Atmosphere And Sorbent Contacting Type Patents (Class 62/271)
  • Publication number: 20130055736
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are configured for providing thermal comfort (i.e., climatic conditioning) within an interior space of a building structure in multiple climate zones including hot and humid climates using very low energy consumption. Multiple water vapor phase change cycles are provided within a period of time where only a single such water vapor phase change cycle would typically take place under naturally occurring ambient conditions. These multiple water vapor phase change cycles are generated through artificially creating conditions within a hygroscopic heat sink mass for promoting water vapor phase change cycle. Advantageously, in combination with such artificially promoted water vapor phase change cycles, embodiments of the present invention provide hygroscopic properties and heat sink masses made from materials that can adsorb and retain thermal energy and that exhibit water vapor sorption/desorption attributes commonly associated with compositions referred to as desiccants.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2012
    Publication date: March 7, 2013
    Inventor: Steve Eugene Everett
  • Patent number: 8327652
    Abstract: To provide a more comfortable vehicle cabin space for a passenger. In a vehicle humidifying/dehumidifying device 10, when a control unit 26 is switched to an “intermittent operation mode”, a pair of heat exchange elements 28A and 28B are heated simultaneously and intermittently. Additionally, this allows humidified air to be generated by both of the pair of heat exchange elements 28A and 28B when the pair of heat exchange elements 28A and 28B are being heated simultaneously by a heater 30. Consequently, in comparison to a case where the humidified air is generated alternately by the heat exchange elements 28A and 28B, the humidifying amount imparted to the humidified air when the humidified air is generated by a humidifying/dehumidifying unit 16 can be increased. Thus, it becomes possible to perform humidifying amount control corresponding to various situations in a vehicle cabin, and it becomes possible to provide a more comfortable vehicle cabin space for a passenger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Takanobu Nakaguro
  • Patent number: 8322408
    Abstract: In a heat exchanger for exchanging heat between fluid such as refrigerant and air, an object of the present invention is to extend the surface area of fins while suppressing an increase in ventilation resistance, thereby improving performances of the heat exchanger. Corrugated sheet fins (70) are provided as the fins of the heat exchanger (60). The corrugated sheet fins (70) are each shaped like a corrugated sheet. The ridgeline direction of the waveform of the corrugated sheet fins (70) is orthogonal to front edges and rear edges. In the heat exchanger (60), the plurality of corrugated sheet fins (70) are arranged at constant pitches in the axial direction of the heat transfer tube (61).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: Daikin Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Shun Yoshioka, Shuji Ikegami
  • Patent number: 8302425
    Abstract: The invention discloses a regenerative adsorption system (50). The system includes at least two reactors (60, 70) capable of operating in an adsorption mode and a desorption mode and two liquid atomization units (62, 72) respectively in fluid communication with the reactors (60, 70). The liquid atomization units (62, 72) being capable of atomizing liquid to form adsorbate vapor or to condense desorbed vapor. In operation, the reactor in the adsorption mode adsorbs the adsorbate vapor and the reactor in the desorption mode produces desorbed vapor that is condensed by the atomised liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignee: Cyclect Singapore Pte Ltd.
