U.S. patent application number 10/860206 was filed with the patent office on 2005-12-08 for whole building evaporative cooler.
This patent application is currently assigned to AdobeAir, Inc.. Invention is credited to Palmer, Roger C., Townsend, Donald L..
Application Number | 20050268636 10/860206 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 35446183 |
Filed Date | 2005-12-08 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050268636 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Palmer, Roger C. ; et
al. |
December 8, 2005 |
Whole building evaporative cooler
Abstract
A method and apparatus for supplementing the air quality in a
dwelling with an evaporative cooling system configured to couple to
an existing central air conditioning system in the dwelling. The
evaporative cooling system includes an evaporative cooling unit
supported at ground level adjacent to the dwelling with a portion
of the evaporative cooler extending through an exterior wall of the
dwelling; between the studs of the exterior wall.
Inventors: |
Palmer, Roger C.;
(Scottsdale, AZ) ; Townsend, Donald L.; (Phoenix,
AZ) |
Correspondence
Address: |
James A. Wilke
Foley & Lardner LLP
777 East Wisconsin Avenue
Milwaukee
WI
53202-5306
US
|
Assignee: |
AdobeAir, Inc.
|
Family ID: |
35446183 |
Appl. No.: |
10/860206 |
Filed: |
June 3, 2004 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
62/314 ;
62/259.4 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F24F 5/0035 20130101;
Y02B 30/54 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
062/314 ;
062/259.4 |
International
Class: |
F25D 023/12; F28D
005/00 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A method for supplementing the air quality in a dwelling having
an air conditioning system including a duct work system and a
compressor, the method comprising the steps of: providing an
evaporative cooler having a housing with an extension extending
therefrom and a high capacity blow wheel; placing the evaporative
cooler adjacent the dwelling; installing the extension through an
opening in an exterior wall of the dwelling; coupling the extension
to the duct work system of the air conditioning system in the
dwelling; and controlling the operation of the evaporative cooler
and the air conditioning system.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the opening is between two studs
in the exterior wall of the dwelling and the extension is
configured to fit between the studs.
3. The method of claim 1, wherein the opening in the exterior wall
exposes a stud and the extension is configured to fit around the
stud.
4. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of coupling includes the
steps of providing a flexible duct having two ends, attaching one
end of the flexible duct to the extension and the other end to the
duct work system.
5. The method of claim 4, wherein one end of the flexible duct has
a smaller inside diameter than the other end of the flexible
duct.
6. The method of claim 1, including the steps of providing a damper
and installing the damper between the evaporative cooler housing
and the air conditioning compressor.
7. The method of claim 1, wherein the evaporative cooler housing
includes dual inlets.
8. The method of claim 7, wherein one inlet is in one side of the
evaporative cooler housing and the other inlet is in another side
of the evaporative cooler housing.
9. The method of claim 1, including the step of mounting the
evaporative cooler housing at a predetermined grade in relation to
the dwelling.
10. The method of claim 9, wherein the evaporative cooler housing
is at ground level.
11. An evaporative cooling system for use in a dwelling structure
having a central air conditioning system, including a duct work
system and a compressor, the evaporative cooling system comprising:
an evaporative cooling unit, including: a housing having a front
panel and an opposing rear panel having an exhaust extension
extending inwardly into the dwelling structure, the housing further
including a first and second side panel extending between the front
and rear panels, the front panel having an exposed surface area
that is uninterrupted to prevent air from entering there through; a
blower located within the housing and aligned with the exhaust
extension; a first and second evaporative media pad proximate the
first and second side panels of the housing; a water distribution
system mounted in the housing and configured to permit water to
flow downwards through the media pads; a stand configured to
support the evaporative cooling unit located on the ground adjacent
to the dwelling structure; a flexible duct having a first end and a
second end, wherein the first end interior diameter is larger than
the interior diameter of the second end, with the flexible duct
configured to couple to the housing of the evaporative cooling
system and the duct work system of the air conditioning system; and
a control unit configured to control the operation of the
evaporative cooling unit and the air conditioning system.
