CA2165114C - Humidifier drum - Google Patents
Humidifier drum Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- CA2165114C CA2165114C CA002165114A CA2165114A CA2165114C CA 2165114 C CA2165114 C CA 2165114C CA 002165114 A CA002165114 A CA 002165114A CA 2165114 A CA2165114 A CA 2165114A CA 2165114 C CA2165114 C CA 2165114C
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- troughs
- humidifier
- base plate
- drum
- shaft
- 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 - Lifetime
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
- F24F6/06—Air-humidification, e.g. cooling by humidification by evaporation of water in the air using moving unheated wet elements
-
- 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
- F24F6/12—Air-humidification, e.g. cooling by humidification by forming water dispersions in the air
- F24F6/16—Air-humidification, e.g. cooling by humidification by forming water dispersions in the air using rotating elements
Abstract
A humidifier which operates without both saturated filters and spray nozzles is disclosed. A drum is mounted in a housing in the duct of a forced air furnace. The humidifier utilises an improved drum having J shaped troughs which lift water a greater circumfrential height. The drum also utilizes multiple base plates which secure multiple pluralities of troughs thereto. This improved drum results in water falling continuously through almost the entire height of the duct through which the forced air is passing. This improved humidifier better, and more efficiently humidifies air in the forced air furnace.
Description
HUMIDIFIER DRUM
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to humidifiers in forced air furnaces. More particularly this invention relates to such humidifiers which avoid the use of water saturated filters and spray nozzles, both of which tend to become dirty with sediment build up and fungus growth.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
U.S. Patent No. 5,171,486 granted to the applicant on December 15, 1992 specified a design for a humidifier to be mounted in the duct of a forced air heating system. This design comprised a rotating drum having elongated troughs in a circular array around the peripheral portion thereof. The troughs had a U
or V shaped cross section. Additionally said troughs were anchored to a base plate only on one end portion.
The applicant has found that the design specified in his U.S. patent application tends to create an intermittent waterfall through only a lower portion in the stream of forced air passing therethrough. A more continuous waterfall through a greater cross sectional height in the stream of forced air is desirable for better humidification. Additionally a trough supported on both end portions is not only more sturdy but more inexpensively produced.
OBJECTS AND STATEMENT OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of this invention to disclose a humidifier having a humidifier drum which can lift water a substantially greater diametrical height before spilling it. It is a further object of this invention to disclose a humidifier drum which will more continuously spill a stream of water to humidify forced air passing therethrough. It is yet a further object of this invention to disclose a design for a humidifier drum which is sturdy and relatively inexpensive to produce.
One aspect of this invention provides for a humidifier for use with a water source in a duct of a forced air heating system comprising: a drum having a shaft, a first base plate, centrally secured and substantially perpendicular to said shaft, and a first plurality of elongated troughs, each having a J
shaped cross section and each having one end secured to a peripheral portion of the first base plate, drive means for rotating said shaft; a housing surrounding said drum, said housing having an inlet and an outlet for mounting in the duct of the forced air system; a water tank, positioned within the bottom portion of the housing, and having a float valve connected to the water source for maintaining a predetermined water level in said tank so a lower portion of the drum is disposed beneath the water level in the tank, whereby when the drum is rotated water in the tank is first lifted in the trough and then spilled downwardly through the housing, as the trough on the drum is rotatably inverted as it moves across the top portion of the housing.
A preferred aspect of this invention provides for a humidifier having a drum wherein said troughs are substantially parallel and disposed in a circular array with substantially equal radial and circumferential spacing.
Various other objects, advantages and features of this invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
FIGURES OF THE INVENTION
Figure 1 is a cross sectional schematic view of a continuous waterfall humidifier drum mounted in a housing.
Figure 2 is a perspective view of the drum shown in figure 1.
The following is a discussion and description of the preferred specific embodiments of this invention, such being made with reference to the drawings, wherein the same reference numerals are used to indicate the same or similar parts and/or structure. It should be noted that such discussion and description is not meant to unduly limit the scope of the invention.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to humidifiers in forced air furnaces. More particularly this invention relates to such humidifiers which avoid the use of water saturated filters and spray nozzles, both of which tend to become dirty with sediment build up and fungus growth.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
U.S. Patent No. 5,171,486 granted to the applicant on December 15, 1992 specified a design for a humidifier to be mounted in the duct of a forced air heating system. This design comprised a rotating drum having elongated troughs in a circular array around the peripheral portion thereof. The troughs had a U
or V shaped cross section. Additionally said troughs were anchored to a base plate only on one end portion.
