Whirlpool Corporation
Roll-bonded evaporator and method of forming the evaporator

Abstract:

A roll-bonded evaporator is formed from a first sheet and a second sheet roll bonded together in face to face relationship with a conductive heater located between the sheets. A refrigerant passageway system is formed in unwelded areas where the first and second sheets are not roll bonded to one another thereby defining a refrigerant channel, a refrigerant inlet and a refrigerant outlet. A heater is preferably formed with a first end and a second end located between the refrigerant inlet and the refrigerant outlet at a proximate end of the evaporator. Alternatively, the conductive heater is formed in a path having the second end located at the distal end of the evaporator and passing through the first sheet at the distal end.