Parallel Flow Heat Exchanger With Crimped Channel Entrance

Abstract

A parallel flow (minichannel or microchannel) evaporator includes channels which are crimped at or adjacent to their entrance location which provides for a refrigerant expansion and pressure drop control resulting in the elimination of refrigerant maldistribution in the evaporator and prevention of potential compressor flooding. Progressive crimping to counter-balance factors effecting refrigerant distribution is also disclosed.

1 . A parallel flow (minichannel or microchannel) heat exchanger comprising:
 an inlet manifold extending longitudinally and having an inlet opening for conducting the flow of a fluid into said inlet manifold and a plurality of outlet openings for conducting the flow of fluid transversely from said inlet manifold;   a plurality of channels aligned in substantially parallel relationship and fluidly connected to said plurality of outlet openings for conducting the flow of fluid from said inlet manifold; and   an outlet manifold fluidly connected to said plurality of said channels for receiving the flow of fluid therefrom;   wherein at least one of said channels is crimped to change the cross-section of said channel.   
     
     
         2 . A parallel flow heat exchanger as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said channels are crimped at their respective ends. 
     
     
         3 . The heat exchanger of  claim 2  wherein the crimped end is an entrance end. 
     
     
         4 . The heat exchanger of  claim 2  wherein the crimped end is an exit end. 
     
     
         5 . The heat exchanger of  claim 2  wherein the crimped end is in direct fluid communication with at least one of inlet, outlet or intermediate manifold. 
     
     
         6 . A parallel flow heat exchanger as set forth in  claim 2  wherein said channels are crimped at a predetermined distance from at least one channel end. 
     
     
         7 . The heat exchanger of  claim 1  wherein the channels are crimped in at least one intermediate position along channel length. 
     
     
         8 . A parallel flow heat exchanger as set forth in  claim 1  wherein at least one of said channels is crimped at two separate locations along its length. 
     
     
         9 . A parallel flow heat exchanger as set froth in  claim 1  wherein all of said channels are crimped at least at one location at their respective ends. 
     
     
         10 . A parallel flow heat exchanger as set forth in  claim 8  wherein all of said channels are crimped at two predetermined locations between their respective ends. 
     
     
         11 . The structure of  claim 1  wherein said heat exchanger is an evaporator. 
     
     
         12 . The structure of  claim 1  wherein said heat exchanger is a condenser. 
     
     
         13 . A parallel flow (minichannel or microchannel) heat exchanger comprising:
 an inlet manifold extending longitudinally and having an inlet opening for conducting the flow of a fluid into said inlet manifold and a plurality of outlet openings for conducting the flow of fluid transversely from said inlet manifold;   a plurality of channels aligned in substantially parallel relationship and fluidly connected to said plurality of outlet openings for conducting the flow of fluid from said inlet manifold; and   an outlet manifold fluidly connected to said plurality of said channels for receiving the flow of fluid therefrom;   wherein each of said channels is crimped to change the cross-section of said channel.   
     
     
         14 . A parallel flow heat exchanger as set forth in  claim 13  wherein each of said channels is crimped at their respective ends. 
     
     
         15 . The heat exchanger of  claim 13  wherein the crimped end is an entrance end. 
     
     
         16 . The heat exchanger of  claim 13  wherein the crimped end is an exit end. 
     
     
         17 . The heat exchanger of  claim 13  wherein the crimped end is in direct fluid communication with at least one of inlet, outlet or intermediate manifold. 
     
     
         18 . The heat exchanger of  claim 13  wherein the channels are crimped in at least one intermediate position along channel length. 
     
     
         19 . A parallel flow heat exchanger as set forth in  claim 14  wherein said channels are crimped at a predetermined distance from at least one channel end. 
     
     
         20 . A parallel flow heat exchanger as set forth in  claim 13  wherein at least one of said channels is crimped at two separate locations along its length. 
     
     
         21 . A parallel flow heat exchanger as set froth in  claim 13  wherein a plurality of said channels are crimped at least at one location at their respective ends. 
     
     
         22 . A parallel flow heat exchanger as set forth in  claim 13  wherein all of said channels are crimped at multiple predetermined locations between their respective ends. 
     
     
         23 . The heat exchanger of  claim 1  wherein the crimping is progressive along the channel length. 
     
     
         24 . The heat exchange of  claim 13  wherein the crimping is progressive along the channel length. 
     
     
         25 . The heat exchanger of  claim 1  wherein the crimping is progressive amongst the channels. 
     
     
         26 . The heat exchange of  claim 13  wherein the crimping is progressive amongst the channels. 
     
     
         27 . The heat exchanger of  claim 1  wherein the crimping is limited to an external channel wall. 
     
     
         28 . The heat exchanger of  claim 13  wherein the crimping is limited to an external channel wall. 
     
     
         29 . The heat exchanger of  claim 1  wherein the crimping modifies an external channel wall and an internal support member. 
     
     
         30 . The heat exchanger of  claim 13  wherein the crimping modifies an external channel wall and an internal support member. 
     
     
         31 . The heat exchanger of  claim 1  wherein the crimping changes the channel cross-section uniformly. 
     
     
         32 . The heat exchanger of  claim 13  wherein the crimping changes the channel cross-section uniformly. 
     
     
         33 . The heat exchanger of  claim 1  wherein crimping changes the channel cross-section non-uniformly. 
     
     
         34 . The heat exchanger of  claim 13  wherein crimping changes the channel cross-section non-uniformly. 
     
     
         35 . The heat exchanger of  claim 1  wherein the crimping results in at least one of a pressure drop control and an expansion control. 
     
     
         36 . The heat exchanger of  claim 13  in which the crimping results in at least one of a pressure drop control and an expansion control.