CN105008848A - Header for a heat exchanger coil assembly - Google Patents

Abstract

A header of the heat exchanger coil assembly is provided, including a first portion having a polygonal shape, such as a hexagon shape, and a second portion having a column shape. The first portion has a first triangle shaped anchor and a second triangle shaped anchor. The first portion is situated in a matching receiving mouth of a header cover. The bottom of the second portion has a tube installation ring with a surface, and the ring surface is angled relative to a vertical direction defined by a height of the header, heat exchange tubes being coupled to the tube installation ring in a direction perpendicular to the ring surface. An internal cavity extends from the first portion to the second portion, and a line perpendicular to the ring surface of the tube installation ring points to the internal cavity. The internal cavity has a sphere bottom, helping distribute fluid evenly into the heat exchange tubes.

Description

Head of heat exchange coil assembly

technical field

The present invention relates generally to heating, ventilation, and air conditioning ("HVAC") systems, and more particularly to heat exchange coil assemblies for HVAC systems. Generally, methods, systems and apparatus are described for use in a head of a heat exchange coil assembly configured to distribute a process fluid or refrigerant to and/or from a heat exchange coil The heat exchange coils receive process fluid or refrigerant.

Background technique

Heat exchange coil assemblies have been used in HVAC systems. The heat exchange coil assembly may be configured to include a plurality of heat exchange tubes. These heat exchange tubes are generally configured to carry a fluid inside, such as a refrigerant or a process fluid such as water conditioned by an HVAC system. As air flows over the outer surfaces of the heat exchange tubes, the air enters into a heat exchange relationship with the fluid in the heat exchange tubes to help condition (cool or heat) the air.

Heat exchange coil assemblies can sometimes be configured to include headers. The headers are configured to distribute process fluid or refrigerant into and/or receive process fluid or refrigerant from the heat exchange coils.

Contents of the invention

Embodiments described herein are directed to headers for heat exchange coil assemblies. In some embodiments, the head may include a first portion configured to be polygonal in shape. In some embodiments, the head may include a second portion configured to be cylindrical in shape. In some embodiments, the first portion may be hexagonal in shape.

In some embodiments, the first portion may have a triangular first anchor portion, the two sides of which correspond to the extension of the converging two flat sides of the polygon of the first portion.

In some embodiments, the first portion of the head may have a triangular second anchor whose two sides correspond to the converging flat sides of the polygon, and the first The anchor portion and the second anchor portion flank a common flat side of the polygon.

In some embodiments, the header cover may have a receiving opening with a closed side. The closed side of the receiving opening is configured to receive a common flat side of the polygon flanked by the first and second anchor portions.

In some embodiments, the bottom of the second portion of the head may have a tube seating ring having a frusto-conical configuration, the ring surface may be angled relative to the vertical direction defined by the head height limit. In some embodiments, the head can have a lumen extending from the first portion to the second portion.

In some embodiments, the heat exchange tubes may be placed on the annulus of the tube arranging ring, and the heat exchange tubes may be placed vertically relative to the annulus of the tube arranging ring.

In some embodiments, the lumen may have a spherical bottom. In some embodiments, the heat exchange tubes may be arranged vertically on the curved surface of the spherical bottom of the inner cavity.

Other features and aspects of the various embodiments will become apparent upon consideration of the following detailed description and accompanying drawings.

Description of drawings

Reference is now made to the drawings in which like numerals indicate corresponding parts herein.

Figure 1 shows an HVAC indoor unit including a heat exchange coil assembly.

Figures 2A to 2C illustrate one embodiment of the head. Fig. 2A is a perspective view. Fig. 2B is a plan view. 2C shows a perspective view of a portion of the HVAC indoor unit including the head shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B.

Figures 3A to 3E show another embodiment of the head. Fig. 3A is a perspective view. Fig. 3B is a bottom view. Fig. 3C is a cross-sectional view along line 3C-3C in Fig. 3B. FIG. 3D is a perspective view showing the placement of the heat exchange tubes on the head. FIG. 3E is a perspective view showing the placement of the heat exchange tubes on the head.

