Atmosphere And Sorbent Contacting Type Patents (Class 62/271)
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Publication number: 20140340842Abstract: A system for removing heat from electrical systems includes a dehumidification device including a desiccant, an evaporative cooling device, and air moving devices, and an air flow control devices. The air moving device moves air through the dehumidification device, the evaporative cooling device, and the electrical systems.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 16, 2013Publication date: November 20, 2014Applicant: Amazon Technologies, Inc.Inventors: RICHARD CHADWICK TOWNER, JOHN WILLIAM EICHELBERG, MICHAEL PHILLIP CZAMARA, OSVALDO P. MORALES
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Patent number: 8850840Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: October 23, 2009Date of Patent: October 7, 2014Assignee: Yanmar Co., Ltd.Inventor: Jiro Fukudome
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Publication number: 20140290293Abstract: In some embodiments, a portable cooling unit for use with a storage container includes: a desiccant unit including at least one exterior wall defining an interior desiccant region, wherein the interior desiccant region is sealed from gas transfer between the interior desiccant region and a region external to the cooling unit; an evaporative cooling unit including at least one exterior wall defining an interior evaporative region, wherein the interior evaporative region is sealed from gas transfer between the interior evaporative region and the region external to the cooling unit; a vapor conduit including a first and a second end, the vapor conduit attached to the desiccant unit at the first end, the vapor conduit attached to the evaporative cooling unit at the second end, the vapor conduit forming a passageway between the interior desiccant region and the interior evaporative region; and a vapor control unit attached to the vapor conduit.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 29, 2013Publication date: October 2, 2014Inventor: Tokitae LLC
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Publication number: 20140260398Abstract: A separator plate assembly for use in an indirect evaporative cooler (IEC) with an air-to-air heat exchanger. The assembly includes a separator plate with a first surface defining a dry channel and a second surface defining a wet channel. The assembly includes heat transfer enhancements provided on the first surface for increasing heat transfer rates. The heat transfer enhancements may include slit fins with bodies extending outward from the first surface of separator plate or may take other forms including vortex generators, offset strip fins, and wavy fins. In slit fin implementations, the separator plate has holes proximate to each of the slit fins, and the separator plate assembly may include a sealing layer applied to the second surface of the separator plate to block air flow through the holes. The sealing layer can be a thickness of adhesive, and a layer of wicking material is applied to the adhesive.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 13, 2013Publication date: September 18, 2014Applicant: ALLIANCE FOR SUSTAINABLE ENERGY, LLCInventor: ALLIANCE FOR SUSTAINABLE ENERGY, LLC
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Publication number: 20140260367Abstract: An air delivery system may include a housing, a first liquid-to-air membrane energy exchanger (LAMEE), and a desiccant storage tank. The housing includes a supply air channel and an exhaust air channel. The first LAMEE may be an exhaust LAMEE disposed within an exhaust air channel of the housing. The exhaust LAMEE is configured to receive the outside air during a desiccant regeneration mode in order to regenerate desiccant within the exhaust LAMEE. The desiccant storage tank is in communication with the exhaust LAMEE. The exhaust LAMEE is configured to store regenerated desiccant within the desiccant storage tank. The regenerated desiccant within the desiccant storage tank is configured to be tapped during a normal operation mode.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 4, 2014Publication date: September 18, 2014Applicant: VENMAR CES, INC.Inventors: KENNETH PAUL COUTU, Cam FORMAN, Philip Paul LePOUDRE, Blake Norman ERB, Howard Brian HEMINGSON, Manfred GERBER
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Publication number: 20140260399Abstract: A split liquid desiccant air conditioning system is disclosed for treating an air stream flowing into a space in a building. The split liquid desiccant air-conditioning system is switchable between operating in a warm weather operation mode and a cold weather operation mode.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 14, 2014Publication date: September 18, 2014Applicant: 7AC Technologies, Inc.Inventor: Peter F. Vandermeulen
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Publication number: 20140260373Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a system and method for providing conditioned air to at least one enclosed structure. The system may include at least one conditioning module configured to provide conditioned air to the at least one enclosed structure. The conditioning module(s) may include a conditioning energy exchanger. The conditioning module(s) is configured to circulate desiccant through a desiccant circuit to condition air passing through the conditioning energy exchanger. The conditioning module(s) may be configured to receive at least one of concentrated desiccant or diluted desiccant in order to vary temperature or concentration of the desiccant circulating through the desiccant circuit.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 13, 2013Publication date: September 18, 2014Applicant: Venmar CES, Inc.Inventors: Manfred Gerber, Philip Paul LePoudre, Maury Brad Wawryk
