Desiccant based humidification/dehumidification system

• US 6,481,222 B1
• Filed: 01/28/2000
• Issued: 11/19/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 07/07/1994
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: James G.T. Denniston
• Original Assignee: James G.T. Denniston
• Inventors: Denniston, James G. T.
• Primary Examiner(s): Tapolcai, William E.
• Application Number:
  US09/494,054
• Time in Patent Office: 1,026 Days
• Field of Search: 62/94, 622/71, 34/80, 34/81, 343/30, 343/32, 961/25, 961/35
• US Class Current: 62/94
• CPC Class Codes: B60H 1/00414 for military, emergency, safety or security vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60H 2003/028 the devices comprising regeneration means
• CPC Class Codes: B60H 2003/0691 Adsorption filters, e.g. activated carbon
• CPC Class Codes: B60H 3/02 Moistening ; Devices influencing humidity levels, i.e. humidity control B60H1/3202, B60H1/3207 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 13/00 Arrangements or adaptations of air-treatment apparatus for aircraft crew or passengers, or freight space , or structural parts of the aircraft treatment rooms with artificial climate for medical purposes A61G10/02; respiratory apparatus in general A62B; for vehicles in general B60H
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 2013/0662 with humidity control
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 2003/144 by dehumidification only
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 2003/1458 using regenerators
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 2003/1464 using rotating regenerators
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 2203/1004 Bearings or driving means
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 2203/1012 Details of the casing or cover
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 2203/1016 combined with another type of cooling principle, e.g. compression cycle
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 2203/1032 Desiccant wheel
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 2203/1048 Geometric details
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 2203/1052 comprising a non-axial air flow
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 2203/1068 comprising one rotor
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 2203/1084 comprising two flow rotor segments
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 2203/1096 comprising sealing means
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 3/1411 by absorbing or adsorbing water, e.g. using an hygroscopic desiccant
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 3/1423 with a moving bed of solid desiccants, e.g. a rotary wheel supporting solid desiccants
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 50/40 : Weight reduction
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 50/50 : On board measures aiming to increase energy efficiency

Abstract

An apparatus and method for automatically regulating the environmental system of a motorized vehicle and other articles having storage compartments. As impinging air flow is directed through the cabin or compartment subject to environmental control it comes in contact with a desiccant filler contained within a desiccant wheel or canister. The desiccant material absorbs moisture out of the air stream. The resultant air stream, or the extracted moisture released into another air stream, may then be directed to the interior of the motorized vehicle or used in other parts of the system. The net effect is a decrease or increase in the relative humidity level of the air mass contained in the cabin or compartment of a motorized vehicle or refrigeration unit.

As one portion or element of the desiccant filler becomes saturated, the other portion or element of the desiccant filler completes it'"'"'s regeneration cycle. The air streams are altered so that the designated air stream remains in either the hydrous or anhydrous desiccant, thus producing a constant air flow containing either an increased relative humidity or an air stream with a reduced relative humidity to achieve the desired result.

The apparatus includes, at least one moisture collection device having an inlet and an outlet, and a system of flow conduits or paths into and out of the compartment or cabin. The air streams may be directed to at least one heat exchanger, a pre-cooler, a compressor, or an evaporator.

Claims

1. A method of improving the efficiency of an air conditioning system for a compartment of a motorized vehicle, comprising:

(a) providing a desiccant-based moisture collector;

(b) dehumidifying a first air stream by directing the first air stream through the desiccant-based moisture collector, so that the first air stream becomes a dehumidified first air stream;

(c) after step (b), pre-cooling the dehumidified first air stream!

(d) after step (c), cooling the dehumidified and pre-cooled first air stream with the air conditioning system of the motorized vehicle, whereby less energy is required for the air conditioning system to cool the dehumidified first air stream than would have been required to cool the first air stream prior to dehumidification; and

(e) directing the dehumidified and cooled first air stream into the compartment of the motorized vehicle.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein:

in step (d), the cooling is performed in a cooling device of a compressor based refrigeration air conditioning system.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein:

the pre-cooling includes transferring heat from the dehumidified first air stream to a stream of outside ambient air.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

regenerating the moisture collector by passing a hot air stream through the moisture collector and transferring moisture from the moisture collector to the hot air stream.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein:

in step (a), the moisture collector comprises an enclosed canister; and

further comprising directing the first air stream and the hot air stream through the moisture collector in an alternating manner.

6. The method of claim 4, further comprising:

discharging the hot air stream to the atmosphere.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein:

in step (b), the first air stream includes air from outside the compartment.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein:

in step (b), the first air stream includes air from inside the compartment.

9. The method of claim 4, wherein:

in the regenerating step, the hot air stream includes waste engine heat from an engine of the motorized vehicle.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein:

in step (a) the desiccant-based moisture collector includes a relatively thin layer of solid desiccant material on a honeycomb supporting structure so that the desiccant material can rapidly absorb heat and give up heat.

11. The method of claim 3, wherein:

in the pre-cooling step, the transferring of heat from the dehumidified first air stream to the stream of outside ambient air includes;

transferring heat from the dehumidified first air stream to an intermediate stream of heat transfer fluid; and

transferring heat from the intermediate stream of heat transfer fluid to the stream of outside ambient air.