US3274993A - Humidifier - Google Patents

Description

Sept. 27. 1966 w. w. MARTIN 3,274,993

HUMIDIFIER Filed Sept. L5, 1965 4 Sheets-Sheet l 88 V FIG -1 85 y as T.

ATTORNEYS Sept. 27, 1966 w. w. MARTIN HUMIDIFIER 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Sept. L3, 1965 ATTORNEYS Sept. 27, 1966 w. w. MARTIN 3,274,993

HUMIDIFIER Filed Sept. L3. 1965 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 FIG -e ,7 83

INV ENTOR.

y WARNER w. MARTIN ATTORNEYS Sept. 27, 1966 w. w. MARTIN 3,274,993

HUMIDIFIEH Filed sept. L5, 1965 4 sheets-sheet 4 FIG-10 United States Patent O Ohio Filed Sept. 13, 1965, Ser. No. 486,683 12 Claims. (Cl. 126-113) This invention relates to the art of adding moisture to air, and particularly to a humidifier adapted -to be mounted on a hot air furnace or the like.

In particular, this invention relates to improvements on power operated humidiers of the type disclosed and claimed in Martin et al., Serial No. 258,338, `filed February 13, 1963, and Went-ling et al., Patent No. 3,149,626, granted September 22, 1964, both of which are assigned to the` assignee of this invention.

An important object of this invention is to provide an improved humidifier housing construction wherein a large amount of moisture can be added to the and wherein the humidifier consumes a very minimum of space so that it can be used with modern hot air furnaces wherein the space requirements are quite limited.

Another object of this invention is to provide an improved humidilier of the aforesaid type wherein the various components of the humidilier housing are molded separately and then secured together to form the compact housing structure, an'd further to provide such a unit with a mounting plate which permits the humidifier to be mounted on a relatively thin sheet m'etal side wall of the furnace or the like.

A further object of this invention is to provide a humidiiier of the aforesaid type wherein 'a high capacity centrifugal blower wheel is mounted in a slowly rotating media wheel with a separator plate disposed therebetween to'prevent the passage of air through the portion of the mediawheel which is submerged in the water reservoir, and lfurther to provide a removable side wall which Apermits the medi-a wheel and `its drive motor to be'easily removed from the housing for replacement or cleaning as required. i

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description, the accompanying drawings and the .appended claims.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the humidifier mounted on a side wall of la hot lair furnace or associated duct;

FIG. 2 .is an exploded perspective View similar to that shown in F-IG. l but showing the components of the humidi'er as they can be seperated while the mainV housing is mounted Yon the furnaceg' FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken through the interior of the humidiier;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged sectional view of the clasp used to secure the reservoir to the main housing;

FIG. 5 is an exploded view of the housing of the humidifier;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken along vthe line 6-6 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged sectional view taken through one of the fasteners used to secure the media cover pla'te to the housing;

FIG. 8 is a sectional View ,taken vertically through the float control assembly;

FIG. 9 is an enlarged sectional View take-n through the clamp which secures the media to the media support frame; and

FIG. 10 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 6 but showing another embodiment of the invention.

lReferring to the drawings wherein a preferred embodiment of the invention is shown, FIG. 1 illustrates the 3,274,993 Patented Sept. 1966 ICC humidiiier 10 which includes a main housing 11 adapted -to be secured to the vertical side wall 12 of the hot air furnace or duct. 'I'he humidifier also includes a removable evaporator wheel assembly 14 and a removable reservoir pa-n 1'5 which holds the water used to wet the evaporation material. While the invention is shown and described as intended primarily for use with hot air furnaces or the like, it should be understood that it can be used in other and different arrangements, for example, it can be modified for use as .an evaporative air cooler without departing `from the `scope of this invention. Moreover, a. plurality of `the humidiliers can be mounted in connection with the same h ot air heating unit tov increase capacity, for example, in large commercial installations.

The main housing 11 includes left and right-hand secf tions 16 and 17 (FIG. 5) having the central section I18 secured therebetween. Each of these sections is rso designed that they can be molded separately and then nested together to provide the precise configuration required for efficient air flow through the humidiiier. The left-hand Asection 16 includes a curved vtop wall 2 0 which extends from the upstanding mounting ange 21 to a lower edge 22 which Vengages the reservoir pan 15.

The integral side Wall 23 is formed integrally wit-h wall 20 and a recessed motor mounting receptacle 25 isy 1formed centrally therein, Vas shown in FIG. 6. receptacle includes a plurality of openings 27 for receiving mounting `studs 258 for the motor `30, and the annular horizontally extend-ing ange v31 surrounds a portion of the motor 30 and projects from this side wall 23. The .annular ange 31 receives a cylindrical motor cover 33 which is secured thereto by the conventional screws 34, and this cover has Ia perforated end wall (not shown) for ventilation of the motor 30 whose elongated shaft 36 extends through the opening 37 in the receptacle 25 in the left-handsection.

The central section 18 also includes a top'wall 40 which extends rearwardly from the vertical ange 41 through a curved portion 42 on the back of 4the humidifier to the lower edge 43. The vertical partition 44 is formed integrally with the left-hand edge 45 of the top wall 40, and this partition has a lower section 46 which extends downwardly into the reservoir pan 15. The primary purpose of the partition 44 is to separate the air inlet chamber 47 (FIG. 6) .an-d the humidiication chamber 48, as will be further described. The circular opening 50 is provided in this partition with the smooth Iannular flange 51 which provides for eicient flow of ai-r from the inlet chamber 47 into the centrifugal blower wheel 53.

A curved balle 55 is secured to the partition 44 generally below the opening 50 by a conventional fastener 56, e.g., rivets, which extend through the flange 57 (FIG. 6) and into the partition `44. The purpose of this baille will be described hereinafter. The housing 58 for the electrical connections and switches is partially dened bythe horizontal plates 61 and 62 and the curved vertical wall 63 therebetween all of which are formed integrally with the partition 44.

The right-hand section 17 of the main housing 11 includes a top wall 65 which extends rearwardly from the vertical Harige 66 to the curved portion `67 which terminates in the lower lianged edge 68 on the rear end thereof. The right-hand side wall 70 is formed integrally Vwith the rghtJhand edge 71 of the ltop wall 65, and this side wall has an enlarged circular opening 72 therein, as shown in FIG. 2. The housing 58'rfor theY electrical contacts and switches is furtherdei'ned by the parallel horizontal plates 74 and 75 andcurvedrear Wall76 formed integrally with the side wall 70. The plates 74 and 75 and the Wall 7 6 are complementary to the plates 61 and l62 and Vthe wall 63 `on the central section 18 so that when the sections are assembled, the live sides of the housing 58 are defined thereby.

The three housing sections 16, 17 and 18 are secured together by suitable fastening means, such Y as epoxy resins, rivets, or their equivalents, and for this purpose the innermost edges 80 and 81,'A of the left and right- hand sections 16 and 17 slightly overlap the edges of the central section 18, as shown in FIG. 6. Athin decorative strip 83 may be provided in the space between the edges 80 and 81 to create a smooth surface on the outer wall of the humidifier.V When assembled, a peripheral flange 85 (FIG. '1), which is in partformedby thefanges 21, 41, Iand 66, is created around all four sides of the main housing iwitlh the screw receiving openings 86 :therein for use in securing the housing -11 to the vertical wall 12 of the furnace or duct. v f 'I'heplenurnstilener 88 is shownin FIG.l 5 and is i used forvadding rigidity to the wall 12 of the furnace or duct which is usually relativelythin sheetl metal. The

stilfener 88 `is of relatively heavy gage sheet Vmetal and has the outwardly turned edges 90'which add rigidity` thereto, and is secured to the wall 12 by use of Vthe con-` ventional metalIA screws 91 which are inserted through the holes 92 and into the wall 12. A bracket 93 is rigidly in the alignment andfsecurn'g .of the housing 111 to the the openi-ng 132 in theinwardly offset flange 133l around` Y the periphery of the circular opening 72. The screws 131 secured to the upper central portion' of the stitfener for y overlappingthe flange 41fof the housing section 18 to aid stiiiener 88 so thatwhen the humidifier 10 isV mounted thereon, the deliector 95 on the forward edge 96 of the partition `44 extends through this opening and divides the same into the elongated air inlet 97 and the rectangular outlet 98. The portion ',100 of the stifener below the outlet 98 forms thev front wall of the housing 58 for the electrical contacts and switches.

The humidifier 10 is secured to the stiffener 88 by use of conventional metal screws 102 which are inserted through the openings 86 in the -ange 85 on the four sides, of the humidifier main housing 11 and into the complementary openings 103 in the plenum stiffener 88; The reservoir pan 15 is adapted to be secured below the assembled main housing 11, and for this purpose the outwardly extending flanges 104 are provided around the 'f housing 11 sot-hat the upper edges 105 of the reservoir ,Y

pan 15 are received within this flange 104, as shown in FIG. 8. Specifically, the upper edgesv 105 of the reservoir pan extend upwardly into the main housing `andpseat against the resilient` seal 107 so that the reservoir pan 15 is,` secured in place in a fluid ytight manner.`v

The reservoir pan15 is secured to the upperihousing bythe releasable clasps 110'providedy onthe sides `and rear` of thehousing. Each of these clasps 110 (FIG. `4) includes a base bracket'llvl secured to the wall 112 of, the

reservoirfpan 15 and having the ypivot link 114`secured thereto.' The clamp member 115 isV secured lto the opposite end of the link 114, and the upper portion of the clamp has a downwardly extending lipl 117 which is adapted to'engage the' opening 118 in the bracket 120 on 'the main housing 11. ,The clasp 110 is released by merely pulling thebottom portion .121 thereof outwardly yaway from the wall 112, whichY then permits upward movement thereof so that therlip r117 disengages the opening 118 in the bracket120.` 1 y, n

