Prefilter system for heat transfer unit and method
First Claim
1. A method of transferring heat comprising:
- providing heat exchanger unit that is at least partially air cooled, the heat exchanger unit having an evaporator, condenser, compressor and a fan for forcing air over a heat exchange surface of the condenser;
positioning a prefilter filter element in an air stream directed to the heat exchange surface of the condenser for capturing at least one of grease, debris and other contaminants that are not entrained within any liquid cooling fluid that would otherwise contact the heat exchange surface, the prefilter filter element being spaced apart from the heat exchange surface to define a plenum;
allowing the filter element to capture the at least one of grease, debris and other contaminants prior to contact with the heat exchange surface of the condenser;
providing a mist generator having at least one nozzle located between the prefilter filter element and the heat exchange surface of the condenser for directing a stream of fine mist or atomized liquid coolant into the air within the plenum between the prefilter filter element and the heat exchange surface of the condenser, the mist generator being coupled to a supply of liquid coolant; and
controlling the degree of mist or atomized coolant generated by the mist generator with a controller.
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Abstract
A method of transferring heat is accomplished by providing a heat exchanger unit that is at least partially air cooled. The heat exchanger unit has an evaporator, condenser, compressor and a fan for forcing air over an exteriorly located heat exchange surface of the condenser. A fiberglass filter element is positioned adjacent to the heat exchange surface of the condenser for capturing at least one of grease, debris and other contaminants that are not entrained within any liquid cooling fluid that would otherwise contact the heat exchange surface. The filter element is allowed to capture the at least one of grease, debris and other contaminants prior to contact with the heat exchange surface of the condenser.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method of transferring heat comprising:
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providing heat exchanger unit that is at least partially air cooled, the heat exchanger unit having an evaporator, condenser, compressor and a fan for forcing air over a heat exchange surface of the condenser; positioning a prefilter filter element in an air stream directed to the heat exchange surface of the condenser for capturing at least one of grease, debris and other contaminants that are not entrained within any liquid cooling fluid that would otherwise contact the heat exchange surface, the prefilter filter element being spaced apart from the heat exchange surface to define a plenum; allowing the filter element to capture the at least one of grease, debris and other contaminants prior to contact with the heat exchange surface of the condenser; providing a mist generator having at least one nozzle located between the prefilter filter element and the heat exchange surface of the condenser for directing a stream of fine mist or atomized liquid coolant into the air within the plenum between the prefilter filter element and the heat exchange surface of the condenser, the mist generator being coupled to a supply of liquid coolant; and controlling the degree of mist or atomized coolant generated by the mist generator with a controller. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A method of transferring heat comprising:
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providing heat exchanger unit that is at least partially air cooled, the heat exchanger unit having an evaporator, condenser, compressor and a fan for forcing air over a heat exchange surface of the condenser; positioning a first fiberglass prefilter filter element having a MERV rating of from 1 to 4 in an air stream directed to the heat exchange surface of the condenser for capturing at least one of grease, debris and other contaminants that are not entrained within any liquid cooling fluid that would otherwise contact the heat exchange surface; positioning a second fiberglass filter element adjacent to the heat exchange surface with the second filter element locating between the first prefilter filter element and the heat exchange surface, the first and second filter elements being spaced apart from one another to define a plenum therebetween; and providing a mist generator having at least one nozzle for directing a stream of fine mist or atomized liquid coolant into the air within the plenum between the filter elements, the mist generator being coupled to a supply of liquid coolant; controlling the degree of mist or atomized coolant generated by the mist generator with a controller; allowing the first filter element to capture the at least one of grease, debris and other contaminants prior to entering the plenum; and directing the stream of mist or atomized liquid coolant directly into the air within the plenum defined between the first and second filter elements. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20)
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Specification