Gas pulsation attenuator for automotive air conditioning compressor

An apparatus for attenuating refrigerant gas pressure and sound energy pulsations emanating from a piston-type refrigerant compressor, comprising:

• an annular elastomeric, fluid-filled body defining a central refrigerant gas flow passage;
• a rigid tubular housing supporting said fluid-filled body;
• divider means for said fluid-filled body to form three in-line chambers, said divider means including a pair of annular dividers forming said chambers;
• damping track means extending through each of said annular dividers providing fluid communication between said chambers;
• whereby said pressure and sound energy pulses are dampened to smooth and quiet the operation of the compressor by fluid flow between said chambers.

An apparatus for mounting in the discharge line to attenuate refrigerant gas pressure and sound energy pulsations emanating from a piston-type refrigerant compressor, comprising:

• an annular elastomeric, fluid-filled body defining a central refrigerant gas flow passage;
• a rigid tubular housing supporting said fluid-filled body;
• a pair of annular dividers partitioning said fluid-filled body into three chambers in series, said chambers being concentrically disposed about said refrigerant gas flow passage, said annular dividers each including a flow orifice having a fixed cross-sectional area substantially equal to the cross-sectional area of said discharge line;
• and
• damping track means extending through said dividers providing fluid communication between said chambers;
• whereby said pressure and sound energy pulses are dampened to smooth and quiet the operation of the compressor by fluid flow between said chambers.