Recovered and Recycled Clean Water Cooling

Abstract

A condensate, precipitation and recycled water recovery system is described, for use in cooling applications such as air-cooled air conditioning and refrigeration systems. The recovered and recycled water system is a method designed to assist the air-cooled condenser in cooling the refrigerant, prior to the refrigerant cooling control system evaporator. The system can include an electronic control system, although not essential in all embodiments. In one embodiment, at least one condensate, precipitation, and recycled water recovery system is attached to the condenser of the refrigerant cooling control system. In another embodiment, multiple condensate, precipitation, and recycled water recovery systems are located on the condenser of the refrigerant cooling control system.

Claims

1. A clean water assisted cooling system, which accumulates for use in the process a collection of refrigerant condensate water and precipitation water which is continuously recycled and replenished for reuse, comprising: a water collection tray, a water collection tank, water filter, water pumps and water supply distributors, all connected in series by a plurality of pipes; whereby the water supply distributors are positioned on the condenser of an air-cooled refrigerant cooling control system, operable in use to flow the recovered and/or recycled water though the condenser coils and/or fins of an air cooled refrigerant cooling control system.

2. A clean water assisted cooling system in accordance with claim 1, whereby the power supply for operation is controlled by an air contact switch relay, utilizing discharge airflow provided by the refrigerant cooling control system.

3. A clean water assisted cooling system in accordance with claim 2, whereby a temperature control system is electrically connected to the air contact switch relay, which monitors the ambient outside air temperature, allowing electricity to flow to the air contact switch only when pre-set ambient air temperatures are achieved, thus maximizing the efficiency of the use of the recovered and recycled water.

4. A clean water assisted cooling system in accordance with claim 1, whereby evaporation process condensate is collected and recycled in its process via the water collection tray positioned under the condenser of an air-cooled refrigerant cooling control system.

5. A clean water assisted cooling system in accordance with claim 1, whereby precipitation is collected and recycled in its process via the water collection tray positioned under the condenser of an air-cooled refrigerant cooling control system.

6. A clean water assisted cooling system in accordance with claim 1, whereby precipitation and evaporation process condensate are collectively recovered and recycled in its process via the water collection tray positioned under the condenser of an air-cooled refrigerant cooling control system.

7. A clean water assisted cooling system in accordance with claim 1, whereby the excess water flowing from the water supply distributors through the air-cooled refrigerant cooling control system condenser coils and/or fins is recycled via the water collection tray positioned under the condenser coil of an air-cooled refrigerant cooling control system.

8. A clean water assisted cooling system in accordance with claim 1, whereby the water collection tray and the water collection tank can be collectively positioned directly under the under the condenser coil of an air-cooled refrigerant cooling control system.

9. The clean water assisted cooling system in accordance with claim 1, whereby the water collection tray is designed in a way to allow the air-cooled refrigerant cooling control system condenser to sit in a horizontally level position.

10. A clean water assisted cooling system in accordance with claims 1, 4, 5, 6, and 7, whereby the water collection tray is designed to gravity feed the water to flow out of the tray in single or multiple directions to avoid pooling.

11. A clean water assisted cooling system in accordance with claim 2, whereby the power supply for the electrical components can be provided in total by renewable energy.

12. A clean water assisted cooling system in accordance with claim 2, whereby the power supply for the electrical components can be provided by a collection of renewable and grid energy.

13. A clean water assisted cooling system, whereby the power supply provided for the electrical components is passed through an air contact switch relay, whereby the air contact switch utilizes the air flowing from the refrigerant cooling control system condenser fan, operable to provide energy to the air contact switch allowing electrical power flow.

14. An air contact switch in accordance with claim 13, whereby the contact to allow electrical power flow can be controlled by pressure switching.

15. An air contact switch in accordance with claim 13, whereby the contact to allow electrical power flow can be controlled by turbine electrical generation.

16. A forced air contact switch in accordance with claim 13, whereby the contact to allow electrical power flow can be controlled by magnetic force.

17. A clean water assisted cooling system in accordance with claim 13, whereby the air contact switch is operable to open and close electrical power flow to the electrical components of the clean water-cooling system's electrical components.

