Air cooling system for a building structure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional cooling systems for building structures are either energy-inefficient, environmentally unfriendly, or obtrusive, and existing evaporative cooling systems struggle to effectively cool large spaces due to limitations in fan power and design, leading to limited cooling effectiveness and increased humidity and noise.
Innovation Solution
A novel air cooling system featuring a low-profile evaporator unit mounted in a building wall with a high-capacity motorized fan and sound-insulating duct, creating negative static pressure to draw outside air through the evaporator and expel warm air from the attic, while maintaining low maintenance and energy efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If conventional evaporative coolers are used, then energy efficiency is improved, but the system becomes large and bulky making it obtrusive
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into separate functional components: the evaporative cooling unit is integrated into the exterior wall while the motorized fan assembly is positioned remotely in the attic area. This segmentation allows the cooling function to be distributed, reducing the size and obtrusiveness of any single unit while maintaining overall system effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The motorized fan assembly is extracted from the traditional enclosed housing and positioned separately in the attic area. This extraction removes the bulky enclosure from the exterior wall installation, significantly reducing the visual impact and space requirements at the building exterior while the fan continues to perform its cooling function.
2Productivity
If a large motorized blower is mounted inside the enclosure, then cooling air delivery is improved, but excessively moist and humid air is forced into the building structure
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the building's existing attic space as an intermediary chamber between the evaporative cooling unit and the living space. Cooled air is delivered into the attic rather than directly into the building interior, and the motorized fan then distributes this air through existing return air ducts. This intermediary approach prevents excessive moisture from being introduced directly into the building structure while maintaining effective cooling delivery.
3Ease of operation
If the motor is positioned immediately adjacent the exterior wall, then air intake is simplified, but high noise level is generated that is bothersome
Solution Approach 1:
The motorized fan assembly is extracted from the exterior wall location and positioned remotely in the attic area. This extraction removes the noise source from proximity to the living space while the fan continues to perform its cooling function. The air intake function is maintained through the evaporative cooling unit's connection to the attic space.
Solution Approach 2:
The system utilizes the existing attic space and existing return air ducts as temporary pathways for cooled air distribution. By leveraging these pre-existing structures, the system avoids the need for additional noisy components or complex ductwork, achieving effective cooling with minimal added noise sources.
4Device complexity
If exhaust fans are mounted openly in the attic far from the evaporative cooling unit, then system simplicity is improved, but cooling effectiveness is reduced due to insufficient air pull
Solution Approach 1:
The motorized fan assembly is designed with adjustable speed control and variable airflow capacity. This dynamic capability allows the fan to adapt its performance based on the distance from the evaporative cooling unit and the specific cooling requirements of the building. The fan can operate at higher speeds when positioned farther away to maintain sufficient air pull, ensuring cooling effectiveness is maintained despite the simplified remote installation.
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 provides effective cooling comparable to air conditioners, reduces humidity, operates quietly, and efficiently exchanges indoor air with fresh air, capable of cooling both living and attic spaces while maintaining low moisture levels and reducing noise.
Implementation Method 1
The fan assembly is adapted to create a negative static pressure in the living area, causing outside ambient air to be drawn through the evaporator system
Implementation Method 2
an evaporative cooling system having an evaporative cooling unit located within an exterior wall of a house
Implementation Method 3
to expel the air into the attic area to create a positive static pressure in the attic area that is sufficient to cause air in the attic area to be pushed out through vents
Data Source
AI summary
An energy efficient and quiet air cooling system for a building structure is provided. The air cooling system includes an evaporator system mounted in the wall of the building, a remotely mounted fan, an air intake, and a sound and heat insulating duct. The fan is mounted in the attic and configured to draw air from the living area of the building through the sound insulating duct with sufficient power to create a negative static pressure in the living area. The negative static pressure in turn causes outside air to flow through the evaporator system which removes heat from the outside air. The cooled air is in turn drawn into the building and pulled into the attic through the duct and expelled through the attic. The fan expels warm air into the attic, creating a positive pressure environment which causes the warm air to be expelled from the attic through natural vents.