Patent Abstract:
A low profile side inlet evaporative cooler including a housing having a housing length width at least twice the housing width. A centrifugal blower draws air through two side inlets through and through a rigid evaporative cooling media.

Full Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS 
   This application is being filed concurrently with U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/612,323 entitled Low Profile Evaporative Cooler Housing; and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/612,322 entitled Evaporative Cooler Water Distribution System; and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/612,623 entitled Evaporative Cooler Media Housing. Each of the foregoing applications is incorporated herein by reference. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention relates generally to the field of evaporative coolers, and more particularly to a low profile evaporative cooler. 
   Evaporative coolers are well know and used in warm dry climates to both raise the humidity and cool the air. Evaporative coolers work by drawing air from outside through a media soaked with water. As the air flows through the soaked media water is evaporated by the outside air thereby lowering the temperature of the air. The cooled air is then directed into the area to be cooled. 
   An evaporative cooler includes a number of elements all of which are stored in a housing. These elements typically include an air blower; a media pad; a water distribution system; and an electric motor. Evaporative coolers need to be maintained on a periodic basis to replace the media pads and to clean the water distribution system. 
   There are three traditional approaches to mounting evaporative coolers. One approach is to mount the cooler on the roof in which the cooled air is blown down into the building. This type of cooler is also referred to as a down-draft cooler. The roof mounted cooler provides the advantage of being out of the way and can be easily connected to a duct system to deliver the cooled air. However, maintenance of the roof-mounted coolers is difficult due to access. Additionally, many roof mounted coolers are being banned under local zoning ordinances due to the aesthetic nature of the cooler located on the roof. 
   Another method of locating evaporative coolers is by hanging the housing from a window or eve. The cooled air is then blown into the area to be cooled through the side of the cooler and is also referred to as a side-draft cooler. The window or eve hung coolers while being more accessible are typically hung from the eves or proximate a window. This approach has a number of disadvantages including blocking the window from use by the cooler. Additionally, the width of the coolers or the distance from which they extend from the building can be up to three feet or more. This extension from the home may not be aesthetically pleasing and also takes up a portion of the yard. Where the coolers are located in more densely populated areas with housing units close to one another the three feet extension may take up a significant portion of the space between the buildings. In addition to making use of the space between the building more difficult to use for garbage and recycling containers, it may make maintenance of the unit more difficult. 
   A third method of mounting the coolers is to place them on the ground in which the cooled air is blown upwardly. This type of cooler is also referred to as an updraft cooler. This type of cooler has the disadvantage of requiring even greater yard space than the down-draft and side-draft coolers. 
   Accordingly, it would be desirable to provide an evaporative cooler that could be mounted to a building that would be easy to maintain in small tight areas between buildings. Additionally, it would be desirable to provide an evaporative cooler housing that was not mounted to a roof to avoid local zoning prohibitions. Further it would be desirable to provide an evaporative cooler housing that did not excessively protrude into the yard from the building. Still further it would be desirable to provide a water distribution system that was efficient, compact and required minimal maintenance. It would also be desirable to provide a low profile evaporative cooler that includes centrifugal blowers that provide increased efficiency of the cooler. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   One embodiment relates to an evaporative cooler including a cooler housing having a front panel, an opposing rear panel, and a first and second side. The distance between the first and second side is at least twice the distance between the front and rear panels. A pair of rigid media are located proximate the first and second sides respectively. A centrifugal blower has at least one air inlet facing one of the first and second sides. 
   In an other embodiment a low profile evaporative cooler comprises a cooler housing including a front panel, an opposing rear panel, and a right and left side extends between the front and rear panels. Each of the right and left sides have at least one opening configured to permit air to enter an interior of the housing. The right and left sides extend a predetermined width between the front and rear panels. The width being less than one half of a length defined by the distance between the right and left sides. A rigid media is located proximate each of the right and left sides. A water distribution system provides water to the rigid media. A centrifugal blower includes a blower housing and a blower wheel. The blower including a pair of air inlets that face the right and left sides respectively. 
