Patent ID: 6532763
Filing Date: 2003-03-18
Classification: F25B,F28D

Abstract:
In an air conditioning system of the type having an evaporator for receiving refrigerant in a liquid state, exposing the refrigerant to a heat exchanger surface and causing a portion of refrigerant to be heated and converted to vaporous state for the flow thereof to a compressor, an improved evaporator structure comprising:an evaporator shell for receiving refrigerant therein, said refrigerant being at least partially in a liquid state; a plurality of heat transfer tubes being disposed in said shell for internally conducting the flow of a cooling fluid therethrough to be cooled by said refrigerant disposed externally thereof with at least a portion of said refrigerant being converted to vapor in the process; a suction port located in an upper portion of said shell for conducting the flow of said refrigerant vapor to the compressor; and a baffle disposed between said heat transfer tubes and said suction port for interrupting the flow of liquid refrigerant droplets as they move upwardly with the flow of refrigerant vapor, said baffle having a heat exchange surface which is maintained in a heated condition so as to cause at least some of said droplets to evaporate.