A distributor distributes fluid to plural fluid outlets, the fluid flowing from a fluid inlet. The distributor includes plural branching flow paths having an upstream branching flow path, and downstream branching flow paths located closer to the fluid outlets than is the upstream branching flow path, and an intermediate flow path provided between the upstream branching flow path and one or more of the downstream branching flow paths, the intermediate flow path connecting the upstream branching flow path and the at least one of the downstream branching flow paths. The intermediate flow path has one end connected to the upstream branching flow path at a position facing one of the ends of the upstream branching flow path and the other end connected to one or more of the downstream branching flow paths at a center of the downstream branching flow path, and causes the fluid flowing from the one end to change a flow direction of the fluid and then flow out of the other end.

In one instance, an isolator for a heating, ventilating, and cooling (HVAC) system is provided that is a formed plastic member that is disposed between dissimilar metals of the bottom of the condenser and a base pan that supports the condenser or between two dissimilar metals of another HVAC heat exchanger. The isolator separates the two dissimilar metals involved from each of those components and also provides gaps or apertures to drain any water that otherwise might become standing water that potentially causes oxidation or increased oxidation. Other aspects are disclosed.

In one instance, an isolator for a heating, ventilating, and cooling (HVAC) system is provided that is a formed plastic member that is disposed between dissimilar metals of the bottom of the condenser and a base pan that supports the condenser or between two dissimilar metals of another HVAC heat exchanger. The isolator separates the two dissimilar metals involved from each of those components and also provides gaps or apertures to drain any water that otherwise might become standing water that potentially causes oxidation or increased oxidation. Other aspects are disclosed.

A heat exchange device may include a first pipe including a first inlet, a first outlet, and a first sidewall extending therebetween; a second pipe including a second inlet, a second outlet, and a second sidewall extending therebetween; and a plurality of dimples extending between the first sidewall and the second sidewall. The second sidewall may surround and extend about the first sidewall, the first sidewall may define a first fluid passage configured to permit flow of a first fluid, and the second sidewall and the first sidewall may define a second fluid passage configured to permit flow of a second fluid.

A thermal management system includes a refrigerant receiver configured to store a refrigerant fluid, an evaporator arrangement that removes heat from a heat load converting a portion of the refrigerant fluid to refrigerant vapor and a liquid separator having an inlet, a liquid side outlet, and a vapor side outlet. The system also includes a pump that pumps refrigerant liquid received from the liquid side outlet of the liquid separator and a closed-circuit refrigeration system having a closed-circuit fluid path that includes the refrigerant receiver, the liquid separator, the pump, and the evaporator arrangement, the closed-circuit refrigeration system further including a compressor and a condenser. The system also including an open-circuit refrigeration system having an open-circuit fluid path that includes the refrigerant receiver, the liquid separator, the pump, and the evaporator arrangement, and further including a back-pressure regulator configured to receive refrigerant vapor from the vapor side outlet of the liquid separator and an exhaust line coupled to the outlet of the back-pressure regulator, with refrigerant vapor from the exhaust line not returning to the refrigerant receiver.

A refrigeration apparatus pertaining to the invention can suppress clogging due to polymers formed by the polymerization of refrigerant and improve safety. The refrigeration apparatus is equipped with a refrigeration cycle in which a compressor, a condenser, an expansion mechanism, and an evaporator are connected in a loop. The refrigeration apparatus is equipped with a polymer catcher. The polymer catcher is attached to piping interconnecting an outlet side of the compressor and an inlet side of the condenser and catches polymers of refrigerant circulating in the refrigeration cycle. The refrigerant includes a compound represented by a molecular formula having one or more carbon-carbon unsaturated bonds.

A refrigeration apparatus pertaining to the invention can suppress clogging due to polymers formed by the polymerization of refrigerant and improve safety. The refrigeration apparatus is equipped with a refrigeration cycle in which a compressor, a condenser, an expansion mechanism, and an evaporator are connected in a loop. The refrigeration apparatus is equipped with a polymer catcher. The polymer catcher is attached to piping interconnecting an outlet side of the compressor and an inlet side of the condenser and catches polymers of refrigerant circulating in the refrigeration cycle. The refrigerant includes a compound represented by a molecular formula having one or more carbon-carbon unsaturated bonds.

In a heat exchanger, each of a plurality of heat exchange members includes: a flat pipe; and a heat transfer plate integrated with the flat pipe along a longitudinal direction of the flat pipe. A width direction of each of the flat pipes intersects with a direction in which the plurality of heat exchange members are arranged side by side. Each of the heat transfer plates includes an extending portion extending outward in the width direction of each of the flat pipes from at least one of one end of a corresponding one of the flat pipes in the width direction and another end of the corresponding one of the flat pipes in the width direction. Each of the flat pipes has one or more flat pipe bent portions, each forming a groove extending along the longitudinal direction of the flat pipes.

In a heat exchanger, each of a plurality of heat exchange members includes: a flat pipe; and a heat transfer plate integrated with the flat pipe along a longitudinal direction of the flat pipe. A width direction of each of the flat pipes intersects with a direction in which the plurality of heat exchange members are arranged side by side. Each of the heat transfer plates includes an extending portion extending outward in the width direction of each of the flat pipes from at least one of one end of a corresponding one of the flat pipes in the width direction and another end of the corresponding one of the flat pipes in the width direction. Each of the flat pipes has one or more flat pipe bent portions, each forming a groove extending along the longitudinal direction of the flat pipes.

A plate heat exchanger includes a plurality of heat transfer plates stacked together and each having openings at four corners thereof. The heat transfer plates are partially brazed together such that a first flow passage through which first fluid flows and a second flow passage through which second fluid flows are alternately arranged with one of the heat transfer plates disposed therebetween, openings at the four corners being connected forming first headers through which the first fluid enters and is discharged and second headers through which the second fluid enters and is discharged. At least one of two heat transfer plates between which the first flow passage or the second flow passage is disposed is formed by a pair of metal plates stacked together. The metal plate adjacent to the second flow passage is thinner than the metal plate adjacent to the first flow passage.