Heat Exchangers and Headers Therefor

Abstract

In a first aspect of the present invention, a header for a heat exchanger is disclosed that has an inflow side, an outflow side, a bypass port therebetween, and a pressure-sensitive flapper valve proximal the bypass port. As pressure increases at the inflow side of the header, the flapper valve opens proportionally, and, as pressure decreases at the inflow side, the flapper valve closes proportionally. In a second aspect of the present invention, a tube-in-tube heat exchanger is disclosed that includes a helical tube-in-tube assembly adapted for flow therethrough of a plurality of fluids for heat transfer therebetween. In a third aspect of the present invention, a heat system is provided to include an embodiment of the header and an embodiment of the tube-in-tube heat exchanger, so as to provide a bypass of the tube-in-tube heat exchanger under a pressure condition.

1 . A heat system for allowing and inhibiting temperature alteration of water from a fluid circulation line in accordance with varying pressure, comprising: a heat exchanger having (i) a helical tube-in-tube assembly adapted for flow therethrough of water and a fluid for heat transfer therebetween, said tube-in-tube assembly having defined therein a primary water passage with a first end and a second end, and (ii) a tank with an annular chamber in which said helical tube-in-tube assembly is positioned; and a header having (i) an inflow side in fluid communication with said first end, (ii) an outflow side in fluid communication with said second end, (iii) a bypass configured for fluid communication with said inflow side and said outflow side, and (iv) a flapper valve, when oriented in a closed position, inhibiting fluid flow from said inflow side to said outflow side through said bypass, and, when oriented in an at least partially open position, permitting fluid flow from said inflow side to said outflow side through said bypass. 
   
   
       2 . The heat system of  claim 1 , wherein said tank defines an external cavity extending axially therethrough, and further including a compressor positioned within said external cavity, said compressor being in fluid communication with said helical tube-in-tube assembly for sending thereto and receiving therefrom said fluid. 
   
   
       3 . The heat system of  claim 2 , further including a base and a cover, said base and said cover cooperating with said at least one inner wall to at least partially enclose said compressor, thereby inhibiting the escape of sound from said external cavity. 
   
   
       4 . The heat system of  claim 1 , wherein said helical tube-in-tube assembly includes a water hose and a refrigerant tube at least partially extending through said water hose, said refrigerant tube and said water hose defining said primary water passage therebetween adapted for flow of water therethrough. 
   
   
       5 . The heat system of  claim 4 , further including a seal assembly releasably secured to said tank so as to permit refrigerant flow between said refrigerant tube and a tube external of said tank and so as to inhibit water flow out of said tank at said seal assembly. 
   
   
       6 . The heat system of  claim 4 , further including a substantially-enclosed diverter positioned within said annular chamber to direct a primary inflow of water into said primary water passage and inhibit leakage from said diverter into said annular chamber. 
   
   
       7 . The heat system of  claim 6 , wherein said substantially enclosed diverter is formed of a plurality of portions securingly aligned together to define a gap through which said refrigerant tube at least partially extends. 
   
   
       8 . The heat system of  claim 1 , further including a first leg having a first elevation and a second leg having a second elevation greater than said first elevation, said first leg and said second leg being releasably securable to said tank, wherein said tank includes a first post and a second post, said first leg including a first depression adapted to securingly receive said first post, said second leg including a second depression adapted to securingly receive said second post, wherein said second depression is shaped to inhibit insertion of said first post therein, and wherein said first depression is shaped to inhibit insertion of said second post therein. 
   
   
       9 . The heat system of  claim 1 , wherein said flapper valve includes a first flapper, a second flapper, and means applying a rotational force to said first and second flappers into said closed position of said flapper valve, each of said first and second flappers, when said flapper valve is in said closed position, being angularly displaced from another of said first and second flappers by a first angular amount, and each of said first and second flappers, when said flapper valve is in said at least partially open position; being angularly displaced from another of said first and second flappers by a second angular amount greater than said first angular amount. 
   
   
       10 . The heat system of  claim 1 , wherein said flapper valve is configured to be in said at least partially open position in response to a pressure drop across said heat exchanger. 
   
   
       11 . The heat system of  claim 1 , wherein said header includes a manifold at least partially defining said inflow side, said outflow side, and said bypass. 
   
   
       12 . The heat system of  claim 10 , wherein said manifold includes an inflow unit defining said inflow side, an outflow unit defining said outflow side, and a pipe defining said bypass. 
   
   
       13 . The heat system of  claim 11 , wherein each of said inflow unit and said outflow unit have a T configuration. 
   
   
       14 . A heat system for allowing and inhibiting temperature alteration of water from a fluid circulation line in accordance with varying pressure, comprising: a heat exchanger having (i) a helical tube-in-tube assembly adapted for flow therethrough of a plurality of fluids for heat transfer therebetween, and (ii) a tank defining an annular chamber in which said helical tube-in-tube assembly is positioned; and a header having (i) an inflow side in fluid communication with an inlet of said heat exchanger, (ii) an outflow side in fluid communication with an outlet of said heat exchanger; and (iii) a valve, when oriented in a closed position, inhibiting bypass flow from said inflow side to said outflow side, and, when oriented in an at least partially open position, permitting bypass flow from said inflow side to said outflow side. 
   
   
       15 . The heat system of  claim 14 , wherein said tank defines an external cavity extending axially therethrough, and further including a compressor positioned within said external cavity, said compressor being in fluid communication with said helical tube-in-tube assembly for sending thereto and receiving therefrom one of said plurality of fluids. 
   
   
       16 . The heat system of  claim 15 , further including a base and a cover, said base and said cover cooperating with at least one inner wall of said tank to at least partially enclose said compressor, thereby inhibiting the escape of sound from said external cavity. 
   
   
       17 . The heat system of  claim 14 , wherein said helical tube-in-tube assembly includes a water hose and a refrigerant tube at least partially extending through said water hose, said refrigerant tube and said water hose defining a primary water passage therebetween adapted for flow of water therethrough. 
   
   
       18 . The heat system of  claim 17 , further including a seal assembly releasably secured to said tank so as to permit refrigerant flow between said refrigerant tube and a tube external of said tank and so as to inhibit water flow out of said tank at said seal assembly. 
   
   
       19 . The heat system of  claim 17 , further including a substantially-enclosed diverter positioned within said annular chamber to direct a primary inflow of water into said primary water passage and inhibit leakage from said diverter into said annular chamber. 
   
   
       20 . The heat system of  claim 14 , wherein said valve is configured to be in said at least partially open position in response to a pressure drop across said heat exchanger. 
   
   
       21 . The heat system of  claim 14 , wherein said valve is a flapper valve configured to be in said at least partially open position in response to a pressure drop across said heat exchanger.