US20070175234A1 - Method and apparatus for generating drinking water by condensing air humidity - Google Patents

Method and apparatus for generating drinking water by condensing air humidity Download PDF

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US20070175234A1
US20070175234A1 US11/644,355 US64435506A US2007175234A1 US 20070175234 A1 US20070175234 A1 US 20070175234A1 US 64435506 A US64435506 A US 64435506A US 2007175234 A1 US2007175234 A1 US 2007175234A1
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Prior art keywords
water
air
cooling chamber
air conditioning
liquid
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US11/644,355
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English (en)
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Roger Pruitt
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GPM Inc
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GPM Inc
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Priority claimed from US10/963,188 external-priority patent/US20050076665A1/en
Application filed by GPM Inc filed Critical GPM Inc
Priority to US11/644,355 priority Critical patent/US20070175234A1/en
Assigned to GPM, INC. reassignment GPM, INC. ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: PRUITT, ROGER
Publication of US20070175234A1 publication Critical patent/US20070175234A1/en
Abandoned legal-status Critical Current

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    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F28—HEAT EXCHANGE IN GENERAL
    • F28B—STEAM OR VAPOUR CONDENSERS
    • F28B9/00—Auxiliary systems, arrangements, or devices
    • F28B9/08—Auxiliary systems, arrangements, or devices for collecting and removing condensate
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E03—WATER SUPPLY; SEWERAGE
    • E03B—INSTALLATIONS OR METHODS FOR OBTAINING, COLLECTING, OR DISTRIBUTING WATER
    • E03B3/00—Methods or installations for obtaining or collecting drinking water or tap water
    • E03B3/28—Methods or installations for obtaining or collecting drinking water or tap water from humid air
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F28—HEAT EXCHANGE IN GENERAL
    • F28D—HEAT-EXCHANGE APPARATUS, NOT PROVIDED FOR IN ANOTHER SUBCLASS, IN WHICH THE HEAT-EXCHANGE MEDIA DO NOT COME INTO DIRECT CONTACT
    • F28D5/00—Heat-exchange apparatus having stationary conduit assemblies for one heat-exchange medium only, the media being in contact with different sides of the conduit wall, using the cooling effect of natural or forced evaporation
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F28—HEAT EXCHANGE IN GENERAL
    • F28D—HEAT-EXCHANGE APPARATUS, NOT PROVIDED FOR IN ANOTHER SUBCLASS, IN WHICH THE HEAT-EXCHANGE MEDIA DO NOT COME INTO DIRECT CONTACT
    • F28D7/00—Heat-exchange apparatus having stationary tubular conduit assemblies for both heat-exchange media, the media being in contact with different sides of a conduit wall
    • F28D7/08—Heat-exchange apparatus having stationary tubular conduit assemblies for both heat-exchange media, the media being in contact with different sides of a conduit wall the conduits being otherwise bent, e.g. in a serpentine or zig-zag
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F28—HEAT EXCHANGE IN GENERAL
    • F28D—HEAT-EXCHANGE APPARATUS, NOT PROVIDED FOR IN ANOTHER SUBCLASS, IN WHICH THE HEAT-EXCHANGE MEDIA DO NOT COME INTO DIRECT CONTACT
    • F28D7/00—Heat-exchange apparatus having stationary tubular conduit assemblies for both heat-exchange media, the media being in contact with different sides of a conduit wall
    • F28D7/08—Heat-exchange apparatus having stationary tubular conduit assemblies for both heat-exchange media, the media being in contact with different sides of a conduit wall the conduits being otherwise bent, e.g. in a serpentine or zig-zag
    • F28D7/082—Heat-exchange apparatus having stationary tubular conduit assemblies for both heat-exchange media, the media being in contact with different sides of a conduit wall the conduits being otherwise bent, e.g. in a serpentine or zig-zag with serpentine or zig-zag configuration
    • F28D7/085—Heat-exchange apparatus having stationary tubular conduit assemblies for both heat-exchange media, the media being in contact with different sides of a conduit wall the conduits being otherwise bent, e.g. in a serpentine or zig-zag with serpentine or zig-zag configuration in the form of parallel conduits coupled by bent portions
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F28—HEAT EXCHANGE IN GENERAL
    • F28D—HEAT-EXCHANGE APPARATUS, NOT PROVIDED FOR IN ANOTHER SUBCLASS, IN WHICH THE HEAT-EXCHANGE MEDIA DO NOT COME INTO DIRECT CONTACT
