Air conditioner condenser unit
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional outdoor air conditioning systems with direct air cooling of refrigerant condensers are inefficient and energy-wasting, especially in hot ambient conditions, leading to excessive warm refrigerant transmission to indoor units.
Innovation Solution
Incorporation of evaporative cooling panels and chilled water reservoir within the outdoor condenser unit to provide dual modes of refrigerant cooling: evaporative air cooling and direct water cooling, enhancing heat exchange efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If direct air cooling mode is used for condenser coils, then the system structure is simple, but heat exchange efficiency deteriorates in hot ambient conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines direct air cooling and evaporative cooling modes into a single hybrid system. The condenser unit integrates both cooling mechanisms, allowing the system to merge the simplicity of direct air cooling with the efficiency of evaporative cooling, particularly during hot ambient conditions when evaporative cooling is activated.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically changes operating parameters by switching between pure air cooling mode and hybrid evaporative-air cooling mode based on ambient temperature conditions. When ambient temperature is high, the evaporative cooling parameter is activated to improve heat exchange efficiency; when ambient temperature is low, the system reverts to simple air cooling mode.
2Ease of operation
If direct air cooling mode is used for condenser coils, then the system operation is simple, but refrigerant cooling efficiency deteriorates in hot ambient conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The hybrid cooling system operates autonomously by automatically selecting the appropriate cooling mode based on ambient temperature sensors. The control system self-adjusts between air cooling and evaporative cooling modes without requiring manual intervention, maintaining simple operation while optimizing refrigerant cooling efficiency according to environmental conditions.
3Loss of energy
If evaporative cooling panels are added to the condenser unit, then refrigerant cooling efficiency improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The condenser unit is segmented into distinct functional zones: the air cooling section with condenser coils and the evaporative cooling section with water-saturated panels. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently, improving overall refrigerant cooling efficiency while maintaining a modular structure that manages complexity through functional separation.
4Loss of energy
If evaporative cooling panels are added to the condenser unit, then heat exchange efficiency improves, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The evaporative cooling panels serve multiple functions: they cool the ambient air that passes over the condenser coils, they pre-cool the air before it reaches the refrigerant, and they can be integrated with the water drainage system of the air conditioner. This multi-functionality justifies the increased manufacturing complexity by providing enhanced heat exchange efficiency and additional cooling capabilities.
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
The dual cooling methods significantly improve refrigerant cooling efficiency, reducing energy consumption and ensuring effective phase change from gas to liquid, even in high ambient temperatures.
Implementation Method 1
evaporative cooling panels which allow the refrigerant cooling air flow to additionally perform evaporative cooling prior to the air's passage over the unit's condenser coil
Implementation Method 2
Hot compressor driven gaseous refrigerant is cooled by the air which courses over the condenser coils. As a result of such air flow effected cooling, the refrigerant undergoes a phase change from gas to liquid within the inner channels of the condenser coil
Implementation Method 3
the refrigerant undergoes a phase change from gas to liquid within the inner channels of the condenser coil
Data Source
AI summary
An air conditioner condenser unit incorporating a refrigerant compressor having an output port communicating with an output tube; having a matrix of refrigerant condensing tubes with an input port communicating with the refringent compressor's output tube; having a plurality of evaporative cooling panels which outwardly overlie the matrix of refrigerant condensing tubes; having a blower positioned for inwardly drawing air through the evaporative cooling panels, and toward the matrix of refrigerant condensing tubes; and having a water reservoir for supplying water to the evaporative cooling panels, the water reservoir housing a submersible water pump and receiving a lower end of the refrigerant condensing tubes.