Abstract:
A system for drying structures including an enclosed housing with a plurality of outlet openings, a plurality of flexible outlet hoses each connected to a respective outlet opening, and a vacuum motor engaged with the housing such that an outlet of the vacuum motor is exhausted into an interior of the housing so as to pressurize the interior of the housing such that compressed air is directed through the plurality of outlet hoses. Also a method of drying an interior of a structure, including placing a pressurized drying system adjacent a region of a structure, forming a plurality of openings in surfaces of the structure where the surfaces define enclosed spaces, inserting distal ends of outlet hoses of the pressurized drying system into respective openings of the surfaces of the structure, and engaging the pressurized drying system so as to generate a flow of pressurized air and to direct the pressurized air into the enclosed spaces.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the priority benefits of U.S. Provisional Application 60/982,073 filed Oct. 23, 2007 and which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The invention relates to the field of flood/water damage remediation and to a system of providing pressurized drying air to a plurality of user selectable locations. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     Flooding or otherwise unwanted release or flow of water is a common and widespread cause of potentially expensive damages to property in many locations throughout the world. Flood damage can rise from natural sources such as overflowing rivers and lakes, rising rainwaters, rapid snow melt, mudslides, storm surges, wind-driven rain, tidal action, wave action, and the like. Water damage can also occur from malfunctions or breaks in manmade water delivery and/or storage systems. For example, broken levies or dams can release free flowing water. Broken water hoses or pipes within a building can also release significant quantities of water within the structure. Failure or breakage of water pipes can occur due to many causes including but not limited to pressure of frozen pipes, mechanical stress such as from earthquakes or wind loading, age and deterioration, and failures in joints or valves in the water system. 
     Flooding or other undesired release or accumulation of water within structures can be particular troublesome as the flooding or otherwise undesired water release can occur when a structure is unoccupied. In addition, a flooding event frequently indicates that the affected areas remain evacuated for some period of time. Thus the undesired exposure of the structure to water can occur for an extended period of time. 
     A further problematic aspect of flooding and water damage is that additional secondary damage resulting from the water exposure can occur, particularly if the water is not quickly removed and any residual moisture dissipated. For example, extended presence of flood water, mud, or other released water can facilitate growth of mold and/or mildew within a structure. Once established, mold and mildew are particularly difficult to exterminate. This can result in the requirement for removing and replacing materials within the structure, including potentially structural materials, to remove the mold and mildew growth. Such secondary impacts can add significantly to the cost of restoration/remediation above any direct damages caused by the water itself. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It will be appreciated that there is therefore a need to rapidly and thoroughly dry the interior of a structure that has been exposed to undesired release of water. The drying is also preferably carried out in a relatively inexpensive manner, particular as flood events frequently affect a large number of individual structures. It is also desired to rapidly and inexpensively dry the interior of structures, including regions or volumes that may be obscured from view and have limited access. For example, residual moisture remaining in the interior of enclosed wall structures, e.g., between opposed panels of drywall forming part of a structure wall, are not readily accessed by existing drying equipment, thereby making the drying of these enclosed volumes for mitigation of water exposure more problematic. 
     One embodiment includes a system for drying structures, the system comprising an enclosed housing comprising a plurality of outlet openings, a plurality of flexible outlet hoses each connected to a respective outlet opening, and a vacuum motor comprising an air inlet and engaged with the housing such that an outlet of the vacuum motor is exhausted into an interior of the housing so as to pressurize the interior of the housing such that compressed air is directed through the plurality of outlet hoses. 
     Another embodiment includes a method of drying an interior of a structure, the method comprising placing a pressurized drying system adjacent a region of a structure that is desirably dried, forming a plurality of openings in surfaces of the structure where the surfaces define enclosed spaces, inserting distal ends of outlet hoses of the pressurized drying system into respective openings of the surfaces of the structure, and engaging the pressurized drying system so as to generate a flow of pressurized air and to direct the pressurized air into the enclosed spaces. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of one embodiment of a pressurized drying system. 
