Evaporator and refrigeration system

Abstract

The present application provides an evaporator and refrigeration system, comprising: a shell, a first heat exchange tube group, a second heat exchange tube group, and at least one partition. The shell has a cavity having a length direction, a width direction, and a height direction. The second heat exchange tube group is located above the first heat exchange tube group, and the second heat exchange tube group has a pair of side portions extending along the length direction of the cavity, at least one of the side portions being spaced apart from the shell. The top of the first heat exchange tube group has a first heat exchange tube group width in the width direction of the cavity, and the bottom of the second heat exchange tube group has a second heat exchange tube group width in the width direction of the cavity. The width of the first heat exchange tube group is greater than the width of the second heat exchange tube group, and the at least one partition is adjacent to and extends along at least one side portion of the second heat exchange tube group spaced apart from the shell, as well as the top of the first heat exchange tube group. The evaporator provided by the present application can reduce the amount of refrigerant charged.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to an evaporator, and in particular to an evaporator with high heat exchange efficiency. Background Art

[0002] A traditional refrigeration system consists of an evaporator, condenser, throttling device, and compressor. As the low-temperature refrigerant liquid passes through the evaporator, it exchanges heat with the outside environment, absorbing heat from it and lowering the ambient temperature, achieving the cooling effect. The outside environment can be air or cooling water. After the heat exchange, the refrigerant liquid vaporizes into refrigerant gas and enters the compressor. The evaporator has certain requirements for the refrigerant charge. Too much or too little refrigerant can affect the evaporator's heat exchange performance and even the operation of the entire refrigeration system. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The present application provides an evaporator and a refrigeration system using the evaporator. The evaporator can save the amount of refrigerant while ensuring heat exchange performance.

[0004] The evaporator comprises: a shell, the shell having a cavity and a refrigerant inlet and a refrigerant outlet connected to the cavity, the cavity having a length direction, a width direction and a height direction; a first heat exchange tube group and a second heat exchange tube group, each heat exchange tube in the first heat exchange tube group and the second heat exchange tube group extending along the length direction of the cavity, the first heat exchange tube group is located at the bottom of the cavity, the second heat exchange tube group is located above the first heat exchange tube group, the second heat exchange tube group has a pair of side portions extending along the length direction of the cavity, at least one of the pair of side portions has a certain distance from the shell; the top of the first heat exchange tube group has a first heat exchange tube group width in the width direction of the cavity, and the bottom of the second heat exchange tube group has a second heat exchange tube group width in the width direction of the cavity; the width of the first heat exchange tube group is greater than The first heat exchange tube group includes a first area and at least one second area in the width direction of the second heat exchange tube group, and the top of the at least one second area is staggered with the bottom of the second heat exchange tube group in the width direction of the cavity; at least one partition, the at least one partition is adjacent to and extends along the at least one side of the second heat exchange tube group that is spaced apart from the shell, and is adjacent to and extends along the top of the second area, the at least one partition and the shell jointly define a heat exchange space, the first heat exchange tube group and the second heat exchange tube group are arranged in the heat exchange space, the heat exchange space has a fluid outlet near the top of the second heat exchange tube group, the refrigerant inlet is fluidically connected to the heat exchange space, and the refrigerant outlet is fluidically connected to the fluid outlet.

[0005] According to the above-described evaporator, the first heat exchange tube group and the second heat exchange tube group have the same tube diameter and are arranged in rows along the width direction of the cavity; wherein the number of rows of the second heat exchange tube group is smaller than the number of rows of the first heat exchange tube group.

[0006] According to the evaporator described above, the evaporator further includes: an outlet baffle, which is arranged above the fluid outlet and extends along the length and width directions of the cavity, and there is a certain distance between the outlet baffle and the at least one partition.

[0007] According to the evaporator described above, the evaporator also includes: at least one external guide plate, which is connected to the end of the outlet baffle adjacent to the at least one partition, and the at least one external guide plate extends downward and outward from the outlet baffle to the outside of the at least one partition, and extends beyond the at least one partition in the height direction of the cavity, thereby guiding the refrigerant flowing out of the fluid outlet to flow downward.

[0008] According to the evaporator described above, the evaporator also includes: at least one inner guide plate, which is connected to the outlet baffle and extends downward from the outlet baffle toward the at least one partition, wherein in the width direction of the cavity, the at least one inner guide plate is located between a pair of side portions of the second heat exchange tube group, and the at least one inner guide plate is configured to guide the liquid refrigerant in the refrigerant flowing out of the fluid outlet back to the heat exchange space.

[0009] According to the above-described evaporator, the distance that the second heat exchange tube group extends in the height direction of the cavity is greater than the distance that the first heat exchange tube group extends in the height direction of the cavity.

