Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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'title: PORTABLE/ POTABLE WATER RECOVERY AND DISI'tNSING APPARATUS
TECHNICAL FIELD
This invention relates to a portable, potable water dispenser capable of
recovering liquid water for
human use from the humidity of environmental air and sanitizing it for human
use. The water
generator of this invention draws in moisture-laden air from the surroundings
arid recovers liquid
water by cooling the stream of air below its dew point. The unit can be
powered from mains, single/
3-phase, or portable generators, AC, 110-220 V, 50-80 Hz, or from DC power, 6-
60 V batteries. The
apparatus includes optional air filters which remove suspended pollen ur dust
particles so that
contaminants and undesirable impurities from the environmental air are not
carried into the dew-
forming section. The apparatus also includes optional heating, cooling. The
most important feature
of the basic unit anti its variants are filtration and sterilization systems
which provide
purified liquid water free from contaminants and volatile organic compounds
t:VO(') as defined by
NSF Standard 53. The external envelope of the present apparatus is a compact,
nttract,ive,
furniture-type wheeled design and one embodiment is further adapted to prevent
entry of insects.
The water generators of this invention employ ruggedized design and
construction and certain
2 0 embodiments are intended to operate untended for extended periods in
harsh, military-type
environments such as peacekeeping actions, fires, earthquakes ai5d weather
disasters/ emergencies.
Other embodiments are intended to operate in land-transport vehicles, e.g.,
bus, train, seagoing
vessels, recreational vehicles, business or home office environments. Further
hybrid embodiments
lend themselves to incorporation into icemakers, refrigerators, drink coolers,
water coolers, etc. Still
further compact, luggage-type embodiments can be provided for travel or sports
use.
Additionally,various embodiments can be fitted with an input port for impure
water for priming, for
increased output capacity and for operation under conditions when
environmental temperature and/
or humidity do not allow enough water to be generated.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The consensus of most medical experts is that the water supply is the single
most critical factor to
human health. Over~d00,000 people were stricken, 4,000 hospitalized and over
100 people died in
Milwaukee in 1993 from Cryptoaporidium, a bacterial contaminant in their city-
tr~atecl drinking
water. Natural Resources Defense Council estimates that in the US alone more
titan 900,000
become ill each year from water-borne disease and ss many as 900 will die.
There is also an
increasing awareness that 'bottled water" itself may be no safer than
municipally treated water.
Some citizens feel protected by household-type water filters. However, of the
over 2,000 types/ styles/
sizes of filters now being sold to the public for additional treating of city
water, only s few remove
significant amounts of parasites, viruses, bacteria, pesticides and heavy
metals. While
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WO 97/38272 PCT/US97/05665
contaminated water is harmful to adults, infants and young children are at
much greater risk from
drinking impure water, particularly water with high levels of heavy metals or
radioisotopes.
While the situation is bad in parts of the United States, it is worse in many
other developed
countries and absolutely frightening in third-world countries. In developing
nations, there is often
at least intermittent electricity but no source for potable, or human drinking
water. For clinics and
hospitals in such remote areas, doctors and technicians need purified water
for scrubbing and to
prepare medicines. In the case of remote villages in developing countries,
there is a need for a unit
which generates and dispenses purified water, is easily moved, is relatively
inezpenaive to
manufacture and which can operate from a variety of different types of
electrical power with a
minimum of maintenance.
The most common potable water dispenser for use in the home and office is the
20-liter glass or
plastic bottle placed on a gravity-flow dispensing stand. The bottles usually
provide processed
spring or well water and are generally sold with a representation of
compliance with state and local
health codes for potable water. One major drawback to "bottled water" is the
fact that filled
containers are heavy, approx. 26-30 Kg, and awkward to change. Another problem
is that algae can
build up in the user's stand; this necessitates periodic cleaning to maintain
water safety. Relative to
dissolved and suspended contaminants and undesired impurities, "bottled water"
may l~e no safer
than municipal water.
At this time, the USA market for portable, potable water sources requires: (a)
generation of high-
quality water which is certifialSly free of all impurities which are health
hazards even t.o infants and
children, (b) no necessity for storing and moving heavy bottles, (c) no
requirement for expensive,
complex maintenance procedures/ cleaning, (d) low operating cost, (e) no
special wiring/ plumbing for
installation and (f) attractive, office-furniture styling.
BACKGROUND ART
Current US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) standards for impurities in
primary and
secondary drinking water are included as p.32-34 of the publication, "Drinking
Water'I'reatmept
Units Certified by NSF International", NSF International, Ann Arbor, M) (
1995). 'I Ivcse pages
include the 1995 drinking water-standards of US Environmental Protection
Agency, ANSI/NSF-53.
The specific analytical chemistry methods for each impurity covered by NSi~-53
arc ~Icsci ibed in 1~.1'A
publications in US Federal Register.
There are several US patents which disclose reverse-cycle refrigeration as the
cooling means for a
water generator:
US3675442, issued Jul 1972 to Swanaon, Swanson-442
US4204956, issued May 1980 to Flatow, Flatow-95ti
US6149446, issued Jan 1991, to JJ Reidy, Reidy-446;
US6106512, issued Apr 1991 to JJ Reidy, Reidy-512;
US5227063, issued Jul 1993 to Hrym, Hrym-053
US5259203, issued Nov 1993 to DR Engel et el, Engle-203; and
US630151ti, issued Apr 1994 to F Poindexter, 1'oindexter-516.
2
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WO 97/38272 PCT/US97/05665
US5517829, issued May 1996 to Michael, Michael-829
US5553459, issued Sep 1996 to Harrison, Harrison-459
None of the water generators disclosed in these publications are designed
primarily as a dispenser
and, none are designed as portable units. Swanson-442, provides a large, heavy
apparatus, and
specifically teaches that small, portable units are relatively inefficient.
None of these publications disclose the following features or embodiments:
Compact, wheeled, office-equipment housing
Integral, external fluid-delivery valves and controls
Ion generator for discharged air stream
Insect-resistant port covers/ screens, access doors, edge joints
Ultrasonic pest deterrent
Ozone generator for water sterilization treatment
Handle grips for easy movement by lifting or rolling
Medical/ food-handling-type tubing and joints for water handling subsystems
Chemically-inert, thermally-conductive dew-collector surface films
Working fluids in heat absorbers which comply with 1996-edition DOE, EPA and
ASHRAE
standards/ regulations (such as refrigerant fluid 406A)
Ruggedized, long-life components and sub-systems
2 0 Safe, convenient dispensing height for hot or cold water
Electrostatic air filter with whistle alarm for blocked condition
Attached liquid container dispenser
Night lights for controls and delivery valves for low-light situations.
Air-heating strip and fan on compressor (for outside units).
2 5 The publications noted above disclose: (a) industrial water-condensation
units designed to be
permanently-attached to building air ducts, or (b) water purifiers, not
portable dispensers.
Reidy-512 discloses a fixed-position, large-volume, high-rate water generator
suitable for supplying
drinking water to an entire office building, laundry, etc. The device is
described as "having ducts for
bringing this supply of ambient air to the device and for releasing the air
back outside the device
3 0 after it has been processed". The attached, permanent "ductwork" is
characterized further as
"extending through an outside wall of the structure or dwelling". While
sensors, indicators,
interlocks, alarms for the UV lamps, air filters and water filters are
mentioned briefly in Reidy-512,
other major components of the apparatus are usually characterized by single-
word descriptions such
as "air filter element", "evaporator coils", "condenser coils", etc.
3 5 In both of Reidy's patents, the drain is located on the base of his water
generator, a position which
makes the drains completely unsuitable for dispensing water unless the machine
is placed on legs or
mounted in a cabinet. Reidy-512 teaches two passes of water past ultraviolet
light tube to kill
bacteria whereas the present apparatus provides for automatic, continuous
recirculation of the
water in the final delivery reservoir through a UV bacteriostat zone. Reidy-
512 has a number of
3
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WO 97/38272 PCT/US97/05665
additional limitations and shortcomings: the user must set the humidistat and
thermostat. Reidy
makes no provision for insect proofing of the cabinet. The water filter of
Reidy-512 is located under
the collection pan and severely limited in both flow rate and minimum pore
size by the gravity-feed
pressure head. In the present apparatus, water flows through a filter under
pressure from a pump;
this allows for high rates and small-pore, filter/ adsorption media such as a
porous-carbon block.
Poindexter-516 has no germicidal light nor a remote collection diverter valve.
A drain is shown in
Fig. 2 but none in Fig. 1. The drain is shown on the bottom of the apparatus
which, if on the floor, is
essentially inoperable and, if raised on a stand, makes a top-heavy unit which
would require
permanent wall anchors.
Engle-203 is essentially two tandem dehumidifiers. A second-stage compressor
with its condenser
coil immersed in the storage tank produces heated water. One familiar with the
art realizes that
such heated water would never reach ?5 C as does the heated water in the
present apparatus.
A further problem of locating the condenser coil in the storage tank is that
it prevents removal of the
tank for cleaning without opening the refrigerant system. Still further
maintenance problems arise
from the positioning of drains, i.e., there are no external dispensing valves
and the drain valves are
poorly located for replacing the valves because of the limited access inherent
in their location.
Poindexter-516 claims a stainless-steel air-cooling coil and collection pan
which adds significantly to
the cost of manufacturing and does not specify the specific type of stainless
steel, 314L, which is
required for water handling in production facilities. The specification goes
into great detail on the
2 0 types of chemicals usable to clean areas which contact the water. In the
present apparatus, the
storage containers are completely removable and the condensate is sanitized by
passing under the
germicidal light several times.
Harrison-459 uses a t1V lamp tube to treat the discharge water stream; this
indicates that bacteria
and or algae may be growing within the unit or its plumbing connections. This
unit also must be
2 5 primed initially with approx. 10 liters of start-up water which can be a
source of initial
contaminants, such as volatile organic compounds, VOC, which are neither
removed nor broken
down by either ITV radiation or granular carbon charcoal. Whether this
technology is compliant
with NSF-53 remains a question. In his device, the compressor operates to
maintain a cold set-point
temperature within the water reservoir, i.e., the compressor operates to cool
the fluid remaining in
3 0 the reservoir even when the device is not actively producing water
condensate. In contrast, the
present invention saves energy by shutting off when it is not producing water.
Further, the present
invention may include a wheeled, furniture-type, user-friendly cabinet
complete with carrying
handles, disposable cups, related holders, diverter valve and air-filter-
blockage alert. Also, since the
present invention is fitted with a gravity discharge line, it is possible to
draw water even in the
3 5 event of a power failure. Harrison's unit, which employs an electric
solenoid valve, would not be able
to deliver water in the absence of mains power.
Swanson-442 suffers from many of the same deficiencies as Harrison-459;
further, it also lacks an
air filter or a UV disinfecting system. While Swanson's discharge device is
shown on one figure, the
location and operating parameters are not specified.
4
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Brym-053 provides a UV-activated catalyst water purifier/ dispenser for tap
water (well or public
supply) which can be installed below the counter or enclosed in a cabinet.
This unit merely treats
water supplied to it, and in the process, a certain portion of the incoming
flow is diverted to waste.
Michael-829 is primarily a device for producing and filtering "drinking" water
across "activated
charcoal" and a "plastic mesh micropore filter'. It is not portable and is not
compliant with NSF-53
tg VOC removal. Further, it has no provision for continuous circulation of
water to maintain purity.
All the prior patents cited above use a typical refrigerant deicer system to
keep their evaporators
from freezing under low condensate flow rates, which can occur with cool
ambient air. For example,
on sheet 5 of the Reidy-512 patent is an illustration that shows water
production stopping at about
10 C. This limitation occurs because: (a) obtaining condensate is inefficient,
(b) condensation is not
cost effective at such low temperatures and (c) the evaporator tends to freeze
over at lower
temperatures. This limitation also occurs because of the design of the water
generating device using
a typical hot-gas bypass deicer. All of the devices cited are large-capacity
refizgerant gas
dehumidifiers. The refrigerant gas from the compressor cools an evaporator
coil and when ambient
air is passed by the coil, moisture condenses out and drips to a collector
below. When operated over
extended periods or in cooler temperatures, the evaporator tends to freeze
over due to low flow rate
of condensate. In this situation, the compressor is designed to switch over to
hot-gas bypass mode.
A thermostat and/or humidistat control assists in determining when the
compressor switches over.
