US1972800A - Fluid cooling apparatus - Google Patents

Description

Sept. 4, 1934. F v| SHELR 1,972,800

FLUID COOLING APPARATUS Filed Jan. 3, 1933 il MMU' I A A EEEEEEEEEE Patented Sept. 4, 1934 1,972,800 FLUID cooLrNe APPARATUS Frederick L. Shelor, Richmond, Va., assignor to S. & S. Engineering'Corporation, Richmond, Va., a corporation of Virginia Application January 3, 1933, Serial No. 649,997V

12 Claims. (Cl. (i2-154) The invention relates to new and useful im,- provements in a fluid cooler which may be used for cooling the temperature of a room, or which may be used for cooling drinking water, or for other purposes. g

Prior to my invention, uid coolers have been provided wherein a current of air is passed over an absorbent material saturated with water. The absorbent material is placed on the outer surface l of a receptacle and water from the receptacle is applied thereto through a wick leading into the receptacle. One of the great disadvantages of an apparatus of this character resides in the fact that when the air current is cut off for any reason, the means for supplying Water to the absorbent material continues to function, resulting in the objectionable dripping of Water therefrom.

An object of the present invention is to prof vide a fluid cooler wherein the air vcurrent flow- 2o ing across the Vaporizing surface of the cooler may be stopped and the supply of Water to the vaporizing surface also stopped.

A further object of the invention is to provide an apparatus of the above character-with means for continuously supplying the receptacle with water, so that the supply in the receptacle is maintained at a predetermined level.

A further object of the invention is toprovide an apparatus of the above character wherein a fan may be used for generating an air current, which fan is placed below the receptacle, and wherein means is provided for atomizing any fluid collecting at the bottom of the receptacle and dripping on to the central portion of the fan.

A still further object of the invention is to provide an apparatus of the above type wherein a baille is arranged so as to provide a relatively long path of travel for the air current over the vaporizing surface.

These and other objects will in part be obvious and will in part be hereinafter more fully disclosed.

In the drawing- Figure 1 is a view partly in side elevation and partly in vertical section showing an apparatus embodying the improvements as applied to the cooling of the air in a room;

Fig. 2 is a sectional view on the line 2 2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged view,` showing partly in section and partly in side elevation, the construction of the receptacle for the water and the manner of raising and lowering the same for varying the supply of water to the absorbent material on the outer face thereof; and

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Fig. 4 lis a vertical sectional view showing a cool drinking water.

portion only of the apparatus modied so as to be used for cooling drinking water.

Said apparatus includes a receptacle which is supplied with rater in such a way as to maintain a predetermined level of water.v The receptacle is liquidtight, and may be made of metal or any other suitable :imperviousV material. On the outer face of the receptacle is an absorbent material which lmay be of any desired character which will absorb water and distribute the same so that it'may be quickly vaporized. This material is supplied with water from the receptacle in any suitable Way, and meansA is` provided for varying the amount of water supplied thereto and for cutting off entirely the supply of water,when desired. Surrounding the receptacle and spaced thereto is a casing for directing the air current over the vaporizing surface. When the apparatus is used for cooling a room, the air in the room is caused to circulate through the casing and contact with the vaporizing surface. The vaporizing of the Water Will cool the air. When it is desired to use the apparatus for cooling drinking Water, then a suitable supply pipe and spigot is provided which leads from the inner receptacle to a point outside of the casing. The converting of the water on the surface of the absorbent material into a vapor not only takes heat from the air current flowing over the surface of the absorbent material, but also heat from the receptacle and the water therein.

Referring more indetail to the drawing, the invention is embodied in an apparatus which is provided with an inner receptacle 1 preferably of metal, and which, as shown in the drawingis in4 general, cylindrical.

tacle, however, throughout a greater portion of its extent, at least, is corrugated, thus forming inwardly curved sections 1a with outwardly curved sections 1b therebetween. Located in the recesses formed by the inwardly curved portions 1a are brous cords 2 which extend preferably from the top of the receptacle to the bottom thereof. Surrounding the fibrous cords and the receptacle is a wire mesh cylinder 3 which also extends from the top to the bottomvof the receptacle. The Acollar 4 may be placed around the wire mesh cylinder for rrnly clamping kthe same against the outwardly curved portions 1b of the cylinder, and

This secures the fibrous cords to the receptacle so that they remain xed thereto, as a unit. The inwardly curved portions 1a are provided with a series of openings 5 arranged in a line substantially parallel with the bottom face of the receptacle. There is also a series of openings '7 located above the openings 5.