    Inventor: Hideharu Yanagi
  • Publication number: 20120255316
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for cooling or heating a fluid or a body by means of a vapour compression circuit containing a heat transfer fluid, said circuit being at least partially contained in an enclosure, and the relative humidity of the air in the enclosure being less than or equal to a threshold value H1 which is less than 50%, the flammability of the heat transfer fluid at relative humidity H1 being less than the flammability of the heat transfer fluid at 50% relative humidity. The invention also relates to a cooling or heating installation suited to the implementation of this method. The invention also relates to a method of protection against the risks of fire or explosion in an enclosure containing at least partially a vapour compression circuit containing a heat transfer fluid, as well as a method for reducing the GWP of a transfer fluid. The invention also relates to heat transfer fluids suited to the implementation of the above methods.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2010
    Publication date: October 11, 2012
    Applicant: ARKEMA FRANCE
    Inventors: David Andre, Beatrice Boussand, Wissam Rached
  • Patent number: 8276892
    Abstract: According to a humidity controller (10), a first heat exchanger chamber (37) and a second heat exchanger chamber (38) are arranged next to each other in the left-to-right direction in the casing (11). A first adsorption heat exchanger (51) is accommodated in the first heat exchanger chamber (37), and a second adsorption heat exchanger (52) is accommodated in the second heat exchanger chamber (38). The humidity controller (10) alternately performs an operation in which outdoor air passes through the first adsorption heat exchanger (51) and room air passes through the second adsorption heat exchanger (52), and an operation in which outdoor air passes through the second adsorption heat exchanger (52) and room air passes through the first adsorption heat exchanger (51).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: Daikin Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshinori Narikawa, Shuji Ikegami, Nobuki Matsui
  • Publication number: 20120241127
    Abstract: To solve this problem, a desiccant humidity control technique is used, in which moisture emitted from passengers is absorbed, so as to suppress rising of an absolute humidity, by a desiccant which absorbs moisture in air or discharges moisture into air by the difference in relative humidity to air, and air with a high temperature is generated by utilization of heat generated by moisture absorption. This air is sprayed to a front window and other areas so as to cause defogging as well as heat the interior of the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2010
    Publication date: September 27, 2012
    Inventor: Takumasa Watanabe
  • Patent number: 8268030
    Abstract: The invention provides wind energy use. One application provides wind energy use for water harvesting from natural humid air. The method is based on changing thermodynamic state parameters of ambient wind air portions passed through a device comprising convergent-divergent and wing-like components. Those components transform the ambient wind portions into fast and cooled outflowing air portions. A decrease in static pressure and temperature triggers condensation of water-vapor into water-aerosols. Another application of the method provides an effective mechanism for harvesting electrical energy from naturally warm air using renewable wind energy, including the wind inertia, internal heat, and potential energy stored in the air mass in the Earth's gravitational field. The electrical energy harvesting mechanism is also applicable to use of natural renewable energy of streaming water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Inventor: Yuri Abramov
  • Publication number: 20120186281
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for air conditioning, capturing combustion contaminants, desalination, and other processes using liquid desiccants.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2011
    Publication date: July 26, 2012
    Applicant: 7AC Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter F. Vandermeulen, Jack I. Hanoka, Chaim Hanoka
  • Patent number: 8221514
    Abstract: The invention provides an ecologically clean method and apparatus for water harvesting from air. The method is based on changing of thermodynamic state properties of air wind getting a rotation and passing through convergent-divergent nozzles. The apparatus is a water condensation engine exposed to humid wind. The constructive solution has no moving solid parts, and the incoming wind is an inherent moving component of the engine. It comprises a cascade of sequentially arranged horn-tubes and a set of stationary wing-like details. Those horn-tubes transform the wind into a fast and cooled out-flowing air flux coming-and-hitting upon the set of wing-like details, where the air portions are accelerated and eddying. The inner static pressure and temperature decrease in the air portions. The decrease in static pressure and temperature triggers off condensation of water-vapors into water-aerosols.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Assignee: Yuri Abramov
    Inventor: Yuri Abramov
  • Patent number: 8196422
    Abstract: The present invention is directed at a solar powered heat exchange system preferably used to drive a water collection device, which condenses water vapor in atmospheric air to water. The device comprises means for drawing the atmospheric air into the device; means for condensing the moisture vapor in the atmospheric air into water; and means for collecting the water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Inventor: Jonathan G. Ritchey
  • Publication number: 20120131934
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for air conditioning, capturing combustion contaminants, desalination, and other processes using liquid desiccants.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2011
    Publication date: May 31, 2012
