The present invention relates to an air conditioning system, and more particularly to an air conditioning tower which has a single structure and provides a cooling effect to a large area without using extensive piping network.
As shown in
There are several disadvantages associated with the above-mentioned split-type air conditioning system. First, a conventional split-type air conditioning system must involve circulation of refrigerant between the indoor air conditioning unit 100P and the outdoor compressor unit 200P. The refrigerant carries heat from an indoor space and release heat to the outdoor environment. Cooling of the refrigerant is through heat exchange between the refrigerant and ambient air. Very often, the Coefficient of Performance (C.O.P) of a typical split-type air conditioning system is not high (usually around 3.0-3.2). The efficiency of the evaporator used in the split-type air conditioning system is also very low.
Second, although a split-type air conditioning system may have some advantages in some circumstances, the use of ducts 300P in connecting the indoor air conditioning unit 100P and the outdoor compressor unit 200P means that a substantial amount of energy is lost or wasted during circulation of refrigerant. Furthermore, a substantial amount of raw material must be used to build the ducts 300P.
Third, since the indoor air conditioning unit 100P and the outdoor compressor unit 200P are located in different parts of a premises, this makes installation and maintenance of the split-type air conditioning system very difficult. In some situations, technicians may not be able to access the outdoor compressor unit 200P because it may be blocked by some other obstacles.
An objective of the present invention is to provide an air conditioning tower which has a single casing structure and provides a cooling effect to a large area without using extensive piping network.
Another objective of the present invention is to provide an air conditioning tower comprising a plurality of water collection basins which are capable of effectively and evenly guiding cooling water to perform heat exchange with heat exchanging pipes.
Another objective of the present invention is to provide an air conditioning tower which can be easily and conveniently installed on a wall structure. Notably, the air conditioning tower of the present invention may stand on a ground surface so that mounting procedures of the present invention can be kept to the minimum.
In one aspect of the present invention, the present invention provides an air conditioning tower, comprising:
a tower casing having a front portion, a rear portion, a first side portion, a second side portion, and a receiving cavity;
a compressor provided in the tower casing;
a heat exchanger provided in the receiving cavity of the tower casing and connected to the compressor, the heat exchanger extending across the front portion, the first side portion, and the second side portion of the tower casing;
an evaporative cooling system which comprises at least one multiple-effect evaporative condenser provided at least one of the first side portion and the second side portion of the tower casing, the multiple-effect evaporative condenser having an air inlet side and an opposed air outlet side, and comprising;
a pumping device provided at the bottom portion of the tower casing and adapted for pumping a predetermined amount of cooling water at a predetermined flow rate;
a first cooling unit, comprising:
a first water collection basin for collecting the cooling water from the pumping device;
a plurality of first heat exchanging pipes connected to heat exchanger and immersed in the first water collection basin; and
a first fill material unit provided underneath the first heat exchanging pipes, wherein the cooling water collected in the first water collection basin is arranged to sequentially flow through exterior surfaces of the first heat exchanging pipes and the first fill material unit;
a second cooling unit, comprising:
a second water collection basin positioned underneath the first cooling unit for collecting the cooling water flowing from the first cooling unit;
a plurality of second heat exchanging pipes immersed in the second water collection basin and connected to the heat exchanger; and
a second fill material unit provided underneath the second heat exchanging pipes, wherein the cooling water collected in the second water collection basin is arranged to sequentially flow through exterior surfaces of the second heat exchanging pipes and the second fill material unit; and
a bottom water collecting basin positioned underneath the second cooling unit for collecting the cooling water flowing from the second cooling unit,
the cooling water collected in the bottom water collection basin being arranged to be guided to flow back into the first water collection basin of the first cooling unit, a predetermined amount of refrigerant circulating between the compressor, the heat exchanger, and the evaporative cooling system, the refrigerant from the heat exchanger being arranged to flow through the first heat exchanging pipes of the first cooling unit and the second heat exchanging pipes of the second cooling unit in such a manner that the refrigerant is arranged to perform highly efficient heat exchanging process with the cooling water for lowering a temperature of the refrigerant, a predetermined amount of air being drawn from the air inlet side for performing heat exchange with the cooling water flowing through the first fill material unit and the second fill material unit for lowering a temperature of the cooling water, the air having absorbed the heat from the cooling water being discharged out of the first fill material unit and the second fill material unit through the air outlet side; and
a centrifugal fan provided in the tower casing for drawing air to flow from the air inlet side to the air outlet side.
