Surrounding Protected Area Patents (Class 454/189)
  • Patent number: 11951045
    Abstract: An air conditioning assembly for an environmental chamber includes a suspended ceiling below a structural ceiling creating a plenum space. The suspended ceiling is configured to cover a substantially horizontal plane of the environmental chamber while leaving a first perimeter gap adjacent to a wall of the environmental chamber and a second perimeter gap adjacent to an opposing wall of the environmental chamber. A substantially vertical wall covers a vertical plane of the plenum space. At least one fan draws air from one from the environmental chamber into the plenum space through the first perimeter gap and blows air from the plenum space into the environmental chamber through the second perimeter gap. At least one air conditioning means in fluid communication with the at least one fan conditions the air flow passing through the at least one fan. The air conditioning assembly creates substantially laminar air flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: Sporting Edge (UK) Limited
    Inventor: David Vincent
  • Patent number: 11828933
    Abstract: The air-blowing type lens protection device relates to the technical field of cameras, to solve the technical problems of unclear images with the use of cameras or camcorders in extreme environments in the prior art. The invention comprises a blowing assembly provided on the camera, and the air-blowing port of the blowing assembly is aimed at the lens on camera.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2023
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Assignee: HUNAN GUANGMO TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Huan Wang
  • Patent number: 11796197
    Abstract: A module air curtain and recirculation system that can be incorporated into various tables and workstations that provides 1) an effective air curtain between individuals, 2) a reduction of harmful viruses and 3) the ability for two or more people to be in close proximity without having to wear personal protective equipment such as face masks. The apparatus for indoor air filtration and conditioning creates an air curtain between and around people. The device captures aerosolized droplets expelled from occupants and recirculates cleaned air to operate the air curtain while greatly increasing effective air changes per hour in spaces it is employed. While portable room air purifiers are used to improve the air quality of indoor spaces and reduce particles, allergens, and viruses, they do little to stop the person-to-person transmission of viruses. This device solves these deficiencies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Inventors: James T. Cash, Olivia Z. Cash
  • Patent number: 11498025
    Abstract: A method of cleaning exhaust gasses, including first placing a plurality of filtration modules into a housing to define a filtration bed, then weighing the filtration bed to determine an unladen weight, filling the filtration bed with filter media to define a laden filtration bed, and weighing the laden filtration bed prior to exposure to exhaust gas. Next, calculating the weight of the filtration media prior to exposure to exhaust gas to determine an initial weight of the filtration media, directing exhaust gas through an inlet into a housing, directing exhaust gas from the inlet through the filtration bed, removing particulates and chemicals from the exhaust gas to define a cleaned gas, and directing the cleaned gas through an outlet. While cleaning the gas, periodically measuring the weight of the filtration bed and calculating the weight gain of the filtration media.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2022
    Assignee: Thursday Pools
    Inventors: William Khamis, Edward Vondell
  • Patent number: 11331700
    Abstract: What is disclosed herein are embodiments of an enclosed manufacturing system configured to provide a controlled process environment for various articles of manufacture requiring a controlled process environment, and additionally to contain a process environment within the enclosure during periods of external access to the interior of the enclosed manufacturing system. Various embodiments of manufacturing systems of the present teaching can contain the environment within a manufacturing enclosure so as to minimize the interaction of an environment external to a manufacturing enclosure with the internal enclosure environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2022
    Assignee: KATEEVA, INC.
