Structure for sensing refrigerant flow rate in a compressor

Abstract

A structure for sensing refrigerant flow rate in a compressor. The structure includes a passage forming member, a restriction hole, a differential pressure-type flow rate sensor, and a partition plate. The compressor includes a housing connected to an external refrigerant circuit via a refrigerant passage. The passage forming member is connected to an outer surface of the housing and forms a part of the refrigerant passage. The restriction hole divides the refrigerant passage into an upstream passage and a downstream passage. The upstream passage is formed in either the housing or the passage forming member. The sensor is provided in the passage forming member and detects pressure in the upstream passage and pressure in the downstream passage to sense flow rate of refrigerant in the refrigerant passage. The partition plate is disposed between the housing and the passage forming member. The restriction hole is formed in the partition plate to extend through the partition plate.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.