Heat exchanger

Abstract

The invention is directed to a heat exchanger ( 10 ) having a block ( 2 ) which includes a plurality of tubes ( 11 ) for conducting a fluid therethrough. The heat exchanger also includes a collector ( 5 ) having a tube base ( 4 ). The tubes have tube end sections ( 11 ) and the tubes are inserted into the tube base so that the end sections are accommodated therein and extend into the collector to an insertion depth (x). The insertion depth (x) of the end sections ( 11 a ) is variable. The heat exchanger is preferably used as an evaporator in climate control systems for motor vehicles.

1 . A heat exchanger comprising: 
 a block including a plurality of tubes for conducting a fluid therethrough;    a collector having a tube base;    said plurality of tubes having respective end sections;    said plurality of tubes being inserted into said tube base so as to cause said end sections to be accommodated in said tube base and to extend into said collector to an insertion depth (x); and,    said insertion depth (x) being variable.    
   
   
       2 . The heat exchanger of  claim 1 , wherein said heat exchanger is an evaporator.  
   
   
       3 . The heat exchanger of  claim 2 , wherein said fluid is a two-phase fluid.  
   
   
       4 . The heat exchanger of  claim 3 , wherein said fluid is a refrigerant.  
   
   
       5 . The heat exchanger of  claim 1 , wherein said collector includes at least one inlet chamber.  
   
   
       6 . The heat exchanger of  claim 5 , wherein said inlet chamber has an end face; and, said collector includes an injection opening for passing said fluid into said header.  
   
   
       7 . The heat exchanger of  claim 5 , wherein said inlet chamber, viewed geodetically, is disposed above said block and said end sections of said tubes communicate with said inlet chamber; and, said tubes are mounted relative to said inlet chamber so as to permit said fluid to flow downwardly through said tubes in a direction corresponding to the direction of gravitational force.  
   
   
       8 . The heat exchanger of  claim 5 , wherein said inlet chamber, viewed geodetically, is disposed below said block and said end sections communicate with said inlet chamber; and, said tubes are mounted relative to said inlet chamber so as to permit said fluid to flow through said tubes upwardly in a direction opposite to the direction of gravitational force.  
   
   
       9 . The heat exchanger of  claim 7 , wherein said insertion depth (x) decreases with increasing distance (a) of said end sections away from said injection opening.  
   
   
       10 . The heat exchanger of  claim 8 , wherein said insertion depth (x) increases with increasing distance (a) of said end sections away from said injection opening.  
   
   
       11 . The heat exchanger of  claim 1 , wherein said insertion depth (x) changes in accordance with a linear function.  
   
   
       12 . The heat exchanger of  claim 1 , wherein said insertion depth (x) changes in accordance with a nonlinear function.  
   
   
       13 . The heat exchanger of  claim 1 , wherein said plurality of tubes are apportioned into first and second sets of tubes through which said fluid flows; and, said insertion depth (x) is variable at least for said first set of tubes.  
   
   
       14 . The heat exchanger of  claim 1 , wherein said tubes are configured as flat tubes.  
   
   
       15 . The heat exchanger of  claim 14 , wherein said flat tubes are configured as multi-chamber tubes.  
   
   
       16 . A climate control system comprising a heat exchanger; and, 
 said heat exchanger includes:    a block including a plurality of tubes for conducting a fluid therethrough;    a collector having a tube base;    said plurality of tubes having respective end sections;    said plurality of tubes being inserted into said tube base so as to cause said end sections to be accommodated in said tube base and to extend into said collector to an insertion depth (x); and,    said insertion depth (x) being variable.