Multiple-Water-Pans Humidifier

Abstract

Disclosed is a humidifier having multiple water pans stacked together with one water pan at the top of the stack and one water pan at the bottom of the stack and the remainder water pans in the middle of the stack; within each water pan, there are evaporate pads comprised of multiple layers and positioned in sequences like wave after wave. Water fills the water pan at the top the stack and continues to fill the water pans in the middle of the stack one by one and then the water pan at the bottom of the stack; in doing so, water moistens the evaporator pads within each water pan, while warm air moves through the evaporator pads, warm air absorbs moisture to create humidified air.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention, Multiple-Water-Pans Humidifier, generally relates to central humidifiers or whole-house humidifiers. There are two common types of central humidifiers or whole-house humidifiers on the market: flow-through humidifiers and drum humidifiers. These two types of humidifiers generate humidified air in different ways. For flow-through humidifiers, water from water supply moistens an evaporator pad, while warm air moves through it, warm air absorbs moisture to create humidified air. For drum humidifiers, a rotating evaporator pad spins in a water pan, lifting water into warm air to generate humidified air. In comparison, flow-through humidifiers have lower maintenance costs and require less frequent maintenance than drum humidifiers. However, flow-through humidifiers tend to deliver lower moisture output and are less efficient than drum humidifiers.

The advantages of the present invention are that it delivers higher moisture output and are more efficient than flow-through humidifiers on the market. In addition, the current invention has lower maintenance costs and requires less frequent maintenance than drum humidifiers.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Under the current invention, humidified air is generated in a similar way as flow-through humidifiers: water from water supply moistens evaporator pads, while warm air moves through the evaporator pads, warm air absorbs moisture to create humidified air. What distinguishes the current invention from prior arts is that the present invention consists of multiple water pans stacked together; wherein multiple evaporator pads are placed inside of each water pan; wherein the evaporate pads are structured in multiple layers and positioned within the water pans in sequences like wave after wave.

The present invention contains two different ways by which the multiple water pans are stacked together. According to the first method, the water pans are stacked together, wherein each water pan is placed in a level position, wherein an overflow draining hole is placed inside of each water pan, wherein the height of the overflow draining hole is lower than the height of the water pan. Water flows from water tubing pipes and fill the first water pan at the top of the stack. When the level of water in the first water pan exceeds the height of the overflow draining hole of the first water pan, water continuous to flow via the overflow draining hole of the first water pan to a water pan immediately below the first water pan. When the level of water in the second water pan exceeds the height of the overflow draining of the second water pan, water continues to flow via the overflow draining hole of the second water pan to a water pan immediately below the second water pan. In a similar fashion, water fills and flows through the water pans below the second water pan until it reaches the last water pan at the bottom of the stack. When the level of water in the last water pan exceeds the height of the overflow draining hole of the last water pan, water drains out via the overflow draining hole of the last water pan.

Under the second method, the multiple water pans are stacked together, wherein the last water pan at the bottom of the stack is placed in a level position, wherein all the other water pans atop the last water pan are placed in slant positions, wherein a water chute is attached to the higher end of the first water pan at the top of the stack, wherein an overflow draining hole is placed inside the last water pan at the bottom of the stack, wherein the height of the overflow draining hole is lower than the height of the last water pan at the bottom of the stack. Water flows from water tubing pipes and fills the water chute. When the water chute is filled, water flows along the slant surface of the first water pan at the top of the stack. When water reaches the lower end of the first water pan, water drops through the opening at the lower end of the first water pan and reaches the higher end of a water pan immediately below the first water pan. Water continues to flow along the slant surface of the second water pan. When water reaches the lower end of the second water pan, water drops through the opening at the lower end of the second water pan and reaches the higher end of a water pan immediately below the second water pan. In a similar fashion, water continues to flow along the slant surfaces of the water pans below the second water pan until it reaches the lower end of the water pan which is placed immediately above the last water pan at the bottom of the stack. Water drops through the opening at the lower end of the water pan which is positioned immediately above the last water pan and continues to fill the last water pan. When the level of water in the last water pan exceeds the height of the overflow draining hole of the last water pan, water drains out via the overflow draining hole of the last water pan.

