WO2025223234A1 - Condenser - Google Patents

Abstract

The present application relates to a condenser. The condenser has a lengthwise direction and a heightwise direction, and is characterized in that the condenser comprises a housing and a partition plate, wherein the housing has a housing accommodating cavity; the partition plate is arranged in the housing accommodating cavity, and divides the housing accommodating cavity into a condensation cavity and a separation cavity; and the partition plate is provided with at least one opening, the opening communicates the condensation cavity with the separation cavity, and the opening is provided in the middle of the condenser in the heightwise direction.

Description

Condenser Technical Field

This application relates to a condenser, and more particularly to a condenser having an oil separator.

Background Technology

Traditional refrigeration systems consist of an evaporator, condenser, throttling device, and compressor. When the condenser is operating, the high-temperature refrigerant gas discharged from the compressor enters the condenser through the refrigerant inlet, exchanges heat with the cooling medium flowing through the heat exchange tubes, and condenses on the surface of the heat exchange tubes. The condensate falls layer by layer from the upper heat exchange tubes to the bottom and enters the subcooler for subcooling before being discharged from the refrigerant outlet. The heat exchange efficiency of the condenser is affected by many factors. Some condensers integrate an oil separator to separate oil from the refrigerant during condensation.

Summary of the Invention

This application relates to a condenser having a length direction and a height direction, characterized in that the condenser includes: a shell and a partition plate, the shell having a shell cavity; the partition plate is disposed in the shell cavity and divides the shell cavity into a condensation cavity and a separation cavity, the partition plate having at least one opening communicating between the condensation cavity and the separation cavity; wherein the opening is located at the middle of the condenser in the height direction.

The condenser as described above further includes: at least one fluid inlet and at least one guide plate, the fluid inlet communicating with the separation chamber; the guide plate disposed in the separation chamber, forming a flow port between the guide plate and the housing, wherein fluid entering from the fluid inlet can pass through the flow port into the opening; wherein, in the height direction, at least a portion of the flow port is higher than the opening.

As described above, the condenser has at least two heat exchange tube assemblies in the condensation chamber, with a gap between the at least two heat exchange tube assemblies to form a partition, and the opening is aligned with the partition in the height direction and extends along the length direction.

As described above, the condenser includes a vertical portion and a horizontal portion. The vertical portion extends along the height direction of the housing, and the horizontal portion is connected to the top of the vertical portion and extends along the length direction. The flow port is formed between the distal end of the horizontal portion and the housing. In the length direction, the flow port is located between the fluid inlet and the vertical portion.

The condenser as described above further includes a filter device disposed in the separation chamber and configured such that fluid flowing out of the flow port passes through the filter device and enters the opening of the partition.

In the condenser described above, the filter device is disposed between the transverse portion and the housing to cover the flow port.

The condenser as described above further includes a baffle connected to the partition and extending in a direction away from the separation chamber, the baffle being located above the opening; in the length direction, both ends of the baffle extend beyond both ends of the opening.

In the condenser described above, the baffle extends obliquely upward from the partition, and the oblique angle of the baffle relative to the horizontal plane ranges from 10° to 60°.

In the condenser described above, in the height direction, the height of the baffle does not exceed the top of the vertical portion of the guide plate.

In the condenser described above, at least one end of the baffle is provided with an oil return port, and the baffle includes an inclined section extending obliquely from the oil return port.

The condenser as described above further includes a pair of lips that extend from the upper and lower edges of the opening toward the separation chamber, respectively, and the pair of lips are used to guide the direction of fluid entering the separation chamber through the opening.

The condenser described above further includes an end plate and a slotted plate. The end plate is arranged side by side with the guide plate, the fluid inlet faces the end plate, and the slotted plate is located below the fluid inlet and above the oil storage layer. The two ends of the slotted plate are respectively connected to the vertical portion of the guide plate and the end plate.

In the condenser described above, the height of the flow port is not less than 1/5 of the height of the separation chamber, and the length of the transverse portion of the guide plate is not less than 1/25 of the length of the separation chamber.

