Economical appliance for producing atmospheric drinking water

Abstract

The invention relates to an atmospheric water generator which is economical because it is incomplete: provided without a compressor and without a condenser. It aerates and air-conditions an apartment in a tropical area according to the updated WHO criteria, without consuming energy for condensation in order to arrive at self-sufficiency in terms of provision of drinking water, and at the same time sterilizes the room by means of an ultra-pure water mist doped with hydroxyl radicals. It is a retrofitted accessory of an individual split air conditioning indoor unit connected in multi-split mode, or directly to an external unit.

Description

[0001] Description

[0002] Economical generator of free potable atmospheric water, a repurposed by-product of the air conditioning of a ventilated room.

[0003] [1] The present invention, its demonstrator, and the start-up developing them have won the Global

[0004] The Dubai Water Award 2025, an international competition with a prize of one million dollars, attracted numerous teams from each of the 47 participating countries. The challenge: generating drinking water using renewable energy. The jury, attached to Dubai's Ministry of Water and Energy, consulted Ernst & Young, an independent but reputable expert in the field, for the selection process. This award, given by world-class experts focused on the drinking water shortage, is a mark of innovation and inventiveness.

[0005] [2] Ernst & Young called the invention 'the invisible solution'. This invention generates enough drinking water from sufficient ventilation and energy expended only for comfort.

[0006] [3] The invention solves the main problem of 400 million inhabitants of the subtropical zone, the 15% who have a split air conditioner among the 2.7 billion individuals who lack drinking water because:

[0007] [4] - Global warming necessitates more and more air conditioning.

[0008] [5] - Epidemic risks and the accumulation of carbon dioxide require ventilation even in the tropics, where the atmosphere is very humid.

[0009] [6] - Atmospheric water generators (AWG) are being considered but are expensive to purchase and energy-intensive to operate.

[0010] [7] In a few words, the invention reconciles the following antagonisms:

[0011] [8] - Air conditioners remove heat, but drinking the condensation of recycled air infected by occupants is unhealthy.

[0012] [9] - An indoor AWG could generate the 70L / day recommended by the WHO but no air conditioner could remove the latent heat of condensation of 70 L released into the room.

[0013]

[0010] - It is possible to ventilate according to post-COVID-19 standards, but this introduces far more humidity than an air conditioner can handle. Condensation forms everywhere because the dew point exceeds the regulated temperature.

[0014] [1 l]In subtropical zones, there is too much water in the air and not enough on the surface.

[0015]

[0012] Solution:

[0016]

[0013] - An economical indoor split electric AWG, delivered incomplete (without an expensive compressor or heating condenser), exponent

[0017]

[0014] - an open refrigerant circuit terminated by exposed connectors conforming to the generic SAE 45° standard for air conditioning and

[0018]

[0015] - an air inlet comprising a hermetic connection to a standard ventilation vent.

[0019]

[0016] It is intended to be connected by an air conditioner installer to the refrigerant circuit of any model of split air conditioner outdoor unit, and hermetically sealed to any model of ventilation vent.

[0020]

[0017] - it cleans, cools, dehumidifies, then provides ventilation according to the post-CO VI 9 standard before blowing it inside to provide air conditioning.

[0021]

[0018] - it recovers the condensation of said aeration into potable water, a healthy and inevitable by-product that is very abundant in tropical areas, without consuming significantly more energy than that used for said air conditioning.

[0022]

[0019] A tropical inhabitant already uses a compressor, the one in the refrigerator that heats the air-conditioned interior, and often a dehumidifier.

[0023]

[0020] Adding a third, expensive AWG heating compressor to the air-conditioned interior is counterproductive.

[0024]

[0021] Installing a compressorless AWG split system adds local value. This is ecologically and financially preferable.

[0025]

[0022] The invention therefore provides an accessory for an external unit available for any split air conditioner.

[0026]

[0023] The invention also includes an optional sub-accessory that allows the number of internal compressors to be reduced to zero:

[0027]

[0024] The sub-accessory of the split AWG:

[0028]

[0025] A hermetically sealed cabinet equipped with a door and internal shelves, having an internal evaporator and a thermostat.

[0029]

[0026] He makes an economical split refrigerator because it is incomplete, delivered without a compressor, condenser or thermal insulation, exposing an open refrigerant circuit terminated by visible connectors to the SAE 45° standard of air conditioning.

[0030]

[0027] It is intended to be connected by an air conditioning installer to the split unit's refrigerant circuit

[0031] AWG.

[0032]

[0028] It then cools its airtight cavity without prejudice resulting from the absence of insulation: this loss of insulation is neutral because it contributes to air conditioning / cooling the interior.

[0033]

[0029] Disambiguation

[0034]

[0030] Exterior = directly exposed to a hot and humid atmosphere,

[0035]

[0031] Interior = enclosed space, thermally insulated from the atmosphere,

[0036]

[0032] Ventilate = introduce atmospheric air into the interior through a vent, in particular to evacuate the

[0037] CO2,

[0038]

[0033] AWG = atmospheric water generator,

[0039]

[0034] Air conditioning = regulating indoor air: cooling and dehumidifying it,

[0040]

[0035] AC = air conditioner,

[0041]

[0036] Split = the state of being decoupled,

[0042]

[0037] Multi-split = at least two indoor units for one outdoor unit,

[0043]

[0038] WHO = World Health Organization,

[0044]

[0039] ACH = Air Change per Hour.

[0045]

[0040] Domain:

[0046]

[0041] The invention relates to household appliances installed by a professional, requiring a connection other than just an electrical one, for example a kitchen extractor hood or a wall-mounted split air conditioner. They are only functional after being connected respectively to a ventilation outlet and a refrigerant circuit.

[0047]

[0042] The field of the invention excludes commercial central air conditioners and heating systems that are integrated during construction.

[0048]

[0043] The invention provides an accessory that can be hermetically connected to a wall vent and to the refrigerant circuit of an available split air conditioner of which at least the outdoor unit is functional.

[0049]

[0044] A patent application claims protection of a market (for example common).

[0050]

[0045] The invention is non-functional when it goes through customs.

[0051]

[0046] It is therefore characterized by means of the constituents and arrangements which enable it to be functional after installation.

[0052]

[0047] These means are not implemented for indoor or outdoor atmospheric water generators delivered complete as turnkey units. A person skilled in the art has no reason to connect an external split air conditioner unit to a standalone AWG.

[0053]

[0048] Therefore, claiming the absence of a compressor and condenser and the means to connect it functionally to any model of external split air conditioner unit defines the scope of the industrial protection requested.

[0054]

[0049] Application:

[0055]

[0050] Inhabited air-conditioned tropical and subtropical interior spaces: housing, offices, shops, factories, hospitals, medical waiting rooms, gymnasiums.

[0056]

[0051] The population there uses wall-mounted split air conditioners with temperature and air circulation speed adjustable manually or remotely, operating arbitrarily with incompatible refrigerants R22, R32 or R410A.

[0057]

[0052] Subject:

[0058]

[0053] - Provide sufficient drinking water (according to the WHO, at least 70 L of drinking water per inhabitant per day, including 5 L for drinking and cooking) without additional energy costs, by recovering the condensation from an aeration system that meets post-Covl9 standards, for example those of the WHO, Ashrae, Niosh, Osha, CDC: 6 ACH.

[0059]

[0054] What characterizes the invention is

[0060]

[0055] - which it does not include and which the state of the art absolutely requires to generate drinking water.

[0061]

[0056] - economy in use: drinking water is an inevitable free by-product of air conditioning with post-covl9 standard ventilation.

[0062]

[0057] Technological background:

[0063]

[0058] Dl: US2020 / 0056356 This instructional document explains

[0064]

[0059] - paragraph 8 that to generate (indefinitely) water it is sufficient to circulate (indefinitely) a constant volume of air in a loop!

[0065]

[0060] - paragraph 7 that to generate even more water you just need to blow even more air on it!

[0066]

[0061] (blowing = forcing evaporation = more coolness and not more condensation. The Romans already cooled water in pendulum-shaped, seeping sandstone amphorae subjected to forced evaporation)

[0067]

[0062] Paragraph 25 states

[0105] The evaporator coil 308 may be typical of the art of re-stiffening, its coolant being pumped through the coolant inlet 330.

[0068]

[0063] The coolant inlet 330 passes through a galvanized housing 208 which can be inserted into a refrigeration unit 209 (for example, a refrigerator),

[0069]

[0064] Pump = Compressor, it is not specified or shown whether the compressor is upstream or downstream of the refrigerant inlet and the refrigerant inlet does not have a generic removable connector in SAE 45° format for connecting to a pre-existing external unit.

[0070]

[0065] Logically, the condenser should be located outside the refrigerator 209, but there's no guarantee it would also be located remotely, for example, on a balcony through a wall. Connecting the condenser to the outside of the refrigerator doesn't require a removable refrigerant circuit connection; such a connection would only encourage leaks.

[0071]

[0066] The term 'refrigerator' is also informative and excludes a removable connection to the refrigeration circuit. A refrigerator may have a filling valve, but its primary quality is the absolute airtightness of its cooling circuit, thus excluding removable connectors.

[0072]

[0067] The figures show the air inlet in the refrigerator 208 209 above the flow, but there is no indication that the air drawn in, referred to as outside air, is atmospheric and that the supposedly dehumidified cold air is expelled inside a room, particularly for air conditioning. On the contrary, paragraph 8 emphasizes the closed-loop recirculation of air.

[0073]

[0068] Nor does it appear that there is any means of suspending, supporting, attaching or maintaining the airtight air inlet facing an imaginary ceiling vent open to the outside.

