Method and apparatus for improving evaporator performance
US7752860B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 16, 2007 |
| Grant date | Jul 13, 2010 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 3, 2028 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF24F2006/146
- WIPO fieldThermal processes and apparatus
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A method and apparatus for improving the rate of heat transfer between an evaporator of a refrigeration system and the environment surrounding the evaporator. In one embodiment, the evaporator is placed in thermal communication with the air of a data center where electronic equipment is operated therein. To improve the rate of heat transfer between the air and the evaporator, water is evaporated into the air before it flows over the evaporator coils. As a result, when the humidified air flows over the cold evaporator coils, a portion of the water vapor in the air condenses on the evaporator, thereby wetting the evaporator coils. The wetted surfaces of the evaporator coils improve the rate of heat transfer between the air and, ultimately, the refrigerant passing through the evaporator. In one embodiment, a humidifier having a water atomizer may be used for spraying and dispersing water into the air.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.