    • F28D7/00—Heat-exchange apparatus having stationary tubular conduit assemblies for both heat-exchange media, the media being in contact with different sides of a conduit wall
    • F28D7/16—Heat-exchange apparatus having stationary tubular conduit assemblies for both heat-exchange media, the media being in contact with different sides of a conduit wall the conduits being arranged in parallel spaced relation
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F28—HEAT EXCHANGE IN GENERAL
    • F28F—DETAILS OF HEAT-EXCHANGE AND HEAT-TRANSFER APPARATUS, OF GENERAL APPLICATION
    • F28F25/00—Component parts of trickle coolers
    • F28F2025/005—Liquid collection; Liquid treatment; Liquid recirculation; Addition of make-up liquid
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02A—TECHNOLOGIES FOR ADAPTATION TO CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02A20/00—Water conservation; Efficient water supply; Efficient water use

Definitions

  • the present invention relates in general to low powered air conditioning systems, and in particular, to a low power air conditioning system capable of running on direct current which is also capable of generating potable drinking water from humidity in the air.
  • the system can be used in such irregularly powered locations as those that are affected by natural disaster or power blackouts and, in addition to cooling, produce potable drinking water.
  • Heat in tropical and semi-tropical regions is usually accompanied by extremes of high humidity, especially at low altitude where the geographic features include bayous, marshlands, swamps, shallow lakes, heavy vegetations, and forests. This is also true in the case of tropical islands, such as the islands of the Caribbean Sea; arid land and deserts which are adjacent oceans shorelines or seashores; such as the regions East of the red Sea and West of the Gulf on the Arabian Peninsula.
  • natural freshwater resources are scarce or limited in very hot and humid arid areas by or near shorelines due to low precipitation and rainfall and high salinity of underground water.
  • portions of the United States which have sufficient humidity to make the removal of drinking water from the atmosphere a feasible quest.
  • Air-drying equipment is presently used in such applications as for dehumidify air in basements. Dehumidifiers are also used in cold regions as well as hot humid regions in spaces used for storage of clothes and household furniture that can be affected by humidity and subsequent mold buildup. Air-drying equipment is also used in drying of manufacturing environment wherein wet raw material and stock material saturated with moisture for ease of production; such as the case in paper and wood fabrication. Often relatively dry air is required for maintenance of the quality of some products that may be affected by increase in humidity over a set level even for a short period.
  • the quantity of wastewater produced by dehumidifiers depends on the humidity of the ambient air and could reach large quantities in regions of extremely high humidity and high temperature wherein water is usually scarce.
  • the amount of water condensate depends on the capacity of equipment, the temperature setting inside and the temperature and relative humidity outside the building and accordingly the rate of condensation changes with the daily and seasonal variation of the local weather.
  • Prior art encompasses inventions that utilize chemical adsorbents to dry atmospheric air or moisture-laden gases.
  • the moisture from these type units is extracted as water for use whether as drinking water or fresh water after appropriate treatment.
  • the adsorbent is regenerated and recycled for reuse.
  • the use of adsorbents may be necessary in cases wherein insignificant amount of moisture is present in the atmosphere, but in the case of hot and humid environments the use of chemicals seems to be a nuisance and would require additional steps for extraction of water and regeneration of the chemicals. It would therefore be preferable to provide a system which does not require the use of adsorbents, desiccants and hygroscopic materials.
  • Heat pipes are also used in some applications to cool a condensing surface to dew point to precipitate the water vapor from the atmosphere and thereby control the indoor environment.
  • the present invention is not based on this type of technology and does not contemplate the use of heat pipes to achieve its objectives.
  • the present invention seeks to provide an alternative evaporative air conditioning unit that is capable of producing potable drinking while cooling an enclosure.
  • the system is able to effectively function on direct current, making it ideal for use in areas effected by natural disaster, power outage, or simply rural locations without access to electricity.
