U.S. patent application number 12/185617 was filed with the patent office on 2009-02-05 for evaporative cooling system.
This patent application is currently assigned to Bessamaire Sales LLC. Invention is credited to James L. Powell, William M. Sullivan.
Application Number | 20090031748 12/185617 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40336848 |
Filed Date | 2009-02-05 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090031748 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Sullivan; William M. ; et
al. |
February 5, 2009 |
Evaporative Cooling System
Abstract
An improved evaporative cooling system with an enclosed
insulated chamber having an inlet, an outlet and a blower in the
system located downstream of the outlet to draw air to be cooled
through the chamber. A foraminous filter extends across the inlet
to clean the incoming air of large solid particles. An electric
motor is mounted partially across the inlet opening, having a
rotating shaft and supporting a disc for rotation on the shaft. A
reservoir of water chilled to between about 55 and 40 degrees
Fahrenheit is supported within the bottom of the chamber and
positioned for engagement by the disc during rotation, which upon
rotation flings chilled water adhered droplets upwardly away from
the reservoir in a fan-shaped pattern to further clean, cool and
humidify the air which passes through a fog-like curtain formed by
the chilled water droplets moving within the chamber, prior to
exiting the chamber.
Inventors: |
Sullivan; William M.;
(Pepper Pike, OH) ; Powell; James L.; (Westlake,
OH) |
Correspondence
Address: |
JEANNE E. LONGMUIR
2836 CORYDON ROAD
CLEVELAND HEIGHTS
OH
44118
US
|
Assignee: |
Bessamaire Sales LLC
Phoenix
AZ
|
Family ID: |
40336848 |
Appl. No.: |
12/185617 |
Filed: |
August 4, 2008 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60953923 |
Aug 3, 2007 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
62/314 ;
165/104.31; 165/110 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F28D 15/00 20130101;
F24F 6/043 20130101; F24F 5/0035 20130101; F28C 3/08 20130101; F24F
6/16 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
62/314 ;
165/104.31; 165/110 |
International
Class: |
F28D 5/00 20060101
F28D005/00; F28D 15/00 20060101 F28D015/00; F28B 1/02 20060101
F28B001/02 |
Claims
1. An improved evaporative cooling system comprising, an enclosed
insulated chamber having an inlet, an outlet and a blower in the
system located downstream of the outlet to draw gas through the
chamber; a foraminous filter extends across the inlet to clean the
incoming gas of large solid particles; an electric motor mounted
partially across the inlet opening, having a rotating shaft and
supporting a disc for rotation on the shaft; a reservoir of chilled
water supported within the bottom of the chamber, positioned for
engagement by the disc during rotation, which upon rotation flings
chilled water adhered droplets upwardly away from the reservoir in
a fan-shaped pattern to further clean, cool and humidify the gas
which passes through a fog-like curtain formed by the chilled water
droplets moving within the chamber, prior to exiting the
chamber.
2. The system of claim 1, wherein the temperature of air exiting
the chamber is between 5-7 degrees Fahrenheit below wet bulb
temperature.
3. The system of claim 1, wherein the water within the reservoir is
chilled to between 55 and 40 degrees Fahrenheit.
4. The system of claim 1, wherein the temperature of air exiting
the chamber is as great as 7 degrees Fahrenheit below wet bulb
temperature
5. The system of claim 1, wherein the gas cooled within the system
is room or outside air.
6. The system of claim 1, wherein the foraminous filter is a
polymer material.
7. The system of claim 1, wherein the enclosed insulated chamber
includes a refrigeration assembly, a heat exchange unit and a pump
for supplying water from and to the reservoir to the heat exchange
unit, having coolant material which is cooled by the refrigeration
assembly.
8. The system of claim 1, wherein the pump is positioned on the
bottom of the reservoir submersed within water.
9. An improved evaporative cooling system comprising, an enclosed
insulated chamber having an inlet, an outlet and a blower in the
system located downstream of the outlet to draw air to be cooled
through the chamber; a foraminous filter extends across the inlet
to clean the incoming air of large solid particles; an electric
motor mounted partially across the inlet opening, having a rotating
shaft and supporting a disc for rotation on the shaft; a reservoir
of water chilled to between 55 and 40 degrees Fahrenheit is
supported within the bottom of the chamber, positioned for
engagement by the disc during rotation, which upon rotation flings
chilled water adhered droplets upwardly away from the reservoir in
a fan-shaped pattern to further clean, cool and humidify the air
which passes through a fog-like curtain formed by the chilled water
droplets moving within the chamber, prior to exiting the
chamber.
