TWO ROW BENT EVAPORATOR

Abstract

A core (26) extends through a circular bend (28) greater than 180 degrees to define a first leg (30) between the bend (28) and an inlet manifold (22) and a second leg (32) between the bend (28) and an outlet manifold (24). The legs (30, 32) are disposed in converging relationship from the bend (28) towards the manifolds (22, 24) to define an acute angle (α) between the legs (30, 32). The manifolds (22, 24) are aligned in juxtaposed relationship along an alignment axis (Y) and the legs (30, 32) are disposed in angular relationship to a reference axis (X) to define first and second drainage angles (Θ1, Θ2) between the corresponding legs (30, 32) and the reference axis (X). The second drainage angle (Θ2) is >10 degrees and the first drainage angle is (Θ1)>20 degrees and the acute angle (α) is >10 degrees for draining condensate along the legs (30, 32) toward the juxtaposed manifolds (22, 24) to establish a common drainage point of the condensate.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The subject invention relates to a heat exchanger assembly including a core extending through a bend for greater heat transfer capacity.

2. Description of the Prior Art

The heat exchanger assemblies to which the subject invention pertains are systems which include overlapping or double flows of working fluid to improve performance while minimizing space requirements. The design and manufacture of such a heat exchanger normally includes a first heat exchanger in fluid communication with a second heat exchanger. However, complex and costly communication manifolds are required to establish fluid communication between the first and second heat exchangers while optimally containing the pressures normally occurring in such systems. As a result, it is common to bend the core of a heat exchanger to provide the functionality of a heat exchanger with overlapping or double flows of working fluid while eliminating the complexity and cost limitations of conventional communication manifolds.

One such heat exchanger assembly is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,341,870 to Hughes, et al, wherein the heat exchanger assembly includes an inlet manifold and an outlet manifold and a core extending between the manifolds for conveying a working fluid from the inlet manifold to the outlet manifold. The core extends through a bend to define a first leg between the bend and the inlet manifold and a second leg between the bend and the outlet manifold for arranging the heat exchanger in a U or V shape.

Although the prior art heat exchangers are able to establish overlapping or double flows of working fluid without the use of conventional communication manifolds, there remains a need for a heat exchanger design which improves condensate drainage.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention provides for a bend extending through a circular bend greater than 180 degrees for disposing the legs in converging relationship from the bend towards the manifolds to define an acute angle α between the legs.

One advantage of the invention is that the heat exchanger assembly can be inclined in both horizontal and vertical airflow systems for increasing the heat transfer while also providing positive drainage toward both manifolds. In addition, the vertical juxtaposition of the manifolds provides for a common drainage point of the condensate at the manifolds.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other advantages of the present invention will be readily appreciated, as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the heat exchanger assembly;

FIG. 2 is an edge view of the heat exchanger assembly disposed in a vertical airflow system and illustrating the first and second legs disposed in angular relationship to a reference or horizontal axis X and the inlet and outlet manifolds aligned in juxtaposed relationship along an alignment or vertical axis Y; and

FIG. 3 is an edge view of the heat exchanger assembly disposed in a horizontal airflow system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

Referring to the Figures, wherein like numerals indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views, the invention comprises a heat exchanger assembly 20 generally shown including an inlet manifold 22 and an outlet manifold 24 being cylindrical and extending in spaced and parallel relationship to one another. A core 26 extends between the manifolds 22, 24 for conveying a working fluid from the inlet manifold 22 to the outlet manifold 24, and includes a plurality of tubes 28 extending in spaced and parallel relationship to one another between the manifolds 22, 24. The core 26 also includes a plurality of air fins 30 extending back and forth between adjacent ones of the tubes 28 to present a serpentine pattern extending between the adjacent tubes 28. The inlet manifold 22 defines an inlet port 32 for receiving the working fluid, and the outlet manifold 24 defines an outlet port 34 for dispensing the working fluid.

The core 26 extends through a bend 36 to define a first leg 38 having a first length L₁ between the bend 36 and the inlet manifold 22 and a second leg 40 having a second length L₂ between the bend 36 and the outlet manifold 24. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the inlet and outlet manifolds 22, 24 are aligned on an alignment or vertical axis Y for receiving the flow of air in a transverse direction successively through the second leg 40 and the first leg 38. Typically the bend 36 will be placed at or close to the midpoint of the core 26 between the manifolds 22, 24, but the bend 36 may be offset as required. In the preferred embodiment, the bend 36 extends through a circular bend 36 greater than 180 degrees for disposing the legs 38, 40 in converging relationship from the bend 36 towards the manifolds 22, 24 to define an acute angle α between the legs 38, 40.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the first and second legs 38, 40 are disposed in angular relationship to a reference or horizontal axis X extending perpendicular to the alignment axis Y to define a first drainage angle Θ₁ between the first leg 38 and the reference axis X and a second drainage angle Θ₂ between the second leg 40 and the reference axis X for draining condensate along the legs 38, 40 toward the manifolds 22, 24. Accordingly, the acute angle α between the legs 38, 40 is equal to the difference between the drainage angles (Θ₂-Θ₁). As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the heat exchanger assembly 20 can accommodate the needs of both vertical and horizontal airflow systems while positioning the inlet and outlet manifolds 22, 24 close together to facilitate simple system plumbing and condensate drainage from the manifolds 22, 24.

