Multi-function receiver

A multi-function receiver for use in an air conditioning system including a refrigerant compressor, a condenser in fluid communication with an outlet of the refrigerant compressor, and an evaporator in fluid communication with an outlet of the condenser and with an inlet of the refrigerant compressor, wherein said multi-function receiver attenuates pressure fluctuations of the refrigerant flowing from the evaporator to the refrigerant compressor and comprises:

• a body housing comprising a receiver inlet for receiving the refrigerant from the condenser and a receiver outlet for sending the refrigerant to the refrigerant compressor;
• a cap housing covering said body housing;
• a first refrigerant port defined within said cap housing and adapted to be in fluid communication with the evaporator for sending the refrigerant to the evaporator;
• a second refrigerant port defined within said cap housing and adapted to be in fluid communication with the evaporator for receiving the refrigerant from the evaporator;
• a thermostatic expansion valve fluid communication with said first refrigerant port for controlling the refrigerant to be sent to the evaporator through said first refrigerant port;
• and
• an internal wall defining an outer cavity and an inner cavity, wherein
• said outer cavity is in fluid communication with said receiver inlet for receiving the refrigerant from the condenser and with said thermostatic expansion valve for sending the refrigerant to the evaporator through said thermostatic expansion valve and said first refrigerant port, and
• said inner cavity is in fluid communication with said second refrigerant port for receiving the refrigerant from the evaporator to attenuate the pressure fluctuations of the refrigerant received from the evaporator and with said receiver outlet for sending the refrigerant to the compressor after the pressure fluctuations have been attenuated.

An air conditioning system for attenuating pressure fluctuations of a refrigerant, said air conditioning system comprising:

• a refrigerant compressor;
• a condenser in fluid communication with an outlet of said refrigerant compressor;
• an evaporator in fluid communication with an outlet of said condenser and with an inlet of said refrigerant compressor;
• a body housing disposed between said condenser and said evaporator, said body housing comprising a receiver inlet for receiving the refrigerant from said condenser and a receiver outlet for sending the refrigerant to said refrigerant compressor;
• a cap housing covering said body housing;
• a first refrigerant port defined within said cap housing and in fluid communication with said evaporator for sending the refrigerant received from said condenser to said evaporator;
• a second refrigerant port defined within said cap housing and in fluid communication with said evaporator for receiving the refrigerant from said evaporator;
• an internal wall defining an outer cavity and an inner cavity, wherein
• said outer cavity is in fluid communication with said receiver inlet for receiving the refrigerant from said condenser and with said first refrigerant port for sending the refrigerant to said evaporator, and
• said inner cavity is in fluid communication with said second refrigerant port for receiving the refrigerant from said evaporator to attenuate the pressure fluctuations of the refrigerant received from said evaporator and with said receiver outlet for sending the refrigerant to said refrigerant compressor after the pressure fluctuations have been attenuated.