18. A clean water assisted cooling system in accordance with claim 2, whereby a single, or plurality of, electricity generating wind turbine(s), driven by the discharged air from the condensing process of a refrigerant cooling control system, powers the electrical components and/or relay of the clean water assisted cooling system.

19. A system or method as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a refrigerant cooling control system.

[0024] FIG. 2 is a schematic view of an embodiment of a clean water assisted cooling system.

[0025] FIG. 3 is a schematic view of an embodiment of a clean water assisted cooling system, whereby the recovered and recycled water available in the water collection tray cannot be gravity fed to the water collection tank.

[0026] FIG. 4 is a schematic view of an embodiment of a clean water assisted cooling system, whereby the wastewater from the condensate line cannot be gravity fed to the water collection tank.

[0027] FIG. 5 is a schematic view of an embodiment of a clean water assisted cooling system, whereby the water is being supplied onto the coils and/or fins of the refrigerant cooling control system.

[0028] FIG. 6 is a schematic view of an embodiment of a clean water assisted cooling system, in accordance with FIG. 5, whereby the power supplied for the electrical components of the clean water assisted cooling system is supplied by a wind turbine.

[0029] FIG. 7 is a schematic view of an embodiment of a clean water assisted cooling system, in accordance with FIG. 5, whereby the power supplied for the electrical components of the clean water assisted cooling system is supplied by a photovoltaic panel.

[0030] FIG. 8 is a schematic view of an embodiment of clean water assisted cooling system, in accordance with FIG. 5, whereby the power supplied for the electrical components of the clean water assisted cooling system is supplied by a photovoltaic panel, and/or a wind turbine, and/or utility grid power.

[0031] FIG. 9 is two schematic views of the water collection tray.

[0032] FIG. 10 is a schematic view of the air contact switch.

[0033] FIG. 11 is a schematic view of the refrigerant cooling control system, partnered with the air contact switch.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0034] The present invention is best understood by reference to the detailed drawings and encryption set forth herein. Embodiments of the invention are discussed below with reference to the drawings; however, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the detailed description given herein with respect to these figures is for explanatory purposes as the invention extends beyond these limited embodiments. For example, in light of the teachings of the present invention, those skilled in the art will recognize a multiplicity of alternate and suitable approaches, depending upon the needs of the particular application, to implement the functionality of any given detail described herein beyond the particular implementation choices in the following embodiments described and shown. That is, numerous modifications and variations of the invention may exist that are too numerous to be listed but that all fit within the scope of the invention. Also, singular words should be read as plural and vice versa and masculine as feminine and vice versa, where appropriate, and alternative embodiments do not necessarily imply that the two are mutually exclusive.

[0035] The present invention should not be limited to the particular methodology, compounds, materials, manufacturing techniques, uses, and applications, described herein, as these may vary. The terminology used herein is used for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. As used herein and in the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include the plural reference unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, a reference to “an element” is a reference to one or more elements and includes equivalents thereof known to those skilled in the art. Similarly, for another example, a reference to “a step” or “a means” may be a reference to one or more steps or means and may include sub-steps and subservient means.

[0036] All conjunctions used herein are to be understood in the most inclusive sense possible. Thus, a group of items linked with the conjunction “and” should not be read as requiring that each and every one of those items be present in the grouping, but rather should be read as “and/or” unless expressly stated otherwise. Similarly, a group of items linked with the conjunction “or” should not be read as requiring mutual exclusivity among that group, but rather should be read as “and/or” unless expressly stated otherwise. Structures described herein are to be understood also to refer to functional equivalents of such structures. Language that may be construed to express approximation should be so understood unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

[0037] Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) are to be given their ordinary and customary meaning to a person of ordinary skill in the art and are not to be limited to a special or customized meaning unless expressly so defined herein.

