Mist collection arrangement

A three-tiered funneling type mist collection arrangement for collecting water from mist in air flowing therethrough is disclosed. The mist collection arrangement includes support frame, first funnel disk, second funnel disk, third funnel disk, and mesh member. First funnel disk, second funnel disk, and third funnel disk are mounted on the support frame while being coaxially aligned, such that a first drip cavity, a second drip cavity, and a third drip cavity is coaxially aligned with each other. The second funnel disk has a lesser diameter than the first funnel disk. The mesh member is attached to and extends between a first periphery of the first funnel disk and a second periphery of the second funnel disk, to form a frustoconical structure. Water in mist of surrounding air is collected on the mesh member, which is trickled to the first funnel disk and later to the third funnel disk.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure generally relates to mist collection arrangements. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to a three-tiered funneling type mist collection arrangement for collecting water from mist in air flowing therethrough.

BACKGROUND

Although water covers almost 71 percent of the earth's surface, only three percent of that water is potable. Furthermore, it is estimated that irrigation systems consume approximately 70 percent of the world's freshwater placing an additional burden on fresh water supply. With increasing human population, increased economic activity, and pollution, it is estimated that two of every three people in the world will live in water-stressed conditions by the year 2030. The indispensability of water followed by its impending scarcity creates potential for future regional conflicts. In this context, it is imperative to explore alternative technologies that reduce dependence on fresh water resources.

Drip irrigation systems refer to a type of micro-irrigation system, commonly known in agricultural industry, which supplies water directly to the roots of a plant. In certain areas, scarcity of water has been a concern for such drip irrigation systems. For example, in arid areas, water is not easily available. In order to solve this, a drip irrigation system may employ a mist collection arrangement. The mist collection arrangement collects water from mist in surrounding air, and water thus collected is used by the drip irrigation system for irrigation purposes.

Over the years, several mist collection arrangements have been devised to collect water from mist in surrounding air. However, existing mist collection arrangements suffer from a variety of drawbacks. For instance, one such mist collection arrangement may employ a number of vertical mesh vanes, which are electrically rotated to collect water from mist in air flowing therethrough. The water so collected is further funneled and guided to a storage tank. Such mist collection arrangements would however cause unfiltered water to be trickled to the storage tank. Furthermore, such mist collection arrangement require a continuous supply of electricity for normal operation.

Hence, there is a long felt but unresolved need for a mist collection arrangement, which collects filtered water by collecting mist in surrounding air. Furthermore, there is a need for a mist collection arrangement suitably constructed to avoid spillage of collected water from the mist collection arrangement.

SUMMARY

This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further disclosed in the detailed description of the present disclosure. This summary is not intended to identify key or essential inventive concepts of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended for determining the scope of the claimed subject matter.

A mist collection arrangement, disclosed herein, for collecting water from mist in air flowing therethrough includes a support frame, a first funnel disk, a second funnel disk, a third funnel disk, and a mesh member. The first funnel disk is mounted on the support frame and includes a first periphery and a first drip cavity. The second funnel disk is mounted on the support frame at a relatively greater height than the first funnel disk and coaxially aligned with the first funnel disk. The second funnel disk further includes a second periphery and a second drip cavity. The second funnel disk has a diameter relatively smaller than a diameter of the first funnel disk. The third funnel disk is mounted on the support frame at a lesser height than the first funnel disk and coaxially aligned with the first funnel disk. The third funnel disk includes a third drip cavity. The mesh member is attached to and extends between the first periphery and the second periphery, to form a substantially frustoconical structure. Further, the mist collection arrangement is structured such that water collected on the first funnel disk is trickled to the third drip cavity of the third funnel disk through the first drip cavity and water collected on the second funnel disk is trickled to the third drip cavity of the third funnel disk through the second drip cavity.

In accordance with another embodiment, the mist collection arrangement, disclosed herein, for collecting water from mist in air flowing therethrough includes a support frame, a first funnel disk, a second funnel disk, a cylindrical storage tank, and a mesh member. The first funnel disk is mounted on the support frame and includes a first periphery and a first drip cavity. The second funnel disk is mounted on the support frame at a relatively greater height than the first funnel disk and coaxially aligned with the first funnel disk. The second funnel disk further includes a second periphery and a second drip cavity. The second funnel disk has a diameter relatively smaller than a diameter of the first funnel disk. The cylindrical storage tank is mounted on the support frame at a relatively lesser height than the first funnel disk and coaxially aligned with the first funnel disk. The cylindrical storage tank further includes a top surface and a bottom surface. The top surface is made in form of a third funnel disk and defines an inlet port. The bottom surface defines an outlet port. The mesh member is attached to and extends between the first periphery and the second periphery. The mist collection arrangement is structured such that water collected on the first funnel disk is trickled to the inlet port of the cylindrical storage tank through the first drip cavity, and water collected on the second funnel disk is trickled to the inlet port of the cylindrical storage tank through the second drip cavity.

