Microchannnel evaporator assembly

Abstract

The present invention provides a unit cooler adapted for use in a refrigerated environment. The unit cooler includes a housing adapted to be positioned within the refrigerated environment and at least one microchannel evaporator coil supported by the housing. The at least one microchannel evaporator coil includes an inlet manifold and an outlet manifold. The inlet manifold has an inlet port for receiving refrigerant, and the outlet manifold has an outlet port for discharging the refrigerant.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0001] This invention relates generally to evaporator coils, and more particularly to evaporator coils for use in large-scale refrigeration systems. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] Typical large-scale refrigeration systems, such as those utilized in large-scale refrigerated environments (e.g., walk-in coolers or refrigerated warehouses), often include a single, large conventional fin-and-tube evaporator coil. Such a conventional fin-and-tube evaporator coil often displays poor efficiencies in transferring heat from an airflow passing through the coil to the refrigerant passing through the coil. As a result, the fin-and-tube evaporator coil can be rather large for the amount of heat it can remove from the airflow passing through the coil. Further, the larger the evaporator coil becomes, the more refrigerant used in the refrigeration system, thus effectively increasing potential damage to the environment by an accidental atmospheric release. [0003] Another fo...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

Such a conventional fin-and-tube evaporator coil often displays poor efficiencies in transferring heat from an airflow passing through the coil to the refrigerant passing through the coil.

As a result, the fin-and-tube evaporator coil can be rather large for the amount of heat it can remove from the airflow passing through the coil.

Further, the larger the evaporator coil becomes, the more refrigerant used in the refrigeration system, thus effectively increasing potential damage to the environment by an accidental atmospheric release.

The housing containing the microchannel evaporator coil is typically positioned behind the dashboard of the automobile, where space to mount the housing is limited.

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