System and equipment to supply potable water captured from the atmosphere

Abstract

The object of this Patent advances the state of the art, as it consists of low-cost, silent, highly energy efficient, because it is controlled by previously programmed software so that the capture efficiency is as high as possible, through the automatic and constant maintenance of the optimal temperature point of the cold operational condensation plate, since the said software receives signals from sensors of temperature, air humidity and atmospheric pressure and, by means of the resident know-how, it controls the running of the compressor which, through continuous cycles of compression and expansion of refrigerating gases, produces the low temperature of the cold plate of condensation, The fundamental components that were developed are the condenser, the vaporizer, the turbine and the air tunnel, which offer an exceptional gain in water production with reduced noise generated and greater energy savings.

Description

SYSTEM AND EQUIPMENT TO SUPPLY POTABLE WATER CAPTURED FROM THE ATMOSPHERE.Fields of this Patent

[0001] Capturing water dissolved in the atmosphere and treating it to a degree of potability and energy savings in capturing and treating atmospheric moisture.Background of the Invention - State of the Art

[0002] There are three basic and well-known principles for capturing atmospheric water, namely:1 - Compression of humid air, since the solubility of water in it decreases with pressure so that, in compressed air, it liquefies and can be drained;2 - Absorption of moisture from humid air by passing an air current through silica gel, or any other solid hygroscopic compound, followed by removal of moisture retained in the hygroscopic compound by the action of heat, and liquefaction of water vapor;3 - Condensation of air humidity due to the passage of an air current through a refrigerated plate, as the humidity condenses and drains from the cold surface.

[0003] The first two techniques mentioned above are energy intensive and involve expensive equipment, therefore, being uneconomical if used only to capture water from the atmospheric air, having thus been relegated only to removing moisture from the air so that it arrives dry for subsequent use in other processes, such as special rooms with controlled temperature and very low moisture content, or as combustion or cooling air in special metallurgy.

[0004] The condensation of air humidity by passing air current through a refrigerated plate is, in principle, of lower energy consumption than the first two, however, energy optimization is an ecological and economic imperative today.

[0005] In addition, the water contained in the air, when condensed by a cold plate, contains dust of various compositions, gases such as Carbon Dioxide, Hydrogen Sulfide, Hydrogen Sulphite and Sulfate, various Nitrogen Oxides, “carbon black” particles from automobile engine exhausts and various bacteria, pollen grains, fungal spores and bacteria and, in order to reach the degree ofpotability, it has to be treated and maintained under non-recontamination conditions.

[0006] The state of the art describes a series of innovations aimed at the same purpose, however, the solutions pointed out face challenges related to mainly three aspects, namely, productivity, high energy consumption and excessive noise generation.

[0007] From the research carried out in the main patent databases, some documents were located that clearly describe the state of the art, such as PLC- controlled equipment for capturing drinking water from atmospheric air through automatic and constant maintenance of the optimum temperature point (dew point) of cold condensing plates, by the Peltier principle, such as US2006288709, US2007261413, WO2013026126 and DE102008064185, but none of these documents reveal a chamber where the turbine is located to suck and direct the air to an opening and a tunnel so that the cold air cools the heat sinks, with a sealing plate separating the cold and hot zones, as shown in the first preferred embodiment of the invention.Advances in the State of the Art brought about by this Patent

[0008] Given the wide range of options that can be presented, next, we will illustrate the realizations considered preferred, not being the same restrictive, since they use the same inventive concept in constructive dispositions with different applications, noting that several other solutions based on the same inventive concept can be introduced, without, however, escaping to the inventive scope of the present patent.

[0009] The achievements presented in this Patent advance the state of the art, as they consist of low-cost, silent, highly energy-efficient equipment, controlled by previously programmed software so that the capture efficiency is as high as possible, through automatic and constant maintenance of the point optimum temperature (dew point) of the operational condensation cold plate, since the aforementioned software receives signals from temperature, air humidity and atmospheric pressure sensors and, due to the resident know-how, controls the engine speed which, due to continuous cycles of compression and expansion ofrefrigerant gases, producing the low temperature of the condensing cold plate.

