Fluid distributor for microchannel heat exchanger

Abstract

A fluid distributor for a heat exchanger is disclosed. The fluid distributor comprises a header having compartments. A plurality of MCHX tubes associated with a heat exchange section of the heat exchanger are fluidically connected to at least one of the compartments. The fluid distributor further comprises a distribution tube extending longitudinally along the compartments through the walls. The distribution tube comprises a plurality of cavities extending longitudinally along the length of the distribution tube and configured radially around a central axis of the distribution tube. Each cavity comprises ports opening in a compartment. Further, the fluid distributor comprises a supply tube fluidically connected to the distribution tube or to a supply tube compartment of header and configured to supply a fluid into the distribution tube.

1 . A fluid distributor for a heat exchanger, the fluid distributor comprising of:
 a header comprising of compartments separated by walls, wherein a plurality of tubes associated with a heat exchange section of the heat exchanger are fluidically connected to at least one of the compartments;   a distribution tube extending longitudinally along the compartments of the header through the walls, the distribution tube comprising a plurality of cavities extending longitudinally along a length of the distribution tube and configured radially around a central axis of the distribution tube, wherein each of the cavities comprises one or more ports opening in the compartments; and   a supply tube fluidically connected to the distribution tube or to a supply tube compartment of the header and configured to supply a working fluid into the distribution tube.   
     
     
         2 . The fluid distributor of  claim 1 , wherein the fluid distributor comprises a flow restrictor configured within the supply tube or between the supply tube and the distribution tube, wherein the flow restrictor is an annular member having a central opening that is configured in line with the distribution tube and having a predefined gap therebetween. 
     
     
         3 . The fluid distributor of  claim 2 , wherein the central opening of the flow restrictor and the distribution tube have equal diameters. 
     
     
         4 . The fluid distributor of  claim 2 , wherein the central opening of the flow restrictor is in a range of 10 to 80% of an orifice of the distribution tube. 
     
     
         5 . The fluid distributor of  claim 1 , wherein the fluid distributor comprises a swirl generator configured upstream of the distribution tube or within the supply tube, wherein the swirl generator is configured to cause the working fluid, supplied by the supply tube, to move in a swirl motion. 
     
     
         6 . The fluid distributor of  claim 5 , wherein the swirl generator comprises a housing having a plurality of grooves with curved profiles being configured on an inner wall surface of the housing, the grooves extending radially and circumferentially along the inner wall surface. 
     
     
         7 . The fluid distributor of  claim 5 , wherein the swirl generator comprises a housing and a plurality of blades extending radially from a central longitudinal axis of the housing and oriented at predefined angles from a radial plane. 
     
     
         8 . The fluid distributor of  claim 5 , wherein the swirl generator comprises a housing, and a plurality of blades extending radially from a central longitudinal axis of the housing, wherein each of the blades comprises a first section and a second section with a slit extending at a predefined angle from the first section. 
     
     
         9 . The fluid distributor of  claim 5 , wherein the swirl generator comprises a housing, and a plurality of swirl-generating elements having a predefined shape and at least one curved surface, protruding from or configured on an inner wall surface of the housing. 
     
     
         10 . The fluid distributor of  claim 9 , wherein the swirl generator comprises a ring protruding from or configured on the inner wall surface of the housing, the ring is configured coaxially within the housing with the plurality of swirl generating elements configured above and/or below the ring. 
     
     
         11 . The fluid distributor of  claim 1 , wherein the supply tube is axially connected to the supply tube compartment or the distribution tube. 
     
     
         12 . The fluid distributor of  claim 1 , wherein the supply tube is radially connected to the supply tube compartment or the distribution tube. 
     
     
         13 . The fluid distributor of  claim 1 , wherein the supply tube is configured off-centered from the central axis of the distribution tube. 
     
     
         14 . The fluid distributor of  claim 1 , wherein the supply tube is directly connected to the distributor tube, wherein the distributor tube and the supply tube have equal diameter. 
     
     
         15 . The fluid distributor of  claim 1 , wherein the header is a vertical header of the heat exchanger and the supply tube is fluidically connected to a terminal supply tube compartment. 
     
     
         16 . The fluid distributor of  claim 1 , wherein the fluid distributor comprises one or more swirl-generating elements being configured within or on an inner wall surface of the supply tube compartment, the supply tube or both. 
     
     
         17 . The fluid distributor of  claim 1 , wherein the supply tube is radially connected at a predefined position on the supply tube compartment of the header, such that the orifice of the distribution tube opens below, above, or at a same level of the predefined position or the supply tube. 
     
     
         18 . The fluid distributor of  claim 1 , wherein the supply tube compartment comprises a baffle having a central opening and a plurality of openings configured radially around the central opening, the baffle is coaxially configured within the supply tube compartment such that a bottom end or the orifice of the distribution tube remains connected to the central opening and the supply tube is connected radially to the supply tube compartment above the baffle. 
     
     
         19 . The fluid distributor of  claim 1 , wherein the supply tube compartment comprises a baffle having a plurality of openings, the baffle is coaxially configured within the supply tube compartment of the header with the distribution tube extending longitudinally through the baffle such that a bottom end or the orifice of the distribution tube opens below the baffle and the supply tube is radially connected to the supply tube compartment above the baffle. 
     
     
         20 . The fluid distributor of  claim 1 , wherein the supply tube is configured off-centered from the central axis of the distribution tube.