    Inventors: Alexander Sou-Kang Ko, Prahallad Iyengar, Robert Dennis Taff
  • Patent number: 11142042
    Abstract: A riding vehicle is provided with a downdraft fan assembly mounted on a vehicle roll bar for providing a flow of ambient air over the vehicle operator and a canopy carried by the fan assembly and providing solar and precipitation protection for the operator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2021
    Inventor: William Russ
  • Patent number: 11015824
    Abstract: An air curtain containment system and assembly for data centers forms an air curtain over the server cabinets thereby separating hot air in a hot aisle from cool ambient air. The air curtain containment system includes ducts which include a hot air intake section that receives hot air discharged from servers, which are disposed in server cabinets. The ducts include heat exchangers for cooling the hot air and at least one air curtain discharge section. A housing is coupled to a wall of the ducts, and includes a cooling edge device fan. The cooling edge device fan is disposed along the ducts, and is configured to draw the hot air for cooling through the heat exchangers. An air curtain fan assembly is disposed along the ducts. The air curtain fan assembly expels cold air through the air curtain discharge section, and thereby forms an air curtain over the server cabinets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2021
    Assignee: INERTECHIP LLC
    Inventor: Ken Nguyen
  • Patent number: 11007842
    Abstract: A downdraft fan assembly mountable on a vehicle roll bar, which may be used for providing a flow of ambient air over the vehicle operator, and a canopy carried by the fan assembly, which may be used for providing solar and precipitation protection for the operator. The downdraft fan may draw air through a roof cap with a rear-facing outlet, or may draw air through a series of vents disposed around the canopy of the assembly, or through some combination of the two, such as may be desired. In some variations, multiple openings may be provided in the roof, if desired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2021
    Inventor: William Russ
  • Patent number: 10921049
    Abstract: A push through conditioned air vestibule unit includes an air vestibule having a top side, a first lateral side, and a second lateral side forming a passage through the unit. Movable barrier members are attached to the unit to reduce external air flow through the passage. Return air ducts are configured to circulate air to an air moving device and a temperature conditioning device. Thermal and humidity sensors measure temperature and humidity of the passage and an external room, and a system controller controls the temperature of air moved into the passage using the temperature conditioning device if the partial pressure of moisture vapor internal to the passage is not greater than or equal to the partial pressure of moisture vapor external to the passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2021
    Assignee: HCR Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel J. Rhyner, Gary Michael Landers
  • Patent number: 10792676
    Abstract: The suction device includes a suction port revolving around a revolution axis while sucking a fluid so as to generate an artificial tornado. The suction port revolves around the revolution axis while sucking the fluid, so that it is possible to generate an artificial tornado more stably.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Assignees: NAGOYA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY, DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yohei Morinishi, Shinji Tamano, Masahiro Hongo
  • Patent number: 10779647
    Abstract: An office furniture component provides an enclosure defining an interior work space, the enclosure having at least three walls and one or more open sides via which the interior work space may be accessed. A flat work surface may be provided within the interior space. Electronic systems may be installed within the furniture component, such as display screens, cameras, and lighting systems. A lighting controller may implement contextual lighting to vary work space illumination in response to occupant use of the work space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2020
    Assignee: NEW DEAL DESIGN, LLC
    Inventor: Gadi Amit
  • Patent number: 9844998
    Abstract: A riding vehicle is provided with a downdraft fan assembly mounted on a vehicle roll bar for providing a flow of ambient air over the vehicle operator and a canopy carried by the fan assembly and providing solar and precipitation protection for the operator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Inventor: William Russ
  • Patent number: 9551500
    Abstract: A device for generating an air wall comprises a primary blower slit for generating a flat primary air stream in a passage opening mutually separating two spaces with different temperatures. Two adjacent air streams with the same direction and speed are added to the primary air stream. The primary air stream has a temperature between those of the secondary air streams. The absolute humidity of the air of the primary air stream is at least equal to that of the cold secondary air stream and lower than that of the warm secondary air stream. The air speed of the primary air stream amounts to at least 15 m/s. The width of the primary blower slit lies in the range of 15-40 mm. The length of the primary blower slit in the direction of the air stream lies roughly in the range of 5-40 cm, preferably 10-30 cm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: HANDELSMAATSCHAPPIJ WILLY DEWEERDT BVBA
