MASS TRANSFER HUMIDITY GENERATOR

Abstract

A humidity generator having a cooling pipe that includes a cooling pipe inlet, a liquid chamber, and a cooling pipe outlet. An airflow path is defined between the cooling pipe inlet and the cooling pipe outlet, such that during operation, air enters through the cooling pipe inlet, passes over water disposed in the liquid chamber, flows through the cooling pipe, and exits through the cooling pipe outlet.

Claims

1. A humidity generator comprising: a cooling pipe that includes a cooling pipe inlet, a liquid chamber, and a cooling pipe outlet, wherein an airflow path is defined between the cooling pipe inlet and the cooling pipe outlet, such that air enters through the cooling pipe inlet, passes over water disposed in the liquid chamber, flows through the cooling pipe, and exits through the cooling pipe outlet.

2. The humidity generator of claim 1 wherein the cooling pipe inlet is defined in a sidewall of the cooling pipe at a location between the liquid chamber and the cooling pipe outlet.

3. The humidity generator of claim 1 further comprising an inlet tube that includes an air inlet and an inlet tube outflow opening, and an outlet tube that includes an outlet tube inflow opening and an air outlet, wherein the inlet tube and the outlet tube extend from the cooling pipe, and wherein the airflow path is defined between the air inlet and the air outlet, such that air enters through the air inlet, passes through the inlet tube outflow opening and the cooling pipe inlet, passes over water disposed in the liquid chamber, passes through the cooling pipe outlet and outlet tube inflow opening, and exits through the air outlet.

4. The humidity generator of claim 3 wherein the inlet and outlet tubes generally extend from the cooling pipe perpendicularly.

5. The humidity generator of claim 1 wherein the cooling pipe includes an interior surface, and wherein the humidity generator further comprises a cooling apparatus configured to cool the interior surface.

6. The humidity generator of claim 5 wherein the cooling pipe includes an exterior surface, and wherein the cooling apparatus is a cooling tube in contact with the exterior surface.

7. The humidity generator of claim 1 further comprising an air pressure generator for creating an air pressure differential between the cooling pipe inlet and the cooling pipe outlet.

8. The humidity generator of claim 7 wherein the air pressure generator is a heat exchanger unit in fluid connection with the air inlet.

9. The humidity generator of claim 1 further comprising a water level controller for maintaining a predetermined volume of water within the liquid chamber.

10. An environment chamber, the environment chamber comprising: a main body, and a cooling pipe that includes a cooling pipe inlet, a liquid chamber, and a cooling pipe outlet, wherein an airflow path is defined between the cooling pipe inlet and the cooling pipe outlet, such that air enters through the cooling pipe inlet, passes over water disposed in the liquid chamber, flows through the cooling pipe, and exits through the cooling pipe outlet, and wherein at least a portion of the airflow path is outside of the main body.

11. The environment chamber of claim 10 wherein the cooling pipe inlet is defined in a sidewall of the cooling pipe at a location between the liquid chamber and the cooling pipe outlet.

12. The environment chamber of claim 10 further comprising an inlet tube that includes an inlet and an inlet tube outflow opening, and an outlet tube that includes an outlet tube inflow opening and an air outlet, wherein the inlet tube and the outlet tube extend from the cooling pipe, and wherein the airflow path is defined between the air inlet and the air outlet, such that air enters through the air inlet, passes through the inlet tube outflow opening and the cooling pipe inlet, passes over water disposed in the liquid chamber, passes through the cooling pipe outlet and outlet tube inflow opening, and exits through the air outlet.

13. The environment chamber of claim 10 wherein the cooling pipe includes an interior surface, and wherein the environment chamber further comprises a cooling apparatus configured to cool the interior surface.

14. The environment chamber of claim 13 wherein the cooling pipe includes an exterior surface, and wherein the cooling apparatus is a cooling tube in contact with the exterior surface.

15. The environment chamber of claim 10 further comprising an air pressure generator for creating an air pressure differential between the cooling pipe inlet and the cooling pipe outlet.

16. The environment chamber of claim 15 wherein the air pressure generator is a heat exchanger unit in fluid connection with the air inlet.

17. A method for humidifying a first volume of air enclosed within a main body of an environment chamber, the method comprising the steps of: receiving a volume of water into a cooling pipe having a cooling pipe inlet, a liquid chamber, and a cooling pipe outlet, moving a portion of the first volume of air into the cooling pipe inlet and across the surface of the water, thereby generating a volume of humidified air, and expelling the volume of humidified air through the cooling pipe outlet and into the main body of the environment chamber.

