MODULAR HEAT EXCHANGER
A modular multi-channel tube heat exchanger includes a plurality of aluminum heat exchanger modules selectively connected in fluid communication by interconnecting tubing. Each heat exchanger module includes an aluminum inlet header, an aluminum outlet header and a plurality of aluminum heat exchange tubes extending longitudinally therebetween. Each of the plurality of heat exchange tubes may have a plurality of flow paths extending longitudinally in parallel relationship from an inlet end thereof in fluid communication with the inlet header to an outlet end thereof in fluid communication with the outlet header.
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This invention relates generally to heat exchangers having a plurality of heat transfer tubes extending between a first header and a second header, also sometimes referred to as manifolds, and, more particularly, to modular multi-channel tube heat exchangers.
Refrigerant vapor compression systems are well known in the art. Air conditioners and heat pumps employing refrigerant vapor compression cycles are commonly used for cooling or cooling/heating air supplied to a climate-controlled comfort zone within a residence, office building, hospital, school, restaurant or other facility. Refrigerant vapor compression systems are also commonly used for cooling air or other secondary fluid to provide a refrigerated environment for food items and beverage products within, for instance, display cases in supermarkets, convenience stores, groceries, cafeterias, restaurants and other food service establishments.
Commonly, these refrigerant vapor compression systems include a compression device, a refrigerant heat rejection heat exchanger, an expansion device and a refrigerant heat absorption heat exchanger connected in serial refrigerant flow communication in a refrigerant vapor compression cycle. In a subcritical refrigerant vapor compression cycle, the refrigerant heat rejection heat exchanger functions as a condenser. In a transcritical refrigerant vapor compression cycle, however, the refrigerant heat rejection heat exchanger functions as a gas cooler. In either a subcritical or transcritical refrigerant vapor compression cycle, the refrigerant heat absorption heat exchanger functions as an evaporator. Additionally, conventional refrigerant vapor compression systems sometimes include one or more refrigerant-to-refrigerant heat exchangers, for example, an economizer heat exchanger or a suction line-to-liquid line heat exchanger, or air-to-refrigerant heat exchanger, such as a reheat heat exchanger or an intercooler.
Historically, the refrigerant heat rejection heat exchanger and the refrigerant heat absorption heat exchanger used in such refrigerant vapor compression systems have been round tube and plate fin heat exchangers constituting a plurality of round tubes, typically having a diameter of ½ inch, ⅜ inch or 7 millimeters, disposed in a desired circuiting arrangement, with each circuit defining a refrigerant flow path extending between a pair of headers or manifolds. Thus, a round tube and plate fin heat exchanger with conventional round tubes will have a relatively small number of large flow area refrigerant flow paths extending between the headers. Generally, both the tubes and headers of round tube heat exchangers are made of copper, which facilitates assembly of these heat exchangers, and also simplifies connection to the copper refrigerant lines of the refrigerant vapor compression system, by simple brazing or soldering. Additionally, leaks in copper tubes or their connections may be easily repaired both in the factory and in the field by either brazing or soldering or potentially removing and replacing the leaking tube or the leaking section of a tube. The round tubes of the round tube and plate fin heat exchangers are typically expanded to make a good mechanical and thermal contact with the plate fins. The plate fins are typically made from aluminum or copper and represent a secondary extended heat transfer surface.
More recently, flat, rectangular or oval shape, multi-channel tubes are being used in heat exchangers for refrigerant vapor compression systems. Sometimes, such multi-channel heat exchanger constructions are referred to as microchannel or minichannel heat exchangers as well. Each multi-channel tube has a plurality of flow channels extending longitudinally in parallel relationship the length of the tube, each channel defining a small cross-sectional flow area refrigerant path. Thus, a heat exchanger with multi-channel tubes extending in parallel relationship between a pair of headers or manifolds of the heat exchanger will define a relatively large number of small cross-sectional flow area refrigerant paths extending between the two headers. To provide a multi-pass flow arrangement within a multi-channel heat exchanger core, the headers, which in some embodiments may be intermediate manifolds, may be divided into a number of chambers, which depends on a desired number of refrigerant passes.
