Refrigerant cycle device with ejector and refrigerant branch structure for the same

Abstract

A branch structure is provided on an upstream side of an ejector in a refrigerant cycle device, for branching and supplying refrigerant to a nozzle of the ejector and to an evaporator connected to a refrigerant suction port of the ejector. For example, the branch structure is constructed with an introduction pipe part for introducing the refrigerant, and at least two arm parts branched out from the introduction pipe part. The two arm parts are substantially symmetrical with respect to the introduction pipe part, while being positioned substantially under the same condition with respect to a direction of gravity.

1 . A branch structure for a refrigerant cycle device having an ejector, the branch structure being provided on an upstream side of the ejector, for branching and supplying refrigerant to a nozzle of the ejector and to an evaporator connected to a refrigerant suction port of the ejector, the branch structure comprising: 
 an introduction pipe part for introducing the refrigerant; and    at least two arm parts branched out from the introduction pipe part,    wherein the two arm parts are substantially symmetrical with respect to the introduction pipe part, while being positioned substantially under the same condition with respect to a direction of gravity.    
   
   
       2 . The branch structure according to  claim 1 , wherein the two arm parts are arranged substantially in a U shape having one end connected to the introduction pipe part.  
   
   
       3 . A branch structure for a refrigerant cycle device having an ejector, the branch structure being provided on an upstream side of the ejector for branching and supplying refrigerant to a nozzle of the ejector and to an evaporator connected to a refrigerant suction port of the ejector, the branch structure comprising: 
 an introduction pipe part for introducing the refrigerant; and    at least first and second branch parts branched out from the introduction pipe part,    wherein the first branch part extends in an extension direction of the introduction pipe part, and the second branch part extends substantially perpendicularly to the extension direction of the introduction pipe part.    
   
   
       4 . The branch structure according to  claim 3 , wherein the introduction pipe is positioned so as to extend in the direction of gravity.  
   
   
       5 . The branch structure according to  claim 3 , wherein the second branch part is positioned to extend in a horizontal direction from an extension of the introduction part.  
   
   
       6 . A refrigerant cycle device comprising: 
 a condenser for cooling and condensing refrigerant;    a branch portion for branching a flow of refrigerant on a downstream side of the condenser into first and second streams;    an ejector that includes a nozzle for decompressing and expanding refrigerant of the first stream flowing from the branch portion, and a refrigerant suction port from which refrigerant is drawn by a high-speed refrigerant flow jetted from the nozzle;    a throttle member for decompressing and expanding refrigerant of the second stream flowing from the branch portion; and    an evaporator for evaporating refrigerant decompressed by the throttle member, the evaporator having an outlet coupled to the refrigerant suction port,    wherein the branch portion branches the refrigerant flow such that a ratio of a liquid-phase refrigerant in refrigerant flowing to the nozzle is approximately equal to a ratio of a liquid-phase refrigerant in refrigerant flowing to the evaporator.    
   
   
       7 . The refrigerant cycle device according to  claim 6 , wherein a flow direction of the refrigerant flowing from the branch portion toward the nozzle, and a flow direction of the refrigerant flowing from the branch portion toward the evaporator are arranged substantially on the same plane.  
   
   
       8 . The refrigerant cycle device according to  claim 6 , wherein the flow direction of the refrigerant flowing from the branch portion toward the nozzle, and the flow direction of the refrigerant flowing from the branch portion toward the evaporator are arranged substantially symmetrically with respect to a flow direction of the refrigerant flowing into the branch portion.  
   
   
       9 . The refrigerant cycle device according to  claim 6 , wherein: 
 the branch portion is constructed with an introduction pipe part for introducing refrigerant, and at least two arm parts branched out from the introduction pipe part; and    the two arm parts are substantially symmetrical with respect to the introduction pipe part, while being positioned substantially under the same condition with respect to a direction of gravity.    
   