[0038] Terms and phrases used in this application, and variations thereof, especially in the appended claims, unless otherwise expressly stated, should be construed as open ended as opposed to limiting. As examples of the foregoing, the term “including” should be read to mean “including, without limitation,” “including but not limited to,” or the like; the term “having” should be interpreted as “having at least”; the term “includes” should be interpreted as “includes but is not limited to”; the term “example” is used to provide exemplary instances of the item in discussion, not an exhaustive or limiting list thereof; and use of terms like “preferably,” “preferred,” “desired,” “desirable,” or “exemplary” and words of similar meaning should not be understood as implying that certain features are critical, essential, or even important to the structure or function of the invention, but instead as merely intended to highlight alternative or additional features that may or may not be utilized in a particular embodiment of the invention.

[0039] Those skilled in the art will also understand that if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is intended, such an intent will be explicitly recited in the claim, and in the absence of such recitation no such intent is present. For example, as an aid to understanding, the appended claims may contain usage of the introductory phrases “at least one” and “one or more” to introduce claim recitations; however, the use of such phrases should not be construed to imply that the introduction of a claim recitation by the indefinite articles “a” or “an” limits any particular claim containing such introduced claim recitation to embodiments containing only one such recitation, even when the same claim includes the introductory phrases “one or more” or “at least one” and indefinite articles such as “a” or “an” (e.g., “a” and “an” should typically be interpreted to mean “at least one” or “one or more”); the same holds true for the use of definite articles used to introduce claim recitations. In addition, even if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is explicitly recited, those skilled in the art will recognize that such recitation should typically be interpreted to mean at least the recited number (e.g., the bare recitation of “two recitations,” without other modifiers, typically means at least two recitations, or two or more recitations). Furthermore, in those instances where a convention analogous to “at least one of A, B, and C” is used, in general, such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., “a system having at least one of A, B, and C” would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.).

[0040] All numbers expressing dimensions, quantities of ingredients, reaction conditions, and so forth used in the specification are to be understood as being modified in all instances by the term “about” unless expressly stated otherwise. Accordingly, unless indicated to the contrary, the numerical parameters set forth herein are approximations that may vary depending upon the desired properties sought to be obtained.

[0041] The invention provides a recovered and recycled water system for use in cooling applications such as, for example, air conditioning systems and refrigeration systems. The clean water assisted cooling system 2A, can be connected to the refrigerant cooling control system 1A.

[0042] FIG. 1 illustrates one embodiment of a refrigerant cooling control system 1A. The refrigerant cooling control system 1A includes a compressor, a condenser coil 3 and fins 2. Refrigerant flows through the condenser coil 3 of refrigerant cooling control system 1A. The condensers' purpose is to cool down the refrigerant leaving the compressor, prior to it flowing onto the evaporator. Ambient air flows in the directions shown in 4 and 5, through the condenser coil and fins.

[0043] FIG. 2 illustrates the clean water assisted cooling system 2A. The clean water assisted cooling system 2A includes a water collection tray 6, water collection tank 7, water filter 12, main water pump 8 and water supply distributors 13, each connected by a plurality of fluid lines 9, 10, 11 and 14, to form a clean water assisted cooling system 2A. The water collection tank 7 is operable to receive condensate water as it flows from the refrigerant cooling control system 1A condensate line 15 and fluid lines 10 and 9, through the water filter 12. The water collection tank 7 is also operable to receive the recovered precipitation and recycled water from the water collection tray 6, via fluid line 9 and water filter 12. The water collection tank 7 is also operable to supply the collected water to the main pump 8 via fluid line 11. The main pump 8 is operable to supply the water supply distributors 13. The system can also include a control unit 18 which is electrically connected to the electrical component main pump 8 via power line 20.

[0044] FIG. 3 shows another embodiment of the clean water assisted cooling system 2A, where gravity flow is not possible for the recovered and recycled water flowing from the water collection tray 6. In this illustration, a secondary pump 16 pumps the water via fluid line 9 and water filter 12, to the water collection tank 7. The secondary pump can be electrically connected to the control unit 18, which supplies the power to drive the pump via power line 23.

[0045] FIG. 4 shows another embodiment of the clean water assisted cooling system 2A, where gravity flow is not possible for the condensate water flowing from the condensate line 15 of the refrigerant cooling control system. In this illustration, a secondary pump 16 collects and pumps the water via fluid pipe 9 and water filter 12 to the water collection tank. The secondary pump can be electrically connected to the control unit 18, which supplies the power to drive the pump via power line 23.

