US20050252229A1

US20050252229A1 - Air conditioning system

Info

Publication number: US20050252229A1
Application number: US11/140,638
Authority: US
Inventors: Jose Moratalla
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2002-02-06
Filing date: 2005-05-27
Publication date: 2005-11-17
Also published as: WO2003067156A2; AU2003210911A1; US20060162366A1; WO2003067156A8; AU2003210911A8; US7373786B2; WO2003067156A3

Abstract

A first air path with a first fan is adapted to move air in a first direction and a moisture absorbing zone. A second air path with a second fan is adapted to move air in a second direction and a moisture desorbing zone. A rotatable desiccant wheel is located partially in the moisture absorbing zone and partially in the moisture desorbing zone. A heater in the second air path is adapted to desorb moisture from the desiccant wheel. A gas feed line and an air feed line supply the heater. The air feed line has an inlet adjacent to one of the fans.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/517,967 filed Dec. 14, 2004 which is based upon International Application Number PCT/US03/03729 filed Feb. 6, 2003 which, in turn, is based upon U.S. Provisional Application 60/354,682 filed Feb. 6, 2002.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to air conditioning systems and, more particularly to controlling the temperature and humidity independently in an efficient and economical manner.
It has always been a desire to manipulate air conditions for comfort and to meet specific conditions required for certain facilities. Typically, these prior art systems have directly heated or cooled the outside air and/or air return from a structure and then exhausted the air into the structure. One of the effects of cooling an air stream is the resulting change in the moisture content of the air. It is well recognized that the comfort of a structure is not only dependent on the temperature of the air but also on the humidity level. It is also desired to maintain specific temperature and/or humidity levels in structures to achieve human comfort.
There is a need for an economical and efficient system that can treat air to achieve a determined zone of humidity and temperature within a structure and/or within a zone of a structure to target human comfort. The present invention provides a system for conditioning air that meets these demands in an economical and efficient manner.
2. Description of the Prior Art
The use of systems for conditioning air of known design and configurations is known in the prior art. More specifically, systems for conditioning air of known design and configurations previously devised and utilized for the purpose of conditioning air are known to consist basically of familiar, expected, and obvious structural configurations, notwithstanding the myriad of designs encompassed by the crowded prior art which has been developed for the fulfillment of countless objectives and requirements.
By way of example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,826,434 to Belding discloses a high efficiency outdoor air conditioning system. U.S. Pat. No. 6,199,388 to Fischer discloses a system and method for controlling temperature and humidity. U.S. Pat. No. 6,003,327 to Belding discloses a method and apparatus for cooling warm moisture-laden air. U.S. Pat. No. 5,667,560 to Dunne discloses a process and apparatus for dehumidification and VOC odor remediation. U.S. Pat. No. 5,649,428 to Calton et al. discloses a hybrid air-conditioning system with improved recovery evaporator and subcool condenser. Lastly, U.S. Pat. No. 5,632,954 to Coellner et al. discloses a method for killing microorganisms.
While these devices fulfill their respective, particular objectives and requirements, the aforementioned patents do not describe a air conditioning system that allows removing humidity efficiently from the air while maintaining a desired temperature to achieve a comfort factor corresponding to a desired combination of temperature and humidity.
In this respect, the air conditioning system according to the present invention substantially departs from the conventional concepts and designs of the prior art, and in doing so provides an apparatus primarily developed for the purpose of removing humidity from the air while maintaining a desired comfort factor corresponding to a desired combination of temperature and humidity.
Therefore, it can be appreciated that there exists a continuing need for a new and improved air conditioning system which can be used for removing humidity from the air while maintaining a desired comfort factor corresponding to a desired combination of temperature and humidity In this regard, the present invention substantially fulfills this need.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is an air conditioning system for controlling temperature and humidity independently in an efficient and economical manner. First provided is a first air path having an input end and an output end and with a first fan adapted to move air in a first direction towards the output end. The first air path includes a moisture absorbing zone at an intermediate region of the first air path. Next provided is a second air path having an input end and an output end with a second fan adapted to move air in a second direction, opposite from the first direction, towards the output end. The second air path includes a moisture desorbing zone at an intermediate region of the second air path. Next provided is a desiccant wheel having a surface area located partially in the moisture absorbing zone and partially in the moisture desorbing zone and provided is a motor to rotate the wheel sequentially through the two zones whereby the desiccant wheel will absorb moisture from air moving through the first air path. A gas heater is next provided in the second air path between the input end and the moisture desorbing zone adapted to heat the air and desorb moisture from the desiccant wheel. Lastly provided are a gas feed line and an air feed line having an inlet adjacent to one of the fans.
The system of the present invention may be utilized as a stand alone system for conditioning of air or in conjunction with current air conditioning systems or as a package system including a HVAC to further control the desired conditions of an atmosphere.
There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are, of course, additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims attached.
In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of descriptions and should not be regarded as limiting.
As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved air conditioning system which has all of the advantages of the prior art systems for conditioning air of known design and configurations and none of the disadvantages.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a new and improved air conditioning system which may be easily and efficiently manufactured and marketed.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a new and improved air conditioning system which is of durable and reliable constructions.
An even further object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved air conditioning system which is susceptible of a low cost of manufacture with regard to both materials and labor, and which accordingly is then susceptible of low prices of sale to the consuming public, thereby making such air conditioning system economically available to the buying public.
Even still another object of the present invention is to provide a air conditioning system for removing humidity from the air while maintaining a desired comfort factor corresponding to a desired combination of temperature and humidity independently. Further, satisfying the ASHRAE standards of ventilation.
Lastly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved air conditioning system. A first air path has a first fan adapted to move air in a first direction and a moisture absorbing zone. A second air path has a second fan adapted to move air in a second direction and a moisture desorbing zone. A rotatable desiccant wheel is located partially in the moisture absorbing zone and partially in the moisture desorbing zone. A heater in the second air path is adapted to desorb moisture from the desiccant wheel. The heater has a gas feed line and an air feed line supplying the heater. The air feed line has an inlet adjacent to one of the fans.
These together with other objects of the invention, along with the various features of novelty which characterize the invention, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should be had to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there are illustrated preferred embodiments of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be better understood and objects other than those set forth above will become apparent when consideration is given to the following detailed description thereof. Such description makes reference to the annexed drawings wherein:
FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of a first embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 2 is a schematic illustration of another embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 3 is a schematic illustration of another embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 4 is a schematic illustration of another embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 5 is a schematic illustration of another embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 6 is a schematic illustration of another embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 7 is a schematic illustration of another embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 8 is a schematic illustration of another embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 9 is a schematic illustration of another embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 10 is a schematic illustration of another embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 11 is a schematic illustration of another embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 12 is a schematic illustration of another embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 13 is a schematic illustration of another embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 14 is a schematic illustration of another embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 14 a is a psychometric chart for the embodiment of FIG. 14.
FIG. 15 is a schematic illustration of another embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 15 a is a psychometric chart for the embodiment of FIG. 15.
FIG. 16 is a schematic illustration of another embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 17 is a schematic illustration of another embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 18 is a schematic illustration of another embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 18 a is a psychometric chart for the embodiment of FIG. 18.
FIG. 19 is a schematic illustration of another embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 20 is a schematic illustration of another embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 21 is a schematic illustration of another embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 22 is a schematic illustration of another mode of this embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 23 is a schematic illustration of another mode of this embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 24 is a schematic illustration of another mode of this embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 25 is a schematic illustration of another mode of this embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 26 is a schematic illustration of another embodiment of the invention adapted to have the various modes shown in FIG. 22 to FIG. 25.
FIG. 27 is a schematic illustration of another embodiment of the invention adapted to have the various modes shown in FIG. 22 to FIG. 25.
The same reference numerals refer to the same parts throughout the various Figures.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

