WO2011079371A1 - Système de climatisation comprenant un désurchauffeur - Google Patents

Système de climatisation comprenant un désurchauffeur Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2011079371A1
WO2011079371A1 PCT/CA2010/001088 CA2010001088W WO2011079371A1 WO 2011079371 A1 WO2011079371 A1 WO 2011079371A1 CA 2010001088 W CA2010001088 W CA 2010001088W WO 2011079371 A1 WO2011079371 A1 WO 2011079371A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
heat exchange
air
refrigerant fluid
exchange unit
air flow
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/CA2010/001088
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Andre Boucher
Original Assignee
Andre Boucher
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Andre Boucher filed Critical Andre Boucher
Priority to CA2786069A priority Critical patent/CA2786069A1/fr
Priority to US13/261,351 priority patent/US20120312035A1/en
Publication of WO2011079371A1 publication Critical patent/WO2011079371A1/fr

Links

Classifications

    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24F—AIR-CONDITIONING; AIR-HUMIDIFICATION; VENTILATION; USE OF AIR CURRENTS FOR SCREENING
    • F24F12/00—Use of energy recovery systems in air conditioning, ventilation or screening
    • F24F12/001—Use of energy recovery systems in air conditioning, ventilation or screening with heat-exchange between supplied and exhausted air
    • F24F12/006—Use of energy recovery systems in air conditioning, ventilation or screening with heat-exchange between supplied and exhausted air using an air-to-air heat exchanger
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24F—AIR-CONDITIONING; AIR-HUMIDIFICATION; VENTILATION; USE OF AIR CURRENTS FOR SCREENING
    • F24F1/00—Room units for air-conditioning, e.g. separate or self-contained units or units receiving primary air from a central station
    • F24F1/02—Self-contained room units for air-conditioning, i.e. with all apparatus for treatment installed in a common casing
    • F24F1/022—Self-contained room units for air-conditioning, i.e. with all apparatus for treatment installed in a common casing comprising a compressor cycle
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25B—REFRIGERATION MACHINES, PLANTS OR SYSTEMS; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS
    • F25B40/00—Subcoolers, desuperheaters or superheaters
    • F25B40/02—Subcoolers
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02B—CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO BUILDINGS, e.g. HOUSING, HOUSE APPLIANCES OR RELATED END-USER APPLICATIONS
    • Y02B30/00—Energy efficient heating, ventilation or air conditioning [HVAC]
    • Y02B30/56—Heat recovery units