Compared to what is currently available on the market, the present invention delivers higher moisture output via multiple water pans stacked together and multi-layered evaporator pads positioned within the water pans in sequences like wave after wave. In addition, since the current invention utilizes fresh water supply, the present invention stays clean longer, has lower maintenance costs and requires less frequent maintenance.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

For a more complete understanding of the present disclosure and its advantages, reference is now made to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompany drawings:

FIG. 1 is a view schematically showing a humidifier.

FIG. 2 is another perspective view of the humidifier.

FIG. 3, FIG. 4, FIG. 5, FIG. 6, FIG. 8 and FIG. 13 demonstrate that multiple evaporator pads are placed within each water pans and the evaporator pads are multiple-layered and formed in sequences like wave after wave.

FIG. 3, FIG. 4, FIG. 5, FIG. 6, FIG. 7, FIG. 8 and FIG. 9 show the first method of how the multiple water pans are stacked.

FIG. 10, FIG. 11, FIG. 12 and FIG. 13 illustrate the second way of how the multiple water pans are stacked.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 demonstrates a humidifier 1 is connected with a supply duct 2, and a return duct 3 through a duct 5. Warm air flows from a furnace 4 through the supply duct 2, and reaches the humidifier 1, wherein the direction of air flow 6 is from the supply duct 2 to the humidifier 1. Inside the humidifier 1, warm air absorbs moisture to become humidified air and flows through the duct 5 to the return duct 3, wherein the direction of air flow 6 is from the humidifier 1 to the return duct 3.

FIG. 2 is a back perspective view of the humidifier 1. FIG. 2 demonstrates a mounting cover 7, several mounting holes 8 which connect the humidifier 1 with the supply duct 2 in FIG. 1, an opening 9 which connects the humidifier 1 with the duct 5 in FIG. 1, water tubing pipes 10 and a valve 11.

FIG. 3, FIG. 4, FIG. 5, FIG. 6, FIG. 8 and FIG. 11 are different perspective views of the inside of the humidifier 1. FIG. 3 is a back perspective view of the humidifier 1 without the mounting cover 7 in FIG. 2. FIG. 4 is a front perspective view of the humidifier 1. FIG. 5 is a bottom perspective view of the humidifier 1 with the bottom of humidifier 1 cut open. FIG. 6 is another bottom perspective view of the humidifier 1. FIG. 8 is another back perspective view of the humidifier 1. FIG. 11 is a top perspective view of the humidifier 1. As FIG. 3, FIG. 4, FIG. 5, FIG. 6, FIG. 8 and FIG. 13 demonstrate, multiple water pans 12 are placed inside the humidifier 1; wherein the water pans 12 are positioned in stacks; wherein multiple evaporator pads 13 are positioned inside each water pan 12; wherein the evaporator pads 13 are structured in multiple layers and placed in each water pan 12 in the sequence of wave after wave.

FIG. 3, FIG. 4, FIG. 5, FIG. 6, FIG. 7 and FIG. 8 demonstrate the first way wherein water pans 12 are stacked together. Under the first method, the water pans 12 are placed in level positions and stacked together, wherein one water pan 12 is at the top of the stack, another water pan 12 is in the middle of the stack and another water pan 12 is at the bottom of the stack. Inside each water pan 12, there is an overflow draining hole 14. FIG. 5 and FIG. 6 show the draining hole 14 of the water pan 12 at the bottom of the stack. FIG. 7 illustrates the overflow draining hole 14 of the water pan 12 at the top of the stack. As FIG. 9 demonstrates, the height of the overflow draining hole 15 is lower than the height of the water pan 16.

Under the first method, water flows from water tubing pipes and fill the water pan 12 at the top of the stack. When the level of water in the water pan 12 at the top of the stack exceeds the height of the overflow draining hole 15, water continuous to flow via the overflow draining hole 14 inside the water pan 12 at the top of the stack to the water pan 12 in the middle of the stack. In a similar fashion, water continues to fill the water pan 12 in the middle of the stack and the water pan 12 at the bottom of the stack. When the level of water in the water pan 12 at the bottom of stack exceeds the height of the overflow draining hole 15, water drains out via the overflow draining hole 14 inside of the water pan 12 at the bottom of the stack.

