EP4695566A1

EP4695566A1 - Heat exchanger with water box and baffle

Info

Publication number: EP4695566A1
Application number: EP24789578.2A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Michael Allen LAWSON; Kyle Justin WILLNER; Pradip THAPA; Lu MEI; Seth Kevin Gladfelter; Shuiwang LI; Satheesh Kulankara; Robert Lee BLANTON
Original assignee: Tyco Fire and Security GmbH; Johnson Controls Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Wuxi Co Ltd
Current assignee: Tyco Fire and Security GmbH; Johnson Controls Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Wuxi Co Ltd
Priority date: 2023-04-13
Filing date: 2024-04-12
Publication date: 2026-02-18
Also published as: TW202445076A; WO2024216117A1; KR20250170694A; CN121039448A

Abstract

A heat exchanger (100) for a heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration (HVAC&R) system (10) includes a shell (104), a plurality of tubes (106) disposed within the shell (104), a water box (110) coupled to the shell (104), where the water box (110) is configured to receive a flow of conditioning fluid (158) and to direct the flow of conditioning fluid (158) into the plurality of tubes (106), and a baffle (128) disposed within the water box (110). The baffle (128) is disposed upstream of the plurality of tubes (106) relative to a direction of the flow of conditioning fluid (158) through the water box (110), and the baffle (128) includes a plurality of apertures (184) formed therein.

Description

HEAT EXCHANGER WITH WATER BOX AND BAFFLE

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims priority from and the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/459,154, entitled “HEAT EXCHANGER WITH WATER BOX AND BAFFLE,” filed April 13. 2023, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety' for all purposes.

BACKGROUND

[0002] This section is intended to introduce the reader to various aspects of art that may be related to various aspects of the present disclosure, which are described below. This discussion is believed to be helpful in providing the reader with background information to facilitate a better understanding of the various aspects of the present disclosure. Accordingly, it should be understood that these statements are to be read in this light, and not as admissions of prior art.

[0003] Heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration (HVAC&R) systems, such as chiller systems and/or other vapor compression systems, utilize a working fluid (e.g., a refrigerant) that changes phases between vapor, liquid, and combinations thereof in response to exposure to different temperatures and pressures within components of the HVAC&R system. The HVAC&R system may include one or more heat exchangers configured to place the working fluid in a heat exchange relationship with an additional fluid (e.g.. cooling fluid, conditioning fluid, water) in order to condition (e.g., heat and/or cool) the additional fluid. The HVAC&R system may deliver the additional fluid to conditioning equipment and/or a conditioned environment serviced by the HVAC&R system. In such applications, the additional fluid may be directed through downstream equipment, such as air handlers, to condition other fluids, such as air in a building. The heat exchanger may include a variety of components configured to direct the working fluid and the additional fluid through the heat exchanger and to enable heat exchange between the working fluid and the additional fluid within the heat exchanger. Unfortunately, existing heat exchangers may be susceptible to inefficiencies, such as inefficient heat transfer between the working fluid and the additional fluid. SUMMARY

[0004] A summary of certain embodiments disclosed herein is set forth below. It should be understood that these aspects are presented merely to provide the reader with a brief summary of these certain embodiments and that these aspects are not intended to limit the scope of this disclosure. Indeed, this disclosure may encompass a variety of aspects that may not be set forth below.

[0005] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, a heat exchanger for a heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration (HVAC&R) system includes a shell, a plurality⁷ of tubes disposed within the shell, a water box coupled to the shell, where the water box is configured to receive a flow of conditioning fluid and to direct the flow of conditioning fluid into the plurality of tubes, and a baffle disposed within the water box. The baffle is disposed upstream of the plurality of tubes relative to a direction of the flow of conditioning fluid through the water box, and the baffle includes a plurality of apertures formed therein.

[0006] In another embodiment of the present disclosure, a heat exchanger for a heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration (HVAC&R) system includes a shell and a plurality of tubes disposed within the shell. The plurality of tubes is configured to direct a fluid therethrough, and the plurality of tubes includes a first subset of tubes defining a first pass of the fluid through the shell and a second subset of tubes defining a second pass of the fluid through the shell. The heat exchanger also includes a water box coupled to the shell, the water box includes a fluid inlet configured to direct the fluid into the water box. and the water box is configured to direct the fluid into the first subset of tubes. The heat exchanger further includes a baffle disposed within the water box, where the baffle includes a plurality of apertures formed therein, and the baffle is offset from the first subset of tubes relative to a longitudinal axis of the heat exchanger

[0007] In a further embodiment of the present disclosure, a heat exchanger for a heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration (HVAC&R) system includes a shell, a first plurality of tubes extending through the shell to define a first fluid pass through the shell, and a second plurality of tubes extending through the shell to define a second fluid pass through the shell. The heat exchanger also includes a first water box coupled to the shell, a second water box coupled to the shell, and a partition disposed within the first water box, where the partition separates the first water box into a first volume and a second volume. The heat exchanger further includes a baffle disposed within the first volume, and the baffle includes a plurality of apertures formed therein. The first water box is configured to receive a flow of fluid and direct the flow of fluid through the first volume and into the first plurality of tubes, the second water box is configured to direct the flow of fluid from the first plurality of tubes to the second plurality of tubes, the second plurality of tubes is configured to direct the flow of fluid into the second volume, and the first water box is configured to discharge the flow of fluid from the second volume

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0008] Various aspects of this disclosure may be better understood upon reading the following detailed description and upon reference to the drawings in which:

[0009] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a building that may utilize a heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration (HVAC&R) system in a commercial setting, in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure;

[0010] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a vapor compression system, in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure;

[0011] FIG. 3 is a schematic of an embodiment of a vapor compression system, in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure;

[0012] FIG. 4 is a schematic of an embodiment of a vapor compression system, in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure;

[0013] FIG. 5 is a partial perspective view of an embodiment of a heat exchanger having a first pass, a second pass, a water box, and a baffle disposed within the water box, in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure;

[0014] FIG. 6 is a side view schematic an embodiment of a heat exchanger having a first pass, a second pass, a water box, and a baffle disposed within the water box, in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure; [0015] FIG. 7 is a partial perspective view of an embodiment of a heat exchanger having a first pass, a second pass, a water box, and a baffle disposed within the water box, in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure;

[0016] FIG. 8 is an axial view of an embodiment of a baffle for a water box of a heat exchanger, in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure; and

[0017] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a baffle for a water box of a heat exchanger, in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0018] One or more specific embodiments of the present disclosure will be described below. These described embodiments are examples of the presently disclosed techniques. Additionally, in an effort to provide a concise description of these embodiments, all features of an actual implementation may not be described in the specification. It should be appreciated that in the development of any such actual implementation, as in any engineering or design project, numerous implementationspecific decisions must be made to achieve the developers’ specific goals, such as compliance with system-related and business-related constraints, which may varv from one implementation to another. Moreover, it should be appreciated that such a development effort might be complex and time consuming, but would nevertheless be a routine undertaking of design, fabrication, and manufacture for those of ordinary skill having the benefit of this disclosure.

[0019] When introducing elements of various embodiments of the present disclosure, the articles “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to mean that there are one or more of the elements. The terms “comprising,” “including,” and “having” are intended to be inclusive and mean that there may be additional elements other than the listed elements. Additionally, it should be understood that references to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” of the present disclosure are not intended to be interpreted as excluding the existence of additional embodiments that also incorporate the recited features.

