System for Increasing the Efficiency of a Conventional Air Conditioning System

Abstract

A system for increasing the efficiency of a conventional air conditioner includes: an evaporative air cooler having evaporative pads; and a frame that retains the air cooler so as to enclose a condenser of the air conditioner, thereby directing pre-cooled air from the air cooler to the air conditioner. The system includes a tray and a pump that pumps the water in the tray into the evaporative air cooler, and a sensor to refill the tray. The system may be retro-fitted onto existing air conditioners.

1 . A device for providing pre-cooled air to an air conditioner, comprising:
 an air cooler; and   a frame;   wherein the frame retains the air cooler so that the air cooler pre-cools the air and directs the pre-cooled air to the air conditioner.   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the frame retains the air cooler so as to enclose an air input of a condenser of the air conditioner, thereby directing pre-cooled air from the air cooler to the air conditioner. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the air cooler includes evaporative pads that cool the air. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 3 , further comprising:
 a tray; and   a pump;   wherein the tray collects water returned from the air cooler, and the pump pumps the water in the tray into the evaporative air cooler.   
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 3 , further comprising:
 a tray to store water;   a pump to pump the water in the tray into the air cooler;   a sensor to sense the level of the water in the tray; and   an input to receive water into the tray when the water is sensed to be below a predetermined level.   
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the air cooler includes an air-sourced heat pump. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 diverters to divert exhaust air from the air conditioner away from the air that is pre-cooled by the air cooler.   
     
     
         8 . A system for increasing the efficiency of an air conditioner, comprising:
 an evaporative air cooler having evaporative pads; and   a frame that retains the air cooler so as to enclose a condenser of the air conditioner, thereby directing pre-cooled air from the air cooler to the air conditioner.   
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 8 , further comprising:
 a tray; and   a pump;   wherein the tray collects water returned from the air cooler, and the pump pumps the water in the tray into the evaporative air cooler.   
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 8 , further comprising:
 a tray to collect and store water returned from the air cooler;   a pump to pump the water in the tray into the air cooler;   a sensor to sense the level of the water in the tray; and   an input to receive water into the tray when the water is sensed to be below a predetermined level.   
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 8 , further comprising:
 diverters to divert exhaust air from the condenser of the air conditioner.   
     
     
         12 . A method for pre-cooling air provided to an air conditioner, comprising:
 pre-cooling air with an air cooler; and   directing the pre-cooled air from the air cooler to the air conditioner.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising:
 enclosing an air input of a condenser of the air conditioner with the air cooler.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising:
 providing the air cooler;   providing a frame for the air cooler; and   utilizing the frame to enclose the air conditioner with the air cooler, thereby directing pre-cooled air from the air cooler to the air conditioner.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the air cooler includes evaporative pads that cool the air. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising:
 collecting water returned from the air cooler in a tray; and   pumping the water in the tray into the evaporative air cooler.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising:
 storing water in a tray;   pumping the water in the tray into the air cooler;   sensing a level of the water in the tray; and   when the level of the water is sensed to be below a predetermined level, receiving additional water into the tray.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising:
 diverting exhaust air from the air conditioner away from the air that is pre-cooled by the air cooler.