In another aspect of the present invention, the present invention provides a water collection basin for a multiple-effect evaporative condenser, comprising:
an inner basin member which comprises an inner sidewall, an inner bottom wall extended from the inner sidewall, and a guiding wall extended from the inner bottom wall so that the inner bottom wall is extended between the inner sidewall and the guiding wall; and
a first outer basin member, which comprises an outer sidewall and an outer bottom wall extended from the outer sidewall at a position underneath the inner bottom wall to form a substantially L-shaped cross section of the outer basin member, a height of the outer sidewall being greater than that of the guiding wall, the water collection basin having a plurality of passage holes spacedly formed on the outer bottom wall.
The following detailed description of the preferred embodiment is the preferred mode of carrying out the invention. The description is not to be taken in any limiting sense. It is presented for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the present invention.
Referring to
The tower casing 10 has a front portion 103, a rear portion 104, a first side portion 105, and a second side portion 106 which is opposite to the first side portion 105, and a receiving cavity 108. The compressor 20 is provided in receiving cavity 108 of the tower casing 10.
The heat exchanger 30 is provided in the receiving cavity 108 of the tower casing 10 and connected to the compressor 20. The heat exchanger 30 extends across the front portion 103, the first side portion 105, and the second side portion 106 of the tower casing 10. The heat exchanger 30 is positioned in front of the evaporative cooling system 400.
The evaporative cooling system 400 comprises at least one multiple-effect evaporative condenser 40 provided on at least one of the first side portion 105 and the second side portion 106 of the tower casing 10. The multiple-effect evaporative condenser 40 has an air inlet side 41 and an opposed air outlet side 42 and comprises a pumping device 43, a first cooling unit 6, a second cooling unit 7, and a bottom water collection basin 46.
The pumping device 43 is provided on a bottom panel 102 of the tower casing 10 and is adapted for pumping a predetermined amount of cooling water at a predetermined flow rate.
The first cooling unit 6 comprises a first water collection basin 61, a plurality of first heat exchanging pipes 62 and a first fill material unit 63. The first water collection basin 61 is for collecting the cooling water from the pumping device 43. The plurality of first heat exchanging pipes 62 are connected to heat exchanger 30 and is immersed in the first water collection basin 61. A predetermined amount of refrigerant circulates between the heat exchanger 30 and the first heat exchanging pipes 62. The first fill material unit 63 is provided underneath the first heat exchanging pipes 62, wherein the cooling water collected in the first water collection basin 61 is arranged to sequentially flow through exterior surfaces of the first heat exchanging pipes 62 and the first fill material unit 63.
The second cooling unit 7 comprises a second water collection basin 71, a plurality of second heat exchanging pipes 72, and a second fill material unit 73. The second water collection basin 71 is positioned underneath the first cooling unit 6 for collecting the cooling water flowing from the first cooling unit 6. The plurality of second heat exchanging pipes 72 are immersed in the second water collection basin 71 and connected to the heat exchanger 30. The second fill material unit 73 is provided underneath the second heat exchanging pipes 72, wherein the cooling water collected in the second water collection basin 71 is arranged to sequentially flow through exterior surfaces of the second heat exchanging pipes 72 and the second fill material unit 73.
The bottom water collecting basin 46 is positioned underneath the lowest cooling unit (i.e. the second cooling unit 7 in this example) for collecting the cooling water flowing from the second cooling unit 7.
