Lockheed Martin Corporation
Evaporator having a fluid distribution sub-assembly

Abstract:

An evaporator comprises a plurality of thermal elements disposed in a shell interior of an evaporator shell. A primary supply line configured to carry a working fluid is disposed in the shell interior. A plurality of tube sets is fluidically coupled to the primary supply line, and each tube set is spaced apart from an adjacent tube set along the first primary supply line. Each tube set comprises a plurality of individual tubes, with each tube proximate a different subset of thermal elements within the shell interior. Each tube comprises a plurality of first fluid distribution points configured to distribute the working fluid proximate the external surface of at least one of the plurality of thermal elements, thereby increasing the amount of surface area of the thermal elements in contact with the working fluid, and increasing the overall efficiency of the evaporator.