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The present invention provides an apparatus for dehumidifying air supplied to an enclosed space by an air conditioning unit. The apparatus includes a partition separating the interior of the housing into a supply portion and a regeneration portion. The supply portion has an inlet for receiving suppl

The present invention provides an apparatus for dehumidifying air supplied to an enclosed space by an air conditioning unit. The apparatus includes a partition separating the interior of the housing into a supply portion and a regeneration portion. The supply portion has an inlet for receiving supply air from the air conditioning unit and an outlet for supplying air to the enclosed space. A regeneration fan creates the regeneration air stream. The apparatus includes an active desiccant wheel positioned such that a portion of the wheel extends into the supply portion and a portion of the wheel extends into the regeneration portion, so that the wheel can rotate through the supply air stream and the regeneration air stream to dehumidify the supply air stream. A heater warms the regeneration air stream as necessary to regenerate the desiccant wheel. The invention also comprises a hybrid system that combines air conditioning and dehumidifying components into a single integrated unit.

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1. An apparatus for dehumidifying air supplied to an enclosed space by an air conditioning system, the apparatus comprising:a) a housing having an interior;b) a partition separating the interior of the housing into a supply portion for containing a supply air stream and a regeneration portion for co

1. An apparatus for dehumidifying air supplied to an enclosed space by an air conditioning system, the apparatus comprising:a) a housing having an interior;b) a partition separating the interior of the housing into a supply portion for containing a supply air stream and a regeneration portion for containing a regeneration air stream, wherein the supply portion has an inlet for receiving supply air from the air conditioning system and an outlet for supplying air to the enclosed space, and wherein the regeneration portion has an inlet for receiving regeneration air and an outlet for discharging regeneration air;c) a fan in air flow communication with the regeneration portion for creating the regeneration air stream;d) a rotatable desiccant wheel positioned such that a portion of the wheel extends into the supply portion and a portion of the wheel extends into the regeneration portion, so that the wheel can rotate through the supply air stream and the regeneration air stream to dehumidify the supply air stream; ande) a heat source capable of heating the regeneration air stream as necessary to regenerate the desiccant wheel as it rotates through the regeneration air stream. 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the heat source is a direct-fired gas burner. 3. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a mechanism for modulating the heat source to regulate the temperature of the regeneration air stream. 4. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a bypass damper between the inlet and the outlet of the supply portion for controlling the amount of supply air passing through the desiccant wheel by selectively bypassing the desiccant wheel. 5. The apparatus of claim 3, further comprising a mechanism for modulating the bypass damper to regulate the amount of supply air passing through the desiccant wheel. 6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the desiccant wheel is sized to handle a fraction of the air flow processed by the air conditioning system. 7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the air conditioning system comprises a compartment housing a condenser, the apparatus further comprising a duct or opening connecting the regeneration inlet air to the compartment that houses the condenser, whereby the regeneration inlet air can be preheated by the condenser. 8. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a mechanism for varying the rotational speed of the desiccant wheel to control the amount of moisture removed from the supply air stream or heat transferred to the supply air stream. 9. An apparatus for dehumidifying air supplied to an enclosed space by a packaged heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) unit, the apparatus comprising:a) a housing having an interior;b) a partition separating the interior of the housing into a supply portion for containing a supply air stream and a regeneration portion for containing a regeneration air stream, wherein the supply portion has an inlet for receiving air leaving the HVAC unit and an outlet for supplying air to the enclosed space, and wherein the regeneration portion has an inlet for receiving regeneration air and an outlet for discharging regeneration air;c) a rotatable desiccant wheel having an axis of rotation positioned such that a portion of the wheel extends into the supply portion and a portion of the wheel extends into the regeneration portion, whereby the wheel can rotate through the supply air stream and the regeneration air stream to dehumidify the supply air stream;d) a mechanism for varying the rotational speed of the desiccant wheel to control the amount of moisture removed from the supply air stream and/or the amount of heat transferred to the supply air stream;e) a bypass damper between the inlet and the outlet of the supply portion for controlling the amount of supply air passing through the desiccant wheel by selectively bypassing the desiccant wheel;f) a fan for creating the regeneration air stream; andg) a gas burner for heating the regeneration air stream as necessary to regenerate the desiccant wheel as it rotates through the regeneration air stream. 