2) United States Patent 6 6) wo en @ 6s) 36) Turner, Jr. SYSTEM, AND ASSOCIATED METHOD, FOR RECOVERING WATER FROM AIR Inventor: J. Glenn Turner, Jr, 3537 Colgate, Dallas, TX (US) 75225 Notice: Subject to any disclaimer, the term ofthis patent is extended or adjusted under 3 USC. 154(b) by $93 days. Appl. Now 11/148,483 Filed: Jun, 9, 2005 Prior Publication Data US 200610279167 A1 Dee. 14, 2006 Incl. F25D 102 (2006.01) us.cl. 6218.4; 6213.2 Fleld of Classification Search 62285, (62201, 271, 272,93, 34, 2382, 3.2,33 ‘See application file for complete search history. References Cited U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS 418338 A * ISSO Bennet e381 ‘US0074785. 3582 (10) Patent No. 4s) Date of Patent: US 7,478,535 B2 Jan, 20, 2009 4290275 A$ 91981. Meckler SS179 A * 1995. Michael 5846296 A 121998 Krumvik 6sm4979 B2 62003 Fah * cited by examiner Melvin Jones Tack D. Stone, Jr; Scheet & Primary Examiner (74) Attorney, Agent, oF Firm Stone, LLP. on ABSTRACT A system for condensing water from air includes a eoluma hhaving. a substantially: non-reflective surface effetive for heat energy from the stn and transfering the heat to air inthe interior of the column. A condenser is secured within the column, aed inclides a condensing surface with a thermoelectric cooler positioned thereon for cooling the co- densing surface. collector i positioned within the eoluma for collecting water that condenses on and falls from the at least one condensing surface ofthe condenser, and an ace- ‘mulatoris coupled in fd communication with the collector for accumulating the water. 32 Claims, 6 Drawing SheetsUS. Patent Jan. 20, 2009 Sheet 1 of 6 US 7,478,535 B2US 7,478,535 B2 Sheet 2 of 6 Jan. 20, 2009 U.S, Patent FIG. 4 504bUS 7,478,535 B2 Sheet 3 of 6 Jan. 20, 2009 U.S, Patent p- At [O12US 7,478,535 B2 Sheet 4 of 6 Jan. 20, 2009 U.S, Patent 90TUS 7,478,535 B2 Sheet 5 of 6 Jan. 20, 2009 U.S, Patent P2IT 901 Pit sor j— vIOT I vIOT zorr 90rt 9011 J I\ wi OT ‘Old TT ‘OldUS. Patent Jan. 20, 2009 Sheet 6 of 6 US 7,478,535 B2US 7,478,535 B2 1 SYSTEM, AND ASSOCIATED METHOD, FOR [RECOVERING WATER FROM AIR ‘TECHNICAL FIFLD ‘The invention relates generally to recovering water fom sir, and, more particularly, to condensing andcolleting water that has bees absorbed into humid air, also known as the atmosphere. ‘he supply of water, and clean water in particular, has progressively become a serious problem in many parts ofthe ‘world. The ground water level sinks, severe droughts occur, Jandscapes dey up, and deserts spread. The water which exists in hese areas is generally very highly polluted, whieh in turn ‘can lead disease among both people and animals, with infections, which can result in major disasters. ‘Many’ tempts have been made to supply such problem areas with Water in some form or ober, ether by dling to treat depts in thesoil to create water Wells and recover Water fom under the ground, or by damming up and channeling as needed wateron the surlace ofthe ground. However, there are regions in Which Water may not be recovered from under the ground via wels, and no water is available onthe surice of the ground that may be dammed and channeled, and sich techniques are therefore not available ‘Where sca water is available, plants have been developed for purifying such water in order to provide drinking water However, sea waters not always availabe, or is only aval able via extensive pipeline systems, an soch plants are gen- ‘erally prohibitively expensive to build, and require substan tial energy to operate ‘Where waters not available either under the ground or on the surface of the ground, and sea water is not readily avail- able, attempts have been made to recover moisture from the ‘atmosphere, that is, by recovering water which exists in humid sir Techniques which have heretofore been developed Tor recovering water from air require complex. equipmeat, such as evaporators, condensers, lage fans 10 force ait through a system, andor the like, and substantial space for such equipment, as wells substantial energy to operate such ‘equipment. ‘Accordingly. a continuing search as been directed tothe development