US20110042047A1 - Heat exchanger drip tube - Google Patents

Heat exchanger drip tube Download PDF

Info

Publication number
US20110042047A1
US20110042047A1 US12/922,389 US92238909A US2011042047A1 US 20110042047 A1 US20110042047 A1 US 20110042047A1 US 92238909 A US92238909 A US 92238909A US 2011042047 A1 US2011042047 A1 US 2011042047A1
Authority
US
United States
Prior art keywords
section
drip
heat exchanger
drip tube
manifold
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Abandoned
Application number
US12/922,389
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Andrew E. Karl
Ron A. Wilson
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Carrier Corp
Original Assignee
Carrier Corp
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Carrier Corp filed Critical Carrier Corp
Priority to US12/922,389 priority Critical patent/US20110042047A1/en
Assigned to CARRIER CORPORATION reassignment CARRIER CORPORATION ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: KARL, ANDREW E., WILSON, RON A.
Publication of US20110042047A1 publication Critical patent/US20110042047A1/en
Abandoned legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

Classifications

    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F28—HEAT EXCHANGE IN GENERAL
    • F28F—DETAILS OF HEAT-EXCHANGE AND HEAT-TRANSFER APPARATUS, OF GENERAL APPLICATION
    • F28F9/00—Casings; Header boxes; Auxiliary supports for elements; Auxiliary members within casings
    • F28F9/02—Header boxes; End plates
    • F28F9/0246—Arrangements for connecting header boxes with flow lines
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F28—HEAT EXCHANGE IN GENERAL
    • F28F—DETAILS OF HEAT-EXCHANGE AND HEAT-TRANSFER APPARATUS, OF GENERAL APPLICATION
    • F28F17/00—Removing ice or water from heat-exchange apparatus
    • F28F17/005—Means for draining condensates from heat exchangers, e.g. from evaporators
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
    • Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
    • Y10T29/00—Metal working
    • Y10T29/49—Method of mechanical manufacture
    • Y10T29/4935—Heat exchanger or boiler making

