Abstract: A compact, small size humidifier which may be used as a portable humidifier. The humidifier may include the appropriate electrical plugs and internal electrical transformer to allow use in different countries with different voltages and electrical power systems, e.g., 110V use in the United States, 220V use in Europe, etc. The humidifier also includes an opening for receiving a number of different sockets allowing use of different sized water bottles as the water tank. The different sockets may be detachably affixed to the humidifier body in appropriate recesses or holding arrangements so that the different sockets are easily made available to the user. The humidifier may also include a low water detection assembly which utilizes, e.g., two projecting probes positioned in the water retaining chamber, to indicate the presence of a sufficient amount of water.

Abstract: An improved process for humidifying a gas stream with a precise amount of moisture used in a variety of heat treating processes including annealing, brazing, and sintering of ferrous and non-ferrous metals and alloys, reflow soldering of electronic components, glass-to-metal sealing, chemical processes, chemical vapor deposition of metal oxides, laser processing, fuel cells, etc. The gaseous stream is humidified by introducing a controlled amount of water through a precision metering device and a known and precise flow rate of a gas stream into a gas-liquid contactor, and shearing and vaporizing the water stream in the gas-liquid contactor with the gas stream.

Abstract: An air humidification system for the humidification of a zone includes supply ducts and return ducts extending from a first air handler. A second air handler has an enclosure sized to form a fog absorption region with a cross-sectional area that is greater than the cross-sectional area of the air conditioning ducting coupled to the zone. The enclosure has an intake and a discharge through which air passes. A compressor associated with the second air handler provides pressurized air for the generation of the fog for humidification. A fogger has a water input coupled to the pressurized water supply, an air input coupled to the pressurized air supply from the compressor, and a discharge port from which fog is produced. A humidification control is interposed between the supplies of pressurized air from the compressor and water to the fogger in the enclosure to produce fog from the fogger inside the second air handier when the humidification in the zone is below a desired set point.

Abstract: In a combination type humidifier having a heater and an ultrasonic vibrator, an art for preventing the ultrasonic vibrator from being thermally damaged due to a heat produced by the heater is disclosed. First, a current humidity of a space, a water temperature of a humidifying chamber and a target humidity set by a user are detected. When the current humidity is higher than the target humidity, a fan motor begins to operate for a rapid heat loss. Otherwise, when the target humidity is higher than the current humidity, an error message concerning the setting of the target humidity is displayed and the fan motor is driven for a predetermined time. The heater is controlled so that the water temperature of the humidifying chamber is kept below the limit temperature by using a result of comparing the water temperature of the humidifying chamber with a limit temperature that is set for protecting the ultrasonic vibrator while the ultrasonic vibrator and the heater are simultaneously operated by a user's selection.

Abstract: A humidifier system for producing a humidified and heated breathing gas including a humidifier module having a humidifying chamber with a supply gas inlet, a breathing gas outlet and a heat transfer element. A tube extending between a liquid reservoir and the humidifier module includes therein an elongate liquid absorbing wick whose upper end has a plurality of leaves extending planarly and radially outwardly therefrom into the humidifying chamber into contact with said heat transfer element. Liquid is transported by the wick upwardly into the leaves thereof where it is evaporated and mixed with the supply gas in the humidifying chamber to generate a heated and humidified breathing gas.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for sensing an illuminance and a temperature around a humidifier and controlling a humidifying operation is disclosed. An illuminance inside a room in which a humidifying operation is applied by the humidifier is sensed by an illuminance sensor. The humidifying operation of the humidifier is operated in a sleeping humidification mode when the sensed illuminance is lower than a reference illuminance. The humidifying operation of the humidifier is operated in a normal humidification mode when the sensed illuminance is higher than the reference illuminance. A temperature inside the room in which the humidifying operation is applied by the humidifier is sensed by a temperature sensor. The humidifier executes a heater humidification and an ultrasonic humidification when the sensed temperature is lower than a reference temperature. The humidifier stops the heater humidification and executes the ultrasonic humidification when the sensed temperature is higher than the reference temperature.

Abstract: A method for controlling a heating of a heater in a heating-type humidifier in which both a heating amount and a heating ON/OFF period is controlled on the basis of a present room temperature, is disclosed. A sensed present humidity is compared with an objective humidity which is set by a user. When the present humidity is greater than or equal to the objective humidity, whether or not water exists in a water tank of the humidifier is determined. When the water does not exist in the water tank, an alarm is generated. When the water exists, a humidifying operation stops. When the present humidity is less than the objective humidity, the humidifying operation is executed while increasing both a heating amount and a heating ON period of the heater in proportion to the present room temperature. As a result, the arrival times at the states of objective humidity are shortened.

