GROUNDWATER AIR CONDITIONING WITH WARM WATER DISTRIBUTION AND ASSOCIATED METHODS

Abstract

A method of cooling air includes a liquid coolant subsystem including a cool water source configured to hold water, an air cooling subsystem including an air chamber that contains air therein, an air conditioning apparatus including a heat exchanger of a liquid-to-air type having a heat sink in thermal communication, a fan assembly configured to move air along the heat sink of the heat exchanger, a thermostat, a temperature sensor, and a control circuit in electronic communication with the temperature sensor and the thermostat, a plumbing subsystem including an inlet piping component in fluid communication with heat exchanger, an outlet piping component in fluid communication with the exchanger, and a solenoid valve. The control circuit may be configured to activate the fan assembly and to open the solenoid valve, allowing for the transfer heat to water from the air moved by the fan assembly.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part application and claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/855,131 filed on May 9, 2013 and titled Ductless Air Conditioner, and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/272,987 filed on May 8, 2014 (attorney docket no. 699.00002) and titled Ground Water Air Conditioning Systems and Associated Methods, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the field of air conditioning and, more specifically, to the field of using a naturally-occurring water temperature difference to condition air, and associated systems and methods.

BACKGROUND

Air conditioning systems are pervasive throughout industrialized nations for providing cooling to enclosed interior areas. Traditional cooling systems utilize refrigeration cycles requiring significant expenditure of electrical power, driving down the efficiency of such systems. Moreover, systems relying on such refrigeration cycles are expensive to produce and maintain, and often include the use of materials that are environmentally unfriendly and must be carefully isolated from the environment.

The use of natural sources of cool water in cooling systems has been demonstrated in U.S. Pat. No. 2,299,335 to McGrath, using well water in a cooling system. However, the disclosure of McGrath requires the use of a compressor in conjunction with the well water, which then runs through a coding coil. The use of the compressor reduces the energy efficiency of the coding system. Moreover, McGrath is directed to controlling the temperature of a cooling fluid used for coding purposes, which serves to substantially increase the number of components necessary as well as increasing the cost of the system. Other systems known in the art have similar shortcomings.

Accordingly, there exists a need for a cooling system that does not require the use of expensive or energy-inefficient components while still achieving sufficient cooling capability.

This background information is provided to reveal information believed by the applicant to be of possible relevance to the present invention. No admission is necessarily intended, nor should be construed, that any of the preceding information constitutes prior art against the present invention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The cooling system may include a control unit that includes a thermostat, a sensor and a controller. The control unit may receive a set point temperature from the thermostat as set by a user. The control unit may also receive an air chamber temperature from the sensor. When the sensor detects the air chamber temperature is higher than the set point temperature, the controller may signal the well pump to initiate delivery of water from a cool water source through the piping subsystem to an air conditioning apparatus, defined as a liquid-to-air heat exchanger. Air chamber fluid, in this case air, may be moved along the liquid-to-air heat exchanger to transfer heat from the air chamber to the cool water, which has now been warmed by the liquid-to-air heat exchanger. In some embodiments, the air chamber air may be moved by a fan. As a result, the air chamber temperature may lower. Simultaneously, the water temperature rises becoming warmed water. In some embodiments, the warmed water may be piped through a solar heating system to transfer additional heat to the warmed water and creating heated water. At this point, the heated water may be piped to a distribution module that is structured for heated water distribution.

In some embodiments, the distribution module may be a warm water tank and in other embodiments the distribution module may be a hot water heater or hot water heater tank. Structuring the distribution module as a traditional hot water heater or hot water heater tank may reduce electricity consumption since the water being piped into the tank is already warmed or heated. However, in this embodiment, the hot water heater or hot water heater tank may include a distribution control unit with a distribution controller, a distribution thermostat, and a distribution sensor whereby the distribution controller signals the well pump to initiate the delivery of water from a cool water source when the distribution sensor detects water within the hot water heater falls below a set point temperature. In any embodiment, the distribution module may retain a portion of the warmed and/or heated water for later use. However, in some embodiments the distribution module may not retain any water.

The distribution module may be structured to distribute warmed and heated water to a location different than the original cool water source. In some embodiments, this may be external to the structure containing the cooling system via external componentry. In other embodiments, this may be internal to the structure containing the cooling system via internal componentry. Yet other embodiments may have the warmed and/or heated water distributable both inside and outside of the containing structure with both external componentry and internal componentry stemming from the distribution module.

The cooling system may utilize the control unit and controller to initiate and cease the flow of water from the cool water source to the distribution module. For example, this may occur when the air chamber reaches a temperature equal to the set point temperature. However, some embodiments may have the cooling system continuously running through the plumbing subsystem and expelled through the external componentry without the use of a control unit. Likewise, certain embodiments may not use the distribution control unit to control the flow of cool water through the plumbing subsystem.

The cooling system may include the liquid-to-air heat exchanger located within one level of a structure or building and the plumbing subsystem may be structured to route warmed water from the liquid-to-air heat exchanger through another level of the structure or building before moving the warmed water to the distribution module located on the original level. In other embodiments, the cool air system may include the distribution module located on a level different from the original level. Yet other embodiments may include a plurality of distribution modules located on a plurality of levels.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a groundwater air conditioning and warm water distribution system.

