Condensate Transfer Systems for Self-Contained Heat Pump Room Conditioning Units
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Solution Overview
Problem
Self-contained room conditioning units with heat pumps face issues such as condensate dripping, leading to icicle formation and reduced heat exchanger efficiency due to outdoor coil dirtiness, which requires frequent cleaning.
Innovation Solution
A condensate removal system that collects and disperses condensate via nozzles or spray bars, preventing dripping and cleaning the outdoor coil by pumping condensate to disperse it efficiently on the coil, reducing icicle formation and cleaning frequency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If condensate is permitted to drip out of the outdoor portion of the conditioning unit, then the system structure remains simple, but icicles or ice sheets form from the dripping condensate in colder climates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent redirects the harmful dripping condensate to a beneficial use by spraying it onto the outdoor heat exchanger coil for cleaning. The condensate that would otherwise form icicles is instead utilized as a cleaning agent to remove dirt and debris from the coil surface, converting a harmful byproduct into a useful function that maintains heat exchanger efficiency
2Ease of operation
If the outdoor heat exchanger coil is left to accumulate dirt over time, then the system requires less maintenance intervention, but heat transferability deteriorates and energy efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-maintenance by automatically cleaning the outdoor heat exchanger coil using the condensate it generates during operation. The condensate is pumped and sprayed onto the coil to remove accumulated dirt, allowing the system to maintain its own performance without requiring external maintenance intervention, thus preserving energy efficiency while reducing maintenance burden
3Adaptability or versatility
If the outdoor heat exchanger coil is positioned suspended outside the window for exposure to elements, then the unit can function as a self-contained room conditioner, but the coil becomes difficult and cumbersome to clean
Solution Approach 1:
The outdoor heat exchanger coil cleans itself by receiving sprayed condensate that flows onto its surface from the indoor portion. This self-cleaning mechanism eliminates the need for manual access to the suspended coil, allowing the unit to maintain self-contained operation while automatically addressing the cleaning difficulty associated with the outdoor coil's exposed position
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
Prevents icicle formation and enhances heat exchanger efficiency by effectively managing condensate, reducing the need for manual coil cleaning.
Implementation Method 1
a pump configured to pump the condensate from the indoor base pan to the outdoor portion
Implementation Method 2
a water dispersing mechanism disposed at the outdoor portion and configured to disperse the condensate onto the outdoor heat exchanging coil
Implementation Method 3
an outdoor heat exchanging coil configured to exchange heat with air passing over the outdoor heat exchanging coil
Implementation Method 4
a refrigerant flowing through the indoor heat exchanging coil and the outdoor heat exchanging coil
Data Source
AI summary
An air conditioning unit for use in an opening of a building. The air conditioning unit includes an indoor portion configured to be position on an internal portion of the building and having an indoor heat exchanging coil, an outdoor portion configured to be position on an external portion of the building and having an outdoor heat exchanging coil, a pump, tubing connected to the pump, and a water dispersing device. The pump and the tubing may be configured to pump condensate from one of the indoor portion and the outdoor portion to the water dispersing device disposed at the other of the outdoor portion and the indoor portion such that the water dispersing device disperses the condensate about an area of the other of the outdoor portion and the indoor portion.