WO2009073134A1

WO2009073134A1 - Aqua - air filtration system

Info

Publication number: WO2009073134A1
Application number: PCT/US2008/013152
Authority: WO
Inventors: James C. Taylor
Original assignee: Taylor James C
Priority date: 2007-12-03
Filing date: 2008-11-25
Publication date: 2009-06-11

Abstract

An apparatus and method for generating potable water. A preferred embodiment is a self contained device or module for buildings and structures that cleans, purifies, conditions and generates potable water by means of air fed to a plurality of filters, evaporation coil and ultraviolet (UV) irradiation whereupon generated water is stored for on demand use. Additionally the present invention has the ability of heating and cooling the air processed by the present invention in order to be utilized as a primary or supplementary heating or air conditioning source for a structure.

Description

TITLE OF THE INVENTION

AQUA - AIR FILTRATION SYSTEM

James C. Taylor

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/004,952, filed December 3, 2007, the disclosure of which patent application is incorporated by reference as if fully set forth herein.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable

THE NAMES OF THE PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT

Not Applicable

INCORPORATION-BY-REFERENCE OF MATERIAL SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT DISC

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to air and water purification and, more specifically, to a self-contained device or module for buildings and structures whereby clean, purified and conditioned air and potable water can be efficiently supplied. The present invention is ideally suited for residential, commercial, medical or industrial structures and is intended to prevent sick indoor air quality, and produce pure drinking water, with said provisions being supplied in a single unit and at an economical cost. In order to create purified air, the present invention subjects an intake of air to a plurality of filters, an evaporation coil and finally UV irradiation. In simultaneously producing purified water, said air is subjected to condensation to produce water, whereby the air that produces water is passed through a series of filters, an evaporator coil and ultraviolet (UV) irradiation. Water derived in this manner is also stored by the device in a reservoir till needed, and continuously produced by the system even if air to the building is satisfied or turned off. Additionally the present invention has the ability of heating and cooling the air produced by the present invention in order to be utilized as a primary or supplementary heating or air conditioning source to said building.

There are other air and water purifying devices designed for cleaning air and water. The background art is characterized by the patents and published patent applications described herein; the disclosures of which patents and published patent applications are incorporated by reference as if fully set forth herein. Typical of these is U.S. Patent No. 4,124,454 issued to Taylor on July 29, 1980.

Another patent was issued to Chin-Lung Han on July 25,1995 as U.S. Patent No. 5,435,151. Yet another U.S. Patent No. 5,845,504 was issued to LeBleu on December 8, 1998 and still yet another was issued on June 29, 2004 to Engel et al. as U.S. Patent No. 6,755,037.

Another patent was issued to Akkad on February 7, 2006 as U.S. Patent No. 6,993,928. Yet another U.S. Patent No.7,373,787 was issued to Forsberg et al. on May 20, 2008. Another was issued to Taechakwanidchwal on October 13, 2005 as U.S. Patent Application No.

2005/0223733 and still yet another was issued on December 29, 2005 to Morgan as U.S. Patent Application No. 2005/0284167. Another patent was issued to Pruitt on August 2, 2007 as U.S. Patent No. 2007/0175234. The background art is also characterized by the publication posted at the WWW domain bizjournals.com on Friday, June 7, 2002 and entitled Houston firm to distribute water generators to Africa. U.S. Patent Number 4,214,454, which issued on July 29, 1980 to inventor James C. Taylor, discloses an apparatus for transforming the water vapor in the atmosphere into liquid water comprising a precipitating chamber, a mixing chamber, heat transfer system, and means for moving atmospheric air through the system. A method of producing liquid water from the atmosphere is also disclosed comprising the steps of passing a first stream of air past a heat absorbing element of a heat transfer system to cause water to precipitate onto the heat absorbing element; mixing the first air stream with a second air stream; passing the mixed air streams past the heat dissipating element of the heat transfer system; varying the proportion of amount of air from the first and second air streams to a predetermined ratio which is a function of the atmospheric conditions.

U.S. Patent Number 5,435,151, which issued on July 25, 1995 to inventor Chin Lung Han, discloses an automobile distiller generally comprising a water reservoir to collect the condensed water from the evaporator of the air conditioner. A distilling tank made from metal with high heat conductivity is seated onto the manifold of the engine. The steam generated therefrom is sent to the air conditioner for cooling and the distilled water is formed for drinking. By this arrangement, the condensed water and exhausted heat from engine can be completely recycled to provide distilled water for drinking.

