By Sorption Patents (Class 62/94)
  • Patent number: 12023625
    Abstract: An absorption type carbon dioxide removal and concentration device can remove or concentrate a carbon dioxide throughout four seasons and can be manufactured with a relatively simple structure. The device includes a carbon dioxide removal rotor that holds a carbon dioxide absorbent. The rotor is divided into at least a treatment zone and a regeneration zone. Air to be treated is ventilated through the treatment zone, so that carbon dioxide contained in the air to be treated is absorbed by a holding absorbent of the rotor portion, so that the CO2 can be separated and removed from the air to be treated. In the regeneration zone, regeneration air is ventilated, so that the carbon dioxide absorbed by the holding absorbent in the treatment zone is desorbed with the regeneration air to regenerate the holding absorbent. A total heat exchanger recovers latent heat and sensible heat from the regeneration exhaust.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2024
    Assignee: SEIBU GIKEN CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Koji Inoue
  • Patent number: 11859863
    Abstract: Methods, systems and devices for managing humidity within an HVAC system including a nanostructured desiccant porous material configured to adsorb water from an inlet stream at a first air pressure and to release water from that material when subjected to a second air pressure when the second air pressure is lower than the first air pressure is located within a particular location so as to allow for the passage of wet air over the materials and allow adsorption of the water on to the material. When coupled with a vacuum pump water can be collected and released from the materials and the system, regenerating the material for future use and removing water from a stream at a significantly lower cost than existing processes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: Battelle Memorial Institute
    Inventors: Bernard P. McGrail, Jeromy W. J. Jenks, Radha K. Motkuri
  • Patent number: 11609023
    Abstract: An improved HVAC system and method for simultaneously controlling the temperature and humidity of an indoor space while providing high quantities of outdoor air is described herein. The HVAC system of the present invention utilizes a heating source positioned in the supply passageway between an energy recovery wheel and a dehumidification wheel in order to control the temperature and humidity of air supplied to the indoor space while preventing frost build-up on the energy recover wheel. By positioning a heating source between the energy recovery wheel and a dehumidification wheel, the system is able to prevent frost accumulation on the energy recovery wheel during winter operation while also increasing the relative humidity of the supply air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2023
    Assignee: NovelAire Technologies, L.L.C.
    Inventor: Terry Parker
  • Patent number: 11391487
    Abstract: A house/building fresh air to air cross flow heat exchanger includes an inner elongate conduit disposed longitudinally within an outer elongate housing thereby defining a first air passageway through the inner conduit and a second air passageway between the inner conduit and the housing. A portion of the inner conduit is constructed with a sorption paper wall/assembly between the passageways. The sorption paper assembly is cylindrical shaped and includes a plurality of longitudinally extending folded pleats thereby increasing the surface area between the exhaust and incoming fresh air passageways. A cylindrical air permeable screen extends longitudinally through and radially supports the sorption paper wall/assembly. The passageways can be connected to a furnace duct using air scoops to thereby forcibly direct air through the passageways. Alternatively, a fan assembly is aligned with the passageways for forcibly directing air therethrough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2022
    Inventor: Bradford D Wallace
  • Patent number: 11359356
    Abstract: Systems and methods for managing production and distribution of liquid water extracted from air. A system is provided that includes a plurality of local water generation units including a first local water generation unit and a second local water generation unit. The first and second water generation units each include a controller that is configured to control a production rate of liquid water extracted from the air, a local water collection unit, and a local transceiver. A principal water supply unit is in fluid communication with at least one of the local water collection units. The principal water supply unit is configured to store at least part of the liquid water extracted from the air and to maintain a principal water level at a reservoir of the principal water supply unit based on one or more operational parameters for water distribution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Assignee: Source Global, PBC
    Inventors: Cody Friesen, Jonathan Goldberg, Grant Friesen
  • Patent number: 11333371
    Abstract: A dedicated outdoor air system and method that is capable of operating over a broader spectrum of conditions. The HVAC system of the present invention utilizes a heating means positioned within the return air passageway in order to optimize the regeneration of the desiccant wheel and energy recovery device. By positioning a heating means upstream of the regeneration side of the desiccant wheel, the system is capable of providing supply air having low dew points to the enclosed space while still providing improved energy efficiency over conventional HVAC systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2022
    Assignee: NovelAire Technologies, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Terry Parker, David McDonald, Nicholas Ysidron, Robert Mills
  • Patent number: 11125448
