GB2343129A

GB2343129A - Humidifier assembly

Info

Publication number: GB2343129A
Application number: GB9823389A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Richard Kenneth Prowen; Stephen Palmer Verney; Anthony Fleming
Original assignee: JS HUMIDIFIERS PLC
Current assignee: JS HUMIDIFIERS PLC
Priority date: 1998-10-27
Filing date: 1998-10-27
Publication date: 2000-05-03
Also published as: GB9824718D0; GB9823389D0

Abstract

The assembly has a housing 2 containing<BR> ```at least one atomising nozzle 22 to dispense a humidifying spray of atomised water particles into the ambient atmosphere, an air line or air reservoir 28, 30 for connection to a compressed air supply to provide compressed air to the nozzle 22;<BR> ```a water inlet 8 for connection to a water source, the inlet 8 being in fluid communication with the or each atomising nozzle 22 to provide a water supply thereto;<BR> ```a control 54 for the supply of air and/or water to the or each atomising nozzle in response to changes in the humidity of ambient air; the control including a humidity detector 54; and a fan 48 for drawing air into and through the housing past the detector.

Description

HUMIDIFIERS This invention relates to a humidifier. More especially, but not exclusively, the invention relates to an atomising humidifier assembly.

The use of humidifiers to control the humidity in buildings is well known. Air naturally contains a certain amount of water vapour but the amount depends upon a number of factors including the weather, the time of year and, in buildings, output from air conditioning and heating systems.

When the relative humidity of the air is low, moisture is drawn from the surroundings, including plants, food, furnishings and the exposed body surfaces such as the lips, mouth and skin of people within the building, thereby causing discomfort.

In industry, failure to regulate air humidity correct can cause problems, particularly where the properties of materials and products are moisture sensitive. For example, in the printing industry, dry air can cause paper stacks to dry out causing tight edges, misfeed and creasing. In the textile industry, yarns can lose elasticity and become weaker and more prone to breakage if the atmosphere is too dry. In the tobacco industry, if too much moisture is lost from the tobacco, this can lead to difficulties in processing. Furthermore, in environments where computers and other sensitive electronic apparatus are being used, dry air leads to the build up of static which can cause such apparatus to malfunction. Other examples of situations in which air humidity is a concern include buildings used for cool stores, cheese storage facilities, storage and manufacturing of timber and timber veneers, and electrostatic and dust suppression in a range of industrial environments, as well as environmental conditioning in buildings such as large conservatories and other buildings where solar heating or the heating methods commonly used can lead to the air becoming uncomfortably dry.

Several types of humidifiers are currently in use, examples being steam humidifiers, evaporative humidifiers and atomising humidifiers. Steam humidifiers, as the name suggests, humidify the air by heating water to create steam which is then released into the ambient atmosphere.

Evaporative humidifiers work by passing a stream of air through a moistened matrix, evaporation from the matrix serving to humidify the air. Atomising humidifiers work by producing a fine spray of moisture which is created by ejecting water through an atomising nozzle by means of compressed air.

The present invention relates in particular to a humidifier system incorporating such atomising humidifiers.

An object of the present invention is to provide an atomising humidifier system which is easy to transport and install and which provides a substantially complete assembly of humidifying and monitoring apparatus in one compact housing.

In a first aspect, the invention provides a humidifier assembly comprising a housing having disposed therein, at least one atomising nozzle arranged to dispense a humidifying spray of atomised water particles into the ambient atmosphere to humidify the atmosphere; means for connection to a compressed air supply, said means being arranged to provide a supply of compressed air to the or each atomising nozzle ; a water inlet for connection to a water source, the water inlet being in fluid communication with the or each atomising nozzle so as to provide a water supply thereto; control means for controlling the supply of air and/or water to the or each atomising nozzle in response to changes in the humidity of ambient air; the control means including a humidity detector; and means for drawing ambient air into and through the housing past the humidity detector.

Preferably, the humidifying spray is dispensed through vents in the housing. Typically, the air drawn through the housing exits the housing through the said vents.

The air and water control means are actuated when the humidity falls below a predetermined level, the water control means on actuation allowing water to pass to the or each atomising nozzle, and the air control means supplying compressed air to the or each atomising nozzle to atomise the water and eject the humidifying spray through the or each atomising nozzle.

Drawing air through the housing past the humidity detector promotes the distribution, that is, the range, and mixing of the atomised water particles with the outside air. This greatly improves evaporation of the atomised water and allows the atomising nozzles to run at a higher output.