Great Britain Patent No. 938,888 discloses a heat exchanger plate made up of a plurality of elongated hollow box-section sub-units secured together in side-by-side contact by welding, epoxy resin adhesive or clamping to provide a complete plate. Header means at the ends of the sub-units connect the sub-units in series, parallel, or a series-parallel combination with respect to the flow of coolant or refrigerant through the sub-units.
U.S. Pat. No. Re. 35,502 discloses an evaporator for a refrigeration system which is a heat exchanger having a plurality of hydraulically parallel flow paths defined by heat exchange tubes, an inlet header, an outlet header and a pair of intermediate headers. A first row of tubes extends between the inlet header and a first intermediate header and a second row of tubes extends between a second intermediate header and the outlet header, the first and second intermediate headers are disposed in side-by-side relationship and interconnected in flow communication at the respective ends by U-shaped tubes.
To reduce the cost of the multi-channel heat exchanger, it is known to assemble the heat exchanger from extruded or welded aluminum tubes and aluminum headers/manifolds, and, if desired, aluminum fins disposed between adjacent tube pairs. Once the multi-channel, flat tube heat exchanger has been assembled, the entire assembled heat exchanger must be placed in a brazing furnace to bond the aluminum components together. As a consequence, the overall size of the heat exchanger is limited by the size of the available brazing furnaces.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONA modular multi-channel tube heat exchanger comprises a plurality of aluminum heat exchanger modules selectively connected in fluid communication by tubing, such as copper or aluminum tubing, in a parallel flow configuration, a series flow configuration or a combined parallel/series flow configuration. Each heat exchanger module includes at least a first aluminum header, at least a second aluminum header and at least one aluminum heat exchange tube extending longitudinally therebetween. Each header of the heat exchanger module may function as an inlet header or an outlet header or an intermediate header, depending on the refrigerant flow path configuration within that heat exchange module. The at least one heat exchange tube may comprise a plurality of heat exchange tubes. Each tube may have a plurality of flow paths extending longitudinally in parallel relationship from an inlet end thereof in fluid communication with the first header to an outlet end thereof in fluid communication with the second header. A plurality of heat transfer tubes within each heat exchanger module may have straight or serpentine configuration, multiple or single flow channels, and round or flattened cross-section. The first aluminum header and the second aluminum header of each one of the plurality of heat exchanger modules is connected by a copper or aluminum tube in fluid flow communication to at least one of the first aluminum header and the second aluminum header of another one of the plurality of heat exchanger modules.
In an embodiment, each of the first and second aluminum headers of the at least one of the plurality of heat exchanger modules includes an aluminum or brass nipple that is attached to the connecting tube by a mechanical connection, such as a threaded connection, a compression connection or an adhesive bonding connection. In an embodiment, each of the first and second aluminum headers of the at least one of the plurality of heat exchanger modules includes an aluminum or brass nipple that is attached to the connecting tube by a thermal bonding connection, such as a solder connection, a brazed connection or a metal-to-metal thermal diffusion connection.
In an embodiment, each of the first and second aluminum headers of the at least one of the plurality of heat exchanger modules includes a copper nipple that is connected to a cooper connecting tube by a thermal bonding connection, such as a solder connection, a brazing connection, or a metal-to-metal thermal diffusion connection. In an embodiment, each of the first and second aluminum headers of the at least one of the plurality of heat exchanger modules includes a copper nipple that is connected to a cooper connecting tube by a mechanical connection, such as a threaded connection, a compression connection or an adhesive bonding connection.
