Abstract:
The present invention relates to a system for providing purified water, the system including a water vapor condenser, a separate water purifier, and piping coupling the condenser to the water purifier, the water purifier being distanced from the condenser sufficiently to provide noise insulation. 
     According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the water purifier is sufficiently distanced from the condenser to permit placing the condenser in a location having higher humidity than the location of the water purifier.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to a system and method for providing purified water, in general and, in particular, to a system and method for condensing and purifying water vapor from the air. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    There are known systems for condensing water from the air. Water coolers having both a condenser and a water purifier are known, to permit water vapor present in the air to be converted to drinking water. These condensers generally are very noisy. Since they are generally placed in an office or in an area in the building where it is desired that water be available for drinking, such noise is disturbing and distracting. In addition, the condenser and water purifier are generally built as a single unit. Since such unit is generally placed in the office wherein air conditioning provides for relatively low humidity, the unit can provide only small amounts of condensed and purified water. 
         [0003]    There is thus a widely recognized need for, and it would be highly advantageous to have a system which efficiently condenses water vapor at a location with relatively high humidity which is not susceptible to noise and supplies purified water at a location of low humidity and susceptible to noise. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    There is provided according to the present invention a system for providing purified water, the system including a water vapor condenser, a separate water purifier, and piping coupling the condenser to the water purifier, the water purifier being distanced from the condenser sufficiently to provide noise insulation. 
         [0005]    According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the water purifier is sufficiently distanced from the condenser to permit placing the condenser in a location having higher humidity than the location of the water purifier. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0006]    The present invention will be further understood and appreciated from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the drawing in which: 
           [0007]      FIG. 1  is a schematic illustration of a system for condensation and purification of water vapor constructed and operative in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    The present invention relates to a system and method for condensation and purification of water vapor, which permits location of the condenser in an area of relatively higher humidity than at the location of the water purifier, and permits a user to drink purified water without suffering from the noise of the condenser and the high humidity. 
         [0009]    Referring now to  FIG. 1 , there is shown a schematic illustration of a system  10  for condensation and purification of water vapor constructed and operative in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. System  10  includes a water vapor condenser  20  and a water purifier  30 . 
         [0010]    Water vapor condenser  20  includes a condensing unit (not shown) coupled to a condensed water tank  22 . A float  24  having an electric switch (not shown) is mounted in tank  22  and is electrically coupled to a controller  26 . A sensor  40 , for detecting a pre-selected minimum depth of condensed water, is mounted in tank  22  and is electrically coupled to controller  26 . A pump  28  is mounted in condenser  20  and is electrically controlled by controller  26 . A water pressure sensor  29  is mounted in condenser  20  and is electrically coupled to controller  26 . Pressure sensor  29  may comprise a pressostat, as known. Piping  12  extends from tank  22  to purifier  30  via pressure sensor  29  for detecting a change in the water pressure in piping  12  and via pump  28 , which is arranged to pump water from tank  22  to water purifier  30 , as required. A one-way valve  42  is preferably mounted between pump  28  and piping  12  to prevent the draining of the pump when it stops pumping. 
         [0011]    Water purifier  30  includes a water purifying unit  34 , a water tank  32  for collecting the incoming condensed water, and a purified water outlet  36 , as illustrated in  FIG. 1 . According to another embodiment of the invention, the water tank  32  may be used for collecting the purified water (not shown). A float  38  is preferably mounted in water tank  32 . 
         [0012]    It is a particular feature of the invention that the water purifier  30  is distanced from the water vapor condenser  20  and need be coupled thereto only by piping for passage of the condensed water. This permits the water purifier  30  to be located in a convenient location for drinking, which can be insulated or isolated from both the noise of the condenser and the relatively humid air required for the condenser to operate most efficiently. In addition, this permits the condenser to be located in an area of relatively higher humidity, such as outside a building, so as to increase the quantity of condensed water. According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, a tap may be coupled to the condenser for permitting the inflow of tap water in the event that there is insufficient humidity to provide the desired quantity of condensed water for purification. 
         [0013]    Operation of the system of the invention is as follows, with further reference to  FIG. 1 . The water condenser  20  is disposed in a convenient location, preferably an area where the humidity in the air is relatively high and is not artificially reduced by, for example, an air-conditioning unit. A water purifier  30 , coupled to condenser  20  by piping  12 , is disposed in a location convenient for drinking and, preferably, insulated from noise from the condenser and the humid air of its location. As water is condensed in condenser  20 , it is stored in water tank  22 . When the quantity of water in the water tank  32  drops below a pre-set level, as by opening water outlet  36 , float  38  causes an inlet valve (not shown) mounted in purifier  30  and coupled to one end of piping  12 , to open, thereby reducing the pressure in piping  12 . This reduction in pressure is sensed by pressure sensor  29 , which sends a signal to controller  26  to activate pump  28  to pump additional condensed water to purifier  30  through piping  12 . As soon as float  24  is lowered due to water being drawn from water tank  22 , float  24  send a signal to controller  26  to activate condenser  20  to condense additional air vapor and collect it in water tank  22  in the condenser. When float  38  returns to its original pre-set level the inlet valve is closed and water pressure in piping  12  rises. When pressure sensor  29  detects that water pressure in piping  12  has returned to its original pre-set level, it sends a signal to the controller to stop pump  28 . Condenser  20  continues to condense air vapor until float  24  returns to its originally pre-set level and sends a signal to controller  26  to stop the operation of the condenser. In the event that condenser  20  cannot supply sufficient condensed water, sensor  40  detects that the condensed water in tank  22  has reached a minimum pre-set level and sends a signal to the controller to stop pump  28 . Alternatively, controller  26  may open an inlet valve of a tap water supply coupled to the condenser (not shown). Further, the condensed water flows through piping  12  into tank  32  in purifier  30  and, when water outlet  36  is opened for dispensing purified water, the condensed water flows through purifying unit  34  and is dispensed through outlet  36 . Alternatively, the condensed water may flow through piping  12  into purifying unit  34  where the purified water is collected in tank  32 . When water outlet  36  is opened, purified water flows from tank  32  and is dispensed through outlet  36 . 
         [0014]    While the invention has been described with respect to a limited number of embodiments, it will be appreciated that many variations, modifications and other applications of the invention may be made. It will further be appreciated that the invention is not limited to what has been described hereinabove merely by way of example. Rather, the invention is limited solely by the claims which follow.