Adjustable multi-pass heat exchanger

• US 10,443,945 B2
• Filed: 03/10/2015
• Issued: 10/15/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 03/12/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Lennox Industries Incorporated (Lennox International Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Lennox Industries Incorporated (Lennox International Incorporated)
• Inventors: Goel, Rakesh, Olsen, Mark
• Primary Examiner(s): Ruby, Travis C
• Application Number:
  US14/643,811
• Publication Number:
  US 20150260458A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,680 Days
• CPC Class Codes: F25B 2400/075 with parallel compressors
• CPC Class Codes: F25B 2600/05 Refrigerant levels
• CPC Class Codes: F25B 2600/2515 Flow valves
• CPC Class Codes: F25B 39/04 Condensers
• CPC Class Codes: F28D 1/05325 with particular pattern of flow, e.g. change of flow direction F28D1/05341 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F28D 1/05391 with multiple rows of conduits or with multi-channel conduits combined with a particular flow pattern, e.g. multi-row multi-stage radiators
• CPC Class Codes: F28D 2021/007 Condensers
• CPC Class Codes: F28F 27/02 for controlling the distribution of heat-exchange media between different channels static flow control means in header boxes F28F9/026; arrangements of guide plates or guide vanes F28F9/22, F28F25/12
• CPC Class Codes: F28F 9/028 by using inserts for modifying the pattern of flow inside the header box, e.g. by using flow restrictors or permeable bodies or blocks with channels

Abstract

An air conditioner includes a heat exchanger having one or more flow paths. At least one of the flow paths is associated with more than one pass and/or fluid flow through the flow path is restricted. A setting of the beat exchanger includes associations between flow path(s) and/or pass(es). A setting for the heat exchanger is determined and the heat exchanger is allowed to operate in the determined setting.

Claims

1. A multi-pass heat exchanger comprising:

a fluid inlet arranged on a first side of the multi-pass heat exchanger;

a first pass operable to receive a fluid from the fluid inlet, wherein, for a first heat exchanger setting, the first pass comprises a first channel and a reversible channel;

a first manifold arranged on the first side of the multi-pass heat exchanger, the first manifold providing a connection, in the first heat exchanger setting, between the first channel and the reversible channel, the first manifold comprising;

a plurality of adjustable valves arranged on the first side of the multi-pass heat exchanger, wherein the plurality of adjustable valves are connected to at least the reversible channel, the plurality of adjustable valves operable to adjust a direction of fluid flow in the reversible channel;

a second manifold operable to receive the fluid from the first pass and direct the fluid to a second pass through the multi-pass heat exchanger, wherein, for the first heat exchanger setting, the second pass comprises a second channel; and

a controller operable to;

determine one or more compressor settings of one or more compressors coupled to the multi-pass heat exchanger;

configure, based on a compressor load determined from the one or more compressor settings, the multi-pass heat exchanger for the first heat exchanger setting when the one or more compressors are operating at full load, wherein the multi-pass heat exchanger is configured for the first setting by adjusting the plurality of adjustable valves such that the first pass comprises the first channel and the reversible channel and the second pass comprises the second channel; and

configure, based on the compressor load determined from the one or more compressor settings, the multi-pass heat exchanger for a second heat exchanger setting when the one or more compressors are operating at part load, wherein the multi-pass heat exchanger is configured for the second setting by adjusting the plurality of adjustable valves such that the first pass comprises the first channel and the second pass comprises the reversible channel and the second channel;

wherein the one or more compressors are operating at flail load when each of the one or more compressors is in operation and the one or more compressors are operating at part load when at least one of the one or more compressors is restricted from operation.

2. The multi-pass heat exchanger of claim 1 wherein the second manifold receives the fluid in a condensed state from the first plurality of channels.

3. The multi-pass heat exchanger of claim 1 wherein the plurality of adjustable valves comprises a first valve connected to the fluid inlet and a second valve connected to a fluid outlet of the multi-pass heat exchanger;

and the controller is operable to configure the multi-pass heat exchanger for the first heat exchanger setting by opening the first valve and closing the second valve.

4. The multi-pass heat exchanger of claim 1 wherein the plurality of adjustable valves comprises a first valve connected to the fluid inlet and a second valve connected to a fluid outlet of the multi-pass heat exchanger;

and the controller is operable to configure the multi-pass heat exchanger for the second heat exchanger setting by closing the first valve and opening the second valve.

5. The multi-pass heat exchanger of claim 1 wherein the multi-pass heat exchanger is a tube and fin heat exchanger.

6. The multi-pass heat exchanger of claim 1 wherein the second manifold comprises a plurality of holes to mechanically separate gas from fluid.

7. The multi-pass heat exchanger of claim 1 further com rising a fluid outlet connected to at least one of the plurality of adjustable valves.

8. The multi-pass heat exchanger of claim 1 further comprising a microprocessor, the microprocessor operable to adjust the plurality of adjustable valves.

9. A multi-pass heat exchanger comprising:

a fluid inlet;

a first manifold operable to receive a fluid from the fluid inlet;

a second manifold operable to direct the fluid from a first pass to a second pass;

a first channel and a reversible channel connecting the first and second manifolds and operable to allow airflow around the exterior of each channel, the first channel and the reversible channel comprising the first pass for a first heat exchanger setting;

a second channel connecting the first and second manifolds and operable to allow airflow around the exterior of each the second channel, the second channel comprising the second pass for the first heat exchanger setting;

an adjustable valve, the adjustable valve operable to switch the reversible valve from the first pass to the second pass; and

a controller operable to;

determine one or more compressor settings of one or more compressors coupled to the multi-pass heat exchanger;

configure, based on a compressor load determined from the one or more compressor settings, the multi-pass heat exchanger for the first heat exchanger setting when the one or more compressors are operating at full load, wherein the multi-pass heat exchanger is configured for the first setting by adjusting the adjustable valve such that the first channel and the reversible channel comprise the first pass and the second channel comprises the second pass; and

configure, based on the compressor load determined from the one or more compressor settings, the multi-pass heat exchanger for a second heat exchanger setting when the one or more compressors are operating at part load, wherein the multi-pass heat exchanger is configured for the second setting by adjusting the adjustable valve such that the first pass comprises the first channel and the reversible channel and the second pass comprise the second channel;

wherein the one or more compressors are operating at full load when each of the one or more compressors is in operation and the one or more compressors are operating at part load when at least one of the one or more compressors is restricted from operation.

10. The multi-pass heat exchanger of claim 9 wherein the second manifold receives the fluid in a condensed state from the first pass.

11. The multi-pass heat exchanger of claim 9 wherein the fluid is refrigerant.

12. The multi-pass heat exchanger of claim 9 wherein the multi-pass heat exchanger is a tube and fin heat exchanger.

13. The multi-pass heat exchanger of claim 9 wherein the second manifold comprises a plurality of holes to mechanically separate gas from fluid.

14. The multi-pass heat exchanger of claim 9 further comprising a fluid outlet connected to the adjustable valve.

15. The multi pass heat exchanger of claim 9 further comprising a microprocessor, the microprocessor operable to adjust the adjustable valve.