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Publication number: 20140260371Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed for utilizing liquid desiccant air conditioning systems in connection with existing HVAC equipment to achieve reductions in electricity consumption.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 14, 2014Publication date: September 18, 2014Applicant: 7AC Technologies, Inc.Inventor: Peter F. Vandermeulen
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Publication number: 20140250935Abstract: A system includes an intercooler configured to receive an airflow from a first compressor, to transfer heat from the airflow to a working fluid, and to provide the airflow to a second compressor. The system also includes an evaporative chiller configured to receive the working fluid from the intercooler, to chill the working fluid via evaporative cooling within an ambient air environment, and to provide the working fluid to the intercooler. In addition, the system includes a desiccant system configured to reduce a humidity of ambient air within the evaporative chiller.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 11, 2013Publication date: September 11, 2014Applicant: General Electric CompanyInventors: James K. Prochaska, Narendra Digamber Joshi, Balachandar Naidu, Daniel Kaftori
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Publication number: 20140250930Abstract: A first heat exchanger, a desiccant block, and a second heat exchanger are arranged in series. In a dehumidification operation, a first operation mode in which the first heat exchanger acts as a condenser or a radiator and the second heat exchanger acts as an evaporator and a second operation mode in which the first heat exchanger acts as an evaporator and the second heat exchanger acts as a condenser or a radiator are alternately repeated.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 16, 2012Publication date: September 11, 2014Applicant: MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORPORATIONInventors: Fumitake Unezaki, Shinichi Ito
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Publication number: 20140245772Abstract: An air temperature and humidity control device is provided including a first heat pump having a compressor, an expansion valve, a condenser, and an evaporator. The first heat pump has a refrigerant circulating there through. A humidity controller includes a first contactor fluidly coupled to the evaporator and condenser. The first contact includes at least one contact module having a porous sidewall that defines an internal space through which a hygroscopic material flows. A first air flow is in communication with the porous sidewall of the first contactor. The device also has a second heat pump including a first polishing coil. The first polishing coil is substantially aligned with and arranged generally downstream from the first contactor relative to the first air flow.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 27, 2014Publication date: September 4, 2014Applicant: Carrier CorporationInventors: David W. Gerlach, Sherif Kandil, Parmesh Verma, Frederick J. Cogswell, Rajiv Ranjan, Ahmad M. Mahmoud, Richard G. Lord
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Publication number: 20140238057Abstract: A contactor for an air temperature and humidity control device is provided including a plurality of contact modules. Each contact module has a generally porous sidewall configured to define an internal space through which a hygroscopic material flows. A first airstream passes over a first portion of the plurality of contact modules. A second airstream passes over a second portion of the plurality of contact modules.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 20, 2014Publication date: August 28, 2014Applicant: Carrier CorporationInventors: Sherif Kandil, Zidu Ma, Rajiv Ranjan, Gary D. Winch
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Publication number: 20140230480Abstract: A humidity control apparatus performs a humidification operation in which outdoor air is supplied to the inside of a room through a moisture-desorption adsorption heat exchanger serving as a condenser and room air is discharged to the outside through a moisture-absorption adsorption heat exchanger serving as an evaporator. The humidity control apparatus includes a preheat heat exchanger which, in the humidification operation, is positioned upstream of the moisture-desorption adsorption heat exchanger in the flow of outdoor air in an air passage and serves as a condenser to heat outdoor air in a refrigerant circuit, and a heat-recovery heat exchanger which, in the humidification operation, is positioned downstream of the moisture-absorption adsorption heat exchanger in the flow of room air in the air passage and serves as an evaporator to recover heat from room air in the refrigerant circuit.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 16, 2012Publication date: August 21, 2014Applicant: Daikin Industries, Ltd.Inventors: Gakuto Sakai, Akihiro Eguchi, Tomohiro Yabu
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Publication number: 20140230479Abstract: An air-conditioning system includes a pump that sends, to an evaporator, a cooling fluid that exchanges heat with a refrigerant at the evaporator, and a first heat exchanger that exchanges heat between ambient air and the cooling fluid that has undergone the heat exchange at the evaporator. A sensible heat exchange cycle is formed by annularly connecting the evaporator, the heat exchanger, and the pump by using a pipe. This system is also includes an air-sending unit that sends air to a second heat exchanger, moisture absorbing-and-desorbing devices that are provided at a passage of the air sent by the air-sending unit and that are disposed in front of and behind the first heat exchanger, and an air-path switching device that reverses a passing direction of air passing through the moisture absorbing-and-desorbing device, the first heat exchanger, and the moisture absorbing-and-desorbing device.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 28, 2011Publication date: August 21, 2014Applicant: Mitsubishi Electric CorporationInventors: Shinichi Ito, Fumitake Unezaki, Mamoru Hamada