2 0 This on/off cycle during cooler temperatures drastically reduces
production of water until the
compressor eventually stops when temperature of incoming air is too low.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
For an embodiment of the present apparatus designed for open-air use, it is
critical to be able to
operate for long periods without human adjustments. Rather than have the heat
absorber cycle off/
2 5 on and wait for the dew-forming surface to defrost when operating in
cooler temperatures, a heat
strip and additional fan are designed into the heat-absorber systems of the
present apparatus.
When the dew-forming surface is about to start freezing, the air-heating strip
is switched on and
heat absorber 1 continues to run, and water production is not interrupted. As
a further benefit, the
incoming ambient air is warmed; generally, the warmer the ambient air, the
more moisture that can
3 0 be extracted from it. The heating strip also protects the apparatus,
including collection reservoirs,
from sudden unexpected freezing when ambient air drops below 0 deg. C. The
resistance-heating
strip and fan, rather than a hot-gas bypass valve, distinguishes the present
invention from the other
devices.
The water generator of the present invention operates within a closed housing
and water dispensing
35 subsystems deliver directly to the external dispensing valve. It is not
necessary to open the housing
every time a small quantity of water is desired. The housing panels and
various openings of the
present invention are fitted with tight-sealing flanges to prevent insect
infestation and
environmental contamination of the water. Any dispenser that is designed to
work in remote, harsh
environments must be designed so that the outside envelope is infrequently
opened and then only for
5
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WO 97!38272 PCTlUS97/05665
maintenance. Each opening incident exposes the interior of the housing to
infestation by all types of
crawling and flying insects such as flies, mosquitoes and to entry of airborne
contaminants such as
blowing dust, etc.
For embodiments intended for use in a home or office, certain of the insect
and dust-sealing features
may be omitted and the cabinet implemented with attractive, furniture-type
styling. To make the
present water generator-dispenser more desirable for office or home use, the
unit can be fitted with
optional subsystems for producing water at three temperatures, i.e., hot, cold
and ambient. Thia is
accomplished by adding a secondary heat absorber source. Heat absorber-2 is
placed under the
bottom surface of the storage tank and an insulated, separator-baffle is added
to the storage tank to
separate ambient-temperature water from cold water. A cold-water-temperature
sensor and switch
assembly controls the operation of heat absorber-2 to maintain the
predetermined temperature of
the cold water zone, below the insulating baffle, at approx. 5 C.
To produce hot water, a heated, food-type stainless steel tank with an
insulating jacket is added.
The hot water tank is in fluid communication with the heated-fluid delivery
control valve and the
ambient temperature water in the storage tank. Water at a temperature of up to
about 75 C can be
delivered from the heated fluid delivery control valve.
Also, an optional diverter valve may be installed to allow pumping into a
container outside the
housing.
The water generator/ dispenser of the present invention fills a long-felt need
for emerging countries
2 0 and indeed many places in the world. A physician familiar with United
Nations hospital and clinic
programs in Africa had particular praise for the present dispenser's potential
to solve their peculiar
problems when operating in extremely remote areas. Further, a product
development organization
has indicated a desire to produce the office and home models for the USA There
is an immediate
and critical need for the apparatus in many areas of the world, including USA.
The design
2 5 synergism of the present invention is evident from commercial response to
the concept.
The objects and advantages of the present invention are:
(a) providing a means for obtaining and dispensing potable water from an
apparatus that is
consistent with the decor of an office or home yet requires no permanent
external plumbing or air
duct,
3 0 (b) providing an apparatus for heating and chilling potable water
collected from the atmosphere,
(c) providing an apparatus which can operate indoors or outdoors so as to be
available to operate in
remote areas,
(d) providing an apparatus which can easily be assembled from sealed,
ruggedized modules,
(e) providing a wheeled-cabinet apparatus that is portable, i.e., can be
rolled about on packed earth,
35 pavement, bare floor or carpeted surfaces,
(f) providing an apparatus which can be operated from DC current supply by
attaching solar-
electrical generating panels or by variable-frequency, variable AC voltages,
single- or 3-phase mains
power, 50/ 60 Hz or AC electrical power generated from wind-driven generators,
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(g) providing an apparatus that has minimal chance of water contamination due
to volatile organic
compounds, VOCs, insects or rodents,
(h) providing an apparatus of simple, modular construction and designed for
operation over extended
periods without operator attention,
(i) producing high-quality, purified water, by preparing the unit with medical-
grade tubing and
including an inert surface coating on the dew-forming surface,
(j) producing liquid-water condensate at air temperatures just above freezing
by use of an air-
heating strip,
(k) dispensing potable water at a convenient height for adults or children or
persons in wheelchairs,
(1) producing contaminant-free potable water while running unattended in open
air for extended
periods of a month or more above freezing temperatures,
(nO producing high-quality, potable water in varied environments such as
offices, houses, or jungies.
(n) providing a water generator/ dispenser which is easily portable both
indoors and outdoors,
(o) providing options for dispensing potable water at three different
temperatures, ambient,
1 S approximately 5 C and approximately 80 C.
(p) producing potable water near or below the cost per liter of bottled water,
(ca) producing high-quality potable water within latest tISHRAE and US federal
standards for cooling
and refrigerant apparatus,
(r) providing a water generator/ dispenser that can be easily transported by
two adults using
integral carrying handles,
(s) providing a water generator/ dispenser in which the exhausted air is
filtered to remove dust,
pollen, and airborne particles,
(t.) providing a water dispenser from which incoming air is charged with
negative ions to facilitate
particle separation,
(u) providing a water generator/ dispenser which will not produce or deliver
condensate if either the
air filter is removed or the subsystem for killing microorganisms fails,
(v) providing a water generator/ dispenser in which the electrostatic filter
emits an audible whistle
alarm when it needs cleaning.
Still further objects and advantages will become apparent from a consideration
of the ensuing
description and drawings.
CA 02251095 2001-04-23
In oltc aspect tl~e invention relates to a portable, potatle-water recovery
system for proclucilg
anti cltspcnsrng water comprising:
a. a portable enclosure provided with insect-preventive openings, an inlet
port, an outlet port and
air-circulation means for drculating ambient air from said inlet port to said
outlet port and water
s condensing means within said enclosure,
CHAfZACTER1ZED IN THAT
a. said enclosure having insect-tiy~t integrity,
b. said inlet and outlet purls being covered with insect-resistant screens,
c. ~Itration means adapted to remove and trap particulates of diameter larger
than I micrometer
dispersed in ambient air sealingly connected upstream of said air-circulation
means,
d~ said air-circZtlataon means comprising an internal, ducted, electric,
rotary air-circulation means
of controllable, variable flow volume of ambient air sealingly connected
downstream of said
filtration means,
e. water condensing means comprising an enclosed cooling means sealingly
connected downstream
to said filter port and upstream to said air-drculation mean9 including dew-
forming surfaces
adapted to cool the boundary-layer ntr adjacent to said dew-forming surfaces
to a temperature at
least 1-10 deg. C below the equilibrium dewpoint of the inlet atr stream,
thereby forming liquid-
water on said dew-forming surfaces, said surfaces being formed and positioned
for gravity flow of
said liquid water into a enclosed dripoff collection vessel,
f. enclosed fluid- reservoir sealIngly connected to said dripo(f collection
vessel of material
appropriate for storage of high-purity drinking water and fitted with a outlet
connection whereby
most of the water held the~ein can be withdrawn,
g~ bacteriostat recirculation loop means sealingly connected to said fluid
reservoir and comprising a
closed-loop, recirculation channel and pump whereby water in said reservoir is
pumped at a
predetermined flow rate through an activated-carbon porous VOC filter-absorber
connected in series
with a UV treatment zone where it is continually exposed to radiation of
sufficient energy anti
appropriate wavelength to kill adventitious bacteria and viruses,
h. a delivery charmel sealingly connected to said closed-loop channel and
extending through said
enclosure for external dispensing of purified water from said reservoir at a
convenient dispensing
height and
i. means within said enclosure for monitoring integrity and proper operation
of system compmnents
therein.
7(a)
CA 02251095 2001-04-23
In another aspect the invention relates to a hybrid electric appliance for
water recovery,
dispensing potable water and formation and automatic dispensing oCice shapes
without
reliance upon any external source of water, said ice shapes being removable
t~rrouglt a
moveable, insulated access panel comprising:
a. a portable enclosure provided with iruect-preventive openings, an inlet
port, an outlet port and
air-circulation means for circulating ambient air from said inlet port to said
outlet port and water-
condensing means within said enclosure,
CHARACTEIZLZED fN THAT
a. said enclosure having insect-tight integrity,
b. said inlet and outlet ports being covered with insect-resistant screens,
~, (;Itration means adapted to trap and hold particulates of diameter larger
than I micrometer
dispersed in ambient air senlingly connected upstream of said nlr~rculation
means,
d. said air-drculation means comprising an internal, ducted, elech-lc, rotary
air-circulation mearu
of controllable, variable flow volume of ambient air senlingly connected
downstream of said
filtration means,
e. water condensing means comprising nn enclosed cooling means sealingly
connected downstzeam
to said filter port and upstream to said air-circulation means including dew-
forming surfaces
adapted to cool the boundary-layer ntr adjacent to said dew-forming surfaces
to a temperature at
least 1-10 deg. C below the equilibrium dewpoint of the inlet air stream,
thereby forming liquid-
water on said dew-forming surfaces, said surfaces being formed end positioned
for gravity (low of
said liquid water into a enclosed dripoff collection vessel,
f. enclosed fluid- reservoir senlingly connected to said dripoff collection
vessel of material
appropriate for storage of high-purity drinking water and fitted with a outlet
connection whereby
most of the water held therein can be withdrawn,
g, bneteriostat loop means sealingly connected to said fluid reservoir and
comprising a closed-loop,
redrculation channel and pump whereby water in said reservoir is pumped at a
predetermW ed
flow rate through an activated-carbon porous VOC filter-absorber connected in
series with a UV
treaW ant zone where it Is continually exposed to radiation of suffident
energy and appropriate
wavelength to kill adventitious bacteria and viruses, and.
h. a delivery channel seahngly connected to said closed-loop channel and
extending through said
enclosure for external dispensing of purified water from said reservoir,
t. means within said enclosure for monitoring integrity and proper operation
of water-generator
system components therein,
7(b)
CA 02251095 2001-04-23
j. a known reverse-cycle icemaking apparatus portfon including controls,
compresser, refrigerant
lines and an icemaker- evaporator adapted to form shaped pieces of water ice
from provided liquid
water and release said shaped pieces into a delivery bin within a cooled
compartment of the
icemaker portion which is accessible through said moveable panel, a water
input line, a high-
pressure liquid refrigerant line and n low-pressure refrigerant vapor line
provided within said
housing,
k. pressurised potable water delivery channel sealingly connected between said
dosed-loop water
channel and said water-input connection of said known reverse-cycle icemaker
portion,
L an external-water-dispensing line, fitted with a user-operable terminal
shutoff valve located et a
point outside said enclosure, sealingly connected to said dosed-loop water
channel and extending
through a portion of the cooled compartment of said icemaker,
wherein said liquid refrigerant line of icemnker portion provides a controlled
flow of liquid
refrigerant to said cooling means and resulting refrigerant vapor discharged
from cooling means is
redirected to said refrigerant vapor line of said icemaker portion under
control of said sensors,
controls and nlarm.R of said water generator portion.