The condenser as described above includes a slotted plate, and the at least one guide plate includes a pair of guide plates. In the length direction of the condenser, the slotted plate is located between the vertical portions of the respective pair of guide plates. In the height direction of the condenser, the slotted plate is located between the oil reservoir and the fluid inlet, and the fluid inlet is arranged toward the slotted plate.

In this application, the oil separator is divided into a separation chamber and a condensation chamber by a partition. The separation chamber is used to separate oil from the fluid, and the condensation chamber is used for heat exchange. An opening is provided on the partition to connect the separation chamber and the condensation chamber. The opening is located in the middle of the condenser's height, which helps to make efficient use of the space in the separation chamber and reduce the size of the condenser. The separation chamber in this application is equipped with a pair of guide plates and a baffle located above the opening, which can guide the flow direction of the fluid, ensuring that the oil in the fluid is fully separated in the separation chamber.

Attached Figure Description

Figure 1A is a perspective view of the first embodiment of the condenser in this application;

Figure 1B is a side view of the condenser in Figure 1A from one direction;

Figure 1C is a side view of the condenser in Figure 1A from another direction;

Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of the condenser in Figure 1B cut along line A-A and viewed in the direction of the arrow;

Figure 3 is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of the shell in Figure 1B cut along line B-B;

Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of the condenser in Figure 1A along line B-B;

Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of the condenser in Figure 1C along line C-C;

Figure 6A is a schematic diagram of the fluid flow direction in the separation chamber;

Figure 6B is another schematic diagram of the fluid flow direction in the condenser;

Figure 7 is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of a second embodiment of the condenser in this application;

Figure 8 is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of the third embodiment of the condenser in this application.

Detailed Implementation

Various specific embodiments of this application will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, which form part of this specification. It should be understood that although terms indicating direction, such as "front," "rear," "upper," "lower," "left," "right," "inner," "outer," "top," "bottom," "positive," "negative," "proximal," "farthest," "lateral," and "longitudinal," are used herein to describe various exemplary structural parts and elements, these terms are used only for illustrative purposes and are determined based on the exemplary orientations shown in the accompanying drawings. Since the embodiments disclosed in this application can be arranged in different orientations, these terms indicating direction are illustrative only and should not be considered limiting.

Figure 1A is a perspective view of the condenser in this application, Figure 1B is a side view of the condenser in Figure 1A from one direction, and Figure 1C is a side view of the condenser in Figure 1A from another direction. As shown in Figures 1A-1C, the condenser 100 has a length direction L, a height direction H, and a width direction W, with both the width direction W and the length direction L parallel to the horizontal plane. The condenser 100 includes a shell 101, which is generally cylindrical and is closed at both ends in the length direction by tube sheets 102 and 103. The shell 101 is provided with a first refrigerant inlet pipe 121, a second refrigerant inlet pipe 122, an oil outlet 123, and a refrigerant outlet 124. The first refrigerant inlet pipe 121 and the second refrigerant inlet pipe 122 are located on the upper part of the shell 101 and are respectively located near the two ends in the length direction of the shell 101. The oil outlet 123 and the refrigerant outlet 124 are located at the lower part of the shell 101 in the height direction of the condenser and at the middle part of the shell 101 in the length direction of the condenser.

It should be noted that, depending on the specific configuration of different condensers, the first refrigerant inlet pipe 121, the second refrigerant inlet pipe 122, the oil outlet 123, and the refrigerant outlet 124 of the condenser can be arranged in different positions.

Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of the condenser in Figure 1B, cut along line A-A and viewed in the direction of the arrow, illustrating the internal structure of the condenser. As shown in Figure 2, the shell 101, tube sheet 102, and tube sheet 103 of the condenser form a shell cavity 210. The condenser includes a partition 230 located in the shell cavity 210 and extending along the length and height directions of the shell 101 to divide the shell cavity 210 into a condensing cavity 202 and a separation cavity 201. The separation cavity 201 is connected to the first refrigerant inlet pipe 121, the second refrigerant inlet pipe 122, and the oil outlet 123, while the refrigerant outlet 124 is connected to the condensing cavity 202. The condensing cavity 202 contains multiple heat exchange tubes, each extending along the length L of the condenser 100 and arranged in rows. The heat exchange tubes include a first heat exchange tube group 211 and a second heat exchange tube group 212. The heat exchange tubes in the first heat exchange tube group 211 are arranged uniformly in rows at a certain density, and the heat exchange tubes in the second heat exchange tube group 212 are also arranged uniformly in rows at a certain density. Along the height direction of the heat exchanger, there is a gap between the first heat exchange tube group 211 and the second heat exchange tube group 212, thus forming a partition 213. No heat exchange tubes are installed in the partition 213. A subcooler 215 is also provided in the condensing chamber 202, located below the second heat exchange tube group 212, that is, at the bottom of the condenser 100.

