US2433960A - Air conditioning apparatus - Google Patents

Description

JUL 1948,- R. s. SHERMAN 2,433,960

' AIR OONDITIONIHG APPARATUS .Filed Feb. 13, 1945 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 40 tv I (00m S umumm mew Jib-7": 41

AIR cormm'rouma APPARATUS Filed Feb. 13, 1945 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Maw! ILMI J: Jcrm n.

Jan. 6, 1948.

R. s. SHEI RMAN 2,433,960 AIR CONDITIONING APPARATUS Filed Feb. 13, 1945 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 mew REF/"0? flunun.

I'd-4.6. im m?" Jan. 6, 1948. R. s. SHERMAN AIR CONDITiONING APPARATUS Filed Feb. 13, 1945 '4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Patented Jan- 6, 19.48

.UNlT-ED STATES-PATENT OFFICE Robert S. Sherman, Lynn, Mass.

Application February 13, 1945, Serial No. 577,672

7 Claima. (Cl. 257-3) is to be conditioned, for two air ducts constituting elements of the air conditioning apparatus;

and specifically to air conditioning apparatus of the character described wherein the waste products resulting from the operation of the air conditioning apparatus, notably water condensed from the air and heat generated in the operation of its refrigerating mechanism in the process of cleansing, cooling and dehumidifying warm moist air, are eliminated in the course of its operation.

The principal object of the present invention is to provide an improved air conditioning apparatus capable of cleansing, cooling and dehu-.

midifying warm moist air and capable of cleansing, warming ,and humidifyingcool dry air.

Another object of the present invention is to provide 'an improved air conditioning apparatus of the character described, which will either cleanse, c001 and dehumidify warm moist air orcleanse, warm and humidify cool dry air accordingly as the temperature of th atmosphere-surrounding the thermosensitive element of the thermostat of the improved air conditioning apparatus is either higher or lower than a selected predetermined temperature. i

Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved air conditioning apparatus of the character described, which is capable, in its operation throughout the year, of maintaining air at an equable temperature and humidity,

regardles of wide variations in the temperature ,and humidity of the atmosphere external to the room, the air of which is being conditioned.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved air conditioning apparatus of the character described, which is capable of being readily transported to, and operable'within, the room, the air of which is to be conditioned. Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved air conditioning apparatus of the character described, wherein the water condensed from the air in the process of cleansing, cooling and dehumidifying warm moist air is eliminated in vapor form in the course of the operation of the improved air conditioning apparatus.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved air conditioning apparatus of the character described, wherein the water condensed from the air in the process of cleansing, cooling and dehumidifying warm moist-air is eliminated in vapor form by the utilization of the heat generated in the operation of its refrigerating mechanism, thus simultaneously efiecting the elimination of both the waste water condensed and the waste heat developed in the course of the operation of the improved air con* ditioning apparatus.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved air conditioning apparatus of the character described, wherein liquid water is vaporized and introduced into the air in the process of cleansing, heating and humidifying 'cool dry air in the course of the operation of the improved air conditioning apparatus.

The attainment of these and other objects of the present invention and the advantages attendant upon its use and operation will become apparent when consideration is given to the following description thereof, together with the accompanying drawings thereof, which form parts of the specification, and wherein:

Fig. 1 is a view in perspective of the improved air conditioning apparatus installed and in use and operation within the room, the air of which is being conditioned, showing the relation of the improved air conditioning apparatus and of the ancillary elements of its construction, notably the two air ducts, to its surroundings.

Fig. 2 is a front elevation of the improved air conditioning apparatus, partly in section and- With the front wall of its housing removed, showing the several compartments thereof and the elements and devices located in the several compartments thereof.

Fig. 3 is a right-side elevation of the improved air conditioning apparatus, partly in section and with the right-side wall of its housing removed, showing the several compartments thereof and the elements and devices located in the several compartments thereof.

Fig. 4 is a plan view of the improved air conditioning apparatus, partly in section taken along the line 4, 4 of Fig. 2, showing the elements and devices-located in the upper part of the-lower compartment thereof.