In yet another aspect the invention relates to a hybrid electric appliance for
refrigerating-
freezing food, water recovery, dispensing potable water and formation and
automatic
dispensing of ice shapes without reliance upon any external source of water
comprising:
a. a portable enclosure provided~with insect-preventive openings, an inlet
port, an outlet port and
air-tirc~lalion means fvr drculating ambient air from said inlet port to said
outlet port and water-
condensing means within said enclosure,
CfiARACTEtuZED IN THAT
e. said enclosure havine insect-tight integrity,
b. said inlet and outlet ports being covered with insect-resistant screens,
c. filtration means adapted to remove and trap pnrticuletes of diameter larger
than l
micrometer dispersed in ambient air sealIngly connected upstream of sold air-
circulation means,
d. said air-circulation means comprising an internal, dulled, electric, rotary
air-circulation means
of controllable, variable flow volume of ambient air sealingly connected
downstream of said
filtration means,
e. water condensing means comprising an enclosed cooling means seallngly
connected downstream
to said filter port and upstream to said air-atculetion means including dew-
forming surfaces
adapted to cool the boundary-layer air adjacent to said dew-forming surfaces
to a temperature at
least 1-10 deg. C below the equilibrium dewpoint of the inlet air stream,
thereby forming liquid-
Mater on said dew-forming swEaces, said surfaces being formed and positioned
for gravity flow of
said liquid water into a enclosed dripoff collection vessel,
7(c)
CA 02251095 2001-04-23
f. enclosed Quid- reservoir seallngly connected to said dripoff collection
vessel of materiel
appropriate for storage of high-purity drinking water and fitted with a outlet
connection whereby
most of the water held therein can be withdrawn,
g. baderiostat loop means sealingly connected to said Quid reservoir and
comprising a dosed-loop,
r~edrcilation channel and pump whereby water in said reservoir is pumped at a
predetermined
Qow rate through nn activated-carbon porous VOC filter-absorber connected in
series with a W
treatment zone where it is continually exposed to radiation of suffident
energy and appropriate
wavelength to kill adventitious bacteria end viruses, and
h. a delivery charu~el senlingly connected to said dosed-loop charu~el and
extending through said
enclosure for external dispensing of purified water from said reservoir,
i. means within said enclosure for monitoring intega-ity and proper operation
of water-generator
system components therein,
j. a known compression-refrigeration refrigerator-freezer portion including
controls, compressor,
refrigerant lines and an automated icemnker- evaporator adopted to form shaped
pieces of water
ice from provided liquid water and release said shaped pieces into a delivery
bin within a cooled
compartment of the tcemaker portion, n water input line, n high-pressure
liquid refrigerant line and
a low-pressure refrigerant vapor line provided within said housing,
k. pressurized potable water delivery channel senlingly connected between said
dosed-loop water
channel and said watbr-input connection of said icemaker portion of known
refrigerator,
L nn external-water-dispensing line, Htted with a user-operable terminal
shutoff valve located at a
point outside said enclosure, seellngly connected to said closed-loop w4ter
channel and extending
through a portion of the cooled compartment of said refrigerator-freezer,
wherein said liquid refrigerant line of refrigerator-freezer portion provides
a controlled flow of
liquid refrigerant to said cooling mear~s and resulting refrigerant vapor
discharged frow cooling
means is redirected to said refrigerant vapor line of said icemaker portion
under control ~rf said
sensors, controls and elarn~s of said water generator portion.
In a further aspect lice invention relates to a potable water recovery and
dispensing system for
use in a vehicle and powered by the electrical system of the vehicle,
conyrising:
a. a portable enclosure provided with insect-preventive openings, an inlet
port, an outlet port and
air-circulet3on menus for drcvlating ambient air from said inlet port to said
outlet port and water-
condensing means within said enclosure,
CHARACTERIZED IN THAT
a. said enclosure hawing insect-Hght integrity,
b. s;~id inlet and outlet pmts being covered with insect-resistant screens,
~, hlUation means adapted to remove and trap partlculates of diameter larger
than 1
mia-ometer ,iispersed in ambient air sealingly connected upstream of said air-
circulation means,
7(d)
CA 02251095 2001-04-23
d. said e.ir-circulation mear~ coavprising an internal, ducted, electric,
rotary air-circulation means
of controllable, variable Ilow volume of anUient air sealingly connected
downstream of said
filtration means,
e. water condensing means comprising nn enclosed cooling means sealingly
cnnnec~ed downstream
to said filter port and upstream to said ntr-circulation means including dew-
farming surlaces
adapted to cool the boundary-layer air adjacent to said dew-forming surfaces
to a temperature et
least 1-10 deg. C below the equllibrium dewpoint of the Wet aLr stream,
thereby forming liquid-
water on said dew-farming surfaces, said surfaces being formed and positioned
for gravity flow of
said liquid water into a enclosed dripoff collection vessel,
f. enclosed fluid- reservoir senlingly connected to sold dripoff coUecllon
vessel of material
°ppr°Pr'i°te for storage of high-purity drinking water
and filled with a outlet connection whereby
most of the water held therein can be withdrawn,
g. badertostat loop mean9 sesUngly connected to said fluid reservoir and
comprising a dosed-loop.
redrculation channel and pump whereby water in said reservoir is pumped al a
predetermined
Oow rote through an activated-carbon potvus VOC filter-absorber connected in
series with a W
treatment zone where it is continually exposed to radiation of sufHdent energy
and appropriate
wavelength to kill edventitioue bacteria and viruses, and
h. a delivery channel sealingly connected to said closed-loop channel and
extending through said
enclosure for external dispensing of purified water from said reservoir,
t- means within said enclosure for monitoring integrity and proper operation
of system
components therein and
wherein said collector (ZS) is provided with one or more spill-suppressive
mean9 including: side
flanges extending above the Uquld level a distance sulfident to prevent
spillage should sold
collector or said housing be suddenly tilted to an angle of 90 degrees from
horizontal, a fitted top
cover having s vertically-extending vent tube, an array of splash or spill
resistant Internal flanges
attached to its walls, a lilted, non-wettable porous, foam-type top cover and
a freely-moving gimbal
mounting.
30
'7(e)
CA 02251095 2001-04-23
Still in a further aspect tl~e invention relates to a potable water recovery
and clispensinf;
system for purified drinking water, which is powered by the vehicle system, is
for use inside
an air-conditioned transport conveyance or vehicle and which captures water
condensed and
gathered by an air conditioner thereof, said system comprising:
a. a portable enclosure provided with insect-preventive openings, an inlet
port, an outlet port and air-
circulatiun means for circulating ambient air from said inlet port to said
outlet Imrt and watcr-
corrdensing means within said enclosure,
C'IIARAC'~l~f~RI~(:I) IN I~IIA'f
said potable water recovery and dispensing system is switchably connected to
a. said enclosure having insect-tight integrity,
b. said inlet and outlet ports being covered with insect-resistant screens,
c. filtration means adalricd to remove and trap particulates ofdiarneter
larger Ilran 1 micrc>metcr
dispersed in ambient air sealingly connected upstream of said air-circulation
means,
d. said air-circulation means comprising an internal, ducted, electric, rotary
air-circulation means of
controllable, variable flow volume of ambient air scalingly connected
downstrc;rm of said filtration
means,
e. water condensing means comprising an enclosed cooling means sealingly
connected duwnstrcarrr
to said filter port and upstream to said air-circulation rncans including dew-
lormin(: ~nrfaces adapU,l
to cool the boundary-layer air adjacent to said dew-forming surfaces to a
tenyeratuw at least 1-10
dcg. C. below the equilibrium dewpoint of the inlet air stream, thereby
forming liquid-wafer on said
dew-Iorming surfaces, sail surfaces being formed and positioned for gravity
Ilwv ufsaid liquid water
into an enclosed clripuff uullection vessel,
f. enclosed Iluid-reservoir sealingly connected to said dripuff collection
vessel of nr;rterial
appropriate for storage of high-purity drinking water and fitted with an
outlet connection whereby
most of the water field therein can be withdrawn,
g. bacteriostat recirculation loop means sealingly connected to said fluid
reservoir and comprising a
closed-loot, recirculatiun channel and pump whereby water in said reservoir is
pumped at a
predetermined flow rate through an activated-carbon porous VOC'. filter-
absorber cuonected in series
with a UV treatment zone where it is continually exposed to radiation of Buff
iciest energy and
appropriate wavelength W kill adventitious bacteria and viruses, and
h. a delivery channel scalingly connected to said closed-loop channel and
extending tluouglr said
errclusure for exter7~al dispensing of purified water from said reservoir at a
convenient dispensing
hciglrt and
i. means within said enclosure for monitoring integrity and proper operation
of system cuml,uncnts
therein.
CA 02251095 2001-04-23
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1(a) is a block diagram showing the individual, functional components,
sub-assemblies,
controls, interlocks, alarms and interconnections which comprise the present
invention and
alternative embodiments which deliver cooled and/ or heated water in addition
to room-temperature
water.
FIG. 1(b) is a schematic drawing showing the safety logic and functional
interlocks to enable water
delivery from the present invention.
FIG. 1(c) is a schematic drawing showing the safety logic and functional
interlocks to enable water
15
25
collection by the nresent invPntinn
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FIG. 1(d) is a vertical section view through heat absorber 1 showing the
element-profile shape of the
cooled heat-exchange surface, particularly the pointed drop guide for rapid
draining of liquid dew
from the lowest point.
FIG. 1(e) is a horizontal section across two adjacent spaced-apart, vertical
cooling elements showing
the generally-horizontal air flow vector between the opposing surfaces and the
thickness of
minimum and maximum-thickness liquid-dew layers, especially the formation of
surface waves due
to momentum transfer from the air stream.
FIG. 2 is a cut-away perspective view, with one vertical panel removed,
showing diagrammatically
the front and left side of the basic embodiment of the present invention.
FIG 3. is a diagrammatic rear view of the basic embodiment of the present
invention.
FIG 4. is a cut-away front view, with one vertical panel removed, showing
diagrammatically the
major components and subsystems of the basic embodiment of the present
invention.
FIG 5. is a cut-away perspective view, with one vertical side panel removed,
depicting a second
alternative embodiment of the present invention showing the addition of
components to collect and
dispense both roam-temperature and chilled water.
FIG 6. is a cut-away rear view depicting diagrammatically the interior (as
viewed from the rear) of a
second alternative embodiment of the present invention showing the addition of
components to
collect and dispense chilled water and ambient-temperature water.
FIG 7. is a cut-away front-diagrammatic view depicting the front of the second
alternative
2 0 embodiment of the present invention which collects and dispenses potable
water, showing the
addition of components to produce and dispense chilled and ambient-temperature
water.
FIG 8. is a cut-away perspective view showing a third embodiment of the
present invention which
prepares and dispenses potable water at three predetermined temperatures,
i.e., ambient, chilled
and heated.
FIG 9. is a cut-away rear view showing diagrammatically the interior of the
third model of an
apparatus that collects and dispenses potable water at ambient, chilled and
heated temperatures.
FIG. 10 is a cut-away front view showing diagrammatically the interior of the
third model of an
apparatus that collects and dispenses ambient, chilled and heated potable
water.
FIG 11. is an exploded perspective view showing diagrammatically the front
alcove assembly portion
3 0 of the outside envelope of the basic embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 12 is exploded perspective view showing diagrammatically the cold fluid
tank, quick
disconnects, heated fluid tank assembly, including connections, insulated
jacket and the secondary
heat absorber for an embodiment which collects and dispenses ambient, chilled
and heated potable
water.
FIG. 13 is an exploded perspective view showing diagrammatically the details
of bacteriostat,
including the activated-carbon block VOC filter, for the basic embodiment of
the present invention.
FIG. 14 is a schematic view of an alternative embodiment of a cut-down water
generator with side-
type external reservoir and flow controls.
8
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FIG. 16 is a schematic view of an an alternative embodiment of a cut-down
water generator with
overhead-type external reservoir and flow controls.
FIG 16 is a schematic view of a retrofitted typical bottled-water dispenser
attached to a cut-down
water generator positioned along side and connected to supply potable water
into existing unit.
Components to retrofit typical existing bottled-water dispenser units can be
provided as a model-
type unique kit or a universal kit.
FIG. 17a is a schematic front view showing common refrigerant-fluid
connections and circulation
between a typical refrigeration-type appliance and a hybrid or combination
embodiment of the
present water generator.
FIG. 17b is a schematic side view showing common refrigerant-fluid connections
and circulation
between a typical refrigeration-type appliance and a hybrid or combination
embodiment of the
present water generator. This figure also indicates the flow of environmental
air into and out of the
water generator as well as a rear-mounted, free-convection condenser for the
refrigerator appliance
portion.
FIG. 18a is a schematic view of the refrigerant flow loop within a hybrid
appliance which has the
following functions: refrigerator/ freezer, automatic icemaker, potable water
dispenser and water
generator according to the present invention. This appliance generates its own
water for making ice
and dispensing by condensation of water vapor from room air.
FIG. 18b is a schematic view of the potable water flow loop within the hybrid
appliance shown in
2 0 FIG. 18a.
FIG. 19a is a front-elevation exterior view of a hybrid appliance for making
ice, dispensing water
and generating all its own water using a water generator according to the
present invention. This
appliance generates its own water for making ice and dispensing by
condensation of water vapor
from room air.
2 5 FIG. 19b is a schematic cut-away view of the appliance shown in FIG. 19a
showing the potable water
flow loop.
FIG. 20a is an example of an electrical control circuit diagram for the pump,
switches, sensors,
valves, indicators for Example M18, an embodiment of the present invention
integrated into a
vehicle air conditioning unit.
3 0 FIG. 20b is a schematic diagram of the water-flow and control systems of a
water generator
embodiment shown in Example M18.
