Refrigerant based heat exchange system

Abstract

The present invention comprises an improved refrigerant based heat exchange system useful in air conditioning and refrigeration applications. Improved heat transfer capability is achieved by using a dual heat exchanger with two different heat-transfer mediums, air and water, in one condenser unit and by advancing the water transfer medium ahead of the air transfer medium. Bypass controls are provided for bypassing a selected heat exchange section of the system depending upon existing environmental conditions. The system is optionally housed in a decorative facade which provides an exposed surface adorned with esthetically pleasing artwork.

1 . A refrigerant based heat exchange system, the system comprising: 
 a condensing heat exchanger;    an evaporating heat exchanger connected in a refrigerant circuit;    a compressor for circulating refrigerant between the condensing heat exchanger and the evaporating heat exchanger in the refrigeration circuit;    wherein the condensing heat exchanger includes both a water cooled subsection and an air cooled subsection for redundancy; and    by pass means for selectivley directing the flow of refrigerant in the refrigerant circuit through either or both of the water cooled subsection and the air cooled subsection of the condensing heat exchanger.    
   
   
       2 . The refrigerant based heat exchanger of  claim 1 , wherein the water cooled subsection and the air cooled subsection are located in series in the refrigerant circuit and the water cooled subsection precedes the air cooled subsection.  
   
   
       3 . The refrigerant based heat exchanger of  claim 1 , wherein the water cooled subsection and the air cooled subsection are arranged in parallel fashion within the refrigerant circuit.  
   
   
       4 . The refrigerant based heat exchange system, wherein both the water cooled subsection and the air cooled subsection of the condensing heat exchanger include heat exchange surface areas, and wherein air flow from a source of forced air is used to provide a cooling effect over at least the air cooled heat exchange surface area, and wherein the source of forced air is arranged so that the air flow contacts the heat exchange surface area of the air cooled subsection prior to contacting the heat exchange surface area of the water cooled subsection of the condensing heat exchanger.  
   
   
       5 . The refrigerant based heat exchange system of  claim 4 , wherein the water cooled subsection and the air cooled subsection are both packaged within a common housing.  
   
   
       6 . The refrigerant based heat exchange system of  claim 1 , wherein each of the water cooled subsection and the air cooled subsection of the condensing heat exchanger has a refrigerant line in and a refrigerant line out and a by pass line connecting the two and a check valve located downstream of the respective heat exchanger subsection, and wherein a three way valve precedes each subsection for directing flow of refrigerant to the heat exchanger subsection or to the by pass line.  
   
   
       7 . The refrigerant based heat exchange system of  claim 2 , wherein each of the water cooled subsection and the air cooled subsection of the condensing heat exchanger has a refrigerant line in and a refrigerant line out and a by pass line connecting the two and a check valve located downstream of the respective heat exchanger subsection, and wherein a T-junction is located upstream of each heat exchanger subsection, the T-junction being isolated by a pair of solenoid valves for directing flow of refrigerant to the heat exchanger subsection or to the by pass line.  
   
   
       8 . The refrigerant based heat exchange system of  claim 3 , wherein a header is located downstream of the compressor, the refrigerant flow being split at the header and directed to the water cooled subsection and the air cooled subsection in parallel fashion, and wherein a check valve is located downstream of each subsection, the flow of refrigerant from the respective subsections being recombined in a second header located in the refrigeration circuit.  
   
   
       9 . A refrigerant based heat exchange system, the system comprising: 
 a condensing heat exchanger;    an evaporating heat exchanger connected in a refrigerant circuit;    a compressor for circulating refrigerant between the condensing heat exchanger and the evaporating heat exchanger in the refrigeration circuit;    wherein the condensing heat exchanger includes both a water cooled subsection and an air cooled subsection for redundancy;    bypass means for selectively directing the flow of refrigerant in the refrigerant circuit through either or both of the water cooled subsection and the air cooled subsection of the condensing heat exchanger; and    wherein at least the water cooled subsection is housed within an artistic facade which is selected from the group consisting of water falls and decorative fountains.    
   
   
       10 . The refrigerant based heat exchange system of  claim 9 , wherein the artistic facade which houses at least the water cooled subsection is comprised of a base enclosure and a frame which extends upwardly from the base enclosure, the frame forming a plane for presenting artwork selected by a user of the system.  
   
   
       11 . The refrigerant based heat exchange system of  claim 10 , wherein the base enclosure houses at least the compressor, the water and air cooled subsections and a receiver.  
   
   
       12 . The refrigerant based heat exchange system of  claim 11 , wherein the base includes an exposed water basin and wherein the frame supports selected evaporative cooling media, the system further comprising a water source and associated piping for supplying cooling water to the evaporative cooling media, the water being collected downstream in the water basin.  
   
   
       13 . In an air conditioning apparatus wherein a compressible refrigerant is circulated between a condensing heat exchanger and an evaporating heat exchanger in a refrigerant circuit by a compressor, the method of improving the efficiency of the apparatus comprising the steps of: 
 providing both a water cooled subsection and an air cooled subsection in a redundant arrangement as a part of the condensing heat exchanger; and    providing a by pass means for selectively directing the flow of refrigerant in the refrigerant circuit through either or both of the water cooled subsection and the air cooled subsection of the condensing heat exchanger.    
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the water cooled subsection and the air cooled subsection are located in series in the refrigerant circuit and the water cooled subsection precedes the air cooled subsection.  
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the water cooled subsection and the air cooled subsection are arranged in parallel fashion within the refrigerant circuit and wherein a control valve is located in the refrigerant line ahead of each subsection, the valves being operable to selectively direct refrigerant to the respective water and air cooled subsections.  
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein both the water cooled subsection and the air cooled subsection of the condensing heat exchanger are provided with heat exchange surface areas which are cooled by air from a forced air source, and wherein the source of forced air is arranged so that the air flow forced over the heat exchange surface area of the water cooled subsection never contacts the heat exchange surface area of the air cooled subsection.