US2202235A - Air cooler and/or humidifier - Google Patents

Description

May2s,194o.' 'wn-SMITH 2,202,235

AIR COOLER AND/OR HUMIDIFIER ,.Filed Sept. 12, 1958 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 May 28, 1940.l w D `SMH-H y 2,202,235

AIR COOLER AND/0R HUMIDIFIER I Filed Sept. 12, 1938 5 Sheet-Sheet 2 'Hull III' illu

May 28, 1940. w. D. sMrrH 2,202,235

AIR COOLER AND/0R HUMIDIFIER Filed Sept. l2, 1938 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Patented May 28, 1940 UNITED STATES PATENT oFFlCE 2 Claims.

This invention relates to an air cooler and humidifier and while the invention may have various applications, it is particularly illustrated in the form of a comparatively small portable device suitable for use in rooms of a dwelling It is now universally recognized that it is desirable and benecial to keep the humidity of the air Aabove a certain point. It is desirable during the hot periods to have a current of air in the room and to have the air cooled. If a fan is used which merely blows the dry air of the room over the occupants, discomfort and stiffness of the muscles results. This objection is avoided if the air which is moved carries a certain amount of moisture. y

It is an object of this invention therefore, to provide a simple, compact, portable and eicient device for cooling and humidifying the air and one which may be placed at Various points in a room.

It is a further object of the invention `to provide an air cooler and/or humidifier comprising a casing having water therein and an opening in one wall together with one or more rapidly rotated disks or disk-like members which project a fine spray upwardly in said casing with means for causing a current of air toy pass throughsaid spray and out at said opening.

It is another object of the invention to provide such a device as set forth in the preceding paragraph, said casing preferably having an open top into which ts a removable water container having means extending therefrom downwardly into said casing for maintaining a level therein, said container being removable and portable so that said means may be used in connection with faucet to ll said container. f

It is still further an object of the invention to provide an air cooler 'and/or humidier comprising a casing in which are mounted one or more disk-like members, a shaft to which said members are secured, a I notor being resiliently mounted on said casing at the outer side thereof for driving said shaft and rotating said members at high speed together with means for preventing water from passing out of said casing about said shaft.

It is also an object of the invention to provide an air cooler and humidier comprising a casing having a front Wall with an opening therein, means for producing a spray in said casing, efcient baiile means for preventing particles of water from passing out of said casing, means for passing a current of air through said spray and out of said opening together with a drain and air deecting means.

It is another object of the invention to provide an air cooler and humidifier comprising a casing adapted to contain water in its lower portion 5 and having an open upper end with means adjacent said upper end for supporting a removable water container which may be made of metal o-r glass and which forms the top part of said casing.

-These and other objects and advantages of the invention will be fully set forth in the following descrip-tion made in connection with the accompanying drawings in which like reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the sev- 15.y

eral views and in which: Fig. 1 is a view in front elevation of the device;

Fig. 2 is a vertical section taken on line 2-2 of Fig. 3 as indicated by the arrows;

Fig. 3 is a horizontal section taken on line 3-3 of Fig. 2 as indicated by the arrows;

Fig. 4 is a view in rear elevation of said device;

Fig. 5 vis a vertical section taken on line 5-5 25 of Fig. 2 as indicated bythe arrows;

Fig. 6 is a horizontal section taken on line 6 6 of Fig. 5 as indicated by the arrows;

Fig. 7 is a horizontal section taken on line l-- of Fig. 4 as indicated bythe arrows;

Fig. 8 is a rear View of a modified form of the device;

Fig. 9 is a vertical section taken online 9-9 of Fig. 8 as indicated by the arrows;

Fig. 10 is horizontal section' taken on line 35 llllllV of Fig. Sas indicated by the arrows; and

Fig. 11 is a partial view-similar to Fig. 9, some parts being broken away and others shown in Vertical section and shown on an enlarged scale.

