Patent ID: 6434963
Filing Date: 2002-08-20
Classification: B60H,F24F,Y02B

Abstract:
An apparatus for supplying a stream of fresh air to a space whilst simultaneously withdrawing a stream of stale air from the space, said apparatus comprising:a fresh air inlet through which a stream of fan driven fresh air enters the apparatus; a supply outlet through which said stream of fresh air leaves the apparatus and is passed into the space; a stale air inlet through which a stream of fan driven stale air is withdrawn from said space; a stale air outlet through which said stale air is returned to atmosphere; an air-to-air heat exchanger provided with mutually isolated primary and secondary air flow circuits and adapted to provide heat transfer between said primary and secondary air flow circuits; a first air flow path extending between said fresh air inlet and said supply outlet and formed in part by the primary air flow circuit of said air-to-air heat exchanger; a second air flow path extending between said stale air inlet and said stale air outlet and formed in part by the secondary air flow circuit of said air-to-air heat exchanger; a closed compression refrigeration circuit including a first heat exchange unit located in said first air flow path downstream of said primary air flow circuit of said air-to-air heat exchanger and a second heat exchange unit located in said second air flow path downstream of said secondary air flow circuit of said air-to-air heat exchanger; a first evaporative cooling pad located in the second air flow path downstream of said secondary air flow circuit of said air-to-air heat exchanger and before the second heat exchange unit of the closed compression refrigeration circuit; a second evaporative cooling pad, the second evaporative cooling pad being moistened with water for increasing the humidity of the stale air stream before it enters the secondary air flow circuit of the air-to-air beat exchanger; and means for collecting and transferring condensation forming on the first heat exchange unit to the first evaporative cooling pad to moisten the pad, and wherein the first and second evaporative cooling pads are provided by a single evaporative cooling pad.