US3043573A - Thermo-transpiration portable air conditioner unit - Google Patents

Description

July 10, A1962 E. F. CHANDLER THERMO-TRANSPIRATION PORTABLE AIR CONDITIONER UNIT Filed Feb. 16, 195e 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR.

Se Edward F Chandler' HTTORNE Y July 1o, 1962 E. F. CHANDLER 3,043,573

THERMO-TRANSPIRATION PORTABLE AIR CONDITIONER UNIT 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Feb. 16, 1956 INVENTOR. F Chandler N J /l Edward ATTORNEY United States Patent Office 39%@435573 Patented July l0, ISEE 3,043,573 THERMG-TRANSPIRATION PORTABLE AIR CONDITIONER UNIT Edward F. Chandler, 148 Richmond St., Brooklyn 8, N.Y.

Fired Feb. i6, 1956, ser. No. 565,798 2 Claims.` (Cl. 26I-24) This invention relates to improvements in air conditioning devices.

An object of the invention is to provide a novel and improved device in compact portable form, for heating, cooling, and tempering air for conditioning purposes.

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel and improved device for heating, cooling and tempering air by thermo-transpiration means.

A further object of the invention is to provide a novel and improved air conditioning device in small compact, and readily portable form, to afford bodily comfort lo? cally as needed, reducing or increasing the temperature of the air brought into contact with the body of the user, and otherwise altering the humidity thereof.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a novel and improved air conditioning device in which air is caused to move into contact with a large surface wetted by a uid such as water, within a small chamber, so that the air is readily and eiciently humidiiied as desired.

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel and improved air conditioning device in which a high degree of efficiency is achieved without need for large air impelling fans or the like, so that the unit is readily y compacted to a large extent for easy portability.

A further object of the invention is to provide a novel heat exchange and air conditioning device in which the air to be conditioned is caused to move along in contact with porous bodies immersed at least partially in water, to provide humidifying contact with the moving air stream, with novel outer coating of the porous bodies to prevent droplet formation thereon which might otherwise hinder humidification with efficiency.

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel and improved device of the character described, which is simple in design, uses few parts, is effective in use for its intended purposes, and highly rugged and long lived.

These and other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description of a preferred embodiment thereof, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings, forming a part hereof, and in which:

FIGURE 1 is a top plan View of a device according to the invention.

FIGURE 2 is a sectional elevational view taken substantially on plane 2 2 of FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 3 is a schematic end ligure view of a portion of the element shown in FIGURES 1 and 2.

FIGURE 4 is a schematic end view similar to that of FIGURE 3, but showing a modiiied form of the invention.

FIGURE 5 is a sectional elevational view of a device in which air to be cooled is caused to pass through a sheet of moisture absorbing material.

FIGURE 6 is a top plan detail view of the element of FIGURE 5.

FIGURE 7 is 'an end elevational view of the device shown in FIGURE 5, according to a modified form, with increased thickness providing increased surface area effectiveness.

FIGURE 8 is a top plan view of the element shown in FIGURE 7.

FIGURE 9 is a schematic elevational view showing a two phase cooling system and device, with successive steps of cooling sequences.

FIGURE 10 is a perspective view showing a complete cooling and/or conditioning element as a removable and replaceable unit `for use in the devices shown.

FIGURE 11 is a sectional elevational schematic view showing a modified form of unit with blower and evaporators in a housing.

FIGURE 12 is a transverse sectional elevational view taken substantially on plane 12-12 of FIGURE 11.

FIGURE 13 is a sectional elevational schematic view showing another modified form of housing with blower and evaporator unit therein.

FIGURE 14 is a transverse sectional elevational view taken substantially on plane 14-14 of FIGURE 13.

FIGURE 15 is a fragmentary sectional elevational view similar to that of FIGURE 11, Ibut showing a modied form with ltering screen in the air path.

FIGURE 16 is a fragmentary sectional elevational view showing a modied form of construction for use in the device.

FIGURE 17 is a fragmentary sectional elevational view showing another modified form of construction.

FIGURE 18 is a fragmentary sectional elevational view showing a further modified form of construction of element.

FIGURE 19 is a fragmentary sectional elevational view showing still another modified form, with undulational arrangement for increased contact effectiveness.

