Abstract: An evaporative cooling system comprises, in some embodiments, an enclosure, an air inlet that enables air to flow into the enclosure, an air outlet that enables air to flow out of the enclosure, and an atomizer positioned within the enclosure, wherein the atomizer receives water from a water source and generates a mist of the water within the enclosure. Air from the air inlet is circulated through the enclosure and thereby cooled by evaporation of the mist, and the cooled air is provided at the air outlet. The system includes a controller coupled to receive measurements of conditions relating to the operation of the system and to generate control signals that control operation of the atomizer, fan or other components of the system.

Abstract: Systems and methods for evaporatively cooling air using a medialess cooling system. In one embodiment, a medialess evaporative cooling system comprises an enclosure, an air inlet that enables air to flow from an exterior of the enclosure to an interior of the enclosure, an air outlet that enables air to flow from the interior of the enclosure to the exterior of the enclosure, and an atomizer positioned within the enclosure, wherein the atomizer receives water from a water source and generates a mist of the water within the enclosure, and wherein air from the air inlet is passed through the enclosure and thereby cooled by evaporation of the mist, and the cooled air is provided at the air outlet.

Abstract: Systems and methods for evaporatively cooling air wherein a cooling system enclosure is alternately expandable and contractible. The housing is expandable for operation and contractible for storage or transportation. A water distributor delivers water from a source to evaporative media within the enclosure. Air is circulated over the evaporative media to cool the air. The enclosure may be expanded by creating a positive pressure differential between the interior and exterior of the enclosure. The water distributor and evaporative media may be configured to move from storage to operating positions within the enclosure as the enclosure moves from the contracted position to the expanded position. The enclosure may include substantially rigid portions that form a protective housing for the internal cooling components when in the contracted storage position. Wheels and stowable handles may facilitate transportation of the system.

Abstract: Systems and methods for evaporatively cooling air wherein a cooling system enclosure is alternately expandable and contractible. The housing is expandable for operation and contractible for storage or transportation. A water distributor delivers water from a source to evaporative media within the enclosure. Air is circulated over the evaporative media to cool the air. The enclosure may be expanded by creating a positive pressure differential between the interior and exterior of the enclosure. The water distributor and evaporative media may be configured to move from storage to operating positions within the enclosure as the enclosure moves from the contracted position to the expanded position. The enclosure may include substantially rigid portions that form a protective housing for the internal cooling components when in the contracted storage position. Wheels and stowable handles may facilitate transportation of the system.

Abstract: Systems and methods for evaporatively cooling air wherein a cooling system enclosure is alternately expandable and contractible. The housing is expandable for operation and contractible for storage or transportation. A water distribution subsystem delivers water from a reservoir to evaporative media within the enclosure. Air is circulated over the evaporative media to cool the air. The enclosure may be expanded by creating a positive pressure differential between the interior and exterior of the enclosure. The water distribution subsystem and evaporative media may be configured to move from storage to operating positions within the enclosure as the enclosure moves from the contracted position to the expanded position. The enclosure may include substantially rigid portions that form a protective housing for the internal cooling components when in the contracted storage position. Wheels and stowable handles may facilitate transportation of the system.

Abstract: Systems and methods for using interchangeable tool attachments in multi-use tools. In one embodiment, a multi-use tool includes a motor, a shaft and a shaft adapter at the end of the shaft. The motor has user controls (e.g., on/off switch or throttle) that control the motor to drive the shaft and cause it to rotate. The shaft may include a rigid tubular outer member with a flexible inner shaft. The shaft adapter is coupled to the end of the rotating portion of the shaft. The shaft adapter has a mounting flange that rotates with the adapter at the end of the shaft. An interchangeable tool attachment is secured to the mounting flange, and rotation of the shaft adapter and mounting flange causes the tool attachment to rotate as well. Many different tool attachments can be interchangeably secured to the mounting flange to provide corresponding, different functions to the tool.