10. A hybrid air conditioning and dehumidifying apparatus capable of controlling the temperature and humidity of air supplied to an enclosed space, the apparatus comprising:a) a housing having an interior;b) a partition separating the interior of the housing into a supply portion for containing a supply air stream and a regeneration portion for containing a regeneration air stream, wherein the supply portion has an inlet for receiving air and an outlet for supplying air to the enclosed space, and wherein the regeneration portion has an inlet for receiving regeneration air and an outlet for discharging regeneration air;c) a fan in air flow communication with the regeneration portion for creating the regeneration air stream;d) a fan in air flow communication with the supply portion for creating the supply air stream;e) a cooling coil positioned in the supply air stream;f) a rotatable desiccant wheel positioned downstream of the cooling coil, such that a portion of the wheel extends into the supply portion and a portion of the wheel extends into the regeneration portion, so that the wheel can rotate through the supply air stream and the regeneration air stream to exchange moisture and/or heat between the air streams; andg) a heat source capable of heating the regeneration air stream as necessary to regenerate the desiccant wheel as it rotates through the regeneration air stream. 11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the heat source is a direct-fired gas burner. 12. The apparatus of claim 10, further comprising a mechanism for modulating the heat source to regulate the temperature of the regeneration air stream. 13. The apparatus of claim 10, further comprising a bypass damper between the inlet and the outlet of the supply portion for controlling the amount of supply air passing through the desiccant wheel by selectively bypassing the desiccant wheel. 14. The apparatus of claim 13, further comprising a mechanism for modulating the position of the bypass damper to regulate the amount of supply air passing through the desiccant wheel. 15. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the desiccant wheel is sized to handle a fraction of the air flow processed by the apparatus. 16. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the apparatus further comprises a compartment housing a condenser, the apparatus further comprising a duct or opening connecting the regeneration inlet air to the compartment that houses the condenser, whereby the regeneration inlet air can be preheated by the condenser. 17. The apparatus of claim 10, further comprising a mechanism for varying the rotational speed of the desiccant wheel to control the amount of moisture removed from the supply air stream or heat transferred to the supply air stream. 18. A hybrid packaged heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) and humidity control apparatus capable of controlling the temperature and humidity of air supplied to an enclosed space, the apparatus comprising:a) a housing having an interior;b) a partition separating the interior of the housing into a supply portion for containing a supply air stream and a regeneration portion for containing a regeneration air stream, wherein the supply portion has an inlet for receiving air and an outlet for supplying air to the enclosed space, and wherein the regeneration portion has an inlet for receiving regeneration air and an outlet for discharging regeneration air;c) a regeneration fan in air flow communication with the regeneration portion for creating the regeneration air stream;d) a supply fan in air flow communication with the supply portion for creating the supply air stream;e) a cooling coil positioned in the supply air stream;f) a rotatable desiccant wheel having an axis of rotation positioned such that a portion of the wheel extends into the supply portion and a portion of the wheel extends into the regeneration portion, whereby the whee l can rotate through the supply air stream and the regeneration air stream to dehumidify and/or heat the supply air stream;g) a mechanism for varying the rotational speed of the desiccant wheel to control the amount of moisture removed from the supply air stream or heat transferred to the supply air stream;h) a bypass damper between the inlet and the outlet of the supply portion for controlling the amount of supply air passing through the desiccant wheel by selectively bypassing the desiccant wheel; andi) a gas-fired heater capable of heating the regeneration air stream as necessary to regenerate the desiccant wheel as it rotates through the regeneration air stream. 