US20110139421A1 - Flow distributor for a heat exchanger assembly - Google Patents
Flow distributor for a heat exchanger assembly Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20110139421A1 US20110139421A1 US12/637,960 US63796009A US2011139421A1 US 20110139421 A1 US20110139421 A1 US 20110139421A1 US 63796009 A US63796009 A US 63796009A US 2011139421 A1 US2011139421 A1 US 2011139421A1
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- Prior art keywords
- manifold
- cross
- upstream
- orifice
- downstream
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Classifications
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F28—HEAT EXCHANGE IN GENERAL
- F28D—HEAT-EXCHANGE APPARATUS, NOT PROVIDED FOR IN ANOTHER SUBCLASS, IN WHICH THE HEAT-EXCHANGE MEDIA DO NOT COME INTO DIRECT CONTACT
- F28D1/00—Heat-exchange apparatus having stationary conduit assemblies for one heat-exchange medium only, the media being in contact with different sides of the conduit wall, in which the other heat-exchange medium is a large body of fluid, e.g. domestic or motor car radiators
- F28D1/02—Heat-exchange apparatus having stationary conduit assemblies for one heat-exchange medium only, the media being in contact with different sides of the conduit wall, in which the other heat-exchange medium is a large body of fluid, e.g. domestic or motor car radiators with heat-exchange conduits immersed in the body of fluid
- F28D1/04—Heat-exchange apparatus having stationary conduit assemblies for one heat-exchange medium only, the media being in contact with different sides of the conduit wall, in which the other heat-exchange medium is a large body of fluid, e.g. domestic or motor car radiators with heat-exchange conduits immersed in the body of fluid with tubular conduits
- F28D1/053—Heat-exchange apparatus having stationary conduit assemblies for one heat-exchange medium only, the media being in contact with different sides of the conduit wall, in which the other heat-exchange medium is a large body of fluid, e.g. domestic or motor car radiators with heat-exchange conduits immersed in the body of fluid with tubular conduits the conduits being straight
- F28D1/0535—Heat-exchange apparatus having stationary conduit assemblies for one heat-exchange medium only, the media being in contact with different sides of the conduit wall, in which the other heat-exchange medium is a large body of fluid, e.g. domestic or motor car radiators with heat-exchange conduits immersed in the body of fluid with tubular conduits the conduits being straight the conduits having a non-circular cross-section
- F28D1/05366—Assemblies of conduits connected to common headers, e.g. core type radiators
- F28D1/05391—Assemblies of conduits connected to common headers, e.g. core type radiators with multiple rows of conduits or with multi-channel conduits combined with a particular flow pattern, e.g. multi-row multi-stage radiators
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- 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
- F28F9/0202—Header boxes having their inner space divided by partitions
- F28F9/0204—Header boxes having their inner space divided by partitions for elongated header box, e.g. with transversal and longitudinal partitions
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- 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
- F28F9/026—Header boxes; End plates with static flow control means, e.g. with means for uniformly distributing heat exchange media into conduits
- F28F9/0265—Header boxes; End plates with static flow control means, e.g. with means for uniformly distributing heat exchange media into conduits by using guiding means or impingement means inside the header box
Definitions
- a heat exchanger assembly for transferring heat between a coolant and a stream of air.
- U.S. Pat. No. 6,272,881 issued to Kuroyanago et al. on Aug. 14, 2001 (hereinafter referred to as Kuroyanago '881), shows first and second manifolds spaced from one another
- a cross-over plate is disposed in one of the manifolds for dividing the associated manifold into an upstream section on one side of the cross-over plate and a downstream section on the other side of the cross-over plate.
- the cross-over plate defines at least one orifice for establishing fluid communication between the upstream and downstream sections of the associated manifold.
- a core extends between the first and second manifolds for transferring heat between the stream of air and the coolant.
- the core includes a plurality of tubes defining a plurality of upstream flow paths and a plurality of downstream paths.
- the upstream flow paths of the tubes are in fluid communication with the upstream section of the one of the manifolds including the cross-over plate, and the downstream flow paths of the tubes are in fluid communication with the downstream section of the one of the manifolds including the cross-over plate.
- the upstream flow paths define an upstream cross-sectional area, and the downstream flow paths define a downstream cross-sectional area.
- the orifices of the cross-over plate define a cross-over opening area.
- the invention provides for such a heat exchanger assembly and wherein the ratio of the cross-over opening area of the cross-over plate to the upstream cross-sectional area of the upstream flow paths is in the range of XXXXX:XXXX to XXXXX:XXXXX.
- This ratio maximizes the efficiency of the heat exchanger assembly by ensuring optimum fluid flow without creating a pressure drop in the coolant flowing through the cross-over plate. A large pressure drop often has the undesirable effect the effect of cooling and/or re-condensing the coolant.
- FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the subject invention
- FIG. 2 is a fragmentary view of the subject invention as a four-pass heat exchanger assembly
- FIG. 3 is a fragmentary view of the subject invention as a two-pass heat exchanger assembly
- FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 4 - 4 of FIG. 3 ;
- FIG. 5 a is a top view a first embodiment of the cross-over plate according to the subject invention.
- FIG. 5 b is a plot of the cross-over opening area across the length of the first embodiment of the cross-over plate
- FIG. 6 a is a top view a second embodiment of the cross-over plate according to the subject invention.
- FIG. 6 b is a plot of the cross-over opening area across the length of the second embodiment of the cross-over plate
- FIG. 7 a is a top view a third embodiment of the cross-over plate according to the subject invention.
