Abstract:
The present disclosure describes related generally to water conservation systems and more specifically to water vapor recovery systems. In some embodiments the system and apparatus can comprise a collection component coupled with an elongate collection member, a support member and a storage vessel. In some embodiments, the support member can be configured to selectively and/or fixedly couple with the exterior of a structure. However, in alternate embodiments the system and apparatus can be configured to be free standing.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    The present application claims the benefit of priority to prior-filed Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 61749803, filed Jan. 7, 2013, the complete contents of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    1. Technical Field 
         [0003]    The present device relates to the field of “green technology,” particularly vapor, and water recovery systems for water conservation. 
         [0004]    2. Background 
         [0005]    Recovery of liquid vapor is commonly used in such devices as stills. In these devices, a collection surface is provided upon which vaporized liquid can condense. The liquid is then channeled to a storage container. 
         [0006]    In many regions, water conservation is critical to the environment. Collecting ambient water vapor can provide an additional source of water. In residential settings, this could be used for watering plants and other uses. Collectively, several households could contribute to significant water savings in a community. What is needed is a simple and convenient vapor-collection device for use in residential settings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0007]    Further details of the present device are explained with the help of the attached drawings in which: 
           [0008]      FIG. 1(   a ) depicts a perspective view of the present device in use atop a roofline. 
           [0009]      FIG. 1(   b ) depicts a side planar view of the present device to illustrate the angle of inclination of the substantially planar surface. 
           [0010]      FIG. 1(   c ) depicts a detail cutaway perspective view of the interior of a collection unit in the present device. 
           [0011]      FIGS. 2(   a )- 2 ( b ) depict embodiments of attachment mechanisms. 
           [0012]      FIG. 3  depicts a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a collection member. 
           [0013]      FIGS. 4(   a )- 4 ( b ) depict embodiments of connections between a collection member and a support member 
           [0014]      FIGS. 5(   a )- 5 ( d ) depict embodiments of extension/retraction mechanisms 
           [0015]      FIGS. 6(   a )- 6 ( b ) depict embodiments of coupling mechanisms between a support member and a storage vessel. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0016]    As shown in  FIG. 1(   a ), a vapor collection apparatus  102  can comprise a flexible substantially-planar component  104  that can be attached to a substantially-rigid frame  106 , an elongated collection member  108 , and can be coupled with an elongated support member  110 , a storage vessel  112 , at least one mounting bracket  116  and, in some embodiments an extension/retraction mechanism  118 . 
         [0017]    In some embodiments, the substantially-planar component  104  can be a singular unit or multi-sectional element comprised of one or more flexible, substantially flexible, substantially-rigid or rigid materials, such as, but not limited to, polymer, nylon, metal and/or any other know and/or convenient material or materials. In some embodiments, the substantially-planar component  104  can have a substantially rectangular geometry, but in alternate embodiments the substantially planar component  104  can have any other known and/or convenient geometry. In some embodiments, the substantially-planar component  104  can be fabricated from nylon, polymer, metal and/or any other known and/or convenient material upon which water can freely slide under the influence of gravity, yet still maintain sufficient surface tension to remain in contact with the surface of  106 . Additionally, in some embodiments, the substantially-planar may be substantially planar in non-Euclidean space. 
         [0018]    In the embodiment depicted in  FIG. 1(   a ), the substantially-rigid frame  106  can be fabricated as a continuous member. However in alternate embodiments, the substantially-rigid frame  106  can be fabricated from and/or in multiple component parts that can be connected with screws, pins, clips, friction-fit, or any other known and convenient type of fastener or fasteners and/or any known and/or convenient bonding agent. 
         [0019]    In the embodiment depicted in  FIG. 1(   a ), an elongated collection member  108  can extend substantially along and be attached to the bottom edge of a substantially-planar collection component  104 . In alternate embodiments, the elongated collection member  108  can be integral and/or coupled with the substantially-rigid frame  106  adjacent to the bottom edge of a flexible substantially-planar component  104 , and/or integral and/or coupled with the bottom edge of the flexible substantially-planar component  104  and/or can be coupled with the vapor collection apparatus  102 , but independent from at least one of the substantially-rigid frame  106  and/or the flexible substantially-planar component  104 . 