The clasps 11,0 can be resecured 4by reversingtheabove operatiomandit is to be understood that other forms of manually releasable clasps can be used to interconnect ,the main housing 11 and reservoir pan 15 together'without departing from the scope of this invention. `Each wall housing 125 which is releasably secured to the areheld in place on the flange .163 by the speed nuts 135,`

and the removable rvwal1,125 `is secured tothe wall 70 by these screws which extend through the openings 137 and receive the knurledV n uts 140, as seen in FIG.*7.

The removable wall 125`has the annular flangey 145 extending horizontally from thel central portion thereof with the motor '126, secured by the` mounting studs- 146 to the portion `147 of the wall 125 insidethis flange.-` The resilient bushings 148are used between the-wall147 and the studs 146 to .reduce the vibration and noiseV produced bythe motor 126. 'The cover 150` `is releasably secured tothe flange 1451 and encloses the motor l126V, as shown in FIG. 6, :and the end of this cover is` perforated at 152 to provide for the ow of cooling air around the rnotor.126.

The lshaft 154 ofthe motor 126 extendsth-rough the Y opening 155 in the wall 147 and has evaporator drum'127 mounted thereon for rotation.l This drum includes the p Vannular back plate 156 having the Vhub 157 Ythereon't'o receive the shaft 154, and a suitable flat surface 158 is provided on the shaft 154 so that angular Vmovement between the hub and the shaftis prevented. A plurality of cantilevered fingers 160 extend horizontally from the outer peripheral edge 161 of the back plate V156toY support the` `resilient media sleeve 162.V i-

) l The media sleeve 162 is preferably open cell polyure-V f thane foam which has Anumerous irregularly spacedpores or passages therethrough, e.g., a porosity of ten to fifteen pores per lineal inch.` Thi-s characteristic vprovides rela-l tively large elfective surface' area to become wetted when the belt is submerged in water. Another advantage of this 5 material'is that the -total space consumed by the belt is much less than that of other materials capable of provid'- ing the amount of surface area, and the particular porosity is dependent upon the thickness, length, and width of the material, as well as the. ratey 'of-air'owtherethrough.y k

It is important that the material,` not beabsorb'ent since it is not desired t-o completely saturate the-,sleeve =162 but only to wet the surface a'rea'thereof.

Thispolyurethane foam material is composedr ofuni- `formly distributedinterconnecting strands which form -a three-dimensional structure of openings or poreswith i out a coveringmembraneior.surface ofjthetype often;

found in foam rubber materials. The random arrangement of the pores eliminates straight channelsithrough Ythis material so that Vair Viiowing AtherethroughpassesV around the individual strands thus creating maximum to prevent the sleeve from slipping circumferentially, or`

v contact therewith Vwith minimum of air resistance.- Alsol the ow through'the materialfs uniformithroughout so thatY there is maximum` flow therethrough. While `the pores are not precisely the same size, they arej predomi nately-within atrange of Ysimilar-sizes so that 4the airflow-Y k ing therethrough is uniform "throughout the surface on whichwater is deposited for maximum efficiency ofA the humidifier. This material is disclosed and claimedin the aforesaid copending application of Martin et al., and other f materials rnaybe usedl withoutdeparting from the scope ofthis invention.v One or more ofthe U-shaped 'clamps 163as shown in.FIGS.6,and 9, are inserted through the` resilient sleeve 162 and Aaround a portion of thengers 160 Nradially on the media wheel 121i Y kThe single inlet centrifugal'blower wheelA 53 lhas'its hub i 53ars'ecured to the Lend of the elongated drive `shaft 36 l Awith its 1nlet53b aligned with the opening 50 in the partifl tion 44. The outer diameterof the blower wheel 53 is somewhat less than the inner diameter of the media wheel 127, and as shown in FIGS. 3 and 6, the bale 55 is disposed between the blower and media wheels 53 and 127 beneath the blower wheel 53. The bathe 55 extends from a point above the Water level on the left of a vertical plane through the axis of the Imedia wheel 127, then beneath the blower wheel 53, and upward on the righthand side thereof to a level approximately in a horizontal plane through the axis of the blower wheel 53. The baffle thus blocks the high velocity air from being forced through the media 162 as it reenters the water, as well as to prohibit the air from being forced into the water to cause splashing and possible ent-rainment of Water droplets into the air.

