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(11) | EP 3 486 486 A1 |
| (12) | EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION |
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| (54) | AIR-CONDITIONING SYSTEM WITH INTEGRATED SORBENT BODY |
| (57) An air conditioning system (200) for a vehicle includes a refrigerant circulating
through a closed system including an evaporator (206), a condenser (204), and a compressor
(202). A sorbent body, which may be a desiccant-entrained polymer, is disposed inside
the compressor (202) to remove moisture from the refrigerant passing therethrough.
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BACKGROUND
[0001] Conventional cooling systems for vehicles, such as automobiles and airplanes, generally include a compressor, an evaporator, and a condenser fluidly connected with each other to provide a closed, sealed fluid system through which a refrigerant circulates. In many such systems, the condenser is modified to include a desiccant chamber carrying a sachet filled with a desiccant material. The desiccant chamber is part of the fluid path defined by the condenser, such that as the fluid flows over the desiccant sachet, unwanted moisture in the refrigerant is absorbed and therefore removed from the closed system. However, this conventional configuration may have drawbacks. For example, the desiccant chamber increases the footprint of the condenser and adds weight to the system. Moreover, conventional sachets are susceptible to dusting such that while the desiccant may remove moisture from the refrigerant, it may also introduce particulate matter which may also be harmful to the system. Furthermore, conventional sachets consist of a non-woven fabric, typically polyester. The non-woven fibers, although needle punched, can migrate out of the sachet and become lodged in small orifices or in valves in the system adversely impacting system performance and reliability. The present disclosure is intended to address at least some of the foregoing or other drawbacks in conventional systems.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0002]
FIG. 1 is a graphical representation of an example air conditioning system for a vehicle;
FIG. 2 is a graphical representation of another example air conditioning system for a vehicle according implementations of this disclosure;
FIG. 3 is an exploded, partial section, perspective view of a compressor for use in an air-conditioning system such as the system illustrated in FIG. 2;
FIGS. 4A and 4B are perspective views of a portion of the housing of the compressor illustrated in FIG. 3;
FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a molded sorbent body according to examples of this disclosure;
FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an alternative example of a sorbent body secured in a cavity of a compressor according to implementations of this disclosure; and
FIG. 7. is a perspective view of another example of a sorbent body secured in a cavity of a compressor according to implementations of this disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0003] The following detailed description is directed generally to air conditioning systems for vehicles, such as land, sea, and/or air-borne vehicles. Such vehicles often have heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) systems that allow drivers and/or passengers to control ambient temperatures. One key aspect of many HVAC systems is the air-conditioning unit, which acts to output relatively cold air, e.g., to lower the temperature in the vehicle. Aspects of this disclosure relate specifically to improvements to the air-conditioning unit. For example, some aspects of this disclosure describe integrating a sorbent into a compressor. For example, a molded sorbent body may be secured in a fluid path inside the compressor to remove moisture from the sealed system. Various improvements described herein may result in a space-saving design, a cleaner system, reduced system weight, and/or a reduction in cost associated with air-conditioning systems. These and other improvements will be described in more detail below.
[0004] FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a conventional air-conditioning system 100. The air-conditioning system 100 generally includes a compressor 102, a condenser 104, and an evaporator 106. Each of these components is fluidly connected, e.g., via conduits 108, such that the air-conditioning system 100 is a closed system through which a refrigerant, such as R-134A (not shown), cycles. Generally, the refrigerant is pressurized in the compressor 102 and passed to the condenser 104. The condenser 104 changes the high-pressure refrigerant vapor to a liquid via condensation. More specifically, in the condenser, heat is driven from the high-pressure refrigerant, e.g., via a condenser fan 110, to cause the refrigerant to condense to its liquid form. The high-pressure liquid refrigerant then passes through an expansion valve 112 where it expands and becomes refrigerant vapor in the evaporator 106. More specifically, as the cold, low-pressure refrigerant passes into the evaporator, it vaporizes and absorbs heat from the air in the passenger compartment. A fan 114 associated with the evaporator 106 pushes air over the outside of the evaporator, so cold air is circulated inside the vehicle. Through this evaporation process at the evaporator 106, condensate is collected and drained away for recirculation, starting again at the compressor 102.
