Heat exchanger

Abstract

A heat exchanger ( 28 includes a first manifold ( 34 ), a second manifold ( 36 ) and a plurality of parallel heat transfer tubes ( 38 ). The first manifold ( 34 ) includes one or more manifold sections ( 58, 60, 63 ). A first one of the manifold sections ( 58 ) is connected to an inlet ( 64 ). The heat transfer tubes ( 38 ) extend between and fluidly connect the first and the second manifolds ( 34, 36 ). At least some of the heat transfer tubes ( 38 ) are disposed with the first manifold section ( 58 ).

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A heat exchanger, comprising:
 a first manifold including an inlet manifold section fluidly connected to an inlet, which inlet manifold section extends along a centerline between a first end and a second end;   a second manifold; and   a plurality of parallel heat transfer tubes extending between and fluidly connecting the first and the second manifolds, wherein “N” number of the heat transfer tubes are disposed along the centerline between the inlet and the first end of the inlet manifold section, wherein “M” number of the heat transfer tubes are disposed along the centerline between the inlet and the second end of the inlet manifold section, and wherein “N” and “M” are integers and “N” is approximately equal to “M”.   
     
     
         2 . The heat exchanger of  claim 1 , wherein the first manifold further includes a second manifold section that extends along a centerline, and wherein at least some of the heat transfer tubes are disposed along the centerline of the second manifold section. 
     
     
         3 . The heat exchanger of  claim 2 , wherein the inlet manifold section is disposed adjacent to the second manifold section, and wherein the inlet manifold section is discrete from the second manifold section. 
     
     
         4 . The heat exchanger of  claim 3 , wherein the inlet manifold section is spaced a distance away from the second manifold section. 
     
     
         5 . The heat exchanger of  claim 2 , wherein the inlet manifold section and the second manifold section are fluidly separated by a baffle. 
     
     
         6 . The heat exchanger of  claim 1 , wherein a region of the heat exchanger, between the first and the second manifolds, is adapted having a reduced heat transfer coefficient, which reduced heat transfer coefficient region is disposed proximate the inlet. 
     
     
         7 . The heat exchanger of  claim 6 , further comprising a plurality of rows of cooling fins respectively disposed between adjacent rows of the heat transfer tubes, wherein a distance is disposed between the first manifold and a respective cooling fin closest thereto for Q number of rows, wherein the distance is incrementally decreased as the respective rows are disposed farther away from the inlet, and wherein Q is an integer greater than 2. 
     
     
         8 . The heat exchanger of  claim 7 , wherein the cooling fins in adjacent rows are staggered relative to one another. 
     
     
         9 . The heat exchanger of  claim 6 , wherein the reduced heat transfer coefficient region includes an airflow reduction element that is disposed with the heat transfer tubes proximate the inlet. 
     
     
         10 . A heat exchanger, comprising:
 a first manifold including a plurality of manifold sections, a first one of the manifold sections being disposed adjacent to, and configured discrete from, a second one of the manifold sections;   a second manifold; and   a plurality of parallel heat transfer tubes extending between and fluidly connecting the first and the second manifolds, wherein at least some of the heat transfer tubes are disposed with the first manifold section, and wherein at least some of the heat transfer tubes are disposed with the second manifold section.   
     
     
         11 . The heat exchanger of  claim 10 , wherein the first manifold section is spaced a distance away from the second manifold section. 
     
     
         12 . The heat exchanger of  claim 10 , wherein the first manifold section and the second manifold section are fluidly separated by a baffle. 
     
     
         13 . The heat exchanger of  claim 10 , wherein the first manifold section is connected to an inlet. 
     
     
         14 . The heat exchanger of  claim 13 , wherein the first manifold section extends along a centerline between a first end and a second end, wherein “N” number of the heat transfer tubes are disposed along the centerline between the inlet and the first end of the first manifold section, and wherein “M” number of the heat transfer tubes are disposed along the centerline between the inlet and the second end of the first manifold section, wherein “N” and “M” are integers and “N” is approximately equal to “M”. 
     
     
         15 . The heat exchanger of  claim 10 , wherein a region of the heat exchanger between the first and the second manifolds has a reduced heat transfer coefficient, and which region is disposed proximate the inlet. 
     
     
         16 . The heat exchanger of  claim 15 , further comprising a plurality of rows of cooling fins respectively disposed between adjacent rows of the heat transfer tubes, wherein a distance is disposed between the first manifold and a respective cooling fin closest thereto for “Q” number of rows, wherein this distance is incrementally decreased as the respective rows are disposed farther away from the inlet, and wherein “Q” is an integer greater than 2. 
     
     
         17 . The heat exchanger of  claim 15 , wherein the reduced heat transfer coefficient region includes an airflow reduction element that is disposed with the heat transfer tubes proximate the inlet. 
     
     
         18 . A heat exchanger, comprising:
 a first manifold including an inlet manifold section connected to an inlet;   a second manifold; and   a plurality of parallel heat transfer tubes extending between and fluidly connecting the first and the second manifolds;   wherein a region of the heat exchanger, between the first and the second manifolds, is adapted having a reduced heat transfer coefficient, which reduced heat transfer coefficient region is disposed proximate the inlet.   
     
     
         19 . The heat exchanger of  claim 18 , further comprising a plurality of rows of cooling fins respectively disposed between adjacent rows of the heat transfer tubes, wherein a distance is disposed between the first manifold and a respective cooling fin closest thereto for “Q” number of rows, wherein this distance is incrementally decreased as the respective rows are disposed farther away from the inlet, and wherein “Q” is an integer greater than 2. 
     
     
         20 . The heat exchanger of  claim 18 , wherein the reduced heat transfer coefficient region includes an airflow reduction element that is disposed with the heat transfer tubes proximate the inlet. 
     
     
         21 . The heat exchanger of  claim 18 , further comprising a plurality of rows of cooling fins respectively disposed between adjacent rows of the heat transfer tubes, and wherein the reduced heat transfer coefficient region includes a plurality of finless regions disposed between the adjacent rows of the heat transfer tubes proximate the inlet.