FIG. 20c is a schematic view of the switches and indicator light display for
the embodiment shown
in Example M18.
3 5 BEST MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Table 1. includes a listing of all special and standard nomenclature used in
this specification; the
column headed "Indicia" shows the reference number of each feature or element
and the column
headed "Figure" indicates the figure where is feature or element is first
shown. The water collection
and treatment processes of the present invention are shown in Figs. 1(a)-1(c).
Figs. 1(d) and 1(e)
9
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WO 97/38272 PCT/US97/05665
show design details of the dew-collecting surfaces of heat absorber 1. The
general configuration of
the basic water collection system is shown in Figs. 2 - 4. The working
components are enclosed in a
housing (21) with a top cover, four vertical side panels and a base. The
housing (21) incorporates a
bracketed opening in the rear cover panel opening through which is inserted an
electronic air filter
(38). The air filter (38) contains a whistling, audible warning device (38-A)
which signals when the
air filter needs to be cleaned. Other known warning devices may also be used.
An additional fail-
safe switch (38-B) prevents operation of the system when the air filter (38)
is not in place.
The housing (21) incorporates a front wall alcove opening and assembly (37)
which consists of an
alcove shell, grid and waste water receptacle; see also Fig. 11 for an
exploded detail. Spilled water
from the alcove drain collector may be recycled into the water-recirculation
loop. Above the alcove is
an optional low-light-level lamp, or "night light" (35). The alcove also
contains a fluid delivery
control (36) for dispensing ambient temperature water. The rear panel of the
housing (21) has an
inlet opening into the air filter (38) that includes a whistling alarm device
(38-A). The front panel of
the housing (21) provides an opening for air exhaust. This opening has an
insect-resistant screen
(49) on the interior of the housing (21) outlet port.
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Table 1. Descriptive Nomenclature and Indicia
IndiciaDescription, function Figure
21 housing,case,cabinet 2
22 heat absorber 1 2
23 strip heater 2
24 extended-area of fins 2
25 water, condensate collector2
26 chamber,condensate pump 2
assy
26-A transparent tube 2
27 air ionizer 2
28 UV lamp fail-safe switch2
28-A UV lamp fail-safe alarm 4
29 UV bactericide lamp 2
30 water storage reservoir 2
30-A ambient-temp. water zone9
31 water filter asst' 2
32 diverter valve 2
32-A diverter valve outlet 2
33 storage reservoir float 2
switch,lid
34 insulat.jacket, storage 2
reservoir
35 night light 2
36 delivery valve,ambient 2
temp water
36-A delivery valve, cold 8
water
36-B delivery valve, hot water8
37 wall alcove asst' 2
38 electrostatic filter 2
38-A whistle alarm 2
38-B fail-safe switch,filter 2
39 ozone generator 2
40 defrost sensor, heat 2
absorber
40-A multi-speed intake fan 2
asst'.
41 casters,wheels 2
42 ultrasonic pest control 2
device
43-A cold water temp sensor, 6
switch
44 heat absorber 2,cold 5
plate
45 floating, insulating 5
separator
46 hot water tank asst' 9
46-A hot water temp control, 12
switch
47 dispenser, cups, cold, 6
RT fluid
47-A dispenser, cups, hot 9
fluid
49 insect screen 3
50 manual on-off control 4
51 multi-speed fan switch 4
52 quick-disconnect asst' 9
52-A male quick-connect, ambient9
52-B female quick-conned, 9
ambient
52-C male quick-conned, hot 9
water
52-D female quick-conned, 9
hot waler
141 external reservoir 14
142 seal plug 14
143 flexible external tube 14
11
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WO 97/38272 PCT/iJS97/05665
fndicia Description; function Figure
144 vent w.barrier 14
145 manual valve 14
146 Low Volt. solenoid valve 14
146-ALow Volt. transformer 14
147 Low Volt. leads 14
148 flexible sheath 14
149 level sensor 14
151 counter force 15
152 mass sensor 15
153 pivoting support plate 15
161 seal adapter 16
162 level sensor 16
163 water tube 16
164 venttube 16
165 flexible zone, sheath 16
171 branching valve, interface17a
172 splitter valve, interface17a
201 UV radiation module 18b
202 float switch,pump enable,
level
control, collector 18b
203 "OR" vaive,solenoid 18b
204 icemaker 18b
205 valve, icemaker branch,solenoid18b
206 valve,reservoir,pump enable,level
controU reservoir 18b
207 vent w. bacterial barrier18b
208 supply, pressure head 18b
209 return, gravity head 18b
220 refrigerant compressor 18a
221 refrigerant condenser 18a
222 "reciprocal AND" vaive1
w. branch
flow controls 18a
223 "reciprocal AND" vaive2
w. branch
flow controls 18a
224 refrigerant accumulator 18a
225 freezer/ icemaker evaporator18a
226 high-pressure refrigerator18a
line
227 low-pressure refrigerator18a
line
230 icemaker cabinet front 19a
elevation
231 ice-access door, right-hinged
w.
handle, left edge 19a
232 exterior grip handles,
left, right side
panels 19a
233 exterior potable water 19a
faucet
234 holder! dispenser for
disposable
cups 19a
12
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WO 97/38272 PCT/US97/05665
IndiciaDescription, function Figure
235 air inlet w. grille, 19a
filter
236 supporting surface, floor19a
240 icemaker cabinet,front/ 19b
interior
241 manual trim valve,recirculation
flow
cont. 19b
242 water, pressure supply 19b
243
water, pressure return, 19b
recirculation
244 water, pressurized reservoir19b
245 ext. potable water faucet19b
246 reservoir inlet check 19b
valve
247 flow control valve to
icemaker,
solenoid 19b
303 cold water switch 20a
304 hot water switch 20a
305 cold water safety interlock20a
306 hot water safety interlock20a
307 LED cold water dispaly 20a
308 LED hot water display 20a
309 vehicle power,ignition,cold20a
310 water syst.eled.safety 20a
fuse
311 water syst.main switch 20a
312 reservoir fluid lev.sensor/switch20a
313 circ.pump/UV LED indicator20a
314 circulation pump 20a
315 power circuit for UV 20a
source
316 LED display UV source 20a
317 UV source and switch 20a
318 heater power interiock,no20a
water
319 thermostat control (triangle)20a
320 LED display, heater "on"20a
321 thermostat -cont. heat 20a
element
322 LED display, temp satisfied20a
323 switch for LED display 20a
325 cold water delivery valve20b
326 hot water delivery valve20b
327 hot water check valve 20b
328 housing for heater 20b
329 NSF-53 comp.carbon-block20b
filter
330 check valve,pressurized 20b
system
331 valued reserv.drain line20b
333 enclosure, UV source 20b
334 valued impure,priming 20b
water input
335 condensate diverier valve20b
336 veh.condensate,unpressurized20b
337 veh. AC heat-exch. cover20b
339 sealed UV window, reservoir20b
340 condensate reservoir 20b
13
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IndiciaDescription, function Figure
341 UV reflective foil, exterior20b
342 condensate inlet to reservoir20b
343 condensate overflow 20b
344 reservoir outlet line 20b
to pump
345 check valve,pressurizing20b
346 hot water flow line 20b
347 cold water flow line 20b
350 hot water enable switch,console20c
351 cold water enable switch,console20c
352 instruction manual,retrofrt20b
kit
353 driver console 20b
354 retrofit kit 20b
355 periodic recirculation 20b
chamber
356 timing and valve-seq. 20b
controller
357 controllable check valve,timing20b
358 recirculation lines 20b
359 oNoff switch for timing,20b
(356)
360 additive and metering 20b
dispenser
361 flap-check valve,condensate20b
dischg.
363 pressurized portion of 20b
system
14
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Operation of the apparatus is initially controlled by the manual on/off switch
(50) located on the
back side of the housing (21). The variable-speed fan control switch (51) is
adjacent to the on/off
switch (50) on the back of the housing (21).
Air Flow and Treatment. Air entering the housing first passes through the
replaceable air filter (38)
and across the self contained ionizing device (27). Air then is drawn past a
heating strip and fan
assembly (23), then across heat absorber-1 (22) and film-coated, dew-forming
surfaces (24) by the
mufti-speed intake fan assembly (40-A), which is controlled by the mufti-speed
fan control switch
(51). Liquid condensate flows by gravity into the enclosed sump (25) and pump
system reservoir
(26). The pump system (26) has a self contained switch and liquid-level sensor
which shuts off heat
absorber-1 (22) when the reservoir is filled. From the pump reservoir,
condensate flows through a
section of tubing (26-A) and is recirculated through a bacteriostat subsystem
,i.e., a pump, carbon
block VOC filter (31) and a ultraviolet germicidal light for killing bacteria
(29). This subsystem is
controlled by a fail-safe switch (28) connected to a fail-safe indicator light
(28-A), as shown in more
detail in FIG. 13. The bacteriostat indicator light (28-A) is located on the
back panel of the housing
(21).
As shown in Fig. 1(d), heat absorber-1 includes an array of extended-surface
elements which are in
good thermal connection with heat-sink contact zones at predetermined
locations. The heat-sink
points are mechanical-thermal connections adapted to remove heat from the
extended surface and
transfer it into an external environment. A variety of known heat-sink
technics can be used to cool
2 0 the extended surfaces, including classic boiling fluids contained in
tubes, thermoelectric elements,
and heat pipes. The heat-sink points are located at intervals of approx. 40-
100 mm along the
vertical direction of the extended area. The section profile of the bottom of
the collector tray may be
rectangular or half circle.
As shown in Fig. 1(e) the extended surface elements are generally parallel and
spaced apart a
2 5 predetermined distance to avoid bridging over of surface waves due to
heavy or maximum
condensate flows and high air-flow velocities. The minimal condensate film
thickness is indicated by
dashed lines; this thickness corresponds to the condition when the air heaters
are activated and
operating at maximum power to prevent icing over.
Water in the reservoir is recirculated through the bacteriostat subsystem,
including the activated-
3 0 carbon VOC final filter system assembly (31). The final water filter is
fitted with a replaceable
activated-carbon VOC adsorbent cartridge which is capable of removing organic
contaminants, cysts
and heavy-metal compounds. Processed water is then held in fluid reservoir-1,
(30), which includes
a form-fitted insulating jacket (34); through use of a diverter valve (32),
processed water can also be
delivered through a diverter valve outlet (32-A) to a large external
collection container. The water
35 level in the fluid tank (30) is controlled by the electrically-operated
sensor switch and lid assembly
(33), which causes the pump (26) to cease operation when the fluid tank (30)
is filled.
Ambient temperature water is dispensed from a compartment within the fluid
tank (30) via the
ambient fluid delivery control (36). Disposable liquid containers, e.g., paper
cups, suitable for cold
water, are provided from attached dispenser (47) mounted on the side of the
housing.
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Fluid reservoir-1 (30) is removable from the housing for cleaning without
removing its insulated
jacket (34). This is accomplished by pulling aside the level sensor and lid
assembly (33), which
remains in the unit. The ambient fluid delivery control (36) remains afDxed to
the fluid tank (30).
The fluid tank (30) cr~n be cleaned using cleaning materials appropriate to
its materials of
construction and in accordance with public health requirements governing use
of cleaning nrateriale
for food handling and potable water systems. By design of the present
invention, mechanical
removal of fluid reservoir-1 (30) is simple, and can be accomplished without
disturbing the
permanent tubing connections.
Additional and Optional Features. The housing (21) may be fitted with an
optional ozone generator
(39) adjacent to the departing air stream to further add to air quality. The
housing (21) also
contains an optional ultrasonic pest control device (42) which operates
continuously. To provide for
mobility of the apparatus, four, casters or rollers (41) suitable to the
weight and size of the present
invention are affixed to the four corners of the Lower aide of the base of the
housing (21). Two
carrying handles, suitable to the weight and size of the present invention,
are fined, one on each side
of the housing (21) at a height appropriate for transport by two adults.
ALTERNATIVE EMBODIMENTS.
Model 2. As shown in FIGS 5-?, another embodiment of the present invention,
Model 2, contains all
elements of the basic model and also dispenses chilled water at a nominal
temperature of 5 C in
addition to ambient temperature water. The chilled water is produced by
incorporating a secondary
heatsink, heat absorber-2, (4'3), which is controlled by the cold water
temperature sensor and switch
assembly (43-A). The heat-exchange probe (44) of heat absorbef ~ is positioned
between the
insulation jacket (34) and the cold fluid tank (30A). An insulated baffle (45)
is Ioeated in the cold
fluid storage tank (30A) allowing for ambient water to be stored above the
baffle and chilled water to
be stored below the baffle. Chilled water is dispensed via the chilled fluid
delivery control (36-A).
