Water and conditioned air supply for off-grid structures

Abstract

Systems and methods for providing water and conditioned air to off-grid structures. Systems and methods for harvesting water from outdoor air using one or more of a water condensing module or a dessicant-based water generator operated in accordance with the water requirments of an occupant of the off-grid structure and providing conditioned air to the off-grid structure.

Description

WATER AND CONDITIONED AIR SUPPLY FOR OFF-GRID STRUCTURESCROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This Patent Application is related to and claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Pat. Appl. No. 63 / 528,000, filed July 20, 2023, and titled “WATER AND CONDITIONED AIR SUPPLY FOR OFF-GRID STRUCTURES,” and U.S. Provisional Pat. Appl. No. 63 / 673,400, filed July 19, 2024, and titled “WATER AND CONDITIONED AIR SUPPLY FOR OFF-GRID STRUCTURES,” the disclosures of which are incorporated by reference herein in each of their entireties.TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] This disclosure relates to systems and methods for providing water and conditioned air to off-grid structures. More particularly, but not by way of limitation, the present disclosure relates to systems and methods for provisioning water from outdoor air using one or more of a water condensing module or a dessicant-based water generator operated in accordance with the water requirments of the off-grid structure and providing conditioned air to the off-grid structure.BACKGROUND

[0003] With diminishing supplies of water in many parts of the world, there is increased interest in harvesting water from outdoor air. Additionally, off-grid lifestyle choices driven by environmental greenhouse gas (“GHG”) emission reduction and / or environmental, social, and corporate governance (“ESG”) regulations and protocols have increased interest in harvesting water from air. Off- grid houses or structures such as greenhouses or other buildings also require air conditioning to improve the quality of the indoor environment in both arid and humid conditions. Off-grid structures do not include a typical close-loop air conditioning system that operates on a vapor-compression cycle. In off-grid structures, it is not viable to route outdoor air to the structure (after water capture) and return air in a closed-loop to an air conditioning system. As such, providing a reliable water supply based on harvesting water from outdoor air using multiple methods, in addition to supplying conditioned air to off-grid structures, and in a sustainable and energyefficient manner is a challenging problem. In addition to off-grid structures, thesystems and methods described herein may be configured for use in partially off-grid structures, or structures that may have access to grid power or community water, but due the possibility of intermittency of one or both of these utilities, require a back-up resiliency improvement system. In addition, a homeowner or occupant with access to grid power and community water may choose to operate partially off-grid using the systems and methods described herein to reduce the cost of these services or reduce their contribution to GHG emissions.

[0004] International Pat. Appl. No. W02010039493 discloses a refrigeration system for extracting water from air. The system includes an evaporator operable to cause liquid water to condense on an exterior surface of the evaporator, and a water basin positioned proximate to the evaporator for collecting water from the exterior surfaces of the evaporator. The water basin includes a water-level maintaining mechanism including a drain tube that drains water from the basin into a water collection vessel. The disclosed system is intended to provide efficient and economical water production during conditions when the ambient wet bulb and dry bulb temperatures indicate high relative humidity. After the water extraction process, air is vented out. Providing conditioned air to a building or structure which does not include a close-loop air conditioning system is not disclosed.

[0005] International Pat. Appl. No. W02009048421 also discloses a refrigeration system for extracting water from air. An atmospheric dehumidifier air handling unit produces condensed water from air suitable for drinking purposes. In warm climates, filtered and sterilized fresh atmospheric air is passed through several evaporator cooling coils to condense the moisture in the atmospheric air. The condensed water is then collected in a drip pan. The condenser in the refrigeration cycle is not cooled by outside air. Instead, the cold air after passing through the evaporator cooling coils is blown over the condenser. In cool climates, the condenser is cooled using filtered and sterilized cold fresh atmospheric air. The fresh heated air is then passed over several evaporator cooling coils to condense moisture. The condensed water is then collected in a drip pan. Providing conditioned air to a building or structure which does not include a close-loop air conditioning system is not disclosed. Similarly, U.S. Pat. No. 7272947 discloses a water producing system to condense water from the air into a storage tank where the water is purified. Water purification includes an ozone injection system and a filter system to remove excess ozone before the water isdispensed. Providing conditioned air to a building or structure which does not include a close-loop air conditioning system is not disclosed.

[0006] U.S. Pat. No. 9617719 discloses an integrated air conditioning and waterharvesting system. The system includes an air conditioning sub-system and a waterharvesting subsystem, both operated as refrigeration systems within a building’s centralized closed-loop air-conditioning system. The air conditioning subsystem is a typical heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (“HVAC”) system that includes an air conditioning evaporator and an air conditioning blower which drives air across the air conditioning evaporator to be cooled. The water-harvesting subsystem includes a water-harvesting evaporator and a water-harvesting blower which drives air across the water-harvesting evaporator to be cooled to a point sufficient to condense atmospheric moisture out of the air flowing across the water-harvesting evaporator. The waterharvesting subsystem is configured to cool atmospheric air to a lower temperature than the air conditioning subsystem is configured to cool the atmospheric air. The water-harvesting subsystem causes additional moisture to condense out of the atmospheric air than the air conditioning subsystem. A common coolant supply system supplies coolant or refrigerant to the evaporators in both the air conditioning subsystem and the water-harvesting subsystem. One of the two subsystems is operated as a primary subsystem and the other as a secondary subsystem. A controller is configured to assess whether the primary system meets the air-cooling load placed on the evaporator and to retard output of the secondary system as the air- cooling-load-carrying capacity of the primary system’s evaporator is reached and / or exceeded. By ducting cooled -air exhaust from an atmospheric water-harvester into a building’s cooling system, substantial quantity of water is produced at nominal incremental operating cost over a simple, straightforward air conditioning system.Systems and methods for providing conditioned air and water harvested from air to a building without using conventional closed-loop air conditioning systems arc not di closed.

[0007] Cattani (2018) discloses an integrated air-to-water system in which outdoor air is cooled below its dew point through a direct expansion evaporator of a vapor compression refrigeration cycle, and condensed water is collected and sent to the water treatment unit. Although, the primary aim of the integrated system is water production, fresh and dry airflow exiting after water condensation is routed to a ductand delivered to a typical air conditioning system (HVAC system) of a building such as hotel or to an indoor environment. Hot air exiting the air-cooled condenser may be routed to a fin heat exchanger to provide water heating for the building. Condensed water may be purified using one or more of resin filters, activated carbon filters, microfiltration, UV lamps, or reverse osmosis. Harvesting water using multiple systems and methods including water capture using adsorbents or desiccants and selecting or switching between the one or more water harvesting methods based on ambient conditions such as relative humidity (“RH”) of outdoor air is not disclosed.

[0008] International Pat. Appl. No. WO2021195704 discloses an integrated system for supplying water, hot water, and / or dry humid air into a domestic or commercial environment. Water from humid outdoor air is captured using desiccant beds in a cyclic adsorption-desorption process and dry air is exhausted out to the atmosphere. The desiccant bed is regenerated in a subsequent cyclic step by heating to release captured water as steam or vapor, which is condensed as hot liquid water. Hot water is stored in a hot water tank or fed into a domestic supply line for the end user. Hot water may be chilled to produce cold water. Cold water is stored in a cold-water tank or fed into a domestic supply line for the end user. The hot water tank and cold-water tank are in fluid communication with an air-conditioning unit. The cold water cools the air to provide cooling to the structure. Dry air exiting the desiccant beds may also be fed into the air conditioning unit to reduce the amount of energy required to cool the air in the air conditioner. For off-grid structures, power may also be generated using batteries or using fuel cells powered by hydrogen produced by electrolysis of water captured from air. Water captured using the desiccant material may be supplemented by rainwater collected in rainwater tank or by collecting condensate from the air conditioning unit. Harvesting water using multiple systems and methods and selecting or switching between the one or more water harvesting methods based on ambient conditions such as relative humidity (“RH”) of outdoor air is not disclosed.

[0009] Methods and systems that integrate water capture from outdoor air in an energy efficient manner using one or more methods and supplying dry and low- humidity air (“conditioned air”) to off-grid structures that do not include an air conditioning system (HVAC) system are needed.BRIEF DISCLOSURE

[0010] This summary is provided to introduce in a simplified form a selection of concepts that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter.

[0011] In some implementations, a water harvesting system for providing water and conditioned air to an off-grid structure may include a water condensing module (WCM) configured to condense water from an air feed and produce conditioned air in the process using a vapor-compression refrigeration cycle, a desiccant-based water generator (DWG) configured to capture water from outdoor air, and a water tank including a water level sensor. The water tank may be disposed in fluid communication with the WCM, and the DWG. The water harvesting system may include a control system including at least one processor, and a database disposed in communication with the control system. In some implementations, the control system may be configured to receive input data from a plurality of sensors, including the water level sensor, disposed in the water harvesting system, or from the database. In some instances, the control system may be configured to receive user information from an occupant of the off-grid structure via a user interface of an external device or an interface disposed in the system, the interface configured to communicate with the water harvesting system. In some other instances, the control system may be configured to predict one or more of a water demand, water capture rate, an energy capacity status associated with a battery bank, or energy utilization associated with the off-grid structure based on one or more prediction models trained by the one or more processors to analyze one or more of the input data or the user information and generate a water production schedule. The control system may turn on one or more of the WCM or the DWG to meet one or more of the current water demand or future water demand of the occupant as evidenced by the water level in the water tank and according to the water production schedule.

[0012] In some implementations, the water harvesting system may be configured to operate one or more of the WCM or the DWG using electrical power from the battery bank disposed in the off-grid structure. In some instances, the water harvesting may further include one or more of a DC / DC converter or an inverter to interface with a solar panel (PV array) for providing electrical power to the battery bank.

[0013] In some implementations, the water harvesting system may be configured to desorb captured water in the DWG using a desiccant reactivation air feed, wherein a temperature of the desiccant reactivation air feed is between about 80 °C and about 120 °C. In some instances, the desiccant reactivation air feed may be heated using one or more of an electrical heater or thermal energy stored in a thermal energy storage media. In some other instances, the thermal energy storage media may include one or more phase change materials (PCM) configured to store solar energy as thermal energy. The example thermal energy storage may be exposed directly to sunlight directed to the storage using, for example, solar collectors or solar concentrators. In some instances, solar energy may be indirectly transferred to the thermal energy storage using a heat transfer fluid, which may be heated using solar energy. In some other instances, heater 190B may be configured as a heat exchanger to transfer heat from a hot heat transfer fluid that is heated using a thermal energy storage to the desiccant reactivation air feed.

[0014] In some implementations, the desiccant reactivation air feed exiting the DWG after desorbing captured water from the DWG may be cooled and routed to an air-water separator. In some instances, the desiccant reactivation air feed exiting the air-water separator may be routed to the WCM as an air feed to the WCM. In some instances, the air feed to the WCM may include outdoor air when the DWG is not tumed-on. In some implementations, air-water separation may be integrated in a condenser used for cooling the desiccant reactivation air feed. In some other instances, a conditioned air supply line may be disposed between the WCM and the off-grid structure.

[0015] In some implementations, the control system may be further configured to monitor an ambient temperature inside the off-grid structure (Ti), and route conditioned air from the WCM to the off-grid structure if Ti is greater than a predetermined inside air temperature set point and bypass the off-grid structure if Ti is equal to or less than the predetermined inside air temperature set point.

[0016] In some implementations, the water tank may be further configured to receive water from a rainwater catchment disposed outside the off-grid structure. In some instances, the water harvesting system may further include one or more water treatment units disposed in the WCM, DWG, the water storage tank, or between the water tank and the off-grid structure.

[0017] In some implementations, the input data may include one or more of weather forecast, water tank level, battery bank charge status, water usage history associated with the occupant, or power usage history associated with the occupant. In some other implementations, the user information may include one or more of occupancy information, current water demand expectation, future water demand expectation, current energy utilization expectation or future energy utilization expectation.

[0018] In some implementations, a water harvesting method for providing water and conditioned air to an off-grid structure may include providing a water condensing module (WCM) configured to condense water from an air feed and produce conditioned air in the process using a vapor-compression refrigeration cycle, providing a desiccant-based water generator (DWG) configured to capture water from outdoor air, and providing a water tank including a water level sensor, wherein the water tank is disposed in fluid communication with the WCM, and the DWG.

