초록 ▼

A humidifier for an HVAC system includes a replaceable humidifier pad, and a housing for holding the replaceable humidifier pad in an operating position during operation of the humidifier. The back side of the housing may define an air flow aperture that is in fluid communication with the replaceabl

A humidifier for an HVAC system includes a replaceable humidifier pad, and a housing for holding the replaceable humidifier pad in an operating position during operation of the humidifier. The back side of the housing may define an air flow aperture that is in fluid communication with the replaceable humidifier pad when the replaceable humidifier pad is in its operating position. In some instances, the right side of the housing may define a first aperture that is sufficient in size to remove the replaceable humidifier pad from the housing, and to install a new replaceable humidifier pad. Likewise, the left side of the housing may define a second aperture that is sufficient in size to remove the replaceable humidifier pad from the housing, and to install a new replaceable humidifier pad. The humidifier may also include a first cover member for covering the first aperture when the replaceable humidifier pad is in its operating position, and a second cover member for covering the second aperture when the replaceable humidifier pad is in its operating position. In some cases, an aperture and cover may also be provided on the front and/or top sides of the housing so that the replaceable humidifier pad may be replaced from the front and/or top sides of the housing.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A humidifier for adding humidity to an air stream of an HVAC system, the humidifier comprising: a replaceable humidifier pad;a housing for holding the replaceable humidifier pad in an operating position during operation of the humidifier, the housing having a front side, a back side, a left side,

1. A humidifier for adding humidity to an air stream of an HVAC system, the humidifier comprising: a replaceable humidifier pad;a housing for holding the replaceable humidifier pad in an operating position during operation of the humidifier, the housing having a front side, a back side, a left side, a right side, a top side and a bottom side;the back side of the housing defining an air flow aperture that is in fluid communication with the replaceable humidifier pad when the replaceable humidifier pad is in its operating position, the aperture configured to pass an air stream between the replaceable humidifier pad and the exterior of the housing;the right side of the housing defining a first aperture that is sufficient in size to remove the replaceable humidifier pad from the housing, and to install a new replaceable humidifier pad;the left side of the housing defining a second aperture that is sufficient in size to remove the replaceable humidifier pad from the housing, and to install a new replaceable humidifier pad;a first cover member for covering the first aperture when the replaceable humidifier pad is in its operating position; anda second cover member for covering the second aperture when the replaceable humidifier pad is in its operating position. 2. The humidifier of claim 1 further comprising a frame for holding the replaceable humidifier pad, wherein each of the first and second apertures is sufficient in size to remove and install the frame and replaceable humidifier pad together. 3. The humidifier of claim 1 further comprising a water distributor configured to receive water from a water source without deliberate mechanical connection to the water source and to distribute water from the water source to the top side of the replaceable humidifier pad, wherein each of the first and second apertures is sufficient in size to remove and install the water distributor and replaceable humidifier pad together. 4. The humidifier of claim 1, further comprising: a frame for holding the replaceable humidifier pad; anda water distributor configured to receive water from a water source without deliberate mechanical connection to the water source and to distribute water from the water source to the top side of the replaceable humidifier pad, the water distributor being releasably attached to the frame;wherein each of the first and second apertures is sufficient in size to remove and install the frame, replaceable humidifier pad, and water distributor together. 5. The humidifier of claim 1 wherein the first cover member is releasably secured relative to the replaceable humidifier pad. 6. The humidifier of claim 5, wherein the first cover member includes a handle. 7. The humidifier of claim 5 wherein the second cover member is releasably secured relative to the housing. 8. The humidifier of claim 1 wherein the second cover member is releasably secured relative to the replaceable humidifier pad. 9. The humidifier of claim 8, wherein the second cover member includes a handle. 10. The humidifier of claim 8 wherein the first cover member is releasably secured relative to the housing. 11. The humidifier of claim 1 wherein the first cover member and the second cover member are interchangeable such that the first cover member can be used to cover the second aperture when the replaceable humidifier pad is in its operating position, and the second cover member can be used to cover the first aperture when the replaceable humidifier pad is in its operating position. 12. The humidifier of claim 1, wherein the top side of the housing defines a third aperture that is sufficient in size to remove the replaceable humidifier pad and the water distributor from the housing, and to install a new replaceable humidifier pad and the water distributor. 13. The humidifier of claim 12, further comprising a third cover member for covering the third aperture when the replaceable humidifier pad is in its operating position. 14. The humidifier of claim 1, wherein the front side of the housing defines a third aperture that is sufficient in size to remove the replaceable humidifier pad and the water distributor from the housing, and to install a new replaceable humidifier pad and the water distributor. 15. The humidifier of claim 14, further comprising a third cover member for covering the third aperture when the replaceable humidifier pad is in its operating position. 16. The humidifier of claim 1, wherein the front side and top side of the housing define a third aperture that is sufficient in size to remove the replaceable humidifier pad and the water distributor from the housing, and to install a new replaceable humidifier pad and the water distributor. 17. The humidifier of claim 16, further comprising a third cover member for covering the third aperture when the replaceable humidifier pad is in its operating position. 18. A humidifier for adding humidity to an air stream of an HVAC system, the humidifier comprising: a replaceable humidifier pad;a housing for holding the replaceable humidifier pad in an operating position during operation of the humidifier, the housing having a front side, a back side, a left side, a right side, a top side and a bottom side;the back side of the housing defining an air flow aperture that is in fluid communication with the replaceable humidifier pad when the replaceable humidifier pad is in its operating position, the aperture also configured to be in fluid communication with an air stream of an HVAC system and to pass an air stream between the replaceable humidifier pad and the air stream of the HVAC system;at least one of the left side and the right side of the housing defining a first aperture that is sufficient in size to remove the replaceable humidifier pad from the housing, and to install a new replaceable humidifier pad;a first cover member for covering the first aperture when the replaceable humidifier pad is in its operating position;one or more of the front side and the top side of the housing defining a second aperture that is sufficient in size to remove the replaceable humidifier pad from the housing, and to install a new replaceable humidifier pad; anda second cover member for covering the second aperture when the replaceable humidifier pad is in its operating position. 19. The humidifier of claim 18, wherein the left side of the housing defines the first aperture, and the right side of the housing defines a third aperture, wherein the third aperture is also sufficient in size to remove the replaceable humidifier pad from the housing, and to install a new replaceable humidifier pad. 20. The humidifier of claim 18, wherein the right side of the housing defines the first aperture, and the left side of the housing defines a third aperture, wherein the third aperture is also sufficient in size to remove the replaceable humidifier pad from the housing, and to install a new replaceable humidifier pad. 21. The humidifier of claim 18 wherein the second cover member is releasably secured to the housing via an interference fit. 22. A humidifier pad assembly for a humidifier, the humidifier pad assembly including a frame and a cover member, the humidifier pad assembly further including one or more attachment features that are configured to releasably secure the cover member to the frame, wherein the cover member includes a handle, and wherein the one or more attachment features include a pin with an enlarged head, and a hole that accommodates the enlarged head with a slot extending from the hole that accommodates the pin but not the enlarged head.