[0020] As used herein, the terms “approximately,” “generally.” and “substantially,” and so forth, are intended to convey that the property value being described may be within a relatively small range of the property value, as those of ordinary skill would understand. For example, when a property value is described as being "approximately" equal to (or, for example, ‘‘substantially similar” to) a given value, this is intended to mean that the property value may be within +/- 5%, within +/- 4%, within +/- 3%, within +/- 2%, within +/- 1%, or even closer, of the given value. Similarly, when a given feature is described as being ‘'substantially parallel” to another feature, “generally perpendicular” to another feature, and so forth, this is intended to mean that the given feature is within +/- 5%, within +/- 4%. within +/- 3%, within +/- 2%. within +/- 1%. or even closer, to having the described nature, such as being parallel to another feature, being perpendicular to another feature, and so forth. Further, it should be understood that mathematical terms, such as “planar,” “slope,” “perpendicular,'’ “parallel,” and so forth are intended to encompass features of surfaces or elements as understood to one of ordinary skill in the relevant art, and should not be rigidly interpreted as might be understood in the mathematical arts. For example, a “planar” surface is intended to encompass a surface that is machined, molded, or otherwise formed to be substantially flat or smooth (within related tolerances) using techniques and tools available to one of ordinary’ skill in the art. Similarly, a surface having a “slope” is intended to encompass a surface that is machined, molded, or otherwise formed to be oriented at an angle (e.g., incline) with respect to a point of reference using techniques and tools available to one of ordinary’ skill in the art.

[0021] Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed toward a heat exchanger that may be utilized in a heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration (HVAC&R) system, such as a chiller system or other vapor compression system. The heat exchanger includes a water box with a baffle disposed therein. As will be appreciated, the heat exchanger may be configured to place a working fluid (e.g., refrigerant) in a heat exchange relationship with another fluid (e.g., heat transfer fluid), such as a cooling fluid or a conditioning fluid, to enable heat transfer therebetween (e.g.. from a conditioning fluid to the working fluid, from the working fluid to a cooling fluid). For example, the heat exchanger may be a shell and tube heat exchanger having a plurality^ of tubes disposed within a shell or housing of the heat exchanger. The working fluid may be directed into the shell of the heat exchanger, and an additional fluid (e.g., heat transfer fluid) may be directed through the plurality of tubes. As the working fluid is directed across the plurality of tubes, heat is transferred between the working fluid and the additional fluid directed through the plurality of tubes. The plurality of tubes may be divided into a first subset of tubes and a second subset of tubes. The first subset of tubes may define a first pass of the additional fluid directed through the heat exchanger, and the second subset of tubes may define a second pass of the additional fluid through the heat exchanger. Accordingly, the additional fluid may be directed to flow through the heat exchanger at least two times. For example, the additional fluid may be directed through the plurality of tubes and along multiple passes through the heat exchanger (e.g.. sequentially and/or serially through the first subset of tubes and the second subset of tubes) to enable increased heat transfer between the working fluid and the additional fluid.

[0022] In such embodiments, the heat exchanger may include a first water box (e.g., first fluid box) disposed at a first end of the shell and a second water box (e.g., second fluid box) disposed at a second end of the shell. The first water box may include a partition (e.g., divider) disposed therein to divide or separate the first water box into a first portion and a second portion. The additional fluid may be initially directed into the heat exchanger via the first w ater box. In particular, the additional fluid may be directed into the first portion of the first water box, and the partition mayblock flow of the additional fluid directly from the first portion to the second portion w ithin the first w ater box. From the first portion of the first water box, the additional fluid may be directed through the first subset of tubes (e.g., first pass) extending through the shell of the heat exchanger. In this way, heat may be transferred between the working fluid and the additional fluid.

[0023] The second water box may receive the additional fluid from the first subset of tubes and may direct the additional fluid into the second subset of tubes (e.g., second pass) extending through the shell of the heat exchanger. As the additional fluid is directed through the second subset of tubes, additional heat may be transferred between the working fluid and the additional fluid. The additional fluid may be directed through the second subset of tubes and into the second portion of the first water box. From the second portion of the first water box, the additional fluid may be discharged from the heat exchanger. For example, the additional fluid may be a cooling fluid (e.g., water), and the cooling fluid may be directed from the heat exchanger to additional equipment (e.g., of the HVAC&R system), such as an air handler, a terminal unit, or other component to enable heat transfer between the cooling fluid and another fluid to be conditioned, such as air within a building.

[0024] As mentioned above, existing heat exchangers may be susceptible inefficient heat transfer betw een the working fluid and an additional fluid (e.g., heat transfer fluid, cooling fluid, conditioning fluid) directed through the heat exchanger. For example, existing heat exchangers may direct the additional fluid into and/or through a plurality of tubes (e.g., disposed within a shell of the heat exchanger) in an uneven or non-uniform manner, which may result in uneven and/or inefficient heat transfer between the additional fluid directed through the plurality of tubes and the working fluid directed into the shell of the heat exchanger. Inefficient heat transfer between the working fluid and the additional fluid may limit desired operation of HVAC&R system (e.g., vapor compression system, chiller system) and/or may inhibit proper operation of the HVAC&R system.

[0025] Accordingly, present embodiments are directed to systems and methods configured to enable more even or uniform distribution of a fluid directed into and through a plurality of tubes disposed within a shell of a heat exchanger. In particular, present embodiments include a baffle disposed within a water box of the heat exchanger. The baffle is configured to reduce turbulent flow of the fluid within the water box and to enable more uniform distribution of the fluid through the plurality of tubes (e.g., a subset of the plurality of tubes). As described in detail below, the baffle may be a perforated plate disposed within a first portion of the water box that is configured to initially receive the fluid (e.g., initially receive the fluid directed to the heat exchanger) and to initiate flow of the fluid through the plurality of tubes (e.g., a subset of the plurality of tubes) Thus, the baffle may enable more uniform distribution of the fluid directed into and through the subset of the plurality of tubes, which may define a first pass of the heat exchanger. In this way, the presently disclosed techniques enable more efficient heat transfer between the fluid directed through the plurality of tubes and a working fluid directed into the shell and across the plurality of tubes. [0026] Turning now to the drawings, FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a heating, ventilating, air conditioning, and/or refrigeration (HVAC&R) system 10 in a building 12 for a typical commercial setting. The HVAC&R system 10 may include a vapor compression system 14 (e.g., a chiller) configured to supply a chilled liquid (e.g., a conditioning fluid), which may be used to cool the building 12. The HVAC&R system 10 may also include a boiler 16 configured to supply a warm liquid to heat the building 12. The vapor compression system 14, also referred to herein as a chiller, may circulate a working fluid (e.g., refrigerant) that is cooled by a cooling fluid (e.g., a liquid, such as water) in a condenser of the vapor compression system 14, and that is heated by a conditioning fluid (e.g., a liquid, such as water) in an evaporator of the vapor compression system 14. In some embodiments, the cooling fluid may be provided by a cooling tower which cools the cooling fluid via, for example, heat transfer with ambient air. The conditioning fluid, cooled by the working fluid as noted above, may be utilized to cool an air flow provided to conditioned spaces of the building 12.

[0027] The HVAC&R system 10 may also include an air distribution system which circulates air through the building 12. The air distribution system may include an air return duct 18, an air supply duct 20, and/or an air handler 22. In some embodiments, the air handler 22 may include a heat exchanger that is connected to the boiler 16 and the vapor compression system 14 by conduits 24. The heat exchanger in the air handler 22 may receive either heated liquid from the boiler 16 or the conditioning fluid (e.g., chilled liquid, such as water) from the vapor compression system 14, depending on the mode of operation of the HVAC&R system 10. The HVAC&R system 10 is shown with a separate air handler on each floor of the building 12, but in other embodiments, the HVAC&R system 10 may include air handlers 22 and/or other components that may be shared between or among floors.