Surrounding this receptacle 1 is a casing 9. The casing is attached to a supporting base 10 which is provided with openings 11, 11 covered by a suitable screen. Located within the base of the casing is a :motor 12 carrying a fan 13. Surrounding the fan is a sleeve '14 which is attached to the casing at intervals so as to' provide a space 15 between the sleeve: and the casing. Attached to the fan and rotating therewith is a funnel-shaped receptacle 16. Y Y

Located above the fan is aV shaft 17 extending horizontally through the casing and mounted in suitable bearings therein. On the outer end of this shaft is a handle 18 whereby it may be turned'at will. Carried by theshaft is a supporting member l19 having a flat face '2G relatively -close-to the sha't'le' and a flat face 21`at a relatively remote distance therefrom. There are also flat faces 22 and 23 which are radially nearer the shaft than the face 21. The receptacle 1 rests on this supporting member 19. When said supporting member is in the full line position shown in Fig. 3, the receptacleis in its lowest position in thecasing. Wheny the shaft is turned so as to place the supporting member 19v in the broken line position, it will raise the'receptacle to they dotted line position in said Figure 3. If the shaft 17 is turned so as to bring the'iiat face 21 beneath the receptacle, it will be raised to a still higher position.`

Means is provided for supplying the receptacle 1 with water. In the present illustrated embodiment ofthe invention, the casing 9 is shaped so as to provide `a supporting bracket 25 carrying a' supporting member 26 having a seat 27 to receive Vthe' neck of a bottle 28 which is inverted soas to4 project down through said seat. The bottle neck extends down into the receptacle and supplies the receptacle with water. The bottle hasal fixed relation to the casing and will pro'- videin said receptacle a water level' having a fixed position relative to the casing. rI-'his water level is indicatedV by the broken line 24 in Fig. 3 The water levelis not changed, but the recepta- Acle may be raisedand loweredv relative to this vwater level. When in its lowest position,I as shown in Fig. 3, the water level will be above the upper line of openings '7 so that both lines of openings 5 and l are beneath the water level. Water will' pass Aout'through these openings, and contacting with the brous cords, will saturatesaidl cords with water, thus forming on the surfaces of the cords water films. When the shaftl 1`-'7 "is 'rotated to the dotted vline position shown in Fig. 3, then the surface 22 willftake the `position indicated at 22a, and the receptacle will be raised so that the openings 7 will be lifted to the dotted line position indicated vat 7a, While the openings 5 will be liftedto the positionof the openings 'Z'.kv In this posi-tion of the receptacle, only the openings will be beneath the water level and supplyingwater to the brous cords. 'When the shaft -17 is rotated so as to support the receptacle on'the surface 21 of the supporting member 19, then they opening 5 will be raised above the water level and the supply of water -to the brous cords out off. `It will be understood, of course, rthat any number of rows of openings 1,972,eoo

may be provided, and thus the amount of water supplied to the brous cords varied at will, or cut oil entirely, whenever it is desired to render the apparatus inoperative.

Surrounding the bottle is a casing 29 having suitable louvers 30 therein. There are also ports 31 in the'supporting member 26. lThe casing 9 is spaced from the receptacle as noted above, and a spirally laid bafe plate 32 is disposed between the casing and the receptacle so as to provide a Vcir-'cuitous path for the air about the receptacle.

When the motor is connected to its operating circuit, the fan will cause a current of air to flow rthrough this circuitous path between the receptacle andthe casing and to pass on up through the ports 3l and out through the louvers 30. The air will pass into the wire mesh cylinder and cause more or less of a turbulence, thus insuring that the air will contact with the water lm on the cords, giving up heat theretoior the vaporization 'of thewater. Thiswill cool theair; it will also cool the-wall of'vthe receptacle, and the water within the receptacle. The cooled-air passes on up and outthrough the louvers 3o, and will circulate through the room and Ipass' in again through the openings 11. When it is desired to stop the circulation ofthe air, it is very essential that the Water supply to thebrous cords be cut off, otherwise the water will pass outthrough the openings and dripirom'the cords into the ybase Aof the receptacle." Therefore,'when thernotor same. Instead of fibrous cords, it will be understood that the absorbentmaterial forthefwater may be-i'n any Vsuitable form so as to'provide a water film on-the surface thereof over which the air currents pass. The-specic forni shown is purely for the-"purpose of Ailhist'ratir.\.g one ern bodimentof the invention'. The brous cords may be of wicking or woven fabric, or any other similar material. The cords, likewise, be made of other material, such as ui'iglased earthen ware.V The essential feature consists in providrm ing some sort of absorbent material which can be charged or supplied with ywater from the inm ner'reeeptacle, and' which will become saturated so as'to produce a'lm oflwater onits surface over whichv the air currents may pass. g The purpose of the funnel carriedby and rotating with the fan is to catchv any water which may accumulate andfdrip from thelower end of the cords. "Ihe water dropping' intothe funnel will be thrown by centrifugal force in the form of a spray off from the edge' of the funnel and will betaken upby the air currents passing upwardly through the casing. YThe water accumulating on the inner surfaceoffthe casing may pass down through the openings li'vbetween the sleeve surroundingthe-'fanV and the wall of t e casing. I

