Abstract: An air conditioner includes an ion generator that provides ions and safe amounts of ozone. The ion generator includes a high voltage generator that provides a voltage potential difference between first and second electrode arrays. At least one of the first and second arrays is removable from the housing for cleaning.
Abstract: Systems and methods for cleaning emitter electrodes of air conditioner systems are provided. The air conditioning system includes an emitter electrode, a collector electrode and a high voltage generator to provide a high voltage potential difference between the emitter and collector electrodes. The system also includes a cleaning member having a channel through which the emitter electrode passes. A plunger mechanism and a spring, or a lever and a fulcrum, are used to force the cleaning member to travel upward along the emitter electrode to thereby frictionally removing debris from the emitter electrode. This description is not intended to be a complete description of, or limit the scope of, the invention. Other features, aspects, and objects of the invention can be obtained from a review of the specification, the figures and the claims.
Type:
Application
Filed:
February 18, 2005
Publication date:
September 29, 2005
Applicant:
Sharper Image Corporation
Inventors:
Andrew Parker, Charles Taylor, Shek Lau
Abstract: An air conditioning system, comprising an emitter wire configured in a loop; and a collector electrode positioned downstream from the emitter wire. The emitter wire rotates when the collector electrode is moved vertically in a desired direction. The emitter wire is cleaned when rotated by a device such as a scraper, a rotatable wheel in contact with the wire, a brush, and a cleaning member on the pulley itself.
Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are related to air conditioner systems and methods. In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, a system includes at least one emitter electrode and at least one collector electrode that is downstream from the emitter electrode. The emitter electrode has a plurality of pins axially arranged about a center. Preferably, the pins are arranged in a circle about the center. A driver electrode is located within the interior of the collector electrode. Preferably, although not necessarily, the driver electrode is insulated. A high voltage source provides a voltage potential to at least one of the emitter electrode and the collector electrode to thereby provide a potential difference therebetween. The embodiments as described herein have some or all of the advantages of increasing the particle collection efficiency, increasing the rate and/or volume of airflow, reducing arcing, and/or reducing the amount of ozone generated.
Type:
Application
Filed:
December 3, 2004
Publication date:
September 8, 2005
Applicant:
Sharper Image Corporation
Inventors:
Charles Taylor, Andrew Parker, Igor Botvinnik, Shek Lau, Gregory Snyder, John Reeves
Abstract: Electro-kinetic air transporter and conditioner systems and methods are provided. A system includes a pin emitter electrode and a ring collector electrode located downstream from the emitter electrode. A driver electrode, which is preferably insulated, is located at least partially within an interior of said ring collector electrode. A high voltage source provides a voltage potential to at least one of said emitter electrode and said collector electrode to thereby provide a potential difference therebetween. The driver electrode may or may not be at a same voltage potential as the emitter electrode, but should be at a different voltage potential than the collector electrode. This description is not intended to be a complete description of, or limit the scope of, the invention. Other features, aspects, and objects of the invention can be obtained from a review of the specification, the figures, and the claims.
Type:
Application
Filed:
March 2, 2004
Publication date:
September 8, 2005
Applicant:
Sharper Image Corporation
Inventors:
Igor Botvinnik, Andrew Parker, Charles Taylor
Abstract: An air transporter-conditioner device comprising: an elongated housing having a bottom, a top and an elongated side wall, the housing having an inlet located adjacent to the bottom and an outlet located adjacent to the elongated side wall; an emitter electrode and a collector electrode; a high voltage generator operably connected to both electrodes; an impeller to draw air into the housing through the inlet and direct the air along the elongated housing; and a baffle to direct air from the fan toward the outlet. The housing includes a second elongated side wall and the baffle includes a plurality of deflectors positioned along the second elongated side wall. The baffle includes a plurality of elongated columns of varying lengths, wherein each column includes a deflector. The device further comprises a second inlet located adjacent to the elongated side wall and a germicidal lamp located inside the elongated housing.
Abstract: An apparatus for assisting in the location of lost or misplaced objects. Receivers are coupled to objects that are likely to be misplaced. The pager device sends a signal to a select one of a number of receivers which then can emit an audible multi-frequency sound and/or emit light. In one embodiment, the audible sound is comprised of two asynchronous interlaced tones, much like an ambulance siren, one in a high frequency range and one in a low frequency range.
Abstract: An air conditioner device includes a freestanding housing. An ion generator, which is positioned in the housing, includes at least one removable electrode. A germicidal lamp, which is also within the housing, emits UV radiation upon being energized. A safety mechanism cuts off power to at least one of the lamp and the ion generator when the removable electrode is removed from the housing. A removable panel is adapted to be secured to the housing. A further safety mechanism cuts-off power to at least one of the lamp and the ion generator when the removable panel is removed from the housing.