The cooling water collected in the bottom water collection basin 46 is arranged to be guided to flow back into the first water collection basin 61 of the first cooling unit 6. At the same time, a predetermined amount of refrigerant circulating between the compressor 20, the heat exchanger 30, and the evaporative cooling system 400. The refrigerant from the heat exchanger 30 is arranged to flow through the first heat exchanging pipes 62 of the first cooling unit 6 and the second heat exchanging pipes 72 of the second cooling unit 7 in such a manner that the refrigerant is arranged to perform highly efficient heat exchanging process with the cooling water for lowering a temperature of the refrigerant. A predetermined amount of air being drawn from the air inlet side 41 for performing heat exchange with the cooling water flowing through the first fill material unit 63 and the second fill material unit 73 for lowering a temperature of the cooling water. The air having absorbed the heat from the cooling water is discharged out of the first fill material unit 63 and the second fill material unit 73 through the air outlet side 42.
Accordingly, the tower casing 10 further has at least one side opening 109 which communicates the air inlet side 41 with an exterior of the tower casing 10.
The centrifugal fan 50 is provided in the tower casing 10 for drawing air to flow from the air inlet side 41 to the air outlet side 42. Thus, the tower casing 10 may have a rear opening 1091 which communicates the air outlet side 42 with an exterior of the tower casing 10.
According to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the tower casing 10 comprises a top panel 101, a bottom panel 102, a front panel 1031 formed on the front portion 103, a rear panel 1041 formed on the rear portion 104, a first side panel 1051 formed on the first side portion 105, and a second side panel 1061 formed on the second side portion 106. The receiving cavity 108 is formed between the top panel 101, the bottom panel 1021, the front panel 1031, the rear panel 1041, the first side panel 1051 and the second side panel 1061.
As shown in
It is important to mention, however, that the particular arrangement of multiple-effect evaporative condensers 40 may vary depending on the circumstances in which the air conditioning tower is operated.
Referring to
As shown in
For each of the multiple-effect evaporative condensers 40, the pumping device 43 may be positioned in the bottom panel 102 of the tower casing 10, and is connected to the first water collection basin 61 through a water pipe 45.
According to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, each of the multiple-effect evaporative condensers 40 comprises first through third cooling units 6, 7, 8. The number of cooling units utilized depend on the circumstances in which the air conditioning tower is operated.
When the cooling water passes through one cooling unit, its temperature is arranged to increase by absorbing heat from the relevant heat exchanging pipes and is to be lowered by a predetermined temperature gradient by extracting heat to the ambient air (referred to as one “temperature cooling effect” on the cooling water), so that if the cooling water passes through three cooling units 6, 7, 8, the multiple-effect evaporative condenser 40 has a total of three temperature effects on the cooling water because the cooling water is heated up by the heat exchanging pipes three times and cooled down by the ambient air in the relevant fill material unit three times. Referring to
As shown in
On the other hand, the first outer basin member 612 comprises a first outer sidewall 6121 and a first outer bottom wall 6122 extended from the first outer sidewall 6121 to form a substantially L-shaped cross section of the first outer basin member 612. As shown in
The first water collection basin 61 further comprises a first water diverting panel 613 provided in the first inner basin member 611 at a position above the first heat exchanging pipes 62 for diverting a water flowing route of the cooling water. The first water diverting panel 613 is positioned such that a predetermined number of heat exchanging pipes 62 are positioned on one side of the first water diverting panel 613, while the remaining first heat exchanging pipes 62 are positioned on the other side of the first water diverting panel 613.
The cooling water first enters the first water collection basin 61 through the first water inlet 6114. The cooling water then passes through the space formed between the first inner sidewall 6111 and the inner partitioning wall 6115. The cooling water then flows over the inner partitioning wall 6115 and come into contact with those of the first heat exchanging pipes 62 which are positioned at one side of the first water diverting panel 613. The first water diverting panel 613 blocks and diverts all the cooling water from passing it and therefore forces all the cooling water flow toward the first inner bottom wall 6112 and come into contact with those first heat exchanging pipes 62 which are at the other side of the first water diverting panel 613.
In other words, the first water diverting panel 613 divides the first heat exchanging pipes 62 into two groups, one of which are positioned at one side of the first water diverting panel 613, and the other group is positioned at another side of the first water diverting panel 613. The first water diverting panel 613 diverts all cooling water to subsequently flow through one group of the first heat exchanging pipes 62 and then the other. The number of first heat exchanging pipes 62 in each group may be varied and determined by the circumstances in which the present invention is operated.
