Wind baffle with multiple, variable air vents for an air-conditioner
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional wind guards for air-conditioning systems are fixed and one-size-fits-all, failing to provide optimal protection from wind and varying weather conditions, leading to inefficiencies in heat exchange and system stability, especially at low temperatures and high winds.
Innovation Solution
A variable wind baffle system with adjustable air vents, including block-off plates, louvers, and removable slats, that can be configured to control airflow and adapt to different wind directions and intensities, and an automated control circuit to optimize airflow based on wind direction and system needs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If fixed wind guards are installed to protect from wind, then wind protection is provided, but flexibility and adaptability to different weather conditions are lost
Solution Approach 1:
The wind guard incorporates movable panels that can be adjusted between different positions (open, closed, or intermediate) to dynamically adapt to varying wind conditions. This allows the same device to provide different levels of wind protection depending on the weather, resolving the contradiction between providing wind protection and maintaining adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The wind guard is divided into multiple separate panels that can be independently adjusted. Each panel can be positioned differently to optimize protection for specific wind directions and intensities, providing both wind protection and adaptability through modular configuration.
2Productivity
If wind guards restrict airflow to refrigerant coils, then heat exchange efficiency improves at low temperatures, but system stability deteriorates due to excessive heat rejection
Solution Approach 1:
The wind guard allows adjustment of airflow parameters by changing panel positions. This enables optimization of the balance between heat exchange efficiency and system stability by controlling the amount of airflow restricted, rather than applying fixed restriction that compromises either efficiency or stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The wind guard provides partial airflow restriction rather than complete blockage, allowing sufficient airflow to maintain system stability while providing enough restriction to improve heat exchange efficiency at low temperatures. The adjustable panels enable finding the optimal partial restriction level.
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 variable wind baffle system enhances the efficiency of air-conditioning systems by optimizing airflow and minimizing wind impact, improving heat exchange and system stability across varying weather conditions, thereby enhancing overall performance.
Implementation Method 1
wind blowing against surface of the refrigerant coil can exacerbate the negative affect that a drop in ambient air temperature below 23° F. (−5° C.) has on system stability and capacity
Implementation Method 2
exchange heat between a refrigerant coil and the outdoor air
Implementation Method 3
heat pumps operate by drawing heat out of the ambient outdoor air
Data Source
AI summary
A wind baffle operable to control air movement to an air inlet of an air-conditioner, the wind baffle comprising: a frame defining an inlet side, an outdoor side opposite the inlet side, and a plurality of wall sections between the inlet side and the outdoor side; a back plate formed on the outdoor side; a first variable air vent formed on a first wall section and being configured to selectively pass or restrict a first air flow through the first variable air vent; a second variable air vent formed on a second wall section and being configured to selectively pass or restrict a second air flow through the second variable air vent; and a securing mechanism on the inlet side configured to attach the wind baffle to the air inlet such that the inlet side faces the air inlet, wherein the inlet side is unobstructed, allowing air to pass freely.