U.S. patent number 3,776,215 [Application Number 05/194,191] was granted by the patent office on 1973-12-04 for humidifier means.
Invention is credited to Arthur G. Howard, John P. McHugh.
United States Patent |
3,776,215 |
Howard , et al. |
December 4, 1973 |
**Please see images for:
( Certificate of Correction ) ** |
HUMIDIFIER MEANS
Abstract
A humidifier installation which projects water in minute droplet
form into the associated air stream duct, without prior evaporation
of the water, and permitting all components except the discharge
nozzle to be spaced away from the air duct and away from all the
heated air, thus avoiding a main source of humidifier clogging
and/or other inefficiency and ineffectiveness. Additional features
include an adjustable means for getting liquid deodorant or
disinfectant into the air stream which is used to draw the
humidifying water into the duct; and the nozzle assembly, which
achieves the flow of humidifying water under vacuum in response to
flow of air through the nozzle assembly, provides a parallel
arrangement of the air and water ducts into a downstream mixing
chamber from which the humidifying water is discharged under
pressure of that air into the air stream duct whose air is to be
moistened or otherwise treated by the overall humidifier means.
Other features add to the overall operativity, the overall housing
of the humidifying unit being compartmentalized, achieving maximal
separation of water, compressed air, and electrical features.
Inventors: |
Howard; Arthur G.
(Indianapolis, IN), McHugh; John P. (Indianapolis, IN) |
Family
ID: |
22716642 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/194,191 |
Filed: |
November 1, 1971 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
126/113; 417/151;
261/116 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F24F
6/14 (20130101); Y02B 30/545 (20130101); Y02B
30/54 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
F24F
6/14 (20060101); F24F 6/12 (20060101); F24h
003/00 () |
Field of
Search: |
;417/151,191
;261/105,107,46,116 ;62/353 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Wayner; William E.
Assistant Examiner: Tapolcai, Jr.; William E.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A humidifying means for a warm air furnace installation having
ductwork through which flows the air to be moistened by the
humidifying means, comprising:
a pump means which draws liquid by the passage therethrough of air
under pressure;
a source of air under pressure and leading to said pump means;
a line supplying humidifying liquid to the pump means;
the discharge of the pump means being operatively into the said
ductwork, and the pump means being operative to effect such
discharge by exerting a sub-atmospheric pressure into the said
humidifying liquid line;
and in which upstream of the inlet of air to said humidifying means
there is provided a source of conditioning or treating liquid, with
means being provided to cause the incoming air to encounter said
liquid and thereby condition or treat said air;
and in which the source of conditioning or treating liquid is a
container means, and there is a perforate wick means associated
therewith and extending to a relatively low position therein so as
to dip into a supply of the conditioning or treating liquid
therein, and air passage means provde that air being drawn into the
inlet of the humidifying means must operatively pass through said
wick means.
2. The invention as set forth in claim 1 in a combination in which
means are provided which block the flow of humidifying liquid in
said line unless said air compressor means is delivering air under
pressure to said pump means.
3. A humidifying means for a warm air furnace installation having
ductwork through which flows the air to be moistened by the
humidifying means, comprising:
a pump means which draws liquid by the passage therethrough of air
under pressure;
a source of air under pressure and leading to said pump means;
a line supplying humidifying liquid to the pump means;
the discharge of the pump means being operatively into the said
ductwork, and the pump means being operative to effect such
discharge by exerting a sub-atmospheric pressure into the said
humidifying liquid line;
and in which upstream of the inlet of air to said humidifying means
there is provided a source of conditioning or treating liquid, with
means being provided to cause the incoming air to encounter said
liquid and thereby condition or treat said air;
in a combination in which the inlet to the said humidifying means
is provided with an inlet passage which permits a bypassing of the
said liquid, and there are control means to selectively block said
bypass inlet passage and of said means which cause said incoming
air to encounter said conditioning or treating liquid.
4. The invention as set forth in claim 3 in a combination in which
the humidifying means includes an air compressor means
self-contained within the humidifying means.
5. The invention as set forth in claim 3 in a combination in which
means are provided which block the flow of humidifying liquid in
said line unless said air under pressure is being delivered to said
pump means.
