[001] The present subject matter described herein relates to an air cooler, and more
5 particularly to an air-cooling technology using venturi effect.
BACKGROUND AND PRIOR ART AND PROBLEM IN PRIOR ART:
[002] Background description includes information that may be useful in
understanding the present invention. It is not an admission that any of the
information provided herein is prior art or relevant to the presently claimed
10 invention, or that any publication specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art.
[003] Air coolers are box-like units that consist of a fan, water-soaked pads and a
pump. To use the cooler, you have to fill it with appropriate amounts of water. When
you switch it on, the hot air from the surrounding is circulated in the cooler and sent
through the water-cooled pads. This lowers the temperature of the air by quite a few
15 degrees before this cool air is blown out into the room.
[004] Different coolers use different techniques for cooling effect such as cooling
pads. The cooling pads used in most air coolers these days are the honeycomb ones
as they are designed to provide maximum cooling, low-pressure drop and longevity.
Almost every air cooler uses water pump to lift up into a collecting tray which
20 further drains water on to honeycomb pads to induce evaporation and thus cooling.
[005] But the conventional coolers have limitations. There are multiple existential
known problems such as, jamming of pumps, bulky size of cooler, more
consumption of water and power for operation, low cooling efficiency to mention
the few.
25 [006] The present invention aims to eliminate such limitations, and discloses a
cooler which does not require pump, has a compact structure, consume less water
and power using venturi effect in a distinctive manner.
3
[007] Venturi effect in conjunction with other systems is used in carburettors,
Steam refrigeration systems and many other applications, despite this, the prior art
has not been successful in providing a device, with capacity of serving multiple
people at once and which takes advantage of all of the benefits of Air cooling for
5 human comfort.
[008] The present invention cools the air due to converging-diverging section as
well as water sprinkle infuse in air through venturi effect.
[009] The information disclosed in this background of the disclosure section is
only for enhancement of understanding of the general background of the invention
10 and should not be taken as an acknowledgement or any form of suggestion that this
information forms the prior art already known to a person skilled in the art.
[0010] These and other objects and advantages of the present subject matter will be
apparent to a person skilled in the art after consideration of the following detailed
description taken into consideration with accompanying drawings in which
15 preferred embodiments of the present subject matter are illustrated.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION:
[0011] Solution to one or more drawbacks of existing air cooler device, and
additional advantages are provided through the present venturi air cooler device as
disclosed in the present disclosure. Additional features and advantages are realized
20 through the technicalities of the present disclosure. Other embodiments and aspects
of the disclosure are described in detail herein and are considered to be a part of the
claimed disclosure.
[0012] The present invention provides a venturi air cooler comprising of a duct unit
which has two prominent sections called as a converging section (111,111’) and a
25 divergent section (112); an air blower (104) coupled to one of the end preferably an
opening end of the duct unit throwing air from converging section (111) creating a
high pressure to converging section (111’) creating a low pressure region to
divergent section (112) causing a venturi effect; an externally placed air-tight sealed
water tank (105) supply connected to the converging section (111,411) through a
4
first bleed pipe (110,410) allowing flow of high pressure air from the converging
section (111,411) into the water tank (105,405).
[0013] In an embodiment of the invention, a valve (108) coupled to the duct unit
and connected to the converging section (111’,411’) with at least a first throat pipe
5 (202,402) and connected to the water tank (105,405) through a suction pipe
(109,209,409).
[0014] The suction pipe allows water to rise from the water tank into the valve
chamber (250,450) through an open inlet (204,404) up to a first height (230, X)
resulting in the closure of the open inlet (204,404) due to increased weight.
10 [0015] As soon as the open inlet is closed due to downward movement of valve
body, the high atmospheric pressure air flows into the valve (108) and into the valve
chamber from a second bleed pipe (120,220,420) connected to the converging
section (111,411).
[0016] The high atmospheric air pressure then enables the delivery of water into
15 the converging section (111,4111’) as water rises up to a second height (240, M)
through a second throat pipe (203,403) due to negative air pressure.
