Microchannel, flat tube heat exchanger with bent tube configuration

Abstract

A heat exchanger assembly includes a first header having an inlet and a second header having an outlet spaced parallel from each other. A plurality of tube members having an ultimate strength (Us) and a width (w), extend between the first header and the second header. The tube members define a plurality of fluid passages for the flow of a liquid through the tube members and between the first and second headers. The tube members extend through at least one bend having a bend radius (r) in the range of 50.00 mm to straight (∞) through angles between 0 and 100 degrees. A plurality of corrugated air fins are brazed between adjacent tube members. The bends of the tube members satisfy a bending formula (w / r)Us≦30 mega Pascal.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION [0001] This application claims the benefit of provisional application No. 60 / 761,467, filed on Jan. 24, 2006.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] 1. Field of the Invention [0003] The subject invention relates to a heat exchanger assembly for use in residential air conditioning units. [0004] 2. Description of the Prior Art [0005] It is known in the prior art how to produce heat exchangers of the type having round, expanded tubes and flat, non brazed fins in various bent or non flat configurations, as shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,954,125 to Mantegazza et al. These configurations are often used in outdoor heat exchanger cabinets for residential applications, and may be fairly easily bent in L, V or U shaped configurations, in which various face portions remain flat and joined to other flat face portions across relatively sharp bends of up to ninety degrees. [0006] It is also known in the prior art that brazed heat exchanger construction with flat, micro...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0009] The invention provides a heat exchanger assembly for use in residential air conditioning units. The assembly includes a first header and a second header spaced parallel from each other. A plurality of tube members extend between the first header and the second header. The tube members have a width (w) that is measured from a first nose of the tube member to a second nose of the tube member. The tube members define a plurality of fl

Problems solved by technology

It is also known in the prior art that brazed heat exchanger construction with flat, microchannel tubes and brazed, corrugated air fins are inherently more thermally efficient than older, expanded round tube and non brazed flat fin designs, but have not found wide acceptance as a replacement for the type of heat exchanger shown in the Mantegazza patent.

One reason for this is the perceived difficulty or inability in bending relatively wide, flat microchannel tubes across equivalent bends.

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