U.S. patent application number 11/544848 was filed with the patent office on 2008-04-10 for apparatus and method for enhanced dehumidification.
Invention is credited to Richard Giallombardo.
Application Number | 20080083230 11/544848 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39273983 |
Filed Date | 2008-04-10 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080083230 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Giallombardo; Richard |
April 10, 2008 |
Apparatus and method for enhanced dehumidification
Abstract
A method and apparatus for enhancing performance of a
dehumidifier that is operating in a substantially closed air
environment facilitates air-to-air heat exchange between a first
air stream derived from the closed air environment and a second air
stream derived from a source other than the closed air environment,
the second air stream being cooler than the first air stream.
Inventors: |
Giallombardo; Richard;
(Madison, WI) |
Correspondence
Address: |
ANDRUS, SCEALES, STARKE & SAWALL, LLP
100 EAST WISCONSIN AVENUE, SUITE 1100
MILWAUKEE
WI
53202
US
|
Family ID: |
39273983 |
Appl. No.: |
11/544848 |
Filed: |
October 6, 2006 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
62/93 ;
62/186 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F24F 2221/125 20130101;
F24F 3/153 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
62/93 ;
62/186 |
International
Class: |
F25D 17/06 20060101
F25D017/06; F25D 17/04 20060101 F25D017/04 |
Claims
1. An apparatus for enhancing performance of a dehumidifier that is
operating in a substantially closed air environment, the apparatus
comprising: a cabinet adapted to removably attach to the
dehumidifier, the cabinet having a first inlet receiving a first
air stream from the closed air environment; a second inlet
receiving a second air stream from a source other than the closed
air environment, the second air stream being cooler than the first
air stream; a first outlet discharging the first air stream to the
dehumidifier; a second outlet discharging the second air stream;
and an air-to-air heat exchanger in the cabinet, the air-to-air
heat exchanger facilitating heat exchange between the first and
second air flows to thereby cool the first air flow prior to
discharge of the first air flow to the dehumidifier and warm the
second air flow prior to discharge of the second air flow.
2. The apparatus of claim 1, comprising a fan for driving the
second air stream through the cabinet.
3. The apparatus of claim 2, comprising means for thermostatically
controlling the fan.
4. The apparatus of claim 1, comprising means for removably
attaching the cabinet to a dehumidifier.
5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the means for removably
attaching the cabinet to a dehumidifier comprise a slot on the
cabinet.
6. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the means for removably
attaching the cabinet to a dehumidifier comprise a tab having an
aperture.
7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the secondary air stream is
discharged to an area other than the substantially closed air
environment.
8. The apparatus of claim 1, comprising a baffle for directing
condensate from the heat exchanger into the drip pan.
9. A method for enhancing performance of a dehumidifier that is
operating in a substantially closed air environment, the apparatus
comprising: facilitating air-to-air heat exchange between a first
air stream derived from the closed air environment and a second air
stream derived from a source other than the closed air environment,
the second air stream being cooler than the first air stream such
that the first air stream is cooled; discharging the cooled, first
air stream to an inlet on the dehumidifier for
dehumidification.
10. The method of claim 9, further comprising the step of
dehumidifying the cooled first air stream and discharging the
dehumidified first air stream to the closed air environment.
11. The method of claim 9, further comprising the step of
discharging the second air stream to an area outside of the closed
air environment.
12. The method of claim 9, wherein the source is an air-conditioned
source.
13. An arrangement for dehumidification of a substantially closed
air environment, the system comprising: a dehumidifier having an
inlet for receiving moist air and an outlet for discharging
dehumidified air to the closed air environment; and an air-to-air
heat exchanger having a first inlet receiving a first air stream
from the closed air environment, a second inlet receiving a second
air stream from a source other than the closed air environment, the
second air stream being cooler than the first air stream, a first
outlet discharging the first air stream to the dehumidifier inlet,
and a second outlet discharging the second air stream.
14. The arrangement of claim 13, comprising a cabinet housing the
air-to-air heat exchanger, the cabinet adapted to removably attach
to the dehumidifier.
15. The arrangement of claim 14, comprising an inlet cover adapted
to interchangeably fit on the dehumidifier when the cabinet is not
attached to the dehumidifier and on the cabinet when the cabinet is
attached to the dehumidifier.
16. The arrangement of claim 15, wherein the inlet cover comprises
an air filter.
17. The arrangement of claim 13, comprising a duct carrying the
second air stream from the source to the second inlet.
18. The arrangement of claim 13, comprising a duct carrying the
second air stream from the second outlet to an area other than the
closed air environment.
