US 9,121,618 B2 · Direct evaporative air handler

Abstract

A direct evaporative air handler for providing supply air to humidify and cool an enclosed space such as a data center. The air handler includes an evaporative cooler and a return air port that is positioned upstream of the evaporative cooler to allow recirculated air from the enclosed space to pass through the evaporative cooler. The air handler includes an additional return air port that is positioned downstream of the evaporative cooler to allow recirculated air from the enclosed space to bypass the evaporative cooler. The air handler includes an outdoor air port that is positioned upstream of the evaporative cooler to allow outdoor air to pass through the evaporative cooler and further includes an outdoor air bypass port that allows outdoor air to enter the air handler without passing through the evaporative cooler. The temperature and humidity of the supply air can be controlled under various ambient conditions by controlling the amount of air that enters the air handler through each port.

Claims24

Dependent claims

A direct evaporative air handler for conditioning an enclosed space with supply air, the air handler comprising:

a direct evaporative cooler;
an outdoor air port positioned upstream of the evaporative cooler in an air flow direction, the outdoor air port being configured to allow outdoor air to enter the air handler;
a return air port positioned upstream of the evaporative cooler in an air flow direction, the return air port being configured to allow recirculated air from the enclosed space to enter the air handler;
and
an outdoor air bypass port that is configured to allow outdoor air to enter the air handler at a position where the outdoor air entering the bypass port will not pass through the evaporative cooler,
wherein the air handler is configured so that outdoor air entering the air handler through the outdoor air port passes through the evaporative cooler, and the recirculated air entering the air handler through the return air port passes through the evaporative cooler.

3 more elements

A direct evaporative air handler for conditioning an enclosed space with supply air, the air handler comprising:

a direct evaporative cooler;
an outdoor air port positioned upstream of the evaporative cooler in an air flow direction, the outdoor air port being configured to selectively allow outdoor air to enter the air handler and proceed on a flow path that passes through the evaporative cooler;
an outdoor air bypass port that is configured to selectively allow outdoor air to enter the air handler and proceed on a flow path that does not pass through the evaporative cooler;
a first return air port that is configured to selectively allow recirculated air from the enclosed space to enter the air handler and proceed on a flow path that does not pass through the evaporative cooler;
a second return air port positioned upstream of the evaporative cooler in an air flow direction, the second return air port being configured to selectively allow recirculated air from the enclosed space to enter the air handler and proceed on a flow path that passes through the evaporative cooler;
and
a supply fan positioned downstream of the evaporative cooler that is configured to draw air through the outdoor air port, outdoor air bypass port, first return air port, and second return air port, wherein the supply fan is configured to mix air in the air handler and provide the mixed air as the supply air.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Direct evaporative air handler

Life of this patent

Direct evaporative air handler

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims24