Abstract: A portable evaporative cooling unit (10) is disclosed. A housing (12) has a front opening (46) and a rear opening (20). Air-permeable water absorption media (22) are disposed across the rear opening (20) of the housing (12). An electric motor driven fan (42) having fan blades (44) is disposed in the front opening (46) of the housing (12) for drawing air through the water absorption media (22). A supply conduit (94) connects a water pump (52) to an elongated horizontal spray bar (64) disposed above the water absorption media (22). The spray bar (64) extends substantially the width of the water absorption media (22) and has a plurality of spaced holes (72) in its upper surface for distributing water. A foam sleeve (68) is disposed around the entire length of the spray bar (64). The foam sleeve (68) absorbs water expelled from the plurality of holes (72) and distributes the water onto the water absorption media (22).

Abstract: A cooling apparatus for personal or general use is disclosed having interior and exterior surfaces and a fluid for dispersion by the exterior surface. The interior surface prevents the fluid from penetrating the interior surface and contacting the person or object to be cooled. The cooling apparatus may also include a fluid collector to collect excess cooling fluid, a device for moving the fluid from the fluid container to the fluid collector, and a return line for recycling at least a portion of the collected fluid. The exterior surface may be wetted by gravity seepage, capillary action, or the like. A band extending around each collector can aid in preventing the fluid from dripping from the apparatus.

Abstract: Cooling liquid flowing through cooling-liquid passages cools in heat-transmission manner an inner layer on an inner surface of an impermeable intermediate layer and is directed through a piping to an interface between the intermediate and outer layers, whereby the porous outer layer is cooled by latent heat generated by evaporation of the cooling liquid infiltrated into the porous outer layer.

Abstract: Cooling liquid flowing through cooling-liquid passages cools in heat-transmission manner an inner layer on an inner surface of an impermeable intermediate layer and is directed through a piping to an interface between the intermediate and outer layers, whereby the porous outer layer is cooled by latent heat generated by evaporation of the cooling liquid infiltrated into the porous outer layer.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided which controls humidity in a gas. The apparatus employs a porous interface that is preferably a manifolded array of stainless steel tubes through whose porous surface water vapor can pass. One side of the porous interface is in contact with water and the opposing side is in contact with gas whose humidity is being controlled. Water vapor is emitted from the porous surface of the tubing into the gas when the gas is being humidified, and water vapor is removed from the gas through the porous surfaces when the gas is being dehumidified. The temperature of the porous interface relative to the gas temperature determines whether humidification or dehumidification is being carried out. The humidity in the gas is sensed and compared to the set point humidity. The water temperature, and consequently the porous interface temperature, are automatically controlled in response to changes in the gas humidity level above or below the set point.

Abstract: An air cooling method and apparatus in which air to be cooled is directed through the dry channel to sensibly cool the air. Wet channels are arranged adjacent the dry channels and a portion of the air exiting the dry channels is provided as cooled supply air and a portion is redirected through the wet channels countercurrently to the flow in the dry channels. Heat exchange elements extend between the wet and dry channels. A portion of the dry channels includes an adiabatic cooling zone.

Abstract: An air handler for conditioning recirculated or make-up space air and including a conditioning chamber and air flow means for moving air therethrough. An evaporative air cooler of the air handler has an air permeable pad extending across the chamber and a fluid spray system for maintaining a moist condition of the pad. The spray system is constructed and arranged to discharge cooling fluid spray patterns covering the upstream side of the pad in a plurality of predefined zones, and further includes a plurality of moisture sensors positioned at predetermined locations adjacent to the downstream side of the pad. A controller is responsive to sensed moisture conditions for controlling the activation and deactivation of the spraying mechanism to maintain at least a preselected moisture content in the pad.

Abstract: A portable personal cooling apparatus comprising: an exterior surface of fibrous material having a fluid holding capacity sufficient to allow continuous evaporation of a fluid; an interior surface of waterproof material adapted to avoid wetting of the object to be cooled from the fluid on the exterior surface; a fluid container on one of said surfaces for distributing the fluid to the fibrous material; a fluid collector on one of said surfaces for collecting the accumulated unevaporated fluid; at least one fluid return line for moving fluid in the fluid collector to the fluid container; and at least one of said return lines further including means for preventing fluid from flowing back from the fluid container to the fluid collector.

