Abstract:
A device for absorbing atmospheric moisture includes a support member with a net extending therefrom. The net includes a super absorbent polymer that has the property of being able to absorb a multiple of the polymer mass in atmospheric water and to thereafter release the water in response to an external stimulus. The device is in this way reusable. The device has particular application in the clearing of fog, manure odor clearance, and collection of potable water in remote locations. A process for extracting atmospheric moisture is also detailed that includes the step of extending a super absorbent polymer net into contact with an atmosphere. Thereafter, with that being in contact with the atmosphere for a sufficient amount of time moisture is absorbed from the atmosphere. The application of a stimulus to the super absorbent polymer containing atmospheric moisture causes the release of liquid water therefrom. The super absorbent polymer is then suitable for reuse to again absorb atmospheric water.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims priority of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/354,816 filed Feb. 6, 2002, which is incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to devices for collecting atmospheric water with a super absorbent polymer and, more particularly, to devices with particular applications in dehumidification, fog dispersal, water retrieval, pollution control, and military applications. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Atmospheric moisture represents a peril and a resource. Fog represents a navigation hazard, and dehumidification of living space represents a considerable energy consumption component of air conditioning. Yet, in arid conditions, dew condensation represents one of the few reliable water resources. Additionally, in rural areas where arsenic and other undesirable minerals occur in well water, or in other areas where potable water is not readily available, humidity represents a clean and sustainable water supply. 
     While the prior art details numerous processes for removing atmospheric moisture, all of these processes suffer one or more limitations that preclude widespread feasibility. Cooling of air is a well known method to reduce the dew point and thereby condense atmospheric moisture, yet equipment and energy intensive. Alternatively, passive dew condensing traps are labor intensive to prepare and are inefficient in collecting condensate. Thus there exists a need for a device able to absorb large quantities of atmospheric moisture and to release the resulting water in a strong response to external stimuli. 
     Agriculture operations, particularly cattle, hog, and poultry feeding operations, produce large amounts of manure that, when processed by means of lagoons, present social and health concerns. Similar situations occur and exist in canning, manufacturing, and other industries. There is a need for a device that can be used in a manure management program to absorb and collect the atmospheric moisture and dissolved odorous substances, some of which can be recycled, that present social and health concerns. This device can be similarly used in other industrial and commercial situations. 
     This invention has military application for use in refugee care, water supply, and human waste pollution control, humidity control in tents, and aid to air conditioning in medical facilities and field hospitals. 
     This invention has application for military personnel, in field conditions, for use in supplemental water supply for equipment care and maintenance, and human needs, and latrine operation and pollution control. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     A device for absorbing atmospheric moisture includes a support member with a net extending therefrom. The net includes a super absorbent polymer that has the property of being able to absorb a multiple of the polymer mass in atmospheric water and to thereafter release the water in response to an external stimulus. The device is in this way reusable. The device has particular application in the clearing of fog, manure odor clearance, and collection of potable water in remote locations. 
     A process for extracting atmospheric moisture is also detailed that includes the step of extending a super absorbent polymer net into contact with an atmosphere. Thereafter, with that being in contact with the atmosphere for a sufficient amount of time moisture is absorbed from the atmosphere. The application of a stimulus to the super absorbent polymer containing atmospheric moisture causes the release of liquid water therefrom. The super absorbent polymer is then suitable for reuse to again absorb atmospheric water. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       A better understanding of the present invention will be had upon reference to the following detailed description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawing, wherein like reference characters refer to like parts throughout the several views, and in which: 
         FIG. 1  illustrates an atmospheric absorbing device according to the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  illustrates an atmospheric absorbing device embodiment suited for use as a room dehumidifier; and 
         FIG. 3  illustrates an atmospheric absorbing device embodiment suited for use as a pollution control tool in a manure management program. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     The present invention has utility in absorbing atmospheric moisture with a super absorbent polymer having the property of being able to absorb a multiple of the super absorbent polymer mass of atmospheric water and to release this water in response to external stimuli. A water swellable super absorbent polymer as described herein is a synthetic or natural polymer. Super absorbent polymers and optional matrices therefor are detailed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,051,317 which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     Grain sizes for super absorbent polymer particles range from 0.1 micron to 20,000 microns. Preferably, super absorbent particles are used in the range from 1 micron to 5,000 microns, and more preferably, from 50 to 1,000 microns. 
