Heat exchanger

Abstract

A vapor compression system including a heat exchanger and a heat exchanger for use in a vapor compression system, the heat exchanger including a shell ( 76 ), a hood ( 86 ), a tube bundle ( 78 ), a distributor ( 80 ), and a passageway are disclosed. The shell ( 76 ) can include an outlet ( 104 ) configured to permit passage of vapor ( 96 ) from the shell ( 76 ), the hood ( 86 ) can be configured and positioned to cover the tube bundle ( 78 ) and the distributor ( 80 ), the tube bundle ( 78 ) can extend substantially horizontally in the shell ( 76 ), the distributor ( 80 ) can be configured to apply a fluid to the tube bundle ( 78 ), and the passageway can be configured and positioned to receive vapor ( 96 ) and provide a flow path for the vapor ( 96 ) to the outlet ( 104 ).

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         22 . A heat exchanger for use in a vapor compression system comprising:
 a shell;   a hood;   a first tube bundle;   a distributor;   a partition; and   a chamber;   the shell comprising an outlet configured to permit passage of vapor from the shell;   the hood being configured and positioned to overlie the first tube bundle and the distributor and substantially laterally surround substantially all tubes of the first tube bundle;   the first tube bundle extending substantially horizontally in the shell;   the distributor being configured to apply a fluid to the first tube bundle;   the partition being configured and positioned to separate the hood and the chamber; and   the chamber being in fluid communication with the outlet.   
     
     
         23 . The heat exchanger of  claim 22 , wherein the partition comprises a portion of the hood. 
     
     
         24 . The heat exchanger of  claim 22 , further comprising a protrusion, the protrusion extending from the partition to disturb vapor flow in the chamber. 
     
     
         25 . The heat exchanger of  claim 24 , wherein the protrusion extends from the shell. 
     
     
         26 . The heat exchanger of  claim 22 , wherein the partition extends substantially vertically within the shell. 
     
     
         27 . The heat exchanger of  claim 22 , further comprising:
 a second tube bundle configured to operate at least partially in at least an immersed mode in a continuous liquid mass; and   wherein the first tube bundle is at least partially above the second tube bundle;   wherein the hood terminates after covering the first tube bundle.   
     
     
         28 . A heat exchanger for use in a vapor compression system comprising:
 a shell;   a hood;   a first tube bundle;   a distributor; and   the shell comprising an outlet configured to permit passage of vapor from the shell;   the hood being configured and positioned to overlie the first tube bundle and the distributor and substantially laterally surround substantially all tubes of the first tube bundle;   the first tube bundle extending substantially horizontally in the shell; and   the distributor being configured to apply a fluid to the first tube bundle.   
     
     
         29 . The heat exchanger of  claim 28 , further comprising a protrusion extending from the shell. 
     
     
         30 . The heat exchanger of  claim 28 , further comprising a protrusion extending from the hood. 
     
     
         31 . The heat exchanger of  claim 28 , further comprising:
 a second tube bundle configured to operate at least partially in at least an immersed mode in a continuous liquid mass; and   wherein the first tube bundle is at least partially above the second tube bundle;   wherein the hood terminates after covering the first tube bundle.   
     
     
         32 . The heat exchanger of  claim 22 , wherein the hood is formed by the partition and a second partition extending from the shell. 
     
     
         33 . The heat exchanger of  claim 32 , wherein the partition and the second partition are positioned on opposing sides of the distributor. 
     
     
         34 . The heat exchanger of  claim 32 , wherein the heat exchanger is asymmetric corresponding to the hood. 
     
     
         35 . A heat exchanger for use in a vapor compression system, comprising:
 a shell;   a hood;   a first tube bundle;   a distributor;   a partition; and   a chamber;   wherein the heat exchanger is asymmetric corresponding to the hood.   
     
     
         36 . The heat exchanger of  claim 35 , wherein:
 the shell comprising an outlet configured to permit passage of vapor from the shell;   the hood being configured and positioned to overly the first tube bundle and the distributor;   the first tube bundle extending substantially horizontally in the shell;   the distributor being configured to apply a fluid to the first tube bundle;   the partition being configured and positioned to separate the hood and the chamber; and   the chamber being in fluid communication with the outlet.   
     
     
         37 . The heat exchanger of  claim 36 , wherein the partition comprises a portion of the hood. 
     
     
         38 . The heat exchanger of  claim 36 , further comprising a protrusion, the protrusion extending from the partition to disturb vapor flow in the chamber. 
     
     
         39 . The heat exchanger of  claim 38 , where the protrusion extends from the shell. 
     
     
         40 . The heat exchanger of  claim 36 , wherein the partition extends substantially vertically within the shell. 
     
     
         41 . The heat exchanger of  claim 36 , further comprising:
 a second tube bundle; and   wherein the first tube bundle is at least partially above the second tube bundle;   wherein the hood terminates after covering the first tube bundle.   
     
     
         42 . The heat exchange of  claim 36 , wherein the hood is formed by the partition and a second partition extending from the shell. 
     
     
         43 . The heat exchanger of  claim 42 , wherein the partition and the second partition are positioned on opposing sides of the distributor. 
     
     
         44 . A heat exchanger for use in a vapor compression system, comprising:
 a shell;   a hood;   a first tube bundle;   a distributor;   a partition;   a chamber; and   a protrusion;   the shell comprising an outlet configured to permit passage of vapor from the shell;   the hood being configured and positioned to overlie the first tube bundle and the distributor and substantially laterally surround substantially all tubes of the first tube bundle;   the first tube bundle extending substantially horizontally in the shell;   the distributor being configured to apply a fluid to the tube bundle;   the partition being configured and positioned to separate the hood and the chamber;   the chamber being in fluid communication with the outlet;   the partition comprising a portion of the hood;   the protrusion extending from the partition to disturb vapor flow in the chamber.   
     
     
         45 . The heat exchanger of  claim 44 , wherein the protrusion extends from the shell.