Figure 3 is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of the shell in Figure 1B cut along line B-B. In Figure 3, the shell 101, tube sheet 102, and tube sheet 103 are cut, but the internal structure of the shell cavity 210 is not cut. Figure 3 shows the internal structure of the separation cavity 201.

As shown in Figure 3, the condenser 100 includes a first guide plate 308 and a second guide plate 309, a first end plate 313 and a second end plate 314, a first slot plate 303 and a second slot plate 304, and a first filter device 391 and a second filter device 392. The first guide plate 308, the first end plate 313, the first slot plate 303, and the first filter device 391 are approximately symmetrical with respect to the second guide plate 309, the second end plate 314, the second slot plate 304, and the second filter device 392 about the center of gravity along the length L of the condenser. The first end plate 313 and the second end plate 314 are located at opposite ends of the separation chamber 201, close to the tube sheets 102 and 103. The first guide plate 308 and the second guide plate 309 are spaced apart from the first end plate 313 and the second end plate 314, respectively. The first slot plate 303 extends along the length of the condenser and is positioned between the first end plate 313 and the first guide plate 308; the first slot plate 303 is used to prevent a large amount of refrigerant gas from passing through. The first slot plate 303 has a small gap with the inner wall of the housing 101, allowing oil to pass through. The second slot plate 304 extends along the length of the condenser and is disposed between the second end plate 314 and the second guide plate 309. The second slot plate 304 also has a small gap with the inner wall of the housing 101, allowing oil to pass through. Both the first slot plate 303 and the second slot plate 304 are located near the bottom of the condenser 100.

Along the length L of the condenser, a first drainage space 350 is formed between the first end plate 313, the first groove plate 303, and the first drainage plate 308; a second drainage space 360 is formed between the second end plate 314, the second groove plate 304, and the second drainage plate 309. A third drainage space 370 is formed between the first drainage plate 308 and the second drainage plate 309. A first filter device 391 is disposed between the first drainage space 350 and the third drainage space 370, and a second filter device 392 is disposed between the second drainage space 360 and the third drainage space 370. An opening 366 is provided on the partition plate 230, extending along the length direction to connect the separation chamber 201 and the condensing chamber 202. The opening 366 is located at the third drainage space 370 along the length direction of the condenser, that is, between the first drainage plate 308 and the second drainage plate 309.

The first refrigerant inlet pipe 121 and the second refrigerant inlet pipe 122 are respectively connected to the first drainage space 350 and the second drainage space 360. The fluid entering the condenser 100 from the first refrigerant inlet pipe 121 and the second refrigerant inlet pipe 122 first passes through the first drainage space 350 and the second drainage space 360, then passes through the first filter device 391 and the second filter device 392 and merges in the third drainage space 370, and then enters the condensing chamber 202 through the opening 366 for condensation.

In another embodiment of this application, the first end plate 313 and the second end plate 314 are no longer provided, and the drainage function of the first end plate 313 and the second end plate 314 is completed by the tube plates 102 and 103.

Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of the condenser in Figure 1B taken along line B-B. Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line B-B and viewed in the direction of the arrow, illustrating the structure of the separation chamber. As shown in Figure 4, the first refrigerant inlet pipe 121 includes an outer section 441 and an inner section 442. The outer section 441 is located outside the housing 101, and the inner section 442 extends from the outer section 441 into the interior of the housing 101 and is located within the first drainage space 350. The inner section 442 has a fluid inlet 405, which is located on the sidewall of the inner section 442 and faces the first end plate 313. Fluid entering the first refrigerant inlet pipe 121 enters the first drainage space 350 through the fluid inlet 405. Similarly, the second refrigerant inlet pipe 122 includes an outer section 443 and an inner section 444. The outer section 443 is located outside the housing 101, and the inner section 444 extends from the outer section 443 into the housing 101 and is located within the second drainage space 360. The inner section 444 has a fluid inlet 406 located on the sidewall of the inner section 444 and facing the second end plate 314. Fluid entering the second refrigerant inlet pipe 122 enters the second drainage space 360 through the fluid inlet 406.