FIG. 2 is an assembled, perspective view of an air conditioning device as used in a groundwater air conditioning and warm water distribution system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the air conditioning device illustrated in FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 cross-sectional view of the air conditioning device illustrated in FIG. 2 taken through 4-4.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a groundwater air conditioning and warm water distribution system according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a groundwater air conditioning and warm water distribution system according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a diagram depicting a flowchart illustrating a method according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 8 is a diagram depicting a flowchart illustrating a method according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of a groundwater air conditioning and warm water distribution system according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which preferred embodiments of the invention are shown. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. Those of ordinary skill in the art realize that the following descriptions of the embodiments of the present invention are illustrative and are not intended to be limiting in any way. Other embodiments of the present invention will readily suggest themselves to such skilled persons having the benefit of this disclosure. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout.

Although the following detailed description contains many specifics for the purposes of illustration, anyone of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that many variations and alterations to the following details are within the scope of the invention. Accordingly, the following embodiments of the invention are set forth without any loss of generality to, and without imposing limitations upon, the claimed invention.

In this detailed description of the present invention, a person skilled in the art should note that directional terms, such as “above,” “below,” “upper,” “lower,” and other like terms are used for the convenience of the reader in reference to the drawings. Also, a person skilled in the art should notice this description may contain other terminology to convey position, orientation, and direction without departing from the principles of the present invention.

Furthermore, in this detailed description, a person skilled in the art should note that quantitative qualifying terms such as “generally,” “substantially,” “mostly,” and other terms are used, in general, to mean that the referred to object, characteristic, or quality constitutes a majority of the subject of the reference. The meaning of any of these terms is dependent upon the context within which it is used, and the meaning may be expressly modified.

Additionally, in this detailed description, it is contemplated that wherever the terms “comprising” or “including” are used in describing various elements and parts of the invention, and indeed the invention itself, connoting that additional elements may be included within the scope of the invention, such terms may be understood to mean in the alternative that the invention or referenced element may consist solely of those elements recited. According to such alternative embodiments, the invention may be understood to include only those elements recited.

An embodiment of the invention text, as shown and described by the various figures and accompanying text provides a cooling system that utilizes well water to provide primary or supplemental cooling. The cooling system may advantageously accomplish cooling with comparatively fewer parts than traditional well-water cooling systems. The cooling system may be used as a stand-alone cooling system, or it may be used to augment an existing cooling system.

Referring now to FIG. 1, a cooling system 100 according to an embodiment of the invention is presented. The cooling system 100 may comprise, or, in some embodiments, consist of a liquid coolant subsystem 110, an air cooling subsystem 120, a plumbing subsystem 150, and a control subsystem 140.

The liquid coolant subsystem 110 may be configured to access a reservoir of a cool liquid and to provide the cool liquid for use in the cooling system 100. In the present embodiment, the liquid coolant system 110 may comprise a well subsystem 112. The well subsystem 112 may include a cool water source 114, and may be configured to enable the liquid coolant subsystem 110 to deliver water from the cool water source 114 to relevant elements of the cooling system 100. In the present embodiment, the cool water source 114 may be a reservoir of well water. The cool water source 114 may be a reservoir of cool water of any volume and at any depth that is sufficient to provide water of a sufficiently low temperature so as to be utilized by the cooling system 100. In the present embodiment, the cool water source 114 may be a reservoir having a depth of at least about 80 feet. In some embodiments, the cool water source 114 may be a reservoir having any depth of at least about 40 feet. The provided depths are exemplary only, and any other depth that may provide sufficiently cool water is contemplated and included within the scope of the invention. It is contemplated and included within the scope of the invention that the liquid coolant subsystem 110 may further comprise other elements as are known in well water pumping systems, including a well pump 175, a check valve 177, a pressure switch, and a captive air tank 173.

The air cooling subsystem 120 may be configured to cooperate with the liquid coolant subsystem 110 and the plumbing system 150 in the operation of the system 100. More specifically, the air cooling subsystem 120 may be configured to receive liquid coolant from the liquid coolant subsystem 110, as delivered by the plumbing system 150, and utilize the liquid coolant so as to accomplish a cooling procedure for use in an air chamber. The air cooling subsystem 120 may include an air chamber 122 that contains air therein and an air conditioning apparatus 124.

Referring now to FIGS. 2-4, additional aspects of the air conditioning apparatus 124 will now be discussed in greater detail. The air conditioning apparatus 124 may include a heat exchanger 302. The heat exchanger may be configured to enable and facilitate the dissipation of heat from air surrounding the heat exchanger 302 to a liquid coolant, thereby defining the heat exchanger 302 as a liquid-to-air type. Accordingly, the heat exchanger 302 may be configured to be positioned in fluidic communication with a liquid coolant source.

As in the present embodiment, the heat exchanger 302 may include a tube 303 that includes an inlet orifice 305 and an outlet orifice 207. Furthermore, the tube 303 may further include an interior surface 402 and an exterior surface 404. The interior surface 402 may be configured to facilitate the flow of heat towards a cooling liquid adjacent to the interior surface 402. Furthermore, the interior surface 402 may be configured to facilitate the flow of a liquid coolant therefrom. Additionally, the exterior surface 404 and be configured to facilitate the flow of heat from air surrounding the exterior surface 404 into and through the exterior surface 404 towards the interior surface 402.

