Evaporative cooling apparatus

Claim 2

An evaporative cooling apparatus comprising: a housing having an air entry side, an air exit side, and a sump; cooling media contained in said housing, said cooling media having an air inlet portion and an air outlet portion, said air inlet portion being adjacent said air entry side of said housing; a fresh water delivery system for delivering fresh water to said air inlet portion of said cooling media; a recirculated water delivery system for delivering sump water from said sump to said air outlet side of said cooling media; and a fan section proximate said air exit side of said housing, said fan section drawing air through said air entry side of said housing and into said cooling media from said air inlet portion through said air outlet portion to cool said air.

Claim 3

An evaporative cooling apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said fresh water is obtained from a water source external to said evaporative cooling apparatus, and said fresh water delivery system comprises: an inlet adapted to receive said fresh water from said water source; and a distributor element positioned proximate an upper edge of said cooling media, said distributor element being in fluid communication with said inlet for receiving said fresh water, and said distributor element having an opening through which said fresh water flows from said distributor element over said air inlet portion of said cooling media.

Claim 4

An evaporative cooling apparatus as claimed in claim 2 wherein said fresh water delivery system further comprises a float valve in fluid communication with said inlet for enabling receipt of said fresh water into said fresh water delivery system from said water source in response to a water level in said sump.

Claim 5

An evaporative cooling apparatus as claimed in claim 2 wherein said distributor element is a pipe, and said opening is one of a plurality of spaced-apart openings along said pipe.

Claim 6

An evaporative cooling apparatus as claimed in claim 4 further comprising a shield covering said pipe, said shield directing said fresh water over a face of said air inlet portion of said cooling media.

Claim 7

An evaporative cooling apparatus as claimed in claim 5 wherein each of said plurality of spaced-apart openings is upwardly and forwardly oriented on said pipe to cause said fresh water exiting said each opening to contact an inside front surface of said shield.

Claim 8

An evaporative cooling apparatus as claimed in claim 5 wherein said shield includes a front surface having a downwardly extending lip, said lip covers an upper edge of said cooling media, and said fresh water flows through a gap between said lip and said upper edge of said cooling media over said face of said air inlet portion of said cooling media.

Claim 9

An evaporative cooling apparatus as claimed in claim 2 wherein said distributor element comprises: a front section directed downwardly relative to a top surface of said cooling media and concealing said upper edge of said cooling media; a bottom section contiguous with said front section and extending toward said cooling media; a back section contiguous with said bottom section and directed toward said top surface of said cooling media; and a top section contiguous with said back section and directed away from said cooling media, said front, bottom, back, and top sections cooperating to form a cavity in said distributor element into which said fresh water flows from said inlet.

Claim 10

An evaporative cooling apparatus as claimed in claim 8 wherein said opening is a slot formed between said top section and an inner surface of said front section, and said fresh water flows from said slot through a gap between said back section and said upper edge of said cooling media over said face of said air inlet portion of said cooling media.

Claim 11

An evaporative cooling apparatus as claimed in claim 9 wherein said fresh water delivery system further comprises wicking material positioned in said slot.

Claim 12

An evaporative cooling apparatus as claimed in claim 8 wherein said top section is coupled to an inner surface of said front section to form a watertight seal between said top section and said inner surface, and said opening is one of a plurality of spaced-apart notches along said top section, and said fresh water flows from said spaced-apart notches through a gap between said back section and said upper edge of said cooling media over said face of said air inlet portion of said cooling media.

Claim 13

An evaporative cooling apparatus as claimed in claim 8 wherein said front section includes an aperture in fluid communication with said inlet for receiving said fresh water.

Claim 14

An evaporative cooling apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said recirculated water delivery system comprises: a pump having a water inlet positioned in said sump for drawing said sump water from said sump and having a water outlet; and a distributor element having a first end in communication with said water outlet of said pump for receiving said sump water, and a longitudinal portion positioned above said cooling media and including an opening for allowing a flow of said sump water from said distributor element over said air outlet portion of said cooler pad.

Claim 15

An evaporative cooling apparatus as claimed in claim 13 wherein said recirculated water delivery system further comprises: a control valve in communication with a second end of said distributor element, said control valve being in a closed position to prevent escape of said sump water from said recirculated water delivery system; and an outlet in fluid communication with an outlet side of said control valve, said control valve being periodically opened to expel said sump water from said distributor element through said outlet.

Claim 16

An evaporative cooling apparatus as claimed in claim 14 further comprising a timer for actuating said control valve to open at predetermined intervals.

Claim 17

An evaporative cooling apparatus as claimed in claim 14 further comprising a conductivity sensor for actuating said control valve to open when a detected particulate content of said sump water exceeds a predetermined particulate content level.

Claim 18

An evaporative cooling apparatus as claimed in claim 13 further comprising a shield covering said longitudinal portion of said distributor element, said shield directing said sump water over said air outlet portion of said cooling media.