- FIG. 7 b is a plot of the cross-over opening area across the length of the third embodiment of the cross-over plate
- FIG. 8 a is a top view a fourth embodiment of the cross-over plate according to the subject invention.
- FIG. 8 b is a plot of the cross-over opening area across the length of the fourth embodiment of the cross-over plate.
- a heat exchanger assembly 20 for transferring heat between a coolant and a stream of air is generally shown in FIGS. 1-3 .
- the heat exchanger assembly 20 could be a number of different kinds of heat exchangers, e.g. an evaporator, a condenser, a heat pump, etc.
- the heat exchanger assembly 20 includes a first manifold 22 , generally indicated, extending along an axis A between first manifold ends 24 .
- a second manifold 26 extends between second manifold ends 28 in spaced and parallel relationship with the first manifold 22 .
- a first partition 30 is disposed in the first manifold 22 and extends axially along the first manifold 22 between the first manifold ends 24 to define a first upstream section 32 , 34 on one side of the first partition 30 and a first downstream section 36 , 38 on the other side of the first partition 30 .
- a second partition 40 is disposed in the second manifold 26 and extends axially along the second manifold 26 between the second manifold ends 28 to define a second upstream section 42 on one side of the second partition 40 and a second downstream section 44 on the other side of the second partition 40 .
- the first upstream section 32 , 34 of the first manifold 22 is aligned with the second upstream section 42 of the second manifold 26
- the first downstream section 36 , 38 of the first manifold 22 is aligned with the second downstream section 44 of the second manifold 26 .
- the first manifold 22 includes an inlet 46 disposed on one of the first manifold ends 24 for receiving the coolant.
- the inlet 46 is in fluid communication with the first downstream section 36 , 38 of the first manifold 22 .
- the first manifold 22 further includes an outlet 48 spaced from the inlet 46 in a transverse direction for dispensing the coolant.
- the outlet 48 is in fluid communication with the first upstream section 32 , 34 of the first manifold 22 .
- a core 50 is disposed between the first and second manifolds 22 , 26 for conveying a coolant therebetween.
- the core 50 includes a plurality of tubes 52 extending in spaced and parallel relationship to one another between the first and second manifolds 22 , 26 for receiving the stream of air in the transverse direction to transfer heat between the stream of air and the coolant in the tubes 52 .
- each of the tubes 52 has a cross-section presenting flat sides 54 extending in the transverse direction interconnected by round ends 56 with the flat sides 54 of adjacent tubes 52 spaced from one another by a fin space across the transverse direction.
- a plurality of air fins 58 are disposed in the fin space between the flat sides 54 of the adjacent tubes 52 for transferring heat from the tubes 52 to the stream of air.
- Each of the tubes 52 includes at least one tube divider 60 , best seen in FIG. 4 , for dividing each of the tubes 52 into at least one upstream flow path 62 and at least one downstream flow path 64 .
- the upstream flow paths 62 of the tubes 52 establish fluid communication between the first and second upstream sections 32 , 34 , 42 of the first and second manifolds 22 , 26
- the downstream flow paths 64 of the tubes 52 establish fluid communication between the first and second downstream sections 36 , 38 , 44 of the first and second manifolds 22 , 26 .
- the sum of the cross-sectional areas of the upstream flow paths 62 is defined as an upstream cross-sectional area
- the sum of the cross-sectional areas of the downstream flow paths 64 is defined as a downstream cross-sectional area.
- One of the first and second partitions 30 , 40 is further defined as a cross-over plate having at least one orifice 66 , 68 , 70 for establishing fluid communication between the upstream and downstream sections 42 , 44 of the associated one of the first and second manifolds 22 , 26 .
- the sum of the cross-sectional areas of the orifices 66 , 68 , 70 of the cross-over plate defines a cross-over opening area for the flow of coolant between the upstream and downstream sections 34 , 38 , 42 , 44 of the associated one of the first and second manifolds 22 , 26 .
- the heat exchanger assembly 20 of FIG. 2 is a four-pass heat exchanger assembly 20
- the first partition 30 is the cross-over plate 30 .
- the heat exchanger assembly 20 of FIG. 3 is a two-pass heat exchanger assembly 20 , and the second partition 40 is the cross-over plate 40 . It should be appreciated that the heat exchanger assembly 20 can be designed for any number of passes, and the subject invention is not limited to the two and four pass heat exchanger assemblies 20 shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 .
- a manifold divider 72 is disposed in the first manifold 22 for partitioning the first upstream section 32 , 34 into first and second upstream manifold passages 32 , 34 and for partitioning the first downstream section 36 , 38 into first and second downstream manifold passages 36 , 38 .
- the orifices 66 , 68 , 70 are disposed on the opposite side of the manifold divider 72 from the inlet 46 .
- FIG. 2 includes arrows showing the path of travel of the coolant through the exemplary heat exchanger assembly 20 , represented by the letters “a” through “g”.
- the coolant enters the exemplary four-pass heat exchanger assembly 20 through the first downstream manifold passage 36 of the first manifold 22 .
- the coolant then follows passes “a” through “c” sequentially through the downstream flow paths 64 to the second downstream section 44 of the second manifold 26 and back through the downstream flow paths 64 into the second downstream manifold passage 38 of the first manifold 22 .
- the coolant passes through the orifices 66 , 68 , 70 of the cross-over plate 30 into the second upstream manifold passage 34 of the first manifold 22 , as shown by the letter “d”.
- the coolant follows passes “e” through “g” sequentially through the upstream flow paths 62 of the tubes 52 to the second upstream section 42 of the second manifold 26 and back through the upstream flow paths 62 to the first upstream manifold passage 32 of the first manifold 22 .
