Heat exchanger

Abstract

A heat exchanger is disclosed, which comprises an inlet header defining a refrigerant chamber therein; an outlet header spaced apart from the inlet header; a plurality of tubes, two ends of each tube being connected to and communicating with the inlet and outlet headers respectively; a plurality of fins, each of which is interposed between adjacent tubes; and a distribution tube disposed outside the refrigerant chamber and formed with a distribution opening, through which the distribution tube communicates with the refrigerant chamber. According to the present invention, the distribution tube is easy to assemble, disassemble and maintain. The refrigerants in the inlet header and the distribution tube do not disadvantageously affect each other, thus enhancing distribution of refrigerant.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A heat exchanger, comprising:
 an inlet header defining a refrigerant chamber therein;   an outlet header spaced apart from the inlet header;   a plurality of tubes, two ends of each tube being connected to and communicating with the inlet and outlet headers respectively;   a plurality of fins, each of which is interposed between adjacent tubes, and   a distribution tube disposed outside the refrigerant chamber and formed with a distribution opening, through which the distribution tube communicates with the refrigerant chamber.   
     
     
         2 . The heat exchanger according to  claim 1 , wherein the distribution tube is mounted onto an outer wall of the inlet header. 
     
     
         3 . The heat exchanger according to  claim 2 , wherein the distribution tube is formed integrally with a mounting foot, through which the distribution tube is mounted onto the outer wall of the inlet header. 
     
     
         4 . The heat exchanger according to  claim 1 , wherein a ratio of an inner diameter of the distribution tube to a hydraulic inner diameter of the refrigerant chamber is within a range of about 0.17 to about 0.79. 
     
     
         5 . The heat exchanger according to  claim 1 , wherein a partition is disposed inside the inlet header so as to divide an interior of the inlet header into the refrigerant chamber and a cavity isolated from each other. 
     
     
         6 . The heat exchanger according to  claim 5 , wherein the distribution tube is disposed inside the cavity. 
     
     
         7 . The heat exchanger according to  claim 1 , further comprising a communication pipe, a first end of which is connected to the distribution tube so as to communicate with the distribution tube via the distribution opening and a second end thereof communicates with the refrigerant chamber. 
     
     
         8 . The heat exchanger according to  claim 1 , wherein the distribution opening comprises a plurality of orifices formed in the distribution tube and separated from each other. 
     
     
         9 . The heat exchanger according to  claim 1 , wherein the distribution opening comprises a single slot formed in the distribution tube. 
     
     
         10 . The heat exchanger according to  claim 1 , wherein the distribution opening is circular and a hydraulic diameter thereof is within a range of about 0.2 mm. to about 4 mm. 
     
     
         11 . The heat exchanger according to  claim 1 , wherein a ratio of an area of the distribution opening to a cross-sectional area of the refrigerant chamber is within a range of about 0.3 to about 2. 
     
     
         12 . The heat exchanger according to  claim 1 , wherein a plurality of distribution tubes are disposed outside the refrigerant chamber. 
     
     
         13 . The heat exchanger according to  claim 1 , wherein a flow direction of a refrigerant in the tubes is at an angle of about 45° to about 315° with an opposite direction to an outflow direction of the refrigerant discharged from the distribution opening.