Abstract: Evaporative cooler apparatus includes two pumps, a primary pump which pumps water to an evaporative medium and a secondary pump for pumping water from the bottom of the cooler to drain the cooler. The secondary, or drain pump includes a timer so that it is only on to drain water from the bottom of the cooler for a predetermined time, and after a predetermined number of hours of operation of the primary pump. That is, there is a direct relationship between the operation of the cooler apparatus as evidenced by the primary pump, and the draining of the water at the bottom of the cooler by the secondary, or drain pump. The efficiency of the pumps is increased to allow them to pump with a very low water level without cavitation problems by virtue of an impeller design which includes vanes on the bottom of the impeller disk and vanes on top of an impeller disk.

Abstract: Evaporative cooler apparatus includes two pumps, a primary pump which pumps water to an evaporative medium and a secondary pump for pumping water from the bottom of the cooler to drain the cooler. The secondary, or drain pump includes a timer so that it is only on to drain water from the bottom of the cooler for a predetermined time, and after a predetermined number of hours of operation of the primary pump. That is, there is a direct relationship between the operation of the cooler apparatus as evidenced by the primary pump, and the draining of the water at the bottom of the cooler by the secondary, or drain pump. The efficiency of the pumps is increased to allow them to pump with a very low water level without cavitation problems by virtue of an impeller design which includes vanes on the bottom of the impeller disk and vanes on top of an impeller disk.

Abstract: Ripening retardation chamber apparatus includes a plenum chamber having a generally open side against which is disposed a pallet full of boxes containing produce. The boxes include openings to allow cooled and moistened air to flow therethrough. An evaporative cooling system is used to provide a flow of cool, moist air into the plenum chamber. The air flow is such as to cause the cooled, moistened air to flow from the plenum chamber through the cartons or boxes of produce. The flow of air causes the heat and ethylene gas produced by the ripening produce to be moved out of the boxes, thus retarding the ripening process. The presence of moisture in the air reduces weight loss of the produce and improves the outer appearance of the produce.