U.S. patent application number 12/509263 was filed with the patent office on 2011-01-27 for highly efficient cooling systems.
This patent application is currently assigned to Powerquest, Inc. Invention is credited to George Bitton, Daren Stabinski, Todd Stabinski, Jim Suggs, Patrick Zuili.
Application Number | 20110016906 12/509263 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 43496098 |
Filed Date | 2011-01-27 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110016906 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Zuili; Patrick ; et
al. |
January 27, 2011 |
Highly efficient cooling systems
Abstract
Improved structures of cooling systems that may be used in air
conditioning or refrigeration are described. To achieve a high
efficiency in converting cooling effect from one or more cooling
units, antifreeze liquid used to absorb the cooling effect is
forced to pass through a box or container made out of graphite or
thermally conductive metal or alloy holding a sponge-like structure
or foam, also made out of graphite or thermally conductive metal or
alloy, where the foam including open cells provides maximum surface
contact with the liquid. Further the liquid is sprayed or vaporized
onto the foam and passes through the foam by gravity or pressure.
The cooled liquid is exited from the container for use in air
conditioning or refrigeration.
Inventors: |
Zuili; Patrick; (Boca Raton,
FL) ; Stabinski; Daren; (Weston, FL) ;
Stabinski; Todd; (Miami, FL) ; Bitton; George;
(Boca Raton, FL) ; Suggs; Jim; (Margate,
FL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
SILICON VALLEY PATENT AGENCY
7394 WILDFLOWER WAY
CUPERTINO
CA
95014
US
|
Assignee: |
Powerquest, Inc
|
Family ID: |
43496098 |
Appl. No.: |
12/509263 |
Filed: |
July 24, 2009 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
62/440 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F28F 13/003 20130101;
F24F 5/0014 20130101; F28F 21/08 20130101; F25B 39/02 20130101;
F28F 21/02 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
62/440 |
International
Class: |
F25D 13/00 20060101
F25D013/00 |
Claims
1. A cooling system comprising: a container including an inlet and
outlet; a foam included and expanded in the container so that the
foam is in close contact with the container; and two cooling units
sandwiching the container to transfer cooling effects to the
container, wherein a type of liquid is supplied from the inlet to
pass through the foam to be cooled, and the cooled liquid exits
from the outlet.
2. The cooling system as recited in claim 1, wherein the container
is made out of a material with high thermal conductivity.
3. The cooling system as recited in claim 2, wherein the material
is graphite, aluminum, copper, or other thermally conductive metal
or alloy.
4. The cooling system as recited in claim 2, wherein the foam is
made out of a material with high thermal conductivity and includes
open cells, where the liquid passes through.
5. The cooling system as recited in claim 4, wherein the material
is graphite or thermally conductive metal or alloy.
6. The cooling system as recited in claim 4, wherein the cells are
measured in range of 10-100 PPI (pores per inch).
7. The cooling system as recited in claim 4, wherein the cells
provide a maximum surface contact between the liquid and the
foam.
8. The cooling system as recited in claim 7, wherein the liquid
includes water, antifreeze, or a combination thereof.
9. The cooling system as recited in claim 1, wherein the liquid
after being cooled in the container is used to cool down air in an
air handling unit.
10. The cooling system as recited in claim 1, wherein the liquid
after being cooled in the container is used to cool down an
enclosure in a refrigerator.
11. A cooling system comprising: a container including an inlet and
outlet; a foam included and expanded in the container so that the
foam is in close contact with the container, where the foam is made
out of a material with high thermal conductivity, the foam includes
open cells; and two cooling units sandwiching the container to
transfer cooling effects to the container then the foam inside the
container, wherein a type of liquid is supplied from the inlet to
be sprayed over and passes through the foam by gravity or pressure;
and wherein the outlet exits the liquid that has been cooled when
going through the container.
12. The cooling system as recited in claim 11, wherein the
container is made out of a material with high thermal
conductivity.
13. The cooling system as recited in claim 12, wherein the material
is graphite, aluminum, copper or other thermally conductive metal
or alloy.
14. The cooling system as recited in claim 12, wherein the foam is
made out of a material with high thermal conductivity and includes
open cells where the liquid passes through.
15. The cooling system as recited in claim 14, wherein the material
is graphite or thermally conductive metal or alloy.
16. The cooling system as recited in claim 14, wherein the cells
are measured in range of 10-100 PPI (pores per inch).