    Inventors: Ernest J. Berben, Peter J. Deweerdt
  • Publication number: 20130280999
    Abstract: An air conditioning system utilizing outdoor air for cooling an indoor space wherein a rack is disposed, includes at least one rack disposed in the indoor space, the rack having the heating element, an air inlet face and an air discharge face; and at least one air conditioning device using outdoor air for cooling and unitized in accordance with the at least one rack, the air conditioning device having an air supply face and a cold air supply unit for generating cold air and being disposed in vicinity of the rack such that the air supply face faces the air inlet face to form a rack row and an air conditioning device row substantially parallel to the rack row, the rack row being formed of the at least one rack and the air conditioning device row being formed of the at least one air conditioning device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2012
    Publication date: October 24, 2013
    Applicant: FUJI ELECTRIC CO., LTD
    Inventors: Masaki Takahashi, Yuichiro Minegishi, Shunsuke Ohga
  • Patent number: 8354057
    Abstract: A method of sterilizing a closed environment is provided in which a disinfection apparatus is placed into the closed environment; it then generates ozone to a predetermined ozone concentration, following which the humidity of the closed environment is rapidly increased. A catalytic converter then reduces the ozone concentration to safe levels. When the ozone concentration is reduced to a predetermined safe level, the disinfection apparatus signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2013
    Inventors: Doug Heselton, Nigel Boast, Jim Hudson, Gordon Esplin
  • Publication number: 20120295531
    Abstract: A method for operating the arrangement for a laboratory room confined by a floor, a ceiling and walls connecting the floor with the ceiling, including inducing an air flow from an air inlet through a platform to an air outlet in a substantially laminar fashion. The arrangement includes a main base suspended on the floor; a tool base arranged on the main base; a platform arranged around the tool base, wherein the platform is permeable for air, and the platform is suspended at the walls; the air inlet arranged below the platform; the air outlet arranged above the tool base; and air guides for directing an air flow upwards.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2012
    Publication date: November 22, 2012
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Urs T. Duerig, Bernd W. Gotsmann, Emanuel Loertscher, Daniel Widmer
  • Patent number: 8308536
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a ventilating device for providing a zone (1) of clean air between the ventilating device and a workplace region (2), which ventilating device comprises air supply units (3) adapted to generating laminar air flows intended to constitute said clean air zone. The ventilating device comprises at least three air supply units (3) disposed in a closed pattern and air stop and guide units (4) which prevent or hinder air with bacteria-bearing and other pollutant particles which surrounds the clean air zone (1) from being drawn in between the air supply units and into the clean air zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Assignee: Airsonett Operating Room Innovation AB
    Inventors: Dan Allan Robert Kristensson, Jan â„«ke Allan Kristensson, PÃ¥l Martin Svensson
  • Patent number: 8287337
    Abstract: A conditioned vestibule, control system, and method are disclosed for use with a cold storage doorway that separates warm and cold sides. A heater warms an air stream discharged across the doorway by the vestibule. A control unit operates the heater to maintain an air stream temperature. The control unit continuously monitors the air stream temperature and operates the heater to maintain the air stream temperature in a non-saturated state based on a humidity ratio. One embodiment calculates first and second temperatures based, respectively, warm and cold side tangent lines to a psychrometric saturation curve and based on the humidity ratio. The tangent lines are based on humidity and temperature sensed on the warm and cold sides. The air stream is warmed to at least the greater of the first and second temperatures. One embodiment controls air flow to adjust the humidity ratio to more efficiently operate the vestibule.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignee: HCR Incorporated
    Inventors: Peter Smith, Daniel J. Rhyner, Carl E. Steele
  • Publication number: 20120199003
    Abstract: Disclosed is an air distribution control unit or a filtration/ventilation unit which is portable and/or can be mounted on or integrated in furniture e.g. as a cabinet of at the head region of a bed. The filtration/ventilation unit cleanses air from a person/patient by aspirating the person's/patient's exhalation air into the filtration/ventilation unit. To construct an at least partly isolated area around the patient, filtered air can be directed e.g. vertically out of the filtration/ventilation unit to perform an air curtain. Use of the filtration/ventilation unit reduces the risk of dissipation of air-borne diseases and health hazardous matter, and reduces the amount of air to ventilate a room with patients.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2010
