US1869549A - Air humidifier - Google Patents

Description

Aug. 2, 1932. G. D. DOHERTY 1,869,549

AIR HUMIDIFIER Filed March 12, 1930 Patented 2, 1932 I UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE GEORGE D. DOHEBTY, OF MINNEAPOLI S, MINNESOTA, ASSIGNOR TO DOHER'IY-IBREHM COMPANY, OF MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESDTA, A CORPORATION OF DELAWARE AIR HUMIDIFIER Application filed March 12, 1930. Serial No. 435,052.

casing or housing having an air inlet and v anair outlet atopposite ends thereof and a means for forcinga circulation of air therethrough and between the heating sections for the purpose ofabsorbing moisture from the humidifying medium in the troughs and of receiving a transmission of heat in orderto maintain humidity in a room or other enclosure consistently with the proper degree of temperature of the room.

Further, since a fan or other like means is employed for forcing a circulation of ,air through the apparatus, one of the heating sections may be provided with an extension for supporting the fan .in spaced relation to the floor in a manner to tend to deaden the vibration and thus to eliminate the usual accompanying noises. By supporting the fan in this manner, the whole mass or weigh of the assembled structure is utilized for weighting down the vibrating mass of the fan proper and thus the vibrations tending to be setup by the fan during operation are substantially completely dampened thus rendering operation of my combined humidifier and radiator noiselessv since the fan is not in contact with the floor except through the base of the radiator and-humidifier.

In explanation of the usefulness of my present invention the followingcomments are ofi'eredj It has been contended that the averageperson spends over eight percent of his or her time indoors during the winter vmonths. The air in a home is heated, natu-' rally, to a temperature which is comfortable to the body and, in most instances, the-body does not feel comfortable until the air is heated to a comparatively high degree due to the aridity of the air. It is the general belief that a temperature range of from 70 to 80 degrees is desirable and is usually maintained in homes yet it is a fact that'the ideal temperature for good health is 64 degrees or'at-the most 68degrees and under proper conditions of humidity this temperature is perfectly comfortable. It is concluded therefore that,'in winter, most people live the greater part of the time under conditions which are not altogether desirable to good health. l

Air normally contains from 40 to percent ofsaturation with water. However, the relative humidity of air at zero is 100 percent, the air containing half a grain of water to a cubic foot of air. If this same air is heated to 70 degrees without the loss or gain of any moisture it would have a relative hllmidity of only 6.3 percent because a cubic foot of air at 70 degrees can contain about 8 grains of water. In order to supply this comparatively eat amount of moisture to the air at the higher temperatures, it is contemplated to provide a forced circulation of air over a large exposed area of humidifying medium in direct contact with a heating section that serves to vaporize rapidly an in large volume the humidifying medium.- The heating sections are spaced from one t another and are severally provided over their upper surfaces with a trough for containing a humidifying medium. The assembled structure may replace the ordinary type of roomradiator. 7

By reason of the peculiar disposition'of the sections and the circulatory means, a maximum transmission of heat is obtained in the air and humidity may be maintained consistently at the proper degree.

One of the objects of ,"this invention is to provide an apparatus of the character above noted in which a forced circulation of air is provided between spaced heating sections in'which the 'humidifying medium is exposed to the air over substantiallv the entire upper surface of the section.

Another object of this invention is to provide an apparatus as characterized above in which the air to be humidified is circulate by forcdmeans between heat-ing sections disposed in a casing, the air being admitted and exhausted through opposite ends'of the casing.

A still further object of this invention is to provide an apparatus of thecharacter indicated above in which the fan motor or other forced-feed means is substantially completely dampened by the weight of the assembledstructure to eliminate vibration and the usual accompanying noises.

Other objects and advantages will hereinafter be more particularly pointed out and for a more complete understanding of the characteristic features of this invention reference may now be had to the following description when taken together with the accompanying drawing, in which latter:

Figure 1 is a top plan view of the apparatus embodying the features of this invention with the casingthereof in section;

Fig. 2 is a front elevational view of the ,apparatus shown in Figure 1 with the casing thereof being shown in section;

Fig. 3 is a top plan viewof the lower tray for supporting the heating sections of the apparatus of this invention and Fig. 4 is a central vertical sectional view taken on the line44.- of Fig. 2.

Referring now more particularly to the drawing, the specific embodiment of this invention comprises a supporting tray 10 having a plurality of superposed horizontally extending heating sections 11 mounted thereon. The supporting tray 10 comprises a somewhat shallow rectangular trough supported at the four corners thereof by legs 12. The tray is preferably provided with a central elongated longitudinally extending opening 13 to permit the passage of air therethrough, as will hereinafter be more particularly pointed out. It is, of course,'to be understood that these. openings may be varied in number and size and that the tray may not be provided with an opening, as desired, depending upon the size of the unit and the like.