The applicant has found that the design specified in his U.S. patent application tends to create an intermittent waterfall through only a lower portion in the stream of forced air passing therethrough. A more continuous waterfall through a greater cross sectional height in the stream of forced air is desirable for better humidification. Additionally a trough supported on both end portions is not only more sturdy but more inexpensively produced.
OBJECTS AND STATEMENT OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of this invention to disclose a humidifier having a humidifier drum which can lift water a substantially greater diametrical height before spilling it. It is a further object of this invention to disclose a humidifier drum which will more continuously spill a stream of water to humidify forced air passing therethrough. It is yet a further object of this invention to disclose a design for a humidifier drum which is sturdy and relatively inexpensive to produce.
One aspect of this invention provides for a humidifier for use with a water source in a duct of a forced air heating system comprising: a drum having a shaft, a first base plate, centrally secured and substantially perpendicular to said shaft, and a first plurality of elongated troughs, each having a J
shaped cross section and each having one end secured to a peripheral portion of the first base plate, drive means for rotating said shaft; a housing surrounding said drum, said housing having an inlet and an outlet for mounting in the duct of the forced air system; a water tank, positioned within the bottom portion of the housing, and having a float valve connected to the water source for maintaining a predetermined water level in said tank so a lower portion of the drum is disposed beneath the water level in the tank, whereby when the drum is rotated water in the tank is first lifted in the trough and then spilled downwardly through the housing, as the trough on the drum is rotatably inverted as it moves across the top portion of the housing.
A preferred aspect of this invention provides for a humidifier having a drum wherein said troughs are substantially parallel and disposed in a circular array with substantially equal radial and circumferential spacing.
Various other objects, advantages and features of this invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
FIGURES OF THE INVENTION
Figure 1 is a cross sectional schematic view of a continuous waterfall humidifier drum mounted in a housing.
Figure 2 is a perspective view of the drum shown in figure 1.
The following is a discussion and description of the preferred specific embodiments of this invention, such being made with reference to the drawings, wherein the same reference numerals are used to indicate the same or similar parts and/or structure. It should be noted that such discussion and description is not meant to unduly limit the scope of the invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Turning now to the drawings and more particularly to figure 1 we have a cross sectional schematic view of a continuous waterfall humidifier 20. The humidifier 20 is for use with a water source 22 in ducts of a forced air heating system 26, 28.
The humidifier 20 comprises a housing 24 having an inlet 27 and an outlet 29. The housing 24 is adapted for mounting in the ducts of the forced air system 26, 28. A water tank 30 having a float valve 32 connected to the water source 22 maintains a predetermined water level 34 in said tank 30. A humidifier drum 36 rotatably mounted on a shaft 38 within the housing 24 has a lower portion positioned beneath the water level 34. The humidifier drum 36 comprises a first base plate 40 which is concentric about and substantially perpendicular to said shaft 38, and a first plurality of elongated troughs 42, each having a J shaped cross section and each having one end secured to a peripheral portion of the first base plate 40.
Figure 2 better shows the preferred embodiment in which the base plate 40 is generally round and the humidifier drum 36 further comprises a second base plate 44 which is concentric about the shaft 38 and substantially parallel to the first base plate 40; the second base plate 44 secures the other end portion of said first plurality of elongated troughs 42, and one end of a second plurality of elongated troughs 46. The drum 36 additionally comprises a third base plate 48 which is parallel to the second base plate 44, and also concentric about the shaft 38;
the third base plate 48 secures the other end of the second plurality of elongated troughs 46 and one end of a third plurality of elongated troughs 50. The drum 36 additionally comprises a fourth base plate 52 which is parallel to the third base plate 48 and concentric about the shaft 38; the fourth base plate 52 secures the other end of the third plurality of elongated troughs 50 and one end of a fourth plurality of elongated troughs 54.
In the preferred embodiment said troughs 42, 46, 50 and 54 are disposed in a circular array around a peripheral edge portion of said base plates 40, 44, 48, and 52. The troughs 42, 46, 50, and 54 are substantially parallel and disposed in a circular array with substantially equal radial and circumferential spacing. Each trough in the second plurality of elongated troughs has a circuferential position centered between two troughs in the first plurality of troughs. Each trough in the third plurality of troughs has a circumferential position corresponding to a trough in the first plurality of troughs.
Each trough in the fourth plurality of troughs has a circumferential position corresponding to a trough in the second plurality of troughs.
Figure 2 also shows a plurality of elongated fins 39 secured to the shaft 38 of the humidifier drum 36 to create turbulence in the air forced through said housing 24. The fins 39 are disposed at equal angular increments and extend substantially perpendicular and parallel to said shaft 38. A drive means which preferably is a gear motor (not shown) is used for for rotating said drum 36.
