Abstract:
A natural and environmentally friendly cooling system is disclosed. The cooling system includes an insulating enclosure, a block of ice within the insulating enclosure, a primary coil of tubing contacting the block of ice and beneath the block of ice for transferring fluid, a return coil of tubing beneath the block of ice for transferring fluid, and a floor pan for collecting water beneath the primary coil and the return coil. The enclosure can include sloped walls to facilitate freezing of water within the enclosure. Alternatively, the block of ice can be delivered via a service.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]    This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/120,568 filed on Apr. 11, 2002. 
     
    
     
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    The present invention relates to an improved air conditioning system. More particularly, although without limitation, the present invention relates to a natural air conditioning system that does not necessarily rely on fossil fuels and is not otherwise harmful to the environment.  
           [0003]    Air conditioning systems have been used for some time. One of the most common problems with conventional air conditioning systems is that they require the use of refrigerants. For example, air conditioning systems have used FREON as a refrigerant. FREON has been widely publicized as an ozone depleting substance. Ozone depletion is recognized as a cause of increased ultraviolet radiation. Increased ultraviolet radiation is linked to a number of environmental and health problems. Therefore, the use of air conditioning systems using FREON is problematic.  
           [0004]    In fact, under the Montreal Protocol of 1987, bans and/or limitations on FREON use have been made throughout the world. Further, servicing of cooling systems using these types of refrigerants may legally require certified technicians. Thus, despite FREON and other chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) refrigerants being banned or limited in use, problems remain. In particular, those refrigerants that have replaced FREON are not necessarily environmentally friendly. In fact, some believe that the refrigerants that have replaced FREON are actually more harmful to the environment and to human health than FREON.  
           [0005]    Another prior art approach has been to use natural gas air conditioning systems. These systems have been touted as being environment friendly. These systems do not use harmful refrigerants, but instead use water as a refrigerant. The main byproducts of these systems are carbon dioxide and water vapor, thus making the operation of these types of air conditioning systems environmentally clean. Unfortunately, however, problems remain. In particular, the very use of natural gas is problematic. It is well known problem that the world is quickly depleting its limited supply of fossil fuels, including natural gas. The use of natural gas air conditioning systems contribute to this problem. Thus, many problems remain with using conventional refrigerants and conventional techniques.  
           [0006]    The inventor has addressed these and other problems by developing the air conditioning system originally disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/120,568, herein incorporated by reference in its entirety. In that disclosure, a block of ice is used in an air conditioning system. Nevertheless, there is room for improvement of such an air conditioning system.  
           [0007]    Therefore, it is a primary object, feature, or advantage of the present invention to improve upon the state of the art.  
           [0008]    It is a further object, feature, or advantage of the present invention to provide an air conditioning system that is environmentally safe.  
           [0009]    It is a further object, feature, or advantage of the present invention to provide an air conditioning system that does not negatively affect human health.  
           [0010]    A still further object, feature, or advantage of the present invention is to provide an air conditioning system that does not require use of FREON or other CFC refrigerants.  
           [0011]    Yet another object, feature, or advantage of the present invention is to provide an air conditioning system that does not deplete the ozone layer.  
           [0012]    It is a further object, feature, or advantage of the present invention to provide an air conditioning system that does not require certified technicians to operate or repair.  
           [0013]    Another object, feature, or advantage of the present invention is to provide an air conditioning system that does not require the use of natural gas or other fossil fuels.  
           [0014]    Yet another object, feature, or advantage of the present invention is to provide an air conditioning system that can be located above ground.  
           [0015]    A further object, feature, or advantage of the present invention is to provide an air conditioning system that uses movable blocks of ice.  
           [0016]    Another object, feature, or advantage of the present invention is to simplify or improve the process of delivering blocks of ice for use in air conditioning systems.  
           [0017]    Yet another object, feature, or advantage of the present invention is to simplify or improve the process of freezing water at the location of an air conditioning system.  
           [0018]    A further object, feature, or advantage of the present invention is an improved ice chamber for holding ice for use in an air conditioning system.  