The inlet orifice 305 may be positioned on an exterior of the air conditioning apparatus 124 and configured to couple to and establish fluidic communication with a liquid coolant source. Furthermore, the inlet orifice 305 may enable the flow of a liquid coolant to the tube 303.

The outlet orifice 207 may be positioned on an exterior of the air conditioning apparatus 124 and configured to couple to and establish fluidic communication with an outlet for transporting liquid coolant that has flowed through the tube 303 and is exiting therefrom. The outlet may transport the liquid coolant from the air conditioning apparatus 124 to a discharge location for the liquid coolant.

In some embodiments, the tube 303 may further include a secondary outlet orifice 216. The secondary outlet orifice 216 may similarly be positioned on an exterior of the air conditioning apparatus 124 and configured to couple to and establish fluidic communication with another outlet separate and apart from the outlet associated with the outlet orifice 207 for transporting liquid coolant that has flowed through the tube 303 and is exiting therefrom. The outlet associated with the secondary outlet orifice may transport the liquid coolant from the air conditioning apparatus 124 to a discharge location for the liquid coolant.

Furthermore, the heat exchanger 302 may further include a heat sink 309. The heat sink 309 may be positioned in thermal communication with the exterior surface 404 of the tube 303. The heat sink 309 may be configured to facilitate the flow of heat from air flowing thereby in coming into contact with the heat sink 309 into the tube 303, more specifically, the exterior surface 404. For example, in the current embodiment, the heat sink 309 may include a plurality of fins configured to increase the surface area thereof, thereby increasing the thermal flow capacity thereof. Accordingly, the thermal cooperation between the heat sink 309, the exterior surface 404, and the interior surface 402 may facilitate the flow of thermal energy from the air surrounding each of the tube 303 in the heat sink 309 to a liquid coolant.

In some embodiments, the air conditioning apparatus 124 may include an air output section 212. The air output section 212 may be configured and positioned so as to enable air that has flowed over and past the heat exchanger 302 out of the air conditioning apparatus 124 and into the air chamber 122. Generally, the air that flows through the air output section 212 will be cooler than the air in the air chamber 122. In the present embodiment, the air output section 212 comprises a plurality of vents. Furthermore, the air output section 212 may be configured to control the flow of air exiting the air conditioning apparatus so as to direct the flow of air therefrom. In the present embodiment, the air output section 212 may direct the flow of air therefrom in a generally upwards direction. Furthermore, the air output section 212 may be rotatable so as to control the direction of air flowing therefrom.

Additionally, the air conditioning apparatus 124 may further include a fan assembly 310. The fan assembly 310 may be configured to operate so as to generate a fluid flow such that the fluid flow is incident upon at least one of the exterior surface 404 in the heat sink 309 of the heat exchanger 302. More specifically, the fan assembly 310 may be configured to generate a fluid flow of air through a redirection chamber 350. The redirection chamber 350 may be configured to redirect the flow of air generated by the fan assembly 310 in the direction of the heat exchanger 302 and out of the air conditioning apparatus 124. The fan assembly 310 may include at least one fan 312. In the present embodiment, the fan assembly 310 may include two fans. The fan 312 may be configured to move a volume of the air such that the volume of air passes through the redirection chamber 350 and is incident upon and flows across the heat exchanger 302. Additionally, the fan 312 may be positioned so as to draw air from the air chamber 122, thereby causing the air drawn from the air chamber 122 to be incident upon the heat exchanger 302, thereby facilitating the transfer of heat from the air chamber 122 to the heat exchanger 302.

The fan 312 may be configured to operate at a variety of speeds, such that the volume of air moved thereby may be controlled by the operational speed thereof. This may have the effect of varying the cooling rate of the air conditioning apparatus 124. The cooling rate of the air conditioning apparatus 124 may be controlled at least partially by the operational speed of the fan 312.

The fan assembly 310 may further include an air intake grille 210. The air intake grille 210 may be positioned in between the fan 312 and the air chamber 122. Additionally, the air intake grille 210 may be configured to position the fan 312 in fluidic communication with the air chamber 122, thereby enabling the fan 312 to draw air from the air chamber 122. The air intake grille 210 may be configured to include structures and/or material restricting the ability of foreign objects to pass therethrough. For example, in the present embodiment, the air intake grille 210 may comprise a plurality of crossing slats that form a plurality of apertures therebetween, permitting air to flow therethrough while preventing objects having a dimension greater than a dimension of the apertures from being drawn into the air conditioning apparatus 124.

In some embodiments, the fan assembly 310 may include a filter 314. The filter 314 may be configured to prevent or decrease the passage of contaminants therethrough, including common contaminants as are known in enclosed spaces, such as dust, pollen, pet dander, smoke particulate matter, and the like. Any type of filter as is known in the HVAC industry is contemplated and included within the scope of the invention, and may be employed by the air intake grille 210.

In some embodiments, the air conditioning apparatus 124 may include a control circuit, a thermostat 202 positioned in electrical communication with the control circuit, and a temperature indicator 204 positioned in electrical communication with the control circuit. The control circuit may be positioned in operational communication with the fan assembly 310 so as to control the operation thereof. The thermostat 202 may include a display configured to indicate the temperature to which the thermostat may operate the fan assembly 310 to cool the air in the air chamber 122. Additionally, the thermostat 202 may include an input device 203 configured to enable a user to change a set point temperature to which the thermostat 202 cools. A user may operate the input device to select the set point temperature to which the user desires the air chamber 122 to be cooled. Furthermore, the thermostat 202 may be configured to provide the set temperature to the control circuit, which may then operate at least the fan assembly 310 responsive to the set point temperature. In the present embodiment, the input device 203 may include two buttons to raise or lower the set point temperature to which the thermostat 202 will cool the air chamber 122.

