Dehumidifiers having improved heat exchange blocks and associated methods of use and manufacture
First Claim
1. A dehumidifier comprising:
- at least one moisture removing component;
a heat exchange block that directs an airflow through the moisture removing component, the heat exchange block includinga plurality of spaced-apart elements having multiple airflow channels;
a plurality of spacers positioned between neighboring elements and extending in a first direction, to space the corresponding elements apart from each other by a gap;
a first airflow path extending in the first direction through the gaps between corresponding elements;
a second airflow path extending through the airflow channels in a second direction, the heat exchange block having a first major surface generally parallel to the first direction and a second major surface generally parallel to the second direction;
wherein the first and second major surfaces include a notch having a first notch surface generally parallel to the first major surface and a second notch surface generally parallel to the second major surface; and
wherein the heat exchange block further includesan airflow blocker sealingly positioned in the notch to at least partially block air from passing between the first and second airflow paths in the heat exchange block, wherein the airflow blocker is in contact with the first and second notch surfaces.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Dehumidifiers having improved heat exchange blocks and associated methods of use and manufacture are disclosed. A heat exchange system in accordance with a particular embodiment can include a plurality of elements with a plurality of airflow channels. A plurality of peripheral spacers are positioned toward edges of neighboring elements and extend in a first direction. A first airflow path extends in the first direction, and is at least partially defined by the corresponding elements and the peripheral spacers. A second airflow path is defined by the airflow channels and extends in a second direction, and an airflow blocker is positioned at a corner portion of the elements to prevent fluid communication between the first and the second airflow paths at the elements. In certain embodiments, the heat exchange system can further include a dehumidifier having an evaporator positioned between the first and second airflow paths.
181 Citations
19 Claims
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1. A dehumidifier comprising:
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at least one moisture removing component; a heat exchange block that directs an airflow through the moisture removing component, the heat exchange block including a plurality of spaced-apart elements having multiple airflow channels; a plurality of spacers positioned between neighboring elements and extending in a first direction, to space the corresponding elements apart from each other by a gap; a first airflow path extending in the first direction through the gaps between corresponding elements; a second airflow path extending through the airflow channels in a second direction, the heat exchange block having a first major surface generally parallel to the first direction and a second major surface generally parallel to the second direction; wherein the first and second major surfaces include a notch having a first notch surface generally parallel to the first major surface and a second notch surface generally parallel to the second major surface; and
wherein the heat exchange block further includesan airflow blocker sealingly positioned in the notch to at least partially block air from passing between the first and second airflow paths in the heat exchange block, wherein the airflow blocker is in contact with the first and second notch surfaces. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A heat exchange system, comprising:
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a plurality of elements, having a plurality of airflow channels; a plurality of peripheral spacers positioned toward edges of neighboring elements and extending in a first direction; a first airflow path extending in the first direction, wherein the first airflow path is at least partially defined by the corresponding elements and the peripheral spacers; a first major surface generally parallel to the first direction; a second airflow path defined by the airflow channels and extending in a second direction; a second major surface generally parallel to the second direction; wherein the first and second major surfaces include a notch having a first notch surface generally parallel to the first major surface and a second notch surface generally parallel to the second major surface; and
wherein the system further comprisesan airflow blocker sealingly positioned in the notch to restrict or prevent fluid communication between the first and the second airflow paths at the elements, wherein the airflow blocker is in contact with the first and second notch surfaces. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A method of making a dehumidifier, comprising:
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positioning a plurality of peripheral spacers, extending in a first direction, toward edges of neighboring elements, the elements having a plurality of airflow channels, the elements collectively forming a heat exchange block, the heat exchange block including a notch having a first notch surface and a second notch surface, the first direction being generally parallel to a first major surface of the heat exchange block, the second direction being generally parallel to a second major surface of the heat exchange block, the first notch surface being generally parallel to the first major surface, the second notch surface being generally parallel to the second major surface; forming a first airflow path in the first direction, wherein the first airflow path is at least partially defined by the corresponding elements and the peripheral spacers; forming a second airflow path extending in a second direction, wherein the second airflow path is at least partially defined by the airflow channels; sealingly positioning an airflow blocker at the notch of the heat exchange block to prevent fluid communication between the first and the second airflow paths at the elements, wherein the airflow blocker is in contact with the first and second notch surfaces; and positioning a moisture removing component between the first and second airflow paths. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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Specification