CA1166296A - Humidifier electrode shield - Google Patents
Humidifier electrode shieldInfo
- Publication number
- CA1166296A CA1166296A CA000415898A CA415898A CA1166296A CA 1166296 A CA1166296 A CA 1166296A CA 000415898 A CA000415898 A CA 000415898A CA 415898 A CA415898 A CA 415898A CA 1166296 A CA1166296 A CA 1166296A
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- electrodes
- container
- lower ends
- shield portion
- current path
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired
Links
Classifications
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
- F24F—AIR-CONDITIONING; AIR-HUMIDIFICATION; VENTILATION; USE OF AIR CURRENTS FOR SCREENING
- F24F6/00—Air-humidification, e.g. cooling by humidification
- F24F6/02—Air-humidification, e.g. cooling by humidification by evaporation of water in the air
- F24F6/025—Air-humidification, e.g. cooling by humidification by evaporation of water in the air using electrical heating means
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F22—STEAM GENERATION
- F22B—METHODS OF STEAM GENERATION; STEAM BOILERS
- F22B1/00—Methods of steam generation characterised by form of heating method
- F22B1/28—Methods of steam generation characterised by form of heating method in boilers heated electrically
- F22B1/30—Electrode boilers
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Sustainable Development (AREA)
- Sustainable Energy (AREA)
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Thermal Sciences (AREA)
- Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
- Air Humidification (AREA)
Abstract
ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
An improved electrode humidifier water container having shield means made of electrically insulating material or coated with electrically insulating material, the shield means being secured in the container and having a first portion positioned between the electrodes so as to lengthen the current path between the electrodes and having a second portion positioned beneath lower ends of the electrodes and of a size and shape so as to lengthen further the current path between the lower ends of the electrodes. In this way current is prevented from short circuiting between the lower end of the electrodes, enabling the use of greater electrode voltage or larger electrodes in the container.
An improved electrode humidifier water container having shield means made of electrically insulating material or coated with electrically insulating material, the shield means being secured in the container and having a first portion positioned between the electrodes so as to lengthen the current path between the electrodes and having a second portion positioned beneath lower ends of the electrodes and of a size and shape so as to lengthen further the current path between the lower ends of the electrodes. In this way current is prevented from short circuiting between the lower end of the electrodes, enabling the use of greater electrode voltage or larger electrodes in the container.
Description
62~ ~3 This invention relates to humidifiers of the type in which two or more electrodes are mounted in a water container.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
In this type of humidifier, the electrodes are usually made of rolls or tubes of wire mesh material but they may be made of other conductive materials in the form of sheets, plates or rods~ In a single phase humidifier there are two spaced electrodes for connection to a single phase a.c.power supply but there may be three or more electrodes in a polyphase system. When current is caused to flow between the electrodes through water contained in the container, the water is heated and subsequently boils, giving off the desired steam. The amount of heating current that will flow depends upon the electrical conductivity of the water9 the proportion of the electrodes, actually immersed in the water and the spacing between the electrodes.
It is known that the heating current can be reduced by effectively lengthening the current path between electrodes, this being effected by inserting vertical insulating material shields or baffles in the space between the or each pair of electrodes. The current instead of flowing directly between the electrodes, is then forced to pass along a more indirect path around the edges of the baffles. See for example Canadian Patent No. 518,972 of Head issued November ~9, 1955. This has been found to be an extremely useful way of compensating for an electrode voltage higher than that for which the humidifier was designed. For example~ when humidifiers . .;
manufactured in Europe where the three phase supply is 380 volts are used in Canada where the three phase industrial supply is 600 volts, approximately the same design current can be ob~ained by using a baffle, given the same degree of electrode immersion and conductivity of the contained water.
In addition i~ is known that electrode life in such humidifiers can be extended by using larger electrodes because of their greater surface, and hence mineral collecting, area. In a normal arrangement of such electrodes however, current flow can become excessive at the design electrode water immersion level and designed contained water conductivity at a given voltage.
Use of such vertical baffles between these larger electrodes provides current flow control and thus extends the effective electrode life.
