Improvements in the Means for and Methods of Humidifying the Air of Rooms.
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 21st Sept., 1899
Complete Specification Left, 18th June, 1900-Accepted, 11th Aug., 1900
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
[Communicated from abroad by PAUL KEATNER, of No. 40, Boulevard, Vauban,
Lille, France, Engineer.
Improvements in the Means for and Methods of Humidifying
the Air of Rooms.
I, EDWARD TURNER WHITELOW, of 70, Deansgate, Manchester, Patent Agent,
do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
My said invention relates to improvements in the means for and methods of
humidifying the air of rooms and more particularly relates to the system of
humidifying according to which the air (humidified by its circulation over damp
surfaces sheets of water through a shower or spray of water or other such means).
is driven by a fan in the proportion desired into the room..
In order to prevent the air taking with it unabsorbed water it has hitherto
been necessary to keep down the air velocity to a relatively very low point thus
diminishing the rapidity of evaporation and entailing (where it is desired to get
the same quantity of aqueous vapour as if a higher speed were possible) the
use of large and cumbrous apparatus.
According to the first part of my said invention (which relates to the humidify-
ing of the air) I aim on the contrary at utilising the fact that rapidity of evapora-
tion is a function of the air velocity and consequently I impart the greatest
possible velocity to the air regardless of its taking with it unabsorbed water
which I subsequently remove by means of a separator. The rapidity of evapora-
tion being also proportional to the aqueous surface exposed to the circulating
air I have sought to combine in a single apparatus the advantages of a large
surface of water and a high velocity for the air circulating on such surface.
For separating the unabsorbed water I employ a centrifugal separator prefer-
ably one in which the water is admitted tangentially. I employ it either vertical
horizontal in several alternative constructions or modes of application.
'
one construction I use a closed reservoir rectangular in cross section con-
tang water at a constant level. This is covered in such a way as to leave only
a reduced section in order that the air may there attain the required velocity.
The air enters at one end passes over the surface of the water and while causing
evaporation takes along some of the water into a separator with which the
reservoir is connected. The unabsorbed water is removed in the separator and
passes off at one place while the air freed from the water passes out at another.
In another construction a tube separator is connected with a tube containing a
spray jet instead of a water reservoir.
In a modification of this construction the separator is horizontal having two
outlets.
Used in this way the separator itself contributes to the humidification of the air.

page_text: The water taken along and precipitated by the centrifugal force wets the walls
or partitions of the separator and since the air passes through it with a gyratory
movement and with a great velocity there ensues considerable friction between
the air and the walls of the separator producing a corresponding evaporation of
the water thereon. This property is taken advantage of in a modified construc-
tion in which the centrifugal separator is horizontal. The air enters tangentially
while a continuous current of water enters and in consequence of the gyratory
movement of the air some of the water is taken up and wets the walls. The
air thus passes out humidified without carrying away any hurtful quantity of
unabsorbed water. In this construction the apparatus acts both as humidifier and
separator.
The fan through which the air passes may also act as a centrifugal separator
and thus fulfil a double function. If a jet or stream of water is introduced into
the air going through the fan the water is separated and precipitated by the
centrifugal force against the walls of the fan whence it can be taken. The casing.
is surrounded by a peripheral channel having an annular communicating slit.
This channel is drained by a pipe at its lowest point. If now air mixed with
water is drawn in the water will be precipitated by the centrifugal force into
the channel whence it will be withdrawn as it accumulates. Similar use may be
made of a screw or helicoidal fan contained in a cylindrical casing. The fan draws
in the mixed air and water and discharges the air through a pipe in line and con-
centric with the fan. The rotation of the fan imparts a rotatory motion to the
mixed air and water precipitating the latter against the walls of the casing
whence it can be drained by a pipe while the dried air escapes.
The second part of my said invention relates to the utilisation and uniform
distribution of the humidified air in the rooms to which it is to be applied.
In this
A fan draws in the external air through a pipe and delivers it over a humidifier
(of for instance the construction shown in Delebart's Patent No. 13030 of A.D.
