U.S. patent number 3,659,581 [Application Number 05/047,344] was granted by the patent office on 1972-05-02 for humidifier assembly.
This patent grant is currently assigned to G & W Products Company. Invention is credited to Russell W. Geisler, John W. Wheaton.
United States Patent |
3,659,581 |
Geisler , et al. |
May 2, 1972 |
HUMIDIFIER ASSEMBLY
Abstract
A humidifier assembly for use with a related hot air heating
system has separate end support members individually mountable, in
spaced relation, to a portion of the heating system; the end
supports in turn support a separate lower water pan, a water
carrying rotatable drum assembly which is also removable as a
subassembly and a detachable cover assembly for enclosing the
operating components of the humidifier including a water inlet
assembly which, in one form of the invention is separately secured
to the related heating system and in another form of the invention
is detachably secured to the separate lower water pan.
Inventors: |
Geisler; Russell W. (Bloomfield
Hills, MI), Wheaton; John W. (Birmingham, MI) |
Assignee: |
G & W Products Company
(Madison Heights, MI)
|
Family
ID: |
21948429 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/047,344 |
Filed: |
June 18, 1970 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
126/113;
261/92 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F24F
6/06 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
F24F
6/02 (20060101); F24F 6/06 (20060101); F24f
003/14 () |
Field of
Search: |
;126/113 ;261/92 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Myhre; Charles J.
Claims
We claim:
1. A humidifier assembly, comprising a housing assembly adapted to
be secured to a portion of an associated hot air heating system,
said housing assembly comprising spaced support means, water
reservoir means, comprising a separate pan-like structure
detachably carried by said spaced support means and water inlet
valving means separate from said housing assembly said support
means and said water reservoir means for at times supplying water
to said water reservoir means in order to replenish water depleted
therefrom, said water inlet valving means comprising a body portion
adapted for mounting to said associated hot air heating system
within the confines of said housing assembly but separately from
said housing assembly including said spaced support means and
externally of said pan-like structure, said body portion carrying a
water flow controlling valve assembly having a discharge end, and a
resiliently deflectable conduit operatively secured to said valve
assembly, said resiliently deflectable conduit having an inlet
portion and a discharge portion with said inlet portion being in
communication with said discharge end of said valve assembly, and a
float mechanism operatively connected to said body portion and
having a float member situated within the confines of said pan-like
structure as generally defined by upstanding wall portions thereof,
said float member being effective to terminate water flow through
said valve assembly discharge end whenever the water level within
said pan-like structure has attained a predetermined level, said
discharge portion of said resiliently deflectable conduit being
normally received within the confines of said upstanding wall
portions of said pan-like structure and being further effective to
resiliently deflect over the effective height of said upstanding
wall portions whenever said pan-like structure is withdrawn from
said spaced support means in a direction generally transverse to
said resiliently deflectable conduit.
2. A humidifier assembly, comprising a housing assembly adapted to
be secured to a portion of an associated hot air heating system,
said housing assembly comprising spaced support means, water
reservoir means, water inlet valving means separate from said
housing assembly said support means and said water reservoir means
for at times supplying water to said water reservoir means in order
to replenish water depleted therefrom, said water reservoir means
comprising a separate pan-like structure detachably carried by said
spaced support means, said water inlet valving means comprising a
body portion adapted for detachable mounting to said pan-like
structure, said pan-like structure comprising slot-like retainer
portions formed therein, and said body portion comprising
oppositely disposed guide-like members slidably received within
said slot-like retainer portions.
3. A humidifier assembly according to claim 2, wherein said body
portion comprises an upper end and a lower end with an internally
formed conduit communicating between said ends, wherein said lower
end is adapted to be juxtaposed to a floor portion of said pan-like
structure upon said guide-like members being received within said
slot-like retainer portions, and wherein said upper end is provided
with a water discharge passage controllable by an associated
variably positionable valve member.
4. A humidifier assembly according to claim 3, wherein said
variably positionable valve member is operatively connected to a
float member disposed within said pan-like structure so as to be
responsive to the existing level of the water within said pan-like
structure.
5. A humidifier assembly according to claim 3, wherein said body
portion is formed of at least first and second body sections joined
to each other along directions generally longitudinally of said
body portion, and wherein said internally formed conduit is partly
formed in each of said first and second body sections.