Definitions

  • the present invention relates generally to an air conditioning system and method, and more specifically to such a system including a desuperheater.
  • Central air conditioning systems are known in the art and are useful for providing air quality related conditioning functions such as, for example, ventilation, heating, cooling, humidifying, dehumidifying, filtering and air renewal functions to the interior living spaces of private and public buildings.
  • Central air conditioning systems of the prior art are typically represented by a plurality of conventional air conditioning components such as, for examples, air filters, ventilator fans and motors, compressor units, condensers, evaporators, refrigerant circuits, air-to-air heat exchangers, air heaters, pressure control switches, solenoid valves, water sprinklers, room thermostats, humidistats, and the like.
  • conventional air conditioning components such as, for examples, air filters, ventilator fans and motors, compressor units, condensers, evaporators, refrigerant circuits, air-to-air heat exchangers, air heaters, pressure control switches, solenoid valves, water sprinklers, room thermostats, humidistats, and the like.
  • the invention provides an air conditioning system using a refrigerant fluid and a cooling liquid, the air conditioning system comprising: a first compartment, the first compartment defining a first air inlet and a first air outlet; a substantially elongated first air outlet duct in fluid communication with the first air outlet, the first air outlet duct defining a first duct longitudinal axis; a first ventilator operatively coupled to the first air inlet and the first air outlet for creating a first air flow through the first compartment and the first air outlet duct from the first air inlet through the first air outlet and into the first air outlet duct; a first heat exchange unit provided in the first compartment for allowing heat exchange between the refrigerant fluid and the first air flow when the refrigerant fluid is circulated through the first heat exchange unit; a second heat exchange unit also provided in the first compartment for allowing heat exchange between the refrigerant fluid and the first air flow when the refrigerant fluid is circulated through the second heat exchange unit, the second heat exchange unit being
  • the second and third heat exchange units are desuperheaters in which the refrigerant fluid is cooled down by the first air flow while remaining gaseous and the first heat exchange unit is a condenser in which the refrigerant fluid condenses when cooled by the first air flow.
  • the invention provides an air conditioning system using a refrigerant fluid and a cooling liquid, the air conditioning system comprising: a first compartment, the first compartment defining a first air inlet and a first air outlet; a substantially elongated first air outlet duct in fluid communication with the first air outlet, the first air outlet duct defining a first duct longitudinal axis; a first ventilator operatively coupled to the first air inlet and the first air outlet for creating a first air flow through the first compartment and the first air outlet duct from the first air inlet through the first air outlet and into the first air outlet duct; a first heat exchange unit provided in the first compartment for allowing heat exchange between the refrigerant fluid and the first air flow when the refrigerant fluid is circulated through the first heat exchange unit; a second heat exchange unit also provided in the first compartment for allowing heat exchange between the refrigerant fluid and the first air flow when the refrigerant fluid is circulated through the second heat exchange unit, the second heat exchange unit being provided
  • the invention provides an air conditioning system using a refrigerant fluid and a cooling liquid, the air conditioning system comprising: a first compartment, the first compartment defining a first air inlet and a first air outlet; a first ventilator operatively coupled to the first air inlet and the first air outlet for creating a first air flow through the first compartment and from the first air inlet to the first air outlet; a first heat exchange unit provided in the first compartment for allowing heat exchange between the refrigerant fluid and the first air flow when the refrigerant fluid is circulated through the first heat exchange unit; a second heat exchange unit also provided in the first compartment for allowing heat exchange between the refrigerant fluid and the first air flow when the refrigerant fluid is circulated through the second heat exchange unit, the second heat exchange unit being provided downstream from the first heat exchange unit relatively to the first air flow, the second heat exchange unit being in fluid communication with the first heat exchange unit for allowing circulation of the refrigerant fluid from the second heat exchange unit to the first heat exchange unit
  • the invention provides a method for cooling a refrigerant fluid in an air conditioning system using an air flow.
  • the method includes compressing the refrigerant fluid in a gas phase; in a first cooling step subsequent to compressing the refrigerant fluid, cooling the refrigerant fluid by transferring heat from the refrigerant fluid to the air flow with the refrigerant fluid remaining in the gas phase; and in a second cooling step subsequent to the first cooling step, cooling the refrigerant fluid by transferring heat from the refrigerant fluid to the air flow with the refrigerant fluid condensing to a liquid phase.
  • the air flow flows in a manner such that the air flow is used first in the second cooling step and then circulated to be used in the first cooling step.
  • the air conditioning system generally comprises a main housing that incorporates, in a relatively small design and compact assembly, various air conditioning components.
  • the air conditioning components generally include at least the compressor unit, the second heat exchange unit in the form of a desuperheater, the first heat exchange unit in the form of a condenser and an evaporator, all of which are linked sequentially through a plurality of refrigerant conduits which form a closed refrigerant circuit.
  • a pair of ventilator units, an air-to-air heat exchanger, an air heater, a plurality of intake and exhaust air ducts, and a plurality of other conventional air conditioning components such as, for example, control switches, solenoid valves, water sprinklers, expansion valve, and the likes complete the assembly of the system.
  • the desuperheater that is positioned upstream of the condenser, relative to the flow of refrigerant through the circuit, while being inversely positioned downstream of the condenser, relative to the air flow direction provided by a cooling ventilator, enhances the efficiency of the proposed air conditioning system.