Definitions

  • microchannel heat exchangers Advances in microchannel heat exchanger technology have demonstrated its advantages over the previously more conventional round-tube plate-fin type heat exchanger. Some of the benefits provided by microchannel heat exchangers include a reduction in the amount of refrigerant required for operation, more efficient heat transfer, and a reduced footprint. Microchannel heat exchangers, once used primarily in automotive applications, are now also finding use in residential and commercial air conditioning and refrigeration applications. Microchannel heat exchangers generally use all aluminum coils. In many applications, however, refrigerant enters and leaves the coils via copper tubes. A heat exchange system with aluminum and copper surfaces may run into problems with galvanic corrosion.
  • Galvanic corrosion occurs when two dissimilar metals make contact with one another in the presence of an electrolyte thereby forming a galvanic couple.
  • the more noble metal (higher on the galvanic series) provides the surface area for the reduction reaction and the less noble metal (lower on the galvanic series) corrodes in an oxidation process.
  • the oxidation occurs in the greatest amount at the interface of the two metals but may also occur at some distance away from the actual interface.
  • the most common electrolyte is salt water in the air. A fine salt water mist may be blown inland for up to fifty miles from the coast. Sulfur dioxide from industrial pollution also creates an electrolyte when it combines with moisture in the air.
  • the condenser section(s) of the heat exchangers used in vapor compression refrigeration are located outdoors (e.g., outside the residence, on the rooftops of commercial buildings). These condensers can be exposed to rain, snow, sleet, and salt. The water or moisture present in the outdoor environment has the potential to carry copper particles into contact with aluminum surfaces of the condenser such as the coils or the manifolds. Galvanic corrosion can occur in the areas where copper and aluminum make contact.
  • Exemplary embodiments of the invention include a system having a heat exchanger manifold and a drip tube in fluid communication with the manifold.
  • the drip tube includes a generally horizontal section, a generally vertical section, and a drip loop connecting the horizontal and vertical sections.
  • the horizontal section, vertical section, and drip loop each have an exterior surface. A portion of the drip loop exterior surface is positioned so that it is lower than the exterior surfaces of the horizontal and vertical sections where the horizontal and vertical sections meet the drip loop.
  • a further embodiment of the present invention includes a method for protecting aluminum surfaces of a heat exchanger.
  • the method includes shaping a drip tube having a generally horizontal section, a generally vertical section, and a drip loop connection the horizontal and vertical sections.
  • the drip tube is shaped so that an exterior surface of the drip loop is positioned lower than the exterior surfaces of the horizontal and vertical sections where the horizontal and vertical sections meet the drip loop.
  • the method also includes connecting the horizontal section of the drip tube to a heat exchanger manifold and connecting the vertical section of the drip tube to a refrigerant line.
  • FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of a refrigerant vapor compression system incorporating a heat exchanger with a drip tube.
  • FIG. 2 is a perspective view of part of a heat exchanger showing a manifold connected to an inlet tube and a drip tube.
  • FIG. 3 is a side view of a heat exchanger manifold connected to a drip tube.
  • FIG. 4 is a cross-section view of a heat exchanger manifold connected to a drip tube via a belled section with a barrier layer.
  • FIG. 1 Illustrated in FIG. 1 , is an example of a refrigerant vapor compression system 100 .
  • the system includes evaporator 102 , compressor 104 , condenser 106 , and expansion valve 108 .
  • Refrigerant lines connect the components of the system described above.
  • Fans 110 and 112 direct air across the evaporator 102 and condenser 106 , respectively, as part of the heat transfer system.
  • the condenser 106 includes manifold 12 , which is connected to inlet tube 16 and drip tube 18 . While FIG. 1 illustrates drip tube 18 connected to condenser 106 , drip tube 18 could also be connected to an evaporator such as evaporator 102 .
  • Heat exchanger section 10 is part of a heat exchanger section 10 having a manifold 12 and a plurality of microchannel flow paths 14 .
  • Heat exchanger section 10 may function as an evaporator or as a condenser depending on the desired heat transfer application. Generally, heat exchanger section 10 is located outdoors (e.g., outside a residence, on the rooftop of a commercial building), but heat exchanger section 10 may also be located indoors.
  • Microchannel flow paths extend from manifold 12 to another manifold (not shown). Manifold 12 may be either an inlet or outlet manifold. Manifold 12 and microchannel flow paths are generally aluminum.
  • inlet tube 16 is connected to manifold 12 near the top of the manifold. Inlet tube 16 also connects with a refrigerant line (not shown) in the closed heat exchanger circuit.
  • Drip tube 18 is connected to manifold 12 near the bottom of the manifold. Drip tube 18 also functions as an outlet tube in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2 . While FIG. 2 illustrates inlet tube 16 at the top of the manifold and outlet drip tube 18 at the bottom, other embodiments are possible. For example, tube 16 could function as an outlet and drip tube 18 could function as an inlet. In either case, the tube functioning as the drip tube will generally be located lower on the manifold than the other tube regardless of which is the inlet or outlet. It is also possible for both tubes (inlet and outlet) connected to the manifold to be drip tubes.
