KR20010062008A - Condenser with integral receiver dryer - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: A condenser having an integrated receiver dryer is provided to reduce parts and to compact structure by integrally installing a receiver dryer in a manifold. CONSTITUTION: A condenser(10) with an integrated receiver dryer comprises a first manifold(12); a second manifold(14); plural fluid transfer tubes(16) extended between first and second manifolds, and connected to the manifolds; and a receiver dryer integrally formed and placed in the first manifold or the second manifold. An internal chamber is formed in the first manifold or the second manifold. The manifold has an arc side extended axially, and a corner of the side overlapping the side by stamping. Fluid is moved through the upper tube or a passage with placing a moving deflector in the internal chamber. The receiver dryer is assembled integrally with the manifold of the condenser. Parts of the condenser are reduced, and the condenser is compacted.

Description

CONDENSER WITH INTEGRAL RECEIVER DRYER

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention generally relates to a condenser having an integrated receiver drier for an air conditioning system of a motor vehicle, and more particularly for an air conditioning system of a motor vehicle.

It is well known in automobiles to provide a condenser for an air conditioning system. The condenser typically receives a fluid, such as a vapor refrigerant at a fairly high temperature, and cools the vapor phase to be converted into a liquid phase. The condenser usually includes a plurality of tubes extending between the opposing headers. The condenser also includes a plurality of cooling fins disposed between the tubes. One type of condenser, often referred to as a multi-pass condenser, includes a plurality of baffles disposed on one or both sides of the header such that the refrigerant passes through the plurality of flow paths. As the refrigerant flows through the condenser in a way that passes back and forth, heat is transferred from the vapor phase refrigerant to condense into the liquid phase. The liquid phase continues to flow through the condenser tube until the liquid phase escapes and reaches the outlet used in the air conditioning system. When the liquid phase and the vapor phase coexist, the continuous flow of liquid through the tube impedes the overall efficiency of the condenser because the vapor phase interferes with the heat transfer in contact with the tube. In addition, the liquid phase of the refrigerant occupies a space in the tube, thereby reducing the available internal area for heat transfer.

It is known to provide individual receiver dryers to store excess refrigerant from the condenser and to remove even a small amount of moisture from the refrigerant in the air conditioning system. One example of an individual receiver drier for a condenser of an air conditioning system is disclosed in US Pat. No. 5,775,113. In this patent, a separate receiver drier is in fluid communication with the condenser. The receiver dryer has one fluid inlet for receiving a two-phase refrigerant mixture from the condenser and two outlets that direct the refrigerant back to the condenser after phase separation. The receiver dryer also includes a large amount of desiccant to remove moisture from the two-phase refrigerant mixture.

Other examples of receiver dryers used with condensers are disclosed in US Pat. Nos. 5,537,839, 5,546,761, and 5,666,791. However, these receiver dryers use individual containers attached to the header or manifold of the condenser by various means. In some cases, the attached container does not have a dry material. Since the receiver dryer is a separate part, it requires additional space, fittings and brackets to attach it to the air conditioning system.

Although the receiver drier described above works well, it is desirable to incorporate the receiver drier into the condenser. It is also desirable to incorporate the receiver drier into the manifold of the condenser. It is further desirable to provide a receiver dryer having a smaller number of parts and a smaller installation structure in the condenser. It is even more desirable to provide a stamped formed manifold with an integrated receiver drier in the condenser.

Accordingly, the present invention relates to a condenser having an integrated receiver drier comprising a plurality of fluid transfer tubes extending and in fluid communication between the first and second manifolds and the manifolds. The condenser also includes an integrated receiver dryer disposed in one of the first manifold and the second manifold. The first manifold or the second manifold is stamped so as to have a generally arcuate side that extends axially to form an inner chamber for receiving fluid therein and whose edges overlap.

One advantage of the present invention is that a condenser with an integrated receiver drier is provided in an air conditioning system of an automobile. Another advantage of the present invention is that the condenser has a receiver dryer incorporated in the manifold of the condenser of increased diameter. Another advantage of the present invention is that the condenser has an integrated receiver drier in a manifold having a smaller number of parts and a smaller installation structure. Another advantage of the present invention is that the condenser has an integrated receiver dryer comprising a single large manifold and drying material which acts like an integrated receiver dryer. Another advantage of the present invention is that the condenser has an integrated receiver drier comprising a single large manifold with an integral deflector which directs the refrigerant through the upper flow path of the condenser. Another advantage of the present invention is that the condenser has a stamped manifold comprising a dry material which acts as a receiver dryer.

Other features and advantages of the invention will be better understood upon reading the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

1 is a front view of a condenser having an integrated receiver drier in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary view of the condenser with the integrated receiver drier of FIG.

3 is a sectional view taken along line 3-3 of FIG.

4 is a sectional view taken along line 4-4 of FIG.