For a further understanding of the invention, reference will be made to the following detailed description of the invention which is to be read in connection with the accompanying drawing, wherein:
The modular, multi-channel heat exchanger 10 of the invention will be described in general herein with reference to the various exemplary embodiments depicted in
In each of the illustrated exemplary embodiments shown in
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In the exemplary embodiment depicted in
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Depending on the particular application in which the modular heat exchanger 10 is to be used, the heat exchanger modules 15 may include heat transfer fins 50 positioned between adjacent heat transfer tubes 40 for heat transfer enhancement. The presence of fins 50 also enhances structural rigidity and heat exchanger design compactness. The fins 50 may be flat, as depicted in
In applications, whether the heat exchange tubes 40 are orientated horizontally or vertically or otherwise, a secondary fluid, such as air, flows through the heat exchanger module 15 and over the external surfaces of the heat exchange tubes 40 and the associated fins 50. The heat exchange tubes 40 extend transversely across the flow path of the secondary fluid with the leading edge 41 of each heat exchange tube 40 facing upstream into the incoming flow of secondary fluid. As the secondary fluid passes over the external surfaces of the heat exchange tubes 40 and the associated fins 50, heat exchange takes place between the secondary fluid and a primary fluid, such as refrigerant, water or glycol solution, flowing through the channels 42 of the multi-channel heat exchange tubes 40. When the heat exchanger 10 is used in a refrigerant vapor compression system, such as in refrigeration and air conditioning applications, the primary fluid is a refrigerant and the secondary fluid is generally air to be cooled if the heat exchanger 10 is employed as an evaporator, or refrigerant heat absorption heat exchanger, or air to be heated if the heat exchanger 10 is employed as a condenser or a gas cooler and functions as a refrigerant heat rejection heat exchanger.
To reduce cost and simplify assembly, each multi-channel tube heat exchanger module 15 may be made of aluminum, as opposed to copper. The heat exchange tubes 40 are typically extruded or welded aluminum tubes. The headers/manifolds 20 and 30 are formed of aluminum, and, the fins 50, if provided, are made from an aluminum sheet as well. After the heat exchanger module 15 has been assembled with brazing compound applied as in conventional practice at contacting surfaces between the heat exchange tube 40 and associated fins 50 and between the ends of the heat exchange tubes 40 and the respective headers 20 and 30, the entire assembled heat exchanger module 15 is placed in a brazing furnace to permanently bond the aluminum components together. Some other components, such as manifold caps, connecting tube stubs and brackets, can be also permanently attached during the furnace brazing of the heat exchange module 15.
As noted previously, the modular, multi-channel tube heat exchanger 10 is constructed from a plurality of heat exchanger modules 15 connected in refrigerant flow communication with each other. For example, two or more heat exchanger modules 15 may be connected together by means of copper or aluminum refrigerant lines 60. In an embodiment, the aluminum inlet header 20 is provided with a copper or brass inlet nipple 25 attached permanently to the aluminum header, during the brazing operation conducted at the manufacturing plant after the furnace brazing operation, during manufacturing of the heat exchanger module 15. Similarly, in this embodiment, the aluminum outlet header 30 is provided with a copper or brass outlet nipple 35 attached permanently to the aluminum header, during the brazing operation conducted at the manufacturing plant after the furnace brazing operation, during manufacturing of the heat exchanger module 15. With this construction, the heat exchanger 10 may be readily assembled in the field or at the manufacturing plant by soldering copper refrigerant lines 60 to the appropriate copper inlet and outlet nipples of the respective heat exchanger modules 15. In this manner, the heat exchanger 10 may be readily assembled in any desired size and configuration simply by linking the appropriate number of aluminum heat exchanger modules 15 in the desired refrigerant circuit flow arrangement. Further, the inlet nipple 25 and the outlet nipple 35 may be made from aluminum and attached respectively to the headers 20 and 30 during the same furnace brazing process. In this case, connecting refrigerant lines 60 made from copper or aluminum may be attached to the nipples 25 and 35 by the brazing process after the furnace brazing operation. Other thermal bonding connections, such as a metal-to-metal thermal diffusion connection, may also be used to join nipples and connecting tubes made of similar metals, such as a copper nipple to a copper tube or an aluminum nipple to an aluminum tube.
