A MOSQUITOE FREE HEALTHY AIR COOLER

Technical Field

This invention in general relates to air coolers with better cool, smell free and healthy air.

State of Art

Air coolers are used in dry hot tropical nations as low capital and running electric cost cooling devices in summer. Air coolers are source of mosquitoes for malaria, dengue etc in summer wasting lot of lives. The cooling is also low.

Existing air coolers have a body with an inside open water tank with a water pump that feeds a top tank to pour on highly porous evaporation pads made of plastic or straw. A low pressure, high volume motorised fan blower, mounted within the body with evaporation pads arranged vertically in its walls collects the cool air and blows into room with adjustable louvers for desired flow of air .The loosely woven fibers of the pad are wetted to provide a large surface of water for cooling evaporation. The pads are thin in thickness. The incoming air is cooled inefficiently because it passes too quickly through the thin pads. Dwell time in contact with the wetted fibers is short. The open water tank allows free growth of mosquitoes to breed and cause disease. The straw pad allows algal and germ growth in summer to create a foul smell that also causes lung infections. Daily cleaning is mandatory but few do it causing epidemics as in India. The cooling is lower and unhealthy as: 1. Water falls on non heat conducting evaporating pads 2. The evaporation is passive. 3. Water sticks to evaporative pads and releasing water vapour from this hydrophilic surface for cooling is lower.4. Straw pads allow growth of algae & bacteria in days that cause foul smell.

The following description gives critical examination of the air coolers known in the art. It also discusses the shortcomings of the conventional air coolers. Further in order to overcome the problem associated with air coolers, the invention offers the solution to overcome the impediments in the construction and the process of using the same.

Constraints in all existing air coolers are as follows:

1. They have a large open water tank to breed insects and cause disease.

2. They have lower air cooling.

3. They are relatively larger in size for the cooling. 4. Often cool air has a foul stale smell as in stagnant ponds in hot tropics.

5. The air coolers are linked to malaria, dengue, bronchitis and other diseases in India.

Accordingly the object of the invention is to identify the problem associated with the conventional air coolers. An extensive search has been carried out using the Internet and related patent specifications were studied for air coolers with better cooling and healthy air. The present invention is radically different, with better cooling with healthy air. So far as is known, all prior art evaporative coolers utilizing evaporation pads require recirculation of unevaporated cooling water from a open reservoir through a pump to pour on and above the upper edge of each pad. Examples of prior art evaporative coolers working on the above principles are found in U.S. Patent Nos. 2,497,947 of Joseph Lewis and 4,204,409 of Satama Kouko. U.S. Patent No. 4,953,83 lof Albrecht discloses a variation, in that the incoming air flows along a passage bordered by the pad rather than directly through it. The standard water circulation for wetting the pad is retained. U.S. Patent No. 5,529,536 of Sizemore has porous flexible pad of plastic fibers is.iormed into an endless belt, which is powered and directed by rollers to dip into and out of a open water reservoir for wetting. The recirculating system is eliminated, but the complication of additional motors and rollers is added.

U.S. Patent No. 2,793,015 of Thompson Marcus utilizes a spray nozzle to inject water from a reservoir into the incoming warm air. The spray wets a pad formed into vertical separated wafers, with the incoming air flowing between. The open tank breeds insects. There are no filters. U.S. Patent No. 2,342,841 of Carraway Thomas discloses the concept of using spray nozzles to introduce water for evaporation. The device includes thermometers and humidistats in the area to be cooled, and a water supplying pump which may be shut off in response to undesirably high humidity in the space to be cooled.

US patent 5,775,580 of Sizemore, et al Evaporative cooling system nas psychometric sensors installed in the air stream of evaporation pad which provide signals to a control device. Air is cooled by one or more mist nozzles in the incoming air stream,

■ the flow of water to which is controlled through analog or digital control devices. US patent 5,722,251 of Nabiulin air cooler has housing with an air inlet zone, air outlet zone, a heat exchanger mounted in the housing and plurality of dry channels extending from the air inlet zone to the air outlet zone. And a second plurality of moist channels each having an inlet and an outlet and alternating with the dry channels cross-flow direction to the direction of the total airflow.