     This invention employs super absorbent polymer placed in nets or sheets hung to passively absorb atmospheric moisture. This collected water may then be retrieved from the polymer. The retrieved water may be discarded or used depending on the application. Various specific embodiments are described in detail: room dehumidifier, fog dispersal, water retrieval, and a manure management tool, and military applications; however, these specific embodiments in no way are meant to limit the scope of the invention. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 1 , a device  10  is detailed having at least one mounting post  1  braced to support a super absorbent polymer net  2 . Typically two vertical posts are used and a net  2  suspended therebetween on suspension cable  14  by snap hooks  15  and net pulley  3 , after being raised into position by means of pulley rope  4 . 
     The posts  1  are typically 4 to 20 feet in height and spaced according to the load strength of the net  2  when fully loaded with atmospheric water. The net  2  is preferably in the form of a cargo net structure with ropes of hollow tubes of water-permeable cloth filled in isolated sections with super absorbent polymer beads and or gel therein. The tubes are mounted vertically within a frame of conventional rope. Preferably, the isolated sections are between 3 and 24 inches in length, more preferably the tubes are spaced from 1 inch to 12 inches apart, typical area being defined by a conventional rope frame is anywhere from 1 to 200 square feet. It is appreciated that such a frame can be scaled to nearly any size based upon mechanical weight bearing properties of construction components and expected atmospheric moisture content and environmental conditions. 
     The base trough  13  is located below the net  2  to collect loaded water within the net  2  after it is released therefrom by application of an external stimulus by stimuli applicator  11 . The base trough  13  has a swivel drain pipe  17  to facilitate removal of the water. 
     Preferably, the frame is selectively extended from post  1  to collect atmospheric moisture through the use of the pulley wheel  3  attached to a cable  4  and the crank  5 . It is appreciated that a selectively deployable super absorbent polymer net will have a greater serviceable lifetime if stored when not in use. In order to afford greater rigidity, preferably a frame  7  is affixed to a base trough  13  to support the net  2  in an undeployed position. More preferably, the base trough  13  is mechanically coupled to the selective frame extension system including the pulley wheel  3 , cable  4  and the crank  5 . It is appreciated that a selective frame extension according to the present invention is in the form of any conventional system illustratively including an electric winch, a telescoping post, a cantilevered rail and extendible wheel for bridge use, retractable tethered helium balloons for park authority establishing remote wildlife drinking ponds. Still more preferably, a second bottom slat  9  is attached to the bottom frame during extension. 
     A liquid trough  13  is located below the net  2  when in an extended position. The trough  13  extends the length of the frame  7  to collect water within the net  2  after it is released therefrom by application of an external stimulus. Preferably, the liquid trough has a swivel drain pipe  17  in order to facilitate removal of released water from the net  2  that has collected in the trough  13 . 
     The moisture absorbent device as detailed herein has application in a fog dispelling embodiment. For a highway fog pocket situation, an inventive device as detailed herein is mounted on a flatbed truck base  16 , suspended from guardrail posts or devoted use posts in locations where fog is known to regularly occur. It is appreciated that the inventive device is readily coupled to wireless communication technology to remotely activate the inventive device. Remote activation requires the addition of an antenna receiver and conventional automated operation components relating to extension and recycle (not shown). Power to operate a remotely activated device is supplied from line voltage, solar, wind, or other available power sources. In operation an inventive device is assembled at a selected location. The super absorbent polymer net upon exposure to moisture in a fogged area becomes engorged with the atmospheric moisture thereby increasing significantly in weight. The increased weight associated with the engorged net triggers a stimulus applicator thereby inducing release of water from the net. Preferably, the stimulus applicator is then reset and the cycle of water loading and discharge repeat automatically. It is appreciated that the device materials other than the super absorbent polymer are constructed of a variety of materials illustratively including wood, metal, and plastic consistent with water quality, cost, and local material availability conditions. 
     In another application, the inventive device is used at airports and other large area situations. Through the strategic placement of inventive devices as described above, the atmosphere in the vicinity of the inventive device becomes too dry to support fog formation. As a result, a comparatively dry pocket of air is formed. A dry pocket extends into a fogged area and absorbs additional atmospheric moisture thereby diluting the fog. As the engorgement and release of liquid water continues from the inventive device, dilution of the fog in adjacent areas continues thereby decreasing fog thickness and enhancing ground visibility. The rate of fog thinning with the inventive device depends on several factors illustratively including the size of the device, the placement and number of inventive devices deployed, terrain, topography, temperature, wind speed and direction, and humidity. 