   In a further embodiment, a low profile evaporative cooler extends through a building structure wall having standard spaced studs. The cooler comprises a housing including a front panel and an opposing rear panel configured to be attached directly to the building structure wall. The cooler housing further includes a first and second side extending between the front and rear panels and configured to allow air to enter there through. The front panel has an exposed surface area that is substantially uninterrupted to prevent air from entering there through. A first and second evaporative rigid media pad is located proximate the first and second sides respectively. A pair of centrifugal blowers are located within the housing, each blower having at least one air inlet facing one of the first and second sides. A portion of each of the blowers extends into the wall between the standard spaced studs 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a low profile evaporative cooler. 
       FIG. 2  is an exploded view of an evaporative cooler. 
       FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional view of the evaporative cooler taken generally along lines  3 — 3  of  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional view of the evaporative cooler taken generally along lines  4 — 4  of  FIG. 3 . 
       FIG. 5  is a close up view of the cross-sectional view of  FIG. 4  taken along lines  5 — 5  of  FIG. 4 . 
       FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the water distribution system of the evaporative cooler. 
       FIG. 7  is a cross-sectional view taken along lines  7 — 7  of  FIG. 3 . 
       FIG. 8  is a perspective view of the evaporative cooler with a media cabinet tilted outward. 
       FIG. 9  is a partial cross sectional view of the media cabinet and media tilted outward. 
       FIG. 10  is a partial cross sectional view of the media cabinet with the media partially removed. 
       FIG. 11  is an exploded view of an alternative water distribution system. 
       FIG. 12  is a cross-sectional view of the water distributor of  FIG. 11 . 
       FIG. 13  is a perspective view of the finger plate the water distributor of  FIG. 11 . 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   Referring to  FIG. 1 , an evaporative cooler  10  is attached to a building or structure  12 . Evaporative cooler  10  includes an evaporative cooler housing  14 , a media assembly  16 , a blower assembly  18 , and a water distribution system  20 . For purposes of convenience, the rear side  22  of evaporative cooler housing  14  will be the side that is in contact with building  12 . Accordingly, front side  24  of the evaporative cooler faces away from the building. The right side  26  and left side  28  of evaporative cooler  10  is on the right and left, respectively as viewed from an observer facing front side  24 . Further, the term “width” as used herein shall refer to the dimension that is perpendicular to the wall of the building  12 . The term “height” shall refer to the up/down dimension, and the term “length” shall refer to the dimension that is both perpendicular to the height and width (see  FIG. 1 ). 
   In the preferred embodiment, evaporate cooler housing  14  is formed from a rear panel  30 , a pair of right and left front panels  40 ,  42 , a base  44 , and a top panel  46 . Referring to  FIG. 2 . base  44  includes a base plate  47  and four upstanding flanges extending therefrom  48 ,  50 ,  52 , and  54  to form a water retention cavity or basin. Right and left front panels  40 ,  42 , are attached to the front upwards extending flange  50  of base  44 . Rear panel  30  includes right and left panels  56 ,  58  having a collinear upper edge  60  and a collinear lower edge  62 . Extending from panels  56  and  58  is a rearwardly extending portion  63  having a panel  64  offset a predetermined distance from panels  56  and  58  by flanges  66  and  68  respectively. The top edge  65  of panel  64  and flanges  66  and  68  is a predetermined distance below the upper edge  60  of portion  63 . Similarly, a bottom edge  69  of panels  64  and flanges  66  and  68  is a predetermined distance above the lower edge  62  of panels  56  and  58 . 
