Micro-channel heat exchanger and fluid distributor thereof

Abstract

The invention relates to a micro-channel heat exchanger and a fluid distributor thereof. Specifically, a heat exchanger is disclosed. The heat exchanger includes a fluid distributor including a housing of a predetermined shape. The heat exchanger further includes a plurality of microchannel tubes, wherein the inlet ends of the plurality of microchannel tubes are bundled into one or more groups. In addition, the inlet end of the bundle group is fluidly disposed within the housing of the distributor through one or more sides and / or one or more surfaces of the housing of the distributor.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of heat exchangers, and more particularly to a heat exchanger and a low volume fluid distributor for a heat exchanger. Summary of the invention

[0002] A heat exchanger is described herein. The heat exchanger includes a distributor, the distributor includes a shell of a predetermined shape. The heat exchanger further includes a plurality of microchannel tubes, wherein the inlet ends of the plurality of microchannel tubes are bundled into one or more groups, and wherein the inlet ends of the one or more bundled groups are fluidly disposed within the shell of the distributor through one or more sides and / or one or more surfaces of the shell of the distributor.

[0003] In one or more embodiments, the shell of the distributor is a hollow cylindrical member comprising a first circular base, a second circular base parallel to the first circular base, and a curved lateral surface connecting the periphery of the first circular base and the second circular base, wherein one or more cluster groups are fluidly disposed within the shell from one or more directions through one or more of the first base, the second base and / or the curved lateral surface, and wherein the heat exchanger further comprises a supply pipe fluidly connected to any of the first circular base, the second circular base or the curved lateral surface.

[0004] In one or more embodiments, the shell of the distributor is a hollow component having a polyhedral shape and including a first base, a second base parallel to the first base, and a plurality of planar lateral sides connecting the peripheries of the first base and the second base, wherein one or more cluster groups are fluidly disposed in the shell from one or more directions through one or more of the first base, the second base and / or the planar lateral sides, and wherein the heat exchanger further includes a supply pipe fluidly connected to any of the first base, the second base or any of the planar lateral sides.

[0005] In one or more embodiments, the housing of the distributor has a conical profile comprising a circular base and a curved lateral surface extending from a vortex end to the circular base, wherein the distributor comprises an inlet at the vortex end, and a plurality of outlets configured to circumferentially surround the circular base and be fluidically connected to the inlet via a plurality of fluid passages extending within the housing.

[0006] In one or more embodiments, the inlet end profile of the microchannel tubes associated with each of the cluster groups is set to a curved shape, wherein the curved microchannel tubes are disposed within a circular base of the shell through a plurality of outlets, and wherein the heat exchanger further includes a supply tube fluidly connected to the inlet of the shell.

[0007] In one or more embodiments, the supply tube is configured off-center from a central longitudinal axis of the housing.

[0008] In one or more embodiments, the heat exchanger includes a flow disruptor disposed within a housing of the distributor.

[0009] In one or more embodiments, the heat exchanger further includes a collector, wherein the outlet ends of the plurality of microchannel tubes are bundled into one or more groups, wherein the one or more bundled groups of the outlet ends of the microchannel tubes are fluidly disposed within the collector through one or more sides and / or one or more surfaces of the collector.

[0010] In one or more embodiments, the lengths between the inlet and outlet ends of the plurality of microchannel tubes are configured into a predetermined configuration having a predetermined number of turns or a predetermined number of passes.

[0011] A heat exchanger is also described herein. The heat exchanger includes one or more distributors, each distributor including a shell of a predetermined shape, and a plurality of microchannel tubes, wherein the inlet ends of the plurality of microchannel tubes are bundled into one or more first groups, wherein the inlet end of at least one of the bundled first groups is fluidly disposed in a shell associated with one of the distributors through one or more sides and / or one or more surfaces of the corresponding shell.

[0012] In one or more embodiments, the heat exchanger further includes one or more collectors, wherein the outlet ends of the plurality of microchannel tubes are bundled into one or more second groups, wherein the outlet end of at least one of the bundled second groups is fluidly disposed within one of the collectors through one or more sides or one or more surfaces of the corresponding collector.

[0013] In one or more embodiments, the lengths between the inlet and outlet ends of the plurality of microchannel tubes are configured into a predetermined configuration having a predetermined number of turns or a predetermined number of passes.

[0014] Further described herein is a fluid distributor for a heat exchanger. The distributor includes a housing including one or more sides and / or one or more surfaces defining a predetermined shape and a predetermined internal volume, wherein first ends of a plurality of microchannel tubes associated with the heat exchanger are bundled into one or more groups, and wherein the distributor is configured to fluidly accommodate the first ends of the one or more bundled groups through the one or more sides and / or one or more surfaces of the housing.

