Refrigeration Apparatus

Abstract

A buffer container ( 71 ) is connected to an outflow port ( 33 ) of an expansion mechanism ( 60 ). The buffer container ( 71 ) is shaped like a cylinder extending in the direction of refrigerant flow and has a greater transverse cross sectional area than that of the outflow port ( 33 ). The buffer container ( 71 ) contains therein a flow stabilizing plate ( 75 ) having a mesh part ( 75 a ) shaped like a circular plate. The variation in pressure is reduced by pressure supply and pressure absorption by the buffer container ( 71 ) and, in addition, refrigerant droplets are made fine in size during passage through the flow stabilizing plate ( 75 ).

1 . A refrigeration apparatus comprising:
 a refrigerant circuit ( 20 ), to which a positive displacement expander ( 60 ) is connected by piping, for performing a vapor compression refrigeration cycle,   wherein the refrigerant circuit ( 20 ) is provided, along an outlet side piping line of the positive displacement expander ( 60 ), with a flow path enlarged part ( 71 ) whose refrigerant flow path for flow of refrigerant has a greater transverse cross sectional area than that of the outlet side piping line so that the variation in pressure of the refrigerant flowing out of the positive displacement expander ( 60 ) is reduced.   
   
   
       2 . A refrigeration apparatus comprising:
 a refrigerant circuit ( 20 ), to which a positive displacement expander ( 60 ) is connected by piping, for performing a vapor compression refrigeration cycle,   wherein the refrigerant circuit ( 20 ) is provided, along an outlet side piping line of the positive displacement expander ( 60 ), with a tubular flow path enlarged part ( 71 ) whose refrigerant flow path for flow of refrigerant has a greater transverse cross sectional area than that of the outlet side piping line, the tubular flow path enlarged part ( 71 ) extending along the direction of flow of the refrigerant.   
   
   
       3 . The refrigeration apparatus of  claim 2 ,
 wherein the flow path enlarged part ( 71 ) is oriented to extend in an up and down direction and connected to the outlet side piping line of the positive displacement expander ( 60 ) so that the refrigerant entering from the upper side flows vertically downwardly and is let out from the bottom side.   
   
   
       4 . The refrigeration apparatus of either  claim 1  or  claim 2 ,
 wherein the flow path enlarged part ( 71 ) contains therein refrigerant flow stabilizing means ( 75 ,  76 ).   
   
   
       5 . The refrigeration apparatus of  claim 4 ,
 wherein the flow stabilizing means ( 76 ) is a flow stabilizing plate which is formed into a plate-like shape having a plurality of through holes and which is oriented to face towards the direction of flow of the refrigerant.   
   
   
       6 . The refrigeration apparatus of  claim 4 ,
 wherein the flow stabilizing means ( 75 ) is a flow stabilizing plate which is formed by a plate-like mesh member and which is oriented to face towards the direction of flow of the refrigerant.   
   
   
       7 . The refrigeration apparatus of either  claim 2  or  claim 3 ,
 wherein the flow path enlarged part ( 71 ) contains therein a partition plate ( 77 ) which has a through hole and which divides the inside of the flow path enlarged part ( 71 ) in the direction of flow of the refrigerant.   
   
   
       8 . The refrigeration apparatus of either  claim 1  or  claim 2 ,
 wherein the refrigerant is carbon dioxide.