[0028] FIGS. 2 and 3 are schematics of embodiments of the vapor compression system 14 (e.g., chiller, chiller system) that can be used in the HVAC&R system 10. The vapor compression system 14 may circulate a working fluid (e g., a refrigerant) through a circuit (e.g., working fluid circuit, refrigerant circuit) starting with a compressor 32, such as a centrifugal compressor. The circuit may also include a condenser 34, an expansion valve(s) or device(s) 36, and an evaporator 38 (e.g., a liquid chiller). The vapor compression system 14 may further include a control panel 40 that has an analog to digital (A/D) converter 42, a microprocessor 44, a nonvolatile memory 46, and/or an interface board 48.

[0029] Some examples of fluids that may be used as working fluids (e.g., refrigerants) in the vapor compression system 14 are hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) based working fluids, for example, R-410A, R-407, R-134a, hydrofluoro olefin (HFO), “natural” working fluids like ammonia (NH3), R-717, carbon dioxide (CO2), R-744, or hydrocarbon-based working fluids, water vapor, or any other suitable working fluid. Other possible working fluids that may be circulated through the vapor compression system 14 include R-123, R-514A, R-1224yd, R-1233zd, R-134a, R- 1234ze, R-1234yf, R-1311, and R-32. In some embodiments, the vapor compression system 14 may be configured to efficiently utilize working fluids having a normal boiling point of about 19 degrees Celsius (66 degrees Fahrenheit) at one atmosphere of pressure, also referred to as low pressure working fluids, versus a medium pressure working fluid, such as R-134a. As used herein, “normal boiling point” may refer to a boiling point temperature measured at one atmosphere of pressure.

[0030] In some embodiments, the vapor compression system 14 may use one or more of a variable speed drive (VSDs) 52, a motor 50, the compressor 32, the condenser 34, the expansion valve or device 36, and/or the evaporator 38. The motor 50 may drive the compressor 32 and may be powered by the VSD 52. The VSD 52 receives alternating current (AC) power having a particular fixed line voltage and fixed line frequency from an AC power source, and provides power having a variable voltage and frequency to the motor 50. In other embodiments, the motor 50 may be powered directly from an AC or direct current (DC) power source. The motor 50 may include any type of motor (e.g., electric motor) that can be powered by a VSD or directly from an AC or DC power source, such as a switched reluctance motor, an induction motor, an electronically commutated permanent magnet motor, or another suitable motor.

[0031] The compressor 32 compresses a working fluid vapor and delivers the vapor to the condenser 34 through a discharge passage. In some embodiments, the compressor 32 may be a centrifugal compressor. The working fluid vapor delivered by the compressor 32 to the condenser 34 may transfer heat to a cooling fluid (e.g., water or air) in the condenser 34. The working fluid vapor may condense to a working fluid liquid in the condenser 34 due to thermal heat transfer with the cooling fluid. The liquid working fluid from the condenser 34 may flow through the expansion device 36 and to the evaporator 38. In the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 3, the condenser 34 is water cooled and includes a tube bundle 54 connected to a cooling tower 56, which supplies the cooling fluid to the condenser 34.

[0032] The liquid working fluid delivered to the evaporator 38 may absorb heat from a conditioning fluid, which may or may not be the same cooling fluid used in the condenser 34. For example, the conditioning fluid may be cooled by the working fluid in the evaporator 38, and then the conditioning fluid may be utilized in the building 12 to condition (e.g., cool) an air flow provided to condition a space in the building 12. The liquid working fluid in the evaporator 38 may undergo a phase change from the liquid working fluid to a working fluid vapor. As shown in the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 3, the evaporator 38 may include a tube bundle 58 having a supply line 60S and a return line 60R connected to a load 62 (e.g., a cooling load). The conditioning fluid of the evaporator 38 (e.g., water, ethylene glycol, calcium chloride brine, sodium chloride brine, or any other suitable fluid) enters the evaporator 38 via the return line 60R and exits the evaporator 38 via the supply line 60S. The evaporator 38 may reduce the temperature of the conditioning fluid in the tube bundle 58 via thermal heat transfer with the working fluid. The tube bundle 58 in the evaporator 38 may include a plurality of tubes and/or a plurality of tube bundles. In any case, the vapor working fluid exits the evaporator 38 and returns to the compressor 32 by a suction line to complete the cycle.

[0033] FIG. 4 is a schematic of an embodiment of the vapor compression system 14 with an intermediate circuit 64 incorporated between the condenser 34 and the expansion device 36. The intermediate circuit 64 may have an inlet line 68 that is directly fluidly connected to the condenser 34. In other embodiments, the inlet line 68 may be indirectly fluidly coupled to the condenser 34. As shown in the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 4, the inlet line 68 includes a first expansion device 66 positioned upstream of an intermediate vessel 70. In some embodiments, the intermediate vessel 70 may be a flash tank (e.g., a flash intercooler, an economizer, etc.). In other embodiments, the intermediate vessel 70 may be configured as a heat exchanger or a "surface economizer." In the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 4, the intermediate vessel 70 is used as a flash tank, and the first expansion device 66 is configured to lower the pressure of (e.g., expand) the liquid working fluid received from the condenser 34. During the expansion process, a portion of the liquid working fluid may vaporize, and thus, the intermediate vessel 70 may be used to separate the vapor working fluid from the liquid working fluid received from the first expansion device 66.

[0034] Additionally, the intermediate vessel 70 may provide for further expansion of the liquid working fluid due to a pressure drop experienced by the liquid working fluid when entering the intermediate vessel 70 (e.g., due to a rapid increase in volume experienced when entering the intermediate vessel 70). The vapor working fluid in the intermediate vessel 70 may be drawn by the compressor 32 through a suction line 74 of the compressor 32. In other embodiments, the vapor working fluid in the intermediate vessel 70 may be draw n to an intermediate stage of the compressor 32 (e.g., not the suction stage). The liquid working fluid that collects in the intermediate vessel 70 may be at a lower enthalpy than the liquid working fluid exiting the condenser 34 due to expansion of the working fluid at the expansion device 66 and/or in the intermediate vessel 70. The liquid working fluid from intermediate vessel 70 may then flow through line 72 and through a second expansion device 36 to the evaporator 38.

[0035] It should be appreciated that any of the features described herein may be incorporated with the vapor compression system 14 or any other suitable HVAC&R systems. For example, the present techniques may be incorporated with any suitable HVAC&R system having a heat exchanger (e.g., a shell and tube heat exchanger), such as the condenser 34 and/or the evaporator 38. The discussion below describes the present techniques incorporated with embodiments of a heat exchanger (e.g., an evaporator) having a shell configured to direct a working fluid through and a plurality of tubes disposed within the shell and configured to direct a conditioning fluid therethrough. However, it should be noted that the systems and methods described herein may be incorporated with other embodiments of heat exchangers having a shell and a plurality of tubes disposed therein, as well as other embodiments of the HVAC&R system 10 (e.g.. a chiller system, a heat pump system, a refrigeration system, etc.). For example, the present techniques may be incorporated with any suitable heat exchanger having a plurality of tubes configured to direct a fluid (e.g., an additional fluid) therethrough, such as a cooling fluid, a heat transfer fluid, a refrigerant, a free-cooling fluid, or any other suitable fluid.

