Water production system and method with ozone recharge

Abstract

An apparatus and method for extracting water from air in which a refrigeration system includes a cooling element to condense water from air. A first water vessel defines an inner volume. The first water vessel stores the water collected from the cooling element. An ozone device generates ozone inside the inner volume of the first water vessel. The ozone device provides the ozone to the water to resist bacteria and contaminants.

1 . An apparatus for extracting water from air, the apparatus comprising:
 a refrigeration system including a cooling element to condense water from air;   a first water vessel defining an inner volume, the first water vessel storing the water collected from the cooling element; and   an ozone device, the ozone device generating ozone inside the inner volume of the first water vessel.   
   
   
       2 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the ozone device includes an ozone diffuser, and wherein the apparatus further comprises:
 a second water vessel having an input port and an output port; and   a first conduit coupled to the input port on the second water vessel and for transporting water from the first water vessel to the second water vessel, the first conduit including a pick-up tube positioned within the inner volume of the first water vessel, the ozone diffuser being positioned proximate the pick-up tube.   
   
   
       3 . The apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein the refrigeration system further comprises a second cooling element for cooling water in the second water vessel. 
   
   
       4 . The apparatus according to  claim 3 , wherein the refrigeration system defines a closed-loop path for a refrigerant, further comprising a refrigerant in the closed loop refrigerant path, the first cooling element and second cooling element arranged in parallel with respect to refrigerant flow there through. 
   
   
       5 . The apparatus according to  claim 2 , further comprising a pump coupled to the first conduit, the pump operative to move water from the first water vessel to the second water vessel. 
   
   
       6 . The apparatus according to  claim 5 , further comprising:
 a valve; and   a second conduit in fluid communication with the valve, the second conduit coupled to the output port of the second water vessel and for transporting water from the second water vessel to the first water vessel when the valve is open.   
   
   
       7 . An apparatus for extracting water from air, the apparatus comprising:
 a refrigeration system, including:
 a first cooling element operable at a temperature of at most a dew point of air contacting the cooling element to cause liquid water to condense on an exterior surface of the first cooling element; and 
 a second cooling element; 
   a first water vessel defining an inner volume, the first water vessel storing the water collected from the exterior surface of the cooling element;   an ozone device for generating ozone inside the inner volume of the first water vessel;   a second water vessel coupled to the second cooling element;   a first conduit for transporting water from the first water vessel to the second water vessel;   a pump coupled to the first conduit, operative to move water from the first water vessel to the second water vessel; and   a second conduit having a first portion coupled to the second water vessel and having a second portion positioned within the first water vessel, the second conduit transporting water from the second water vessel back to the first water vessel.   
   
   
       8 . The apparatus according to  claim 7 , wherein the first conduit includes a pick-up tube, the pick-up tube being positioned within the first water vessel, and wherein the ozone device further comprises an ozonator and an ozone diffuser. 
   
   
       9 . The apparatus according to  claim 8 , wherein the ozone diffuser is positioned proximate the pick-up tube. 
   
   
       10 . The apparatus according to  claim 7 , further comprising:
 a filter coupled to the second conduit; and   a first faucet in fluid communication with the filter.   
   
   
       11 . The apparatus according to  claim 10 , wherein the filter further comprises an entrance and an exit, the second water vessel and the valve being in fluid communication with the entrance, and the faucet being in fluid communication with the exit. 
   
   
       12 . The apparatus according to  claim 10 , further comprising:
 a heater in fluid communication with the filter; and   a second faucet in fluid communication with the heater.   
   
   
       13 . A method of extracting water from air using a water production system, the water production system including a first water vessel and a refrigeration system having a cooling element to condense water from the air, the method comprising:
 collecting the condensate water in the first water vessel;   adding ozone to the collected water.   
   
   
       14 . The method according to  claim 13 , wherein the water production system further includes a second water vessel, the method further comprising:
 moving a portion of the collected water from the water vessel to the second water vessel;   cooling the water in the second water vessel; and   returning water to the first water vessel.   
   
   
       15 . The method according to  claim 14 , wherein returning water to the first water vessel occurs periodically. 
   
   
       16 . The method according to  claim 13 , wherein the water production system further comprises a filter and a faucet, the method further comprising:
 filtering ozone from the water using the filter; and   dispensing water from the faucet.   
   
   
       17 . The method according to  claim 13 , wherein the water production system further comprises an ozone diffuser positioned within the first water vessel, the method further comprising:
 monitoring an amount of water in the water vessel;   adding ozone only when the ozone diffuser is submerged in water.   
   
   
       18 . The method according to  claim 13 , wherein the water production system further comprises a second water vessel and a faucet, and the refrigeration system further comprises a second cooling element, the method further comprising:
 moving a portion of the water from the water vessel to the second water vessel;   cooling water in the second water vessel;   intermittently returning water to the first water vessel; and   upon demand:
 drawing water from the second water vessel; 
 filtering ozone from the water; and 
 dispensing water from the faucet. 
   
   
   
       19 . The method according to  claim 18 , wherein dispensing water from the faucet increases a rate of moving a portion of the water from the water vessel to the second water vessel. 
   
   
       20 . The method according to  claim 18 , wherein dispensing water from the faucet decreases a rate of intermittently returning water to the first water vessel.