Multichannel evaporator with flow mixing manifold
AssigneeJohnson Controls Technology Company
InventorsJeffrey Lee Tucker, Mahesh Valiya-Naduvath, John T. Knight, Judd M. Vance
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration (HVAC&R) systems and heat exchangers are provided which include manifold configurations designed to promote mixing of vapor phase and liquid phase refrigerant. The manifolds contain flow mixers such as a helical tape, sectioned volumes, and partitions containing apertures. The flow mixers direct the flow of refrigerant within the manifold to promote a more homogenous distribution of fluid within the multichannel tubes.
Claims20
A heat exchanger comprising:
- a first manifold configured to receive a flow of liquid and vapor;
- a second manifold;
- a plurality of multichannel tubes in fluid communication with the first and second manifolds;
- a partition comprising one or more longitudinal bends extending along its length, wherein the partition is disposed in the first manifold to divide the first manifold into an entrance portion and an exit portion, and configured to promote mixing of the liquid and the vapor to direct mixed phase flow through the multichannel tubes;
- and
- a plurality of openings formed in the partition to communicate the mixed phase flow through the partition from the entrance portion to the exit portion of the first manifold, wherein the multichannel tubes are in fluid communication with the exit portion.
A heat exchanger comprising:
- a first manifold configured to receive a flow of liquid and vapor;
- a second manifold;
- a plurality of multichannel tubes in fluid communication with the first and second manifolds;
- an inner curved partition disposed in the first manifold to receive the flow of liquid and vapor;
- and
- an outer curved partition at least partially surrounding the inner curved partition and configured to direct the flow of liquid and vapor from the inner curved partition to an exit portion of the first manifold with which the multichannel tubes are in fluid communication;
- wherein the inner curved partition and the outer curved partition are configured to promote mixing of the liquid and the vapor to direct mixed phase flow through the multichannel tubes.
A heat exchanger comprising:
- a first manifold configured to receive a flow of liquid and vapor;
- a second manifold;
- a plurality of multichannel tubes in fluid communication with the first and second manifolds;
- one or more non-planar partitions disposed in the first manifold and configured to promote mixing of the liquid and vapor to direct mixed phase flow through the multichannel tubes;
- and
- a plurality of openings configured to communicate the mixed phase flow through the one or more non-planar partitions from an entrance portion of the first manifold to an exit portion of the first manifold with which the multichannel tubes are in fluid communication.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.