WO1997035658A1

WO1997035658A1 - Air humidifier

Info

Publication number: WO1997035658A1
Application number: PCT/IL1997/000111
Authority: WO
Inventors: Yehoshua Rigel; Saul Leibinsohn
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1996-03-27
Filing date: 1997-03-27
Publication date: 1997-10-02
Anticipated expiration: 1998-09-27
Also published as: IL117693A0; AU2041797A

Abstract

An air humidifier including a water reservoir (3) constructed to contain a quantity of water and to be located directly below the air to be humidified, and a water carrier body (11a-11d) having a water retainer surface fixed to a rotary shaft (6) mounted for rotation about an axis extending through said water carrier body, and transversely of and above said water reservoir, such that rotation of the water carrier body immerses its lower portion in the water in said reservoir and then raises it out of the water into the path of the air to thereby humidify the air. The water carrier body may be rotated by an air turbine (10), or by a motor.

Description

AIR HUMIDIFIER

The present invention relates to an air humidifier, and particularly to one for

humidifying a stream of air such as outletted from a room heater or from an outlet register of a room heating system.

Room heating systems produce relatively dry air, and therefore such systems frequently include humidifiers for humidifying the air. Many types of humidifiers have been used for this purpose, including open-top water containers and water-saturated fabric materials, or other forms of water-carrier bodies, placed in the path of the stream of air so as to pick up moisture therefrom. However, the efficiency of such devices is generally very limited. Also, water-saturated materials, if left standing, serve as a breeding environment for microorganisms or unpleasant odors.

An object of the present invention is to provide an air humidifier having advantages in some or all of the above respects.

According to the present invention, there is provided an air humidifier for humidifying air, comprising: a water reservoir constructed to contain a quantity of water and to be located directly below the air to be humidified; and a water-carrier body having a water-retaining surface fixed to a rotary shaft mounted for rotation about an axis extending through the water-carrier body, and transversely of and above the water reservoir such that rotation of the water-carrier body immerses its lower portion in the water in the reservoir and then raises it out of the water in the reservoir into the path of the air to thereby humidify the air by the water retained on the water-carrier body.

A number of embodiments are described below for purposes of example. In some described embodiments, the water-carrier body includes a plurality of circular rings fixed to and coaxial with the rotary shaft. In other described embodiments, the water-carrier body includes a helical coil fixed to and coaxial with the rotary shaft. Further embodiments are described wherein the water-carrier body includes a cylinder and/or a plurality of discs, fixed to and coaxial with the rotary shaft.

According to further features in some described embodiments, the water reservoir includes a spring- suspension supporting the water reservoir below the rotary shaft such that the water reservoir ascends or descends according to the quantity of water therein to automatically maintain the lower portion of the water-carrier body immersed in the water in the reservoir irrespective of changes in the quantity of water therein.

According to still further features in the described preferred embodiments, the bottom of the water reservoir underlying the rotary shaft is formed with a downwardly- extending bulge of a configuration to accommodate the lower end of the water-carrier body during its rotation, to thereby allow the water-carrier body to be wetted by the water in the reservoir even where there is a small quantity of water in the reservoir.

In some described embodiments, the rotary shaft is coupled to an air turbine located in the path of the stream of air so as to be rotated thereby; and in other described embodiments, the rotary shaft is coupled to an electrical motor for rotating the rotary shaft and the water-carrier body fixed to it.

A humidifier constructed in accordance with the foregoing features thus

continuously feeds a fresh quantity of water into the path of the stream of air, thereby continuously humidifying the air. Moreover, the water- carrier body used in such a humidifier may have a construction, or may be made of a material, which holds the water

only for a short time, sufficient until the water is raised from the reservoir into the path of the stream of warm air, such that when the humidifier is not in use, the water drains

back into the reservoir; therefore, there is less possibility of breeding microorganisms or

unpleasant odors during periods of non-use. Such an air humidifier is also easy to clean and to maintain.

Further features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the

description below.

