Method and apparatus for drying a heat exchanger in a vehicular air conditioning system

US6786060B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Modine Manufacturing Company · US

Inventors

• Samuel Alber · Neckartenzlingen, DE
• Huub R. Kamsma · Echterdingen, DE
• Arthur Thomas · Winston-Salem, US
• Marc D. Williams · Neckartenzlingen, DE
• Maria List · Asperg, DE
• Mark Reichler · Winnenden, DE
• Frank Vetter · Bad Liebenzell, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Mar 25, 2003
• Grant date: Sep 7, 2004
• Expiry date: Mar 25, 2023

Classification

• Technology area (CPC B): Performing Operations; Transporting
• CPC primary: B60H2001/00107
• WIPO field: Transport
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

A method and apparatus for drying the surface of a heat exchanger in a vehicle of moisture accumulating as a result of its use as an evaporator in an air conditioning system. Air is first heated by the heater core in the air conditioning system and then directed through the heat exchanger. Because of the reduced humidity of such air, any residual moisture in the heat exchanger is evaporated and is discharged to the environment. Where the system is used in a vehicle, it prevents the discharge of moist air onto the windows and/or windshield of the vehicle and thus minimizes or eliminates fogging of the windshield.