| WO2011074005A2 | 2011-06-23 |
| JPH0579662A | 1993-03-30 |
| Claims [Claim 1] It is an apparatus consisting of 4 main components, including the vapor compression refrigeration cycle, the water cycle, the air cycle, and the control circuit, which is utilized for air cooling in summer and air heating in winter for various reasons. It incorporates the following components: 1.1. Vapor compression refrigeration cycle includes a compressor, an air condenser coil, a condenser fan, an expansion valve, refrigeration valves, Freon refrigerant, an evaporator coil, refrigerant piping, temperature, pressure, and oil controllers. 1.2. Water cycle containing cooling coil, air washer set (including nozzles, a set of packing, a water eliminator, water storage drain, floater, and make-up water filler), a shell and coil storage tank, circulation pump, water softener, piping (including piping, valves, fittings, and headers), electric control valve, air vent, and safety valve. 1.3. Air cycle comprises air inlet intake, aluminum filter, blower fan, and air outlet intake. 1.4. The control system contains the electrical box, power circuit board, control switch, contactors, monitor screen, digital controller like PLC plus water level switch, air and water temperature sensors, and fan speed controller. [Claim 2] The system as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the refrigeration cycle is configured to: The Freon refrigerant is discharged from the compressor into the condenser coil to reject its absorbed heat to the outdoors. At this time, the refrigerant exits from the condenser in form of liquid. After that, when the refrigerant enters the expansion valve or capillary tube, it is atomized into the evaporator coil (in the thermal storage tank) and its temperature and pressure get reduced simultaneously in this stage. In the next step, due to the exchange of the heat between the refrigerant and the stored water in the thermal storage tank (or evaporator), the water temperature is reduced while the refrigerant gets evaporated at the same time. Finally, the refrigerant returns to the compressor to repeat the cycle. [Claim 3] The system as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the water cycle is configured to: The stored cold water in the tank enters the precooling coil through the circulator pump where the cold water absorbs the heat of the entering air at the first step. In the second stage, the leaving water from the precooling coil streams to the air washer set and gets sprayed through nozzles into the air washer's chamber. In this process, the leaving air from the precooling coil exchanges the leftover of its heat with the sprayed water. Finally, the heated water pours into the air washer pan and enters the thermal storage tank to cool down again and the cold air gets delivered to the indoor space by the blower fan. This cycle repeats continuously. [Claim 4] The system as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the air cycle is configured to: By starting the blower fan, the outside air passes over the aluminum filter to remove the dust, then exchange its heat with the cold water in the precooling coil in an indirect contact form. After this process, the precooled air enters the air washer chamber and gives the rest of its heat to the sprayed water directly in the second stage, and then, the air temperature drops dramatically. Consequently, the cold air is supplied to indoor spaces by the blower fan. [Claim 5] By utilizing the control panel, the power of all electrical parts of the apparatus consisting of the compressor, the blower fan, the condenser fan, and the circulator pump is provided. Temperature and pressure of the refrigeration cycle control, controlling the blower fan's and the circulator's speed, adjusting control valves, and other parts are carried out by utilizing an electronic chips board or programmable logic controller (PLC). [Claim 6] In winter, for air heating, the hot water enters the appliance from the central heating system or the other source of water heating. The warm enters the thermal storage tank and gets stored there, then it streams to the heat exchanger (the hydronic coil) by the circulator pump. After exchanging its heat with the cold passing air over the coil, it loses its temperature and returns to the main heating system for reheating. The precooling coil is used as a heating coil in winter/ |
| AMENDED CLAIMS received by the International Bureau on 21 February 2023 [Claim 1] [Unchanged] It is an apparatus consisting of 4 main components, including the vapor compression refrigeration cycle, the water cycle, the air cycle, and the control circuit, which is utilized for air cooling in summer and air heating in winter for various reasons. It incorporates the following components: 1.1. Vapor compression refrigeration cycle includes a compressor, an air condenser coil, a condenser fan, an expansion valve, refrigeration valves, Freon refrigerant, an evaporator coil, refrigerant piping, temperature, pressure, and oil controllers. 