Horizontal discharge air conditioning unit

Abstract

Heating, ventilating, air conditioning or refrigeration (HVAC&R) systems and associated outdoor horizontal discharge units are provided. The units include a heat exchanger. The heat exchanger includes a plurality of manifolds. The heat exchanger also includes a plurality of multichannel tubes in fluid communication with the manifolds. Each multichannel tube includes a plurality of parallel flow paths through which an internal fluid flows. Each flow path extends lengthwise through its respective multichannel tube. The heat exchanger further includes a plurality of fins disposed between the multichannel tubes for transferring heat between the external air and the internal fluid flowing through the flow paths. The units also include a fan configured to blow air horizontally through the heat exchanger such that the air discharges the unit horizontally through at least one side of the unit.

1 . An outdoor heating, ventilating, air conditioning or refrigeration unit, comprising:
 a heat exchanger, comprising:
 a plurality of manifolds; 
 a plurality of multichannel tubes in fluid communication with the manifolds, each multichannel tube comprising a plurality of parallel flow paths through which an internal fluid flows, each flow path extending lengthwise through its respective multichannel tube; and 
 a plurality of fins disposed between the multichannel tubes for transferring heat between the external air and the internal fluid flowing through the flow paths; and 
   a fan configured to blow air horizontally through the heat exchanger such that the air exits the unit horizontally through at least one side of the unit.   
   
   
       2 . The unit of  claim 1 , wherein the unit comprises an air conditioning unit. 
   
   
       3 . The unit of  claim 1 , wherein the unit comprises a heat pump unit. 
   
   
       4 . The unit of  claim 1 , wherein the unit comprises an accumulator for storing internal fluid. 
   
   
       5 . The unit of  claim 1 , wherein the fan comprises swept wing fan blades. 
   
   
       6 . The unit of  claim 1 , wherein the fan is configured to draw air into the unit horizontally. 
   
   
       7 . The unit of  claim 1 , wherein the heat exchanger is a single slab heat exchanger. 
   
   
       8 . The unit of  claim 1 , wherein the heat exchanger is configured such that air blowing through the heat exchanger discharges horizontally through two sides of the unit. 
   
   
       9 . The unit of  claim 1 , wherein the manifolds are aligned vertically and the multichannel tubes are aligned horizontally. 
   
   
       10 . The unit of  claim 1 , wherein the manifolds are aligned horizontally and the multichannel tubes are aligned vertically. 
   
   
       11 . The unit of  claim 1 , wherein a first manifold is separated into an inlet portion and an outlet portion by a baffle, wherein the internal fluid enters the heat exchanger through the inlet portion and exits the heat exchanger through the outlet portion. 
   
   
       12 . The unit of  claim 11 , wherein the internal fluid flows from the inlet portion of the first manifold to a second manifold and from the second manifold to the outlet portion of the first manifold. 
   
   
       13 . A method of operating an outdoor heating, ventilating, air conditioning or refrigeration unit, comprising:
 drawing air into the unit via a fan;   blowing the air from the fan through a heat exchanger; and   discharging the air from the unit horizontally through at least one side of the unit.   
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the heat exchanger comprises
 a plurality of manifolds;   a plurality of multichannel tubes in fluid communication with the manifolds, each multichannel tube comprising a plurality of parallel flow paths through which an internal fluid flows, each flow path extending lengthwise through its respective multichannel tube; and   a plurality of fins disposed between the multichannel tubes for transferring heat to or from the internal fluid flowing through the flow paths.   
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the heat exchanger is a single slab heat exchanger. 
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the air is drawn into the unit horizontally through one side of the unit. 
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the unit comprises an air conditioning unit and the heat exchanger comprises a condenser. 
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the unit comprises a heat pump unit and the heat exchanger comprises an evaporator. 
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the heat exchanger extends along at least one side of the unit. 
   
   
       20 . A heating, ventilating, air conditioning or refrigeration system comprising: an outdoor unit, comprising:
 a compressor configured to compress a gaseous refrigerant;   a heat exchanger configured to receive and to condense the compressed refrigerant, comprising:
 a plurality of manifolds; 
 a plurality of multichannel tubes in fluid communication with the manifolds, each multichannel tube comprising a plurality of parallel flow paths through which the compressed refrigerant flows, each flow path extending lengthwise through its respective multichannel tube; and 
 a plurality of fins disposed between the multichannel tubes for transferring heat between the external air and the compressed refrigerant flowing through the flow paths; and 
   a fan configured to blow air horizontally through the heat exchanger such that the air exits the outdoor unit horizontally through at least one side of the unit; and   an expansion device configured to reduce pressure of the refrigerant; and   an evaporator configured to evaporate the refrigerant prior to returning the refrigerant to the compressor.