The invention is herein described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a sectional view illustrating one form of air humidifier constructed in

accordance with the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a end view of the humidifier of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a sectional view illustrating a unit that may be used in the construction of

the water-carrier body in the humidifier of Figs. 1 and 2;

Fig. 4 is an end view of the water-carrier unit of Fig. 3;

Figs. 5 and 6 are fragmentary sectional and end views, respectively, illustrating another construction that may be used for the water-carrier body;

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary view illustrating still another construction of the water- carrier body;

Figs. 8 and 9 are sectional and elevational views, respectively, of the connector in the water-carrier body construction of Fig. 7;

Figs. 10, 11, 12, 13, 14 and 15 are sectional views illustrating further constructions that may be used for the water-carrier body;

Fig. 16 illustrates a modification in the manner of supporting the water reservoir with respect to the water- carrier body; Fig. 17 is a side elevational view illustrating a further modification in the construction of the humidifier to accommodate a plurality of water-carrier bodies;

Fig. 18 is a top plan view, illustrating a further construction of air humidifier in accordance with the present invention;

Figs. 19, 20 and 21 are side, top and end views, respectively, of a further construction of air humidifier in accordance with the present invention;

Fig. 22 is a top plan view of a further air humidifier in accordance with the present

invention;

Figs. 23 and 24 are side elevational views along lines XXIII-XXIII and XXIV-- XXIV, respectively, of Fig. 22; and

Fig. 25 is a top plan view illustrating a further construction of air humidifier in accordance with the present invention.

The air humidifier illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2 is adapted to be located in the path of a stream of warm air, generally designated 2 in Fig. 1, e.g., as may be discharged from a room heater, the outlet heat register of a room heating system, or the like.

The illustrated humidifier includes a water reservoir 3 in the form of an open-top container, to be located directly below the stream of warm air 2 and adapted to contain a quantity of water 4 for humidifying the warm air in stream 2. A water-carrier body, generally designated 5, is fixed to a rotary shaft 6 extending through the center of the water-carrier body 5 and transversely across the water reservoir 3. Shaft 6 is rotatably supported by a pair of side plates 7, which may be mounted to a fixed element of a room or outlet heat register, as schematically shown by mounting 8 (Fig. 1). Water reservoir 3 is suspended from the side plates 7 by a spring-suspension 9 (Fig. 2). A blade-type air turbine 10 is fixed to one end of the rotary shaft 6 in the path of the air stream 2 such that the air stream rotates the shaft 6 and the water-carrier body 5 fixed to it.

Water-carrier body 5 has a large water-retaining surface. The lower part of body 5 is immersed in the water 4 within the water reservoir 3. During the rotation of the water- carrier body by turbine blades 10, the surface of body 5 wetted with the water from the reservoir is continuously raised out of the reservoir into the path of the air stream 2, thereby humidifying the air.

The spring-suspension 9 of the water reservoir 3 causes the water reservoir to ascend or descend with respect to rotary shaft 6, and the water-carrier body 5 fixed to it, according to the quantity of water within the reservoir. This spring suspension thus thereby automatically maintains the lower part of the water-carrier body 5 immersed in the water irrespective of changes in the quantity of water within the reservoir. In addition, the portion of the bottom wall of the water reservoir 3 underlying the rotary

shaft 6 is outwardly bulged, as shown at 3' (Fig. 2) in a configuration to accommodate the lower part of the water- carrier body 5. Bulge 3' thus allows the water-carrier body to be wetted by the water in the reservoir 3 even when there is a small quantity of water in the reservoir.

The water-carrier body 5 is of a construction to be wetted by the water in reservoir 3, and to retain a quantity of water on its outer surface after the so-wetted surface is raised from the water in the reservoir, and thereby to supply water for humidifying the air in stream 2. Figs. 1 and 2 illustrate one example of such a body which includes a plurality of circular rings 11 fixed coaxially to the rotary shaft 6 by a plurality of radial arms 12 (Fig. 2). In this example, there are two groups of circular rings, namely rings 11a of one diameter alternating with rings 1 lb of a smaller diameter. Figs. 3 and 4 illustrate a construction for such rings in which the rings are built in units of two rings. Each unit includes one larger-diameter ring 11a and one smaller- diameter ring 1 lb joined by the radial arms 12 to a common hub 13. Hub 13 includes a larger-diameter section 13a at one end, and a smaller-diameter section 13b at the opposite end, adapted to be received within section 13a of the next hub, thereby permitting a plurality of the hubs to be assembled together.

Figs. 5 and 6 illustrate another construction wherein the larger-diameter ring 14a is joined to the smaller-diameter ring 14b by an integrally formed connector section 14c at one or more spaced locations around the circumference of the two rings.

Figs. 7-9 illustrate a further construction wherein the larger-diameter ring 15a is connected to the smaller-diameter ring 15b by a separately attachable connector 16, having a pin 16a at one end receivable within an opening in ring 15 a, and a pin 16b at the opposite end receivable within an opening in ring 15b.

It will be appreciated that in all the water- carrier body constructions illustrated in Figs. 3-9, the rings can be built in units of two rings to a unit as described above with respect to Figs. 3 and 4, and then assembled together on the rotary shaft; alternatively, the water-carrier body could be built with all the rings connected together as a single unit, with the smaller- diameter rings alternating with the larger-diameter rings.

