US2326089A - Humidifier - Google Patents

Description

Patented Aug. '3, 1943 OFFICE HUMIDIFIER I Richard C. Wittman, Emporium,'Pa. Application as so, 1941, Serial No. 404,665 2 Claims. ((11. 261-103) g This invention relates to humidifiers, and more particularly to humidifiers to condition the air i-n'hornes and offices for human consumption.

It is a well-known fact that in our present civilization homes and o-fiices are many'times kept at high temperatures during cold weather. The heat expands the fresh air which seeps into the rooms and through such expansion reduces or evaporates the moisture normally present in the air, with the result that it becomes too dry and is detrimental to health.

An object of this invention is to provide a humidifier which may be readily adapted to existing heating systems and which will provide an adequate amount of moisture in the air.

A further object is to provide a unit of the type described which will be simple in construction, automatic and economical in operation, and which will require very little care or supervision.

A still further object is to provide a humidifier which will not occupy a great amount of space and which may be placed in any convenient location.

Other objects and advantages of my invention will become apparent as the description proceeds.

In the accompanying drawings- Fig. 1 is a side elevation in cross section of a humidifier embodying my invention;

Fig. 2 isan end View thereof, taken on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a cross sectional view taken on the line 33 of Fig. 1; p

Fig. 4 is a detailed view of the tubes used to distribute the water;

Fig. 5 is a View showing the manner in which my invention may be tapped into the ordinary hot air furnace;

Fig. 6 is a view showing the manner in which the device may be used with the conventional steam or hot water heating system.

I provide an outer casing Ill which may be provided with doors Ii and I2 hinged thereto at 13. The casing id is provided with an'intake pipe l4 and outlet pipes it, It and ii. Obviously, there may be as many intake and outlet pipes as is necessary for the particular use to which the unit is to be put. l

Mounted in the upper portion of the unit'on the angle iron 29 by means of the supporting rod 2| is a water pan 22. carrying -non-corrosive tubes plugs 26 or by manipulating the bolt 21 on the supportingmernberzl. I l.

Mounted below the pan 22 are, the rods 30 which support fabric sheets 3!. These sheets may be made of any suitable absorbent fabric but best results are secured by. using a fabric having an uneven surface. Below the ends 32 of the sheets 3| are mounted additional supports 33 and sheets 34 are folded over the supports.

At the bottom of the casing I0 is a water pan 35 which is adapted to collect any water flowing from the sheet 3!. The ends 36 of the sheet 34 extend into the bottom of the pan and take u the water from the pan. A faucet or tap 31 is provided. This faucet 3'? will serve a double function. It may of course be used to lower the level of the water in the pan 35 or it may be adjusted :to allow a continual stream of water to flow therefrom. Under certain conditions, such as in public buildings, it may be desirable to maintain a high degree of saturation of the sheet 3|. In

such an instance, the faucet 31 may be adjusted to continually drip or allow a small stream to flow therethrough so that fresh Water will be continually supplied to the sheets 3| and of course to the sheets 34.

Water is supplied to the pan 22 through the pipe id which leads to a strainingassembly 4!, through the pipe G2 to the valve The valve is is controlled by the rod 35 which is slidably mounted in supports and which at its lower end has a float It will be seen that when water is high in the pan 35, the float A! and rod will be raised to turn off the valve 43. However, as the water is used in the pan 85, the float will be lowered and the valve 43 opened to allow additional water into the pan 22.

Mounted in the casing is" adjacent the intake pipe M is a deflecting shield 55%, and mounted in 23. As shown in Fig. 4, the tubes 23 are provided with openings 24 and may have at their ends clean-out plugs 25. Between the angle 20 and the pan 22 are screw plugs 26 so that the position of the pan may be adjusted by turning the the intake pipe is a fan 5i. As the is drawn through the intake pipe the shield 55 deflects it down around the sheets 34 so that the air is humidified even before it passes through and around the sheets 3i.

Fig. 5 shows the manner in which my device may be adapted to the hot air ducts of the average furnace. The pipe E4 would lead from the furmice and the air would be passed through the humidifier out through the pipes i5 and H to the registers 5-3 and 54.

Where the system is used with a steam or hot water furnace, ducts 55 and 56 may be placed below the average radiator and the air drawn.

down through the intake pipes M and 5'! by means of the fans 5! and 58 into and through the humidifier and out through the pipes I5 and I! to the ducts 59 and Eli.

It will be seen that with my humidifier'a constant supply of moisture is furnished to replace the moisture dissipated by heat and expanding air. It will also be seen that the amount of ater in the humidifier will be automatically controlled at all times, and that the water which flows over and off of the sheet 3! is used by the sheet 3d a so that the-humidifier will be Imost-ecenomical to operate; r V

It will be further seen that the humidifier is supplied with two adjustable means'of water disposal. The first is adjustable by the area and character of the absorbent members 34 that-are:

be placed at any convenient point'in the system Where they will function to draw the air from the rooms through the humidifier.

I claim: 7 v

1. A'humidifier comprising a casing, air inlet means for the casing adjacent the bottom thereof, air outlet means for the casing adjacent the top thereof, absorbent sheets positioned Within the casing between said inlet and outlet mea ns, means'ior distributing liduid to said sheets, a Wessell within the casing on the bottom thereof to catch excess liquid, a second group of absorbent sheets within said casing adjacent said inlet means and depending into said vessel, a float in sa id vessel responsive to the rise and fall of liquid in said vessel, and valve means cooperating with said float to control the flow of liquid to said means.

2. .Ahuinidifier as set forth in claim 1, wherein saidliqui'd distributing means consists of a pan and periloizated spaced pip-es extending ilaterally momsaid :to ted 'n-ythe latter, and said valve means when open, because liquid in; said wessel rnas fallen to a predeterrrdned level, milsliquid :into said spam. v

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