  • Drip tube 18 includes horizontal section 20 , drip loop 22 , and vertical section 24 . As illustrated in FIG. 2 , at least a portion of horizontal section 20 is generally horizontal and generally perpendicular to heat exchanger manifold 12 and vertical section 24 . Horizontal section 20 connects directly with manifold 12 or is inserted into a belled section 26 , which is connected to manifold 12 , as shown in FIGS. 2-4 . At least a portion of vertical section 24 is generally vertical and perpendicular to at least a portion of horizontal section 20 . Vertical section 24 connects with a refrigerant line (not shown) in the closed heat exchanger circuit. Drip loop 22 connects horizontal section 20 and vertical section 24 . Drip tube 18 is generally copper, but other metals such as aluminum may be used. Drip tube 18 functions as an inlet or an outlet for manifold 12 . Refrigerant travels through the inner passage of drip tube 18 to or from manifold 12 .
  • drip loop 22 is a generally U-shaped loop located between horizontal section 20 and vertical section 24 .
  • drip loop 22 slopes in a slight downward direction from horizontal section 20 to form one half of the U shape.
  • Drip loop 22 then curves upward towards vertical section 24 to form the other half of the U shape.
  • Drip loop 22 includes a bottom exterior surface 28 .
  • At least a portion of the bottom exterior surface 28 is positioned lower than the exterior surfaces of horizontal section 20 and vertical section 24 where the horizontal section 20 and vertical section 24 join drip loop 22 .
  • the lowest portion of bottom exterior surface 28 provides a location where water may collect, form a droplet, and drip.
  • drip tube 18 has an outer diameter of about 9.5 mm.
  • the wall thickness of drip tube 18 is about 0.7 mm.
  • Vertical section 24 of drip tube 18 is about 42 mm in length.
  • the straight sloped portion of drip loop 22 (the portion between horizontal section 20 and the sharp bend in drip loop 22 ) is about 19 mm in length.
  • Drip loop 22 slopes downward from horizontal section 20 at an angle of about 19° and the U-bend of drip loop 22 traverses an arc of about 109°.
  • the distance between the centerpoint of manifold 12 and the centerpoint of vertical section 24 is about 76 mm.
  • Horizontal section 20 connects with manifold 12 about 40 mm above heat exchanger bottom surface 30 .
  • the dimensions of other embodiments of drip tube 18 may vary.
  • the outer diameter of drip tube 18 may be between about 2.0 mm and about 25.4 mm.
  • Wall thickness may be between about 0.1 mm to about 4 mm.
  • the angles and lengths of the different portions of drip tube 18 may be adapted to the particular needs of the heat exchanger manifold and refrigerant lines. However, all embodiments will be configured so that the drip loop has an exterior surface lower than the exterior surfaces of the horizontal and vertical sections where they connect to the drip loop.
  • Water and moisture (from rain, snow, or condensation) that collect in heat exchanger section 10 may accumulate on exterior surfaces of refrigerant lines in fluid communication with drip tube 18 . Water may travel down the exterior surfaces of the refrigerant lines towards the heat exchanger manifold 12 . As refrigerant lines are often made of copper, this water may collect particles of copper as it travels along the exterior surfaces of the refrigerant lines. In a heat exchanger without a drip tube, the copper-containing water may travel to the area where the refrigerant line (inlet/outlet) connects with the aluminum heat exchanger manifold 12 . The copper and aluminum may form a galvanic couple and galvanic corrosion may occur at or near the area where both copper and aluminum are present.
  • the drip tube 18 prevents copper-containing water from reaching the manifold 12 .
  • Water travels down the exterior surface of a refrigerant line and vertical section 24 of drip tube 18 .
  • the water then reaches drip loop 22 and continues to the lowest portion of bottom exterior surface 28 .
  • the water will drip from the lowest portion of bottom exterior surface 28 rather than continue along drip loop 22 to horizontal surface 20 and eventually to manifold 12 .
  • the water would need to travel “uphill” to reach horizontal surface 20 from drip loop 22 . Gravity will cause the water to form droplets and drip from the lowest portion of bottom exterior surface 28 before it can reach horizontal surface 20 .
  • FIG. 3 illustrates a U-shaped drip loop 22
  • drip loop 22 may also have a V-shaped section as long as the lowest point of the V is lower than the exterior surfaces of the horizontal section 20 and vertical section 24 where horizontal section 20 and vertical section 24 join with drip loop 22 .
  • bottom surface 30 directs collected water away from manifold 12 .
  • Bottom surface 30 may be sloped to facilitate collection of water in areas of heat exchanger section 10 away from manifold 12 where it is allowed to evaporate or drain out of heat exchanger section 10 .
  • Belled section 26 is used to facilitate the connection of manifold 12 and drip tube 18 .
  • belled section 26 may be omitted and drip tube 18 is connected directly to manifold 12 .
  • Belled section 26 is generally aluminum, but other metals, such as copper, may also be used.
  • One end of belled section 26 is positioned within an opening in the wall 32 of manifold 12 .
  • Horizontal section 20 of drip tube 18 is positioned in the other end of belled section 26 . Once connected, the inner passages of manifold 12 and drip tube 18 are in fluid communication.
  • Manifold 12 and belled section are typically similar metals in this construction. Belled section 26 and horizontal section 20 of drip tube 18 are typically dissimilar metals.
  • one or more barrier layers 34 may be employed. Barrier layer 34 is positioned around the joining area of belled section 26 and drip tube 18 to protect the area where dissimilar metals contact one another from water and oxygen, thereby preventing or reducing the opportunity for galvanic corrosion. Barrier layer 34 is generally placed around belled section 26 or drip tube 18 after connection with manifold 12 . Barrier layer 34 may be a shrink wrap that seals around belled section 26 when heat is applied to the shrink wrap. Barrier layer 34 may be any material appropriate to protect metals from water and oxygen, such as rubber, neoprene, nylon, or latex.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Thermal Sciences (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Heat-Exchange Devices With Radiators And Conduit Assemblies (AREA)
US12/922,389 2008-05-14 2009-05-14 Heat exchanger drip tube Abandoned US20110042047A1 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US12/922,389 US20110042047A1 (en) 2008-05-14 2009-05-14 Heat exchanger drip tube

