Heat exchanger distribution assembly and method

Abstract

A heat exchanger distribution assembly includes a channel guide comprising an outer surface. Also included is an outer shell comprising a hollow portion and a plurality of distribution holes, wherein the channel guide is at least partially disposed within the hollow portion. Further included is a plurality of channel grooves disposed between an inner surface of the outer shell and the outer surface of the channel guide, wherein the plurality of channel grooves are configured to convert circumferentially spaced flow passages to axially spaced flow passages to route the fluid to a plurality of layers of a heat exchanger.

1 . A heat exchanger distribution assembly comprising:
 a channel guide comprising an outer surface;   an outer shell comprising a hollow portion and a plurality of distribution holes, wherein the channel guide is at least partially disposed within the hollow portion; and   a plurality of channel grooves disposed between an inner surface of the outer shell and the outer surface of the channel guide, wherein the plurality of channel grooves are configured to convert circumferentially spaced flow passages to axially spaced flow passages to route the fluid to a plurality of layers of a heat exchanger.   
     
     
         2 . The heat exchanger distribution assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising a nozzle configured to provide a homogenized fluid to a diffuser having a plurality of distribution tubes, wherein the plurality of distribution tubes are configured to separate the fluid into a plurality of fluid routing paths. 
     
     
         3 . The heat exchanger distribution assembly of  claim 2 , further comprising an orifice ring having a plurality of circumferentially spaced holes aligned with the plurality of distribution tubes. 
     
     
         4 . The heat exchanger distribution assembly of  claim 3 , wherein the orifice ring is integrally formed with the channel guide. 
     
     
         5 . The heat exchanger distribution assembly of  claim 2 , wherein the nozzle is integrally formed with the diffuser. 
     
     
         6 . The heat exchanger distribution assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of channel grooves are formed within the outer surface of the channel guide. 
     
     
         7 . The heat exchanger distribution assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of channel grooves are formed within the inner surface of the outer shell. 
     
     
         8 . The heat exchanger distribution assembly of  claim 2 , wherein the plurality of fluid routing paths of the diffuser route the fluid to the plurality of channel grooves at a transition point proximate an end of the channel guide. 
     
     
         9 . The heat exchanger distribution assembly of  claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of channel grooves route the fluid to a single corresponding distribution hole. 
     
     
         10 . The heat exchanger distribution assembly of  claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of channel grooves route the fluid to more than one distribution hole. 
     
     
         11 . The heat exchanger distribution assembly of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the plurality of distribution holes is circumferentially spaced from another distribution hole. 
     
     
         12 . The heat exchanger distribution assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the channel guide comprises a substantially cylindrical geometry. 
     
     
         13 . The heat exchanger distribution assembly of  claim 2 , wherein the nozzle comprises a venturi path portion. 
     
     
         14 . The heat exchanger distribution assembly of  claim 2 , wherein the nozzle and the diffuser are oriented substantially vertically. 
     
     
         15 . The heat exchanger distribution assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the channel guide comprises an elbow bend portion. 
     
     
         16 . The heat exchanger distribution assembly of  claim 2 , wherein the diffuser is located external to the outer shell. 
     
     
         17 . The heat exchanger distribution assembly of  claim 2 , wherein the diffuser is located at an internal location of the outer shell. 
     
     
         18 . A method of distributing fluid to layers of a heat exchanger comprising:
 supplying a fluid to a plurality of distribution tubes of a diffuser to separate the fluid into a plurality of fluid routing paths;   apportioning the fluid through a plurality of circumferentially spaced holes of an orifice ring;   routing the fluid through a plurality of channel grooves disposed between an outer surface of a channel guide and an inner surface of an outer shell; and   distributing the fluid to a plurality of layers of the heat exchanger through a plurality of distribution holes aligned with the plurality of channel grooves.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein each of the plurality of channel grooves route the fluid to a single, corresponding distribution hole. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the diffuser is located at an internal location of the outer shell, the method further comprising transitioning the fluid from the plurality of fluid routing paths to the plurality of channel grooves at a location proximate an end of the channel guide.