Refrigerant flow distributor

Abstract

A flow distributor for directing flow into a parallel-flow micro-channel heat exchanger header pipe, the flow distributor utilizing a nozzle and a mixing chamber to provide an even mix of a two phase refrigerant, and a plurality of outlets which provide a means for distributing two-phase liquid-gas refrigerant evenly along the length of the header pipe.

1 . An evaporating heat exchanger comprising:
 a first header pipe;   a second header pipe;   a header inlet chamber within the first header pipe;   a header outlet chamber within the second header pipe;   a multitude of channels, substantially parallel to each other and extending between the first header pipe and the second header pipe and forming flow passages from the inlet chamber and to the outlet chamber; and   an inlet to the first header pipe, the inlet having a distributor nozzle;   the distributor nozzle comprising:
 a distributor body having a first end, a second end, a longitudinal axis extending between the ends, a cylindrical inlet formed in the first end at a first diameter, and a plurality of outlets generally at the second end of the body; 
 an orifice plate positioned within the inlet of the distributor body; the orifice plate having an orifice therethrough having a second diameter smaller than the diameter of the inlet; 
 the distributor body having a mixing chamber between the orifice plate and the second end of the body capable of evenly mixing a two phase refrigerant; 
 the plurality of outlets formed in the second end to provide even distribution of a two phase refrigerant to the entire length of the first header pipe. 
   
   
   
       2 . The evaporating heat exchanger of  claim 1 , wherein the mixing chamber is generally cylindrical and formed at a third diameter larger than the second diameter of the orifice and smaller than the first diameter of the inlet. 
   
   
       3 . The evaporating heat exchanger of  claim 2  further comprising a generally cylindrical exit chamber formed adjacent the mixing chamber, the exit chamber formed at a fourth diameter generally the same size as the second diameter of the orifice. 
   
   
       4 . The evaporating heat exchanger of  claim 1 , wherein an exterior of the second end of the distributor body is frustoconical. 
   
   
       5 . The evaporating heat exchanger of  claim 4 , wherein the frustoconical portion of the distributor body extends into the first header pipe. 
   
   
       6 . The evaporating heat exchanger of  claim 1 , wherein the distributor is attached to the first header pipe generally at a midpoint of the first header pipe; 
   
   
       7 . The evaporating heat exchanger of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the plurality of outlets is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the distributor 
   
   
       8 . The evaporating heat exchanger of  claim 1 , wherein at least two of the plurality of outlets are perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the distributor 
   
   
       9 . The evaporating heat exchanger of  claim 1 , wherein the at least two of the plurality of outlets are spaced 180 degrees apart. 
   
   
       10 . The evaporating heat exchanger of  claim 1 , wherein plurality of outlets are spaced 180 degrees apart. 
   
   
       11 . The evaporating heat exchanger of  claim 1 , wherein the majority of the plurality of outlets are generally directed toward the ends of the first header pipe. 
   
   
       12 . The evaporating heat exchanger of  claim 1 , whereih the p urality of outlets fan out from the mixing chamber and extend through the wall of the first header pipe at spaced intervals. 
   
   
       13 . The evaporating heat exchanger of  claim 1 , wherein the distributor further comprises a fan portion through which the plurality of outlets fan out from the mixing chamber and extend through the wall of the first header pipe at spaced intervals. 
   
   
       14 . The evaporating heat exchanger of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of outlets fan out from the mixing chamber and extend through the wall of the first header pipe at spaced intervals. 
   
   
       15 . The evaporating heat exchanger of  claim 1 , wherein the distributor is formed primarily as two symmetric, or semi-symmetric, halves, then mated together and inserted into the a slot on the side of the heat exchanger header pipe. 
   
   
       16 . The evaporating heat exchanger of  claim 14 , wherein the orifice plate is inserted into the inlet of the distributor either after the halves are mated or prior to the halves being mated together. 
   
   
       17 . The evaporating heat exchanger of  claim 1 , wherein the inlet chamber of the first header pipe is free of baffles. 
   
   
       18 . A heatpump system comprising an evaporating heat exchanger as set forth in  claim 1 , a condensing heat exchanger, a compressor, and lines connecting these components together so that refrigerant fluid can flow therethrough. 
   
   
       19 . A method of evenly distributing a two phase refrigerant to a header pipe of an evaporating heat exchanger comprising the steps of:
 providing a distributor nozzle comprising a distributor body having a first end, a second end, a longitudinal axis extending between the ends, a cylindrical inlet formed in the first end at a first diameter, and a plurality of outlets generally at the second end of the body;   evenly mixing a two phase refrigerant by directing two phase refrigerant into an orifice plate positioned within the inlet of the distributor body and allowing the two phase refrigerant to evenly mix in a mixing chamber between the orifice plate and the second end of the body;   evenly distributing the evenly mixed two phase refrigerant to the header pipe by directing the refrigerant through the plurality of outlets formed in the second end of the distributor nozzle.   
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the step of evenly distributing the refrigerant to the header pipe by directing the refrigerant through the plurality of outlets formed in the second end of the distributor nozzle is accomplished by forming the second end of the nozzle such that the majority of outlets are directed generally toward the ends of the header pipe.