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US12751308P 2008-05-14 2008-05-14
US12/922,389 US20110042047A1 (en) 2008-05-14 2009-05-14 Heat exchanger drip tube
PCT/US2009/043953 WO2009140494A2 (en) 2008-05-14 2009-05-14 Heat exchanger drip tube

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US20110042047A1 true US20110042047A1 (en) 2011-02-24

Family

ID=41319335

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US12/922,389 Abandoned US20110042047A1 (en) 2008-05-14 2009-05-14 Heat exchanger drip tube

Country Status (4)

Country Link
US (1) US20110042047A1 (zh)
EP (1) EP2310791A4 (zh)
CN (1) CN102027309A (zh)
WO (1) WO2009140494A2 (zh)

Cited By (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20120324917A1 (en) * 2011-06-22 2012-12-27 Whirlpool Corporation Vertical ice maker with microchannel evaporator
US20120324915A1 (en) * 2011-06-22 2012-12-27 Whirlpool Corporation Vertical ice maker producing clear ice pieces
WO2014062856A1 (en) 2012-10-16 2014-04-24 Halozyme, Inc. Hypoxia and hyaluronan and markers thereof for diagnosis and monitoring of diseases and conditions and related methods
JP2015183850A (ja) * 2014-03-26 2015-10-22 株式会社富士通ゼネラル 配管接続構造
US9664434B2 (en) 2014-05-27 2017-05-30 Hill Phoenix, Inc. Evaporative condensate dissipation system
US9982923B2 (en) 2014-11-19 2018-05-29 Hill Phoenix, Inc. Condensate removal tower
US20200158448A1 (en) * 2017-05-31 2020-05-21 Bearward Engineering Limited Sectional radiator seal arrangement
US11221163B2 (en) * 2019-08-02 2022-01-11 Randy Lefor Evaporator having integrated pulse wave atomizer expansion device

Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN204830986U (zh) * 2015-07-10 2015-12-02 杭州三花微通道换热器有限公司 换热器

Citations (12)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2402413A (en) * 1941-05-28 1946-06-18 Kogel Wilhelm Georg Absorption refrigerating apparatus
US2745797A (en) * 1953-01-19 1956-05-15 Gen Motors Corp Electroplating pipe joint
US2823933A (en) * 1954-09-21 1958-02-18 Charles E Hickman Refrigerating system and method of making the same
US3849854A (en) * 1973-09-24 1974-11-26 Emhart Corp Method for making evaporator or condenser unit
US4290266A (en) * 1979-09-04 1981-09-22 Twite Terrance M Electrical power generating system
US4693501A (en) * 1986-07-23 1987-09-15 American Standard Inc. Refrigeration tubing joint
US5358034A (en) * 1992-09-25 1994-10-25 Zexel Corporation Heat exchanger
US5429183A (en) * 1992-06-17 1995-07-04 Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha Plate-type heat exchanger and method of producing the same
US20060054310A1 (en) * 2004-09-15 2006-03-16 Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. Evaporator using micro-channel tubes
KR20070120566A (ko) * 2007-10-31 2007-12-24 캐리어 코포레이션 보다 나은 유동 분배를 제공하기 위한 액체 트랩부를구비한 평행 유동형 증발기
US20080257533A1 (en) * 2007-04-16 2008-10-23 Luvata Franklin, Inc. Method of Producing a Corrosion Resistant Aluminum Heat Exchanger
US20090229282A1 (en) * 2005-05-24 2009-09-17 Taras Michael F Parallel-flow evaporators with liquid trap for providing better flow distribution

Family Cites Families (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
KR200159672Y1 (ko) * 1996-09-18 1999-10-15 박상록 적층형 열교환기
JP4461525B2 (ja) * 1999-10-29 2010-05-12 パナソニック株式会社 銅管とアルミニウム管との接合体及びそれらを備えた熱交換器

Patent Citations (12)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2402413A (en) * 1941-05-28 1946-06-18 Kogel Wilhelm Georg Absorption refrigerating apparatus
US2745797A (en) * 1953-01-19 1956-05-15 Gen Motors Corp Electroplating pipe joint
US2823933A (en) * 1954-09-21 1958-02-18 Charles E Hickman Refrigerating system and method of making the same
US3849854A (en) * 1973-09-24 1974-11-26 Emhart Corp Method for making evaporator or condenser unit
US4290266A (en) * 1979-09-04 1981-09-22 Twite Terrance M Electrical power generating system
US4693501A (en) * 1986-07-23 1987-09-15 American Standard Inc. Refrigeration tubing joint
US5429183A (en) * 1992-06-17 1995-07-04 Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha Plate-type heat exchanger and method of producing the same
US5358034A (en) * 1992-09-25 1994-10-25 Zexel Corporation Heat exchanger
US20060054310A1 (en) * 2004-09-15 2006-03-16 Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. Evaporator using micro-channel tubes
US20090229282A1 (en) * 2005-05-24 2009-09-17 Taras Michael F Parallel-flow evaporators with liquid trap for providing better flow distribution
US20080257533A1 (en) * 2007-04-16 2008-10-23 Luvata Franklin, Inc. Method of Producing a Corrosion Resistant Aluminum Heat Exchanger
KR20070120566A (ko) * 2007-10-31 2007-12-24 캐리어 코포레이션 보다 나은 유동 분배를 제공하기 위한 액체 트랩부를구비한 평행 유동형 증발기