A oat chamber 165 (FIG. 8) is formed in the reservoir pan 15 by the npstanding partition 166 and the side and end walls 167 and 168 of the pan. As seen in FIG. 8, the partition 44 of the central section 18 projects into the pan 15 and has the reinforcing ange 169 on the lower edge thereof which is spaced above the bottom wall 170 so that water can ow from the chamber 165 into `the reservoir 171. The oat assembly 172 is mounted on the lower -side of the plate 75 in the main housing 11, and extends into the float chamber 165 to regulate the level of Water in this chamber. Since the oat assembly is mounted =on the main housing 11 and the pan 15 can be removed without detaching the water line 174. The float assembly 172 is supported in place by the bracket 175 which is secured by the bolts 176 to the plate 75 of the closed chamber 58 which houses the electrical switches and connections.

The float assembly 172 includes a valve body 177 secured to the bracket 175 by the nut 17.8 and has a longitudinal passageway 180 therein terminated at one end by an orice 181 on the top side 182 ofthe valve body 177. The Styrofoam float 183 is secured at the end of the arm 184 which is pivotally secured on the valve body 177 by .the pin 185 so that movement of the arm 184 forces the valve member 187 into and out of engagement with the orifice 181 to control the ow =of water therefrom. The pin 188 extends through the Styrofoam float 183 and secures it to the arm 184, and a cover member 190 is provided above the `orifice 181 and valve membe-r 187 Iso that any spraying of water is confined to the oat chamber 165.

When the water level in the oat chamber 165 changes, the buoyancy of the oat 183 causes it to rise or -fall thereby changing the position of the arm 184 which in turn moves the valve member 187 with respect to the orifice 181 to 4open or close this orifice. The level of the water is thereby regulated to the desired depth within the iloat `chamber 165, and consequently within the reservoir 171 since the space 192 below the partition 44 interconnects `the chamber 165 and reservoir 171.

The compartment 58 is completely enclosed so that the electrical switch 193 and other electrical connections will be separated from the ow -of water and air through the humidifier. The media motor 126 has an electrical connector 194 releasably secured to the outlet 194a in the side Wall 70 which must be disconnected before the media `assembly 14 can be removed from the xmain housing 11.

A removable expansion plug 195 is provided in the opening 196 in the bottom wall 17,0of the reservoir pan 15 (FIG. 8) yso that the water from this reservoir may be easily drained therefrom prior to removal of the pan 15, to drain periodically the reservoir, or to connect a purge pump thereto to remove water therefrom at a preset `rate to prevent the precipitation of dissolved minerals in the pan. The plug 195 is conventional in design wherein pivotal movement of the lever 197 causes the outer diameter thereof to expand .or contract. A small window 198 is provided in the `side Wall 70 so that the condition of the media sleeve 1-62 can be` readily viewed to determine when cleaning or replacement thereof is indicated.

rFor Vpreferred operation, 'the rate of air flow through the sleeve 162, the porosity of the sleeve '1 62, and the rate of movement of the media wheel 127 are carefully correlated so that substantially all of the strands remain wet at all times. As a result, only 'a portion of the water which wets the media material is evaporated therefrom so that the deposits on the sleeve 162 caused by evaporation are reduced to a minimum since evaporation of some of the water merely concentrates the remaining waterv with dissolved minerals. These solutions are subsequently removed when the media reenters the reservoir 171 wherein the highly concentrated solutions are rinsed from the sleeve.

As the media wheel '127 is slowly rotated by motor 126, the porous sleeve 127 dips below the surface of the water in the reservoir 171, and each of the strands thereof becomes wetted thus providing a substantial total surface area from which this water can be evaporated. Simultaneously, high speedv rotation of the blower wheel 53 =by its motor -30 draws warmed or heated air from the furnace or duct 15, through the Iinlet 97, the inlet chamber 47, and 4then axially through the venturi shaped opening 50 in the partition 44 into the blower wheel 53.

An important feature of the invention resides in the `desi-gn of the main housing 11 which produces the high volume of air from the humidifier. In particular, the radial space between the outer periphery of the blower wheel 53 and the inside of the housing 11 is such that the distance is generally uniform from the downstream edge 200 of the bathe (see FIG. 3) to a point 201 substantially directly above the 4blower wheel 55, and then this distance gradually increases into the outlet channel 202 leading to -the outlet opening 96. The flow of air between the outlet and the upstream edge 204 of the battle 55 is substantially blocked by the wall 63 and the baile 5'5 so that little or no air flows in this space and thus the evaporation occurs when the air passes through the media sleeve 162 -in the remaining space around the blower wheel.

Since the centrifugal blower wheel 53 produces high velocity air lflow, the -bafe 55 is provided'between the blower wheel and the media drum 127. As indicated above, this bathe extends upwardly on the rightdhand side of the blower Wheel 53 which is rotating in a clockwise direction, and consequently none of the air which flows radially from the blower wheel can be forced into the reservoir 171 or through the portion of the media which is about to enter the reservoir 171( This prevents the splashing of water and the entrainment of droplets in the high speed air.

