Rotating plate misting fan
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional rotating plate misting fans (RPMFs) are inefficient in cooling, prone to flooding, and ineffective in managing mist volume and humidity, leading to wetting of surfaces and floors, which is detrimental in logistics warehouses and trailer cooling.
Innovation Solution
The RPMF system is redesigned with contoured rotating plates and improved water supply mechanisms to minimize droplet size, optimize mist distribution, and autonomously adjust vapor rates based on environmental conditions, incorporating sensors and remote control for efficient cooling without wetting surfaces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If the diameter of the rotating plate is increased to increase misting volume, then the misting capacity increases, but the device becomes too large for confined dock door spaces and employee movement is restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the geometric parameters of the rotating plate, specifically using a conical shape with varying radius from center to edge, and optimizes the thickness distribution. These parameter changes allow achieving higher misting volume with a compact overall plate size that fits in confined spaces while maintaining employee movement freedom.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a traditional flat plate geometry to a three-dimensional conical geometry with varying radius and thickness. This dimensional change allows the plate to achieve greater effective misting surface area within a smaller projected footprint, resolving the contradiction between misting volume and device size.
2Productivity
If conventional RPMF systems operate at high water flow rates, then cooling capacity increases, but droplets become too large and settle on the floor creating slip hazards
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different local properties to different regions of the rotating plate. The conical shape creates varying linear velocities across the plate surface, with the edge moving faster than the center. This local velocity variation causes water to be atomized into finer droplets at the periphery while maintaining adequate flow rates for cooling, preventing floor wetting even at high productivity levels.
Solution Approach 2:
The rapid rotation of the conical plate creates centrifugal forces and mechanical vibration that atomize the water into fine mist. This mechanical action breaks up large droplets into smaller particles that remain suspended in air for cooling without settling on the floor, enabling high cooling capacity without slip hazards.
3Ease of manufacture
If traditional RPMF plates are used, then the system structure is simple, but misting efficiency is low and water management is poor leading to flooding
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a conical surface geometry instead of a flat plate. This curved surface facilitates uniform water distribution across the plate as it rotates, improving misting efficiency. The curvature also helps shed excess water in a controlled manner, preventing flooding while maintaining reliable operation. The conical shape is manufacturable using standard forming processes.
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 redesigned RPMF system achieves up to five times the misting capacity, reduces droplet size to prevent floor wetting, and ensures reliable water management, enhancing cooling efficiency and safety in confined spaces.
Implementation Method 1
A rotating plate assembly includes at least one rotating plate mounted on a shaft driven by a motor
Implementation Method 2
Cooling of industrial warehouses and shipping docks, and specifically cooling the inside space of docked trailers
Data Source
AI summary
A rotating plate misting fan (RPMF) capable of delivering cooling to industrial environments including loading bays for docked trailers, includes a rotating plate assembly configured to eliminate or minimize water collection in the environment area and a controller configured to automatically adjust a vapor rate and fan speed of the fan as a function of distance to objects in proximity to the rotating plate misting fan and psychrometric parameters.