REFRIGERANT GUIDING PIPE AND HEAT EXCHANGER HAVING REFRIGERANT GUIDING PIPE

Abstract

A refrigerant guiding pipe for a heat exchanger having: a pipe wall in which an inner chamber is formed, an opening formed in the pipe wall, and a refrigerant guiding wall portion, at least a part of the refrigerant guiding wall being disposed to be substantially inclined with respect to an axial direction of the refrigerant guiding pipe to guide refrigerant passing through the opening. The refrigerant guiding wall portion is a recessed wall section depressed towards the inner chamber. The refrigerant guiding pipe can distribute and guide refrigerant well to help avoid non-uniform distribution of refrigerant due to layering of gaseous refrigerant and liquid refrigerant

Description

FIELD

The present invention relates to a refrigerant guiding pipe and a heat exchanger having the refrigerant guiding pipe.

BACKGROUND

The inlet and/or outlet manifold of a typical heat exchanger is provided with a refrigerant guiding pipe, and the refrigerant guiding pipe is used as a distributor in the inlet manifold and as a collector in the outlet manifold.

In the prior art, the refrigerant guiding pipe comprises a plurality of substantially circular openings arranged along a length of the refrigerant guiding pipe, and each of the openings has a center line directed substantially in a radial direction of the refrigerant guiding pipe. The refrigerant guiding pipe has an axial direction perpendicular to the center line of each of the openings.

SUMMARY

Therefore, in such a prior art refrigerant guiding pipe, resistance to refrigerant jetted through the openings is large, a great pressure drop is generated and distribution of refrigerant is adversely affected.

It is desirable, for example, to provide a refrigerant guiding pipe and a heat exchanger with the refrigerant guiding pipe which can improve uniformity of refrigerant distribution.

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a refrigerant guiding pipe. The refrigerant guiding pipe comprises a pipe wall in which an inner chamber is formed; an opening formed in the pipe wall; and a refrigerant guiding wall portion, at least a part of the refrigerant guiding wall portion being disposed to be substantially inclined with respect to an axial direction of the refrigerant guiding pipe to guide refrigerant passing through the opening. The refrigerant guiding wall portion is a recessed wall section depressed towards the inner chamber.

According to an aspect of the present invention, at least a part of an edge of the refrigerant guiding wall portion is separated from the pipe wall, thereby forming the opening.

According to an aspect of the present invention, at least a middle portion of the refrigerant guiding wall portion in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the refrigerant guiding pipe is positioned at an angle of more than zero degree and less than 90 degrees, desirably from about 5 degrees to about 75 degrees, with respect to the axial direction of the refrigerant guiding pipe; at least a portion of the refrigerant guiding wall portion is positioned at an angle of more than zero degree and less than 90 degrees, desirably from about 5 degrees to about 75 degrees, with respect to the axial direction of the refrigerant guiding pipe; or the refrigerant guiding wall portion is positioned at an angle of more than zero degree and less than 90 degrees, desirably from about 5 degrees to about 75 degrees, with respect to the axial direction of the refrigerant guiding pipe.

According to an aspect of the present invention, at least the middle portion of the refrigerant guiding wall portion in the direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the refrigerant guiding pipe has a section along the axial direction of the refrigerant guiding pipe, and the section is composed of a plurality of substantially straight line-shaped segments or has substantially a shape of a curve; or the refrigerant guiding wall portion has a section along the axial direction of the refrigerant guiding pipe, and the section is composed of a plurality of substantially straight line-shaped segments or has substantially a shape of a curve.

In an embodiment, at least a first end of the recessed wall section in the axial direction of the refrigerant guiding pipe is separated from the pipe wall, thereby forming the opening.

According to another aspect of the present invention, at least the middle portion of the recessed wall section in the direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the refrigerant guiding pipe is inclined with respect to the axial direction of the refrigerant guiding pipe, at least a portion of the refrigerant guiding wall is inclined with respect to the axial direction of the refrigerant guiding pipe, or the recessed wall section is inclined with respect to the axial direction of the refrigerant guiding pipe, and the first end of the recessed wall section is closer to an axis of the refrigerant guiding pipe than a second end of the recessed wall portion opposite to the first end.