         [0020]    As depicted in the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1(   a ), an elongated collection member  108  can have an “open-top” trough configuration, with one edge of said “open top” adjacent to the bottom edge of a substantially planar collection component  104 , and a substantially V-shaped cross-sectional geometry. However, in other embodiments, an elongated collection member  108  can have a rounded, rectangular, any other known and/or convenient cross-sectional geometry. An elongated collection member  108  can be fabricated from metal, plastic, polymer or any other known and/or convenient water-impermeable material upon which water can freely slide under the influence of gravity. In the embodiment depicted in  FIG. 1(   a ), the elongated collection member  108  can have be sloped and/or configured at any desired angle or in any desired configuration such that water can flow, as desired, in response to gravity. 
         [0021]    As shown in  FIG. 1(   a ), in some embodiments, a substantially planar collection component  104  can be attached by one edge proximal to the distal end of an elongated support member  110 , such that an elongated collection member  108  and coincident bottom edge of a substantially planar collection component  104  are slightly inclined relative to the perpendicular to an elongated support member  110 . As shown in  FIG. 1(   b ), an elongated collection member  108  and coincident bottom edge of a substantially planar collection component  104  can form an angle relative to the perpendicular to elongated support member  110 . In some embodiments they can form of approximately 2% relative to the perpendicular to an elongated support member  110 , but in other embodiments can have any other known and/or convenient angle and/or configuration, such as any angle between about 0.1 degrees relative to horizontal and 180 degrees relative to horizontal. 
         [0022]    In alternate embodiments, this drainage angle can be set by making the substantially-rigid frame  106  trapezoid shaped if the elongated collection member  108  is attached to the substantially-rigid frame  106 . Alternatively, if the elongated collection member  108  is attached to the substantially planar collection component  104 , it can be trapezoid shaped. In still further alternate embodiments the substantially rigid frame  106  can have any known, convenient and/or desired configuration such that collected water vapor can travel towards the support member  110  under the influence of gravity. 
         [0023]    In some embodiments, an elongated support member  110  can be adjustable. In such embodiments, a motorized or manual mechanical linkage can provide a control mechanism. An elongated support member  110  can be fabricated from metal, polymer, or any other known and/or convenient corrosion-resistant material upon which water can freely slide under the influence of gravity, yet still maintain sufficient surface tension to remain in contact with the surface. 
         [0024]    As shown in the embodiment in  FIG. 1(   a ), the proximal end of an elongated support member  110  can be connected to the interior base of a storage vessel  112  via a coupling member  114 . In some embodiments, a storage vessel  112  can have a substantially cylindrical geometry, but in other embodiments can have any other known and/or convenient geometry. An elongated support member  110  and coupling member  114  can be positioned substantially in the center of the base of a storage vessel  112 . However, in other embodiments, a coupling member  114  can be positioned in any other known and/or convenient location on the interior or other connection location of a storage vessel  112 . In some embodiments the storage vessel  112  can comprise a cover  122  that covers at least part of the top opening of the storage vessel  112 . In some embodiments the cover  122  can be comprised of the same material as the storage vessel  112 . However, in alternate embodiments the cover  122  can be comprised of any known, convenient and/or desired material. 
         [0025]    In some embodiments the cover  122  can be a rigid and/or substantially rigid element. However, in alternate embodiments, the cover  122  can be a flexible and/or substantially flexible membrane. In still further alternate embodiments, the cover  122  can be comprised of a material that allows water to pass through it in only one direction and can be coupled with the exterior surface of the support member  110 . However, in alternate embodiments the cover  122  can be comprised of any known, convenient and/or desired material, can be partially coupled to and/or disengaged from the support member  110  and/or be absent. 
         [0026]    In some embodiments, a coupling member  114  can be a clamp, but in other embodiments can be a friction-fit coupling or any other known and/or convenient device. 
         [0027]    In some embodiments, the present device can further comprise at least one mounting bracket  116  suitable and/or adapted to and/or configured for attaching the vapor collection apparatus to a structure. In some embodiments, the at least one mounting bracket  116  can be adapted and/or configured to couple with a substantially vertical surface. However, in alternate embodiments the at least one mounting bracket  116  can be adapted and/or configured to couple with any desired component of a structure and/or may be absent and the vapor collection apparatus can be free standing. 