1 .2. Water cycle containing cooling coil, air washer set (including nozzles, a set of packing, a water eliminator, water storage drain, floater, and make-up water filler), a shell and coil storage tank, circulation pump, water softener, piping (including piping, valves, fittings, and headers), electric control valve, air vent, and safety valve. 1.3. Air cycle comprises air inlet intake, aluminum filter, blower fan, and air outlet intake. 1.4. The control system contains the electrical box, power circuit board, control switch, contactors, monitor screen, digital controller like PLC plus water level switch, air and water temperature sensors, and fan speed controller. [Claim 2] [Unchanged] The system as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the refrigeration cycle is configured to: The Freon refrigerant is discharged from the compressor into the condenser coil to reject its absorbed heat to the outdoors. At this time, the refrigerant exits from the condenser in form of liquid. After that, when the refrigerant enters the expansion valve or capillary tube, it is atomized into the evaporator coil (in the thermal storage tank) and its temperature and pressure get reduced simultaneously in this stage. In the next step, due to the exchange of the heat between the refrigerant and the stored water in the thermal storage tank (or evaporator), the water temperature is reduced while the refrigerant gets evaporated at the same time. Finally, the refrigerant returns to the compressor to repeat the cycle. AMENDED SHEET (ARTICLE 19) [Claim 3] [Unchanged] The system as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the water cycle is configured to: The stored cold water in the tank enters the precooling coil through the circulator pump where the cold water absorbs the heat of the entering air at the first step. In the second stage, the leaving water from the precooling coil streams to the air washer set and gets sprayed through nozzles into the air washer's chamber. In this process, the leaving air from the precooling coil exchanges the leftover of its heat with the sprayed water. Finally, the heated water pours into the air washer pan and enters the thermal storage tank to cool down again and the cold air gets delivered to the indoor space by the blower fan. This cycle repeats continuously. [Claim 4] [Unchanged] The system as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the air cycle is configured to: By starting the blower fan, the outside air passes over the aluminum filter to remove the dust, then exchange its heat with the cold water in the precooling coil in an indirect contact form. After this process, the precooled air enters the air washer chamber and gives the rest of its heat to the sprayed water directly in the second stage, and then, the air temperature drops dramatically. Consequently, the cold air is supplied to indoor spaces by the blower fan. [Claim 5] [Unchanged] By utilizing the control panel, the power of all electrical parts of the apparatus consisting of the compressor, the blower fan, the condenser fan, and the circulator pump is provided. Temperature and pressure of the refrigeration cycle control, controlling the blower fan's and the circulator's speed, adjusting control valves, and other parts are carried out by utilizing an electronic chips board or programmable logic controller (PLC). [Claim 6] [Amended] In winter, for air heating purposes, the hot water can be supplied via two different sources in terms of enabling heat from the outside of the apparatus or the inside of it: first, the outside heat source like central heating systems, solar systems, all type of boilers and combi-boilers including steam types, gas, oil or gasoline-fuel types, AMENDED SHEET (ARTICLE 19) 17 wood or biofuels boilers, all types of condensing boilers, water or fire tube boilers, electric boilers, conventional sectional cast iron boilers, etc. and second, the inside heat source would be the heat pump. [Claim 7] [Added] By utilizing the first type of heat source as claimed in Claim 6, the warm water enters the thermal storage tank and gets stored there (figure-2), then streams to the hydronic coil by the circulator pump. The water loses its hot temperature across the coil and gets cold after exchanging its heat with the cold passing air over the coil, so it returns to the heating system for reheating. This cycle repeats again and again to fulfill the inside space demand. The hydronic coil is used as a heating coil in winter. [Claim 8] [Added] The second method of enabling a heat source as claimed in Claim 6 can be a heat-pump unit mounted in this apparatus. The refrigeration cycle claimed in Claim 2 can make heat when operated in reverse. It can be obtained when a 4-way reversing valve gets utilized to convert the refrigeration cycle to an independent heat source in winter. In this configuration, the refrigeration cycle operates reverse so that the condenser and the evaporator coil exchange tasks. In this case, the compressor draws the refrigerant vapor from the condenser coil (No.13 in figure -1) and discharges it to the evaporator (No.9 in figure -1) by enabling the 4-way reversing valve in winter mode via programming of the PLC system. Since heat is emitted at the condenser section in each vapor refrigeration compression cycle, exchanging the present evaporator coil with the new condenser coil by reversing the cycle, the system can enable heat for the stored water in the storage tank in winter mode so, the stored water gets warm. [Claim 9] [Added] In winter, when the water is heated by an outside heat source like a central heating system as claimed in Claim 6, humidifying of the air can be provided by the inside heat pump. In other words, in this configuration, the outside heat source provides the required heat for the water across the hydronic coil. To be more specific, in this process, the supply hot water (No.19 in figure-2) does not enter the thermal storage tank (No.8 in figure-2) anymore and the hydronic coil (No.2 in figure -2) gets bypassed by a separate pipe. On the other hand, it gives a chance to the heat pump as claimed in Claim 6 and AMENDED SHEET (ARTICLE 19) 18 Claim 8, to heat the cold stored water in the thermal storage tank in a different loop configuration. In the next step, after heating the water with the heat pump, the outlet warm water from the tank can be pumped by the inside circulator pump to the air washer chamber to humidify the passing air directly. There are two separate hot water piping closed loops in this configuration: first, a loop among the HWS pipe (No.19 in figure-2), the hydronic coil, the H WR pipe (No.20 in figure-2), and the outside circulator pumps, the outside heat source, and second, a loop among the heat pump, the storage tank, the inside circulator pump, and the air washer set. This system can exclusively be applied in winter to heat and humidify the cold air simultaneously by assisting the outside heat source. [Claim 10] [Added] The apparatus can be equipped with an on/off or a modulating 3-way diverting control valve mounted on the outlet of the hydronic coil (No.2 in figure -1). In this configuration, the outlet water from the hydronic coil (No.2 in figure -1) can be bypassed to the storage tank with or without entering the air washer set. This is desirable when there is a need to control the humidity or temperature of the supply air in summer. [Claim 11] [Added] To adequately adjust the system to meet the humidifying demand in summer, the apparatus can be equipped with an air humidity sensor mounted on the supply air stream. This sensor can read the supply air relative humidity (RH) data every moment. The PLC system needs to receive the supply air relative humidity data from the sensor to compare it with the defined set-point humidity in its memory by the user. The result of this measurement allowed the PLC system to modulate the 3-way control valve (as claimed in Claim 10) based on the input data. If the entering air relative humidity becomes less than the defined set-point, the PLC modulates the 3-way control valve to open the Main Route (the route to the air washer) more and limit the water flow in the Bypass Route (the route to the hydronic coil) and vice versa. [Claim 12] [Added] In winter, achieving the desired room humidity can be concluded by modulating the speed of the inside circulator pump (No.10 in Figure 2) by an inverter or similar devices. Any changes in the pump speed can result in changing the supply water flow and modification in the amount of humidity produced at the air washer set. In this AMENDED SHEET (ARTICLE 19) 19 scenario, the relative humidity sensor as claimed in Claim 11 which is mounted on the supply air stream can prepare the necessary data for the PLC system to adjust the speed of the circulator pump adequately after comparing the received data with the defined setpoint relative humidity (RH). [Claim 13] [Added] There are two different methods to control the supply air temperature: firstly, using an environmental thermostat inside the space or setting up an air temperature sensor on the supply air stream, or secondly, using a thermostatic 3-way control valve mounted at the inlet of the hydronic coil instead of using the 3-way control valve at the outlet of the hydronic coil as claimed in Claim 10. [Claim 14] [Added] In the first scenario as claimed in Claim 13, the PLC system can modulate the speed of the supply blower fan (No.6 in figure -1 ) by sensing the room temperature and comparing it with the adjusted set-point. In this concept, if the room temperature is more or less than the set-point temperature, the PLC system will change the speed of the blower fan by using an inverter or similar devices until the room set-point temperature is provided. Any changes in the speed of the blower fan yields modification in the airflow. Raising the amount of supply airflow by the increment of the blower speed leads to declining in temperature difference between the entering air and the supply air temperature across the apparatus which can go up the room temperature if needed and vice versa. [Claim 15] [Added] In the second scenario as claimed in Claim 13, the PLC system can provide the room set-point temperature by modulating the thermostatic 3-way diverting control valve mounted in the inlet of the hydronic coil. In this procedure, the pumped water enters the 3-way thermostatic control valve and exits to two different routes: entering the hydronic coil or returning to the storage tank. In other words, the supply air temperature is considered a function of the inlet