Gas-liquid Contact Cooler, Fluid Flow Patents (Class 62/171)
  • Patent number: 11668499
    Abstract: An evaporative cooling device for a refrigeration system includes one or more heat exchanger coils, a first moisture panel, a second moisture panel, a first nozzle array, a second nozzle array, a moisture sensor, and a controller. The first moisture panel and the second moisture panel are separated by a distance and disposed external to the one or more heat exchanger coils. The first nozzle array is disposed external to the first moisture panel and the second nozzle array is disposed external to the second moisture panel. The first nozzle array and the second nozzle array are configured to provide an atomized spray of electrostatically charged droplets. The moisture sensor is configured to provide a signal representative of a moisture level. The controller is configured to receive the signal representative of the moisture level and control a supply of water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: Hill Phoenix, Inc.
    Inventor: John D. Bittner
  • Patent number: 11525599
    Abstract: When heating is being performed, and a temperature detected by a temperature sensor is lower than a first determination value, a controller opens the flow rate control valve corresponding to a heat exchanger, of the third heat exchangers, to which a request for air conditioning has not been made, and closes the flow rate control valve corresponding to a heat exchanger, of the third heat exchangers, to which the request for air conditioning has been made. When heating is being performed, and the temperature detected by the temperature sensor is higher than a second determination value, the controller opens the flow rate control valve corresponding to the heat exchanger to which the request for air conditioning has been made, and closes the flow rate control valve corresponding to the heat exchanger to which the request for air conditioning has not been made.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2022
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Naoki Kato, Yuji Motomura, Naofumi Takenaka, Kimitaka Kadowaki
  • Patent number: 11397035
    Abstract: An air conditioning apparatus includes, a first heat exchanger, a second heat exchanger configured to exchange heat between a first heat medium and a second heat medium, flow rate control valves, and a pump. In a heating mode, a controller is configured to open the flow rate control valve corresponding to a heat exchanger, of the third heat exchangers, to which a request for air conditioning has been made, and to close the flow rate control valve(s) corresponding to a heat exchanger(s), of the third heat exchangers, to which the request for air conditioning has not been made. In a defrosting mode, when a temperature of the second heat medium is lower than a first determination temperature, the controller is configured to open at least one of the flow rate control valve(s) corresponding to the heat exchanger(s) to which the request for air conditioning has not been made.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2022
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Naoki Kato, Yuji Motomura, Naofumi Takenaka, Kimitaka Kadowaki
  • Patent number: 11346615
    Abstract: An apparatus includes multiple layers of phase-stable material, where adjacent layers of the phase-stable material are separated by multiple spaces. The apparatus also includes liquid phase change material in the spaces between the adjacent layers of the phase-stable material. The liquid phase change material is configured to become gaseous phase change material based on thermal energy absorbed by the liquid phase change material. The apparatus further includes at least one release configured to block passage of the liquid phase change material out of the spaces between the adjacent layers of the phase-stable material. The at least one release is also configured to allow passage of the gaseous phase change material out of the spaces between the adjacent layers of the phase-stable material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventors: Leonel A. Olivarez, Adam C. Wood
  • Patent number: 11333388
    Abstract: When a state in which a driving voltage of a pump is set to an upper limit voltage and an opening degree of at least one of a plurality of flow rate control valves is set to a maximum opening degree continues for a first determination time period, an operation frequency of a compressor is raised at a first time so as to increase an amount of heat exchange by a second heat exchanger. When an operation stop request is input, or an indoor temperature reaches a set temperature, in at least one of a plurality of third heat exchangers after the first time, the operation frequency of the compressor is lowered or the driving voltage of the pump is lowered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2022
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Naoki Kato, Yuji Motomura, Naofumi Takenaka, Kimitaka Kadowaki
  • Patent number: 11287165
    Abstract: An evaporative cooling device for a refrigeration system includes one or more heat exchanger coils, a first moisture panel, a second moisture panel, a first nozzle array, a second nozzle array, a moisture sensor, and a controller. The first moisture panel and the second moisture panel are separated by a distance and disposed external to the one or more heat exchanger coils. The first nozzle array is disposed external to the first moisture panel and the second nozzle array is disposed external to the second moisture panel. The first nozzle array and the second nozzle array are configured to provide an atomized spray of electrostatically charged droplets. The moisture sensor is configured to provide a signal representative of a moisture level. The controller is configured to receive the signal representative of the moisture level and control a supply of water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2022
    Assignee: Hill Phoenix, Inc.