6. The invention as set forth in claim 3 in a combination in which
the humidifying means includes an air compressor means
self-contained within the humidifying means;
in which the said source of conditioning or treating liquid is not
under pressure but is operatively admixed into the air by the
drawing of the inlet side of the air compressor means in contrast
to the atmospheric pressure upstream of said source of conditioning
or treating liquid.
7. The invention as set forth in claim 3 in a combination in which
the said air conditioning or air treating is achieved regardless of
whether humidifying liquid is being supplied to said pump
means.
8. The invention as set forth in claim 6 in a combination in which
the source of conditioning or treating liquid is a container means
removably secured to the inlet side of the air compressor
means.
9. The invention as set forth in claim 3 in a combination in which
the source of conditioning or treating liquid is a container means,
and there is a perforate with means associated therewith and
extending to a relatively low position therein so as to dip into a
supply of the conditioning or treating liquid therein, and air
passage means provide that air being drawn into the inlet of the
air compressor means must operatively pass through said wick
means.
10. The invention as set forth in claim 3 in a combination in which
the control means not only selectively block said bypass and said
encounter-causing means but selectively block partially either, to
provide more selected varition in the conditioning or treating
effect attained by the incoming air.
11. The invention as set forth in claim 3 in a combination in which
the humidifying means is mounted in a spaced location away from the
said ductwork, and there is an outlet line means leading from the
said humidifying means to the discharge outlet which discharges
into said ductwork.
12. The invention as set forth in claim 11 in a combination in
which discharge outlet is an assembly which is the pump means
itself.
13. The invention as set forth in claim 12 in a combination in
which the pump means is provided by an assembly of an inlet body
and an outlet body, the inlet body provided with generally parallel
passages in its downstream end portion which both communicate with
an upstream-facing recess provided in said outlet body, that recess
providing an expansion chamber for air being delivered to said pump
means and thus providing that a vacuum will be induced in said
water supply line.
14. The invention as set forth in claim 3 in a combination in which
means are provided for controlling the rate of flow of water to the
said liquid supply line.
15. The invention as set forth in claim 3 in a combination in which
means are provided for controlling the pressure of water upstream
of the said liquid supply line.
16. The invetnion as set forth in claim 3 in a combination in which
there are electric means for energizing the source of air under
pressure and for controlling the flow of water in said water supply
line, and there are wall means in said humidifier means which
generally separate or compartmentalize the electric means, the air
supply, and the water supply.
Description
This invention relates to a humidifier means for providing
moistening air in an associated air duct, typically a duct of a
heating and/or air conditioning installation.
Concepts of the overall invention provide several advantages and
novel concepts which contribute to the overall advantages of the
installation.
An important concept and advantage of the present invention is the
achievement of getting moistening water into the associated duct to
be moistened, in the form of a so-called "atomized" or "cold fog"
mist or minute droplet form, under pressure, quite in contrast to
any form of conventional humidifiers which depend upon the
evaporation of humidifying water, and quite in contrast to typical
prior art humidifiers which are (and have to be) mounted in such
close proximity to the furnace ductwork (actually on the ductwork)
that the furnace air heat causes a precipitation of temporary
hardness ions into a scale or clogging crust. The scale formed from
such action usually comes from the heating of water which this
invention wholly avoids; for, the humidifier is spaced from the
heated ductwork or furnace plenum, and the humidifying water is at
the relatively cold temperature of the associated water supply
line.
This invention thus achieves an avoidance of the scale or
evaporator-clogging which is a major cause of humidifier
inefficiency; and in addition, the inventive concepts provide a
positiveness and consistent control of the amount of air-moistening
water actually getting into the heated airstream. Installation is
simplified and economical, requiring a cutting of the furnace
ductwork only for the outlet nozzle or nozzles. This is in contrast
to typical humidifier installations which require large cut-ins of
the furnace ductwork or plenum.
Another important concept is the provision of a self-contained
source of air under pressure, which attains the drawing of the
humidifying liquid into the outlet components of the installation,
avoiding any need of a pressurized air supply utility or service
line.