With reference now to the drawings, and in particular to FIG. 1 thereof, the preferred embodiment of the new and improved air conditioning system embodying the principles and concepts of the present invention and generally designated by the reference numeral 10 will be described.
The present invention, the air conditioning system 10 is comprised of a plurality of components. Such components in their broadest context include first and a second air paths, a desiccant wheel, a gas heater and also gas and air feed lines. Such components are individually configured and correlated with respect to each other so as to attain the desired objective.
Illustrated in FIG. 1, and pertinent to the embodiments of FIGS. 1 through 8, is an air conditioning system 10 for controlling humidity in an efficient and economical manner. The system includes a first air path 12 having an input end 14 and an output end 16 and with a first fan 18 adapted to move air in a first direction towards the output end. The first air path includes a moisture absorbing zone 20 at an intermediate region of the first air path.
Also included is a second air path 22 which has an input end 24 and an output end 26 with a second fan 28 adapted to move air in a second direction, opposite from the first direction, towards the output end. The second air path includes a moisture desorbing zone 30 at an intermediate region of the second air path.
A desiccant wheel 32 is next provided. The desiccant wheel has a surface area located partially in the moisture absorbing zone and partially in the moisture desorbing zone, the desiccant wheel having an adjacent motor 34 to rotate the wheel sequentially through the two zones whereby the desiccant wheel will absorb moisture from air moving through the first air path.
Provided next is a gas heater 36 in the second air path between the input end and the moisture desorbing zone adapted to desorb moisture from the desiccant wheel.
Lastly, a gas feed line 38 and an air feed line 40 are provided. The air feed line has an inlet 42 adjacent to one of the fans. The gas feed line having a gas valve G adapted to control the amount of gas in the line. The air feed line having an air valve V to control the amount of air in the line, this controls the amount of primary air that is available. Where the air feed line and the gas feed line meet is an adjustable brass ring to control the amount of mixing between the primary air and gas.
More specifically, illustrated in FIG. 1 is a system utilizing indirect fire with the combustion fumes exhausting by natural convection and the primary air injected by a supply blower. The inlet 42 of the air feed line 40 is located adjacent to the input end of the first air path following the first fan 18 and further including an air conducting line 44 through the second air path with the gas heater within the air feed line. The air conducting line being adapted to allow secondary air of combustion in by a natural convection.
FIG. 2 illustrates a system utilizing indirect fire with the combustion fumes exhausting by an exhaust blower and the primary air injected by a supply blower. The inlet 42 of the air feed line is located adjacent to the input end of the first air path following the first fan. The system further includes an air conducting line 44 through the second air path with the gas flame within the air feed line and with a fan 48 to draw the air through the air conducting line.
Illustrated in FIG. 3 is a system utilizing indirect fire with the combustion fumes exhausting by natural convection and the primary combustion air injected by a regeneration blower. The system 50 includes the inlet 52 of the air feed line 54 located adjacent to the output end of the second air path following the second fan 28. The system further includes an air conducting line 44 through the second air path with the gas heater within the air feed line. FIG. 4 illustrates a system 56 utilizing indirect fire with the combustion fumes exhausting by an exhaust blower and the primary air injected by a regeneration blower. The system 56 includes an inlet 52 of the air feed line 54 is located adjacent to the output end of the second air path following the second fan 28 and further including an air conducting line 44 through the second air path with the gas heater within the air feed line and with a fan 48 to draw the air through the air conducting line.
Illustrated in FIG. 5 is a system 58 utilizing indirect fire with the combustion fumes exhausting to a regeneration chamber before the desiccant wheel and the primary air injected by a supply blower. The system 58 includes an inlet 42 of the air feed line which is located adjacent to the input end of the first air path. Further included is an air conducting line in the second air path with the gas heater within the air conducting line. The air conducting line has a terminating end 60 in the second air path between the input end and the desorbing zone.
FIG. 6 illustrates a system 62 utilizing indirect fire with the combustion fumes exhausting to a regeneration chamber before the desiccant wheel and the primary combustion air injected by a regeneration blower. In the system 62, the inlet 52 of the air feed line 54 is located adjacent to the output end of the second air path following the second fan 28. Further included is an air conducting line in the second air path with the gas heater within the air conducting line. The air conducting line has a terminating end 60 in the second air path between the input end and the desorbing zone.
FIG. 7 is a system utilizing indirect fire with the combustion fumes exhausting to a regeneration chamber after the desiccant wheel and the primary combustion air injected by a supply blower. In such system 64, the inlet 42 of the air feed line 40 is located adjacent to the input end of the first air path following the first fan 18. Further included is an air conducting line 44 through the second air path that allows secondary combustion air in the system and having a terminating end 66 adjacent to the output end of the second air path and with the gas heater in proximity to the second air path.
