EP4705696A1

EP4705696A1 - Heat exchanger for an hvac&r system

Info

Publication number: EP4705696A1
Application number: EP24804285.5A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Justin Patrick KAUFFMAN; Icksoo KYUNG; Jay A. Kohler
Original assignee: Tyco Fire and Security GmbH
Current assignee: Tyco Fire and Security GmbH
Priority date: 2023-05-09
Filing date: 2024-05-09
Publication date: 2026-03-11
Also published as: CN121263639A; TW202445065A; KR20260010411A; WO2024233813A1

Abstract

A heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration (HVAC&R) system (100) includes a working fluid circuit (112), a first heat exchanger (102) disposed along the working fluid circuit (112), and a second heat exchanger (104) disposed along the working fluid circuit (112). The first heat exchanger (102) includes a first shell (116) and a first plurality of tubes (118) disposed within the first shell (116), where the first shell (116) and the first plurality of tubes (118) extend along a longitudinal axis (106), and the first plurality of tubes (118) has a first length (124) along the longitudinal axis (106), the second heat exchanger (104) includes a second shell (120) and a second plurality of tubes (122) disposed within the second shell (120), where the second shell (120) and the second plurality of tubes (122) extend along the longitudinal axis (106), and the second plurality of tubes (122) has a second length (128) along the longitudinal axis (106), and the first length (124) is less than the second length (128).

Description

HEAT EXCHANGER FOR AN HVAC&R SYSTEM

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims priority from and the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/465,167, entitled “‘HEAT EXCHANGER FOR AN HVAC&R SYSTEM,’⁷ filed May 9. 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 undesired pressure drop of the additional fluid directed through the heat exchanger. 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 heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration (HVAC&R) system includes a working fluid circuit, a first heat exchanger disposed along the working fluid circuit, and a second heat exchanger disposed along the working fluid circuit. The first heat exchanger includes a first shell and a first plurality of tubes disposed within the first shell, where the first shell and the first plurality of tubes extend along a longitudinal axis, and the first plurality of tubes has a first length along the longitudinal axis, the second heat exchanger includes a second shell and a second plurality of tubes disposed within the second shell, where the second shell and the second plurality of tubes extend along the longitudinal axis, and the second plurality’ of tubes has a second length along the longitudinal axis, and the first length is less than the second length.

[0006] In another embodiment of the present disclosure, a heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration (HVAC&R) system includes a first heat exchanger and a second heat exchanger. The first heat exchanger includes a first shell configured to receive a working fluid of a working fluid circuit, a first plurality of tubes disposed within the first shell and extending along a longitudinal axis, a first tube sheet attached to a first end of the first shell and configured to support the first plurality of tubes within the first shell, and a second tube sheet attached to a second end of the first shell, opposite the first end, and configured to support the first plurality of tubes within the first shell. The second heat exchanger includes a second shell configured to receive the working fluid of the working fluid circuit, a second plurality of tubes disposed within the second shell and extending along the longitudinal axis, a third tube sheet attached to a third end of the second shell and configured to support the second plurality of tubes within the second shell, and a fourth tube sheet attached to a fourth end of the second shell, opposite the third end, and configured to support the second plurality of tubes within the second shell. The first tube sheet and the third tube sheet are aligned with one another in a lateral direction extending crosswise to the longitudinal axis, and the second tube sheet and the fourth tube sheet are offset from one another along the longitudinal axis.

[0007] In a further embodiment of the present disclosure, a heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration (HVAC&R) system includes a first heat exchanger having a first shell, a first plurality of tubes disposed within the first shell, and a first tube sheet coupled to the first shell and configured to support the first plurality’ of tubes within the first shell, where the first shell and the first plurality of tubes extend along a longitudinal axis. The HVAC&R system also includes a second heat exchanger having a second shell, a second plurality⁷ of tubes disposed within the second shell, and a second tube sheet coupled to the second shell and configured to support the second plurality of tubes within the second shell, where the second shell and the second plurality of tubes extend along the longitudinal axis. The first tube sheet and the second tube sheet are aligned with one another in a lateral direction extending crosswise to the longitudinal axis, the first plurality of tubes has a first length along the longitudinal axis, the second plurality of tubes has a second length along the longitudinal axis, and the first length is less than the second length.

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 schematic of an embodiment of a vapor compression system, 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 plurality of tubes with reduced length, in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure;

[0015] FIG. 7 is a top view schematic an embodiment of a vapor compression system, including a heat exchanger having a plurality of tubes with reduced length, in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure;

[0016] FIG. 8 is a side view schematic an embodiment of a heat exchanger having a plurality of tubes with reduced length, in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure;

[0017] FIG. 9 is a top view schematic an embodiment of a vapor compression system, including a heat exchanger having a plurality of tubes with reduced length, in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure;

[0018] FIG. 10 is a top view schematic an embodiment of a vapor compression system, illustrating a heat exchanger having a plurality of tubes with reduced length, in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure;

[0019] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a portion of an embodiment of a vapor compression system, illustrating a support brace securing a first heat exchanger and a second heat exchanger to one another, in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure;

[0020] FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a portion of an embodiment of a vapor compression system, illustrating a support mount configured to secure one or more components of the vapor compression system to a heat exchanger of the vapor compression system, in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure;

[0021] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a vapor compression system in an assembled configuration, illustrating a first heat exchanger and a second heat exchanger of the vapor compression system with different lengths, in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure; [0022] FIG. 14 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a vapor compression system in an assembled configuration, illustrating base supports of heat exchangers of the vapor compression system, in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure; and

[0023] FIG. 15 is an axial view schematic of a portion of an embodiment of a vapor compression system in an assembled configuration, illustrating base supports of heat exchangers of the vapor compression system, in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0024] 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 vary 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.

[0025] 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. [0026] 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.

[0027] Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed toward a heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration (HVAC&R) system, such as a chiller system or other vapor compression system. More specifically, present embodiments include a vapor compression system having a first heat exchanger with a first plurality of tubes disposed within a first shell and a second heat exchanger with a second plurality of tubes disposed within a second shell, where a length of the first plurality of tubes is different from a length of the second plurality' of tubes. For example, the first plurality' of tubes may have a length that is less than a length of the second plurality of tubes. The reduced length of the first plurality of tubes may enable a reduction in a pressure drop of fluid directed through the first plurality of tubes, among other benefits, such as reduced costs associated with manufacture of the first heat exchanger, an amount of working fluid utilized by the vapor compression system, and so forth.

[0028] As will be appreciated, heat exchangers of vapor compression systems may be assembled and/or arranged relative to one another to enable desired packaging of components of the vapor compression system. For example, a first heat exchanger and a second heat exchanger of a vapor compression system (e.g., a chiller system, a water-cooled chiller) may be secured to one another to facilitate rigging, lifting, transportation, installation, and other operations associated with the vapor compression system. To this end, the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger may be manufactured to have similar lengths to enable securement of corresponding structures of the first and second heat exchangers to one another in an assembled configuration of the vapor compression system.

[0029] The first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger may each have a respective shell and a respective plurality of tubes disposed within the shell. However, in some embodiments, the plurality of tubes of the first heat exchanger and the plurality of tubes of the second heat exchanger may have different designs, configurations, geometries, arrangements, physical characteristics, surface enhancements, and or other features. For example, in accordance with the present techniques, the first heat exchanger may include a first plurality of tubes having an improved heat transfer geometry (e.g., surface enhancement, physical feature) that enables enhanced heat transfer between a first fluid directed through the plurality of tubes and a second fluid directed across the plurality of tubes. In some instances, the improved heat transfer geometry may create an increased pressure drop of the first fluid directed through the plurality of tubes. Accordingly, it may be desirable to reduce a length of the first plurality of tubes to reduce the pressure drop of the first fluid directed through the first plurality of tubes. The first plurality of tubes with a reduced length may nevertheless provide a desired rate or amount of heat transfer between the first fluid and the second fluid due to the improved heat transfer geometry of the first plurality of tubes. Additionally, the reduced length of the first plurality' of tubes may provide a reduction in costs associated with procurement of the first plurality of tubes and an amount of working fluid utilized by the vapor compression system.