    Inventor: John D. Bittner
  • Patent number: 11209187
    Abstract: A condensate drain system for a heating, ventilation, and/or air conditioning (HVAC) system includes a heat exchanger having a plurality of tubes configured to receive ambient air and fluidly coupled to a drain via a conduit, a valve positioned along the conduit between the plurality of tubes and the drain, where the valve is configured to enable a flow of condensate from within the plurality of tubes toward the drain in an open position and the block the flow in a closed position, and a controller configured to adjust a position of the valve based on feedback indicative of an operational state of the HVAC system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2021
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventor: Madhuka M. Jayarathne
  • Patent number: 11002455
    Abstract: A system cools a space toward target conditions using an air conditioning process based on a bank of different cooling device types. Some device types consume relatively less energy and are suitable for mild environmental conditions, others consume more energy and are needed for extreme conditions, while others may fill a middle ground. To help save energy, the system alters the air conditioning process by selecting one or a mix of cooling device types expected to be sufficient for current conditions. Current conditions corresponds to a supply air position on a psychrometric chart. Selection of the appropriate cooling device type(s) is made according to the location of the supply air position relative to a dew point, which is determined from the target conditions set by a user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2021
    Assignee: Air2O Inc.
    Inventors: Mohamed Farouk Salem, Michael Robert Sullivan
  • Patent number: 10981079
    Abstract: A fog machine supplies air to a fog liquid reservoir to force the fog liquid into a heater, wherein the fog liquid vaporizes to produce fog. The fog liquid supply to the heater can be halted, and the air supply can then be used to purge the heater of residual fog liquid. Within the heater, the fog liquid travels from outer passages further from the heating element(s) to inner passages closer to the heating element(s), whereby the fog liquid is preheated prior to vaporization, resulting in a higher degree of vaporization and “drier” fog with finer vapor particles. The fog machine may draw fog liquid from an “offboard” fog liquid reservoir, such as an off-the-shelf jug of liquid, and is preferably remote-controllable via a user's smartphone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2021
    Inventor: John R. Goepfert
  • Patent number: 10928117
    Abstract: A heat exchanger system includes a heat exchanger coil circulating a first heat transfer fluid therethrough, and a fan at least partially surrounded by the heat exchanger coil to urge a flow of air through the heat exchanger coil to dissipate thermal energy from the first heat transfer fluid. A brushless direct current fan motor is located the fan to urge rotation of the fan and an ancillary electrical component operably connected to the heat exchanger system and electrically isolated from the first heat transfer fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2021
    Assignee: CARRIER CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yinshan Feng, Parmesh Verma
  • Patent number: 10697654
    Abstract: An air-conditioning system of a building includes a water supply system; a control system for controlling the flow of water from the water supply system; a water distribution system for distributing water near an outer surface of the building, the flow rate of the water being controlled by the control system; a water droplet generation system configured to generate water droplets from the water coming from the water distribution system, the water droplet generation system for generating water droplets generating water droplets on at least one portion of the outer surface of the building.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: BULL SAS
    Inventors: Patrice Martinez, Jacques Cayuela, Landry Stéphane Zeng Eyindanga
  • Patent number: 10247764
    Abstract: A measurement device that performs a predetermined measurement task together with a plurality of other measurement devices is provided. This measurement device is provided with a sampling phase generator for generating a sampling phase for instructing a timing of sampling, and a communication unit for communicating with at least one of the plurality of other measurement devices. The communication unit transmits the sampling phase generated by the sampling phase generator to at least one of the plurality of other measurement devices. The sampling phase generator is configured to generate a third sampling phase, using an operation that is based on a generated first sampling phase and a second sampling phase received by the communication unit from at least one of the plurality of other measurement devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2019
    Assignee: DAIHEN Corporation
    Inventors: Akihiro Ohori, Nobuyuki Hattori
  • Patent number: 10220991
    Abstract: Systems and methods for preserving oxidizable substances such as liquids or foodstuffs are disclosed. These systems incorporate a sealing device and an oxygen scavenging chemical or agent coupleable to the system. The oxygen scavenging agent can remove the oxygen from the headspace of a container such as a bottle of wine without reducing the pressure in the headspace to the extent that the flavor of the wine is adversely affected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Inventor: Thomas R. Lutz
  • Patent number: 9829224