[0017] In an embodiment of invention, the open inlet remains in closure state till
the valve chamber (250,450) remains filled with water and as soon as the valve
chamber is empty delivering water through a second throat pipe (203,403) into the
20 converging section (111’,411’) the open inlet again opens to allow water to flow in
valve chamber through suction pipe.
[0018] In another embodiment of invention, the air exists through the divergent
section (112) which has vanes coated with cellulose fiber (102).
[0019] In yet another embodiment of the invention, the divergent sections has
25 channels (103) for returning water to the water supply tanks through a water return
line (308).
[0020] The foregoing summary is illustrative only and is not intended to be in any
way limiting. In addition to the illustrative aspects, embodiments, and features
5
described above, further aspects, embodiments, and features will become apparent
by reference to the drawings and the following detailed description.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0021] It is to be noted, however, that the appended drawings illustrate only typical
5 embodiments of the present subject matter and are therefore not to be considered
for limiting of its scope, for the invention may admit to other equally effective
embodiments. The detailed description is described with reference to the
accompanying figures. In the figures, a reference number identifies the figure in
which the reference number first appears. The same numbers are used throughout
10 the figures to reference like features and components. Some embodiments of system
or methods or structure in accordance with embodiments of the present subject
matter are now described, by way of example, and with reference to the
accompanying figures, in which:
[0022] Fig. 1 illustrates a structural arrangement of the present invention.
15 [0023] Fig. 2 illustrates a VTAS (vacuum to atmospheric switch valve
toggle)/valve of the present invention.
[0024] Fig. 3 illustrates a working mode of the present invention.
[0025] Fig. 4 illustrates a detailed working components of the present invention.
[0026] Fig.5 is an illustrative view of the VTAS valve connected in series for the
20 present invention.
[0027] The figures depict embodiments of the present subject matter for the
purposes of illustration only. A person skilled in the art will easily recognize from
the following description that alternative embodiments of the structures and
methods illustrated herein may be employed without departing from the principles
25 of the disclosure described herein.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS:
[0028] While the embodiments of the disclosure are subject to various
modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiment thereof have been shown
6
by way of example in the figures and will be described below. It should be
understood, however, that it is not intended to limit the disclosure to the particular
forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the disclosure is to cover all modifications,
equivalents, and alternative falling within the scope of the disclosure.
5 [0029] The terms “comprises”, “comprising”, or any other variations thereof used
in the disclosure, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a device,
system, assembly that comprises a list of components does not include only those
components but may include other components not expressly listed or inherent to
such system, or assembly, or device. In other words, one or more elements in a
10 system or device proceeded by “comprises… a” does not, without more constraints,
preclude the existence of other elements or additional elements in the system or
device.
[0030] Referring to figure 1 to 4 of the present invention, describes the venturi
effect air cooling system.
15 [0031] The objective of the invention is to provide an air cooling using the venturi
principle in conjugation with a valve, eliminates the need for water pumping
machine, has a compact structure, consume less water and power.
[0032] The working of venturi air cooler is based in Bernoulli's principle. A varying
cross-section duct has been used to lift up the water instead of pump. There are
20 three parts of the duct, inlet, throat and outlet. As the cross-sectional area reduced
from inlet to throat, the velocity of the air increases, which is theoretically defined
as per equation of continuity (A1 V1 = A2V2). When high speed air passes through
the throat it creates a region of low pressure area. This is because if kinetic energy
has been increased at same potential head then pressure will be reduced to
25 compensate with the change (Bernoulli's Theorem).
[0033] After the water/Mist is lifted through VATS (vacuum to atmospheric switch
valve) or known as valve in the present invention attached at throat, this get infused
with High velocity air and cools down the atmosphere. Absorption pads can be used
for water absorption in form of vanes, this will be helpful to absorb any extra water
7
sprinkle as well as guide the air. The absorptivity and increased area of vanes not
only increases rate of evaporation by many folds but it also helps in directing the
air flow. In order to increase the lift of water, a pipe is attached from the converging
section to the airtight water tank to make use of ramming pressure to push water
5 upwards.
[0034] Structure of the venturi air cooler of the present invention: Referring to Fig.
