Abstract: A refrigerant evaporator includes a plurality of vertically disposed flat tubes, and a refrigerant distribution and supply section that causes inflowing refrigerant to flow out to the plurality of flat tubes on a downstream side. The refrigerant distribution and supply section includes a refrigerant supply section having plural supply spaces, a refrigerant introduction and distribution section having an introduction space to introduce the inflowing refrigerant from a lower end side surface, and a distribution space to distribute the refrigerant, and plural connecting passages that guide the refrigerant to the supply spaces. A first flat tube communicating with a lowermost-tier supply space positioned on the lowermost side is disposed at a height position included in a height range of the introduction space, and a lowermost-tier connecting passage that guides the refrigerant to the lowermost-tier supply space is disposed at a position higher than the introduction space.

Abstract: A heat exchanger includes a plurality of flat tubes and a coupling header. The flat tubes are disposed in multiple tiers along a predetermined tube tier direction and in multiple rows so as to be adjacent to each other in a tube row direction intersecting the tube tier direction and the longitudinal direction of the flat tubes. The coupling header is formed by joining a first member to a plurality of second members in the tube tier direction. The first member has a plurality of through holes through which pass the first end portions of the flat tubes. The second members when joined to the first member forming a plurality of coupling passages where the first end portions of the flat tubes adjacent to each other in the tube row direction communicate with each other.

Abstract: A refrigerant diverter diverts inflowing refrigerant and to cause the refrigerant to flow out to a downstream side. The refrigerant diverter includes a vertically extending diverter case, and a vertically extending rod-shaped rod member disposed inside the diverter case. The diverter case has a plurality of diverting channels disposed along a circumferential direction, a diverting space arranged to guide the refrigerant to the diverting channels, and a plurality of expelling spaces that communicate with the diverting space through the diverting channels, the expelling spaces being disposed along a vertical direction. The diverting channels are configured from a plurality of holes extending in a longitudinal direction of the rod member and integrally formed in the rod member.

Abstract: A refrigerant evaporator includes a plurality of vertically disposed flat tubes, and a refrigerant distribution and supply section that causes inflowing refrigerant to flow out to the plurality of flat tubes on a downstream side. The refrigerant distribution and supply section includes a refrigerant supply section having plural supply spaces, a refrigerant introduction and distribution section having an introduction space to introduce the inflowing refrigerant from a lower end side surface, and a distribution space to distribute the refrigerant, and plural connecting passages that guide the refrigerant to the supply spaces. A first flat tube communicating with a lowermost-tier supply space positioned on the lowermost side is disposed at a height position included in a height range of the introduction space, and a lowermost-tier connecting passage that guides the refrigerant to the lowermost-tier supply space is disposed at a position higher than the introduction space.

Abstract: A cylindrical header of a heat exchanger includes a central member, front-side and rear-side members extending longitudinally on front and rear sides of the central member to form front-side and rear-side spaces along with the central member. The central member has a first flange covering a front-side-member-first-end part and a rear-side-member-first-end part from outside when viewed in cross-section, and a second flange covering a front-side-member-second-end part and a rear-side-member-second-end part from outside when viewed in cross-section. The front-side member is joined to the central member with the front-side-member-first-end part facing an inner surface of the first flange, and the front-side-member-second-end part facing an inner surface of the second flange. The rear-side is joined to the central member with the rear-side-member-first-end part facing an inner surface of the first flange, and the rear-side-member-second-end part facing an inner surface of the second flange.

Abstract: An air conditioning apparatus includes an aluminum heat exchanger, an aluminum gas pipe, an aluminum liquid pipe and a copper gas pipe. The aluminum heat exchanger performs heat exchange between air and a refrigerant, and is disposed upright. The aluminum gas pipe channels gas refrigerant, and extends from a side part of the aluminum heat exchanger. The aluminum liquid pipe channels liquid refrigerant, and extends from an area below the aluminum gas pipe in the side part of the aluminum heat exchanger. The copper gas pipe channels gas refrigerant. The aluminum gas pipe is connected in a connecting part to the copper gas pipe from above the copper gas pipe. The aluminum pipe is disposed in an area outside of directly under the connecting part of the aluminum gas pipe and the copper gas pipe.