FIGURE 20 is a fragmentary sectional elevational view lof means for increasing the velocity of the air stream and controlling same before and after passing the evaporator elements.

FIGURE 21 is a sectional elevational view showing a closed vessel of ceramic material with cooling paths.

FIGURE 22 is a schematic side elevational view ofa complete air treating unit indicating the air path, the View being partly broken out.

FIGURE 23 is a transverse sectional elevational view taken substantially on plane Z3 of FIGURE 22.

FIGURE 24 is a sectional elevational View similar to FIGURE 22, but with further modified structure.

FIGURE 25 is a sectional elevational view showing another modied structure. Y

FIGURE 26 is a sectional elevational vie-w showing another form of air treating unit and casing.

FIGURE 27 is a schematic -sectional view showing another type of air conditioning unit, including heating element.

FIGURE 28 is a schematic view showing still another form of conditioning unit.

FIGURE 29 is a schematic sectional elevational view of a corner of a housing, with electric heating means therein.

FIGURE 30 is a fragmentary sectional elevational View showing a corner of a modied form of structure according to the invention.

FIGURE 31 is a schematic sectional elevational view showing a dual stage wet and dry air conditioning unit with air paths indicated.

FIGURE 32 is a schematic sectional elevational view showing another modification of the device.

FIGURE 33 is a sectional fragmentary elevational view showing a further modiiied form of the device.

This application is a continuation in-part of my copending patent application, Serial Number 436,834, filed June 15, 1954, for Air Conditioning Unit, pending at the time of tiling of this application, and now abandoned.

In order to understand clearly the natu-re of the invention, and the best means for carrying it out, reference may now be had to the drawings, in which like numerals denote similar parts throughout the several views.

In FIGURES 1 and 2, it is` seen that there is a closed chamber or housing 20, with a floor 22, and upstanding the elements 38 are partially immersed.

side and end walls 24, 26, 28 .and 30, dening the chamber 32, a cover 34 being shown in position in FIGURE 2, but removed in FIGURE 1. Inside the chamber, there is a liquid uid, `such as 4water 36, partially lling the chamber, and a number of elements 38 are disposed in spaced upright positions within the chamber, so as -to define elongated narrow passageways 4i) between adjacent evaporator and conditioning elements 38, for the passage ofY air inthe direction of the arrows `42. Openings 44 and 46are formed in the end walls 28 and 30, to allow entry and outlet of the air as indicated, for treatment in the chamber. The elements 38 are relatively narrow, closely spaced, composed of suitable moisture absorbing surface evaporator elements, such as unglazed porcelain or tile or clay, or other types of materials adverted to and further explained hereinbelow as the specification proceeds. As seen, the air is divided into a plurality of ribbons as it passes between each vtwo active evaporator surfaces 38, on its way from the inlet opening 44 to the outlet 46 of the chamber. In this way, the air is caused -to contact an extended surface area of the elements 38 under ideal heat-exchange conditions. The effectiveness of the element may be further improved yby positioning a suitable spacer between the evaporator members, such as glasswool, for example, which does not seriously impede the passage of air, but does tend Ito increase the scrubbing action, and also causing free moisture to be removed from the air and returned to the fluid supply 36 in which FIGURE- 3 shows in section how the elements stand in the liquid.

FIGURE 4 shows a modified form of the device, in which there are a pair of similar elements 38 positioned between two preferably thin plates or walls 50 and spaced therefrom, the plates 50 being for example of metal or other material and adapted tobe positioned as shown, and, when cooled by the evaporative action, to accumulate thereon surplus moisture extracted from the air stream.

YFIGURES 5 and 6 show a common arrangement of the elements, apart from thel outer container or housing for clarity, there being a pan 54 for the reception of fluid like 36,v `with a number of or one such element 38 standing upright inthe pan and partly immersed in the liquid. As indicated in FIGURE 6, the air is caused to pass lthrough the element 38 in the direction of the arrows 56, the element 38 being a sheet of moisture-absorbing material which allows the air to pass therethrough readily, cooling the air. As seen in FIGURES 7 and 8, by modifying the element as at 38b, increasing the spacing between its walls surfaces 611 and 62, in lthe manner/,of FIGURE 8,

and then forming thin passages 6'4- therethrough, the air passing through in the direction of the arrows in FIG- URE 8, is much more effectively treated, more surface areaJbeing present, and the air being in contact much longer in passage, with the element.