The first end plate 313 and the second end plate 314 face the fluid inlets 405 and 406 respectively, and the fluid can be blocked by the first end plate 313 and the second end plate 314 to change the flow direction.

The first guide plate 308 includes a vertical portion 418 and a horizontal portion 419. The vertical portion 418 extends along the height direction of the condenser 100, with both ends of it having a gap between them and the inner wall of the housing 101. The horizontal portion 419 connects to the top 451 of the vertical portion 418 and extends along the length direction L of the condenser 100 toward the first end plate 313, forming an L-shaped configuration with the vertical portion 418. A first flow port 480 is formed between the distal end 453 of the horizontal portion 419 and the inner wall of the housing 101, and the first flow port 480 can connect the first guide space 350 and the third guide space 370. A first filter device 391 is provided between the transverse portion 419 of the first flow guide plate 308 and the housing 101. The first filter device 391 covers the first flow port 480, so that the fluid flowing from the first flow space 350 to the third flow space 370 through the first flow port 480 is filtered by the first filter device 391 and then enters the third flow space 370.

Similarly, the second drain plate 309 includes a vertical portion 428 and a horizontal portion 429. The vertical portion 428 extends along the height direction of the condenser 100, with both ends of it having a gap between them and the inner wall of the housing 101. The horizontal portion 429 connects to the top 452 of the vertical portion 428 and extends along the length direction L of the condenser 100 toward the second end plate 314, forming an L-shaped configuration with the vertical portion 428. A second flow port 490 is formed between the distal end 459 of the horizontal portion 429 and the inner wall of the housing 101, and the second flow port 490 connects the second drain space 360 and the third drain space 370. A second filter device 392 is provided between the transverse portion 429 of the second flow plate 309 and the housing 101. The second filter device 392 covers the second flow port 490, so that the fluid flowing from the second flow space 360 to the third flow space 370 through the second flow port 490 is filtered by the second filter device 392 and then enters the third flow space 370.

In this application, oil in the refrigerant accumulates at the bottom of the separation chamber 201 and has a certain liquid level. The oil can be discharged from the outside of the condenser 100 through the oil outlet 123. A gap exists between the bottom 455 of the vertical portion 418 of the first guide plate 308 and the bottom 456 of the vertical portion 428 of the second guide plate 309 and the bottom of the housing 101, allowing oil to flow between the respective sides of the first guide plate 308 and the second guide plate 309. The two ends of the first channel plate 303 are connected to the first end plate 313 and the vertical portion 418 of the first guide plate 308, and are higher than the bottom of the vertical portion 418 and the oil level in the height direction of the condenser 100. The first channel plate 303 prevents fluid in the third guide space 370 from entering the first guide space 350 through the bottom of the vertical portion 418. The second groove plate 304 is configured in the same way as the first groove plate 303, except that the position is different. The second groove plate 304 can prevent the fluid in the third drainage space 370 from entering the second drainage space 360 through the bottom of the vertical part 418.

In this application, the first end plate 313, the first guide plate 308, the second end plate 314, and the second guide plate 309 guide the flow of fluid in the first guide space 350 and the second guide space 360, respectively, which is beneficial to separating oil and gas in the refrigerant fluid.

In this application, the height of each of the first flow port 480 and the second flow port 490 is not less than 1/5 of the height of the separation chamber 201. In one embodiment, the height of each of the first flow port 480 and the second flow port 490 is not less than 1/4 of the height of the separation chamber 201. In another embodiment, the height of each of the first flow port 480 and the second flow port 490 is not less than 1/3 of the height of the separation chamber 201. The length of the lateral portion 419 of the first drainage plate 308 and the lateral portion 429 of the second drainage plate 309 is not less than 1/25 of the length of the separation chamber 201, so that the direction of the fluid flowing towards the first drainage plate 308 can be sufficiently changed. In one embodiment of this application, the length of the lateral portion 419 of the first drainage plate 308 and the lateral portion 429 of the second drainage plate 309 is not less than 1/20 of the length of the separation chamber 201. In one embodiment of this application, the length of the lateral portion 419 of the first drainage plate 308 and the lateral portion 429 of the second drainage plate 309 is not less than 1/15 of the length of the separation cavity 201.

