Self-contained ambient precooler attachment for air-cooled condensing units
US4353219A · kind A · utility
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | May 19, 1980 |
| Grant date | Oct 12, 1982 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 19, 2000 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF25B2339/041
- WIPO fieldThermal processes and apparatus
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
The jacket-like precooler embraces the condensing unit of a residential air conditioning system to position porous fill media of the jacket in upstream airflow relationship to air inlets of the unit. A water discharge manifold along the upper extent of the media may be connected to an outdoor spigot, and a pump situated in a reservoir at the base of the jacket, when plugged into an outdoor electrical outlet, is operable to recirculate water to the manifold after gravitating through the media and precooling ambient air drawn transversely into the unit. A float valve prevents makeup water supplied by the spigot from entering the system when the reservoir is filled to a certain depth, and actuation of the pump is withheld until the ambient air exceeds a certain predetermined temperature. Moreover, the pump is only actuated when the condensing unit itself is in operation as determined by a pressure sensitive device situated within the stream of air drawn into the unit. An alternative embodiment adds the capability of temporarily deactivating the pump and continuously feeding only makeup water to the manifold if the temperature of collected water within the reservoir exceeds a certain p…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.