Cited By (13)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US9273890B2 (en) 2011-06-22 2016-03-01 Whirlpool Corporation Vertical ice maker producing clear ice pieces
US20120324915A1 (en) * 2011-06-22 2012-12-27 Whirlpool Corporation Vertical ice maker producing clear ice pieces
US8756951B2 (en) * 2011-06-22 2014-06-24 Whirlpool Corporation Vertical ice maker producing clear ice pieces
US8919145B2 (en) * 2011-06-22 2014-12-30 Whirlpool Corporation Vertical ice maker with microchannel evaporator
US20120324917A1 (en) * 2011-06-22 2012-12-27 Whirlpool Corporation Vertical ice maker with microchannel evaporator
US9719711B2 (en) 2011-06-22 2017-08-01 Whirlpool Corporation Vertical ice maker producing clear ice pieces
WO2014062856A1 (en) 2012-10-16 2014-04-24 Halozyme, Inc. Hypoxia and hyaluronan and markers thereof for diagnosis and monitoring of diseases and conditions and related methods
JP2015183850A (ja) * 2014-03-26 2015-10-22 株式会社富士通ゼネラル 配管接続構造
US9664434B2 (en) 2014-05-27 2017-05-30 Hill Phoenix, Inc. Evaporative condensate dissipation system
US9982923B2 (en) 2014-11-19 2018-05-29 Hill Phoenix, Inc. Condensate removal tower
US20200158448A1 (en) * 2017-05-31 2020-05-21 Bearward Engineering Limited Sectional radiator seal arrangement
US11879696B2 (en) * 2017-05-31 2024-01-23 Bearward Engineering Limited Sectional radiator seal arrangement
US11221163B2 (en) * 2019-08-02 2022-01-11 Randy Lefor Evaporator having integrated pulse wave atomizer expansion device

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP2310791A4 (en) 2013-04-10
EP2310791A2 (en) 2011-04-20
WO2009140494A3 (en) 2010-03-11
CN102027309A (zh) 2011-04-20
WO2009140494A2 (en) 2009-11-19

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US20110042047A1 (en) Heat exchanger drip tube
EP2620736B1 (en) Heat exchanger and air-conditioning apparatus having the same
JP3287100B2 (ja) 空気調和装置のクーリングユニットおよび排水ケース
CN104285119B (zh) 换热器及空气调节机
US20100071868A1 (en) Hvac units, heat exchangers, buildings, and methods having slanted fins to shed condensation or for improved air flow
CN102016482B (zh) 热交换器以及使用该热交换器的空调机
CN103930747B (zh) 板翅管式换热器及具有该板翅管式换热器的制冷空调系统
CN109154460B (zh) 层叠型集管、热交换器和空调装置
CN1851330B (zh) 一种使用铝制制冷管路的分体式空调器
WO2013084433A1 (ja) 空気調和機の熱交換器
CN103123190B (zh) 空调
KR20150106230A (ko) 열교환기 및 그 제조방법 그리고 열교환기를 포함하는 공기조화기용 실외기
WO2017017789A1 (ja) 熱交換器及び冷凍サイクル装置
CN219956242U (zh) 一种翅片组及换热器
JP2001027484A (ja) サーペンタイン型熱交換器
EP3550247B1 (en) Heat exchanger and air conditioner
CN107860248B (zh) 一种微通道换热器及空调
JP2010091145A (ja) 熱交換器
ITUD970029A1 (it) Metodo per la realizzazione di evaporatore per impianti di refrigerazione e rispettivo evaporatore od apparato che lo
CN219956241U (zh) 一种具有复合结构翅片的换热器
WO2020132202A1 (en) Heat exchanger with aluminum alloy clad tube and method of manufacture
CN216897906U (zh) 一种新型平行流换热器
CN219955723U (zh) 一种换热器
US20230213289A1 (en) Corrosion resistant microchannel heat exchanger
CN101000157A (zh) 一种空调器

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
STCB Information on status: application discontinuation

Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION