Atmospheric moisture harvesting

Abstract

The invention relates to atmospheric moisture harvesting. In particular, the invention capitalizes on the recognition that the air outside of a building usually has higher relative humidity than the air inside of the building. Therefore, the present invention relocates and/or modifies the configuration of an atmospheric moisture harvester such that more-moisture-laden, higher-relative-humidity outdoor air lows over the cooled water condensation surface of the atmospheric moisture harvester as the source for water to be delivered and consumed safely inside a dwelling or building. This increases the efficiency of atmospheric moisture harvesting and, at the same time, maintains the ability to access water obtained by the atmospheric moisture harvester from inside the building, thereby fostering ease of use.

1 . An arrangement for atmospheric moisture harvesting, comprising:
 a building having an interior and an exterior that are separated by a wall; and   an atmospheric moisture harvester having a condensing surface over which air can pass; an air inlet; an air outlet; and a water outlet;   wherein the atmospheric moisture harvester's air inlet is in communication with the building's exterior such that outside air can flow over the condensing surface and wherein the atmospheric moisture harvester's water outlet is in communication with the building's interior such that water obtained from the outside air by means of the atmospheric moisture harvester can be accessed from inside the building.   
     
     
         2 . The arrangement of  claim 1 , wherein the atmospheric moisture harvester is located completely outside of the building. 
     
     
         3 . The arrangement of  claim 2 , wherein the atmospheric moisture harvester's water outlet is in direct communication with the building's interior. 
     
     
         4 . The arrangement of  claim 3 , further comprising a water treatment/reservoir unit located inside the building and into which water flows from the atmospheric moisture harvester's water outlet after it enters the building, which water treatment/reservoir unit is constructed and arranged to germicidally treat and/or filter the water received and stored therein. 
     
     
         5 . The arrangement of  claim 2 , wherein the atmospheric moisture harvester's water outlet is in indirect communication with the building's interior. 
     
     
         6 . The arrangement of  claim 5 , further comprising a water treatment/reservoir unit located outside the building and into which water flows from the atmospheric moisture harvester's water outlet before it enters the building, which water treatment/reservoir unit is constructed and arranged to germicidally treat and/or filter the water received and stored therein. 
     
     
         6 . The arrangement of  claim 1 , wherein the atmospheric moisture harvester extends through an aperture in the wall, with the air inlet located outside the building and the water outlet located inside the building. 
     
     
         7 . The arrangement of  claim 1 , wherein the atmospheric moisture harvester is located completely inside the building, the arrangement further comprising an air inlet duct which is configured to convey air from outside of the building to the atmospheric moisture harvester. 
     
     
         8 . The arrangement of  claim 7 , further comprising an air outlet duct which is configured to convey air from the atmospheric moisture harvester back outside of the building.