U.S. patent application number 13/825435 was filed with the patent office on 2013-07-25 for micro-channel heat exchanger including independent heat exchange circuits and method.
This patent application is currently assigned to CARRIER CORPORATION. The applicant listed for this patent is Gerold Geppert, Hans-Joachim Huff, Sophie Catherine Mille, Rainer Schrey. Invention is credited to Gerold Geppert, Hans-Joachim Huff, Sophie Catherine Mille, Rainer Schrey.
Application Number | 20130186604 13/825435 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 44736076 |
Filed Date | 2013-07-25 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130186604 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Geppert; Gerold ; et
al. |
July 25, 2013 |
MICRO-CHANNEL HEAT EXCHANGER INCLUDING INDEPENDENT HEAT EXCHANGE
CIRCUITS AND METHOD
Abstract
A micro-channel heat exchanger including a first micro-channel
heat conduit having a first end section that extends to a second
end section through an intermediate section. The intermediate
section includes a plurality of substantially straight sections and
a plurality of bend sections that establish a first serpentine
path. The micro-channel heat exchanger also includes a second
micro-channel heat conduit having a first end portion that extends
to a second end portion through an intermediate portion. The
intermediate portion includes a plurality of substantially straight
portions and a plurality of bend portions that establish a second
serpentine path. The first serpentine path extends adjacent to the
second serpentine path with the plurality of bend portions being
interposed between the plurality of bend sections.
Inventors: |
Geppert; Gerold;
(Gustavsburg, DE) ; Huff; Hans-Joachim; (Mainz,
DE) ; Schrey; Rainer; (Wiesbaden, DE) ; Mille;
Sophie Catherine; (Hofheim am Taunus, DE) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Geppert; Gerold
Huff; Hans-Joachim
Schrey; Rainer
Mille; Sophie Catherine |
Gustavsburg
Mainz
Wiesbaden
Hofheim am Taunus |
|
DE
DE
DE
DE |
|
|
Assignee: |
CARRIER CORPORATION
Farmington
CT
|
Family ID: |
44736076 |
Appl. No.: |
13/825435 |
Filed: |
September 21, 2011 |
PCT Filed: |
September 21, 2011 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/US2011/052480 |
371 Date: |
March 21, 2013 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61384921 |
Sep 21, 2010 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
165/140 ;
165/151; 29/890.03 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B21D 53/02 20130101;
F28D 1/0461 20130101; F28F 1/022 20130101; Y10T 29/4935 20150115;
F28F 1/126 20130101; F28D 1/0478 20130101; F28D 1/0391 20130101;
F28F 2260/02 20130101; F28D 1/0426 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
165/140 ;
165/151; 29/890.03 |
International
Class: |
F28D 1/04 20060101
F28D001/04; B21D 53/02 20060101 B21D053/02; F28D 1/03 20060101
F28D001/03 |
Claims
1. A micro-channel heat exchanger comprising: a first micro-channel
heat conduit having a first end section that extends to a second
end section through an intermediate section, the intermediate
section including a plurality of substantially straight sections
and a plurality of bend sections that establish a first serpentine
path; and a second micro-channel heat conduit having a first end
portion that extends to a second end portion through an
intermediate portion, the intermediate portion including a
plurality of substantially straight portions and a plurality of
bend portions that establish a second serpentine path, the first
serpentine path extending adjacent to the second serpentine path
with the plurality of bend portions being interposed between the
plurality of bend sections.
2. The micro-channel heat exchanger according to claim 1, wherein
the first micro-channel heat conduit is fluidly isolated from the
second micro-channel heat conduit.
3. The micro-channel heat exchanger according to claim 1, a
plurality of centers extending between adjacent ones of the
plurality of substantially straight sections and plurality of
substantially straight portions.
4. The micro-channel heat exchanger according to claim 1, a
plurality of centers extending between adjacent ones of the
plurality of substantially straight portions.
5. The micro-channel heat exchanger according to claim 1, wherein
the plurality of bend sections includes a first plurality of bend
sections and a second plurality of bend sections.
6. The micro-channel heat exchanger according to claim 5, wherein
the plurality of bend portions includes a first plurality of bend
portions and a second plurality of bend portions.
7. The micro-channel heat exchanger according to claim 6, wherein
the second plurality of bend portions is interposed between the
first plurality of bend portions.
8. The micro-channel heat exchanger according to claim 7, wherein
the second plurality of bend portions is interposed between the
first plurality of bend sections.
