US3635046A

US3635046A - Air-conditioning apparatus

Info

Publication number: US3635046A
Application number: US887793A
Authority: US
Inventors: Yoshinari Sato; Hiroshi Itoh; Hideki Sano; Masao Tanaka
Original assignee: Tokyo Shibaura Electric Co Ltd
Current assignee: Toshiba Corp
Priority date: 1969-03-13
Filing date: 1969-12-23
Publication date: 1972-01-18
Anticipated expiration: 1989-01-18
Also published as: SE362701B

Abstract

A cabinet-type air-conditioning apparatus including a compressor, a condenser which contains a cooling air circulation system and an evaporator, characterized in that water is sprayed onto the condenser to cool it by the heat of evaporation, and the circulating cooling air entraining evaporated water is passed over the condenser before it is discharged to the outdoor to cool high-temperature gaseous refrigerant compressed by the compressor.

Description

tates Patent [151 396359946 Sato et al. [451 ,En 1%, i972 [s4] AIR-CDNDITIONING APPARATUS [56] References cned [72] Inventors: Yoshnarl Sato, Yokohama-shi; Hiroshi UNITED STATES PATENTS Itoh, Fuji-shi; Hldekl Sano, Fujinomiyashi; Magno Tanaka, Fuji-shi, all 0f Japan 2,232,459 2/ 1941 Hull ..62/262 2,289,035 71942 N ....62 2 2 [73] Assignee: Tokyo Shibaura Electric Company 2 493 141 151950 Hgin 52;335 Limued Kawasaki-shi Japan .y 3,208,236 9/1965 Fngeno ..62/262 [22] Filed: Dec. 23, 1969 Primary Examiner-William J. Wye [21] Appl' No" 887793 Attorney-George B. Oujevolk [30] Foreign Application Priority Data [57] ABSTRACT Mar. 13, 1969 Japan ..44/22057 A cabinet-type air-conditioning apparatus including a com- Mar. 13, 1969 Japan.... .....44/22058 pressor, a condenser which contains a cooling air circulation Mar. 13,1969 Japan ..44/22059 system and an evaporator, characterized in that water is y sprayed onto the condenser to cool it by the heat of evapora- [52] U.S.Cl ..62/305, 62/262, 62/173, tion, and the circulating cooling air entraining evaporated 62/90 water is passed over the condenser before it is discharged to xnt. Fzsd the outdoor to cool higlfbtemperature gaseous refrigerant [58] Field 0f Search ..62/262, 305, 90, 173; 62/262, compressed by the Compressor,

7 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures PATENTEDJAIIBISIZ 3,635,046

SHEU 2 nF 4 INVENTOR.

PAIENTEU JAM 8 me 3.835.046

SHEET 3 UF 4 FIG. 3

INVENTOR.

AIR-CONDITIONING APPARATUS This invention relates to an air-conditioning apparatus wherein a machine compartment and a cooling compartment are contained in a single cabinet and the cabinet is communicated with the exterior of a room to be cooled through a flexible pipe.

Among the prior art apparatus may be mentioned the socalled window type wherein a cooling section including an evaporator is installed in the inside of a room to be cooled and a machine section containing a compressor and a condenser is installed on the outside of the room and the separate type wherein the machine section on the outside of the room and the cooling section in the room are interconnected by conduits extending through a building wall.

However, these prior types are not advantageous in that once they are installed at predetermined locations in the room they can not be moved to other locations and that installation of the apparatus requires substantial labor and time.

It is an object of this invention to provide a new and irnproved air-conditioning apparatus which can be moved to any desired location in the room and can be installed at low cost.

According to this invention an improved cabinet-type airconditioning apparatus is provided wherein water is sprayed onto a condenser which is cooled by forced circulation of air and the steam generated by the evaporation of the sprayed water is discharged to the outdoor together with the circulating air. The circulating air containing steam is utilized to cool hot gaseous refrigerant compressed by the compressor to increase the overall thermal efficiency of the room cooler. By using a flexible exhaust hose, the air-conditioning apparatus may be located in any desired position in the room. The air intake pipe for the circulating air may be concentric or independent of the exhaust hose.

The present invention can be more fully understood from the following detailed description when taken in connection with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. l is a perspective view of one embodiment of this invention with portions broken away to show the detail in the cabinet;

FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic representation, partly in section, of the refrigerant cycle shown in FIG. l to explain the operation thereof;

FIG. 3 is a longitudinal sectional' view of a portion of the machine section to show the flow of air therein, as well as the mounting of pipes interconnecting the inside and outside of a room; and

FIG. 4 shows a modified arrangement of pipes.

