U.S. patent application number 17/374235 was filed with the patent office on 2021-11-04 for systems for water extraction from air.
This patent application is currently assigned to JG Entrepreneurial Enterprises LLC. The applicant listed for this patent is JG Entrepreneurial Enterprises LLC. Invention is credited to John Goelet.
Application Number | 20210339191 17/374235 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 1000005710773 |
Filed Date | 2021-11-04 |
United States Patent
Application |
20210339191 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Goelet; John |
November 4, 2021 |
SYSTEMS FOR WATER EXTRACTION FROM AIR
Abstract
A system for water extraction from air is provided. The system
includes a housing having a plurality of openings allowing an air
flow to enter into an inner space defined by the housing, a sponge
disposed within the inner space defined by the housing, the sponge
including a water absorbing/adsorbing material for
absorbing/adsorbing water vapor from the air flow, and a water
filter disposed below the sponge for filtering water discharged
from the sponge.
Inventors: |
Goelet; John; (Washington,
DC) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
JG Entrepreneurial Enterprises LLC |
Wilmington |
DE |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
JG Entrepreneurial Enterprises
LLC
Wilmington
DE
|
Family ID: |
1000005710773 |
Appl. No.: |
17/374235 |
Filed: |
July 13, 2021 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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16844166 |
Apr 9, 2020 |
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17374235 |
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14820163 |
Aug 6, 2015 |
10646822 |
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16844166 |
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14257119 |
Apr 21, 2014 |
9132382 |
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14820163 |
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13365705 |
Feb 3, 2012 |
8747530 |
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14257119 |
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61442908 |
Feb 15, 2011 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B01D 2259/4566 20130101;
B01D 5/00 20130101; B01D 2257/80 20130101; B01D 53/06 20130101;
B01D 53/261 20130101; Y02A 20/00 20180101; E03B 3/28 20130101 |
International
Class: |
B01D 53/26 20060101
B01D053/26; B01D 53/06 20060101 B01D053/06; B01D 5/00 20060101
B01D005/00; E03B 3/28 20060101 E03B003/28 |
Claims
1.-16. (canceled)
17. A system for water extraction from air, comprising: a housing
having a plurality of openings to allow an air flow to enter and
exit an inner space defined by the housing; a sponge disposed
within the inner space defined by the housing, the sponge
comprising at least one of a water absorbing material or a water
adsorbing material; and a presser disposed adjacent to the sponge,
the presser being configured to move toward the sponge and compress
the sponge to discharge water from the sponge during a water
extraction process.
18. The system of claim 17, wherein the housing comprises a heat
insulation material.
19. The system of claim 18, wherein the heat insulation material is
disposed between an inner surface of the housing and an outer
surface of the housing.
20. The system of claim 17, wherein the housing includes an outer
surface comprising a heat reflective material.
21. The system of claim 20, wherein the heat reflective material
comprises at least one of ceramic or aluminum.
22. The system of claim 17, wherein the sponge comprises at least
one of a tertiary amine, a polyethylene glycol, or hydrophobic
activated carbon.
23. The system of claim 17, wherein the presser is configured to
compress the sponge without the sponge contacting the housing.
24. The system of claim 17, further comprising a presser driver
configured to move the presser.
25. The system of claim 24, wherein the presser driver is
configured to use human power to move the presser.
26. The system of claim 24, wherein the presser driver is
configured to use electrical power to move the presser.
27. The system of claim 24, wherein the presser driver is
configured to slide along a guiderail when the presser compresses
the sponge.
28. The system of claim 17, further comprising a water tank
disposed to collect the water discharged from the sponge.
29. The system of claim 28, further comprising a water filter
disposed to filter the water prior to collection by the water
tank.
30. The system of claim 17, wherein the sponge comprises at least
one of polymer, paper, or cotton fabric.
31. The system of claim 17, the housing comprising: an inner wall;
an outer wall; and flanges extending inwardly toward the inner wall
from upper edges of openings on the outer wall.
32. The system of claim 17, further comprising a fan configured to
cause at least a portion of the air flow by rotating.
33. A system for water extraction from air, comprising: a housing
having a plurality of openings to allow an air flow to enter and
exit an inner space defined by the housing; a sponge disposed
within the inner space defined by the housing, the sponge
comprising at least one of a water absorbing material or a water
adsorbing material; and a fan configured to cause at least a
portion of the air flow by rotating.
34. The system of claim 33, wherein the housing comprises at least
a heat insulation material or a heat reflective material.
35. A system for water extraction from air, comprising: a housing
having a plurality of openings to allow an air flow to enter and
exit an inner space defined by the housing, the housing comprising:
an inner wall; an outer wall; and flanges extending inwardly toward
the inner wall from upper edges of openings on the outer wall; and
a sponge disposed within the inner space defined by the housing,
the sponge comprising at least one of a water absorbing material or
a water adsorbing material.
