Kit suitable for installation in an air conditioning system

Abstract

The invention relates to a kit suitable for installation in an air conditioning system, characterised in that it comprises: water-spraying means (2); a water supply conduit (3), designed to supply water to the water-spraying means (2); and a control system (4) for controlling the water-spraying means (2), wherein the control system (4) comprises flow detection means (5) for detecting air driven by a fan of a condenser (6) of the air conditioning system, the control system (4) being configured such that it activates the water-spraying means (2) when the flow detection means (5) detect an air speed greater than a predetermined threshold and deactivates the water-spraying means (2) when the flow detection means (5) detect an air speed less than a predetermined threshold, wherein the flow detection means (5) and the water-spraying means (2) are designed to be temporarily attached to an exterior part of the condenser (6).

Description

[0001] KIT SUITABLE FOR INSTALLATION IN AN AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM

[0002] DESCRIPTION

[0003]

[0004] The invention is situated in the field of air conditioning systems.

[0005] More specifically, the invention relates to a kit suitable for installation in an air conditioning system.

[0006] State of the art

[0007] Conventional air conditioning systems consist of a compressor, a condenser, an expansion valve, an evaporator, and a refrigerant, which operate as described below. The refrigerant enters the compressor as a low-pressure, low-temperature gas. The compressor compresses it, converting the refrigerant into a high-pressure, high-temperature gas. The hot, pressurized refrigerant then flows to the condenser, where it releases heat to the surrounding environment. As it releases heat, the refrigerant changes state from a high-pressure, high-temperature gas to a high-pressure liquid. The liquid refrigerant then passes through the expansion valve, where its pressure is reduced. This causes a drop in temperature, transforming the refrigerant into a low-pressure, low-temperature liquid and vapor.Finally, the cold, low-pressure refrigerant enters the evaporator, where it absorbs heat from the environment, thus becoming a low-pressure, low-temperature gas again.

[0008] In hot climates, the ambient temperature outside the condenser is high, forcing the air conditioning system to work harder. This increases the system's electricity consumption and reduces its efficiency and lifespan. Therefore, there is a need for an air conditioning kit that improves the system's operating conditions, thereby increasing its efficiency and lifespan. PCT / ES2025 / 000028

[0009]

[0010] Based on the invention defined in the main claim, preferred embodiments have been provided, the characteristics of which are set out in the dependent claims.

[0011] Preferably, the flow detection means is a vane configured to be removably fixed to an external part of the condenser and configured to be displaced when an airflow generated by the condenser fan strikes it. This is a simple and robust way to detect airflow. The vane is connected to a spring pre-tensioned to a desired tension, so that when the airflow strikes the vane, it is displaced and exerts pressure on the spring.

[0012] This movement activates an internal switch, closing an electrical circuit to operate the water spray system. When the airflow ceases, the vane returns to its resting position thanks to the spring, thus opening the electrical circuit to stop the water spray system.

[0013] tea

[0014] Preferably, the kit comprises a water tank with at least one water inlet, through which the water to fill the tank is supplied, and an outlet in fluid communication, via said water supply conduit, with said water spraying means, such that the water sprayed by said water spraying means originates from said water tank. More preferably, the water tank comprises a drain outlet to allow water to be evacuated if the volume of water in the tank exceeds a predetermined limit. This water drain outlet may be fluidly connected to the drainage conduit of the building where the air conditioning system is installed. Furthermore, the water inlet of the tank may be an opening through which a user manually pours water into the tank or may be connected to the building's water supply network.More preferably, the tank comprises multiple water inlets, so that it can be filled in various ways, such as manually and via the household water supply. Even more preferably, the water from the tank is supplied to the spraying devices by a pump, although gravity supply is also an option.

[0015] Preferably, the kit includes means for collecting condensate water from an evaporator of the air conditioning system, said condensate collection means being in fluid communication with the water tank. In this way, the water from

[0016]

[0017] The invention also encompasses other detailed features illustrated in the description

[0018]

[0019] Fig. 1 shows a block diagram of an air conditioning system installation with a kit according to a first embodiment of the invention.

[0020] Fig. 2 shows a perspective view of a kit according to the invention.

[0021] Fig. 3 shows a front perspective view of the kit in Figure 2 installed on a capacitor.

[0022] Fig. 4 shows a rear perspective view of the kit in Figure 2 installed on a condenser.

[0023] Fig. 5 shows a side view of the kit in Figure 2 mounted on a capacitor, wherein the capacitor is supported on a wall.

[0024]

[0025] "! My

[0026] Figures 1 to 5 show one embodiment of a kit suitable for installation in an air conditioning system according to the invention.

[0027] The kit suitable for installation in an air conditioning system comprises water spraying means 2, a water supply conduit 3, and a control system 4 for the water spraying means 2. The control system 4 comprises flow detection means 5, which are a vane. In this case, the vane is paddle-shaped. The water supply conduit 3 is configured to supply water from a water tank 7 (shown only in Figure 1) to the water spraying means 2.