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Publication number: 20140230475Abstract: A refrigerant circuit of a humidity control apparatus is provided with two adsorption heat exchangers. In the refrigerant circuit, refrigerant can circulate in reverse directions. A switching mechanism of the humidity control apparatus switches between a transfer path of the outdoor air to be supplied into a room and a transfer path of the indoor air to be exhausted to the outside the room. In a first operation of the humidity control apparatus, a direction of refrigerant circulation and a flow path of the air are changed every predetermined period. In a second operation of the humidity control apparatus, the refrigerant circuit is stopped, and the flow path of the air is changed every predetermined period.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 20, 2012Publication date: August 21, 2014Inventors: Nobuki Matsui, Hiroki Ueda, Eisaku Ohkubo, Naotoshi Fujita, Tatsunori Tenpaku
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Publication number: 20140223947Abstract: An air temperature and humidity control device is provided including a heat pump and a humidity controller. The heat pump has a condenser, a first evaporator, a compressor, and a second evaporator. The humidity controller includes a first contactor fluidly coupled to the second evaporator. The first contactor includes at least one contact module having a porous sidewall that defines an internal space through which a liquid desiccant flows. A liquid source is coupled to the first contactor such that a second liquid provided by the liquid source flows through the first contactor adjacent an external side of the porous sidewall. Heat and/or water vapor transfers between the second liquid and the liquid desiccant.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 10, 2014Publication date: August 14, 2014Applicant: Carrier CorporationInventors: Rajiv Ranjan, Gary D. Winch
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Patent number: 8800308Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for air conditioning, capturing combustion contaminants, desalination, and other processes using liquid desiccants.Type: GrantFiled: May 25, 2011Date of Patent: August 12, 2014Assignee: 7AC Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Peter F. Vandermeulen, Jack I. Hanoka, Chaim Hanoka
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Patent number: 8790451Abstract: A system for utilizing solar energy for home utility supply includes an air collector coupled to a solar module disposed to collect ambient air carrying thermal energy generated from the solar module. The system includes an energy transfer module (ETM) comprising a first heat-exchanger configured to process a first air stream from the air collector and output a second air stream carrying a portion of the thermal energy. Additionally, the system includes an air-conditioning module for processing a third air stream from interior space. The system includes an air processor comprising a desiccant material to pre-condition the third air stream utilizing the second air stream in the ETM and form a fourth air stream for the air-conditioning module and a fifth air stream in the ETM. Furthermore, the system uses a second heat-exchanger to process the fourth air stream and form a six air stream with reduced temperature and humidity.Type: GrantFiled: September 16, 2011Date of Patent: July 29, 2014Assignee: PVT Solar, Inc.Inventor: Ramachandran Narayanamurthy
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Publication number: 20140202190Abstract: A dehumidification system includes a first dehumidification unit having an outdoor air cooling heat exchanger, a second dehumidification unit using two adsorption heat exchangers such that an air passage is switched, and a third dehumidification unit having an adsorption rotor. Low-temperature low-humidity air cooled and dehumidified in the second dehumidification unit is supplied to the third dehumidification unit to reduce energy for recovery of the third dehumidification unit and to realize energy conservation in the dehumidification system and reduction in cost of the dehumidification system.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 28, 2012Publication date: July 24, 2014Inventors: Nobuki Matsui, Eisaku Okubo, Toshiyuki Natsume, Yasunori Okamoto, Koichi Kuwana, Takahiro Kusabe, Tetsuro Iwata, Hideki Uchida
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Patent number: 8769978Abstract: In a dehumidification/humidification device, a blower and an adsorbent module are contained in a casing. In other embodiment, the blower, the adsorbent module, and a flow passage-changing device are contained in the casing. The adsorbent module includes an adsorbing element formed by carrying an adsorbent on a permeable element and a heater directly disposed on the adsorbing element. The state of the electrification of the heater is changed and an air-blowing direction or a flow passage is changed, whereby a dehumidified air is discharged from a first suction/discharge port (or discharge port), and a humidified air is discharged from a second suction/discharge port (or discharge port).Type: GrantFiled: March 28, 2008Date of Patent: July 8, 2014Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Takanobu Nakaguro, Toshihiro Tsuemoto, Hiroyuki Kakiuchi, Hideto Hidaka