36. The system of claim 35, wherein the housing comprises at least
of a heat insulation material or a heat reflective material.
Description
PRIORITY
[0001] This is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.
14/820,163 filed Aug. 6, 2015, which is a divisional of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 14/257,119, (now U.S. Pat. No. 9,132,382)
filed on Apr. 21, 2014, which is a divisional of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 13/365,705 (now U.S. Pat. No. 8,747,30), filed
on Feb. 3, 2012, which claims the benefit of priority of U.S.
Provisional Application No. 61/442,908, filed Feb. 15, 2011,
entitled "SYSTEMS FOR WATER EXTRACTION FROM AIR," each of which is
incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The present disclosure relates generally to systems for
water collection and, more particularly, to systems for water
extraction from air.
BACKGROUND
[0003] As the global population expands rapidly, the demand for
freshwater and potable water is increasing daily at a fast rate.
Natural freshwater resources, such as lakes and rivers, however,
are diminishing due to destructive human activities and pollution.
Furthermore, the amount of rainfall in many areas has been
drastically reduced due to various influences (e.g., global
warming).
[0004] One possible solution to resolve the problem of diminishing
natural freshwater resources is to produce freshwater from the
oceans. Various desalinization technologies have been developed to
produce freshwater from sea water. However, most of these
technologies are bulky, energy consuming, and expensive, and
therefore, are not generally affordable to many poor countries or
individuals.
[0005] Water almost always exists in the air in the form of water
vapor. In some humid regions, such as regions near oceans, humid
air may contain a significant amount of water vapor. Various
technologies have been developed to extract water from air. Many
such technologies, however, require a condenser for cooling the air
in order to extract water from the air. Some technologies use
particular solutions to absorb water from air without requiring a
condenser, but require a regenerative process (e.g., by heating) to
separate the extracted water from the solutions. These prior art
technologies are complex, energy consuming, and expensive.
Therefore, the prior art technologies may not be affordable to
people who have limited access to energy and financial resources,
such as people in poor countries. Also, systems built with these
prior art technologies may not be portable.
[0006] The present disclosure is directed toward improvements in
existing technologies for extracting water from air.
SUMMARY
[0007] In one exemplary embodiment, the present disclosure is
directed to a system for water extraction from air. The system
includes a housing having a plurality of openings allowing an air
flow to enter into an inner space defined by the housing. The
system also includes a sponge disposed within the inner space
defined by the housing. The sponge includes a water
absorbing/adsorbing material for absorbing/adsorbing water vapor
from the air flow. The system further includes a water filter
disposed below the sponge for filtering water discharged from the
sponge. In some embodiments, the system further includes a presser
disposed above the sponge and configured to compress the sponge to
discharge water from the sponge.
[0008] In another exemplary embodiment, the present disclosure is
directed to a system for water extraction from air. The system
includes a housing having two ends with one of the two ends serving
as an air inlet allowing an air flow to enter into an inner space
defined by the housing, and the other one of the two ends serving
as an air outlet allowing the air flow to exit the housing. The
system also includes a sponge disposed within the inner space
defined by the housing. The sponge includes a water
absorbing/adsorbing material for absorbing/adsorbing water vapor
from the air flow. The system further includes a presser disposed
above the sponge and configured to compress the sponge to discharge
water from the sponge.
[0009] In yet another exemplary embodiment, the present disclosure
is directed to a system for water extraction from air. The system
includes a plurality of rotatable blades having surfaces that
include a water absorbing/adsorbing material for
absorbing/adsorbing water vapor from an air flow. The system also
includes a ring shell structure disposed around the blades and
configured to capture water droplets shed from the surfaces of the
blades during rotation.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary application of a system for
water extraction from air consistent with the disclosed
embodiments;
[0011] FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary system for water extraction
from air consistent with the disclosed embodiments;
[0012] FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary system for water extraction
from air consistent with the disclosed embodiments;
[0013] FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplary system for water extraction
from air consistent with the disclosed embodiments;
[0014] FIG. 5A illustrates an exemplary presser consistent with the
disclosed embodiments;
[0015] FIG. 5B illustrates an exemplary presser consistent with the
disclosed embodiments;
[0016] FIG. 5C illustrates an exemplary presser consistent with the
disclosed embodiments;
[0017] FIG. 6A illustrates an exemplary sponge consistent with the
disclosed embodiments;
[0018] FIG. 6B illustrates an exemplary sponge consistent with the
disclosed embodiments;
[0019] FIG. 6C illustrates an exemplary sponge consistent with the
disclosed embodiments;
[0020] FIG. 7A illustrates an exemplary sponge consistent with the
disclosed embodiments;
[0021] FIG. 7B illustrates an exemplary sponge consistent with the
disclosed embodiments;
