DEHUMIDIFICATION SYSTEM

• US 20050087612A1
• Filed: 10/24/2003
• Published: 04/28/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 10/24/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Andrew C. Fuller
• Original Assignee: Andrew C. Fuller
• Inventors: Fuller, Andrew C.
• Granted Patent: US 6,978,631 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 236/44.A
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/0008 for air-humidification F24F11/30 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/30 for purposes related to the operation of the system, e.g. for safety or monitoring
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/52 Indication arrangements, e.g. displays
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/56 Remote control
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 2003/144 by dehumidification only
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 2110/20 Humidity
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 3/14 by humidification; by dehumidification
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 22/02 characterised by the use of electric means

Abstract

A dehumidification system including a controller having a humidity sensor switch that turns the dehumidifier, as well as the plurality of fans, on and off based on the ambient humidity of the area in which the dehumidification system is placed. Additionally, the dehumidification system includes a user interface unit that is separate from the dehumidifier, and that can be used to operate the dehumidification system from remote locations.

Claims

1. A dehumidification system, comprising:

a dehumidifier;

a user interface;

a humidity sensor for determining relative humidity of an area;

means carried by said user interface for selecting a desired humidity for said area;

a wood moisture sensor for measuring the wood moisture in said area;

means for selecting a desired wood moisture for said area; and

a controller interconnected with said dehumidifier, said humidity sensor, said desired humidity selecting means, said wood moisture sensor, and said desired wood moisture selecting means, wherein said controller activates said dehumidifier when said relative humidity is higher than said desired humidity, and wherein said controller activates said humidifier when said actual wood moisture is higher than said desired wood moisture.

2. The dehumidification system as recited in claim 1, wherein said dehumidifier, said user interface, and said controller are connected by electrical wiring.

3. The dehumidification system as recited in claim 1, wherein said dehumidifier, said user interface, and said controller are connected by wireless connection.

4. The dehumidification system as recited in claim 1, further comprising a plurality of fans that are connected to said dehumidifier.

5. The dehumidification system as recited in claim 1, wherein said user interface unit includes a service light.

6. The dehumidification system as recited in claim 1, wherein said user interface unit includes a display, wherein said display shows said relative humidity, said desired humidity, and the temperature of said area.

7. The dehumidification system as recited in claim 1, wherein said user interface unit includes a power input.

9. The dehumidifier as recited in claim 1, wherein said controller activates said dehumidifier either when said relative humidity is higher than said desired humidity or when said wood moisture is higher than said desired wood moisture.

8. (canceled).

10. A method for maintaining the moisture level of an area at or below a pre-selected level, comprising:

installing a dehumidifier;

installing a user interface;

installing a humidity sensor for determining relative humidity of an area;

installing means for selecting a desired humidity for said area;

installing a controller;

installing a wood moisture sensor for measuring wood moisture; and

connecting said dehumidifier, said user interface, said humidity sensor, said selecting means, said wood moisture sensor, and said controller, wherein said controller activates said dehumidifier when said relative humidity is higher than said desired humidity.

11. The method as recited in claim 10, further comprising installing at least one fan.

12. The method as recited in claim 11, further comprising connecting said at least one fan to said dehumidifier.

14. The method as recited in claim 10, further comprising installing means for selecting a desired wood moisture, wherein said controller activates said dehumidifier when said wood moisture is higher than said desired wood moisture.

15. The method as recited in claim 10, wherein said user interface has a display that is remote from said humidifier.

16. The method as recited in claim 15, wherein said display includes said selecting means.

17. The method as recited in claim 16, further comprising selecting a desired humidity.

18. The method as recited in claim 10, wherein said connecting step is done by wireless connection.

19. The method as recited in claim 10, wherein said connecting step is done by electrical wiring.

20. The method as reciting in claim 10, further comprising connecting said dehumidifier, said user interface, said humidity sensor, said selecting means, and said controller to an alarm system.

13. (canceled).