         FIG. 2  is an exploded perspective view of one embodiment of a pressurized drying system. 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective detail view of one embodiment of a pressurized drying system and an outlet region thereof. 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of emplacement and use of one embodiment of a pressurized drying system. 
         FIG. 5  is a flow chart of embodiments of methods of use of a pressurized drying system. 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of another embodiment of a pressurized drying system. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Reference will now be made to the drawings wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts of processes throughout.  FIG. 1  illustrates a perspective view of one embodiment of a pressurized drying system  100 . The pressured drying system  100  is configured to generate a plurality of streams of pressurized air and to direct these streams to a plurality of user selectable locations. As will be described in greater detail below following a more complete description of the components and construction of the system  100 , the system  100  greatly improves the ability of users to rapidly dry the interior of structures that have been exposed to flooding or other water damage in an inexpensive and easy to use manner. 
     In one embodiment, the system  100  includes a generally sealed or enclosed housing  102 . The housing  102  is preferably formed of a durable, strong, and relatively lightweight material and in some embodiments comprises molded plastic. The housing  102  is also preferably formed of materials and/or providing with coatings that are resistant to water damage as the system  100  can be expected to be used in locations where standing water and/or high relative humidities can be expected. 
     In some embodiments, the system  100  also comprises a vacuum motor assembly  104 . The vacuum motor assembly  104  is configured to generate a relatively high speed and high flow rate of air and to direct this air into an interior  112  of the housing  102 . The vacuum motor assembly  104  can comprise a multi-stage design, such as a dual stage or three stage design. In some embodiments, the vacuum motor assembly  104  can be constructed to discharge the air flow in a generally tangential manner. A tangential discharge aspect of the vacuum motor assembly  104  can cooperate with a generally spiral cross-sectional shape of the housing  102  to facilitate more efficient pressurization of air and outward direction of air flow from the system  100 . 
     In some embodiments, the vacuum motor assembly  104  preferably generates an air flow in the range of approximately 50 to 150 cubic feet per minute (cfm). Such a range of flow rates will provide, in at least some preferred applications, a sufficient flow of air to effectively assist drying, while avoiding an excessive flow of air that might otherwise cause damage. In one nonlimiting preferred embodiment, the vacuum motor assembly  104  preferably provides a flow of approximately 95 cfm. 
     As previously described, a desired aspect of the system  100  is the ability to provide a relatively high flow rate of moderately pressurized air. Highly pressurized air, for example on the order of multiple tens of psig or more is undesired as such high pressures are less effective at speeding the drying process and can also result in damage from the high pressure air impinging on the structure or other materials, furnishings, personnel, and the like in the work area. An additional difficulty is that excessively pressurized air can result in difficulties in maintaining air flow at a desired location as excessively pressurized air can tend to dislodge or move a hose providing the air. 
     However, it is desired that the relatively high flow airstream be provided at a moderate degree of pressurization to speed the drying process, by for example to facilitate circulation of air in spaces that may be obstructed or occluded from the direct path of the system  100 . In some preferred embodiments, a pressure in the interior  112  of the housing  102  of approximately 2 to 6 psig provides an appropriate moderate level of pressurization for the system  100 . In these embodiments, a vacuum motor assembly  104  capable of generating approximately 100 to 150 inches of water vacuum provides an appropriate level of pressurization of the interior  112  of the housing  102 . Such embodiments of vacuum motor assembly  104  can draw an operating power of approximately 1500 watts at a standard line voltage of 120 volts AC. Thus, the system  100  with the vacuum motor assembly  104  can operate on standard wall electrical service and does not require supplemental generators or nonstandard power sources. 
