Integrated supply and return manifold for tube-in-tube heat transfer

Abstract

A manifold having integrated distribution and collection manifolds in a single component. The integrated distribution and collection manifolds provide balanced flow and pressure between the distribution and collection manifolds.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A manifold comprising:
 a distribution plenum having a first primary inlet and at least one distribution plenum fluid outlet port;   a collection plenum having a first primary outlet and at least one collection plenum fluid inlet port;   wherein the distribution plenum and the collection plenum are integrated with one another such that the at least one distribution plenum fluid outlet port and the at least one collection plenum fluid inlet port share the same central axis.   
     
     
         2 . The manifold of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one distribution plenum fluid outlet port has a cross-sectional area and the at least one collection plenum fluid inlet port has a cross-sectional area, wherein the cross-sectional area of the at least one distribution plenum fluid outlet port is about twice the cross-sectional area of the at least one collection plenum fluid inlet port. 
     
     
         3 . The manifold of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one distribution plenum fluid outlet port defines a fluid flow path and wherein at least one distribution plenum fluid outlet port has an offset area which is outside of the fluid flow path, the offset area having a width. 
     
     
         4 . The manifold of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one collection plenum fluid inlet port defines a fluid flow path and wherein the at least one collection plenum fluid inlet port has an offset area which is outside of the fluid flow path. 
     
     
         5 . The manifold of  claim 3 , further comprising a stub pipe positioned within the at least one distribution plenum fluid outlet port, the stub pipe having a thickness corresponding to the width of the offset area of the at least one distribution plenum fluid outlet port. 
     
     
         6 . The manifold of  claim 1 , wherein the distribution plenum and the collection plenum are parallel to one another and a first central passageway located in the distribution plenum is parallel to a second central passageway located in the collection plenum. 
     
     
         7 . The manifold of  claim 1 , further comprising a first central passageway located in the distribution plenum and a second central passageway located in the collection plenum, wherein the at least one collection plenum fluid inlet port intersects the first central passageway within the distribution plenum and the second central passageway within the collection plenum. 
     
     
         8 . The manifold of  claim 1 , wherein the manifold has at least three pair of distribution plenum fluid outlet ports and collection plenum fluid inlet ports, wherein each pair of distribution plenum fluid outlet ports and collection plenum fluid inlet ports share a central axis. 
     
     
         9 . The manifold of  claim 8 , wherein at least two pairs of distribution plenum fluid outlet ports and collection plenum fluid inlet ports are in a first horizontal plane and at least one pair of distribution plenum fluid outlet ports and collection plenum fluid inlet ports is above or below the first horizontal plane. 
     
     
         10 . The manifold of  claim 9 , wherein the at least two pairs of distribution plenum fluid outlet ports and collection plenum fluid inlet ports and the at least one pair of distribution plenum fluid outlet ports and collection plenum fluid inlet ports positioned above or below the first horizontal plane project outward the manifold at different angles. 
     
     
         11 . The manifold of  claim 9 , wherein the at least two pairs of distribution plenum fluid outlet ports and collection plenum fluid inlet ports project outward from the first primary inlet at an angle between about 8 degrees and about 20 degrees. 
     
     
         12 . The manifold of  claim 9 , wherein the at least two pairs of distribution plenum fluid outlet ports and collection plenum fluid inlet ports project outward from the first primary inlet at an angle between about 10 degrees and about 15 degrees. 
     
     
         13 . A manifold and heat exchange pipes for a balanced flow heat exchange system comprising:
 a distribution plenum having a first primary inlet and at least one distribution plenum fluid outlet port;   a collection plenum having a first primary outlet and at least one collection plenum fluid inlet port;   wherein the distribution plenum and the collection plenum are integrated with one another such that the at least one distribution plenum fluid outlet port and the at least one collection plenum fluid inlet port share the same central axis;   a first heat exchange pipe positioned within the at least one distribution plenum fluid outlet port, the first heat exchange pipe having a first interior surface, a first exterior surface, a first inside diameter and a first thickness;   a second heat exchange pipe positioned within the at least one collection plenum fluid inlet port, the second heat exchange pipe having a second interior surface, a second exterior surface, a second inside diameter, an interior cross-sectional area and a second thickness;   wherein the second heat exchange pipe passes through the first heat exchange pipe and wherein the first interior surface of the first heat exchange pipe and the second exterior surface of the second heat exchange pipe define an annulus;   wherein the annulus has a cross-sectional area which is about equal to a cross-sectional area of the interior cross-sectional area of the second heat exchange pipe.   
     
