High efficiency heat exchange for refrigeration suction line/capillary

Abstract

A suction line/capillary tube assembly which provides improved heat exchange between the cool gaseous refrigerant conveyed by the suction line and the warm liquid refrigerant conveyed by the capillary tube in a refrigeration system. The assembly is generally characterized by the capillary tube being within and in direct thermal contact with the suction line wall along a substantial length thereof, which length is at least approximately two feet. In a first specific embodiment, the capillary tube is soldered to the inside of the suction line, as opposed to merely being loosely passed therethrough. In a second specific embodiment, an aluminum suction line is fabricated with an internal extruded channel defined between a pair of ridges extending from the interior surface of the suction line. A copper capillary tube is snugly positioned in the channel and preferably the ridges are deformed toward each other so as to substantially surround the capillary tube. In a method of providing a suction line/capillary tube assembly as contemplated by the second specific embodiment, the operation of deforming the ridges is accomplished by forcing a closure tool through the suction line. In a third specific embodiment, the capillary tube is snugly positioned within a longitudinal bore formed within the wall of the suction line.