Illustrated in FIG. 8 is a system 68 utilizing indirect fire with the combustion fumes exhausting to a regeneration chamber after the desiccant wheel and the primary combustion air injected by a regeneration blower. In the system 68, the inlet 52 of the air feed line is located adjacent to the output end of the second air path following the second fan 28. Further included is an air conducting line 44 through the second air path and having a terminating end 70 is adjacent to the output end of the second air path. The gas heater having the air feed line.
Illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 25 is an air conditioning system 10 for controlling humidity in an efficient and economical manner. The system includes a first air path 12 having an input end 14 and an output end 16 and with a first fan 18. The first fan is adapted to move air in a first direction towards the output end. The first air path includes a moisture absorbing zone 20 at an intermediate region of the first air path.
The system also includes a second air path 22 having an input end 24 and an output end 26. A second fan 28 is adapted to move air in a second direction, opposite from the first direction, towards the output end. The second air path includes a moisture desorbing zone 30 at an intermediate region of the second air path.
A desiccant wheel 32 is also provided in the system. The desiccant wheel has a surface area located partially in the moisture absorbing zone and partially in the moisture desorbing zone. A motor 34 rotates the wheel sequentially through the two zones whereby the desiccant wheel will absorb moisture from air moving through the first air path.
Lastly, a heater 36 is located in the second air path between the input end and the moisture desorbing zone. The heater is adapted to activate the desorption of moisture from the desiccant wheel.
Illustrated in FIG. 9 is a system 72 utilizing indirect fire with a fluid heater to a regeneration heat exchanger. In the system 72, the heater is a recirculating line 74 with a first end 76 wherein the first end is a closed loop continuation fo the recirculating line and the first end being in the second air path adjacent to the input end and a second end 78 remote from the air paths. A gas heater 80 is located at the second end with a gas feed line 82 and with an combustion air feed line 84.
FIG. 10 illustrates a system 86 utilizing indirect fire with a fluid heater to a regeneration heat exchanger and with the exhaust fumes exhausted to the regeneration chamber. In the system 86, the heater is a recirculating line 74 with a first end 76 with the first being a closed loop continuation fo the recirculating line and being in the second air path adjacent to the input end and a second end 78 remote from the air paths. A gas heater 80 is located at the second end with a gas feed line 82 and with an air feed line 84. The air feed line has a terminating end at the input end 88 of the second air path.
Illustrated in FIG. 11 is the PCT primary embodiment with a cooling coil, evaporator, after the desiccant wheel in the supply path and with an external split condenser and compressor. In the system 90, the first air path includes a condenser unit 92 of an air conditioner. The air conditioner has an evaporator 94 adjacent to the output end of the first air path and a condenser 96 and a compressor 98 located remote from the air paths.
Illustrated in FIG. 12 is the PCT primary embodiment with a cooling coil, evaporator, after the desiccant wheel in the supply path and with an internal package of a condenser and compressor. In system 100, the first air path includes an condensing unit 102 of a condenser unit of an air conditioner with an evaporator 104 adjacent to the output end of the first air path and with a condenser 106 and a compressor 108 located in the second air path adjacent to the input end.
Illustrated in FIG. 13 is the PCT primary embodiment with a cooling coil, evaporator, after the desiccant wheel in the supply path and with an internal condenser and an external compressor. In the system 110, the first air path includes an air conditioner 112 with an evaporator 114 adjacent to the output end of the first air path and a condenser 116 and with a condenser in the second air path adjacent to the input end and with a compressor 118 located remote from the air paths.
FIG. 14 illustrates the primary embodiment adding an indirect evaporative cooler at the supply side before the conditioned space. The system 120 is as set forth above and further includes an indirect evaporative cooler 122 coupled to the output end of the first air path. The indirect evaporative cooler has a housing 124 with an ambient air intake 126 and an output 128 with a circulating fan 130. The housing has a body of water 132 below with a submersible pump 134 and a plurality of misters 136 above coupled to a pump and a plurality of air conduits 138 in the path of water dispensed from the misters. FIG. 14A is a psychro chart.
FIG. 15 illustrates the primary embodiment adding an indirect evaporative cooler at the supply side before the conditioned space, but injecting part of the process air to increase the evaporative path cooling performance. The system 140 is as described above and further includes an indirect evaporative cooler 142 coupled to the output end of the first air path. The indirect evaporative cooler has a housing with an ambient air intake and an output with a circulating fan. The housing has a body of water below with a submersible pump and a plurality of misters above coupled to a pump and a plurality of air conduits in the path of water dispensed from the misters. The system further includes an upper transition zone 144 between the output of the first path and the air conduits and a lower transition zone 146 between the output of the first path and space beneath the air conduits and above the body of water.
An embodiment using indoor air to regenerate the desiccant wheel 18 is illustrated in FIG. 16. In the system 148, the input to the first air path comes from a fresh air intake 150 and a recirculator 152 of the indoor air with a regulator damper 154 therein. The output of the second air path includes an exhaust 156 for exhausting to outdoors. The system further has a mixing box 158 coupled to the output 160 of the first path, to the input 162 of the second path, to the input 164 of the recirculator, to the process air 166, and an evaporator 168 of an HVAC to indoor space subsystem, the HVAC subsystem being adapted to supply cold dry air to the indoor environment.
