US2047025A - Humidifier - Google Patents

Description

July 7, 1936.

A. c. GILBERT HUMIDIFIER Filed Oct. 24, 1931 3 Shets-Sheet 1 'Juiy 7, Q ERT 2,047,025

HUMIDIFIER Filed Oct. 24, 1951 3 Sheets-Sheet 2- h 1936- A. c GILBERT 2,047,025

HUMIDIF'IER Filed Oct. 24, 1931 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 gave-T01 Patented July 7, 1936 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE HUMIDIFIER Application October 24, 193i, Serial No. states This invention relates to improvements in humidifiers, and more particularly to humidifiers of the portable type employed for conditioning air in homes, omces, etc.

a The principal object of this invention is to generally improve humidifiers of the portable type and to bring about a compact, emcient and substantially noiseless mechanism of comparatively simple construction, and of pleasing exlll ternal appearance.

Another object is to bring about an improved form of humidifier in which the usual noise produced by the movable parts and the liquid contained therein is eliminated.

it A feature of the invention resides in an improved form of humidifier wherein swirling and splashing of the liquid contained therein is prevented, and the vapor produced is rapidly discged without the usual swirling motion.

To these and other ends, the invention consists in the novel features and combinations of parts to be hereinafter described and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings:

Fig. l is an elevational view of a humidifier embodying the features of this invention;

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the same;

Fig. 3 is a vertical section on line t-t of Fig. l, but on an enlarged scale;

Fig. i is a sectional view on line of Fig. 1,

an looking in the direction of the arrows, but somewhat enlarged;

Fig. 5 is a sectional view showing a somewhat modified form of a humidifier; A

Fig. 6 is a sectional view of a modified form of a at humidifier;

Fig. 7 is a sectional view of another modified form of humidifier, and

Fig. 8 is a sectional view of still another modifled form of humidifier.

ill The portable humidifier illustrated in the drawings is suitable for use in the home or omce and may be placed upon a table or stand and operated when desired to coridition the air in respect to its moisture content. In some instances,

45 such humidifiers are useful in hospitals for the vaporization of medical preparations. The humidifier is provided with a base it of pottery or other moldable material and may have decorations molded upon its exterior to present a pleas- 5il ing appearance. The base i ii is provided with an upstanding side l l which at its upper edge is provided with an internally directed rib l2 forming a shoulder upon which a sheet metal cover plate it is supported, the plate extending inwardly over 55- base it. The rib I2 is provided with a down- (El. 2619ll) wardly directed lip ll spaced inwardly from the side i l, and acting as a splash guard for the liquid contained in the base. The side it extends upwardly beyond. the shoulder l2 and supports a generally cone-shaped cover ill, which at its apex p is provided with an open mouth.

Openings ll in plate it permits condensed liquid vapor and the liquid being poured into the base through the open mouth it of cover lb, to drain into the base it. The base it may be also no filled by removing the cover l b and pouring liquid through the openings ii. A float it supported upon the surface of the liquid, actuates an indicating finger it which rides over a plate it to indicate the level of the liquid contained in base w ill. A baffle or bames ti on the under side of cover it extend downwardly into the base it, bafiles ll being radially disposed to obstruct the movement of the liquid contained therein and prevent whirling thereof and thus the formation w of a vortex which would interfere with the efficient operation of the atomizing mechanism.

The cover plate it is provided at its center portion with an opening it in which a downwardly directed flange it of a tray it is disposed, the 25 bottom edge of the flange it being directed inwardly to form an annular shoulder it. The upper edge of the flange it is directed outwardly to form a shoulder it, which seats upon cover plate it. The material of tray t l is directed upwardly and flared outwardly from the shouldei it and receives a generally cone-shaped tray cover El,

' which extends upwardly from the flared-out portion of tray it. At its apex, the tray cover it is provided with an open mouth 2t and the cover extends upwardly and beyond the open mouth it of cover it at this point, a baflie member 29 being,

in this instance, disposed in the mouth opening it of tray cover N, with its wings ill fitting snugly within the same, and preventing the upwardly m flowing vapor from whirling within the cover 2i and as it leaves the opening it.

