Patent Publication Number: US-2010126192-A1

Title: Spot cooling system for open boats

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     Not Applicable 
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
     Not Applicable 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to the field of air conditioners, and more particularly to an air conditioning system that cools individual occupants in an open boat, rather than an enclosed room. 
     Air conditioners for cooling the internal volume of an enclosed room or cabin are well known, and in common use in buildings, cars, and boats. However, cooling has not been available to occupants of open boats heretofore. Operating an open boat in hot weather presents discomfort, and in some cases, health problems as well. Drivers and crew have experienced heat stroke in extreme cases. 
     Conventional boat air conditioners will typically comprise a closed system having a refrigerant, such as R12 (freon©) or R134a. The system is divided into two sides, a high pressure or discharge side, and a low pressure or suction side. A compressor is used to compress and transfer the refrigerant gas to the condenser. The heat of compression is transferred to a coolant fluid. In this case, water is conveyed through a hull fitting, through the engine cooling pump, through the condenser, and then to the engine cooling system, and overboard. The cooled refrigerant condenses into a liquid and flows from the condenser to a pressure-regulating device. This device can be either a thermal expansion valve, or an orifice tube. The pressure-regulating device decreases and controls the refrigerant pressure and temperature. The refrigerant enters an evaporator and absorbs heat as it expands into a gas. Cabin air is blown through the evaporator, loses heat to the refrigerant, and returns to the cabin as cold air. A drying device is needed to separate moisture and contaminants from the refrigerant. A system using an expansion valve requires a receiver-drier downstream of the condenser to ensure that the valve receives liquid refrigerant only. A system using an orifice requires an accumulator downstream of the evaporator to trap liquid, which would destroy the compressor. 
     Open boats used for competition skiing, such as slalom, tricks, jumping, and wakeboarding, have requirements peculiar to these sports. Specifically, the speed must be controlled within narrow limits. Conventional air conditioners typically will cycle on and off. This places changing loads on the engine, thereby causing the RPM to change with the load. The resulting speed fluctuations are unacceptable in water sports. The air conditioning system must have steady-state capability. 
     Some examples of marine air conditioners in the prior art are seen in the following: 
     Brunner, U.S. Pat. No. 6,701,733; discloses an engine-driven compressor and water-cooled condenser. The evaporator is clearly shown inside a cabin. No structure or method is disclosed for spot cooling passengers in an open boat. On a theoretical basis, the Brunner system is thermodynamically functional. On a practical basis however, the Brunner system neither shows nor suggests a drying device, and is therefore left vulnerable to compressor damage. 
     Dodge, U.S. Pat. No. 5,848,536; shows a system having the condenser and the evaporator in the same air-cooling shroud. No structure or method is disclosed for spot cooling passengers in an open boat. 
     Presnell, U.S. Pat. No. 6,026,653; illustrates an icebox and heat exchanger providing chilled air to a cabin. The ice is heavy, bulky, and short-lived. No structure or method is disclosed for spot cooling passengers in an open boat. 
     Machen, U.S. Pat. No. 4,967,569; depicts a window type portable system mounted over a boat hatch to cool the cabin within. No structure or method is disclosed for spot cooling passengers in an open boat. 
     Accordingly, there is a need to provide a spot cooling system for open boats that can prevent discomfort and health problems due to hot weather. 
     There is a further need to provide a spot cooling system for open boats of the type described and that will deliver a cool air stream directly upon passengers, so as to directly cool the passengers, instead of cooling an entire cabin. 
     There is a yet further need to provide a spot cooling system for open boats of the type described and that has steady-state capability for constant boat speed. 
     There is a still further need to provide a spot cooling system for open boats of the type described and that will utilize standard automotive components for economy. 
     There is another need to provide a spot cooling system for open boats of the type described and that can be manufactured cost-effectively in large quantities of high quality. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a spot cooling system for open boats  10  used in connection with a boat  12  having an open cockpit  14  with seats  16 , a hull  18 , and an engine. A cooling water pump  20  is driven by the engine. The cooling system has a cooling water inlet  22 . 
     The spot cooling system is an air conditioner having a closed system and a refrigerant. A compressor  26  is driven by the engine. The compressor  26  has a compressor inlet  28  and a compressor outlet  30 . A condenser  32  includes a cooling water passage  36  and a refrigerant passage  34 . The refrigerant passage  34  and the cooling water passage  36  are in thermal communication. The refrigerant passage  34  has a condenser refrigerant inlet  38  and a condenser refrigerant outlet  40 . The cooling water passage  36  has a condenser cooling inlet  42  and a condenser cooling outlet  44 . The condenser refrigerant inlet  38  is connected to the compressor outlet  30 . The condenser cooling inlet  42  is in fluid communication with the cooling water pump  20 . 
