Abstract:
Provided is a filtration system for filtering contaminants and impurities from a coolant, such as water, applied to an air conditioner unit for cooling the air conditioning unit to increase the efficiency thereof. The filtration system filters the coolant to achieve a desired purity level to allow the coolant to mitigate corrosion or particle buildup on the air conditioning unit when the coolant is applied thereto. Along these lines, if the purity level is too low, the contaminants present in the coolant may corrode the air conditioning unit. Conversely, if the purity level is too high, the coolant itself may react with the air conditioning unit, which may lead to corrosion or other structural issues. Thus, the filtration system is specifically configured and adapted to purify the coolant to achieve a purity level within a desirable purity range.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    (Not Applicable) 
       STATEMENT RE: FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH/DEVELOPMENT 
       [0002]    (Not Applicable) 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0004]    The present invention relates generally to a filtration system, and more specifically, to a filtration system for a coolant applied to an air conditioner unit for cooling the air conditioner unit to increase the efficiency thereof. 
         [0005]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0006]    Air conditioner condenser units have evolved since early units which generally discharged air flow in a generally horizontal direction, i.e., substantially parallel to the ground or base. More modern condensers typically include a side air inlet and a vertical air discharge. In order to improve the efficiency of the units, systems have been developed which spray a mist of cool water on or around external condenser units of air conditioners to cool the units in order to improve their efficiency. 
         [0007]    One early system included a water reservoir placed below the condenser coils such that water was drawn from the reservoir and pumped upward to be sprayed onto the condenser. The water trickled down along the condenser and returned to the reservoir. water may accumulate below the condenser, which generally results in mosquitoes and algae. 
         [0008]    Other systems employ a paddle switch or paddle valve that is activated by airflow created when the fan for the condenser is running. For instance, the system may include a horizontal air flow condenser with an airflow-operated paddle valve assembly conventionally fixed to the air conditioner housing in the path of the horizontally-exhausted air stream. The paddle pivots on a horizontal pin under the force of horizontal air from the unit fan, thereby overcoming a spring pressure exerted on the paddle to keep the valve normally-closed. 
         [0009]    The systems described above illustrate the importance of delivering a coolant to the air conditioner unit to cool the air conditioner unit for increasing the efficiency thereof. However, a common problem associated with applying a coolant to the air conditioning unit is that when the coolant is applied to the housing of the air conditioner unit, the coolant may lead to corrosion or other structural issues. More specifically, the contaminants and solids present in the coolant have a tendency to chemically react with the air conditioner housing to cause the corrosion or the like. One alternative is to remove the contaminants and particles from the coolant before the coolant is sprayed onto the air conditioning unit. However, if the coolant is too pure, the coolant itself may react with the air conditioning housing to cause the corrosion, etc. 
         [0010]    Accordingly, there is a need in the art for a filtration system which may be easily connected to a coolant source for filtering the coolant to achieve a purity level which mitigates corrosion on an air conditioning unit when the coolant is applied thereto. The present invention addresses this particular need, as will be discussed in more detail below. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0011]    According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a filtration system for filtering contaminants and impurities from a coolant, such as water, applied to an air conditioner unit for cooling the air conditioning unit to increase the efficiency thereof. The filtration system filters the coolant to achieve a desired purity level mitigates corrosion or particle buildup on the air conditioning unit when the coolant is applied thereto. Along these lines, if the purity level is too low, the contaminants present in the coolant may corrode the air conditioning unit. Conversely, if the purity level is too high, the coolant itself may react with the air conditioning unit, which may lead to corrosion or other structural issues. Thus, the filtration system is specifically configured and adapted to purify the coolant to achieve a purity level within a desirable purity range. 
         [0012]    According to one embodiment, the filtrations system includes a pre-treatment assembly fluidly connectable to a coolant source to receive coolant therefrom. The pre-treatment assembly includes a carbon filter configured to remove contaminants from the coolant as the coolant passes through the carbon filter. The pre-treatment assembly further includes a polymer addition unit in fluid communication with the carbon filter and configured to add polymer to the coolant as the coolant passes therethrough. The pre-treatment assembly additionally includes a sediment filter in fluid communication with the polymer addition unit and configured to remove sediments larger than 5 micrometers from the coolant as the coolant passes therethrough. The filtration system further includes a nanofiltration unit in fluid communication with the pre-treatment assembly to receive the coolant therefrom and to provide nanofiltration to the coolant as the coolant passes therethrough. A distribution unit is in fluid communication with the nanofiltration unit to receive coolant therefrom and to distribute the coolant to the air conditioning unit. 