[0030] Unfortunately, a reduced length of the first plurality of tubes may result in the first plurality of tubes and the first shell of the first heat exchanger having a different length than that of the second plurality of tubes and the second shell of the second heat exchanger. Thus, the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger may not be readily secured to one another and/or packaged in an assembled configuration utilizing traditional practices. Accordingly, the present disclosure is also directed to techniques for assembling and packaging vapor compression systems having heat exchangers with tubes of different lengths. For example, the vapor compression system may include one or more features or elements configured to enable securement of the heat exchangers to one another and/or to enable mounting, securement, and/or packaging of other components of the vapor compression system to provide an assembly of the vapor compression system that may be readily rigged, lifted, transported, and installed at a desired location. In this way, present embodiments provide vapor compression systems configured for improved operation at reduced costs while also enabling desired assembly and packaging of the vapor compression systems.

[0031] 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.

[0032] 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.

[0033] 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.

[0034] 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.

[0035] 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.

[0036] 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.

[0037] 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.

[0038] 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.

[0039] 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 drawn 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.

[0040] 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 (e.g., a condenser) 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.

[0041] As discussed above, a first heat exchanger (e.g.. an evaporator) of the vapor compression system 14 may include a first shell and a first plurality' of tubes disposed within the first shell. The first 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 first plurality of tubes may be configured to direct a conditioning fluid (e.g., water) through the first heat exchanger to enable heat transfer between the working fluid and the conditioning fluid. The first plurality of tubes may have a first length that is less than a second length of a second plurality of tubes disposed within a second shell of a second heat exchanger (e.g., a condenser) of the vapor compression system 14. In some instances, the reduced first length of the first plurality of tubes may result in the first heat exchanger having an overall length less than that of the second heat exchanger. The present disclosure is directed to various techniques that enable desired assembly and packaging of the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger with one another to provide an arrangement and/or configuration of the vapor compression system 14 that may be readily rigged, lifted, transported, and/or installed. Additionally or alternatively, the first heat exchanger may include one or more components configured to provide an overall length of the first heat exchanger that is similar to that of the second heat exchanger to enable desired assembly and packaging of the vapor compression system 14.

[0042] With the foregoing in mind, FIG. 5 is a schematic of an embodiment of a vapor compression system 100 (e.g., chiller system, water-cooled chiller, vapor compression system 14, HVAC&R system) including a first heat exchanger 102 and a second heat exchanger 104. To facilitate the following discussion, the vapor compression system 100 and components thereof may be described with reference to a longitudinal axis or direction 106. a vertical axis or direction 108, and a lateral axis or direction 110 (e.g., radial axis or direction). As similarly described above, the first heat exchanger 102 and the second heat exchanger 104 are disposed along a working fluid circuit 112 of the vapor compression system 100, and the vapor compression system 100 further includes a compressor 114 and an expansion device 117 (e.g., electronic expansion valve) disposed along the working fluid circuit 112.

[0043] The first heat exchanger 102 includes a first shell 116 and a first tube bundle 118 (e.g., a first plurality of tubes) disposed within the first shell 116. Similarly, the second heat exchanger 104 includes a second shell 120 and a second tube bundle 122 (e.g., a second plurality of tubes) disposed within the second shell 120. The first shell 116 and the second shell 120 may each be configured to receive a flow of working fluid that is circulated through the working fluid circuit 112. In some embodiments, the first heat exchanger 102 may be an evaporator of the vapor compression system 100, and the second heat exchanger 104 may be a condenser of the vapor compression system 100. Accordingly, the first tube bundle 118 may be configured to direct a conditioning fluid therethrough to place the conditioning fluid in a heat exchange relationship with the working fluid directed through the first shell 1 16 of the first heat exchanger 102, and the second tube bundle 122 may be configured to direct a cooling fluid therethrough to place the cooling fluid in a heat exchange relationship with the working fluid directed through the second shell 120 of the second heat exchanger 104.

[0044] As shown, the first tube bundle 118 includes a first tube length 124 extending along the longitudinal axis 106. In other w ords, each tube of the first tube bundle 118 may generally extend along the longitudinal axis 106 and may have a length dimension approximately equal to the first tube length 124. Additionally, the first heat exchanger 102 includes a first overall length 126 extending along the longitudinal axis 106, which may be at least partially defined by the first shell 116. The second tube bundle 122 includes a second tube length 128 extending along the longitudinal axis 106. In other words, each tube of the second tube bundle 122 may generally extend along the longitudinal axis 106 and may have a length dimension approximately equal to the second tube length 128. The second heat exchanger 104 includes a second overall length 130 extending along the longitudinal axis 106, which may be at least partially defined by the second shell 120.

[0045] As mentioned above, the first tube length 124 of the first tube bundle 118 is less than the second tube length 128 of the second tube bundle 122. The tubes of the first tube bundle 118 may have an enhanced heat transfer geometry that enables enhanced heat transfer (e.g., as compared to that of the second tube bundle 122). For example, the enhanced heat transfer geometry may include surface features, surface enhancements, dimples, indentations, and/or other features that enable increased heat transfer between the conditioning fluid directed through the first tube bundle 118 and the working fluid directed through the first shell 116 and across the first tube bundle 118. However, the enhanced heat transfer geometry of the tubes of the first tube bundle 118 may cause an increased pressure drop of the conditioning fluid directed through the first tube bundle 118. Therefore, in accordance with the present techniques, the tubes of the first tube bundle 118 may be incorporated in the first heat exchanger 102 with the first tube length 124 that is less than the second tube length 128 of the second tube bundle 122. The reduced dimension of the first tube length 124 (e.g., relative to the second tube length 128) may enable a reduction in pressure drop of the conditioning fluid while nevertheless providing a desired heat transfer rate between the working fluid and the conditioning fluid (e.g., via the enhanced heat transfer geometry).

[0046] Due to the reduced dimension of the first tube length 124 relative to the second tube length 128, the first overall length 126 of the first heat exchanger 102 (e.g., the first shell 116) may be less than the second overall length 130 of the second heat exchanger 104 (e.g., the second shell 120), which may complicate assembly and/or packaging of the components of the vapor compression system 100 using traditional methods. Accordingly, present embodiments include one or more features configured to enable desired assembly and packaging of components of the vapor compression system 100 (e.g., the first heat exchanger 102 and the second heat exchanger 104) to one another. For example, the one or more features may include mounting features configured to enable securement of the first heat exchanger 102 and the second heat exchanger 104 to one another in a side-by-side arrangement (e.g., along lateral axis 110) as shown, mounting of other components of the vapor compression sy stem 100 (e.g., compressor 114) to the first heat exchanger 102 and/or the second heat exchanger 104, and so forth, as described in further detail below.

[0047] Additionally or alternatively, in some embodiments, the first heat exchanger 102 may include an extension 132 (e.g., shell extension, water box extension) configured to provide a first overall length 134 of the first heat exchanger 102. That is, the extension 132 may be secured to the first shell 1 16 of the first heat exchanger 102 in an end-to-end arrangement (e.g., aligned along the longitudinal axis 106) to provide the first overall length 134 having a magnitude or dimension that is similar to and/or approximately equal to the second overall length 130 (e.g., greater than the first overall length 126). In this way, the extension 132 may enable desired assembly and packaging of components of the vapor compression system 100, as described in further detail below'. However, it should be appreciated that some embodiments of the first heat exchanger 102 may not include the extension 132, and other features (e.g., mounting features) described herein may enable desired assembly and packaging of components of the vapor compression system 100 with the first heat exchanger 102 having the first overall length 126 that is less than the second overall length 130 of the second heat exchanger 104. [0048] While the embodiments disclosed herein describe the present techniques incorporated with the vapor compression system 100 having the first heat exchanger 102 configured as an evaporator and the second heat exchanger 104 configured as a condenser, it should be appreciated that the present techniques may be implemented with other embodiments of the vapor compression system 100. For example, the present techniques may be incorporated with embodiments of the vapor compression system 100 having the first heat exchanger 102 configured as a condenser and having the first tube bundle 118 with the first tube length 124 that is less than the second tube length 128 of the second tube bundle 122 of the second heat exchanger 104 (e.g.. configured as an evaporator). Indeed, the present techniques may be utilized with any assembly of heat exchangers having tubes of different lengths.