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Publication number: 20140165637Abstract: A coupled air-conditioning device including a dehumidification system and a vapor compression-type refrigeration system which are connected through a pipeline. The vapor compression-type refrigeration system is a closed circuit including an evaporator, a compressor, a condenser and an expansion valve. The dehumidification system includes a desiccant-wheel with a regeneration area and a processing area, a processing air blower, a regeneration air blower and an electric motor driving the desiccant-wheel to rotate. The processing air blower and the regeneration air blower are provided with an exhaust port. The condenser includes a phase-change condensation heat exchanger and a refrigerant gas cooler. The refrigerant gas cooler operates to cool the overheated refrigerant discharged from the compressor into a saturated refrigerant in gas state, employing a structural form of a tube-fin heat exchanger comprising a heat exchange tube and a fin piece.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 24, 2014Publication date: June 19, 2014Inventor: Jun MA
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Patent number: 8747531Abstract: A method and apparatus for removing water vapor from the flue gas stream of an industrial process, including flue gas from a power station. The apparatus including a moisture transfer device, a cooling device, and an optional enthalpy exchange device. The method including running high volumes the flue gas through the moisture transfer device, the cooling device, and the enthalpy exchange device to remove substantially all of the water vapor from the flue gas stream. Also, a method and apparatus for capturing CO2 from flue gas with very low water vapor content. The apparatus including one or more towers packed with a solid sorbent, or including a liquid sorbent. The CO2 from the water vapor free CO2 stream is sorbed by the sorbent and captured for later use.Type: GrantFiled: February 10, 2012Date of Patent: June 10, 2014Assignee: Munters CorporationInventor: Paul Dinnage
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Publication number: 20140150481Abstract: A system for providing cooling to a building includes a cooling tower for transferring waste heat from the building to the atmosphere and a liquid desiccant system for dehumidifying an air stream entering the cooling tower to increase cooling efficiency of the cooling tower. The liquid desiccant system includes a conditioner and a regenerator. The conditioner utilizes a liquid desiccant for dehumidifying the air stream entering the cooling tower. The regenerator is connected to the conditioner for receiving dilute liquid desiccant from the conditioner, concentrating the dilute liquid desiccant using waste heat from the building, and returning concentrated liquid desiccant to the conditioner.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 4, 2013Publication date: June 5, 2014Applicant: 7AC Technologies, Inc.Inventor: Peter F. Vandermeulen
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Patent number: 8739566Abstract: A Motor Cycle personal cooling system is disclosed that utilizes waste heat employing solid adsorption. The system includes an air distribution module and one or more desiccant chambers encircling the exhaust pipes of the Motor Cycle. Air blowers blow ambient air across the heat exchanger, cooling the air, transferring heat to the heat exchanger, transferring heat to the water, causing it to boil, and turning the water into vapor which is then adsorbed by the desiccant. A heat source is then applied to the desiccant which releases the vapor that travels to one of the heat exchangers and condenses the vapor back into water. A cooling garment worn by rider of the Motor Cycle has a cool air input and an exhaust output. The cool air input of the cooling garment receives cooled air from the air blowers, and body heat exits out the exhaust output.Type: GrantFiled: April 30, 2008Date of Patent: June 3, 2014Assignee: Oxicool, Inc.Inventor: Ravikant T. Barot
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Patent number: 8707729Abstract: The invention relates to an adsorber element for a heat exchanger and an adsorption heat pump or adsorption refrigerator that contains at least one such adsorber element. The adsorber element includes a heat-conducting solid body and a sorption material for a vaporous adsorbate arranged on the surface of this solid body. A fluid-tight foil composite is arranged on the outer surface of the open-pore solid body, at least in the areas in which a contact with a heat transfer fluid is provided, wherein this adsorber element is embodied such that the heat exchange between the open-pore solid body and the heat transfer fluid can take place via the fluid-tight foil composite.Type: GrantFiled: February 26, 2007Date of Patent: April 29, 2014Assignee: Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Foerderung der Angewandten Forschung E.V.Inventors: Ferdinand Schmidt, Hans-Martin Henning, Gunther Munz, Gerald Rausch, Andrea Berg, Norbert Rodler, Cornelia Stramm
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Publication number: 20140109608Abstract: A separable sorption apparatus has a sorption device and a heating device. The sorption device is filled with multiple sorbent granules. The heating device is detachably mounted on the sorption device and has a heater. The sorption device is put in a room that needs dehumidifying or deodorizing. When the sorbent granules have become saturated, the heater of the heating device is mounted into the sorption device to dehumidify or deodorize the sorption device to allow the sorption device to be reused. Since the heating device is detachable, the heating device does not occupy internal space of the sorption device. Thus, the sorption device has ample internal space for receiving the sorbent granules. Consequently, the sorption device has improved sorption effect.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 31, 2012Publication date: April 24, 2014Inventor: Tsang-Hung HSU