As shown in FIG. 1, the interior of the cabinet l of the room cooler is divided into an upper cooling section or compartment 3 and a lower machine section or compartment 4 by means of a horizontal partition wall 2. The cooling compartment 3 houses an evaporator 5 and air suction louvers 6 are provided on both sidewalls thereof. An air discharge grill 7 is formed at a portion of the upper surface of the cabinet. The cooling compartment 3 also contains motor-driven fan 8. Although not shown in the drawing suitable air filters are mounted on the inside of the louvers to remove dust from the air sucked through the louvers.

As shown in FIG. 2, contained in the machine compartment 4i is a compressor unit 9 which may be a rotary compressor l2 directly coupled to an electric motor 11 which are enclosed in a sealed casing 10.

An evaporation-type condenser 113 juxtaposed with the compressor unit 9 comprises a tortuous pipe 14, a water sprinkler l disposed above the pipe 14 and a heater 16 above the sprinkler 15, these elements being contained in a condenser casing 17. A pan 18 for receiving the cooling water is mounted on the bottom wall of the machine compartment below the bottom of the condenser casing 17 and an immersion pump 19 driven by an electric motor 20 is disposed in the pan 18 to supply the water therein to the sprinkler l5 via a conduit 21.

Compressor 12 is connected to one end of` the heater 16 through a discharge pipe 22 while the other end of the heater 16 is communicated with the interior of the casing l0 through a return pipe 23. The upper end of the casing 10 is connected to the upper end of the pipe M of the evaporation condenser 13 via a gas discharge pipe 24 while the lower end of the pipe 14 is connected to the evaporator 5 contained in the cooling compartment 3 via a capillary tube 25. The low-pressure refrigerant gas evaporated in the evaporator 5 is conveyed to the compressor l2 through a pipe 26.

There is provided a compressor unit 9 which comprises the reciprocation type, in this case, the other end of the heater 16 is directly connected to the upper end of' the pipe I4 of the evaporation condenser 13.

Although not shown in the drawing a drip pan is located beneath the evaporator 5 and the condensed water collected in the drip pan is conveyed to the pan I8 through a conduit also not shown.

On the front side of the cabinet l is mounted a tank holder 27 carrying a cartridge tank 28 which is communicated with the pan 18 to maintain the water contained therein always at a constant quantity. A drainpipe (not shown) is connected to the bottom ofthe pan 18.

A discharge port 29 is provided on the upper portion of the condenser casing 17 which is connected through a duct 32 made of a synthetic resin, for example, to a fan casing 31 housing a fan 30 driven by the motor 20. The side opening of the fan casing 31 is connected to the outside of the room via a flexible exhaust hose 33 made of a synthetic resin.

As shown in FIG. 1 casters 34 are mounted on the bottom of the cabinet l to enable easy movement thereof.

In operation, high-pressure and high-temperature gaseous refrigerant compressed by the compressor 12 is conveyed to the heater 16 via a discharge pipe 22. The gaseous refrigerant introduced into the heater 16 undergoes heat exchange with hot steam evaporated from the surface of' the condenser pipe 14 in a manner to be described later, and said refrigerant is then returned to the interior of the compressor casing l0 via a return pipe 23. While passing through return pipe 23 the gaseous refrigerant is cooled so that the oil vapor contained therein condenses into large oil particles which are separated from the gaseous refrigerant by the pressure reduction action occurring at the time of discharging the mixture into the compressor casing 10. Separated oil is accumulated in the bottom of the casing 10. The gaseous refrigerant is tiren introduced into the pipe 14 of the evaporation condenser ll3 through pipe 24. The water contained in pan 18 is supplied to the sprinkler 15 by means of pump 19 via pipe 21 and sprinkled over condenser pipe 14. While flowing down over the surface of the pipe 14 the water is evaporated by the heat of the high-temperature gaseous refrigerant thus condensing the same.

The air taken into the cabinet through an air suction window 35 formed on one side is introduced into the evaporation condenser 13 as shown by thick arrows (hatched) to provide forced air cooling to the condenser pipe in addition to the cooling effect provided by the sprinkled water. The air becomes highly humid by entraining a large quantity of steam evaporated from the surface of pipe 14 thereby cooling the high-temperature gaseous refrigerant in the heater I6. The relative humidity of the air is decreased by being heated by the high-temperature gaseous refrigerant and the air is then discharged to the atmosphere by the operation of fan 30 via discharge port 29 of the condenser casing 17 and through exhaust hose 33. In this manner, as the air is heated by the gaseous refrigerant in the heater, the steam entrained in the cooling air will never condense before it is discharged into the atmosphere.

