Accumulator with refrigerant processing cartridge for automotive air conditioning system

An accumulator for use in an air conditioning system for an automotive vehicle, said system including refrigerant and a refrigerant circuit having a compressor, and a condenser and an evaporator arranged in a series relationship on the high pressure side of the compressor, said accumulator comprising:

• a cylindrical housing comprised of upper and lower cylindrical portions joined together in abutting relationship to define a closed cylindrical chamber with a central axis, said accumulator housing having an upper housing wall and a lower housing wall;
• an inlet tube extending through said upper wall at a location proximate the geometric center of said upper wall, said inlet tube communicating with the outlet side of said evaporator;
• an outlet tube extending through said upper wall of said housing adjacent the inner wall of said housing, said outlet tube communicating with the inlet side of said compressor;
• and
• an axially insertable refrigerant processing cartridge positioned within said housing, said cartridge comprising:
• a generally cylindrical outer casing having a domed upper wall comprising a convex baffle maintained in close proximity to said inlet tube, and a lower wall;
• a port for sealingly receiving said outlet tube within said cartridge;
• desiccant material contained within said outer casing;
• a particulate strainer comprising first and second elements with said first strainer element positioned as the lower wall of said casing, and said second strainer element positioned as an internal wall of said casing, thereby dividing said first strainer element into a first section which, in combination with said second strainer element, contains said desiccant material within said outer casing, and a second section which permits refrigerant to flow into said outlet tube without passing through said desiccant material;
• and
• means for retaining said casing within said upper cylindrical portion.

A dual flow path refrigerant processing cartridge for use in the accumulator of an air conditioning system for an automotive vehicle, said system including refrigerant and a refrigerant circuit having a compressor, and a condenser and an evaporator arranged in a series relationship on the high pressure side of the compressor, said cartridge comprising:

• a casing;
• filter means for removing particulate matter from said refrigerant;
• and
• drier means for removing moisture from said refrigerant, with said filter and drier means disposed within said casing so as to comprise a first flow path for said refrigerant in which refrigerant exiting said accumulator must pass through both said filter means and said drier means, and a second flow path in which refrigerant leaving said accumulator must pass only through said filter means.