According to an aspect of the present invention, at least the middle portion of the recessed wall portion in the direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the refrigerant guiding pipe has a section along the axial direction of the refrigerant guiding pipe, and the section has a shape of a substantially straight line or is substantially straight; or the recessed wall portion has a section along the axial direction of the refrigerant guiding pipe, and the section has a shape of a substantially straight line or is substantially straight.

According to an aspect of the present invention, at least the middle portion of the recessed wall section in the direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the refrigerant guiding pipe is positioned at an angle of more than zero degree and less than 90 degrees with respect to the axial direction of the refrigerant guiding pipe, or the recessed wall section is positioned at an angle of more than zero degree and less than 90 degrees with respect to the axial direction of the refrigerant guiding pipe.

According to an aspect of the present invention, at least the middle portion of the recessed wall section in the direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the refrigerant guiding pipe has a section along the axial direction of the refrigerant guiding pipe, and the section is composed of a plurality of substantially straight line-shaped segments or has substantially a shape of a curve; or the recessed wall section has a section along the axial direction of the refrigerant guiding pipe, and the section is composed of a plurality of substantially straight line-shaped segments or has substantially a shape of a curve.

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a heat exchanger with the refrigerant guiding pipe disclosed herein.

With some embodiments of the refrigerant guiding pipe, refrigerant flows through the opening obliquely with respect to the axial direction of the refrigerant guiding pipe, thereby reducing resistance loss and improving uniformity of refrigerant distribution.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a heat exchanger according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic view of a refrigerant guiding pipe according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a schematic sectional view of the refrigerant guiding pipe according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a schematic sectional view of a refrigerant guiding pipe according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged schematic sectional view of the refrigerant guiding pipe according an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6a is a schematic sectional view of a refrigerant guiding pipe according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6b is a schematic view of the refrigerant guiding pipe according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7a is a schematic sectional view of a refrigerant guiding pipe according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7b is a schematic view of the refrigerant guiding pipe according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8a is a schematic sectional view of a refrigerant guiding pipe according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8b is a schematic view of the refrigerant guiding pipe according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 9a and 9b are partially enlarged schematic views of a heat exchanger according to an embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 10 is partially enlarged schematic view of a heat exchanger according to an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A further description of the invention will be made as below with reference to embodiments of the present invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, a heat exchanger 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises a first manifold 102; a second manifold 101 spaced away from the first manifold 102 by a predetermined distance; a heat exchange tube 103 such as a flat tube having two ends respectively connected with the first manifold 102 and the second manifold 101 so that a refrigerant channel in the heat exchange tube 103 is in communication with the first manifold 102 and the second manifold 101; a fin 104; and a refrigerant guiding pipe 10, the first manifold 102, or the second manifold 101, or both the first manifold 102 and the second manifold 101 being provided with the refrigerant guiding pipe 10 therein. The heat exchanger may be any appropriate heat exchanger such as a heat exchanger with one row of core or a plurality of rows of cores or a heat exchanger with one or a plurality of loops. In addition, the heat exchanger may be a micro-channel heat exchanger. For example, the refrigerant guiding pipe may be applied to an inner chamber part of an inlet manifold of a plurality of loops of the micro-channel heat exchanger and an inner chamber part of a manifold between the plurality of loops to guide and distribute two-phase refrigerant.

FIGS. 2 and 3 show a refrigerant guiding pipe 10 according to an embodiment. As illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, the refrigerant guiding pipe 10 comprises: a pipe wall 17 in which an inner chamber 19 is formed; an opening 11b formed in the pipe wall; and a refrigerant guiding wall portion, at least a part of the refrigerant guiding wall is disposed to be substantially inclined with respect to an axial direction of the refrigerant guiding pipe to guide refrigerant passing through the opening 11b. At least a part of an edge of the refrigerant guiding wall portion is separated from the pipe wall 17, thereby forming the opening. The refrigerant guiding wall portion is disposed so that a direction of refrigerant flow flowing through the opening 11b is substantially inclined with respect to the axial direction of the refrigerant guiding pipe 10. For example, at least a part of the refrigerant guiding wall portion is positioned at an angle of more than zero degree and less than 90 degrees, desirably from about 5 degrees to about 75 degrees, with respect to the the axial direction of the refrigerant guiding pipe. For example, the refrigerant guiding wall portion is disposed such that refrigerant flow flowing through the opening 11b is inclined with respect to the axial direction of the refrigerant guiding pipe by an angle of more than zero degree and less than 90 degrees, desirably from about 5 degrees to about 75 degrees. Referring to FIGS. 9a and 9b, the refrigerant guiding pipe 10 has an open end 31 and another end 33 which may be closed or open.

