Heat exchanger efficiently operable alternatively as evaporator or condenser
A heat exchanger adapted for efficient operation alternatively as evaporator or condenser and characterized by flexible outer tube having a plurality of inner conduits and check valves sealingly disposed within the outer tube and connected with respective inlet and outlet master flow conduits and configured so as to define a parallel flow path for a first fluid such as a refrigerant when flowed in one direction and to define a serpentine and series flow path for the first fluid when flowed in the opposite direction. The flexible outer tube has a heat exchange fluid, such as water, flowed therethrough by way of suitable inlet and outlet connections. The inner conduits and check valves form a package that is twistable so as to define a spiral annular flow path within the flexible outer tube for the heat exchange fluid. The inner conduits have thin walls of highly efficient heat transfer material for transferring heat between the first and second fluids. Also disclosed are specific materials and configurations.
- Research Organization:
- Northrup Industries, Hutchins, TX (United States); Atlantic Richfield Company, Los Angeles, CA (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC03-78CS31718
- Assignee:
- Atlantic Richfield Company (Los Angeles, CA)
- Patent Number(s):
- 4,307,578
- Application Number:
- 06/140771
- OSTI ID:
- 864080
- Resource Relation:
- Patent File Date: 1980 Apr 16
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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exchanger
efficiently
operable
alternatively
evaporator
condenser
adapted
efficient
operation
characterized
flexible
outer
tube
plurality
inner
conduits
check
valves
sealingly
disposed
connected
respective
inlet
outlet
master
flow
configured
define
parallel
path
fluid
refrigerant
flowed
direction
serpentine
series
opposite
exchange
water
therethrough
suitable
connections
form
package
twistable
spiral
annular
walls
highly
transfer
material
transferring
fluids
disclosed
specific
materials
configurations
parallel flow
flow conduit
transferring heat
opposite direction
heat exchange
heat exchanger
heat transfer
flow path
highly efficient
outer tube
check valve
exchange fluid
check valves
annular flow
efficient heat
sealingly disposed
suitable inlet
respective inlet
transfer material
inner conduit
efficient operation
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