    Abstract: A refrigerant circuit is configured by connecting, by pipes, a compressor that compresses a heat-source-side refrigerant, a first refrigerant flow switching device, a heat-source-side heat exchanger, an expansion device, and one or more intermediate heat exchangers that exchange heat between a heat-source-side refrigerant and a heat medium that is different from the heat-source-side refrigerant. A controller performs control of pumps to drive the pumps at a specific pump capacity or higher to circulate the heat medium at a time when a heat recovery defrosting operation for causing the heat-source-side refrigerant that has been heated by the heat medium in the intermediate heat exchangers to flow into the heat-source-side heat exchanger for defrosting purposes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2017
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Osamu Morimoto, Daisuke Shimamoto, Koji Azuma, Takayoshi Honda
  • Patent number: 9829238
    Abstract: A first heat exchanger, a desiccant block, and a second heat exchanger are arranged in series. In a dehumidification operation, a first operation mode in which the first heat exchanger acts as a condenser or a radiator and the second heat exchanger acts as an evaporator and a second operation mode in which the first heat exchanger acts as an evaporator and the second heat exchanger acts as a condenser or a radiator are alternately repeated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2017
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Fumitake Unezaki, Shinichi Ito
  • Patent number: 9677797
    Abstract: An inverter controller, a method of operating a controller and a field-installable kit. In one embodiment, the controller includes: (1) a thermostat interface configured to receive conventional thermostat signals providing for a ventilation mode, first- and second-stage cooling modes and at least one heating mode and provide relay control signals for an inverter forward start relay, first- and second-stage cooling speed select relays and at least one heating relay and (2) an inverter controller coupled to the thermostat interface and configured to receive the relay control signals and provide an inverter forward start signal, an inverter high speed set, an inverter medium speed set and an inverter ventilation speed set.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: Lennox Industries Inc.
    Inventors: Harold Gene Havard, Jr., Eric M. Perez, Terry D. Jewell, Der-Kai Hung
  • Patent number: 9620276
    Abstract: An air cooling system, method, apparatus and kit applied to lower transformer operating temperatures, such as governed by a tank or container of oil, allowing transformer components to run more efficiently at a lower temperature level, e.g., down from the hot level operating temperatures typical in stressed conventional devices. By lowering the operational levels to within or below the nominal operational temperature ranges for the equipment, and recovering heat generated during operation, several advantages are obtained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Inventor: Marvin W. Ward
  • Patent number: 9278142
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method generates a set-point temperature for an evaporative cooler supplying cooled water to a chiller. Under the control of one or more computer systems configured with executable instructions, an achievable temperature for water supplied to the chiller by the evaporative cooler is generated based at least in part on an outside wet bulb temperature. A set-point temperature for the water supplied to the chiller by the evaporative cooler is then generated. The set-point temperature is the greater of the achievable temperature and a minimum temperature for water that can be used by the chiller without causing damage to the chiller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Christopher A. Goodnow
  • Patent number: 9227827
    Abstract: An apparatus may be utilized for sealing a vessel and for providing various mechanisms for preserving and maintaining freshness of the vessel's contents. In one embodiment, the apparatus prevents a premature oxidation process by enabling a vessel to be filled with contents without compromising the seal of the vessel. Further, the apparatus eliminates the necessity of opening the vessel during the dispensing process, thereby maintaining the vessel's seal while emptying the vessel's contents. The apparatus may be initially purged of ambient air and oxygen prior to filling the vessel with contents further reducing premature oxidation by reducing a substance's oxygen contact as substances initially enter the vessel. The apparatus enables venting of excess gas, thereby preventing over-pressurization of the vessel's structure and over-pressurization of the contents within the vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2016
    Assignee: Cromulent Conceptions, LLC
    Inventor: Robert Aubrey Scott
  • Patent number: 9207001
    Abstract: A device and method are provided to improve performance of a vapor compression system using a retrofittable control board to start up the vapor compression system with the evaporator blower initially set to a high speed. A baseline evaporator operating temperature with the evaporator blower operating at the high speed is recorded, and then the device detects if a predetermined acceptable change in evaporator temperature has occurred. The evaporator blower speed is reduced from the initially set high speed as long as there is only a negligible change in the measured evaporator temperature and therefore a negligible difference in the compressor's power consumption so as to obtain a net increase in the Coefficient of Performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2015
    Assignee: MAINSTREAM ENGINEERING CORPORATION
    Inventors: Robert Paul Roth, David C. Hahn, Robert P. Scaringe
  • Patent number: 9198980
