U.S. patent application number 12/952936 was filed with the patent office on 2011-09-22 for distributor, and evaporator and refrigerating machine with the same.
Invention is credited to Hyung Jun Lee.
Application Number | 20110226005 12/952936 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 44601210 |
Filed Date | 2011-09-22 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110226005 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Lee; Hyung Jun |
September 22, 2011 |
DISTRIBUTOR, AND EVAPORATOR AND REFRIGERATING MACHINE WITH THE
SAME
Abstract
Provided are a distributor having a distribution tube having an
inner surface formed as a curved surface, a plurality of
distribution holes which are formed in a lower semicircular region
of the distribution tube with respect to a horizontal line of the
distribution tube and are arranged to be symmetrical about a
vertical line of the distribution tube and a connection hole
provided in the distribution tube so that the distribution tube is
connected to a connection tube, an evaporator and a refrigerating
machine with the distributor. A perforated plate may be fixed to an
inside of the distribution tube so as to block a flow path of a
cooling medium.
Inventors: |
Lee; Hyung Jun;
(Chuncheon-si, KR) |
Family ID: |
44601210 |
Appl. No.: |
12/952936 |
Filed: |
November 23, 2010 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
62/498 ;
62/515 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F28D 2021/0071 20130101;
F28F 9/0278 20130101; F25B 2339/0242 20130101; F25B 39/028
20130101; F28F 9/0273 20130101; F28D 7/163 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
62/498 ;
62/515 |
International
Class: |
F25B 1/00 20060101
F25B001/00; F25B 39/02 20060101 F25B039/02 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Mar 17, 2010 |
KR |
10-2010-0023686 |
Claims
1. A distributor comprising: a distribution tube having an inner
surface formed as a curved surface; a plurality of distribution
holes which are formed in a lower semicircular region of the
distribution tube with respect to a horizontal line of the
distribution tube and are arranged to be symmetrical about a
vertical line of the distribution tube; and a connection hole
provided in the distribution tube so that the distribution tube is
connected to a connection tube.
2. The distributor according to claim 1, wherein a perforated plate
is fixed to an inside of the distribution tube so as to block a
flow path of a cooling medium.
3. The distributor according to claim 2, wherein the distribution
holes are arranged with an angle of 1.degree. to 60.degree. from
the horizontal line with respect to a center point where the
horizontal line and the vertical line intersect.
4. An evaporator comprising a distributor, wherein the distributor
includes: a distribution tube having an inner surface formed as a
curved surface; a plurality of distribution holes which are formed
in a lower semicircular region of the distribution tube with
respect to a horizontal line of the distribution tube and are
arranged to be symmetrical about a vertical line of the
distribution tube; and a connection hole provided in the
distribution tube so that the distribution tube is connected to a
connection tube.
5. The evaporator according to claim 4, wherein a perforated plate
is fixed to an inside of the distribution tube so as to block a
flow path of a cooling medium.
6. The evaporator according to claim 5, wherein the distribution
holes are arranged with an angle of 1.degree. to 60.degree. from
the horizontal line with respect to a center point where the
horizontal line and the vertical line intersect.
7. The evaporator according to claim 6, further comprising a
perforated plate member which is disposed above a position at which
the distribution tube is disposed, so as to be fixed to the
evaporator.
8. A vapor-compression refrigerating machine including the
evaporator according to claim 4.
9. A vapor-compression refrigerating machine including the
evaporator according to claim 5.
10. A vapor-compression refrigerating machine including the
evaporator according to claim 6.
11. A vapor-compression refrigerating machine including the
evaporator according to claim 7.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims priority to Korean Patent
Application No. 10-2010-0023686, filed on Mar. 17, 2010, and all
the benefits accruing therefrom under 35 U.S.C. .sctn.119, the
contents of which in its entirety are herein incorporated by
reference.
BACKGROUND
[0002] 1. Field
[0003] This disclosure relates to a distributor, and an evaporator
and a refrigerating machine with the distributor, and more
particularly, to a distributor which is improved to cause a cooling
medium to form a stable flow and a steady circulation when flowing
from a condenser into an evaporator, and an evaporator and a
refrigerating machine with the distributor.
[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0005] In general, a vapor-compression refrigerating machine is
composed of a compressor, a condenser, an expansion valve, and an
evaporator. To roughly describe a refrigeration cycle of such a
vapor-compression refrigerating machine, a cooling medium in a gas
state is compressed to a relatively high pressure by the
compressor, is supplied to the condenser, releases heat, and then
is condensed to a liquid state.
[0006] The condensed cooling medium in the liquid state passes
through an expansion value (typically an expansion valve, a
capillary tube, an orifice, an expansion turbine, or the like) is
subjected to a throttling operation and becomes a relatively
low-pressure state, and is then distributed and supplied to the
evaporator. Here, a distributor is provided in the evaporator, so
that the cooling medium flowing into the evaporator is distributed
and supplied inside the evaporator.
