Methods, systems, and devices for humidifying

Methods, systems, and devices for humidifying are described herein. One method includes determining a temperature in a space associated with a humidifying unit, determining a relative humidity in the space, determining an air speed associated with the humidifying unit, and adjusting an amount of water sprayed by the humidifying unit based, at least in part, on the temperature, the relative humidity, and the air speed.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to methods, systems, and devices for humidifying.

BACKGROUND

Providing and/or modifying levels of humidity (hereinafter referred to as “humidifying”) can be an important aspect of providing comfort in interior spaces (e.g., buildings, cars, etc.). Humidifying can be used in spaces designated for specialized commercial operations, such as internet server centers and/or clean rooms (e.g., for integrated circuit fabrication). Humidifying may be of particular importance in dry climates and/or regions.

Previous approaches to humidifying may not be scalable to various sizes of interior spaces and/or heating, ventilation, and air condition (HVAC) systems. Thus, some approaches may be insufficient for a given space (e.g., previous approaches using ultrasonic humidifiers) and some approaches may use a prohibitive amount of energy (e.g., evaporative type humidifiers) for a given space. Other approaches, such as flow-through humidifiers, may develop water-produced scale and/or organic growth.

Additionally, because previous approaches may lack modularity and/or scalability, they may be difficult to control, unreliable, and/or prohibitively expensive to install and/or maintain.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Methods, systems, and devices for humidifying are described herein. One method includes determining a temperature in a space associated with a humidifying unit, determining a relative humidity in the space, determining an air speed associated with the humidifying unit, and adjusting an amount of water sprayed by the humidifying unit based, at least in part, on the temperature, the relative humidity, and the air speed.

In some embodiments, a humidifying device can be modular and scaled for use in small spaces (e.g., vehicles, residences) and/or large spaces (e.g., large residences, commercial buildings, etc.) as well as spaces between. Humidifying devices in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure can be used in spaces designated for specialized commercial operations, such as internet server centers and/or clean rooms (e.g., for integrated circuit fabrication). Because embodiments of the present disclosure can be modular, such embodiments may be easier to control, more efficient, and/or more reliable than previous approaches.

Various embodiments can include a plurality of spray units (e.g., spray heads) in an array, for instance (e.g., as part of a humidifying device or unit (hereinafter referred to as a “humidifier”)). Each spray unit of the array can be controlled and/or operated (e.g., turned on and/or off) independently. Independent operation can be performed using a respective control component (e.g., actuator and/or electric switch) associated with each spray unit.

By operating the spray units independently of each other, embodiments of the present disclosure can allow each spray unit to be used for a reduced period of time and/or at intervals with respect to previous approaches. Independent operation can increase a lifetime of each individual spray unit, for instance, as well as a humidifier incorporating the array of spray heads.

The presence of a plurality of spraying units in the humidifier can allow for a gradual degradation of humidifier performance rather than abrupt degradation and/or failure as with previous approaches. For example, a humidifier having 12 spray heads where one has failed is only minimally reduced in performance versus a humidifier having a single spray head that fails. Thus, a useful life of the humidifier can be extended in instances where some of the spray heads experience failure(s).

Further, independent operation of spray units can allow for rotation of active spray units. That is, some embodiments can allow cycling of activated (e.g., turned-on and/or spraying) spray units. For example, a first subset of the array of spray units (e.g., a first nozzle plate) can be operated for a period of time (e.g., 1-2 minutes) and then a second subset of the array of spray units (e.g., a second nozzle plate) can be operated for another period of time (e.g., 1-2 minutes) while the first subset is deactivated. Thereafter, the first subset can be reactivated and/or a third subset (or more subsets) can be activated similarly.