Illustrated in FIG. 17 is an embodiment using indoor air to heat regenerate the desiccant wheel and supply air to supply the installation. The system 170 is as described above and further includes a primary supply conduit 172 with an output 174 to a living space and an input 176 as a return air intake having an evaporator 178 of an HVAC subsystem. In addition, a blower 180 is coupled to the supply conduit and with a one way damper 182 therein, the system also having a secondary conduit 184 coupled with the main conduit before and after the one way damper and including there between the first air path 186. The second air path having an indoor input 183, a heat source 185 and an exhaust 187.
FIG. 18 illustrates an embodiment with pre-treating the outside air with an enthalpy recovery wheel before the desiccant wheel and with regeneration by heated indoor air. In the system 188, the input to the first air path comes from a fresh air intake 190. The output of the second air path includes an exhaust 192 for exhausting to outdoors. The system further has a mixing box 194 coupled to the output 196 of the first path, to the input 198 of the second path, to a return 200 from space, to an evaporator 202 of an HVAC subsystem adapted to supply cold dry air to the indoor environment, to a supplemental exhaust air conduit 204 with an exhaust blower 205. The system includes a rotatable enthalpy heat exchanger wheel 206 sequentially rotatable through the exhaust air conduit and the input to the first air path for thereby pre-conditioning the outside air with an enthalpy recovery wheel before the desiccant wheel. Regeneration of the enthalpy wheel is by vapor pressure differential with indoor air between two air streams through separate segments of the wheel.
FIG. 19 is an embodiment with the desiccant wheel working as a desiccant dehumidifier regenerated by heat and wherein, when it is required, the motor will increase speed to work as a total energy recovery wheel, enthalpy wheel, exchanging energy between outdoor and indoor air. In the system 208, the input to the first air path comes from a fresh air intake 210. The output of the second air path includes an exhaust 212 for exhausting to outdoors. The system further has a mixing box 214 coupled to the output 216 of the first path, to the input 218 of the second path, to the indoor air space 220, to the return from space 222 and an evaporator 224 of an HVAC subsystem adapted to supply cold dry air to the indoor environment whereby the desiccant wheel functions as a desiccant dehumidifier regenerated by heat and when it is required, the motor will increase speed to work as a total energy/enthalpy wheel, exchanging energy between outdoor and indoor air.
FIG. 20 illustrates an embodiment using hot attic air as a pre-heater or heater to regenerate the desiccant wheel. In the system 226, the input 228 to the second air path includes a one way damper 230 and a filter 232 coupled to a hot attic air environment 234 wherein the output 236 from the first air path is coupled to a conditioned air environment 238. This embodiment may or may not include a burner.
Illustrated in FIG. 21 is an embodiment using hot attic air and/or a solar collector as a pre-heater or heater to regenerate the desiccant wheel. In the system 240, the input 242 to the second air path includes a one way damper 244 and a filter 246 coupled to a hot attic air environment 248. The output from the first air path is coupled to a conditioned air environment 252. The system further includes a solar collector 254 functioning as a pre-heater or heater to regenerate the desiccant wheel.
Illustrated in FIGS. 22 through 25 is a single system 256 similar to that as set forth above. The four separate FIGS. 22, 23, 24 and 25 show the same embodiment but in different modes of operation. The system further comprises a first air intake conduit 258 coupling the outside environment to the input of the second air path. An exhaust conduit 260 couples the outside environment to the output end of the second air path. A closed space 262 wherein the user wishes to control the temperature and humidity, the closed space has a thermostat 264 and a humidistat 266. A HVAC subsystem 268 is coupled to the closed space. The HVAC subsystem has an evaporator 270 and a blower 272 electrically coupled to the thermostat. An output conduit 274 is coupled to the output end of the first air path and also coupled to the closed space. The unit 276 of the first air path is electrically coupled to the first sensor of the humidistat 266 in the closed space 262. A return conduit 278 is coupled to the input end of the first air path and the closed space with a damper 280 therein and being electrically coupled to a timer 282. The timer is operable in a timed sequence or manually. An air junction box 284 has a configuration with one input and two outputs including output A and output B with a first portion 286 coupled to the outside environment with a shut off damper motor 288 electrically coupled to the timer, the air intake conduit having a second portion 290 also referred to as output A coupled to the return conduit adjacent to the input end of the first air path and a third portion 292 also referred to as output B coupled to the first air path adjacent to the output end with a damper 293 at a point where a three portions come together, the motorized damper being electrically coupled to the humidistat with a second sensor in closed space 266 at the electrical connection 294.
Illustrated in FIG. 22 is an indoor dehumidification mode. In the temperature and humidity control system, wherein the first humidistat sensor being on, the second humidistat sensor being not applicable, the timer being not applicable, the shut off damper of the input end of the first portion being closed, the damper of the return conduit being open, the damper where the three portions come together being not applicable.
