US20130255280A1

US20130255280A1 - Portable water-generating and filtering apparatus

Info

Publication number: US20130255280A1
Application number: US13/438,368
Authority: US
Inventors: Thomas John Murphy; Denis Napoleon Jean; Marietta Sue Murphy; Johanna Julia Adler
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2012-04-03
Filing date: 2012-04-03
Publication date: 2013-10-03

Abstract

A portable water-generating device for obtaining water from ambient air including a thermoelectric cooling device having a cold side and a hot side, a thermally-conductive cold sink having multiple cold sink fins of a first size thermally coupled to the cold side and a thermally-conductive heat sink with multiple heat sink fins of a second size thermally coupled to the hot side. Air-movement devices move ambient air into the device and over the cold sink fins. The ambient air is cooled as it passes over the cold sink fins causing water to condense on the cold sink fins and to collect into a collecting tray. The water is then pumped through a multi-stage filtration and mineralization system and into a dispensing water reservoir for immediate or later use.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention is related generally to apparatuses which generate water and, more specifically, to a portable modular apparatus for generating and filtering water from the atmosphere.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

There are many areas in the United States as well as worldwide, that experience a shortage of clean drinking water on a daily basis. This problem and many others can be solved by this invention, which utilizes the moisture in the air to create a viable, unlimited, potable drinking water supply.
In the United States alone, roughly 75% of municipal water treatment plants add chlorine to water supplies in order to kill pollutants and bacteria. This is not preferable. If ingested in large enough quantities, chlorine can be harmful to humans and it also can damage plants and animals which live and grow around these water supplies.
The State of Florida, for example, has a significant problem with clean drinking water from wells on both the east and west coast lines of the state. There is a high demand for clean water given Florida's large population. The water in these regions becomes brackish due to the salt from the ocean as it works its way into the aquifer system. Florida is just one example, other states have even more significant problems.
Safe, clean, drinking water is a highly prized and sought after resource given its vast worldwide demand. Roughly ninety-seven percent of the Earth's water comes from the oceans and is considered undrinkable and unusable for most purposes. Of the approximately 3% of the world's fresh water, two-thirds is locked in glaciers and polar ice caps, 0.5% is located beneath the Earth's surface and approximately 0.02% comes from rivers and lakes. Unfortunately, a lot of the ground surface fresh water, the major drinking supply for the human population, has been severely polluted and/or biologically contaminated partially through industrial/manufacturing applications, thereby even more greatly increasing the demand for clean drinking water.
The World Health Organization estimates that on any given day, more than one-half of the Earth's human population is sick and that 80% of such illnesses can be attributed to contaminated drinking water. Many countries throughout the world, including developed nations, have inadequate water treatment facilities or no facilities at all. It is clear that improvements are needed in every segment of the water industry, including agriculture, horticulture, food processing, industrial/manufacturing waste treatment, public water supplies and sewage treatment.
In many countries worldwide, individuals not only lack clean drinking water but they lack a close and convenient water source. Many people are forced to travel far distances to transport water back to their homes and in many instances this water is polluted and results in illness and disease. This problem and many others can be solved by this invention, which utilizes the moisture already found in the air to create a viable, unlimited, portable drinking water supply.
Portable water-generating apparatuses of the prior art typically have certain disadvantages. One such disadvantage is that portable water-generating apparatuses of the prior art oftentimes include cold sink fins and heat sink fins of the same size. Such a configuration does not allow adequate cooling and does not maximize the efficiency of the cold sink fins. One example of such a prior art device is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,337,615 (Reidy).
Another shortcoming of apparatuses of the prior art is that oftentimes the cold sink block and the heat sink block are both made as a single, complete assembly. This type of configuration renders the assembly inefficient because it allows the heat to rise in the heat fins causing the whole assembly to have poor cooling capabilities. More specifically, in this type of configuration since the heat sink block is one assembly, as the heat rises to the top of the assembly in the block from one Thermo Electric Cooler (TEC) to the next, each TEC will lose efficiency, thus making the top TEC in the assembly warmer than all of the others in the block, thereby rendering the whole block inefficient. An example of such a prior art device is also disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,337,615 (Reidy).
It would be desirable to have a portable modular apparatus for generating water from the atmosphere that provides safe and clean drinking water. It would also be desirable to provide a portable modular apparatus for generating water from the atmosphere which eliminates the need for individuals to travel great distances for safe, clean drinking water. Furthermore, it would be desirable to have an improved portable modular apparatus for generating water which has adequate cooling and improved efficiency.
