US2098378A - Air-circulating equipment - Google Patents

Description

Nov. 9, 1937. A. Y. DODGE ,0 ,378

AIR CIRCULATING EQUIPMENT Filed Nov. 8, 1934 2 Sheets-Sheet l n In w INVEN TOR.

Nov. '9, 1937. A. Y. DODGE AIR CIRCULATING EQUIPMENT 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Nov. 8, 1934 Em &

INVENTOR. Adiel 2: Dodge BY A TTORNE Y Patented Nov. 9, 1937 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 13 Claims.

This invention relates to a system and equipment for circulating air, for example in conditioning the air in a dwelling, and preferably also for treating the air so circulated.

One object of the invention is to provide for such a system a compact and simplified unit which will (I) wash and humidify or dehumidify the air and (2) cool the air when desired, and (if desired) which may (3) ozonize or otherwise treat the air, at the same time circulating it through the system. Preferably this unit is designed to be used with heating equipment in a complete system which also embodies substantial novelty. Auxiliary refrigerating equipment may also be used in conjunction with the system if desired.

In the embodiments illustrated in the drawings, the air is circulated by a unit comprising blades which are sealed at their ends by water which is continuously introduced in jets or a spray or the like, and withdrawn from the unit, to provide a circulation of water which can be utilized to wash and humidify or dehumidify the air.

The above and other objects and features of the invention, including various novel combinations of parts and desirable particular constructions, will be apparent from the following description of the constructions and arrangements shown in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a cross section through one form of air-circulating and treating unit;

Figure 2 is a section through the unit at right angles to Figure 1; I

Figure 3 is a section corresponding to Figure l, but showing a modified form of unit; and

Figure 4 is a diagram of a complete air-conditioning system utilizing the novel unit of Figure 1.

The'novel unit illustrated in Figure 1 comprises a suitable housing It in which is rotatably mounted a rotor l2 provided with radial vanes l4 or the like protruding therefrom. Rotor I2 is also provided with suitable radial apertures or jets l6 communicating with a central port l8. In port l8 there is located a valve 2|] which may be revolved into difierent effective positions.

In the summer time, when it is desired to cool and dehumidify the air, cold water is admitted into port l8 under pressure. Due to the pressure and centrifugal force the water is caused to pass through apertures l6 and spray therefrom radially. Due to the shape of the housing this Water is trapped and caused to swirl by the rotor ii in substantially the form shown by dash lines 22. The water so swirling around creates empty spaces between the rotor blades, varying in size at different angular positions as shown, thus creating a form of pump. Air is admitted through a pipe 24, provided the rotor is turned in the direction indicated by arrow 26. Since the unit is symmetrical it may be turned in, the opposite direction, in which case, the intake and outlet ports are reversed. Air is thus taken into the empty spaces which are increasing in volume, and after each vane l4 has passed the intake port 24a the volume of the spaces becomes smaller, thus compressing the air. During this process the cold water is being continuously sprayed into the spaces between the blades, through the apertures Hi. When the rotor is turned a little less than one-half of a revolution further the spaces increase in size, thus allowing the air to expand until the vanes 14 approach the outlet port 26b where the spaces again diminish in volume, thus forcing the air out of the outlet pipe 26. It will be seen that the air is washed, cooled, and dehumidified while it is circulated as described.

In order to further condition the air I prefer to introduce suitable insulated electrodes 28 from which a high potential high frequency current may be caused to discharge, producing ozonization. The electrodes 28 may be made up like spark plugs with a somewhat larger spark gap. In order to maintain a desired pressure level, suitable water outlet ports 30 and 30a are introduced which communicate with a riser pipe 32 rising to a suitablevhead, thus determining the back pressure against which water is allowed to escape.

In Figure 2, valve 20 is more fully shown as is also the water intake pipe 40. Valve 20 may be revolved to different positions by means of a squared end 42 and locked in position by means of jam nut 44. For example, in the winter time valve 20 may be revolved 180 and warm water admitted to cause humidification and heating and air washing instead of de-humidification and washing and cooling, as described for summer use, and in which case, the ozonizers may be relocated if desired. Shaft 46 may be driven by any suitable prime mover.