FIGURE 9 show-s schematically how my system lis applied to a two phase cooling operation, whereby it is possible to reduce the temperature 'of relatively hot air, in a plurality ofsteps, to a desired lower temperature. As shown in the View, there is a housing 66with a suitable kblower or suction fan as at 68 and 78 for each stage, the

cooling and treating elements being indicated at 38 in any one of the suitable forms shown herein, so that the fans draw the air through in at 69 the direction of the arrows for cooling as desired and then discharge it at the right side outlet 72. Also a single fan means may be employed to cause the air to pass through a series of such staged, temperature reduction steps. For example, by this means, air at 150 degrees F., may be reduced about 50 degrees in the first stage 74, and from about 100 degrees to a desired lower temperature in the next stage 7ok orL succeeding stages.

Y FIGURES 11 and 12 show one possible form of air circulating unit with housing 78, in which warm air is drawn in at 89, passes through vertical riser 82 behind wail 84 in the direction of the arrows downwardly,

i through the spaced evaporator elements 38 1immersed in the liquid 36 in the pan portion 86, and then upwardly being drawn into the opening 88 in the fans 9i), and ultimately discharged by the centrifugal blowers 90 out of outlet ducts 92. A V-wall 94 has an opening 96 to allow air flow.

In FIGURES 13 and 14 another moditied formis shown, with a change in the direction of air ow. In this form, the air enters as at 98 which is the air inlet opening in wall 160, and then ows in the direction of arrows 162 vertically downwards through opening 104 in the floor 106, then through the spaces 1116 between the cooling elements 38 in the pan portion 86a, the air divid ing and going right and lef-t as seen in FIGURE 14, and up through the hollow passages 1118, and bein-g suctioned in through fan intakes 11@ and discharged at 112.

FIGURE l0 shows a removable construction of a pan 86h, which may be inserted in the units shown, and removed as needed, this unit containing a chamber 114 in which are disposed the spaced elements 38, with a top `partial wall 116 forming air inlet and outlet openings 118 and 120, to permit the air to flow into and between the elements 38, and then out again, the pan having a bottom and four side walls to enclose the same. For use as the unit of FIGURE 14, the top wall 116 may have an opening as at 122 formed therein alsowith removable cover.

FIGURE 15 shows a modiiied form of the housings of the various views, such as FIGURES 1l and 14, with an air screen or filter wall 124 to screen and lter the incoming air. Preferably the said Iilter 124 may be of water repellent material rather than absorptive material, and adapted to return to the pan 86, anytrapped moisture from the air.

FIGURE 16 shows a wick or other suitable absorbing agent disposed between thin metallic plates 132 and 134 so that the air passing through the interspaces 136 is in contact with the two metallic surfaces 132 and 134 for precipitating contained moisture from the air whilev also in contact with 130.

In FIGURE 17, the thin plate which may be of metal is shown formed to cause the air to follow other than a straight path between the evaporator elements 38 in moving in the direction of the arrows shown. This action can `be further increased by placing within the space between the evaporators 38, a suitable filler, such as glass wool, or the like, as at 142.

'In FIGURE 18 is shown two cases in which air being drawn in through the element shown, in the direction of the arrows enters a free space, as at or 152, where 1t may expand before passing through the next portion of the evaporator element 38d, a set of metal wall dividers shown at 154.

FIGURE 19 shows an undulating formation ofthe air passages between the evaporator wicks 156 to increase the surface contact and enhance efficiency.

In FIGUREIZO is shown means for increasing the velocity of the air after it has passed over the evaporator agents 38e with the nozzle 158 at the outlet of the passage, and using the nozzle 1611 to increase the air velocity before passing the evaporator agents at the right.