Additionally, the control circuit may be positioned in functional communication with an element of a liquid coolant supply system to control the flow of liquid coolant into the air conditioning apparatus 124, thereby enabling a mode of controlling the operation of the air conditioning apparatus 124 so as to only utilize a volume of liquid coolant at a flow rate as is necessary to achieve the temperature set by a user using the input device 203.

In some embodiments, the air conditioning apparatus 124 may further include a temperature sensor 320. The temperature sensor 320 may be configured to measure the ambient air temperature of the air chamber 122 and send the measured temperature to the control circuit, which may then operate at least one of the fan assembly 310 and a liquid coolant supply system to cool the air chamber 122 responsive thereto. The temperature indicator 204 may indicate the measured temperature to a user. In the present embodiment, the temperature indicator 204 may be a display.

The air conditioning apparatus 124 may include a power cord 206. The power cord 206 may be configured to electrically couple to a power source and may further be electrically coupled to the various electrical elements of the air conditioning apparatus 124, including, but not limited to, the control circuit, the thermostat 202, the temperature indicator 204, and the fan assembly 310. In some embodiments, each of the electrical components of the air conditioning apparatus 124 may include circuitry capable of conditioning electricity received from the power cord 206 for use thereby. In other embodiments, a single power supply circuit 207 may be positioned in electrical communication with the power cord 206 and some or all of the electrical components of the air conditioning apparatus 124 and may be configured to condition electricity received from the power cord 206 for use by the various electrical components of the air conditioning apparatus 124. Additionally, in some embodiments, the air conditioning apparatus 124 may include a power switch 208 which may be configured to enable the supply of electricity from the power cord 206 when in a first position and to interrupt the supply of electricity when in a second position. In some embodiments, the fan assembly may be configured to operate using 120 VAC electrical power.

The air conditioning apparatus 124 may further include a first air flow blocking member 330. The first air flow blocking member 330 may be positioned so as to generally prevent the backflow of air through the air intake grille 210 into the air chamber 122. More specifically, the first air flow blocking member may be positioned so as to generally circumscribe the fan 312, preventing air from flowing around the fan 312 when the fan 312 is operating. By preventing such a backflow, all air that is moved by the fan 312 must exit the air conditioning assembly 124 through the air output section 212.

In some embodiments, the air conditioning apparatus 124 may further comprise a second air flow blocking member 340. The second air flow blocking member 340 may be positioned so as to facilitate the flow of air that has flowed across the heat exchanger 302 to exit the air conditioning apparatus 124 through the air output section 212. More specifically, the second air flow blocking member 340 may prevent air that has flowed across the heat exchanged 302 and exchanged thermal energy therewith from flowing down into the redirection chamber 350. This may reduce the turbulence of the flow of air through the air conditioning apparatus 124.

Furthermore, the air conditioning apparatus 124 may include a housing 214. The housing 214 may be configured to carry all the various components of the air conditioning apparatus 124. Additionally, the housing 214 may include openings configured to enable the intake and output of air from the air chamber 122, the inflow and outflow of liquid coolant, and the positioning of the thermostat 202 and its various components so as to be usable by a user. In the present embodiment, the housing 214 may be 24 inches wide, 10 inches deep, and 12 inches tall. These dimensions are exemplary only, and any dimensions which enable the housing 214 to carry the various components of the air conditioning apparatus 124 are contemplated and included within the scope of the invention. Additionally, the housing 214 may be formed of light gauge steel. However, such a material is exemplary only, and the housing 214 may be formed of any material which is suitable for carrying the various components of the air conditioning apparatus 124. Furthermore, the housing 214 may be configured so as to be positioned within the air chamber 122 at a desired location. For example, the housing 214 may be configured so as to be attachable to a wall, ceiling, or any other structure associated with the air chamber 122.

The plumbing subsystem 150 may be configured to facilitate the transportation of liquid coolant accessed by the liquid coolant subsystem 110 to various elements of the cooling system 100. Accordingly, the plumbing subsystem 150 may be positioned in fluidic communication within at least a portion of the liquid coolant subsystem 110 so as to enable transportation of the liquid coolant. Accordingly, the plumbing subsystem 150 may include piping components. The piping components may enable the transportation of the liquid coolant while preventing the unintentional spilling of the liquid coolant. In some embodiments, the piping components may be formed of 2″×2″ aluminum finned ¾″ copper pipe. Such a piping component is exemplary only, and any suitable type of pipe may be used.

In the present embodiment, the plumbing subsystem 150 may include an inlet piping component 132. The inlet piping component 132 may be positioned in fluidic communication with an element of the air cooling subsystem 120 so as to enable delivery of liquid coolant thereto. More specifically, in the present embodiment, the inlet piping component 132 may be configured to deliver a volume of water held by the cool water source 114, or deliver water at up to a maximum flow rate, to the air cooling subsystem 120. More specifically, the inlet piping component 132 may be configured to deliver water to the inlet orifice 305 for use in the heat exchanger 302 of the air conditioning apparatus 124.