Condensation problems associated with previous approaches can be reduced (e.g., eliminated) because by rotating activated spray units, embodiments of the present disclosure can avoid cooling portions of a humidifier (e.g., nozzle plate fixtures) to a degree such that water vapor condenses thereon. By reducing condensation, embodiments of the present disclosure can increase efficiency associated with operation of a humidifier and reduce (e.g., eliminate) contamination of air ducts with water, for instance. Durations of activity and/or inactivity of spray units can be determined based on one or more factors. For instance, rotation frequency may be increased based on increased level(s) of humidity. Rotation frequency may be decreased based on decreased fan speed(s) and/or temperature(s).

In an example, rotation can include a first subset of plurality of spray units being activated for a particular period of time. Then, the rotation can include a second subset of the plurality of spray units being activated and the first subset of the plurality of spray units being deactivated for the particular period of time. The subsets can be determined based on their location. For example, the firsts subset can be located on a first side of the humidifier and the second subset can be located on a second (e.g., opposing) side of the humidifier. Reducing condensation by rotating spray units can reduce humidifier deterioration caused by prolonged presence of moisture (e.g., on dry side of humidifier), for instance.

Modular designs in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited to a particular configuration. Rather, such designs can be customized according to duct access, orientation (e.g., vertical or horizontal) and/or size. By way of example and not limitation, embodiments can include vertical configurations of one or more arrays of spray units and/or horizontal configurations of one or more arrays of spray units (e.g., using narrow trays and nozzle plate(s) inserted in a middle of a duct).

In addition to modularity, embodiments of the present disclosure can provide humidification in conjunction with cooling more efficiently than previous approaches. For example, in previous approaches, standard cooling heat exchange coils may extract humidity from air due to condensation on cold surfaces. Because the condensation releases heat, air conditioning units may need to compensate and thus consume more electricity.

Further, once previous approaches have removed humidity from the air an additional humidifying device (e.g., an evaporator) may be employed to replenish it. However, such devices may generate heat and thus utilize more electricity. Thus, in previous approaches, energy may be expended twice: first to condensate water from vapor, and then to evaporate water.

Embodiments of the present disclosure can reduce burdensome electricity usage by providing humidification and cooling in a single device. For example, some embodiments allow the regulation of water dispersed (e.g., sprayed) by a humidifier such that the water (e.g., all the water) evaporates rather than condenses on surfaces of ducts. Such embodiments may be based on a principle that the evaporation speed of a water droplet is proportional to the diameter of the droplet squared and inversely proportional to a difference between the dry and wet bulb temperature.

Further, the time of flight of a droplet before it reaches a surface on which it can be deposited may also be inversely proportional to the speed of the air carrying it. That speed, for instance, may be controlled and/or determined by the speed (e.g., setting) of a fan in forced air conditioning systems. Accordingly, embodiments of the present disclosure can finely control an amount of water used by a humidifier to achieve desired cooling and/or humidification while reducing condensation based, at least in part, on air temperature, humidity, and air speed.

The figures herein follow a numbering convention in which the first digit or digits correspond to the drawing figure number and the remaining digits identify an element or component in the drawing. Similar elements or components between different figures may be identified by the use of similar digits.

As used herein, “a” or “a number of” something can refer to one or more such things. For example, “a number of spray units” can refer to one or more spray units.

FIG. 1illustrates a system100for humidifying in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. As shown inFIG. 1, system100includes a control unit102communicatively coupled to a humidifying unit108. Control unit102can, for example, be a computing device having a memory104(e.g., storing a set of executable instructions) and a processor106(e.g., configured to execute the executable instructions), though embodiments of the present disclosure are not so limited. For example, control unit102can include an integrated circuit and/or logic to perform a number of the functionalities described herein.

As shown in the embodiment illustrated inFIG. 1, control unit102can include a memory104and a processor106. Memory104can be any type of storage medium that can be accessed by processor106to perform various examples of the present disclosure. For example, memory104can be a non-transitory computer readable medium having computer readable instructions (e.g., computer program instructions) stored thereon that are executable by processor106for humidifying in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.

