Patents by Inventor John C. Vignali

John C. Vignali has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 5368786
    Abstract: Apparatus is provided which controls humidity in a gas. The apparatus employs a porous interface that is preferably a manifolded array of stainless steel tubes through whose porous surface water vapor can pass. One side of the porous interface is in contact with water and the opposing side is in contact with gas whose humidity is being controlled. Water vapor is emitted from the porous surface of the tubing into the gas when the gas is being humidified, and water vapor is removed from the gas through the porous surfaces when the gas is being dehumidified. The temperature of the porous interface relative to the gas temperature determines whether humidification or dehumidification is being carried out. The humidity in the gas is sensed and compared to the set point humidity. The water temperature, and consequently the porous interface temperature, are automatically controlled in response to changes in the gas humidity level above or below the set point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 29, 1994
    Assignee: Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation
    Inventors: William R. Dinauer, David R. Otis, Mohamed M. El-Wakil, John C. Vignali, Philip D. Macaulay