[0074]

[0069] This document explains how it would be possible to condense the humidity in the air by passing it through a cold shower, thus saving the cost of an AWG evaporator. It does not constitute prior art, but it highlights the need for disambiguation regarding the terms 'inside and outside'. The outside of a refrigerator is not exposed to the atmosphere and is not disconnected. It is simply not shown because it is irrelevant.

[0075]

[0070] Z>3 US: 201402 60399 In this document, air passes through the wall in figure 6 but it exits.

[0076] Therefore, it does not enter humid to fill the interior with fresh, dry air once it has condensed.

[0077]

[0071] The exhaust airflow 606 (“EA1 *) from the evaporative cooling module 602 is brought outside because it is hot and very humid.

[0078]

[0072] It is therefore not by evacuating hot and humid air from the inside to the outside that one introduces into the inside for condensation of hot and humid outside atmospheric air.

[0079]

[0073] D4 US: 20040244398

[0080]

[0074] The water extraction units according to the present invention can be arranged as separate units to address customer complaints, particularly regarding noise. In one embodiment, the water treatment plant, including storage tanks, is located in one place (for example, outdoors), while the water distribution unit is located in another place (for example, indoors). By separating the distribution unit from the water treatment plant, the noise generated by the latter is rendered inaudible to the customer accessing the distribution unit. For example, in another embodiment, the refrigeration system is located outdoors, while the water condensation unit and / or the storage and treatment unit are located indoors. In this way, the unit treats warmer, more humid outdoor air, rather than drier, air-conditioned indoor air.

[0081]

[0075] The text does not explicitly mention any air movement from the outside to the inside, nor any refrigerant circuit passing through a wall. Placing a tap inside when the rest of the system is outside is not a prior art practice but rather plumbing, which also dates back to Roman antiquity.

[0082]

[0076] Opening a door or window remains the most effective and obvious way to circulate air between the outside and inside, and not an unmentioned vent whose purpose is to trap moisture in the air to condense it before releasing dry, cold air into the room unmixed. The only reason given is to reduce the noise of a wheel, not to cool the interior with dehumidified air when the outside is hot and humid.

[0083]

[0077] D2 US: 20160089616 The atmospheric air (air) from which the water is extracted is discharged to the outside through the air discharge port 16b. The air discharged through this port 16b being in such a state that foreign bodies such as dust, bacteria and viruses are removed by the filter 6 and the air filter 7, the moisture recovery device can also be used as an air purifier.

[0084]

[0078] This is explicit in Figure 2; outlet 16b is indeed an exhaust vent to the outside, the same space from which atmospheric air is drawn by 16a. D2 purifies the atmosphere but does not cool the interior space. It ambitiously aims to reduce pollution in a megacity, Tokyo being a prime example, but it does not provide ventilation to air-condition (cool) an interior space. Considering the inventor's context, blowing cold air into an apartment that is heated most of the time is not useful, but generating drinking water is a priority in Tokyo.

[0085]

[0079] D5 WO 2017 221133 is a technological background exploiting desiccants.

[0086]

[0080] Analysis:

[0087]

[0081] The invention would not be inventive if, by combining only two of the documents DI to D5, it would be fully realized.

[0088]

[0082] Even combining the five documents, it is still not achieved, because no document demonstrates taking hot and humid atmospheric air from outside to condense it into potable water as a free product of air conditioning and to blow said cooled and dehumidified air into the interior for the purpose of air conditioning the interior.

[0089]

[0083] The priority examination appears superficial if the object of the invention has been understood as providing an atmospheric water generator by condensation of water vapor in the air improves (!) allowing for a reduction in maintenance costs.

[0090]

[0084] Maintenance costs were never mentioned in the priority description, and this sentence taken from the review lacks clarity.

[0091]

[0085] The reformulation of claim 1 of priority was proposed by the INPI engineer.

[0092] This appears in the procedure.

[0093]

[0086] It is up to the administration to ensure consistency, and if possible not at the expense of the inventor, who should finance useful development and not the multiple unnecessary procedures that would unfairly result from not benefiting from the PPH.

[0087] Quantification:

[0094]

[0088] In the description, the quantities are referred to an individual, an end user, a resident of the tropics in their individual air-conditioned dwelling. To apply the invention to the general case, all the figures must be multiplied by the number of individuals concerned in a proportionally enlarged interior space.

[0095]

[0089] This individual occupies 36 m 2 100 m 3 His 1.5-ton split wall-mounted air conditioner extracts 5.2 kW of heat while consuming approximately 1.5 kW. H sets his air conditioner to 23.5°C, hoping to reach 50% relative humidity or 10.6 g / m³. 3of water vapor, while the average outside temperature is 26.5°C, 80% relative humidity, containing 20g / m³ 3 of water vapor. With a ventilation rate of 0.5 ACH, his wall-mounted air conditioner discharges 11.3 liters into the sewer daily. If the dwelling were ventilated at 6 ACH, the air conditioner would discharge 135 liters daily. But this is still not being respected.