The refrigerant guiding pipe 10 further comprises a recessed wall section 23 depressed towards the inner chamber 19. In an embodiment, at least a first end 231 of the recessed wall section 23 in the axial direction of the refrigerant guiding pipe is separated from the pipe wall 17, thereby forming the opening 11b. The recessed wall section 23 constitutes an example of the refrigerant guiding wall portion.

At least a middle portion 23a of the recessed wall section 23 in the direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the refrigerant guiding pipe, or the recessed wall section 23 is inclined with respect to the axial direction of the refrigerant guiding pipe 10, or at least a portion of the recessed wall section 23 is inclined with respect to the axial direction of the refrigerant guiding pipe 10, and the first end 231 of the recessed wall section 23 is closer to an axis 15 of the refrigerant guiding pipe 10 than a second end 232 of the the recessed wall section 23 opposite to the first end 231. The middle portion 23a extends from the first end 231 to the second end 232 in the axial direction of the refrigerant guiding pipe 10.

As illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, a method of forming the opening 11b is to cut a notch with a certain depth in a pipe wall of a circular pipe for forming the refrigerant guiding pipe in a cutting direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the circular pipe, and then to press the pipe wall of the circular pipe on one side of the notch in the axial direction to depress the pipe wall. The opening 11b and the recessed wall section 23 are thereby formed. An orientation of the notch is determined by two directions, one of which is a depth direction of the notch (i.e., a direction of the notch in depth) directed in a radial direction of the circular pipe (upward and downward directions in FIG. 3), and the other of which is the cutting direction perpendicular to the depth direction of the notch and the axial direction of the circular pipe. Alternatively, the depth direction of the notch may be positioned at an angle of less than 90 degrees with respect to the radial direction of the circular pipe, and the cutting direction of the notch may be positioned at an angle of less than 90 degrees with respect to the axial direction of the circular pipe. The notch may be any notch in any appropriate orientation.

As illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, a circumferential length of the notch, i.e., a length of a circular arc of a separated segment 12 at which the first end 231 is separated from the pipe wall, is L, and a distance or pitch between the adjacent openings is d1.

In an embodiment, at least the middle portion 23a of the recessed wall section 23 in the direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the refrigerant guiding pipe 10 has a section along the axial direction of the refrigerant guiding pipe, the section has a shape of a substantially straight line or is substantially straight, and at least the middle portion 23a of the recessed wall section 23 in the direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the refrigerant guiding pipe is inclined at an angle γ with respect to the axial direction of the refrigerant guiding pipe 10. Alternatively, the recessed wall section 23 has a section along the axial direction of the refrigerant guiding pipe, the section has a shape of a substantially straight line or is substantially straight, and the recessed wall section 23 is inclined at an angle γ with respect to the axial direction of the refrigerant guiding pipe 10. At least the middle portion 23a of the recessed wall section 23 in the direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the refrigerant guiding pipe is positioned at an angle γ of more than zero degree and less than 90 degrees, desirably from about 5 degrees to about 75 degrees, with respect to the axial direction of the refrigerant guiding pipe 10; or the recessed wall section 23 is positioned at an angle γ of more than zero degree and less than 90 degrees, desirably from about 5 degrees to about 75 degrees, with respect to the axial direction of the refrigerant guiding pipe 10.

The refrigerant guiding pipe 10 with the above configuration may also serve as a collector in the outlet manifold 101.

As illustrated in FIGS. 9a and 9b, whether the refrigerant guiding pipe 10 serves as a distributor in the inlet manifold 102 or as a collector in the outlet manifold 101, the end 31 of the refrigerant guiding pipe 10 may be connected to refrigerant piping but the other end 33 may not be connected to the refrigerant piping, or the other end 33 of the refrigerant guiding pipe 10 may be connected to refrigerant piping but the end 31 may not be connected to the refrigerant piping.

A row of the openings 11b or a plurality of rows of the openings 11b such as two or three rows of the openings 11b are disposed along the axial direction of the refrigerant guiding pipe 10.

