Apparatus for humidifying a gas flow

Abstract

In a device for humidifying a gas flow, an atomized liquid is combined with a gas flow in a spray chamber, and passed through a generally U-shaped gas flow passage having a first generally vertical part 3 through which the atomized liquid and gas passes to a lower part 4. From there, the gas passes generally vertically upwardly to an outlet 9. The lower part of the passage incorporates an opening 6 to a water separator 7. The opening 6 is closable by a float device 10, or includes a flow restricting control valve 13.

1 - 8 . (canceled) 
     
     
         9 . A device for humidifying a gas flow, by combining it with an atomized liquid in a spray chamber, and passing it through a gas flow passage, wherein:
 the gas flow passage is generally U-shaped, and has a first generally vertical part through which the atomised liquid and gas stream passes to a lower part, from which it passes generally vertically upwardly to an outlet;   the lower part of the passage has an opening for passing excess water separated from the gas stream, to a water separator chamber;   the opening has one of a float device for closing it off, and a water flow control valve which permits water to flow into the chamber but substantially impedes water flow from the chamber back into the gas flow passage.   
     
     
         10 . The device according to  claim 9 , further comprising a valve for controlling the flow of liquid draining out of the water separator. 
     
     
         11 . The device according to  claim 9 , wherein the float device controls a drain valve which controls the flow of liquid out of the water separator chamber. 
     
     
         12 . The device according to  claim 9 , wherein:
 the opening is situated at the lowermost part of the gas flow passage; and   the opening is relatively small compared to the cross-section of the passage and the cross-section of the water separator chamber.   
     
     
         13 . The device according to  claim 9 , wherein a plurality of openings lead from the gas flow passage into the water separator chamber. 
     
     
         14 . The device according to  claim 13 , wherein:
 the water separator chamber is substantially square or rectangular in plan view, and has a planar top wall which, in the installed condition on a vehicle, is substantially horizontal;   openings are located adjacent corners of the top wall; and   the top wall forms a lower wall of the lowermost part of the gas flow passage.   
     
     
         15 . The device according to  claim 14 , wherein each of the openings includes a flow control valve incorporating a baffle to restrict a flow of water from the chamber to the gas passage. 
     
     
         16 . The device according to  claim 9 , wherein openings from a plurality of separate gas flow passages lead into a common water separator chamber.