Portable air-water generator

A water generating device for obtaining potable water from ambient air inside a structure or dwelling or ambient air outside a structure or dwelling, comprising:

• air passage means for bringing a supply of inside or outside ambient air to the device and for returning the air back outside the device after it has been processed;
• air filter means for filtering the air prior to processing of the air, said filter means including a cooperating female sensor which renders the air filter useless when removed;
• condenser means for extracting water vapor in the air brought thereto by the air passage means;
• blower means inside the air passage means to move air from outside the device through the condenser means and for returning the air back outside the device after it has traversed the condenser means;
• first ultraviolet light means for killing microorganisms in the just extracted water vapor;
• temporary holding reservoir means or plumbing means to this reservoir for containing said first ultraviolet light means and freshly extracted water vapor;
• pump means to move the water from the temporary holding reservoir to subsequent locations within the device, or to exterior water storage units;
• water filter means downstream of said pump means for filtering the water, said water filter means including a cooperating female sensor which renders the water filter non-reusable when removed;
• second ultraviolet light exposure means to kill remaining microorganisms just prior to the water being deposited into its internal or external container;
• container means positioned to receive and collect the water after it is exposed to the second ultraviolet light means;
• water sensor means below the top of said container means for shutting down the device when the container means is full of water or for activating a pump;
• means for measuring the pressure differential across the air filter for deactivating the device after a predetermined pressure drop in operation until this nonreusable air filter element is replaced;
• timing means for deactivating the device after a predetermined number of hours of operation until the nonreusable water filter element is replaced;
• thermostat means and humidistat means which are settable in conjunction with each other by a user to minimize energy consumption and maximize water yield;
• thermometer and humidity indicators for providing a visual measure of the temperature and relative humidity of the air passing through the device;
• and
• first, second, and third indicator means for providing a signal when the air filter element, the water filter element, or an ultraviolet light means, respectively, are in need of being replaced.

A water generating method for obtaining potable water from ambient air that is inside or outside a structure or dwelling comprising:

• bringing a supply of inside or outside ambient air to a first station and releasing the air after it has been processed;
• filtering the air through a filtering element prior to processing of the air, said air filter element becoming useless when removed;
• extracting water vapor in the air brought to the first station;
• moving air from outside the device through the first station and returning the air back outside the first station;
• exposing the extracted water vapor immediately to ultraviolet light;
• pumping the water to subsequent locations within the device, or to exterior water storage units;
• filtering the water from the extracting step through a filtering element which becomes useless when removed;
• exposing the filtered water to ultraviolet light a second time;
• collecting the water at a collecting station after the second ultraviolet light exposure;
• sensing the water level at the collecting station below the top of the collecting station for shutting down the process or activating a pump when the collecting station is full of water;
• deactivating the device when the air filter element is to be replaced and until this nonreusable air filter element is replaced after a preselected pressure drop;
• deactivating the device when the water filter element is to be replaced and until this nonreusable water filter element is replaced after a predetermined operating time;
• deactivating the device when at least one ultraviolet light is to be replaced and until an operable ultraviolet light is in place and operating;
• detecting the temperature and the relative humidity of the air brought to the first station and using this information in accordance with predetermined conditions to initiate and cease the process to minimize energy consumption and maximize water yield according to parameters chosen by the user;
• and
• providing a signal and deactivating the unit when the air filter element or the water filter or an ultraviolet light element are in need of being replaced.