Another method of forming the opening 11b is to form the opening 11b and the recessed wall section 23 by pressing.

In the above examples, the refrigerant guiding pipe 10 is formed with a pipe having a circular cross-section. The refrigerant guiding pipe 10 may also be formed of a pipe having any other cross section such as an elliptical or rectangular cross section. In addition, the refrigerant guiding pipe 10 may be formed of a pipe having a varying radius. The refrigerant guiding pipe 10 may be formed of any appropriate pipe known in the art.

Referring to FIGS. 1, 9a and 9b, when the above refrigerant guiding pipe 10 is used in the manifold 102 of the heat exchanger 100, refrigerant flows along the inner chamber of the refrigerant guiding pipe, and the recessed wall section 23 mainly functions to guide the refrigerant. The refrigerant is ejected to an inner cavity of the manifold along a surface of the recessed wall section 23 so that resistance loss is low. A part of the refrigerant can be ejected directly into inner chambers of flat tubes 103 and the remaining refrigerant rushes to an end of the manifold 102 and then flows reversely so that refrigerant is uniformly distributed to the remaining flat tubes 103. Refrigerant is mixed in the manifold 102 so that gaseous refrigerant and liquid refrigerant are uniformly mixed and do not layer.

FIGS. 4 and 5 show schematic views of a refrigerant guiding pipe 10 according to an embodiment. The refrigerant guiding pipe 10 according to this embodiment may be the same as the refrigerant guiding pipe 10 as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 except as described hereafter.

As illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5 and referring to FIG. 2, in the refrigerant guiding pipe 10 of this embodiment, at least the middle portion 23a of the recessed wall section 23 in the direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the refrigerant guiding pipe 10 has a section along the axial direction of the refrigerant guiding pipe 10, and the section is composed of a plurality of substantially straight line-shaped segments or a plurality of substantially straight segments; or the recessed wall section 23 has a section along the axial direction of the refrigerant guiding pipe 10, and the section is composed of a plurality of substantially straight line-shaped segments or a plurality of substantially straight segments. The middle portion 23a extends from the first end 231 to the second end 232 in the axial direction of the refrigerant guiding pipe 10. Alternatively, at least the middle portion 23a of the recessed wall section 23 in the direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the refrigerant guiding pipe 10 has a section along the axial direction of the refrigerant guiding pipe 10, and the section is composed of an arc-like segment; or the recessed wall section 23 has a section along the axial direction of the refrigerant guiding pipe 10, and the section is composed of an arc-like segment.

Alternatively, at least the middle portion 23a of the recessed wall section 23 in the direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the refrigerant guiding pipe 10 has a section along the axial direction of the refrigerant guiding pipe 10, and the section has substantially a shape of a curve or arc, or is substantially curved; or the recessed wall section 23 has a section along the axial direction of the refrigerant guiding pipe 10, and the section has substantially a shape of a curve or arc, or is substantially curved. The middle portion 23a extends from the first end 231 to the second end 232 in the axial direction of the refrigerant guiding pipe 10.

It may facilitate decrease of resistance to refrigerant flowing through the opening by configured the recessed wall section 23 in a shape of an arc or an arc-like shape.

FIGS. 6a and 6b show a refrigerant guiding pipe 10 according to an embodiment. The structure of the refrigerant guiding pipe 10 according to this embodiment may be substantially the same as that of the refrigerant guiding pipe 10 according to any one of the embodiments of FIGS. 2-5 except as described below. As illustrated in FIGS. 6a and 6b, the recessed wall section 23 is substantially triangular in shape, and the triangular recessed wall section 23 has a base connected with the pipe wall 17, and the other edges of the triangular recessed wall section 23 are separated from the pipe wall 17. In the embodiment, the entire recessed wall section 23 may be located substantially in one plane. In other words, the entire recessed wall section 23 may have a shape of a substantially flat plate.

FIGS. 7a and 7b show a refrigerant guiding pipe 10 according to an embodiment. The structure of the refrigerant guiding pipe 10 according to this embodiment may be substantially the same as that of the refrigerant guiding pipe 10 according to any of the embodiments of FIGS. 2-6 except as described below. As illustrated in FIGS. 7a and 7b, the recessed wall section 23 is substantially arcuate in shape, and the arcuate recessed wall section 23 has a straight edge connected with the pipe wall 17, and the other edges of the recessed wall section 23 are separated from the pipe wall 17. In the embodiment, the entire recessed wall section 23 may be located substantially in one plane. In other words, the entire recessed wall section 23 may have a shape of a substantially flat plate.