Referring to thedrawings a device is shown 40 comprising a casing I5. While this casing might take various forms, in the embodiment of the invention illustrated it is shown as being substantially rectangular in horizontal cross section, the same having side Walls |511, a rear wall 45 secured to rear wall |5b, the same being shown as having spaced holes in its casing |6a through which pass headed and nutted bolts |1, washers I8 of resilient material being disposed at either side of casing |6a and one pair of these engaging the outer side of wall |51). The nuts on bolts I1 engage the inner side of wall |5b and the heads of bolts l1 engage washers I9 overlying the outer washers |8. Motor I6 drives a shaft 20 extending through wall |5b and having secured thereto within the lower part of casing l5 a plurality of disks or disk-like members 2|.

Spacing sleeves 22 surround shaft 28 between*y disks 2| and a short sleeve 23 is secured to shaft 20 at the rear side of the rear disk 2| or the disk adjacent rear wall |5h. Sleeve 23 is secured to shaft 28 in any suitable manner preferably by silver soldering. The free end of shaft 20 is threaded to receive a nut 24 clamping sleeves 22 in place. A cup shaped member 25 surrounds sleeve 23 and has its small end extending through an opening in the rear wall |517 through which shaft 20 passes, said rear end of said cup being crimped onto wall |5b. Motor i6 is provided with a common conducting cord 2B which will be equipped with a plug to be connected with any convenient electric circuit to supply current to motor I6.

Casing l5 is provided with an opening 5e in the front wall |5c, which opening is disposed some distance above the bottom of said casing. A plurality of baille plates 21 are provided, the same being shown as of angular shape in horizontal cross section, the angle thereof approximating a right angle, said plates being arranged in parallel vertically extending relation and oppositely disposed at either side of the center of the opening |5e. Said plates also have an inwardly extending lip 21a disposed substantially perpendicularly to wall |5c. Wall I 5c at either side of opening |5e is provided with an inwardly extending lip |51 extending substantially parallel to the adjacent portion of baffle plate 21. The vertical plate 28 extends across opening |5e from top to bottom thereof, the same being disposed in a plane substantiallyparallel to front Wall |5c and being disposed between and centrally of the baille members 21 at either side of the center of opening |5c. At the bottom portion of opening |5e a drain and air deflecting plate 29 extends outwardly and upwardly. At each end of plate 29 a side plate or portion 39 extends to front wall |50, the top thereof being horizontal and flush with the outer upper edge of plate 29.

The upper end of casing I5 is provided with a plate or flange 3|, said plate having a peripheral vertical portion fitting within the walls of casing I5 and having an outwardly extending flange 3|a resting on top of said Walls. Plate 3| isgprovided with an opening 3Ib. A water container 32 is provided and while this may be of various forms, in the embodiment of the invention illustrated it is shown as substantially rectangular in horizontal and vertical cross section and of a size to t within the vertical portion of plate 3| and rest on the horizontal part of saidv plate. While container 32 may be made of various materials it preferably is made of glass or other rigid transparent material. As illustrated, said container 32 has a downwardly extending spout 32a. provided with threads on its outer side to receive a threaded cap member 33. A gasket 34 is shown as disposed between the lower edge of spout 32a and the inner side of cap 33. Cap 33 has secured thereto a rigid tube 35 which extends upwardly in container 32 to a plane quite close to the top thereof and said tube at its top portion is provided with a plurality of open slots 35a. Container 32 is preferably provided with a circular downwardly extending flange 32h surrounding the upper end of tube 35. C'ap 33 is also provided at its end portion and at one side of tube 35 with a small apertured spout 33a. A flexible tube 36 such as a rubber tube, is fitted over the lower end of tube 35 below cap 33, said tube 36 extending downwardly and laterally in casing l5, the same at its lower end being provided with a member 31. Member 31 is of general cup shape having a hollow stem over which tube 36 ts and having a central opening in its lower side surrounded by a resilient washer 38 also having a central opening therein. As shown in Figs. 2 and 5, the lower surface of member 31 extends at an angle to bottom plate |5d.