[0019] In some implementations, the operation may include providing a control system including at least one processor, and a database disposed in communication with the control system. The control system may be configured to implement the operations including receiving input data from a plurality of sensors, including the water level sensor, disposed in the water harvesting system or from the database, receiving user information from an occupant of the off-grid structure via a user interface of an external device, or an interface disposed in the system, the interface configured to communicate with the water harvesting system, retrieving weather- related data from the world wide web, predicting one or more of a water demand, water capture rate, energy capacity status associated with a battery bank, or energy utilization associated with the off-grid structure based on one or more prediction models trained by the one or more processors to analyze one or more of the input data or the user information and generate a water production schedule and turning on one or more of the WCM or the DWG to meet one or more of the current water demand or future water demand of the occupant as evidenced by the water level in the water tank and according to the water production schedule.

[0020] In some implementations, an example water harvesting method may include operating one or more of the WCM or the DWG using electrical power from the battery bank disposed in the off-grid structure. In some instances, the operation mayfurther include providing one or more of a DC / DC converter or an inverter to interface with a solar panel (PV array) for providing electrical power to the battery bank.

[0021] In some implementations, an example water harvesting method may include desorbing captured water in the DWG using a desiccant reactivation air feed, wherein a temperature of the desiccant reactivation air feed is between about 80 °C and about 120 °C. In some instances, the method may include heating the desiccant reactivation air feed using one or more of an electrical heater or thermal energy stored in a thermal energy storage media. In some other instances, the method may include storing solar energy as thermal energy in one or more phase change materials (PCM).

[0022] In some instances, an example water harvesting method may include cooling the desiccant reactivation air feed exiting the DWG after desorbing captured water from the DWG and routing to an air-water separator. In some other instances, the method may include routing the desiccant reactivation air feed exiting the airwater separator to the WCM as an air feed to the WCM.

[0023] In some implementations, a water harvesting method may include routing outdoor as air feed to the WCM when the DWG is not tumed-on. In some instances, a water harvesting method may further include providing a conditioned air supply line between the WCM and the off-grid structure.

[0024] In some implementations, the control system may be is further configured to implement monitoring an ambient temperature inside the off-grid structure (Ti), and routing conditioned air from the WCM to the off-grid structure if Ti is greater than a predetermined inside air temperature set point, and bypassing the off-grid structure if Ti is equal to or less than the predetermined inside air temperature set point. In some implementations, an example water harvesting method may further include routing conditioned air to the off-grid structure contingent upon the needs of the occupant of the off-grid structure as communicated by the occupant via the user interface.

[0025] In some implementations, an example water harvesting method may include receiving water from a rainwater catchment disposed outside the off-grid structure into the water tank. In some other implementations, the water harvesting method may further include providing one or more water purification units disposed in the WCM, DWG, water tank, or between the water tank and the off-grid structure.

[0026] In some implementations, a system for providing water and conditioned air to an off-grid structure, may include a water condensing module (WCM) configured to condense water from outdoor air and produce conditioned air in the process using a vapor-compression refrigeration cycle, a desiccant-based water generator (DWG) configured to capture water from outdoor air, a water tank including a water level sensor, wherein the water tank is disposed in fluid communication with the WCM, the DWG, and a water supply line to the off-grid structure. In some implementations, the system controller may be configured to communicate with the water level sensor to monitor a water level in the water tank and if the water level in the water tank falls below a predetermined water level set point, tum-on one or more of the WCM or the DWG if the outdoor relative humidity (RHO) is greater than a predetermined humidity (RH) set point and tum-on the DWG if the outdoor relative humidity (RHO) is equal to or less than a predetermined humidity (RH) set point.

[0027] In some implementations, the system for providing water and conditioned air to an off-grid structure may be configured to desorb captured water in the DWG using a desiccant reactivation air feed, wherein a temperature of the desiccant reactivation air feed may be between about 80 °C and about 120 °C. In some other implementations, the desiccant reactivation air feed exiting the DWG after desorbing captured water from the DWG may be cooled and routed to an air-water separator.

[0028] In some implementations, the desiccant reactivation air feed exiting the airwater separator may be routed to the WCM as the air feed to the WCM. In some other implementations, the air feed to the WCM may include outdoor air when the DWG is not tumed-on.

[0029] In some implementations, the system for providing water and conditioned air to an off-grid structure may be configured to operate one or more of the WCM or the DWG using electrical power from a battery bank system. In some other implementations, the system may be configured to operate one or more of the WCM or DWG depending on the capacity (W-h) of the battery bank system.

[0030] In some implementations, the predetermined humidity (RH) set point may be between about 30% RH and about 50% RH. In some implementations, the predetermined humidity (RH) set point may be between about 25% RH and about 35% RH. In some implementations, the predetermined RH set point may be about 30% RH. In some implementations, the example system for providing water andconditioned air may further include a water meter connected to the water supply line, wherein the control system is configured to calculate a water consumption rate of the off-grid structure using an output signal of the water meter. In some implementations, the control system may be further configured to turn-on either the WCM or the DWG if the water consumption rate exceeds a predetermined water consumption rate set point. In some implementations, the example system for providing water and conditioned air may include a conditioned air supply line disposed between the WCM and the off-grid structure. In some implementations, the control system may be further configured to monitor the ambient temperature inside the off-grid structure (Ti) and route conditioned air from the WCM to the off-grid structure if Ti is greater than a predetermined inside air temperature set point, and vent conditioned air to the outside if Ti is equal to or less than the predetermined inside air temperature set point. In some implementations, the predetermined inside air temperature set point may be about 78 °F.

[0031] In some implementations, an example control system may be further configured to monitor the ambient relative humidity inside the off-grid structure (RHi) and route conditioned air from the WCM to the off-grid structure if RHi is greater than a predetermined inside air relative humidity set point and bypass the off-grid structure and vent conditioned air to the outside if RHi is equal to or less than the predetermined inside air relative humidity set point. In some implementations, the predetermined inside air relative humidity set point is between about 50% RH and about 60% RH. In some implementations, an example control system may be further configured to operate a louvered vent disposed in the off-grid structure to vent air from the off-grid structure. In some implementations, an example water tank may be further configured to receive water from a rainwater catchment disposed outside the off-grid structure. In some implementations, an example system for providing water and conditioned air may include one or more water purification units disposed in the WCM, DWG or between the water tank and the off-grid structure.

[0032] In some implementations, in an example system for providing water and conditioned air, the WCM may include a WCM controller configured to operate the WCM, and the DWG may include a DWG controller configured to operate the DWG. wherein the system controller is disposed in bidirectional control and electrical communication with both the WCM controller and the DWG controller. In someimplementations, the control system may be further configured to tum-on either the WCM or the DWG at a predetermined frequency to fill a secondary water tank with water captured from air. In some implementations, the off-grid structure may include one or more of an off-grid tiny-house, or an off-grid greenhouse. In some implementations, an example system for providing water and conditioned air may further include one or more of a DC / DC converter or an inverter to interface with a solar panel (PV array) for providing electrical power to run the system.

[0033] In some implementations, an example control system may be configured to interface with a machine learning engine to optimize the operation of the system. In some implementations, the control system may be configured to interface with an app. In some implementations, the app may be configured to display one or more of the water level in the water tank, a water consumption rate of the off-grid structure over a predetermined time, the volume of water captured from air over a predetermined time, the outdoor relative humidity, the relative humidity inside the off-grid structure, or the temperature inside the off-grid structure. In some implementations, the WCM may include a variable speed blower to control the flow rate of outdoor air drawn into the WCM.

[0034] In some implementation, an example method for providing water and conditioned air to an off-grid structure, may include providing a water tank including a water level sensor, monitoring the water level in the tank using the water level sensor and if the water level falls below a predetermined water level set point triggering the operation of one or more water-from air capturing devices configured to capture water from outdoor air and managing the handling of conditioned air exiting the one or more water-from air capturing devices. In some implementations, conditioned air may be characterized by one or more of a temperature that is below the temperature of ambient air inside the off-grid structure or a relative humidity that is below the relative humidity of ambient air inside the off-grid structure.

[0035] In some implementation, triggering the operation of one or more water-from air capturing generators may include turning on a water condensing module (WCM) configured to condense water from outdoor air using a refrigeration cycle if the outdoor humidity (RHO) is greater than a predetermined humidity (RH) set point, and turning on desiccant-based water generator configured to remove water from outdoor air by adsorption-desorption cycle if the outdoor humidity (RHO) is equal to or lessthan a predetermined humidity (RH) set point. In some implementations, the predetermined humidity (RH) set point may be between about 30% RH and about 50% RH. In some implementations, the predetermined humidity (RH) set point may be between about 25% RH and about 35% RH. In some implementations, the predetermined RH set point may be about 30% RH.

[0036] In some implementations, an example method for providing water and conditioned air to an off-grid structure may further include monitoring the water consumption rate of the off-grid structure using an output signal of a water meter disposed in a water supply line to the off-grid structure, and if the water consumption rate exceeds a predetermined water consumption rate set point, turning on one or more of a water condensing module (WCM) configured to condense water from outdoor air using a refrigeration cycle, or a desiccant-based water generator (DWG) configured to remove water from outdoor air by using an adsorption-desorption cycle.

[0037] In some implementations, in an example method for providing water and conditioned air to an off-grid structure, managing the handling of conditioned air exiting the one or more water-from air capturing devices may include monitoring the ambient temperature inside the off-grid structure (Ti) and routing conditioned air to the off-grid structure if Ti is greater than a predetermined inside air temperature set point and bypassing the off-grid structure and venting conditioned air to the outside if Ti is equal to or less than the predetermined inside air temperature set point. In some implementations, the predetermined inside air temperature set point may be about 78 °F.

[0038] In some implementations, in an example method for providing water and conditioned air to an off-grid structure, managing the handling of conditioned air exiting the one or more water-from air capturing devices may include monitoring the ambient relative humidity inside the off-grid structure (RHi) and routing conditioned air to the off-grid structure if RHi is greater than a predetermined inside air relative humidity set point and bypassing the off-grid structure and venting conditioned air to the outside if RHi is equal to or less than the predetermined inside air relative humidity set point. In some implementations, the predetermined inside air relative humidity set point may be between about 50% RH and about 60% RH. In some implementations routing water from a rainwater catchment to the water tank if the water level in the tank falls below a predetermined water level set point of the waterlevel sensor. In some implementations, an example method for providing water and conditioned air to an off-grid structure may further include purifying the water prior to routing water to the from the water tank to the off-grid structure. In some implementations, an example method for providing water and conditioned air to an off-grid structure may further include filling a secondary water tank with water captured from air using one or more of the water-from air capturing devices.

[0039] In some implementations, an example system for providing water and conditioned air to an off-grid structure may include a water condensing module (WCM) configured to condense water from outdoor air and produce conditioned air in the process using a vapor-compression refrigeration cycle, a water tank including a water level sensor, wherein the water tank is disposed in fluid communication with the WCM, and a water supply line to the off-grid structure, and a control system configured to communicate with the water level sensor to monitor a water level in the water tank and if the water level in the water tank falls below a predetermined water level set point tum-on the WCM if the outdoor relative humidity (RHO) is greater than a predetermined relative humidity (RH) set point. In some implementations, the example system may include a battery bank, a solar panel array electrically coupled to the battery bank, and one or more inverters configured to charge the battery bank using power from the solar panel array and provide power to one or more of the off- grid structure or the WCM.

[0040] In some implementations, an example system for providing water and conditioned air to an off-grid structure may further include a water meter connected to the water supply line. The control system may be configured to calculate a water consumption rate of the off-grid structure using an output signal of the water meter. In some implementations, the control system may be further configured to turn-on the WCM if the water consumption rate exceeds a predetermined water consumption rate set point. In some implementations, an example system for providing water and conditioned air to an off-grid structure may further include a conditioned air supply line disposed between the WCM and the off-grid structure.

[0041] In some implementations, in an example system for providing water and conditioned air to an off-grid structure, the control system may be further configured to monitor the ambient temperature inside the off-grid structure (Ti) and route conditioned air from the WCM to the off-grid structure if Ti is greater than apredetermined inside air temperature set point and vent conditioned air to the outside if Ti is equal to or less than the predetermined inside air temperature set point. In some implementations, the predetermined inside air temperature set point is about 78 °F. In some implementations, the control system may be further configured to monitor the ambient relative humidity inside the off-grid structure (RHi) and route conditioned air from the WCM to the off-grid structure if RHi is greater than a predetermined inside air relative humidity set point; and bypass the off-grid structure and vent conditioned air to the outside if RHi is equal to or less than the predetermined inside air relative humidity set point. In some implementations, the predetermined inside air relative humidity set point may be between about 50% RH and about 60% RH.

