SprayCool

In 1988, brothers Donald and Chuck Tilton founded a company in Clarkston, Washington, called Isothermal Systems Research (ISR). Their focus was on a complex problem: as electronics became more powerful, they generated more heat. Traditional air and liquid cooling had limitations, especially in harsh environments. ISR developed a novel solution: direct-spray cooling. The technology involved spraying a fine mist of a non-conductive fluid directly onto hot electronic components. This fluid would evaporate, efficiently removing heat in a closed-loop system, allowing for smaller, lighter, and more reliable high-performance electronics. The company found its niche in demanding sectors like military and aerospace, providing cooling for systems in unmanned aerial vehicles and even the U-2 spy plane. Recognizing their core technology's brand potential, the company officially changed its name to SprayCool in 2006. By 2009, the privately held company was generating over $11 million in sales. This success attracted a major player in motion and control technologies. In March 2010, SprayCool was acquired by Parker Hannifin Corp. and integrated into its Parker Aerospace division. The acquisition was a strategic move for both; SprayCool's innovative enclosures, combined with Parker's expertise in pumps and valves, created a more complete thermal management system. This marked the next chapter for the Tilton brothers' cooling technology, solidifying its place within a global industrial giant.