Abstract: An improved evaporative cooler contains a first pump for supplying cooling liquid to the evaporative pads and a second pump for draining liquid in the sump pan through a drain/overflow pipe. Both pumps are coupled to an electronic control mechanism which activates the first pump for a first predetermined period of time within each successive second predetermined period of time (e.g. the first 2.5 minutes of every successive 10 minute period). The control mechanism causes the second pump to drain the sump pan through the drain/overflow pipe for a third predetermined period of time following the first occurence of the first predetermined period of time (e.g. for 5.0 minutes after the first 2.5 minute wetting cycle). This draining process occurs only once each time the evaporative cooler is turned on. The drain/overflow pipe has an upper end coupled to the outlet of the second pump and also has an aperture in the wall thereof through which excess liquid in the sump pump will flow and be discharged.

Abstract: A system for transferring heat from a first (inner) surface through a second (outer) surface. The system includes at least two adjacent porous and thermally conductive layers between the first surface and the second surface. The innermost layer is characterized by a relatively high porosity and the outermost layer is characterized by a relatively low porosity. The innermost layer houses a fluid coolant. The pores of the innermost and outermost layers are coupled, permitting coolant flow therebetween. A vapor chamber is positioned between the outer surface and an outer member. A controller is adapted to control the vapor pressure in the vapor chamber whereby the coolant has a liquid vapor phase transition in the outermost layer.

Abstract: A floor mounted air conditioner comprising a housing containing condenser coils disposed in a conical configuration about a normally vertical axis, and cylindrically configured evaporator coils coaxially disposed above the condenser coils. A drip pan separates the condenser and evaporator coils and includes openings for discharging condensate onto the condenser coils for evaporation. A condenser fan associated with a bottom duct adapted for installation in a mounting opening in the floor of a room blows hot air through the mounting opening, and an evaporator fan is associated with a top duct for blowing cool air into the room being cooled. Another fan is provided for blowing cool air over the compressor.

Abstract: An energy generation system includes a motive fluid which is alternately heated and cooled to drive a heat engine. An inexpensively built and operated system heats the motive fluid with solar radiation and cools it with atmospheric or wind cooling. Low cost solar heat collectors are fabricated with aluminum foil or aluminized Mylar reflective surface overlying parabolically shaped paperboard bases. Low cost fluid cooling devices are fabricated from various fluid carrying porous canvas bags, some being provided with wind catching devices.

Abstract: An evaporative self-chilling dispensing container for potable liquids has a wall of porous material immersible in a coolant fluid defining an inner wall surface, an outer wall surface, and a generally transverse lip surface joining the inner and outer surfaces. The inner wall surface defines a cavity for receiving a potable liquid and a mouth opening rimmed by the lip surface. A thin impermeable layer fully lines the interior wall surface and extends uninterruptedly outwardly over the lip surface to prevent intermixing of the coolant fluid with the potable liquid during storage and also while said potable liquid is poured from the container.

Abstract: An apparatus for efficiently and economically cooling air by sequentially passing the air to be cooled through a chilled water heat exchanger mechanism and then through an evaporative cooler mechanism.

Abstract: The jacket-like precooler embraces the condensing unit of a residential air conditioning system to position porous fill media of the jacket in upstream airflow relationship to air inlets of the unit. A water discharge manifold along the upper extent of the media may be connected to an outdoor spigot, and a pump situated in a reservoir at the base of the jacket, when plugged into an outdoor electrical outlet, is operable to recirculate water to the manifold after gravitating through the media and precooling ambient air drawn transversely into the unit. A float valve prevents makeup water supplied by the spigot from entering the system when the reservoir is filled to a certain depth, and actuation of the pump is withheld until the ambient air exceeds a certain predetermined temperature. Moreover, the pump is only actuated when the condensing unit itself is in operation as determined by a pressure sensitive device situated within the stream of air drawn into the unit.

Abstract: A hollow vessel of unglazed terra cotta pottery which, when moistened, keeps the temperature of a salad below room temperature when it is removed from the refrigerator to the dining table for comsumption. Leftover salad, even when impregnated with salad dressing, may be stored in this vessel in the refrigerator for several days, without losing either its crispness or its flavor.

Abstract: An apparatus for efficiently and economically cooling air by sequentially passing the air to be cooled through a chilled water heat exchanger mechanism and then through an evaporative cooler mechanism.

