U.S. patent application number 11/646334 was filed with the patent office on 2007-07-05 for heat exchanger.
This patent application is currently assigned to LG Electronics Inc.. Invention is credited to Dong Yeon Jang, Ju Hyok Kim, Han Choon Lee, Sang Yeul Lee, Yong Cheol Sa.
Application Number | 20070151713 11/646334 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38213715 |
Filed Date | 2007-07-05 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070151713 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Lee; Han Choon ; et
al. |
July 5, 2007 |
Heat exchanger
Abstract
A heat exchanger is provided. The heat exchanger includes a tube
through which a refrigerant flows, a fin disposed on an outer
periphery of the tube, and an agitating member inserted into the
tube, and agitating the refrigerant.
Inventors: |
Lee; Han Choon; (Seoul,
KR) ; Jang; Dong Yeon; (Siheong-si, KR) ; Lee;
Sang Yeul; (Seoul, KR) ; Kim; Ju Hyok;
(US) ; Sa; Yong Cheol; (Gwacheon-si, KR) |
Correspondence
Address: |
KED & ASSOCIATES, LLP
P.O. Box 221200
Chantilly
VA
20153-1200
US
|
Assignee: |
LG Electronics Inc.
|
Family ID: |
38213715 |
Appl. No.: |
11/646334 |
Filed: |
December 28, 2006 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
165/109.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F28F 1/40 20130101; F28D
1/0477 20130101; F28F 13/12 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
165/109.1 |
International
Class: |
F28F 13/12 20060101
F28F013/12 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Dec 31, 2005 |
KR |
10-2005-0136227 |
Claims
1. A heat exchanger comprising: a tube through which a refrigerant
flows; a fin disposed on an outer periphery of the tube; and an
agitating member inserted into the tube, and agitating the
refrigerant.
2. The heat exchanger according to claim 1, wherein the agitating
member has a helical shape.
3. The heat exchanger according to claim 1, wherein the agitating
member is disposed in a section where a liquid refrigerant
flows.
4. The heat exchanger according to claim 1, wherein a distance
between pitches of the agitating member is greater than an inner
diameter of the tube.
5. The heat exchanger according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of
protrusions are formed on an inner periphery of the tube.
6. The heat exchanger according to claim 1, wherein the agitating
member is provided in a linear section of the tube.
7. A heat exchanger comprising: a tube; a fin contacting the tube
to be thermally in contact with an external air; and an agitating
member spiraled a plurality of times for increasing a contact area
between a liquid refrigerant and an inner periphery of the tube,
the agitating member being provided inside the tube.
8. The heat exchanger according to claim 7, wherein the agitating
member is curved in a direction different from a flow direction of
a refrigerant.
9. The heat exchanger according to claim 7, wherein an outer
diameter of the agitating member is 95% or less of an inner
diameter of the tube.
10. The heat exchanger according to claim 7, wherein an inner
diameter of the agitating member is 25%.about.40% of an inner
diameter of the tube.
11. The heat exchanger according to claim 7, wherein the agitating
member is provided to an outlet of the tube when a refrigerant
passing through a compressor flows into the tube.
12. The heat exchanger according to claim 7, wherein the agitating
member is provided to an inlet of the tube when the refrigerant
undergoing an expansion procedure flows into the tube
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to a heat exchanger, and more
particularly, to a refrigerant tube structure of a heat exchanger
that improves heat exchange efficiency by increasing a contact area
between a liquid refrigerant flowing through a refrigerant tube and
an inner periphery of the refrigerant tube.
[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0004] In general, a fin-tube type heat exchanger used in an air
conditioner or the like includes a refrigerant tube having the
shape of a meander line which is curved a plurality of times, and a
plurality of heat exchange fins inserted into the refrigerant tube
in a direction that the heat exchange fins are intersected with the
refrigerant tube.
[0005] The related art fin-tube type heat exchanger acts as an
evaporator or a condenser in such a way that a refrigerant
exchanges heat with external air while the refrigerant flowing
through the refrigerant tube. Specifically, a heat exchange area
between the refrigerant and the external air is increased by means
of the heat exchange fins which are inserted into the refrigerant
tube and arranged close to each other. Thus, a heat exchange is
effectively performed.
[0006] In addition, grooves are formed on an inner periphery of the
refrigerant tube of the fin-tube type heat exchanger for improving
heat exchange efficiency. Here, the grooves are spirally formed
such that they are connected in a longitudinal direction of the
refrigerant tube.