[0096]

[0090] Opportunity:

[0097]

[0091] A single wall-mounted split air conditioner capable of absorbing 24 x 5.2 = 125 kWh of latent heat per day, it could theoretically condense 180 L of water.

[0098]

[0092] The number of operating degree hours for air conditioners peaks in Singapore, where each household owns at least four running continuously. 90% of households use an air conditioner / heat pump in the United States. 60% of individual air conditioners are wall-mounted split systems, with an indoor unit that recirculates 100% of the indoor air, contrary to post-COVID-19 recommendations. 70% of the cost of a wall-mounted split air conditioner comes from the compressor. 60% of the energy is lost in the tropics to condense and be discharged into the sewer system. One billion split air conditioners operate in tropical and subtropical areas while 2.7 billion people lack access to clean drinking water. 15% of the world's population—and the population of tropical regions—uses an air conditioner.

[0099]

[0093] The manufacturer's warranty does not extend to the refrigerant piping system installed by the authorized professional between the indoor and outdoor units. This piping is specific to each installation in terms of both shape and length and is therefore intended to be adapted to the customer's needs under the sole responsibility of the installer.

[0100]

[0094] Problem related to ventilation:

[0101]

[0095] The user manuals for all air conditioners prohibit ventilation.

[0102]

[0096] Ventilation must be accompanied by filtering pollution. Opening windows would only replace viruses and indoor CO2 with pollution and humidity.

[0103]

[0097] To go down to 10.6 g / m 3 in a ventilated dwelling at 6 ACH through a window introducing air with a charge of 20 g / m 3An air conditioner operating in dehumidification mode should circulate air at 15 ACH: this results from a simple weighting formula.

[0104]

[0098] The most powerful split air conditioner on the market achieves no more than 8.5 air changes per hour. Therefore, opening a window for comfortable ventilation in the tropics is out of the question. The open window diffuses humidity into the room before the air conditioner can condense it.

[0105]

[0099] Problem related to disinfection:

[0106]

[0100] A Japanese company has introduced to the market a system for disinfecting air passing through an air conditioner using hydroxyl radicals transported by an ionized mist. 4.5 trillion radicals are generated every second to degrade viruses and microbes. These radicals do not break down carbon dioxide. Ventilation remains essential, especially since ionization also generates harmful ozone.

[0107]

[0101] AWG limits:

[0108]

[0102] Humid tropical air is suitable for Atmospheric Water Generators (AWGs) which produce potable water by condensing vapor on a cold evaporator. But like an open refrigerator, they release a lot of heat into the environment: latent heat: 0.681 kWh / L, to which must be added the theoretical 0.4 kW / L electric heat of the American ANSI standard.

[0109]

[0103] To pump 1.1 kWh / L, the air conditioner would theoretically consume 0.36 kWh / L of electricity in addition to the aforementioned 0.4 kWh / L of electricity.

[0110]

[0104] With a cumulative energy consumption of 0.76 kWh / L, an indoor AWG would theoretically consume more than the direct distillation of wastewater by an electric still installed on a balcony (only 0.68 kW / L), while being much more expensive.

[0111]

[0105] The generic AWG is qualified at 27°C and 60% humidity according to the American standard ANSI ASSE 1090-2020. Its casing must contain an evaporator, a condenser, a compressor, a condensate drain, at least one water pump, an air filter, a water filter, a means of sterilizing water and air (e.g., a UVC lamp or ozone generator), at least one fan or turbine, and a potable water outlet (tap or hose). When operated indoors, it must generate at least 2.5 L / kWh or consume less than 400 Wh / L. When operated outdoors, it must generate at least 3.3 L / kWh or consume less than 300 Wh / L.

[0112]

[0106] In practice: The 2022 publication 'Performance analysis of atmospheric water generator under hot and humid climate conditions: Drinkable water production and system energy consumption' by Fahad Faraz Ahmad measured the electrical consumption of a generic AWG in November at 26°C and 55% RH, conditions closest to the ANSI standard.

[0113]

[0107] This measured consumption is 2.5 kWh / L, almost 10 times the standard. The air it blows inside at 37°C is not comfortable.

[0114]

[0108] If, despite everything, an AWG was operating in an air-conditioned, closed dwelling, the air conditioner would have already condensed and discharged all available moisture into the sewer, so there would be nothing left to condense.

[0115]

[0109] No AWG in the literature or on the market cools the interior.

[0116]

[0110] There is currently no way to generate enough atmospheric water to meet the needs of an individual in their tropical air-conditioned dwelling, either with an air conditioner or with an indoor AWG.

[0117]

[0111] Two versions of the invention:

[0118]

[0112] The first is intended for an individual space, for example, already equipped with a complete split air conditioner. In this version, the regulation of the internal ambient temperature results from cooperation, a switching between the installed wall-mounted split air conditioner and the connected invention in multi-split mode.