Typically, the means for drawing air through the housing is a fan, for example, a centrifugal fan. The fan may be placed at one end of the humidity assembly. In order to prevent dust and other contaminants from being drawn through the fan, the air can be filtered through an air filter into the assembly housing. Typicatty, the air filter is made of fibrous material, for example, glass fibre.

The humidity detector may take the form of a humidistat. Typical humidistats are those which respond to small changes in tension in a bundle of hygroscopic fibres or threads e. g. cotton, cellophane or human hair. The humidifiers of the present invention differ from known humidifiers in that inter alia the humidity detector is located inside the humidifier, rather than in a location remote from the humidifier. It is generally considered necessary with known humidifiers to position a detector remote from the humidifier, usually at a position central to the area being humidified, in order to obtain a representative reading of the ambient humidity. However, the inclusion of means to draw air through the assembly, for example, a fan, preferably at one end of the humidifier system, ensures a continuous circulation of air from the interior of the housing to the exterior and from the exterior to the interior of the assembly. There are several significant advantages of this arrangement. Firstly, the continuous circulation of air allows the humidity detector within the housing to observe a reading exemplary of the humidity of the atmosphere surrounding the exterior of the humidifier assembly. This avoids the need for external humidistats and their associated wiring, thereby considerably simplifying installation etc.

Secondly, the fan promotes the distribution and mixing of the atomised water particles with the outside air as they leave the assembly, thus reducing the visual spray length, but not the range of the atomised spray.

Thirdly, the positive pressure of air leaving the housing through the vents causes the atomised water to be ejected more forcefully from the housing thereby increasing the range of the atomiser.

The water supply control means may include a valve, such as a solenoid valve, disposed between the water inlet and the atomising nozzle or nozzles. The water supply control means, e. g. the valve, may be actuated directly by a signal from the humidity detector, or it can be actuated in a more indirect manner. For example, in a preferred embodiment of the invention, the water supply control means is made responsive to changes in the air pressure created by compressed air following actuation of the compressed air supply by humidity detector. Thus a valve, e. g. a solenoid valve, may be arranged so as to be actuated when the air pressure reaches a pre-defined minimum level. To this end, a pressure switch responsive to the air pressure may be provided, switching of the pressure switch serving to actuate the valve to allow water to flow to the atomising nozzle (s).

Alternatively, the water flow may be controlled at the nozzles. In this embodiment, an air-operated valve can be sited within the nozzle arrangement. Hence, no water flows through the nozzle unless there is sufficient air pressure at the nozzle.

The air supply control means may include an air regulator which controls the pressure of the incoming compressed air to the or each nozzle.

A solenoid valve may be connected to the regulator. Preferably, the solenoid valve is opened when the humidistat senses that the humidity has fallen below a predetermined level, and supplies compressed air to the or each nozzle. The valve may be actuated directly by a signal from the humidity detector.

Preferably, an air reservoir chamber may be disposed between the compressed air inlet and the or each atomising nozzle. The air reservoir chamber smooths out the effects of any pulsing of air emerging from an air compressor, thereby reducing noise. The air reservoir chamber can be, for example, an elongate generally cylindrical body linked to the compressed air inlet by an air line or hose, and the or each atomising nozzle can, for example, be mounted on the said cylindrical body.

Preferably, the humidifier assembly inclues mounting means for mounting the housing, for example, on, or near the ceiling. The mounting means may take the form of rackets for suspending the housing.

The humidifier assembly is most preferably adapted to be serviceable from the underside thereof while mounted on or near the ceiling. Thus, for example, the underside of the housing may have at least one access door to permit access to the interior of the housing for servicing purposes.

In a preferred embodiment, the atomising nozzles distribute atomised water particles from vents sited on the sides of the housing of the humidifier assembly. Preferably, the vents are arranged in a recessed channel or channels running laterally along the side of the housing. This allows for unhindered rotational movement of the or each nozzle in order to vary the direction of flow of atomised water, and mitigates operational noise as a result of a reduction in the echoes produced by atomisation.

The water supply to the humidifier may be treated to reduce the mineral content and/or remove particulate matter and/or disinfect or sterilise the water. For example, the water supply can be connected in-line with a water treatment module comprising one or more elements selected from a sediment filter, a granular activated carbon filter, a reverse osmosis membrane, and an ultraviolet radiation source. The water treatment module is typically connected upstream of the water inlet.