[0042] In some implementations, in an example system for providing water and conditioned air to an off-grid structure, the control system may further be configured to operate a louvered vent disposed in the off-grid structure to vent air from the off- grid structure. In some implementations, the water tank may be further configured to receive water from a rainwater catchment disposed outside the off-grid structure.

[0043] In some implementations, an example system for providing water and conditioned air to an off-grid structure may further include one or more water purification units disposed in the WCM or between the water tank and the off-grid structure. In some other implementations, the WCM may include a WCM controller configured to operate the WCM, wherein the system controller may be disposed in bidirectional control and electrical communication with the WCM controller. In some implementations, the control system may be further configured to tum-on the WCM at a predetermined frequency to fill a secondary water tank with water captured from air. In some implementations, an example off-grid structure may include one or more of an off-grid tiny-house, or an off-grid greenhouse. In some implementations, an example system for providing water and conditioned air to an off-grid structure may further include one or more of a DC / DC converter or an inverter to interface with a solar panel (PV array) for providing electrical power to run the system.

[0044] In some implementations, in an example system for providing water and conditioned air to an off-grid structure, the control system may be configured to interface with a machine learning engine to optimize the operation of the system. The control system may be configured to interface with an app. In some implementationsthe app may be configured to display one or more of the water level in the water tank, a water consumption rate of the off-grid structure over a predetermined time, the volume of water captured from air over a predetermined time, the outdoor relative humidity, the relative humidity inside the off-grid structure, or the temperature inside the off-grid structure. In some implementations, the WCM may include a variable speed blower to control the flow rate of outdoor air drawn into the WCM.

[0045] Details of one or more implementations of the subject matter described in this disclosure are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features, aspects, and advantages will become apparent from the description, the drawings, and the claims. Note that the relative dimensions of the following figures may not be drawn to scale.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0046] Figure 1A shows a schematic diagram of an example system for harvesting water from air and supplying water and conditioned air to an off-grid structure, according to some implementations.

[0047] Figure IB shows a schematic diagram of a desiccant based water generator system, according to some implementations.

[0048] Figure 1C shows a schematic diagram of a desiccant based water generator system, according to some implementations.

[0049] Figure ID shows a schematic diagram of an example system for harvesting water from air and supplying water and conditioned air to an off-grid structure, according to some implementations.

[0050] Figure IE shows a schematic diagram of an example system for harvesting water from air using a water condensing module, according to some implementations.

[0051] Figure 2 shows a summary of example non-vapor compression technologies for harvesting water from air.

[0052] Figure 3A shows an illustrative flow chart of an example operation for providing water captured from air and conditioned air to an off-grid structure, according to some implementations.

[0053] Figure 3B shows a schematic diagram of an operation associated with improving water resiliency and power resiliency associated with an off-grid structure, according to some implementations

[0054] Figures 4A-4B show example layouts of an off-grid structure, according to some implementations.

[0055] Figure 5 shows a schematic diagram of an example system for harvesting water from air using multiple methods and supplying water and conditioned air to an off-grid structure, according to some implementations.

[0056] Like reference numbers and designations in the various drawings indicate like elements.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0057] The following description is directed to some example implementations for the purpose of describing the innovative aspects of this disclosure. However, a person having ordinary skill in the art will readily recognize that the teachings herein can be applied in a multitude of different ways. The described implementations can be implemented for a variety of applications and may be tailored to compensate for various performance-related deficiencies. As such, the disclosed implementations are not to be limited by the examples provided herein, but rather encompass all implementations contemplated by the attached claims. Additionally, well-known elements of the disclosure will not be described in detail or will be omitted so as not to obscure the relevant details of the disclosure.

[0058] Various aspects of the novel systems and methods are described more fully herein with reference to the accompanying drawings. These aspects are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the disclosure to those skilled in the art. Although some examples and aspects are described herein, many variations and permutations of these examples fall within the scope of the disclosure. Although some benefits and advantages of the various aspects are mentioned, the scope of the disclosure is not intended to be limited to benefits, uses, or objectives. The detailed description and drawings are merely illustrative of the disclosure rather than limiting, the scope of the disclosure being defined by the appended claims and equivalents thereof.

[0059] Figure 1A shows a schematic diagram of an example system 100A for harvesting water from air using multiple methods and supplying water and conditioned air to an off-grid structure, according to some implementations. An example off-grid structure 104 may include one or more of an off-grid house, an off-grid greenhouse, or an off-grid tiny-house. In some implementations, a tiny-house may be characterized by a gross living area of about 500 sq. ft. In some other implementations, a tiny-house may be characterized by a gross living area of less than about 500 sq. ft. System 100A may include a water condensing module (“WCM”) 101 configured to condense water from outdoor air and produce conditioned air in the process using a vapor-compression refrigeration cycle. System 100A may also include a desiccant-based water generator (“DWG”) 102 configured to capture water from outdoor air by adsorbing moisture in air using one or more desiccant beds. Water collected from one or more of WCM 101 or DWG 102 may be routed to water tank 103. Water tank 103 may include a level sensor 114 and may provide water to water supply line 113 connected to off-grid structure 104, depending on the water level in the tank 104. In some implementations, water from rainwater catchment 111 may also be routed to water tank 103 using a suitable pump (not shown for simplicity). Rainwater catchment 111 may be configured as a sump to collect and store surface water. Rainwater catchment 111 may also include any drum or plastic container for collecting rain and may be disposed at an elevation or on the roof of the off-grid structure. As shown in Figure 1, water tank 103 may be disposed in fluid communication with the WCM 101, DWG 102, and water supply line 113.

[0060] In some implementations, system 100A may include system controller 105 (also referred to herein as control system 105 which includes a system controller and other components generally associated with a control system). System controller 105 may be disposed in a control box or enclosure (not shown for simplicity) on the outside of the off-grid structure 104 or may be disposed in a control box disposed inside the off-grid structure 104. System controller 105 may be configured to receive and process a signal from outdoor humidity (“RHO”) sensor 106 or outdoor temperature (“To”) sensor 107. Outdoor humidity sensor 106 or temperature sensor 107 may be disposed on the outside surface of a wall of off-grid structure 104. System controller 105 may also be configured to receive and process a signal from water level sensor 114.

[0061] In some implementations, system controller 105 (also referred to herein as a control system including one or more processors) may be configured to monitor the water level in water tank 104. If the water levels falls below a predetermined water level set point (“Lsp”), system controller 105 may turn-on WCM 101 if the outdoorhumidity (“RHO”) measured using outdoor relative humidity sensor 106 is greater than a predetermined outdoor relative humidity setpoint (“RHo,Sp”). In some implementations, if the outdoor relative humidity measured using outdoor relative humidity sensor 106 is equal to or less than RHo,sp, system controller 105 may tum-on DWG 102.

[0062] In some implementations, a machine learning engine and / or one or more machine learning prediction models may be trained to optimize the operation of the central control system associated with an off-grid structure as described herein with respect to predicting water generation, power consumption, and air conditioning of structure 104B. Figure 3B shows a schematic diagram of an operation 300B associated with improving water resiliency and power resiliency associated with an off-grid structure, according to some implementations. Operation 300B may begin, at 320, by collecting input parameters related to water requirement and electrical power utilization of an occupant in an off-grid structure. Example input parameters may include qualitative data and / or quantitative data, and may include one or more of weather forecast data, water tank level, battery bank system charge status, water usage history, power consumption history, grid availability or grid resilience, or water supply expectation or energy utilization expectation of an occupant of an off-grid structure, or other similar non-limiting examples of input parameters. Other parameters may include historical operational details including frequency of running the DWG and / or the WCM water harvesting systems, or occupancy data related to the off-grid structure, data input by the user or occupant of off-grid structure 104B, or data associated with the one or more sensors with reference to any one of the water harvesting systems and methods as previously described herein.

[0063] In some implementations, a central control system including one or more processors and associated with the off-grid structure or the water harvesting systems may be configured to train one or more prediction models at 322, communicate with a database or data pool, and access and process historical raw data or historical processed data. Weather forecasts may include data from global weather models. Historical data may include recent historical data, spanning, for example, from about a day, about a week, or about a month, or historical data over a pre-determined period including seasonal data. Occupant water demand and / or power demand expectation or energy utilization expectation may require the occupant to input expectations usinga user interface or an application software (also referred to herein as an “app”) that is configured to communicate with the central control system associated with the off- grid structure. Occupant expectations may include information related to expected number of occupants including guests over a predetermined interval or periods of non-occupancy (for example, vacation periods), which may be input by the occupant using the app or other user interface.

[0064] In some implementations, operation 300B may continue at 321 with examining input parameters collected at 320. Examining input parameters at 321 may include curating input parameters using one or more statistical methods or models. Operation 300B may continue at 323 with predicting water and / or power demand or energy utilization forecast associated with the off-grid structure, using predetermined protocols and based on the predictive data from one or more prediction models. In some instances, machine learning regressive algorithms and prediction models configured to process qualitative and quantitative data collected at 320 may be configured to reduce predictive statistical errors using methods known to those skilled in the art. Water demand forecast or power demand forecast, or energy utilization forecasts may include short-range, medium-range, or long-range demand forecasts. In some instances, water demand forecast and / or power demand forecast may include 1- day demand forecasts, 3-day demand forecasts, 7-day demand forecasts, 30-day demand forecasts, or 90-day demand forecasts, or other similar non-limiting demand forecasts associated with predetermined intervals.

[0065] At 324, operation 300B may continue with determining whether water requirements and / or power requirements or energy utilization over a predetermined occupancy interval can be met using prevailing water tank level, battery charge status, water harvesting rates, solar power generation rates, and similar status parameters associated with the off-grid structure. In some aspects, the one or more models at 322 may be trained to output a predictive score (for example on a 0-10 scale) at 324 indicative of water availability or battery energy capacity, and inform the occupant of structure 304B using a suitable user interface. In some aspects, the one or more models at 322 may be trained to respond, for example output a “Yes” or “No” answer, in response to a query initiated by the occupant related to water availability or battery energy capacity qualified by an appropriate statistical likelihood associated with each outcome or response. Suitable algorithms, regression algorithms, or calculationprotocols may be used to respond to the query raised at 322 related to meeting water and / or power requirements. As previously described, an artificial intelligence / machine learning engine (AI / ML) engine and suitable neural networks may be configured to improve predictive capabilities of the central control system associated with the off-grid structure, including algorithms related to operation 300B, to determine whether water requirements and / or power requirements or energy utilization can be met based on prevailing status or ambient conditions.

[0066] At 325, operation 300B may continue with generating a water production schedule and / or energy utilization schedule, which may be implemented by the central control system and its one or more processors associated with the off-grid structure at 326. Central control system may include one or more controllers, communication components, local data storage components, and other components commonly known to those skilled in the art for executing a computer method as described in operation 300B.

[0067] At 324, in the event water requirement and / or power requirement cannot be met based on prevailing water supply and or battery system charge status, water generation forecasts, or power generation forecasts, operation 300B may continue at328 with recalculating or re-determining water consumption and / or power consumption rates to ensure that the occupant’ s needs are met over a predetermined occupancy interval. At 327, operation 300B may inform the occupant about revised water supply or power availability and may suggest water conservation or power conservation or energy conservation schemes. In the example operation 300B described above, an occupant may include an administrator occupant associated with the off-grid structure. Alternately, in some implementations, operation 300B at 329 may examine occupant generated queries and may output one or more options associated with water supply or battery energy utilization for the occupant to select. In some aspects, operation 300B at 329 may examine queries from the occupant at329 and revise the one or more options presented to the occupant associated with water supply or battery energy utilization working in concert with the one or more prediction models at 322. The one or more prediction models may be re-trained at 322. This interaction with the occupant may be viewed as a “negotiation” operation. In some instances, operation 300B at 329 may include asking an occupant what behavioral changes they would like to implement for example, whether they wouldtake fewer showers, short showers, decrease clothes washing, stop using the clothes dryer, or other similar queries if the battery bank charge status is low. An example “negotiation” may include deciding which combination of conservation measures are the occupants willing to commit to mitigate the risk of a water supply outage event or battery charge depletion event.

[0068] In some implementations, the predetermined outdoor relative humidity set point (“RHo,sp”) may be between about 30% RH and about 50% RH. In some implementations, the outdoor predetermined relative humidity set point (“RHo,sp”) may be between about 25% RH and about 35% RH. In some instances, when RHo,spincludes a humidity range as described above, system controller 105 may be configured to turn on both the WCM and DWG for water capture from outdoor air, check, for example, if the water level in storage tank 104 is below a predetermined water level set point (Lsp).