1898). At the other end or side of the room are openings in the walls or
windows. The room being closed and the fan being caused to rotate the air
drawn in through the pipe and delivered over the humidifier absorbs moisture
and driving before it the vitiated air escapes through the openings.
manner the renewal of the air by the fresh external air humidified by its contact
with the water takes place systematically without need of drawing in the vitiated
air in the room itself thus differing from the arrangement described in the
Patent No. 15030 of A.D. 1898. The above described method of distributing the
air is excellent for summer time. In winter the conditions are different and
it is then advisable to draw in as little external air as is necessary for health
and so to maintain the warmth of the atmosphere of the room. The system is
then modified by the use of tubes and regulating valves so arranged that the air
admitted to the fan may be taken in any desired proportions from the exterior and
from the interior of the room simultaneously.
In a building having two rooms adjoining or over each other each room con-
tains a fan and humidifier and regulating apparatus arranged in a similar manner
but oppositely to each other so that air may be passed from one room to the other
while by a suitable setting of the valves and air inlets and outlets the fans may
take the air partly or entirely from the outside.
Any form of humidifier may be used in conjunction with this part of my said
invention but the particular constructions herein described under the first part
of my said invention lend themselves with facility to this system of working.
Doted this 14th dau of Cantomhan 1000

page_text: Improvements in the Means for and Methods of Humidifying
the Air of Rooms.
I, EDWARD TURNER WHITELOW, of 70, Deansgate, Manchester, Patent Agent,
do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what manner the same is
to be performed to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the
following statement:―
My said invention relates to improvements in the means for and methods of
humidifying the air of rooms and more particularly relates to the system of
humidifying according to which the air (humidified by its circulation over damp
surfaces sheets of water through a shower or spray of water or other such means)
is driven by a fan in the proportion desired into the room.
In order to prevent the air taking with it unabsorbed water it has hitherto
been necessary to keep down the air velocity to a relatively very low point thus
diminishing the rapidity of evaporation and entailing (where it is desired to get
the same quantity of aqueous vapour as if a higher speed were possible) the
use of large and cumbrous apparatus.
According to the first part of my said invention (which relates to the humidify-
ing of the air) I aim on the contrary at utilising the fact that rapidity of evapora-
tion is a function of the air velocity and consequently I impart the greatest
possible velocity to the air altogether regardless of its taking with it unabsorbed
water which I subsequently separate. The rapidity of evaporation being also propor-
tional to the aqueous surface exposed to the circulating air I have sought to
combine in a single apparatus the advantages of large surfaces of water obtained
either by a comparatively large exposed surface of liquid lying in a reservoir or
by a jet of spray and a high velocity for the air passing over or against such
large surfaces.
For separating the unabsorbed water I employ a centrifugal or other separator
arranged to act either vertically or horizontally according to local circumstances
and convenience.
Sheet I comprising Figures 1 to 9 of the accompanying drawings illustrates
this part of my said invention in several alternative constructions.
.In the construction shown in Fig. 1 T is a closed reservoir rectangular in
cross section containing water at a constant level and preferably constricted over
the water in order that the air may there attain a higher velocity.
The air entering at m passes over the surface of the water and while causing
evaporation takes along with it in a mechanically suspended but unabsorbed form
some of the water into the separator S with which the reservoir is connected. The
unabsorbed water is removed in the separator S and passes off at t while the air
freed from this unabsorbed water passes out at n.
In the construction shown in Fig. 2 the separator S is connected with a tube T
containing a spray jet instead of a water reservoir for supplying the moisture
to the air. A modification of this construction is shown in Figs. 3 and 3ª which
are elevations at right angles to each other. In this modification two or more
spray jets p are inserted inside the tube T and generally I prefer this arrange-
ment when the tube T is horizontal on account of the continual condensation of
water from the atmosphere on the outside of the tube T which is much cooled
by the internal evaporation. To catch this drip I arrange a longitudinal gutter
underneath and parallel to the pipe T. To allow of periodical inspection of
the jets sight holes with moveable cover plates are provided in the tube T over
or opposite to the jets. To enable the jets to be regulated from the outside their

page_text: cock plugs are provided with levers from which wires or rods passing through
holes in the tube 14 extend to the outside.
In the construction shown in Figs. 4 and 4ª which are elevations at right
angles to each other the pipe T-is vertical and the air is driven through by a
fan V to a horizontal separator S whence the air escapes through two outlets n².
