US2416885A - Humidifier - Google Patents

Description

arch 4, 1947.

G. W. SKILBECK HUMIDIFIER Filed July 1, 1944 Patented Mar. 4, v1947 UNITED STATES .PATENT OFFICE HUMIDIFIER Gerald W. Skilb'eck, Kenosha, Wis. Application July 1, 1944, Serial N0. v54351-37 (Cil. 237-78) 13 Claims.

'This invention relates to humidiers and refers particularly to humidiers designed to correct overly dry atmospheric conditions in homes,

shops, oilices and the like.

Humidifiers for this purpose have been available in the past as evidenced by Patent No.

2,111,437, issue'd to Gerald W. Skilbeck March 15,

limited thereto, is vespecially adaptable for use with hot water Vheating systems.

More specifically, it is an object of this inven- 'tion to provide a humidifier which yis aself contained unit adapted to be attached to a radiator or other element of a hot water heating system and which incorporates a valved port for emitting hot water from the interior of the main chamber of the humidiiied and derived from the heating source, the valve being controlled by the weight of a collecting cup .in which excess water accumulates.

Another object of this invention is to provide a humidifier of the character described having a large heated surface area covered by a bibulous Wrap so that Water caused to ow over the eX- terior thereof will be evaporated in large volume. Still another object of this invention is to provide a humidier which is simple and wherein the valve controlling .mechanism is rugged and not easily injured.

A further object of this invention is to provide a humidifier of the character described which, by virtue of its simplicity in design and construction, may be manufactured at a nominal cost.

With the above and other objects in view, which will appear as the description proceeds, the invention resides in the novel construction, combination and arrangement of parts substantially as hereinafter described and more particularly dened by the appended claims, it being understood that such changes in the precise embodiment of the hereindisclosed invention may be made as come within the scope of the claims.

The accompanying drawing illustrates one complete example of the physical embodiment of the invention constructed according to the best mode so far devised for the practical application of the principles thereof, and in which:

Figure 1 is a View illustrating a section of an ordinary hot water radiator and illustrating the application of this invention thereto Figure 2 is an enlarged view, partially in longitudinal section, of the humidifier, per se; and

Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view taken through Figure 2 on the plane of the line 3-3.

Referring .now more .particularly to the accompanying drawing in which like numerals indicate Alike parts, the vnumeral 5 designates generally the humidier unit, which is adapted to be mounted on and supported from a radiator 6 or any other element of a hot water heating system in such a manner that the hot Water or other heating medium circulates through the humidi- `iier.

The humidifier comprises a cylindrical tube l closed at both ends and provided with an open ended hollow core 8 extending entirely therethrough. Near its opposite ends the tube 1 has pipe ynipples 9 and I0 projecting laterally by which the structure is `mounted on the radiator or other element of the heating system and through which hot Water from the heating system is permitted to circulate through the tube 1. The tube 'I preferably has a thin wallA so as to take full vadvantage of the heat of .the water or other heating medium circulating therethrough.

At its upper portion the tube has an outlet I'I to which a duct I2 is secured. This duct has a reverse bend or gooseneck portion providing a water trap, and its vfree end issecured as at I3 to a nozzle I4. The nozzle vIII is supported by a bracket I5 on the upper end of the humidifier unit and projects through this bracket and the bottom Wall of a troughlike unit I6 seated on top of the bracket. The outer end of this troughlike unit is closed, but its inner end, which kterminates adjacent to .the axis of the tube l,

is open so that water discharged by vthe nozzle Il may flow onto the tube 'l and then down over its side Wall.

A lever I1 is pivotally mounted as at I8 within the troughlike uni-t `I6 to swing toward and from the top of the nozzle sothat a valve disc I9 carried on the underside of the lever may be moved into. and out of sealing engagement with the nozzle. A spring `2Il conned between the top of the troughlike unit and a washer 2l yieldingly urges the lever and consequently the valve disc to its raised valve open position. The Washer 2l kbears against .the head of an adjusting screw 22 threaded .into the lever so that by means of the screw the spring tension with which the valve is held open may be adjusted.