[0036] As discussed above, a heat exchanger of the vapor compression system 14 may include a shell and plurality of tubes disposed within the shell. The shell may be configured to receive a working fluid (e.g.. refrigerant) circulated through the vapor compression system 14 (e.g., along a working fluid circuit), and the plurality of tubes may be configured to direct a conditioning fluid (e.g., water) through the heat exchanger to enable heat transfer between the working fluid and the conditioning fluid. In some embodiments, the plurality of tubes may be divided into a first subset of tubes and a second subset of tubes. The first subset of tubes may define a first pass of the conditioning fluid through the heat exchanger, and the second subset of tubes may define a second pass of the conditioning fluid through the heat exchanger. Accordingly, the heat exchanger may also include a first water box (e g., a first fluid box, a first conditioning fluid box) and a second water box (e.g., a second fluid box. a second conditioning fluid box) disposed at opposite ends of the shell to enable flow of the conditioning fluid through (e.g., sequentially through, serially through) the first subset of tubes defining first pass and through the second subset of tubes defining the second pass of the heat exchanger. In accordance with present techniques, a baffle may be disposed within at least one water box (e.g., at least a portion of one water box) of the heat exchanger to enable more uniform distribution of the conditioning fluid within the first subset of tubes, the second subset of tubes, or both, thereby improving heat transfer between the conditioning fluid and the working fluid.

[0037] With the foregoing in mind, FIG. 5 is perspective view of a portion of a heat exchanger 100 that may be utilized within an embodiment of the vapor compression system 14 (e.g., chiller system). For example, the heat exchanger 100 may be an embodiment of the condenser 34 or the evaporator 38 discussed above. The heat exchanger 100 includes a plurality of tubes 102 extending through a shell 104 of the heat exchanger 100. The plurality of tubes 102 is configured to receive and direct a conditioning fluid through the heat exchanger 100, and the shell 104 is configured to receive the working fluid circulated through the vapor compression system 14 (e.g., a working fluid circuit of the vapor compression system 14). During operation, the working fluid is directed into the shell 104 and across the plurality of tubes 102 to enable heat transfer between the working fluid and the conditioning fluid directed through the plurality of tubes 102. As noted above, it should be appreciated that any suitable type of fluid may be directed through the plurality of tubes 102 to enable heat transfer between the fluid and the working fluid directed through the shell 104 and across the plurality of tubes 102. For example, the fluid directed through the plurality of tubes 102 may be a cooling fluid, a heat transfer fluid, a refrigerant, a free-cooling fluid, water, glycol, brine, an industrial process fluid, another suitable fluid, or any combination thereof.

[0038] The plurality of tubes 102 may be separated or divided into a first subset of tubes 106 (e.g., a first plurality of tubes) and a second subset of tubes 108 (e.g., a second plurality of tubes) to define a first pass (e.g., a first fluid pass) of the conditioning fluid through the heat exchanger 100 and a second pass (e.g., a second fluid pass) of the conditioning fluid through the heat exchanger 100. For example, the conditioning fluid may be directed sequentially through the first subset of tubes 106 and then through the second subset of tubes 108. To this end, the heat exchanger 100 also includes a first water box 110 (e.g., a first fluid box, a first conditioning fluid box, a first fluid section) disposed at a first end 112 (e.g., a first longitudinal end) of the shell 104 and a second water box 114 (e.g., a second fluid box, a second conditioning fluid box, a second fluid section) disposed at a second end 116 (e.g., a second longitudinal end) of the shell 104. The first water box 110 may include a conditioning fluid inlet 118 (e.g., a fluid inlet) of the heat exchanger 100 and a conditioning fluid outlet 120 (e g., a fluid outlet) of the heat exchanger 100. In an embodiment of the heat exchanger 100 incorporated with the vapor compression system 14 as the evaporator 38, a flow of the conditioning fluid may be directed from a cooling load (e.g., load 62, via the return line 60R) and into the first water box 110 of the heat exchanger tOO via the conditioning fluid inlet 118. For example, in the illustrated embodiment, the conditioning fluid inlet 118 is configured to direct the flow of conditioning fluid into the first water box 110 in and/or along the lateral direction 134. After flowing through the plurality of tubes 102 (e.g., the first subset of tubes 106 and the second subset of tubes 108), the conditioning fluid may be discharged from the heat exchanger 100 (e.g.. the first water box 110) via the conditioning fluid outlet 120 and may be directed back to the cooling load (e.g., load 62, via the supply line 60S) to provide cooling to the cooling load. In the illustrated embodiment, the conditioning fluid outlet 120 is configured to discharge the flow of conditioning fluid from the heat exchanger 100 (e g., the first water box 110) in and/or along the vertical direction 132.

[0039] In accordance with present techniques, the heat exchanger 100 also includes a partition 122 (e.g.. partition plate, divider wall, divider plate, separation plate, separation panel) disposed within the first water box 1 10. The partition 122 divides and/or separates the first water box 110 into a first portion 124 (e.g., a first volume) and a second portion 126 (e.g., a second volume). The first portion 124 is fluidly coupled (e.g., directly fluidly coupled) to the conditioning fluid inlet 118 and to the first subset of tubes 106. and the second portion 126 is fluidly coupled (e.g.. directly fluidly coupled) to the conditioning fluid outlet 120 and to the second subset of tubes 108. Additionally, the partition 122 is configured to fluidly separate the first portion 124 from the second portion 126 within the first water box 110. As a result, conditioning fluid directed into the first water box 110 via the conditioning fluid inlet 1 18 may be directed through the first portion 124 and into the first subset of tubes 106, and the partition 122 may block flow of the conditioning fluid from the first portion 124 directly to the second portion 126. In this way, the partition 122 may block the conditioning fluid from flowing from the conditioning fluid inlet 118 to (e.g., directly to) the conditioning fluid outlet 120 and bypassing the plurality of tubes 102. Similarly, the partition 122 may enable flow of the conditioning fluid from the second subset of tubes 108 to the conditioning fluid outlet 120 through the second portion 126 of the first water box 110, while blocking flow of the conditioning fluid from the second portion 126 to the first portion 124 and thereby avoiding recirculation of the conditioning fluid through the plurality of tubes 102.

[0040] In accordance with present techniques, the heat exchanger 100 also includes a baffle 128 (e.g., baffle plate, perforated plate, perforated baffle) disposed within the first water box 110. More specifically, the baffle 128 is positioned within the first portion 124 of the first water box 110. The second portion 126 of the first water box 110 may not include a baffle, perforated plate, or other flow diverting component. The baffle 128 is configured to enable more uniform distribution and flow of the conditioning fluid through the plurality of tubes 102. For example, the baffle 128 is configured to enable more uniform distribution and flow of the conditioning fluid from the first portion 124 of the first water box 110 and into the first subset of tubes 106 extending through the shell 104. As will be appreciated, more uniform distribution and flow of the conditioning fluid through the first subset of tubes 106 may enable improved (e.g., more efficient, greater) heat transfer between the conditioning fluid and the working fluid. The baffle 128 may be formed from any suitable material, such as metal (e.g., stainless steel), having any suitable thickness (e.g.. approximately 0.5 millimeters). Flow of the conditioning fluid through the heat exchanger 100, as well as additional details regarding the baffle 128, are described further below.

[0041] To facilitate the following discussion, the heat exchanger 100 and components thereof may be described with reference to a longitudinal axis or direction 130, a vertical axis or direction 132, and a lateral axis or direction 134 (e.g., radial axis or direction).