Grid it is formed by striking out a series of fins 32 from the material of a vertically disposed flange t3, the lower edge of the flange seating upon shoulder 25 of the tray 2d. The material at the upper edge of flange it is extended inwardly to form a shoulder it and then upwardly to form an annular fiange it, while the material at the upper edge of the flange it is extended inan wardly to form a plate-like support it for a motor 317. An opening it is provided in the support it through which a motor shaft it passes. A motor cover or casing id is provided in the form of an inverted cup-shaped member which fits snugly t about fiange 35 and seats upon shoulder 34. The baffle 29 may seat upon the dome-shaped top 4| of the motor casing 40.

A motor shaft bearing plate 42 is provided having depending pins 43 which are covered with rubber tubing 44 and pass through resilient bushings 45, preferably made of rubber, the bushings 45 being disposed in openings in the motor support plate 36-. A disk 46 and a cone-shaped member 41 are secured to the lower end of shaft 39, the disk being disposed laterally in line with the fins 32 and the cone 41 extending downwardly into base In with its lower end immersed in the liquid contained therein. A fan 43 is mounted upon the upper end of the motor shaft 39 and operates to circulate the air within the casing 40 and assist in maintaining the motor cool.

In the modified form shown in Fig. 5, the coneshaped tray cover 50 is provided with a. baffle or baflies 5| which may be disposed upon the inner surface of the cover 53, between the latter and motor cover 52 in the path of the upwardly flowing vapor to prevent the vapor from whirling.

In the modified form shown in Fig. 6, the cover 55 is provided with a series of openings 55 formed in its lower edge through which air may pass into the humidifier. In this instance, tray cover 21 and b'aflles 29 have been omitted and a wing or wings 51 is formed upon the inner wall of cover 55, the wings 51 .being preferably directed radially inwardly and with a comparatively long inclined lower edge 58, the inclined lower edge 58 preventing the formation of drops from condensed vapor which is directed thereby out of the path of the upwardly flowing vapor. In this instance, the open mouth 59 of cover 55 acts as the outlet for the vapor instead of, as in the previously described form, an inlet for the air.

In the modified form shown in Fig. '7, the means for preventing swirling of the vapor is formed by providing a bailie or baiiles fill upon'a ring 6|. The ring 6| is adapted to snugly fit the motor cover 62, and the wing-like baffles 60 extend radially outwardly from the ring into the path of the upwardly flowing vapor. The baffle 60 obviously could be directly formed or secured to motor cover 62 but the provision of a ring 5| permits ready detachability therefor.

In the modified form shown in Fig. 8, the means for preventing swirling of the vapor is formed by providing a bafile or baffles 10 upon a ring 1|. The ring 1| is adapted to pass over the motor cover 12, and the wing-like baffles 10 extend radially outwardly therefrom into the path of the upwardly flowing vapor. The baffles 10, in this instance, extend upwardly between the motor cover 12 and the outer cover 13 and radially outwardly to engage the flared-out portion of tray 14, the latter serving to support the baflles.

The humidifiers described above operate to atomize the liquid stored in their bases l0, and to discharge the vapors so formed through their tops and into the surrounding atmosphere. In that form shown inFigs. 1 to 4 inclusive, of the drawings, the liquid in base I0 is fed upwardly to the disk 46 by the inverted cone-shaped member 41. The liquid is drawn across the undersurface of the disk 46 and is thrown violently therefrom against the fins 32 by the centrifugal force generated by the rapid rotation of disk 46 by motor 31, fins 32 serving to atomize the liquid. Air drawn into the device by the action of the disk 46 fiows downwardly from the open mouth l3 of cover I5 through openings II in plate I 3 into the base In. It is then drawn upwardly, by the suction created by the action of disk 46, and is forced through the grid and mixes with the vapor and assists in the upward movement thereof.

The rapid rotation of cone 41 in the liquid in. base I0 tends to swirl the liquid and cause a vortex to form adjacent the lower end of cone 41. This action would draw the liquid out of contact with the cone and interrupt the flow of liquid to the atomizing disk 46. The bailles 2|, extend into the liquid from plate l3 and prevent the formation of a vortex about cone 41 by resisting the swirling action of the liquid. A constant flow of vapor is, therefore, maintained until substantially all of the liquid in base ID has been atomized.