[0005] As also illustrated in FIG. 1, the condenser 104 may also include a desiccant chamber 116. In conventional designs, high-pressure refrigerant passing through the condenser 104 also passes through the desiccant chamber 116. The desiccant chamber 116 retains a desiccant 118. To ensure that the system is closed, a plug 120 may be used to seal the desiccant 118 in the desiccant chamber 116. In conventional applications, the desiccant 118 generally includes a particulate or beaded desiccant material 120 retained in a pouch or sachet 122. The sachet 122 is generally made of a vapor permeable material that allows moisture to pass therethrough. Moisture in the refrigerant passes through the sachet 122 and is absorbed by the desiccant material 120, thereby removing moisture from the refrigerant cycling through the air-conditioning system 100.
[0006] However, this conventional arrangement has drawbacks. For example, the desiccant chamber 116 increases the footprint of the condenser 104. Moreover, the desiccant chamber 116 requires additional raw materials that both increase the cost of the condenser 104 and increase the weight of the condenser 104. Accordingly, the conventional air-conditioning system 100 is bulkier than may be necessary. However, vehicle manufacturers often look to reduce the size and/or weight of vehicles, to improve fuel efficiency and for other considerations.
[0007] FIG. 2 illustrates an improved air-conditioning system 200 according to embodiments of this disclosure. More specifically, the air-conditioning system 200 includes a compressor 202, a condenser 204, and an evaporator 206. These components generally perform the same functions ascribed above to the compressor 102, the condenser 104, and the evaporator 106, respectively. Moreover, the compressor 202, the condenser 204, and the evaporator 206 are connected by conduits 208 such that the air-conditioning system 200 is a closed or sealed system, as in the system 100. Unlike the air-conditioning system 100 described above, however, the air-conditioning system 200 does not include the desiccant chamber 116. Instead, high-pressure refrigerant from compressor 202 merely enters the condenser 204 via an inlet 210, flows through the condenser 204, and exits through an outlet 212 for routing to the evaporator 206. In implementations of this disclosure, the desiccant chamber may be replaced with a conduit, i.e., to avoid complete redesign of existing condensers.
[0008] While the air-conditioning system 200 does not include the desiccant chamber 116, it does include a material configured to remove moisture from the air-conditioning system 200. However, as will be described in further detail below in connection with FIGS. 3-7, a desiccant material is integrated into the compressor 202. As will be described, the desiccant material may be a sorbent body comprising a desiccant-entrained polymer, generally comprising a desiccant material disposed in a polymer.
[0009] FIG. 3 is an exploded, partial cross-section of an embodiment of a compressor 300 according to embodiments this disclosure. The illustrated compressor 300 may be the compressor 202 illustrated in the air-conditioning system 200. Those having ordinary skill in the art will understand that the compressor 300 is illustrated for example purposes only. Other compressors of different configurations, sizes, and or compositions may be used in accordance with concepts disclosed herein. As illustrated, the compressor 300 generally includes a housing 302. The illustrated housing 302 generally includes a main body 304 and an endcap 306. In other implementations, the two-piece housing 302 may be separable into additional pieces.
[0010] As illustrated, the compressor 300 generally also includes a suction port or inlet 308 and a discharge port or outlet 310. Refrigerant enters the compressor 300 through the inlet 308 and exits the compressor 300 at the outlet 310. Accordingly, the housing 302 generally also defines an internal fluid channel or passageway 312. A plurality of pistons 314 are disposed in the passageway 312. More specifically, the pistons act on refrigerant entering the compressor 300 via the inlet 308 to compress the refrigerant. Compressed refrigerant is then passed out of the compressor 300 via the outlet 310. In the illustrated compressor 300, the pistons 314 are arranged in an array about a shaft 316. Rotation of the shaft 316 causes the pistons to stroke in a predetermined manner to compress the refrigerant. As also illustrated, the compressor 300 includes a pulley 318 communicatively coupled to the shaft 316. Although not illustrated, the pulley may be driven by a belt connected to a driving force, such as a motor or engine.