     
         14 . The manifold and heat exchange pipes for a balanced flow heat exchange system of  claim 13 , wherein the first heat exchange pipe has a first terminal end and the second heat exchange pipe has a second terminal end and further comprising a cap covering the first and second terminal ends, the cap providing fluid communication between the annulus and the interior cross-sectional area of the second heat exchange pipe. 
     
     
         15 . The manifold and heat exchange pipes for a balanced flow heat exchange system of  claim 13 , wherein the at least one distribution plenum fluid outlet port defines a first fluid flow path and wherein at least one distribution plenum fluid outlet port has a first offset area which is outside of the first fluid flow path, the first offset area having a width;
 wherein the first thickness of the first heat exchange pipe corresponds to the width of the first offset area and wherein the fluid flow path of the at least one distribution plenum fluid outlet port continues from the at least one distribution plenum fluid outlet port into the first heat exchange pipe.   
     
     
         16 . The manifold and heat exchange pipes for a balanced flow heat exchange system of  claim 13 , wherein the at least one collection plenum fluid inlet port defines a second fluid flow path and wherein the at least one collection plenum fluid inlet port has a second offset area which is outside of the second fluid flow path;
 wherein the second thickness of the second heat exchange pipe corresponds to the width of the second offset area and wherein the second fluid flow path of the at least one collection plenum fluid inlet port continues from the at least one collection plenum fluid inlet port into the second heat exchange pipe.   
     
     
         17 . The manifold and heat exchange pipes for a balanced flow heat exchange system of  claim 13 , wherein the distribution plenum and the first heat exchange pipe and the collection plenum and the second heat exchange pipe provide balanced flow through the heat exchange system. 
     
     
         18 . A manifold and heat exchange pipes for a balanced flow heat exchange system comprising:
 a distribution plenum having a first primary inlet and at least one distribution plenum fluid outlet port;   a collection plenum having a first primary outlet and at least one collection plenum fluid inlet port;   wherein the distribution plenum and the collection plenum are integrated with one another such that the at least one distribution plenum fluid outlet port and the at least one collection plenum fluid inlet port share the same central axis;   a first stub pipe positioned within the at least one distribution plenum fluid outlet port, the first stub pipe having a first interior surface, a first exterior surface, a first inside diameter and a first thickness.   
     
     
         19 . The manifold and heat exchange pipes for a balanced flow heat exchange system of  claim 18  further comprising:
 a second heat exchange pipe positioned within the at least one collection plenum fluid inlet port, the second heat exchange pipe having a second interior surface, a second exterior surface, a second inside diameter, an interior cross-sectional area and a second thickness; 
 wherein the second heat exchange pipe passes through the first stub pipe and wherein the first interior surface of the first heat exchange pipe and the second exterior surface of the second heat exchange pipe define an annulus; 
 wherein the annulus has a cross-sectional area which is about equal to a cross-sectional area of the interior cross-sectional area of the second heat exchange pipe. 
 
     
     
         20 . The manifold and heat exchange pipes for a balanced flow heat exchange system of  claim 19 , wherein the at least one distribution plenum fluid outlet port defines a first fluid flow path and wherein at least one distribution plenum fluid outlet port has a first offset area which is outside of the first fluid flow path, the first offset area having a width;
 wherein the first thickness of the first stub pipe corresponds to the width of the first offset area and wherein the fluid flow path of the at least one distribution plenum fluid outlet port continues from the at least one distribution plenum fluid outlet port into the first stub pipe.   
     
     
         21 . The manifold and heat exchange pipes for a balanced flow heat exchange system of  claim 19 , wherein the at least one collection plenum fluid inlet port defines a second fluid flow path and wherein the at least one collection plenum fluid inlet port has a second offset area which is outside of the second fluid flow path;
 wherein the second thickness of the second heat exchange pipe corresponds to the width of the second offset area and wherein the second fluid flow path of the at least one collection plenum fluid inlet port continues from the at least one collection plenum fluid inlet port into the second heat exchange pipe.   
     
     
         22 . The manifold and heat exchange pipes for a balanced flow heat exchange system of  claim 19 , further comprising:
 a first heat exchange pipe secured to the first stub pipe, the first heat exchange pipe having a third thickness, the third thickness is about equal to the first thickness of the first stub pipe;   wherein the first heat exchange pipe has a first terminal end and the second heat exchange pipe has a second terminal end and further comprising a cap covering the first and second terminal ends, the cap providing fluid communication between the annulus and the interior cross-sectional area of the second heat exchange pipe.   
     
     
         23 . The manifold and heat exchange pipes for a balanced flow heat exchange system of  claim 22 , wherein the distribution plenum, the first stub pipe and the first heat exchange pipe have a first volume and the collection plenum and the second heat exchange pipe have a second volume, wherein the first and second volumes are about equal.