US20170045299A1 - Improved heat exchanger - Google Patents

Improved heat exchanger Download PDF

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Publication number
US20170045299A1
US20170045299A1 US15/306,601 US201515306601A US2017045299A1 US 20170045299 A1 US20170045299 A1 US 20170045299A1 US 201515306601 A US201515306601 A US 201515306601A US 2017045299 A1 US2017045299 A1 US 2017045299A1
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US
United States
Prior art keywords
heat exchanger
manifold
distance
fins
tubes
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
US15/306,601
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English (en)
Inventor
Shunjun SONG
James S. Laub
Jefferi J. Covington
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 US15/306,601 priority Critical patent/US20170045299A1/en
Assigned to CARRIER CORPORATION reassignment CARRIER CORPORATION ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: COVINGTON, JEFFERI J., LAUB, JAMES S., SONG, Shunjun
Publication of US20170045299A1 publication Critical patent/US20170045299A1/en
Abandoned legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • 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
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25B—REFRIGERATION MACHINES, PLANTS OR SYSTEMS; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS
    • F25B39/00—Evaporators; Condensers
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F28—HEAT EXCHANGE IN GENERAL
    • F28F—DETAILS OF HEAT-EXCHANGE AND HEAT-TRANSFER APPARATUS, OF GENERAL APPLICATION
    • F28F1/00—Tubular elements; Assemblies of tubular elements
    • F28F1/10—Tubular elements and assemblies thereof with means for increasing heat-transfer area, e.g. with fins, with projections, with recesses
    • F28F1/12—Tubular elements and assemblies thereof with means for increasing heat-transfer area, e.g. with fins, with projections, with recesses the means being only outside the tubular element
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F28—HEAT EXCHANGE IN GENERAL
    • F28F—DETAILS OF HEAT-EXCHANGE AND HEAT-TRANSFER APPARATUS, OF GENERAL APPLICATION
    • F28F2265/00—Safety or protection arrangements; Arrangements for preventing malfunction
    • F28F2265/26—Safety or protection arrangements; Arrangements for preventing malfunction for allowing differential expansion between elements

