Abstract:
A heat pump heat exchanger includes a first manifold, a second manifold spaced from the first manifold, a plurality of refrigerant tubes hydraulically connecting the manifolds, and a distribution tube disposed in the first manifold. The distribution tube includes an inlet end, a distal end opposite the inlet end, a plurality of orifices between the inlet end and the distal end. The distribution tube also includes a terminal aperture immediately adjacent the distal end, wherein the terminal aperture includes an open aperture area greater than any one of the open orifice area. The open aperture area is large enough to provide a uniform refrigerant collection with acceptable minimal pressure drop in evaporative mode, but small enough to prevent vapor overflow to an area of the manifold adjacent to the distal end in condenser mode. The length of the distribution tube is less than 3/4 the length of the first manifold.
Abstract:
The disclosure presents a heat exchanger assembly having a first manifold, a second manifold spaced from the first manifold, a plurality of refrigerant tubes extending between and in hydraulic communication with the first and second manifolds, a plurality of corrugated fins inserted between the plurality of refrigerant tubes, and a condensate extractor having a comb baffle portion with fingers inserted between the plurality of refrigerant tubes and a conveyance portion. The comb baffle portion is configured to extract condensate from between the plurality of refrigerant tubes and the conveyance portion is configured to convey condensate away from the heat exchanger assembly.