Closed water source pre-cooling energy-saving device externally mounted on air conditioner outdoor unit and application method thereof

Abstract

This invention discloses a closed-loop water source pre-cooling energy-saving device and its application method, externally mounted to an outdoor air conditioning unit, belonging to the field of building energy conservation. The device includes: an externally mounted closed-loop heat exchanger installed at the air inlet of the outdoor air conditioning unit via a fixed bracket, corresponding to the air inlet of the unit; the externally mounted closed-loop heat exchanger contains a sealed heat exchange tube bundle, with both ends connected to an inlet water pipe and an outlet water pipe, forming a closed water flow channel; the inlet end of the inlet water pipe is connected to the outlet water pipe of a water treatment unit, allowing water to be introduced into the heat exchange tube bundle; the outlet end of the outlet water pipe is connected to an external water supply network, allowing the heat-exchanged tap water or surface water to be delivered to water points inside the building; a control valve is located on the inlet water pipe, allowing the flow rate of water entering the heat exchange tube bundle to be adjusted. This device can transfer the cooling capacity of the water source to the air intake of the outdoor air conditioning unit through closed-loop heat exchange, reducing the heat dissipation load of the outdoor unit, improving air conditioning energy efficiency, and avoiding water pollution.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of building air conditioning energy-saving technology, and in particular to a closed-loop water source pre-cooling energy-saving device and its application method that is externally mounted on the outdoor unit of an air conditioner. Background Technology

[0002] With increasingly stringent requirements for building energy conservation, the energy efficiency optimization of air conditioning systems, as a major component of building energy consumption, has become a key research focus. Currently, the heat dissipation efficiency of air-cooled outdoor units (including split air conditioners, multi-split systems, and air source heat pump outdoor units) directly affects the cooling efficiency of the air conditioning system. In high-temperature environments during summer, excessively high outdoor unit intake air temperatures can lead to increased condenser condensing pressure, increased compressor power consumption, and consequently, a decrease in the COP (coefficient of performance) of the air conditioning system, thus increasing energy consumption.

[0003] Existing energy-saving technologies for air conditioning outdoor units are mainly divided into two categories: one is open evaporative cooling technology, which sprays water onto the fins of the outdoor unit and uses water evaporation to absorb heat and reduce the intake air temperature. However, this technology suffers from large water source evaporation losses, easy water pollution, and the sprayed water easily mixes with air impurities and adheres to the fins, leading to scaling and corrosion. In addition, the sprayed water is in direct contact with the air and cannot be used as a municipal drinking water source, and it is not suitable for scenarios with high water quality requirements. The other category is indirect evaporative cooling technology, which achieves indirect heat exchange between air and water through a heat exchange core. However, this type of technology is mostly a unit-type integrated design, which cannot be flexibly connected to existing air conditioning outdoor units, resulting in poor adaptability. Moreover, most of them do not utilize the building's own municipal water supply or surface water as a cold source, which increases the cost of cold source preparation.

[0004] Furthermore, while existing technologies include air conditioning energy-saving solutions that utilize surface water, tap water, and sewage as cooling sources, these often involve introducing the water source into the air conditioning unit for heat exchange. This requires modifying the air conditioning unit's structure, affecting equipment warranties, and fails to achieve tiered utilization of the water source by pre-exchanging heat before it enters the building. Additionally, the lack of a robust closed-loop protective structure makes them susceptible to water pollution and fails to meet municipal water supply hygiene requirements. For energy-consuming units with large water volumes, such as water companies, sewage treatment plants, and surface water stations, the continuous and stable supply of treated water naturally provides a suitable pre-cooling source for air conditioning outdoor units. However, currently, there are no targeted energy-saving devices that can fully utilize these cooling sources to achieve both energy savings and water safety.

[0005] Therefore, the problem that needs to be solved is how to provide an energy-saving device that can be adapted to existing air conditioning outdoor units, utilize building-front water sources, adopt a closed system to prevent water pollution, and be suitable for projects with large water consumption.

[0006] In view of this, the present invention is hereby proposed. Summary of the Invention

[0007] The purpose of this invention is to provide a closed-loop water source pre-cooling energy-saving device and its application method that is externally mounted on the outdoor unit of an air conditioner. This device enables pre-stage utilization of water for energy-consuming units with large water volumes. By transferring the cooling capacity of the water source to the air intake of the outdoor unit through closed-loop heat exchange, the heat dissipation load of the outdoor unit is reduced, the air conditioning energy efficiency is improved, and water pollution is eliminated. It is suitable for building projects with large water consumption and long cooling time, and does not require modification of the air conditioning unit, making installation convenient. This invention solves the aforementioned technical problems existing in the prior art.

[0008] The objective of this invention is achieved through the following technical solution:

[0009] A closed-loop water-source precooling energy-saving device externally mounted on an air conditioner outdoor unit includes:

[0010] External closed-loop heat exchanger, inlet water pipe, outlet water pipe, mounting bracket, and control valves; among which,

[0011] The external closed heat exchanger is installed on the air inlet of the outdoor unit of the air conditioner via a fixed bracket, and is set in a corresponding manner to the air inlet of the outdoor unit of the air conditioner.

[0012] The external closed heat exchanger is equipped with a sealed heat exchange tube bundle inside. The inlet and outlet of the heat exchange tube bundle are connected to the inlet pipe and outlet pipe, respectively, forming a closed water flow channel.

[0013] The inlet pipe is connected to the outlet pipe of the water treatment unit, which can introduce the low-temperature water source output from the outlet pipe of the water treatment unit into the heat exchange tube bundle.

[0014] The outlet end of the water outlet pipe is connected to the external water supply network, which can transport the heat-exchanged tap water to the water point of the external water supply network or return the heat-exchanged surface water to the original system.

[0015] The control valve is located on the water inlet pipe and can regulate the flow rate of water entering the heat exchange tube bundle.

[0016] A method for applying the external closed-loop water source precooling energy-saving device of the present invention includes the following steps:

[0017] Step 1, Installation and Debugging: Install the external closed-loop heat exchanger of the external closed-loop water source precooling energy-saving device outside the air inlet of the air conditioner outdoor unit using a fixed bracket, and align it with the air inlet; connect one end of the water inlet pipe of the external closed-loop water source precooling energy-saving device to the outlet pipe of the water treatment unit, and the other end to the input end of the heat exchange tube bundle inside the external closed-loop heat exchanger, and install a control valve on the water inlet pipe; connect one end of the water outlet pipe of the external closed-loop water source precooling energy-saving device to the output end of the heat exchange tube bundle, and the other end to the external water supply network to form a closed water flow channel, and check the sealing of the entire closed water flow channel to avoid water leakage;

[0018] Step 2, cold source introduction: Open the control valve, and the low-temperature water source output from the water treatment unit's outlet pipe enters the heat exchange tube bundle of the external closed heat exchanger through the inlet pipe. The water flows in the closed heat exchange tube bundle and does not come into contact with the outside air.

[0019] Step 3, Closed-loop heat exchange: When the outdoor unit of the air conditioner is running, outdoor air flows into the outdoor unit from the outside of the external closed-loop heat exchanger and indirectly exchanges heat with the low-temperature water source in the heat exchange tube bundle. The coldness in the low-temperature water source is transferred to the outdoor air, reducing the intake air temperature of the outdoor unit. During the heat exchange process, the low-temperature water source only flows in the heat exchange tube bundle, without evaporation or spraying, to avoid water source pollution.

[0020] Step 4, cascaded water use: After heat exchange, tap water or surface water is transported through outlet pipelines to water use points in the external water supply network, where it is used for daily life and production, thus realizing the cascaded utilization of water resources.

[0021] Compared with the prior art, the closed-loop water source pre-cooling energy-saving device and application method externally mounted on the outdoor unit of an air conditioner provided by the present invention have the following advantages:

[0022] (1) High efficiency and low cost of cold source utilization: The natural low temperature water source of the water treatment unit is directly used as the cold source, without the need for additional cold source preparation, realizing the cascade utilization of free cold source, greatly reducing the energy consumption of the air conditioning system, especially suitable for long-term cooling areas in the south;

[0023] (2) Closed system to prevent water pollution: The external closed heat exchanger adopts a closed heat exchange tube bundle structure. The water only flows in the heat exchange tube and does not come into direct contact with the outdoor air or the fins of the air conditioner. This avoids water evaporation, impurities mixing in, and microbial growth. It fully complies with the municipal water supply hygiene standards and can be safely used for daily water use in buildings.

[0024] (3) External modular design with strong adaptability: The device adopts an external structure and is installed on the air inlet of the outdoor unit of the air conditioner through a fixed bracket. There is no need to modify the air conditioner host body, and it does not affect the warranty of the air conditioner equipment. It can be adapted to various air-cooled outdoor units such as split air conditioners, multi-split air conditioners, and air source heat pumps. It is also compatible with energy-saving renovation of existing buildings and new construction projects.

[0025] (4) Significant energy-saving effect of large water-consuming projects: For water treatment units such as waterworks, sewage treatment plants, and surface water stations with large water treatment volume and continuous and stable water supply, a continuous and sufficient low-temperature water source can maintain the low-temperature air intake conditions of the air conditioning outdoor unit for a long time, significantly reducing the condenser condensing pressure and reducing the power consumption of the compressor. For every 1°C decrease in the air intake temperature, the energy efficiency of the air conditioning system can be improved by about 3%, and the energy-saving effect is amplified with the increase of water consumption.

[0026] (5) Easy installation and simple maintenance: The device has a simple structure and modular design, which makes it easy to install and replace. Daily maintenance only requires periodic cleaning of the filter and checking of the seal, resulting in low operation and maintenance costs.

[0027] (6) High water resource utilization rate: After heat exchange, the water source can still be used normally for water use inside the building, realizing the dual utilization of "heat exchange + water use", without wasting water resources, which is in line with the concept of green building development. Attached Figure Description

[0028] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention, the drawings used in the following description of the embodiments will be briefly introduced. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0029] Figure 1 A side view of the external closed-loop water source precooling energy-saving device is provided for an embodiment of the present invention.

[0030] Figure 2 A front view structural diagram of an external closed-loop water source precooling energy-saving device is provided for an embodiment of the present invention.

[0031] Figure 3 A side view of the external closed-loop water source precooling energy-saving device is provided for an embodiment of the present invention.

[0032] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the heat exchange tube bundle inside the external closed heat exchanger of the external closed water source precooling energy-saving device provided in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0033] Figure 5 A schematic diagram illustrating the application status of the external closed-loop water source precooling energy-saving device provided in this embodiment of the invention.