US 5,715,698 of Calton is an evaporative air cooler in which air flows over and along the surface of a wicking material rather than through the wicking material in towel-like in form. The evaporative air cooler has a cooling chamber, the wicking material, a fan assembly.

Wright 's US patent 5,927,097 is evaporative air conditioner with a closed heat exchanger, of stacked plates with corrugations forming channels with an adjacent inclined plate which having two inlet ducts and two outlet ducts forming cool air channels

Caron's US Patent 5,606,865 has cooling coil hose means to circulate a flow of cold water from the faucet of a kitchen sink, through the coil and back into the sink wasting water. Pawlowski 's US patent 5,192,464 is an evaporative cooler having a direct drive fan, a fan shroud creating minimal air flow noise, and a fouling sensor in the water supply A sensor monitors the water supply for excessive mineral fouling, and activates a drain valve if a preset threshold is encountered. A refill valve resupplies with fresh water

Dorall's US 3,953,551 Air cooling apparatus is improved air cooler for use on trailers, campers and the like wherein the cooler has a water tank covered by a baffle with holes to allow water gravitating from the filter to pass through the baffle and return to the tank. AU of these have open water tanks that breed insects. The cooling is lesser.

Accordingly it is the primary objects of the invention to invent a novel air cooler which is unique in design and construction, working and use. Further objects of the invention will be clear from the ensuing description.

Summary of the invention:

The new air cooler has a body with a totally closed black water tank that prevents insect and algal growth in tropics. An electric water pump sends water through plastic tubes with fine holes for water spray onto many vertical aluminium sheets (arranged as in radiators) forming the evaporative surface. Water spray mist has larger surface area and evaporates faster than in old air coolers with better cooling. Also aluminum transfers heat of air to water than the poor heat conductor straw pads of old air coolers. A blower blows cool air into the room. The cooling is faster, better and healthy. Algae and bacteria grow lesser as closed black tanks avoid their growth for healthier cool air. A dust filter mesh in the back of body decreases air dust, pollen and other dirt too.

Statement of Drawings: These and other objects and features of the invention will become more apparent upon perusal of following description taken in conjunction with accompanying drawings wherein:

Figure 1 shows the details of the new air cooler. Figure 2 shows the parts. Figure 3 shows working.

Figure 4 shows an old air cooler.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The following specification describes salient features of invention, the method of construction, the method of use and the advantages of the novel invention.

Existing conventional air cooler Fig 4 comprises a body 1 with an inside open water tank 2 with a water pump 3 sending water through pipe 4 to a top water tub 5 with holes 6 to drop water on evaporative straw pads 7. A blowerδ with a motor 9 blows cool air through front louvers 10 into room. A water pump control 11 and blower control 12 in the body gives needed air flow. The cooling is low and unhealthy as already described.

The new air cooler has a body 1 with an inside totally closed water tank 2. A water pump 3 in water tank sends water through pipe 4 to a series of plastic pipes5 with tiny holes 6 to spray water as tiny droplets that evaporate instantly for faster cooling. The pipes are arranged on top and back surface on aluminium sheets 7 arranged as in radiators forming the evaporative surface. The sheets are arranged as vertical strips in a plastic frame 19 with a less than 5mm gap and a bend for air turbulence. The water is sprayed between the sheet gaps. A blower 8 with a motor 9 blows air through front louvers 10 into room. The cooling is healthier and more. A detachable dust trapping mesh filter 13 is placed at back of the body over the evaporative sheets as air inlet to prevent dust entry. A plastic cone 14 connects the sheets7 to blower inlet for smooth air flow. A water pump control 11 and fan blower control 12 in body gives needed cooling and air flow. The water tank is made as a tub with a lid 15 and a side or front water in let 16 with a cover. A drain 17 with a closing plug removes al! water. The aluminium sheets are above the tank and any unevaporated water falls into water tank by holes 18 in the plastic frame. Unevaporated water droplets are trapped in a plastic mesh 20 placed between the cone and front of evaporator and sent to water tank through holes 18.