In the above described constructions the air current flows from m in the direc-
tion indicated by the arrows to n (or in Figs. 4 and 4ª to n¹²) while the water
from the separator passes through the drain pipe t whence it may run into the
reservoir or communicate with the water supply for the jet as in Figs. 4 and 4".
It will be observed that used in this way the separator itself contributes to
the humidification of the air. The water taken along and precipitated wets the
walls or partitions of the separator and since the air passes through it with a
gyratory movement in case it is admitted tangentially and with a great velocity
there ensues considerable friction between the air and the walls of the separator
producing a corresponding evaporation of the water thereon. This property is
taken advantage of in the construction shown in Fig. 5 in which the centrifugal
separator S is horizontal. The air enters tangentially at m and leaves at n.
continuous current of water enters at p the surplus escaping at t. Owing to the
gyratory movement of the air the water is taken up by it and wets the walls and
these in turn yield up water to the air. The humidified air passes out at n without
carrying away any hurtful quantity of unabsorbed water. In this construction
the apparatus S acts both as humidifier and separator.
A
The fan through which the air passes may also act as a centrifugal separator
and thus fulfil a double function. If a jet or stream of water is introduced into
the air going through the fan the water is separated and precipitated by the
centrifugal force against the walls of the fan whence it can be absorbed by the
air. Fig. 6 shows a fan thus forming a water separator. The casing is sur-
rounded by a peripheral channel with which it communicates through a slit.
The channel is drained by a pipe at its lowest point. If now air mixed with
water is drawn in at m the unabsorbed water will be precipitated by the centri-
fugal force into the channel whence it will be withdrawn as it accumulates.
In Fig. 9 a slight modification of this form is shown. Instead of a peripheral
channel round the fan the unabsorbed water runs down the casing of the fan and
along the bottom of the air outlet pipe to a drain pipe while the humidified air
is discharged at n n. Similar use may be made of a screw or helicoidal fan as
shown in Fig. 7 in which A is the screw fan contained in a cylindrical casing G.
The fan draws in the mixed air and water at m and discharges the air through a
concentric pipe n. The rotation of the fan imparts a rotatory motion to the
mixed air and water and precipitates the unabsorbed water against the walls.of
while the humidified air
the casing G whence it can be drained by the pipe
escapes at n.
In Fig. 3 is shown a construction somewhat similar to that described with
reference to Fig. 4. The main difference is that the air is mixed with water before
reaching the fan and is driven downwards and centrally into a tube separator S
whence the humidified air is discharged symmetrically at non both sides
I find from experience that the
while the unabsorbed water is drained off at t.
greatest evaporation takes place in the fan itself therefore to obtain the greatest
efficiency it is desirable that the air should pass through the separator after it
leaves the fan and not before.
The second part of my said invention relates to the. utilisation and uniform dis-
tribution of the humidified air in the rooms to which it is to be supplied.
The figures of Sheet II to which reference is hereinafter made illustrate this
part of my said invention. In Fig. 10 (plan) a, fan V draws in the external air
inrough the pipe T4 and drives it over a humidifier H (of for instance the con-
struction shown in Delebart's Patent No. 13030 of A.D. 1893). At the other end
or side of the room are openings b b in the walls' or windows. The room being
closed when the fan is driven the air drawn in through the pipe T and delivered

page_text: over the humidifier H absorbs moisture and taking the direction shown by the
arrows drives before it the vitiated air finally escaping through the openings b.
In this manner the renewal of the air by the fresh external air humidified by its
contact with the water takes place systematically without need of drawing in the
vitiated air in the room itself thus differing from the arrangement described in
the Patent No. 13030 of A.D). 1898. The above described method of distributing
the air is excellent for summer time. In winter 'the conditions are different and
it is then advisable to draw in only so much external air as is necessary for health
and so to maintain the warmth of the atmosphere of the room. The system is
then extended by the parts indicated by dotted lines in Fig. 10 in which T is
a pipe at the other side of the room connected by a pipe 13 to the air inlet of
the fan. The tube T2 is provided with valves or air holes for admitting air as
desired throughout the length of the pipe. When at work the fan draws air
from the tubes T and T and by means of valves r r the relative proportions of
external and internal air can be regulated as desired.
In a building having two rooms adjoining or over each other as shown at A
and B in Fig. 11 the same system is applicable with some simplification.