In the preferred embodiment, the second drainage angle Θ₂ is equal to or greater than 10 degrees and the first drainage angle Θ₁ is equal to or greater than 20 degrees and the acute angle α is equal to or greater than 10 degrees for improving condensate drainage along the tubes 28 toward the manifolds 22, 24. In addition, the first length L₁ of the first leg 38 is less than the second length L₂ of the second leg 40 for aligning the manifolds 22, 24 in juxtaposed relationship along the alignment axis Y for establishing a common draining point of the condensate at the juxtaposed manifolds 22, 24.

While the invention has been described with reference to an exemplary embodiment, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing form the scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiment disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying out this invention, but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A heat exchanger assembly comprising;

an inlet manifold and an outlet manifold,

a core extending between said manifolds for conveying a working fluid from said inlet manifold to said outlet manifold,

said core extending through a bend to define a first leg between said bend and said inlet manifold and a second leg between said bend and said outlet manifold, and

said bend extending through a circular bend greater than 180 degrees for disposing said legs in converging relationship from said bend towards said manifolds to define an acute angle α between said legs.

2. An assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein said inlet and outlet manifolds are aligned on an alignment axis Y for receiving the flow of air in a transverse direction successively through said second leg and said first leg.

3. An assembly as set forth in claim 2 wherein said first and second legs are disposed in angular relationship to a reference axis X extending perpendicular to said alignment axis Y to define a first drainage angle Θ1 between said first leg and said reference axis X and a second drainage angle Θ2 between said second leg and reference axis X and said acute angle α is equal to the difference between said drainage angles (Θ2-Θ1) for draining condensate along said legs toward said manifolds.

4. An assembly as set forth in claim 3 wherein said first leg has a first length L1 between said bend and said inlet manifold and said second leg has a second length L2 between said bend and said outlet manifold and said first length L1 is less than said second length L2 for aligning said manifolds in juxtaposed relationship along said alignment axis Y for establishing a common draining point of said condensate at said juxtaposed manifolds.

5. An assembly as set forth in claim 4 wherein said second drainage angle Θ2 is equal to or greater than 10 degrees and said first drainage angle Θ1 is equal to or greater than 20 degrees and said acute angle α is equal to or greater than 10 degrees.

6. A heat exchanger assembly comprising;

an inlet manifold and an outlet manifold being cylindrical and extending in spaced and parallel relationship to one another,

a core extending between said manifolds for conveying a working fluid from said inlet manifold to said outlet manifold,

said core including a plurality of tubes extending in spaced and parallel relationship to one another between said manifolds,

said core including a plurality of air fins extending back and forth between adjacent ones of said tubes to present a serpentine pattern extending between said adjacent tubes,

said inlet manifold defining an inlet port for receiving the working fluid,

said outlet manifold defining an outlet port for dispensing the working fluid,

said core extending through a bend to define a first leg having a first length L1 between said bend and said inlet manifold and a second leg having a second length L2 between said bend and said outlet manifold,

said first and second manifolds being aligned on an alignment axis Y for receiving the flow of air in a transverse direction successively through said second leg and said first leg,

said first and second legs being disposed in angular relationship to a reference axis X extending perpendicular to said alignment axis Y to define a first drainage angle Θ1 between said first leg and said reference axis X and a second drainage angle Θ2 between said second leg and said reference axis X, and

said bend extending through a circular bend greater than 180 degrees for disposing said legs in converging relationship from said bend towards said manifolds to define an acute angle α between said legs equal to the difference between said drainage angles (Θ2-Θ1),

said first length L1 of said first leg being less than said second length L2 of said second leg for aligning said manifolds in juxtaposed relationship along said alignment axis Y for establishing a common draining point of said condensate at said juxtaposed manifolds,

said second drainage angle Θ2 being equal to or greater than 10 degrees and said first drainage angle Θ1 being equal to or greater than 20 degrees and said acute angle α being equal to or greater than 10 degrees for draining condensate along said tubes toward said manifolds.