  • an air conditioning system in the method and system of the invention, includes both evaporative air conditioning and mechanical air conditioning functioning components and which produces a water discharge, the mechanical air conditioning component of the system being operable entirely off direct current supplied from a direct current energy source.
  • the air conditioning unit is operated to cool an enclosure. A portion of the water discharge is drawn off and purified before being discharged as potable drinking water.
  • the mechanical air conditioning component of the system includes a compressor for pumping a compressible refrigerant in a closed loop while the evaporative air conditioning component of the system includes a vortex cooling chamber.
  • the preferred evaporative air conditioning component of the system includes a liquid sump and wherein a liquid conduit is run from the liquid sump to a water cooler.
  • a motive means such as a positive displacement pump is connected to the liquid conduit, wherein the pump propels the liquid from the liquid sump to the water cooler.
  • At least one filter element is located in series with the liquid conduit, whereby the filter unit purifies the liquid before reaching the water cooler.
  • the water in the water cooler is maintained at a desired level, and wherein the level of water in the water cooler is automatically adjusted by means of a float and an associated valve between the pump and the water cooler.
  • the air conditioning system of the present invention is comprised of a shell and tube heat exchanger wherein ambient air is forced through both sides and discharged approximately together into the interior of the structure that is to be cooled.
  • the shell side of the heat exchanger is preferably wet with a shower or weep of liquid such as water, and the air flow is turbulent through the shell side.
  • the stream of flowing air is directed from the shell side to an outlet.
  • the air flowing through the tube side is cooled by contact with the walls of the tubes, and is discharged to an outlet.
  • the air streams from the two sides can be combined into one combined stream before being discharged into the interior of the structure, or they may be is charged separately into the structure.
  • the air conditioning system of the present invention comprises a direct/indirect evaporative cooler with refrigerated chilled sump water.
  • the cooler is preferably designed as a stacked arrangement.
  • a refrigeration compressor and storage batteries occupy a top section of the design and rest on a top shelf.
  • the top shelf forms the top wall of an exhaust air plenum.
  • a cold water sump and an intake air plenum occupy the bottom floor of the cooling chamber.
  • the bottom floor of the cooling chamber also comprises the top wall of an intake plenum which houses an intake fan.
  • the intake fan draws air upwardly through a plurality of riser tubes which connect the intake plenum with the exhaust plenum and which pass through the cooling chamber.
  • Water in the cold water sump is refrigerated by the refrigeration compressor located in the top section of the design.
  • Cold water from the cold water sump is introduced into the evaporative cooling chamber through a distribution header.
  • the cold water saturates an evaporative media which surrounds or otherwise contacts the riser tubes in the cooling chamber.
  • Air is introduced into the cooling chamber by means of oppositely arranged fans mounted on sidewalls of the cooling chamber which create a turbulent air flow in the cooling chamber and which enhance the evaporative cooling process. Cooled air from the cooling chamber can be discharged through a suitable duct to the interior of the structure to be cooled.
  • Air is also being drawn into the intake plenum by the intake fan, which air flow is forced upwardly through the riser tubes in the cooling chamber.
  • the riser tubes pass through the cold water sump and also contact the evaporative media in the cooling chamber, whereby the outside of the tubes are cooled.
  • the air within the tubes is cooled by conduction through the tubes.
  • This relatively drier air can be directed through a suitable duct to the interior of the structure to be cooled and can be combined with the more moist, cooled air from the cooling chamber, if desired.
  • air is being cooled using two simultaneous processes. Air is cooled by direct contact with water in the evaporative cooling chamber, raising the absolute humidity of the air cooled in this manner. Additional air is also being cooled by conductive heat transfer within the riser tubes. If desired, the two air flows can be combined into a discharge duct so that the discharged air consists of a mixture of relatively humid air from the evaporative process and air with near ambient humidity.
  • the cold water sump at the bottom of the cooling chamber serves as a cooling mass, as well as a water storage sump.
  • the water in the sump is refrigerated to near freezing by means of a low temperature compressor similar to that used on an ice machine.
  • the compressor can be AC or DC operated, but is preferably DC operated.