In an embodiment, the aluminum inlet header 20 is provided with a threaded inlet nipple 25 attached permanently to the aluminum header, during the brazing operation conducted at the manufacturing plant, generally after the furnace brazing operation, during manufacturing of the heat exchanger module 15. Similarly, in this embodiment, the aluminum outlet header 30 is provided with a threaded outlet nipple 35 attached permanently to the aluminum header, during the brazing operation conducted at the manufacturing plant after the furnace brazing operation, during manufacturing of the heat exchanger module 15. With this construction, the heat exchanger 10 may be readily assembled in the field or at the factory by mechanically connecting the refrigerant lines 60, generally made out of copper, aluminum or stainless steel, to the appropriate threaded inlet or outlet nipples of the respective heat exchanger modules. In this manner, the heat exchanger 10 may again be readily field or factory assembled in any desired size and configuration simply by linking the appropriate number of aluminum heat exchanger modules 15 connected by refrigerant lines in the desired refrigerant circuit flow arrangement using threaded mechanical connections. Other mechanical connections, such as a compression connection or a chemical bonding connection, such as for example glue or other adhesive, may be used to join nipples and connecting tubes made of dissimilar metals, such a copper nipple to an aluminum tube or an aluminum nipple to a copper tube.
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The aluminum inlet headers 20 of the three heat exchanger modules 15A are connected in refrigerant flow communication by refrigerant lines 60 connected to the respective inlet nipples 25 of the aluminum inlet headers 20 at connection points 70 to receive refrigerant from the refrigerant circuit via the refrigerant line 65 in flow communication with each of the refrigerant lines 60. The aluminum outlet headers 30 of the three heat exchanger modules 15A are connected in refrigerant flow communication by the refrigerant lines 62 connected to the respective outlet nipples 35 of the aluminum outlet headers 30 at connection points 70. The refrigerant lines 62 are in flow communication with the refrigerant line 64 which is connected to the inlet nipple 25 of the inlet header 20 of the fourth heat exchanger module 15B. The outlet nipple 35 of the outlet header 30 of the fourth heat exchanger module 15B is connected to the refrigerant line 75 to return refrigerant to the refrigerant circuit.
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The refrigerant equalization lines 66 provide several important functions improving performance of the modular heat exchanger 10. The most significant two functions are the equalization of the refrigerant pressure in the intermediate headers 80 of different heat exchanger modules 15′, and proper redistribution of the liquid refrigerant phase of the two-phase refrigerant mixture accumulated in the intermediate headers 80. The former function allows for the uniform operation of the heat exchange tubes 40 within the first and second passes positioned within different heat exchanger modules 15′. The later function allows for the reduction or elimination of refrigerant maldistribution associated with the second refrigerant pass. Refrigerant maldistribution between the heat exchange tubes 40 significantly reduces performance of the heat exchangers, and may be particularly pronounced for microchannel or minichannel heat exchangers. Therefore, dividing the refrigerant flow between the heat exchanger modules 15′ and providing refrigerant flow communication means, such as the refrigerant equalization lines 66, between the intermediate headers 80 of different heat exchanger modules 15′, equalizes the liquid refrigerant phase content within the intermediate headers 80, improves refrigerant distribution amongst the heat exchange tubes 40 within the downstream pass and enhances overall performance of the modular heat exchanger 10.
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The heat exchanger configurations discussed hereinbefore are exemplary. Because the heat exchanger 10 of the invention is of a modular in design, that is, composed of two or more heat exchanger modules 15, 15′ or 15″ the heat exchanger 10 can be selectively sized by connecting any desired number of heat exchanger modules 15, 15′ or 15″ together in either parallel flow or series flow or mixed parallel and series flow arrangements, with respect to refrigerant flow, and also, independently of the refrigerant flow configuration, connecting the heat exchanger modules 15, 15′ or 15″ together in either parallel flow configuration or series flow configuration or mixed parallel and series flow configuration, with respect to air flow. The heat exchanger modules 15, 15′ or 15″ may also be configured in parallel flow, counter-flow or mixed parallel/counter-flow arrangements, with respect to heat exchange between the refrigerant flow and the air flow. The modular nature of the heat exchanger 10 also facilitates the design of a heat exchanger 10 of selectively variable configuration having a first configuration for operation in a first mode and a second configuration for operation in a second mode, such as, for example, for in heat pump applications wherein the heat exchanger functions as a condenser (or a gas cooler) in one of the cooling or heating modes of operation and as an evaporator in the other of the cooling or heating modes of operation.