[0119]

[0113] The second version is connected directly to an external air conditioning unit.

[0120]

[0114] Both versions prioritize the air conditioning function as long as the indoor temperature exceeds the comfort threshold, for example 26°C.

[0115] According to the first version, as long as the indoor temperature exceeds 26°C, the refrigerant circulates exclusively in the indoor split unit without ventilation.

[0121]

[0116] Below 26°C the ventilation is cooled and condensed and the evaporator is traversed by the refrigerant.

[0122]

[0117] According to the second version, as long as the indoor temperature exceeds 26°C, ventilation is blocked by the closing of a flap, and the indoor air (necessarily already dehumidified) is recycled without generating any undesirable condensation. Below 26°C indoors, the blocking flap retracts, the cooled humid ventilation condenses into potable water and is blown inside without further recycling of the dry, cold indoor air.

[0123]

[0118] The invention contains: Figure 1, and 2.

[0124]

[0119] The invention is shown in solid black lines, the inner environment in hatched lines. The envelope of the invention is not shown as it is unremarkable.

[0125] 1: one or more turbines or fans drawing in at least 6 ACH, i.e. approximately 600 m3 / h

[0126] 2: an air filter, preferably of HEPA grade 13 or 14,

[0127] 3: an evaporator 3, downstream of said filter 2, absorbing approximately 5 kW of heat, for example, bactericidal copper

[0128] 4: 4 connectors conforming to SAE 45° 'A' and 'A' standard as inlet and outlet for refrigerant gas of said evaporator 3

[0129] 5: a condensate collector 5 located below said evaporator 3, preferably made of glass

[0130] 6: a UV and VUV lamp 6 emitting bactericidal UV at 254 nm and vacuum UV at 185 nm to generate hydroxyl ions in collector 5 or in intermediate collector 22.

[0131] 7: at least one turbine or water pump 7 to circulate said condensate from said collector 5 through a water filter 8, over said evaporator 3 and back to said collector 5

[0132] 8: said water filter 8, preferably a bactericidal mixture of activated carbon with silver deposit and alkalis, the latter ensuring mineralization, preferably made in a copper container housed in said collector 5.

[0133] 9: at least one tap 9, connected between said filter 8 and said evaporator 3.

[0134] 10: an outlet 10 towards, for example, a bottle filling system, or an external reservoir, for example, driving a turbine-pump triggered by

[0135] 11: at least one water level detector 11, optical or capacitive, located at the top of said collector 5

[0136] 12: a pair of foam-insulated copper or aluminum refrigerant lines, terminated with a standard 45° female flare fitting, one at A" 45° SAE, the other at A" 45° SAE, for connection to said evaporator 3 specifically for the first version 1:

[0137] 13: an economical 4-way reversing solenoid valve minus one, whose outlet S is hermetically sealed.

[0138] 14: at least one standard male 45° SAE T-junction 14 for both versions; 15: an electronic thermostat control board: to switch, by means of said 4-way diverter valve, the refrigerant from the outdoor unit between said indoor split air conditioner unit and said evaporator 3 to activate fan 1 to power motor 20 to power an outdoor split air conditioner unit to power a heating element not shown

[0139] 16: Optionally, a heating element 16 to maintain a small amount of hot water upstream of the mixer tap 9

[0140] 17: a second water level detector allowing the evaporator 3 to be disconnected from the refrigerant line and the fan 1, when all the collection tanks and bottles are full.

[0141] 18: a motorized flap vent cap

[0142] 19: the said hood flap

[0143] 20: the said shutter motor

[0144] 21: a piezoelectric nebulizer.

[0145] 22: an intermediate condensate collector.

[0146] 23: a closed elastic return flap.

[0147] 24: an air guide or airtight seal between filter 2 and the outside.

[0148]

[0120] 13-way to 4-way reversing solenoid valve minus one:

[0149]

[0121] The low production cost of the invention is conditioned by the exclusive use of standard components already manufactured by the millions.

[0150]

[0122] The invention according to the first version switches the refrigerant between the indoor air conditioner and the inlet of the evaporator 3 without any liquid refrigerant returning directly to the suction line of the outdoor unit.

[0151]

[0123] The invention, once disconnected from the liquid refrigerant line, allows the air conditioner to operate by default. This could be achieved by inserting a solenoid valve that is open by default in the supply line of the split air conditioner and a solenoid valve that is closed by default in the supply line of the evaporator. However, such a solenoid valve that is open by default is not commercially available.

[0152]

[0124] The invention uses a standard 4-way reversing solenoid valve from a reversible heat pump, by hermetically sealing the outlet S traditionally connected to the suction of the external unit

[0153]

[0125] Such a 4-way reversing solenoid valve designed to switch a heat pump from heating mode to cooling mode, includes a liquid inlet from the external unit D, a common outlet S of expanded gas to the external unit, and two conditional ports, C passing by default and E closed by default, both bidirectional, alternately liquid refrigerant outlet and expanded gas inlet.

