Heat exchange – Flow passages for two confined fluids – Interdigitated plural first and plural second fluid passages
Reexamination Certificate
1997-12-24
2001-01-30
Atkinson, Christopher (Department: 3743)
Heat exchange
Flow passages for two confined fluids
Interdigitated plural first and plural second fluid passages
C165S174000, C137S56100R
Reexamination Certificate
active
06179051
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to heat exchangers in general, and more specifically to plate type heat exchangers.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Plate heat exchangers, such as the brazed and plate and frame types, are typically used in refrigeration and air conditioning applications. A brazed plate heat exchanger is shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,987,955 and 5,291,945. The heat exchangers, which are low in cost and relatively simple to make, can be used as evaporators, condensers, heat pumps, and a variety of other equipment.
A plate heat exchanger is made up of a series of stacked thermally conductive plates. In between the plates are channels. In an evaporator mode, a refrigerant fluid flows through the alternating channels. Heat transfer occurs from the other fluid across the plates. The refrigerant fluid is injected into the heat exchanger at one end and exits at the other end.
The problem with these type of heat exchangers is that the refrigerant may be a mixture of two phases, namely a liquid and a gas. A typical situation is when a heat exchanger is placed downstream of an expansion valve. The liquid separates from the gas, resulting in an uneven distribution throughout the exchanger. Gravity causes the separation. Some channels may receive mostly liquid, while other channels may receive mostly gas. Uneven distribution results in a loss of capacity and efficiency.
Therefore, it is desirable to provide a plate heat exchanger that maintains the distribution of a homogeneous two phase refrigerant flowing therethrough.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus for a plate heat exchanger that maintains even distribution of all phases of the refrigerant flowing therethrough.
It is another object of the present invention to provide an apparatus for a plate heat exchanger that maintains the distribution of all phases of the refrigerant flowing therethrough in a simple and inexpensive manner.
A heat exchanger has stacked plate elements joined together so as to form first and second channels, with each of the first and second sets of channels being sealed so as to contain a respective fluid therein. The channels of the first set are interspaced with the channels of the second set. Each of the first set and the second set of channels have an inlet and outlet that communicate with the respective channels of the set. The heat exchanger has a distributor located in the inlet of the first set. The first set inlet has a first end and a second end. The heat exchanger has a fitting located adjacent to the first end of the first set inlet. The fitting is structured and arranged to be coupled to a fluid conduit. The distributor includes a first end and a second end. The distributor first end is located in the first end of the first set inlet and the distributor second end is located in the second end of the first set inlet. The distributor forms a passage in the first set inlet that extends from the first set inlet first end to the first set inlet second end and that allows communication between the fitting and the channels of the first set. The passage is larger at the distributor first end than at the distributor second end.
In one aspect of the present invention, the passage is formed by a groove located in an outside surface of the distributor. The passage can extend either parallel to a longitudinal axis of the distributor or in a spiral around the distributor.
In another aspect of the present invention, the distributor has plural passages located on the outside surface thereof.
In still another aspect of the present invention, the passage around the distributor is formed by a difference in the outside diameters of the distributor first and second end, with the first end having a smaller outside diameter than the distributor second end.
The distributor of the present invention provides a simple and inexpensive device for maintaining an even refrigerant flow through a plate type heat exchanger. The inclusion of the distributor in a heat exchanger minimizes the possibility that the refrigerant will undergo a separation of liquid from gas inside the heat exchanger.
Plate heat exchangers can vary in depth, according to the number of plates therein. The distributor can be fabricated from a compatible material (either machined or extruded) in a rod-shape, which rod is cut to length to match the depth of the inlet port of the heat exchanger.
REFERENCES:
patent: 2099186 (1937-11-01), Anderegg
patent: 2596008 (1952-05-01), Collins
patent: 2905447 (1959-09-01), Huet
patent: 3114686 (1963-12-01), Edwards et al.
patent: 3240268 (1966-03-01), Armes
patent: 3908758 (1975-09-01), Armonies et al.
patent: 4002201 (1977-01-01), Donaldson
patent: 4006776 (1977-02-01), Pfouts et al.
patent: 4116268 (1978-09-01), Kr{umlaut over (u)}ger
patent: 4202182 (1980-05-01), Kawashima et al.
patent: 4309987 (1982-01-01), Higgins, Jr.
patent: 4340114 (1982-07-01), Levy
patent: 4470455 (1984-09-01), Sacca
patent: 4513587 (1985-04-01), Humpolik et al.
patent: 4524823 (1985-06-01), Hummel et al.
patent: 4569391 (1986-02-01), Hulswitt et al.
patent: 4586562 (1986-05-01), Carlson et al.
patent: 4589480 (1986-05-01), Dahlgren
patent: 4593539 (1986-06-01), Humpolik et al.
patent: 4653581 (1987-03-01), Yogo et al.
patent: 4665975 (1987-05-01), Johnston
patent: 4815534 (1989-03-01), Fuerscbach
patent: 4987955 (1991-01-01), Bergqvist et al.
patent: 5291945 (1994-03-01), Blomgren et al.
patent: 5651268 (1997-07-01), Aikawa et al.
patent: 5682945 (1997-11-01), Lehman
patent: 0121079 (1984-10-01), None
patent: 788045 (1956-06-01), None
patent: 355472 (1972-11-01), None
patent: 1126802 (1984-11-01), None
Thermofluid International, Bazed Plate Exchangers for Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Appl.,1996.
Thermofluid International, Flood-X, Unique Plate and Frame Evaporator, 1995.
Atkinson Christopher
Delaware Capital Formation Inc.
Mantooth Geoffrey A.
LandOfFree
Distributor for plate heat exchangers does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Distributor for plate heat exchangers, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Distributor for plate heat exchangers will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2435922