As shown in Figure 4, the opening 366 is approximately located in the middle of the height direction of the condenser 100, and its height is lower than the top 451 of the vertical portion 418 of the first guide plate 308 and lower than the top 452 of the vertical portion 428 of the second guide plate 309. In one embodiment of this application, the lateral portions 419 of the first guide plate 308 and 429 of the second guide plate 309 extend horizontally, and the heights of the first flow port 480 and the second flow port 490 are higher than the height of the opening 366. In another embodiment of this application, the lateral portions 419 of the first guide plate 308 and 429 of the second guide plate 309 extend obliquely downward from their respective vertical portions, and at least a portion of the heights of the first flow port 480 and the second flow port 490 are higher than the height of the opening 366. The two ends of the opening 366 in the length direction are spaced apart from the vertical portions 418 and 428, respectively.

The condenser also includes a baffle 425, which is connected to the partition 230 and extends obliquely away from the partition 230. The oblique angle of the baffle 425 relative to the horizontal plane ranges from 10° to 60°. In one embodiment of this application, the oblique angle of the baffle 425 relative to the horizontal plane ranges from 20° to 40°. In the height direction of the condenser 100, the baffle 425 is located above the opening 366, and in the length direction L of the condenser, the length of the baffle 425 is greater than the length of the opening 366, that is, it extends beyond both ends of the opening 366.

The height of the baffle 425 is lower than the top 451 of the vertical portion 418 of the first guide plate 308 and lower than the top 452 of the vertical portion 428 of the second guide plate 309. Airflow entering the third guide space 370 from the first guide space 350 and the second guide space 360 is first guided by the baffle 425 before entering the opening 366. In this application, the lateral portion 419 of the first guide plate 308 and the lateral portion 429 of the second guide plate 309 extend substantially horizontally, thus the height of the baffle 425 is lower than the height of the first flow port 480 and the second flow port 490.

In one embodiment of this application, a gap exists between one end of the baffle 425 and the vertical portion 428, thereby forming an oil return port to facilitate the flow of oil on the baffle 425 along the partition 230. The oil return port 435 extends beyond the opening 366 in the length direction of the condenser 100, preventing oil on the baffle 425 from entering the opening 366. In another embodiment of this application, gaps exist between both ends of the baffle 425 and the vertical portions 418 and 428, respectively, thereby forming two oil return ports. In yet another embodiment of this application, the baffle 425 includes an inclined section near the oil return port, the inclined section sloping upward from the oil return port to guide oil smoothly to the oil return port. That is, the height of the baffle 425 is lower near the oil return port. In one embodiment of this application, the condenser has two oil return ports, located at both ends of the baffle 425, which is triangular, trapezoidal, or arched with a higher middle and lower ends.

Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of the condenser in Figure 1C along line C-C. Figure 5 illustrates the structure near opening 366. As shown in Figure 5, baffle 425 extends obliquely upward from partition 230 toward the inner wall of housing 101 to guide fluid upward flow. Opening 366 is aligned with the partition 213 between the first heat exchange tube assembly 211 and the second heat exchange tube assembly 212, thus being located approximately in the middle of the condenser in the height direction. The condenser 100 also includes a pair of lips 426 and 427, which extend from both ends of opening 366 in the height direction toward separation chamber 201. Lips 426 and 427 are approximately the same length as opening 366 in the length direction of the condenser. The refrigerant fluid entering the separation chamber 201 through opening 366 is aligned with the partition 213. The fluid then passes through the partition 213 before entering the first heat exchange tube group 211 and the second heat exchange tube group 212. This prevents the fluid from directly impacting the heat exchange tubes, thus avoiding significant impact. The lips 426 and 427 have a certain length in the width direction to guide the fluid flow towards the partition 213, preventing the fluid that has just entered the condensation chamber 202 from directly entering the space between the heat exchange tubes and the partition 230. This also reduces the impact of the fluid on the portion of the heat exchange tubes near opening 366.

