U.S. patent application number 13/822609 was filed with the patent office on 2013-08-22 for refrigerant guiding pipe and heat exchanger having refrigerant guiding pipe.
This patent application is currently assigned to DANFOSS A/S. The applicant listed for this patent is Stefan Elbel, Huazhao Liu, B. Andrew Musser, Bjoran Vestergaard. Invention is credited to Stefan Elbel, Huazhao Liu, B. Andrew Musser, Bjoran Vestergaard.
Application Number | 20130213627 13/822609 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 43337959 |
Filed Date | 2013-08-22 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130213627 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Liu; Huazhao ; et
al. |
August 22, 2013 |
REFRIGERANT GUIDING PIPE AND HEAT EXCHANGER HAVING REFRIGERANT
GUIDING PIPE
Abstract
A refrigerant guiding pipe for a heat exchanger having: a pipe
wall in which an inner chamber is formed, an opening formed in the
pipe wall, and a refrigerant guiding wall portion, at least a part
of the refrigerant guiding wall being disposed to be substantially
inclined with respect to an axial direction of the refrigerant
guiding pipe to guide refrigerant passing through the opening. The
refrigerant guiding wall portion is a recessed wall section
depressed towards the inner chamber. The refrigerant guiding pipe
can distribute and guide refrigerant well to help avoid non-uniform
distribution of refrigerant due to layering of gaseous refrigerant
and liquid refrigerant
Inventors: |
Liu; Huazhao; (Hangzhou,
CN) ; Musser; B. Andrew; (Urbana, IL) ; Elbel;
Stefan; (Urbana, IL) ; Vestergaard; Bjoran;
(Hangzhou, CN) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Liu; Huazhao
Musser; B. Andrew
Elbel; Stefan
Vestergaard; Bjoran |
Hangzhou
Urbana
Urbana
Hangzhou |
IL
IL |
CN
US
US
CN |
|
|
Assignee: |
DANFOSS A/S
Nordborg
DK
SANHUA HOLDING GROUOP CO., LTD.
Zhejiang
CN
|
Family ID: |
43337959 |
Appl. No.: |
13/822609 |
Filed: |
June 27, 2011 |
PCT Filed: |
June 27, 2011 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/CN2011/076423 |
371 Date: |
May 9, 2013 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
165/178 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F28D 1/05316 20130101;
F28D 1/05366 20130101; F28F 1/126 20130101; F25B 39/00 20130101;
F25B 2500/01 20130101; F28F 1/00 20130101; F28F 9/0273 20130101;
F25B 39/028 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
165/178 |
International
Class: |
F28F 1/00 20060101
F28F001/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Sep 13, 2010 |
CN |
201010282884 |
Claims
1. A refrigerant guiding pipe for a heat exchanger, comprising: a
pipe wall in which an inner chamber is formed; an opening formed in
the pipe wall; and a refrigerant guiding wall portion, at least a
part of the refrigerant guiding wall being disposed to be
substantially inclined with respect to an axial direction of the
refrigerant guiding pipe to guide refrigerant passing through the
opening, wherein the refrigerant guiding wall portion is a recessed
wall section depressed towards the inner chamber.
2. The refrigerant guiding pipe of claim 1, wherein at least a part
of an edge of the refrigerant guiding wall portion is separated
from the pipe wall to form the opening.
3. The refrigerant guiding pipe of claim 1, wherein at least a
middle portion of the refrigerant guiding wall portion in a
direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the refrigerant
guiding pipe is inclined with respect to the axial direction of the
refrigerant guiding pipe, at least a portion of the refrigerant
guiding wall portion is inclined with respect to the axial
direction of the refrigerant guiding pipe, or the refrigerant
guiding wall portion is inclined with respect to the axial
direction of the refrigerant guiding pipe.
4. The refrigerant guiding pipe of claim 1, wherein at least the
middle portion of the refrigerant guiding wall portion in the
direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the refrigerant
guiding pipe has a section along the axial direction of the
refrigerant guiding pipe, and the section has a shape of a
substantially straight line, or is substantially straight; or the
refrigerant guiding wall portion has a section along the axial
direction of the refrigerant guiding pipe, and the section has a
shape of a substantially straight line, or is substantially
straight.
5. The refrigerant guiding pipe of claim 1, wherein at least the
middle portion of the refrigerant guiding wall portion in the
direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the refrigerant
guiding pipe is positioned at an angle of more than zero degree and
less than 90 degrees with respect to the axial direction of the
refrigerant guiding pipe, or the refrigerant guiding wall portion
is positioned at an angle of more than zero degree and less than 90
degrees with respect to the axial direction of the refrigerant
guiding pipe.
