Mobile cellular cooling door

A mobile cellular cooling apparatus includes frame having a distribution pipe for carrying and distributing water through the pipe and into a plurality of cells. Excess or unevaporated water is collected in trough and recirculated through the apparatus utilizing a reservoir and a pump. Air passes through the cells and achieves a cooling effect on the air temperature while removing contaminants and/or pollutants. One or more of the apparatuses may be included or installed within a poultry house or structure. One or more apparatuses may be included or installed along with other ventilation components to provide an improved ventilation for such structures or buildings.

II. FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present application discloses and describes a mobile cellular cooling door.

III. MOTIVATION OF THE INVENTOR

Ventilation apparatuses and systems are important for maintaining appropriate comfort, breathable air, and removing moisture, dust, and airborne organisms in many different applications. In one application, for ventilation systems or apparatuses used for poultry houses, the ventilation system is critical for maintaining appropriate and comfortable temperature levels, for removing excess moisture, circulating fresh air for inhalation, and for diluting dust and/or airborne particles or organisms that can lead to illness, disease, and/or death. Many types of apparatuses and systems have been attempted; however, there remains a need for improved ventilation apparatuses and systems.

There is a need for developing and using an apparatus, system, and/or method of a mobile cellular cooling apparatus comprising a frame that includes a track runner positioned along the uppermost portion for moving along a track housing affixed to a structure, and means for moving the frame via the runner and the housing; a trough positioned along the lowermost portion; a plurality of rollers positioned immediately below the trough; a plurality of cells interconnected with the trough, the cells positioned within the interior of the frame; a pipe interconnected with the cells; a feed line supplying water to the pipe; a pump interconnected with the feed line and pipe; a reservoir connected to the trough; a valve and a strainer reside between the reservoir and the pipe; a handle connected to the frame; and a source of power delivering electricity to the pump and means for moving the frame.

In one embodiment, a mobile cellular cooling apparatus comprising a trough positioned along the lowermost portion, a plurality of rollers positioned immediately below the trough, a plurality of cells interconnected with the trough, the cells positioned within the interior of the frame, a pipe interconnected with the cells, a feed line supplying water to the pipe, a pump interconnected with the feed line and pipe, a reservoir connected to the trough, a valve and a strainer reside between the reservoir and the pipe, a handle connected to the frame, a source of power delivering electricity to the pump, and means for moving the frame.

The apparatus further comprises a frame that includes a track runner positioned along the uppermost portion for moving along a track housing affixed to a structure. The track housing is fixed against the outside of the building or structure. The track housing comprises a channel for receiving the track runner therein. The track runner and the track housing are interconnected by mechanical means to allow for movement of the runner relative to the housing. The mechanical means comprise mechanical gears that urge the runner along the housing.

It is envisioned that each one of the cells positioned within the interior of the frame comprise a plurality of cardboard corrugated folds permeable to air flow, wherein each one of the cells is operatively coupled with adjacent cells within the interior of the frame. Each cell receives water from the distribution pipe, wherein the distribution pipe comprises a plurality of perforations along its length for distributing water to the cells. The distribution pipe comprises a generally vertically-oriented pipe interconnected with a generally horizontally-oriented pipe. The apparatus further comprising a removable end cap at the junction of the vertical and horizontal pipe interconnection. The apparatus further comprises a removable end cap disposed at the opposing end of the pipe.

The apparatus further comprises at least one hinge for moving the apparatus between a closed position and an opened position.

There is also a need for a ventilation system for a poultry house, the ventilation system comprising: a mobile cellular cooling apparatus installed at one end of the poultry house; and a fan for moving air through the poultry house and through the cells of the mobile cellular cooling apparatus.

Within the system, the apparatus and its components are consistent with the previously described summary of the individual elements and components disclosed above.

VI. DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENT(S)

In accordance with the drawings illustrating at least one embodiment of a mobile cellular cooling apparatus10, of which one or more apparatuses10may be included or incorporated into a broader ventilation system100, more fully explained and described herein. A cover may be optionally included to cover the apparatus10and/or the opening left by the apparatus10when placed in an opened position.

The apparatus10comprises a frame12(or optionally a panel within a frame). The frame12includes a track runner14positioned along the uppermost portion for sliding or moving along a track housing16. Optionally, a rod or a plurality of rollers or casters15may be provided or included for facilitating movement of the frame12in conjunction with the runner14and housing16. The frame12also includes a trough18positioned along the lowermost portion. A plurality of rollers or casters20are positioned immediately below the trough18to assist in moving the frame12.

Along the interior of the frame12are a plurality of cells22that are interconnected with the trough18. A pipe24is configured and interconnected with the cells22. A feed line26supplies water to the pipe24. A pump28is interconnected with the feed line26and pipe24and provides the apparatus10with the necessary power and force to assist in pushing water through the apparatus10. A reservoir30is connected to the trough18to receive unused water for recirculation back into the system10. In one embodiment, the pump28and reservoir30are separate components interconnected for operation. In another embodiment, the pump28is a component within the reservoir30.

A valve32and strainer34reside between the reservoir30and the pipe24, completing the closed water loop. The frame12may include a handle (or handles)36to assist with movement of the frame12. The apparatus10is powered by a source38to provide electricity to the pump28and for moving the frame12from closed-to-opened and opened-to-closed.

The distribution pipe24may have a variety of configurations. In one embodiment, and consistent with the illustration(s) included herewith, the distribution pipe24includes a generally vertically-oriented pipe that is interconnect with a generally horizontally-oriented pipe. At the junction of the vertical and horizontal pipe interconnection, a removable end cap27may be provided for accessing the interior of the pipe24and for draining the pipe24and its components of any water, solid, sediment, or general residue. Similarly, at the opposing end, a terminus is formed with a removable end cap27similar to that described above and for similar purpose(s).