Detailed ways

Heat exchange coil assemblies have been used in HVAC systems. The heat exchange coil assembly may be configured with a plurality of heat exchange tubes configured, for example, between air flowing over the outer surfaces of the heat exchange tubes and a fluid (such as refrigerant or process) carried in the heat exchange tubes. Fluids, such as water, form a heat exchange relationship between them. As the air flows over the outer surfaces of the heat exchange tubes, the air can be conditioned (cooled or heated) by the fluid in the heat exchange tubes. In the heat exchange coil assembly, the inlet and outlet ends of the heat exchange tubes are usually connected to a header. The above-mentioned head is configured to distribute the fluid into the heat exchange tubes and/or receive the fluid flowing out of the heat exchange tubes.

The disclosed embodiments of the present invention generally relate to the header of a heat exchange coil assembly. The head is configured to have a first portion that is polygonal in shape, for example hexagonal. The head is configured with a cylindrical second portion. The first portion is configured to be seated in a mating receiving opening of a header cover of the heat exchange coil assembly. In some embodiments, the mating receptacle has a closed end that matches the flat side of the polygonal first portion. The closed end is opposite the opening of the receiving port. This configuration may allow a tool such as a wrench to easily access the first portion of the polygon. In some embodiments, the first portion is configured with two triangular-shaped anchors. In some embodiments, the two sides of the triangular anchors correspond to the extension of the converging two flat sides of the first portion of the polygon. The triangular anchors have mounting holes which can be used to attach the head to the head cover via eg screws. These triangular anchors are relatively strong. In some embodiments, the bottom of the head may be configured with a tube seating ring having a frusto-conical configuration. The heat exchange tubes may be connected to the tube arranging ring in a direction perpendicular to the tube arranging ring. The tube placement ring can provide a reference surface for mounting the heat exchange tubes. In some embodiments, the lumen of the head has a spherical bottom, which can help evenly distribute fluid into the heat exchange tubes.

Reference is made to the accompanying drawings which form a part hereof, and in which are shown by way of illustrations various embodiments which may be practiced. It should be understood that the terms used in the present invention are for the purpose of describing the drawings and the various embodiments, and should not be construed as limiting the scope of the application.

FIG. 1 illustrates an HVAC indoor unit 100 including a heat exchange coil assembly 110 according to one embodiment. The HVAC indoor unit 100 includes a housing 115 configured to accommodate the heat exchange coil assembly 110 . A fan 120 is connected to the housing 115 and is configured to flow air through the heat exchange coil assembly 110 so that the air can be conditioned by the heat exchange coil assembly 110 .

The heat exchange coil assembly 110 includes a header cover 112 mounted to a coil end plate 116 . The coil end plate 116 is configured to provide support for the plurality of heat exchange tubes 113 of the heat exchange coil assembly 110 . It can be understood that the heat exchange tubes 113 extend in the longitudinal direction, which is defined by the length L1 inside the housing 115 (the extension of the heat exchange tubes 113 inside the housing 115 is not shown in FIG. 1 ).

The inlet 113a and the outlet 113b of the heat exchange tube 113 are configured to be connected to the first head 130a and the second head 130b, respectively. The inlet 113 a is configured to distribute fluid (eg, refrigerant or process fluid) into the heat exchange tubes 113 . The outlet 113b is configured to lead fluid out of the heat exchange tube 113 . The head 130 a is configured, for example, to distribute fluid to the inlet 113 a of the heat exchange tubes 113 , while the head 130 b is configured, for example, to receive fluid flowing out of the heat exchange tubes 113 .

The header cover 112 is configured with a first receiving port 118a and a second receiving port 118b configured to receive a first header 130a and a second header 130b, respectively. The first and second headers 130a and 130b are attached to the header cover 112 by, for example, screws 140 . The header cover 112 can provide some protection to the headers 130a and 130b.

It is understood that the HVAC indoor unit 100 may be adapted for use with an outdoor unit such as a refrigerator.

2A and 2B illustrate a header 230 that may be used with the heat exchange coil assembly 110 shown in FIG. 1 , according to one embodiment. The head 230 generally has a first portion 231 comprising two anchor portions 234a and 234b. The first portion 231 is generally configured to be attached to a header cover (ie, header cover 112 in FIG. 1 ).

