GB2187111A

GB2187111A - Air-humidification apparatus

Info

Publication number: GB2187111A
Application number: GB08704427A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Jurgen Stulz
Original assignee: STULZ GmbH
Current assignee: STULZ GmbH
Priority date: 1986-02-28
Filing date: 1987-02-25
Publication date: 1987-09-03
Also published as: IT8747670A0; IT1216794B; GB8704427D0; GB2187111B; DE3606497A1

Abstract

An air-humidification apparatus (10) comprises a water tank (11) and devices (13) producing water spray and a spray scoop (14) which is mounted on the water tank (11) and from which the water spray formed issues by way of an opening (15) provided therein. In order to improve the distribution of the water spray (17) in the air duct (22), a plate-shaped element (16) is mounted on the apparatus (10), so as at least partially to screen the water spray outlet opening (15) and, subjected to flowing air (21), produces air turbulence in the region of the water spray outlet opening (15), as a result of which water spray (17) issuing therefrom is swirled distributed and entrained by the air stream. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Air humidification apparatus This invention relates to air-humidification apparatus comprising a water tank, water spray devices and and at least one spray scoop which is mounted on the water tank and from which the water spray formed issues by way of an opening provided therein.

It is known to install air-humidification apparatus ofthis type in existing air-conditioning units, such air humidifiers normally being installed in the air supply ducts in the air-conditioning unit. The airhumidification apparatus then produces water spray by means of devices provided therein, namely from the water available as a water supply in the water tank of the apparatus. The devices which produce water spray and which for example can be ultrasonics devices produce a water spray which is released in the manner of a jetfrom the watersurface ofthe water tank of the apparatus. This water spray is then entrained bytheairstream in the airductin which is disposed the air-humidification apparatus.

The amount of humidity released into the atmosphere by the air-humidification apparatus depends to a considerable extent, in addition to the power of the apparatus, upon the air stream in the air duct, with the result thatwhen the air stream is weak orfar from ideal in the air duct, the effective humidification capacity ofthe air-conditioning unit is substantially reduced. This substantial reduction in the effective moistening capacity is seen in particular when the air-humidification apparatus forms part of a compact air-conditioning unit or is installed therein, since in the case of air-conditioning units ofthistype the air throughput through the air duct is naturally limited.

The object of the present invention is to provide an air-humidification apparatus of this type, in which it is possible, even with a relatively low airthroughput such as is found in compact air-conditioning units, for there to be an excellent distribution of the water spray in the air duct, so that there is still a substantial effective humidification capacity in the atmosphere being treated by the air-conditioning unit.

This object is attained according to the invention in that a plate-shaped element is mounted on the apparatus, so as at least partially to screen the water spray outlet opening and, subjected to flowing air, to produce air turbulence in the region ofthewater spray outlet opening, whereby water spray issuing therefrom is swirled and is distributed by the air stream.

The advantage of air-humidification apparatus de signed in this way is that on account of the plate shaped element, which acts to a certain extent as a diffusion plate, the air supplied in the air duct is vigorously swirled immediately above the water spray outlet opening of the water spray device and as a result of this swirling the water spray is likewise swirled in the air supplied and is conveyed bythe latter to its destination. On account ofthe plateshaped element, the water spray distribution area inside the air duct is considerably increased and thus also the effective humidification capacity of the entire air-conditioning unit in which the airhumidification apparatus is installed.

In orderto achieve the maximum effective humidification capacity even in the case of very compact air-conditioning units which naturally have a relatively low airthroughput in their air ducts, the plate-shaped element has a substantially rectangular main area to which is joined one outer end area on each of the two opposite sides of the main area in the manner of wings at an angletothe main area. In this way, the water spray outlet opening ofthe spray scoop of the air-humidification apparatus, in the form of a screen, which at least partially laterallysurrounds the water spray outlet opening, is bounded laterally, with the resultthat on account of the laterally angled end faces of the plate-shaped element the water spray is drawn further laterally by the air stream in the air duct.In this connexion the plateshaped element can be considerably widerthan the air-humidification apparatus or its casing, i.e. it projects considerably beyond it on both sides of the apparatus.

Depending upon the design oftheairductandac- cording tothe nature ofthe airthroughputto beexpected in the duct, in orderto increase the effective humidification capacity, the plate-shaped element can also be arranged at an angleto the apparatus, apart from a lateral orientation with respect to the apparatus, such that it is mounted at an angle diverging from the perpendicularto the apparatus.

The plate-shaped element is preferably secured to the casing of the apparatus by way of one or more supports, in such a way that where necessary it can be removed and re-attached. In the case of an embodiment in which the plate-shaped element is mounted at an angletothe apparatus diverging from the perpendicular, the supports themselves can be bent orturned over at a suitable angle.

The plate-shaped element advantageously consists of a metallic material which has an adequate mechanical stability with respect to the air stream. It is also possible, according to a further advantageous embodiment, for the plate-shaped element to be producked from a plastics material, in pa rticu lar when the effects of corrosion which occur in the case of metallic plate-shaped elements are to be avoided at all costs.

In addition, it is advantageously possible for the plate-shaped elementto be produced from a metallic material and to provide it with a plastics coating.