  • the electric fans used in the intake plenum and on the cooling chamber are preferably DC fans which can be driven by solar cells or storage batteries.
  • the present invention therefore has as a primary aim to provide purified, potable drinking water while operating as an air conditioning unit.
  • the excess discharge water that is generated during the air conditioning process is filtered and can be channeled through a fluid conduit directly into a water cooler, if desired.
  • the air conditioning system of the invention has been used to produce up to about a gallon and a half of purified, potable drinking water every day in addition to providing indoor cooling for an inhabited structure.
  • the system requires low power input to operate, and is capable of functioning on direct current, allowing the system to be ideal for locations experiencing irregular power distribution or blackouts.
  • the direct current power source may be a battery, or in the preferred embodiment of the present invention, a solar panel which may be used to charge a storage battery.
  • FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the device of the invention which features combined direct/indirect evaporative cooling with refrigerated chilled sump water.
  • FIG. 2 is a partially schematic view of the cooling chamber of the device of FIG. 1 showing the evaporative cooling pads hanging therein.
  • FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the device of FIG. 1 with the rear wall removed for ease of illustration of the internal components of the device.
  • FIG. 4 is an isolated view of the cooling chamber and refrigeration manifold used in the device of FIGS. 2 and 3 .
  • FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the device of FIG. 1 with the rear wall removed for ease of illustration.
  • FIG. 6 is a view of the top wall of the cooling chamber which also serves as a tube sheet for the riser tubes.
  • FIG. 7 is a side view of the cooling chamber showing the location of the water distribution array.
  • FIG. 8 is an isolated view of the cooling chamber of the device of FIG. 1
  • FIG. 9 is an isolated view of the air intake plenum and air intake fan.
  • FIG. 10 is an isolated view of the refrigeration manifold used in the cold water sump of the device of FIG. 1 .
  • FIG. 11 is a cross sectional view taken along lines 11 A- 11 A in FIG. 10 .
  • FIG. 12 is an end view of the manifold of FIG. 10 showing the cross-over piping arrangement used to produce the interlayered flow pattern.
  • FIG. 13 is a simplified schematic view of the air conditioning system of the invention being used to provide potable water to a self-filling water cooler.
  • FIG. 14 is an isolated view of the water cooler bottle which receives water from the air conditioning system of the invention.
  • FIG. 15 is a side view of the water cooler of FIG. 14 , showing the filter units located on the back side thereof.
  • FIGS. 1-16 there is shown an air conditioning system of the invention which can be adapted for use in high temperature, low humidity environments, but which is preferably used in a higher humidity environment, including tropical or semi-tropical environments.
  • an air conditioner 201 which is a combined direct/indirect evaporative cooler with refrigerated chilled sump water.
  • the variable humidity device 201 shown in FIG. 1 is preferably designed as a stacked arrangement having a top section 203 , a middle section 205 and a bottom section 207 .
  • a refrigeration compressor 209 , an associated condenser unit 210 , and a storage battery 211 ( FIG. 3 ) occupy the top section 203 of the design and rest on a top shelf 213 .
  • the top shelf 213 forms the top wall of an exhaust air plenum 215 having an opposing wall 216 .
  • a forced-air evaporative cooling chamber ( 217 in FIG.
  • the cooling chamber comprises a shell plenum for the air conditioner and comprises about 65% of the total height of the unit in the particular embodiment illustrated in the drawings.
  • a cold water sump 219 (indicated by dotted lines in FIG. 3 ) is located in the bottom of the cooling chamber.
  • the bottom floor 223 of the cooling chamber 217 also comprises the top wall of an intake plenum 221 housing an intake fan 225 .
  • the intake fan 225 draws air upwardly through a plurality of riser tubes 227 which connect the intake plenum 221 with the exhaust plenum 215 and which pass through the cooling chamber 217 .
  • the bottom floor 223 of the cooling chamber has a plurality of openings 224 (detail shown in FIG. 6 ) which form a lower tube sheet for the riser tubes 227 .
  • the opposing wall 216 has aligned openings ( 214 in FIG. 4 ) which form an upper tube sheet.
  • the operation of the variable humidity embodiment of the invention will now be briefly described.
