Gas and liquid contact apparatus – Contact devices – Porous mass
Reexamination Certificate
1998-11-18
2001-03-27
Barry, Chester T. (Department: 1724)
Gas and liquid contact apparatus
Contact devices
Porous mass
C261S103000, C261S106000, C261SDIG003, C261SDIG004, C261SDIG001, C261SDIG001, C261SDIG004, C261SDIG004
Reexamination Certificate
active
06206348
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to evaporative coolers. More particularly, the present invention relates to evaporative coolers for use in gas turbine intake air systems, and to methods for assembling evaporative coolers.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
A gas turbine engine works more efficiently as the temperature of the intake air drawn into the gas turbine decreases. Turbine efficiency is dependent upon the temperature of the intake air because turbines are constant volume machines. The density of the intake air increases as the temperature of the intake air drops. Consequently, by decreasing the temperature of the intake air, the mass flow rate to the turbine is increased which increases the efficiency of the turbine.
Evaporative cooling is an economical way to reduce the temperature of the intake air drawn into the turbine. An evaporative cooler commonly includes a plurality of vertically stacked volumes of cooler media. A distribution manifold disperses water over the tops of the volumes of cooler media. The water is drawn from a sump, distributed over the volumes of media by the distribution manifold, and then recycled back to the sump. Intake air for the gas turbine flows through the volumes of cooler media. As the water falls or flows through the volumes of cooler media, the air passing through the media evaporates some of the water. The evaporation process removes some energy from the air, thereby reducing the temperature of the air.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
One aspect of the present invention relates to an evaporative cooler including first and second trays each having a longitudinal axis. Each tray includes a bottom wall and two side walls that project upward from the bottom wall and extend along the lengths of the trays. Each tray also includes two end walls that project upward from the bottom wall and extend between the side walls along the widths of the trays. The trays additionally include spaced-apart cooler media retaining members that are generally parallel to the side walls. The first and second trays are positionable in an end-to-end relationship such that the longitudinal axes are generally aligned with one another, and one of the end walls of the first tray is positioned adjacent to one of the end walls of the second tray. The evaporative cooler also includes an elongated clip adapted to extend between the first and second trays for inhibiting water leakage between the trays.
Another aspect of the present invention relates to an evaporative cooler including a frame defining a plurality of substantially vertical bays aligned in a generally side-by-side relationships, and a plurality of vertically spaced apart, substantially horizontal levels. Trays that support volumes of cooler media are mounted on the frame. The trays are positioned in the bays of the frame with trays of common levels being arranged in end-to-end relationships. The evaporative cooler also includes elongated clips for inhibiting water leakage between end walls of the trays.
A further aspect of the present invention relates to a tray for an evaporative cooler. The tray includes a modular tray body sized for mounting in a bay of an evaporative cooler frame. The tray body includes a longitudinal axis. The tray body also includes a bottom wall, and two side walls that project upward from the bottom wall and extend along a length of the tray body. The tray further includes two end walls that project upward from the bottom wall and extend along a width of the tray body. The tray additionally includes spaced-apart cooler media retaining members that are generally parallel with respect to the side walls. The spaced-apart cooler media retaining members define a gap sized and shaped for receiving a portion of a volume of cooler media.
Still another aspect of the present invention relates to a method for assembling an evaporative cooler. The method includes the step of providing a frame. The method also includes the step of providing first and second trays each having a separate longitudinal axis. Each tray includes a bottom wall and two side walls that project upward from the bottom wall and extend generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of each tray. Each tray also includes two end walls that project upward from the bottom wall and extend between the side walls. The trays additionally include spaced-apart cooler media retaining members that extend generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of each tray. The method further includes the step of securing the first and second trays to the frame in an end-to-end relationship such that the longitudinal axis of the first tray aligns with the longitudinal axis of the second tray, and one of the end walls of the first tray is positioned adjacent to one of the end walls of the second tray. Finally, the method includes the step of placing an elongated clip over a gap defined between the adjacent end walls of the first and second trays.
A variety of advantages of the invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will be apparent from the description, or may be learned by practicing the invention. It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictive of the invention as claimed.
REFERENCES:
patent: H35 (1986-03-01), Berkowitz
patent: 890332 (1908-06-01), Bruhorn
patent: 4215079 (1980-07-01), Christophersen
patent: 4774034 (1988-09-01), Fritz
patent: 4895066 (1990-01-01), Carnahan
patent: 5199457 (1993-04-01), Miller
patent: 5492158 (1996-02-01), Haag
patent: 6022392 (2000-02-01), Wurz
Exhibits 1 and 2 showing an admitted prior art evaporative cooler configuration.
Cuvelier Leon R. H.
Imsdahl John A.
Spychalla Alan John
Barry Chester T.
Donaldson & Company, Inc.
Merchant & Gould P.C.
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