Abstract: An evaporative cooler body comprises a non-corrosive, insulative assembly of self-locating, self-jigging parts. Stand-off means are provided for increasing the effective area of the evaporative cooling pads and for improving air flow across the surface of and through said pads. An improved water distribution means permits sheeting of the water across the top surfaces of the evaporative cooling pads to obtain a more uniform distribution of water within said pads. Means are provided for interrupting water flow on the surface of the evaporative cooling pads and returning such water to the interior of said pad so as to increase the overall efficiency of the evaporative cooler. The evaporative cooler cabinet is comprised of a minimal number of reaction injection molded elements of high modulus urethane elastomer. The material insulates both sound and heat providing a quieter running and more cooling-efficient device. Color may be permanently molded into the cabinet.

Abstract: Apparatus for automatically draining the water from an evaporative cooler when operation thereof is terminated and for periodically draining, flushing and replacing the water during operation of the cooler. The apparatus includes a comparatively small reservoir tank, which depends from the bottom of the cooler, for containing the cooler's water supply and a pump, a siphon drain valve and at least the float of a float controlled water supply shutoff valve. The water is recirculatingly supplied from the tank to the cooler and returns to the tank and that water will increase in mineral concentration and other cooler damaging contaminants during such recirculation. When both the pump and water supply are shutoff, such as upon termination of cooler usage, the apparatus will automatically commence its drainage operational mode wherein the returning water will raise the water level in the tank to prime the siphon drain valve which drains the water from the tank.

Abstract: In an evaporation type air cooler, the improvement comprising a heat exchanger wherein circulating liquid is cooled by the evaporatively cooled air and subsequently used to air condition occupant space without humidity increase, and associated air ducting and flow controls. The improvement is also adapted to be used as a space heater utilizing hot water in the heat exchanger, and to utilize hot attic or external air to aid in heating water for occupant use.

Abstract: An evaporative cooler having a one-piece, frameless shell secured to a bottom pan and having a top cover hinged along one edge to the side wall of the housing shell. A quick-release latching mechanism secures the top cover to the opposite side wall to hold the top cover closed while permitting the top cover to be easily opened for access to components of the evaporative cooler housed therein. Evaporative media pad assemblies have side frame members having V-shaped outer surfaces which slide in correspondingly shaped tracks in the corners of the shell to space the pad assemblies from the louvered side walls of the shell and permit the pad assemblies to be installed and removed from above with a vertical sliding movement.

Abstract: A floor mounted air conditioner comprising a housing containing cylindrical condenser coils disposed about a normally vertical axis and cylindrical evaporator coils coaxially disposed above the condenser coils. A drip pan separates the condenser and evaporator coils and includes openings for discharging condensate onto the condenser coils for evaporation. A condenser fan is associated with a bottom duct adapted for installation in a mounting opening in the floor of a room, for blowing hot air through the mounting opening, and an evaporator fan is associated with a top duct for blowing cool air into the room being cooled.

Abstract: An air handling unit is disclosed which comprises a compact unitary assembly of a cooling unit and an exhaust unit. The cooling unit, either an evaporative cooler or a refrigeration unit, delivers cooled air via a delivery duct to a room space. An exhaust system includes a duct and blower communicating with atmosphere and the attic or dead air space to evacuate or exhaust hot air from this space. In alternate embodiments, a clutch arrangement permits selective actuation of the exhaust and cooling units.

Abstract: The combination with an air conditioning system including compressor, condenser and evaporator, with a humidifier for humidifying conditioned air and a heat exchanger for transferring heat between hot refrigerant of the air conditioning system and water supplied to the humidifier.

Abstract: An evaporative refrigerator or cooler comprising a bundle of spaced, porous walled tubes closed at one of their ends and vented to a vacuum at the other end is disclosed. The tube bundle is surrounded by a water jacket having a hot water inlet distribution manifold and a cooled water outlet through a plenum chamber. In operation, hot water is pumped into the jacket to circulate around the tubes, and when this water meets the vacuum existing inside the tubes, it evaporates thereby cooling the water in the jacket. If cooling proceeds to the point where water penetrating or surrounding all or part of the tubes freezes, operation continues with local sublimation of the ice on the tubes while the circulating water attempts to melt the ice. Under some conditions, both sublimation and evaporation may take place simultaneously in different regions of the device.