Model 3. As shown in Figs. 8,9 and 10 another embodiment of the present
invention, Model 3,
includes all of the elements of the basic model and Model 2, but also
dispenses heated water at a
nominal temperature of 76 C. Ambient-temperature water is supplied via a
plumbing "tee"
connection behind the ambient fluid delivery control (36) and connected to the
hot water tank
assembly (46) by means of a "quick" disconnect connection assembly (62), which
is described below.
The hot water tank assembly (46) includes a sealed stainless steel tank of the
appropriate grade and
type of stainless steel utilized for food handling, provided with an electric
heater and insulating
jacket (46). Temperature of the hot water is controlled by a heated water
temperature control sensor
and fuse assembly (46-A). A dispenser (47-A) for disposable liquid containers,
suitable for hot water,
is attached to the side of the housing. As described earlier, a quick-
disconnect system (52) links the
hot water tank (46) to the ambient fluid delivery control system by means of a
"tee" connection. The
same quick- disconnect system (52) links the heated fluid delivery control
(36B) to the hot water
tank assembly (46) to enable easy removal of the cold fluid tank (30) for
cleaning, without the need
for manual connections and disconnection of plumbing. As shown in FIG. l2 ,
the quick-disconnect
system (52) consists of a pair of receiver adapters, as follows: male adapter
(52-A) connects with
16
CA 02251095 1998-10-06
WO 97!38272 PCT/US97/05665
female receiver (52-B) to carry ambient temperature water into the hot water
tank assembly (46). A
male adapter (52-C) connects with female receiver (52-D) linking the hot water
storage tank (46)
with the heated fluid delivery control (36B). The tube divider (46-B)
physically separates the
adapter system tubing and connections. This quick-disconnect system allows for
removal and
reinstallation of the main water cold fluid tank (30) without manual
interference with the
refrigeration system, the water tubing or the hot water tank fittings.
OPERATION OF THIS INVENTION.
In this invention, heat absorber-1 (22) produces condensate on an inert-coated
surface (24). This
system is explained below. Incoming air is filtered by an electrostatic filter
assembly, including the
filter (38), a filter warning whistle (38-A) and the air-filter fail-safe
switch (38-B).
An ionizer (27) puts a negative electrical charge onto particulate matter in
the incoming air stream
to assist in the trapping of particulates in the electrostatic filter. If
desired for operation in a home
or office, an optional ozone generator (39) can be included; this addition
allows the present invention
to function as a charged-particle generator and room-air purifier.
Condensate collected from the air flow across the extended area cooling
surface (24) flows downward
by gravity to a temporary collector for condensate (25) and is further
conducted by gravity flow into a
pumping reservoir assembly (26). In this assembly there is a self contained
float switch which
actuates the condensate pump when a predetermined water level is reached. The
condensate is
conducted through UV-transparent tubing (26-A) prepared to comply with medical
and human food-
2 0 handling requirements. The condensate is subsequently exposed in multiple
passes to a
bacteriostat, or apparatus for killing bacteria, such as an ultraviolet
germicidal light, (29) or other
known UV source capable of producing radiation for effective killing of water-
borne bacteria, viruses
and organisms. The bacteriostat (29) is monitored by the fail-safe switch
(28). Multiple passes
through the UV and carbon block VOC filter portions is accomplished by
activating the recirculation
2 5 pump at least once at predetermined time intervals in the range 1-12
hours, for a predefined flow or
time duration in the range 1-50 times the reservoir volume or 1- 200 minutes
at a specific flow rate.
By this repeated process, water is intermittently and continually recirculated
across the VOC filter
and UV portions of the purification circuit whenever the water generator is in
use. The flow
duration may be defined by the volume circulated or by time. A fail-safe
indicator light (28-A) on the
3 0 exterior of the housing (21) confirms proper operation of the
bacteriostat. If the bacteriostat is not
enabled, as indicated by the light being "on", operation of the entire machine
is stopped.
The condensate is pumped under positive pressure through an activated-carbon
VOC adsorber
purification filter assembly, and then pumped into fluid tank (30), or (30A)
for Model 2 or 3, made of
plastic or stainless steel as is common for food-service contact. The fluid
tank is encased by a form-
a 5 fitted insulation jacket (34) made of a nontoxic material, such as closed-
cell polymer foam. A fluid
delivery control (36) is installed into the storage fluid tank (30) using
nontoxic sealants suitable for
contact with potable water intended for human consumption. The fluid tank (30)
is removable for
cleaning. The fluid delivery controls (36, 36-A, 36-B) are at an ergonomically-
correct level above the
17
CA 02251095 1998-10-06
WO 97/38272 PCT/US97/05665
floor, making water easily accessible for children or persons in wheelchairs.
A holder (47) for
disposable cold-liquid containers is shown in close proximity to the fluid
delivery controls (36).
A major improvement in the design of the present invention is the elimination
of the standard
deicing system and including in its place a heat strip and fan assembly (23).
An electric-powered
heating element and defrost sensor (40) senses when the heat-exchange surface
of heat absorber-1
(24) is about to freeze over. Rather than turning off heat absorber-1 (22), as
in typical old-art
refrigeration systems, the temperature sensor (40) activates the heat strip
and fan (23) which warms
air passing over the cold surfaces (24) just enough to keep the accumulated
liquid dew from freezing.
The warmed air usually allows more moisture to be extracted from the incoming
air flow.
Because the open-air embodiment of the present invention can operate for long
periods without
human tending, a manually operated diverter valve (32) allows the potable
water to be pumped to a
remote cistern. Diverting the water flow does not prevent dispensing water
from the storage cold
fluid tank, provided that the tank contains water.
The cold and ambient fluid delivery control (36-A) and (36) extend from the
fluid reservoir-1 (30)
through the front of the housing (21) into a common dispensing alcove assembly
(37) containing a
grill-type drain insert to collect waste water. A night light (35) above the
alcove provides
illumination for water dispensing during periods of darkness or low light
levels.
An optional ultrasonic pest control device (42) and extraordinary attention to
sealing the housing
(21) with nonporous, nontoxic sealants allows the open-air version of the
present invention to
2 0 operate for extended periods of a month or more indoors or outdoors
without human tending.
Model 2 contains all subsystems which allow it to produce and dispense chilled
water in addition to
the ambient temperature water. The chilled water is dispensed at a nominal
temperature of 5 C.
Chilling of the collected purified water is accomplished is by adding a
secondary cooling device, heat
absorber-2 (43). The cooling surface (44) is positioned between the insulation
jacket (34) and the
bottom of the fluid reservoir-1 (30). To avoid cooling all of the liquid in
the fluid reservoir-1, because
this model also dispenses ambient temperature liquid, an insulated baffle (45)
is placed in the fluid
reservoir-1 (30A) allowing for ambient water to be stored above and cold water
to be stored below.
The cold water below the baffle is delivered through the cold-fluid delivery
control (36-A); The
ambient-temperature water is delivered through the ambient temperature fluid
delivery control (36).
3 0 Both fluid delivery controls protrude from the fluid reservoir-1 (30)
through the front of the housing
(21) into the dispensing alcove assembly (37).
Because the fluid reservoir-1 (30) is removable for cleaning without
dismantling the internal
mechanisms, the present design represents a significant improvement over old-
art systems.
Model 3 of the present invention includes subsystems which permit it to
produce and dispense
heated water in addition to ambient-temperature water and chilled water.
Heated water is
dispensed at a nominal temperature of 75 C.
Heating of the water is accomplished by adding a heated water tank assembly
(46) comprising a
stainless steel tank in compliance with food-handling codes, a heater, an
insulated jacket and a
electrical, fused water-temperature control assembly (46-A). Ambient
temperature water is drawn
18
CA 02251095 1998-10-06
WO 97/38272 PCT/IJS97/05665
into the hot water tank through a quick-disconnect "tee" fitting behind the
ambient temperature
fluid delivery control (36). Hot water is dispensed through the hot fluid
delivery control (36-B),
which is connected to the hot water tank assembly (46). The quick-disconnect
receiver-adapter
assembly system (52) allows easy removal of the fluid reservoir-1 (30) for
cleaning, without the need
for manual connections and disconnections. The ambient temperature water
portion of the assembly
consists of a quick disconnect male adapter (52-A) that mates with the quick
disconnect female
receiver (52-B) to supply incoming water to the water heater tank (46). The
heated water portion of
the assembly consists of a quick disconnect male adapter (52-C) that mates
with the quick
disconnect female receiver adapter (52-D) to supply heated water to the hot
fluid delivery control
(36-B).
This unique disconnect concept represents a significant design improvement
over old-art systems.
EXAMPLES
Examples M1 and M2 below give technical parameters for the design and inert
surface coating of the
extended heat-exchange area of heat absorber 1, i.e., the air cooling and dew-
collecting surface.
Example MI - Extended heat exchange area. Incoming ambient air at a velocity
of 1-10 meters/sec is
cooled below its dew point by circulation across an array of generally-
vertical, spaced-apart, cooled
surfaces shaped and oriented to drain collected liquid dew dropwise from a
pointed zone on the
bottom edge. The active extended cooling area for both sides of each element
in the array is in the
range 100- 500 cm2; the total active area of the array is in the range of 1- 4
m2. The general outline
2 0 shape of the dew-forming elements is shown in Fig. 1(d). The height
dimension of each cooling
element is in the range of 15- 40 cm; the element width dimension is in the
range of 3- 10 cm. The
height dimension is measured generally parallel to the gravity vector; the
width dimension is
measured generally perpendicular to the gravity-force vector. Each element is
formed from one or
more sheets of high thermal conductivity material of thickness in the range
0.2- 1.5 mm. The
2 5 average center-line spacing of adjacent cooling elements is in the range 3-
10 mm. For increased
connective heat transfer, the profile may be either parallel - planar
elements, as shown in Fig.l(e) or
parallel - corrugated elements. Parallel - corrugated elements may be prepared
by 3D forming of
planar elements to include an array of ridges and valleys arranged parallel to
the vertical or at an
acute angle in the range 1- 15 deg. to the vertical. As shown in Fig.l(e),
surface waves formed on the
3 0 maximum-thickness draining liquid condensate layer do not bridge across
the element spacing. It
has been found that dew-bridging results in liquid trapping and ice-blockage
of the air-flow channels
between elements. Heat absorption from the extended area can be accomplished
by a variety of
cooling means thermally connected to the area; such cooling methods include
refrigerant-expansion
coils, thermoelectric coolers, heat pipes, etc. The design of heat absorber 1
includes defining the
3 5 number, size and placement of cooling conductors to cool the extended
surface elements. In the case
of cooling by a boiling liquid in contained tubes, the tubes are oriented
generally horizontal and
perpendicular to the extended surface plane. Several refrigerant tubes of 3- 6
mm diameter spaced
apart at a distance of 40- 100 mm have been found to provide effective
cooling. Extended surface
19
CA 02251095 2001-04-23
WO 97/38272 . PCT/US97/OS665
elements may be formed from thermally-conductive metals, alloys, ceramics/
glasses and polymer
composites including Al, Al-alloys, Cu, Cu-alloys, Al-filled amide or olefin
polymers and ceramics.
l.xample M2 . Inert surface coating. To prevent chemical interaction of the
dew condenaate with the
exposed cold surfaces of heat absorber 1, all such exposed, cooled surfaces
are coated with a
continuous, thin, inert, food-grade film of polymer such as siloxane, P'I'FE,
urel.lrane, olefin, ete. All
exposed surfaces of the heat absorber which come into contact with liquid dew
are cleaned to remove
surface contaminants such as grease, oxides and other adventitious residues
prior to the initiation of
the coating process. An inert coating of thickness in the range 0.01- 0.2 mm
is then applied by
known methods sucir as spraying, dipping, electrostatic coating, etc.,. After
aE:plication and curing,
the film coating ie then cleaned to remove any volatile or extractable
components which mjght
contaminate the dew or water being produced.