Each of the-heating sections 11, in ordinary domestic use, comprises preferabl a plurality, of longitudinally extending hol ow eating. units 14 which are connected to gether at their outer ends to form a circuitous passageway for the circulation of a heat ing medium. It is, of course, to be understood that each heating section may comprise a single heating unit as well as any number of heating units, the drawing showing a double unit merely for the purpose of illustration. Further, these units may be arranged to have a larger number of heating units in one section than in the adjacent section or sectiohs. The sections are preferably cast with a peripheral flange 15 extending around the outer edges of the unit and across the ends thereof to form a continuous exposed recessed 'portion or trough for containing a 'humidifying medium. The two units forming the heating section provide an open space therebetween to form a central. passageway for air in communicaculation of air around each unit of the heating section.

The open troughs formed on the upper faces of the heating sections by means of the peripheral flange 15 are adaptedt'o hold a humidifying medium that is imparted to the heated 'air as it circulates around and longitudinally through the spaces between the heating sections; Means are provided be tween the superposed sections for connecting the troughs of the adjacent sections to one another comprising a conduit 16 which ispreferably formed integrally with the casting and extends vertically from a point just above the upper surface of the heating section, which latter forms the bottom surface of the trough, to a point adjacent the trough of the heating section next below.

These conduits 16 are arranged in a staggered vertical. direction or in any other suitabl'e-manner other than in alignment with eachother, which latter arrangement, it is submitted, would permit the humidifying medium to fall from the upper sections directly to the lower tray. This, of course, would be highly undesirable, as will hereinafter be fully understood, the upper trough being supplied with the v.humidifying medium and it, in turn, supplyingthe other troughs therewith. It has been stated that the conduit extends from a point a slight distanceabove the base of the trough to a point adjacent the trough next below. In this manner, a lip 17 is provided for maintaining a minimum level-of humidifying medium in each trough. Therefore, each of the several troughs forming the assembled structure will always contain a minimum supply of humidifying medium.

The lower rounded portion of each unit of each heating section is provided with a drip-edge 18 whereby, should one of the conduits 16 become clogged with foreign matter, the humidifying medium would overflow the peripheral flange 15 and drip into the trough next below. This drip-edge 18 would, of course, direct the overflow into the trough next below thereby preventing the humidifying medium from dropping into any of the air passageways and from thence to the floor.

Each ofthe heating sections is provided with a boss 19 on each side and at each end thereof for supporting and connecting the adjacent heating sections together. These bosses further provide for a circulation of the heating medium from one heating section to the other by reason of the nipple connections 19a therebetween. The uppermost heating section is provided with the usual plug to prevent the'escape of theheating medium. The lowermost heating section is connected to the supporting tray in the same manner as each section is connected together, the tray being provided with a boss 20 on the face surfaces and at opposite ends thereof, the bosses, in turn, communicating with end-bosses 21 which are connected to the inlet and outlet conduits 22 and 23, re-

. poses of manual adjustment of the water supply to the troughs. However, the valve 25 is regulated to permit of the supply of a desired amount of humidifying medium to the trough of the uppermost heating section from whence it flows through the overflow conduits 16 into the trough of the next lower heating section. Any surplus water is drained through a waste pipe 27 or a plurality of waste pipes 27 and 28 which may be disposed in each unit of the heating section in order to insure proper drainage. The supporting tray 10 is provided with a baffle or upstanding lug 29 which receives the overflow from the lowermost heating section. The water flowing from; the immediately superposed section 11 through the conduit 16 engages the upper surface of the lug 29 thus breaking the fall of the water. In thismanner the noise of dripping water is eliminated.

The supporting tray 10 has an extension 30 thereon which is provided with an opening 13 sufiiciently large to permit the elbow connecting-the outlet conduit 23 with the boss of the tray to turn thereinin assembling the structure. Theextension is provided with a pocket for receiving the base of a fan motor 31, therebeing a packing of sound insulating material 32 in-the pocketsurroundingthe base. The motor31, together with its supporting base is of considerable mass and the lining of resilient niafterial 32, which mass of felt or other snitablecushioning material is laid loosely against the wallszof the well or pocket formed in'the extension39' so that the motor freely rests upon the cushioning support pfovided by this resilient material. This forms a vibration deadening'support weight of the superposed heating sections prevents a displacement of the tray 10 and there will be substantially no vibration because of the absorption by the cushioning material and by reason of the fact thatthere is no direct physical contact between the extension and the floor.