[0010] According to the above-described evaporator, each of the pair of side portions is spaced apart from the shell. Both ends of the top portion of the first heat exchange tube group extend beyond each of the pair of side portions in the width direction of the cavity to form a pair of second regions. The at least one partition includes a pair of partitions that are respectively adjacent to and extend along the pair of side portions and the top portion of the second region. According to the above-described evaporator, the refrigerant inlet is adjacent to the bottom portion of the first heat exchange tube group.

[0011] According to the above-described evaporator, a first side portion of the pair of side portions is spaced apart from the shell, and the second side portion is disposed proximate to the inner wall of the shell. The first heat exchange tube group has a second region, and the at least one partition includes a partition proximate to and extending along the top of the first side portion and the second region. According to the above-described evaporator, the height of the refrigerant inlet is higher than the height of the first heat exchange tube group.

[0012] According to the evaporator described above, the inlet drainage pipe has one end connected to the refrigerant inlet and the other end extending through the at least one partition so that the refrigerant can enter the heat exchange space from the inlet drainage pipe.

[0013] According to the evaporator described above, each of the at least one partition includes a transverse partition extending along the top of the second area of the corresponding first heat exchange tube group, and the transverse partition has at least one through hole passing through the transverse partition, and the at least one through hole is arranged on the transverse partition in the width direction relative to the cavity near one end of the shell.

[0014] The present application also provides a refrigeration system, which includes: a compressor, a condenser, a throttling device and an evaporator arranged in a refrigerant circuit, wherein the evaporator is as described above.

[0015] The evaporator provided in the present application has a high heat exchange efficiency. Compared with the traditional flooded evaporator, the evaporator provided in the present application can save the amount of refrigerant charged. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] Figure 1 It is a schematic block diagram of the refrigeration system;

[0017] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 A perspective view of a first embodiment of the evaporator;

[0018] Figure 3 yes Figure 2 An axial cross-sectional view of the evaporator;

[0019] Figure 4 yes Figure 3 A perspective view of a partition in the;

[0020] Figure 5 yes Figure 3 A three-dimensional view of the upper middle baffle and the guide plate;

[0021] Figure 6 yes Figure 3 Stereoscopic view of the middle distributor;

[0022] Figure 7 yes Figure 3 Schematic diagram of refrigerant flow in the evaporator;

[0023] Figure 8 is a radial cross-sectional view of the evaporator of the second embodiment of the present application;

[0024] Figure 9 It is a radial cross-sectional view of the evaporator of the third embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0025] Various specific embodiments of the present application will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings that form a part of this specification. It should be understood that although terms indicating directions, such as "front", "back", "up", "down", "left", "right", "inside", "outside", "top", "bottom", "positive", "negative", "proximal", "distal", "lateral", "longitudinal", etc., are used in this application to describe various example structural parts and elements of the present application, these terms are used here only for the purpose of convenience of description and are determined based on the exemplary orientations shown in the accompanying drawings. Since the embodiments disclosed in this application can be set in different directions, these terms indicating directions are only for illustration and should not be regarded as limitations.

[0026] The ordinal numbers used in this application, such as "first" and "second," are used solely for distinction and identification purposes and do not have any other meaning. Unless otherwise specified, they do not imply a specific order or relationship. For example, the term "first component" does not imply the existence of a "second component," nor does the term "second component" imply the existence of a "first component."

[0027] Figure 1 1 is a schematic block diagram of the refrigeration system 100. Figure 1 As shown, the refrigeration system 100 includes a compressor 110, a condenser 120, a throttling device 140 and an evaporator 130, which are connected by pipes to form a refrigerant circulation loop, and the loop is filled with refrigerant. Figure 1 As indicated by the arrows in the figure, the refrigerant flows sequentially through compressor 110, condenser 120, throttling device 140, and evaporator 130, before re-entering compressor 110. During the cooling process, throttling device 140 throttles the high-pressure liquid refrigerant from condenser 120, reducing its pressure. Within evaporator 130, the low-pressure refrigerant exchanges heat with the object being cooled, absorbing its heat and evaporating. The resulting refrigerant vapor is drawn into compressor 110, compressed, and discharged at high pressure. The high-temperature, high-pressure gaseous refrigerant discharged from compressor 110 exchanges heat with the surrounding medium within condenser 120, releasing heat and condensing into liquid refrigerant. The high-temperature liquid refrigerant then flows through throttling device 140 again, reducing its pressure. This cycle repeats, producing a continuous cooling effect.

[0028] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 A perspective view of the first embodiment of the evaporator 130 is shown in FIG. Figure 2 As shown, the evaporator 130 has a housing 201, which includes a cylindrical body 204 and a pair of tube sheets 208 and 209. The cylindrical body 204 is a cylinder with two open ends. The pair of tube sheets 208 and 209 are respectively placed at both ends of the cylindrical body 204 to seal the openings at both ends of the cylindrical body 204. The cylindrical body 204 and the pair of tube sheets 208 and 209 enclose a cavity 305, which is used to accommodate heat exchange tubes. Figure 2 As shown in FIG, the evaporator 130 has a height direction H, a length direction L, and a width direction W. The height, length, and width directions of the chamber 305 are consistent with the directions of the evaporator 130. The cylindrical body 204 is provided with a refrigerant inlet 212 and a refrigerant outlet 211, wherein the refrigerant outlet 211 is located at the upper portion of the evaporator 130 in the height direction, and the refrigerant inlet 212 is located at the lower portion of the evaporator 130 in the height direction. The liquid refrigerant or gas-liquid mixed refrigerant in the refrigeration system 100 enters the evaporator 130 through the refrigerant inlet 212, absorbs heat in the evaporator 130, and becomes a gaseous refrigerant, which is discharged through the refrigerant outlet 211.