     In another embodiment, the inventive device is operative as a room dehumidifier. Referring now to  FIG. 2  a trough-shaped base  21  is supported above a floor F on legs  22  with optional height adjusters  23 . Inside the base  21  is a support block  24  for the ends of a curtain winding rod  26 . The support block  24  also secures two curtain support rods  28 . Preferably, the base  21  has a slight angle, and a swivel drain tube  30  is attached thereto. The base  21  is typically constructed of materials illustratively including wood, metal, and plastic. The curtain  34  has a bottom edge  36  that is attached to the curtain winding rod  26 . The bottom end of the curtain rod  34  fits into block  24  inside the base  21 . The curtain support rods  28  encompass the curtain  34 . The curtain rod  26  is secured to support rods  28  by angle post lock brackets  40 . Preferably the curtain rod  26  has a hook  42  adapted to engage the curtain  34 . The curtain  34  in a typical configuration includes one inch diameter hollow tubes of water permeable cloth fitted in isolated sections with super absorbent polymer beads or gel. Tubes are spaced vertically. More preferably, the tubes are affixed to a continuous sheet of water permeable cloth. 
     Additional reinforcement members (not shown) are provided based upon the polymer water absorbing capability and structural properties of device components elements. Preferably, the top edge  50  of the curtain  34  includes at least one loop  52  adapted to engage the hook  42  of the rod  26 . 
     A stimulus applicator  54  is affixed to the rod  26  and activated by the curtain attaining a preselected water weight. The stimulus applicator  54  is appreciated to operate and reset either automatically or manually. 
     In still another application, a super absorbent polymer net as described herein is suspended in a louvered structure, attached or built as part of a structure to provide a mist spring of potable water. In this application, a housing is provided to protect the super absorbent polymer net associated apparatus from wildlife contamination. In such an application, a released water collection base has an inner lining of plastic or stainless steel to facilitate cleaning and maintenance of sanitary conditions. It is appreciated that device materials other than the super absorbent polymer are constructed of materials illustratively including wood, metal, and plastic consistent with water quality, cost, and local material available conditions. An automatic stimulus applicator provided with the inventive device is preferably utilized to deliver released water at user specified intervals under a variety of humidity conditions. It is appreciated that the instant device is readily operated absent external line power and is well suited for rural and remote environment uses. 
       FIG. 3  illustrates an atmospheric moisture absorbing device embodiment well suited for use as an odor reducing and urea recovery manure management tool. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 3 , a device shown generally at  60  is detailed having at least one mounting post  61  braced to support a super absorbent polymer net  62 . Typically two vertical posts  61  on each side on the manure lagoon M and two nets, net  62  supported therebetween across the manure lagoon M. 
     A cover support post  63  is located on each side of the manure lagoon M to support and anchor the cover  69 . 
     Three metal post holes  64  are located on each side of the manure lagoon M to locate and engage the mounting posts  61  and the cover support posts  63 . 
     A liquid trough  74  is located below each net  62  and is angled slightly to drain into liquid manifold  65 . 
     Liquid manifold  65  is located at the lower end of liquid troughs  74  and collects and directs the liquid beyond the edge of the manure lagoon M for disposal. 
     Support cable  67  supports net  62  through support straps  66  and liquid trough  74  and liquid manifold  65 . 
     Cover cable  68  supports and anchors plastic cover  69 . 
     Stimuli applicator  70  is mounted on mounting posts  61  for each net  62 . 
     On each side of the manure lagoon M located 2 feet from the side,  3  metal post holes are inserted typically 4 feet into the ground at points typically 8 feet, 14 feet, and 22 feet from the end of the lagoon M. Two mounting posts  61  and one cover support post  63  are installed in the metal post holes 8 feet, 14 feet, and 22 feet, respectively, on each side of the manure lagoon M. 
     Support cable  67  extends horizontally across the manure lagoon M from about one foot below the top of each mounting post  61 . Super absorbent polymer net  62  and liquid trough  74  and liquid manifold  65  are suspended from support cable  67 . Mounting post  61  typically is about 14 feet in length, cover support post  63  typically is about 12 feet in length, and metal post hole  64  typically is about 4 feet in length. Plastic cover  69  is supported and anchored by cover cable  68 . 
     This device has application in manure management programs of large dairy, beef, pork, and poultry operations. 
     The stimulus applied herein to release water from an engorged super absorbent polymer illustratively includes pH change or protonation/deprotonation as detailed in Department of Energy, Office of Science—Feature Article May 7, 2001 Polymer Improvements, which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     While the forms of the invention herein described constitute presently preferred embodiments, many others are possible. It is not intended herein to mention all the possible equivalent forms or ramifications of the invention. It is understood that the terms used herein are merely descriptive rather than limiting and various changes may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Such changes will be apparent to one skilled in the art.