MICRO-CHANNEL HEAT EXCHANGER INCLUDING INDEPENDENT HEAT EXCHANGE CIRCUITS AND METHOD

Abstract

A micro-channel heat exchanger including a first micro-channel heat conduit having a first end section that extends to a second end section through an intermediate section. The intermediate section includes a plurality of substantially straight sections and a plurality of bend sections that establish a first serpentine path. The micro-channel heat exchanger also includes a second micro-channel heat conduit having a first end portion that extends to a second end portion through an intermediate portion. The intermediate portion includes a plurality of substantially straight portions and a plurality of bend portions that establish a second serpentine path. The first serpentine path extends adjacent to the second serpentine path with the plurality of bend portions being interposed between the plurality of bend sections.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a National Stage Application of PCT Application No. PCT/US11/52480 filed Sep. 21, 2011, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Exemplary embodiments pertain to the art of heat exchangers and, more particularly, to a micro-channel heat exchanger including independent heat exchange circuits.

Conventional micro-channel heat exchangers include micro-channel tubes formed in a single serpentine path through which passes a coolant or refrigerant. A fluid flow, such as air, is passed over the micro-channel tubes. The fluid flow exchanges heat with the refrigerant. The exchange of heat results in a temperature change of the fluid flow. The exchange of heat is enhanced through the addition of fins that extend between the micro-channel tubes. In certain systems, the micro-channel tubes pass between an inlet header and an outlet header. Fins extend between adjacent micro-channel tubes to enhance heat exchange. When multiple, independent heat exchange paths are desired, the inlet and outlet headers are divided into distinct sections. Each section can then be operated independent of the other.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Disclosed is a micro-channel heat exchanger including a first micro-channel conduit having a first end section that extends to a second end section through an intermediate section. The intermediate section includes a plurality of substantially straight sections and a plurality of bend sections that establish a first serpentine path. The micro-channel heat exchanger also includes a second micro-channel conduit having a first end portion that extends to a second end portion through an intermediate portion. The intermediate portion includes a plurality of substantially straight portions and a plurality of bend portions that establish a second serpentine path. The first serpentine path extends adjacent to the second serpentine path with the plurality of bend portions being interposed between the plurality of bend sections.

Also disclosed is a method of forming a micro-channel heat exchanger. The method includes forming a first micro-channel conduit having a first end section that extends to a second end section through an intermediate section, and creating a first serpentine path in the first micro-channel conduit. The first serpentine path includes a plurality of substantially straight sections and a plurality of bend sections. The method also includes forming a second micro-channel conduit having a first end portion that extends to a second end portion through an intermediate portion, and creating a first serpentine path in the second micro-channel conduit. The second serpentine path includes a plurality of substantially straight portions and a plurality of bend portions. The first micro-channel conduit is positioned adjacent the second micro-channel conduit such that the plurality of bend portions are interposed between the plurality of bend sections. Adjacent ones of the plurality of substantially straight sections and substantially straight portions are connected.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The following descriptions should not be considered limiting in any way. With reference to the accompanying drawings, like elements are numbered alike:

FIG. 1 depicts a micro-channel heat exchanger including independent heat exchange circuits in accordance with an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a partial detailed view of a first portion of the micro-channel heat exchanger of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a partial detailed view of a second portion of the micro-channel heat exchanger of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 4 is a partial cut-away view of the second portion of the micro-channel heat exchanger of FIG. 3.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

A detailed description of one or more embodiments of the disclosed apparatus and method are presented herein by way of exemplification and not limitation with reference to the Figures.

With reference to FIGS. 1-4, a micro-channel heat exchanger constructed in accordance with an exemplary embodiment is indicated generally at 2. Micro-channel heat exchanger 2 includes a first micro-channel conduit 4 that defines a first heat exchange circuit (not separately labeled) and a second micro-channel conduit 6 that defines a second heat exchange circuit (also not separately labeled). First micro-channel conduit 4 includes a first end section 10 that extends to a second end section 11 through an intermediate section 12. First end section 10 is fluidly coupled to an inlet member 14 and second end section 11 is fluidly coupled to an outlet member 15. Inlet member 14 is configured to receive a fluid, for example, a first refrigerant. Intermediate section 12 includes a plurality of substantially straight sections 17-28, a first plurality of bend sections 30-34, and a second plurality of bend sections 40-45 that collectively define a first serpentine path 47.

Similarly, second micro-channel conduit 6 includes a first end portion 60 that extends to a second end portion 61 through an intermediate portion 62. First end portion 60 is fluidly coupled to an inlet member 64 and second end portion 61 is fluidly coupled to an outlet member 65. Inlet member 64 is configured to receive a second fluid such as a second refrigerant. The second refrigerant can be the same as, or distinct from the first refrigerant depending upon desired heat exchange parameters. In a manner also similar to that described above, intermediate portion 62 includes a plurality of substantially straight portions 67-78, a first plurality of bend portions 80-84, and a second plurality of bend portions 90-95 that collectively define a second serpentine path 97 that is fluidly isolated from the first serpentine path 47. Each micro-channel conduit 4, 6 includes a plurality of micro-channels such as indicated at 100 in connection with second micro-channel conduit 6 in FIG. 4.

