Vapor-liquid separator and systems including same

A vapor-liquid separator comprising:

• a first flow path including:
• a fluid inlet section producing an increase in velocity and a decrease in static pressure of a fluid flowing through the fluid inlet section;
• a fluid outlet section producing a decrease in velocity and an increase in static pressure of a fluid flowing through the fluid outlet section;
• and
• a first helical portion extending between and fluidly connecting the fluid inlet section to the fluid outlet section, the first helical portion producing an increase in velocity of the fluid flowing through the first helical portion and separation of a vapor from the fluid;
• and
• a second fluid flow path including:
• a vapor outlet section defining a vapor outlet producing an increase in static pressure and a decrease in velocity of vapor flowing through the vapor outlet section;
• a second helical portion extending between and fluidly transferring vapor from the first flow path to the vapor outlet section, the second helical portion intertwined with the first helical portion, wherein the increased velocity of the fluid flowing through the first helical portion causes vapor within the first helical portion to flow into the second helical portion;
• and
• one or more bridges fluidly coupling the first helical portion to the second helical portion, the one or more bridges permitting vapor within the first helical portion to flow into the second helical portion via the one or more bridges, wherein the vapor received within the second helical portion produces an increase in velocity of the vapor flowing through the second helical portion,
• wherein vapor received within the second helical portion is discharged from the vapor outlet and the fluid flowing through the first helical portion is discharged from the fluid outlet.

A system comprising:

• a fluid compression circuit comprising a compressor operable to compress a refrigerant;
• and
• a vapor-liquid separator fluidly connected to the fluid compression circuit to receive liquid refrigerant therefrom, the vapor-liquid separator comprising:
• a first flow path extending between a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet, wherein the first flow path includes a helical portion causing a reduction in static pressure and an increase in velocity of the liquid refrigerant flowing through the first flow path to generate vapor from the liquid refrigerant;
• a second flow path extending between and fluidly transferring vapor from the first flow path to a vapor outlet;
• and
• one or more bridges fluidly coupling the first flow path to the second flow path, wherein the increased velocity of the liquid refrigerant flowing through the first flow path causes vapor within the first flow path to flow into the second flow path via the one or more bridges,
• wherein vapor received within the second flow path is discharged from the vapor outlet to an intermediate compression stage of the compressor.