Flexible Wind Shield for Air Cooler Crosswind Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Cross winds and certain temperatures negatively impact the efficiency of air coolers by causing fan performance issues due to the Venturi effect, and existing shield systems are mechanically unreliable, especially for larger sizes and difficult to use.
Innovation Solution
A shield system comprising a flexible sheet fixed to an air cooler structure with elongate members and a driving device, including an electrical motor, that adjusts the sheet's position based on weather conditions to optimize fan performance by guiding external wind towards the fan, and incorporates a catch mechanism for secure positioning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a roller-blind type mechanism is used to adjust the shield position, then the shield can be adjusted, but the mechanism becomes mechanically unreliable for larger sizes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical roller-blind adjustment mechanism with an electrical motor-driven system. The motor is mounted on a movable arrangement that travels along a track, winding the flexible sheet onto itself to adjust the shield position. This substitution eliminates the mechanical reliability issues associated with roller-blind mechanisms for large shields while maintaining ease of operation through automated electrical control.
2Productivity
If cross winds are present, then air cooler efficiency is reduced, but the shield system can be used to mitigate this effect
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful effect of cross winds into a beneficial force by using the wind itself to power the adjustment mechanism. The flexible sheet acts as a wind catcher that harnesses cross wind energy to drive the electrical motor, which then adjusts the shield position to optimize air cooler performance. This transforms the previously harmful cross wind into a useful energy source for system operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a dynamic shield system that continuously adapts to changing wind conditions. The electrical motor-driven mechanism allows the flexible sheet to be dynamically repositioned in response to varying cross wind speeds and directions, enabling the air cooler to maintain optimal efficiency throughout the day as environmental conditions change.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system enhances air cooler performance by harnessing external wind energy, improving fan efficiency, and provides a robust, user-friendly solution for adjusting the shield position automatically or manually, addressing mechanical unreliability and size limitations.
Implementation Method 1
The at least one sheet, when fitted to a pair of the fixing members may extend at least partially across an input air path of a fan of the air cooler structure... the sheet may guide external wind along the air path towards the fan, which can boost performance of the fan
Implementation Method 2
The driving device may wind the at least one sheet on/off of the elongate member in use
Data Source
AI summary
A shield system adapted for use in an air cooler structure (100). The shield system includes at least one flexible sheet (304) and at least one arrangement (106) for fixing, in use, the at least one flexible sheet to an air cooler structure.