  • an automatically activated liquid sprinkler that for example sprinkles water
  • the desuperheater and the condenser are suitably positioned between the desuperheater and the condenser such that, when the liquid sprinkler is activated, both the desuperheater and the condenser receive a spray of cooling liquid simultaneously.
  • This particular arrangement of the desuperheater, condenser and water sprinkler may be used to provide a significant increase of the cooling BTU capacity of the air conditioning system relative to prior art systems having comparably the same physical dimension.
  • an increase in cooling BTU capacity may thus allow for a central air conditioning system of the present invention having an overall design that is relatively smaller than comparable systems of the prior art having comparable BTU capacity, since proportionally smaller compressor unit, as well as a proportionally lower flow rate of air, are required for a given cooling BTU load design.
  • the central air conditioning system according to the present invention is represented by a substantially equivalent central air conditioning system as the first variant described above, except that the present variant includes the third heat exchange unit in the form of another desuperheater.
  • the additional desuperheater is positioned upstream of the first desuperheater and condenser, relative to the flow of refrigerant fluid through the circuit, while being inversely positioned downstream of the condenser and first desuperheater, relative to the air flow direction provided by the first cooling ventilator.
  • This particular configuration of the system that includes an additional desuperheater may be used to further provide a significant increase of the cooling BTU capacity of the system and, thus, allows for an even smaller overall design of the system.
  • the two variants described hereinabove may include substantially all the main components that can be found in conventional central air conditioning systems of the prior art, integrated in a single and compact unit, as described above, for installation in a single location within the living space of a residence unit. Or, they may have selected components distributed in more than one location within a living space, with suitably sized and configured air and refrigerant fluid conduits linking the distributed components for the proper operation of the system.
  • the air conditioning system of the present invention being characterized in that it comprises substantially all the main components that can be found in conventional central air conditioning systems of the prior art, while occupying a significantly smaller volume, for example, an up to 60% smaller overall volume, as compared to prior art central air conditioning systems having a comparable BTU capacity and air conditioning characteristics.
  • This economy of volume allowed by the various embodiments of the present invention may be achieved with all their components integrated in a single and compact unit, or with the various components being distributed in more than one place within the living space of a residence unit.
  • a conventional central air conditioning system of the prior art that is suitably sized for an average size condominium may typically occupy a volume roughly equivalent to an average size, six foot tall (1.8 meters) clothing cabinet
  • the present invention designed for a similar BTU heating/cooling load design and air conditioning characteristics may only occupy about a third (or about 30%) of that volume.
  • Figure 1 in a side cross-sectional view, illustrates an air conditioning system according to a first embodiment of the present invention
  • Figure 2 in a schematic view, illustrates the air conditioning system of FIG. 1 , here illustrating the circulation path of the refrigerant through the various components of the air conditioning system;
  • FIG. 3 in a fragmented top perspective view, illustrates a heat exchanger part of the air conditioning system of FIG. 1 , here shown with a top cover portion thereof and a side wall portion thereof removed for a better view of its interior structure;
  • Figure 4 in a a schematic top plan view, illustrates the heat exchanger of FIG. 3;
  • Figure 5 in a an environmental side cross-sectional view, illustrates the air conditioning system of FIG. 1 , here shown coupled to a first circuit configuration of air ducts;
  • Figure 6 in an environmental side cross-sectional, illustrates the air conditioning system of FIG. 1 , here shown coupled to a second circuit configuration of air ducts;
  • Figure 7 in a side cross-sectional view, illustrates an air conditioning system according to a second embodiment of the present invention
  • Figure 8 in a schematic cross-sectional view, illustrates the air conditioning system of FIG. 7, here illustrating the circulation path of the refrigerant through the various components of the system.
  • FIGS. 1 to 6 inclusively show various aspects of a first embodiment of an air conditioning system 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention.
  • the air conditioning system 10 generally comprises conventional refrigeration components such as a compressor unit 12, a first heat exchange unit in the form of a condenser 16, a second heat exchange unit in the form of a desuperheater 14 and an evaporator 18.
  • the main housing 20 of the air conditioning system 10 is separated in two main compartments, namely a first compartment 22 and a second compartment 24, that are substantially adjacent to each other and that are isolated from one another by a common central wall 26 that is shared between them.
  • the common central wall 26 is typically relatively highly thermally insulated to reduce heat transfer between the first and second compartments 22 and 24.
  • the first compartment 22 houses the compressor unit 12, the desuperheater 14 and the condenser 16, while the evaporator 18 is provided in the second compartment 24.
  • the compressor unit 12 is provided outside of the first compartment 22.
  • the first compartment defines a first air inlet 31 and a first air outlet 33.
  • the first compartment houses a first ventilator 28 that draws air from a first air intake duct 30 in fluid communication with the first air inlet and creates a first air flow 35 that is blown through the first compartment 22 through the first air inlet 31. From there, the first air flow 35 is forced out, first, through the condenser 16, followed with through the desuperheater 14, and then out through the first air outlet 33.
  • the first ventilator 28 is operatively coupled to the first air inlet 31 and the first air outlet 33 for creating the first air flow 35 (seen in FIG. 2) through the first compartment 22 from the first air inlet 31 to the first air outlet 33.