           [0019]    These and other objects, features, or advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the Specification and Claims that follow.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0020]    The present invention includes an improved air conditioning system. A block of ice is placed within an insulating enclosure. There is a primary coil of pipe or other tubing contacting the block of ice and located beneath the block of ice. The primary coil or tubing transfers fluid to a radiator. There is also a return coil of tubing beneath the block of ice for transferring fluid returning from the radiator. The coils can be any number of materials, including copper. Within the coils is a fluid. The fluid can contain water and antifreeze. The cooling system includes a floor pan for collecting water beneath the coils. In addition, a drain can be connected to a bottom interior surface of the enclosure. As the block of ice cools the primary coil, it very slowly melts so that ice water accumulates at the bottom of the enclosure. A floor pan for collecting water can be positioned beneath the coils. The return coil tubing passes through this ice water so that fluid within the return coil is already cooled when it enters the primary coil. Further, an overflow outlet can be used for draining water overflow from the enclosure.  
           [0021]    Another aspect of the present invention includes a method of air conditioning. According to the method, an enclosure is gradually filled with water to be frozen. Preferably the enclosure includes side walls that extend or slope outwardly to facilitate a gradual fill and freeze process. Alternatively, the ice can be formed at a remote location and then transported to the enclosure or otherwise provided. Fluid is then circulated through a coil beneath the block of ice to cool the fluid. The fluid is circulated to a radiator. The fluid is then returned from the radiator through a second coil cooled by water melted from the ice. Thus, in this manner, fluid to the radiator is cooled. A fan is placed proximate the radiator to circulate air that is cooled.  
           [0022]    Thus, the present invention provides for numerous advantages. In particular, the present invention does not require use of any fossil fuels or any harmful refrigerants; therefore, the present invention is natural, safe and environmentally friendly.  
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0023]    [0023]FIG. 1 provides a sectional view of one embodiment of the cooling system according to the present invention.  
         [0024]    [0024]FIG. 2 provides a top view of one embodiment of the cooling system according to the present invention.  
         [0025]    [0025]FIG. 3 provides a top view of the enclosure of the present invention being filled.  
         [0026]    [0026]FIG. 4 provides a front view of the cooling system according to one embodiment of the present invention, the cooling system being installed to provide air conditioning to the building.  
         [0027]    [0027]FIG. 5 provides a sectional view of one embodiment of the present invention with an insulating enclosure.  
         [0028]    [0028]FIG. 6 provides a top view of one embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0029]    [0029]FIG. 1 provides a sectional view of a cooling system  10  according to the present invention. The cooling system  10  provides an insulating enclosure  12 . The insulating enclosure  12  preferably includes an outer layer of wood, such as plywood  14 , and an inner layer of styrofoam  16  or other insulative material. Within the insulating enclosure  12  is a block of ice  18 . The block of ice  18  has a bottom surface  19 .  
         [0030]    The block of ice  18  is placed over a primary coil  20 . Fluid, such as, but not limited to, water and antifreeze, flows through the primary coil  20 . The block of ice  18  cools the fluid within the primary coil  20 . The primary coil  20  sits on a grid  22  that provides support. Beneath the primary coil  20  and the grid  22  is a return coil  24 . The fluid also passes through the return coil  24 . Beneath the grid  22  is a floor pan  26  for collecting melted water from the block of ice  18 . The melted water within the floor plan  26  serves to cool fluid in the return coil  24 .  
         [0031]    A drain pipe  28  is also shown that allows water to be drained from the enclosure  12 . In addition, an overflow outlet  30  is provided. The overflow outlet  30  or other structure is used to reduce the amount of water within the floor pan  26  and/or the enclosure  12 . Preferably, the outlet  30  is set so that the level of water in the bottom of the enclosure  12  does not rise above the primary coil  20 . This maintains the position of the block of ice  18  on top of the primary coil  20  and the accompanying cooling effect on the fluid within the primary coil  20 .  
         [0032]    [0032]FIG. 2 provides a top view looking into the cooling system  10 . As shown in FIG. 2, the primary coil  20  winds around so that there is an increased amount of surface contact between the primary coil  20  and the block of ice  18 . The grid  22  is a support structure that is located below the primary coil  20 . Below the grid  22  is the return coil  24 . The return coil  24  contains the fluid after it returns from a radiator.  