This device overcomes certain problems and shortcomings in the prior art, including those mentioned above and others, and provides advantages for portable, modular water-generating apparatuses not previously provided.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This device is an improvement in portable water-generating and filtering apparatuses for obtaining water from ambient air of the type including a thermoelectric cooling device having a cold side and a hot side. A thermally-conductive cold sink including multiple cold sink fins of a first size is thermally coupled to the cold side and a thermally-conductive heat sink including multiple heat sink fins of a second size is thermally coupled to the hot side. A cold sink block is sized to receive the cold sink and a separate heat sink block is sized to receive the heat sink. The device includes an air passage having an air inlet and an air outlet. The air inlet is a passage connected to a chamber housing the cold sink, the air outlet is a passage through which air flows through the chamber and into a chimney. The device also includes a plurality of air-movement devices mounted on the chimney to move ambient air from the chimney and out of the device resulting in ambient air being pulled into the device through an air inlet and over the cold sink fins. The ambient air is also directed over the heat sink fins to remove heat from the heat sink module thereby increasing the efficiency of the device. This results in the ambient air being cooled as it passes over the cold sink fins which causes water to condense on the cold sink fins and to collect into a collecting tray. The water is then pumped through a multi-stage filtration and mineralization system and into a dispensing water reservoir.
It is highly preferred that the cold sink includes a cold sink base plate and the heat sink includes a heat sink base plate. Preferably, the cold sink fins are positioned at a 45° angle on the cold sink base plate and the heat sink fins are positioned on the heat sink base plate at a 90° angle to increase surface area and air velocity.
It is preferred that a thermally-conductive spacer block is mounted between the cold sink and the thermoelectric cooling device or between the heat sink and the thermoelectric cooling device. Insulation material can also be included between the cold sink and heat sink to maximize the efficiency of the device. The insulation material can be foam, glass wool, foam rubber or any other suitable insulating material with a thermal conductivity less than or equal to 0.040 W/mK.
Preferably, the multi-stage filtration and mineralization system includes sediment filters, ultraviolet light sterilization and mineral filters (all combined in one cartridge). It is preferred that a power supply is included to power the device and that the power supply is a 12-volt DC electrical supply, battery or a solar-electrical generating panel system. The rate of water generation is controlled by the power (current×voltage) at which the power supply is applied to the thermoelectric cooler.
In some embodiments, a remote mounted radiator is included with a cooling fan for cooling the heat sink. It is highly preferred that the air-movement devices are fans.
In other embodiments, a water-cooling block is connected to a municipal water source for increased efficiency as seen in FIG. 9. In yet another embodiment, the heat sink is replaced by a water-cooling block as also shown in FIG. 9.
It is preferred that a thermally conductive grease is applied between the spacer block and the thermoelectric cooler, between the spacer block and the cold sink and between the spacer block and the heat sink.
Alternative highly-preferred embodiments include a device with a configuration that has two cold sinks, two thermoelectric coolers and one heat sink. Another, highly-preferred embodiment includes one cold sink, several thermoelectric coolers and several heat sinks. Yet another highly-preferred embodiment includes several cold sinks, several thermoelectric coolers and one heat sink.
The preferred heat-transfer operator is a Peltier cooler or a thermoelectric cooler (also referred to herein as a thermoelectric cooling device). Such heat-transfer operators pass electricity through junctions between dissimilar metals. The atoms of the dissimilar metals have a difference in energy levels which results in a step between energy levels at each of the metals' junctions. As electricity is passed through the metals, the electrons of the metal with the lower energy level pass the first step as they flow to the metal with the higher energy level. In order to pass this step and continue the circuit, the electrons must absorb heat energy which causes the metal at the first junction to cool. At the opposite junction, where electrons travel from a high energy level to a low energy level they give off energy which results in an increase in temperature at that junction.
In the context of this application, a thermoelectric cooler as well as a Peltier cooler can be used. A thermoelectric cooler refers to a system wherein the cold and hot junctions are not separated by a substantial length. While in principle a single piece of semiconducting material can be used in a thermoelectric cooler, connection of multiple semiconducting materials in series is preferred to avoid the high current requirement of the single element.
A Peltier cooler refers to a system wherein pairs of dissimilar materials are joined at two junctions which are separated by a substantial length. The dissimilar materials may extend to each junction forming a circuit or loop. The dissimilar materials may also be separately connected to other conductors such that the circuit or loop is comprised of a cold junction of dissimilar first and second materials, a hot junction of dissimilar first and second materials, a conductor connecting the ends of the first material and a conductor connecting the ends of the second material.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The drawings illustrate a preferred embodiment including the above-noted characteristics and features of the device. The device will be readily understood from the descriptions and drawings. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a portable water-generating and filtering apparatus.