   The lower portion of panels  56  and  58  is attached to upwardly extending flange  54  of base  44 . Rear panel  30  is formed from a single piece of sheet metal bent to form the various panels  56 ,  66 ,  64 ,  68 , and  58 . It is also possible to form rear panel from two or more pieces of material. For example panels  64 ,  66  and  68  could be formed from one or more components and attached or welded to panels  56  and  58 . However, this construction increases the chance of leaking or corrosion at the joints where the full effect of protective coating may be disrupted. The inwardly extending region  63  defined by panel  64 , and flanges  66 , and  68  is configured to fit between two standard spaced studs  70  of building  12  (see  FIG. 3 ). The standard spaced studs include 16 inch on center. Of course in other standards are also contemplated. The benefit of providing spacing that can be used with standard spaced studs, allows the evaporative cooler to be installed on new construction or existing buildings without the need to modify the stud configuration. Rear panel  30  further includes an upper cap member  72  having a downwardly extending rear flange  74  and a right and left downwardly extending flanges  76 ,  78 . Additionally, upper cap member  72  has an upwardly extending flange  80 . All of the flanges  74 ,  76 ,  78 , and  80  extend from a center plate member  82 . Downwardly extending flanges  74 ,  76 , and  78  are secured to panels  64 ,  66  and  68  respectively. The upper edge  81  of flange  80  is collinear with upper edge  60  of panels  56  and  58  when the upper cap  72  is in the assembled position (see  FIG. 8 ). Similarly, a lower cap  83  is secured to the lower portion of rear panel  30 . Referring to  FIGS. 1 ,  2 , and  8 , top panel  46  includes a downwardly extending front and rear flange  84 ,  86  and a downwardly extending right and left flange  88 ,  90 . Downwardly extending front flange  84  is secured to right and left front panels  40 ,  42  and downwardly extending rear flange  86  of top panel  46  is secured to panels  56 ,  58  of rear panel  30  as well as to upwardly extending flange  80  of upper cap  72 . 
   A shell is formed from the base  44 , top panel  46 , rear panel  30  and upper and lower rear panel caps  72 ,  74 , and front panels  40 ,  42 . A front access door  94  includes a central panel area  96  and a frontwardly extending flange  98  located proximate bottom edge  100  of main panel portion  96 . Additionally, a pair of moveable top covers  102 ,  104  cover the right and left media assemblies  108 , respectively. The width of the sides  26 ,  28  of evaporator cooler housing  14  is determined by the width of upwardly extending flanges  48 ,  52  of base  44 . In a preferred embodiment, the width of base  44  as defined by the distance extending outward from the building  12  is 9.5 inches. 
   Additionally, the width or distance that flanges  66  and  68  of rear panel  30  extend into the building between studs  70  is 14 inches. It should be noted that in the preferred embodiment, flanges  66  and  68  are integrally formed and part of rear panel  30  and extend substantially perpendicular to panels  56  and  58 . This provides the offset of panel  64  relative to panels  56  and  58 . Panels  64  includes an opening  106  which serves as the air outlet to the evaporate cooler housing  14 . It should also be noted that the front side  24  of housing  14  does not include any louvered openings. However, it is possible in an alternative embodiment to provide louvered openings alone or in any combination with of panels  40 ,  42 , and  94 . The air inlets of evaporator housing  14  is accomplished through the right and left media assemblies  16  that are located on the right and left sides  26 ,  28  of the housing  14 . Since the right and left media assemblies are identical to one another, each similar component will be identified with a single reference number. 
   Turning now to  FIGS. 2 ,  8  and  9 , the media assembly  16  will be described in further detail. Media assembly  16  includes a housing  108  that includes a side louver  110 , a front panel  112 , a rear panel  114 , and a base panel  116 . Extending from base panel  116  is support or leg  118 . Also extending from base panel  116  is an upwardly extending flange  120  having a upwardly extending ledge  122  with a downwardly extending catch flange  124 . Each of the front and rear panels  112 ,  114  include a flange  126 ,  128 , respectively that extends inwardly into the cavity of the cooler housing  14  a predetermined distance. A media pad  130  is located within the cavity  132  formed by the side louver  110 , front panel  112  and rear panel  114 , and inwardly extending flanges  126 ,  128 . In a preferred embodiment media  130  is a rigid media having a width of nine (9) inches, a height of twenty nine (29) inches and a length of eight (8) inches. Each media assembly housing  108  is pivotally attached to upwardly extending base flanges  48 ,  52  respectfully as illustrated in  FIGS. 8 and 9 . Rigid media as used herein means media formed from corrugated sheets of material that are bonded together to form a rigid structure. Typically the angle of the corrugated flutes are different for adjacent corrugated sheets. An example of rigid media is that sold by Munters under the trade name Celdek. Rigid media also has the characteristic of being substantially rigid. 
