U.S. patent application number 12/637814 was filed with the patent office on 2011-06-16 for two row bent evaporator.
This patent application is currently assigned to DELPHI TECHNOLOGIES, INC.. Invention is credited to Henry E. Beamer.
Application Number | 20110139425 12/637814 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 44141628 |
Filed Date | 2011-06-16 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110139425 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Beamer; Henry E. |
June 16, 2011 |
TWO ROW BENT EVAPORATOR
Abstract
A core (26) extends through a circular bend (28) greater than
180 degrees to define a first leg (30) between the bend (28) and an
inlet manifold (22) and a second leg (32) between the bend (28) and
an outlet manifold (24). The legs (30, 32) are disposed in
converging relationship from the bend (28) towards the manifolds
(22, 24) to define an acute angle (.alpha.) between the legs (30,
32). The manifolds (22, 24) are aligned in juxtaposed relationship
along an alignment axis (Y) and the legs (30, 32) are disposed in
angular relationship to a reference axis (X) to define first and
second drainage angles (.THETA..sub.1, .THETA..sub.2) between the
corresponding legs (30, 32) and the reference axis (X). The second
drainage angle (.THETA..sub.2) is >10 degrees and the first
drainage angle is (.THETA..sub.1)>20 degrees and the acute angle
(.alpha.) is >10 degrees for draining condensate along the legs
(30, 32) toward the juxtaposed manifolds (22, 24) to establish a
common drainage point of the condensate.
Inventors: |
Beamer; Henry E.;
(Middleport, NY) |
Assignee: |
DELPHI TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
Troy
MI
|
Family ID: |
44141628 |
Appl. No.: |
12/637814 |
Filed: |
December 15, 2009 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
165/175 ;
165/185 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F28D 1/0476 20130101;
F28F 17/005 20130101; F28F 1/126 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
165/175 ;
165/185 |
International
Class: |
F28F 9/02 20060101
F28F009/02 |
Claims
1. A heat exchanger assembly comprising; an inlet manifold and an
outlet manifold, a core extending between said manifolds for
conveying a working fluid from said inlet manifold to said outlet
manifold, said core extending through a bend to define a first leg
between said bend and said inlet manifold and a second leg between
said bend and said outlet manifold, and said bend extending through
a circular bend greater than 180 degrees for disposing said legs in
converging relationship from said bend towards said manifolds to
define an acute angle .alpha. between said legs.
2. An assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein said inlet and
outlet manifolds are aligned on an alignment axis Y for receiving
the flow of air in a transverse direction successively through said
second leg and said first leg.
3. An assembly as set forth in claim 2 wherein said first and
second legs are disposed in angular relationship to a reference
axis X extending perpendicular to said alignment axis Y to define a
first drainage angle .THETA..sub.1 between said first leg and said
reference axis X and a second drainage angle .THETA..sub.2 between
said second leg and reference axis X and said acute angle .alpha.
is equal to the difference between said drainage angles
(.THETA..sub.2-.THETA..sub.1) for draining condensate along said
legs toward said manifolds.
4. An assembly as set forth in claim 3 wherein said first leg has a
first length L.sub.1 between said bend and said inlet manifold and
said second leg has a second length L.sub.2 between said bend and
said outlet manifold and said first length L.sub.1 is less than
said second length L.sub.2 for aligning said manifolds in
juxtaposed relationship along said alignment axis Y for
establishing a common draining point of said condensate at said
juxtaposed manifolds.
5. An assembly as set forth in claim 4 wherein said second drainage
angle .THETA..sub.2 is equal to or greater than 10 degrees and said
first drainage angle .THETA..sub.1 is equal to or greater than 20
degrees and said acute angle .alpha. is equal to or greater than 10
degrees.
6. A heat exchanger assembly comprising; an inlet manifold and an
outlet manifold being cylindrical and extending in spaced and
parallel relationship to one another, a core extending between said
manifolds for conveying a working fluid from said inlet manifold to
said outlet manifold, said core including a plurality of tubes
extending in spaced and parallel relationship to one another
between said manifolds, said core including a plurality of air fins
extending back and forth between adjacent ones of said tubes to
present a serpentine pattern extending between said adjacent tubes,
said inlet manifold defining an inlet port for receiving the
working fluid, said outlet manifold defining an outlet port for
dispensing the working fluid, said core extending through a bend to
define a first leg having a first length L.sub.1 between said bend
and said inlet manifold and a second leg having a second length
L.sub.2 between said bend and said outlet manifold, said first and
second manifolds being aligned on an alignment axis Y for receiving
the flow of air in a transverse direction successively through said
second leg and said first leg, said first and second legs being
disposed in angular relationship to a reference axis X extending
perpendicular to said alignment axis Y to define a first drainage
angle .THETA..sub.1 between said first leg and said reference axis
X and a second drainage angle .THETA..sub.2 between said second leg
and said reference axis X, and said bend extending through a
circular bend greater than 180 degrees for disposing said legs in
converging relationship from said bend towards said manifolds to
define an acute angle .alpha. between said legs equal to the
difference between said drainage angles
(.THETA..sub.2-.THETA..sub.1), said first length L.sub.1 of said
first leg being less than said second length L.sub.2 of said second
leg for aligning said manifolds in juxtaposed relationship along
said alignment axis Y for establishing a common draining point of
said condensate at said juxtaposed manifolds, said second drainage
angle .THETA..sub.2 being equal to or greater than 10 degrees and
said first drainage angle .THETA..sub.1 being equal to or greater
than 20 degrees and said acute angle .alpha. being equal to or
greater than 10 degrees for draining condensate along said tubes
toward said manifolds.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The subject invention relates to a heat exchanger assembly
including a core extending through a bend for greater heat transfer
capacity.
