Atmospheric water collector

• US 4,255,937 A
• Filed: 11/22/1978
• Issued: 03/17/1981
• Est. Priority Date: 11/22/1978
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Richard Ehrlich
• Original Assignee: Richard Ehrlich
• Inventors: Ehrlich, Richard
• Primary Examiner(s): King, Lloyd L.
• Application Number:
  US05/962,876
• Time in Patent Office: 846 Days
• Field of Search: 62/1, 62/185, 62/291, 62/124, 62/264
• US Class Current: 62/264
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 1/18 Transportable devices to obtain potable water
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 1/325 Irradiation devices or lamp constructions
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2201/3221 Lamps suspended above a water surface or pipe
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 31/002 Liquid coolers, e.g. beverage cooler receptacle coolers F25D31/006
• CPC Class Codes: Y02A 20/208 Off-grid powered water treatment

Abstract

This device is an atmospheric water collector and collects water from the atmosphere by providing a portable cabinet in which the entire apparatus is located, needing only a source of electricity.

A dehumidifier is located in an upper compartment separated by a horizontal partition from a lower compartment. In the upper compartment, two opposite walls are perforated to provide access of new moisture carrying air to circulate about the dehumidifier, and a water discharge spout is also located above the horizontal partition, but is outside the dehumidifier compartment. A water feed conduit from the dehumidifier leads to a water collecting tank in the lower compartment, passing through a water filter on its way. An ultra-violet light bulb sterilizes the water in the tank. A water level control in the collecting tank controls the operation of the dehumidifier. A water pump controlled by a combination water discharge spout and pump switch pumps the water to the spout, up through a check valve and another filter.

A complete electric refrigerator is also included with the cabinet for keeping the water cool and drinkable.

Claims

1. An atmospheric water collector comprising a cabinet (10), said cabinet having an upper compartment (12) and a separate lower compartment (23), a horizontal partition (22) between said upper and said lower compartments, a dehumidifier (20) located in said upper compartment (23) and a water collecting and storing tank (30) located in said lower compartment (23), a water feed conduit (26) connecting said dehumidifier (20) to said water tank (30), said feed conduit (26) extending through said horizontal partition (22), a filter unit (28) in said feed conduit (26), said water feed conduit (26) conducting its collected water through said filter unit (28), a water discharge conduit (40) connecting said water tank through a water pump (42) and check valve (44) up through said horizontal partition (22) to a combination discharge spout and water pump control switch (48) outside of said upper compartment (12), a water tank water level control (38) in said water tank (30) connected to said dehumidifier (20) to deactivate said dehumidifier when the water level in said water tank is at a predetermined height, and an ultra-violet water sterilizing lamp (34) in said water tank above said predetermined water level height, a filter (45) on said water discharge conduit (40) in a separate compartment (46) above said horizontal partition, said dehumidifier compartment (12) having oppositely located perforated walls (16, 18) permitting air circulation through said upper compartment (12) about said dehumidifier, a refrigerator apparatus including a refrigerator unit (52), a condenser (54) and an evaporator (56), all located to cool said lower compartment (23), said cabinet having a verticle door (24) and door opening providing one verticle wall of said lower compartment (23) and a horizontal cover (41) and horizontal opening at the top of said upper compartment (12), thereby providing ready access to all units of said water collector.