U.S. Patent Number 5,845,504, which issued on December 8, 1998 to inventor Terry L. LeBleu, discloses a portable, potable-water generator for producing high-purity liquid water by condensation of dew from ambient air. The generator employs filtration subsystems to remove particulates and aerosols from the incoming air. An enclosed heat absorber cools the filtered air below its dew point and collects droplets of condensate into a closed system. The collected liquid dew is further continually treated in a bacteriostat loop to destroy adventitious living organisms and to filter out undesirable and dangerous contaminants. All the subsystems are failsafe- interlocked to disable the generator immediately and prevent delivery of water if any one of them stops functioning within predetermined safe limits. Hybrid embodiments of the water generator attached to or integrated with refrigeration-type appliances such as water coolers, refrigerators, freezers, icemakers and air-conditioners are illustrated.

U.S. Patent Number 6,755,037, which issued on June 29, 2004 to inventor Daniel R. Engel, discloses an apparatus and method for extracting filtered potable drinking water from air through the use of a refrigeration system (10- 10R) including a compressor (12), evaporator (39), fan (56) condenser (30), and a reservoir system (14-14D). This apparatus may take the form of an indoor unit (10- 10F), window or wall mounted unit (10G- 10J), or a portable or mobile indoor/outdoor unit (10M- 10L), and may be integrated with an existing air conditioning system (10K, 10L) and/or a conventional refrigerator (10J-10L), or mounted in a vehicle (10R). The apparatus may also function as a dehumidifier, an air purifier, or a heat pump for cooling or heating air. In some embodiments the compressor, condenser, and water dispenser are remote from the housing. Collected water may be cooled by a secondary evaporator (44) and heated by a secondary condenser (35) or strip heater (13B). The secondary condenser and secondary evaporator may be connected with a secondary compressor (12A) to isolate the system for cooling water from that of condensing the air.

U.S. Patent Number 6,993,928, which issued on February 7, 2006 to inventor Osman Akkad, discloses a device for conditioning water produced by environmental conditioning or dehumidification apparatuses or plants, comprising a device (2) for measuring the quantity of water produced by a condenser (1) which transforms atmospheric humidity into water, a feeder (4) of a corrective composition of salts and mineral substances, preferably in the form of tablets (P), for dispensing at least one of them in proportion to the quantity of water measured, a mixing vessel (5) receiving the measured water and at least a tablet (P) provided by the feeder (4), a control and command unit (6) that activates the feeder (4) in proportion to the quantity of water measured and received, and a tank (7) for collecting and filtering the water provided with means (70) for filtering micro-organisms and bacteria and a valve (81) for the exit of potable water.

U.S. Patent Number 7,373,787, which issued on May 20, 2008 to inventor Francis C. Forsberg et al. discloses a portable, potable-water generator for producing high-purity liquid water by condensation of water vapor from ambient air. The generator employs an air filter to remove particulates and aerosols from the incoming air. An enclosed heat absorber cools the filtered air to its dew point and collects droplets of condensate into a condensate collector. Before discharge, the collected dew is treated in a bacteriostat loop to destroy adventitious living organisms and to filter out undesirable and dangerous contaminants. A recirculation loop provides the ability to recirculate stored condensate, including during periods of inactivity. Further, quick disconnect fittings and variable length flexible tubing allows use of the invention to serve remote dispensers and/or appliances and allow use of municipal water treated through the apparatus in low condensate situations.