The liquid refrigerant condensed in the evaporation condenser 13 is supplied to evaporator 5 through the capillary tube 25 and vaporizes in the evaporator by depriving heat of the surroundings. As shown by thick arrows (not hatched), the air sucked through air intake louver 6 is removed of its dust by the above-described filters cooled while passing through the evaporator 5 and the cooled air is discharged into the room through the air discharge grill 7. The dew condensed by the evaporator 5 is collected in the drip pan and is then sent to the pan 18.

Although in the embodiment shown in FIGS. l and 2 the cooling air for the evaporation condenser 13 is taken from the room to be cooled through air intake window 35, in the modified embodiments shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, outdoor air is introduced into the cabinet l to cool the evaporation condenser.

More particularly, as shown in FIG. 3, an opening 36 is provided through a sidewall of the cabinet l through which extends a removable exhaust hose 33 connected to a casing 3l enclosing a fan 30 driven by electric motor 20. The exhaust hose 33 extends through a building wall 37 to the atmosphere. An air suction pipe 38 is provided in concentric relationship with the exhaust hose 33, one end of the suction pipe 38 being removably secured to the opening 36. As shown by arrows, the outdoor air is introduced in the space between the exhaust hose 33 and the suction pipe 38, enters into the condenser casing 17 via air intake openings 39. After cooling the evaporation condenser 13, the air is discharged into the outdoor by the operation of fan 30 via duct 32 and exhaust hose 33 as high-temperature, high-humidity air.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 4, in addition to the discharge opening 36 connected to the exhaust hose 33, an additional opening 40 is provided through the cabinet 1 to be removably connected with suction pipe 38. A booster 4I may be connected to the outer end of the suction pipe 38, said booster 4I comprising a booster fan 43 driven by an electric motor 42 to increase the cooling capacity of the air-conditioning apparatus.

Elements shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 and corresponding to those shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 are designated by the same reference numerals, so that description thereof is believed unnecessary.

In this manner, this invention provides an improved portable air-conditioning apparatus wherein the interior of a cabinet is divided into an upper cooling compartment and a lower machine compartment and high-humidity air generated by an evaporation condenser is discharged to the outdoor via a flexible discharge hose. This construction not only permits free movement of the apparatus but also greatly saves the cost of installation. Moreover, the dew formed on the evaporator is collected to cool the high-temperature gaseous refrigerant and is discharged to the outdoor together with the cooling air for the condenser. Further as the steam generated by the evaporation condenser is effectively used to cool the high-temperature gaseous refrigerant, it is possible to reduce the quantity of the air for cooling the condenser and hence the capacity of the air-circulating fan.

What is claimed is:

l. In an air-conditioning apparatus contained in a cabinet, having a partition wall to divide the interior of said cabinet into a machine compartment and a cooling compartment, a compressor contained in said machine compartment, ari evaporation condenser disposed in said machine compartment, said evaporation condenser being connected to said compressor to condense gaseous refrigerant compressed by said compressor, a water sprinkler included in a water circulation system to spray water onto said evaporation condenser to cool the refrigerant flowing therethrough, an evaporator contained in said cooling compartment, means to cool said evaporation condenser by forced circulation air to remove steam generated by the water sprayed on said evaporation condenser, an exhaust hose to discharge to outdoor said forced circulation air entraining said generated steam, and wherein there is included an air exhaust system constituted by a condenser casing containing said sprinkler and said evaporation condenser, said condenser casing having an exhaust discharge port at its upper end, a duct connected to said discharge port to discharge air after it has been used to cool said evaporation condenser, a fan contained in said duct, and a discharge hose to discharge air to the outdoor by the operation of said fan, the improvement therein wherein there is a heater disposed above said evaporation condenser, said heater being connected to receive high-temperature gaseous refrigerant from said compressor, the relative humidity of the air being decreased by heating the high-temperature gaseous refrigerant in said heater.

