Highly efficient cooling systems

Abstract

Improved structures of cooling systems that may be used in air conditioning or refrigeration are described. To achieve a high efficiency in converting cooling effect from one or more cooling units, antifreeze liquid used to absorb the cooling effect is forced to pass through a box or container made out of graphite or thermally conductive metal or alloy holding a sponge-like structure or foam, also made out of graphite or thermally conductive metal or alloy, where the foam including open cells provides maximum surface contact with the liquid. Further the liquid is sprayed or vaporized onto the foam and passes through the foam by gravity or pressure. The cooled liquid is exited from the container for use in air conditioning or refrigeration.

1 . A cooling system comprising:
 a container including an inlet and outlet;   a foam included and expanded in the container so that the foam is in close contact with the container; and   two cooling units sandwiching the container to transfer cooling effects to the container,   wherein a type of liquid is supplied from the inlet to pass through the foam to be cooled, and the cooled liquid exits from the outlet.   
     
     
         2 . The cooling system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the container is made out of a material with high thermal conductivity. 
     
     
         3 . The cooling system as recited in  claim 2 , wherein the material is graphite, aluminum, copper, or other thermally conductive metal or alloy. 
     
     
         4 . The cooling system as recited in  claim 2 , wherein the foam is made out of a material with high thermal conductivity and includes open cells, where the liquid passes through. 
     
     
         5 . The cooling system as recited in  claim 4 , wherein the material is graphite or thermally conductive metal or alloy. 
     
     
         6 . The cooling system as recited in  claim 4 , wherein the cells are measured in range of 10-100 PPI (pores per inch). 
     
     
         7 . The cooling system as recited in  claim 4 , wherein the cells provide a maximum surface contact between the liquid and the foam. 
     
     
         8 . The cooling system as recited in  claim 7 , wherein the liquid includes water, antifreeze, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         9 . The cooling system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the liquid after being cooled in the container is used to cool down air in an air handling unit. 
     
     
         10 . The cooling system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the liquid after being cooled in the container is used to cool down an enclosure in a refrigerator. 
     
     
         11 . A cooling system comprising:
 a container including an inlet and outlet;   a foam included and expanded in the container so that the foam is in close contact with the container, where the foam is made out of a material with high thermal conductivity, the foam includes open cells; and   two cooling units sandwiching the container to transfer cooling effects to the container then the foam inside the container,   wherein a type of liquid is supplied from the inlet to be sprayed over and passes through the foam by gravity or pressure; and   wherein the outlet exits the liquid that has been cooled when going through the container.   
     
     
         12 . The cooling system as recited in  claim 11 , wherein the container is made out of a material with high thermal conductivity. 
     
     
         13 . The cooling system as recited in  claim 12 , wherein the material is graphite, aluminum, copper or other thermally conductive metal or alloy. 
     
     
         14 . The cooling system as recited in  claim 12 , wherein the foam is made out of a material with high thermal conductivity and includes open cells where the liquid passes through. 
     
     
         15 . The cooling system as recited in  claim 14 , wherein the material is graphite or thermally conductive metal or alloy. 
     
     
         16 . The cooling system as recited in  claim 14 , wherein the cells are measured in range of 10-100 PPI (pores per inch). 
     
     
         17 . The cooling system as recited in  claim 14 , wherein the cells provide a maximum surface contact between the liquid and the foam. 
     
     
         18 . The cooling system as recited in  claim 17 , wherein the liquid includes water, antifreeze, or combination thereof. 
     
     
         19 . The cooling system as recited in  claim 11 , wherein the liquid after being cooled in the container is used to cool down air in an air handling unit. 
     
     
         20 . The cooling system as recited in  claim 11 , wherein the liquid after being cooled in the container is used to cool down an enclosure in a refrigerator.