Memory104can be volatile or nonvolatile memory. Memory104can also be removable (e.g., portable) memory, or non-removable (e.g., internal) memory. For example, memory104can be random access memory (RAM) (e.g., dynamic random access memory (DRAM) and/or phase change random access memory (PCRAM)), read-only memory (ROM) (e.g., electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM) and/or compact-disc read-only memory (CD-ROM)), flash memory, a laser disc, a digital versatile disc (DVD) or other optical disk storage, and/or a magnetic medium such as magnetic cassettes, tapes, or disks, among other types of memory.

Further, although memory104is illustrated as being located in control unit102, embodiments of the present disclosure are not so limited. For example, memory104can also be located internal to another computing resource (e.g., enabling computer readable instructions to be downloaded over the Internet or another wired or wireless connection).

Humidifying unit108can include a plurality (e.g., array) of spray units. As shown inFIG. 1, humidifying unit108can include a spray unit110, a spray unit112, a spray unit114, a spray unit116, a spray unit118, a spray unit120, a spray unit122, a spray unit124, a spray unit126, a spray unit128, a spray unit130, and a spray unit132(sometimes generally herein referred to as “spray units110-132”). Although 12 spray units are illustrated in the example shown inFIG. 1, embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited to a particular number of spray units.

As shown inFIG. 1, each of spray units110-132can be connected (e.g., communicatively coupled) to control unit102by a respective pair of wires: spray unit110is connected via wires111, spray unit112is connected via wires113, spray unit114is connected via wires115, spray unit116is connected via wires117, spray unit118is connected via wires119, spray unit120is connected via wires121, spray unit122is connected via wires123, spray unit124is connected via wires125, spray unit126is connected via wires127, spray unit128is connected via wires129, spray unit130is connected via wires131, and a spray unit132is connected via wires133(the wires illustrated inFIG. 1are sometimes cumulatively referred to herein as “wires111-133”). Accordingly, control unit102can communicate with and/or control an operation of (e.g., activate and/or deactivate) each of spray units110-132independently (e.g., individually).

Each of spray units110-132can include a spray nozzle. For example, each of spray units110-132can include an ultrasonic atomizer and/or nebulizer having a piezoelectric element (e.g., ceramic, crystal, etc.) attached to a metal plate with an array of small openings (e.g., holes), for instance (e.g., 10 microns in diameter). In an ultrasonic atomizer, voltage applied across the piezoelectric element (e.g., via any of the wires111-133) can cause the element to vibrate and expel water droplets through the openings (e.g., a fine mist of water). Embodiments, however, are not limited to a particular type of spray unit and include various devices configured to disperse water (e.g., fine water droplets) into air.

Being modular, the embodiment illustrated inFIG. 1can allow for the minimization of condensation upon any portion of humidifying unit108. Because condensation may release heat, air conditioning units may use increased energy to maintain cool temperature levels in previous approaches. Embodiments of the present disclosure can regulate a length of activation time and/or an amount of water sprayed by one or more spray units of a humidifying unit such that the sprayed water is evaporated rather than condensed. Reducing condensation can include rotating one or more spray units, as discussed above, for instance.

FIG. 2illustrates another system236for humidifying in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. System236can, for example, combine a cooling system (e.g., an air conditioner) with a humidification system (e.g., a humidifier).

Embodiments of the present disclosure, including system236illustrated inFIG. 2, can make use of a principle that a rate of water droplet evaporation is proportional to a diameter of the water droplet squared and inversely proportional to a difference between a dry bulb temperature a wet bulb temperature. Another principle used by embodiments herein is that a time of flight (e.g., through a duct) of water droplets before they reach a surface on which they can be deposited is inversely proportional to a velocity of the air (e.g., the fan speed setting in a forced air conditioning system). Accordingly, in such a system, depending on a temperature of the air, a humidity, and a speed of the fan, a target (e.g., desired) cooling and/or humidification rate can be controlled by varying an amount of water released by the humidifier.

