Electromagnetic wave-activated sorption refrigeration system

A refrigeration system capable of providing cooling during at least a portion of a repeatable refrigeration cycle, the refrigeration system comprising:

• at least one sorber having a housing forming an enclosure;
• a sorbent located within the enclosure;
• an evaporator in fluid communication with the enclosure;
• a condenser in fluid communication with both the enclosure and the evaporator;
• wherein a sorbate is evaporated in the evaporator to provide a cooling effect and then adsorbed by the sorbent;
• means for generating electromagnetic waves;
• means for coupling electromagnetic waves generated by the generating means to the sorber;
• wherein during a desorb portion of the refrigeration cycle the sorbate is desorbed from the sorbent by the electromagnetic waves and then condensed in the condenser;
• wherein the desorption of the sorbate from the sorbent is primarily isothermal;
• and
• controller means for controlling the operation of the generating means;
• wherein the generating means is selectively activated and deactivated to initiate and terminate, respectively, the desorb portion of the refrigeration cycle.

A refrigeration system capable of providing cooling during at least a portion of a repeatable refrigeration cycle, the refrigeration system comprising:

• at least one sorber having a housing forming an enclosure;
• a sorbent located within the enclosure;
• an evaporator in fluid communication with the enclosure;
• a condenser in fluid communication with both the enclosure and the evaporator;
• wherein a sorbate is evaporated in the evaporator to provide a cooling effect and then adsorbed by the sorbent;
• means for generating electromagnetic waves;
• means for coupling electromagnetic waves generated by the generating means to the sorber;
• wherein during a desorb portion of the refrigeration cycle the sorbate is desorbed from the sorbent by the electromagnetic waves and then condensed in the condenser;
• controller means for controlling the operation of the generating means;
• wherein the generating means is selectively activated and deactivated to initiate and terminate, respectively, the desorb portion of the refrigeration cycle;
• and
• means responsive to the controller means for regulating the power transmitted to the generating means from a source of electrical power;
• wherein the power transmitted to the generating means is gradually increased to initiate the desorption of the sorbate from the sorbent and thereby increase the pressure in the enclosure at the beginning of the desorb portion of the refrigeration cycle.

A refrigeration system capable of providing cooling during at least a portion of a repeatable refrigeration cycle, the refrigeration system comprising:

• at least one sorber having a housing forming an enclosure;
• a sorbent located within the enclosure;
• an evaporator in fluid communication with the enclosure;
• a condenser in fluid communication with both the enclosure and the evaporator;
• wherein a sorbate is evaporated in the evaporator to provide a cooling effect and then adsorbed by the sorbent;
• means for generating electromagnetic waves;
• means for coupling electromagnetic waves generated by the generating means to the sorber;
• wherein during a desorb portion of the refrigeration cycle the sorbate is desorbed from the sorbent by the electromagnetic waves and then condensed in the condenser;
• controller means for controlling the operation of the generating means;
• wherein the generating means is selectively activated and deactivated to initiate and terminate, respectively, the desorb portion of the refrigeration cycle;
• and
• a controllable valve in fluid communication with the evaporator and responsive to the controller means;
• wherein the evaporation of the sorbate is controlled by the controller means and wherein the controller means actuates the valve prior to the initiation of the desorb portion of the refrigeration cycle to thereby increase the pressure in the enclosure at the beginning of the desorb portion of the refrigeration cycle.

A method of providing a cooling effect during at least a portion of a refrigeration cycle, the method comprising the steps of:

• providing a sorbent having a sorbate adsorbed thereon;
• desorbing the sorbate from the sorbent using electromagnetic energy;
• wherein the desorption of the sorbate from the sorbent is primarily isothermal;
• condensing the desorbed sorbate;
• evaporating the condensed sorbate to produce a cooling effect;
• and
• controlling the duration of the desorbing and evaporating steps to provide a desired cooling effect.