A problem which has been encountered with such baffles has been that current flowing between the electrodes, in seeking the shortest path, may be caused to flow below the baffles between lower ends of the electrodes instead of around the edges of the baffles. This is primarily the case in humidifiers which have a water filter protruding upwardly from the bottom of the container around the water inlet/outlet. This shortened current path counters the effect of the vertical baffles.
According to the present invention, this problem is obviated or mitigated by providing an electrode humidifier water container comprising a steam outlet at the top and ~ water inlet/outlet at the bottom, the container being made of electrically insulating material or being coated internally with electrically insulating material; at least two electrodes secured in the container in spaced relation to each other; and, secured in the container, non-enclosing shield means for the electrodes, the shield means being made of electrically insulating material or coated with electrically insulating material and having a first portion positioned between the electrodes so as ; 2 g ~
to lengthen the current path between the electrodes and having a second por-tion positioned beneath lower ends of the electrodes, normal to the first portion and of a size and shape so as to lengthen further the current path between the lower ends of the electrodes.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
.
These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent upon reading the following detailed description and upon referring to the drawings in which:
- Figure 1 is a vertical sectional schematic view of an example embodi-ment of water container of an electrode humidifier according to the invention;
Figure 2 is a sectional view of the water container taken on line II-II of Figure l;
Figure 3 is a vertical sectional view of the water container taken on line III-III of Figure 2; and Figure 4 is a sectional view corresponding to that of Figure 2 but of a further embodiment of the invention.
While the invention will be described in connection with example embodiments~ it will be understood that it is not intended to limit the invention to such embodiments. On the contrary, it is intended to cover all alternatives, modifications and equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.
DEIAILED DESCRIPTION OF T~IE INVENTION
In ~he drawings, similar features have been given similar reference numerals.
Referring to Figures I and 2, the electrode hum;difier water container 2 comprises a vessel made of a synthetic plastics material. The container is provided with a water inlet 4 and a steam outlet 6 (Figure 1). Electrodes 10 and 12, formed ~or example as a wire mesh tube, are secured at spaced locations as indicated, within container 2. These electrodes are provided with electrical contacts 13 for connecting to an appropriate a.c. supply. In operation, a steam hose would be connected to outlet 6 to convey generated steam away from the container and a combined water inlet and drainpipe would be connected to water inlet 4. As illustrated in Figure 1, an inverted "basket" type of filter 14 may be secured to the inside surface of the bottom end of container 2 over water inlet 4.
An insulatiny shield or "baffle" 16 is secured in position within container 2 as illustrated. Baffle 16 is preferable made of a synthetic plastics material and comprises a flat, rectangular sheet portion 18 mounted in vertical orientation and a disc-shaped portion 20 secured thereto, as by plastic welding or formed integrally with vertical baffle portion 18. The width of vertical baffle portion 18 may be the same as the diameter of horizontal baffle portion 20, or it may be slightly greater or less than that diameter. Baffle portion 18 is preferable mounted centrally between the electrodes within container 2.
In operation, with electrodes 10 and 12 connected to an a.c. power supply, and with water in the container 2 immersing all or part of the electrodes, current passes between electrodes 10 and 12 through the water. Because of the presence of vertical baffle portion 18, current cannot pass in a straight line between the electrodes, but must pass around the longitudinal edges of vertical baffle shield 1~ along path 30 (Figure 2).
In this way the heating current passing between the electrodes has a greater path. Because of the presence of horizontal baffle portion 20, a potential, more direct current path 32 between the lower ends of electrodes 10 and 12 (Figure 1), around the lower end of vertical baffle portion 18, is blocked.
Instead, that current must follow the shortest current path 30 (Figure 2) which path is designed, by the size and positioning of baffle 16, to be shorter than path 34 below horizontal baffle 20. Horizontal baffle 20 has the additional advantagc of providing a means to catch shale or other depo-sits which may build up and from time to time fall off the electrodes and vertical baffle portion 18 and block filter 14.