  • Cold water from the cold water sump 219 ( FIG. 3 ) is introduced into the evaporative cooling chamber through a distribution header 229 .
  • the distribution header in FIG. 3 is a series of PVC pipes which have downwardly directed perforations.
  • the cold water which is sprayed downwardly from the distribution header saturates an evaporative media which surrounds or otherwise contacts the riser tubes 227 in the cooling chamber 217 .
  • the evaporative media is illustrated by the downwardly hanging pads 218 in FIG. 2 .
  • the evaporative media is removed for ease of illustration in FIGS.
  • the evaporative media is supplied as generally rectangular pads which are suspended from a rack (see FIG. 2 ) on the roof of the cooing chamber so that the pads are spaced between and separate the various vertical riser tubes 227 .
  • Air is introduced into the cooling chamber by means of oppositely arranged fans 231 , 233 ( FIG. 3 ).
  • the fans 231 , 233 are mounted on louvers ( 235 , 237 in FIG. 3 ) which can be manually adjusted to direct incoming and exhaust air from the cooling chamber 217 in a circular, vortex type flow path which creates a turbulent air flow in the cooling chamber 217 and which enhances the evaporative cooling process.
  • the vortex effect created by the side louvers 235 , 237 causes air moving through the cooling chamber 217 to have an increased residence time within the cooling chamber. This increases the cooling effect and also prevents water droplets from being blown directly out of the shell plenum.
  • Cooled air from the cooling chamber can be discharged through a suitable grate (such as grate 239 in FIG. 5 ) to the interior of the structure to be cooled or can be routed through suitable ducts to the desired regions of the interior of the structure being cooled.
  • a suitable grate such as grate 239 in FIG. 5
  • Air is also being drawn into the intake plenum 221 by the intake fan 225 , which air flow is forced upwardly through the riser tubes 227 located in the cooling chamber.
  • the riser tubes pass though the cold water sump and also contact the evaporative media in the cooling chamber, so that the outside of the tubes are cooled.
  • the air within the tubes 227 is cooled by conduction through the tubes. This relatively drier air can be directed through a suitable duct to the interior of the structure to be cooled and can be combined with the cooled air from the cooling chamber, if desired.
  • air is being cooled using two simultaneous processes. Air is cooled by direct contact with water in the evaporative cooling chamber 217 , raising the absolute humidity of the air cooled in this manner. Additional air is also being cooled by conductive heat transfer within the riser tubes 227 . The absolute humidity of this additional air is either unchanged or only slightly changed, or decreases slightly, due to condensation on the inside of the riser tubes. If desired, the two air flows can be combined into a single discharge duct as described with respect to the first embodiment of the invention, so that the discharged air consists of a mixture of relatively humid air from the evaporative process and air with near ambient humidity.
  • the cold water sump (illustrated generally at 219 in FIG. 3 ) at the bottom of the cooling chamber serves as a cooling mass, as well as a sump.
  • the water in the sump is refrigerated to near freezing by means of a commercially available, low temperature compressor similar to that used on an ice machine and which can be AC or DC operated, but is preferably operable on 12 Volt DC power.
  • the compressor 209 is battery operated.
  • an associated inverter 243 (in FIG. 5 ), which in this case is located within the exhaust plenum area 215 allows the unit to be operated off AC current to, for example, charge the batteries, during non-peak hours of operation. Locating the inverter within the chilled exhaust plenum compartment prolongs its life since the operating temperature is reduced.
  • the electric fans used in the intake plenum and on the cooling chamber are also preferably 12 Volt DC fans which can be driven by solar cells or storage batteries.
  • FIGS. 10-13 illustrate another feature of the system in which a particularly preferred refrigeration manifold 245 ( FIG. 10 ) is cooled by the compressor 209 and associated condenser 210 using traditional mechanical refrigeration techniques. While a number of different traditional manifold or coil arrangements could be utilized with the compressor 209 to cool the water in the sump 219 , the preferred manifold 245 is especially efficient for the intended application. As best seen in the isolated view of FIG. 10 , the manifold 245 is a “double shock” manifold having a front layer 247 and a rear layer 249 . The front and rear layers or coils are spaced apart by means of a plurality of cylindrical spacers 251 .