The 'entire tube or at least its entire cylindrical side wall has a suitable absorbent or -bibulous ma- 3 terial 23 applied thereto to become saturated by the Water flowing down over the tube and thus provide a. large surface area fromV which the water is constantly evaporated by the heat of the unit. The bibulous wrapping 23 may be'of anysuitable material as, for instance, cloth strips Wound spirally around theY tube. Water not evaporated is accumulated ina cup 24 loosely telescoped over the bottom end of theV tube and supported by a rod or' link 25.whi`ch extends up through the hollow core 8 to be connected to the free end of the lever l1 as at 2t.r

Any excess I vtween the cup and the valve so that the weight Y of the cup and water contained therein opposes the biasing means to close the valve when a predetermined amount of water accumulates in the cup. 'Y Y 2. A humidifier comprising: an upright tubular heat exchanger; means for circulating a heating medium through said heat exchanger so that lthe surface thereof is kept heated; abibulous sheath around the heat Yexchangerymeans for supplying Water to the top of the heat exchanger "to flow down over its bibulous sheath and be Thus the weight of the cup and its 'contents rte-' l` acts against the tension of the spring to close the valve and shut off the supply of water When-v ever the water in the cup 24 reaches a predeter-V mined level The rate of water flow over the unit is, therefore, coordinated with the rate of evaporation. The faster the Water is evaporated the Y more is permitted to cwover the unit, and vice versa. V

After the valve has been closed in the manner defined, it is reopened as soon 'as enough of the water containedin the cup 24 has been evaporated -to allow the spring 2E to overbalance the weight of the cup and its contents. The evaporation of the water in the cup is brought about vjointly by the Vdirect vapplication of heat to the lower endof :the tube 1 lwhich extends into the water, and by capillary attraction carrying the 'water up the bibulous wrap of the tube as it begins to dry.;

It is to be observed that as the bibulous Wrap dries out the rate of evaporation'therefrom decreases and, consequently, the Water in the tube V '1 is not cooled as rapidly andrdoes not circulate 'as fast as when the cooling effect of evaporation is present to its'fullest extent. Hence, the lower end of they tube 'I becomes hotter and accelerates' evaporation' from the cup during this periodi rA guard 2l is preferably provided forthe unitk lbeing held in placev by screws V28 threaded into studs 29, secured to the lower .portion'of the tube l and by a screw Sthreaded into a lug 3| extended from the end wall of the troughlike unit A From the foregoing description, takenvin con-V nection with the: accompanying drawing, it will befreadily apparent to those skilled in the art, that this invention provides a humidifier especially Well adapted for use with hotV water heating systems. However, it will also be clear that evaporated; a valve for controlling the supply of water to the top of the heat exchanger; means mounting the. valve in fixed relationship to the heat exchanger; means biasing the valve to open position; a cup in position to catch water which drips from the heat exchanger and/ movable relative Vto the heat exchanger; and a connection between the cup and the valve so that the Weight of the cupY and its contents oppose the y biasing means and thus regulatethe position ofthe valve to control the flow of Water tothe heatexchanger.

l 3. A humidifier comprising: an upright tubular heat exchanger having a hollowrcor'e opening to both its ends; means for circulating; a` heating medium through the heat exchanger; meansfor supplying water to the tcp of the heat exchanger to iiow down over the sides thereof and be `evaporated; a valve, biased toopen positionfor conk:trolling the flow of Water tothe toprof the heat the invention is not limitedpto use with hot water Y heating systems. For instance, the water supplied to the nozzle Ill may be conducted thereto `from any suitable sourcenot necessarily the intethe chamber to flow down overthe walls thereof and be evaporated by the heat of the chamber; a valve for closing 4the outlet; means biasing the valve to open positioiacup at thebottom of lthe chamber in which V excessiwater'flowing down over Y the' chamber vaccumulates;` anda connection beexchanger; a cup in Vposition to Y catchV excess Water flowing downover the heat exchanger; and a link extending through` the tubular ycore of the heat exchanger and connecting the cup with the valve so that the weightV of the cup and its contents oppose the bias of the 'valve andthereby v regulate the position of the valve in Vaccordance with the volume of water flowing overy the heat exchanger. y