    Abstract: A desiccant cooling system includes a desiccant module mounted in a division plate to be rotatable and having a side mounted in a desiccant cooling path through which indoor air moves and another side mounted in a regeneration path through which outdoor air moves, a preliminary cooler mounted at an upstream of the desiccant module in the desiccant cooling path and configured to cool the indoor air flowing into the desiccant cooling path; and a main cooler mounted at a downstream of the desiccant module in the desiccant cooling path, and configured to cool the indoor air dehumidified by passing through the desiccant module and supply the cooled indoor air to an air-conditioning space, wherein a dew-point temperature of the indoor air dehumidified by passing through the side of the desiccant module is less than a temperature of the main cooler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2021
    Assignee: Korea Institute of Science and Technology
    Inventor: Dae-Young Lee
  • Patent number: 11065573
    Abstract: An apparatus for extracting water from ambient air is disclosed comprising an air duct for the process air, an air duct for the regeneration air and a sorption exchanger moving at least partially between the two air ducts. Additionally, in the air duct for the regeneration air, on the side facing the sorption exchanger outlet, a cooler is installed, and on the side facing its inlet, a heater is installed. The apparatus also comprises a closed refrigerant circuit. The cooler for cooling the regeneration air is a refrigerant evaporator and this cooler is, by the refrigerant piping via a compressor for the evaporated refrigerant suction and compression, connected to the regeneration air heater, where this heater for heating the regeneration air is a condenser for condensing the refrigerant vapor. The apparatus also comprises a subcooler for additional heat removal from the refrigerant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2021
    Assignee: C̆ESKÉ VYSOKÉ UC̆ENÍ TECHNICKÉ v PRAZE
    Inventors: Tomás̆ Matus̆ka, Vladimír Zmrhal
  • Patent number: 10905997
    Abstract: A moisture removal system for removing moisture from a gas is disclosed including a water absorption vessel with a microemulsion. The system also includes a gas-liquid phase separator in fluid communication with a water absorption vessel gas outlet, a gas outlet for conditioned air in fluid communication with a conditioned space, and a liquid outlet. An optional heat exchanger heats used microemulsion from the water absorption for water desorption in a water desorption vessel. An optional microemulsion regenerator provides thermal regeneration of microemulsion from the water desorption vessel for returning regenerated microemulsion to the water absorption vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Assignee: CARRIER CORPORATION
    Inventors: Randolph Carlton McGee, Parmesh Verma, Thomas D. Radcliff, Zissis A. Dardas
  • Patent number: 10767875
    Abstract: In conditioning air for an enclosure, a first ambient airstream is cooled by the cooling coil of a refrigerant cooling system to reduce its temperature and humidity content. The thus cooled and dehumidified air is then passed through a segment of a rotating desiccant wheel to reduce moisture content and increase temperature and is then supplied to the enclosure. The desiccant wheel is regenerated by the use of a second ambient airstream which is first heated with the condenser coil of the refrigerant system and then passed through the regeneration segment of the desiccant wheel. A bypass plenum is provided in the apparatus that selectively allows a third ambient airstream to be cooled in the plenum independent of the evaporator coil and desiccant wheel in the first plenum. That airstream is then supplied with the air treated in the first plenum to the enclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2020
    Assignee: Munters Corporation
    Inventors: Michael Boucher, Paul Dinnage, Rafael Neuwald
  • Patent number: 10648125
    Abstract: A method of operating a laundry treating appliance having a drum, and an air conduit fluidly coupled to the drum, with a heat source associated with the air conduit, includes moving air through an air conduit to the drum; heating the moving air by operating the heat source; and introducing atomized liquid into the air conduit upstream of the heat source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Roy E. Masters, Arun Rajendran
  • Patent number: 10544948
    Abstract: An exemplary embodiment of the present invention provides an air handling unit with dehumidification and humidification functions and dehumidifying and cooling and humidifying and heating methods using the same which are capable of consistently performing dehumidification or humidification without cessation. The air handling unit with the dehumidification and humidification functions according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes a first module which performs dehumidification or humidification, and a second module which performs dehumidification or humidification alternately with the first module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2020
    Assignee: Korea Institute of Industrial Technology
    Inventors: Oh Kyung Kwon, Dong An Cha, Kyung Jin Bae
  • Patent number: 9982901
    Abstract: In a process and apparatus of conditioning an airstream, the airstream is contacted with a liquid desiccant absorber in each of at least two stages. The same apparatus is used as an evaporator to reconcentrate the desiccant. The desiccant for each said stage is cooled or heated externally to the absorber or evaporator using an external source of cooling supplied with a common cooling or heating fluid at each stage. The desiccant flows between the stages counter-current to the flow of the airstream such that at each step the concentration of the desiccant is reduced or increased by contact with the airstream so that the concentration in each stage is distinct from the concentration of the desiccant in the previous stages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Inventor: Andrew Mongar
  • Patent number: 9907214
