U.S. patent application number 12/589344 was filed with the patent office on 2011-04-21 for evaporative condenser with micro water drolets forming ultra thin film.
Invention is credited to John Yenkai Pun.
Application Number | 20110088425 12/589344 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 43878248 |
Filed Date | 2011-04-21 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110088425 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Pun; John Yenkai |
April 21, 2011 |
Evaporative condenser with micro water drolets forming ultra thin
film
Abstract
Water evaporation with accompanying large amount of heat
absorption is used in an apparatus and methods in cooling hot
refrigerant in a condenser as result of work by an air conditioning
compressor. A centrifugal water droplet generator and projector are
designed with air flow modification of droplet travel paths for
maximum even coating of condenser surfaces with thin water film for
maximum evaporation efficiency. Vacuum is also used in the system
for lowering of water evaporation temperature and carrying away
moisture saturated air to further increase efficiency of condenser
cooling.
Inventors: |
Pun; John Yenkai; (Coos Bay,
OR) |
Family ID: |
43878248 |
Appl. No.: |
12/589344 |
Filed: |
October 21, 2009 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
62/476 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F25B 39/04 20130101;
F25B 2339/041 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
62/476 |
International
Class: |
F25B 15/00 20060101
F25B015/00 |
Claims
1. An apparatus for cooling a refrigerant in a condenser for an air
conditioner or refrigeration device comprising: Means for
generating controlled uniform-sized water droplets with a rotating
centrifugal droplet generator and projecting droplets to cover all
surface areas of condenser(s) located on 4 sides of a sealed
chamber surrounding the droplet generator, and means to alter
traveling paths of droplets with air to deposit a thin water film
on condenser surfaces, plus means to provide a vacuum to lower air
pressure surrounding condenser to lower water evaporation
temperature to increase water evaporation rate and absorption of
heat from condenser surfaces while removing moisture in chamber
during process of water evaporation; A large suction fan means to
hasten water evaporation by air blowing on the water film On the
condenser surface. a motorized rotating centrifugal droplet
generator with open slots covered with a chemically inert screen
means to generate small uniform-sized droplets and permit air flow
to exit droplet generator altering travel directions of sprayed
droplets covering virtually all surface areas of condenser, a
perforated tube means to deliver water to inner surface of rotating
droplet generator for atomization anchored to bottom of air tight
chamber, a plastic air router means for delivery of air flow with
multi-channels branching from a central tube and anchored to the
chamber bottom, a vacuum inlet tube means for delivering of vacuum
and removal of moist air.
2. The apparatus as in claim 1, wherein said water droplet
generator, sprayer, and air flow pattern modifier produce a uniform
thin water film covering surfaces of condenser.
3. The apparatus as in claim 2 wherein said thin water film
provides a short path for heat from condenser to travel to the thin
water film surface to be evaporated aiding efficiency of
evaporation.
4. The apparatus as in claims 1, 2, and 3 wherein said vacuum is
provided for lowering of water evaporation temperature to increase
rate of water evaporation leading to shortened time required for
compressor operation than traditional air cooled method with hot
outdoor air.
Description
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION
[0001] While many prior arts (U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,434,112; 4,438,635;
4,626,383; 4,974,422; and 6,766,655) claim use water evaporation as
means to cool a condenser, virtually in all their inventions, water
evaporation consists of only a very small portion of cooling while
major cooling is done by fan or heat absorption by water. Prior art
U.S. Pat. No. 6,338,257 hoping to evaporate a large amount of water
gave no information of nozzle description, performance, or
specification of absorbing material supposed to hold water to be
evaporated. Examples of prior arts are many, failing to understand
conditions and requirements of manipulating water to absorb heat
from a source and achieve evaporative process in high
efficiency.
[0002] In this invention majority work of cooling condenser is
achieved by changing of phase of water from liquid to gas phase to
provide absorption of heat. It is well known that the process of
evaporation of 1 gram, or 1 cc, of water absorbs 544 calories of
heat while the same amount of water absorbs only 1 calorie to
increase 1 degree Fahrenheit. A number of conditions must be met
with associated designs that maximize water evaporation on a
complex physical shape of a Tube-fins type condenser.