water temperature to the hydronic coil. In this method, determining the set-point water temperature for the PLC is crucial and complicated. However, If the inlet water temperature does not match the defined water set-point temperature at the PLC system, the PLC can adjust the control valve. It means the amount AMENDED SHEET (ARTICLE 19) 20 of water in each route can be modulated by the PLC based on the water temperature under various circumstances. [Claim 16] [Added] The apparatus can be equipped with all controlling accessories or a combination of some of them as described in Claims 5,8,10,11 ,12,14 and 15 based on the requirement. It can be including of the PLC system, the 4-way reversing refrigeration valve, a 3-way diverting control valve at the outlet of the hydronic coil, the supply air humidity sensor, the modular pump, or an inverter to change the pump speed, the modular blower fan, or an inverter to change the fan speed, the supply air temperature sensor and a 3-way diverting thermostatic control valve at the inlet of the hydronic coil to fulfill the all thermal comfort parameters in hot and cold seasons, i AMENDED SHEET (ARTICLE 19) |
Title of Invention: [Two-Stage Fresh Air Rooftop Package]
Technical Field
Two-stage fresh air rooftop package (TS-FARP) is an apparatus designed based on mechanical engineering and air conditioning science (HVAC systems). This new system improves cooling efficiency, and lessens energy consumption compared to the other unitary cooling systems, providing cold fresh air by taking advantage of the potential of the evaporative cooling systems and thermal storage tanks.
Background Art
The design of two-stage coolers has a long history. The design of two-stage coolers in air conditioning gets divided into two sectors:
1- Decline the inlet air temperature through a heat exchanger in a sensible cooling process at the first step. (Indirect Cooling Process)
2- Decrement temperature of the pre-cooled air in an adiabatic evaporative cooling process through direct contact between air and water at the second step. (Direct Cooling Process)
The focus of prior innovations has generally been on the development of the second stage. This new invention has a distinct advantage rather than previous research so that it employs a new form of the indirect cooling system. In this novel approach, a combination of an energy storage tank with a hydronic coil as indirect cooling (first stage) plus direct cooling (second stage) can decrease the temperature of the inlet air dramatically. The main difference between this apparatus and the other conventional air-conditioners is the transfer of the vapor compression refrigeration system's cooling share to the thermal storage tank (TES) along with the evaporative cooling system. This measurement causes lessen electricity usage in the cooling system. The cooling process in this new design comprises three sections:
The first part is the use of the vapor compression refrigeration cycle to produce cold water, the second part is the employment of the thermal storage tank (TES) to store the produced cold water, and finally, the third part is applying the evaporative cooling system to lessen air temperature more. In other words, in this initiative, an energy storage tank is used to store cold water in such a way that it can accumulate cold water 2 to 5 times the cooling load. The use of thermal energy storage in this system brings the following advantages: 1- Compared to evaporative cooling systems, it can ensure the outlet air from the apparatus goes lower the ambient wet-bulb temperature that cannot be accessible in conventional evaporative systems. 2- Unlike the conventional refrigeration systems, the electricity usage in the new proposed device is not constant proportional to the cooling load. It means that since the traditional refrigeration systems capacity is chosen based on the peak load, these systems are forced to consume electricity in corresponding with the immediately cooling demand while the Thermal energy storage tank in the new system can supply the cooling demand from the stored energy of the tank for hours without any extra need of electricity. 3- Evaporative cooling systems are often not used in areas with humid climates. Besides, this invention can be employed in humid climates to cool and dehumidify the air in good shape. The process of dehumidification gets started when the water temperature is lower than the dew point temperature of the entering air. By applying the energy storage tank, the temperature of the circulating water in the system can be maintained between 7 and 10 Celsius degree, while in most humid climates, the dew point temperature of the ambient is above 10 Celsius degree. So, by making contact between two fluids directly or indirectly, the cold water can condense the moisture of the wet air and then dehumidify it. 4- Using a storage tank in winter for storing hot water makes it possible to have a sufficient volume of hot water with a suitable temperature (70-80 Celsius degree) for a long time first. Secondly, it can meet the required heating load in time while removing the peak consumption from the central heating system and handling the instantaneous load.
