US2368115A - Humidifying apparatus - Google Patents

Description

5 Sheets-Sheet 1 C. C. CHAPPLE HUMIDI FYING APPARATUS Filed March 12. 1942 3 12 5 4 5 2 4 4 1A--,. 1 1 -l a l 7 7 o w 4 u wk f .G 7 Q 4 kr/ J 6 n M j z 6 fv mk a e. 2) f ..w..,.i-- i ww 5 I .Llhnhhnf E 3 .,F 7 mi 3 4 M L LLrvL 3 al 8 ,w 9 8 l f 2 a X m r Y 1| WMMWMMMMMMMIWN wvwnh finr I (1ML: Xin 2 Al 3 0 Jan. so, 1945.

Jan. 3o, 1945. c, c, CHAPPLE 2,368,115

HUMIDIFYING APPARTUS Filed March 12, 1942 I5 Sheets-Sheet 2 47 FIG. 2

INVENI'OH BY/CAMM m ATTORNEY 30, 1945. C, 1;:- CHAPPLE 1 2,368,115

HUMIDIFYING APPARATUS Patented Jan. 30, 1945 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE f 2,368,115 HMIDIYING ARATUS Charles o. Chapple, Chestnut Hill, Pa., assigner' toAChildrens Hospital of Philadelphia, Phila# delph-ia, Pa., a corporation of Pennsylvania Application March 12, 1942, serial No. 434,336

V(ci. 21a-44o) 11` claims.

rlhis invention relates to humidifying apparatus and is particularly' concerned with devices for circulating and humidifying air or other gases.

A primary' object of the invention is the pro'- Vision of a unit which will produce `instantly' a now of air having a high degree of humidification and at the same timehaving a moderately elevated temperature. With apparatus according to the present invention the humidied air may be circulated in a room to cause general humidication of the air, Alternatively the apparatus may be used to direct the highly humidified and warmed airl into an enclosed space for special purposes such as for breathing by patients having certain types of respiratory ailments including, for' example, croup or asthma. The quality of the air and vapor mixture which may be produced by the apparatus of the present invention is well suited for this purpose.

The apparatus of the present invention is also suitably adapted for the Vaporiz'ation of other liquids besides water. Aerosols, such asglycerine and propylene glycol, may be vaporized and mixed with air in the apparatus. Aerosols vaporize only at comparatively high temperatures, propylene glycol requiring approximately 370 F. Also aerosols are non-conductors s'o that they must be mixed with an electrolyte for vaporiz'ation. It is an object, therefore, of the present invention to provide apparatus which will vapor-'- ize aerosols (when suitably mixed with an electrolyte) and distribute the vapor throughout the air. erating or sick rooms where the vaporized aerosol effectiveiy steniizes the air due to its baeteriacidal action. l

It is an object of this invention to provide ap- This is especially benecial for use in opparatus which will cause a continuous vaporization of water at a rapid rate by means of a special heating unit and to combine with this a means for mixing' air with thevvapor ina fashion which will cause acceleration in thel vaporization process; i

Another object of the invention is the provisindof means by Whichthe quality and quantity of the humidined air may be accurately controlled.

When using apparatus according. to the present invention for the relief of respiratory disorders as mentioned previously,y it is sometimes also desirable' to introduce some sort of medicament into the air. It is a purpose of the present invention to" provide' apparatus which may beso used to prot/idea suitably medicated hunii'died air mixture. Thissam' apparatus may also be used for other purposes, such as for example, adding a slight perfumed or incense odor tothe air of a room. y

