Distributor of a gas-liquid two phase fluid

Abstract

A distributor able to evenly supply influent two-phase refrigerant flowing in by various flow states to different pipes with an extremely small pressure loss, that is, a distributor of a gas-liquid two-phase fluid distributing a gas-liquid two-phase fluid flowing in from an inlet pipe into a plurality of distribution pipes, provided with a cylindrical vessel with a cylindrical upper part, an inlet pipe connected in a tangential direction with respect to a circular cross section of the upper portion of the cylindrical vessel, and distribution pipes connected to a lower portion of the cylindrical vessel.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other objects and features of the present invention will become clearer from the following description of the preferred embodiments given with reference to the attached drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of a distributor according to the present invention by schematic views,

FIG. 2 shows a first embodiment of a distributor according to the present invention by a schematic view,

FIG. 3 shows a first embodiment of a distributor according to the present invention by a schematic view,

FIG. 4 shows a conventional refrigeration cycle provided with an ejector,

FIG. 5 is the perspective view of an indoor heat exchanger forming part of the cycle of FIG. 4, and

FIG. 6 shows an ejector and distributor forming parts of the cycle of FIG. 4.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below while referring to the attached figures.

First Embodiment

FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of a distributor according to the present invention by schematic views. FIG. 1(a) shows a top view of the distributor, while FIG. 1(b) shows a side cross-sectional view of the distributor. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 10 is a distributor of the first embodiment, 1 is a cylindrical vessel, 2 is an inlet pipe, and 3 are distribution pipes.

The inlet pipe 2 is connected in a tangential direction with respect to the circular cross-section of the upper portion of the cylindrical vessel 1. At the lower portion of the cylindrical vessel 1, a plurality of distribution pipes 3 are connected at positions separated by equal angles in the peripheral direction and extend outward radially. That is, the plurality of distribution pipes 3 are connected to the cylindrical vessel 1 so that the intervals between them become equal distances.

Further, the gas phase two-phase refrigerant (for example, having a ratio of the liquid phase to the gas phase of approximately 0.3 vol %) flows from the inlet pipe 2 into the cylindrical vessel 1 from a tangential direction at the peripheral part and separates into gas and liquid by the centrifugal force acting on this in the process of swirling inside the cylindrical vessel 1. The heavy liquid collects at the peripheral side, while the light gas collects at the center. The gas becomes a uniform pressure and flows from an outlet 3a to the distribution pipes 3 in the process of moving while swirling.

On the other hand, the liquid swirls along the inner surface of the cylindrical wall 1a and free falls by gravity, swirls, and forms a liquid film. As it proceeds, the thickness of the liquid film becomes a uniform thickness over the entire circumference due to the action of the surface tension and flows into the distribution pipes 3. Note that when the volume ratio of the liquid phase is 0.3 vol %, the liquid film thickness is approximately 0.1 mm. The liquid free falls, so can move downward with no energy loss.

In this way, near the distribution pipes 3, the liquid becomes a film of a uniform thickness over the entire circumference and the gas becomes a uniform pressure over the entire circumference when flowing into the distribution pipes 3. Therefore so the gas phase two-phase refrigerant can be evenly dispensed. Conversely, if making the intervals of the mounting positions of the distribution pipes 3 unequal, it is possible to change the ratio of distribution to the distribution pipes 3.

Second Embodiment

FIG. 2 shows the side cross-section of a second embodiment of the distributor according to the present invention by a schematic view. The top view is the same as FIG. 1 (a), so is omitted. The distributor of the second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in only the cylindrical vessel. Therefore, parts substantively the same as the parts of the first embodiment are assigned the same reference notations and explanations are omitted.

In FIG. 2, reference numeral 20 is the distributor of the second embodiment, while 21 is a vessel with a cylindrical upper portion 21b and an inverted conical lower portion 21c (below referred to as “the upper portion cylindrical vessel”).

The two-phase refrigerant forms a swirl flow along the inner surface 21a of the vessel 21 and flows toward the bottom of the vessel 21. At that time, the liquid film on the reverse conical surface generated by the centrifugal separation action is subjected to an upward force component by the reverse conical surface 21c with respect to this centrifugal force, so the dropping speed is eased. Further, due to the reverse conical surface, the angular speed ω rises and the centrifugal separation action is promoted. Because of this, the liquid film of a more uniform thickness drops down while swirling on the reverse conical surface.

Note that the diameter D2 of the circular cross-section near the cut apex of the cone (that is, near the distribution pipe connection portion) is preferably larger than the inlet pipe inside diameter D1. This is to avoid a pressure loss by the throttling effect. Further, the tilt angle of the cone can be set to an optimal value by parameters such as the flow rate at the vessel inlet, dryness of the refrigerant, D1, D2, and the like.

In this way, near the distribution pipes 3, the liquid forms a film of a more uniform thickness over the entire circumference, while the gas becomes a uniform pressure over the entire circumference when flowing into the distribution pipes 3. Therefore so the gas phase two-phase refrigerant can be evenly dispensed.

Third Embodiment

FIG. 3 shows a top view of a third embodiment of a distributor according to the present invention by schematic view. The side cross-sectional view is the same as FIG. 1(b), so is omitted. The distributor of the third embodiment differs from the first embodiment in only the inlet pipe is different. Therefore, parts substantively the same as the parts of the first embodiment are assigned the same reference notations and explanations are omitted.

In FIG. 2, reference numeral 30 is the distributor of the third embodiment, while 32 is the inlet pipe. The inlet pipe 32 has a curved portion 32a that curves just before being connected to the cylindrical vessel 1. This curve portion 32a has the function of generating a centrifugal separation action, so it becomes possible to make cylindrical vessel 1 smaller by that amount.

While the invention has been described with reference to specific embodiments chosen for purpose of illustration, it should be apparent that numerous modifications could be made thereto by those skilled in the art without departing from the basic concept and scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A distributor of a gas-liquid two-phase fluid distributing a gas-liquid two-phase fluid flowing in from an inlet pipe into a plurality of distribution pipes, provided with a cylindrical vessel with a cylindrical upper part,an inlet pipe connected in a tangential direction with respect to a circular cross section of the upper portion of the cylindrical vessel, anddistribution pipes connected to a lower portion of the cylindrical vessel.

2. A distributor according to claim 1 wherein the lower portion of the cylindrical vessel is formed into a reverse conical shape.

3. A distributor according to claim 1 wherein said inlet pipe is curved just before being connected to said cylindrical vessel.

4. A refrigeration cycle provided with a distributor according to claim 1 downstream of an ejector.