- upon the casters 2 to through the pipe 6,

"compressor in the 5 is a plan view of the improved air conditionfing apparatus, partly in section taken along the line i, 5, of Fig. 2, showing the elements and devices located in the lower part of the lower'compartment thereof.

Fig. 6 is a schematic diagram of the electrical circuits of the improved air conditioning apparatus, showing the wiring and connections subsisting between its elements and devices rendering possible the two modes of it operation and the automatic character of such modes .of operation.

In the drawings. the improved air conditioning apparatus is shown as a housing I, mounted render it readily movable, and divided into three compartments: the lower containing the heat-developing elements of a refrigerating mechanism and an enclosed evaporating chamber; the intermediate compartment containing the heatabsorbing elements of the refrigerating mechanism; and the upper compartment containing a receptacle for holding a supply of water. I

The lower conpartment, which is lined throughout with a thick layer of heat insulating material 3 to prevent appreciable leakage of heat therefrom into the adjacent intermediate compartment and into the air surrounding the improved air conditioning apparatus, contains the electrical motor 4 driving the water-jacketed compressor 5 wherein is compressed the refrigerating fluid, which is discharged therefrom, into the condenser coils I suitably provided with flns 8, wherefrom it passes, through the pipe 9 and the expansion valve ill, into the evaporating coils ii suitably provided with flns l2, located within, the intermediate compartment, turns, through the pipe i3, to the water-jacketed lower compartment, thus completing the refrigerating cycle.

Located midway of the height of the lower compartment is the enclosed evaporating chamber l4, a metal vessel containing the ring of pipe I5 provided with flne vents IS on its under side andvwith the two inlets ll, ll, communicating with the lower compartment, while the enclosed evaporating chamber 14 is in communication with the eyelet of the centrifugal blower ill by means of the conduit 19. The centrifugal blower i8, driven bythe electrical motor 20, discharges into the double-branched Y-shaped conduit 2i, one branch 22 of which is in communication with the flexible waterproof duct 23 sheathed in heat insulating material and venting into the atmosphere external to the room, the airof which is being conditioned, while the other branch 24 of which is in communication with the intermediate compartment. A butterfly valve 25 within the double-branched Y-shaped conduit 2|, actuated by the arm 26 and maintainable positively in either of its two possible positions of closure by the spring 21, one end of which is secured to the double-branched Y-shaped conduit 2i at .a point directly below the axis of rotation of the butterfly valve 25 and the other endof which is secured to the crossbar 28 integral with the arm 25, is

operable by the fork 29 carried by the bar 30 and wherein it absorbs heat and re-.

contains a quantity of water which is in communication with the water in the water jacket closed evaporating chamber 14 rides the float 38 whose arm 31, by means of the link 38, operates the electrical switch is controlling an electrical resistance heating coil 40 located either on the under side of the enclosed evaporating chamber l4 (as shown) or (preferably) within the enclosed evaporating chamber l4, and, by means of the link 38, the crossbar 4i and its support 42, and the link 43, operates the general cut-off electrical safety switch 44. Both of these electrical switches 38 and 44 are located within an enclosed chamber separate from, but integral with, the enclosed evaporating chamber l4, vapor sealing of the enclosed chamber from the enclosed evaporating chamber i4 being effected by the use of suitable flexible metallic bellows (not shown) encircling and united with the links 38 and 43 and united with the under side of the floor of the enclosed chamber. A second electrical resistance heatin coil 45 is likewise located as is the first electrical resistance heating coil 40. The discharge duct of the centrifugal blower i8 is in communication with the water in the enclosed evaporating chamber M by means of the U-shaped pipe 45, while the pipe 41 and the petcock 48 render possible the draining of water from the enclosed evaporating chamber i4 when the water therein is above, and until'it falls to, a certain level.