in accordance with this invention.

FIG. 2 is a partially-exploded perspective view of the apparatus of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a a partially-exploded perspective view of the apparatus of FIG. 1 with arrows indicating the direction of air flow.

FIG. 4 is a partially-exploded perspective view of the apparatus of FIG. 1 illustrating the remote radiator.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the cold sink, heat sink and thermoelectric cooler device of the apparatus of FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the cold sink, heat sink and thermoelectric cooler device of the apparatus of FIG. 1.

FIG. 7 is a flow chart for the air flow cooling system of the apparatus of FIG. 1.

FIG. 8 is a partial cut-away view of the filter system of FIG. 1 with arrows indicating the direction of the flow of water through the filter cartridge.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a portable water-generating and filtering apparatus, illustrating the water-cooling block.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIGS. 1-9 illustrate a preferred embodiment of a portable water-generating device 10 for obtaining water 12 from ambient air 14. As seen in FIG. 1, device 10 includes a thermoelectric cooling device 16 including a cold side 18 and a hot side 20. FIGS. 5-6 illustrate that device 10 has a thermally-conductive cold sink 22 having multiple cold sink fins 24 of a first size thermally coupled to cold side 18 and a thermally-conductive heat sink 26 including multiple heat sink fins 28 of second size thermally coupled to hot side 20. A cold sink block 30 is sized to receive cold sink 22 and a separate heat sink block 32 is sized to receive heat sink 26. Device 10 has an air passage 34 having an air inlet 36 and an air outlet 38 as shown in FIGS. 1-4. Air inlet 36 is a passage connected to a chamber 40 housing cold sink 22. Air outlet 38 is a passage through which air flows through chamber 40 and into a chimney 42.
Device 10 includes a plurality of air-movement devices 44 mounted on chimney 42 to increase the ability to move heated air from chimney 42 and out of device 10 resulting in ambient air 14 being pulled into device 10 through air inlet 36 and over cold sink fins 24 resulting in cooled air as seen in FIGS. 1-3. The air in the chimney can also be regulated by an air regulator consisting of two adjustable louvers. The louvers consist of two openings in the lower side of the chimney. The louvers regulate the air flow through the cold sink and improve the cooling rate of the heat sinks.
FIG. 4 shows that air movement devices 44 can be fans or any other apparatus which will move air adequately through device 10. The cooled air is then directed over heat sink fins 28 to remove heat from the heat sink fins 28 thereby increasing the efficiency of device 10. Ambient air 14 is cooled as it passes over cold sink fins 24 causing water 12 to condense on cold sink fins 24 and to collect into a collecting tray 46. The flow chart in FIG. 7 illustrates that movement of air through the cooling system of device 10. Water 12 is then pumped through a multi-stage filtration and mineralization system 48 and into a dispensing water reservoir 50 for immediate or later use as seen in FIGS. 1 and 8.
FIG. 8 illustrates that the multi-stage filtration and mineralization system 48 includes sediment filters, ultraviolet light sterilization and mineral filters 60. Ultraviolet light is used to sterilize the water 12 in the device 10. During operation the pumped water 12 will pass through a multi-stage filtration cartridge before delivery to dispensing water reservoir 50. Dispensing water reservoir 50 shown in FIGS. 1-4 and 9 can be made from medical-grade stainless steel, glass, food-grade polypropylene, polycarbonate, or polyethylene.