The rapid rotation of disk 46 tends to swirl the vapor and air mixture passing upwardly from grid 3| through tray cover 21. Such action tends to trap the vapor within the tray cover and resist its upward flow and discharge therefrom. Any retention of the vapor within the tray cover 21 increases condensation and reduces the efficiency of the humidifier. A baflle or baflles, such as 29 in Fig. 3, 5| in Fig. 5, 51 in Fig. 6, 60 in Fig. 7, and Min Fig. 8, resists the tendency of the vapor to swirl and greatly assists in the rapid discharge of the same from the top of the humidifier. In the forms shown in Figs. 5 and 6, the baffies or wings 5| and 5'! respectively act to prevent the vapor from swirling at a point in the device where such action substantially starts, while the baffle 29 shown in Fig. 3, interrupts the swirling after it has started and directs the vapor upwardly. By insuring a continuous upward flow of vapor and a more rapid discharge thereof from the humidifier, less condensation takes place within the covers and more vapor is, therefore, emitted, and the device may be operated during shorter periods of time to accomplish maximum results.

The provision of an outer cover, and especially one made of pottery or like material, dampens the motor vibration noises and the swish of the liquid being atomized to such an extent that the same are substantially eliminated and the operation of the humidifier is practically noiseless. By forming the parts of the humidifier, such as the grid 3| and the tray 24 to permit their use for various purposes, such as supports and engaging elements, as well as in the instance of the grid member as an element of the liquid atomizing means, the structure is simplified and the manufacturing costs reduced.

The provision of a suitable baille or bailles for the liquid to prevent the swirling thereof and thereby increase the range of operation and insure continuous atomization of the liquid, and the provision of the baiile or baflles for resisting the swirling of the vapor after the same is generated, whereby it is more efiiciently and rapidly discharged with less condensation taking place during its upward flow, greatly increases the efiiciency of a device of this type and permits a more economical operation thereof.

While I have shown and described some preferred embodiments of my invention, it will be understood that the same is not to be limited to the details shown but is capable of modification and variation within the spirit of the invention and the scope of the appended claims.

What I claim is:

1. In a humidifier, a liquid supply receiving receptacle, a removable cover plate for said receptacle, a tray supported by said cover plate, a liquid atomizing element supported by said tray and having a motor supporting member, a motor supported on said member, a cover over said motor and supported by said atomizing element, a, cover for said tray surrounding said motor cover and .spaced therefrom, a rotary atomizing element said member, a cover over said motor and supported by said atomizing element, a second cover extending over said tray and said motor cover, and spaced from the latter to provide a vapor passageway communicating to the atmosphere without said device, baflie means disposed in said passageway between said motor cover and said second cover to prevent swirling -of the vapor passing therebetween, a rotary atomizing element .drivingly connected to said motor, a rotary liquid feeding member depending from said rotary atomizing element into said receptacle 'to engage the liquid therein.

3. In a humidifier, a liquid supply receiving receptacle, a cover plate for said receptacle, a tray supported by said cover plate, a liquid atomizing element supported by said tray and having a motor supporting member, a motor supported on said member, a cover over said motor and supported by said atomizing element, a second cover over said tray and said motor cover, and spaced from the latter to provide a vapor passageway communicating to the atmosphere without said device, baiiie means disposed in the passageway between said motor cover and said second cover to prevent swirling of the vapor passing therebetween, a rotary atomizing element drivingly, connected to said motor, a rotary liquid feeding member depending from said rotary atomizing element into said receptacle to engage the liquid therein, and liquid bafiling means in said receptacle to resist swirling of the liquid therein.

4. In a humidifier, a liquid supply receiving receptacle, a cover plate for said receptacle, a tray supported by said cover plate, a liquid atomizing element supported by said tray and having a motor supporting member, a motor supported on said member, a cover over said motor and supported by said atomizing element, a cover for said tray surrounding said motor cover and spaced therefrom, a rotary atomizing element drivingly connected to said motor, and a rotary liquid feed" ing member depending from said rotary atomizing element into said receptacle to engage the liquid therein, an outer cover supported by said receptacle and spaced from and surrounding said tray cover, said receptacle and said outer cover being formed from noise dampening material such as pottery.

