Air cooling unit
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Solution Overview
Problem
Air conditioning and cooling for outdoor areas face challenges due to moving air currents, thermal transfer, and lack of containment, making it difficult to provide efficient cooling in such environments.
Innovation Solution
The development of modular cooling units that include a base with control components, a cooling tower, and an air distribution system, which uses water cooling to generate conditioned air and can be customized for efficient air distribution, incorporating features like ducts, diffuser chambers, and a water treatment module for effective cooling and air management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If traditional air conditioning is used for outdoor areas, then cooling can be provided, but efficiency is reduced due to moving air currents, thermal transfer, and lack of containment
Solution Approach 1:
The air distribution system is divided into multiple enclosures (first enclosure, second enclosure) with separate air streams for cool and warm air. This segmentation allows independent control and optimization of each air stream, improving overall cooling efficiency while reducing energy loss to the environment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs enclosures with controlled permeability and thermal properties to contain and direct air streams. These flexible boundary structures create contained cooling zones that reduce thermal transfer to surrounding areas while allowing targeted air distribution, thereby improving cooling efficiency in outdoor environments.
2Adaptability or versatility
If modular cooling units are used, then adaptability to various environmental conditions is improved, but device complexity increases due to multiple components including base, cooling tower, and air distribution system
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling unit is divided into modular components (base with control components, cooling tower, air distribution system) that can be independently configured and adjusted. This segmentation enables adaptability to different environmental conditions while maintaining manageable complexity through standardized interfaces and modular assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The modular design allows dynamic reconfiguration of the system components based on environmental conditions and cooling requirements. The separate enclosures and ducts can be adjusted or repositioned to optimize performance for different outdoor settings, providing versatility without requiring complete system redesign.
3Use of energy by moving object
If water cooling is used, then energy efficiency is improved, but reliability is reduced due to need for water treatment and potential contamination
Solution Approach 1:
The water treatment module is integrated into the cooling system to automatically treat and maintain the cooling water. This self-service approach ensures continuous reliable operation by addressing water quality issues internally, allowing the system to maintain high energy efficiency through water cooling without compromising reliability due to contamination or equipment failure.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
These modular cooling units provide efficient and customizable cooling solutions for outdoor areas, creating comfortable zones with controlled air distribution and energy efficiency, while also being adaptable to various environmental conditions.
Implementation Method 1
a cooling tower attached to the base at a first end of the cooling tower, the cooling tower having an inner flow path and an exterior surface
Implementation Method 2
water cooling to generate conditioned air
Implementation Method 3
a water treatment module is connected to the cooling unit water supply to treat the cooling water. In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, further embodiments of the cooling units may include that water treatment module comprises at least one filter to remove contaminates from the cooling water.
Implementation Method 4
a plurality of ducts connecting the cooling tower to at least one of the cool air dispenser and the warm air dispenser
Data Source
AI summary
Cooling units are provided. The cooling units include a base having a housing with control components and a cooling tower attached to the base and having an inner flow path and an exterior surface. An air distribution system is attached to the cooling tower and includes an air distribution chamber defined between first and second enclosures, air dispensers are configured in the first enclosure, and a cover is disposed on an exterior surface of the second enclosure. The control components are configured to convey air through the base, the cooling tower, and the air distribution system to dispense air through the cool air dispenser and the warm air dispenser. A cooling unit water supply is arranged to provide cooling water to the air distribution system through the cooling tower and a water treatment module connected to the cooling unit water supply to treat the cooling water.