The concepts also provide a desired control and positiveness and
consistency in use, not only in discharging humidifying water under
pressure rather than by evaporation, but by providing that the
supply of humidifying liquid is automatically blocked unless the
compressed air component is operative to provide the air which
provides the draw of the humidifying liquid into and through the
discharge outlet nozzle, and by providing a complete and precise
control of the quantity and flow rate of humidifying water, a water
supply and control in which the continued uniformity of humidifying
operation is quite generally independent of even wide fluctuations
or variations of pressure in the water supply line, city line
pressure, well line pressure, etc.
The concepts further provide a distinct and definite
compartmentalization or general separateness of the water,
compressed air, and electrical components, aiding in the
leakproofness, safety, and actuation and repair characteristics of
the overall installation. For example, a water leak does not affect
the air supply components or the electrical components, buc the
water just runs out of the installation relatively harmlessly.
The humidifying water, although supplied to the humidifier
installation under pressure, is moved to the discharge outlet by
vacuum achieved as an incident to the movement of the
aforementioned compressed air, and this co-operates with the other
features in achieving dependability and positiveness of the
installation. No stored water supply is needed; no tanks, no
floats, no full-tank shut-offs are needed. No water under pressure
can flood out the associated deodorant and/or disinfectant
supply.
An adjustable means provides for the addition of a deodorant and/or
disinfectant liquid into the said compressed air supply, for then
being carried into the discharged humidifying mist by that air
rather than being dependent upon being admixed into the humidifying
liquid. Even when a humidification effect is not desired, as for
example during the humid summer months when the associated ductwork
system is being used to provide cool and de-humidified air, the
disinfectant and/or deodorant effect may be achieved without the
introduction of any of the humidifying moisture into the
ductwork.
Thus, not only does this auxiliary feature add to the environmental
control and betterment, providing clear, health-assisting and/or
curative atmosphere, but overcomes or eliminates the odor of lint
in the duct and/or the smell usually characteristic of many air
conditioning installations; and all these features are attainable
whether or not the humidifying moisture is being attained, and the
amount of the deodorant and/or disinfectant is easily and
conveniently adjusted or metered. And supply cannisters of the
deodorant and/or disinfectant liquid may be easily replaced or
interchanged, conveniently and without tools, even while the unit
is operating.
The nozzle itself provides the advantage of the water-drawing air
line and the water line itself being generally parallel, and both
directed generally toward the discharge outlet of the nozzle, the
air and the water coming into juxtaposition in a mixing chamber of
the nozzle which spans the outlet of both said lines.
These and other details, features, and advantages of the various
contributive concepts of the overall invention will be more
apparent in the following more detailed description of an
illustrative embodiment, considered with the accompanying somewhat
schematic and diagrammatic drawings, in which:
FIG. 1 is a pictorial view of the exterior of a humidifier means, a
wall portion being shown as broken away to illustrate
compartmentalization concepts;
FIG. 2 is an end view of an air inlet fitting for the humidifier
means shown in FIG. 1, FIG. 2 being in considerably larger
scale;
FIG. 3 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the air inlet
fitting shown in FIG. 2, as taken generally as shown by Section
line 3--3 of FIG. 2;
FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of the water supply line which
supplies humidifying water to and through the humidifying
means;
FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of the electrical and actuation air
components of the humidifying means;
FIG. 6 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the nozzle means
which joins the lines of the actuation air and the humidifying
liquid, for discharge of the humidifying liquid into the associated
air ductwork, under pressure, and in the form of unheated minute
droplet or mist form;
FIG. 7 is an end view of the nozzle shown in FIG. 6;
FIG. 8 is a top view of a supply means for disinfectant and/or
deodorizing liquid, this supply means being optionally used in
place of the air inlet fitting shown in FIG. 2; and
FIG. 9 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the supply means shown
in FIG. 8, this view being taken generally as shown by Section line
9--9 of FIG. 8 .
As shown in the drawings, the embodiment of a humidifier means 10
illustrative of the inventive concepts is shown in FIG. 1 as
including a casing 12 divided by a horizontal wall panel 14 and a
vertical panel 16 into separate and water-tight compartments, those
being an upper electrical compartment 18, and separate lower
compartments respectively a water compartment 20 and an air supply
compartment 22.
