Fluid distribution device

Abstract

A heat exchanger assembly including a first manifold extending along an axis between first manifold ends and including an inner wall presenting an interior. A fluid distribution device is disposed in the interior of the first manifold and includes an inlet tube extending along the axis from an inlet end to a distribution end. The inlet tube presents a plurality of apertures spaced circumferentially from one another and spaced axially from the distribution end for dispensing the refrigerant in a radial direction out of the inlet tube. The fluid distribution device further includes a collar surrounding and spaced radially from the inlet tube and extending axially in both directions axially from the apertures of the inlet tube for redirecting into an axial direction the refrigerant flowing in the radial direction out of the apertures to evenly distribute the refrigerant across the interior of the first manifold.

1 . A heat exchanger assembly for transferring heat between a first fluid and a second fluid, said assembly comprising:
 a first manifold extending along an axis between first manifold ends and including an inner wall presenting an interior;   a fluid distribution device disposed in said interior of said first manifold and including an inlet tube extending along said axis from an inlet end to a distribution end;   said inlet tube presenting at least one aperture for dispensing the first fluid in a radial direction out of said inlet tube and into said interior of said first manifold; and   said fluid distribution device including a collar surrounding and spaced radially from said inlet tube and extending axially in both directions axially from said at least one aperture of said inlet tube for re-directing into an axial direction the first fluid flowing in said radial direction out of said at least one aperture to evenly distribute the first fluid across said interior of said first manifold.   
     
     
         2 . The assembly as set forth in  claim 1  including at least one spoke extending in a radial direction from said inlet tube to said collar for supporting said collar in said interior of said first manifold. 
     
     
         3 . The assembly as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said collar has a cylindrical shape and is spaced radially between said inlet tube and said inner wall of said first manifold. 
     
     
         4 . The assembly as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said inlet end of said inlet tube of said fluid distribution device is disposed adjacent to one of said first manifold ends for receiving the first fluid. 
     
     
         5 . The assembly as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said distribution end of said inlet tube is disposed axially between said first manifold ends and is closed for restricting the first fluid from flowing axially out of said inlet tube and for mixing gaseous and liquid phases of the first fluid. 
     
     
         6 . The assembly as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said first manifold has a first manifold diameter and wherein said inlet tube has a tube diameter smaller than said first manifold diameter. 
     
     
         7 . The assembly as set forth in  claim 1  further including a second manifold extending in spaced and parallel relationship with said first manifold. 
     
     
         8 . The assembly as set forth in  claim 7  wherein said first manifold presents a plurality of first tube slots spaced from one another along said axis and wherein said second manifold presents a plurality of second tube slots spaced from one another and aligned with said first tube slots of said first manifold. 
     
     
         9 . The assembly as set forth in  claim 8  further including a heat exchanger core disposed between said first and second manifolds and including a plurality of tubes extending into said aligned first and second tube slots for conveying the first refrigerant from said first manifold to said second manifold. 
     
     
         10 . The assembly as set forth in  claim 9  wherein said heat exchanger core includes a plurality of air fins disposed between said tubes for transferring heat between the first fluid in said tubes and the second fluid. 
     
     
         11 . The assembly as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said at least one aperture is further defined as a plurality of apertures spaced circumferentially from one another. 
     
     
         12 . The assembly as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said at least one aperture is spaced axially from said distribution end of said inlet tube. 
     
     
         13 . A fluid distribution device for distributing a first fluid in an axial direction, comprising:
 an inlet tube extending along an axis from an inlet end to a distribution end and presenting at least one aperture for dispensing the first fluid in a radial direction out of said inlet tube; and   a collar surrounding and spaced radially from said inlet tube and extending axially in both directions axially from said at least one aperture of said inlet tube for re-directing into an axial direction the first fluid flowing in said radial direction out of said apertures.   
     
     
         14 . A heat exchanger assembly for transferring heat between a refrigerant having a gaseous phase and a liquid phase and a stream of air, said assembly comprising:
 a first manifold extending along an axis between first manifold ends and including an inner wall having a first manifold diameter and presenting an interior;   a second manifold extending in spaced and parallel relationship with said first manifold;   said first manifold presenting a plurality of first tube slots spaced from one another along said axis;   said second manifold presenting a plurality of second tube slots spaced from one another and aligned with said first tube slots of said first manifold;   a heat exchanger core disposed between said first and second manifolds and including a plurality of tubes extending into said aligned first and second tube slots for conveying the refrigerant from said first manifold to said second manifold;   said heat exchanger core including a plurality of air fins disposed between said tubes for transferring heat between the refrigerant in said tubes and the stream of air;   a fluid distribution device disposed in said interior of said first manifold and including an inlet tube having a tube diameter smaller than said first manifold diameter and extending along said axis from an inlet end to a distribution end for distributing the refrigerant evenly across said first tube slots of said first manifold;   said inlet end of said inlet tube of said fluid distribution device being disposed adjacent to one of said first manifold ends for receiving the refrigerant;   said distribution end of said inlet tube being disposed axially between said first manifold ends and being closed for restricting the refrigerant from flowing axially out of said inlet tube and for mixing the gaseous and liquid phases of the refrigerant;   said inlet tube defining a plurality of apertures spaced circumferentially from one another and spaced axially from said distribution end for dispensing the refrigerant in a radial direction out of said inlet tube and into said interior of said first manifold;   said fluid distribution device including a collar having cylindrical shape surrounding said inlet tube and spaced radially between said inlet tube and said inner wall of said first manifold and extending axially in both directions axially from said apertures of said inlet tube for re-directing into an axial direction the refrigerant flowing in said radial direction out of said apertures to evenly distribute the refrigerant across said interior of said first manifold; and   said fluid distribution device including at least one spoke extending in said radial direction from said inlet tube to said collar for supporting said collar in said interior of said first manifold.