An exemplary variable configuration of the modular heat exchanger 10 including two heat exchanger modules 15 is shown in
Other examples when variable heat exchanger configurations are highly desirable and conveniently provided by the modular heat exchanger 10 include activation and deactivation of the heat exchanger modules 15, 15′ or 15″ depending on the environmental conditions and the type of cooling mode of operation. The former applications comprise, but are not limited to, reduction of a number of parallel heat exchanger modules 15, 15′ or 15″ to prevent oil retention within the heat exchanger with reduced refrigerant flow rate, for instance, at lower temperatures, or bypassing some of the sequential heat exchanger modules 15, 15′ or 15″ when the pressure drop for the heat exchanger 10 becomes excessive or when different sensible and latent loads are required for the evaporator. The latter applications include, for instance, sharing the heat exchanger modules 15, 15′ or 15″ between the evaporator and reheat heat exchanger while switching between cooling and reheat modes of operation, or between the condenser (or gas cooler) and intercooler while operating refrigerant systems with multiple compression stages. As in the embodiment depicted in
Additionally, the heat exchanger modules 15, 15′ and 15″ may be standardized, allowing optimization of the manufacturing process, increase of production volumes and subsequent price reduction. The modular design of the heat exchanger 10 of the invention also facilitates field repairs in that if a leak develops in a heat exchange tube 40 or 40′ or a header of an individual heat exchanger module 15, 15′ or 15″, that heat exchanger module may be removed by un-soldering/un-brazing or un-threading at the connections 70.
In each of the exemplary embodiments of the heat exchanger 10 depicted in
The modular heat exchanger 10 could be easily configured to accommodate straight-through refrigerant pass configuration of the parallel heat exchanger modules 15, e.g. of
As noted previously, the connections 70 may be made by thermal bonding, for example soldering or brazing or metal-to-metal diffusion, if the inlet and outlet nipples 25 and 35 are made out of compatible metals, such as copper or aluminum, or by mechanical or chemical connection, for example a threaded connection, a compression connection or a chemical bonding connection, if the inlet and outlet nipples 25 and 35 are made, for instance, out of aluminum, copper, brass or stainless steel, whether similar or dissimilar metals are involved.
While the present invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to the exemplary embodiments as illustrated in the drawing, it will be understood by one skilled in the art that various changes in detail may be effected therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the claims.
Claims
1. A modular heat exchanger comprising:
- a plurality of heat exchanger modules, each heat exchanger module includes a first aluminum header, a second aluminum header and at least one aluminum heat exchange tube having an inlet in fluid communication with said first aluminum header and an outlet in fluid communication with said second aluminum header, said at least one heat exchange tube defining at least one fluid flow passage extending between said first aluminum header and said second aluminum header for conveying a first fluid internally therethrough in heat exchange relationship with a second fluid passing externally of said at least one heat exchange tube, said plurality of heat exchanger modules arranged in one of a parallel flow configuration, a series flow configuration or a combined parallel/serial flow configuration with respect to said first fluid and independently arranged in one of a parallel flow configuration, a series flow configuration or a combined parallel/serial flow configuration with respect to said second fluid.
2. A modular heat exchanger as recited in claim 1 wherein said at least one heat exchange tube comprises a plurality of heat exchange tubes extending between said first and second aluminum headers, each of said plurality of heat exchange tubes defining a plurality of discrete fluid flow passages extending longitudinally between said first and second aluminum headers.
