Air conditioning system for a crane cab

Claim 1

In a crane installation operable for substantial periods in a high temperature environment comprising: a. an elevated support bridge disposed above a high temperature source of radiant heat; b. a crane operator''s cab depending from said support bridge; and, c. an air conditioning system for said crane cab; d. said air conditioning system comprising: 1. an air to liquid heat exchanger unit in said cab for conditioning air in said cab; 2. a refrigeration unit; and, 3. a heat transfer system for circulating liquid having a relatively high heat capacity between said refrigeration unit and said air to liquid heat exchanger unit whereby heat is transferred from the crane cab air to the refrigeration unit by said liquid; e. said refrigeration unit comprising: 1. a heat absorbing heat exchanger in heat transfer relationship with liquid in said heat transfer system; and, 2. a heat rejecting heat exchanger for transferring heat to ambient atmosphere; f. said refrigeration unit mounted on said support bridge remote from said crane cab and said heat rejecting heat exchanger located with respect to said support bridge so that said support bridge is at least partially interposed between said heat rejecting heat exchanger and high temperature sources below said support bridge to minimize radiant heat transfer from high temperature sources to the heat rejecting heat exchanger.