Multistage filter is a combination of sediment filters 60, activated carbon, UV light sterilization 60, and mineral filters 60 as seen in FIG. 8. Sediment filter 60 is used to trap debris in the water from collection tray 46. A carbon filter (granular or sold block carbon) can be used. Carbon filter has a 0.2 micron pore-size and captures organic chemical and biological contaminants. UV light sterlization 60 destroys the genetic material of pathogens such as coliform bacteria and legronella, thereby preventing them from reproducing. Minerals are added to the water in the last stage of filtration. Preferably, minerals such as calcium, magnesium, and potassium are added to maintain the alkalinity of the water within the pH range of 7.1 to 8.1. Numerous different filter elements can be included with the multi stage filter cartridge (12). Such filter elements can consist of but are not limited to activated carbon, Resin KDF 55, 2-5 micron filter elements, tourmaline ceramic balls, maifan stones, ion-exchange resin and coconut shells (taste enhancement only).
As seen best in FIGS. 5-6, cold sink 22 includes a cold sink base plate 52 and heat sink 26 includes a heat sink base plate 54. Cold sink fins 24 are positioned on cold sink base plate 52 at a 45′ angle and heat sink fins 28 are positioned on heat sink base plate 54 at a 90° angle to increase surface area and air velocity. Cold sink base plate 52 includes a plurality of cold sink fins 24 made of thermally conductive and anti-corrosive material with a thermal conductivity≧166 W/mK (materials such as aluminum, copper or composite material). Cold sink base plate 52 can be formed in any shape but is preferably a parallelogram shape (dimensions such as 3″ length×1.5″ width up to 12″ length×3″ width). The thickness dimension of cold sink base plate 52 preferably ranges from 0.100″ to 0.200″.
FIGS. 5-6 illustrate that cold sink base plate 52 has two surfaces, namely a thermoelectric cooler coupled surface and a condensation surface with a plurality of fins. Cold sink fins 24 are either mounted at a 45° angle or unitarily formed from cold sink base plate 52 to increase the surface area and the air velocity. As an alternative, the angle of cold sink fins 24 can be between 30° and 60°. Cold sink fins 24 are generally rectangular in shape (3″×1.8″ up to 4.25″×3″) and the thickness of cold sink fins 24 preferably ranges between 0.020″ to 0.100″. The performance of cold sink 22 with cold sink fin 24 thickness greater than 0.030″ can be enhanced by perforating cold sink fins 24 to increase the contact surface area and by reducing cold sink fin 24 weight. The gap between each cold sink fin 24 is preferably between 0.100″ and 0.400″.
Surface corrosion of cold sink fins 24 can be prevented by depositing a thermally conductive and hydrophobic plastic (i.e., nylon or metalized plastic) or a metallization of cold sink fins 24 with a noble metal (i.e., silver, gold, etc) (not shown). Bacteria formation on cold sink fins 24 can be prevented by plating cold sink fins with silver. The silver ion (Ag+) is bioactive and readily kills bacteria. All the components described in cold sink 22 including cold sink fins 24, cold sink block 30 and cold sink base plate 52 are made of materials safe for food processing.
Like cold sink 22, heat sink 26 includes a heat sink base plate 54 with a plurality of heat sink fins 28 as seen in FIGS. 5-6. All heat sink 26 components are made of food safe, thermally-conductive materials with a thermal conductivity≧166 W/mK. Heat sink base plate 54 is preferably a rectangular shape (i.e., 2.5″×5″ up to 4.5″×6″) with the thickness of heat sink base plate 54 ranging from 0.150″ to 0.800″. Heat sink base plate 54 has two surfaces, a thermoelectric cooling device coupled surface on the hot side 20 of the thermoelectric cooling device 16, and a heat dissipation surface with a plurality of heat sink fins 28 as illustrated in FIGS. 5-6. Heat sink fins 28 are preferably rectangular in shape (i.e., 5″×4″ up to 8″×6″) with a thickness ranging between 0.022″ to 0.100″. The gap between each heat sink fin 28 is preferably between 0.250″ and 0.400″.