In Fig. 4 ofthe drawing, there is shown an tachment f for supplying cool drinking water. This is'accomplished by a pipe 33' which into the receptacle-1 andY out throught-he wall thereof, there being awatertight connection between the pipe and the wall Aof the receptacle.

This pipe projects through a slot in the casing 1 and attached to the end thereof is a spigot 34. Attached to the casing is a bracket 35 on which the drinking cup 36 may be placed. The purpose of the slot in the casing is to permit the receptacle 1 to be raised and lowered as described above. The heat absorbed by the vaporization of the water will be taken from the wall of the receptacle, and the water within the receptacle, thus cooling the same. v

Itis obvious that changes in the details of construction and the arrangement of the parts may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.

Having thus described the invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

l. A fluid cooler comprising a liquid-tight receptacle, means for maintaining a predetermined level of water therein, an absorbent material on the exterior of said receptacle, communicating means for supplying water from thereceptacle to said absorbent material for saturating the same, means for directing'a current of air over the surface of the absorbent material for vaporizing the water thereon, and means whereby said communicating means may be shifted at will relative to the level of thewater whereby the supply of water to the absorbent material may be stopped.

2. A iiuid cooler comprising a liquid-tight receptacle, means for maintaining a predetermined level of water therein, an absorbent material on the exterior of said receptacle, communicating means for supplying water from the receptacle to said absorbent material for saturating the same, a casing surrounding said receptacle and forming an air passage therebetween, a motor at the lower end of the receptacle for forcibly directing the current of air through the passage and over the surface of the absorbent material for vaporizing the water thereon, and means whereby said communicating means may be shifted at will relative to the level of the waterl whereby the supply of water to the absorbent material may be stopped.

3. A fluid cooler comprising a liquid-tight receptacle, means for maintaining a predetermined level of water therein, an absorbent material on the exterior of said receptacle, communicating means for supplying water from the receptacle to said absorbent material for saturating the same, a casing surrounding said receptacle and forming an air passage therebetween, a spiral baffle between the casing and receptacle for producing a circuitous passage ior the air, a motor driven fan at the lower end of the receptacle for forcibly supplying an air current through said passage for vaporizing the water thereon, and means whereby said communicating means may be shifted at will relative to the level of the water whereby the supply of water to the absorbent material may be stopped. l

4. A fluid cooler comprising a liquid-tight receptacle, means for maintaining a supply of Water therein, an absorbent material on the exterior of said receptacle, means for supplying water from the receptacle to said absorbent material for saturating the same, a motor driven fan at the lower end of the receptacle for directing a current of air over the surface of the absorbent material for vaporizing the water thereon, and means whereby the supply of water to the absorbent material may be stopped when the motor is stopped.

5. A iiuid cooler comprising a liquid-tight receptacle, a casing surrounding said receptacle and spaced therefrom, a support carriedby the casing above the receptacle on which a Water supplying receptacle may be supported forfeed'- ing water to the receptacle and maintaining la predetermined level of water, an absorbent material on the outer surface of said receptacle,means whereby said absorbent material may, at will, be caused to contact with the water in the receptacle or removed'irom contact therewith, and a motor'- driven Yfan at the lower end of the said'receptacle for driving an air current over the absorbent material. l

6. A fluid cooler comprising a liquid-tight ref ceptacle, a casing surrounding said receptacle and spaced therefrom, means for maintaining the supply of water in said receptacle 'having Va predetermined level relative to the casing, an absorbent material on the exterior of said casing, a series of openings in the wall of said receptacle through which water may be supplied from the receptacle to said absorbent material, and means whereby the receptacle may be raised' and lowered for positioning said openings above or below the predetermined water level for varying the supply of water to said absorbent material or for cutting off entirely the supply thereto.

