Patent ID: 9335077
Filing Date: 2016-05-10
CPC Classification: F25B,F28D,F28F

Claim Text:
1. A condenser comprising: a first header tank which is provided on one side of the condenser; a second header tank provided on the one side of the condenser and having a gas-liquid separation function, an upper end of the second header tank being located above a lower end of the first header tank, a lower part of the second header tank being located below the lower end of the first header tank; said second header tank comprising an upper part and the lower part, the upper part comprising a portion of the second header tank located higher than the lower end of the first header tank along a substantially vertical direction; a gap between the upper part of the second header tank and the first header tank in a substantially horizontal direction; a third header tank provided on another side of the condenser opposite to the one side; a plurality of first heat exchange tubes extending in an extending direction between the first header tank and the third header tank to connect the first header tank and the third header tank; the lower part of the second header tank being provided on a side opposite to the third header tank in the extending direction with respect to the first header tank; a plurality of second heat exchange tubes provided to extend in the extending direction only between the lower part of the second header tank and the third header tank to connect the lower part of the second header tank and the third header tank, the plurality of second heat exchange tubes being brazed to the lower part of the second header tank, a length of the plurality of second heat exchange tubes between an outer surface of the second header tank and an outer surface of the third header tank in the extending direction being greater than a length of the plurality of first heat exchange tubes between an outer surface of the first header tank and the outer surface of the third header tank in the extending direction, the plurality of second heat exchange tubes being positioned downstream of the plurality of first heat exchange tubes with respect to a flow of refrigerant, wherein a gas-liquid mixed phase of the refrigerant enters the second header tank, the gas-liquid mixed phase is separated in the second header tank due to gravitational force into a gas phase component and a liquid-predominant mixed phase, and wherein the gas phase component stays in the upper part within the second header tank, while the liquid-predominant mixed phase stays in the lower part of the second header tank and then flows towards the third header tank, and wherein the first header tank includes an inlet configured to allow the refrigerant to enter the condenser from outside the condenser through the inlet of the first header tank.