- the coolant is dispensed from the first upstream manifold passage 32 out of the four-pass heat exchanger assembly 20 .
- the four-pass heat exchanger assembly 20 shown in FIG. 2 is only exemplary and that other variations of four-pass heat exchanger assemblies 20 are included in the scope of the invention.
- the second partition 40 in the second manifold 26 is the cross-over plate.
- the coolant enters the heat exchanger through the inlet 46 in the first downstream section 36 , 38 of the first manifold 22 .
- the coolant then flows through the downstream flow paths 64 of the tubes 52 to the second downstream section 44 of the second manifold 26 .
- the coolant flows through the orifices 66 , 68 , 70 of the cross-over plate 40 in the second manifold 26 to the second upstream section 42 .
- the coolant flows through the upstream flow paths 62 of the tubes 52 to the first upstream section 32 , 34 of the first manifold 22 where it is dispensed from the heat exchanger assembly 20 through the outlet 48 . It should be appreciated that the coolant could also enter the heat exchanger assembly 20 in the first upstream section 32 , 34 and exit the heat exchanger assembly 20 from the first downstream section 36 , 38 .
- FIG. 5 a shows a first embodiment of the cross-over plate 40 of the two-pass heat exchanger assembly 20 .
- the cross-over plate 40 includes a plurality of orifices 66 , 68 , 70 spaced axially from one another by an orifice space D.
- the orifices 66 , 68 , 70 include a first orifice 66 disposed closest to the inlet 46 , a plurality of middle orifices 68 , and a last orifice 70 disposed farthest from the inlet 46 .
- the orifice space D between adjacent orifices 66 , 68 , 70 sequentially decreases from the first orifice 66 closest to the inlet 46 to the middle orifices 68 to define the continuously increasing cross-over opening area in the axial direction away from the inlet 46 , as shown in FIG. 5 b .
- the area of the orifices 66 , 68 , 70 sequentially decreases from the middle orifices 68 to the last orifice 70 farthest from the inlet 46 .
- the orifice 66 , 68 , 70 pattern of FIG. 5 a could also be used on the cross-over plate 30 of the four-pass heat exchanger assembly 20 of FIG. 2 .
- FIG. 6 a shows a second embodiment of the cross-over plate 40 of the two-pass heat exchanger assembly 20 .
- the cross-over plate 40 includes a plurality of orifices 66 , 68 , 70 spaced axially from one another by an orifice space D.
- the orifices 66 , 68 , 70 include a first orifice 66 disposed closest to the inlet 46 , a middle orifice 68 , and a last orifice 70 disposed farthest from the inlet 46 .
- the area of the orifices 66 , 68 , 70 sequentially increases from the first orifice 66 closest to the inlet 46 to the middle orifice 68 to define the continuously increasing cross-over opening area in the axial direction away from the inlet 46 , as shown in FIG. 6 b .
- the area of the orifices 66 , 68 , 70 sequentially decreases from the middle orifice 68 to the last orifice 70 farthest from the inlet 46 .
- the orifice 66 , 68 , 70 pattern of FIG. 6 a could also be used on the cross-over plate 30 of the four-pass heat exchanger assembly 20 of FIG. 2 .
- FIG. 7 a shows a third embodiment of the cross-over plate 40 of the two-pass heat exchanger assembly 20 .
- the cross-over plate 40 includes a plurality of orifices 66 , 68 , 70 disposed in three rows. All of the orifices 66 , 68 , 70 have the same area, and each row of orifices 66 , 68 , 70 includes a first orifice 66 disposed closest to the inlet 46 , a plurality of middle orifices 68 , and a last orifice 70 disposed farthest from the inlet 46 .
- the orifice space D between adjacent orifices 66 , 68 , 70 sequentially decreases from a first orifice 66 closest to the inlet 46 to the middle orifices 68 to define the continuously increasing cross-over opening area in the axial direction away from the inlet 46 , as shown in FIG. 7 b .
- the orifice space D between adjacent orifices 66 , 68 , 70 sequentially increases from the middle orifices 68 to a last orifice 70 farthest from the inlet 46 .
- the orifice 66 , 68 , 70 pattern of FIG. 7 a could also be used on the cross-over plate 30 of the four-pass heat exchanger assembly 20 of FIG. 2 .
- FIG. 8 a shows a fourth embodiment of the cross-over plate 40 of the two-pass heat exchanger assembly 20 .
- the cross-over plate 40 includes a plurality of orifices 66 , 68 , 70 disposed in two rows.
- the orifices 66 , 68 , 70 are all circular in shape
- the orifices 66 , 68 , 70 of the fourth embodiment are oval shaped. It should be appreciated that the orifices 66 , 68 , 70 can present any shape to transfer the coolant between the upstream and downstream sections 34 , 38 , 42 , 44 of the associated one of the first and second manifolds 22 , 26 .
- Each row of orifices 66 , 68 , 70 includes a first orifice 66 closest to the inlet 46 , a plurality of middle orifices 68 , and a last orifice 70 farthest from the inlet 46 .
- the orifice space D between adjacent orifices 66 , 68 , 70 sequentially decreases from a first orifice 66 closest to the inlet 46 to the middle orifices 68 to define the continuously increasing cross-over opening area in the axial direction away from the inlet 46 , as shown in FIG. 8 b .
- the area of the orifices 66 , 68 , 70 sequentially decreases from the middle orifices 68 to the last orifice 70 farthest from the inlet 46 .
- the orifice 66 , 68 , 70 pattern of FIG. 8 a could also be used on the cross-over plate 30 of the four-pass heat exchanger assembly 20 of FIG. 2 .