3. A modular heat exchanger as recited in claim 2 wherein said plurality of heat exchange tubes comprises a plurality of straight heat exchange tubes extending between said first and second aluminum headers.
4. A modular heat exchanger as recited in claim 2 wherein said plurality of heat exchange tubes comprises a plurality of serpentine heat exchange tubes extending between said first and second aluminum headers.
5. A modular heat exchanger as recited in claim 1 wherein said first fluid comprises a refrigerant.
6. A modular heat exchanger as recited in claim 5 wherein said second fluid comprises air.
7. A modular heat exchanger as recited in claim 1 wherein said plurality of heat exchanger modules comprises at least a first heat exchanger module and a second heat exchanger module connected in a series flow configuration with respect to the flow of the first fluid, the second aluminum header of said first heat exchanger module connected in fluid flow communication with respect to the first fluid to the first aluminum header of said second heat exchanger module by a connecting line.
8. A heat exchanger as recited in claim 7 wherein the second aluminum header of said first heat exchanger module includes an aluminum outlet nipple and the first aluminum header of said second heat exchanger module includes an aluminum inlet nipple, the aluminum outlet nipple of the second aluminum header of said first heat exchanger module connected in fluid flow communication with respect to the first fluid to the aluminum inlet nipple of the first aluminum header of the second heat exchanger module by a copper tube, the copper tube connected to each of the aluminum inlet nipple and the aluminum outlet nipple by one of a mechanical connection, a thermal bonding connection and a chemical bonding connection.
9. A heat exchanger as recited in claim 7 wherein the second aluminum header of said first heat exchanger module includes an aluminum outlet nipple and the first aluminum header of said second heat exchanger module includes an aluminum inlet nipple, the aluminum outlet nipple of the second aluminum header of said first heat exchanger module connected in fluid flow communication with respect to the first fluid to the aluminum inlet nipple of the first aluminum header of the second heat exchanger module by an aluminum tube, the aluminum tube connected to each of the aluminum inlet nipple and the aluminum outlet nipple by one of a mechanical connection, a thermal bonding connection and a chemical bonding connection.
10. A heat exchanger as recited in claim 7 wherein the second aluminum header of said first heat exchanger module includes a cooper outlet nipple and the first aluminum header of said second heat exchanger module includes a copper inlet nipple, the copper outlet nipple of the second aluminum header of said first heat exchanger module connected in fluid flow communication with respect to the first fluid to the copper inlet nipple of the first aluminum header of the second heat exchanger module by a copper tube, the copper tube connected to each of the copper inlet nipple and the copper outlet nipple by one of a mechanical connection, a thermal bonding connection and a chemical bonding connection.
11. A modular heat exchanger as recited in claim 1 wherein said plurality of heat exchanger modules comprises at a first heat exchanger module and a second heat exchanger module connected is a parallel flow configuration with respect to flow of the first fluid, the first aluminum headers of said first and second heat exchanger modules connected by a connecting line to a common source for the first fluid and the second aluminum headers of the said first and second heat exchanger modules connected by a connecting line to a common discharge for the first fluid.
12. A heat exchanger as recited in claim 11 wherein each of the first aluminum headers of each of said first and second heat exchanger modules includes an aluminum inlet nipple and each of the second aluminum headers of each of said first and second heat exchanger modules includes an aluminum outlet nipple, the aluminum inlet nipples of the first aluminum headers of said first and second heat exchanger modules connected in fluid flow communication with respect to the first fluid to a common source for the first fluid by a copper tube and the aluminum outlet nipples of the second aluminum headers of said first and second heat exchanger modules connected in fluid flow communication with respect to the first fluid to a common discharge for the first fluid by a copper tube, the copper tubes connected to the aluminum inlet nipples and the aluminum outlet nipples by one of a mechanical connection, a thermal bonding connection and a chemical bonding connection.