         [0013]    The filtration system may include a pump for circulating the coolant through the system. The pump may be disposed between the pre-treatment assembly and the nanofiltration unit. The pump may operate at a pressure less than 250 psi, and preferably around 100 psi. 
         [0014]    The nanofiltration unit may include several nanofiltration members including nanofiltration membranes. The nanofiltration members may be manifolded together at the input and the output. 
         [0015]    The distribution unit may include several distribution pumps to deliver the filtered coolant to one or more air conditioner units. According to one implementation, each distribution pump may be capable of delivering coolant to thirty (30) air conditioning units. 
         [0016]    The present invention is best understood by reference to the following detailed description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0017]    These and other features and advantages of the various embodiments disclosed herein will be better understood with respect to the following description and drawings in which like numbers refer to like parts throughout and in which: 
           [0018]      FIG. 1  is a schematic view of a filtration system for a coolant for an air conditioning unit; 
           [0019]      FIG. 2  is an upper perspective view of one embodiment of the filtration system; 
           [0020]      FIG. 3  is a front elevation view of the filtration system depicted in  FIG. 1 , the front panel of the control box being partially cutaway to illustrate the inside of the control box; and 
           [0021]      FIG. 4  is a rear elevation view of the filtration system. 
       
    
    
       [0022]    Common reference numerals are used throughout the drawings and detailed description to indicate like elements. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0023]    The detailed description set forth below is intended as a description of the presently preferred embodiment of the invention, and is not intended to represent the only form in which the present invention may be constructed or utilized. The description sets forth the functions and sequences of steps for constructing and operating the invention. It is to be understood, however, that the same or equivalent functions and sequences may be accomplished by different embodiments and that they are also intended to be encompassed within the scope of the invention. 
         [0024]    Referring now to the drawings, where the showings are for illustrating a preferred embodiment of the present invention only, and not for purposes of limiting the same, there is shown a filtration system  10  for filtering water, or another coolant, which may be applied to the housing of an air conditioner to increase the efficiency of the air conditioner. For instance, the water may be sprayed on the air conditioner to keep the air conditioner cool during operation, thereby increasing the operating efficiency of the air conditioner. The filtration system  10  is configured to filter the coolant to remove contaminants and impurities which may cause the metal on the air conditioner to corrode if the contaminants and impurities are not removed from the coolant. However, the filtration system  10  may be configured to allow some of the particles within the coolant to remain to prevent the coolant from reacting with the air conditioner housing. 
         [0025]    Referring now specifically to  FIG. 1 , there is shown a schematic diagram of the filtration system  10  to generally illustrate the primary components of the filtration system  10 , as well as the general flow path of the water through the filtration system  10 . The filtration system  10  includes a pre-treatment assembly  12  comprised of a carbon filter  14 , a polymer addition device  16 , and a five micron filter  18 . The system  10  further includes a pump  25 , a nanofiltration unit  20 , a holding tank  26 , and a distribution unit  28 . 
         [0026]    The pre-treatment assembly  12  receives water from a water source, such as a municipal water supply, at the inlet  22 . The water flows through the pre-treatment assembly  12 , i.e., through the carbon filter  14 , polymer addition device  16 , and the five micron filter  18 , and exits the pre-treatment assembly  12  through an outlet  24 . According to one embodiment, the pump  25  is disposed intermediate the pre-treatment assembly  12  and the nanofiltration unit  20  to pump water through the system from the inlet  22  to the holding tank  26 . In this regard, the pump  25  may be configured to draw the water through the pre-treatment assembly  12  and to deliver the water to the nanofiltration unit  20 . The pump  25  may further be configured to generate enough pressure to drive the water through the nanofiltration unit  20 . After the water passes through the nanofiltration unit  20 , the water enters the temporary holding tank  26  before being distributed by a distribution unit  28 . The pre-treatment assembly  12 , pump  25 , nanofiltration unit  20 , holding tank  26 , and distribution unit  28  may be fluidly connected to each other via conduits, tubing, pipes, valves or other plumbing fixtures known by those skilled in the art. 