         [0028]    In some embodiments the vapor collection apparatus  102  can further comprise an extension/retraction mechanism  118  adapted and/or configured to allow a user to control the relative elevation of the substantially-rigid frame  106  and substantially-planar component  104 . In some embodiments, the extension/retraction mechanism can be a telescoping button-hole connector mechanism. However in alternate embodiments, motor and/or hydraulic extension/retraction mechanism can be employed. In still further alternate embodiments, any known and/or convenient mechanism adapted and/or configured to control the relative elevation of the substantially-rigid frame  106  and substantially-planar component  104  can be employed. 
         [0029]      FIG. 2(   a ) depicts an embodiment of a mounting bracket  116  adapted to selectively and/or fixedly couple the support member  110  with a structure and/or surface. In the embodiment depicted in  FIG. 2(   a ), the mounting bracket  116  can comprise one or more surface attachment components  202  and at least one support member attachment  204 . In some embodiments the one or more surface attachment components  202  can comprise one or more apertures adapted to allow any known and/or convenient fastener to pass through the attachments component  202  to couple the mounting bracket  116  with the desired structure and/or surface. However, in alternate embodiments the one more apertures may be absent and/or the attachment components can be coupled with a structure and/or surface via a bonding agent and/or any other known, convenient and/or desired mechanism. 
         [0030]    In the embodiment depicted in  FIG. 2(   a ) the depicted support member attachment  204  can be configured along an arc having a low point. In the embodiment depicted in  FIG. 2(   a ) the low point of the arc can be substantially centrally located between the attachment components. 
         [0031]    However, in alternate embodiments the low point of the arc can be in any known, convenient and/or desired location. In still further alternate embodiments the support member attachment  204  can have any known convenient and/or desired configuration and/or geometric proportions and/or can be comprised of any known, convenient and/or desired material. Additionally, in some embodiments, a plurality of mounting brackets  116  can be employed. 
         [0032]      FIG. 2(   b ) depicts an alternate embodiment of the mounting bracket  116  depicted in  FIG. 2(   a ). In the embodiment depicted in  FIG. 2(   b ), the support member attachment  204  can be configured in a tapered cantilever-like configuration having a greater section modulus at the end closest to the surface attachment component. In operation, water, under the influence of gravity, could be directed along the support member attachment  202 , as desired. 
         [0033]      FIG. 3  depicts a cross-sectional view of one embodiment of the collection member  108 . In the embodiment depicted in  FIG. 3 , the collection member  108  can have a partially-circular cross-sectional exterior geometry. In the embodiment depicted in  FIG. 3 , a portion of the collection component  104  can be engaged by one or more engagement arms  302  that selectively and/or fixedly engage the collection component  104 . In some embodiments, the engagement arms  302  can extend the entire length of the collection member  108 . However, in alternate embodiments the one more engagement arms  302  can be intermittent along the length of the collection member  108 . 
         [0034]    In some embodiments the one or more engagement arms  302  can engage the collection component  104  via frictional engagement at a pinch point  304 . However in alternate embodiments, the one or more engagement arms  302  can be selectively and/or fixedly coupled with the collection component  104  in any known convenient and/or desired manner using any known convenient and/or desired coupling mechanism, system and/or material. 
         [0035]    In operation, water collection on the collection component  104  can pass from the surface of the collection component  104  to the channel formed by the interior surface of the collection member  108  and/or the engagement arms  302 , under the influence of gravity. Although a specific configuration of the one or more engagement arms  302  is depicted in  FIG. 3 , in alternate embodiments the one or more engagement arms  302  can have any known convenient and/or desired geometries and/or configurations and/or can be absent. 
         [0036]      FIG. 4(   a ) depicts an embodiment of the connection between a collection member  108  and a support member  110 . In the embodiment depicted in  FIG. 4(   a ), the interior of the collection member  108  and the interior of the support member  110  can be coupled via an aperture  400  in the support member  110  allowing water to pass from the interior of the collection member  108  to the interior of the support member  110 . 