6. A humidifier assembly, comprising a housing assembly adapted to
be secured to a portion of an associated hot air heating system,
said housing assembly comprising spaced support means, water
reservoir means, and water inlet valving means separate from said
housing assembly said support means and said water reservoir means
for at times supplying water to said water reservoir means in order
to replenish water depleted therefrom said water reservoir means
comprising a separate pan-like structure detachably carried by said
spaced support means, said water inlet valving means comprising a
body portion adapted for mounting to said associated hot air
heating system separate from said spaced support means and
externally of said pan-like structure, said body portion comprising
a lower water inlet end adapted for connection to a suitable source
of water and an upper end adapted for at times discharging water
into said pan-like structure, conduit means formed internally of
said body portion communicating between said upper and lower ends,
and a float member situated within said pan-like structure and
adapted for controlling the flow of water from said upper end into
said pan-like structure.
7. A humidifier assembly according to claim 6, wherein said spaced
support means comprises first and second separate end wall-like
members each adapted for separate attachment to said portion of
said associated hot air heating system, wherein said pan-like
structure is slidably supported at its opposite ends by said first
and second wall-like members, including cover means adapted to
operatively engage said end wall-like members so as to define an
interior chamber which at least partially includes therein said
upper end of said body portion of said water inlet valving
means.
8. A humidifier assembly, comprising a housing assembly adapted to
be secured to a portion of an associated hot air heating system,
said housing assembly comprising oppositely disposed and spaced end
support means, water reservoir means situated intermediate said
spaced end support means, water inlet means for directing water
from an associated water supply means to said water reservoir
means, cover means adapted to operatively engage said end support
means so as to define an interior chamber including therein said
water inlet means, and a rotatable water carrier assembly situated
within said chamber, said water carrier assembly being so
positioned as to have a portion thereof contacting the water within
said reservoir means, said water carrier assembly comprising a
rotatable shaft carrying a plurality of axially spaced disc-like
members for rotation therewith, said rotatable shaft having one end
adapted for driving connection to associated motor means, said
axially spaced disc-like members comprising a first wheel member
carried by said shaft for rotation therewith, a second wheel member
carried by said shaft for rotation therewith and in spaced
relationship to said first wheel member said water carried by said
shaft for rotation therewith and in spaced relationship to said
first wheel member, said water carrier assembly further comprising
cage-like means respectively carried at opposite ends thereof by
said first and second wheel members, and generally tubular water
lifting means carried generally about said cage-like means for
lifting a part of the water from within said water reservoir means
and presenting such lifted water to the flow of hot air of said
heating system, and said water inlet valving means being separate
from said water reservoir means and said housing assembly including
said spaced support means.
9. A humidifier assembly, comprising a housing assembly adapted to
be secured to a portion of an associated hot air heating system,
said housing assembly comprising oppositely disposed and spaced end
support means, water inlet means for directing water from an
associated water supply means to said water reservoir means, cover
means adapted to operatively engage said end support means so as to
define an interior chamber including therein said water inlet
means, and a rotatable water carrier assembly situated within said
chamber, said water carrier assembly being so positioned as to have
a portion thereof contacting the water within said water reservoir
means, said water carrier assembly comprising a rotatable shaft
carrying a plurality of axially spaced disc-like members for
rotation therewith, said rotatable shaft having one end adapted for
driving connection to associated motor means, said spaced end
support means comprising first and second separate end wall-like
members each adapted for separate attachment to said portion of
said associated hot air heating system, said water reservoir means
comprising a separate lower pan-like structure detachably carried
by said first and second wall-like members, said pan-like structure
including first and second laterally extending flange portions
respectively formed at opposite ends of said pan-like structure,
and said first and second wall-like members being respectively
provided with first and second laterally extending support surfaces
being adapted to respectively slideably receive thereon and
vertically support said first and second laterally extending flange
portions in order to thereby support said pan-like structure
generally between said first and second wall-like members, said
water inlet means comprising float controlled water inlet valve
means, said water inlet means being operatively connected to said
hot air heating system separate from said pan-like structure
thereby enabling removal of said pan-like structure from said
wall-like members without necessity of disconnecting said water
inlet means from said associated water supply means.