     The vacuum motor assembly  104  and system  100  include one or more air intakes  106 . In some embodiments, the air intake  106  comprises an opening of the vacuum motor  104  that in other applications can be connected to one or more hoses or plenums to generate a depressed pressure area, for example for vacuuming/suctioning purposes. In the system  100 , the air intake  106  provides a conduit for intake of air indicated by the designator I in  FIG. 1 , through the vacuum motor assembly  104 , and into the interior  112  of the housing  102 . In some implementations however, the air intake  106  can also be utilized to take up a variety of compounds to facilitate the remediation process employing the system  100  following flood or other water damage. For example, one or more anti-biological agents can be conveyed to the system  100  via the air intake  106 , for example to disburse such agents to suppress growth of mold and mildew. Agents such a smoke and/or fogging agents can also be admitted via the air intake  106 , for example for disbursal via the system  100  to assist in leak detection. 
     The system  100  also preferably comprises one or more outlet hoses  110 . The outlet hoses  100  provide a path for outlet air (indicated by the designator O in  FIG. 1 ) from the interior  112  of the housing  102  to desired locations selected by the user in a water damage remediation process. As the particular configuration of a structure that has been exposed to water damage and the particular locations within such a structure in need of drying can vary significantly from job to job, the outlet hoses  110  preferably comprise flexible material such as flexible tubing or hosing. 
     In some embodiments, the system  100  also provides a moderate amount of heating to the outlet air O. In some embodiments, the system  100  heats air approximately 30-50° F. above ambient. Thus, in some embodiments, the system  100  can draw in air at approximately 70° F. and provide pressurized air via the outlet hoses  100  of approximately 100-120° F. 
     In this embodiment, the system  100  comprises a power cord  120  that includes a connector for electrical connection to standard wall service so as to provide electrical power to the system  100 . The system  100  also comprises one or more controls  122  to regulate the operation of the system  100 . In some embodiments, the control  122  comprises a single pole on/off type switch. In some embodiments, the control  122  can regulate a speed of operation of a variable speed vacuum motor assembly  104 . In some embodiments, the system  100  further comprises a carrying handle  124  configured to facilitate movement and repositioning of the system  100 . The system  100  can also comprise a cord reel  126  configured to receive and store for convenient deployment the power cord  120 . 
       FIG. 2  illustrates an exploded perspective view of embodiments of the pressurized drying system  100 . In this embodiment, the vacuum motor assembly  104  comprises a separate component that can be connected or engaged with the housing  102 . In this embodiment, the vacuum motor assembly  104  comprises a vacuum motor  130  having a vacuum outlet  132  and the air intake  106 . As previously noted, in some embodiments the vacuum outlet  132  can be configured as a tangential outlet. 
     In some embodiments, the vacuum motor assembly  104  can further comprise thermal protection  134 . The thermal protection  134  automatically monitors one or more temperatures of the system  100 , for example a temperature of the vacuum motor  130 . If acceptable operating temperature thresholds are exceeded, the thermal protection  134  can automatically interrupt operation of the vacuum motor  130  to allow temperatures to return to acceptable levels. In some embodiments, the thermal protection  134  can also operate automatically to restore operation of the vacuum motor  130  when temperatures return to acceptable levels. In one non-limiting embodiment, the thermal protection  134  interrupts operation when internal temperatures exceed approximately 215° F. and restores operation when temperatures drop below approximately 180° F. 
     In one embodiment, the vacuum motor assembly  104  further comprises a mounting plate  140  comprising an opening  142  configured to align with and conform generally to the size and location of the air intake  106 . In one embodiment, the mounting plate  140  comprises one or more mounting tabs  144  configured to engage with corresponding mounting points  146  of the housing  102 . The mounting plate  140  can be attached to the housing  102 , for example via fasteners, adhesives, welding, friction fit, detents, tabs, and the like. The mounting plate  140  can also be connected to the vacuum motor  130 , for example via a plurality of fasteners  148 . 
