Multi-flow condenser for air conditioning systems

Abstract

A multi-flow heat exchanger for an air conditioning system includes two rows of fluid carrying tubes coupled between a pair of manifolds. Each of the manifolds includes at least one partition to divide an inner space thereof into at least a first chamber and a second chamber. Each of the chambers in fluid communication with at least one of the first row of tubes and at least one of second row of tubes. The two rows of fluid carrying tubes are separated by heat dissipative fins disposed between the tubes.

1 . A condenser for an air conditioning system, comprising: 
 a first manifold having at least one partition to divide an inner space thereof into at least a first chamber and a second chamber;    a second manifold having at least one partition to divide an inner space thereof into at least a first chamber and a second chamber;    a first set of fluid carrying tubes comprising at least two rows of tubes coupled between the manifolds to carry fluid from the first chamber of the first manifold to the first chamber of the second manifold;    a second set of fluid carrying tubes comprising at least two rows of tubes coupled between the manifolds to carry fluid from the first chamber of the second manifold to the second chamber of the first manifold; and    a third set of fluid carrying tubes comprising at least two rows of tubes coupled between the manifolds to carry fluid from the second chamber of the first manifold to the second chamber of the second manifold.    
   
   
       2 . The condenser of  claim 1 , wherein each of the fluid carrying tubes has a round cross section from 3/16 to 7/16 inch in diameter.  
   
   
       3 . The condenser of  claim 1 , wherein each of the fluid carrying tubes has a round cross section from 4/16 to 6/16 inch in diameter.  
   
   
       4 . The condenser of  claim 1 , wherein each of the fluid carrying tubes is separated by at least 3/16 inch.  
   
   
       5 . The condenser of  claim 1 , wherein the at least two rows of tubes coupled between the first manifold and the second manifold are separated by heat dissipative fins disposed therebetween.  
   
   
       6 . The condenser of  claim 1 , wherein the air conditioning system is adapted for use with R-134A type refrigerant.  
   
   
       7 . The condenser of  claim 1 , wherein the first manifold comprises at least two partitions to divide the inner space thereof into the first chamber, the second chamber and a third chamber.  
   
   
       8 . The condenser of  claim 7 , further comprising: 
 a fourth set of fluid carrying tubes comprising at least two rows of tubes coupled between the manifolds to carry fluid from the second chamber of the second manifold to the third chamber of the first manifold.    
   
   
       9 . The condenser of  claim 8 , further comprising: 
 an inlet provided in the first manifold to enable fluid to enter the first chamber of the first manifold; and    an outlet provided in the first manifold to enable fluid to leave the third chamber of the first manifold.    
   
   
       10 . The condenser of  claim 1 , wherein the first chamber and the second chamber of the first manifold are undivided in a longitudinal axis; and 
 the first chamber and the second chamber of the second manifold are undivided in a longitudinal axis.    
   
   
       11 . The condenser of  claim 1 , wherein the first row of tubes is disposed in a plane parallel to the second row of tubes, and 
 the first row of tubes is positioned with respect to the second row of tubes such that the tubes of the first row are staggered with respect the tubes of the second row.    
   
   
       12 . A manifold for a heat exchanger, comprising: 
 an elongated member having a longitudinal axis and a first end and a second end; and    at least one partition transverse to the longitudinal axis provided in the elongated member to divide an inner space of the elongated member into at least a first chamber and a second chamber, wherein the first chamber is capable of establishing fluid communication with at least two rows of heat exchange tubes and the second chamber is capable of establishing fluid communication with at least two rows of heat exchange tubes.    
   
   
       13 . The manifold of  claim 12 , wherein the elongated member includes rows of holes are sized and shaped to receive heat exchange tubes having a round cross section from 3/16 to 7/16 inch in diameter.  
   
   
       14 . The manifold of  claim 12 , wherein the elongated member includes rows of holes are sized and shaped to receive heat exchange tubes having a round cross section from 4/16 to 6/16 inch in diameter.  
   
   
       15 . The manifold of  claim 12 , wherein each of the rows of holes is at least 3/16 inch apart from adjacent holes.  
   
   
       16 . The manifold of  claim 12 , wherein the first chamber and the second chamber are undivided in a longitudinal axis.  
   
   
       17 . The manifold of  claim 12 , wherein the elongated member comprises: 
 a half-cylindrical shaped section;    a plane shaped section fixed to the half-cylindrical shaped section to form the elongated member, the plane shaped section having first and second rows of holes configured to receive round heat exchange tubes;    a first end plate fixed to the first end of the elongated member; and    a second end plate fixed to the second end of the elongated member.    
   
   
       18 . The manifold of  claim 17 , wherein the second row of holes are staggered with respect to the first row of holes.  
   
   
       19 . The manifold of  claim 12 , further comprising: 
 an inlet provided in the elongated member and in fluid communication with one of the chambers; and    an outlet provided in the elongated member and in fluid communication with another one of the chambers.    
   
   
       20 . A heat exchanger comprising: 
 a first row of heat exchange tubes;    a second row of heat exchange tubes;    a plurality of heat dissipative fins disposed between the tubes;    a first manifold including at least one partition to divide an inner space thereof into at least a first chamber and a second chamber, the first chamber of the first manifold in fluid communication with at least one of the first row of tubes and at least one of second row of tubes, the second chamber of the first manifold in fluid communication with at least another one of the first row of and at least another one of second row of tubes;    a second manifold including at least one partition to divide an inner space thereof into at least a first chamber and a second chamber, the first chamber of the second manifold in fluid communication with at least one of the first row of tubes and at least one of second row of tubes, the second chamber of the second manifold in fluid communication with at least another one of the first row of and at least another one of second row of tubes;    an inlet provided in one of the manifolds; and    an outlet provided in one of the manifolds.    
   
   
       21 . The heat exchanger of  claim 20 , wherein the heat exchanger adapted for use with an air conditioning system using R-134A type refrigerant.  
   
   
       22 . The heat exchanger of  claim 20 , wherein each of the tubes has a round cross section from 3/16 to 7/16 inch in diameter.  
   
   
       23 . The heat exchanger of  claim 20 , wherein each of the tubes has a round cross section from 4/16 to 6/16 inch in diameter.  
   
   
       24 . The heat exchanger of  claim 20 , wherein the first row of heat exchange tubes and the second row of heat exchange tubes are separated by the heat dissipative fins disposed between the tubes.  
   
   
       25 . The heat exchanger of  claim 20 , wherein the first chamber and the second chamber of the first manifold are undivided in a longitudinal axis; and 
 the first chamber and the second chamber of the second manifold are undivided in a longitudinal axis.    
   
   
       26 . The heat exchanger of  claim 20 , wherein the first row of tubes is disposed in a plane parallel to the second row of tubes, and 
 the first row of tubes is positioned with respect to the second row of tubes such that the tubes of the first row are staggered with the tubes of the second row.    
   
   
       27 . The heat exchanger of  claim 20 , wherein at least one of the manifolds comprises: 
 an elongated half-cylindrical shaped section; and    a plane section fixed to the elongated half-cylindrical shaped section to form a hollow member having semi-cylindrical cross-section.    
   
   
       28 . The heat exchanger of  claim 27 , wherein the plane section includes a first row of holes and a second row of holes to receive the first row of tubes and the second row of tubes, respectively.  
   
   
       29 . The heat exchanger of  claim 20 , wherein the heat exchange tubes have round cross-section, and the first row of holes and the second row of holes are configured to receive round heat exchange tubes.