U.S. patent application number 10/917133 was filed with the patent office on 2007-10-04 for enhanced water system for evaporative coolers.
Invention is credited to Jess Marquez, Robert B. McMillan.
Application Number | 20070227171 10/917133 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38556868 |
Filed Date | 2007-10-04 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070227171 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
McMillan; Robert B. ; et
al. |
October 4, 2007 |
Enhanced water system for evaporative coolers
Abstract
A air pre-cooler, water reservoir and distribution apparatus for
evaporative air conditioners, incorporating an insulated, increased
volume, self-cleaning water reservoir and a unique water
distribution system, in which the cooling efficiency is increased
through enhanced air water contact, and provides cleaner and cooler
outlet air through particulate removal.
Inventors: |
McMillan; Robert B.; (El
Pas, TX) ; Marquez; Jess; (Canutillo, TX) |
Correspondence
Address: |
ROBERT B. McMILLAN, PE, cem
337 LA MIRADA
EL PASO
TX
79932
US
|
Family ID: |
38556868 |
Appl. No.: |
10/917133 |
Filed: |
June 24, 2003 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
62/291 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F28D 5/02 20130101; F28F
25/06 20130101; Y02B 30/54 20130101; F24F 1/0007 20130101; Y02B
30/70 20130101; F24F 5/0035 20130101; F28C 1/14 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
062/291 |
International
Class: |
F25D 21/14 20060101
F25D021/14 |
Claims
1. A new and novel water reservoir, which incorporates a sloped
bottom surface, insulated bottom and walls, a pedestal to maintain
the circulation pump in mid depth of the larger volume of water,
and a debris collection sump fitted with a drain valve, either
manual or automatic, which increases the cooling efficiency and
reduces the buildup of scale, while conserving water, and is fitted
with a new and novel water distribution header with upward facing
water distribution holes which are sprayed onto a reflector
assuring an even distribution of water over the cooling media,
improving efficiency and further providing excess cold water flow
to improve efficiency through added heat transfer via forced
convection.
2. A new and novel air pre-cooler that incorporates a solenoid
operated dump valve that regulates the amount of water introduced
to the evaporative cooling media based on a thermostat setting,
thus regulating the outlet air temperature by evaporating only the
water required to achieve the set temperature and thus conserving
water.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] Not Applicable.
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
[0002] Not Applicable.
REFERENCE TO A "MICROFICHE APPENDIX." (See 37 CFR 1.96(c)).
[0003] Not Applicable.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0004] The present invention relates to that class of air
conditioners in which the air is cooled by the latent heat of
evaporation of water. This invention enhances the operation of this
type of cooler by maintaining a deeper, insulated, sloped reservoir
to provide cleaner and cooler circulating water eliminating the
need for bleed off thus reducing water consumption while improving
efficiency. In addition, the temperature of the air stream is
pre-cooled by an air to water heat exchanger which also
incorporates a solenoid operated bypass valve that regulates the
amount of water introduced to the cooling media, thus increasing
cooling efficiency, conserving water and allowing control of the
final air outlet temperature.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] The invention is carried out by the inlet air stream passing
over a water to air heat exchanger, prior to being circulated over
the evaporative media which both cools the inlet air and the return
water, which is returned to a reservoir that is insulated to
maintain a large volume of water at near wet bulb temperature. The
water from the reservoir is circulated through the heat exchanger
and then across the cooling media by a pump with its suction
located at mid-depth of the reservoir, isolating it from floating
debris and heaver particles that settle to the bottom of the
reservoir and are guided by the sloped bottom to an integral sump.
A three way valve located between the heat exchanger and the
evaporative media regulates the air outlet temperature by limiting
the amount of water introduced to the cooling media.
[0006] This invention removes suspended particulate matter with a
new and novel bottom pan that is tapered to a sump that can be
purged manually or automatically.
[0007] A larger volume of water is pumped through a main header
that discharges upward to avoid plugging of the distribution
system. The larger volume of water aids the cooling of the air
stream by adding convection cooling to the latent heat of
evaporation.
