Vapor Compression Evaporative Air Conditioning systems and Components

Abstract

Novel vapor compression evaporative cooling systems which use water as a refrigerant are provided, as are methods for using same. Also provided are novel compressors, compressor components, and means for removing noncondensibles useful in such cooling systems.

1 - 90 . (canceled)  
   
   
       91 . A vacuum pump comprising a cylinder, a piston disposed in said cylinder, an inlet valve disposed in said cylinder, a sprayer that draws water into said cylinder, and a vent disposed in said cylinder for discharging noncondensibles and excess water, and wherein said vacuum pump is driven by a gear mounted on a main drive shaft, said gear connected to a plurality of reduction gears, wherein a first cam surface and a second cam surface are mounted on one of said reduction gears, a first roller rides on said first cam surface and a second roller rides on said second cam surface, and said first roller drives said piston and said second roller drives said inlet valve.  
   
   
       92 . A vacuum pump comprising a cylinder, a piston disposed in said cylinder, a crank, a check valve disposed in said cylinder, and means for spraying water into said cylinder of said vacuum pump, wherein said piston is driven by said crank in a first and a second direction, said piston comprising a first end, a second end, a plurality of notches, a plurality of perforations extending from said first end to said second end, and a flexible flap attached to said second end of said piston and covering one or more of said perforations, wherein said flap opens when said piston moves in said first direction and closes when said piston moves in said second direction.  
   
   
       93 . A vacuum pump comprising: 
 a first column and a second column, said columns being partially filled with liquid and having a vapor space;    means for causing said liquid to oscillate in said columns;    inlet means for allowing uncompressed gas to enter each of said columns;    outlet means for discharging compressed gas from each of said columns; and    means for spraying a fine mist of liquid into said vapor space of said first and said second columns.    
   
   
       94 . The pump of  claim 93 , wherein said means for causing oscillation comprises a chamber connecting said first and said second columns and a reciprocating piston disposed in said chamber.  
   
   
       95 . The pump of  claim 93 , wherein said outlet means comprises a check valve.  
   
   
       96 . A gerotor vacuum pump comprising an outer gerotor and a center gerotor disposed within said outer gerotor, wherein said center gerotor is mounted on a main drive shaft and said outer gerotor is positioned by a plurality of guide rollers.  
   
   
       97 . A gerotor vacuum pump comprising an outer gerotor and a center gerotor disposed within said outer gerotor, wherein said center gerotor is mounted on a main drive shaft and said outer gerotor is mounted within a single ball bearing.  
   
   
       98 . A pivotable mounting apparatus for mounting a stationary shaft to a housing, which prevents rotation of said shaft, but allows for angular and axial variation, comprising a ring coupled to said shaft having a spherical outer diameter disposed within a cylindrical shaped opening in said housing.  
   
   
       99 . A low-friction rotary shaft seal comprising: 
 a journal for receiving a rotary shaft, said journal configured to create a gap between said shaft and said journal, said journal further comprising a journal face;    means for supplying water to said gap; and    a bellows seal, said seal resting on said journal face when said shaft is stationary and lifting off said face when said shaft rotates.    
   
   
       100 . A method for removing water vapor from noncondensibles in a stream of air and water vapor comprising the step of passing the stream through a packed column with chilled water flowing therein concurrently, wherein the packed column comprises corrugated polyvinyl chloride.