In Figure 4 there is shown schematically an alternative embodiment of the present invention, particularly adapted for use with a three phase system. In such a system there are three (or more) electrodes 40, 41 and 42 radially spaced 120 apart from each other about the center of container
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
In this type of humidifier, the electrodes are usually made of rolls or tubes of wire mesh material but they may be made of other conductive materials in the form of sheets, plates or rods~ In a single phase humidifier there are two spaced electrodes for connection to a single phase a.c.power supply but there may be three or more electrodes in a polyphase system. When current is caused to flow between the electrodes through water contained in the container, the water is heated and subsequently boils, giving off the desired steam. The amount of heating current that will flow depends upon the electrical conductivity of the water9 the proportion of the electrodes, actually immersed in the water and the spacing between the electrodes.
It is known that the heating current can be reduced by effectively lengthening the current path between electrodes, this being effected by inserting vertical insulating material shields or baffles in the space between the or each pair of electrodes. The current instead of flowing directly between the electrodes, is then forced to pass along a more indirect path around the edges of the baffles. See for example Canadian Patent No. 518,972 of Head issued November ~9, 1955. This has been found to be an extremely useful way of compensating for an electrode voltage higher than that for which the humidifier was designed. For example~ when humidifiers . .;
manufactured in Europe where the three phase supply is 380 volts are used in Canada where the three phase industrial supply is 600 volts, approximately the same design current can be ob~ained by using a baffle, given the same degree of electrode immersion and conductivity of the contained water.
In addition i~ is known that electrode life in such humidifiers can be extended by using larger electrodes because of their greater surface, and hence mineral collecting, area. In a normal arrangement of such electrodes however, current flow can become excessive at the design electrode water immersion level and designed contained water conductivity at a given voltage.
Use of such vertical baffles between these larger electrodes provides current flow control and thus extends the effective electrode life.
A problem which has been encountered with such baffles has been that current flowing between the electrodes, in seeking the shortest path, may be caused to flow below the baffles between lower ends of the electrodes instead of around the edges of the baffles. This is primarily the case in humidifiers which have a water filter protruding upwardly from the bottom of the container around the water inlet/outlet. This shortened current path counters the effect of the vertical baffles.
According to the present invention, this problem is obviated or mitigated by providing an electrode humidifier water container comprising a steam outlet at the top and ~ water inlet/outlet at the bottom, the container being made of electrically insulating material or being coated internally with electrically insulating material; at least two electrodes secured in the container in spaced relation to each other; and, secured in the container, non-enclosing shield means for the electrodes, the shield means being made of electrically insulating material or coated with electrically insulating material and having a first portion positioned between the electrodes so as ; 2 g ~
to lengthen the current path between the electrodes and having a second por-tion positioned beneath lower ends of the electrodes, normal to the first portion and of a size and shape so as to lengthen further the current path between the lower ends of the electrodes.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
.
These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent upon reading the following detailed description and upon referring to the drawings in which:
- Figure 1 is a vertical sectional schematic view of an example embodi-ment of water container of an electrode humidifier according to the invention;
Figure 2 is a sectional view of the water container taken on line II-II of Figure l;
Figure 3 is a vertical sectional view of the water container taken on line III-III of Figure 2; and Figure 4 is a sectional view corresponding to that of Figure 2 but of a further embodiment of the invention.
While the invention will be described in connection with example embodiments~ it will be understood that it is not intended to limit the invention to such embodiments. On the contrary, it is intended to cover all alternatives, modifications and equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.
DEIAILED DESCRIPTION OF T~IE INVENTION
In ~he drawings, similar features have been given similar reference numerals.
Referring to Figures I and 2, the electrode hum;difier water container 2 comprises a vessel made of a synthetic plastics material. The container is provided with a water inlet 4 and a steam outlet 6 (Figure 1). Electrodes 10 and 12, formed ~or example as a wire mesh tube, are secured at spaced locations as indicated, within container 2. These electrodes are provided with electrical contacts 13 for connecting to an appropriate a.c. supply. In operation, a steam hose would be connected to outlet 6 to convey generated steam away from the container and a combined water inlet and drainpipe would be connected to water inlet 4. As illustrated in Figure 1, an inverted "basket" type of filter 14 may be secured to the inside surface of the bottom end of container 2 over water inlet 4.