Abstract: A lower space of a first header collecting pipe of a heat exchanger is, by partitions, divided into three communication chambers and a single mixing chamber. The mixing chamber communicates with the communication chamber through a through-hole of a lower horizontal partition, communicates with the communication chamber through a through-hole of a vertical partition, and communicates with the communication chamber through a through-hole of an upper horizontal partition. Gas-liquid refrigerant flows into the mixing chamber, and is mixed in the mixing chamber. Then, the refrigerant is distributed to the communication chambers. Thus, the wetness of refrigerant flowing into a flat tube is uniformized among the flat tubes, and performance of the heat exchanger can be fully achieved.

Abstract: A first header collecting pipe of an outdoor heat exchanger has three communication chambers and one mixing chamber. One auxiliary horizontal partition plate is disposed between two main horizontal partition plates. The mixing chamber is defined between the first main horizontal partition plate and the auxiliary horizontal partition plate. A gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant supplied to the outdoor heat exchanger functioning as an evaporator flows into the mixing chamber, and is then distributed to the three communication chambers. This structure allows the refrigerant that is to be distributed from the mixing chamber to the communication chambers to have a uniform wetness.

Abstract: In a heat exchanger, a principal windward heat exchange region includes a principal windward bank portion, a principal leeward heat exchange region includes a principal leeward bank portion, an auxiliary windward heat exchange region includes an auxiliary windward bank portion, and an auxiliary leeward heat exchange region includes an auxiliary leeward bank portion. Each of the principal and auxiliary bank portions is constituted of a plurality of flat tubes. In the heat exchanger functioning as an evaporator, a refrigerant flows sequentially through the auxiliary windward, auxiliary leeward, principal leeward, and principal windward bank portions. In the heat exchanger functioning as a condenser, a refrigerant flows sequentially through the principal windward, principal leeward, auxiliary leeward, and auxiliary windward bank portions. Consequently, the heat exchanger exhibits performance sufficient for functioning as both an evaporator and a condenser.

Abstract: An outdoor unit of a refrigeration apparatus includes a heat exchanger, a casing constituent member and a seal member. The heat exchanger has plural collection header pipes, plural fins disposed at a predetermined fin pitch between the header pipes, and plural heat transfer tubes inserted through the fins and connected to the header pipes. An interstice larger than the fin pitch is formed between one of the header pipes and one of the fins adjacent to the one of the header pipes. The casing constituent member is disposed facing the one of the header pipes and is configured to surround part of the heat exchanger. The seal member is attached to the casing constituent member, is pressed against the one of the header pipes and the one of the fins in the environ of the interstice facing the casing constituent members, becomes deformed, and closes the interstice.

Abstract: In a heat exchanger, a principal windward heat exchange region includes a principal windward bank portion, a principal leeward heat exchange region includes a principal leeward bank portion, an auxiliary windward heat exchange region includes an auxiliary windward bank portion, and an auxiliary leeward heat exchange region includes an auxiliary leeward bank portion. Each of the principal and auxiliary bank portions is constituted of a plurality of flat tubes. In the heat exchanger functioning as an evaporator, a refrigerant flows sequentially through the auxiliary windward, auxiliary leeward, principal leeward, and principal windward bank portions. In the heat exchanger functioning as a condenser, a refrigerant flows sequentially through the principal windward, principal leeward, auxiliary leeward, and auxiliary windward bank portions. Consequently, the heat exchanger exhibits performance sufficient for functioning as both an evaporator and a condenser.

Abstract: A heat exchanger includes a plurality of flat tubes arranged one above the other, a plurality of fins connected to the flat tubes, a first header collecting pipe in which one end of each of the plurality of flat tubes is inserted, and a second header collecting pipe in which the other end of each of the plurality of flat tubes is inserted. The heat exchanger exchanges heat between a fluid flowing through the flat tubes and air outside the flat tubes. Each of the first and second header collecting pipes extends in a vertical direction. At least one of the first and second header collecting pipes comprises a communication space that communicates with an upstream side of the plurality of flat tubes when the heat exchanger functions as an evaporator. The communication space comprises a partition plate.