[0028] As can be seen in Figures 3 to 5, the flow sensing means 5 and the water spraying means 2 are removably attached to an outer part of a condenser 6 of an air conditioning system by means of a structure 12. As can be seen in Figures 2 to 5, this structure 12 is removably attached to the top of the condenser 6 by means of magnets 13 and has a first part, to which the water spraying means 2 are attached, and a second part, to which the flow sensing means 5, in this case the vane, is attached. The first and second parts of the structure 12 are secured to each other by means of an oblong hole system 16 with screws that allows adjustment of the distance at which the water spraying means 2 and the vane are positioned.

[0029] The kit operates as described below. When a user wants to cool a room in a building, they turn on the air conditioning system. The system begins to function. The refrigerant enters the compressor 14 as a low-pressure, low-temperature gas. The compressor compresses it, converting the refrigerant into a high-pressure, high-temperature gas. The hot, pressurized refrigerant then flows to the condenser 6, where it releases heat to the surrounding environment. As it releases heat, the refrigerant changes state from a high-pressure, high-temperature gas to a high-pressure liquid. The liquid refrigerant then passes through the expansion valve 15, where its pressure is reduced. This causes a drop in temperature, resulting in the refrigerant becoming a low-pressure, low-temperature liquid and vapor.Finally, the cold, low-pressure refrigerant enters evaporator 9, where it absorbs heat from the environment, thus becoming a low-pressure, low-temperature gas again. This cycle repeats continuously during the operation of the air conditioning system.

[0030] During operation of the air conditioning system, the condenser fan 6 begins to generate airflow. This airflow impacts the vane, and when the airflow velocity exceeds a predetermined threshold, the vane moves. This movement activates an internal switch, closing an electrical circuit to activate the water spray mechanism 2. The water spray mechanism 2 then begins to spray the incoming air of the condenser 6. This makes the heat exchange between the refrigerant and the environment more efficient. When the airflow impacting the vane falls below the predetermined threshold, the vane returns to its resting position, opening the electrical circuit and stopping the water spray mechanism 2.

[0031] As can be seen in the block diagram in Figure 1, the water supplied to the spraying means 2 comes from a water tank 7. In this first embodiment, the water tank 7 has two water inlets. On one hand, the first water inlet 17 is fluidly connected to condensate water collection means (not shown) from the evaporator 9, and to spray water collection means 10. In Figure 1, both the evaporator duct 20, which carries the condensate water from the evaporator 9 to the first water inlet 10, can be seen.

[0032]

[0033] Water inlet 17 of the reservoir, like the spray conduit 21, carries the water collected from the spray to the first water inlet 17 of reservoir 7. Before the water supplied through the first water inlet 17 enters water reservoir 7, a water filter 18 filters the water to be supplied. On the other hand, the second water inlet 18 is a lid-sealed opening for a user to manually supply water. In addition, water reservoir 7 has an outlet 19 in fluid communication, via the water supply conduit 3, with the water spraying means, so that the water sprayed by the water spraying means 2 comes from water reservoir 7. Another water filter 11 is arranged at the water outlet 19.

[0034] Additionally, water tank 7 has a water evacuation outlet (not shown) to evacuate water from water tank 7 when the volume of water inside it exceeds a set level.

[0035] As can also be seen in the block diagram in Figure 1, the water tank 7 has an ultraviolet light source 8 inside to disinfect the water that will be used by the water spraying means 2.

[0036] The following is another embodiment of the kit according to the invention, which shares many of the characteristics described in the preceding paragraphs. Therefore, only the differentiating elements will be described hereafter, while reference will be made to the description of the first embodiment for common elements.

[0037] In this second embodiment without representation, the kit suitable for installation in an air conditioning system does not include a water tank. In this case, the water supply pipe 3 is fluidly connected directly to the water supply of the building where the air conditioning system is installed.

[0038] The embodiments described so far are non-limiting examples, so that those skilled in the art will understand that beyond the examples shown, within the scope of the invention, multiple combinations of the claimed features are possible.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. Kit suitable for installation in an air conditioning system, characterized in that it comprises: some means of water spraying (2), - a water supply conduit (3), configured to supply water to said water spraying means (2), and a control system (4) for said water spraying means (2), wherein said control system (4) comprises flow detection means (5) for air driven by a fan of a condenser (6) of said air conditioning system, said control system (4) being configured so as to activate said water spraying means (2) when said flow detection means (5) detect an air velocity above a predetermined threshold and to stop said water spraying means (2) when said flow detection means (5) detect an air velocity below said predetermined threshold, and wherein said flow detection means (5) and said water spraying means (2) are configured to be removably fixed to an outer part of said condenser (6).

2. Kit according to claim 1, characterized in that said flow detection means (5) is a vane configured to be removably fixed to an outer part of said condenser (6), and configured to be displaced when an airflow generated by said fan of said condenser (6) impacts thereon 3. Kit according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a water tank (7) with an outlet in fluid communication, by means of said water supply conduit (3), with said water spraying means (2), such that the water sprayed by said water spraying means comes from said water tank (7), 4. Kit according to claim 3, characterized in that it comprises means for collecting condensate water from an evaporator (9) of said air conditioning system,

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