Heat exchanger and fluid reservoir

Abstract

Improved fluid reservoir designs providing for little or no dead volume or un-swept volume while providing efficient heat exchange are disclosed. Representative fluid reservoirs can have a serpentine flow passage with a cross-section selected such that fluid flow sweeps the entire cross-sectional volume while reducing or eliminating dead volume. The cross-sectional shape of the flow passage can be selected to have a larger surface contact with the cooling environment relative to circular cross-sections. The fluid reservoirs can be molded from two sheets of polymer material that are joined to form the fluid reservoir. Alternatively, the fluid reservoir can be formed from flexible polymer materials that are bonded along seams to demarcate a flow channel. Fluid reservoirs can be located either upstream or downstream of a filtering system to provide chilled filtered liquid. Fluid reservoirs can be associated with an appliance, such as a refrigerator. Methods of fabricating the fluid reservoirs are also disclosed.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] The present application is a continuation-in-part of and claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) to U.S. Provisional Applications Nos. 60 / 591,646, filed Jul. 28, 2004, entitled, “HEAT EXCHANGER AND LIQUID RESERVOIR,” 60 / 604,952, filed Aug. 27, 2004, entitled, “HEAT EXCHANGER AND LIQUID RESERVOIR,” and 60 / 634,621, filed Dec. 9, 2004, entitled, “HEAT EXCHANGER AND LIQUID RESERVOIR,” all three of the aforementioned applications being incorporated herein by reference to the extent not inconsistent with the present disclosure.BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE [0002] The present disclosure relates generally to the field of fluid reservoirs and more particularly, to use of the fluid reservoirs in appliances having water systems. Fluid reservoirs of the present disclosure can provide for first-in / first-out flow providing beneficial performance characteristics such as, for example, prevention of stagnant flow and improved heat transfer for providing chilled water. [00...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The present disclosure relates to improved fluid reservoirs that have little or no un-swept or dead volume, which can provide a more efficient thermal exchange and a chilled fluid product. The improved fluid reservoirs have a thin profile that can be placed in appliances, such as refrigerators, and can be operatively assembled from flexible polymer materials. The fluid reservoirs can have a serpentine flow passage that allows for a cross-sectional area that is many times the diameter of the passageway, which eliminates un-swept or dead volume. The fluid reservoirs can also be designed to have desirable flow properties and can be connected to filtering systems for use in appliances.

Problems solved by technology

One disadvantage of prior known tank-style fluid reservoirs can be the creation of significant un-swept or “dead” volumes with little or no flow.

These dead volumes can lead to stagnant flow conditions that can result in stale, poor tasting liquid and / or microbial contamination of the liquid.

One known disadvantage of prior coiled tube tanks is that they can have a relatively poor thermal exchange efficiency due to the small portion of the tank surface that is accessible to thermal exchange when mounted in certain configurations.

Coil tube fluid reservoirs can also be difficult to manufacture, require large amounts of polymer or other material to manufacture, and can result in bad tasting water due to fluid contact with the large surface area associated with prior known coil tube fluid reservoir materials.

Further, prior coil tube fluid reservoirs often exhibit significant internal friction that can result in large pressure drops during operation.

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