Active fluid and air heat exchange 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 close loop fluid flow configuration. A stepping motor ( 7 c ) controlled valve ( 7 B) regulated amount of fluid is processed by the heat exchanger. Energy is actively saved by control of heat exchange rate.

1 . An apparatus of active fluid and air heat exchange for refrigeration, cooling, and heating purposes in room, space, structure, and dwelling comprising:
 means for controlling amount of fluid entering the heat exchanger for processing coupled with integrated temperature sensors deriving heat transfer rate calculation   means for producing controlled atomization and projection droplets onto inner surface of a closed chamber forming a fluid film for heat transfer, including   perforated tube means to deliver pre-chilled or preheated fluid for atomization, and   motorized spinning slotted cylinder means to atomize fluid into droplets and project droplets by centrifugal force, and   closed, pleated, corrugated, heat conductive chamber means for forming a fluid film on its inner wall surface and conducting heat energy from outside ambient air to the fluid film in cooling and conducting heat energy from fluid film to outside ambient air for heating, and   pump vane means to return excess fluid after the process of heat exchange from fluid film to be chilled or heated again, and motorized fan means to convey ambient air to outer surface of said closed, pleated, corrugated, heat conductive chamber to be cooled or heated.   
   
   
       2 . The apparatus as in  claim 1  includes said perforated tube closed at one end with plurality of perforation at various intervals along its length means for projecting pre-chilled or preheated fluid to the inside surface of said motorized spinning slotted cylinder to be atomized. 
   
   
       3 . The apparatus as in  claim 2  includes an electric motor mounted outside at one end of said closed, pleated, corrugated, heat conductive chamber, means to rotate said slotted cylinder for atomization and projection of fluid droplets by centrifugal force and driving said pumping vane. 
   
   
       4 . The apparatus as in  claim 3  includes said spinning cylinder with plurality of open slots along its length covered with fine mesh screen is connected to said electric motor for atomization and projection of droplets by centrifugal force. 
   
   
       5 . The apparatus as in  claim 4  includes said closed, pleated, corrugated, heat conductive chamber means to provide large surface area for formation of a continuous fluid film from sprayed droplets, for large capacity of heat transfer, and large amount of air contact at its outer surface. 
   
   
       6 . The apparatus as in  claim 5  includes said pump vane means to return processed excess fluid to be chilled or heated again. 
   
   
       7 . The apparatus as in  claim 6  includes multiple said active fluid and air heat exchangers mounted in plurality of rooms and spaces within a structure or dwelling for air conditioning and heating system. 
   
   
       8 . In an apparatus for active fluid and air heat exchange for refrigeration, cooling, and heating purposes in rooms, spaces, structures and dwellings includes tube means, motorized spinning slotted cylinder means, rotary pump means, and closed heat conductive, pleated, corrugated, chamber means, the method comprising:
 introducing pre-chilled or pre-heated fluid for producing atomized droplets   shearing fluid into droplets by edges formed by wire of said fine mesh screen covering the slot openings of said spinning slotted cylinder by centrifugal force   projecting the atomized droplets by centrifugal force in radial and tangential manner onto the inner surface of said closed heat conductive chamber forming a continuous fluid film on the inner surface of said closed, heat conductive chamber   absorbing heat energy from ambient air outside through heat conductive wall of said closed, pleated, corrugated chamber   transferring heat energy from said fluid film through heat conductive wall of said closed, pleated, corrugated chamber to ambient air   pumping processed fluid from continuously replenished fluid film to a reservoir to be chilled or heated again in a closed loop fluid flow circuit.   
   
   
       9 . In an apparatus as  claim 8  the heat exchange method including:
 supplying pre-chilled or preheated fluid to said active fluid and air heat exchange by insulated small bore tube   atomizing fluid into droplets approximately less than 200 microns in diameter   utilizing fluid at a rate of substantially less than 200 milliliters per minute pumping processed excess fluid via insulated small bore tube back to a reservoir to be chilled or heated again in a closed loop circulation.   
   
   
       10 . Active fluid and air heat exchange method as in  claim 9  achieves independent control of temperature in a room or space at various locations within a structure or dwelling, by coupling a thermostatic control valve regulating fluid supply to a particular said active fluid and air heat exchanger to alter fluid amount available for atomization. 
   
   
       11 . Active fluid and air heat exchange method as in  claim 10  for independent temperature control within a room or space of a structure or dwelling is accomplished by electronically altering fan rotational speed of said active fluid and air heat exchanger, thereby changing circulating air contact time and the amount of air in contact with said closed heat conductive chamber. 
   
   
       12 . A central air conditioning and heating system and method for a structure or dwelling includes a plurality of said active fluid and air heat exchangers comprising:
 a central refrigeration unit means to cool fluid in a central reservoir   a central reservoir containing an immersed evaporator tube of said central refrigeration unit means for cooling and an immersed electric resistive heater for heating   a central electric pump means to propel chilled or heated fluid to   a central fluid dispenser means to distribute fluid to plurality of said heat exchangers   small tubes means to convey fluid to and from individual said heat exchanger in a closed loop fluid flow configuration.