    Applicant: 7AC TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Peter F. Vandermeulen, Jack I. Hanoka, Chaim Hanoka
  • Publication number: 20120131937
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for air conditioning, capturing combustion contaminants, desalination, and other processes using liquid desiccants.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2011
    Publication date: May 31, 2012
    Applicant: 7AC TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Peter F. Vandermeulen, Jack I. Hanoka, Chaim Hanoka
  • Publication number: 20120131939
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for air conditioning, capturing combustion contaminants, desalination, and other processes using liquid desiccants.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2011
    Publication date: May 31, 2012
    Applicant: 7AC Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter F. Vandermeulen, Jack I. Hanoka, Chaim Hanoka
  • Publication number: 20120131940
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for air conditioning, capturing combustion contaminants, desalination, and other processes using liquid desiccants.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2011
    Publication date: May 31, 2012
    Applicant: 7AC TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Peter F. Vandermeulen, Jack I. Hanoka, Chaim Hanoka
  • Publication number: 20120125031
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for air conditioning, capturing combustion contaminants, desalination, and other processes using liquid desiccants.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2011
    Publication date: May 24, 2012
    Applicant: 7AC TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Peter F. Vandermeulen, Jack I. Hanoka, Chaim Hanoka
  • Publication number: 20120125021
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for air conditioning, capturing combustion contaminants, desalination, and other processes using liquid desiccants.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2011
    Publication date: May 24, 2012
    Applicant: 7AC TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Peter F. Vandermeulen, Jack I. Hanoka, Chaim Hanoka
  • Publication number: 20120117987
    Abstract: The present invention relates to systems and methods for dehumidifying air by establishing humidity gradients in one or more dehumidification units. Water vapor from relatively humid atmospheric air entering the dehumidification units is extracted by the dehumidification units without substantial condensation into low pressure water vapor vacuum volumes. For example, in one embodiment, the water vapor is extracted through water vapor permeable membranes of the dehumidification units into the low pressure water vapor vacuum volumes. As such, the air exiting the dehumidification units is less humid than the air entering the dehumidification units. The low pressure water vapor extracted from the air is compressed to a slightly higher pressure, condensed, and removed from the system at ambient conditions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2010
    Publication date: May 17, 2012
    Applicant: The Texas A&M University System
    Inventors: David E. Claridge, Charles H. Culp, Jeffrey S. Haberl
  • Patent number: 8171746
    Abstract: A humidity control device (1) comprises: a processor (10) for dehumidifying air; a regenerator (30) for regenerating a hygroscopic liquid L used by the processor (10); a first hygroscopic-liquid pipe path (50) and a second hygroscopic-liquid pipe path (51) for circulating the hygroscopic liquid L between the processor (10) and the regenerator (30); and a heat pump (20) having an evaporator for cooling the hygroscopic liquid L to be used by the processor (10) and a condenser (22) for heating the hygroscopic liquid L flowing through the first hygroscopic-liquid pipe path (50). The regenerator (30) has: a first regeneration processing unit (31) and a second regeneration processing unit (34); a first tank (37) and a second tank (38) for containing the hygroscopic liquid L; and a heat source (44) for heating the hygroscopic liquid L to be supplied to the second regeneration processing unit (34).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Assignee: Dyna-Air Co. Ltd.
    Inventors: Hikoo Miyauchi, Yoshihiro Mikami
  • Publication number: 20120103192
    Abstract: An aircraft fuel tank ventilation system includes a dehumidifying device disposed in flow communication between a vent open to the atmosphere and a fuel tank. A method of dehumidifying air introduced into an aircraft fuel tank via a ventilation system includes directing atmospheric air through a dehumidifying device disposed in flow communication between a vent of the ventilation system and the fuel tank, which removes water vapour from the air flowing from the vent towards the fuel tank. A method of regenerating a desiccant medium used to dehumidify air introduced into an aircraft fuel tank via a ventilation system includes directing air through the desiccant medium so as to dry the desiccant medium.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2010
    Publication date: May 3, 2012
    Applicant: AIRBUS OPERATIONS LIMITED
    Inventors: Joseph K-W Lam, David Parmenter, Simon Masters
  • Patent number: 8141379
    Abstract: The hybrid solar air-conditioning system includes an air intake having an air drying system that uses a liquid desiccant to dry ambient air, a desiccant regeneration system that uses a heat exchanger having oil heated by solar energy to remove water from the desiccant, an indirect evaporative air conditioner that uses an air-air heat exchanger to cool the dried air indirectly with evaporatively cooled air, a distilled water recovery system to recover water from the desiccant and from the evaporatively cooled air in the form of distilled water, and a microprocessor-based controller to control room temperature and relative humidity, and to regulate air intake and the flow of desiccant and oil in the system. The hybrid system enables the use of evaporative cooling in regions having high humidity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Assignee: King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals
    Inventors: Luai M. Al-Hadhrami, Aftab Ahmad, Shafiqur Rehman
  • Publication number: 20120060524
    Abstract: An aircraft air conditioning system has a fresh air line connected to a fresh air inlet for supplying fresh air to the air conditioning system and a sorption device disposed in the fresh air line which contains a sorbent for taking up moisture from the fresh air flowing through the fresh air line. The sorption device is adapted to expose the sorbent contained in the sorption device to ambient pressure surrounding an aircraft carrying the aircraft air conditioning system when the aircraft is flying for the purpose of regeneration of the sorbent. The sorption device is thermally connectable to a heat source that is adapted, when the aircraft is flying and while the sorbent contained in the sorption device is exposed to the ambient pressure, to supply thermal energy from the heat source to the sorbent contained in the sorption device for the purpose of assisting the regeneration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2010
    Publication date: March 15, 2012
    Applicant: AIRBUS OPERATIONS GMBH
    Inventor: Baker Al-Ali
  • Patent number: 8132418
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method and apparatus for cooling an environment using a low temperature heat source. A cooling apparatus is provided. A refrigerant is vaporized from a refrigeration solution using the low temperature heat source. The vaporized refrigerant with part of the refrigeration solution is channeled to a separator. The vaporized refrigerant is separated from the channeled refrigeration solution. The refrigerant is further vaporized from the separated refrigeration solution leaving behind a dilute refrigeration solution. The refrigerant is condensed. A part of the condensed refrigerant is fed to the first vaporizer leaving behind a residual part of the condensed refrigerant. The residual part of the condensed refrigerant is evaporated by absorbing heat from the environment thereby cooling the environment. The evaporated refrigerant is absorbed by the dilute refrigeration solution to produce a concentrated refrigeration solution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2012
    Inventors: Robert Albion Hall, Jr., Emmett H. Ammons, Jr., Connelly Kendrick Hayward
  • Publication number: 20120047923
    Abstract: A heat pump system for conditioning outside air supplied to a building is provided. The system includes a pre-processing module that receives and cools air when the system is operating in a summer mode. A supply air heat exchanger is in flow communication with the pre-processing module. The supply air heat exchanger receives and cools air from the pre-processing module in the summer mode. A processing module is in flow communication with the supply air heat exchanger. The processing module receives and dehumidifies saturated air from the supply air heat exchanger in the summer mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2010
    Publication date: March 1, 2012
    Applicant: VENMAR CES INC.
    Inventor: DAVID MARTIN WINTEMUTE
  • Publication number: 20120036880
    Abstract: A portable air cooling system having a housing having an air inlet, an air outlet, an exterior surface and an interior cavity. A fan is axially disposed within the interior cavity for generating an air flow drawn from the air inlet, through the interior cavity and discharged through the air outlet. A photovoltaic panel is electrically coupled to the fan and provides sufficient electrical generating capacity to at least power the fan during daylight hours. A hydrating element is disposed intermediate the air inlet and air outlet for providing evaporative cooling. A cooling element is disposed intermediate the air inlet and air outlet and provides convective cooling by thermal transfer with a cold active cooling media such as water ice, dry ice or Gel Pack.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2010
    Publication date: February 16, 2012
    Inventor: Stephen Anderson
  • Publication number: 20120031133
    Abstract: An air conditioner having a refrigeration cycle including a compressor, a radiator, a pressure-reducing device and an evaporator, a total heat exchanger for performing heat-exchange between outdoor air and air under cooling operation using the evaporator for a room to be air-conditioned, and for ventilating the room to be air-conditioned, and a desiccant rotor having a moisture adsorbing area for adsorbing moisture in the outdoor air when the outdoor air is introduced, and regenerating the moisture adsorbing area by heat of the radiator, the outdoor air successively flowing through the total heat exchanger, the evaporator and the moisture adsorbing area in this order and then entering the room to be air-conditioned.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2010
    Publication date: February 9, 2012
    Inventors: Osamu Kuwabara, Reinhard Radermacher, Yunho Hwang, Jiazhen Ling
  • Publication number: 20110296858
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a portable water and climatic production system (“PH2OCP”). In the preferred embodiment, the system utilizes a desiccant rotor wheel to capture water vapor. The desiccant rotor wheel then rotates through a microwave heating chamber to release the water therefrom and heat the airflow as it rehydrates with the water released from the rotor wheel. The heated, moistened airflow then passes through a cooling and condensation system to create air conditioned airflow and water. The “PH2OCP” system is designed to operate and produce water in a wide range of global climatic conditions, including the most arid of environments. This is made possible due to the highly effective performance capabilities of the desiccant rotor technology in the extraction of water vapor molecules from any existing ambient air.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2011
    Publication date: December 8, 2011
    Applicant: 7291345 CANADA INC.