Figure 3 is very similar to Figure 1, merely showing a housing 6! somewhat difierent in shape from the housing l0.

Due to the compression of the air and future expansion a degree of cooling may be secured allowing the air to expand in the illustrated manner, I recover some of the energy previously putdesired expansion. It is obvious that the discharged air system should operate at a. pressure lower than the maximum compression pressure attained in my unit in order to benefit from this just mentioned recovery of energy. For the purpose of illustration, I might compress the air to four atmospheres at the smallest space and chew.

late the air at one and one-half atmospheres at the outlet pipe 26, in which case, I will have.

recovered the energy represented by two and one-half atmospheres of pressure.

Figure 4 is a diagram showing one form of complete system, in which there is included a hot air furnace 4|, or other suitable air distribution chamber. A suitable intake pipe 43 takes air from the building in which air is to be conditioned and delivers it either to the chamber 4| direct or to a unit 45 of the type shown in Figures 1 and 2. An air intake opening is shown diagrammatically at 46, and an air outlet at 48. Air conduits 50, 52, and 54 lead from the furnace 4| to air outlets 48 appropriately located in the building. Dampers 56 of regulating valves control the amount of air discharged through the respective conduits in which the dampers 56 are located. A conduit 58 admits fresh air from outdoors. A suitable control means such as a damper 60 regulates the amount of fresh air admitted. A fire door 62 may be provided for chamber 4|, where fuel may be fed in if 4| is to be used as a heating unit in the winter time, and a clean-outdoor 64 may be provided for removing ashes, for instance, if coal is used for fuel. A flue pipe is illustrated at 66, provided with a suitable damper. A pipe 65 short-circuits from pipe 43 to pipe 68 which is the intake pipe to chamber 4 I.

There is preferably an automatic counterweighted damper or valve 10 in pipe 65 provided with an adjustable counter-weight I2. Should unit 45 be stopped in the winter time when 4| is being used as a heater, cold air entering through pipe 43 will open valve I0 causing counter-weight I2 to pass center, allowing valve 10 to remain open. However, should 45 be started, pressure caused in the discharge pipe I4 will cause damper I0 to close bringing the counter-weight back to the position shown, thus causing the damper I0 to remain closed until 45 is again stopped. I6 illustrates diagrammatically a suitable electric motor used as a prime mover for the unit 45. shaft I8.

As previously described, water is fed to the unit 45, pipe illustrating a pipe from the city water supply. By opening a valve 82 and closing a valve 84 water is allowed to flow from 80 through 82 and through pipes 86, 88, 80 into the unit 45 as previously described. Water is discharged from the unit 45 through a pipe 02 into an elevated tank 34. The head elevation of the pipe 92 should be sufiicient to produce the desired back pressure. Water from the tank 64 overflows into the sewer through a pipe 96.

This outlines the water circuit for summer use when cooling and dehumidificatlon are desired. In the bottom of the chamber 4| is provided a suitable drip pan 98 to catch any condensed vapor and water. Water from the pan 98 is drained into the sewer through a pipe I00 after passing/through a suitable trap I025 The trap I02, as diagrammatically illustrated, represents 45 and I6 are connected by 8.

a conventional water trap of sufiicient extra head to withstand the air pressure in the chamber 4|. However, the trap I02 may if preferred be a float controlled type trap. The trap I02 isprovided to prevent loss of air from the chamber 4| when there is no condensation to be drained therefrom. In this arrangement, city water may be used as a'heat absorbing medium in sufficient quantities to give the desired results, controlled by the valve 82 and allowed to drain into the sewer after use.

At I04 is illustrated diagrammatically a humidistat, for instance-of the hair type. Electric contact points I06 and I08 are the usual electric front and back contact points. At- H0 is illustrated a thermostat having front and back contact points H2 and. II 4. Each of the contact points I06, I08, H2, and H4 is provided with suitable adjustments illustrated at II6. While these contact points are shown as mechanical contact points, they may be of the mercury tube type, such as illustrated in my Patents Nos. 1,898,006 and 1,895,918. Contact point 4 when closed by the thermostat 0 controls the heating plant by means of any one of the several well-known methods in use. A wire H8 connects to the furnace control referred to. Switches I20, I22, and I24 are used to change the circuit from a winter circuit to a summer circuit. Wires I26 and I28 are main power lines from which a suitable wiring leads through a control relay I30 to the motor IS. A suitable transformer for energizing relay I30 is shown at I32. Switch I34 is a shunt switch by which the motor 16 may be energized, when desired, regardless of the relay I30. Food, etc., may be placed in the empty fire box and kept cool when the system is being used as a cooling system.