<Explanation of symbols for the main parts of the drawings>

10: condenser

12: inlet manifold

14: outlet manifold

16: fluid transfer tube

30: inner chamber

35: Receiver Drier

36: flow deflector

44, 46: baffles

54: Dryer Capsule

63: Dry Material

1, in particular with reference to FIG. 1, an embodiment of a condenser 10 according to the invention for an air conditioning system (not shown) of a motor vehicle (not shown) is shown. Condenser 10 typically includes a pair of first manifolds 12 (inlet manifolds) and second manifolds 14 (outlet manifolds) that are vertical, parallel and spaced to a predetermined length. Condenser 10 also includes a number of generally parallel and flat tubes 16 extending between manifolds 12 and 14 and transferring fluid, such as refrigerant, between the manifolds. The condenser 10 is formed in the inlet manifold 12 to induce fluid into the condenser 10, and the fluid formed in the outlet manifold 14 to guide the fluid out of the condenser 10. And an outlet 20. The condenser 10 also includes a plurality of convoluted or tortuous fins 22 disposed between the tubes 16 and attached to the outside of the respective tubes 16. Fin 22 acts as a means of transferring heat out of tube 16 while providing additional surface area for convective heat transfer by air flowing over condenser 10. Note that this condenser 10 can be used as a heat exchanger in other applications besides automobiles.

2 to 4, the outlet manifold 14 is generally cylindrical with a circular cross section. The outlet manifold 14 has a larger diameter than the inlet manifold 12. The outlet manifold 14 is made of a metallic material such as aluminum. The outlet manifold 14 has an axially extending side 24, a lower closed end 26 thereof and an open end 28 above it to form the inner chamber 30. The open end 28 may be threaded for the functions described below. The side portion 24 has a plurality of slots 32 extending axially and positioned axially to receive one end of the tube 16. The tube 16 has a side ( It should be noted that

The condenser 10 also includes an integrated receiver dryer 35 disposed in the outlet manifold 14. The receiver dryer 35 includes a flow deflector 36 disposed in the inner chamber 30 to direct fluid through the flow path of the upper tube 16 or the condenser 10. The flow deflector 36 extends radially between the sides 24 to divide the inner chamber 30 and is secured to the side 24 in a suitable manner such as brazing. The flow deflector 36 also has a first or upper end 38 extending axially and extending radially. The upper end 38 has a flange 39 extending in the axial direction and fixed to the side 24 in a suitable manner such as brazing. Flow deflector 36 has a second or lower end 40 extending radially. The lower end 40 has a flange 42 extending in the axial direction and fixed to the side 24 in a suitable manner such as brazing. Flow deflector 36 is made of a metal material such as aluminum. It should be noted that the flow deflector 36 is integral with the outlet manifold 14.

The receiver dryer 35 includes at least one, preferably a plurality of baffles 44, 46 arranged in the inner chamber 30 to direct fluid into and out of the outlet manifold 14. The baffle 44 is usually flat and round. One of the baffles 44 is located axially between the outlet 20 and the flow deflector 36. The baffle 46 is located axially adjacent the lower end 40 of the flow deflector 36. The baffle 46 is semicircular and has a flange 48 extending axially. Flange 48 is secured to side 24 and flow deflector 36 in an appropriate manner such as brazing. The baffle 46 has a sheet 50 extending radially inward at an angle to the opening 52 extending axially and through the seat for the functions described below. The baffles 44 and 46 are made of a metallic material such as aluminum. The baffles 44 and 46 are secured to the sides 24 of the outlet manifold 14 in a suitable manner such as brazing. Note that the baffles 44 and 46 are integral with the outlet manifold 14. It should also be appreciated that if a dryer bag (not shown) containing dry material is placed in the outlet manifold 14, the opening 52 may be covered with a filter (not shown), such as a screen.

In this embodiment, the flow deflector 36 is part of the raw material of the side portion 24 of the outlet manifold 14. As a result, the side portion 24 and the flow deflector 36 are unitary and partly made. Side 24 and flow deflector 36 are stamped and formed by a conventional stamping process. After the side 24 and the flow deflector 36 are made of flat plates, the sides are made arcuate so that the flow deflector 36 is folded radially inward to contact the side 24. The flow deflector 36 is also usually folded radially inward so that the cross section is "V" shaped. The corners of the sides 24 overlap at the junction 53, at which point the flow deflector 36 is folded radially inward. The baffle 46 is formed in a "V" shape that is flipped along one side to assist the flow deflector 36. Side 24, flow deflector 36, baffles 44 and 46 and closed end 26 are secured to each other in a suitable manner such as brazing. It should be noted that when the flow deflector 36 is folded into this position, the flow deflector 36 is in a predetermined position and maintains its position during handling or brazing. The stamped side 24 and the flow deflector 36 shorten the manufacturing period of the outlet manifold 14 and facilitate assembly of the finished outlet manifold 14.