FIG. 1 also indicates diagramatically the service lines comprising
an electric line 24 and a water supply line 25, an inlet opening 26
for the actuation air, and an outlet nozzle 28 which dispenses the
humidifying liquid into the associated ductwork or furnace plenum
29, in the form of a mist 30 of minute droplets of the humidifying
liquid, unheated, and without depending upon the evaporation of
humidifying liquid by heat. The remoteness of the unit 10 from the
ductwork and heat co-operates with a forced liquid feed to avoid
clogging problems typical of prior art humidifiers, and render
installation more economical and convenient, as mentioned
above.
The water circuitry is shown schematically in FIG. 4 as a
pressurized water supply line 32 which contains, in series a
shut-off valve 34, and a strainer 36, and a pressure regulator 38
by which the supply line pressure is reduced to a low pressure,
such as 5 p.s.i. pressure, a gauge 40 being shown as tapping onto
line 32 by a line 42; and the line 32 continues under pressure
through a solenoid control valve 44 (energized or controlled by
means yet to be described) to a metering valve 46 (desirably a
1.degree. adjustable type of needle valve). This provides precise
and continuously consistent control of humidifying water, guide
independent of supply line pressure and variations thereof.
Downstream of the metering valve 46, the water supply line 32v is
under sub-atmospheric pressure, that is a vacuum, due to the
combined effect of the relatively large expansion of the conduit
area on the downstream side of the metering valve 46 and the
sub-atmospheric pressure in the downstream water line 48 which has
a vacuum-breaking inlet check valve 50 (ball-check type, for
example) at its lower end, its upper end going to the
vacuum-pulling nozzle 28 mentioned above. (The construction and
vacuum-pulling pump operativity of that nozzle 28 is detailed
below.)
In the water line 48, there is shown a water conditioning unit 52,
preferably of replaceable type, and containing ion-exchange resins,
for removing certain water-carried substances such as mineral
deposits, which might otherwise precipitate in the air stream and
form a build-up of scale-like substance or so-called "white
dust."
By the water circuitry 32-48 as detailed above, the humidifying
water is supplied to the pump or outlet nozzle 28 under control and
actuation by air and electrical components still to be described;
and all the water-supply components shown in FIG. 4, except its
upstream shutoff valve 34 and the portion 48' of water outlet line
48 outwardly of the unit 10, are contained in the water compartment
20 of the casing 12.
As shown in FIG. 5, water control is by the electrical and
actuation air components, and by their interrelationships, now more
fully described and explained.
FIG. 5 illustrates the electrical control circuitry as including a
supply inlet 58 energized by a supply line 60 desirably connected
in parallel to the heating blower and/or air conditioning blower
62, providing energization of the humidifying means 10 whenever
either of those blowers are actuated. (However, as shown below,
other control features prevent humidifying or other operation of
the humidifying means 10 under certain situations even though the
furnace blower or air conditioner blower is energized.)
One line 64 is shown leading from one side of the electrical supply
plug or fitting 58 to one inlet terminal of a step-down (110:6 volt
preferably) transformer 66; and another line 68 leads from the
other side of plug 58 (through a fuse 70) to the other inlet
terminal of that transformer 66.
The outlet terminals of that transformer 66 are respectively
connected by a line 72 to one terminal of a relay 74, and by a line
76 to one terminal of a control switch 78. The other terminals of
these are connected by lines 80 and 82, respectively, to a
humidistat plug 84 to which is connected a humidistat 86; and thus
the low-voltage circuit through the relay 74 is closed (energizing
that relay 74) when both the control switch 78 is closed, and the
humidistat 86 is closed by a lowness of room humidity.
(A pilot light 88 is shown connected by line 90 in parallel to the
low voltage control circuit 72-80 of relay 74.)
With the relay 74 closed, the controlled circuit through the relay
is closed, that being shown as a circuit line 92 connected from one
of the inlet power lines 64 and leading to the air compressor 94,
the other terminal of the air compressor 94 being connected through
a line 96 to the other inlet power line 68.
Thus the air compressor 94 (which as explained below provides
control and operativity of the humidifying water supply) is
actuated when switch 78 and humidistat 86 are in closed condition,
if either the furnace or air conditioner blower 52 is actuated.
The control circuit 92-96 of the air compressor 94 has parallel
lines 98-100 respectively connected with a solenoid 102 of solenoid
valve 44 which opens the water circuit 32 for humidifying water
flow when the air compressor 94 is actuated.
