compressor housing  124 . Opposite to concave profile  160 , positioned radially and outwardly with respect to compressor assembly  122  and first surface portion  139 , is convex profile  158  disposed on second surface portion  141  of accumulator housing  137 . Side portions,  143  and  145  having generally convex surfaces, connect convex profile  158  to concave profile  160  to form the hip flask shaped accumulator assembly  128 . First surface portion  139  superposes, partially surrounding, the generally curved outer surface of compressor housing  124  to promote heat transfer to accumulator housing  137  from compressor housing  124 . However, it is envisioned that the interfacing surfaces of accumulator housing  137  and compressor housing  124 , may comprise alternative complementary profiles such as planar profiles, jagged profiles, curved profiles or any other suitable superposable profiles which promote high heat transfer and reduce overall assembly size. 
     Thus, heat generated by compressor assembly  122 , via the compressor mechanism and/or the electrical motor therein, transfers to compressor housing  124  and thereafter to accumulator housing  137  to more rapidly vaporize liquid refrigerant. 
     Referring now to FIG. 19, accumulator assembly  128  comprises outlet tube  126  having terminal end  151  which extends generally upwards into the upper inside portion of the accumulator, above the liquid refrigerant surface level. Referring to FIGS. 21 and 22, screen assembly  164  is disposed between terminal end  151  of outlet tube  126  and terminal end  166  of inlet tube  132 . Screen assembly  164  comprises frame or holder  168 , which conforms to the inside surface of first housing portion  134 , and screen element  170  which may be made from interwoven stainless steel, brass or other suitable metallic or non-metallic fibers having a mesh of 80×150 fibers/inch. Like screen element  70 , screen element  170  filters debris measuring between 80 and 120 microns to prevent the debris from passing through to the compressor. Referring now to FIG. 23, holder or frame  168  is provided with a plurality of apertures  172  through which refrigerant may pass from one side of screen assembly  164  to the other, the apertures entirely covered by screen element  170 . As best seen in FIGS. 21 and 23, frame  168  has wall portion  173  which defines the uppermost edge of uppermost aperture  172 . Wall portion  173  extends into the flow path of refrigerant exiting inlet tube  132 , and serves to break up liquid refrigerant which impinges against it into small droplets to promote evaporation within the accumulator. Wall portion  173  also deflects the flow of liquid refrigerant from terminal end  166  of inlet tube  132 , preventing it from being directly received into terminal end  151  of outlet tube  126  and the compressor cylinder. Like frame  68 , frame  168  is provided with means for crimping screen element  170  therein for retaining same (FIGS. 24,  25 ). Alternatively, the screen element may be welded to frame  168 . Frame  168  is also provided with depending perimeter surface  174  which abuts the inside surface of first accumulator housing element  134  and is attached thereto by means of, for example, press-fit, welding or brazing. It should be noted that accumulator assembly  128  may be provided with a baffle plate element similar to baffle plate  76  and which is attached to an interior portion of accumulator housing  137  for improving accumulator assembly  128  strength and/or sound muffling characteristics. 
     As best shown in FIG. 21, through hole or orifice  129  is positioned in a lower portion of outlet tube  126  in order for compressor lubrication oil, transported to accumulator assembly  128  with the refrigerant, and which may accumulate at the lower portion of accumulator assembly  128 , to be reclaimed by compressor assembly  122  (not shown). Orifice  129  having a diameter ranging from 0.025″ to 0.060″ allows lubrication oil to flow back to the compressor at a suitable rate. The oil received by orifice  129  is conveyed back to the compressor through outlet tube  126 . 
     It is envisioned that all of the above-mentioned brazed connections, including those which assemble the components of accumulator assemblies  28 ,  28 ′ and  128  may be performed simultaneously. Further, in lieu of attaching the accumulator assembly of the present invention to the compressor housing by means of brazed brackets  52 ,  52 ′ or  152 , the accumulator assembly may be attached to the compressor assembly by means of a belly band or bail strap which encircles the compressor housing. 
     While this invention has been described as having different embodiments, the present invention can be further modified within the spirit of the scope of this disclosure. This application is therefore intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the invention using its general principles. Further, this application is intended to cover such departures from the present disclosure as come within known or customary practice in the art to which this invention pertains and which fall within the limits of the appended claims.