19. The arrangement of claim 13, comprising a fan for driving the
secondary air stream through the air-to-air heat exchanger.
20. The arrangement of claim 19, wherein the fan is
thermostatically controlled.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The invention relates to dehumidifiers, and more
particularly to improved performance and efficiency.
[0002] Dehumidifiers are known in the prior art. A compressor
delivers hot compressed refrigerant gas. A condenser receives the
refrigerant gas and condenses same into hot refrigerant liquid. An
expansion device receives the refrigerant liquid from the condenser
and expands same to drop the temperature and pressure of the
liquid. An evaporator receives the cool liquid refrigerant from the
expansion device and evaporates same to cold gas refrigerant, which
is returned to the compressor to complete the refrigeration cycle.
Air flow is directed across the evaporator to cool the air below
the dew point such that water vapor in the air is condensed to
liquid to dehumidify the air. The dehumidified air is then directed
across the condenser to warm the air.
[0003] The present invention arose during continuing development
efforts directed toward improved performance and efficiency in a
dehumidifier.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0004] In the drawings:
[0005] FIG. 1 shows a dehumidifier known in the prior art.
[0006] FIG. 2 is a schematic illustration of a dehumidification
system known in the prior art.
[0007] FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a dehumidifier,
including a portable cabinet, known in the prior art.
[0008] FIG. 4 shows the dehumidifier of FIG. 3 partially broken
away, showing prior art.
[0009] FIG. 5 is a side view of the dehumidifier of FIG. 4, showing
prior art.
[0010] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a dehumidifier and apparatus
for enhancing the performance of the dehumidifier, in accordance
with the present invention.
[0011] FIG. 7 is a side view, broken away, of the arrangement shown
in FIG. 6.
[0012] FIG. 8 is a perspective view, broken away, of apparatus for
enhancing performance of a dehumidifier.
[0013] FIGS. 9a and 9b are partial views showing attachment points
for coupling the apparatus for enhancing performance of a
dehumidifier to a dehumidifier.
[0014] FIGS. 10a and 10b are partial views of further attachment
points for coupling an apparatus for enhancing performance of a
dehumidifier to a dehumidifier.
[0015] FIG. 11 is a schematic illustration of an arrangement in
accordance with the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Prior Art
[0016] FIG. 1 shows a dehumidifier 10 known in the prior art. A
compressor 12 delivers compressed hot gas refrigerant. A condenser
14 receives the hot gas refrigerant and condenses same to hot
liquid refrigerant, and gives up heat to the air flow therethrough.
An expansion device 16 receives the hot liquid refrigerant and
expands same to a liquid and gas refrigerant mixture of reduced
temperature and pressure. Expansion device 16 is typically a flow
restrictor, capillary tube, or other pressure reducer. An
evaporator 18 receives the cool liquid and gas refrigerant mixture
and evaporates the liquid portion to cool gas refrigerant, and
absorbs heat from the air flow therethrough. The refrigerant is
circulated from compressor 12 to condenser 14 to expansion device
16 to evaporator 18 and back to compressor 12 in a refrigeration
cycle. Air flow, typically driven by a fan (not shown), is directed
by a duct or housing 19 along a path through evaporator 18 and
condenser 14. As the air flows through evaporator 18 from point 20
to point 22, the temperature of the air drops below the dew point
such that water vapor in the air is condensed to liquid to
dehumidify the air. The air is heated as it flows through condenser
14 from point 22 to point 24, and the warmed and dehumidified air
is discharged to the desired space, such as a basement, or other
interior space of a house or building.
[0017] FIG. 2 further schematically illustrates the
dehumidification of system of FIG. 1 and uses like reference
numerals where appropriate to facilitate understanding. It is known
to provide a heat exchanger 26a, 26b for pre-cooling the air
upstream of evaporator 18 and then re-heating the air downstream of
the evaporator.
[0018] FIGS. 3-5 show a dehumidifier 28 including a portable
cabinet 30, compressor 12 in the cabinet for delivering hot
compressed refrigerant, condenser coil 14 in the cabinet and
receiving refrigerant from compressor 12 and condensing same,
capillary tube expansion device 16 in the cabinet and receiving
refrigerant from condenser coil 14 and expanding same, and
evaporator coil 18 in the cabinet and receiving refrigerant from
expansion device 16 and evaporating same, and delivering the
refrigerant to compressor 12. The refrigerant is circulated from
compressor 12 to condenser coil 14 to expansion device 16 to
evaporator coil 18 and back to compressor 12 in a refrigeration
cycle, as is known.