     An evaporator  46  is provided. The evaporator  46  includes an air passage  50  and a refrigerant passage  48 . The refrigerant passage  48  and the air passage  50  are in thermal communication. The refrigerant passage  48  has an evaporator refrigerant inlet  52  and an evaporator refrigerant outlet  54 . The air passage  50  has an evaporator air inlet  56  and an evaporator air outlet  58 . 
     Pressure-regulating means is an orifice tube  60 . Drying means includes an accumulator  62 . The compressor outlet  30  is connected to the condenser refrigerant inlet  38 . The orifice tube  60  is connected between the condenser refrigerant outlet  40  and the evaporator refrigerant inlet  52 . The accumulator  62  is connected between the evaporator refrigerant outlet  54  and the compressor inlet  28 . 
     Air moving means includes a blower  64  in fluid communication with the evaporator air passage  50 . The blower  64  includes blower blades and a motor. A plurality of ducts  66  is provided. Each of the ducts  66  has a proximal end  68  in fluid communication with the evaporator air outlet  58 . The distal ends  70  of the ducts  66  are disposed adjacent the seats  16  in the open cockpit  14 , for selectively directing air toward the seats  16  in the open cockpit  14 . 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING 
       A more complete understanding of the present invention may be obtained from consideration of the following description in conjunction with the drawing, in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a right side, partial sectional, elevational view of a spot cooling system for open boats constructed in accordance with the invention, and showing an orifice and accumulator. 
         FIG. 2  is a right side, partial sectional, elevational view of another spot cooling system for open boats constructed in accordance with the invention, and showing an expansion valve and receiver-dryer. 
         FIG. 3  is a top plan view of the spot cooling system for open boats of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 4  is a top plan view of the spot cooling system for open boats of  FIG. 2 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Referring now to the drawing, and especially to  FIGS. 1 and 3  thereof, a spot cooling system for open boats is shown at  10  and is for use in connection with a boat  12  having an open cockpit  14  with seats  16 , a hull  18 , and an engine (not shown). The engine has a cooling system and a cooling water pump  20  driven by the engine. The cooling system has a cooling water inlet  22  and a cooling water outlet (not shown). Cooling water flow is indicated by arrows  24 . 
     The spot cooling system is an air conditioner having a closed system and a refrigerant, as described above. A compressor  26  is driven by the engine for compressing the refrigerant. The compressor  26  has a compressor inlet  28  and a compressor outlet  30 . Refrigerant flow is indicated by arrows  74 . 
     A condenser  32  is provided for condensing the refrigerant. The condenser  32  includes a fluid-tight housing defining a first passage, which is a cooling water passage  36 . The condenser  32  includes at least one conduit within the housing, the conduit defining a second passage, which is a refrigerant passage  34 . The first passage and the second passage are fluidly sealed from one another. The refrigerant passage  34  and the cooling water passage  36  are in thermal communication with one another. The refrigerant passage  34  has a condenser refrigerant inlet  38  and a condenser refrigerant outlet  40 . The cooling water passage  36  has a condenser cooling inlet  42  and a condenser cooling outlet  44 . The condenser refrigerant inlet  38  is connected to the compressor outlet  30 . The condenser cooling inlet  42  is in fluid communication with the cooling water pump  20 . Alternatively, a separate cooling water pump (not shown) can be driven with an auxiliary motor. This would supply cooling water to the condenser cooling inlet  42  independently of the engine cooling system and cooling water pump  20 . 
     An evaporator  46  is provided for evaporating the refrigerant. The evaporator  46  includes a fluid-tight housing defining a first passage, which is an air passage  50 . The evaporator  46  includes at least one conduit within the housing, the conduit defining a second passage, which is a refrigerant passage  48 . The first passage and the second passage are fluidly sealed from one another. The refrigerant passage  48  and the air passage  50  are in thermal communication with one another. The refrigerant passage  48  has an evaporator refrigerant inlet  52  and an evaporator refrigerant outlet  54 . The air passage  50  has an evaporator air inlet  56  and an evaporator air outlet  58 . 
     Pressure-regulating means is provided for regulating refrigerant pressure. Drying means is provided for drying the refrigerant. The compressor  26 , the condenser refrigerant passage  34 , the evaporator refrigerant passage  48 , the pressure-regulating means, and the drying means are all in fluid communication with one another. 
     In the preferred embodiment, the pressure-regulating means includes an orifice tube  60 . The drying means includes an accumulator  62 . The compressor outlet  30  is connected to the condenser refrigerant inlet  38 . The orifice tube  60  is connected between the condenser refrigerant outlet  40  and the evaporator refrigerant inlet  52 . The accumulator  62  is connected between the evaporator refrigerant outlet  54  and the compressor inlet  28 . 
     High-pressure tubing connects the various components together. The entire system filled with an appropriate refrigerant, such as R-12 or R-134a. 