17. The cooling system as recited in claim 14, wherein the cells
provide a maximum surface contact between the liquid and the
foam.
18. The cooling system as recited in claim 17, wherein the liquid
includes water, antifreeze, or combination thereof.
19. The cooling system as recited in claim 11, wherein the liquid
after being cooled in the container is used to cool down air in an
air handling unit.
20. The cooling system as recited in claim 11, wherein the liquid
after being cooled in the container is used to cool down an
enclosure in a refrigerator.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The invention is generally related to the area of air
conditioning systems or refrigeration. More particularly, the
present invention is related to cooling systems with a unique
structure to deliver cooling effect in highly efficient way, where
the cooling systems use less energy than the prior art systems do
and can be used in air conditioning systems or refrigeration.
[0003] 2. The Background of Related Art
[0004] Prior to the introduction of Freon in 1928, the air
conditioning industry relied on dangerous, toxic, and/or flammable
liquids and gases to act as refrigerants. In 1928,
chlorofluorocarbon compounds such as Freon were introduced and
deemed to be more efficient and effective refrigerants for air
conditioning systems. However, such compounds if released into the
atmosphere were discovered to cause severe environmental effects,
such as the depletion of the ozone layer, and contribute to the
global warming.
[0005] Currently standard refrigerants (e.g., R-22) are scheduled
to be phased out in new equipment by 2010, and completely
discontinued by 2020. However, the newer refrigerants prove to
cause similar environment impact of its predecessors. Moreover, the
traditional split air conditioning system, comprised of a
compressor and air handler, uses a large amount of electricity to
perform the cycle of evaporating and then condensing the
chlorofluorocarbon refrigerants to cool down the refrigerants and
run them through the air handler. The process causes further
environment effects such as depletion of fossil fuels, as well as
being expensive to the end user, especially with the recent rises
in the cost of such fuels.
[0006] One other aspect of the traditional air conditioning
compressor is its high noise level, which requires the unit to be
placed outside and some distance away from the air handler, which
in turn causes a loss of efficiency due to temperature lost from
its travel from the compressor to the air handler.
[0007] Water was used as early as in the 2nd century during the
Chinese Song Dynasty as a coolant into rudimentary fans as air
conditioning. Even today, water is being used in large industrial
and commercial water chilled air conditioning systems. However
using traditional evaporative and condensing mechanism uses a large
amount of energy. Thus there is a need for energy efficient,
environmental friendly, and quiet air conditioning systems.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] This section is for the purpose of summarizing some aspects
of the present invention and to briefly introduce some preferred
embodiments. Simplifications or omissions in this section as well
as in the abstract or the title of this description may be made to
avoid obscuring the purpose of this section, the abstract and the
title. Such simplifications or omissions are not intended to limit
the scope of the present invention.
[0009] In general, the present invention pertains to highly
efficient cooling systems. According to one aspect of the present
invention, an air conditioning system runs an energy-efficient
water chilled mechanism that can be used on smaller scales as well
as large properties. The air conditioning system achieves peak
efficiency by using unique physical properties of solid carbon
graphite, carbon graphite and/or metallic foam, and misters to
achieve maximum thermal conductivity from absorption to water.
[0010] According to another aspect of the present invention, two
cooling units are used to sandwich a container made out of a type
of metal, carbon graphite, or combination thereof, with high
conductivity. The container is structured to include a metal foam
in contact with the container being sandwiched by the two cooling
units. As a result, liquid in the container is substantially cooled
to provide a cooled source for air conditioning or
refrigeration.
[0011] There are numerous functions, benefits and advantages in the
present invention, one of them is that the present invention
provides new structures for a cooling system that may be used in
air conditioning or refrigeration. The present invention may be
implemented in numerous foams. According to one embodiment of the
present invention, the present invention is a cooling system
comprising: a container including an inlet and outlet, a foam
included and expanded in the container so that the foam is in close
contact with the container, and two cooling units sandwiching the
container to transfer cooling effects to the container, where a
type of liquid is supplied from the inlet to pass the foam to be
cooled, and the cooled liquid exits from the outlet.
[0012] According to another embodiment of the present invention,
the present invention is a cooling system comprising: a container
including an inlet and outlet, a foam included and expanded in the
container so that the foam is in close contact with the container,
where the foam is made out of a material with high thermal
conductivity, and allows for optimal surface area of cooling, the
foam includes open cells, two cooling units sandwiching the
container to transfer cooling effects to the container then the
foam inside the container, where a type of liquid is supplied from
the inlet to be sprayed over the foam that passed through the foam
by gravity and/or pressure, and the outlet exits the liquid that
has been cooled when going through the container.
