223 results about "Atmospheric water" patented technology

The present invention relates to a process for preparing organyloxysilyl-terminated polymers which have increased stability toward atmospheric moisture, by reacting hydroxy-terminated organic polymers with isocyanato-functional silanes in the presence of at least one catalyst selected from the group consisting of bismuth and zinc compounds, and to crosslinkable compositions comprising such polymers.

The present invention relates to a process for preparing organyloxysilyl-terminated polymers which have increased stability toward atmospheric moisture, by reacting hydroxy-terminated organic polymers with isocyanato-functional silanes in the presence of at least one catalyst selected from the group consisting of bismuth and zinc compounds, and to crosslinkable compositions comprising such polymers.

An atmospheric water harvester extracts water from high relative humidity air. The temperature of the surface of a condensation member is lowered in the presence of moist air to promote condensation of water vapor on its surface, and the water so obtained by condensation is collected. The atmospheric water harvester includes a photovoltaic member that generates electricity to power the refrigeration of the condensation member. At least as much electrical power is produced as is used to condense the water vapor so that no additional sources of electrical power are required. Each atmospheric water harvester (or array of harvesters) is rapidly installed and then operated in an unattended state for considerable periods of time. Arrays of autonomous atmospheric water harvesters can be installed as free-standing units or as roofs on either new or existing buildings.

An atmospheric water harvester extracts water from high relative humidity air. The temperature of the surface of a condensation member is lowered in the presence of moist air to promote condensation of water vapor on its surface, and the water so obtained by condensation is collected. The atmospheric water harvester includes a photovoltaic member that generates electricity to power the refrigeration of the condensation member. At least as much electrical power is produced as is used to condense the water vapor so that no additional sources of electrical power are required. Each atmospheric water harvester (or array of harvesters) is rapidly installed and then operated in an unattended state for considerable periods of time. Arrays of autonomous atmospheric water harvesters can be installed as free-standing units or as roofs on either new or existing buildings.

The present invention is directed at a solar powered heat exchange system preferably used to drive a water collection device, which condenses water vapour in atmospheric air to water. The device comprises means for drawing the atmospheric air into the device; means for condensing the moisture vapour in the atmospheric air into water; and means for collecting the water.

The invention discloses an environmental satellite 1-based surface temperature single-window inversion method. The method comprises the following steps of: 1, acquiring remote sensing data of an environmental satellite 1B, namely an HJ-1B satellite, of the surface of a region to be tested, preprocessing the remote sensing data to acquire image data and converting a pixel brightness digital number (DN) value of the image data into radiance; 2, performing atmospheric correction on the image data by using an image-based continental offshore stratigraphic test (COST) atmospheric correction model; 3, estimating emissivity epsilon of the surface of the region to be tested by a normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) threshold method; and 4, inverting the surface temperature by a single-window algorithm according to calculation results obtained in the steps 1 to 3. In the method, the image-based COST model atmospheric correction method and the surface temperature single-window algorithm with no need of an atmospheric water vapor content parameter are applied to the HJ-1B satellite remote sensing data, so that the inversion of the surface temperature is realized.

A device for absorbing atmospheric moisture includes a support member with a net extending therefrom. The net includes a super absorbent polymer that has the property of being able to absorb a multiple of the polymer mass in atmospheric water and to thereafter release the water in response to an external stimulus. The device is in this way reusable. The device has particular application in the clearing of fog, manure odor clearance, and collection of potable water in remote locations. A process for extracting atmospheric moisture is also detailed that includes the step of extending a super absorbent polymer net into contact with an atmosphere. Thereafter, with that being in contact with the atmosphere for a sufficient amount of time moisture is absorbed from the atmosphere. The application of a stimulus to the super absorbent polymer containing atmospheric moisture causes the release of liquid water therefrom. The super absorbent polymer is then suitable for reuse to again absorb atmospheric water.