     Air moving means is provided for moving air through the evaporator air passage  50 . This includes a blower  64  in fluid communication with the evaporator air passage  50 . The blower  64  includes blower blades and a motor. Airflow is indicated by arrows  72 . 
     At least one, and preferably a plurality of ducts  66  are provided. Each of the ducts  66  has a proximal end  68  in fluid communication with the evaporator air outlet  58 . The distal ends  70  of the ducts  66  are disposed adjacent the seats  16  in the open cockpit  14 , for directing air toward the seats  16  in the open cockpit  14 . Each of the ducts  66  is selectively directable, and can thus be aimed to direct cooling air for maximum passenger comfort. 
     Turning now to  FIGS. 2 and 4 , another embodiment of the spot cooling system for open boats is shown at  110 . The spot cooling system  110  is similar to the spot cooling system  10 , in that it is for use in connection with a boat  112  having an open cockpit  114  with seats  116 , a hull  118 , and an engine (not shown). The engine has a cooling system and a cooling water pump  120  driven by the engine. The cooling system has a cooling water inlet  122  and a cooling water outlet (not shown). Arrows  124  indicate cooling water flow. 
     The spot cooling system is an air conditioner having a closed system and a refrigerant, as described above. A compressor  126  is driven by the engine for compressing the refrigerant. The compressor  126  has a compressor inlet  128  and a compressor outlet  130 . Refrigerant flow is indicated by arrows  174 . 
     A condenser  132  is provided for condensing the refrigerant. The condenser  132  includes a fluid-tight housing defining a first passage, which is a cooling water passage  136 . The condenser  132  includes at least one conduit within the housing, the conduit defining a second passage, which is a refrigerant passage  134 . The first passage and the second passage are fluidly sealed from one another. The refrigerant passage  134  and the cooling water passage  136  are in thermal communication with one another. The refrigerant passage  134  has a condenser refrigerant inlet  138  and a condenser refrigerant outlet  140 . The cooling water passage  136  has a condenser cooling inlet  142  and a condenser cooling outlet  144 . The condenser refrigerant inlet  138  is connected to the compressor outlet  130 . The condenser cooling inlet  142  is in fluid communication with the cooling water pump  120 . Alternatively, a separate cooling water pump (not shown) can be driven with an auxiliary motor. 
     An evaporator  146  is provided for evaporating the refrigerant. The evaporator  146  includes a fluid-tight housing defining a first passage, which is an air passage  150 . The evaporator  146  includes at least one conduit within the housing, the conduit defining a second passage, which is a refrigerant passage  148 . The first passage and the second passage are fluidly sealed from one another. The refrigerant passage  148  and the air passage  150  are in thermal communication with one another. The refrigerant passage  148  has an evaporator refrigerant inlet  152  and an evaporator refrigerant outlet  154 . The air passage  150  has an evaporator air inlet  156  and an evaporator air outlet  158 . 
     Pressure-regulating means is provided for regulating refrigerant pressure. Drying means is provided for drying the refrigerant. The compressor  126 , the condenser refrigerant passage  134 , the evaporator refrigerant passage  148 , the pressure-regulating means, and the drying means are all in fluid communication with one another. 
     The spot cooling system  110  differs from the spot cooling system  10 , in that the pressure-regulating means includes a thermal expansion valve  160 . The drying means includes a receiver-drier  162 . The compressor outlet  130  is connected to the condenser refrigerant inlet  138 . The thermal expansion valve  160  is connected between the receiver-drier  162  and the evaporator refrigerant inlet  152 . The receiver-drier  162  is connected between the condenser refrigerant outlet  140  and the thermal expansion valve  160 . The evaporator refrigerant outlet  154  is connected to the compressor inlet  128 . 
     Air moving means is provided for moving air through the evaporator air passage  150 . This includes a blower  164  in fluid communication with the evaporator air passage  150 . The blower  164  includes blower blades and a motor. Airflow is indicated by arrows  172 . 
     At least one, and preferably a plurality of ducts  166  are provided. Each of the ducts  166  has a proximal end  168  in fluid communication with the evaporator air outlet  158 . The distal ends  170  of the ducts  166  are disposed adjacent the seats  116  in the open cockpit  114 , for directing air toward the seats  116  in the open cockpit  114 . Each of the ducts  166  is selectively directable, and can thus be aimed to direct cooling air for maximum passenger comfort. 
     A method is also disclosed for spot cooling for open boats. The method comprises the steps of providing a boat with an open cockpit, providing the open cockpit with seats. Then providing a refrigerant, providing a compressor, driving the compressor by the engine, and compressing the refrigerant. Next, providing a condenser, connecting the compressor to a refrigerant passage of the condenser, and condensing the refrigerant. 
