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, each of the plurality of support legs including an extension and a wheel, each extension has an associated support having a cross-sectional area of a semi-circle where the extension extends from a corner of the core to the support, each wheel being disposed between an associated support and an inner surface of the evaporator coil, 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,   each wheel 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 each wheel and the core includes one or more of the following materials: copper, steel, aluminum, polytetrafluoroethylene, and rubber. 
     
     
         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, each of the plurality of support legs including an extension and a wheel, each extension has an associated support having a cross-sectional area of a semi-circle where the extension extends from a corner of the core to the support, each wheel being disposed between an associated support and an inner surface of the evaporator coil, 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,   each wheel 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 each wheel and the core includes one or more of the following materials: copper, steel, aluminum, polytetrafluoroethylene, and rubber. 
     
     
         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, each of the plurality of support legs including an extension and a wheel, each extension has an associated support having a cross-sectional area of a semi-circle where the extension extends from a corner of the core to the support, each wheel being disposed between an associated support and an inner surface of the evaporator coil, 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,   each wheel 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.