Summary of Invention
Self-contained cooling units, such as ducted or ductless split systems, rooftop package units, and central chiller systems, are the popular methods in many buildings whose operation has been established based on the vapor compression refrigeration cycle. These systems use electricity to produce cooling air. One of the unfavorable features of this type of equipment is that their electricity usage is significant. Besides, by applying innovative techniques, the cooling process can be optimized in terms of electricity consumption. The main difference between this invention with conventional equipment is that the vapor compression refrigeration cycle's role lessens significantly. In this case, a big part of the cooling of the air is compensated by utilizing the thermal storage tank, which leads to consuming less electricity. The cooling process in this apparatus comprises three parts: the first part is applying the vapor compression refrigeration cycle to produce cold water. The second part employs a thermal storage tank to store cold water, and eventually, the third part is taking advantage of an evaporative cooling system to decrease the temperature of the air. In addition, by connecting this new appliance to the self-contained or central heating system in winter, the warm air can be accessible.
Technical Problem
In recent years, there are remarkable trends in using self-contained commercial air conditioners globally. Due to the high electricity demand for this type of cooling system, consumers imposed to pay excessive costs for electricity bills during the hot seasons of the year. On the other hand, responding to all electricity demands has become more complicated for power plants. The main challenge is how to decrease the electricity use of this type of equipment while its efficiency does not drop.
Solution to Problem
By taking advantage of the combination of direct and indirect evaporative cooling system potency and the employment of a thermal energy storage tank (TES), this invention can mitigate the electricity demand in the hotter seasons and optimize the efficiency of the cooling process in this type of equipment. Also, using a thermal energy storage tank (TES) allows for storing energy in the non-peak periods of hot days which provides more reliability and sustainability for buildings. This product comprises cooling and heating circuits. Each section is explained in detail here.
1- Cooling circuit:
The cooling circuit contains three distinct cycles, and the combination of all three parts causes air cooling: The refrigeration cycle, water cycle, and air cycle. .1. Refrigeration cycle: This circuit has to provide cold water for the system. This circuit includes several components: compressor (12), condenser set including condenser coil (13) and condenser fan (14), thermal expansion valve (11), the evaporator coil (8), refrigerant gas, refrigeration piping, and electrical panel (18). The refrigerant vapor is compressed by the compressor (12) and enters the condenser coil (13) at high pressure and temperature. The outside air as a coldside fluid is passed over the condenser coil (13) by the condenser fan (14) and leads the hot gas refrigerant gas to get condensed and converted into a saturated liquid. After that, the saturated refrigerant liquid streams to the expansion valve (11) so that its pressure and temperature decrease suddenly at the inlet of the evaporator coil (9). In the storage tank (8), the refrigerant in the evaporator coil (9) in indirect contact with water absorbs the heat from the water and turns it into vapor, and then enters the compressor (12). This cycle is continuously repeated and cools the water accumulated in the storage tank (8). It is possible to design the system based on various refrigerants, such as R22, R134A, R407C, R410A, R32, etc. In addition, it is necessary to use additional components in the refrigeration cycle to control it to ensure the system's performance. These components generally include an electric or magnetic valve, service valve, sight glass, filter drier, suction filter, receiver, oil separator, and accumulator, which can be attached to the refrigeration cycle as needed. The central controller (PLC) adjusts the electrical relations among all parts of the system through the control or electrical panel (18). Water cycle: This cycle must transfer the coolness of water to air in two stages (indirect-direct). This circuit includes several main parts: air washer set (3), thermal energy storage tank (8), water circulator pump (10), precooling coil (2), and water piping. The air washer set (3) includes nozzles (4), water eliminator (5), sump (7), make-up water