[0022] FIG. 7C illustrates an exemplary sponge consistent with the
disclosed embodiments;
[0023] FIG. 8 illustrates an exemplary system for water extraction
from air consistent with the disclosed embodiments;
[0024] FIG. 9 illustrates an exemplary double-wall structure
implemented in a system for water extraction from air consistent
with the disclosed embodiments;
[0025] FIG. 10 illustrates an exemplary application of a system for
water extraction from air consistent with the disclosed
embodiments;
[0026] FIG. 11 illustrates an exemplary system for water extraction
from air consistent with the disclosed embodiments;
[0027] FIG. 12 illustrates an exemplary system for water extraction
from air consistent with the disclosed embodiments;
[0028] FIG. 13 illustrates an exemplary system for water extraction
from air consistent with the disclosed embodiments;
[0029] FIG. 14 illustrates an exemplary application of a system for
water extraction from air consistent with the disclosed
embodiments;
[0030] FIG. 15A illustrates an exemplary system for water
extraction from air consistent with the disclosed embodiments;
[0031] FIG. 15B illustrates a front view of a portion of the system
illustrated in FIG. 15A consistent with the disclosed embodiments;
and
[0032] FIG. 16 illustrates an exemplary system for water extraction
from air consistent with the disclosed embodiments.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0033] FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary application of a system for
water extraction from air consistent with the disclosed
embodiments. In this exemplary application, a system 100 for
extracting water from air may be a portable device that can be
carried by an individual, such as a hiker, a biker, a traveler, or
a soldier. System 100 may be carried by the individual by hand, or
may be attached to an article carried by the individual, such as a
backpack 105. System 100 may also be carried by an automobile, a
bicycle, a ship, or any other moving vehicle. For example, system
100 may be attached to a portion of a bicycle. In some embodiments
the attachment of system 100 to the vehicle may be permanent. In
other embodiments, the attachment may be temporary, such that
system 100 may be readily detached from the vehicle, e.g., for
cleaning and/or attachment to another vehicle.
[0034] FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of system 100 for
water extraction from air. System 100 may have a canister type
structure. System 100 may include a housing 110 forming the
canister type structure. Housing 110 may be any suitable shape, for
example, a cylinder, a cube, a hexagonal prism, a triangular prism,
etc. For illustration and discussion purpose, housing 110 is shown
having a cylindrical shape.
[0035] Housing 110 may be made of any suitable materials, such as
steel, aluminum, alloys, composites, or plastics. Housing 110 may
include a thermal insulation design, which may maintain the inner
space defined by housing 110 at a relatively low temperature, or
which may prevent the temperature inside the space defined by
housing 110 from increasing to adversely affect the water
extraction efficiency. For example, the outer surface of housing
110 may be made of, or coated with, a heat and/or sunlight
reflective material, which may reflect heat and/or sunlight away
from housing 110. Such material may include a reflective paint, a
ceramic coating, a reflective metallic material such as aluminum,
etc. Housing 110 may also include a heat insulation material
between the inner and outer surfaces of housing 110, such as
ceramic, foam, fiberglass, carbon fiber, etc. The inner surface of
housing 110 may also include a suitable material that may help
maintain a low temperature within the inner space defined by
housing 110. For example, the inner surface of housing 110 may
include one or more materials having a low thermal conductivity,
such as ceramics, foams, carbon fiber, etc.
[0036] Housing 110 may include a plurality of openings 120, such as
slots or holes on the body of housing 110. Openings 120 may serve
as air inlets by allowing air to flow into the inside space defined
by housing 110. Openings 120 may be distributed in a middle region
of housing 110. Openings 120 may take any suitable shape, such as
rectangular, square, triangular, circular, hexagonal, star-shaped,
etc. Openings 120 may be evenly or randomly distributed on housing
110. The number, shape, size, and orientation of openings 120 may
be determined in order to provide a desired amount and direction of
air flow for the housing shape.
[0037] System 100 may include an air outlet 130 at a top end of
housing 110. In some embodiments, air entering housing 110 through
openings 120 may exit housing 110 from air outlet 130. Air outlet
130 may be covered by a removable end cap (not shown) when system
100 is not in operation. In some embodiments, system 100 may be
provided without a separate air outlet at the top end of housing
110. For example, in certain embodiments, system 100 may be
configured such that air flowing into system 100 through some of
openings 120 may exit system 100 from other openings 120. For
instance, in some embodiments, system 100 may be configured such
that atmospheric wind blows in openings 120 on one side of housing
110, and exits from openings 120 on the opposite side of housing
110.
[0038] System 100 may include a sponge 140 disposed inside system
100 in the space defined by housing 110. The term "sponge" used in
this application represents any device having a suitable structure
that is readily compressible and expandable (e.g., in the manner of
an ordinary household sponge). Such devices may include a porous
structure and/or a resilient and layered structure, which may be
compressed to reduce volume, and then expand to substantially
restore their original shapes and volumes when the compression
force is released.