  • a substantially elongated first air outlet duct 32 extends from the first air outlet 33 and is substantially vertically disposed along a vertical side wall of the air conditioning system 10 and.
  • the first air outlet duct in fluid communication with the first air outlet 33 and defines a first duct longitudinal axis 37. Since the first air outlet duct 32 is in fluid communication with the first air outlet 33, the first air flow 35 is pushed through the first air outlet duct 32.
  • the second compartment defines a second air inlet 39 and a second air outlet 41.
  • a second ventilator 34 is operatively coupled to the second air inlet 39 and the second air outlet 41 for creating a second air flow 43 (seen in FIG. 2) through the second compartment 24 from the second air inlet 39 to the second air outlet 41.
  • the second compartment 24 houses the second ventilator 34 that draws air from a second air intake duct 36, that leads to the second air inlet 39, and circulates the second air flow 43 through the evaporator 18, which is typically located in the second compartment across the second air flow 43.
  • the second ventilator 34 also circulates the second air flow 43 through the second air outlet 41 and exhaust this air through a second air outlet duct 38 that extends from, and is in fluid communication with, the second air outlet 41.
  • the second air intake duct 36 may be covered by an air filter (not shown) slidably engaged between suitably adapted support brackets 40.
  • the second air intake duct 36 may further be optionally covered with an air intake silencer box 42.
  • the second air outlet duct 38 includes an electric or hot water operated air heating element 44 provided in the second air outlet duct 38 for selectively heating the second air flow 43.
  • An air-to-air heat exchanger 46 is typically attached to, and may substantially cover the bottom wall section of the main housing 20 of the air conditioning system 10. In these embodiments, the air-to-air heat exchanger 46 is therefore provided substantially adjacent the first and second compartments 22 and 24 and extends substantially perpendicularly to the common central wall 26.
  • FIG. 3 shows an air-to-air heat exchanger 46 having its top and a side wall removed for a better view of the interior structure
  • FIG. 4 shows a top plan view of the air-to-air heat exchanger 46 wherein the top wall section is illustrated in a transparent schematic view. Referring more specifically to FIG.
  • the air-to-air heat exchanger 46 may be generally represented by a substantially low profile box-shaped housing having two main internal compartments 48 and 50 that are divided by a pair of distally disposed central wall portions 52.
  • the central wall portions 52 are in turn separated by a substantially low profile box-shaped heat exchanger module 54, represented schematically in FIG. 3, that is disposed at an angle in the horizontal plane, relative to the surrounding side wall sections 56 of the air-to-air heat exchanger 46.
  • the top and bottom wall sections of the air-to-air heat exchanger 46 are sealed against the corresponding top and bottom wall sections of the heat exchanger module 54.
  • the heat exchanger module 54 has each of its distal end corners 58 integrally joined with a corresponding central wall portion 52 or side wall section 56.
  • the heat exchanger module 54 includes a conventional stacked core formed by stacking a plurality of unit plate members in each of which passage formation portions 60 and 62 are formed independently of each other in a perpendicular cross-flow configuration.
  • a pair of intake air ports 64 and 66 are provided through oppositely disposed side wall sections 56 of a first heat exchanger compartment 48.
  • the pair of intake air ports 64 and 66 are preferably provided with inwardly directed oneway air valves 68.
  • An oppositely corresponding pair of exhaust air ports 70 and 72 are provided through distal end portions of the top wall section (not shown) of the heat air-to-air exchanger 46.
  • the exhaust air ports 70 and 72 are visible in FIG. 4.
  • two distinct air passages are formed through the air-to- air heat exchanger 46, allowing a third air flow 74 to pass from the intake air port 64 to the correspondingly opposite exhaust air port 70, and a separate, fourth air flow 76 to pass from the intake air port 66 to the correspondingly opposite exhaust air port 72, with both the third and fourth air flows 74 and 76 exchanging heat therebetween through the internal heat exchanger module 54.
  • the air-to- air heat exchanger 46 is operatively coupled to the first and second compartments 22 and 24 so that the third and fourth air flows 74 and 76 are exhausted from the air-to-air heat exchanger 46 respectively in the first and second compartments 22 and 24.
  • a fresh flow of outside air 82 coming from, for example, an exterior intake air duct 84 is first vacuumed through the intake air port 64 of the air-to-air heat exchanger 46, then through the internal heat exchanger module 54, then through the exhaust air port 70, then through the second compartment 24 of the air conditioning system 10, and then finally exhausted to the inside air of the living spaces 86 of the condominium through the exhaust air duct 45 of the air conditioning system 10.
  • a warm flow of interior air 78 may be exhausted from the interior of a living space, and a fresh flow of outside air 82 may be drawn into the living space while, at the same time, a portion of the heat of the exhausted warm air 78 is transferred to the fresh incoming outside air 82.
  • FIG. 6 shows an alternate configuration of the air duct network associated with the air conditioning system 10, and in which a portion of the exhaust air propulsed by the second ventilator 34 is exhausted directly through the air-to-air heat exchanger 46.
  • fresh outside air 82 partially warmed-up through the air- to-air heat exchanger 46, may be injected back in the living spaces 86.
  • a portion of the second air flow 43 is directed toward the air-to-air heat exchanger 46 with the third air flow 74 to allow heat exchange between the portion of the second air flow 43 and the fourth air flow 76.
  • the compressor unit 12 is in fluid communication with the desuperheater 14 through a first refrigerant conduit 90 and is provided for compressing the refrigerant fluid 102 to produce a compressed refrigerant fluid 102 in gas phase and providing the compressed refrigerant fluid 102 to the desuperheater 14.
  • the desuperheater 14 is in fluid communication with the condenser 16 through a second refrigerant conduit 92 for allowing circulation of the refrigerant fluid 102 from the desuperheater 14 to the condenser 16 and is provided in the first compartment 22 for allowing heat exchange between the refrigerant fluid 102 and the first air flow 35 when the refrigerant fluid 102 is circulated through the desuperheater 14, the refrigerant fluid 102 cooling down in the desuperheater 14 while remaining gaseous.