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Patent number: 8650890Abstract: A closed space forming unit (41-48) forms a closed space (37, 38) around an adsorption member (51, 52) supporting thereon an adsorbent for desorbing and adsorbing moisture. An active species generating unit (101, 102) supplies active species, for decomposing odorous components, into the closed space (37, 38).Type: GrantFiled: June 10, 2008Date of Patent: February 18, 2014Assignee: Daikin Industries, Ltd.Inventors: Akira Kamino, Nobuki Matsui
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Patent number: 8650770Abstract: This invention is a method and apparatus for drying wet objects, comprising passing air through the wet objects thereby having air absorb moisture from said wet objects; compressing the air adiabatically, thereby heating it; extracting heat from the air by passing it through the hot side of a heat exchanger thereby cooling it; expanding the air adiabatically, thereby cooling it further, below its dew point; separating the condensate from the air; restoring to the air all or part of the heat by passing it through the second side of the heat exchanger; and redirecting all or part of the air back to the wet objects thereby forming a loop in the flow of the air.Type: GrantFiled: June 12, 2011Date of Patent: February 18, 2014Inventor: George Samuel Levy
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Patent number: 8631661Abstract: A method and apparatus for conditioning ambient air for use in an enclosure is disclosed which cools the ambient supply air stream in sensible energy recovery device or cools and dehumidifies the ambient supply air stream in an enthalpy energy recovery device. The thus cooled air is then cooled by a cooling coil of a refrigerant cooling system to reduce its temperature and humidity. The thus cooled and dehumidified air is then passed through a segment of a rotating desiccant wheel or through a different type of desiccant dehumidification device under conditions which reduce its moisture content and increases its temperature. The supply air is then delivered from the desiccant wheel to the enclosure. The desiccant wheel is regenerated by heating a separate regeneration air stream, provided by the exhaust air from the space and using the condensing coil of the refrigerant system to increase the regeneration air stream temperature.Type: GrantFiled: February 13, 2009Date of Patent: January 21, 2014Assignee: Munters CorporationInventors: Peter Teige, Michael Hayes
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Patent number: 8632627Abstract: A gas dehydrator system, including, a desiccant transport wheel configured to rotate a solid desiccant from a first dehydration section to a first regeneration section, a first gas path extending through the first dehydration section, wherein the solid desiccant is configured to collect moisture from a first gas in the first gas path, and a second gas path extending through the first regeneration section, wherein the solid desiccant is configured to release the moisture into a second gas in the second gas path to regenerate the solid desiccant.Type: GrantFiled: August 10, 2010Date of Patent: January 21, 2014Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Arnaldo Frydman, Raul Eduardo Ayala, Shailesh Vijay Potnis
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Publication number: 20130340449Abstract: An apparatus for conditioning an inlet air stream. A first stage is provided with a dehumidifier cooling an air stream input by absorption of water vapor from the input air stream. A second stage is provided with an indirect evaporative cooler to receive a cooled portion of the input air stream and sensibly cool the received portion of the input air stream to a temperature range near the dew point temperature. A first portion of the sensibly cooled air stream is exhausted to a cooled space while a second portion is directed to a wet side of the indirect evaporative cooler and receives heat to sensibly cool the input air stream. A flow channel for the second portion of the sensibly cooled air stream in the indirect evaporative cooler is defined by a surface of a separation wall covered with wicking material acting to wick a stream of liquid coolant.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 2, 2013Publication date: December 26, 2013Applicant: ALLIANCE FOR SUSTAINABLE ENERGY, LLCInventor: Alliance For Sustainable Energy, LLC
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Patent number: 8601716Abstract: A method for operating a device with at least one partial programme step of drying may be achieved with which it is possible to operate devices with at least a partial operating step of drying as economically as possible, with efficient drying of the material for drying and keeping the associated energy requirement as low as possible, whereby, during the at least one partial programme step of drying, air is drawn from a treatment chamber and/or from the ambient air, through an absorption column and then introduced into the treatment chamber, whereby the absorption column contains a reversible dehydrating agent and humidity is drawn from the air during the passage thereof.Type: GrantFiled: July 5, 2004Date of Patent: December 10, 2013Assignee: BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeraete GmbHInventors: Helmut Jerg, Kai Paintner
