Humidifier with ultraviolet disinfection

Abstract

A humidifier for treating humidified air with germicidal light is provided. The humidifier includes a water reservoir, an atomizer to atomize a supply of water, and an ultraviolet light source to expose the atomized water to germicidal light. The ultraviolet light source extends vertically within a cylindrical channel to irradiate the atomized water dissipating upwardly from the atomizer. The water reservoir can include a carbon filter and a hardness-removing module for removing containments and metal oxides from the water supply. A control panel indicates the remaining useful life of the ultraviolet light source, the carbon filter and the hardness-removing module based on historical humidifier usage and water quality levels.

1 . A humidifier system comprising:
 a humidifier housing defining an air inlet, and air outlet, and a fluid flow path therebetween;   an atomizing chamber in the fluid flow path, the atomizing chamber being adapted to increase the moisture content of a volume of air in the fluid flow path; and   an ultraviolet light source in the fluid flow path, the ultraviolet light source being adapted to expose the volume of humidified air to germicidal light prior to its release at the air outlet.   
     
     
         2 . The humidifier system of  claim 1  wherein the atomizing chamber includes one of an ultrasonic nebulizer, a wick filter, and a steam vaporizer. 
     
     
         3 . The humidifier system of  claim 1  wherein the fluid flow path includes a sidewall spaced apart from the ultraviolet light source. 
     
     
         4 . The humidifier system of  claim 3  wherein the sidewall is substantially cylindrical. 
     
     
         5 . The humidifier system of  claim 1  further including a water reservoir in fluid communication with the atomizing chamber. 
     
     
         6 . The humidifier system of  claim 5  wherein the water reservoir includes at least one of a carbon cartridge filter and a hardness removing module. 
     
     
         7 . The humidifier system of  claim 1  further including a base station having a blower to draw ambient air into the humidifier housing. 
     
     
         8 . A method for humidifying air, comprising:
 providing a fluid flow path in communication with the ambient environment;   increasing the moisture content of ambient air circulating through the fluid flow path;   exposing the resulting humidified air to ultraviolet light to inactivate microorganisms in the humidified air; and   discharging the humidified air from the fluid flow path into the ambient environment.   
     
     
         9 . The method according to  claim 8  wherein increasing the moisture content includes introducing atomized water into the fluid flow path. 
     
     
         10 . The method according to  claim 8  further including filtering ambient air circulating through the fluid flow path. 
     
     
         11 . The method according to  claim 8  wherein the fluid flow path is partially defined by a cylindrical sidewall spaced apart from an ultraviolet light source. 
     
     
         12 . The method according to  claim 8  wherein the water vapor originates from a water supply within a water reservoir. 
     
     
         13 . The method according to  claim 12  wherein the water reservoir includes at least one of a carbon cartridge filter and a hardness removing module. 
     
     
         14 . A humidifier system comprising:
 a water reservoir including an outlet;   an atomizing chamber in fluid communication with the water reservoir outlet, the atomizing chamber being adapted to atomize water from the water reservoir; and   an ultraviolet light source adapted to treat atomized water from the atomizing chamber with germicidal radiation prior to its dispersal into the ambient environment.   
     
     
         15 . The humidifier system of  claim 14  further including a humidifier housing having an air inlet, and air outlet, and a fluid flow path therebetween, wherein the atomized water increases the moisture content of air in the fluid flow path. 
     
     
         16 . The humidifier system of  claim 14  further wherein the ultraviolet light source is housed within a channel including a sidewall spaced apart from the ultraviolet light source for defining a fluid flow path therebetween. 
     
     
         17 . The humidifier system of  claim 16  wherein the channel is cylindrical and includes an inner surface substantially reflective of ultraviolet light. 
     
     
         18 . The humidifier system of  claim 16  wherein the ultraviolet light source is oriented substantially vertically within the channel. 
     
     
         19 . The humidifier system of  claim 14  wherein the atomizing chamber includes one of an ultrasonic nebulizer, a wick filter, and a steam vaporizer. 
     
     
         20 . The humidifier system of  claim 14  wherein the water reservoir includes at least one of a carbon cartridge filter and a hardness removing module.