GB2523192A - Warm air dehumidifier - Google Patents

Abstract

Apparatus for controlling air moisture in a contained environment comprises a mechanical ventilator for supplying fresh air from an external source and for providing extraction of stale humid air following a localised increase in humidity, wherein supply and extraction occurs through a single ventilation portal. Heat taken from the extracted air may be reintroduced to the environment in the supplied air. Also disclosed is a system for reducing air contamination. The direction of air flow may be reversed following detection of a pre-set humidity level, after a timed period following an increase in humidity or after a timed period following the detection of a human presence.

Description

Description

This invention relates to apparatus for ventilating a building or a room space and to a intake and extract ventilation apparatus and heating device operating through a single ventilation portal in response to air condition The controlling apparatus can be a humidistat, automatic humidity controller that measured average humidity conditions and provides a proportional timed output. Other collaborative and initiating controls include prescience detection air quality sensor and light switch operation causing extract ventilation when required.

It is the object of this invention to provide air dehumidification with a reversible heating and ventilation system responding to the immediate humidity control requirement of the location and to the contained environment as a whole.

It is known to provide buildings, or rooms within buildings, with ventilation apparatus including a humidity-sensitive control apparatus) arranged to activate the ventilation apparatus. Examples of ventilation mechanism available are as follows, a. extract fan b. Intake fan c. Intake fan with heater d. Air heat recovery system All the above examples use one ventilator for each ventilation port and do not systematically use a single port to control air quality or humidity level This invention operates within a contained living environment causing the reduction of ambient air borne humidity by consecutive mechanical fresh air intake and then extraction of air through the same singular ventilation portal in simultaneous response to air borne humidity condition, the simultaneous response produce's extract air at times of increased local humidity within the immediate living environment in a volume of extracted air proportional to the moisture introduced in to the air. The replaced air is caused to be drawn from other parts of the living environment where an increase of humidity has not occurred, this dilutes the concentrated area of humid air) and replacement air is ultimately drawn from the external environment due to the negative air pressure created within the internal environment by the said extraction process. Following completion of the extract cycle the ventilation system is reversed making full use of the portal used for the extract process. The temperature of the intake air is increased by a heat transmitting device within the air stream. This intake warmed air will have a lower relative humidity at times when it is cooler externally, this dry air will purge through the living environment warming and displacing the existing ambient air that will have a higher humidity due to life processes occurring within the habitat.

According to the invention an air quality humidity controlling apparatus comprising a reversible fan, heater or heat exchanger (heat capture devise), single ventilator port, humidity controller and ancillary air quality sensors and presence detection.

This invention is characterised by a single ventilation port for intake and extract [1], reversible fan [2], heater [3], humidity controller and presence detector [4], temperature sensor [5], air quality controller [6].

Within Fig. 2, external wall [7], bathroom [8], fan dehumidifier system [9], air quality sensor [10].

In its preferred form the apparatus can successfully provide optimise ventilation and heating for efficient dehumidification.

A ventilation control apparatus including a control unit and ventilator in accordance with the present invention, will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: FIG. 1 shows the system schematically; FIG. 2 shows the system schematically within a domestic bathroom; The humidity controlling apparatus comprises a single ventilation port for intake and extract [1], this is the single point of entry and exit for intake and extracted air, the reversible fan [2], provides for the electromechanical movement of air both intake and extract, heater [3], heats the incoming air, the raise in temperature of the air reduces the incoming air relative humidity and provides heat for both comfort and warmth for the building [4], humidity controller and presence detector, once presence is detected the fan system reverses and starts to extract, this ensures extraction of stale air during occupation, the humidity sensor will sense and operate the fan in proportion to the moisture production [5], temperature sensor this will detect the temperature of the external air, this is required as the lower the temperature the cooler the external surfaces of the building and therefore increased probability of dew/condensate forming on internal surfaces, additionally if the external temperature increases the need for warmed air is not required and would be a loss of energy, the temperature control level is set to the most efficient level. [6], air quality controller this detects both internal air quality and external and will turn the unit to extract ventilation at times of contaminated air.

KEY FOR FIG 1.

single ventilation port for intake and extract [1], reversible fan [2], heater [3], humidity controller and presence detector [4], temperature sensor [5], air quality controller [6].

KEY FOR FIG 2, external wall [7], bathroom L8], fan dehumidifier system [9], air quality sensor [10].