Microclimate creator system and method for cooling units

Abstract

A system and method for use with a cooling unit including a condenser. In one embodiment, the system comprises a fog creator and a residue collection component. The fog creator includes water-emitting components and a control device. The water-emitting components are configured to be positioned proximate to the cooling unit and to emit water that produces a fog zone external to the cooling unit. The control device is configured to control a supply of water to the water-emitting components. The residue collection component is configured to be positioned proximate to coils of the condenser, to protect the condenser coils from residue buildup, and to allow outside air cooled by the fog zone to flow to the condenser coils.

1 . A system for use with a cooling unit including a condenser, the system comprising: 
 a fog creator including 
 a plurality of water-emitting components configured to be positioned proximate to the cooling unit and to emit water, the emitted water producing a fog zone external to the cooling unit, and  
 a control device configured to control a supply of water to the water-emitting components; and  
   a residue collection component configured to be positioned proximate to coils of the condenser, to protect the condenser coils from residue buildup, and to allow outside air cooled by the fog zone to flow to the condenser coils.    
   
   
       2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the cooling unit comprises an air conditioner.  
   
   
       3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the water-emitting components comprise nozzles.  
   
   
       4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the control device comprises a valve having an operational state that is dependent on an operational state of a compressor of the cooling unit.  
   
   
       5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the residue collection component comprises a plurality of louvers.  
   
   
       6 . The system of  claim 5 , further comprising a plurality of guide rings configured to receive the louvers.  
   
   
       7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein residue includes at least one of mineral residue, water mist, and dust.  
   
   
       8 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising the cooling unit.  
   
   
       9 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a pump configured to increase pressure of water from the water supply.  
   
   
       10 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the fog creator further comprises at least one conduit configured to link the water-emitting components with the control device.  
   
   
       11 . A method for use with a cooling unit including a condenser, the method comprising: 
 supplying water to water-emitting components positioned proximate to the cooling unit;    producing, by the water-emitting components, a fog zone external to the cooling unit;    preventing, by a residue collection component, residue from collecting on coils of the condenser; and    receiving, by the condenser coils, outside air cooled by the fog zone.    
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein water is selectively supplied to the water-emitting components.  
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein water is supplied to the water-emitting components when a compressor of the cooling unit is enabled.  
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein water is supplied to the water-emitting components based at least in part on sensed relative humidity of outside air.  
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the cooling unit comprises a commercial rooftop unit.  
   
   
       16 . An installation method for a cooling unit including a condenser, the method comprising: 
 positioning a plurality of water-emitting components proximate to the cooling unit, the water-emitting components configured to emit water, the emitted water producing a fog zone external to the cooling unit;    coupling the water-emitting components to a control device, the control device configured to control a supply of water to the water-emitting components;    coupling the control device to the water supply; and    positioning a residue collection component proximate to coils of the condenser, the residue collection component configured to protect the condenser coils from residue buildup, and to allow outside air cooled by the fog zone to flow to the condenser coils.    
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the residue collection component comprises a plurality of louvers, the method further comprising threading the louvers onto a plurality of guide rings.  
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the cooling unit is an existing cooling unit being retrofitted by the installation method.