[0029] Figure 3 yes Figure 2 An axial cross-sectional view of the evaporator, as shown in Figure 3 As shown, the interior of the shell 201 forms a cavity 305, and the cavity 305 is provided with a heat exchange tube group 310, a demister 320, a distributor 330, partitions 328 and 329, an upper baffle 321 and a guide plate 323. Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, the refrigerant inlet 212 is disposed below the housing 201 and is located in the middle of the length of the evaporator 130. The refrigerant inlet 212 is also located in the middle of the width of the evaporator 130, so that the refrigerant inlet 212 is at the lowest position in the height of the evaporator 130. The distributor 330 is disposed at the bottom of the cavity 305 and above the refrigerant inlet 212. It is used to guide the refrigerant entering the evaporator 130 to flow along the length of the cavity 305 so as to be distributed as evenly as possible to the heat pipe group.

[0030] The heat exchange tube group 310 is a heat exchange tube bundle formed by arranging a plurality of heat exchange tubes in sequence. Each heat exchange tube in the heat exchange tube bundle extends along the length direction L of the cavity 305. Fluid channels are formed within the heat exchange tubes for circulating water or other media. The fluid channels are formed by connecting the plurality of heat exchange tubes end to end. The gaps between each heat exchange tube and adjacent heat exchange tubes form refrigerant channels for circulating refrigerant. The medium in the fluid channels transfers heat to the refrigerant in the refrigerant channels through the walls of the heat exchange tubes. The heat exchange tube group 310 includes a first heat exchange tube group 301 and a second heat exchange tube group 302, wherein the second heat exchange tube group 302 is disposed above the first heat exchange tube group 301. The first heat exchange tube group 301 is arranged upward from the inner wall of the bottom of the cavity shell 201 and the exterior of the distributor 330. The first heat exchange tube group 301 has a top 312 and a bottom 313. The bottom 313 is arranged approximately adjacent to and along the inner wall of the shell 201, while the top 312 is approximately flush with the height of the cavity 305. Viewed from a radial cross-section of the evaporator 130, the bottom 313 of the first heat exchange tube group 301 is roughly arc-shaped, while the top 312 is roughly horizontal, with the ends of the bottom 313 connected to the ends of the top 312. The top 312 has a first heat exchange tube group width W1. The second heat exchange tube group 302 is arranged upward from the top 312 of the first heat exchange tube group 301. The second heat exchange tube group 302 has a top 316, a bottom 317, and a pair of side portions 318 and 319. The bottom 317 of the second heat exchange tube group 302 is adjacent to the top 312 of the first heat exchange tube group 301. The bottom 317 of the second heat exchange tube group 302 has a second heat exchange tube group width W2, which is smaller than the first heat exchange tube group width W1. The second heat exchange tube group 302 is arranged in the middle of the width of the cavity 305, such that a pair of side portions 318 and 319 of the second heat exchange tube group 302 form a certain distance from the inner wall of the shell 201. The first heat exchange tube group 301 has a first region 341 and a pair of second regions 342 and 343, respectively located on either side of the first region 341. In the width of the cavity 305, the second heat exchange tube group 302 is aligned with the first region 341, while the second regions 342 and 343 are offset from the second heat exchange tube group 302. The top 349 of the first region 341 is the same width as the bottom 317 of the second heat exchange tube group. The top 346 of the second region 342 and the top 348 of the second region 343 each extend beyond the bottom 317 of the second heat exchange tube group 302. In this embodiment, a pair of side portions 318 and 319 extend vertically along the height of the cavity 305, such that the widths of the bottom 317 and top 316 of the second heat exchange tube group 302 are approximately equal. In this embodiment, the heat exchange tubes in the first heat exchange tube group 301 and the second heat exchange tube group 302 have the same diameter and are evenly arranged in rows. The total number of rows in the first heat exchange tube group 301 is greater than the total number of rows in the second heat exchange tube group 302.