6. The refrigerant guiding pipe of claim 1, wherein at least the
middle portion of the refrigerant guiding wall portion in the
direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the refrigerant
guiding pipe has a section along the axial direction of the
refrigerant guiding pipe, and the section comprises at least one
substantially straight line-shaped segment and/or at least one
substantially curve-shaped segment, or a section of the refrigerant
guiding wall portion along the axial direction of the refrigerant
guiding pipe comprises at least one substantially straight
line-shaped segment and/or at least one substantially curve-shaped
segment.
7. The refrigerant guiding pipe of claim 1, wherein at least an end
of the refrigerant guiding wall portion in the axial direction of
the refrigerant guiding pipe is separated from the pipe wall to
form the opening.
8. The refrigerant guiding pipe of claim 1, further comprising: a
first end of the refrigerant guiding pipe to be connected with
refrigerant piping, and a second end of the refrigerant guiding
pipe opposite to the first end, wherein the second end of the
refrigerant guiding pipe is open in use.
9. A heat exchanger, comprising: a first manifold; a second
manifold spaced away from the first manifold by a certain distance;
a heat exchange tube having two ends respectively connected with
the first manifold and the second manifold; and a refrigerant
guiding pipe, comprising: a pipe wall in which an inner chamber is
formed, an opening formed in the pipe wall, and a refrigerant
guiding wall portion, at least a part of the refrigerant guiding
wall being disposed to be substantially inclined with respect to an
axial direction of the refrigerant guiding pipe to guide
refrigerant passing through the opening and the refrigerant guiding
wall portion comprising a recessed wall section depressed towards
the inner chamber, wherein the first manifold and/or the second
manifold has the refrigerant guiding pipe therein.
10. The heat exchanger of claim 9, wherein the refrigerant guiding
pipe further comprises: a first end of the refrigerant guiding pipe
to be connected with refrigerant piping, and a second end of the
refrigerant guiding pipe opposite to the first end, and a
non-opening range from the first end of the refrigerant guiding
pipe to a position spaced away from the first end by a certain
distance, wherein a ratio of a number of the heat exchange tubes in
the non-opening range to a number of all the the-heat exchange
tubes corresponding to the refrigerant guiding pipe is more than
about 20% and less than about 99%.
11. The heat exchanger of claim 10, wherein at least a part of an
edge of the refrigerant guiding wall portion is separated from the
pipe wall to form the opening.
12. The heat exchanger of claim 10, wherein at least a middle
portion of the refrigerant guiding wall portion in a direction
perpendicular to the axial direction of the refrigerant guiding
pipe is inclined with respect to the axial direction of the
refrigerant guiding pipe, at least a portion of the refrigerant
guiding wall portion is inclined with respect to the axial
direction of the refrigerant guiding pipe, or the refrigerant
guiding wall portion is inclined with respect to the axial
direction of the refrigerant guiding pipe.
13. The heat exchanger of claim 10, wherein at least the middle
portion of the refrigerant guiding wall portion in the direction
perpendicular to the axial direction of the refrigerant guiding
pipe has a section along the axial direction of the refrigerant
guiding pipe, and the section has a shape of a substantially
straight line, or is substantially straight; or the refrigerant
guiding wall portion has a section along the axial direction of the
refrigerant guiding pipe, and the section has a shape of a
substantially straight line, or is substantially straight.
14. The heat exchanger of claim 10, wherein at least the middle
portion of the refrigerant guiding wall portion in the direction
perpendicular to the axial direction of the refrigerant guiding
pipe is positioned at an angle of more than zero degree and less
than 90 degrees with respect to the axial direction of the
refrigerant guiding pipe, or the refrigerant guiding wall portion
is positioned at an angle of more than zero degree and less than 90
degrees with respect to the axial direction of the refrigerant
guiding pipe.
15. The heat exchanger of claim 10, wherein at least the middle
portion of the refrigerant guiding wall portion in the direction
perpendicular to the axial direction of the refrigerant guiding
pipe has a section along the axial direction of the refrigerant
guiding pipe, and the section comprises at least one of at least
one substantially straight line-shaped segment and at least one
substantially curve-shaped segment, or a section of the refrigerant
guiding wall portion along the axial direction of the refrigerant
guiding pipe comprises at least one of at least one substantially
straight line-shaped segment and at least one substantially
curve-shaped segment.
16. The heat exchanger of claim 10, wherein at least an end of the
refrigerant guiding wall portion in the axial direction of the
refrigerant guiding pipe is separated from the pipe wall, thereby
forming the opening.
17. The heat exchanger of claim 10, further comprising: a first end
of the refrigerant guiding pipe to be connected with a refrigerant
piping, and a second end of the refrigerant guiding pipe opposite
to the first end, wherein the second end of the refrigerant guiding
pipe is open in use.
Description
FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates to a refrigerant guiding pipe
and a heat exchanger having the refrigerant guiding pipe.
BACKGROUND
[0002] The inlet and/or outlet manifold of a typical heat exchanger
is provided with a refrigerant guiding pipe, and the refrigerant
guiding pipe is used as a distributor in the inlet manifold and as
a collector in the outlet manifold.