    Inventor: Mario Caggiano
  • Publication number: 20110289955
    Abstract: A desiccant air conditioner has a high energy efficiency due to the absence of excessive heat loss due to ventilation. In order to meet this requirement, the desiccant air conditioner is equipped with a honeycomb rotor wash-coated with agents having capabilities of absorptions of humidity, carbon dioxide and nitrogen, and this honeycomb rotor is divided into at least an absorption zone and a desorption zone. The air in a room is, after being passed through the absorption zone, fed back to the room, and the air which is passed through the desorption zone is exhausted into outside of the room. In this way, carbon dioxide and nitrogen in a room, the latter quantity being corresponded to that of the consumed oxygen in the room, are exhausted into outside of the room, allowing to exhaust carbon dioxide and at the same time to keep the oxygen density to within an allowed limit without the need of excessive ventilation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 26, 2011
    Publication date: December 1, 2011
    Applicant: SEIBU-GIKEN CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Hiroshi Okano
  • Patent number: 8056354
    Abstract: An air conditioning system using for a dehumidifying cooling device has developed that comprising a heating source for producing hot water, a heat exchanger for transferring heat from the hot water to circulating water, a circulation pump for circulating the resulting hot water heated in the heat exchanger, a heating pipeline connected to the circulation pump for conveying the hot water to a heat supply target area, a user heat exchanger connected to the heating pipeline for conveying hot water to the heat supply target area, a dehumidifying cooling device connected to a hot water pipe of users heat exchanger and installed in each household within the heat supply target area, the dehumidifying cooling device removing moisture from the air by using hot water supplied from the hot water pipe to deal with latent heat load and to lower the temperature of the dehumidified air via evaporation of water contained in the air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignee: Korea District Heating Corp.
    Inventors: Seok-Mann Yoon, Dae-Young Lee, Hoon Lee, Chang-Ku Kang, Sung-Ook Jeong
  • Patent number: 8052847
    Abstract: A system and method for removing water from a liquid desiccant such as a glycol used to dry cooled air in order to restore the desiccant to a purity up to around 97% in a closed continuous flow process. Liquid desiccant can be sprayed into cooled air in a conditioner where it gains moisture. The wet or gained desiccant can be optionally preheated in an economizing heat exchanger and then routed into a concentrator. Desiccant pure to around 97% can be removed from the concentrator, passed through an economizing heat exchanger to provide the preheating and returned to the conditioner holding area. The concentrator can be heated by steam or other means such as natural gas to boil the wet desiccant causing mixed vapor to enter a vertical distillation column where most of the glycol condenses out on the column packing or plates and returns to the concentrator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2011
    Assignee: Niagara Blower Company
    Inventors: Matthew Koban, Phillip Rowland, Michael Harvey, Peter Demakos
  • Publication number: 20110232891
    Abstract: An HVAC system for controlling the temperature and humidity of air supplied to a comfort zone includes a heater and a cooler operating concurrently. In response to a supply air temperature sensor, a PID control loop with substantially constant gain controls the cooler to maintain the zone air at a certain comfortable temperature. The heater, also under PID control, is controlled in response to a humidistat. To prevent the heater from overloading the cooler during periods of high cooling demand, a variable gain multiplier decreases the heater's gain when the cooler's output exceeds a predetermined limit; otherwise, the heater's gain remains substantially constant. When the cooler is operating above the predetermined limit, the multiplier varies linearly between positive-one and negative-one and does so inverse-proportionally with the cooling load to smoothly change the heater's PID control from direct acting to reverse acting as the cooler approaches its maximum capacity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2010
    Publication date: September 29, 2011
    Inventors: Anthony N. Lee, Joel D. Monroe
  • Publication number: 20110214446
    Abstract: A desiccant air conditioner includes an intake path that introduces air SA from outdoors to indoors, an exhaust path that exhausts air RA from indoors to outdoors, a desiccant rotor adapted to perform dehumidification by adsorbing moisture in air SA flowing through the intake path and regenerate dehumidifying capacity by releasing moisture into air RA flowing through the exhaust path, heating heat exchangers that heat air RA in the exhaust path, and a sensible heat exchanger that performs heat exchange between air RA flowing through the intake path and air SA flowing through the exhaust path, wherein two dehumidification regions, the first dehumidification region and the second dehumidification region, through which air in the intake path passes and two regeneration regions, the first regeneration region and the second regeneration region, through which the air RA in the exhaust path passes are alternately formed in the desiccant rotor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2009
    Publication date: September 8, 2011
    Applicant: YANMAR CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Jiro Fukudome
  • Patent number: 8011225
    Abstract: An assembly for measuring both the level and specific gravity of a liquid in a container includes a first sensor arrangement for sensing the level of the liquid in the container, and a second sensor arrangement for sensing the specific gravity of the liquid. The first sensor arrangement measures and then independently outputs at least one signal relating to the liquid level in the container. The second sensor arrangement measures and then independently outputs at least one signal relating to the specific gravity of the liquid in the container, thereby providing an integrated device to measure both parameters of the liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Assignee: DUCool Ltd.
