Evaporatively cooled mini-split air conditioning system

Abstract

In at least one aspect of this disclosure, a refrigeration system includes an evaporatively cooled condenser configured to transfer heat from the refrigeration system to an atmosphere, an air inlet in fluid communication with the condenser, and an evaporative cooling medium disposed between the atmosphere and the condenser such that at least a portion of an airflow from the atmosphere passes through the evaporative cooling medium to reduce the temperature of the airflow before passing the airflow over the condenser. The evaporative cooling can improve system cooling efficiency by 20-50% or even greater in dry climates.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A mini-split air conditioner system, comprising:
 a condenser configured to transfer heat from the refrigeration system to an atmosphere;   an air inlet in fluid communication with the condenser; and   an evaporative cooling medium disposed between the atmosphere and the condenser such that at least a portion of an airflow from the atmosphere passes through the evaporative cooling medium to reduce the temperature of the airflow before passing the airflow over the condenser.   
     
     
         2 . The mini-split air conditioner of  claim 1 , wherein the evaporative cooling medium includes a corrugated cellulose pad. 
     
     
         3 . The mini-split air conditioner of  claim 1 , wherein the evaporative cooling medium is attached to a frame surrounding the condenser. 
     
     
         4 . The mini-split air conditioner of  claim 1 , wherein the evaporative cooling medium is about 2 to about 6 inches thick. 
     
     
         5 . The mini-split air conditioner of  claim 1 , further including a wetting system configured to wet the evaporative cooling medium. 
     
     
         6 . The mini-split air conditioner of  claim 5 , wherein the wetting system includes:
 a water collection tray configured to collect water from a water source;   at least one tube including a water collection tray opening in fluid communication with the water collection tray and an evaporative cooling medium opening configured to provide the water to the evaporative cooling medium; and   at least one pump configured to pump water from the water collection tray to the evaporative cooling medium.   
     
     
         7 . The mini-split air conditioner of  claim 6 , wherein the wetting system further includes a water distribution device disposed between the evaporative cooling medium and the evaporative cooling medium opening of the tube, the water distribution device configured to evenly distribute water to the evaporative cooling medium. 
     
     
         8 . The mini-split air conditioner of  claim 7 , wherein the water distribution device includes at least one sponge configured to distribute water via gravity or capillary action to the evaporative cooling medium. 
     
     
         9 . The mini-split air conditioner of  claim 8 , wherein the water distribution device includes at least one water distribution plate comprising a plurality of apertures to distribute water evenly to the sponge. 
     
     
         10 . The mini-split air conditioner of  claim 9 , wherein the water distribution device further includes a filter disposed above at least one of the water distribution plate or the sponge. 
     
     
         11 . An air conditioning unit, comprising:
 a condenser configured to transfer heat from the air conditioning unit to an atmosphere;   at least one air inlet in fluid communication with the condenser;   an evaporative cooling medium disposed between the atmosphere and the air inlet such that at least a portion of an airflow from the atmosphere passes through the evaporative cooling medium to reduce the temperature of the airflow before passing the airflow over the condenser; and   a wetting system configured to wet the evaporative cooling medium.   
     
     
         12 . An air conditioner efficiency kit for a mini-split air conditioner, comprising:
 an evaporative cooling medium configured to attach to an air conditioning unit and cover at least a portion of an air intake of the air conditioning unit; and   a wetting system configured to wet the evaporative cooling medium, the wetting system configured to attach to attached to the air conditioning unit to provide water to the evaporative cooling medium.   
     
     
         13 . The kit of  claim 12 , wherein the wetting system includes:
 a water collection tray configured to collect water from a water source;   at least one tube including a water collection tray opening in fluid communication with the water collection tray and an evaporative cooling medium opening configured to provide the water to the evaporative cooling medium; and   at least one pump configured to pump water from the water collection tray to the evaporative cooling medium.   
     
     
         14 . The kit of  claim 13 , wherein the wetting system further includes a water distribution device disposed between the evaporative cooling medium and the evaporative cooling medium opening of the tube, the water distribution device configured to evenly distribute water to the evaporative cooling medium. 
     
     
         15 . The kit of  claim 14 , wherein the water distribution device includes at least one sponge configured to distribute water via gravity or capillary action to the evaporative cooling medium. 
     
     
         16 . The kit of  claim 15 , wherein the water distribution device includes at least one water distribution plate comprising a plurality of apertures to distribute water evenly to the sponge. 
     
     
         17 . The kit of  claim 16 , wherein the water distribution device further includes a filter disposed above at least one of the water distribution plate or the sponge.