[0010] For each of the operations described above to be carried out, at times defined by the control system, it triggers commands to the relays that turn on and off the motors for the refrigeration system and pumping the captured water, avoiding waste and maintaining the appropriate conditions for the perfect functioning of the set and, after capturing the moisture in the air, it treats and conserves the water obtained, in a potable degree, for human consumption.

[0011] The inventive concept comprises an innovative system focused on new constructive arrangements, and in this report, the System and its main components are initially addressed, and then the main achievements that use such concepts.

[0012] The solution presented here introduces new constructive realizations that bring new solutions that increase both the production capacity and the operating thermal range, further reducing the production costs of potable water, either for small volumes preferably for the domestic / residential market or for a larger volume, preferably directed to the commercial / business market.

[0013] The fundamental components that were developed are the condenser, the vaporizer, the turbine and the air tunnel, which offer an exceptional gain in water production with reduced noise generated and greater energy savings.

[0014] The “U” shaped condenser, has a turbine that sucks air from the front, compresses the air in the “V” shaped deflector and the compressed air is directed to the right and left sides of the condenser, thus having better heat exchange, compacting and concentrating the gas molecules that pass through the tubes between the vaporizer fins or its constructive variant in the form of an “L” with a turbine that sucks the air through the front, compresses the air in the deflector positioned diagonally and the compressed air is directed to the side of the condenser, thus having a better heat exchange, compacting and concentrating the gas molecules.

[0015] The vaporizer has an “S” shaped fin system where the air flow is forced to make an aerodynamic drag that allows better use of condensation.

[0016] The air tunnel was developed with an aerodynamic shape to have a better air flow with a lower noise level and generate its distribution in anoptimized way, leading the air through the “S” shaped fins of the vaporizer. After the air passes through the vaporizer, it is cooled and conducted at a lower temperature through the tunnel to the condenser, which generates a better heat exchange, increasing the performance of the equipment as a whole.

[0017] In addition to the fundamental components described above, other components were also developed that are described below.

[0018] The already condensed water collector, which has a drain system that is coated with a layer of bactericidal material on its cover, which has several holes, and after capturing the 1 st stage of produced water, any solid residue that by chance has passed through the electrostatic filter and falls on the collector cover, this will be separated by the drain, so that the collector receives only the water that, at this point, undergoes purification by means of ultraviolet lamps.

[0019] The filtering equipment is composed of a set of filters, namely, a reverse osmosis filter that eliminates impurities from the water, an activated carbon filter that helps in the purification, mineralization and regulation of the pH of the water and, by means of ultraviolet lamps, the final purification of water, making it suitable for human consumption

[0020] Concluding the description of the fundamental elements referenced above, it is clarified here that the flow of gases from the equipment object of the present patent preferably uses only a single compressor, for the production of water and cooling of the existing content in the reservoir

[0021] When the reservoir is full, the system stops water production, but keeps the water in the reservoir cooling and, from the moment it detects that the water level in the reservoir has dropped, the system starts producing water again.

[0022] Another solution developed under the same inventive concept and which maintains the unity of invention, offers the possibility of maintaining productivity, increases the production volume of the original solution to 25 liters a day, preferably aimed at the commercial / enterprise market.

[0023] This equipment is managed by software, valves and sensors that manage the entire operation of the equipment, taking readings of the temperature of the environment, atmospheric pressure and relative air humidity,to obtain greater water production performance from the equipment and the set was designed with numerous features that allowed a gain in water production with less noise and greater energy savings.

[0024] This is basically composed of a “U” shaped condenser, a vaporizer with “S” shaped fins, a turbine with a system compatible with the vaporizer fins and the air tunnel, in addition to a collector with a drain system coated with a layer of bactericidal material, all of these elements already described above, in addition to the other components described below.

[0025] The other solutions presented are constructive variants of the solutions described above that improved thermodynamic efficiency, in particular through the introduction of condensers for heating the air and vaporizers to adapt the ambient temperature to that suitable for the condensation process.Description, illustrations and operation of the presented solutions

[0026] From the practical results obtained with experiments in equipment based on the concepts summarized above, below we list the illustrations that best represent the operation of each of the solutions and their preferred realizations and, below, their description in order of their concepts, namely:

[0027] FIGURE 1 represents a front view of the “U” shaped condenser with an illustration of the air flow direction;

[0028] FIGURE 2 represents a perspective view of the “U” shaped condenser with visualization of the “V” shaped baffle;

[0029] FIGURE 3 represents some views of the “S” shaped fin system;

[0030] FIGURE 4 and 4A represent two views of the turbine.