[0039] Sponge 140 may include a water absorbing/adsorbing material
for absorbing/adsorbing water vapor from the air flow. In some
embodiments, sponge 140 may be coated with the water
absorbing/adsorbing material. In some embodiments, sponge 140 may
be wholly or partially made of the water absorbing/adsorbing
material. The water absorbing/adsorbing material may include any
suitable material, for example, tertiary amines, polyethylene
glycols, and/or hydrophobic activated carbon.
[0040] Sponge 140 may be configured to temporarily hold the
extracted water therein. Sponge 140 may be compressible. Sponge 140
may be configured to, when compressed, reduce its volume, and
thereby discharge water held therein. After water is discharged and
the compression force released, sponge 140 may substantially
restore its pre-compression volume and shape. The size of sponge
140 may be determined such that, even during the compression
process, sponge 140 may avoid contact with the inner surface of
housing 110. In other words, a space is always maintained between
sponge 140 and the inner surface of housing 110, despite any
outward (e.g., radial) expansion of sponge 140 when compressed. The
space may prevent water from leaking out of housing 110, which
could occur if sponge 140 were to make contact with a portion of
housing 110 having openings 120 therein. In some embodiments,
openings 120 may be positioned such that they are of a certain
distance above the bottom of sponge 140 to prevent water leakage
through openings 120 when sponge 140 is compressed.
[0041] System 100 may include a presser 150 disposed inside system
100. Presser 150 may be disposed above sponge 140 and adjacent air
outlet 130. Presser 150 may be used to compress sponge 140 in order
to discharge water from sponge 140. Presser 150 may take any
suitable shape that fits the shape of housing 110. For example,
presser 150 may be a round plate when housing 110 is in a
cylindrical shape. Presser 150 may be movable, for example, by
actuation of a presser driver 155. In some embodiments, presser
driver 155 may be mechanically linked to presser 150, and may be
disposed adjacent air outlet 130 on an outer surface of housing
110. In some embodiments, presser driver 155 may be slidable along
a guiderail (not shown) located on the outer surface of housing
110. A user may slide presser driver 155, causing presser 150 to
move towards sponge 140, and to compress sponge 140 to discharge
water. After the water is discharged from sponge 140, the user may
slide presser driver 155 back to its original position adjacent air
outlet 130, which in turn may bring back presser 150 to its
original position adjacent air outlet 130. When presser 150 is
brought to its original position, sponge 140 may expand to
substantially restore its pre-compression volume and shape.
[0042] System 100 may include a water filter 160 disposed at a
bottom end of housing 110. Water filter 160 may be disposed below
sponge 140 and, in some embodiments, may provide a support for
sponge 140. For example, in certain embodiments, sponge 140 may
rest on water filter 160. Water filter 160 may include any suitable
water filtering medium for cleaning water to produce potable water.
When water is discharged from sponge 140, water may be filtered by
water filter 160.
[0043] System 100 may also include a water tank 170 located at the
bottom end of housing 110 below water filter 160 for storing water
after water discharged from sponge 140 is cleaned by water filter
160. In some embodiments, water tank 170 may be removable from
housing 110. For example, water tank 170 may be a threaded cap
attached to housing 110 via threads. Alternatively, or
additionally, water tank 170 may be attached to housing 110 via any
other removable means, such as screws, clips, friction-fit, etc.
The user may remove water tank 170 to access water stored therein,
or to clean water tank 170 periodically. In another embodiment,
water tank 170 may be an integral part of housing 110, and may not
be removable from housing 110. Water tank 170 may include a valve
(not shown) near the bottom position which may be opened to allow
water to exit water tank 170.
[0044] FIG. 3 illustrates another exemplary system 101 for water
extraction from air. System 101 may include elements that are
similar to those included in system 100, such as housing 110,
openings 120, air outlet 130, sponge 140, presser 150, water filter
160, and water tank 170. Therefore, the detailed descriptions of
these similar elements are not repeated.
[0045] While, in some embodiments, presser driver 155 may be a
mechanical driver utilizing human power (as shown and described
with regard to system 100), in some embodiments, presser driver 155
may be an electro-mechanical driver utilizing electrical power, as
shown and described with regard to system 101. For example, in some
embodiments, presser driver 155 may be powered by a battery 190.
Presser driver 155 may include a motor (not shown) or any suitable
driving device for driving presser 150. Presser driver 155 may be
linked with presser 150 via any suitable linking mechanism, such as
a chain, a gear, or a rod. When the electrical power is supplied
from battery 190 to the motor of presser driver 155, presser driver
155 may drive presser 150 to move towards filter 160 to compress
sponge 140, or may drive presser 150 to move towards outlet
130.
[0046] Battery 190 may be located at any suitable location in
system 101. For example, battery 190 may be attached to housing 110
adjacent air outlet 130. In some embodiments, battery 190 may be a
component separate from housing 110. For example, in some
embodiments, battery 190 may be attached to housing 110 via an
umbilical-type electrical connection.