18. The method of claim 17 wherein the step of moving a portion of the first volume of air comprises moving the portion of the first volume of air through an air inlet of an air inlet tube, through an inlet tube outflow opening of the air inlet tube, through the cooling pipe inlet, and across the surface of the water, thereby generating a volume of humidified air, and wherein the step of expelling the volume of humidified air comprises expelling the volume of humidified air through the cooling pipe outlet, through the outlet tube inflow opening, out of the air outlet, and into the main body of the environment chamber.

19. The method of claim 17 further comprising the step of cooling an interior surface of the cooling pipe.

20. The method of claim 19 wherein the step of cooling the interior surface comprises using a cooling tube in contact with an exterior surface of the cooling pipe.

21. The method of claim 17 wherein the step of moving a portion of the first volume of air comprises applying air pressure to create an air pressure differential between the cooling pipe inlet and the cooling pipe outlet.

22. The method of claim 21 wherein the step of moving a portion of the first volume of air comprises using a fan to push air through the cooling pipe inlet.

23. The humidity generator of claim 5 wherein the cooling pipe wherein the cooling apparatus is a cooling tube that extends through an interior of the cooling tube.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional elevational view of an environmental chamber in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

[0014] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a humidity generator that is part of the environmental chamber of FIG. 1;

[0015] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional elevational view of the humidity generator of FIG. 2;

[0016] FIG. 4 is a rear elevational view of the humidity generator of FIG. 2; and

[0017] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional elevational view of a humidity generator in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0018] The following description and drawings are illustrative and are not to be construed as limiting. Numerous specific details are described to provide a thorough understanding of the disclosure. However, in certain instances, well-known or conventional details are not described in order to avoid obscuring the description. References to one or an other embodiment in the present disclosure can be, but not necessarily are, references to the same embodiment; and, such references mean at least one of the embodiments.

[0019] Reference in this specification to one embodiment or an embodiment means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the disclosure. Appearances of the phrase in one embodiment in various places in the specification do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment, nor are separate or alternative embodiments mutually exclusive of other embodiments. Moreover, various features are described which may be exhibited by some embodiments and not by others. Similarly, various requirements are described which may be requirements for some embodiments, but not other embodiments.

[0020] The terms used in this specification generally have their ordinary meanings in the art, within the context of the disclosure, and in the specific context where each term is used. Certain terms that are used to describe the disclosure are discussed below, or elsewhere in the specification, to provide additional guidance to the practitioner regarding the description of the disclosure. For convenience, certain terms may be highlighted, for example using italics and/or quotation marks: The use of highlighting has no influence on the scope and meaning of a term; the scope and meaning of a term is the same, in the same context, whether or not it is highlighted. It will be appreciated that the same thing can be said in more than one way.

[0021] Consequently, alternative language and synonyms may be used for any one or more of the terms discussed herein. Nor is any special significance to be placed upon whether or not a term is elaborated or discussed herein. Synonyms for certain terms are provided. A recital of one or more synonyms does not exclude the use of other synonyms. The use of examples anywhere in this specification including examples of any terms discussed herein is illustrative only, and is not intended to further limit the scope and meaning of the disclosure or of any exemplified term. Likewise, the disclosure is not limited to various embodiments given in this specification.

[0022] Without intent to further limit the scope of the disclosure, examples of instruments, apparatus, methods and their related results according to the embodiments of the present disclosure are given below. Note that titles or subtitles may be used in the examples for convenience of a reader, which in no way should limit the scope of the disclosure. Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure pertains. In the case of conflict, the present document, including definitions, will control.

[0023] It will be appreciated that terms such as front, back, top, bottom, side, short, long, up, down, and below used herein are merely for ease of description and refer to the orientation of the components as shown in the figures. It should be understood that any orientation of the components described herein is within the scope of the present invention.

[0024] Referring now to the drawings, wherein the showings are for purposes of illustrating the present invention and not for purposes of limiting the same, FIG. 1 shows an environment chamber in accordance with a preferred embodiment, and FIGS. 2-4 show a humidity generator in accordance with a preferred embodiment.

[0025] As shown in FIG. 1, in a preferred embodiment, there is provided an environment chamber 10. The environment chamber 10 has an interior space 12 defined by a plurality of walls therein. Preferably, as shown in FIG. 1, the environment chamber 10 includes a humidity generator 36 having a cooling pipe 14, an air inlet tube 16, and an air outlet tube 20. In a preferred embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, the cooling pipe 14 has a sidewall 15, a cooling pipe outlet 38, a bottom end 17, and a cooling pipe inlet 40 defined in the sidewall 15 between the bottom end 17 and the cooling pipe inlet 40.