[0034] The components corresponding to the markings in the diagram are: 1-Air conditioner outdoor unit; 2-External closed heat exchanger; 21-Outer shell; 3-Heat exchange tube bundle; 31-Water inlet; 32-Water outlet; 33-Fins; 4-Water inlet pipe; 5-Water outlet pipe; 6-Fixed bracket; 7-Control valve; 8-Water source (including water pump); 9-Building water supply point. Detailed Implementation

[0035] The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of the present invention, and not all of them, and do not constitute a limitation on the present invention. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of the present invention without creative effort are within the protection scope of the present invention.

[0036] First, the following explanations are provided for the terms that may be used in this article:

[0037] The term "and / or" means that either or both can be achieved simultaneously. For example, X and / or Y means that it includes both "X" or "Y" as well as the three cases of "X and Y".

[0038] The terms "comprising," "including," "containing," "having," or other similar semantic descriptions should be interpreted as non-exclusive inclusion. For example, including a technical feature element (such as raw material, component, ingredient, carrier, dosage form, material, size, part, component, mechanism, device, step, process, method, reaction conditions, processing conditions, parameter, algorithm, signal, data, product or article of manufacture, etc.) should be interpreted as including not only the expressly listed technical feature element, but also other technical feature elements that are not expressly listed and are well-known in the art.

[0039] The term "composed of" excludes any technical features not expressly listed. When used in a claim, it closes the claim to exclude all technical features other than those expressly listed, except for associated conventional impurities. If the term appears only in a clause of a claim, it limits the claim to the elements expressly listed in that clause; elements recited in other clauses are not excluded from the overall claim.

[0040] Unless otherwise explicitly specified or limited, the terms "installation," "connection," "linking," and "fixing," etc., should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to fixed connections, detachable connections, or integral connections; they can refer to mechanical connections or electrical connections; they can refer to direct connections or indirect connections through an intermediate medium; and they can refer to the internal connection between two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this document according to the specific circumstances.

[0041] The terms “center,” “longitudinal,” “lateral,” “length,” “width,” “thickness,” “up,” “down,” “front,” “back,” “left,” “right,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” “top,” “bottom,” “inner,” “outer,” “clockwise,” and “counterclockwise” indicate the current orientation or positional relationship, and are only for the convenience and simplification of description, and do not explicitly or implicitly suggest that the device or component referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on this document.

[0042] The technical solution provided by this invention will be described in detail below. Contents not described in detail in the embodiments of this invention are prior art known to those skilled in the art. Where specific conditions are not specified in the embodiments of this invention, they shall be performed according to conventional conditions in the art or conditions recommended by the manufacturer. Reagents or instruments used in the embodiments of this invention whose manufacturers are not specified are all conventional products that can be purchased commercially.

[0043] like Figure 1 , Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, an embodiment of the present invention provides a closed-loop water source pre-cooling energy-saving device externally mounted on an air conditioner outdoor unit, comprising:

[0044] External closed-loop heat exchanger, inlet water pipe, outlet water pipe, mounting bracket, and control valves; among which,

[0045] The external closed heat exchanger is installed on the air inlet of the outdoor unit of the air conditioner via a fixed bracket, and is set in a corresponding manner to the air inlet of the outdoor unit of the air conditioner.

[0046] The external closed heat exchanger is equipped with a sealed heat exchange tube bundle inside. The inlet and outlet of the heat exchange tube bundle are connected to the inlet pipe and outlet pipe, respectively, forming a closed water flow channel.

[0047] The inlet pipe is connected to the outlet pipe of the water treatment unit, which can introduce the low-temperature water source output from the outlet pipe of the water treatment unit into the heat exchange tube bundle.

[0048] The outlet end of the water outlet pipe is connected to the external water supply network, which can transport the heat-exchanged tap water to the water point of the external water supply network or return the heat-exchanged surface water to the original system.

[0049] The control valve is located on the water inlet pipe and can regulate the flow rate of water entering the heat exchange tube bundle.

[0050] Preferably, in the above-described device, the external closed-loop heat exchanger includes: a shell and the heat exchange tube bundle disposed within the shell;

[0051] The heat exchange tube bundle has a closed water curtain structure on the outside.

[0052] Preferably, in the above-mentioned device, the heat exchange tube bundle is made of copper or stainless steel, and the surface of the heat exchange tube bundle is provided with heat dissipation fins; the heat exchange tube bundle can also be made of other corrosion-resistant and heat-exchange-friendly tube materials.

[0053] The arrangement of the heat exchange tube bundle matches the air intake direction of the outdoor unit of the air conditioner, so that the air intake of the outdoor unit of the air conditioner can flow evenly through the outside of the heat exchange tube bundle.

[0054] Preferably, in the above-mentioned device, the size of the external closed heat exchanger is adapted to the size of the air inlet of the outdoor unit of the air conditioner.

[0055] Preferably, in the above-mentioned device, the fixing bracket adopts an adjustable structure, which can adjust the installation position of the external closed heat exchanger at the air inlet of the air conditioner outdoor unit, so that the external closed heat exchanger is precisely aligned with the air inlet of the air conditioner outdoor unit. This adjustable fixing bracket can use existing technology, such as providing multiple elongated threaded holes on the mounting bracket to facilitate adjustment of the position of the external closed heat exchanger on the mounting bracket, or other existing adjustment structures, as long as it facilitates adjustment of the installation position and ensures precise alignment of the external closed heat exchanger with the air inlet of the air conditioner outdoor unit.

[0056] Preferably, in the above-mentioned device, a filter device is provided at the connection between the water inlet pipe and the water outlet pipe of the water treatment unit, which can filter impurities in the water source.