[0069] In some implementations, the predetermined outdoor relative humidity set point (“RHo,sP”) may be about 30% RH. That is, RHo,spmay be defined by a discrete value. Accordingly, system controller 105 may be configured to tum-on the WCM 101 if outdoor relative humidity RHOis greater than about 30% RH. When RHOis equal to or less than about 30% RH, system controller 105 may be configured to tum- on DWG 102. Switching valve 108 may be disposed in intake air duct 115 to route outdoor air to either WCM 101 or DWG 102. An example switching valve 108 may include a solenoid valve that may be operable by system controller 105. When system controller 105 is configured to turn on both the WCM and DWG for water capture from outdoor air as previously described, WCM 101 and DWG 102 may be provided with dedicated outdoor air ducts (not shown for simplicity) and switching valve 108 may not be needed.

[0070] Accordingly, system controller 105 may be configured to operate as a smart controller to ensure water is captured from air in an energy efficient manner, in particular, in off-grid structures that may be powered using one or more of solar panels, battery banks, or fuel cells. In some instances, as a foundational operating principle, system controller 105 may be configured to ensure that water tank 103 has a sufficient water volume to meet the water requirements of the end user in the off-grid structure 104.

[0071] In some implementations, a water meter 114 may be disposed in water supply line 113 to monitor the water consumption of an end user in off-grid structure 104. Water meter 116 may be configured to output a signal indicative of water flow rate or cumulative water consumption rate to system controller 105. System controller 105 may be configured to calculate a water consumption rate of the off-grid structure 104 using the output signal of the water meter. When system controller 105 detects a higher than average or normal water consumption rate (which may be referred to as a predetermined water consumption rate), system controller 105 may be configured to tum-on one or more of the WCM 101 or DWG 102 depending on outdoor humidity (RHO), as previously described herein. As such, system controller 105 may be configured to predict a possible shortfall in water in storage tank 103 and take preventive action by turning on one or more water-from-air capture devices as a smart controller. Water level sensor 114 may include one or more of a float sensor, a pressure sensor (measuring the “head” or depth of the water column, an acoustic sensor (which may be used for measuring the depth of air in the head space above the water column), or an optical sensor (such as a camera observing markings on the side wall). A camera may be an inexpensive option and may provide additional data such as an increase in the stored water’s turbidity.

[0072] Outdoor air may be drawn into evaporator 117 of the WCM 101 using blower 121, which may be a variable speed blower. Outdoor air may be filtered to remove particulate matter, volatile organics, and other air borne impurities using suitable filters (not shown for simplicity) prior to entering evaporator 117. Dry and cold air (also referred to as conditioned air in this disclosure) exiting evaporator 117 may be routed to off-grid structure 104 using air duct 122. In some implementations, system controller 105 may be configured to monitor the ambient temperature (Ti) inside the off-grid structure 104 using temperature sensor 124 and route conditioned air from WCM 101 or DWG 102 to off-grid structure 104 if Ti is greater than a predetermined inside air temperature set point and vent conditioned air to the outside if Ti is equal to or less than the predetermined inside air temperature set point. In some implementations, a damper valve 109 operable by system controller 105 may be used to switch between directing the flow of conditioned air into off-grid structure 104 and venting the conditioned air as exhaust air. In some implementations, the predetermined inside air temperature set point may be about 78 °F.

[0073] In some implementations, conditioned air may be used to cool outdoor air drawn into evaporator 117 using heat exchanger 123 before venting the conditioned air out as exhaust air. This heat exchange process may reduce the energy requirements of WCM 101 or increase the water production rate. Accordingly, system 100A may provide for capturing water from air from multiple sources in an energy efficient and in an environmentally responsible manner.

[0074] In some implementations, system controller 105 may be configured to monitor the ambient relative humidity (RHi) inside the off-grid structure 104 using relative humidity sensor 125 and route conditioned air from WCM 101 to off-grid structure 104 if RHi is greater than a predetermined inside air relative humidity set point, and vent conditioned air to the outside if RHi is equal to or less than the predetermined inside air relative humidity set point. As previously described, damper valve 109 operable by system controller 105 may be used to switch between directing the flow of conditioned air into off-grid structure 104 and bypassing off-grid structure 104 and venting the conditioned air as exhaust air. In some implementations, the predetermined inside air humidity set point may be between about 50% RH and about 60% RH. In some other implementation, conditioned air exiting heat exchanger 123 may be at a temperature greater than the temperature of conditioned air 122, and accordingly, may be routed to structure 104 (not shown for simplicity) to warm, or manage the temperature, inside the off-grid structure 104.

[0075] In some implementations, system controller 105 may be configured to operate one or more louvered vents 110 disposed in the off-grid structure 104 to maintain the pressure inside off-grid structure 104 by venting air to the outdoor. In some implementations, the temperature and relative humidity inside off-grid structure 104 may be controlled by modulating the volume of air vented out through the one or more louvered vents.

[0076] As previously described, water from rainwater catchment 111 may also be routed to water tank 103 using a suitable pump (not shown for simplicity). Rainwater catchment 111 may be configured as a sump to collect and store surface water. Rainwater catchment 111 may also include any drum or plastic container for collecting rain. In some implementations, rainwater-catchment may be disposed on the roof of the off-grid structure or at an elevation on the sides of the off-grid structureto generate a water head in the catchment and to enable water to flow by gravity into tank 103.

[0077] In some implementations, system 100A may include a water purification unit 112 disposed between water tank 103 and the off-grid structure 104. In some implementations, WCM 101 and DWG 102 may each include a water purification unit. Example water purification units may include one or more of a multi-stage filter system including a microfiltration stage, a nanofiltration stage, and activated carbonbased filter, ozone treatment, chlorination, mixed oxidants, or ultraviolet radiation (“UV”) treatment. In some implementations, water may be purified or sterilized or “polished” downstream of tank 103 by one or more UV treatment, reverse osmosis, or using one or more adsorbent filters to render water suitable for use by the end-user in off-grid structure 104. In some implementations, an example water purification unit may include one or more of an activated charcoal trap, a carbon trap, or a particulate filter.

[0078] In some implementations, system 100A may include a WCM controller configured to operate the WCM, and a DWG controller configured to operate the DWG. System controller 105 may be disposed in bidirectional control and electrical communication with both the WCM controller and the DWG controller. In some implementations, system 100A may further include one or more of a DC / DC converter or an inverter (not shown for simplicity) to interface with a solar panel associated with the off-grid structure for providing electrical power to run the system. Additional inverters may be incorporated to provide AC power at voltages needed for various appliances and equipment. A battery monitoring system may be incorporated to optimize the performance, safety, and longevity of the battery system.

[0079] In some implementations, one of more off-grid structures 104 as described herein may be laid out in the form of an off-grid community village. The example community village may include a community water storage tank configured to hold water in reserve and provide water supply to each off-grid structure in the village, on an as-needed basis. In this implementation, the system controller 105 of each system 100A associated with each off-grid structure may determine if the water tank 103 of each off-grid structure is filled to a predetermined volume or is unable to be filled using WCM 101 or DWG 102. In some implementations, the system controller 105 may tum-on one or more of the WCM 101 or DWG 102 at a predetermined frequencyand to route harvested water to the community storage tank until the community water storage tank is replenished or filled to a predetermined level or volume. In some implementations, each off-grid structure may include one or more reserve water tanks for storing excess water.

[0080] In some implementations, condenser 116 may be cooled using water from water tank 103 to generate hot / warm water for an end user in off-grid structure 104. Hot / warm water may be routed to the water supply line 113 or may be routed to a standalone hot / warm water supply line (not shown for simplicity).

[0081] In some implementations, blower 121 may include a variable speed blower. System controller 105 may be configured to control the speed of blower 121 and subsequently, the air flow rate into evaporator 117. A variable speed blower affords additional flexibility and energy efficiency to ensure that sufficient water is available in water tank 103 to meet the requirements of an end-user on off-grid structure 104, and in an energy efficient manner.

[0082] Figure IB shows a schematic diagram 100B of a desiccant based water generator system, according to some implementations. In some implementations, desiccant-based water generator (“DWG”) 102B may include one or more beds of desiccant materials to capture water from outdoor air. During an adsorption cycle, outdoor air feed 194B may be filtered using filter 192B and routed to the one or more desiccant beds in DWG 102B through valve 108B when triggered by certain predetermined conditions. As previously described, in some implementations, a system controller (referring to controller 105 in Figure 1A) may be configured to communicate with a water level sensor in tank 104B. If the water level in the water tank falls below a predetermined water level set point, the system controller may turnon the WCM 101B if the outdoor humidity (RHO) is greater than a predetermined humidity (RH) set point and tum-on the DWG 102B if the outdoor humidity (RHO) is equal to or less than a predetermined humidity (RH) set point.

[0083] Outdoor air feed 194B may be filtered using filter 192B to trap dust, microplastics, polyfluoroalkyl substances (“PFAS”) other particulates, and other contaminants in air. In some implementations, as previously discussed, outdoor air may be cooled by heat exchange with conditioned air 122B using heat exchanger 123B, when conditioned air bypasses the off-grid structure 104B. When the one or desiccant beds are saturated with water, the beds may be heated during a desorptioncycle to desorb water as steam. During this process, the one or more desiccant beds are regenerated and may be available to adsorb water from air during the next adsorption cycle. Steam may be condensed at ambient pressure and routed to water tank 103.

[0084] In some implementations, DWG 102B may include a desiccant rotor, which may also be referred to as a desiccant drying wheel. A rotating structure or rotor may be packed with desiccant material and is rotated slowly at a predetermined rotation rate using a motor. In some aspects, a predetermined rotation rate may be between about 5 revolutions an hour and about 15 revolutions per hour. The rotor may pass through a low-temperature water adsorption zone and a high temperature water desorption zone. The desorption zone may be heated using air as described below. Example desiccant rotors are sold by Munters Corp. (Amesbury, MA), which may be modified for water recovery.

[0085] In some other implementations, captured water using DWG 102B may be desorbed using hot air generated by heating outdoor air for desorption 195B using heater 190B. Air for desorption 195B (also referred to herein as desiccant reactivation air) may be heated to about 100 °C using heater 190B. Outdoor air for desorption 195B may be filtered using filter 193B to trap dust, microplastics, polyfluoroalkyl substances (“PFAS”) other particulates, and other contaminants in air. Heater 190B may include an electrical resistance heater. In some aspects, heater 190B may be energized using solar power (not shown for simplicity) generated using a photovoltaic (“PV”) system included in the off-grid structure. In some other instances, outdoor air for desorption 195B may be heated using thermal energy provided by a heat transfer fluid heated using solar energy produced by a photovoltaic system panel or a solar concentrator system. In some instances, an example solar concentrator system may be used to provide hot heat transfer fluid to heat outdoor air for desorption 195B to DWGs associated with each off-grid structure in a community or village including several off-grid structures. Example heat transfer fluid may include one or more of organic liquids or water. The heat transfer fluid may be circulated through a bed of phase change materials (“PCMs”) and are known to those skilled in the art. In some instances, desiccant reactivation air 195B may be heated using hot air exiting the WCM module 101 (with reference to Figure 1A) after coolingthe refrigerant condenser 116. A residential scale solar-powered hot water heater based on a PCM is marketed by Sunamp Ltd. (Scotland, UK).

[0086] In some other instances, the thermal energy storage media may include one or more phase change materials (PCM) configured to store solar energy as thermal energy. The example thermal energy storage may be exposed directly to sunlight directed to the storage using, for example, solar collectors or solar concentrators. In some instances, solar energy may be indirectly transferred to the thermal energy storage using a heat transfer fluid, which may be heated using solar energy. In some other instances, heater 190B may be configured as a heat exchanger to transfer heat from a hot heat transfer fluid that is heated using a thermal energy storage to the desiccant reactivation air feed.

[0087] Water carried by reactivation air 195B exiting DWG 102B may be condensed in air- cooled condenser 19 IB and condensed water may be routed to water tank 103B. Accordingly, a refrigerant system may not be needed to condense water from air exiting DWG 102B. In some instances, a water knock-out pot 1109B may be disposed between condenser 191B and water tank 103B to separate water from reactivation air exiting condenser 19 IB. Reactivation air exiting the water knock-out pot may be vented to the atmosphere. However, this air is saturated with water vapor and accordingly, may be fed to the WCM air inlet through valve or louver 1108B. In some implementations, when both WCM 101B and DWG 102B are in operation, air feed to the WCM 101B includes the reactivation air exiting the water knock-out pot 1109B via valve or louver 1108B. Accordingly, outdoor air 104B may not be routed to WCM 10 IB when WCM 10 IB and DWG 102B are in operation.