- the orifices 66 , 68 , 70 can have many different shapes and sizes. It should be appreciated that the orifices 66 , 68 , 70 can take any shape or size, and is not limited to those shown in FIGS. 5 a - 8 a , so long as the cross-over opening area.
- FIGS. 5 b - 8 b shows a plot of the cross-over opening area across the cross-over plate with the cross-over plate being divided into a plurality of segments increasing in numerical order in the axial direction away from the inlet 46 .
- the sum of the cross-sectional areas of the upstream flow paths 62 adjacent to the orifices 66 , 68 , 70 of the cross-over plate is defined as an upstream cross-sectional area
- the sum of the cross-sectional areas of the downstream flow paths 64 adjacent to the orifices 66 , 68 , 70 of the cross-over plate is defined as a downstream cross-sectional area.
- all of the upstream flow paths 62 are included in the calculation of the upstream cross-sectional area of the two-pass heat exchanger assembly 20 of FIG. 3
- all of the downstream flow paths 64 are included in the calculation of the downstream cross-sectional area of the two-pass heat exchanger assembly 20 of FIG. 3 .
- the ratio of the cross-over opening area, described above, of the cross-over plate to the downstream cross-sectional area of the tubes 52 is XXXX:XXXX. This maximizes the efficiency of the heat exchanger assembly 20 without creating an undesirable pressure drop in the coolant flowing through the cross-over plate.
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- Heat-Exchange Devices With Radiators And Conduit Assemblies (AREA)
Abstract
A heat exchanger including a pair of manifolds. An inlet is disposed on one of the ends of the first manifold. A core extends between the manifolds for conveying a coolant therebetween and for transferring heat between the coolant and a stream of air. A cross-over plate is disposed in one of the manifolds to divide the associated one of the manifolds into an upstream section and a downstream section. The cross-over plate presents a plurality of orifices defining a cross-over opening area for establishing fluid communication between the upstream and downstream sections of the associated manifold. The cross-over opening area continuously increases along an axis away from the inlet. The ratio of the total cross-over opening area to the upstream cross-sectional area of the tubes of the core is in the range of XXXXXXXX:XXXXXXX to XXXX:XXXXXX.
Description
- 1. Field of the Invention
- A heat exchanger assembly for transferring heat between a coolant and a stream of air.
- 2. Description of the Prior Art
- U.S. Pat. No. 6,272,881, issued to Kuroyanago et al. on Aug. 14, 2001 (hereinafter referred to as Kuroyanago '881), shows first and second manifolds spaced from one another A cross-over plate is disposed in one of the manifolds for dividing the associated manifold into an upstream section on one side of the cross-over plate and a downstream section on the other side of the cross-over plate. The cross-over plate defines at least one orifice for establishing fluid communication between the upstream and downstream sections of the associated manifold. A core extends between the first and second manifolds for transferring heat between the stream of air and the coolant. The core includes a plurality of tubes defining a plurality of upstream flow paths and a plurality of downstream paths. The upstream flow paths of the tubes are in fluid communication with the upstream section of the one of the manifolds including the cross-over plate, and the downstream flow paths of the tubes are in fluid communication with the downstream section of the one of the manifolds including the cross-over plate. The upstream flow paths define an upstream cross-sectional area, and the downstream flow paths define a downstream cross-sectional area. The orifices of the cross-over plate define a cross-over opening area.
- The invention provides for such a heat exchanger assembly and wherein the ratio of the cross-over opening area of the cross-over plate to the upstream cross-sectional area of the upstream flow paths is in the range of XXXXX:XXXXX to XXXXX:XXXXX. This ratio maximizes the efficiency of the heat exchanger assembly by ensuring optimum fluid flow without creating a pressure drop in the coolant flowing through the cross-over plate. A large pressure drop often has the undesirable effect the effect of cooling and/or re-condensing the coolant.
