Patent Description:
Such systems use water evaporation to cool the air that is circulated inside a barn or greenhouse by means of aeration systems. For this purpose, water-impregnated evaporative panels are used, which are arranged in openings made in the walls of the building and are made to be penetrated by a flow of air generated by an aeration system. The water in the panel evaporates, extracting heat from the surrounding air, and therefore the hot, dry air from the outside enters the cooler, more humid building. The water that does not evaporate, dripping downwards by gravity, collects in a gutter located below the panel, from which the water is drawn up by a pump and fed back to the distribution apparatus.

Evaporative panels generally are relatively large structures and are thus made by joining several elements together in order to cover the desired areas. In particular, the collection gutters are made by joining several consecutive elements in order to cover the entire width of the panel. The assembly generally takes place on site and provides for fixing and sealing the various elements of the gutter to each other. The fixing and sealing operation is carried out manually, and therefore the final result, in terms of sealing the gutter, depends on the skills of the operator. Moreover, it is also a time-consuming and resource-intensive process.

<CIT> discloses a gutter having the features of the preamble of claim <NUM>, which is however not suitable for evaporative cooling systems. <CIT> discloses a joint which is used for fixing a repair piece to a gutter. <CIT> discloses a joint allowing two gutter elements to be assembled in an overlapping relationship.

One object of the present invention is to make available a gutter for an evaporative panel of a cooling system that can overcome at least in part the aforementioned drawbacks.

According to the invention, there is provided a gutter for an evaporative panel of a cooling system according to claim <NUM>. Such a gutter comprises.

Preferred embodiments of the invention are defined in the dependent claims, which are intended as an integral part of the present description.

In a gutter according to the invention, the attachment of a channel element of the gutter to another component, such as another channel element or an end cap of the gutter, is achieved by means of a joint that may also ensure a seal between the elements. The joint thus facilitates assembly and sealing operations, for which the same level of expertise is not required as for conventional gutters. Moreover, assembly times are comparatively short.

Further features and advantages of the gutter according to the invention will become more apparent in the following detailed description of an embodiment of the invention, made with reference to the accompanying drawings, provided purely to be illustrative and non-limiting, wherein:.

With reference to <FIG> and <FIG>, an evaporative cooling system is represented. The system comprises an evaporative panel <NUM>, formed by a plurality of panel elements 1a placed side by side and supported by a structure <NUM> that surrounds the panel <NUM>. The elements of panel 1a are made of material chosen and configured in such a way as to allow, on the one hand, for them to be impregnated with water, and, on the other, for the air to pass through them. The direction of the air flow is represented by the IN and OUT arrows in <FIG>.

The structure <NUM> comprises two side panels, 2a and 2b, between which the evaporative panel <NUM> is laterally contained. An upper part 2c, in which a distribution apparatus <NUM> is arranged, is constructed as a pipe that extends along the entire width of the panel <NUM> and equipped with a plurality of spray nozzles or other dispensing members (not shown) distributed along the pipe so as to spray the panel with water as evenly as possible.

The structure <NUM> further comprises a lower part <NUM> constructed as a gutter, and suitable to collect the water that drips by gravity from the panel <NUM>.

The gutter <NUM> is conventionally connected to the distribution apparatus <NUM> by means of a recirculation pipe <NUM>, comprising a pump <NUM> to draw the water from the gutter <NUM> and to feed it to the distribution apparatus <NUM>.

The description of the aforesaid evaporative system is intended simply to frame the scope of the present invention and is therefore not to be considered binding.

With particular reference to <FIG>, the gutter <NUM> comprises a plurality of consecutive channel elements <NUM>. Each end of each channel element <NUM> is sealingly connected to one end of an adjacent channel element <NUM>, or to another component of the panel, in particular an end cap of the gutter <NUM>. <FIG> and <FIG> show one of such end caps, indicated at <NUM>, on which is arranged a fitting for connecting the gutter <NUM> to the recirculation pipe <NUM>.

Each channel element <NUM> is made in a single piece, in particular, of plastic material, but could be made of other materials, such as metallic materials. In the example shown, the channel elements <NUM> have an approximately trapezoidal cross section. Such shape is not, however, essential to the invention and may be different, e.g. semicircular, parabolic or semi-elliptical, or more generally it may also have a non-symmetrical shape. Each channel element <NUM> consists of a bottom wall 21a and a pair of side walls 21b opposite each other that extend from the bottom wall 21a and end in respective top edges 21c of the channel element <NUM>. As may be seen in particular in <FIG>, each wall 21a and 21b is preferably constructed as a double wall with a cavity 21d inside. Such configuration is advantageous because it provides a double barrier that prevents water leaks to the outside in the event of cracks forming on the inside of the double wall.