Definitions

  • This invention relates generally to heat exchangers and, more particularly, to microchannel heat exchangers for use in air conditioning and refrigeration vapor compression systems.
  • Heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration (HVAC&R) systems include heat exchangers to reject or accept heat between the refrigerant circulating within the system and surroundings.
  • a microchannel heat exchanger includes two or more containment forms, such as tubes, through which a cooling or heating fluid (i.e. refrigerant or a glycol solution) is circulated.
  • the tubes typically have a flattened cross-section and multiple parallel flow channels. Fins are typically arranged to extend between the tubes to air in the transfer of thermal energy between the heating/cooling fluid and the surrounding environment.
  • the fins have a corrugated pattern, incorporate louvers to boost heat transfer, and are typically secured to the tubes via brazing.
  • a thermal stress acts on the region of the heat exchanger at the joints between the heat exchanger tubes and adjacent headers. This is because a header of the heat exchanger thermally expands by exposure to a high temperature, while the fins coupled to the heat exchanger tubes remain at a lower temperature. Therefore, each of the joints between the high temperature manifold and the low temperature tubes is subject to a high stress alternating between tensile and compressive stress due to simultaneous occurrence of expansion and contraction at each of the joints. As a result, cracking of a portion of the heat exchanger may occur, resulting in a decreased heat exchanger fatigue life.
  • a heat exchanger including a first manifold and a second manifold.
  • the first manifold and the second manifold are separated from one another.
  • a plurality of heat exchanger tubes is arranged in a spaced parallel relationship.
  • the heat exchanger tubes fluidly couple the first manifold and the second manifold.
  • a plurality of fins is attached to the plurality of heat exchanger tubes such that a first end of each fin is spaced apart from the first manifold by a first distance.
  • FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an example of a refrigeration system
  • FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a microchannel heat exchanger according to an embodiment of the invention.
  • FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a microchannel heat exchanger according to an embodiment of the invention.
  • FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a microchannel heat exchanger according to an embodiment of the invention.
  • FIG. 1 An example of a basic vapor compression system 20 is illustrated in FIG. 1 , including a compressor 22 , configured to compress a refrigerant and deliver it downstream to a condenser 24 . From the condenser 24 , the cooled liquid refrigerant passes through an expansion device 26 to an evaporator 28 . From the evaporator 28 , the refrigerant is returned to the compressor 22 to complete the closed-loop refrigerant circuit.
  • the heat exchanger 30 is a single tube bank microchannel heat exchanger 30 ; however, microchannel heat exchangers having mulitple tube banks, as well as other types of heat exchangers, such as tube and fin heat exchangers for example, are within the scope of the invention.
  • the heat exchanger 30 includes a first manifold or header 32 , a second manifold or header 34 spaced apart from the first manifold 32 , and a plurality of heat exchange tubes 36 extending in a spaced parallel relationship between and connecting the first manifold 32 and the second manifold 34 .
  • the heat exchanger 30 may be used as either a condenser 24 or an evaporator 28 in the vapor compression system 20 .
  • the manifolds 32 , 34 are oriented generally horizontally and tubes 36 extend vertically between the two headers 32 , 34 , as shown in FIG. 2 .
  • the headers 32 , 34 are typically vertically oriented such that the tubes 36 extend generally horizontally through the heat exchanger 30 , as shown in FIG. 3 .
  • the heat exchanger 30 may be configured in a single pass arrangement, such that refrigerant flows from the first header 32 to the second header 34 through the plurality of heat exchanger tubes 36 in the flow direction indicated by arrow B ( FIG. 2 ).
  • the heat exchanger 30 is configured in a multi-pass flow arrangement.
  • fluid is configured to flow from the first manifold 32 to the second manifold 34 , in the direction indicated by arrow B, through a first portion of the heat exchanger tubes 36 , and back to the first manifold 32 , in the direction indicated by arrow C, through a second portion of the heat exchanger tubes 36 .
  • the heat exchanger 30 may additionally include guard or “dummy” tubes (not shown) extending between its first and second manifolds 32 , 34 at the sides of the tube bank. These “dummy” tubes do not convey refrigerant flow, but add structural support to the tube bank.
  • each heat exchange tube 36 comprises a flattened heat exchange tube having a leading edge 40 , a trailing edge 42 , a first surface 44 , and a second surface 46 .
  • the leading edge 40 of each heat exchanger tube 36 is upstream of its respective trailing edge 42 with respect to an airflow A through the heat exchanger 36 .
  • the interior flow passage of each heat exchange tube 36 may be divided by interior walls into a plurality of discrete flow channels 48 that extend over the length of the tubes 36 from an inlet end to an outlet end and establish fluid communication between the respective first and second manifolds 32 , 34 .
  • the flow channels 48 may have a circular cross-section, a rectangular cross-section, a trapezoidal cross-section, a triangular cross-section, or another non-circular cross-section.
  • the heat exchange tubes 36 including the discrete flow channels 48 may be formed using known techniques and materials, including, but not limited to, extruded or folded.
  • a plurality of heat transfer fins 50 may be disposed between and rigidly attached, usually by a furnace braze process, to the heat exchange tubes 36 , in order to enhance external heat transfer and provide structural rigidity to the heat exchanger 30 .
  • Each folded fin 50 is formed from a plurality of connected strips or a single continuous strip of fin material tightly folded in a ribbon-like serpentine fashion thereby providing a plurality of closely spaced fins 52 that extend generally orthogonal to the flattened heat exchange tubes 36 .
  • the fins mounted to each of the plurality of heat exchanger tubes extend over the full length of the tubes, from the first header to the second header.
  • the fins 50 of the heat exchanger 30 illustrated and described herein however, are shorter than the tubes 36 .
  • the fins 50 are mounted near the center of each tube 36 such that at least one end 54 of each fin 50 is spaced away from the adjacent header 32 , 34 .
  • the first and second end 54 a, 54 b of each fin 50 may be spaced away the first and second header 32 , 34 , respectively.
  • the distance between a first end 54 a of the fins 50 and the first manifold 32 may, but need not be substantially identical to the distance between a second end 54 b of the fins 50 and the second header 34 .
  • the distance between the ends 54 and the headers 32 , 34 may be selected based on a variety of factors, including, but not limited to the type of refrigerant configured for use with the heat exchanger 30 , the length of the manifolds 32 , 34 , and the temperature gradient between the headers 32 , 34 and the fins 50 , and the size and geometry of the plurality of heat exchanger tubes 36 .
  • the distance between the ends 54 and an adjacent manifold 32 , 34 is generally between about five millimeters and about twenty five millimeters, and more specifically, about nineteen millimeters.
  • the stress and strain created by the expansion and contraction of the microchannel heat exchanger tubes 36 is much reduced and more distributed. As a result, the fatigue life and reliability of the heat exchanger 30 is significantly improved.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Thermal Sciences (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Geometry (AREA)
  • Heat-Exchange Devices With Radiators And Conduit Assemblies (AREA)
US15/306,601 2014-04-29 2015-04-29 Improved heat exchanger Abandoned US20170045299A1 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US15/306,601 US20170045299A1 (en) 2014-04-29 2015-04-29 Improved heat exchanger

