The present invention relates to dehumidification generally.
Various types of dehumidifiers are known in the art.
The present invention seeks to provide improved heat exchanger planar elements.
There is thus provided in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention planar element adapted to form, when stacked with a plurality of other such elements, a heat exchanger, the planar element comprising an inlet region, a first zone adapted to direct flow from the inlet region towards a second zone, a second zone comprising at least one cutout in the plane of the planar element, adapted to accommodate a cooling core, a third zone, adapted to direct flow from the second zone towards an outlet region and an outlet region. Preferably the perimeter of the planar element comprises side edges.
According to embodiments of the present invention the planar element may comprise a first blockage protrusion disposed along a first group of said side edges, the first group comprising at least a side edge adjacent to said outlet region, the first blockage protrusion is adapted to block flow from said inlet region directly to said outlet region and a second blockage protrusion disposed along a second group of said side edges, the second group comprising at least a side edge adjacent to said inlet region, the second blockage protrusion is adapted to block flow from said outlet region directly to said inlet region.
According to further embodiments the planar element comprise at least one first guiding protrusion adapted to guide the airflow within said first region from the inlet region. The planar element may further comprise at least one second guiding protrusion adapted to guide the airflow within said third region toward the outlet region.
According to yet further embodiments the planer element may comprise at least one third protrusion is disposed in said first region and adapted to keep a defined gap between said planar element and a second planar element disposed adjacent to the planar element, in the inlet region.
According to further embodiments the planar element may further comprise at least one fourth protrusion is disposed in said third region and adapted to keep a defined gap between said planar element and a second planar element disposed adjacent to said planar element, in the outlet region and at least one fifth protrusion disposed around said cutout adapted to keep a defined gap between said planar element and a second planar element disposed adjacent to the planar element, in the cutout region.
According to further embodiments the planar element may further comprise at least a first set of relatively parallel protrusions adapted to guide the airflow within said first region and at least a second set of relatively parallel protrusions adapted to guide the airflow within said third region.
The present invention will be understood and appreciated more fully from the drawings in which:
The present invention describes apparatus which produces dehumidification and can be embodied in a number of alternative operational contexts, such as part of a dehumidification apparatus, an air conditioner or a water generation system providing water for drinking or any other use. The apparatus described hereinabove normally requires an air flow of humid air thereto and a concomitant air pressure gradient thereacross. It also requires provision of a coolant fluid, which may be any suitable gas or liquid.
Reference is now made to
At least first and second relatively humid air inlet pathways 108 lead to the cooled core 102 and at least first and second relatively dry air outlet pathways 112 extend from the cooled core 102.
In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a core-surrounding air flow pre-cooling and post heating assembly (CSAFPCPHA) 120 wherein the at least first and second relatively dry air outlet pathways 112 are in heat exchange propinquity with respective ones of the at least first and second relatively humid air inlet pathways 108, whereby relatively humid air in the first and second relatively humid air inlet pathways is precooled upstream of the cooled core 102 and relatively dry air in the first and second relatively dry air outlet pathways is heated downstream of the cooled core 102.
It is a particular feature of an embodiment of the present invention that the cooled core 102 is formed of core elements, such as core plates 122, along which an air flow passes, and the at least first and second relatively humid air inlet pathways and the at least first and second relatively dry air outlet pathways are formed of pathway elements, such as embossed generally planar elements 124 and 126, along which an air flow passes, the core elements having a relatively high thermal conductivity in a direction along which the air flow passes and the pathway elements having a relatively low thermal conductivity in a direction along which the air flow passes. It is appreciated that core plates 122 are aligned with and sealed with respect to corresponding planar elements 124 and 126.
As seen particularly in
Turning now specifically to
Turning now to
Turning now to
Reference is now made to
Reference is now made to
Reference is now made to
The structure and operation of embossed generally planar elements 124 and 126 will now be described with specific reference to
Turning first to generally planar element 124, a first side thereof, designated by reference numeral 300, is shown in
As seen in
Planar element 124 also includes, at first side 300, an air flow guiding protrusion 346 at what is typically an inlet region 348 above plane 330 and an air flow guiding protrusion 350 at what is typically an outlet region 352 above plane 330.
Planar element 124 also includes, at first side 300, an array 360 of mutually spaced enhanced counter flow heat exchange (ECFHE) protrusions 362 downstream of inlet region 348. Each of mutually spaced protrusions 362 preferably has a tapered inlet end 364 and a tapered outlet end 366.
