Humidifier for use with a forced-air heating system

Abstract

A humidifier for use with a forced-air heating system may include a housing assembly including a mounting frame, a carrying frame configured to be movable between a closed position and an open position with respect to the mounting frame, and a cover attached to the carrying frame. The humidifier may further include a water mist spraying unit carried by the carrying frame of the housing assembly, which may include at least one spray nozzle. When the carrying frame of the housing assembly is in the closed position, the water mist spraying unit may extend through the mounting frame of the housing assembly and the at least one spray nozzle of the water mist spraying unit is viewable through the housing assembly. When the carrying frame of the housing assembly is in the open position, the water mist spraying unit does not extend through the mounting frame of the housing assembly.

1 . A humidifier for use with a forced-air heating system, the humidifier comprising:
 a housing assembly including a mounting frame, a carrying frame configured to be movable between a closed position and an open position with respect to the mounting frame, and a cover attached to the carrying frame; and   a water mist spraying unit carried by the carrying frame of the housing assembly, the water mist spraying unit including at least one spray nozzle;   wherein when the carrying frame of the housing assembly is in the closed position, the water mist spraying unit extends through the mounting frame of the housing assembly and the at least one spray nozzle of the water mist spraying unit is viewable through the housing assembly; and   wherein when the carrying frame of the housing assembly is in the open position, the water mist spraying unit does not extend through the mounting frame of the housing assembly.   
     
     
         2 . The humidifier according to  claim 1 , wherein the mounting frame of the housing assembly is configured to be attached to an air duct or a supply plenum of the forced-air heating system at or near a cutout formed in the air duct or the supply plenum. 
     
     
         3 . The humidifier according to  claim 1 , wherein the mounting frame of the housing assembly includes a main opening formed therein, wherein when the carrying frame of the housing assembly is in the closed position, the water mist spraying unit extends through the main opening formed in the mounting frame, and wherein when the carrying frame of the housing assembly is in the open position, the water mist spraying unit is disposed away from the mounting frame of the housing assembly and out of the main opening formed in the mounting frame. 
     
     
         4 . The humidifier according to  claim 1 , wherein the carrying frame of the housing assembly is pivotally coupled to the mounting frame of the housing assembly such that the carrying frame is pivotable between the closed position and the open position with respect to the mounting frame. 
     
     
         5 . The humidifier according to  claim 1 , wherein the carrying frame of the housing assembly includes an observation window, and wherein when the carrying frame is in the closed position, the at least one spray nozzle of the water mist spraying unit is viewable through the observation window of the carrying frame. 
     
     
         6 . The humidifier according to  claim 5 , wherein the cover of the housing assembly includes an observation window at least generally aligned with the observation window of the carrying frame of the housing assembly, and wherein when the carrying frame is in the closed position, the at least one spray nozzle of the water mist spraying unit is viewable through the observation windows of the cover and the carrying frame. 
     
     
         7 . The humidifier according to  claim 6 , wherein the mounting frame of the housing assembly includes an observation window, the observation window of the mounting frame being at least generally aligned with the observation windows of the carrying frame and the cover of the housing assembly when the carrying frame is in the closed position, and wherein when the carrying frame is in the closed position, the at least one spray nozzle of the water mist spraying unit is viewable through the observation windows of the cover, the carrying frame and the mounting frame. 
     
     
         8 . The humidifier according to  claim 1 , wherein the cover of the housing assembly includes an observation window, and wherein when the carrying frame is in the closed position, the at least one spray nozzle of the water mist spraying unit is viewable through the observation window of the cover. 
     
     
         9 . The humidifier according to  claim 1 , wherein the cover of the housing assembly includes at least one of (i) a display window through which relative humidity level information is able to be displayed, (ii) a display window through which heated air temperature information is able to be displayed, (iii) at least one user interface opening formed in the cover exposing at least a part of a user interface of the humidifier and (iv) a main water inlet opening formed in the cover exposing a main water inlet of the humidifier. 
     
