Tubular element

Abstract

A tubular element including a wall defining therein an inner cavity, and a plurality of microchannels supported by the wall and extending along a length of the wall.

1 . A tubular element comprising:
 a wall defining therein an inner cavity, and   a plurality of microchannels supported by the wall and extending along a length of the wall.   
     
     
         2 . The tubular element of  claim 1 , wherein the microchannels are embedded in the wall. 
     
     
         3 . The tubular element of  claim 2 , wherein the microchannels are uniformly distributed along a perimeter of the wall. 
     
     
         4 . The tubular element of  claim 3 , further comprising a protective sleeve surrounding and in thermal contact with the wall. 
     
     
         5 . The tubular element of  claim 3 , wherein the wall has a non-circular shaped cross section. 
     
     
         6 . The tubular element of  claim 5 , wherein the wall has substantially D-shaped cross section. 
     
     
         7 . The tubular element of  claim 3 , wherein the wall has a substantially circular-shaped cross section. 
     
     
         8 . The tubular element of  claim 3 , wherein the tubular element comprises a thermally conductive material. 
     
     
         9 . The tubular element of  claim 7 , wherein the thermally conductive material comprises aluminum. 
     
     
         10 . A refrigerator comprising:
 a sealed refrigeration system containing a refrigerant and comprising a tubular element for receiving the refrigerant, the tubular element comprising:   a wall defining therein an inner cavity, and   a plurality of microchannels embedded in the wall and extending along a length of the wall, wherein the refrigerant flows through the microchannels.   
     
     
         11 . The refrigerator of  claim 10 , wherein the microchannels are uniformly distributed along a perimeter of the wall. 
     
     
         12 . The refrigerator of  claim 10 , wherein the tubular element further comprises a protective sleeve surrounding and in thermal contact with the wall. 
     
     
         13 . The refrigerator of  claim 10 , wherein the tubular element is used as at least one of a condenser tube and an evaporator tube of the sealed refrigeration system. 
     
     
         14 . The refrigerator of  claim 10 , wherein the wall has a non-circular shaped cross section. 
     
     
         15 . The refrigerator of  claim 14 , wherein the wall has a substantially D-shaped cross section. 
     
     
         16 . The refrigerator of  claim 10 , wherein the wall has a substantially circular-shaped cross section. 
     
     
         17 . The refrigerator of  claim 10 , wherein the tubular element comprises aluminum.