U.S. Patent Application Number 2005/0223733, which was published on October 13, 2005 for inventor Pakorn Taechakwanidchwal, has the purpose of creating a dew machine by which the humidity in the air is liquefied for consumption purposes. A dew machine in accordance with this document is used for condensing water from humidity in air for consumption. The working principle of this machine is as same as that of a general air- conditioning unit, but uses the water that is liquefied from the condenser unit, not the cooled air. For the main structures of this machine, there is an air filter at the top of a condensing tower unit. Inside the rounded-tube condensing tower, the rod that is wrapped by twisted stainless steel sheet is inserted in a refrigerating cylinder that is enclosed with stainless steel sheet. Both the rod and the refrigerating cylinder are together inserted in the insulated cylinder. The bottom end of the condensing tower is welded with a water tank near an air blower. The blower is used for forcing the air to pass throughout the rounded-tube condensing tower from the top to bottom end. At the bottom side of the condensing tower, a refrigerant's tube is directly connected to a compressor that compresses the refrigerant to supply the whole system, and, at the head area of the condensing tower, there is a refrigerant's discharge tube running to the compressor. During this process, the relative humidity of the inlet air goes higher until it reaches the dew point. After that, the water vapor in the air saturates and becomes the water droplets dropping down into the water tank, which is located at the bottom of the evaporative condenser tower. A faucet is also welded to the water tank near which the air blower is installed that sucks the dehumidified air out the system. U.S. Patent Number 2005/0284167, which was published on December 29, 2005 for inventor Michael Morgan discloses a portable, combination dehydrator, dry return air and condensed water generator/dispenser configured to alternately provide water from a reservoir of condensed water or from an alternative source of water. In one embodiment, the alternative source comprises a five-gallon bottle of water and the mounting for the bottle includes a removable cover for preventing contamination of the system when the bottle is not in place. In one embodiment, the system provides purified dry, make-up air to a home or office air conditioning system and dehydration cabinet, while producing pure atmospheric condensation from humidity found in the air and purifying the air and water for breathing, dispensing and drinking purposes.

U.S. Patent Application Number 2007/0175234 which was published on August 2, 2007 for inventor Roger Pruitt, discloses a system and method that utilize a hybrid mechanical and evaporative air conditioning system to produce potable drinking while cooling an enclosure. The system operates on direct current, making it suitable for use in areas effected by natural disaster, power outage, or simply rural locations without access to electricity. The conditioning system includes both evaporative air conditioning and mechanical air conditioning functioning components to produce a water discharge. The system is operated to cool an enclosure. A portion of the water discharge is then drawn off and purified for use as drinking water.

While these water and air purifying devices may be suitable for the purposes for which they were designed, they would not be as suitable for the purposes of the present invention, as hereinafter described.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A primary object of the present invention is to provide a water and air purifying device for integration into a structure or building having sufficient capacity to provide clean water and facilitate the prevention of "sick indoor air quality" conditions from occurring within said building.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a water and air purifying device for integration into a structure or building having a plurality of operating modes including but not limited to, providing clean water and air while cooling or heating it, providing just water purification or just storing the filtered water.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a water and air purifying device for integration into a structure or building having air filtering means consisting of a plurality of filters, charcoal filters, evaporator coils and UV irradiation treatment.

Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a water and air purifying device for integration into a structure or building having a water filtering means provisioned by usage of a coated evaporator coil, filters and UV irradiation.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a water and air purifying device for integration into a structure or building having a solitary structure whereby it can be installed and operated from a single location and unit.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a water and air purifying device for integration into a structure or building having an additional water storage area with its own UV irradiation source for disinfection.

Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a water and air purifying device for integration into a structure or building that is self contained and operated as an individual module. Additional objects of the present invention will appear as the description proceeds. In a preferred embodiment, the invention is a method of treating ambient air within a HVAC unit to cool and heat the ambient air and generate potable water therefrom for on demand use comprising: a) selecting an operative state for the HVAC unit so that the ambient air is processed as the source for generating the potable water; b) filtering the ambient air to remove airborne particles from the ambient air; c) bathing the ambient air in UV-C light to kill bacteria in the air prior to and during water droplet formation on a coated evaporator coil; d) collecting the water droplets into a receptacle as potable water for on demand use; e) bathing the collected potable water in UV-C light during storage to prevent bacterial growth in the potable water; and f) dispensing the potable water through a mineral filter and pump to maintain a desired potable water pH. Preferably, the step of selecting an operative state includes setting a thermostat for cooling or heating the ambient air. Preferably, the step of setting a thermostat includes controlling vents whereby the ambient air is taken from the group of exterior-structure ambient air, interior-structure ambient air and mixing exterior and interior structure ambient air. Preferably, the step of filtering consists of moving the ambient air through a pre-air filter to remove large particle matter from the ambient air. Preferably, the step of filtering further consists of moving the ambient air through a high-efficiency filter to remove smaller particle matter passing through the pre-air filter. Preferably, the step of filtering further consists of moving the ambient air through a charcoal filter for removal of odor and chemical vapors. Preferably, the step of bathing the ambient air in UV-C light includes mounting a UV-C light approximate the coated evaporator coil exposing the ambient air and condensing water droplets to bacteria killing UV-C light. Preferably, the collecting of the water droplets includes mounting a receptacle under the coated evaporator coil for accumulating the water droplets into potable water. Preferably, bathing the collected potable water includes mounting a UV-C light generator within the potable water receptacle to continuously bath the potable water in UV-C light thereby eliminating the potential of bacterial contamination of the potable water. Preferably, the method further comprises sensing the level of potable water within said potable water receptacle for shutting the water generating system off.

