# US 10,309,666 B2 · Filter cartridge, roller, and air humidifier

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- Number: US 10,309,666 B2
- Document ID: US10309666B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 15/807,745
- Filed: 2017-11-09
- Published: 2018-05-10
- Granted: 2019-06-04
- Earliest claimed: 2015-05-12
- Assignees: Venta-Luftwaescher GmbH
- Applicants: Venta-Luftwaescher GmbH
- Inventors: Alfred Hitzler; Guido Wegner
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10309666B2

## CPC

- F24F 6/06: using moving unheated wet elements
- C02F 1/001: {Processes for the treatment of water whereby the filtration technique is of importance (C02F1/44 takes precedence; construction of filters in general B01D24/00 - B01D41/00)}
- C02F 1/283: {using coal, charred products, or inorganic mixtures containing them}
- C02F 1/42: by ion-exchange (ion-exchange in general B01J)
- C02F 1/50: by addition or application of a germicide or by oligodynamic treatment {(C02F1/4606, C02F1/467, C02F1/76 take precedence)}
- C02F 1/68: by addition of specified substances, e.g. trace elements, for ameliorating potable water (medicinal water A61K)
- F24F 6/16: using rotating elements
- F24F 8/10: by separation, e.g. by filtering
- B01D 33/15: with rotary plane filtering surfaces
- C02F 2201/006: Cartridges
- C02F 2303/04: Disinfection
- C02F 2303/22: Eliminating or preventing deposits, scale removal, scale prevention (C02F1/042, C02F1/4602, C02F5/00 take precedence)
- C02F 2307/12: as part of household appliances such as dishwashers, laundry washing machines or vacuum cleaners
- F24F 8/117: using wet filtering
- F24F 2006/006: {with water treatment}
- F24F 2006/065: {using slowly rotating discs for evaporation}
- Y02A 50/20: Air quality improvement or preservation, e.g. vehicle emission control or emission reduction by using catalytic converters
- F24F: AIR-CONDITIONING; AIR-HUMIDIFICATION; VENTILATION; USE OF AIR CURRENTS FOR SCREENING (removing dirt or fumes from areas where they are produced B08B15/00; vertical ducts for carrying away waste gases from buildings E04F17/02; tops for chimneys or ventilating shafts, terminals for flues F23L17/02)
- C02F: TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE (separation in general B01D; special arrangements on waterborne vessels of installations for treating water, waste water or sewage, e.g. for producing fresh water, B63J; adding materials to water to prevent corrosion C23F; treating radioactively-contaminated liquids G21F9/04; regeneration of reactants for recirculation into processes, see the relevant places for the processes)
- B01D: SEPARATION (separating solids from solids by wet methods B03B, B03D; by pneumatic jigs or tables B03B; by other dry methods B07; magnetic or electrostatic separation of solid materials from solid materials or fluids, separation by high-voltage electric fields B03C; centrifuges, vortex apparatus B04; presses per se for squeezing-out liquid from liquid-containing material B30B9/02; treatment of water C02F, e.g. softening by ion-exchange C02F1/42; {arrangements of air intake cleaners in gas turbine plants F02C7/05} ; arrangements or mounting of filters in air-conditioning, air-humidification or ventilation F24F13/28)
- Y02A: TECHNOLOGIES FOR ADAPTATION TO CLIMATE CHANGE

## Abstract

A filter cartridge for filtering water, for use in an air humidifier, having a storage chamber for storing filter material, and having at least one opening for feeding to the storage chamber and/or for releasing from the storage chamber the water to be filtered is proposed. For the purpose of relatively quick filling, the filter cartridge is formed to be arranged in a container, containing water to be filtered, such that the filter cartridge can project at least partially into the water stored in the container, with the at least one opening formed both as a water inlet for feeding water from the container into the storage chamber and as a water outlet for discharging water from the storage chamber into the container. A roller, an air humidifier and a filtering method are also proposed.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A humidifier for humidifying air by cold evaporation of water, with a tank for the storage of the water, wherein a roller for humidifying air through cold evaporation of the water as well as a motorized drive for rotation of the roller about an axis of rotation are provided, wherein the roller has a shaft and at least one plate, wherein the at least one plate is arranged coaxially in respect to a shaft, wherein the roller is designed such that at least one plate dips at least partially into the water, in order for the moistened part exiting with further rotation from the water to release the water through cold evaporation of the air to be dehumidified, wherein the roller comprises a filter cartridge, which is designed for filtering water for use in a humidifier or the like, with a storage space for the storing of filter material, the filter material including at least ion exchange resin, activated carbon or the like, and with at least one opening in order to supply the water to be filtered to the storage space and/or to release it from the storage space, wherein the filter cartridge is designed to be arranged in the tank with the water to be filtered, so that the filter cartridge can protrude into the water stored in the tank, wherein the at least one opening is designed both as a water inlet for supplying water from the tank into the storage space as well as the water outlet for release of water from the storage space into the tank, wherein a mounting device is provided to be mounted in the tank, the mounting device defining a hub for fastening to the shaft and/or axis of rotation, wherein the filter cartridge is applied to the shaft, wherein the filter cartridge is applied to the shaft, wherein the filter cartridge, having the at least one opening is arranged in and/or on the tank such that the water absorbed by the filter cartridge from the tank for the filtering is released again into the tank to the water which has not yet been absorbed, wherein the filter cartridge has at least one transport structure for the absorption and release of water, wherein the at least one transport structure is designed as a separation wall for the separation of individual compartments within the storage space, wherein at least two of the compartments are mutually filled with different filling materials, wherein at least one of the following filling materials is provided: ion exchange resin, active carbon, a fragrant substance, and a hygiene agent, which is designed for the purification and/or disinfection of the water.