    Abstract: Systems and methods for air conditioning a building using an energy recovery wheel are provided. An exemplary system includes a rotatable energy recovery wheel configured to rotate successively through a recirculated air stream and a second air stream separate from the recirculated air stream, and a refrigeration circuit configured to circulate a refrigerant through a cooling coil arranged in the recirculated air stream and a condenser arranged in the second air stream. The refrigeration circuit includes a pressure sensor configured to measure a condensing head pressure. The system further includes one or more temperature sensors configured to measure a temperature of the recirculated air stream upstream of the energy recovery wheel and downstream of the energy recovery wheel, and a controller configured to operate the energy recovery wheel and the refrigeration circuit based on the condensing head pressure and the temperatures of the recirculated air stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2018
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: James F. Dagley, Jonathan D. West, Christos A. Polyzois, Kevin Swank
  • Patent number: 9816724
    Abstract: An integrated ventilation unit configured to provide ventilation and conditioned air to an indoor space may include a heat pump system, an energy recovery device and a control unit. The heat pump system may include a first coil located at a supply air side of the ventilation unit, a second coil located at an exhaust air side of the ventilation unit, and a compressor. The energy recovery device may be configured to transfer heat between a return air stream and a supply air stream and the control unit may be configured to control operation of the heat pump system and the energy recovery device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: Reznor LLC
    Inventors: Seng Kham Phannavong, Christopher Adam Hughes, Thomas W Clark, John P McKissack, David Street, Timothy J Roberts
  • Patent number: 9523537
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2016
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: James K. Prochaska, Narendra Digamber Joshi, Balachandar Naidu, Daniel Kaftori
  • Patent number: 9468881
    Abstract: A cooling system of a first psychrometric mixture having a condensation unit capable of condensing fluid contained in this mixture by direct contact with liquid comprising this fluid, the liquid being in the condensation unit at a temperature below that of the first mixture, and an evaporation unit capable of evaporating liquid in a second psychrometric mixture having fluid, the liquid being in the evaporation unit at a temperature greater than that of the second mixture, the condensation and evaporation units being coupled by a circulation circuit of the liquid, and a regulator for regulating the liquid flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Assignee: ASSOCIATION POUR LA RECHERCHE ET LE DEVELOPPEMENT DES METHODES ET PROCESSUS INDUSTRIELS “ARMINES”
    Inventors: Denis Clodic, Mourad Younes, Elias Bou Lawz Ksayer
  • Patent number: 9186623
    Abstract: Heat generated by the first stage compressor while it is running (either loaded or unloaded in the recycled purge air dryer system is recaptured by a stream of dried, cool system air drawn off of the outlet of a online drying tower in an air compressor system via a purge heat exchanger placed after the first stage compressor. The dried, hot air is used help regenerate the offline tower. This regenerating, pressurized, and heated purge air is then cooled in its passage across or through the desiccant in the regenerating tower. It then reenters the main airflow at the outlet of the first stage air compressor as wet cool pressurized purge air. This process is completely closed loop within the system, achieving zero air loss, and avoiding dew point spikes, increasing the efficiency of the air compressor system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2015
    Inventor: Robert Gitschlag
  • Publication number: 20150128625
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for supplying air conditioned air to a residence or building interior. The method entails positioning a heat and mass exchanger to discharge conditioned air into the residence or building interior. Further, a rotatable desiccant wheel dehumidifier in positioned in fluid communication with the heat and mass exchanger. Supply air is received and treated in the dehumidifier, thereby supplying dry air to the heat and mass exchanger and exhausting hot humid air. The heat and mass exchanger is positioned and configured to received dry air from the dehumidifier and supply cooler dry air to the residence or building interior, or other target environment. A system is also disclosed for operating the described air supplying or air conditioning method.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 18, 2014
    Publication date: May 14, 2015
    Inventor: Donald Williams
  • Patent number: 9021821
    Abstract: A ventilation device is provided for use in conjunction with systems and methods provided for cooling data centers. A Make-Up Air Dehumidification/Humidification Unit for the introduction of ventilation air and control of humidity within the enclosed space is provided to support other system components. An objective of the systems and methods according to this disclosure is to provide the necessary rejection of heat while providing a capability to limitedly add ventilation air and control of the absolute moisture content of the air within a data center.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: Munters Corporation
    Inventor: Bryan Keith Dunnavant
  • Patent number: 9003815
    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: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Airbus Operations GmbH
    Inventor: Baker Al-Ali
  • Patent number: 8978395
    Abstract: An electric machine system includes: an electric motor; and an absorption cooling system driven by heat generated by the electric motor and configured to cool a primary cooling fluid that removes the heat from the electric motor to a temperature below an ambient temperature of an ultimate heat sink. A method for operating the electric machine system is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: Remy Technologies, L.L.C.
