Refrigeration system for an ice skating rink

Abstract

A refrigeration system for an outdoor ice skating rink includes a first heat exchanger that has a first conduit therein and is located outdoors. The first conduit has a first inlet and a first outlet and is configured to discharge heat to the outdoor ambient air. The refrigeration system includes a second heat exchanger that has a second conduit therein, and is in thermal communication with water in the ice skating rink. The second conduit has a second inlet and a second outlet and is configured to absorb heat from the water. The second outlet is in fluid communication with the first inlet via a warm-side conduit. The first outlet is in fluid communication with the second inlet via a cold-side conduit. One or more conveying devices are located in a closed loop that includes the first and second conduits, the warm-side conduit, and the cold-side conduit.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A refrigeration system for an outdoor ice skating rink, the refrigeration system comprising:
 a first heat exchanger having first conduit therein, the first heat exchanger being located in outdoor ambient air, the first conduit having a first inlet and a first outlet, the first heat exchanger being configured to discharge heat to the outdoor ambient air;   a second heat exchanger having a second conduit therein, the second conduit being in thermal communication with water in the ice skating rink, the second conduit having a second inlet and a second outlet, the second heat exchanger being configured to absorb heat from the water;   the second outlet being in fluid communication with the first inlet via a warm-side conduit;   the first outlet being in fluid communication with the second inlet via a cold-side conduit; and   at least one fluid conveying device located in a closed loop comprising the first conduit, the second conduit, the warm-side conduit and the cold-side conduit, the at least one fluid conveying device being configured to circulate a heat transfer fluid in the closed loop.   
     
     
         2 . The refrigeration system of  claim 1 , further comprising a convection device in thermally conductive communication with the first conduit for accelerating discharge of heat from the first conduit. 
     
     
         3 . The refrigeration system of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one fluid conveying device is located in at least one of:
 (a) the warm-side conduit; and   (b) the cold-side conduit.   
     
     
         4 . The refrigeration system of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one fluid conveying device comprises a pump driven by a first drive unit. 
     
     
         5 . The refrigeration system of  claim 2 , wherein the convection device comprises a fan or blower driven by a second drive unit. 
     
     
         6 . The refrigeration system of  claim 1 , wherein the ice skating rink comprises an impermeable liner, and the second conduit is positioned between the liner and a substrate upon which the ice skating rink is situated. 
     
     
         7 . The refrigeration system of  claim 1 , wherein the ice skating rink comprises an impermeable liner, and the second conduit is positioned above the liner and submerged in the water contained by the impermeable liner. 
     
     
         8 . The refrigeration system of  claim 1 , wherein the second conduit comprises a web structure connected to adjacent sections of segments of the second conduit. 
     
     
         9 . The refrigeration system of  claim 1 , wherein the second conduit comprises a serpentine shape with a flat flow passage cross-section. 
     
     
         10 . The refrigeration system of  claim 1 , wherein the ice skating rink comprises an impermeable liner and the second conduit is integral with the liner.