Abstract: A system and method for easing the installation and removal of a desiccant rotor from an air handling system. The system and method enabling the installation of a shaft through the center of a rotor, the shaft having a first end portion protruding from the first axial face and a second end portion protruding from the second axial face, supporting the shaft and the rotor with a first support rail and a second support rail, the first and second support rails being positioned on opposite axial sides of the rotor and extending radially outward from a radial center of the rotor in an installed position, placing at least one keeper mechanism on each of the first and second support rails to secure the rotor in the installed position, and removing the at least one keeper mechanism to allow translational movement of the rotor along the first and second support rails.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for minimizing cold spots on plates of a plate-type fluid-to-fluid heat exchanger averages the plate temperature at a hot-fluid exit plane of the heat exchanger. The heat exchanger matrix is constructed to internally vary the flow patterns of opposing hot and cold fluid streams so that the heat transfer coefficient values of one or both fluid streams, designated as h, are optimized so the hot fluid value is a greater value than that of a cold fluid value. Plate variable flow structures are arranged in a manner that allows higher velocity hot fluid flow and possible lower velocity cold fluid flow in areas where the plate temperatures are coolest and the opposite configuration where plate temperatures are hottest.

Abstract: A fan for use in agriculture which has a BLDC motor which allows for varying the speed of the fan to vary the airflow rate of the fan and vary the efficiency of the fan. A ventilation system for use in a livestock confinement building to maximize a rate of growth of the livestock. A process for maximizing the growth of livestock in a livestock confinement building by controlling the airflow in the livestock confinement building.

Abstract: A gas-liquid contact body for use in a gas-liquid contact apparatus is formed of a plurality of facially opposed corrugated sheets with the corrugations in alternate sheets being disposed in parallel to form a plurality of criss-crossing channels for gas and liquid. The contact body has an air inlet side including an air inlet portion which is coated with a water-impermeable hydrophilic material whose density on the surface of the sheets decreases from a maximum at the edge of the sheets downstream within the air inlet portion to leave progressively increasing areas of said sheet exposed to air.

Abstract: A heat exchanger including a header having a plurality of header openings with rigid tubes that may be made of plastic are inserted in the openings. The tubes are sealed to the header to prevent leakage between the header and the tubes to prevent water and air leakage between the wet, scavenger air stream flowing through the tubes and a dry air stream flowing around the tubes. A method of making the heat exchanger includes providing the openings with a flange and uses an interference fit between the rigid heat exchange tubes and the header openings. A self-leveling sealant may be used to seal the heat exchanger tubes to the header using, for example, a paint roller and/or a paint sprayer.

Abstract: A gas-liquid contact body for use in a gas-liquid contact apparatus is formed of a plurality of facially opposed corrugated sheets with the corrugations in alternate sheets being disposed in parallel to form a plurality of criss-crossing channels for gas and liquid. The contact body has an air inlet side including an air inlet portion which is coated with a water-impermeable hydrophilic material whose density on the surface of the sheets decreases from a maximum at the edge of the sheets downstream within the air inlet portion to leave progressively increasing areas of said sheet exposed to air.

Abstract: A damper assembly for use with an axial fan to prevent air from entering the discharge side of the fan when the fan is at idle. The damper assembly includes a damper door having multiple sections. The sections are able to pivot independently in response to the air flow created by the fan to minimize airflow resistance when the fan is operating.

Abstract: A method of reducing the sorbate concentration of a process fluid stream using a sorption bed system includes the following steps. A mass of a sorbent material is rotated so that, in a cycle of operation, a given volume of the sorbent mass sequentially passes through first, second, third, fourth, fifth, and sixth zones, before returning to the first zone. A process fluid stream is passed through the sorbent mass in the first zone, and a regeneration fluid stream is passed through the sorbent mass in the fourth zone. A first isolation fluid stream is recycled in a closed loop, independent of the process fluid stream and the regeneration fluid stream, between the sorbent mass in the second zone and in the sixth zone. A second isolation fluid stream, meanwhile, is recycled in a closed loop, independent of the process fluid stream, the regeneration fluid stream, and the first isolation fluid stream, between the sorbent mass in the third zone and in the fifth zone.