As the air leaves the blower wheel 53, it passes through the numerous pores of the sleeve 162 (except in the area of the baffle 55) at a relatively high velocity to evaporate a portion of the moisture on the surfaces of the strands with a resultant increase in the moisture content of the air. After the air passes through the sleeve 162 and into the outlet channel 202 it is deflected away from the inlet by the detiector as it is returned to the furnace or duct so that it is not recirculated through the humidifier 10.

The continuous rotation of the media wheel 127 keeps the sleeve 162 constantly wet, and consequently the usual solids or other precipitate which are formed thereon are held to a minimum. A s the sleeve 162 passes through the water, the lconcentrated solution ofn dissolved minerals is washed or rinsed therefrom and this action gradually concentrates the dissolved minerals in solution in thje reservoir 171 and eventually precipitation will occur if the Water therein is not drained.

After the humidifier 10 has been ,in operation for a period of time, eg., every four months, it should b e cleaned in order to remove any mineral deposits which have collected on the media wheel`127, inthe reservoir 171 or in the float chamber 165. This is easily acconiy plished by using the switch 193 to inactivate'the blower yspeed flow of air therethrough. A

7 by shutting olf ow through the valve V (FIG. 1)'. The clasps 115 are then disengaged in the manner descrlbed, and this releases the reservoir pan 15 so that it can be moved downwardly and away from the main housing Y 11 of the humidifier 10to a suitable location for cleaning. If desired, the plug 193 can be removedY prior to removal of the pan 15 to drain the reservoir 171.so that the pan does not have water therein when it is detached. Since the water line 174 and the float assembly 172 are secured to the' main housingll these components remain in position when the pan 15 is removed.

The-media assembly 14 is removed from the main housing by manually unscrewing each of the releasable -nuts 140 of the connectors 130 around the periphery of the wall 125.y This releases the wall 125 froml the side wall 70 of the main housing'll, and after the electrical` connector has been detached itis merely necessary to slide the media assembly 15 horizontally from the main housing 11. The clamps 163Vare then removed and the sleeve 162 removed from'the supporting fingers .160 for ,cleaning or replacement as required. Afterany deposits which have accumulated on the other components of the humidifier have been removed, the humidifier 10 is quickly andl easily reassembled without tools by reversing the lprocedure used to disassemble the same.

Another embodimentv of the inventionis shown in FIG. l wherein the flow of air through the humidifier housf ing 11a isreversed. The unit however remains substantially unchanged s o that the reference'characters used above are used herein to indicate like parts. Specifically,

-in this embodiment, the wall 23a on whichthe motor 30 is mounted is flat so that the motor is disposed entirely on the outer surface thereof. The drive shaft 36a of this motor extends into the chamberk 47a and has secured thereon the hub 253a of the centrifugal blower Wheel 253 which Vhas relatively short blade length and a larger outerY diameter. The venturi 50a in the partition 44a is reversed from that of FIG. 6 to aid the tiow'of air into the inlet opening of centrifugal blower wheels253." Also, the baffle 55a is secured to the Ypartition 44a below the blower wheel 253 just abovethe water level in the reservoir 171:1Y Ito block the ow ofair from direct contact with the water. A Y v In operation of this'embodiment, when the blower wheel 253 is rotatedfat'high speed, air is drawn into the chamberf48a and forced through the media sleeve 162 of the assembly 127 into the'interior space 202 defined by the media -assembly 127. From the space 202 the air is drawn Athrough the venturi-50arinto the blower wheel 253 and is returned to the furnace from the chamber 47a ofthe respects,;the humidifier operates substantially as described above by adding moisturer to the air as it passes through-the media 162; The advantageof this embodiment is theelimination of the elongated shaft 36,-'the use of a blowerwheel 253 having shorter blades, and a less kpowerful'drive motor 30 to accomplish the sameamount of humidiication. It has also been found that by moving the air through the media assembly 127 in a radially yinward direction, -a substantial increase in the amount of vwaterevaporated from the media sleeve 162 is achieved.

The invention has therefore provided animproved high capacity humidifier whose` housing `is .made of Ymolded,

plastic parts which are` secured together toform a hous-v kscope of the invention. In such an arrangement, other. y ysuitable means4 would be provided for wetting the media. 75

which thehumidifier V8 While the form of apparatus herein described constitutes a preferred embodiment of the invention, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to this precise form of apparatus, and that changes may be made therein without departing from the scope of theV invention which is dened in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1.A high capacity humidifier of the character described adapted to have one side thereof secured adjacent a vertical wall of a furnace or vthe like comprising,a housing having a vertical partition dividing said housing into airinlet chamber and humidification chamber, means defining a circular opening in said partition to interconnect said chambers, means* on said one side of saidhousthrough the .opening 97 in the Vstiiener plate 88. In all ,50