filler, and floater (15) too. Water enters from the air washer sump (7) to the thermal energy storage (TES) tank (8). In the TES (8), the warm water becomes cool because the circulator (10) makes an indirect contact between water and the evaporator coil (9) by making a stream of the water over coil tubes (9). The outlet cold water from the TES (8) is pumped by the circulator (10) and enters the precooling coil (2). Cold water passing into the precooling coil's tubes (2) absorbs the heat of warm air and becomes warm. Then the heated water leaves the precooling coil (2) and enters the airwasher set (3). In the air washer set (3) water's pressure and the temperature dropped by spraying water via mounted nozzles (4) on the piping set of the air washer. This process converts water current to the droplets in the chamber (3). The droplets exchange heat and mass of water with the precooled air in direct contact. Then, an amount of the water droplets evaporated by absorbing the heat of the semi-warm air so that the rest of the water droplets fall into the air washer sump (7) and enter the TES (8) to cool down again. In addition, a bypass line from the suction line to the discharge line of the circulator (10) can be configured under special circumstances to improve the pump performance (10). Also, 2-way or 3-way control valves can be utilized to control the system adequately. 3. Air cycle: This cycle shall provide cold air for supplying to the indoor environment. This circuit comprises an aluminum filter (1), a pre-cooling coil (2), an air washer set (3), a water eliminator (5), and a blower fan (6). The fresh air enters the apparatus via the blower fan (6). When the air enters, it passes over the filter (1) to remove the air's dust and other pollutants. Then, it is transmitted over the precooling coil (2) by the blower fan (6). Since cold water flows into the coil's tubes (2), warm air transfers heat to the water through forced convection and conduction heat transfer in indirect contact. The air becomes pre-cooled in this stage and its temperature decreases. In the next step, the air enters the air washer chamber (3) and in a constant enthalpy process, the air temperature decreases again. The cooled air passes over the eliminator (5) to remove the suspended water droplets from the air so that only the cool air enters the fan chamber (6) to get supplied into the building's ductwork system. This cycle is repeated again and again by the system to provide comfort in the indoor environment. - Heating circuit:
The heating circuit has two different cycles, the combination of both parts together heats the air: the water circuit and the air circuit.
2.1 Water circuit: The duty of this cycle is to transfer heat from hot water to cold air in one step. This cycle includes several main parts: water storage tank (8), water circulator pump (10), heating coil (2), and water piping. Hot water enters the energy storage tank (8) from the heat source (19). The stored hot water in the tank (8) flows toward the heating coil (2) by the force of the circulator (10). In the heating coil, the hot water exchanges its heat with the cold air which passes over the coil (2). Then semi-warm water exits from the heating coil (2) and is returned to the heat source to be reheated again. Some of the sub-components of this cycle contain the airvent valve (16) to remove air from the system, the drain valve (18) for service and repairs, and the safety valve (17) to control the pressure in the storage tank. 2.2Air circuit: The mission of this cycle is to provide warm and conditioned air to supply in the indoor environment. This cycle includes several main parts: An aluminum filter (1), a heating coil (2), and a blower fan (6). The fresh air enters the apparatus via the blower fan (6). When the air enters, it passes over the filter (1) to remove the air's dust and other pollutants first. Then, it flows over the heating coil (2) and due to the flow of hot water inside the coil's tubes (2), the hot water transfers its heat to the air in indirect contact with the cold air. Then the heated air enters the fan chamber (6) to get supplied into the building's ductwork system. This cycle is repeated to provide comfort in the inside environment.
Advantageous Effects of Invention
The advantages of this invention include but are not limited to the:
1. Lowering electricity use by replacing this invention instead of using conventional commercial air conditioners
2. Optimizing cooling efficiency by the combination of indirect and direct evaporative cooling systems.
3. Enhancing the sustainability and reliability of air conditioning systems by employing a thermal energy storage tank (TES).
