Heat Exchange System Housings

Abstract

The present application discloses embodiments of a housing configured for use in a heat exchange system. The housing includes one or more side panels with a plurality of openings. The openings each define a cross-sectional area and create a passageway through the side panel. The openings can include a first series of openings that includes all of the openings located within a bottom third portion of the side panel, a second series of openings that includes all of the openings within a middle third portion of the side panel, and a third series of openings that includes all of the openings located within a top third portion of the side panel, wherein the cumulative cross-sectional area of the first series of openings is greater than the cumulative cross-sectional area of the second series of openings which is greater than the cumulative cross-sectional area of the third series of openings.

What is claimed: 
     
         1 . A housing configured for use in a heat exchange system, the housing comprising a panel that includes:
 an outer surface and an opposed inner surface, the outer and inner surfaces each extending from a top edge to a bottom edge;   a top third portion that includes the top edge, a bottom third portion that includes the bottom edge, and a middle third portion positioned between the top third portion and the bottom third portion; and   a plurality of openings that extend from the outer surface to the inner surface such that each of the plurality of openings defines a cross-sectional area and creates a passageway through the panel;   wherein:
 the plurality of openings include a first series of openings that includes all of the openings located within the bottom third portion, a second series of openings that includes all of the openings within the middle third portion, and a third series of openings that includes all of the openings located within the top third portion; and 
 the cumulative cross-sectional area of the first series of openings is greater than the cumulative cross-sectional area of the second series of openings and the cumulative cross-sectional area of the second series of openings is greater than the cumulative cross-sectional area of the third series of openings. 
   
     
     
         2 . The housing of  claim 1 , wherein the outer surface of the panel is curved such that the panel is cylindrical in shape. 
     
     
         3 . The housing of  claim 1 , wherein the panel further is configured to be connected to additional panels to form an enclosure. 
     
     
         4 . The housing of  claim 3 , wherein the enclosure is a square or rectangular shape. 
     
     
         5 . The housing of  claim 1 , wherein the cross-sectional area of each of the openings in the first series of openings is larger than the cross-sectional area of each of the openings in the second series of openings. 
     
     
         6 . The housing of  claim 5 , wherein the cross-sectional area of each of the openings in the second series of openings is larger than the cross-sectional area of each of the openings in the third series of openings. 
     
     
         7 . The housing of  claim 1 , wherein the number of openings in the first series of openings is greater than the number of openings in the second series of openings. 
     
     
         8 . The housing of  claim 7 , wherein the number of openings in the second series of openings is greater than the number of openings in the third series of openings. 
     
     
         9 . The housing of  claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of openings has a shape and the shape of each of the plurality of openings is the same. 
     
     
         10 . The housing of  claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of openings has a shape and the shape of at least two of the plurality of openings is different. 
     
     
         11 . The housing of  claim 1 , wherein the housing encloses a condenser of the air conditioning system. 
     
     
         12 . The housing of  claim 11 , wherein the housing is integral with the condenser. 
     
     
         13 . The housing of  claim 11 , wherein the housing is configured to be placed at least partially around an existing housing of the condenser. 
     
     
         14 . The housing of  claim 11 , wherein the housing is configured to be placed within an existing condenser. 
     
     
         15 . The housing of  claim 1 , wherein the cross-sectional area of each of the plurality of openings is (1) greater than the cross-sectional area of each of the plurality of openings positioned closer to the top edge and (2) less than the cross-sectional area of each of the plurality of openings positioned closer to the bottom edge. 
     
     
         16 . The housing of  claim 1 , wherein the heat exchange system is an air conditioning system. 
     
     
         17 . A housing configured for use in a heat exchange system, the housing comprising:
 a panel including an outer surface and an opposed inner surface, the outer and inner surfaces each extending from a top edge to a bottom edge, the panel further including a plurality of openings that extend from the outer surface to the inner surface such that each of the plurality of openings defines a cross-sectional area and creates a passageway through the panel;   wherein the cross-sectional area of the plurality of openings gradually decreases from the bottom edge to the top edge such that the average cross-sectional area of the plurality of openings near a halfway point between the top edge and the bottom edge is: (1) greater than the average cross-sectional area of the plurality of openings near the top edge and (2) less than the average cross-sectional area of the plurality of openings near the bottom edge.   
     
     
         18 . The housing of  claim 17 , wherein the cross-sectional area of each of the plurality of openings is (1) greater than the cross-sectional area of each of the plurality of openings positioned closer to the top edge and (2) less than the cross-sectional area of each of the plurality of openings positioned closer to the bottom edge. 
     
     
         19 . The housing of  claim 17 , wherein the heat exchange system is an air conditioning system. 
     
     
         20 . A heat exchange system comprising:
 a compressor;   a heat exchanger;   an exhaust fan; and   a housing that encloses at least the heat exchanger and includes one or more panels, each of the one or more panels including an outer surface and an opposed inner surface, the outer and inner surfaces each extending from a top edge to a bottom edge, the one or more panels further including a plurality of openings that extend from the outer surface to the inner surface such that each of the plurality of openings defines a cross-sectional area and creates a passageway through the one or more panels;   wherein the plurality of openings include a first series of openings positioned near the bottom edge, a second series of openings positioned near a halfway point between the top edge and the bottom edge, and a third series of openings positioned near the top edge, and wherein the cumulative cross-sectional area of the first series of openings is greater than the cumulative cross-sectional area of the second series of openings and the cumulative cross-sectional area of the second series of openings is greater than the cumulative cross-sectional area of the third series of openings, such that as the exhaust fan draws air into the heat exchange system the air passes through the plurality of openings and passes substantially evenly over the heat exchanger near both the top edge and the bottom edge.   
     
     
         21 . The housing of  claim 20 , wherein the heat exchange system is an air conditioning system. 
     
     
         22 . A process comprising the steps of:
 providing a heat exchanger; and   positioning said heat exchanger within a housing according to  claim 1 .   
     
     
         23 . The process of  claim 22 , wherein the heat exchanger is a component of a heat exchange system comprising a compressor and exhaust fan and said positioning step positions said compressor and said exhaust fan within said housing.