[0154]

[0126] According to the invention, the common inlet D is preferably terminated by a SAE 45° 'A' connector for direct connection to the output of the outdoor unit; the conditional ports are each terminated by a SAE 45° 'A' connector. Side E is connected to the evaporator 3 and the other, side C, passing by default, is connected to the indoor wall-mounted split AC air conditioner.

[0155]

[0127] The common return S, which is closed, is therefore not connected to the suction of the external unit, so the external unit is never exposed to the risk of a return of liquid refrigerant, the switching of this valve 13 can therefore follow one another rapidly without waiting for the evaporation of the fluid.

[0156]

[0128] There is no reversal of the refrigerant flow, but only an alternation of flow between the wall-mounted split air conditioner and the evaporator 3, and no liquid refrigerant is returned to the suction inlet of the outdoor unit. Also, in the first version, the air conditioner is powered by default and operates without interference when the invention is disconnected, the ambient temperature is above the setpoint, or the tanks are full.

[0157]

[0129] Ideal condensation temperature.

[0158]

[0130] The invention exploits the discovery of an optimal condensation temperature T outTo optimize volume by cooling the warm, humid atmospheric air on evaporator 3. The temperature T ou t depends only on the atmospheric temperature T ext and its relative humidity RH, two variables measured by digital sensor.

[0159]

[0131] H represents the vapor density in g / m3 as a function of relative humidity and temperature:

[0160]

[0132] H(T, RH) = 13.24 xe A [(17.67 x T) / (T+243.5)] x RH / (273.15+T) T: (°C)

[0161]

[0133] The cold produced by the external unit is used to cool and condense the ventilation.

[0162]

[0134] P * EER(T) = V* ACH* (L*(H(T ext HR ext ) - H(T out , 100%)) + Cp*(T ext - T out ))

[0163]

[0135] V room volume and ACH air change per hour ACH.

[0164]

[0136] Factoring out the difference in vapor density:

[0165]

[0138] V *ACH * (H(T ex t, HR ext ) - H(T out ( , 100%)) represents the volume of condensate

[0166]

[0139] This volume is at its maximum when the following value is at its minimum:

[0167]

[0140] (T ext - T out ) / (H(T ext HR ex t) - H(T out (100%))

[0168]

[0141] The equation that makes its derivative equal to zero has no literal solution, but the invention exploits a precise Taylor series expansion to the half-degree:

[0169]

[0142] T out = Max ( 5 , (0.94* T ext + 0.5* RH ext - 53.3 °C

[0170]

[0143] To prevent the evaporator from freezing in cold, humid weather, the minimum temperature is, for example, arbitrarily set at 5°C.

[0171]

[0144] Thus, according to the invention, the temperature of the air exiting the evaporator is regulated according to the temperature of the incoming atmospheric air and its relative humidity, both measured by means of state-of-the-art digital sensors, in order to optimize the energy efficiency of condensation by regulating the air exiting the evaporator at T ou t by means of the fan speed 1.

[0172]

[0145] In common language: so as not to cool the incoming air too much, which would require reducing the flow and drying out the room, nor too little, which on the contrary would require over-ventilating the room with uncomfortably humid air.

[0173]

[0146] Finally, according to the invention, this optimization formula is then weighted by considerations of ambient comfort, 27°C at 20% RH is comfortable, 19% at 80% RH is also comfortable, while hot - humid and cold - dry are not.

[0174]

[0147] Operation according to the invention, after reversible installation:

[0175]

[0148] - According to the first version:

[0176]

[0149] Below the temperature set on thermostat 14, at 26°C for example the indoor split air conditioner is no longer supplied with refrigerant, it no longer cools the room but still controls the outdoor unit.

[0177]

[0150] Set to 19°C for example in high ventilation mode, the wall-mounted split air conditioner interrupts the outdoor unit below 19°C inside.

[0178]

[0151] For example, at 26°C measured on the temperature sensor 15, the refrigerant is switched to the evaporator 3 for cooling. When the temperature of the air exiting the evaporator 3 reaches T out The fan starts and regulates this temperature, thus triggering condensation.

[0179]

[0152] When the ambient temperature reaches the air conditioner's setpoint temperature, for example 19°C, the air conditioner stops the outdoor unit and the thermostat regulating T ou t automatically stops the fan.

[0180]

[0153] When the manifold 5 and all the tanks and bottles are full, a logical consequence of the absence of occupants, the water level detectors 11 in the manifold trigger the switching of the refrigerant to the air conditioning and the stopping of the fan 1, leaving the air conditioning to regulate at, for example, 19°C.

[0181]

[0154] According to the second version:

[0182]

[0155] As long as the internal temperature exceeds 26°C, the flap 19 of the cap 18 is closed by the motor 20 under the control of the control board 15. The turbines 1 generate a vacuum opening the flaps 23 allowing the recycling of the dry internal air.

