Abstract An evaporative cooler pad consisting of loosely packed, randomly oriented fibers of balsam poplar (Populus tacamahaca) also known as balm of Gilead, which are generally ribbon-shaped and which are coated with a thin layer of Portland cement that is water-absorbent and has a granular surface. Balsam poplar has the unique property of forming a firm, adherent bond to the Portland cement, and the cement-coated ribbons of wood absorb and diffuse moisture over their entire surface in the manner of a blotter, so that they become uniformly damp without being excessively wet. The damp, Portland-cement coated fibers present a large surface area of moisture to the air, thereby facilitating rapid evaporation for good cooling effect, without allowing the air to pick up and carry along any fine droplets of water, which would make it wet. The damp, cement-coated fibers also cool without adding appreciably to the humidity in the air. The pad is relatively rigid and self-supporting, and does not require the usual wire cage that is used to contain aspen excelsior pads.
An evaporative cooler pad comprising: a pad of loosely packed, randomly oriented, ribbon-like wood fiber strands of balsam poplar (Populus tacamahaca) having a thin layer of Portland cement surrounding and enclosing each strand; said strands being separated from one another along the greater part of their respective lengths, forming interconnecting interstices, or passageways, from one side of the pad to the other, whereby air is allowed to flow freely through the pad; said pad being dampened by water that is discharged onto the top part and allowed to flow by gravity down to the bottom of the pad, while air is drawn through said interstices and passageways from one side of the pad to the other; the cement coating on each of said strands having a fine-grained, granular surface that is porous and produces a strong capillary action on water, causing a thin film of moisture to adhere to the surface of the coating, whereby a minimum of water provides a maximum area of moist surface to be cooled by evaporation, with a minimum increase in relative humidity of the air passing through the pad.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
185 words
An evaporative cooler pad comprising: a pad of loosely packed, randomly oriented, ribbon-like wood fiber strands of balsam poplar (Populus tacamahaca) having a thin layer of Portland cement surrounding and enclosing each strand; said strands being separated from one another along the greater part of their respective lengths, forming interconnecting interstices, or passageways, from one side of the pad to the other, whereby air is allowed to flow freely through the pad; said pad being dampened by water that is discharged onto the top part and allowed to flow by gravity down to the bottom of the pad, while air is drawn through said interstices and passageways from one side of the pad to the other; the cement coating on each of said strands having a fine-grained, granular surface that is porous and produces a strong capillary action on water, causing a thin film of moisture to adhere to the surface of the coating, whereby a minimum of water provides a maximum area of moist surface to be cooled by evaporation, with a minimum increase in relative humidity of the air passing through the pad.