However, safety means are provided which prevent energization of
the solenoid 102 of solenoid valve 44, even when the air compressor
94 is actuated, unless pressurized air is actually being delivered
from the air compressor 94; and that safety means is shown as a
pressure-regulated or mercontrol switch 104 in series with the
solenoid energization circuit 98-100, the internal circuit of the
mercontrol 104 being such as that it is open unless air under
pressure is supplied to the control portion of that switch 104 from
a control line 106 leading from the outlet of the air compressor
94.
(Air inlet for the air compressor 94 is shown in FIG. 5 as by and
through a deodorant and/or disinfectant supply means 110 described
in detail below, through a nipple 111 which leads to the casing
opening 26.)
The air compressor 94 is self-contained in the humidifying means
10, and the humidifier is thus independent of any external source
of pressurized air; and from the air compressor 94 leads an air
line 112 to provide air under pressure to the humidifier nozzle 28,
providing the actuation air whice draws the humidifying water by
vacuum in water line 48. The air compressor 94 is in the air
compartment 22, and the solenoid valve 44 is in the water
compartment 20; but all the other components of FIG. 5 except as
otherwise noted are located in the electrical compartment 18,
achieving the advantageous compartmentalization mentioned
above.
FIG. 6 illustrates the nozzle means 28, which is the means which
provides water-pumping effect, that is, the operative intersection
and juxtaposition of the pressurized air stream in compressor
outlet line 112 and the humidifying water outlet line 48' of line
48. Nozzle 28 is remote from the casing 12, the remoteness
contributing to the advantages described above; and the nozzle 28
is shown as having only its extreme outer end projecting into the
furnace ductwork 29.
The nozzle 28 as shown as formed of an inlet body 114 and an outlet
body 116, interconnected by screw threads 118 interengaging between
a downstream-facing head 120 of the inlet body 114 and an
upstream-facing recess 122 of the outlet body 116. The outlet body
116 is shown having outer screw threads 123 which screw into a
face-plate or bracket piece 123a screwed or riveted to the ductwork
or plenum 29. Only a small opening 123b need have been provided in
the sheeting 29.
The inlet body 114 of nozzle 28 is provided with two inlets 124 and
126, threaded, and respectively for receiving end fittings (not
shown) of the portions of outlet air line 112 and the outlet water
line 48' exteriorly of the casing 12. These inlets 124 and 126 are
respectively provided with passages 128 and 130, internally of the
body member 114; and it will be particularly noted that the
downstream end-portions of those passages 128-130 are parallel,
they both extending fully to the extreme downstream end of the body
member head 120 and there communicating with the interior of the
recess 122 of outlet body 116. The terminal portion of the air
passage 128 is generally co-axial with head 120 and recess 122.
The nozzle outlet body 116 is provided with a central outlet
passage 132 communicating with the recess 122; and the operation of
the nozzle 28 is such that the passage of air through the air
passage 128 into the relatively large zone of the recess 122, and
the consequent expansion of the air stream, is operative to induce
a water-drawing vacuum in the water passage 130 which opens into
the chamber provided by the body recess 122.
The discharge of the humidifying water from nozzle 28 is in the
form of a mist 30 of minute droplets which thereupon evaporate and
moisten the airstream in the associated ductwork whose air is to be
humidified; however, as pointed out above, the evaporation is not
the means of getting the humidifying water into the associated
ductwork, as in the case with other humidifiers of the prior art
not having the advantages of the present forced spray system.
The nozzle 28 is very effective; for even though the air supply to
it may be low pressure and low volume, it has a lift of
twenty-eight inches of water; quite in contrast to other types of
vacuum-drawing nozzle even though provided with high pressure and
high volume.
FIGS. 8 and 9 illustrate an easily replaceable or changeable supply
means 110 which, in conjunction with the pressurized air concepts
by which the humidifying water is drawn to and through the
humidifier 10, provides that the installation also provides a
deodorant and/or disinfectant to the associated air stream duct,
and provides this effect whether or not the unit 10 is being used
also as a humidifier. Other advantages include the fact that it is
mountable on the humidifier remote from the heat and often-awkward
accessibility of the furnace plenum and ductwork; and quite in
contrast to being pressurized, it delivers its liquid by a vacuum
action incident to the supply of air to the air compressor 94.
