Microprocessor controlled evaporative cooler

Abstract

An air cooling apparatus comprised of an injector cabinet fitted with a plurality electric solenoid operated injector valves, or standard nozzles which are controlled by an advanced computerized system which regulates the amount of moisture added to the air stream by activating the injectors based on direct measurement of indoor and outdoor dry bulb and wet bulb temperatures, mass flow through the apparatus and the thermostat setting. This water injection module may be located either upstream or downstream of any air-moving device. The device is also adaptable for use with existing coolers as a retrofit kit.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not Applicable.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable.

REFERENCE TO A “MICROFICHE APPENDIX.” (SEE 37 CFR 1.96 (c)).

Not Applicable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to air-cooling and particularly to evaporative air conditioning, in which the air is cooled through the latent heat of evaporation of water. This invention provides for precise control of the evaporated water, which allows precise control of the outlet temperature and utilizes only the required amount of water to achieve the set temperature, thus conserving water.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The principal object of the invention is to provide an apparatus for evaporative air conditioning in which exact control of the outlet temperature and the cooling efficiency is increased through enhanced control of the amount of water added to the inlet air stream, and to eliminate the use of a water reservoir, wetted pads, circulation pump, float valve and the necessity of bleeding water.

The invention is carried out by temperature sensors measuring the wet and dry bulb temperatures of the ambient air, which signals received by the microprocessor which calculates the amount of moisture contained in the ambient air. A second pair of temperature sensors measure the wet and dry bulb temperatures of the area to be cooled, feeding their signals to the microprocessor which calculates the amount of moisture in the interior air. These values along with a signal from a mass flow sensor are compared in the microprocessor which determines the amount of moisture to be added to the inlet air stream for optimum cooling. The speed of the air moving device and the amount of moisture to be added to the inlet air may also controlled by the microprocessor based on the set temperature of the thermostat. The moisture is added to the air stream by electrically operated solenoid injector valves, or control of a water pump, that cycle based on signals from the microprocessor.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

The object and attendants advantages of this invention will become readily apparent to anyone familiar with the field of the invention following the detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing in which:

FIG. 1 is a diagram of the control system.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the injector section and control sensor locations.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In the exemplary embodiment of the invention a substantially cubic or cylindrical injector nozzle cabinet 10 is fitted with a water manifold 12, which is provided with a plurality of electric solenoid injector valves, or other nozzles 11, which receive water from a filtration system 13 which is fed from a domestic water source 14.

The ambient air wet bulb temperature is measured by a sensor 1, and the ambient dry bulb temperature is measured by a sensor 2. As an alternative, a humidity sensor can replace devices 1 and 2. These signals are fed to a microprocessor 7, which calculates the ambient relative humidity and the grains of moisture per pound of ambient air. The inside wet bulb temperature is measured by a sensor 3, and the indoor dry bulb temperature is measured by a sensor 4. These signals are fed to a microprocessor 7, which calculates the indoor relative humidity and the grains of moisture per pound of air. The amount of inlet air is measured by the mass flow sensor 6, which sends a signal to the microprocessor 7, which in turn calculates the amount of moisture to add to the ambient air stream and the dwell time for the water injectors 8, and may further control the speed of the air moving device 9.

Claims

1. An apparatus for cooling air by means of the latent heat of evaporation of water comprised of a cabinet containing a new and novel plurality of electric solenoid operated injectors, or standard nozzles whose injection rate is controlled by a microprocessor that senses mass flow, inside and ambient wet and dry bulb temperatures and the set temperature of the thermostat, determines the relative humidity of the ambient and inside air and properly adjusts the amount of water injected into the inlet air stream as well as optionally controlling the speed of the air moving device.