VIt will be obvious from Athe foregoing discus sion of objects that many features of the present invention are adaptable to apparatus for use in commercial air-conditioning. It will also be evident that the features ofthe present invention are especially valuable in special-purpose apparatus, such as a unit which will develop a vapor mixture suitable for use by doctors, hospitals and the like, for the treatment of patients.- It is an object, therefore, to provide a unit of this nature which is compact in form and also contains apparatus for humidifying other gases besides air, such as oxygen. In the administration of oxygen in high concentrations for breathing purposes, the effect ofl the gas is often such as' to cause drying out of the membranes. This eifect may create considerable discomfort. By mixing Water vapor with the oxygenI the harsh eiects on the tissues are greatly alleviated. By means of the apparatus of the presentinvention oxygen or other gases may be suitably humidiiiedin a comparatively simple fashion.y

it is an object ofthe" invention tov provide a construction for the' apparatus described above for humidifyi'rig oxygen or other gases so that the same apparatus maybe utilized in vaporizing certain other materialssuch as suitably' prepared sulphonamides.A Airhaving a mixture of vapor of this nature is beneficial for medical purposes and is used for breathing by patientsv aiilic'ted Vwith! various' respiratory infections including colds', pneumonia', bronchitis, etc.

A specificl object ofthe invention is the provision of an' elect-rode and wick' combination for causing rapid' vapor'ization of a liquid. This elec'- trode and wick device also provides a safety fea'- ture which automatically breaks the electric circuit when the liquid supply is exhausted so that undueheating'v ofthe equipment in the absence of Water is' avoided". y l

Another specific object of the invention is the provision of a suitablear-circulating device with means for directing the air over the vapori'zing unit in such a fashion aste cause an increased rate of vaporization. When the circuit to the electrodes is completed the" liquid is heated locally and vaporization takes' place. Upon directing the stream of air over'the electrode unit greatly accelerated vaporiz'ation occurs'. This apparently' is' due to' theca'rrying'off of the? vapor formed around' the Wick and electrode" so that formation o! the vapor at the electrodes may occur more rapidly.

Another specific object of the invention is to provide simplified atomization apparatus which may operate with a minimum of clogging action.

How the foregoing and other objects and advantages of the invention are accomplished will be clear from the description of the drawings in which Figure 1 is a side elevation shown partly in section through a unit according to the present invention, the view being taken along the line I-I, Figure 2.

Figure 2 is a plan view of the apparatus shown in Figure l and taken along the line 2 2, Figure 1. l

Figure 3 is a section through a portion of the apparatus taken upon the line 3--3 of Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a view illustrating a specic use for the apparatus of the present invention.

Figure 5 is another View showing a further use which the apparatus may serve.

Figure 6 illustrates an accessory attachment by means of which medicament or the like may be added to the humidifed air.

Referring to Figures 1 to 3 it will be seen that the humidifying apparatus used to illustrate the present invention is enclosed in a box or cabinet having a lower part IIJ and an upper cover part II to which is attached a handle I2. Within the lower part of the cabinet IIJ there is positioned a rectangular pan or tank I3 having an open top. Attached to pan I3 at one of its sides are two chambers I4 and I5. These cham-bers are in sealed association with the tank I3. indicated at I6 and I1 are provided in the walls of the chambers I4 and I5 near the bottom of the chambers to permit the flow of liquid between the open tank I3 and the chambers I4 and I5 thereby providing means whereby the liquid level in the chambers will be maintained at the liquid level I3a in the tank I3.

In order to assure a supply of liquid suiiicient `to last for a considerable period of operation,` there is provided a closed reservoir or tank I8 having a cross sectional shape similar to that of tank I3 but slightly smaller to permit reservoir I8 to have its lower portion project inside the tank I3. A flange I9 is provided on the tank I3 to rest upon the ledge of the base cabinet I0 and support it in its proper relative position. Brackets 2| are provided on the reservoir IB to also support it at its proper position with respect to the tank I3. A flange 22 isshown on the upper cabinet unit II, which flange is adapted to contact the brackets 2I and securely retain all the parts in proper relative position in the cabinet. Thumb screws 23 are used to permit quick attachment of the upper cabinet part II.