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for increasing the efficiency of an air conditioning system. Misting the air conditioning system's condenser with water cools the condenser and enables the system to more rapidly condense the refrigerant therein. By increasing the rate at which the refrigerant is condensed, energy and wear and tear on the system is reduced. Control of the misting is important, and sensing environmental and other present metrics to assist that control increases the efficiency offered by the present method and apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2015
    Assignee: ENVIRONMYST LLC
    Inventor: William S. Nachefski
  • Patent number: 9182130
    Abstract: A retractable ventilation system for a household appliance includes a lifting motor for moving the ventilation system in two opposing directions, and a switch controlling movement of the lifting motor. A first actuation of the switch moves the ventilation system in a first (or preferred) of the two directions, and a second actuation of the switch moves the ventilation system in a second direction opposing the first direction. Furthermore, a household appliance includes an extractor hood, a cooking appliance or a combination thereof, and at least one of the proposed retractable ventilation systems. A method for operating the retractable ventilation system is also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2015
    Assignee: BSH Hausgeraete GmbH
    Inventors: Dominik Abele, Marc Federmann
  • Patent number: 8983676
    Abstract: A method for cooling a heat-generating device, comprising setting a reference surface temperature of the heat-generating device, measuring a temperature of a surface of the heat-generating device, measuring a temperature gradient based on temperature measurements of two or more different locations on the heat-generating device, implementing a closed-loop control based on the reference surface temperature, the measured surface temperature, and the measured temperature gradient of the heat-generating device to compute a rate of application of a cooling material to the surface of the heat-generating device, and providing a command to apply the cooling material to the surface of the heat-generating device at the calculated rate to cool the heat-generating device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Ratnesh K. Sharma, Sergio Escobar-Vargas, Wayne R. Mack
  • Patent number: 8950205
    Abstract: An apparatus and method to cool compressors, condensing coils, and similar devices. The compressor or condensing coil is cooled by the delivery of water, which may be ambient temperature or chilled. In one embodiment, the water is delivered to a mesh filter or screen via one or more mist spray nozzles. Water conduits may be integrated with the filter frame. The method to control the delivery of the water is designed to conserve water. The control circuit comprises a microcontroller device which contains programming that receives inputs, including but not limited to, outside ambient air temperature, condenser liquid line temperature, relative humidity and electric current, and uses said inputs to provide a stepwise level of control (“solenoid open time”) of water delivery commensurate with outside air temperature and relative humidity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: Evaporcool Solutions, LLC
    Inventors: Pat Matracea, Rick Earles, Susan Ann Beinor, Gregory Steven Cook, Arthur Joseph Flagg, Mark Thomas Marini
  • Publication number: 20140340842
    Abstract: A system for removing heat from electrical systems includes a dehumidification device including a desiccant, an evaporative cooling device, and air moving devices, and an air flow control devices. The air moving device moves air through the dehumidification device, the evaporative cooling device, and the electrical systems.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2013
    Publication date: November 20, 2014
    Applicant: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: RICHARD CHADWICK TOWNER, JOHN WILLIAM EICHELBERG, MICHAEL PHILLIP CZAMARA, OSVALDO P. MORALES
  • Publication number: 20140260372
    Abstract: A control method for operating an indirect evaporative cooler to control temperature and humidity. The method includes operating an airflow control device to provide supply air at a flow rate to a liquid desiccant dehumidifier. The supply air flows through the dehumidifier and an indirect evaporative cooler prior to exiting an outlet into a space. The method includes operating a pump to provide liquid desiccant to the liquid desiccant dehumidifier and sensing a temperature of an airstream at the outlet of the indirect evaporative cooler. The method includes comparing the temperature of the airstream at the outlet to a setpoint temperature at the outlet and controlling the pump to set the flow rate of the liquid desiccant. The method includes sensing space temperature, comparing the space temperature with a setpoint temperature, and controlling the airflow control device to set the flow rate of the supply air based on the comparison.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: ALLIANCE FOR SUSTAINABLE ENERGY, LLC
    Inventor: ALLIANCE FOR SUSTAINABLE ENERGY, LLC
  • Patent number: 8820113
    Abstract: To reduce power consumption and more efficiently cool computing devices in a data center, an air supply unit supplies air from outside the data center to an air handling unit, which cools servers within the data center using the supplied air. Using air from outside the data center, rather than recirculating and cooling air from within the data center, reduces the power consumption of the data center. In an embodiment, a chiller and/or an evaporative cooling system are coupled to the air supply unit to allow further cooling of the outside air before it is circulated. Heat generated by the servers within the data center is collected, for example using thermal pathways coupled to server components, and used by the chiller in an absorption or adsorption process to further reduce power consumption of the data center and allow the air handling unit to further cool the outside air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Facebook, Inc.