     Next, providing an evaporator in fluid communication with the compressor and the condenser, and evaporating the refrigerant. Then, providing a pressure-regulating means in fluid communication with the condenser and the evaporator, and regulating refrigerant pressure. Next, providing a drying means in fluid communication with the evaporator and the condenser, and drying the refrigerant. 
     Next, moving air through an air passage of the evaporator, cooling the air with the evaporator, thereby creating cooled air, providing at least one duct, and connecting a proximal end of the duct to an evaporator air outlet. Then, positioning a distal end of the duct adjacent the seats in the open cockpit, directing the cooled air toward the seats in the open cockpit, and cooling passengers in the open cockpit with the cooled air. 
     Further steps comprise juxtaposing an evaporator refrigerant passage and an evaporator air passage in thermal communication with one another, connecting a blower, including blower blades and a motor, in fluid communication with an air inlet of the evaporator air passage, and moving air through the evaporator air passage with the blower. 
     Yet further steps comprise providing a plurality of ducts, and connecting a proximal end of each of the ducts in fluid communication with an air outlet of the evaporator air passage, positioning a distal end of each of the ducts adjacent the seats in the open cockpit, and directing each of the ducts selectively toward the seats in the open cockpit, thereby directing the cooled air for maximum passenger comfort. 
     Still further steps comprise juxtaposing a condenser refrigerant passage and a condenser cooling water passage in thermal communication with one another, providing the cooling water passage with a condenser cooling inlet and a condenser cooling outlet, providing a boat engine cooling system in fluid communication with a cooling water pump and a cooling water inlet, connecting the cooling water pump in fluid communication with the condenser cooling water passage and condensing the refrigerant with cooling water, and driving the cooling water pump with the engine. An alternative step is driving the cooling water pump with an auxiliary motor. 
     More steps comprise connecting the cooling water pump to the cooling water inlet and the condenser cooling inlet, and connecting the condenser cooling outlet to the boat engine cooling system. Alternatives to these steps comprise connecting the cooling water inlet to the condenser cooling inlet, and connecting the cooling water pump to the condenser cooling outlet and to the boat engine cooling system. 
     Yet more steps comprise using an orifice tube as the pressure-regulating means, and using an accumulator as the drying means. 
     Still more steps comprise connecting a compressor outlet to a condenser refrigerant inlet, connecting an orifice tube between a condenser refrigerant outlet and an evaporator refrigerant inlet, and connecting an accumulator between an evaporator refrigerant outlet and a compressor inlet. 
     Additional steps comprise using a thermal expansion valve as the pressure-regulating means, and using a receiver-drier as the drying means. 
     Yet additional steps comprise connecting a compressor outlet to a condenser refrigerant inlet, connecting the thermal expansion valve between the receiver-drier and an evaporator refrigerant inlet, connecting the receiver-drier between a condenser refrigerant outlet and the thermal expansion valve, and connecting an evaporator refrigerant outlet to a compressor inlet. 
     Numerous modifications and alternative embodiments of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art in view of the foregoing description. Accordingly, this description is to be construed as illustrative only and is for the purpose of teaching those skilled in the art the best mode of carrying out the invention. Details of the structure may be varied substantially without departing from the spirit of the invention and the exclusive use of all modifications that will come within the scope of the appended claims is reserved. 
     PARTS LIST 
     Spot Cooling System for Open Boats 
     Part 
     No. Description
       10  spot cooling system     12  boat     14  open cockpit     16  seats     18  hull     20  water pump     22  cooling water inlet     24  cooling water flow     26  compressor     28  compressor inlet     30  compressor outlet     32  condenser     34  condenser refrigerant passage     36  condenser cooling water passage     38  condenser refrigerant inlet     40  condenser refrigerant outlet     42  condenser cooling inlet     44  condenser cooling outlet     46  evaporator     48  evaporator refrigerant passage     50  evaporator air passage     52  evaporator refrigerant inlet     54  evaporator refrigerant outlet     56  evaporator air inlet     58  evaporator air outlet     60  orifice tube     62  accumulator     64  blower     66  ducts     68  duct proximal end     70  duct distal end     72  air flow     74  refrigerant flow     110  spot cooling system     112  boat     114  open cockpit     116  seats     118  hull     120  water pump     122  cooling water inlet     124  cooling-water flow     126  compressor     128  compressor inlet     130  compressor outlet     132  condenser     134  condenser refrigerant passage     136  condenser cooling water passage     138  condenser refrigerant inlet     140  condenser refrigerant outlet     142  condenser cooling inlet     144  condenser cooling outlet     146  evaporator     148  evaporator refrigerant passage     150  evaporator air passage     152  evaporator refrigerant inlet     154  evaporator refrigerant outlet     156  evaporator air inlet     158  evaporator air outlet     160  thermal expansion valve     162  receiver-drier     164  blower     166  ducts     168  duct proximal end     170  duct distal end     172  air flow     174  refrigerant flow