of systems and. methods which can recover water from the atmosphere, which systems and methods do not require complex equipment and substantial amounts of space and energy to operate SUMMARY, ‘The present invention, aecondingly, provides an apparatus orrecovering water from ait. The appara includes a funnel having a non-reflective surface oriented for receiving and absorbing heat energy fromthe sun, and an upwardly-ori- ented vertex end defining a vertex opening, and a down- ‘wardly oriented base end defining abase opening lager than, the vertex opening. The fnelis preferably supportecion legs Positioned proximate te the ase opening ofthe lower funnel ‘An upwardly extending columa having a relatively non-te- fleeting exterior surface is attached tothe verex opening for Jailtating fluid communication by convection from the fun- nel to the column. A condensing surface is secured within the interior ofthe colunsn, and at least one thermoelectric cooler js positioned on the condensing surface for eaoling the con- inside said Fonnel; and said method further comprises the step ‘of securing leys to ssid funnel portion for supporting said Tunnel portion and column in an elevated position 21. The method of claim 17, wherein sai column is an ‘auxiliary columa, and said method further comprises the stop ‘of coupling a primary eoluma in fi eommunication to said ‘auxiliary column. 22. The methed of claim 17, wherein said column is an ‘auxiliary column, and said system further comprises a pri ‘mary columa coupled in fil communication to said aun jiry column; and wherein said primary column defines an ‘open lower end and an open upper end, and said lower end. Includes a portion configured as a funnel having a substan- tially non-reflective surfice effective for absorbing heat ‘energy from the sun and transferring sad heat energy to ai inside said Funnel 23. The method of elaim 17, wherein said non-reiletive surface i a substantially black surface. 10 24, The method of claim 17, wherein said atleast one condensing surface includes at leas three substantially tine gular condensing surfaces configured substantially to form a pyramid having a vertex, and said collector is positioned “under said vertex for receiving water tbat condenses on and {alls from sid at least three substantially triangular condens- ing surfaces, 28, The method of claim 17, wherein said at least one surface includes atleast three substantially triangular sur ices configured substantially to form a pyramid having & vertex, and said method further comprises the step of os tioning said eollecior under sid verte for receiving Water ‘that condenses on and fils from said at east three substan- tially iangulae surfaces; and suid at least three substantially {riangular surfaces define ridges formed thereon for ineress- w the surface area of seid at least three surfaces and for ‘aciitating movement of water tard said vertex. 26. The method of claim 17, wherein said thermoelectric coolers are Peltier junctions 27. Themethod ofclaim 17, further comprising the stepsof cletrcally coupling fan to sid power souree for receiving ‘operating poser, and positioning said fa for mong ait to thereby dissipate heat from said thermoelecteic enoers 28. The method of claim 17, wherein said power supply includes atleast one solar panel configured for converting solar energy to electrical energy effective for operating said thermoelectric coolers 29, The method of claim 17, wherein said power supply includes at least one battery effective for supplying electrical energy fa said thermoelectric coolers, 30. The method of claim 17, wherein said power supply includes at least one battery and at least one solar panel coupled with sai atleast one Batter, ssi solar panel Being configured for converting solar energy to electrical enemy ‘effective for operating said thermoelectric coolers ‘31. The method of claim 17, wherein said atleast one condensing surface isa conical surface ‘32, Themethodofelsim 17, wherein the step of positioning ssid atleast one thermoelectric caoler Further comprises osi- tioning ssid condensing surface in an upper portion of said column