10. The system of claim 9, wherein the enclosed insulated chamber
includes a refrigeration assembly and a heat exchange unit for
chilling the water within the reservoir.
11. The system of claim 10, wherein the enclosed insulted chamber
further includes a pump for supplying water between the reservoir
and the heat exchange unit.
12. The system of claim 11, wherein the pump is positioned on the
bottom of the reservoir submersed in water.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims priority from U.S. Patent
Application Ser. No. 60/953,923 filed Aug. 3, 2007, the entire
subject matter of which is incorporated herein by reference.
FIELD OF INVENTION
[0002] This invention relates generally to air cooling and
conditioning systems, and more particularly to an evaporative air
cooling and conditioning system with improved cooling
efficiency.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] The use of evaporative air cooling and conditioning systems
is well known. A variety of devices and systems are disclosed, for
example, in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,798,881; 3,948,627; 4,299,601 and
4,640,696; the subject matters of which are each hereby
incorporated herein by reference. Alternative evaporative cooling
devices are also available which make use of high absorbent,
cellulose Kraft paper, especially made for cooling applications,
where paper sheets are individually formed and impregnated with
thermosetting resins and additives to resist degradation. Such
cooling pads are available, for example, from Munters Corp. These
various prior art devices and systems disclose air handling units,
and in particular, air cooling and conditioning units.
[0004] While such systems have provided desired cooling, increased
efficiency is desired, particularly in dry and hot climates. In
such climates, air cooling is particularly critical. Often, cooling
systems are installed on the roof of the facility to be cooled.
While the water initially supplied to such systems may have been
approximately 70 degrees Fahrenheit, during the heat of the day,
the overall and internal temperature of such rooftop systems
increases, as does the temperature of any water stored within the
system.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] The present application improves prior cooling systems and
enables increased cooling as great as 7 degrees Fahrenheit below
wet bulb temperature. In the prior systems, air was generally
cooled to 80-90% efficiency to wet bulb depression. The cooling
advantage of the present improvement provides temperatures at least
7 degrees Fahrenheit below wet bulb temperature. To obtain the
additional cooling efficiency, water, which is generally provided
to such systems when removed from municipal water supply at
approximately 70 degrees Fahrenheit, is provided to a system
reservoir, and is cooled to between about 55 and 40 degrees
Fahrenheit temperature using a refrigeration system. Cooler water
is found to evaporate more slowly, and assists in the overall
efficiencies obtained by the improved system. Additional insulation
surrounding the water reservoir and system further assists in
obtaining the desired system efficiency. Comparable advantages may
likewise be obtained in an evaporative heating system, where during
winter months, water is heated within the reservoir, rather than
cooled.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0006] There are shown in the drawings, embodiments which are
presently preferred, it being understood, however, that the
invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and
instrumentalities shown.
[0007] FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic top, cut-away view of the
improved evaporative cooling system of the present application;
[0008] FIG. 2 illustrates a schematic side, cut-away view of the
improved evaporative cooling system of the present application, as
taken along the line 2-2 of FIG. 1;
[0009] FIG. 3 illustrates a schematic end, cut-away view of the
improved evaporative cooling system of the present application, as
taken along the line 3-3 of FIG. 1; and
[0010] FIG. 4 illustrates a schematic end view taken along the line
4-4 of FIG. 1.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0011] The present application provides an improved evaporative
cooling system 10. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the system 10 includes
an enclosed chamber 13 having inlets 12. The chamber 13 includes a
water reservoir W, an atomizing water distribution assembly 40, and
a refrigeration assembly 41 for cooling the water within the
reservoir W. An outlet 16 and a blower 18 within the system are
located downstream of the inlet 12. The blower 18, an industrial
duty, squirrel cage or drum, type blower with an ODP motor M, draws
gas through the chamber 13. It is noted in FIG. 1 that an optional
second chamber 13', substantially identical to chamber 13, may be
located spaced from the first chamber 13, depending on the desired
output of the system. As aspects of the system relative to chamber
13' are substantially identical, only differences will be discussed
further.
[0012] A foraminous wall or filter 22, in the preferred embodiment
a filter material, such as Paratex, of the type manufactured by
Blocksom Corp. of Indiana, extends within galvanized steel frames
or channels 56 and slides in and out for ease of maintenance,
across the inlet 12, and cleans the incoming gas or air of large
solid particles. It is understood that the supply of gas or air is
provided from the immediate environment surrounding the location of
the system 10. So, for example, where the unit is mounted on the
rooftop of a facility to be cooled, the gas supply is outside air.
Where the system is suspended from a facility ceiling, inside gas
or air is supplied. After the gas or air passes through the inlet
12 past the first foraminous wall filter 22, it is further cleaned,
cooled and humidified by the atomizing water distribution assembly
40, which forms a fog-like curtain of water droplets within the
chamber 13.
