Indirect-direct evaporative cooling system operable from sustainable energy source

Abstract

Improved means for powering and increasing evaporative cooling in an indirect-direct evaporative cooling (IDEC) apparatus are disclosed. Sustainable energy from solar energy mixed with grid power, when needed, power the IDEC device. These DC and AC power sources are seamlessly merged in a unique diode interconnect unit. Improved means for evaporative cooling include a rayon-based flocking on the wet side of molded plastic indirect evaporative cooling plates. Separate wet and dry passages through those plates are facilitated by a unique means for clamping the upper ends of the plates. These clamping means also add to the structural integrity of an array of plates so that the array can be inserted in and removed from a housing containing other operational components of the IDEC such as fan, direct cooling plates and water distribution means. Applicants IDEC utilizes improved porous piping that allows uniform and continuous distribution of water to all wet passages within both the indirect and direct stages of the IDEC. Operational controls for the system limit the potential water damage caused by overflow of water from the IDEC housing.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] Not applicable. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] This invention relates to a highly efficient system and apparatus for supplying conditioned air to an interior space. The system utilizes two stage evaporative cooling to deliver conditioned air to living and work spaces, namely indirect and direct cooling stages. Such cooling is often identified by the acronym IDEC which stands for indirect / direct evaporative cooling. This invention seamlessly draws operating power from multiple AC and DC sources including a utility power grid and / or sustainable energy sources such as solar panels. A unique combination of indirect stage heat exchanger plate coatings and water distribution manifolds enhances the operation of the IDEC apparatus used in the system. [0003] Other IDEC systems are described below. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,664,433 issued Sep. 9, 1997 to Davis Energy Group, Inc. (“Davis I”) describes an indirect-direct evaporative cooling ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0009] Indirect / direct evaporative coolers are well suited for operation with sustainable energy, particularly solar power. More particularly, IDECs operate best in low humidity climates such as those found in the southwest quadrant of the United States. These areas of the country, coincidentally, have long periods of continuous sunshine that can be used to power solar panels. Thus, the marriage of solar power and IDECs offers a unique opportunity for cooling homes, offices, work places and factories in that portion of the United States at minimum cost because most operating power can be supplied by the sun. One form of solar panel suitable for use in this invention is that offered by First Solar, LLC Perryburg, Ohio (www.firstsolar.com). Even without solar power, the IDEC disclosed herein provides highly efficient cooling with about an eighty percent (80%) reduction in power consumption compared to vapor compression air conditioning systems. In the preferred embodiment of applicants' IDEC, both AC and DC are made available for its operation. The use of twin power sources is facilitated by a unique arrangement of components. Unlike the prior art approach discussed above, applicants achieve a seamless blend of solar (DC) and grid (AC) power sources without use of inverters. This arrangement allows applicants' IDEC to be run during peak afternoon sun loads at little or no cost because solar power supplies substantially all of the energy needed to operate the IDEC. As the sun sets, the temperature of outside air also lowers thereby reducing the amount of cooling needed. Thus, applicant's IDEC using solar power operates in synchronization with nature's daily rhythm to supply cooled air throughout the day at little or no cost.

[0014] The water path from manifold into the wet passages is further assisted if the preferred porous plastic piping used in the manifold is in physical contact with the U-shaped clamps immediately under the manifold. Such contact improves the water flow from the manifold into the wet side of the plates. To further improve water flow into and through the wet side passages, the upper end of the wet passages preferably contains a water channel or groove from the front to back of the wet (flocked) side of the wet passage plate. This channel collects water from the manifold and the water therein flows to the back of the plate, thereby insuring complete wetting of the wet passages from front to back.

[0018] As described in Davis II a rotationally molded outer housing or cabinet is preferably used to contain all components of the IDEC, including blower, indirect and direct cooling stages, and sump that holds water that is pumped to the manifold. This outer cabinet is rigid with its front opening (conditioned space side) designed to hold the front face of the direct cooling stage described above. Immediately behind this section is the indirect cooling stage containing the folded plates also described above. It is important that these indirect and direct stages be serviceable, i.e., removable from the cabinet because they sometimes get fouled with water minerals or otherwise lose their capacity to cool air. Applicant's arrangement of plates facilitates this serviceability by providing structural integrity for groups of plates in the indirect cooling stage. More specifically, the aforementioned rigid, preferably stainless steel, clamps at the top of the indirect cooling plates, plus the relatively rigid material used in the plates, preferably PVC, provide a structural backbone for the plates that holds them in a semi-rigid state that facilitates their insertion, removal and replacement in the cabinet.

Problems solved by technology

The water exiting those slots dribbles down in a rather uncontrolled fashion over the evaporative cooling media.

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