TODAY’S PATENT – SUCTION ACCUMULATOR

The SUCTION ACCUMULATOR was invented by Sharon J. Hudson, Jr. (Toledo, OH) on 22^nd February 1977, bearing the patent number US4008581A.

The invention relates to a liquid retention device for use in a refrigerant compressing-evaporating system. More particularly the invention relates to an improved suction accumulator which separates the liquid components from the gaseous components of an incoming stream of refrigerant fluid and temporarily retains the liquid so as to prevent an excessive amount of the liquid refrigerant components from being returned to the compressor.

A suction accumulator for use in a refrigerant compressing-evaporating system to accumulate in a reservoir the liquid phase of an incoming refrigerant fluid flowing into the accumulator and to control the return of the liquid to the gaseous refrigerant stream flowing out of the accumulator. A weir member located between an inlet and outlet of the accumulator vessel is utilized in conjunction with the vessel wall to form an outlet passageway or flume on one side of the weir end and a reservoir on the other side of the weir.