[0015] In one or more embodiments, the shell is a hollow cylindrical member comprising a first circular base, a second circular base parallel to the first circular base, and a curved lateral surface connecting the periphery of the first circular base and the second circular base, wherein one or more cluster groups are fluidly disposed within the shell from one or more directions through one or more of the first circular base, the second circular base and / or the curved lateral surface, and wherein any of the first circular base, the second circular base or the curved lateral surface of the distributor is configured to fluidly accommodate a supply pipe associated with a heat exchanger.

[0016] In one or more embodiments, the shell is a hollow member having a polyhedral shape, comprising a first base, a second base parallel to the first base, and a plurality of planar lateral sides connecting the peripheries of the first base and the second base, wherein one or more cluster groups are fluidly disposed within the shell from one or more directions through one or more of the first base, the second base and / or the planar lateral sides, and wherein any of the first base, the second base or any planar lateral sides of the distributor is configured to fluidly accommodate a supply pipe associated with a heat exchanger.

[0017] In one or more embodiments, the shell is a hollow member of a predetermined shape defined by a combination of one or more planar sides and one or more curved surfaces, wherein one or more cluster groups are fluidly disposed within the shell from one or more directions through one or more of the planar sides and the curved sides, and wherein any of the planar sides or any of the curved sides of the distributor is configured to fluidly accommodate a supply tube associated with a heat exchanger.

[0018] In one or more embodiments, the housing has a solid conical profile including a circular base and a curved lateral surface extending from a vortex end to the circular base, wherein the distributor includes an inlet at the vortex end, and a plurality of outlets configured to circumferentially surround the circular base and be fluidically connected to the inlet via a plurality of fluid passages.

[0019] In one or more embodiments, a first end profile of a microchannel tube associated with each of the cluster groups is set to a curved shape, wherein the curved microchannel tube is disposed within a circular base of a shell through a plurality of outlets, and wherein an inlet of the shell is configured to fluidly accommodate a supply tube associated with a heat exchanger.

[0020] The foregoing summary is exemplary only and is not intended to be limiting in any way. In addition to the exemplary aspects, embodiments, and features described above, other aspects, embodiments, features, and techniques of the present disclosure will become more apparent from the following description in conjunction with the drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the disclosure and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate exemplary embodiments of the disclosure and together with the description serve to explain the principles of the disclosure.

[0022] In the drawings, similar components and / or features may have the same reference label. In addition, various components of the same type may be distinguished by following the reference label with a second label that distinguishes the similar components. If only the first reference label is used in the specification, the description applies to any one of the similar components having the same first reference label, regardless of the second reference label.

[0023] Figure 1A and 1B Exemplary views of a heat exchanger having a single refrigerant circuit including a plurality of tubes extending between a low volume distributor and a low volume collector in different configurations are shown according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0024] Figure 1C An exemplary view of a heat exchanger including a plurality of low-volume distributors and low-volume collectors according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure is shown.

[0025] Figure 2A An exemplary cross-sectional side view of a first embodiment of a dispenser having a tapered profile according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure is shown. In addition, Figure 2B shows a depiction for assembly to Figure 2A An exemplary view of the curved profile of the microchannel tube in the outlet port of a distributor.

[0026] Figure 3 An exemplary cross-sectional side view of a second embodiment of a distributor having a cylindrical profile according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure is shown, wherein the supply tube is axially arranged with the housing and the tubes of the cluster group.

[0027] Figure 4A An exemplary cross-sectional side view of a third embodiment of a distributor according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure is shown, wherein the tubes of the cluster group are arranged on one of the lateral sides or lateral surfaces of the distributor and the supply tube is axially connected to the base of the distributor.

[0028] FIG. 4B to FIG. 4F FIG. 1 shows a schematic diagram of a housing having different shapes according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. Figure 4A illustrative top views of various embodiments of dispensers.

[0029] Figure 5AAn exemplary cross-sectional side view of a fourth embodiment of a distributor according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure is shown, wherein the tubes of the cluster groups are arranged on two lateral sides or lateral surfaces of the distributor and the supply tubes are axially connected to the base of the distributor.

[0030] Figures 5B to 5D Exemplary top views depicting various embodiments of a distributor according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure are shown, wherein the tubes of the cluster groups are arranged on different lateral sides or lateral surfaces of the distributor and the supply tubes are axially connected to the base of the distributor.