2. The air-conditioning apparatus according to claim l wherein said water circulation system comprises a water pan disposed beneath said evaporation condenser to receive water drained therefrom, means to maintain the water in said pan at a substantially constant quantity, a pump disposed in said water pan and said sprinkler being disposed above said evaporation condenser, said sprinkler being connected to said pump to spray water in said pan onto said evaporation condenser.

3. The air-conditioning apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said means for maintaining said water at a substantially constant quantity comprises a cartridge filled with water, the outer end of said cartridge being dipped in the water of said pan to supply water thereto.

4. The air-conditioning apparatus according to claim l wherein an opening is provided through said cabinet and one end of an intake pipe is connected to said opening for passing said forced cooling air, the opposite end of said air intake pipe being opened to the outdoor.

5. The air-conditioning apparatus according to claim 4 wherein said air intake pipe is disposed in concentric relationship with said discharge hose so that cooling air is sucked through a space between said air intake pipe and said discharge hose.

6. The air-conditioning apparatus according to claim 4 wherein a booster including a fan is connected to the outdoor end of said air intake pipe.

7. An air-conditioning apparatus comprising:

a. a cabinet;

b. a partition wall in said cabinet to divide the interior of said cabinet into a machine compartment and cooling compartment;

c. a compressor contained in said machine compartment;

d. an air exhaust system having a condenser casing provided with a discharge port at its upper end and containing an evaporation condenser, a water sprinkler and a heater, said evaporation condenser being disposed .in the machine compartment and connected to the compressor, said water sprinkler being included in a water circulation system to spray water onto said condenser to cool a refrigerant flowing therethrough, said heater being disposed above said sprinkler and connected to said compressor to receive therefrom hot gaseous refrigerant, so that the relative humidity of the air is decreased;

e. a duct connected to said discharge port for discharging the air after said evaporation condenser has been cooled including a fan contained in said duct; and,

f. a discharge hose to discharge air to the outdoor by the operation of said fan.

Claims

1. In an air-conditioning apparatus contained in a cabinet, having a partition wall to divide the interior of said cabinet into a machine compartment and a cooling compartment, a compressor contained in said machine compartment, an evaporation condenser disposed in said machine compartment, said evaporation condenser being connected to said compressor to condense gaseous refrigerant compressed by said compressor, a water sprinkler included in a water circulation system to spray water onto said evaporation condenser to cool the refrigerant flowing therethrough, an evaporator contained in said cooling compartment, means to cool said evaporation condenser by forced circulation air to remove steam generated by the water sprayed on said evaporation condenser, an exhaust hose to discharge to outdoor said forced circulation air entraining said generated steam, and wherein there is included an air exhaust system constituted by a condenser casing containing said sprinkler and said evaporation condenser, said condenser casing having an exhaust discharge port at its upper end, a duct connected to said discharge port to discharge air after it has been used to cool said evaporation condenser, a fan contained in said duct, and a discharge hose to discharge air to the outdoor by the operation of said fan, the improvement therein wherein there is a heater disposed above said evaporation condenser, said heater being connected to receive high-temperature gaseous refrigerant from said compressor, the relative humidity of the air being decreased by heating the high-temperature gaseous refrigerant in said heater.

2. The air-conditioning apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said water circulation system comprises a water pan disposed beneath said evaporation condenser to receive water drained therefrom, means to maintain the water in said pan at a substantially constant quantity, a pump disposed in said water pan and said sprinkler being disposed above said evaporation condenser, said sprinkler being connected to said pump to spray water in said pan onto said evaporation condenser.

4. The air-conditioning apparatus according to claim 1 wherein an opening is provided through said cabinet and one end of an intake pipe is connected to said opening for passing said forced cooling air, the opposite end of said air intake pipe being opened to the outdoor.

7. An air-conditioning apparatus comprising: a. a cabinet; b. a partition wall in said cabinet to divide the interior of said cabinet into a machine compartment and cooling compartment; c. a compressor contained in said machine compartment; d. an air exhaust system having a condenser casing provided with a discharge port at its upper end and containing an evaporation condenser, a water sprinkler and a heater, said evaporation condenser being disposed in the machine compartment and connected to the compressor, said water sprinkler being included in a water circulation system to spray water onto said condenser to cool a refrigerant flowing therethrough, said heater being disposed above said sprinkler and connected to said compressor to receive therefrom hot gaseous refrigerant, so that the relative humidity of the air is decreased; e. a duct connected to said discharge port for discharging the air after said evaporation condenser has been cooled including a fan contained in said duct; and, f. a discharge hose to discharge air to the outdoor by the operation of said fan.