[0007] In virtue of the grooves, when the heat exchanger is used as
an evaporator, the contact area between the liquid refrigerant and
the refrigerant tube is increased, and thus the heat exchange
efficiency is improved. Besides, when the heat exchanger is used as
a condenser, the contact area between the vapor refrigerant and the
refrigerant tube is increased so that the heat exchanger having the
grooves is advantageous in improving the heat exchange
efficiency.
[0008] Meanwhile, when the heat exchanger having the related art
refrigerant tube is used as the evaporator, the liquid refrigerant
flows at an outlet portion of the refrigerant tube. When the heat
exchanger is used as the condenser, the liquid refrigerant flows at
an inlet portion of the refrigerant tube. Such a refrigerant flows
along a bottom surface of the refrigerant tube due to gravity.
[0009] Specifically, when the related art heat exchanger having the
above-described refrigerant tube is used as an evaporator, the
liquid refrigerant flows into the inlet of the evaporator.
Therefore, the contact area between the refrigerant and the inner
periphery of refrigerant tube is decreased at the inlet of the
evaporator, and thus the heat exchange efficiency of the heat
exchanger is degraded. That is, there is a drawback that the
refrigerant is not completely vaporized because the degree of
superheat of the evaporator is lowered.
[0010] Moreover, when the heat exchanger is used as a condenser,
the liquid flows through the outlet of the condenser. Accordingly,
the contact area between the liquid refrigerant and the inner
periphery of the refrigerant tube is decreased at the outlet of the
condenser, and thus the heat exchange efficiency of the heat
exchanger is degraded. That is, there is a drawback that the
refrigerant is not completely liquidized because the degree of
supercooling of the condenser is lowered.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0011] Accordingly, the present invention is directed to a heat
exchanger that substantially obviates one or more problems due to
limitations and disadvantages of the related art.
[0012] An object of the present invention is to provide a heat
exchanger that improves heat exchange efficiency by increasing a
contact area between a refrigerant and an inner periphery of a
refrigerant tube at an inlet of the refrigerant when the heat
exchanger is used as an evaporator.
[0013] Another object of the present invention is to provide a heat
exchanger that improves heat exchange efficiency by increasing a
contact area between a refrigerant and an inner periphery of a
refrigerant tube at an outlet of the refrigerant when the heat
exchanger is used as a condenser.
[0014] Additional advantages, objects, and features of the
invention will be set forth in part in the description which
follows and in part will become apparent to those having ordinary
skill in the art upon examination of the following or may be
learned from practice of the invention. The objectives and other
advantages of the invention may be realized and attained by the
structure particularly pointed out in the written description and
claims hereof as well as the appended drawings.
[0015] To achieve these objects and other advantages and in
accordance with the purpose of the invention, as embodied and
broadly described herein, there is provided a heat exchanger,
including: a tube through which a refrigerant flows; a fin disposed
on an outer periphery of the tube; and an agitating member inserted
into the tube, and agitating the refrigerant.
[0016] In another aspect of the present invention, there is
provided a heat exchanger, including: a tube; a fin contacting the
tube to be thermally in contact with an external air; and an
agitating member spiraled a plurality of times for increasing a
contact area between a liquid refrigerant and an inner periphery of
the tube, the agitating member being provided inside the tube.
[0017] When the heat exchanger according to the present invention
is used as an evaporator, a contact area between a liquid
refrigerant and an inner periphery of the refrigerant tube at an
inlet of the evaporator is increased. Thus, it is possible to
increase heat exchange efficiency.
[0018] In addition, when the heat exchanger according to the
present invention is used as condenser, a contact area between a
liquid refrigerant and an inner periphery of the refrigerant tube
at an outlet of the condenser is increased. Thus, it is possible to
increase heat exchange efficiency.
[0019] It is to be understood that both the foregoing general
description and the following detailed description of the present
invention are exemplary and explanatory and are intended to provide
further explanation of the invention as claimed.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0020] The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a
further understanding of the invention and are incorporated in and
constitute a part of this application, illustrate embodiment(s) of
the invention and together with the description serve to explain
the principle of the invention. In the drawings:
[0021] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a heat exchanger according
to the preset invention;
[0022] FIG. 2 is a sectional view of a refrigerant tube according
to a refrigerant tube;
[0023] FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a
connection of the refrigerant tube according to the present
invention;
[0024] FIG. 4 is a partially sectional perspective view taken along
line I-I of FIG. 3; and
[0025] FIG. 5 is a graph of experimental data illustrating a
performance comparison result of a related art heat exchanger and
the heat exchanger according to the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0026] Reference will now be made in detail to the preferred
embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are
illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the
same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to
refer to the same or like parts.