9. A method of forming a micro-channel heat exchanger, the method
comprising: forming a first micro-channel heat conduit having a
first end section that extends to a second end section through an
intermediate section; creating a first serpentine path in the first
micro-channel heat conduit, the first serpentine path including a
plurality of substantially straight sections and a plurality of
bend sections; forming a second micro-channel heat conduit having a
first end portion that extends to a second end portion through an
intermediate portion, the intermediate portion; creating a first
serpentine path in the second micro-channel heat conduit, the
second serpentine path including a plurality of substantially
straight portions and a plurality of bend portions; positioning the
first micro-channel heat conduit adjacent the second micro-channel
heat conduit such that the plurality of bend portions are
interposed between the plurality of bend sections; and connecting
adjacent ones of the plurality of substantially straight sections
and substantially straight portions.
10. The method of claim 9, further comprising: connecting adjacent
ones of the plurality of substantially straight portions.
11. The method of claim 9, wherein connecting adjacent ones of the
plurality of substantially straight sections and substantially
straight portions comprises joining the adjacent ones of the
plurality of substantially straight sections and substantially
straight portions with a plurality of centers.
12. The method of claim 11, wherein connecting adjacent ones of the
plurality of substantially straight portions comprises joining the
adjacent ones of the plurality of substantially straight portions
with a plurality of centers.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application is a National Stage Application of PCT
Application No. PCT/US11/52480 filed Sep. 21, 2011, the disclosure
of which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Exemplary embodiments pertain to the art of heat exchangers
and, more particularly, to a micro-channel heat exchanger including
independent heat exchange circuits.
[0003] Conventional micro-channel heat exchangers include
micro-channel tubes formed in a single serpentine path through
which passes a coolant or refrigerant. A fluid flow, such as air,
is passed over the micro-channel tubes. The fluid flow exchanges
heat with the refrigerant. The exchange of heat results in a
temperature change of the fluid flow. The exchange of heat is
enhanced through the addition of fins that extend between the
micro-channel tubes. In certain systems, the micro-channel tubes
pass between an inlet header and an outlet header. Fins extend
between adjacent micro-channel tubes to enhance heat exchange. When
multiple, independent heat exchange paths are desired, the inlet
and outlet headers are divided into distinct sections. Each section
can then be operated independent of the other.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0004] Disclosed is a micro-channel heat exchanger including a
first micro-channel conduit having a first end section that extends
to a second end section through an intermediate section. The
intermediate section includes a plurality of substantially straight
sections and a plurality of bend sections that establish a first
serpentine path. The micro-channel heat exchanger also includes a
second micro-channel conduit having a first end portion that
extends to a second end portion through an intermediate portion.
The intermediate portion includes a plurality of substantially
straight portions and a plurality of bend portions that establish a
second serpentine path. The first serpentine path extends adjacent
to the second serpentine path with the plurality of bend portions
being interposed between the plurality of bend sections.
[0005] Also disclosed is a method of forming a micro-channel heat
exchanger. The method includes forming a first micro-channel
conduit having a first end section that extends to a second end
section through an intermediate section, and creating a first
serpentine path in the first micro-channel conduit. The first
serpentine path includes a plurality of substantially straight
sections and a plurality of bend sections. The method also includes
forming a second micro-channel conduit having a first end portion
that extends to a second end portion through an intermediate
portion, and creating a first serpentine path in the second
micro-channel conduit. The second serpentine path includes a
plurality of substantially straight portions and a plurality of
bend portions. The first micro-channel conduit is positioned
adjacent the second micro-channel conduit such that the plurality
of bend portions are interposed between the plurality of bend
sections. Adjacent ones of the plurality of substantially straight
sections and substantially straight portions are connected.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0006] The following descriptions should not be considered limiting
in any way. With reference to the accompanying drawings, like
elements are numbered alike:
[0007] FIG. 1 depicts a micro-channel heat exchanger including
independent heat exchange circuits in accordance with an exemplary
embodiment;
[0008] FIG. 2 is a partial detailed view of a first portion of the
micro-channel heat exchanger of FIG. 1;
[0009] FIG. 3 is a partial detailed view of a second portion of the
micro-channel heat exchanger of FIG. 1; and
[0010] FIG. 4 is a partial cut-away view of the second portion of
the micro-channel heat exchanger of FIG. 3.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0011] A detailed description of one or more embodiments of the
disclosed apparatus and method are presented herein by way of
exemplification and not limitation with reference to the
Figures.
