1. Field of the Invention
The subject invention relates to a heat exchanger assembly including a core extending through a bend for greater heat transfer capacity.
2. Description of the Prior Art
The heat exchanger assemblies to which the subject invention pertains are systems which include overlapping or double flows of working fluid to improve performance while minimizing space requirements. The design and manufacture of such a heat exchanger normally includes a first heat exchanger in fluid communication with a second heat exchanger. However, complex and costly communication manifolds are required to establish fluid communication between the first and second heat exchangers while optimally containing the pressures normally occurring in such systems. As a result, it is common to bend the core of a heat exchanger to provide the functionality of a heat exchanger with overlapping or double flows of working fluid while eliminating the complexity and cost limitations of conventional communication manifolds.
One such heat exchanger assembly is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,341,870 to Hughes, et al, wherein the heat exchanger assembly includes an inlet manifold and an outlet manifold and a core extending between the manifolds for conveying a working fluid from the inlet manifold to the outlet manifold. The core extends through a bend to define a first leg between the bend and the inlet manifold and a second leg between the bend and the outlet manifold for arranging the heat exchanger in a U or V shape.
Although the prior art heat exchangers are able to establish overlapping or double flows of working fluid without the use of conventional communication manifolds, there remains a need for a heat exchanger design which improves condensate drainage.
The invention provides for a bend extending through a circular bend greater than 180 degrees for disposing the legs in converging relationship from the bend towards the manifolds to define an acute angle α between the legs.
One advantage of the invention is that the heat exchanger assembly can be inclined in both horizontal and vertical airflow systems for increasing the heat transfer while also providing positive drainage toward both manifolds. In addition, the vertical juxtaposition of the manifolds provides for a common drainage point of the condensate at the manifolds.
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:
Referring to the Figures, wherein like numerals indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views, the invention comprises a heat exchanger assembly 20 generally shown including an inlet manifold 22 and an outlet manifold 24 being cylindrical and extending in spaced and parallel relationship to one another. A core 26 extends between the manifolds 22, 24 for conveying a working fluid from the inlet manifold 22 to the outlet manifold 24, and includes a plurality of tubes 28 extending in spaced and parallel relationship to one another between the manifolds 22, 24. The core 26 also includes a plurality of air fins 30 extending back and forth between adjacent ones of the tubes 28 to present a serpentine pattern extending between the adjacent tubes 28. The inlet manifold 22 defines an inlet port 32 for receiving the working fluid, and the outlet manifold 24 defines an outlet port 34 for dispensing the working fluid.
The core 26 extends through a bend 36 to define a first leg 38 having a first length L1 between the bend 36 and the inlet manifold 22 and a second leg 40 having a second length L2 between the bend 36 and the outlet manifold 24. As shown in
As shown in
In the preferred embodiment, the second drainage angle Θ2 is equal to or greater than 10 degrees and the first drainage angle Θ1 is equal to or greater than 20 degrees and the acute angle α is equal to or greater than 10 degrees for improving condensate drainage along the tubes 28 toward the manifolds 22, 24. In addition, the first length L1 of the first leg 38 is less than the second length L2 of the second leg 40 for aligning the manifolds 22, 24 in juxtaposed relationship along the alignment axis Y for establishing a common draining point of the condensate at the juxtaposed manifolds 22, 24.
While the invention has been described with reference to an exemplary embodiment, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing form the scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiment disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying out this invention, but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.