[0031] Fig. 6A An exemplary cross-sectional side view of a fourth embodiment of a distributor according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure is shown, wherein the tubes of the cluster group are arranged on two lateral sides or lateral surfaces of the distributor, and the supply tube is radially connected to one of the lateral sides or lateral surfaces of the distributor.

[0032] Figure 6B and 6C An exemplary cross-sectional side view and top view are respectively shown of a fifth embodiment of a distributor according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, wherein the tubes of the cluster group are configured on a first base of the distributor and the supply tube is radially connected to one of the lateral sides or lateral surfaces of the distributor.

[0033] Fig.6D and 6E Exemplary views depicting various embodiments of a distributor according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure are shown, wherein the tubes of the cluster groups are arranged on different lateral sides or lateral surfaces of the distributor from different directions, and the supply tubes are radially connected to the lateral sides or lateral surfaces of the distributor. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0034] The following is a detailed description of the embodiments of the present disclosure depicted in the accompanying drawings. The embodiments are so detailed in order to clearly convey the present disclosure. However, the amount of detail provided is not intended to limit the intended variations of the embodiments; on the contrary, it is intended to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives that fall within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims.

[0035] Various terms are used herein. If a term used in a claim is not defined below, it should be given the broadest definition persons in the pertinent art have given that term as reflected in printed publications and issued patents at the time of filing.

[0036] In the specification, when depicting the device in the drawings, reference may be made to the spatial relationship between various components and the spatial orientation of various aspects of the components. However, as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art after reading this disclosure in its entirety, the components of the invention described herein may be positioned in any desired orientation. Therefore, the use of terms such as "above", "below", "upper", "lower", "first", "second" or other similar terms to describe the spatial relationship between various components or to describe the spatial orientation of aspects of these components should be understood to describe the relative relationship between components or the spatial orientation of aspects of these components, respectively, because the distributors, collectors, MCHX tubes, supply tubes, heat exchangers and corresponding components described herein may be oriented in any desired direction.

[0037] Microchannel heat exchangers (MCHX) employing microchannel tubes are key components in heat pump systems, facilitating efficient heat transfer between different fluid streams. These heat exchangers are used in a wide range of applications, including residential and commercial heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems. Conventional MCHXs have relatively large volume headers on both sides of the microchannel tubes or heat exchange sections to distribute the flows into the tubes and collect the flows leaving the tubes. These headers may be horizontal or vertical headers in the form of cylindrical tubes that extend along the entire length of the heat exchange section of the MCHX, with individual MCHX tubes spaced a certain distance apart and arranged along the length of the headers. These larger volume headers may result in increased refrigerant volume requirements, which may lead to increased costs and safety issues when handling flammable refrigerants. In addition, the number of connections on conventional headers is high, increasing the risk of potential failure points, affecting reliability and maintenance efforts.

[0038] Therefore, a solution is needed to address the challenges posed by conventional MCHXs with large volume headers by providing an improved, high efficiency, low volume refrigerant distributor for a microchannel heat exchanger that can replace the conventional large volume header while effectively distributing the refrigerant flow to each of the microchannel tubes.

[0039] refer to Figures 1A to 1B , the heat exchanger 100 may include a distributor 102, a collector 104, and a plurality of microchannel tubes 106 extending between the distributor 102 and the collector 104. The inlet ends of the microchannel tubes 106 may be bundled into one or more groups (first groups), which may be fluidly disposed in (embedded in) the distributor 102 through one or more sides and / or one or more surfaces of the distributor 102. The heat exchanger 100 may further include a supply pipe 110 fluidly connected to the inlet side of the distributor 102 to supply fluid to the bundled microchannel tubes 106 through the distributor 102. The detailed structure of the distributor 102 has been described later in conjunction with Figures 2A to 6D describe.

[0040] In addition, in one or more embodiments, the outlet ends of the microchannel tubes 106 may also be bundled into one or more groups (second groups), which may be fluidly disposed in the collector 104 through one or more sides and / or one or more surfaces of the collector 104. However, the outlet ends of the microchannel tubes 106 may also be directly fluidly disposed in the collector 104.

[0041] In one or more embodiments, the length between the inlet and outlet ends of the microchannel tubes 106 may form a heat exchange section that may be configured to have a predetermined number of turns, a predetermined number of passes, or a predetermined configuration of both. The microchannel tubes 106 or heat exchange sections may facilitate heat exchange between a fluid (refrigerant) flowing through the tubes 106 and another fluid (air) flowing across the heat exchange section. In addition, the heat exchanger 100 or heat exchange section may include a plurality of heat dissipating fins disposed between the microchannel tubes 106 to increase the exchange / transfer area of ​​the tubes 106 and correspondingly enhance heat exchange.