    Inventors: Ali Heydari, Marco Magarelli
  • Patent number: 8725455
    Abstract: Systems and method for operating and monitoring refrigerators are described. Temperature cycles within the compartment are characterized using statistical, frequency and pattern analysis techniques to derive a steady-state characteristic of temperature within the compartment. A thermal sensor inside the conditioned area is monitored and temperature data sets can be analyzed to determine performance in comparison to a baseline, and energy consumption. Analysis of continuous temperature readings taken from individual or groups of freezers identifies patterns of variations in temperature cycles from which feedback on efficiency can be inferred. Electrical load can be determined by measuring or estimating current usage and identifying periods of time when compressors are active in the refrigerator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: Klatu Networks
    Inventor: Richard Kriss
  • Publication number: 20140069128
    Abstract: In a method for controlling a volume flow of a wetting fluid during adiabatic cooling, an evaporation surface is wetted with the wetting fluid which flows therealong and air to be cooled and/or wetted is directed substantially transversely relative to the flow direction (15) of the wetting fluid the volume flow of the wetting fluid flowing over the evaporation surface is reduced after a predetermined period of wetting of the evaporation surface and, after the volume flow is reduced, temperatures (T1, T2) and/or time/temperature gradients (?T1, ?T2) of the directed air are established at least at two different positions in the flow direction substantially parallel with the evaporation surface, with the volume flow of the wetting fluid being controlled in accordance with the established temperatures (T1, T2) and/or time/temperature gradients (?T1, ?T2).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2013
    Publication date: March 13, 2014
    Applicant: Hoval Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Roland Büchel, Jochen Mecklenburg
  • Patent number: 8635878
    Abstract: Chilled water is produced by an evaporative cooling process. The chilled water is then circulated through a liquid-air heat exchanger to produce a primary air supply of cool-dry air wherein no water is introduced into the cool dry air stream. The primary air supply can be used to cool a space, such as an office, where low humidly is desirable. Additionally, the cool, wet air which is a byproduct of the water-cooling phase can be used as a secondary air supply. The secondary air supply can be used to cool a space where higher humidity is tolerated, such as a warehouse, a garage, a barn, etc. The indirect evaporative cooling system can also be used in conjunction with an air conditioning system to reduce operating costs and increase efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Inventor: Arthur Samuel Consoli
  • Patent number: 8584477
    Abstract: A air channeling sub-system may include a mechanical cooling section and a direct evaporative cooling section. The direct evaporative cooling section may be downstream from the mechanical cooling section. Cooling air is channeled through the air channeling sub-system and into the room. If a first set of control conditions is met, the air channeling sub-systems is operated in an adiabatic mode. The adiabatic mode includes channeling cooling air through the direct evaporative cooling section to evaporate water into the cooling air. If a second set of control conditions is met, the air channeling sub-system is operated in a hybrid mode. The hybrid mode includes channeling cooling air through the mechanical cooling section to remove heat from the cooling air and channeling the cooling air through the direct evaporative cooling section to evaporate water into the cooling air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Jonathan David Hay
  • Patent number: 8578726
    Abstract: A air channeling sub-system may include a mechanical cooling section and a direct evaporative cooling section. The direct evaporative cooling section may be downstream from the mechanical cooling section. Cooling air is channeled through the air channeling sub-system and into the room. If a first set of control conditions is met, the air channeling sub-systems is operated in an adiabatic mode. The adiabatic mode includes channeling cooling air through the direct evaporative cooling section to evaporate water into the cooling air. If a second set of control conditions is met, the air channeling sub-system is operated in a hybrid mode. The hybrid mode includes channeling cooling air through the mechanical cooling section to remove heat from the cooling air and channeling the cooling air through the direct evaporative cooling section to evaporate water into the cooling air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Jonathan David Hay
  • Patent number: 8550372
