US2638331A - Humidifier - Google Patents

Description

P. A. HERR May 1,12, 1953 HUMIDIFIER 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed July 31, 1950 LII .1 53] INVENTOR. BY PAULA/154R.

May 12, 1953 P. A. HERR HUNIDIFIER 2 mil-Sheet 2 Filed July 31, 1950 1N VEN TOR.

FIUL .4. HERR.

g ains o w t r- T is i di t s clea y,

Patented May 12, 1953 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2,638,331 HUMIDIFIER Paul A. Herr, Lancaster, Pa. Application July 31, 1950, Serial No. 176,855

3 Claims.

This invention relates to humidifying equipment and more particularly to the class including that of space humidifying units.

The technical development of modern humidifying equipment has been largely in connection with the design and use of air-conditioning systems. such systems include the introduction of heating or cooling components of proper size and capacity, and the use of water to remove undesirable dust and floating materials from the air, the air being indirectly humidified by this liquid as it washes it. In some cases the water humidifies the air excessively and necessitates the use of mechanical or other physical means to remove or reduce it, before it becomes the working or active air of the system involved. This arrangement for humidifying is not accurately controllable and is but a by-product of the air-washing processes employed. The water is introduced by drenching the air passing through the system by rough spraying it with colossal quantities poured across the forced air currents of the system by continuous streams of the water.

If the air system is shut ofhthe air conditioning system is put out of action. If the water is shut off, the system can be continued in use but the air is not fully conditioned, because it is not washed. If the washing function is interfered with in any way, its effectiveness likewise is affected. It cannot be varied or proportioned to suit humidifying requirements, without upsetting the working of the system, of which the water washing is a part. Furtherit is generally impractical to install a Whole air conditioning system just for the purpose of humidifying a limited space in a building requiring it. Since such systems do not meet specific humidifying requirements and are not controllable, they cannot be used for humidifying alone They have about the same status as the use of a quart of water in a water pot of the old time hot-air furnace.

This invention is developed for the sole purpose of providing controlled humidity for a specific space or a predetermined occasion. Controlled humidity is an essential requirement, in many processing plants. In the majority of instances, such humidity must be added to the contents of the natural surrounding atmosphere existing,

' especially during the heating period. This is true one cubic foot of saturated air However at hold 9,448 that there because at can hold only .475 grain of water. 75 F., the same cubic foot of air can isrelatively very little actual moisture in outdoor air during the cold winter months, even if the outdoor atmosphere has a relative humidity of Therefore, thus with two changes of air perhour, a heated space, with the originating air supplied under such conditions, would soon fill up with air'having very low moisture content. It has been observed that low humidity in'the air during cold weather, results in many colds among normal individuals. It is also a well known fact that humidity has much to do with the way furniture in wood furniture factories, as well as wooden doors, contract, and expand because of temperature and humidity variations. Experimental installations have shown'that the proper control of humidity has ameliorated bronchial asthma in individuals, the hatching of eggs during periods of low outside humidity, and the processing of certain fabrics. Dry air, during such seasons, absorbs water from hygroscopic materials until the vapor pressure of the moisture in the air comes to equilibrium with the moisture in them. Themoisture content of hygroscopic materials varies quasi-automatically with relative humidity. Whenever dry air comes into contact with hygroscopic materials it willabsorb moisture from them. This can be very costly where the materials are sold or bought by weight.

By excessively drying many hygroscopic fabbrics, an appreciable loss of strength results, due to resulting brittleness of their fibers. This drying is usually accompanied by shrinkage in size and body, that may impair the finish, general appearance and use of the product. Some hygroscopic materials when dried too much cannot be returned to their original strength or form. Textile fabrics exposed to extreme dryness, become so noticeably brittle that it is often necessary to operate the machinery that processes them, and more expensively, at reduced speeds. Dry air acts as insulator creating high static potentials or electrical capacity efiects in the materials passing through or parts of the machinery that operate in it. Static electricity under such conditions is a very serious hazard. A machine with a static charge will attract and accumulate lint and dust. It has caused conditions that have resulted in explosions, fire and shocks to individuals. Plants handling chemicals, grain and other dust explosive materials have as a practical requirement and established practice to be guarded against such situations, and can usually overcome themby maintaining a high humidity to dissipate the static electricity as 'it forms, preventing potential high enough to create a spark discharge.

