Two phase distributor evaporator

Abstract

A heat exchanger is provided including a plurality of parallel stacked plates defining at least one flow passage there between. A manifold having a generally hollow interior is arranged adjacent the plurality of parallel plates. An opening is disposed between adjacent stacked plates. The opening is configured to fluidly couple the hollow interior of the manifold and the at least one flow passage. A distributor assembly including an insert is disposed at least partially within the hollow interior of the manifold. The insert includes a plurality of circumferentially spaced axial flow channels and a plurality of radial connecting channels arranged in fluid communication with the axial flow channels. The radial flow channels are fluidly coupled to the at least one flow passage via the opening.

1 . A heat exchanger, comprising:
 a plurality of parallel stacked plates defining at least one flow passage there between; a manifold arranged adjacent the plurality of parallel plates, the manifold having a generally hollow interior;   an opening disposed between adjacent stacked plates, the opening being configured to fluidly couple the hollow interior of the manifold and the at least one flow passage; and   a distributor assembly including an insert disposed at least partially within the hollow interior of the manifold, the insert including a plurality of circumferentially spaced axial flow channels and a plurality of radial connecting channels arranged in fluid communication with the axial flow channels, the radial flow channels being fluidly coupled to the at least one flow passage via the opening.   
     
     
         2 . The heat exchanger according to  claim 1 , wherein a portion of the manifold is received within at least one of the plurality of plates. 
     
     
         3 . The heat exchanger according to  claim 1 , wherein the entire manifold is received within the plurality of plates. 
     
     
         4 . The heat exchanger according to  claim 1 , wherein an edge of the manifold is arranged in contact with an outer edge of the plurality of plates. 
     
     
         5 . The heat exchanger according to  claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of axially spaced circumferential connecting channels fluidly coupling the radial connecting channels to the at least one flow passage via the opening. 
     
     
         6 . The heat exchanger according to  claim 1 , wherein each of the at least one flow passages is arranged in fluid communication with the hollow interior of the manifold via exactly one opening. 
     
     
         7 . The heat exchanger according to  claim 1 , wherein the opening is defined by at least one of a ridge extending from at least one of the plurality of stacked plates defining the flow passage and a seal surrounding a portion of the manifold adjacent the flow passage fluidly coupled thereto. 
     
     
         8 . The heat exchanger of  claim 1 , comprising a seal completely surrounding the manifold adjacent the flow passage fluidly coupled thereto, and wherein the seal comprises an aperture defining the opening. 
     
     
         9 . The heat exchanger according to  claim 1 , wherein a fluid within the distributor assembly is supplied to the plurality of axial flow channels substantially equally. 
     
     
         10 . The heat exchanger according to  claim 1 , wherein the distributor assembly is configured to supply a fluid to each opening at a substantially identical azimuthal angle. 
     
     
         11 . The heat exchanger according to  claim 1 , wherein the distributor assembly is configured to supply a fluid to each opening at a different azimuthal angle. 
     
     
         12 . The heat exchanger according to  claim 1 , wherein the distributor assembly further comprises a nozzle arranged upstream from the plurality of axial flow channels, the nozzle being configured to create a homogeneous distribution of a fluid. 
     
     
         13 . The distributor according to  claim 11 , wherein the nozzle includes a constriction configured to produce a pressure drop in the fluid.