U.S. patent application number 12/637975 was filed with the patent office on 2011-06-16 for fluid distribution device.
This patent application is currently assigned to DELPHI TECHNOLOGIES, INC.. Invention is credited to Frederick Vincent Oddi, Gary Scott Vreeland.
Application Number | 20110139422 12/637975 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 44141626 |
Filed Date | 2011-06-16 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110139422 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Oddi; Frederick Vincent ; et
al. |
June 16, 2011 |
FLUID DISTRIBUTION DEVICE
Abstract
A heat exchanger assembly including a first manifold extending
along an axis between first manifold ends and including an inner
wall presenting an interior. A fluid distribution device is
disposed in the interior of the first manifold and includes an
inlet tube extending along the axis from an inlet end to a
distribution end. The inlet tube presents a plurality of apertures
spaced circumferentially from one another and spaced axially from
the distribution end for dispensing the refrigerant in a radial
direction out of the inlet tube. The fluid distribution device
further includes a collar surrounding and spaced radially from the
inlet tube and extending axially in both directions axially from
the apertures of the inlet tube for redirecting into an axial
direction the refrigerant flowing in the radial direction out of
the apertures to evenly distribute the refrigerant across the
interior of the first manifold.
Inventors: |
Oddi; Frederick Vincent;
(Orchard Park, NY) ; Vreeland; Gary Scott;
(Medina, NY) |
Assignee: |
DELPHI TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
TROY
MI
|
Family ID: |
44141626 |
Appl. No.: |
12/637975 |
Filed: |
December 15, 2009 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
165/173 ;
137/561R |
Current CPC
Class: |
F28F 9/027 20130101;
Y10T 137/8593 20150401 |
Class at
Publication: |
165/173 ;
137/561.R |
International
Class: |
F28F 9/02 20060101
F28F009/02 |
Claims
1. A heat exchanger assembly for transferring heat between a first
fluid and a second fluid, said assembly comprising: a first
manifold extending along an axis between first manifold ends and
including an inner wall presenting an interior; a fluid
distribution device disposed in said interior of said first
manifold and including an inlet tube extending along said axis from
an inlet end to a distribution end; said inlet tube presenting at
least one aperture for dispensing the first fluid in a radial
direction out of said inlet tube and into said interior of said
first manifold; and said fluid distribution device including a
collar surrounding and spaced radially from said inlet tube and
extending axially in both directions axially from said at least one
aperture of said inlet tube for re-directing into an axial
direction the first fluid flowing in said radial direction out of
said at least one aperture to evenly distribute the first fluid
across said interior of said first manifold.
2. The assembly as set forth in claim 1 including at least one
spoke extending in a radial direction from said inlet tube to said
collar for supporting said collar in said interior of said first
manifold.
3. The assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein said collar has a
cylindrical shape and is spaced radially between said inlet tube
and said inner wall of said first manifold.
4. The assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein said inlet end of
said inlet tube of said fluid distribution device is disposed
adjacent to one of said first manifold ends for receiving the first
fluid.
5. The assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein said distribution
end of said inlet tube is disposed axially between said first
manifold ends and is closed for restricting the first fluid from
flowing axially out of said inlet tube and for mixing gaseous and
liquid phases of the first fluid.
6. The assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein said first manifold
has a first manifold diameter and wherein said inlet tube has a
tube diameter smaller than said first manifold diameter.
7. The assembly as set forth in claim 1 further including a second
manifold extending in spaced and parallel relationship with said
first manifold.
8. The assembly as set forth in claim 7 wherein said first manifold
presents a plurality of first tube slots spaced from one another
along said axis and wherein said second manifold presents a
plurality of second tube slots spaced from one another and aligned
with said first tube slots of said first manifold.
9. The assembly as set forth in claim 8 further including a heat
exchanger core disposed between said first and second manifolds and
including a plurality of tubes extending into said aligned first
and second tube slots for conveying the first refrigerant from said
first manifold to said second manifold.
10. The assembly as set forth in claim 9 wherein said heat
exchanger core includes a plurality of air fins disposed between
said tubes for transferring heat between the first fluid in said
tubes and the second fluid.
11. The assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein said at least one
aperture is further defined as a plurality of apertures spaced
circumferentially from one another.
12. The assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein said at least one
aperture is spaced axially from said distribution end of said inlet
tube.
13. A fluid distribution device for distributing a first fluid in
an axial direction, comprising: an inlet tube extending along an
axis from an inlet end to a distribution end and presenting at
least one aperture for dispensing the first fluid in a radial
direction out of said inlet tube; and a collar surrounding and
spaced radially from said inlet tube and extending axially in both
directions axially from said at least one aperture of said inlet
tube for re-directing into an axial direction the first fluid
flowing in said radial direction out of said apertures.
