Evaporative humidifier with water distribution system
AssigneeVornado Air Circulation Systems, Inc.
InventorsKevin Eugene Keller, Luke Edward Kelly, Glen Wesley Ediger
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The invention is generally directed to an evaporative humidifier having a water distribution system capable of quietly maintaining a continuously saturated wicking element through the use of a pump and water distribution troughs that allow water to be continuously flushed onto the tops of the wicking elements such that greater humidification of the air is achieved and the life of the wicking elements are extended.
Claims23
An evaporative humidifier for providing moisturized air to the surrounding environment comprising:
- a housing defining an interior;
- an air inlet through which air may enter the interior;
- an air outlet through which air may exit the interior;
- a reservoir adapted to retain a liquid supply at the bottom of said interior, wherein said interior is adapted to retain a wicking element in said interior, such that a bottom portion of said wicking element is in fluid communication with said reservoir and an outer surface of said wicking element is positioned adjacent said air inlet;
- a fan for forcing air flow into said interior via said air inlet, through said wicking element, and out said interior compartment via said air outlet;
- a trough positioned to be disposed above said wicking element, said trough comprising a bottom surface configured to extend at least a portion of a length of said wicking element and at least one end wall separated from said bottom surface by an opening, said bottom surface comprising a plurality of apertures for directing liquid through said trough onto said wicking element and said end wall being configured to direct liquid through said opening;
- and
- a pump adapted to pump liquid from said reservoir to said trough.
An evaporative humidifier for providing moisturized air to the surrounding environment comprising:
- a housing defining an interior of a humidifier;
- two air inlets on opposite sides of said housing;
- an air outlet on a top of said housing;
- a reservoir adapted to retain a liquid supply, wherein said interior is adapted to retain two wicking elements on opposite sides of said housing such that a bottom portion of each element is in fluid communication with said reservoir and a side of each element is adjacent a respective air inlet;
- a fan for forcing air flow into said interior through said air inlets, through said wicking elements, and out through said air outlet;
- two troughs positioned to be disposed above each of said wicking elements, each said trough comprising a bottom surface configured to extend at least a portion of a length of said wicking element and two end walls, wherein said bottom surface comprises a plurality of apertures for directing liquid through said trough onto said wicking element and wherein each said end wall is separated from a respective end of said bottom surface by an opening and is configured to direct liquid through said opening onto said wicking element;
- and
- a pump adapted to pump liquid from said reservoir through two conduits to a respective trough.
An evaporative humidifier for providing moisturized air to the surrounding environment comprising:
- a reservoir for retaining a liquid supply, wherein the humidifier is adapted to retain a wicking element, such that a bottom portion of said wicking element is in fluid communication with said reservoir;
- and
- a trough positioned to be disposed above said wicking element, said trough comprising a bottom surface configured to extend at least a portion of a length of said wicking element and at least one end wall separated from said bottom surface by an opening, said bottom surface comprising a plurality of apertures for directing liquid through said trough onto said wicking element and said end wall being configured to direct liquid through said opening.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.