12. The evaporative cooling system of claim 11, wherein the exhaust
extension enters the dwelling structure between two studs of an
exterior wall of the dwelling structure.
13. The evaporative cooling system of claim 11, wherein the exhaust
extension is configured to fit around a stud in the dwelling
structure exterior wall.
14. The evaporative cooling system of claim 11, including a damper
mounted between the evaporative cooler housing and the air
conditioning compressor.
15. The evaporative cooling system of claim 11, including dual
inlets, with each inlet including one-way louvers.
16. The evaporative cooling system of claim 15, wherein one inlet
is in one side panel of the evaporative cooler housing and the
other inlet is in another side panel of the evaporative cooler
housing.
17. The evaporative cooling system of claim 11, wherein the blower
is configured to overcome high static pressure in the duct work
system of the air conditioning system.
18. The evaporative cooling system of claim 11, wherein the control
unit is configured to alternately operate the evaporative cooling
system and the air conditioning system.
19. An evaporative cooling system for use in a dwelling structure
having a central air conditioning system, including a duct work
system and a compressor, the evaporative cooling system comprising:
a means for cooling, including: a means for housing having a means
for exhausting extending inwardly into the dwelling structure; a
means for blowing located within the means for housing and aligned
with the means for exhausting; a first and second evaporative media
pad mounted in the means for housing; a means for distributing is
mounted in the means for housing to permit water to flow downwards
through the media pads; a means for supporting the means for
cooling located on the ground adjacent to the dwelling structure; a
flexible duct having a first end and a second end, wherein the
first end interior diameter is larger than the interior diameter of
the second end, with the flexible duct configured to couple to the
means for housing of the means for cooling and the duct work system
of the air conditioning system; and a means for controlling the
operation of the means for cooling and the air conditioning
system.
20. The evaporative cooling system of claim 19, wherein the means
for exhausting enters the dwelling structure between two studs of
an exterior wall of the dwelling structure.
21. The evaporative cooling system of claim 11, wherein the means
for exhausting is configured to fit around a stud in the dwelling
structure exterior wall.
22. The evaporative cooling system of claim 19, including a means
for metering mounted between the means for cooling and the air
conditioning compressor.
23. The evaporative cooling system of claim 19, including dual
means for allowing air only into the means for cooling.
24. The evaporative cooling system of claim 19, wherein the means
for blowing is configured to overcome high static pressure in the
duct work system of the air conditioning system.
25. The evaporative cooling system of claim 19, wherein the means
for controlling is configured to alternately operate the
evaporative cooling system and the air conditioning system.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates generally to the field of
evaporative coolers, and more particularly to a whole building
evaporative cooler housing.
[0002] Evaporative coolers are well know and used in warm dry
climates to both raise the humidity and cool the air. Evaporative
coolers work by drawing air from outside through a media soaked
with water. As the air flows through the soaked media water is
evaporated by the outside air thereby lowering the temperature of
the air. The cooled air is then directed into the area to be
cooled.
[0003] An evaporative cooler includes a number of elements all of
which are stored in a housing. These elements typically include an
air blower; a media pad; a water distribution system; and an
electric motor. Evaporative coolers need to be maintained on a
periodic basis to replace the media pads and to clean the water
distribution system.
[0004] There are three traditional approaches to mounting
evaporative coolers. One approach is to mount the cooler on the
roof in which the cooled air is blown down into the building. This
type of cooler is also referred to as a down-draft cooler. The roof
mounted cooler provides the advantage of being out of the way and
can be easily connected to a duct system to deliver the cooled air.
However, maintenance of the roof-mounted coolers is difficult due
to access. Additionally, many roof mounted coolers are being banned
under local zoning ordinances due to the aesthetic nature of the
cooler located on the roof.