[0011] The housing 302 of the compressor 300 may be cast, e.g., from a metal or metal alloy, and the casting process may create a number of voids generally defining the passageway 312. Arrows 320 generally show the flow of refrigerant through the compressor. As illustrated, after the refrigerant is compressed by the pistons 314, it may be passed through a discharge cavity 322 formed in the endcap 306.
[0012] FIG. 4 further illustrates an endcap 400, which may be the endcap 322 of FIG. 3. More specifically, the endcap 400 generally includes an inlet 402 which may be the inlet 308. Refrigerant enters the inlet 402 and passes, via an orifice 404, out of the endcap and into the pistons (not shown). Once this low-pressure refrigerant is pressurized by the pistons, it is passed back into a discharge cavity 406 of the endcap 400. In the illustrated embodiment, the discharge cavity 406 includes seven separate cavity portions 408a - 408g interconnected with each other. In this example, the number of cavity portions 408a-408g may correspond in number to a number of pistons employed by the compressor. Thus, for example, the endcap 400 may be used with a compressor having seven pistons. In other embodiments, more or fewer pistons may result in more or fewer cavity portions 408a-408g. Moreover, although the cavity portions are indicated as discrete portions of the overall discharge cavity 406, such is not required. In the illustrated example, the discharge cavities 408 are generally separated to accommodate bolt holes 410 or other fastening mechanisms, which may be used to secure the endcap 400 to the remaining housing of the compressor.
[0013] Thus, as will be appreciated, the discharge cavity 406 generally includes the individual cavity portions 408a-408g and channels 412 connecting those cavity portions 408a-408g. The discharge cavity 406 has a predetermined volume resulting from the size and shape of the cavity portions 408a-408g and the channels 410. As described above, high-pressure refrigerant output from the pistons is received in the discharge cavity 406 where it then passes via an orifice 414 into an outlet chamber 416. The outlet chamber 416 is in fluid communication with an outlet of the compressor. In the illustrated embodiment, the outlet may be formed as a portion of the housing not illustrated.
[0014] As illustrated in FIG. 4B, the endcap 400 may also include a sorbent body 418 disposed in at least a portion of the discharge cavity 406. More specifically, because of the configuration of the endcap 400 and components thereof, the cavity portions 408b, 408c, 408d, 408e are generally deeper than the cavity portions 408a, 408f, 408g. In the illustrated example, the sorbent body 418 is disposed in these relatively deeper cavity portions 408b, 408c, 408d, 408e. As will be appreciated, the inclusion of the sorbent body 418 will reduce the individual volume of each of the relatively deeper cavity portions 408b, 408c, 408d, 408e and thus will reduce the overall volume of the discharge cavity 406. However, the sorbent body 418 does not inhibit flow of high-pressure refrigerant between and among the individual cavity portions 408a-408g, and does not interfere with the flow of refrigerant out of the discharge cavity 406 (and out of the compressor).
[0015] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a sorbent body 500, which may be the sorbent body 418. More specifically, FIG. 5 generally illustrates that the sorbent body 500 includes a unitary body comprising a plurality of relatively larger sorbent portions 502a-502d connected by connecting members 504. The connecting members 504 generally are smaller in size and volume than the sorbent portions 502a-502d. In embodiments of this disclosure, the relatively larger portions 502a-502d are configured to be received in cavity portions such as the cavity portions 408a-408g illustrated in FIGS. 4A and 4B. For example, the portion 502a may be configured to be received in the cavity portion 408b, the portion 502a of the sorbent body 500 may be configured to be received in the cavity portion 408c of the endcap 400, the portion 502c of the sorbent body 500 may be configured to be received in the cavity portion 408d of the endcap 400, and the portion 502d of the sorbent member 500 may be configured to be received in the cavity portion 408c, as generally described above. In this example, the connecting members 504 are configured to be received in the channels 412 interconnecting the cavity portions 408, but do not occlude the channels.
