Vapor compression system

Abstract

An evaporator for use in a vapor compression system is disclosed. The evaporator may include an enclosure that covers a substantial portion of a tube bundle in the evaporator. The enclosure substantially prevents refrigerant vapor, generated as a result of the heat transfer with the tube bundle, from flowing laterally between tubes of the tube bundle. Various configurations of a distributor for distributing refrigerant to at least a portion of a tube bundle in the evaporator provides increased performance of the evaporator.

1 . A heat exchanger for use in a vapor compression system comprising:
 a shell;   a tube bundle;   a hood;   a distributor; and   the tube bundle comprising a plurality of tubes extending substantially horizontally in the shell;   the hood covers the tube bundle; and   the distributor is configured to mix vapor and liquid entering the distributor to form a mixed fluid, the distributor being positioned and configured to apply the mixed fluid to the tube bundle.   
   
   
       2 . The heat exchanger of  claim 1 , wherein the distributor comprises a plurality of baffles configured and positioned to provide a flow path in the distributor to mix liquid and vapor. 
   
   
       3 . The heat exchanger of  claim 2 , wherein the plurality of baffles are alternately positioned on opposed surfaces of the distributor. 
   
   
       4 . The heat exchanger of  claim 1 , wherein the distributor comprises a wire mesh configured and positioned to provide a flow path in the distributor to mix liquid and vapor. 
   
   
       5 . The heat exchanger of  claim 1 , wherein the distributor comprises a plurality of protrusions configured and positioned to provide a flow path in the distributor to mix liquid and vapor. 
   
   
       6 . The heat exchanger of  claim 5 , wherein the distributor comprises a plurality of openings positioned and configured to apply the mixed fluid to the tube bundle and the plurality of protrusions are positioned near the plurality of openings. 
   
   
       7 . The heat exchanger of  claim 5 , wherein the distributor comprises a plurality of openings positioned and configured to apply the mixed fluid to the tube bundle and the plurality of protrusions are positioned opposite the plurality of openings. 
   
   
       8 . A heat exchanger for use in a vapor compression system comprising:
 a shell;   a tube bundle;   a hood;   a distributor;   the tube bundle comprises a plurality of tubes extending substantially horizontally in the shell;   the hood covers the tube bundle; and   the distributor comprising a first distribution device configured and positioned to distribute vapor refrigerant and a second distribution device configured and positioned to apply liquid refrigerant to the tube bundle.   
   
   
       9 . The heat exchanger of  claim 8 , wherein the distributor is configured to separate liquid refrigerant from vapor refrigerant in a flow of refrigerant entering the distributor. 
   
   
       10 . The heat exchanger of  claim 9 , wherein the first distribution device is integral with the second distribution device. 
   
   
       11 . The heat exchanger of  claim 10 , wherein the first distribution device comprises at least one opening and the second distribution device comprises at least one opening. 
   
   
       12 . The heat exchanger of  claim 9 , wherein the distributor comprises a first chamber, the first distribution device comprises at least one opening in the first chamber and the second distribution device comprises at least one opening in the first chamber. 
   
   
       13 . The heat exchanger of  claim 12 , wherein the distributor comprises a second chamber positioned in the first chamber, the second chamber being configured and positioned to receive the flow of refrigerant entering the distributor, and the first distribution device comprises a least one opening in the second chamber and the second distribution device comprises a least one opening in the second chamber. 
   
   
       14 . The heat exchanger of  claim 8 , wherein the distributor is configured and positioned to receive liquid refrigerant by a liquid refrigerant line and vapor refrigerant by a vapor refrigerant line. 
   
   
       15 . The heat exchanger of  claim 14 , wherein the second distribution device is positioned above the first distribution device, the second distribution device being connected to the liquid refrigerant line and the first distribution device being connected to the vapor refrigerant line. 
   
   
       16 . The heat exchanger of  claim 15 , wherein the first distribution device is configured to distribute vapor refrigerant transverse to the liquid refrigerant applied by the second distribution device. 
   
   
       17 . A heat exchanger for a vapor compression system comprising:
 a shell;   a tube bundle;   a hood;   a distributor;   an inlet connection;   a refrigerant line connecting the inlet connection and the distributor;   the tube bundle comprising a plurality of tubes extending substantially horizontally in the shell;   the hood covers the tube bundle; and   the refrigerant line is configured and positioned to enable refrigerant in the refrigerant line to enter into a heat transfer relationship with refrigerant in the heat exchanger.   
   
   
       18 . The heat exchanger of  claim 17 , wherein the refrigerant line is configured and positioned in the shell to be surrounded by vapor refrigerant in the shell. 
   
   
       19 . The heat exchanger of  claim 17 , wherein the refrigerant line is configured and positioned in the shell to be surrounded by liquid refrigerant in the shell. 
   
   
       20 . The heat exchanger of  claim 17 , further comprises an outlet connection and at least a portion of the refrigerant line is positioned in the outlet connection. 
   
   
       21 . The heat exchanger of  claim 18 , wherein the refrigerant line comprises a second plurality of tubes, the second plurality of tubes being positioned near the hood.