[0005] Another method of locating evaporative coolers is by hanging
the housing from a window or eve. The cooled air is then blown into
the area to be cooled through the side of the cooler and is also
referred to as a side-draft cooler. The window or eve hung coolers
while being more accessible are typically hung from the eves or
proximate a window. This approach has a number of disadvantages
including blocking the window from use by the cooler. Additionally,
the width of the coolers or the distance from which they extend
from the building can be up to three feet or more. This extension
from the home may not be aesthetically pleasing and also takes up a
portion of the yard. Where the coolers are located in more densely
populated areas with housing units close to one another the three
feet extension may take up a significant portion of the space
between the buildings. In addition to making use of the space
between the building more difficult to use for garbage and
recycling containers, it may make maintenance of the unit more
difficult.
[0006] A third method of mounting the coolers is to place them on
the ground in which the cooled air is blown upwardly. This type of
cooler is also referred to as an updraft cooler. This type of
cooler has the disadvantage of requiring even greater yard space
than the down-draft and side-draft coolers.
[0007] Connecting an evaporative cooler to a central air
conditioning (A/C) system is problematic because usually the A/C
ducts are too small to efficiently move the air from the
evaporative cooler system. One solution has been to use larger
registers or relatively short, straight, and free of obstructions
ducts. However, such solutions add costs to the system and may
require replacement of existing duct work.
[0008] Accordingly, it would be desirable to provide an evaporative
cooler that could be ground mounted that would be easy to maintain
in small tight areas between buildings. Additionally, it would be
desirable to provide an evaporative cooler housing that was not
mounted to a roof to avoid local zoning prohibitions. Further it
would be desirable to provide an evaporative cooler housing that
did not excessively protrude into the yard from the building. Still
further, it would be desirable to provide an evaporative cooler
combined with a central air conditioning system using a common duct
system in the building.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] There is provided a method for supplementing the air quality
in a dwelling having an air conditioning system including a duct
work system and a compressor. The method comprises the steps of
providing an evaporative cooler having a housing with an extension
extending therefrom and a high capacity blow wheel. Placing the
evaporative cooler adjacent the dwelling. Installing the extensions
through an opening in an exterior wall of the dwelling. Coupling
the extension to the duct work system of the air conditioning
system in the dwelling. Controlling the operation of the
evaporative cooler and the air conditioning system. Another
embodiment of the method includes the steps of providing a flexible
duct having two ends, attaching one end of the flexible duct to the
extension and the other end to the duct work system. Another
embodiment of the method includes the step of mounting the
evaporative cooler housing at a predetermined grade, such as at
ground level in relation to the dwelling.
[0010] There is further provided an evaporative cooling system for
use in a dwelling structure having a central air conditioning
system. The air conditioning system includes a duct work system and
a compressor. The evaporative cooling system comprises an
evaporative cooling unit, including a housing having a front panel
and an opposing rear panel that has an exhaust extension extending
inwardly into the dwelling structure. The housing further includes
a first and second side panel extending between the front and rear
panels. The front panel has an exposed surface area that is
uninterrupted to prevent air from entering therethrough. A blower
is located within the housing and aligned with the exhaust
extension. A first and second evaporative media pad is mounted
proximate the first and second side panels of the housing. A water
distribution system is configured to permit water to flow downwards
through the media pads. A stand is configured to support the
evaporative cooling unit located on the ground adjacent to the
dwelling structure. A flexible duct having a first end and a second
end, wherein the first end interior diameter is larger than the
interior diameter of the second end. The flexible duct is
configured to couple to the housing of the evaporative cooling
system and the duct work of the air conditioning system. A control
unit is configured to control the operation of the evaporative
cooling unit and the air conditioning system.
[0011] There is also provided an evaporative cooling system for use
in a dwelling structure having a central air conditioning system
that includes a duct work system and a compressor. The evaporative
cooling system comprises a means for cooling, including a means for
housing having a means for exhausting extending inwardly into the
dwelling structure. A means for blowing is located within the means
for housing and aligned with the means for exhausting. A first and
second evaporative media pad is mounted in the means for housing. A
means for distributing is mounted in the means for housing to
permit water to flow downwards through the media pads. A means for
supporting, a means for cooling is located on the ground adjacent
to the dwelling structure. A flexible duct having a first end and a
second end, wherein the first end interior diameter is larger than
the interior diameter of the second end, with the flexible duct
configured to couple to the means for housing of the means for
cooling and the duct work system of the air conditioning system. A
means for controlling the operation of the means for cooling and
the air conditioning system.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of an exemplary
embodiment of a whole building evaporative cooler coupled to a duct
work system of an air conditioning system.