[0013] The curtain of water is formed by the atomizing water
distribution assembly 40, or slinger wheel assembly, which includes
a rotating disc 44 (counterclockwise at about 1,700 RPM) which
flings droplets of water from an open-topped water reservoir W
formed in the bottom of the chamber 13. An electric motor 32,
covered by a housing 42, is mounted on a platform 34 positioned off
center from the middle of the inlet opening 12, as shown in FIGS.
1-3, and it rotates the disc such that the disc dips into the
reservoir of water W having a consistent water level 24 in the
bottom of the chamber and upon rising out of the water flings the
adhered droplets upwardly in a fan-shaped pattern. The disc 44 is
mounted on a shaft 46 of the electric motor 32 as shown in FIG. 3.
Power cable 36 supplies power to the motor 32 and pump 50. Details
of the prior system are described in the incorporated patents, as
well as in the attached drawings.
[0014] The water within the reservoir W is chilled or refrigerated
to between 55 and 40 degrees Fahrenheit by a refrigeration
assembly, including a sump pump 50, a refrigeration unit 49 and a
heat exchange unit 51. The pump 50, where of a water resistant
variety, may be positioned on the floor of the reservoir W within
the chamber 13. The pump used may be a submersible sump pump of the
appropriate application size and type manufactured by the Little
Giant Pump Co., Oklahoma City, Okla. The pump 50 provides water
from the reservoir W to the heat exchange unit 51 and back to the
reservoir, and is mounted by a bracket to the wall 38 of the
chamber 13, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.
[0015] The preferred heat exchange unit 51 is an FP series
FlatPlate.RTM. heat exchanger of the type manufactured by GEA
FlatPlate, Inc. of York, Pa. The heat exchange unit, which is of
totally sealed 316L stainless steel plates and copper brazed with a
heat transfer surface, is supplied with isolated inlet water from
the reservoir via the pump, as well as incoming and isolated
coolant material from the refrigeration unit 51. Heat is
transferred from the warmer reservoir water to the heat transfer
surface, which is cooled by refrigerant or cooling material
supplied by the refrigeration unit 49. The refrigeration unit 49,
which is supported on a platform above the water reservoir, may be
a Copeland brand condenser unit 49b with a cooling fan 49a, of the
type manufactured by Emerson Climate Technologies, Inc. of Sidney,
Ohio. Refrigerant material is circulated to and from the heat
exchange unit 51 from the condenser unit 49b for cooling of the
heat transfer unit. The cooling fan 49a supplies air as indicated
in FIG. 2 to cool the condenser unit. Water within the reservoir W
is cooled to the desired temperature throughout the day, in order
to maintain the desired gas or air exiting the system at the
desired temperature.
[0016] Downstream of the rotating disc 44 are second filter 48 and,
optionally, a third foraminous filter 52. The second or "wet"
foraminous wall filter 48 is designed to prevent the entrainment of
large droplets of water in the stream of gas or air exiting the
chamber through the outlet. Large droplets will impinge on the
second foraminous wall and will trickle down the surface and be
returned to the open topped chilled water reservoir. The use of a
third foraminous wall filter 52 tends to further mix the gases to
make a more homogeneous mixture at the point that the gases exit
the chamber. Access to the filers 48, 52 is provided via hinged,
gasketed, access doors 58 having handles 60.
[0017] To ensure that water does not collect around the second and
third foraminous wall filters, they are supported on an inclined
surface 54 which slopes at an angle toward the open water
reservoir. To allow easy passage of water which has trickled down
the foraminous wall filters, the lower surfaces of the second and
third foraminous walls are supported in relatively short U-shaped
channels 56.
[0018] To maintain a proper dispersion of water in the fan-shaped
curtain sprayed by the rotating disc, it is necessary to maintain
the level of the water 24 in the open reservoir W at a relatively
constant elevation. As a consequence, level controls are provided
in the system for controlling the elevation of the water.
Preferably a conventional, mechanical float valve 30 may be used,
as well as an electronic water level sensor, which automatically
provide water to the reservoir W. Also, an overflow pipe 26 is
threaded into a drain connection 28. The level controls may be
removed or disabled to drain the system at such time as it is
desired to move the apparatus or repair some equipment. To drain
the system, the pipe 26 is unscrewed from the drain outlet 28 and
water flows out of the reservoir.
[0019] The cooling aspect of the invention obviously relates to the
summer months. In the heating season the same apparatus may be used
to heat air for distribution through the same duct work. Likewise,
water within the reservoir may be heated to a higher temperature to
increase heating efficiency. The ultimate use of the conditioned
air or gas is not material to this invention.