[0027] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a heat exchanger 1 according
to the present invention.
[0028] Referring to FIG. 1, the heat exchanger 1 according to the
present invention includes a refrigerant tube 10 through which a
refrigerant flows, heat exchange fins 20 penetrated by the
refrigerant tube 10 and arranged at regular distances, and an
agitating member 30 inserted into the refrigerant tube 10.
[0029] Specifically, the heat exchange fin 20 is formed from a thin
plate with high thermal conductivity and is attached on an outer
periphery of the tube 10, thereby increasing a heat exchange area
between the refrigerant and an air current S and thermal
conductivity.
[0030] FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the refrigerant tube 10
according to a refrigerant tube.
[0031] Referring to FIG. 2, a plurality of protrusions 13 are
formed on an inner periphery of the refrigerant tube 10 in spiral
shape.
[0032] In detail, the protrusions 13 are formed such that they
scrape along the inner periphery of the refrigerant tube 10 in a
spiral direction. These protrusions 13 play a role in improving
heat transfer capability by increasing a contact area with the
refrigerant tube 10 when the refrigerant flows through the
refrigerant tube 10.
[0033] The agitating member 30 having a helical shape is inserted
into the refrigerant tube 10. Specifically, the agitating member 30
changes the flow of the refrigerant flowing through the refrigerant
tube 10 so that the contact area between the refrigerant and the
inner periphery of the refrigerant tube 10 is increased.
[0034] That is, the flow of the refrigerant flowing through the
refrigerant tube 10 is changed into turbulent flow from laminar
flow, which increases the contact area between the refrigerant and
the refrigerant tube 10.
[0035] FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a
connection of the refrigerant tube 10 according to the present
invention, and FIG. 4 is a partially sectional perspective view
taken along line I-I of FIG. 3.
[0036] Referring to FIG. 3, the refrigerant tubes 10 of the heat
exchanger 1 according to the present invention is prepared such
that a plurality of U-shaped pipes are mutually connected to each
other by a return band 11. The agitating member 30 is inserted into
an end of the refrigerant tube 10.
[0037] Here, the agitating member has a length extending from one
end of the refrigerant tube 10 to the other end from which a
curvature starts. Therefore, turbulence phenomenon does not occur
due to the flow of the refrigerant in a state that the agitating
member 30 is inserted into the refrigerant tube 10.
[0038] Referring to FIG. 4, the agitating member 30 according to
the present invention is shaped such that a rim-shaped member with
a predetermined width and thickness T is spirally wound.
[0039] In detail, the spirally shaped agitating member 30 is formed
in the shape of a spring having a predetermined inner diameter D1
and a predetermined outer diameter D2.
[0040] In more detail, it is preferable that the inner diameter D1
of the agitating member 30 be 25-40% of an inner diameter D3 of the
refrigerant tube 10 in consideration of flow resistance of the
refrigerant and the contact area between the liquid refrigerant and
the inner periphery of the refrigerant tube 10.
[0041] In other words, when the diameter D1 of the agitating member
30 is less than 25% of the inner diameter D3 of the refrigerant
tube 10, the contact area between the liquid refrigerant and the
refrigerant tube 10 is increased and a flow resistance of the
refrigerant is increased as well. Therefore, the heat exchange
capability of the heat exchanger 1 is degraded.
[0042] On the contrary, when the inner diameter D1 of the agitating
member 30 is greater than 40% of the inner diameter D3 of the
refrigerant tube 10, the flow resistance of the refrigerant is
decreased and the contact area between the liquid refrigerant and
the refrigerant tube 10 is also decreased, which causes the heat
exchange capability of the heat exchanger 1 to be degraded.
[0043] In addition, in consideration of a contact area between the
protrusions 13 formed in the refrigerant tube 10 and the flow
resistance of the refrigerant, it is preferable that the outer
diameter D2 of the agitating member 30 be 95% or less of the inner
diameter D3 of the refrigerant tube 10.
[0044] That is, when a diameter D2 of the agitating member 30 is
greater than 95% of the diameter D3 of the refrigerant tube 10, the
contact area between the refrigerant and the protrusion 13 is
increased but the flow resistance of the refrigerant is also
increased, whereby the heat exchange capability of the thermal
exchanger 1 is degraded.
