Heat exchanger

Abstract

A heat exchanger including a heat exchange fluid inlet, tubing coupled to the heat exchange fluid inlet, the tubing being configured to direct a flow of heat exchange fluid through the heat exchanger, the flow of fluid having a main fluid flow direction, and an air inlet configured to direct a flow of air in a generally collinear relationship with the main fluid flow direction.

1 . A heat exchanger comprising:
 a heat exchange fluid inlet;   tubing coupled to the heat exchange fluid inlet, the tubing being configured to direct a flow of heat exchange fluid through the heat exchanger, the flow of fluid having a main fluid flow direction; and   an air inlet configured to direct a flow of air in a generally collinear relationship with the main fluid flow direction.   
     
     
         2 . The heat exchanger of  claim 1 , wherein the tubing has an internal diameter and the airflow promotes boiling of the heat exchange fluid inside the tubing such that vapor pockets form within the tubing, the vapor pockets being configured to bridge the internal diameter so that liquid slugs are formed between the vapor pockets. 
     
     
         3 . The heat exchanger of  claim 2 , further comprising a first side and a second side, the heat exchange fluid inlet being disposed proximate the first side, and the main fluid flow direction is in a direction moving from the first side to the second side to cause a greater amount of vapor pockets to form at the first side where the heat exchange fluid is primarily in a liquid form. 
     
     
         4 . The heat exchanger of  claim 2 , further comprising a heat exchange fluid outlet, the substantially collinear relationship between the direction of air flow and the main fluid flow direction causing the vapor pockets to push the liquid slugs through the tubing so as to increase the amount of liquid heat exchange fluid that is provided towards the heat exchange fluid outlet. 
     
     
         5 . The heat exchanger of  claim 1 , wherein an amount of the heat exchange fluid comprises approximately 50 to approximately 55 grams of refrigerant. 
     
     
         6 . The heat exchanger of  claim 5 , wherein the heat exchange fluid comprises R-600a refrigerant. 
     
     
         7 . A heat exchange system for a refrigerator/freezer, the heat exchange system comprising:
 a heat exchanger comprising tubing having a serpentine configuration, the tubing being configured to direct a flow of heat exchange fluid in a main fluid flow direction; and   a fan configured to effect an airflow through the heat exchanger in a substantially collinear relationship with the main fluid flow direction,   wherein a substantially even distribution of liquid heat exchange fluid flows throughout the heat exchanger.   
     
     
         8 . The heat exchange system of  claim 7 , wherein the tubing has an internal diameter, vapor pockets forming within the tubing from the boiling of the heat exchange fluid inside the tubing, the vapor pockets being configured to bridge the internal diameter of the tubing so that liquid slugs are formed between the vapor pockets. 
     
     
         9 . The heat exchange system of  claim 8 , wherein the vapor pockets are configured to push the liquid slugs through the heat exchanger. 
     
     
         10 . The heat exchange system of  claim 8 , wherein the heat exchanger further comprises a first side and a second side, the heat exchange fluid being primarily in a liquid form at the first side of the heat exchanger, the main fluid flow direction being in a direction moving from the first side to the second side to cause a greater amount of vapor pockets to form at the first side where the heat exchange fluid is primarily in a liquid form. 
     
     
         11 . The heat exchange system of  claim 8 , wherein the heat exchanger further comprises a heat exchange fluid outlet, wherein the substantially collinear relationship between the airflow direction and the main fluid flow direction causes the vapor pockets to push the liquid slugs through the tubing such that a greater amount of liquid heat exchange fluid is provided towards the heat exchange fluid outlet. 
     
     
         12 . The heat exchange system of  claim 7 , wherein an amount of the heat exchange fluid is in the range of 50 to 55 grams of refrigerant. 
     
     
         13 . The heat exchange system of  claim 12 , wherein the heat exchange fluid comprises R-600a refrigerant. 
     
     
         14 . An appliance comprising:
 a housing;   a heat exchanger having heat exchange fluid flowing within the heat exchanger; and   an airflow duct configured to allow an airflow to circulate within the housing and through the heat exchanger,   wherein the heat exchanger is configured to direct a flow of the heat exchange fluid in a main fluid flow direction, the airflow through the heat exchanger moving in a substantially co-directional relationship with the main fluid flow direction, effecting a substantially even distribution of liquid heat exchange fluid throughout the heat exchanger.   
     
     
         15 . The appliance of  claim 14 , wherein the heat exchanger comprises tubing having an internal diameter where the airflow through the heat exchanger promotes boiling of the heat exchange fluid inside the tubing such that vapor pockets form within the tubing, the vapor pockets being configured to bridge the internal diameter so that liquid slugs are formed between the vapor pockets. 
     
     
         16 . The appliance of  claim 15 , wherein the vapor pockets are configured to push the liquid slugs through the heat exchanger. 
     
     
         17 . The appliance of  claim 15 , wherein the heat exchanger comprises a first side and a second side such that the main fluid flow direction is in a direction moving from the first side to the second side to cause a greater amount of vapor pockets to form towards the first side where the heat exchange fluid is primarily in a liquid form. 
     
     
         18 . The appliance of  claim 15 , wherein the heat exchanger further comprises a heat exchange fluid outlet, the substantially co-directional relationship of the airflow direction to the main fluid flow direction causing the vapor pockets to push the liquid slugs through the tubing such that a greater amount of liquid heat exchange fluid is provided towards the heat exchange fluid outlet. 
     
     
         19 . The appliance of  claim 14 , wherein an amount of the heat exchange fluid is in the range of 50 to 55 grams of refrigerant. 
     
     
         20 . The appliance of  claim 19 , wherein the heat exchange fluid comprises R-600a refrigerant.