### Claim 2

A humidifier for humidifying air by cold evaporation of water, with a tank for the storage of the water, wherein a roller is provided for humidifying air through cold evaporation of the water as well as a motorized drive for rotation of the roller,
wherein the roller has a shaft defining an axis of rotation and a plurality of substantially parallel plates coaxially mounted on the shaft, each plate of the plurality of plates being spaced away from an adjacent plate of the plurality of plates, defining a space therebetween, wherein the roller is designed such that the at least one plate dips at least partially into the water, in order for the moistened part exiting with further rotation from the water to release the water through cold evaporation of the air to be dehumidified,
wherein the roller comprises a filter cartridge, which is designed for filtering water for use in a humidifier or the like, with a storage space for the storing of filter material, the filter material including at least ion exchange resin, activated carbon or the like, and with at least one opening, in order to supply the water to be filtered to the storage space and/or to release it from the storage space, wherein the filter cartridge is designed to be arranged in the tank with water to be filtered, so that the filter cartridge can protrude into the water stored in the tank, wherein the at least one opening is designed both as water inlet for supplying water from the tank into the storage space as well as the water outlet for release of water from the storage space into the tank, wherein a mounting device is provided to be mounted in the tank, the mounting device defining a hub for fastening to the shaft and/or axis of rotation,
wherein the filter cartridge is coaxially mounted on the shaft substantially parallel with the plurality of plates,
wherein the filter cartridge having the at least one opening is arranged in and/or on the tank such that the water absorbed by the filter cartridge from the tank for the filtering is released again into the tank to the water which has not yet been absorbed, and
wherein the humidifier is configured to blow air from a top portion thereof in a direction substantially perpendicular to the shaft to contact at least one of the plates.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The humidifier according to claim 2, wherein the filter cartridge is designed as a disk, which is designed substantially rotationally symmetrical to the axis of rotation.

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

The humidifier according to claim 3, wherein the disk has an edge and at least one transport structure is designed as a spoke between the hub and the edge.

### Claim 5 (depends on 2)

The humidifier according to claim 2, wherein the filter cartridge has at least one transport structure for the absorption and release of water.

### Claim 6 (depends on 5)

The humidifier according to claim 5, wherein the at least one transport structure runs radially outwards and simultaneously curved in relation to the axis of rotation, so that the at least one transport structure can absorb the water in a bucket-like and/or spoon-like manner.

### Claim 7 (depends on 5)

The humidifier according to claim 5, wherein the at least one transport structure is designed for the purpose of transporting water absorbed in a rotation about the axis of rotation in at least one direction of rotation in an upper area thereof in the direction of gravity and for the purpose of releasing the water there from the transport structure, so that the water can flow downwards along the filter cartridge.

### Claim 8 (depends on 5)

The humidifier according to claim 5, wherein the at least one transport structure is designed as a separation wall for the separation of individual compartments within the storage space.

### Claim 9 (depends on 2)

The humidifier according to claim 2, wherein at least one of the at least one opening is delimited by a net-like, water-permeable material.

### Claim 10 (depends on 2)

The humidifier according to claim 2, wherein the filter cartridge is designed to be openable and re-closable, in order to be able to empty and refill the storage space.

### Claim 11 (depends on 2)

The humidifier according to claim 2, wherein the filter cartridge is designed and/or is fastened to the shaft in such a manner that a bulge side of the curvature of at least one transport structure is on a side facing away in the direction of rotation.

### Claim 12 (depends on 2)

The humidifier according to claim 2, wherein the filter cartridge is arranged parallel to at least one of the at least one plates.

### Claim 13 (depends on 2)

A method for the filtering of water, in particular for the water softening and/or purification of water, in a tank for the storage of water in a humidifier or the like, wherein a tank for storage of water and a filter material wherein the filter material is moved in such a manner that it is dipped periodically at least partially into the water and is removed again from the water, wherein a humidifier is used according to claim 2.