    Inventor: Dan Forkosh
  • Patent number: 8006509
    Abstract: A humidity control system (10) includes a refrigerant circuit (50) in which an adsorption heat exchanger (51, 52) carrying an adsorbent thereon is connected. During a regeneration action of a humidification operation of the humidity control system (10), outdoor air passes through the adsorption heat exchanger (51, 52) from upstream towards downstream in the flow of refrigerant. Therefore, the air can be effectively increased in temperature at the air inflow end of the adsorption heat exchanger (51, 52), thereby preventing freezing of dew condensation water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2011
    Assignee: Daikin Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Nobuki Matsui, Satoshi Ishida, Tomohiro Yabu
  • Patent number: 8003052
    Abstract: A diagnostic tape cassette especially for blood sugar tests comprises a test tape which is provided with a plurality of test fields for analysing body fluid, and a housing for receiving the test tape. The housing may have at least one housing part formed from a metal support and moulded-on plastic with integrated functional elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2011
    Assignee: Roche Diagnostics Operation, Inc.
    Inventor: Klaus-Dieter Sacherer
  • Patent number: 7997098
    Abstract: An adsorption heat exchanger (20) is constituted by a fin-and-tube heat exchanger. In the adsorption heat exchanger (20), a first tube column (41), a second tube column (42) and a third tube column (43) are formed in order from upstream to downstream in air flow. The adsorption heat exchanger (20) is formed of a first column part (21) including the first tube column (41), a second column part (22) including the second tube column (42) and a third column part (23) including the third tube column (43). In the adsorption heat exchanger (20), a first adsorption layer (36) is formed on the fins (30) in the first column part (21), a second adsorption layer (37) is formed on the fins (30) in the second column part (22) and a third adsorption layer (38) is formed on the fins (30) in the third column part (23). The amount of adsorbent contained in each adsorption layer increases in order of the first adsorption layer (36), the second adsorption layer (37) and the third adsorption layer (38).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2011
    Assignee: Daikin Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Tomohiro Yabu, Shuji Ikegami
  • Patent number: 7984619
    Abstract: Heat exchangers of a refrigerant circuit 50 are constructed of a first adsorption heat exchanger 51 and a second adsorption heat exchanger 52, both of which have an adsorbent supported thereon, and are constructed so as to be switched into an evaporator and a condenser. An air passage 60 is constructed so as to be switched into states in which air flowing from the outside of a room to the inside of the room and air flowing from the inside of the room to the outside of the room flow through either of the first adsorption heat exchanger 51 and the second adsorption heat exchanger 52.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2011
    Assignee: Daikin Industries, Ltd.
    Inventor: Nobuki Matsui
  • Patent number: 7966841
    Abstract: A mass and heat exchanger includes at least one first substrate with a surface for supporting a continuous flow of a liquid thereon that either absorbs, desorbs, evaporates or condenses one or more gaseous species from or to a surrounding gas; and at least one second substrate operatively associated with the first substrate. The second substrate includes a surface for supporting the continuous flow of the liquid thereon and is adapted to carry a heat exchange fluid therethrough, wherein heat transfer occurs between the liquid and the heat exchange fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2011
    Assignee: AIL Research, Inc
    Inventors: Andrew Lowenstein, Marc J. Sibilia, Jeffrey A. Miller, Thomas Tonon
  • Patent number: 7942387
    Abstract: A system and method for managing water content in a fluid include a collection chamber for collecting water from the fluid with a desiccant, and a regeneration chamber for collecting water from the desiccant and transferring it to a second fluid. An evaporator cools the desiccant entering the collection chamber, and a condenser heats the desiccant entering the regeneration chamber. Diluted desiccant from the collection chamber is exchanged with concentrated desiccant from the regeneration chamber in such a way as to efficiently control the transfer of both mass and heat between the chambers. In one embodiment, mass is not exchanged until one or both of the desiccant levels in the chambers exceeds a predetermined level. Heat is transferred between the two desiccant flows as they are transferred between the chambers. This increases efficiency and reduces the energy input required for the evaporator and the condenser.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2011
    Assignee: DUCool Ltd.