- Other advantages of the present invention will be readily appreciated, as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein:
-
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the subject invention; -
FIG. 2 is a fragmentary view of the subject invention as a four-pass heat exchanger assembly; -
FIG. 3 is a fragmentary view of the subject invention as a two-pass heat exchanger assembly; -
FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 4-4 ofFIG. 3 ; -
FIG. 5 a is a top view a first embodiment of the cross-over plate according to the subject invention; -
FIG. 5 b is a plot of the cross-over opening area across the length of the first embodiment of the cross-over plate; -
FIG. 6 a is a top view a second embodiment of the cross-over plate according to the subject invention; -
FIG. 6 b is a plot of the cross-over opening area across the length of the second embodiment of the cross-over plate; -
FIG. 7 a is a top view a third embodiment of the cross-over plate according to the subject invention; -
FIG. 7 b is a plot of the cross-over opening area across the length of the third embodiment of the cross-over plate; -
FIG. 8 a is a top view a fourth embodiment of the cross-over plate according to the subject invention; and -
FIG. 8 b is a plot of the cross-over opening area across the length of the fourth embodiment of the cross-over plate. - Referring to the Figures, wherein like numerals indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views, a
heat exchanger assembly 20 for transferring heat between a coolant and a stream of air is generally shown inFIGS. 1-3 . Theheat exchanger assembly 20 could be a number of different kinds of heat exchangers, e.g. an evaporator, a condenser, a heat pump, etc. - The
heat exchanger assembly 20 includes a first manifold 22, generally indicated, extending along an axis A betweenfirst manifold ends 24. Asecond manifold 26, generally indicated, extends between second manifold ends 28 in spaced and parallel relationship with the first manifold 22. - A
first partition 30 is disposed in the first manifold 22 and extends axially along the first manifold 22 between thefirst manifold ends 24 to define a firstupstream section 32, 34 on one side of thefirst partition 30 and a first downstream section 36, 38 on the other side of thefirst partition 30. Asecond partition 40 is disposed in thesecond manifold 26 and extends axially along thesecond manifold 26 between thesecond manifold ends 28 to define a secondupstream section 42 on one side of thesecond partition 40 and a second downstream section 44 on the other side of thesecond partition 40. The firstupstream section 32, 34 of the first manifold 22 is aligned with the secondupstream section 42 of thesecond manifold 26, and the first downstream section 36, 38 of the first manifold 22 is aligned with the second downstream section 44 of thesecond manifold 26. - The first manifold 22 includes an inlet 46 disposed on one of the
first manifold ends 24 for receiving the coolant. In the exemplary embodiment, the inlet 46 is in fluid communication with the first downstream section 36, 38 of the first manifold 22. The first manifold 22 further includes an outlet 48 spaced from the inlet 46 in a transverse direction for dispensing the coolant. In the exemplary embodiment, the outlet 48 is in fluid communication with the firstupstream section 32, 34 of the first manifold 22. - A
core 50, generally indicated, is disposed between the first andsecond manifolds 22, 26 for conveying a coolant therebetween. Thecore 50 includes a plurality oftubes 52 extending in spaced and parallel relationship to one another between the first andsecond manifolds 22, 26 for receiving the stream of air in the transverse direction to transfer heat between the stream of air and the coolant in thetubes 52. In the exemplary embodiment, each of thetubes 52 has a cross-section presenting flat sides 54 extending in the transverse direction interconnected by round ends 56 with the flat sides 54 ofadjacent tubes 52 spaced from one another by a fin space across the transverse direction. - A plurality of air fins 58 are disposed in the fin space between the flat sides 54 of the
adjacent tubes 52 for transferring heat from thetubes 52 to the stream of air. - Each of the
tubes 52 includes at least one tube divider 60, best seen inFIG. 4 , for dividing each of thetubes 52 into at least one upstream flow path 62 and at least one downstream flow path 64. The upstream flow paths 62 of thetubes 52 establish fluid communication between the first and secondupstream sections second manifolds 22, 26, and the downstream flow paths 64 of thetubes 52 establish fluid communication between the first and second downstream sections 36, 38, 44 of the first andsecond manifolds 22, 26. The sum of the cross-sectional areas of the upstream flow paths 62 is defined as an upstream cross-sectional area, and the sum of the cross-sectional areas of the downstream flow paths 64 is defined as a downstream cross-sectional area. - One of the first and
second partitions orifice downstream sections 42, 44 of the associated one of the first andsecond manifolds 22, 26. The sum of the cross-sectional areas of theorifices downstream sections second manifolds 22, 26. Theheat exchanger assembly 20 ofFIG. 2 , is a four-passheat exchanger assembly 20, and thefirst partition 30 is thecross-over plate 30. Theheat exchanger assembly 20 ofFIG. 3 is a two-passheat exchanger assembly 20, and thesecond partition 40 is thecross-over plate 40. It should be appreciated that theheat exchanger assembly 20 can be designed for any number of passes, and the subject invention is not limited to the two and four passheat exchanger assemblies 20 shown inFIGS. 2 and 3 . - In the four-pass
heat exchanger assembly 20 ofFIG. 2 , a manifold divider 72 is disposed in the first manifold 22 for partitioning the firstupstream section 32, 34 into first and secondupstream manifold passages 32, 34 and for partitioning the first downstream section 36, 38 into first and second downstream manifold passages 36, 38. As shown inFIG. 2 , theorifices -
FIG. 2 includes arrows showing the path of travel of the coolant through the exemplaryheat exchanger assembly 20, represented by the letters “a” through “g”. In operation, the coolant enters the exemplary four-passheat exchanger assembly 20 through the first downstream manifold passage 36 of the first manifold 22. The coolant then follows passes “a” through “c” sequentially through the downstream flow paths 64 to the second downstream section 44 of thesecond manifold 26 and back through the downstream flow paths 64 into the second downstream manifold passage 38 of the first manifold 22. The coolant passes through theorifices cross-over plate 30 into the secondupstream manifold passage 34 of the first manifold 22, as shown by the letter “d”. Next, the coolant follows passes “e” through “g” sequentially through the upstream flow paths 62 of thetubes 52 to the secondupstream section 42 of thesecond manifold 26 and back through the upstream flow paths 62 to the first upstream manifold passage 32 of the first manifold 22. The coolant is dispensed from the first upstream manifold passage 32 out of the four-passheat exchanger assembly 20. It should be appreciated that the four-passheat exchanger assembly 20 shown inFIG. 2 is only exemplary and that other variations of four-passheat exchanger assemblies 20 are included in the scope of the invention. - In the two-pass