    Inventor: Alex Creviston
  • Patent number: 8944153
    Abstract: A fin for a heat exchanger of an air conditioning apparatus includes a base material, a hydrophilic layer, and a corrosion-resistant layer provided between the base material and the hydrophilic layer. A contact angle of a surface of the hydrophilic layer with water is no more than 50 degrees. A water content of the hydrophilic layer per dm2 of the surface of the hydrophilic layer being at least 60 mg/dm2 and no more than 300 mg/dm2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: Daikin Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Takuya Kazusa, Kanji Akai, Daisuke Hiratsuka, Kiyoshi Yamakawa, Yasuhiro Ohkura, Yoshiyuki Matsumoto, Kenji Terano, Masami Suga
  • Patent number: 8943844
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: DuCool Ltd.
    Inventor: Dan Forkosh
  • Patent number: 8943850
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for air conditioning, capturing combustion contaminants, desalination, and other processes using liquid desiccants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: 7AC Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter F. Vandermeulen, Jack I. Hanoka, Chaim Hanoka
  • Patent number: 8915451
    Abstract: When a humidity adjustment device starts up, an outside air temperature To and an room air temperature Tr are compared to determine which air temperature is higher. By mutually changing the flow of the outside air and the flow of the room air by means of an air circulation switching device, the air having the higher temperature of the outside air and the room air is circulated to a heat exchanger that operates as an evaporator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Assignee: Daikin Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Takashi Takahashi, Tooru Fujimoto, Gakuto Sakai
  • Patent number: 8915092
    Abstract: A heat pump system for conditioning regeneration air from a space is provided. The heat pump system is operable in a winter mode and/or a summer mode. The system includes an energy recovery module that receives and conditions air in a regeneration air channel. A pre-processing module is positioned downstream of the energy recovery module. The pre-processing module receives and heats air from the energy recovery module. A regeneration air heat exchanger is positioned downstream of the pre-processing module. The regeneration air heat exchanger receives and conditions air from the pre-processing module. The pre-processing module heats the air from the energy recovery module to increase an efficiency of the regeneration air heat exchanger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Assignee: Venmar CES, Inc.
    Inventors: Manfred Gerber, Can Wen Rong
  • Patent number: 8899055
    Abstract: The invention relates to a system and method for cooling and dehumidifying air in a room. The system includes a processing unit structured and arranged to process a coolant to achieve a cooling that exceeds cold due to evaporation, wherein the coolant cools and dehumidifies air coming into contact with the coolant. The system also comprises a distribution unit arranged to expose the coolant to the air and a collecting unit structured to feed the coolant that has come into contact with the air into the processing unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Foerderung der Angewandten Forschung E.V.
    Inventors: Hartwig Kuenzel, Klaus Sedlbauer
  • Publication number: 20140260372
    Abstract: A control method for operating an indirect evaporative cooler to control temperature and humidity. The method includes operating an airflow control device to provide supply air at a flow rate to a liquid desiccant dehumidifier. The supply air flows through the dehumidifier and an indirect evaporative cooler prior to exiting an outlet into a space. The method includes operating a pump to provide liquid desiccant to the liquid desiccant dehumidifier and sensing a temperature of an airstream at the outlet of the indirect evaporative cooler. The method includes comparing the temperature of the airstream at the outlet to a setpoint temperature at the outlet and controlling the pump to set the flow rate of the liquid desiccant. The method includes sensing space temperature, comparing the space temperature with a setpoint temperature, and controlling the airflow control device to set the flow rate of the supply air based on the comparison.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: ALLIANCE FOR SUSTAINABLE ENERGY, LLC
    Inventor: ALLIANCE FOR SUSTAINABLE ENERGY, LLC
  • Publication number: 20140260373
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: Venmar CES, Inc.