13. A heat exchanger as recited in claim 11 wherein each of the first aluminum headers of each of said first and second heat exchanger modules includes an aluminum inlet nipple and each of the second aluminum headers of each of said first and second heat exchanger modules includes an aluminum outlet nipple, the aluminum inlet nipples of the first aluminum headers of said first and second heat exchanger modules connected in fluid flow communication with respect to the first fluid to a common source for the first fluid by an aluminum tube and the aluminum outlet nipples of the second aluminum headers of said first and second heat exchanger modules connected in fluid flow communication with respect to the first fluid to a common discharge for the first fluid by an aluminum tube, the aluminum tubes connected to the aluminum inlet nipples and the aluminum outlet nipples by one of a mechanical connection, a thermal bonding connection and a chemical bonding connection.
14. A heat exchanger as recited in claim 11 wherein each of the first aluminum headers of each of said first and second heat exchanger modules includes a copper inlet nipple and each of the second aluminum headers of each of said first and second heat exchanger modules includes a copper outlet nipple, the copper inlet nipples of the first aluminum headers of said first and second heat exchanger modules connected in fluid flow communication with respect to the first fluid to a common source for the first fluid by a copper tube and the copper outlet nipples of the second aluminum headers of said first and second heat exchanger modules connected in fluid flow communication with respect to the first fluid to a common discharge for the first fluid by a copper tube, the copper tubes connected to the copper inlet nipples and the copper outlet nipples by one of a mechanical connection, a thermal bonding connection and a chemical bonding connection.
15. A heat exchanger as recited in claim 1 wherein said plurality of heat exchanger modules are arranged in crossflow or cross-counterflow with respect to said second fluid.
16. A heat exchanger as recited in claim 1 further comprising at least one flow control device operatively associated with at least one heat exchanger module of said plurality of heat exchanger modules for selectively controlling the flow of said first fluid through said at least one heat exchanger module.
17. A heat exchanger as recited in claim 16 wherein said at least one flow control device has a first open position wherein a flow of said first fluid is passed through said at least one heat exchanger module operatively associated with said at least one flow control device and a second closed position wherein the flow of said first fluid through said at least one heat exchanger module operatively associated with said at least one flow control device is blocked.
18. A heat exchanger as recited in claim 17 wherein said at least one flow control device is selectively positioned in the first open position or the second closed position in response to a selected mode of operation, a selected environmental condition or a selected operating condition.
19. A heat exchanger as recited in claim 16 wherein said at least one flow control device has a first open position wherein said at least one heat exchanger module operatively associated with said at least one flow control device has first functionality and a second closed position wherein said at least one heat exchanger module operatively associated with said at least one flow control device has a second functionality.
20. A heat exchanger as recited in claim 19 wherein said at least one flow control device is selectively positioned in the first open position or the second closed position in response to a selected mode of operation, a selected environmental condition or a selected operating condition.
21. A heat exchanger as recited in claim 19 wherein said first functionality is a heat rejection heat exchanger function and said second functionality is an intercooler heat exchanger function, or said first functionality is an evaporator function and said second functionality is a reheat heat exchanger function.
22. A heat exchanger as recited in claim 1 wherein at least one of said plurality of heat exchanger modules comprises a single-pass heat exchanger module with respect to said first fluid.
23. A heat exchanger as recited in claim 1 wherein at least one of said plurality of heat exchanger modules comprises a multiple-pass heat exchanger module with respect to said first fluid.
24. A heat exchanger as recited in claim 1 wherein at least one header of at least one of said plurality of heat exchanger modules includes an intermediate manifold.
25. A heat exchanger as recited in claim 1 wherein at least one header of at least two of said plurality of heat exchanger modules includes an intermediate manifold and said intermediate manifolds are interconnected in fluid communication via an equalization line.
Type: Application
Filed: Apr 28, 2009
Publication Date: Mar 10, 2011
Applicant: Carrier Corporation (Farmington, CT)
Inventors: Michael F. Taras (Fayetteville, NY), Alexander Lifson (Manlius, NY)
Application Number: 12/921,278
International Classification: F28F 9/02 (20060101);