Method and apparatus for cooling

Abstract

A cooling unit includes a first module having a first intake opening and a first exhaust opening formed therein. At least one first air moving device may be configured to draw air along a first flow path from the first intake opening to the first exhaust opening. A first heat exchanger may be positioned in the first flow path. The cooling unit may further include a second module having a second intake opening and a second exhaust opening. At least one second air moving device may be configured to draw air along a second flow path from the second intake opening and direct air to the second exhaust opening. A second heat exchanger may be positioned in the second flow path. A conduit system is in fluid communication with the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger. The conduit system may be configured to deliver coolant from the first heat exchanger of the first module to the second heat exchanger of the second module and from the second heat exchanger of the second module to the first heat exchanger of the first module. Methods of cooling a space with a cooling unit are further disclosed.

1 . A cooling unit comprising:
 a first module including a first intake opening and a first exhaust opening formed therein, at least one first air moving device configured to draw air along a first flow path from the first intake opening to the first exhaust opening, and a first heat exchanger positioned in the first flow path;   a second module including a second intake opening and a second exhaust opening, at least one second air moving device configured to draw air along a second flow path from the second intake opening and direct air to the second exhaust opening, and a second heat exchanger positioned in the second flow path; and   a conduit system in fluid communication with the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger, the conduit system being configured to deliver coolant from the first heat exchanger of the first module to the second heat exchanger of the second module and from the second heat exchanger of the second module to the first heat exchanger of the first module.   
   
   
       2 . The cooling unit of  claim 1 , wherein the first module and the second module are contained within a housing, and wherein the first module is positioned over the second module. 
   
   
       3 . The cooling unit of  claim 2 , further comprising a tray to support the at least one first air moving device of the first module, the tray being releasably secured to the housing. 
   
   
       4 . The cooling unit of  claim 3 , wherein the tray is disposed on a generally horizontal plane. 
   
   
       5 . The cooling unit of  claim 4 , wherein the at least one first air moving device of the first module includes a fan, and wherein the tray is configured to receive at least one fan. 
   
   
       6 . The cooling unit of  claim 5 , further comprising a control device coupled to the fan. 
   
   
       7 . The cooling unit of  claim 6 , wherein the fan is a variable speed fan, and wherein the control device is configured to control the speed of the fan. 
   
   
       8 . The cooling unit of  claim 4 , wherein the first module comprises a first plenum disposed along a generally vertical axis in fluid communication with the first intake opening, and a second plenum disposed along a generally horizontal axis and configured to direct air from the first plenum to the tray. 
   
   
       9 . The cooling unit of  claim 4 , further comprising at least one support rail configured to secure the tray to the first module. 
   
   
       10 . The cooling unit of  claim 1 ,
 wherein the first module comprises a top having the first intake opening and the first exhaust opening formed therein, a first plenum disposed along a generally vertical axis in fluid communication with the first intake opening, and a second plenum disposed along a generally horizontal axis and configured to direct air taken from the first plenum to the at least one first air moving device of the first module, and   wherein the second module comprises a first side having the second intake opening and a second side, opposite the first side, having the second exhaust opening, the arrangement being such that the first flow path is along a generally horizontal axis.   
   
   
       11 . The cooling unit of  claim 10 ,
 wherein the first heat exchanger of the first module is disposed at an acute angle with respect to the flow of air from the second plenum to the first exhaust opening of the first module, and   wherein the second heat exchanger of the second module is disposed at an acute angle with respect to the flow of air from the first side to the second side of the second module.   
   
   
       12 . The cooling unit of  claim 1 , wherein the first heat exchanger comprises a condenser unit, and wherein the second heat exchanger comprises an evaporator unit. 
   
   
       13 . The cooling unit of  claim 12 , further comprising a compressor to deliver coolant to the condenser unit. 
   
   
       14 . The cooling unit of  claim 13 , further comprising a bypass valve provided in the conduit system, the bypass valve being configured to divert a portion of coolant from the compressor to the evaporator unit. 
   
