Heat exchanger distributor swirl vane

Abstract

A vapor cycle heat exchanger has a plurality of heat exchanger lines and a distributor. The distributor comprises a distributor housing, a swirl vane, an atomizing nozzle, a plurality of nozzles, and a fluid line intersection. The distributor housing defines a main distributor line configured to receive a non-homogenous flow of the two-phase refrigerant fluid. The swirl vane is disposed within the main distributor line and configured to distribute the non-homogeneous flow into a symmetric fluid distribution. The atomizing nozzle is disposed downstream of the swirl vane. The routing lines each lead to one of the plurality of heat exchanger lines. The main distributor line branches into the routing lines at the fluid line intersection, which is situated downstream of the nozzle.

1 . A distributor for a two-phase refrigerant fluid of a vapor cycle heat exchanger having a plurality of heat exchanger lines, the distributor comprising:
 a distributor housing defining a main distributor line configured to receive a non-homogenous flow of the two-phase coolant fluid;   a swirl vane disposed within the main distributor line and configured to distribute the non-homogeneous flow into a symmetric fluid distribution;   an atomizing nozzle disposed downstream of the swirl vane;   a plurality of routing lines, each leading to one of the plurality of heat exchanger lines; and   a fluid line intersection situated downstream of the nozzle, and where the main distributor line branches into the plurality of routing lines.   
     
     
         2 . The distributor of  claim 1 , wherein the main distributor line is a cylindrical passage extending along a distributor axis. 
     
     
         3 . The distributor of  claim 2 , wherein the symmetric fluid distribution is a substantially rotationally symmetric distribution of the two-phase fluid about the distributor axis. 
     
     
         4 . The distributor of  claim 3 , wherein the rotationally symmetric distribution comprises a radially outer layer of liquid, and a radially inner core of gas. 
     
     
         5 . The distributor of  claim 2 , wherein the routing lines extend axially and radially with respect to the distributor axis, away from the fluid line intersection, and wherein the routing lines are evenly circumferentially distributed about the distributor axis at the fluid line intersection. 
     
     
         6 . The distributor of  claim 2 , wherein each routing line extends from the fluid line intersection to a line inlet into one of the plurality of heat exchanger lines, and wherein the line inlets are arranged in a line parallel to the distributor axis. 
     
     
         7 . The distributor of  claim 1 , wherein the swirl vane is a helical or propeller-shaped vane. 
     
     
         8 . The distributor of  claim 1 , wherein the swirl vane is an integral part of the distributor housing. 
     
     
         9 . The distributor of  claim 1 , wherein the swirl vane is a separate component installed within the distributor housing. 
     
     
         10 . A heat exchanger system comprises:
 a heat exchanger with a plurality of parallel heat exchanger lines, arranged along a common heat exchanger plane, each heat exchanger line having a line inlet;   a distributor housing defining a main distributor line oriented along a distributor axis, and configured to receive a non-homogenous flow of the two-phase coolant fluid;   a swirl vane disposed within the main distributor line and configured to distribute the non-homogeneous flow into a rotationally symmetric fluid distribution about the distributor axis;   an atomizing nozzle disposed downstream of the swirl vane;   a plurality of routing lines, each leading to one of the line inlets; and   a rotationally symmetric fluid line intersection situated downstream of the nozzle, and where the main distributor line branches into the plurality of routing lines.   
     
     
         11 . The distributor of  claim 10 , wherein the swirl vane is a helical or propeller-shaped vane. 
     
     
         12 . The distributor of  claim 10 , wherein the line inlets are arranged in a line formed by the intersection of the heat exchanger plane with the heat exchanger housing. 
     
     
         13 . The distributor of  claim 10 , wherein at least one of the distributor housing and the swirl vane is formed of aluminum.