초록 ▼

A heat exchange matrix includes a plurality of generally planar foils including a water retaining material, arranged in spaced, substantially parallel relationship. Each foil defines a main plane having a flow direction and a transverse direction and the foils include strips that extend a strip leng

A heat exchange matrix includes a plurality of generally planar foils including a water retaining material, arranged in spaced, substantially parallel relationship. Each foil defines a main plane having a flow direction and a transverse direction and the foils include strips that extend a strip length in the transverse direction and are separated from each neighboring strip in the flow direction and each strip is offset from the main plane by a distance that is different from that of its neighbor. The matrix may be provided in a flow channel for air to be humidified and cooled.

대표청구항 ▼

1. An evaporative cooler, adiabatic cooler or humidification unit comprising: a heat exchange matrix defining a single flow channel and comprising a plurality of generally planar foils comprising a water retaining material, arranged in spaced, substantially parallel relationship and a plurality of s

1. An evaporative cooler, adiabatic cooler or humidification unit comprising: a heat exchange matrix defining a single flow channel and comprising a plurality of generally planar foils comprising a water retaining material, arranged in spaced, substantially parallel relationship and a plurality of spacers located between adjacent foils to maintain their spaced relation, each foil defining a main plane having a flow direction and a transverse direction, wherein the foils comprise strips that extend a strip length in the transverse direction and are separated from each neighbouring strip in the flow direction and each strip is offset from the main plane by a distance that is different from that of its neighbour,a housing having at least an air inlet, an air outlet, the matrix being located in the housing;a fan arrangement for directing air through the matrix in the flow direction; anda source of water for wetting the matrix. 2. The device according to claim 1, wherein the strips are offset to positions both above and below the main plane, preferably to at least four different positions. 3. The device according to claim 1, wherein the strips are generally parallel to the main plane. 4. The device according claim 1, wherein each strip is partially offset to a first position and partially offset to a second position. 5. The device according to claim 1, wherein each strip has a width in the flow direction and a first strip is spaced in the flow direction from a subsequent strip having the same offset by at least three times the width, more preferably at least five times the width. 6. The device according to claim 1, wherein the strips are arranged in a plurality of rows extending in the flow direction, each row being separated from an adjacent row by a strip free zone. 7. The device according to claim 6, wherein the spacers extend along the strip free zones. 8. The device according to claim 1, wherein the water retaining material comprises a water retaining layer applied to the strips, preferably on both surfaces thereof. 9. The device according to claim 1, wherein the strips have a width of between 1 mm and 5 mm, preferably between 1.5 mm and 3.0 mm. 10. The device according to claim 1, wherein the foil has a thickness of between 50 and 300 microns, preferably between 75 and 150 microns. 11. The device according to claim 1, wherein the foil comprises a layer of aluminium. 12. The device according to claim 1, wherein the heat exchange matrix comprises a plurality of foils of similar dimensions stacked together to form a block like structure. 13. The device according to claim 1, wherein the heat exchange matrix comprises one or more foils wound together to form a cylindrical or annular structure. 14. The device according to claim 1, wherein a spacing between adjacent foils is between 1 mm and 5 mm, preferably between 1.5 mm and 3.0 mm. 15. A method of manufacturing a device according to claim 1, comprising: providing a supply of foil material having water retaining first and second surfaces;passing the foil material through a cutting station to cut the foil to form a plurality of strips, each strip having a strip length defining a transverse direction and each strip being separated by the cut from each neighbouring strip in a flow direction;passing the cut foil through a forming station to offset each strip from a main plane of the foil by a distance that is different from that of its neighbour;separating sections of foil and stacking the sections to form a stack having multiple layers or rolling the foil to form a roll having multiple layers; andinserting spacers between the multiple layers to maintain their respective spacings while maintaining a single channel. 16. The method of claim 15, wherein the foil comprises aluminium. 17. The method of claim 15, wherein the foil has a thickness of between 50 and 300 microns, preferably between 75 and 150 microns. 18. The method of claim 15, wherein the foil is fed in the transverse direction through rollers embodying the cutting station and the forming station. 19. An adiabatic cooler according to claim 1, wherein the strips extend generally vertically and the flow channel extends generally horizontally, the source of water being arranged to supply water to an upper side of the plurality of foils such that the water can flow downwards along the strips. 20. The adiabatic cooler according to claim 19, wherein the foils are spaced from each other by spacers having limited extent in the flow direction. 21. The adiabatic cooler according to claim 19, wherein the spacers comprise spots of polymeric material having a dimension in the main plane of the foils of less than 1 cm.