   When the media housing  108  is in an in use position, a bottom edge  133  of leg  118  rests on the inner surface of base plate  47  of base  44 . Media assembly  16  is pivoted from a substantially vertical position to an angled position as shown in  FIG. 8  or to a fully horizontal position (not shown) to permit easy access to remove and replace media pad  130 . 
   Referring to  FIG. 4 , water distribution system  20  includes a pump  134 , a water distribution line  136 , and a water diffuser  138 . Pump  134  includes a base  140  having on inlet  142 . Base  140  rests upon plate  47  of base  44 . Water is pumped from base  44  into water distribution lines  136  through a first line  144 . Line  144  splits into two lines  146 ,  148  via a splitter  149 . Each of lines  146 ,  148  terminate with a nozzle  150 , that is secured to water diffuser  138 . 
   Water diffuser  138  is illustrated in  FIGS. 5 and 6  and positioned as it would be if installed on the right side  26  of evaporative cooler  10 . Water diffuser  138  includes a top panel  156  having a bottom surface  158  that faces downward. A nozzle support plate  160  extends from a front edge  162  of upper plate  156 . Angle support plate  160  extends downward and away from edge  162 . Referring to  FIG. 5 , the angle between the support plate  160  and top plate  156  is forty degrees. However, the angle could be between twenty and sixty degrees or any other angle sufficient to direct water from upper plate  156  to a desired location on media  130 . Nozzle  150  is releasably attached to support plate  160  through an opening  164  that is centrally located on support plate  160 . (See  FIG. 5 .) Water diffuser  138  further includes a first vertical plate  166  extending downwardly from top plate  156  and substantially perpendicular to top plate  156 . Extending from a lower edge  168  of first vertical plate  166  is a plate  170  that forms an angle of 100 degrees with vertical plate  166 . However, any angle may sufficient so long as it permits a portion of the water to be translated from plate  166  to plate  172 . Plate  170  transitions into a horizontal plate  172  that is substantially parallel to top plate  156 . A downwardly extending flange  174  extends from an edge of horizontal plate  172 . Extending upward from top plate  156  is a first flange  175 , a second flange  176  and a side flange  178 . Additionally extending upwardly from plate  172  is a first flange  180  and a second flange  181 . 
   The water diffuser  138  that is placed on the right side of evaporative cooler  10  is secured to the front and rear walls  112 ,  118  through attaching flanges  173  and  180 , and  176  and  181 , respectively. 
   Referring to  FIG. 5 , water diffuser  138  includes a first water distribution edge  226  that extends from the angled support plate  160 , a second water distribution edge  168  extends from the lower edge of plate  166 , and a third water distribution edge  228  extending from flange  174 . Water diffuser  138  also includes an upwardly extending panel  182  terminating in an upwardly extending flange  184 . Upwardly extending flange  184  abuts against the side panel  110 . 
   As illustrated in  FIG. 4 , line section  148  extends from the splitter to the nozzle  150 . The line  148  extends through an opening  185  in flanges  88  and  90  of top panel  46 . Water is pumped from a water basin defined by base  44  through water distribution lines  136  to the two nozzles  150  located on the respective right and left water diffusers  138 . 