[0031] FIGURE 5 represents a perspective view of the tunnel.

[0032] FIGURE 6 represents a perspective view of the collector.

[0033] FIGURE 7 represents a top view of the “U” shaped condenser

[0034] FIGURES 8, 9 and 10 represent three perspective views of the Commercial Drinking Fountain Model.

[0035] FIGURE 11 is an exploded view of the preferred embodiment of the Residential Drinking Fountain Model.

[0036] FIGURE 12 is an exploded view of the preferred embodiment of theCommercial Fountain Model.

[0037] FIGURE 13 represents an exploded view of a constructive variant of the preferred embodiment of the Residential Drinking Fountain.

[0038] FIGURE 14 represents an exploded view of a constructive variant of the preferred embodiment of the Commercial Fountain Model.

[0039] Below we present the list of components illustrated in figure 11 , and figures 12, 13 and 14 attached present the same inventive concept and constructive alternatives of greater energy efficiency and thermodynamics.

[0040] Below we present a detailed description of operation, sequentially, equipment (01 ), turbine engine (02), vaporizer turbine (03), upper cover (04), vaporizer (05), vaporizer hood (06), compressor (07), reservoir (08), reservoir upper cover (09), cooler (10) intermediate plate (11 ), base plate (12), industrial filter (13), shurflo pump (14), air duct closure (15), collector cover (16), collector (17), gas distribution valve (18), capillary valve (19 ), solenoid valve (20), vaporizer hood (21), condenser turbine motor (22), deflector (23), side closing cover (24), rear closing cover (25), front closing cover (26), tap (27), UV lamp (28) of the collector (17), UV lamp (29) of the reservoir (08).

[0041] In Figure 11 we can see the set of components listed above and that make up the present constructive arrangement.

[0042] The advantages presented in relation to the State of the Art can be better understood through the description of its operation made below.

[0043] To optimize the sterilization of the water obtained by the atmospheric condensation process, the reservoir (08) includes an ultraviolet lamp (29) attached to the upper cover (09).

[0044] The cooling of the reservoir (08) is carried out by a cooler with thermoelectric inserts (not shown) attached to the side and bottom plates of said reservoir (08) and, to ensure the preservation of the cooling effected, with lower energy consumption, the walls of said reservoir (08) are thermally insulated, with styrofoam or other suitable material that offers good thermal insulation characteristics and meets the equipment specifications.

[0045] The water producing unit (UP) illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 is composed of a set that includes a combined condenser and finned vaporizer and a “turbinetype” exhaust system composed of an electric motor (ME) to drive the finned rotor (RA), and the condensing system has a single compressor to cool the finned vaporizer.

[0046] Another advantage is that the water producing unit (30), when using the set described above, generates low noise while providing a large flow of air to the vaporizer.

[0047] The water collector captures the water generated by the unit (30) and when its ideal level is reached, the produced water is directed to three filters installed sequentially, activated carbon, reverse osmosis membrane and mineral salt releaser. After passing through such filters, the water is directed to the reservoir (08), which, as previously mentioned, has an ultraviolet lamp (29) inside that guarantees the potability of the water captured in the atmosphere and stored in the treated water tank, from where it is made available for human consumption, through the tap (27).

[0048] The above description sought to describe the operation of the basic system and its concept offers some alternatives such as those illustrated in figures 12, 13 and 14.

[0049] Below we present a description of the construction of such equipment.