[0088] In some other instances, dry air 196B exiting DWG 102B may be routed as conditioned air 122B to the off-grid structure 104B through valve or louver 111 IB or may be used as to condense the air in the air-cooled condenser 19 IB. In some other instances, for example, when warm air is not needed to manage the temperature in structure 104B, dry air 196B, which may be typically at a temperature above ambient temperature, may be vented out. In some implementations, system controller 105 may be configured to monitor the ambient relative humidity (RHi) inside the off-grid structure 104B and route conditioned air 122B from WCM 101B to off-grid structure 104B through valve or louver 109B if RHi is greater than a predetermined inside air relative humidity set point, or vent conditioned air to the outside if RHi is equal to or 1less than the predetermined inside air relative humidity set point. In some implementations, prior to venting, conditioned air 122B may be used to chill outdoor air feed 194B using heat exchanger 123B. In some other implementation, conditioned air exiting heat exchanger 123B may be at a temperature greater than the temperature of conditioned air 122B and may be routed to structure 104B through valve 1110B to manage the temperature inside the off-grid structure 104B.

[0089] In some implementations, solar energy may be used to heat the one or more saturated desiccant beds. DWG 102 or 102B may include a DWG controller to manage the adsorption-desorption cyclic process. One or more desiccant beds may be in standby mode or may be cooled prior to an adsorption cycle to capture water. In some other implementations, about 90% of the electrical energy required to operate the DWG system 100B may be consumed by heater 190B. As previously described, system controller 105 may be configured to operate as a smart controller to ensure water is captured from air in an energy efficient manner in off-grid structures that may be powered using one or more of solar PV panels, battery banks, or fuel cells. Accordingly, off-grid structure 104B may include a battery system electrically connected to a PV power system to charge the battery system during periods of sunlight. An example battery system may include lithium-ion batteries, or batteries that operate on any other chemistry. Additionally, off-grid structure 104B may include other power electronic components including inverters, DC / DC converters, and other similar components that are commonly included in a residential off-grid power generator.

[0090] In some implementations, off-grid structure may include a central control system that is configured to manage water generation system controller 105 (with reference to Figure 1A), a power management system controller considering various inputs including one or more of ambient temperature, ambient relative humidity, weather forecast, water tank level (including the level of water in a community tank, if applicable), battery system charge level, water and power consumption at the off- grid structure, occupant loading, and other similar non-limiting examples of input data.

[0091] In some implementations, system 100A may include one or more heat recuperation systems and methods to reduce the power consumption associated with off-grid structure 104. Figure 1C shows a schematic diagram 100C of a desiccantbased water generator system, according to some implementations. As can be seen, air for desorption 195B (also referred to herein as desiccant reactivation air) may be routed through recuperator 197B disposed between DWG 102B and air-cooled condenser 191B. Accordingly, desiccant reactivation air may be pre-heated prior to entry into heater 190B by heat exchange with the water containing air stream exiting DWG 102B.

[0092] In some implementations, system 100A may include separate outdoor air feed streams to the WCM and the DWG. Figure ID shows a schematic diagram 100D of an example system for harvesting water from air using multiple methods and supplying water and conditioned air to an off-grid structure, according to some implementations. As can be seen, outdoor air feed 194B may be routed to WCM 101B through shut-off valve 198B. Outdoor air feed 194B may be filtered using filter 192B. Similarly, outdoor air feed 194B’ may be routed to DWG 102B through shutoff valve 198B’. Outdoor air feed 194B’ may be filtered using filter 192B’. System controller 105 (with reference to Figure 1A) may be used to manage water recovery from the WCM 101B or the DWG 102B considering various inputs including one or more of ambient temperature, ambient pressure, ambient relative humidity, weather forecast, water tank level (including the level of water in a community tank, if applicable), battery system charge level, water and power consumption at the off-grid structure, and other similar non-limiting examples of input data.

[0093] In some aspects, both the WCM 101B and the DWG 102B may be operated in parallel, for example, when relative humidity of outside air may be in a “grey area” that may justify water collection from both WCM 101B and DWG 102B. As discussed below in detail with reference to Figure 3, in some instances, a predetermined humidity (RHO,sp) set point may trigger the operation of one or both of WCM 101B or DWG 102B. In some examples, a predetermined humidity set point (RHo,Sp) may be between about 30% RH and about 50% RH. In some instances, the predetermined humidity (RHO,sp) set point may be between about 25% RH and about 35% RH. In some instances, when RHo,spmay be defined by a humidity range as described above, triggering the operation of one or more water-from-air capture devices at 305 may include turning-on both the WCM and DWG for water capture from outdoor air.

[0094] In some implementations, when the outside air relative humidity (RHO) is equal to or less than a predetermined relative humidity set point, both the WCM 101B and DWG 102B may be used to capture water from air. As previously noted, air feed to the WCM 101B may include the reactivation air exiting the water knock-out pot 1109B via valve or louver 1108B. Accordingly, outdoor air 104B may not be routed to WCM 101B when WCM 101B and DWG 102B are in operation. However, if the battery system capacity associated with the off-grid structure 104B cannot support operation of WCM 101B, then only the DWG may be used when the outside air relative humidity (RHO) is equal to or less than a predetermined relative humidity set point.

[0095] In some other implementations, when the outside air relative humidity (RHO) is greater than a predetermined relative humidity set point, both the WCM 101B and DWG 102B may be used to capture water from air. In some instances, depending on the volume of water in the water tank as indicated by a water level 114 (with reference to Figure 1A), only the WCM 101B may be used to capture water from air and / or provide conditioned 122B air to off-grid structure 104B. When only the WCM 101B is in operation (and not DWG 102B), outside air 194B is supplied to WCM 101B through valve or louver 1108B.

[0096] In some implementations, water from water tank 103B (instead of air) may be used to cool the water containing desiccant reactivation air stream exiting recuperator 197B. Accordingly, water may be warmed or heated prior to be routed to off-grid structure 104B.

[0097] In some other implementations, one or more recuperators and thermal efficiency methods may be used or implemented with respect to WCM 10 IB to reduce the electrical load, typically the compressor electrical power requirement, of WCM 101B or increase the amount of water harvested from a unit volume of air or unit of energy (kWh) in the example systems described above for harvesting water from air. In some instances, as shown in Figure ID, outdoor air feed 194B may be cooled by conditioned air 122B using heat exchanger 123B prior to routing to WCM 101B.

[0098] Figure IE shows a schematic diagram 100E of an example system for harvesting water from air using a water condensing module, according to some implementations. As can be seen, recuperator 117’ may be disposed upstream ofexpansion valve 119 and may be configured to cool and / or partially condense refrigerant vapor exiting evaporator 117 by heat exchange with the refrigerant scheme exiting the expansion valve 119. Other details related to an example system for harvesting water from air was previously described with reference to Figure 1A. In some implementations, condenser 116 may be configured to be more thermally efficient than those found in residential air conditioning systems. For example, in some implementations, a heat exchanger may be used to recover heat from air leaving fan or blower 120. Warm or hot air leaving condenser 116 may be routed to desorb water from DWG 102B (with reference to Figures 1B-1D). Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the various schematic diagrams described herein are shown by way of example only, and that other modifications or variations or combinations of heat exchange schemes may exist without departing from the scope and spirit of the present implementations.

[0099] Accordingly, all or a portion of the conditioned air 122 or 122B exiting the WCM, which may be at a temperature below ambient temperature, may be used to cool one or more of filtered outdoor air feed entering the WCM, or cool filtered outdoor air feed entering the DWG, or itself be routed to the off-grid structure. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the example schematic diagrams for harvesting water for air described herein may include one or more air blowers, temperature sensors, humidity sensors, and other instrumentation and components, which are not shown in the schematic diagrams for simplicity. For example, in some implementations, outdoor air feed may be supplied to one or more of a WCM or a DWG using an appropriately sized air blower and filter, but at different flow rates managed using one or more flow splitters and / or louvers.

[0100] In some instances, water supply to the off-grid structure may be heated using an electrical resistance heater (not shown in the schematic diagrams disclosed herein for simplicity). In some aspects, an example water heater may be energized using solar power (not shown for simplicity) generated using a photovoltaic (“PV”) system included in the off-grid structure. In some other instances, water supply may be heated using thermal energy provided by a heat transfer fluid heated using solar energy produced by a photovoltaic system panel or a solar concentrator system. In some instances, an example solar concentrator system may be used to provide hot heat transfer fluid to heat water associated with each off-grid structure in a community orvillage including several off-grid structures. Example heat transfer fluid may include one or more of organic liquids, water, or phase change materials (“PCMs”) and are known to those skilled in the art. In some other instances, water supply to the off-grid structure may be heated using hot air exiting the condenser of the WCM.

[0101] In some implementations, grey water from off-grid structure 104 may be treated and routed to water tank 103 or a dedicated recycled water tank. Grey water generally includes domestic wastewater except waste water from toilets. Accordingly, the plumbing system in off-grid structure 104 may be configured to separate grey water from blackwater (wastewater from toilets). Grey water may be treated using ultrafiltration systems, which are known to those skilled in the art, and recycled. Recovering and treating grey water is attractive because if often requires less energy than harvesting water from air.

[0102] Example desiccant materials for use in DWG 102B may include one or more of silica gel, zeolites, or metal organic framework (“MOF”) materials. Sultan et al. (2021) provides a review of various desiccant materials for capturing water from air. The authors report that MOF materials such as MOF- 841 may be used to harvest water from the atmospheric air even at low relative humidity of 5% RH to 35% RH with a water adsorption capacity of greater than 40%. MOF- 841 is a zirconium-based MOF that is stable under cyclic conditions and may be regenerated at room temperature. The publication by Sultan et al. (as cited in the reference section of this disclosure) is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. U.S. Pat. Pub. No. 2021 / 0106946 discloses system and methods for generating liquid water from air using desiccant materials where liquid water production is optimized based, at least in part, on measurements of one or more of an ambient air temperature, ambient air relative humidity, and a level of solar insolation. Solar insolation refers to the amount of solar radiation reaching a particular area.

[0103] In some implementations, WCM 101 may include a vapor-compression cycle refrigeration system. Accordingly, WCM 101 may include compressor 118, evaporator 117, expansion valve 119, and condenser 116 disposed in a closed loop. Compressor 118 may compress a refrigerant from a saturated vapor state to a superheated vapor state. Condenser 116 may then condense the refrigerant to a saturated liquid state. Condenser 116 may be cooled by outdoor air to remove the heat of compression using fan 120. While flowing through expansion valve 119, therefrigerant may flash into a dual vapor-liquid phase mixture. In evaporator 117, the refrigerant is heated using outdoor air and returns to a saturated vapor state. During this cyclical process, the external surfaces of evaporator 117 will become cold. As moist outdoor air contacts evaporator 117, which is maintained at about the dew point of outdoor air, moisture will condense on the external surfaces of evaporator 117.Condensed water may be collected in a pan (not shown for simplicity) and then routed to water tank 103. Outdoor air may be drawn into evaporator 117 using blower 121. Outdoor air may be filtered to remove particulate matter, volatile organics, and other air borne impurities using suitable filters (not shown for simplicity) prior to entering evaporator 117. Dry and cold air (also referred to as conditioned air in this disclosure) exiting evaporator 117 may be routed to off-grid structure 104 using air duct 122.

[0104] In some implementations, WCM 101 may include the water-from-air Hydropack generators sold by Aquaria. Under certain conditions, the Hydropack water generators may produce up to 260 gallons per day of water. In other implementations, WCM 101 may include the atmospheric water generator Tsunami- T500 and similar products sold by Tsunami Products, Inc. (Midland, TX).

