Heat exchanger assembly

Abstract

Described herein is a heat exchanger assembly that comprises a first heat exchanger comprising a first inlet header, a first outlet header, and a plurality of first heat exchange tubes fluidically connected to and extending between the first inlet header and the first outlet header. The heat exchanger assembly further comprises a second heat exchanger comprising a second inlet header, a second outlet header, and a plurality of second heat exchange tubes fluidically connected to and extending between the second inlet header and the second outlet header. Further, the heat exchanger assembly comprises a first outlet connector connected to a first end of the first outlet header, and a second outlet connector connected to a first end of the second outlet header, wherein a second end, opposite to the first end, of the respective first outlet header and the second outlet header are adjacent to each other.

1 . A heat exchanger assembly comprising:
 a first heat exchanger comprising a first inlet header, a first outlet header, and a plurality of first heat exchange tubes fluidically connected to and extending between the first inlet header and the first outlet header;   a second heat exchanger comprising a second inlet header, a second outlet header, and a plurality of second heat exchange tubes fluidically connected to and extending between the second inlet header and the second outlet header;   a first outlet connector connected to a first end of the first outlet header; and   a second outlet connector connected to a first end of the second outlet header, wherein a second end, opposite to the first end, of the respective first outlet header and the second outlet header are adjacent to each other.   
     
     
         2 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger are arranged adjacent to each other along a same plane such that the first inlet header and the second inlet header remain in line, and the first outlet header and the second outlet header remain in line. 
     
     
         3 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the assembly is configured to receive a fluid within the first inlet header and the second inlet header through a non-adjacent end of the first inlet header and the second inlet header, respectively. 
     
     
         4 . The assembly of  claim 3 , wherein the assembly further comprises:
 a first inlet connector connected to a first end of the first inlet header; and   a second inlet connector connected to a first end of the second inlet header, wherein a second end of the respective first inlet header and the second inlet header remain adjacent to each other.   
     
     
         5 . The assembly of  claim 4 , wherein the assembly further comprises:
 a first expansion valve fluidically connecting the first inlet connector to a refrigerant line, the first expansion valve configured to regulate a supply of the fluid within the first inlet header; and   a second expansion valve fluidically connecting the second inlet connector to a refrigerant line, the second expansion valve configured to regulate the supply of the fluid within the second inlet header.   
     
     
         6 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the assembly is configured to allow extraction of a fluid, received in the first outlet header and the second outlet header, through a non-adjacent end of the first outlet header and the second outlet header, respectively. 
     
     
         7 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger are mirror images of each other. 
     
     
         8 . The assembly of  claim 4 , wherein the assembly further comprises a common fluid collector fluidically connecting the first outlet connector and the second outlet connector of the assembly to a compressor. 
     
     
         9 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second heat exchangers are arranged adjacent to each other such that a gap remains between adjacent sides of the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger. 
     
     
         10 . The assembly of  claim 9 , wherein the assembly further comprises a support pad configured in the gap between the adjacent sides of the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger, and wherein the support pad is made of a thermally insulative material. 
     
     
         11 . The assembly of  claim 9 , wherein the gap is less than or equal to 2 millimeters. 
     
     
         12 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger are supported on one or more mounting fixtures. 
     
     
         13 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger are supported on separate mounting fixtures. 
     
     
         14 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger are identical. 
     
     
         15 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger are non-identical. 
     
     
         16 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of first heat exchange tubes and the plurality of second heat exchange tubes of the respective the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger are in any one of: a single slab configuration, a multi-slab configuration, a one full slab and a fractional-slab configuration, and a two full slab configuration. 
     
     
         17 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the assembly is in a downward-flow configuration. 
     
     
         18 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the assembly is in an upward-flow configuration. 
     
     
         19 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the assembly is associated with a rooftop unit having a heat exchanger length ranging from 40 inch to 120 inch, and a capacity ranging from 5 Ton to 50 Ton. 
     
     
         20 . A method comprising:
 providing at least a first heat exchanger and a second heat exchanger,
 wherein the first heat exchanger comprises a first outlet header connected to a first outlet connector at a first end of the first outlet header, and 
 wherein the second heat exchanger comprises a second outlet header connected to a second outlet connector at a first end of the second outlet header; 
   arranging the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger such that a second end, opposite to the first end, of the respective first outlet header and the second outlet header are adjacent to each other.