In accordance with another embodiment, the mist collection arrangement, disclosed herein, for collecting mist from air flowing therethrough includes a support frame, a first funnel disk, a second funnel disk, a cylindrical storage tank, a mesh mounting arrangement, and a mesh member. The first funnel disk is mounted on the support frame and includes a first periphery and a first drip cavity. The second funnel disk is mounted on the support frame at a relatively greater height than the first funnel disk and coaxially aligned with the first funnel disk. The second funnel disk further includes a second periphery and a second drip cavity. The cylindrical storage tank is mounted on the support frame at a relatively lesser height than the first funnel disk and coaxially aligned with the first funnel disk. The cylindrical storage tank includes a top surface and a bottom surface. The top surface is made up of a third funnel disk and defines an inlet port. The bottom surface defines an outlet port. The mesh mounting arrangement includes a first array of hooks and a second array of hooks. The first array of hooks are arranged along and positioned inside the first periphery of the first funnel disk. The second array of hooks are arranged along and positioned inside the second periphery of the second collection tank. The mesh member is attached to each of the first array of hooks and the second array of hooks, to extend between the first periphery and the second periphery.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Typically, mist refers to a phenomenon caused due to small droplets of water suspended in air. On the other hand, when similar droplets of water are suspended over a water body such as a lake, a marsh area or the like and causes reduced visibility, the phenomenon is termed as ‘fog’. As used in the present disclosure, ‘mist’ may be construed to refer to droplets of water suspended in air and any form of precipitation that may be suitably harvested and stored by a mist collection arrangement100.

The mist collection arrangement100, disclosed herein, is configured to extract water droplets from surrounding air. The mist collection arrangement100is employed to collect mist from air flowing therethrough and water so collected may be used for varied purposes. For example, the mesh collection arrangement100may be used with a drip irrigation system to collect water from mist in air flowing therethrough and water so collected is used by the drip irrigation system for irrigation purposes. Alternatively, the mist collection arrangement100may be used as a standalone apparatus for collecting water from mist in air flowing therethrough, and water so collected may be used for various other purposes.

Referring toFIGS. 1, 2, and 3, the mist collection arrangement100is disclosed. The mist collection arrangement100includes a support frame101, a first funnel disk102, a second funnel disk103, a cylindrical storage tank104, a mesh mounting arrangement105, and a mesh member106. For clarity purposes, one or more components of the mist collection arrangement100are not shown in one or more FIGS. For example, the mesh member106of the mist collection arrangement100, is not shown inFIGS. 2 and 3.

The support frame101is suitably structured and arranged to support one or more members of the mist collection arrangement100. Particularly, the mist collection arrangement100supports the first funnel disk102, the second funnel disk103, and the cylindrical storage tank104of the mist collection arrangement100. The mesh mounting arrangement105is provided to mount and support the mesh member106on the mist collection apparatus100. In an exemplary embodiment, the mesh member106is a mesh structure made up of hydrophilic material that captures mist from air. In an embodiment, the support frame101includes a base structure107, at least one vertical post108positioned above the base structure107, and a tripod structure109positioned above the vertical posts108. The tripod structure109herein refers to a conventional three armed or four-armed structure, reversely positioned to support a component such as a funnel disk over the arms. The base structure107defines a first disk mounting region110and a tank mounting region111. The tripod structure109defines a second disk mounting region112, over the arms of the tripod structure109. Although, an exemplary embodiment of the support frame101is described herein, various other structures of the support frame101may also be envisioned to support the first funnel disk102, the second funnel disk103, and the cylindrical storage tank104of the mist collection arrangement100.

In accordance with an embodiment, the first funnel disk102is made up of metal and/ or alloy material to provide sufficient strength and rigidity to the mist collection arrangement100. The first funnel disk102includes a first periphery113and a first drip cavity114. The first drip cavity114is defined along a central region of the first funnel disk102, such that water collected on a top surface115aof the first funnel disk102is funneled to the first drip cavity114. In assembly, the first funnel disk102is fixedly mounted on the first disk mounting region110of the base structure107of the support frame101, such that the vertical posts108extend through the first drip cavity114of the first funnel disk102. Moreover, the first disk mounting region110is structured such that it allows water trickling through the first drip cavity114to pass therethrough. Various mounting arrangements for fixedly mounting of the first funnel disk102to the first disk mounting region110of the support frame101may be envisioned. Such mounting arrangements include, such as but not limited to, a bolt arrangement, a rivet arrangement, a weld arrangement, and/ or an adhesive arrangement.