Coil I40 is a suitable water coil placed in the chamber 4| near the fire box for warming water to be used for washing air and humidifying air in the unit 45 in the winter time. Pipe I42 leads from the coil I40 to the tank 94. A suitable transmission connecting the motor I6 and the unit 45 is indicated at I50.

In operation during the summer, adjustment 6 for contact point I06 is so adjusted to cause an electric contact to take place if and when the humidity exceeds a certain predetermined degree. Likewise contact point H2 is set so that electric contact will be made when the temperature exceeds a certain predetermined degree. Switches I20 and I24 are closed and remain so during the summer months. Should electric contact be made at either point II 2 or I06 relay I30 will be caused to close its electric circuit, thus starting the electric motor I6 and causing the unit 45 to operate as previously described. Unit 45 sucks air through the opening 46 and a small predetermined amount of fresh air through the pipe 58 according to the setting of valve 60. This air is carried through the unit 45 in the manner previously described and is discharged through pipes I4 and 68 into the chamber 4|. From the chamber 4| it is distributed through the various pipes 50, 52 and 54 and into the various rooms of the building through discharge openings such as 48. As previously described, water is taken from the city supply, regulated in quantity at valve 82, through pipes 86, 88 and 00 into the unit 45. When the condition of high temperature or high humidity has been corrected, the electric circuit at both of the contact points I06 and H2 will be allowed the tips of said vanes throughout most of its 0 tact points H4 and I08 are regulated to make electric contact at and beyond some predetermined points of humidity and temperature. When electric contact is made at II4 the heat from the heating system is caused to increase by any of the well-known methods of increasing the fuel feed, etc; Should the air become too dry the humidistat I04 will allow electric contact to be made at point I08}. thus exciting relay I and causing the relay to close the circuit which controls the motor 16 and causing the unit 45 to operate as previously described.

At the same time the switch I22 is manually closed, switches I20 and I24 are manually opened,.

and valve 42 in Figure 2 is changed manually to the winter position. Also valve 84 should be opened and the valve 82 nearly closed, suincient opening in the valve 82 being allowed to proculates from tank 94 through pipe I42, valve 84, heating coil I and pipes 86, 88, and 90, due to the natural centrifugal pumping action of the unit 85, and thus warm water is supplied to the unit 05 and discharged from it through pipes 92 back to the tank 94. An oversupply of water is allowed to overflow from tank 96 through pipe 06 into the sewer. In this way; warm water is used over and over again for the purpose of air washing and humidification during the winter, only suflicient new water being admitted through the valve 82 to maintain the supply. If for-any reason it is desirable to manually over-rule the instruments I04 and IIO this may be done by closing and opening the switch I34 manually. 5.

While various constructions and arrangements have been described in detail, it is not my intention to limit the scope of my invention by that description, or otherwise than by the terms of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. An air-conditioning system comprising a unit having means for taking in water in a spray and means cooperating with said water to compress air through which-the water is sprayed, whereby to wash and change the temperature and humidity of said air, in combination with means for heating water supplied to said unit and air discharged from said unit.

2. An air-conditioning system comprising a unit having means for taking in water in a spray and means cooperating with said water to compress air through which the water is sprayed, whereby to wash and change the temperature and humidity of 'said air, in combination with a furnace arranged for heating water supplied to said unit and also air discharged from said unit, and means for distributing the heated air.

3. An air conditioning unit comprising a rotor having radially-extending vanes and a central axial water intake and a plurality of radial jets from said intake arranged between said vanes and adapted to spray water between said vanes, and an inclosing casingiorsaid rotor spaced from circumference and approaching them closely at -two points, saidcasing having a water outlet, and an air intake and an'air outlet on opposite sides of-each of said two points, whereby water circulated by said vanes seals the tips of said varies and is heldby centrifugal force against said casing to cooperate with said vanes in forming between the vanes air spaces which vary in size as the rotor turns angularly.