  • the cylindrical spacers 251 are less wide than the total width of the manifold, leaving a distance “d” between adjacent spacers.
  • the cylindrical spacers are also hollow and open at both ends, allowing water in the sump 219 to flow around and through the spacers.
  • the manifold 245 is arranged in a generally horizontal plane when in place in the sump region of the cooling chamber.
  • Refrigerant is supplied to and returned from the manifold layers by a pair of “splits”, shown generally at 253 and 255 in FIG. 12 .
  • the top layer of coils is made up of loops 252 , 254 , 256 , 258 , 260 , 262 , 264 , and 266 .
  • the loops are shown as broken-away halves for ease of illustration.
  • the rear layer of coils is made up of loops 268 , 270 , 272 , 274 , 276 , 278 , 280 and 282 .
  • the loop halves 252 - 266 form a continuous coil on the front of the manifold.
  • the loop halves 268 - 282 similarly from a continuous loop on the rear of the manifold.
  • the points at which the front and rear loops exit or terminate (generally 266 , 268 in FIG. 12 ) are connected by cross-over pipes 284 , 286 .
  • the cross-over pipes 284 , 286 intersect the first loop halves ( 252 , 282 , in FIG. 12 ) to form the “splits 253 , 255 .
  • the cross-over piping arrangement and the splits 253 and 255 result in a type of “interlayered flow” through the manifold. For example, refrigerant passing through the split 253 flows through branch 253 B ( FIG.
  • the water within sump region 219 of the cooling chamber of the device is typically at least about 10 to 15 degrees Fahrenheit cooler than the surrounding environment. This provides the opportunity to provide some cooling to objects placed in heat exchange relationship with this water. For example, small objects can be cooled without the expenditure of significant additional amounts of energy.
  • Suitable containers can be placed directly in the water on the shell side, or a cabinet accessible from the outside can be built into the shell side, or a stream of water circulated through, for example, cooling coils external to the shell side, or the like.
  • the chilled water within the sump region 219 also provides the opportunity to provide a source of potable drinking water from the air conditioning system.
  • the hybrid cooler which has been described can be operated in a humid environment to provide fairly large amount of excess water during operation. As illustrated in simplified fashion in FIG. 14 , the excess water generated during the air conditioning process routed by means of a suitable conduit 512 and positive displacement pump 514 to a water cooler 410 .
  • the water cooler is preferably a “self-filling water cooler” which comes supplied with its own filtration units located on a rear wall thereof. It is important to note that the removal of the excess water will not hinder the operation of the air conditioning unit in any way, as there will remain ample condensation to recirculate back through the system in order to continue the cooling aspect of the air conditioning system.
  • FIGS. 13-15 illustrate one form of the water generating system of the invention in which a self-filling water cooler 410 is utilized.
  • This type water cooler is known generally in the industry and is described, for example, in issued U.S. Pat. No. 4,881,661, issued Nov. 21, 1989. The following description is intended to be merely explanatory of the general workings of such devices.
  • the bottled water cooler 41 . 0 comprises a lower frame member 411 which serves as a storage container for various well known appurtenances of a conventional cooler, such as connectors, conduits chilling mechanism (not shown) which are connected in series between the water bottle 412 positioned on top of the stand 411 to the spigot means 413 and 414 .
  • such coolers are provided with two spigots generally to give a source of chilled water and hot water.
  • a heating apparatus would be included within the stand 411 connected in the conduit of the water bottle 412 .
  • Such bottled water coolers including many variations are old and well known in the art.
  • the device includes the five gallon plastic bottle 412 which in turn is further defined as comprising the conventionally operated float valve means 415 which is attached inside of the water bottle 412 .
  • the float valve 415 is attached thereto via a bulk head tubing fitting 416 which protrudes through the side wall of the five gallon water bottle 412 .
  • the tubing fitting or adapter 416 provides for connecting the float mechanism to a purified water supply via the conduit means 417 .
  • the five gallon water bottle 412 also has an additional tubing bulkhead fitting 420 protruding through the rear wall portion of the five gallon bottle 412 to allow connection to the air vent filter means 421 .
