Method and apparatus for inhibiting ice accumulation in HVAC systems

A heat transfer system comprising:

• a heat exchange component having a finned heat exchange surface adapted for immersion in a moisture laden atmosphere wherein, the heat exchange component comprises fluid transfer tubing having heat transfer fins in thermal contact with the fluid transfer tubing;
• and
• a non-stick coating applied to the heat exchange surface, the non-stick coating adapted to inhibit adherence of frozen moisture to the heat exchange surface,
• wherein the fluid transfer tubing and heat transfer fins are oriented to promote gravity flow of frozen moisture away from the heat exchange component.

A heat transfer system comprising:

• a heat exchange component having a heat exchange surface;
• a non-stick coating applied to the heat exchange surface, the non-stick coating adapted to inhibit adherence of frozen moisture to the heat exchange surface;
• and
• a protective shell positioned around the heat exchange component, the protective shell also having non-stick coating adapted to inhibit the adherence of frozen moisture to the shell,
• wherein the protective shell is shaped to enhance convection air flows through the shell and around the heat exchange component.

A heat transfer system comprising:

• a heat exchange component having a heat exchange surface;
• a non-stick coating applied to the heat exchange surface, the non-stick coating adapted to inhibit adherence of frozen moisture to the heat exchange surface;
• and
• a fan positioned proximate the heat exchange component.

A heat transfer system comprising:

• a heat exchange component having a heat exchange surface;
• a non-stick coating applied to the heat exchange surface, the non-stick coating adapted to inhibit adherence of frozen moisture to the heat exchange surface;
• and
• a vibrator operatively connected to the heat exchange component to promote release of frozen moisture from the heat exchange surface.

A heat transfer system comprising:

• a heat exchange component having a heat exchange surface;
• a non-stick coating applied to the heat exchange surface, the non-stick coating adapted to inhibit adherence of frozen moisture to the heat exchange surface;
• and
• a base positioned below the heat exchange component, the base sloped downwardly and outwardly to direct frozen moisture accumulations away from the heat exchange component, the base provided with a non-stick coating adapted to inhibit adherence of frozen moisture.

An atmospheric heat exchange system comprising:

• a fluid transfer tubing adapted for immersion in a moisture laden atmosphere, the fluid transfer tubing formed into a heat exchanger array having fluid transfer tubing segments with generally non-horizontal slopes so as to remove moisture and frozen moisture by gravity flow, wherein the fluid transfer tubing segments are disposed within the heat exchanger array so as to reduce the amount of moisture or frozen moisture shed from any fluid transfer tubing segment that falls onto another fluid transfer tubing segment;
• a refrigerant fluid flowed into the heat exchanger array, the refrigerant fluid having a temperature at or below the freezing temperature of moisture carried by the atmosphere;
• and
• a non-stick coating applied to the fluid transfer tubing, the non-stick coating adapted to inhibit adherence of moisture and frozen moisture to the fluid transfer tubing.

A heat transfer system comprising a heat exchange component having a heat exchange surface,

• wherein, said heat transfer system is adapted for selected operation in a heating mode, said operation in a heating mode including a period of operation in a heating cycle,
• wherein, operation in said heating cycle includes transferring heat from a moisture laden atmosphere to a chilled working fluid flowed through said heat exchange component, operation in said heating cycle tending to promote accumulation of frozen moisture upon said finned heat exchange surface,
• wherein, an accumulation of frozen moisture upon said heat exchange surface inhibits heating cycle operation, and
• wherein, said heating and cooling system further comprises a fluoropolymer material applied to the heat exchange surface, the fluoropolymer material creating a non-stick heat exchange surface that sheds frozen moisture whereby said heating system operating in the heating mode will generally operate in heating cycle operation without accumulation of frozen moisture upon the heat exchange surface.

A heat transfer system comprising:

• a refrigerant;
• a heat exchanger having a heat exchange surface, said refrigerant being flowed through said heat exchanger;
• and
• a fluoropolymer material applied to said heat exchange surface,
• wherein, said heat transfer system is adapted for selected operation in a heating mode, said operation in a heating mode including periodic heating cycle operation, such heating cycle operation including transferring heat from a moisture laden atmosphere to said refrigerant, said refrigerant being chilled sufficiently to generally promote accumulation of frozen moisture upon said heat exchange surface,
• wherein, an accumulation of frozen moisture upon said heat exchange surface inhibits heating cycle operation,
• wherein, said operation in a heating mode further includes such periods of defrost cycle operation to remove such frozen moisture as may accumulate during a preceding period of heating cycle operation, such defrost cycle operation precluding heating cycle operation, and
• wherein, said fluoropolymer material provides a non-stick coating creating a non-stick surface such that frozen moisture is generally prevented from adhering to the heat exchange surface whereby said heating system operating in the heating mode will generally operate in heating cycle operation without accumulation of frozen moisture upon the heat exchange surface and thus generally operate without defrost cycle operation.