ing adapted to' connect said chambers to the interior of the furnace or duct,'said housing having a removableY side wall Ywhich'forms one side of-said humidification chamber, a highly porous Yevaporator drum mounted `on said side wall and disposed in said humidication chamber,`

said drum having an outer size smaller than the sizeof said side wall so that said drumcan be removed from said housing with said Yside wall, means for wetting `said drum, said drum having an open end adjacent said partition, a motor mounted on a side wall opposite said first f side wall and having its drive shaft extending into said housing through said air inletchamber and said( circular openingV and into the interior of said'drum, and a single inlet centrifugal blower wheel mounted onsaid shaft and disposed within said drum with its inlet aligned with saidcircular opening for effecting high velocity. flow of air between Vsaid chambers, said blower wheel adapted to force air through the said evaporator drum to evaporate Water therefrom to increase vthe moisture contentof said air scribed adapted to have one side thereof secured adjacent a vertical wall of a furnace or the like comprising,` a'

housing having a vertical partition dividing said housing into air inlet chamber and humidification chamber, means defining a circular opening in lsaid partition to interconnectsaid chambers, means on said one side of said honsing adapted to connect. said chambers to the interior of the furnace` or duct,'said housing having va manually removable side wall which forms one side of said humidiication chamber, a highly Vporous evaporator means mounted on said side wall and disposed in said humidificationrchamber, said evaporator means having an outer` size smaller than the size of said side wallV so tha-tsaid evaporator means can be removed from said housing with said side wall for cleaning, means `for wetting said drum, said evaporator means having an open end ladjacent said partition, and means foreiecting the iiow of air between said chambers through saidcircular opening to forceair through the said evaporator means Vto evaporate'water Y therefrom and increasethe moisture contentgof. said'air.

3. A high capacity-humidifier of the character de- Yscribed comprising, a housinghavinga vertical partition .f Vdividing said housing'into air inlet chamber. and humidil cation chamber, means defining a circulargiopenin'g Yin s and disposed in said humidification Ichamber, `said'drum having an outer size smaller than the sizeof said-side wall so that said drum can be removed Afrom said housing with said sidelwall, meansl for wetting said drnmsaid` drum having an open end adjacent said partition,'and

means for effecting `the flow ofair lbetween said chambersY .Y

through said circular `opening to forceair through the said evaporator drum to evapora-te water therefrom to i increase the moisturercontent of said` air.

4. A highrrcapacity humidifier comprising, a housing having an open bottom anda vertical partition dividing 2. A high capacity humidifier Vof the character. de-

said housing into an air inlet chamber and humidification chamber, means defining an interior opening in said par-tition to interconnect said chambers, means dening an exterior opening in said housing to connect said chambers to a part exterior of said housing, a reservoir pan releasably secured to said open bottom of said housing to close said open bottom, means to maintain a preset level of water in said reservoir pan, said housing having a removable side wall which forms one side of said humidication chamber, a highly porous evaporator drum mounted on said side wall and disposed in said humidifcation chamber, said drum having an outer size smaller than that of said side wall so that said drum can Ibe removed from said housing with said side wall, said drum having a -lower portion thereof adapted to be submerged below said preset level of water in said pan, said drum having an open end adjacent said partition aligned with said interior opening, and means to force air between said chambers and through 'the unsubmerged portion of said evaporator drum yto evaporate water therefrom lto increase the moisture content of said 5. A high capacity humidifier comprising, a housing having an open bottom and a vertical partition dividing said housing into air inlet chamber andhumidifcation chamber, means defining an interior opening in said partition to interconnect said chambers, means defining an exterior opening in one side of said housing to connect said chambers to the exterior of said housing', a reservoir pan releasably secured to said open bottom of said housing to close said bottom, means to maintain a preset llevel of water in said reservoir pan, means defining a side opening in said housing adjacent said humidication chamber, a removable side wall secured over said side opening, a highly porous evaporator drum mounted on said removable side wall and disposed inV said humidification chamber, said drum having .an outer diameter less than the size of said side wall so that said drum can be removed from said housing with said side wall, said drum having a lower portion thereof adapted to be submerged below said preset level of water in said pan and an open end adjacent said partition aligned with said interior opening, and means to force air between said chambers and through said evaporator drum to evaporate water therefrom to increase the moisture content of said air.