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Publication number: 20130319033Abstract: A system and method recover water from an ambient airstream. Dehumidification of the airstream is also achieved by removal of the water. A device of the system includes a chamber having a group of trays that hold respective amounts of liquid desiccant in each tray, the concentration of the liquid desiccant may be dynamically changed based on changes within the system. A foam media absorbs the desiccant to increase an exposed surface of the desiccant to the airstream. Fans and valves are used to control airflow through the device. A charge cycle circulates air through the device to remove water vapor from the airstream. A subsequent extraction cycle removes water collected in the liquid desiccant by a condenser communicating with the chamber. A controller is used to integrate and manage all system functions and input variables to achieve a high efficiency of operational energy use for water collection.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 4, 2012Publication date: December 5, 2013Applicant: Z124Inventors: Charles Becze, James Ball, David Blatt, Michael J. Flynn, Gary Fong, Kean Wing Kin Lam, Richard Teltz
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Publication number: 20130319022Abstract: A system and method recover water from an ambient airstream. Dehumidification of the airstream is also achieved by removal of the water. A device of the system includes a chamber having a group of trays that hold respective amounts of liquid desiccant in each tray. A foam media absorbs the desiccant to increase an exposed surface of the desiccant to the airstream. Fans and valves are used to control airflow through the device. A charge cycle circulates air through the device to remove water vapor from the airstream. A subsequent extraction cycle removes water collected in the liquid desiccant by a condenser communicating with the chamber. An integral heat exchanger adds heat to the chamber during the extraction cycle. A controller is used to integrate and manage all system functions and input variables to achieve a high efficiency of operational energy use for water collection.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 4, 2012Publication date: December 5, 2013Applicant: Z124Inventors: Charles Becze, James Ball, David Blatt, Michael J. Flynn, Gary Fong, Kean Wing Kin Lam, Richard Teltz
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Publication number: 20130319032Abstract: A system and method recover water from an ambient airstream. Dehumidification of the airstream is also achieved by removal of the water. A device of the system includes a chamber having a group of trays that hold respective amounts of liquid desiccant in each tray. A foam media absorbs the desiccant to increase an exposed surface of the desiccant to the airstream. Fans and valves are used to control airflow through the device. A charge cycle circulates air through the device to remove water vapor from the airstream. A subsequent extraction cycle removes water collected in the liquid desiccant by a condenser communicating with the chamber. An integral heat exchanger, powered by a variety of power sources, adds heat to the chamber during the extraction cycle. A controller is used to integrate and manage all system functions and input variables to achieve a high efficiency of operational energy use for water collection.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 25, 2012Publication date: December 5, 2013Applicant: Z124Inventors: James Ball, Charles Becze, Michael J. Flynn, Kean Wing Kin Lam, Richard Teltz
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Publication number: 20130312445Abstract: The present invention concerns a contact module (10) operating with three fluids, air, coolant fluid and desiccant solution, with hydrophobic tubular membranes for the dehumidification and/or cooling of process air, said contact module comprising plurality of conduits (1) for the refrigerant fluid, in particular typically frigorific evaporating fluid, the contact module being characterized in that:—the space between said plurality of conduits (1) is substantially filled with a plurality of capillary pipes (2) in hydrophobic micro-porous membrane whose lumen is suitable to be crossed by and whose main extension direction is perpendicular to said plurality of conduits (1);—on the two opposite surfaces of the contact module at the ends of said plurality of capillary pipes, one or more closing material layers, in particular of hardening resin, are disposed, for incorporating the end parts of said plurality of capillary pipes and sealing the thus created space between said plurality of capillary pipes, said spaceType: ApplicationFiled: September 29, 2011Publication date: November 28, 2013Applicant: UNIVERSITA' DEGLI STUDI DI GENOVAInventors: Carlo Isetti, Enrico Nannei, Gustavo Capannelli, Aldo Bottino
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Patent number: 8584479Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: August 5, 2010Date of Patent: November 19, 2013Assignees: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd., University of MarylandInventors: Osamu Kuwabara, Reinhard Radermacher, Yunho Hwang, Jiazhen Ling
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Publication number: 20130298580Abstract: A hybrid dehumidification system for controlling the humidity and/or both humidity and temperature in a space includes a cooling coil for first cooling, or cooling and reducing the humidity of, an airstream to be supplied to the space with an aqueous cooling medium, passing the thus cooled airstream through a desiccant adsorption means to further reduce the humidity of the airstream before supplying the airstream to the space, and regenerating the desiccant adsorption means by heating the desiccant with waste heat from a heat pump used to further cool the first aqueous cooling medium.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 18, 2011Publication date: November 14, 2013Applicant: MUNTERS CORPORATIONInventor: Paul Dinnage
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Publication number: 20130298590Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus (10) for drying and/or cooling gas (12), in particular air, by means of a hygroscopic solution (14), said apparatus comprising an absorption device (16) which comprises at least one gas flow duct (18) and at least one flow duct (20) carrying the hygroscopic solution, wherein the inner or gas chamber (22) of a respective gas flow duct is at least partly delimited by a vapor-permeable liquid-tight membrane wall (24) and at least one flow duct is provided, which is formed between such a gas flow duct and a further such gas flow duct adjacent to the latter or an adjacent cooling unit (26) and which carries the hygroscopic solution, so that moisture, in particular water vapor, passes from the gas into the hygroscopic solution via the membrane wall and is absorbed in said solution.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 5, 2011Publication date: November 14, 2013Applicant: AAA WATER TECHNOLOGIES AGInventor: Wolfgang Heinzl
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Publication number: 20130255287Abstract: An apparatus and a method for conditioning air has a quantity of liquid desiccant. A first portion of a first airflow is received in a first contact volume such that it contacts a first portion of the liquid desiccant. A second contact volume is in parallel with the first contact volume and receives a second portion of the first airflow. At least a portion of a second airflow is brought into contact with a second portion of the liquid desiccant in a third contact volume. A first heat exchanger is associated with the first portion of the liquid desiccant and configured to transfer heat between the first portion of the liquid desiccant and a first medium. A second heat exchanger is associated with the second portion of the liquid desiccant and configured to transfer heat between the second portion of the liquid desiccant and a second medium.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 13, 2010Publication date: October 3, 2013Applicant: DUCOOL LTD.Inventor: Dan Forkosh
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Publication number: 20130227982Abstract: An air conditioning system includes a dehumidifier, a regenerator, and a refrigeration system. The dehumidifier removes water from a first airflow using a liquid desiccant. The regenerator transfers water from the dilute desiccant into a second airflow. The refrigeration system can be selectively used to provide heat to the desiccant in the regenerator to more effectively remove the water from the dilute desiccant. An external heat source can also be used to heat the desiccant in the regenerator to more effectively remove the water from the dilute desiccant. The refrigeration system and the external heat source can each be used separately to heat the desiccant, or the desiccant can be heated by both heat sources simultaneously.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 23, 2010Publication date: September 5, 2013Applicant: DUCOOL LTD.Inventor: Dan Forkosh
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Publication number: 20130199220Abstract: An air temperature and humidity control device using a liquid-desiccant humidity controller thermally coupled to a heat pump is disclosed. The humidity controller may include a contactor having at least one contact module with a porous sidewall that is permeable to water vapor and impermeable to the liquid desiccant. The disclosed device provides air temperature control through heat transfer between the liquid desiccant and heat pump and provides humidity controls through water transfer between the desiccant and surrounding air.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 9, 2010Publication date: August 8, 2013Applicant: Carrier CorporationInventors: Zidu Ma, Yirong Jiang, Dong Luo
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Patent number: 8500882Abstract: There is provided an air purifier having a dehumidification function, including: a body case having an inner space; a blower part installed in the inner space of the body case and drawing outside air from both sides of the body case through a single blower fan; an air purifying part purifying air drawn from one side of the body case; and a dehumidifying part removing moisture from air drawn from the other side of the body case by a dehumidifying rotor. Through the blower part drawing the air from both sides of the body case, the air purifier purifies the air drawn from one side of the body case and dehumidifies the air drawn from the other side of the body case. Accordingly, a drop in an airflow amount caused by concurrently performing the dehumidification and the purification may be alleviated, so improved dehumidification and purification effects are achieved.Type: GrantFiled: October 22, 2009Date of Patent: August 6, 2013Assignee: Woongjin Coway Co., Ltd.Inventors: Seong-Jin Yun, Byung-Kil Park
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Publication number: 20130186121Abstract: An energy exchanger is provided. The exchanger includes a housing having a front and a back. A plurality of panels forming desiccant channels extend from the front to the back of the housing. Air channels are formed between adjacent panels. The air channels are configured to direct an air stream in a direction from the front of the housing to the back of the housing. A desiccant inlet is provided in flow communication with the desiccant channels. A desiccant outlet is provided in flow communication with the desiccant channels. The desiccant channels are configured to channel desiccant from the desiccant inlet to the desiccant outlet in at least one of a counter-flow or cross-flow direction with respect to the direction of the air stream.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 22, 2011Publication date: July 25, 2013Applicant: University of SakatchewanInventors: Blake Erb, Robert W. Besant, Carey J. Simonson, Howard Hemington