Abstract: A method for conditioning air for an enclosure in which a supply air stream is cooled with a refrigerant system containing a variable compressor by passing the air over a cooling coil to reduce the temperature thereof; the thus cooled supply air stream is then passed through a segment of a rotating desiccant wheel under conditions which increase its temperature and reduce its moisture content, and then delivered to the enclosure. The desiccant wheel is regenerated by heating a regeneration air stream with the condensing coil of the refrigerant system, and then passing the heated regeneration air stream through another segment of the rotating desiccant wheel. At least one condition of the supply air stream, the regeneration air stream, and/or the refrigerant system is sensed or monitored and the output of the compressor is controlled in response to the sensed condition.

Abstract: A method of reducing the sorbate concentration of a process fluid stream using a sorption bed system includes the following steps. A mass of a sorbent material is rotated so that, in a cycle of operation, a given volume of the sorbent mass sequentially passes through first, second, third, fourth, fifth, and sixth zones, before returning to the first zone. A process fluid stream is passed through the sorbent mass in the first zone, and a regeneration fluid stream is passed through the sorbent mass in the fourth zone. A first isolation fluid stream is recycled in a closed loop, independent of the process fluid stream and the regeneration fluid stream, between the sorbent mass in the second zone and in the sixth zone. A second isolation fluid stream, meanwhile, is recycled in a closed loop, independent of the process fluid stream, the regeneration fluid stream, and the first isolation fluid stream, between the sorbent mass in the third zone and in the fifth zone.

Abstract: A ventilation fan assembly (10) having a fan (22) mounted in a housing (12) and a shutter assembly (60). The housing has a square inlet portion (12C), a circular center portion (12E) and a conical outlet portion (12D) having rifling grooves (20). The shoulder (16) formed between the inlet portion and the center portion is radiused to reduce disruption of air flowing from the inlet portion to the center portion. The shape of the blades (32) of the propeller (28) is such that the axial velocity produced as the propeller rotates is essentially constant along the length of the blades. The shutter assembly has a large, radiused entrance and airfoil shaped blades which reduce air disruption. The blades have a flexible flap (68) along the trailing edges (64D) which form a seal between adjacent blades to prevent air from leaking from the housing through the shutter assembly.

Abstract: A method for conditioning air for an enclosure in which a supply air stream is cooled with a refrigerant system containing a variable compressor by passing the air over a cooling coil to reduce the temperature thereof; the thus cooled supply air stream is then passed through a segment of a rotating desiccant wheel under conditions which increase its temperature and reduce its moisture content, and then delivered to the enclosure. The desiccant wheel is regenerated by heating a regeneration air stream with the condensing coil of the refrigerant system, and then passing the heated regeneration air stream through another segment of the rotating desiccant wheel. At least one condition of the supply air stream, the regeneration air stream, and/or the refrigerant system is sensed or monitored and the output of the compressor is controlled in response to the sensed condition.

Abstract: A method for conditioning air for an enclosure in which a supply air stream is cooled with a refrigerant system containing a variable compressor by passing the air over a cooling coil to reduce the temperature thereof; the thus cooled supply air stream is then passed through a segment of a rotating desiccant wheel under conditions which increase its temperature and reduce its moisture content, and then delivered to the enclosure. The desiccant wheel is regenerated by heating a regeneration air stream with the condensing coil of the refrigerant system, and then passing the heated regeneration air stream through another segment of the rotating desiccant wheel. At least one condition of the supply air stream, the regeneration air stream, and/or the refrigerant system is sensed or monitored and the output of the compressor is controlled in response to the sensed condition.

Abstract: A method for conditioning air for an enclosure in which a supply air stream is cooled with a refrigerant system containing a variable compressor by passing the air over a cooling coil to reduce the temperature thereof; the thus cooled supply air stream is then passed through a segment of a rotating desiccant wheel under conditions which increase its temperature and reduce its moisture content, and then delivered to the enclosure. The desiccant wheel is regenerated by heating a regeneration air stream with the condensing coil of the refrigerant system, and then passing the heated regeneration air stream through another segment of the rotating desiccant wheel. At least one condition of the supply air stream, the regeneration air stream, and/or the refrigerant system is sensed or monitored and the output of the compressor is controlled in response to the sensed condition.