FIGS. 8a and 8b show a refrigerant guiding pipe 10 according to an embodiment. The structure of the refrigerant guiding pipe 10 according to this embodiment may be substantially the same as that of the refrigerant guiding pipe 10 according to any of the embodiments of FIGS. 2-6 except as described below. As illustrated in FIGS. 8a and 8b, the recessed wall section 23 has substantially a shape of an arch, except the first end 231 is separated from the pipe wall 17 and the other edges of the recessed wall section 23 are connected with the pipe wall 17.

It can be appreciated from the above embodiments of the recessed wall section 23:

At least the middle portion 23a of the refrigerant guiding wall portion, such as the recessed wall section 23, in the direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the refrigerant guiding pipe 10 has a section along the axial direction of the refrigerant guiding pipe, the section has a shape of a substantially straight line or is substantially straight, and the middle portion 23a is inclined at an angle γ with respect to the axial direction of the refrigerant guiding pipe 10. Alternatively, the refrigerant guiding wall portion such as the recessed wall section 23 has a section along the axial direction of the refrigerant guiding pipe, the section has a shape of a substantially straight line or is substantially straight, and the refrigerant guiding wall portion such as the recessed wall section 23 is inclined at an angle γ with respect to the axial direction of the refrigerant guiding pipe 10. The angle γ is about more than 0 degree and less than 90 degrees, desirably in the range from about 5 degrees to about 75 degrees.

Alternatively, at least the middle portion 23a of the refrigerant guiding wall portion in the direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the refrigerant guiding pipe 10 has a section along the axial direction of the refrigerant guiding pipe 10, and the section is composed of a plurality of substantially straight line-shaped segments or a plurality of substantially straight segments, or the section has substantially a shape of a curve or arc or is substantially curved; or the refrigerant guiding wall portion has a section along the axial direction of the refrigerant guiding pipe 10, and the section is composed of a plurality of substantially straight line-shaped segments or a plurality of substantially straight segments, or the section has substantially a shape of a curve or arc or is substantially curved. The middle portion 23a extends from the first end 231 to the second end 232 in the axial direction of the refrigerant guiding pipe 10.

In an embodiment, at least the middle portion 23a of the refrigerant guiding wall portion in the direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the refrigerant guiding pipe 10 has a section along the axial direction of the refrigerant guiding pipe 10, and the section comprises at least one of both at least one substantially straight line-shaped segment and at least one substantially curve-shaped segment; or the refrigerant guiding wall portion has a section along the axial direction of the refrigerant guiding pipe, and the section comprises at least one of both at least one substantially straight line-shaped segment and at least one substantially curve-shaped segment.

In the above embodiments, at least the first end 231 is separated from the pipe wall 17. Alternatively, at least a part of the edge of the recessed wall section 23 is separated from the pipe wall 17.

A heat exchanger 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below in detail. FIGS. 9a, 9b and 10 are partially enlarged schematic views of a heat exchanger 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIGS. 9a and 9b, in a region along an axial direction of the manifold 102 where the heat exchange tubes 103 such as flat tubes are disposed, the refrigerant guiding pipe 10 may be provided with the openings 11b.

As illustrated in FIGS. 9a and 9b, alternatively, for example, when the refrigerant guiding pipe 10 serves as a distributor in the inlet manifold 102, the refrigerant guiding pipe 10 is not provided with the opening 11b in a non-opening range from an inlet-side end 31 of the refrigerant guiding pipe 10 to a position spaced away from the end 31 in a direction extending from the inlet-side end 31 to another end 33 of the refrigerant guiding pipe 10. A number of the heat exchange tubes 103 such as flat tubes in the non-opening range is N, a number of the heat exchange tubes 103 over a range corresponding to all of the heat exchange tubes 103 is T, and a ratio of the number N to the number T is more than 20% and less than 99%. A good refrigerant distribution effect can be obtained with the ratio. Experimental results show that that when the ratio is more than 95% and less than 99%, a very notable effect of uniform distribution of refrigerant can be obtained. The refrigerant guiding pipe 10 with the above configuration may also serve as a collector in the outlet manifold 101 to achieve an effect of uniformly distributing refrigerant.