         [0033]    [0033]FIG. 3 shows a top view of the enclosure  12  as the enclosure is being filled with water. A hose is connected to connector  32  to provide water. Sprayers or water application jets  34  are shown that are used to fill the enclosure  12  with water. This configuration is preferred because it allows the enclosure  12  to be filled to an even level. Using jets  34  allow water to be slowly introduced into the enclosure  12  so that the water will freeze to ice as it-is applied. The present invention contemplates that the size of the jets can be adjusted according to the ambient temperature. For example, as the temperature gets colder, larger jets are used as water freezes at a faster rate. In addition, the larger flow of water prevents the input line, such as a hose, from freezing. The present invention, however, contemplates that ice can be provided for in other manners as well. For example, ice  18  can be brought to the enclosure from a remote location and placed within the enclosure  12 . A service can be provided for delivering ice to enclosures  12  used in homes, businesses, and other installations. The present invention also contemplates that the complete enclosure  12  is transportable. For example, the enclosure  12  is optionally mounted on a chassis so that the enclosure  12  can easily be transported from one location to another, for filling, freezing, or other purposes.  
         [0034]    [0034]FIG. 4 provides a diagram of the enclosure  12  as it is connected in one embodiment of an air conditioning system. The primary and return coils ( 20 ,  24 ) are shown providing connections to a radiator  40  placed on a platform  38  within a building (not numbered). A circulation pump  42  is used to force the fluid through the system. The expansion chamber  46  contains fluid to be circulated. The expansion chamber  46  allows coolant within the system to contract and expand as needed. A fill door  47  is provided for filling the expansion chamber  46  with fluid. Preferably the fluid contains water and antifreeze, although other refrigerants can be used. A portion of pipe or tubing  50  is preferably clear so that the level of fluid within the system can be easily monitored at any time so that additional fluid can be added when necessary. A bleed valve  44  is also provided so that air can bleed from the system if necessary. A fan  48  is placed in a position proximate to the radiator  40  in order to circulate air across the radiator  40  to produce cold air. The fan  48  can be a 2-speed squirrel cage fan for efficiency and noise control, although the present invention contemplates that other types of fans may be used. A shroud  54  is preferably connected between the fan  48  and the radiator  40  to increase the amount of forced air going through the radiator  40  and into the building to be cooled. A shut off valve  52  is also shown to shut off the flow of fluid. Thus, in this manner, an air cooling system is provided. The fan  48  and circulation pump  42  are preferably run from an electric motor. Thus, in this embodiment of the present invention, no fossil fuels are required in order to operate the air conditioning system. Although in the embodiment shown a fan and a radiator are shown, the present invention contemplates other variations of evaporators can be used according to the present invention.  
         [0035]    As shown in FIG. 4, the enclosure  12  is outside of the building, above ground and readily accessible. Thus, the enclosure  12  can be moved from location to location. To do so, the present invention contemplates placing the enclosure  12  on a chassis or otherwise transporting the enclosure. In addition, ice can be produced in one location and then transported to the air conditioning system according to the present invention. For example, the enclosure  12  can be opened and a new block of ice can be placed therein.  
         [0036]    [0036]FIG. 5 illustrates another embodiment of the present invention in which the cooling system  50  includes an insulating enclosure  52  formed by surfaces  54  that are insulated by insulation  56 . The surfaces  54  can be wooden or made of other materials. The surfaces  54  with insulation  56  are preferably removably attached to an inner enclosure  65 . The present invention contemplates that the manner of attachment can take various forms, and uses various attachment means or fasteners. One method of attachment is to use bolts  62  and retaining nuts  63 .  
         [0037]    The inner enclosure  64  is used to hold water and/or ice. Because in the winter time the inner enclosure  64  is gradually filled with water to be frozen the inner enclosure preferably has side walls  65  that slant or slope outward towards the top of the inner enclosure. This geometry better accommodates the freezing of water.  
         [0038]    According to one method of the present invention, in winter time, the surfaces  44  and insulation  56  are removed from the insulating enclosure  52 . This will allow water to freeze more quickly. Water is then gradually or periodically introduced into the chamber  66  at a rate to encourage freezing of the water, thus resulting in the chamber  66  retaining a block of ice. Once there is a solid block of ice, the insulation  56  and surface  44  are replaced to insulate the block of ice as winter turns into spring and then to summer, and until a time one desires to use the cooling system.  
         [0039]    [0039]FIG. 6 illustrates a top view of another embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0040]    The present invention contemplates numerous other variations. These include the sizes and proportions of the various structures within the present invention, the types of materials used, the relative placement of components, and other variations within the broad spirit and scope of the invention.