The intermediate compartment of the improved air conditioning apparatus, which contains theevaporating coils Ii suitably provided with fins I2, is in communication with the room, the air of which is being conditioned, by means 'of'the inlet louvres 49, 49, provided with the air fllters 50, 50, and the outlet louvres 5|. Located within the intermediate compartment is the fan 52, driven by the electrical motor 53, for circulating over the evaporating coils H suitably provided with flns l2, air taken into the intermediate compartment through the inlet louvres 49, 49, and the air filters 50, 50, and for expelling such circulated air through the outlet louvres 5|. The floor of the intermediate compartment is everywhere suitably sloped to drain into the U- shaped pipe 54 in communication with the water in the enclosed evaporating chamber M the water condensed from the air and deposited in the actuatedreciprocally by the two electromagnetic switches 3| and 32 to effect thediversion of the discharge from the centrifugal blower 18 into either the conduit 22 or the conduit 24. During the operation of the improved air conditioning apparatus, the enclosed evaporating chamber i4 intermediate compartment during the process of cooling therein the air being conditioned.

V The upper compartment contains an inverted receptacle 55 holding a supply of water, which is in communication with the water in the enclosed evaporating chamber M by means of the pipe 58, so that a minimum level of water is maintained at all times in the enclosed evaporating chamber l4 (that is, so long as water is present in the inverted receptacle 55) I The lower compartment is in communication with the atmosphere external to the room, the air of which is beingconditioned, by means of the flexible duct 51 which vents into the expanding duct 58 provided with the air fllter 59 and located athwart the condenser coils 'I suitably provided with fins 8, on the other side of which .is located the fan 60, mounted upon the shaft of u duct and the flexible waterproof duct 23 sheathed in heat insulating material, which are remote from the improved air conditioning apparatus, are secured in a suitable framework similar to a telescopic screen and readily insertable into a window frame, as is shown in Fig. 1.

External to the three compartments of the improved air conditioning apparatus is a thermostat il capable of operating alternatively either of two electrical circuits within a variable operating range of temperatures; and this variable operating range of temperatures is shiftable over a substantial latitude of temperature. Thus, the alternative operations of the two electrical circuits, and hence the operations of the improved air conditioning apparatus, are functions of the settings of the variable operating range of temperatures upon-the thermostat 8i. Such athermostat, readily available on the market, is shown in Fig. 3 as positioned upon the exterior of the housing I of the improved air conditioning apof the thermally sensitive element of the thermostat ll be greater than Ta, the cooling and dehumidifying circuit will be closed and the. mechanisms and devices comprised thereby, as set forth in the preceding paragraph, will beset into operation: whereupon air'from the room, the air of which is to be conditioned, will be drawn into the intermediate compartment through the inlet louvres 49, 49, and the air filters 50, 50-, will be deprived of most of its content of water vapor by the condensation of such water vapor into liquid'water, and will be expelled from the intermediate compartment through the outlet louvres 5| into the room, the air of which is being conditioned, by means of the fan 52; and the liquid water thus produced in the intermediate compartment by the condensation of such water vapor from the air being conditioned, will paratus, with its thermally sensitive element dis- 7 posed in the air of the room, the air of which is to be conditioned. Reference to. Fig. 6 will disclose the two electrical circuits, the alternative operations of which are controlled by the thermostat 6|: The closing of the cooling and dehumidifying circuit is seen to bring into operation the'electrical motor 4 driving the water-jacketed compressor '5, the electrical motor 20 driving the centrifugal blower l8, the electrical resistance heating coil 40 controlled by the electrical switch 39 operated by the float 36 by means of the arm 31 and the link 38, the electrical motor 53 driving the fan 52, and' the electromagnetic switch 32 actuating the bar 30 carrying the fork 29 operating the butterfly valve by means of the crossbar 28 and the arm 26 to close the conduit .24: The closing of the heating and "humidifyingcircuit is seen to bring into operation the electrical motor 20 driving the centrifugal blower It, the electrical resistance heating coil 45, the electrical motor 53 driving the fan 52, and the electromagnetic switch 3| actuating the bar 30 carrying the paratus is positioned on the exterior of the housing i of the improved air conditioning apparatus .in proximity to the thermostat 6|; as is shown in Figs. 1 and 3. This account of the two electrical circuits of the improved air conditioning apparatus concludes the description of the elements and devices of the improved air conditioning apparatus: The description of the modes of operation of the improved air conditioning apparatus will now be given.

