Plug Power has filed a patent for an atmospheric water generator (AWG) that extracts water from the air. The AWG includes a compact screw compressor, a condenser, an expansion device, and an evaporator to condense moisture from the air. The condensed water is collected in a water collection unit. The patent also includes a subcooling system and a controller to control the AWG and the subcooling system. GlobalData’s report on Plug Power gives a 360-degree view of the company including its patenting strategy. Buy the report here.
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An atmospheric water generator with a compact screw compressor
A recently filed patent (Publication Number: US20230277957A1) describes an apparatus for generating water from the air. The apparatus includes an atmospheric water generator that utilizes a compressor to compress refrigerant, a condenser to condense the refrigerant into a liquid state, an expansion device to reduce pressure and temperature of the refrigerant, and an evaporator to condense water from the air by transferring heat from the air to the refrigerant. The apparatus also includes a subcooling system that absorbs heat from the atmospheric water generator. A controller is provided to control the operation of the atmospheric water generator and the subcooling system.
The subcooling system in the apparatus can comprise one or more direct expansion heat exchangers or heat rejection units, which may include fans. The airflow of the subcooling system is isolated from the evaporator of the atmospheric water generator. Additionally, the apparatus includes a container to collect the water condensed by the evaporator.
Furthermore, the apparatus can include a water treatment system to sterilize, filter, and mineralize the collected water. A pump is used to transport the water from the container through the water treatment system, and a water line is provided to deliver the treated water to an output of the apparatus. The controller is responsible for controlling the pump.
In another embodiment, the apparatus includes two atmospheric water generators, each with its own compressor, condenser, expansion device, and evaporator. The water condensed by both evaporators is collected in a container and can be treated by a water treatment system.
The apparatus can be operated by providing power to the atmospheric water generator and the subcooling system, and controlling the compressor, expansion device, and other components. The collected water can be sterilized, filtered, and mineralized, and can be pumped through the water treatment system. The pump, atmospheric water generators, and the water treatment system can be controlled by a controller.
Overall, this patent describes an apparatus and methods for generating water from the air using atmospheric water generators and subcooling systems. The apparatus includes various components such as compressors, condensers, evaporators, and water treatment systems, and can be controlled by a controller. The methods involve operating the apparatus to produce water from the air, collecting and treating the condensed water, and controlling the various components of the apparatus.
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GlobalData Patent Analytics tracks bibliographic data, legal events data, point in time patent ownerships, and backward and forward citations from global patenting offices. Textual analysis and official patent classifications are used to group patents into key thematic areas and link them to specific companies across the world’s largest industries.
