Interconnected microchannel tube

Abstract

The invention relates to a microchannel tube for use in a heat transfer system. The microchannels have openings in the partitions that separate them from each other, thereby creating many short interconnected passages through which a heat transfer medium will flow. This permits the liquid and vapor phases of the medium to mix, thereby increasing the efficiency of the system.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A heat transfer tube comprising a sheath surrounding a plurality of partitions forming microchannels therein through which a heat transfer medium can flow, the partitions including sidewalls having a plurality of openings therein, such that the heat transfer medium can flow between the microchannels thereby permitting mixing of liquid and vapor phases of the heat transfer medium for improved heat transfer of the tube.  
     
     
         2 . The heat transfer tube of  claim 1 , wherein at least 2 to 12 partitions are present so that at least 3 to 13 microchannels are provided in the tube.  
     
     
         3 . The heat transfer tube of  claim 1 , wherein at least 4 to 8 partitions are present so that at least 5 to 9 microchannels are provided in the tube.  
     
     
         4 . The heat transfer tube of  claim 1 , wherein the openings comprise about 1% to 20% of the area of the partition sidewall.  
     
     
         5 . The heat transfer tube of  claim 4 , wherein each partition has from about 5 openings per inch to about 1 opening every three inches along the length of the partition.  
     
     
         6 . The heat transfer tube of  claim 4 , wherein the openings comprise up to about 80% of the height of the sidewall of the partition.  
     
     
         7 . The heat transfer tube of  claim 1 , wherein the openings are round, square, rectangular, or triangular.  
     
     
         8 . The heat transfer tube of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of partitions are formed from a single sheet.  
     
     
         9 . The heat transfer tube of  claim 8 , wherein the sheet forms serpentine partitions.  
     
     
         10 . The heat transfer tube of  claim 1 , wherein the sheath is formed of copper or a copper alloy.  
     
     
         11 . The heat transfer tube of  claim 10 , wherein the partition sidewalls are formed of copper or a copper alloy.  
     
     
         12 . The heat transfer tube of  claim 1 , wherein the sheath and partition sidewalls are formed of aluminum or an aluminum alloy.  
     
     
         13 . The heat transfer tube of  claim 1 , further comprising fins attached to an outer surface of the sheath to assist in transferring heat therefrom.  
     
     
         14 . A heat exchanger comprising two opposing headers and a plurality of the heat transfer tubes extending between the headers, the heat transfer tubes comprising a sheath surrounding a plurality of partitions forming microchannels through which a heat transfer medium can flow, the partitions including sidewalls having a plurality of openings therein, such that the heat transfer medium can flow between the microchannels thereby permitting mixing of liquid and vapor phases of the heat transfer medium for improved heat transfer of the tube.  
     
     
         15 . In a heat exchanger that includes a plurality of microchannels therein through which a heat transfer medium flows, the improvement which comprises providing a plurality of openings in the microchannels, such that the heat transfer medium can flow between the microchannels thereby permitting mixing of liquid and vapor phases of the heat transfer medium for improved heat transfer of the tube.