EVAPORATIVE COOLING APPARATUS AND METHODS
An evaporative cooling apparatus includes a liquid reservoir and a pump coupled to the liquid reservoir. The pump includes a pressure output that applies a static pressure against the liquid stored in the liquid reservoir. The applied pressure forces liquid through a liquid supply line to a nozzle unit, and the liquid is ejected into a stream of forced air from a fan for evaporative cooling applications. The pressure output is also in fluid communication with the nozzle unit via a gas supply line extending between the pressure output and the nozzle unit for delivering gas into the nozzle unit. The gas delivered to the nozzle unit interacts with the liquid inside the nozzle unit to generate the atomized spray of liquid droplets.
1. Technical Field
The present invention relates generally to fans and more particularly to devices and methods configured to provide a liquid spray for evaporative cooling applications.
2. Related Art
Rotary fans are generally known in the art and include a motor coupled to one or more fan blades configured to force air through an environment. Conventional fans generally provide little cooling because they merely move air at the ambient temperature. If the air surrounding the fan is warm, then the air stream generated by the fan will also be warm.
Others have attempted to solve the problems associated with conventional cooling fans by providing a liquid spray in the stream of forced air. Evaporative cooling fans, or misting fans, generally utilize the endothermic phase change associated with liquid evaporation to cause a cooling effect in the stream of forced air. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,786,701 teaches a high-pressure misting fan configured for injecting a fluid mist into a generated stream of air to produce a cooling vapor impregnated airstream. Similarly, U.S. Pat. No. 6,212,897 teaches a cooling fan with spray function including a fan and a plurality of liquid nozzles attached to the grill of the fan using one or more clamp fasteners.
One problem associated with such conventional misting fans includes excess moisture included in the stream of forced air downstream from the fan. Because conventional fans generally emit relatively large droplets in non-uniform sizes, the air stream may include moisture that is perceptible to a user located downstream of the fan. Such moisture is generally unpleasant and can cause a wet feeling associated with the generated air stream.
Another problem associated with such conventional misting fans includes the location of the water source. Many conventional misting fans require the fan to be coupled to an external water source such as a garden hose. This requirement limits the locations where the fan can be used.
Further problems associated with conventional misting fans are related to the modular arrangement of misting nozzles located on the exterior of the fan grill. The nozzles and/or associated tubing may be inadvertently damaged or disconnected from the liquid source when the fan is being moved, stored, or even during use. External nozzle placement may also decrease the overall aesthetic appeal of the fan assembly.
What is needed, then, are improvements in evaporative cooling devices and methods.
BRIEF SUMMARYIt is an object of the present disclosure to provide an evaporative cooling apparatus that produces a stream of forced air and ejects an atomized spray of liquid droplets into the air stream for evaporative cooling of the air stream.
Another object of the present disclosure is to provide an evaporative cooling apparatus with a pressurized internal liquid reservoir.
A further object of the present disclosure is to provide a misting fan including one or more misting nozzles located on the inner side of the fan grill.
An additional object of the present disclosure is to provide a fan cover having a fan grill including one or more nozzle sockets integrally formed in the fan grill.
In some embodiments, the present disclosure provides an apparatus for dispensing an atomized spray of liquid droplets into a stream of forced air generated by a fan. The apparatus includes a liquid reservoir and a pump having a pressure output configured to emit pressurized gas. A fan cover is attached to the fan, and a nozzle unit is disposed on the fan cover. The nozzle unit is configured to dispense the atomized spray of liquid droplets into the forced air stream generated by the fan. A liquid supply line is disposed between the liquid reservoir and the nozzle unit. The liquid supply line is configured to deliver liquid from the liquid reservoir to the nozzle unit. A gas supply line is also disposed between the pump and the nozzle unit. The gas supply line is configured to deliver gas from the pump to the nozzle unit. The pressure output of the pump is in fluid communication with both the liquid reservoir and the gas supply line.
In further embodiments, the present disclosure provides a method of cooling a stream of forced air from a fan. The method includes the steps of: (a) providing a liquid reservoir coupled to a pressure output from a pump such that the pressure output is in fluid communication with the liquid reservoir, wherein the pressure output on the pump is also coupled to a spray nozzle such that the pressure output is also in fluid communication with the spray nozzle; (b) applying pressure from the pressure output against the liquid stored in the liquid reservoir while simultaneously forcing gas from the pressure output through a gas supply line extending from the pressure output to the spray nozzle; and (c) forcing liquid from the liquid reservoir into a liquid supply line extending from the liquid reservoir to the spray nozzle.