[0042] In one or more embodiments, the tube 106 can be configured in a serpentine configuration that is separated by a loop (e.g. Figure 1A As shown in ), integrated circuit (as shown in Figure 1B ) or a combination thereof, each having a predetermined number of passes and turns. Figure 1A In the split loop, the length between the inlet and outlet ends of each of the individual microchannel tubes 106 may have a predetermined number of passes and turns extending separately from the other microchannel tubes 106. Each of the split loops may have the same or different lengths. Each of the split loops may have the same or different numbers of passes or turns. In addition, referring to Figure 1B In an integrated loop, the length between the inlet and outlet ends of the microchannel tube 106 may extend substantially parallel to each other while having a predetermined number of passes and turns.

[0043] refer to Figure 1C In one or more embodiments, the heat exchanger 100 may include one or more distributors 102-1 to 102-3, one or more collectors 104-1 to 104-3, and a plurality of microchannel tubes 106-A to 106-C fluidly connected and extending between the distributors 102-1 to 102-3 and the collectors 104-1 to 104-3. The inlet ends of the microchannel tubes 106-A to 106-C may be bundled into one or more first groups, and the outlet inlet ends of the microchannel tubes 106-A to 106-C may be further bundled into one or more second groups. The inlet end of at least one of the bundled first groups may be fluidly disposed in one of the distributors 102-1 to 102-3 through one or more sides and / or one or more surfaces of the corresponding shell of the distributors 102-1 to 102-3.

[0044] In addition, the outlet end of at least one of the bundled second group of tubes 106-A to 106-C may be fluidly disposed within one of the collectors 104-1 to 104-3 through one or more sides or one or more surfaces of the corresponding collector. However, in one or more embodiments, the outlet ends of the microchannel tubes 106-A to 106-C may not be bundled into a group and may be directly fluidly disposed within one of the collectors through one or more sides or one or more surfaces of the corresponding collector 104. In addition (not shown), in one or more embodiments, the heat exchanger 100 may include a single collector 104, wherein the outlet ends of the microchannel tubes 106 may not be bundled into a group and may be directly fluidly disposed within the collector 104 through one or more sides or one or more surfaces of the corresponding collector 104.

[0045] In one or more embodiments, the inlet side of each of the distributors 102-1 to 102-3 may be fluidly connected to a common distributor 108. Furthermore, the common distributor 108 may be fluidly connected to a supply pipe 110 associated with the heat exchanger 100. The common distributor 108 may supply an equal volume of fluid (received from the supply pipe 110) to each of the distributors 102-1 to 102-3. Additionally, the outlet side of each of the collectors 104-1 to 104-3 may be further fluidly connected to a common collector line to receive fluid from each of the collectors 104-1 to 104-3.

[0046] In one or more embodiments, the length between the inlet end and the outlet end of the plurality of microchannel tubes 106 can be configured to have a predetermined number of turns or a predetermined number of passes to form a heat exchange section. In addition, the heat exchanger 100 or the heat exchange section can include a plurality of heat dissipating fins configured between the microchannel tubes 106 to increase the exchange / transfer area of ​​the tubes 106 and correspondingly enhance heat exchange.

[0047] refer to Figures 2A to 6D , the distributor 102 may include a housing including one or more sides and / or one or more surfaces defining a predetermined shape and a predetermined internal volume. The distributor 102 may be configured to fluidly accommodate the first end (inlet end) of the clustered group of microchannel tubes 106 through one or more sides and / or one or more surfaces of the housing. In one or more embodiments, the distributor 102 may be further configured to fluidly accommodate the supply tubes 110 associated with the heat exchanger radially or axially from any of the sides or surfaces of the housing of the distributor 102.

[0048] In one or more embodiments, the first ends of the microchannel tubes 106 may be stacked or clustered vertically, horizontally, or in other configurations. In addition, a portion of a wall associated with a corresponding side and / or surface of the housing may be removed, and the first end of the cluster group 106 may be embedded within the housing through the removed portion, and the supply tube 110 may be connected to the inlet of the housing. In addition, the embedded cluster group 106 may be brazed with the housing to fluidically seal the distributor 102 so that the fluid may flow from the supply tube 110 through the housing into the microchannel tubes 106 of the cluster group without any leakage.