The head 230 generally has a cylindrical second portion 232 . The cylindrical second portion 232 is generally configured to be connected to a heat exchange tube (eg, heat exchange tube 113 in FIG. 1 ) (see also FIGS. 3D and 3E ).

The head 230 has a lumen 233 generally configured to extend from the first portion 231 into the second portion 232 (see, eg, lumen 333 in FIG. 3C ). The lumen 233 is configured to be in fluid communication with a heat exchange tube (eg, heat exchange tube 113 in FIG. 1 ).

Referring to FIG. 2A, in the direction shown in FIG. 2A, the height of the first portion 231 is H2. The first part 231 has an upper part 231a having a height H2a and a lower part 231b having a height H2b. The lower portion 231b is generally located between the upper portion 231a of the first portion 231 and the second portion 232 . The first portion 231 generally has a polygonal shape, such as a hexagon, with two triangular anchor portions 234a and 234b. The two triangular anchor portions 234a and 234b are configured to be located on the lower portion 231b.

The first portion 231 of the header 230 has a receiving edge 251 configured to be attached to a header cover (eg, the header cover 112 shown in FIG. 1 ). The receiving side 251 generally corresponds to the flat side of the polygonal first portion 231 and the anchor portions 234a and 234b on both sides. The part of the receiving edge 251 located at the upper part 231a is called the upper receiving edge 251u, and generally the upper receiving edge 251u is placed into the receiving opening of the head cover (such as the receiving opening 118a of the head cover 112 shown in FIG. 118b). The upper receiving side 251u generally corresponds to a flat side of the polygon. The lower portion 231b of the receiving side 251 is referred to as the lower receiving side 251l. The lower receiving edge 2511 generally includes the flat sides of the polygon and the sides of the anchors 234a and 234b, the sides of the anchors 234a and 234b corresponding to the extension of the flat sides of the polygon. Anchor portions 234a and 234b are generally configured to mount to the head cover through mounting holes 239 via, for example, screws or other suitable mounting structure.

Referring to Figures 2A and 2B, the anchor portions 234a and 234b are generally triangular in shape. In the top view shown in FIG. 2B , anchors 234 a and 234 b are located on either side of a common flat side of the polygon of lower receiving edge 2511 . The lower receiving edge 2511 includes one side of the anchor portions 234a and 234b.

The other sides of the above-mentioned triangular anchor portions 234a and 234b are respectively corresponding to the extension of the lower part 231b of the other two flat sides 253 and 254 of the polygon, and the lower part 231b of the two flat sides 253 and 254 is connected to the bottom of the polygon. The lower receiving edge 2511 meets. In the hexagon shown in FIG. 2B, sides 251, 253, and 254 are non-adjacent sides of the hexagon. The triangular anchors 234a and 234b can provide a relatively strong anchor for mounting the head 230 into a head cover.

FIG. 2C illustrates an embodiment of an HVAC indoor unit 200 that includes headers 230a and 230b that are similar to header 230 shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B . The HVAC indoor unit 200 includes a header cover 212 that includes receiving openings 218a and 218b. Receiving ports 218a and 218b are configured to receive heads 230a and 230b, respectively, from open sides thereof. The receiving ports 218a and 218b have closed ends 219a and 219b, respectively, which are opposite the open sides of the receiving ports 218a and 218b. Receptacles 218a and 218b are configured to match a portion of the polygon of heads 230a and 230b, respectively. The closed ends 219a and 219b are flat and configured to match the flat receiving edges 251a and 251b of the heads 230a and 230b, respectively.

Referring to FIG. 2A , more specifically, closed ends 219 a and 219 b are configured to mate with and receive upper receiving edge 251 u of head 230 .

Referring to FIGS. 2A , 2B and 2C , the anchor portions 234 a and 234 b have mounting holes 239 . Headers 230a and 230b may be mounted to header cover 212 using mounting structures 240, such as screws, through mounting holes 239 of anchors 234a and 234b.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2C, the heads 230a and 230b are oriented so that the flat sides 251a and 251b face the closed ends 219a and 219b of the receiving openings 218a and 218b, respectively. This orientation may facilitate connecting the head 230a or 230b of the HVAC indoor unit 200 with, for example, ducting. For example, a tool such as a wrench may be used to hold head 230a or 230b during placement. In the orientation shown in FIG. 2C, the opening of the wrench may be oriented such that the opening of the wrench holds the receiving edge 251a or 251b, while the handle of the wrench may be placed in a direction approximately parallel to the receiving edge 251a or 251b. This type of orientation of the handle of the wrench may be required during certain installations.

