Humidifier module for use in a gas humidification assembly
First Claim
1. A humidifier module for use in a gas humidification assembly having a heat source, a water supply source and an enclosure for receiving said module, wherein said module comprises:
- (a) a housing forming a hollow shell adapted to be received in said enclosure;
(b) a water-vapor-permeable, liquid-water impermeable membrane disposed within said housing dividing said hollow shell into a first chamber and a second chamber and forming a common wall between said first and second chambers;
(c) said first chamber comprising a humidification chamber having a gas inlet port and gas outlet port; and
(d) said second chamber comprising a water heating chamber for receiving and containing heated liquid water, said water heating chamber having a water inlet port and a heat exchange member for indirectly heating said liquid water, said heat exchange member being formed of material capable of high heat transfer, said heat exchange member being adapted to receive heat from said heat source of said gas humidifier assembly, and said membrane forming a liquid water retaining wall of said water heating chamber for permitting water vapor generated from said heated liquid water to pass from said water heating chamber to said humidification chamber, while preventing liquid water from passing from said water heating chamber to said humidification chamber.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
The humidifier module for use in a gas humidification unit has a humidification chamber and a water heating chamber separated by a water vapor permeable, liquid water impermeable membrane. Gas inlet and outlet ports are provided in the humidification chamber, a water inlet port is provided for the water heating chamber, a water inlet port is provided for the water heating chamber, and a heat exchange wall is provided on one side of the water heating chamber to receive heat from a heat source in the humidification assembly. The gas humidification assembly has an enclosure adjacent the heat source, for receiving the humidifier module, a water supply source, and a controller of the heater and water supply to the humidifier module. A sensor is provided for monitoring the level of fluid within the humidification chamber, and another sensor is provided for monitoring the level of water within the water heating chamber.
458 Citations
35 Claims
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1. A humidifier module for use in a gas humidification assembly having a heat source, a water supply source and an enclosure for receiving said module, wherein said module comprises:
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(a) a housing forming a hollow shell adapted to be received in said enclosure; (b) a water-vapor-permeable, liquid-water impermeable membrane disposed within said housing dividing said hollow shell into a first chamber and a second chamber and forming a common wall between said first and second chambers; (c) said first chamber comprising a humidification chamber having a gas inlet port and gas outlet port; and (d) said second chamber comprising a water heating chamber for receiving and containing heated liquid water, said water heating chamber having a water inlet port and a heat exchange member for indirectly heating said liquid water, said heat exchange member being formed of material capable of high heat transfer, said heat exchange member being adapted to receive heat from said heat source of said gas humidifier assembly, and said membrane forming a liquid water retaining wall of said water heating chamber for permitting water vapor generated from said heated liquid water to pass from said water heating chamber to said humidification chamber, while preventing liquid water from passing from said water heating chamber to said humidification chamber. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. In combination with a gas humidification assembly having a heater, an enclosure, means for supplying water for humidifying gas, means for controlling the heater, and means for controlling a water supply, the improvement which comprises a humidifier module adapted to be seated within the enclosure having a gas inlet port and a gas outlet port for circulation of the gas through said module, said module comprising:
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(a) a housing forming a hollow shell; (b) a water-vapor-permeable, liquid-water impermeable membrane disposed within said housing and dividing said hollow shell into a vapor chamber and a water heating chamber for receiving and containing heated liquid water, said water heating chamber sharing said membrane as a common wall; (c) said vapor chamber including said gas inlet port and said gas outlet port; and (d) said water heating chamber having a water inlet port in communication with said water supply and a heat exchange member for indirectly heating said liquid water, said heat exchange member being formed of material capable of high heat transfer, said heat exchange member being adapted to receive heat from said heater, and said membrane forming a liquid water retaining wall of said water heating chamber for permitting water vapor generated from said heated liquid water to pass from said water heating chamber to said humidification chamber, while preventing liquid water from passing from said water heating chamber to said humidification chamber. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35)
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Specification