초록 ▼

An apparatus and method for automatically regulating the environmental system of a motorized vehicle and other articles having storage compartments. As impinging air flow is directed through the cabin or compartment subject to environmental control it comes in contact with a desiccant filler contain

An apparatus and method for automatically regulating the environmental system of a motorized vehicle and other articles having storage compartments. As impinging air flow is directed through the cabin or compartment subject to environmental control it comes in contact with a desiccant filler contained within a desiccant wheel or canister. The desiccant material absorbs moisture out of the air stream. The resultant air stream, or the extracted moisture released into another air stream, may then be directed to the interior of the motorized vehicle or used in other parts of the system. The net effect is a decrease or increase in the relative humidity level of the air mass contained in the cabin or compartment of a motorized vehicle or refrigeration unit.As one portion or element of the desiccant filler becomes saturated, the other portion or element of the desiccant filler completes it's regeneration cycle. The air streams are altered so that the designated air stream remains in either the hydrous or anhydrous desiccant, thus producing a constant air flow containing either an increased relative humidity or an air stream with a reduced relative humidity to achieve the desired result.The apparatus includes, at least one moisture collection device having an inlet and an outlet, and a system of flow conduits or paths into and out of the compartment or cabin. The air streams may be directed to at least one heat exchanger, a pre-cooler, a compressor, or an evaporator.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A method of improving the efficiency of an air conditioning system for a compartment of a motorized vehicle, comprising:(a) providing a desiccant-based moisture collector; (b) dehumidifying a first air stream by directing the first air stream through the desiccant-based moisture collector, so tha

1. A method of improving the efficiency of an air conditioning system for a compartment of a motorized vehicle, comprising:(a) providing a desiccant-based moisture collector; (b) dehumidifying a first air stream by directing the first air stream through the desiccant-based moisture collector, so that the first air stream becomes a dehumidified first air stream; (c) after step (b), pre-cooling the dehumidified first air stream! (d) after step (c), cooling the dehumidified and pre-cooled first air stream with the air conditioning system of the motorized vehicle, whereby less energy is required for the air conditioning system to cool the dehumidified first air stream than would have been required to cool the first air stream prior to dehumidification; and (e) directing the dehumidified and cooled first air stream into the compartment of the motorized vehicle.