Let the operating range of temperatures, T2- I'i, of the thermostat 8| be set to encompass the desired temperature T of the conditioned air to' be attained, so that T2 T 1 and T2 is approximately equal to T. If now electrical power he applied to the improved air conditioning apparatus through the controlling electrical switch 62, and 1f the temperature of the environment drain into the enclosed evaporating chamber l4 through the U-shaped pipe 54. Meanwhile, the centrifugal blower l8, driven by the electrical motor 20, will draw air from the atmosphere external to the room, the air of which is being- 'conditloned, through the flexible duct 51, the

expanding duct 58, and the air filter 59, into the lower compartment wherein it will be circulated by means of the fan 60, thus enabling it to absorb some of the heat developed in the lower compartment through the operations of the water=jacketed compressor 5 and the electrical motor 4, as well as the heat available in the condenser coils I suitably provided with flns 8; and then the thus-heated air will be drawn into the ring of pipe' l5 within the enclosed evaporating chamber I4 through the inlets l1, l1, and will emerge from the fine vents i6 to take up water in the forms of water vapor and entrained liquid water from the heated liquid water in the enclosed evaporatingchamber i4; and the waterladen air will then pass through the conduit l5 into the centrifugal blower I 8, thence into the double-branched Y-shaped conduit. 2|, and thence into the .branch 22 communicating with the flexible waterproof duct 23 sheathed in heat insulating material and venting into the atmosphere external to the room, the air of which is being conditioned, and thus out into the. said atmosphere: whatever slight amounts of entrained liquid water and liquid water, produced by the condensation of water vapor into liquid water, that vare deposited within the conduits 2|, 22, 23, during the passage of the water-laden air through them will drain into the enclosed evaporating chamber l4 through the U-shaped pipe 46. The evaporation of water within the enclosed evaporating chamber I4 into the heated air being passed through the heated water therein is, in large part, effected by the heat developed in the operation of the water-jacketed compressor 5 compressing the refrigerating fluid and transferred to the liquid water in the water jacket 33 of the water-jacketed compressor 5, from whence the thus heated liquid water fiows upwardly into the enclosed evaporating chamnlsms and devices,.thus s multaneously electing the elimination fromthe room, the air of which is being conditioned. or both the thusproduced liquid water and the waste heat developed in' the operations of the mechanisms and devices comprised in the cooling and dehumidiiying circuit. Since the efliciencyof the utilization of such waste heat may not be wholly perfect, additional heat, in accordance with the amounts that may be required for such disposal of the thus-produced-liquid water, is rendered available by means of the electrical resistance heating coil 40 whose operation is governed by the electrical switch 39 operated by the float 38 by means of the arm 31 and the link 38 and hence by the level of the'diquid water in the enclosed evaporating chamber i4. Should the level of the liquid water in'the enclosed evaporating chamber It rise above a certain height through the addition thereto of liquid water produced in the intermediate compartment by the condensation of water vapor from the air being conditioned and drained into the enclosed evaporating chamber i4 through the U-shaped pipe 54, the electrical resistance heating-coir" is brought into operationuntil the" liquid water in the enclosed evaporating chamber H, by virtue of an increase in its temperature and hence through increases in its vapor pressure and in its rate of evaporation into the heated air being passed therethrough, has become diminished amount and the level of the liquid water in the enclosed evaporating chamber H has fallen to that certain height, whereupon the operation of the electrical resistance heating coil 40 is discontinued; but should there occur some failure in the performance of the electrical resistance heating coil 40, a marked rise in the level of the liquid water in the enclosed evaporatirig chamber M will effect the opening of the general cut-off electrical safety switch 44, which will bring to a halt the operations of the mechanisms and devices comprised in the cooling and dehumidifying circuit; and thereafter, the closing of the general cut-off electrical safety switch 44 can be efiected only by the lowering of the level of the liquid water in the enclosed evaporating chamber I4 by draining off the excess of the liquid water through the drain pipe 41 and pet-cock 48. On the other hand, if the waste heat developed in the operations of the mechanisms and devices comprised in the cooling and dehumidifying circuit is in excess of the heat required for the disposal of the liquid water produced in the intermediate compartment by the condensation of water vapor from the air being conditioned and drained intmthe" enclosed evaporating -chamber il through the U-shaped pipe 54, the level of the liquid water in the enclosed evaporating chamber It will fall until it'uncovers the lower end of the pipe 55; whereupon liquid water will flow from the inverted receptacle 55 containing a supply of liquid water into the enclosed evaporating chamber l4 until the level of the liquid water in the enclosed evaporating'chamber M has risento a height sufficient to cover the lower end of the pipe 56 and thus to terminate the flow of liquid water ,from the inverted receptacle 55 containing a supply of liquid water into the enclosed evaporating chamber I4; In this manner, provision is made for the production of heat suflicient to eliminate by evaporation the liquid water produced by the condensation of water vapor from the air being conditioned and for the availability of liquid water sumclent to'elimlnate by absorption, in the evaporation thereof,