Additionally or alternatively, a target cooling and/or humidification rate can be controlled by varying an air speed passing (e.g., passing by, over, under, across, etc.) a humidifier. The air speed may be proportional and/or related to a speed (e.g., speed setting) of a fan of an HVAC system associated with the space.

As shown inFIG. 2, system236includes a humidifier200(e.g., a humidifier analogous to system100previously described in connection withFIG. 1) and a sensor unit240inside an air duct238(illustrated as a cross-section of a portion of a duct inFIG. 2). Sensor unit240is located a particular distance242, in a direction of air flowing through the duct, from humidifier200.

Though not shown, system236can include a fan. The fan may be in communication with a control unit (e.g., control unit102, previously discussed in connection withFIG. 1) through a wired and/or wireless connection. In some embodiments, a fan may have a fixed speed. In other embodiments, a fan may have a number of discrete speed settings. In other embodiments, a fan speed may be continuously adjustable over a range of speeds. Embodiments of the present disclosure can include adjusting a speed of a fan (e.g., to provide desire cooling and/or air flow).

Sensor unit240can include a number of sensors. Although sensor unit240is illustrated as a single component, various adaptations and/or embodiments of sensor unit240are in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure. For example, sensor unit240can include one or more temperature sensors. Temperature sensors can be configured to determine (detect, measure, and/or acquire) dry bulb temperature(s) inside duct238.

Additionally, sensor unit240can include one or more relative humidity sensors. For example, the wet bulb temperature can be inferred from humidity and temperature measurements using a known relationship (e.g., dependence), which can be represented in a table and/or equation, for instance. Such examples are not to be taken in a limiting sense; rather, sensor unit240can include any number and/or type of sensor configured to determine various parameters associated with the air flowing through duct238.

System236can include an upstream sensor unit241. Upstream sensor unit214can include one or more temperature sensors and/or relative humidity sensors in a manner analogous to sensor unit240, for instance. Upstream sensor unit241can be in communication with a control unit (e.g., control unit102, previously discussed in connection withFIG. 1) through a wired and/or wireless connection, for instance.

Upstream sensor unit241can be used in conjunction with sensor unit240to determine change(s) in temperature and/or humidity caused by humidifier200. Locating upstream sensor241immediately upstream from humidifier200can allow embodiments of the present disclosure to moderate and/or finely tune one or more operations of humidifier200.

As air flows through duct238, humidifier200can disperse water droplets which can be carried through the air along distance242. Distance242can be determined and/or selected such that the water droplets released from humidifier200have sufficient time to evaporate (e.g., sufficient time for humidity mixing in the air) before reaching sensor unit240, for instance. Measurements associated with the flowing (e.g., flowing and humidified) air can be taken by sensor unit240and used by embodiments of the present disclosure to vary an amount of water released by humidifier200, for instance, in controlling and/or maintaining a target cooling and/or humidification rate.

Various embodiments include maintaining relative humidity within a particular humidity range. That is, embodiments can maintain relative humidity below a first threshold and above a second threshold. As previously discussed, some embodiments include a control unit configured to receive an indication of the relative humidity and an indication of the temperature and cause a modification of an operation of the humidifying unit in response to at least one of the relative humidity and the temperature exceeding a particular threshold.

For example, a temperature difference between dry bulb temperature and wet bulb temperature can be kept below 5 degrees Celsius (Tdrybulb−Twetbulb=5C). Additionally, the temperature at sensor unit240can be maintained above a particular threshold (e.g., greater than 15 degrees Celsius). Humidity can be controlled by keeping relative humidity on a curve corresponding to the difference between dry bulb temperature and wet bulb temperature. In the example where such a difference is 5 degrees Celsius, the curve can be represented by:
0.0216*T{circumflex over ( )}2+1.8944*T+30.656.