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US201461985888P 2014-04-29 2014-04-29
PCT/US2015/028196 WO2015168234A1 (en) 2014-04-29 2015-04-29 Improved heat exchanger
US15/306,601 US20170045299A1 (en) 2014-04-29 2015-04-29 Improved heat exchanger

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US20170045299A1 true US20170045299A1 (en) 2017-02-16

Family

ID=53175654

Family Applications (1)

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US15/306,601 Abandoned US20170045299A1 (en) 2014-04-29 2015-04-29 Improved heat exchanger

Country Status (5)

Country Link
US (1) US20170045299A1 (es)
EP (1) EP3137836B1 (es)
CN (1) CN106461295A (es)
ES (1) ES2742887T3 (es)
WO (1) WO2015168234A1 (es)

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20180274817A1 (en) * 2017-03-23 2018-09-27 Edwards Vacuum Llc Inline fluid heater
US20210381699A1 (en) * 2020-06-09 2021-12-09 Goodman Global Group, Inc. Heat Exchanger For A Heating, Ventilation, And Air-Conditioning System

Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP3722720B1 (en) * 2019-04-09 2023-05-10 Pfannenberg GmbH Heat exchanger arrangement, method for producing a heat exchanger arrangement and use of a heat exchanger arrangement

Citations (12)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3228461A (en) * 1964-04-22 1966-01-11 Gen Motors Corp Heat exchanger with header tanks
US4651821A (en) * 1980-10-23 1987-03-24 Societe Anonyme Des Usines Chausson Heat exchanger with tubes and fins and tube-plates
US5901784A (en) * 1995-11-02 1999-05-11 Valeo Thermique Moteur Heat exchanger with oval or oblong tubes, and a method of assembly of such a heat exchanger
US20050189096A1 (en) * 2004-02-26 2005-09-01 Wilson Michael J. Compact radiator for an electronic device
US20070169926A1 (en) * 2006-01-24 2007-07-26 Denso Corporation Heat exchanger
US20090133860A1 (en) * 2007-11-22 2009-05-28 Denso Corporation Heat exchanger
CN201476625U (zh) * 2009-06-15 2010-05-19 浙江康盛股份有限公司 微通道冷凝器
US20100252242A1 (en) * 2009-04-07 2010-10-07 Lu Xiangxun Micro-channel heat exchanger
US20130075069A1 (en) * 2011-09-26 2013-03-28 Trane International Inc. Brazed microchannel heat exchanger with thermal expansion compensation
US20150176924A1 (en) * 2013-12-20 2015-06-25 Valeo, Inc. Combo-cooler
US20150300757A1 (en) * 2014-04-17 2015-10-22 Enterex America LLC Heat exchanger tube insert
US20160084591A1 (en) * 2014-09-23 2016-03-24 Enterex America LLC Heat exchanger tube-to-header sealing system