     In some embodiments, for example as illustrated in  FIG. 2 , connection of the mounting plate  140  to the housing  102  and the vacuum motor  130  is nonpermanent. In these embodiments, one or more components of the system  100  can be interchanged. For example, a different power cord  120  and/or vacuum motor  130  can be provided to match the characteristics of electrical grid service at a particular location. Likewise, a vacuum motor  130  can be replaced with a different vacuum motor  130  having different performance characteristics suitable for the requirements of a particular application. Interchangeability of parts of the system  100  provides increased flexibility to a user and reduced cost of operation by providing the option of replacing worn components and/or substituting components of desired performance characteristics without replacement of remaining components of the system  100 . 
       FIG. 3  illustrates in greater detail an outlet portion of the housing  102  and system  100 . As can be seen, the housing  102  comprises a plurality of openings  150 . In one nonlimiting example, the housing  102  comprises an array of openings  150  arranged in a generally rectangular grid of three rows of seven columns for a total of 21 openings  150 . 
     As previously noted, a particular worksite where the system  100  is to be employed can have significantly different physical characteristics and drying needs than another. For example, a given job may require less than the full number of available openings  150  provided by the housing  102  and associated outlet hoses  110 . In one embodiment described in greater detail below with respect to  FIG. 6 , the system  100  can comprise a plug off assembly  160  configured to accept unused outlet hoses  110 . In another embodiment, the system  100  can comprise one or more plugs  152  which are sized and shaped for removable attachment in a respective opening  150  so as to provide a removable but substantially airtight seal therebetween. 
     The system  100  also comprises one or more fittings  154  which are also configured and sized to removably engage with a corresponding opening  150  in a generally airtight manner. A length of flexible hose  156  can be attached to the fitting  154  so as to comprise one of the outlet hoses  110 . 
     In some embodiments, the combination of the plugs  152  and outlet hoses  110  provides great flexibility to a user in obtaining a desired number and characteristics of outlet airflows O from the system  100 . For example, use of a larger number of plugs  152  with a corresponding smaller number of outlet hoses  110  will generally result in a greater air flow through a given individual outlet hose  110 . Conversely, connection of a greater number of outlet hoses  110  with a corresponding lesser number of plugs  152  will generally result in a lower airflow O through a given individual outlet hose  110 . In order to maintain a desired outlet flow O through the one or more outlet hoses  110 , it will generally be preferred that during use each opening  150  have engaged therewith either a plug  152  or a fitting  154  with attached flexible hose  156 , however this is not a requirement. 
     In some embodiments, it will be preferred that substantially all available openings  150  be provided with attached outlet hoses  110 , for example comprising a fitting  154  and associated hose  156 . For example, in some embodiments, plugging an excessive number of outlet hoses  110  and/or opening  150  can result in overpressurization of the housing  102 . The plug-off assembly  160  ( FIG. 6 ) provides a location for a user to secure unused outlet hoses  110 . The user can attach distal ends of the outlet hoses  110  to mounting features of the plug-off assembly  160 . The plug-off assembly  160  is configured such that the mounting features allow the pressurized air flow from the outlet hoses  110  to bleed off without over pressurizing the interior  112  of the housing  102 . The plug-off assembly  160  secures the unused outlet hoses  110  and provides a visual indication of the number and location of any unused outlet hoses  110 . The plug-off assembly also provides deterrence to a user plugging unused openings  150  or outlet hoses  110  thereby possibly leading to overpressurization of the system  100  and possible attendant damage or overheating. 
       FIG. 4  illustrates schematically one embodiment of use of the system  100 . The system  100  is shown connected to a wall-mounted electrical outlet via the power cord  120 . A plurality of outlet hoses  110  are engaged or connected with openings formed in a building or structure to be dried. As can be seen, the portable placement of the system  100  provides great flexibility in directing the pressurized outlet air to desired locations. The flexible outlet hoses  110  are also capable of extending to numerous horizontal locations and to various heights. These aspects of the system  100  provide further flexibility and efficacy of the system  100  in directing pressurized outlet air to desired locations to speed the drying of water damaged structures. 
       FIG. 5  illustrates a method or process  200  of using the pressurized drying system  100  to facilitate drying a structure or building that has received undesired exposure to water. A start block  202  corresponds to purchase, renting, or otherwise obtaining one or more of the systems  100  previously described and any necessary assembly. 