Preferably, the atomising nozzles are designed to accommodate a wide range of water qualities, including mains water as well as treated supplies. To this end, the nozzles may incorporate a self-cleaning system which ensures that water-borne minerals do not block the nozzle jets.

The self-cleaning system can, for example, take the form of a diaphragm-mounted pin or piston-mounted pin within each atomising nozzle, pushed forward by the action of a spring or compressed air supply at the end of each operational cycle.

In one embodiment, the assembly may include a timer to control daily or weekly usage. For example, the assembly may only need to be in use between conventional working hours, e. g. nine a. m. to five p. m. The timer may be operably linked to the power supply to the assembly or to the air and/or water control means, so that when the air and water control means are actuated at the onset of a timing period controlled by the timer, the water control means on actuation allows water to pass to the or each atomising nozzle, and the compressed air supplied to the or each atomising nozzle atomises the water and ejects the humidifying spray through the atomising nozzle or nozzles.

In another embodiment, the system may include within the housing a deodorising agent dosing device connectable to a source of deodorising agent, the dosing device being actuable to dispense a dose of deodorising agent into the water supply.

In another embodiment the assembly may further include an antibacterial unit, for example, ultra-violet fluorescent tubing.

The assembly may further include means for remote control thereof, for example, an infra-red control system.

Water drainage means can also be provided for draining water out of the humidifier assembly at the end of a humidification period, thereby preventing the nozzles from dripping, although this is not essential. Such water drainage means, when present, can allow release of any air pressure within the humidifier at the end of the humidification period. The water drainage means can take the form of a second solenoid valve which may, for example, be arranged alongside the solenoid valve forming part of the water control means. Thus a pair of solenoid valves can be provided, a first solenoid valve being actuable at the beginning of a humidification period to open to allow water to pass to the atomising nozzles, and a second solenoid valve, actuable at the end of a humidification period to release air pressure within the humidifier and to allow water within the humidifier to drain through a drainage outlet to waste.

In another aspect, the invention provides a humidifier assembly comprising a housing having disposed therein, a plurality of atomising nozzles arranged to dispense a humidifying spray of atomised water particles, through recessed vents in the housing, into the ambient atmosphere to humidify the atmosphere; an air inlet for connection to a compressed air supply, said inlet being-arranged to provide a supply of compressed air to the atomising nozzle ; a water inlet for connection to a water source, the water inlet being in fluid communication with each atomising nozzle so as to provide a water supply thereto ; control means for controlling the supply of air and/or water to the or each atomising nozzle in response to changes in the humidity of ambient air ; the control means including a humidity detector ; and a fan at one end of the housing for drawing air into and through the housing past the humidity detector to ensure a circulation of air between the interior and the exterior of the housing.

In a further aspect, the invention provides a method of controlling the level of humidity in a room, which method comprises mounting a humidifier assembly substantially as hereinbefore defined in a room, so that the assembly continuously monitors the level of ambient humidity in the room and adjusts the humidity to a predetermined and/or ajustable level of humidity.

In a still further aspect, the invention provides a ceiling having fitted thereon a humidifier assembly as hereinbefore described.

The invention will now be illustrated, but not limite, by reference to the specific embodiment shown in the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a plan view of the underside of a humidifier assembly according to one embodiment of the invention, with the lower panel section of the housing removed; Figure 2 is a schematic side view from direction A of the embodiment of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a view from the front of the humidifier assembly (seen from direction B) illustrated in Figures 1 and 2.

Referring now to the drawings, the humidifier assembly comprises a housing 2 having a removable lower panel or door 4, longitudinal side walls 38,40, a control panel 6 and, opposite the control panel on the other side of the housing, an air filter 46.

The control panel 6 has attached thereto a water inlet 8 which in use is connected to an external water supply (not shown), an air inlet 10, an air and water pressure gauge 12,14, a humidity gauge 16 and controls to adjust the air and water pressure 18,20. The electronic control circuitry for the humidifier is accommodated behind the control panel 6.

A row of six atomising nozzles 22 are mounted on a manifold provided by an air reservoir 30 by means of fastening clamps (not shown), on each side 38,40 of the housing and connected to the water supply. The water is supplied to each atomising nozzle 22 by lengths of hose 50 linked together by a three way connector 52, connecting the hose 50 and each nozzle 22. Each nozzle can have, for example, a capacity of approximately 4 litres per hour; therefore, the total capacity of the assembly is in the order of about 50 litres per hour.

The output from an air compressor is fed to the assembly via inlet 10.