In accordance with the exemplary embodiment, the first serpentine path 47 extends adjacent to the second serpentine path 97 with the second plurality of bend portions 40-45 being interposed between the first plurality of bend portions 80-85 and the second plurality of bend portions 90-95 being interposed between the first plurality of bend sections. In this manner, first micro-channel conduit 4 is interleaved with second micro-channel conduit 6. The term “interleaved” should be understood to describe that a portion of the plurality of straight sections 17-28 extend adjacent to other ones of the plurality of straight sections 17-28, while another portion of the plurality of straight sections 17-28 extends adjacent to select ones of the plurality of straight portions 67-78. Similarly, a portion of the plurality of straight portions 67-78 extend adjacent to other ones of the plurality of straight portions 67-78, while another portion of the plurality of straight portions 67-78 extend adjacent to select ones of the plurality of straight sections 17-28.

In further accordance with an exemplary embodiment, micro-channel heat exchanger 2 includes a first plurality of fins or centers 110 and a second plurality of fins or centers 115. First plurality of centers 110 extend between adjacent one of substantially straight sections 17-28 and adjacent ones of the substantially straight portions 67-78. That is, the first plurality of centers 110 extend between substantially straight sections or substantially straight portions associated with the same micro-channel conduit 4 or 6. More specifically, the first plurality of centers 110 are associated solely with either the first serpentine path 47 or the second serpentine path 97. In contrast, the second plurality of centers 115 extend between adjacent ones of the plurality of straight portions 17-28 and adjacent ones of the plurality of substantially straight portions 67-78. That is, the second plurality of centers 115 extend between substantially straight sections and substantially straight portions associated with the both first micro-channel conduit 4 and micro-channel conduit 6. More specifically, the second plurality of centers 115 join the first and second serpentine paths 47 and 97. At this point, it should be understood that although only two micro-channel conduits are shown, the number of micro-channel conduits employed by micro-channel heat exchanger 2 can vary.

With this arrangement, refrigerant can be passed through first micro-channel conduit 4, second micro-channel conduit 6 or both first and second micro-channel conduits 4 and 6. When refrigerant is passed through both micro-channel conduits 4 and 6, a fluid flow passing across the first and second plurality of centers exchanges heat with the refrigerant in both micro-channel conduits 4 and 6. The heat exchange surface area comprises the entire surface area of micro-channel heat exchanger 2. Similarly, if refrigerant is passed through one or the other of first and second micro-channel conduits 4 or 6, a fluid flow passing across the first and second plurality of centers exchanges heat with the refrigerant in flowing in the one of the micro-channel conduits 4 and 6. In this manner, the heat exchange surface area remains the entire surface area of micro-channel heat exchanger 2. Accordingly, exemplary embodiments enhance heat exchange in a micro-channel heat exchanger having multiple, distinct circuits. That is, in contrast to prior art arrangements in which only that portion of the fluid flow passing across an active circuit, e.g., upper or lower portions of the heat exchanger, the heat exchanger in accordance with the exemplary embodiment utilizes substantially the entire fluid flow passing over the heat exchanger.

While the invention has been described with reference to an exemplary embodiment or embodiments, 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 from 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 claims.

Claims

1. A micro-channel heat exchanger comprising:

a first micro-channel heat conduit having a first end section that extends to a second end section through an intermediate section, the intermediate section including a plurality of substantially straight sections and a plurality of bend sections that establish a first serpentine path; and

a second micro-channel heat conduit having a first end portion that extends to a second end portion through an intermediate portion, the intermediate portion including a plurality of substantially straight portions and a plurality of bend portions that establish a second serpentine path, the first serpentine path extending adjacent to the second serpentine path with the plurality of bend portions being interposed between the plurality of bend sections.

2. The micro-channel heat exchanger according to claim 1, wherein the first micro-channel heat conduit is fluidly isolated from the second micro-channel heat conduit.

3. The micro-channel heat exchanger according to claim 1, a plurality of centers extending between adjacent ones of the plurality of substantially straight sections and plurality of substantially straight portions.

4. The micro-channel heat exchanger according to claim 1, a plurality of centers extending between adjacent ones of the plurality of substantially straight portions.

5. The micro-channel heat exchanger according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of bend sections includes a first plurality of bend sections and a second plurality of bend sections.

6. The micro-channel heat exchanger according to claim 5, wherein the plurality of bend portions includes a first plurality of bend portions and a second plurality of bend portions.

7. The micro-channel heat exchanger according to claim 6, wherein the second plurality of bend portions is interposed between the first plurality of bend portions.

8. The micro-channel heat exchanger according to claim 7, wherein the second plurality of bend portions is interposed between the first plurality of bend sections.

9. A method of forming a micro-channel heat exchanger, the method comprising:

forming a first micro-channel heat conduit having a first end section that extends to a second end section through an intermediate section;

creating a first serpentine path in the first micro-channel heat conduit, the first serpentine path including a plurality of substantially straight sections and a plurality of bend sections;

forming a second micro-channel heat conduit having a first end portion that extends to a second end portion through an intermediate portion, the intermediate portion;

creating a first serpentine path in the second micro-channel heat conduit, the second serpentine path including a plurality of substantially straight portions and a plurality of bend portions;

positioning the first micro-channel heat conduit adjacent the second micro-channel heat conduit such that the plurality of bend portions are interposed between the plurality of bend sections; and

connecting adjacent ones of the plurality of substantially straight sections and substantially straight portions.

10. The method of claim 9, further comprising: connecting adjacent ones of the plurality of substantially straight portions.

11. The method of claim 9, wherein connecting adjacent ones of the plurality of substantially straight sections and substantially straight portions comprises joining the adjacent ones of the plurality of substantially straight sections and substantially straight portions with a plurality of centers.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein connecting adjacent ones of the plurality of substantially straight portions comprises joining the adjacent ones of the plurality of substantially straight portions with a plurality of centers.