Abstract: A falling film evaporator includes a plurality of evaporator tubes through which a volume of thermal energy transfer medium is flowed, and a distributor to distribute a flow of liquid refrigerant over the plurality of evaporator tubes. The distributor includes a distributor box and a distribution sheet positioned at a bottom surface of the distributor box having a plurality of peaks and valleys, with sidewalls extending between each peak and each valley. A plurality of ports is located in the sidewalls to distribute the flow of liquid refrigerant downwardly over the plurality of evaporator tubes.

Abstract: A method is provided for manufacturing a manifold assembly with internal fluid communication between a first manifold defining a first fluid chamber and a second manifold defining a second fluid chamber of the manifold assembly, the first manifold and the second manifold joined in parallel relationship along a longitudinally extending interface between a wall of the first manifold and a wall of the second manifold. The method includes: forming a first access port in a wall of one of the first manifold and the second manifold diametrically opposite the interface; forming a first fluid communication port extending through a wall of the first manifold and a wall of the second manifold at the interface and defining a first fluid passage between the first and second fluid chambers; and sealingly plugging the access port.

Abstract: An air-cooled chiller system includes a heat exchanger including a first tube bank including at least a first and a second flattened tube segments extending longitudinally in spaced parallel relationship; a second tube bank including at least a first and a second flattened tube segments extending longitudinally in spaced parallel relationship, the second tube bank disposed behind the first tube bank with a leading edge of the second tube bank spaced from a trailing edge of the first tube bank; a fan creating an airflow across the first heat exchanger, the airflow flowing over the first tube bank prior to flowing over the second tube bank, wherein refrigerant flows in the heat exchanger in a cross-counterflow direction opposite that of the airflow direction.

Abstract: A falling film evaporator (12) for a heating ventilation and cooling (HVAC) system includes a housing (52) and a plurality of evaporator tubes (26) positioned at least partially in the housing (52) through which a volume of thermal energy transfer medium is flowed. A distribution system (34) is located in the housing to distribute a flow of liquid refrigerant (20) over the plurality of evaporator tubes (26). The distribution system (34) includes a distribution vessel having a plurality of drip openings (38) to flow the liquid refrigerant onto the plurality of evaporator tubes (26), a feed pipe (42) to flow refrigerant into the distribution box (36), and one or more pressure regulators (58) in the distribution system, thereby regulating the flow of liquid refrigerant.

Abstract: A method of lubricant management in a heating ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system includes flowing a volume of a compressor lubricant and refrigerant mixture from an evaporator into a lubricant still and stopping the flow of the compressor lubricant and refrigerant mixture into the lubricant still when the mixture fills the lubricant still to a selected level. Compressor lubricant is distilled from the mixture via a thermal energy exchange, and the distillation is stopped when a concentration of compressor lubricant in the lubricant still exceeds a predetermined concentration level. The distillate is urged from the lubricant still.

Abstract: A heating, ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC) a falling film evaporator in flow communication with a condenser. The falling film evaporator includes a separator to separate vapor from liquid refrigerant and a plurality of evaporator tubes through which a volume of thermal energy transfer medium is flowed. A distribution system is operably connected to the separator to distribute a flow of liquid refrigerant over the plurality of evaporator tubes. A primary feed conduit delivers a flow of refrigerant to the separator, and at least one secondary feed conduit is in flow communication with the primary feed conduit. At least one auxiliary valve is located at the secondary feed conduit to regulate flow into the separator from the primary feed conduit. At least one sensor senses a level of a refrigerant pool in the evaporator. The sensor is operably connected to the at least one auxiliary valve to control operation thereof.

Abstract: A heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system includes a condenser to condense a flow of refrigerant into a liquid state. The system further includes an economizer assembly having at least one separator chamber to separate liquid refrigerant from vapor refrigerant. The economizer assembly shares an upper common wall with at least a portion of the condenser and the flow of refrigerant from the condenser into the economizer assembly proceeds through a flow opening in the upper common wall. A falling film evaporator exchanges thermal energy between the liquid refrigerant and a medium flowed through a plurality of evaporator tubes in the evaporator.

Abstract: A shell and tube heat exchanger includes a shell having an inner surface that defines a heat exchange zone, a refrigerant pool zone is arranged in the heat exchange zone, and a plurality of tube bundles are arranged in the heat exchange zone above the refrigerant pool zone. The tube bundles include first and second wall members that define a tube channel, and a plurality of tubes arranged in the tube channel. Each of the first and second wall members have a first end that extends to a second end that is spaced from the refrigerant pool zone. The plurality of tube bundles is spaced one from another so as to define one or more vapor passages. A refrigerant distributor is positioned above the tube channel. The refrigerant distributor is configured and disposed to deliver a refrigerant onto the plurality or tubes toward the refrigerant pool zone.

Abstract: A falling film evaporator for a heating ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system includes an evaporator housing and a plurality of evaporator tubes located in the evaporator housing and arranged into one or more tube bundles. A volume of thermal energy transfer medium is flowed through the plurality of evaporator tubes. One or more support sheets located along a length of the plurality of evaporator tubes to position and support the plurality of evaporator tubes in the housing, the one or more support sheets including one or more vapor flow passages to allow flow of vapor refrigerant along a length of the evaporator.

Abstract: A heat exchanger adapted to transmit a first fluid through an interior, having a tubular body receptive of a second fluid, whereby heat transfer occurs between the fluids is provided, the tubular body extending longitudinally through the interior, having a non-circular cross-section, and being formed to define microchannels extending longitudinally along the tubular body through which the second fluid is transmitted.

Abstract: A heat exchanger is provided and includes a shell extending between opposing tube sheets to define an interior, nozzles coupled to the shell by which a first fluid is communicated with the interior and a tubular body extending between the opposing tube sheets to transmit a second fluid through the interior whereby heat transfer occurs between the first and second fluids along a heat transfer portion of the tubular body defined from respective planes of opposing faces of the opposing tube sheets, the heat transfer portion having at least first and second topologies at first and second sections thereof, respectively, which are respectively disposed proximate to the respective planes of the opposing faces of the opposing tube sheets.

Abstract: A heat exchanger includes a plurality of tubes (12), each tube configured for a flow of fluid therethrough and one or more fins located between adjacent tubes of the plurality of tubes. The one or more fins are spaced by a fin pitch (Fp,18) and are configured to improve thermal energy transfer between the plurality of tubes and ambient air. Each fin includes a fin face extending between the adjacent tubes, a substantially planar fin cap (22) connected to the fin face secured to one or the tubes, and a fin radius (Rc,26) connecting the fin face to the fin cap such that the fin radius is reduced to promote condensate removal from the heat exchanger.

Abstract: A free-draining heat exchanger includes a first heat exchange tube, a second heat exchange tube spaced from and generally parallel to the first heat exchange tube, and a fin contacting the first and second heat exchange tubes. The fin includes a louver and at least one drainage enhancement feature for promoting removal of liquid from external surfaces of the heat exchanger. A free-draining fin structure includes an array of fins disposed between adjacent heat exchange tubes for improving water drainage by reducing liquid surface tension. Each fin in the array includes an opening and a louver for directing airflow through the opening and around the fin and at least one drainage enhancement feature.

Abstract: In a method of preparing an aluminum surface, flux is applied to the aluminum surface and the aluminum surface is brazed. Residual flux and metal oxides are removed from the aluminum surface using an aqueous fluid having a pH between about 5 and about 9.