Figs. 10-12 illustrate examples of individual ring constructions. Thus, Fig. 10 illustrates a ring 17 of solid construction, Fig. 11 illustrates a ring 18 of hollow construction, and Fig. 12 illustrates a ring 19 of hollow construction but open at one

side. Figs. 13 and 14 illustrate other construction of the water-carrier body 5 of Figs. 1 and 2. Thus, instead of rings, Fig. 13 illustrates the water-carrier body as an open helix 20, and Fig. 14 illustrates this body as a closed helix 21.

Fig. 15 illustrates a still further example of the water-carrier body, the body in this

case being in the form of cylinder 22.

In all the foregoing constructions, the water- carrier body is preferably of a material which retains the water picked up from the reservoir 3 for only a short period of time, sufficient to bring it into the path of the stream of air 2 for humidifying the air, but to permit the water to drain back into the reservoir 3 if the water-carrier body is not rotated. Any suitable material that may be used for this purpose, such as metal or plastic. The body may also be of a fibrous material, such as nylon, glass fibers or the like.

Fig. 16 illustrates a variation wherein the spring suspension for the water reservoir 3 is adjustable with respect to the water-carrier body. In this variation, the side walls (7, Fig. 2) which support the water-carrier body (5, Fig. 2) are closed at each end by an end wall 25. Each end wall 25 carries a plate 26 pivotally mounted at 27 to the respective end wall. The suspension spring 9 is secured to one end of pivotal plate 26, and the opposite end of the pivotal plate 26 carries a retainer 28, such as a threaded screw, for releasably retaining the plate in a selected pivoted position.

Fig. 17 illustrates the variation wherein the humidifying device includes two (or more) water-carrier bodies, shown at 31 and 32, each fixed to a rotary shaft 33, 34, spaced longitudinally of the water reservoir 3. The water-carrier bodies 31, 32, could be of any of the above- described constructions; and the water reservoir 3 is supported in suspension from such bodies by springs 35 as also described above.

7 SUBSTTTUTE SHEET (RULE 26) Fig. 18 illustrates a humidifier construction including a blade-turbine 33 which rotates a shaft 34 coupled by a step-down transmission including gears 35a, 35b, 35c, 35d to a water-carrier body 36 rotated in a reservoir 37 at a reduced speed as compared to the rotational speed of rotary shaft 34.

Figs. 19-21 illustrate another construction, wherein the water reservoir, therein designated 40, is configured to define a main reservoir section 41 accommodating the water-carrier body 42 and therefore containing water to be picked up by that body during its rotation. Reservoir 40, however, is formed with a cavity 43 at one side accommodating the air turbine 44 which rotates the water-carrier body 42. The main section 41 of the reservoir is straddled on its opposite sides with side extensions 45, 46, also containing water. Since cavity 43 does not contain water, this construction as illustrated in Figs. 19-21 provides a very compact arrangement for the quantity of water it is capable of holding. The bottom of reservoir 40 underlying rotary shaft 47 of the water-carrier body 41 is also outwardly bulged, as shown at 41a (Figs. 19 and 21) to allow the water-carrier body to be wetted by water in the reservoir even when there is only a very small quantity of water left in the reservoir.

Figs. 22-24 illustrate another humidifier construction, in which three water carrier

bodies 51a, 51b, 51c are immersed in the water reservoir 50. Each body 51a, 51b, 51c is preferably in the form of one or more discs. All three groups are driven by two sets of air turbine vanes 52a, 52b coupled by a common shaft 53 to rotate the water-carrier discs 51a, 51b, 51c in the reservoir 50. Thus, whereas in the previous constructions utilizing air turbine blades the rotary shaft of the water-carrier body extends parallel to the direction of flow of the air to be humidified in the construction illustrated in Figs. 22-24 including air turbine vanes 52a, 52b instead of blades, the rotary shaft 53 to which the water-carrier discs 51a, 51b, 51c are fixed extends perpendicularly to the direction of

flow of the air to be humidified.

The reservoir 50 in this construction includes three sections 50a, 50b, 50c, for receiving the water in which the water-carrier discs 51a, 51b, 51c are immersed. The three sections of the reservoir are connected to a common water-containing section 50d on one side.