[0007] Then, the cooling medium passing through the evaporator
absorbs heat in the evaporator and is converted to the gas state,
and is flown into the compressor again so as to be circulated. A
series of those operations are performed repeatedly.
[0008] Particularly, the cooling medium in the liquid state
condensed by the condenser is generally depressurized through the
throttling operation of the expansion valve, and thus forms a
two-phase fluid state including a saturated liquid and a saturated
vapor. The two-phase fluids of the cooling medium are mixed with
each other and supplied to the evaporator in an unstable state.
[0009] FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a general
distributor provided in an evaporator 10 of a refrigerating machine
employing a vapor-compression refrigeration cycle. FIG. 2 is a
cross-sectional view taken along the line A-A of FIG. 1.
[0010] As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, in a case where the
two-phase fluid cooling medium is supplied to the inside of the
evaporator 10, the cooling medium is flown through a connection
hole 16 of a distribution tube 14 of a distributor 12, which is
provided close to the bottom of the inside of the evaporator 10.
Simultaneously, the cooling medium flows toward the bottom through
a plurality of distribution holes 18 to be distributed and
supplied.
[0011] In the two-phase fluid cooling medium, the cooling medium in
the gas state has much larger specific volume than the cooling
medium in the liquid state, and a flow of the cooling medium in the
liquid state is interfered with by the cooling medium in the gas
state. Particularly, since the distribution tube 14 has a
rectangular and flat shape, resistance to the flow of the cooling
medium along the flowing direction is higher as compared to a
curved structure. Therefore, the flow of the cooling medium is in
unstable state, and the circulation is significantly amplified.
[0012] In addition, since the center of the distribution hole 18
faces the bottom of the evaporator directly below in the vertical
direction, in a case where the cooling medium hits against the
bottom of the evaporator, an influence of the collision becomes
significant, and a liquid surface of the cooling medium of the
evaporator fluctuates excessively. During the suction of the
cooling medium liquid and the bubbling liquid through a suction
pipe 20, liquid suction into the compressor may result in
degradation of the compressor performance. Moreover, as bubbles are
produced in the liquid surface of the cooling medium, heat transfer
efficiency and heat exchange performance of the evaporator are
further degraded.
[0013] As a result, in the existing distributor, due to the
structural problems as described above, heat transfer efficiency
and heat exchange performance of the evaporator are degraded, and
the performance of the compressor is degraded due to excessive
generation of bubbles and the liquid suction phenomenon. Therefore,
it is difficult to enhance the efficiency and performance of the
refrigerating machine. Reference numeral 22 in the figure not
described above denotes a heat exchange pipe group.
SUMMARY
[0014] This disclosure is directed to providing an evaporator and a
refrigerating machine with the distributor, and more particularly,
a distributor capable of forming a stable flow and a steady
circulation while a cooling medium flows from a condenser into an
evaporator by applying a distributor which is improved to have a
structure in which a stable flow and a steady circulation are
formed and spread uniformly, and an evaporator and a refrigerating
machine with the distributor.
[0015] In one aspect, there is provided a distributor including: a
distribution tube having an inner surface formed as a curved
surface; a plurality of distribution holes which are formed in a
lower semicircular region of the distribution tube with respect to
a horizontal line X of the distribution tube and are arranged to be
symmetrical about a vertical line Y of the distribution tube; and a
connection hole provided in the distribution tube so that the
distribution tube is connected to a connection tube.
[0016] A perforated plate may be fixed to an inside of the
distribution tube so as to block a flow path of a cooling
medium.
[0017] In another aspect, there is provided an evaporator having a
distributor, the distributor including: a distribution tube having
an inner surface formed as a curved surface; a plurality of
distribution holes which are formed in a lower semicircular region
of the distribution tube with respect to a horizontal line X of the
distribution tube and are arranged to be symmetrical about a
vertical line Y of the distribution tube; and a connection hole
provided in the distribution tube so that the distribution tube is
connected to a connection tube.
[0018] The evaporator may further include a perforated plate member
which is disposed above a position at which the distribution tube
is disposed, so as to be fixed to the evaporator.
[0019] In another aspect, there is provided a vapor-compression
refrigerating machine including the evaporator.
[0020] In accordance with the present disclosure, the cooling
medium forms a stable flow and a steady circulation when flowing
into the evaporator from the condenser and is supplied to the
evaporator in a uniformly spread state. Thus, vibration of a liquid
surface of the cooling medium in the evaporator is suppressed, and
degradation of performance of the compressor due to liquid suction
may be prevented.