As shown in <FIG>, a series of consecutive grid elements <NUM> is arranged along the gutter <NUM>, which rest on the top edges 21c of each channel element <NUM> and act as a support for the panel elements 1a, while at the same time allowing the water dripping from the panel elements 1a to collect in the gutter <NUM>.

The sealed connection between the channel elements <NUM>, and between the channel elements <NUM> and the end caps <NUM>, is made by means of joints <NUM>.

Each joint <NUM> comprises an outer part <NUM> formed as a single piece, in particular, made of plastic (or other materials), which is configured to be coupled to the outer surface of the channel element <NUM>. Consequently, the outer part <NUM> of the joint has a shape that matches the cross-sectional profile of the outer surface of the channel element <NUM>. The outer part <NUM> of the joint comprises a base portion 31a, which may be placed on a surface, and a pair of opposing side portions 31b that extend from the base portion 31a. At the top ends thereof, the side portions 31b end with their respective flanges 31c that extend laterally outwards. As may be seen in <FIG>, in use, the flanges 31c are arranged at the respective top edges 21c of the channel element <NUM>.

As may be seen in particular in <FIG> and <FIG>, the outer part <NUM> of the joint <NUM> has a seat <NUM> in the shape of a saddle, defined by the inner surfaces of the base portion 31a and the side portions 31b of the outer part <NUM>. The seat <NUM> is suitable to receive the end of a respective channel element <NUM>. The outer part <NUM>, and in general the whole joint <NUM>, may have reflective symmetry with respect to a median plane, so as to allow the coupling of two gutter elements <NUM> arranged head to head with a single joint <NUM> (the term "median" is understood to refer to the direction defined by the longitudinal axis of the channel element <NUM>). The following description refers to only one of the symmetrical halves of the joint <NUM>, but it is intended that the features described concern both halves. However, the invention is not limited to the symmetrical example described herein, as the joint may also have a non-symmetrical shape.

In the seat <NUM> of the outer part <NUM> of the joint <NUM>, a partition <NUM> is preferably made, extending transversely inwards, arranged in particular at the median plane of the joint <NUM>. The partition <NUM> defines a reference position, and possible abutment, for the end of the channel element <NUM> (and therefore, on opposite sides, for the ends of two channel elements <NUM> placed head to head). In this regard, it may be provided that the end of the channel element <NUM> must be placed at a certain axial distance from the partition <NUM>, so as to have play that may compensate for the thermal expansion of the components that may occur in use.

In the seat <NUM> of the outer part <NUM> of the joint <NUM> a groove 32a may be obtained suitable to receive a possible gasket (not illustrated) to be interposed between the outer part <NUM> of the joint <NUM> and the outer surface of the channel element <NUM>. According to other embodiments, there may be more than one gasket between the outer part <NUM> of the joint <NUM> and the outer surface of the channel element <NUM>. Depending on other embodiments, the gasket(s) may be co-molded on the outer part <NUM> of the joint <NUM>.

Each joint <NUM> comprises moreover an inner part <NUM> formed as a single piece, in particular, made of plastic (or other materials), which is configured to be coupled to the inner surface of the channel element <NUM>. Consequently, the inner part <NUM> of the joint has a shape that matches the cross-sectional profile of the outer surface of the channel element <NUM>. The inner part <NUM> of the joint <NUM> has a saddle shape and comprises a bottom portion 35a and a pair of opposing side portions 35b that extend from the bottom portion 35a. At the top ends thereof, the side portions 35b end with their respective flanges 35c extending laterally outwards. As may be seen in <FIG>, in use, the flanges 35c of the inner part <NUM> of the joint <NUM> are arranged at the respective top edges 21c of the channel element <NUM> and are superimposed on the flanges 31c of the outer part <NUM> of the joint <NUM>.

By virtue of the arrangement described above, in use, the end of the channel element <NUM> is sandwiched between the outer part <NUM> and the inner part <NUM> of the joint <NUM>.