Whether the refrigerant guiding pipe 10 serves as a distributor in the inlet manifold 102 or as a collector in the outlet manifold 101, the end 31 of the refrigerant guiding pipe 10 will be connected to refrigerant piping but the other end 33 will not be connected to the refrigerant piping. Therefore, the refrigerant guiding pipe 10 may be designed in such a way that the number of the heat exchange tubes 103 such as flat tubes is N in the non-opening range from the end 31 of the refrigerant guiding pipe 10 to be connected with a refrigerant piping to a position spaced away from the end 31 by a predetermined distance, that the number of the heat exchange tubes 103 over a range of the refrigerant guiding pipe 10 corresponding to all of the heat exchange tubes 103 is T, and a ratio of the number N to the number T is more than about 20% and less than about 99%, desirably more than about 95% and less than about 99%.

As illustrated in FIG. 9a, the other end 33 of the refrigerant guiding pipe 10 may be sealed by means of an element 35. Alternatively, as illustrated in FIG. 9b, the element 35 may not be provided, and the other end 33 of the refrigerant guiding pipe 10 is open, thereby obtaining a very notable effect of uniformly distributing refrigerant. The refrigerant guiding pipe 10 with the above configuration may also serve as a collector in the outlet manifold 101 to achieve an effect of uniformly distributing refrigerant.

Two-phase refrigerant in the refrigerant guiding pipe 10 is ejected from the openings 11b, and a part of the two-phase refrigerant enters directly into inner chambers of the heat exchange tubes 103 such as flat tubes so as to avoid excess amount of liquid refrigerant from entering into the heat exchange tubes 103 such as flat tubes. The remaining refrigerant rushes to an end of the manifold 102 and then flows reversely to be distributed to the heat exchange tubes 103 such as flat tubes uniformly.

As illustrated in FIG. 10, the refrigerant guiding pipe 10 and the heat exchange tubes 103 are opposite to each other, or a center line 15 of the refrigerant guiding pipe 10 intersects elongation lines of axes 105 of the heat exchange tubes 103 such as flat tubes. Of course, the refrigerant guiding pipe 10 and the heat exchange tubes 103 may be positioned in any appropriate relative positions. A center line 14 (for example, an axis 13 of the channel) of the opening 11b substantially perpendicular to the axial direction of the refrigerant guiding pipe 10 is positioned at an angle φ from 0 to 90 degrees with respect to a longitudinal direction of the heat exchange tube 103 (or an axis 105 of the heat exchange tube 103), thereby obtaining a good refrigerant distribution effect. The center line 14 may intersect an axis 15 (an axial center line) of the refrigerant guiding pipe 10 and may be perpendicular to the axis 15 of the refrigerant guiding pipe 10, while the center line 14 passes through a midpoint of the opening 11b in a transverse direction. The transverse direction is perpendicular to the axis 15 of the refrigerant guiding pipe 10 and the center line 14 of the opening. As illustrated in FIG. 10, the transverse direction is a direction in which the axis 105 extends.

In the above embodiments, refrigerant flows along the inner chamber of the refrigerant guiding pipe, and the refrigerant guiding wall portion mainly functions to guide the refrigerant. The refrigerant is ejected to an inner cavity of the manifold along the refrigerant guiding wall portion so that resistance loss is low. A part of refrigerant can be ejected directly into inner chambers of the heat exchange tubes and the remaining refrigerant rushes to an end of the manifold and then flows reversely to be uniformly distributed to the remaining heat exchange tubes. Refrigerant is mixed in the manifold so that gaseous refrigerant and liquid refrigerant are uniformly mixed and do not layer.

The structures described in the above embodiments may be appropriately combined to form new embodiments. Features in one embodiment may also be applicable to the other embodiments or substitute for those of the other embodiments.

Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described with reference to the drawings, the embodiments shown in the drawings are intended to illustrate desirable embodiments of the present invention and shall not be construed to limit the present invention.