[0049] FIG. 6 is a side view schematic an embodiment of the first heat exchanger 102 having the first tube bundle 118 disposed within the first shell 116. As mentioned above, the first tube bundle 118 may be defined by a plurality of tubes 140 (e.g., heat exchange tubes) extending through the first shell 116 along the longitudinal axis 106. The first shell 116 is configured to receive a flow of the working fluid directed along the working fluid circuit 1 12 and to direct the flow of working fluid across the plurality of tubes 140. The plurality of tubes 140 is configured to direct the conditioning fluid (e.g., water, brine, glycol) therethrough to place the conditioning fluid in a heat exchange relationship with the working fluid.

[0050] The plurality of tubes 140 is supported within the first shell 116 by a first tube sheet 142 disposed at a first end 144 (e.g., a first longitudinal end) of the first shell 116 and a second tube sheet 146 disposed as a second end 148 (e.g., a second longitudinal end) of the first shell 116. The plurality of tubes 140 extends the first tube length 124 from the first tube sheet 142 to the second tube sheet 146 along the longitudinal axis 106. As will be appreciated, the first tube sheet 142 and the second tube sheet 146 may be secured to the first shell 116 to define a first internal volume 150 of the first shell 116. The first internal volume 150 is configured to receive the working fluid from the working fluid circuit 112 and direct the working fluid across the plurality of tubes 140. Accordingly, the plurality of tubes 140 may also be secured to the first tube sheet 142 and the second tube sheet 146 to create a sealing engagement therebetween and thereby block undesired flow of the working fluid out of the first internal volume 150. In some embodiments, the first heat exchanger 102 may also include one or more tube support baffles 152 disposed within the first internal volume 150 and configured to support the plurality of tubes 140 therein. For example, the one or more tube support baffles 152 may be disposed between the first tube sheet 142 and the second tube sheet 146 along the longitudinal axis 106.

[0051] The plurality of tubes 140 may be separated or divided into a first subset of tubes 154 (e.g., a first plurality of tubes) and a second subset of tubes 156 (e.g., a second plurality of tubes) to define a first pass (e.g., a first fluid pass) of the conditioning fluid through the first heat exchanger 102 and a second pass (e.g., a second fluid pass) of the conditioning fluid through the first heat exchanger 102. For example, the conditioning fluid may be directed sequentially through the first subset of tubes 154 and then through the second subset of tubes 156. To this end, the first heat exchanger 102 also includes a first water box 158 (e.g., a first fluid box, a first conditioning fluid box, a first fluid section) disposed at the first end 144 of the first shell 116 and a second water box 160 (e.g., a second fluid box. a second conditioning fluid box, a second fluid section) disposed generally at the second end 148 of the first shell 1 16, opposite the first end 144. The first water box 158 may include a conditioning fluid inlet 162 (e.g., a fluid inlet) of the first heat exchanger 102 and a conditioning fluid outlet 164 (e.g., a fluid outlet) of the first heat exchanger 102. In other embodiments, the conditioning fluid inlet 162 and the conditioning fluid outlet 164 may be included in the second water box instead of the first water box 158.

[0052] In an embodiment of the first heat exchanger 102 incorporated with the vapor compression system 100 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 158 of the first heat exchanger 102 via the conditioning fluid inlet 162. For example, in the illustrated embodiment, the conditioning fluid inlet 162 is configured to direct the flow of conditioning fluid into the first water box 158 in and/or along the longitudinal axis 106. After flowing through the plurality of tubes 140 (e.g., the first subset of tubes 154 and the second subset of tubes 156), the conditioning fluid may be discharged from the first heat exchanger 102 (e.g., the first water box 158) via the conditioning fluid outlet 164 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. To this end, the first water box 158 includes a partition 166 (e.g., divider, separation plate) disposed therein to fluidly separate conditioning fluid directed through the first water box 158 from the conditioning fluid inlet 162 to the first subset of tubes 154 from conditioning fluid directed through the first water box 158 from the second subset of tubes 156 to the conditioning fluid outlet 164.

[0053] In accordance with present techniques, the plurality of tubes 140 extends along the longitudinal axis 106 for the first tube length 124. In some embodiments, the first tube length 124 may be approximately equal to a length of the first shell 116 extending along the longitudinal axis 106. Additionally or alternatively, the first tube length 124 may be approximately equal to a dimension extending along the longitudinal axis 106 from the first tube sheet 142 to the second tube sheet 146. In any case, the first tube length 124 is less than the second tube length 128 of the second heat exchanger 104 discussed above. Accordingly, a length of the first shell 116 along the longitudinal axis 106 may be less than a length of the second shell 120 of the second heat exchanger 104 along the longitudinal axis 106, which may complicate assembly and/or packaging of the vapor compression system 100 utilizing traditional methods. For example, at least one tube sheet of the second heat exchanger 104 may not align with the second tube sheet 146 of the first heat exchanger 102 (e.g., along the lateral axis 110), such that the second tube sheet 146 may not be fastened (e.g.. welded) to a corresponding tube sheet of the second heat exchanger 104 to secure the first heat exchanger 102 and the second heat exchanger 104 to one another.

[0054] To enable assembly and packaging of the first heat exchanger 102 with other components of the vapor compression system 100. such as the second heat exchanger 104, the illustrated embodiment of the first heat exchanger 102 includes an embodiment of the extension 132 (e.g., shell extension, water box extension). The extension 132 is secured to the first heat exchanger 102 between the first shell 116 and the second water box 160 (e.g., along the longitudinal axis 106) at the second end 148 of the first heat exchanger 102. Thus, the extension 132 increases the length of the first heat exchanger 102 along the longitudinal axis 106 to be the first overall length 134 described above. The first overall length 134 may be approximately equal to the second overall length 130 of the second heat exchanger 104 (e.g.. second shell 120). For example, the extension 132 may extend along the longitudinal axis 106 from the second tube sheet 146 to an end support 168 (e.g., longitudinal end support, end plate, end sheet, end support plate) of the first heat exchanger 102. The end support 168 may have a similar configuration (e.g., size, geometry, outer dimension, material, thickness) as the first tube sheet 142. In this way, the first tube sheet 142 and the end support 168 may each rest against a foundation or surface and may cooperatively support a weight and/or load of the first heat exchanger 102. The second water box 160 may be secured to the end support 168 on a side of the end support 168 opposite the extension 132.

[0055] The extension 132 may have a geometry (e.g., diameter) similar to that of the first shell 116, and the extension 132 may be secured to the first shell 116, the second tube sheetl46, and/or the end support 168 in any suitable manner, such as via internal welding, external welding, a flange connection, one or more mechanical fasteners, or any combination thereof. The extension 132 is also configured to establish a flow path of the conditioning fluid through the first heat exchanger 102. As mentioned above, the plurality of tubes 140 in the illustrated embodiment is separated or divided into the first subset of tubes 154 defining a first pass of the conditioning fluid through the first heat exchanger 102 and the second subset of tubes 156 defining a second pass of the conditioning fluid through the first heat exchanger 102. Accordingly, the extension 132 includes a partition 170 (e.g., divider, separation plate) disposed therein to define a first volume 172 and a second volume 174 within the extension 132. The partition 170 may extend along the longitudinal axis 106 from the second tube sheet 146 to the end support 168 and may fluidly separate the first volume 172 from the second volume 174 within the extension 132. The first volume 172 may be associated with and/or may define a portion of the first pass of the conditioning fluid through the first heat exchanger 102, and the second volume 174 may be associated with and/or may define a portion of the second pass of the conditioning fluid through the first heat exchanger 102. That is, the conditioning fluid may be directed along the first pass of the first heat exchanger 102 from the conditioning fluid inlet 162, through the first subset of tubes 154, and through the first volume 172 of the extension 132 to the second water box 160. The second water box 160 may then redirect the conditioning fluid from the first pass to the second pass of the first heat exchanger 102. From the second water box 160. the conditioning fluid may flow through the second volume 174 of the extension 132, and through the second subset of tubes 156 to the conditioning fluid outlet 164.