[0026] In a preferred embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, the air inlet tube 16 has two air inlets 18. However, those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the number of air inlets 18 as pictured in FIG. 1 can vary, and that the air inlet tube 16 may include any number of air inlets 18 depending on the desired rate of air flow through the air inlets 18. For example, the air inlet tube 16 may only include one air inlet. Preferably, the air outlet tube 20 includes an air outlet 22. The air outlet tube 20 may include any number of air outlets 22 depending on the desired rate of air flow through the air outlets 22.

[0027] As shown in FIG. 1, in a preferred embodiment, the air inlet tube 16 and air outlet tube 20 are in fluid communication with the cooling pipe inlet 40 and the cooling pipe outlet 38, respectively, of the cooling pipe 14. The air inlet tube 16 and air outlet tube 18 extend from the cooling pipe 14, through one of the walls 19 defining the interior space 12 and into the interior space 12 such that the air inlets 18 and air outlets 22 are located within the interior space 12. With this arrangement, the air can flow from the interior space 12 into the air inlets 18, through the air inlet tube 16, through the cooling pipe inlet 40, through the cooling pipe 14, through the cooling pipe outlet 38, through the air outlet tube 20, and out of the air outlet 22. In a preferred embodiment, the humidity generator 36 is used to humidify the interior space 12, and the cooling pipe 14 and other components of the humidity generator 36 are located outside of the interior space 12. In another embodiment, the humidity generator 36 or any components thereof may be located inside the interior space 12 or anywhere else (e.g., outside of the entire environmental chamber 10), as long as the air inlets 18 and the air outlet 22 are located within the interior space 12.

[0028] Preferably, as shown in FIG. 1, the humidity generator 36 is connected to a water supply and drain apparatus 28 having a connection to an external fill and drain solenoid valve, such that the solenoid valve can be used to partially fill the cooling pipe 14 with a liquid 30 (e.g., water). In a preferred embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the humidity generator 36 includes a liquid chamber 48 defined in the cooling pipe 14, and the water supply and drain apparatus 28 is used to fill the liquid chamber 48. Those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that any apparatus or method for partially filling the cooling pipe 14 or liquid chamber 48 with water 30 may be used, such that a surface of the water 30 inside of the cooling pipe 14 is below the cooling pipe inlet 40, and thus the water 30 does not exit the cooling pipe inlet 40 or enter into the air inlet tube 16. Those of ordinary skill in the art will also appreciate that the use of water 30 is merely exemplary and that any liquid capable of being vaporized by mass transfer can be used to partially fill the cooling pipe 14.

[0029] In a preferred embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, the humidity generator 36 is in fluid communication with an electric heater 26, which heats the water 30, thereby controlling and increasing the effect of mass transfer, and thus the amount of water 30 absorbed by the air, during use. However, those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the use of electric heater 26 is merely exemplary and that any heater or method of heating can be used to heat or cool the water. The water 30 may be heated prior to entering the cooling pipe 14, or heated water, heated gases such as the discharge of a refrigeration compressor, or a flame in contact with the cooling pipe 14, or any other method of heating the water 30 may be used. Those of ordinary skill in the art will also appreciate that apparatuses and methods for heating the water 30 are not limitations on the present invention.

[0030] As shown in FIG. 1, the present invention preferably includes a heat exchanger 31 having a fan 34 that moves air within the interior space 12 of the environmental chamber 10. In a preferred embodiment, the present invention also includes a main cooling coil 33. When air blown by the fan 34 reaches the main cooling coil 33, there is a relatively constant drop of air pressure across the main cooling coil, which serves to force some of the air into the air inlets 18 rather than across the main cooling coil 33. In another embodiment, an adjustable damper, an air pump, or any other apparatus or method for applying air pressure to the humidity generator 36 such that air flows into the air inlets 18, through the humidity generator 36, and out of the air outlet 22 can be used.

[0031] In a preferred embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, the humidity generator 36 includes a cooling tube 24 coiled around and in contact with an exterior surface 15 of the cooling pipe 14, through which a refrigerant (i.e., a cooled fluid) flows. As a result, the cooling tube 24 cools the interior surface of the cooling pipe 14 at least between the cooling pipe inlet 40 and the cooling pipe outlet 38. In use, the cooling pipe 14, and the air therein, is cooled to a temperature below the dew point of the water vapor flowing through it, as discussed further below. Any method of cooling the cooling pipe 14 and the air therein is within the scope of the present invention. For example, in embodiments the cooling may be provided by a fan blowing cool air onto the exterior surface 15 of the cooling pipe 14, a thermoelectric cooler, a coaxial heat exchanger, a larger pipe coaxial with and within the cooling pipe 14 such that a cooled fluid flows into the gap between the larger pipe and the cooling pipe 14, or any other apparatus or method for cooling the interior surface of the cooling pipe 14 below the dew point of the water vapor flowing through it may be used.