Illustrated in FIG. 23 is a fresh air dehumidification mode. In the temperature and humidity control system 276A, the first humidistat sensor being not applicable, the second humidistat sensor being on, the timer being on, the shut off damper of the input end of the first portion being open, the damper of the return conduit being closed, the damper where the three portions come together being open to the second portion/output A.
Illustrated in FIG. 24 is a fresh air with no dehumidification mode. In the temperature and humidity control system 276B, the first humidistat sensor being not applicable, the second humidistat sensor being off, the timer being on, the shut off damper of the input end of the first portion being open, the damper of the return conduit being closed, the damper where the three portions come together being open to the third portion/output B.
Illustrated in FIG. 25 shows the wheel in the purge mode desorbing and purging of contaminants to the exhaust. The temperature and humidity control system 276C wherein the first humidistat sensor being not applicable, the second humidistat sensor being on, the timer being on, the shut off damper of the input end of the first portion being open, the damper of the return conduit being closed, the damper where the three portions come together being open to the second portion/output A.
In FIG. 26 the system 300 includes a conventional dehumidification of indoor air mode. Such embodiment comprises, in combination, a first air loop 302 coupled to an input end 304 and an output end 306 with a fan 308 adjacent to the output end and adapted to move air towards the output end. Both the input end and the output end are coupled to a closed space 310 where the user wishes to control the temperature and humidity and having a thermostat 312 and a humidistat 314. A conventional dehumidifier 316 is positioned within the first air loop. An HVAC subsystem 318 is coupled to the closed space and has an evaporator 320 and a blower 322 being electrically coupled to the thermostat. An output conduit 324 is coupled to the output end of the first air path and being further coupled to the closed space. The fan of the first air path is electrically coupled to the humidistat. A return conduit 326 is coupled to the input end of the first air path and the closed space with a damper 328 therein and being electrically coupled to a timer 330. The timer controls cycles per hour and sets running time per hour of outside air. A second air intake conduit 332 has a configuration with one input and two output with a first portion 334 coupled to the outside environment with a shut off damper 336 being electrically coupled to the timer. A second portion 338 or output A is coupled to the return conduit adjacent to the input end of the first air path and a third portion 340 or output B is coupled to the first air path adjacent to the output end with a damper at a point where the three portions come together and the damper being electrically coupled to the humidistat. The system shown in FIG. 26 is adapted to be put in all the modes shown in FIG. 22 to FIG. 25.
In FIG. 27, the temperature and humidity control system 342 shows an indoor air dehumidification mode and further comprises a second air loop 344 adapted to push air in an opposite direction of the first air loop. The second air loop has an input end 346 coupled to outside environment. An output end 348 is coupled to the outside environment and a fan 350 is adjacent to the output end and adapted to pull air through the second air loop opposite the flow of air in the first air loop. The input end of the second air loop is adjacent to the output end of the first air loop and the output end of the second air loop being adjacent to the input end of the first air loop. The input end of the second air loop has a control box and filter coupled thereto. The conventional dehumidifier having exchange energy between the first air loop and the second air loop. A first air intake conduit 352 couples the outside environment to the input of the second air path. Lastly, an exhaust conduit 354 couples the out side environment to the output end of the second air path. The system shown in FIG. 27 is adapted to be put in all the modes shown in FIG. 22 to FIG. 25.
With reference to the final two Figures, the system is a temperature and humidity control system. The system comprises, in combination, a first air loop coupled to a regulatable air space and has an input end in and an output end with an fan adjacent to the input end and adapted to push air towards the output end with both the input end and the output end being coupled to the regulatable air space. A second air loop is adapted to pull air in an opposite direction of the first air loop. The second air loop has an input end coupled to an air source. An output end is coupled to an exhaust air receiving area and an fan adjacent to the output end and adapted to push air through the second air loop opposite the flow of air in the first air loop. The input end of the second air loop is adjacent to the output end of the first air loop and the output end of the second air loop being adjacent to the input end of the first air loop. The input end of the second air loop has a control box and filter coupled thereto. Additionally, a supplemental loop has an air receiving conduit and a gas receiving conduit, the gas receiving conduct being coupled to a gas source. Both of the receiving conduits further are coupled to a mixing conduit which is coupled to a firing region and adapted to heat and dry the incoming air of the second air loop. The firing region is adapted to receive ambient air and being coupled to an exhaust conduit.
As to the manner of usage and operation of the present invention, the same should be apparent from the above description. Accordingly, no further discussion relating to the manner of usage and operation will be provided.
With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.
Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. An air conditioning system for controlling humidity in an efficient and economical manner comprising:

a first air path having an input end and an output end and with a first fan adapted to move air in a first direction towards the output end, the first air path including a moisture absorbing zone at an intermediate region of the first air path;

a second air path having an input end and an output end with a second fan adapted to move air in a second direction, opposite from the first direction, towards the output end, the second air path including a moisture desorbing zone at an intermediate region of the second air path;

a desiccant wheel having a surface area located partially in the moisture absorbing zone and partially in the moisture desorbing zone and having a motor adjacent the wheel and adapted to rotate the wheel sequentially through the two zones whereby the desiccant wheel will absorb moisture from air moving through the first air path;

a gas heater in the second air path between the input end and the moisture desorbing zone adapted to heat and activate the desorption of moisture from the desiccant wheel; and

a gas feed line with a gas valve and an air feed line with an air valve having an inlet adjacent to one of the fans.

2. The system as set forth in claim 1 wherein the inlet of the air feed line is located adjacent to the input end of the first air path following the first fan and further including an air conducting line through the second air path with the gas heater within the air feed line.

3. The system as set forth in claim 1 wherein the inlet of the air feed line is located adjacent to the input end of the first air path following the first fan and further including an air conducting line through the second air path with the gas flame within the air feed line and with a fan to move the air through the air conducting line.

4. The system as set forth in claim 1 wherein the inlet of the air feed line is located adjacent to the output end of the second air path following the second fan and further including an air conducting line through the second air path with the gas heater within the air feed line.

5. The system as set forth in claim 1 wherein the inlet of the air feed line is located adjacent to the output end of the second air path following the second fan and further including an air conducting line through the second air path with the gas heater within the air feed line and with a fan to draw the air through the air conducting line.

6. The system as set forth in claim 1 wherein the inlet of the air feed line is located adjacent to the input end of the first air path and further including an air conducting line in the second air path with the gas heater within the air conducting line and with the air conducting line having a terminating end in the second air path between the input end and the desorbing zone.

7. The system as set forth in claim 1 wherein the inlet of the air feed line is located adjacent to the output end of the second air path following the second fan and further including an air conducting line in the second air path with the gas heater within the air conducting line and with the air conducting line having a terminating end in the second air path between the input end and the adsorbing zone.

8. The system as set forth in claim 1 wherein the inlet of the air feed line is located adjacent to the input end of the first air path following the first fan and further including an air conducting line through the second air path and having a terminating end adjacent to the output end of the second air path and with the gas heater in proximity to the second air path.

