Heating systems – Heat radiators – Air moistener
Reexamination Certificate
2000-04-12
2001-12-11
Joyce, Harold (Department: 3749)
Heating systems
Heat radiators
Air moistener
Reexamination Certificate
active
06328220
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a humidifier and more particularly to a humidifier for installation in gas fired fireplaces.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The maintenance of the proper amount of humidity in the air is important for the well being of humans. It is recommended that the humidity level in normal living environments be maintained at approximately 40 to 50% at normal room temperature of 20° centigrade (or approximately 72° F.). The total humidity which the air contains is related to the temperature of the air at any given point in time. In the summer time for example, humidity levels often exceed 50%, however, in the winter time the air tends to be dryer since the air exchange in the home is between the exterior air which is at a much colder temperature as compared to the interior air of the home. Therefore, in the winter time, it is normally necessary to add humidity to the air in order to achieve the 40 to 50% humidity levels which are recommended for normal home living conditions.
With the increasing cost of fuel for heating homes, much effort has been devoted to employing gas fireplaces in a manner which would allow them to become more efficient in heating an entire room or an entire home. Although auxiliary gas fireplaces have become more efficient and popular in numbers, these units have suffered from various deficiencies, including for the most part the inability to provide humidification to the room which is being heated.
Various apparatus has been developed and patented over the years to provide auxiliary humidification into residential homes and buildings. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,093,895 invented by Joseph Ghorayeb entitled Humidifier Attachable to Baseboard Radiator and issued on Mar. 3, 1992 as well as U.S. Pat. No. 4,049,196 invented by Samuel S. Bergami et al entitled Fireplace Heater, Circulator, and Humidifier System issued Sep. 20, 1977 as well as U.S. Pat. No. 5,664,730 invented by Jean-P. Vallieres entitled Humidifier Device and issued Sep. 9, 1997. The draw back with the existing prior art devices is that they are not suitable for use with gas fired fireplaces nor are they of suitable dimension and/or design to be retrofitted with existing gas fired fireplaces, nor do they allow for the fine control of humidification to a desired level. There is a need therefore, for a humidification device which can be used and installed with an existing gas fired fireplace and/or with a new installation for gas fired fireplaces which allows a user to selectively adjust the humidification that is provided in a environment around the gas fired fireplace.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is a humidifier for installation in gas fired fireplaces of the type having an air intake opening and an air outlet opening and an airflow passage there between, in which air is warmed by a fireplace firebox, and exhausted into a room to be heated, the humidifier comprising:
(a) a container means for storing water and mounted in close proximately to said warmed air;
(b) a water control communicating with said container means for filing said container means with water and selectively controlling the water depth in said container means;
(c) a water supply for supplying water to said water control means.
Preferably said container means comprises:
(a) a reservoir for housing said water control means and storing water;
(b) an evaporation means, fluidly connected and receiving water from said reservoir said evaporation means for exposing water to said warmed air for facilitating evaporation of water thereby humidifying said warmed air.
Preferably the water depth of the evaporation means is less than the water depth in said reservoir such that said reservoir fills before said evaporation means fills.
Preferably said evaporation means comprises an evaporation pan mounted in close proximity to said firebox and said warmed air such that water in the evaporation pan, is heated by heat emanating from the firebox and also by warmed air passing over the water in the pan.
Preferably said evaporation pan further comprises wicking means for accelerating and enhancing the rate of evaporation of water in the pan.
Preferably said wicking means comprises upstanding wicks partially submerged in the water in the pan and partially exposed to the warmed air thereby increasing the evaporation rate of water in the pan.
Preferably said evaporation pan comprises a sloped bottom wall such that the greater the water depth in the evaporation pan the greater the surface area of the water in the pan thereby the humidification rate can be adjusted by controlling the depth of water in the evaporation pan.
Preferably said humidifier includes shims placed under the evaporation pan, the shims placed in such a manner to provide a sloped bottom wall such that the greater the water depth in the evaporation pan the greater the surface area of the water in the pan thereby the humidification rate can be adjusted by controlling the depth of water in the evaporation pan.
Preferably the water control means comprises:
(a) a float communicating with the water level in the container means;
(b) a water valve communicating with said float for adding water to said container and thereby maintaining the water depth in said container means at a preselected level.
Preferably said wicking means includes water adsorptive materials useful for wicking water which can accelerate and enhance the rate of evaporation of water in the pan.
Preferably said wicking means includes a plurality of wick holders for receiving said wicks such that wicks can be selectively placed in wick holders such that the humidification rate can be selected by increasing or decreasing the number of wicks.
REFERENCES:
patent: D. 321049 (1991-10-01), Ghorayeb
patent: 3129268 (1964-04-01), Evett
patent: 3268169 (1966-08-01), De Bree
patent: 3598311 (1971-08-01), Lauffenburger
patent: 4049196 (1977-09-01), Bergami et al.
patent: 4496099 (1985-01-01), Bull
patent: 5067473 (1991-11-01), Oh
patent: 5093895 (1992-03-01), Ghorayeb
patent: 5403233 (1995-04-01), Daneshvar
patent: 5664730 (1997-09-01), Vallieres et al.
patent: 5955006 (1999-09-01), Charnecky
Boles Derek S.
Joyce Harold
LandOfFree
Humidifier does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Humidifier, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Humidifier will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2557527