[0057] Preferably, in the above-mentioned device, the control valve is an electromagnetic control valve, which is communicatively connected to the control system of the outdoor unit of the air conditioner and can automatically adjust the water flow rate according to the operating status of the outdoor unit of the air conditioner.

[0058] The above-mentioned devices are applicable to outdoor air conditioning units such as split-type air conditioners, multi-split air conditioners, or air source heat pump outdoor units, and are particularly suitable for building projects in southern regions with long cooling times and large water consumption.

[0059] The present invention also provides a method for applying the above-mentioned external closed-loop water source precooling energy-saving device, comprising the following steps:

[0060] Step 1, Installation and Debugging: Install the external closed-loop heat exchanger of the external closed-loop water source precooling energy-saving device outside the air inlet of the air conditioner outdoor unit using a fixed bracket, and align it with the air inlet; connect one end of the water inlet pipe of the external closed-loop water source precooling energy-saving device to the outlet pipe of the water treatment unit, and the other end to the input end of the heat exchange tube bundle inside the external closed-loop heat exchanger, and install a control valve on the water inlet pipe; connect one end of the water outlet pipe of the external closed-loop water source precooling energy-saving device to the output end of the heat exchange tube bundle, and the other end to the external water supply network to form a closed water flow channel, and check the sealing of the entire closed water flow channel to avoid water leakage;

[0061] Step 2, cold source introduction: Open the control valve, and the low-temperature water source output from the water treatment unit's outlet pipe enters the heat exchange tube bundle of the external closed heat exchanger through the inlet pipe. The water flows in the closed heat exchange tube bundle and does not come into contact with the outside air.

[0062] Step 3, Closed-loop heat exchange: When the outdoor unit of the air conditioner is running, outdoor air flows into the outdoor unit from the outside of the external closed-loop heat exchanger and indirectly exchanges heat with the low-temperature water source in the heat exchange tube bundle. The coldness in the low-temperature water source is transferred to the outdoor air, reducing the intake air temperature of the outdoor unit. During the heat exchange process, the low-temperature water source only flows in the heat exchange tube bundle, without evaporation or spraying, to avoid water source pollution.

[0063] Step 4, cascaded water use: After heat exchange, tap water or surface water is transported through outlet pipelines to water use points in the external water supply network, where it is used for daily life and production, thus realizing the cascaded utilization of water resources.

[0064] Preferably, in the above method, step 1 further includes: installing a filter device on the water inlet pipe to filter the water entering the heat exchange tube bundle, so as to prevent impurities in the water from clogging the water inlet pipe.

[0065] In step 2, the water flow velocity within the heat exchange tube bundle is 0.8–1.2 m / s.

[0066] In step 3, during the heat exchange process, the water only flows inside the heat exchange tube bundle and does not come into contact with the outdoor air, so there is no evaporation or spraying.

[0067] Preferably, the method further includes the following after step 4:

[0068] Step 5, Load Adjustment: Based on the operating load of the outdoor unit of the air conditioner, the outdoor ambient temperature, and the water source temperature, the water flow rate is adjusted by controlling the valve. When the outdoor temperature is higher than the preset value or the air conditioner load is greater than the preset value, the water flow rate is increased to improve the heat exchange effect; when the air conditioner is turned off or the load is less than the preset value, the water flow rate is reduced or the control valve is closed to save water resources.

[0069] Step 6, Maintenance: Regularly clean impurities from the filter, check the sealing of the heat exchange tube bundle and the cleanliness of the heat dissipation fins, and maintain stable operation of the device.

[0070] The working principle of the device according to the embodiments of the present invention is as follows:

[0071] When an air conditioner outdoor unit operates in hot weather, its condenser needs to condense and release heat from the high-temperature, high-pressure gaseous refrigerant. Traditional solutions rely on fans to force-drive ambient air to remove the heat. When the ambient air temperature is high (especially in summer when the outdoor unit is placed on an enclosed balcony, equipment platform, or in poorly ventilated buildings), the condensing temperature rises, the cooling efficiency drops sharply, and the power consumption increases significantly. The device of this invention has closed-loop water curtain heat exchangers 2 externally mounted on both sides of the outdoor unit's air inlet. Relatively cool municipal water or well water (generally 5-15°C lower than the ambient temperature) is introduced into the heat exchange tube bundle 3 through the inlet pipe 4. Before entering the condenser, the ambient air drawn in by the outdoor unit's fan passes horizontally over the fins 33 of the heat exchanger 2 and is pre-cooled by the low-temperature water in the tubes before entering the condenser, thereby reducing the condensing temperature, increasing the unit's COP, and reducing the main unit's power consumption. The water, after absorbing heat and heating up, is discharged in parallel through the outlet pipe 5 and sent as pre-cooling revenue to the building's internal water points 9 (domestic hot water, bathing, etc.), realizing the cascade utilization of cooling capacity. The entire process involves water circulating within a closed-loop system, without direct contact with outdoor air. This avoids water drift, scaling, and microbial contamination associated with open cooling water systems. Furthermore, no structural or electrical modifications to the air conditioning unit are required. Installation and disassembly are both completed on the outdoor unit casing using the fixed bracket 6, facilitating renovation of existing buildings.

[0072] To more clearly demonstrate the technical solution and its effects provided by the present invention, the following detailed description of the solution provided by the embodiments of the present invention is provided with reference to specific examples.

