GB2192261A

GB2192261A - Liquid cooling apparatus

Info

Publication number: GB2192261A
Application number: GB08711180A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Tadeusz E Muryn
Original assignee: MKR HOLDINGS Ltd
Current assignee: MKR HOLDINGS Ltd
Priority date: 1986-06-09
Filing date: 1987-05-12
Publication date: 1988-01-06
Also published as: GB8711180D0; GB8613958D0

Abstract

A cooling apparatus for cooling at least some of the water of a domestic water supply, comprises cooling means including an evaporator 12 mounted in an insulated reservoir or tank 13 and thermostatically operative control means for detecting the temperature of water within the reservoir or tank and for automatically operating said cooling means when the temperature of such water exceeds a predetermined temperature. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Cooling apparatus and method This invention relates to a cooling apparatus particularly, but not exclusively, for cooling a domestic water supply such as for a shower installation, and to a method of cooling a domestic water supply.

In hot countries such as those in the Equatorial regions or the Middle East, the normal mains water supply can reach a temperature of from 40 to 50"C. This makes it unpleasant to drink and of course makes it impossible to take a cold bath or shower.

Chilled water dispensers are known but are capable only of cooling very small quantities of chilled water and would not be- able to produce anything like sufficient chilled water to meet the ordinary requirement of a domestic household.

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a cooling apparatus for cooling at least some of the water of a domestic water supply, which apparatus comprises cooling means and an insulated reservoir or tank operatively connected thereto, said reservoir being of sufficient capacity for its required purpose, and thermostatically operative control means for detecting the temperature of water within the reservoir or tank and for automatically operating said cooling means when the temperature of such water exceeds a predetermined temperature.

Any suitable cooling means may be employed, but preferably a gas or electrically-operated refrigeration unit is employed. Such a refrigeration unit may comprise a hermetically sealed compressor, an air-cooled condenser and an evaporator. Any suitable refrigerant fluid may be employed such as ammonia or dichlorodifluoromethane.

The reservoir or tank may comprise a copper cylinder, e.g. constructed from cold rolled copper sheet to British Standard B5 2870:1980, housed within an outer cabinet.

The insulation for the reservoir or tank may be any suitable insulating or lagging material but is preferably a polyurethane foam cast in situ between the reservoir or tank and the outer cabinet. The capacity of the reservoir or tank is suitably from 10 to 200 gallons.

The thermostatic control means may include a drnss-ambient thermostat mounted in the condenser unit which is itself mounted in the reservoir or tank. The thermostat may be set to operate at a predetermined temperature of e.g. 23-25"C.

In the case of an electrically operated refrigeration unit, an electrical isolating switch may be included in the apparatus to cut off electrical supply to the refrigeration unit.

In the case of reservoirs or tanks of relatively large capacity the cooling means may be located, not within the reservoir or tank as with those of relatively smaller capacity, but separately therefrom, in which case a water circulation pump may be provided for ciculating water between the reservoir or tank and the cooling means. It is to be understood that the aforesaid reservoir or tank of relatively large capacity may be an existing water cylinder.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of cooling at least some of a domestic water supply, which method comprises temporarily storing a quantity of water destined for use as at least some of a domestic water supply, detecting the temperature of said temporarily stored water, and cooling said temporarily stored water when said temperature detected exceeds a predetermined temperature.

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, by reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 A is an exploded perspective view of an embodiment of a cooling apparatus of the invention from an upper view point.

Figure 1B is a view similar to that of Figure IA but from a lower view point.

With reference to Figures 1A and 1B, the apparatus generally comprises a water cylinder 13 to BS699, e.g. of capacity 44 litres, formed from cold-rolled copper sheet and internally tinned, the tank having a water inlet 16 (fed from an elevated tank (not shown)), a water outlet 9 and a drain cock 14. The water tank 13 is preferably provided with an insulating jacket 11.

A refrigeration unit generally designated 20 is connected to the tank 13 and includes a compressor 1, preferably of hermetic internally wound construction, the compressor being connected to an evaporator 12, formed as a tinned copper tube disposed within the water cylinder 13, spaced with copper spacers, for cooling the water, a condenser 2 of air-cooled multiple row type construction with an extended secondary surface and a drier of pencil-type molecular seive construction. A fan 3.

powered by a fan motor 4 is disposed adjacent the condenser 2 for dispelling heat generated therefrom. The fan 3 is preferably of five-blade aluminium construction.

Power to the apparatus is controlled by means of an isolator switch 7 and the degree of cooling provided by the refrigeration unit is controlled by means of thermostat unit 6, which may be remotely controlled by means of control'unit 8.

The refrigerant used is preferably R12.

In use, operation of the refrigerator causes the refrigerant to be evaporated in the copper tube evaporator 12, thus cooling the water in the tank 13 to a desired temperature as determined by the thermostat unit 6 and control unit 8.

Preferably, the tank has a dual function as a hot water tank as well, with an immersion unit 15 being provided, for heating the water in the tank. In this case, preferably a further preset, adjustable, rod-type immersion thermostat is provided for automatically regulating the raised temperature of the water in the tank, independently qf the cold-water thermostat control, with power to the immersion being controlled by means of the control unit 8, so that 'OFF'. 'COLD' or 'HOT' may be chosen, with a single thermometer preferably provided to the water temperature.

The tank is preferably enclosed within a cabinet 10 made from 18 SWG zinc-coated steel, finished in durable stove enamel and fitted with brackets (not shown) suitable for wall-mounting. Ventilated panels 22 are provided around the refrigeration unit 20 to allow the passage of cooling air to the condenser 2.

The present invention provides a cooling apparatus which may be used for cooling most or all of the water used in a domestic environment, e.g, for drinking, for washing or for bathing/showering.

The present invention may be performed otherwise than as has been particularly described and the invention includes within its scope all modifications and changes thereto which would be apparent to one skilled in the art.

Claims

1. A cooling apparatus for cooling at least some of the water of a domestic water supply, which apparatus comprises cooling means and an insulated reservoir or tank operatively connected thereto, said reservoir being of sufficient capacity for its required purpose, and thermostatically operative control means for detecting the temperature of water within the reservoir or tank and for automatically operating said cooling means when the temperature of such water exceeds a predetermined temperature.

2. A cooling apparatus according to Claim 1, wherein a gas- or electrically powered refrigeration unit is employed.

3. A cooling apparatus according to Claim 1 or 2, wherein the refrigeration unit comprises a hermetically sealed compressor, an aircooled condenser and an evaporator.

4. A cooling apparatus according to Claim 1, 2 or 3 wherein the reservoir or tank comprises a copper cylinder constructed from cold rolled copper sheet to British Standard B5 2870:1980, housed within an outer cabinet.

5. A cooling apparatus according to any preceding Claim, wherein the thermostatic control means includes a cross-ambient thermostat mounted in a condenser unit which is itself mounted in the reservoir or tank.

6. A cooling apparatus according to any preceding Claim, which includes an electrically operated refrigeration unit, in which an electrical isolating switch is included to cut off electrical supply to the refrigeration unit.

7. A cooling apparatus for cooling at least some of the water of a domestic water supply, substantially as hereinbefore described, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

8. A method of cooling at least some of a domestic water supply, which method comprises temporarily storing a quantity of water destined for use as at least some of a domestic water supply, detecting the temperature of said temporarily stored water, and cooling said temporarily stored water when said temperature detected exceeds a predetermined temperature.

9. A Method of cooling at least some of a domestic water supply, substantially as hereinbefore described, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

10. The features hereinbefore disclosed, or their equivalents, in any novel selection.