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  De-superheated combined cooler/condenserUSPTO Application #: 20060175048Title: De-superheated combined cooler/condenser Abstract: A heat exchanger includes a first plurality of segments having a first plurality of tubes formed therein and a second plurality of segments having a second plurality of tubes formed therein. The first plurality of segments is coupled to the second plurality of segments such that the second plurality of tubes is fluidly coupled to the first plurality of tubes. The first plurality of tubes includes a greater cumulative cross-sectional area per segment than the second plurality of tubes per segment, and, as such, improves the overall heat transfer capability of the heat exchanger. (end of abstract)
Agent: Daimlerchrysler Intellectual Capital Corporation Cims 483-02-19 - Auburn Hills, MI, US Inventor: Kwangtaek Hong USPTO Applicaton #: 20060175048 - Class: 165146000 (USPTO) Related Patent Categories: Heat Exchange, Gradated Heat Transfer Structure The Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20060175048. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0001] The present invention relates to heat exchangers and more particularly to an improved structure for a heat exchanger. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] Heat exchangers, such as evaporators and condensers, are commonly used in refrigeration systems. Such refrigeration systems typically also include a compressor, an expansion valve, and fans, which operate together, and with the heat exchangers, to cool a refrigerated space. [0003] The compressor, expansion valve, condenser, and evaporator are fluidly coupled such that a loop or a closed system exists for circulation of a refrigerant therein. The compressor receives the refrigerant in a gaseous form from the evaporator and pressurizes the gas in the condenser. As the gaseous refrigerant is received under pressure from the compressor, at least one fan circulates air through the condenser and around condenser coils such that heat associated with the gaseous refrigerant is absorbed by the passing air. The resultant drop in refrigerant temperature, combined with the increase in pressure imparted thereon by the compressor, causes the refrigerant to change from the gaseous state into a liquid state. [0004] Once the refrigerant reaches the liquid state, the refrigerant is sent through the expansion valve before reaching the evaporator, which is held at a low pressure through operation of the expansion valve and condenser. The low pressure of the evaporator causes the refrigerant to change state back to a gas, and as it does so, absorb heat from an air stream moving through the evaporator. In this manner, the air stream flowing through the evaporator is cooled and the temperature of the refrigerated space is lowered. [0005] In vehicle applications, refrigeration systems must be of sufficient cooling capacity to maintain a passenger cabin at a desired temperature. A condenser associated with such a vehicle refrigeration system is typically disposed within an engine compartment of the vehicle and positioned such that air caused by forward movement of the vehicle passes through the condenser and over condenser coils. The passing air flow reduces the necessity of continuous fan operation and facilitates dissipation of heat from the condenser to the atmosphere. [0006] Refrigeration system cooling capacity is related to the ability of the condenser to reject heat from the system through conversion of gaseous refrigerant into liquid refrigerant. Therefore, larger condensers are generally able to dissipate more heat than smaller condensers, and thus, provide additional cooling capacity. As most vehicle condensers are disposed within a vehicle's engine compartment, the size of the condenser is often limited to that which can be packaged. Such packaging problems are further compounded when the condenser is combined with another heat exchanger such as a transmission or oil cooler in a so-called "combo-cooler." In such situations, condenser size is limited not only by available packaging space within the engine compartment, but also by available air flow. [0007] Therefore, a condenser that adequately converts gaseous refrigerant to liquid refrigerant to adequately cool a refrigerated space while concurrently meeting vehicle packaging and size requirements is desirable in the industry. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0008] Accordingly, a heat exchanger is provided and includes a first plurality of segments having a first plurality of tubes formed therein and a second plurality of segments having a second plurality of tubes formed therein. The first plurality of segments is coupled to the second plurality of segments such that the second plurality of tubes is fluidly coupled to the first plurality of tubes. The first plurality of tubes includes a greater cumulative cross-sectional area per segment than the second plurality of tubes per segment, and, as such, improves the overall heat transfer capability of the heat exchanger. [0009] Further areas of applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description provided hereinafter. It should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating the preferred embodiment of the invention, are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0010] The present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description and the accompanying drawings, wherein: [0011] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a condenser in accordance with the principles of the present invention; [0012] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the condenser of FIG. 1 taken along line 2-2; [0013] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a combined cooler/condenser in accordance with the principles of the present invention; and [0014] FIG. 4 is a pressure-enthalpy (P-H) chart comparing a prior art refrigeration system to a refrigeration system incorporating the condenser of FIG. 1. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS [0015] The following description of the preferred embodiment(s) is merely exemplary in nature and is in no way intended to limit the invention, its application, or uses. [0016] With particular reference to FIG. 1, a heat exchanger 10 is provided and includes an upper portion 12 fluidly coupled to a lower portion 14. The upper portion 12 includes a plurality of segments 16 fluidly coupled by a pair of end caps 18 while the lower portion 14 similarly includes a plurality of segments 20 fluidly coupled by end caps 18. The end caps 18 extend along a length of the heat exchanger 10 and fluidly couple not only the individual segments 16 and the individual segments 20, but also fluidly couple the upper portion 12 to the lower portion 14 such that fluid communication between segments 16 and segments 20 is provided. [0017] With particular reference to FIG. 2, the upper portion 12 includes a plurality of upper tubes 22 formed within each segment 16 while the lower portion 14 includes a plurality of lower tubes 24 formed within each segment 20. The upper tubes 22 extend along a length of each segment 16 and are fluidly coupled to each end cap 18. Similarly, the lower tubes 24 extend along a length of each segment 20 and are fluidly coupled to each end cap 18. In this manner, the upper tubes 22 are fluidly coupled to the lower tubes 24 via end caps 18. [0018] The upper and lower tubes 22, 24 are formed integrally with respective segments 16, 20 during an extrusion process performed during formation of segments 16, 20. Specifically, the segments 16, 20 are formed from a thermally conductive material, such as, but not limited to, aluminum, and are formed by passing a blank of aluminum through an extrusion die (Not shown). As the blank is fed through the extrusion die, an elongate, generally rectangular shape is produced having a plurality of cylindrical voids extending along its length. [0019] The rectangular shape forms an outer surface of each segment 16, 20, while the cylindrical voids form respective tube structures 22, 24 therein. It should be noted that while an extrusion process is disclosed, that any suitable process for integrally forming tubes 22, 24 within respective segments 16, 20 should be considered within the scope of the present invention. Furthermore, while a rectangular shape is disclosed, it should be understood that the outer surface could include any geometric shape and may also include fins for increasing heat transfer capability of each segment 16, 20. Continue reading... Full patent description for De-superheated combined cooler/condenser Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this De-superheated combined cooler/condenser patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. 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