As noted above, air passage 34 is formed by the front side of cold sink 22 and two side panels of the outer device housing as shown in FIG. 1. Air passage 34 has two openings, air inlet 36 which draws air into chamber 40 and air outlet 38 through which air flows out from chamber 40 to chimney 42. Preferably, the opening surface area of air inlet 36 to chamber 40 is between 10 inch²and 60 inch². This air flow creates a “chimney effect” due to the height ratio of 3 to 5 to the heat sink fin 28 height. This means that the chimney height needs to be 3-5 times higher than the height of the heat sink fin 28. For example, if the heat sink fin 28 height is five inches, the chimney height must be a minimum of fifteen inches tall. Heat sink fins 28 preferably have a minimum thickness of 0.038 inches to keep heat sink fin 28 temperature at a reasonable level, i.e., below 50 degrees Celsius. Heat sink block preferably has a thickness of 0.50-1.0 inches. Placing heat sink 26 in a chimney 42 will result in a reduction of the total heat surface; therefore, heat sink fin 28 thickness needs to compensate for the heat density increase in chimney 42.
Air movement devices 44 shown in FIGS. 1-4, preferably fans (or any means to circulate air through the passages), are mounted at the exit of chimney 42. When the fans are in operation, they draw air from chimney 42 which in turn draws air from chamber 40 which directly causes the draw of ambient air 14 from outside device 10. The number of air movement devices 44 such as fans, is determined by the number of heat sinks 26 mounted in chimney 42. Chimney 42 has two openings in the lower side of chimney 42 which regulate air flow through cold sink 22 and improve the cooling rate of heat sink(s) 26. See FIG. 7 for a flow chart illustrating the movement of air through the cooling system of device 10.
A thermally-conductive spacer block 56 is mounted between cold sink 22 and the thermoelectric cooling device 16 as seen in FIGS. 5-6. Spacer block 56 has a thermal conductivity of ≧166 W/mK (this includes materials such as copper, aluminum and composite material such as but not limited to Minteq Pyroid HT) and preferably a dimension of 0.125 inches to 0.750 inches in thickness. In some embodiments, thermally-conductive spacer block 56 is mounted between heat sink 26 and thermoelectric cooling device 16.
FIG. 6 illustrates that a thermally conductive grease 66 is applied between spacer block 56 and thermoelectric cooling device 16, cold sink 22 and heat sink 26. Other thermally conductive interface materials such as thermal film, thermal tape, gap filler pads, or thermal putty all provide a good alternative to thermally conductive grease 66. The thermal interface material used can be formed in place, pre-formed or formed by die cutting.
The dimension of a typical 80 watt thermoelectric cooling device 16 is approximately 1.58″ wide×1.58″ length×1.28″ height. Thermoelectric cooling device 16 is also known as a thermoelectric module or a Pelletier cooler.
Insulation material 58 as seen in FIGS. 5-6 is utilized between cold sink 22 and heat sink 26 to maximize the efficiency of device 10. The insulation material 58 can be either foam, glass wool, foam rubber or other suitable insulating material with a thermal conductivity less than or equal to 0.040 W/mK. Insulation material 58 is used to minimize thermal loss (unwanted thermal conductivity between cold sink 22 and heat sink 26). The difference in thickness between the thermoelectric cooling device 16 and insulation material 58 is compensated by inserting spacer block 56 between the cold sink 22 and thermoelectric cooling device 16.
Device 10 is a modular concept. The daily quantity of water generated is based on the number of “water generator modules” and the relative humidity of the air. Device 10 can be coupled to one or more portable water-generating devices thereby creating a modular system. The number of devices 10 coupled together is dependent on the amount of water needed to be produced. The more water which is needed, the more devices 10 that can be coupled together. (This includes the thermoelectric cooling device 16, cold sink 22 and heat sink 26.)
Device 10 includes a power supply 62 as seen in FIG. 2. Power supply 62 can be an electrical system with 90-240 AC, 50-60 hertz, a 12-volt DC electrical supply, battery or a solar-electrical generating panel system. The rate of water generation is controlled by the power (current×voltage) at which power supply 12 is applied to thermoelectric cooling device 16.
An electronic circuit control board is used to control the critical operational parameters of device 10. The control circuit board performs numerous functions such as:

- at the power start up, it applies power to thermoelectric cooling device 16 in stages to minimize in-rush start current;
- varies power to thermoelectric cooling device 16 based on the relative humidity percentage;
- supplies power to the UV light;
- provides water level detection to turn off the power to the device(s) 10 when dispensing water reservoir 50 is full;
- provides automatic reverse of the DC power polarity to thermoelectric cooling device 16 to melt ice build up on cold sink fins 24;
- provides water level indicator light for dispensing water reservoir 50;
- operates functionality indicator light status for UV light (13);
- provides pump control; and
- controls water pH in the dispensing water reservoir 50.

In some embodiments, device 10 includes a water-cooling block 64 connected to a municipal water source for increased efficiency as seen in FIG. 9. In such embodiments, heat sink 26 is replaced by water-cooling block 64.
Device 10 has additional embodiments which include but are not limited to configurations including two cold sinks, two thermoelectric cooling devices and one heat sink; one cold sink, several thermoelectric cooling devices and several heat sinks; and several cold sinks, several thermoelectric cooling devices and one heat sink.
Device 10 in operation works as follows, humid ambient air 14 is drawn into cold sink 22 via air inlet 36. As the humid air flows from air inlet 36 to chamber 40 outlet it comes in contact with the surface of the cold sink fins 24 on cold sink 22. Since ambient air 14 is warmer than the surface of the cold sink fins 24 the moisture in the air is condensed onto the surface of cold sink fins 24 thereby removing the moisture from the air. The surface of cold sink fins 24 cools the air that it comes in contact with and heat exchange takes place. The air movement devices 44 (fans) pull the air out from the heat sink fins 28 and heat sink base plate 54 to cause efficient dissipation of the heat generated at the side of the thermoelectric cooling device 16 near heat sink 26. There is a direct relationship between the amount of heat dissipated hot side 20 and the lowering of the temperature on the cold side 18 of the thermoelectric cooling device 16.
A radiator 68 can also be used in place of chimney 42 as seen in FIG. 4. Radiator 68 can be either mounted on device 10 or mounted remotely from device 10 and including a cooling fan 70 for cooling heat sink 26.
The addition of a water condensing modular with a closed-loop cooling system improves the cooling efficiency of the thermoelectric cooling device 16. The process of creating water from ambient air in a closed-loop system is obtained as follows and is illustrated in the flow chart of FIG. 7. Ambient air 12 is pulled through an air inlet 36 then over cold sink fins 24 of cold sink 22. The dry cool air is then passed through the heat sink fins 28 then up to a heat cooling radiator 68 which cools the heat sink fins 28 and the radiator 68. The air flow in a closed-loop system is moved by fans mounted in a cowling over the top and around cooling radiator 68. The heat sink 26 side of device 10 has a cooling vein inside of heat sink block 32 to allow the coolant, moved by a small coolant pump, to flow through heat sink block 32 in an effort to cool it as it flows toward cooling radiator 68. Chamber 40 opening is configured to collect moisture dripping down from the surfaces of cold sink fins 24 into collecting tray 46. The collected water is pumped through a multi-stage filtration and mineralization system 48 and into a dispensing water reservoir 50 for consumption.
Water 12 is moved from collecting tray 46 to dispensing water reservoir 50 through a network of tubes and through the use of a pump 80 as seen best in FIG. 1. FIG. 1 also illustrates that water 12 is then dispensed for consumption from dispensing water reservoir 50 by user through the use of a pull-up dispenser 78 or any similar dispensing device.
A wide variety of materials are available for the various parts discussed and illustrated herein. While the principles of this invention have been described in connection with specific embodiments, it should be understood clearly that these descriptions are made only by way of example and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A portable water-generating device for obtaining water from ambient air, the improvement comprising:

a thermoelectric cooling device including a cold side and a hot side;

a thermally-conductive cold sink having multiple cold sink fins of a first size thermally coupled to the cold side and a thermally-conductive heat sink including multiple heat sink fins of second size thermally coupled to the hot side; and

a cold sink block sized to receive the cold sink and a separate heat sink block sized to receive the heat sink;

an air passage having an air inlet and an air outlet, the air inlet being a passage connected to a chamber housing the cold sink, the air outlet being a passage through which air flows through the chamber and into a chimney; and

a plurality of air-movement devices mounted on the chimney to increase the ability to move heated air from the chimney and out of the device resulting in ambient air being pulled into the device through an air inlet and over the cold sink fins resulting in cooled air, the cooled air being directed over the heat sink fins to remove heat from the heat sink fins thereby increasing the efficiency of the device;

whereby the ambient air is cooled as it passes over the cold sink fins causing water to condense on the cold sink fins and to collect into a collecting tray, the water being pumped through a multi-stage filtration and mineralization system and into a dispensing water reservoir for immediate or later use.

2. The portable water-generating device of claim 1 wherein the cold sink includes a cold sink base plate and the heat sink includes a heat sink base plate, the cold sink fins being positioned on the cold sink base plate at a 45° angle and the heat sink fins being positioned on the heat sink base plate at a 90° angle to increase surface area and air velocity.

3. The portable water-generating device of claim 1 further including a thermally-conductive spacer block mounted between the (1) cold sink and the thermoelectric cooling device and the (2) heat sink and the thermoelectric cooling device, the spacer block having a thermal conductivity of ≧166 W/mK and having a dimension of 0.125 inches to 0.750 inches in thickness.

4. The portable water-generating device of claim 3 further including insulation material between the cold sink and heat sink to maximize the efficiency of the device.

5. The portable water-generating device of claim 4 wherein the insulation material is foam, glass wool, foam rubber or other suitable insulating material with a thermal conductivity less than or equal to 0.040 W/mK.

6. The portable water-generating device of claim 1 wherein the portable water-generating device is coupled to one or more portable water-generating devices thereby creating a modular system.

7. The portable water-generating device of claim 1 wherein the multi-stage filtration and mineralization system further includes sediment filters, ultraviolet light sterilization and mineral filters.

8. The portable water-generating device of claim 1 further including a power supply, wherein the power supply to an electrical system is 90-240 AC, 50-60 hertz, a 12-volt DC electrical supply, battery or a solar-electrical generating panel system, whereby the rate of water generation is controlled by the power supplied to the thermoelectric cooling device.

9. The portable water-generating device of claim 1 further including a water-cooling block connected to a municipal water source for increased efficiency.

10. The portable water-generating device of claim 1 wherein the heat sink is replaced by a water-cooling block.

11. The portable water-generating device of claim 2 wherein a thermally conductive grease is applied between the spacer block and the thermoelectric cooling device, cold sink and heat sink.