On each of the flanges 35c of the inner part <NUM> of the joint <NUM>, there is a pair of inspection through-slits 35e, each of which in use is located above the top edge 21c of the end of the respective channel element <NUM>. The inspection through-slits 35e are used to allow users to monitor, by observing through the slits 35e when the joint is closed, the positioning of the end of the channel element <NUM> with respect to the partition <NUM> made on the outer part <NUM> of the joint <NUM>. For this purpose, it may be provided that each slit 35e is sized in length in such a way as to provide visual feedback regarding the positioning of the end of the channel element. In this case, it may be envisaged that, if the end of the channel element <NUM> is positioned too far from partition <NUM>, then the slit 35e is "empty" inasmuch as, according to a plan view, there is no overlap between the slit 35e and the end of the channel element <NUM>. Conversely, if the end of the channel element <NUM> comes into contact with the partition <NUM> due to incorrect positioning or thermal expansion of the channel element <NUM>, then the slit 35e is "full" inasmuch as, according to a plan view, there is a total overlap between the slit 35e and the end of the channel element <NUM>.

On the outer side of the inner part <NUM> of the joint <NUM>, a slit <NUM> is preferably made to receive the partition <NUM> of the outer part <NUM> of the joint <NUM>. Moreover, on the inner part <NUM> of the joint <NUM>, one or more bridge portions 37a, 37b are made, extending between the side portions 35b of the inner part <NUM>. Some of the bridge portions, indicated at 37a, serve to stiffen the inner part <NUM> of the joint <NUM> and to prevent the side portions 35b from flexing inwards in use, which would result in a loss of effectiveness of the compressive action of the inner part <NUM> of the joint <NUM> on the inner surface of the channel element <NUM>. The upper bridge portion, indicated at 37b, is made as a grid and serves as a support for the overhanging panel element 1a.

On the outer side of the inner part <NUM> of the joint <NUM>, a groove 35d may be obtained suitable to receive a respective gasket <NUM> to be interposed between the outer part <NUM> of the joint <NUM> and the outer surface of the channel element <NUM>. According to further embodiments, there may be more than one gasket between the inner part <NUM> of the joint <NUM> and the inner surface of the channel element <NUM>. According to other embodiments, the gasket(s) may be co-molded on the inner part <NUM> of the joint <NUM>.

Claim 1:
A gutter (<NUM>) for an evaporative panel (<NUM>) of a cooling system, comprising
at least one channel element (<NUM>) comprising a bottom wall (21a) and a pair of opposing side walls (21b) extending from the bottom wall (21a) and ending at the respective top edges (21c) of the channel element (<NUM>), and
at least one joint (<NUM>) configured to sealingly connect one end of the channel element (<NUM>) to another component of the evaporative panel (<NUM>), the joint (<NUM>) comprising
- - an outer part (<NUM>) configured to be coupled to an outer surface of the channel element (<NUM>) and provided with a pair of flanges (31c) suitable to be arranged at the respective top edges (21c) of the channel element (<NUM>),
- - an inner part (<NUM>) configured to be coupled to an inner surface of the channel element (<NUM>) and provided with a pair of flanges (35c) suitable to be arranged at the respective top edges (21c) of the channel element (<NUM>),
- at least one gasket (<NUM>) suitable to be interposed between the inner part (<NUM>) of the joint (<NUM>) and the inner surface of the channel element (<NUM>), and
- clamping means (<NUM>) acting on the flanges (35c, 31c) to clamp the end of the channel element (<NUM>) between the inner part (<NUM>) and outer part (<NUM>) of the joint (<NUM>),
wherein the outer part (<NUM>) of the joint (<NUM>) has a seat (<NUM>) in the shape of a saddle, suitable to receive the end of the channel element (<NUM>), and the inner part (<NUM>) of the joint (<NUM>) comprises a corresponding bottom portion (35a) and a pair of opposing side portions (35b) extending from the bottom portion (35a),
wherein in the seat (<NUM>) of the outer part (<NUM>) of the joint (<NUM>) a partition (<NUM>) is made, extending transversely inwards, said partition defining a reference position for the end of the channel element (<NUM>),
said gutter being characterized in that on the inner part (<NUM>) of the joint (<NUM>) a plurality of bridge portions (37a, 37b) are made, extending between the side portions (35b) of the inner part (<NUM>), wherein said bridge portions comprise a bridge portion (37a) and an upper bridge portion (37b), said upper bridge portion (37b) being made as a grid and serving as a support for a panel element (1a) of the evaporative panel (<NUM>).