When the drum 36 is rotated water 22 in the tank 30 is first lifted in the troughs 42, 46, 50, 54 and then spilled downwardly through the housing 24, as the troughs 42, 46, 50, 54 on the drum 36 are first lifted and then rotatably inverted as they move across the top portion of the housing 24. Water 22 spilled through the housing 22 is collected in the tank 30 for recirculation.
Use of mutiple base plates 40, 44, 48, and 52 and corresponding pluralities of J shaped troughs 42, 46, 50, and 54 produce a more even load on the drive motor (not shown), a more continuous spilling of water 22 through the forced air stream, and better humidification. Use of a J shaped troughs 42, 46, 50, and 54, as compared to a V or U shaped trough results in a greater diamemetrical lift before spilling of water 22 therefrom.
This means that water 22 is falling more or less continuously through the entire height of the duct 26, 28 of the furnace, and relatively little forced air 22 passes therethrough without coming into contact with the downwardly falling water 22.
While the invention has been described with preferred specific embodiments thereof, it will be understood that this description is intended to illustrate and not to limit the scope of the invention, which is defined by the following claims.
Turning now to the drawings and more particularly to figure 1 we have a cross sectional schematic view of a continuous waterfall humidifier 20. The humidifier 20 is for use with a water source 22 in ducts of a forced air heating system 26, 28.
The humidifier 20 comprises a housing 24 having an inlet 27 and an outlet 29. The housing 24 is adapted for mounting in the ducts of the forced air system 26, 28. A water tank 30 having a float valve 32 connected to the water source 22 maintains a predetermined water level 34 in said tank 30. A humidifier drum 36 rotatably mounted on a shaft 38 within the housing 24 has a lower portion positioned beneath the water level 34. The humidifier drum 36 comprises a first base plate 40 which is concentric about and substantially perpendicular to said shaft 38, and a first plurality of elongated troughs 42, each having a J shaped cross section and each having one end secured to a peripheral portion of the first base plate 40.
Figure 2 better shows the preferred embodiment in which the base plate 40 is generally round and the humidifier drum 36 further comprises a second base plate 44 which is concentric about the shaft 38 and substantially parallel to the first base plate 40; the second base plate 44 secures the other end portion of said first plurality of elongated troughs 42, and one end of a second plurality of elongated troughs 46. The drum 36 additionally comprises a third base plate 48 which is parallel to the second base plate 44, and also concentric about the shaft 38;
the third base plate 48 secures the other end of the second plurality of elongated troughs 46 and one end of a third plurality of elongated troughs 50. The drum 36 additionally comprises a fourth base plate 52 which is parallel to the third base plate 48 and concentric about the shaft 38; the fourth base plate 52 secures the other end of the third plurality of elongated troughs 50 and one end of a fourth plurality of elongated troughs 54.
In the preferred embodiment said troughs 42, 46, 50 and 54 are disposed in a circular array around a peripheral edge portion of said base plates 40, 44, 48, and 52. The troughs 42, 46, 50, and 54 are substantially parallel and disposed in a circular array with substantially equal radial and circumferential spacing. Each trough in the second plurality of elongated troughs has a circuferential position centered between two troughs in the first plurality of troughs. Each trough in the third plurality of troughs has a circumferential position corresponding to a trough in the first plurality of troughs.
Each trough in the fourth plurality of troughs has a circumferential position corresponding to a trough in the second plurality of troughs.
Figure 2 also shows a plurality of elongated fins 39 secured to the shaft 38 of the humidifier drum 36 to create turbulence in the air forced through said housing 24. The fins 39 are disposed at equal angular increments and extend substantially perpendicular and parallel to said shaft 38. A drive means which preferably is a gear motor (not shown) is used for for rotating said drum 36.
When the drum 36 is rotated water 22 in the tank 30 is first lifted in the troughs 42, 46, 50, 54 and then spilled downwardly through the housing 24, as the troughs 42, 46, 50, 54 on the drum 36 are first lifted and then rotatably inverted as they move across the top portion of the housing 24. Water 22 spilled through the housing 22 is collected in the tank 30 for recirculation.
Use of mutiple base plates 40, 44, 48, and 52 and corresponding pluralities of J shaped troughs 42, 46, 50, and 54 produce a more even load on the drive motor (not shown), a more continuous spilling of water 22 through the forced air stream, and better humidification. Use of a J shaped troughs 42, 46, 50, and 54, as compared to a V or U shaped trough results in a greater diamemetrical lift before spilling of water 22 therefrom.