Abstract: A humidifier system includes a spray apparatus in a housing which sprays a mist of water droplets onto a mist eliminator to intercept the mist of water droplets. The mist of droplets is captured in a liquid phase by the mist eliminator and is substantially completely converted into a vapor phase in the form of increased humidity in the air stream. A humidity sensor located downstream of the mist eliminator senses the humidity of the stream of air. A controller controls the quantity of water sprayed in response to the humidity sensed to maintain a predetermined humidity in the humidified stream of air. A second humidifier includes a heater which creates a region of intense heat to instantaneously evaporate water mist directed thereon in a stream of air. In a third embodiment, water and pressurized air are simultaneously injected into a region of intense heat.

Abstract: A humidifier having an ambient temperature sensor for sensing the temperature of the ambient air in the environment in which the humidifier is located. A difference temperature selector is provided to allow a user to select a difference temperature which is the difference in temperature between the sensed ambient temperature and a comfortable and efficient temperature for supply of the humidified gases provided by the humidifier to a patient or user. The humidifier controls the temperature of the humidified gases it provides to the patient to the selected difference temperature above the sensed ambient temperature, so that any change in the sensed ambient temperature results in a corresponding change in the temperature of humidified gases supplied to the patient or user. This construction prevents or minimises the condensation which occurs at low ambient temperatures in the gases supply conduit provided between the humidifier and the patient or user.

Abstract: The invention relates to an air-conditioning process and device, in particular to humidify and/or temper air which is fed in the form of an air stream to a humidification zone, whereby cooled water is sprayed into the airstream as a function of the conditioning parameters to be met. It is provided that to convey the air, the air stream is blown through the humidification zone, tempered water for adiabatic conditioning and cooled water can be sprayed in, and to influence the conditioning parameters, a control and/or regulation of the arrival of tempered and/or cooled water is carried out.

Abstract: First and second humidifiers (10,100) and methods for humidifying air are disclosed. The first humidifier (10) comprises a spray apparatus (16) in a housing (12) which sprays a mist of water droplets onto a mist eliminator (20) to intercept the mist of water droplets. The mist of droplets is captured in a liquid phase by the mist eliminator (20) and is substantially completely converted into a vapor phase in the form of increased humidity in the air stream. A humidity sensor (38) located downstream of the mist eliminator (20) senses the humidity of the stream of air. A controller controls the quantity of water sprayed in response to the humidity sensed to maintain a predetermined humidity in the humidified stream of air. The second humidifier (100) includes a heater (122) which creates a region of intense heat (124) to instantaneously evaporate water mist directed thereon in a stream of air.

Abstract: A method of producing a breathable fog comprises (a) passing air through a dryer unit to remove moisture; (b) cooling the dried air to a temperature below 0.degree. C.; and (c) inducing water vapor into the dried and cooled air to produce breathable fog.

Abstract: An apparatus is set forth for humidification of a dwelling wherein a transparent housing includes a valve operative through a solenoid with a flexible input water line directed into the valve and a flexible output line directed from the valve to a spray head. The valve is associated with a humidistat to effect operation of the valve to inject water vapor into a stream of air directed within a central duct work of a furnace arrangement. The spray head includes a horizontal and vertical pivot mount in association with the water input line to enable selective positioning of the nozzle at a desired rotation relative to the air stream within the duct work. Modifications of the instant invention include removable and selectively cleansable sponge coverings for the spray nozzle head.

Abstract: A generally conventional air washer is modified by dividing the water delivered to a bank of sprays into a first portion that is directed to a header at the top of the bank and a second portion that is directed to a header at the bottom of the bank. A throttling valve is placed in the line upstream of the upper header. When the air washer is being used as a dehumidifying apparatus, as in summertime use, and during situations of minimum use as a dehumidifier, the water supply to the upper headers may be throttled or even cut off completely without affecting the water pressure to the lower header. Water from the lower nozzles in such situations continues to be emitted into the air stream as an atomizing spray.

Abstract: A variable air volume air conditioning system is disclosed which is capable of accurately controlling temperature and humidity levels in a conditional zone while achieving significant economy of operation.