Additionally, in some embodiments, the inlet piping component 132 may include a shutoff valve 156. The shutoff valve 156 may be positioned so as to be operable to interrupt the flow of liquid coolant to the air cooling subsystem 120. More specifically, as in the present embodiment, the shutoff valve 156 may be positioned downstream of the cool water source 114 and upstream of the air cooling subsystem 120 and be operable so as to prevent the flow of water from the cool water source 114 to the air cooling subsystem 120. The shutoff valve 156 may be any type of valve as is known in the art, including, but not limited to, ball valves, butterfly valves, plug valves, globe valves, gate valves, and the like.

Additionally, in some embodiments, the plumbing system 150 may further include a solenoid valve 152. Similar to the shutoff valve 156, the solenoid valve 152 may be positioned so as to be operable to trip the flow of liquid coolant to the air cooling subsystem 120. In the present embodiment, the solenoid valve 152 may be positioned downstream of the cool water source 114 and upstream of the air cooling subsystem 120 and be operable so as to prevent the flow of water from the cool water source 114 to the air-conditioning, system 120. Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the solenoid valve 152 is positioned downstream of the shutoff valve 156 and the air cooling subsystem 120. The solenoid valve 152 may be any type of solenoid valve as is known in the art. Additionally, the solenoid valve 152 may be positioned in electrical communication with the control circuit that may control the operation of the solenoid valve 152. Additionally, the solenoid valve 152 may be positioned in electrical communication with the power cord 206 and may operate using electrical power supplied therefrom. Moreover, in some embodiments, the solenoid valve 152 may be configured to operate using 120 VAC electrical power. Through the combined operation of the solenoid valve 152 and the fan apparatus 310, the control circuit may be characterized as achieving a particular energy efficiency ratio of the output cooling in BTUs to the input electrical power in Watt-hours. The ratio is typically calculated using a 95° F. outside temperature and an inside temperature of 80° F. and 50% relative humidity. The cooling system 100 may be characterized by an energy efficiency ratio of at least 45.

Additionally, the plumbing system 150 may include a water flow rate valve 154. The water flow rate valve 154 may be positioned so as to affect the flow rate of cooling liquid to the air cooling subsystem 120. More specifically, the water flow rate valve 154 may be positioned downstream of the cool water source 114 and upstream of the air-conditioning some system 120 and be operable so as to affect the flow rate of water from the cooler source 114 to the air cooling subsystem 120. In the present embodiment, the water flow rate valve 154 is positioned intermediate the solenoid valve 152 and the air cooling subsystem 120. In some embodiments, the water flow rate valve 154 may be configured to have a maximum flow rate of one gallon per minute.

Furthermore, as in the present embodiment, the plumbing subsystem 150 may include an outlet piping component 162. The outlet piping component 162 may be positioned in fluidic communication with an element of the air cooling subsystem 120 so as to enable the discharge of liquid coolant therefrom. More specifically, in the present embodiment, the outlet piping component 162 may be configured to discharge the volume of water previously delivered to the air cooling subsystem 120 by the inlet piping component 132, or discharge water at up to a maximum discharge rate, from the air cooling subsystem 120. More specifically, the outlet piping component 162 may be positioned in fluidic communication with the outlet orifice 207 of the air conditioning apparatus 124 and may be configured to deliver water therefrom to be discharged.

In some embodiments, the outlet piping component 134 may be routed so as to discharge water outside a structure associated with the cooling system 100. The outlet piping component 134 may be routed so as to minimize or eliminate any chance of water being discharge therefrom to be immediately reintroduced to the cool water source 114 prior to reaching a temperature approximately equal to the temperature of water contained by the cool water source 114.

Additionally, in some embodiments, the plumbing subsystem 150 may include a secondary outlet piping component 142. The secondary outlet piping component 142 may be configured so as to enable the use of coolant that has been discharged from the air conditioning apparatus 124 for a subsequent purpose. In the present embodiment, the secondary outlet piping component may include a faucet 144 which may the control of water therethrough. The faucet 144 may be operated so as to allow water discharged from the air conditioning apparatus 124 to be selectively discharged by a user, for example, in an irrigation system. Any type of faucet 144 as is known in the art is contemplated and included within the scope of the invention. Furthermore, the secondary outlet piping component 142 may be configured to be positioned in fluidic communication with the secondary outlet orifice 216 so as to deliver water from the air conditioning apparatus 124 to the faucet 144 for use.

Referring now to FIG. 5, another embodiment of the invention is presented. As in the present embodiment, the plumbing subsystem 150 may include a secondary outlet piping component 642 that is routed through an area external the air chamber 122, in an area that is generally not cooled by the cooling system 100. Moreover, in some embodiments, the secondary outlet piping component may be routed through an area that has an ambient temperature that is approximately equal to or greater than the temperature of water being discharged by the air conditioning apparatus so as to further increase the temperature of the discharged water. Furthermore, the secondary outlet piping component 642 may be positioned in fluidic communication with a warm water tank 644 that is configured to store the water that flows through the secondary outlet piping component 642 for subsequent use by a user. Such a use may include routing the warmed water through a baseboard heater system.

