Refrigerant distributor of micro-channel heat exchanger
US10228170B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 20, 2013 |
| Grant date | Mar 12, 2019 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 6, 2034 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF28D1/05375
- WIPO fieldThermal processes and apparatus
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
Embodiments of a refrigerant distributor for a micro-channel heat exchanger (MCHEX) are described. The refrigerant distributor may be configured to have orifices and/or a flow valve that are inside a header of the MCHEX. The MCHEX can be used as an evaporator in a cooling cycle, where refrigerant is distributed into the header(s) through the orifices and the flow valve may be generally in a closed state that generally prevents a refrigerant flow through the flow valve. In a heating cycle, the flow valve of the refrigerant distributor may be configured to be in an open state that allows the refrigerant to flow into the refrigerant distributor and to be directed out of the MCHEX through the refrigerant distributor. In some embodiments, the refrigerant distributor may be configured to receive liquid refrigerant, so as to eliminate the need of an expansion valve in a HVAC system.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.