Eminent medical authorities accept the fact that human comfort and health are directly connected with proper relative humidity. It is established that 2. 1 F. reduction in temperature is permissible in increase in relative humidity. Dry air absorbs moisture from the delicate mucous membranes of the upper respirat-ory tract or nasal passages, increasing the susceptibility to colds. Dry air invariably carries more dust, which incident aggravates and irritates these delicate membranes, and is particularly troublesome to persons with pulmonary or sinus ailments. This condition has been found to be greatly relieved by the increase of relative humidity of the room in which they are in, by artificial humidifying equipment.

This invention is made in the form of an isolated unit, embodying the principles of an air aspirator. It comprises, a cabinet of suitable size and form, employing a high pressure water pump, blower, mist nozzles, filter and a motor to actuate its mechanisms. It includes a manually controlled system of tilting louvers to control the air passing through the unit and direct it through an automizing chamber moistened by the watery mist arising from the nozzles. This control can be mechanically operated to proportion the resultant humidity to an accurate degree.

The atomizing chamber is created in the cabinet in an offset position with respect to the air flow, so that the misty atmosphere induced therein by the sprayers or nozzles will be aspirated into the air at discharge as it leaves the cabinet. The whole arrangement is one intended to produce controlled humidity in an air discharge from a humidifying unit of compact form, and complete in itself.

It is an object of this invention to provide a new and improved humidifying unit that will avoid, one or more, of the disadvantages and limitations current in the previous art.

Another object of the invention is to provide a new and improved humidifying unit that will employ an aspirating system of moistening air discharged from it.

A further object of the hereindescribed invention is to provide a new and improved humidifying unit that can be controlled to supply humidified air, accurately and effectively, for use in the surrounding space and in proportion to the needs deemed desirable therefor.

An additional object of this invention is to provide a new and improved humidifying unit operationally independent, employing mist creating nozzles for providing moisture in a suspended atomized form available for absorption into air currents developed in the unit to be dis charged therefrom for humidifying the surrounding space at a controlled rate, means being included for diverting the currents so their absorptional effect on the moisture can be varied by changes in rate of movement direction and quantity of the air in its intimacy with the mist.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a new improved individual humidifying unit that will be effective and convenient to handle and install, and whose construction will be attractive as well as economical to manufacture.

Other objects will become apparent as the invention is more fully disclosed.

For a better understanding of the invention and the objects, thereof reference is made to the accompanying drawings. These drawings in conjunction with the following description outline a particular form of the invention, by way of example, not of limitation, while the appended claims indicate the legal scope thereof.

Referring to the drawings:

Figure l is a perspective View of a humidifying unit embodying this invention, portions being broken away to show its interior construction;

Figure 2 is a sectional elevation taken through the unit on line 2-2 of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a front elevation of the unit with the front plate removed;

Figure 4 is a detail in perspective of the louver mechanism used in this embodiment;

Figure 5 is a diagrammatic outline of the electrical system employed in this unit.

Similar reference characters refer to the same parts throughout the drawings.

The particular construction shown in the figures consists of a rectangular cabinet i lower half including a front plate it which preferably removable to permit facile access to the interior works of the unit. The plate H is held to the interior framework E2 of the ccbinet by the screws I 3, located suitably; likewise the cover M at the top of the cabinet is removable to allow access to its upper portion.

The cabinet is divided into two chambers 55, iii, upper and lower respectively. The lower chamber it is separated from the upper amber 45 by a watertight partition ii. The upper chamber serves as a partial water reservoir to hold water up to the top level of an overflow pipe 18. A float valve it, connected to the water supply piping all controls the amount of water supplied to the upper chamber which forms a tank therefor. The coupling 2| on the piping .2 9 provides means for the convenient connection of the unit to an external water service supply. The rectangular walls of a duct pass vertically up through the chamber 15, and terminate below a rectangular opening protdded in the cover M, which is aligned therewitl'i. The openin 2 3 is neatly finished. on" in a conventional manner. The distance between the top level of the duct 22 and the cover M is about six inches normally but will vary in different sizes of units to suit. The space must be sufficient to allow the moisture used in humidifying the currents of air out of the duct, to mix and combine to the extent designed.