Claim 19

An evaporative cooling apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein: said fresh water delivery system comprises a first distributor element having a first opening for allowing a flow of said fresh water from said first distributor element to said air inlet portion of said cooling media; said recirculated water delivery system comprises a second distributor element having a second opening for allowing a flow of said sump water from said second distributor element to said air outlet portion of said cooling media; and said evaporative cooling apparatus further comprises a shield positioned over said cooling media, said shield having a partition separating said shield into a first compartment and a second compartment, said first distributor element being positioned in said first compartment, and said second distributor element being positioned in said second compartment.

Claim 20

An evaporative cooling apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said fresh water is obtained from a water source external to said evaporative cooling apparatus, and said evaporative cooling apparatus further comprises a backflow prevention device in fluid communication with said fresh water delivery system for preventing a flow of said sump water toward said water source.

Claim 21

In an evaporative cooling apparatus, a method for controlling a buildup of mineral deposits, said evaporative cooling apparatus including cooling media contained in a housing, a fresh water delivery system for delivering fresh water from an external source to an air inlet portion of said cooling media, and a recirculated water delivery system for delivering sump water from a sump of said housing to an air outlet portion of said cooling media, said method comprising: positioning said fresh water delivery system proximate said air inlet portion of said cooling media; positioning said recirculated water delivery system proximate said air outlet portion of said cooling media; delivering said sump water through said recirculated water delivery system to said air outlet side of said cooling media to wet said air outlet side of said media; and periodically flushing a quantity of said sump water from said evaporative cooling apparatus via said recirculated water delivery system.

Claim 22

In an evaporative cooling apparatus, a method for controlling a buildup of mineral deposits, said evaporative cooling apparatus including cooling media contained in a housing, a fresh water delivery system for delivering fresh water from an external source to an air inlet portion of said cooling media, and a recirculated water delivery system for delivering sump water from a sump of said housing to an air outlet portion of said cooling media, said method comprising: positioning said fresh water delivery system proximate said air inlet portion of said cooling media; positioning said recirculated water delivery system proximate said air outlet portion of said cooling media; delivering said sump water through said recirculated water delivery system to said air outlet side of said cooling media to wet said air outlet side of said media; and periodically flushing a quantity of said sump water from said evaporative cooling apparatus via said recirculated water delivery system.

Claim 23

A method as claimed in claim 20 further comprising cleaning particulates that cause said buildup of mineral deposits from an interior surface of said recirculated water delivery system by a rapid flow of said sump water through said recirculated water delivery system during said flushing operation.

Claim 24

A method as claimed in claim 21 further comprising: sensing a decrease in a water level in said sump responsive to said flushing operation; enabling a flow of said fresh water into said fresh water delivery system in response to said sensing operation; and rinsing said air inlet portion of said cooling media with said fresh water following said enabling operation to remove said particulates from said air inlet portion of said cooling media.

Claim 25

A method as claimed in claim 22 further comprising performing said flushing, cleaning, and rinsing operations substantially simultaneously.

Claim 26

An evaporative cooling apparatus for utilizing fresh water obtained from an external water source to control a buildup of mineral deposits in said apparatus, said apparatus comprising: a housing having an air entry side, an air exit side, and a sump; cooling media contained in said housing, said cooling media having an air inlet portion and an air outlet portion , said air inlet portion being adjacent said air entry side of said housing; a fresh water delivery system for delivering said fresh water to said air inlet portion of said cooling media, said fresh water delivery system including: an inlet adapted to receive said fresh water from said external water source; a float valve coupled to said inlet for enabling receipt of said fresh water into said fresh water delivery system from said water source in response to a water level in said sump; and a distributor element having a first end in fluid communication with said inlet for receiving said fresh water, said distributor element being positioned above said cooling media and including an opening through which said fresh water flows from said distributor element over said air inlet portion of said cooling media; a shield covering said distributor element, said shield directing said fresh water over a face of said air inlet portion of said cooling media; a recirculated water delivery system for delivering sump water from said sump to said air outlet side of said cooling media; and a fan section proximate said air exit side of said housing, said fan section drawing air through said air entry side of said housing and into said cooling media from said air inlet portion through said air outlet portion to cool said air.

Claim 27

An evaporative cooling apparatus for utilizing fresh water obtained from an external water source to control a buildup of mineral deposits in said apparatus, said apparatus comprising: a housing having an air entry side, an air exit side, and a sump; cooling media contained in said housing, said cooling media having an air inlet portion and an air outlet portion , said air inlet portion being adjacent said air entry side of said housing; a fresh water delivery system for delivering said fresh water to said air inlet portion of said cooling media, said fresh water delivery system including: an inlet adapted to receive said fresh water from said external water source; a float valve coupled to said inlet for enabling receipt of said fresh water into said fresh water delivery system from said water source in response to a water level in said sump; and a distributor element having a first end in fluid communication with said inlet for receiving said fresh water, said distributor element being positioned above said cooling media and including an opening through which said fresh water flows from said distributor element over said air inlet portion of said cooling media; a shield covering said distributor element, said shield directing said fresh water over a face of said air inlet portion of said cooling media; a recirculated water delivery system for delivering sump water from said sump to said air outlet side of said cooling media; and a fan section proximate said air exit side of said housing, said fan section drawing air through said air entry side of said housing and into said cooling media from said air inlet portion through said air outlet portion to cool said air.

Claim 28

An evaporative cooling apparatus as claimed in claim 24 wherein said recirculated water delivery system comprises: a pump having a water inlet positioned in said sump for drawing said sump water from said sump and having a water outlet; a distributor element having a first end in communication with said water outlet of said pump for receiving said sump water, and a longitudinal portion positioned above said cooling media and including an opening for allowing a flow of said sump water from said distributor element over said air outlet portion of said cooler pad; a control valve in communication with a second end of said distributor element; and an outlet in fluid communication with an outlet side of said control valve, said control valve being periodically opened to expel said sump water from said distributor element through said outlet lowering said water level in said sump and causing said float valve to enable receipt of said fresh water.

Claim 29

An evaporative cooling apparatus as claimed in claim 25 wherein said opening in said distributor element is upwardly and forwardly positioned to cause said fresh water exiting said opening to contact an inside front surface of said shield.

Claim 30

An evaporative cooling apparatus for utilizing fresh water obtained from an external water source to control a buildup of mineral deposits in said apparatus, said apparatus comprising: a housing having an air entry side, an air exit side, and a sump; cooling media contained in said housing, said cooling media having an air inlet portion and an air outlet portion, said air inlet portion being adjacent said air entry side of said housing; a fresh water delivery system including: a fresh water inlet adapted to receive said fresh water from said water source; and a first distributor element in fluid communication with said fresh water inlet for receiving said fresh water, said first distributor element being positioned proximate said cooling media, and said first distributor element including a first opening through which said fresh water flows from said first distributor element over said air inlet portion of said cooling media; a recirculated water delivery system including: a pump having a water inlet positioned in said sump for drawing said sump water from said sump and having a water outlet; and a second distributor element having an inlet end in communication with said water outlet of said pump for receiving said sump water, and a longitudinal portion positioned above said cooling media and including a second opening for allowing a flow of said sump water from said second distributor element over said air outlet portion of said cooler pad; and a fan section proximate said air exit side of said housing, said fan section drawing air through said air entry side of said housing, said air being pulled through said cooling media from said air inlet portion through said air outlet portion to cool said air.

Claim 31

An evaporative cooling apparatus for utilizing fresh water obtained from an external water source to control a buildup of mineral deposits in said apparatus, said apparatus comprising: a housing having an air entry side, an air exit side, and a sump; cooling media contained in said housing, said cooling media having an air inlet portion and an air outlet portion, said air inlet portion being adjacent said air entry side of said housing; a fresh water delivery system including: a fresh water inlet adapted to receive said fresh water from said water source; and a first distributor element in fluid communication with said fresh water inlet for receiving said fresh water, said first distributor element being positioned proximate said cooling media, and said first distributor element including a first opening through which said fresh water flows from said first distributor element over said air inlet portion of said cooling media; a recirculated water delivery system including: a pump having a water inlet positioned in said sump for drawing said sump water from said sump and having a water outlet; and a second distributor element having an inlet end in communication with said water outlet of said pump for receiving said sump water, and a longitudinal portion positioned above said cooling media and including a second opening for allowing a flow of said sump water from said second distributor element over said air outlet portion of said cooler pad; and a fan section proximate said air exit side of said housing, said fan section drawing air through said air entry side of said housing, said air being pulled through said cooling media from said air inlet portion through said air outlet portion to cool said air.

Claim 32

An evaporative cooling apparatus as claimed in claim 27 further comprising: a first shield covering said first distributor element, said first shield directing said fresh water over a face of said air inlet portion of said cooling media; and a second shield covering said longitudinal portion of said second distributor element, said second shield directing said sump water over said air outlet portion of said cooling media.

Claim 33

An evaporative cooling apparatus as claimed in claim 27 further comprising: said first distributor element comprises: a front section directed downwardly from a top surface of said cooling media and concealing said upper edge of said cooling media; a bottom section contiguous with said front section and extending toward said cooling media; a back section contiguous with said bottom section and directed toward said top surface of said cooling media; and a top section contiguous with said back section and directed away from said cooling media, said front, bottom, back , and top sections cooperating to form a cavity in said distributor element into which said fresh water flows from said inlet; a shield covering said longitudinal portion of said second distributor element, said shield directing said sump water over said air outlet portion of said cooling media; and a partition interposed between said front section of said first distributor element and said shield.