[0056] An extension length 176 of the extension 132 along the longitudinal axis 106 may be selected based on any suitable parameter and/or characteristic of the first heat exchanger 102 and/or the vapor compression system 100 having the first heat exchanger 102. For example, a magnitude of the extension length 176 may be selected based on a magnitude of the first tube length 124, a desired magnitude of the first overall length 134, a magnitude of the second overall length 130, manufacturing considerations (e.g., to facilitate a tube expansion process of the plurality of tubes 140 within the second tube sheet 146), a desired mounting arrangement of components of the vapor compression system 100, another suitable parameter or characteristic, or any combination thereof. In some embodiments, the magnitude of the extension length 176 may be approximately 4 feet, approximately 3.5 feet, approximately 3 feet, approximately 2.5 feet, or any other suitable dimension.

[0057] FIG. 7 is a top view schematic an embodiment of the vapor compression system 100, illustrating the first heat exchanger 102 having the first shell 116 and the extension 132. The vapor compression system 100 also includes the second heat exchanger 104. The first heat exchanger 102 and the second heat exchanger 104 are arranged in a side-by-side arrangement along the lateral axis 110. The illustrated embodiment includes similar elements and element numbers as those described above with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6. For example, the first heat exchanger 102 includes the first tube bundle 118 (e.g., plurality of tubes 140) having the first tube length 124 extending along the longitudinal axis 106, and the second heat exchanger 104 includes the second tube bundle 122 having the second tube length 128, greater than the first tube length 124, extending along the longitudinal axis 106.

[0058] As described above, the first shell 116 and the extension 132 (e.g., shell extension) may be secured to one another in an end-to-end arrangement along the longitudinal axis 106. That is, the first shell 116 and the extension 132 may be aligned along the longitudinal axis 106. A length of the first shell 116 along the longitudinal axis 106 may be substantially and/or approximately equal to the first tube length 124 (e.g.. a dimension from the first tube sheet 142 to the second tube sheet 146 along the longitudinal axis 106). The first tube length 124 and the extension length 176 of the extension 132 may cooperatively define the first overall length 134 of the first heat exchanger 102 (e.g., extending along the longitudinal axis 106 from the first tube sheet 142 to the end support 168).

[0059] As shown, the first overall length 134 of the first heat exchanger 102 may be approximately equal to the second overall length 130 (e.g., second tube length 128) of the second heat exchanger 104 along the longitudinal axis 106. As will be appreciated, the second overall length 130 may be approximately equal to the second tube length 128 of the second tube bundle 122 and/or may be approximately equal to a length of the second shell 120 extending along the longitudinal axis 106. For example, the second overall length 130 of the second heat exchanger 104 and/or the second shell 120 may be defined as a length along the longitudinal axis 106 from a first tube sheet 200 (e.g.. a first additional tube sheet) disposed at a first end 202 (e.g.. a first longitudinal end) of the second shell 120 to a second tube sheet 204 (e.g., a second additional tube sheet) disposed as a second end 206 (e.g., a second longitudinal end) of the second shell 120. The second tube bundle 122 (e.g., a second plurality of tubes) extends the second tube length 128 from the first tube sheet 200 to the second tube sheet 204 along the longitudinal axis 106. As will be appreciated, the first tube sheet 200 and the second tube sheet 204 may be secured to the second shell 120 to define a second internal volume 208 of the second shell 120. The second internal volume 208 is configured to receive the working fluid from the working fluid circuit 112 and direct the working fluid across the second tube bundle 122 that is configured to direct a cooling fluid therethrough. The second internal volume 208 of the second shell 120 may be less than the first internal volume 150 of the first shell 116, which may enable use of a reduced amount or charge of working fluid in the working fluid circuit 112 and thereby enable a reduction in costs associated with the vapor compression system 100.

[0060] As the first overall length 134 of the first heat exchanger 102 defined by the first tube length 124 and the extension length 176 is approximately equal to the second overall length 130 of the second heat exchanger 104, the first heat exchanger 102 and the second heat exchanger 104 may be positioned in a side-by-side arrangement (e.g., along the lateral axis 110) and may be secured to one another in an assembled or packaged configuration. For example, the approximately equal dimensions of the first overall length 134 and the second overall length 130 may enable abutment and/or alignment of the first tube sheet 142 of the first heat exchanger 102 and the first tube sheet 200 of the second heat exchanger 104, such as along the lateral axis 110. As a result, the first tube sheet 142 of the first heat exchanger 102 and the first tube sheet 200 of the second heat exchanger 104 may be secured and/or fastened (e.g., mechanically fastened, mechanically secured, direct attached) to one another, such as via mechanical fasteners and/or welding. Similarly, the approximately equal dimensions of the first overall length 134 and the second overall length 130 may enable abutment and/or alignment of the end support 168 and the second tube sheet 204 of the second heat exchanger 104 (e.g., along the lateral axis 110). Thus, the end support 168 of the first heat exchanger 102 and the second tube sheet 204 of the second heat exchanger 104 may be secured and/or fastened to one another, such as via mechanical fasteners and/or welding. Indeed, as mentioned above, the end support 168 of the first heat exchanger 102 may have similar characteristics (e.g., material, thickness, shape, etc.) as a tube sheet to enable desirable securement (e.g., welding) of the end support 168 to a corresponding structure of the second heat exchanger 104 (e.g.. second tube sheet 204). In this way, the vapor compression system 100 may include the first heat exchanger 102 having the first tube bundle 118 with the first tube length 124 that is less than the second tube length 128 of the second tube bundle 122 of the second heat exchanger 104, and the first heat exchanger 102 and the second heat exchanger 104 may nevertheless be assembled, secured, and/or packaged with one another in a desirable manner (e.g., to facilitate rigging, lifting, transportation, and/or installation of the vapor compression system 100).

[0061] In addition to enabling a desired magnitude of the first overall length 134 of the first heat exchanger 102, incorporation of the extension 132 (e.g., shell extension) may provide a desired surface area upon which one or more components of the vapor compression system 100 may be mounted to facilitate assembly and/or packaging of the vapor compression system 100. That is, while the length of the first shell 116 may be reduced (e.g., by virtue of the reduced magnitude of the first tube length 124) and thus provide a reduced surface area for mounting of other components, the extension 132 may provide an alternative mounting surface for one or more components of the vapor compression system 100 that may not be accommodated by the first shell 116 having a reduced length. For example, in the illustrated embodiment, the vapor compression system 100 includes the compressor 114 mounted to the first shell 116 (e.g., an exterior surface of the first shell 116) of the first heat exchanger 102 and a motor 210 of the vapor compression system 100 mounted to the extension 132 (e.g., an exterior surface of the extension 132) of the first heat exchanger 102. As will be appreciated, the motor 210 may be similar to the motor 50 described above and may be configured to drive operation of the compressor 114. One or more components of the vapor compression system 100 may additionally or alternatively be mounted to the second shell 120 (e.g.. an exterior surface of the second shell 120) of the second heat exchanger 104. For example, in the illustrated embodiment, a variable speed drive (VSD) 212 (e.g., VSD 52) of the vapor compression system 100 is mounted to the second shell 120. However, it should be appreciated that other components and/or arrangements of components may be amounted to the first heat exchanger 102 and/or the second heat exchanger 104, in accordance with the present techniques. For example, components that may be mounted to the first shell 116, the extension 132, the second shell 120, or any combination thereof may include a control panel, an oil sump panel, an economizer, a flash tank (e.g., intermediate vessel 70), another suitable component, or any combination thereof. Additional component mounting arrangements are described below with reference to further embodiments.