Example M3 - Air Filters, Alarms and Interlocks. The first line of defense
against insect penetration
into the unit are woven-wire screens covering the entire area of both the
inlet and outlet air ports
which can generally range in size from .1 to 1.0 m2. The screen mesh openings
range from 0.3 mm to
ahprox. 1.0 mm in diameter. The depth and screen elements of the air filter
apparaW s are prepared
and sized to achieve approx. 99.99% filtration of all solid particles of
diameter greater than 1
micrometer for an air flow rate ranging from 1 - 20 m3/min. The litter
apparatus mny also be fitted
with a pressure-drop sensor which will permit buildup of collected particles
of apprax. <~5% of the
lunrt capacity of the element before an alarm condition is signaled; the
optional filter-overload alarm
may be an intense, high-frequency acoustic whistle or other known alarm
device.
'fhe air filter may also be fitted with gas-ion generators, alpha- or beta-
particle emitters, such as
radioisotopes, electrostatic charging devices, such as agitated (filament
arrays or Iriglr- v«Itage corona
wires, which facilitate retention of smaller, less-dense airbon~e particles.
1'hc air tiller may also be
fitted with an optional interlock switch which prevents operation of the
entire gener:rlor if the element
is incorrectly positioned or an incorrect size is used.
l3acteriostat System and Interlocks. The bacteriostat system includes two
stages: (a) an active killing
stage for microorganisms and (b) an activated-carbon VOC adsorption stage for
rcnroving undesirable
and toxic organic impurities which are present as vapors in the ambient air
and will I~e dissolved in
the condensate water produced. The killing stage may employ electromagnetic
ra<lintion, such as UV
or gamma, of selected intensity and wavelength, to kill adventitious bacteria
and viruses which are
present in the condensate water. Alternatively, the killing stage may employ
one ~,r name
physiologically-tolerated oxidizing chemical species such as ozone or hydrogen
pm~xide for killing
bacteria. It is of course important to provide an exposure chamber which
allows tlrr condensate water
to be exposed to or circulated through the killing zone. Either the UV source
or tl~c ~:hemical
generator may be fitted with positive interlocks which shut down the delivery
pump if tl~e device is
not operating within control ranges of wavelength, intensity or sterilization-
agent di.~:pcming rate.
CA 02251095 2001-04-23
'fhe activated-carbon VOC adsorption stage which comprises a porous filter, is
capable of clearing all
stated or defined VOC compounds according to NSF-53 to levels compliant with
NSF-53. Moreover,
the filter is capable of clearing the 20 most-toxic-to-humans VOC compounds to
NSF-53 compliance
levels, which is additionally capable of clearing at least one human-toxic
V()C' compound to NSF-53
compliance levels.
In addition to filtering c,~pability, the apparatus incorporates numerous
integrity and operational
monitoring means which comprises:
(a) analog or digital signaling sensors on one or more of: incoming air
temperature,
proper seating of inlet air filter, pressure drop of air across inlet filter,
air flow rate immediately
upstream of clew-forming surface, ice formation on dew-forming surface, I IV
intensity, accumulated
flow volume through carbon filter and reservoir liquid level; and
(b) operational interrupt controls adapted to inhibit water dispensing if one
or more
signals from the signaling sensors does not fall within the predetermined
value ranges for potable
water.
L,xample M4 - UV germicidal lamps. The simplest killing stage includes a Nigh-
intensity, short
wavelength ultraviolet lamp, UV sterilizine device, and fusible link interlock
with the recirenlat~~,~,
25
35
20(a)
CA 02251095 1998-10-06
WO 97/38272 PCT/US97/05665
pump. Should the UV lamp fail to operate at an effective wavelength and
intensity, electrical
interlocks prevent the circulation pump from operating; in this event, no
water can be delivered from
the generator. The UV generator can be: (a) mounted into the cover of the
reservoir for direct
exposure or (b) mounted adjacent to a section of low-pressure tubing which
transmits the effective
radiation wavelengths through the water. In addition to quartz, known L1V-
transmitting glasses,
polymers or ceramics may be used for the UV-lucent tube zone. The treatment
zone or chamber
must also be fitted with UV reflectors to maintain a high intensity level of
the effective wavelengths
and prevent accidental personnel or user UV exposure during maintenance work.
For the UV lamp
tube, the GE model T5 has been found to give good results. Several other types
of UV sources can be
adapted to operate with the present invention; these include electronic solid-
state UV devices,
natural sunlight light pipes, and fluorescent/ chemiluminescent sources.
Alternative Ozone or Ultrasonic Water Treatments. As an alternative to the LTV
sterilization device,
an ozone generator or an intense ultrasonic field may also be used for water
sterilization. The ozone
systems operate by electrochemical formation of microbubbles of 03 in the
condensate water.
Known piezoelectric or magnetostrictive ultrasonic probes can be fitted to a
section of tubing or
mounted to immerse the probe into the reservoir tank.
Example M5 - Ozone Gas Generators for Air Freshening. Gaseous ozone is thought
to assist in
removal of undesirable vapors and aerosols from the ambient air. An optional
ozone generator can
be mounted in the air-handling section of the present invention. Several
alternative ozone
2 0 generators have been evaluated for conditioning the air being circulated
through and discharged
from the present water generator; the most cost-effective seems to be the Bora
model from Alpine
Ind. Alternatively, other electrochemical generators can be used to generate
or release sterilizing
gases; one example is the release ofhalogen gases based upon metered injection
of compounds which
decompose spontaneously or which can be electrochemically dissociated in
liquid solution.
Example M6 - Air Ionization Pre-Treatment. Electrostatic charged-particle
generators of various
types such as polonium strips and Sanyo HAF 3000 ion generators have been
evaluated and found to
work well with the present air filter for removing aerosol particulate
contaminants. Charged
particles emitted from the generator impart a charge to the particles which
makes them easier to
filter. Such modules are connected to the main controls with a fail safe
circuit to prevent operation if
3 0 the ionizer is not operating within control limits. Alternative
embodiments of the present invention
using other sources of charged particles including alpha particles, beta
particles, and charged ions
may be used. For example, isotope mixtures and/ or decomposition-result alloys
of radioactive
metals such as radium and polonium are useful charged-particle sources; since
such emitters can be
made with controlled particle fluxes, small area sources are also possible.
3 5 Example M7 - Activated Carbon Block Filter. The simplest and least
expensive adsorber for volatile
organic compounds, VOCs, includes a porous activated-carbon block VOC filter;
such a filter is
connected in series with the UV sterilization device. At a flow of 0.8 to 2
liter/ min, the cartridge is
capable of trapping 1- 2 micrometer diameter suspended particles, removing
taste and color bodies
and reducing dissolved toxic hydrocarbons to acceptable levels for safe
drinking water according to
21
CA 02251095 2002-02-25
ANSI/NSF-53. Before this filter becomes substantially blocked, an integrated
output
flowmeter indicates the cumulative volume of water treated by the VOC filter.
Preferrably,
this indicator or display can be seen from the rear exterior of the unit.
Known mechanical,
electromechanical or electronic volume-measuring devices are used to display
the remaining
design capacity of VOC filter. Water is continually recirculated through the
the UV and
activated carbon units when the generator is "on". .A number of known carbon-
block filters
are found to perform reliably to NSF-~3 standards; one acceptable filter is
the Amtek C240
M:MB. In regular operation, water delivered from any output valve, including,
cold, ambient,
hot and the diverter valves will have passed repeatedly through the VOC filter
and the
bacteriostat unit.
Example M8 - Alternative working fluids in compression refrigerator cooler for
heat
absorber-1. Approved working fluids for high-efficiency reverse-cycle
equipment fall into
two main classes: high temperature and low temperature. So-called low-
temperature
refrigerant fluids, such as 406A operate at lower temperatures and lower
pressures; use of
such fluids can be significant for units operating in air-conditioned spaces.
Example M9 - Alternative heat sinks for units operating in air-conditioned
spaces. For
esthetic reasons it may also be desirable to reject heat from heat absorber-1
or heat absorber-2
into: (a) the frame and/or surface skin of the enclosure or (b) the liquid
condensate water
collected below heat absorber-1. When a mechanical refrigeration system is
used for heat-
absorber-l, it is also possible to provide a thermal/mechanical linkage from a
portion of its
evaporator section and its condenser, for the purpose of modulating the
temperature of the
exhausted air. In this embodiment, it is possible to use a lower flow rate of
cooling air and
thereby reduce the level of fan noise which is projected into the local
environment.
Example M10 - Alternative controls for units used in air-conditioned spaces.
The resistance-heating strip deicer, as used for units operated outdoors, can
be replaced by
known thennostat/humidistat controls as typical for reverse-cycle appliances.
This option is
of interest for units used in a controlled environment.
Example M 11 - Instead of the internal reservoir for holding water to be
dispensed, it is
possible to use an external reservoir such as a 20-liter glass bottle or other
container. The
enclosed fluid-reservoir may have a volumetric capacity in the range of 1 to
20 liters. The
22
CA 02251095 2002-02-25
system dispensing controls for such an embodiment may be modified to connect
with an
appropriate ancillary liquid level or fluid-mass sensor- for the external
container to regulate
water generation when the container is tilled to capacity.
Example - Ml lA. Ancillary external reservoir. Version Ml lA, shown in Fig.
14, is an
embodiment with no internal reservoir and a large-volume, covered vessel
located on the
floor beside the unit. This embodiment is a "cut-off' version of the simple
embodiment
shown in Fig. 2 wherein the housing is truncated by a horizontal plane at
approximately the
vertical height of the bottom of the alcove assembly, approx. 0.8 to 1.5 m
above the base
plane. The water output flow from the water generator is regulated by a
solenoid valve (146)
which is in turn controlled by a liquid level sensor ( ~ 49) which is attached
to the seal plug
( 142). The sensor and solenoid valve may be known low-voltage electric
devices designed
20
30
40
22(a)
and certified for safe immersion in water or use in wet
CA 02251095 2002-02-25
environments; alternatively the sensor and slave valve may be simple known
fluid/mechanical devices. For ease of use, it is envisioned that the flexible
external tube
(143) and flexible low-voltage leads (147) may be enclosed in a flexible
sheath (148) or tied
together with known bands and methods. Although the external reservoir (141)
is shown here
as a vertical bottle standing closeby on the base plane and fitted with a
tight-fit removable
seal plug (142) adapted to prevent entry of liquids or gases from the exterior
into the inlet
port of the reservoir, it may also be possible to locate it at some distance 2-
10 m at the same
level, e.g., in another room or building. It may also be possible to locate it
above or below
the base-plane level, up to approx. 5 m level difference, by the addition of
known precautions
such as non-siphon check valves. Although the embodiment shown in Fig. 14
shows
electrical/electronic sensors (149) and control valves (146), it is also
possible to use
magnetic, optical, acoustic, or mechanical level sensors and related water-
flow control
valves. Although the external-line valve (145) is shown as a simple manual
valve, it is also
possible to use an auto interlock device to detect: (a) whether the external
reservoir is
correctly connected, (b) whether the unit is powered, or (c) whether the water-
generation
switch is "on".
Example M1 I-B. External/overhead storage bottle weighing. Version M11B, shown
in Fig.
15, is an embodiment with no internal reservoir and an adjustable weight or
mass-sensing
device mounted on its top surface, which supports an external vessel. The top
surface is a
"c;ut-off' embodiment similar to that shown in Fig. 14. The mass-sensing
element serves to
shut off the solenoid valve when the container it supports is filled to
capacity. By adjusting
the zero point and sensitivity of the mass-sensor, containers of differing
empty weights and
internal capacity can be used, for example having a ~~olumetric capacity in
the range of 1 to
20 liters (e.g., 4-liter, 8-liter, 20-liter). The external container is placed
on a weighing plate
(153) secured to the top surface of thc: truncated housing. A pivoting
weighing plate shown
in Fig. 15 is subject to the downward load of the reservoir and its contents
and to
counterforces (151) which keep the weighing plate approx. level, i.e., at an
angle of less than
5 deg. Alternative support embodiments fur a non-pivoting weighing plate may
include
arrays of 1-10 compliant elastomer elements or spring elements. Further, the
counterforce
(151) can be applied at a plurality of points to support the weighing plate
(153), i.e., the
counterforce may be provided by 1- 10 resilient elements of differing or
variable
characteristics to allow for use of containers of different sires or tare
weights. The simple
23
CA 02251095 2002-02-25
flat plate (153) shown in Fig. 15 can be replaced by a shaped weighting
platform having an
engagement or retention zone for the bottom of the reservoir, e.g., a recess
or pocket, an array
of projections, a tie down strap, or snap-in anchor latches for an externally-
grooved reservoir.