9. The system as set forth in claim 1 wherein the inlet of the air feed line is located adjacent to the input end of the first air path following the second fan and further including an air conducting line through the second air path and having a terminating end adjacent to the output end of the second air path and with the gas heater within the air feed line.

10. An air conditioning system for controlling and humidity in an efficient and economical manner comprising:

a desiccant wheel having a surface area located partially in the moisture absorbing zone and partially in the moisture desorbing zone with a motor to rotate the wheel sequentially through the two zones whereby the desiccant wheel will absorb moisture from air moving through the first air path; and

a heater in the second air path between the input end and the moisture desorbing zone adapted to desorb moisture from the desiccant wheel.

11. The system as set forth in claim 10 wherein the heater is a fluid recirculating line with a first end in the second air path adjacent to the input end and a second end remote from the air paths with a gas heater at the second end with a gas feed line and an air feed line.

12. The system as set forth in claim 10 wherein the heater is a recirculating line with a first end in the second air path adjacent to the input end and a second end remote from the air paths with a gas heater at the second end with a gas feed line and an air feed line with a terminating end at the input end of the second air path.

13. The system as set forth in claim 10 wherein the first air path includes an air conditioner with an evaporator adjacent to the output end of the first air path and with a condenser and a compressor located remote from the air paths.

14. The system as set forth in claim 10 wherein the first air path includes an air conditioner with an evaporator adjacent to the output end of the first air path and with a condenser and a compressor located in the second air path adjacent to the input end.

15. The system as set forth in claim 10 wherein the first air path includes an air conditioner with an evaporator adjacent to the output end of the first air path and a condenser and with a condenser in the second air path adjacent to the input end and with a compressor located remote from the air paths and coupled to the output end of the first air path.

16. The system as set forth in claim 10 wherein the indirect evaporative cooler has a housing with an ambient air intake and an output with a circulating fan, the housing having a body of water below with a submersible pump and a plurality of misters above coupled to a pump and a plurality of air conduits in the path of water dispensed from the misters.

17. The system as set forth in claim 10 and further including an indirect evaporative cooler coupled to the output end of the first air path, the indirect evaporative cooler having a housing with an ambient air intake and an output with a circulating fan, the housing having a body of water below with a submersible pump and a plurality of misters above coupled to a pump and a plurality of air conduits in the path of water dispensed from the misters, the system further including an upper interface between the output of the first path and the air conduits and a lower interface between the output of the first path and space beneath the air conduits and above the body of water.

18. The system as set forth in claim 10 wherein the input to the first air path comes from a fresh air intake and a recirculator of the indoor air with a regulator damper therein, the output of the second air path including an exhaust 156 for exhausting to outdoors, the system further having a mixing box coupled to the output of the first path, to the input of the second path, to the input of the recirculator, to the indoor air space, and an evaporator of an HVAC subsystem, the HVAC subsystem being adapted to supply cold dry air to the indoor environment.

19. The system as set forth in claim 10 and further including a primary supply conduit with an output to a living space and an input as a return air intake having an evaporator of an HVAC subsystem and a blower coupled to the supply conduit and with a one way damper therein, the system also having a secondary conduit coupled with the main conduit before and after the one way damper and including there between the first air path.

20. The system as set forth in claim 10 wherein the input to the first air path comes from a fresh air intake, the output of the second air path including an exhaust for exhausting to outdoors, the system further having a mixing box coupled to the output of the first path, to the input of the second path, to a return from space, to an evaporator of an HVAC subsystem adapted to supply cold dry air to the indoor environment, to a supplemental exhaust air conduit, the system including a rotatable enthalpy heat exchanger wheel sequentially rotatable through the exhaust air conduit and the input to the first air path for thereby pre-treating the outside air with an enthalpy recovery wheel before the desiccant wheel, and with regeneration of the enthalpy wheel by the differential of vapor pressure between two air stream paths.

21. The system as set forth in claim 10 wherein the input to the first air path comes from a fresh air intake, the output of the second air path including an exhaust for exhausting to outdoors, the system further having a mixing box coupled to the output of the first path, to the input of the second path, to the indoor air space, to the return from space and an evaporator of an HVAC subsystem adapted to supply cold dry air to the indoor environment whereby the desiccant wheel functions as a desiccant dehumidifier regenerated by heat and when it is required, the motor will increase speed to work as a total energy/enthalpy wheel, exchanging energy between outdoor, exhaust and indoor air.

22. The system as set forth in claim 10 wherein the input to the second air path includes a one way damper and a filter coupled to a hot attic air environment wherein the output from the first air path is coupled to a conditioned air environment.

23. The system as set forth in claim 10 wherein the input to the second air path includes a one way damper and a filter coupled to a hot attic air environment wherein the output from the first air path is coupled to a conditioned air environment, the system further including a solar collector functioning as a pre-heater or heat to regenerate the desiccant wheel.