    Inventors: Manfred Gerber, Philip Paul LePoudre, Maury Brad Wawryk
  • Patent number: 8820028
    Abstract: A method of reducing the amount of cooling energy required to heat and cool a building is provided. The method includes disposing a porous insulating material in the exterior walls and substantially covering the ceiling in the attic space of the building to a substantial depth. The porous insulating material includes a desiccant. The method further includes permitting the desiccant—bearing porous insulating material to adsorb water moisture from the attic space and then permitting the adsorbed water moisture to desorb from the desiccant—bearing porous insulating material into the enclosed room of the building, resulting in a reduction in the amount of energy required to heat and cool the building.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Certainteed Corporation
    Inventors: Murray S. Toas, Sam Yuan
  • Publication number: 20140238057
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2014
    Publication date: August 28, 2014
    Applicant: Carrier Corporation
    Inventors: Sherif Kandil, Zidu Ma, Rajiv Ranjan, Gary D. Winch
  • Patent number: 8800308
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for air conditioning, capturing combustion contaminants, desalination, and other processes using liquid desiccants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: 7AC Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter F. Vandermeulen, Jack I. Hanoka, Chaim Hanoka
  • Patent number: 8769978
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takanobu Nakaguro, Toshihiro Tsuemoto, Hiroyuki Kakiuchi, Hideto Hidaka
  • Patent number: 8756944
    Abstract: A heat transfer device and its manufacturing method are provided. The heat transfer device has a heat transfer member defining a heat exchange surface with which a heat transportable medium contact in use and via which heat is transferable between the heat transportable medium and a working medium, and a device body for containing the heat transportable medium. The body of the device defines a first chamber, a second chamber and a third chamber which are in fluid communicable relationship. The body is configured to allow the heat transportable medium fluid to pass from the second chamber to the first chamber and then to the third chamber, or from the third chamber to the first chamber and then to the second chamber, and the second chamber is sandwiched or positioned between the first chamber and the third chamber in the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Bestrong International Limited
    Inventors: Stefan Petters, Ka Chun Tse
  • Publication number: 20140157806
    Abstract: A humidity control apparatus and an air-conditioning system are capable of controlling the latent heat processing amount and the sensible heat processing amount in accordance with an indoor heat load without decreasing the operation efficiency. Every time an air route is switched to an air route A or an air route B, the route maintenance time for the switched air route is set on the basis of the heat load within a dehumidification target space, and switching of switching devices is controlled such that the set route maintenance time is ensured.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2011
    Publication date: June 12, 2014
    Applicant: MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Shinichi Ito, Masaki Toyoshima, Fumitake Unezaki
  • Patent number: 8747531
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Munters Corporation
    Inventor: Paul Dinnage
  • Publication number: 20140150481
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2013
    Publication date: June 5, 2014
    Applicant: 7AC Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Peter F. Vandermeulen
  • Patent number: 8739566
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: Oxicool, Inc.
    Inventor: Ravikant T. Barot
  • Patent number: 8689571
    Abstract: Provided is a dryer for minimizing moisture entrained within a refrigerant used to provide a cooling effect to a temperature-controlled environment, and a refrigeration appliance including such a dryer. The dryer includes a housing defining a drying chamber and a desiccant disposed within the drying chamber for removing at least a portion of the moisture from the refrigerant. A first outlet is formed in the housing adjacent a lower region of the drying chamber when the drying chamber is viewed in an operational orientation. A second outlet is also formed in the housing at an elevation vertically above the first outlet when the dryer is viewed in the operational orientation for discharging at least a portion of the refrigerant introduced into the drying chamber to be delivered to a second heat exchanger with a relatively-low internal pressure. The elevation of the second outlet relative to the first outlet promotes the discharge of the refrigerant through the first outlet instead of through the second outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Electrolux Home Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Juan Antonio Contreras Lafaire, David L. Hall, Marcelo Candeo, Dennis Carl Hansen
  • Patent number: 8631661
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2014
    Assignee: Munters Corporation
    Inventors: Peter Teige, Michael Hayes
  • Patent number: 8632627
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2014
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Arnaldo Frydman, Raul Eduardo Ayala, Shailesh Vijay Potnis
  • Patent number: 8628608
