Air conditioning system for confined spaces

• US 5,024,065 A
• Filed: 03/13/1986
• Issued: 06/18/1991
• Est. Priority Date: 03/13/1986
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: David D. Barrett
• Original Assignee: David D. Barrett
• Inventors: Barrett, David D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Wayner, William E.
• Application Number:
  US06/839,221
• Time in Patent Office: 1,923 Days
• Field of Search: 62/185, 62/459, 62/464, 62/285, 62/244, 62/245
• US Class Current: 62/285
• CPC Class Codes: B60H 1/3235 using sublimation, e.g. dry ice cooling or melting ice
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 1/022 comprising a compressor cycle
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 1/04 Arrangements for portability
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 5/0017 using cold storage bodies, e.g. ice
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 2303/081 using ice cubes or crushed ice
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 2331/804 Boxes
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 2400/38 Refrigerating devices characterised by wheels
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 3/06 Movable containers
• CPC Class Codes: Y02A 40/963 Off-grid food refrigeration
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/14 Thermal energy storage

Abstract

This invention is a method and apparatus for air conditioning small and confined spaces, particularly where silence of operations is important, and wherein the method involves drawing air through an ice containing chamber and passing it into the confined space desired to be cooled together with provisions for adequate drainage of melted ice and adjustments for varying the actual temperature produced. It includes specially designed radiating tubes for special effect on the cooling ability.

Claims

1. An apparatus for cooling a confined space such as within a closed surveillance vehicle which does not betray the cooling operation within the vehicle through noise, electronic emission or liquid dripping comprising:

a cabinet having a front wall, a pair of side walls and a rear wall;

an ice and water containing chamber within said cabinet insulated from said cabinet walls;

a pan including heat conducting material having a multiplicity of fluid conduits, said pan mounted in the adjacent floor area of said chamber, said fluid conduits disposed within said ice and water containing chamber so that said fluid conduits are substantially surrounded by ice and water within said ice containing chamber thereby efficiently cooling said fluid conduits in said pan and cooling fluid within said fluid conduits;

an intake conduit and an outlet conduit connected to said pan fluid conduits;

a pump for circulating a fluid connected to said outlet conduit;

a heat exchanging radiator unit connected to said inlet conduit;

second fluid conduit connected to said pump and said radiator;

means to draw air through said radiator unit and pass it into the confined space within said surveillance vehicle;

said cabinet including a radiator housing means, said radiator being mounted within said radiator housing means;

means for storing food within said ice and water chamber;

means for controlling operation of said pump;

means for controlling the operation of said air drawing means connected to said air drawing means.

2. An apparatus for cooling a confined space as in claim 1, including:

means for selectively draining said ice and water chamber.

3. An apparatus for cooling a confined space comprising:

a cabinet having a vented, screened closure located in the rear of said cabinet, whereby air from outside said cabinet may pass into said cabinet;

an ice and water chamber, located within said cabinet, adapted to sealingly contain ice and water;

a removeable cover attached to the top of said ice and water chamber;

air outlet panel located near the top of said cabinet having at least one air outlet, said air outlet having means for adjustably directing air passing through said air outlet;

at least one low drain electrical fan connected to a source of electrical power, said fan attached to said air outlet panel and directed to move air from inside said cabinet through said air outlet to the outside of said cabinet;

a radiator coil unit, having a fluid input and output, said radiator coil unit located between said fans and said air outlets;

a lower pan located within said ice and water chamber, containing a plurality of conduits, said conduits connected to a common conduit input and a common conduit output, said conduits exposed on their outside surfaces to the interior of said ice and water chamber, said conduits manufactured of a heat conducting material;

a first piping means connecting said output of said coil unit and said conduit input;

a second piping means connecting said input of said coil unit and said conduit output;

a pump, intermediate said second piping means, for moving fluid through said second piping means, said coil unit, said first piping means, and said conduits within said lower pan;

whereby a confined space is cooled, little energy is consumed by the apparatus while operating, and indicia of the presence or operation of said apparatus in the form of water outside of said apparatus, resulting from ice melting said ice chamber, is eliminated.

4. The device of claim 3, including:

a drain pipe connected to said ice and water chamber whereby water in said ice and water chamber from ice melted in said ice and water chamber may flow out of said ice and water chamber;

means for stopping the flow of water from said ice chamber out of said drain pipe.

5. The device of claim 3 further comprising means for controlling the operation of said pump.

6. The device of claim 3 further comprising means for controlling the operation of said fan.

7. The device of claim 3 further comprising means within said ice and water chamber, for storing food.