[0013] Other objects, features, and advantages of the present
invention will become apparent upon examining the following
detailed description of an embodiment thereof, taken in conjunction
with the attached drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014] These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the
present invention will become better understood with regard to the
following description, appended claims, and accompanying drawings
where:
[0015] FIG. 1 shows a cooling unit that may be used in one
embodiment of the present invention;
[0016] FIG. 2A shows a side view of a structure with a container
being sandwiched by two cooling units;
[0017] FIG. 2B shows a detailed structure of the container used in
FIG. 2; and
[0018] FIG. 3 shows an embodiment in which a compressor is
used.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0019] The present invention pertains to new structures of cooling
systems that may be used in air conditioning or refrigeration. To
achieve a high efficiency in converting cooling effect from one or
more cooling units, antifreeze liquid used to absorb the cooling
effect is forced to pass a box or container holding an open-cell
sponge-like structure or foam, where the foam including holes
provides maximum surface contact with the liquid. Further the
liquid is sprayed or vaporized onto the foam and the liquid passed
through the foam by gravity. The cooled liquid is exited and pumped
from the container for use in air conditioning or
refrigeration.
[0020] The detailed description of the present invention is
presented largely in terms of procedures, steps, logic blocks,
processing, or other symbolic representations that directly or
indirectly resemble the operations of devices or systems that
produce coldness or cooling effect. These descriptions and
representations are typically used by those skilled in the art to
most effectively convey the substance of their work to others
skilled in the art.
[0021] Reference herein to "one embodiment" or "an embodiment"
means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic
described in connection with the embodiment can be included in at
least one embodiment of the invention. The appearances of the
phrase "in one embodiment" in various places in the specification
are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment, nor are
separate or alternative embodiments mutually exclusive of other
embodiments. Further, the order of blocks in process flowcharts or
diagrams or the use of sequence numbers representing one or more
embodiments of the invention do not inherently indicate any
particular order nor imply any limitations in the invention.
[0022] One of the important features, advantages and objectives in
the present invention is the use of two cooling units to cool down
a container being sandwiched by the two cooling units. The
container containing at least a sponge-like structure or foam that
is expanded within the container to be closely in contact
therewith. The container itself is made out of a type of material
with high thermal conductivity. The foam is also made out of a type
of material with high thermal conductivity. Each of the cooling
units operates on absorptive refrigeration that uses a source of
heat to provide the energy needed to drive the cooling process.
According to one embodiment, the source of heat is provided by
solar energy. With solar panels being exposed to the sun,
electricity is generated to power the source of heat to heat up a
type of liquid being used in the cooling units. In another
embodiment, the source of heat is provided by conventional electric
resistance heater. Examples of the liquid used as refrigerant
include, but not be limited to, ammonia, hydrogen, and water.
[0023] Referring now to the drawings, in which like numerals refer
to like parts throughout the several views. FIG. 1 shows a cooling
unit 100 that may be used in one embodiment of the present
invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the cooling unit 100 is shown in two
views, referred to herein as an inside view 102 and an outside view
104. The cooling unit 100 comprises a heating area 106, a cooling
area 108, an absorber tank 110, and absorber 112. The heating area
106 includes a boiler (not separately shown) powered by energy
provided externally. In one embodiment, the energy is from
electricity generated from solar. In another embodiment, the energy
is from battery or conventional electric power.
[0024] The boiler heats up a type of liquid (e.g. ammonia) coming
from the absorber tank 110. To facilitate the description of the
invention, ammonia will be used herein. As a result of the ammonia
liquid being heated, the ammonia liquid vaporizes. The ammonia
vapor is led to pass into the cooling area 108, where there is a
set of coils or bending pipes 114 that make up a rectifier and an
evaporator. The rectifier is just a slightly cooler section of the
pipes 114 that cause the vapor to condense and drop back downwards.
An optional separator (not shown) at the top of the cooling unit
100 prevents any liquid that might have escaped the rectifier to
condense and fall back. After this point, the vapor is delivered to
the condenser. A condenser is where the cooled air passing through
the ammonia vapor being cooled down. The cooling effect of the
condenser with an array of metal fins forces the ammonia vapor to
condense to a liquid state.
