Fluid and air heat exchanger and method

Abstract

The present invention relates to a modular apparatus and methods for active heat exchange involving continuous atomization of chilled or heated fluid droplets, droplets projection, and formation of fluid film on a large surface for reciprocal two way heat transfer with circulating air. A closed, pleated, corrugated, thin-wall, heat conductive chamber ( 1 ) provides the large surface for formation of fluid film and separation between fluid and air offering short and rapid heat conductive path between fluid and air. An axial blower ( 11 ) integrated with the heat exchanger module provides re-circulation of air where the heat exchanger module ( 28 ) is situated. The modular heat exchanger ( 28 ) or multiple of which is integrated with other components such as a refrigeration unit ( 37 ), a heating element ( 25 ), and a central fluid reservoir ( 23 ) in which fluid is pre-chilled or preheated in the application of air conditioning and heating. The fluid is conveyed by small bore tubes to individual modules by a pump ( 26 ) then returns to the central reservoir ( 23 ) for re-chill or reheat in a closed loop fluid flow configuration.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . An apparatus and method for fluid and air heat exchange for refrigeration, air conditioning or heating comprising: 
 means for continuously forming and replenishing a fluid film on a large surface area of a closed, thin wall, heat conductive chamber with air circulating on the outside of the chamber including 
 perforated tube means to convey pre-chilled or preheated fluid for atomization, 
 motorized slotted, screened, cylinder means for controlled centrifugal atomization of fluid droplets and projection of droplets,  
 closed, thin wall, heat conductive chamber means for formation of fluid film from projected droplets,  
 
 pumping vane means for returning processed fluid for re-chill or reheat in a closed loop fluid flow circuit,  
 electric blower means for circulating ambient air for cooling or heating outside of the closed chamber, and  
 outer cover shell means for enclosing the heat exchanger, mounting of the closed chamber, and providing confined channel for circulating air during heat transfer.  
   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus as  claim 1  including a tube dosed at one end with plural perforations on one side at intervals along its length means for projecting prechilled or preheated fluid to the inside surface of said motorized spinning slotted cylinder to be atomized.  
     
     
         3 . The apparatus as  claim 2  including a an electric motor mounted outside at one end of said closed, heat conductive chamber means for rotating said slotted cylinder to atomize and project fluid droplets by centrifugal force and rotating a pumping vane.  
     
     
         4 . The apparatus as in  claim 3  including a slotted cylinder with plural slots along its length except at the ends and fitted with a fine mesh screen on the inside wall of said cylinder connected to the shaft of said electric motor means for controlled droplet atomization and projection along said cylinder's length in a radial manner outward for deposition of droplets onto the inner surface of said closed heat conductive chamber for formation of a fluid film in a continuous fashion.  
     
     
         5 . The apparatus as in  claim 4  including a closed, heat conductive chamber provided with corrugations and pleats along its thin wall means for increasing heat conductive area for rapid and large amount heat transfer between fluid film and ambient air circulating outside of said chamber.  
     
     
         6 . The apparatus as in  5  said closed, heat conductive chamber including a reservoir means for receiving processed fluid and function as a chamber for said pumping vane to perform pumping action returning processed fluid for re-chill and reheat.  
     
     
         7 . The apparatus as  claim 6  including a pumping vane connecting to said slotted cylinder means for pumping processed fluid to re-chill or reheat.  
     
     
         8 . The apparatus as  claim 7  including an outer cover shell means for mounting said closed, heat conductive, chamber and providing air channel for circulating ambient air to be cooled or heated.  
     
     
         9 . The apparatus as  claim 8  including an electric blower mounted inside said cover shell near either end of said closed, heat conductive chamber means for circulating ambient air through air channel to be cooled or heated.  
     
     
         10 . The apparatus as  claim 9  including plural heat exchangers modules mounted inside multiple rooms or spaces within a structure and dwelling means for performing fluid and air heat exchange in a central air conditioning and heating system.  
     
     
         11 . In an apparatus for fluid and air heat exchange for refrigeration, air conditioning, and heating purposes, the apparatus including perforated tube means, motorized slotted cylinder means, closed thin wall heat conductive chamber means, pumping vane means, electric blower means and outer cover shell means, functioning as self contained heat exchange modules, the method comprising: 
 introducing pre-chilled or preheated fluid on inside surface of said motorized slotted cylinder for atomization of fluid    shearing fluid into droplets by centrifugal force    projecting droplets by centrifugal force radially from said slotted cylinder forming a fluid film on insider surface of said closed heat conductive chamber transferring heat between circulating air and fluid film across chamber wall    
     
     
         12 . In the apparatus as in  claim 11  including means for independent temperature control by using in conjunction of an electronic thermostat control means, electronic voltage regulators means, and electric regulating valve means, the method comprising: 
 increasing or decreasing the fluid supply to said heat exchanger apparatus altering rotational speed of said slotted cylinder to change droplet size altering blower speed to change air circulation rate inside said apparatus  
 
     
     
         13 . A central air conditioning and heating system and method utilizing multiple said heat exchange apparatus for air conditioning and heating purposes in plural rooms and spaces within a structure and dwelling comprising: 
 multiple of said heat exchange apparatus means for fluid and air heat exchange in individual room or space 
 a central refrigeration unit means to chill fluid in a central reservoir  
 a central fluid reservoir with immersed refrigeration evaporator tube and heating element means for continuous supply of prechilled or preheated fluid for each exchanger  
   a central electric pump means for delivering fluid from said central reservoir to a central dispenser    a central dispenser means for distributing fluid to each said heat exchanger multiple small tubes means for conveying fluid between each said individual heat exchanger and said central reservoir to complete a closed loop fluid flow circuit.