[0047] As shown in FIG. 3, system 101 may also include a fan 180
located adjacent outlet 130. Fan 180 may be attached to housing 110
via any suitable supports (not shown). When electrical power is
supplied from battery 190 to fan 180, fan 180 may rotate, causing
an air flow from openings 120 to air outlet 130, thereby increasing
the overall air flow throughout system 101. Increased air flow
through sponge 140 may improve water extraction efficiency.
[0048] FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplary system 102 for water
extraction from air consistent with the disclosed embodiments.
System 102 may include elements similar to those included in system
100 and/or system 101, such as air outlet 130, sponge 140, presser
150, presser driver 155, water filter 160, and water tank 170.
Although not shown in FIG. 4, system 102 may also include fan 180
and battery 190 as similarly included in system 101. Compared to
system 100 or 101, system 102 may include a different housing 111.
Housing 111 may include one or more slots provided as spiral
openings 125 that allow an air flow to enter the inner space
defined by housing 111. In some embodiments, spiral openings 125
may be continuous slots around the body of housing 111. Although
two separate spiral openings 125 are shown in FIG. 4, housing 111
may include any suitable number of spiral openings 125 to ensure
adequate air flow to sponge 140 for water extraction. In some
embodiments, these spiral openings 125 may intersect with one
another. One skilled in the art will appreciate that any other
suitable styles may be used for the spiral openings. For example,
while continuous spiral openings are shown and discussed herein,
discrete openings distributed on housing 111 may alternatively, or
additionally, be provided.
[0049] Air flowing into spiral openings 125 may exit from air
outlet 130. One skilled in the art will appreciate that air flowing
into system 102 through one spiral opening 125 may exit system 102
from another spiral opening 125 located on an opposite surface of
housing 111. Thus, in some embodiments, air outlet 130 may be
omitted from system 102. Similar to housing 110, housing 111 may
include a thermal insulation design, which may maintain the inner
space defined by housing 111 at a relatively low temperature, or
which may prevent the temperature inside the space defined by
housing 111 from increasing to adversely affect the water
extraction efficiency. For example, the outer surface of housing
111 may be coated with a highly reflective material, which may
reflect heat away from housing 111. The inner surface of housing
111 may also include a suitable material that may help maintain a
low temperature within the inner space defined by housing 111.
Further details about exemplary thermal regulation features are
discussed above.
[0050] FIGS. 5A-5C illustrate exemplary designs of presser 150
consistent with the disclosed embodiments. Presser 150 is shown in
a round shape in FIGS. 5A-5C, which may be employed with a
cylindrical housing 110 or 111. As shown in FIG. 5A, in some
embodiments, presser 150 may be a solid plate. A solid plate
presser structure, such as shown in FIG. 5A, may be employed in
embodiments, such as systems 100 and 102, where air entering from
some openings located on the housing may exit from other openings
located on the housing, rather than from air outlet 130.
[0051] As shown in FIG. 5B, in another embodiment, presser 150 may
have a plate structure having a plurality of openings 151. The
number, distribution, and shape of openings 151 may be suitably
designed such that presser 150 does not block air flow from
openings 120 or spiral openings 125 to air outlet 130.
[0052] As shown in FIG. 5C, presser 150 may have a screen shape
structure having a web 152. Web 152 may allow free air flow from
openings 120 or spiral openings 125 to air outlet 130. Web 152 may
be designed strong for compressing sponge 140. One skilled in the
art will appreciate that other suitable presser configurations may
be employed in systems 100, 101, and 102.
[0053] FIGS. 6A-6C illustrate exemplary designs of sponge 140
consistent with the disclosed embodiments. As shown in FIG. 6A,
sponge 140 may be in a cylindrical shape, having a plurality of
pores 141 evenly or randomly distributed within the structure.
Sponge 140 may be made of any suitable materials, such as polymer,
paper, cotton fabric, etc. Sponge 140 may include a water
absorbing/adsorbing material. In some embodiments, sponge 140 may
be coated with the water absorbing/adsorbing material. In some
embodiments, sponge 140 may be wholly or partially made of the
water absorbing/adsorbing material. The water absorbing/adsorbing
material may include any suitable material, for example, tertiary
amines, polyethylene glycols, and/or hydrophobic activated carbons.
The water absorbing/adsorbing material may enable sponge 140 to
extract water vapor from an air flow passing over the surface
and/or through sponge 140. Water extracted from air may be held
within sponge 140. When compressed, the volume of sponge 140 may be
reduced, causing the discharge of water held therein. When the
compression force is released, sponge 140 may restore its
pre-compression volume and shape due to the resilience of its
structure.
[0054] In some embodiments, sponge 140 may have a layered structure
connected through links 145, as shown in FIG. 6B. Sponge 140 shown
in FIG. 6B may include a plurality of layers 142, 143, and 144.
Links 145 may provide support to the layers. Links 145 may also be
elastic or resilient so that they do not severely interfere with
the compression of sponge 140. When the compression force is
released, elastic links 145 may help sponge 140 to restore the
pre-compression volume and shape of sponge 140.
