Low-cost air conditioning system for open area

Abstract

The solar-powered air conditioning system is a low cost, environmentally friendly system for cooling air through evaporative cooling. The system includes a motor-driven fan for producing a directed air stream. A water delivery system is in communication with an external water supply and produces water droplets, which are delivered into the directed air stream. Evaporation of the water droplets within the directed air stream lowers the temperature of the directed air stream via evaporative cooling. The motor-driven fan is powered by at least one solar panel, which may be mounted on a water tank for holding the water supply of the water delivery system. Further, a rechargeable battery may be provided for providing power when the solar panel generates insufficient power.

1 . A solar-powered air conditioning system, comprising:
 a fan for producing a directed air stream;   a coolant reservoir;   means for delivering coolant from the coolant reservoir into the directed air stream in droplets in order to produce evaporative cooling; and   a power source having at least one solar panel containing an array of solar cells for generating electrical power from the sun, the power source being electrically connected to the fan.   
   
   
       2 . The solar-powered air conditioning system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said coolant reservoir comprises a water tank adapted for holding water, the tank being mounted above the directed air stream, the tank having a lower wall, said means for delivering comprising a plurality of orifices defined in the lower wall of the tank, whereby the lower wall forms a drip plate, water draining through the drip plate by gravity and being formed into droplets. 
   
   
       3 . The solar-powered air conditioning system as recited in  claim 2 , wherein said means for delivering further comprises a mesh screen disposed between said drip plate and the directed air stream, the mesh screen having a screen size dimensioned and configured for further dividing the water droplets into fine droplets. 
   
   
       4 . The solar-powered air conditioning system as recited in  claim 2 , wherein said at least one solar panel is mounted on said water tank. 
   
   
       5 . The solar-powered air conditioning system according to  claim 2 , wherein said coolant reservoir further comprises a roof mounted above said water tank. 
   
   
       6 . The solar-powered air conditioning system according to  claim 5 , wherein said at least one solar panel comprises at least one solar panel mounted upon the roof over the water tank. 
   
   
       7 . The solar-powered air conditioning system according to  claim 2 , further comprising a pump connected to said water tank for filling the water tank with water, said pump receiving electrical power from said power source. 
   
   
       8 . The solar-powered air conditioning system according to  claim 1 , wherein said means for delivering comprises at least one atomizer connected to said coolant reservoir, the atomizer being disposed to spray coolant into the directed air stream in an atomized mist. 
   
   
       9 . The solar-powered air conditioning system according to  claim 1 , further comprising a fluid conduit extending between said coolant reservoir and said fan, said means for delivering further comprising:
 a plurality of fan blades disposed upon said fan, the fan blades having fluid channels defined therein; and   a plurality of atomizer nozzles disposed upon each of the fan blades, the nozzles communicating with the fluid channels in order to spray an atomized mist of coolant into the directed air stream.   
   
   
       10 . The solar-powered air conditioning system according to  claim 1 , wherein said power source further comprises:
 at least one rechargeable battery;   a charging circuit for recharging the battery from current generated in said at least one solar panel; and   switching means for delivering electrical power to said fan directly from said solar panel when said solar panel delivers sufficient power and for delivering electrical power to said fan from said rechargeable battery when said solar panel delivers insufficient power to said fan.   
   
   
       11 . The solar-powered air conditioning system according to  claim 1 , further comprising a dc electric motor driving said fan, the motor being electrically connected to said power source.