[0073] Example 1

[0074] like Figure 1 , Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, this embodiment provides a closed-loop water source pre-cooling energy-saving device externally mounted to an outdoor air conditioning unit, including an external closed-loop heat exchanger, an inlet water pipe, an outlet water pipe, a mounting bracket, and a control valve; wherein,

[0075] The external closed heat exchanger is installed on the air inlet of the outdoor unit of the air conditioner by a fixed bracket and aligned with the air inlet of the outdoor unit. This allows the air entering the outdoor unit to pass through the external closed heat exchanger before entering the air inlet of the outdoor unit. The external closed heat exchanger has a sealed heat exchange tube bundle inside. The two ends of the heat exchange tube bundle are connected to the water inlet pipe and the water outlet pipe, respectively, forming a closed water flow channel.

[0076] The inlet pipe is connected to the outlet pipe of the waterworks to introduce the treated tap water into the heat exchange tube bundle; the outlet pipe is connected to the external water supply network to transport the heat-exchanged tap water to the water point of the external water supply network, realizing the cascade utilization of "heat exchange first, then water use".

[0077] The control valve is installed on the water inlet pipe to regulate the flow rate of water entering the heat exchange tube bundle, adapting to the operating load and water supply of the outdoor air conditioning unit.

[0078] The heat exchange tube bundle is made of a corrosion-resistant material with excellent thermal conductivity. The outside of the heat exchange tube bundle forms a closed structure. When the outdoor unit of the air conditioner takes in air, it comes into full contact with the outside of the heat exchange tube bundle. Through indirect heat exchange, the cooling capacity of the water source inside the heat exchange tube bundle is transferred to the incoming air, thereby reducing the incoming air temperature of the outdoor unit of the air conditioner.

[0079] Figure 1 Top view of the device Figure 2 The front view of the device Figure 2 This is a side view of the device, in which an external closed-loop heat exchanger 2 is mounted on each of the front and rear sides of the outdoor unit 1. The external closed-loop heat exchangers 2 are installed on the air inlet of the outdoor unit casing via a fixing bracket 6. The water supply to the two external closed-loop heat exchangers 2 is controlled by a control valve 7 via an inlet pipe 4, and the water outlet is connected to the external water supply network via a parallel outlet pipe 5. The internal structure of the external closed-loop heat exchangers 2 consists of heat exchange tube bundles 3, where water circulates in a closed loop and does not directly contact the outdoor air. In the diagram, A represents the ambient airflow pattern, and B represents the direction of hot air exhaust.

[0080] Furthermore, the external closed-loop heat exchanger has a modular structure, and its size is adapted to the air inlet size of the outdoor unit of the air conditioner. It can be flexibly adjusted according to the model of the outdoor unit of the air conditioner, which facilitates installation and replacement.

[0081] Furthermore, the heat exchange tube bundle is made of copper or stainless steel, and the surface of the tube bundle is provided with heat dissipation fins to increase the heat exchange area and improve the heat exchange efficiency; the arrangement of the heat exchange tube bundle is matched with the air intake direction of the outdoor unit of the air conditioner to ensure that the air intake can flow evenly through the outside of the heat exchange tube bundle and ensure heat exchange uniformity.

[0082] Figure 4 for Figures 1 to 3 An enlarged schematic diagram of the internal structure of the heat exchange tube bundle 3 within the externally mounted closed-loop heat exchanger 2. The heat exchange tube bundle 3 consists of several parallel serpentine coils. Fins 33 are densely arranged around the outer periphery of the coils. The left end of the coil is connected to the inlet 31 via a manifold, and the right end rotates to the outlet 32. The inlet and outlet 31 and 32 are located on the same side of the outer shell 21 for easy connection with external parallel water pipes. Air flows from top to bottom through the channels between the fins 33 and is pre-cooled. Water flows through the tubes in a closed loop, carrying away heat from the air and being heated. After being discharged from the outlet 32, it is supplied to the building's internal piping network.

[0083] Furthermore, the fixed bracket adopts an adjustable structure, which can be flexibly adjusted according to the installation position and height of the outdoor unit of the air conditioner to ensure that the external closed heat exchanger is precisely aligned with the air inlet of the outdoor unit of the air conditioner, without affecting the normal air intake of the outdoor unit of the air conditioner.

[0084] Furthermore, a filter device is provided at the connection between the inlet pipe and the outlet pipe of the waterworks to filter impurities in the water source, prevent impurities from entering the heat exchange tube bundle and causing blockage, and at the same time protect the heat exchange tube bundle and extend the service life of the device.

[0085] Furthermore, the control valve is an electromagnetic control valve, which can be linked with the control system of the outdoor unit of the air conditioner to automatically adjust the water flow rate according to the operating status of the outdoor unit of the air conditioner (such as on, off, and cooling load), so as to achieve the optimal match between energy saving effect and water utilization efficiency.

[0086] Figure 5 This is a typical application of the device in a real-world engineering project. Tap water, pressurized by a water pump from water source 8 and with its flow regulated by control valve 7, is then fed in parallel through inlet pipe 4 into the closed-loop water curtain heat exchangers 2 on both sides of the outdoor unit 1. Ambient air is drawn in from both sides by the outdoor unit's fan, passes laterally across the inner fins of the heat exchanger 2, is pre-cooled, and then enters the outdoor unit's condenser. The condensed hot air is discharged from the top of the unit. The water, having absorbed heat, flows through outlet pipe 5 into the main pipe and connects to the water supply point 9 (for domestic use, bathing, cleaning, etc.) in the external water supply network, achieving cascaded utilization of cooling capacity. Throughout the entire process, the water circulates within a closed-loop system and does not come into contact with outdoor air, avoiding the pollution and drift loss associated with traditional open cooling water systems, and requiring no modifications to the air conditioning unit. In the diagram, A represents the ambient airflow pattern, and B represents the direction of hot air exhaust.