An additional object of the present disclosure is to provide a fan grill having an inner side configured for facing toward the fan and an outer side configured for facing away from the fan. A nozzle socket is integrally formed in the fan grill. The nozzle socket includes a nozzle socket opening shaped to receive a spray nozzle.
Numerous other objects, features and advantages of the present disclosure will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art upon a reading of the following description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
Referring now to the drawings,
Fan cover 22 generally includes an outer side 69, seen in
Evaporative cooling apparatus 10 also includes a support tower 16 including a support pole 48, seen in
A base 12 is located at the bottom of support tower 16. Base 12 is generally configured to rest against a surface upon which evaporative cooling apparatus 10 is positioned. Base 10 generally includes a liquid reservoir 50, seen in
Referring to
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Nozzle socket 66 includes a socket opening 76 shaped for axially receiving nozzle unit 64. As such, fan grill 68 may be molded or otherwise formed to include a nozzle socket 66. This configuration may facilitate more efficient assembly of evaporative cooling apparatus 10 as nozzle unit 64 merely has to be inserted into nozzle socket 66.
In some embodiments, nozzle socket 66 includes a socket flange 78 extending radially inwardly from nozzle socket 66 on the side of nozzle socket 66 opposite socket opening 76. Socket flange 78 may be positioned nearer outer side 69 of fan cover 22 than inner side 71 of fan cover 22. Socket flange 78 provides an axial stop for nozzle unit 64 to keep nozzle unit 64 from being pushed too far through nozzle socket 66 during installation or use. Socket flange 78 may also be integrally formed on nozzle socket 66 in some embodiments.
Referring further to
It is generally desirable to retain nozzle unit 64 in nozzle socket 66 after nozzle unit 64 has been inserted into nozzle socket 66. In some embodiments, one or more securement recesses 86a, 86b may be defined on guides 82a, 82b. Each securement recess 86a, 86b may be engaged by a resilient clip member extending into a guide recess 84a, 84b to secure nozzle unit 64 in nozzle socket 66.
An atomized spray of droplets may be selectively emitted from nozzle unit 64 during operation of evaporative cooling apparatus 10. Nozzle unit 64 is configured to provide an atomized spray of liquid droplets having substantially uniform size characteristics in a desirable size range for optimal evaporation. To achieve a desired atomized spray of liquid droplets, nozzle unit 64 includes a gas input and a liquid input. The gas input may also be described as a gas port, and the liquid input may also be described as a liquid port. During use, gas flows through nozzle unit 64 and interacts with a liquid also travelling through nozzle unit 64. Following the interaction of the liquid and gas inside nozzle unit 64, an atomized spray of liquid droplets may be ejected from nozzle unit 64. In other embodiments, the atomized spray of liquid droplets is formed after one or more liquid jets are emitted from nozzle unit 64.
Referring to
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A pressure cap 80 is attached to nozzle body 90 in some embodiments. Pressure cap 80 generally includes an annular sleeve having a pressure cap end wall 98 extending radially inwardly from one end of the sleeve. Pressure cap 80 includes an open end shaped for axially receiving nozzle body 90. Pressure cap 80 provides a pressure chamber 110 inside nozzle unit 64. Pressure chamber 110 generally includes an interior chamber that is filled with gas via gas port 112. During use, gas enters gas port 112 via gas feed tube 102. The gas fills the annular void 124 and travels toward a pressure chamber exit orifice 88 defined in the pressure cap end wall 98. As the gas travels past liquid channel opening 116, the gas interacts with liquid exiting liquid channel 114. The gas may flow temporarily upstream a short distance into liquid channel 114 in some embodiments before exiting pressure chamber exit orifice 88. The interaction of the liquid and gas near the liquid channel opening 116 and the pressure chamber end wall 98 forms an atomized spray of liquid droplets that is ejected from the nozzle unit 64.
It is noted that liquid channel 114 does not extend to the axial location of pressure chamber end wall 98 but rather stops such that a gap exists between liquid channel opening 116 and pressure chamber end wall 98. The gap also exists between liquid channel opening 116 and pressure chamber exit orifice 88. The gap provides a location for the gas travelling through pressure chamber 110 to intercept liquid travelling from liquid channel opening 116 toward pressure chamber exit orifice 88.
As seen in
Pressure cap 80 may be attached to nozzle body 90 using any suitable attachment means, including but not limited to a mechanical engagement or an adhesive. In other embodiments, pressure cap 80 and nozzle body 90 may be integrally formed in a unitary construction. In an exemplary embodiment, nozzle body 90 includes a nozzle body thread 120, and pressure cap 80 includes a corresponding pressure cap thread 122 such that pressure cap 80 may be screwed onto nozzle body 90.
