Marine air conditioner
First Claim
1. An air conditioning apparatus, comprising:
- a) an insulated compartment;
b) a heat exchanger having a first surface and a second-surface;
c) a variable-speed pump adapted to pump a liquid cooling fluid along a defined flow path leading from the insulated compartment, across the first surface of the heat exchanger, and back to the insulated compartment;
d) a means for causing air to flow across the second surface of the heat exchanger in the heat exchange relationship with the cooling fluid;
e) a computer; and
f) a temperature sensor adapted to monitor the temperature of air which has flowed across the second surface of the heat exchanger and send a signal to the computer if the air temperature varies from a predetermined set point;
wherein the computer responds to the signal sent by the temperature sensor by varying the speed of the pump; and
wherein the cooling fluid is cooled by contact with a slowly melting frozen material stored inside the insulated compartment.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An air conditioning apparatus suitable for use in small boats having enclosed cabins, comprising an insulated compartment; a cooling coil having an inner surface and an outer surface; a small pump for causing a liquid cooling fluid to travel along a defined flow path leading from the insulated compartment, across the inner surface of the cooling coil, and back to the insulated compartment; and a means for causing air to flow across the outer surface of the cooling coil in heat exchange relationship with the cooling fluid. The cooling fluid is cooled by contact with a slowly melting frozen material stored inside the insulated compartment. No on-board vapor compression refrigeration cycle like those used in conventional marine air conditioning systems is used for either chilling the cooling fluid or refreezing the frozen material after it melts. This leads to a significant decrease in power requirements.
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Citations
9 Claims
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1. An air conditioning apparatus, comprising:
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a) an insulated compartment; b) a heat exchanger having a first surface and a second-surface; c) a variable-speed pump adapted to pump a liquid cooling fluid along a defined flow path leading from the insulated compartment, across the first surface of the heat exchanger, and back to the insulated compartment; d) a means for causing air to flow across the second surface of the heat exchanger in the heat exchange relationship with the cooling fluid; e) a computer; and f) a temperature sensor adapted to monitor the temperature of air which has flowed across the second surface of the heat exchanger and send a signal to the computer if the air temperature varies from a predetermined set point; wherein the computer responds to the signal sent by the temperature sensor by varying the speed of the pump; and wherein the cooling fluid is cooled by contact with a slowly melting frozen material stored inside the insulated compartment. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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Specification