Type:
Application
Filed:
February 18, 2005
Publication date:
July 28, 2005
Applicant:
Sharper Image Corporation
Inventors:
Charles Taylor, Shek Lau, Andrew Parker, Tristan Christianson, Gregory Snyder, Edward McKinney
Abstract: An electro-kinetic air conditioner for removing particulates from the air, preferably creates an airflow using no moving parts. The airflow is subjected to UV radiation from a germicidal lamp within the device. The conditioner includes an ion generator that has an electrode assembly including a first array of emitter electrodes, a second array of collector electrodes, and a high voltage generator. The device can also include a third or leading or focus electrode located upstream of the first array of emitter electrodes, and/or a trailing electrode located downstream of the second array of collector electrodes, and/or an interstitial electrode located between collector electrodes, and/or an enhanced emitter electrode with an enhanced length in order to increase emissivity.
Type:
Application
Filed:
February 24, 2005
Publication date:
July 21, 2005
Applicant:
Sharper Image Corporation
Inventors:
Charles Taylor, Shek Lau, Andrew Parker, Tristan Christianson, Gregory Snyder, Edward McKinney
Abstract: Electro-kinetic air transporter and conditioner systems and methods are provided. A system includes at least one emitter electrode and at least a one collector (and likely, at least a pair of collector electrodes) that are downstream from the emitter electrode. An insulated driver electrode is located adjacent a collector electrode, and where there is at least a pair of collector electrodes, between each pair of collector electrodes. A high voltage source provides a voltage potential to the at least one of the emitter electrode and the collector electrode(s), to thereby provide a potential different therebetween. The insulated driver electrode(s) may or may not be at a same voltage potential as the emitter electrode, but should be at a different voltage potential than the collector electrode(s).
Type:
Application
Filed:
December 8, 2004
Publication date:
July 14, 2005
Applicant:
Sharper Image Corporation
Inventors:
Igor Botvinnik, Andrew Parker, Charles Taylor
Abstract: A high capacity motorized rack holds a plurality of jewel case enclosed CDs in holders flexibly inter-connectable with each other to form a rotatable continuous loop. The loop is rotatably retained within a vertical rack housing and is driven by a motor, disposed within the housing, under user control such that the loop is rotated until a desired CD is moved to the top region of the belt. A rack may hold two or more such loops of inter-connected holders. In one embodiment a holder retains a single jewel case, and comprises two independent loops that are rotated with a single motor. A preferred embodiment employs inter-connectable holders that each retain two jewel cases in a side-by-side configuration. A lamp and/or barcode scanner may be disposed on the housing for ease of CD selection. The housing base preferably is detached during shipping to permit transporting the rack in a smaller volume container. User control can include voice commands to direct loop rotation and speed.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
September 8, 2003
Date of Patent:
July 12, 2005
Assignee:
Sharper Image Corporation
Inventors:
Charles E. Taylor, Edward C. McKinney, Jr., Tristan M. Christianson, Andrew J. Parker, David Caplan
Abstract: A personal electro-kinetic electro-static air conditioner includes a self-contained ion generator that provides electro-kinetically moved air with ions and safe amounts of ozone, and includes a water retaining element to increase humidity of the output air flow. The ion generator includes a high voltage pulse generator whose output pulses are coupled between first and second electrode arrays. Preferably the first electrode array includes first and second pointed electrodes, and the second electrode array includes annular-like electrodes having a central opening coaxial with the associated pointed electrode. The surface of the annular-like electrodes is smooth and continuous through the opening and into a collar region through which the air flows. A water retaining member is disposed surrounding the output airflow to increase humidity of the output air, which is substantially cleansed of particulate matter, and contains safe amounts of ozone.
Abstract: An electro-kinetic air conditioner for removing particulates from the air creates an airflow using no moving parts. The airflow is subjected to UV radiation from a germicidal lamp within the device. The conditioner includes an ion generator that has an electrode assembly including a first array of emitter electrodes, a second array of collector electrodes, and a high voltage generator. The device can also include a third or leading or focus electrode located upstream of the first array of emitter electrodes, and/or a trailing electrode located downstream of the second array of collector electrodes, and/or an interstitial electrode located between collector electrodes, and/or an enhanced emitter electrode with an enhanced length in order to increase emissivity.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
February 12, 2002
Date of Patent:
June 28, 2005
Assignee:
Sharper Image Corporation
Inventors:
Charles E. Taylor, Shek Fai Lau, Andrew J. Parker, Tristan M. Christianson, Gregory S. Snyder, Edward C. McKinney, Jr.
Abstract: An air conditioner with a cleaning member having an opening, through which a wire-like electrode passes. The member is moved along the wire to frictionally clean the wire-like electrode when a collector electrode array is moved. A lifting arm is mounted to the collector electrode. The lifting arm can move the member to clean the wire-like electrode as the collector electrode is moved (e.g., removed from the air conditioner for cleaning).
Type:
Grant
Filed:
April 30, 2004
Date of Patent:
June 21, 2005
Assignee:
Sharper Image Corporation
Inventors:
John Paul Reeves, Shek Fai Lau, Andrew J. Parker
Abstract: An apparatus can be used for organizing clothing accessories such as jewelry, neckties, scarves, and other items. The apparatus can hang from a closet rod and has a slidable track so that the items hanging from hooks attached to the slidable track can be easily accessed.