By means of this cabinet construction the parts of the humidifying unit are given adequate `protection, while at the same time ready access for adjustment or refilling of the reservoir is provided. To fill the reservoir the thumb screws 23 are removed and the cabinet part II lifted off. The reservoir I8 may then be lifted out and the screw cap 24 removed to permit lling the reservoir. After iilling the reservoir the screw cap is replaced, there being a gasket 25 to provide a positive seal between the reservoir and the cap. In the cap 24 there is supported a tube 26 which projects only a very small distance outside the cap but which has a length inside the cap sufficient to reach close to the top of the reservoir. Another short tube 21 is also mounted in the cap Holes as 24 which tube projects a short distance inside and outside the cap as illustrated. With this arrangement the reservoir maintains a constant level in the tank I3 as long as there is water remaining in the reservoir IB. When the water level in the tank I3 falls below the outlet of the tube 26 air is admitted to the reservoir I 8 through the tube 26. Consequently liquid flows out of the reservoir through the tube 21 until the water level in tank I3 again closes the opening of tube 26 when flow ceases. With this arrangement the water ilows smoothly from the reservoir to the tank without the gurgling noise and sudden release of a considerable amount of water which occurs when only a single opening is used in a feed of this nature, The water levels are indicated at I3a and IBa.

In order to provide a supply of humidiiied air there is shown a small blower unit indicated at 28 and having a blower 29 driven by the electric motor 30. The blower 29 is of the centrifugal type having an inlet at 3| near the center of the blower 29. The air is conducted.through the channel 32 and enters the chamber I4 through a pipe 33 which leads from the upper portion of the chamber I4 to a point close to the water level where the air is discharged into the chamber. A screened opening 34 is provided in the cabinet III to permit air to be drawn from outside the cabinet by the blower.

To provide accelerated evaporation of the water in the chamber I4 a pair of specially shaped eleotrodes 35 are mounted in the chamber. The electrodes are fastened by means of suitable clips or ttings to the cover 36 which closes in the top side of the chambers I4 and I5. The electrodes 35 are preferably made of carbon and are :provided with enlarged flattened surfaces, part of which may project lbelow the water level in the chamber I4. A porous wick member 31 is supplied to lit between the carbon electrodes 35 and project down to the bottom of the chamber I4. This wick member 31 has a large area in contact with the electrodes 35.

Electric current to supply the motor and electrodes is brought into the unit by the cord 38. Two switches 39 and 4D are provided to control the current to the motor and the electrodes re spectively. These switches are of the rheostat type by means of which a variable control for the current is provided by turning the knobs 4I. In this way the speed of the blower may be al- 'tered to allow the quantity of air delivered to be varied. Also by controlling the current to the electrodes the rate of vaporization of water may also be varied.

The wick 31 rapidly picks up water from the bottom part of the chamber I4 and provides a large area of concentrated moisture between the two electrodes 35. This moisture causes completion of the electrical circuit and the water between the electrodes is heated with consequent rapid Vaporization from the upper portion of the wick. The passage of the air over the heated wick and the region where vaporization is occurring most rapidly carries away the water vapor quickly and causes a further increase in the rate of vaporization. The air thus receives a high concentration of humidity and then passes out of chamber I4 through the tube 42 where it may be emitted to the open air or carried oIT in a tube depending upon the purpose for which the unit is being operated. Insulation 43 is provided around the tube 42 to prevent condensation while the air is passing therethrough.

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The upperend of tube 42 is suitably shaped to receive. a tubular member 6;I through which the air and vapor mixture passes. An inclined plate 62 is supported in position above the outlet of tube 6I. By'means of plate 62 the mixture may be directed in any desired direction. Plate 62 also ,causes any condensed water globules which may be in the vapor to adhere to the plate. In this way a vapor of improved quality is produced. The plate 6,2 is shaped at the lower end to form a trough or gutter as indicated at 63. A small tube 64 is used as the support for plate 62, the lower end of tube 64 being connected to tube 6I. By this construction the liquid that adheres to plate 62 is collected in trough 63 and carried back through tubular members 64 and 6I so that the liquid is returned to the chamber Ul.v It will be evident that the deflector plate unit is removable so that its use isA optional.