4. A humidifier comprising: a'V hollowy tube closed except for inlet and outletparts adjacent to its opposite'ends; means 'communicating with said parts for mounting` the tube in anfupright position and forvcirculating a" heating medium through the interior thereof;v ar bibulous Awrap covering the uprightv exterior surfacesY ofthe tube; a water supply duct terminating abovevthe tube so that water issuingtherefromowsdown lover` thesides of the tube'to saturateitsfbibulous wrap; a cup in position Ato"catchexce'ssvr water dripping from the wrappedtube; and meansre; sponsive solelypto the volume of Ywaterin said cup for regulating thelsupply offvvaterfto said duct.

5. A humidifier comprising: a hollow upright tube closed at both ends; means for-circulating a heating medium through the hollow tube; a bibulous Wrap coveringthev sidewalls ofthe tube; a trough withits mouth in position to discharge -onA top of the tube; a water'supply'nozzle 'open-` ing through the bottom Yof the trough forsupplying water to the trough so that water so'supplied flows down over the bibulous wrap tofbe evaporated; aV pivoted lever.. mounted in the trough above the nozzle; a valve .on said pivoted lever in'position to close thenozzlewhen thev lever fis in a predetermined lowered position; a spring Y Yacting on the lever to hold the vsame raisedland the valve Voff thenozzle'g a water accumulation cup separate from the tube butin position to `"catch VexcessywaterV which Adripsrfrom the tube; andal connection between'thecup andl said L'leverso `vthat'the weight Voff the cupQand its contents .opg-V poses the spring' andths regulates the 'position aai-assu 6. A lhumiclii'er for hot water heating systems comprising: a tubular upright vheat exchanger; A

common means for connecting thev heat exchanger to an lelement vof a hot water heating system and `for enabling the circulation of hot water from the heating system through said heat exchanger; an outlet inthe upper portion of the heat exchanger; a duct leading from said outlet and adapted todischarge water from the interior of the heat exchanger on top of the heat exchanger to flow down over the sides of the heat exchanger and be evaporated; a valve biased to open position for controlling the .flow of water through said duct; an excess water accumulation cup in position to catch water which drips from the bottom 'of the heats. exchanger; and a connecti'on between the cup and said valve so that the weight of the cup and it's vcontents opposethe biasing force of the valve and thereby regulate the position of the valve in accordance with the volume of water contained in the cup.

7. A humidier for hot water heating systems comprising: a hollow tube closed at its ends and having a hollow core extending therethrough from end to end; tub-ular means opening to the interior of the tube for connecting the tube to an element of a hot water heating system and for circulating hot Water from the system through the tube; an outlet at the upper portion of the tube; a duct connected to the outlet and having a gooseneck portion forming a water trap; a valve nozzle at the outer encl of the duct at an elevation above that of the tube; means for conducting water issuing from the nozzle onto the top of the tube to flow down over the sides thereof; a valve for closing the nozzle; a spring biasing the valve to open position; a cup in position to catch excess water dripping from the bottom of the tube; and a link Within the hollow core of the tube connecting the cup with the valve so that the weight of the cup and its contents opposes the spring and regulates the position of the valve in accordance with the volume of water contained in the cup.

8. A humidifier for hot water heating systems comprising: a hollow tube closed at its endsand having a hollow core extending therethrough from end to end; tubular means opening to the interior of the tube for connecting the tube to an element of a hot water heating system and for circulating hot water from the system through the tube; an outlet at the upper portion of the tube; a duct connected to the outlet and having a gooseneck portion forming a water trap; a valve nozzle at the outer end of the duct at an elevation above that of the tube; means for conducting Awater issuing from the nozzle onto the top of the tube to flow down over the sides thereof; a valve for closing the nozzle; a spring biasing the valve to open position; a cup in position to catch excess water dripping from the bottom of the tube; a link within the hollow core of the tube connecting the cup with the valve so that the weight of the cup and its contents opposes the spring and regulates the position of the valve in accordance with the volume of water contained in the cup; and a bibulous wrap covering the exterior walls of the tube to become saturated by the water flowing over the tube.