    Abstract: A cooling system and method that significantly improves spray evaporative cooling by using arrays of slot or plane sprays to create coverage of the entire heated surface to be cooled without allowing interaction between plumes that are spraying from the nozzles. The sprays are directed at an angle to the surface to take advantage of the high droplet momentum possessed by the spray to direct a flow of coolant fluid across the surface toward desired draining points, thereby enabling drainage regardless of the orientation of the unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation
    Inventors: Timothy A. Shedd, Adam G. Pautsch
  • Patent number: 8534083
    Abstract: An evaporative cooling condenser for a household appliance cooling system includes a water source, a heat exchanger configured to contain a refrigerant, and a fluid heat transfer device, the fluid heat transfer device configured to receive water from the water source and apply the water to the heat exchanger for rejecting heat from the heat exchanger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Martin Nicholas Austin, Joel Erik Hitzelberger, Jeffrey M. Wood, Richard DeVos, Andrew Jason Veenstra, Brent Alden Junge
  • Publication number: 20130219934
    Abstract: A cooling system can control a coolant temperature with a simple configuration. The cooling system 90 includes a vaporization vessel 80, a first fluid source 92, a first flow rate control unit 91, and a pressure control unit 99. The vaporization vessel 80 has a space, a supply opening 80a and a discharge opening 80b through which the coolant is supplied and discharged, respectively. The first fluid source 92 stores a first fluid having a vapor pressure higher than that of the coolant. The first flow rate control unit 91 connects the first fluid source 92 to the vaporization vessel 80 and controls a first fluid supply amount into the vaporization vessel. The pressure control unit 99 controls an internal pressure within the vaporization vessel to be higher than the vapor pressure of the coolant and equal to or lower than that of the first fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2013
    Publication date: August 29, 2013
    Applicant: TOKYO ELECTRON LIMITED
    Inventor: Tokyo Electron Limited
  • Patent number: 8516839
    Abstract: A heat exchange system for supplying air to a habitable space at a desired output condition includes a continuously variable mechanical cooler, an indirect evaporative cooler, an adiabatic cooler and a controller arranged to selectively supplement a cooling capacity of the indirect evaporative cooler, with a variable amount of cooling from the mechanical cooler in order to reach the desired output condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: Oxycom Beheer B.V.
    Inventors: Mark Hakbijl, Anton Bonte, Fred Van Heeswijk
  • Publication number: 20130111937
    Abstract: A cooling module for cooling at least two server modules that are configured to house a plurality of servers, the cooling module including a housing having an interior containing air, an intake into the housing, an outlet from the housing, at least one fan configured to move the air from the intake to the outlet and at least one sprayer configured to spray a mist into the air in the interior for evaporative cooling of the interior. Also a system formed of the cooling module, first and second server modules and a plenum connecting the outlet of the cooling module and intakes of the first and second server modules.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2012
    Publication date: May 9, 2013
    Applicant: COMMSCOPE, INC. OF NORTH CAROLINA
    Inventor: COMMSCOPE, INC. OF NORTH CAROLINA
  • Publication number: 20130104581
    Abstract: Chilled water is produced by an evaporative cooling process. The chilled water is then circulated through a liquid-air heat exchanger to produce a primary air supply of cool-dry air wherein no water is introduced into the cool dry air stream. The primary air supply can be used to cool a space, such as an office, where low humidly is desirable. Additionally, the cool, wet air which is a byproduct of the water-cooling phase can be used as a secondary air supply. The secondary air supply can be used to cool a space where higher humidity is tolerated, such as a warehouse, a garage, a barn, etc. The indirect evaporative cooling system can also be used in conjunction with an air conditioning system to reduce operating costs and increase efficiency.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2012
    Publication date: May 2, 2013
    Inventor: Arthur Consoli
  • Patent number: 8408015
    Abstract: A cooling recover system and method are disclosed. A fluid, such as water, is chilled and provided to a cooling coil to cool and dehumidify air passing over the cooling coil. The fluid is output from the cooling coil through an outlet, and at least a portion of the fluid from the outlet of the cooling coil is provided to an inlet of a heat transfer coil to reheat air passing over the heat transfer coil. The fluid is warmed as it passes through the cooling coil, which warmer temperature serves to reheat the air passing over the heat transfer coil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Inventor: Scot M. Duncan