[0046] FIG. 5 illustrates clean water assisted cooling system 2A, attached to the refrigerant control cooling system 1A. As described in FIG. 2A, the water collection tank 7 is designed to collect water flow from the system condensate line 15 and the water collection tray 6. When the control unit 18, either directly or via the air contact switch 31 which allows power to flow to the electrical components of the clean water assisted cooling system, the water collection tank 7 then supplies the water held in the tank to the main pump 8, in turn the main pump 8 supplies the water to the water supply distributors 13, and the water then flows over the condenser coils and/or fins of the refrigeration cooling control system 1A, with the excess water flowing into the water collection tray 6 then recycled by flowing back to the water filter 12, via fluid line 9 into the water collection tank.

[0047] FIG. 6 illustrates a standalone power supply utilizing the waste heat extraction airflow generated by the condensing process of the refrigerant cooling control system 1A. The clean water assisted cooling system requires electrical power to operate. The condenser and compressor of the refrigerant cooling control system 1A uses a fan to remove heat from the refrigerant in the condensing process as illustrated in FIGS. 1, 1A, airflow out 5. This waste air removal is normally directly extracted into the outside environment. In this embodiment, prior to the air being extracted to the outside environment, it is utilized to drive a wind turbine 17 situated directly in front of the heat removal air extraction from the condenser of 1A. This process generates electricity, which is then utilized via a power supply line directly or via control system 18 to supply electrical power to operate the clean water assisted cooling system 2A. This same process can be utilized by installing wind turbines in the internal air ducting systems of the refrigerant cooling control system 1A.

[0048] FIG. 7 illustrates a standalone power supply utilizing solar photovoltaic energy. The recovered and recycled water system requires electrical power to operate. A solar photovoltaic panel 21 is situated a near as possible to the refrigerated cooling control system 1A and the clean water assisted cooling system 2A. This process generates electricity, which is then utilized via a power line 22 and/or control system 18 and via the air contact switch 31 which allows power to flow to supply electrical power to a battery 26 to operate the recovered clean water assisted cooling system 2A electrical components.

[0049] The clean water assisted cooling system 2 can be powered by any suitable power source. For example, FIG. 8 illustrates a collective or standalone power supply for the clean water assisted cooling system 2A provided by wind turbine 17 and/or solar photovoltaic panels 21 and/or grid power 25, and/or battery 26 electrically connected to the control system 18 via the air contact switch 31 to the systems main pump 8 and/or secondary pump 16, via power supplies 19, 20, 22 and 24.

[0050] FIG. 9 contains two illustrations of the water collection tray 6. 4A is a side view of the water collection tray 6 utilized in the clean water assisted cooling system 2A. The water collection tray 6 contains multiple horizontally leveled Seating Points 27, which allow for the refrigerant cooling control system 1A to be placed on the seating points 27 in the tray in a level position, while the water from the water supply distributors falls through the refrigerant cooling control system 1A condenser coils, onto the slope 28 in the water collection tray 6. The water then flows around the seating points 27, to a single or multiple exit collection point 29, whereby the collected water to be recycled flows through to the water collection tank 7. 4B is a three directional view of the water collection tray 6, further illustrating the seating points 27, the slope 28, and the collections point 29.

[0051] FIG. 10 illustrates the air contact switch 31 in schematic drawings 5A and 5B. Electrical power 33 is available to be passed through the air contact switch 31 at all times. When the flap 30 is raised the switch 31 is moved into the on position, allowing the electrical power 32 to flow through the air contact switch either directly or via the control panel 18 to the clean water assisted cooling system 2A electrical components. When the flap 30 is closed 5B, the electrical flow is blocked, switching off the electrical water flow components of the clean water assisted cooling system 2A. This process allows the clean water assisted cooling system to recognize when the refrigerant cooling control system is operational.

[0052] FIG. 11 illustrates the air contact switch 5A positioned over the air out 5 of the refrigerant cooling control system 1A. The air flow 5 forces the paddle 30 of the air contact switch outwards into the on position, maintaining it in this position for duration of the airflow. When the refrigerant cooling control system 1A ceases operation the air flow 5 ceases. The flap 30 is now forced by gravity into the closed position 5B, turning off the electrical components of the clean water assisted cooling system.

