초록 ▼

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 p

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.

대표청구항 ▼

1. 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 t

1. 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; anda 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. 2. The heat exchanger of claim 1, wherein individual openings of the plurality of openings are disposed proximate to the longitudinal bends to direct the mixed phase flow through the individual openings into the exit portion in different directions. 3. The heat exchanger of claim 1, wherein individual openings of the plurality of openings are disposed proximate to the longitudinal bends to direct mixed phase flow entering the exit portion from a first opening towards mixed phase flow entering the exit portion through a second opening. 4. The heat exchanger of claim 1, wherein the one or more longitudinal bends comprise a first longitudinal bend extending into the entrance portion, and a second longitudinal bend extending into the exit portion. 5. The heat exchanger of claim 1, wherein the one or more longitudinal bends comprise at least two longitudinal bends extending away from the partition in a first direction and a second longitudinal bend extending away from the partition in a second direction opposite to the first direction. 6. The heat exchanger of claim 1, wherein the partition is constructed of a flexible material that allows contraction of the longitudinal bends or expansion of the longitudinal bends, or a combination thereof. 7. The heat exchanger of claim 1, wherein the partition is constructed of a flexible material that allows contraction of the longitudinal bends within curved sections of the first manifold. 8. 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; andan 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. 9. The heat exchanger of claim 8, wherein the outer curved partition is concentrically disposed about the inner curved partition. 10. The heat exchanger of claim 8, wherein with inner curved partition comprises a first opening that directs the mixed phase flow within the first manifold towards the outer curved partition, and wherein the outer curved partition comprises a second opening unaligned with the first opening. 11. The heat exchanger of claim 10, wherein the first opening is configured to direct the mixed phase flow towards the plurality of multichannel tubes, and wherein the second opening is disposed opposite to the first opening. 12. The heat exchanger of claim 8, comprising an inlet aligned with the inner curved partition to direct the flow of liquid and vapor into the inner partition. 13. The heat exchanger of claim 8, wherein each multichannel tube comprises a curved end that approximates a curvature of the first manifold and is disposed in the first manifold. 14. 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; anda 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. 15. The heat exchanger of claim 14, wherein the one or more non-planar partitions each comprise one or more longitudinal bends extending along their length. 16. The heat exchanger of claim 15, wherein individual openings of the plurality of openings are disposed proximate to the longitudinal bends to direct the mixed phase flow through the individual openings into the exit portion in different directions. 17. The heat exchanger of claim 14, wherein the one or more non-planar partitions comprise a pair of concentrically disposed curved partitions. 18. The heat exchanger of claim 14, wherein the pair of concentrically disposed curved partitions comprise a first curved partition and a second curved partition concentrically disposed around the first curved partition, wherein with first curved partition comprises a first opening that directs the mixed phase flow from the entrance portion towards the second curved partition, and wherein the second curved partition comprises a second opening disposed opposite to the first opening. 19. The heat exchanger of claim 14, wherein each multichannel tube comprises a plurality of generally parallel flow paths extending along its length. 20. The heat exchanger of claim 14, comprising a baffle disposed in the first manifold to divide the manifold into an inlet portion and an outlet portion, wherein the one or more non-planar partitions are disposed in the inlet portion.