Modular Evaporative Cooling Tower for Outdoor Area Temperature Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Air conditioning and cooling for outdoor areas face challenges due to moving air currents, thermal transfer, and lack of containment, making it difficult to efficiently provide cooled regions.
Innovation Solution
Modular cooling units with a base, cooling tower, and air distribution system that utilize water cooling to generate and distribute cooled air, featuring a control system for operation and a water treatment module, and can be powered by solar energy, providing customizable and efficient cooling solutions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If outdoor areas are cooled using conventional air conditioning, then cooling effect is achieved, but energy efficiency deteriorates due to moving air currents and thermal transfer
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the outdoor area into multiple cooled zones using several portable cooling units, each creating a localized cooled environment rather than attempting to cool the entire outdoor area uniformly, thereby reducing energy consumption while maintaining effective cooling where needed
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces water as an intermediary substance to enhance cooling efficiency. Water is circulated through evaporative cooling pads and sprayed into the air stream, utilizing evaporation to cool the air more efficiently than conventional air conditioning, thereby improving energy efficiency while maintaining the cooling effect
2Temperature
If conventional air conditioning is used for outdoor areas, then cooling is provided, but containment deteriorates due to lack of enclosure
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses a large semi-permeable membrane or tarp as a flexible enclosure to contain and direct the cooled air stream. This flexible shell creates a defined cooled space without rigid construction, allowing the cooling effect to be contained and directed to specific areas while maintaining portability and adaptability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extends the cooling system vertically by directing the air stream upward and using a overhead membrane structure to contain and distribute the cooled air. This three-dimensional approach to containment allows the cooling effect to be distributed more effectively throughout the outdoor space while maintaining containment
3Adaptability or versatility
If portable cooling units are deployed, then adaptability to various environments is improved, but device complexity increases due to multiple components
Solution Approach 1:
The portable cooling unit is designed as a multi-functional device that can operate in various outdoor environments and configurations. The same basic unit can be deployed individually or in groups, used with different membrane structures, and adapted to various ground surfaces, thereby achieving environmental adaptability without requiring multiple specialized devices
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates automated control features including temperature sensors, humidity sensors, and programmable controllers that automatically adjust operating parameters. The water treatment module automatically maintains water quality, and the system self-regulates its operation based on environmental conditions, reducing the need for complex manual control systems
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 modular cooling units effectively create cooled areas by efficiently managing air and water flow, providing comfortable conditions and increasing solar panel effectiveness, while being energy neutral and adaptable to various environments.
Implementation Method 1
a cooling tower (104) supplied with water and arranged to cool air to a predetermined temperature
Implementation Method 2
The air management systems can include a plurality of cool air dispensers (138) and warm air dispensers (142) that can direct air flow to define a cooled area (246)
Data Source
AI summary
Cooling units are provided. The cooling units include a base having a housing with control components and a cooling tower attached to the base having an inner flow path and an exterior surface. An air distribution system is attached to the cooling tower and includes an air distribution chamber defined between the first and second enclosures and a cover is disposed on an exterior surface of the second enclosure. A plurality of dispersing apertures are formed within the first enclosure to generate a curtain of cool air to be dispensed from the air distribution system. The control components are configured to convey air through the base, the cooling tower, and the air distribution system to dispense air through the cool air dispenser and the warm air dispenser.