U.S. patent application number 14/663927 was filed with the patent office on 2016-09-22 for heat exchanger distributor swirl vane.
The applicant listed for this patent is Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation. Invention is credited to Michael R. Barone, Khem Vanwijak Eowsakul, Richard Rusich.
Application Number | 20160273847 14/663927 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 55699377 |
Filed Date | 2016-09-22 |
United States Patent
Application |
20160273847 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Rusich; Richard ; et
al. |
September 22, 2016 |
HEAT EXCHANGER DISTRIBUTOR SWIRL VANE
Abstract
A vapor cycle heat exchanger has a plurality of heat exchanger
lines and a distributor. The distributor comprises a distributor
housing, a swirl vane, an atomizing nozzle, a plurality of nozzles,
and a fluid line intersection. The distributor housing defines a
main distributor line configured to receive a non-homogenous flow
of the two-phase refrigerant fluid. The swirl vane is disposed
within the main distributor line and configured to distribute the
non-homogeneous flow into a symmetric fluid distribution. The
atomizing nozzle is disposed downstream of the swirl vane. The
routing lines each lead to one of the plurality of heat exchanger
lines. The main distributor line branches into the routing lines at
the fluid line intersection, which is situated downstream of the
nozzle.
Inventors: |
Rusich; Richard; (Ellington,
CT) ; Barone; Michael R.; (Amston, CT) ;
Eowsakul; Khem Vanwijak; (Holyoke, MA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation |
Windsor Locks |
CT |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
55699377 |
Appl. No.: |
14/663927 |
Filed: |
March 20, 2015 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F28F 1/126 20130101;
F28F 9/028 20130101; F28F 9/24 20130101; F28D 1/05366 20130101;
F25B 39/028 20130101 |
International
Class: |
F28F 9/24 20060101
F28F009/24 |
Claims
1. A distributor for a two-phase refrigerant fluid of a vapor cycle
heat exchanger having a plurality of heat exchanger lines, the
distributor comprising: a distributor housing defining a main
distributor line configured to receive a non-homogenous flow of the
two-phase coolant fluid; a swirl vane disposed within the main
distributor line and configured to distribute the non-homogeneous
flow into a symmetric fluid distribution; an atomizing nozzle
disposed downstream of the swirl vane; a plurality of routing
lines, each leading to one of the plurality of heat exchanger
lines; and a fluid line intersection situated downstream of the
nozzle, and where the main distributor line branches into the
plurality of routing lines.
2. The distributor of claim 1, wherein the main distributor line is
a cylindrical passage extending along a distributor axis.
3. The distributor of claim 2, wherein the symmetric fluid
distribution is a substantially rotationally symmetric distribution
of the two-phase fluid about the distributor axis.
4. The distributor of claim 3, wherein the rotationally symmetric
distribution comprises a radially outer layer of liquid, and a
radially inner core of gas.
5. The distributor of claim 2, wherein the routing lines extend
axially and radially with respect to the distributor axis, away
from the fluid line intersection, and wherein the routing lines are
evenly circumferentially distributed about the distributor axis at
the fluid line intersection.
6. The distributor of claim 2, wherein each routing line extends
from the fluid line intersection to a line inlet into one of the
plurality of heat exchanger lines, and wherein the line inlets are
arranged in a line parallel to the distributor axis.
7. The distributor of claim 1, wherein the swirl vane is a helical
or propeller-shaped vane.
8. The distributor of claim 1, wherein the swirl vane is an
integral part of the distributor housing.
9. The distributor of claim 1, wherein the swirl vane is a separate
component installed within the distributor housing.
10. A heat exchanger system comprises: a heat exchanger with a
plurality of parallel heat exchanger lines, arranged along a common
heat exchanger plane, each heat exchanger line having a line inlet;
a distributor housing defining a main distributor line oriented
along a distributor axis, and configured to receive a
non-homogenous flow of the two-phase coolant fluid; a swirl vane
disposed within the main distributor line and configured to
distribute the non-homogeneous flow into a rotationally symmetric
fluid distribution about the distributor axis; an atomizing nozzle
disposed downstream of the swirl vane; a plurality of routing
lines, each leading to one of the line inlets; and a rotationally
symmetric fluid line intersection situated downstream of the
nozzle, and where the main distributor line branches into the
plurality of routing lines.
11. The distributor of claim 10, wherein the swirl vane is a
helical or propeller-shaped vane.
12. The distributor of claim 10, wherein the line inlets are
arranged in a line formed by the intersection of the heat exchanger
plane with the heat exchanger housing.