[0031] Figure 4 yes Figure 3 A perspective view of a partition in the Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, the partition 328 is adjacent to and extends along the side 318 and the top 346 of the second region 342. The partition 328 is generally L-shaped and includes a vertical partition 331 and a transverse partition 332. The transverse partition 332 is disposed above the top 346 of the second region 342, while the vertical partition 331 is disposed outside the side 318. In the width direction of the chamber 305, one end of the transverse partition 332 is close to or in contact with the inner wall of the shell 201, while the other end is connected to the vertical partition 331. The bottom end of the vertical partition 331 is connected to the transverse partition 332, while the top end of the vertical partition 331 extends beyond the top 316 of the second heat exchange tube group 302. Similarly, partitions 329 and 328 are arranged symmetrically, adjacent to and extending along the side 319 and the top 348 of the second region 343. Partitions 328 are also generally L-shaped, comprising vertical partitions 333 and transverse partitions 334. Transverse partitions 334 are positioned above the top 348 of the second region 343, while vertical partitions 333 are positioned outside the side 319. Along the width of the chamber 305, one end of the transverse partition 334 is adjacent to or in contact with the inner wall of the shell 201, while the other end is connected to the vertical partition 333. The bottom end of the vertical partition 333 is connected to the transverse partition 334, while the top end of the vertical partition 333 extends beyond the top 316 of the second heat exchange tube group 302. Partitions 328, 329, and the housing 201 enclose a heat exchange space 350. Heat exchange space 350 has a fluid outlet 351 formed by the top ends of vertical partitions 331 and 333. Heat exchange tube group 310 is arranged within heat exchange space 350. Heat exchange space 350 includes a top space 352, which is enclosed by the portion of vertical partitions 331 and 333 that extends upward beyond the top 316 of the second heat exchange tube group 302, as well as the top 316 of the second heat exchange tube group 302. Fluid outlet 351 is located at the top end of top space 352. Partitions 328 and the housing 201 enclose a return flow space 361, while partitions 329 and the housing 201 enclose a return flow space 362.

[0032] Figure 4 yes Figure 3The three-dimensional view of the partition 328 in the figure shows that the partition 329 is symmetrically arranged with the partition 328. The structural features of the partition will be described below using the partition 328 as an example. The vertical partition 331 of the partition 328 extends along the length direction and the height direction, and the transverse partition 332 extends along the length direction and the width direction. The proximal ends of the vertical partition 331 and the transverse partition 332 are connected to each other and form an angle. The vertical partition 331 extends roughly along the vertical direction, and the transverse partition 332 extends outward from the vertical partition 331 while slightly tilting downward. The angle between the vertical partition 331 and the transverse partition 332 is greater than 90°. The distal end of the transverse partition 332 has a plurality of through holes 475. When the partition 328 is installed in the cavity 305, the fluid can enter the bottom of the transverse partition 332 from the top of the transverse partition 332 through the through holes 475. One side of through-hole 475 extends beyond the edge of transverse partition 332, forming a recessed recess from the edge. In another embodiment of the present application, transverse partition 332 includes a hole extending through both the upper and lower surfaces of transverse partition 332, enabling fluid communication between the upper and lower portions of transverse partition 332. The hole can be located anywhere on transverse partition 332.

[0033] Figure 5 yes Figure 3 A perspective view of the upper and middle baffles 321 and the guide plate 323, as shown in FIG. Figure 3 and Figure 5 As shown, the upper baffle 321 is disposed above the heat exchange tube assembly 310 and extends along the width and length of the chamber 305. A certain distance exists between the upper baffle 321 and the top ends of the vertical baffles 331 and 333, allowing fluid to flow between the upper baffle 321 and the vertical baffles 331 and 333. The flow guide plates 323 include a pair of outer flow guide plates 371 and 372, and a pair of inner flow guide plates 373 and 374. The outer flow guide plates 371 and 372 extend downward and obliquely from both ends of the upper baffle 321 in the width direction to the return flow spaces 361 and 362, respectively. The bottoms of the outer flow guide plates 371 and 372 are lower than the tops of the vertical baffles 331 and 333. In other words, at least a portion of each of the outer flow guide plates 371 and 372 is located outside the vertical partitions 331 and 333, respectively. A pair of inner flow guide plates 373 and 374 extend downwardly and outwardly from the lower surface of the upper baffle 321. In the width direction of the chamber 305, the pair of inner flow guide plates 373 and 374 are located inside the vertical partitions 331 and 333, respectively. The distal ends of the pair of inner flow guide plates 373 and 374 are spaced apart from the vertical partitions 331 and 333, respectively, to allow fluid to flow through.

[0034] In this embodiment, the width of the upper baffle 321 is greater than the width of the fluid outlet 351. In other embodiments, the width of the upper baffle 321 may be less than the width of the fluid outlet 351, as long as the maximum width between the outer guide plates 371 and 372 is greater than the width of the fluid outlet 351. The upper baffle 321, outer guide plates 371 and 372, and inner guide plates 373 and 374 can be separate components connected together by welding or screws, or they can be integrally formed. The outer guide plates 371 and 372 and the upper baffle 321 can have a continuous shape, such as a downwardly curved arc.