14. A heat exchanger assembly for transferring heat between a
refrigerant having a gaseous phase and a liquid phase and a stream
of air, said assembly comprising: a first manifold extending along
an axis between first manifold ends and including an inner wall
having a first manifold diameter and presenting an interior; a
second manifold extending in spaced and parallel relationship with
said first manifold; said first manifold presenting a plurality of
first tube slots spaced from one another along said axis; said
second manifold presenting a plurality of second tube slots spaced
from one another and aligned with said first tube slots of said
first manifold; a heat exchanger core disposed between said first
and second manifolds and including a plurality of tubes extending
into said aligned first and second tube slots for conveying the
refrigerant from said first manifold to said second manifold; said
heat exchanger core including a plurality of air fins disposed
between said tubes for transferring heat between the refrigerant in
said tubes and the stream of air; a fluid distribution device
disposed in said interior of said first manifold and including an
inlet tube having a tube diameter smaller than said first manifold
diameter and extending along said axis from an inlet end to a
distribution end for distributing the refrigerant evenly across
said first tube slots of said first manifold; said inlet end of
said inlet tube of said fluid distribution device being disposed
adjacent to one of said first manifold ends for receiving the
refrigerant; said distribution end of said inlet tube being
disposed axially between said first manifold ends and being closed
for restricting the refrigerant from flowing axially out of said
inlet tube and for mixing the gaseous and liquid phases of the
refrigerant; said inlet tube defining a plurality of apertures
spaced circumferentially from one another and spaced axially from
said distribution end for dispensing the refrigerant in a radial
direction out of said inlet tube and into said interior of said
first manifold; said fluid distribution device including a collar
having cylindrical shape surrounding said inlet tube and spaced
radially between said inlet tube and said inner wall of said first
manifold and extending axially in both directions axially from said
apertures of said inlet tube for re-directing into an axial
direction the refrigerant flowing in said radial direction out of
said apertures to evenly distribute the refrigerant across said
interior of said first manifold; and said fluid distribution device
including at least one spoke extending in said radial direction
from said inlet tube to said collar for supporting said collar in
said interior of said first manifold.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] A heat exchanger assembly for transferring heat between a
first fluid and a second fluid.
[0003] 2. Description of the Prior Art
[0004] U.S. Pat. No. 5,806,586, issued to Osthues et al. on Sep.
15, 1998, shows a heat exchanger assembly including a first
manifold extending along an axis between first manifold ends and
including an inner wall presenting an interior. A fluid
distribution device is disposed in the interior of the first
manifold and includes an inlet tube extending along the axis from
an inlet end to a distribution end. The inlet tube presents a
plurality of apertures spaced from one another and spaced axially
from the distribution end for dispensing the first fluid in a
radial direction out of the inlet tube and into the interior of the
first manifold.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] The invention provides for a heat exchanger assembly wherein
the fluid distribution device includes a collar surrounding and
spaced radially from the inlet tube and extending axially in both
directions axially from the apertures of the inlet tube for
re-directing into an axial direction the refrigerant flowing in the
radial direction out of the apertures to evenly distribute the
first fluid across the interior of the first manifold.
[0006] The heat exchanger assembly improves on the prior art by
distributing the first fluid across the interior of the first
manifold more evenly. The improved fluid distribution device can be
used over a broad range of heat exchanger sizes and operating
points without sacrificing performance. In the prior art, low
velocity, low flow rates of first fluid tend to reduce distribution
of the first fluid to one end of the manifold, while high velocity,
high flow rates tend to reduce distribution of the first fluid to
the other end of the manifold. The improved fluid distribution
device forces all of the fluid to exit the insert at a single
position along the length. As it exits through the apertures,
gaseous and liquid phases of the first fluid remix. After exiting
in the radial direction, the collar directs the first fluid in the
axial direction in the interior of the first manifold, resulting in
uniform distribution of the first fluid. The resulting distribution
is not dependent upon operating points or manifold length.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] Other advantages of the present invention will be readily
appreciated, as the same becomes better understood by reference to
the following detailed description when considered in connection
with the accompanying drawings wherein:
[0008] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the heat exchanger assembly
and showing the first and second manifolds being broken away;
[0009] FIG. 2 is a perspective and fragmentary view of the fluid
distribution device; and
[0010] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the fluid distribution
device taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 1.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENT
[0011] Referring to the Figures, wherein like numerals indicate
corresponding parts throughout the several views, a heat exchanger
assembly 20 for transferring heat between a first fluid and a
second fluid is generally shown. The first fluid of the exemplary
embodiment is a refrigerant, and the second fluid of the exemplary
embodiment is a stream of air. It should be appreciated that other
first and second fluids may be used.