[0003] In the prior art, the refrigerant guiding pipe comprises a
plurality of substantially circular openings arranged along a
length of the refrigerant guiding pipe, and each of the openings
has a center line directed substantially in a radial direction of
the refrigerant guiding pipe. The refrigerant guiding pipe has an
axial direction perpendicular to the center line of each of the
openings.
SUMMARY
[0004] Therefore, in such a prior art refrigerant guiding pipe,
resistance to refrigerant jetted through the openings is large, a
great pressure drop is generated and distribution of refrigerant is
adversely affected.
[0005] It is desirable, for example, to provide a refrigerant
guiding pipe and a heat exchanger with the refrigerant guiding pipe
which can improve uniformity of refrigerant distribution.
[0006] According to an aspect of the present invention, there is
provided a refrigerant guiding pipe. The refrigerant guiding pipe
comprises a pipe wall in which an inner chamber is formed; an
opening formed in the pipe wall; and a refrigerant guiding wall
portion, at least a part of the refrigerant guiding wall portion
being disposed to be substantially inclined with respect to an
axial direction of the refrigerant guiding pipe to guide
refrigerant passing through the opening. The refrigerant guiding
wall portion is a recessed wall section depressed towards the inner
chamber.
[0007] According to an aspect of the present invention, at least a
part of an edge of the refrigerant guiding wall portion is
separated from the pipe wall, thereby forming the opening.
[0008] According to an aspect of the present invention, at least a
middle portion of the refrigerant guiding wall portion in a
direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the refrigerant
guiding pipe is positioned at an angle of more than zero degree and
less than 90 degrees, desirably from about 5 degrees to about 75
degrees, with respect to the axial direction of the refrigerant
guiding pipe; at least a portion of the refrigerant guiding wall
portion is positioned at an angle of more than zero degree and less
than 90 degrees, desirably from about 5 degrees to about 75
degrees, with respect to the axial direction of the refrigerant
guiding pipe; or the refrigerant guiding wall portion is positioned
at an angle of more than zero degree and less than 90 degrees,
desirably from about 5 degrees to about 75 degrees, with respect to
the axial direction of the refrigerant guiding pipe.
[0009] According to an aspect of the present invention, at least
the middle portion of the refrigerant guiding wall portion in the
direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the refrigerant
guiding pipe has a section along the axial direction of the
refrigerant guiding pipe, and the section is composed of a
plurality of substantially straight line-shaped segments or has
substantially a shape of a curve; or the refrigerant guiding wall
portion has a section along the axial direction of the refrigerant
guiding pipe, and the section is composed of a plurality of
substantially straight line-shaped segments or has substantially a
shape of a curve.
[0010] In an embodiment, at least a first end of the recessed wall
section in the axial direction of the refrigerant guiding pipe is
separated from the pipe wall, thereby forming the opening.
[0011] According to another aspect of the present invention, at
least the middle portion of the recessed wall section in the
direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the refrigerant
guiding pipe is inclined with respect to the axial direction of the
refrigerant guiding pipe, at least a portion of the refrigerant
guiding wall is inclined with respect to the axial direction of the
refrigerant guiding pipe, or the recessed wall section is inclined
with respect to the axial direction of the refrigerant guiding
pipe, and the first end of the recessed wall section is closer to
an axis of the refrigerant guiding pipe than a second end of the
recessed wall portion opposite to the first end.
[0012] According to an aspect of the present invention, at least
the middle portion of the recessed wall portion in the direction
perpendicular to the axial direction of the refrigerant guiding
pipe has a section along the axial direction of the refrigerant
guiding pipe, and the section has a shape of a substantially
straight line or is substantially straight; or the recessed wall
portion has a section along the axial direction of the refrigerant
guiding pipe, and the section has a shape of a substantially
straight line or is substantially straight.
[0013] According to an aspect of the present invention, at least
the middle portion of the recessed wall section in the direction
perpendicular to the axial direction of the refrigerant guiding
pipe is positioned at an angle of more than zero degree and less
than 90 degrees with respect to the axial direction of the
refrigerant guiding pipe, or the recessed wall section is
positioned at an angle of more than zero degree and less than 90
degrees with respect to the axial direction of the refrigerant
guiding pipe.
[0014] According to an aspect of the present invention, at least
the middle portion of the recessed wall section in the direction
perpendicular to the axial direction of the refrigerant guiding
pipe has a section along the axial direction of the refrigerant
guiding pipe, and the section is composed of a plurality of
substantially straight line-shaped segments or has substantially a
shape of a curve; or the recessed wall section has a section along
the axial direction of the refrigerant guiding pipe, and the
section is composed of a plurality of substantially straight
line-shaped segments or has substantially a shape of a curve.
[0015] According to an aspect of the present invention, there is
provided a heat exchanger with the refrigerant guiding pipe
disclosed herein.