The electronic weighing sensor (152) shown in Fig. 1 S is connected by low-
voltage leads to
the solenoid valve (154); when the co~otainer is filled to capacity, its total
weight reaches the
predetermined value built into the counterforce (1 S 1 ) and the weighing
plate triggers the
sensor (152). It is also possible that the signals from sensor (1 S2) can
provide valuable
control outputs to regulate the operation of the water generator, i.e., if the
reservoir contains
at least a predetermined quantity of water and the time of day falls in the
period 1700 to
0<00, the logical management algorithm may be programmed to defer operation of
the
20
2S
23(a)
generator. T'he manual water flow control valve shown in Fig. 15 can also be
replaced by a
CA 02251095 2001-04-23
w0 97138272 . I'CT~'i1S97/05665
reservoir is correctly connected, (b) whether the unit is powered, or (c)
whether the water-generation
switch is "on".
Example M11 - C. Retrofit kit for typical bottled-water dispensers. Version
M11C, shown in Fig. 16
is a retrofit embodiment which can be installed to modify a typical gravity
dispenser as commonly
used for standard bottled water. Such dispensers can be easily converted to
use water generated by
the present invention by installing a vertical water delivery tube to the
rubber seal collar; this tube
is fitted with integral water level sensor located at the uppermost end. For
such cases, the water
generator with a reduced-volume internal reservoir may be located adjacent to
or beneath the
existing water dispenser. It is envisioned that a vertical, water-delivery
tube of appropriate
material for potable water, will be installed as a modification of the
existing bottled-water dispenser.
The length of the vertical tube and the specific position of the water-level
sensor can both be
adjusted to accommodate different sizes of supply bottles and different seal
collar designs. The
water level sensor serves to shut off the solenoid valve of the water
generator when the water bottle
on the dispenser is filled to capacity. The sensor and solenoid valve may be
low-voltage electric
devices designed for immersion in water or wet environments; alternatively the
sensor and solenoid
valve may be simple fluid/ mechanical devices. As shown in Fig. 16, the level
sensor (162) is
installed at the uppermost end of the water inlet tube (163) and the air-vent
tube (164). The mod.
kit also can also include a seal adapter plug (161) if the existing collar
does not lend itself to retrofit.
For the possible cases in which the existing collar and piping are extremely
difficult to connect, the
2 0 retrofit kit can include an embodiment with flexible connections between
the ezisting system and the
new seal adapter (161). The flexible zone and sheath (165) consists of
sheathed, flexible connections
to the level sensor (162), vent tube (164) and water tube (163). To anticipate
the case wherein it is
desired to use an already-retrofitted bottled-water dispenser with either the
water generator or
purchased supply bottles, one embodiment of the conversion kit can be provided
with a lengthened
flexible zone. This will permit insertion of the seal adapter (161) along with
the elongated tubes
(163) , (164) into a typical filled supply jug held with its mouth facing
upward beside a typical
cabinet, the length of the flexible zone is in the range 0.2 to 1 m. When the
jug is lifted into position
on the cabinet, the excess length can be concealed inside the typical cabinet.
When the level sensor
( 162) detects that the jug is &Iled to a predetermined level, it sends a
signal back to the solenoid
control valve of the water generator through the low-voltage leads; this
signal stops the flow of water
into inlet of the water tube (163). It is envisioned that a "cut-ofd"
embodiment of the present water
generator similar to thax shown in Fig. 14 is placed beside the existing
bottled-water dispenser.
Any embodiment of the present invention can be fitted with an external port
for providing impure
water into the recirculation loop in case of low temperature or humidity in
the local environment.
This operation provision will also enable the unit to dispense a much greater
volume of potable
water than would ordinarily be possible by condensation alone.
Similarly, an additional alternative system to dispense and meter drinking-
water additives with
physiologically-safe levels of one or more known, compatible, healthful
additives selected from but
not limited to the following: agents to improve the taste, flavor, or color of
the wafer dispensed;
24
CA 02251095 2001-04-23
agents which impart a therapeutic or protective benefit including but not
limited to vitamins, minerals,
herbal extracts and trace minerals or other appropriate medicaments; agents
which alter the pl I such
as acids or alkali; agents which impart a selected color including but not
limited to natural and
synthetic food dye and agents which impart an effervescent characteristic
including dissolved gases
such as N,. O,_ C'(7,.
15
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35
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CA 02251095 1998-10-06
WO 97/38272 PCT/US97/05665
Example M12 - Water generator for use in vehicles subject to violent motions
and tilt angles. Since
automobiles, recreational vehicles and seagoing vessels may need an emergency
source of drinking
water, it is of interest to provide an embodiment of the present invention
which is tolerant during
operation of tilts up to 30 degrees in combination with movements which
generate centrifugal forces
in opposition to normal gravitational forces. It is envisioned that the
present invention may be fitted
with two changes to meet these needs: (a) gimbal-suspended, sealed condensate
collector and (b)
enclosed, sealed potable water reservoir with an appropriate vent. Relative to
preventing or
suppressing spillage from the drip collector under violont pitching motions,
porous, hydrophobic
foam elements may be attached to the upper wall zone of the tray to cover any
gap between it and
the edges of the heat-exchange plates or fins. Similarly, the collector tray
may also be prepared with
internal baffles plates extending perpendicular from the bottom or sides to
suppress splashing.
Example M13 - Combination refrigerator and water generator . Since the present
invention uses
certain systems which are already present in a typical household refrigerator-
freezer, a further
embodiment of the water generator is to incorporate it with the cooling and
auto icemaking
subsystems of a refrigerator to produce a hybrid appliance which both cools
food and generates its
own mineral-free potable water for dispensing directly as icewater or for
automatic preparation of
mineral-free ice cubes. It is envisioned that at least three approaches to
these alternative
embodiments are possible: (a) to incorporate or integrate the water generator
of the present
invention with such appliances during original manufacture, (b) attach an
embodiment of the water
2 0 generator of the present invention as a field-modification to such units
using permanent couplings/
mountings/ manifolds attached to prepared electronic and fluid interfaces
installed at original
manufacture, or (c) connect the water generator of the present invention with
the cooling systems of
such units using a modification kit including permanent or quick-disconnect
fittings/ mountings.
The difference between approach (b) and approach (c) is that the fluid
fittings and electrical circuits
from the modification kit is attached at predefined points, but not to factory-
installed fittings or
interfaces, to existing systems of the appliance; it is anticipated that
approach (c) may be done "on
site" or in a repair shop. Alternatively, it is also possible to make a
combination-hybrid appliance
which is the combination of the water generator of the present invention
within the cabinet of an
appliance such as a refrigerator-freezer, icemaker or room air conditioner. In
such embodiments, the
3 0 water generator may be: (a) provided with its own independent cooling
systems in addition to the
systems normally provided for the basic appliance or (b) integrated into or
interconnected with the
reverse-cycle system of the appliance so that only one compresses is used.
Figs. 17a and 17b show front and side views respectively of one possible
embodiment of the present
invention as integrated with a vapor-compression refrigeration-type appliance
such as a refrigerator-
freezer, icemaker, room air conditioner or a local air-handler. This
corresponds to option (b) above.
These figures show the outlines of the enclosure of a typical refrigeration-
type appliance, and the
flow diagram for the liquid and vapor refrigerant through the compressor,
expansion valve and
condenser. One embodiment of the present water generator is also shown as an
integrated sub-
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system including indicia for its key elements as they can be placed in this
embodiment. For this
illustrative embodiment, the water generator is shown on the right side of the
main appliance; air
from the space is drawn into the front of the water generator portion and
exhausted toward the rear.
While the alcove (37) and delivery valves (36), (36A), (36B) are shown facing
toward the right in this
example, they may also face toward the front of the main appliance. In this
example configuration,
the main compressor and main condenser carry the extra cooling load imposed by
operation of the
water generator, and its water cooler. The integrated water generator section
would need only heat
absorber-1 (22) and heat absorber-2 (44) for its cooling requirements; both
these are connected to
draw liquid refrigerant from the main system. Fig. 17a shows phantom views of
the reservoir (30),
heat absorber-2 (44) and heat absorber-1 (22); the extended-area fins are
shown in a cut-away view
with a portion of the water-generator housing front-wall removed. The
branching valve (171) may be
included in the integral interface and installed during manufacture of the
main appliance; the
attached or integrated water generator system may be fitted with a mating
interface and sputter
valve (171) which is connected to divide the liquid flow from (171) between
heat absorbers-1 and -2 of
the water generator. As shown in Fig. 17b, the extended-area fins of heat
absorber-1 are shown in
cut-away view with a portion of the water-generator housing sidewall removed.
As can be seen, the
fins are arranged as a parallel stack with their flat faces parallel to the
side face of the main
appliance. The water condensate collector is shown schematically as (25); the
intake fan and motor
to circulate room air across the cooled surfaces of heat absorber-1 are
indicated as (40A). Essential
2 0 systems of the water generator as described herein are enclosed within the
housing (21); optional
and other ancillary systems described can also be included within the
enclosure (21). Further, it is
possible for such integrated water generators, to use housings of smaller size
and different shapes/
proportions as needed to assure high efficiency and consumer acceptance of the
combined or hybrid
appliances.
Example M14 - Combination water generator with: ice makers, air conditioners
and dehumidifiers.
The water generator of the present invention can be mechanically combined
within the cabinet of
appliances such as icemakers, airconditioners and dehumidifiers. In the case
of the icemaker, the
water generator may be operated to supply all or a large portion of the water
requirements; for
3 0 large-capacity units, the VOC filter loop of the present water generator
can be used to purify the
regular tap-water supplied to the unit. Since the water generator of the
present invention uses
certain systems which are already present in typical ice makers, air
conditioners and dehumidifiers,
it is cost-effective to add a certain level of marginal capacity in their
cooling systems, generate
potable water and provide it at one or more selected temperatures by means of
permanent or quick-
disconnect fittings/ mountings. It is envisioned that at least three
approaches to these alternative
embodiments are possible: (a) to incorporate or integrate the water generator
of the present
invention with such appliances during original manufacture, (b) attach an
embodiment of the water
generator of the present invention as a field-modification to such units using
permanent couplings/
mountings/ manifolds attached to prepared electronic and fluid interfaces
installed at original
26
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WO 97/38272 PCT/US97/05665
manufacture, or (c) connect the water generator of the present invention with
the cooling systems of
such units using a modification kit including permanent or quick-disconnect
fittings/ mountings.
The difference between approach (b) and approach (c) is that the fluid
fittings and electrical circuits
from the modification kit may be attached at predefined points to existing
systems of the appliance;
it is anticipated that approach (c) may be done "on site" or in a repair shop.
The resulting hybrid
appliance is thus capable of generating potable water which is compliant with
NSF-53 purity
standards as well as performing its normal function. In a temperate climate,
disposal of water
condensate from such units (dehumidifiers, air conditioners) requires special
drain piping and
provision for manual emptying of the collector. It is envisioned that the
drained condensate from
appliances such as an air conditioner may be recycled into the recirculation
circuit of the present
invention to provide additional potable water above the capability of the unit
itself.
Example M15. Evaporative-cooled spaces. In an arid climate, the water
generator of the present
invention can be placed near a pool or other body of water or in an interior
space which is cooled by
water-evaporation air conditioning equipment for production of high-purity
potable water.
Example M16. Stand-alone refrigerator with ice maker and integrated water
generator -- no water
connection required. This example is an extension of Example M13 above, which
discloses an
embodiment of this invention integrated with or into a refrigerator/ icemaker
which requires a water
2 0 supply for making ice, but generates its own potable water for dispensing.
It is envisioned that the
water generator of this invention may be added : (a) as a field modification
to a typical refrigerator/
icemaker or (b) a factory-integrated version. The resulting hybrid appliance
has the capability of
generating its own potable water which is available delivered as potable-water
ice or dispensed as
liquid potable water. Fig 18a shows a schematic refrigerant-flow diagram of
one such embodiment.
