Method and apparatus for generating drinking water by condensing air humidity

Abstract

A system and method are shown which utilize a hybrid mechanical and evaporative air conditioning system to produce potable drinking while cooling an enclosure. The system operates on direct current, making it suitable for use in areas effected by natural disaster, power outage, or simply rural locations without access to electricity. The conditioning system includes both evaporative air conditioning and mechanical air conditioning functioning components to produce a water discharge. The system is operated to cool an enclosure. A portion of the water discharge is then drawn off and purified for use as drinking water.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] The present application is a continuation-in-part of my earlier filed application Ser. No. 10 / 963,188, filed Oct. 12, 2004, entitled “Cooling Assembly”, presently pending.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] 1. Field of the Invention [0003] The present invention relates in general to low powered air conditioning systems, and in particular, to a low power air conditioning system capable of running on direct current which is also capable of generating potable drinking water from humidity in the air. The system can be used in such irregularly powered locations as those that are affected by natural disaster or power blackouts and, in addition to cooling, produce potable drinking water. [0004] 2. Description of the Prior Art [0005] Heat in tropical and semi-tropical regions is usually accompanied by extremes of high humidity, especially at low altitude where the geographic features include bayous, marshlands, swamps, shallow lakes, heavy veget...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0018] The present invention seeks to provide an alternative evaporative air conditioning unit that is capable of producing potable drinking while cooling an enclosure. The system is

Problems solved by technology

Generally, natural freshwater resources are scarce or limited in very hot and humid arid areas by or near shorelines due to low precipitation and rainfall and high salinity of underground water.

Shortage in supply of potable water and freshwater is increasing at a vast rate as deserts expand and overtake fertile land and as many of the existing water resources are being depleted.

Global weather patterns in recent years have, in some cases, resulted in a drop in the rate of rainfall in many populated areas.

In addition, large cities are expanding at a fast pace, swallowing neighboring villages and small towns, leading to drastic change in the lifestyle of inhabitants.

The shift from rural to urban lifestyle has, in many cases, forced people to live in crowded housing and congested apartments with no or little opportunities to fresh air, thus suffering from stuffiness, heat and humidity, and being more exposed to an increasing shortage of freshwater supply.

Historically, power outages can have devastating effects on residential populations such as apartment dwellings that require electricity to power, among other things, air conditioning units that primarily run on AC.

Blackouts are especially dangerous in high temperature environments where extended exposure to the heat for long periods of time may result in adverse health conditions.

Children and elderly are especially vulnerable to extreme heat conditions, wherein heat related sickness such as heat strokes can cause serious health detriment or even death.

Therefore a problem exists with current air conditioning technology, which is primarily based on powering units by AC, as users of these units are susceptible to power outages.

There are numerous reasons for power failures, such as defects in a power station, damage to a power line or other part of the distribution system, a short circuit, or the ove

Images