It will be noted from the foregoing description that the fan is supported in spaced relation to the floor and, moreover, that the fan is weighteddo'wn by the entire assembled structure made up of a plurality of heating sections that are all rigidly connected to one another. In this fashion the vibrating elements of the fan are dampened by the entire weight of the assembled structure and any vibration-from the fan can only be communicated to the floor through the legs 12 upon which the assembled structure rests. This feature ,of my invention is highly important since it insures a substantially noiseless operation of my combined humidifier and radiator, a very desirable attainment when the device is tobe installed in a room or ofaflice where noise would be highly undesirable. The fan is also out of contact with the casing surrounding the radiatorwhich is hereinafter more fully described. Moreover, the base 31a of the fan is of substantial mass which further dampens the vibrations developed by the fan and allows the resilient material 32 to insulate effectively the fan from the floor upon which the device is disposed. This arrangement insures that the operation of the fan will be substantially noiseless.

The apparatus hereinbefore described, including the heating sections, the supporting tray and the fan motor 31, are mounted in a casing 33 preferabLy rectangular in shape and of just suflicientdimensions to house comfortably the apparatus. The end of the casing adjacent the fan motor 31 is provided with a grill 34 to permit of the passage of 'air therethrough, and the other end of the casing is provided with a grill 35 preferably on the front face of the casing for the purpose of exhausting the airsupplied through the grill 34. The'motor31, when in operation, provides a suction for drawing air through the grill 34 i and blows the same between the heating sec- 7 tions and over the exposed troughs contain- ,ingthehumidifying medium whereby the air yiiththe heating sections is obtained. 'This comparatively great area exposing the humidifying medium to the air forced in contact therewith provides aneflicient means for the transfer of moisture into the air. By reason of roviding this maximum amount of 5 humidi ying medium and the forced contact therewith of air to be heated and humidified, it is possible to maintain humidity in a room or other enclosure consistently at the proper degree. v

While but a single embodiment of this invention is herein shown and described, it is to be understood that Various modifications thereof may be apparent to those skilled in the 'art without departing from the s irit and scope of this invention and there ore, the same is to be limited onl by the scope of the' prior art and the appen ed claims.

I claim:

1. An apparatus of the character described, comprising a plurality of spaced and superposed heating sections connected to one an other for circulating a heating medium therethrough, said sections, when assembled together, constituting a rigid mass of substantial weight, means on said sections for containing a humidifying medium for imparting humidity to the heated air, andan electric fan motor wholly mountedon saidassembled structure for forcing a circulation of air longitudinally between said sections and in contact with said humidifying medium, the vibrations of said fan motor being damped etfectively by the mass of said assembled struc turei 2. An apparatus of the character described, comprising a plurality of spaced and superposed heating sections connected to one another for circulating a heating medium there-- through, said sections, when assembled together, constituting a rigid mass of substantial weight an open trough on at least one of said sections containing a humidifying medium for imparting humidity to the heated air, and an electric fan motor wholly mounted on said assembled structure for forcing a cir culation of air longitudinally over said open trough and in contact with said-humidifylng medium, thevibrations of said fan motor being damped effectively by the mass of said assembled structure.

3. An apparatus of the character described, comprising a plurality of spaced and superp'osed heating sections connected to one an v other for circulating a heating medium theregether, constituting a rigid mass of substantial weight, a peripheral flange bounding the edges of at least one of said sections toprovide an open trough containing a'humidify'ingmer air, and an electric fan motor wholly supported on said assembled structure for forcing a circulation of air longitudinally over said humidifying medium and in contact with said humidifying medium, the Vibrations of through, said sections when assembled to-' dium for imparting humidity to the heated" said fan motor being damped effectively by the mass of said assembled structure.

4. An apparatus of the character described, comprising a plurality of spaced and superposed heating sections connected to one another for circulating a heating medium therethrough, said sections, when assembled together, constituting a rigid mass of substantial weight, means on each section for containing a humidifying medium for imparting humidity to the heated air, an electric fan motor wholly supported on said assembled structure inducing a flow of air longitudinally between said sections and in contact with said humidifying medium to evaporate the latter, and a casing sound insulated from said structure and said electric fan motor and being disposed about said heating sections and said circulating means.