Abstract: In two heat exchange regions connected together in series when an outdoor heat exchanger functions as an evaporator, a downstream one of the heat exchange regions has heat exchange sections not less than heat exchange sections of an upstream one of the heat exchange regions, and a most downstream one of the heat exchange regions has more heat exchange sections than a most upstream one of the heat exchange regions.

Abstract: A first header collecting pipe of an outdoor heat exchanger has three communication chambers and one mixing chamber. One auxiliary horizontal partition plate is disposed between two main horizontal partition plates. The mixing chamber is defined between the first main horizontal partition plate and the auxiliary horizontal partition plate. A gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant supplied to the outdoor heat exchanger functioning as an evaporator flows into the mixing chamber, and is then distributed to the three communication chambers. This structure allows the refrigerant that is to be distributed from the mixing chamber to the communication chambers to have a uniform wetness.

Abstract: An air conditioning apparatus includes an aluminum heat exchanger, an aluminum gas pipe, an aluminum liquid pipe and a copper gas pipe. The aluminum heat exchanger performs heat exchange between air and a refrigerant, and is disposed upright. The aluminum gas pipe channels gas refrigerant, and extends from a side part of the aluminum heat exchanger. The aluminum liquid pipe channels liquid refrigerant, and extends from an area below the aluminum gas pipe in the side part of the aluminum heat exchanger. The copper gas pipe channels gas refrigerant. The aluminum gas pipe is connected in a connecting part to the copper gas pipe from above the copper gas pipe. The aluminum pipe is disposed in an area outside of directly under the connecting part of the aluminum gas pipe and the copper gas pipe.

Abstract: A heat exchanger includes a plurality of flattened pipes, a header collection pipe, and a plurality of fins joined to the flattened pipes. The flattened pipes are joined to the header collection pipe. A fluid flowing through an interior of the flattened pipes exchanges heat with air flowing outside the flattened pipes. The header collection pipe has a header collection pipe and a cover member. The header collection pipe body is disposed so that a longitudinal direction is vertically oriented. The cover member is disposed inside from an upper end of the header collection pipe body, and closes off an upper side of the header collection pipe body. The header collection pipe body has a pipe end section that extends upward past the cover member. A drainage part is formed in a part of the pipe end section.

Abstract: An outdoor unit of a refrigeration apparatus includes a heat exchanger, a casing constituent member and a seal member. The heat exchanger has plural collection header pipes, plural fins disposed at a predetermined fin pitch between the header pipes, and plural heat transfer tubes inserted through the fins and connected to the header pipes. An interstice larger than the fin pitch is formed between one of the header pipes and one of the fins adjacent to the one of the header pipes. The casing constituent member is disposed facing the one of the header pipes and is configured to surround part of the heat exchanger. The seal member is attached to the casing constituent member, is pressed against the one of the header pipes and the one of the fins in the environ of the interstice facing the casing constituent members, becomes deformed, and closes the interstice.

Abstract: A lower space of a first header collecting pipe of a heat exchanger is, by partitions, divided into three communication chambers and a single mixing chamber. The mixing chamber communicates with the communication chamber through a through-hole of a lower horizontal partition, communicates with the communication chamber through a through-hole of a vertical partition, and communicates with the communication chamber through a through-hole of an upper horizontal partition. Gas-liquid refrigerant flows into the mixing chamber, and is mixed in the mixing chamber. Then, the refrigerant is distributed to the communication chambers. Thus, the wetness of refrigerant flowing into a flat tube is uniformized among the flat tubes, and performance of the heat exchanger can be fully achieved.

Abstract: A fin of a heat exchanger includes: a plurality of intermediate plates arranged one above another and dividing a space between adjacent ones of flat tubes into air passages; a plurality of tube insertion portions each provided between vertically adjacent ones of the intermediate plates, with an upwind side thereof being open such that a corresponding one of the flat tubes is inserted therein; a vertically extending downwind plate that is continuous with downwind ends of the plurality of intermediate plates arranged one above another; and a plurality of upwind plates extending further toward an upwind side than the flat tubes from upwind side ends of the intermediate plates. Each of the upwind plates is provided with at least one upwind side heat-transfer portion which projects toward the air passages.