Modular humidifier system

Abstract

A modular humidifier system includes a base module having a frame and a wet-pack assembly, the wet-pack assembly being enclosed in the frame. The humidifier system also includes a fan module structured to draw air through the base module and a cover assembly structured to couple to each of the fan module and the base module. The frame includes a first side and a second side, where the fan module is structured to selectively couple to either the first side or the second side.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A modular humidifier system comprising:
 a base module comprising a frame and a wet-pack assembly, the wet-pack assembly being enclosed in the frame;   a fan module structured to draw air through the base module; and   a cover assembly structured to couple to each of the fan module and the base module;   wherein the frame comprises a first side and a second side, and wherein the fan module is structured to selectively couple to either the first side or the second side.   
     
     
         2 . The humidifier system of  claim 1 , wherein the cover assembly is structured to couple to the other of the first side or the second side such that the cover assembly connects directly to the base module and the fan module. 
     
     
         3 . The humidifier system of  claim 2 , wherein the cover assembly comprises a thumb latch and snap assembly, the thumb latch and snap assembly configured to connect the base module and the fan module to the cover assembly. 
     
     
         4 . The humidifier system of  claim 1 , wherein the fan module comprises a mount portion and a cover portion. 
     
     
         5 . The humidifier system of  claim 1 , wherein the fan module further includes a fan, and wherein the mount portion and the cover portion form an enclosure, the fan being contained within the enclosure and configured to pull air through the wet-pack assembly. 
     
     
         6 . The humidifier system of  claim 5 , wherein the fan comprises:
 a body having a first cylindrical portion and a second cylindrical portion;   a motor portion disposed between the first cylindrical portion and the second cylindrical portion;   wherein each of the first and second cylindrical portions include a first end and a second end opposite the first end, the first end being disposed adjacent the motor portion and the second end being spaced from the motor portion;   wherein each of the first and second cylindrical portions comprises a first inlet and a second inlet, the first inlet being disposed at the first end and the second inlet being disposed at the second end; and   wherein each of the first and second cylindrical portions comprises an outlet, the outlet structured such that air flowing through the fan flows through the outlet in a direction perpendicular to a direction of airflow through each of the first and second inlets.   
     
     
         7 . The humidifier system of  claim 1 , further comprising a drainage assembly fluidly coupled to the base module, wherein water from the wet-pack assembly flows into the drainage assembly. 
     
     
         8 . The humidifier system of  claim 7 , wherein the cover assembly comprises a sloped bottom surface, the bottom surface coupled to the base module such that water collected within the cover assembly flows from the bottom surface to the drainage assembly. 
     
     
         9 . The humidifier system of  claim 7 , wherein the drainage assembly comprises a housing and a valve assembly disposed within the housing, the housing being connected to the base module. 
     
     
         10 . The humidifier system of  claim 9 , wherein the valve assembly comprises at least one of a check valve or a solenoid valve. 
     
     
         11 . The humidifier system of  claim 1 , wherein opposing edges of the cover assembly are structured symmetrically such that the cover assembly is structured to connect to each of the fan module and the base module such that the opposing edges overlap with an edge of the base module and enable mounting of the humidifier system within a structure. 
     
     
         12 . The humidifier system of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the fan module comprises:
 a T-shaped protrusion disposed along a first side of the fan module; and 
 at least one protruding feature disposed along a second side of the fan module perpendicular to the first side of the fan module; and 
   the frame comprises:
 a T-shaped slot disposed along a first side of the frame, the T-shaped slot structured to receive the T-shaped protrusion; and 
 one or more snap fit retention features disposed along a second side of the frame perpendicular to the first side of the frame, the one or more snap retention features structured to engage with the at least one protruding feature. 
   
     
     
         13 . The humidifier system of  claim 1 , wherein the fan module is structured to couple to the first side or the second side based on a use application of the humidifier system. 
     
     
         14 . The humidifier system of  claim 6 , wherein the fan module further comprises a speed control switch communicably coupled to the fan, wherein the speed control switch is configured to control a speed of operation of the fan. 
     
     
         15 . The humidifier system of  claim 14 , further comprising at least one sensor in communication with the speed control switch, wherein the speed control switch is configured to control the speed of the fan based on at least one metric relating to air within or surrounding the humidifier system, the at least one metric being sensed by the at least one sensor. 
     
     
         16 . The humidifier system of  claim 14 , wherein the at least one metric includes at least one of a humidity level, a humidification demand, an air temperature, an air pressure, or a blower speed of an HVAC system coupled to the humidifier system. 
     
     
         17 . A modular humidifier system comprising:
 a base module comprising a frame and a wet-pack assembly, the wet-pack assembly being enclosed in the frame;   a bypass module comprising a duct structured to draw air through the base module; and   a cover assembly structured to couple to each of the bypass module and the base module;   wherein the frame comprises a first side and a second side, and wherein the bypass module is structured to selectively couple to either the first side or the second side.   
     
     
         18 . The humidifier system of  claim 17 , wherein the bypass module further comprises an adapter configured to couple to the duct. 
     
     
         19 . The humidifier system of  claim 17 , wherein the adapter reduces a diameter of an air pathway through the duct to reduce airflow through the duct. 
     
     
         20 . The humidifier system of  claim 17 , wherein the adapter comprises at least one damper. 
     
     
         21 . The humidifier system of  claim 13 , wherein the bypass module is structured to selectively couple to either the first side or the second side via a snap fit connector.