[0016] With some embodiments of the refrigerant guiding pipe,
refrigerant flows through the opening obliquely with respect to the
axial direction of the refrigerant guiding pipe, thereby reducing
resistance loss and improving uniformity of refrigerant
distribution.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0017] FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a heat exchanger according to
an embodiment of the present invention;
[0018] FIG. 2 is a schematic view of a refrigerant guiding pipe
according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0019] FIG. 3 is a schematic sectional view of the refrigerant
guiding pipe according to an embodiment of the present
invention;
[0020] FIG. 4 is a schematic sectional view of a refrigerant
guiding pipe according to an embodiment of the present
invention;
[0021] FIG. 5 is an enlarged schematic sectional view of the
refrigerant guiding pipe according an embodiment of the present
invention;
[0022] FIG. 6a is a schematic sectional view of a refrigerant
guiding pipe according to an embodiment of the present
invention;
[0023] FIG. 6b is a schematic view of the refrigerant guiding pipe
according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0024] FIG. 7a is a schematic sectional view of a refrigerant
guiding pipe according to an embodiment of the present
invention;
[0025] FIG. 7b is a schematic view of the refrigerant guiding pipe
according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0026] FIG. 8a is a schematic sectional view of a refrigerant
guiding pipe according to an embodiment of the present
invention;
[0027] FIG. 8b is a schematic view of the refrigerant guiding pipe
according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0028] FIGS. 9a and 9b are partially enlarged schematic views of a
heat exchanger according to an embodiment of the present invention;
and
[0029] FIG. 10 is partially enlarged schematic view of a heat
exchanger according to an embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0030] A further description of the invention will be made as below
with reference to embodiments of the present invention taken in
conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
[0031] As illustrated in FIG. 1, a heat exchanger 100 according to
an embodiment of the present invention comprises a first manifold
102; a second manifold 101 spaced away from the first manifold 102
by a predetermined distance; a heat exchange tube 103 such as a
flat tube having two ends respectively connected with the first
manifold 102 and the second manifold 101 so that a refrigerant
channel in the heat exchange tube 103 is in communication with the
first manifold 102 and the second manifold 101; a fin 104; and a
refrigerant guiding pipe 10, the first manifold 102, or the second
manifold 101, or both the first manifold 102 and the second
manifold 101 being provided with the refrigerant guiding pipe 10
therein. The heat exchanger may be any appropriate heat exchanger
such as a heat exchanger with one row of core or a plurality of
rows of cores or a heat exchanger with one or a plurality of loops.
In addition, the heat exchanger may be a micro-channel heat
exchanger. For example, the refrigerant guiding pipe may be applied
to an inner chamber part of an inlet manifold of a plurality of
loops of the micro-channel heat exchanger and an inner chamber part
of a manifold between the plurality of loops to guide and
distribute two-phase refrigerant.
[0032] FIGS. 2 and 3 show a refrigerant guiding pipe 10 according
to an embodiment. As illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, the refrigerant
guiding pipe 10 comprises: a pipe wall 17 in which an inner chamber
19 is formed; an opening 11b formed in the pipe wall; and a
refrigerant guiding wall portion, at least a part of the
refrigerant guiding wall is disposed to be substantially inclined
with respect to an axial direction of the refrigerant guiding pipe
to guide refrigerant passing through the opening 11b. At least a
part of an edge of the refrigerant guiding wall portion is
separated from the pipe wall 17, thereby forming the opening. The
refrigerant guiding wall portion is disposed so that a direction of
refrigerant flow flowing through the opening 11b is substantially
inclined with respect to the axial direction of the refrigerant
guiding pipe 10. For example, at least a part of the refrigerant
guiding wall portion is positioned at an angle of more than zero
degree and less than 90 degrees, desirably from about 5 degrees to
about 75 degrees, with respect to the the axial direction of the
refrigerant guiding pipe. For example, the refrigerant guiding wall
portion is disposed such that refrigerant flow flowing through the
opening 11b is inclined with respect to the axial direction of the
refrigerant guiding pipe by an angle of more than zero degree and
less than 90 degrees, desirably from about 5 degrees to about 75
degrees. Referring to FIGS. 9a and 9b, the refrigerant guiding pipe
10 has an open end 31 and another end 33 which may be closed or
open.
[0033] The refrigerant guiding pipe 10 further comprises a recessed
wall section 23 depressed towards the inner chamber 19. In an
embodiment, at least a first end 231 of the recessed wall section
23 in the axial direction of the refrigerant guiding pipe is
separated from the pipe wall 17, thereby forming the opening 11b.
The recessed wall section 23 constitutes an example of the
refrigerant guiding wall portion.
[0034] At least a middle portion 23a of the recessed wall section
23 in the direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the
refrigerant guiding pipe, or the recessed wall section 23 is
inclined with respect to the axial direction of the refrigerant
guiding pipe 10, or at least a portion of the recessed wall section
23 is inclined with respect to the axial direction of the
refrigerant guiding pipe 10, and the first end 231 of the recessed
wall section 23 is closer to an axis 15 of the refrigerant guiding
pipe 10 than a second end 232 of the the recessed wall section 23
opposite to the first end 231. The middle portion 23a extends from
the first end 231 to the second end 232 in the axial direction of
the refrigerant guiding pipe 10.