[0183]

[0156] As soon as the temperature drops below 26°C the flap 19 is opened, the end of the depression automatically closes the elastic return flaps 23 and only warm and humid atmospheric air passes through the evaporator.

[0184]

[0157] Sterilization of water, air and interior surfaces

[0185] Figure 4 shows the intermediate condensation collector 22 and the piezoelectric nebulizer 21 exactly under the mercury UV tube emitting at 185 nm and 254 nm.

[0186] This particular configuration is an intrinsic invention allowing adjustment of the generation ratio between ozone O3 molecules in the air and OH* radicals carried by the fog created by the nebulizer.

[0187] The propagation distance of 185 nm is 5 mm in water where this wavelength generates harmless sterilizing OH* radicals, and a few meters in air where they generate harmful ozone O3.

[0188] 254 nm passes through water and air, degrading ozone O3 and any germs in its path.

[0189] In air with 50% humidity, three times more O3 than OH* are generated by a mercury tube, and, to make matters worse, the OH* disappear in 10 minutes while the O3 persist for hours. (The lifetime of OH* in tap water is about 1 second but reaches 600 seconds in ultrapure condensed water).

[0190] This problem slows down indoor disinfection with hydroxyl, because the acceptable indoor ozone level is very low. Yet OH* is three times more effective than O3 at disinfecting air and surfaces.

[0191] According to the invention, it is the immersion depth of tube 6 which regulates the ratio between the generation of OH* diffused by the piezoelectric fog and the generation of ozone in the air.

[0192] Rather than generating OH* in the air accompanied by ozone, they are generated within the 5mm envelope surrounding the quartz tube immersed in ultrapure, ozone-free condensate, and then diffused as a mist saturated with OH*. The predominant wavelength of 254 nm, passing through water and air, degrades any residual O3 into O2.

[0193] The invention thus generates a fog densely charged with hydroxyl radicals, at a rate never before achieved without exceeding an acceptable level of ozone indoors.

[0194] This allows for almost instantaneous disinfection of the air and surfaces requiring very little mist, thus humidifying the interior space very little and therefore consuming very little potable condensate.

[0195] A Japanese manufacturer is advertising a 4.5 10 9OH* generated per second, in a recycled air conditioner, by means of electrostatic ionization of condensation on a corona effect tip, of course generating ozone because oxygen is also ionized.

[0196] The 30W tube used in the invention generates 9W at 254 nm and 1W at 185 nm, i.e. 10 18 photon for 3 10 17 OH* available to sterilize the main condensate collector 5 but also to boost the fog droplets when the nebulizer is switched on intermittently.

[0197]

[0158] For the record and to characterize the nomenclature of the claims, a 'generic electrical AWG' contains in its casing an evaporator 3, a condenser, a compressor, a condensate recovery unit 5, at least one water pump 7, an air filter 2, a water filter 8, a means of sterilizing water and air: for example UVC lamp or ozone generator 6, at least one fan or turbine 1, and a potable water outlet, tap or pipe 9.

[0198]

[0159] It does not contain a standard SAE connector, nor any means of cooling from ambient temperature.

[0199]

[0160] It exists in only two categories, exterior, drawing in and blowing outside air, or interior, which is less demanding in terms of performance.

[0200]

[0161] An internal AWG blows 1' hot air to 1' internal.

[0201]

[0162] The airtight connection 24 between the outside atmosphere and the filter 2 can be achieved by means of a flexible conduit, for example, leading to a window, door or wall ventilation vent, or by a direct sealed support of the envelope of the invention hermetically covering said wall vent.

[0202]

[0163] The refrigerant fluid conduits 12 are preferably flexible, spirally corrugated copper and thermally insulated.

[0203]

[0164] The split or incomplete refrigerator, under accessory.

[0204]

[0165] It is preferably connected in parallel to the second version of the invention, by means of a 4-way solenoid valve (minus one) interposed on the fluid inlet and a T-junction interposed on the suction side. This valve is closed by default on the refrigerator side. A state-of-the-art thermostat powers said solenoid and said external unit as soon as the temperature in the refrigerator exceeds the setpoint. Cabinet insulation is unnecessary since one of the functions of the split AWG is to cool / air condition; when said refrigerator takes over, it continues to cool / air condition the interior.

[0205]

[0166] The generic external unit:

[0206]

[0167] The components of the available split outdoor unit are never specified in the description. This outdoor unit is generic and unrestricted; it is a black box that draws in gaseous refrigerant through a 1 / 1-inch tube and delivers liquid refrigerant through another 1 / 4-inch tube when electrically powered. Over a billion of these units of all types are available. The installer does not need to know anything more to functionally connect the invention to any one of them. The invention connects to a generic outdoor unit regardless of the components it currently contains or will contain in the future. There is no requirement that the outdoor unit to which the invention connects today or in the future include a 'compressor' and / or a 'condenser'.