The plate H has raised inlet orifices 23 arranged in it to serve as an intake into the lower chamber Hi. The chamber i6 itself has a shelf 25 extended horizontally across it for supporting a blower fan '26, connected with an enlarging tapering transformation duct 2i. The duct is coupled to the duct 22 and the fan blows its forced air vertically through them.

In the upper chamber hi, on a level with the outlet of the. duct 221 is a quasi-rectangular frame 28 of piping supported by clips 23 from the walls of the chamber. This piping frame 28 has a number of nozzles 30 for high pressure spraying of water therethrough in a mist or very fine spray across the chamber It:v away from the outlet of the duct 22. The water is impressed in the piping 28 under high pressure from a rotary pump 3! installed in the chamber H5 underneath, and feeding through the intervening length of pipe 32. The pump. 3.] and blower 26 are aligned with one another axially so they can be rotated tolet level.

5. gether by the same motor 33. The water is supplied to the pump from the'sump created at the bottom of the chamber below the overflow out- The water is normally about 2" deep. The water is passed through a filter 34 which is located in the chamber [6 on its way to the pump and is placed on the pipe 35 coming through from the drain and strainer installed in the sump.

' The duct 22 is provided with a louver mechani'sm close to the discharge opening of the duct 22 and installedinside it. The louver parts con- .sists of a pair of shutters 35 generally thin and rectangular with transverse arcuate contour having their outer edge portions 3? bent to a sharper curve. Each shutter is supported by a pair of side brackets 38 pivoted together on pins 39 journalled in the narrow walls of the duct 22. A

toggle mechanism at eachside of the duct 22 having each pair of hinged arms 53 brought together at the top to a nut 43 screw threaded to receive a'threaded rod 4! extended vertically and terminating in a handle 55 located above the cover I4.

This louver mechanism controls the flow of air from the duct 22 into the upper space of the chamber l5 as it passes through to the opening I 24 into the surrounding atmosphere of the room where the cabinet is located.

In addition a rectangular blocking plate 42 hinged at its lower edge is placed in front of the central inlet 43 of flow of blower to control the air into the fan inside. It is manipulated by a rod 44 projecting out from it and carrying a knurled nut 45, outside the cabinet. The turning of this nut 45 adjusts the position of the plate 42 to suit the amount of air required by the system. The motor 33 is preferably mounted on cushions 46 of rubber and bolted to the shelf in a manner that makes and keeps the cabinet noiseless and free from undue vibration. An electrical circuit 4! runs to the motor 33 through a humidistat 50 shown mounted on the front of the cabinet and the conventional switch and fuses in a junction box 48. While I have shown the humidistat mounted on the cabinet, it will be understood that same may be located remotely, if desired to suit the user and his convenience. Through a suitable control transformer 49 and relay 5| it controls the speed of the motor so it can be adjusted to suit the requirements of the blower 26, independently of the plate 42 and shutters 36, which are already set at predetermined positions for the occasion and present use of the unit.

A glass mat 52, placed in the chamber H3 in the path of the air entering it through an opening in its bottom, dry filters the air to the system and wads of filtering material may be tucked back of the outwardly projecting portions forming the ports 23, if so desired, to filter air entering through these ports.

The device functions as follows: the motor 33 is started and operates the blower 2G and pump 3|. The air is supplied to the blower 26 through the inlet openings and passes through the chamber [B where it cools the motor 33 and passes into the blower. From the blower 26 it flows through the ducts 21, '22, and through the chamber above it, passing through the opening 24 into the atmosphere outside. As it passes through the upper chamber l5, it induces a suction of air that draws the clouds of misty moisture arising from the nozzles 30 into the air stream and humidifies it. If the mixture tionally changed in the chamber.

of air and moisture is at the proper proportions,

the settings of the shutters 36, and blocking plate 42 are left as they are. If more humidity is required, the shutters are manually adjusted to an angular position so as to divert the air stream in part into the mist and collect more moisture before it continues through the opening. 3 The position of the shutters and their arcuate contour directs the air in a curved path through the mist and gives that portion of the air stream an S-like travel as it travels to the opening in the cover. This may be controlled to a considerable degree, or the air stream may be reduced in volume, varied in speed and direc- The position of the blocking plate 42 controls the air flow into the blower and is manually controlled at the nut 45. The variation of the motor speed and of the pump has already been explained.