the heat developed in eflecting the cooling or,

and the condensation of water vapor to liquid 5 water from, the air being conditioned.

After the mechanisms and devices comprised in the cooling and dehumidifying circuit have been in operation for a period oi time determined by a number of factors comprising the amount,

the temperature, and the humidity of the air being conditioned, and the setting of the operating range of temperatures, T2T1, of the thermostat Bl, the temperature of the environment of the thermally sensitive element of the thermostat BI will have fallen to T2 and slightly thereunder,

i. e., to T, whereupon the cooling and dehumidifying circuit of the improved air conditioning apparatus will become opened and the operation of the improved air conditioning apparatus will cease. If the temperature of q the atmosphere external to the room, the air of whichis being conditioned, is greater than Tz heat will flow into the room, and the air therein and, in consequence, the environment ofthe thermally sensitive ele- 125 ment of'the thermostat 6| will become heated to a temperature greater than T2, so that after a period of time, the cooling and dehumidifying circuit will again become closed. Thus, by such intermittently repeating operation of the cooling and dehumidifying circuit of the improved air conditioning apparatus, the air in the room, the

air of which is being conditioned, will be maintained ata temperature lower-than the temperature of the atmosphere external to the room, the air of which is being conditioned, provided that the temperature of the atmosphere external to the room, the air of which is being conditioned, remains at temperatures greater than W state of affairs corresponds to the conditions 40 existing during hot weather in summer when. cool air of a slight but definite humidity is to be produced by the improved air conditioning apparatus. Let it now be supposed that, on an occasional day during this period of the year, the temperature of the atmosphere external tothe room, the air of which is being conditioned, is less than T1, where T1 may be a temperature somewhatcool. Under such condition, the efiect of such temperature of the atmosphere external to th room, the

5 air of which is being conditionedbuponthe room and henceupon the air of the room, the air of which is being conditioned, is to cause heat to flow out of the room, and the air therein, and,

in consequence the environment of the thermally sensitive element of the thermostat M, will become cooled to a temperature less'=than T1, with the result that the heating an humidifymg cit,

cuit will become closed and the mechanisms and devices comprised thereby, as set forth in the second paragraph preceding, will be set intooperation; whereupon the centrifugal blower l8, driven by the electrical motor 20, will draw air from the atmosphere external to the room, the air of which is being conditioned, through the 55 flexible duct 51, the expanding duct 58, and the air filter 59, into the lower'compartment, and then the air will be drawn into the ring of pipe l5 within the enclosed evaporating chamber I through the inlets l1, l1, and will emerge from the fine vents IE to take up water in the forms of water vapor and entrained liquid water from the liquid water in the enclosed evaporating chamber i4 being heated by th operation of the electrical resistance heating coil 45; and the waterrladen. air will then pass through the conduit air of which is being conditioned, and th thusproduced mixture of airs will then be discharged through the outlet louvres into the room, the air of which is being conditioned: whatever slight amounts of entrained liquid water that are deposited within the intermediate compartment during the passage of the water-laden air through it will drain into the enclosed evaporating chamber l4 through the U-shaped pipe 54. Since the heat available in the liquid water in the enclosed evaporating chamber i4 and in the air being passed through the liquid water is insuiilcient for effecting th e a oration, i o the air. of amounts oi water sufllcient to humidity adequately the air and for heating the thus-humidified air to the temperature T1. heat is supplied to the liouid water'in the enclosed evaporating chamber l4 at a rate adequate for the accomplishment of these purposes by the operation of the electrical resistance heating coil 45. And since water is evaporated continuously from the enclosed evaporating chamber l4 during the operation of the mechanisms and devices comprised in the heating and humidifying circuit, the maintenance of the liquid water at a minimum level in the enclosed evaporating chamber I4 is attained by means of the inverted receptacle 55 containing a supply of liquid water and the pipe 56. The result of the operation of the mechanisms and devices comprised in theheating and humidfying c rcuit is to supply warmed and adequately humidified air to the room, the air of which is being conditioned.