    Publication date: August 9, 2012
    Applicant: TECHNICAL UNIVERSITY OF DENMARK
    Inventors: Arsen Krikor Melikov, Shengwei Zhu, Zhecho Dimitrov Bolashikov
  • Patent number: 7934981
    Abstract: This patient isolation module has a transparent cubicle mounted over an hospital bed. This cubicle has a rectangular room-air intake opening at one end thereof, and an air treatment unit mounted outside the other end. The air treatment unit has fan inlet openings communicating inside the cubicle and forming a crown over the head of the bed. The air treatment unit draws air from the cubicle and causes a stream of fast-moving air to move along the cubicle, in a toe-to-head direction relative to a patient laying in the hospital bed. The air stream defines a hood-shaped envelope extending over and along both sides of the bed, to better separate a patient's breathing zone from health-care workers standing near that patient's bed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2011
    Inventor: William David Muggah
  • Publication number: 20100184365
    Abstract: Air curtain with an auxiliary stream, which is used to protect rooms against the impact of external factors (weather conditions, volatile substances, particulate solids, insects etc.), as well as to protect rooms against the outflow of internal air outside. The air exhausts form at least two separate air streams, the main stream is directed towards the construction hole at the limit of the room, while the auxiliary stream is directed into the room at an acute angle in relation to the plane of the construction hole. The main stream and the auxiliary stream do not cross each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2010
    Publication date: July 22, 2010
    Applicant: FLOWAIR GLOGOWSKI I BRZEZINSKI SP.J.
    Inventors: Marcin BRZEZINSKI, Maciej GLOGOWSKI
  • Patent number: 7658670
    Abstract: A combined window-screen and ventilation system includes first and second non-corrosive conduits that are conjoined to the vehicle's existing air circulating system. The conduits are in fluid communication with the air circulating system such that air can flow therethrough. The conduits terminate rearward of a vehicle's front window and are provided with spaced apertures so that air is discharged towards side door window openings and a sunroof opening. Window screens are interfitted within the door window and the sunroof openings. A mechanism is included for circulating stagnant air within the vehicle. The air circulating mechanism is seated within the vehicle interior, is conjoined to the sunroof, is independently and contemporaneously operable with the vehicle air-circulating system, and is remotely operable up to 50 feet away, for example.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2010
    Inventor: Verrie M. Brown
  • Publication number: 20100024887
    Abstract: An air purge apparatus and method is presented to protect an imaging system from contamination by particulate matter and other substances in the ambient environment. The apparatus is adapted to be placed adjacent to a viewing window, lens or optics of an imaging system and to provide a protective flow of air. The apparatus includes a curved surface to direct air from a first plenum toward an imaging path in front of the apparatus. The apparatus also includes one or more openings nearer the lens to direct air from a second plenum into the imaging path. The air from the first plenum entrains air from the second plenum and ambient air to create a fluid stream away from the viewing window, lens, or optics and may form a fluid barrier to reduce contamination of a volume of air in the imaging path of the imaging sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2008
    Publication date: February 4, 2010
    Inventors: Derek Williams, Gary Garnier, Kent Stemer, Paul Carlson
  • Patent number: 7482558
    Abstract: A thermotherapy device is operated as an incubator or as an open care unit. The care unit has a bed for receiving newborns, which can be closed with a hood (3). At least one heat radiation source (4) is provided. The hood (3) is located between the bed and the heat radiation source (4) when the thermotherapy device is closed and the hood is at least partially transparent to the radiation originating from the heat radiation source (4). The device allows only a small temperature drop during the transfer from the open mode of operation into the closed mode of operation and vice versa.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2009
    Assignee: Dräger Medical AG & Co. KG
    Inventor: Jochim Koch
  • Publication number: 20090017747
    Abstract: An apparatus for sterile filling of beverage containers has a first module and a second module. The first module rinses and sterilizes empty containers and delivers the sterilized containers to the second module. The second module fills and caps the containers with beverage product at ambient temperature in an active sterilization zone utilizing an e-beam sterilization unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2008
    Publication date: January 15, 2009
    Applicant: Stokely-Van Camp, Inc.