[0087] Example 2

[0088] This embodiment provides an application method for the external closed-loop water source precooling energy-saving device of Embodiment 1, including the following steps:

[0089] Step 1, Installation and Commissioning: Install the external closed-loop heat exchanger onto the air inlet of the outdoor unit of the air conditioner using a fixed bracket, ensuring alignment with the air inlet; connect one end of the inlet water pipe to the outlet water pipe of the water treatment unit, and the other end to the input end of the heat exchange tube bundle, and install the filter device and control valve; connect one end of the outlet water pipe to the output end of the heat exchange tube bundle, and the other end to the external water supply network, and check the sealing of the entire closed water flow channel to prevent leakage;

[0090] Step 2, cold source introduction: Open the control valve, and the low-temperature water source output from the water treatment unit's outlet pipe enters the heat exchange tube bundle of the external closed heat exchanger through the inlet pipe and filter device. The water flows in the closed heat exchange tube bundle and does not come into contact with the outside air.

[0091] Step 3, Closed-loop heat exchange: When the outdoor unit of the air conditioner is running, the outdoor air flows through the outside of the external closed-loop heat exchanger and indirectly exchanges heat with the low-temperature water source in the heat exchange tube bundle. The coldness in the water source is transferred to the outdoor air, reducing the intake air temperature of the outdoor unit. During the heat exchange process, the water source only flows in the heat exchange tube bundle, without evaporation or spraying, thus preventing water source pollution.

[0092] Step 4, cascaded water use: The water after heat exchange is transported through the outlet pipeline to the water use points of the external water supply network for daily life and production use, realizing the cascaded use of water resources and avoiding waste of water resources;

[0093] Step 5, Load Adjustment: Based on the operating load of the outdoor unit of the air conditioner, the outdoor ambient temperature, and the water source temperature, the water flow rate is adjusted by controlling the valve. When the outdoor temperature is too high or the air conditioner load is large, the water flow rate is increased to improve the heat exchange effect; when the air conditioner is turned off or the load is small, the water flow rate is reduced or the control valve is closed to save water resources.

[0094] Step 6, Maintenance: Regularly clean impurities from the filter, check the sealing of the heat exchange tube bundle and the cleanliness of the heat dissipation fins to ensure stable operation of the device.

[0095] Example 3

[0096] This embodiment provides an external closed-loop water source precooling energy-saving device, which is suitable for sewage treatment plants.

[0097] In this embodiment, the sewage treatment plant is located in the southern region, with a cooling period of 8-10 months. It has a continuous low-temperature municipal sewage pipeline supply and a large sewage treatment capacity (average daily water consumption of over 500 tons). The air conditioning system adopts a multi-split system with 12 outdoor units, all installed on the roof.

[0098] The external closed-loop water source precooling energy-saving device includes 12 modular external closed-loop heat exchangers (corresponding one-to-one with each multi-split outdoor unit), inlet water pipes, outlet water pipes, fixed brackets, electromagnetic control valves, and filtration devices.

[0099] The external closed-loop heat exchanger uses copper tube heat exchanger bundles with aluminum heat dissipation fins on the surface of the tube bundles. The arrangement of the heat exchanger bundles is consistent with the air inlet direction of the multi-split outdoor unit, and the dimensions match the air inlet of the outdoor unit (1.2m long and 0.8m wide). The fixing bracket uses adjustable angle steel brackets. The bracket angle is adjusted according to the installation height and position of the outdoor unit on the roof to ensure that the heat exchanger is precisely aligned with the air inlet of the outdoor unit, with the spacing controlled at 10-15cm, so as not to affect the air intake of the outdoor unit.

[0100] The water inlet pipeline uses PPR pipes, and the input end is connected to the municipal water supply network of the shopping mall. A Y-type filter device (filtration accuracy of 50μm) is installed at the connection to filter out mud and impurities in the tap water. Each heat exchanger on the water inlet pipeline is equipped with a corresponding electromagnetic control valve. The electromagnetic control valve is linked with the multi-split air conditioning system and can automatically adjust the water flow rate according to the operating status of the multi-split air conditioning system.

[0101] The outlet pipeline uses PPR pipes, and the output end is connected to the external water supply network of the sewage treatment plant to transport the heat-exchanged sewage to water points such as shopping mall restrooms, air conditioning water supply, and fire-fighting water.

[0102] The heat exchange tube bundle uses seamless copper tubes with a diameter of 20mm and a wall thickness of 1.5mm. The heat dissipation fin spacing is 8mm, which increases the heat exchange area and ensures heat exchange efficiency.

[0103] The application method of the device in this embodiment is as follows:

[0104] Step 1, Installation and Commissioning: Install the 12 external closed-loop heat exchangers onto the air inlet of each multi-split unit's outdoor unit using fixed brackets. Adjust the bracket positions to ensure the heat exchangers are aligned with the air inlets. Connect the inlet and outlet water pipes, install the filter and solenoid control valve, and conduct a water pressure test on the entire closed-loop water flow channel (test pressure 0.6MPa, pressure held for 30 minutes with no leakage). Link the solenoid control valve with the multi-split unit's control system and debug the flow regulation function.