Liquid and gas must travel into nozzle unit 64 in a controlled manner to produce an atomized spray of liquid droplets. The liquid and gas flow on evaporative cooling apparatus 10 is provided by a pump 60, seen in
Pump 60 also provides a static pressure inside liquid reservoir 50 in some embodiments. In other embodiments, static pressure inside liquid reservoir 50 may be provided by a secondary pressure source. As seen in
In various embodiments, pump 60 may form a pressure source for providing static pressure inside liquid reservoir and for simultaneously providing a flow of gas to the nozzle unit. In such embodiments, pump 60 may be interchangeable with any suitable pressure source such as a vessel or a supply of a compressed gas.
The pressure applied to liquid stored in liquid reservoir 50 can be used to deliver the liquid to liquid supply line 46. For example, as seen in
In some embodiments, the pressure generated by pump 60 is between about 10 psi and about 50 psi. In further embodiments, pump 60 provides a pressure of between about 20 psi and about 30 psi. It is noted that the numeric pressure values recited here are only for exemplary purposes associated with certain embodiments, and it is contemplated within the scope of the invention that other pressure ranges not disclosed herein may be suitable in other embodiments. In some embodiments, a pressure relief valve 128, seen in
Because of the small dimensions of the liquid channel 114 and the pressure chamber exit orifice 88, it is possible that debris could clog nozzle unit 64. Such clogging could prevent proper operation of evaporative cooling apparatus 10 and could further cause gas and/or liquid pressure buildup that could damage evaporative cooling apparatus 10. One or more line filters 52, 54 may be attached to gas supply line 44 and/or liquid supply line 46 to prevent debris from entering nozzle unit 64. For example, a gas line filter 52 is disposed along gas supply line 44 between base 12 and head 14. Similarly, a liquid line filter 54 is disposed along liquid supply line 46 between base 12 and head 14. Each filter may need to be replaced periodically depending on the frequency of use of evaporative cooling apparatus 10 and the cleanliness of air and water used in evaporative cooling apparatus 10.
A removable filter cover 26 is detachably secured to support tower 16. Filter cover 26 may be manually removed by a user to access filters 52, 54, as seen in
Referring again to
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In some embodiments a total gas flowrate of between about 9 and about 12 liters per minute provides an atomized spray of liquid droplets from the nozzle units 64a, 64b, 64c. Because the total gas flow rate is distributed among three nozzle units in some embodiments, a gas flow rate of about three to four liters per minute from each nozzle unit is provided. The gas union 132 distributes the gas flowrate proportionately to the individual nozzle units 64a, 64b, 64c for ejection from the apparatus. The total gas flowrate may be constant during use and may be controlled by the pressure generated by pump 60 in some embodiments. Additionally, the liquid flowrate required to achieve a desired spray is variable and may be controlled by a user using valve control 34. The valve 56 can be closed, resulting in a liquid flowrate of zero. Valve 56 when fully opened may provide too much liquid to each nozzle unit in some applications. To limit the maximum liquid flowrate achievable through valve 56 when valve control 34 is at its maximum setting, a flow restrictor may be integrated into liquid line filter 54. The flow restrictor includes a region in the liquid supply line 46 having a smaller inner diameter than the diameter in the main line. In some embodiments, the flow restrictor includes an inner diameter of between about 0.1 and about 0.3 mm. In additional embodiments, the flow restrictor includes an inner diameter of about 0.18 mm. In some embodiments, the liquid flowrate to each nozzle may range between about zero mL/min to about 100 mL/min. In additional embodiments, a liquid flowrate to each nozzle may be between about zero mL/min and about 10 mL/min. In further embodiments, the a preferred maximum liquid flowrate to each nozzle is about 10 mL/min. In other embodiments, depending on the dimensions of the apparatus, the gas flowrate, liquid flowrate, flow restrictor inner diameter, and applied pressure required to produce a desired atomized spray may increase or decrease and is not limited to the embodiments described above.
The evaporative cooling apparatus 10 described herein may be operated in numerous modes. A control panel 32 is disposed on base 12 in some embodiments. Control panel 32 may include one or more controls for operating evaporative cooling apparatus 10. In a first mode, or a non-misting mode, the apparatus may be operated with only the fan turned on and liquid flowing to the fan head. In a second mode, or a misting mode, the apparatus may be operated with both the fan turned on and liquid flowing to the fan head.
Thus, although there have been described particular embodiments of the present invention of a new and useful Evaporative Cooling Apparatus and Methods, it is not intended that such references be construed as limitations upon the scope of this invention except as set forth in the following claims.
