IP Library Granted Patent US 9,603,957
Granted Patent B2
US 9,603,957 · App. 14/598,768 · Granted Mar 28, 2017

Multiple pump evaporative media system

Inventors: Mark Allen Kirkwold (Shakopee, MN); Cole K. Farley (Long Lake, MN); James M. Lundgreen (Lakeville, MN)
Assignee: Dri-Steem Corporation
A61L2/10B01F3/04021B01F3/04078B01F3/04085F24F5/0035F24F6/043F25B39/02F25B39/028F25D7/00F28C3/08G05D9/12F24F2001/0088Y02B30/545Y10T137/0318Y10T137/7303
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,603,957
App. No.
14/598,768
Granted
Mar 28, 2017
Kind
B2
Abstract

An evaporative media system having multiple media stages each served by a separate pump is disclosed. In one aspect, the evaporative media system has a first media stage and a second media stage. A first pump is provided that is configured to deliver water from the first compartment of the water storage tank to the first media stage. Additionally, a second pump is provided that is configured to deliver water from the first compartment of the water storage tank to the second media stage. Additional media stages and pumps may be provided as well. The disclosed configuration eliminates the need for individual staging valves, provides a higher level of operational redundancy, reduces electrical consumption, and can be provided at a lower cost, as compared to many existing systems.

Claims (40)

1. An evaporative media system comprising:

a. a water storage tank having a first compartment;

b. a first media stage;

c. a second media stage;

d. a first pump configured to deliver water from the first compartment of the water storage tank to the first media stage; and

e. a second pump configured to deliver water from the first compartment of the water storage tank to the second media stage;

f. wherein the first and second pumps are at least partially located within the first compartment and have different flow capacities.

2. The evaporative media system of claim 1 , further comprising:

a. a third media stage; and

b. a third pump configured to deliver water from the first compartment of the water storage tank to the third media stage.

3. The evaporative media system of claim 1 , further comprising:

a. a controller for selectively activating and deactivating the first and second pumps.

4. The evaporative media system of claim 3 , wherein:

a. the controller is an electronic controller configured to selectively activate and deactivate the first and second pumps to maintain a leaving air temperature or relative humidity set point.

5. The evaporative media system of claim 2 , further comprising:

a. a controller for selectively activating and deactivating the first, second, and third pumps.

6. The evaporative media system of claim 5 , wherein:

a. the controller is an electronic controller configured to selectively activate and deactivate the first, second, and third pumps to maintain a leaving air temperature or relative humidity set point.

7. The evaporative media system of claim 1 , wherein the water storage tank is configured as an external reservoir that is connected to a drain pan via a conduit, the drain pan being located below the first and second media stages.

8. The evaporative media system of claim 1 , wherein the second pump has a flow capacity that is about twice the flow capacity of the first pump.

9. The evaporative media system of claim 1 , wherein the evaporative media system is configured for installation in an air handling unit having a supply fan.

10. An air handling system comprising:

a. a water storage tank having a first compartment;

b. a first media stage;

c. a second media stage;

d. a first pump configured to deliver water from the first compartment of the water storage tank to the first media stage;

e. a second pump configured to deliver water from the first compartment of the water storage tank to the second media stage, wherein the first and second pumps have different flow capacities; and

f. a supply fan having housing defining an inlet and an outlet, wherein the first and second media stages are located within the housing and the supply fan is configured to draw air through the inlet, through the first and second media stages, and out of the outlet.

11. The air handling system of claim 10 , further comprising:

a. a third media stage; and

b. a third pump configured to deliver water from the first compartment of the water storage tank to the third media stage.

12. The air handling system of claim 10 , further comprising:

a. a controller for selectively activating and deactivating the first and second pumps and the fan.

13. The air handling system of claim 12 , wherein:

a. the controller is an electronic controller configured to selectively activate and deactivate the first and second pumps to maintain a leaving air temperature or relative humidity set point.

14. The air handling system of claim 11 , further comprising:

a. a controller for selectively activating and deactivating the first, second, and third pumps and the fan.

15. The air handling system of claim 14 , wherein:

a. the controller is an electronic controller configured to selectively activate and deactivate the first, second, and third pumps to maintain a leaving air temperature or relative humidity set point.

16. The air handling system of claim 10 , wherein the second pump has a flow capacity that is about twice the flow capacity of the first pump.

Assignments (3)
ASSIGNMENT OF PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT, RECORDED ON OCTOBER 15, 2025 AT REEL/FRAME 73109/0707 Recorded Jul 16, 2026
From: GOLDMAN SACHS BANK USA, AS EXISTING AGENT
To: WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS SUCCESSOR AGENT
Reel/Frame 075998/0444 →
PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Oct 15, 2025
From: RESEARCH PRODUCTS CORPORATION; DRI-STEEM CORPORATION; EWC CONTROLS, LLC
To: GOLDMAN SACHS BANK USA, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 073109/0707 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Oct 6, 2025
From: RESEARCH PRODUCTS CORPORATION; DRI-STEEM CORPORATION; EWC CONTROLS, LLC
To: U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
Reel/Frame 073007/0564 →
Continuity (6)
Provisional Application 61928775 · Jan 17, 2014
Provisional Application 61928740 · Jan 17, 2014
Provisional Application 61928764 · Jan 17, 2014
Provisional Application 61928784 · Jan 17, 2014
Provisional Application 61928800 · Jan 17, 2014
Related Publication 20150204552A1 · Jul 23, 2015