[0049] refer to Figure 2A In one or more embodiments, the housing 202 of the distributor 102 may have a solid conical profile including a circular base 202-1 and a curved lateral surface 202-3 extending from a vortex end 202-2 to the circular base 202-1. The distributor 102 may include an inlet 204 at the vortex end 202-2, and a plurality of outlets 206 arranged circumferentially around the circular base 202-1 and in fluid communication with the inlet 204 via a plurality of fluid passages. In addition, as Figure 2B As shown in FIG. 1 , the first end of the microchannel tube 106 associated with each of the clustered groups may be contoured to a curved shape based on the contour of the circular base 202-1 of the distributor 102. Thus, the curved microchannel tube 106 may be disposed within the circular base 202-1 of the housing 202 via a plurality of outlets 206. In addition, the supply tube 110 may be fluidly connected to the inlet 204 of the housing 202, so that the distributor 102 may radially supply the fluid received from the supply tube 110 to the port associated with the clustered microchannel tube 106.

[0050] In one or more embodiments, reference Figure 3 , the housing 302 of the distributor 102 may be a hollow cylindrical member including a first circular base 302-1, a second circular base 302-2 parallel to the first circular base 302-1, and a curved lateral surface 302-3 connecting the peripheries of the first circular base 302-1 and the second circular base 302-2. In addition, the tubes 106 of the clustered group may be fluidly disposed in the housing 302 from one of the sides selected from the first circular base 302-1, the second circular base 302-2, or the curved lateral surface 302-3. In addition, the supply tube 110 may be fluidly connected axially or radially to any of the first circular base 302-1, the second circular base 302-2, or the curved lateral surface 302-3 of the distributor 102, so that the distributor 102 may radially or axially supply the fluid received from the supply tube 110 to the port associated with the clustered microchannel tube 106.

[0051] refer to Figure 3In one or more embodiments, the tubes 106 of the clustered group may be fluidly disposed within the housing 302 through the first circular base 302-1, and the supply tube 110 may be axially connected to the inlet at the second circular base 302-2 so that the fluid may flow axially from the supply tube 110 to the port associated with the clustered microchannel tubes 106. In one or more embodiments, the distributor 102 may include a flow disruptor 304 coaxially disposed within the housing 302 of the distributor 102.

[0052] refer to Figure 4A and 4B In one or more embodiments, the housing 402 of the distributor 102 may be a hollow cylindrical member including a first circular base 402-1, a second circular base 402-2 parallel to the first base 402-1, and a curved lateral surface 402-3 connecting the peripheries of the first base 402-1 and the second base 402-2. In addition, the tubes 106 of the clustered group may be fluidly disposed within the housing 402 of the distributor 102 through one of the sides of the curved lateral surface 402-3, and the supply tube 110 may be axially connected to the second circular base 402-2, so that the fluid may be uniformly mixed and uniformly distributed to the ports associated with the clustered microchannel tubes 106. In one or more embodiments, the distributor 102 may also include a flow disruptor 404 coaxially disposed within the housing 402 of the distributor 102.

[0053] In one or more embodiments, reference Figure 4C and 4D , the housing 402 of the dispenser 102 may be a hollow component having a polyhedral shape, which includes a first base, a second base parallel to the first base, and a plurality of planar lateral sides connecting the perimeters of the first base and the second base. Figure 4C As shown in , the housing 402 may have a cubic shape having four planar sides extending between the perimeters of the two rectangular bases. Figure 4D As shown in , the housing 402 may have a prismatic shape having three planar sides extending between the perimeters of the two triangular bases. In addition, the tubes 106 of the cluster group may be from Figure 4C and 4D One of the planar lateral sides of the housing 402 of the dispenser 102 is fluidly disposed within the housing 402. In addition, the supply tube 110 can be fluidly connected to any of the first base, the second base, or any planar lateral sides of the dispenser 102.

[0054] In one or more embodiments, reference Figure 4E and 4F, the housing 402 of the distributor 102 may be a hollow member having a predetermined shape defined by a combination of one or more planar sides and one or more curved surfaces. In addition, the tubes of the cluster group may be fluidly disposed within the housing 402 from one of the sides selected from the planar side or the curved side of the housing 402. In addition, the supply tube 110 may be fluidly connected to any of the planar sides or any of the curved sides of the distributor 102. In one or more embodiments, Figures 4B to 4F The distributor 102 may further include a flow disruptor 406 disposed within the housing 402 coaxially with the planar side or the curved side.