    Inventor: Dan Forkosh
  • Patent number: 7942011
    Abstract: A system and method for managing water content in a fluid includes a collection chamber for collecting water from the fluid with a desiccant, and a regeneration chamber for collecting water from the desiccant and transferring it to a second fluid. An evaporator cools the desiccant entering the collection chamber, and a second evaporator cools the second fluid to extract the water. The evaporators use a refrigerant, the flow of which is controlled by a flow control valve. When the temperature in the second evaporator drops below a set point, the refrigerant flow to the second evaporator is stopped, and the refrigerant flow to the first evaporator is increased. This increases the water collection in the collection chamber, and causes a rise in the temperature in the second evaporator. The valve is then opened to increase the cooling in the second evaporator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2011
    Assignee: DUCool Ltd.
    Inventor: Dan Forkosh
  • Patent number: 7937960
    Abstract: A humidity controller includes a differential pressure detection means (93, 97) for detecting a difference between high voltage and low voltage in a refrigeration cycle of a refrigerant circuit (50) and a control means (30) for controlling the capacity of the compressor (53). The control means (30) reduces the capacity of the compressor (53) when a detected value of the differential pressure detection means (93, 97) exceeds a reduction threshold. Further, the control means (30) stops the compressor (53) when the detected value of the differential pressure detection means (93, 97) exceeds a stop threshold higher than the reduction threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2011
    Assignee: Daikin Industries, Ltd.
    Inventor: Nobuki Matsui
  • Patent number: 7930896
    Abstract: A refrigerant circuit (40) is provided with an outdoor heat exchanger (54), an indoor heat exchanger (55) and two adsorption heat exchangers (56, 57). The indoor heat exchanger (55) is disposed in an indoor unit (11), while the outdoor heat exchanger (54) and the two adsorption heat exchangers (56, 57) are disposed in an outdoor unit (12). Moisture in outdoor air taken in the outdoor unit (12) is adsorbed by the adsorbent in the adsorption heat exchanger (56, 57) serving as an evaporator and the air is dehumidified. The dehumidified air is cooled by the indoor heat exchanger (55) serving as an evaporator and the air is supplied to the room space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2011
    Assignee: Daikin Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Nobuki Matsui, Shuji Ikegami, Tomohiro Yabu
  • Publication number: 20110088417
    Abstract: An energy recovery ventilator system includes a belt partially located in each of a first chamber and a second chamber. First and second desiccant units are positioned on the belt. At least some of the first desiccant units are in the first chamber at a first relative humidity, causing air received in the first chamber to achieve a first air humidity. At least some of the second desiccant units are in the second chamber at a second relative humidity, the second relative humidity being caused by the air received in the first chamber. The second relative humidity is modified to the first relative humidity by air passing through the second chamber, the air achieving a second air humidity. A controller causes the belt to move second desiccant units from the second chamber to the first chamber when the first air humidity fails to comply with a specific air humidity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2009
    Publication date: April 21, 2011
    Inventor: Kenneth W. Kayser
  • Publication number: 20110079028
    Abstract: A water-from-air extraction system (40) includes a first open air passage (43) including a first portion (51) and a second portion (64) with the first portion (51) being fluidly linked to the second portion (64). A desiccant wheel (60) is arranged between the first and second portions (51,64). The water from air extraction system (40) further includes a second open air passage (44) including a first end portion (82) that leads to a second end portion (123) through an intermediate portion (108). The first and second end portions (82, 123) are fluidly connected to the first portion (51) of the first open air passage (43) and the intermediate section (108) is fluidly linked to the desiccant wheel (60). A condensing heat exchanger (114) is fluidly connected to the intermediate section (108) of the second open air passage (44) downstream from the desiccant wheel (60). The condensing heat exchanger (114) extracts water from an air flow passing through the second open air passage (44).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2009
    Publication date: April 7, 2011
    Applicant: HAMILTON SUNDSTRAND CORPORATION
    Inventor: James H. Fort
  • Publication number: 20110079029