The second funnel disk103is constructed similar to the first funnel disk102. Particularly, the second funnel disk103is made up of metal and/ or alloy material to provide sufficient strength and rigidity to the mist collection arrangement100. The second funnel disk103includes a second periphery116and a second drip cavity117. The second drip cavity117is defined along a central region of the second funnel disk103, such that water collected on a top surface118aof the second funnel disk103is funneled to the second drip cavity117. For example, rainwater collected on the top surface118aof the second funnel disk103is funneled to the second drip cavity117and later allowed to trickle through the second drip cavity117. Further, a diameter of the second funnel disk103is relatively smaller than a diameter of the first funnel disk102. In assembly, the second funnel disk103is fixedly mounted on the second disk mounting region112of the tripod structure109of the support frame101. With such arrangement, the second funnel disk103is mounted at a relatively greater height than the first funnel disk102and is coaxially aligned with the first funnel disk102. Particularly, the second drip cavity117of the second funnel disk103is coaxially aligned with the first drip cavity114of the first funnel disk102. In an embodiment, the mist collection arrangement100is so structured, such that the second funnel disk103is mounted at a height lesser than 45 inches from a base (or ground level) of the base structure107of the support frame101. Various mounting arrangements for fixedly mounting the first funnel disk102to the first disk mounting region110of the support frame101may be envisioned. Such mounting arrangements include, such as but not limited to, a bolt arrangement, a rivet arrangement, a weld arrangement, and/ or an adhesive arrangement.

The cylindrical storage tank104includes a top surface119aand a bottom surface119b. The top surface119aof the cylindrical storage tank104is formed in form of a third funnel disk120including a third drip cavity121. The third funnel disk120is suitably structured to funnel water collected on the top surface119ato the third drip cavity121. Particularly, water collected on the top surface119aof the cylindrical storage tank104trickles downwards to an interior of the cylindrical storage tank104, through the third drip cavity121. Further, the cylindrical storage tank104is fixedly mounted on the tank mounting region111of the base structure107of the support frame101. With such an arrangement, the cylindrical storage tank104is mounted at a relatively lesser height than the first funnel disk102and is coaxially aligned with the first funnel disk102. Particularly, the third funnel disk120of the cylindrical storage tank104is coaxially aligned with the first funnel disk102, such that the third drip cavity121is coaxially aligned with the first drip cavity114. Various mounting arrangements for fixedly mounting the cylindrical storage tank104to the tank mounting region111of the support frame101may be envisioned. Such mounting arrangements include, such as but not limited to, a bolt arrangement, a rivet arrangement, a weld arrangement, and/ or an adhesive arrangement.

The mesh mounting arrangement105is provided to mount and support the mesh member106on the mist collection apparatus100. The mesh mounting arrangement105includes a first array of hooks122and a second array of hooks123. The first array of hooks122are arranged along the first periphery113and are fixed to the top surface115aof the first funnel disk102. With such an arrangement, the first array of hooks122are positioned within the first periphery113, at an offset distance from the first periphery113of the first funnel disk102. The second array of hooks123are arranged along the second periphery116and are fixed to a bottom surface118bof the second funnel disk103. With such an arrangement, the second array of hooks123are positioned within the second periphery116, at an offset distance from the second periphery116of the second funnel disk103. Although, the mesh mounting arrangement105is described as a combination of the first array of hooks122and the second array of hooks123, various other types of the mesh mounting arrangement105may be contemplated. Examples of the mesh mounting arrangement105includes, such as but not limited to, a set of cable ties, a set of nails, an eye-pole flange type arrangement, and the like.

The mesh member106is a mesh structure made up of hydrophobic material that captures water from mist in air flowing therethrough. Particularly, the hydrophobic material of the mesh member106has a property to attract water thereby facilitating collection and deposition of water from mist on the mesh member106as air flows through the mesh member106. Examples of the hydrophobic material includes, such as but not limited to, polypropylene (PP), polyethylene, any combination of polymeric material, and the like. Further, the mesh member106is attached to and extends between the first periphery113and the second periphery116, to form a frustoconical structure. Particularly, the mesh member106is attached to each of the first array of hooks122and each of the second array of hooks123, such that the mesh member106is draped between the first periphery113and the second periphery116. With such an arrangement, the mesh member106forms the frustoconical structure, within the first periphery113and the second periphery116. As air flows through the mesh member106, water from the mist is collected and deposited on the mesh member106, which is trickled to the first funnel disk102and further to the cylindrical storage tank104. Although, the mesh member106is described to be formed of hydrophobic material, various other materials for the mesh member106may be contemplated, such as but not limited to, bamboo, metallic wires, alloy materials, polymer mesh, wooden mesh, and the like. Moreover, although the mesh member106is disclosed to be formed of hydrophobic material, hydrophilic material, or a suitable combination of hydrophilic material and hydrophobic material may also be contemplated, to capture water from mist in air flowing therethrough.