[0055] refer to Figure 5A and 5B In one or more embodiments, the housing 502 of the distributor 102 may have a cylindrical shape, including a first circular base 502-1, a second circular base 502-2 parallel to the first circular base 502-1, and a curved lateral surface 502-3 connecting the periphery of the first circular base 502-1 and the second circular base 502-2. In addition, a plurality of clustered groups of tubes 106 may be fluidly disposed within the housing 502 through a plurality of sides of the curved lateral surface of the cylinder 502, and the supply tube 110 may be axially connected to the second circular base 502-2 of the cylinder 502, so that the fluid may be uniformly mixed and evenly distributed to the ports associated with the clustered microchannel tubes 106. Figure 5A As shown in , two clustered groups of tubes 106 can be fluidly disposed within the housing 502 through two opposite sides of the curved lateral surface 502-3 of the cylindrical housing 502. In addition, as shown in Figure 5B As shown in FIG. 5 , four clustered groups of tubes 106 can be fluidly disposed in the housing 502 from four directions through the curved lateral surface 502-3 of the cylindrical housing 502. In addition, the supply pipe 110 can be axially connected to Figure 5A and 5B At the second circular base 502 - 2 of the housing 502 . In one or more embodiments, the distributor 102 may further include a flow disruptor 504 coaxially disposed within the housing 502 of the distributor 102 .

[0056] refer to Figure 5C and 5D In one or more embodiments, the housing 502 of the distributor 102 may have a polyhedral shape including a first base, a second base parallel to the first base, and a plurality of planar lateral sides connecting the peripheries of the first base and the second base. In addition, a plurality of clustered groups of tubes 106 may be fluidly disposed within the housing 502 through a plurality of sides of the planar lateral surfaces of the housing 502, and the supply tube 110 may be axially connected at the second base of the housing 502, so that the fluid may be uniformly mixed and evenly distributed to the ports associated with the clustered microchannel tubes 106. Figure 5CAs shown in , the housing 502 may have a cubic shape having four planar lateral sides connecting the perimeters of the two rectangular bases, and four clustered groups of tubes 106 may be fluidly disposed within the housing 502 through the four lateral sides of the housing 502. In addition, as shown in Figure 5D As shown in , the housing 502 may have an octagonal shape having eight planar lateral sides extending between the perimeters of the two rectangular bases, and eight clustered groups of tubes 106 may be fluidly disposed within the housing 502 through the eight lateral sides of the housing 502. In one or more embodiments, the distributor 102 may also include a flow disruptor 504 coaxially disposed within the housing 502 of the distributor 102.

[0057] refer to Figures 6A to 6E In one or more embodiments, the supply tube 110 may be radially connected to the housing 602 of the distributor 102 such that the supply tube 110 remains eccentric from the central axis of the housing 602. Thus, the eccentric supply tube 110 may allow the fluid to flow in a swirling motion within the housing 602 to uniformly mix the fluid and further uniformly distribute the mixed fluid into the ports associated with the tubes of the clustered group.

[0058] refer to Figures 6A to 6D In one or more embodiments, the housing 602 of the distributor 102 may have a cylindrical shape including a first circular base 602-1, a second circular base 602-2 parallel to the first circular base 602-1, and a curved lateral surface 602-3 connecting the perimeters of the first circular base 602-1 and the second circular base 602-2. In addition, the tubes 106 of the plurality of cluster groups may be fluidly disposed within the housing 602 through one or more sides of the curved lateral surface 602-3 of the cylindrical housing 602 and / or through the first circular base 602-1. In addition, the supply tubes 110 may be radially connected to the curved lateral surface 602-3 of the cylindrical housing 602 so that the fluid may flow in a vortex motion within the housing 602 to uniformly mix the fluid and further uniformly distribute the mixed fluid to ports associated with the tubes 106 of the cluster group.

[0059] like Fig. 6A As shown in , two clustered groups of tubes 106 can be fluidly disposed within the housing 602 through two opposite sides of the curved lateral surface 602-3 of the cylindrical housing 602. In addition, as shown in Fig.6D As shown in FIG. 1 , four clustered groups of tubes 106 may be fluidly disposed within the housing 602 from four directions through the curved lateral surface 602-3 of the cylindrical housing 602. Figure 6B and 6C As shown in FIG. 1 , the tubes 106 of a single cluster group may be fluidly disposed within the housing 602 through the first circular base 602-1 of the cylindrical housing 602. In addition, the supply tubes 110 may be radially connected to Figures 6A to 6D The curved lateral surface 602 - 3 of the cylindrical housing 602 . In one or more embodiments, the distributor 102 may further include a flow disruptor 604 coaxially disposed within the housing 602 of the distributor 102 .