  • the latter mechanism allows the displacement of trapped air inside of the bottle 412 as the bottle fills and empties.
  • air trapped in the bottle will be discharged through the filter.
  • suction produced on the bottle will be alleviated by air passing through the filter member 421 which in turn flows through the conduit member 422 connecting the member 421 to the bulk head fitting 420 . In such manner, air entering the bottle 412 is purified.
  • the five gallon bottle 412 is sealed to the base 423 of the water cooler 410 by a conventional rubber boot/gasket means 424 .
  • An inner container or sump is positioned immediately below the base 423 .
  • a conventional bottle water cooler as water is drawn from either of the spigots 413 or 414 , water exits from the container 412 into the upper tank (not shown) of the cooler; however, the tank does not flow due to the vacuum created within the water bottle 412 even though the tank is opened to the atmosphere.
  • the flexible rubber boot or gasket 424 ( FIG.
  • FIG. 16 of the drawings illustrates the filter unit of the water cooler which features a small reverse osmosis purification system 430 .
  • the system 430 is further defined as comprising the series of conventional water filtering members 431 , 432 , and 433 which function in combination with the reverse osmosis filter 434 .
  • water from, such a conventional tap water source 435 is fed in series through the filter members 431 and 432 via the connecting conduit 436 and 437 to the reverse osmosis unit 434 which in turn is connected via the conduit 438 to the filter member 433 from which a source of high purified water exits and flows through the conduit 417 into the water bottle 412 by virtue of the float means 415 , which operates in a conventional fashion by virtue of the leverage action of the buoyant float member 439 operably connected to the main frame portion of the float member 415 by virtue of the elongated connecting means 440 which is hinged to provide articulate motion relative to the main from body of the float mechanism 415 and is operably connected to a plunger mechanism (not shown) positioned therein which includes a conventional valve stem or piston member that is cause to reciprocate against a seated opening therein so as to seal said opening when the buoyant member 413 is in an upraised position.
  • a plunger mechanism (not shown) positioned therein which includes a conventional valve stem or
  • the system of the present invention is ideal for use in areas affected by natural disaster, or areas that have limited or no access to purified water. Health risks related to the consumption of unsuitable water is eliminated due to the purification elements involved with the present invention. Furthermore, this method provides an economic and environmentally sound alternative to bottled drinking water.
  • the present invention requires low power input to operate, and is capable of functioning on direct current, such as battery power, or in the preferred embodiment of the present invention, on solar power. This allows the system to be ideal for locations experiencing irregular power distribution or blackouts.
  • the cooling system of the invention is relatively inexpensive to manufacture. The system achieves as much as a 30 degree or more temperature “split” between incoming and discharged air temperatures.
  • the system can be operated on DC power which can be obtained from solar panels or from wind mills.
  • the inverter lets the unit be plugged into AC power during non-peak times to recharge the DC battery power source.
  • the typical unit can be operated on less than 20 amps of AC power under even peak conditions.
  • the vortex nature of the wet chamber necessarily picks up pollutants in the air such as pollen, dust and the like.
  • the pollutants drop down into the sump area of the device and can be discharged, making the unit act as an air purifier in addition to an air conditioner.
  • the humidity of the system can be adjusted in several different ways, depending upon the intended end application of the unit.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Thermal Sciences (AREA)
  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Environmental & Geological Engineering (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Hydrology & Water Resources (AREA)
  • Public Health (AREA)
  • Water Supply & Treatment (AREA)
  • Other Air-Conditioning Systems (AREA)
  • Drying Of Gases (AREA)
US11/644,355 2004-10-12 2006-12-22 Method and apparatus for generating drinking water by condensing air humidity Abandoned US20070175234A1 (en)

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Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US11/644,355 US20070175234A1 (en) 2004-10-12 2006-12-22 Method and apparatus for generating drinking water by condensing air humidity

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US10/963,188 US20050076665A1 (en) 2002-08-23 2004-10-12 Cooling assembly
US11/644,355 US20070175234A1 (en) 2004-10-12 2006-12-22 Method and apparatus for generating drinking water by condensing air humidity

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