[0003] Absorption of heat from a source requires water to cover as
much of the surface of heat source as possible. However, too much
water leads to the absorption of heat by water which is rather
inefficient, since 1 gram (or cc) of water absorbs only 1 calorie
of heat. We want water evaporation because evaporation of water
absorbs heat far more efficiently as mentioned above. A uniform
thin water film covering the heat source on one side with the other
side exposed to atmosphere is the preferred configuration for water
evaporation, since heat absorbed by water film has very short
distance to travel to be in contact with air for evaporation. High
air contact across the exposed side of the water film also helps
evaporating the water. Another option to achieve high water
evaporation rate is by lowering pressure surrounding the condenser.
It is known from experiments that reducing air pressure to 6 inches
of mercury reduces water evaporation temperature to 4.degree. C.
The question is whether reduction of air pressure reduces heat
absorption by what amount based on heat output from compression of
gas phase refrigerant produces high enough temperature for vacuum
(at what degree--mm mercury) providing maximum water
evaporation?
[0004] To produce an even coating of a thin water film over the
entire surface of a Tube-fins condenser requires the water to be
converted to a large number of very small uniform-sized droplets
(experimental results in other areas of study) in the 50 micron
range (0.002 inch diameter) and sprayed on the condenser surface
until sufficient water is deposited to form a thin film. Fog size
droplets at 5 to 10 micron range work even better but require
machinery of greater capacity. Prior arts have indicated use of
spray or drip nozzles have failed to understand the mechanism in
generating uniform-sized and small enough water droplets. Water
under pressure exiting a nozzle produces droplet sizes from small
to large in distribution conforming to a typical bell curve. Most
fine droplet agricultural sprayers produce around the 450 micron
range with 100 to 200 PSI pressure. To achieve much smaller
droplets the pump has to produce a much higher pressure, so it is
not practical.
[0005] Also documented is that uniform-sized droplets can only be
generated by a centrifugal spinner. Size of droplets is determined
by rim speed of the spinner in centrifugal droplet generation
methods. Direction of droplet travel can be modified by air current
exemplified by an earlier invention U.S. Pat. No. 6,152,382 for
coverage of spray droplets on complex forms.
[0006] Uniform-sized small droplet spray is essential in coating
the condenser with a thin water film. Since dimension of a typical
Tube-fins condenser is usually wide and tall, a special sprayer is
needed to accommodate condenser(s) in sections. Vacuum is also
provided to reduce water evaporation temperature. Water, in such
small amount for operation of a domestic air conditioner, collected
by the vacuum can be also reclaimed for reuse.
[0007] An earlier patent application utilizing a large fan to
produce a negative pressure surrounding the condenser has shown in
experiments that the amount of time to achieve the same temperature
as in a conventional method using air to cool the condenser is 30%
less, signifying considerable energy savings.
SUMMARY
[0008] The present invention relates to a modular condenser in air
conditioning applications that is primarily cooled by water
evaporation (change from liquid phase to gaseous phase). This
invention serves to significantly increase the efficiency of
cooling compressed refrigerant by not using outdoor hot air that
has been the traditional practice of air conditioners whether a
central or split system. Water is converted into very small
uniform-sized droplets on the order of 50 microns and projected
onto the complex and multifaceted condenser surface with assistance
of air flow initiated inside the centrifugal spray generator. Water
spray is accompanied by air flow supplied in tandem with vacuum
governed by timer, air and fluid valves. The object is to first
spray water droplets onto the condenser surfaces to form a thin
water film cover. After the film is formed, water and air flow are
shut off and a valve is opened on a vacuum line. Vacuum lowers
pressure in the housing containing the condenser, boils the water,
and carries moist air away. Heat is absorbed from condenser
surfaces in the process of water phase change. The purpose is to
shorten time compressor uses electricity.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated and form a
part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the
invention, and together with the descriptions, serve to explain the
principles of the invention.
[0010] FIG. 1a is a section view of a water droplet generator and
projector. It is a rotating device with slots covered with plastic
screen. Water is sprayed onto the inner surface of rotating spinner
and breaks into droplets at a vertical strand of the screen
material, projecting them tangentially from rotating spinner
surface. Compressed air is supplied through small tube openings on
four sides of the compressed air column in center moving water
droplets in multiple angles toward condensers.
[0011] FIG. 1 is a sectional drawing of a modified small rotating
spinner to accommodate height of condensers.
[0012] FIG. 1a is sectional drawing of a rotating spray generator
with air modification of direction of travel of spray to reach the
surface areas of the condenser.