[0025] The liquid ammonia enters the evaporator (or a freezer) and
trickles down the pipes, wetting the wall thereof. Hydrogen,
supplied through an inner pipe of the evaporator, passes over the
wetted wall, causing the liquid ammonia to evaporate into the
hydrogen atmosphere at an initial temperature of around -20.degree.
F. The evaporation of the ammonia extracts heat from the
surrounding (e.g., a freezer). In operation, at the beginning
stages, the pressure of the hydrogen is around 350 psi (pounds per
square inch), while the pressure of the liquid ammonia is near 14
psi. As the ammonia evaporates and continues to trickle down the
tube, its pressure and therefore its evaporation temperature
rise.
[0026] The liquid ammonia entering the high temperature evaporator
(cooling portion) is around 44 psi while the pressure of the
hydrogen has dropped to 325 psi. Under these conditions, the
evaporation temperature of the liquid ammonia is +15.degree. F.
Heat is removed from the surrounding through the fins attached to
the high temperature evaporator. The ammonia vapor created by the
evaporation of the liquid ammonia mixes with the already present
hydrogen vapor, making it heavier. Since the ammonia and hydrogen
vapor mixture is heavier than the purer hydrogen, it drops down
through the evaporators, through the return tube to the absorber
tank.
[0027] When the ammonia and hydrogen vapor mixture enters the
absorber tank 110 through the returning tube or absorber 112, much
of the ammonia vapor is absorbed into the surface of the rich
ammonia solution while going through the absorber 112. The rich
ammonia solution occupies the lower half of the tank 110 while
lighter ammonia and hydrogen mixture (now with less ammonia) begins
to rise up in the absorber 112 (coils). The weak ammonia solution
trickling down the absorber coils 112 from the top (generated by
the boiler) is "hungry" for the ammonia vapor rising up the
absorber coils with the hydrogen. This weak ammonia solution
eventually absorbs all the ammonia from the ammonia and hydrogen
mixture as it rises, allowing pure hydrogen to rise up the inner
pipe of the evaporator section and once again do its job of passing
over the wetted walls of the evaporator. The absorption process in
the absorber section generates heat, which is dissipated.
[0028] Referring now to FIG. 2A, it shows a side view of a
structure 200 with a container 202 being sandwiched by two cooling
units 204 and 206 according to one embodiment of the present
invention. The cooling unit 100 of FIG. 1 may be used. The
container 202 is preferably made of graphite, but could also be
made of aluminum, copper, or any other thermo-conductive metal or
alloy including non-metallic ceramic. The container 202, as further
shown in FIG. 2B, includes a foam 214 made out of graphite or a
metal material with high thermal conductivity. The foam 214 is
expanded within the container 202 to be closely in contact
therewith so that coldness or cooling effect from the two cooling
units 204 and 206 can be effectively transferred therein. In one
embodiment, on top of the container 202 there is an optional gasket
(for maintenance) and a liquid (or gas) inlet 208. A mister 210 is
employed to be connected to the inlet 208.
[0029] In operation, a type of liquid (e.g., antifreeze liquid) is
supplied to the inlet 208 that causes the mister 210 to spray or
vaporize the liquid into the foam 214. By gravity, the mist 220
falls inside cells of the foam 214. In one embodiment, the foam 214
similar to a sponge-like structure, is made out of graphite with
open cells measured, for example, between 10-100 PPI (pores per
inch) in size. As the mist 220 falls downwards, the liquid passed
through the foam 214. From another perspective, the liquid is
having the maximum surface contact with the foam 214. As a result,
the cooling effect or coldness from the two cooling units 204 and
206 are transferred to the liquid in maximum efficiency. The cooled
liquid exits to an outlet 220 at its coldest temperature.
[0030] It should be noted in FIG. 2A that the coils or tubes (not
shown) in the two cooling units 204 and 206 that produce the
cooling effect are entrenched in insulator 218 but in close contact
with the container 202 to transfer the cooling effect. According to
one embodiment, thermo-conductive paste is used to ensure that
maximum transfer of the cooling effect to the container 202 is
achieved.