  • Patent number: 8397523
    Abstract: An air filtering apparatus for filtering air includes a chamber having an air flow passage through which air flows, the chamber being connected through an air supply duct to a plurality of air blow-out ports opened to a large space, an air filtering portion that is disposed in the chamber and has a plurality of gas-liquid contact members for bringing air into contact with electrolytic water to filter the air, a water tank that is connected through a water feeding pump to a supply pipe for supplying the electrolytic water to each of the gas-liquid contact members of the air filtering portion, an electrolytic unit for generating the electrolytic water, and a mechanism for leading to the electrolytic unit a part of electrolytic water in the water tank which is sucked by the water feeding pump and supplied to the plurality of gas-liquid contact members through the supply pipe, electrolyzing the part of the electrolytic water in the electrolytic unit to further generate electrolytic water and returning the generat
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Assignee: SANYO Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tsuyoshi Rakuma, Junichi Saito, Takuro Nishihara, Toru Arakawa, Hiroyuki Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 8359875
    Abstract: An apparatus and method to cool compressors, condensing coils, and similar devices. The compressor or condensing coil is cooled by the delivery of water, which may be ambient temperature or chilled. In one embodiment, the water is delivered to a mesh filter or screen via one or more mist spray nozzles. Water conduits may be integrated with the filter frame. The method to control the delivery of the water is designed to conserve water. The control circuit comprises a microcontroller device which contains programming that receives inputs, including but not limited to, outside ambient air temperature, condenser liquid line temperature, relative humidity and electric current, and uses said inputs to provide a stepwise level of control (“solenoid open time”) of water delivery commensurate with outside air temperature and relative humidity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Inventors: Pat Matracea, Rick Earles, Susan Ann Beinor, Gregory Steven Cook, Arthur Joseph Flagg, Mark Thomas Marini
  • Patent number: 8360711
    Abstract: An apparatus for cooling air for an intake to a gas turbine, is provided and includes a pressurized water piping and nozzle apparatus for producing a water spray in an airflow to the intake; and evaporative media for receiving the spray and causing a pressurizing of the air in the airflow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Rahul Jaikaran Chillar, Douglas Scott Byrd
  • Publication number: 20130000335
    Abstract: A cooling system for transferring heat from a heat load to an environment has a volatile working fluid. The cooling system includes first and second cooling cycles that are thermally connected to the first cooling cycle. The first cooling cycle is not a vapor compression cycle and includes a pump, an air-to-fluid heat exchanger, and a fluid-to-fluid heat exchanger. The second cooling cycle can include a chilled water system for transferring heat from the fluid-to-fluid heat exchanger to the environment. Alternatively, the second cooling cycle can include a vapor compression system for transferring heat from the fluid-to-fluid heat exchanger to the environment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2012
    Publication date: January 3, 2013
    Applicant: LIEBERT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Steven A. BORROR, Frank E. DIPAOLO, Thomas E. HARVEY, Steven M. MADARA, Reasey J. MAM, Stephen C. SILLATO
  • Patent number: 8261565
    Abstract: A cooling system for transferring heat from a heat load to an environment has a volatile working fluid. The cooling system includes first and second cooling cycles that are thermally connected to the first cooling cycle. The first cooling cycle is not a vapor compression cycle and includes a pump, an air-to-fluid heat exchanger, and a fluid-to-fluid heat exchanger. The second cooling cycle can include a chilled water system for transferring heat from the fluid-to-fluid heat exchanger to the environment. Alternatively, the second cooling cycle can include a vapor compression system for transferring heat from the fluid-to-fluid heat exchanger to the environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: Liebert Corporation
    Inventors: Steven A Borror, Franklin E DiPaolo, Thomas E Harvey, Steven M Madara, Reasey J Mam, Stephen C Sillato
  • Patent number: 8221628