After flowing through the first group of the first heat exchanging pipes 62, the cooling water is guided to flow along the first inner bottom wall 6112 and pass through the first heat exchanging pipes 62 which are positioned on the other side of the first water diverting panel 613 (the second group). When the cooling water fills up the space formed between the inner partitioning member 6115 and the first guiding wall 6113, the cooling water then flows over the top of the first guiding wall 6113, and flows through a channel formed between the first guiding wall 6113 and the first outer sidewall 6121 and eventually reaches the first outer bottom wall 6122, which is positioned underneath the first inner bottom wall 6112.
The first water collection basin 61 may further have a plurality of first passage holes 6123 spacedly formed on the first outer bottom wall 6122 for allowing the cooling water to flow to the first fill material unit 63 through the first passage holes 6123.
As shown in
The construction of the second water collection basin 71 is similar to that of the first water collection basin 61 except the absence of the inner partitioning wall 6115. As shown in
On the other hand, the second outer basin member 712 comprises a second outer sidewall 7121 and a second outer bottom wall 7122 extended from the second outer sidewall 7121 to form a substantially L-shaped cross section of the second outer basin member 712. As shown in
The second water collection basin 71 further comprises a second water diverting panel 713 provided in the second inner basin member 711 at a position above the second heat exchanging pipes 72 for diverting a water flowing route of the cooling water. The second water diverting panel 713 is positioned such that a predetermined number of heat exchanging pipes 72 are positioned on one side of the second water diverting panel 713, while the remaining second heat exchanging pipes 72 are positioned on the other side of the second water diverting panel 713.
The cooling water second enters the second water collection basin 71 through the second water inlet 7114. The cooling water then comes into contact with those of the second heat exchanging pipes 72 which are positioned at one side of the second water diverting panel 713. The second water diverting panel 713 blocks and diverts all the cooling water from passing it and therefore forces all the cooling water flow toward the second inner bottom wall 7112 and come into contact with those second heat exchanging pipes 72 which are at the other side of the second water diverting panel 713.
In other words, the second water diverting panel 713 divides the second heat exchanging pipes 72 into two groups, one of which are positioned at one side of the second water diverting panel 713, and the other group is positioned at another side of the second water diverting panel 713. The second water diverting panel 713 diverts all cooling water to subsequently flow through one group of the second heat exchanging pipes 72 and then the other. The number of second heat exchanging pipes 72 in each group may be varied and determined by the circumstances in which the present invention is operated.
After flowing through the second group of the second heat exchanging pipes 72, the cooling water is guided to flow along the second inner bottom wall 7112 and pass through the second heat exchanging pipes 72 which are positioned on the other side of the second water diverting panel 713 (the second group). When the cooling water fills up the space formed between the second inner sidewall 7111 and the second guiding wall 7113, the cooling water then flows over the top of the second guiding wall 7113, and flows through a channel formed between the second guiding wall 7113 and the second outer sidewall 7121 and eventually reaches the second outer bottom wall 7122, which is positioned underneath the second inner bottom wall 7112.
The second water collection basin 71 may further have a plurality of second passage holes 7123 spacedly formed on the second outer bottom wall 7122 for allowing the cooling water to flow to the second fill material unit 73 through the second passage holes 7123.
As shown in
The third water collection basin 81 of the third cooling unit 8 is structurally identical to the second water collection basin 71 of the second cooling unit 7.
Referring to
Furthermore, the first retention members 622 are spacedly distributed in the flat mid portion 626 along a transverse direction of the corresponding first pipe body 621 so as to form a plurality of first pipe cavities 627. Each of the first retention members 622 has a predetermined elasticity for reinforcing the structural integrity of the corresponding first heat exchanging pipe 62. On the other hand, each of the first heat exchanging fins 623 are extended from an inner surface of the first pipe body 621. The first heat exchanging fins 623 are spacedly and evenly distributed along the inner surface 624 of first pipe body 621 for enhancing heat exchange performance between the heat exchange fluid flowing through the corresponding first heat exchanging pipe 62 and the cooling water.