10. A humidifier assembly according to claim 6, wherein said body
portion is formed of at least first and second body sections joined
to each other along directions generally longitudinally of said
body portion, and wherein said internally formed conduit is partly
formed in each of said first and second body sections.
11. A humidifier assembly, comprising a housing assembly adapted to
be secured to a portion of an associated hot air heating system,
said housing assembly comprising spaced support means, water
reservoir means, and water inlet valving means separate from said
housing assembly said support means and said water reservoir means
for at times supplying water to said water reservoir means in order
to replenish water depleted therefrom, said water reservoir means
comprising a separate pan-like structure detachably carried by said
spaced support means, said water inlet valving means comprising a
body portion adapted for detachable mounting to said pan-like
structure, said pan-like structure comprising at least one
slot-like retainer portion carried thereby, and said body portion
comprising at least one guide-like member detachably received
within said at least one slot-like retainer portion.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Various humidifier assemblies have been proposed by the prior art.
However, such prior art devices have not been found to be entirely
satisfactory. For example, many of such prior art humidifying
devices are so constructed as to require the tedious complete
disassembly of the entire humidifier from the related hot air
heating system in order to either inspect, adjust, repair or
replace the operating components. Further, many of the prior art
structures are so constructed as to be of a generally unitized
character which does not permit of separation into individual
easily packaged components. That is, they are by nature
comparatively very bulky requiring maximum space for shipping and
storage as between, for example, the manufacturer and distributor
or retailer. Such increased space requirements, of course, add
substantially to the overall cost of the humidifier to the ultimate
consumer.
Accordingly, the invention as herein disclosed and described is
concerned with the solution of the above as well as other related
problems.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to the invention, a humidifier assembly comprises a
housing assembly adapted to be secured to a portion of an
associated hot air heating system, said housing assembly comprising
spaced support means, water reservoir means, and water inlet
valving means separate from said housing assembly said support
means and said water reservoir means for at times supplying water
to said water reservoir means in order to replenish water depleted
therefrom.
A general object of this invention is to provide a humidifier
assembly of novel construction permitting the compact packaging of
the component elements as well as the ready access to the operating
elements of the humidifier when such humidifier is assembled onto
an associated hot air heating system.
Another object of the invention is to provide, in a humidifier
assembly, a separate or easily separable water inlet valving
assembly which can be easily removed therefrom without the
necessity of having to disassemble any major components of the
humidifier assembly.
Other more specific objects and advantages of the invention will
become apparent when reference is made to the following detailed
description considered in conjunction with the accompanying
drawings.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
In the drawings, wherein for purposes of clarity certain elements
may be omitted from one or more views:
FIG. 1 is an elevational perspective view of a humidifier assembly,
embodying the teachings of the invention, illustrated as mounted
onto a portion of a related heating system;
FIG. 2 is a generally exploded perspective view of the elements
comprising the humidifier assembly of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken generally on the
plane of line 3--3 of FIG. 1 and looking in the direction of the
arrows;
FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken generally on the plane of
line 4--4 of FIG. 3 looking in the direction of the arrows;
FIG. 5, is a perspective view, with portions thereof in phantom
line, illustrating one of the subassemblies shown, for example, in
FIGS. 2 and 3;
FIG. 6 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken generally on the
plane of line 6--6 of FIG. 3 and looking in the direction of the
arrows;
FIG. 7 is an enlarged fragmentary portion of the structure shown in
FIG. 4;
FIG. 8 is an enlarged fragmentary view, partly in cross section, of
one of the elements shown, for example, in FIG. 2;
FIG. 9 is an enlarged fragmentary portion of the structure shown in
FIG. 4;
FIG. 10 is a fragmentary cross-sectional similar to FIG. 3 but
illustrating a second embodiment of the invention;
FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view taken generally on the plane of
line 11--11 of FIG. 10 and looking in the direction of the arrows;
and
FIG. 12 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view taken generally on
the plane of line 12--12 of FIG. 10 and looking in the direction of
the arrows.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Referring now in greater detail to the drawings, FIG. 1 illustrates
a humidifier assembly 10, constructed in accordance with the
teachings of the invention, mounted onto, for example, a wall 12 of
the heat plenum assembly 14 of a related heating system.
