Patent ID: 8662148
Filing Date: 2014-03-04
Classification: F25B,F28D,F28F

Abstract:
1. A heat exchanger which optimizes the heat exchanger capacity, the heat exchanger comprising: a first manifold; a second manifold; a liquid baffle is provided in the second manifold, the liquid baffle allowing the second manifold to behave as a receiver and orifice, allowing excess liquid refrigerant to continually accumulate in the second manifold; vertically oriented tubes extending in fluid communication between the first manifold and the second manifold; a ratio of the tube width to the effective cross sectional diameter of the first manifold and the second manifold (an “effective cross sectional ratio”) is less than 1.20; wherein the heat exchanger is capable of operating in either a condenser mode or an evaporator mode with virtually no adverse effect on system performance; wherein the heat exchanger has an inlet provided in the first manifold and an outlet provided in the second manifold, the second manifold having the liquid baffle to create a first chamber and a second chamber, and an opening proximate the liquid baffle, the opening extending from the first chamber to the second chamber; wherein the liquid baffle and orifice opening are configured and disposed to allow refrigerant liquid to pass through the opening, whereby gas accumulated in the second chamber is substantially trapped and prevented from passing through the opening.