This means that water 22 is falling more or less continuously through the entire height of the duct 26, 28 of the furnace, and relatively little forced air 22 passes therethrough without coming into contact with the downwardly falling water 22.
While the invention has been described with preferred specific embodiments thereof, it will be understood that this description is intended to illustrate and not to limit the scope of the invention, which is defined by the following claims.
Claims (11)
1. A humidifier for use with a water source in a duct of a forced air heating system comprising:
a drum having a shaft, a first base plate, generally round, centrally secured and substantially perpendicular to said shaft, and a first plurality of elongated troughs, each having a J shaped cross section and each having one end secured to a peripheral portion of the first base plate, drive means for rotating said shaft;
a housing surrounding said drum, said housing having an inlet and an outlet for mounting in the duct of the forced air system;
a water tank, positioned within the bottom portion of the housing, and having a float valve connected to the water source for maintaining a predetermined water level in said tank so a lower portion of the drum is disposed beneath the water level in the tank, and a second base plate which is generally parallel to the first base plate, and also concentric about the shaft; the second base plate secures the other end portion of said first plurality of elongated troughs, and one end of a second plurality of elongated troughs, whereby when the drum is rotated water in the tank is first lifted in the trough and then spilled downwardly through the housing, as the trough on the drum is first lifted and then rotatably inverted and as it moves across the top portion of the housing.
a drum having a shaft, a first base plate, generally round, centrally secured and substantially perpendicular to said shaft, and a first plurality of elongated troughs, each having a J shaped cross section and each having one end secured to a peripheral portion of the first base plate, drive means for rotating said shaft;
a housing surrounding said drum, said housing having an inlet and an outlet for mounting in the duct of the forced air system;
a water tank, positioned within the bottom portion of the housing, and having a float valve connected to the water source for maintaining a predetermined water level in said tank so a lower portion of the drum is disposed beneath the water level in the tank, and a second base plate which is generally parallel to the first base plate, and also concentric about the shaft; the second base plate secures the other end portion of said first plurality of elongated troughs, and one end of a second plurality of elongated troughs, whereby when the drum is rotated water in the tank is first lifted in the trough and then spilled downwardly through the housing, as the trough on the drum is first lifted and then rotatably inverted and as it moves across the top portion of the housing.
2. A humidifier as in claim 1 wherein each trough in the second plurality of elongated troughs has a circuferential position centered between two trays in the first plurality of troughs.
3. A humidifier as in claim 2 further comprising a third base plate which is generally parallel to the second base plate, and also concentric about the shaft; the third base plate secures the other end portion of said second plurality of elongated troughs and one end of a third plurality of elongated troughs.
4. A humidifier as in claim 3 wherein each trough in the third plurality of troughs has a circumferential position corresponding to a trough in the first plurality of troughs.
5. A humidifier as in claim 4 further comprising a fourth base plate which is generally parallel to the third base plate, and also concentric about the shaft; the third base plate secures the other end portion of said third plurality of elongated troughs and one end of a fourth plurality of elongated troughs.
6. A humidifier as in claim 5 wherein each trough in the fourth plurality of troughs has a circumferential position corresponding to a trough in the second plurality of troughs.
7. A humidifier as in claim 1 further comprising a plurality of elongated fins secured to the shaft to create turbulence in the air forced through said housing.
8. A humidifier as in claim 1 wherein said troughs are disposed in a circular array around a peripheral edge portion of said base plate.
9. A humidifier as in claim 5 wherein said troughs are substantially parallel and disposed in a circular array with substantially equal radial and circumferential spacing.
10. A humidifier as in claim 1 wherein said drive means comprises a gear motor.
11. A humidifier as in claim 7 wherein said fins are disposed at equal angular increments and extend substantially perpendicular and parallel to said shaft.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002165114A CA2165114C (en) | 1995-12-13 | 1995-12-13 | Humidifier drum |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002165114A CA2165114C (en) | 1995-12-13 | 1995-12-13 | Humidifier drum |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2165114A1 CA2165114A1 (en) | 1997-06-14 |
| CA2165114C true CA2165114C (en) | 2007-06-05 |
Family
ID=4157160
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002165114A Expired - Lifetime CA2165114C (en) | 1995-12-13 | 1995-12-13 | Humidifier drum |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA2165114C (en) |
Families Citing this family (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US11371731B2 (en) | 2020-02-10 | 2022-06-28 | Desert Spring Eco-Products Ltd. | Humidification apparatus and method |
-
1995
- 1995-12-13 CA CA002165114A patent/CA2165114C/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| CA2165114A1 (en) | 1997-06-14 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| EEER | Examination request | ||
| MKEX | Expiry |
Effective date: 20151214 |