Fig. 25 illustrates a still further humidifier construction also including a water reservoir 60 and a plurality of disc-type water-carrying bodies 61a, 61b, 61c, all fixed to a common shaft 62 which, in this case, is rotated by an electrical motor 63. In this construction, the reservoir 60 also includes separate sections 60a, 60b, 60c for receiving the water-carrier discs 61a, 61b, 61c. Here, however, the spaces between the water reservoir section 61a, 61c are occupied by further discs 64a, 64b, which are fixed to the

rotary shaft 62 at an angle α to its longitudinal axis to circulate air through the water

carrier discs 61a, 61b, 61c. The arrangement is such that when rotary shaft 62 is rotated, discs 61a, 61b, 61c humidify the air as described above, and discs 64a, 64b circulate the air transversely to the direction of the rotary shaft 62, thereby enhancing the humidification of the air.

While the invention has been described with respect to several preferred embodiments, it will be appreciated that these are set forth merely for purposes of example, and that many other variations, modifications and applications of the invention may be made.

Claims

1 An air humidifier for humidifying air, comprising

a water reservoir constructed to contain a quantity of water and to be located directly below the air to be humidified; and a water-carrier body having a water-retaining surface fixed to a rotary shaft mounted for rotation about an axis extending through said water-carrier body, and

transversely of and above said water reservoir such that rotation of the water-carrier body immerses its lower portion in the water in said reservoir and then raises it out of the water in said reservoir into the path of said air to thereby humidify the air by the water retained on said water-carrier body.

2 The humidifier according to Claim 1 , wherein said water-carrier body includes a plurality of circular rings fixed to and coaxial with said rotary shaft

3. The humidifier according to Claim 2, wherein said plurality of circular rings include a first group of rings of one diameter alternating with a second group of rings of a smaller diameter

4 The humidifier according to either of Claims 2 or 3, wherein said rings are secured together

5. The humidifier according to Claim 4, wherein said rings are secured together by

connector sections integrally formed with said rings.

6 The humidifier according to Claim 4, wherein said rings are secured together by separately attachable connectors

7 The humidifier according to Claim 2, wherein said circular rings are solid rings

8 The humidifier according to Claim 2, wherein said circular rings are hollow

rings

9. The humidifier according to Claim 2, wherein said circular rings are hollow rings

open at one side.

10. The humidifier according to Claim 1, wherein said water-carrier body includes a helical coil fixed to and coaxial with said rotary shaft.

11. The humidifier according to Claim 10, wherein said helical coil is an open coil.

12. The humidifier according to Claim 10, wherein said helical coil is a closed coil.

13. The humidifier according to Claim 1, wherein said water-carrier body includes a cylinder fixed to and coaxial with said rotary shaft.

14. The humidifier according to Claim 1, wherein said water-carrier body includes

a plurality of discs fixed to and coaxial with said rotary shaft.

15. The humidifier according to Claim 1, wherein said water reservoir includes a spring- suspension supporting the water reservoir below said rotary shaft such that the water reservoir ascends or descends according to the quantity of water therein to automatically maintain the lower portion of the water-carrier body immersed in the water in the reservoir irrespective of changes in the quantity of water therein.

16. The humidifier according to Claim 15, wherein said spring suspension is adjustable.

17. The humidifier according to Claim 1, wherein the bottom of said water reservoir underlying said rotary shaft is formed with a downwardly-extending bulge of a configuration to accommodate the lower end of said water-carrier body during its rotation, to thereby allow the water-carrier body to be wetted by the water in the reservoir even where there is a small quantity of water in the reservoir.

18. The humidifier according to Claim 1, wherein a stream of air is to be humidified, and said rotary shaft is coupled to an air turbine located in the path of said stream of air so as to be rotated thereby.

19. The humidifier according to Claim 18, wherein said air turbine includes a plurality of turbine blades fixed to said rotary shaft, said rotary shaft extending parallel to the direction of said stream of air.

20. The humidifier according to Claim 18, wherein said air turbine includes a plurality of turbine vanes fixed to said rotary shaft, said rotary shaft extending perpendicularly to the direction of said stream of air.

21. The humidifier according to Claim 18, wherein said rotary shaft is coupled to said air turbine via a step-down transmission which causes the rotary shaft, and the water-carrier body fixed thereto, to rotate at a slower speed than said air turbine.

22. The humidifier according to Claim 18, wherein said water reservoir is configured to include a first section to accommodate said water-carrier body and to contain water, and a second section to accommodate said air turbine and not to contain water.

23. The humidifier according to Claim 1, wherein said rotary shaft is coupled to an electrical motor for rotating the rotary shaft and the water-carrier body fixed thereto.

24. The humidifier according to Claim 23, wherein said rotary shaft is further coupled to deflectors to deflect the air to said water-carrier body.

25. The humidifier according to Claim 1, wherein the water reservoir includes a plurality of water-carrier bodies each fixed to a rotary shaft spaced longitudinally of the water reservoir.