PCT No. PCT / US95 / 09407 Sec. 371 Date Jan. 8, 1997 Sec. 102(e) Date Jan. 8, 1997 PCT Filed Jul. 11, 1995 PCT Pub. No. WO96 / 01912 PCT Pub. Date Jan. 25, 1996An article (130) comprising a non-conductive substrate (136), preferably of an environmentally degradeable character, having a thickness of an oxidizable metal coating (138) thereon, and optionally an oxidation enhancingly effective amount of a salt (140), e.g., from about 0.005 to about 25% by weight of salt, based on the weight of oxidizable metal, present on the oxidizable metal coating. Also disclosed is a related method of forming such article, comprising chemical vapor depositing the oxidizable metal coating on the substrate. When utilized in a form comprising fine-diameter substrate elements such as filaments, the resulting product may be usefully employed as an "evanescent" chaff. In the presence of atmospheric moisture, such evanescent chaff undergoes oxidization of the oxidizable metal coating so that the conductivity and radar absorbance / reflectance characteristics of the chaff transiently decays. The chaff may be packaged for use in a cartridge (120) or the chaff may be provided by precursor roving packages (204) which are cut to the desired dipole length by a suitable cutter device (200) for dissemination to the locus of use.

A multiple panel heat exchanger and atmospheric water harvester using the same is provided. The multiple panel heat exchanger includes two or more heat exchange panels arranged in side-by-side series with their major cross sectional areas normal to airflow across the heat exchanger. The heat exchange panels are fluidically connected in series and with a first heat exchange panel in the series having a heat exchange fluid inlet into the heat exchanger and a last heat exchange panel in the series having a heat exchange fluid outlet from the heat exchanger. The multiple panel heat exchanger is suited for a heat exchanger in a refrigeration circuit, such as an evaporator in a vapor-compression refrigeration circuit. An atmospheric water harvester including the multiple panel heat exchanger is also provided.

A sensor with high sensitivity and selectivity for the detection of NO2 uses a simple diode laser operating nominally at 405 nm in the visible region, a high finesse optical cavity and a low noise photon detector. The sensor employs the multimode broad output of the diode laser with the high finesse optical cavity in an essentially off-axis arrangement that can provide large path lengths of the order of a km in a small volume cell. The detected absorption signal corresponds to multiple line integrated absorption spectroscopy (MLIS). Because the sensor uses visible radiation it can employ optics in the visible region that are normally less expensive. Also, the sensor is free from interference from atmospheric water vapor which is often a severe problem for sensors based on mid-infrared quantum cascade lasers operating in the mid-infrared (for example 1650 cm−1) region.

An embodiment of the invention delivers water to plants of a specified type which reside in a quantity of soil. A condensing unit is operated at optimum intervals to condense water vapor in the air into water in liquid form. The condensed water is stored in a reservoir connected to an irrigation system, which can deliver water from the reservoir to each of the plants. A database is established that contains horticultural information, wherein the horticultural information comprises a set of values representing the water needed by plants of the specified type at different stages of growth. Estimates of soil moisture content are generated during a specified time period. Optimum watering intervals are computed during the specified time period, at least in part, as a function of the set of values contained in the horticultural database, and also as a function of the estimates of moisture content. The irrigation system is operated to deliver water to each plant during respective optimum watering intervals.

Condensation of water from a gas, such as from atmospheric air or other nearby ambient gas, is provided for use in a variety of jetting devices, such as inkjet and lab-on-a-chip applications. Further embodiments involve the use of frozen liquids, not limited to frozen condensed water, and microcooling of fluidic components or working materials for improved process control and reliability.

The invention discloses a laser radar system for measuring Raman spectra of atmospheric water and fluorescence spectra of aerosols.The system consists of a transmitting unit, an optical receiving and signal detection unit and a control unit.The transmitting unit adopts a seed injected solid laser to output ultraviolet laser with the narrow linewidth of 354.8 nm and guide the ultraviolet laser to the zenith.The optical receiving and signal detection unit collects backward scattering light from atmospheric substances, produces inhabitation superior to 15 orders of magnitude to nearby light of 354.8 nm and distinguishes and records signal light in the spectrum band range of 393.0-424.0 nm at the spectral precision of 0.8 nm.The control unit guarantees the orderly work of the whole radar system.Under the radiation of ultraviolet laser with the wave length of 354.8 nm, the vibrational-rotational Raman spectrum regions of gas-state, liquid-state and solid-state water sequentially correspond to the ranges of 395-409 nm, 396-410 nm and 401-418 nm.The laser radar system can simultaneously record the Raman spectra produced by the three states of water and fluorescence spectra of produced by aerosol particles and achieve simultaneous detection of the atmospheric water, aerosols and other substances.