5. In a humidifier, a liquid supply receiving receptacle, a cover plate for said receptacle, a tray supported by said cover plate, a liquid atomizing element supported by said tray and having a motor supporting member, a motor supported on said member, a cover over said motor and supported by said atomizing element, an outer cover over said cover plate said tray and said motor cover, and spaced from the latter to provide a vapor passageway communicating to the atmosphere without said device, a rotary atomizing ele-= ment drivingly connected to said motor, and a rotary liquid feeding member depending from said rotary atomizing element into said receptacle to engage the liquid therein, said receptacle and said outer cover being formed of noise dampen- 5 ing material such as pottery.

6. In a humidifier, a liquid supply receiving receptacle, a cover plate for said receptacle, a tray supported by said cover plate, a liquid atomizing element supported by said tray and having 10 a motor supporting member, a motor supported on said member, a cover over said motor and supported by said atomizing element, an outer cover over said tray and said motor cover, and spaced from the latter to provide a vapor passageway communicating to the atmosphere without said device, baflle means disposed in said passageway between said motor cover and said outer cover to prevent swirling of the vapor passing therethrough, a rotary atomizing element drivingly connected to said motor, a rotary liquid feeding member depending from said rotary atomizing element into said receptacle to engage the liquid therein, and a liquid baffling means in said receptacle to resist swirling of the liquid therein, said receptacle and said outer cover being formed of noise dampening material such as pottery.

7, In a humidifier, liquid supply means, rotary liquid atomizing means, a motor for rotating said atomizing means, a cover over said motor, another cover over said motor cover and spaced outwardly therefrom, said second cover having an opening in the top thereof over said motor cover providing a. passageway for vapor generated by said atomizing means, and an outer casing of vibration dampening material over said last-named cover and spaced therefrom to provide an air passage therebetween.

8. In a humidifier, liquid supply means, rotary liquid atomizing means, a motor for rotating said atomizing means, a dome-shaped cover over said motor, another cover over said motor cover and spaced outwardly therefrom providing a passageway for vapor generated by said atomizing means, said second cover having an upwardly opened circular mouth portion disposed above the upper surface of said motor cover, and bafile means resting upon the upper surface of and extending upwardly from said motor cover and into the open mouth portion of said second cover, said baflle means comprising a part having a plurality of vertically disposed blade portions radiating from each other toward the peripheral walls of the circular mouth portion of said second cover and positioned in place upon said motor cover thereby.

9. In a humidifier, liquid supply means, rotary liquid atomizing means, a motor for driving said atomizing means, a cover over said motor, a cover over said motor cover and peripherally spaced 60 therefrom to form a space therebetween to re-- ceive and guide atomized liquid upwardly, and another cover over the second mentioned cover and peripherally spaced therefrom to form a space therebetween to receive and guide air 65 downwardly, both of said last mentioned covers having an upwardly opening mouth portion disposed above said motor cover.

10. In a humidifier, a receptacle, a cover for said receptacle, said cover having a baffle ex- 7 tending downwardly therefrom into said receptacle, said cover having an opening therein, liquid atomizing means supported by said cover and having a portion thereof extending into said receptacle through the opening in said cover, 75

means supported by said receptacle to guide air downwardly into the same, and means supported by said cover to guide atomized liquid upwardly and away from said receptacle.

11. In a humidifier, a shallow liquid receptacle, a cover for said receptacle having a relatively large central aperture therein, liquid atomizing means supported by said cover adjacent the rim of said aperture and having a portion projecting through. said aperture downwardly into the liquid in said receptacle to raise such liquid upon rotation oi said portion, and baiiie members carried by and extending downwardly from said cover into the liquid in said receptacle to prevent swirling thereof, said baflle members extending in the direction of the periphery of said receptacle and being located in the zone between the periphery of said aperture and the periphery of the receptacle.

12. A humidifier comprising a reservoir to contain water, said reservoir having an opening in its top, a base ring surrounding said opening, a basin, having a cover with an outlet neck, concentric with said ring, a dome resting on said ring and surrounding said basin and cover, and means at the center 0! said basin and its cover causing the contents of the reservoir to be drawn therefrom and discharged into the basin.

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