Fig 3 shows the working. Water is poured through water inletlό and closed. The cooler is plugged, water pump 11 control, air flow control 12 are set. The room air enters through the back the dust filter mesh 13 and gets filtered. The filtered air passes between aluminium sheets 7 looses heat to metal sheets. Water spray from the holes 6 of water plastic pipes 5 meets the air, evaporates cooling air. Cool moist air passes between metal sheets, passes through cone 14 into the blower 8 inlet, through the front louvers 10 and cools the room. The water pump control 11 and blower control 12 gives needed water

flow and air flow for effective air cooling. The water tank is sealed and there is no entry, growth of mosquitoes - hence no diseases. Algae and bacteria do not grow on aluminium sheets. Hence there is no smell. The cooling is more as multiple water sprays are spread out all over the aluminium sheets. The droplets evaporate faster producing better cooling with no smell. The Cone 14 channelizes the cool air into blower inlet. Any unevaporated water on aluminium sheets falls down into the tank by holes 18 for reuse.

The cooling is more and healthy: 1.Heat of air is first transferred to aluminium sheets- a good conductor. 2Water spray bubbles have a larger surface area, explode and evaporate faster than water films 3. Water falling on aluminum sheets cools the sheets to cool more air. 4 Multiple rows of spray holes on back and top of aluminium sheets is new and increased air water contact producing better evaporation. 5. The resistance of vertical sheets to air suction by the blower is lesser than pads allowing for more air suction by the same blower for larger air cooling.6. The bend in the vertical sheets creates turbulences in air flow for good water evaporation and air cooling.7. Algae do not grow on metal sheets. 8. Black water tank has no entry point for mosquitoes or its growth.9.For the same water pump and air blower, more cool air is produced increasing the efficiency of cooling with no smell and disease.

The Body is made of non- wetting non electrical conducting plastics with bottom castors, back air inlet covered by a detachable dust filter 13, top front louvers 10 and fitting for water and air flow controls 11, 12. A water level indicator21 is shown on the front as in old air coolers. The black water tank may be made as a separate tub with a Iidl5, drain 17 and side or front water inlet 16 and fitted inside the body of air cooler. Or, inside of the body itself with a water inlet, drain may be used as water tank. Water pump is fixed on the floor of water tank and water pipe 4 leaves the top water tank lid in a correct fitting hole22. The tank top lid 15 is closed. Aluminum strips7 of desired length and width are arranged on a frame 19 and mounted on top of water tank2. The cone 14, blower 8with motor 9 are fitted front of the evaporator sheets. The air blower outlet feeds the louvers 10 of the body front to cool the room. Electrical connections of the water

pump3, blower motor9 and their controls 1 1, 12, sensors and display are connected through a distribution junction inside the body.

The Device may be modified. The body is made as 3 parts, lower water tank, middle with blower, cone, evaporator and dust filter and the top with louvers and controls fitted as a single piece. Water pump may be submersible or non submersible. Aluminum sheets may be arranged in any other manner with water spray in between. Additional fan may be placed behind the sheets to increase heat content. Electronic thermostats are used to vary the fan speed automatically, and switch the pump and fan on and of. Automatic Shutoff Dampers are flaps in the air inlet, which opens when the blower starts, and closes when the switched off. This eliminates the need to cover the cooler with a bag at the end of summer. An automatic water level controller automatically may maintain the water level (which is predetermined and set at the factory) in the water tank for window air coolers with main water pipe connection. Window air coolers may have no castors. Front louvers may be motorized. The air cooler size varies with needed air flow- water tank, fan blower, water pump, the evaporator, the body increasing for larger air flow. The fan blower may be held in horizontal position. A water trapping mesh may be placed in front of aluminum sheets 20 to trap and return unevaporated water drops to the water tank through holes 18 in aluminium sheet frame. Compressed air can be used to spray faster. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that modifications to the invention described herein can readily be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. Protection is sought for all the subject matter described herein including any such modifications. Advantages of the new invention: 1. The new air cooler has healthy smell free air. 2. The cooling is better as water spray evaporates faster than film.

3. The closed black water tank prevents mosquitoes and algal growth.

4. The same blower gives more air as the metal sheets give lesser resistance.

5. Aluminium sheets transfers heat better than straw or plastic pads.

6. This is smaller in size, cheaper and efficient.