Varied geometry heat exchanger systems and methods
AssigneeJohnson Controls Technology Company
InventorsKevin R. Stockton, Nicholas P. Mislak, Douglas A. Kester, Ryan L. Snider, Stacy S. Lemkelde, Kristen Velez-Diaz
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The present disclosure relates to a heat exchanger including a tube having a length, and a cross-sectional geometry defined by an inner boundary and an outer boundary extending along the length. The tube is configured to flow a refrigerant fluid within the inner boundary to transfer heat. The cross-sectional geometry varies at respective transition points along the length of the tube. The tube is seamless and undeformed at the transition points.
Claims28
A heat exchanger, comprising:
- a tube having a length, and a cross-sectional geometry defined by an inner boundary and an outer boundary extending along the length, wherein the tube is configured to flow a refrigerant fluid within the inner boundary to transfer heat, wherein the cross-sectional geometry varies at respective transition points along the length of the tube, and wherein the tube is seamless and undeformed at the transition points.
A heat exchanger, comprising:
- a tube configured to flow a fluid therein to transfer heat, wherein a cross-sectional geometry of the tube varies along a length of the tube, and an inner boundary of the cross-sectional geometry of the tube at a point along the length of the tube corresponds with fluid characteristics of the fluid at the point.
A heat exchanger, comprising:
- a tube configured to flow a first fluid therein to transfer heat, wherein a cross-sectional geometry of the tube varies along a length of the tube, the cross-sectional geometry comprises an outer boundary of the tube, and the outer boundary of the tube at a point along the length of the tube corresponds with fluid characteristics of a second fluid configured to pass across the tube at the point.
A method of manufacturing a heat exchanger, comprising:
- determining fluid characteristics of a heat exchanger, wherein the fluid characteristics comprise flow characteristics of a fluid flowing through a tube of the heat exchanger and flow characteristics of a gas flowing across the tube and fins of the heat exchanger;
- varying a cross-sectional geometry of the tube of the heat exchanger based at least in part on the flow characteristics of the fluid flowing through the tube of the heat exchanger;
- and
- manufacturing the tube via additive manufacturing to incorporate the varying cross-sectional geometry.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.