[0019] Cabinet 30 has an air flow path 32 therethrough, including a
first segment 34, FIG. 5, passing ambient air to evaporator coil
18, a second segment 36 passing air from evaporator coil 18 to
condenser coil 14, and a third segment 38 discharging air from
condenser coil 14. The first, second and third segments, 34, 36 and
38, are in series from upstream to downstream, respectively. Heat
exchanger 26 has first and second heat exchange paths 26a and 26b
therethrough in heat exchange relation, for example provided by a
plurality of layered corrugated sheets providing vertical air flow
channels therethrough at 26a in heat exchange relation with a
plurality of interdigitated corrugated layered sheets providing
horizontal flow channels therethrough at 26b, providing an
air-to-air cross flow heat exchanger as is known. Heat exchanger
path 26a provides pre-cooled ambient air from which moisture is
removed by evaporator coil 18. Pre-cooling incoming air improves
grain depression, capacity (pints per day), and efficiency (pints
per kilowatt hour). The removed moisture is collected at collection
pan 40 having drainage outlet 42. The air is re-heated at heat
exchanger flow path 26b, and the warm dry air is supplied to
condenser coil 14 as pulled therethrough by squirrel cage blower 44
which discharges the dehumidified air at outlet 46 as shown as
arrow 47. Portable cabinet 30 may be mounted on wheels such as 48
and have a handle such as 50 for maneuvering the cabinet and
rolling it along a floor such as 52.
[0020] The dehumidifier shown in FIGS. 3-5 is often utilized to dry
flooded surfaces and/or structures in a closed-air environment such
as a basement, room, or other substantially enclosed area. In use,
the dehumidifier takes in and removes moisture from air in the
environment and thereafter emits warm, dry air back into the
environment. The warm, dry air raises the temperature of the
environment and advantageously speeds evaporation rates from the
flooded surfaces, structures and/or other areas. However,
increasing the air temperature of the environment simultaneously
causes a decrease in performance of the dehumidifier in terms of
its water removal rate. Therefore, according to known arrangements,
there is a tradeoff between raising the air temperature to achieve
rapid evaporation rates and lowering the air temperature to achieve
effective dehumidification rates.
Present Invention
[0021] FIGS. 6-11 illustrate the concepts of the present invention
and use like reference numerals from above when appropriate to
facilitate understanding.
[0022] In FIGS. 6-11, an apparatus or amplifier 60 is provided for
enhancing performance of a dehumidifier 28 that is operating in a
substantially closed-air environment, such as a basement, room or
other substantially enclosed area. As discussed further below, the
apparatus 60 improves the grain depression, capacity, and
efficiency of the dehumidifier 28.
[0023] In the illustrated embodiment, apparatus 60 includes a
cabinet 62 containing an air-to-air heat exchanger 64. The cabinet
62 is formed from stainless steel, however it is recognized that
any structurally rigid metal or other material could be used. The
cabinet 62 has a first inlet 70 adapted to receive the
aforementioned first air stream 32 from the closed air environment
and a first outlet 74 discharging the first air stream 32 to the
intake 108 on the dehumidifier 28 for dehumidification according to
the above-described process. Intake air thus flows vertically
through the apparatus 60 as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7. A second inlet
76 is adapted to receive a second air stream 78 originating from a
cool air source other than the surrounding environment. The second
air stream 78 must be cooler than the air from the closed-air
environment and can derive from an air conditioning system or
unaffected outside air. A second outlet 80 is provided for
discharging the second air stream 78 to a location other than the
closed-air environment. The second air stream 78 thus flows through
the apparatus 60 horizontally, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7. In the
preferred arrangement, the second inlet 76 and second outlet 80 are
ducted and therefore the second air stream 78 is separated from the
closed-air environment.
[0024] In the arrangement shown, the heat exchanger 64 has first
and second heat exchange paths 64a and 64b therethrough in heat
exchange relation, for example provided by a plurality of layered
corrugated sheets providing vertical air flow channels therethrough
at 64a in heat exchange relation with a plurality of interdigitated
corrugated layered sheets providing horizontal flow channels
therethrough at 64b, providing an air-to-air cross flow heat
exchanger 64. A motorized impeller 82 is arranged in the cabinet 62
to force the second air stream 78 horizontally along the second
path 64b of the heat exchanger 64. In a preferred arrangement, the
impeller 82 is controlled by a thermostatic controller, which
automatically turns the impeller off when processed air reaches a
predetermined temperature. Thermostatic controllers are known in
the art and may include a bimetallic switch with a sensing element
in the primary air stream. The controller is set to turn the
impeller on when the process air temperature increases to 80
degrees Fahrenheit, and off when the process air cools to 70
degrees Fahrenheit. Alternatively, the impeller may be controlled
manually and thus be set to run continuously, if desired. In the
arrangement shown, a power switch is located on the back of the
cabinet to allow for manual control and/or control by the
thermostatic controller.