After the mechanisms and devices comprised in the heating and humidifying circuit have been in operation for a period of time determined by a number of factors comprising the amount, the temperature, and the humidity of the air drawn into the. improved air conditioning apparatus from the atmosphere external to the room, the air of which is being conditioned, the temperature of the air in the room, the air ofwhich is being conditioned. and the setting of the operating range of temperatures, T2-T1, ofthe thermostat H, the temperature of the environment of the thermally sensitive element of the thermostat 6| will have risen to T1 or slightly thereover, whereupon the heating and humidifying circuit of the improved air conditioning apparatus willbecome opened and the operation of the improved air conditioning apparatus will cease. Since the temperature of the atmosphere external to the room, the air of which is being conditioned, is less than T1, heat will flow out of the room, and the air therein, and, in consequence, the environment of the thermally sensitive element of the thermostat 6!, will become cooled, so that after -a period of time, the heating and humidifying circuit will again become closed. Thus, by such intermittently repeating operation of the heating and humidifying circuit of the improved air conditioning apparatus, the air in the room, the air of which is being conditioned, will be maintained at a temperaturehigher than the temperature of the atmosphere external to the room; the air of .which is being conditioned, provided that the temperature of the atmosphere external to the room, the air of which is being conditioned, remains at temperatures less than T1. This state l0 of aii'airs corresponds to the conditions existing during cool weather in summer when the air is unduly chilly. Y

From this description of the modes of operation. oi the improved air conditioning apparatus when the temperature of the environment of the thermally sensitive element of the thermostat BI is greater than T: and when the temperature of the environment of the thermally sensitive element of the thermostattl is less than T1, it is obvious that the improved air conditioning apparatus will establish and maintain the air in a room, the air of which is being conditioned, at temperatures within the operating range of temperatures, T2--T1, of the thermostat GI and of humidities correspondingto such temperatures, even though the improved air conditioning apparatus may be in'operation only occasionally. But if the operating range of temperatures, T's-T1, of the ther mostat 6| be made quite small, say a degree or a fraction thereon-the inertial eflectsin the operation of the improved air conditioning apparatus will cause the opening and the closing of the cooling and dehumidifying circuit and of the heating and humidifying circuit of the improved air conditioning apparatus to occur in altematlon, so that the air in the room, the air of which is being conditionedywill be established and maintained at a temperature intermediate the temperatures T2 and T1 and of a humidity corre. sponding to that temperature. In regions where the air is exceptionally dry at all times and where the most desirable kind of conditioned air is cool air of a slight but definite humidity, this mode of intermittently alternating operation of the cooling and dehumidifying circuit and of the heating and humidifying circuit of the improved air conditioning apparatus is the mode of operation to be practiced.