[0003] 2. Description of the Prior Art
[0004] The heat exchanger assemblies to which the subject invention
pertains are systems which include overlapping or double flows of
working fluid to improve performance while minimizing space
requirements. The design and manufacture of such a heat exchanger
normally includes a first heat exchanger in fluid communication
with a second heat exchanger. However, complex and costly
communication manifolds are required to establish fluid
communication between the first and second heat exchangers while
optimally containing the pressures normally occurring in such
systems. As a result, it is common to bend the core of a heat
exchanger to provide the functionality of a heat exchanger with
overlapping or double flows of working fluid while eliminating the
complexity and cost limitations of conventional communication
manifolds.
[0005] One such heat exchanger assembly is disclosed in U.S. Pat.
No. 5,341,870 to Hughes, et al, wherein the heat exchanger assembly
includes an inlet manifold and an outlet manifold and a core
extending between the manifolds for conveying a working fluid from
the inlet manifold to the outlet manifold. The core extends through
a bend to define a first leg between the bend and the inlet
manifold and a second leg between the bend and the outlet manifold
for arranging the heat exchanger in a U or V shape.
[0006] Although the prior art heat exchangers are able to establish
overlapping or double flows of working fluid without the use of
conventional communication manifolds, there remains a need for a
heat exchanger design which improves condensate drainage.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] The invention provides for a bend extending through a
circular bend greater than 180 degrees for disposing the legs in
converging relationship from the bend towards the manifolds to
define an acute angle .alpha. between the legs.
[0008] One advantage of the invention is that the heat exchanger
assembly can be inclined in both horizontal and vertical airflow
systems for increasing the heat transfer while also providing
positive drainage toward both manifolds. In addition, the vertical
juxtaposition of the manifolds provides for a common drainage point
of the condensate at the manifolds.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] 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:
[0010] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the heat exchanger
assembly;
[0011] FIG. 2 is an edge view of the heat exchanger assembly
disposed in a vertical airflow system and illustrating the first
and second legs disposed in angular relationship to a reference or
horizontal axis X and the inlet and outlet manifolds aligned in
juxtaposed relationship along an alignment or vertical axis Y;
and
[0012] FIG. 3 is an edge view of the heat exchanger assembly
disposed in a horizontal airflow system.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS
[0013] Referring to the Figures, wherein like numerals indicate
corresponding parts throughout the several views, the invention
comprises a heat exchanger assembly 20 generally shown including an
inlet manifold 22 and an outlet manifold 24 being cylindrical and
extending in spaced and parallel relationship to one another. A
core 26 extends between the manifolds 22, 24 for conveying a
working fluid from the inlet manifold 22 to the outlet manifold 24,
and includes a plurality of tubes 28 extending in spaced and
parallel relationship to one another between the manifolds 22, 24.
The core 26 also includes a plurality of air fins 30 extending back
and forth between adjacent ones of the tubes 28 to present a
serpentine pattern extending between the adjacent tubes 28. The
inlet manifold 22 defines an inlet port 32 for receiving the
working fluid, and the outlet manifold 24 defines an outlet port 34
for dispensing the working fluid.
[0014] The core 26 extends through a bend 36 to define a first leg
38 having a first length L.sub.1 between the bend 36 and the inlet
manifold 22 and a second leg 40 having a second length L.sub.2
between the bend 36 and the outlet manifold 24. As shown in FIGS. 2
and 3, the inlet and outlet manifolds 22, 24 are aligned on an
alignment or vertical axis Y for receiving the flow of air in a
transverse direction successively through the second leg 40 and the
first leg 38. Typically the bend 36 will be placed at or close to
the midpoint of the core 26 between the manifolds 22, 24, but the
bend 36 may be offset as required. In the preferred embodiment, the
bend 36 extends through a circular bend 36 greater than 180 degrees
for disposing the legs 38, 40 in converging relationship from the
bend 36 towards the manifolds 22, 24 to define an acute angle
.alpha. between the legs 38, 40.
[0015] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the first and second legs 38, 40
are disposed in angular relationship to a reference or horizontal
axis X extending perpendicular to the alignment axis Y to define a
first drainage angle .THETA..sub.1 between the first leg 38 and the
reference axis X and a second drainage angle .THETA..sub.2 between
the second leg 40 and the reference axis X for draining condensate
along the legs 38, 40 toward the manifolds 22, 24. Accordingly, the
acute angle .alpha. between the legs 38, 40 is equal to the
difference between the drainage angles
(.THETA..sub.2-.THETA..sub.1). As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the heat
exchanger assembly 20 can accommodate the needs of both vertical
and horizontal airflow systems while positioning the inlet and
outlet manifolds 22, 24 close together to facilitate simple system
plumbing and condensate drainage from the manifolds 22, 24.
[0016] In the preferred embodiment, the second drainage angle
.THETA..sub.2 is equal to or greater than 10 degrees and the first
drainage angle .THETA..sub.1 is equal to or greater than 20 degrees
and the acute angle .alpha. is equal to or greater than 10 degrees
for improving condensate drainage along the tubes 28 toward the
manifolds 22, 24. In addition, the first length L.sub.1 of the
first leg 38 is less than the second length L.sub.2 of the second
leg 40 for aligning the manifolds 22, 24 in juxtaposed relationship
along the alignment axis Y for establishing a common draining point
of the condensate at the juxtaposed manifolds 22, 24.
[0017] 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 form 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.
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