# US 11,898,780 B2 · Evaporator

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- Number: US 11,898,780 B2
- Document ID: US11898780B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 17/172,186
- Filed: 2021-02-10
- Published: 2021-08-19
- Granted: 2024-02-13
- Earliest claimed: 2020-02-13
- Assignees: LG Electronics Inc.
- Applicants: LG Electronics Inc.
- Inventors: Jungho Kang; Jinhee Jeong; Hyunwook Han; Uisik Hwang; Heewoong Lee; Cheolmin Kim
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11898780B2

## CPC

- F25B 39/028: {having distributing means}
- F25B 25/005: {using primary and secondary systems}
- F25B 41/40: Fluid line arrangements
- F25B 2339/0242: having tubular elements
- F25B: REFRIGERATION MACHINES, PLANTS OR SYSTEMS; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS

## Abstract

An evaporator comprises: a housing with a refrigerant inlet and a refrigerant outlet; heat transfer tubes that are contained in the housing, in which chilled water for heat exchange with refrigerant inside the housing flows; at least one distribution tray that is placed apart from the heat transfer tubes and has a plurality of holes for distributing refrigerant over the underlying heat transfer tubes; and a tube support with a plurality of holes for passing the heat transfer tubes through, that is placed inside the housing and supports the distribution tray. Through the present disclosure, it is possible to achieve stable heat exchange performance by placing the distribution tray horizontal and stable.

## Claims

### Claim 1

An evaporator, comprising:
a housing with a refrigerant inlet and a refrigerant outlet;
heat transfer tubes contained in the housing, in which chilled water for heat exchange with refrigerant inside of the housing flows;
at least one distribution tray that is placed apart from the heat transfer tubes and includes a plurality of holes that distribute refrigerant over the heat transfer tubes; and
at least one tube support having a plurality of holes through which the heat transfer tubes pass, placed inside of the housing, and that supports the at least one distribution tray, wherein the at least one distribution tray comprises a first distribution tray that is supported by a top of the at least one tube support, that is spaced upward from the heat transfer tubes, and that distributes refrigerant over the heat transfer tubes, wherein the at least one tube support comprises upper guides that protrude laterally from the top of the at least one tube support, respectively, form a space into which the first distribution tray is guided, and support the first distribution tray, and lateral rods that extend lengthways in a lengthwise direction of the first distribution tray and are attached to sidewalls of the first distribution tray and supported by the upper guides.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The evaporator of claim 1, wherein the heat transfer tubes comprise upper heat transfer tubes, and lower heat transfer tubes placed below the upper heat transfer tubes, wherein the at least one distribution tray further comprises a second distribution tray that is placed between the upper heat transfer tubes and the lower heat transfer tubes, that is spaced apart from the lower heat transfer tubes, and that distributes refrigerant over the lower heat transfer tubes.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The evaporator of claim 2, wherein the at least one tube support has a slit into which the second distribution tray is inserted.

### Claim 4 (depends on 2)

The evaporator of claim 2, further comprising guide plates that are placed on either side of the second distribution tray and guide refrigerant falling from the upper heat transfer tubes to be introduced into the second distribution tray.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The evaporator of claim 1, wherein the at least one tube support has a slit into which the at least one distribution tray is inserted.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The evaporator of claim 1, wherein the at least one distribution tray comprises tips slanted downward so that one end is positioned under the plurality of holes.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The evaporator of claim 1, wherein the at least one tube support comprises a plurality of tube supports arranged in a lengthwise direction of the housing, with tops thereof being on a same level, and wherein at least a portion of a side of each of the plurality of tube supports contacts an inner surface of the housing.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The evaporator of claim 1, further comprising a tray bracket that is attached to a sidewall of the at least one distribution tray and extends to an inner surface of the housing.