Improved mechanisms for collecting information from a diverse suite of sensors and systems, calculating the current precipitation, atmospheric water vapor, atmospheric liquid water content, or precipitable water and other atmospheric-based phenomena, for example presence and intensity of fog, based upon these sensor readings, predicting future precipitation and atmospheric-based phenomena, and estimating effects of the atmospheric-based phenomena on visibility, for example by calculating runway visible range (RVR) estimates and forecasts based on the atmospheric-based phenomena.

The atmospheric water harvester (2) shown in FIG. (1) comprises a centrally located flue in the form of a tower 4 and a surrounding heating enclosure (6) for collecting incident solar energy to heat air which enters its periphery (8). With heating of the air in the heating enclosure (6), an updraught is created within tower (4) as the air from the heating enclosure (6) returns to the atmosphere from the open end of the tower A base structure (10) housing a plurality of wind turbines is provided around the base of the tower. As the heated air flows from the heating enclosure (6) into the tower it is harnessed to rotate the wind turbines. Each wind turbine (20) is provided with associated water collection apparatus (94) comprising a refrigeration system for cooling condensation surfaces to, or below, the dew point of the air to effect the condensation of water from the air onto condensation surfaces of the water collection apparatus for collection. The refrigeration system comprises a compressor (46) for compressing a refrigerant vapour for the cooling of the condensation surfaces and which is driven by the wind turbine (20).

This invention relates to a primer composition having a low VOC content useful in the manufacture of automobiles and trucks in which the film forming binder contains: a) a cycloaliphatic or polycycloaliphatic epoxy compound; b) an alkoxy silane or silicate reactive diluent; and, c) a curing catalyst to catalyze the reaction between (a) and (b). These primers are characterized in that the curing or crosslinking reaction is presumably based, at least in part, on a ring opening polymerization reaction between the epoxy structures of (a) and silanol groups formed on (b) in the presence of atmospheric moisture and acid. Curing chiefly utilizing a ring opening reaction of the forgoing epoxy structures with the forgoing reactive diluents not only avoids volatile compounds from being generated and released into the atmosphere during the curing process, but also keeps the viscosity low enough for practical application such as by spraying. These primers are especially useful in reducing emissions, while also meeting today's performance requirements, such as ease of application and excellent physical properties such as corrosion resistance, a high level of adhesion to primed and unprimed substrates, and provide a surface to which conventional automotive topcoats will adhere.

The systems and methods described herein provide a mechanism for collecting information from a diverse suite of sensors and systems, calculating the current precipitation, atmospheric water vapor, or precipitable water and other atmospheric-based phenomena based upon these sensor readings, and predicting future precipitation and atmospheric-based phenomena.

An atmospheric water harvester includes a cooling member over which humid air flows to condense moisture from the atmosphere. The cooling member may be the evaporator of a conventional, gas vapor-based refrigeration circuit. If a gas vapor-based refrigeration circuit is used, the compressor of the circuit may be variable speed. A fan or impeller used to move air through the system may also be variable speed. A preferred embodiment includes a variable flow geometry thermal economizer section configured such that, to varying degrees, the incoming air may be pre-cooled, before it passes over the cooling member, by heat exchange with colder air that has already flowed over the cooling member.

The invention relates to a method for inverting atmospheric water vapor content from MODIS (Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer) data, which can be applied to the remote sensing application departments, such as meteorology, environment monitoring, land management, crop condition monitoring, disaster monitoring and the like. The method comprises the following three steps of: (1) performing forward simulation to the second, fifth, seventeenth, eighteenth and nineteenth near-infrared bands of acquired remote sensing MODIS data in given areas and seasons and an atmospheric model by using atmospheric radiation transmission simulation software MODTRAN, and establishing a training and test database; (2) repeatedly training and testing the training and test data set by using a neural network; and (3) performing inversion calculation to the MODIS actual image data, and performing actual earth surface verification and application analysis. The atmospheric water vapor inversed product has high precision, strong practicability and relatively simple operation. The method can be applied to the departments of weather forecast, environment monitoring, crop condition monitoring, disaster monitoring and the like.