[0055] Although three layers are shown in FIG. 6B, any suitable
number of layers may be used. In some embodiments, one or more of
layers 143, 143, and 144 may be in the form of a block structure,
similar to the structure shown in FIG. 6A.
[0056] In yet another embodiment shown in FIG. 6C, sponge 140 may
include a block structure having a body filled with a plurality of
fibers 146. Fibers 146 may be organized in a regular pattern, or
may be disposed within the body of sponge 140 randomly. Fibers 146
may be resilient, which may help sponge 140 in the compression and
expansion processes. Fibers 146 may include a water
absorbing/adsorbing material. In some embodiments, fibers 146 may
be coated with the water absorbing/adsorbing material. In other
embodiments, fibers 146 may be wholly or partially made of the
water absorbing/adsorbing material. The water absorbing/adsorbing
material may include any suitable material, for example, tertiary
amines, polyethylene glycols, and/or hydrophobic activated carbons.
Water extracted from air may attach to fibers 146 and be
temporarily held within sponge 140.
[0057] FIGS. 7A-7C illustrate cross-sectional views of exemplary
sponge designs consistent with the disclosed embodiments. These
designs correspond to FIGS. 6A-6C, except that the surfaces of
sponge 140 include a ribbed, corrugated, or ridged surface 147.
Surface 147 may be coated with or made of, the same water
absorbing/adsorbing material used for other parts of sponge 140.
Thus, surface 147 may increase the overall surface area exposure to
the air flow, thereby increasing the water extraction
efficiency.
[0058] FIG. 8 illustrates an exemplary system 103 for water
extraction from air consistent with the disclosed embodiments.
System 103 may include similar elements as systems 100, 101, and
102. For simplicity, some elements such as presser 150, presser
driver 155, fan 180, and battery 190 are not shown in FIG. 8,
although these components may be included in system 103. FIG. 8
shows a double-wall structure which may be employed to housing 110
or housing 111. For purposes of illustration, the double-wall
structure shown in FIG. 8 is depicted as implemented in housing
110.
[0059] As shown in FIG. 8, housing 110 may include an outer wall
161 and an inner wall 162. A space may be maintained between outer
wall 161 and inner wall 162. Sponge 140 may be disposed within a
space defined by inner wall 162. Housing 110 may include a
plurality of openings 171 on outer wall 161, and a plurality of
openings 172 on inner wall 162. Openings 171 and 172 may be
through-holes or slots, and may be similar to openings 120 shown in
FIG. 2, or spiral openings 125 shown in FIG. 4. Inner wall 162 may
limit the expansion of sponge 140 during compression, such that
sponge 140 does not touch outer wall 161 when compressed, thereby
preventing water from leaking through openings 171 on outer wall
161.
[0060] Openings 171 and 172 may serve as air inlets, allowing air
to flow into and out of sponge 140. Openings 172 on inner wall 162
may also allow water discharged from sponge 140 during the
compression process to flow into the space between inner wall 162
and outer wall 161. Water filter 160 may be disposed at the bottom
of inner wall 162, and may clean water discharged from sponge 140.
In some embodiments, inner wall 162 and sponge 140 may rest on
water filter 160. Water filter 160 may extend to cover the space
between inner wall 162 and outer wall 161. Thus, water flowing out
of inner wall 162 into the space between inner wall 162 and outer
wall 161 may also be filtered by water filter 160 before entering
into water tank 170.
[0061] FIG. 9 illustrates an exemplary double-wall structure that
may be implemented in system 103. In this embodiment, system 103
may include flanges 173 extending from openings 171 on outer wall
161. Flanges 173 may extend inwardly towards inner wall 162 from an
upper edge of openings 171. When sponge 140 is compressed and when
water is flowing out of inner wall 162 through openings 172,
flanges 173 may prevent water from leaking out of system 103
through openings 171 on outer wall 161. Flanges 173 may be
configured in such a way as to prevent water leakage, yet still
allow free air flow. Although not shown in FIG. 9, one skilled in
the art will appreciate that inner wall 162 may also include
similar flanges at openings 172.
[0062] FIG. 10 illustrates an exemplary application of a system for
water extraction from air consistent with the disclosed
embodiments. In such an application, a system 200 may have a
relatively large volume for producing a relatively large amount of
water, as compared to systems 100-103. System 200 may fixed on a
farm for extracting water from air for feeding people and animals.
In some embodiments, system 200 may be rendered portable, e.g., by
being mounted on a truck.
[0063] FIG. 11 illustrates exemplary details of system 200. As
shown in FIG. 11, system 200 may include a housing 210. Housing 210
may be made of any suitable material, such as plastic or metal.