Planar element 124 also includes, at first side 300, an array 370 of mutually spaced enhanced counter flow heat exchange (ECFHE) protrusions 372 upstream of outlet region 352. Each of mutually spaced protrusions 372 preferably has a tapered inlet end 374 and a tapered outlet end 376.
Planar element 124 also includes, at first side 300, a plurality of mutual inner edge spacing protrusions 380 preferably arranged at the sides of a generally rectangular cutout 382 which accommodates core 102.
Planar element 124 also includes, at first side 300, a plurality of mutual outer edge spacing protrusions 390 preferably arranged along edges 323 and 329.
As seen in
Planar element 124 also typically includes, at second side 302, a recess 446 at inlet region 348 and a recess 450 at outlet region 352.
Planar element 124 also includes, at second side 302, an array 460 of mutually spaced enhanced counter flow heat exchange (ECFHE) recesses 462 downstream of inlet region 448. Each of mutually spaced recesses 462 preferably has a tapered inlet end 464 and a tapered outlet end 466.
Planar element 124 also includes, at second side 302, an array 470 of mutually spaced enhanced counter flow heat exchange (ECFHE) recesses 472 upstream of outlet region 352. Each of mutually spaced recesses 472 preferably has a tapered inlet end 474 and a tapered outlet end 476.
Planar element 124 also includes, at second side 302, a plurality of mutual inner edge spacing recesses 480 preferably arranged at the sides of generally rectangular cutout 382 which accommodates core 102.
Planar element 124 also includes, at second side 302, a plurality of outer edge recesses 490 preferably arranged along edges 323 and 329.
Turning now to generally planar element 126, a first side thereof, designated by reference numeral 500, is shown in
As seen in
Planar element 126 also includes, at first side 500, an air flow guiding protrusion 546 at what is typically an inlet region 548 above plane 530 and an air flow guiding protrusion 550 at what is typically an outlet region 552 above plane 530.
Planar element 126 also includes, at first side 500, an array 560 of mutually spaced enhanced counter flow heat exchange (ECFHE) protrusions 562 downstream of inlet region 548. Each of mutually spaced protrusions 562 preferably has a tapered inlet end 564 and a tapered outlet end 566.
Planar element 126 also includes at first side 500, an array 570 of mutually spaced enhanced counter flow heat exchange (ECFHE) protrusions 572 upstream of outlet region 552. Each of mutually spaced protrusions 572 preferably has a tapered inlet end 574 and a tapered outlet end 576.
Planar element 126 also includes, at first side 500, a plurality of mutual inner edge spacing protrusions 580 preferably arranged at the sides of a generally rectangular cutout 582 which accommodates core 102.
Planar element 126 also includes, at first side 500, a plurality of mutual outer edge spacing protrusions 590 preferably arranged along edges 523 and 529.
As seen in
Planar element 126 also typically includes, at second side 502, a recess 646 at inlet region 548 and a recess 650 at outlet region 552.
Planar element 126 also includes, at second side 502, an array 660 of mutually spaced enhanced counter flow heat exchange (ECFHE) recesses 662 downstream of inlet region 548. Each of mutually spaced recesses 662 preferably has a tapered inlet end 664 and a tapered outlet end 666.
Planar element 126 also includes, at second side 502, an array 670 of mutually spaced enhanced counter flow heat exchange (ECFHE) recesses 672 upstream of outlet region 552. Each of mutually spaced recesses 672 preferably has a tapered inlet end 674 and a tapered outlet end 676.
Planar element 126 also includes, at second side 502, a plurality of mutual inner edge spacing recesses 680 preferably arranged at the sides of generally rectangular cutout 582 which accommodates core 102.
Planar element 126 also includes, at second side 502, a plurality of outer edge recesses 690 preferably arranged along edges 523 and 529.
Reference is now made to
Considering airflow 700, it is seen that a relatively planar flow of typically relatively humid air enters at an inlet region 348 above the plane 330 of planar element 124, and which is bounded by adjacent second side 502 of planar element 126. This flow is guided by one or more protrusions 346 into engagement with array 360 of protrusions 362 on planar element 124 and corresponding positioned array 670 of recesses 672 of planar element 126. It is appreciated that the protrusions 362 partially seat within corresponding recesses 672 and together define an air flow passage between each recess 672 and the corresponding protrusion 362 partially seated therewithin. It is noted that the tapered ends 364 and 366 of the protrusions 362 and the tapered ends 674 and 676 of recesses 672 assist in defining these air flow passages.