    Abstract: An air conditioner includes first and second air passages, first and desiccant devices, a system heat source, a heat supplier, a system heat source temperature sensor, an airflow controller and a controller. The first and second air passages are communicable with a space to be air conditioned. The first desiccant device disposing in the first air passage has a first desiccant material. The second desiccant device disposed in the second air passage has a second desiccant material whose temperature for regeneration is higher than the temperature for regeneration of the first desiccant material. The heat supplier supplies heat generated by the system heat source to the first desiccant device for regenerating the first desiccant material. The airflow controller regulates airflow in the first and second air passages. The controller controls the airflow controller based on the temperature of the system heat source detected by the system heat source temperature sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2010
    Publication date: April 7, 2011
    Applicant: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOYOTA JIDOSHOKKI
    Inventors: Naoto Morisaku, Hirokuni Akiyama
  • Publication number: 20110067426
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an apparatus for treating air. More particularly, the present disclosure provides an apparatus for treating air comprising porous organic-inorganic hybrid materials formed by binding a central metal ion with an organic ligand.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2009
    Publication date: March 24, 2011
    Inventors: Young Kyu HWANG, Jong-San Chang, Dong Won Hwang, Ji Sun Lee
  • Patent number: 7909922
    Abstract: A dehumidifier is provided. A dehumidifier includes a cabinet defining an outer appearance, a barrier installed in the cabinet to collect condensed water removed from air, a bucket assembly for storing the condensed water directed from the barrier, and a condensed water detecting unit for detecting an amount or level of the condensed water stored in the bucket assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2011
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Duck-Yong Jang, Chi-Wao Kim
  • Patent number: 7905097
    Abstract: A water-from-air extraction system (40) includes a first open air passage (43) including a first portion (51) and a second portion (64) with the first portion (51) being fluidly linked to the second portion (64). A desiccant wheel (60) is arranged between the first and second portions (51,64). The water from air extraction system (40) further includes a second open air passage (44) including a first end portion (82) that leads to a second end portion (123) through an intermediate portion (108). The first and second end portions (82, 123) are fluidly connected to the first portion (51) of the first open air passage (43) and the intermediate section (108) is fluidly linked to the desiccant wheel (60). A condensing heat exchanger (114) is fluidly connected to the intermediate section (108) of the second open air passage (44) downstream from the desiccant wheel (60). The condensing heat exchanger (114) extracts water from an air flow passing through the second open air passage (44).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2011
    Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation
    Inventor: James H. Fort
  • Patent number: 7905108
    Abstract: An air conditioning apparatus is provided which includes a plurality of heat exchangers (11, 12, 13) for effecting heat exchange between a heating medium (such as refrigerant, cold and hot water et cetera) and air and which is adapted to separately perform sensible heat processing and latent heat processing of room air (RA). In the air conditioning apparatus, at least one heat exchanger (13) is made up of an adsorption heat exchanger (13) that supports on its surface an adsorbent, thereby preventing the increase in apparatus size and making it possible to perform operations at high COP.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2011
    Assignee: Daikin Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Shuji Ikegami, Nobuki Matsui, Tomohiro Yabu, Junichi Teraki
  • Patent number: RE42907
    Abstract: Device for conditioning water produced by environmental conditioning or dehumidification apparatuses or plants, comprising a device (2) for measuring the quantity of water produced by a condenser (1) which transforms atmospheric humidity into water, a feeder (4) of a corrective composition of salts and mineral substances, preferably in the form of tablets (P), for dispensing at least one of them in proportion to the quantity of water measured, a mixing vessel (5) receiving the measured water and at least a tablet (P) provided by the feeder (4), a control and command unit (6) that activates the feeder (4) in proportion to the quantity of water measured and received, and a tank (7) for collecting and filtering the water provided with means (70) for filtering micro-organisms and bacteria and a valve (81) for the exit of potable water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Inventor: Osman Akkad