# US 2019/0170456 A1 · Laminated header, heat exchanger, and air-conditioning apparatus > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2019/0170456 A1 - Document ID: US20190170456A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 15/748,759 - Filed: 2015-09-07 - Published: 2019-06-06 - Earliest claimed: 2015-09-07 - Assignees: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation - Applicants: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation - Inventors: Shigeyoshi MATSUI; Shinya HIGASHIIUE; Takehiro HAYASHI - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20190170456A1 ## CPC - F28F 9/0278: {in the form of stacked distribution plates or perforated plates arranged over end plates} - F25B 39/022: {with plate-like or laminated elements} - F25B 39/04: Condensers - F25B 41/00: Fluid-circulation arrangements - F28F 1/10: Tubular elements and assemblies thereof with means for increasing heat-transfer area, e.g. with fins, with projections, with recesses (crimped or corrugated elements F28F1/06, F28F1/08) - F28F 3/08: Elements constructed for building-up into stacks, e.g. capable of being taken apart for cleaning - F28F 9/02: Header boxes; End plates - F28F 9/0221: {Header boxes or end plates formed by stacked elements} - F28F 9/0263: {by varying the geometry or cross-section of header box} - F28F 9/0275: {with multiple branch pipes} - F28F 2009/0292: {with fins} - F28F 2009/0295: {comprising cooling circuits} - F28F: DETAILS OF HEAT-EXCHANGE AND HEAT-TRANSFER APPARATUS, OF GENERAL APPLICATION (water and air traps, air venting F16) - F25B: REFRIGERATION MACHINES, PLANTS OR SYSTEMS; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS ## Abstract A laminated header includes: a first passage plate having a flat-plate shape in which a first passage is formed; a second passage plate having a flat-plate shape in which a plurality of second passages are formed; a third passage plate having a flat-plate shape in which a plurality of third passages are formed; a first branch passage plate having a flat-plate shape in which an upstream side branch passage is formed, the upstream side branch passage branching the first passage into the plurality of second passages; and a second branch passage plate having a flat-plate shape in which a downstream side branch passage is formed, the downstream side branch passage branching one of the plurality of second passages into the plurality of third passages. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A laminated header comprising: a first passage plate having a flat-plate shape in which a first passage is formed; a second passage plate having a flat-plate shape in which a plurality of second passages are formed; a third passage plate having a flat-plate shape in which a plurality of third passages are formed; a first branch passage plate having a flat-plate shape in which an upstream side branch passage is formed, the upstream side branch passage branching the first passage into the plurality of second passages; and a second branch passage plate having a flat-plate shape in which a downstream side branch passage is formed, the downstream side branch passage branching one of the plurality of second passages into the plurality of third passages, the first passage plate, the first branch passage plate, the second passage plate, the second branch passage plate, and the third passage plate being stacked in this order, the upstream side branch passage including a first taper part having a passage cross-sectional area gradually decreasing toward a terminal end at a connection part with the second passage. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The laminated header of claim 1, wherein a minimum value of an equivalent diameter of the upstream side branch passage and a minimum value of an equivalent diameter of the downstream side branch passage are equal to or larger than a minimum defined value. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The laminated header of claim 1, wherein an equivalent diameter of the first passage is equal to or smaller than a minimum value of an equivalent diameter of the upstream side branch passage. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The laminated header of claim 1, wherein an equivalent diameter of the second passage is equal to or smaller than a minimum value of an equivalent diameter of the downstream side branch passage. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The laminated header of claim 1, wherein Relational Expression (1) below holds [ Expression   1 ]  A n ≦ Gr 0.3   n   ρ ave = Gr 0.3   n  ( x ρ G + 1 - x ρ L ) Relational   Expression   ( 1 ) where An [m2] represents a maximum passage cross-sectional area of the upstream side branch passage or the downstream side branch passage, Gr [kg/s] represents a minimum refrigerant flow flowing into the first passage, n represents the number of branch passages branching upstream of the upstream side branch passage or the downstream side branch passage, ρave [m3/kg] represents the saturated density of refrigerant flowing into the first passage, x represents the quality of the refrigerant flowing into the first passage, ρL [m3/kg] represents the saturated liquid density of liquid refrigerant flowing into the first passage, and ρG [m3/kg] represents the saturated gas density of gas refrigerant flowing into the first passage. ### Claim 6 (canceled) ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The laminated header of claim 1, wherein the downstream side branch passage includes a second taper part having a passage cross-sectional area gradually decreasing toward a terminal end at a connection part with the third passage. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The laminated header of claim 1, wherein the upstream side branch passage includes a first branch part extending in a substantially horizontal direction, an upper second branch part extending upward in the direction of gravitational force from one end of the first branch part of the upstream side branch passage, and a lower second branch part extending downward in the direction of gravitational force from the other end of the first branch part of the upstream side branch passage, and at least the upper second branch part includes the first taper part. ### Claim 9 (depends on 7) The laminated header of claim 7, wherein the downstream side branch passage includes a first branch part extending in a substantially horizontal direction, an upper second branch part extending upward in the direction of gravitational force from one end of the first branch part of the downstream side branch passage, and a lower second branch part extending downward in the direction of gravitational force from the other end of the first branch part of the downstream side branch passage, and the second taper part is formed at least at the upper second branch part. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) A heat exchanger comprising the laminated header of claim 1 and a plurality of heat transfer tubes, wherein the plurality of heat transfer tubes are connected with the laminated header. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) An air-conditioning apparatus comprising the heat exchanger of claim 10. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The laminated header of claim 1, wherein a first cross-sectional area as a maximum value of a passage cross-sectional area of the upstream side branch passage is larger than a second cross-sectional area as a maximum value of a passage cross-sectional area of the downstream side branch passage.