  • the condenser 16 is in fluid communication with the evaporator 18 through a third refrigerant conduit 94 and is provided in the first compartment 22 for allowing heat exchange between the refrigerant fluid 102 and the first air flow 35 when the refrigerant fluid 102 is circulated through the condenser 16 with the refrigerant fluid 102 condensing in the condenser 16.
  • the evaporator 18 is back in fluid communication with the compressor unit 12 through a fourth refrigerant conduit 96 which, thus, closes the complete refrigerant circuit of the air conditioning system 10.
  • the evaporator 18 is provided for evaporating the refrigerant fluid 102 and exchanging heat with the second air flow 43.
  • the evaporator 18 is in fluid communication with the compressor unit 12 and the condenser 16 for receiving the refrigerant fluid 102 from the condenser 16 unit and releasing the refrigerant fluid 102 to the compressor unit 12.
  • the air provided by the first ventilator 28 forces the coolest air portion of the first air flow 35 first through the condenser 16, followed with through the desuperheater 14, since the condenser 16 is physically positioned upstream relative to the first air flow 35.
  • the compressor unit 12 forces the hottest refrigerant fluid 102 first through the desuperheater 14, followed with through the condenser 16, since the desuperheater 14 is physically positioned upstream in the refrigerant circuit, relative to the flow direction of the refrigerant fluid 102 circulating therein.
  • This particular configuration of the desuperheater 14 and condenser 16 and, relative to flow direction of the first air flow 35 provided by the first ventilator 28, and the flow direction of the refrigerant fluid 102 forced by the compressor unit 12, allows the refrigerant fluid 102 to be significantly cooled down by the desuperheater 14, prior to entering the condenser 16, which is already receiving the coolest portion of the first air flow 35 from the first ventilator 28.
  • the result is a desuperheater 14 and condenser 16 configuration that is particularly energy efficient.
  • the first refrigerant conduit 90 at the output of the compressor unit 12, is in fluid communication with a pressure modulated speed control 104, for controlling the rotational speed of the first ventilator 28, a pressure control switch 106, for controlling the solenoid control valve 108 which, in turn, controls a first liquid sprinkler 1 10, and a high pressure control element 1 12.
  • the third refrigerant conduit 94 at the output of the condenser 16, is in fluid communication with typically a refrigerant filter 1 14, a refrigerant sight glass 1 16 and a refrigerant expansion valve 1 18.
  • the first liquid sprinkler 110 is provided substantially adjacent the desuperheater 14 and the condenser 16, the first liquid sprinkler 110 being positioned, configured and sized for simultaneously sprinkling a cooling liquid, for example water, onto both the desuperheater 14 and the condenser 16.
  • a cooling liquid for example water
  • the first liquid sprinkler 1 10 is suitably positioned and configured between the desuperheater 14 and the condenser 16 such that both may receive cooling liquid droplets simultaneously, as best illustrated in FIG. 2.
  • the first liquid sprinkler 1 10 may be advantageously activated in order to provide a significant increase of the cooling BTU capacity of the air conditioning system 10.
  • a second liquid sprinkler 120 is provided substantially adjacent the evaporator 18, the second liquid sprinkler 120 being positioned, configured and sized for sprinkling the cooling liquid onto the evaporator 18.
  • the second liquid sprinkler 120 is suitably positioned and configured proximal the evaporator 18.
  • the second liquid sprinkler 120 is controlled by the solenoid control valve 122 which, in turn, may be controlled, for example, by a conventional room humidistat (not shown).
  • the second liquid sprinkler 120 sprays water, or any other suitable liquid, on the evaporator 18 which, in turn, rises the humidity level within the living spaces conditioned by the air conditioning system 10, as well as improving the overall efficiency of the latter.
  • a suitable condensation water drain (not shown) is provided to evacuate the excess condensate water from the first and second compartments 22 and 24 of the air conditioning system 10.
  • FIG. 2 a typical mode of operation of the air conditioning system 10 is generally described as follows. Once the compressor unit 12 is activated, the latter compresses and forces the refrigerant fluid 102 which, at this point is in a hot gas or vapor state, through the desuperheater 14. The desuperheater 14 removes a portion of the heat from the hot gas. The thus slightly cooled down refrigerant fluid 102 then passes through the condenser 16 which, in turn, completes the cooling phase of the refrigerant fluid 102. Finally, the refrigerant fluid 102 passes through the evaporator 8 where it absorbs heat from the relatively warm second air flow 43 forced therethrough by the second ventilator 34.
  • the pressure of the refrigerant fluid 102 through the first refrigerant conduit 90 proportionally rises until it exceeds a first predetermined pressure level.
  • This first predetermined pressure level once reached, triggers the pressure modulated speed control 104 of the first ventilator 28.
  • the first ventilator 28 draws air from the first air intake duct 30, which is in fluid communication with the outside air 82, and forces the thus created first air flow 35 through the sequentially disposed condenser 16 and desuperheater 14 respectively, at a modulated speed that is substantially proportional to the pressure of the refrigerant fluid 102 measured by the speed control 104.
  • the pressure in the first refrigerant conduit 90 is substantially maintained at, or near a second predetermined pressure level for a proper operation of the air conditioning system 10.
  • the first ventilator 28 may reach its maximum rated speed.
  • the pressure control switch 106 may eventually activates the solenoid control valve 108 which, in turn, activates the first liquid sprinkler 1 10.
  • the first liquid sprinkler 1 10 sprays the cooling liquid simultaneously on both the desuperheater 14 and condenser 16 which, in turn, lowers down the pressure and temperature of the hot gases in the refrigerant circuit in order to maintain an optimum performance of the air conditioning system 10.
  • the proposed air conditioning system 10 implements a method for cooling a refrigerant fluid 102 in the air conditioning system 10 using the first air flow 35.