[0060] refer to Fig. 6E In one or more embodiments, the housing 602 of the dispenser 102 may have a polyhedral shape including a first base, a second base parallel to the first base, and a plurality of planar lateral sides connecting the perimeters of the first and second bases. In addition, one or more clustered groups of tubes 106 may be fluidly disposed within the housing 602 through one or more sides of the planar lateral surfaces of the housing 602, and the supply tube 110 may be radially connected to one of the lateral sides of the housing 602. As shown, but not limited to, the housing 602 may have an octagonal shape having eight planar lateral sides extending between the perimeters of the two rectangular bases, and eight clustered groups of tubes 106 may be fluidly disposed within the housing 602 through the eight lateral sides of the housing 602. In addition, the supply tube 110 may be radially connected to one of the lateral sides of the housing 602.

[0061] In one or more embodiments, Figures 3 to 6E The flow disruptor (304 to 604) in may include a frame comprising a mesh screen having a plurality of holes, however, the flow disruptor (304 to 604) is not limited thereto and may include any other flow disruptor device known in the art, and all such embodiments are appropriately within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0062] It should be clear to those skilled in the art that, although various embodiments of the present disclosure have been described in detail for a distributor having a specific shape / profile including a specific number of sides and surfaces for the purpose of simplicity and better illustration, the teachings of the present disclosure are equally applicable to distributors having other shapes / profiles as long as the clustered group of tubes are arranged in the housing of the distributor from any side or surface of the housing, and all such embodiments are appropriately within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0063] Thus, the present invention (fluid distributor) overcomes the disadvantages, limitations and deficiencies associated with conventional MCHXs having large volume headers by providing an improved, high efficiency, low volume refrigerant distributor for a microchannel heat exchanger that can replace the conventional large volume headers while effectively distributing the refrigerant flow to each of the microchannel tubes.

[0064] Although the present disclosure has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for its elements without departing from the scope of the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims. The teachings of the present disclosure may be modified to accommodate specific circumstances or materials without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Therefore, it is intended that the present disclosure is not limited to the specific embodiments disclosed, but that the present disclosure includes all embodiments that fall within the scope of the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims.

[0065] In interpreting the specification, all terms should be interpreted in the broadest possible manner consistent with the context. In particular, the terms "comprises" and "comprising" should be interpreted as referring to elements, components or steps in a non-exclusive manner, indicating that the referenced elements, components or steps may exist or be utilized or combined with other elements, components or steps not explicitly referenced. When the specification claims to at least one of something selected from the group consisting of A, B, C... and N, the text should be interpreted as requiring only one element from the group, rather than A plus N, or B plus N, etc.

Claims

1. A heat exchanger comprising: A dispenser comprising a housing of a predetermined shape, and a plurality of microchannel tubes, wherein the inlet ends of the plurality of microchannel tubes are bundled into one or more groups, and The inlet ends of the one or more cluster groups are fluidly disposed within the housing of the distributor through one or more sides and / or one or more surfaces of the housing of the distributor.

2. The heat exchanger according to claim 1, wherein: The housing of the distributor is a hollow cylindrical member comprising a first circular base, a second circular base parallel to the first circular base, and a curved lateral surface connecting the periphery of the first circular base and the second circular base, wherein the one or more cluster groups are fluidly disposed in the housing from one or more directions through one or more of the first base, the second base and / or the curved lateral surface, and Wherein the heat exchanger further comprises a supply tube fluidly connected to any of the first circular base, the second circular base, or the curved lateral surface.

3. The heat exchanger according to claim 1, wherein: The housing of the dispenser is a hollow component having a polyhedral shape and comprising a first base, a second base parallel to the first base, and a plurality of planar lateral sides connecting the peripheries of the first base and the second base, wherein the one or more cluster groups are fluidly disposed within the housing from one or more directions through one or more of the first base, the second base and / or the planar lateral sides, and Wherein the heat exchanger further comprises a supply tube fluidly connected to any of the first base, the second base or any of the planar lateral sides.

4. The heat exchanger according to claim 1, wherein: The housing of the distributor has a conical profile including a circular base and a curved lateral surface extending from a vortex end to the circular base, wherein the distributor includes an inlet at the vortex end, and a plurality of outlets configured to circumferentially surround the circular base and be fluidically connected to the inlet via a plurality of fluid passages extending within the housing.