[0025] The cabinet 62 is designed to detachably mount to the intake
108 of the dehumidifier 28. It is recognized that various different
means for mechanical connection may be employed to achieve this
objective. In the arrangement shown, the bottom 87 of the cabinet
62 is sized to nest in the top 88 of the dehumidifier 28 and the
top 89 of the cabinet 62 is arranged to receive the lid 84 and
filter 86 of the dehumidifier 28. More specifically, prior to
attachment of the cabinet 62 to the top 88 of the dehumidifier 28,
the lid 84 and filter 86 are removed from the top 88. Slots 90 on
the front lower end 92 of the cabinet 62 are sized and positioned
to receive spring clips 94 located in the top 88 of the
dehumidifier 28. Tabs 96 extending downward from the rear lower end
98 of the cabinet 62 have an aperture 100 sized and shaped to
receive a knob 102 extending from the outer rear side 104 of the
top 88 of the dehumidifier 28. As shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B, the
front lower end 92 of the cabinet 62 is inserted at an angle into
the top 88 of the dehumidifier 28. Slots 90 on the cabinet 62 are
guided to receive tabs 94 of the dehumidifier 28. As shown in FIGS.
10A and 10B, the rear lower end 98 of the cabinet 62 is lowered and
slid forward towards the front upper end 106 of the dehumidifier 28
until knobs 102 are engaged by the apertures 100 of tabs 96. The
lid 84 and filter 86 of the dehumidifier 28 are then placed on the
top 89 of the cabinet 62. When it is desired to remove the cabinet
62 from the dehumidifier 28, the above process is repeated in
reverse.
[0026] The top 89 of the cabinet 62 is also sized slightly bigger
than the bottom 87 of the cabinet 62, to allow for stacking and
transporting of multiple cabinets 62. In a preferred arrangement,
the cabinet 62 also includes handles 61 to simplify transport and
use.
[0027] When the cabinet 62 is attached to the dehumidifier 28, the
first outlet 74 aligns with the inlet 108 on the dehumidifier 28.
The blower 44 on the dehumidifier 28 draws air flow vertically
through the amplifier 60 as shown at 32. The second inlet 76 is
pneumatically connected to the unaffected cool air source, such as
an air conditioned system or an unaffected or ambient outside air
source. The second air stream 78 has a lower temperature than the
first air stream 32, which derives from the surrounding
environment. As shown in FIG. 11, apparatus 60 is arranged to cool
the input air stream 32 before it is drawn into the dehumidifier
28, thus preventing the dehumidifier 28 from losing performance,
even if the air in the closed-air environment has a high
temperature. Apparatus 60 cools the air by exchanging heat with the
second, relatively cooler air stream 78.
[0028] In applications where the temperature of the secondary air
stream 78 is significantly below the dew point of the primary air
stream 32, condensation may occur inside the heat exchanger 64. A
drip pan 99 underneath the heat exchanger 64, along with the
mounting bracket 97 secured in the dehumidifier 28, direct
condensate towards the front of the dehumidifier 28 and downward
into the dehumidifier's drip pan 40 for removal.
[0029] According to the invention, an apparatus, system and method
are provided that increase the efficiency of a dehumidifier. The
invention increases water removal rates up to at least 100% and
increases the grain depression up to 33% for faster drying of more
materials. The invention preserves dehumidifier moisture removal
rate that would otherwise be lost when surrounding air temperatures
increase. The depicted arrangement is unique in that it couples
directly to the intake of the dehumidifier 28 and provides an easy
set-up having only two duct connections. Close-coupling to the
dehumidifier 28 minimizes the imposed pressure drop on the
dehumidifier's blower system. The drip pan 99 advantageously
directs water into the dehumidifier 28 in case condensation occurs
inside the apparatus 60. Also, the invention allows for use of
additional heat generating equipment in the drying space, such as
fans, additional dehumidifiers, etc. Use of such additional
equipment further increases drying rates.
[0030] It should be understood that the drawings and specification
are to be considered an exemplification of the principles of the
invention, which is more particularly defined in the appended
claims. For example, although the depicted arrangement is for
attachment to a particular dehumidifier, the invention is
applicable for use with a variety of dehumidifiers such as standard
refrigerant-based or dessicant dehumidifiers. The concepts of the
invention are also applicable for use in a system that that
operates outside of an environment to be dehumidified, wherein the
air streams are ducted to and from the environment.
* * * * *