System, and associated method, for recovering water from air
First Claim
1. A system for condensing water from air, the system comprising:
- a column, at least a portion of which comprises a substantially non-reflective surface effective for absorbing heat energy from the sun and transferring said heat to air in the interior of said column, said column further defining an open first end and an open second end;
a condenser secured within said column, said condenser having at least one condensing surface;
at least one thermoelectric cooler positioned on said at least one condensing surface of said condenser for cooling said at least one condensing surface;
an electrical power source coupled for providing electrical power to said to said at least one thermoelectric cooler;
a collector positioned within said column for collecting water that condenses on and falls from said at least one condensing surface of said condenser; and
an accumulator coupled in fluid communication with said collector for accumulating said water.
0 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A system for condensing water from air includes a column having a substantially non-reflective surface effective for absorbing heat energy from the sun and transferring the heat to air in the interior of the column. A condenser is secured within the column, and includes a condensing surface with a thermoelectric cooler positioned thereon for cooling the condensing surface. A collector is positioned within the column for collecting water that condenses on and falls from the at least one condensing surface of the condenser, and an accumulator is coupled in fluid communication with the collector for accumulating the water.
36 Citations
32 Claims
-
1. A system for condensing water from air, the system comprising:
-
a column, at least a portion of which comprises a substantially non-reflective surface effective for absorbing heat energy from the sun and transferring said heat to air in the interior of said column, said column further defining an open first end and an open second end;
a condenser secured within said column, said condenser having at least one condensing surface;
at least one thermoelectric cooler positioned on said at least one condensing surface of said condenser for cooling said at least one condensing surface;
an electrical power source coupled for providing electrical power to said to said at least one thermoelectric cooler;
a collector positioned within said column for collecting water that condenses on and falls from said at least one condensing surface of said condenser; and
an accumulator coupled in fluid communication with said collector for accumulating said water. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
-
-
17. A method for condensing water from air, the method comprising steps of:
-
positioning a column having a substantially non-reflective surface to receive sunlight effective for heating said non-reflective surface and thereby to heat air within the interior of said column;
securing a condenser within said column, said condenser having at least one condensing surface;
positioning at least one thermoelectric cooler on said at least one condensing surface of said condenser for cooling said at least one condensing surface;
coupling an electrical power source to said to said at least one thermoelectric cooler for providing electrical power thereto;
positioning a collector within said column for collecting water that condenses on and falls from said at least one condensing surface of said condenser; and
coupling an accumulator in fluid communication with said collector for accumulating said water. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32)
-
Specification