Mixing device for improved distribution of refrigerant to evaporator

Abstract

An improved distribution system for an evaporator. The system comprises an evaporator having a plurality of heat exchange flow paths; and an evaporator distributor operably connecting the plurality of flow paths to an evaporator inlet. The system includes an impingement device having an outlet operably connected to the evaporator inlet and having at least a pair of fluid inlets arranged so that fluid entering through either of the fluid inlets directly impinges upon fluid entering the other fluid inlet thereby providing a churned up fluid to the impingement device outlet. Additionally, the system includes an expansion device having an inlet and an outlet; and a separator having a separator inlet connected to the expansion valve outlet and having at least a pair of outlets. The separator is arranged to divide fluid from the expansion device into several streams and direct those streams to its outlets. The system also includes at least a pair of conduits, each having a first end connected to a separator outlet and a second end connected to an impingement device inlet.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.