Steam dispersion system

Abstract

A steam dispersion system for building humidification is disclosed. At least a portion of the steam dispersion system is comprised of a flexible material that is collapsible for changing the outer dimension of the portion comprised of the flexible material from a greater, higher-pressure, size, to a smaller, lower-pressure, size.

1 . A steam dispersion system for building humidification, the system comprising:
 at least a portion comprised of a flexible material that is collapsible for changing the outer dimension of the portion comprised of the flexible material from a greater, higher-pressure, size, to a smaller, lower-pressure, size.   
     
     
         2 . A steam dispersion system according to  claim 1 , wherein the flexible material is permeable to steam so as to define a plurality of steam dispersion points. 
     
     
         3 . A steam dispersion system according to  claim 1 , wherein the flexible material is impermeable to steam. 
     
     
         4 . A steam dispersion system according to  claim 1 , wherein the flexible material is a fabric material. 
     
     
         5 . A steam dispersion system according to  claim 4 , wherein the fabric material is either a woven or a non-woven fabric material. 
     
     
         6 . A steam dispersion system according to  claim 1 , wherein the flexible material is a metallic material. 
     
     
         7 . A steam dispersion system according to  claim 1 , wherein the flexible material is a non-metallic material. 
     
     
         8 . A steam dispersion system according to  claim 7 , wherein the non-metallic material is a polymeric material. 
     
     
         9 . A steam dispersion system for building humidification, the system comprising:
 at least a portion comprised of a flexible material, wherein the steam dispersion system includes a reinforcing support structure configured to generally maintain the shape of the portion comprised of the flexible material.   
     
     
         10 . A steam dispersion system according to  claim 9 , wherein the flexible material is rigid enough itself to define the reinforcing support structure. 
     
     
         11 . A steam dispersion system according to  claim 9 , wherein the portion comprised of the flexible material surrounds the reinforcement support structure. 
     
     
         12 . A steam dispersion system according to  claim 9 , wherein the portion comprised of the flexible material defines an inner face and an outer face, the steam delivered by the steam dispersion system configured to flow from the inner face toward the outer face, wherein the reinforcing support structure surrounds the outer face. 
     
     
         13 . A steam dispersion system according to  claim 9 , further comprising a wicking material surrounding the portion comprised of the flexible material. 
     
     
         14 . A steam dispersion system according to  claim 12 , further comprising a wicking material surrounding the portion comprised of the flexible material. 
     
     
         15 . A steam dispersion system according to  claim 9 , wherein the reinforcing support structure is defined by a metallic mesh having a generally open skeletal structure. 
     
     
         16 . A steam dispersion system according to  claim 9 , wherein the flexible material is a fabric material. 
     
     
         17 . A steam dispersion system according to  claim 9 , wherein the flexible material is a metallic material. 
     
     
         18 . A steam dispersion system according to  claim 9 , wherein the flexible material is a non-metallic material. 
     
     
         19 . A steam dispersion system for building humidification, the system comprising:
 a steam source;   a manifold directly communicating with the steam source through a steam conduit, the manifold configured to evenly distribute the steam provided from the steam source;   wherein a majority of the manifold is comprised of a non-metallic material.   
     
     
         20 . A steam dispersion system according to  claim 19 , wherein the manifold does not include a steam dispersion tube and wherein the non-metallic material is permeable to steam so as to define a plurality of steam delivery points. 
     
     
         21 . A steam dispersion system according to  claim 19 , wherein at least one steam dispersion tube extends from the manifold. 
     
     
         22 . A steam dispersion system according to  claim 20 , wherein the manifold defines a generally spherical shape. 
     
     
         23 . A steam dispersion system according to  claim 20 , wherein the manifold defines a generally cylindrical ring shape. 
     
     
         24 . A steam dispersion system according to  claim 20 , wherein the manifold defines a generally tubular shape. 
     
     
         25 . A steam dispersion system according to  claim 19 , wherein the non-metallic material of the manifold is permeable to steam so as to define a plurality of steam dispersion points. 
     
     
         26 . A steam dispersion system according to  claim 19 , wherein the non-metallic material of the manifold is impermeable to steam.