         [0027]    The general architecture of the filtration system  10  is configured to provide a pre-treatment assembly  12  including a first stage filter, a polymer addition device  16 , and a second stage filter. According to one embodiment, the first-stage filter is a carbon filter  14  and the second stage filter is a five micron filter  18 , although other filters or filtering devices known by those skilled in the art may also be used. As shown in  FIG. 1 , the water flows from the carbon filter  14  to the polymer addition device  16  and then to the five micron filter  18 . However, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the above-described configuration is exemplary in nature only and is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. In this regard, the placement or arrangement of the carbon filter  14 , polymer addition device  16  and the five micron filter  18  may be modified without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. 
         [0028]    According to one embodiment, the carbon filter  14  is configured to filter or remove contaminants and impurities from the water utilizing chemical adsorption. As such, the carbon filter  14  may be effective at removing chlorine, sediment and other volatile organic compounds from the water. After extensive usage of the carbon filter  14 , the effectiveness thereof may begin to diminish, and thus, the carbon filter  14  may be replaced to maintain effective operation of the filtration system  10 . 
         [0029]    The polymer addition device  16  is positioned downstream of the carbon filter  14  and receives the water from the carbon filter  14 . Thus, in the exemplary embodiment, the water has undergone a first stage of filtration prior to passing through the polymer addition device  16 . As water flows through the polymer addition device  16 , a polymer is added to the water to treat the water for subsequent passage of the water through the nanofiltration device  20 . In this regard, the polymer addition device  16  may allow the filtration device  10  to achieve a desired flow rate through the entire system  10 . In other words, the water may flow more freely through the nanofiltration unit  20  as a result of the polymer added to the water by the polymer addition device  16 . 
         [0030]    The five micron filter  18  is positioned downstream of the polymer addition device  16  and receives the water from the polymer addition device  16 . The five micron filter  18  is configured to remove particles from the water as the water passes through the five micron filter  18 . According to one embodiment, the filter  18  is configured to remove particles defining a size greater than or equal to five microns, although other filters which may be configured to remove particles less than five microns or great than five microns may be used without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. 
         [0031]    Turning now to the nanofiltration unit  20 , a series of membranes are employed by the nanofiltration unit  20  for removing contaminants from the water. In the schematic shown in  FIG. 1 , the nanofiltration unit  20  includes three nanofiltration members  32   a ,  32   b ,  32   c  through which the water passes to achieve nanofiltration. The nanofiltration members  32   a ,  32   b ,  32   c  are manifolded together at a nanofiltration inlet  34  and a nanofiltration outlet  36 . Thus, the water received from the pre-treatment assembly  12  is divided at the nanofiltration inlet  34  to pass through the nanofiltration members  32   a ,  32   b ,  32   c  in parallel. The nanofiltered water is then combined at the nanofiltration outlet  36 . 
         [0032]    Although the nanofiltration unit  20  shows a series of nanofiltration members  32   a ,  32   b ,  32   c  disposed in parallel to each other, it is contemplated that other embodiments of the nanofiltration unit  20  may include nanofiltration members  32   a ,  32   b ,  32   c  arranged in series, i.e., the water would flow from member  32   a , then through member  32   b , and finally through member  32   c . Furthermore, the nanofiltration unit  20  includes three nanofiltration members  32   a ,  32   b ,  32   c ; however, nanofiltration units  20  having fewer than three members (i.e., including a single member), or more than three members may also be used. 
         [0033]    According to one embodiment, the filtration system  10  is configured to remove most, but not all, of the contaminants from the water. In this regard, the contaminants present within the water may cause corrosion and buildup on the air conditioner if the water is not purified/filtered before being sprayed onto the air conditioner. However, if the water is too pure, the water may react with the metal of the air conditioner which could also lead to corrosion. As such, the filtration system  10  preferably removes approximately 90% of the contaminants and leaves the remaining 10% (i.e., 90% pure). However, other embodiments may filter the water within a range of 80%-95%. 
         [0034]    With the filtering devices discussed above, reference is now made to the pump  25 , which is operative to control the flow of water through the system  10 . The pump  25  preferably operates at approximately 100 psi, which is significantly less than pressure required for a conventional reverse osmosis system, which typically operates at approximately 250 psi. Due to system&#39;s operability at reduced pressure, a smaller pump may be used to pump water through the system  10 , which may require less energy and result in reduced operating expenses. As such, the system  10  may be environmentally friendly filtering system. 
