Radiator humidification system

Abstract

FIELD: air humidification.SUBSTANCE: radiator air humidification system comprises a housing, a radiator connected to a heating system, and a humidification unit, wherein the humidification unit and at least one fan are located in the housing, which is configured to be installed in a zone of thermal influence from the radiator of the heating system, wherein the humidification unit comprises: a water reservoir connected to a water supply source via an electromagnetic valve; a water level sensor in the reservoir, operatively connected to the electromagnetic valve for maintaining a specified water level; a device for creating a water dispersion, located inside the housing and configured to direct the dispersion onto the surface of the radiator; a control unit connected to the water level sensor, the electromagnetic valve, a device for creating a water dispersion, a fan, a thermo-hygrometer, and a thermostat of the heating radiator, and configured to regulate the temperature and humidity of the air by changing the temperature of the radiator and the intensity of creating a water dispersion.EFFECT: increased energy efficiency of air humidification by integrating heating and humidification functions into a single device that uses the heat of a radiator to evaporate liquid, with automatic maintenance of specified temperature and humidity parameters through a single control system.4 cl, 4 dwg

Description

[0001] This invention relates to air humidification devices and is designed to increase humidity levels in various spaces. The device is designed to operate in conjunction with a heating radiator.

[0002] Maintaining optimal humidity isn't just a matter of comfort; it's a crucial component of health and environmental protection. Dry air (especially during the heating season and when air conditioners are running) leads to a number of serious health problems, as it weakens the immune system, negatively impacts skin condition, and exacerbates allergies.

[0003] A device called "Humidifying Radiator for Water Heating" is known, according to patent CN 103712267 (priority date December 17, 2013). It discloses a water heating radiator for air humidification, comprising a water supply channel, a water outlet channel, and a heat dissipation sheet. The radiator further comprises a reservoir, which is located on the upper surface of the water supply channel and is connected to the water supply channel. The reservoir is located above the water heating radiator; water can be added directly or by opening a valve. The circulating water within the water heating radiator is used to humidify the air during heating. A disadvantage of this device is that liquid from the heating system is used for humidification, and the location of the "humidifying reservoir" at the highest point of the radiator does not provide the system with sufficient air humidification intensity in the room.

[0004] A device known as "Intelligent Heating and Humidifying Device Capable of Automatically Regulating Indoor Humidity" is patented under CN 217330065 (priority date December 30, 2021). It comprises a heating radiator, sensors, a filter, a flow control solenoid valve, a humidifier, and a single-chip microcomputer. The filter is connected to the heating radiator's pipe and receives water from the pipe for filtration. A disadvantage of this device is that it uses liquid from the heating system for humidification.

[0005] A device known as "Radiator Humidification Device" is patented by CN 221076604, with a priority date of September 25, 2023. It comprises a heating radiator fin. Heating radiators connecting pipes are integrally formed on the upper and lower portions of the inner surface of the heating radiator. A thermal air humidifier is mounted on the front ends of the heating radiator fins, and hanging connectors are mounted on the upper and lower portions of the rear end of the warm air humidifier, respectively. Humidification occurs through the evaporation of moisture supplied to the radiator fins. However, this device has a complex design, is wall-mounted, and takes up a lot of space.

[0006] A device known as an "Automatic Humidifying Heating Radiator" is patented under CN 213599471, priority date September 27, 2020. It comprises a main body of the heating radiator and a water inlet pipe. The design is a traditional radiator, the upper part of which is equipped with additional pipes that drain water into an additional so-called humidification box, from which it evaporates. The disadvantage of this solution is its complex design and the use of water from the heating system.

[0007] Using liquid from the heating system to humidify the air is unacceptable, since this is not clean drinking water, but a technical liquid (heat carrier) with the addition of chemicals.

[0008] Existing heating systems (radiators) and humidifiers operate as separate units, resulting in inefficient energy consumption, taking up valuable space, and failing to provide precise, coordinated microclimate control. Using water from the heating system for humidification is unsafe, and stand-alone humidifiers require constant maintenance, pose a risk of bacterial contamination, and create energy waste.

[0009] The objective of the present invention is to create an energy-efficient climate control device for simultaneously heating and humidifying air, in which the thermal energy of a heating radiator is used to evaporate a dispersed liquid, and the specified microclimate parameters are automatically maintained by a single control system.

[0010] The technical result consists in increasing the energy efficiency of air humidification by integrating heating and humidification functions into a single device that uses the heat of a radiator to evaporate liquid, with automatic maintenance of set temperature and humidity parameters through a single control system.