FIG. 10, FIG. 11, FIG. 12 and FIG. 13 show the second method wherein water pans 12 are stacked together. According to the second way, the multiple water pans are stacked together, wherein the last water pan at the bottom of the stack is placed in a level position and all the other water pans atop the last water pan are placed in slant positions. As FIG. 10, FIG. 11 and FIG. 13 illustrate, the water pan 12 at the top of the stack and the water pan 12 in the middle of the stack are both positioned in slant positions and the water pan 12 at the bottom of the stack is placed in a level position.

Under the second method, a water chute 17 is attached to the higher end of the water pan 12 at the top of the stack. Water flows from water tubing pipes and fills the water chute 17. When the water chute 17 is filled, water flows along the slant surface of the water pan 12 at the top of the stack. As FIG. 10, FIG. 11 and FIG. 12 illustrates, when water reaches the lower end of the water pan 12 at the top of the stack, water drops through the opening 18 at the lower end of the water pan at the top of the stack and reaches the higher end of the water pan 12 in the middle of the stack. Water continues to flow along the slant surface of the water pan 12 in the middle of the stack. When water reaches the lower end of the water pan 12 in the middle of the stack, water drops through the opening 18 at the lower end of the water pan 12 in the middle of the stack, and reaches the higher end of the water pan 12 at the bottom of the stack, and continues to fill the water pan 12 at the bottom of the stack. Similar to the first method, when the level of water in the water pan 12 at the bottom of stack exceeds the height of the overflow draining hole 15, water drains out via the overflow draining hole 14 inside the water pan 12 at the bottom of the stack.

Claims

1. A humidifier comprising: Water pans configured to hold a volume of liquid in each water pan,Evaporate pads placed in each water pan,Wherein the evaporator pads are structured to absorb water from the water pans and evaporate moisture when warm air flows through the evaporator pads.

2. The humidifier according to claim 1, wherein the evaporate pads placed in each water pan are comprised of multiple layers and are arranged in sequences like wave after wave.

3. The humidifier according to claim 1, wherein the water pans are positioned in a stack.

4. The humidifier according to claim 3, wherein the water pans are stacked together and each water pan is placed in a level position; wherein an overflow draining hole is placed inside each water pan; wherein the height of the overflow draining hole is lower than the height of the water pan; wherein water flows from water tubing pipes and fill the first water pan at the top of the stack; wherein when the level of water in the first water pan exceeds the height of the overflow draining hole of the first water pan, water continuous to flow via the overflow draining hole of the first water pan to the water pan immediately below the first water pan; wherein when the level of water in the second water pan exceeds the height of the overflow draining hole of the second water pan, water continues to flow via the overflow draining hole of the second water pan to a water pan immediately below the second water pan; wherein in a similar fashion, water fills and flows through the water pans below the second water pan until it reaches the last water pan at the bottom of the stack; wherein when the level of water in the last water pan exceeds the height of the overflow draining hole of the last water pan, water drains out via the overflow draining hole of the last water pan.

5. The humidifier according to claim 3, wherein the water pans are stacked together, the last water pan at the bottom of the stack is placed in a level position and all the other water pans are placed in slant positions; wherein a water chute is attached to the higher end of the first water pan at the top of the stack; wherein an overflow draining hole is placed inside the last water pan at the bottom of the stack and the height of the overflow draining hole is lower than the height of the last water pan at the bottom of the stack; wherein water flows from water tubing pipes and fills the water chute; wherein when the water chute is filled, water flows along the slant surface of the first water pan; wherein when water reaches the lower end of the first water pan, water drops through the opening at the lower end of the top water pan and reaches the higher end of the water pan immediately below the first water pan; wherein water continues to flow along the slant surface of the second water pan; wherein when water reaches the lower end of the second water pan, water drops through the opening at the lower end of the second water pan and reaches the higher end of the water pan immediately below the second water pan; wherein in a similar fashion, water continues to flow along the slant surfaces of the water pans under the second water pan until it reaches the lower end of the water pan which is positioned immediately above the last water pan at the bottom of the stack; wherein water drops through the opening at the lower end of the water pan which is placed immediately above the last water pan and continues to fill the last water pan. When the level of water in the last water pan exceeds the height of the overflow draining hole of the last water pan, water drains out via the overflow draining hole of the last water pan.