4. Using the benefits of this invention as a heat emitter in winter for heating purposes.
5. Decrease in energy bills and primary investing costs in comparison with similar air conditioners.
Brief Description of Drawings
The main plots consist of 4 plans to notice:
1. [Fig.1 ] is dedicated to describing the cooling circuit diagram, in schematic form. (Cooling Circuit Diagram)
2. [Fig.2] is dedicated to using for heating circuit diagram, in schematic form. (Heating Circuit Diagram)
3. [Fig.3] is related to illustrating the side view. (Side-View Plot)
4. [Fig.4] is related to showing the front view of the invention. (Front - View Plot)
The index of components includes: 1 -Aluminium filter, 2-Hydronic coil (precooling/heating coil), 3-Air washer chamber, 4-Spray nozzles. 5-Water eliminator set, 6-Blower fan, 7-Drain pan, 8-Thermal energy storage tank (TES), 9-Evaporator coil, 10-Circulator pump, 11-Thermal expansion valve (TXV) or capillary tube 12- Compressor, 13-Condensercoil, 14-Condenserfan, 15-Mak-up water filler and floater, 16-Air vent, 17-Safty valve, 18-Drain Valve, 19-Hot water inlet, 20-Hot water outlet, and 21-Electriacl box.
[Fig.1]
[Fig.2]
[Fig.3]
[Fig.4] Description of Embodiments
For the construction of this new invention, the main chassis shall be manufactured preferably. This chassis comprises an aluminum profile that connects twelve sides plus six faces to each other (similar to a rectangular cube). Due to the different capacities for designing the device, the dimensions of the appliance are also variable based on the capacity of each unit. After connecting the sides (twelve sides of a rectangular cube), the main frame of the device gets constructed. The device gets divided into two main parts: a) the upper section, and b) the lower section. Therefore, it is necessary to add another aluminum framing from the middle of the device to the main body of the chassis following drawings No. 3 and No. 4 so that the two sections including the upper and lower parts are distinguished from each other.
A) Upper section: According to maps No. 3 and 4, the air inlet chamber containing the aluminum filter (1) and the hydronic coil (2) is mounted under the blower fan chamber (6). Therefore, the blower fan (6) gets riveted on the edge of the upper side of the profile so that the blower fan (6) is located at the highest point of the device (Refer to [Fig.3]). The air washer section includes a 4-side metal body that is constructed by bending the sheet metals so that the lower part connects to a water drain pan (7) and the upper part must be open to provide the air current toward the fan chamber (6). The pan (7) should be sloping and have a hole in its bottom until the water gets drained to the storage tank (8). The main components of the air washer (3) contain a metal pan (7), a make-up water filler, a floater (15), located water eliminator (5) on the upper side of the air washer (3) (or before the blower fan), and set of nozzles (4) (see [Fig.3] and [Fig.4]). To facilitate for entering of pre-cooled air into the air washer chamber (3) an air intake should be taken into consideration. After mounting the air washer chamber (3), the first step is to connect the hydronic coil (2) with the air washer chamber (3) to each other so that the passing air has no air leakage. So, a metal sheet should seal this connection. By assembling this connection and installing the air washer chamber (3) into the apparatus, the construction of the upper part gets finalized. Behind the air washer set (3), a small cell is allocated for the electrical panel (21). ([Fig.4]). Installation of contactors, electrical switches, control relays, and other electrical equipment layouts get established inside this panel (21). All piping between the lower and upper parts can get transmitted from the section located under the electrical panel (21).
B) Lower section: The main components of this section comprise the energy storage tank (8), water circulator pump (10), compressor (12), condenser coil (13), and condenser fan (14). The energy storage tank (8) includes an evaporator coil (9), an air vent (16), a safety valve (17), and a shut-off drain valve (18). The arrangement of components of the lower section is not very important. Select a direction to lay out the condenser coil (13) at first. After installing the condenser coil, consider that the condenser fan (14) should get enchased on the right side or the left side of the condenser coil (13). In addition, it is necessary to seal the condenser coil (13) with a metal sheet in terms of air leakage. Note that a punched metal sheet shall be covered the condenser coil (13) to enable air current. Use a metal sheet to cover the lower section floor. The main frame of the device gets strengthened by installing bent sheets so that it has enough tolerance to install the apparatus on them. Then the components for the lower section are enchased together in such a way as to make the most convenient arrangement of piping between them ([Fig.3] and [Fig.4]). The surroundings of the condenser coil (14) shall be sealed by another metal sheet to prevent air leakage.
