Atmospheric water generator apparatus

Abstract

An atmospheric water generator apparatus. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a fluid cooling device. A water condensing surface is thermally connected to the fluid cooling device, the water condensing surface having a superhydrophobic condensing surface, a highly hydrophobic condensing surface, a superhydrophilic condensing surface, a highly hydrophilic condensing surface, or a combination thereof. An air-cooled heat rejection device is in fluid communication with a fluid cooling device. An air fan is configured to induce airflow across the water condensing surface in order to condense and extract water from the atmosphere.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An atmospheric water generator apparatus, which comprises:
 a heat generator to drive refrigerant from a two-part absorbent-refrigerant pair;   a condenser in fluid communication with said heat generator to condense refrigerant vapor to liquid;   an expansion valve throttle in fluid communication with said condenser to drop pressure of said refrigerant vapor;   an evaporator in fluid communication with said throttle to cause atmospheric condensation; and   an absorber in fluid communication with said evaporator.   
     
     
         2 . The atmospheric water generator apparatus as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said condenser includes a water condensing surface, said water condensing surface comprising a hydrophobic coating on the water condensing surface, a hydrophilic coating on the water condensing surface, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         3 . The atmospheric water generator apparatus as set forth in  claim 2  wherein said hydrophobic coating on the water condensing surface comprises a superhydrophobic surface having a contact angle greater than 150 degrees or a highly hydrophobic surface having a contact angle between 110 and 150 degrees. 
     
     
         4 . The atmospheric water generator apparatus as set forth in  claim 2  wherein said hydrophilic coating on the water condensing surface comprises a superhydrophilic surface having a contact angle less than 10 degrees or a highly hydrophilic surface having a contact angle between 10 and 50 degrees. 
     
     
         5 . The atmospheric water generator apparatus as set forth in  claim 2  wherein said water condensing surface includes at least one plate. 
     
     
         6 . The atmospheric water generator apparatus as set forth in  claim 2  wherein said water condensing surface includes a plurality of protruding finned surfaces. 
     
     
         7 . The atmospheric water generator apparatus as set forth in  claim 6  wherein said finned surfaces protrude from a tube. 
     
     
         8 . An atmospheric water generator apparatus, which comprises:
 an adsorbent bed to heat a refrigerant fluid;   a condenser in fluid communication with said adsorbent bed to condense said refrigerant fluid;   an expansion valve throttle in fluid communication with said condenser to decrease pressure of said refrigerant;   an evaporator in fluid communication with said expansion valve throttle to cause atmospheric condensation.   
     
     
         9 . The atmospheric water generator apparatus as set forth in  claim 8  wherein said condenser includes a water condensing surface, said water condensing surface comprising a hydrophobic coating on the water condensing surface, a hydrophilic coating on the water condensing surface, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         10 . The atmospheric water generator apparatus as set forth in  claim 9  wherein said hydrophobic coating on the water condensing surface comprises a superhydrophobic surface having a contact angle greater than 150 degrees or a highly hydrophobic surface having a contact angle between 110 and 150 degrees. 
     
     
         11 . The atmospheric water generator apparatus as set forth in  claim 9  wherein said hydrophilic coating on the water condensing surface comprises a superhydrophilic surface having a contact angle less than 10 degrees or a highly hydrophilic surface having a contact angle between 10 and 50 degrees. 
     
     
         11 . The atmospheric water generator apparatus as set forth in  claim 9  wherein said water condensing surface includes at least one plate. 
     
     
         12 . The atmospheric water generator apparatus as set forth in  claim 9  wherein said water condensing surface includes a plurality of protruding finned surfaces. 
     
     
         13 . The atmospheric water generator apparatus as set forth in  claim 13  wherein said finned surfaces protrude from a tube. 
     
     
         15 . An atmospheric water generator apparatus, which comprises:
 a fluid heating device;   a magnetic refrigeration fluid cooling device;   a water condensing surface thermally connected to said fluid cooling device, said water condensing surface comprising a hydrophobic coating on the water condensing surface, a hydrophilic coating on the water condensing surface, or a combination thereof;   an air-cooled heat rejection device in fluid communication with said fluid heating device; and   an air fan configured to induce airflow across said water condensing surface.   
     
     
         16 . The atmospheric water generator apparatus as set forth in  claim 15  wherein said hydrophobic coating on the water condensing surface comprises a superhydrophobic surface having a contact angle greater than 150 degrees or a highly hydrophobic surface having a contact angle between 110 and 150 degrees. 
     
     
         17 . e atmospheric water generator apparatus as set forth in  claim 15  wherein said hydrophilic coating on the water condensing surface comprises a superhydrophilic surface having a contact angle less than 10 degrees or a highly hydrophilic surface having a contact angle between 10 and 50 degrees. 
     
     
         18 . e atmospheric water generator apparatus as set forth in  claim 15  wherein said water condensing surfaces includes at least one plate. 
     
     
         19 . The atmospheric water generator apparatus as set forth in  claim 15  wherein said water condensing surface includes a plurality of fins. 
     
     
         20 . The atmospheric water generator apparatus as set forth in  claim 15  wherein said air fan is configured to induce airflow across said heat rejection device. 
     
     
         21 . An atmospheric water generator apparatus, which comprises:
 a fluid heating device;   a thermoelectric refrigeration fluid cooling device;   a water condensing surface thermally connected to said fluid cooling device, said water condensing surface comprising a hydrophobic coating on the water condensing surface, a hydrophilic coating on the water condensing surface, or a combination thereof;   an air-cooled heat rejection device in fluid communication with said fluid heating device; and   an air fan configured to induce airflow across said water condensing surface.   
     
     
         22 . The atmospheric water generator apparatus as set forth in  claim 21  wherein said hydrophobic coating on the water condensing surface comprises a superhydrophobic surface having a contact angle greater than 150 degrees or a highly hydrophobic surface having a contact angle between 110 and 150 degrees. 
     
     
         23 . The atmospheric water generator apparatus as set forth in  claim 21  wherein said hydrophilic coating on the water condensing surface comprises a superhydrophilic surface having a contact angle less than 10 degrees or a highly hydrophilic surface having a contact angle between 10 and 50 degrees. 
     
     
         24 . The atmospheric water generator apparatus as set forth in  claim 21  wherein said water condensing surface includes at least one plate. 
     
     
         25 . The atmospheric water generator apparatus as set forth in  claim 21  wherein said water condensing surface includes a plurality of protruding finned surfaces. 
     
     
         26 . The atmospheric water generator apparatus as set forth in  claim 25  wherein said finned surfaces protrude from a tube.