[0050] FIGURE 12 represents an exploded view of the preferred embodiment of the Commercial Drinking Fountain Model, basically composed of a base tray (1A), upper tray (2A), intermediate tray (3A), reservoir (4A), reservoir cover (5A), lamp UV reservoir (6A), condenser (7A), vaporizer hood (8A), turbine motor (9A), turbine (10A), condenser baffle (11 A), compressor (12A), structural tube (13A), vaporizer hood (14A), vaporizer turbine (15A), vaporizer tunnel (16A), vaporizer (17A), manifold cover (18A), manifold (19A), distributor valve gas (red) (20A), capillary valve (blue) (21 A), industrial filter (22A), industrial filter holder (23A), pump (24A), solenoid valve (25A), collector UV lamp (26A), bottom plastic drop front (27A), top plastic drop front (28A), bottom plastic drop front (29A), top plastic drop front (30A), top cup holder (31 A), bottom cup holder (32A), top plastic cover (33A), faucet (34A), lower rear metal cover (35A), steamer access side cover (36A), middle cover (37A), upper rear cover (38A), right side cover (39A), left side cover (40A), electronic board (41 A).

[0051] FIGURE 13 represents an exploded view of a constructive variant of the preferred embodiment of the Residential Drinking Fountain, basically composed of a cabinet (1 B), condenser (2B), tubular evaporator (3B), collector with drain (4B), exhaust motor (5B), compressor (6B), shurflo pump (7B), filter (8B), upper cover (9B), reservoir (10B), faucet (11 B), collector cover (12B) , UV lamp (13B), side cover (14B), access plate “b” (15B), air filter “1” (16B), resistance (17B), air filter “2” (18B), sensor ( 19B), and its functioning is described below:

[0052] The air sucked in by the turbine (5B), passes through an electrostatic filter (16B), then through a system that heats the air (17B) according to the temperature and relative humidity of the air, and then it passes through another electrostatic filter (18B).

[0053] This system puts the air at a temperature where the H2O molecule expands, leaving an ideal situation for the vaporizer (3B) to carry out condensation with the greatest possible use of water collection. This vaporizer, developed as a tubular system, has a special shape designed to improve the efficiency of the condensation, where the air is cooled again and driven by the pressure of the turbine to pass through a tunnel, reaching an ideal temperature in the condenser (2B), generating a gain in thermodynamic efficiency. With this there will be a performance gain of the compressor (6B).

[0054] After condensation, the water is captured by the collector (4B) and cooled by the lower part of the vaporizer (3B). When said collector (4B) is full, the level sensor (19B) will start the process of pumping (7B) the water to a sequence of filters (8B), going to the reservoir (10B).

[0055] The reservoir (10B) has a special layer of thermal insulation, to keep the water at the temperature received and, with the help of the UV lamp (13B), maintains the quality of the water, ready for consumption by activating the faucet (11 B).

[0056] The entire process is managed by the electronic board (20B).

[0057] FIGURE 14 represents an exploded view of another constructive variant, in particular the preferred embodiment of the Commercial Drinking Fountain Model, which is basically composed of a structural cabinet (1C), aluminum base (2C), shurflo pump (3C), filter with clamp (4C), collector with drain-type cover(5C), tubular vaporizer (6C), motorized exhaust fan with blade (7C), finned condenser (8C), electronic board (9C), upper cover (10C), reservoir (11C), right side cover (12C), faucet (13C), left side cover (14C), resistance module (15C), air filter (16C), air filter “2” (17C), compressor (18C), reservoir cap (19C), UV lamp (20C), sensor (21 C).

[0058] This is a system whose technology offers a low manufacturing cost, being extremely efficient, and its functioning is described below.

[0059] The air sucked in by the turbine (7C), passes through an electrostatic filter (17C), then through a resistance module (15C) that heats the air according to the temperature and relative humidity of the air, then through another electrostatic filter (16C).

[0060] This system puts the air at a temperature where the H2O molecule expands, leaving an ideal situation for the vaporizer (6C) to carry out condensation with the greatest possible use of water collection.

[0061] This vaporizer, which is a tubular system, has a special shape to improve condensation efficiency, where the air is cooled again, and driven by the pressure of the turbine to pass through a tunnel, reaching an ideal temperature in the condenser (18C), generating a gain in thermodynamic efficiency. With this there will be a performance gain of the compressor (13C-1 ). After condensation, the water is captured by the collector (5C), which has a drain system, which separates any impurities that are still in the water, increasing the useful life of the filters. When the collector is full, the level sensor (21 C-1 ) will start the pumping process (3C) from the water to a sequence of filters (4C), going to the reservoir (11 C).