An embodimentofthe invention is hereafter described in detail by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure lisa lateral view of an air-humidification apparatus which is disposed in an air duct; Figure2 is a rear view of the air-humidification apparatus illustrated in Figure 1; and Figure 3 is a plan view ofthe air-humidification apparatus illustrated in Figures 1 and 2.

The air-humidification apparatus 10 essentially comprises a casing 12 in which awatertank 11 is held. On the top of the casing 12 or on its coverwhich may be removable there is disposed a spray scoop 14 of which the upper side has a water spray outlet opening 15, from which water spray 17 issues, as de scribed in greater detail below.

A device 13 which produces water spray 17 is disposed at a suitable position on the casing 12, generally on or in the base ofthe casing, this being shown only diagrammatically in Figures 1 to 3. It should be pointed outthat in principle any suitable device 13 can be used for producing a water spray 17 in the air-humidification apparatus 10. Preferably, however, the device 13 used in the present airhumidification apparatus 10 is of one in which the water spray 17 is produced by ultrasonics.

Apluralityofsupports 19,20,which extend up- wards substantially perpendicularly when the apparatus is fastened or mounted substantially horizontally, are arranged at the side of the casing 12. A plate-shaped element 16 is mounted at the ends of the supports 19,20 remote from the casing 12, in such a waythatthe main area 160 of the plateshaped element is likewise arranged substantially perpendicularlyto the casing 12 when the latter stands substantially horizontally on a base or is mounted horizontally.

At its opposite sides 161, 162, adjacent its rectangularly shaped main area, the plate-shaped element 16 has adjoining rectangular end areas 163, 164, which are turned or bent over at an angle relative to the main area towards the apparatus 10.

In should be pointed outthatthe rectangularshape of the plate-shaped element 16 as shown here and comprising the main area 160 andthe end areas 163, 164 is in no way restricted to this rectangular shape, but rather any other suitable shape ofthe plateshaped element 16 is possible when an air duct 22 is required into which the air-humidification apparatus 10 is installed. In addition, the nature ofthe shape of the plate-shaped element 16 can be determined by the degree of the air turbulence desired to be achieved in the region of the water spray outlet opening 16.

The width ofthe plate-shaped element 16, i.e.the width ofthe main area and the width of the end areas 163, 164 adjoining the latter and angled with respect to the main area 160 can be different depending upon the power of the air-humidification apparatus 10 provided therewith and where appropriate the width of an air duct 22 in which the apparatus is disposed. In this connection, the plate-shaped element 16 can consist of a metallic material, for example simple sheet metal, but in different conditions of application it may be expedient to produce the plateshaped element 16 from a plastics material, which would offerthe advantage of being resistant to corrosion.

According to the illustration of Figure 1 the airhumdification apparatus 10 provided with a plateshaped element 16 is secured in an air duct 22 byway of fastening means not separateiy shown. The air duct walls 23 form the upper and lower boundaries ofthe airduct. Air21 is conveyed in the airduct22 by means of devices (not shown).

During its passage through the airduct 22 the air 21 strikes the air-humidification apparatus 10, and is abruptly deflected on striking the plate-shaped element 16 and is subsequently swirled very vigor- ously in the region above the water spray outlet opening or openings 15, so that water spray 17 issuing from the water spray outlet openings 15 is properly distributed in the air stream and is conveyed through the air duct 22 to the point of application. In this way, the spray distribution area as a whole is increased by the plate-shaped element 16 and consequently the effective humidification capacity of the airconditioning unit is also increased.

List References: 10 air-humidification apparatus 11 watertank 12 casing 13 devices producing water spray 14 spray scoop 15 water spray outlet opening 16 plate-shaped element 160 main area 161 main area side 162 main area side 163 end area 164 end area 17 water spray 18 water spray 19 support 20 support 21 air 22 air duct 23 airductwail

Claims

1. An air-humidification apparatus comprising a watertank, water spray devices and at least one spray scoop which is mounted on the watertankand from which the water spray formed issues by way of an opening provided therein, characterized in that a plate-shaped element is mounted on the apparatus, so as at least partially to screen a water spray outlet opening and, being subjected to flowing air, produces airturbulence in the region ofthewaterspray outlet opening, whereby water spray issuing therefrom is swirled, distributed and entrained by the air stream.

2. Apparatus according to Claim 1, characterized in that the piate-shaped element has a substantially rectangular main area to which isjoined one outer end area on each of the two opposite sides ofthe main area in the mannerofwingsatan angletothe main area.

3. Apparatus according to Claim 1 or2,characterized in that the plate-shaped element is orientated substantially perpendicularly to the apparatus and is secured to the latter.

4. Apparatus according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the plate-shaped element is arranged at an angle to the apparatus, which is inclined from the perpendicular.

5. Apparatus according to any of Claims 1 to 4, characterized in thatthe plate-shaped element is secured to the body of the apparatus by supports.

6. Apparatus according to any of Claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the plate-shaped element con sistsofa metallic material.

7. Apparatus according to any of Claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the plate-shaped element consists of a plastics material.

8. An air-humidification apparatus constructed and adapted to operate substantially as herein before described with reference to, and as shown in, the accompanying drawings.