Patent ID: 6688137
Filing Date: 2004-02-10
Classification: F25B,F28F

Abstract:
A plate heat exchanger for receiving two-phase refrigerant flow from an expansion valve and delivering refrigerant vapor to a compressor, comprising:a plurality of parallel plates interconnected at their ends by inlet and outlet manifolds, said plates defining flow channels therebetween for conducting the flow of refrigerant and water, respectively, in alternate water and refrigerant channels, said inlet manifold being disposed at one end of said refrigerant channels for receiving two-phase refrigerant flow from the expansion valve and conducting the flow of two-phase refrigerant to said refrigerant channels, wherein said manifold comprises; an inlet for receiving two-phase refrigerant flow from said expansion valve; a first pass conduit for receiving refrigerant from said inlet and further conducting said flow to a return bend for reversal of refrigerant flow direction; and a second pass conduit disposed substantially parallel to said first pass conduit for internally receiving refrigerant flow from said return bend and further wherein at least one of said first and second passes has a plurality of outlet openings formed therein for conducting the flow of refrigerant to said refrigerant channels.