The next step is the water piping. Piping gets established according to [Fig.1] and [Fig.2] utilizing steel pipes. The water path follows the below arrangement: Stored water in the air washer drain pan (7) enters the shell of the storage tank (8) from the highest point of the tank (8) and after water mixing, it exits from the lower part of the tank (8). Then, it enters the pump to stream toward the hydronic coil (2). In the next step, the water leaves the hydronic coil (2) and enters the air washer set (3) to spray water through nozzles (4). According to the expressed procedure and the design drawing, all piping components in each point such as fittings, valves, and bends shall be attached. The hot water inlet and outlet lines (19, 20) are performed next to the make-up water filler pipe (15). It is necessary to install a shut-off valve in the main common water piping to prepare the device to shift from summer mode to winter mode. To prevent waste of energy, all water piping routes plus the stored tank (8) must be insulated.
Refrigerant piping shall be implemented using copper pipes ([Fig.1 ] and [Fig.2]). The procedure of the refrigerant piping follows the below arrangement: The refrigerant enters the condenser coil (13) from the compressor (12). Then the refrigerant leaves the condenser coil (13) in a liquid form and flows to the expansion valve (11). After passing through the expansion valve (11), it gets evaporated in the evaporator coil (9) and finally, it enters the compressor (12) in a steam phase. All refrigerant piping gets performed in the lower part of the appliance. The installation of sub-components of refrigeration such as filter dryer, charging valve, service valve, solenoid valve, sight glass, suction valve, etc. gets applied regarding the technical principles. By ending this stage, the device's lower section manufacturing will be over. After manufacturing the device, the following steps are required to start up:
First, water piping shall be attached to the city's main water through the make-up water filling circuit (15). By opening the water shut-off valve (15), the system gets filled with water. By starting the pump (10) water flows into the system. Open the air vent valve (15) to evacuate the air from the system. On the refrigeration side, by charging the refrigerant to the refrigeration cycle and starting the compressor (12), and the condenser fan (14), the refrigeration cycle prepares for operation and water cooling in the tank (8) will be launched. After the water (8) reaching to the set point temperature in the tank (8), now you can get cold air from the machine by turning on the blower fan (6).
Industrial Applicability
This invention can be a suitable alternative for conventional cooling systems such as ducted or ductless split units, rooftop packages, and self-contained commercial air conditioners. In addition, this invention can easily replace instead of air washers and swamp coolers, because the efficiency of this invention is much higher. In the mentioned systems, the final temperature of the outlet air of appliances reaches the ambient we-bulb temperature while one of the privileges of the new invention is access to a lower temperature than ambient wet-bulb air in the outlet of the apparatus so that the outlet humidity does not bother individuals, unlike the mentioned systems, anymore.
The ability to create a large temperature difference (AT) by this new design can lead to lowering the ductwork costs in buildings. It is achievable because, according to the following psychrometric formula, whenever the temperature difference (AT) rises, there will be a need for less ventilation capacity (CFM) to provide the same amount of cooling load. Less ventilation means reducing the ductwork dimensions and operating costs.
[Math.1] 1.08 * V (CFM) * AT (°F)
This apparatus can be widely applicable to supply conditioned air to residential, commercial, and office buildings. As well as this, it can provide fresh air to hotels, restaurants, and commercial centers such as malls, industrial kitchens, conference and meetings rooms, and entertainment halls like dancing or club centers. Banks, cinemas, coffee shops, schools, universities or educational centers, general offices, medical centers, and other bureaus which have a high density of people can benefit from the possibility of the clean conditioned fresh air of the new invention in all seasons.
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