[0016] In implementations of this disclosure, the sorbent member is formed of a desiccant-entrained polymer. For example, the inventors have found by forming the illustrated sorbent body 500 from a mixture of polymer and a desiccant, sufficient water-vapor absorption is achieved to alleviate the need for a conventional desiccant in a desiccant chamber associated with the condenser. For example, implementations of this disclosure may completely obviate the desiccant chamber 116.
[0017] In some examples, the sorbent material may be formed from polymer present in an amount of from at least about 30% by weight to about 70% by weight, balance desiccant. In implementations of this disclosure, the polymer may be polypropylene, and the desiccant may be a molecular sieve, such as zeolite, for example. Both of these materials are acceptable for use with conventional refrigerants. In other embodiments, other polymers and/or sorbents may be used. For example, and not by way of limitation, other polymers that could be used may include polyesters or polycarbonates. In some instances, polymers that are hydroscopic may be chosen. The desiccant may be any hygroscopic substance that absorbs or adsorbs water. Other known desiccants that could be used in embodiments of this disclosure may include activated charcoal, calcium chloride or silica gel. Other sorbents also could be used.
[0018] In operation, refrigerant flowing through the compressor, and more specifically through the discharge cavity 322, 406, contacts the sorbent body where moisture is absorbed by the desiccant entrained in the polymer. As will be appreciated, the efficacy of the sorbent body 500 may be altered depending upon the desired moisture absorption of the body. For instance, the loading of the desiccant in the body, i.e., the amount of desiccant included, the volume of the sorbent body, and the exposed surface area of the sorbent body may all impact the amount of moisture absorbed by the sorbent body and/or the speed at which the moisture is absorbed.
[0019] As in the embodiment of FIG. 4B, the sorbent body 500 may be received in a cavity of the compressor, such as the discharge cavity 406. As will be appreciated, in such examples, the sorbent body 500 is disposed in a high-pressure portion of the compressor. That is, the sorbent body is disposed in a portion of the compressor between the pistons and the outlet, as opposed to a low-pressure side between the pistons and the inlet. As will be appreciated, in conventional air conditioning systems, including the system 100 described above, the desiccant chamber also is disposed to remove moisture from high pressure refrigerant, albeit after exiting the compressor. However, while the sorbent body is illustrated as being disposed in the discharge cavity 406, the sorbent may be differently configured for placement in other portions of the compressor. In example implementations, the sorbent body may be placed anywhere in the compressor exposed to the flow of the refrigerant.
[0020] In implementations of this disclosure, the sorbent body is secured in the compressor. For example, in the embodiment of FIG. 4B, the sorbent body 416 may be press fit into the discharge cavity 406. Because the sorbent body is made up of a relatively significant amount of polymer, and depending upon the polymer used, the sorbent body may have an elasticity sufficient to retain the sorbent body 416 in the cavity 406. However, in other embodiments, additional features may be provided to physically secure the sorbent body in the cavity. FIGS. 6 and 7 illustrate some such examples.
[0021] More specifically, FIG. 6 illustrates an endcap 600 including a cavity 602, which may be a discharge cavity as in previous examples. Remaining portions of the endcap may be the same as or similar to the endcaps discussed above, and will not be described further herein. As illustrated in FIG. 6, a sorbent body 604 also is disposed in the cavity 602. As also illustrated, the sorbent body 604 is secured to the endcap 600. More specifically, one or more bolts 606 (two are illustrated) are used to secure the sorbent body 604 in the endcap 600. Washers 608 also are illustrated in FIG. 6. In this embodiment, although not shown, through holes are formed in the sorbent body 604, which receive a shaft of the bolts 606 and threaded holes are formed in the cavity 602 to receive the bolts 606. Although bolts 606 are illustrated, other fasteners may similarly be used in the place of the bolts, including but not limited to screws and pins. Moreover, although two bolts 606 are illustrated, more or fewer bolts 606 may be included.
