Cooling assembly

Abstract

A process and the required apparatus for air conditioning the interior of a structure is shown which can be run entirely off a DC power source, such as a storage battery. A shell and tube heat exchanger is combined with a mechanical refrigeration system to provide a wet shell side and a dry tube side of the apparatus. In the operation of the air conditioner, a mass of distributed water is established on the wet shell side, and a flow of ambient air is passed through the wet shell side to form a resulting stream of moist air. A flow of ambient air is passed through the dry tube side and a resulting stream of dry cooled air is recovered. The streams of most and cooled air can either be combined or routed separately depending primarily upon the humidity of the surrounding environment to be cooled. The air conditioning unit is not hermetically sealed and the water consumption rate is generally less than that required for a conventional evaporative cooler.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of my earlier filed application Ser. No. 10 / 629,121, filed Jul. 28, 2003, and which claimed the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60 / 405,584, filed Aug. 23, 2002.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] 1. Field of the Invention [0003] The present invention relates in general to low power air conditioning systems, and, in particular, to a low power air conditioning system employing a tube and shell heat exchanger for use in arid conditions and to a combination direct / indirect evaporative cooler with refrigerated sump water for use in other environments. [0004] 2. Description of the Prior Art [0005] In one embodiment, the present invention provides air conditioning for structures that are located in arid, high temperature environments, such as deserts. Such environmental control is essential to enjoying a good quality of life, and, in some instances, is essential to supporting life. This is ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

"The present invention provides an air conditioning system that is efficient, reliable, economical, simple, and effective for use in temporary structures such as tents or barns. The system uses a shell and tube heat exchanger or a direct / indirect evaporative cooler with refrigerated chilled sump water. The cooler is designed to cool the air in structures with high heat and low humidity conditions. The system does not require an elaborate or expensive installation and can be easily transported and set up inside a temporary structure. The system is designed to provide efficient cooling even in situations where there are openings through which air can flow. The system is controlled by a combination of fans and intake / exhaust plenums, and can be used in both high heat and low humidity conditions. The system is designed to be simple, economical, and effective in temporary structures."

Problems solved by technology

A source of electrical power is required to operate such systems, so the cost of operation is a limitation on their use.

Conventional evaporative coolers consume considerable quantities of water so their use is limited to areas where water is available.

Sufficient quantities of water are not always available in desert environments.

Other types of air conditioning systems require sealed buildings, expensive and high maintenance equipment, and are expensive to operate.

Typically, such structures are not provided with air conditioning systems because of the cost of operating them and the general ineffectiveness of air conditioning systems in such structures.

Most air conditioning systems operate on electricity, and electricity is not always available, or is not available at a reasonable price where the structures are located.

One problem with this system is that it causes excess humidity within the building resulting in algae and bacteria problems.

The disclosed rate of water consumption is very high.

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