[0105] Step 2, Cold source introduction: During the summer cooling season, the electromagnetic control valve is turned on. The treated wastewater is filtered by the Y-type filter device and then enters the copper tube heat exchanger bundle of the external closed heat exchanger. The water flow velocity is controlled at 0.8-1.2m / s to ensure sufficient heat exchange.

[0106] Step 3, Closed-loop heat exchange: When the multi-split unit is running, outdoor air flows through the outside of the heat exchanger and indirectly exchanges heat with the low-temperature tap water inside the copper pipes (the temperature of municipal tap water in summer is about 18-22℃). This reduces the air temperature from 35-40℃ to 28-32℃. The cooled air then enters the outdoor unit of the multi-split unit, lowering the condenser's inlet air temperature. During the heat exchange process, the treated wastewater only flows inside the copper pipes and does not come into contact with the air. There is no evaporation or spraying, thus preventing water source pollution.

[0107] Step 4, cascaded water use: The wastewater after heat exchange (temperature increased by 2-4℃, about 20-26℃) is transported to various water use points in the external pipe network of the wastewater treatment plant through the effluent pipeline, which fully meets the daily water use needs and realizes the cascaded utilization of water source;

[0108] Step 5, Load Adjustment: When the outdoor temperature exceeds 38℃ and the multi-split unit is running at full load, the electromagnetic control valve automatically increases the water flow rate to 1.2m / s to improve the heat exchange effect; when some units of the multi-split unit are shut down or the load is low, the electromagnetic control valve automatically reduces the water flow rate to 0.8m / s to save water resources; when the shopping mall closes at night and the air conditioner is turned off, the electromagnetic control valve automatically closes to stop the water supply.

[0109] Step 6, Maintenance: Clean the impurities in the Y-type filter weekly, and check the sealing of the heat exchange tube bundle and the cleanliness of the heat dissipation fins monthly. If dust accumulates on the fins, use a high-pressure air gun to blow and clean them to ensure stable operation of the device.

[0110] According to the test results, in this embodiment, the average intake air temperature of the outdoor unit of the multi-split air conditioner is reduced by 7°C, the COP value of the air conditioning system is increased by 21%, the daily power consumption of the shopping mall's air conditioning is reduced by 18%, and the tap water utilization rate reaches 100%, with no water waste. Moreover, the water quality meets the municipal drinking water standards, which fully meets the needs of the shopping mall for large water consumption and long cooling time.

[0111] Example 4

[0112] This embodiment provides an external closed-loop water source precooling energy-saving device, which is suitable for surface water stations.

[0113] In this embodiment, the surface water station is located in the southern region, with a cooling period of 9 months. It uses low-temperature water from the bottom of the river (well water temperature is maintained at 16-20℃ all year round), and has a daily water treatment capacity of more than 300 tons. The air conditioning system uses an air source heat pump unit, with the outdoor unit installed in the open space behind the water station.

[0114] The external closed-loop water source precooling energy-saving device includes 8 modular external closed-loop heat exchangers (one corresponding to the outdoor unit of the air source heat pump), inlet water pipes, outlet water pipes, fixed brackets, electromagnetic control valves and filter devices.

[0115] The external closed-loop heat exchanger uses stainless steel heat exchange tube bundles (corrosion resistant and meeting the requirements for return water quality). The surface of the tube bundles is equipped with copper heat dissipation fins, the size of which matches the air inlet of the outdoor unit of the air source heat pump (1.0m long and 0.7m wide). The mounting bracket is made of stainless steel and is height adjustable to ensure that the heat exchanger is aligned with the air inlet of the outdoor unit and does not affect the heat dissipation of the outdoor unit.

[0116] The inlet pipe connects to the surface water inlet pipe, and a precision filter (filtration accuracy 30μm) is installed at the input end to remove impurities such as silt and microorganisms from the water; the electromagnetic control valve is linked with the air source heat pump control system to adjust the water flow rate according to the heat pump operating load;

[0117] The outlet pipe connects to the return pipe, returning the water to the original river channel. The surface water after heat exchange flows directly back to the original river channel, and testing shows that the water quality meets the surface water return water quality standards.

[0118] The application method of the device in this embodiment is basically the same as that in embodiment 3. The difference is that the cold source is low-temperature water from the bottom of the river, which has a lower water temperature and better heat exchange effect. According to the test, the average air intake temperature of the outdoor unit of the air source heat pump is reduced by 9°C, the COP value of the heat pump system is increased by 27%, the daily power consumption of the hospital air conditioner is reduced by 23%, the energy saving effect is significant, and at the same time, it meets the strict requirements of the return water for water quality.

[0119] The above description is merely a preferred embodiment of the present invention, but the scope of protection of the present invention is not limited thereto. Any variations or substitutions that can be easily conceived by those skilled in the art within the scope of the technology disclosed in the present invention should be included within the scope of protection of the present invention. Therefore, the scope of protection of the present invention should be determined by the scope of the claims. The information disclosed in the background section is intended only to enhance the understanding of the overall background technology of the present invention and should not be construed as an admission or implication in any way that such information constitutes prior art known to those skilled in the art.

