Cooler distributor for a heat exchanger

Abstract

A distributor ( 12 ) for an evaporator ( 22 ) in a vapor-compression circuit ( 10 ) comprises an elongate body ( 50 A. 50 B) defining an inlet portion ( 56 A) and first and second distal ends ( 58 A, 58 B). The body ( 50 A) being positionable along an interior sidewall ( 42 ) of the evaporator ( 22 ). The inlet portion ( 56 A) positionable opposite an inlet port ( 38 ) of the evaporator ( 22 ) such that refrigerant entering the evaporator ( 22 ) engages the inlet portion ( 56 A) of the distributor ( 12 ). The first and second distal ends ( 58 A, 58 B) extending outwardly towards opposing side ends ( 34 A, 34 B) of the evaporator ( 22 ). The elongate body ( 50 A, 50 B) cooperates with the sidewall ( 42 ) of the evaporator ( 22 ) to define a channel ( 49 ) having a generally uniform cross-sectional area extending from the first distal end ( 58 A) to the second distal end ( 58 B) such that refrigerant entering the channel ( 49 ) near the inlet portion ( 56 A) is initially substantially contained between the sidewall ( 42 ) of the evaporator ( 22 ) and the elongate body ( 50 A, 50 B). The elongate body ( 50 A, 50 B) defining discharge ports ( 60 A, 60 B) to disperse refrigerant from the channel ( 49 ) into the evaporator ( 22 ).

1 . A distributor for use in an evaporator for a vapor-compression circuit, the distributor comprising:
 an elongate body positionable within the evaporator adjacent a sidewall thereof;   an inlet portion positionable near an inlet port of the evaporator to receive a flow of refrigerant;   first and second distal ends extending along a length of the evaporator;   discharge ports positioned along a length of the elongate body; and   a channel having a cross-sectional area extending from the first distal end to the second distal end, wherein the channel is defined by the elongate body and the sidewall of the evaporator.   
     
     
         2 . The distributor of  claim 1  wherein the elongate body comprises:
 first and second side surfaces for including the discharge ports; 
 a bottom edge disposed along each side surface for contacting the sidewall of the evaporator; and 
 a top edge along which the first and second side surfaces are joined. 
 
     
     
         3 . The distributor of  claim 2  wherein the channel has a V-shaped cross section such that the channel has a substantially constant cross-sectional area. 
     
     
         4 . The distributor of  claim 2  wherein the discharge ports comprise elongate, tapered openings having increasing area extending from near the inlet portion to near the first and second distal ends, respectively. 
     
     
         5 . The distributor of  claim 4  wherein the discharge ports comprise cut away portions of the side surfaces extending into the bottom edge. 
     
     
         6 . The distributor of  claim 4  wherein the discharge ports are configured to be bounded by the bottom edge of the elongate body and the sidewall of the evaporator. 
     
     
         7 . The distributor of  claim 2  wherein the discharge ports comprise a series of windows positioned in the side surfaces that extend from near the inlet portion to near the first and second distal ends, respectively. 
     
     
         8 . The distributor of  claim 7  wherein the windows are bounded by interior edges within the side surfaces. 
     
     
         9 . The distributor of  claim 7  wherein the series of windows comprise rectangles extending into the side surfaces such that successive windows have larger areas. 
     
     
         10 . The distributor of  claim 7  wherein the series of windows comprise rectangles extending into the side surfaces such that successive windows have larger widths. 
     
     
         11 . The distributor of  claim 7  wherein the series of windows comprise rectangles extending into the side surfaces such that successive windows have larger heights. 
     
     
         12 . The distributor of  claim 1  wherein the first and second distal ends of the elongate body are open to permit refrigerant to escape. 
     
     
         13 . The distributor of  claim 1  wherein the discharge ports are configured to discharge an equal amount of mass of refrigerant at various positions along the elongate body. 
     
     
         14 . The distributor of  claim 13  wherein the cross section of the channel is configured to produce a decrease in velocity of refrigerant flowing from the inlet portion to the first and second distal ends, and the size of the discharge ports are configured to produce decreasing pressure differentials along the elongate body from the inlet portion to the first and second distal ends. 
     
     
         15 . An evaporator for use in a vapor-compression circuit, the evaporator comprising:
 an annular shell body comprising:
 an inlet port positioned on a wall of the annular shell body; 
 an outlet port positioned across from the inlet port; 
   a tube bundle extending generally across an interior length of the annular shell body;   a distributor casing extending across the an interior of the annular shell body and covering the inlet port such that a channel having a cross section is formed by the distributor casing and the annular shell body, the distributor casing comprising discharge ports positioned along a length of the distributor casing.   
     
     
         16 . The evaporator of  claim 15  wherein the discharge ports are configured to release an equal amount of mass of refrigerant at various positions along the channel. 
     
     
         17 . The evaporator of  claim 15  wherein the cross section of the channel is configured to produce a decrease in velocity of refrigerant flowing through the channel from near the inlet port, and the size of the discharge ports are configured to produce decreasing pressure differentials across the discharge ports extending from near the inlet and along the channel. 
     
     
         18 . The evaporator of  claim 15  wherein the discharge ports comprise openings having increasingly larger areas extending from near the inlet port through the channel. 
     
     
         19 . A method for distributing two-phase refrigerant in an evaporator using a distributor, the method comprising:
 introducing refrigerant into an evaporator;   channeling the refrigerant into opposing legs of a distributor, the legs having substantially constant cross-sectional areas;   disbursing the refrigerant from the channel into the evaporator through discharge ports positioned along lengths of the legs, the discharge ports having increasing areas extending along the lengths of the legs.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 20  wherein the step of disbursing the refrigerant further comprises continuously releasing refrigerant having uniform mass flow along lengths of the discharge ports.