'7; A fluid cooler comprising a liquid-tight receptacle, a casing surrounding'said receptacle and `spaced therefrom,Y means for maintaining the supply of water in said 4receptacle having a predetermined level relative to the casing, an absorbent material on the exterior of said receptacle, and means whereby water may be supplied to said absorbent material from said receptacle and the supply of water varied or cut off at will.

8. A fluid cooler comprising a liquid-tight receptacle having the Wall thereof formed with inwardly curved portions extending vertically of the receptacle, and forming recesses on the outer face thereof, absorbent material in said recesses, the wall of said receptacle having lines of openings at different levels adjacent the upper end of the receptacle leading from the interior of the receptacle to said recesses for supplying water from the receptacle to the absorbent material, a casing surrounding said receptacle, means for maintaining a supply of water in said receptacle having a predetermined water level of a fixed height relative to said casing, and means for raising-and lowering said receptacle in said casing for varying the position of the opening relative to the water level whereby the supply of water to the absorbent material may be varied or cut off at will.

9. A fluid cooler comprising a liquid-tight receptacle having the wall thereof formed with inwardly curved portions extending vertically of the receptacle, and forming recesses on the outer face thereof, absorben-t material in said recesses, the wall of said receptacle having lines of openings at different levels adjacent the upper end of the receptacle leading from the interior of the receptacle to said recesses for supplying water from the receptacle to the absorben-t material, a wire mesh cylinder surrounding said receptacle and contacting with'the absorbent material in said recesses, a casing surrounding said receptacle, means for maintaining a supply of Water in said receptacle having apredetermined water level of a fixed height relative to said casing, and means for raising and lowering said receptacle in said casing for varying the position of the openings relative to the Water level whereby the supply of -WvfaterY to the; absorbent material `may be Varied on-Acutoff atzwill.

v v-.- Al fluid., coolerf comprising a; liquid-tight receptaclehavingther wall thereof formed with inwardly curved portions extending vertically of i the'receptacle7 and forming recesses vonthe outer, face thereof, absorbent material in said recesses, `thefvvall of. said receptacle having lines of; openingsat di-lTerent-levels adjacent the upperend of the receptacle leadingfrom the interior of the receptaclev to said recesses for supplying water from thereceptacle to the absorbent material, aA casing surrounding said receptacle, means for maintaining a supply of Water in saidreceptacle havingy a predetermined Water levelof a ixedheig-ht relativeto said casing, and means vfor raisingand lowering said receptacle in said casing for- Varying the position of the openings relative-to` the `Water level whereby the` supply of v water tothe absorbent material may bevaried or cut off-at will, saidfcasing being` spaced from said receptacle andhaving a baie plate therein vfor directing an aircurrent over thefsurface ofthe absorbent, material, and a motor driven fan in saidcasing beneath said receptacle 11. A;uidcooler` comprising a-liquid-tight receptacle having the Wall thereof. formed. with inwardly curved portionsextending vertically of the receptacle; and-forming recesses on theouter face-thereof, absorbent material vin said recesses, the Wall. of said receptacle havingV lines ofropeningsfatdiierent. levelsadjacent the upper end of the receptacley leadingfrom the interior of the receptacle to; said recesses, for supplying Water from the, ,receptacleA to the absorbent material, a casingsurroundingsaid1receptacle,rmeans for maintainingfa supply of water in said receptacle having a predetermined'fwater levelfof a fixed height relative to said casing; means for raising and lowering said receptacle. in said casing for varying` the position of the openingsv relative. to the water level whereby the supply of Water tothe absorbent material may-be varied or cut 01T at will, said casing being spaced from said receptacleand'having a bafevplate therein for directing an air current over the surface of the absorbent material,-anda vmotor` driven fan in said easing beneath said receptacle, said fan having a funnel recep-tacle rotating therewith and disposed beneath the rstnamed receptacle'for co1- lecting and vaporizing the Waterdropping from the -absorbentvmaterial.

v 12. A fluid-,cooler comprising a liquid-tight'receptacle,` means for maintaining a supply of Water thereto, an absorbent material on the exterior of thefreceptacle, means for supplying water from the receptacle to theabsorbent material Yfor satu- 1a ting.` the same, means whereby the water supply to the absorbent materialmay be stopped at Will, and manually controlled. meansfor dispensing the Water-from said'receptacle `for drinking purposes.

FREDERICK L. SHELOR..

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