Evaporative Cooler Pad Wetting With Airflow Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional evaporative air coolers have limitations in airflow velocity through evaporative pads, leading to water entrainment and increased pad area requirements, which restricts the compactness and efficiency of the cooling system.
Innovation Solution
Introducing a method of intermittently wetting evaporative pads with excess water and controlling airflow velocity to prevent water entrainment, using a control system with static pressure transducers and optional velocity measurement tools to optimize airflow and cooling output.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If water flow rate is increased to ensure complete wetting of evaporative media under adverse weather conditions, then wetting effectiveness is improved, but water entrainment in airflow increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic wetting cycles where water is applied to the evaporative media at intervals rather than continuously. The control system monitors humidity sensors and activates the water distribution system only when humidity drops below a threshold, creating periodic wetting action that maintains effective wetting while minimizing excess water accumulation that causes entrainment
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameters of water flow rate and timing based on environmental conditions. The control system adjusts water application rates and intervals according to humidity levels, temperature, and airflow conditions, optimizing wetting effectiveness while preventing water entrainment by matching water supply to actual evaporation demand
2Productivity
If air flow velocity through evaporative pads is increased to improve cooling output, then cooling capacity is improved, but water entrainment in airflow increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs humidity sensors and control systems that monitor airflow conditions and water content in the evaporative media. The system provides feedback to adjust water distribution rates and airflow velocity, maintaining optimal cooling output while preventing water entrainment by reducing airflow speed when water accumulation is detected
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the airflow velocity dynamic rather than constant. The control system continuously adjusts airflow speed based on real-time conditions including humidity levels, water supply status, and thermal load requirements, allowing high velocity for cooling when appropriate while reducing velocity to prevent entrainment when water accumulation occurs
3Area of stationary object
If pad area is reduced to achieve more compact cooler design, then device compactness is improved, but cooling capacity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the operational parameters of the reduced-size pads by using control systems that adjust water flow rates, wetting frequency, and airflow velocity to maximize the cooling efficiency of the smaller pad area, compensating for the reduced surface area through improved water-air contact efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses periodic wetting cycles on the compact pads to maintain optimal moisture levels throughout the media. The intermittent water application ensures complete penetration and saturation of the smaller pad volume, maximizing evaporative cooling efficiency within the constrained pad area
4Reliability
If water flow rate is set 5-10 times evaporation rate to ensure complete wetting under adverse conditions, then wetting reliability is improved, but excess water causes entrainment and salt deposit accumulation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a control system with humidity sensors that allows the evaporative cooler to self-regulate water consumption. The system automatically adjusts water flow rates to match actual evaporation demand, eliminating the need for excessive water flow margins and preventing salt accumulation by applying only the water needed for effective cooling
Solution Approach 2:
The patent dynamically changes water flow parameters based on environmental conditions and operational state. The control system monitors humidity, temperature, and airflow to adjust water application rates in real-time, maintaining reliable wetting under adverse conditions while minimizing excess water that would otherwise cause salt deposit accumulation
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
This approach allows for increased airflow and reduced pad area, resulting in a more compact and efficient evaporative cooler design with enhanced cooling capacity and reduced manufacturing costs.
Implementation Method 1
outside air is drawn through these wetted evaporative pads and is cooled by the evaporation of water from within the evaporative pads
Implementation Method 2
said control system determining the velocity of airflow through the pads and being adapted to vary that velocity
Data Source
AI summary
A method of controlling the operation of an evaporative air cooler where the pads (2) of the cooler are intermittently wetted with an amount of water (14) in excess of the capacity of the pads (2) to absorb and retain during each wetting operation of the pad. The airflow (20) through the pads during intermittent wetting being limited to a velocity so as to not entrain water in the airflow during the wetting operation and the velocity of the airflow through the pads is increased after each intermittent wetting so as to raise the level of cooling output (22) of the cooler between each intermittent wetting operation.