In condenser design, to prevent fluid from directly impacting the heat exchange tubes, a certain space is typically reserved at the fluid inlet as an inlet space. No heat exchange tubes are installed there; the fluid passes through this inlet space before entering the heat exchange tubes, which helps reduce the impact force on the tubes. The inlet space and opening are usually located at the top of the condenser, allowing the fluid to flow from top to bottom. A condenser typically has at least two heat exchange tube groups, with a gap between adjacent groups. In this embodiment, the opening 366 utilizes the partition between the first heat exchange tube group 211 and the second heat exchange tube group 212 as the inlet space, eliminating the need for a separate inlet space. This allows for a reduction in condenser volume with the same number of heat exchange tubes, or an increase in the number of heat exchange tubes within the same condenser volume, thereby improving condensation efficiency.

Figure 6A is a schematic diagram of the fluid flow in the separation chamber, and Figure 6B is another schematic diagram of the fluid flow in the condenser. The structure of the separation chamber shown in Figure 6A is from the perspective of the cross-sectional view in Figure 4, and the structure of the separation chamber shown in Figure 6B is from the perspective of the cross-sectional view in Figure 5. As shown in Figure 6A, the fluid entering the condenser 100 from the first refrigerant inlet pipe 121 passes sequentially through the outer section 441 and the inner section 442 of the first refrigerant inlet pipe 121. The bottom of the inner section 442 is sealed. The fluid flows from the fluid inlet 405 on the side wall of the inner section 442 to the first end plate 313, and then turns back at the first end plate 313. Guided by the inner wall of the housing 101 and the first groove plate 303, it flows to the vertical portion 418 of the first guide plate 308. Then, the fluid turns back from the vertical portion 418 and flows towards the flow port 480, and enters the third guide space 370 through the first filter device 391. In the separation chamber 201, the fluid is guided by the fluid inlet 405, the first end plate 313, the first groove plate 303, and the first guide plate 308, flowing in the first flow space. The flow direction constantly changes, which is beneficial for separating the oil in the fluid. The separated oil flows from the gap between the first groove plate 303 and the shell to the oil storage layer of the condenser. In the third guide space 370, the fluid is guided by the baffle 425, flowing upward at an angle until it turns back at the inner wall of the shell 101, flowing towards the opening 366. In the third guide space 370, the flow direction of the fluid constantly changes, which is beneficial for separating the oil in the fluid. The separated oil flows from the oil return port at one end of the baffle 425 and the inner wall of the shell 101 to the oil storage layer. Fluid entering the separation chamber 201 from opening 366 is guided by lips 426 and 427 into the partition section 213. The fluid in the partition section 213 flows to the first heat exchange tube group 211 and the second heat exchange tube group 212 for heat exchange. After heat exchange, the refrigerant flows out from the refrigerant outlet 124. Oil in the oil storage layer can flow out through the oil outlet 123.

The flow pattern of the fluid entering the condenser 100 from the second refrigerant inlet pipe 122 is similar to that of the fluid entering the condenser 100 from the first refrigerant inlet pipe 121, and will not be described again. In the third drainage space 370, the fluids from the first refrigerant inlet pipe 121 and the second refrigerant inlet pipe 122 mix, which can further change the direction of the fluid.

The arrows shown in Figure 6-7 roughly indicate the direction of fluid flow. However, this direction is only approximate and the actual flow direction of fluid is complex. The arrows are only for illustrative purposes and do not represent the actual flow direction of all fluids.

In this application, the opening 366 on the partition 230 is located in the middle of the condenser height direction, which facilitates the rational use of the space in the separation chamber and makes the arrangement of the heat exchange tubes more compact. When a certain number of heat exchange tubes are arranged in the separation chamber, the condenser in this application does not need to reserve additional space at the position aligned with the opening, thereby reducing the size of the separation chamber, that is, reducing the size of the condenser. The separation chamber 201 in this application, by setting the first guide plate 308 and the second guide plate 309, as well as the baffle 425, can guide the flow direction of the fluid, so that the fluid can fully separate the oil from the refrigerant in the separation chamber.