6. A high capacity humidifier comprising, a housing having an open bottom and a vertical partition dividing said housing into air inlet chamber and humidification chamber, means defining an interior opening in said partition to interconnect said chambers, means defining an interior opening in one side of said housing to connect said chambers to the exterior of said housing, a reservoir pan releasably secured to said open bottom of said housing to close said bottom, means to maintain a preset level of water in said reservoir pan, means defining a side opening in said housing adjacent said humidication chamber, a removable side wall secured over said side opening, a highly porous evaporator drum mounted on said removable side wall and disposed in saidhumidification chamber, said drum having an outer size smaller than the size of said side wall so that said drum can be removed from said housing with said side wall, said drum having a lower portion thereof adapted to be submerged below said preset level of water in said pan, said drum having lan open end adjacent said partition aligned with said interior opening, blower means disposed in said drum for moving air between said chambers and through said highly porous evaporation drum, and means mounted below said blower means and above the portion of said drum which is submerged to -block the flow of air into said reservoir, and means to drive said blower means to force `air between said chambers and through the unsubmerged portion of said evaporator drum to evaporate water therefrom to increase the moisture content of said air.

7. A high capacity humidifier of the character described adapted to have one side thereof secured adjacent a vertical wall of a furnace or the like comprising, a

housing having'an' open bottom and a vertical partition dividing said housing into air inlet chamber and humidification chamber, means defining ian opening in said partition to interconnect said chambers, means on said one side of said housing adapted to connect said chambers to the interior of the furnace or duct, a reservoir pan releasably secured to said open bottom of said housing to close Said. open bottom, means to maintain va preset level of water in said reservoir pan, said housing having a removable side wall which forms one side of said humidiiication chamber, a highly porous evaporator drum mounted on said side wall and disposed in said humidification chamber, lsaid drum having an outer size smaller than that of said side wall so that said drum can be removed from said housing with said side wall, said drum having a lower portion thereof adapted to be submerged below said preset level ofwater in said pan, said drum having an open end adjacent said partition aligned with said opening, and blower means for moving air between said chambers and through said highly porous evaporator drum.

8. A humidifier adapted to be mounted on a vertical wall of a furnace or duct comprising, a housing having left-and right hand sections connected to the opposite side of a central section to define a chamber having two sides thereof open, one of said open sides adapted Yto be mounted adjacent said furnace or duct, vertical partition means in said housing dividing the same into inlet and humidification chambers adapted to communicate with the interior vof the furnace or duct through said one open side, an opening in said partition interconnecting said chamber, said other open side being disposed adjacent said humiditication chambers, a removable wall secured to said other side, highly porous evaporator means mounted on said removable wall and disposed in said `humidiiication chamber, said evaporator means having an outer size smaller than the size of said removable wall so that said evaporator means can be removed from said housing with said removable wall, means for wetting said highly porous evaporator means, said evaporator means defining a barrier through which air must flow Ias it passes between saidchamber through said interior opening in said partition, and lblower means mounted on said housing for effecting the ow of air between `said chambers to force air through said highly porous evaporator drum to evaporate water therefrom to increase the moisture content of the air.

9. A humidifier adapted to be mounted on a vertical wall of a furnace or duct comprising, a housing having left and right hand sections connected to the opposite side of la central section to define a volute shaped chamber havingtwo sides thereof open, one of said open sides adapted to be mounted adjacent said furnace or duct, vertical partition means in said housing perpendicular to said one side for dividing said housing into volute shaped -inlet and humidilication chambers adapted to communicate with the interior of the furnace or duct through said one open side, an interior opening in said partition interconnecting said chambers, said other open side being disposed adjacent said humidification chambers, a removable wall secured to said other side, a highly porous evaporator means mounted on said removable wall and disposed in said humidification chamber, `said evaporator means having an outer size smaller than the size of said removable wall so that said evaporator means can be removed from said housing with said removable wall, means for wetting said highly porous evaporator means, said evaporation means defining a barrier through which air must flow 'as it passes between said chambers through said interior opening in said partition, and a centrifugal blower wheel mounted in one of said chambers and cooperating with said volute shaped chambers for the high velocity ow of air between said chambers through said highly porous evaporator means to evaporate water therefrom to increase the moisture content of the air.

10. A high capacity humidifier of the character described adapte'd to have one side thereof secured adjacent a vertical wall of a furnace or the like comprising, a hous- 1 1 ing having an open bottom and a vertical partition dividingl said housing into air inlet chamber and humidication chamber, means defining a circular opening in said partition to interconnect said chambers, means onsaid one side of said housing adapted to connect said chambers to the interior of the furnace or duct, Aa reservoir pan releasably secured to said open bottom of said housing to close said bottom, means to maintain a preset levelV of water in said reservoir pan, said housing having a removable side wall Ywhich closes an opening in'one side of said humidication chamber, Van evaporator drum mounted Von said removable side wall'and disposedin said humidication chamber, said evaporator drum having an outer diameter less than the size ofsaid side wall opening so 'that said drum can be removed from said housing with said removable side, wall, said drumY having a lower portion thereof adapted to be submerged below said preset level of water in said pan, said drum having an open end adjacent said partition and being axially aligned with `said circular opening in said partition, a motor mounted on a side wall opposite said first-side wall and yhaving its drive shaft extending into said housing'V through said air inlet chamber and said circular opening and into the in-` terior of said drum, a single inlet centrifugal blower wheelmounted on said shaft and disposed within said drum with its inlet aligned with said circular opening for effecting high velocity iiowy of air between said chambers, andY `a curved baille secured on said partition below said blower wheel and above the portion of said drum which is submerged toblock the ow of air into said reservor,`said )blower whee-l adapted to force air through the remainder of said evaporator or drum to evaporate water therefrom to increase the moisture contentV` of said air.