The room A contains at one end a fan V drawing in the external air at M
aud also drawing air at M from the room B below. The fan delivers its air into
a humidifier and separator such as hereinbefore described whence it escapes at
T following the direction indicated by the arrows to one or more openings b
at the other end of the room. The room B contains an oppositely arranged but
otherwise similar set of appliances. A fan V takes air through M from the
room A and through M³ from outside and delivers it at T into the room B after
humidification. One or more openings are provided in the opposite wall. If
the two fans are caused to rotate there will be formed a circulating current
indicated by the arrows.
If the openings 1 and 2 and M M³ are open while M1 and M² are closed none
of the internal air of the room is taken into circulation (summer circulation). If.
on the other hand band b M M³ are closed while M M² are open the fans take
their air from the adjoining room. By means of the valves controlling the
inlets the relative proportions of internal and external air may be varied to suit
the best condition of working for colder weather in a similar way to that described
with reference to Fig. 10 but with the advantage of a great saving in the cost
of air conduits.
Any form of humidifier may be used in conjunction with this part of my said
invention but the particular constructions herein described under the first part of
my said invention lend themselves particularly to this system of working. Of
these constructions I prefer that described with reference to Fig. 8 as being more
effective in practice and lending itself more readily to a convenient arrangement
of the air circulation.
Fig. 12 illustrates a room fitted with the apparatus already described with
reference to Fig. 8 in which the humidification is effected by a jet or jets of
water op. In winter one or more steam jets may be also used to warm and
humidify the air. For the sake of clearness this figure merely shows the
apparatus schematically to indicate the operation. In practice the apparatus
would be arranged in groups according to the size or shape of the room so as to
take up the least possible space. In this figure the fan V is arranged as above
described to take either external air from the pipe T or internal air along the
pipe T3 from the pipe T2 at the other end of the room or from both sources
regulated by the valves in any desired proportions as may be desired to suit
the season of the year.
r
This system of circulation is capable of many other modifications or arrange-
ments without departing from the essential features of my said invention. Two
such modifications are shown by way of example in Figs. 13 and 14.
In Fig. 14 the air delivery tube beyond the separator is dispensed with the air
being distributed radially as it emerges directly from the separator. The arrows

page_text: indicate the direction of the air. The same letters of reference indicate the same
parts of the apparatus as in Fig. 10 and the general description of the mode of
distribution given with reference to that figure is equally applicable to Figs. 13
and 14 which will be understood from the drawing without further explanation.
I wish it to be clearly understood that I herein make no claim to anything
described or claimed in the Specification of Patent No. 13030 of A.D. 1898.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what
I claim is:-
.
1. Apparatus for the production of humidified air by the evaporative action on
water of a rapid current of air in combination with means for separating the
unabsorbed water carried over by the rapidly moving air substantially as herein-
before described and shown with reference to the figures of Sheet I of the accom-
panying drawings.
2. The combination with means for producing a rapid current of air of a
centrifugal separator acting at the same time as a humidifier substantially as and
for the purpose hereinbefore set forth and shown with reference to Figure 5 of
the accompanying drawings.
3. The combination of an air supply pipe a water jet a fan and a tubular
separator substantially as and for the purpose set forth and shown with reference
to Fig. 8 of the accompanying drawings.
4. The combination with conduits for air mixed with water of a fan for pro-
ducing a rapid current of air and at the same time humidifying it and separating
the unabsorbed water substantially as set forth and shown with reference to
Figs. 6 and 9 of the accompanying drawings.
5. The combination with a humidifier and a fan taking its air supply from
the interior of a room of an air inlet pipe for supplying outside air to the fan
apertures in the walls of the room and valves or the like for controlling the rela-
tive proportions of internal and external air substantially as and for the purpose
set forth and described with reference to the figures of Sheet II of the accompany-
ing drawings.
6. The combination of a fan means for humidifying the air and separating
the unabsorbed water air suction and discharge pipes air outlets with valves or
the like means of control for humidifying and ventilating the atmosphere of two
contiguous rooms substantially as hereinbefore described and shown with reference
to Fig. 11 of the accompanying drawings.
D
1 11
1111
LT1000
E. T. WHITELOW, A.M. Inst. C.E.,
70, Deansgate, Manchester