[0008] This invention can be installed on new or existing
evaporative air conditioners or as a self-contained device that can
be retrofitted to new or existing evaporative air conditioners. It
is accordingly the objective of this invention to provide increased
performance of new or existing evaporative air conditioners,
whether as an integral part or a separate detached water reservoir
and distribution system. It is a further objective of this
invention to provide debris removal for evaporative air
conditioners, enhancing the life of the cooling media, motors,
pumps, belts and pulleys. It is a further object of this invention
to eliminate the need for evaporative air conditioners to bleed a
portion of the water reservoir to minimize corrosion and scale
buildup and to conserve water. It is a further object of this
invention to have enhanced air/water contact, to maximize the
extraction of heat from the inlet air stream.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING
[0009] The objects and attendants advantages of this invention will
be readily apparent to any one familiar with the field of the
invention from the following detailed description taken in
conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:
[0010] FIG. 1 is a side sectional view through an evaporative air
conditioner fitted with the water to air heat exchanger and the new
reservoir system.
[0011] FIG. 2 is a side sectional view through an existing
evaporative air conditioner retrofitted with the new reservoir
system.
[0012] FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the new water distribution
header.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0013] In the exemplary embodiment of the invention a substantially
cubic or cylindrical cabinet I is fitted with an insulated
reservoir 2, which is provided with a sloping bottom 3, and a
debris sump 4. The bottom of the reservoir is also provided with a
shelf 5, for mounting a water distribution pump 6.
[0014] A water to air heat exchanger 7 is located upstream of the
cooling media 8. Water from the reservoir 2 is pumped by the water
distribution pump 6 into the top of the water to air heat exchanger
2 and travels downward to the bottom of the water to air heat
exchanger 2. Air passing through the water to air heat exchanger 7
is pre-cooled prior to contact with the cooling media 8. The water
exits the bottom of the water to air heat exchanger and enters a
solenoid dump valve 9 that either directs the water to the
reservoir 2 or to the water distribution header 10, thus regulating
the amount of water introduced to the cooling media 8. The water
distribution header 10, is fitted with a plurality upward facing
water distribution holes and is mounted to the cabinet 1, above the
cooling media 8. The space between the sloping bottom 3 and the
cabinet 1, is filled with foam insulation 11. A drain line 12 is
provided to purge the debris collector sump 4, and is further
fitted with either a manually valve, or optionally a solenoid
operated valve 13, for the removal of accumulated solids and
particulate matter.
[0015] When the invention is assembled as a stand alone
reservoir/distribution system to be retrofitted to existing
evaporative air conditioners 14, the reservoir 2, the sloping
bottom 3, the shelf 5, the pump 6 the sump 4, drain line 12, the
drain valve 13 and a makeup water float valve 15 are assembled
within their own cabinet 16, which is fitted with a removable lid
17. A feed line 18 and a return line 19 are provided to circulate
the cold water to and from the existing air conditioner 14. The
addition of weirs 20, assist in keeping particulate material away
from the pump inlet.
[0016] In either case, the water distribution header 10 is fitted
with water distribution holes or nozzles 21 that face upward and
spray onto a reflector 22. The excess water flow aids in cooling
the inlet air as well as keeping the cooling media 8 flushed and
clean. Under operation, water is pumped from midstream of the cool
water reservoir 2, by the water pump 6, through the water to air
heat exchanger 7 and then the solenoid operated three way valve 9
that diverts the correct amount of water to the distribution header
17 as required to maintain the set temperature, or in the case of
the retrofit system directly to the water distribution header
17.
[0017] The water is sprayed from a plurality of water nozzles 21
onto a reflector 22, assuring both constant distribution of the
water and preventing water nozzles 21 from becoming clogged. As the
water returns from the cooling media 8 to the reservoir 2, it has
been cooled to near wet bulb temperature. The natural vibrations
inherent with fans and blowers, causes the separated solid
particulate matter to flow by gravity and the constant agitation
from the falling water, to the new and novel debris collecting
sump, while the lighter debris floats on the surface. The pedestal
5 assures the circulation pump 6 is continually circulating cool
clean water through the water to air heat exchange 7 and over the
cooling media 8 as required to maintain the thermostatic set
temperature, and the insulation assures the water remains near wet
bulb before being circulated over the media 8 again. This excess
water flow in conjunction with the reduced reservoir temperature
increases the efficiency of cooling the inlet air stream due to
additional heat transfer through forced conduction, as the air is
forced into contact with the cold water flow.
* * * * *