Combined Muffler and Oil Separator for Refrigerant System

摘要

A refrigerant system (20) is provided with an enlarged chamber (32) that provides the functions of both an oil separator and a muffler. The chamber includes an oil return line (34) that returns separated oil back to a compressor. The chamber further includes at least one sound-deadening feature such that the chamber will also deaden the sound caused by the compressed refrigerant as it moves downstream from the compressor towards the condenser. In one embodiment, the sound-deadening feature is a torturous path (40) for the compressor discharge flow. In another embodiment, the sound-deadening feature is a sound-deadening material (52) formed within the chamber. Additional oil separation features may include an oil retention mesh (36) or a cyclone structure (102).