13. The distributor of claim 10, wherein at least one of the
distributor housing and the swirl vane is formed of aluminum.
Description
BACKGROUND
[0001] The present invention relates generally to heat exchangers,
and more particularly to a swirl vane for a heat exchanger
distributor.
[0002] Heat exchangers are used in a variety of applications to
transfer and transport heat, and often include a plurality of
separate fluid lines through fins or planes that increase surface
area for thermal transfer. Heat exchangers commonly use
distributors to evenly distribute coolant from a single inlet line
across these separate heat exchanger lines. To ensure efficient
heat transfer, distributors must distribute fluid volume from inlet
lines substantially evenly across heat exchanger lines.
[0003] Vapor cycle heat exchangers are often used to cool
electronics and other components with high thermal loads. As used
in the present application, the term "vapor cycle heat exchanger"
is defined as a closed system heat exchanger that transfers heat
via cyclical phase changes of flowing refrigerant fluid. Many
stages of vapor cycle heat exchangers carry refrigerant in
non-homogeneous state mixtures of liquid and gas.
[0004] It is desired to ensure efficient heat transfer distributors
in vapor cycle heat exchangers by providing equal refrigerant mass
down each heat exchanger line, and substantially the same
proportion of liquid to gas down each heat exchanger line.
SUMMARY
[0005] The present invention is directed toward a vapor cycle heat
exchanger with a plurality of heat exchanger lines and a
distributor. The distributor comprises a distributor housing, a
swirl vane, an atomizing nozzle, a plurality of nozzles, and a
fluid line intersection. The distributor housing defines a main
distributor line configured to receive a non-homogenous flow of the
two-phase coolant fluid. The swirl vane is disposed within the main
distributor line and configured to distribute the non-homogeneous
flow into a symmetric fluid distribution. The atomizing nozzle is
disposed downstream of the swirl vane. The routing lines each lead
to one of the plurality of heat exchanger lines. The main
distributor line branches into the routing lines at the fluid line
intersection, which is situated downstream of the nozzle.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0006] FIG. 1 is a simplified cross-sectional view of a heat
exchanger system.
[0007] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a distributor of the heat
exchanger system of FIG. 1.
[0008] FIG. 3a is a perspective view of a swirl vane in the
distributor of FIG. 2.
[0009] FIG. 3b is a cross-sectional view of the swirl vane of FIG.
3a.
[0010] FIG. 4 is a schematic view of the distributor of FIG. 2
[0011] While the above-identified figures set forth one or more
embodiments of the present disclosure, other embodiments are also
contemplated, as noted in the discussion. In all cases, this
disclosure presents the invention by way of representation and not
limitation. It should be understood that numerous other
modifications and embodiments can be devised by those skilled in
the art, which fall within the scope and spirit of the principles
of the invention. The figures may not be drawn to scale, and
applications and embodiments of the present invention may include
features and components not specifically shown in the drawings.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0012] The present invention concerns a swirl vane disposed in a
main distributor line of a distributor for a vapor cycle heat
exchanger with a plurality of heat exchanger lines. The swirl vane
distributes non-homogeneous mixtures of gas and liquid refrigerant
into a rotationally symmetric fluid distribution. A nozzle is
located downstream of the swirl vane. The swirl vane ensures that
liquid refrigerant entering the nozzle is substantially evenly
distributed across a plurality of routing lines, and that the
proportion of liquid to gas in each routine line is substantially
the same.
[0013] FIG. 1 is a simplified cross-sectional view of heat
exchanger system 10, comprising expansion valve 12, refrigerant
inlet 14, expansion chamber 16, distributor inlet 18, distributor
20 (with distributor housing 22, main distributor line 24, swirl
vane assembly 26, nozzle 28, fluid intersection 30, routing lines
32, and branch sections 34), and heat exchanger 36 (with heat
exchanger lines 38, heat exchanger inlets 40).
[0014] Heat exchanger system 10 is portion of a vapor cycle heat
exchanger. Heat exchanger 10 can, for example, carry refrigerants
fluids such as Freon, CO.sub.2, R134 refrigerants, or other
refrigerants. Heat exchanger system 10 can be used in a wide
variety of applications, including but not limited to air and
electronics cooling. Expansion valve 12 receives liquid or
mostly-liquid refrigerant via refrigerant inlet 14. Refrigerant is
allowed to expand and evaporate in expansion chamber 16, producing
a mixture of liquid and gas that distributor inlet 18 carries to
distributor 20. Distributor 20 distributes refrigerant
substantially uniformly between a multitude of heat exchanger lines
38 of heat exchanger 36. Each heat exchanger line 38 receives
refrigerant from distributor 20 at a corresponding heat exchanger
inlet 40.