Figure 7 is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of a second embodiment of the condenser of this application, and its cross-section is the same as that shown in Figure 4. Figure 7 is similar to the embodiment shown in Figure 4, except that the number of refrigerant inlet pipes, openings, baffles, and slots differs from the embodiment shown in Figure 4. As shown in Figure 7, the condenser 700 includes a refrigerant inlet pipe 721, which is located approximately at the middle of the condenser's length direction L. The refrigerant inlet pipe 721 includes an internal segment 442 located within the condenser 700, and the distal end of the internal segment 442 has a fluid inlet 705, which is arranged towards the bottom of the condenser 700.

The condenser 700 includes a first guide plate 708 and a second guide plate 709, located on opposite sides of the fluid inlet 705 along the length of the condenser 700. The first guide plate 708 includes a vertical portion 718 and a horizontal portion 719, and the second guide plate 709 includes a vertical portion 728 and a horizontal portion 729. The horizontal portions 719 and 729 extend along the length of their respective vertical portions in a direction away from each other. Flow ports 780 and 790 are formed between the distal ends of the horizontal portions 719 and 729 and the housing. A first filter device 791 and a second filter device 792 are provided between the horizontal portions 719 and 729 and the housing.

A channel plate 704 is disposed between the vertical portions 718 and 728 of the first guide plate 708 and the second guide plate 709, and is located between the oil reservoir and the fluid inlet 705 in the height direction of the condenser. An opening 766 and a baffle 725 are provided between the first guide plate 708 and the first end plate 713. The positions of the opening 766 and the baffle 725 are similar to those of the opening and baffle in the embodiment of FIG. 4, but their length in the longitudinal direction of the condenser is less than that of the embodiment in FIG. 4. An opening 767 and a baffle 726 are provided between the second guide plate 709 and the second end plate 714. The positions of the opening 766 and the baffle 725 are similar to those of the opening and baffle in the embodiment of FIG. 4, but their length in the longitudinal direction of the condenser is less than that of the embodiment in FIG. 4.

In the embodiment shown in Figure 7, the fluid flows from the fluid inlet 705 of the refrigerant inlet pipe 721 to the trough plate 704, and changes direction at the trough plate 704, splitting into two paths that flow toward the first filter device 791 and the second filter device 792, respectively. After passing through the first filter device 791 and the second filter device 792, the two fluid paths are guided by baffles 725 and 726, respectively, and then enter the condensing chamber through openings 766 and 767.

In the embodiment shown in Figure 7, there are two openings, positioned in the middle of the condenser's height and aligned with the space between the two heat exchange tube groups in the separation chamber. Similar to the embodiment shown in Figure 4, the embodiment shown in Figure 7 optimizes the use of space in the separation chamber, resulting in a more rational distribution of heat exchange tubes, reducing the size of the separation chamber, and consequently, reducing the size of the condenser.

Figure 8 is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of the third embodiment of the condenser of this application, and its cross-section position is the same as that shown in Figure 4. Figure 8 is similar to the embodiment shown in Figure 7, except that the extension directions of the lateral portions of the first guide plate 808 and the second guide plate 809 are different. As shown in Figure 8, the first guide plate 808 includes a vertical portion 818 and a lateral portion 819, and the second guide plate 809 includes a vertical portion 828 and a lateral portion 829. The lateral portions 819 and 829 extend from the top of their respective vertical portions along their length direction towards each other. A first filter device 891 is disposed between the lateral portion 819 and the housing 801, and a second filter device 892 is disposed between the lateral portion 829 and the housing 801. In the embodiment shown in Figure 8, when fluid enters the condenser from the fluid inlet 805, it changes direction after passing through the slot plate 804, the first guide plate 808, and the second guide plate 809, and then flows towards the spaces where the openings 866 and 867 are located. Compared to the embodiment shown in Figure 7, since the transverse portions 819 and 829 extend toward each other, the flow direction of the fluid may be altered by the transverse portions 819 and 829 before it enters the first filter device 891 and the second filter device 892, which facilitates the separation of oil from the fluid. However, compared to the embodiment shown in Figure 7, a larger spacing is required between the first guide plate 808 and the second guide plate 809, meaning that the condenser in Figure 8 is longer. The embodiment of the condenser shown in Figure 8 can achieve similar technical effects to the embodiment of the condenser shown in Figure 4.

