Patent ID: 6846387

Claim:
An evaporator and condenser unit for use in distilling a liquid, the evaporator and condenser unit comprising: a housing; a motor for supplying rotary power within the housing; a compressor having a compressor inlet for receiving a vapor generated within the housing and a compressor outlet for returning compressed vapor to the housing; a heat exchanger plate disposed within the housing and operatively coupled to the motor for rotation about an axis, the heat exchanger plate having a plurality of folds and two opposing edges that are joined together so as to give the folded plate a generally circular shape having a center that is coaxial with the axis of rotation, the folds defining a plurality of spaced-apart panels having corresponding surfaces that define alternating evaporating and condensing chambers between opposing panel surfaces; and a first end plate and a second end plate disposed within the housing substantially perpendicular to the axis of rotation, the folded heat exchanger plate mounted between the first and second end plates so as to seal the evaporating chambers from the condensing chambers, wherein the evaporating chambers are in fluid communication with the compressor inlet so as to provide vapor thereto, the condensing chambers are in fluid communication with the compressor outlet so as to receive compressed vapor therefrom, and the evaporating and condensing chambers are sealed from each other, the evaporating and condensing chambers include inner and outer edges relative to the axis of rotation, the evaporating chambers are sealed at their inner edges by corresponding folds in the heat exchanger plate, and are open at their outer edges, the condensing chambers are open at their inner edges, and are sealed at their outer edges by corresponding folds in the heat exchanger plate, and the housing includes a lower portion defining a sump containing the liquid to be distilled, the unit further comprises a plurality of liquid feed distribution ports extending through the second end plate such that a liquid flow path exists between the sump and the evaporating chambers via the liquid feed distribution ports during rotation of the heat exchanger plate.