An insulatiny shield or "baffle" 16 is secured in position within container 2 as illustrated. Baffle 16 is preferable made of a synthetic plastics material and comprises a flat, rectangular sheet portion 18 mounted in vertical orientation and a disc-shaped portion 20 secured thereto, as by plastic welding or formed integrally with vertical baffle portion 18. The width of vertical baffle portion 18 may be the same as the diameter of horizontal baffle portion 20, or it may be slightly greater or less than that diameter. Baffle portion 18 is preferable mounted centrally between the electrodes within container 2.
In operation, with electrodes 10 and 12 connected to an a.c. power supply, and with water in the container 2 immersing all or part of the electrodes, current passes between electrodes 10 and 12 through the water. Because of the presence of vertical baffle portion 18, current cannot pass in a straight line between the electrodes, but must pass around the longitudinal edges of vertical baffle shield 1~ along path 30 (Figure 2).
In this way the heating current passing between the electrodes has a greater path. Because of the presence of horizontal baffle portion 20, a potential, more direct current path 32 between the lower ends of electrodes 10 and 12 (Figure 1), around the lower end of vertical baffle portion 18, is blocked.
Instead, that current must follow the shortest current path 30 (Figure 2) which path is designed, by the size and positioning of baffle 16, to be shorter than path 34 below horizontal baffle 20. Horizontal baffle 20 has the additional advantagc of providing a means to catch shale or other depo-sits which may build up and from time to time fall off the electrodes and vertical baffle portion 18 and block filter 14.
In Figure 4 there is shown schematically an alternative embodiment of the present invention, particularly adapted for use with a three phase system. In such a system there are three (or more) electrodes 40, 41 and 42 radially spaced 120 apart from each other about the center of container
2, the electrodes being adapted for connection to each of the three phases of a three phase power supply. As there are three ~or more) electrodes, the configuration of vertical baffle portion 45 differs. The disc-shaped horizontal baffle portion 20 is essentially unchanged; but instead of a single rectangular vertical baffle portion 18, three (or more) rectangular
3 1~2~
portions 45 are provided. The rectangular portions may be secured at 120 locations to a central elongated hub portion 48~ for example, by push fitting longitudinal edges of baffle portions 45 into resilient slots 49 provided in the hub. Alternatively the vertical and horizontal baffle portions may be, for example, integral constructions. As illustrated, each vertical baffle portion 45 may be located much nearer one of the electrodes than the other of the pair. As before, straight current paths between the electrodes are prevented by the rectangular portions of vertical baffle portion 45 and also, as before, short circuit paths between the lower ends of the electrodes are prevented by disc-shaped baffle portion 20.
It should be noted that vertical baffle portions 45 do not extend radially outwardly as far as the inner wall of container 2.
It is envisaged that rectangular vertical baffle portions 18 or 45 may be provided with several through-apertures to assist in regulating the shielding effect and hence the contained water level and conductivity. Normally no such apertures would be provided on disc-shaped horizontal baffle portion 20.
Thus there has been provided in accordance with the invention a electrode humidifier that fully satisfies the objects, aims and advantages set forth above. While the invention has been described in conjunction with specific embodiments thereof, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art in light of the foregoing description. Accordingly, it is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications and variations as fall within the spirit and broad scope of the appended claims.
portions 45 are provided. The rectangular portions may be secured at 120 locations to a central elongated hub portion 48~ for example, by push fitting longitudinal edges of baffle portions 45 into resilient slots 49 provided in the hub. Alternatively the vertical and horizontal baffle portions may be, for example, integral constructions. As illustrated, each vertical baffle portion 45 may be located much nearer one of the electrodes than the other of the pair. As before, straight current paths between the electrodes are prevented by the rectangular portions of vertical baffle portion 45 and also, as before, short circuit paths between the lower ends of the electrodes are prevented by disc-shaped baffle portion 20.
It should be noted that vertical baffle portions 45 do not extend radially outwardly as far as the inner wall of container 2.
It is envisaged that rectangular vertical baffle portions 18 or 45 may be provided with several through-apertures to assist in regulating the shielding effect and hence the contained water level and conductivity. Normally no such apertures would be provided on disc-shaped horizontal baffle portion 20.