The heating caused by the electrodes produces the water vapor at a considerably elevated temperature. The mixture of air and water vapor which is delivered through the tube 42 may be controlled to a temperature 1 approximately 11G-120 F. This temperature is ideal for medical uses since it is slightly higher than body temperature.

As mentioned above the moisture in the wick causes completion of the circuit between the electrodes. This arrangement provides an automatic safety device for the apparatus in the event that 'all the Water is evaporated. Should this occur the heat causes drying out of the wick. The dry wick will not conduct the electrical current so that the circuit is broken and the carbon electrodes no longer generate heat. This, therefore, prevents damage to the parts in close proximity to the electrodes which might other-wise occur due to excessive heat in the absence of water. The blower may remain operating even after the circuit to the electrodes is broken,` but causes only a circulation of air.

As mentioned in the objects, other liquids besides water may. obviously be used to advantage in the circulating and vaporizing apparatus. One

.such specific use is the vaporization and distribution of aerosols. In order to cause vaporization of these substances. they may be mixed with an electrolyte to complete thek electric circuit between the electrodes. The apparatus is especially well suited for use with substances of this nature since the high resistance electrodes create the temperature rise required to satisfactorily vaporize aerosols. In some cases vaporization at temperatures as high as 370 F. and up are necessary. The circulating action produced by the blower causes rapid dispersion ofy the vaporized aerosols throughout the air of a room, so that the airis rapidly and effectively disinfected. The action of the aerosols is such that lit tends to condense on the bacteria in the air. It is most effective when the air has a humidity of about 4.0 to 50%. If desired, therefore, two units might be used, one for producing suitable humidity of the air and the other for producing the vaporized aerosol.

In order to permit the use of the present apparatus for special purposes such as might be required by hospitals, doctors or first aid stations, a second chamber with a special humidifying device is provided. This second chamber is illustrated at I5 and contains an inlet pipe 44 having a corrugated terminal 45 suitable for the connection of a rubber hose such as is indicated vby dotted outline. at 48. The. hose 46is atttached to the source of supply of the particular gas to be humidied. The most common gas used with this device is oxygen in which case the hose 46 is connected to an oxygen tank or oxygen generator. The oxygen to be humidiiied is brought into the chamber I5 through the pipe 44 with considerable velocity. The atomizing device consists of a tube 41 which. extends nearly to the bottom of the chamber I5 and a horizontal branch tube 48 which is located with its open end close to the end of pipe 44 in position so that the incoming gas will cause liquid 'to be drawn up through the tube` 41 and mixed with the gas supply after the fashion of an atomizer. The atomizer preferably is directed downwardly so that any globules of liquid remaining will vbe forced into the surface of the liquid in chamber I5 and thus be separated from the mixture.

A large diameter pipe 50 leads from the upper portion of the chamber I5 to an opening in the cover Il through which a flexible pipe or hose 5I may be inserted to carry off the humidified oxygen .or other gas. A deflector plate 52 may be mounted at the bottom end of the pipe 50 to further assure that no liquid droplets are carried out with the humidied gas. The humidii'led gas may be conducted to any point desired, such as an oxygen tent or an oxygen mask.