The type of nozzles used are those available on the market, and are designed to develop a very fine and efiective cloud of moisture in front of them in a spread out form, when water under high pressure is forced through them. This mist has the characteristics of air and mixes freely with the stream of air passing out of the ducts 22, and intimately insinuates its moisture quickly and effectively throughout its particles and thus humidifies it completely in the proportions desired.

Other mechanical features are provided in the unit in conformity with common practice and desirable convenience.

The device has all its parts assembled together in a very compact arrangement. It employs an aspiration principle for the humidifying of the air projected from the unit. The controls anticipate an exceptionally fine and accurate adjustment of proportions of air and moisture, in a most convenient and simple manner. The moisture is added in a very comminuted form indirectly to the air stream and eliminates the possibility of drops of water being bodily introduced and carried in the stream to collect on surrounding objects in an objectional manner. The unit adapts itself to the surrounding atmosphere and temperature because it is operated on the same level and therefore does not create differences which have to be taken off after the air leaves the unit. It is not an essential part of a conventional air-conditioning system. It oifers economical operation and maintenance, and the simplicity of its components keeps its cost of manufacture down to a comparatively low level. It is readily adapted to other desirable features, such as automatic operation, portability, and attractiveness.

From the foregoing description of the construction of my improved humidifier, the assembly and operation thereof will be readily understood, and

it will be seen that I have provided a comparatively simple, inexpensive and efficient means for carrying out the various objects of the invention. While I have described the elements best adapted to perform the functions set forth, it is apparent that various changes in form, proportion and in the minor details of construction may be resorted to, without departing from the spirit or sacrificing any of the principles of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. A humidifier comprising a casing having an upper outlet and a lower air inlet, a partition dividing said casing into upper and lower chambers, a blower in the lower chamber having a discharge duct extending upwardly through said partition under the outlet and spaced downwardly therefrom,v said casing having walls spaced from the duct and providing a water reservoir in the upper chamber about the duct, a pump in the lower chamber having a supply pipe leading from the reservoir and a discharge pipe extending up wardly into the upper chamber and communicating with pipes extending horizontally across outer surfaces of upper portions of Walls of the duct and carrying nozzles serving to spray water downwardly into space within the upper chamber above water therein, shutters in the upper chamber disposed at opposite sides of the duct and mounted for swinging movement towards and away from each other into and out of position above the upper end of the duct, and actuating means for said shutters servingto swing the shutters to adjusted positions and hold them in the adjusted positions.

2. The structure of claim 1 wherein the shutters are plates arouate transversely in cross section and bowed upwardly, arms extending downwardly from ends of said plates and pivoted to opposed walls of the duct, the actuating means for the shutters being connected with the arms 8 and when operated imparting vertical swinging movement to the arms and thereby moving the shutters to adjusted positions.

3. The structure of claim 2 wherein the actuating means for the shutters consist of links pivoted at lower ends to the arms at one end of the shut-- ters, a nut having upper ends of said links pivoted thereto, and a vertical rod having a threaded lower portion engaged through the nut, the upper portion of said rod passing outwardly through the top of the casing and having a turning member at it upper end.

PAUL A. HERR.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,981,916 Huntley Nov. 27, 1934" 1,993,498 Winterfield et a1. Mar. 5, 1935 1,993,871 Burnap et a1 Mar. 12, 1935 2,031,055 McKinney Feb. 18, 1936 2,144,626 Hewitt Jan. 24, 1939 2,159,276 Lawless May 23, 1939 2,386,208 Godfrey Oct. 9, 1945

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