US4428205A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus and method for dehumidification systems
Assignee: Trinity University
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Filing: 1981-04-27
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Granted: 1984-01-31
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Expires: 2001-04-27
Abstract
Abstract A method and apparatus for controlling the atmosphere in a controlled environment including passing air into a cooling means to remove humidity and back into the environment and exchanging heat from the air entering the cooling means to the air exiting the cooling means, to increase dehumidification by a cooling recovery process.
Inventors
- 👤 Earl S. Doderer
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 08:56
CPC Classifications
F; F24; F24F; F24F12/00; F24F12/001; F24F12/006; F24F3/00; F24F3/12; F24F3/14; F24F3/153; Y; Y02; Y02B; Y02B30/00; Y02B30/56
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
117 words
A method for efficiently producing dry air, comprising the steps of: flowing incoming air from an enclosure through the inbound portion of an air-to-air heat exchanger where it is precooled by outgoing air flowing though the outbound portion of said heat exchanger into the enclosure; flowing the air that has been precooled from the inbound portion to a cooling means for reducing the dew point temperature where it is further cooled and dehumidified to provide cold dry air to the outgoing portion; flowing the cold dry air from the cooling means through said outbound portion of said air-to-air heat exchanger to recover cooling provided by the cooling means and to provide said precooling of the incoming air;
Claim 2
Independent Claim
117 words
A method for efficiently producing dry air, comprising the steps of: flowing incoming air from an enclosure through the inbound portion of an air-to-air heat exchanger where it is precooled by outgoing air flowing though the outbound portion of said heat exchanger into the enclosure; flowing the air that has been precooled from the inbound portion to a cooling means for reducing the dew point temperature where it is further cooled and dehumidified to provide cold dry air to the outgoing portion; flowing the cold dry air from the cooling means through said outbound portion of said air-to-air heat exchanger to recover cooling provided by the cooling means and to provide said precooling of the incoming air;
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
52 words
flowing the dry outgoing air out of the outbound section of the air-to-air heat exchanger into the enclosure; and varying the amount of cooling recovered from the cold dry air flowing through the outbound portion of the heat exchanger to vary the temperature and humidity of the air exiting the outbound portion.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
52 words
flowing the dry outgoing air out of the outbound section of the air-to-air heat exchanger into the enclosure; and varying the amount of cooling recovered from the cold dry air flowing through the outbound portion of the heat exchanger to vary the temperature and humidity of the air exiting the outbound portion.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
154 words
An apparatus for efficiently producing dry air comprising: an air cooling means for reducing the dew point temperature of air flowing across the cooling means to provide cold dry air; an air-to-air heat exchanger having an inbound section and an outbound section; said inbound section being connected with the cooling means to provide the air flowing across the cooling means; said outbound section being connected with the cooling means to receive the cold dry air from the cooling means; said inbound and outbound sections being thermally connected with each other to transfer cooling from outbound air to inbound air to provide precooling of the air flowing through the inbound section from an enclosure and flowing the outbound dry air out of the outbound section of the heat exchanger into the enclosure; and the air-to-air heat exchanger includes means to selectively vary the amount of cooling transferred from the outbound air to the inbound air.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
154 words
An apparatus for efficiently producing dry air comprising: an air cooling means for reducing the dew point temperature of air flowing across the cooling means to provide cold dry air; an air-to-air heat exchanger having an inbound section and an outbound section; said inbound section being connected with the cooling means to provide the air flowing across the cooling means; said outbound section being connected with the cooling means to receive the cold dry air from the cooling means; said inbound and outbound sections being thermally connected with each other to transfer cooling from outbound air to inbound air to provide precooling of the air flowing through the inbound section from an enclosure and flowing the outbound dry air out of the outbound section of the heat exchanger into the enclosure; and the air-to-air heat exchanger includes means to selectively vary the amount of cooling transferred from the outbound air to the inbound air.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method as set forth in claim 1 wherein: the dry outgoing air is flowed out of the heat exchanger at substantially the temperature outside the heat exchanger in the enclosure.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus as set forth in claim 2, wherein: the air-to-air heat exchanger has a labyrinth heat exchange surface.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1987-01-30 | 1987-08-01 | 1988-01-31 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1991-01-30 | 1991-08-01 | 1992-01-31 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1995-01-30 | 1995-08-01 | 1996-01-31 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |