US1962644A - Air conditioning device - Google Patents

Description

Julie 12, 1934. C, H, KmwELL .un cormrlolum Davrqs Filed June 22, 1932 m .mm @ha mm 1% 1115 Avrorehuzvsv Patented June 12, 1934 UNITED STATES AIR CONDITIONING DEVICE Cleo Harold Kidwell, Dongan Hills, Staten Island, N. Y., assigner to Kidwell & Co. Inc., WestI New Brighton, Staten Island, N. Y., a corporation of New York Application June 22, 1932, Serial No. 618,616

3 Claims.

The present invention relates to air conditioning apparatus and embodies, more specifically, an improved device for cooling and humidifying a current of air. More particularly, the invention 5 embodies an air conditioning apparatus wherein means is provided for maintaining a predetermined surface in a desired moisture-laden condition, such surface being subjected to a flow of air whereby moisture from the surface is evaporated to humidify and cool the lair leaving the surface. In this connection, it is recognized that devices have heretofore been provided for conditioning air by subjecting it to moisture-laden surfaces in order that the evaporation of moisture from such surfaces may humidify and reduce the temperature of the air. It is also known to provide devices of thischaracter wherein an air current is successively baffled by suitable conditioning apparatus and the present invention seeks to provide an improved conditioning apparatus whereby the flow of air therethrough is subjected to a conditioning surface which is maintained in a uniformly moisture-laden condition, tne apparatus being simple in construction and effective in operation.

An object of the invention, accordingly, is to provide an air conditioning apparatus whereby a suitable conditioning surface is 'maintained in a predetermined moisture-laden condition whereby the effective conditioning of air currents passing vthereover is provided.

A further object of the invention is to provide a conditioning apparatus of the above character wherein the conditioning surface is rotatably mounted in order that it may rotate in response lto the flow of fluid thereover.

A further object of the invention is to provide an air conditioning apparatus having a conditioning rotor formed with surfaces of wettable material, means being provided to supply moisture to such surface in a predetermined fashion.

A further object of the invention is to provide a conditioning apparatus ofthe above character wherein the wettable material is mounted upon a rotor and is rotated by the flow of airtherethrough.

A further object of the invention is to provide a conditioning apparatus having a rotor of the character described above and means to direct a 55. a means for supplying moisture to a conditioning apparatus in such quantity that the conditioning apparatus is in a predetermined moisture-laden condition without causing air currents thereover to pick up and direct a spray of water therefrom.

A further object of theinvention is to provide a conditioning apparatus having the foregoing characteristics and being simple of construction whereby the same may be readily manufactured and operated, at the same time serving to condition, effectively, air currents subjected thereto.

Further objects, not specifically enumerated above, will be apparent as the invention is described in greater detail in connection with the. accompanying drawing, wherein:

Figure 1 is a view in section, taken on line 1-1 of Figure 2, and looking in the direction of the arrows, showing one form of apparatus constructed in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 2 is a View in front elevation, showing the device of Figure 1. l

Figure 3 is a detail segmental view taken through the axis of the rotor shown in Figures 1 and 2, and illustrating the construction of the blades thereof.

Figure 4 is an enlarged view of the rotor in elevation.

With reference to the above drawing' the invention will be seen to include a cabinet-like unita whichl may be of any suitable size and shape, these elementsbeing available in accordance with the taste and requirements of individual installations and not forming any part of the present invention. The specific construction shown includes a rectangularly shaped cabinet 90 having a reservoir b formed in the upper portion thereof. This reservoir may be filled through a filler spout c having a cap d which, when secured in position, seals the reservoir from the' atmosphere. 95

Adjacent the lower portion ofthe cabinet, a water pan e is provided, a conduit f communicating between the reservoir and the Water pan. A valve or stop cock g is provided in the conduit f in order that the latter may bel closed when the cap d is removed to fill the reservoir b, thus preventing the discharge of the contents of the reservoir b into the water pan e under such conditicns.v

Between the reservoir and Water pan, the cabinet is formed with a rear rectangular opening h and a front circular opening i having a lower straight edge y' whichv serves to prevent the overflow of water from. the water pan e. I The length of pipe f is made such as toy preserve a water frames have inturned endsp which engage aper-l tures or recesses within the discs n and the 'frames o are adapted to be inserted within pockets q which are formed of a suitablefabric and drawn overthe respective frames. A peripheral band 1- of material issecured to the ends of the pockets q and the ends of this band are sewed together to form an annular element shown in Figures 2 and 4.

It has been found that capillarity does not supply moisture fast enough to an absorbent surface to maintain a sufficient quantity of moisture therein to produce maximum evaporation of moisture when a volume of air is passed over the surface from the standard electric fans now available for home use. Accordingly, therefore, the present invention seeks to provide a device wherein the capillary action is supplemented by the flow of moisture under gravitational action to maintainthe surface of the rotor in a statewherein maximum moisture is preserved therein. This operation, in the form of the invention illustrated herein, necessitates the rotation of the conditioning member, such rotation being effected by the mounting of the rotor l upon brackets s and v. Bracket s may be angularly formed and secured vto the inner side of the front wall of the cabinet to journal an extension t of shaft m therein. Bracket e is formed with notches x at either end thereof which are adapted to engage pins w upon the rear inner side of the cabinet and this bracket journals an extension u of the shaft m. Such construction enables the rotor to be removed by lifting the bracket e and removing the rotor from the rear of the cabinet, as will be readily apparent from Figure 2. In order that the rotor may be mounted as near the rear side ofthe cabinet as possible, extension u is preferably shorter than extension t.

Behind the cabinet, a fan y is placed, the fan being mounted to direct air through the rotor, as

will be apparent from an inspection of Figure 1.

lInasmuch as the blades of the fan are at an "angle to a plane passing perpendicularly through the axis thereof, the planes of the frames o and pockets q' may Dass through or be parallel to the axis of shaft m. The air which is directed through the rotor will thus have a driving effect upon the rotor and cause the rotation thereof to drive the wetted portion of the peripheral band 1' to the top to cause the rotor to become saturated with moisture. Handles z may be secured to the sides ofthe cabinetto facilitate carrying the same and the operation of the device will be readily apparent. Inasmuch as the cooling and humidifying of the volume of air from the fan is-effected, it is desirable that the velocity of the air passing through the'device be such as to enable a maximum moisture absorption to take place per unit volume of air.

In order that the level of the water within the pan e may be regulated as desired, the conduit is mounted with capacity for vertical adjustment. While the particular means for mounting tlry conduit j adjustable vertically may be varied, one form of adjustable mounting is shown in the drawings and includes a knurled adjustable nut f' which may be threaded to the lower outlet of the valve casing g. This nut is apertured to receive l the end of conduit f, the latter being provided with a washer` of rubber or other suitable ma terial f2 which is adapted to be secured between the nut and the valve casing. When the nut is tightened the Washer f2 is compressed against.

during its movement therethrough. By reason of i the evaporation which vtakes place', the air issuing from the cabinet isat a lower temperature than the entering air, the latent heat of vaporization having been removed therefrom.

The specific material from whichk the rotor is made, as well as the angle of the blades and construction -of associated elements may be varied 4to suit individual requirements Without departing from the scope of the present invention. The fan may be embodied Within the unit if desired and other changes made to adapt the structure for various uses, the scope of the invention being defined in the appended claims.

I claim as my invention:

l. An air conditioning apparatus adapted for use in connection with a fiow of air comprising a. water pan, a rotatable member on the pan formed with a hub, a plurality of frames extending outwardly from the hub, a plurality of pocket form.- ing fabric members for the respective frames, and a fabric band connecting the ends of the pocket forming members and forming a peripheral band for the rotatable member.

2. An air conditioning apparatus comprising a cabinet formed with front and rear apertures, a Water pan in' the cabinet below the apertures, a reservoir in the cabinet above the apertures, a

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conduit communicating with the" reservoir and having an open end extending into the water pan, a valve in the conduit, a rotor mounted in the cabinet, a plurality of fabric arms having extended outer edges on the rotor, and a peripheral fabric band connected tothe ends of the arms along and contacting directly with the extended outer edges thereof, said rotor being so positioned and mounted as to extend into said Water pan at its lower edge.

' v3, In'combination with. means to supply a flow of air having eddies and currents at angles to the direction of flow, a rotor adapted to be driven by such air fiow, said rotor comprising a rotatable hub having a plurality of flat supporting members extending outwardly `therefrom and lying in planes substantially parallel to and radially disposed from the axis of rotation of the hub, water Wettable members extending along and attached to said flat supporting members, and means to CLEO OLD :fim-

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