[0042] FIG. 6 is a side view schematic of an embodiment of the heat exchanger 100 (e.g., the condenser 34 or the evaporator 38). The illustrated embodiment includes similar elements and element numbers as discussed above. For example, the heat exchanger 100 includes the plurality of tubes 102 (e.g.. the first subset of tubes 106 and the second subset of tubes 108), the shell 104, the first water box 110, and the second water box 114. As shown in the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 6, the shell 104, the first water box 110, and/or the second water box 114 may be secured to one another via flanges 148. In other embodiments, the shell 104, the first water box 110, and/or the second water box 114 may be coupled to one another using another suitable technique (e.g., welding). As discussed above, the shell 104 and the plurality of tubes 102 generally extend along the longitudinal direction 130, and the shell 104 contains the plurality of tubes 102 therein. A working fluid f 50 may enter the shell 104 through an inlet 152 (e.g.. working fluid inlet) of the shell 104 and may be directed through an internal volume of the shell 104 and across the plurality of tubes 102. The working fluid 150 may collect in a bottom portion 154 of the shell 104 and flow out of the shell 104 through an outlet 156 (e.g., working fluid outlet) of the shell 104. [0043] Additionally, a conditioning fluid 158 may be directed into the first water box 110 via the conditioning fluid inlet 118 described above. Specifically, the conditioning fluid 158 is directed into the first portion 124 of the first water box 110, which is separated from the second portion 126 of the first water box 110 by the partition 122. Thus, the conditioning fluid 158 received by the heat exchanger 100 may not flow directly from the first portion 124 of the first water box 110 to the second portion 126 of the first water box 110. The conditioning fluid 158 may be directed to the heat exchanger 100 from any suitable source, such as a load (e.g., load 62) configured to utilize the conditioning fluid 158 to provide heating and/or cooling to a conditioned space. For example, the conditioning fluid 158 received by the heat exchanger 100 may be a return flow of the conditioning fluid 158, and the heat exchanger 100 may be configured to condition (e.g., heat or cool) the conditioning fluid 158 for further use to provide conditioning to the load.

[0044] From the first portion 124 of the first water box 110, the conditioning fluid 158 may flow into the first subset of tubes 106. The plurality of tubes 102 (e.g., the first subset of tubes 106 and/or the second subset of tubes 108) may be supported within the shell 104 by a first tube sheet 160 (e.g., first support plate), which may be disposed between the first water box 110 and at least a portion of the plurality of tubes 102, and a second tube sheet 162 (e.g., second support plate), which may be disposed between the second water box 114 and at least a portion of the plurality of tubes 102. For example, the first tube sheet 160 and the second tube sheet 162 may extend at least partially along the vertical direction 132 and/or along the lateral direction 134. The first tube sheet 160 and the second tube sheet 162 may block flow of the working fluid 150 into the first water box 110 and the second water box 114 (e.g., from an internal volume of the shell 104), respectively. In some embodiments, the plurality of tubes 102 may extend at least partially into or through the first tube sheet 160 and/or the second tube sheet 162. Thus, the conditioning fluid 158 may flow from the first portion 124 of the first water box 110, through the first tube sheet 160, and into the first subset of tubes 106 (e.g., first pass of the heat exchanger 100). As the conditioning fluid 158 flows through the first subset of tubes 106, heat may be transferred between the conditioning fluid 158 and the working fluid 150 within the shell 104. For example, in an embodiment of the heat exchanger 100 incorporated in the vapor compression system 14 as the evaporator 38. heat may be transferred from the conditioning fluid 158 to the working fluid 150. In this way, the conditioning fluid 158 may be cooled to enable use of the conditioning fluid 158 as a cooling fluid to provide cooling to a load (e.g., load 62).

[0045] The conditioning fluid 158 may flow from the first subset of tubes 106 into the second water box 114 (e.g., via the second tube sheet 162). The second water box 114 defines a volume 164 (e.g.. cavity) that fluidly couples the first subset of tubes 106 and the second subset of tubes 108. Accordingly, as indicated by arrows 166. the conditioning fluid 158 may be directed, by the second water box 114, to flow from the first subset of tubes 106, through the volume 164, and into the second subset of tubes 108. As the conditioning fluid 158 flows through the second subset of tubes 108, additional heat may be transferred between the conditioning fluid 158 and the working fluid 150 within the shell 104. For example, in an embodiment of the heat exchanger 100 incorporated in the vapor compression system 14 as the evaporator 38, additional heat may be transferred from the conditioning fluid 158 to the working fluid 150, thereby enabling further cooling of the conditioning fluid 158 for use as a cooling fluid to provide cooling to a load (e.g., load 62).

[0046] The conditioning fluid 158 may flow through the second subset of tubes 108 and into the second portion 126 of the first water box 110. As similarly discussed above, the partition 122 may block flow of the conditioning fluid 158 from the second portion 126 of the first water box 110 to the first portion 124 of the first water box 110. From the second portion 126 of the first water box 110, the conditioning fluid 158 may flow out of the heat exchanger 100 via the conditioning fluid outlet 120. For example, in an embodiment of the heat exchanger 100 incorporated in the vapor compression system 14 as the evaporator 38, the conditioning fluid 158 cooled via heat transfer with the working fluid 150 may be directed to other HVAC&R equipment, such as an air handler, a terminal unit, another heat exchanger, or other suitable equipment to enable cooling of a load via the conditioning fluid 158.

[0047] In accordance with present techniques, the heat exchanger 100 also includes the baffle 128 (e.g., baffle plate, perforated plate) disposed therein to enable more uniform distribution and flow of the conditioning fluid 158 through the plurality of tubes 102. In the illustrated embodiment, the baffle f28 is disposed within the first portion 124 of the first water box 110. Specifically, the baffle 128 is disposed downstream of the conditioning fluid inlet 1 18 and upstream of the first tube sheet 160, relative to a direction of the flow of conditioning fluid 158 through the first portion 124 of the first water box 110. As shown in the illustrated embodiment, the baffle 128 may be offset from the first tube sheet 160 (e.g., offset in the longitudinal direction 130) by a distance 168. Indeed, the baffle 128 may be offset from the first tube sheet 160 (e.g., the first subset of tubes 106) in the longitudinal direction 130 and offset from the conditioning fluid inlet 118 in the longitudinal direction 130.

[0048] The baffle 128 may be a perforated plate or other structure through which the conditioning fluid 158 may flow. For example, the baffle 128 may be a panel or sheet of material having a plurality' of holes or apertures formed therein that enable the conditioning fluid 158 to flow through the baffle 128 and toward the first subset of tubes 106. As the conditioning fluid 158 flows into the first portion 124 of the first water box 110, the conditioning fluid 158 may' at least partially⁷ impinge against the baffle 128 and redirect flow' of the conditioning fluid 158 within the first portion 124 of the first water box 110. For example, at least a portion of the flow of the conditioning fluid 158 may impinge against a first side 170 (e.g., first surface) of the baffle 128 facing and/or exposed to the conditioning fluid inlet 118, opposite a second side 172 (e.g., second surface) of the baffle 128 facing and/or exposed to the first tube sheet 160 and the first subset of tubes 106. As the conditioning fluid 158 impinges against the first side 170 of the baffle 128, at least a portion of the flow of the conditioning fluid 158 within the first portion 124 of the first water box 110 may be redirected and/or diverted to flow' through various holes or apertures of the plurality of holes or apertures formed in the baffle 128. In this way, flow' of the conditioning fluid 158 may be more evenly and uniformly distributed as the conditioning fluid 158 is directed from the first portion 124 of the first water box 110 and into the first subset of tubes 106. As described in further detail below', a shape, geometry, arrangement, configuration, and/or other physical characteristic of the baffle 128 and/or the plurality' of apertures formed therein may be selected and/or based on characteristics of the heat exchanger 100 and/or components thereof. Additionally or alternatively, a shape, geometry, arrangement, configuration, and/or other physical characteristic of the baffle 128 and/or the plurality of apertures formed therein may⁷ be selected and/or based on a desired property' and/or characteristic of the conditioning fluid 158 (e.g., pressure drop). [0049] FIG. 7 is a partial perspective view of an embodiment of the heat exchanger 100, illustrating the baffle 128 disposed within the first portion 124 of the first water box 110. As mentioned above, the baffle 128 may be offset from the first tube sheet 160 configured to support the plurality of tubes 102 and/or separate the first water box 110 from the internal volume of the shell 104. For example, the baffle 128 may be offset from the first tube sheet 160 along a longitudinal axis 180 (e.g., extending in the longitudinal direction 130) of the heat exchanger 100 and/or may be offset from the first tube sheet 160 (e.g., along the longitudinal axis 180 and/or in the longitudinal direction 130) by the distance 166. Thus, the baffle 128 may be disposed within the first portion 124 of the first water box 110 upstream of the first tube sheet 1 0 relative to a flow direction of the conditioning fluid 158 through the first portion 124 of the first water box 110 and into the first subset of tubes 106. As will be appreciated, the first tube sheet 160 may include a plurality of apertures 182 formed therein. Each aperture 182 may be associated with a corresponding tube of the plurality of tubes 102. For example, each tube 102 may be disposed within and/or extend through a respective one of the apertures 182. In other words, each tube 102 of the first subset of tubes 106 and the second subset of tubes 108 may correspond to a respective one of the apertures 182 formed in the first tube sheet 160. In operation, the conditioning fluid 158 may flow across and/or through the baffle 128 within the first portion 124 of the first water box 110 and may flow into the first subset of tubes 106 via corresponding apertures 182 of the first tube sheet 160 associated with the first subset of tubes 106. Similarly, the conditioning fluid 158 directed through the second subset of tubes 108 may flow into the second portion 126 of the first water box 110 via corresponding apertures 182 of the first tube sheet 160 associated with the second subset of tubes 108.