Rear wall |517 as shown in Fig. 5, extends rearwardly and slightly upwardly over motor IB and has a downwardly bent edge received in a reversely and upwardly bent lower portion of a plate |5g forming the rear part of the upper portion of casing |5. Plate |5g is provided with a central circular opening |5h and a cylindrical member 40 extends inwardly about said opening. Member 40 engages the inner side of plate |59 and is held in place by a plurality of circumferentially spaced lugs 40a extending through opening |571. and bent along the outer side of plate |5g. Member 40 has a central plate or fin 40h which depends vertically of opening |511, and a motor 4| is secured to the lower end of said fin. Said motor is supported by an encircling band 4|a, the ends of which extend parallel to iin 4Gb and engage resilient washers 42 at either side thereof. A headed and nutted bolt 43 extends through said ends, n 48h and washers 42, the same being illustrated as providedvwith a wing nut 44. The shaft of motor 4| has secured thereto a fan 45 disposed in the inner side of cylindrical platel 40. Motor 4| is provided with usual cord 46 which will be equipped with a plug for connection to a suitable electrical socket to supply current to motor 4|.

Casing I5 has supporting iianges at the bottom of side walls I 5a formed by the reversely bent ends of said walls which receive the ends of bottom wall |511. Said flanges are embraced by channel or U-shaped members 41 of rubber or similar resilient material which may be of any desired length but are illustrated as extending throughout the length of said supporting flanges. Rear wall I 5b is provided with an opening |57 which as shown in Fig. f1, is adapted to be closed by a resilient or rubber washer 48 engaged by a metal washer 49 into which is threaded headed bolts 50, the head of which engages a washer 5| at the outer side of opening |57'. Opening |5y' is provided for the insertion of a heating element to be later described.

In operation water is placed in container 32. This container is removable and can be carried with tube 36 to an ordinary faucet. Members 31 and 38 can be placed over the spout of the faucet, member 38 being resilient and fitting about the same. The container will be inverted as it is thus filled. When filled, the container is again placed in position on casing I5 whereupon water ows down through spout 33a. until the level of water in casing |5 closes the opening through member 38. When the level of water in casing |5 falls so that the opening in member 38 is exposed some air will pass upwardly into container 32 through the tube 36. This will let some water pass out through spout 33a yso that the level in casing I will be maintained just high enough to close the opening through member 38. Member 38 being disposed at an angle to the horizontal allows the air more easily to enter the opening thereon than if said member were horizontal. Members 36, 3l' and 38 thus form a level maintaining device. With water so disposed in the bottom of casing I5, motors I6 and il are driven. Motor I 5 rotates shaft 25 and the disks 2| at high speed. Disks 2| have their lower portions disposed in the water in casing I5 and by their rotation they throw or project upwardly in casing I5 a ne spray. The disks extend only a short distance into the water at their lower edges and in practice this distance has been substantially 1/8 of an inch at the central portions of said disks. Fan 45 may he driven in any suitable manner loutV as shown, is driven by motor 4| and causes a current of air to pass into casing I5 through opening I5h to pass through the spray formed in said casing by disks 2| and to pass out through opening |5e. The baille plates 21 prevent any particles or globules of water from passing out through opening |5e. Plate 29 is provided to deflect the air from fan 135 at the lower part of the device in an upward direction. This is desirable so that if the device is placed on a desk the air will not blow downwardly and blow papers or light articles on such a desk. Plate 29 can also act as a drain plate should any moisture fall thereon. As the air passes through the spray the air is humidied and some of the spray is evaporated so that the air is cooled. This cool and humidiiied air passes out into the room. Some of the particles of spray will be partly evaporated and will drop back into the water in casing I5. This will act to cool said water and in practice the water in said casing decreases in temperature. The cup member 25 is provided so that water cannot work through the opening in rear plate I5 through which shaft 20 passes;

Any moisture at the rear of disk 2| adjacent said rear wall will engage cup member 25 and will drip back into the casing. Cup 25 is disposed so close to rear disk 2| that any moisture entering the space between said members will be thrown out by the centrifugal action of disk 2 I.