heat exchanger assembly 20 ofFIG. 3 , thesecond partition 40 in thesecond manifold 26 is the cross-over plate. In operation, the coolant enters the heat exchanger through the inlet 46 in the first downstream section 36, 38 of the first manifold 22. The coolant then flows through the downstream flow paths 64 of thetubes 52 to the second downstream section 44 of thesecond manifold 26. The coolant flows through theorifices cross-over plate 40 in thesecond manifold 26 to the secondupstream section 42. Next, the coolant flows through the upstream flow paths 62 of thetubes 52 to the firstupstream section 32, 34 of the first manifold 22 where it is dispensed from theheat exchanger assembly 20 through the outlet 48. It should be appreciated that the coolant could also enter theheat exchanger assembly 20 in the firstupstream section 32, 34 and exit theheat exchanger assembly 20 from the first downstream section 36, 38. -
FIG. 5 a shows a first embodiment of thecross-over plate 40 of the two-passheat exchanger assembly 20. In the first embodiment, thecross-over plate 40 includes a plurality oforifices orifices first orifice 66 disposed closest to the inlet 46, a plurality ofmiddle orifices 68, and alast orifice 70 disposed farthest from the inlet 46. The orifice space D betweenadjacent orifices first orifice 66 closest to the inlet 46 to themiddle orifices 68 to define the continuously increasing cross-over opening area in the axial direction away from the inlet 46, as shown inFIG. 5 b. The area of theorifices middle orifices 68 to thelast orifice 70 farthest from the inlet 46. It should be appreciated that theorifice FIG. 5 a could also be used on thecross-over plate 30 of the four-passheat exchanger assembly 20 ofFIG. 2 . -
FIG. 6 a shows a second embodiment of thecross-over plate 40 of the two-passheat exchanger assembly 20. In the second embodiment, thecross-over plate 40 includes a plurality oforifices orifices first orifice 66 disposed closest to the inlet 46, amiddle orifice 68, and alast orifice 70 disposed farthest from the inlet 46. The area of theorifices first orifice 66 closest to the inlet 46 to themiddle orifice 68 to define the continuously increasing cross-over opening area in the axial direction away from the inlet 46, as shown inFIG. 6 b. The area of theorifices middle orifice 68 to thelast orifice 70 farthest from the inlet 46. It should be appreciated that theorifice FIG. 6 a could also be used on thecross-over plate 30 of the four-passheat exchanger assembly 20 ofFIG. 2 . -
FIG. 7 a shows a third embodiment of thecross-over plate 40 of the two-passheat exchanger assembly 20. In the third embodiment, thecross-over plate 40 includes a plurality oforifices orifices orifices first orifice 66 disposed closest to the inlet 46, a plurality ofmiddle orifices 68, and alast orifice 70 disposed farthest from the inlet 46. In each row, the orifice space D betweenadjacent orifices first orifice 66 closest to the inlet 46 to themiddle orifices 68 to define the continuously increasing cross-over opening area in the axial direction away from the inlet 46, as shown inFIG. 7 b. In each row, the orifice space D betweenadjacent orifices middle orifices 68 to alast orifice 70 farthest from the inlet 46. It should be appreciated that theorifice FIG. 7 a could also be used on thecross-over plate 30 of the four-passheat exchanger assembly 20 ofFIG. 2 . -
FIG. 8 a shows a fourth embodiment of thecross-over plate 40 of the two-passheat exchanger assembly 20. In the fourth embodiment, thecross-over plate 40 includes a plurality oforifices orifices orifices orifices downstream sections second manifolds 22, 26. Each row oforifices first orifice 66 closest to the inlet 46, a plurality ofmiddle orifices 68, and alast orifice 70 farthest from the inlet 46. In each row, the orifice space D betweenadjacent orifices first orifice 66 closest to the inlet 46 to themiddle orifices 68 to define the continuously increasing cross-over opening area in the axial direction away from the inlet 46, as shown inFIG. 8 b. In each row, the area of theorifices middle orifices 68 to thelast orifice 70 farthest from the inlet 46. It should be appreciated that theorifice FIG. 8 a could also be used on thecross-over plate 30 of the four-passheat exchanger assembly 20 ofFIG. 2 . - As can be seen from
FIGS. 5 a-8 a, theorifices orifices FIGS. 5 a-8 a, so long as the cross-over opening area. Each ofFIGS. 5 b-8 b shows a plot of the cross-over opening area across the cross-over plate with the cross-over plate being divided into a plurality of segments increasing in numerical order in the axial direction away from the inlet 46. - The sum of the cross-sectional areas of the upstream flow paths 62 adjacent to the
orifices orifices heat exchanger assembly 20 ofFIG. 2 , only the flow paths 62, 64 disposed on the opposite side of the manifold divider 72 is included in calculation the upstream and downstream cross-sectional areas. In contrast, all of the upstream flow paths 62 are included in the calculation of the upstream cross-sectional area of the two-passheat exchanger assembly 20 ofFIG. 3 , and all of the downstream flow paths 64 are included in the calculation of the downstream cross-sectional area of the two-passheat exchanger assembly 20 ofFIG. 3 . - The ratio of the cross-over opening area, described above, of the cross-over plate to the downstream cross-sectional area of the
tubes 52 is XXXX:XXXX. This maximizes the efficiency of theheat exchanger assembly 20 without creating an undesirable pressure drop in the coolant flowing through the cross-over plate. - While the invention has been described with reference to an exemplary embodiment, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiment disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying out this invention, but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.
Claims (23)
1. A heat exchanger assembly for transferring heat between a coolant and a stream of air, comprising:
a first manifold;
a second manifold spaced from said first manifold;
a cross-over plate disposed in one of said first and second manifolds for dividing the associated manifold into an upstream section on one side of said cross-over plate and a downstream section on the other side of said cross-over plate;
said cross-over plate defining at least one orifice for establishing fluid communication between said upstream and downstream sections of the associated manifold;
a core extending between said first and second manifolds for transferring heat between the stream of air and the coolant;
said core including a plurality of tubes defining a plurality of upstream flow paths in fluid communication with said upstream section and a plurality of downstream flow paths in fluid communication with said downstream section;
said upstream flow paths defining an upstream cross-sectional area and said downstream flow paths defining a downstream cross-sectional area;
said at least one orifice of said cross-over plate defining a cross-over opening area; and
wherein the ratio of said cross-over opening area of said cross-over plate to said upstream cross-sectional area of said upstream flow paths is in the range of XXXX:XXXX to XXXXX:XXXXX.
