Integral heat exchanger distributor

Abstract

A heat exchanger comprises a first inlet port, a first outlet port longitudinally spaced apart from the first inlet port, a plurality of substantially parallel parting plates stacked along a no-flow axis, a plurality of first flow spaces, and a plurality of metering plates. The plurality of first flow spaces are defined between adjacent ones of at least some of the parting plates and provide communication between the first inlet port and the first outlet port. The plurality of metering plates are disposed across an upstream end of at least one of the first flow spaces. Each of the plurality of metering plates includes at least one metering aperture providing fluid communication between the first inlet port and the at least one first flow space.

1 . A heat exchanger comprising:
 a first inlet port;   a first outlet port longitudinally spaced apart from the first inlet port;   a plurality of substantially parallel parting plates stacked along a no-flow axis;   a plurality of first flow spaces providing communication between the first inlet port and the first outlet port; the plurality of first flow spaces defined between adjacent ones of at least some of the parting plates; and   a plurality of metering plates disposed across an upstream end of at least one of the first flow spaces, each of the plurality of metering plates including at least one metering aperture providing fluid communication between the first inlet port and the at least one first flow space.   
     
     
         2 . The heat exchanger of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of metering plates comprise a first closure bar arranged along a first edge of the at least one first flow space proximate to the first inlet port. 
     
     
         3 . The heat exchanger of  claim 2 , wherein the first closure bar is metallurgically bonded to adjacent ones of the parting plates defining the one of the first flow spaces. 
     
     
         4 . The heat exchanger of  claim 3 , further comprising:
 a second closure bar arranged transversely to the first closure bar along a second edge of the first flow space, the second closure bar free of any metering apertures.   
     
     
         5 . The heat exchanger of  claim 1 , wherein a cross-sectional area of each metering aperture varies along at least one of: the no-flow axis, and a transverse axis. 
     
     
         6 . The heat exchanger of  claim 1 , wherein a cross-sectional area of each metering aperture is configured so as to provide a substantially equivalent pressure drop through each of the plurality of first flow spaces between the first inlet port and the first outlet port. 
     
     
         7 . The heat exchanger of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a plurality of first fluid passages extending along a longitudinal axis of the at least one first flow space.   
     
     
         8 . The heat exchanger of  claim 7 , wherein the plurality of first fluid passages comprises:
 a first plurality of fins disposed in the at least one first flow space.   
     
     
         9 . The heat exchanger of  claim 7 , wherein each of the plurality of metering apertures includes at least one metering aperture in communication with each of the first fluid passages. 
     
     
         10 . The heat exchanger of  claim 7 , further comprising an inlet chamber disposed in fluid communication between the inlet port and the plurality of metering apertures. 
     
     
         11 . The heat exchanger of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a second inlet port;   a second outlet port; and   a plurality of second flow spaces providing communication between the second inlet port and the second outlet port; the plurality of second flow spaces defined between adjacent ones of at least some of the parting plates.   
     
     
         12 . The heat exchanger of  claim 11 , wherein the plurality of parting plates define alternating ones of the first plurality of flow spaces and the second plurality of second flow spaces. 
     
     
         13 . The heat exchanger of  claim 11 , further comprising:
 a second plurality of fins disposed in the at least one second flow space, the second plurality of fins defining a plurality of second fluid passages extending through the at least one second flow space.   
     
     
         14 . The heat exchanger of  claim 13 , wherein the plurality of second fluid passages extend along a transverse axis. 
     
     
         15 . The heat exchanger of  claim 13 , wherein the plurality of second fluid passages extend along a longitudinal axis. 
     
     
         16 . A heat exchanger subassembly comprising:
 a first parting plate;   a second parting plate spaced apart from, and substantially parallel to, the first parting plate;   a third parting plate spaced apart from, and substantially parallel to, the first and second parting plates;   a first flow space between the first and second parting plates;   a second flow space between the second and third parting plates; and   a first closure bar disposed along a first edge of the first flow space between the first and second parting plates, the first closure bar having a plurality of metering apertures in communication with the first flow space.   
     
     
         17 . The heat exchanger subassembly of  claim 16 , wherein the first closure bar is metallurgically bonded to the first and second parting plates. 
     
     
         18 . The heat exchanger subassembly of  claim 16 , further comprising:
 a first plurality of fins disposed in the first flow space; and   a second plurality of fins disposed in the second flow space.   
     
     
         19 . The heat exchanger subassembly of  claim 18 , wherein the second plurality of fins define a plurality of second flow passages arranged transversely to a plurality of first flow passages defined by the first plurality of fins. 
     
     
         20 . The heat exchanger subassembly of  claim 18 , wherein the second plurality of fins define a plurality of second flow passages arranged parallel to a plurality of first flow passages defined by the first plurality of fins. 
     
     
         21 . The heat exchanger subassembly of  claim 16 , wherein a cross-sectional area of each metering aperture varies along a length of the first closure bar. 
     
     
         22 . The heat exchanger subassembly of  claim 16 , further comprising:
 a second closure bar arranged transversely to the first closure bar along a second edge of the first flow space, the second closure bar free of metering apertures.   
     
     
         23 . An evaporator comprising:
 a plurality of refrigerant passages in heat exchange relationship with a plurality of air passages;   a refrigerant inlet header disposed adjacent to an upstream end of at least one of the plurality of refrigerant passages;   a first closure bar disposed between the refrigerant inlet header and the upstream end of the at least one refrigerant passage; and   a metering aperture formed through the first closure bar and aligned with the at least one refrigerant passage, the metering aperture providing fluid communication between the refrigerant inlet header and the at least one refrigerant passage.   
     
     
         24 . The evaporator of  claim 23 , wherein the at least one refrigerant passage extends along a longitudinal axis of the evaporator. 
     
     
         25 . The evaporator of  claim 23 , further comprising:
 a plurality of parting plates spaced apart along a no-flow axis of the heat exchanger;   wherein the plurality of refrigerant passages and the plurality of air passages are stacked in an alternating manner between adjacent ones of the parting plates.   
     
     
         26 . The evaporator of  claim 25 , wherein a cross-sectional area of each metering aperture varies along a length of the first closure bar. 
     
     
         27 . The evaporator of  claim 23 , wherein the heat exchange relationship includes a crossflow heat exchange relationship. 
     
     
         28 . The evaporator of  claim 23 , wherein the heat exchange relationship includes a counterflow heat exchange relationship.