Similar to housing 110 and 111, housing 210 may include a thermal
insulation feature, which may maintain the inner space defined by
housing 210 at a relatively low temperature, or which may prevent
the temperature inside the space defined by housing 210 from
increasing to adversely affect the water extraction efficiency. For
example, the outer surface of housing 210 may be coated with a
highly reflective material, which may reflect heat away from
housing 210. The inner surface of housing 210 may also include a
suitable material that may help maintain a low temperature within
the inner space defined by housing 210. Additional details of
possible thermal regulating features are discussed above.
[0064] Housing 210 may include a longitudinally extended body
having two open ends. In some embodiments, air may flow into and
out of system 200 via the two open ends of housing 210. Air may
flow into system 200 from either open end of housing 210. For
example, air may flow into system 200 from opening 220, and flow
out of system 200 from opening 230. Air may also flow in the
reverse direction, i.e., in opening 230 and out opening 220.
[0065] System 200 may include an air filter 240 disposed at one or
both of openings 220 and 230. System 200 may include a sponge 260
having a structure and property similar to those of sponge 140
discussed above. Sponge 260 may extract water vapor from air as air
flows through sponge 260 and store extracted water therein.
Although sponge 260 is shown in a single configuration, sponge 260
may have any of the features discussed above with respect to sponge
140.
[0066] System 200 may include a presser 290 configured to compress
sponge 260 to discharge water from sponge 260. Presser 290 may be
similar to presser 150 discussed above. Presser 290 may be driven
by a handle 295 attached to housing 210. Handle 295 may be
mechanically linked to presser 290 through any suitable mechanism,
such as chains, gears, and springs. Handle 295 may be operable
without any electrical power. A user of system 200 may actuate
handle 295 by pulling down handle 295 to move presser 290 downward
to compress sponge 260. The user may also move handle 295 to bring
presser 290 back to its original position after water is discharged
out of sponge 260.
[0067] System 200 may include a water filter 270 located below
sponge 260. Water filter 270 may be similar to water filter 160
discussed above. Water discharged from sponge 260 may be filtered
by water filter 270. Filtered water may flow into a water tank 280
located below water filter 270. Water tank 280 may be an integral
part of housing 210, or may be a separate part that may be removed
from and attached to housing 210. In some embodiments, system 200
may be fixed to a building or the ground through supports 285.
[0068] FIG. 12 illustrates another exemplary system 202 for water
extraction from air consistent with the disclosed embodiments.
System 202 may include elements similar to those shown in system
200. The similar elements are labeled with the same numerical
references as those included in system 200. Accordingly, the
details of these similar elements may be referenced above.
[0069] In system 202, presser 290 may be driven by a motor 300,
which may be powered by a battery 310. Motor 300 and battery 310
may be attached to housing 210 at suitable locations. Motor 300 may
be linked with presser 290 through a suitable linking mechanism,
such as a chain, a gear, or an extendable and extractable rod. When
electrical power is supplied from battery 310 to motor 300, motor
300 may drive presser 290 towards sponge 260 to compress sponge
260. After water is discharged from sponge 260, motor 300 may bring
presser 290 back to its original position.
[0070] FIG. 13 illustrates an exemplary system 203 for extracting
water from air consistent with the disclosed embodiments. System
203 may include elements similar to those included in systems 200
and 202. These similar elements are labeled with the same numerical
references as those in systems 200 and 202. The details of these
similar elements may be referenced above.
[0071] In system 203, a presser 290 may be driven by a motor 300.
Motor 300 may in turn be powered by a solar panel 320. Solar panel
320 may be attached to housing 210 through a fixture 325.
Alternatively, solar panel 320 may be separate from housing 210.
Solar panel 320 may convert solar energy into electrical energy,
and may store electrical energy in a power storage device 330, such
as a battery. Power storage device 330 may be electrically
connected with motor 300 to supply electrical power to motor
300.
[0072] FIG. 14 illustrates another exemplary application of a
system for water extraction from air. As shown in FIG. 14, a system
400 for extracting water from air may be integral with a windmill
structure. System 400 may be used for generating electricity from
wind power and, at the same time, extracting water from air. For
example, system 400 may be disposed on a farm, adjacent a house, on
an ocean island, or on a cruise ship to generate both electrical
energy and potable water.
[0073] FIG. 15A illustrates further exemplary details of system
400. System 400 may include a windmill 410. Windmill 410 may
include a plurality of blades 420. As wind blows though windmill
410, blades 420 may be driven by the wind to rotate, thereby
converting wind energy into electrical energy through an energy
converting unit included in the windmill 410 (not shown). Any type
of energy converting unit known in the art may be suitable for use
in system 400. System 400 may further include a ring shell
structure 430 surrounding blades 420. Ring shell structure 430 may
be attached to windmill 410 through supporting structures 440. At a
bottom portion of ring shell structure 430, system 400 may include
a water collector 450, which may be connected to a water tank 470
through a conduit 460.
[0074] The surface shape and area of blades 420 may be configured
to provide, when rotating, a desired amount of air flow passing
over fan blades 420. Thus, the goals of maximizing the speed of
rotation for harvesting energy from the wind, and maximizing the
blade surface area and wind flow thereover to promote extraction of
water from the air, may be considered. The development of blade
shapes may be facilitated using suitable design and/or simulation
software and/or through experimentation.
