Abstract: A microchannel heat exchanger having: fin segments defined between lower and upper fin tips; at each fin tip, the fin segments have inner and outer facing surfaces; each fin segment having louvers having: an upper transition region at an upper louver end, adjacent an upper fin tip; a lower transition region at a lower louver end, adjacent a lower fin tip; and a straight region extending therebetween, wherein: the transition regions along the inner facing surface at each fin tip have a first transition surface having a first transition length, disposed at a first transition angle; the transition regions along the outer facing surface at each fin tip have a second transition surface having a second transition length, disposed at a second transition angle; wherein: the first transition length is longer than the second transition length; and/or the first transition angle is smaller than the second transition angle.

Abstract: Disclosed is a microchannel heat exchanger comprising a primary core including a first header and a second header and a secondary core including a first auxiliary header and a second auxiliary header, further comprising a first header interconnect extending between the first header and the first auxiliary header and having a first interconnect fluid passage extending therethrough; and a second header interconnect extending between the second auxiliary header and the second header and having a second interconnect fluid passage extending therethrough.

Abstract: Disclosed is a microchannel heat exchanger comprising a primary core including a first header and a second header and a secondary core including a first auxiliary header and a second auxiliary header, further comprising a first header interconnect extending between the first header and the first auxiliary header and having a first interconnect fluid passage extending therethrough; and a second header interconnect extending between the second auxiliary header and the second header and having a second interconnect fluid passage extending therethrough.

Abstract: Systems and methods for defrost control in a heat pump are disclosed. In some embodiments, a system comprises at least one processor; and memory storing instructions executable by the at least one processor, the instructions when executed cause the system to: determine a heat load forecast; determine a frost growth forecast based on the determined heat load forecast; determine one or more control parameters of the heat pump based on the determined frost growth forecast.

Abstract: Disclosed is a microchannel heat exchanger comprising a primary core including a first header and a second header and a secondary core including a first auxiliary header and a second auxiliary header, further comprising a first header interconnect extending between the first header and the first auxiliary header and having a first interconnect fluid passage extending therethrough; and a second header interconnect extending between the second auxiliary header and the second header and having a second interconnect fluid passage extending therethrough.

Abstract: A heat exchanger includes a first header and a second header. The second header has at least a first volume and a second volume. The second header additionally includes a bend region such that the second header has a non-linear configuration. A flow restricting element is arranged within the second header within the bend region. A plurality of heat exchange tubes is arranged in spaced parallel relationship and fluidly coupling the first header and second header.

Abstract: Disclosed is a multiport distributor comprising: an elongated member comprising a plurality of inlet ports disposed along a first end of the elongated member, a plurality of first outlet ports disposed along a face of the elongated member, and a plurality of fluid passages disposed within the elongated member and extending between the plurality of inlet ports and the plurality of first outlet ports, wherein the plurality of fluid passages are substantially parallel to one another and configured to convey a fluid in a first direction, wherein the plurality of first outlet ports are configured to direct a fluid passing therethrough in a second direction, wherein the second direction is substantially perpendicular to the first direction.

Abstract: A heat exchanger assembly includes a plurality of flattened heat exchanger tubes. The plurality of heat exchanger tubes include a bend that separates the plurality of heat exchanger tubes between extending in a first plane and extending in a second plane transverse to the first plane. An inlet manifold is in fluid communication with the plurality of heat exchanger tubes and includes a distribution insert at least partially extending through an inlet opening in the inlet manifold. An outlet manifold is in fluid communication with the plurality of heat exchanger tubes and includes an outlet opening spaced inward from opposing ends of the outlet manifold.

Abstract: A heat transfer tube and a heat exchanger incorporating at least one heat transfer tube are provided. The heat transfer tube and the heat exchanger are optimized for use within an air conditioner (which is configured to operate only in a cooling mode). The heat transfer tube includes a tube body with an interior surface and an exterior surface. The tube body defining an outer diameter (Do) and a wall thickness (WT), wherein a ratio (WT/Do) the wall thickness (WT) to the outer diameter (Do) is between 0.061 and 0.071. The heat transfer tube includes multiple pluralities of adjacent helical fins protruding circumferentially around the interior surface of the tube body at respective helix angles. The multiple pluralities are separated by one or more transition area(s).

