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Humidity control systemRelated Patent Categories: Refrigeration, Processes, Circulating External Gas, With Removing Of MoistureHumidity control system description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20070214810, Humidity control system. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
TECHNICAL FIELD [0001] The present invention generally relates to humidity control systems for controlling the level of humidity in the air and more specifically it relates to a humidity control system configured to accomplish adsorbent regeneration and cooling by performing a refrigeration cycle. BACKGROUND ART [0002] As disclosed in, for example, Patent Document I (see below), humidity control systems, for regulating the level of humidity in the air by the use of adsorbent and by performing a refrigeration cycle, are well known in the conventional technology. Such a humidity control system is provided with two adsorption units. Each adsorption unit is made up of an adsorbent-filled mesh container and a refrigerant line which is passed completely through the mesh container. The refrigerant line of each adsorption unit is fluidly connected to a refrigerant circuit which performs a refrigeration cycle. In addition, the humidity control system is provided with dampers for effecting switching of the air which is delivered to each adsorption unit. [0003] During the operation of the above-described humidity control system, the compressor of the refrigerant circuit operates and a refrigeration cycle is performed in which one of the two adsorption units becomes an evaporator while the other adsorption unit becomes a condenser. In addition, the direction in which the refrigerant is circulated in the refrigerant circuit is changed by controlling a four-way valve, whereby each adsorption unit alternately functions as an evaporator and as a condenser. [0004] When the humidity control system is in a humidification mode of operation, supply air flowing from the outside to the inside of the room is directed to one adsorption unit which becomes a condenser. The supply air is humidified with moisture desorbed from the adsorbent. At that time, exhaust air flowing from the inside to the outside of the room is directed to the other adsorption unit which becomes an evaporator and the adsorbent recovers moisture present in the exhaust air. On the other hand, when the humidity control system is in a dehumidification mode of operation, supply air flowing from the outside to the inside of the room is directed to one adsorption unit which becomes an evaporator and the adsorbent adsorbs moisture present in the supply air. At that time, exhaust air flowing from the inside to the outside of the room is directed to the other adsorption unit which becomes a condenser. Moisture desorbed from the adsorbent is expelled to outside the room, together with the exhaust air. [0005] In addition, as a means capable of functioning in the same way as the aforesaid adsorption units, a heat exchange member, as disclosed in, for example, Patent Document II (see below), has been known in the conventional technology. In this heat exchange member, plate-shaped fins are arranged around a copper pipe and adsorbent is supported on the surface of the copper pipe and on the surface of each fin. And the heat exchange member is configured such that the adsorbent is heated and cooled with fluid flowing through the copper pipe. [0006] Additionally, as a humidity control system of the type described above, there is a humidity control system shown in Patent Document III (see below). In this humidity control system, an air passageway for fluid communication between outdoor and indoor spaces is formed in the casing and an adsorption element is disposed in the air passageway. Outdoor air (OA) is distributed through the adsorption element so that moisture present in the outdoor air (OA) is adsorbed. Then, the outdoor air (OA) is supplied, as dehumidified air (humidity controlled air (SA)), to the indoor space. In addition, it is arranged such that, for example, moisture adsorbed on the adsorption element is desorbed; the desorbed moisture is fed to outdoor air (OA); and the outdoor air (OA) is supplied, as humidified air (humidity controlled air (SA)) to the indoor space. [0007] Patent Document I: JP H8-189667A [0008] Patent Document II: JP H7-265649A [0009] Patent Document III: JP H9-329371A DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION Problems that the Invention Intends to Solve [0010] Incidentally, in the above-described conventional humidity control system, it is necessary to frequently change the circulation direction of refrigerant in the refrigerant circuit. This produces the problem in that noise is emitted every time the refrigerant circulation direction is changed. Consequently, noise generated in the humidity control system might penetrate into the room and deteriorate the level of room comfort. [0011] With the above problem in mind, the present invention was made. Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a quiet, user comfortable humidity control system by separation of the source of noise from the main casing of the humidity control system. Means for Solving the Problems [0012] In the present invention, a compressor unit (91) including a compressor (63) of a refrigerant circuit (60) is disposed outside a main casing (11) in order to accomplish the above object. [0013] More specifically, a first aspect of the present invention is directed to a humidity control system for supplying either one of a dehumidified first air stream and a humidified second air stream to an indoor space and for discharging the other air stream to an outdoor space. The humidity control system of the first aspect comprises: a refrigerant circuit (60) which includes first and second adsorbent-supported heat exchangers (61, 62) which are fluidly connected in the refrigerant circuit (60) to perform a refrigeration cycle and which is capable of reversing the circulation direction of refrigerant; a main unit (90) which includes: a main casing (11) having therein an air passageway in which the heat exchangers (61, 62) are disposed; and a switching mechanism for changing the distribution route of air in the main casing (11) depending on the circulation direction of refrigerant in the refrigerant circuit (60) so that the first air stream is passed through one of the heat exchangers (61, 62) that is functioning as an evaporator while the second air stream is passed through the other heat exchanger that is functioning as a condenser; and a compressor unit (91) which is disposed outside the main casing (11) and in which a compressor (63) of the refrigerant circuit (60) is provided. [0014] In the first aspect of the present invention, two different refrigeration cycles are alternately repeatedly carried out in the refrigerant circuit (60) by switching effected by the reversal mechanism (64). During the first refrigeration cycle operation, a second air stream is delivered to the first heat exchanger (61) which becomes a condenser while a first air stream is delivered to the second heat exchanger (62) which becomes an evaporator. In the first heat exchanger (61), the adsorbent thereof is heated by the refrigerant to become regenerated and moisture desorbed from the adsorbent is fed to the second air stream. In addition, in the second heat exchanger (62), the adsorbent thereof adsorbs thereon moisture present in the first air stream and the resulting heat of adsorption is absorbed by the refrigerant. On the other hand, during the second refrigeration cycle operation, the switching mechanism switches the distribution route of air to a route different from that in the first refrigeration cycle operation so that a first air stream is delivered to the first heat exchanger (61) which becomes an evaporator while a second air stream is delivered to the second heat exchanger (62) which becomes an condenser. In the first heat exchanger (61), the adsorbent thereof adsorbs thereon moisture present in the first air stream and the resulting heat of adsorption is absorbed by the refrigerant. In addition, in the second heat exchanger (62), the adsorbent thereof is heated by the refrigerant to become regenerated and moisture desorbed from the adsorbent is fed to the second air stream. The humidity control system (10) supplies either a dehumidified first air stream or a humidified second air stream into the room. [0015] When there is made a change in the circulation direction of refrigerant as described above, noise is emitted from the compressor (63). However, in the first aspect of the present invention, the compressor unit (91) including the compressor (63) of the refrigerant circuit (60) is disposed outside the main casing (11). Since the compressor unit (91) can be disposed in a proper place, this makes it possible to provide a quiet, user comfortable humidity control system. More specifically, the compressor unit (91) which makes noise can be installed at any indoor area where such sound causes little or no annoyance. Alternatively, the main casing (11) is installed indoors while the compressor unit (91) is installed outdoors. In addition, by separate installation of the compression unit (91), it can correspondingly downsize the main casing (11) which is installed indoors. [0016] In a second aspect of the present invention according to the above first aspect, the compressor unit (91) houses therein a reversal mechanism (64) for reversing the circulation direction of refrigerant in the refrigerant circuit (60). In addition, a third aspect of the present invention according to the above second aspect, the compressor unit (91) houses therein an expansion mechanism (65) of the refrigerant circuit (60). [0017] According to these aspects of the present invention, the source of noise is made distant from the main casing (11). In addition, because of this, it becomes possible to lower the level of sound produced when the circulation direction of refrigerant is changed. [0018] In a fourth aspect of the present invention according to the above first aspect, the compressor unit (91) is installed outdoors. On the other hand, in a fifth aspect of the present invention, the compressor unit (91) is installed in an indoor machinery room. [0019] In these aspects of the present invention, the compressor unit (91) which tends to emit noise is installed outdoors or in an indoor machinery room. And the main casing (11) having a less number of noise sources is installed indoors, thereby making it possible to provide a quiet, user comfortable humidity control system. Continue reading about Humidity control system... Full patent description for Humidity control system Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Humidity control system patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. 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