    Inventors: Rei-Young Amos Wu, Gregory Schimmel, Subodh K. Raniwala, Michael F. McGowan
  • Publication number: 20080299889
    Abstract: A detachable guide air hood, which fits with a fan frame for enhancing heat dissipation, includes a hollow guide air bucket, a fitting part and at least a pair of holding hooks. The hollow guide air bucket provides a large opening and a small opening with two opposite first inclined side walls and two opposite second inclined side walls having a shape of convergence from the large opening to the small opening. The fitting part is disposed at the small opening and provides two opposite first parallel side walls and two opposite second parallel side walls. The parallel side walls are joined to the guide air bucket. The holding hooks are disposed at the joint of the guide air bucket and the fitting part and an end of the respective holding hook is connected to the guide air bucket.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2007
    Publication date: December 4, 2008
    Inventors: MIAO-CHIN LIU, Lei Chen
  • Publication number: 20080292432
    Abstract: An airflow management system and/or method used in particle abatement in semiconductor manufacturing equipment. In particular, the apparatus disclosed is capable of creating and managing a carefully controlled particle free environment for the handling of semiconductor wafers or similar articles. The apparatus is particularly suited to be used as an interface between an equipment front end module (EFEM) and a vacuum loadlock chamber or other such article of process equipment. The apparatus also enables relative motion between enclosures while maintaining a particle free environment utilizing a moving air diffuser mounted to an interface panel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2007
    Publication date: November 27, 2008
    Inventors: James S. Castantini, Tent-Chao D. Tao, Erin M. Madden, Donald N. Polner
  • Patent number: 7226354
    Abstract: A cabinet wherein air sucked from an inlet opening 4d of a shelf board combined inlet duct 4 by drive of an air purification unit 3 is passed through the shelf board combined inlet duct 4 and introduced into the inside of a case 3a, and by a dust collection filter 32 and an odor eliminating means 33. Air forced into the shelf board combined outlet duct 5 through the air duct 10 is exhausted through an outlet opening 5d of the shelf board combined outlet duct 5, and air curtain is formed along the opening of the storage section 11 of a cabinet 1. Therefore, air in the storage section 11 of the cabinet 1 is circulated and purified, while getting caught in a circulating airflow including the air curtain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2007
    Assignee: Kongo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tomoyuki Kawano, Toshihiro Higashi, Hiroaki Koba, Ichiro Ikenaga, Kazuya Tokunaga, Satoru Yoshimitsu, Hitoshi Shibuya
  • Patent number: 7188636
    Abstract: A portable enclosure apparatus is provided with a frame assembly having a bottom wall, an upper frame member and a single pair of vertical support members. The support members are easily length adjusted by a single user to vary the height of the system while in use. The frame assembly can be quickly disassembled for convenient storage and transport. A cover envelopes the frame assembly to complete the enclosure. A portable dust collector can be coupled with the cover to secure airborne debris moving into the enclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2007
    Inventors: Steve Kanne, Brian Kenkel, David Kanne, Jimmy Judd
  • Patent number: 7044850
    Abstract: An open patient care unit with a bed (1), with inner and outer air discharge channels (20, 30) extending around the bed (1) at least over some sections, and with at least one air exhaust or a purgative suction unit (4) arranged above the bed (1), wherein the air discharge channels (20, 30) are directed such that they converge toward the air exhaust or purgative suction unit (4), and wherein ambient air delivered via a first fan (6) is discharged from the outer air discharge channels (30), and air, which is conditioned in terms of humidity and/or temperature and is delivered via a second fan (8) from the air exhaust or purgative suction unit (4), is discharged from the inner air discharge channels (20), has the essential advantage that a hood, which is used in incubators, is not used at all, so that switching over between different operating states is not necessary, and cooling down of the patient is thus avoided, but good access is at the same time ensured for the care providers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2006