[0062] FIG. 8 is a side view schematic an embodiment of the first heat exchanger 102 having the first tube bundle 118 (e.g., plurality of tubes 140) extending the first tube length 124 (e.g., less than the second tube length 128) along the longitudinal axis 106. The illustrated embodiment includes certain elements and element numbers similar to those discussed above with reference to FIG. 6. However, it should be noted that the embodiment of FIG. 8 does not include the extension 132 incorporated with the first heat exchanger 102. Thus, the first heat exchanger 102 may extend along the longitudinal axis 106 for the first overall length 126 that is less than the second overall length 130 of the second heat exchanger 104. In other words, the first tube length 124 may be approximately equal to the first overall length 126 of the first heat exchanger 102 (e.g., the first shell 116). Additionally, in the illustrated embodiment, the second tube sheet 146 may be similar to the first tube sheet 142. In this way, the first tube sheet 142 and the second tube sheet 146 may each rest against a foundation or surface and may cooperatively support a weight and/or load of the first heat exchanger 102.

[0063] FIG. 9 is a top view schematic an embodiment of the vapor compression system 100, illustrating the first heat exchanger 102 and the second heat exchanger 104. More specifically, the first heat exchanger 102 (e.g., the first shell 116) has the first overall length 126 extending along the longitudinal axis 106 and includes the first tube bundle 118 (e.g., plurality of tubes 140) having the first tube length 124 extending along the longitudinal axis 106, as described above with reference to FIG. 8. The first heat exchanger 102 does not include the extension 132. The second heat exchanger 104 includes the second tube bundle 122 having the second tube length 128, greater than the first tube length 124, extending along the longitudinal axis 106.

[0064] As similarly described above, the first heat exchanger 102 and the second heat exchanger 104 are arranged in a side-by-side arrangement along the lateral axis 110. In certain embodiments, the first tube sheet 142 of the first heat exchanger 102 may be secured to the first tube sheet 200 of the second heat exchanger 104, such as via mechanical fasteners, welding, another suitable securement technique, or any combination thereof. However, as shown, the second tube sheet 146 of the first heat exchanger 102 and the second tube sheet 204 of the second heat exchanger 104 are similarly not aligned with one another along the lateral axis 110 (e.g., due to the different magnitudes of the first overall length 126 and the second overall length 130). Accordingly, to enable desired assembly and/or packaging of the vapor compression system 100, the vapor compression system 100 may include a support brace 220 (e.g., structural support, securement, bracket, mounting reinforcement, etc.) configured to enable additional securement of the first heat exchanger 102 to the second heat exchanger 104. For example, as described in further detail below, the support brace 220 may be securely attached (e.g., rigidly secured) to the second tube sheet 146 of the first heat exchanger 102 and to the second shell 120 of the second heat exchanger 104. In this way, the support brace 220 may enable rigid attachment of the first heat exchanger 102 and the second heat exchanger 104 at the second end 148 of the first heat exchanger 102, which may improve structural rigidity of the vapor compression system 100 (e.g.. the first heat exchanger 102 and the second heat exchanger 104) in an assembled configuration and thereby facilitate rigging, lifting, transportation, and installation of the vapor compression system 100.

[0065] The illustrated embodiment also includes a mounting arrangement of various components of the vapor compression system 100 on the first heat exchanger 102 and/or the second heat exchanger 104. For example, the compressor 114 is mounted to the first shell 116 of the first heat exchanger 102, and the VSD 212 is mounted to the second shell 120 of the second heat exchanger 104. as similarly described above. Additionally, the motor 210 configured to drive the compressor 114 is at least partially mounted to the first heat exchanger 102 (e.g., the second tube sheet 146, the first shell 116). However, the first shell 116 may have reduced surface area for accommodating components mounted thereto due to the reduction in the first overall length 126 of the first heat exchanger 102 (e.g., the first tube length 124). Accordingly, in the illustrated embodiment, the motor 210 is partially mounted to the first heat exchanger 102 and at least a portion of the motor 210 extends away from the first heat exchanger 102. To further enable mounting of the motor 210 to the vapor compression system 100, the vapor compression system 100 further includes one or more support mounts 222 (e.g., support fixture, support bracket, mounting fixture) configured to support at least a portion of a weight of the motor 210 mounted thereto. The support mount 222 may include one or more brackets, beams, platforms, plates, bars, and/or other structural components configured to enable rigid securement of the motor 210 to the first heat exchanger 102, the second heat exchanger 104, or both. For example, the support mount 222 may be fixedly secured (e.g., via welding, mechanical fasteners, or both) to the second tube sheet 204 of the second heat exchanger 104. The motor 210 may be fastened to both the first heat exchanger 102 and to the support mount 222 to provide a desired mounting arrangement of the motor 210 (e g., relative to the compressor 1 14) and further provide structural rigidity to the vapor compression system 100 in an assembled configuration. Details of embodiments of the support mount 222 are described further below.

[0066] FIG. 10 is a top view schematic an embodiment of the vapor compression system 100, illustrating the first heat exchanger 102 and the second heat exchanger 104. More specifically, the first heat exchanger 102 (e.g., the first shell 116) has the first overall length 126 extending along the longitudinal axis 106, and the second heat exchanger 104 includes the second overall length 130, greater than the first overall length 126, extending along the longitudinal axis 106. As will be appreciated, the first heat exchanger 102 may include the first tube bundle 118 having the first tube length 124 that is less than the second tube length 128 of the second tube bundle 122 of the second heat exchanger 104.

[0067] As similarly described above, the first tube sheet 142 of the first heat exchanger 102 may be aligned with the first tube sheet 200 of the second heat exchanger 104 along the lateral axis 1 10 to enable securement therebetween (e.g., via welding). However, the second tube sheet 146 of the first heat exchanger 102 and the second tube sheet 204 of the second heat exchanger 104 are similarly not aligned with one another along the lateral axis 110 (e.g., due to the different magnitudes of the first overall length 126 and the second overall length 130). Accordingly, the vapor compression system 100 may include an embodiment of the support brace 220 to enable additional securement of the first heat exchanger 102 to the second heat exchanger 104. The support brace 220 may be securely attached (e.g., rigidly secured) to the second tube sheet 146 of the first heat exchanger 102 and to the second shell 120 of the second heat exchanger 104, in some embodiments.

[0068] Additionally, the illustrated embodiment includes an alternative arrangement of certain components that may be mounted to the first heat exchanger 102 and/or the second heat exchanger 104. As described above, the compressor 114 may be mounted to the first shell 116 of the first heat exchanger 102, and the VSD 212 may be mounted to the second shell 120 of the second heat exchanger 104. The motor 210 may be mounted to the first heat exchanger 102, the second heat exchanger 104, or both. In some embodiments, the motor 210 may not be directly mounted to the first heat exchanger 102 (e g., the first shell 116, the second tube sheet 146) and/or may not be directly mounted to the second heat exchanger 104 (e.g., the second shell 120, the second tube sheet 204). Instead, the vapor compression system 100 may include one or more support structures securely attached to the first heat exchanger 102 and/or the second heat exchanger 104, and the motor 210 may be mounted to the one or more support structures to enable a desired arrangement of the motor 210 relative to other components of the vapor compression system 100 (e.g., the compressor 114). Details of embodiments of support structures that may be utilized to enable mounting of components to the first heat exchanger 102 and/or the second heat exchanger 104 are described further below.