[0050] As mentioned above, the baffle 128 may also include a plurality of apertures 184 formed therein. The plurality of apertures 184 may be formed in the baffle 128 in any suitable arrangement (e.g., partem, spacing, configuration). For example, a number, size, spacing, orientation, and/or arrangement of the plurality’ of apertures 184 of the baffle 128 may be selected based on one or more parameters of the heat exchanger 100, such as a size of the heat exchanger 100, a size of the shell 104, a number of the plurality⁷ of tubes 102, a number of the first subset of tubes 106, a flow rate of the conditioning fluid 158 (e.g., into the heat exchanger 100, through the heat exchanger), a pressure of the conditioning fluid 158 (e.g., within the heat exchanger), a desired pressure drop of the conditioning fluid 158 within the heat exchanger 100 (e g., across the baffle 128), another suitable parameter, or any combination thereof. For example,

[0051] In some embodiments, each aperture 184 may be associated with a corresponding aperture 182 of the first tube sheet 160. In some embodiments, a pattern or arrangement (e.g.. a first pattern or arrangement) of the plurality of apertures 184 formed in the baffle 128 may correspond with (e.g., match) a pattern or arrangement (e.g., a second pattern or arrangement) of a subset of the plurality of apertures 182 associated with the first subset of tubes 106. For example, each aperture 184 of the baffle 128 may be aligned (e.g., along the longitudinal axis 180 and/or in the longitudinal direction 130) with a corresponding one of the apertures 182 formed in the first tube sheet 160 and/or may be aligned (e g., along the longitudinal axis 180 and/or in the longitudinal direction 130) with tube 102 of the first subset of tubes 106. In such embodiments, a number of the apertures 184 formed in the baffle 128 may be equal to a number of tubes 102 in the first subset of tubes 106 and/or equal to a number of apertures 182 of the first tube sheet 160.

[0052] In some embodiments, the baffle 128 may be disposed within the first portion 124 of the first water box 110 such that the baffle 128 spans an entire or substantially an entire cross-section (e.g., entire or substantially entire cross-sectional geometry) of the first portion 124 (e.g., in the vertical direction 132 and/or in the lateral direction 134), such as relative to the longitudinal axis 180. To this end, the baffle 128 may include an edge or contour (e.g., outer geometry, upper geometry, first geometry, outer edge, one or more edges) that corresponds to or matches a geometry of the partition 122. In the illustrated embodiment, the partition 122 generally includes a staggered or stepped geometry (e.g., a stepped configuration) defined by a first portion 186 (e.g., upper portion) extending in the longitudinal direction 130 and in the lateral direction 134, a second portion 188 (e.g., lower portion) extending in the longitudinal direction 130 and in the lateral direction 134, and a third portion 190 (e.g., intermediate portion, offsetting portion) extending from the first portion 186 to the second portion 188 and extending in the longitudinal direction 130 and in the vertical direction 132. Accordingly, the baffle 128 may include one or more edges or contours (e.g., upper edges or contours, first edges or contours) configured to match, correspond to, and/or engage with the first portion 186, the second portion 188, and the third portion 190 of the partition 122. In some embodiments, the one or more edges or contours of the baffle 128 may be secured to the first portion 186. the second portion 188, and the third portion 190 of the partition 122 via welding, brazing, adhesive, another suitable securement technique, or any combination thereof.

[0053] Similarly, the baffle 128 may include an edge or contour (e.g., outer geometry, lower geometry, second geometry, outer edge) that corresponds to or matches a geometry of the shell 104 and/or first water box 110. For example, in the illustrated embodiment, the first water box 110 includes an inner surface 192 (e.g., a curved surface, a curved inner surface) having a radius of curvature (e.g., first radius of curvature). Accordingly, the baffle 128 may include one or more edges or contours (e.g., lower edges or contours, second edges or contours) configured to match, correspond to, and/or engage with the inner surface 192 of the first water box 110. For example, the one or more edges or contours of the baffle 128 may have a radius of curvature (e.g., second radius of curvature) that matches and/or corresponds to the radius of curvature of the inner surface 192 to enable desired engagement between the baffle 128 and the inner surface 192 of the first water box 110. As similarly described above, the one or more edges or contours of the baffle 128 may be secured to the inner surface 192 of the first water box 110 via welding, brazing, adhesive, another suitable securement technique, or any combination thereof.

[0054] In some embodiments, the baffle 128 may be secured within the first portion 124 of the first water box 110, such that all conditioning fluid 158 directed into the first portion 124 of the first water box 110 is directed through the baffle 128 via the plurality of apertures 184 formed in the baffle 128. That is, the conditioning fluid 158 may not bypass the baffle 128 (e.g., flow between the baffle 128 and the partition 122, flow between the baffle 128 and the inner surface 192 of the first water box 110) as the conditioning fluid 158 flows from the conditioning fluid inlet 118 and into the first subset of tubes 106. To this end, one or more outer edges (e.g., an entire outer perimeter) of the baffle 128 may be secured (e.g., fixedly attached) to the partition 122, the first water box 110 (e.g., the inner surface 192), and/or the shell 104, such as via welding. As the conditioning fluid 158 flows into the first portion 124 of the first water box 1 10 and through the apertures 184 of the baffle 128, the conditioning fluid 158 may be more uniformly distributed within the first portion 124 of the first water box 110, which may result in more uniform distribution of the conditioning fluid 158 flowing into the first subset of tubes 106 (e.g., more even mass flow rate through each of the tubes 102 of the first subset of tubes 106). In other words, the conditioning fluid 158 may be more evenly distributed across and/or amongst each tube 102 of the first subset of tubes 106, which may enable more even and efficient heat transfer between the conditioning fluid 158 and the working fluid 150. In this way. operation of the heat exchanger 100 and/or of the vapor compression system 14 including the heat exchanger 100 may be improved. For example, more efficient heat transfer between the conditioning fluid 158 and the working fluid 150 via the heat exchanger 100 may enable a reduction in energy consumption by the vapor compression system 14 having the heat exchanger 100 and/or by the HVAC&R system 10 having the vapor compression system 14.