[0105] Vapor compression cycles use a hydroflurocarbon (“HFC”) refrigerant, which negatively impacts climate change when released into the atmosphere. Various technologies including membrane heat pumps are being evaluated as potential alternatives to vapor compression technologies. Figure 2 (Goetzler et al., 2014) shows a summary 200 of non-vapor compression technologies for harvesting water from air. WCM 101 may include any one of these technologies to harvest water from outdoor air and to also produce conditioned air to off-grid structure 104. The publication by Goetzler et al. (as cited in the reference section of this disclosure) is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

[0106] Figure 3A shows an illustrative flow chart of operation 300A for providing water and conditioned air to an off-grid structure, according to some implementations. In example operation 300A, the off-grid structure may include one or more of an off- grid house, an off-grid greenhouse, or an off-grid mini-house. Operation 300A may be implemented using a central control system that is configured to manage water generation system controller 105 (with reference to Figure 1A), a power management system controller considering various inputs including one or more of ambienttemperature, ambient pressure, ambient relative humidity, weather forecast, water tank level (including the level of water in a community tank, if applicable), battery system charge level, water and power consumption at the off-grid structure, and other similar non-limiting examples of input data.

[0107] In some instances, operation 300A may begin at 301 with providing a water tank including a water level sensor to each off-grid structure. An example water tank may be made of polyethylene, stainless steel, or any other suitable non-corrosive material. An example water tank may be disposed as an overhead tank or may be disposed at ground level, or at a nominal elevation above ground level. At 302, operation 300A may continue with monitoring the water level in the water tank by receiving and processing a signal from the water level sensor disposed in the water tank using an example system controller as previously described herein. System controller 105 (referring to Figure 1 in this disclosure), may be configured to receive a signal from the water level sensor 114 continuously or at predetermined intervals. At 303, operation 300A continues with determining whether the water level in the water tank is below a pre-determined water level sensor set point.

[0108] In some instances, at 304, operation 300A may continue with determining whether the water consumption rate, as measured using a water meter disposed in the water supply line to the off-grid structure, as previously described herein, is greater than a pre-determined water consumption rate set-point. In some instances, if the water level in the water tank is below a pre-determined water level sensor set point or the water consumption rate is greater than the water consumption rate set point, operation 300A continues at 305 by triggering or tuming-on one or more water-from- air capture devices, as previously disclosed herein.

[0109] In some implementations, triggering the operation of one or more water- from-air capture devices at 305 may include selecting, at 311, between one or more of the water- from- air capture devices based on the outdoor relative humidity (“RHO”). In some instances, if RHOis greater than a predetermined outdoor relative humidity set point (RHO,sp), selecting at 311 may include tuming-on at 312a water condensing module (“WCM”), as previously described herein. In some instances, instances, if RHOis equal to or less than a predetermined outdoor relative humidity set point (RHO, sP), selecting at 311 may include turning-on at 313a desiccant-based water generator(“DWG”), as previously described herein. Operation 300A may continue at 312’ with routing captured water using the WCM or DWG to the water tank.

[0110] In some instances, the predetermined humidity (RHO,sp) set point may be between about 30% RH and about 50% RH. In some instances, the predetermined humidity (RHO, sp) set point is between about 25% RH and about 35% RH. In some instances, when RHo,spmay be defined by a humidity range as described above, triggering the operation of one or more water-from-air capture devices at 305 may include turning-on both the WCM and DWG for water capture from outdoor air (not shown in Figure 3 A for simplicity). This example implementation of turning on both the WCM and DWG is not illustrated in Figure 300A but is within the scope of operation 300A. As previously described herein, operation 300A may continue at 312’ with routing captured water using one or more of the WCM or DWG to the water tank.

[0111] In some implementations, the predetermined outdoor humidity set point (“RHo,sP”) may be about 30% RH. That is, RHo,spmay be defined by a discrete value. Accordingly, operation 300A may tum-on a WCM if outdoor humidity RHois greater than about 30% RH, the example outdoor humidity set point. When RHOis equal to or less than about 30% RH, the example, outdoor humidity set point, operation 300A may tum-on a DWG. As previously described herein, operation 300A may continue with routing captured water using the WCM or DWG to the water tank at 312’.

[0112] As previously described, one or more water-from-air capture devices including a WCM or DWG also outputs conditioned air, in addition to water. For the purposes of this disclosure, conditioned air may be characterized by one or more of a temperature that is below the temperature of ambient air inside the off-grid structure, or a relative humidity that is below the relative humidity of ambient air inside the off- grid structure. Referring to Figure 3, example operation 300A may include managing the handling of conditioned air at 306-310. Example operation 300A may include monitoring at 306 the ambient temperature inside the off-grid structure (Ti) and routing conditioned air to the off-grid structure at 307 if Ti is greater than a predetermined inside air temperature set point (“Ti,sp”), and bypassing the off-grid structure and venting conditioned air outdoors at 308 if Ti is equal to or less than Ti,sp.In some implementations, the predetermined inside air temperature set point may be about 78 °F.

[0113] In some implementations, example operation 300A may include monitoring, at 306, the ambient relative humidity inside the off-grid structure (RHi) and routing conditioned air to the off-grid structure at 307 if RHi is greater than a predetermined inside air relative humidity set point (“RHi,sp”), and bypassing the off-grid structure and venting conditioned air outdoors at 308 if RHi is equal to or less than RHi,sp. In some implementations, the predetermined inside air relative humidity set point may be between about 50% RH and about 60% RH

[0114] In some implementations, when conditioned air is routed to the off-grid structure at 307, operation 300A may continue with modulating one or more louvered vents disposed in the off-grid structure at 309 to balance the ambient pressure inside the off-grid structure and to control the relative humidity and temperature inside the off-grid structure.

[0115] In some implementations, instead of venting conditioned air outdoors at 310, operation 300A may continue with using conditioned air to cool outdoor air intake into the one or more water-air-air capture devices, using a suitable heat exchanger. For example, as shown in Figure 1, conditioned air may be used to cool the outdoor air intake using heat exchanger 123.

[0116] In some implementations, one or more occupancy sensors may be disposed in off-grid structure 104 and may provide occupancy data to the central control system associated with the off-grid structure to process and forecast a demand for air conditioning in the off-grid structure. For example, if the structure is unoccupied, air conditioning of the off-grid structure may be deprioritized to conserve stored energy in the battery system associated with the off-grid structure. Occupancy sensors may include one or more of motion detection sensors, carbon dioxide sensors, microphones, optical sensors, or cameras. Occupancy may also be detected using cell phone use or movement by one or more occupants of the off-grid structure. Cell phones and imaging techniques may be used to identify specific occupants, for example, the primary owner or occupant, or a control system administrator (an “administrator occupant.”) associated with the off-grid structure. These tools may also be used to detect the presence of pets inside the structure.

[0117] In some implementations, example method 300A implemented using a central control system associated with an off-grid structure for providing water and conditioned air to the off-grid structure may include feedback from a machine learning engine associated with the central control system. An example machine learning engine may be configured to process and feed data related to one or more of water harvesting rates, water utilization rates, energy production rates, energy consumption rates, temperature, humidity, or energy storage capacity to the central control system. As previously discussed, an example central control system may be configured to implement one or more methods (including, for example, method 300A) for optimizing energy utilization and water harvesting in an off-grid structure.Accordingly, an example central control system and associated methods may improve medium or long-term resiliency of energy supply and water supply for an occupant of an off-grid structure described herein.

[0118] In some implementations, operation 300A may continue with purifying water collected in the water tank. In some implementations, water may be purified or sterilized downstream by one or more of ozone treatment, chlorination, ultraviolet radiation (“UV”) treatment, reverse osmosis, fluoride treatment, or using one or more adsorbent filters to render water suitable for use by the end-user in the off-grid structure.

[0119] In some implementations, operation 300A may include routing water from a rainwater catchment to the water tank at 314 if the water level in the tank falls below a predetermined water level set point of the water level sensor. In some other implementations, operation 300A may further include filling a secondary water tank or reserve water tank (not shown in Figure 3 for simplicity) with water captured from air using one or more of the water- from air capturing devices. An example system controller 105 (referring to Figure 1), may be configured to implement the various actions associated with example operation 300A, as disclosed herein.

[0120] In some implementations, system controller 105 and it associated software may configured to interface with a mobile application software or “app.” The app may be configured to display critical parameters related to system 100A including one or more of water level in the water tank 103, water consumption rate over a predetermined period, indoor relative humidity, indoor temperature, energy consumption over a predetermined period, availability over a predetermined period,routine maintenance information, or outdoor humidity. System controller 105 may be configured to communicate with a remote server and transfer data collected from the one or more sensors in of system 105 to the server for storage, processing, and reporting. Processed data in a user-friendly format may be available to an end-user of off-grid structure 104 on the user’s smart device and displayed on a dashboard of the app after required authentication protocols. Additionally, the one or more sensors in off-grid structure may be configured to transfer data wirelessly to a remote server or database for further processing.

[0121] A mobile application software or “app” is a computer program configured to run on a mobile device such as a smart phone, tablet, or watch. An app includes a front-end component or user interface (“UI”) and is designed to provide the user with an easy-to-use and friendly interface. The front end communicates with a back-end component which facilitates data routing, security, authentication, authorization, working off-line, and service orchestration. An app may also communicate with one or more intermediate or middle components including, but not limited to, mobile app servers, message queuing, enterprise service bus (“ES”) and other service-oriented architecture (“SOA”) infrastructure components. Data synchronization between the mobile device and a database or cloud and offline (without internet connection) capabilities are key to the seamless functioning of successful mobile apps. Providers of database and cloud services such as Couchbase Mobile (Couchbase), Azure Mobile Services (Microsoft), Cognito (Amazon), Firebase (Google) offer synchronization and offline capabilities with their mobile offerings. The app should preferably provide for secure data access communication with synchronized and decentralized storage, transmission and storage using features such as address authentication, data at rest, which relates to whether the app supports file system encryption and data-level encryption, data in motion, and read / write access that defines what data may be accessed and changed / modified by users. Databases may be relational (SQL databases such as Oracle, mySQL) or NoSQL (e.g., MongoDB, CouchDB).Additionally, for decentralized data writes on mobile platforms, the same data may be simultaneously modified on multiple devices and may create a conflict between data access from multiple devices. The app should preferably incorporate a mechanism for resolving those conflicts. The conflict resolution mechanism may allow resolution automatically, on the device, in the cloud, or could be manually initiated.

[0122] In some implementations, data related to system 100A stored in a remote database may be used by the app to generate indicators related to the end-user’s use of off-grid structure 104 and costs related to off-grid structure 104. The app or a customized software associated with system 100A and off-grid structure 104, may be configured to perform data mining of data stored in the remote server or database. Data mining may be generally defined as “the practice of examining large databases in order to generate new information.” Data mining may be used by end-users of off- grid structure 104 and developers of communities including a plurality of off-grid structures, to look for patterns in large batches of data that may be used to improve their energy and water management processes, capital allocation, and to develop more effective and environmentally friendly energy and water management strategies.

[0123] In some implementations, the app or a customized software associated with system 100A and off-grid structure 104 may utilize a plurality of knowledge-based editors or learning algorithms to predict and optimize outputs including one or more of energy production forecasts, water production forecasts, cost of energy production, or cost of water production. Machine learning algorithms for predictive analysis include, but are not limited to, linear regression, logistic regression (go-to methods), linear discriminant analysis, classification, and regression trees (decision trees), Naive Bayes, Random Forest, Gradient Boosting, XG Boost, LG Boost, CatBoost, SVM, ANN, genetic algorithms such as eLCS, XCS, ExSTraCS, K-Nearest Neighbors, and Learning Vector Quantization.

[0124] In some implementations, or a customized software associated with system 100A and off-grid structure 104 may utilize rules-based algorithms that examine data at predetermined intervals to inform new technology readiness, SWOT analysis, and the like. Learning algorithms may utilize fully and partially observable data, deterministic and stochastic data, discrete and continuous data, benign and adversarial environmental data, and the like to output recommendations that is statistically reliable.

[0125] In some implementations, data inputs (input variables) to these learning algorithms may include data mined from the remote database or server associated with off-grid structure 104 or system 100A. Since change is inevitable, the app may be used to help an end-user of off-grid structure 104, developers of off-grid communities, financial institutional stakeholders in off-grid community development,and the like to predict environmental changes, sustainable living parameters that help an end-user to adapt to changes, and to improve independence from traditional utility infrastructures.