Abstract: A high-pressure water pump for supplying high pressure water for atomization in the inlet stream of a gas turbine is disclosed which includes at least one hydraulic cylinder containing a piston secured to a piston rod extending from the hydraulic cylinder and defining within the hydraulic cylinder first and second hydraulic chambers on opposite sides thereof, hydraulic oil pump and solenoid valve for selectively supplying oil under high pressure alternately to said hydraulic chambers while releasing oil from the opposite chamber thereby to reciprocate said piston rod, and at least one water cylinder including a housing and a piston therein secured to the piston rod for movement therewith and defining at least one fluid chamber in the cylinder on the side of thereof opposite the piston rod; and check valves in fluid communication with said fluid chamber for allowing water to enter the chamber from a water source when the piston in the water cylinder is moved by the hydraulic cylinder in a direction which enlar

Abstract: A ventilation fan assembly (10) having a fan (22) mounted in a housing (12) and a shutter assembly (60). The housing has a square inlet portion (12C), a circular center portion (12E) and a conical outlet portion (12D) having rifling grooves (20). The shoulder (16) formed between the inlet portion and the center portion is radiused to reduce disruption of air flowing from the inlet portion to the center portion. The shape of the blades (32) of the propeller (28) is such that the axial velocity produced as the propeller rotates is essentially constant along the length of the blades. The shutter assembly has a large, radiused entrance and airfoil shaped blades which reduce air disruption. The blades have a flexible flap (68) along the trailing edges (64D) which form a seal between adjacent blades to prevent air from leaking from the housing through the shutter assembly.

Abstract: A method for conditioning air for an enclosure in which a supply air stream is cooled with a refrigerant system containing a variable compressor by passing the air over a cooling coil to reduce the temperature thereof; the thus cooled supply air stream is then passed through a segment of a rotating desiccant wheel under conditions which increase its temperature and reduce its moisture content, and then delivered to the enclosure. The desiccant wheel is regenerated by heating a regeneration air stream with the condensing coil of the refrigerant system, and then passing the heated regeneration air stream through another segment of the rotating desiccant wheel. At least one condition of the supply air stream, the regeneration air stream, and/or the refrigerant system is sensed or monitored and the output of the compressor is controlled in response to the sensed condition.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for conditioning air for an enclosure is disclosed in which a supply air stream, preferably from the atmosphere is cooled by the cooling coil of a refrigerant cooling system to reduce the temperature and humidity thereof to first predetermined level. The thus cooled and dehumidified air is then passed through a segment of a rotating desiccant wheel under conditions which reduce moisture content and increase temperature to a second predetermined temperature range. The supply air is then delivered from the desiccant wheel to the enclosure. The desiccant wheel is regenerated by heating a separate regeneration air stream, also preferably from the atmosphere, using the condensing coil of the refrigerant system in order to increase the regeneration air stream temperature to a third predetermined temperature range. The thus heated regeneration air stream is then passed through another segment of the rotating desiccant wheel to regenerate the wheel.

Abstract: A high-pressure water pump for supplying high pressure water for atomization in the inlet stream of a gas turbine is disclosed which includes at least one hydraulic cylinder containing a piston secured to a piston rod extending from the hydraulic cylinder and defining within the hydraulic cylinder first and second hydraulic chambers on opposite sides thereof, hydraulic oil pump and solenoid valve for selectively supplying oil under high pressure alternately to said hydraulic chambers while releasing oil from the opposite chamber thereby to reciprocate said piston rod, and at least one water cylinder including a housing and a piston therein secured to the piston rod for movement therewith and defining at least one fluid chamber in the cylinder on the side of thereof opposite the piston rod; and check valves in fluid communication with said fluid chamber for allowing water to enter the chamber from a water source when the piston in the water cylinder is moved by the hydraulic cylinder in a direction which enlar

Abstract: An automatic flush water distribution system for use in an evaporative cooling system includes a water distribution pipe adapted to be connected to a source of pressurized water. The pipe has a plurality of water distribution ports formed therein and a vertical flush pipe is connected at a first end to the water distribution pipe in liquid communication therewith. The flush pipe includes a second lower end and contains at least one valve seat and at least one buoyant float valve located therein between the valve seat and the water distribution pipe.