FIG. 2, a generally exploded perspective view, illustrates the
humidifier assembly 10 as comprising end support members 16, 18, a
lower disposed water tray or pan 20, a float regulated water inlet
valve assembly 22, a rotatable drum or wheel assembly 24 and a
cover 26.
As is shown by both FIGS. 2 and 3, end support 16 is formed of rear
wall section 28, upper wall section 30, forward wall section 32 and
lower wall section 34 generally peripherally situated as to form a
continuous surface. Such peripheral wall sections are, in turn,
joined as by a vertically extending integrally formed wall 36
which, among other things, serves to support an electric motor
assembly 38 suitably secured thereto as by mounting screws, one of
which is shown at 40.
Upper and forward wall sections 30 and 32 are respectively formed
with stepped surfaces 42 and 44 which are preferably formed as to
define a continuous mounting surface for the reception thereagainst
of end 46 of the main housing cover 26. Rear wall section 28 has
clearance apertures 48 and 50 formed therethrough adapted for the
reception of suitable attaching means such as screws, one of which
is shown at 52, in order to securely mount the end support 16 onto
the wall 12 of plenum assembly 14. In addition to mounting
apertures 48 and 50, end support 16 is provided with bosses 54, 56,
58 and 60, generally at the juncture of the respective peripheral
wall sections, which are respectively provided with, preferably,
apertures 62, 64, 66 and 68 as for the threadable engagement with
suitable self-tapping screws 70 for holding the end cover plate 72
assembled against the end support 16 (as best seen in FIG. 3). Of
course, apertures 74, formed through cover plate 72, accommodate
the passage therethrough of screws 70.
As also shown in both FIGS. 2 and 3, it can be seen that end
support 18 is somewhat similar to end support 16. That is, end
support 18 includes a rear wall section 76, upper wall section 78,
forward wall section 80 and lower wall section 82 formed to be
generally peripherally situated and continuous about an integrally
formed vertically extending end wall 84. Upper and forward wall
sections are respectively formed with stepped surfaces 86 and 88
which are preferably formed to define a continuous mounting surface
for the reception thereagainst of end 90 of the main housing cover
26. Rear wall section 76 has clearance apertures 92 and 94 formed
therethrough adapted for the reception of suitable attaching means,
such as screws typically illustrated at 96 of FIG. 3, in order to
securely mount the end support 18 onto the wall 12 of plenum
assembly 14.
Vertical wall section 84 has an aperture formed therein which,
actually, is one end of an integrally formed outlet conduit 98. A
generally horizontally disposed supporting strut 100 is provided
with an integrally formed trunnion portion 102 which is adapted to
receive and support end 104 of the main drum or wheel shaft
106.
As illustrated in FIGS. 2, 3 and 4, the water tray or pan 20 is
comprised of a lower floor or bottom 108 with vertically upwardly
extending side walls 110 and 112, a vertically upwardly extending
rear wall 114 and a forward or front wall 116 upwardly directed but
somewhat inclined from the vertical. As will be seen, the end wall
110 is preferably made shorter than opposite end wall 112 in order
to provide an offset-like clearance to accommodate the support
arrangement for the water inlet mechanism 22. Side walls 110 and
112 have, respectively, generally laterally extending flanges 118
and 120 for use in slidably supporting the tray 20 in end supports
16 and 18 while the forward wall 116 has a laterally extending
flange 122 employable for locking or latching the cover 26
thereto.
Internally of the pan 20, an integrally formed vertically extending
wall portion 124 is provided defining, generally, a first major
chamber 130 which contains the greatest portion of the water and in
which the drum assembly 24 rotates and a second chamber 132 defined
generally by walls 124, 110 and a short rear wall 126 containing a
float 134 therein. Wall 124 is preferably provided with a cut-out
portion 138 in order to permit the ready flow of water from chamber
132 to main chamber 130.
