Adjustable Multi-Pass Heat Exchanger System

• US 20150300744A1
• Filed: 04/15/2015
• Published: 10/22/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 04/18/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Lennox Industries Incorporated (Lennox International Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Lennox Industries Incorporated (Lennox International Incorporated)
• Inventors: Goel, Rakesh, Olsen, Mark
• Granted Patent: US 10,203,171 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: F25B 2400/075 with parallel compressors
• CPC Class Codes: F25B 2600/02 Compressor control
• CPC Class Codes: F25B 2600/05 Refrigerant levels
• CPC Class Codes: F25B 2600/2519 On-off valves
• CPC Class Codes: F25B 39/00 Evaporators; Condensers
• CPC Class Codes: F25B 39/028 having distributing means
• CPC Class Codes: F25B 49/027 Condenser control arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: F28D 1/04 with tubular conduits F28D1/0246 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F28D 2021/007 Condensers for vehicles F28D2021/0084; for compression systems F25B39/04, cold exchangers for separating constituents of gaseous mixtures F25J3/06
• CPC Class Codes: F28F 2250/06 Derivation channels, e.g. bypass
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: F28F 9/262 for radiators F28D1/0408 takes precedence

Abstract

In various implementations, a heat exchanger system may include one or more flow paths. At least one of the flow paths may be associated with more than one pass and/or fluid flow through the flow path may be restricted. A setting of the heat exchanger system may include associations between flow path(s) and/or pass(es). A setting for the heat exchanger system may be determined, and the heat exchanger system may be allowed to operate in the determined setting, in some implementations.

Claims

1. A multi-pass heat exchanger system comprising:

an inlet operable to receive a fluid;

a first heat exchanger comprising a first and second manifold and a first plurality of channels, at least one of the first plurality of channels comprising a first flow path, the first manifold operable to receive the fluid from the inlet and direct the fluid to the first flow path;

a second heat exchanger comprising the second manifold and a third manifold and a second plurality of channels, at least one of the second plurality of channels comprising the first flow path, another at least one of the second plurality of channels comprising a second flow path, the third manifold operable to receive the fluid from the first flow path and direct the fluid to the second flow path, wherein the second flow path comprises at least one of the first plurality of channels; and

a plurality of valves connected to the first and second plurality of channels, the plurality of valves operable to alter the number of the first and second plurality of channels comprising the first and second flow paths.

2. The multi-pass heat exchanger of claim 1 wherein the third manifold receives the fluid in a condensed state from the first flow path.

3. The multi-pass heat exchanger of claim 1 wherein the first and second pluralities of channels comprise microchannels.

4. The multi-pass heat exchanger of claim 1 wherein the first and second pluralities of channels comprise fins.

5. The multi-pass heat exchanger of claim 1 wherein the third manifold further comprises a perforated portion that the fluid passes through.

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

7. The multi-pass heat exchanger of claim 1 wherein air passes around the first and second pluralities of channels.

8. The multi-pass heat exchanger of claim 1 further comprising a third flow path comprising at least one of the first and second pluralities of channels.

9. A multi-pass heat exchanger system comprising:

an inlet operable to receive a fluid;

a plurality of manifolds;

a plurality of channels connecting the plurality of manifolds;

a first flow path, the first flow path comprising at least one of the plurality of channels and operable to receive the fluid from the inlet;

a second flow path, the second flow path comprising at least one of the plurality of channels and operable to receive the fluid from the first flow path; and

a plurality of valves, the plurality of valves operable to alter the number of the plurality of channels comprising the first and second flow paths.

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

11. The multi-pass heat exchanger system of claim 9 wherein the plurality of channels comprise microchannels.

12. The multi-pass heat exchanger system of claim 9 wherein the plurality of channels comprise fins.

13. The multi-pass heat exchanger system of claim 9 wherein at least one manifold comprises a perforated portion through which the fluid passes.

14. The multi-pass heat exchanger system of claim 9 further comprising a microprocessor, the microprocessor operable to adjust the plurality of valves.

15. The multi-pass heat exchanger system of claim 9 wherein air passes around the plurality of channels.

16. The multi-pass heat exchanger system of claim 9 wherein the number of manifolds is five.

17. A method of operating a multi-pass heat exchanger system, comprising:

determining, by a controller, a flow rate to an inlet of the multi-pass heat exchanger system that comprises a plurality of heat exchangers, a plurality of channels through the plurality of heat exchangers, and a plurality of manifolds connecting the heat exchangers;

based on the flow rate, selecting, by a controller, a first plurality of channels to be a first pass and selecting a second plurality of channels to be a second pass; and

adjusting, by a controller, valves in the multi-pass heat exchanger system to direct a fluid along the first pass and then along the second pass.

18. The method of claim 17 further comprising selecting a third plurality of channels to be a third pass and adjusting valves in the heat exchanger to direct fluid from the second pass to the third pass.

19. The method of claim 17 further comprising directing air to flow around the first and second pluralities of channels.

20. The method of claim 18 further comprising selecting a fourth plurality of channels to be a fourth pass and adjusting valves in the heat exchanger to direct fluid from the third pass to the fourth pass.