Air-treating apparatus having improved water distribution tray
US5932148A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 13, 1998 |
| Grant date | Aug 3, 1999 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 13, 2018 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10S261/04
- WIPO fieldThermal processes and apparatus
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A humidifier (10) includes a water distribution tray (18) that functions to substantially uniformly distribute water to an evaporator pad (16) even when the distribution tray (18) is tilted and regardless of the rate of water flow. The distribution tray (18) includes a plurality of channels (100) that each lead from a liquid reception area (104) to an opening (106) in the bottom wall (82) of the tray (18). A wick (110) fabricated from a water absorbent material is carried by the tray (18) at the reception area (104). The wick (110) may extend at least partially into each channel (100), and absorbs water and pushes it into each of the channels (100) through capillary action. Thus, each channel (100) receives water even if the tray (18) is tilted. The humidifier (10) also has a damming rib (72) that prevents water from draining from the pad (16) out of the humidifier (10).
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.