     
         10 . A humidifier for use with a forced-air heating system, the humidifier comprising:
 a water mist spraying unit including a main body, the main body including a water inlet, at least one water flow channel in fluid communication with the water inlet, and at least one water outlet in fluid communication with the at least one water flow channel, the water mist spraying unit further including at least one spray nozzle in fluid communication with the at least one water outlet of the main body; and   an air temperature sensor including a main body; and   wherein at least a portion of the main body of the air temperature sensor is disposed between first and second vertical planes extending through the water mist spraying unit, the first and second vertical planes being parallel with respect to a front-to-rear direction of the main body of the water mist spraying unit.   
     
     
         11 . The humidifier according to  claim 10 , wherein the humidifier is configured to be attached to an air duct or a supply plenum of the forced-air heating system at or near a cutout formed in the air duct or the supply plenum. 
     
     
         12 . A humidifier for use with a forced-air heating system, the humidifier comprising:
 a housing assembly including a lighting unit support portion;   a water mist spraying unit carried by the housing assembly, the water mist spraying unit including at least one spray nozzle; and   at least one of (i) a spray nozzle lighting unit disposed at the lighting unit support portion of the housing assembly, the spray nozzle lighting unit including at least one light source configured to emit light directly towards the at least one spray nozzle of the water mist spraying unit and (ii) a sterilization lighting unit disposed at the lighting unit support portion of the housing assembly, the sterilization lighting unit including at least one light source capable of sterilizing at least a water mist that is sprayable from the water mist spraying unit and heated air that is able to flow through the forced-air heating system.   
     
     
         13 . The humidifier according to  claim 12 , wherein the housing assembly is configured to be attached to an air duct or a supply plenum of the forced-air heating system at or near a cutout formed in the air duct or the supply plenum. 
     
     
         14 . A humidifier for use with a forced-air heating system, the humidifier comprising:
 a water mist spraying unit including a main body, the main body including a water inlet, at least one water flow channel in fluid communication with the water inlet, at least one water outlet in fluid communication with the at least one water flow channel, and a vibration device-receiving area disposed proximate the at least one water flow channel, the water mist spraying unit further including at least one spray nozzle in fluid communication with the at least one water outlet of the main body, and a vibration device, wherein at least a portion of the vibration device is disposed at the vibration device-receiving area of the main body.   
     
     
         15 . The humidifier according to  claim 14 , wherein the humidifier is configured to be attached to an air duct or a supply plenum of the forced-air heating system at or near a cutout formed in the air duct or the supply plenum. 
     
     
         16 . The humidifier according to  claim 14 , wherein the at least a portion of the vibration device of the water mist spraying unit, that is disposed at the vibration device-receiving area of the main body of the water mist spraying unit, includes a main body of the vibration device, and wherein the main body of the vibration device is removably secured at the vibration device-receiving area of the main body of the water mist spraying unit by at least one retaining element. 
     
     
         17 . The humidifier according to  claim 14 , wherein the vibration device of the water mist spraying unit is a vibration motor. 
     
     
         18 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A humidifier for use with a forced-air heating system, the humidifier comprising:
 a water mist spraying unit including a water inlet, at least one water flow channel within the water mist spraying unit and in fluid communication with the water inlet, at least one water outlet in fluid communication with the at least one water flow channel, at least one spray nozzle in fluid communication with the at least one water outlet, and a water heating element, the water heating element including a main body having at least a portion thereof disposed within the at least one water flow channel, the main body of the water heating element being capable of transferring heat generated by the water heating element to a flow of water supplied to the at least one water flow channel from the water inlet, wherein the water heating element is operable to heat the flow of water to a temperature below the boiling point of water, thereby providing a heated flow of water capable of flowing out of the at least one water outlet and being sprayed from the at least one spray nozzle as a heated water mist, while preventing steam from being released from the at least one spray nozzle.   
     
     
         22 . The humidifier according to  claim 21 , wherein the humidifier is configured to be attached to an air duct or a supply plenum of the forced-air heating system at or near a cutout formed in the air duct or the supply plenum. 
     
     
         23 . The humidifier according to  claim 21 , wherein the water heating element of the water mist spraying unit further includes a flange connected to the main body of the water heating element and removably attached to the water mist spraying unit, wherein the flange covers and seals at least a portion of the at least one water flow channel, and wherein the water heating element is removably attached to the water mist spraying unit by way of the flange being removably attached to the water mist spraying unit.