[0035] As illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, a method of forming the
opening 11b is to cut a notch with a certain depth in a pipe wall
of a circular pipe for forming the refrigerant guiding pipe in a
cutting direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the
circular pipe, and then to press the pipe wall of the circular pipe
on one side of the notch in the axial direction to depress the pipe
wall. The opening 11b and the recessed wall section 23 are thereby
formed. An orientation of the notch is determined by two
directions, one of which is a depth direction of the notch (i.e., a
direction of the notch in depth) directed in a radial direction of
the circular pipe (upward and downward directions in FIG. 3), and
the other of which is the cutting direction perpendicular to the
depth direction of the notch and the axial direction of the
circular pipe. Alternatively, the depth direction of the notch may
be positioned at an angle of less than 90 degrees with respect to
the radial direction of the circular pipe, and the cutting
direction of the notch may be positioned at an angle of less than
90 degrees with respect to the axial direction of the circular
pipe. The notch may be any notch in any appropriate
orientation.
[0036] As illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, a circumferential length of
the notch, i.e., a length of a circular arc of a separated segment
12 at which the first end 231 is separated from the pipe wall, is
L, and a distance or pitch between the adjacent openings is d1.
[0037] In an embodiment, at least the middle portion 23a of the
recessed wall section 23 in the direction perpendicular to the
axial direction of the refrigerant guiding pipe 10 has a section
along the axial direction of the refrigerant guiding pipe, the
section has a shape of a substantially straight line or is
substantially straight, and at least the middle portion 23a of the
recessed wall section 23 in the direction perpendicular to the
axial direction of the refrigerant guiding pipe is inclined at an
angle .gamma. with respect to the axial direction of the
refrigerant guiding pipe 10. Alternatively, the recessed wall
section 23 has a section along the axial direction of the
refrigerant guiding pipe, the section has a shape of a
substantially straight line or is substantially straight, and the
recessed wall section 23 is inclined at an angle .gamma. with
respect to the axial direction of the refrigerant guiding pipe 10.
At least the middle portion 23a of the recessed wall section 23 in
the direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the
refrigerant guiding pipe is positioned at an angle .gamma. of more
than zero degree and less than 90 degrees, desirably from about 5
degrees to about 75 degrees, with respect to the axial direction of
the refrigerant guiding pipe 10; or the recessed wall section 23 is
positioned at an angle .gamma. of more than zero degree and less
than 90 degrees, desirably from about 5 degrees to about 75
degrees, with respect to the axial direction of the refrigerant
guiding pipe 10.
[0038] The refrigerant guiding pipe 10 with the above configuration
may also serve as a collector in the outlet manifold 101.
[0039] As illustrated in FIGS. 9a and 9b, whether the refrigerant
guiding pipe 10 serves as a distributor in the inlet manifold 102
or as a collector in the outlet manifold 101, the end 31 of the
refrigerant guiding pipe 10 may be connected to refrigerant piping
but the other end 33 may not be connected to the refrigerant
piping, or the other end 33 of the refrigerant guiding pipe 10 may
be connected to refrigerant piping but the end 31 may not be
connected to the refrigerant piping.
[0040] A row of the openings 11b or a plurality of rows of the
openings 11b such as two or three rows of the openings 11b are
disposed along the axial direction of the refrigerant guiding pipe
10.
[0041] Another method of forming the opening 11b is to form the
opening 11b and the recessed wall section 23 by pressing.
[0042] In the above examples, the refrigerant guiding pipe 10 is
formed with a pipe having a circular cross-section. The refrigerant
guiding pipe 10 may also be formed of a pipe having any other cross
section such as an elliptical or rectangular cross section. In
addition, the refrigerant guiding pipe 10 may be formed of a pipe
having a varying radius. The refrigerant guiding pipe 10 may be
formed of any appropriate pipe known in the art.
[0043] Referring to FIGS. 1, 9a and 9b, when the above refrigerant
guiding pipe 10 is used in the manifold 102 of the heat exchanger
100, refrigerant flows along the inner chamber of the refrigerant
guiding pipe, and the recessed wall section 23 mainly functions to
guide the refrigerant. The refrigerant is ejected to an inner
cavity of the manifold along a surface of the recessed wall section
23 so that resistance loss is low. A part of the refrigerant can be
ejected directly into inner chambers of flat tubes 103 and the
remaining refrigerant rushes to an end of the manifold 102 and then
flows reversely so that refrigerant is uniformly distributed to the
remaining flat tubes 103. Refrigerant is mixed in the manifold 102
so that gaseous refrigerant and liquid refrigerant are uniformly
mixed and do not layer.
