Self-contained marine air conditioning unit, air-conditioning system, and method of installation
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a lack of innovative solutions for self-contained marine air conditioning units that facilitate easy do-it-yourself installation, provide corrosion resistance, and offer efficient cooling in demanding marine environments, with existing technologies being limited in configurability and maintenance.
Innovation Solution
A self-contained marine air conditioning unit with a 270-degree rotatable blower assembly, titanium condenser coil, stainless steel frame base, and a universal control board, designed for easy installation and compatibility with third-party systems, utilizing a seawater cooling circuit and refrigerant circuit for efficient cooling, and incorporating sound and vibration dampening elements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a fixed orientation air conditioning unit is used, then the mounting location is simplified, but the watercraft must be rearranged to accommodate the unit
Solution Approach 1:
The blower assembly is made rotatable about a vertical axis, allowing it to change orientation dynamically. The blower can be rotated to different angles (e.g., 0°, 45°, 90°, 135°) to direct airflow toward different locations in the watercraft cabin, providing mounting flexibility without requiring watercraft rearrangement.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a band clamp is used to fasten the blower duct, then omnidirectional adjustment is allowed, but securement limitations exist
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting system is divided into separate functional components: a rotatable blower assembly with vertical axis rotation, a duct connection mechanism with horizontal adjustment capability, and a securement system using clamps or fasteners. This segmentation allows each component to optimize its specific function while working together as a integrated system.
3Reliability
If standard materials are used for the condenser coil, then cost is reduced, but corrosion resistance in marine environments deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The condenser coil is constructed from titanium, a corrosion-resistant material that forms a protective oxide layer. This material choice provides exceptional durability in marine environments while maintaining heat transfer efficiency. The titanium construction addresses the corrosion resistance requirement despite increased manufacturing complexity compared to standard materials.
4Ease of operation
If a do-it-yourself installation system is implemented, then installation ease is improved, but system complexity for ensuring proper installation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The air conditioning unit is pre-assembled with the blower, ductwork, and mounting brackets configured during manufacturing. The blower is pre-positioned on the vertical axis, and all necessary connection points and fasteners are prepared in advance. This preliminary configuration allows the installer to simply mount the complete unit without complex assembly steps, reducing installation difficulty while maintaining configuration flexibility.
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 solution enables quiet, powerful, and efficient cooling with easy installation and long-lasting corrosion-proof performance, suitable for both new installations and replacements, addressing the limitations of existing marine air conditioning units by providing a versatile and user-friendly system.
Implementation Method 1
a refrigerant circuit including a reverse valve connecting the compressor, the evaporator, and a refrigerant tube thermally engaged with the titanium condenser coil. This thermal engagement allows for a thermal transfer between the temperature of the refrigerant in the tube and the seawater in the titanium condenser coil.
Implementation Method 2
a blower assembly for moving air through the cooling parts of the air conditioning unit. The blower assembly is mounted in communication with said evaporator, wherein said blower assembly may pull air through said evaporator.
Implementation Method 3
incorporating sound and vibration dampening elements
Data Source
AI summary
A do-it-yourself-friendly self-contained marine air conditioning unit, marine air conditioning system, and method for installation is disclosed. The unit includes a seawater cooling circuit, a refrigerant circuit, and a blower assembly. The refrigerant circuit includes a reverse valve connecting a compressor, an evaporator, and a refrigerant tube thermally engaged with a titanium condenser coil. The seawater cooling circuit includes the titanium condenser coil. The titanium condenser coil has a titanium condenser coil outflow and a titanium condenser coil inflow. The blower assembly is mounted in communication with the evaporator, wherein the blower assembly may pull air through the evaporator. This blower is capable of achieving up to 270-degrees of rotation about a single axis. The system also includes a universal controller to allow for optimal integration with existing systems.