[0012] With reference to FIGS. 1-4, a micro-channel heat exchanger
constructed in accordance with an exemplary embodiment is indicated
generally at 2. Micro-channel heat exchanger 2 includes a first
micro-channel conduit 4 that defines a first heat exchange circuit
(not separately labeled) and a second micro-channel conduit 6 that
defines a second heat exchange circuit (also not separately
labeled). First micro-channel conduit 4 includes a first end
section 10 that extends to a second end section 11 through an
intermediate section 12. First end section 10 is fluidly coupled to
an inlet member 14 and second end section 11 is fluidly coupled to
an outlet member 15. Inlet member 14 is configured to receive a
fluid, for example, a first refrigerant. Intermediate section 12
includes a plurality of substantially straight sections 17-28, a
first plurality of bend sections 30-34, and a second plurality of
bend sections 40-45 that collectively define a first serpentine
path 47.
[0013] Similarly, second micro-channel conduit 6 includes a first
end portion 60 that extends to a second end portion 61 through an
intermediate portion 62. First end portion 60 is fluidly coupled to
an inlet member 64 and second end portion 61 is fluidly coupled to
an outlet member 65. Inlet member 64 is configured to receive a
second fluid such as a second refrigerant. The second refrigerant
can be the same as, or distinct from the first refrigerant
depending upon desired heat exchange parameters. In a manner also
similar to that described above, intermediate portion 62 includes a
plurality of substantially straight portions 67-78, a first
plurality of bend portions 80-84, and a second plurality of bend
portions 90-95 that collectively define a second serpentine path 97
that is fluidly isolated from the first serpentine path 47. Each
micro-channel conduit 4, 6 includes a plurality of micro-channels
such as indicated at 100 in connection with second micro-channel
conduit 6 in FIG. 4.
[0014] In accordance with the exemplary embodiment, the first
serpentine path 47 extends adjacent to the second serpentine path
97 with the second plurality of bend portions 40-45 being
interposed between the first plurality of bend portions 80-85 and
the second plurality of bend portions 90-95 being interposed
between the first plurality of bend sections. In this manner, first
micro-channel conduit 4 is interleaved with second micro-channel
conduit 6. The term "interleaved" should be understood to describe
that a portion of the plurality of straight sections 17-28 extend
adjacent to other ones of the plurality of straight sections 17-28,
while another portion of the plurality of straight sections 17-28
extends adjacent to select ones of the plurality of straight
portions 67-78. Similarly, a portion of the plurality of straight
portions 67-78 extend adjacent to other ones of the plurality of
straight portions 67-78, while another portion of the plurality of
straight portions 67-78 extend adjacent to select ones of the
plurality of straight sections 17-28.
[0015] In further accordance with an exemplary embodiment,
micro-channel heat exchanger 2 includes a first plurality of fins
or centers 110 and a second plurality of fins or centers 115. First
plurality of centers 110 extend between adjacent one of
substantially straight sections 17-28 and adjacent ones of the
substantially straight portions 67-78. That is, the first plurality
of centers 110 extend between substantially straight sections or
substantially straight portions associated with the same
micro-channel conduit 4 or 6. More specifically, the first
plurality of centers 110 are associated solely with either the
first serpentine path 47 or the second serpentine path 97. In
contrast, the second plurality of centers 115 extend between
adjacent ones of the plurality of straight portions 17-28 and
adjacent ones of the plurality of substantially straight portions
67-78. That is, the second plurality of centers 115 extend between
substantially straight sections and substantially straight portions
associated with the both first micro-channel conduit 4 and
micro-channel conduit 6. More specifically, the second plurality of
centers 115 join the first and second serpentine paths 47 and 97.
At this point, it should be understood that although only two
micro-channel conduits are shown, the number of micro-channel
conduits employed by micro-channel heat exchanger 2 can vary.
[0016] With this arrangement, refrigerant can be passed through
first micro-channel conduit 4, second micro-channel conduit 6 or
both first and second micro-channel conduits 4 and 6. When
refrigerant is passed through both micro-channel conduits 4 and 6,
a fluid flow passing across the first and second plurality of
centers exchanges heat with the refrigerant in both micro-channel
conduits 4 and 6. The heat exchange surface area comprises the
entire surface area of micro-channel heat exchanger 2. Similarly,
if refrigerant is passed through one or the other of first and
second micro-channel conduits 4 or 6, a fluid flow passing across
the first and second plurality of centers exchanges heat with the
refrigerant in flowing in the one of the micro-channel conduits 4
and 6. In this manner, the heat exchange surface area remains the
entire surface area of micro-channel heat exchanger 2. Accordingly,
exemplary embodiments enhance heat exchange in a micro-channel heat
exchanger having multiple, distinct circuits. That is, in contrast
to prior art arrangements in which only that portion of the fluid
flow passing across an active circuit, e.g., upper or lower
portions of the heat exchanger, the heat exchanger in accordance
with the exemplary embodiment utilizes substantially the entire
fluid flow passing over the heat exchanger.
[0017] While the invention has been described with reference to an
exemplary embodiment or embodiments, 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 claims.
* * * * *