[0075] Surfaces of blades 420 may include a water
absorbing/adsorbing material. In some embodiments, at least a
portion of blades 420 may be made of a water absorbing/adsorbing
material. In some embodiments, part, or all, of each blade 420 may
be made of a water absorbing/adsorbing material. In other
embodiments, the surface of blades 420 may include a water
absorbing/adsorbing material. For example, each of blades 420 may
include a top layer that forms the surface, and the top layer may
include a water absorbing/adsorbing material, such as a coating,
laminate, etc. The water absorbing/adsorbing material may include
any suitable material, for example, tertiary amines, polyethylene
glycols, and/or hydrophobic activated carbons. As wind blows across
the surfaces of blades 420, water vapor within the air may be
extracted by the water absorbing/adsorbing material of blades
420.
[0076] As illustrated in FIG. 15B, water extracted from the air may
attach to the surfaces of blades 420 in the form of water droplets
455. Water droplets 455 may grow as water accumulates on the
surfaces of blades 420. In some embodiments, the surface of blades
420 may include a texture that facilitates the formation of water
droplets thereon. When blades 420 rotate, water droplets 455 may be
shed off the blades 420 due to the centrifugal forces caused by the
rotation. Water droplets 455 shed off from blades 420 during
rotation may be captured by ring shell structure 430, and may flow
to the bottom position of ring shell structure 430. Water droplets
455 may be collected in water collector 450 located at the bottom
position of ring shell structure 430. Water collected in water
collector 450 may be further transported to water tank 470 for
storage through conduit 460.
[0077] FIG. 16 illustrates an exemplary system 500 for water
extraction from air consistent with the disclosed embodiments.
Rather than including a windmill, system 500 may include a fan 510.
In some embodiments, fan 510 may be portable. Thus, in such
embodiments, system 500 may be conveniently carried by an
individual 505, such as a soldier or a traveler. Individual 505 may
temporarily attach portable fan 510 to a structure erected on the
ground, such as a post 580. In some embodiments, fan 510 may be
fixed, e.g., to a building structure.
[0078] System 500 may include a plurality of blades 520 and a ring
shell structure 530. Ring shell structure 530 may be attached to
fan 510 through a plurality of supporting structures 540. System
500 may include a water collector 550 located at a bottom position
of ring shell structure 530. Water collector 550 may be connected
with a water tank 570 through a conduit 560. System 500 may further
include a power supply 590, such as a battery, connected with fan
510 for driving blades 520. Power supply 590 may supply electrical
power to a motor (not shown), which may drive blades 520 to
rotate.
[0079] In some embodiments, fan 510 may be operable to extract
water from air even when not in use to blow air for a particular
purpose. For example, in some embodiments, fan 510 may be passively
spun by the wind, much like a windmill, except without the energy
harvesting feature. In such embodiments, in order to sustain the
water extraction action even during periods of minimal wind, power
supply 590 may be configured to only supply power to drive blades
520 when the rotating speed of blades 520 is below a predetermined
threshold speed. When blades 520 are rotating above the threshold
speed, power supply 590 may remain inactive, allowing the wind to
pass the air over blades 520 to facilitate the water extraction
process.
[0080] Similar to blades 420 in system 400, blades 520 may include
a water absorbing/adsorbing material. As wind blows across the
surfaces of blades 520, water vapor may be extracted from the air
by the water absorbing/adsorbing material. Water extracted from the
air may form water droplets, which may attach to the surfaces of
blades 520. In some embodiments, the surface of blades 520 may
include a texture that facilitates the formation of water droplets
thereon. As water droplets grow, they may be shed off from blades
520 due to the centrifugal forces. Water droplets shed off from
blades 520 during rotation may be received by ring shell structure
530. Water droplets may flow to the bottom portion of ring shell
structure 530, and may be collected by water collector 550. Water
collected by water collector 550 may be further transported to
water tank 570 for storage through conduit 560.
[0081] The disclosed systems for extracting water from air may have
a wide variety of applications. For example, the disclosed systems
may be carried by an individual, such as a soldier in a war zone, a
traveler in a desert or a tropical forest. The disclosed system may
also be carried by an automobile, a bike, or a ship. In some
applications, the disclosed systems may also be employed on a farm,
a sea shore, an off-shore oil rig, or a rooftop of a building. The
disclosed systems may operate without any external power supply,
may utilizes power supplied by a solar panel, and/or may require
only small amount of power for operation.
[0082] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various
modifications and variations can be made in the disclosed systems
for extracting water from air. Other embodiments will be apparent
to those skilled in the art from consideration of the specification
and practice of the disclosed embodiments herein. It is intended
that the specification and examples be considered as exemplary
only, with a true scope of the disclosure being indicated by the
following claims.
* * * * *