Thus there has been provided in accordance with the invention a electrode humidifier that fully satisfies the objects, aims and advantages set forth above. While the invention has been described in conjunction with specific embodiments thereof, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art in light of the foregoing description. Accordingly, it is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications and variations as fall within the spirit and broad scope of the appended claims.
Claims (8)
PROPERTY OR PRIVILEGE IS CLAIMED ARE DEFINED AS FOLLOWS:
1. An electrode humidifier water container comprising a steam outlet at the top and a water inlet/outlet at the bottom, the container being made of electrically insulating material or being coated internally with electri-cally insulating material; at least two electrodes secured in the container in spaced relation to each other; and, secured in the container, non-enclosing shield means for the electrodes, the shield means being made of electrically insulating material or coated with electrically insulating material and having a first portion positioned between the electrodes so as to lengthen the current path between the electrodes and having a second portion positioned beneath lower ends of the electrodes, normal to the first portion and of a size and shape so as to lengthen further the current path between the lower ends of the electrodes.
2. An electrode humidifier water container according to claim 1 in which a filter is provided inside the container around the water inlet/outlet, the second shield portion being positioned between the electrodes and the filter.
3. An electrode humidifier water container according to claim 1 or 2 in which the container and the shield means are made of a synthetic plastics material.
4. An electrode humidifier water container according to claim 1 or 2 in which the first shield portion is rectangular and the second shield portion is disc shaped.
5. An electrode humidifier water container according to claim 1 in which there are three electrodes spaced 120 with respect to each other, the first shield portion extending between each of the three pairs of electrodes so as to lengthen the current path between the electrodes of each pair, the second shield portion being positioned beneath lower ends of the three electrodes and of a size and shape so as to lengthen further the current path between the lower ends of the three electrodes.
6. An electrode humidifier water container according to claim 1 in which there are three or more electrodes, equally spaced with respect to each other, the first shield portion extending between each pair of electrically coupled electrode so as to lengthen the current path between the electrodes of each pair, the second shield portion being positioned beneath lower ends of the electrodes and of a size and shape so as to lengthen further the current path between the lower ends of the electrodes.
7. An electrode humidifier water container according to claim S in which a filter is provided inside the container around the water inlet/outlet, the second shield portion being positioned between the electrodes and the filter.
8. An electrode humidifier water container according to claim 5 or 7, in which the first shield portion comprises three radially disposed rectangular plates positioned 120 apart from each other and the second shield portion is disc-shaped.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000415898A CA1166296A (en) | 1982-11-18 | 1982-11-18 | Humidifier electrode shield |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000415898A CA1166296A (en) | 1982-11-18 | 1982-11-18 | Humidifier electrode shield |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1166296A true CA1166296A (en) | 1984-04-24 |
Family
ID=4123975
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000415898A Expired CA1166296A (en) | 1982-11-18 | 1982-11-18 | Humidifier electrode shield |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA1166296A (en) |
Cited By (3)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EP0618403A2 (en) * | 1993-03-23 | 1994-10-05 | Condair AG | Electrode arrangement for a steam boiler reservoir |
| US5454059A (en) * | 1993-10-18 | 1995-09-26 | Regehr; Martin W. | Evaporation control adaptor sleeve for vaporizer electrode |
| US9841183B2 (en) | 2012-12-05 | 2017-12-12 | No Eul Kim | Electrode boiler with electrodes unit |
-
1982
- 1982-11-18 CA CA000415898A patent/CA1166296A/en not_active Expired
Cited By (5)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EP0618403A2 (en) * | 1993-03-23 | 1994-10-05 | Condair AG | Electrode arrangement for a steam boiler reservoir |
| EP0618403A3 (en) * | 1993-03-23 | 1995-03-08 | Condair Ag | Electrode arrangement for a steam boiler reservoir. |
| US5526461A (en) * | 1993-03-23 | 1996-06-11 | Condair Ag | Evaporation vessel and electrode arrangement for an electrode evaporator having a dummy electrode |
| US5454059A (en) * | 1993-10-18 | 1995-09-26 | Regehr; Martin W. | Evaporation control adaptor sleeve for vaporizer electrode |
| US9841183B2 (en) | 2012-12-05 | 2017-12-12 | No Eul Kim | Electrode boiler with electrodes unit |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| MKEX | Expiry |