[0044] FIGS. 4 and 5 show schematic views of a refrigerant guiding
pipe 10 according to an embodiment. The refrigerant guiding pipe 10
according to this embodiment may be the same as the refrigerant
guiding pipe 10 as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 except as described
hereafter.
[0045] As illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5 and referring to FIG. 2, in
the refrigerant guiding pipe 10 of this embodiment, at least the
middle portion 23a of the recessed wall section 23 in the direction
perpendicular to the axial direction of the refrigerant guiding
pipe 10 has a section along the axial direction of the refrigerant
guiding pipe 10, and the section is composed of a plurality of
substantially straight line-shaped segments or a plurality of
substantially straight segments; or the recessed wall section 23
has a section along the axial direction of the refrigerant guiding
pipe 10, and the section is composed of a plurality of
substantially straight line-shaped segments or a plurality of
substantially straight segments. The middle portion 23a extends
from the first end 231 to the second end 232 in the axial direction
of the refrigerant guiding pipe 10. Alternatively, at least the
middle portion 23a of the recessed wall section 23 in the direction
perpendicular to the axial direction of the refrigerant guiding
pipe 10 has a section along the axial direction of the refrigerant
guiding pipe 10, and the section is composed of an arc-like
segment; or the recessed wall section 23 has a section along the
axial direction of the refrigerant guiding pipe 10, and the section
is composed of an arc-like segment.
[0046] Alternatively, at least the middle portion 23a of the
recessed wall section 23 in the direction perpendicular to the
axial direction of the refrigerant guiding pipe 10 has a section
along the axial direction of the refrigerant guiding pipe 10, and
the section has substantially a shape of a curve or arc, or is
substantially curved; or the recessed wall section 23 has a section
along the axial direction of the refrigerant guiding pipe 10, and
the section has substantially a shape of a curve or arc, or is
substantially curved. The middle portion 23a extends from the first
end 231 to the second end 232 in the axial direction of the
refrigerant guiding pipe 10.
[0047] It may facilitate decrease of resistance to refrigerant
flowing through the opening by configured the recessed wall section
23 in a shape of an arc or an arc-like shape.
[0048] FIGS. 6a and 6b show a refrigerant guiding pipe 10 according
to an embodiment. The structure of the refrigerant guiding pipe 10
according to this embodiment may be substantially the same as that
of the refrigerant guiding pipe 10 according to any one of the
embodiments of FIGS. 2-5 except as described below. As illustrated
in FIGS. 6a and 6b, the recessed wall section 23 is substantially
triangular in shape, and the triangular recessed wall section 23
has a base connected with the pipe wall 17, and the other edges of
the triangular recessed wall section 23 are separated from the pipe
wall 17. In the embodiment, the entire recessed wall section 23 may
be located substantially in one plane. In other words, the entire
recessed wall section 23 may have a shape of a substantially flat
plate.
[0049] FIGS. 7a and 7b show a refrigerant guiding pipe 10 according
to an embodiment. The structure of the refrigerant guiding pipe 10
according to this embodiment may be substantially the same as that
of the refrigerant guiding pipe 10 according to any of the
embodiments of FIGS. 2-6 except as described below. As illustrated
in FIGS. 7a and 7b, the recessed wall section 23 is substantially
arcuate in shape, and the arcuate recessed wall section 23 has a
straight edge connected with the pipe wall 17, and the other edges
of the recessed wall section 23 are separated from the pipe wall
17. In the embodiment, the entire recessed wall section 23 may be
located substantially in one plane. In other words, the entire
recessed wall section 23 may have a shape of a substantially flat
plate.
[0050] FIGS. 8a and 8b show a refrigerant guiding pipe 10 according
to an embodiment. The structure of the refrigerant guiding pipe 10
according to this embodiment may be substantially the same as that
of the refrigerant guiding pipe 10 according to any of the
embodiments of FIGS. 2-6 except as described below. As illustrated
in FIGS. 8a and 8b, the recessed wall section 23 has substantially
a shape of an arch, except the first end 231 is separated from the
pipe wall 17 and the other edges of the recessed wall section 23
are connected with the pipe wall 17.
[0051] It can be appreciated from the above embodiments of the
recessed wall section 23:
[0052] At least the middle portion 23a of the refrigerant guiding
wall portion, such as the recessed wall section 23, in the
direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the refrigerant
guiding pipe 10 has a section along the axial direction of the
refrigerant guiding pipe, the section has a shape of a
substantially straight line or is substantially straight, and the
middle portion 23a is inclined at an angle .gamma. with respect to
the axial direction of the refrigerant guiding pipe 10.
Alternatively, the refrigerant guiding wall portion such as the
recessed wall section 23 has a section along the axial direction of
the refrigerant guiding pipe, the section has a shape of a
substantially straight line or is substantially straight, and the
refrigerant guiding wall portion such as the recessed wall section
23 is inclined at an angle .gamma. with respect to the axial
direction of the refrigerant guiding pipe 10. The angle .gamma. is
about more than 0 degree and less than 90 degrees, desirably in the
range from about 5 degrees to about 75 degrees.