The outlet manifold 14 includes a dryer capsule 54 disposed in the inner chamber 30. The dryer capsule 54 is usually cylindrical with a circular cross section. Dryer capsule 54 typically includes a circular base 56. Base 56 has a plurality of holes 57 extending there radially. The dryer capsule 54 has a housing 58 that extends in the axial direction and is generally cylindrical and tubular. The housing 58 has a plurality of apertures 60 extending through the housing and a filter 62 such as a screen covering the apertures 60. Dryer capsule 54 includes a dry material 63, such as a desiccant, disposed in housing 58. Dryer capsule 54 has a cap 64 that closes the end of the capsule. The cap 64 has a aperture 68 extending through the cap 64 such that a tool (not shown) is coupled to the loop 66 so that the dryer capsule 53 is detached from the outlet manifold 14. It may have an attached loop 66. The dryer capsule 54 extends axially from the base 54 and includes a sheet portion 70, usually in the shape of a rug. The dryer capsule 54 includes a filter 72, such as a screen extending axially from the seat portion 70. Filter 72 is typically cylindrical to filter particles in a fluid. The dryer capsule 54 is disposed in the inner chamber 30 of the outlet manifold 14 so that the seat portion 70 extends into the opening 52 of the baffle 46. The housing 58, the lid 64, the base 56 and the seat portion 70 are made of a rigid material such as a plastic material.

Referring to FIG. 1, the outlet manifold 14 also includes an end closure 74 that closes its open end 28. End closure 74 has a radially extending head 76 and an axially extending threaded axis (not shown). End closure 74 may include a seal (not shown) disposed near the threaded axis and adjacent to head 76. The threaded shaft engages with the threaded open end 28 such that the seal engages the side 24 and the head 76 overlaps the side 24. The end closure 74 is made of a metallic material such as aluminum and the seal is made of an elastomeric material such as rubber. It should be noted that the end closure 74 is removable so that the dryer capsule 54 can be replaced. It should also be noted that the dryer capsule 54 is inserted into the outlet manifold 14 after the outlet manifold 14 has been soldered and before the end closure 74 is in place.

The inlet manifold 12 is typically cylindrical with a circular cross section. The inlet manifold 12 is made of a metallic material such as aluminum. The inlet manifold 12 has an axially extending side 78, a lower closed end 80 and an upper closed end 82 to form an inner chamber. Side 78 has a plurality of slots (not shown) extending axially and positioned axially to receive one end of tube 16. Tube 16 is secured to side 78 in a suitable manner such as brazing.

The inlet manifold 12 includes at least one, preferably a plurality of baffles (not shown) disposed in the inner chamber for directing fluid into and out of the inlet manifold 12. The baffles are usually flat and round. The baffles are located axially to define a predetermined flow path or loop of the condenser 10 and are approximately of the baffles 44, 46 of the outlet manifold 14 and the upper end 38 of the flow deflector 36. Located opposite The baffle is secured to the side 78 of the inlet manifold 12 in a suitable manner such as brazing. The baffle is made of a metallic material such as aluminum. Note that the baffle is integral with the inlet manifold 12.

In operation, fluid from the air conditioning system enters condenser 10 through inlet 18 of inlet manifold 12. The baffle and flow deflector 36 direct or direct fluid into the upper flow path of the seven tubes through the first flow path of the thirteen tubes 16 of the condenser 10 and the second flow path of the nine tubes 16. Determine. This fluid flow enters the top of the outlet manifold 14. The larger density of condensed liquid fluid falls over the dryer capsule 54 and to the bottom of the outlet manifold 14 to produce a liquid seal. The condensed liquid fluid passes through the dryer capsule 54 and the filter 72 into the first flow path of the six tubes 16 of the subcooling loop. The condensed liquid fluid reverses and flows into the second flow path of the six tubes 16 of the subcooling loop into the bottom of the outlet manifold 14 and through the outlet 20 to an evaporator (not shown) of the air conditioning system. Flow. It should be appreciated that the number of tubes 16 per flow path or loop may vary.

The present invention has been described in an exemplary manner. It is to be understood that the terminology used is intended to be in the nature of words of description rather than of limitation.

Many modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings. Therefore, within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described.

The condenser of the present invention provides an integrated receiver dryer in a manifold having a smaller component count and a smaller installation structure.

Claims (7)

In the condenser for a car air conditioning system, With inlet manifold, An outlet manifold located opposite from the inlet manifold; A plurality of fluid transfer tubes extending and in fluid communication between said inlet manifold and said outlet manifold; The outlet manifold is stamped to have a generally arcuate side extending axially to form an inner chamber and an edge of the side overlapping the side, having a larger diameter than the inlet manifold, to operate as a receiver drier. A dry material disposed within the inner chamber of the outlet manifold. A condenser, characterized in that. The condenser of claim 1, comprising a flow deflector disposed in the outlet manifold, wherein the dry material is disposed adjacent the flow deflector. 3. The condenser of claim 2, wherein said flow deflector and said outlet manifold are formed in one piece. 3. The condenser of claim 2, wherein said flow deflector folds radially inwardly from said side. 5. The condenser of claim 4, wherein said side and said flow deflector are stamped. 3. The apparatus of claim 2, comprising at least one baffle located within said outlet manifold and interacting with said tube to form a plurality of fluid flow paths, said fluid flow paths each having a plurality of tubes coupled thereto. Condenser. 2. The condenser of claim 1, comprising a dryer capsule for holding the dry material.