Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
259 words
In an open-cycle environmental control system unit of the type having means for passing outside air as a first air stream in a first direction through said unit, means for passing room air as a second air stream in a second direction through said unit, means for isolating said first and second air streams from each other, an L-wheel and an S-wheel continuously rotating through said first and second air streams, said S-wheel and said isolating means cooperating to define at a given moment in time a first side and a second side of said S-wheel, an interface between said first side and said second side, said S-wheel rotating from said first side through said interface, and a segment of said second side, said segment being adjacent to said interface, means for directing said first air stream through said first side of said S-wheel whereby said first side absorbs heat from said first air stream to cool said first air stream, and means for directing said second air stream through said second side of said S-wheel whereby said second side transfers said absorbed heat to said second air stream to cool and regenerate said S-wheel, the improvement comprising means for passing outdoor air as a third air stream in said second direction through said unit and means for directing said third air stream through said segment, said third air stream means and said third air stream directing means cooperating to define means for precooling said second side of said S-wheel prior to said cooling by said second air stream.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
259 words
In an open-cycle environmental control system unit of the type having means for passing outside air as a first air stream in a first direction through said unit, means for passing room air as a second air stream in a second direction through said unit, means for isolating said first and second air streams from each other, an L-wheel and an S-wheel continuously rotating through said first and second air streams, said S-wheel and said isolating means cooperating to define at a given moment in time a first side and a second side of said S-wheel, an interface between said first side and said second side, said S-wheel rotating from said first side through said interface, and a segment of said second side, said segment being adjacent to said interface, means for directing said first air stream through said first side of said S-wheel whereby said first side absorbs heat from said first air stream to cool said first air stream, and means for directing said second air stream through said second side of said S-wheel whereby said second side transfers said absorbed heat to said second air stream to cool and regenerate said S-wheel, the improvement comprising means for passing outdoor air as a third air stream in said second direction through said unit and means for directing said third air stream through said segment, said third air stream means and said third air stream directing means cooperating to define means for precooling said second side of said S-wheel prior to said cooling by said second air stream.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
The improvement of claim 1 wherein said segment is 5 to 30 percent of the surface area of said S-wheel.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
35 words
The improvement of claim 1 wherein said third air stream means includes a duct in communication with the outdoor and said S-wheel and means for producing air flow within said duct positioned in association therewith.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
29 words
The improvement of claim 1 wherein said third air stream means includes means for supplying water vapor to said third air stream in an amount up to adiabatic saturation.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
The improvement of claim 1 which includes means for directing said first air stream exiting said first side of said S-wheel through an evaporative pad.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
35 words
The improvement of claim 1 including means for directing a portion of said first air stream passing through the segment of said L-wheel first entering said first air stream directly into said second air stream.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
219 words
In an open-cycle environmental control system unit of the type having means for passing outside air as a first air stream in a first direction through said unit, means for passing room air as a second air stream in a second direction through said unit, means for isolating said first and second air streams from each other, an L-wheel and an S-wheel continuously rotating through said first and second air streams, said L-wheel and said isolating means cooperating to define at a given moment in time a first side and a second side of said L-wheel, an interface between said first side and said second side, said L-wheel rotating from said second side through said interface, and a segment of said first side, said segment being adjacent to said interface, means for directing said first air stream through said first side of said L-wheel whereby said first side absorbs moisture from said first air stream to dehumidify said first air stream, and means for directing said second air stream through said second side of said L-wheel whereby said second side transfers said absorbed moisture to said second air stream to regenerate said L-wheel, the improvement comprising means for directing the portion of said first air stream passing through said segment of said L-wheel directly into said second air stream.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
219 words
In an open-cycle environmental control system unit of the type having means for passing outside air as a first air stream in a first direction through said unit, means for passing room air as a second air stream in a second direction through said unit, means for isolating said first and second air streams from each other, an L-wheel and an S-wheel continuously rotating through said first and second air streams, said L-wheel and said isolating means cooperating to define at a given moment in time a first side and a second side of said L-wheel, an interface between said first side and said second side, said L-wheel rotating from said second side through said interface, and a segment of said first side, said segment being adjacent to said interface, means for directing said first air stream through said first side of said L-wheel whereby said first side absorbs moisture from said first air stream to dehumidify said first air stream, and means for directing said second air stream through said second side of said L-wheel whereby said second side transfers said absorbed moisture to said second air stream to regenerate said L-wheel, the improvement comprising means for directing the portion of said first air stream passing through said segment of said L-wheel directly into said second air stream.