Heat exchanger unit

Abstract

A heat exchanger unit includes a support assembly having a support surface extending in a first plane and a heat exchanger coupled to the support surface and fixed relative to the first plane. The heat exchanger includes a first manifold and a second manifold extending in spaced relationship with one another and a plurality of tubes spaced from one another and extending between and engaging the first manifold and the second manifold. The tubes communicate fluid between the manifolds. At least a portion of each of the tubes extend angularly relative to the first plane for draining condensate along the tubes toward a common drainage point to remove the condensate from the tubes and focus the condensate to the common drainage point. The drainage of the condensate from the tubes prevents the freezing of the condensate on the tubes to prevent the blockage of air movement over the tubes by frozen condensate.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other advantages of the present invention will be readily appreciated, as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a partially cut-away perspective view of the heat exchanger unit including a support assembly presenting a support surface and a first embodiment of a heat exchanger coupled to the support surface;

FIG. 2 is a front view of the first embodiment of the heat exchanger;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the heat exchanger;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a third embodiment of the heat exchanger;

FIG. 5 is a front view of a fourth embodiment of the heat exchanger;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a fifth embodiment of the heat exchanger;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a sixth embodiment of the heat exchanger;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a seventh embodiment of the heat exchanger;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of an eight embodiment of the heat exchanger;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a ninth embodiment of the heat exchanger; and

FIG. 11 is a graph illustrating the effect on air flow resistance of an exemplary heat exchanger when tubes of the heat exchanger extend angularly relative to a first plane.

Claims

1. A heat exchanger unit comprising; a support assembly having at least one support surface extending in a first plane,a heat exchanger coupled to said support surface and fixed relative to said first plane with said heat exchanger including;a first manifold and a second manifold extending in spaced relationship with one another, anda plurality of tubes spaced from one another and extending between and engaging said first manifold and said second manifold for communicating fluid between said first manifold and said second manifold,at least a portion of each of said tubes extending angularly relative to said first plane for draining condensate along said tubes toward a common drainage point to remove the condensate from the tubes and focus the condensate to the common drainage point.

2. The heat exchanger unit as set forth in claim 1 wherein said tubes include a first section extending at a first angle relative to said first plane.

3. The heat exchanger unit as set forth in claim 2 wherein said first angle is greater than or equal to 5 degrees.

4. The heat exchanger unit as set forth in claim 2 wherein each of said tubes includes a first bend connected to said first section and a second section extending from said first bend.

5. The heat exchanger unit as set forth in claim 4 wherein said second section extends perpendicularly relative to said first section.

6. The heat exchanger unit as set forth in claim 4 wherein said second section extends at a second angle relative to said first plane.

7. The heat exchanger unit as set forth in claim 6 wherein said second angle is greater than or equal to 5 degrees.

8. The heat exchanger unit as set forth in claim 4 wherein each of said tubes includes a second bend connected to said first section and a third section connected to and extending from said second bend.

9. The heat exchanger unit as set forth in claim 8 wherein said third section extends perpendicularly relative to said first section.

10. The heat exchanger unit as set forth in claim 8 wherein said third section extends at a third angle relative to said first plane.

11. The heat exchanger unit as set forth in claim 10 wherein said third angle is greater than or equal to five degrees.

12. The heat exchanger unit as set forth in claim 4 wherein each of said first bends of said tubes define a first bend line extending perpendicularly relative to said first plane.

13. The heat exchanger unit as set forth in claim 8 wherein each of said first bends of said tubes define a first bend line extending perpendicularly relative to said first plane and each of said second bends of said tubes define a second bend line extending perpendicularly relative to said first plane.

14. The heat exchanger unit as set forth in claim 4 wherein said second section of each of said tubes extends in parallel with said first plane while maintaining said first section at said first angle relative to said first plane.

15. The heat exchanger unit as set forth in claim 8 wherein said second section of each of said tubes extends in parallel with said first plane and said third section of each of said tubes extend in parallel with said first plane while maintaining said first section at said first angle relative to said first plane.

16. The heat exchanger unit as set forth in claim 1 wherein each of said tubes includes a first bend and a second bend with a first section extending between said first bend and said second bend in parallel with said first plane, a second section extending from said first bend at a second angle relative to said first plane, and a third section extending from said second bend at a third angle relative to said first plane.

17. The heat exchanger unit as set forth in claim 1 wherein each of said tubes extend perpendicularly from said first manifold and from said second manifold.

18. The heat exchanger unit as set forth in claim 1 wherein said tubes extend angularly from said first manifold and from said second manifold.

19. The heat exchanger unit as set forth in claim 1 wherein each of said tubes extend in parallel with one another.

20. The heat exchanger unit as set forth in claim 1 wherein said tubes extend along arced paths between said first manifold and said second manifold.