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DE4031577A1 (de) * 1990-10-05 1992-04-09 Behr Gmbh & Co Waermetauscher
DE19649129A1 (de) * 1996-11-27 1998-05-28 Behr Gmbh & Co Flachrohr-Wärmeübertrager mit umgeformtem Flachrohrendabschnitt
WO2004052587A1 (en) * 2002-12-12 2004-06-24 Showa Denko K.K. Aluminum alloy brazing material, brazing member, brazed article and brazinh method therefor using said material, brazing heat exchanginh tube, heat exchanger and manufacturing method thereof using said brazing heat exchanging tube
JP2005061685A (ja) * 2003-08-08 2005-03-10 Denso Corp 熱交換器
DE102009057175A1 (de) * 2009-12-05 2011-06-09 Volkswagen Ag Wärmetauscher
CN102192672A (zh) * 2010-03-16 2011-09-21 乐金电子(天津)电器有限公司 扁管换热器结构及其装配方法
CN102278899A (zh) * 2011-05-30 2011-12-14 广州迪森家用锅炉制造有限公司 用于燃气采暖热水炉的翅管式主换热器及其制造方法

Patent Citations (12)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3228461A (en) * 1964-04-22 1966-01-11 Gen Motors Corp Heat exchanger with header tanks
US4651821A (en) * 1980-10-23 1987-03-24 Societe Anonyme Des Usines Chausson Heat exchanger with tubes and fins and tube-plates
US5901784A (en) * 1995-11-02 1999-05-11 Valeo Thermique Moteur Heat exchanger with oval or oblong tubes, and a method of assembly of such a heat exchanger
US20050189096A1 (en) * 2004-02-26 2005-09-01 Wilson Michael J. Compact radiator for an electronic device
US20070169926A1 (en) * 2006-01-24 2007-07-26 Denso Corporation Heat exchanger
US20090133860A1 (en) * 2007-11-22 2009-05-28 Denso Corporation Heat exchanger
US20100252242A1 (en) * 2009-04-07 2010-10-07 Lu Xiangxun Micro-channel heat exchanger
CN201476625U (zh) * 2009-06-15 2010-05-19 浙江康盛股份有限公司 微通道冷凝器
US20130075069A1 (en) * 2011-09-26 2013-03-28 Trane International Inc. Brazed microchannel heat exchanger with thermal expansion compensation
US20150176924A1 (en) * 2013-12-20 2015-06-25 Valeo, Inc. Combo-cooler
US20150300757A1 (en) * 2014-04-17 2015-10-22 Enterex America LLC Heat exchanger tube insert
US20160084591A1 (en) * 2014-09-23 2016-03-24 Enterex America LLC Heat exchanger tube-to-header sealing system

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20180274817A1 (en) * 2017-03-23 2018-09-27 Edwards Vacuum Llc Inline fluid heater
US20210381699A1 (en) * 2020-06-09 2021-12-09 Goodman Global Group, Inc. Heat Exchanger For A Heating, Ventilation, And Air-Conditioning System
US11725833B2 (en) * 2020-06-09 2023-08-15 Goodman Global Group, Inc. Heat exchanger for a heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning system

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
CN106461295A (zh) 2017-02-22
WO2015168234A1 (en) 2015-11-05
ES2742887T3 (es) 2020-02-17
EP3137836A1 (en) 2017-03-08
EP3137836B1 (en) 2019-06-12

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Owner name: CARRIER CORPORATION, CONNECTICUT

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