System and method of charge management

摘要

A heat exchanger has an upper region, a lower region disposed vertically lower than the upper region, and a passive charge management device. The passive charge management device has an internal volume, an upper tube connecting the internal volume to at least one of the upper region and the lower region at a first vertical height, and a lower tube connecting the internal volume to at least one of the upper region and the lower region at a second vertical height that is vertically lower than the first vertical height.

主权项

1. A heat exchanger, comprising:
an undivided header; a divided header that comprises a divider that defines a division between an upper region comprising a plurality of supply heat exchanger tubes configured to carry refrigerant into the undivided header and a lower region comprising a plurality of return heat exchanger tubes configured to carry refrigerant from the undivided header, wherein the lower region is disposed vertically lower than the upper region; and a passive charge management device associated with and mounted to the undivided header and comprising:
an internal volume;an upper tube connecting the internal volume in direct fluid communication with the undivided header at a first vertical height; anda lower tube connecting the internal volume in direct fluid communication with the undivided header at a second vertical height that is vertically lower than the first vertical height;wherein a majority of the internal volume is located adjacent to and vertically below a vertical height of the divider defining the division between the upper region and the lower region.