The water inlet valve assembly 22 is illustrated as being comprised
of a main mounting body 128, including flange portions 129 and 131,
which has laterally spaced yoke-like arms 133 and 135 between which
is received a float arm supporting member 137 pivotally connected
to the arms 133 and 135 as by a transversely extending pivot pin
139. (Also see FIG. 9.) As can be seen in both FIGS. 4 and 9, the
body 128, which may be formed by the joining of separate sections,
is made generally hollow in order to thereby define an internal
passageway or conduit means 141 which, at its lower end,
communicates with water supply conduit means 143 connected as to a
suitable source of water 145. The conduit means 143 may be secured
to the body 128 as by a threaded connection 147. The other end of
body 128 has an outlet fitting 149, threadably secured therewith ,
which also includes a head portion 151 and a discharge passage 153
formed therethrough. A relatively flexible and resilient tube
member 155, closed at its upper end, is secured to the body 128 by
outlet fitting 149 so as to have the head or discharge end 151
thereof disposed within the passageway 157 formed internally of the
tube 155. The lower end of tube member 155 is open and disposed
generally within chamber 132 as shown in FIG. 4.
The member 137 is of a generally U-shaped configuration having legs
159 and 161 disposed on either side of and integrally formed with a
bridging bight portion 163 which threadably receives a screw 165
therethrough. The bight portion 163 may also include a downwardly
depending tab-like portion 167 and the tube 155 is so situated as
to be between the upper end of body 128 and tab 167. A float arm
169, pivoted at its upper end to legs 159 and 161 as by a pin 171,
is pivotally connected at its lower end to float 134 as by a pivot
pin 173.
The operation of the inlet valve assembly 22, can be briefly
described as follows. Water, supplied by source 145, flows upwardly
through conduit means 141 of body 128 and through passage 153 into
conduit means 157, of tube 155, thereby flowing downwardly
therethrough and into chamber 132 of pan 20. As the water level
within the pan 20 rises, float 134 will be lifted upwardly and in
so doing cause float arm 169 to generally pivot or tend to pivot
about pin 171. This would continue until the float arm 169 abuts
against the lower end of screw 165. When this happens, further
lifting of the float 134 causes bracket-like member 137 to pivot
counter-clockwise about pivot 139 thereby causing tab 167 to force
the forwardly disposed wall portion 175 of the tube 155 against the
end 151 of fitting 149 sealing the outlet or discharge passage 153.
As the water level in chambers 130 and 132 drops, the float 134
moves downwardly allowing tab 167 and wall portion 175 of tube 155
to move away from and again open discharge passage 153. The desired
height of the normal water level can be selected by either
threadably raising or lowering the screw 165 relative to bight
portion 163.
Preferably, second conduit 164 is formed integrally with wall
section 124 so as to be generally vertically disposed. As is best
seen in FIG. 3, wall 124 has a notch 166 formed therethrough so as
to provide a passageway communicating generally between the upper
end of conduit 164 and the main chamber 130. The lower end of
conduit 164 may extend beneath the bottom 108 of tray 20 and, in a
manner known in the art, be provided with a coupling nut 168 for
connection to a suitable related conduitry leading to a sump or
drain 170. If for some reason the float controlled inlet should
fail to shut-off the flow of incoming water, notch or passageway
166, being at a level below the height of walls of pan 20, will
cause the water to flow therethrough and into the conduit 164 from
where it can be returned to a suitable drain 170 thereby preventing
the water from overflowing the pan 20.
The water drum or wheel assembly 24 is illustrated as being
comprised of a main shaft 106 on which are mounted spaced end
wheels 172 and 174 which cooperatively carry a drum-like cage
assembly 176 which, in turn, supports a sleeve-like or tubular
member 178 consisting of suitable material possibly exhibiting some
qualities of capillary attraction for water.
As shown in both FIGS. 2 and 3, end wheel 172 is formed to have a
circular sleeve-engaging surface 180 and a closed disc-like wall
182 which is preferably extended beyond surface 180 in order to
thereby define a radially extending continuous flange portion 184.
The central portion of wall 182 may be reinforced as by a boss 186
through which a passageway 188 is formed for the reception
therethrough of the main shaft 106. Additionally, wheel 172 is
provided with a continuous annular groove 190, of some axial depth,
which is adapted to receive therein end 192 of cage assembly
176.
In comparison, end wheel 174, formed to have a circular
sleeve-engaging surface 194, has an open passageway 196 formed
therethrough in which are situated wheel supporting spoke members
198, 200, 202 and 204 which, generally at their juncture, contain
or form a bearing-like portion 206 provided with a passageway 208
for the reception therethrough of the main shaft 106. Preferably,
bearing portion 206 is provided with an internally threaded
aperture for threadably engaging a set screw 210 which can be
tightened against the shaft 106 in order to transmit rotary motion
from shaft 106 to wheel 174 and, through cage 176, to wheel 172.
