Patent · US Active

Heat pump heat exchanger having a low pressure drop distribution tube

US9746255B2 · kind B2 · utility

5Cited by
2References
15Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateNov 7, 2013
Grant dateAug 29, 2017
Priority date
Expiry dateDec 15, 2035

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
  • CPC primaryF28F9/0273
  • WIPO fieldThermal processes and apparatus
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

A heat pump heat exchanger includes a first manifold, a second manifold spaced from the first manifold, a plurality of refrigerant tubes hydraulically connecting the manifolds, and a distribution tube disposed in the first manifold. The distribution tube includes an inlet end, a distal end opposite the inlet end, a plurality of orifices between the inlet end and the distal end. The distribution tube also includes a terminal aperture immediately adjacent the distal end, wherein the terminal aperture includes an open aperture area greater than any one of the open orifice area. The open aperture area is large enough to provide a uniform refrigerant collection with acceptable minimal pressure drop in evaporative mode, but small enough to prevent vapor overflow to an area of the manifold adjacent to the distal end in condenser mode. The length of the distribution tube is less than ¾ the length of the first manifold.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.