   
       15 . The cooling unit of  claim 12 , further comprising an expansion valve, disposed between the condenser unit and the evaporator unit. 
   
   
       16 . A cooling unit comprising:
 a housing having a top with an intake opening and at least one exhaust opening formed therein;   at least one air moving device configured to be coupled to the housing and configured to draw air along a flow path from the intake opening to the at least one exhaust opening;   a heat exchanger configured to be coupled to the housing between the at least one air moving device and the at least one exhaust opening within the flow path; and   a conduit system in fluid communication with the heat exchanger, the conduit system being configured to deliver coolant to the heat exchanger,   wherein coolant flowing through the heat exchanger is adapted to be cooled by the heat exchanger.   
   
   
       17 . The cooling unit of  claim 16 , further comprising a tray to support the at least one air moving device, the tray being releasably secured to the housing. 
   
   
       18 . The cooling unit of  claim 17 , wherein the tray is disposed on a generally horizontal plane. 
   
   
       19 . The cooling unit of  claim 18 , wherein the at least one air moving device includes a fan, and wherein the tray is configured to receive at least one fan. 
   
   
       20 . The cooling unit of  claim 19 , further comprising a control device coupled to the fan. 
   
   
       21 . The cooling unit of  claim 20 , wherein the fan is a variable speed fan, and wherein the control device is configured to detect a speed of each fan. 
   
   
       22 . The cooling unit of  claim 18 , wherein the housing comprises a first plenum disposed along a generally vertical axis in fluid communication with the intake opening, and a second plenum disposed along a generally horizontal axis and configured to direct air taken from the first plenum to the tray, the first and second plenums defining the flow path, wherein air being directed by the at least one air moving device over the heat exchanger is heated. 
   
   
       23 . The cooling unit of  claim 18 , further comprising at least one support rail configured to releasably secure the tray to the housing. 
   
   
       24 . The cooling unit of  claim 16 , wherein the heat exchanger is disposed at an acute angle with respect to the flow of air to the at least one exhaust opening. 
   
   
       25 . A method of cooling a space with a modular cooling unit, the method comprising:
 drawing air into a first module of the cooling unit;   directing the air over a first heat exchanger of the first module of the cooling unit to cool coolant flowing through the first heat exchanger;   exhausting the air out of the first module of the cooling unit;   directing the cooled coolant from the first heat exchanger to a second heat exchanger;   drawing air into a second module of the cooling unit;   directing the air over the second heat exchanger of the second module of the cooling unit to cool the air; and   exhausting the cooled air out of the second module of the cooling unit.   
   
   
       26 . The method of  claim 25 , further comprising positioning the first module on top of the second module. 
   
   
       27 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein drawing air into the first module includes drawing air from a top of the first module, and wherein drawing air into the second module includes drawing air from a side of the second module. 
   
   
       28 . The method of  claim 25 , the method further comprising directing coolant from the second heat exchanger to the first heat exchanger. 
   
   
       29 . The method of  claim 28 , the method further comprising diverting a portion of coolant being directed from the second heat exchanger to the first heat exchanger back to the second heat exchanger. 
   
   
       30 . A cooling unit comprising:
 a housing;   a compressor coupled to the housing;   a first heat exchanger coupled to the housing;   at least one first air moving device coupled to the housing and configured to direct air along a first flow path, the first heat exchanger being located along the first flow path;   a second heat exchanger coupled to the housing;   at least one second air moving device coupled to the housing and configured to direct air along a second flow path, the second heat exchanger being located along the second flow path;   a conduit system in fluid communication with the compressor, the first heat exchanger, the second heat exchanger, and back to the compressor; and   a bypass valve provided in the conduit system, the bypass valve being configured to divert a portion of coolant from the compressor to the second heat exchanger.   
   
   
       31 . The cooling unit of  claim 30 , wherein the first heat exchanger comprises a condenser unit, and wherein the second heat exchanger comprises an evaporator unit.