Evaporator coil insert

Abstract

In one embodiment, an apparatus includes an insert for an evaporator coil. The insert is located within the evaporator coil. The insert for the evaporator coil reduces refrigerant charge in the evaporator coil and causes refrigerant flowing through the evaporator coil to change direction. The insert for the evaporator coil includes a solid core and a plurality of support legs.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An apparatus, comprising:
 an insert for an evaporator coil, wherein the insert comprises a core having a cross-sectional area and a plurality of support legs, wherein the cross-sectional area of the core is square having four corners;   wherein:   the insert is located within the evaporator coil, the plurality of support legs including two support legs at each of the four corners of the core, the two support legs at each of the four corners being located at a 90 degree angle from each other, the core contacting the plurality of support legs along a length of the core and plurality of support legs, the insert configured so that refrigerant flows between an outer surface of the insert and an inner surface of the evaporator coil; and   wherein, the insert reduces refrigerant charge in the evaporator coil by reducing a volume of refrigerant within the evaporator coil;   wherein, the insert causes refrigerant flowing through the evaporator coil to change direction; and   wherein the core comprises a first end upstream of the insert and a second end opposite to the first end downstream of the insert.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of:
 the core has one of a solid core and a hollow core, and   the core is twisted along a length of the insert.   
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein when the core is twisted, the core is twisted between 45 degrees and 180 degrees between the first end and the second end. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein the core is twisted 90 degrees between the first end and the second end. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein a first area of the core at the first end is greater than a second area of the core at the second end. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the insert is secured to the inner surface of the evaporator coil using one of compression and brazing. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the core comprises one or more of the following materials: copper, steel, and aluminum. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein each support leg of the plurality of support legs is attached to a corner of the core. 
     
     
         9 . A system, comprising:
 an evaporator coil; and   an insert for the evaporator coil, wherein the insert comprises a core having a cross-sectional area and a plurality of support legs, wherein the cross-sectional area of the core is square having four corners;   wherein:   the insert is located within the evaporator coil, the plurality of support legs including two support legs at each of the four corners of the core, the two support legs at each of the four corners being located at a 90 degree angle from each other, the core contacting the plurality of support legs along a length of the core and plurality of support legs, the insert configured so that refrigerant flows between an outer surface of the insert and an inner surface of the evaporator coil; and   wherein, the insert reduces refrigerant charge in the evaporator coil by reducing a volume of refrigerant within the evaporator coil;   wherein, the insert causes refrigerant flowing through the evaporator coil to change direction; and   wherein, the core comprises a first end upstream of the insert and a second end opposite to the first end downstream of the insert.   
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein at least one of:
 the core has one of a solid core and a hollow core, and   the core is twisted along a length of the insert.   
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein when the core is twisted, the core is twisted between 45 degrees and 180 degrees between the first end and the second end. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the core is twisted 90 degrees between the first end and the second end. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein a first area of the core at the first end is greater than a second area of the core at the second end. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the insert is secured to the inner surface of the evaporator coil using one of compression and brazing. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the core comprises one or more of the following materials: copper, steel, and aluminum. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein each support leg of the plurality of support legs is attached to a corner of the core. 
     
     
         17 . A method, comprising:
 locating an insert within an evaporator coil, wherein the insert comprises a core having a cross-sectional area and a plurality of support legs, wherein the cross-sectional area of the core is square having four corners, the plurality of support legs including two support legs at each of the four corners of the core, the two support legs at each of the four corners being located at a 90 degree angle from each other, the core contacting the plurality of support legs along a length of the core and plurality of support legs, the insert configured so that refrigerant flows between an outer surface of the insert and an inner surface of the evaporator coil;   wherein:   the insert reduces refrigerant charge in the evaporator coil by reducing a volume of refrigerant within the evaporator coil;   the insert causes refrigerant flowing through the evaporator coil to change direction; and   the core comprises a first end upstream of the insert and a second end opposite to the first end downstream of the insert.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein at least one of:
 the core has one of a solid core and a hollow core, and   the core is twisted along a length of the insert.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein when the core is twisted, the core is twisted between 45 degrees and 180 degrees between the first end and the second end. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein a first area of the core at the first end is greater than a second area of the core at the second end.