Downstream of arrays 360, the air flow, which by this stage has been somewhat pre-cooled, as will be described hereinbelow, passes through the core plates 122 of core 102 in a generally planar flow, where it is substantially cooled, preferably to below the dew point. Downstream of core plates 122 of core 102, the substantially cooled air flow passes through array 370 of protrusions 372 on planar element 124 and corresponding positioned array 660 of recesses 662 on planar element 126. It is appreciated that the protrusions 372 partially seat within corresponding recesses 662 and together define an air flow passage between each recess 662 and the corresponding protrusion 372 partially seated therewithin. It is noted that the tapered ends 374 and 376 of the protrusions 372 and the tapered ends 664 and 666 of the recesses 662 assist in defining these air flow passages.
Downstream of arrays 370, the air flows, which have at this stage been somewhat warmed, as will be described hereinbelow, become joined into a relatively planar flow at outlet region 352 above the plane 330 of planar element 124, and which is bounded by adjacent second side 502 of planar element 126. This flow is guided by one or more protrusions 350.
Considering airflow 702, it is seen that a relatively planar flow of typically relatively humid air enters at an inlet region 548 above the plane 530 of planar element 126, and which is bounded by adjacent second side 302 of planar element 124. This flow is guided by one or more protrusions 546 into engagement with array 560 of protrusions 562 on planar element 126 and corresponding positioned array 470 of recesses 472 on planar element 124. It is appreciated that the protrusions 562 partially seat within corresponding recesses 472 and together define an air flow passage between each recess 472 and the corresponding protrusion 562 partially seated therewithin. It is noted that the tapered ends 564 and 566 of the protrusions 562 and the tapered ends 474 and 476 of the recesses 472 assist in defining these air flow passages.
Downstream of arrays 560, the air flow, which by this stage has been somewhat pre-cooled, as will be described hereinbelow, passes through the core plates 122 of core 102 in a generally planar flow, where it is substantially cooled, preferably to below the dew point. Downstream of core plates 122 of core 102, the substantially cooled air flow passes through array 570 of protrusions 572 on planar element 126 and corresponding positioned array 460 of recesses 462 on planar element 124. It is appreciated that the protrusions 572 partially seat within corresponding recesses 462 and together define an air flow passage between each recess 462 and the corresponding protrusion 572 partially seated therewithin. It is noted that the tapered ends 574 and 576 of the protrusions 572 and the tapered ends 464 and 466 of the recesses 462 assist in defining these air flow passages.
Downstream of arrays 570, the air flows, which have at this stage been somewhat warmed, as will be described hereinbelow, become joined into a relatively planar flow at outlet region 552 above the plane 530 of planar element 126, and which is bounded by adjacent second side 302 of planar element 124. This flow is guided by one or more protrusions 550.
Referring additionally to
Thus it may be appreciated that enhanced heat exchange is provided between mutually counter airflows in the air flow passages defined between the protrusions and recesses of arrays 360 and 670 respectively and as they pass through the air flow passages defined between the protrusions and recesses of arrays 570 and 460 respectively, wherein three-dimensional counter flow is provided, and a lesser degree of heat exchange is provided therebetween in the inlet and outlet regions wherein only two-dimensional heat exchange engagement between adjacent planar air flows is provided.
This can be seen graphically from a comparison of
It is appreciated that the heat exchange relationship represented in
Realization of the highly efficient heat exchange structure shown in
It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the present invention is not limited to what has been particularly shown and described hereinabove. Rather the scope of the invention includes both combinations and subcombinations of the various features described hereinabove as well as modifications and variations thereof which would occur to persons skilled in the art upon reading the foregoing description and which are not in the prior art.
This application is a continuation of U.S. Pat. Application No. 16/868,560, filed May 7, 2020, which is a continuation of U.S. Pat. Application No. 15/960,550, filed on Apr. 24, 2018, which is a continuation of U.S. Pat. Application No 14/859,910, filed on Sep. 21, 2015, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,976,817, which is a continuation of U.S. Pat. Application No. 13/834,857, filed on Mar. 15, 2013, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,140,396, each of which is incorporated by reference in its entirety herein.
Number | Date | Country | |
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Parent | 15960550 | Apr 2018 | US |
Child | 16868560 | US | |
Parent | 14859910 | Sep 2015 | US |
Child | 15960550 | US | |
Parent | 13834857 | Mar 2013 | US |
Child | 14859910 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
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Parent | 16868560 | May 2020 | US |
Child | 18114378 | US |