[0126] Figures 4A-4B show example layouts of an off-grid structure 400A-400B, according to some implementations. Off-grid structure 400-400B may be viewed as a mini-house or tiny-house that may be mass produced and may be constructed mostly of recycled materials. Office-grid structure 400-400B may be viewed as a self- sufficient sustainable system and may generate water, conditioned air, and electrical power on-demand. The example off-grid structure may include a 2-floor tiny-home including loft bedroom 435, an office 431, kitchen appliances 436 located in a kitchen, a bathroom including a shower 432, washer / dryer 433 and sink 434, and a living space disposed adjoining the kitchen area. Off-grid structure may include a vaulted ceiling and may open onto a large patio 437, thus creating a space which feels much larger than the actual space of the off-grid structure. The example off-grid structure may be assembled or disassembled in about two to three days with a crew of two people, and may be transported in a container, stored, and then reconstructed at an end-user site in about two to three days.

[0127] In some implementations, the example off-grid structure may include galvanized steel or aluminum frames bolted together. The basic building block may include a cubic shaped structure, about 8 ft. in length, and several of these cubic structure modules may be combined to assemble the example off-grid structure 400A-400B. The outside siding and interior may be made from 2 sq. ft. tiles of between about 1 in. and 2 in. in thickness. The tiles may be made of recycled plastic or bio-derived materials.

[0128] The example off-grid structure may include example system 100A (referring to Figure 1A in this disclosure) for harvesting water from air using multiple methods and supplying water and conditioned air to the off-grid structure. System 100A is shown as water generator 422 in Figure 4A. Water captured from air using one or more water-from-air devices 422 may be stored in cold water tank 420 (shown as an overhead tank for example only) or in a reserve tank 423 in a shed adjoining the example off-grid structure. One or both of cold-water tank 420 or reserve tank 423 may be configured to receive water from rainwater catchment (not shown for simplicity). The water- from air device 422 may include any one of the devicespreviously described herein. System 100A may also be operated using any one of the methods previously described herein.

[0129] In some implementations, the example off-grid structure and shed may include solar panel array (“photovoltaic or PV panels”) 420 and 420’ to generate power required during the day. Electrical power may also be stored in battery bank 421. In some implementations, battery bank 421 may be characterized by a capacity of about 60 kW-h, which may be sufficient to power kitchen appliances, lights, security system, washer / dryer, the water harvesting system, hot water heater, and an incineration toilet. A capacity of up to 200 kW-h would provide a higher level of resiliency against large storms and other sources of intermittency of the availability of solar power generation. Wind energy generation may also be useful as a primary or secondary source of energy generation. In some embodiments, battery bank 421 is a flow battery or hybrid flow battery.

[0130] In some implementations, water stored in cold water tank 420 or reserve tank 423 may be used to cool the condenser 116 in an example WCM previously described herein and get heated by heat transfer using a suitable heat exchanger. The resulting hot / warm water may be stored in hot water tank 424. In some other implementations, warm air drawn output by condenser fan 120 in example WCM 101 may be used to heat water. As previously described, conditioned air exiting from the one or more water-from-air capture devices may be routed to the off-grid structure to maintain the humidity and temperature inside the off-grid structure without requiring a conventional HVAC system.

[0131] In some implementations, water stored in the one or more water tanks may be purified or sterilized before routing to the example off-grid structure 400A-400B. In some implementations, water may be purified or sterilized downstream by one or more of ozone treatment, chlorination, ultraviolet radiation (“UV”) treatment, reverse osmosis, fluoride treatment, or using one or more adsorbent filters to render water suitable for use by the end-user in the off-grid structure.

[0132] Figure 5 shows a schematic diagram of an example system 500 for harvesting water from air using multiple methods and supplying water and conditioned air to an off-grid structure, according to some implementations. An example off-grid structure 504 may include one or more of an off-grid house, an off- grid greenhouse, or an off-grid tiny-house. As previously described, a tiny-house maybe characterized by a gross living area of between 400 and 800 sq. ft. In some other implementations, a tiny-house may be characterized by a gross living area of less than about 500 sq. ft. System 500 may include a water condensing module (“WCM”) 501 configured to condense water from outdoor air and produce conditioned air in the process using a vapor-compression refrigeration cycle. In some implementations, off- grid structure may be located in a relatively humid area a desiccant-based water generator may not needed to capture water from air. Water collected from WCM 501 may be routed to water tank 503. Water tank 503 may include a level sensor 514 and may provide water to water supply line 513 connected to off-grid structure 504, depending on the water level in the tank 504. In some implementations, water from rainwater catchment 511 may also be routed to water tank 503 using a suitable pump (not shown for simplicity). Rainwater catchment 511 may be configured as a sump to collect and store surface water. Rainwater catchment 511 may also include any drum or plastic container for collecting rain and may be disposed at an elevation or on the roof of the off-grid structure. As shown in Figure 5, water tank 503 may be disposed in fluid communication with the WCM 501 and water supply line 513.

[0133] In some implementations, system 500 may include system controller 505. System controller 505 may be disposed in a control box or enclosure (not shown for simplicity) on the outside of the off-grid structure 504 or may be disposed in a control box disposed inside the off-grid structure 504. System controller 505 may be configured to receive and process a signal from outdoor humidity (“RHO”) sensor 506 or outdoor temperature (“To”) sensor 507. Outdoor humidity sensor 106 or temperature sensor 507 may be disposed on the outside surface of a wall of off-grid structure 504. System controller 505 may also be configured to receive and process a signal from water level sensor 514.

[0134] In some implementations, system controller 505 may be configured to monitor the water level in water tank 504. If the water levels falls below a predetermined water level set point (“Lsp”), system controller 505 may turn-on WCM 501 if the outdoor humidity (“RHO”) measured using outdoor relative humidity sensor 506 is greater than a predetermined outdoor relative humidity setpoint (“RHo,sp”).

[0135] In some implementations, the predetermined outdoor relative humidity set point (“RHo,sP”) may be between about 30% RH and about 50% RH. In some implementations, the outdoor predetermined relative humidity set point (“RHo,sp”)may be between about 25% RH and about 35% RH. In some instances, when RHo,spincludes a humidity range as described above, system controller 505 may be configured to turn on the WCM for water capture from outdoor air, check, for example, if the water level in storage tank 504 is below a predetermined water level set point (Lsp).

[0136] In some implementations, the predetermined outdoor relative humidity set point (“RHo,sp”) may be about 30% RH. That is, RHo,spmay be defined by a discrete value. Accordingly, system controller 505 may be configured to tum-on the WCM 501 if outdoor relative humidity RHOis greater than about 30% RH. Switching valve 108 may be disposed in intake air duct 515 to route outdoor air to WCM 101. An example switching valve 508 may include a solenoid valve that may be operable by system controller 505.

[0137] Accordingly, system controller 505 may be configured to operate as a smart controller to ensure water is captured from air in an energy efficient manner, in particular, in off-grid structures that may be powered using one or more of solar panels, battery banks, or fuel cells. In some instances, as a foundational operating principle of example system 505, system controller 505 may be configured to ensure that water tank 503 has a sufficient water volume to meet the water requirements of the end user in the off-grid structure 504.

[0138] In some implementations, a water meter 516 may be disposed in water supply line 513 to monitor the water consumption of an end user in off-grid structure 504. Water meter 516 may be configured to output a signal indicative of water flow rate or cumulative water consumption rate to system controller 505. System controller 505 may be configured to calculate a water consumption rate of the off-grid structure 504 using the output signal of the water meter. When system controller 505 detects a higher than average or normal water consumption rate (which may be referred to as a predetermined water consumption rate), system controller 505 may be configured to tum-on the WCM 101 depending on outdoor humidity (RHO), as previously described herein. As such, system controller 505 may be configured to predict a possible shortfall in water in storage tank 503 and take preventive action by turning on one or more water-from-air capture devices as a smart controller.

[0139] In some implementations, WCM 501 may include a vapor-compression cycle refrigeration system. Accordingly, WCM 501 may include compressor 518,evaporator 517, expansion valve 519, and condenser 516 disposed in a closed loop.Compressor 518 may compress a refrigerant from a saturated vapor state to a superheated vapor state. Condenser 516 may then condense the refrigerant to a saturated liquid state. Condenser 116 may be cooled by outdoor air to remove the heat of compression using fan 520. While flowing through expansion valve 519, the refrigerant may flash into a dual vapor-liquid phase mixture. In evaporator 517, the refrigerant is heated using outdoor air and returns to a saturated vapor state. During this cyclical process, the external surfaces of evaporator 517 will become cold. As moist outdoor air contacts evaporator 517, which is maintained at about the dew point of outdoor air, moisture will condense on the external surfaces of evaporator 517.Condensed water may be collected in a pan (not shown for simplicity) and then routed to water tank 503. Outdoor air may be drawn into evaporator 517 using blower 521. Outdoor air may be filtered to remove particulate matter, volatile organics, and other air borne impurities using suitable filters (not shown for simplicity) prior to entering evaporator 517. Dry and cold air (also referred to as conditioned air in this disclosure) exiting evaporator 517 may be routed to off-grid structure 504 using air duct 522.

[0140] In some implementations, WCM 501 may include the water- from- air Hydropack generators sold by Aquaria. Under certain conditions, the Hydropack water generators may produce up to 260 gallons per day of water. In other implementations, WCM 101 may include the atmospheric water generator Tsunami- T500 and similar products sold by Tsunami Products, Inc. (Midland, TX).

[0141] Vapor compression cycles use a hydroflurocarbon (“HFC”) refrigerant, which negatively impacts climate change when released into the atmosphere. Various technologies including membrane heat pumps are being evaluated as potential alternatives to vapor compression technologies. As previously described with reference to Figure 2 one or more non-vapor compression technologies for harvesting water from air may be used. WCM 501 may include any one of these technologies to harvest water from outdoor air and to also produce conditioned air to off-grid structure 504.

[0142] In some implementations, condenser 516 may be cooled using water from water tank 503 to generate hot / warm water for an end user in off-grid structure 504. Hot / warm water may be routed to the water supply line 513 or may be routed to astandalone hot / warm water supply line (not shown for simplicity). In some implementations, hydrophilic or hydrophobic coatings may be used on the condenser coils to improve water recovery from the coils.

[0143] In some implementations, blower 521 may include a variable speed blower. System controller 505 may be configured to control the speed of blower 521 and subsequently, the air flow rate into evaporator 517. A variable speed blower affords additional flexibility and energy efficiency to ensure that sufficient water is available in water tank 503 to meet the requirements of an end-user on off-grid structure 104, and in an energy efficient manner.

[0144] In some implementations, outdoor air may be drawn into evaporator 517 using blower 521, which may be a variable speed blower. Outdoor air may be filtered to remove particulate matter, volatile organics, and other air borne impurities using suitable filters (not shown for simplicity) prior to entering evaporator 517. Dry and cold air (also referred to as conditioned air in this disclosure) exiting evaporator 517 may be routed to off-grid structure 504 using air duct 522. In some implementations, system controller 505 may be configured to monitor the ambient temperature (Ti) inside the off-grid structure 504 using temperature sensor 524 and route conditioned air from WCM 501 to off-grid structure 504 if Ti is greater than a predetermined inside air temperature set point and vent conditioned air to the outside if Ti is equal to or less than the predetermined inside air temperature set point. In some implementations, a solenoid valve 509 operable by system controller 505 may be used to switch between directing the flow of conditioned air into off-grid structure 504 and venting the conditioned air as exhaust air. In some implementations, the predetermined inside air temperature set point may be about 78 °F.

[0145] In some implementations, conditioned air may be used to cool outdoor air drawn into evaporator 517 using heat exchanger 523 before venting the conditioned air out as exhaust air. This heat exchange process may reduce the energy requirements of WCM 101. Accordingly, system 500 may provide for capturing water from air from multiple sources in an energy efficient and in an environmentally responsible manner.

[0146] In some implementations, system controller 505 may be configured to monitor the ambient relative humidity (RHi) inside the off-grid structure 504 using relative humidity sensor 525 and route conditioned air from WCM 501 to off-gridstructure 104 if RHi is greater than a predetermined inside air relative humidity set point, and vent conditioned air to the outside if RHi is equal to or less than the predetermined inside air relative humidity set point. As previously described, solenoid valve 509 operable by system controller 505 may be used to switch between directing the flow of conditioned air into off-grid structure 504 and bypassing off-grid structure 504 and venting the conditioned air as exhaust air. In some implementations, the predetermined inside air humidity set point may be between about 50% RH and about 60% RH.

[0147] In some implementations, system controller 505 may be configured to operate one or more adjustable louvered vents 510 disposed in the off-grid structure 504 to maintain the pressure inside off-grid structure 504 by venting air to the outdoor. In some implementations, the temperature and relative humidity inside off- grid structure 504 may be controlled by modulating the volume of air vented out through the one or more louvered vents. In some implementations, an exhaust fan may be used instead of a louver and the volume of air vented out of off-grid structure 504 may be modulating by changing the speed of the exhaust fan using system controller 505.

