Water Extraction System for Dwellings

Abstract

Apparatus ( 10 ) for extracting water from the atmosphere and supplying the extracted water to a domestic water supply to the dwelling, said apparatus being dimensioned and arranged relative to an access opening that leads from the dwelling into a roof space to be small enough to pass through the opening and be located in the roof space, said apparatus further comprising an air intake ( 12 ) located to receive humid air from outside the dwelling, a water extractor having a fan ( 13 ) operable to draw air in through the air intake ( 12 ) and pass the air over a cooling means for condensing water out of the air and means—for collecting the condensed water and supplying the collected water to the water supply tank ( 30 ) of the dwelling to replenish water in the tank. ( 30 )

1 - 19 . (canceled) 
     
     
         20 . Apparatus for extracting water from the atmosphere and supplying the extracted water to an existing domestic water supply of a dwelling that has a mains water filled tank, said apparatus comprising an air intake located to receive humid air from outside the dwelling, a cooling means for condensing water out of the air, a fan operable to draw air in through the air intake and pass the air over the cooling means, and collection means for collecting the condensed water and supplying the collected water to the water supply tank of the dwelling to replenish water in the tank. 
     
     
         21 . Apparatus according to  claim 20  wherein the collection means comprises a water collection chamber and a pump is provided for pumping condensed water from the collection chamber to the water tank. 
     
     
         22 . Apparatus according to  claim 20  wherein the apparatus is dimensioned and arranged relative to an access opening that leads from the dwelling into a roof space of the dwelling to be small enough to pass through the opening and be located in the roof space, and the collection means comprises a water collection chamber and a pump means operable to pump the collected water to a mains water filled tank located the roof space of the dwelling. 
     
     
         23 . Apparatus according to  claim 20  wherein the air intake is connected to a ventilated tile of the roof. 
     
     
         24 . Apparatus extractor according to  claim 20  wherein the cooling means is a dehumidifier of the type that uses a refrigerant, a compressor to compress the refrigerant and an evaporative cooler to cool the air flowing in contact with the cooler to below its dew point, and thereby condense water from the air. 
     
     
         25 . Apparatus according to  claim 20  wherein the cooling means is a dehumidifier of the type that uses a thermoelectric Peltier device that cools a heat sink that is used to cool the air that contacts the heat sink to below its dew point to condense water from the air. 
     
     
         26 . Apparatus according to  claim 23  wherein the roof tile is connected to the air intake of the water extractor by means of a pipe connector. 
     
     
         27 . Apparatus according to  claim 20  wherein the fan is driven by an electrically powered motor. 
     
     
         28 . Apparatus according to claim  1  wherein the fan is driven by a wind driven turbine. 
     
     
         29 . Apparatus according to  claim 20  wherein a level detector is provided in the collection means that is operable to control the operation of the water extractor so that the water extractor only runs when the tank needs to be topped up. 
     
     
         30 . Apparatus according to  claim 20  wherein the air intake has an air filter to remove air-borne particles in the air. 
     
     
         31 . Apparatus according to  claim 30  wherein the filter is an electrostatic filter. 
     
     
         32 . Apparatus according to  claim 20  wherein an ultraviolet light source is provided for irradiating the condensed water to purify the water. 
     
     
         33 . Apparatus according to  claim 20  wherein a filtration system is provided through which the condensed water flows. 
     
     
         34 . Apparatus according to  claim 33  wherein a sediment screen is provided for filtering the condensed water. 
     
     
         35 . Apparatus according to  claim 33  wherein the filtration system includes porous carbon blocks through which the water flows. 
     
     
         36 . Apparatus according to  claim 33  wherein the collected water is subjected to an ozone treatment to produce drinkable water that is available for occupants of the dwelling.