12. The portable water-generating device of claim 1 wherein the air-movement devices are fans.

13. The portable water-generating device of claim 7 wherein the ultraviolet light sterilizes the water.

14. The portable water-generating device of claim 1 further including a radiator in place of the chimney, the radiator being (1) mounted on the device; or (2) mounted remotely from the device and including a cooling fan for cooling the heat sink.

15. The portable water-generating device of claim 1 wherein the cold sink fins are plated with silver (Ag+) to prevent the formation of bacteria.

16. A portable water-generating device for obtaining water from ambient air, the improvement comprising:

at least one thermoelectric cooling device including a cold side and a hot side;

two thermally-conductive cold sinks each having multiple cold sink fins of a first size thermally coupled to the cold side and a thermally-conductive heat sink including multiple heat sink fins of second size thermally coupled to the hot side; and

two cold sink blocks sized to receive the cold sinks and a separate heat sink block sized to receive the heat sink;

an air passage having an air inlet and an air outlet, the air inlet being a passage connected to a chamber housing the cold sinks, the air outlet being a passage through which air flows through the chamber and into a chimney; and

17. The portable water-generating device of claim 16 wherein the cold sinks each include a cold sink base plate and the heat sink includes a heat sink base plate, the cold sink fins being positioned on the cold sink base plates at a 45° angle and the heat sink fins being positioned on the heat sink base plate at a 90° angle to increase surface area and air velocity.

18. The portable water-generating device of claim 16 further including a thermally-conductive spacer block mounted between (1) the cold sinks and the at least one thermoelectric cooling device; or (2) the heat sink and the at least one thermoelectric cooling device, the spacer block having a thermal conductivity of ≧166 W/mK and having a dimension of 0.125 inches to 0.750 inches in thickness.

19. A portable water-generating device for obtaining water from ambient air, the improvement comprising:

a plurality of thermoelectric cooling devices each including a cold side and a hot side;

a thermally-conductive cold sink having multiple cold sink fins of a first size thermally coupled to the cold side and a plurality of thermally-conductive heat sinks each including multiple heat sink fins of a second size thermally coupled to the hot side; and

a cold sink block sized to receive the cold sink and a plurality of separate heat sink blocks sized to receive the heat sinks;

20. The portable water-generating device of claim 19 wherein the cold sink includes a cold sink base plate and the plurality of heat sinks each includes a heat sink base plate, the cold sink fins being positioned on the cold sink base plate at a 45° angle and the heat sink fins being positioned on the heat sink base plates at a 90° angle to increase surface area and air velocity.

21. The portable water-generating device of claim 19 further including a thermally-conductive spacer block mounted between (1) the cold sink and the plurality of thermoelectric cooling devices; or (2) the heat sinks and the plurality of thermoelectric cooling devices, the spacer block having a thermal conductivity of ≧166 W/mK and having a dimension of 0.125 inches to 0.750 inches in thickness.

22. A portable water-generating device for obtaining water from ambient air, the improvement comprising:

a plurality of thermally-conductive cold sinks each having multiple cold sink fins of a first size thermally coupled to the cold side and a thermally-conductive heat sink including multiple heat sink fins of a second size thermally coupled to the hot side; and

a plurality of cold sink blocks sized to receive the cold sinks and a separate heat sink block sized to receive the heat sink;

23. The portable water-generating device of claim 22 wherein the plurality of cold sinks each include a cold sink base plate and the heat sink includes a heat sink base plate, the cold sink fins being positioned on the cold sink base plates each at a 45° angle and the heat sink fins being positioned on the heat sink base plate to increase surface area and air velocity.

24. The portable water-generating device of claim 22 further including a thermally-conductive spacer block mounted between (1) the cold sinks and the plurality of thermoelectric cooling devices; or (2) the heat sink and the plurality of thermoelectric cooling devices, the spacer block having a thermal conductivity of ≧166 W/mK and having a dimension of 0.125 inches to 0.750 inches in thickness.