  • the method includes compressing the refrigerant fluid 102 in a gas phase, in a first cooling step subsequent to compressing the refrigerant fluid 102, cooling the refrigerant fluid 102 by transferring heat from the refrigerant fluid 102 to the first air flow 35 with the refrigerant fluid 102 remaining in the gas phase and, in a second cooling step subsequent to the first cooling step, cooling the refrigerant fluid 102 by transferring heat from the refrigerant fluid 102 to the first air flow 35 with the refrigerant fluid 102 condensing to a liquid phase.
  • the first air flow 35 flows in a manner such that the first air flow 35 is used first in the second cooling step and then circulated to be used in the second cooling step.
  • the first air flow 35 is heated by refrigerant fluid 102 having an increasing temperature.
  • the method also includes evaporating the refrigerant fluid 102 after the second cooling step, which typically involves reducing a pressure of the refrigerant fluid 102.
  • the first and second cooling steps are performed in separate heat exchange unit. However, in alternative embodiments of the invention, these two cooling steps are performed in a single suitably shaped heat exchange unit.
  • the method also includes cooling the refrigerant fluid 102 by transferring heat from the refrigerant fluid 102 to the cooling liquid, this additional cooling being typically performed substantially simultaneously both with the first and second cooling steps.
  • the desuperheater 14 and the first liquid sprinkler 110 may be used individually or in combination to provide a significant increase of the cooling BTU capacity of the air conditioning system 10.
  • Such an increase in cooling BTU capacity may thus allow for a air conditioning system 10 having an overall design that is relatively smaller than comparable systems of the prior art since a proportionally smaller compressor unit 12, as well as a proportionally lower flow rate of air in the first air flow 35 are required for a given cooling BTU load design.
  • a lower flow rate of the first air flow 35 may result in a significant reduction in the sizing of the required first and second ventilators 28 and 34, and associated air ducts throughout the air conditioning system 0 and the target living spaces.
  • standard 8 inches (about 20 cm) air ducts may be reduced to only 6 inches (about 15 cm) air ducts, which results in a significant space saving advantage in relatively small living spaces such as condominiums and apartments.
  • another air conditioning system 130 in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the invention is substantially identical to the above-described described air conditioning system 10, except that it is provided with a third heat exchange unit in the form of an additional desuperheater 132 that is physically positioned downstream of the first desuperheater 14 and the condenser 16, relative to the first air flow 35 direction provided by the first ventilator 28.
  • a third heat exchange unit in the form of an additional desuperheater 132 that is physically positioned downstream of the first desuperheater 14 and the condenser 16, relative to the first air flow 35 direction provided by the first ventilator 28.
  • the additional desuperheater 132 is positioned upstream of the first desuperheater 14 and condenser 16, relative to the flow of refrigerant fluid 102 circulating through the refrigerant circuit.
  • the refrigerant fluid 102 is compressed and forced, by the compressor unit 12, first through the additional desuperheater 132, where a first portion of the heat in the refrigerant fluid 102 is removed with the refrigerant fluid 102 remaining in a gas phase, then through the first desuperheater 14, where another portion of the heat in the refrigerant fluid 102 is removed, then finally through the condenser 16, where the cooling phase of the refrigerant fluid 102 is completed.
  • the additional desuperheater 132 is preferably an elongated version of the first desuperheater 14 that extends along and is disposed in a diagonal configuration relative to the longitudinal first air outlet duct 32 in which it is installed, angled with respect to the first duct longitudinal axis 37, as best illustrated in FIG. 7.
  • the additional desuperheater 132 may be installed in any elongated configuration of a first air outlet duct that is disposed downstream of the first desuperheater 14, relative to the air flow direction 100.
  • the additional desuperheater 132 results in a further increase in cooling BTU capacity of the air conditioning system 130, as compared to the first embodiment described above. Such an increase in cooling BTU capacity may thus allow an air conditioning system 130 and associated air duct network having an even smaller overall design.
  • the two above-described embodiments of the present invention may include substantially all the main components that can be found in conventional central air conditioning systems of the prior art integrated in a single and compact unit, as described above, for installation in a single location within the living space of a residence unit.
  • the above-described embodiments of the present invention may have selected components distributed in more than one location within a living space, with suitably sized and configured air and refrigerant conduits linking the distributed components for the proper operation of the system.
  • first compartment 22 the first air intake duct 30 and first air outlet duct 32, as shown in FIG. 1 , may be installed in a first location within a residence unit, while the second compartment 24, the second air outlet duct 38, the air intake silencer box and the air-to-air heat exchanger 46 may be installed in a second location therein.
  • the embodiments of the present invention described above may be manufactured using a suitable assembly of conventional components and materials normally used in the assembly of comparable central air conditioning systems of the prior art.
  • the air conditioning systems 10 and 130 of the present invention being characterized in that they include substantially all the main components that can be found in conventional central air conditioning systems of the prior art, while occupying a significantly smaller volume, for example, an up to 60% smaller overall volume, as compared to prior art central air conditioning systems having a comparable BTU capacity and air conditioning characteristics.
  • This economy of volume allowed by the various embodiments of the present invention may be achieved with all their components integrated in a single and compact unit, or with the various components being distributed in more than one place within the living space of a residence unit.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Thermal Sciences (AREA)
  • Central Air Conditioning (AREA)
  • Other Air-Conditioning Systems (AREA)