[0035] like Figure 3 As shown, the demister 320 extends outward from the outside of the outer guide plates 371 and 372 to the inner wall of the housing 201, so that the demister 320, the outer guide plates 371 and 372, and the upper baffle 321 divide the chamber 305 into an upper space 381 and a lower space 382. The demister 320 has a mesh structure with a plurality of holes, and the upper space 381 and the lower space 382 are fluidically connected through the holes in the demister 320. The refrigerant outlet 211 is provided on the housing 201 at the upper space 381, and the refrigerant inlet 212 is provided on the housing 201 at the lower space 382.

[0036] Figure 6 yes Figure 3 The three-dimensional diagram of the middle distributor 330 is as follows: Figure 3 and Figure 6 As shown, the distributor 330 is generally elongated and extends along the length of the cavity 305. The distributor 330 comprises a first plate 608 and a second plate 609, which are connected at their proximal ends in the width direction and form an angle between them. Viewed from a cross-section, the distributor 330 has an inverted V-shape. The distal ends of the first and second plates 608, 609 in the width direction have multiple grooves 615. The grooves 615 are recessed inward from the outer edges of the first and second plates 608, 609. The grooves 615 are evenly distributed along the length of the distributor 330. When the distributor 330 is installed in the cavity 305, the distal ends of the first and second plates 608, 609 abut against the lower portion of the housing 201, forming a long, strip-shaped distribution space 339 between the distributor 330 and the housing 201. The refrigerant inlet 212 communicates with the distribution space 339. The distributor 330 can guide the refrigerant entering the distribution space 339 to flow along the length direction, so as to be quickly and evenly distributed to the first heat exchange tube group 301.

[0037] Figure 7 yes Figure 3 Schematic diagram of the refrigerant flow direction of the evaporator 130, as shown in Figure 7As shown, hollow arrows represent gaseous refrigerant, and solid arrows represent liquid refrigerant. Low-temperature refrigerant enters the distribution space 339 formed between the distributor 330 and the housing 201 through the refrigerant inlet 212. The refrigerant flows in the distribution space 339 along the length of the cavity 305. During this flow, the refrigerant enters the gaps between the first heat exchange tube group 301 through the multiple grooves 615 on either side of the distributor. During evaporator operation, the refrigerant level remains roughly flush with the top of the first heat exchange tube group 310, meaning that the first heat exchange tube group 310 is immersed in the liquid refrigerant. The refrigerant in the gaps between the heat exchange tubes exchanges heat with the fluid within the tubes, increasing its temperature. A portion of the refrigerant absorbs heat and becomes gaseous. This gaseous refrigerant then moves upward. The gaseous refrigerant generated during the heat exchange process in the first heat exchange tube group 310 carries a large amount of liquid refrigerant with it, moving upward into the second heat exchange tube group 302 for further heat exchange. Partitions 328 and 329 allow the refrigerant to flow upward along the heat exchange space 350, preventing it from directly entering the return spaces 361 and 362. Because the width of the second heat exchange tube group 302 is smaller than the width of the first heat exchange tube group 301 at the connection between the first heat exchange tube group 301 and the second heat exchange tube group 302, that is, the flow cross-sectional area of the second heat exchange tube group 302 is smaller than the flow cross-sectional area of the first heat exchange tube group 301, the refrigerant entering the second heat exchange tube group 302 from the first heat exchange tube group 310 is accelerated, allowing the liquid refrigerant entrained by the gaseous refrigerant to flow upward in the second heat exchange tube group 302 to reach a certain height. The gas-liquid mixed refrigerant entering the second heat exchange tube group 302 continues to exchange heat with the second heat exchange tube group 302, and a portion of the liquid refrigerant is converted to gas, which continues to drive the refrigerant fluid upward. After heat exchange through the second heat exchange tube group 302, the refrigerant flows out of the fluid outlet 351 of the heat exchange space 350 and reaches the upper baffle 321. The gaseous refrigerant flows out from the gap between the upper baffle 321 and the partitions 328 and 329, enters the return spaces 361 and 362, and then passes through the demister 320 for demisting before flowing out of the refrigerant outlet 211. A portion of the liquid refrigerant flowing out of the fluid outlet 351 is blocked by the upper baffle 321 and the inner guide plates 373 and 374, redirected back to the fluid outlet 351, and then enters the heat exchange tube group 310 for further heat exchange. The remaining portion flows out from the gap between the upper baffle 321 and the partitions 328 and 329, and enters the return spaces 361 and 362. The outer guide plates 371 and 372 guide this portion of the refrigerant downward, causing it to land on the transverse partitions 332 and 334. The refrigerant re-enters the first heat exchange tube group 301 through the through holes 475 of the transverse partitions 332 and 334 to continue heat exchange. The transverse partitions 332 and 334 are slightly tilted downward from the inside to the outside, thereby guiding the liquid refrigerant to flow into the through holes 475 at both ends of the transverse partitions 332 and 334.