[0053] Alternatively, at least the middle portion 23a of the
refrigerant guiding wall portion in the direction perpendicular to
the axial direction of the refrigerant guiding pipe 10 has a
section along the axial direction of the refrigerant guiding pipe
10, and the section is composed of a plurality of substantially
straight line-shaped segments or a plurality of substantially
straight segments, or the section has substantially a shape of a
curve or arc or is substantially curved; or the refrigerant guiding
wall portion has a section along the axial direction of the
refrigerant guiding pipe 10, and the section is composed of a
plurality of substantially straight line-shaped segments or a
plurality of substantially straight segments, or the section has
substantially a shape of a curve or arc or is substantially curved.
The middle portion 23a extends from the first end 231 to the second
end 232 in the axial direction of the refrigerant guiding pipe
10.
[0054] In an embodiment, at least the middle portion 23a of the
refrigerant guiding wall portion in the direction perpendicular to
the axial direction of the refrigerant guiding pipe 10 has a
section along the axial direction of the refrigerant guiding pipe
10, and the section comprises at least one of both at least one
substantially straight line-shaped segment and at least one
substantially curve-shaped segment; or the refrigerant guiding wall
portion has a section along the axial direction of the refrigerant
guiding pipe, and the section comprises at least one of both at
least one substantially straight line-shaped segment and at least
one substantially curve-shaped segment.
[0055] In the above embodiments, at least the first end 231 is
separated from the pipe wall 17. Alternatively, at least a part of
the edge of the recessed wall section 23 is separated from the pipe
wall 17.
[0056] A heat exchanger 100 according to an embodiment of the
present invention will be described below in detail. FIGS. 9a, 9b
and 10 are partially enlarged schematic views of a heat exchanger
100 according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0057] Referring to FIGS. 9a and 9b, in a region along an axial
direction of the manifold 102 where the heat exchange tubes 103
such as flat tubes are disposed, the refrigerant guiding pipe 10
may be provided with the openings 11b.
[0058] As illustrated in FIGS. 9a and 9b, alternatively, for
example, when the refrigerant guiding pipe 10 serves as a
distributor in the inlet manifold 102, the refrigerant guiding pipe
10 is not provided with the opening 11b in a non-opening range from
an inlet-side end 31 of the refrigerant guiding pipe 10 to a
position spaced away from the end 31 in a direction extending from
the inlet-side end 31 to another end 33 of the refrigerant guiding
pipe 10. A number of the heat exchange tubes 103 such as flat tubes
in the non-opening range is N, a number of the heat exchange tubes
103 over a range corresponding to all of the heat exchange tubes
103 is T, and a ratio of the number N to the number T is more than
20% and less than 99%. A good refrigerant distribution effect can
be obtained with the ratio. Experimental results show that that
when the ratio is more than 95% and less than 99%, a very notable
effect of uniform distribution of refrigerant can be obtained. The
refrigerant guiding pipe 10 with the above configuration may also
serve as a collector in the outlet manifold 101 to achieve an
effect of uniformly distributing refrigerant.
[0059] Whether the refrigerant guiding pipe 10 serves as a
distributor in the inlet manifold 102 or as a collector in the
outlet manifold 101, the end 31 of the refrigerant guiding pipe 10
will be connected to refrigerant piping but the other end 33 will
not be connected to the refrigerant piping. Therefore, the
refrigerant guiding pipe 10 may be designed in such a way that the
number of the heat exchange tubes 103 such as flat tubes is N in
the non-opening range from the end 31 of the refrigerant guiding
pipe 10 to be connected with a refrigerant piping to a position
spaced away from the end 31 by a predetermined distance, that the
number of the heat exchange tubes 103 over a range of the
refrigerant guiding pipe 10 corresponding to all of the heat
exchange tubes 103 is T, and a ratio of the number N to the number
T is more than about 20% and less than about 99%, desirably more
than about 95% and less than about 99%.
[0060] As illustrated in FIG. 9a, the other end 33 of the
refrigerant guiding pipe 10 may be sealed by means of an element
35. Alternatively, as illustrated in FIG. 9b, the element 35 may
not be provided, and the other end 33 of the refrigerant guiding
pipe 10 is open, thereby obtaining a very notable effect of
uniformly distributing refrigerant. The refrigerant guiding pipe 10
with the above configuration may also serve as a collector in the
outlet manifold 101 to achieve an effect of uniformly distributing
refrigerant.
[0061] Two-phase refrigerant in the refrigerant guiding pipe 10 is
ejected from the openings 11b, and a part of the two-phase
refrigerant enters directly into inner chambers of the heat
exchange tubes 103 such as flat tubes so as to avoid excess amount
of liquid refrigerant from entering into the heat exchange tubes
103 such as flat tubes. The remaining refrigerant rushes to an end
of the manifold 102 and then flows reversely to be distributed to
the heat exchange tubes 103 such as flat tubes uniformly.