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Publication number: 20130186118Abstract: A dehumidification system is disclosed including a regeneration air flow path, a process air flow path, and a recirculation air flow path. In one embodiment, the regeneration air flow path includes a regeneration fan and a refrigeration system having an evaporator coil upstream of a condenser coil. The system also includes a desiccant wheel partially disposed within the process air flow path and partially disposed in the regeneration air flow path downstream of the refrigeration system. The recirculation air flow path is in fluid communication with the regeneration air flow path downstream of the regeneration fan at an inlet and upstream of the refrigeration system at an outlet. The recirculation air flow path is arranged to allow for an air flow to be recirculated through the refrigeration system and the desiccant wheel by the regeneration fan. A heat exchanger may also be provided in the regeneration air flow path.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 20, 2012Publication date: July 25, 2013Inventor: Douglas G. Ohs
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Patent number: 8490427Abstract: A thermally activated air conditioning system is disclosed that both dries and chills the air being conditioned. Drying is by a liquid desiccant subsystem, and chilling is by an absorption chilling subsystem. A very high COP (1.25) is obtainable owing to the use of reject heat from the absorption subsystem to power the desiccant subsystem. The overall system (or cycle) is powered by relatively low temperature input heat (e.g. 245° F.). That heat can be obtained from flat plate or evacuated tube solar collectors, or other sources. The low driving temperature is made possible by the disclosed integration between the two subcycles.Type: GrantFiled: November 25, 2009Date of Patent: July 23, 2013Inventor: Donald Charles Erickson
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Publication number: 20130145779Abstract: This invention relates to an absorption type air drying system which can maximize energy efficiency, and to a method of controlling the same. This absorption type air drying system includes first and second adsorption towers, first diverter valves provided below the first and second adsorption towers to change the direction of transport of dehumidification air and regeneration air and including first to fourth on-off valves, second diverter valves provided above the adsorption towers to change the direction of transport of dehumidification air and regeneration air and including fifth to eighth on-off valves, and regeneration diverter valves connected to the first and second diverter valves to circulate the regeneration air and including ninth and tenth on-off valves which are opened upon heating regeneration, and eleventh and twelfth on-off valves which are opened upon cooling regeneration.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 9, 2011Publication date: June 13, 2013Inventor: CHUL YONG HWANG
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Patent number: 8453474Abstract: A vehicle air handling system includes an air handler, a desiccant assembly and a regeneration mechanism. The air handler has an air inlet configured to receive airflow into the air handler and an air outlet configured to direct the airflow from the air handler to a passenger compartment of a vehicle. The desiccant assembly is installed in a fixed non-movable orientation within the air handler. The desiccant assembly is configured to absorb moisture from the airflow and is disposed between the air inlet and the air outlet. The desiccant assembly includes a first flow path and a second flow path separated from one another such that the airflow passes through the first flow path. The regeneration mechanism is in fluid communication with the second air flow path of the desiccant assembly and is configured to remove moisture from the airflow passing through the desiccant assembly.Type: GrantFiled: July 27, 2009Date of Patent: June 4, 2013Assignee: Nissan North America, Inc.Inventor: Ronald S. Eisenhour
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Patent number: 8429922Abstract: A process and apparatus for improving the cooling of the attic of a building by increasing the air flow therethrough includes the use of an air diverter attached to an A/C condenser unit casing partially around the exhaust fan opening in the casing for directing air from the exhaust fan into an air stream through open space towards a building soffit. A separate air hood mounted to the building soffit captures the air stream and directs it through the soffit into the attic.Type: GrantFiled: November 9, 2009Date of Patent: April 30, 2013Inventor: Jimmy L. Freeman
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Patent number: 8418491Abstract: Heat exchangers of a refrigerant circuit are constructed of a first adsorption heat exchanger and a second adsorption heat exchanger, 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 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 and the second adsorption heat exchanger. A dehumidifying operation mode and a humidifying operation mode can be performed by switching the flow of refrigerant and the flow of air at specified intervals, a cooling operation mode and a heating operation mode can be performed without switching the flow of refrigerant and the flow of air, and an ventilating operation mode can be performed by flowing air through the air passage in a state where the refrigerant circuit is stopped.Type: GrantFiled: June 14, 2011Date of Patent: April 16, 2013Assignee: Daikin Industries, Ltd.Inventor: Nobuki Matsui