Such a curve can be derived from various properties of humid air by maintaining the difference between the dry bulb temperature and wet bulb temperature at 5 degrees Celsius, for instance. It is to be understood that a different curve would correspond to a different temperature difference (e.g., a different curve would result from a difference between the dry bulb temperature and wet bulb temperature being 7 degrees Celsius) as well as other factors.

For increased temperature differences (e.g., 7 degrees Celsius), higher air speed and/or smaller duct size(s) may be used. Increased temperature differences may be used in embodiments having larger droplets (e.g., if droplet diameter increases by a factor of 1.41, temperature difference would increase two-fold).

Droplet size can be kept constant by maintaining parameters of spray units (e.g., nozzles). For example, droplet size can be kept constant by keeping spray unit frequency and/or actuation voltage under a threshold at which the droplets may tend to merge into a continuous stream of water.

To control humidity, various embodiments of the present disclosure can adjust a number of spray units that are activated and/or deactivated. The activation and/or deactivation can be responsive to a temperature exceeding a particular threshold. For example, a threshold temperature can be established (e.g., 16 degrees Celsuis and/or 8 degrees Celsius below a set point of a thermostat associated with humidifier200). Then, if a temperature determined by sensor unit240increases above the threshold temperature and a relative humidity determined by sensor unit240decreases below the curve (previously discussed) a spray unit (e.g., spray unit122) can be activated.

If the thermostat is not requiring cooling, the threshold temperature may be higher (e.g., 20 degrees Celsius and/or 2 degrees Celsius below the thermostat set point), so the cooling may not be as pronounced as previously discussed, but humidification can still be occurring. Thus, for various temperatures and velocities of incoming air, embodiments of the present disclosure can reduce (e.g., prevent) condensation by ensuring that water droplets are evaporated (rather than condensed).

Further, embodiments can deactivate humidifier200if relative humidity is determined by sensor unit240to exceed a particular threshold (e.g., 35%). In such instances, air conditioning (e.g., traditional air conditioning), rather than humidification, can be used to provide cooling. Accordingly, embodiments of the present disclosure can cause a modification of an operation of the humidifying unit in response to the relative humidity exceeding a particular threshold and/or the temperature exceeding a particular threshold.

FIG. 3illustrates a method344for humidifying in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. Method344can be performed by a control unit (e.g., control unit102, previously described in connection withFIG. 1), for instance. The control unit can, for example, be a computing device, as previously discussed, though embodiments of the present disclosure are not so limited. For example, the control unit can include an integrated circuit and/or logic.

At block346, method344includes determining a temperature in a space associated with a humidifying unit. In some embodiments, a temperature can be determined in a duct associated with a humidifying unit (e.g., as previously discussed). That is, method344can include determining a temperature in a duct at a particular distance downstream from the humidifying unit.

In other embodiments, a temperature can be determined at other locations. For example, a space associated with a humidifying unit may contain a thermostat. The thermostat can determine a temperature at its location in the space, for example. The thermostat can be in communication with the control unit through a wired and/or wireless connection, for instance. Embodiments of the present disclosure are not so limited however; a temperature can be determined at additional or other locations within the space.

At block348, method344includes determining a relative humidity in the space. In some embodiments, a relative humidity can be determined in a duct associated with a humidifying unit (e.g., as previously discussed). That is, method344can include determining a downstream relative humidity in a duct at the particular distance downstream from the humidifying unit.

In other embodiments, a relative humidity can be determined at other locations. For example, a space associated with a humidifying unit may contain a thermostat. The thermostat can determine a relative humidity at its location in the space, for example. The thermostat can be in communication with the control unit through a wired and/or wireless connection, for instance. Embodiments of the present disclosure are not so limited however; a relative humidity can be determined at additional or other locations within the space.