In another preferred embodiment, the invention is an apparatus for selectively processing ambient air within a HVAC unit for producing temperature controlled air and potable water for on demand use comprising: a) a housing with a controller for selectively activating the HVAC unit whereby ambient air is temperature regulated and used as an evaporation source for generating potable water; b) a filter system for removing particle matter from the ambient air prior to generating potable water; c) a UV-C generating light positioned approximate a coated evaporator coil for killing bacteria prior to and during water droplet formation on the coated evaporator coil; d) a receptacle for accumulating the water droplets into potable water; e) a UV- C light positioned within the potable water receptacle for killing bacteria and preventing contamination of the potable water; f) a pump and mineral filter for maintaining a desired pH for the potable water; and g) a housing resident valve for dispensing the water on demand. Preferably, the controller activates one of a water-generating system, a venting system, a cooling system and a heating system so that the ambient air is temperature regulated and used as an evaporation source for generating potable water. Preferably, the controller is a manual controller for selecting at least one of the HVAC systems. Preferably, the controller is a programmable controller for selecting at least one of the HVAC systems. Preferably, the filtering system includes a pre-air filter, high-efficiency filter and a charcoal filter. Preferably, the receptacle for accumulating the water droplets is at least one container for collecting the system generated condensed water. Preferably, the receptacle for accumulating the condensed water droplets is a plurality of receptacles in fluid communication with each other. Preferably, said controller incorporates a vent control switch whereby source-air being processed is selectable from the group of exterior-structure air, interior-structure air and mixing exterior and interior structure air. Preferably, said controller incorporates a cooling control switch having an evaporator- compressor-condenser system cooling the ambient air. Preferably, said controller incorporates a heating control switch having an evaporator-compressor-condenser system heating the ambient air.

The present invention overcomes the shortcomings of the prior art by providing a solitary unit for providing a water and air purifying device for integration into a structure or building having air filtering means comprising a plurality of filters, charcoal filters, evaporator coils and UV irradiation treatment, for the purpose of eliminating "sick air conditions" by the delivery of clean conditioned air and potable drinking water. Additionally the present invention may be utilized as a conventional HVAC unit for the provision of heating and / or cooling of a building.

The foregoing and other objects and advantages will appear from the description to follow. In the description reference is made to the accompanying drawing, which forms a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. These embodiments will be described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, and it is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that structural changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention. In the accompanying drawing, like reference characters designate the same or similar parts throughout the several views.

The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the present invention is best defined by the appended claims. Further aspects of the invention will become apparent from consideration of the drawings and the ensuing description of preferred embodiments of the invention. A person skilled in the art will realize that other embodiments of the invention are possible and that the details of the invention can be modified in a number of respects, all without departing from the concept. Thus, the following drawings and description are to be regarded as illustrative in nature and not restrictive.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

The features of the invention will be better understood by reference to the accompanying drawings which illustrate presently preferred embodiments of the invention. In order that the invention may be more fully understood, it will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawing in which:

FIGURE 1 is an illustrative view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIGURE 2 is a sectional view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention. FIGURE 3 is a detailed sectional view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention

FIGURE 4 is a detailed sectional view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIGURE 5 is a detailed sectional view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIGURE 6 is a cross sectional view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIGURE 7 is a cross sectional view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIGURE 8 is a cross sectional view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

The following reference numerals are used to indicate the parts and environment of the invention on the drawings:

10 Aqua- Air Filtration System

12 RA Opening

14 RA Motor Control Damper

16 Outside Air Damper

18 Outside Air Opening 20 Alternate RA Intake

22 Pre-air Filter

24 High-Efficiency Filter

26 Filter Access Panel

28 Charcoal Filter 30 Access Door 32 Clean Air Plenum

34 Water Level Switch

36 Variable Speed Pump and Mineral Filter

38 Overflow 40 Coated Evaporator Coil using USDA Approved Material Three Sided Casing

42 UV-C Light

44 Access Door

46 Water Carryover Guard

48 Fan Intake 50 Fan

52 Flexible Connection

54 Heating/ Reheating Coil

56 Sporlan CDS Control Valve

58 Sporlan CDS Control Valve 60 Enthalpy Stat

62 Fan Discharge Duct

64 Supply Air Damper

66 Supply Air Opening

68 Alternate Supply Air Opening 70 Access Door

72 Supply Fan Motor

74 Control Panel Door

76 Control Panel

78 Coated Condenser Coil 80 Condenser Fan and Motor

82 Refrigeration Compressor

84 Check Valve

86 Refrigerant Filter / Dryer

88 Water Tank UV-C Light 90 Refrigerant Solenoid Valve 92 Refrigerant Expansion Valve

94 Refrigerant Liquid and Hot Gas Lines

96 Access Door

98 Remote Power Source 100 Return Air Control Damper

102 Insulated Potable Water Storage Tank

104 Potable Water Storage Tank

106 Insulated Enclosure

108 Sporlan OROA Head Pressure Control 110 Discharge Bulb Thermostat

112 Sporlan IB Board

114 Supply Air and Exhaust Air Damper Motor

116 Exhaust Air Damper

118 Outside Air Damper Motor 120 Selector Switch or Computer Programmed

122 Suction Line

124 Suction Line Filter

126 Space Heating and Cooling Thermostat

128 Dwyer Air Filter Gauge 130 Drain

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following discussion describes in detail one embodiment of the invention. This discussion should not be construed, however, as limiting the invention to those particular embodiments, practitioners skilled in the art will recognize numerous other embodiments as well. For definition of the complete scope of the invention, the reader is directed to appended claims.

Referring to Figure 1, shown is an illustrative view of the present invention comprising a heating, ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC) unit that provides clean, conditioned air and potable water for human consumption to residential, commercial, medical or industrial structures. It is intended to solve sick indoor air quality and provide healthy drinking water in an economical way from a single unit, which would be ideally suited for deployment in field hospitals, command centers and shelters.

Referring to Figures 2 through 8, shown are sectional views of the HVAC unit of the present invention and description of operation modes of the present invention wherein:

Selector Switch or Computer Programmed on Auto Space Thermostat Cooling and Heating Continuous Fan.

When a space thermostat calls for cooling, the return air and outside air will be drawn through a return air control damper 100 by a damper motor 14 and an outside air damper 16, outside air damper motor 118 which will modulate to maintain 55 degrees or other set points off the coated evaporator coil 40 by discharging a bulb thermostat 110.

Air then passes through a pre-air filter 22, high efficiency filter 24 and a charcoal filter 28. The air then passes through a coated evaporator coil 40 where it is cooled by refrigeration and the condensed water drops down into a potable water storage tank 104.

UV-C (ultraviolet C, short wave or germicidal) light 42 is installed on the discharge of the coated evaporator coil 40 that further kills bacteria in the air and condensed water, and keeps the evaporator coils clean. The air is then drawn through a fan 50 and then through a heating / reheat coil 54. The air discharge supplies air through a supply air damper 64 and a supply air opening 66 to a conditioned space. Exhaust air damper 116 is closed. A space heating and cooling thermostat 126 in the conditioned space, controls for the heating and cooling. When the space cooling is satisfied, the refrigeration system will cycle off and the fan 50 will continue to run. The refrigeration cycle will consist of a refrigerant compressor 82 that discharges hot gas through an open Sporlan CDS control valve 58 (Parker Hannifin Corp., Sporlan Division, Washington, MO) to a coated condenser coil 78 where the gas refrigerant is condensed into a liquid by the condenser fan and motor 80 that then discharges through a refrigerant filter dryer 86, open refrigerant solenoid valve 90 and refrigerant expansion valve 92. It enters a coated evaporator coil 40 where the air passes over and water is condensed. Suction lines 122 draw refrigerant back to a refrigerant compressor 82. Sporlan CDS control valve 56 will be closed.

Heating Mode

When space heating and cooling thermostat 126 calls for heating, return air control damper 100 and damper motor 14 will open the outside air damper 16 with an outside air damper motor 118 that will close to a minimum position. The damper will be controlled by a space thermostat 126. The air will be drawn through a pre-air filter 22, high efficiency filter 24 and a charcoal filter 28 wherethen it is passed through a coated evaporator coil 40, then through a fan 50 and discharged through heating / reheating coil 54. The air then goes through a supply air damper 64 to a conditioned space. The exhaust air damper 116 will be closed, The refrigerant compressor 82 will discharge hot gas through a Sporlan CDS control valve 56 which will open, then will pass through a heating / reheating coil 54. Refrigerant will then be drawn back into the compressor. Sporlan CDS control valve 58 will be close.