   Water is sprayed through each nozzle  150  such that it sprays the water against surface  158  of the top plate  156 . Nozzle  150  has an outlet that 0.360 inches in diameter. The size of the nozzle outlet is sufficient to minimize cleaning required due to mineral buildup. Additionally, a single nozzle may be used to wet a rigid media  130  having a length of eight inches and a depth of nine inches. As illustrated in  FIGS. 5 and 6  the water hitting surface  158  is split between a first direction toward plate  166  and a second direction toward plate  160 . The water forms a semi-circular pattern such that as the water reaches edges  177  and  178  of plate  156 , the entire edges are covered with water. 
   The portion of the water flow that hits edge  162  is then directed downward along plate  160  to a lower edge  226  and is deposited onto media  130  at a first position. 
   The portion of the water flow that hits edge  177  is directed downward along plate  166  to edge  168 . At lower edge  168  the water flow is split. A portion of the water will be deposited onto media  130  at a second position. The remaining water wraps around lower edge  168  and flows along plate  170  and  172  and is finally directed into a third portion of media  130  at flange  174 . 
   Referring to  FIGS. 11–13  another water diffuser  330  is formed from three components, a top panel  332 , an angled panel  334  and a finger insert  336 . The finger insert  336  provides a plurality of channels through which water is routed to ensure that the water flow does not concentrate in a particular region of the diffuser, but rather the water is spread across the entire width of the diffuser  330 . The water diffuser  330  illustrated in  FIGS. 11–13  is shown as the right side diffuser. However, a similar mirror image water diffuser may be employed on the left side of the evaporative cooler  10 . Nozzle  150  is secured to angled panel  334  through an opening  338 . Water is sprayed from nozzle  150  such that it hits a substantially horizontal portion  340  of finger insert  336  in such a manner that it directs a portion of the water to the right and a portion of water to the left. In one embodiment, the amount of water directed to the right may be greater than the amount of water directed to the left back toward angled plate  334 . Finger insert  336  includes a top portion  340  that may be substantially horizontal and is attached to the top panel  332 . Extending from a left edge of the top portion  340  is a first fingers plate  342  extending downward and to the right at the same angle as the angled panel  334 . The finger plate  342  includes a cut out region  344  that is aligned with nozzle  150 , and a plurality of fingers  346  that are spaced apart from one another. 
   Extending from the right side of horizontal top portion  340  is a second set of angled fingers  348  that extends rightward and downward at an angle “a” of forty (40) degrees. In another embodiment, angle “a” is between 20 degrees and sixty degrees. However, the angle may be another value as long as it is sufficient to direct water to the desired location of the top of media  130 . The second set of angled fingers  348  include includes a plurality of fingers  350  that are formed in part in the top portion  340 . A plurality of slits  351  are made in top portion  340  proximate the right edge of the top portion  340  to separate the fingers. The second set of angled fingers  348  include a first group of fingers  352  that extend downwardly at an angle of ninety (90) degrees relative to top portion  340 , while a second group of fingers  354  extend downward and to the right or outward at an angle (a′) of forty (40) degrees. In another embodiment angle a′ could be between 20 degrees and 60 degrees or any other angle sufficient to provide water to be directed toward media  130 . 
   Angled plate  334  includes a support plate  356  having opening  338  as noted above. Extending from a top edge of support plate  356  is an upwardly extending flange  358 , and extending from a bottom edge of support plate  356  may be a downwardly extending flange (not shown). Also extending from each of the front and rear edges  362 ,  364  of support plate  356  is a flange plate  366 ,  368  extending upward and to the right that is attached to top plate  332 . 
   Top plate  332  includes a horizontal plate  370  having a bottom surface  372  and three flanges  374 ,  376 ,  378  extending upwardly. Top plate  332  further includes a plate  380  extending from the edge  382  distal the angled plate in downward direction. Extending from the bottom edge of plate  382  is a flange  384  extending to the left. 