Referring toFIG. 4, a perspective view of the cylindrical storage tank104is shown. The top surface119aof the cylindrical storage tank104includes an inlet port121of the cylindrical storage tank104. It may be noted that the inlet port121is same as the third drip cavity121of the third funnel disk120. The inlet port121holds a strainer member124that prevents entry of waste particles into the cylindrical storage tank104.

Referring toFIG. 5, a sectional view of a portion of the cylindrical storage tank104is shown. The bottom surface119bof the cylindrical storage tank104includes an outlet port125formed in a spigot type arrangement. Particularly, the outlet port125is formed, such that a portion of the outlet port125extends beyond the bottom surface119bof the cylindrical storage tank104, such that a relatively easy drain of water from the cylindrical storage tank104is facilitated when required. Also a suitable slope can be designed within the storage tank104to maximize drain of water through the outlet port125. Further, a valve or a faucet to remove water from the outlet port may be optionally provided to drain water through the outlet port125, when required.

Referring toFIG. 6, there is shown an alternate embodiment of the mist collection arrangement100. In this embodiment, the mist collection arrangement100employs a bird deterring arrangement126in addition to other components of the mist collection arrangement100. The bird deterring arrangement126could include one of a wind-vane type arrangement or an oscillatory ball arrangement. A wind-vane type arrangement of the bird deterring arrangement126is shown and described inFIG. 6. In such an arrangement, the bird deterring arrangement126includes a vertical rotatable pillar127and a number of wind vanes128attached to the vertical rotatable pillar127. The wind vanes128rotate as air flows therethrough, which keeps birds away from the mist collection arrangement100. In such embodiments, a distance between a top of the vertical rotatable pillar127and a base (or ground level) of the base structure107of the support frame101is relatively lesser than 45 inches, such that an overall height of the mist collection arrangement100is less than 45 inches. In an alternate embodiment, reflective ribbons are tied on the pillar127to create shimmers from the sun to scare birds.

Referring toFIGS. 1-6, in assembly, the first funnel disk102is mounted in the first disk mounting region110, the second funnel disk103is mounted on the second disk mounting region112, and the cylindrical storage tank104mounted on the tank mounting region111of the support frame101. The first funnel disk102, the second funnel disk103and the cylindrical storage tank104are mounted, such that the first drip cavity114, the second drip cavity117, and the third drip cavity121(or the inlet port121) are coaxially aligned with each other. Furthermore, the mesh member106is draped between the first periphery113and the second periphery116. Particularly, the mesh member106is attached to the first array of hooks122and the second array of hooks123, such that the mesh member106forms a frustoconical structure. As the second funnel disk103is positioned at a height lesser than 45 inches, an overall height of the mist collection arrangement100remains lesser than 45 inches. Accordingly, the mist collection arrangement100is not visible over generally employed fences with a height of 48 inches used in fields of the drip irrigation system. Particularly, such compact mist collection arrangements100facilitate a relatively improved visibility of areas of operation to outside environment.

In operation, as air flows through the mesh member106, mist is collected on the mesh member106. As the mesh member106is made of frustoconical structure, a relatively greater area is exposed to surrounding air that causes relatively greater mist collection on the mesh member106. Water so collected on the mesh member106is trickled to the top surface115aof the first funnel disk102. As the mesh member106is positioned within the first periphery113and the second periphery116, entire water is trickled to the top surface115aof the first funnel disk102, and water spillage is avoided. From the top surface115aof the first funnel disk102, water is funneled and trickled to the top surface119aof the cylindrical storage tank104through the first drip cavity114. From the top surface119aof the cylindrical storage tank104, water is funneled and trickled to the interior of the cylindrical storage tank104, through the strainer member124in the inlet port of the cylindrical storage tank104.

Furthermore, rainwater is collected on the top surface118aof the second funnel disk103. Water so collected is funneled to the second drip cavity117, through which water trickles downwards to the top surface119aof the cylindrical storage tank104. From the top surface119aof the cylindrical storage tank104, water is funneled and trickled to the interior of the cylindrical storage tank104, through the strainer member124in the inlet port121of the cylindrical storage tank104. Water so collected in the cylindrical storage tank104is used for varied purposes, such as drip irrigation purposes.

The foregoing description of embodiments and examples has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or limiting to the forms described. Numerous modifications are possible in light of the above teachings. Some of those modifications have been discussed and others will be understood by those skilled in the art. The embodiments were chosen and described for illustration of various embodiments. The scope is, of course, not limited to the examples or embodiments set forth herein but can be employed in any number of applications and equivalent devices by those of ordinary skill in the art. Rather it is hereby intended the scope be defined by the claims appended hereto. Additionally, the features of various implementing embodiments may be combined to form further embodiments of the invention.