[0015] Distributor 20 includes distributor housing 22, a rigid
structure that extends axially along distributor axis A and forms
the structure of distributor 20. Distributor housing 20 can, in
some embodiments, be a rigid metal structure formed, for example,
of cast aluminum. In other embodiments, distributor housing 20 can
be an injection molded polymer structure. Distributor housing 20
defines main distributor line 24, a substantially axial fluid flow
path that carries refrigerant fluid flow F.sub.c. Refrigerant fluid
flow F.sub.c contains a mixture of liquid and gas refrigerant, and
is initially non-homogeneously distributed within main distributor
line 24. The particular proportions of refrigerant fluid in liquid
and gas states can vary based on application and refrigerant fluid
selection. The initial non-homogeneous distribution of refrigerant
fluid flow F.sub.c can, for example, take the form of heavier
liquid refrigerant pooling along a bottom portion of main
distributor line 24, while coolant gas is correspondingly forced
upwards. Swirl vane assembly 26, a flow directing member within
main distributor line 24, redistributes the non-homogeneous fluid
of refrigerant fluid flow F.sub.c into a substantially symmetric
distribution. In at least some embodiments, swirl vane assembly 26
is a rotationally symmetric fan-, helix-, or propeller-shaped guide
vane that redistributes refrigerant fluid flow F.sub.c into a
rotationally symmetric distribution, as described with respect to
FIGS. 3a and 3b. Distributions of refrigerant fluid flow F.sub.c
are discussed in greater detail below with respect to FIG. 4. In
some embodiments, swirl vane assembly 26 can be formed as an
integral part of distributor housing 20. In other embodiments,
swirl vane assembly 26 can be an insert that is installed within
distributor housing 20, or an overmolded piece about which
distributor housing 20 is formed.
[0016] Swirl vane assembly 26 preconditions the non-homogeneous
mixture of liquid and gas refrigerant in fluid flow F.sub.c to be
substantially symmetrically distributed about axis A. Downstream of
swirl vane assembly 26, this pre-conditioned refrigerant fluid flow
F.sub.c passes through nozzle 28. Nozzle 28 is a narrow aperture
that forms a neck in main distributor line 24. Refrigerant fluid
flow F.sub.c passes through the constrained aperture of nozzle 28
at high speeds, and is thereby atomized. This atomization of
refrigerant flow F.sub.c substantially homogenizes liquid and gas
distribution immediately downstream of nozzle 28, where main
distributor line 24 branches at fluid intersection 30 into a
plurality of routing lines 32. Intersection 30 acts as a flow
divider, separating refrigerant fluid flow F.sub.c into a plurality
of secondary refrigerant flows F.sub.s, one down each routing line
32. Each routing line 32 extends from fluid intersection 30 to a
heat exchanger inlet 40 for one of the plurality of heat exchanger
lines 38. Further details of the routing path of routing lines 32
are described below with respect to FIG. 2. Routing lines 32
include branch sections 34, which extend axially and radially from
fluid intersection 30. Branch sections 34 are circumferentially
distributed about axis A at fluid intersection 30. Refrigerant
fluid flow F.sub.c is substantially homogeneously distributed at
fluid intersection 30: the atomized, symmetrical distribution of
refrigerant fluid flow F.sub.c at fluid intersection 30 ensures
that substantially equal refrigerant volumes with substantially
identical distributions of liquid and gas refrigerant enter each
routing line 32 via corresponding branch sections 34. Consequently,
all secondary refrigerant flows F.sub.s have substantially equal
volume, and share substantially the same proportion of liquid to
gas as refrigerant fluid flow F.sub.c. Secondary refrigerant flows
F.sub.s can subsequently separate (i.e. into liquid and gas layers)
downstream of fluid intersection 30, without any impact on the
uniformity of fluid distribution across heat exchanger lines 38, or
the overall efficiency of heat exchanger 36.
[0017] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of distributor 20, described
above with respect to FIG. 1. FIG. 2 illustrates distributor
housing 22, routing lines 32, branch sections 34, heat exchanger
inlets 40, secondary distribution sections 42, distributor axis A.
Distributor housing 20 is transparently to allow routing lines 32
to be seen.
