High-Pressure Humidifier With Precision Orifice Mist Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing humidification systems face issues such as bacterial growth in standing water reservoirs, corrosive steam, high energy consumption, and large water droplet sizes due to low pressure water injection, which can lead to occupant discomfort and equipment damage.
Innovation Solution
A high pressure water injection humidifier system using a constant speed motor and precision orifice to atomize water directly into airflow, eliminating the need for a standing water reservoir and incorporating features like water filtration, pressure control, and nozzle flow detection to ensure efficient and safe humidification.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If low pressure water injection (50-100 psi) is used, then the system is simple and energy efficient, but water droplet size becomes too large causing occupant discomfort
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the pressure parameter from low (50-100 psi) to high (40,000-60,000 psi) to achieve fine water droplet atomization. This parameter change transforms the water injection process from producing large droplets to producing a fine mist suitable for humidification without causing occupant discomfort.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an abrasive material as an intermediary substance mixed with water to create an abrasive water jet. This intermediary enables the water jet to effectively cut through hard dense materials like tool steel while maintaining the high pressure necessary for fine droplet atomization in humidification applications.
2Ease of operation
If high water pressure (40,000-60,000 psi) is used for fine atomization, then water droplet size is reduced to fine mist, but the system complexity and energy consumption increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes hydraulic principles by forcing water through a precision orifice at extremely high pressure (40,000-60,000 psi) to create a fine atomized mist. The hydraulic system includes a pump, pressure regulator, and precision orifice designed to convert high pressure into fine droplet formation, achieving the desired atomization without excessive system complexity.
3Productivity
If steam injection is used for humidification, then humidification efficiency is improved, but corrosive effects and energy consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical state parameter from steam (gas phase) to liquid water droplets (liquid phase). By injecting liquid water at high pressure through a precision orifice, the system achieves humidification through direct liquid-to-air transfer rather than steam condensation, eliminating the corrosive effects associated with steam while maintaining humidification efficiency.
4Ease of manufacture
If standing water reservoir is used, then water storage is simplified, but bacterial growth and mold proliferation occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the standing water reservoir from the humidification system. Instead of storing water in a tank where bacteria can grow, the system uses a continuous flow of pressurized water directly from the municipal supply through a precision orifice, ensuring no standing water remains to support bacterial or mold growth.
Solution Approach 2:
The system utilizes the municipal water supply's own pressure (enhanced to 40,000-60,000 psi) to deliver water directly to the precision orifice. The water serves itself by being pressurized and atomized on-demand without requiring storage, pumping, or complex distribution systems that would create stagnant water conditions.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system effectively increases ambient humidity without the risks of bacterial growth or steam leaks, using a low-rate high-pressure water flow to produce a fine mist, reducing energy consumption and maintaining a healthy indoor environment.
Implementation Method 1
A high pressure pump forces water through a small diameter precision orifice at the inlet of a nozzle. The water is atomized as it passes through the precision orifice.
Implementation Method 2
The water is atomized as it passes through the precision orifice and a portion of the high pressure is lost.
Implementation Method 3
The water is forced through a precision orifice to create a well defined stream of water, typically produced under pressures of 40,000 to 60,000 PSI (pounds per square inch).
Data Source
AI summary
A high pressure water injection humidifier includes a filtration system to filter suspended particles from an incoming water supply and provide filtered water to a high pressure pump driven by a constant speed motor, which in turn provides pressurized water to a plurality of exit nozzles, each exit nozzle having a precision orifice that atomizes the pressurized water into a mist, where the volume rate of the mist is dependent only on the motor speed and the diameter of the precision orifice. Proper nozzle flow can be determined by monitoring the drive current to the constant speed motor.