[0032] The operation of the environment chamber 10, as shown in FIG. 1, is described below. Prior to use, the water supply and drain apparatus 28 partially fills the cooling pipe 14 with a water 30 such that the upper surface of the water 30 inside of the cooling pipe 14 is located between the bottom end 17 of the cooling pipe 14 and the cooling pipe inlet 40. Then, as explained above, the fan 34 blows air into the interior space 12, generating air pressure within the interior space 12 such that some of the air blown by the fan 34 is forced into the air inlets 18. The air then flows through the air inlet tube 16, into the cooling pipe inlet 40, and over the surface of the water 30. As the air flows over the surface of the water 30, at least some of the water 30 is imparted as vapor to the flowing air by the principle of mass transfer, thereby creating humidified air. The humidified air then flows through the cooling pipe inlet 40 and into the cooling pipe 14.

[0033] The humidified air then comes into contact with the interior surface of the cooling pipe 14, which is cooled below the dew point of the humidified air, causing the water in the humidified air to condense on the interior surface. When the amount of water condensed on the interior surface is sufficient to form a droplet, the droplet will then flow into the water 30, which cools the water 30. Thus, this cooling process can be used to remove water vapor from the humidified air in the cooling pipe 14, thereby lowering the humidity as desired. The remaining humidified air then flows through the cooling pipe outlet 38, through the air outlet tube 20, out of the air outlet 22, and into the interior space 12 of the environment chamber 10.

[0034] In a preferred embodiment, the environment chamber also includes a humidity sensor 32. The humidity sensor 32 senses the level of water vapor (humidity) in the interior space 12, and is connected to a controller, which can regulate the amount of cooling applied to the cooling pipe 14 by the cooling tube 24, and in turn, the amount of humidity generated by the humidity generator 36, based upon the level of humidity measured in the interior space 12. Preferably, the water supply and drain apparatus 28 is connected to a level control apparatus, which regulates the level of the water 30 within the cooling pipe 14 and/or the liquid chamber 48. In a preferred embodiment, the level control apparatus is a float valve having a float and an internal overflow weir, such that when the water 30 enters the cooling pipe 14 or the liquid chamber 48, the float rises until it reaches a predefined level, at which point the float valve closes and no additional water 30 is allowed to enter. However, those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the use of a float valve is merely exemplary and that a float valve, a float switch combined with a solenoid valve, an electronic level sensing device in combination with a electric, pneumatic, or electronically actuated valve, or any other apparatus or method for regulating the level of the water 30 within the cooling pipe 14 and/or liquid chamber 48 may be used. Those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the use of a humidity sensor, controller, and level control apparatus is merely exemplary, and that any other apparatus or method for cooling the interior surface of the cooling pipe 14 or for regulating the level of water 30 in the cooling pipe 14 may be used. Those of ordinary skill in the art will also appreciate that apparatuses and methods for regulating the level of humidity created by the humidity generator 36 are not limitations on the present invention.

[0035] Those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the arrangement of the preferred embodiments shown in FIGS. 1-5 and discussed above are merely exemplary, and that the cooling pipe 14 can be arranged in any manner as long as the liquid chamber 48 is below the cooled interior surface of the cooling pipe 14, such that droplets of water 30 condensed on the interior surface of the cooling pipe 14 can drop into the liquid chamber 48 due to gravity. Those of ordinary skill in the art will also appreciate that the droplets of water 30 condensed on the interior surface of the cooling pipe 14 can be returned to the liquid chamber 48 by a pump, an air pressure differential induced by air flow, a vacuum device, or any other method for moving water from one area to another. By way of non-limiting example, in a preferred embodiment, the cooling pipe 14 can be oriented vertically with the bottom end 17 located at the bottom, or it can be oriented at any angle between 90 degrees and 90 degrees from that vertical orientation; as long as the liquid chamber is at a lower height than the cooled portions of the interior surface, condensed droplets of water 30 may fall back into the liquid chamber 48. Further by way of non-limiting example, in another preferred embodiment, the cooling pipe 14 is substantially a V shape with an downward-facing angle, the cooling pipe inlet 40 is an opening in the bottom end of the cooling pipe 14, and the liquid chamber 48 is defined at a point along the downward-facing angle such that it is lower than the cooled interior surface of the cooling pipe 14. Further still by way of non-limiting example, in another preferred embodiment, the cooling pipe 14 is a curved shape with a downward-facing curve, the cooling pipe inlet 40 is an opening in the bottom end of the cooling pipe 14, and the liquid chamber 48 is defined at a point along the downward-facing curve such that it is lower than the cooled interior surface of the cooling pipe 14. Those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the liquid chamber 48 can be an external chamber that is in fluid connection with the cooling pipe 14.

[0036] FIG. 5 shows a humidity generator in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention. In a preferred embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, the cooling pipe 14 has a cooling tube opening 42 defined in the sidewall above the surface of the water 30, and the outlet tube 20 has an outlet tube sidewall having a cooling tube passthrough 44 defined therein. Preferably, the cooling tube 24 enters the cooling pipe 14 through the cooling tube opening 42. An internal portion 46 of the cooling tube 24 continues upward through the cooling pipe 14, passes through the cooling pipe outlet 38, and continue to the cooling tube passthrough 44. The cooling tube 24 exits the cooling tube passthrough 44 and then coils around the exterior surface 15 of the cooling pipe 14 as described with reference to the embodiments shown in FIGS. 1-4 above. In another embodiment, the outside coiled portion of the cooling tube 24 can be omitted.

[0037] Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, throughout the description and the claims, the words comprise, comprising, and the like are to be construed in an inclusive sense, as opposed to an exclusive or exhaustive sense; that is to say, in the sense of including, but not limited to. As used herein, the terms connected, coupled, or any variant thereof, means any connection or coupling, either direct or indirect, between two or more elements; the coupling of connection between the elements can be physical, logical, or a combination thereof. Additionally, the words herein, above, below, and words of similar import, when used in this application, shall refer to this application as a whole and not to any particular portions of this application. Where the context permits, words in the above Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments using the singular or plural number may also include the plural or singular number respectively. The word or in reference to a list of two or more items, covers all of the following interpretations of the word: any of the items in the list, all of the items in the list, and any combination of the items in the list.

[0038] The above-detailed description of embodiments of the disclosure is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the teachings to the precise form disclosed above. While specific embodiments of and examples for the disclosure are described above for illustrative purposes, various equivalent modifications are possible within the scope of the disclosure, as those skilled in the relevant art will recognize. For example, while processes or blocks are presented in a given order, alternative embodiments may perform routines having steps, or employ systems having blocks, in a different order, and some processes or blocks may be deleted, moved, added, subdivided, combined, and/or modified to provide alternative or subcombinations. Each of these processes or blocks may be implemented in a variety of different ways. Also, while processes or blocks are at times shown as being performed in series, these processes or blocks may instead be performed in parallel, or may be performed, at different times. Further any specific numbers noted herein are only examples: alternative implementations may employ differing values or ranges.

[0039] The teachings of the disclosure provided herein can be applied to other systems, not necessarily the system described above. The elements and acts of the various embodiments described above can be combined to provide further embodiments.

[0040] Any patents and applications and other references noted above, including any that may be listed in accompanying filing papers, are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. Aspects of the disclosure can be modified, if necessary, to employ the systems, functions, and concepts of the various references described above to provide yet further embodiments of the disclosure.

[0041] These and other changes can be made to the disclosure in light of the above Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments. While the above description describes certain embodiments of the disclosure, and describes the best mode contemplated, no matter how detailed the above appears in text, the teachings can be practiced in many ways. Details of the system may vary considerably in its implementation details, while still being encompassed by the subject matter disclosed herein. As noted above, particular terminology used when describing certain features or aspects of the disclosure should not be taken to imply that the terminology is being redefined herein to be restricted to any specific characteristics, features or aspects of the disclosure with which that terminology is associated. In general, the terms used in the following claims should not be construed to limit the disclosures to the specific embodiments disclosed in the specification unless the above Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments section explicitly defines such terms. Accordingly, the actual scope of the disclosure encompasses not only the disclosed embodiments, but also all equivalent ways of practicing or implementing the disclosure under the claims.

[0042] While certain aspects of the disclosure are presented below in certain claim forms, the inventors contemplate the various aspects of the disclosure in any number of claim forms. For example, while only one aspect of the disclosure is recited as a means-plus-function claim under 35 U.S.C. 112,6, other aspects may likewise be embodied as a means-plus-function claim, or in other forms, such as being embodied in a computer-readable medium. (Any claims intended to be treated under 35 U.S.C. 112, 6 will begin with the words means for). Accordingly, the applicant reserves the right to add additional claims after filing the application to pursue such additional claim forms for other aspects of the disclosure.

[0043] Accordingly, although exemplary embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, it is to be understood that all the terms used herein are descriptive rather than limiting, and that many changes, modifications, and substitutions may be made by one having ordinary skill in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.