Improved heat exchanger

Abstract

A heat exchanger is provided including a first manifold and a second manifold. The first manifold and the second manifold are separated from one another. A plurality of heat exchanger tubes is arranged in a spaced parallel relationship. The heat exchanger tubes fluidly couple the first manifold and the second manifold. A plurality of fins is attached to the plurality of heat exchanger tubes such that a first end of each fin is spaced apart from the first manifold by a first distance.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A heat exchanger including:
 a first manifold;   a second manifold separated from the first manifold;   a plurality of heat exchanger tubes arranged in spaced parallel relationship and fluidly coupling the first manifold and the second manifold; and   a plurality of fins attached to the plurality of heat exchanger tubes, a first end of each of the fins being spaced apart from the first manifold by a first distance.   
     
     
         2 . The heat exchanger according to  claim 1 , wherein the first distance between the first end of each fin and the first manifold is determined based on a size and geometry of the plurality of heat exchanger tubes. 
     
     
         3 . The heat exchanger according to  claim 1 , wherein the first distance between the first end of each of the fins and the first manifold is between about five millimeters and about twenty five millimeters. 
     
     
         4 . The heat exchanger according to  claim 1 , wherein the first distance between the first end of each of the fins and the first manifold is about nineteen millimeters. 
     
     
         5 . The heat exchanger according to  claim 4 , wherein a second end of each of the plurality of fins is spaced apart from the second manifold by a second distance. 
     
     
         6 . The heat exchanger according to  claim 5 , wherein the second distance between the second end of each of the fins and the second manifold is between about five millimeters and about twenty five millimeters. 
     
     
         7 . The heat exchanger according to  claim 6 , wherein the second distance between the second end of each of the fins and the second manifold is about nineteen millimeters. 
     
     
         8 . The heat exchanger according to  claim 5 , wherein the first distance and the second distance are substantially equal. 
     
     
         9 . The heat exchanger according to  claim 5 , wherein the first distance and the second distance are different. 
     
     
         10 . The heat exchanger according to  claim 1 , wherein the heat exchanger is configured as a microchannel heat exchanger. 
     
     
         11 . The heat exchanger according to  claim 1 , wherein the heat exchanger is configured as a condenser. 
     
     
         12 . The heat exchanger according to  claim 1 , wherein the heat exchanger is configured as an evaporator.