[0038] In this embodiment, the arrangement of the heat exchange tube group 310 allows for a high refrigerant heat exchange efficiency. The refrigerant liquid level only needs to be maintained flush with the height of the first heat exchange tube group 301, thereby saving a certain amount of refrigerant. The fact that the width of the first heat exchange tube group 301 of the first heat exchange tube group is greater than the second heat exchange width of the second heat exchange tube group 302 allows the fluid to be accelerated in the second heat exchange tube group 302, thereby allowing the entrained liquid refrigerant to reach a certain height, reaching the top of the second heat exchange tube group 302. This allows all heat exchange tubes in the second heat exchange tube group 302 to exchange heat with the liquid refrigerant, thereby enabling the evaporator to produce a sufficient amount of gaseous refrigerant. If heat exchange tubes at the same height as the second heat exchange tube group 302 are directly arranged in the evaporator cavity, if the same amount of refrigerant as in this embodiment is used, there will not be enough liquid refrigerant to reach the top of the heat exchange tube group, so that the heat exchange tubes at the top only exchange heat with the gaseous refrigerant, but not with the liquid refrigerant to convert the liquid refrigerant into gaseous refrigerant. In other words, the heat exchange efficiency of the heat exchange tubes at the top is low, resulting in a small amount of gaseous refrigerant generated by the evaporator, which cannot meet the demand.

[0039] Figure 8 is a radial cross-sectional view of the evaporator 800 of the second embodiment of the present application, Figure 8 The embodiment shown is Figure 1 -7 is similar to the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 , except that only one of the pair of side portions of the second heat exchange tube group 802 of the evaporator 800 forms a gap with the shell, and the height of the refrigerant inlet 882 is higher than that of the first heat exchange tube group 801. Figure 8As shown, the evaporator 800 includes a first heat exchange tube group 801 and a second heat exchange tube group 802. The first heat exchange tube group 801 has a top 812 and a bottom 813, with the top 812 having a first heat exchange tube group width. The second heat exchange tube group 802 is arranged upward from the top 812 of the first heat exchange tube group 801. The second heat exchange tube group 802 has a top 816, a bottom 817, and a pair of side portions 818 and 819. The bottom 817 of the second heat exchange tube group 802 is adjacent to the top 812 of the first heat exchange tube group 801. The top 816 of the second heat exchange tube group 802 has a second heat exchange tube group width, which is smaller than the first heat exchange tube group width. The second heat exchange tube group 802 is arranged on one side of the chamber 805 in the width direction, such that the side portion 818 of the second heat exchange tube group 802 is adjacent to the inner wall of the shell 890, and a certain distance is formed between the side portion 819 and the inner wall of the shell 890. The first heat exchange tube group 801 has a first area 841 and a second area 842. In the width direction of the cavity 805, the second heat exchange tube group 802 is aligned with the first area 841, and the second area 842 is staggered with the second heat exchange tube group 802, so that the second area 842 exceeds the bottom 817 of the second heat exchange tube group 802. In this embodiment, there is one partition 829, and the partition 829 extends along the side 819 and the top of the second area 842. A backflow space 862 is formed between the partition 829 and the shell. One end of the upper baffle 821 is connected to the shell 890, and the other end is connected to the outer guide plate 872. The outer guide plate 872 extends outward and downward, and the height of the bottom of the outer guide plate 872 is lower than the height of the partition 829. Figure 4 Similar to the embodiment shown, the partition 829 has a vertical partition 833 and a transverse partition 834, and the transverse partition 834 is provided with a groove (not shown in the figure) to allow fluid to flow through. The demister 820 extends from the outside of the outer guide plate 872 to the shell 890, so that the demister 820, the outer guide plate 872 and the upper baffle 821 divide the cavity 805 into an upper space 891 and a lower space 892. The refrigerant outlet 881 is arranged on the shell corresponding to the upper space 891. The refrigerant inlet 882 is arranged on the shell corresponding to the side 818. The distributor 830 is arranged between the shell 890 and the side 818 of the second heat exchange tube group 802. One side of the distributor is connected to the refrigerant inlet 882, and the other side is provided with a plurality of holes distributed along the length direction (not shown in the figure).

