Compressor with internal accumulator for use in split compressor

A method for separating lubricant from refrigerant in a split compressor, comprising the steps of:

• providing a split compressor, the split compressor comprising
• a housing;
• a sealing means positioned within the housing defining a first chamber and a second chamber, the first chamber being located above the second chamber;
• the sealing means substantially maintaining a pressure differential between the first chamber and the second chamber and otherwise preventing fluid communication between the first chamber and the second chamber;
• a motor disposed within the first chamber;
• a compressor portion located within the second chamber, the compressor portion operably connected to the motor, the compressor portion having a compressor suction inlet and a compressor discharge port;
• a suction tube inlet located in the first chamber, the suction tube inlet introducing a fluid from outside the compressor through the housing into the first chamber;
• an internal accumulator positioned within the first chamber above the sealing means, the sealing means forming a lower boundary of the internal accumulator;
• a channeling means to provide fluid communication of a substantially gas stream between the first chamber and the compressor suction inlet;
• a liquid bleed connection through the sealing means providing fluid communication between the internal accumulator and the compressor suction inlet to allow fluid accumulated in the internal accumulator to move in a controlled fashion across the sealing means from the first chamber to the compressor suction inlet where it is mixed and compressed with the gas stream and discharged into the second chamber;
• a lubrication sump positioned within the second chamber for receiving and storing lubricant discharged into the second chamber from the compressor discharge port;
• a discharge outlet to provide a discharge path for compressed gas from the compressor;
• initiating operation of the motor in response to a predetermined condition, the operation of the motor causing fluid comprising lubricant and refrigerant to flow into the first chamber;
• directing the fluid flowing through the suction tube inlet into the first chamber toward the motor;
• cooling the motor by removing heat with the fluid, at least a portion of the refrigerant being converted to a gas by the heat, while the liquid including lubricant and remaining liquid refrigerant is accumulated in the internal accumulator;
• passing refrigerant gas into a channeling means for transport as a gas stream to the compressor suction inlet;
• metering liquid refrigerant and lubricant from the internal accumulator through the liquid bleed connection in a controlled fashion across the sealing means into the gas stream;
• compressing the refrigerant gas and lubricant entering the compressor in the compressor portion as a compressed fluid;
• discharging the compressed fluid into the second chamber, the discharged fluid forming droplets of lubricant as the fluid contacts at least one surface of the second chamber;
• accumulating droplets of lubricant in the sump as a liquid, the fluid in the sump providing lubrication to moving parts of the compressor;
• discharging the compressed fluid through the discharge outlet.

A heating and air conditioning system, comprising:

• a split compressor comprising
• a housing;
• a sealing means positioned within the housing defining a first chamber and a second chamber, the first chamber being located above the second chamber;
• the sealing means substantially maintaining a pressure differential between the first chamber and the second chamber and otherwise preventing fluid communication between the first chamber and the second chamber;
• a motor disposed within the first chamber;
• a compressor portion located within the second chamber, the compressor portion operably connected to the motor, the compressor portion having a compressor suction inlet and a compressor discharge port;
• a suction tube inlet located in the first chamber, the suction tube inlet introducing a fluid from outside the compressor through the housing into the first chamber;
• an internal accumulator positioned within the first chamber above the sealing means, the sealing means forming a lower boundary of the internal accumulator;
• a channeling means to provide fluid communication of a substantially gas stream between the first chamber and the compressor suction inlet;
• an orifice through the sealing means providing fluid communication between the internal accumulator and the compressor suction inlet to allow liquid fluid accumulated in the internal accumulator to move in a controlled fashion across the sealing means from the first chamber to the compressor suction inlet where it is mixed with the gas stream, compressed and discharged into the second chamber as a compressed fluid;
• a lubrication sump positioned within the second chamber for receiving and storing lubricant discharged into the second chamber from the compressor discharge port;
• a discharge outlet to provide a discharge path for compressed fluid from the compressor;
• a condenser that receives the compressed fluid from the compressor, the condenser converting the compressed fluid into a high pressure liquid while withdrawing heat from the fluid due to the phase change from gas to liquid;
• conduit to transport the fluid from the compressor to the condenser;
• an expansion device that receives the high pressure liquid from the condenser, whereby the temperature and pressure of the liquid is lowered;
• conduit to transport the liquid from the condenser to the expansion device;
• an evaporator that receives the liquid from the expansion device, the evaporator converting at least a portion of the liquid to gas, the fluid absorbing heat from the evaporator due to the phase change from liquid to gas;
• conduit to transport the fluid from the expansion device to the evaporator;
• and
• conduit to transport the fluid to the compressor.