     In a block  204 , the user places one or more of the pressurized drying systems  100  adjacent a structure or area to be dried. In a block  206 , openings are formed as needed in surfaces of enclosed spaces. Conventional drying blowers that simply direct a stream of air in a selected direction, such as into a room of a building are less effective in drying the structure. There are frequently portions, such as the interiors of walls that are obstructed or occluded from the air flow generated by a simple air blower. In the block  206 , the user drills, punches, or otherwise forms openings into the interiors of closed spaces to allow the system  100  to direct air flow therein. In one nonlimiting preferred embodiment, a user would drill or punch approximately half-inch holes where air flow from the system  100  is desired. 
     In a block  210 , the user selects and/or cuts lengths of the flexible hose  156  to extend from a pressure unit of the system  100  to desired outlet locations that can include one or more of the openings formed in block  206 . In one embodiment, the flexible hose  156  of the outlet hoses  110  comprises half-inch outside diameter flexible tubing and thus distal ends of the flexible hose  156  can engage with openings formed in block  206  via a friction fit. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 4 , in some implementations, different lengths of flexible hose  156  may be needed to extend from the housing  102  to a desired outlet location. As indicated in block  210 , a user can select from a plurality of different lengths of flexible hose  156  to achieve desired lengths. In some embodiments, the flexible hose  156  can be provided in bulk and a user can cut a desired length of flexible hose  156  to extend from the housing  102  to the desired outlet location. The flexible hose  156  can be readily removed from a corresponding fitting  154  and replaced with a different length of flexible hose  156 . Alternatively or in addition to, a fitting  154  and attached flexible hose  156  can be removed or moved from a given opening  150  and replaced with a different fitting and attached flexible hose  256 , for example a flexible hose  156  of different length and/or size. 
     In a block  212 , the user confirms that plugs  152  are fitted in any unused openings  150  and places the plugs  152  in the openings  150  as needed. Again, as previously noted it will generally be preferred that each opening  150  be fitted either with a plug  152  or a fitting  154  with attached flexible hose  156 , however this is not a requirement. 
     In a block  214 , the user engages a pressure unit, for example comprising the vacuum motor assembly  104  as engaged with the housing  102  to generate and provide a pressurized high flow airstream to desired outlet locations. The system  100  would then be allowed to operate for some period of time sufficient to circulate air around and within the structure sufficient to thoroughly dry and remove the undesired water. The length of time required will typically vary among different jobsites, however will be readily apparent to one of ordinary skill. 
     In some implementations it may be preferred to relocate one or more of the outlet hoses  110  or otherwise adjust the output characteristics and/or locations of the system  100 . For example, different regions of a structure may dry at different rates and outlet hoses  110  can be removed from portions of the structure that have dried sufficiently. If a given outlet hose  110  is no longer required for a given job, the corresponding opening  150  can be sealed with a corresponding plug  152  such that the output of the pressurized drying system  100  is substantially directed solely through the outlet hoses  110  in use. 
     Block  220  corresponds generally to end of use of the pressurized drying system  100  at a given job, however it will be understood that additional steps in the restoration/remediation of water damage may be indicated. It will further be understood that the flow chart illustrated in  FIG. 5  is simply exemplary of certain process steps that can be employed in use of the system  100  and the particular order of process steps as illustrated and described is not essential to practicing the invention. 
     Although the above disclosed embodiments of the present teachings have shown, described and pointed out the fundamental novel features of the invention as applied to the above-disclosed embodiments, it should be understood that various omissions, substitutions, and changes in the form of the detail of the devices, systems and/or methods illustrated may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the present teachings. Components, devices, and features and may be added, removed, or rearranged in different embodiments. Similarly processing steps be added, removed, or reordered in different embodiments. Accordingly, the scope of the invention should not be limited to the foregoing description but should be defined by the appended claims.