[0040] When the evaporator 800 is working, the refrigerant enters the distributor 830 from the refrigerant inlet 882, and is guided by the distributor 830 to flow in the longitudinal direction, while passing through the multiple holes on the distributor 830 to enter the second heat exchange tube group 802, and then flows to the first heat exchange tube group 801. Figure 3 Compared to the embodiment shown, Figure 8In the embodiment, the refrigerant entering the evaporator 800 first passes through the second heat exchange tube group 802, then reaches the first heat exchange tube group 801 for heat exchange, and then enters the second heat exchange tube group 802 for heat exchange again. The provision of the refrigerant inlet 882 further utilizes the second heat exchange tube group 802 for heat exchange, thereby improving heat exchange efficiency. The liquid refrigerant enters the distributor 830 from the refrigerant inlet 882, is guided by the distributor 830, enters the second heat exchange tube group 802 for heat exchange, and then enters the first heat exchange tube group 801 for heat exchange. The liquid refrigerant accumulates in the first heat exchange tube group 801, and the liquid level is roughly flush with the first heat exchange tube group 801. The gas-liquid mixed refrigerant containing liquid droplets moves upward to re-enter the second heat exchange tube group 802 for heat exchange, and continues to move upward to flow out of the fluid outlet 851 of the heat exchange space 850. The refrigerant flowing out of the fluid outlet 851 contains gaseous refrigerant and liquid refrigerant. A portion of the liquid refrigerant is blocked by the upper baffle 821 and the inner guide plate 874, returning to the fluid outlet 851 of the heat exchange space 850 and re-entering the heat exchange space for heat exchange. The remaining portion flows out from the gap between the upper baffle 821 and the upper end of the partition 829 and enters the return flow space 862. This portion of refrigerant is guided downward by the outer guide plate 872 and flows through the groove of the transverse partition 834 into the first heat exchange tube group 801 for heat exchange. The gaseous refrigerant enters the return flow space 862 from the fluid outlet 851, is defogged by the demister 820, enters the upper space 891, and then flows out through the refrigerant outlet 881.

[0041] Figure 8 The refrigerant filling amount of the evaporator 800 shown is sufficient to ensure that the liquid refrigerant reaches the position of the transverse partition 834 and can immerse the first heat exchange tube group 801. This can also achieve the effect of reducing the refrigerant filling amount and saving refrigerant.

[0042] Figure 9 is a radial cross-sectional view of the evaporator 900 of the third embodiment of the present application, Figure 9 The embodiment shown is Figure 8 The embodiment shown is similar, except that the evaporator 900 introduces the refrigerant from the refrigerant inlet 912 into the heat exchange space 950 through the inlet guide pipe 980. Figure 9As shown, the side 918 of the second heat exchange tube group 902 is adjacent to the shell 990, and the side 919 is spaced apart from the shell 990. The refrigerant inlet 912 is provided on the shell 990 at a certain distance from the side 919. A distributor 930 is provided on the outside of the vertical partition 933 of the partition 929. The distributor 930 is generally in the shape of an elongated strip and includes a top plate 945 and a pair of side plates 946 and 947. One end of the side plate 946 is connected to the top plate 945, and the other end is connected to the vertical partition 933. The side plates 946, 947, top plate 945 and vertical partition 933 together form a distribution space 939. The vertical partition 933 at the distribution space 939 is provided with a plurality of through holes 935, which can allow fluid to pass through the vertical partition 933. The top plate 945 is provided with an inlet drainage hole 948. One end of the inlet drainage pipe 980 is connected to the refrigerant inlet 912, and the other end is connected to the inlet drainage hole 948, so that the refrigerant entering the evaporator 900 from the refrigerant inlet 912 can enter the distributor 930 through the inlet drainage pipe 980, and then enter the second heat exchange tube group 902 through the through hole 935 for heat exchange.

[0043] The refrigerant's heat exchange process in evaporator 900 is identical to that in evaporator 800. The refrigerant enters distributor 930 from refrigerant inlet 912 through inlet drainage pipe 980. Distributor 930 directs the refrigerant's flow longitudinally, while simultaneously passing through multiple through-holes 935 in vertical baffle 929 into second heat exchange tube group 902, and then into first heat exchange tube group 901. Liquid refrigerant exchanges heat in second heat exchange tube group 902 before reentering first heat exchange tube group 901 for heat exchange. Liquid refrigerant accumulates in first heat exchange tube group 901, reaching a level roughly flush with that of first heat exchange tube group 901. The gas-liquid mixture containing liquid droplets moves upward, reenters second heat exchange tube group 902 for heat exchange, and continues upward, flowing out of fluid outlet 951 in heat exchange space 950. The refrigerant flowing out of fluid outlet 951 contains both gaseous and liquid refrigerant. A portion of the liquid refrigerant is blocked by the upper baffle 921 and the inner guide plate 974, returning to the fluid outlet 951 of the heat exchange space 950 and re-entering the heat exchange space for heat exchange. The remaining portion flows out from the gap between the upper baffle 921 and the upper end of the partition 929 and enters the drainage space 962. This portion of refrigerant is guided downward by the outer guide plate 972 and flows through the groove of the transverse partition 934 into the first heat exchange tube group 901 for heat exchange. The gaseous refrigerant enters the drainage space 962 from the fluid outlet 951, is defogged by the demister 920, enters the upper space 981, and then flows out through the refrigerant outlet 911.

[0044] Figure 9 The evaporator 900 is shown with Figure 8The evaporator 800 shown achieves the same technical effect. Compared to evaporator 800, the distributor 930 of evaporator 900 is located on the partition 929, eliminating the need for heat exchange tube routing space. This allows for more heat exchange tubes to be routed within an evaporator shell of the same diameter. Furthermore, the distributor 930 of evaporator 900 has a regular shape, making it easier to manufacture.