Additionally, wheel 174 is provided with a continuous annular
groove 212, of some axial depth, which is adapted to receive
therein end 214 of cage assembly 176. As with wheel 172, end wheel
174 also has a continuous radially extending flange 216 formed
thereabout.
Preferably, the cage assembly 176, as illustrated in FIG. 5, is
comprised of a plurality of sections 218, 220 and 222 each of which
is similarly formed. That is, as typically shown by section 218,
each may be comprised of a plurality of longitudinally extending
rods or bars 224 which are spaced from each other and joined at
their respective opposite ends to end members 226 and 228. Even
though such cage sections may be formed of any suitable material it
is contemplated that they would be preferably formed of non-rusting
material such as stainless steel or aluminum. Further, even though
the sections 218, 220 and 222 are illustrated as being formed to
have their respective end members 226 and 228 formed to be of
arcuate configuration it is contemplated that such cage sections
could be initially formed to be flat, that is, have their end
members 226 and 228 straight. This would greatly minimize the
required space for packaging and shipment of the apparatus during,
for example, shipment from the manufacturer to the distributor
and/or retailer. If this were done, then the end members 226 and
228 would be bent to conform to slots or recesses 190 and 212 in
wheels 172 and 174 at time of installation of the humidifier
assembly 10. Once the cage assembly 176 is assembled into wheels
172 and 174, the rods or bars 224, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, serve
to support the medial portion of the water carrier sleeve 178.
As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 and in enlarged scale in FIG. 6, the end
230 of shaft 106 is provided with a cross pin 232 extending
therethrough so as to have its projecting ends 234 and 236
respectively received within slots 238 and 240 formed within a
socket-like coupling member 242 drivingly connected to the output
shaft 244 of motor assembly 38. The coupling member 242 is also
provided with an aperture 246 for the reception therein of the end
of shaft 106.
The cover assembly 26, as illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2 and 4 is formed
in a generally L-shaped configuration having an upper portion 248
and a forward wall-like portion 250, preferably integrally formed
with each other. As best seen in FIGS. 2 and 4 the free end of
upper portion 248 may be provided with a laterally extending flange
portion 252 which, preferably, is formed in a stepped relationship
with respect to the upper cover portion 248. Similarly, the free
end of forward wall portion 250 is illustrated as being provided
with a laterally extending and generally horizontally projecting
flange 254 which is also preferably integrally formed with cover
wall portion 250. As shown in FIGS. 1, 3 and 4, the purpose of
flange 252 is to lock under the upper edge 256 of the aperture 258,
formed in wall 12 of heat plenum 14, whenever the cover 26 is
assembled onto the end supports 16 and 18. The aperture 258, in
addition to upper edge 256, may be formed with side edges 260, 262
and a lower edge 264. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the ends of flange
252 are cut back as at 266 and 268 so as to be accommodated within
the width of aperture 258 as defined by side walls 260 and 262. As
can best be seen in FIG. 3, the aperture 258 is formed in wall 12
so as to be preferably juxtaposed to the drum assembly 24 while
providing a degree of shielding against the direct flow of hot air
against the water inlet valve assembly 22 and related
structure.
Flange 254, as shown in FIGS. 1, 4 and 7, is illustrated as
carrying a plurality of securing means such as screws 270 which are
adapted to be detachably connected to respective U-shaped clips 272
carried by the flange 122 formed on the upper end of forward wall
116 of water pan 20. As typically illustrated in FIG. 7, the
U-clips 272 may be formed with legs 274 and 276 frictionally
engaging opposite sides of flange 122 with a concave depression in
leg 276, containing a clearance aperture 278, being situated with
the larger aperture 280 formed through flange 122. Leg 274 is
provided with an aperture therethrough defined generally by opposed
edges 282 and 284 disposed with respect to each other as to
threadably engage the screw 270. The provision of such clips 272
enables the screws to be axially pushed through aperture 278 and
upwardly between edges 282 and 284 thereby enabling a quick locking
action of cover flange 254 to pan flange 254.