However, in regions where the air is not ex ceptionally dry at all times, i. e., in most regions, the operating range of temperatures, Til-T1, of the thermostat 6| will ordinarily comprisea substantial number of degrees, and the two modes of intermittently repeating operation of the cooling and dehumidii'ying circuit and of the heating and humidifying circuit of the improved air conditioning apparatus will be practiced, accordingly as the temperature of the atmosphere external to the room. the air of which is being conditioned, is generally higher or lower than the temperature of the air of the said room before the conditioning of the air thereof is initiated. Thus, during the summer, the operating range of temperatures, T2T1, of the thermostat 6| will be set so that temperature, Tz, is the temperature desired in the conditioned air and the temperature, T1, is well below the temperature, T2; and the heating and humidifying circuit of the improved air conditioning apparatus will but seldom be brought into operation, since the most desirable kind of conditioned air is cool air of a slight but definite humidity, and the warm air before conditioning invariably contains water vapor in excess of such humidity, which becomes reduced in amount to the humidity corresponding to the temperature, T2, by and in the cooling and dehumidifying process. But in winter, when the atmosphere external to the room, the air of which is being conditioned, is below the temperature of the air of the said room, and the air of the said room is being heated by any one of the common types of heating apparatus whose operation is governed by thermostatic means, the operating range of temperatures, T2T1, of the thermostat 8| will be set so that the temperature, T1, is identical with, or infinitesimally less than, the setting of the temperature upon the thermostatic means governing the operation of the heating apparatus heating the air of the room, the air of which is being conditioned, and the temperature, T2, is well above the temperature, 'I'i, so that the cooling and dehumidifying circuit of the improved air conditioning apparatus willnot be brought into operation save on an exceptional day when the temperature of the atmosphere external to the room, the air of which is being conditioned, rises to T2. And on such an exceptional day, the heating apparatus heating the air of the room, the

air of which is being conditioned, will naturally be put out of operation temporarily pending the reoccurrence of temperatures less than T1 of the atmosphere external to the room, the air of which is being conditioned. Hence, the utilization of these two modes of intermittently repeating operation of the cooling and dehumidifying circuit and of the heating and humidifying circuit of the improved air conditioning apparatus for the production, by the improved air conditioning apparatus, of a supply. of clean air of agreeable temperatures'and humidities throughout the year in any region whatsoever will thus involve yearly but two settings of the operating range of temperatures,

Tz-Tr, of the thermostat 6 I, namely, a setting when the heating apparatus heating the air of the room,the air of which is being conditioned, is put .into operation, and a, setting when the said heating apparatus is put out of operation.

Having disclosed the construction and operation of my invention, I claim:

1. In air conditioning apparatus, in combination, a refrigerating unit having heat-absorbing elements and heat-developing elements, a first fan means for circulating over the heat-absorbing elements the air being conditioned to effect the condensing of water vapor to liquid water from and the cooling of the said air being conditioned,

reservoir means effecting heat-exchanging relation between the said liquid water and the heatdeveloping elements, a foraminous element within the said reservoir means and submerged in the liquid water therein, a second fan means for circulating over the heat-developing elements and through the foraminous element to evaporate the liquid water within the said reservoir means air drawn from the atmosphere at a location remote from the air being conditioned and for discharging such circulated air thus water-laden into the atmosphere at another location remote from the air being conditioned.

2. In air conditioning apparatus, in combination, a refrigerating unit having heat-absorbing elements and heat-developing elements, a first fan means for circulating over the heat-absorbing elements the air being conditioned to 'efiect the condensing of water vapor to liquid water from and the cooling ofthe said air being conditioned, a first reservoir means for receiving the said liquid water andfor effecting heat-exchanging relation between the'liquid water therein and the heatdeveloping elements, a second reservoir means maintaining at a minimum level the liquid water in the-first reservoir means, a foraminous element within the first reservoir means and submerged in the liquid water therein, and a secand fan means for circulating over the heat-developing elements and through the foraminous element to evaporate the liquid water within the first reservoir means air drawn from-the atmosphere 12 at alocation remote from the air being conditioned and for discharging such circulated air thus water-laden into the atmosphere at another location remote from the air being conditioned.