This particular embodiment includes two "AND" valves , (222) and (223), which
are controlled to
allow flow of refrigerant to heat absorber-1 (22) and/ or (225) the
evaporators of the refrigerator, i.e.,
the freezer compartment and the icemaker, if fitted. These "AND" valves permit
operation of the
water generator alone or the regular systems alone, or any combination of
partial flows partitioned
according to user control settings or demand sensed automatically by the
system. Alternatively, an
3 0 interconnected series of 3-port reversing valves and tubing manifolds can
be used to accomplish the
same degree of independent operation of the water generator and the regular
systems. Either "AND"
or reversing refrigerant valves provide for efficient switching of the basic
reverse-cycle apparatus
between the usual refrigerator/ icemaker functions and the additional
functions of the water
generator and its optional dispensor reservoirs. Either of these illustrative
circuits will also be
3 5 extremely conservative relative to energy consumption and energy
efficiency. Fig. 18b shows the
schematic potable-water flow circuit including UV bacteriostat (201) and
charcoal-type VOC filter
(31) for removal of adsorbable/ absorbable dissolved or dispersed
contaminants. The filter (31) in
this embodiment may be any known type of disposable filter which is able to
reduce dissolved and
dispersed impurities to low levels required by NSF Std.53. The filter may
include screen, depth and
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porous adsorbent elements or stages prepared from known materials. Continual
recirculation is
provided by the pump (26) and the recirculation control (202); this sensor can
be set to cause
recirculation for a preset time duration at any predetermined time interval,
even if the level in the
collector (25) is at the "full" level. The IJV radiation module (201) can
include any type of known ITV
source including gas plasma tubes, lasers, and solid-state UV sources. As
shown, the return flow
(209) passes through the active-radiation field of the UV bacteriostat (201).
The wavelength, radiant
energy level and water flow rate are adjusted to provide su~cient LTV exposure
for eil'ective killing
of bacteria An additional feature of this embodiment is the auto-defrost water-
recovery system
which recycles melted frost from the freezer evaporator into the potable water
circuit; the potable
water circuit includes an "OR" valve (203) which is controlled to collect
melted frost from the freezer
during auto-defrost operations. This circuit includes a vented reservoir (207)
and (30) respectively
and a gravity-flow path (209).
Example M17. Stand-alone icemaker with integrated water generator -- no water
connection
required. This example is an extension of Example M13 above, which discloses
an embodiment of
this invention integrated with or into a icemaker which does require a water
supply for making ice.
Fig. 19a shows the front elevation view of a hybrid icemaker/ potable-water
dispenser (230) which
generates its own water supply by means of an integrated embodiment of the
present invention.
This unit may be floor supported as shown, or may rest upon a supporting
surface (236), is moveable
2 0 by one or two persons taking hold of the lifting handles (232). The
general arrangement includes a
hinged door (231) into the internal ice compartment; the icemaker freezes
solid ice shapes and they
fall into the holding bin as they are produced. The internal components
include the water generator
of the present invention connected into the refrigeration system of the
icemaker. Such a unit may be
made as a factory-version icemaker or a field retrofit kit added to an
existing standard icemaker.
2 5 The unit may have an one or more optional external delivery faucets for
liquid potable water (233) at
predetermined temperatures, e.g., room temp, cooled, or heated. For
convenience, the unit may also
be fitted with an optional protective holder/ dispenser means (234) to deliver
clean, fresh, disposable
drinking cups. In this illustrative embodiment, a protective intake grille
(235) is shown in front of
the intake-air filter of the water generator. Fig. 19b shows a schematic view
of one illustrative
3 0 embodiment of the potable-water loop within the illustrative appliance of
Fig. 19a. In this cut-away,
sectional view, the shell of the cabinet is denoted as (240); one or more
optional external faucets for
dispensing potable water at one or more selected temperatures is indicated by
(233). The cabinet is
shown resting upon the floor or a supporting surface (236). The refrigeration
system of the icemaker
provides fluid to the heat abosrber of the water generator (22) under the
system control with user
35 adjustments. Filtered environmental air is circulated across (22) and
cooled; resulting liquid water
condensate is collected in the collector (25). The electric pump (26) operates
in response to control
signals generated by the level controller,(202); this controller can enable
pump operation to deliver
condensate fluid to the pressurized reservoir (244): (a) upon call from the
icemaker supply valve
(247) (b) upon demand from the external potable-water dispensers (245) or at
predetermined time
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intervals for the purpose of continual recirculation and resterilization of
the reservoir contents
through the LTV radiation module (201). The UV exposure module (201) may be
fitted with any ITV
source which produces effective wavelengths and intensities for sufficient
time duration to ef~'ect
killing of bacteria in the water stream; such LTV sources include but are not
limited to gas-plasma
tubes, solid-state emitters, fluorescent emitters, natural sources, etc. This
illustrative loop also
includes a trim valve (241) which controls the water flow rate; for the
simplest embodiment, it can be
a known metering valve which may be manually preset to a selected max. flow
when the pump is
enabled for periodic recirculation or in any case when the water flow rate
exceeds the sum of
demands. Alternatively, this trim valve may include attached or integrated
electromechanical or
electronic sub-systems such as sensors/ actuators/ drivers responsive to
digital/ analog user inputs to
the control system(s)/ algorithm(s). The filter (31) in this embodiment can be
any known type of
disposable filter which is able to reduce dissolved and dispersed impurities
to low levels required by
NSF Std.53. The filter may include screen, depth and porous adsorbent elements
or stages
prepared from known materials including but not limited to non-woven fabric,
porous elements in
the form of membranes, granules and other formed-media shapes and rings,
saddles, etc., as well as
bonded, porous charcoal preforms. Continuing intermittent recirculation is
provided by the pump
(26) and the recirculation control (202); this sensor can be set to cause
recirculation for a preset time
duration at any predetermined time interval, even if the level in the
collector (25) is at the "full"
level. The UV radiation module (201) can include any type of known IJV source
including gas plasma
2 0 tubes, lasers, and solid-state LTV sources. As shown, the pressurized
return flow (243) passes
through the active-radiation field of the UV bacteriostat (201). The
wavelength, radiant energy level
and water flow rate are adjusted to provide sufficient UV exposure for
effective killing of bacteria
As mentioned above the recirculation flow rate is limited by the trim valve
(241). This illustrative
embodiment includes a pressurized reservoir (244) fitted with a gas-filled
bladder or an airspace as
2 5 shown; the reservoir water-inlet check valve (246) prevents water from
flowing backwards from the
reservoir and into the supply channel (242). The level of liquid water in the
reservoir is controlled by
(206) which senses the level and/ or pressure; it is responsive to system
control signals for
maintaining the water level/ pressure according to demand for ice or potable
water or preset system
commands for periodic recirculation of water already in the reservoir.
Example M-18. Vehicle Potable Water Apparatus.
This embodiment is an example of a version of the present invention to produce
potable
drinking water from condensate available from auto or truck air conditioning
systems or from
other vehicular conveyances, such as trailers, mobile homes, cabin cruisers,
etc., and
dispensing hot and/ or cold potable water safely. See Fig 20(a) - (c).
It consists of an enclosed reservoir (340) made of a W-transparent polymer
material, such as
polycarbonate or acrylics, or is provided with a LN-transparent window (390)
that is resistant
to W or oxygen degradation. The reservoir is provided with a safety-
interlocked, enclosed (333)
LJV source (317) which may be located exterior to the reservoir and abutting
either : (a) the
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UV-transparent window (390) or (b) a W-transparent portion of the top or side
walls. The UV
source (317) is selected to provide a sufficient intensity and effective
wavelength range for
killing any live organsims present in the water being exposed within the
reservoir. Another
embodiment is to locate the UV source with a fluid-sealed, safety-interlocked,
UV-transparent
tube which traverses the reservoir interior. The reservoir has a fluid-level
control sensor (312)
that shuts off the circulation pump when low fluid is sensed in the reservoir.
When the water
level is low, the sensor shuts off the entire system. The light-emitting diode
(LED) indicator
display (308) also goes out at the driver's console (353) signalling a low
water level. The
reservoir has a drain valve (331) located at the lowest point for draining the
system in the
winter. In the case of a UV-opaque metal or alloy reservoir, it's inner
surface may be polished
or othernvise treated to increase it's reflectivity for UV wavelengths. If
made of transparent
polymer material, the exterior of the reservoir may also be wrapped with a LIV-
reflective
metallic foil (341) to increase the killing effectiveness and power-efficiency
of the source.
The reservoir has one inlet for the incoming condensate (342) from the vehicle
AC
evaporator drain pan. It has two outlets. One outlet connects to the
circulation pump (344)
and the other outlet (343) connects to the overflow condensate. Upstream, on
the incoming
condensate line, is a controllable diyerter valve (335) which allows
condensate to go either to
the reservoir or be discharged. This latter mode may be for seasons when the
potable water
system is not being used, such as in the winter, or for repairs or some other
reason.
2 0 The circulation pump may be located outside the reservoir or within in the
reservoir. It is
electrically connected so that it can operate only if the vehicle ignition
switch is "on" (309), and
either the hot (303) or cold (304) switch is "on" and the radiation source
(317) fully operative.
Downstream from the circulation pump is a check valve (345) that operates to
keep the portion
of the system downstream from it pressurized (363) when the circulation pump
is stoped.
2 5 After leaving the circulation pump, the UV-radiation-treated water
continues through a
porous, carbon-block absorber filter (329) tested to meet NSF 53 standard for
removing volatile
organic compounds (VOC). After passing through the VOC filter, the water flow
branches at
the periodic-recirculation chamber (355); one branch connects to the hot water
flow line (346)
and the other branch connects to the cold water line (347). An additional line
recirculates
3 0 through the solenoid check valve (357) and flows past the UV source and
the filter (329) and
back into the recirculation chamber. The recirculating system control allows
treated water to
be periodically recirculated past the integrated radiation source (317) and
the solid block VOC
filter (329). This recirculation takes place when the circulation pump (314)
is activated by a
timing and valve sequence control (356). Controllable check valve (356) opens
when the timer
3 5 sequencer starts recirculating the water.
A dispenser (360) and related control sensor may be added to the hot or cold
delivery lines,
beyond the recirculating chamber, to allow delivery and accurate metering of
certain desirable
dririking water additives such as colorants, flavoring, vitamins, mineral
supplements, herbal
extracts, fluorine and other known therapeutic compositions. The recirculation
assures that
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the water remains pure in the lines even after the vehicle air conditioning
system has not
operated for extended periods. The energizing circuit for the timer-sequencer
is electrically
connected directly to the vehicle battery so that water is recirculated even
when the vehicle is
parked. Switch (359) disconnects the timer-sequencer from the battery when
circulation is not
desired such as in the winter or in extended storage. The hot water flow goes
through a
heater (328) with a heating element (321) and thermostat temperature-control
switch (319).
When the hot water switch (303) is turned "on", the heater is turned "on", the
LED indicator
display (307) comes "on" showing the heater is "on". The hot water safety
interlock (305) is also
energized. Switch (318) also prevents heater (328) from coming "on" if there
is no water in the
heater. When the water reaches the appropriate temperature (about 80 degrees
C), it turns "on"
the LED indicator display (320). Hot water,for beverage service can then be
dispensed by
operating the controllable delivery valve (326) provided the axining switch,
(350), on the driver
console (353) is "on". The interlock (306) ensures that no hot water can be
dispensed by
children or others unless the driver energizes both the main on-off switch
(311) and the hot-
water safety interlock switch (305). Once both these switches are "on", water
will be
maintained at about 80 degrees C by the thermostatic control (319). A check
valve (327) in the
line between the recirculation chamber and the heater (328) prevents hot water
from leaking
back into the cold water portion (347).
2 0 The cold water flow line (347) is flexible, medical-grade tubing; this
line pases through a
portion of the cover (337) of the vehicle AC evaporator chamber and is
thermally connected to
the to the vehicle's air conditioner cooling section (338). To increase the
heat-exchange area,
this line is formed with several loops and exits through the cold water safety
interlock (306)
and connects thence to the controllable delivery valve (325). Similarly, this
delivery outlet may
2 5 be branched or direct-connected to an external drinking-water supply tank,
such as provided
in a typical recreational vehicle. In case of low environmental temperature or
humidity, it is
also possible to introduce impure water into this system at port (334);
alternatively, the unit
may be primed with impure water to provide potable water in a minimal time
interval after
start-up. No water can be obtained unless: (a) the cold-water arming switch,
(351), on the
3 0 driver console (353) is "on" and (b) the safety interlock switch (304) is
"on" at the driver's
console. When these conditions are satisfied, the LED indicator display (308)
is lighted. Also,
no water can be dispensed if the vehicle ignition is "off' (309). If the
ignition is "on", no water
can be dispensed if the safety interlock switch (304) is "off' at the driver
console. The
controllable delivery valves are installed far enough apart in the vehicle
that children playing
3 5 could not reach both.
When installed as a retrofit kit (353) a manual (352) guides the installer so
that safety
interlocks are installed correctly. The retrofit kit contains all of the parts
listed above.
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Persons skilled in the art may conceive of other alternative embodiments and
combinations of
additional features and subsystems to those disclosed and still not depart
from the broad scope of
the present invention as claimed below.
32
