Apparatus and method for enhanced dehumidification
First Claim
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1. An apparatus for enhancing performance of a dehumidifier that is operating in a substantially closed air environment, the apparatus comprising:
- a cabinet adapted to removably attach to the dehumidifier, the cabinet havinga first inlet receiving a first air stream from the closed air environment;
a second inlet receiving a second air stream from a source other than the closed air environment, the second air stream being cooler than the first air stream;
a first outlet discharging the first air stream to the dehumidifier;
a second outlet discharging the second air stream; and
an air-to-air heat exchanger in the cabinet, the air-to-air heat exchanger facilitating heat exchange between the first and second air flows to thereby cool the first air flow prior to discharge of the first air flow to the dehumidifier and warm the second air flow prior to discharge of the second air flow.
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Abstract
A method and apparatus for enhancing performance of a dehumidifier that is operating in a substantially closed air environment facilitates air-to-air heat exchange between a first air stream derived from the closed air environment and a second air stream derived from a source other than the closed air environment, the second air stream being cooler than the first air stream.
23 Citations
20 Claims
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1. An apparatus for enhancing performance of a dehumidifier that is operating in a substantially closed air environment, the apparatus comprising:
a cabinet adapted to removably attach to the dehumidifier, the cabinet having a first inlet receiving a first air stream from the closed air environment; a second inlet receiving a second air stream from a source other than the closed air environment, the second air stream being cooler than the first air stream; a first outlet discharging the first air stream to the dehumidifier; a second outlet discharging the second air stream; and an air-to-air heat exchanger in the cabinet, the air-to-air heat exchanger facilitating heat exchange between the first and second air flows to thereby cool the first air flow prior to discharge of the first air flow to the dehumidifier and warm the second air flow prior to discharge of the second air flow. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A method for enhancing performance of a dehumidifier that is operating in a substantially closed air environment, the apparatus comprising:
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facilitating air-to-air heat exchange between a first air stream derived from the closed air environment and a second air stream derived from a source other than the closed air environment, the second air stream being cooler than the first air stream such that the first air stream is cooled; discharging the cooled, first air stream to an inlet on the dehumidifier for dehumidification. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12)
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13. An arrangement for dehumidification of a substantially closed air environment, the system comprising:
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a dehumidifier having an inlet for receiving moist air and an outlet for discharging dehumidified air to the closed air environment; and an air-to-air heat exchanger having a first inlet receiving a first air stream from the closed air environment, a second inlet receiving a second air stream from a source other than the closed air environment, the second air stream being cooler than the first air stream, a first outlet discharging the first air stream to the dehumidifier inlet, and a second outlet discharging the second air stream. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification