Humidifier with floating wick assembly
US4865775A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 14, 1988 |
| Grant date | Sep 12, 1989 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 14, 2008 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10S261/46
- WIPO fieldThermal processes and apparatus
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A room humidifier is disclosed as having a reservoir tank containing a freely and independently floatable wick element providing a constant evaporative area as the water level in the tank rises and falls. A fan is mounted in fixed position relative to an upper end of the tank. An extensible and collapsible closed air path is provided between the wick element and the fan, and an outside air flow path extends between open upper areas of the tank and the wick element, while also being in air flow communication with the fan. When the fan is operated, air is drawn into the outside air flow path for contact with the constant evaporative area of the wick element, while also drawing air with increased humidity through the constant evaporative area of the wick element as well as upwardly through the closed air flow path for discharge from the humidifier into the surrounding atmosphere.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.