Humidifier system

Abstract

A humidifier system comprising a housing having a reservoir extending therethrough for passage of liquid through the humidifier system. Liquid from a liquid receptacle is transferred to the reservoir in the housing. The flow rate of the liquid can be controlled so as to adjust the water rate within the reservoir. The housing provides at least one opening defined therein separately positioned within the housing from the reservoir but accessible thereto, and an electric heating element is inserted therein, the heating element projecting into the reservoir whereby the heating element is in direct contact with the liquid to heat it. The heating element is supplied with electrical power from a power source for enabling the heating element to heat the liquid and create steam within the housing. A safety switch is also provided, in association with the interior of the housing, wherein the safety switch is adapted to turn the heating element off when a temperature of the element exceeds a pre-determined level. Means are also provided for controlling an exhaust flow rate and temperature of the steam exiting the housing.

1 . A humidifier system comprising:
 a liquid receptacle containing liquid therein;   a housing having an internal reservoir extending therethrough for passage of the liquid through the housing;   at least one opening defined on an upper surface of the housing separately positioned from the reservoir but accessible thereto;   means for transferring the liquid from the liquid receptacle to the reservoir in the housing;   at least one electric heating element inserted into the at least one opening, the at least one heating element projecting into the reservoir whereby the at least one electric heating element is in direct contact with the liquid within the reservoir, the at least one electric heating element being supplied with electrical power from an electrical power source for enabling the at least one electric heating element to heat the liquid and create steam; and   means for exhausting the steam from the housing.   
     
     
         2 . The humidifier system of  claim 1 , wherein the housing is adapted to be mounted generally horizontally. 
     
     
         3 . The humidifier system of  claim 1 , wherein the housing further comprises an inlet adjacent one end of the housing for flow of the liquid into the housing and an outlet adjacent the opposite end of the housing for an exhaust flow of steam out of the housing. 
     
     
         4 . The humidifier system of  claim 1 , wherein the electric heating element is a glow plug. 
     
     
         5 . The humidifier system of  claim 1 , wherein the system further comprises a thermostatic safety control in association with the interior of the housing, wherein the thermostatic safety control is adapted to turn the at least one heating element off when a temperature of the at least one electric heating element exceeds a pre-determined level. 
     
     
         6 . The humidifier system of  claim 1 , wherein the housing comprises a plurality of openings defined therein, each of which are separate from the reservoir and each having an electric heating element inserted therein. 
     
     
         7 . The humidifier system of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one electric heating element is removable. 
     
     
         8 . The humidifier system of  claim 1 , wherein the electrical power source is an electrical battery. 
     
     
         9 . The humidifier system of  claim 1 , wherein the electrical power source is a solar power cell. 
     
     
         10 . The humidifier system of  claim 1 , further comprising a water pressure gauge connected to, and in fluid communication with, the reservoir of the housing. 
     
     
         11 . A humidifier system comprising:
 a liquid receptacle containing liquid therein;   a housing having an internal reservoir extending therethrough for passage of the liquid through the housing;   at least one opening defined on an upper surface of the housing separately positioned within the housing from the reservoir but accessible thereto;   means for transferring the liquid from the liquid receptacle to the reservoir in the housing;   means for controlling a flow rate of the liquid moving from the liquid receptacle to the reservoir in the housing;   at least one electric heating element inserted into the at least one opening, the at least one heating element projecting into the reservoir whereby the at least one electric heating element is in direct contact with the liquid within the reservoir, the at least one electric heating element being supplied with electrical power from an electrical power source for enabling the at least one electric heating element to heat the liquid in the reservoir and create steam within the housing;   a thermostatic safety control in association with the interior of the housing, wherein the thermostatic safety control is adapted to turn the at least one heating element off when a temperature of the at least one electric heating element exceeds a pre-determined level;   means for controlling an exhaust flow rate and temperature of the steam exiting the housing; and   means for exhausting the steam from the housing.