   A support bracket  386  is located adjacent plate  380  and has a plate  388  extending below flange  384  that may be in contact with media  130  (See  FIG. 12 ). The free ends of fingers  354 ,  352 , and  346  are disposed proximate the top of media  130  such that they are spaced apart from one another and spaced along the length of the media  130 . The ends of fingers  354  are proximate the outer or right side of the media  130 , while the ends of fingers  346  are located a predetermined distance from the left or inner side of media  130 . The ends of fingers  352  are located intermediate the ends of fingers  354  and  346 . 
   Turning to  FIG. 7 , the blower assembly includes an upper or first blower  186  and a lower or second blower  187 . In a preferred embodiment, the blowers are inverted relative to one another. The upper blower  186  includes an impeller  188  that is driven by a motor  190 . Air is drawn thought the side inlet  192  and blown out through the outlet  194 . Upper blower  186  is positioned within cavity  132  of evaporative cooler housing  14  such that the exhaust is located on the bottom of the blower  186 . The width of the blowers  186 ,  187  as measured along a vector perpendicular to the rear panel is greater than the distance between the rear panels  56 ,  58  and front panels  40 ,  42 . The blower  186  extends into the extended portion  63  allowing the blowers to be partially located within the wall of the building upon which the cooler is attached. 
   The lower blower  187  is inverted relative to the upper blower  186 , such that the exhaust outlet  198  is located on the top portion of the blower  187 . The inversion of the lower blower  187  allows the overall width of the housing to be minimal and also minimizes the length of the outlet. Each of the upper and lower blowers  186 ,  187  includes a direct drive motor  190 ,  191  that is mounted with three ears  194 ,  195 . Of course other types of motors or mounting devices may be employed. In the preferred embodiment, each blower is rotary type blower having a height H of 14.75 inches; a width W of 12.75 inches, and a length L of 9.560 inches. 
   In a preferred embodiment, each of blowers  186 ,  187  are rotary blowers having a ⅛ hp motor and a nine inch diameter blower wheel. The inversion of the blowers relative to each other permits an equal flow of air through the right and left sides of the evaporative cooler. Additionally, the position of the blowers permits the air entering the media  130  to head directly into the blower without having to turn ninety degrees. Of course air entering either the top or bottom of the media will enter the blower at an angle. However, greater efficiency is achieved since the inlet or openings of the blowers face the right and left sides of the evaporative cooler and media  130 . The inverted blowers allows double the air flow while still maintaining a nine inch blower wheel. To double the air flow with a single blower, the diameter of blower wheel may have to be increased. An increased blower wheel diameter would require a larger blower housing which in turn would require a large evaporative cooler housing. A larger housing would project further from the building structure. Typically the length of the blower wheel as measured along a longitudinal axis about which the blower rotates is the same as the diameter of the blower wheel. Other types of devices to draw air that may be used in connection with the concepts disclosed herein include a standard propeller type fan blade, a mixed flow slower wheel, and other devices known in the art. 
   Turning to  FIG. 2  evaporative cooler  10  includes an extension  200  that extends between extension panel  64  of rear panel  30  through the wall of the building  12 . Extension  200  is formed of a rigid preformed plastic sheet that has four sides,  202 ,  204 ,  206  and  208 . The extension is movable from a flattened position in which sides  202  and  204  are adjacent sides  206  and  208  to a rectangular position that has the same periphery as the opening  106  of extension panel  64 . Other types of extensions are also contemplated such as an accordion style member or an extension formed from two separate components that slide relative to one another. The ability to easily adjust the width of the extension permits the grill to fit adjacent the inner wall of the building while allowing the rear panel of the housing to be adjacent the outer wall of the building. In one embodiment the rear panel extension portion has a width of 4.2 inches. This width is sufficient to house a portion of the blower and to be affixed if desired to the studs, but does not extend beyond the width of the wall (the distance between the inner and outer walls of the building or structure). While 4.2 inches is the width of the extension in one embodiment, other widths may be employed. 