[0021] Moreover, bubble generation that occurs in the liquid
surface of the cooling medium is suppressed, so that heat transfer
efficiency and the heat exchange performance of the evaporator are
increased, thereby enhancing the performance and efficiency of the
refrigerating machine.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0022] The above and other aspects, features and advantages of the
disclosed exemplary embodiments will be more apparent from the
following detailed description taken in conjunction with the
accompanying drawings in which:
[0023] FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a general
distributor provided in an evaporator of a refrigerating machine
employing a vapor-compression refrigeration cycle;
[0024] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line A-A of
FIG. 1;
[0025] FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating a distributor
provided in an evaporator of a refrigerating machine employing a
vapor-compression refrigeration cycle according to an
embodiment;
[0026] FIG. 4 is an enlarged perspective view illustrating a
distribution tube of FIG. 3; and
[0027] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line B-B of
FIG. 3.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0028] Exemplary embodiments now will be described more fully
hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which
exemplary embodiments are shown. This disclosure may, however, be
embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as
limited to the exemplary embodiments set forth therein. Rather,
these exemplary embodiments are provided so that this disclosure
will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of
this disclosure to those skilled in the art. In the description,
details of well-known features and techniques may be omitted to
avoid unnecessarily obscuring the presented embodiments.
[0029] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing
particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of
this disclosure. As used herein, the singular forms "a", "an" and
"the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the
context clearly indicates otherwise. Furthermore, the use of the
terms a, an, etc. does not denote a limitation of quantity, but
rather denotes the presence of at least one of the referenced item.
It will be further understood that the terms "comprises" and/or
"comprising", or "includes" and/or "including" when used in this
specification, specify the presence of stated features, regions,
integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do
not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other
features, regions, integers, steps, operations, elements,
components, and/or groups thereof.
[0030] Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and
scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly
understood by one of ordinary skill in the art. It will be further
understood that terms, such as those defined in commonly used
dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is
consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art
and the present disclosure, and will not be interpreted in an
idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined
herein.
[0031] In the drawings, like reference numerals in the drawings
denote like elements. The shape, size and regions, and the like, of
the drawing may be exaggerated for clarity.
[0032] Hereinafter, a distributor, and an evaporator and a
refrigerating machine with the distributor according to exemplary
embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the
accompanying drawings.
[0033] FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating a distributor
provided in an evaporator of a refrigerating machine employing a
vapor-compression refrigeration cycle according to an embodiment.
FIG. 4 is an enlarged perspective view illustrating a distribution
tube of FIG. 3, and FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along
the line B-B of FIG. 3. In FIGS. 3 to 5, like elements which are
the same as those in FIGS. 1 and 2 are given like reference
numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.
[0034] As illustrated in FIGS. 3 to 5, a distributor 30 according
to an embodiment includes a circular distribution tube 32, and a
perforated plate member 34 may be disposed above the distribution
tube 32.
[0035] The distribution tube 32 is provided with distribution holes
36. The distribution holes 36 are provided in a lower semicircular
region with respect to a horizontal line X of the distribution tube
and are arranged on both sides to be symmetrical about a vertical
line Y of the distribution tube 32. In addition, the distribution
tube 32 is provided with a connection hole 40 to be connected to a
connection tube 38.
[0036] A plurality of the distribution holes 36 are formed in the
lower semicircular region with respect to the horizontal line X of
the circular distribution tube 32. Here, with respect to a center
point O where the horizontal line X and the vertical line Y
intersect, the distribution holes 36 may be arranged with an angle
.theta. of 1.degree. to 60.degree. from the horizontal line X. More
specifically, the distribution holes 36 may be arranged with an
angle .theta. of 30.degree. to 60.degree. from the horizontal line
X.
[0037] When the distribution holes 36 are formed as described
above, the central direction of the distribution holes 36 is
obliquely inclined with respect to the vertical line Y.
[0038] In a case where the distributor 30 is provided inside the
evaporator 10, the circular distributor 32 is provided horizontally
and close to the bottom of the evaporator 10, and the distribution
holes 36 are arranged to face the bottom surface.
[0039] In addition, in the vapor-compression refrigerating machine
including a compressor, a condenser, an expansion valve, and an
evaporator, so as to allow the cooling medium condensed by the
condenser to flow into the distribution tube 32 through the
expansion valve, the connection tube 38 connected to the condenser
side is connected to the connection hole 40 of the distribution
tube 32.
[0040] In addition, inside the distribution tube 32, a perforated
plate 42 is disposed and fixed as a partition structure for
blocking the distribution tube 32.
[0041] Above the distribution tube 32, the perforated plate member
34 is further disposed and fixed. An arrangement structure in which
one or more of the perforated plate members 34 are stacked and
arranged may be employed depending on a circulation state of the
cooling medium.
