Split discharge line with integrated muffler for a compressor

Abstract

A discharge pipe for connecting a compressor with a condenser in a vapor-compression system comprises an intake segment, a muffler, a splitter segment and first and second discharge segments. The intake segment is configured to connect to a discharge port of the compressor and receive compressed refrigerant flow. The muffler is connected to the intake segment for attenuating pulsations within the compressed refrigerant flow. The splitter segment is connected to the muffler and configured to divide the compressed refrigerant flow into first and second branches. The first discharge segment connects to the splitter to receive the first branch and is configured to connect to the condenser at a first position. The second discharge segment connects to the splitter to receive the second branch and is configured to connect to the condenser at a second location

1 . A discharge pipe for connecting a compressor with a condenser in a vapor-compression system, the discharge pipe comprising:
 an intake segment connectable to a discharge port of the compressor in fluid communication therewith for receiving compressed refrigerant flow therefrom;   a muffler coupled in fluid communication to the intake segment for attenuating pulsations within the compressed refrigerant flow;   a splitter connected to an outlet of the muffler and configured to divide the compressed refrigerant flow into first and second branches;   a first discharge segment connected to the splitter to receive the first branch and configured to connect to the condenser at a first position; and   a second discharge segment connected to the splitter to receive the second branch and configured to connect to the condenser at a second location.   
     
     
         2 . The discharge pipe of  claim 1  wherein the muffler is configured to dampen vibrations produced by the refrigerant flow. 
     
     
         3 . The discharge pipe of  claim 1  wherein the first discharge segment and the second discharge segment are configured to enter the condenser at positions near opposite distal ends of the condenser. 
     
     
         4 . The discharge pipe of  claim 3  wherein the first discharge segment and the second discharge segment are configured to connect to an oil separator within the condenser. 
     
     
         5 . The discharge pipe of  claim 4  wherein the splitter, the first discharge segment and the second discharge segment are configured to produce a decrease in velocity of the refrigerant flow from the intake segment to the discharge segments. 
     
     
         6 . The discharge pipe of  claim 4  wherein the first discharge segment and the second discharge segment have respective diameters and lengths configured to attenuate pulsations within the refrigerant. 
     
     
         7 . The discharge pipe of  claim 1  and further comprising:
 a first stop-valve positioned in the first discharge pipe; and 
 a second stop-valve positioned in the second discharge pipe. 
 
     
     
         8 . The discharge pipe of  claim 1  wherein the discharge segments are each comprised of multiple segments having customizable assembly orientations. 
     
     
         9 . The discharge pipe of  claim 8  wherein the inlet portion and the splitter segment are comprised of steel and the first and second discharge segments are comprised of copper. 
     
     
         10 . The discharge pipe of  claim 9  wherein the splitter segment further comprising a valve for venting gas into and out of the discharge pipe. 
     
     
         11 . The discharge pipe of  claim 10  wherein the multiple segments are brazed together. 
     
     
         12 . The discharge pipe of  claim 8  wherein:
 the intake segment comprises a first elbow joint for turning the refrigerant flow ninety degrees; 
 the splitter segment includes a T-joint for turning the refrigerant flow ninety degrees; and 
 the first and second discharge pipes include second and third elbow joints, respectively, for turning the refrigerant flow ninety degrees. 
 
     
     
         13 . The discharge pipe of  claim 1  wherein the first and second discharge segments include bends in the range of about twenty five to about thirty five degrees. 
     
     
         14 . A vapor-compression system comprising:
 a compressor comprising:
 a mechanical compression system for compressing a working fluid; 
 a lubrication system for providing oil to the mechanical compression system; and 
 a discharge port for dispensing compressed working fluid entrained with oil; 
   a condenser mounted adjacent the compressor, the condenser comprising:
 a condenser shell; 
 a condenser bundle of heat exchange tubes disposed within the condenser shell; and 
 an oil separator disposed within the condenser shell for extracting oil entrained from the compressed working fluid, the oil separator having a first inlet and a second inlet; and 
   a discharge conduit for connecting the discharge port of the compressor with the first and second inlets of the oil separator within the condenser, the discharge conduit comprising:
 an elbow joint for directing compressed working fluid from the discharge port toward the condenser; 
 a muffler connected to the elbow joint for attenuating pulsations within the working fluid; 
 a splitter connected to the muffler and configured to divide the compressed refrigerant flow into first and second branches; and 
 first and second legs connected to the splitter to receive the first and second branches, respectively, and configured to connect to the condenser at the first and second inlets, respectively. 
   
     
     
         15 . The vapor-compression system of  claim 14  and further comprising:
 an evaporator mounted to the condenser adjacent the compressor, the evaporator comprising:
 an evaporator shell; and 
 condenser bundle of heat exchange tubes disposed within the evaporator shell; 
 
 first and second brackets for connecting the evaporator shell with the condenser shell such that the condenser, the evaporator and the compressor are linearly arranged; and 
 wherein there exists accumulated tolerance dimensions in a distance between the discharge port and each of the first and second inlets. 
 
     
     
         16 . The vapor-compression system of  claim 15  wherein the first and second legs are each comprised of a plurality of segments to accommodate the accumulated tolerance dimensions. 
     
     
         17 . The vapor-compression system of  claim 16  wherein the pluralities of segments are comprised of copper tubing components brazed together. 
     
     
         18 . The vapor-compression system of  claim 16  wherein:
 the first leg includes a first valve disposed between the splitter and the first inlet; and 
 the first leg includes a second valve disposed between the splitter and the first inlet. 
 
     
     
         19 . The vapor-compression system of  claim 14  wherein the compressor comprises a screw compressor. 
     
     
         20 . The vapor-compression system of  claim 14  wherein the first leg and the second leg produce a decrease in velocity of refrigerant flowing from the discharge port to the oil separator.