FIGURE 2l shows a closed vessel 162 of ceramic material, for example adapted to contain water to be evapo# rated on its outer surface. To cause the air to pass in contact with the said outer surface from inlet 164 to outlet 166, a shield 168 is formed with such inlet and outlets for the air stream. Preferably the shield 168 is of a material to be readily cooled by the evaporative action as the air moves at highl velocity over the rsaid surface, and it may be of ceramic material or of metal, possibly also aluminum. A suitable insulating material` 1701 may be used to reduce absorption of external heat from outside. A closed ceramic chamber is shown in my original patent application mentioned above. This means is effective as a cooling element and, being closed, tends to conlserve the water stored therein, same being out of direct Contact with the atmosphere, etc.

An interesting feature of this invention is its highly efiicient functioning, being as it is a non-mechanical means. Heretofore, to accomplish a reasonable amount of cooling, relatively large equipment has been required, including pumping means for spraying or otherwise distributing water over the absorptive surfaces. With my thermotranspiration element, there is nothing to get out of order. It is self contained and if, `after extended usage, it should be necessary to replace same, it is easily removed and a new element substituted. By my method, the air passing through the element is not only reduced in temperature, but also there is a degree of humidity control whereby the usual objection, of excessive moisture, is overcome.

FIGURES 22 and 23 show another form of the invention, with a housing 200 deining a chamber 202 inside which the porous elements 38 are disposed and partially immersed in water 204 as explained already. There are inlet and outlet openings 206 and 208 to allow air to enter and leave, owing between the spaced elements 38 as shown. Here there is a plurality of closely spaced porous elements 38 so positioned as to cause a stream of air to be laminated as it passes therebetween for the purpose of causing said air to Contact an extended, active surface area exposed by the elements 38. The elements 38 have a wick-like character in that they are adapted to absorb a uid, water, for example, with which they are in partial contact, and present a moist exterior surface from which said moisture evaporates. These elements 38 may be constructed of any material suitable` for the purpose, as for example, a ceramic material, cotton or other fabric, formed as a wick, a porous metallic substance, just so long as the element serves to provide a relatively uniform evaporative film upon the surfaces over which the relatively thin air lamina passes. In FIGURE 22 is shown the complete air treating unit in side elevation, the air passing through the upper section and above the surface of the liquid 204 into which the lower portion of the elements 38 is shown submerged, as one means of supplying fluid thereto, as by Wick action. l p

In FIGURE 24 the construction is similar to that of FIGURES 22 and 23, except that between the evaporator elements 38, to increase molecular diffusion Within these transitional zones, means are provided for setting up eddy or mixing currents within the moving air laminae, For this purpose any suitable means or material may be employed which, while accomplishing the desired end, does not seriously impede the air flow. For example, metallic wool, fiber glass wool, a specially formed thin metallic baile member, etc., may be employed, as at 210. In this View, the air `channels are shown as closed at the top by a plate 212 which may be of the same material as that of the evaporator elements 3S, the same serving to increase somewhat the effective surface area exposed to the air and hence the overall effectiveness of the device.

In FIGURE 25, for example, a thin metallic separator wall 214, of aluminum for example, is so positioned as to cause each lair laminae to pass in two thin streams through each evaporator zone, the cooling effect of the evaporative action tending to reduce the temperature of the metallic separator. The reduction in temperature causes some of the moisture in the air -to condense upon the metallic surface and be retained within the air treating unit.

FIGURE 26 shows schematically an air treating unit wherein the iluid to be evaporated is fed contra-flow by means of nozzle 214 extending through the wall 216 of the housing 218, which has a chamber 220` extending therethrough. The air stream enters through the lower inlet 222 and leaves through the outlet 224, the housing being shown in this form to be generally cylindrical although other shapes may be used for special purposes. Here the iiuid to 4be evaporated is fed contra-flow to the air stream to a diifusing mass or core 226 of fibre-glass,

