Dual flow heat exchanger header

Abstract

An A-coil heat exchanger includes a header for receiving a heat transfer fluid after the fluid has passed through the interior of the heat exchanger. The header is comprised of a main body section and first and second tubular branches depending therefrom. The first tubular branch is in fluid communication with a first coil slab of the heat exchanger by means of a first set of adapter tubes extending between the first tubular section and the first coil slab. The second tubular branch is in fluid communication with a second coil slab of the heat exchanger by means of a second set of adapter tubes extending between the second tubular branch and the second coil slab. Each of the adapter tubes defines a generally straight section of conduit between the corresponding tubular branch and the corresponding coil slab. The header is located with respect to the coil slabs such that when the heat exchanger is positioned in an air stream, the header is substantially isolated from air flowing through the first and second coil slabs.

1 . In a heat exchanger having first and second coil slabs coupled at respective ends thereof and being in diverging relationship to define an A-coil configuration, each of said slabs having at least one heat transfer carrying tube, wherein the improvement comprises a header adapted to receive heat transfer fluid from said slabs, said header having a main section and first and second branch sections depending therefrom, said first branch section being in fluid communication with said first coil slab and said second branch section being in fluid communication with said second coil slab. 
   
   
       2 . The heat exchanger of  claim 1  further including a first conduit in fluid communication between said first branch section and said first coil slab and a second conduit in fluid communication between said second branch section and said second coil slab. 
   
   
       3 . The heat exchanger of  claim 2  wherein said first conduit defines a generally straight section of conduit between said first branch section and said first coil slab and said second conduit defines a generally straight section of conduit between said second branch section and said second coil slab. 
   
   
       4 . The heat exchanger of  claim 2  further including plural first conduits in fluid communication between said first branch section and said first coil slab and plural second conduits in fluid communication between said second branch section and said second coil slab. 
   
   
       5 . The heat exchanger of  claim 2  wherein said first conduit extends from said first branch section in a first direction and said second conduit extends from said second branch section in a second direction which is in divergent relationship to said first direction. 
   
   
       6 . The heat exchanger of  claim 1  wherein said first and second branch sections are in generally parallel relationship. 
   
   
       7 . The heat exchanger of  claim 6  wherein said main section and said first and second branch sections extend generally parallel to an axis along which said first and second coil slabs are coupled. 
   
   
       8 . The heat exchanger of  claim 1  wherein said heat exchanger is positionable for horizontal air flow therethrough, said main section and said first and second branch sections having respective major axes that are in parallel relationship, said respective major axes being oriented vertically when said heat exchanger is positioned for horizontal air flow therethrough. 
   
   
       9 . The heat exchanger of  claim 1  wherein said header is located proximate to the coupled ends of said first and second coil slabs such that when said heat exchanger is positioned in an air stream, said header is substantially isolated from air flowing through said first and second coil slabs. 
   
   
       10 . A header adapted for connection to an A-coil heat exchanger to receive heat transfer fluid therefrom, said header comprising a main section and first and second branch sections depending therefrom, said first branch section being adapted to receive heat transfer fluid from a first portion of the heat exchanger and said second branch section being adapted to receive heat transfer fluid from a second portion of the heat exchanger. 
   
   
       11 . The header of  claim 10  further including at least one first conduit extending from said first branch section and being adapted to feed heat transfer fluid from the first portion of the heat exchanger to said first branch section, said header further including at least one second conduit extending from said second branch section and being adapted to feed heat transfer fluid from the second portion of the heat exchanger to said second branch section. 
   
   
       12 . The header of  claim 11  wherein said first conduit defines a generally straight first section of conduit and said second conduit defines a generally straight second section of conduit. 
   
   
       13 . The header of  claim 11  further including plural first conduits extending from said first branch section and plural second conduits extending from said second branch section. 
   
   
       14 . The header of  claim 11  wherein said first conduit extends from said first branch section in a first direction and said second conduit extends from said second branch section in a second direction which is in divergent relationship to said first direction. 
   
   
       15 . The header of  claim 10  wherein said first and second branch sections are in generally parallel relationship. 
   
   
       16 . The header of  claim 15  wherein said main section and said first and second branch sections each have a major axis and a minor axis, the respective major axes of said main section and said first and second branch sections being in generally parallel relationship. 
   
   
       17 . In combination:
 a heat exchanger having first and second coil slabs coupled at respective ends thereof and being in diverging relationship to define an A-coil configuration, each of said slabs having a passageway adapted for heat transfer fluid to pass therethrough; and   a header in fluid communication with said slabs to receive heat transfer fluid after the fluid has passed through said slabs, said header having a main body section and first and second tubular branches depending therefrom, said first tubular branch being in fluid communication with said first coil slab and said second tubular branch being in fluid communication with said second coil slab, said header being located proximate to the coupled ends of said first and second coil slabs such that when said heat exchanger is positioned in an air stream, said header is substantially isolated from air flowing through said first and second coil slabs.   
   
   
       18 . The combination of  claim 17  further including plural first conduits in fluid communication between said first tubular branch and said first coil slab and plural second conduits in fluid communication between said second tubular branch and said second coil slab. 
   
   
       19 . The combination of  claim 18  wherein said each of first conduits defines a generally straight section of conduit between said first tubular branch and said first coil slab and each of said second conduits defines a generally straight section of conduit between said second tubular branch and said second coil slab. 
   
   
       20 . The combination of  claim 19  wherein said first conduits extend from said first tubular branch section in respective first directions and said second conduits extend from said second tubular branch in respective second directions which are in divergent relationship to said respective first directions.