[0045] In addition, to reduce the flow resistance of the
refrigerant, it is preferable that a distance P between pitches of
the agitating member 30 be greater than the inner diameter D3 of
the refrigerant tube 10 at least.
[0046] Preferably, the agitating member 30 having the above shape
is inserted into an inside portion of the refrigerant tube 30
through which the liquid refrigerant flows.
[0047] In other words, a vapor refrigerant can contact the inner
periphery of the refrigerant tube 10 with ease but the liquid
refrigerant is generally in contact with a bottom portion of the
refrigerant tube 10 due to its own viscosity and gravity. Thus, it
is preferable that the liquid refrigerant flowing through the
refrigerant tube 10 contacts the inner periphery of the refrigerant
tube 10 to increase a heat exchange area.
[0048] Specifically, when the heat exchanger 1 is used as an
evaporator, a binary phase refrigerant that has undergone an
expansion procedure flows into an inlet of the evaporator. Since
the amount of liquid refrigerant is more than the amount of vapor
refrigerant at the inlet of the evaporator, it is preferable that
the agitating member 30 be provided to the inlet of the
evaporator.
[0049] Contrariwise, when the heat exchanger 1 is used as a
condenser, a vapor refrigerant with high pressure and temperature
that has passed through a compressor flows into an inlet of the
condenser, and a liquid refrigerant with high temperature flows
into an outlet of the condenser through condensation procedure.
Accordingly, it is preferable that the agitating member 30 be
provided to the outlet of the condenser.
[0050] Thereinafter, the performance of the heat exchanger 1 having
the above-mentioned structure will be described with reference to a
graph showing experimental data.
[0051] FIG. 5 is a graph of experimental data illustrating a
performance comparison result of a related art heat exchanger and
the heat exchanger according to the present invention.
[0052] Referring to FIG. 5, when the heat exchanger 1 is used as an
evaporator, a low temperature liquid refrigerant flows into the
inlet of the evaporator, and is heat-exchanged with an external air
while it flowing through the refrigerant tube 10 so that the low
temperature liquid refrigerant is changed into a low temperature
vapor refrigerant. In detail, the liquid refrigerant flowing
through the refrigerant tube 10 absorbs the heat of the air current
S transferred through the fin 20. Therefore, the low temperature
liquid refrigerant is changed into the vapor refrigerant and the
vapor refrigerant then flows out through the outlet of the
evaporator. The heat of the air current S is transferred to the
refrigerant, and thus the air becomes cool.
[0053] Meanwhile, it was confirmed that the heat of evaporation of
the evaporator employing the inventive refrigerant tube 10 having
the agitating member 30 is increased to 101.7% assuming that the
heat of evaporation of the related art heat exchanger be 100%. That
is, when the heat exchanger 1 having the refrigerant tube structure
according to the present invention is used as the evaporator, it
was understood from FIG. 5 that the heat exchanger absorbs more
heat, i.e., about 1.7%, from the air current S in comparison with
the related art evaporator, and thus its heat exchanging capability
is improved.
[0054] In addition, when the heat exchanger 1 is used as a
condenser, a high temperature vapor refrigerant flows into an inlet
of a condenser, and is changed into a high temperature liquid
refrigerant while it flowing through the refrigerant tube 10. That
is, after the heat of the vapor refrigerant is released into the
air current S through the fins 20 so that the vapor refrigerant is
changed into the liquid refrigerant, the liquid refrigerant flows
out through the outlet of the condenser.
[0055] Furthermore, it was confirmed from FIG. 5 that the heat of
condensation of the condenser employing the inventive refrigerant
tube 10 is increased to 102.7% assuming that the heat of
condensation of the related art heat exchanger be 100%. That is,
when the heat exchanger having the refrigerant tube structure
according to the present invention is used as the condenser, it was
understood that the heat exchanger release more heat, i.e., about
2.7%, into the air current S in comparison with the related art
evaporator, and thus its heat exchanging capability is
improved.
[0056] As described above, according to the present invention, the
amount of heat exchange of the refrigerant with the external air
can be increased by inserting the agitating member 30 into the
refrigerant tube 10, because the agitating member 30 increases the
contact area with the inner periphery of the refrigerant tube by
changing the flow of the refrigerant.
[0057] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various
modifications and variations can be made in the present invention.
Thus, it is intended that the present invention covers the
modifications and variations of this invention provided they come
within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.
* * * * *