[0013] FIG. 2 is a cut away view of a sealed condenser housing with
a rotating sprayer being installed showing spatial
relationship.
[0014] FIG. 3 is a cut away top view showing movement of water
droplet spray and air flow.
[0015] FIG. 4 is a drawing showing the connection to a vacuum for
facilitating evaporation of water sprayed on the condensers and
carrying water vapor away.
[0016] FIG. 5 is a cut away sectional view of an evaporative
condenser using a large suction fan to produce a negative pressure
to lower water evaporation temperature facilitating conversion to
vapor phase for rapid heat absorption
REFERENCE NUMERALS IN DRAWINGS
[0017] 1. Droplet generator collar for attachment to motor [0018]
1a. Droplet generator with slots for air and droplet flow [0019] 2.
Motor shaft [0020] 3. Centrifugal droplet generator [0021] 4.
Screen in droplet generator slot [0022] 5. Plastic rod with small
channels for release of air pressure [0023] 6. Air channel [0024]
7. Airtight enclosure housing evaporators [0025] 8. Evaporator
[0026] 9. Tube connected to vacuum [0027] 10. Rotation of
centrifugal droplet generator [0028] 11. Direction of air and
droplet flow [0029] 12. Plastic rod with channels for air flow
[0030] 13. Tube with hole to dispense water [0031] 14. Bottom of
enclosure [0032] 15. Motor [0033] 16. Large suction fan
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0034] Reference will now be made in detail to the preferred
embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in
the accompanying drawings. While the invention will be described in
conjunction with the preferred embodiments, it will be understood
that they are not intended to limit the invention to those
embodiments. On the contrary, the invention is intended to cover
alternatives, modifications and equivalents, which may be included
within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the
appended claims.
[0035] As described above, the present invention provides an
apparatus and methods employing water phase change as primary
source of heat absorbance to cool hot refrigerant in a Tube-fins
condenser of an air conditioner. More particularly, this apparatus
pursues maximum efficiency in refrigerant heat transfer to a thin
water film covering condenser surfaces; water is rapidly evaporated
due to the short distance heat has to travel and the large surface
area for water to evaporate. Water evaporation temperature is
greatly lowered due to presence of vacuum or lower air pressure
surrounding the condenser, increasing efficiency of evaporation
with provision of removing water vapor.
[0036] It is essential the condenser(s) be housed in an air tight
chamber FIGS. 2, 3; 7. A motorized centrifugal droplet generator
FIGS. 1a, 1, 2, and 3; 1a either directly or magnetically coupled
to the motor is capable of generating uniform-sized fog size (5 to
10 microns in diameter) or larger with electronic control with
provision for air to exit the droplet generator and modify
traveling directions of the airborne droplets. Small uniform-sized
water droplets are essential in providing a thin water film
covering the entire condenser surface area assisted by airflow.
Formation of the droplets and provision for air flow is
accomplished by screened slots FIGS. 1 and 1a; 4. Droplet formation
is provided by a perforated tube mounted inside the rotating
droplet generator to the bottom of the housing and is controlled by
a solenoid valve FIG. 1a and 1; 13. Water droplets are generated
when water reaches the vertical threads of the screen while
generator is spinning. Motor speed and diameter of droplet
generator determine droplet diameter of resulting droplet spray.
Air inlet and outlet channels are also placed inside rotating
droplet generator and anchored to bottom of housing FIG. 1a and 1;
6 and 12. To completely cover all surfaces of a Tube-fins condenser
arranged in the air-tight housing, direction of the uniform-sized
droplets with accompanying air flow is important as illustrated in
FIGS. 2 and 3; 11 in relationship with droplet generator FIGS. 2
and 3; 1a. Vacuum connection as well as removal path of moisture
content from water evaporation are shown in FIGS. 2; 9.
[0037] One evaporative condenser version as in FIG. 4 is using
vacuum alone to lower water evaporation temperature as well as
carrying away the water vapor. Another possible version as in FIG.
5 is to use a large suction fan to produce a pressure differential
between input air and outlet air to produce lower pressure
surrounding the condensers to lower water evaporation temperature.
Air movements provided by the suction fan also help to evaporate
water from the thin water film covering Tube-fins surfaces of the
condensers and carry the water vapor away.
* * * * *