Apparatus and method for harvesting atmospheric moisture

An atmospheric moisture-harvesting array, said array comprising:

• a plurality of interconnected atmospheric moisture-harvesting apparatuses, each of said atmospheric moisture-harvesting apparatuses comprising
• an energy-gathering member and a condensation member, said energy-gathering member being spaced from said condensation member so as to define an air passageway between said energy-gathering member and said condensation member through which atmospheric air can flow, said condensation member having a condensation surface facing said air passageway and on which atmospheric moisture is condensed;
• and
• a cooling system disposed so as to cool said air passageway and/or said first condensation surface by an amount sufficient to cause moisture within atmospheric air flowing through said air passageway to condense and collect on said condensation surface;
• said energy-gathering member gathering energy and providing electrical power to operate said cooling system.

A method of providing water, said method comprising:

• passing moisture-laden atmospheric air through an air passageway and over a condensation surface of a condensation member, said air passageway being formed between said condensation member and an energy-gathering member and said air passageway and/or said condensation surface being chilled by means of a cooling system, whereby moisture in said atmospheric air is caused to condense and gather on said condensation surface;
• and
• collecting said condensed and gathered water;
• wherein said cooling system is powered by means of electricity produced by said energy-gathering member.

An autonomous apparatus for harvesting atmospheric moisture, said apparatus comprising:

• a case with one or more chillable condensation panels disposed therein, said one or more condensation panels forming one or more air passageways therebetween and/or between one of said one or more condensation panels and a wall of said case;
• refrigeration apparatus which operates to chill said one or more condensation panels;
• an opening formed in said case through which air can flow into said case;
• an exhaust port through which air that has flowed into said case can exit said case after having passed through said one or more air passageways;
• a water collector configured and disposed so as to collect water that has condensed on and flowed down along said one or more condensation panels;
• and
• an energy-gathering member which gathers and provides energy to power said refrigeration apparatus.