         [0037]      FIG. 4(   b ) depicts an alternate embodiment of the connection between a collection member  108  and a support member  110 . In the embodiment depicted in  FIG. 4(   b ), the interior of the collection member  108  and the exterior of the support member  110  can be configured to allows water to pass from the interior of the collection member  108  to the exterior of the support member  110  via at least one aperture  400  formed between the base of the proximal end of the collection member  108  and the exterior side of the support member  110 . 
         [0038]    Although  FIGS. 4(   a ) and  4 ( b ) depict specific embodiments of connections between the collection member  108  and the support member  110 , in alternate embodiments any known convenient and/or desired configuration and/or connection between the collection member  108  and the support member  110  in which water can pass, under the influence of gravity, between the two elements can be employed. 
         [0039]      FIGS. 5(   a )- 5 ( d ) depict alternate embodiments of extension/retraction mechanisms  118 . In the embodiments depicted in  FIGS. 5(   a )- 5 ( d ), the support member  110  can be comprised of multiple sections  502   504   506  that can be selectively positioned relative to each other. In some embodiments, the relative positions of the multiple sections  502   504   506  can be configured via one or more collects  508  adapted and configured to selectively apply pressure to frictionally engage an alternate section  502   504   506  of the support member  110 . In alternate embodiments, portions of the sections  502   504   506  can be threaded such that they can be selectively extended or retracted either manually or via a motor drive (not shown). 
         [0040]    In the embodiments depicted in  FIGS. 5(   a )- 5 ( b ), regions of the sections  502   504   506  can be tapered to facilitate the flow of water on the exterior of the support member  110 , when under the influence of gravity. In the embodiments depicted in  FIGS. 5(   c )- 5 ( d ), the sections  502   504   506  can be configured to allow water to pass on the interior of the sections  502   504   506  of the support member  110  and can be tapered in regions, if desired. In still further alternate embodiments any known, convenient and/or desired manual and/or powered and/or automated extension/retraction system can be employed. 
         [0041]      FIGS. 6(   a ) and  6 ( b ) depict cross-sectional, cut-away views of the storage vessel  112 . In some embodiments the end of the support member  110  can be anchored to the base of the storage vessel  112  via a one or more supports  602  and a base plate  604 . In the embodiment depicted in  FIG. 6(   a ), a base plate  604  can be coupled with the base of the storage vessel  112  and comprise one or more supports  602  extending from the base plate  602  to support the end of the support member  110  and allow water to pass from the interior of the support member  110  to the interior of the storage vessel  112  and/or the exterior of the support member  110  to the interior fo the storage vessel  112 . However in alternate embodiments, the one or more supports  602  and/or base plate  604  can be absent. 
         [0042]      FIG. 6(   b ) depicts an alternate embodiment of the connection between the support member  110  and the storage vessel  112 . In the embodiment depicted in  FIG. 6(   b ), an end of the support member  110  within the storage vessel  112  can comprise one or more apertures that can allow water to transfer from the interior of the support member  110  to the interior of the storage vessel  112 . In alternate embodiments the apertures can be absent. 
         [0043]    In operation, the present device can be installed at an end or at any other known and/or convenient location on a roofline, using at least one mounting bracket  116 , such that an elongated support member  110  and a substantially planar collection component  104  can be oriented substantially vertically. Ambient water vapor can condense along the surface of a substantially planar collection component  104 . These condensed droplets can travel down the surface via gravity to an elongated collection member  108 , and then continue travelling downward to the end of an elongated collection member  108  that can be adjacent to the surface of a support member  110 . 
         [0044]    Water droplets can then transfer to the surface and/or interior of a support member  110  and/or drain pipe attached to the support member  110  and continue down to the proximal end of a support member  110 , where they can be collected in a storage vessel  112 . In some embodiments, a storage vessel  112  can be removably connected to the proximal end of a support member  110  such that a collection vessel  112  can be conveniently removed to transfer the collected water to another location. In alternate embodiments, the storage vessel  112  can include a valve  120  to allow a user to selectively drain the collected water from the storage vessel  112 . 
         [0045]    Although the invention has been described in conjunction with specific embodiments thereof, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the invention as described and hereinafter claimed is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and broad scope of the appended claims.