2. The assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein said cross-over plate includes a plurality of orifices.
3. The assembly as set forth in claim 2 wherein said plurality of orifices are spaced axially from one another.
4. The assembly as set forth in claim 3 wherein said first manifold extends along an axis between first manifold ends and said first manifold defines an inlet on one of said first manifold ends.
5. The assembly as set forth in claim 4 wherein said spaced orifices sequentially increase in area from a first orifice nearest said inlet to a middle orifice to define a continuously increasing cross-over opening area in said axial direction away from said inlet.
6. The assembly as set forth in claim 5 wherein said spaced orifices sequentially decrease in area from said middle orifice to a last orifice being farthest from said inlet.
7. The assembly as set forth in claim 4 wherein said plurality of orifices are disposed in a plurality of rows and each row includes a plurality of orifices spaced axially from one another by an orifice space.
8. The assembly as set forth in claim 7 wherein said orifice space sequentially decreases from a first orifice closest to said inlet to a middle orifice to define a continuously increasing cross-over opening area in said axial direction away from said inlet.
9. The assembly as set forth in claim 8 wherein said orifice space sequentially increases from said middle orifice to a last orifice farthest from said inlet.
10. The assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein said cross-over plate is disposed in said second manifold to define a second upstream section on one side of said cross-over plate and a second downstream section on the other side of said cross-over plate.
11. The assembly as set forth in claim 10 further including a first partition disposed in said first manifold and extending axially along said first manifold between said first manifold ends to define a first upstream section on one side of said first partition and a first downstream section on the other side of said first partition.
12. The assembly as set forth in claim 11 wherein said upstream flow paths of said tubes establish fluid communication between said first and second upstream sections of said first and second manifolds.
13. The assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein said cross-over plate is disposed in said first manifold to define a first upstream section on one side of said cross-over plate and a first downstream section on the other side of said cross-over plate.
14. The assembly as set forth in claim 13 wherein said first manifold defines an inlet in fluid communication with said first downstream section for receiving the coolant.
15. The assembly as set forth in claim 13 wherein said first manifold defines an outlet in fluid communication with said first upstream section.
16. The assembly as set forth in claim 13 further including a second partition disposed in said second manifold and extending axially along said second manifold between second manifold ends to define a second upstream section on one side of said second partition and a second downstream section on the other side of said second partition.
17. The assembly as set forth in claim 16 including a manifold divider disposed in each of said first upstream and downstream sections of said first manifold for partitioning said first upstream section into first and second upstream manifold passages and for partitioning said first downstream section into first and second downstream manifold passages to define said heat exchanger assembly as being a four-pass heat exchanger assembly.
18. The assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein said first and second manifolds extend in spaced and parallel relationship with one another.
19. A heat exchanger assembly for transferring heat between a coolant and a stream of air, comprising:
a first manifold extending along an axis between first manifold ends;
a second manifold spaced from said first manifold;
a core extending between said spaced first and second manifolds for conveying the coolant therebetween and for receiving the stream of air to transfer heat between the air and the coolant;
said first manifold including an inlet on one of said first manifold ends for receiving the coolant;
a cross-over plate disposed in one of said first and second manifolds for dividing the associated one of said first and second manifolds into an upstream section on one side of said cross-over plate and a downstream section on the other side of said cross-over plate;
said cross-over plate defining at least one orifice for establishing fluid communication between said upstream and downstream sections of the associated manifold;
said at least one orifice of said cross-over plate defining a cross-over opening area for the flow of coolant between said upstream and downstream sections of the associated manifold; and
said cross-over opening area continuously increasing along said axis toward the one of said manifold ends away from said inlet.
20. A heat exchanger assembly for transferring heat between a coolant and a stream of air comprising:
a first manifold extending along an axis between first manifold ends;
a second manifold extending between second manifold ends in spaced and parallel relationship with said first manifold;
a core disposed between said first and second manifolds for conveying a coolant therebetween and for transferring heat between the coolant and the stream of air;
said core including a plurality of tubes extending in spaced and parallel relationship with one another between said first and second manifolds;
each of said tubes having a cross-section presenting flat sides interconnected by round ends;
a plurality of air fins disposed in said fin space between said flat sides of said adjacent tubes for transferring heat from the coolant in said tubes to the stream of air;
a first partition disposed in said first manifold and extending axially along said first manifold between said first manifold ends to define an first upstream section on one side of said first partition and a first downstream section on the other side of said first partition;
a second partition disposed in said second manifold and extending axially along said second manifold between said second manifold ends to define a second upstream section on one side of said second partition and a second downstream section on the other side of said second partition;
each of said tubes including a plurality of tube dividers for dividing each of said tubes into a plurality of upstream flow paths for establishing fluid communication between said first and second upstream sections and a plurality of downstream flow paths for establishing fluid communication between said first and second downstream sections;
said upstream flow paths defining an upstream cross-sectional area and said downstream flow paths defining a downstream cross-sectional area;
said first manifold defining an inlet on one of said first manifold ends for receiving the coolant;
said inlet being in fluid communication with said first downstream section of said first manifold;
said first manifold including an outlet paced from said inlet for dispensing the coolant out of said heat exchanger assembly;
said outlet being in fluid communication with said first upstream section of said first manifold;
one of said first and second partitions being further defined as a cross-over plate having at least one orifice for establishing fluid communication between said upstream and downstream sections of the associated manifold;
said at least one orifice of said cross-over plate defining a cross-over opening area for the flow of coolant between said upstream and downstream sections of the associated one of said first and second manifolds;
said cross-over opening area continuously increasing along said axis toward the one of said manifold ends away from said inlet; and
wherein the ratio of said cross-over opening area to said upstream cross-sectional area is in the range of XXXXXXXXX:XXXXXXXXX.