Claims

1. A closed-loop water source pre-cooling energy-saving device externally mounted on an air conditioner outdoor unit, characterized in that, include: External closed-loop heat exchanger, inlet water pipe, outlet water pipe, mounting bracket, and control valves; among which, The external closed heat exchanger is installed on the air inlet of the outdoor unit of the air conditioner via a fixed bracket, and is set in a corresponding manner to the air inlet of the outdoor unit of the air conditioner. The external closed heat exchanger is equipped with a sealed heat exchange tube bundle inside. The inlet and outlet of the heat exchange tube bundle are connected to the inlet pipe and outlet pipe, respectively, forming a closed water flow channel. The inlet pipe is connected to the outlet pipe of the water treatment unit, which can introduce the low-temperature water source output from the outlet pipe of the water treatment unit into the heat exchange tube bundle. The outlet end of the water outlet pipe is connected to the external water supply network, which can transport the heat-exchanged tap water to the water point of the external water supply network or return the heat-exchanged surface water to the original system. The control valve is located on the water inlet pipe and can regulate the flow rate of water entering the heat exchange tube bundle.

2. The closed-loop water source pre-cooling energy-saving device externally mounted on the outdoor unit of an air conditioner according to claim 1, characterized in that, The external closed heat exchanger includes: a shell and the heat exchange tube bundle disposed within the shell; The heat exchange tube bundle has a closed water curtain structure on the outside.

3. The closed-loop water source pre-cooling energy-saving device for external use on an air conditioner outdoor unit according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The heat exchange tube bundle is made of copper or stainless steel tubes, and the surface of the heat exchange tube bundle is provided with heat dissipation fins. The arrangement of the heat exchange tube bundle matches the air intake direction of the outdoor unit of the air conditioner, so that the air intake of the outdoor unit of the air conditioner can flow evenly through the outside of the heat exchange tube bundle.

4. The closed-loop water source pre-cooling energy-saving device for external use on an air conditioner outdoor unit according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The dimensions of the external closed heat exchanger are adapted to the dimensions of the air inlet of the outdoor unit of the air conditioner.

5. The closed-loop water source pre-cooling energy-saving device for external use on an air conditioner outdoor unit according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The fixed bracket adopts an adjustable structure, which can adjust the installation position of the external closed heat exchanger at the air inlet of the air conditioner outdoor unit, so that the external closed heat exchanger is precisely aligned with the air inlet of the air conditioner outdoor unit.

6. The closed-loop water source pre-cooling energy-saving device for external use on an air conditioner outdoor unit according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The connection between the water inlet pipeline and the municipal water supply network or the water outlet pipeline of the self-supplied well is equipped with a filter device that can filter impurities in the water source.

7. The closed-loop water source pre-cooling energy-saving device for external use on an air conditioner outdoor unit according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The control valve is an electromagnetic control valve that communicates with the control system of the outdoor unit of the air conditioner and can automatically adjust the water flow rate according to the operating status of the outdoor unit.

8. A method for applying the external closed-loop water source precooling energy-saving device according to any one of claims 1-7, characterized in that, Includes the following steps: Step 1, Installation and Debugging: Install the external closed-loop heat exchanger of the external closed-loop water source precooling energy-saving device outside the air inlet of the air conditioner outdoor unit using a fixed bracket, and align it with the air inlet; connect one end of the water inlet pipe of the external closed-loop water source precooling energy-saving device to the outlet pipe of the water treatment unit, and the other end to the input end of the heat exchange tube bundle inside the external closed-loop heat exchanger, and install a control valve on the water inlet pipe; connect one end of the water outlet pipe of the external closed-loop water source precooling energy-saving device to the output end of the heat exchange tube bundle, and the other end to the external water supply network to form a closed water flow channel, and check the sealing of the entire closed water flow channel to avoid water leakage; Step 2, cold source introduction: Open the control valve, and the low-temperature water source output from the water treatment unit's outlet pipe enters the heat exchange tube bundle of the external closed heat exchanger through the inlet pipe. The water flows in the closed heat exchange tube bundle and does not come into contact with the outside air. Step 3, Closed-loop heat exchange: When the outdoor unit of the air conditioner is running, outdoor air flows into the outdoor unit from the outside of the external closed-loop heat exchanger and indirectly exchanges heat with the low-temperature water source in the heat exchange tube bundle. The coldness in the low-temperature water source is transferred to the outdoor air, reducing the intake air temperature of the outdoor unit. During the heat exchange process, the low-temperature water source only flows in the heat exchange tube bundle, without evaporation or spraying, to avoid water source pollution. Step 4, cascaded water use: After heat exchange, tap water or surface water is transported through outlet pipelines to water use points in the external water supply network, where it is used for daily life and production, thus realizing the cascaded utilization of water resources.

9. The application method of the external closed-loop water source precooling energy-saving device according to claim 8, characterized in that, Step 1 also includes: installing a filter device on the water inlet pipe to filter the water entering the heat exchange tube bundle; In step 2, the water flow velocity within the heat exchange tube bundle is 0.8–1.2 m / s.

10. The application method of the external closed-loop water source precooling energy-saving device according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that, Step 4 is followed by: Step 5, Load Adjustment: Based on the operating load of the outdoor unit of the air conditioner, the outdoor ambient temperature, and the water source temperature, the water flow rate is adjusted by controlling the valve. When the outdoor temperature is higher than the preset value or the air conditioner load is greater than the preset value, the water flow rate is increased to improve the heat exchange effect; when the air conditioner is turned off or the load is less than the preset value, the water flow rate is reduced or the control valve is closed to save water resources. Step 6, Maintenance: Regularly clean impurities from the filter, check the sealing of the heat exchange tube bundle and the cleanliness of the heat dissipation fins, and maintain stable operation of the device.

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