Each one of the cells22′ comprising the plurality of cells22is generally similar in construction, arrangement, and function. Each cell22′ comprises a plurality of cardboard corrugated folds. Each cell22′ is permeable to air flow. Each cell22′ receives water from the distribution pipe24. Each cell22′ is operatively coupled with adjacent cells22′ along multiple sides thereof. The distribution pipe24comprises a plurality of perforations and/or apertures25along its length. Each of the perforations or apertures25is in fluid communication with a cell22′. Through the combination of the pump28and gravity, water is ushered through the distribution pipe24and distributed to the plurality of cells22′ via the perforations or apertures25.

Relying in part on gravity, the water will pass through each cell22and eventually exit the cell(s)22into the trough18positioned at the lowermost portion of the frame12. As air flows through each cell (and the plurality of cells22as a combination), the combination of air flow and cool water function to deliver cooler air to the interior of the ventilated building or structure. By reducing the heat in the building or structure, dust and airborne particles may be diluted and/or removed, moisture is reduced, and odor(s) removed or reduced. As indicated, the trough18and reservoir are operatively and fluidly interconnected. The previously distributed water is filtered through the cells22and then collected via the trough18and introduced into the reservoir30.

Once the water is collected in the reservoir28, the pump28forces the water through the strainer34and back into the distribution pipe24and then to the cells22for recirculation. The strainer34may have a variety of configurations. In one embodiment, the strainer34may comprise an in-line filter for removing sediment, particulates, impurities, and/or combination(s) thereof. By including an in-line strainer34, the water is continuously filtered and purified for the benefit of the poultry, removing the contaminants that are collected as air is passed through the cells22.

The track runner14and track housing16may comprise a variety of configurations, components, and elements. In one embodiment, the track housing16is fixed against the outside of the building or structure. The track housing16may include a channel for receiving the track runner14therein. The channel would partially surround the track runner14, thereby preventing the track runner14from inadvertently separating from the track housing16. It is envisioned that the track runner14and track housing16may be passive in the closed-to-opened and opened-to-closed movements of the frame12, in that power may be applied to the rollers or casters20or other device or component to force movement and causing the track runner14to ride or move within the track housing16in response. It is separately envisioned that the track runner14and/or the track housing16may be interconnected by means to allow for movement of the runner14relative to the housing16or vice versa. For example, the runner14and/or housing16may be connected via teeth, gears70(as shown inFIG. 7), or other interconnected components so that the runner14may be urged along the housing16.

In another embodiment, consistent withFIGS. 5 and 6, it is envisioned that the apparatus10(or system100) may include at least one hinge50. The hinge(s)50may be used to replace the track runner14and housing16elements, whereby a user can open and close the apparatus10along the articulation of the hinge(s)50included herein as opposed to the lateral sliding motion and rollers used in a prior embodiment. It is also envisioned that the hinge(s)50may be incorporated with the existing runner14and housing16elements to provide dual means for moving and/or opening/closing the apparatus10. In replacing the runner14and housing16, a plurality of casters20may be included along the top and the bottom of the apparatus10to facilitate movement of the apparatus10in one or more directions. A brace60may be included overhead to assist in alignment and support of the apparatus10.

It is further envisioned that the mobile cellular cooling apparatus10may be installed with other ventilation components, including one or more additional mobile cellular cooling apparatus(es)10consistent with the apparatus10described above, thereby forming or comprising a ventilation system100. Thus, in one embodiment, a poultry house ventilation system100may comprise the mobile cellular cooling system10integrated with a poultry house or structure as described above. Moreover, in another embodiment, a poultry house ventilation system100may comprise a plurality of mobile cellular cooling systems10as described above. In another embodiment, a poultry house ventilation system100may comprise one or more mobile cellular cooling systems10in combination with one or more motorized fans or other means for pushing, or pulling, or pushing and pulling air through the poultry house structure. Other combinations and sub-combinations are envisioned, as well.

It is further envisioned that one of the mobile cellular cooling apparatuses10may be installed at one end of the poultry house structure, and at least one motorized fan is installed away from the apparatus10area or end of the structure. In this configuration, the fan is capable of forcing air either away from or toward the apparatus10, drawing or forcing cooler and cleaner air through the poultry house structure. It is also envisioned that multiple fans may be similarly installed to achieve increased air movement as measured by cubic feet per minute (CFM). In yet another configuration, multiple apparatuses10may be installed and multiple fans may be installed, which may also then use baffling, channeling, and/or curtains to separately channel air through certain defined areas of the poultry house and optimize the cooling and air sanitization and/or purification process. Likewise, similar configurations utilizing multiple apparatuses10and fans are envisioned.

It is to be understood that the embodiments and claims are not limited in application to the details of construction and arrangement of the components set forth in the description and/or illustrated in drawings. Rather, the description and/or the drawings provide examples of the embodiments envisioned, but the claims are not limited to any particular embodiment or a preferred embodiment disclosed and/or identified in the specification. Any drawing figures that may be provided are for illustrative purposes only, and merely provide practical examples of the invention disclosed herein. Therefore, any drawing figures provided should not be viewed as restricting the scope of the claims to what is depicted.

The embodiments and claims disclosed herein are further capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways, including various combinations and sub-combinations of the features described above but that may not have been explicitly disclosed in specific combinations and sub-combinations.

Accordingly, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception upon which the embodiments and claims are based may be readily utilized as a basis for the design of other structures, methods, and systems. In addition, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purposes of description and should not be regarded as limiting the claims.