[0069] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a portion of an embodiment of the vapor compression system 100, illustrating an embodiment of the support brace 220 securing the first heat exchanger 102 and the second heat exchanger 104 to one another. As previously discussed, the first heat exchanger 102 may have the first overall length 126 (e.g., first tube length 124) that is less than the second overall length 130 (e.g., second tube length 128) of the second heat exchanger 104, which may result in misalignment of the second tube sheet 146 of the first heat exchanger 102 and the second tube sheet 204 of the second heat exchanger 104 (e.g., relative to the lateral axis 110). Thus, the second tube sheet 146 of the first heat exchanger 102 and the second tube sheet 204 of the second heat exchanger 1 4 may not be secured to one another as in traditional vapor compression system (e.g., chiller system) assemblies. Accordingly, the vapor compression system 100 may include the support brace 220 to provide additional structural rigidity to the vapor compression system 100 in an assembled configuration.

[0070] The support brace 220 may be any suitable component or combination of components configured to rigidly secure and/or fasten the first heat exchanger 102 to the second heat exchanger 104. For example, the support brace 220 may include one or more brackets, beams, flanges, braces, ribs, posts, reinforcements, arms, bars, another suitable structural component, or any combination thereof. In the illustrated embodiment, the support brace 220 is secured (e.g., rigidly secured, fastened, fixed, fixedly attached) to the second tube sheet 146 of the first heat exchanger 102 at the second end 148 of the first shell 116. The support brace 220 is also secured to the second shell 120 of the second heat exchanger 104. In particular, the support brace 220 includes an extension plate 240 and a reinforcement pad 242 (e.g., re-pad, shell panel, curved portion, arcuate panel, first reinforcement pad) that are fixedly attached to one another, such as via welding or other suitable bonding technique. To this end. the extension plate 240 and the reinforcement pad 242 may be formed from any suitable rigid material, such as a metallic material (e.g., steel).

[0071] The extension plate 240 is secured (e.g., coupled, directly coupled) to the second tube sheet 146 of the first heat exchanger 102. The extension plate 240 may be secured to the second tube sheet 146 via welding, mechanical fasteners (e.g., nuts and bolts), another bonding technique, or any combination thereof. As shown, the extension plate 240 may extend from the second tube sheet 146 along the lateral axis 110 and may extend toward the second heat exchanger 104. For example, the extension plate 240 and the second tube sheet 146 may be aligned with one another along the lateral axis 110. The extension plate 240 extends along the lateral axis 110 to the reinforcement pad 242, which is securely fastened to the second shell 120 of the second heat exchanger 104. That is, the reinforcement pad 242 is fixed to an outer surface 244 of the second shell 120. The extension plate 240 may be secured to the reinforcement pad 242 at an approximate midpoint or center of the reinforcement pad 242 along a width of the reinforcement pad 242 (e.g., along the longitudinal axis 106). As will be appreciated, the reinforcement pad 242 is secured to the second shell 120 along the second overall length 130 and between the first tube sheet 200 (e.g., the first end 202) and the second tube sheet 204 (e g., the second end 206) of the second heat exchanger 104.

[0072] To enable desired securement to the second shell 120. the reinforcement pad 242 may include an arcuate or curved profile that may correspond to (e.g., match) a curvature (e.g., a radius of curvature, an outer diameter, an outer circumference) of the second shell 120. In some embodiments, the second shell 120 (e.g., the outer surface 244) and the reinforcement pad 242 may include a similar (e.g., approximately equal, equal) radius of curvature (e.g., extending about the longitudinal axis 106), such that the reinforcement pad 242 may engage with the outer surface 244 of the second shell 120 at least partially about a circumference of the second shell 120. The reinforcement pad 242 may be fixed to the outer surface 244 of the second shell 120 via any suitable bonding technique, such as welding. In this way, the first heat exchanger 102 may have the first overall length 126 that is less than the second overall length 130 of the second heat exchanger 104, and the support brace 220 may nevertheless enable a desired rigid assembly of the first heat exchanger 102 and the second heat exchanger 104. The vapor compression system 100 may thus be structurally rigid in an assembled configuration to enable rigging, lifting, transportation, and/or installation of the vapor compression system 100. [0073] FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a portion of an embodiment of the vapor compression system 100, illustrating an embodiment of the support mount 222 (e.g., pedestal, stand) configured to secure one or more components of the vapor compression system 100 to a heat exchanger (e.g., the first heat exchanger 102, the second heat exchanger 104) of the vapor compression system 100. In the illustrated embodiment, the support mount 222 is secured to the first shell 116 of the first heat exchanger 102. However, in other embodiments, the support mount 222 may be secured to other components of the first heat exchanger 102. such as the second tube sheet 146. Additionally or alternatively, the support mount 222 may be secured to the second heat exchanger 104 (e.g., the second shell 120, the second tube sheet 204). Indeed, some embodiments of the vapor compression system 100 may include multiple support mounts 222 attached to the first heat exchanger 102, the second heat exchanger 104, or both, and the multiple support mounts 222 may be configured to support one or more components of the vapor compression system 100 mounted thereto.

[0074] In the illustrated embodiment, the support mount 222 includes a reinforcement pad 260 (e.g., re-pad, shell panel, curved portion, arcuate panel, second reinforcement pad) secured to an outer surface 262 of the first shell 116. The support mount 222 also includes a beam 264 (e.g., H-beam, I-beam, post, extension, column, pillar, stanchion) extending from the reinforcement pad 260 and a mounting platform 266 (e.g., mounting surface, mounting plate, panel, bracket, pedestal) secured to the beam 264 opposite the reinforcement pad 260. The reinforcement pad 260, the beam 264, and the mounting platform 266 may be formed from any suitable material, such as a metallic material (e.g., steel), to enable securement of the components to one another, such as via welding.

[0075] To enable desired securement to the first shell 116, the reinforcement pad 260 may include an arcuate or curved profile that may correspond to a curvature of the first shell 116. In some embodiments, the first shell 116 (e.g., the outer surface 262) and the reinforcement pad 260 may include a similar (e.g., approximately equal, equal) radius of curvature (e.g., extending about the longitudinal axis 106), such that the reinforcement pad 260 may engage with the outer surface 262 of the first shell 116 at least partially about a circumference of the first shell 116. The reinforcement pad 260 may be fixed to the outer surface 262 of the first shell 116 via any suitable bonding technique, such as welding.

[0076] As mentioned above, the beam 264 extends from the reinforcement pad 260. In the illustrated embodiment, the beam 264 extends from the reinforcement pad 260 at an angle (e.g., an acute angle, an oblique angle) relative to the vertical axis 108. In this way, the mounting platform 266 may be positioned at a desired location relative to the first heat exchanger 102. For example, the mounting platform 266 may be offset from a center of the first heat exchanger 102 (e.g., a center of the first shell 116, a central axis of the first heat exchanger 102) to enable desired positioning of a component supported by the mounting platform 266 (e g., the motor 210), such as desired positioning relative to the first heat exchanger 102 and/or relative to one or more other components of the vapor compression system 100 (e.g., the compressor 1 14). The mounting platform 266 may be secured to the beam 264 at a distal end of the beam 264 and may provide a flat or level (e.g., horizontally-oriented) surface upon which a component of the vapor compression system 100, such as the motor 210, may be mounted.

[0077] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the vapor compression system 100 in an assembled configuration, illustrating the first heat exchanger 102 and the second heat exchanger 104 having different lengths. Specifically, the first heat exchanger 102 may include the first tube bundle 1 18 having the first tube length 124, and the first heat exchanger 102 may have the first overall length 126. The second heat exchanger 104 may include the second tube bundle 122 having the second tube length 128, which may be greater than the first tube length 124, and the second heat exchanger 104 may have the second overall length 130. which may be greater than the first overall length 126. The illustrated embodiment includes certain elements and element numbers similar to those described above. For example, the first heat exchanger 102 includes the first tube sheet 142, and the second heat exchanger 104 includes the first tube sheet 200. The first tube sheets 142 and 200 are aligned with one another along the lateral axis 110 in the assembled configuration and may be securely fastened to one another in the assembled configuration.

[0078] Additionally, the first heat exchanger 102 includes the second tube sheet 146, and the second heat exchanger 104 includes the second tube sheet 204. The second tube sheets 146 and 204 are offset from one another along the longitudinal axis 106 and are therefore not aligned along the lateral axis 110. Accordingly, the vapor compression system 100 includes an embodiment of the support brace 220 securely fastened (e.g., fixedly attached) to the second tube sheet 146 of the first heat exchanger 102 and to the second shell 120 of the second heat exchanger 104 to increase a structural rigidity of the vapor compression system 100 in the assembled configuration. For example, the support brace 220 may enable fixed positioning of the first heat exchanger 102 and the second heat exchanger 104 relative to one another.

[0079] The illustrated embodiment of the vapor compression system 100 also includes an embodiment of the support mount 222. The support mount 222 is attached (e.g., secured, fastened, mounted) to the second shell 120 of the second heat exchanger 104. As shown, the support mount 222 includes a plurality of braces 280 (e.g., comer braces, angle braces, angle brackets, triangle braces) secured to the second shell 120 of the second heat exchanger 104 and a base platform 282 (e.g., panel, plate, mounting surface) secured to the plurality of braces 280. A post 284 (e.g., a beam) extends from the base platform 282 to a mounting platform 286 (e.g., mounting surface, mounting plate) upon which the motor 210 is mounted. In this way, the support mount 222 may support the motor 210 in a desired arrangement (e.g., relative to the compressor 114, relative to the second heat exchanger 104) without the motor 210 being directly mounted to the second shell 120 of the second heat exchanger 104. Indeed, embodiments of the support mount 222 described herein may enable more flexible and/or desirable positioning and assembly of components of the vapor compression system 100 without reliance on surfaces of the first heat exchanger 102 and/or the second heat exchanger 104 for direct mounting of the components (e.g., motor 210).

[0080] The vapor compression system 100 also includes a lifting fixture 288 (e.g., lifting brace, lifting extension, lifting attachment) secured to the second heat exchanger 104. Specifically, the lifting fixture 288 is secured (e g., attached, fixatedly attached) to the second tube sheet 204 of the second heat exchanger 104. The lifting fixture 288 includes one or more beams 290 attached to the second tube sheet 204. The one or more beams 290 may have any suitable geometry or arrangement and may be atached to the second tube sheet 204 via flanged connections, nuts, bolts, other mechanical fasteners, welding, another suitable bonding technique, or any combination thereof. In the illustrated embodiment, the one or more beams 290 include a lifting aperture 292, which may be configured to receive a lifting lug or other lifting feature (e.g., lifting device, hook, bolt, etc.) to engage with the lifting fixture 288 and enable lifting of the vapor compression system 100, such as via a crane, hoist, or other lifting apparatus. It should be noted that the first tube sheet 142 of the first heat exchanger 102, the first tube sheet 200 of the second heat exchanger 104, the second tube sheet 204 of the second heat exchanger 104. and/or the second tube sheet 146 of the first heat exchanger 102 may also include corresponding lifting apertures 292 to enable lifting of the vapor compression system 100 (e.g., in an assembled configuration) via a lifting apparatus.

[0081] FIG. 14 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the vapor compression system 100 in an assembled configuration, illustrating base supports 300 of the first heat exchanger 102 and the second heat exchanger 104. The base supports 300 are configured to support the first heat exchanger 102 and the second heat exchanger 104 in an elevated position, such as above a foundation or ground surface. In other words, the first tube sheet 142 and second tube sheet 146 of the first heat exchanger 102 and the first tube sheet 200 and second tube sheet 204 of the second heat exchanger 104 described above may not rest on a foundation or ground surface and support a weight of the vapor compression system 100. The base supports 300 may also be assembled to provide structural rigidity for the vapor compression system 100 in the assembled configuration.

[0082] As shown, the first heat exchanger 102 and the second heat exchanger 104 each include two base supports 300, which are generally disposed on opposite respective ends of the first heat exchanger 102 and the second heat exchanger 104. In particular, the first heat exchanger 102 includes first base supports 302 secured to the first shell 116 of the first heat exchanger 102, and the second heat exchanger 104 includes second base supports 304 secured to the second shell 120 of the second heat exchanger 104. In accordance with the present techniques, each first base support 302 of the first heat exchanger 102 may be secured (e.g., mechanically atached, fixed, coupled, fastened) to one of the second base supports 304 of the second heat exchanger 104. In this way, positions and/or an arrangement of the first heat exchanger 102 and the second heat exchanger 104 relative to one another may be maintained to provide improved structural rigidity of the vapor compression system 100 in the assembled configuration. It should be appreciated that the base supports 300 described herein may be incorporated within any of the embodiments of the vapor compression system 100 described herein. For example, in some embodiments, the first heat exchanger 102 and the second heat exchanger 104 may incorporate the base supports 300 of the present disclosure, and the tube sheets 142, 146. 200, and 204 of the first heat exchanger 102 and the second heat exchanger 104 may not extend (e.g.. along the vertical axis 108) to contact a foundation or ground surface in an assembled configuration of the vapor compression system 100. Indeed, the base supports 300 may be incorporated with the vapor compression system 100 to provide desired assembly and packaging of the vapor compression system having the first heat exchanger 102 with the first overall length 126 that is less than the second overall length 130 of the second heat exchanger 104. Additional details of the base supports 300 are described further below.

[0083] FIG. 15 is an axial view schematic of a portion of an embodiment of the vapor compression system 100 in an assembled configuration, illustrating the base supports 300 incorporated with the first heat exchanger 102 and the second heat exchanger 104. As shown, each base support 300 includes a support brace 310 attached (e.g., welded, fixed, fastened) to the respective shell (e.g., first shell 116, second shell 120) of the corresponding heat exchanger (e.g., first heat exchanger 102, second heat exchanger 104). The support brace 310 may have a curved or arcuate geometry and may be configured to mate and/or engage with the corresponding shell. To this end, the support brace 310 may have a radius of curvature that corresponds to the radius of curvature of the shell to which the support brace 310 is secured. Each base support 300 also includes a plurality of posts 312 (e.g., beams, columns, vertical posts) fixedly attached (e.g., welded, bolted) to the support brace 310. The plurality of posts 312 extends along the vertical axis 108 in a generally downward direction. Additionally the plurality of posts 312 may be arrayed generally along the lateral axis 110. Each post 312 of the base support 300 may be further secured (e.g., welded, bolted) to a base rail 314 of the base support 300 that extends along the lateral axis 110. In some embodiments, the base rail 314 may rest on a foundation or ground surface in an assembled configuration of the vapor compression system 100. In some embodiments, the base supports 300 may each include support feet 316 (e.g., footings) positioned beneath the base rail 314 relative to the vertical axis 108.

[0084] In accordance with present techniques, corresponding base supports 300 of the first heat exchanger 102 and the second heat exchanger 104 may be secured to one another, such as via a cross brace 318 extending from the first base support 302 to the second base support 304. For example, the cross brace 318 may be a bracket, beam, bar, plate, or other structural feature that is securely attached (e.g., welded, bolted) to both the first base support 302 and the second base support 304. The first base supports 302 of the first heat exchanger 102 may be disposed along the first shell 116 and may be offset from one another along the longitudinal axis 106, and the second base supports 304 of the second heat exchanger 104 may be disposed along the second shell 120 and may be offset from one another along the longitudinal axis 106. Corresponding first base supports 302 and second base supports 304 may also be aligned with one another along the lateral axis 110 to facilitate mechanical securement of the first base support 302 and the second base support 304 corresponding to one another via the cross brace 318. In this way, relative positions and/or an arrangement of the first heat exchanger 102 and the second heat exchanger 104 may be maintained in the assembled configuration of the vapor compression system 100 to facilitate rigging, lifting, transportation, and/or installation of the vapor compression system 100.

