US 5,934,367 A · Heat exchanger

Abstract

A two path flow, laminated-type heat exchanger for an automotive refrigerant circuit includes a plurality of heat transfer tubes, a plurality of fins, and a tank. The tank is divided into three chambers. The second and third chambers are in fluid communication with the heat transfer tubes, each of which tubes has an interior U-shaped flow path. A plurality of holes of different radii or one diamond-shaped hole or a wall dividing the first chamber into two sub-chambers may be provided between the first chamber and the second chamber. The fluid enters through an inlet orifice and flows into the first chamber. Imbalances in the fluid's mass-flow rate along the length of the tank are leveled as the fluid passes from the first chamber to the second chamber. The fluid now possessing a leveled mass-flow rate enters the heat transfer tubes. Thus, the fluid in every heat transfer tube is leveled. The fluid flowing within each of heat transfer tubes then is collected in the third chamber, and exits through the outlet orifice. Therefore, the surface temperature of the heat exchanger is balanced during operation.

Claims12

Dependent claims

A two-path flow laminated-type heat exchanger comprising:

a plurality of heat transfer tubes, each forming a U-shaped flow path;
a plurality of fins attached to exterior surfaces of said heat transfer tubes;
and
a tank comprising three plates and having a first chamber, a second chamber, and a third chamber, said first chamber having an inlet orifice and being in fluid communication with said second chamber via mass-flow rate leveling means, said second chamber being in fluid communication with said heat transfer tubes, and said third chamber being in fluid communication with said heat transfer tubes and having an outlet orifice;
said inlet orifice formed between an intermediate one of said plates and a first outer one of said plates and said outlet orifice formed between said intermediate plate and a second outer plate;
wherein said mass-flow rate leveling means is formed in a plate which separates said first chamber from said second chamber and said third chamber.

3 more elements

A two-path flow laminated-type heat exchanger comprising:

a plurality of heat transfer tubes, each forming a U-shaped flow path;
a plurality of fins attached to extenor surfaces of said heat transfer tubes;
and
a tank comprising three plates and having a first chamber, a second chamber, and a third chamber, said first chamber having an inlet orifice and being in fluid communication with said second chamber via mass-flow rate leveling means, said second chamber being in fluid communication with said heat transfer tubes, and said third chamber being in fluid communication with said heat transfer tubes and having an outlet orifice;
said chambers extending along an entire length of said heat exchanger;
wherein said mass-flow rate leveling means is formed in a plate which separates said first chamber from said second chamber and said third chamber.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Heat exchanger

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Heat exchanger

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Abstract

Claims12