Evaporative cooling system installed in a structure wall

Abstract

An evaporative cooling system includes a housing that fits between a pair of wall studs of a structure. The housing includes a water pump, an evaporative pad, a water distributor, a motor, and a fan. In an embodiment, the wall studs are spaced about sixteen inches on center. This leaves about 14.5 inches between the studs, and the housing will preferably be about 14 inches in width to ensure proper fit. The unit may be about 3 to 6 inches in thickness and about 24 inches in height, protruding no more than about three inches from the inside wall. The housing also preferably includes a front cover. A ventilation grill can be installed on the exterior wall to facilitate outside air being brought into the system. In other embodiments, the studs are spaced differently (e.g., about twenty-four inches on center) or the unit is installed in a structure built using non-wood framing (e.g., SIP, ICF).

1 . A cooling system installable within a structure wall, comprising:
 in a housing, the housing disposed between a pair of studs of the wall,
 a water reservoir; 
 a pump; 
 a pad; 
 a water distributor; 
 a motor; and 
 a fan. 
   
     
     
         2 . The cooling system of  claim 1 , wherein the studs are spaced about sixteen inches on center. 
     
     
         3 . The cooling system of  claim 1 , wherein the studs are spaced about twenty-four inches on center. 
     
     
         4 . The cooling system of  claim 1 , wherein the pump brings water from the water reservoir to the water distributor and the water distributor distributes the water to the pad thereby moistening the pad. 
     
     
         5 . The cooling system of  claim 4 , wherein the fan causes air to flow through the pad moistened by the water, thereby cooling the air by evaporation. 
     
     
         6 . The cooling system of  claim 5 , wherein the fan causes the cooled air to flow through an opening. 
     
     
         7 . The cooling system of  claim 4 , wherein at least some of the water flows back to the reservoir for recirculation. 
     
     
         8 . The cooling system of  claim 1 , wherein the water reservoir is filled with additional water when the water in the reservoir falls below a predetermined level. 
     
     
         9 . The cooling system of  claim 8 , further including a ball float valve that opens to fill the water reservoir with the additional water when the water in the reservoir falls below the predetermined level. 
     
     
         10 . The cooling system of  claim 1 , further including a water drain. 
     
     
         11 . The cooling system of  claim 1 , wherein the housing includes a front cover. 
     
     
         12 . The cooling system of  claim 1 , wherein the housing protrudes from the wall less than three inches. 
     
     
         13 . The cooling system of  claim 1 , wherein the wall is a load-bearing wall. 
     
     
         14 . The cooling system of  claim 1 , wherein the structure is a garage. 
     
     
         15 . A cooling system kit, comprising:
 the cooling system of  claim 1 ;   mounting elements; and   a ventilation grill.   
     
     
         16 . The cooling system kit of  claim 15 , further including instructions. 
     
     
         17 . A cooling system, comprising:
 in a means for mounting within a structure wall, a means for evaporatively cooling an indoor area.   
     
     
         18 . The cooling system of  claim 17 , wherein the means for mounting includes placing the means for evaporatively cooling between wall studs spaced about sixteen inches on center. 
     
     
         19 . The cooling system of  claim 17 , wherein the means for mounting includes placing the means for evaporatively cooling within a structure wall, the structure wall constructed using one of structural insulated panels (SIP) and insulating concrete forms (ICF). 
     
     
         20 . The cooling system of  claim 17 , wherein the means for enclosing protrudes from the wall less than three inches.