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for regenerating the media of a rotary sorption concentrator system includes passing a 600° F. to 1000° F. regeneration fluid stream through a rotating media in a first isolated zone to regenerate the media and remove contaminants from the media that are not removed during a typical desorption cycle of a rotary sorption concentrator system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2014
    Assignee: Munters Corporation
    Inventors: Christopher P. Jensen, Kevin Orff, Frank Giles, Paul A. Dinnage
  • Publication number: 20130340449
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2013
    Publication date: December 26, 2013
    Applicant: ALLIANCE FOR SUSTAINABLE ENERGY, LLC
    Inventor: Alliance For Sustainable Energy, LLC
  • Patent number: 8601825
    Abstract: An integrated absorption refrigeration and dehumidification system includes an absorber containing an absorption solution, an after-cooler having a flow path to receive the solution and a flow path to receive a warm fluid, the flow paths being thermally coupled to separate a refrigerant from the solution, and an auxiliary heat exchanger having a flow path to receive the solution from the after-cooler and a flow path to receive a warm fluid, the flow paths being thermally coupled to separate more refrigerant from the solution. The system also includes a condenser positioned to receive and cool the refrigerant from the auxiliary heater, an expansion valve positioned to receive the refrigerant from the condenser, an evaporator positioned to receive the refrigerant from the expansion valve and the warm fluid from the after-cooler, and a separator to remove condensate from the warm fluid from the after-cooler or a cool fluid from the evaporator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: Ingersoll-Rand Company
    Inventor: James C. Collins
  • Patent number: 8603223
    Abstract: A water desalination system including at least one pair of evaporators, said pair including a high pressure and a low pressure evaporator, each for evaporating saline water to produce water vapor; at least three adsorption beds in selective vapor communication with each evaporator, said adsorption beds arranged to reversibly adsorb the water vapor from the corresponding evaporator; said adsorption beds in selective vapor communication with a condenser, and in heat transfer communication with a heat source for selectively desorbing the adsorbed water vapor; said condenser arranged to condense the water vapor to desalinated water; wherein said system is arranged to sequentially connect, for a pre-determined period, each evaporator to a corresponding adsorption bed, and the heat source to the third bed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: National University of Singapore
    Inventors: Bidyut Baran Saha, Kim Choon Ng, Anutosh Chakraborty, Kyaw Thu
  • Publication number: 20130319022
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2012
    Publication date: December 5, 2013
    Applicant: Z124
    Inventors: Charles Becze, James Ball, David Blatt, Michael J. Flynn, Gary Fong, Kean Wing Kin Lam, Richard Teltz
  • Publication number: 20130319023
    Abstract: A method to recover water from the atmosphere is provided. 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: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2012
    Publication date: December 5, 2013
    Applicant: Z124
    Inventors: Charles Becze, James Ball, David Blatt, Michael J. Flynn, Richard Teltz
  • Patent number: 8596551
    Abstract: A humidity control system includes three dehumidifiers. Each of the dehumidifiers alternately switches between first batch operation in which air whose moisture has been adsorbed in a first adsorption component is supplied to a room and air heated in a heat exchanger is exhausted to outside the room through a second adsorption component, and second batch operation in which air whose moisture has been adsorbed in the second adsorption component is supplied to the room and air heated in the heat exchanger is exhausted to outside the room through the first adsorption component. The system further includes: a controller allowing the switchings of the dehumidifiers to be performed at different timings; and a chamber collecting air to be supplied from the dehumidifiers to the room.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: Daikin Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroki Ueda, Yasunori Okamoto, Hiroshi Noda
  • Patent number: 8584739
    Abstract: An adiabatic cooling unit (20) comprising a fluid conduit (26), a cooling cell (28), and a building-cooling unit heat exchanger (30) is provided. A cooling fluid (24) flows from the building-cooling unit heat exchanger (30) to the cooling cell (28) and returns to the building-cooling unit heat exchanger (30) through the fluid conduit (26). The cooling cell (28) transfers latent heat from the cooling fluid (24) to the air (22) flowing through the adiabatic cooler unit (20). The building-cooling unit heat exchanger (30) is a heat exchanger permitting the transfer of heat from a fluid (34) flowing through a building (36) and the cooling fluid (24). Additional heat exchangers (46) may be used between the cooling cell (28) and the building-cooling unit heat exchanger (30) to further cool the cooling fluid (24) prior to the cooling fluid (24) reducing the temperature of the fluid (34) flowing through the building (36).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: United Metal Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Stephen W. Kinkel