Abstract: Systems and methods for cutting grass and other materials using a disk-shaped cutting web are disclosed. The cutting web has a center portion that is attachable to a rotating shaft adapter. The center portion may be a solid annular disk having a keyed aperture that allows it to be mounted on a spindle of a rotating shaft adapter. The cutting web has multiple strings that are connected to the center portion and extend outward from it in a generally radial direction (away from the center of the disk). The strings intersect with each other to form junctions at which they are joined, thereby forming a web that can be rotated at high speed to perform a cutting function. The strings of the web can have sharp or serrated edges and may be colored to increase the visibility of the web.

Abstract: Systems and methods for evaporatively cooling air wherein a cooling system enclosure is alternately expandable and contractible. The housing is expandable for operation and contractible for storage or transportation. A water distribution subsystem delivers water from a reservoir to evaporative media within the enclosure. Air is circulated over the evaporative media to cool the air. The enclosure may be expanded by creating a positive pressure differential between the interior and exterior of the enclosure. The water distribution subsystem and evaporative media may be configured to move from storage to operating positions within the enclosure as the enclosure moves from the contracted position to the expanded position. The enclosure may include substantially rigid portions that form a protective housing for the internal cooling components when in the contracted storage position. Wheels and stowable handles may facilitate transportation of the system.

Abstract: Systems and methods for evaporatively cooling air wherein a cooling system enclosure is alternately expandable and contractible. The housing is expandable for operation and contractible for storage or transportation. A water distribution subsystem delivers water from a reservoir to evaporative media within the enclosure. Air is circulated over the evaporative media to cool the air. The enclosure may be expanded by creating a positive pressure differential between the interior and exterior of the enclosure. The water distribution subsystem and evaporative media may be configured to move from storage to operating positions within the enclosure as the enclosure moves from the contracted position to the expanded position. The enclosure may include substantially rigid portions that form a protective housing for the internal cooling components when in the contracted storage position. Wheels and stowable handles may facilitate transportation of the system.

Abstract: Systems and methods for cutting grass and other materials using a disk-shaped cutting web. The cutting web has a center portion that is attachable to a rotating shaft adapter. The center portion may be a solid annular disk having a keyed aperture that allows it to be mounted on a spindle of a rotating shaft adapter. The cutting web has multiple strings that are connected to the center portion and extend outward from it in a generally radial direction (away from the center of the disk). The strings intersect with each other to form junctions at which they are joined, thereby forming a web that can be rotated at high speed to perform a cutting function. The strings of the web can have sharp or serrated edges and may be colored to increase the visibility of the web.

Abstract: Systems and methods for using interchangeable tool attachments in multi-use tools. In one embodiment, a multi-use tool includes a motor, a shaft and a shaft adapter at the end of the shaft. The motor has user controls (e.g., on/off switch or throttle) that control the motor to drive the shaft and cause it to rotate. The shaft may include a rigid tubular outer member with a flexible inner shaft. The shaft adapter is coupled to the end of the rotating portion of the shaft. The shaft adapter has a mounting flange that rotates with the adapter at the end of the shaft. An interchangeable tool attachment is secured to the mounting flange, and rotation of the shaft adapter and mounting flange causes the tool attachment to rotate as well. Many different tool attachments can be interchangeably secured to the mounting flange to provide corresponding, different functions to the tool.

Abstract: Systems and methods for evaporatively cooling air wherein a cooling system enclosure is alternately expandable and contractible. The housing is expandable for operation and contractible for storage or transportation. A water distribution subsystem delivers water from a reservoir to evaporative media within the enclosure. Air is circulated over the evaporative media to cool the air. The enclosure may be expanded by creating a positive pressure differential between the interior and exterior of the enclosure. The water distribution subsystem and evaporative media may be configured to move from storage to operating positions within the enclosure as the enclosure moves from the contracted position to the expanded position. The enclosure may include substantially rigid portions that form a protective housing for the internal cooling components when in the contracted storage position. Wheels and stowable handles may facilitate transportation of the system.