Abstract: A gas treating system including a housing forming a duct for a gas stream having a vertical panel of flow-through evaporative media secured across the duct, a blower mounted within the duct downstream from the panel adapted to draw the gas stream through the duct, a liquid dispersal assembly connected to a liquid supply adapted to conduct an evaporative treating fluid into the panel where it evaporates into the gas stream as it flows through the panel, and humidity or temperature sensors positioned within the duct downstream from the blower operatively connected with the liquid supply to increase and decrease the flow of liquid into the panel to maintain a preselected humidity or temperature in the gas stream as it flows out of the housing.

Abstract: An air conditioning system is disclosed for adjusting air temperature and humidity to a predetermined level for the air supply to a paint spray booth. The system includes a multi-section sprayed surface heat exchanger combined with a bypass passage such that a portion of the air flow to be conditioned passes through the multi-section heat exchanger and the remainder of the flow bypasses the same, and is recombined and mixed downstream with the conditioned air to produce a mixture which is at the proper dry bulb temperature and relative humidity. Each multi-section heat exchanger may be shut off to increase the proportion of bypass flow. Modulation of the cooling and heating effect of each of the heat exchangers is achieved by modulating valving controlling the flow of heating or cooling medium. Similarly, the humidification effect is controlled by valving controlling a number of water spray nozzles.

Abstract: Apparatus for periodically draining, flushing and replacing the operational water supply in an evaporative cooler during operation thereof and for completely draining the cooler when its operation is terminated. The apparatus includes a special siphon drain valve mounted in the sump of the cooler so as to be normally in an unprimed non-siphoning state and when in such a state, the evaporative cooler will operate in the normal manner. When the cooler is in normal operation, its water supply will increase in mineral salt concentration and other contaminants, such as dirt, bacteria and the like.

Abstract: Odoriferous constituents are removed from relatively dry and/or warm gas streams by contacting the gas with a very finely divided aqueous spray containing a reagent reactive toward the odoriferous constituents of the gas. Droplet size of the aqueous spray is controlled as a function of temperature and relative humidity of the gas stream so as to prevent complete evaporation of liquid droplets and to achieve a maximum droplet size after evaporation of about ten microns.

Abstract: The rotary drum humidifier is mounted in an opening in the horizontal supply duct of a forced warm air furnace. The humidifier has a built-in manual humidity control wherein an adjustable thermostat is connected in series in the electrical humidifier motor circuit. The thermostat completes the electrical circuit on rising temperature in the duct and senses the peaks and valleys of the modulating duct temperature caused by the furnace heating cycle. When the control knob of the thermostat is set on "high", the humidifier will operate at a greater percentage of the furnace heating cycle and when set on "low" the humidifier will operate at a lesser percentage of the furnace heating cycle.

Abstract: A greenhouse is provided with a humidifying apparatus which is located at the top of the greenhouse and includes elements for controllably humidifying the greenhouse and to circulate air therein while displacing heat downwardly from the top section of the greenhouse. The humidifying apparatus includes a misting valve connected in series with a solenoid valve, there being further provided a control which actuates the solenoid valve selectively dependent upon the percentage of humidity in the greenhouse. A pair of fans are provided on opposite sides of the misting valve, these fans facing downwardly to propel air downwardly in the greenhouse both for the purpose of air circulation and for the purpose of cycling heat downwardly since it tends to collect in the top of the greenhouse.

Abstract: When the ambient temperature is high, proper temperature control is assisted within the poultry house using a spray means that sprays water onto a filter pad that is positioned in front of the fresh air inlet. The water spray and pad act to cool air being taken into the building through the inlet without objectionably raising the humidity.

Abstract: Air contaminated with combustible dust particles is removed and subjected to a high density air scrubber which safely removes the fine combustible dust particles from the contaminated air. The resulting water saturated, cleansed air is mixed with a continuously regulated amount of drier outside air until a desired absolute humidity is achieved, the regulation being responsive to the relative humidity changes within a work area in which the humidity is to be controlled. The air mixture is then conveyed into the work area which imparts a known temperature rise thereto. The temperature rise lowers the relative humidity of the air mixture to the desired level.

Abstract: Air conditioning apparatus ventilates room air with environmental air after the environmental air has been filtered, heated and humidified to appropriate levels. Environmental air is drawn into an intake duct, is passed successively through an air filter, an electric filament heater and is humidified by directing the air stream through a moving evaporator belt which is saturated with water from a water tank which is automatically controlled by a humidistat. The humidity level and temperature are automatically maintained by means of the humidistat and air temperature sensor.