3A to 3C illustrate different aspects of another embodiment of a head 330 . The head 330 has a first part 331 and a second part 332 . As shown in FIGS. 3A to 3C , the bottom 350 of the head 330 may generally have a partially spherical structure. It is understood that the bottom 350 of the head 330 may be configured to have other shapes. A portion of the partially spherical bottom 350 is configured with a tube seating ring 351 . The tube seating ring 351 has a frusto-conical structure. The annulus 351a of the tube seating ring 351 generally does not have a spherical configuration. The tube seating ring 351 generally surrounds a central portion 355 of the bottom 350 and is a distinguishable part of the bottom 350 . The head 330 has an inner cavity 333 .

3C is a cross-sectional view of line 3C-3C in FIG. 3B . As shown in FIG. 3C , the head 330 has an inner cavity 333 extending between the first portion 331 and the second portion 332 . The lumen 333 may be configured to receive fluid. The annulus 351a of the tube seating ring 351 is angled with respect to the vertical direction V3 defined by the height H3 of the head 330 such that a line 352 perpendicular to the annulus 351a of the tube seating ring 351 faces toward the lumen 333. The inner chamber 333 has a bottom 334 .

3D and 3E illustrate that heat exchange tubes 313 may be mounted on tube placement ring 351 of head 330 . Installing the heat exchange tubes 313 may include, for example, drilling holes on the annulus 351 a of the tube placement ring 351 toward the inner cavity 333 and placing the heat exchange tubes 313 in these holes so that the heat exchange tubes 313 may be in fluid communication with the inner cavity 333 . The holes may be drilled, for example, in a direction perpendicular to the annulus 351 a of the tube arranging ring 351 . The tube setting ring 351 can provide a reference surface for setting the heat exchange tubes 313 . The tube seating ring 351 is generally a relatively narrow and distinguishable area on the bottom 350 . The tube placement ring 351 can also help to place the heat exchange tubes 313 along the relatively narrow distinguishable area, so that the position of the heat exchange tubes 313 on the bottom 350 of the head 330 can be more strictly limited and easily control.

Referring to FIGS. 3C to 3E , the holes may be drilled in a direction aligned with the line 352 towards the lumen 333 . The annulus 351a of the tube placement ring 351 can help provide a reference surface for locating and orienting the wires 352 or the holes. The annulus 351a of the tube placement ring 351 can be angled with respect to the vertical direction V3 in such a way that the lines 352 or the holes have a desired orientation with respect to the vertical direction V3. The orientation of the heat exchange tubes 313 relative to the vertical direction V3 affects the distribution of fluid from the lumen 333 to the heat exchange tubes 313 . The desired orientation can be determined, for example, by computer simulation of the distribution of fluid from the lumen 333 to the heat exchange tubes 313 .

It will be appreciated that in some embodiments, the tube placement ring 351 may be discontinuous. The tube placement ring 351 generally provides a distinguishable reference surface on the bottom 350 and/or provides a distinguishable area to seat the heat exchange tubes 313 . In some embodiments, the bottom 350 can be configured with discrete blocks that can have distinguishable surfaces to accommodate the heat exchange tubes.

As shown in FIG. 3C , the lumen 333 may have a spherical bottom 334 . The lines 352 or the holes may be oriented perpendicular to the curvature of the spherical base 334 , it being understood that the lines 352 may be oriented at other angles relative to the curvature of the spherical base 334 . The spherical bottom 334 may help to evenly distribute fluid into the heat exchange tubes 313 .

It can be understood that, in some other embodiments, the bottom 334 of the inner chamber 333 may be flat.

From the foregoing it will be understood that changes may be made in detail without departing from the scope of the invention. It is intended that the specification and described embodiments be considered exemplary only, with the broad meaning of the claims indicating the true scope and spirit of the invention.