3. In air conditioning apparatus, in combination, a refrigerating unit having heat-absorbing elements and heat-developing elements, a first fan means for circulating over the heat-absorbing elements the air being conditioned to effect the condensing of water vapor to liquid water from and the cooling of the said air being conditioned,

a first reservoir means for receiving the said liquid water and for efiecting heat-exchanging relation between the liquid water therein and the heatdeveloping elements, a second reservoir means maintaining at a minimum level the liquid water in the first reservoir means, electrical resistance heating means in heat-exchanging relation with the liquid water in the first reservoir means, electrical switch means controlling the said electrical resistance heating means and responsive' to change in the level of the liquidwater in the first reservoir means, a foraminous element within the first reservoir means and submerged in the liquid water therein, and a second fan means for circulating over the heat-developing elements and through the foraminous element to evaporate the liquid water within the first reservoir means air drawn from the atmosphere at a location remote from the air being conditioned and for discharging such circulated air thus water-laden into the atmosphere at another location remote from the air being conditioned.

4. In air conditioning apparatus, in combination, a refrigerating unit having heat-absorbing elements and heat-developing elements, a first fan means for circulating over the heat-absorbing elements the air being conditioned to effect the condensing of water vapor to liquid water from and the cooling of the said air being conditioned, a first reservoir means for receiving the said liquid water and for effecting heat-exchanging relation between the liquid water therein and the heat-developing elements, a second reservoir means maintaining at a minimum level the liquid water in the first reservoir means, electrical resistance heating means in heat-exchanging relation with the liquid water in the first reservoir means, electrical switch means controlling the said electrical resistance heating means and responsive to change in the level of the liquid water in the first reservoir means, a foraminous element within the first reservoir means and submerged in the liquid water therein, a second fan means for circulating over the heat-developing elements and through the foraminous element to evaporate the liquid water within the first reservoir means air drawn from the atmosphere at a location remote from the air being conditioned and for discharging such circulated air thus water-laden into the atmosphere at another location remote from the air being conditioned, and thermostatic means governing the operations of the said refrigerating unit, the said first fan means, the said electrical resistance heating means, and the said second fan means.

5. In air conditioning apparatus, in combination, a refrigerating unit having heat-absorbing elements and heat-developing elements, a first fan means for circulating over the heat-absorbing elements the air being conditioned to effect the condensing of water vapor to liquid water from and the cooling of the said air being conditioned. a first reservoir means for receiving the said liquid water and for effecting heat-exchanging 13 relation between the liquid water therein and heat-developing elements, a second reservoir means maintaining at a minimum level the liquid water in the firstreservoir means, a foraminous element within the first reservoir means and submerged in the liquid water therein, a second fan means for circulating over the heat-developing elements and through the foraminous element to evaporate the liquid water within the first reservoir means air drawn from the atmosphere at a location remote from the air being conditioned and for discharging such circulated air thus water-laden into the atmosphere at another location remote from the air being conditioned, and thermostatic means governing the operations of the said refrigerating unit, the said first fan means, and the said second fan means.

6. In air conditioning apparatus, in combination with the combination set forth in claim 2 as a first sub-combination and with the combination comprising the said first fan means, the said first reservoir means, the said second reservoir means, the said foraminous element, and the said second fan means as a second sub-' combination, electromagnetic switch means effecting alternatively the operations of the devices of the first sub-combination and the discharging of the water-laden air into the atmosphere at a location remote from the air being conditioned or the operations of the devices of the second sub-combination and the discharging of the water-laden air into the room, the air of which is being conditioned, and thermostatic the Msaeeo l4 means governing the alternative operations of the electromagnetic switch means. a

7. In air conditioning apparatus, in combination with the combination set forth in claim 3 as a first sub-combination and with the combination comprising the said first fan means, the said first reservoir means, the said second reservoir means,

Numberthe said foraminous element, the said second fan means, and a second electrical resistance heating means in heat-exchanging relation with the liquid water in the first reservoir means as a second sub-combination, electromagnetic switch means effecting alternatively the operations of the devices of thetfirst sub-combination and the discharging of the water-laden air into the atmosphere at a location remote from the air being conditioned or the operations of the devices of the second sub-combination and the discharging of the water-laden air into the room, the air of which is being conditioned, and thermostatic means governing the alternative operations of the electromagnetic switch means.

. ROBERT S. SHERMAN.

REFERENCES, CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Name Date Smith Oct. 10, 1939 2,200,302

Rufi! May 14, 1940-

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