24. The system as set forth in claim 10 and further comprising:

a first air intake conduit coupling the outside environment to the input of the second air path;

an exhaust conduit coupling the outside environment to the output end of the second air path;

a closed space wherein the user wishes to control the temperature and humidity, the closed space having a thermostat and a humidistat;

a HVAC subsystem coupled to the closed space, the HVAC subsystem having an evaporator and a blower electrically coupled to the thermostat;

an output conduit coupled to the output end of the first air path and also coupled to the closed space, the fan of the first air path being electrically coupled to the humidistat with a first humidistat sensor;

a return conduit coupled to the input end of the first air path and the closed space with a damper therein and being electrically coupled to a timer;

a second air intake conduit having a configuration with one input and two outputs with a first portion coupled to the outside environment with a shut off damper electrically coupled to the timer, the configuration having a second portion coupled to the return conduit adjacent to the input end of the first air path and a third portion coupled to the first air path adjacent to the output end with a damper at a point where the three portions come together and the damper being electrically coupled to the humidistat with a second humidistat sensor.

25. The temperature and humidity control system as set forth in claim 24 in the indoor dehumidification mode wherein the first humidistat sensor being on, the second humidistat sensor being not applicable, the timer being not applicable, the shut off damper of the input end of the first portion being closed, the damper of the return conduit being open, the damper where the three portions come together being not applicable.

26. The temperature and humidity control system as set forth in claim 24 in the fresh air with no dehumidification mode wherein the first humidistat sensor being not applicable, the second humidistat sensor being on, the timer being on, the shut off damper of the input end of the first portion being open, the damper of the return conduit being closed, the damper where the three portions come together being open to the second portion.

27. The temperature and humidity control system as set forth in claim 24 in the purge mode wherein the first humidistat sensor being not applicable, the second humidistat sensor being off, the timer being on, the shut off damper of the input end of the first portion being open, the damper of the return conduit being closed, the damper Where the three portions come together being open to the third portion.

28. The temperature and humidity control system as set forth in claim 24 in the dehumidification of indoor air mode wherein the first humidistat sensor being not applicable, the second humidistat sensor being on, the timer being on, the shut off damper of the input end of the first portion being open, the damper of the return conduit being closed, the damper where the three portions come together being open to the second portion.

29. A temperature and humidity control system with a conventional dehumidifier comprising, in combination:

a first air loop coupled to an input end and an output end with a fan adjacent to the input end and adapted to push air towards the output end with both the input end and the output end being coupled to a closed space where the user wishes to control the temperature and humidity and having a thermostat and a humidistat;

a conventional dehumidifier being positioned within the first air loop;

a HVAC subsystem being coupled to the closed space and having an evaporator and a blower being electrically coupled to the thermostat;

an output conduit being coupled to the output end of the first air path and being further coupled to the closed space, the fan of the first air path being electrically coupled to the humidistat;

a return conduit being coupled to the input end of the first air path and the closed space with a damper therein and being electrically coupled to a timer;

a second air intake conduit having one input and two outputs with a first portion coupled to the outside environment with a shut off damper being electrically coupled to the timer, a second portion coupled to the return conduit adjacent to the input end of the first air path and a third portion coupled to the first air path adjacent to the output end with a damper at a point where the three portions come together and the damper being electrically coupled to the humidistat.

30. The temperature and humidity control system as set forth in claim 29 and further comprising:

a second air loop adapted to push air in an opposite direction of the first air loop, with the second air loop having an input end coupled to outside environment, an output end being coupled to the outside environment and an fan adjacent to the output end and adapted to pull air through the second air loop opposite the flow of air in the first air loop, the input end of the second air loop being adjacent to the output end of the first air loop and the output end of the second air loop being adjacent to the input end of the first air loop, the input end of the second air loop having a control box and filter coupled thereto;

the conventional dehumidifier having an exchange of energy between the first air loop and the second air loop;

a first air intake conduit coupling the outside environment to the input of the second air path; and

an exhaust conduit coupling the out side environment to the output end of the second air path.

31. A temperature and humidity control system with a heat source comprising, in combination:

a first air loop coupled to a regulatable air space having an input end in and an output end with a fan adjacent to the input end and adapted to push air towards the output end with both the input end and the output end being coupled to the regulatable air space;

a second air loop adapted to move air in an opposite direction of the first air loop, with the second air loop having an input end coupled to an air source, an output end being coupled to an exhaust air receiving area and an fan adjacent to the output end and adapted to pull air through the second air loop opposite the flow of air in the first air loop, the input end of the second air loop being adjacent to the output end of the first air loop and the output end of the second air loop being adjacent to the input end of the first air loop, the input end of the second air loop having a control box and filter coupled thereto; and

a heating loop having an air receiving conduit and a gas receiving conduit, both of the receiving conduits being coupled to a mixing conduit which is coupled to a firing region and adapted to heat and dry the incoming air of the second air loop, the firing region being adapted to receive ambient air and being coupled to an exhaust conduit.