1: A venturi air cooler comprises of a duct unit which is a cross-sectional structure.
which has two prominent sections called as a converging section referred to as 111
where the air blowing device 104 is placed; a convergent gent section or the throat
10 referred to as 111’ and a divergent section (112) allowing the cool air to exit.
[0035] Then air blower (104) throws air from converging section (111) creating a
high pressure to the converging section or throat (111’) creating a low pressure
region to the divergent section (112) causing a venturi effect and finally the air exits
through the vanes coated with cellulose fiber referred as 102 present at the distal
15 end of the divergent section.
[0036] Water is supplied using an externally placed air-tight sealed water tank
(105) supply connected to the converging section (111,411) through a first bleed
pipe (110,410) allowing flow of high pressure air from the converging section
(111,411) into the water tank (105,405).
20 [0037] The invention provides a venturi air cooler using a high density fluid
preferably water is being lifted using low density fluid preferably air, thus the total
suction head created at throat is highly influenced by velocity of air at throat.
[0038] Thus it is inferred that intensity of suction created at throat or converging
section (111’) of a venturi is a direct function of size of the air throwing device, but
25 for a compact setup, blower size cannot be increased after a certain measurement.
With such size constraints, the system may or may not be able to lift enough water.
In order to perform in robust condition, it is required that the system exhibits enough
capability to lift water from such a height so that even the last drop of water in the
8
external water supply tank is used. So, in order to achieve more lift, certain
embodiments have been developed and used in the present invention.
[0039] In an embodiment of the invention a VTAS valve (vacuum to atmospheric
switch valve) referring to 108 is referred. VATS is a gravity operated switch valve
5 which switches flow paths of air and water in such a manner that extra lift is
provided without any external source of power or signal input.
[0040] In total of five types of pipes are connected in the system.
(1) Suction Pipe (109,209,409): Its one end is attached to bottom of valve chamber
(250,450) container and the other one is dipped in water tank (105,405). Its function
10 is to deliver water to valve chamber (250,450) from water tank (105,405).
(2) First throat pipe (202,402): It is attached to upper side of valve chamber walls.
There could be one throat pipe or plurality of them. In our experiment we used
three.
[0041] (3) Second Throat Pipe (203,403): It is same as first throat pipe, the only
15 difference is that it is attached at bottom of container walls and is used to deliver
the water from valve chamber to throat or the converging section 111’.
(4) First Bleed Pipe (110,410): It allows flow of high pressure air from the
converging section (111,411) into the water tank (105,405).
(5) Second Bleed Pipe (120,220,420): It allows the flow of high atmospheric
20 pressure air into the valve chamber from the converging section 111,411.
[0042] Before starting the blower, it was insured that the whole container assembly
is air tight to stop air leakage.
[0043] Working of the present invention: Referring to Fig 2 and Fig. 4: Let us take
Height X,230 as lift height provided by combination of water tank pressure and
25 pressure at converging section 111’or throat. Height Y as total lift height required
for cooler and height M,240 as extra height required.
1) Now if the valve is attached and the air blower is turned ON to throw air, the
water will rise till it obtains lift of X height in the valve chamber. The position
9
of pin in valve is designed in such a way, the high pressure pipe will not be able
to infuse any air in container.
2) But since the high pressure first bleed pipe 110,410 is going to water tank from
the converging section 111,411 is open it will push water upwards.
5 3) After obtaining height of X in the valve chamber (250,450), the open inlet pipe
204,404 will be submerged.
4) Since the valve is attached to flexible silicone diaphragms, the arrangements in
the valve shall move downwards due to weight of water induced in the valve
chamber. Or we can say, as water enters the chamber it increases it weight and
10 the chamber moves downwards. Due to downward motion of chamber assembly
the pin moves down and closes the water inlet pipe.
5) Simultaneously it opens the high pressure air pipe i.e. the second bleed pipe
(120,220,420) connecting the converging section (111,411) and the valve.
6) High pressure air rushes in the valve chamber through the second bleed pipe.
15 Therefore, water start rising through the second throat pipe 203, 403 in the
converging section 111’, 411’ till the valve chamber is emptied.
7) Water is delivered to throat or the converging section 111’ as long as the second
throat pipe 203,403 is submerged in water.