On the other hand, the second heat exchanging pipes 72 are structurally identical to the first heat exchanging pipes 62. Also referring to
Furthermore, the second retention members 722 are spacedly distributed in the flat mid portion 726 along a transverse direction of the corresponding second pipe body 721 so as to form a plurality of second pipe cavities 727. Each of the second retention members 722 has a predetermined elasticity for reinforcing the structural integrity of the corresponding second heat exchanging pipe 72. On the other hand, each of the second heat exchanging fins 723 are extended from an inner surface of the second pipe body 721. The second heat exchanging fins 723 are spacedly and evenly distributed along the inner surface 724 of second pipe body 721 for enhancing heat exchange performance between the heat exchange fluid flowing through the corresponding second heat exchanging pipe 72 and the cooling water.
It is worth mentioning that when the multiple-effect evaporative condenser 400 comprises many cooling units, such as the above-mentioned first through third cooling units 6, 7, 8, the third heat exchanging pipes 82 are structurally identical to the first heat exchanging pipes 62 and the second heat exchanging pipes 72 described above.
According to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, each of the first through third heat exchanging pipes 62, 72, 82 are configured from aluminum which can be recycled and reused very conveniently and economically. In order to make the heat exchanging pipes to resist corrosion and unwanted oxidation, each of the heat exchanging pipes 62, 72, 82 has a thin oxidation layer formed on an exterior surface and an interior surface thereof for preventing further corrosion of the relevant heat exchanging pipe. The formation of this thin oxidation layer can be by anode oxidation method.
Moreover, each of the heat exchanging pipes 62, 72, 82 may also have a thin layer of polytetrafluoroethylene formed on an exterior surface and/or interior surface thereof to prevent unwanted substances from attaching on the exterior surfaces of the heat exchanging pipes 62, 72, 82.
Referring to
Referring to
Specifically, the first guiding system 66 comprises a first inlet collection pipes 661 extended between outer ends of the first heat exchanging pipes 62, and a first guiding pipe 662 extended between inner ends of the first heat exchanging pipes 62. Note that the first inlet collection pipe 661 and the first guiding pipe 662 are substantially parallel to each other. The first guiding system 66 may further comprise a first partitioning member 663 provided in the first inlet collection pipe 661 for blocking the refrigerant from passing through the first partitioning member 663. Thus, the first partitioning member 663 divides the first inlet collection pipe 661 into a first inlet section 6611 and a first outlet section 6612.
As shown in
The refrigerant from the compressor 20 is arranged to enter the four of the first heat exchanging pipes 62 (one group of the first heat exchanging pipes 62) through the first inlet section 6611 of the inlet collection pipes 661. The refrigerant is then arranged to flow through the corresponding first heat exchanging pipes 62 and perform heat exchange with the cooling water as described above. After that, the refrigerant is arranged to enter the first guiding pipe 662 and flow into another four of the first heat exchanging pipes 62 (the second group of the first heat exchanging pipes 62). After that, the refrigerant is guided to flow into the first outlet section 6612 of the first inlet collection pipe 661 and leave the first cooling unit 6.
In addition, the first guiding system 66 further comprises a plurality of first heat exchanging fins 623 extended between each two adjacent first heat exchanging pipes 62 for substantially increasing a surface area of heat exchange between the first heat exchanging pipes 62 and the cooling water, and for reinforcing a structural integrity of the first guiding system 66. These first heat exchanging fins 623 may be integrally extended from an outer surface of the first heat exchanging pipes 62, or externally attached or welded on the outer surfaces of the first heat exchanging pipes 62.
Similarly, the second cooling unit 7 further comprises a second guiding system 76 connected to the second heat exchanging pipes 72 to divide the second heat exchanging pipes 72 into several piping groups so as to guide the refrigerant to flow through the various piping groups in a predetermined order.
Specifically, the second guiding system 76 comprises a second inlet collection pipes 761 extended between outer ends of the second heat exchanging pipes 72, and a second guiding pipe 762 extended between inner ends of the second heat exchanging pipes 72. Note that the second inlet collection pipe 761 and the second guiding pipe 72 are substantially parallel to each other. The second guiding system 76 may further comprise a second partitioning member 763 provided in the second inlet collection pipe 761 for blocking the refrigerant from passing through the second partitioning member 763. Thus, the second partitioning member 763 divides the second inlet collection pipe 761 into a second inlet section 7611 and a second outlet section 7612.
As shown in
The refrigerant from the heat exchange 20 is arranged to enter the four of the second heat exchanging pipes 72 (one group of the second heat exchanging pipes 72) through the second inlet section 7611 of the inlet collection pipes 761. The refrigerant is then arranged to flow through the corresponding second heat exchanging pipes 72 and perform heat exchange with the cooling water as described above. After that, the heat exchange fluid is arranged to enter the second guiding pipe 762 and flow into another four of the second heat exchanging pipes 72 (the second group of the second heat exchanging pipes 72). After that, the refrigerant is guided to flow into the second outlet section 7612 of the second inlet collection pipe 761 and leave the second cooling unit 7.
In addition, the second guiding system 76 further comprises a plurality of second heat exchanging fins 723 extended between each two adjacent second heat exchanging pipes 72 for substantially increasing a surface area of heat exchange between the second heat exchanging pipes 72 and the cooling water, and for reinforcing a structural integrity of the second guiding system 76. These second heat exchanging fins 723 may be integrally extended from an outer surface of the second heat exchanging pipes 72, or externally attached or welded on the outer surfaces of the second heat exchanging pipes 72.
It is important to mention that the above-mentioned configuration of the first guiding system 66, the second guiding system 76, the first heat exchanging pipes 62, the second heat exchanging pipes 72, and the number of piping groups are for illustrative purpose only and can actually be varied according to the circumstances in which the present invention is operated.
Referring to
The air conditioning tower further comprises a dehumidifying device 90 supported at a position which is adjacent to the heat exchanger 30 for providing dehumidifying effect to the air which is being delivered to the indoor space, and an auxiliary cooling device 901 connected between the heat exchanger 30 and the evaporative cooling system 400. The auxiliary cooling device 901 is supported in the tower casing 10. The dehumidifying device 90 is connected to the heat exchanger 20 in parallel. The air conditioning tower further comprises a control valve 904 connected between the compressor outlet 21 and the dehumidifying device 90 for selectively controlling a flow of the refrigerant from the compressor 20 to the dehumidifying device 90.
Referring to
The air conditioning tower further comprises a humidifying sensor 100 provided on the tower casing 10 for sensing the humidity of the air in the indoor space. When the humidity in the indoor space reaches a predetermined threshold, the control valve 904 is actuated to allow a predetermined amount of superheated refrigerant coming out from the compressor outlet 21 to enter the dehumidifying device 90. The refrigerant releases heat to the air passing through the dehumidifying device 90 so as to extract water from the passing air. The refrigerant will then be condensed and guided to exit the dehumidifying device 90, pass through an expansion valve 903, and merge with the refrigerant coming from the auxiliary cooling device 901. The combined refrigerant in liquid state is arranged to enter the heat exchanger 30 and absorb heat from the air passing therethrough. The refrigerant is then guided to flow back to the compressor 20 in a manner described above.
Referring to
As may be appreciated, a feature of the present invention is that the air conditioning tower may be easily installed on premises. The air conditioning tower does not need to have any mounting devices for mounting the tower casing 10 to the wall 80. What is needed is just for a user of the present invention to form an opening on the wall 80 and then put the air conditioning tower in a proper position of the wall 80.
As shown in
It is also important to emphasize that the air conditioning tower of the present invention may be distinguishable from conventional central air conditioning unit because the present invention does not need additional piping networks for delivering cooled air to indoor space. The present invention may directly deliver cooled air to the indoor space through the air delivery outlet 12.
The present invention, while illustrated and described in terms of a preferred embodiment and several alternatives, is not limited to the particular description contained in this specification. Additional alternative or equivalent components could also be used to practice the present invention.
Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
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PCT/US15/44729 | 8/11/2015 | WO | 00 |