Patent · US Expired

Humidifier

US6726187B2 · kind B2 · utility

1Cited by
18References
23Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateOct 30, 2001
Grant dateApr 27, 2004
Priority date
Expiry dateOct 30, 2021

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
  • CPC primaryF24F6/02
  • WIPO fieldThermal processes and apparatus
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

The present Invention relates to a humidifier that has a housing defining a chamber having at least one open end. The housing is provided with a gas inlet connectable in fluid communication with a source of gas having a first moisture content, and a gas outlet connectable with a passageway for the withdrawal of a gas having a second moisture content greater than the first moisture content. The humidifier also has at least one fluid distributing portion disposed within the at least one open end of the housing to continuously distribute a fluid within the chamber, and at least one baffle disposed within the housing to define a flow path for the gas to be humidified. During operation, the gas absorbs at least a portion of the fluid as the fluid is being continuously distributed in the chamber thereby increasing the moisture content of the gas as it travels from the gas inlet towards the gas outlet. Packing material can be provided in the housing to further increase the contact area between the gas and the water, if desired.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.