Other advantages are mentioned herein.
The deodorant and/or disinfectant supply means 110 is shown as
including a head member 136 from which depends a liquid supply
cannister body 138, screw threads 140 at the top of the cannister
138 maintaining it assembled onto the head 136. A supply of
deodorant and/or disinfectant liquid 142 is shown in the cannister
138.
The head 136 is provided with two openings 144 and 146, the opening
146 being shown centrally of the receiving threads 140 for the
cannister 138, and the other opening 144 being a bypass opening
shown at an offset location only slightly spaced from those
threads; and the opening 144 is intersected by an outlet opening or
passage 148 which exits from the head 136 in a screw-threaded
portion 150 which receives the air nipple 111 of casing-opening 26
which admits air to the air compression 94.
Atop the head 136 there is shown a movable cap or plate 152,
movably pinned thereto by pin 154, and with a manipulating lug 156.
The pin 154 is located on head 136 such that the cap or plate 152,
when selectively moved as by its lug 156, covers one or the other
of the head openings 144-146 (or portions of both) thus selectively
permitting air to enter through either one or partially from both
of the openings 144-146.
The air which enters via the opening 144, when it is uncovered,
goes directly into the passage 148, bypassing the cannister
138.
The air, however, which enters via the opening 146, does not go
direct to the outlet passage 148, but instead enters into the fluid
cannister 138 at its upper end-portion 158; and, prior to entering
the lower portion of opening 144 and thence into the outlet passage
148, that air must pass outwardly through the perforate or
wick-like wall of a sleeve 160.
The sleeve 160 is shown as supported to the underside of the
cannister support head 136 by head bolts 162 which pass through
holes in a ring-shaped holding piece 164 which bears against
out-turned end-portions of the sleeve 160; and the sleeve 160
extends down a substantial way into the cannister body 138, its
mesh wall serving as a soaking wick.
Thus the air entering the chamber 158 (through opening 146) is
forced to encounter the liquid deodorant or disinfectant 142.
Moreover, this air eventually being the air dispensed out into the
ductwork by the ductwork humidifier nozzle 28 (by the air's passage
through components 158, lower portion of 144, 150, 111, 26, 94,
112, 124, 128, 122, and 132), the deodorant and/or disinfectant
effect is achievable even though the humidifying liquid is not
being supplied to the outlet nozzle 28.
Thus deodorant and/or disinfectant advantage is easily achieved
whether or not the unit is being utilized to also attain
humidifying effect; and the movement of the cap-plate 152 permits
adjustable control of the amount of deodorant and/or disinfectant,
with or without humidification.
In installations where no deodorant/disinfectant utilization is
desired, an inlet fitting 168 (FIGS. 2 and 3) may be provided, as
shown, it has an outlet passage 170 tapped with screw threads 172
adapted (like threads 150 of supply means 110) to be screwed to the
nipple 111. The entrance portion of the fitting 168 is provided
with a recess 174, into which is fitted a removable and cleanable
inlet mesh or filter screen 176, held in the recess 174 by a spring
clip 178; and it will be apparent that air passing through the
screen 176 passes through chamber 174 and passage 170 to the nipple
111 for admission into the air inlet 26 of the air compartment of
the housing 12.
It is thus seen that a humidifying means 10 according to the
present inventive concepts provides a desirable and advantageous
humidifying means, of compartmentalized construction, optionally
with or without the extra advantages of a deodorant and/or
disinfectant effect, drawing humidifying water in a vaccum line for
a forced spray or mist, and avoiding the prior requirement of
evaporation off an evaporator element. Pressure variations of the
incoming water line are made of negligible effect. The nozzle
itself provides advantages of a parallelism of outlet conduits.
Accordingly, it will thus be seen from the foregoing description of
this illustrative embodiment, considered with the accompanying
drawings, that the present invention provides a new and useful
humidifying means, the device having desired advantages and
characteristics, and accomplishing its intended objects, including
those hereinbefore pointed out and others which are inherent in the
invention.
Modifications and variations may be effected without departing from
the novel concepts of the invention; accordingly, the invention is
not limited to the specific form or arrangement of parts herein
described or shown.
* * * * *