[0085] As described above, present embodiments are directed toward a heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration (HVAC&R) system, such as a chiller system or other vapor compression system having a first heat exchanger with a first plurality of tubes disposed within a first shell and a second heat exchanger with a second plurality of tubes disposed within a second shell, where a length of the first plurality of tubes is different from a length of the second plurality of tubes. For example, the first plurality of tubes may have a length that is less than a length of the second plurality of tubes. The reduced length of the first plurality of tubes may enable a reduction in a pressure drop of fluid directed through the first plurality of tubes, among other benefits, such as reduced costs associated with manufacture of the first heat exchanger, an amount of working fluid utilized by the vapor compression system, and so forth.

[0086] 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.

[0087] 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.

[0088] 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 [performing [a function] ... ’’ or “step for [performing [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 heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration (HVAC&R) system, comprising: a working fluid circuit; a first heat exchanger disposed along the working fluid circuit, wherein the first heat exchanger comprises a first shell and a first plurality of tubes disposed within the first shell, wherein the first shell and the first plurality of tubes extend along a longitudinal axis, and the first plurality of tubes comprises a first length along the longitudinal axis; and a second heat exchanger disposed along the working fluid circuit, wherein the second heat exchanger comprises a second shell and a second plurality of tubes disposed within the second shell, wherein the second shell and the second plurality of tubes extend along the longitudinal axis, and the second plurality of tubes comprises a second length along the longitudinal axis, wherein the first length is less than the second length.

2. The HVAC&R system of claim 1, wherein the first heat exchanger comprises a first tube sheet configured to support the first plurality of tubes within the first shell, the second heat exchanger comprises a second tube sheet configured to support the second plurality of tubes within the second shell, and the first tube sheet and the second tube sheet are aligned with one another in a lateral direction extending crosswise to the longitudinal axis.

3. The HVAC&R system of claim 2, wherein the first tube sheet and the second tube sheet are directly attached to one another.

4. The HVAC&R system of claim 2, wherein the first tube sheet is disposed at a first end of the first heat exchanger, the second tube sheet is disposed at a second end of the second heat exchanger, the first heat exchanger comprises a third tube sheet disposed at a third end of the first heat exchanger, opposite the first end. and configured to support the first plurality of tubes within the first shell, the second heat exchanger comprises a fourth tube sheet disposed at a fourth end of the second heat exchanger, opposite the second end, and configured to support the second plurality of tubes within the second shell, and the third tube sheet and the fourth tube sheet are offset from one another along the longitudinal axis.

5. The HVAC&R system of claim 4, comprising a support brace fixedly attached to the third tube sheet and to the second shell, wherein the support brace extends in the lateral direction from the third tube sheet to the second shell.

6. The HVAC&R system of claim 5, wherein the support brace comprises a reinforcement pad fixedly attached to the second shell, and the reinforcement pad comprises an arcuate profile corresponding to a radius of curvature of the second shell.

7. The HVAC&R system of claim 4, comprising a lifting fixture attached to the fourth tube sheet, wherein the lifting fixture extends from the fourth tube sheet in the lateral direction, and the lifting fixture comprises a lifting aperture configured to receive a lifting device.

8. The HVAC&R system of claim 4, comprising: a shell extension attached to the third tube sheet and extending from the third tube sheet along the longitudinal axis; and an end support plate attached to the shell extension, opposite the third tube sheet, wherein the end support plate and the fourth tube sheet are aligned with one another in the lateral direction.

9. The HVAC&R system of claim 1, comprising a compressor disposed along the working fluid circuit, wherein the compressor is configured to draw a working fluid from the first shell and direct the working fluid to the second shell.

10. The HVAC&R system of claim 9, comprising: a support mount attached to the second shell and extending from the second shell; and a motor mounted to the support mount, wherein the motor is configured to drive operation of the compressor.

11. The HVAC&R system of claim 1, wherein the first plurality of tubes is configured to direct a conditioning fluid through the first shell, the first plurality of tubes comprises a first subset of tubes defining a first pass through the first shell and a second subset of tubes defining a second pass through the first shell.

12. A heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refngeration (HVAC&R) system, comprising: a first heat exchanger, comprising: a first shell configured to receive a working fluid of a working fluid circuit; a first plurality of tubes disposed within the first shell and extending along a longitudinal axis; a first tube sheet attached to a first end of the first shell and configured to support the first plurality’ of tubes within the first shell; and a second tube sheet attached to a second end of the first shell, opposite the first end, and configured to support the first plurality of tubes within the first shell; and a second heat exchanger, comprising: a second shell configured to receive the working fluid of the working fluid circuit; a second plurality of tubes disposed within the second shell and extending along the longitudinal axis; a third tube sheet attached to a third end of the second shell and configured to support the second plurality of tubes within the second shell; and a fourth tube sheet attached to a fourth end of the second shell, opposite the third end, and configured to support the second plurality of tubes within the second shell, wherein the first tube sheet and the third tube sheet are aligned with one another in a lateral direction extending crosswise to the longitudinal axis, and the second tube sheet and the fourth tube sheet are offset from one another along the longitudinal axis.

13. The HVAC&R system of claim 12, wherein the first plurality of tubes comprises a first length along the longitudinal axis, the second plurality of tubes comprises a second length along the longitudinal axis, and the first length is less than the second length.

14. The HVAC&R system of claim 12, comprising a support brace fixedly attached to the second tube sheet and fixedly attached to the second shell, wherein the support brace extends from the second tube sheet in the lateral direction, and the support brace comprises a reinforcement pad having an arcuate profile corresponding to a radius of curvature of the second shell.

15. The HVAC&R system of claim 12, wherein the first plurality of tubes is configured to direct a conditioning fluid through the first shell, the first plurality' of tubes comprises a first subset of tubes defining a first pass through the first heat exchanger and a second subset of tubes defining a second pass through the first heat exchanger, and the first heat exchanger comprises: a shell extension attached to the second tube sheet and extending from the second tube sheet along the longitudinal axis; and an end support plate attached to the shell extension, opposite the second tube sheet, wherein the end support plate and the fourth tube sheet are aligned with one another in the lateral direction.

16. The HVAC&R system of claim 15, wherein the first heat exchanger comprises a partition disposed within the shell extension, the partition defines a first volume and a second volume within the shell extension, the first volume is disposed along the first pass through the first heat exchanger, and the second volume is disposed along the second pass through the first heat exchanger.

17. The HVAC&R system of claim 12, comprising: a compressor configured to direct the working fluid through the first shell and the second shell; a support mount attached to and extending from the first shell, the second shell, or both; and a motor configured to drive operation of the compressor, wherein the motor is mounted to the support mount.

18. The HVAC&R system of claim 17. comprising the working fluid circuit, wherein the compressor is disposed along the working fluid circuit between the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger, and the compressor is configured to draw the working fluid from the first shell and direct the working fluid into the second shell.

19. A heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration (HVAC&R) system, comprising: a first heat exchanger comprising a first shell, a first plurality of tubes disposed within the first shell, and a first tube sheet coupled to the first shell and configured to support the first plurality of tubes within the first shell, wherein the first shell and the first plurality of tubes extend along a longitudinal axis; and a second heat exchanger comprising a second shell, a second plurality of tubes disposed within the second shell, and a second tube sheet coupled to the second shell and configured to support the second plurality of tubes within the second shell, wherein the second shell and the second plurality of tubes extend along the longitudinal axis, wherein the first tube sheet and the second tube sheet are aligned with one another in a lateral direction extending crosswise to the longitudinal axis, the first plurality of tubes comprises a first length along the longitudinal axis, the second plurality of tubes comprises a second length along the longitudinal axis, and the first length is less than the second length.

20. The HVAC&R system of claim 19. wherein the first heat exchanger comprises a third tube sheet coupled to the first shell, opposite the first tube sheet, and configured to support the first plurality of tubes within the first shell, the second heat exchanger comprises a fourth tube sheet coupled to the second shell, opposite the second tube sheet, and configured to support the second plurality⁷ of tubes within the second shell, the third tube sheet and the fourth tube sheet are offset from one another along the longitudinal axis, and the HVAC&R system comprises a support brace fixedly attached to the third tube sheet and to the second shell.