US 2026/0202089 A1 · Heat Exchanger with Improved Performance

Abstract

A heat exchanger for use in a heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (“HVAC”) system. The heat exchanger includes at least two sections with each section having a set of heat transfer tubes. A first section of the heat exchanger may include an inlet header, a first intermediate header, and a first set of heat transfer tubes fluidly coupling the inlet header to the first intermediate header. A second section of the heat exchanger may include an outlet header, a second intermediate header, and a second set of heat transfer tubes fluidly coupling the second intermediate header to outlet header. At least one fluid line fluidly couples the first section to the second section. As a fluid (e.g., refrigerant) flows through the heat exchanger, the heat exchanger provides multiple passes for the fluid to undergo phase changes before the fluid exits the heat exchanger as a single-phase refrigerant.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A heat exchanger comprising:

an inlet header, wherein the inlet header is configured to receive a first fluid;
a first set of heat transfer tubes fluidly coupling the inlet header to a first intermediate header, wherein the first intermediate header is configured to receive the first fluid from the first set of heat transfer tubes and to allow the first fluid to separate into a second fluid and a third fluid;
a second intermediate header in fluid communication with the first intermediate header and configured to receive at least one of the second fluid or the third fluid from the first intermediate header;
and
a second set of heat transfer tubes fluidly coupling the second intermediate header to an outlet header, wherein the outlet header is configured to receive the at least one of the second fluid or the third fluid through the second set of heat transfer tubes,
wherein the second fluid and the third fluid exit the heat exchanger via an outlet pipe as a single-phase fluid.

3 more elements

A heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (“HVAC”) system, the HVAC system comprising:

a refrigerant circuit for use with a first refrigerant and comprising a compressor, at least one heat exchanger, and an expansion device, wherein the at least one heat exchanger is operable as at least one of a condenser or an evaporator;
and
wherein the at least one heat exchanger has at least two sections and comprises:
a first section of the at least two sections comprising an inlet header configured to receive the first refrigerant from the refrigerant circuit, a first set of heat transfer tubes fluidly coupling the inlet header to a first intermediate header, wherein the first intermediate header is configured to receive the first refrigerant from the first set of heat transfer tubes and to allow the first refrigerant to separate into a second refrigerant and a third refrigerant;
a second section of the at least two sections comprising a second intermediate header configured to receive at least one of the second refrigerant or the third refrigerant from the first intermediate header, a second set of heat transfer tubes fluidly coupling the second intermediate header to an outlet header, wherein the outlet header is configured to receive the at least one of the second refrigerant or the third refrigerant from the second set of heat transfer tubes, wherein the second refrigerant and the third refrigerant flow together to form a single-phase refrigerant;
and
an outlet pipe attached to the outlet header and the outlet pipe is configured to circulate the single-phase refrigerant back into the refrigerant circuit.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Heat Exchanger with Improved Performance

Life of this patent

Heat Exchanger with Improved Performance

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20