Directly Heated Desiccant Wheel

An air treatment apparatus, comprising:

• a desiccant wheel, the desiccant wheel comprising:
• a plurality of similar internal structures;
• a desiccant coating at least a portion of a structure of the plurality of similar internal structures;
• a plurality of electrical heaters, an electrical heater of the plurality of electrical heaters being interposed between a structure of the plurality of similar internal structures and a corresponding desiccant coating for the structure;
• and
• a plurality of switches, a switch of the plurality of switches selectively applying operating power to at least one electrical heater of the plurality of electrical heaters;
• a plurality of activators controlling the plurality of switches;
• a motor to rotate the desiccant wheel;
• a shroud which separates the desiccant wheel into an active area and a regeneration area;
• wherein an activator of the plurality of activators causes a switch of the plurality of switches to apply operating power to an electrical heater of the plurality of electrical heaters for a structure of the plurality of similar internal structures which is in the regeneration area;
• and
• at least one fan which drives air through the desiccant wheel.

An air treatment apparatus, comprising:

• a desiccant wheel, the desiccant wheel comprising:
• a plurality of similar internal structures arranged about an axis of rotation;
• a desiccant coating at least a portion of a structure of the plurality of similar internal structures;
• a plurality of electrical heaters, an electrical heater of the plurality of electrical heaters being interposed between a structure of the plurality of similar internal structures and a corresponding desiccant coating for the structure;
• an adhesive to secure the desiccant to at least one of an electrical heater of the plurality of electrical heaters or to a structure of the plurality of similar internal structures;
• a plurality of magnetic switches;
• and
• slip rings, wherein operating power is provided to the plurality of electrical heaters through the slip rings and the plurality of switches;
• a motor to rotate the desiccant wheel about the axis of rotation;
• a shroud which separates the desiccant wheel into an active area and a regeneration area;
• a first magnet to apply the first magnetic field polarity;
• a second magnet to apply the second magnetic field polarity;
• wherein a magnetic switch of the plurality of magnetic switches applies operating power to an electrical heater of the plurality of electrical heaters for a structure of the plurality of similar internal structures when the first magnetic field polarity is applied, and does not apply operating power to the electrical heater when the second magnetic field polarity is applied;
• a first fan which drives air through the active area of the desiccant wheel;
• and
• a second fan which drives air through the regeneration area of the desiccant wheel.