[0013] FIG. 2 is a sectional top view of the evaporative cooler
illustrated in FIG. 1 along the line 2-2, with the exhaust
extension configured to fit between two wall studs of dwelling
10.
[0014] FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the evaporative cooler
illustrated in FIG. 2 along the line 3-3.
[0015] FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the evaporative cooler
illustrated in FIG. 2 along the line 4-4.
[0016] FIG. 5 is a sectional top view of an exemplary embodiment of
an evaporative cooler with the exhaust extension configured to fit
around a wall stud of dwelling 10.
[0017] FIG. 6 is a sectional view of the evaporative cooler
illustrated in FIG. 5 along line 6-6.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS
[0018] Referring to the Figures, an evaporative cooling system 25,
including an evaporative cooler 30 is attached to a dwelling
structure 10. Evaporative cooler 30 includes an evaporative cooler
housing 32, a media assembly 66, 68 a blower assembly 60, and a
water distribution system 70. For purposes of convenience, the rear
panel 36 of evaporative cooler housing 32 will be the side that is
adjacent the dwelling 10. Accordingly, front panel 34 of the
evaporative cooler 32 faces away from the dwelling. The right side
42 and left side 44 of evaporative cooler 30 is on the right and
left, respectively as viewed from an observer facing front panel
34. (See FIG. 2.) Further, the term "width" as used herein shall
refer to the dimension that is perpendicular to the wall of the
dwelling 10. The term "height" shall refer to the up/down
dimension, and the term "length" shall refer to the dimension that
is both perpendicular to the height and width (see FIG. 1).
[0019] In an exemplary embodiment, evaporate cooler housing 32 is
formed from a rear panel 36, a front panel 34, a pair of right and
left side panels 42, 44, a base, and a top panel. Referring to
FIGS. 2-4 the base may include a base plate and four upstanding
flanges extending therefrom and to form a water retention cavity or
basin. Right and left side panels 42, 44, are attached to the front
upwards extending flange of base. Rear panel 36 may include right
and left panels having a collinear upper edge and a collinear lower
edge. Extending from such panels is a rearwardly extending portion
herein an exhaust extension 40 having a panel offset a
predetermined distance from the panels and by flanges respectively.
A bottom edge of the panels and flanges is a predetermined distance
above the lower edge of the panels.
[0020] Rear panel 36 can be formed from a single piece of sheet
metal bent to form the various panels. It is also possible to form
rear panel 36 from two or more pieces of material. The front panel
34 can be formed from a single piece of sheet metal or from two or
more pieces of material. The front panel 34 does have an exposed
surface area 38 that is uninterrupted to prevent air from entering
therethrough.
[0021] The inwardly extending exhaust extension 40 can be
configured to fit through an opening 16 between two spaced studs 14
of dwelling 10 (see FIGS. 2 & 3). The inwardly extending
exhaust extension 40 can also be configured to fit around a wall
stud 14 of dwelling 10 (See FIGS. 5 & 6). The opening 16 in the
exterior wall 12 exposes a stud 14. Such configuration avoids
having to cut the stud 14 and constructing a frame within the wall
12. A standard spacing for studs is 16 inches on center. Of course
other standards are also contemplated, for example 24 inches on
center. The benefit of providing features that can be used with
standard spaced studs, allows the evaporative cooler to be
installed on new construction or existing buildings without the
need to modify the stud configuration. Rear panel 36 may further
include an upper cap member.
[0022] A housing 32 is formed from the base, top panel, rear panel
36 and front panel 34. An access door may be provided to allow
access to the interior of the housing 32. The width of the sides
42, 44 of evaporator cooler housing 32 is typically determined by
the width of the evaporative media pads, 66, 68.