[0031] The cooled liquid from the outlet 220 can optionally go to a
tank then to a pump, or directly to a pump connected (using any
tubing) to an evaporator cooling coil located inside an air handler
that receive the cold liquid, pushed by the pump. In one
embodiment, the liquid goes through copper tubing surrounded by
aluminum fins, the air going through the fins becomes cold and
pushed by a blower to ducts. The liquid during this process heats
up and comes back to the container 202 to get cooled again in a
closed loop.
[0032] As indicated above, the invention as described herein
provides an energy efficient liquid chilled system that can be used
on smaller scales as well as large properties, and forgoes the high
energy consumption of a traditional compressor for the lower energy
usage of an absorption cooling system. A system built per the
present invention achieves peak efficiency by using the unique
physical properties of solid carbon graphite, carbon graphite
and/or metallic foam, and misters to achieve the maximum thermal
conductivity from the absorption system to the liquid.
[0033] According to one embodiment, the present invention is
implemented as a central air conditioning system, where a blower
(e.g., air handler) receives a cold liquid or gas (less than 45 F),
that is pumped from a carbon graphite reservoir that is sandwiched
between two or more absorption cooling units, and where the solid
carbon graphite reservoir is filled with a graphite and/or metal
(copper, aluminum, silver, alloy, etc.) foam. The thermal
conductivity properties of the graphite within the reservoir and
the foam transfer the cold temperature from the absorption units to
the liquid or gas. This liquid or gas is used to cool the air that
blows through the air handler coil. The liquid or gas is then
pumped back to the top of the graphite reservoir, where there is a
mister (if it is in liquid form) that atomizes the molecules of the
liquid, and acts as an initial cooling of the liquid, which is then
sprayed back into the graphite reservoir to repeat the cooling
cycle.
[0034] The thermodynamic exchange is maximized in the present
invention due to the porosity of the foam which increases the
surface cooling area exponentially. Furthermore, the unique thermal
properties of the carbon graphite within the reservoir and/or the
foam stores the cold temperature, therefore allowing a constant
thermal conduction, rapid recovery, at a constant temperature,
using minimal power.
[0035] Depending on implementation, the foam (e.g., the foam 214)
by itself can be made of one metal or graphite or alloy, or a
combination of different foams, without any limitations in size or
orders. Certain metals such as silver may be included for the
additional effect of cleaning the water within the unit and
preventing the growth of mold and bacteria.
[0036] The liquid or gas circulating can be water alone, water with
glycol (antifreeze), in any proportion, or any gas like CO2,
Helium, or hydrogen. If a gas is used, the unit will be sealed
under pressure to maintain gas thermo effectiveness.
[0037] In one embodiment, an optional mechanism of (electronically)
controlled tanks is provided before the mist and/or before the pump
(cold outlet) to run the pump at an optimal rate, as well as run
the absorption cooling units to maintain optimal energy efficiency.
The unit may also include an optional compressor, or use an
existing compressor, to initially cool the unit if the unit has not
been recently used. The energy usage is sufficiently efficient to
run on 12 volts, and permit the entire air conditioning system to
run on solar panels or other alternative energy source.
[0038] Referring now to FIG. 3, it shows a hybrid configuration 300
in which a compressor 302 is used. Due to the absorptions cycles,
it may take sometime for the two absorptions units to work at
efficient temperatures or setup load, then an optional compressor
may be provided to perform the task to cool down the box the
container 202 of FIG. 2A or 2B). As a result, the waiting time
after installation or if the unit has been turned off can be
minimized to have the system fully ready to cool down the air. In
an even that an external temperature rises up to a point that will
make the absorptions cycles difficult then the compressor will help
maintaining the proper temperature, despite the sporadic usage of
the compressor will still provide an high level of energy
efficiency while providing an acute temperature control level.
[0039] Like any other HVAC system, a thermostat connected to the
air handler is used to control the operations of an air
conditioning unit implemented in accordance with the present
invention. Typically, the surrounding of the two cooling units is
vented, the coils or pipes are properly insulated using any
material (e.g., insulation foam, closed cells glass foam). An
venting area located at the bottom of the cooling units as well as
a small fan located at the top of the units to extract the latent
heat to an external air vent located outside a building (outside
air).
[0040] The present invention has been described in sufficient
details with a certain degree of particularity. It is understood to
those skilled in the art that the present disclosure of embodiments
has been made by way of examples only and that numerous changes in
the arrangement and combination of parts may be resorted without
departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as claimed.
Accordingly, the scope of the present invention is defined by the
appended claims rather than the foregoing description of
embodiments.
* * * * *