For example, the opening and the refrigerant guiding wall portion such as the recessed wall section have symmetrical structures in the above embodiments. Alternatively, the opening and the refrigerant guiding wall portion such as the recessed wall section may have asymmetrical structures. For example, when the refrigerant guiding pipe is made of a circular pipe, the opening and the refrigerant guiding wall portion such as the recessed wall section may be symmetrical or asymmetrical with respect to a plane passing through a center axis of the refrigerant guiding pipe.

In addition, in the above embodiments, the example of the refrigerant guiding wall portion is the recessed wall section. However, the refrigerant guiding wall portion is not limited to the recessed wall section. Refrigerant passing through the opening may be guided in other appropriate ways. For example, a separate refrigerant guiding wall portion such as a guide pipe and a guide element may be soldered to the refrigerant guiding pipe in the vicinity of the opening, or to an inside or outside of the refrigerant guiding pipe to guide refrigerant passing through the opening. In addition, the opening may have any appropriate shape and the refrigerant guiding wall portion may have any appropriate shape and structure.

Furthermore, in the above embodiments, at least the first end of the refrigerant guiding wall portion on one side in the axial direction of the refrigerant guiding pipe is separated from the pipe wall, thereby forming the opening. However, the present invention is not limited to this. Alternatively, the refrigerant guiding wall portion may be separated from the pipe wall only on one side or both sides of the refrigerant guiding wall portion in a circumferential direction of the refrigerant guiding pipe, thereby forming the opening; or the refrigerant guiding wall portion may be separated from the pipe wall at any other appropriate portion of the edge of the refrigerant guiding wall portion, thereby forming the opening:

Moreover, in the above embodiments, the refrigerant guiding wall portion may have a shape of a flat plate or a curved surface, or may comprise both a part having a shape of a flat plate and a part having a shape of a curved surface. The section of the refrigerant guiding wall portion along the axial direction of the refrigerant guiding pipe has a shape of a substantially straight line or is substantially straight, or the section is composed of a plurality of substantially straight line-shaped segments or has substantially a shape of a curve. Alternatively, the section of the refrigerant guiding wall portion along the axial direction of the refrigerant guiding pipe may comprise at least one substantially straight line-shaped segment, or at least one substantially curve-shaped segment, or may comprise at least one substantially straight line-shaped segment and at least one substantially curve-shaped segment.

Claims

1. A refrigerant guiding pipe for a heat exchanger, comprising:

a pipe wall in which an inner chamber is formed;

an opening formed in the pipe wall; and

a refrigerant guiding wall portion, at least a part of the refrigerant guiding wall being disposed to be substantially inclined with respect to an axial direction of the refrigerant guiding pipe to guide refrigerant passing through the opening,

wherein the refrigerant guiding wall portion is a recessed wall section depressed towards the inner chamber.

2. The refrigerant guiding pipe of claim 1, wherein

at least a part of an edge of the refrigerant guiding wall portion is separated from the pipe wall to form the opening.

3. The refrigerant guiding pipe of claim 1, wherein

at least a middle portion of the refrigerant guiding wall portion in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the refrigerant guiding pipe is inclined with respect to the axial direction of the refrigerant guiding pipe, at least a portion of the refrigerant guiding wall portion is inclined with respect to the axial direction of the refrigerant guiding pipe, or the refrigerant guiding wall portion is inclined with respect to the axial direction of the refrigerant guiding pipe.

4. The refrigerant guiding pipe of claim 1, wherein at least the middle portion of the refrigerant guiding wall portion in the direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the refrigerant guiding pipe has a section along the axial direction of the refrigerant guiding pipe, and the section has a shape of a substantially straight line, or is substantially straight; or the refrigerant guiding wall portion has a section along the axial direction of the refrigerant guiding pipe, and the section has a shape of a substantially straight line, or is substantially straight.

5. The refrigerant guiding pipe of claim 1, wherein at least the middle portion of the refrigerant guiding wall portion in the direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the refrigerant guiding pipe is positioned at an angle of more than zero degree and less than 90 degrees with respect to the axial direction of the refrigerant guiding pipe, or

the refrigerant guiding wall portion is positioned at an angle of more than zero degree and less than 90 degrees with respect to the axial direction of the refrigerant guiding pipe.

