Humidifying unit for a hvac system

Abstract

A Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning system is provided having airways configured to direct airflow towards a confined area, the system comprising a humidifying unit having a tray disposed in the airways and configured to hold water therein, the tray is so disposed in said airways such that the water humidifies the airflow in said airways controlling thereby the humidity level in the confined area.

1 . A humidifying unit for a heating ventilation air conditioning (HVAC) system, comprising:
 a tray configured to be disposed at airways of the HVAC system and configured to hold water so as to humidify an air stream in the airways; and   one or more mechanisms configured to increase and decrease contact area between the water and the air stream in the airways.   
     
     
         2 . The humidifying unit according to  claim 1 , wherein the tray is integrally formed with a grille of a duct channel of the HVAC system. 
     
     
         3 . The humidifying unit according to  claim 1 , the one or more mechanisms comprising a lid configured to be selectively disposed with respect to the tray, the lid being configured to increase and decrease the contact area between the water and the air stream in the airways. 
     
     
         4 . The humidifying unit according to  claim 3 , further comprising a controller for controlling the disposition of the lid in accordance with a desired humidity level. 
     
     
         5 . The humidifying unit according to  claim 1 , further comprising a heating element disposed in the tray and configured to heat the water therein thereby accelerating humidification of the air stream in the airways of the HVAC system. 
     
     
         6 . The humidifying unit according to  claim 5 , wherein said heating element is a heated gas line of the HVAC system directed to the tray for heating water in the tray. 
     
     
         7 . The humidifying unit according to  claim 1 , further comprising a basket operative to hold a tablet in fluid communication with water in the tray for disinfecting or softening the water in the tray. 
     
     
         8 . The humidifying unit according to  claim 1 , wherein the one or more mechanisms include a tilting mechanism comprising an axle, wherein the tray is supported on the axle of the tilting mechanism, and wherein the axle is configured to be rotated for tilting the tray. 
     
     
         9 . The humidifying unit according to  claim 1 , wherein the tray further comprises folded surfaces comprising hydrophilic cardboard comprising a corrugated layer, the corrugated layer configured to provide capillary water transfer. 
     
     
         10 . A heating ventilation air conditioning (HVAC) system having airways configured to direct airflow towards a confined area, the HVAC system comprising a humidifying unit comprising a tray disposed in airways and configured to hold water therein, the tray is so disposed in said airways such that the water humidifies an airflow in said airways thereby controlling humidity level in the confined area, said humidifying unit further having one or more mechanisms configured to increase and decrease contact area between the water and the airflow in the airways. 
     
     
         11 . The HVAC system according to  claim 10 , wherein the tray is integrally formed with a wall portion of the airways. 
     
     
         12 . The HVAC system according to  claim 10 , wherein the HVAC system is a central air system having a central duct and wherein said tray is disposed in said duct. 
     
     
         13 . The HVAC system according to  claim 10 , further comprising a water inlet line connected to the tray via a water inlet port. 
     
     
         14 . The HVAC system according to  claim 10 , wherein said tray is provided with a drain line configured to drain the water inside the tray. 
     
     
         15 . The HVAC system according to  claim 10 , further comprising a heating element disposed in the tray and configured to heat the water therein thereby accelerating humidification of the airflow in the airways. 
     
     
         16 . The HVAC system according to  claim 10 , further comprising a cleaning mechanism for removing calcification accumulating in the tray. 
     
     
         17 . The HVAC system according to  claim 10 , further comprising an auxiliary reservoir in fluid communication with the tray and configured for dispensing a cleaning liquid to the tray. 
     
     
         18 . The HVAC system according to  claim 10 , further comprising a wall portion disposed inside said airways, the wall portion having a surface configured to allow water flow thereon from said tray. 
     
     
         19 . A method for humidifying air directed out of a heating ventilation air conditioning (HVAC) system to a confined area, the method comprising:
 disposing a water tray inside airways of the HVAC system such that water therein humidifies an airflow in said airways thereby controlling humidity level in the confined area; and   forming one or more mechanisms for increasing and decreasing contact area between the water and the airflow in the airways.