# US 9,435,551 B2 · Dehumidifier dryer using ambient heat enhancement > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 9,435,551 B2 - Document ID: US9435551B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 13/616,914 - Filed: 2012-09-14 - Published: 2013-03-21 - Granted: 2016-09-06 - Earliest claimed: 2011-09-15 - Applicants: Khanh Dinh - Inventors: Khanh Dinh - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9435551B2 ## CPC - F24F 3/153: with subsequent heating, i.e. with the air, given the required humidity in the central station, passing a heating element to achieve the required temperature - F24F 2003/144: {by dehumidification only} - F25B 5/04: arranged in series - 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) - F25B: REFRIGERATION MACHINES, PLANTS OR SYSTEMS; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS ## Abstract An apparatus is configured to receive an incoming air stream from within an enclosure and to exhaust an outgoing air stream into the enclosure, the incoming and outgoing air streams flowing in a flow direction. The apparatus comprises an evaporator, a compressor, a condenser, and a heat exchanger. The heat exchanger has a heat extraction portion and a heat depositing portion, wherein the heat extraction portion is disposed in an air stream outside of the enclosure and wherein the heat depositing portion is disposed downstream of the evaporator with respect to the flow direction. A method includes receiving an incoming air stream from within an enclosure in a dryer apparatus, the apparatus including an evaporator, a compressor, and a condenser. A heat exchanger is operably connected to the dryer apparatus to transfer sensible heat from an air stream outside of the enclosure to a location downstream of the evaporator. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An apparatus configured to receive an incoming air stream having a first temperature from within an enclosure and to exhaust an outgoing air stream into the enclosure, the incoming and outgoing air streams flowing in a flow direction, the apparatus comprising: a first evaporator through which the incoming air stream flows so that a second air stream exiting the first evaporator has a second temperature that is lower than the first temperature; a compressor; a condenser being within the enclosure; and a heat exchanger having a heat extraction portion and a heat depositing portion, wherein: the heat extraction portion is disposed in a third air stream outside of the enclosure, the third air stream having a third temperature greater than the second temperature, wherein the third air stream and the second air stream are not fluidly connected, wherein the heat depositing portion is disposed downstream of the evaporator with respect to the flow direction, wherein the heat depositing portion in the second airstream is located upstream of the condenser, and wherein the heat exchanger transfers sensible heat from the heat extraction portion in the third air stream to the heat depositing portion in the second air stream. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the heat exchanger comprises a heat pipe. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the heat exchanger comprises a tube heat exchanger. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the heat exchanger comprises a rotary heat wheel. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the heat exchanger comprises a liquid loop. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the heat exchanger comprises a plate type heat exchanger. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the heat exchanger comprises a thermosiphon heat exchanger. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a second evaporator disposed downstream of the heat extraction portion with respect to the third air stream outside of the enclosure. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The apparatus of claim 8 further comprising a recycle heat stream flowing from the second evaporator to the enclosure. ### Claim 10 (depends on 8) The apparatus of claim 8 further comprising a first valve for selectively controlling operation of the first evaporator. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The apparatus of claim 10 further comprising a second valve for selectively controlling operation of the second evaporator. ### Claim 12 A method comprising: receiving an incoming air stream having a first temperature from within an enclosure in a dryer apparatus, the apparatus comprising a first evaporator, a compressor, and a condenser, the condenser being within the enclosure, the incoming air stream flowing in a flow direction, wherein the incoming air stream flows through the first evaporator so that a second air stream exiting the first evaporator has a second temperature that is lower than the first temperature; operably connecting a heat exchanger to the dryer apparatus to transfer sensible heat from a third air stream outside of the enclosure, the third air stream having a third temperature greater than the second temperature, to a location in the second air stream downstream of the evaporator and upstream of the condenser with respect to the flow direction, wherein the third air stream and the second air stream are not fluidly connected; and exhausting an outgoing air stream into the enclosure, the outgoing air stream flowing in the flow direction. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The method of claim 12 further comprising operable connecting a second evaporator disposed downstream of the heat exchanger with respect to the third air stream outside of the enclosure. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The method of claim 13 further comprising transferring sensible heat from the second evaporator to the enclosure. ### Claim 15 (depends on 13) The method of claim 13 further comprising selectively controlling operation of the first evaporator. ### Claim 16 (depends on 13) The method of claim 13 further comprising selectively controlling operation of the second evaporator. ### Claim 17 (depends on 13) The method of claim 13 wherein the first evaporator operates while the second evaporator does not operate. ### Claim 18 (depends on 13) The method of claim 13 wherein the second evaporator operates while the first evaporator does not operate. ### Claim 19 (depends on 13) The method of claim 13 wherein the both the first evaporator and the second evaporator operate simultaneously.