Devices and methods for condensing, cooling, heating, sanitizing, and dispensing drinkable water that is collected from atmospheric water vapor are disclosed. The devices generally include a dehumidifier that is configured to harvest and condense atmospheric water vapor within the device; and a collection tank that is configured to receive and collect condensed atmospheric water vapor within the dehumidifier. The devices further include a first means for heating water within the collection tank to a temperature that is effective to kill bacteria; and a first tube that fluidly connects the collection tank with a cold water tank. The first tube includes one or more in-line filters through which water must travel to reach the cold water tank. The devices further include a second means for heating water within the cold water tank to a temperature that is effective to kill bacteria, and a second tube that fluidly connects the cold water tank with a hot water tank.

The invention belongs to the quantitative remote sensing technical field and relates to an HJ-1B satellite intermediate infrared and thermal infrared channel-combined surface temperature inversion method. The method includes the following steps that: (1) satellite image data are preprocessed, so that satellite entrance pupil radiation brightness data, atmospheric water vapor content and aerosol optical thickness are obtained; (2) multi-dimensional parameter search table-based intermediate infrared surface reflection solar radiation inversion is constructed, so that an intermediate infrared surface reflection solar radiation inversion product can be obtained; (3) surface emissivity inversion is performed through using the empirical statistic relation of vegetation coverage and surface emissivity, so that the surface emissivity can be obtained; and (4) surface temperature inversion is performed on intermediate infrared data and thermal infrared data through suing the atmospheric water vapor content in the step (1) and the surface emissivity in the step (3), so that a surface temperature inversion product can be obtained. With the method adopted, the utilization of data is effectively improved, the problem of the instability of surface temperature inversion is solved, and the accuracy of temperature inversion is improved.

Disclosed is a fully-automated greenhouse that utilizes hydroponic growing techniques in order to maximize the amount of crop production possible in a given footprint, and eliminates the need for soil, fossil fuels, pesticides and toxic chemicals. The greenhouse produces its own pure, clean water supply with proprietary, on-board atmospheric water generators incorporating water treatment technology, namely ozone, hydrodynamic cavitation, acoustical cavitation, and electrochemical oxidation to oxidize and destroy contaminants to maintain purity.

An improvement in atmospheric evaporative water condenser is disclosed. The apparatus includes tubes through which a refrigerant would pass and a variety of generally rectangular or circular fins are in contact with the tubes which causes the fins to cool. This permits water in its vapor form which exists in atmospheric air to condense on the fins and the condensate is collected as potable water. The improvement includes a plurality of different width spacers which are toleranced to be placed over the tubes and secured in desired positions. The fins are placed between the spacers allowing different fin spacing configurations on the apparatus. The different fin configurations optimize airflow for different coil and fin sections and help prevent water flooding or frost buildup on the fins which impair efficiency. Also, the spacers allow the fins to be placed far enough apart that non-frozen condensate does not block the air flow through the space between the fins.

The invention relates to an atmospheric correction and regional mineral map spotting method utilizing multi-scene ASTER (Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer) remote sensing data, comprising the following nine steps of: (1) reading in ASTER data; (2) selecting reference data, wherein one-scene data is selected from multi-scene data as a reference for atmospheric correction; (3) carrying out the atmospheric correction on the reference data to obtain reference reflectivity data; (4) carrying out atmospheric correction on non-reference data to obtain non-reference reflectivity data; (5) calculating the overlay region spectral characteristic difference of the reference reflectivity data and the non-reference reflectivity data; (6) calculating the atmospheric water vapor content and the atmospheric visibility of the non-reference data; (7) newly carrying out the atmospheric correction on the non-reference data by utilizing the calculated atmospheric water vapor content and the atmospheric visibility to obtain non-reference reflectivity data; (8) carrying out inlaying treatment on the multi-scene reflectivity data including the reference data and the non-reference data; and (9) carrying out mineral identification and map spotting by utilizing spectral indexes. The method effectively eliminates inlaid gaps among the multi-scene data, thereby realizing the regional mineral map spotting.

An embodiment of the invention delivers water to plants of a specified type which reside in a quantity of soil. A condensing unit is operated at optimum intervals to condense water vapor in the air into water in liquid form. The condensed water is stored in a reservoir connected to an irrigation system, which can deliver water from the reservoir to each of the plants. A database is established that contains horticultural information, wherein the horticultural information comprises a set of values representing the water needed by plants of the specified type at different stages of growth. Estimates of soil moisture content are generated during a specified time period. Optimum watering intervals are computed during the specified time period, at least in part, as a function of the set of values contained in the horticultural database, and also as a function of the estimates of moisture content. The irrigation system is operated to deliver water to each plant during respective optimum watering intervals.

The invention discloses a regional atmospheric water vapor real-time monitoring method and system based on CORSs. The regional atmospheric water vapor real-time monitoring method comprises the steps that observation values of all the CORSs are collected into a data center in real time to form GNSS data; an IGS precise track and the precise clock difference are obtained to correct a product in realtime, the GNSS data are read in, and the total delay of the atmosphere above all the CORSs is estimated through a precise point positioning technology; the wet delay in the total delay of the atmosphere is converted into the water vapor content of the atmosphere through a global weighted average temperature model, and thus the water vapor content of the atmosphere above zeniths of all the CORSs is obtained; the water vapor content of the atmosphere is interpolated through a kriging interpolation method, and thus the water vapor content of the atmosphere in the region with the specific time resolution and the specific spatial resolution; and through the water vapor content of the atmosphere in the region, the water vapor content above the region is monitored in real time. The regional atmospheric water vapor real-time monitoring method and system based on the CORSs have the remarkable effect that real-time, stable, high-precision, high spatial and temporal resolution, all-weather and all-day water vapor monitoring is achieved.

Methods and systems for measuring atmospheric water content, are provided. The method includes measuring a first air temperature and a first air pressure at a first location in a compressor, measuring a second air temperature and a second air pressure at a second location in the compressor, computing a ratio of specific heats from the first and second air temperatures and the first and second air pressures, and determining an atmospheric water content from the ratio of specific heats.

An atmospheric water generation system comprises water vapor consolidation systems configured to increase the relative humidity of a controlled air stream prior to condensing water from the controlled air stream. The water vapor consolidation system comprises a fluid-desiccant flow system configured to decrease the temperature of the desiccant to encourage water vapor to be absorbed by the desiccant from an atmospheric air flow. The desiccant flow is then heated to encourage water vapor evaporation from the desiccant flow into a controlled air stream that circulates within the system. The humidity of the controlled air stream is thereby increased above the relative humidity of the atmospheric air to facilitate condensation of the water vapor into usable liquid water.

The invention discloses a method for continously observing and determining the vertical distribution of atmospheric water vapor by using superconductive gravity and relates to a method for determining the vertical distribution of the atmospheric water vapor. The method comprehensively uses earth tide theory, observation technology, atmosphere load gravity correction theory and simulates global surface pressure temperature observation data and the like which eliminate other phenomena except that the atmosphere acts on the gravity on the station above 50 kilometers away from the surface of the ground point of an observation station, to obtain ground point gravitation which the atmosphere in an area acts on; and then atmosphere vertical water vapor is inversed. The method is a fire-new method, is added with a new observation means, and can increase the observation time and spatial resolution of the atmosphere vertical water vapor. Combined with the observation of the wind speed and wind direction, the method can be used for observing three-dimensional water vapor distribution and increases the accuracy of weather forecast.

The present invention is directed at a solar powered heat exchange system preferably used to drive a water collection device, which condenses water vapour in atmospheric air to water. The device comprises means for drawing the atmospheric air into the device; means for condensing the moisture vapour in the atmospheric air into water; and means for collecting the water.