[0011] To achieve the technical result in a radiator air humidification system comprising a housing, a radiator connected to a heating system and a humidification unit, according to the invention, the humidification unit and at least one fan are placed in a housing that is designed with the possibility of installation in the zone of thermal influence from the radiator of the heating system, wherein the humidification unit comprises:

[0012] water tank connected to water supply through electromagnetic valve and filtration system;

[0013] water level sensor in the tank, functionally connected with the electromagnetic valve to maintain a set water level;

[0014] a means for creating a water dispersion, located inside the housing and configured to direct the dispersion onto the surface of the radiator;

[0015] a control unit connected to a water level sensor, a solenoid valve, a water dispersion generating means, a fan, an external thermo-hygrometer and a heating radiator thermostat, and configured to regulate the air temperature and humidity by changing the radiator temperature and the intensity of water dispersion generation.

[0016] The water dispersion device is designed as a nozzle and contains a circulation pump installed on the line between the tank and the nozzles, nozzles located above the radiator and directed at its surface for irrigation, as well as a coarse filter installed in front of the circulation pump.

[0017] The means for creating a water dispersion is made in an ultrasonic design and contains at least one ultrasonic membrane located in the lower part of the housing under the radiator and configured to create a fine mist directed at its surface.

[0018] The filtration system includes a softening filter and / or an ultraviolet lamp to disinfect the water in the tank.

[0019] The control unit is designed to implement a PID algorithm for temperature and humidity control based on data from an external thermohygrometer.

[0020] Using the radiator's heat increases the system's energy efficiency, as the system uses the "free" heat from the radiator to evaporate water, rather than electricity, as with stand-alone humidifiers. A single control unit, based on data from a remote sensor, precisely maintains the temperature and humidity balance, regulating both the radiator's heating and the water supply, providing unified control over the room's microclimate and preventing overheating, which also contributes to the system's energy efficiency. Evaporation on the hot surface prevents bacterial growth, unlike cold ultrasonic humidifiers, improving the system's safety.

[0021] Thus, the technical result is achieved - increased energy efficiency and safety of air humidification by integrating heating and humidification functions into a single device that uses the heat of a radiator to evaporate water from a separate source, with automatic maintenance of set temperature and humidity parameters through a single control system.

[0022] The essence of the invention is explained by drawings, where:

[0023] Fig. 1 shows the front view of the radiator system in the nozzle design;

[0024] Fig. 2 shows a side view of the radiator system in a nozzle design;

[0025] Fig. 3 shows the front view of the radiator system in ultrasonic design;

[0026] Fig. 4 shows a side view of the radiator system in ultrasonic design.

[0027] The radiator air humidification system comprises a housing 1 and a radiator 2 connected to the heating system. In addition, the radiator system comprises a humidification unit and at least one fan 3 located in the housing 1. The housing 1 is configured to be installed in the heat-affected zone of the radiator 2 of the heating system, so that the radiator 2 of the heating system can be made built into the housing 1 of the system, or the housing 1 can be mounted on an already installed radiator of the heating system. The humidification unit comprises a water tank 4 connected to a water supply source (not shown) via a electromagnetic valve 5. A water level sensor 6 in the tank is operatively connected to the electromagnetic valve 5 for maintaining a predetermined water level. The means for creating a water dispersion 7 (shown in drawings 7.1 and 7.2), located inside the housing 1, can be made in a nozzle design (in Fig. 1, 2) and in an ultrasonic design (in Fig. 3, 4).

[0028] The means for creating water dispersion 7.1 in a nozzle design contains: a circulation pump 8 installed on the line between the reservoir 4 and the nozzles 7.1; nozzles 7.1 located above the radiator 2 and directed at its surface for irrigation; a coarse filter 9 installed in front of the circulation pump 8.

[0029] The means for creating a water dispersion 7.2 in an ultrasonic design contains at least one ultrasonic membrane located in the lower part of the housing 1 and configured to create a fine mist directed at the surface of the radiator; a filter 10.

[0030] The humidification unit, in addition to filter 9, 10, can be equipped with an ultraviolet sterilizer on the water supply line for its disinfection.

[0031] Control unit 11 is connected to water level sensor 6, electromagnetic valve 5, water dispersion device 7, fan 3, thermohygrometer (not shown), and heating radiator thermostat 12. It is preferable to install the thermohygrometer at a remote distance from the humidification system for more accurate determination of the air humidification level. An electronic thermostat is preferably used as thermostat 12. Control unit 11 is configured to implement a PID algorithm for temperature and humidity control based on data from the thermohygrometer and has the ability to regulate air temperature and humidity by changing the temperature of radiator 2 and the intensity of water dispersion.