[0045] Although only some features of the present invention have been illustrated and described herein, various modifications and variations may be made by those skilled in the art. It should be understood that the appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications and variations that fall within the true spirit of the present invention.

Claims

1. An evaporator, characterized in that include: A shell having a cavity and a refrigerant inlet and a refrigerant outlet communicated with the cavity, wherein the cavity has a length direction, a width direction, and a height direction; a first heat exchange tube group and a second heat exchange tube group, wherein each heat exchange tube in the first heat exchange tube group and the second heat exchange tube group extends along the length direction of the cavity, the first heat exchange tube group is located at the bottom of the cavity, and the second heat exchange tube group is located above the first heat exchange tube group, and the second heat exchange tube group has a pair of side portions extending along the length direction of the cavity, and at least one of the pair of side portions is spaced a certain distance from the shell; the top of the first heat exchange tube group has a first heat exchange tube group width in the width direction of the cavity, and the bottom of the second heat exchange tube group has a second heat exchange tube group width in the width direction of the cavity; the width of the first heat exchange tube group is greater than the width of the second heat exchange tube group, so that the first heat exchange tube group includes a first area and at least one second area, and in the width direction of the cavity, the top of the first area is aligned with the bottom of the second heat exchange tube group, and the top of the at least one second area is staggered with the bottom of the second heat exchange tube group; At least one partition, the at least one partition is adjacent to and extends along the at least one side portion of the second heat exchange tube group that is spaced apart from the shell, and is adjacent to and extends along the top of the second region, the at least one partition and the shell jointly define a heat exchange space, the first heat exchange tube group and the second heat exchange tube group are arranged in the heat exchange space, the heat exchange space has a fluid outlet near the top of the second heat exchange tube group, the refrigerant inlet is in fluid communication with the heat exchange space, and the refrigerant outlet is in fluid communication with the fluid outlet.

2. The evaporator according to claim 1, wherein: The first heat exchange tube group and the second heat exchange tube group have the same tube diameter and are arranged in a row along the width direction of the cavity; The number of columns of the second heat exchange tube group is less than the number of columns of the first heat exchange tube group.

3. The evaporator according to claim 1, characterized in that Also includes: An outlet baffle is provided above the fluid outlet and extends along the length and width directions of the cavity. There is a certain distance between the outlet baffle and the at least one partition.

4. The evaporator according to claim 3, characterized in that Also includes: At least one external guide plate is connected to one end of the outlet baffle adjacent to the at least one partition, and the at least one external guide plate extends downward and outward from the outlet baffle to the outside of the at least one partition, and extends beyond the at least one partition in the height direction of the cavity, thereby guiding the refrigerant flowing out of the fluid outlet to flow downward.

5. The evaporator according to claim 4, characterized in that Also includes: At least one inner flow guide plate is connected to the outlet baffle and extends downward from the outlet baffle toward the at least one partition, wherein in the width direction of the cavity, the at least one inner flow guide plate is located between a pair of side portions of the second heat exchange tube group, and the at least one inner flow guide plate is configured to guide liquid refrigerant in the refrigerant flowing out of the fluid outlet back to the heat exchange space.

6. The evaporator according to claim 1, wherein: The distance that the second heat exchange tube group extends in the height direction of the cavity is greater than the distance that the first heat exchange tube group extends in the height direction of the cavity.

7. The evaporator according to claim 1, wherein: Each of the pair of side portions is spaced apart from the shell, and both ends of the top of the first heat exchange tube group extend beyond each of the pair of side portions in the width direction of the cavity to form a pair of second areas. The at least one partition includes a pair of partitions, which are respectively adjacent to and extend along the pair of side portions and the top of the second area.

8. The evaporator according to claim 7, wherein: The refrigerant inlet is adjacent to the bottom of the first heat exchange tube group.

9. The evaporator according to claim 1, wherein: There is a certain distance between the first side portion of the pair of side portions and the shell, the second side portion is arranged adjacent to the inner wall of the shell, the first heat exchange tube group has a second area, and the at least one partition includes a partition, which is adjacent to and extends along the first side portion and the top of the second area.

10. The evaporator according to claim 9, wherein: The height of the refrigerant inlet is higher than the height of the first heat exchange tube group.

11. The evaporator according to claim 10, characterized in that include: An inlet drainage pipe, one end of which is connected to the refrigerant inlet, and the other end of which extends through the at least one partition, so that the refrigerant can enter the heat exchange space from the inlet drainage pipe.

12. The evaporator according to claim 1, wherein: Each of the at least one partition includes a transverse partition extending along the top of the second area of the corresponding first heat exchange tube group, the transverse partition having at least one through hole passing through the transverse partition, and the at least one through hole is arranged on one end of the transverse partition close to the shell in the width direction of the transverse partition relative to the cavity.

13. A refrigeration system, characterized in that include: A compressor, a condenser, a throttling device and an evaporator are arranged in a refrigerant circuit, wherein the evaporator is the evaporator according to any one of claims 1 to 12.

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