[0053] The process detailed above increases the liquid mass flow of the refrigerant meaning more refrigerant molecules are now available to the refrigerant cooling control system's evaporator as without the additional cooling effect, which produces a higher cooling capacity in the evaporator. The refrigerant cooling control system 1A reacts to the increase by reducing the workload of the entire system while still providing the original targeted cooling capacity. Both effects on the pressures and the liquid mass flow reduce the electrical consumption of the compressor as the compressor now requires less energy to provide the same cooling capacity as in systems that do not clean water assisted cooling system 2A.

[0054] The clean water assisted cooling system 2A must have sufficient water flow to be effective, but not too large as to deplete the water supply. The total amount of heat transferred by clean water assisted cooling system 2A is defined not only by the size of the recovered condensate, water and/or precipitation, and/or recycled water system but also by the volume of water supplied. Therefore, in some embodiments, the refrigerant cooling control system 1A can employ an array of clean water assisted cooling system 2A. Increasing the number of recovered condensate, water and/or precipitation, and/or recycled water system 2A increases the cooling capacity of the system but also provides greater control over the extent to which the refrigerant is cooled when in use. In some embodiments the system may employ one or more clean water assisted cooling system 2A.

[0055] The control unit 18 is operable to control the operation of the clean water assisted cooling system 2A, which is beneficial by allowing control over these components with the aim to avoid faults in the performance of these components. The control unit 18 may additionally include temperature and/or pressure sensors (not shown) within the refrigerant lines of the refrigerant cooling control system 1A or other components of the systems 1A and 2A.

Other Embodiments

[0056] It is to be understood that while the invention has been described in conjunction with the detailed description thereof, the foregoing description is intended to illustrate and not limit the scope of the invention, which is defined by the scope of the appended claims. Other aspects, advantages, and modifications are within the scope of the following claims.

PRIOR ART

[0057] There are a number of known patents targeted at reducing energy consumption on a refrigerant cooling control system, by spraying water into the condenser coil of an air conditioning or refrigeration system. These include two granted patents to Faxon, U.S. Pat. No. 4,170,117 issued Oct. 9, 1979, and U.S. Pat. No. 4,240,265 issued Dec. 23, 1980. The two disclosures show a spray nozzle located a distance from a condenser, with the control of the water flow valve being a temperature sensor which feeds back to an electrical switch/relay. When the temperature in the condenser reaches a predetermined point, the switch is initiated opening the water supply valve, spraying water onto the condenser. Another U.S. Pat. No. 5,117,644 issued on Jun. 2, 1992, has also been granted to Fought. This is based around a conventional spray mist type, although now controlled by a vibration transducer that senses the vibration of the condenser as it operates, accordingly switching on the valve to supply the water spray. Furthermore, on May 17, 1994, U.S. Pat. No. 5,311,747 was issued to Pringle. This patent describes a water-assisted condenser cooler, or the type described that uses a normally closed poppet valve for controlling the flow of water. Proximate to the valve stem is a temperature sensing bellows that expands as the temperature of the cooling air rises and urges the valve stem into the open position allowing cooling water to cool the coils in a conventional manner. Moreover, the US patent U.S. Ser. No. 08/418,368 was granted to Middleton on Feb. 25, 2017. The system uses an adaptor pressure regulator to limit the water flow pressure of the misting system to as low as 25 PSI, allowing the water supply outlet to pass through an air flow controlled pinch valve which controls the flow of water through the system. In addition, the U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,285,651A, 5,285,651A also represent a similar process although slightly different in their own right,

[0058] The prior art taken independently alone or in combination fails to address the need for the use of renewable clean water as a sole source of supply, which includes the collection and use of the condensate water generated by the refrigerant cooling control system itself, the collection and use of precipitation water, moreover and of vital importance, the recycling use of the same have not been addressed. The prior art also fails to address an improved technique for controlling the flow of the spray water supply to an air-cooled condenser coil, whereby all electrical components can be powered by renewable energy.