As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, wall 36 of end support 16 is formed to
provide a generally horizontally disposed recess or slot 286 for
the slidable reception therein of flange 118 of water tray 20 and,
similarly, end support 18 is also formed to provide a horizontally
disposed slot 288 for the slidable reception therein of the
opposite flange 120 of pan 20.
In order to enhance the rigidity and dimensional stability of the
humidifier assembly, especially of the end support members 16 and
18, when assembled onto the related heating system ductwork, a
spacer type tie bar or rod 290 is preferably provided so as to
extend between and engage respective wall sections 36 and 84 of end
supports 16 and 18. FIG. 8, in enlarged scale, fragmentarily
illustrates the manner in which the rod 290 is secured to walls 36
and 84 of end supports 16 and 18. Apertures 292 and 294 formed
through walls 36 and 84, respectively, receive screws 296 and 298
therethrough for threadable engagement with internally threaded
portions formed in the ends 300 and 302 of the tie rod 290. The
overall length of rod 290, that is, the distance from end 200 to
end 302 is such as to maintain the desired spacing between end
supports 16 and 18 when assembled in the manner shown.
OPERATION OF INVENTION
The operation of the invention is briefly as follows. Once the
humidifier assembly 10 as shown in FIGS. 1, 3 and 4 is assembled
onto the heat plenum wall 12 (or such other suitable portion of the
heating system as is available) the electrical terminals 304 and
306 of the electric motor 38 are connected to suitable switching
mechanism such as that often associated with the heating system
blower assembly.
The inlet to the humidifier 10 is, of course, provided by the
aperture 258 in wall 12; however, the outlet from humidifier 10 is
formed by conduit 98, formed in end support 18, which is connected
by suitable ductwork or conduitry (not shown) to, for example, the
plenum chamber 14 at a point downstream of the inlet aperture
258.
Accordingly, in an arrangement as above, whenever the heating
system blower assembly is energized causing a flow of heated air, a
portion of such air is admitted into the humidifier assembly 10
through the inlet aperture 258. The electric motor 38, being
simultaneously energized with the blower assembly, causes shaft 106
to rotate and in so doing rotate with it the end wheels 172, 174
and water carrier 178. The carrier 178, which may be made of
fibrous or other suitable material (many of which are well known in
the art), is generally in the path of flow of the incoming heated
air; therefore, as the carrier 178 rotates through the water supply
within the tray or pan 20 some of the water is picked-up by the
carrier 178 and then evaporated into the heated incoming air. The
outlet conduit 98, being connected to an area of lower pressure
within the heating system, enables such moistened heated air within
the humidifier 10 to flow through the outlet conduit 98 back to the
heated air supply portion of the heating system. Even though not
shown, it should be apparent that a second electrical switching
means, responsive to sensed relative humidity, may be situated
serially with the terminal 304 or 306 of motor 38. In such an
arrangement, motor 38 would become de-energized whenever such
humidity sensitive switch sensed the attainment of a preselected
value of relative humidity, within a particular heated zone, even
though the blower assembly may continue to be energized.
Of course, depending upon the material comprising the sleeve-like
carrier 178, some flow of incoming heated air might pass through
the carrier 178 and enter the interior thereof. Accordingly, the
aperture or passageway 196 formed through the end wheel 174 is
provided for enabling such moistened air within the interior of the
drum assembly 24 to flow axially through aperture 196 and
ultimately back to the associated heating system via conduit
98.
In view of the preceding disclosure it should be apparent that the
invention provides a humidifier assembly of novel and unique
characteristics and features. For example, one of the outstanding
features is the employment of separate components such as the end
supports 16, 18, the pan 20, the end wheels 172, 174 and the cage
sections 218, 220 and 222 as well as the cover or hood 26. The
major benefit derived from the above is the great reduction in
costs of shipping and storage of such humidifiers as might occur
between the manufacturer and distributor or retailer.
That is, since the drum assembly 24 is comprised of separable
components each of them can be laid flat or stacked (as in the case
of the cage sections 218, 220 and 222) thereby requiring a minimal
packaging space. The remaining components, such as the end supports
16 and 18 as well as the cover 26 can also, because of their
separability, be packaged in a manner minimizing space
requirements. It is conceivable that where high volume production
and shipping were required, the various elements such as the pan 20
and cover 26 would be produced so as to have appropriate tapered
surfaces or configurations to permit the meeting of a quantity of
the same component within one shipping container.