[0012] The heat exchanger assembly 20 includes a first manifold 22
extending along an axis A between first manifold ends 24. The first
manifold end 24 has an inner wall 26 having a first manifold
diameter D.sub.M and presenting an interior. The first manifold 22
presents a plurality of first tube slots 28 spaced from one another
along the axis A. A second manifold 30 extends in spaced and
parallel relationship with the first manifold 22 and presents a
plurality of second tube slots 32 spaced from one another and
aligned with the first tube slots 28 of the first manifold 22.
[0013] A heat exchanger core 34, generally indicated in FIG. 1, is
disposed between the first and second manifolds 22, 30 and includes
a plurality of tubes 36 extending into the aligned first and second
tube slots 28, 32 for conveying the refrigerant from the first
manifold 22 to the second manifold 30. The heat exchanger core 34
further includes a plurality of air fins 38 disposed between the
tubes 36 for transferring heat between the refrigerant in the tubes
36 and the stream of air.
[0014] A fluid distribution device 40, generally shown in FIG. 2
and generally indicated in FIG. 3, is disposed in the interior of
the first manifold 22. The fluid distribution device 40 includes an
inlet tube 42 having a tube diameter D.sub.T smaller than the first
manifold diameter D.sub.M and extending along the axis A from an
inlet end 44 to a distribution end 46. The inlet end 44 of the
inlet tube 42 of the fluid distribution device 40 is disposed
adjacent to one of the first manifold ends 24 for receiving the
refrigerant. The distribution end 46 of the inlet tube 42 is
disposed axially between the first manifold ends 24 and is
substantially closed for restricting the refrigerant from flowing
axially out of the inlet tube 42 and for mixing the gaseous and
liquid phases of the refrigerant. In other words, the distribution
end 46 of the inlet tube 42 might have a small aperture allowing a
small amount of refrigerant to flow axially out of the inlet tube
42. The inlet tube 42 of the fluid distribution device 40 defines
at least one aperture 48 spaced axially from the distribution end
46 for dispensing the refrigerant in a radial direction out of the
inlet tube 42 and into the interior of the first manifold 22. The
exemplary embodiment shows the fluid distribution device 40 as
having a plurality of apertures 48 spaced circumferentially from
one another.
[0015] The fluid distribution device 40 further includes a collar
50 having a cylindrical shape surrounding the inlet tube 42. In the
exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the collar 50 is spaced
radially between the inlet tube 42 and the inner wall 26 of the
first manifold 22. The collar 50 extends axially in both directions
axially from the apertures 48 of the inlet tube 42 for re-directing
into an axial direction the refrigerant flowing in the radial
direction out of the apertures 48 to evenly distribute the
refrigerant across the interior of the first manifold 22. As best
shown in FIG. 2, in the exemplary embodiment, the fluid
distribution device 40 includes at least one spoke 52 extending in
the radial direction from the inlet tube 42 to the collar 50 for
supporting the collar 50 in the interior of the first manifold 22.
It should be appreciated that the collar 50 can be held in place
using other means including spokes 52 extending between the inner
wall 26 of the first manifold 22 and the collar 50 (not shown).
[0016] In operation, the refrigerant enters the heat exchanger
assembly 20 through the inlet tube 42 of the fluid distribution
device 40. As shown in FIG. 3, the refrigerant flows axially
through the inlet tube 42 until it reaches the closed distribution
end 46. The closed distribution end 46 causes any gaseous and
liquid phases to mix before the refrigerant flows in the radial
direction out of the apertures 48 of the inlet tube 42. Upon
exiting the inlet tube 42, the refrigerant is re-directed by the
collar 50 into an axial direction toward one of the first manifold
ends 24 so that the refrigerant is evenly distributed across the
interior of the first manifold 22. The refrigerant is distributed
evenly into the tubes 36 of the heat exchanger core 34, and the
refrigerant flows through the tubes 36 to the second manifold 30.
The refrigerant exits the exemplary embodiment heat exchanger
assembly 20 through the second manifold 30.
[0017] It should be appreciated that the heat exchanger assembly 20
can be used as an evaporator, a condenser, or any other type of
construction. Additionally, although the heat exchanger assembly 20
of the exemplary embodiment is a one-pass heat exchanger, the fluid
distribution device 40 can also be used in a multi-pass heat
exchanger assembly 20. The invention is also applicable to
refrigerant to liquid heat exchangers where the second fluid is a
liquid as opposed to a stream of air as shown in the exemplary
embodiment.
[0018] While the invention has been described with reference to an
exemplary embodiment, it will be understood by those skilled in the
art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be
substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope
of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to
adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the
invention without departing from the essential scope thereof.
Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the
particular embodiment disclosed as the best mode contemplated for
carrying out this invention, but that the invention will include
all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended
claims.
* * * * *