[0022] Modifications to the sorbent body 604 also are contemplated. For example, although the sorbent body 604 is illustrated as touching sidewalls of the cavity 602, the sorbent body may be dimensioned so as to be spaced from the sidewalls. For example, the sorbent body may be configured to only touch a bottom surface, e.g., a surface into which the bolts 606 are threadably received, of the cavity 602. Such an arrangement may be beneficial to improve the flow of fluid through the cavity 602 and/or to increase a surface area of the sorbent body 604 that is exposed to the fluid. As will be appreciated by those having ordinary skill in the art, the greater the surface area of the sorbent body, the better its moisture absorbing capabilities (absorption rate).
[0023] In still other modifications of the example of FIG. 6, the sorbent body 604 may be larger or smaller. For example, the sorbent body may extend into additional portions of the endcap 600 or may be less extensive. As noted above, the volume of the sorbent material 604 will have an effect on the absorption capabilities of the sorbent body, but so, too, will its composition. For example, a relatively smaller sorbent body with a higher loading of desiccant may absorb more moisture than a relatively larger sorbent body with less desiccant. In some embodiments, the sorbent body 604 may be multiple sorbent bodies. For instance, separate sorbent bodies may be separately secured in the cavity 602. One benefit of such an arrangement may be that each sorbent body 604 could be the same size, but could be used in different arrangements or endcaps. For instance, because the sorbent body 604 is contoured to conform to the shape of the cavity 604, the sorbent body 604 may not be usable in other compressors. However, a sorbent body shaped, for example, as a cylinder or block, may be used in cavities of different shapes and sized. Moreover, such modular sorbent bodies could be used to provide a desired amount of moisture absorption in different compressors, e.g., four modular sorbent bodies may absorb 33% more moisture than three modular sorbent bodies. As will be appreciated, when separated sorbent bodies are used, each would have to be separated secured.
[0024] FIG. 7 illustrated yet another example end cap 700 including a cavity 702 and a sorbent body 704 disposed in the cavity 702. The configuration of the sorbent body 704 is similar to that of the sorbent body 604 discussed above. However, instead of being secured in the cavity 702 with bolts, the sorbent body 704 is retained in the cavity 702 with a plurality of clips 708. For example, the clips may extend at an angle from a sidewall of the cavity 702. The cantilevered design may allow each of the clips 708 to be pressed against the sidewall from which it depends while the sorbent body 704 is pressed into the cavity 702, and once the sorbent body 704 passes the clips 708, the clips may return to the position at which their distal end is spaced from the sidewall, as shown in FIG. 7. In this illustrated position, the clips 708 inhibit movement of the sorbent body 704 outside of the cavity. For example, the clips 708 may be made of spring steel.
[0025] Although examples illustrated herein generally show the use of press-fitting, fasteners and clips to retain a sorbent body in a cavity of a compressor, other techniques and systems also are contemplated. For example, a vapor permeable cover may be secured over the sorbent body. Alternatively, retention features, similar to the clips 708 illustrated in FIG. 7, may be secured to the inner sidewalls of the cavities after the sorbent body is placed in the cavity. Other modification also will be appreciated by those having ordinary skill in the art.
[0026] Moreover, although not illustrated, additional features may also be provided in the compressor and/or sorbent body according to examples of this disclosure. For instance, a dye tracer may be entrained in the sorbent body and/or may be provided separated in the compressor. For instance, the dye tracer may be used to detect leaks in the air conditioning system.
