Multichannel heat exchanger with dissimilar multichannel tubes

A heat exchanger comprising:

• a first manifold;
• a second manifold;
• a plurality of first multichannel tubes in fluid communication with the first manifold and the second manifold, each first multichannel tube including a plurality of generally parallel flow paths extending therethrough having a first configuration;
• a plurality of second multichannel tubes in fluid communication with the first manifold and the second manifold, each second multichannel tube including a plurality of generally parallel flow paths extending therethrough having a second configuration different from the first configuration;
• a pair of baffles spaced from one another in the first manifold to create a volume therebetween and to divide the first manifold into a first section in fluid communication with the plurality of first multichannel tubes and a second section in fluid communication with the plurality of second multichannel tubes;
• and
• at least one isolated multichannel tube disposed between the plurality of first multichannel tubes and the plurality of second multichannel tubes and disposed between the baffles of the pair, wherein the at least one isolated multichannel tube is isolated within the first manifold only;
• wherein the second manifold is configured to direct a fluid exiting the plurality of first multichannel tubes directly into both the at least one isolated multichannel tube and the plurality of second multichannel tubes.

A heat exchanger comprising:

• a first manifold;
• a second manifold;
• a plurality of first multichannel tubes in fluid communication with the first manifold and the second manifold, each first multichannel tube including a plurality of generally parallel flow paths extending therethrough having a first configuration;
• a plurality of second multichannel tubes in fluid communication with the first manifold and the second manifold, each second multichannel tube including a plurality of generally parallel flow paths extending therethrough having a second configuration different from the first configuration;
• and
• a pair of baffles in the first manifold between the plurality of first multichannel tubes and the plurality of second multichannel tubes to direct circulation flow from an inlet side of the first manifold through the plurality of first multichannel tubes to the second manifold and therefrom through the plurality of second multichannel tubes to an exit side of the first manifold, wherein the pair of baffles is configured to isolate at least one multichannel tube between the baffles of the pair, wherein the pair of baffles is disposed between the plurality of first multichannel tubes and the plurality of second multichannel tubes, and wherein the at least one multichannel tube is isolated within the first manifold only;
• wherein the second manifold is configured to direct a fluid exiting the plurality of first multichannel tubes directly into both the at least one isolated multichannel tube and the plurality of second multichannel tubes.

A method for promoting heat exchange to or from a fluid comprising:

• introducing a fluid into an inlet side of a first manifold of a heat exchanger;
• flowing the fluid through a first plurality of multichannel tubes including a plurality of generally parallel flow paths extending therethrough having a first configuration;
• collecting the fluid in a second manifold;
• and
• flowing the fluid from the second manifold to an outlet side of the first manifold through a second plurality of multichannel tubes including a plurality of generally parallel flow paths extending therethrough having a second configuration different from the first configuration;
• wherein the first plurality of multichannel tubes are separated from the second plurality of multichannel tubes within the first manifold by a pair of baffles isolating at least one multichannel tube between the baffles of the pair within the first manifold only and wherein the fluid exits the first plurality of multichannel tubes and flows directly into both the at least one isolated multichannel tube and the second plurality of multichannel tubes.

A heating, ventilating, air conditioning or refrigeration system comprising:

• a compressor configured to compress a gaseous refrigerant;
• a condenser configured to receive and to condense the compressed refrigerant;
• an expansion device configured to reduce pressure of the condensed refrigerant;
• and
• an evaporator configured to evaporate the refrigerant prior to returning the refrigerant to the compressor;
• wherein at least one of the condenser and the evaporator includes a heat exchanger having a first manifold, a second manifold, a plurality of first multichannel tubes in fluid communication with the first manifold and the second manifold, each first multichannel tube including a plurality of generally parallel flow paths extending therethrough having a first configuration, a plurality of second multichannel tubes in fluid communication with the first manifold and the second manifold, each second multichannel tube including a plurality of generally parallel flow paths extending therethrough having a second configuration different from the first configuration, and a pair of baffles in the first manifold to isolate at least one multichannel tube between the baffles of the pair, wherein the pair of baffles is disposed between the plurality of first multichannel tubes and the plurality of second multichannel tubes, wherein the at least one multichannel tube is isolated within the first manifold only, and wherein the second manifold is configured to direct a fluid exiting the plurality of first multichannel tubes directly into both the at least one isolated multichannel tube and the plurality of second multichannel tubes.