5. The heat exchanger according to claim 4, wherein: The inlet end profile of the microchannel tubes associated with each of the cluster groups is set to a curved shape, and wherein the curved microchannel tubes are disposed within the circular base of the housing through the plurality of outlets, and Wherein the heat exchanger further comprises a supply pipe fluidly connected to the inlet of the housing.

6. The heat exchanger according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein: The supply tube is configured off-center from a central longitudinal axis of the housing.

7. The heat exchanger according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein: The heat exchanger includes a flow disruptor disposed within a housing of the distributor.

8. The heat exchanger according to any one of claims 1 to 7, further comprising a collector, wherein the outlet ends of the plurality of microchannel tubes are bundled into one or more groups, wherein the one or more bundled groups of the outlet ends of the microchannel tubes are fluidly disposed in the collector through one or more sides and / or one or more surfaces of the collector.

9. The heat exchanger according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein: The lengths of the plurality of microchannel tubes between the inlet end and the outlet end are configured into a predetermined configuration having a predetermined number of turns or a predetermined number of passes.

10. A heat exchanger comprising: one or more dispensers, each dispenser comprising a housing of a predetermined shape, and a plurality of microchannel tubes, wherein the inlet ends of the plurality of microchannel tubes are bundled into one or more first groups, The inlet end of at least one of the first group of clusters is fluidly disposed within the housing associated with one of the distributors via one or more sides and / or one or more surfaces of the corresponding housing.

11. The heat exchanger according to claim 10, further comprising one or more collectors, wherein the outlet ends of the plurality of microchannel tubes are bundled into one or more second groups, wherein the outlet end of at least one of the bundled second groups is fluidly disposed in one of the collectors through one or more sides or one or more surfaces of the corresponding collector.

12. The heat exchanger according to claim 11, wherein: The lengths of the plurality of microchannel tubes between the inlet end and the outlet end are configured into a predetermined configuration having a predetermined number of turns or a predetermined number of passes.

13. A fluid distributor for a heat exchanger, the distributor comprising: a housing comprising one or more sides and / or one or more surfaces defining a predetermined shape and a predetermined interior volume, and wherein the first ends of the plurality of microchannel tubes associated with the heat exchanger are bundled into one or more groups, and The distributor is configured to fluidly receive first ends of one or more cluster groups through one or more sides and / or one or more surfaces of the housing.

14. The fluid dispenser of claim 13, wherein: The housing is a hollow cylindrical member comprising a first circular base, a second circular base parallel to the first circular base, and a curved lateral surface connecting the perimeters of the first circular base and the second circular base, wherein one or more cluster groups are fluidly disposed within the housing from one or more directions through one or more of the first circular base, the second circular base, and / or the curved lateral surface, and Wherein any of the first circular base, the second circular base, or the curved lateral surface of the distributor is configured to fluidly receive a supply tube associated with the heat exchanger.

15. The fluid dispenser of claim 13, wherein: The housing is a hollow component having a polyhedral shape, comprising a first base, a second base parallel to the first base, and a plurality of planar lateral sides connecting the perimeters of the first base and the second base, wherein the one or more cluster groups are fluidly disposed within the housing from one or more directions through one or more of the first base, the second base, and / or the planar lateral sides, and Wherein any of the first base, the second base, or any planar lateral side of the distributor is configured to fluidly receive a supply tube associated with the heat exchanger.

16. The fluid dispenser of claim 13, wherein: The housing is a hollow member of a predetermined shape defined by a combination of one or more planar sides and one or more curved surfaces, wherein the one or more cluster groups are fluidly disposed within the housing from one or more directions through one or more of the planar sides and the curved sides, and Wherein any of the planar sides or any of the curved sides of the distributor is configured to fluidly receive a supply tube associated with the heat exchanger.

17. The fluid dispenser of claim 13, wherein: The housing has a solid conical profile including a circular base and a curved lateral surface extending from a vortex end to the circular base, wherein the distributor includes an inlet at the vortex end, and a plurality of outlets configured to circumferentially surround the circular base and be in fluid communication with the inlet via a plurality of fluid passages.

18. The fluid dispenser of claim 17, wherein: The first ends of the microchannel tubes associated with each of the cluster groups are contoured to a curved shape, and wherein the curved microchannel tubes are disposed within a circular base of the shell through the plurality of outlets, and wherein the inlet of the shell is configured to fluidly receive a supply tube associated with the heat exchanger.

19. The fluid dispenser according to any one of claims 13 to 18, wherein: The supply tube is eccentric from a central longitudinal axis of the housing.

20. The fluid dispenser according to any one of claims 13 to 19, wherein: The distributor includes a flow disruptor disposed within a housing of the distributor.

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