   
       10 . A refrigerant cycle device comprising: 
 a condenser for cooling and condensing refrigerant;    a branch portion for branching a flow of refrigerant on a downstream side of the condenser;    an ejector that includes a nozzle for decompressing and expanding refrigerant of the first stream flowing from the branch portion, and a refrigerant suction port from which refrigerant is drawn by a high-speed refrigerant flow ejected from the nozzle;    a throttle member for decompressing and expanding refrigerant of the second stream from the branch portion; and    an evaporator for evaporating refrigerant decompressed by the throttle member, the evaporator having an outlet coupled to the refrigerant suction port,    wherein the branch portion branches the refrigerant flow such that a ratio of a liquid-phase refrigerant in refrigerant flowing to the nozzle is equal to or greater than a ratio of a liquid-phase refrigerant in the refrigerant flowing to the evaporator.    
   
   
       11 . The refrigerant cycle device according to  claim 10 , wherein a flow direction of refrigerant flowing into the branch portion is arranged on a substantially same straight line as a flow direction of refrigerant flowing to the nozzle from the branch portion.  
   
   
       12 . The refrigerant cycle device according to  claim 10 , wherein the flow direction of refrigerant flowing to the nozzle from the branch portion is oriented downward substantially in a vertical direction.  
   
   
       13 . The refrigerant cycle device according to  claim 10 , wherein: 
 the branch portion is constructed with an introduction pipe part for introducing the refrigerant, and at least first and second branch parts branched out from the introduction pipe part; and    the first branch part extends in an extension direction of the introduction pipe part, and the second branch part extends substantially perpendicularly to the extension direction of the introduction pipe part.    
   
   
       14 . A refrigerant cycle device comprising: 
 a compressor for compressing and discharging refrigerant;    a branch portion for branching a flow of refrigerant discharged from the compressor in a vapor-phase condition or a vapor-liquid two-phase condition near a saturated vapor line, into first and second streams;    a first condensing part for cooling and condensing refrigerant of the first stream branched by the branch portion;    a second condensing part for cooling and condensing refrigerant of the second stream branched by the branch portion;    an ejector that includes a nozzle for decompressing and expanding refrigerant flowing from the first condensing part, and a refrigerant suction port from which refrigerant is drawn by high-speed refrigerant flow ejected from the nozzle;    a throttle member for decompressing and expanding the refrigerant flowing from the second condensing part; and    an evaporator for evaporating refrigerant decompressed by the throttle member, wherein the evaporator has an outlet coupled to the refrigerant suction port.    
   
   
       15 . The refrigerant cycle device according to  claim 14 , wherein the branch portion is provided between a discharge port of the compressor and an upstream side of the first and second condensing parts in a refrigerant flow.  
   
   
       16 . The refrigerant cycle device according to  claim 14 , wherein: 
 the first and second condensing parts are constructed to form a condenser; and    the branch portion is provided on a refrigerant inlet side inside the condenser.    
   
   
       17 . A refrigerant cycle device comprising: 
 a condenser for cooling and condensing refrigerant;    a vapor-liquid separator for separating the refrigerant on a downstream side of the condenser into a vapor-phase refrigerant and a liquid-phase refrigerant, and for allowing the liquid-phase refrigerant to flow out therefrom;    a branch portion for branching a flow of the liquid-phase refrigerant from the vapor-liquid separator into first and second streams;    an ejector that includes a nozzle for decompressing and expanding liquid refrigerant flowing from the first stream, and a refrigerant suction port from which refrigerant is drawn by high-speed refrigerant flow ejected from the nozzle;    a throttle member for decompressing and expanding liquid refrigerant flowing from the second stream; and    an evaporator for evaporating refrigerant decompressed by the throttle member, wherein the evaporator has a refrigerant outlet coupled to the refrigerant suction port.    
   
   
       18 . The refrigerant cycle device according to  claim 17 , wherein: 
 the vapor-liquid separator includes a receiver for receiving liquid-phase refrigerant; and    the branch portion is provided in the receiver.    
   
   
       19 . The refrigerant cycle device according to  claim 17 , wherein the branch portion is located on a downstream side of a liquid-phase refrigerant outlet of the vapor-liquid separator.  
   
   
       20 . The refrigerant cycle device according to  claim 10 , wherein the branch portion is provided integrally with the ejector.