8) As soon as the valve chamber is emptied the open inlet pipe 204, 404 comes
20 back to its original position due to reduced weight and opens to allow the suction
pipe 109,209,409 to take water from the water tank and the cycle continues.
[0044] In an alternative form of the present invention the VTAS valve are arranged
in series as referred in Fig.5. The presence of plurality of valve 508 attached in
series allowing water to rise from the water tank (509) into the valve chamber of
25 the valve proximal to the water tank through a suction pipe 509’’ and then into the
valve chambers of remaining valve through suction pipes 509’ and 509. The
mechanism of pressure and up taking the water into the valve chamber remains
same as disclosed in the previous features of the present disclosure. Such an
alternative arrangement is required when the suction height is a large value, then
10
VTAS may be used in series arrangement to lift water from a greater height. It is
apparent that the total lift height will be direct function of number of VTAS valves
used.
[0045] The VTAS valve provides multiple benefits to the present invention:
5 1) Gives extra lift without increasing suction pressure;
2) Supplies water intermediately;
3) Uses no external power or signal input;
4) Automatic operation without intervention;
5) Fully mechanically operated valve.
10
[0046] In an embodiment of the invention, evaporation may not happen at throat
but if water is made available to air in the diverging section, it will evaporate till air
reaches saturation. If a cellulose fibre is introduced at inner the walls of the
diverging section net evaporation rate will rise immensely due to constant contact
15 of water molecules with air at boundary. For the same reason the water delivered
using the second throat pipe 203,403 in the throat or the converging section 111’ is
used with the exiting air and causes cooling effect. The vanes made of cellulose
fiber 102 placed at the distal end of diverging section 112 traps the water. This
trapped water is returned to the water tank using the water return channel 103
20 through the water return line 308.
[0047] It will be understood by those within the art that, in general, terms used
herein, and especially in the appended claims (e.g., bodies of the appended claims)
are generally intended as “open” terms (e.g., the term “including” should be
interpreted as “including but not limited to,” the term “having” should be
25 interpreted as “having at least,” the term “includes” should be interpreted as
“includes but is not limited to,” etc.). It will be further understood by those within
the art that if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is intended, such
an intent will be explicitly recited in the claim, and in the absence of such recitation
no such intent is present. For example, as an aid to understanding, the following
30 appended claims may contain usage of the introductory phrases “at least one” and
11
“one or more” to introduce claim recitations. However, the use of such phrases
should not be construed to imply that the introduction of a claim recitation by the
indefinite articles “a” or “an” limits any particular claim containing such introduced
claim recitation to inventions containing only one such recitation, even when the
5 same claim includes the introductory phrases “one or more” or “at least one” and
indefinite articles such as “a” or “an” (e.g., “a” and/or “an” should typically be
interpreted to mean “at least one” or “one or more”); the same holds true for the use
of definite articles used to introduce claim recitations. In addition, even if a specific
number of an introduced claim recitation is explicitly recited, those skilled in the
10 art will recognize that such recitation should typically be interpreted to mean at least
the recited number (e.g., the bare recitation of “two recitations,” without other
modifiers, typically means at least two recitations, or two or more recitations).
Furthermore, in those instances where a convention analogous to “at least one of A,
B, and C, etc.” is used, in general such a construction is intended in the sense one
15 having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., “a system having at
least one of A, B, and C” would include but not be limited to systems that have A
alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together,
and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). In those instances where a convention analogous
to “at least one of A, B, or C, etc.” is used, in general such a construction is intended
20 in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., “a
system having at least one of A, B, or C” would include but not be limited to systems
that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C
together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). It will be further understood by those
within the art that virtually any disjunctive word and/or phrase presenting two or
25 more alternative terms, whether in the description, claims, or drawings, should be
understood to contemplate the possibilities of including one of the terms, either of
the terms, or both terms. For example, the phrase “A or B” will be understood to
include the possibilities of “A” or “B” or “A and B.”
[0048] It will be further appreciated that functions or structures of a plurality of
30 components or steps may be combined into a single component or step, or the
functions or structures of one-step or component may be split among plural steps
12
or components. The present invention contemplates all of these combinations.