It is necessary to have a definite downwardly extending spout 33a so 4that the air will not leak through the opening therein as itA will do if the water in container 32 is at a low level and there is just a hole in the flat plate. The aperture in spout 33a forms a vent opening while container 32 is being filled. It will be noted that the motors i6 and 5| are resiliently mounted and the operation of these motors and disks 2| is practically noiseless. These motors can easily be removed if desired.

In the modication shown in Figs. 8 to ll the structure of casing I5 `is substantially the same except that motor 4| and fan 45 together with supporting iin llilb are omitted. Instead of having a fan and motor supported upon casing I5 a separate fan 6B driven by the usual motor 6| and supported on a stand or in any other suitable manner is used. When a separate fan is thus used vertically spaced plates 6| and horizontally extending spaced plates 62 extending therebetween are provided. These plates 5| and 62 act as bale plates to prevent any particles of Water from passing out at the rear of the casing. In Figs. 8 to l1 a heating element 63 is shown disposed in the bottom of casing I5. This element is illustrated as an electric heating element and the same has a casing with a threaded stem 53a. Stem 63d extends through opening I5y' and is clamped'to the rear Wall |51) by a nut 64. A resilient washer 65 engages the inner side of wall |519 about opening |57'. Heating element 63 will be provided with the usual conductors 56 which will be in the form of a cord and provided with a suitable plug for connection to an electric socket. It is desirable at times such as in the -cooler seasons to have the water in casing i5 heated. The heating element is used to increase the rate of evaporation in the operation of the device and is used only when the desired rapid humidiflcation is desired without the cooling effect. It will be understood that fan |50 will cause a current of air to pass through cylindrical member 40, through the spray in casing I5 and out at opening E56 as already described.

From the above description it is seen that I have provided a very simple, compact, ecient and easily portable air cooler and humidifier. The device is particularly adapted for use in rooms of homes and offices. The air from the device can be permitted to blow upon a person in an oflice or even when the person is in bed in hot weather without causing any stiffness or discomfort. The air in the room is effectively humidiiied and a desired cooling effect is produced by the device in hot weather. The humidied air passing into the room tends to absorb the dust and thus also to purify the air in the room. Casing I5 can be made of material suitably coated or decorated so that the device will have a very pleasing appearance. The device has been amply demonstrated in actual practice and found to be very successful and eflicient.

It will, of course, be understood that various changes may be made in the form, details, arrangement and proportions of the parts, without departing from the scope of applicants invention, which generally stated, consists in a device capable of carrying out theobjects above set forth, in the parts and combinations of parts disclosed and defined in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

l. An air cooler and/or humidiiier having in combination, a casing having spaced walls, one of said walls having an opening therethrough above the bottom of said casing, a shaft extending through said other wall, a disk-like member carried by said shaft extending at right angles to the axis thereof and a cup-shaped member having its open side directed toward said mem- Yber and between the same and said other wall and secured in said other wall about said shaft.

2. A portable air cooler or humidier having in combination, a casing of general rectangular form in horizontal and vertical cross section, said casing being elongated vertically and constructed and arranged to contain water in its lower portion, said casing having openings in the opposite sides thereof, a series of zig-zag baille plates disposed in vertical planes and located in said casing adjacent and extending across one of said openings, said casing having arecess adjacent its bottom at the opposite side from said opening covered by the wall of said casing, a motor disposed in said recess, means in the lower part of said casing driven by said motor for projecting a spray upwardlyin said cas ing from the water therein, a cylindrical member extending inwardly from the other ofsaid openings, a motor disposed in said member, a fan carried by and driven by said motor and disposed in said member, said casing having a recess in its upper end shaped by the walls of said casing, a. water receptacle fitting in said recess and means extending from said receptacle to the lower portion of said casing for maintaining a certain level of water in said lower portion, whereby air is drawn into said cylindrical member directl;7` from the atmosphere through the opening at one side of said casing and is blown through said spray and out through said bafe plates so that the air does not pass through said fan after passing through said spray.

WEBSTER D. SMITH..

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