[0042] Therefore, two-phase fluid cooling medium condensed by the
condenser is flown into the circular distribution tube 32 through
the expansion valve. Here, since an inner surface of the
distribution tube 32 is a curved surface which is formed as a
circle, resistance to the flow of the cooling medium is minimized,
and a natural flow is induced.
[0043] Particularly, the perforated plate 42 included in the
distribution tube 32 blocks circulating force of the cooling medium
flowing through the distribution tube 32 to suppress and smoothen
the circulation, so that the natural flow of the cooling medium can
be maintained.
[0044] When the natural flow of the cooling medium is maintained, a
proper flow of the cooling medium is achieved, and of course, the
circulation of the cooling medium becomes stable and steady.
[0045] The cooling medium flowing in the above-mentioned state is
flown toward the bottom surface of the evaporator 10 through the
distribution holes 36 and then supplied. According to this
embodiment, unlike the existing structure in which the cooling
medium is supplied directly below in the vertical direction, the
cooling medium is flown and supplied in the downwardly inclined
direction through the distribution holes 36 arranged with angles
.theta.. Therefore, when the cooling medium hits against the bottom
surface of the evaporator 10, the flow and spread of the cooling
medium becomes smooth, and the collision force is reduced.
[0046] The cooing medium that has passed through the distribution
holes 36 passes through the perforated plate member 34. In this
process, the perforated plate member 34 functions as a resistance
against the circulation of the cooling medium and thus suppresses
the circulation. Therefore, the circulation of the cooling medium
is further suppressed, and due to the flat shape of the perforated
plate member 34, the cooling medium is spread uniformly.
[0047] Therefore, the cooling medium liquid forms a stable and
steady circulation due to the circular distribution tube 32 and the
perforated plate member 34, so that vibration of the liquid surface
of the cooling medium in the evaporator 10 is suppressed, and
liquid suction through a suction pipe 20 is prevented.
[0048] Accordingly, degradation of the performance of the
compressor due to the liquid suction to the compressor is
prevented, and bubble generation on the liquid surface of the
cooling medium is suppressed, thereby enhancing heat transfer
efficiency and heat exchange performance of the evaporator.
[0049] When the distributor 30 according to this embodiment is
applied to the evaporator 10, as described above, prevention of
degradation of the heat transfer efficiency and heat exchange
performance of the evaporator 10, suppression of excessive
generation of bubbles, prevention of degradation of the performance
of the compressor due to the liquid suction may be achieved. As a
result, the total efficiency and performance of the refrigerating
machine may be enhanced.
[0050] A cooling medium flux V2 of the cooling medium flowing out
through the distribution hole 36 may be calculated from a cooling
medium flux V1 of the cooling medium flowing through an inlet of
the circular distribution tube 32, i.e., the connection hole 40, a
cross-sectional area Ad of the circular destruction tube, and an
area Ah of the distribution hole, according to the following
equation.
V 2 = V 1 .times. Ad Ah ##EQU00001##
[0051] According to the equation, if the value of the cooling
medium flux V2 that forms a stable flow and a steady circulation is
known, the values of the cooling medium flux V1 of the cooling
medium flowing into the distribution tube 32, the cross-sectional
area Ad of the distribution tube 32, or the area Ah of the
distribution hole 35 can be obtained.
[0052] Therefore, using the optimized values, optimal design of the
distribution tube 32 can be made, and the distribution tube 32
capable of forming a stable and steady circulation can be designed.
Therefore, although the distribution tube 32 is illustrated to have
a circular shape in the accompanying drawings, it is apparent that
the distribution tube 32 can be modified with various shapes or
structures other than the circular shape.
[0053] Reference numeral 22 denotes a heat exchange pipe group 22
typically provided in the evaporator 10, and generally a tube sheet
(not shown) for fixing the heat exchange pipe group 22 is fixed and
disposed in the evaporator 10 as a partition. The distribution tube
32 and the perforated plate member 34 are supported by and fixed to
the tube sheet. The supporting and fixing manner of the
distribution tube 32 and the perforated plate member 34 is the same
as a method of fixing the heat exchange pipe group to the tube
sheet.
[0054] Furthermore, the distribution tube 32 and the perforated
plate member 34 need not be necessarily to the tube sheet. The
distribution tube 32 and the perforated plate member 34 may be
connected to the inner surface of the evaporator 10 to be supported
and fixed thereto.
[0055] While the exemplary embodiments have been shown and
described, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that
various changes in form and details may be made thereto without
departing from the spirit and scope of this disclosure as defined
by the appended claims.
[0056] In addition, many modifications can be made to adapt a
particular situation or material to the teachings of this
disclosure without departing from the essential scope thereof.
Therefore, it is intended that this disclosure not be limited to
the particular exemplary embodiments disclosed as the best mode
contemplated for carrying out this disclosure, but that this
disclosure will include all embodiments falling within the scope of
the appended claims.
* * * * *