Abstract: A microchannel heat exchanger having: fin segments defined between lower and upper fin tips; at each fin tip, the fin segments have inner and outer facing surfaces; each fin segment having louvers having: an upper transition region at an upper louver end, adjacent an upper fin tip; a lower transition region at a lower louver end, adjacent a lower fin tip; and a straight region extending therebetween, wherein: the transition regions along the inner facing surface at each fin tip have a first transition surface having a first transition length, disposed at a first transition angle; the transition regions along the outer facing surface at each fin tip have a second transition surface having a second transition length, disposed at a second transition angle; wherein: the first transition length is longer than the second transition length; and/or the first transition angle is smaller than the second transition angle.

Abstract: A heat transfer tube and a heat exchanger incorporating at least one heat transfer tubes are provided. The heat transfer tube and the heat exchanger are configured to operate in both a heating mode and a cooling mode (e.g., to optimize the reversible function a heat pump). The heat transfer tube includes a tube body with an interior surface and an exterior surface. The tube body defining an outer diameter (Do) and a wall thickness (WT), wherein a ratio (WT/Do) the wall thickness (WT) to the outer diameter (Do) is between 0.061 and 0.071. The heat transfer tube includes a plurality of adjacent helical fins protruding circumferentially around the interior surface of the tube body, and at least one groove disposed between the plurality of adjacent helical fins. The configuration of the heat transfer tube(s) is optimal for the reversible function of the heat pump.

Abstract: A heat exchanger includes a plurality of heat exchange tube segments defining a plurality of fluid pathways therein and a bend formed in the plurality of heat exchange tube segments defining a first leg of the heat exchanger positioned at a first side of the bend, and a second leg of the heat exchanger positioned at a second side of the bend opposite the first side. The heat exchanger is positioned relative to a flow direction of an incoming airflow such that the bend is closer to a source of the incoming airflow than the first leg and the second leg.

Abstract: Disclosed is a fluid conduit connection of a vapor compression system having a cooling capacity of less than or equal to 60,000 Btu/hour comprising a first fluid conduit comprising a first aluminum alloy and having first fluid conduit outside hydraulic diameter of greater than or equal to 7 millimeters, a second fluid conduit comprising a second aluminum alloy, a second fluid conduit cross-sectional flow area, and having a second fluid conduit outside hydraulic diameter of less than or equal to 7 millimeters, an engagement between the first fluid conduit and the second fluid conduit, and a sealing material disposed within the engagement serving to mechanically bind and seal the fluid conduit connection, wherein a ratio of a cross sectional flow area of a throat of the fluid conduit connection divided by the second fluid conduit cross-sectional flow area is between 0.1 and 0.6.

Abstract: Disclosed is a multiport distributor comprising: an elongated member comprising a plurality of inlet ports disposed along a first end of the elongated member, a plurality of first outlet ports disposed along a face of the elongated member, and a plurality of fluid passages disposed within the elongated member and extending between the plurality of inlet ports and the plurality of first outlet ports, wherein the plurality of fluid passages are substantially parallel to one another and configured to convey a fluid in a first direction, wherein the plurality of first outlet ports are configured to direct a fluid passing therethrough in a second direction, wherein the second direction is substantially perpendicular to the first direction.

Abstract: Disclosed is a microchannel heat exchanger comprising a primary core including a first header and a second header and a secondary core including a first auxiliary header and a second auxiliary header, further comprising a first header interconnect extending between the first header and the first auxiliary header and having a first interconnect fluid passage extending therethrough; and a second header interconnect extending between the second auxiliary header and the second header and having a second interconnect fluid passage extending therethrough.

Abstract: A heat exchanger assembly includes a plurality of flattened heat exchanger tubes. The plurality of heat exchanger tubes include a bend that separates the plurality of heat exchanger tubes between extending in a first plane and extending in a second plane transverse to the first plane. An inlet manifold is in fluid communication with the plurality of heat exchanger tubes and includes a distribution insert at least partially extending through an inlet opening in the inlet manifold. An outlet manifold is in fluid communication with the plurality of heat exchanger tubes and includes an outlet opening spaced inward from opposing ends of the outlet manifold.

Abstract: A heat exchanger includes a plurality of heat exchange tube segments defining a plurality of fluid pathways therein and a bend formed in the plurality of heat exchange tube segments defining a first leg of the heat exchanger positioned at a first side of the bend, and a second leg of the heat exchanger positioned at a second side of the bend opposite the first side. The heat exchanger is positioned relative to a flow direction of an incoming airflow such that the bend is closer to a source of the incoming airflow than the first leg and the second leg.

Abstract: A heat exchanger includes a first header and a second header. The second header has at least a first volume and a second volume. The second header additionally includes a bend region such that the second header has a non-linear configuration. A flow restricting element is arranged within the second header within the bend region. A plurality of heat exchange tubes is arranged in spaced parallel relationship and fluidly coupling the first header and second header.