[0062] The reservoir (11 C), with a special layer of thermal insulation, has, in its lower part, an external cooling system (22C), aided by the compressor (13C-2), with the aid of the UV lamp (20C), it maintains the quality of the water, ready to turn on the tap (13C) to extract the water.

[0063] The entire process is managed by the electronic board (9C).

Claims

CLAIMS1. SYSTEM AND EQUIPMENT TO SUPPLY POTABLE WATER CAPTURED FROM THE ATMOSPHERE, which captures moisture from the air, treats and preserves the water obtained, in a potable degree, for human consumption and which basically consists of equipment controlled by previously programmed software so that the efficiency capture is as large as possible, through the automatic and constant maintenance of the optimal temperature point of the cold operational condensation plate, since the aforementioned software receives signals from temperature, air humidity and atmospheric pressure sensors and, due to the “know- how” resident, controls the running of the compressor which, through continuous cycles of compression and expansion of refrigerating gases, produces the low temperature of the cold condensation plate, characterized by being made up of a rear cover (01 ), tray (02), rear cover (03), water producing unit (04), left side (05), rear cover (06), collector cover (07), collector (08), tray (09), metallic filter support (10) (11), plastic filter support (12) (11 ), tray (13), castor (14), upper (15), UV lamp (16), cover (17) of the reservoir (19), right side (18), reservoir (19), internal front panel (20), turbine propeller (21 ), turbine (22), tap (23), turbine plate (24), turbine motor (25), electronics compartment (26), compressor (27), pump (28), external front panel (29).

2. SYSTEM AND EQUIPMENT TO SUPPLY POTABLE WATER CAPTURED FROM THE ATMOSPHERE, according to claim 1 , characterized by in that the water producing unit (UP) is composed of a set that has a condenser and finned vaporizer combined and a “turbine-type” exhaust system composed of an electric motor (ME) to drive the finned rotor (RA), air-directing housing (CD), and said condensation system has a single compressor to cool the vaporizer finned.

3. SYSTEM AND EQUIPMENT TO SUPPLY POTABLE WATER CAPTURED FROM THE ATMOSPHERE, according to the previous claims, characterized by in that the cooling of the reservoir (19) is carried out by a cooler with thermoelectric tablets attached to the side plates and bottom of said reservoir(19), with the walls of said reservoir (19) thermally isolated by Styrofoam or other suitable material.

4. SYSTEM AND EQUIPMENT TO SUPPLY POTABLE WATER CAPTURED FROM THE ATMOSPHERE, according to the previous claims, characterized by the fact that the water collector (8) captures the water generated by the unit (4) and when its ideal level is reached, the pump (28) direct the water to the three filters installed sequentially, activated carbon, reverse osmosis membrane and mineral salt releaser and, after passing through these filters, the water is directed to the reservoir (19).

5. SYSTEM AND EQUIPMENT TO SUPPLY POTABLE WATER CAPTURED FROM THE ATMOSPHERE, characterized by being a constructive variant, basically composed of a base tray (1A), upper tray (2A), intermediate tray (3A), reservoir (4A), reservoir cover (5A), reservoir UV lamp (6A), condenser (7A), vaporizer hood (8A), turbine motor (9A), turbine (10A), condenser deflector (11 A), compressor ( 12A), structural tube (13A), vaporizer hood (14A), vaporizer turbine (15A), vaporizer tunnel (16A), vaporizer (17A), manifold cover (18A), manifold (19A), gas distributor valve (red) (20A), capillary valve (blue) (21 A), industrial filter (22A), industrial filter support (23A), pump (24A), solenoid valve (25A), collector UV lamp (26A), lower plastic front (27A), upper front (28A), lower plastic drop front (29A), upper plastic drop front (30A), upper cup holder (31 A), support bottom cup (32A), top plastic cover (33A), faucet (34A), bottom rear metal cover (35A), steamer access side cover (36A), middle cover (37A), top rear cover (38A), right side cover (39A), left side cover (40A), electronic board (41 A).