[0055] FIG. 8 is an axial view of an embodiment of the baffle 128, in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. For example, the baffle 128 of the illustrated embodiment may be the baffle 128 illustrated in FIG. 7 and viewed along the longitudinal axis 180 (e.g., in the longitudinal direction 130) from within the first portion 124 of the first water box 110. That is, the illustrated embodiment shows a first side 200 (e.g., first side 170, first surface) of the baffle 128 that faces the conditioning fluid inlet 118 in an installed configuration of the baffle 128 in the heat exchanger 100.

[0056] The baffle 128 includes the plurality of apertures 184 formed therein, as previously discussed. In the illustrated embodiment, the plurality of apertures 184 is arranged in a first group of apertures 202 and a second group of apertures 204 separated by a nonporous (e.g., solid, continuous, non-perforated, impermeable) portion 206 of the baffle 128 that does not include apertures 184. In some embodiments, one or more of the apertures 184 in the first group of apertures 202 and/or the second group of apertures 204 may be aligned with (e g., along longitudinal axis 180, in the longitudinal direction 130) a corresponding aperture 182 formed in the first tube sheet 160. Thus, one or more of the apertures 184 may be aligned with a corresponding tube 102 of the first subset of tubes 106. In some embodiments, each aperture 184 in the first group of apertures 202 and/or in the second group of apertures 204 may be aligned with (e.g., along longitudinal axis 180, in the longitudinal direction 130) a corresponding aperture 182 formed in the first tube sheet 160 and with a corresponding tube 102 of the first subset of tubes 106.

[0057] As mentioned above, the baffle 128 may include one or more edges, contours, or outer profiles that corresponds to a geometry' of the partition 122, the shell 104, the first water box 110, or a combination thereof. For example, in the illustrated embodiment, the baffle 128 includes an upper contour 208 (e.g., a first outer contour, a first outer geometry, a plurality of upper edges, a first outer edge) having a stepped profile or geometry⁷. The geometry' of the upper contour 208 may correspond with (e.g., match, mate with) a geometry of the partition 122, such as the stepped configuration of the partition 122 illustrated in FIG. 7. For example, the upper contour 208 may include a first edge 210 (e g., a first upper edge) extending in the lateral direction 134 and configured to engage with (e.g., match) the first portion 186 of the partition 122, a second edge 212 (e.g., a second upper edge) extending in the lateral direction 134 and configured to engage with (e.g., match) the second portion 188 of the partition 122, and a third edge 214 (e.g., a third upper edge, an intermediate edge, an offsetting edge) extending from the first edge 210 to the second edge 212, extending in the vertical direction 132, and configured to engage with (e.g., match) the third portion 190 of the partition 122.

[0058] The baffle 128 also includes a lower contour 216 (e.g., a second outer contour, a second outer geometry⁷, a second outer edge) having a curved geometry⁷ or profile. For example, the radius of curvature of the lower contour 216 may correspond with (e.g., match, mate with) the inner surface 192 (e.g., an inner diameter) of the first water box 110 and/or the shell 104. In this way, the baffle 128 may span substantially an entire cross-section of the first portion 124 of the first water box 110 or an entire cross-section of the first portion 124 of the first water box 110, from the inner surface 192 to the partition 122, along the vertical direction 132 and along the lateral direction 134 (e.g., relative to the longitudinal axis 180 and/or the longitudinal direction 130). The upper contour 208 and the lower contour 216 may cooperatively define an outer geometry (e.g., an entire outer geometry⁷, an outer perimeter) of the baffle 128. [0059] In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 8, the lower contour 216 may include a notch 218 (e.g., semi-circular opening, indentation, recess, aperture, opening, cutout) formed therein. The notch 218 may enable fluid communication of the first portion 124 of the first water box 110 upstream and downstream of the baffle 128 (e.g., relative to a flow direction of the conditioning fluid 158 through the first portion 124 of the first water box 110, from the first side 170 to the second side 172 of the baffle 128). As shown, the notch 218 may be generally centered (e.g., horizontally centered, relative to the lateral direction 134) along the lower contour 216 of the baffle 128, in some embodiment. That is. the notch 218 may be formed at a lowermost portion of the lower contour 216 (e.g., relative to the vertical direction 132). Thus, during service of the heat exchanger 100, for example, any conditioning fluid 158 (e.g., w ater) downstream of the baffle 128 (e.g., between the baffle 128 and the first tube sheet 160, on the second side 172 of the baffle 128) may flow upstream of the baffle 128 (e g., toward the first side 170 of the baffle 128) to be drained from the first w ater box 110, such as via the conditioning fluid inlet 118 and/or via removal of a cover (e.g., end cover) of the first water box 110).

[0060] FIG. 9 is a perspective view' of an embodiment of the baffle 128, in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. The illustrated embodiment shows a second side 220 (e.g., second side 172, a second surface), opposite the first side 200, of the baffle 128. The second side 220 of the baffle 128 faces the first tube sheet 160 in an installed configuration of the baffle 128 in the heat exchanger 100 (e.g., in the first water box 110). The illustrated embodiment also includes similar elements and element numbers as those described above. As will be appreciated, the plurality of apertures 184 extends from the first side 200, through the baffle 128, to the second side 220 to enable flow of the conditioning fluid 158 therethrough.

[0061] Further, the baffle 128 includes a rib 222 (e.g., stiffening rib, bar, reinforcing bar) coupled to the second side 220 of the baffle 128. In particular, the rib 222 is attached to the nonporous portion 206 of the baffle 128 that does not include apertures 184. The rib 222 may be secured to the baffle 128 via welding, adhesive, or another suitable technique. The rib 222 may extend generally along the lateral direction 134, as shown, and may not occlude any of the apertures 184 formed in the baffle 128. The rib 222 may also protrude outward from the second side 220 along the longitudinal direction 130 and toward the first tube sheet 160 and/or the first subset of tubes 106. In some embodiments, the rib 222 may be integrally formed with the baffle 128. The rib 222 provides enhanced structural reinforcement to the baffle 128 and enables the baffle 128 to desirably withstand forces imparted to the baffle 128 by the conditioning fluid 158 directed into the first water box 110 via the conditioning fluid inlet 118 and impinging against the first side 200 (e.g., first side 170) of the baffle 128. In some embodiments, the rib 222 may be generally centered (e.g., relative to the vertical direction 132. vertically centered) between the first group of apertures 202 and the second group of apertures 204. A thickness, depth, geometry, material, and/or configuration of the rib 222 may be selected based on one or more parameters of the heat exchanger 100, such as a size of the heat exchanger 100, a geometry of the baffle 128, a flow rate of the conditioning fluid 158, a pressure of the conditioning fluid 158, a type of the conditioning fluid 158, an operating capacity of the heat exchanger 100 and/or the vapor compression system 14, any other suitable parameter, or a combination thereof.

[0062] As described above, present embodiments are directed to systems and methods configured to enable more even or uniform distribution of a fluid (e.g., a conditioning fluid, a cooling fluid, a heat transfer fluid) into and through a plurality of tubes disposed within a shell of a heat exchanger. In particular, present embodiments include a baffle disposed within a water box of the heat exchanger. The baffle is configured to reduce turbulent flow of the fluid within the water box and enable more uniform distribution of the fluid through and/or amongst the plurality of tubes (e.g., a subset of the plurality of tubes, a first pass of the plurality of tubes) within the heat exchanger. The baffle may be a perforated plate disposed within a first portion of the water box that is configured to receive a flow of the fluid. The baffle may also be offset from a tube sheet configured to support the plurality of tubes. The baffle may enable more uniform distribution of the fluid within the water box and thereby enable more even distribution and flow of the fluid into the plurality of tubes of the heat exchanger, which may cause more efficient heat transfer between the fluid and a working fluid within the heat exchanger.