Abstract

L'invention porte sur un système de climatisation (10) qui utilise un fluide réfrigérant (102) et un liquide de refroidissement, le système de climatisation (10) comprenant : un premier compartiment (22) définissant une première entrée d'air (31) et une première sortie d'air (33) et un premier ventilateur (28) pour créer un premier écoulement d'air (35) à travers le premier compartiment (22) de la première entrée d'air (31) à la première sortie d'air (33); une première unité d'échange de chaleur (16) disposée dans le premier compartiment (22) pour permettre un échange de chaleur entre le fluide réfrigérant (102) et le premier écoulement d'air (35) lorsque le fluide réfrigérant (102) circule à travers la première unité d'échange de chaleur (16); une seconde unité d'échange de chaleur (14) disposée également dans le premier compartiment (22) pour permettre un échange de chaleur entre le fluide réfrigérant (102) et le premier écoulement d'air (35) lorsque le fluide réfrigérant (102) circule à travers la seconde unité d'échange de chaleur (14), la seconde unité d'échange de chaleur (14) étant disposée en aval de la première unité d'échange de chaleur (16) par rapport au premier écoulement d'air (35), la seconde unité d'échange de chaleur (14) étant en communication vis-à-vis des fluides avec la première unité d'échange de chaleur (16) pour permettre une circulation du fluide réfrigérant (102) de la seconde unité d'échange de chaleur (14) à la première unité d'échange de chaleur (16). La seconde unité d'échange de chaleur (14) est un désurchauffeur dans lequel le fluide réfrigérant (102) est refroidi par le premier écoulement d'air (35) tout en restant gazeux et la première unité d'échange de chaleur (16) est un condenseur dans lequel le fluide réfrigérant (102) se condense lorsqu'il est refroidi par le premier écoulement d'air (35).
PCT/CA2010/001088 2010-01-04 2010-07-12 Système de climatisation comprenant un désurchauffeur WO2011079371A1 (fr)

Priority Applications (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
CA2786069A CA2786069A1 (fr) 2010-01-04 2010-07-12 Systeme de climatisation comprenant un desurchauffeur
US13/261,351 US20120312035A1 (en) 2010-01-04 2010-07-12 Air conditioning system

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB1000017.2 2010-01-04
GBGB1000017.2A GB201000017D0 (en) 2010-01-04 2010-01-04 Compact central air conditioning system

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2011079371A1 true WO2011079371A1 (fr) 2011-07-07

Family

ID=41795942

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/CA2010/001088 WO2011079371A1 (fr) 2010-01-04 2010-07-12 Système de climatisation comprenant un désurchauffeur

Country Status (4)

Country Link
US (1) US20120312035A1 (fr)
CA (1) CA2786069A1 (fr)
GB (1) GB201000017D0 (fr)
WO (1) WO2011079371A1 (fr)

Cited By (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2017045934A1 (fr) * 2015-09-18 2017-03-23 Electrolux Appliances Aktiebolag Climatiseur
WO2018011071A1 (fr) * 2016-07-12 2018-01-18 Energy Save Nordic Ab Module d'appareil pompe à chaleur
US11435110B2 (en) 2016-05-27 2022-09-06 Electrolux Appliances Aktiebolag Air conditioner with window connection
US11519615B2 (en) 2017-12-13 2022-12-06 Electrolux Appliances Aktiebolag Outdoor unit of an air conditioner
US11566815B2 (en) 2017-12-13 2023-01-31 Electrolux Appliances Aktiebolag Installation device for split air-conditioner
US11841148B2 (en) 2017-12-13 2023-12-12 Electrolux Appliances Aktiebolag Window-type air conditioner
US11879647B2 (en) 2021-12-22 2024-01-23 Electrolux Appliances Aktiebolag Portable air conditioning unit window installation system

Families Citing this family (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20150354862A1 (en) * 2014-06-10 2015-12-10 Trane International Inc. Heat Pump Desuperheater and Charge Robber
US10969179B2 (en) * 2018-10-13 2021-04-06 Sunil Sinha Systems and methods for exchanging thermal energy between a drain liquid and a source liquid for heating or cooling
US11713901B2 (en) * 2021-06-04 2023-08-01 Haier Us Appliance Solutions, Inc. Makeup air cross-flow energy recovery system atop air conditioner

Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE2652528A1 (de) * 1975-11-18 1977-05-26 Munters Ab Carl Verfahren und vorrichtung zum abtauen bzw. enteisen von waermetauschern
EP0040529A2 (fr) * 1980-05-19 1981-11-25 Borg-Warner Limited Système de réglage pour conditionnement d'air
US4336692A (en) * 1980-04-16 1982-06-29 Atlantic Richfield Company Dual source heat pump
CA1189062A (fr) * 1983-03-21 1985-06-18 James H. Lewis Echangeurs de chaleur air/air, et appareil et methode pour sa fabrication
US5953926A (en) * 1997-08-05 1999-09-21 Tennessee Valley Authority Heating, cooling, and dehumidifying system with energy recovery
US5984198A (en) * 1997-06-09 1999-11-16 Lennox Manufacturing Inc. Heat pump apparatus for heating liquid
CA2428409A1 (fr) * 2002-05-10 2003-11-10 Building Performance Equipment, Inc. Systeme ventilateur et methode

Patent Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE2652528A1 (de) * 1975-11-18 1977-05-26 Munters Ab Carl Verfahren und vorrichtung zum abtauen bzw. enteisen von waermetauschern
US4336692A (en) * 1980-04-16 1982-06-29 Atlantic Richfield Company Dual source heat pump
EP0040529A2 (fr) * 1980-05-19 1981-11-25 Borg-Warner Limited Système de réglage pour conditionnement d'air
CA1189062A (fr) * 1983-03-21 1985-06-18 James H. Lewis Echangeurs de chaleur air/air, et appareil et methode pour sa fabrication
US5984198A (en) * 1997-06-09 1999-11-16 Lennox Manufacturing Inc. Heat pump apparatus for heating liquid
US5953926A (en) * 1997-08-05 1999-09-21 Tennessee Valley Authority Heating, cooling, and dehumidifying system with energy recovery
CA2428409A1 (fr) * 2002-05-10 2003-11-10 Building Performance Equipment, Inc. Systeme ventilateur et methode

Cited By (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2017045934A1 (fr) * 2015-09-18 2017-03-23 Electrolux Appliances Aktiebolag Climatiseur
US11435110B2 (en) 2016-05-27 2022-09-06 Electrolux Appliances Aktiebolag Air conditioner with window connection
WO2018011071A1 (fr) * 2016-07-12 2018-01-18 Energy Save Nordic Ab Module d'appareil pompe à chaleur
US11262111B2 (en) 2016-07-12 2022-03-01 Es Energy Save Holding Ab Heat pump apparatus module
US11519615B2 (en) 2017-12-13 2022-12-06 Electrolux Appliances Aktiebolag Outdoor unit of an air conditioner
US11566815B2 (en) 2017-12-13 2023-01-31 Electrolux Appliances Aktiebolag Installation device for split air-conditioner
US11841148B2 (en) 2017-12-13 2023-12-12 Electrolux Appliances Aktiebolag Window-type air conditioner
US11879647B2 (en) 2021-12-22 2024-01-23 Electrolux Appliances Aktiebolag Portable air conditioning unit window installation system

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
US20120312035A1 (en) 2012-12-13
CA2786069A1 (fr) 2011-07-07
GB201000017D0 (en) 2010-02-17

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US20120312035A1 (en) Air conditioning system
US10690358B2 (en) Air conditioning with recovery wheel, passive dehumidification wheel, cooling coil, and secondary direct-expansion circuit
US4771611A (en) Air conditioning means and method
US11506434B2 (en) Adjustable inlet header for heat exchanger of an HVAC system
CN113124471A (zh) 一种厨房空气调节系统
US11320161B2 (en) Air conditioning with recovery wheel, dehumidification wheel, and cooling coil
US11073301B2 (en) Heat pump with integrated energy recovery ventilator (ERV)
US20230175726A1 (en) Air Conditioner Having Six Ports
JP5256828B2 (ja) 換気空調装置
CN209101416U (zh) 空调
WO2020244207A1 (fr) Système de climatisation
KR100430278B1 (ko) 히트파이프를 적용한 에너지 절약형 폐열회수 공기조화기
JPH04113136A (ja) 直膨型熱交換器を用いたクリーンルーム
US11221151B2 (en) Hot gas reheat systems and methods
CN107289563A (zh) 再热型热泵热回收空调机组
CN215832055U (zh) 一种室内空气处理系统
CN213630742U (zh) 全联供热泵除湿热水机组
KR20090008542A (ko) 소음 저감 구조를 갖는 공기 조화기
JP2006052882A (ja) ヒートポンプ式空調機
CN207299324U (zh) 再热型热泵热回收空调机组
JP2006153321A (ja) ヒートポンプ式空調機
CN213983795U (zh) 一种具有分体式除湿装置的风机机组
CN220507078U (zh) 厨房空调系统
CN210568862U (zh) 一种被动房除湿空调机组
KR102246320B1 (ko) 공기 조화 시스템

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
121 Ep: the epo has been informed by wipo that ep was designated in this application

Ref document number: 10840240

Country of ref document: EP

Kind code of ref document: A1

ENP Entry into the national phase

Ref document number: 2786069

Country of ref document: CA

WWE Wipo information: entry into national phase

Ref document number: 13261351

Country of ref document: US

NENP Non-entry into the national phase

Ref country code: DE

122 Ep: pct application non-entry in european phase

Ref document number: 10840240

Country of ref document: EP

Kind code of ref document: A1