5. An apparatus of the character described, comprising a plurality of spaced and superposed'heating sections connected to one another for circulating aheating medium therethrough, said section's, when assembled together, constituting a rigid mass of substan- I ial weight, means on at least one section congaining a humidifying medium for imparting umidity to the heated air, an electric fan motor wholly supported on said assembled structure for creating a circulation of air longitudinally between said sections and in contact with said humidifying medium, the vibrations of said fan motor being damped ef-. fectively by the mass of said assembled structure,and a casing for enclosing said heating sections and said circulation means, saidrcasing having an air'inlet at one end thereof adjacent said circulating means and an air outlet atthe other end thereof and beingsound insulated from said assembled structure and 10: said fan motor.

6. An apparatus of the character described, comprising a plurality of spaced and superposed sections-connected to one another for circulating a heating medium therethrough, an' extension on one of said sections for supporting a fan motor, means on at least one sec tion for containing a humidifyingmedium for imparting humidity to'the airforced between said sections by said fan motor, and a resilient material between said motor and said extension fordeadening the vibration and accompanyingnoises' therefrom.

7. An apparatus of the character described, comprising a plurality of spaced and superposed sections connected to one another'for Circulating-a heating medium therethrough, an extension on one of said sections for supporting a fan motor, means on at least one section for containing a humidifying medium for imparting humidity to the air forced between said sections by said fan motor, said extension having a pocket therein, and a cushioning material resting loosely against the wallsof said pocket, said motor resting freely on said cushioning. material for deadening the vibration and accompanying noises therefrom.

8. An apparatus of the character described, comprising a plurality of spaced and superposed castings connected to one another for circulating a heating medium therethrough, an extension on one of said castings for supporting a fan motor, means on at least one casting for containing a humidifying medium for imparting humidity to the air forced between said castings by said fan motor, said extension being formed integrally with said casting and having a pocket therein, and a cushioning material resting loosely against the walls of saidpocket, said motor resting freely on said cushioning material for deadening the vibrations and. accompanying noises therefrom.

9. An apparatus of the character described, comprising a plurality of spaced and superposed heating sections connected to one another for circulating a heating medium therethrough, at least some of said sections comprising longitudinally extending hollow cast ings having peripheral flanges on the upper surface thereof to provide troughs for containing a humidifying medium for imparting humidity to the heated air forced between said sections, said castings with the troughs having drip edges on the underneath walls thereof, that are longitudinal of the castings, said drip edge on the upper casting being above the trough of the lower casting for directing the overflow into said lower trough, and a tray for supporting saidheating sections and for receiving the overflow of said humidifying medium directed thereto by said drip edges.

10. A combined heat radiator and air humidifier apparatus comprising a plurality of separate and spaced heating sections that are rigidly connected toone another for circulating a heating medium therethrough, at least one of said sections having a trough for containing a humidifying medium that extendssubstantially completely over the upper surface thereof, a lateral extension secured to one of said sections and spaced from the floor upon which saidapparatus is disposed, an electrically operated fan supported upon said lateral extension that serves to circulate air between said sections and over said trough, a resilient vibration dampening material interposed between said fan and said lateral extension, said rigidly connected sections serving as a weight to dampen the vibrations developed b said fan, and a casingsurrounding the an and said sections which is free from mechanical contact therewith.

11. In' a combined heat radiator an air humidifier apparatus comprising a plurality of superposed and spaced heating sections, at least one heating section constituting a 1onby said fan.

gitudinally disposed chamber for a heating medium and having an exposed trough integrally formed therewith that extends sublateral extension and sound insulated there-- from and adapted to force air longitudinally between said built up sections and over said trough whereby humidity may be imparted to said air, said sections constituting a weight or mass for dampening vibrations developed 12. A combined air humidifier and heat radiator comprising a pluralityof spaced and superposed heating sections connected to one another for circulating a heating medium therethrough, at least two sections being provided on their upper surfaces with exposed troughs for containing ahumidifying medium, the upper section having an overflow, and means for maintaining in said trough a certain predetermined level of the humidifying medium therein and the lower trough being provided with an upstanding lug disposed underneaththe overflow of said upper trough to break the fall of the humidifying medium flowing therethrough from said upper trough.

13. A combined air humidifier and heat radiator comprising a plurality ofspaced heating sections superposed directly upon one another and being connected to one another for circulating a heating medium therethrough, at least two heating sections comprising longitudinally extending hollow castings for containing the heating medium and said castings having peripheral flanges on the upper surface thereof to provide open troughs for containing a humidifying medium for imparting humidity to the heated air, the upper section having a drip edge formed on the under wall thereof Wherebv the humidifying medium dripping from said edge is directed into the trough of the'lowl-r casting, and means in the upper trough for maintaining therein a predetermined level of the humidifying medium.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name.

GEORGE D. DOHICH'I'Y.

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