[0018] Distributor 20 operates as described above with respect to
FIG. 1, with swirl vane assembly 26 and nozzle 28 ensuring
substantially uniform refrigerant distribution across all routing
lines 32. Routing lines 32 comprise branch sections 34 and
secondary distribution sections 42. In the depicted embodiment,
branch sections 32 are distributed circumferentially about axis A,
and extend axially and radially form fluid intersection 30 to an
axially rear-most portion of distributor housing 22. Secondary
distribution sections 42 extend from branch sections 34 to heat
exchanger inlets 40. In the depicted embodiment, all heat exchanger
inlets 40 are aligned along a heat exchanger line L.sub.HE. This
embodiment corresponds to an arrangement of heat exchanger lines 38
(e.g. for each vane or fin of heat exchanger 36) along a single
plane intersecting distributor housing 22 at heat exchanger line
L.sub.HE. In alternative embodiments, heat exchanger inlets 40 can
be distributed across several locations on distributor housing 22,
e.g. where heat exchanger 36 comprises multiple planes of heat
exchanger lines. In the illustrated embodiment, secondary
distribution sections 42 extend axially and circumferentially from
branch sections 34 to heat exchanger inlets 40.
[0019] FIGS. 3a and 3b are perspective and cross-sectional views,
respectively, of one possible embodiment of swirl vane assembly 26.
FIGS. 3a and 3b illustrate flow guide vanes 44 and vane connection
46. In the depicted embodiment, swirl vane assembly 26 comprises
two flow guide vanes 44 joined at vane connection 46, and each
swirl vane assembly 26 comprises a bent half-moon shape. As shown
in FIGS. 3a and 3b, flow guide vanes 44 are bent sections of
substantially uniform thickness, and vane connection 46 is a
chamfered connection between flow guide vanes 44. In this
embodiment, parallel surfaces of flow guide vanes 44 are separated
by an axial distance D. Axial distance D is also the spanwise
diameter of a circular region R.sub.C of each fluid guide vane 44
conforming to a circular shape, and each fluid guide vane 44
comprises two opposite symmetrically controlled circular and/or
oval regions, each covering an angular sweep .theta. from the
center cross-section line. Angular sweep .theta. can, for example,
be 30-60.degree.. More generally, the shape of swirl vane assembly
26 is selected such that refrigerant fluid flow F.sub.c impinging
on swirl vane assembly 26 is constrained by fluid guide vanes 44
and by cylindrical walls of distributor housing 22 to conform to a
swirling or vortex pattern. Alternative embodiments of swirl vane
assembly 26 can, for example, be helical or propeller-shaped. As
described above with respect to FIG. 1, the vortex imparted on
coolant fluid flow F.sub.c by swirl vane assembly 26 serves to
rearrange the asymmetric distribution of non-homogeneous coolant
fluid flow F.sub.c upstream of swirl vane assembly 26 into a
rotationally symmetric distribution that preconditions refrigerant
for increased homogeneity after passing through nozzle 28. In some
embodiments, swirl vane assembly 26 can be cast or molded as a
single piece, and/or machined into a desired shape. In other
embodiments, swirl vane assembly 26 can be formed from multiple
pieces (e.g. as separate flow guide vanes 46) welded or otherwise
joined together during manufacturing. The particular geometry of
swirl vane assembly 26 illustrated in FIGS. 3a and 3b comprises
only one possible embodiment, but provides desirable flow
characteristics.
[0020] FIG. 4 is a schematic view of distributor 20 illustrating
the distribution of refrigerant fluid by swirl vane assembly 26.
FIG. 4 also depicts distributor housing 22, main distribution line
24, and distributor axis A. FIG. 4 illustrates the transition of
refrigerant fluid flow from a first, asymmetric distribution
Dist.sub.A to a second, rotationally symmetrical distribution
Dist.sub.S. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, distributor housing 22
defines a predominantly axial main distributor line 24. Swirl vane
assembly 26 is interposed within main distributor line 24, upstream
of nozzle 28. Swirl vane assembly 26 imparts a rotational component
about axis A on fluid velocity within main distributor line 24,
preventing asymmetric pooling of denser liquid or lighter gas in
nozzle 28 and fluid intersection 30. Swirl vane assembly 26 and
nozzle 28 cooperate to ensure that fluid distribution is uniform
across all routing lines 32 branching off of fluid intersection 30.