[0207]

[0168] The invention provides a generic indoor electric atmospheric water generator characterized in that it

[0208]

[0169] - is economical to manufacture due to the absence of a compressor and condenser,

[0209]

[0170] - ventilates the interior by means of a connection to a ventilation vent

[0210]

[0171] - air-conditions / cools the interior by means of

[0211]

[0172] o of the absence of a condenser,

[0212]

[0173] o of connectors to the SAE 45° 14 inch and 14 inch standards of generic split air conditioner external units,

[0213]

[0174] or a 4-way solenoid valve minus one, or a motorized vent shut-off flap,

[0214]

[0175] or at least one thermostat controlling the power supply to said valve or to the motorization of said vent or to a generic external split air conditioner unit,

[0215]

[0176] - generates drinking water using energy expended exclusively for air conditioning.

[0216]

[0177] characterized in that it sterilizes said drinking water, surfaces and indoor air by means of hydroxyl radicals generated without ozone by a mercury vapor lamp immersed in the condensate above the transducers of an immersed piezoelectric nebulizer.

[0217]

[0178] characterized in that it makes an economical accessory split refrigerator without compressor or condenser or thermal insulation by means of a hermetically sealed cabinet, its door, shelves, a 4-way solenoid valve minus one, an evaporator and a thermostat and two exposed connectors to SAE 45° standards.

Claims

AMENDED CLAIMS received by the International Bureau on March 5, 2026 Claim 1 Atmospheric water generator apparatus (1) for a split-type air conditioning system, said system comprising an outdoor unit (OU) having a compressor and a condenser, said apparatus (1) being arranged to be installed inside a room, characterized in that it comprises: • an envelope ; » an evaporator (3) arranged in the casing; • a first fan (1) configured to generate an airflow through said evaporator (3); • an air filter (2) arranged upstream of said evaporator (3) with respect to the airflow; • an air inlet (24) configured to be hermetically connected to a wall ventilation vent, in order to bring outside air through said air filter (2) and then said evaporator (3) before being blown into said room; • a first SAE 45° flared type refrigerant inlet connector (4) and a first SAE 45° flared type refrigerant outlet connector (4), arranged to removably connect said evaporator (3) to the refrigerant circuit of said outdoor unit (UE); • a condensate collector (5) disposed under said evaporator (3) to collect the condensed water generated by said evaporator (3); • a water filter (8) disposed on a condensed water circulation circuit from said collector (5) to a draw-off point (9); • a means of sterilizing (6, 8, 21) condensed water and / or air, chosen from an ultraviolet lamp, a bactericidal filter, or a combination thereof; • a switching means configured to selectively: o (i) in a first mode, called multi-split mode, direct the refrigerant flow from said outdoor unit (OU) to said evaporator (3) and to an existing indoor air conditioning unit; or o (ii) in a second mode, called direct mode, direct exclusively the refrigerant flow from said outdoor unit (OU) to said evaporator (3); • a motorized shutter (18, 19, 20, 23) configured to, in said second mode, selectively: o in closed position, recycle the air of said room through the evaporator (3); and o in open position, draw said outside air through said air inlet (24) and said evaporator (3) to blow it into said room after condensation; • a thermostatic control means (15) configured to measure the temperature of said room and to control: o in said first mode, said switching means and said first fan (1) such that: • when the measured temperature is above a predetermined threshold, the refrigerant flow is directed to said existing indoor unit and the first fan (1) is stopped, thus preventing the intake of outside air; "When the measured temperature is below said threshold, the refrigerant flow is directed to said evaporator (3) and the first fan (1) is activated to draw in outside air; o in said second mode, said motorized damper (18-20, 23) so that:" ■ when the measured temperature is above said threshold, said flap is in closed position to recycle the indoor air; "when the measured temperature is below said threshold, said flap is in the open position to draw in outside air; • and in that said thermostatic control means (15) is further configured to regulate and stabilize the temperature of said evaporator (3) so that the air exiting it, saturated with water vapor, has an absolute humidity exactly equal to that of the air in said room, thus preventing any condensation during the recycling of indoor air. Claim 2 Device according to claim 1, characterized in that said switching means for the first mode comprises a four-way reversing solenoid valve (13) having an outlet port (S) sealed, said solenoid valve (13) being configured to switch the flow of refrigerant between an existing indoor split air conditioner and said evaporator (3). Claim 3 Apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that said draw-off point (9) is a tap, and in that the apparatus further comprises a pump or turbine (7) configured to circulate the condensed water from said collector (5) through said water filter (8), over said evaporator (3), and back to said collector (5). Claim 4 Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said sterilization means comprises: • a mercury vapor lamp (6) immersed in the condensate collector (5) to generate hydroxyl radicals in the water, and * a piezoelectric nebulizer (21) immersed in said collector (5) to generate a water mist saturated with hydroxyl radicals and diffuse it in said room, said hydroxyl radicals being generated without production of ozone. 18

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