[0148] As previously described, water from rainwater catchment 511 may also be routed to water tank 503 using a suitable pump (not shown for simplicity). Rainwater catchment 511 may be configured as a sump to collect and store surface water. Rainwater catchment 511 may also include any drum or plastic container for collecting rain. In some implementations, rainwater-catchment may be disposed on the roof of the off-grid structure or at an elevation on the sides of the off-grid structure to generate a water head in the catchment and to enable water to flow by gravity into tank 503.

[0149] In some implementations, system 500 may include a water purification unit 512 disposed between water tank 503 and the off-grid structure 504. In some implementations, WCM 501 may include a water purification unit. In some implementations, water may be purified or sterilized downstream of tank 503 by one or more of ozone treatment, chlorination, ultraviolet radiation (“UV”) treatment, reverse osmosis, fluoride treatment, or using one or more adsorbent filters to render water suitable for use by the end-user in off-grid structure 504.

[0150] In some implementations, system 500 may include a WCM controller configured to operate the WCM controller (not shown for simplicity). System controller 505 may be disposed in bidirectional control and electrical communication with the WCM controller. In some implementations, system 500 may further include one or more of a DC / DC converter or an inverter (not shown for simplicity) to interface with a solar panel associated with the off-grid structure for providing electrical power to run the system.

[0151] In some implementations, one of more off-grid structures 504 as described herein may be laid out in the form of an off-grid community village. The example community village may include a community water storage tank configured to hold water in reserve and provide water supply to each off-grid structure in the village, on an as-needed basis. In this implementation, the system controller 505 of each system 500 associated with each off-grid structure may determine if the water tank 503 of each off-grid structure is filled to a predetermined volume or is unable to be filled using WCM 101. In some implementations, the system controller 505 may turn-on one or more of the WCM 501 at a predetermined frequency and to route harvested water to the community storage tank until the community water storage tank is replenished or filled to a predetermined level or volume. In some implementations, each off-grid structure may include one or more reserve water tanks for storing excess water.

[0152] In some implementations, water from water tank 103, 103B, or 503 may be used to cool the battery bank to prevent an unsafe runaway event. Cooling of the battery bank may also be controlled using the example control system previously described herein. For example, one or more sensors may be disposed in each battery cell, or in an enclosure including one or more battery cells, and may be used to measure and communicate one or more of temperature, voltage, or current to the control system.

[0153] As used herein, a phrase referring to “at least one of’ or “one or more of’ a list of items refers to any combination of those items, including single members. For example, “at least one of: a, b, or c” is intended to cover the possibilities of: a only, b only, c only, a combination of a and b, a combination of a and c, a combination of b and c, and a combination of a and b and c. Unless otherwise specified in this disclosure, for construing the scope of the term “about” or “approximately,” the errorbounds associated with the values (dimensions, operating conditions etc.) disclosed is ± 10% of the values indicated in this disclosure. The error bounds associated with the values disclosed as percentages is ± 1% of the percentages indicated. The word “substantially” used before a specific word includes the meanings “considerable in extent to that which is specified,” and “largely but not wholly that which is specified.”

[0154] Various modifications to the implementations described in this disclosure may be readily apparent to persons having ordinary skill in the art, and the generic principles defined herein may be applied to other implementations without departing from the spirit or scope of this disclosure. Thus, the claims are not intended to be limited to the implementations shown herein but are to be accorded the widest scope consistent with this disclosure, the principles and the novel features disclosed herein.

[0155] Additionally, various features that are described in this specification in the context of separate implementations also can be implemented in combination in a single implementation. Conversely, various features that are described in the context of a single implementation also can be implemented in multiple implementations separately or in any suitable subcombination. As such, although features may be described above in combination with one another, and even initially claimed as such, one or more features from a claimed combination can in some cases be excised from the combination, and the claimed combination may be directed to a subcombination or variation of a subcombination.

[0156] Similarly, while operations are depicted in the drawings in a particular order, this should not be understood as requiring that such operations be performed in the particular order shown or in sequential order, or that all illustrated operations be performed, to achieve desirable results. Further, the drawings may schematically depict one more example processes in the form of a flowchart or flow diagram. However, other operations that are not depicted can be incorporated in the example processes that are schematically illustrated. For example, one or more additional operations can be performed before, after, simultaneously, or between any of the illustrated operations. In some circumstances, multitasking and parallel processing may be advantageous. Moreover, the separation of various system components in the implementations described above should not be understood as requiring such separation in all implementations, and it should be understood that the describedcomponents and systems can generally be integrated together in a single product or packaged into multiple products.

[0157] REFERENCES1. Cattani, L., “Water Extraction from Air by Refrigeration-Experimental Results from an Integrated System Application,” Appl. Sci. 2018, 8, 2262.2. Goetzler, W., Zogg, R., Young, J., Johnson, C., “Alternatives to Vapor- Compression HVAC Technology,” AHSRAE J., October 2014.3. Sultan M., Bilal, M., Miyazaki, T., Sajjad, U., Ahmad, F., “Adsorption-Based Atmospheric Water Harvesting: Technology Fundamentals and Energy-Efficient Adsorbents,” Technology in Agriculture, April 29, 2021.

Claims

CLAIMSWhat is claimed is:

1. A water provisioning system for providing potable water and conditioned air to an off-grid structure, the system including: a water condensing module (WCM) configured to condense water from an air feed and produce conditioned air in the process using a vapor-compression refrigeration cycle; a desiccant-based water generator (DWG) configured to capture water from outdoor air; a water tank including a water level sensor, wherein the water tank is disposed in fluid communication with the WCM and the DWG; and a control system including at least one processor, and a database disposed in communication with the control system, the control system configured to: receive input data from a plurality of sensors, including the water level sensor, disposed in the water provisioning system, or from the database; receive user information from an occupant of the off-grid structure via a user interface of an external device or an interface disposed in the system, the interface configured to communicate with the water provisioning system; predict one or more of a water demand, water capture rate, an energy capacity status associated with a battery bank, or energy utilization associated with the off-grid structure based on one or more prediction models trained by the one or more processors to analyze one or more of the input data or the user information and generate a water production schedule; and turn on one or more of the WCM or the DWG to meet one or more of current water demand or future water demand of the occupant based on a water level in the water tank and according to the water production schedule.

2. The water provisioning system of claim 1, wherein the system is configured to operate one or more of the WCM or the DWG using electrical power from the battery bank disposed in or near the off-grid structure.

3. The water provisioning system of claim 2, further including one or more of a DC / DC converter or an inverter to interface with a solar panel (PV array) for providing electrical power to the battery bank.

4. The water provisioning system of claim 1, wherein the system is configured to desorb captured water in the DWG using a desiccant reactivation air feed, wherein a temperature of the desiccant reactivation air feed is between about 80 °C and about 120 °C.

5. The water provisioning system of claim 4, wherein the desiccant reactivation air feed is heated using one or more of an electrical heater or thermal energy stored in a thermal energy storage media.

6. The water provisioning system of claim 5, wherein the thermal energy storage media includes one or more phase change materials (PCM) configured to store solar energy as thermal energy.

7. The water harvesting system of claim 4, wherein the desiccant reactivation air feed exiting the DWG after desorbing captured water from the desiccant bed is cooled in a condenser with ambient air to condense water vapor.

8. The water harvesting system of claim 7, wherein the desiccant reactivation air feed exiting the condenser is routed to the WCM as an air feed to the WCM.

9. The water harvesting system of claim 1, wherein the air feed to the WCM includes outdoor air when the DWG is not turned-on.

10. The water provisioning system of claim 1, further including a conditioned air supply line disposed between the WCM and the off-grid structure.

11. The water provisioning system of claim 1, wherein the control system is further configured to: monitor an ambient temperature inside the off-grid structure (Ti); androute conditioned air from the WCM to the off-grid structure if Ti is greater than a predetermined inside air temperature set point; and bypass the off-grid structure if Ti is equal to or less than the predetermined inside air temperature set point.

12. The water provisioning system of claim 1, wherein the water tank is further configured to receive water from a rainwater catchment.

13. The water provisioning system of claim 1, further including one or more water purification units disposed in the WCM, DWG, or between the water tank and the off-grid structure.

14. The water provisioning system of claim 1, wherein the input data further includes one or more of weather forecast, water tank level, battery bank charge status, water usage history associated with the one or more occupants, or energy utilization history associated with the occupants.

15. The water provisioning system of claim 1, wherein the user information includes one or more of occupancy information, current water demand expectation, future water demand expectation, current energy utilization expectation or future energy utilization expectation.

16. A water provisioning method for providing water and conditioned air to an off-grid structure, the system including: providing a water condensing module (WCM) configured to condense water from an air feed and produce conditioned air in the process using a vaporcompression refrigeration cycle; providing a desiccant-based water generator (DWG) configured to capture water from outdoor air; providing a water tank including a water level sensor, wherein the water tank is disposed in fluid communication with the WCM, and the DWG; and providing a control system including at least one processor, and a database disposed in communication with the control system, the control system configured to implement:receiving input data from a plurality of sensors, including the water level sensor, disposed in the water harvesting system or from the database; receiving user information from an occupant of the off-grid structure via a user interface of an external device or an interface disposed in the system, the interface configured to communicate with the water provisioning system; predicting one or more of a water demand, water capture rate, energy capacity status associated with a battery bank, or energy utilization associated with the off-grid structure based on one or more prediction models trained by the one or more processors to analyze one or more of the input data or the user information and generate a water production schedule approved by the occupant; and turning on one or more of the WCM or the DWG to meet one or more of the current water demand or future water demand of the occupant as evidenced by the water level in the water tank and according to the water production schedule.

17. The water provisioning method of claim 16, wherein the method includes operating one or more of the WCM or the DWG using electrical power from the battery bank disposed in the off-grid structure.

18. The water provisioning method of claim 17, further including providing one or more of a DC / DC converter or an inverter to interface with a solar panel (PV array) for providing electrical power to the battery bank.

19. The water provisioning method of claim 16, wherein the method includes desorbing captured water in the DWG using a desiccant reactivation air feed, wherein a temperature of the desiccant reactivation air feed is between about 80 °C and about 120 °C.

20. The water provisioning method of claim 19, wherein the method includes heating the desiccant reactivation air feed using one or more of an electrical heater or thermal energy stored in a thermal energy storage media.

21. The water provisioning method of claim 20, wherein the method includes storing solar energy as thermal energy in one or more phase change materials (PCM).

22. The water provisioning method of claim 21, wherein the method includes routing the desiccant reactivation air feed exiting the air-water separator to the WCM as an air feed to the WCM.

23. The water provisioning method of claim 16, wherein the method includes routing outdoor as air feed to the WCM when the DWG is not tumed-on.

24. The water provisioning method of claim 16, further including providing a conditioned air supply line between the WCM and the off-grid structure.

25. The water provisioning method of claim 16, wherein the control system is further configured to implement: monitoring an ambient temperature inside the off-grid structure (Ti); and routing conditioned air from the WCM to the off-grid structure if Ti is greater than a predetermined inside air temperature set point; and bypassing the off-grid structure if Ti is equal to or less than the predetermined inside air temperature set point.

26. The water harvesting method of claim 16, further including routing conditioned air to the off-grid structure is contingent upon the needs of the occupant of the off-grid structure as communicated by the occupant via the user interface.

27. The water harvesting method of claim 16, further including receiving water from a rainwater catchment disposed outside the off-grid structure into the water tank.

28. The water harvesting method of claim 16, further including purifying water using one or more water purification units disposed in the WCM, DWG or between the water tank and the off-grid structure.

29. A system for providing water, electricity, and conditioned air to an off- grid structure, the system including: a water condensing module (WCM) configured to condense water from outdoor air and produce conditioned air in the process using a vapor-compression refrigeration cycle; a water tank including a water level sensor, wherein the water tank is disposed in fluid communication with the WCM, and a water supply line to the off-grid structure; and a control system configured to communicate with the water level sensor to monitor a water level in the water tank, and if the water level in the water tank falls below a predetermined water level set point, tum-on the WCM if the outdoor humidity (RHO) is greater than a predetermined humidity (RH) set point; a battery bank; a solar panel array electrically coupled to the battery bank; and one or more inverters configured to charge the battery bank using power from the solar panel array and provide power to one or more of the off-grid structure or the WCM.

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