In humidifying apparatus for a gas such as oxygen difliculty is often encountered due to the rapid oxidation of certain materials whichl may come in contact with the humidii'led gas. Thus metals oxidize much more rapidly in the presence of oxygen and the oxide fo-rmed often creates trouble because of the clogging up` of holes used in supplying the oxygen or water. In order to reduce trouble from this source to a minimum the present invention utilizes a material for the construction of the hrumidifying device parts which is little aiected by the moisture and oxygen, such as stainless steel or glass. Further, a simple means is provided4 for quickly clearing out any particles of oxidized material which may become lodged in the supply tubes 41 or. 48 through which the liquid for mixing with the incoming oxygen passes. A valve 53 is provided at the upper end of tube 41 outside the chamber I5. During normal operation the valve 53 remains closed as shown. In order to blow out the tubes 41 and 48, the llid II of the cabinet isy removed and the oxygen tube 46 is attached to the upper end 41a of the pipe 41. 'The valve 53 is then opened to permit oxygen Vunder pressure to pass through the tubes 41 and 48 and force out any accumulated oxide deposits.

The atomizer apparatus just described is also well adapted for mixing fthe vapors of other liquids besides water with various gases. -ample a valuable use for Ithisapparatus is the vaporizing of a sulp-honamide which may be placed inthe chamber I5 in liquid or semi-liquid form. Air is` then forced through the atomizer. This lmixture of air and sulphonamide vapor is benecial when used for breathing purposes in the treatment of colds, sinus disorders,v pneumonia and other respiratory infections.

Some of the special purposes for which the humidifying devices of the present invention may be used together withl the supplemental apparatus for assisting in such uses are illustrated in Figures 4, 5 and 6.

Figure 4 illustrates the manner in which the device may be used for supplying air having `a very high humidity to a croup tent. Thisl same arrangement may be4 used also as an oxygen tent.

For ex- As illustrated, where the patient is a child, a childs crib 54 is used and a blanket 55 covers a portion of the crib in order Ito isolate the air which the patient must breathe, from the air of the room. The tube 56 connects to the humidifylng unit illustratedat Ill. In this fashion lthe air supplied to the patient may be given a very high moisture content; at a suitable temperature.

If desired, a medicament can be added to the air delivered to the croup tent. This is done by the use of such a device as illustrated in Figure 6. A pip'e 51 is provided which iits into the tube 56 to form a sort of nozzle. Attached to the pipe 5T is a light frame member 58 on which is supported a ball 59 made of porous material such as, for i example, copper or steel wool. By dipping the ball 58 into the medicament it retains a considerable amount and provides a means by which this medicament may be picked up by the humidied air as it passes over the ball 59.

The apparatus illustrated in Figure 6 may also be used to distribute a perfume or incense odor to the air of a room. This use is illustrated in Figure 3 by the dotted outline where it will be seen that the pipe 51 may be set in place directly above the outlet opening from the chamber I4. In this case the ball A55| is saturated with a solution of the perfume to lbe distributed, which perfume is mixed with the circulating air and distributed throughout lthe air of the room.

Figure 5 shows a mask device by means oi which the humidiiied oxygen may be administered for breathing purposes. The humidiiied gas is conveyed from the chamber I5 through the tube il to the mask device 6D. the patients face in a fashion to cover the mouth and nose. As previously mentioned oxygen having a high moisture content has been found to be less irritating to the membranes than dry oxygen.

'I'he apparatus illustrated in Figure 5 may also be used as an inhaler for moist warm air which may be delivered from chamber I4. Used in this fashion the apparatus has been `found to aid in the relief of certain respiratory ailments. A

mask, as illustrated in Figure 5, is also suitable for use in breathing air having vaporized sulphanilamide as described previously.

It will be obvious that the vaporizing and circulating unit and the atomizer or direct vaporizer portion of the unit may be separated to make .two separate pieces of apparatus if desired. As illustrated in the drawings, however, the two devices form a compact piece of equipment which is particularly desirable for certain purposes as previously discussed From the foregoing it will be seen that I have invented improved apparatus for humidifying air or other gases. Of particular importance is the provision of apparatus which produces a circulation of warmed air to which has been added a vaporized liquid. With my device no delay is experienced as the vaporizing and warming proc- This rdevice fits over kil' ess `begins immediately the circuits to the electrodes and the blower motor are completed. The atomizing apparatus for special vaporization or humidiiication purposes, such as for use with oxygen gas, and *the vaporization of sulpho-namides, also provides a simple and reliable mechanism that is of particular value. The particular arrangement of 'the parts of the unit illustrated is also of importance since it provides a compact and versatile unit which is complete with its own water supply.

I claim:

1. For a vaporizing device, a receptacle adapted to contain liquid in the lower part, a pair of flattened electrodes, a iiattened wick element adapted to lie between said electrodes and project into the portion of said receptacle where liquid is stored, a blower unit adapted to force an air stream into said receptacle around said electrodes, and an outlet from said receptacle.

2. For a humidifier unit, a mixing chamber having its lower portion adapted to hold a supply of liquid, a pair of carbon electrodes mounted in said chamber, a, wick element positioned to contact said electrodes and also project into the lower portion of said chamber, an air circulating device arranged to force air into said chamber, and an outlet from said chamber.

3. Humidifying apparatus including4 a closed reservoir for retaining a supply of liquid, a chamber, means for supplying liquid from said reservoir to said chamber, means for governing the level of the liquid in said chamber, an electrode and wick unit in said chamber, a blower device adapted to circulate air directly through said chamber.

4. Humidifying apparatus including a closed reservoir for retaining a supply oi liquid, a chamber, means for supplying liquid from said reservoir to said chamber, means for governing the level of the liquid in said chamber, a pair ol carbon electrodes having a wick element therebetween, said element being positioned so that a portion extends below the normal liquid level, a blower-fan and ducting arranged to cause air to be forced through said chamber whereby the air is mixed with vapor and an opening to permit the humidied air to be passed to the outside of said apparatus.

5. A humidifier unit including a closed chamber, means for providing a controlled water level in said chamber, an electrode and wick device located in said chamber for causing rapid local vaporizationl a Ian for supplying air directly to said chamber and means for controlling the rate olvaporization.

6. A humidifier unit including a closed chamber. means for providing a controlled water level in said chamber, an electrode and wick device located in said chamber for causing rapid local vaporization, a fan for supplying air directly to said chamber and means for controlling the speed of said ian.

'1. A vaporizer device having a mixing chamber, a pair of electrodes in said chamber, a wick element in contact with said electrodes, a blower and a duct adapted to circulate air directly through said mixing chamber, means to vary the speed of said blower and means to vary the electrical current to said electrodes.

8. A vaporizer device having an enclosed mixing chamber, means `for supplying liquid to said chamber, an electrode and wick unit mounted in said chamber, means to supply air to said chamber including a blower and a pipe, said pipe being mounted inside said chamber with the outlet positioned to direct `the airiiow past said wick and electrode unit.

9. A humidifyihg unit incorporating a primary evaporating and mixing chamber having provision for a supply of liquid in the lower portion thereof, la pair of -closely spaced platelike electrodes mounted in said chamber and adapted to vaporize the liquid adjacent the electrodes, said electrodes being operable for vaporizing purposes by virtue of liquid contact to complete the circuit, a blower-fan having a duct leading therefrom into the portion of said chamber above the liquid supply whereby all the air circulated by said blower-fan is passed through said chamber and an outlet from said chamber supply of liquid, a pair of plate-like electrodes mounted in close parallelism in said chamber in a position with a, portion ofI the electrodes below normal liquid level, an air circulating device arranged to force air into said chamber, and an outlet 4from said chamber.

1l. A humidifier unit having a chamber with provision for liquid in the lower part thereof, a pair of parallel at plate electrode members mounted in said chamber with their lower portion below normal liquid level whereby the liquid serves to complete the electric circuit, a blowerfan arranged to draw air from outside said chamber and force it directly through said chamber and around said electrodes at a pressure higher than the pressure of the outside air, and an outlet from said chamber'to allow the air and liquid vapor mixture to escape to the outside.

CHARLES C. CI-IAPPLE.

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