21. The assembly as set forth in claim 20 wherein said at least one orifice further includes a plurality of orifices spaced axially from one another;
said spaced orifices sequentially increasing in area from a first orifice nearest said inlet to a middle orifice to define said continuously increasing cross-over opening area in said axial direction away from said inlet; and
said spaced orifices sequentially decreasing in area from said middle orifice to a last orifice farthest from said inlet.
22. The assembly as set forth in claim 20 wherein said at least one orifice further includes a plurality of orifices having the same area and disposed in a plurality of rows;
each row including a plurality of orifices spaced axially from one another by an orifice space;
said orifice space sequentially decreasing from a first orifice closest to said inlet to a middle orifice to define said continuously increasing cross-over opening area in said axial direction away from said inlet; and
said orifice space sequentially increasing from said middle orifice to a last orifice farthest from said inlet.
23. The assembly as set forth in claim 20 wherein said first partition in said first manifold is said cross-over plate and including a manifold divider disposed in each of said first upstream and downstream sections of said first manifold for partitioning said first upstream section into first and second upstream manifold passages and for partitioning said first downstream section into first and second downstream manifold passages to define said heat exchanger assembly as being a four-pass heat exchanger assembly.
Priority Applications (3)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US12/637,960 US20110139421A1 (en) | 2009-12-15 | 2009-12-15 | Flow distributor for a heat exchanger assembly |
US12/965,976 US8485248B2 (en) | 2009-12-15 | 2010-12-13 | Flow distributor for a heat exchanger assembly |
PCT/US2010/060389 WO2011084444A1 (en) | 2009-12-15 | 2010-12-15 | Flow distributor for a heat exchanger assembly |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US12/637,960 US20110139421A1 (en) | 2009-12-15 | 2009-12-15 | Flow distributor for a heat exchanger assembly |
Related Child Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US12/965,976 Continuation-In-Part US8485248B2 (en) | 2009-12-15 | 2010-12-13 | Flow distributor for a heat exchanger assembly |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
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US20110139421A1 true US20110139421A1 (en) | 2011-06-16 |
Family
ID=44141625
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US12/637,960 Abandoned US20110139421A1 (en) | 2009-12-15 | 2009-12-15 | Flow distributor for a heat exchanger assembly |
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Country | Link |
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US (1) | US20110139421A1 (en) |
Cited By (7)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
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CN102519179A (en) * | 2011-11-21 | 2012-06-27 | 广东美的电器股份有限公司 | Parallel flow heat exchanger and making method thereof |
US20130292104A1 (en) * | 2012-05-04 | 2013-11-07 | Lg Electronics Inc. | Heat exchanger |
US20160109192A1 (en) * | 2013-05-24 | 2016-04-21 | Sanden Holdings Corporation | Interior heat exchanger |
US20180038661A1 (en) * | 2015-06-03 | 2018-02-08 | Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft | Heat Exchanger for a Cooling System, Cooling System, and Assembly |
EP3517879A1 (en) * | 2018-01-25 | 2019-07-31 | Valeo Vyminiky Tepla, s.r.o. | Feeding plate for heat exchanger |
US11236954B2 (en) * | 2017-01-25 | 2022-02-01 | Hitachi-Johnson Controls Air Conditioning, Inc. | Heat exchanger and air-conditioner |
US11506434B2 (en) * | 2016-12-07 | 2022-11-22 | Johnson Controls Tyco IP Holdings LLP | Adjustable inlet header for heat exchanger of an HVAC system |
-
2009
- 2009-12-15 US US12/637,960 patent/US20110139421A1/en not_active Abandoned
Cited By (9)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
CN102519179A (en) * | 2011-11-21 | 2012-06-27 | 广东美的电器股份有限公司 | Parallel flow heat exchanger and making method thereof |
US20130292104A1 (en) * | 2012-05-04 | 2013-11-07 | Lg Electronics Inc. | Heat exchanger |
US9557121B2 (en) * | 2012-05-04 | 2017-01-31 | Lg Electronics Inc. | Heat exchanger |
US20160109192A1 (en) * | 2013-05-24 | 2016-04-21 | Sanden Holdings Corporation | Interior heat exchanger |
US20180038661A1 (en) * | 2015-06-03 | 2018-02-08 | Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft | Heat Exchanger for a Cooling System, Cooling System, and Assembly |
US11506434B2 (en) * | 2016-12-07 | 2022-11-22 | Johnson Controls Tyco IP Holdings LLP | Adjustable inlet header for heat exchanger of an HVAC system |
US11236954B2 (en) * | 2017-01-25 | 2022-02-01 | Hitachi-Johnson Controls Air Conditioning, Inc. | Heat exchanger and air-conditioner |
EP3517879A1 (en) * | 2018-01-25 | 2019-07-31 | Valeo Vyminiky Tepla, s.r.o. | Feeding plate for heat exchanger |
WO2019145466A1 (en) * | 2018-01-25 | 2019-08-01 | Valeo Výmìníky Tepla, S.R.O. | Feeding plate for heat exchanger |
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