Although this disclosure has been described in conjunction with examples of the embodiments outlined above, various alternatives, modifications, variations, improvements, and/or substantially equivalents, whether known or currently or soon to be foreseen, will likely be apparent to those skilled in the art. Furthermore, the technical effects and/or technical problems described herein are exemplary and not limiting; therefore, the disclosures herein may be used to solve other technical problems and achieve other technical effects. Accordingly, the examples of embodiments of this disclosure as set forth above are intended to be illustrative and not restrictive. Various changes may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of this disclosure. Therefore, this disclosure is intended to include all known or previously developed alternatives, modifications, variations, improvements, and/or substantially equivalents.

Claims (14)

A condenser having a length direction and a height direction, characterized in that the condenser comprises: The housing has a housing cavity; A partition is disposed in the housing cavity and divides the housing cavity into a condensation cavity and a separation cavity. The partition has at least one opening that connects the condensation cavity and the separation cavity. The opening is located at the middle of the height direction of the condenser. The condenser as described in claim 1, characterized in that it further comprises: At least one fluid inlet, the fluid inlet being in communication with the separation chamber; At least one diversion plate is disposed in the separation chamber, and a flow port is formed between the diversion plate and the housing, so that fluid entering from the fluid inlet can pass through the flow port into the opening; In the height direction, at least a portion of the flow port is higher than the opening. The condenser as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The condensation chamber is provided with at least two heat exchange tube groups, and there is a gap between the at least two heat exchange tube groups to form a partition. The opening is aligned with the partition in the height direction and extends along the length direction. The condenser as described in claim 2, characterized in that: The drainage plate includes a vertical portion and a horizontal portion. The vertical portion extends along the height direction of the housing. The horizontal portion is connected to the top of the vertical portion and extends along the length direction. The flow port is formed between the distal end of the horizontal portion and the housing. In the length direction, the flow port is located between the fluid inlet and the vertical portion. The condenser as described in claim 4, characterized in that: The condenser also includes a filter device disposed in the separation chamber and configured such that fluid flowing out of the flow port passes through the filter device and then enters the opening of the partition. The condenser as described in claim 5, characterized in that: The filter device is disposed between the transverse portion and the housing to cover the flow port. The condenser as described in claim 4, characterized in that: The condenser also includes a baffle connected to the partition and extending in a direction away from the separation chamber, the baffle being located above the opening; in the length direction, both ends of the baffle extend beyond both ends of the opening. The condenser as described in claim 7, characterized in that: The baffle extends upward at an angle from the partition, and the angle of inclination of the baffle relative to the horizontal plane ranges from 10° to 60°. The condenser as described in claim 8, characterized in that: In the height direction, the height of the baffle does not exceed the top of the vertical portion of the diversion plate. The condenser as described in claim 7, characterized in that: The baffle is provided with an oil return port at at least one end, and the baffle includes an inclined section extending obliquely from the oil return port. The condenser as described in claim 7, characterized in that: The condenser also includes a pair of lips that extend from the upper and lower edges of the opening toward the separation chamber, respectively, and the pair of lips are used to guide the direction of fluid entering the separation chamber through the opening. The condenser as described in claim 4, characterized in that: The condenser also includes an end plate and a slotted plate. The end plate is arranged side by side with the guide plate. The fluid inlet faces the end plate. The slotted plate is located below the fluid inlet and above the oil storage layer. The two ends of the slotted plate are respectively connected to the vertical part of the guide plate and the end plate. The condenser as described in claim 4, characterized in that: The height of the flow port is not less than 1/5 of the height of the separation chamber, and the length of the transverse portion of the drainage plate is not less than 1/25 of the length of the separation chamber. The condenser as described in claim 4, characterized in that: The condenser includes a slotted plate, and the at least one guide plate includes a pair of guide plates. In the length direction of the condenser, the slotted plate is located between the vertical portions of the pair of guide plates. In the height direction of the condenser, the slotted plate is located between the oil reservoir and the fluid inlet, and the fluid inlet is arranged toward the slotted plate.