[0027] The novel air conditioning systems and compressors described herein may provide many benefits over conventional systems. For example, and as discussed above, the disclosed embodiments may obviate the desiccant chambers that are conventionally appended to condensers. The removal of the desiccant chamber may reduce the footprint, size, and/or cost of the condenser. Moreover, removing the conventional desiccant sachet may result in a cleaner system. Specifically, the conventional desiccant generally includes a particulate or granular desiccant in a porous sachet. Such desiccant may be prone to dusting, i.e., the release of small particles, which can migrate through the sachet and into the refrigerant and/or other components of the air conditioning system. Moreover, removing the sachet-based desiccant may improve the system because the textile making up the sachet may absorb, e.g., by wicking, oil in the cooling system. For example, compressor oil may be present in the compressor to lubricate surfaces and components. Aspects of the present disclosure may reduce the amount of oil necessary, and therefore the cost of the system, because the sorbent body will not absorb the oil.
[0028] The present disclosure may also reduce costs associated with manufacturing. For instance, operations associated with filling and sealing the desiccant chamber, as well as re-filling and re-sealing in some instances, are no longer needed in aspects of this disclosure. Instead, the sorbent body may be secured in the compressor, and the compressor packed for delivery. In some current packaging techniques, the inlet and outlet ports of the compressor are sealed between manufacture and use, and thus the integrity of the sorbent body would be maintained. Other features and benefits will also be understood by those having ordinary skill in the art, with the benefit of this disclosure.
[0029] While one or more embodiments have been described, various alterations, additions, permutations and equivalents thereof are included within the scope of the disclosure.
[0030] In the description of embodiments, reference is made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, which show by way of illustration specific embodiments of the claimed subject matter. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be used and that changes or alterations, such as structural changes, may be made. Such embodiments, changes or alterations are not necessarily departures from the scope with respect to the intended claimed subject matter. While the steps herein may be presented in a certain order, in some cases the ordering may be changed so that certain inputs are provided at different times or in a different order without changing the function of the systems and methods described. The disclosed procedures could also be executed in different orders. Additionally, various computations that are herein need not be performed in the order disclosed, and other embodiments using alternative orderings of the computations could be readily implemented. In addition to being reordered, the computations could also be decomposed into sub-computations with the same results.
[0031] Furthermore, although the subject matter has been described in language specific to structural features and/or methodological acts, it is to be understood that the subject matter defined in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the specific features or acts described. Rather, the specific features and acts are disclosed as exemplary forms of implementing the claims.
EXAMPLE CLAUSES
[0032]
A. An example air conditioning system for a vehicle, the air conditioning system comprising: an evaporator; a condenser; and a compressor, the air conditioning system including: a housing defining an inlet in fluid communication with the evaporator, a fluid outlet in fluid communication with the condenser, and at least one interior fluid path fluidly connecting the inlet and the outlet; at least one piston disposed in the housing and configured to compress fluid in the interior fluid path; and a sorbent body disposed in the interior fluid path.
B: The air conditioning system of example A, wherein the sorbent body comprises an injection molded sorbent.
C: The air-conditioning system of example A or example B, wherein the housing comprises an end cap comprising at least one cavity defining a portion of the internal fluid path, the sorbent body being disposed in the at least one cavity.
D: The air-conditioning system of any one of example A through example C, wherein the sorbent body is an injection molded sorbent configured to be retained in the at least one cavity.
E: The air-conditioning system of any one of example A through example D, further comprising a retention mechanism configured to retain the injection molded sorbent in the at least one cavity.
F. The air-conditioning system of any one of example A through example E, wherein the injection molded sorbent is configured to be press fit into the at least one cavity.
G: The air-conditioning system of any one of example A through example F, wherein the injection molded sorbent comprises a body and a hole extending through the body, the compressor further comprising a fastener extending at least partially through the hole to retain the injection molded sorbent in the at least one cavity.
H: An example compressor includes: a housing; an inlet port; an outlet port; an internal channel fluidly connecting the inlet port and the outlet port; at least one piston disposed in fluid communication with the internal channel, a first portion of the internal channel between the inlet port and the at least one piston comprising a low-pressure portion and a portion of the internal channel between the at least one piston and the outlet port comprising a high-pressure portion; and a molded sorbent body disposed in the high-pressure portion of the internal channel.
