Microchannel heat exchanger

Abstract

A microchannel heat exchanger is provided that is configured to drain condensate out of the microchannel heat exchanger. The microchannel heat exchanger has tube sections that are positioned at an angle with respect to a horizontal plane when the microchannel heat exchanger has a vertical orientation. The fins between the tube sections can be positioned perpendicular to the angled tube sections or can be positioned perpendicular to the horizontal plane.

1 . A microchannel heat exchanger comprising:
 first and second support members, the first and second support members being disposed substantially parallel to each other;   a plurality of tube sections disposed between the first and second support members, each tube section of the plurality of tube sections having a plurality of tubes to circulate a fluid;   a plurality of fins disposed between the plurality of tube sections; and   wherein the plurality of tube sections are positioned at a predetermined angle with respect to the first and second support members.   
   
   
       2 . The microchannel heat exchanger of  claim 1  wherein the predetermined angle is between about 3 degrees and about 45 degrees. 
   
   
       3 . The microchannel heat exchanger of  claim 2  wherein the predetermined angle is about 15 degrees. 
   
   
       4 . The microchannel heat exchanger of  claim 1  wherein the plurality of fins are oriented substantially perpendicular to the plurality of tube sections. 
   
   
       5 . The microchannel heat exchanger of  claim 1  wherein the plurality of fins are oriented substantially perpendicular to the first and second support members. 
   
   
       6 . The microchannel heat exchanger of  claim 1  wherein the position of the plurality of tube sections at the predetermined angle permits drainage of condensate from the microchannel heat exchanger. 
   
   
       7 . The microchannel heat exchanger of  claim 1  wherein the first and second support members, the plurality of tube sections and the plurality of fins are oriented substantially vertically with respect to each other. 
   
   
       8 . An outdoor unit for an air conditioning or heat pump system comprising:
 a compressor to compress a refrigerant for the system;   a fan configured and disposed to circulate air through the outdoor unit; and   a microchannel heat exchanger, the microchannel heat exchanger comprising:
 at least one support member extending substantially horizontally; 
 a plurality of tube sections disposed adjacent to the at least one support member, each tube section of the plurality of tube sections having a plurality of tubes to circulate a fluid; 
 a plurality of fins disposed between the plurality of tube sections; and 
 wherein the plurality of tube sections are positioned at a predetermined angle with respect to the at least one support member. 
   
   
   
       9 . The outdoor unit of  claim 8  wherein the predetermined angle is between about 3 degrees and about 45 degrees. 
   
   
       10 . The outdoor unit of  claim 9  wherein the predetermined angle is about 15 degrees. 
   
   
       11 . The outdoor unit of  claim 8  wherein the plurality of fins are oriented substantially perpendicular to the plurality of tube sections. 
   
   
       12 . The outdoor unit of  claim 8  wherein the plurality of fins are oriented substantially perpendicular to the at least one support member. 
   
   
       13 . The outdoor unit of  claim 8  wherein the position of the plurality of tube sections at the predetermined angle permits drainage of condensate from the microchannel heat exchanger. 
   
   
       14 . The outdoor unit of  claim 8  wherein the at lest one support member, the plurality of tube sections and the plurality of fins are oriented substantially vertically with respect to each other. 
   
   
       15 . A microchannel heat exchanger comprising:
 a plurality of tubes extending substantially horizontally and disposed substantially parallel to one another, each tube of the plurality of tubes having a plurality of channels to circulate a fluid;   a plurality of fins disposed between the plurality of tubes;   at least one header configured and disposed to distribute fluid to the plurality of tubes;   the plurality of tubes are positioned at a predetermined angle with respect to a horizontal plane; and   wherein the plurality of tubes, the plurality of fins and the at least one header are oriented substantially vertically with respect to each other.   
   
   
       16 . The microchannel heat exchanger of  claim 15  wherein the plurality of fins are oriented substantially perpendicular to the plurality of tubes. 
   
   
       17 . The microchannel heat exchanger of  claim 15  wherein the plurality of fins are oriented substantially perpendicular to the horizontal plane. 
   
   
       18 . The microchannel heat exchanger of  claim 15  wherein the position of the plurality of tubes at the predetermined angle permits drainage of condensate from the microchannel heat exchanger. 
   
   
       19 . The microchannel heat exchanger of  claim 15  wherein the predetermined angle is between about 3 degrees and about 45 degrees. 
   
   
       20 . The microchannel heat exchanger of  claim 19  wherein the predetermined angle is about 15 degrees.