Referring now to FIG. 6, another embodiment of the invention is presented. As in the present embodiment, the plumbing subsystem 150 may include a secondary outlet piping component 742 that is routed to a solar heating system 743 as is known in the art for utilizing solar energy for heating water. Once routed through the solar heating system 743, the water may be routed through a secondary discharge component 744 for use by a user for any desired use. Such use may include for providing heated water to a swimming pool.

Referring now to FIG. 8, a method 800 according to an embodiment of the invention is presented. Starting at Block 801, the method 800 may include receiving a set point temperature at Block 810. The set point temperature may be received by any method, including from a thermostat, as described hereinabove. Next, at Block 812, a second temperature of air contained within an air chamber may be measured. The second temperature may be measured by any method, including by operating a temperature sensor as described hereinabove.

At Block 814, the set point temperature may be compared to the second temperature. The comparison may be performed by a control circuit as described hereinabove. Furthermore, the control circuit may determine if the set point temperature is less than the second temperature. If the set point temperature is not less than the second temperature, then the method may terminate at Block 899. If, however, the set point temperature is less than the second temperature, the method may continue at Block 816 where a first volume of water may be delivered to a heat exchanger. The first volume of water may be drawn from a cool water source and may have a first temperature. Moreover, the water may be delivered using an inlet piping component as described hereinabove. Additionally, at Block 816, the first volume of water may be passed through an inlet orifice of the heat exchanger and along an interior surface of a tube thereof.

At Block 818, a first volume of air may be moved from an air chamber along the heat exchanger. The air may be moved by a fan, as described hereinabove, which may be controlled by the control circuit. Moreover, the air may be moved across a heat sink of the heat exchanger, increasing the thermal transmission rate thereof.

At Block 820, heat may be transferred from the first volume of air to the first volume of water through the heat exchanger. Such a transfer of heat may alter the first volume of air to exhibit a first-cycle conditioned temperature that is less than the second temperature. Moreover, the first volume of water may be altered to exhibit a first-cycle altered temperature that is greater than the first temperature and approximately equals the first-cycle conditioned temperature. In some embodiments, the first-cycle altered temperature may be less than the first-cycle conditioned temperature.

At Block 822, the first volume of air, which now has a first-cycle conditioned temperature, may be moved to the air chamber. Such movement may be accomplished by operation of the fan. More specifically, such movement may be accomplished by the fan establishing a flow of air that results in the displacement of the first volume of air away from the heat exchanger and through an air output section. The method may then end at Block 899.

Referring now to FIG. 9, a method 900 according to another embodiment of the invention is presented. The method 900 may include steps similar to those of method 800. Starting at Block 901, the method 900 may include receiving a set point temperature at Block 910. The set point temperature may be received by any method, including from a thermostat, as described hereinabove. Next, at Block 912, a second temperature of air contained within an air chamber may be measured. The second temperature may be measured by any method, including by operating a temperature sensor as described hereinabove.

At Block 914, the set point temperature may be compared to the second temperature. The comparison may be performed by a control circuit as described hereinabove. Furthermore, the control circuit may determine if the set point temperature is less than the second temperature. If the set point temperature is not less than the second temperature, then the method may terminate at Block 999. If, however, the set point temperature is less than the second temperature, the method may continue at Block 916 where a solenoid valve of the inlet piping component is opened so as to allow fluid to flow past. Opening the valve may enable Block 918, where a first volume of water may be delivered to a heat exchanger. The first volume of water may be drawn from a cool water source and may have a first temperature. Moreover, the water may be delivered using an inlet piping component as described hereinabove. Additionally, at Block 816, the first volume of water may be passed through an inlet orifice of the heat exchanger and along an interior surface of a tube thereof.

In some embodiments, the first volume of water may be prevented from being delivered by using a shutoff valve to prevent water from flowing through the solenoid valve. Accordingly, the shut off valve may be operated to selectively stop the first volume of water from passing to the solenoid valve.

At Block 920 a first volume of air may be moved from an air chamber along the heat exchanger. The air may be moved by operating a fan, as described hereinabove, which may be controlled by the control circuit. Moreover, the air may be moved across a heat sink of the heat exchanger, increasing the thermal transmission rate thereof.

At Block 922, heat may be transferred from the first volume of air to the first volume of water through the heat exchanger. Such a transfer of heat may alter the first volume of air to exhibit a first-cycle conditioned temperature that is less than the second temperature. Moreover, the first volume of water may be altered to exhibit a first-cycle altered temperature that is greater than the first temperature and approximately equals the first-cycle conditioned temperature. In some embodiments, the first cycle altered temperature may be less than the first-cycle conditioned temperature.

At Block 924, the first volume of air, which now has a first-cycle conditioned temperature, may be moved to the air chamber. Such movement may be accomplished by operation of the fan. More specifically, such movement may be accomplished by the fan establishing a flow of air that results in the displacement of the first volume of air away from the heat exchanger and through an air output section.

At Block 926, a third temperature of air contained within an air chamber may be measured. The measurement of the third temperature may be contemporaneous with the movement of the first volume of air into the air chamber, or at a period shortly thereafter. At Block 928, the set point temperature may be compared to the third temperature. The comparison may be performed by a control circuit as described hereinabove. Furthermore, the control circuit may determine if the set point temperature is less than the third temperature. If the set point temperature is not less than the third temperature, then the method may continue at Block 930 where the control circuit may close the solenoid valve and stop the operation of the fan. The solenoid valve may be closed responsive to a signal from the control circuit, and the operation of the fan may be stopped responsive to a signal received from the control circuit. The method may then end at Block 999.