Claims
1. An apparatus for dispensing an atomized spray of liquid droplets into a stream of forced air generated by a fan, the apparatus comprising:
- a liquid reservoir;
- a pump having a pressure output configured to emit pressurized gas;
- a fan cover attached to the fan;
- a nozzle unit disposed on the fan cover, the nozzle unit configured to dispense the atomized spray of liquid droplets into the forced air stream generated by the fan;
- a liquid supply line disposed between the liquid reservoir and the nozzle unit, the liquid supply line configured to deliver liquid from the liquid reservoir to the nozzle unit; and
- a gas supply line disposed between the pump and the nozzle unit, the gas supply line configured to deliver gas from the pump to the nozzle unit,
- wherein the pressure output of the pump is in fluid communication with both the liquid reservoir and the gas supply line.
2. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:
- a nozzle socket integrally formed in the fan grill,
- wherein the nozzle unit is mounted in the nozzle socket.
3. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:
- the fan cover including an inner side substantially facing the fan and an outer side substantially facing away from the fan,
- wherein the nozzle unit is mounted in the nozzle socket from the inner side of the fan cover.
4. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:
- a support tower including a tower housing,
- wherein the liquid supply line and the gas supply line are enclosed in the tower housing.
5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein:
- the pressure output is configured to simultaneously apply a static pressure to the liquid reservoir and to force gas through the gas supply line toward the nozzle unit.
6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the static pressure is between about 10 psi and about 50 psi.
7. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the static pressure is between about 20 psi and about 30 psi.
8. The apparatus of claim 5, further comprising:
- a relief valve attached to the liquid reservoir.
9. The apparatus of claim 1, the nozzle unit further comprising:
- a nozzle body forming a hollow interior and a liquid conduit extending axially into the hollow interior, the liquid conduit defining an axial liquid channel; and
- a pressure cap disposed on the nozzle body, the pressure cap defining a pressure chamber inside the hollow interior of the nozzle body.
10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein:
- the liquid supply line is in fluid communication with the liquid channel in the liquid conduit; and
- the gas supply line is in fluid communication with the pressure chamber.
11. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:
- a second nozzle unit disposed on the fan grill; and
- a third nozzle unit disposed on the fan grill,
- wherein the second and third nozzle units are both in fluid communication with the liquid supply and with the gas supply line.
12. A method of cooling a stream of forced air from a fan, comprising:
- (a) providing a liquid reservoir coupled to a pressure output from a pump such that the pressure output is in fluid communication with the liquid reservoir, wherein the pressure output on the pump is also coupled to a spray nozzle such that the pressure output is simultaneously in fluid communication with the spray nozzle;
- (b) applying pressure from the pressure output against the liquid stored in the liquid reservoir while simultaneously forcing gas from the pressure output through a gas supply line extending from the reservoir to the spray nozzle; and
- (c) forcing liquid from the liquid reservoir into a liquid supply line extending from the liquid reservoir to the spray nozzle.
13. The method of claim 12, further comprising:
- forcing gas from the gas supply line into the spray nozzle; and
- forcing liquid from the liquid supply line into the spray nozzle.
14. The method of claim 13, further comprising:
- interacting the gas and liquid in the spray nozzle; and
- ejecting an atomized spray of liquid droplets from the spray nozzle.
15. The method of claim 13, wherein:
- the atomized spray of liquid droplets is ejected into a stream of forced air from the fan.
16. The method of claim 15, further comprising:
- reducing the temperature of the stream of forced air.
17. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein:
- the liquid is forced into the liquid supply line solely by the pressure applied from the pressure output on the liquid stored in the liquid reservoir.
18. An apparatus for covering a fan, comprising:
- a fan grill having an inner side configured for facing toward the fan and an outer side configured for facing away from the fan; and
- a nozzle socket integrally formed in the fan grill, the nozzle socket including a nozzle socket opening shaped to receive a spray nozzle.
19. The apparatus of claim 18, further comprising:
- a spray nozzle inserted into the nozzle socket, the spray nozzle including a liquid channel and a gas port.
20. The apparatus of claim 19, further comprising:
- a socket flange extending from the nozzle socket into the nozzle socket opening, wherein the socket flange is positioned nearer the outer side of the fan grill than the inner side of the fan grill,
- wherein the socket flange provides an axial stop for the spray nozzle.
Type: Application
Filed: Feb 23, 2012
Publication Date: Aug 29, 2013
Inventors: Robert Hubert (Cocoa, FL), Rafael Rodriguez (Ormond Beach, FL), Jeffrey Badovick (Ormond Beach, FL)
Application Number: 13/403,955
International Classification: F28C 1/00 (20060101); F28D 5/00 (20060101);