11; A humidifier adapted to be mounted on a vertic-al wall of a furnace or duct comprising, ahousinghaving left and right hand sections connected to the opposite sides of a central section to define achamber having two p open sides and the bottom thereof open, one of said open 'sides adapted to be mounted adjacent ysaid furnace or duct, vertical partition means in said housing dividing the same into inlet and humidi-cation chambers adapted. to. communicate with the interior of the-furnace or duct' Vthrough said one side, a circular opening in said partition interconnecting said cham-bers, a `reservoir pan releasably secured to said open bottom of said housing to close said bottom, means to maintain a preset level of water in said reservoir pan, said other open side -being disposed adjacent said humiditication chamberga removable wall secured to said other side, an evaporator drum mounted on said removablewall and disposed in said humidica- `tion chamber, said drum having an outer size smaller than vthe sizeof said removable Ywall Aso that saidY drum `can be removed from said housing with said removable wall,

12 said drum having a lower portion' thereof adapted ltobe submerged below said preset level of water in said pan, said drum having an open end adjacent said partition and axially aligned with said circular opening, 4a motor mounted on a side wall opposite said removable lwalland having its drive shaft extending into said housing through said air inlet chamberand said circular opening and into the interior of said drum, a single inlet centrifugal blower wheel mounted on said shaft and disposed within said drum with its inlet -aligned with said circular opening for effecting high vvelocity ow of air between saidchambers, and a curved bale' secured on said partition below said blower wheel and above the portion of said drum which is submerged to block'the ow of air into said reservoir, said blower wheel adapted to force air through the remaining portion 'of'said evaporator .drum lto evaporate water therefrom to increase the moisture content of said, air. Y t, Y Y

V12. A high 4capacity` humidiieriofV the characterrrde-v scribed Vadapted to have one side :thereof secured adjacent a vertical wall of a furnace` or the like comprising, a housing having a partition `thereindividing said housingtinto blower chamber and humidiicati'on chamber, means dening a circular openingtin said partition to interconnect v said chambers, means onrsaid one side of said housing Y adapted to connect said chambers tothe interior of the furnace or duct,v said housing having a removable sidey wall which forms one side fof said humidification chamber,

a highly lporous evaporator drum mounted on said side wall and disposed in said humidification chamber, Ysaid drum having an outer sizesmaller than the sizeof said sidewall so that said dru'm can bere'moved from said .housing with said side wall, means for wetting said drum,

said drum having an open-end adjacent said partition, -a

motor mounted on a side wall opposite said first side wall and having its drive shaft extending into saidhousing, and a single inlet centrifugal blower rwheel mounted on said shaft and disposed within said blower chamber with its inlet aligned with 'said circularopeningforeffecting the llo'w of air from the furnace through said evapora- Ator drum and said blower wheel after which it is returned vto the furnace, said blower wheel adaptedto evaporate; -Water from said evaporator drum to content of said air.

JAMES W. wEsrHAVER, Primm Examiner.

increasethe moisture

Claims (1)

1. A HIGH CAPACITY HUMIDIFIER OF THE CHARACTER DESCRIBED ADAPTED TO HAVE ONE SIDE THEREOF SECURED ADJACENT A VERTICAL WALL OF A FURNACE OR THE LIKE COMPRISING, A HOUSING HAVING A VERTICAL PARTITION DIVIDING SAID HOUSING INTO AIR INLET CHAMBER AND HUMIDIFICATION CHAMBER, MEANS DEFINING A CIRCULAR OPENING IN SAID PARTITION TO INTERCONNECT SAID CHAMBERS, MEANS ON SAID ONE SIDE OF SAID HOUSING ADAPTED TO CONNECT SAID CHAMBERS TO THE INTERIOR OF THE FURNACE OR DUCT, SAID HOUSING HAVING REMOVABLE SIDE WALL WHICH FORMS ONE SIDE OF SAID HUMIDIFICATION CHAMBER, A HIGHLY POROUS EVAPORATOR DRUM MOUNTED ON SAID SIDE WALL AND DISPOSED IN SAID HUMIDIFICATION CHAMBER, SAID DRUM HAVING AN OUTER SIZE SMALLER THAN THE SIZE OF SAID SIDE WALL SO THAT SAID DRUM CAN BE REMOVED FROM SAID HOUSING WITH SAID SIDE WALL, MEANS FOR WETTING SAID

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