De-superheated combined cooler/condenser

Abstract

A heat exchanger includes a first plurality of segments having a first plurality of tubes formed therein and a second plurality of segments having a second plurality of tubes formed therein. The first plurality of segments is coupled to the second plurality of segments such that the second plurality of tubes is fluidly coupled to the first plurality of tubes. The first plurality of tubes includes a greater cumulative cross-sectional area per segment than the second plurality of tubes per segment, and, as such, improves the overall heat transfer capability of the heat exchanger.

1 . A heat exchanger comprising: 
 a first plurality of segments having a first plurality of tubes formed therein; and    a second plurality of segments having a second plurality of tubes formed therein, said second plurality of tubes fluidly coupled to said first plurality of tubes;    wherein said first plurality of segments includes a different internal geometry than said second plurality of segments.    
     
     
         2 . The heat exchanger of  claim 1 , wherein said first plurality of segments is disposed proximate an inlet of the heat exchanger.  
     
     
         3 . The heat exchanger of  claim 1 , wherein said second plurality of segments is disposed proximate an outlet of the heat exchanger.  
     
     
         4 . The heat exchanger of  claim 1 , wherein said first series of tubes is integrally formed within each of said first plurality of segments and said second series of tubes is integrally formed within each of said second plurality of segments.  
     
     
         5 . The heat exchanger of  claim 4 , wherein each segment of said first plurality of segments includes more tubes per segment than each segment of said second plurality of segments.  
     
     
         6 . The heat exchanger of  claim 1 , wherein said second series of tubes includes a larger diameter than said first series of tubes.  
     
     
         7 . The heat exchanger of  claim 1 , wherein the heat exchanger is a condenser.  
     
     
         8 . A heat exchanger comprising: 
 a first plurality of segments having a first plurality of tubes formed therein; and    a second plurality of segments having a second plurality of tubes formed therein, said second plurality of tubes fluidly coupled to said first plurality of tubes;    wherein said first plurality of segments includes a greater number of tubes per segment than each of said second plurality of segments.    
     
     
         9 . The heat exchanger of  claim 8 , wherein said first plurality of segments is disposed proximate an inlet of the heat exchanger.  
     
     
         10 . The heat exchanger of  claim 8 , wherein said second plurality of segments is disposed proximate an outlet of the heat exchanger.  
     
     
         11 . The heat exchanger of  claim 8 , wherein said first plurality of segments and said second plurality of segments are extruded.  
     
     
         12 . The heat exchanger of  claim 8 , wherein said first plurality of tubes includes a greater cumulative cross-sectional area per segment than said second plurality of tubes per segment.  
     
     
         13 . The heat exchanger of  claim 8 , wherein each tube of said second series of tubes includes a larger diameter than each tube of said first series of tubes.  
     
     
         14 . The heat exchanger of  claim 8 , wherein the heat exchanger is a condenser.  
     
     
         15 . A heat exchanger comprising: 
 a first plurality of segments having a first plurality of tubes formed therein; and    a second plurality of segments having a second plurality of tubes formed therein, said second plurality of tubes fluidly coupled to said first plurality of tubes;    wherein said first plurality of tubes includes a greater cumulative cross-sectional area per segment than said second plurality of tubes per segment.    
     
     
         16 . The heat exchanger of  claim 15 , wherein said first plurality of segments includes more tubes per segment than said second plurality of segments.  
     
     
         17 . The heat exchanger of  claim 15 , wherein said first plurality of segments and said second plurality of segments are extruded.  
     
     
         18 . The heat exchanger of  claim 15 , wherein said second series of tubes includes a larger diameter than said first series of tubes.  
     
     
         19 . The heat exchanger of  claim 15 , wherein the heat exchanger is a condenser.  
     
     
         20 . The heat exchanger of  claim 15 , wherein said first series of tubes is integrally formed within each of said first plurality of segments and said second series of tubes is integrally formed within each of said second plurality of segments.