I: The compressor of example H, wherein: the housing includes a main body and an end cap removably sealable to the main body; the at least one piston is disposed in the main body; the high-pressure portion is at least partially defined by a cavity in the cap; and the molded sorbent body is disposed in the cavity in the cap.
J: The compressor of example H or example I, wherein the molded sorbent body is secured in the cavity.
K: The compressor of any one of example H through example J, wherein the molded sorbent body is press fit into the cavity.
L: The compressor of any one of example H through example K, further comprising a fastener configured to secure the molded sorbent body in the cavity, the fastener comprising at least one of a tab, a threaded fastener, or a flange.
M: The compressor of any one of example H through example L, wherein the molded sorbent body is an injection molded desiccant-entrained polymer.
N: The compressor of any one of example H through example M, wherein the molded sorbent body comprises a polymer and at least one of zeolite or molecular sieve.
O: An example air conditioning system for a vehicle, the air conditioning system including: an evaporator; a condenser; and a compressor, wherein the evaporator, the condenser and the compressor are in fluid communication and comprise a closed fluid system through which a refrigerant circulates, the compressor including: a housing defining an inlet in fluid communication with the evaporator, an outlet in fluid communication with the condenser, and at least one interior fluid path fluidly connecting the inlet and the outlet; a plurality of pistons disposed in the housing and configured to compress the refrigerant in the interior fluid path, a first portion of the internal fluid path between the inlet port and the plurality of pistons comprising a low-pressure portion and a second portion of the internal fluid path between the plurality of pistons and the outlet port comprising a high-pressure portion; and a molded sorbent body disposed in the high-pressure portion of the interior fluid path.
P: The air conditioning system of example O, wherein the molded sorbent body comprises an injection-molded, desiccant-entrained polymer configured for retention in the high-pressure portion.
Q: The air conditioning system of example O or example P, wherein the sorbent body comprises from about 30% to about 70% desiccant and from about 30% to about 70% polymer.
R: The air condition system of any one of example O through example Q, wherein the molded sorbent body comprises at least one of molecular sieve, zeolite or activated carbon.
S: The air conditioning system of any one of example O through example R, wherein the molded sorbent body is press-fit into the high-pressure portion of the interior fluid path.
T: The air conditioning system of any one of example O through example S, wherein the compressor further comprises a fastener configured to secure the molded sorbent body in the high-pressure portion of the interior fluid path.
an evaporator (206);
a condenser (204); and
a compressor (202, 300) comprising:
a housing (302) defining an inlet (308) in fluid communication with the evaporator (206), a fluid outlet (310) in fluid communication with the condenser (204), and at least one interior fluid path (312) fluidly connecting the inlet (308) and the outlet (310);
at least one piston (314) disposed in the housing (302) and configured to compress fluid in the interior fluid path (312); and
a sorbent body (418, 500, 604, 704) disposed in the interior fluid path (312).
an inlet port (308) comprising the inlet;
an outlet port (310) comprising the outlet; and
an internal channel (312) defining at least a portion of the interior fluid path,
wherein the at least one piston (314) is disposed in fluid communication with the internal channel, a first portion of the internal channel between the inlet port and the at least one piston comprising a low-pressure portion and a portion of the internal channel between the at least one piston and the outlet port comprising a high-pressure portion, and
wherein the sorbent body is a molded sorbent body disposed in the high-pressure portion of the internal channel.
the housing includes a main body (304) and an end cap (306, 400, 600, 700) removably sealable to the main body (304);
the at least one piston is disposed in the main body (304);
the high-pressure portion is at least partially defined by a cavity (406, 602, 702) in the end cap (306, 400, 600, 700); and
the molded sorbent body is disposed in the cavity (406, 602, 702)in the cap.