    Abstract: In one embodiment, the present invention includes a liquid processing system. In the liquid processing system, a first liquid source transmits feed liquid to a heat exchange unit while a heat generation unit transmits warm coolant to the heat exchange unit. A heat generation unit warms the feed liquid while cooling the warm coolant. The warmed feed liquid is sent to a pump, and cooled feed liquid from a second liquid source is mixed with the warmed feed liquid as necessary until a target temperature is reached. The warmed feed liquid is sent to a reverse osmosis unit for filtering and the resulting permeate is sent to the liquid utilization unit. The cooled coolant is sent from the heat exchange unit to the storage tank and if the cooled coolant is not cool enough, it is sent to a cooling tower for further cooling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventor: John A. Goodfellow
  • Patent number: 8141374
    Abstract: A air channeling sub-system may include a mechanical cooling section and a direct evaporative cooling section. The direct evaporative cooling section may be downstream from the mechanical cooling section. Cooling air is channeled through the air channeling sub-system and into the room. If a first set of control conditions is met, the air channeling sub-systems is operated in an adiabatic mode. The adiabatic mode includes channeling cooling air through the direct evaporative cooling section to evaporate water into the cooling air. If a second set of control conditions is met, the air channeling sub-system is operated in a hybrid mode. The hybrid mode includes channeling cooling air through the mechanical cooling section to remove heat from the cooling air and channeling the cooling air through the direct evaporative cooling section to evaporate water into the cooling air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Jonathan David Hay
  • Patent number: 8096138
    Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for pasteurizing filled food containers having contents to be pasteurized includes spraying a heat transfer fluid onto the containers. As the contents increase in temperature, the flow rate of heat transfer fluid is decreased. The heat transfer fluid is at least about 20° F. hotter than the initial average temperature of the contents. In one embodiment, the temperature of the spent heat transfer fluid typically does not vary more than about 6° F. to 9° F.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2012
    Assignee: Stokely-Van Camp, Inc.
    Inventors: Ashok Shashikant Dhruv, Amos Rei-Young Wu
  • Patent number: 8074460
    Abstract: A device for adjusting a temperature and a humidity using a wind power is provided. The device includes an inlet; an outlet connected to the inlet; a sprayer spraying a nebulized liquid into the device; and an airflow sensor electrically connected to the sprayer for activating the sprayer when an airflow passes through.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2011
    Assignee: National Taiwan University
    Inventors: An-Bang Wang, Chia-Fong Lee, Wen-Chin Tsai, I-Chun Lin, Fei-Yau Lu, Chih-Chieh Chen, Liang-Jenq Leu, Chuin-Shan Chen, Wen-Pin Shih
  • Publication number: 20110289951
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a cooling system may include a thermosyphon cooler that cools a cooling fluid through dry cooling and a cooling tower that cools a cooling fluid through evaporative cooling. The thermosyphon cooler may use natural convection to circulate a refrigerant between a shell and tube evaporator and an air cooled condenser. The thermosyphon cooler may be located in the cooling system upstream of, and in series with, the cooling tower, and may be operated when the thermosyphon cooler is more economically and/or resource efficient to operate than the cooling tower. According to certain embodiments, factors, such as the ambient temperature, the cost of electricity, and the cost of water, among others, may be used to determine whether to operate the thermosyphon cooler, the cooling tower, or both.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2011
    Publication date: December 1, 2011
    Applicant: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: James W. Furlong, Joseph W. Pillis, Delmar E. Lehman
  • Publication number: 20110225997
    Abstract: A data center cooling system is provided to maintain data center temperatures without introducing detrimental conditions into the data center. The computer data center cooling system has a cooling tower that controllably provides cooling water at a temperature in a particular range. The cooling water is then pumped through a series of filtration, treatment, monitoring and separation subsystems to reliably clean the cooling water of particles and treat the cooling water to reduce the harmful effects of corrosion and scaling. Further control subsystems utilize PID loop controllers to maintain the temperature to the air-handler unit cooling coils to within one (1) degree Fahrenheit of a set point that is determined by the computer data center air conditions. The cooling system utilizes either a primary loop or a combination of primary/secondary loops to achieve the highest system efficiency.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2010
    Publication date: September 22, 2011
    Applicant: MECHANICAL SERVICE & SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: William Addison Gast, JR., Dan Russell Wells