This uniformity takes two forms. First, distributor 20 helps ensure
that substantially equal volumes of refrigerant fluid reach each
routing line 32. Second, distributor 20 helps ensure that the
proportion of liquid to gas is substantially identical in
refrigerant reaching each routing line 32. This uniformity promotes
efficient operation of heat exchanger 36.
Discussion of Possible Embodiments
[0021] The following are non-exclusive descriptions of possible
embodiments of the present invention.
[0022] A distributor for a two-phase refrigerant fluid of a vapor
cycle heat exchanger having a plurality of heat exchanger lines,
the distributor comprising: a distributor housing defining a main
distributor line configured to receive a non-homogenous flow of the
two-phase coolant fluid; a swirl vane disposed within the main
distributor line and configured to distribute the non-homogeneous
flow into a symmetric fluid distribution; an atomizing nozzle
disposed downstream of the swirl vane; a plurality of routing
lines, each leading to one of the plurality of heat exchanger
lines; and a fluid line intersection situated downstream of the
nozzle, and where the main distributor line branches into the
plurality of routing lines.
[0023] The distributor of the preceding paragraph can optionally
include, additionally and/or alternatively, any one or more of the
following features, configurations and/or additional
components:
[0024] A further embodiment of the foregoing distributor, wherein
the main distributor line is a cylindrical passage extending along
a distributor axis.
[0025] A further embodiment of the foregoing distributor, wherein
the symmetric fluid distribution is a substantially rotationally
symmetric distribution of the two-phase fluid about the distributor
axis.
[0026] A further embodiment of the foregoing distributor, wherein
the rotationally symmetric distribution comprises a radially outer
layer of liquid, and a radially inner core of gas.
[0027] A further embodiment of the foregoing distributor, wherein
the routing lines extend axially and radially with respect to the
distributor axis, away from the fluid line intersection, and
wherein the routing lines are evenly circumferentially distributed
about the distributor axis at the fluid line intersection.
[0028] A further embodiment of the foregoing distributor, wherein
each routing line extends from the fluid line intersection to a
line inlet into one of the plurality of heat exchanger lines, and
wherein the line inlets are arranged in a line parallel to the
distributor axis.
[0029] A further embodiment of the foregoing distributor, wherein
the swirl vane is a helical or propeller-shaped vane.
[0030] A further embodiment of the foregoing distributor, wherein
the swirl vane is an integral part of the distributor housing.
[0031] A further embodiment of the foregoing distributor, wherein
the swirl vane is a separate component installed within the
distributor housing.
[0032] A heat exchanger system comprises: a heat exchanger with a
plurality of parallel heat exchanger lines, arranged along a common
heat exchanger plane, each heat exchanger line having a line inlet;
a distributor housing defining a main distributor line oriented
along a distributor axis, and configured to receive a
non-homogenous flow of the two-phase coolant fluid; a swirl vane
disposed within the main distributor line and configured to
distribute the non-homogeneous flow into a rotationally symmetric
fluid distribution about the distributor axis; an atomizing nozzle
disposed downstream of the swirl vane; a plurality of routing
lines, each leading to one of the line inlets; and a rotationally
symmetric fluid line intersection situated downstream of the
nozzle, and where the main distributor line branches into the
plurality of routing lines.
[0033] The heat exchanger system of the preceding paragraph can
optionally include, additionally and/or alternatively, any one or
more of the following features, configurations and/or additional
components:
[0034] A further embodiment of the foregoing heat exchanger system,
wherein the swirl vane is a helical or propeller-shaped vane.
[0035] A further embodiment of the foregoing heat exchanger system,
wherein the line inlets are arranged in a line formed by the
intersection of the heat exchanger plane with the heat exchanger
housing.
[0036] A further embodiment of the foregoing heat exchanger system,
wherein at least one of the distributor housing and the swirl vane
is formed of aluminum.
SUMMATION
[0037] Any relative terms or terms of degree used herein, such as
"substantially", "essentially", "generally", "approximately" and
the like, should be interpreted in accordance with and subject to
any applicable definitions or limits expressly stated herein. In
all instances, any relative terms or terms of degree used herein
should be interpreted to broadly encompass any relevant disclosed
embodiments as well as such ranges or variations as would be
understood by a person of ordinary skill in the art in view of the
entirety of the present disclosure, such as to encompass ordinary
manufacturing tolerance variations, incidental alignment
variations, alignment or shape variations induced by thermal,
rotational or vibrational operational conditions, and the like.
[0038] While the invention has been described with reference to an
exemplary embodiment(s), 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(s) disclosed, but that the invention will
include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended
claims.
* * * * *