glass wool, or other similar characteristic material not impeding air ow, and positioned between the two evaporator or wick elements 228 which may be similar to the elements 38 shown in other views herein, which absorb moisture which in turn is evaporated from their surfaces, said evaporation being accelerated by the air current. In this unit, not only is the temperature of the air reduced but the outer wall of the unit, as at 230 is cooled. This View may also represent the section of a well of a cylindrical chambered vessel the interior of which is to be cooled, in which case the evaporating means shown would surround the interior chamber 220. That is to say/,1 would line the vchamber 220, giving it a double wal In FIGURE 27 there is shown a housing 232 with air inlet at 234 and discharge outlet at 236, a connecting duct -being shown at 238. In this construction, the air stream passes through the evaporator element 38 as already explained, as in FIGURE 22, land then through duct 238, ,and returns to the right through second channel 240 as indicated and ilofws out outlet 236. This second channel 240 may contain means for 4further treating the air and may have thus a further cooling means, as in FIGURES 25, 30` or 32, for example. It should be noted that the entering `air from inlet 234 passes through a tube positioned as at 244 in lthe uid supply chamber or pan 246, whereby the temperature of the fluid may be increased by the entering warm air. To increase this effect, where desired, or required, the air may be preheated by any suitable means, as by the electric heater element 248 in the air stream. Or on .the other hand, the uid may be heated by the electric heater element 250 immersed in the pan 246.

In FIGURE 28, another modification is shown, this being a housing 252 Awith air inlet at 254 and outlet at 256, with end conduits 258 and 260 connecting the sequential passages as shown by the arrows. The operating description for FIGURE 27 also applies to FIGURE 28. The operation `of the FIGURE 28 construction is merely that the warmed air passes through the evaporator element, as shown, the added warmth of the air accelerating the evaporative effect in a well known manner'.

FIGURE 32 is a schematic end view of a cooling chamber means 270 above theevaporator system already described, 'with evaporator elements 38 and walls 272 located =as shown. In this case, the metal separating plates 272 projecting upwardly provide a plurality of elongated channels, cooled by the transmitted evaporative effect, through which the air must pass, the degree of cooling affected and other conditions, ambient humidity, etc., causing condensation within Vthese channels and thereby modifying the character of the delivered air as desired.

In FIGURE 30, which is `oriented on FIGURE 32, there is shown the air after passing through the evaporative zone past the elements 38 in the direction of the arro-ws 274, entering the cooling chamber 270, where some moisture may be condensed and returned, through suitable perforations in Iwall 276, and to the fluid source.

FIGURE 29 shows a portion of the housing of any of units described, indicated by the walls shown, whereby, through the resistance heating elements 280 and the wires to the power supply, a thermostatic switch 282 m-ay be in the circuit, so that excessive or dangerous overheating may be avoided by shutting off the circuit automatically on reaching a predetermined temperature.

In these devices as described, it is seen that the principle is employed wherein the air is caused to flow in a plurality of thin streams between a. plurality of spaces between evaporative elements, thereby doubling the effective area to which the laminated streams of air are exposed.

FIGURE 31 shows another modified form of the device, in which there is a housing with a pan at 284 containing a chamber 286 with Water or the like 288 therein, and one or more elements 38 immersed partially therein with their upper portions in the path of the air stream shown by the arrows in the View, from inlet 290. At the same time, there is a raised portion 292 of the housing, to the right of the pan 284, which has no pan per se, the floor 294 thereof being elevated above that of the pan, and thus there is liquid in the pan 284, but no tiuid in the raised portion 292. By disposing the major evaporating elements 38 in the pan section 284, with their lower portions immersed in the water, the air iirst vis cooled by passing between the elements 38 and then passes on to the right tow-ard the outlet end 296, and there are a number of similar air laminating elements 298 disposed in the housing 292 4and resting on the dry floor 294. The elements 288 are similar to those at 38, but are shorter and remain dry for lack of immersion in theliquid. if the entering air has a high moisture content, the evaporative cooling etfect at 38 is lowered and slightly cooled air leaving 31S will be moist. An ob- ,ject of the means shown at 298 is to reduce the moisture content of the air inally leaving 298 while at the same time increasing the cooling effect so las to show a marked temperature reduction between the entering 'at 290 and that leaving at 296. In theory, moisture carried by the air leaving the elements 38 will be partially absorbed by the dry elements 298, thereby first reducing the moisture content thereof and secondly, setting up a secondary evaporative cooling eiect as the moving air stream causes the absorbed moisture to be evaporated from the adjacent surfaces of the elements 298. Thus it not only partially de-humidities theoriginal moist entering air, but also reduces the temperature thereof beyond that which may lbe expected when said air is treated as usual by passing same only through-a conventional evaporative air cooling step. Any excess moisture accumulating at 298 may drain into the pan 284 by sloping the bottom wall 294 thereto.