If, however, the set point temperature is less than the second temperature, the method may continue at Block 932 where the first volume of water may be passed out of the heat exchanger and discharged. More specifically, the first volume of water may be passed along an interior surface of a tube of the heat exchanger and through an outlet orifice. Furthermore, the first volume of water may be discharged using an outlet piping component in fluidic communication with the outlet orifice.

The method may continue at Block 934 where a second volume of water may be delivered from the cool water source to the heat exchanger using the inlet piping component and passing the second volume of water through the inlet orifice and along the interior surface of the tube of the heat exchanger. At Block 936, a second volume of air may be moved from the air chamber along the heat exchanger using the fan. More specifically, the second volume of air may be moved across the heat sink of the heat exchanger.

At Block 938, heat may be transferred from the second volume of air to the second volume of water through the heat exchanger. Such a transfer of heat may alter the second volume of air to exhibit a second-cycle conditioned temperature that is less than the third temperature. Moreover, the second volume of water may be altered to exhibit a second-cycle altered temperature that is greater than the first temperature and approximately equals the second-cycle conditioned temperature. In some embodiments, the second-cycle altered temperature may be less than the second-cycle conditioned temperature

At Block 940, the second volume of air, which now has a second-cycle conditioned temperature, may be moved to the air chamber. Such movement may be accomplished by operation of the fan. More specifically, such movement may be accomplished by the fan establishing a flow of air that results in the displacement of the first volume of air away from the heat exchanger and through an air output section. Additionally, at Block 942, second volume of water may be passed out of the heat exchanger and discharged through the outlet orifice and using an outlet piping component in fluidic communication with the outlet orifice as described hereinabove. The method may then end at Block 999.

FIG. 9 illustrates another embodiment of the cooling system 1000 that simultaneously makes use of the resulting warm water. As depicted, the cooling system 1000 may include a control unit 901 that includes a thermostat 902, a sensor 903 and a controller 910. The control unit 901 may receive a set point temperature from the thermostat 902 as set by a user. The control unit 901 may also receive an air chamber 122 temperature from the sensor 903. When the sensor 903 detects the air chamber 122 temperature is higher than the set point temperature, the controller 910 may signal the well pump 175 to initiate delivery of water from a cool water source 114 through the piping subsystem 150 to an air conditioning apparatus 124, defined as a liquid-to-air heat exchanger 124. Air chamber 122 fluid, for example air, may be moved along the liquid-to-air heat exchanger 124 to transfer heat from the air chamber 122 to the cool water, which has now been warmed by the liquid-to-air heat exchanger 124. In some embodiments, the air chamber 122 air may be moved by a fan 909. As a result, the air chamber 122 temperature may lower. Simultaneously, the water temperature rises becoming warmed water. In some embodiments, the warmed water may be piped through a solar heating system 743 to transfer additional heat to the warmed water and creating heated water. At this point, the heated water may be piped to a distribution module 944 that is configured for heated water distribution.

In some embodiments, the distribution module 944 may be a warm water tank 644 and in other embodiments the distribution module 944 may be a hot water heater or hot water heater tank. Structuring the distribution module 944 as a traditional hot water heater or hot water heater tank may reduce electricity consumption since the water being piped into the tank is already warmed or heated. However, in this embodiment, the hot water heater or hot water heater tank may include a distribution control unit 904 with a distribution controller 911, a distribution thermostat 906, and a distribution sensor 905 whereby the distribution controller 911 signals the well pump 175 to initiate the delivery of water from a cool water source 114 when the distribution sensor 905 detects water within the hot water heater falls below a set point temperature. In any embodiment, the distribution module 944 may retain a portion of the warmed and/or heated water for later use. However, in some embodiments the distribution module 944 may not retain any water.

The distribution module 944 may be structured to distribute warmed and heated water to a location different than the original cool water source 114. In some embodiments, this may be external to the structure containing the cooling system 1000 via external componentry 908. In other embodiments, this may be internal to the structure containing the cooling system 1000 via internal componentry 907. Yet other embodiments may have the warmed and/or heated water distributable both inside and outside of the containing structure with both external componentry 908 and internal componentry 907 stemming from the distribution module 944.

The cooling system 1000 may utilize the control unit 901 and controller 910 to initiate and cease the flow of water from the cool water source 114 to the distribution module 944. For example, this may occur when the air chamber 122 reaches a temperature equal to the set point temperature. However, some embodiments may have the cooling system 1000 continuously running through the plumbing subsystem 150 and expelled through the external componentry 908 without the use of a control unit 904. Likewise, certain embodiments may not use the distribution control unit 904 to control the flow of cool water 114 through the plumbing subsystem 150.

The cooling system 1000 may include the liquid-to-air heat exchanger 124 located within one level of a structure or building and the plumbing subsystem may be structured to route warmed water from the liquid-to-air heat exchanger 124 through another level of the structure or building before moving the warmed water to the distribution module 944 located on the original level. In other embodiments, the cool air system 100 may include the distribution module 944 located on a level different from the original level. Yet other embodiments may include a plurality of distribution modules 944 located on a plurality of levels.