6. The refrigerant guiding pipe of claim 1, wherein at least the middle portion of the refrigerant guiding wall portion in the direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the refrigerant guiding pipe has a section along the axial direction of the refrigerant guiding pipe, and the section comprises at least one substantially straight line-shaped segment and/or at least one substantially curve-shaped segment, or

a section of the refrigerant guiding wall portion along the axial direction of the refrigerant guiding pipe comprises at least one substantially straight line-shaped segment and/or at least one substantially curve-shaped segment.

7. The refrigerant guiding pipe of claim 1, wherein at least an end of the refrigerant guiding wall portion in the axial direction of the refrigerant guiding pipe is separated from the pipe wall to form the opening.

8. The refrigerant guiding pipe of claim 1, further comprising:

a first end of the refrigerant guiding pipe to be connected with refrigerant piping, and a second end of the refrigerant guiding pipe opposite to the first end,

wherein the second end of the refrigerant guiding pipe is open in use.

9. A heat exchanger, comprising:

a first manifold;

a second manifold spaced away from the first manifold by a certain distance;

a heat exchange tube having two ends respectively connected with the first manifold and the second manifold; and

a refrigerant guiding pipe, comprising: a pipe wall in which an inner chamber is formed, an opening formed in the pipe wall, and a refrigerant guiding wall portion, at least a part of the refrigerant guiding wall being disposed to be substantially inclined with respect to an axial direction of the refrigerant guiding pipe to guide refrigerant passing through the opening and the refrigerant guiding wall portion comprising a recessed wall section depressed towards the inner chamber, wherein the first manifold and/or the second manifold has the refrigerant guiding pipe therein.

10. The heat exchanger of claim 9, wherein the refrigerant guiding pipe further comprises:

a first end of the refrigerant guiding pipe to be connected with refrigerant piping, and a second end of the refrigerant guiding pipe opposite to the first end, and

a non-opening range from the first end of the refrigerant guiding pipe to a position spaced away from the first end by a certain distance,

wherein a ratio of a number of the heat exchange tubes in the non-opening range to a number of all the the-heat exchange tubes corresponding to the refrigerant guiding pipe is more than about 20% and less than about 99%.

11. The heat exchanger of claim 10, wherein at least a part of an edge of the refrigerant guiding wall portion is separated from the pipe wall to form the opening.

12. The heat exchanger of claim 10, wherein

at least a middle portion of the refrigerant guiding wall portion in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the refrigerant guiding pipe is inclined with respect to the axial direction of the refrigerant guiding pipe, at least a portion of the refrigerant guiding wall portion is inclined with respect to the axial direction of the refrigerant guiding pipe, or the refrigerant guiding wall portion is inclined with respect to the axial direction of the refrigerant guiding pipe.

13. The heat exchanger of claim 10, wherein at least the middle portion of the refrigerant guiding wall portion in the direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the refrigerant guiding pipe has a section along the axial direction of the refrigerant guiding pipe, and the section has a shape of a substantially straight line, or is substantially straight; or the refrigerant guiding wall portion has a section along the axial direction of the refrigerant guiding pipe, and the section has a shape of a substantially straight line, or is substantially straight.

14. The heat exchanger of claim 10, wherein at least the middle portion of the refrigerant guiding wall portion in the direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the refrigerant guiding pipe is positioned at an angle of more than zero degree and less than 90 degrees with respect to the axial direction of the refrigerant guiding pipe, or

the refrigerant guiding wall portion is positioned at an angle of more than zero degree and less than 90 degrees with respect to the axial direction of the refrigerant guiding pipe.

15. The heat exchanger of claim 10, wherein at least the middle portion of the refrigerant guiding wall portion in the direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the refrigerant guiding pipe has a section along the axial direction of the refrigerant guiding pipe, and the section comprises at least one of at least one substantially straight line-shaped segment and at least one substantially curve-shaped segment, or

a section of the refrigerant guiding wall portion along the axial direction of the refrigerant guiding pipe comprises at least one of at least one substantially straight line-shaped segment and at least one substantially curve-shaped segment.

16. The heat exchanger of claim 10, wherein at least an end of the refrigerant guiding wall portion in the axial direction of the refrigerant guiding pipe is separated from the pipe wall, thereby forming the opening.

17. The heat exchanger of claim 10, further comprising:

a first end of the refrigerant guiding pipe to be connected with a refrigerant piping, and a second end of the refrigerant guiding pipe opposite to the first end,

wherein the second end of the refrigerant guiding pipe is open in use.