FIGURE 33 shows another modified form of the invention in which there is a pan 300 containing water 302, and having a number of spaced elements 38 standing partially therein. At the same time, there are a number of metal plates or thin walls 304 also standing in the Water and up to the roof member 306 which roof may be of the same material as members 38. The plates are of metal, aluminum sheet, and are spaced from the elements 38 to deiine air passageways 308 between them and the elements 38 for thepair to be cooled to liow through at right angles to the plane of the drawing, `for the cooling effect mentioned. The plates 304 may also be made of porous metals or alloys made by a process such as powder metallurgy, sintering, pressing, and the like well known in the art of metal makingv giving wick action and high evaporative rate.

Although l have describedmy invention in specific terms, it will be understood that various changes may be made in size, shape, materials and arrangement without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as claimed.

In a relatively small portable unit, the blower capacity may range from about 150 to about 250 cubic feet per minute. It is important that with as little resistance as possible to the passage of the air through the cooling element, said air make contact with maximum evaporative surface during said passage. An important feature of my device. resides in the method whereby an air stream is laminated by being caused to pass between a plurality of relatively parallel evaporative-active surfaces, the evaporator elements preferably being so spaced as to ac- Y commodate the volume of air in transit. lFor example,

it has been found that porous ceramic plates of approxi- 1 mately 1/8 inch in thickness, spaced about 1A inch apart,

assembled so as to afford a plurality of air passages there- 8 between to accommodate the volume of air produces a reduction in the ambient air temperature, as for example, of about five degrees F. more or less, in a room air temperature of degrees Fahrenheit, to provide a cooling effect not obtainable by an electric fan which only re-circulates the ambient air.

Elements of ceramic, clay and such materials as well as cellulose sponge, cotton wicking, glass wool, and the like, capable of absorbing water to be evaporated from a surface tilm, have been found useful. The material may be relatively rigid and self supporting or same may be mounted to maintain its `form and rigidity as for example by stapling or otherwise securing same to an aluminum wire screening fabric or by other suitable means. Relatively ne porosity at the evaporative surface is desirable so long as the wick-action is sufiicient to maintain the desired surface moisture characteristics. By laminating the air stream, I provide a large surface within a confined space, keep the air in contact therewith longer, and offer less resistance to air iiow, for a given optimum end result. Use may also be made of ram-air action, as when in a moving vehicle, as mentioned for FIGURE 20 and other views.

I claim:

l. In au evaporative type air cooler: a housing defining a closed chamber and having an air inlet opening and an air outlet opening; means for drawing air into the housing through the inlet opening and discharging the air through the outlet opening; a plurality of closely spaced moisture absorbent plate elements xedly positioned within the chamber, the plate elements defining passages for the body of air moving from the inlet opening to the outlet opening; a supply of waterwithin the chamber;

capillary action means for delivering water from saidv supply to the plate element surfaces; and means positioned in the spaces between the moisture absorbent plate elements for absorbing and dissipating heat, said means including thin metal plates of 'high thermal conductivity.

2. An air cooling device comprising a housing defining a closed chamber and having an air inlet opening and an air outlet opening; a plurality of spaced moisture absorbing members fixedly positioned within said chamber between the inlet and outlet opening; a thin metallic plate element positioned between each two spaced moisture absorbing members thereby forming a plurality of restricted channels between the absorbing members and .from the chamber through the outlet opening.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,621,766 Bulmer Mar. 22, 1927 1,727,658 Matteson Sept. 10, 1929 2,022,680 Loepsinger Dec. 3, 1935 2,031,055 McKinney Feb. 18, 1936 2,048,694 Harris July 28, 1936 2,562,589 Uttz July 31, 1951 2,594,636 Gazda Apr. 29, 1952 2,614,820 Boydjieif Oct. 21, 1952 2,678,235 Perlman May 11, 1954 2,703,228 Fleisher Mar. 1, 1955 2,749,725 Essrnan et al June 12, 1956 2,774,581 Bowersox Dec. 18, 1956 2,793,015 Thompson May 21, 1957 2,914,308 Bock Nov. 24, 1959

Images