Temperature modulated desiccant evaporative cooler and indirect and direct evaporative air conditioning systems, methods, and apparatus

Abstract

A method is disclosed for supplying air conditioned air to a residence or building interior. The method entails positioning a heat and mass exchanger to discharge conditioned air into the residence or building interior. Further, a rotatable desiccant wheel dehumidifier in positioned in fluid communication with the h 5 eat and mass exchanger. Supply air is received and treated in the dehumidifier, thereby supplying dry air to the heat and mass exchanger and exhausting hot humid air. The heat and mass exchanger is positioned and configured to received dry air from the dehumidifier and supply cooler dry air to the residence or building interior, or other target environment. A system is also disclosed for operating the described air supplying or air conditioning method.

1 . A method of generating and distributing electric power to meet localized demand, said method comprising:
 providing a local environment having an air conditioning unit for supplying cooled air within the local environment, the unit including a closed loop circuit configured to operate a closed loop refrigeration cycle, including a compressor operable to compress a working fluid of the closed loop circuit;   engaging an internal combustion engine with the compressor; and   operating the internal combustion engine to drive the compressor, thereby transferring energy to the refrigeration cycle.   
     
     
         2 . A system for generating electric power in a localized installation, said system comprising:
 a hybrid power generator;   an air conditioning cooling system, including a compressor; and   a selectively engageable drive assembly operably connected with the power generator, whereby the power generator is enageable with the compressor to compress a working refrigerant fluid; and   wherein the hybrid power generator includes an internal combustion engine and an electric motor, the drive assembly being operable to selectively engage the electric motor and the internal combustion engine with the compressor.   
     
     
         3 . A system for supplying cooling air to a residence or building interior comprising:
 a heat and mass exchanger positioned to discharge conditioned air into the residence or building interior; and   a rotatable desiccant wheel dehumidifier;   wherein the desiccant wheel dehumidifier is positioned and configured to receive supply air for treatment, exhaust hot, humid air, and supply dry air to the heat and mass exchanger; and   wherein the heat and mass exchanger is positioned and configured to receive dry air from the dehumidifier and supply cooler dry air to the residence or building interior.   
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein the dehumidifier is positioned and configured to receive dry recycled air from the residence or building interior. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein the dehumidifier is positioned and configured to receive outdoor air for treatment. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein the dehumidifier is positioned and configured to receive less than about 80 to 85 def. F dry recycled air and deliver above 100 deg. F dry air to the heat and mass exchanger and the heat and mass exchanger is positioned to supply dry air below about 78 deg. F to the residence or building interior. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 3 , further comprising a second heat and mass exchanger positioned upstream of the dehumidifier to deliver supply air to the dehumidifier and configured to receive return air from the residence or building interior and outdoor air for treatment. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein the heat and mass exchanger includes a vacuum chamber positioned on a discharge side from which said cool supply air discharged to the residence or building interior travels. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein the heat and mass exchanger includes a vacuum chamber positioned on an exhaust side through which exhaust air exits. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein the heat and mass exchanger is configured in direct evaporative cooling mode. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein the heat and mass exchanger is configured and operable in indirect evaporative cooling mode, including inlet ports to receive hot dry air and hot outside air, an exhaust to discharge wet cool exhaust, and an outlet to discharge cool dry air. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein the heat and mass exchanger is configured and operable in indirect/direct evaporative cooling mode, including inlet ports to receive hot dry air and hot outside air, an exhaust to discharge wet cool exhaust, and outlet ports to discharge cool dry air and cool wet air. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein the heat and mass exchanger is configured and operable in enthalpy mode, including inlet ports to receive hot outside air, an exhaust to discharge wet cool exhaust, an outlet to discharge cool dry air, and an auxiliary port selectively positionable and operable to receive stale indoor air into the heat and mass exchanger. 
     
     
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