19. A method of controlling the temperature and humidity of an enclosed space, the method comprising the steps of:a) providing an air conditioning system having a supply outlet;b) providing an active desiccant module comprising:1) a housing having an interior;2) a partition separating the interior of the housing into a supply portion for containing a supply air stream and a regeneration portion for containing a regeneration air stream, wherein the supply portion has an inlet for receiving supply air from the air conditioning system and an outlet for supplying air to the enclosed space, and wherein the regeneration portion has an inlet for receiving regeneration air and an outlet for discharging regeneration air;3) a fan in air flow communication with the regeneration portion for creating the regeneration air stream;4) a rotatable desiccant wheel positioned such that a portion of the wheel extends into the supply portion and a portion of the wheel extends into the regeneration portion, so that the wheel can rotate through the supply air stream and the regeneration air stream to dehumidify and/or heat the supply air stream; and5) a heat source for heating the regeneration air stream as necessary to regenerate the desiccant wheel as it rotates through the regeneration air stream;c) connecting the supply inlet of the active desiccant module to the supply outlet of the air conditioning system;d) connecting the supply outlet of the active desiccant module to the enclosed space;e) cooling and/or dehumidifying the supply air stream by passing it through the air conditioning system;f) dehumidifying and/or heating the supply air after it has passed through the air conditioning system by passing it through the active desiccant module while rotating the wheel through the supply air stream and the regeneration air stream to exchange moisture and/or heat between the air streams; andg) supplying the supply air leaving the active desiccant module to the enclosed space. 20. The method of claim 19, wherein the active desiccant module further comprises a bypass damper between the inlet and the outlet of the supply portion, and wherein the step of dehumidifying the supply air stream further comprises the step of controlling the level of dehumidification by selectively bypassing the desiccant wheel. 21. The method of claim 19, wherein the air conditioning system comprises a compartment housing a condenser, the method further comprising the step of preheating the regeneration inlet air by drawing it from the compartment that houses the condenser. 22. The method of claim 19, further comprising the step of varying the rotational speed of the desiccant wheel to control the amount of moisture removed from the supply air stream and/or the amount of heat transferred to the supply air stream. 23. A method of controlling the temperature and humidity of an enclosed space, the method comprising the steps of:a) providing a packaged heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) unit having a supply outlet;b) providing an active desiccant module comprising:1) a housing having an interior;2) a partition separating the interior of the housing into a supply portion for containing a supply air stream and a regeneration portion for containing a regeneration air stream, wherein the supply portion has an inlet for receiving air leaving the HVAC unit and an outlet for supplying air to the enclosed space, and wherein the regeneration portion has an inlet for receiving regeneration air and an outlet for discharging regeneration air;3) a rotatable desiccant wheel having an axis of rotation positioned such that a portion of the wheel extends into the supply portion and a portion of the wheel extends into the regeneration portion, whereby the wheel can rotate through the supply air stream and the regeneration air stream to exchange moisture and/or heat between the air streams;4) a mechanism for varying the rotational speed of the desiccant wheel;5) a bypass damper between the inlet and the outlet of the supply portion for controlling the amount of supply air passing through the desiccant wheel;6) a fan for creating the regeneration air stream; and7) a gas burner for heating the regeneration air stream as necessary to regenerate the desiccant wheel as it rotates through the regeneration air stream;c) connecting the supply inlet of the active desiccant module to the supply outlet of the HVAC unit;d) connecting the supply outlet of the active desiccant module to the enclosed space;e) passing the supply air stream through the HVAC unit;f) dehumidifying and/or heating the supply air after it has passed through the HVAC unit by rotating the wheel through the supply air stream and the regeneration air stream to exchange moisture and/or heat between the air streams;g) controlling the dehumidification of the supply air by selectively bypassing the desiccant wheel;h) varying the rotational speed of the desiccant wheel to control the amount of moisture removed from the supply air stream and/or heat transferred to the supply air stream, andi) supplying the air leaving the active desiccant module to the enclosed space. 