[0063] While only certain features and embodiments have been illustrated and described, many modifications and changes may occur to those skilled in the art (e.g., variations in sizes, dimensions, structures, shapes and proportions of the various elements, values of parameters (e.g., temperatures, pressures, etc.), mounting arrangements, use of materials, colors, orientations, etc.) without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of the subject matter recited in the claims. The order or sequence of any process or method steps may be varied or re-sequenced according to alternative embodiments. It is, therefore, to be understood that the appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications and changes as fall within the true spirit of the invention.

[0064] Furthermore, in an effort to provide a concise description of the exemplary embodiments, all features of an actual implementation may not have been described, such as those unrelated to the presently contemplated best mode, or those unrelated to enablement. It should be appreciated that in the development of any such actual implementation, as in any engineering or design project, numerous implementation specific decisions may be made. Such a development effort might be complex and time consuming, but would nevertheless be a routine undertaking of design, fabrication, and manufacture for those of ordinary skill having the benefit of this disclosure, without undue experimentation.

[0065] The techniques presented and claimed herein are referenced and applied to material objects and concrete examples of a practical nature that demonstrably improve the present technical field and, as such, are not abstract, intangible or purely theoretical. Further, if any claims appended to the end of this specification contain one or more elements designated as “means for [perform]ing [a function] ... ’’ or “step for [perform] ing [a function], . . ", it is intended that such elements are to be interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f). However, for any claims containing elements designated in any other manner, it is intended that such elements are not to be interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f).

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A heat exchanger for a heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration (HVAC&R) system, comprising: a shell; a plurality of tubes disposed within the shell; a water box coupled to the shell, wherein the water box is configured to receive a flow of conditioning fluid and to direct the flow of conditioning fluid into the plurality of tubes; and a baffle disposed within the water box, wherein the baffle is disposed upstream of the plurality of tubes relative to a direction of the flow of conditioning fluid through the water box, and wherein the baffle comprises a plurality of apertures formed therein.

2. The heat exchanger of claim 1, comprising a partition disposed within the water box, wherein the partition separates the water box into a first volume and a second volume.

3. The heat exchanger of claim 2, wherein the baffle is disposed within the first volume.

4. The heat exchanger of claim 3, wherein the plurality of tubes is a first plurality of tubes defining a first pass of the heat exchanger, the heat exchanger comprises a second plurality' of tubes disposed within the shell and defining a second pass of the heat exchanger, the water box is configured to direct the flow of conditioning fluid from the first volume and into the first plurality of tubes, and the second plurality of tubes is configured to direct the flow of conditioning fluid into the second volume of the water box.

5. The heat exchanger of claim 3, wherein the baffle is fixedly attached to the partition and to an inner surface of the water box.

6. The heat exchanger of claim 5, wherein the baffle spans an entire cross-sectional geometry' of the first volume of the water box relative to a longitudinal axis of the heat exchanger.

7. The heat exchanger of claim 5, wherein the baffle comprises: a first outer contour corresponding to a geometry of the partition; and a second outer contour corresponding to a curvature of the inner surface of the water box, wherein the first outer contour and the second outer contour cooperatively define an outer perimeter of the baffle.

8. The heat exchanger of claim 7, wherein the second outer contour is a lower contour, and the lower contour comprises a notch formed therein.

9. The heat exchanger of claim 3, wherein the water box comprises a conditioning fluid inlet, the heat exchanger is configured to receive the flow of conditioning fluid via the conditioning fluid inlet, and the conditioning fluid inlet is configured to direct the flow of conditioning fluid into the first volume.

10. The heat exchanger of claim 9, wherein the baffle comprises: a first surface facing the conditioning fluid inlet; a second surface, opposite the first surface, facing the plurality of tubes; and a stiffening rib coupled to the second surface, wherein the stiffening rib extends outward from the second surface and toward the plurality of tubes, and the stiffening rib extends along a lateral axis of the heat exchanger.

11. The heat exchanger of claim 10, wherein the plurality of apertures comprises a first group of apertures and a second group of apertures, the baffle comprises a nonporous portion extending along the lateral axis, the stiffening rib is coupled to the nonporous portion, and the stiffening rib is disposed between the first group of apertures and the second group of apertures relative to a vertical axis.

12. A heat exchanger for a heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration (HVAC&R) system, comprising: a shell; a plurality of tubes disposed within the shell, wherein the plurality of tubes is configured to direct a fluid therethrough, and the plurality of tubes comprises a first subset of tubes defining a first pass of the fluid through the shell and a second subset of tubes defining a second pass of the fluid through the shell; a water box coupled to the shell, wherein the water box comprises a fluid inlet configured to direct the fluid into the water box. and the water box is configured to direct the fluid into the first subset of tubes; and a baffle disposed within the water box, wherein the baffle comprises a plurality of apertures formed therein, and the baffle is offset from the first subset of tubes relative to a longitudinal axis of the heat exchanger.

13. The heat exchanger of claim 12, wherein the heat exchanger comprises a partition disposed within the water box, the partition separates the water box into a first volume and a second volume, and the baffle is disposed within the first volume.

14. The heat exchanger of claim 13, wherein the water box is configured to direct the fluid from the first volume and into the first subset of tubes, and the second subset of tubes is configured to direct the fluid into the second volume.

15. The heat exchanger of claim 13, wherein the partition comprises a stepped configuration, the baffle comprises a first outer contour corresponding to the stepped configuration, and the first outer contour is fixedly attached to the partition.

16. The heat exchanger of claim 15, wherein the water box comprises a curved inner surface, the baffle comprises a second outer contour corresponding to the curved inner surface, the second outer contour is fixedly attached to the curved inner surface, and the first outer contour and the second outer contour cooperatively define an outer perimeter of the baffle.

17. The heat exchanger of claim 12, wherein the baffle comprises: a surface facing the first subset of tubes; and a rib coupled to the surface, wherein the rib extends between, relative to a vertical axis, a first group of apertures of the plurality of apertures and a second group of apertures of the plurality of apertures.

18. A heat exchanger for a heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration (HVAC&R) system, comprising: a shell; a first plurality of tubes extending through the shell to define a first fluid pass through the shell; a second plurality of tubes extending through the shell to define a second fluid pass through the shell; a first water box coupled to the shell; a second water box coupled to the shell; a partition disposed within the first water box, wherein the partition separates the first water box into a first volume and a second volume; and a baffle disposed within the first volume, wherein the baffle comprises a plurality of apertures formed therein, wherein the first water box is configured to receive a flow of fluid and direct the flow of fluid through the first volume and into the first plurality of tubes, the second water box is configured to direct the flow of fluid from the first plurality of tubes to the second plurality of tubes, the second plurality of tubes is configured to direct the flow of fluid into the second volume, and the first water box is configured to discharge the flow of fluid from the second volume.

19. The heat exchanger of claim 18, wherein the first water box comprises a fluid inlet configured to direct the flow of fluid into the first volume, the baffle is offset from the fluid inlet along a longitudinal axis of the heat exchanger, and the baffle is offset from the first plurality of tubes along the longitudinal axis of the heat exchanger.

20. The heat exchanger of claim 19, wherein the partition comprises a stepped configuration, the first water box comprises a curved inner surface, and the baffle is fixedly attached to the stepped configuration of the partition and to the curved inner surface of the first water box.