4. An air conditioning unit comprising a rotor having vanes and a water intake and jets from said intake arranged 1 between said trams and adapted tospray water between said vanes, and an inclosing casing for said rotor spaced from the tips of said vanesthroughout most of its circum- "ference and approaching them closely at two points only, said casing having an air-intake and an air outlet on opposite sides of each of said two points.

5. An air conditioning unit comprising a rotor having radially-extending vanes and a central axial water intake and a plurality of radial jets from said intake arranged between said vanes and adapted to spray water between said vanes,

and .an inclosing casing for said rotor spaced from the tips of said vanes throughout most of its circumference and approaching them closely at two points, said casing having a water outlet and an air intake and an air outlet on opposite sides of each of said two points, whereby water circulated by said vanes seals the tips of said vanes and is held by centrifugal force against said casing to cooperate with said vanes in forming between the vanes air spaces which vary in size as the rotor turns angularly, said water intake being provided with a control valve adjustable to vary the angle at which water is discharged through said jets.

I 6. An air conditioning, unit comprising a rotor having vanes and a water intake and jets from said intake arranged between'said vanes and adapted to spray water between said vanes, and an inclosing casing for said rotor spaced from the tips of said vanes throughout most of its circum- -ference and approaching them closely at two .points, said water intake being provided with a control valve adjustable to vary the angle at which water is discharged through said jets.

7. An air conditioning unit comprising a rotor having radially-extending vanes and a central axial water intake and a plurality of radial jets from said intake arranged between said vanes and adapted to spray water between said vanes, and an inclosing casing for said rotor spaced from the tips of said vanes throughout most of its circumference and approaching them closely at two points, said casing having a water outlet and an air intake and an air outlet on opposite sides of each of said two points, whereby water circulated by said vanes seals the tips of said vanes and is held by centrifugal force against said casing to cooperate with said vanes in forming between the vanes air spaces which vary in size as the rotor turns angularly, said water outlet having connected therewith means for maintaining a back pressure in said casing.

8. An air conditioning unit comprising a rotor having radially-extending vanes and a central axial water intake and a plurality of radial jets from said intak'e arranged between said vanes and adapted to spray water between said vanes, and an inclosing casing for said rotor spaced from the tips of said vanes throughout most of its circumference and approaching them closely at two points, said casing having a water outlet and an air intake and an air outlet on opposite sides of each of said two points, whereby water circulated by said vanes seals the tips of said vanes and is held by centrifugal force against said casing to cooperate with said vanes in forming between the vanes air spaces which vary in size as the rotor turns angularly, said water intake being provided with a control valve adjustable to vary the angle at which water is discharged through said jets, said water outlet having connected therewith means for maintaining a back pressure in said casing.

9. A pump comprising a vaned rotor and a casing therefor closely approaching the tips of the rotor vanes at two points only and having intake and which has a liquid outlet provided with means for maintaining a back pressure in said casing.

11. An air conditioning compressor and expander comprising a non-circular casing, a vaned rotor in said casing closely approaching the easing at two points, and gas inlet and outlet ports in the casing on opposite sides of each of said two points whereby gas admitted through said inlet portwill be compressed and then expanded before being discharged'through said outlet port whereby at least a part of the energy absorbed by the gas during compression will be returned to the rotor thereby during expansion and means to cool the compressed gas prior to its expansion.v

let opening into one ofthe lobes and an air outlet opening into another lobe whereby air drawn into the inlet will be first compressed and then expanded before being discharged out of the outlet, and means, for circulating liquid through the casing.

13. An air conditioning compressor and expander comprising a casing having a plurality of enlarged lobes joined by portions of less radius than the lobes, a vaned rotor in the casing spaced from the surfaces of the lobes and more" closely approaching said portions, said casing adapted to contain liquid to seal the rotor vanes, an air in let opening into one of the lobes and an air outlet opening into another lobe whereby air drawn into the inlet will be first compressed and then expanded before being discharged out of the outlet, means for supplying liquid axially of the rotor, and means for conducting liquid from the casing.

ADIEL Y. DODGE.

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