The air supply is connected to a regulator 18 and a solenoid valve (not shown) and linked by an air line 28 to an elongate cylindrical chamber or air reservoir 30. The elongate cylindrical chamber 30 extends into two cylindrical chambers, one supporting each bank of nozzles (see below). The chamber 30 serves to smooth out the pulses of air emerging from the compressor thereby reducing the noise emitted from the humidifier. Atomising nozzles 22 are mounted below the air reservoir 30 by means of fastening clamps (not shown). Each atomising nozzle 22 (which can be of conventional type) is capable of dispensing a fine spray or mist through the vents 34 in the longitudinal side walls 38,40. The vents 34 are sited in a recess 44 in the side walls 38,40. The recess 44 helps to reduce noise and ensure that each nozzle has freedom to move in a lateral plane and therefore to adjust the line of spray. During operation, the airflow through each nozzle can be, for example, between 10-14 m/s with a static pressure of about 200Pa.

Towards the end opposite the control panel, a fan 48 is mounted on an intermediate panel 49 which includes a vent (not shown). The fan draws air from outside the system, through the air filter 46 at the far end of the housing, and through the housing, and out through the vents 34. The air flow thus produced promotes the distribution and mixing of the atomised water particles from the nozzles, with the air outside of the assembly, and also increases the distance travelled by the mist as it is ejected from the atomising nozzles. The fan also promotes a humidity equilibrium between the outside of the assembly and the interior so that a humidity sensor 54 positioned within the housing may take a representative reading of the general humidity in the room.

Once the humidifier has been installed, its operation thereafter will take place on an automatic basis. Compressed air supplied to the assembly goes to an air regulator 18 which reduces the pressure to about 2.2 bars, for example. A pressure of 2.2 bars before the air manifold will give a working pressure of approximately 1.8 bars at the nozzle inlet. Adjustment of the air regulator 18 need only be done when the system is being assembled so that the correct pressure is received at the nozzle whatever the pressure of the air inlet to the unit. A solenoid valve (not shown) is connected to the regulator. The valve is normally closed. However, when the humidistat 54 senses that the humidity has fallen below a predetermined level, current reaches the solenoid which in turn opens the valve and lets the air through.

From the solenoid valve the air line is split with a T-connector 29 to feed the right and left manifold of the air reservoir 30. From the mains, water goes through a Y-strainer which removes the big impurities which could block or damage the nozzles. Water then travels to the water regulator 20. In a particular example of this embodiment, the gauge for the water regulator should read around 0.25 bar to ensure the correct water output and spray quality. From the regulator, the water goes to a manifold block via a flexible hose with T-junctions (not shown) for splitting into outlets for each nozzle 22. Water output is controlled by air operated valves in each nozzle.

Thus if the atmospheric humidity falls below the level programmed into the humidistat, the humidistat will send a signal to the air inlet so that compressed air enters the system and flows to each nozzle. The compressed air opens the air-operated valve in each nozzle and permits water to flow through it. The humidifier will continue to dispense a finely atomised spray of water into the atmosphere until the humidistat detects that the humidity has reached the required value, at which point the air solenoid valve closes and the resulting drop in air pressure allows the valves within the nozzles to shut via an integral spring. Thus, water flow ceases immediately and dripping from the nozzles is prevented.

The humidification action of the humidifier is initiated each time the humidistat indicates that the ambient humidity has fallen below a desired value.

In another unillustrated embodiment of the invention, the humidifier assembly may be arranged in a circular unit so that atomised water is provided in a radial projection.