[0062] As illustrated in FIG. 10, the refrigerant guiding pipe 10
and the heat exchange tubes 103 are opposite to each other, or a
center line 15 of the refrigerant guiding pipe 10 intersects
elongation lines of axes 105 of the heat exchange tubes 103 such as
flat tubes. Of course, the refrigerant guiding pipe 10 and the heat
exchange tubes 103 may be positioned in any appropriate relative
positions. A center line 14 (for example, an axis 13 of the
channel) of the opening 11b substantially perpendicular to the
axial direction of the refrigerant guiding pipe 10 is positioned at
an angle .phi. from 0 to 90 degrees with respect to a longitudinal
direction of the heat exchange tube 103 (or an axis 105 of the heat
exchange tube 103), thereby obtaining a good refrigerant
distribution effect. The center line 14 may intersect an axis 15
(an axial center line) of the refrigerant guiding pipe 10 and may
be perpendicular to the axis 15 of the refrigerant guiding pipe 10,
while the center line 14 passes through a midpoint of the opening
11b in a transverse direction. The transverse direction is
perpendicular to the axis 15 of the refrigerant guiding pipe 10 and
the center line 14 of the opening. As illustrated in FIG. 10, the
transverse direction is a direction in which the axis 105
extends.
[0063] In the above embodiments, refrigerant flows along the inner
chamber of the refrigerant guiding pipe, and the refrigerant
guiding wall portion mainly functions to guide the refrigerant. The
refrigerant is ejected to an inner cavity of the manifold along the
refrigerant guiding wall portion so that resistance loss is low. A
part of refrigerant can be ejected directly into inner chambers of
the heat exchange tubes and the remaining refrigerant rushes to an
end of the manifold and then flows reversely to be uniformly
distributed to the remaining heat exchange tubes. Refrigerant is
mixed in the manifold so that gaseous refrigerant and liquid
refrigerant are uniformly mixed and do not layer.
[0064] The structures described in the above embodiments may be
appropriately combined to form new embodiments. Features in one
embodiment may also be applicable to the other embodiments or
substitute for those of the other embodiments.
[0065] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been
described with reference to the drawings, the embodiments shown in
the drawings are intended to illustrate desirable embodiments of
the present invention and shall not be construed to limit the
present invention.
[0066] For example, the opening and the refrigerant guiding wall
portion such as the recessed wall section have symmetrical
structures in the above embodiments. Alternatively, the opening and
the refrigerant guiding wall portion such as the recessed wall
section may have asymmetrical structures. For example, when the
refrigerant guiding pipe is made of a circular pipe, the opening
and the refrigerant guiding wall portion such as the recessed wall
section may be symmetrical or asymmetrical with respect to a plane
passing through a center axis of the refrigerant guiding pipe.
[0067] In addition, in the above embodiments, the example of the
refrigerant guiding wall portion is the recessed wall section.
However, the refrigerant guiding wall portion is not limited to the
recessed wall section. Refrigerant passing through the opening may
be guided in other appropriate ways. For example, a separate
refrigerant guiding wall portion such as a guide pipe and a guide
element may be soldered to the refrigerant guiding pipe in the
vicinity of the opening, or to an inside or outside of the
refrigerant guiding pipe to guide refrigerant passing through the
opening. In addition, the opening may have any appropriate shape
and the refrigerant guiding wall portion may have any appropriate
shape and structure.
[0068] Furthermore, in the above embodiments, at least the first
end of the refrigerant guiding wall portion on one side in the
axial direction of the refrigerant guiding pipe is separated from
the pipe wall, thereby forming the opening. However, the present
invention is not limited to this. Alternatively, the refrigerant
guiding wall portion may be separated from the pipe wall only on
one side or both sides of the refrigerant guiding wall portion in a
circumferential direction of the refrigerant guiding pipe, thereby
forming the opening; or the refrigerant guiding wall portion may be
separated from the pipe wall at any other appropriate portion of
the edge of the refrigerant guiding wall portion, thereby forming
the opening:
[0069] Moreover, in the above embodiments, the refrigerant guiding
wall portion may have a shape of a flat plate or a curved surface,
or may comprise both a part having a shape of a flat plate and a
part having a shape of a curved surface. The section of the
refrigerant guiding wall portion along the axial direction of the
refrigerant guiding pipe has a shape of a substantially straight
line or is substantially straight, or the section is composed of a
plurality of substantially straight line-shaped segments or has
substantially a shape of a curve. Alternatively, the section of the
refrigerant guiding wall portion along the axial direction of the
refrigerant guiding pipe may comprise at least one substantially
straight line-shaped segment, or at least one substantially
curve-shaped segment, or may comprise at least one substantially
straight line-shaped segment and at least one substantially
curve-shaped segment.
* * * * *