[0032] At the highest point, i.e., at the outlet of humidified air from housing 1, an air flow direction regulator is installed. This regulator can be implemented as a damper 13 with manual or automatic adjustment.

[0033] The nozzle version of the system is assembled by placing the required number of radiator sections 2 in housing 1, installing fans 3, and mounting control board 11, solenoid valve 5, coarse filter 9, pump 8, and installing a tube through which water is supplied by pump 8 to nozzles 7.1. For the ultrasonic version, ultrasonic membranes 7.2 are installed. After assembly, the device is mounted in its standard location like a conventional heating radiator, all electronic components are connected to the control board, the coolant is started, the system is connected to the electrical network, and water is supplied from an external source. The user sets the desired microclimate parameters via control unit 11, after which the system is ready for operation. Startup can be performed directly from the control panel or remotely via integration with the smart home system.

[0034] The radiator system operates as follows. After switching on, control unit 11 determines the water level in tank 4 based on readings from water level sensor 6. If the level is insufficient, control unit 11 sends a signal to electromagnetic valve 5, which opens and ensures the supply of water from the water supply system to tank 4 until the set level is reached. After tank 4 is filled, control unit 11 activates water dispersion generator 7. In the nozzle version, circulation pump 8 supplies water to nozzles 7.1, which spray liquid onto the surface of heated radiator 2. In the ultrasonic version, ultrasonic membranes 7.2 are activated, generating a fine mist directed at the lower surface of radiator 2. At the same time, fan 3 is switched on to create an air flow. Getting on the hot surface of radiator 2, the water evaporates.The resulting moist air is forced out of housing 1 by fan 3 through outlet opening, which may be equipped with adjustable damper 13 for flow direction, and distributed throughout the room. A thermohygrometer is installed at a remote point in the room; it continuously measures current temperature and humidity values ​​and transmits this data to the control unit. When the set maximum humidity level is reached, control unit 11 disables water dispersion device 7, ceasing humidification. When humidity drops below the set minimum, control unit 11 reactivates humidification. The room air temperature is regulated by control unit 11 via a thermostat mounted on the radiator. Control unit 11 modifies the coolant flow to radiator 2, increasing or decreasing its temperature to maintain the set thermal conditions. Maintenance of the device consists of periodic cleaning or replacement of water and air filters.When sediment accumulates, the interior surface of the device is flushed. Thus, the present invention automatically maintains set temperature and humidity parameters in a room using a closed-loop control system, using the heat from the radiator to energy-efficiently evaporate water.

[0035] To determine the system's efficiency, a prototype was constructed containing eight radiator sections. During testing during the heating season, in a 17 m² room with an average radiator temperature of 60°C and humidity of 15%, the humidity in the room reached 73% within 30 minutes of use. This represents a very high rate of humidification of the entire room, as the humidity sensor was located opposite the radiator system.

Claims

1. A radiator air humidification system comprising a housing, a radiator connected to a heating system, and a humidification unit, characterized in that the humidification unit and at least one fan are located in the housing, which is designed to be installed in a zone of thermal influence from the radiator of the heating system, wherein the humidification unit comprises: a water tank connected to a water supply via a solenoid valve; a water level sensor in a tank, functionally connected to an electromagnetic valve to maintain a set water level; a means for creating a water dispersion, located inside the housing and configured to direct the dispersion onto the surface of the radiator; a control unit connected to a water level sensor, an electromagnetic valve, a means for creating a water dispersion, a fan, a thermo-hygrometer and a thermostat of a heating radiator, and configured to regulate the temperature and humidity of the air by changing the temperature of the radiator and the intensity of the creation of a water dispersion.

2. A radiator system according to paragraph 1, characterized in that the means for creating a water dispersion is made in a nozzle design and contains a circulation pump installed on the line between the reservoir and the nozzles, nozzles located above the radiator and directed at its surface for irrigation, as well as a coarse filter installed in front of the circulation pump.

3. A radiator system according to claim 1, characterized in that the means for creating a water dispersion is ultrasonic and contains at least one ultrasonic membrane located in the lower part of the housing under the radiator and designed with the possibility of creating a fine mist directed at its surface.

4. A radiator system according to claim 1, characterized in that the control unit is designed with the ability to implement a PID algorithm for regulating temperature and humidity based on data from an external thermohygrometer.

Images