[0023] Exhaust extension 40 includes an opening 41 which serves as
the air outlet from the evaporate cooler housing 32. It should also
be noted that the front side 34 of housing 32 does not include any
openings. However, it is possible in an alternative embodiment to
provide louvered openings alone or in any combination in the other
panels. The air inlets 46, 48 of an exemplary embodiment of an
evaporator housing 32 is accomplished through the right and left
side panels 42, 44 that are located on the right and left sides of
the housing 32.
[0024] In one embodiment, (See FIG. 5), water distribution system
70 includes a pump, a water distribution line, and a water
diffuser. The pump includes a base having on inlet. The base rests
upon a plate of the base. Water is pumped from the base into the
water distribution lines through a first line. The line may split
into two lines via a splitter. Each of the lines terminate with a
nozzle, that is secured to a water diffuser. Water diffuser
includes a top panel having a bottom surface that faces downward. A
nozzle support plate extends from a front edge of upper plate.
Water is pumped from a water basin defined by base through water
distribution lines to the two nozzles located on the respective
right and left water diffusers.
[0025] Water is sprayed through each nozzle such that it sprays the
water against surface of the evaporative media pads 66, 68. The
size of the nozzle outlet is sufficient to minimize cleaning
required due to mineral buildup. The portion of the water flow that
hits the media pads 66, 68 is then directed downward.
[0026] In another embodiment, (See FIGS. 2 and 3) water
distribution system 70 includes a pump, a water distribution line,
and a water diffuser. The pump includes a base having an inlet. The
base rests upon a plate of the base. Water is pumped from the base
into the water distribution lines through a first line. The line
may split into two lines via a splitter. Each of the lines couples
to a distributor tube 87. The distributor tube 87 is coupled to a
water distributor 88. Water distributor 88 includes a plurality of
upwardly facing holes, and top panel having a curved surface that
faces downward. A distributor tube 87 extends from a front edge of
top panel to the rear edge of top panel. Water is pumped from a
water basin defined by base through water distribution lines to the
two distributor tubes 87 located on the respective right and left
water distributors 88.
[0027] Water is sprayed through each distributor tube such that it
sprays the water upward against the water distributor surface which
spreads the water evenly as it reaches the evaporative media pads
66, 68. The size of the distributor holes is sufficient to minimize
cleaning required due to mineral buildup. The portion of the water
flow that hits the media pads 66, 68 is then directed downward.
[0028] Turning to FIGS. 3 & 4, the blower assembly 60 includes
an impeller 61 that is driven by a motor. Air is drawn through the
side inlet 46, 48 and blown out through the outlet 41. The blower
60 may extend into the exhaust extension 40 allowing the blower 60
to be partially located within the wall 12 of the dwelling 10.
[0029] In an exemplary embodiment, the blower 60 is a rotary blower
having a 1/8 hp motor and blower wheel. Additionally, the position
of the blower permits the air entering the media pad 66, 68 to move
directly into the blower. Of course air entering either the top or
bottom of the media will enter the blower at an angle. However,
greater efficiency is achieved since the inlet or openings of the
blowers face the right and left sides of the evaporative cooler and
media. An increased blower wheel diameter would require a larger
blower housing which in turn would require a large evaporative
cooler housing. A larger housing would project further from the
building structure. Alternatively, the air flow could be increased
if the length of the blower wheel is increased as measured along a
longitudinal axis about which the blower wheel rotates. However,
the increased length of the blower wheel along its longitudinal
axis would require a larger size opening in the building if a
portion of the blower housing would fit within the extension
portion. Coupling the evaporative cooling system 25 to the existing
air conditioning system 20 of a dwelling 10 requires the blower 60
to be configured to overcome the typical high static air pressure,
for example 0.6 to 2.0 inches of water, of the duct work system 22
of the air conditioning system 20.
[0030] Turning to FIGS. 1 & 4 evaporative cooler 30 includes an
exhaust extension 40 that extends between the rear panel 36 through
the wall 12 of the dwelling 10. Extension 40 is formed of a rigid
preformed plastic sheet or sheet metal. The extension is movable
from a flattened position to a rectangular position that has the
same periphery as the opening 41 of extension 40. Other types of
extensions are also contemplated such as an accordion style member
or an extension formed from two separate components that slide
relative to one another. The ability to easily adjust the width of
the extension permits the flexible duct 80 to fit adjacent the
inner wall of the dwelling while allowing the rear panel 36 of the
housing 30 to be adjacent the outer wall of the dwelling 10.