It will readily be apparent that numerous modifications and alterations may be made to the humidifier system shown in the accompanying drawings without departing from the principes underlying this invention, and all such modifications and alterations are intended to be embraced by this Application.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. A humidifier assembly comprising a housing having disposed therein, at least one atomising nozzle arranged to dispense a humidifying spray of atomised water particles into the ambient atmosphere to humidify the atmosphere; means for connection to a compressed air supply, said means being arranged to provide a supply of compressed air to the atomising nozzle ; a water inlet for connection to a water source, the water inlet being in fluid communication with the or each atomising nozzle so as to provide a water supply thereto ; control means for controlling the supply of air and/or water to the or each atomising nozzle in response to changes in the humidity of ambient air; the control means including a humidity detector; and, means for drawing air into and through the housing past the humidity detector.
2. A humidifier assembly according to claim 1 wherein the humidifying spray is disposed through vents in the housing.
3. A humidifier assembly according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the air drawn through the housing exits the housing through the said vents.
4. A humidifier assembly according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the means for drawing air through the housing past the humidity detector is a fan, for example, a centrifugal fan.
5. A humidifier assembly according to claim 4 including an air filter upstream of the fan.
6. A humidifier assembly according to claim 5 wherein the air filter is made from fibrous material, e. g. glass fibre.
7. A humidifier assembly according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the humidity detector is a humidistat.
8. A humidifier assembly according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the water supply control means is actuated directly by a signal from the humidity detector.
9. A humidifier assembly according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the water supply control means is actuated by changes in air pressure created by compressed air following actuation of the compressed air supply by the humidity detector.
10. A humidifier assembly according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the water supply control means include a valve, such as a solenoid valve, disposed between the water inlet and the atomising nozzle or nozzles.
11. A humidifier assembly according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the water supply control means include a pressure switch, switching of the pressure switch serving to actuate the valve to allow water to flow to the atomising nozzle (s).
12. A humidifier assembly according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the water supply control means comprises a valve sited within the or each nozzle such that no water flows through the or each nozzle unless the valve is open.
13. A humidifier assembly according to claim 12 wherein the water supply control means comprises an air-operated valve sited within the or each nozzle such that no water flows through the or each nozzle unless there is sufficient air pressure at the or each nozzle.
14. A humidifier assembly according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the air supply control means inclues an air regulator which controls the pressure of compressed air to each nozzle.
15. A humidifier assembly according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the air supply means inclues a solenoid valve which is opened when the humidity detector senses that the humidity has fallen below a predetermined level.
16. A humidifier assembly according to claim 15 wherein the solenoid valve is actuated directly by the humidity detector.
17. A humidifier assembly according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the air inlet is connected to an air reservoir chamber.
18. A humidifier assembly according to claim 17 wherein the or each atomising nozzle is mounted on the air reservoir.
19. A humidifier system according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the or each nozzle inclues a self-cleaning device which ensures that water-borne minerals do not block the flow of water through the or each nozzle.
20. A humidifier system according to claim 19 wherein the self-cleaning system takes the form of a diaphragm-or piston-mounted pin within each atomising nozzle.
21. A humidifier assembly according to any one of the preceding claims including means for mounting the housing, for example, on, or near the ceiling.
22. A humidifier assembly according to claim 21 wherein the mounting means take the form of brackets for suspending the housing.
23. A humidifier assembly according to any one of the preceding claims wherein an underside of the housing has an access door to permit access to the interior of the housing for servicing purposes.
24. A humidifier assembly according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the or each atomising nozzle distributes atomised water particles from vents sited on the sides of the housing.
25. A humidifier assembly according to claim 24 wherein the vents are arranged in a recessed channel or channels running laterally along the side of the housing.
26. A humidifier assembly according to anyone of the preceding claims including a timer operably linked to a power supply to the assembly or to the air and/or water control means, so that when the air and water control means are actuated at the onset of a timing period controlled by the timer, the water control means on actuation allows water to pass to the or each atomising nozzle, and the compressed air supplied to the or each atomising nozzle atomises the water and ejects the humidifying spray through the atomising nozzle or nozzles.
27. A humidifier assembly according to any one of the preceding claims including water drainage means for draining water out of the humidifier at the end of a humidification period.
28. A humidifier assembly comprising a housing having disposed therein, a plurality of atomising nozzles arranged to dispense a humidifying spray of atomised water particles, through recessed vents in the housing, into the ambient atmosphere to humidify the atmosphere; an air inlet for connection to a compressed air supply, said inlet being arranged to provide a supply of compressed air to the atomising nozzle ; a water inlet for connection to a water source, the water inlet being in fluid communication with each atomising nozzle so as to provide a water supply thereto; control means for controlling the supply of air and/or water to the or each atomising nozzle in response to changes in the humidity of ambient air; the control means including a humidity detector; and, a fan at one end of the housing thereof for drawing air into and through the housing past the humidity detector to ensure circulation of air between the interior and the exterior of the housing.
29. A humidifier assembly substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings.
30. A method of controlling the level of humidity in a room, which method comprises mounting a humidifier assembly as defined in any one of the preceding claims in a room, so that the assembly continuously monitors the level of ambient humidity in the room and adjusts the humidity to a predetermined and/or ajustable level of humidity.
31. A ceiling having fitted thereon a humidifier assembly as defined in any one of the preceding claims.