   A first and second frame member  210 ,  212  are positioned on either side of the extension  200 . Each frame member  210 ,  212  includes an outer frame member  214 ,  216  and an inwardly extending flange  218 ,  220 . Each end  222 ,  224  of extension  200  fits about the inwardly extending flanges  218 ,  220  respectively. Extension  200  may be secured to the inwardly extending flanges  218 ,  220  with a mechanical or adhesive fastener. The inner frame member  214  is attached directly to the rear panel  30  with mechanical fasteners or other fastening means. The second frame member  216  may be attached to the inside wall of building  12 . Extension  200  may be sized to extend from the first frame member  214  through the wall to the second frame that is located proximate the inside wall of the building. Finally a grill is secured to the second frame member  216  to provide both a decorative finish to the evaporative cooler and provide means for directing the air flow into the building. 
   In one embodiment, the width of the housing as measured from the building structure that the rear panel contacts is 9.5 inches. The length of the housing is 42 inches. This represents a length to width radio of over 4. The extension portion of rear panel extends 4.5 inches into the building as measured from the outside wall of the building. Accordingly, in one embodiment, the total width available for housing the blower is 14 inches. The extension of 4.5 inches into the wall of the building ensures that the extension will not significantly protrude into the building structure when the building structure utilizes standard 2×4 construction with minimal thickness outer wall and inner wall materials. Most evaporative coolers utilizing a centrifugal blower having a blower wheel typically have a width to length ratio of 1. Low profile coolers typically have a ratio of between 1.5 and 2.0. However, the lower profile coolers with a width under 24 inches are limited by the size of the blower and therefore the amount of air can be cooled by the cooler as measured in cubic feet per minute is limited. The use of side air entry allows the blowers to extend up to the front wall further minimizing the area required to store the blowers and thereby allowing for a bigger blower wheel then if a media pad was placed proximate the front panel. Additionally, the two side rigid media  130  can be eight inches in length to provide increased efficiency over a thin media pad of aspen wood or other thin media. Efficiency in the low profile evaporative cooler is gained by providing dual side air inlets through media pads that does not require the air to turn ninety degrees to enter to the centrifugal blowers. Additionally, efficiency in the low profile evaporative cooler is gained by providing two blowers and allowing both sides of the blowers to receive air from the right and left side inlets. The size of the blowers that can be used is further restricted for a low profile evaporative cooler if the blowers are to be located in part in the wall between two 16 inch on center studs. By locating the blowers one on top of the other in an inverted fashion, the blower outlet can be upto 14 inches in length and still have the inlets directly face the side inlets. The low profile evaporative cooler is further enhanced by locating the motors to run the blowers proximate the inlets to allow the height of the evaporative cooler housing to minimized. Alternatively the motors may be located between the inlets on the right and/or left sides of the blowers. If the motors are placed between the blowers and the front and or rear walls the width of the housing must increase. Similarly, if the motors are placed above or below the blowers, the height of the housing must increase. By employing two centrifugal blowers as described above, it is possible to achieve an actual cooled airflow of over 1200 cfm with a housing width of under 15 inches. In one embodiment the housing extends under 10 inches from the outer building structure wall. Further, the combined cooled airflow achieved with a housing extending 10 inches or less from the outer building structure may be over 1700, 1750, or 1800 cfm or greater. 
   It is important to note that the construction and arrangement of the elements of the evaporative cooler housing as shown in the preferred and other exemplary embodiments is illustrative only. Although only a few embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail in this disclosure, those skilled in the art who review this disclosure will readily appreciate that many modifications are possible (e.g. variations in sizes, dimensions, structures, shapes and proportions of the various elements, values of parameters, mounting arrangements, use of materials, orientations, etc.) without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of the subject matter recited in the claims. Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the present invention as defined in the appended claims. The order or sequence of any process or method steps may be varied or re-sequenced according to alternative embodiments. Other substitutions, modifications, changes and omissions may be made in the design, operating conditions and arrangement of the preferred and other exemplary embodiments without departing from the spirit of the present invention as expressed in the appended claims.

Technology Classification (CPC): 5