Modular Outdoor Air Cooling Unit with Dual-Temperature Distribution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cooling technologies face challenges in efficiently cooling outdoor areas due to factors like moving air currents, thermal transfer, and lack of containment, making it difficult to provide effective cooling in such environments.
Innovation Solution
The development of modular and customizable 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 distribute it through cool and warm air dispensers, along with a ducting system and optional features like a water treatment module and thermal insulating layer, to create a cooled area around the unit.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional cooling technologies are used in outdoor areas, then cooling capacity can be provided, but efficiency deteriorates due to moving air currents, thermal transfer, and lack of containment
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling system is divided into separate functional modules: a cooling tower for refrigerant condensation, an air distribution system with enclosures for controlled air release, and a base unit with controls. This segmentation allows each component to optimize its function while reducing overall energy loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The air distribution system uses enclosures with controlled openings to contain and direct cooled air. These flexible containment structures prevent uncontrolled thermal transfer and maintain cooling efficiency in outdoor environments by managing air flow boundaries.
2Ease of operation
If modular cooling units are designed for outdoor areas, then ease of installation and reconfiguration is improved, but device complexity increases due to multiple integrated components
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling unit is designed as modular segments (base, cooling tower, air distribution system) that can be independently manufactured and assembled. This reduces installation complexity while maintaining functional integration, as each module has a defined purpose and connection interface.
Solution Approach 2:
The base unit serves multiple functions: housing control components, supporting the cooling tower, managing water circulation, and providing structural stability. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components needed, simplifying the overall system despite its capabilities.
3Productivity
If water cooling systems are implemented, then cooling efficiency is improved, but water loss and maintenance requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling tower system recycles condensation water and uses drift eliminators to capture and return water droplets to the circulation system. This recovery mechanism minimizes water loss while maintaining continuous cooling operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates automatic water level sensors and circulation pumps that maintain optimal water levels and flow rates without manual intervention. This self-regulating capability reduces maintenance requirements while preserving cooling efficiency.
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 cooling units efficiently provide cooled areas in outdoor settings, offering energy-efficient and modular solutions that can be easily installed and reconfigured, while also incorporating features like solar power and air purification, enhancing comfort and energy neutrality.
Implementation Method 1
cooling tower... to generate conditioned air
Implementation Method 2
cooling tower... to generate conditioned air
Implementation Method 3
thermal insulating layer applied to the air distribution system
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 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, a cool air dispenser configured in the first enclosure, a warm air dispenser configured in the first enclosure at a location different from the cool air dispenser, and a cover 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 and a plurality of ducts connect the cooling tower to at least one of the cool air dispenser and the warm air dispenser.