[0031] The flexible duct 80 has a first end 82 and second end 86.
An exemplary embodiment, the first end 82 has an interior diameter
ID larger than the interior diameter ID of the second end 86 with
the flexible duct 80 configured to couple to the housing 32 of the
evaporative cooling system 25 and the duct work system 22 of the
air conditioning system 20. A typical air conditioning system 20
duct work 22 may have twelve inch diameter ducts. An exemplary
embodiment of a flexible duct 80 will have an ID of eighteen to
twenty inches at one end and an ID of twelve inches at another end
that connects to the air conditioning system. The high capacity
blower 60 and flexible duct 80 combine to overcome the high static
air pressure in the existing air conditioning system duct work.
[0032] The evaporative cooler housing 32 is mounted at a
predetermined grade in relation to the dwelling 10. The
predetermined grade in one exemplary embodiment is at ground level
with the evaporative cooling housing 32 supported on a stand 74
located on the ground G adjacent to the drawing structure 10. The
stand 74 can be composed of any material that is suitable for the
environment in which it is located and provide sufficient strength
to support the evaporative cooler housing 32. The stand 74 may be a
slab, for example of concrete or it may be a framework on legs and
it may include decorative features that are compatible with the
evaporative cooler housing 32.
[0033] The evaporative cooling system 25 includes a control unit 90
which is configured to control the operation of the evaporative
cooling unit 30 and the air conditioning system 20. Dampers 92 can
be mounted between the evaporative cooling housing 32 and the air
conditioning compressor 24. The control unit 90 is typically
configured to alternately operate the evaporative cooling system 25
and the air conditioning system 20.
[0034] For existing dwellings 10 and buildings a method for
supplementing the air quality in the dwelling 10 having an air
conditioning system 20 is provided. The air conditioning system 20
which includes a duct work system 22 and a compressor 24. The
method includes the steps of providing an evaporative cooler 30
having a housing 32 with an extension 40 extending therefrom and a
high capacity blow wheel 61. Placing the evaporative cooler 30
adjacent to the dwelling 10 and installing the extension 40 through
an opening 16 in an exterior wall 12 of the dwelling 10. Coupling
the extension 40 to the duct work system 22 of the air conditioning
system 20 in the dwelling 10 and controlling the operation of the
evaporative cooler 30 and the air conditioning system 20.
[0035] Additional steps include providing a flexible duct 80 having
two ends 82, 86 and attaching one end of the flexible duct 80 to
the extension 40 and the other end of the duct to the duct work
system 22. A damper 92 can be provided and installed between the
evaporative cooling housing 32 and the air conditioning compressor
24 to provide additional control for the air quality in the
dwelling 10. Additional dampers 92 may be installed for additional
air quality control. A controller 90 coupled to the evaporative
cooling system 25 and the air conditioning system 20 and their
attendant equipment (ex. dampers, vents, and the like) alternately
operates the evaporative cooling system 25 and the air conditioning
system 20.
[0036] It is important to note that the construction and
arrangement of the elements of the evaporative cooler housing as
shown in the preferred and other exemplary embodiments is
illustrative only. Although only a few embodiments of the present
invention have been described in detail in this disclosure, those
skilled in the art who review this disclosure will readily
appreciate that many modifications are possible (e.g. variations in
sizes, dimensions, structures, shapes and proportions of the
various elements, values of parameters, mounting arrangements, use
of materials, orientations, etc.) without materially departing from
the novel teachings and advantages of the subject matter recited in
the claims. Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to be
included within the scope of the present invention as defined in
the appended claims. The order or sequence of any process or method
steps may be varied or re-sequenced according to alternative
embodiments. Other substitutions, modifications, changes and
omissions may be made in the design, operating conditions and
arrangement of the preferred and other exemplary embodiments
without departing from the spirit of the present invention as
expressed in the appended claims.
* * * * *