Water producing method and apparatus

Abstract

A water producing system adapted to condense water from the air and collected in a storage tank were the water is purified and bacteria is killed. One form of killing the bacteria is utilizing a circulation line with a filter system to remove the ozone before the water is dispensed. A circulation line is to prevent dead legs in the system which can lead to bacteria production.

1 . An apparatus to condense water from the air, the apparatus comprising:
 a. a refrigeration cycle comprising:
 i. a evaporator coil member, 
 ii. an expander positioned in a fluid circuit between a condenser coil and the evaporator coil, 
 iii. a compressor interposed in the fluid circuit between the evaporator coil and the condenser coil, 
   b. a collection tank provided for collecting condensed water condensing upon on the evaporator coil,   c. a hot tank in fluid communication with the collection tank, a circulation line providing communication from the hot tank to the main tank,   d. a cold tank in fluid communication with the collection tank, a circulation line providing communication from the hot tank to the main tank.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 1  where the circulation line from the hot tank passes through a filter. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 2  where the circulation line from the cold tank passes through a filter. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 1  were an ozone generator producing ozone gas that is in communication with the main tank and a first filter in communication with the main tank that is operatively configured to have ozone pass therethrough and is in communication with the ambient air, a fluid dispensing portion adapted to provide fluid through a dispenser and a second filter positioned between the main tank and the dispensing nozzle for removal of ozone gas. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 4  whereas ozone produced by the ozone generator that entered the main tank remains in the main tank or passes through an ozone removing filter while exiting the main tank so the ozone does not to exit to the surrounding environment from the main tank. 
     
     
         6 . A water producing apparatus having:
 a. a refrigeration cycle comprising an evaporator coil member, an expander positioned in a refrigerant fluid circuit between a condenser coil and the evaporator coil, a compressor interposed in the fluid circuit between the evaporator coil and the condenser coil,   b. a collection tank provided for collecting condensed water condensing upon on the evaporator coil,   c. a first tank in fluid communication with the collection tank, a circulation line providing communication from the hot tank to the main tank,   d. a control system configured to circulate the water in the first tank back to the collection tank after a prescribed amount of time   
     
     
         7 . The water producing apparatus water producing apparatus as recited in  claim 6  further comprising:
 a. a first fluid circuit with an operating fluid traveling therethrough, the first fluid circuit passing through a water condensation member that is positioned in an airstream where ambient air passes thereby and water is adapted to condense on the water condensation member,   b. a second fluid circuit having a heat pump cycle having a condenser, evaporator, expander and a compressor where the evaporator coil is in thermal communication with a portion of the first fluid circuit to draw heat therefrom,   c. a compressor operates to maintain the temperature in the first fluid circuit sufficiently below the dewpoint of the ambient air and a control system monitors the temperature of the air stream to adjust the rate of the flow of air base upon the temperature of the air stream.   
     
     
         8 . The water producing apparatus as recited in  claim 7  where the sensor is downstream of the water condensation member in the air flow. 
     
     
         9 . The water producing apparatus as recited in  claim 8  where surface area of the water condensation member is greater than the surface area of the evaporator whereby a control system maintains the exit temperature in at a dry temperature below the dew point of ambient air and the air biasing member is adapted to maintain an optimum downstream temperature to produce a greater amount of water condensate to form than if to just the evaporator coil was utilized to condense water. 
     
     
         10 . The water producing apparatus as recited in  claim 7  where the thermal communication between the evaporator and the first fluid circuit is by way of a plate heat exchanger. 
     
     
         11 . A system for producing water from air having evaporated water therein by forming condensation droplets, the system comprising:
 a. a water condensation member adapted to be positioned in an air stream having the evaporated water and further have the condensation droplets formed thereon,   b. a collection tray adapted to collect condensation droplets from the water condensation member,   c. a first collection tank in communication with the collection tray,   d. a fluid line in communication with the first collection tank that is operatively configured to bias the water through a filter assembly,   e. a second collection tank in fluid communication with the first collection tank and further is provided with a circulation line for distributing the filter through the filter assembly.   
     
     
         12 . The system for producing water as recited in  claim 11  further comprising:
 a. a refrigeration circuit having an evaporator coil in thermal communication with a heat exchanger, the heat exchanger having an inlet port and an outlet port adapted to allow water to pass therethrough downstream from the filter assembly,   b. a valve system adapted to direct refrigerant to either the heat exchanger or to the water condensation member,   c. whereby the heat exchanger outlet port is in communication with a dispenser nozzle for distributing cold water.   
     
     
         13 . The system for producing water as recited in  claim 12  where the valve system to direct refrigerant to the water condensation member directly passes refrigerant through the water condensation member. 
     
     
         14 . The system for producing water as recited in  claim 12  where the valve system to direct refrigerant to the water condensation member directs refrigerant to be in thermal communication with the water condensation member for reducing the temperature of the water condensation member. 
     
     
         15 . The system for producing water as recited in  claim 12  where the first collection tank passes water to the dispenser nozzle by way of hydrostatic pressure. 
     
     
         16 . The system for producing water as recited in  claim 15  where the water passes through the filter assembly by way of gravity. 
     
     
         17 . The system for producing water as recited in  claim 15  where the filter assembly includes an ozone generator that is in communication with the first tank. 
     
     
         18 . The system for producing water as recited in  claim 11  where the water downstream of the first collection tank is pumped through the filter assembly. 
     
     
         19 . The system for producing water as recited in  claim 11  where the second collection tank is a hot tank and when a heater element is turned off the water contained therein is circulated through the filter assembly. 
     
     
         20 . The system for producing water as recited in  claim 11  where the second collection tank is a hot tank and when a heater element is turned off the water contained therein is circulated through the filter assembly which is an ozone system in communication with the first collection tank providing ozone gas therein.