Claims (17)

1. a head for heat-exhange coil assembly, is characterized in that, comprising:

Part I, the shape of this Part I is polygon; And

Part II, the shape of this Part II is cylindricality;

Wherein said Part I has leg-of-mutton first anchor portion, and leg-of-mutton two sides in this first anchor portion are corresponding to the extension of the smooth side of described polygonal two of crossing.

2. the head of heat-exhange coil assembly according to claim 1, is characterized in that,

The shape of described Part I is hexagon.

3. the head of heat-exhange coil assembly according to claim 1, is characterized in that,

Described Part I has leg-of-mutton second anchor portion, leg-of-mutton two sides in this second anchor portion are corresponding to the smooth side of described polygonal two of crossing, and described first anchor portion and described second anchor portion are in the both sides of described polygonal smooth side jointly.

4. the head of heat-exhange coil assembly according to claim 1, is characterized in that,

Ring is settled containing the pipe with anchor ring in the bottom of the Part II of described head, and described anchor ring is angled relative to vertical direction, and this vertical direction is by the High definition of described head.

5. the head of heat-exhange coil assembly according to claim 4, is characterized in that,

Inner chamber extends to described Part II from described Part I, settles the line of the anchor ring of ring to point to described inner chamber perpendicular to described pipe.

6. the head of heat-exhange coil assembly according to claim 1, is characterized in that,

Inner chamber extends to described Part II from described Part I, and this inner chamber has spherical bottom.

7. the head of heat-exhange coil assembly according to claim 6, is characterized in that,

Ring is settled containing the pipe with anchor ring in the bottom of the Part II of described head, and described anchor ring is angled relative to vertical direction, and this vertical direction is by the High definition of described head.

8. the head of heat-exhange coil assembly according to claim 7, is characterized in that,

Settle line that the anchor ring of ring is vertical perpendicular to the curved surface of described spherical bottom with described pipe.

9. a heat-exhange coil assembly, is characterized in that, comprising:

Head, this head has Part I and Part II;

Head capping;

Multiple heat exchanger tube;

The shape of wherein said Part I is polygon,

The shape of described Part II is cylindricality,

Described Part I has leg-of-mutton first anchor portion, and leg-of-mutton two sides in this first anchor portion are corresponding to the extension of the smooth side of described polygonal two of crossing.

10. heat-exhange coil assembly according to claim 9, is characterized in that,

The shape of described Part I is hexagon.

11. heat-exhange coil assemblies according to claim 9, is characterized in that,

Described Part I has leg-of-mutton second anchor portion, leg-of-mutton two sides in this second anchor portion are corresponding to the smooth side of described polygonal two of crossing, and described first anchor portion and described second anchor portion are in the both sides of described polygonal smooth side jointly.

12. heat-exhange coil assemblies according to claim 11, is characterized in that,

Described head capping has receiving port, and the bottom side of this receiving port is configured to receive described first anchor portion and the described second anchor portion described polygonal smooth side jointly in both sides.

13. heat-exhange coil assemblies according to claim 9, is characterized in that,

Ring is settled containing the pipe with anchor ring in the bottom of the Part II of described head, and described anchor ring is angled relative to vertical direction, and this vertical direction is by the High definition of described head.

14. heat-exhange coil assemblies according to claim 13, is characterized in that,

Inner chamber extends to described Part II from described Part I, and described heat exchanger tube is connected to described pipe and settles on the anchor ring of ring, and described heat exchanger tube settles the anchor ring of ring vertically to place relative to described pipe.

15. heat-exhange coil assemblies according to claim 9, is characterized in that,

Inner chamber extends to described Part II from described Part I, and this inner chamber has spherical bottom.

16. heat-exhange coil assemblies according to claim 15, is characterized in that,

Ring is settled containing the pipe with anchor ring in the bottom of the Part II of described head, and described anchor ring is angled relative to vertical direction, and this vertical direction is by the High definition of described head.

The head of 17. heat-exhange coil assemblies according to claim 16, is characterized in that,

Described heat exchanger tube is vertically arranged on the anchor ring that ring settled by described pipe, and described heat exchanger tube is perpendicular to the curved surface of described spherical bottom.