At block350, method344includes determining an air speed associated with the humidifying unit. An air speed can be a speed of air passing (e.g., passing by, over, under, across, etc.) the humidifying unit. The air speed may be proportional and/or related to a speed (e.g., speed setting) of a fan of an HVAC system associated with the space. In some embodiments, determining the air speed can include determining the fan speed. A relationship between fan speed and air speed can allow the determination of air speed based on fan speed. It is to be understood that such a relationship may vary depending on the particular installation and can be determined (e.g., calibrated), for instance, at the time of installation.

Accordingly the fan may be in communication with the control unit through a wired and/or wireless connection. In some embodiments, a fan may have a fixed speed. In other embodiments, a fan may have a number of discrete speed settings. In other embodiments, a fan speed may be continuously adjustable over a range of speeds. In some embodiments, a fan (e.g., a fan speed) associated with the humidifying unit can be adjusted (e.g., to provide desired cooling, humidity, and/or air flow).

At block352, method344includes adjusting an amount of water sprayed by the humidifying unit based on the temperature, the relative humidity, and the air speed. Adjusting an amount of water sprayed by the humidifying unit can include activating and/or deactivating a portion of the humidifying unit (e.g., a number of spray units of the humidifying unit). Adjusting can include cycling of activated (e.g., turned-on and/or spraying) spray units. As previously discussed, in some embodiments, individual spray units can be controlled independently. The amount of water sprayed can be adjusted based on a desired humidity level in the space associated with the humidifying unit.

Though not shown inFIG. 3, method344can include determining an upstream relative humidity in a duct upstream from the humidifying unit. The upstream relative humidity can be determined using an upstream sensor unit (e.g., upstream sensor unit214, previously described in connection withFIG. 2), which can include one or more temperature sensors and/or relative humidity sensors. Determining the upstream relative humidity can allow the determination of change(s) in temperature and/or humidity caused by the humidifier and/or the fine tuning of one or more operations of the humidifier.

Additionally, many homes (especially in the southwestern United States, which have warmer climates) have ducted A/C systems. Embodiments of the present disclosure could be used as a humidifier that uses small “atomizer” plates that create droplets of water that are microscopic and uniform.

By tightly controlling the droplet size to something that is easily absorbed in a room temperature air stream, the system can output a significant level of moisture without risk of condensation in the ductwork. By spraying fine droplets in the air, the device can output far more moisture than an evaporative pad style device, and without the pressure drop associated with a honeycomb style pad. In this way, it can function as an evaporative cooler while recirculating the indoor air, regardless of the outdoor conditions.

This is different than present technologies in a number of ways. For example:It does not rely on bringing in outdoor air, which may be undesirable for a number of reasons (e.g., high temperature, pollution, allergens).It can be retrofitted to existing ductwork without new ductwork or adding an outdoor unit to the home.It can function together with an air conditioner, instead of working against it.

Embodiments of the present disclosure could be utilized as an “atomizer” device that could be set up as a “stage” of cooling alongside a typical A/C system. A network of sensors in the home could detect the current temperature and relative humidity (RH %) to understand how much moisture could be absorbed in the airstream efficiently.

If the RH % is low enough and there is a need for cooling, the system could operate the humidifier instead of the air conditioner to attempt to meet the homeowner's set point. If the temperature load became too great, or the RH % rose above the desired level, the unit could be turned off and the traditional A/C could be used instead.

The energy savings for doing this could be substantial. Using a Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER)15system and $0.14 per kWh as a baseline, delivery of a gallon of water using this system would save $1.14. A gallon of water is $0.004/gallon (or $0.02 per gallon if we need to use reverse osmosis (RO) and only get 20% efficiency), so a 12 gallon/day system could save the homeowner over $13 per day in energy costs.

Embodiments of the present disclosure could be used as a traditional humidifier as well. In winter months when it is dry, the unit could add humidity to the air. This will increase the heating load and cause the furnace to run to reach temperature set points. One advantage of the embodiments of the present disclosure used in such a manner is that it can run both during “heat” cycles, but also just “fan” cycles on the main HVAC unit, since it does not rely on the furnace heat to evaporate moisture.