24. A method of controlling the temperature and humidity of an enclosed space, the method comprising the steps of:a) providing a hybrid air conditioning and dehumidifying apparatus comprising:1) a housing having an interior;2) a partition separating the interior of the housing into a supply portion for containing a supply air stream and a regeneration portion for containing a regeneration air stream, wherein the supply portion has an inlet for receiving air and an outlet for supplying air to the enclosed space, and wherein the regeneration portion has an inlet for receiving regeneration air and an outlet for discharging regeneration air;3) a fan in air flow communication with the regeneration portion for creating the regeneration air stream;4) a fan in air flow communication with the supply portion for creating the supply air stream;5) a cooling coil positioned in the supply air stream;6) a rotatable desiccant wheel positioned downstream of the cooling coil, such that a portion of the wheel extends into the supply portion and a portion of the wheel extends into the regeneration portion, so that the wheel can rotate through the supply air stream and the regeneration air stream to exchange moisture and/or heat between the air streams; and7) a heat source capable of heating the regeneration air stream as necessary to regenerate the desiccant wheel as it rotates through the regeneration air stream;b) cooling and/or dehumidifying the supply air stream by passing it through the cooling coil;c) dehumidifying and/or heating the supply air after it has passed through the cooling coil by rotating the desiccant wheel through the supply air stream and the regeneration air stream to exchange moisture and/or heat between the air streams; andd) supplying the supply air leaving the active desiccant module to the enclosed space. 25. The method of claim 24, wherein the apparatus further comprises a bypass damper between the inlet and the outlet of the supply portion, and wherein the step of dehumidifying the supply air stream further comprises the step of controlling the level of dehumidification by selectively bypassing the desiccant wheel. 26. The method of claim 24, further comprising the step of varying the rotational speed of the desiccant wheel to control the amount of moisture removed from the supply air stream and/or the amount heat transferred to the supply air stream. 27. The method of claim 24, wherein the hybrid air conditioning and dehumidifying apparatus further comprises a compartment housing a condenser, the method further comprising the step of preheating the regeneration inlet air by drawing it from the compartment that houses the condenser. 28. A method of controlling the temperature and humidity of an enclosed space, the method comprising the steps of:a) providing a hybrid heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) and dehumidifying apparatus comprising:1) a housing having an interior;2) a partition separating the interior of the housing into a supply portion for containing a supply air stream and a regeneration portion for containing a regeneration air stream, wherein the supply portion has an inlet for receiving air and an outlet for supplying air to the enclosed space, and wherein the regeneration portion has an inlet for receiving regeneration air and an outlet for discharging regeneration air;3) a regeneration fan in air flow communication with the regeneration portion for creating the regeneration air stream;4) a supply fan in air flow communication with the supply portion for creating the supply air stream;5) a cooling coil positioned in the supply air stream;6) a rotatable desiccant wheel having an axis of rotation positioned substantially collinear or parallel to the partition such that a portion of the wheel extends into the supply portion and a portion of the wheel extends into the regeneration portion, whereby the wheel can rotate through the supply air stream and the regeneration air stream to dehumidify the supply air stream;7) a mechanism for rotating the desiccant wheel at a plurality of speeds;8) a bypass damper between the inlet and the outlet of the supply portion for controlling the amount of supply air passing through the desiccant wheel by selectively bypassing the desiccant wheel; and9) a gas-fired heater capable of heating the regeneration air stream as necessary to regenerate the desiccant wheel as it rotates through the regeneration air stream;b) cooling and/or dehumidifying the supply air stream by passing it through the cooling coil;c) dehumidifying and/or heating the supply air after it has passed through the cooling coil by passing it through the active desiccant module while rotating the wheel through the supply air stream and the regeneration air stream to exchange moisture and/or heat between the air streams; andd) controlling the level of dehumidification by selectively bypassing the desiccant wheel;e) controlling the amount of moisture and/or heat transferred to the supply air by adjusting the rotational speed of the desiccant wheel; andf) supplying the supply air leaving the active desiccant module to the enclosed space.