Heat exchanger having a distributer plate
View Patent ↗A heat exchanger for a motor vehicle is provided, including top and bottom headers and a core extending therebetween. The top header includes a distributor plate extending along the longitudinal axis thereof to separate the top header into first and second chambers. The distributor plate includes at least one opening to permit effective distribution of the liquid between the respective chambers. One type of effective distribution causes the liquid to be generally equally distributed among each of the plurality of flow tubes.
1. A heat exchanger for a vehicle comprising:
a first header extending longitudinally to define a passageway;
a second header defining a second passageway;
a core having a set of flow tubes extending between the first and second headers; and
a distributor plate extending longitudinally within the first header to divide the passageway into first and second chambers;
wherein the distributor plate defines a collection area for collecting a liquid and defines an opening that fluidly connects the first and second chambers to each other, the opening defining a boundary of the collection area such that the liquid is substantially prevented from flowing through the opening until reaching the boundary of the collection area.
2. A heat exchanger as in claim 1 , wherein the distributor plate defines a length extending along the passageway, and wherein the distributor plate is configured such that the liquid collected in the collection area is distributed substantially evenly along the length of the distributor plate.
3. A heat exchanger as in claim 2 , wherein the distributor plate is configured such that the liquid collected in the collection area is distributed substantially evenly along the length of the distributor plate when the liquid is flowing at a relatively low flow rate.
4. A heat exchanger as in claim 1 , wherein the distributor plate defines a plurality of openings that each fluidly connects the first and second chambers, and the plurality of openings cooperate to define the boundary of the collection area.
5. A heat exchanger as in claim 4 , wherein the distributor plate is configured to permit the liquid to flow substantially equally through each of the plurality of openings.
6. A heat exchanger as in claim 5 , wherein at least two of the plurality of openings define unequal cross-sectional areas.
7. A heat exchanger as in claim 1 , wherein a wall of the first header cooperates with the distributor plate to define the collection area.
8. A heat exchanger as in claim 1 , wherein the distributor plate includes a trough portion defining the collection area.
9. A heat exchanger as in claim 8 , wherein the trough portion defines a generally arcuate portion.
10. A heat exchanger as in claim 1 , wherein the first header includes a divider plate that divides the first header into the passageway and a third passageway.
11. A heat exchanger as in claim 10 , wherein the divider plate extends longitudinally along the first header such that the passageway and the third passageway are transversely off-set from each other.
12. A heat exchanger as in claim 11 , wherein the first header, the distributor plate, and the divider plate are all formed from a single, unitary component.
13. A heat exchanger as in claim 11 , wherein the divider plate extends transversely across the first header such that the passageway and the third passageway are oriented end to end with each other.
14. A heat exchanger as in claim 1 , further comprising a second distributor plate longitudinally within the second header to divide the second passageway into first and second chambers.
15. A heat exchanger for a vehicle comprising:
a first header extending longitudinally to define a passageway;
a second header defining a second passageway;
a core having a set of flow tubes extending between the first and second headers along an axis; and
a distributor plate extending along a plane within the first header to divide the passageway into first and second chambers, wherein the first header defines an opening that fluidly connects the first and second chambers to each other, and wherein the plane and the axis define an angle with respect to each other that is greater than 0 degrees and is less than 90 degrees.
16. A heat exchanger as in claim 15 , wherein the distributor plate defines a plurality of openings fluidly connecting the first and second chambers and wherein cooperating with each other to define a boundary of a collection area such that a liquid present within the first chamber is substantially prevented from flowing through the opening until reaching the boundary of the collection area.
17. A heat exchanger as in claim 16 , wherein the liquid is substantially prevented from flowing through the opening until reaching the boundary of the collection area when the liquid is flowing at a relatively low flow rate.
18. A heat exchanger as in claim 17 , wherein the angle is equal to a predetermined value such as to reduce turbulence of the liquid flow through the first header.
19. A heat exchanger as in claim 15 , wherein the angle is between 35 and 85 degrees.
20. A heat exchanger as in claim 19 , wherein the angle is greater than 45 degrees.
21. A heat exchanger as in claim 20 , wherein the angle is between 60 degrees and 70 degrees.
22. A heat exchanger as in claim 15 , wherein the collection area extends longitudinally and generally perpendicular to the axis of the flow tubes.
23. A heat exchanger as in claim 15 , wherein the first header, the distributor plate, and the divider plate are of a unitary construction.
24. A heat exchanger as in claim 15 , further comprising a second distributor plate longitudinally within the second header to divide the second passageway into first and second chambers.
25. A heat exchanger for a vehicle comprising:
a first header extending longitudinally to define a passageway, wherein a portion of the first header defines a distributor plate extending longitudinally within the first header to divide the passageway into first and second chambers, the distributor plate defining a collection area for collecting a liquid;
a second header defining a second passageway; and
a core having a set of flow tubes extending between the first and second headers;
wherein the distributor plate and the first header are a single, unitary component, and wherein the distributor plate defines an opening that fluidly connects the first and second chambers to each other.
26. A heat exchanger as in claim 25 , wherein the first header includes a divider plate that divides the first header into the passageway and a third passageway.
27. A heat exchanger as in claim 26 , wherein the divider plate extends longitudinally along the first header such that the passageway and the third passageway are transversely off-set from each other.
28. A heat exchanger as in claim 26 , wherein the first header, the distributor plate, and the divider plate are all formed from a single, unitary component.