9. A humidifier comprising: a heating element; a bibulous wrap providing the external surface for the heating element; means for supplying water to the upper portion of the heat- 'ing element toflow 'down over' th bibulous wrap fon its exterior for evaporation' by the -he'at `of the heating element .so that the heating element and its wrap act-as "a humidifier unit; `a valve supported in fixed relationship to the humidifier unit -for controlling the supply of water owing Ato the upper portion of the heating element; -fa

cup adjacent to the bottom ofthe humidifier unit in position to receive excess' Water vflowing down over the unit and to accumulate such water therein, said cup being .movable relative to the h'umidier unit; and a connection between said cup andthe valve by which the cup is movably supported adjacent to the bottom of thehumidifier unit and by which downward motion of the cup with respect to the unit in response` to the accumulation of water in the cup is translated into closing motion Aof the valve, and whereby kthe valve is closed upon accumulation of'a 'predetermined amount of water in the cup.

10. A humidier comprising:` van upright tubu- -lar yheat exchanger; means providing for circulation of a heating medium through said heat exchanger so that the surface thereof may be heated; a bibulous sheath around the heat exchanger; means for supplying Water to the top of the heat exchanger to flow down over its bibulous sheath and be evaporated so that the heating element and its sheath act as a humidifying unit; a valve for controlling the supply of water to the top of the heat exchanger, said valve having aA movable actuator by which the valve is controlled; and means supported from the valve actuator for movement relative to the humidifying unit for controlling said valve in accordance with the excess of water supplied to the bibulous sheath.

11. A device of the character described, comprising: a humidifying element having substantially upright exterior walls adapted to be subjected to heat with the surface of said walls formed to retard the flow of water supplied to the element; a water supply duct terminating adjacent to the upper end portion of the humidifying element so that water issuing from the duct ows down over the surface of the element; a valve fixed With respect to the humidifying element for controlling the supply of water to said duct; means biasing the valve to open position; an excess water accumulation receptacle in position to catch and accumulate excess water flowing down over the exterior surfaces of the humidifying element, said receptacle being movable with respect to the humidifying element; and a connection between the receptacle and the valve by which the receptacle is supported independently of the humidifying element and by which motion of the receptacle relative to the element in response to accumulation of water in the receptacle actuates the valve toward closed position. whereby the weight of the receptacle and its contents opposes the biasing means to coordinate the position of the valve with the volume of the water flowing over the surface of the humidifying element.

12. A device of the character described comprising: a hollow humidifying element having a moisture retaining surface and adapted to be internally heated so as to diffuse water on the exterior of the element into the atmosphere; water supply means xed with respect to the humidifying element for delivering Water to the upper portion thereof to flow down said surface thereoffor evaporation from said surface; a receptacle in which the lower end portion of the hollow ,'humidifying element is Y received :for

catching andY accumulating excess water from l said surface `ofV the element, said receptacle being Y.movable relatively to the element in response to the weightof water accumulating therein, Water accumulating in vsaid ,receptacle being heated by thelower end portion Y of the humidifying ele- Y Vment, immersed therein and evaporated thereby V- to'increase the capacity of the device; and means responsivesolelyto the YquantityV of Water ac-` cumulated in the receptacle for regulating the yoperativeness of said Water `supply means and to render said supply means ineffective uponrac- .cumulation of a predetermined amount ofrwater lln the receptacle. 1 Y

13. A device of the character described cm-k prising: a humidinfying element having a moisture retaining surface adapted to be subjected to heat so as to effect diffusion of water vapor to the atmosphere; water supply means for delivering water to saidelement to oW down said sur- `face thereof; a receptacle; means mounting the 20 470,424 Frazar et al. Mar. 8,1892V receptacle adjacent to the bottom-of the humidifying element in positionyto catch and accumulate excess Water dripping from the element and V,for movement relative to the humidifying element in response to the accumulation of vwater *15 Y Y UnitarianV sTA'rEs V1=-A'I'l1:1\1v'1's Number Name YDate V2,094,886 skubeck v r; r Mar. 24, 1936 1,838,405 Jones 1--,-1 Dec. 29, 1931 Y

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