Refrigerant distribution device and a heat pump apparatus using the same refrigerant distribution device

Abstract

A refrigerant distribution device is provided for distributing refrigerant to a plurality of heat transfer tubes that constitute a heat exchanger. The refrigerant distribution device includes a first distribution device dividing refrigerant into a plurality of portions, and a plurality of two-way branch pipes each dividing refrigerant divided by the first distribution device into two portions to flow into two of the plurality of heat transfer tubes.

1 . A refrigerant distribution device for distributing refrigerant to a plurality of heat transfer tubes that constitute a heat exchanger, the refrigerant distribution device comprising:
 a first distribution device dividing refrigerant into a plurality of portions; and   a plurality of second distribution devices each dividing refrigerant divided by the first distribution device into two portions to flow into two of the plurality of heat transfer tubes.   
     
     
         2 - 9 . (canceled) 
     
     
         10 . A heat pump apparatus comprising a refrigerant distribution device for distributing refrigerant to a plurality of heat transfer tubes that constitute a heat exchanger, the refrigerant distribution device including a first distribution device dividing refrigerant into a plurality of portions, and a plurality of second distribution devices each dividing refrigerant divided by the first distribution device into two portions to flow into two of the plurality of heat transfer tubes. 
     
     
         11 . The refrigerant distribution device of  claim 1 , wherein the first distribution device is constituted by a distributor. 
     
     
         12 . The refrigerant distribution device of  claim 1 , wherein a part of each of the plurality of second distribution devices is formed by performing bulge-forming process. 
     
     
         13 . The refrigerant distribution device of  claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of second distribution devices includes a U-bend section formed in U-shape having two arms extending in parallel to each other and a straight inflow section formed on one of the two arms of the U-bend section. 
     
     
         14 . The refrigerant distribution device of  claim 13 , wherein the straight inflow section is formed by performing bulge-forming process on the one of the two arms. 
     
     
         15 . The refrigerant distribution device of  claim 13 , wherein each of the plurality of second distribution devices is formed such that the straight inflow section is formed to be inclined to the one of the two arms. 
     
     
         16 . The refrigerant distribution device of  claim 15 , wherein an inclined angle of the straight inflow section to the one of the two arms on which the straight inflow section is formed is determined depending on thermal load distribution of each path of the heat exchanger. 
     
     
         17 . The refrigerant distribution device of  claim 15 , wherein the inclined angle of the straight inflow section to the one of the two arms on which the straight inflow section is formed is 90 degrees. 
     
     
         18 . The refrigerant distribution device of  claim 13 , wherein the one of the two arms on which the straight inflow section is formed includes an inwardly depressed recess adjacent to a wall surface against which refrigerant flowing from the straight inflow section collides. 
     
     
         19 . The refrigerant distribution device of  claim 12 , wherein the first distribution device is constituted by a distributor or a header. 
     
     
         20 . The refrigerant distribution device of  claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of third distribution devices provided between the first distribution device and the plurality of second distribution devices to each divide refrigerant divided by the first distribution device into two portions to flow into adjacent two of the plurality of second distribution devices.