Microchannel heat exchanger

Abstract

Disclosed is a microchannel heat exchanger ( 10 ) including at least one manifold ( 14 ) for distributing fluid and a plurality of tubes ( 12 ) extending from the at least one manifold ( 14 ). At least one tube ( 12 ) of the plurality of tubes ( 12 ) has a substantially curvilinear cross-section and includes a plurality of ports ( 24 ) extending from a first end of each tube ( 12 ) to a second end of each tube ( 12 ), the ports ( 24 ) capable of carrying fluid therethrough. A plurality of fins ( 16 ) are located along a length of the plurality of tubes ( 24 ). Further disclosed is a method for extracting thermal energy from a flow via a microchannel heat exchanger ( 10 ).

1 . A microchannel heat exchanger ( 10 ) comprising:
 at least one manifold ( 14 ) for distributing fluid;   a plurality of tubes ( 12 ) extending from the at least one manifold ( 14 ), at least one tube ( 12 ) of the plurality of tubes ( 12 ) having:   a substantially curvilinear cross-section; and   a plurality of ports ( 24 ) extending from a first end of each tube ( 12 ) to a second end of each tube ( 12 ), the ports ( 24 ) capable of carrying fluid therethrough; and   a plurality of fins ( 16 ) disposed along a length of the plurality of tubes ( 12 ).   
     
     
         2 . The microchannel heat exchanger ( 10 ) of  claim 1  wherein the at least one tube ( 12 ) of the plurality of tubes ( 12 ) includes a hollow portion ( 28 ) extending along its length, the plurality of ports ( 24 ) disposed between the hollow portion ( 28 ) and an exterior wall ( 30 ) of the tube ( 12 ). 
     
     
         3 . The microchannel heat exchanger ( 10 ) of  claim 2  wherein the hollow portion ( 28 ) is plugged at an end to prevent fluid from entering the hollow portion ( 28 ). 
     
     
         4 . The microchannel heat exchanger ( 10 ) of  claim 1  wherein the at least one tube ( 12 ) of the plurality of tubes ( 12 ) is substantially circular in cross-section. 
     
     
         5 . The microchannel heat exchanger ( 10 ) of  claim 1  wherein the at least one tube ( 12 ) of the plurality of tubes ( 12 ) has a substantially airfoil-shaped cross-section. 
     
     
         6 . The microchannel heat exchanger ( 10 ) of  claim 1  wherein at least two tubes ( 12 ) of the plurality of tubes ( 12 ) are connected at one end via a u-shaped connector ( 40 ). 
     
     
         7 . The microchannel heat exchanger ( 10 ) of  claim 1  wherein at least two tubes ( 12 ) of the plurality of tubes ( 12 ) are configured to improve interactions with airflow therebetween to enhance heat transfer. 
     
     
         8 . The microchannel heat exchanger ( 10 ) of  claim 1  wherein each fin ( 16 ) of the plurality of fins ( 16 ) includes at least one fin opening ( 20 ) through which at least one tube ( 12 ) of the plurality of tubes ( 12 ) passes. 
     
     
         9 . The microchannel heat exchanger ( 10 ) of  claim 1  wherein the at least one fin opening ( 20 ) includes a collar ( 22 ) to determine spacing between adjacent fins ( 16 ) of the plurality of fins ( 16 ). 
     
     
         10 . The microchannel heat exchanger ( 10 ) of  claim 1  wherein at least one fin ( 16 ) of the plurality of fins ( 16 ) includes at least one louver ( 18 ) to enhance heat transfer capability of the plurality of fins ( 16 ). 
     
     
         11 . The microchannel heat exchanger ( 10 ) of  claim 1  wherein each port ( 24 ) of the plurality of ports ( 24 ) is about 0.1 mm to about 5 mm in width. 
     
     
         12 . A method for extracting thermal energy from a flow comprising:
 urging a coolant from a manifold ( 14 ) into a plurality of tubes ( 12 ) in flow communication with the manifold ( 14 ), at least one tube ( 12 ) of the plurality of tubes ( 12 ) including:   a substantially curvilinear cross-section; and   a plurality of ports ( 24 ) extending from a first end of each tube ( 12 ) to a second end of each tube ( 12 ), the ports ( 24 ) capable of carrying fluid therethrough;   urging the coolant along a length of the tubes ( 12 ) via the plurality of ports ( 24 );   urging a flow across a plurality of fins ( 16 ) in thermal communication with the plurality of tubes ( 12 ); and   transferring thermal energy to the coolant via the plurality of fins ( 16 ).   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12  wherein the at least one tube ( 12 ) of the plurality of tubes ( 12 ) includes a hollow portion ( 28 ) extending alone its length, the plurality of ports ( 24 ) disposed between the hollow portion ( 28 ) and an exterior wall ( 30 ) of the tube ( 12 ). 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13  comprising plugging the hollow portion ( 28 ) at an end to prevent fluid from entering the hollow portion ( 28 ). 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 12  wherein the at least one tube ( 12 ) of the plurality of tubes ( 12 ) is substantially circular in cross-section. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 12  wherein the at least one tube ( 12 ) of the plurality of tubes ( 12 ) has a substantially airfoil-shaped cross-section. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 12  comprising:
 flowing the coolant through a first tube ( 12 ) of the plurality of tubes ( 12 );   flowing the coolant through a u-shaped connector ( 40 ) disposed between the first tube ( 12 ) and a second tube ( 12 ) of the plurality of tubes ( 12 ); and   flowing the coolant through the second tube ( 12 ).   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 12  wherein at least two tubes ( 12 ) of the plurality of tubes ( 12 ) are configured to improve interactions with airflow therebetween to enhance heat transfer. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 12  wherein each fin ( 16 ) of the plurality of fins ( 16 ) includes at least one fin opening ( 20 ) through which at least one tube ( 12 ) of the plurality of tubes ( 12 ) passes. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 12  comprising urging the flow past at least one louver ( 18 ) disposed in the plurality of fins ( 16 ) to enhance heat transfer capability.