Unless stated otherwise, dimensions and geometries of the various structures
depicted herein are not intended to be restrictive of the invention, and other
dimensions or geometries are possible. In addition, while a feature of the present
5 invention may have been described in the context of only one of the illustrated
embodiments, such feature may be combined with one or more other features of
other embodiments, for any given application. It will also be appreciated from the
above that the fabrication of the unique structures herein and the operation thereof
also constitute methods in accordance with the present invention. The present
10 invention also encompasses intermediate and end products resulting from the
practice of the methods herein. The use of “comprising” or “including” also
contemplates embodiments that “consist essentially of” or “consist of” the recited
feature.

We claim:

1. A Venturi Air Cooler comprising:
a duct unit comprising of a converging section (111,111’) and a diverging
section (112);
5 an air blower (104) coupled to an opening end of the duct unit;
a water tank (105) supply connected to the converging section (111,411)
through a first bleed pipe (110,410) allowing flow of high pressure air from
the converging section (111,411) into the water tank (105,405);
characterized in that
10 a valve (108) coupled to the duct unit and connected to the converging
section (111’,411’) with at least a first throat pipe (202,402) and connected
to the water tank (105,405) through a suction pipe (109,209,409), allowing
water to rise from the water tank into the valve chamber (250,450) through
an open inlet (204,404) up to a first height (230,X) resulting in the closure
15 of the open inlet (204,404); the high pressure air flows into the valve (108)
from a second bleed pipe (120,220,420) connected to the converging section
(111,411); allowing water to rise up to a second height (240,M) and
delivered to the converging section (111’,411’) through a second throat pipe
(203,403).
20 2. The venturi air cooler as claimed in claim 1, wherein the air blower is placed
proximally with converging section (111) to maintain air flow from
converging section (111,111’) to diverging section (112).
3. The venturi air cooler as claimed in claim 1, wherein the converging section
and diverging section cause venturi effect in the duct unit.
25 4. The venturi air cooler as claimed in claim 1, wherein the water tank
(105,405) is placed externally.
5. The venturi air cooler as claimed in claim 1, wherein the water tank is air
sealed.
6. The venturi air cooler as claimed in claim 1, wherein the converging section
30 (111) is a high pressure area.
14
7. The venturi air cooler as claimed in claim 1, wherein the pressure drops at
the converging section (111’,411’).
8. The venturi air cooler as claimed in claim 1, wherein the water is filled into
the valve chamber (250,450) and attaining height (230,X); open inlet
5 (204,404) submerges in the water leading to closure of open inlet.
9. The venturi air cooler as claimed in claim 1, wherein the closure of open
inlet causes the second bleed pipe (120,220,420) to deliver high atmospheric
pressure air into the valve (108).
10. The venturi air cooler as claimed in claim 1, wherein the water delivered to
10 the converging section (111’,411’) through a second throat pipe (203,403)
due to negative air pressure.
11. The venturi air cooler as claimed in claim 1, wherein the open inlet remains
in closure state till the valve chamber (250,450) remains filled with water.
12. The venturi air cooler as claimed in claim 1, wherein the open inlet allows
15 water to flow in through the suction pipe after the valve chamber is empty
by delivering water through a second throat pipe (203,403) into the
converging section (111’,411’).
13. The venturi air cooler as claimed in claim 1, wherein the rise of water in the
valve chamber (250, 450) in a continued cycle is based on the water level in
20 the valve chamber (250, 450).
14. The venturi air cooler as claimed in claim 1, wherein the air exists through
the divergent section (112).
15. The venturi air cooler as claimed in claim 1, wherein the divergent section
has vanes coated with cellulose fiber (102).
25 16. The venturi air cooler as claimed in claim 1, wherein the divergent sections
has channels (103) for returning water to the water supply tanks through a
water return line (308).
17. The venturi air cooler as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein
plurality of valves (508) can be attached in series with the suction pipe
30 (509’’) allowing water to rise from the water tank (509) into the valve
15
chamber of proximally attached valve to the subsequent valve in series
through plurality of suction pipes (509’, 509).