초록 ▼

A humidity control system for an enclosure requiring heat from a furnace and having one or more windows, includes sensors for the enclosure temperature and humidity, and a means for measuring the percentage of time which the furnace is operating (load factor). The system estimates the interior windo

A humidity control system for an enclosure requiring heat from a furnace and having one or more windows, includes sensors for the enclosure temperature and humidity, and a means for measuring the percentage of time which the furnace is operating (load factor). The system estimates the interior window temperature based on these parameters and controls humidity added to the enclosure air to prevent the enclosure air dew point temperature from rising above the estimated window temperature. This prevents condensation on the window surfaces. The estimation can be adjusted to compensate for different insulation characteristics of the window. In a preferred embodiment, the enclosure air temperature and humidity are derived from sensors conveniently located in the return air duct.

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] A humidity controller for a forced air heating system, said system having a furnace and providing a furnace operation signal, a discharge duct for carrying a flow of heated air from the furnace to a temperature-controlled enclosure, said enclosure having an interior windo

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] A humidity controller for a forced air heating system, said system having a furnace and providing a furnace operation signal, a discharge duct for carrying a flow of heated air from the furnace to a temperature-controlled enclosure, said enclosure having an interior window surface cooler than the normal air temperature, a humidifier providing water vapor to the air in the discharge duct responsive to a humidity demand signal, and a return air duct carrying a flow of air from the enclosure to the furnace, said humidity controller including:a) a load factor calculator receiving the furnace operation signal, and responsive thereto calculating the furnace load factor, and providing a load factor signal encoding the load factor;b) a temperature calculator receiving the load factor signal, and providing a window temperature signal encoding a window temperature factor indicative of the estimated window temperature and based on the load factor signal; andc) a temperature analyzer receiving the window temperature signal and responsive to certain values of the window temperature factor encoded therein, providing the humidity demand signal to the humidifier.