6. SYSTEM AND EQUIPMENT TO SUPPLY POTABLE WATER CAPTURED FROM THE ATMOSPHERE, characterized by being a second constructive variant, comprising a cabinet (1 B), condenser (2B), tubular evaporator (3B), collector with drain (4B), motor exhaust fan (5B), compressor (6B), shurflo pump (7B), filter (8B), top cover (9B), reservoir (10B), faucet (11 B), collector cover (12B), UV lamp (13B), side cover (14B) , access plate “b” (15B), air filter “1” (16B), heater (17B), air filter “2” (18B), sensor (19B).

7. SYSTEM AND EQUIPMENT TO SUPPLY POTABLE WATER CAPTURED FROM THE ATMOSPHERE, according to claim 6, characterized by in that the entire process is managed by the electronic board (20B) and in that the tubular system takes the air to an appropriate temperature, where the H2O molecule expands to the vaporizer (3B) to condense and collect water, where the air is cooled again and driven by the pressure of the turbine to pass through a tunnel, reaching an ideal temperature in the condenser (2B); and also because the air sucked by the turbine (5B), passes through an electrostatic filter (16B), then through a system that heats the air (17B) according to the temperature and relative humidity of the air, and then it passes another electrostatic filter (18B) and, after condensation, the water is captured by the collector (4B) and cooled by the lower part of the vaporizer (3B).

8. SYSTEM AND EQUIPMENT TO SUPPLY POTABLE WATER CAPTURED FROM THE ATMOSPHERE, according to claim 6, characterized by in that the collector (4B) when full, the level sensor (19B) will start the water pumping process (7B) to a sequence of filters (8B), going to the reservoir (1 OB).

9. SYSTEM AND EQUIPMENT TO SUPPLY POTABLE WATER CAPTURED FROM THE ATMOSPHERE, according to claim 6, characterized by in that the reservoir (10B) has a special layer of thermal insulation, to keep the water at the temperature received and, with the aid of the UV lamp (13B), maintain the quality of the water, ready for consumption by turning on the tap (11 B).

10. SYSTEM AND EQUIPMENT TO SUPPLY POTABLE WATER CAPTURED FROM THE ATMOSPHERE, characterized by being a third constructive variant, basically consisting of a structural cabinet (1C), aluminum base (2C), shurflo pump (3C), filter with clamp (4C), manifold with drain-type cover (5C), tubular vaporizer (6C), motorized exhaust fan with paddle (7C), finned condenser (8 C), electronic board (9C), upper cover (10C), reservoir (11C), right side cover (12C), tap (13C), left side cover (14C), resistance module (15C), air filter (16C), air filter “2” (17C), compressor (18C), reservoir cover (19C) , UV lamp (20C), sensor (21 C).

11. SYSTEM AND EQUIPMENT TO SUPPLY POTABLE WATER CAPTURED FROM THE ATMOSPHERE, according to claim 10, characterized by in that the entire process is managed by the electronic board (9C) and because the air sucked in by the turbine (7C) passes through an electrostatic filter (17C), then through a resistance module (15C) that heats the air according to the temperature and relative humidity of the air, then through another filter electrostatic (16C); and because the system puts the air at a temperature where the H2O molecule expands, leaving an ideal situation for the tubular vaporizer (6C) to carry out condensation with the greatest possible use of water collection.

12. SYSTEM AND EQUIPMENT TO SUPPLY POTABLE WATER CAPTURED FROM THE ATMOSPHERE, according to claim 10, characterized in that said tubular vaporizer (6C), cool the air again, and drive it through the turbine pressure to pass through a tunnel, reaching an ideal temperature in the condenser (18C), generating a gain in thermodynamic efficiency and a gain in compressor performance (13C-1 ).

13. SYSTEM AND EQUIPMENT TO SUPPLY POTABLE WATER CAPTURED FROM THE ATMOSPHERE, according to claim 10, characterized by the fact that after condensation, the water is captured by the collector (5C), which has a drain system, and after the collector is full, the level sensor (21 C-1 ) will start the process of pumping (3C) the water to a sequence of filters (4C), going to the reservoir (11 C).

14. SYSTEM AND EQUIPMENT TO SUPPLY POTABLE WATER CAPTURED FROM THE ATMOSPHERE, according to claim 10, characterized by in that the reservoir (11 C) has a special layer of thermal insulation in its lower part and an external cooling system (22C), aided by the compressor (13C-2); and also for having a UV lamp (20C).

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