Further, the invention has the advantage of being able to
accommodate the construction of humidifiers of increased or
decreased capacity at minimal costs. For example, it would be
possible to, in practicing the invention, construct two sizes (in
terms of water evaporating capacity) of humidifiers by merely
having two sizes of water pans, two sizes (in terms of increased
length) of water carrier 178 and cage sections 218, 220 and 222 two
sizes of shafts 106 and two sizes of hoods or covers 26. All of the
other elements would be interchangeable.
Humidifiers constructed in accordance with the teachings of the
invention also provide additional operational benefits. For
example, whenever the need should arise to clean or replace the
water carrier 178 it can be quickly and easily accomplished by
unlocking and removing the cover 26 thereby totally exposing the
drum assembly 24 which may then be totally lifted out of the
assembly without the need of any major disassembly as often
required by the prior art.
The same holds true for such instances as when inspection or
adjustment of the water inlet mechanism is required. That is, such
mechanism is fully exposed merely by the quick and easy removal of
the cover 26.
It should also be pointed out that another major advantage is
attained by the use of the water inlet assembly 22 and the mounting
body 128 associated therewith. As shown, for example, in each of
FIGS. 2, 3 and 4, the body 128 is mounted, as by screws 304, to the
wall 12 of the plenum chamber 14. Further, in order to accommodate
the space required by body 128, wall 110 of the water tray 20 is
made shorter than opposite wall 112 and is joined to a relatively
short wall segment 126, generally parallel to forward wall 116,
which, in turn, is joined to a second relatively short wall segment
306, generally parallel to end walls 110 and 112 and which may be
in line with the internally disposed wall 124. As is evident, walls
126 and 306 combine to define a notch-like clearance accommodating
the body 128. The benefit of this arrangement is that the pan 20
can be removed without the necessity of having to in any way
disassemble the water supply from the body 128 or the valving
mechanism 22. That is, all that is necessary is to lift the float
134 and arm 169 upwardly (so as to clear the height of wall 126)
and then merely pull the water tray 20 out of the grooves or slots
286 and 288. As the tray is thusly withdrawn, the tube 155, being
flexible, will deflect so as to permit the passage thereunder of
the rearwardly disposed wall portion 126. As is conventional
practice, suitable manually operable valve means in the conduit
means 143 can be shut-off so as to permit the float 134 to hang
freely, once the tray is completely removed and to prevent the flow
of water through the fitting 149 during such time.
FIGS. 10, 11 and 12 illustrate a second embodiment of the
invention. All elements, shown therein, which are like or similar
to those of the preceding Figures are identified with like
reference numbers.
Referring in greater detail to FIGS. 10, 11 and 12, it can be seen
that the water inlet valving assembly 22 is carried by a support
128a somewhat similar to support or body 128 of the preceeding
Figures. The support 128a may be comprised of body sections 310 and
312 suitably held or joined together thereby defining an internal
conduit or passageway 141a like that at 141 of, for example, FIG.
4.
As best seen in FIGS. 10 and 12, the body or support 128a has a
pair of oppositely disposed wing-like key members 314 and 316 which
are respectively received within slots or key passages 318 and 320.
The slots 318 and 320 are, formed within protruding wall portions
322 and 324 formed integrally with walls 110 and 124 of tray 20,
terminate in abutment-like surfaces 326 and 328.
Accordingly, it can be seen that should the water inlet assembly 22
need servicing or replacement, the entire assembly, including body
or support 128a, can be quickly removed merely by disengaging the
connection 147 and lifting the body 128a causing the keepers 314
and 316 to be withdrawn from the slots 318 and 320.
Further, the various structural elements or components comprising
the humidifier may be formed of any suitable material; however, it
is contemplated that such elements could be easily manufactured
from a suitable plastic, and even coated if desired, which would
have a low affinity to the corrosive as well as other elements
often contained and carried by water.
Although only selected preferred embodiments of the invention have
been disclosed and described, it should be apparent that other
embodiments and modifications of the invention are possible within
the scope of the appended claims.
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