Some of the illustrative aspects of the present invention may be advantageous in solving the problems herein described and other problems not discussed which are discoverable by a skilled artisan.

While the above description contains much specificity, these should not be construed as limitations on the scope of any embodiment, but as exemplifications of the presented embodiments thereof. Many other ramifications and variations are possible within the teachings of the various embodiments. While the invention has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiment disclosed as the best or only mode contemplated for carrying out this invention, but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims. Also, in the drawings and the description, there have been disclosed exemplary embodiments of the invention and, although specific terms may have been employed, they are unless otherwise stated used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation, the scope of the invention therefore not being so limited. Moreover, the use of the terms first, second, etc. do not denote any order or importance, but rather the terms first, second, etc. are used to distinguish one element from another. Furthermore, the use of the terms a, an, etc. do not denote a limitation of quantity, but rather denote the presence of at least one of the referenced item.

Thus, the scope of the invention should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents, and not by the examples given.

Claims

1. A method of cooling air and warming water utilizing a control unit comprising a thermostat, a sensor, and a controller, the method comprising:

receiving a set point temperature from a thermostat;

receiving a temperature of an air chamber from a sensor;

delivering water from a cool water source to a liquid-to-air heat exchanger when the sensor signals a controller that the air chamber temperature is warmer than the set point temperature;

moving air from the air chamber along the liquid-to-air heat exchanger to transfer heat from the air chamber to the water, the water having the heat transferred thereto being defined as warmed water;

moving the warmed water through a solar heating system to transfer additional heat to the warmed water, the warmed water having the additional heat transferred thereto being defined as heated water; and

moving the heated water to a distribution module that is configured for heated water distribution;

wherein the distribution module is configured to distribute the heated water to a location other than the cool water source.

2. The method of cooling air and warming water according to claim 1 wherein the distribution module is further configured to retain a portion of the heated water for later use.

3. The method of cooling air and warming water according to claim 1 wherein the distribution module is further configured to expel water to a location that is external of a structure.

4. The method of cooling air and warming water according to claim 1 wherein the distribution module is further configured to expel water to a location that is internal of a structure.

5. The method of cooling air and warming water according to claim 1 wherein the distribution module is further configured to expel water to locations that are internal and external of a structure.

6. The method of cooling air and warming water according to claim 1 wherein the distribution module is a hot water heater.

7. The method of cooling air and warming water according to claim 6 wherein the hot water heater comprises a distribution controller, a distribution thermostat, and a distribution sensor configured to initiate the delivery of water from a cool water source when the water within the hot water heater falls below a set point temperature.

8. The method of cooling air and warming water according to claim 1 wherein the water continuously flows from the cool water source, through the liquid-to-air heat exchanger and through the distribution module before being expelled to a location other than the cool water source.

9. The method of cooling air and warming water according to claim 1 further comprising terminating the delivery of water from the cod water source when the air chamber temperature becomes equal to the set point temperature.

10. A heat exchange system comprising:

a control unit comprising a thermostat, a sensor, and a controller;

a liquid-to-air heat exchanger;

a distribution module; and

a plumbing subsystem configured to extend from a cod water source through the liquid-to-air heat exchanger to the distribution module;

wherein the heat exchange system is configured to transfer air chamber heat to water within the liquid-to-air heat exchanger; and

wherein the distribution module is configured to receive warmed water from the liquid-to-air heat exchanger and distribute the warmed water to a location different than the cool water source.

11. The heat exchange system according to claim 10 wherein the air chamber heat originates within the confines of a building.

12. The heat exchange system according to claim 10 further including a solar heating system; wherein the plumbing subsystem is configured to export warmed water from the liquid-to-air heat exchanger, through the solar heating system to the distribution module.

13. The heat exchange system according to claim 10 further including a fan located within an air chamber configured to move air chamber air to the liquid-to-air heat exchanger.

14. The heat exchange system according to claim 10 wherein the liquid-to-air heat exchanger is located within a first level of a structure; and wherein the plumbing subsystem is configured to route warmed water from the liquid-to-air heat exchanger through a second level of the structure before moving the warmed water to the distribution module located on the original level.

15. The heat exchange system according to claim 14 wherein the distribution module is located on a level different from the first level.

16. The heat exchange system according to claim 14 further including a plurality of distribution modules located on a plurality of levels.

17. A warm water system comprising:

a liquid-to-air heat exchanger;

a water tank; and

a plumbing subsystem configured to extend from a cool water source through the liquid-to-air heat exchanger to the water tank;

wherein the liquid-to-air heat exchanger is configured to transfer air chamber heat to water within the liquid-to-air heat exchanger;

wherein the water tank is configured to receive warmed water from the liquid-to-air heat exchanger and distribute the warmed water to a location different than the cool water source.

18. The warm water system according to claim 17 further including a solar heating system; wherein the plumbing subsystem is configured to export warmed water from the liquid-to-air heat exchanger through the solar heating system to the water tank.

19. The warm water system according to claim 17 further including a distribution control unit comprising a distribution controller, a distribution thermostat, and a distribution sensor configured to initiate delivery of water from a cool water source when the distribution sensor detects water within the water tank falls below a temperature set by the distribution thermostat.

20. The warm water system according to claim 17 wherein the water heater is configured to distribute water to a location that is internal of a structure.