Selector Switch or Computer Programmed for Cooling with Continuous Water Making. Refrigeration Side

When the space heating and cooling thermostat 126 is satisfied and the outside air enthalpy stat 60 is sensing high humidity and the water level switch 34 is calling for water making, the refrigeration cycle will continue to run. Hot gas off the discharge of refrigerant compressor 82 will bypass the coated condenser coil 78 by a Sporlan CDS control valve 58 and will close. Sporlan CDS control valve 56 going to heating/reheating coil 54 will open. The heating/reheating coil 54 will become the condenser coil and will reheat air to maintain space temperature. When space heating and cooling thermostat 126 calls for cooling, the Sporlan CDS control valve 56 will reverse and the heating/reheat coil 58 will be off. Sporlan OROA head pressure control 108 will control head pressure control under both conditions. Sporlan CDS control valves 56, 58 will be controlled by a Sporlan IB board 112 in the control panel 76.

Air Side

Return air and outside air will be drawn through a return air control damper 100 and outside air damper 16 by a return air damper motor 14 and outside air damper motor 118. The air will then be drawn through a pre-air filter 22, high-efficiency filter 24 and a charcoal filter 28. It will then pass through a coated evaporator coil 40 where the air will be cooled and condensed and water will fall into the potable water storage tank 104. A discharge bulb thermostat 110 will maintain 55 degrees F. or a preset temperature. A UV-C light 42 will kill any bacteria in the air and condensed water and clean the coil. The air is then drawn through a fan 50 and heating/reheat coil 54. Air will then discharge through a supply air damper to the conditioned space. The exhaust air damper 116 will be closed.

System is Off and Water Making Is Desired

When the selector switch or computer is programmed to have the system off, but water making is desired, the following will happen.

When high humidity is sensed by enthalpy stat 60 in the outside opening 18, the enthalpy stat 60 will energize the refrigeration system by starting the refrigerant compressor 82, sending hot gas through the Sporlan CDS control valve 58 to a coated condenser coil 78 starting the condenser fan and motor 80. Liquid refrigerant will discharge from the coated condenser coil 78 and pass through a refrigerant filter / dryer 86, then through a refrigerant solenoid valve 90 which will open, then through a refrigerant expansion valve 92 serving the coated evaporator coil 40. Refrigerant will be drawn back into the refrigerant compressor 82. Return air control damper 100 will close by the damper motor 14 and outside damper 16 will modulate the outside air damper motor 118. The air will be drawn through a pre-air filter 22, high efficiency filter 24 and charcoal filter 28. Air will then pass through the coated evaporator coil 40 controlled by the discharge bulb thermostat 110 to maintain 55 degrees F or other preset temperature that will condense the moisture out of the air and the condensed water will fall into an insulated potable water storage tank 102. A UV-C light 42 will kill bacteria in the air and condensed water and keep the coated evaporator coil 40 clean. The air will then be drawn through a fan 50 and heating/reheating coil 54 that will be off. The air will then discharge out the exhaust air damper 116 that will be controlled by supply air and an exhaust air damper motor 114. The supply air damper 64 will be closed. The exhaust air damper 116 and supply air damper 64 will be linked together to the supply air and exhaust air damper motor 114.

Water Storage

The water is collected into a built-in potable water holding tank that fills the body of the unit. The water is treated first by the air filtration system (22, 24, 28); then by a UV-C light 42 at the coated evaporator coil 40. An additional water tank UV-C light 88 is installed in the main storage area. The water passes through a mineral filter and pump 36 to maintain proper PH. A water level switch 34 controls the water level. If the tank is full the water level switch 34 will energize and close the outside damper 16 to the minimum position and open the return air control damper 100. If in water making mode only the water level switch 34 senses if the tank is full and will shut down the system. In the event of level control failure, the tank has an overflow 38. Drain 130 will drain to end user or a secondary holding tank.

It will be understood that each of the elements described above, or two or more together may also find a useful application in other types of methods differing from the type described above.

While certain novel features of this invention have been shown and described and are pointed out in the following claims, it is not intended to be limited to the details above, since it will be understood that various omissions, modifications, substitutions and changes in the forms and details of the device illustrated and in its operation can be made by those skilled in the art without departing in any way from the spirit of the present invention.

Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist of the present invention that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily adapt it for various applications without omitting features that, from the standpoint of prior art, fairly constitute essential characteristics of the generic or specific aspects of this invention.

Many variations of the invention will occur to those skilled in the art. All such variations are intended to be within the scope and spirit of the invention. Although some embodiments are shown to include certain features, the applicant specifically contemplates that any feature disclosed herein may be used together or in combination with any other feature on any embodiment of the invention. It is also contemplated that any feature may be specifically excluded from any embodiment of the invention.

Claims

CLAIMSWhat is claimed is:

1. A method of treating ambient air within a HVAC unit to cool and heat the ambient air and generate potable water therefrom for on demand use comprising: a) selecting an operative state for the HVAC unit so that the ambient air is processed as the source for generating the potable water; b) filtering the ambient air to remove airborne particles from the ambient air; c) bathing the ambient air in UV-C light to kill bacteria in the air prior to and during water droplet formation on a coated evaporator coil; d) collecting the water droplets into a receptacle as potable water for on demand use; e) bathing the collected potable water in UV-C light during storage to prevent bacterial growth in the potable water; and f) dispensing the potable water through a mineral filter and pump to maintain a desired potable water PH.

2. The method as recited in claim 1 wherein the step of selecting an operative state includes setting a thermostat for cooling or heating the ambient air.

3. The method as recited in claim 2 wherein setting a thermostat includes controlling vents whereby the ambient air is taken from the group of exterior-structure ambient air, interior- structure ambient air and mixing exterior and interior structure ambient air.

4. The method as recited in claim 1 wherein the step of filtering consists of moving the ambient air through a pre-air filter to remove large particle matter from the ambient air.

5. The method as recited in claim 4 wherein the step of filtering further consists of moving the ambient air through a high-efficiency filter to remove smaller particle matter passing through the pre-air filter.

6. The method as recited in claim 5 wherein the step of filtering further consists of moving the ambient air through a charcoal filter for removal of odor and chemical vapors.

7. The method as recited in claim 1 wherein the step of bathing the ambient air in UV-C light includes mounting a UV-C light approximate the coated evaporator coil exposing the ambient air and condensing water droplets to bacteria killing UV-C light.

8. The method as recited in claim 1 wherein the collecting of the water droplets includes mounting a receptacle under the coated evaporator coil for accumulating the water droplets into potable water.

9. The method as recited in claim 1 wherein bathing the collected potable water includes mounting a UV-C light generator within the potable water receptacle to continuously bathe the potable water in UV-C light thereby eliminating the potential of bacterial contamination of the potable water.

10. The method of claim 1 further comprising sensing the level of potable water within said potable water receptacle for shutting the water generating system off.

11. An apparatus for selectively processing ambient air within a HVAC unit for producing temperature controlled air and potable water for on demand use comprising: a) a housing with a controller for selectively activating the HVAC unit whereby ambient air is temperature regulated and used as evaporation source for generating potable water; b) a filter system for removing particle matter from the ambient air prior to generating potable water; c) a UV-C generating light positioned approximate a coated evaporator coil for killing bacteria prior to and during water droplet formation on the coated evaporator coil; d) a receptacle for accumulating the water droplets into potable water; e) a UV-C light positioned within the potable water receptacle for killing bacteria and preventing contamination of the potable water; f) a pump and mineral filter for maintaining a desired PH for the potable water; and g) a housing resident valve for dispensing the water on demand.

12. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein the controller activates one of a water-generating system, a venting system, a cooling system and a heating system so that the ambient air is temperature regulated and used as evaporation source for generating potable water.

13. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein the controller is a manual controller for selecting at least one of the HVAC systems.

14. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein the controller is a programmable controller for selecting at least one of the HVAC systems.

15. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein the filtering system includes a pre-air filter, high- efficiency filter and a charcoal filter.

16. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein the receptacle for accumulating the water droplets is at least one container for collecting the system generated condensed water.

17. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein the receptacle for accumulating the condensed water droplets is a plurality of receptacles in fluid communication with each other.

18. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein said controller incorporates a vent control switch whereby source-air being processed is selectable from the group of exterior-structure air, interior-structure air and mixing exterior and interior structure air.

19. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein said controller incorporates a cooling control switch having evaporator-compressor-condenser system cooling the ambient air.

20. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein said controller incorporates a heating control switch having evaporator-compressor-condenser system heating the ambient air.