Humidifier Pad Assembly With Pulsed Water Delivery Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional humidifiers in HVAC systems waste significant water and energy due to continuous water delivery to the humidifier pad during humidity calls, leading to inefficient humidity transfer and increased water drainage, even when humidity levels are maintained.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a pulsed water delivery pattern to the humidifier pad, where water is delivered for shorter durations with controlled frequency and duty cycles, and modulating the water flow rate based on humidity demand, to reduce waste and maintain targeted humidity levels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If continuous water delivery is used to the humidifier pad, then humidity transfer is maintained, but water waste increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic pulsed water delivery to the humidifier pad instead of continuous delivery. The controller delivers water in repeated pulses during the humidity call, with each pulse having a specific duration and frequency. This periodic action maintains adequate pad wetness for humidity transfer while significantly reducing overall water consumption compared to continuous delivery.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts water delivery parameters including pulse duration, pulse frequency, and duty cycle based on humidity demand and pad wetness conditions. This dynamic control allows the system to optimize water delivery timing and amount, maintaining effective humidity transfer while minimizing water waste through adaptive pulse width modulation and duty cycle adjustment.
2Reliability
If continuous water delivery is used, then humidity levels are maintained, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
By delivering water in periodic pulses rather than continuously, the system reduces the total energy consumed by the water control valve and pump. The pulsed delivery maintains sufficient pad wetness for effective evaporation and humidity transfer while minimizing the duration of high-energy water delivery operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes water delivery parameters including flow rate, pulse duration, and duty cycle to optimize energy efficiency. By modulating these parameters dynamically, the system maintains effective humidity transfer while reducing overall energy consumption associated with water delivery and valve operation.
3Productivity
If high water flow rate is delivered continuously, then humidity transfer is maximized, but water waste increases by up to 70%
Solution Approach 1:
The patent delivers water in periodic pulses with optimized duration and frequency to achieve effective humidity transfer without continuous high-flow delivery. This pulsed approach maintains adequate pad saturation for high humidity transfer rates while reducing total water consumption by up to 70% compared to continuous delivery at equivalent peak flow rates.
Solution Approach 2:
The system delivers water in partial pulses rather than continuous full-flow delivery. By providing water intermittently in controlled pulses rather than continuously, the system achieves sufficient pad wetness for effective evaporation and humidity transfer while avoiding the excessive water delivery that would occur with continuous operation.
4Measurement precision
If frequent valve openings and closures occur with continuous delivery, then water control is precise, but valve lifespan decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The controller implements periodic pulsed water delivery with optimized pulse duration and frequency, reducing the total number of valve actuation cycles compared to continuous delivery with frequent on-off switching. This reduces mechanical wear on the water control valve while maintaining precise control over water delivery timing and amount through pulse width modulation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses preliminary sensing of humidity levels and pad wetness conditions to anticipate water delivery needs, allowing the controller to time pulse delivery optimally. This preliminary action reduces unnecessary valve actuations and extends valve lifespan while maintaining precise water control when needed.
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
This approach reduces water waste by up to 70% compared to continuous delivery systems, while maintaining equivalent humidity transfer rates, and extends the lifespan of water control valves by minimizing valve openings and closures.
Implementation Method 1
Evaporative humidifiers are widely used in conjunction with forced air residential and commercial heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems. Some evaporative humidifiers direct air from an air stream of an HVAC system, through a moistened humidifier pad, and back into an air stream of the HVAC system.
Implementation Method 2
When the sensed humidity is below a humidity set point, the controller may provide a call for humidity signal to the humidifier. When the call for humidity signal activates, a solenoid water valve or the like of the humidifier, which when activated, allows water to flow from a water source onto the humidifier pad within the humidifier housing.
Data Source
AI summary
A humidifier pad assembly for a humidifier that is configured for adding humidity to an air stream of an HVAC system of a building or other structure. The humidifier pad assembly may include a frame for holding a replaceable humidifier pad within the housing of the humidifier. The frame may be structured to hold the replaceable humidifier pad within the housing such that a back major surface of the replaceable humidifier pad generally faces the back side of the housing, and a front opposing major surface of the humidifier pad generally faces the front side of the housing. The frame may further be structured to permit removal and replacement of the replaceable humidifier pad through the front side of the frame. In some cases, the housing may be configured such that the frame (and the replaceable humidifier pad) may be slid out of apertures in the right side and/or left side of the housing. In some instances, the humidifier may include a drain funnel structured to collect water from substantially the entire bottom side of the frame and direct the water to a water drain. The drain funnel may be structured to allow the frame to be slidably moved (e.g. in the left and/or right direction) relative to the drain funnel and removed from the housing through at least one of the left side or the right side of the housing. In some cases, a water distributor is releasably attachable to the frame along a top side of the frame.