         [0035]    After the water is pumped through the various filtration devices, the water is temporarily stored in a holding tank  26  for subsequently distribution to the air conditioning unit(s). According to one embodiment, the holding tank  26  may be a bladder tank, which may expand and contract in connection with the ebb and flow of water through the tank  26 . The tank  26  allows filtered water to be stored for immediate dispensing when needed by the air condition, i.e., when the air conditioner is turned ON. 
         [0036]    Referring now to  FIG. 2-4  there is shown an embodiment of the filtration system  10 . The filtration system  10  includes a support bracket  30  which the pre-treatment assembly  12 , pump  25 , and nanofiltration unit  20  may be mounted to. As shown, the pre-treatment assembly  12  and the nanofiltration unit  20  are connected to one side of the support bracket  30 , while the pump  25  and a control unit  38  are connected to the opposing side of the support bracket  30 . The particular mounting configuration shown in the Figures allows for a compact design, although those skilled in the art will appreciate that the mounting configuration is exemplary in nature only and is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. 
         [0037]    The control unit  38  functions to monitor and control operation of the system  10 . The exemplary control unit  38  includes a control housing  40  having a plurality of side walls  41 , a front panel  43 , and a rear panel  45  connected to the side walls  41 . The control unit  38  further includes a plurality of pressure gauges  42   a - c  and flow meters  44   a - b  for monitoring the fluid pressure at various locations within the system  10  as well as the flow rate through the system  10 . For instance, pressure gauge  40   a  may monitor the pressure from the inlet feed (i.e., the pressure from the municipal water supply), pressure gauge  40   b  may monitor the pressure from the main pump  25  to the nanofiltration unit  20 , and pressure gauge  40   c  may monitor the pressure of the water leaving the nanofiltration unit  20 . The pressure gauges  40   a - c  allow an operator to quickly view the operating pressures at various locations throughout the system. Furthermore, each pressures gauge  40   a - 40   c  may be associated with a corresponding pressure sensor to measure the local fluid pressure. 
         [0038]    Referring now specifically to  FIG. 3 , a portion of the front panel  43  has been cut away to reveal the inside of the control unit  38 , wherein several distribution pumps  46   a - c  are located. The distribution pumps  46   a - c  are part of the distribution unit  20 , and the pumps  46   a - c  receive filtered water from the nanofiltration unit  20  and distribute the filtered water to the air conditioner(s). It is contemplated that each pump  46   a - c  may pump water through a distribution network configured to deliver water to several air conditioning units. For instance, each pump  46   a - c  may be configured to deliver water to thirty (30) air conditioners. Thus, in the embodiment shown in  FIG. 3 , the three distribution pumps  46   a - c  may provide water to ninety (90) air conditioners. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the foregoing is exemplary in nature only and is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. Along these lines, pumps may be used which provide enough capacity to distribute filtered water to a single air conditioner, or conversely, stronger pumps may be used to distribute filtered water to more than thirty (30) air conditioners. 
         [0039]    The system  10  may be in operative communication with the control system of the air conditioner(s) to coordinate operation of the system  10  in connection with operation of the air conditioner(s). For instance, the system  10  may be wired to the thermostat, such that when the thermostat senses a temperature which is set to initiate operation of the air conditioner(s), the filtration system  10  is also triggered. Thus, in a preferred embodiment, the filtration system  10  is ON when the air conditioner is ON, and conversely, the filtration system  10  is OFF when the air conditioner(s) is OFF. In this regard, the pump  25  and pumps  46   a - c  may be wired to the thermostat, such that the pump  25  and pumps  46   a - c  may receive an ON signal from the thermostat to initiate operation of the system  10 . Furthermore, the system  10  may include one or more valves which may be in operative communication with the thermostat to open or close the valves for controlling the fluid flow through the system  10 . 
         [0040]    Although the embodiment described above and depicted in the Figures is an exemplary embodiment, those skilled in the art will understand that various components may be removed therefrom or added thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. For instance, although a pre-treatment assembly  12  comprised of a carbon filter  14 , polymer addition device  16  and five micron filter  18  is effective in removing a suitable amount of contaminants and preparing the water for passage through the nanofiltration unit  20 , it is understood that one or more of the pre-treatment assembly elements  14 ,  16 ,  18  may be removed without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. 
         [0041]    Additional modifications and improvements of the present invention may also be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art. Thus, the particular combination of components and steps described and illustrated herein is intended to represent only certain embodiments of the present invention, and is not intended to serve as limitations of alternative devices and methods within the spirit and scope of the invention.