[0020] Additional improvements to the system described include
providing insulation material R, such as conventional foam or
fiberboard R7 rated material, on external surfaces of the chamber
housing the refrigeration assembly described above and shown in
FIGS. 1 and 2. Improvements to the present system 10 enable the
water temperature efficiencies previously described. As water
resources are becoming increasingly critical, particularly in dry
and hot climates, efficient use of scarce water and energy
resources to obtain desired cooling is particularly critical. As
previously mentioned, the improvements take advantage of the fact
that the water provided to the system is generally removed from
ground wells or city water supplies at approximately 65 degrees
Fahrenheit. As a result, the already chilled water, is maintained
at a cool temperature using the present refrigeration assembly.
Cooler water has been found to evaporate more slowly, which results
in the overall efficiencies obtained by the improved system 10.
[0021] The following examples further describe the prior art and
the invention but, of course, should not be construed as in any way
limiting its scope.
EXAMPLE 1
Prior Art Example
[0022] During a first test protocol, outside air entering into the
system (EAT) was measured at 76 degrees Fahrenheit dry bulb.
Without operation of the refrigeration assembly, the prior art
evaporative cooling system used water in the reservoir measured at
69 degrees Fahrenheit. After operation of the system for 15
minutes, the temperature of air leaving (LAT) the system was 68
degrees Fahrenheit dry bulb. The prior art system was able to
reduce the dry bulb temperature by 8 degrees Fahrenheit.
EXAMPLE 2
Present Application Example
[0023] During a second test protocol, outside air entering into the
system (EAT) was measured at 77.1 degrees Fahrenheit dry bulb.
During operation of the refrigeration assembly of the present
application, the improved evaporative cooling system used chilled
water in the reservoir measured at 37 degrees Fahrenheit. After
operation of the system for 15 minutes, the temperature of air
leaving (LAT) the system was 64.9 degrees Fahrenheit dry bulb.
Thus, the present system was able to reduce the dry bulb
temperature by 12.2 degrees Fahrenheit.
EXAMPLE 3
Present Application Example
[0024] During a third test protocol, outside air entering into the
system (EAT) was measured at 77 degrees Fahrenheit dry bulb. During
operation of the refrigeration assembly of the present application,
the improved evaporative cooling system used chilled water in the
reservoir measured at 49 degrees Fahrenheit. After operation of the
system for 30 minutes, the temperature of air leaving (LAT) the
system was 64 degrees Fahrenheit dry bulb. Thus, the present system
was able to reduce the temperature by 13 degrees Fahrenheit.
[0025] The test protocols indicate the ability of the present
system to enable increased cooling as great as 5-7 degrees
Fahrenheit below wet bulb temperature. It is believed that the use
of chilled water between about 55 to 40 degrees Fahrenheit provides
a range of improved system cooling performance over the use of
water having a temperature of about 70 degrees Fahrenheit or
higher.
[0026] All references, including publications, patent applications,
and patents, cited herein are hereby incorporated by reference to
the same extent as if each reference were individually and
specifically indicated to be incorporated by reference and were set
forth in its entirety herein.
[0027] The use of the terms "a" and "an" and "the" and similar
references in the context of describing the invention (especially
in the context of the following claims) are to be construed to
cover both the singular and the plural, unless otherwise indicated
herein or clearly contradicted by context. The terms "comprising,"
"having," "including," and "containing" are to be construed as
open-ended terms (i.e., meaning "including, but not limited to,")
unless otherwise noted. Recitation of ranges of values herein are
merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring
individually to each separate value falling within the range,
unless otherwise indicated herein, and each separate value is
incorporated into the specification as if it were individually
recited herein. All methods described herein can be performed in
any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise
clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and all examples,
or exemplary language (e.g., "such as") provided herein, is
intended merely to better illuminate the invention and does not
pose a limitation on the scope of the invention unless otherwise
claimed. No language in the specification should be construed as
indicating any non-claimed element as essential to the practice of
the invention.
[0028] Preferred embodiments of this invention are described
herein, including the best mode known to the inventors for carrying
out the invention. Variations of those preferred embodiments may
become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading
the foregoing description. The inventors expect skilled artisans to
employ such variations as appropriate, and the inventors intend for
the invention to be practiced otherwise than as specifically
described herein. Accordingly, this invention includes all
modifications and equivalents of the subject matter recited in the
claims appended hereto as permitted by applicable law. Moreover,
any combination of the above-described elements in all possible
variations thereof is encompassed by the invention unless otherwise
indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context.
* * * * *