    Assignee: Dräger Medical AG & Co. KGaA
    Inventors: Jochim Koch, Artur Chung-Che Kuo
  • Patent number: 7040978
    Abstract: The invention concerns a sliding door device (10) comprising at least a mobile sliding door (11) and separating elements (12) for maintaining and guiding the mobile and removable sliding door (11). The latter enables automatic opening and closure of an opening (20) based on a command. Therefor, the edges of the sliding door are at least partly enclosed with a frame part (14), an air curtain (24) being produced in front of the passageway (20) by means of a fan (16). The invention is characterized in that the sliding door comprises on its free vertical sides a frame part (14) provided with a housing wherein is arranged a fan (16). The outlet (17) of said fan leads to a longitudinal opening in the form of a nozzle producing the air curtain (24) and extending over practically the entire length of the vertical side (13) of the door. Additionally an inlet (18) of the fan (16) is provided in the frame part (14).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2006
    Inventor: Robert Falk
  • Patent number: 7014672
    Abstract: According to the present invention, in a carrying system comprising a carrying vehicle and a manufacturing apparatus the interior of which is kept cleaner than a surrounding environment, manufactured articles to be transferred are prevented from being contaminated by foreign matter or the like attached to transfer ports. A carrying vehicle includes a running unit 14 that runs along a predetermined carrying path, a cleaning unit 12 that supplies cleaned air, a housing section 13 to which the cleaned air is supplied and in which manufactured articles are housed, a transfer port 11 which is formed in a side of a housing and through which a manufactured article is loaded into or unloaded from the housing section 13, and an air injecting section 19A that blows out air toward the transfer port 11.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2006
    Assignees: Advanced Display Inc., Murata Kikai Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Ishihara, Takao Shimizu, Takashi Nakao, Ryosuke Tahara, Hidetoshi Takeuchi
  • Patent number: 6884158
    Abstract: In a dentist's surgery, a treatment room, and premises where different chemicals are handled or where welding or soldering is performed there are a number of pollutants. In accordance with the invention, these pollutants are removed by an endless air-jet circuit (5), which during its course passes a treatment locus as well as a filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2005
    Assignee: Biometron AB
    Inventors: Tomas Blomqvist, George Kinigalakis, Per Hvåss
  • Publication number: 20040224626
    Abstract: An open patient care unit with a bed (1), with inner and outer air discharge channels (20, 30) extending around the bed (1) at least over some sections, and with at least one air exhaust or a purgative suction unit (4) arranged above the bed (1), wherein the air discharge channels (20, 30) are directed such that they converge toward the air exhaust or purgative suction unit (4), and wherein ambient air delivered via a first fan (6) is discharged from the outer air discharge channels (30), and air, which is conditioned in terms of humidity and/or temperature and is delivered via a second fan (8) from the air exhaust or purgative suction unit (4), is discharged from the inner air discharge channels (20), has the essential advantage that a hood, which is used in incubators, is not used at all, so that switching over between different operating states is not necessary, and cooling down of the patient is thus avoided, but good access is at the same time ensured for the care providers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2004
    Publication date: November 11, 2004
    Inventors: Jochim Koch, Arthur Chung-Che Kuo
  • Patent number: 6797029
    Abstract: In a process facility for producing semiconductor wafers, a third physical unit is configured between two physical units that produce mini environments. The third physical unit has a laminar flow at right angles to the laminar flows of the two physical units and is operated with a slightly higher flow velocity. According to the Bernoulli equation, the static pressure in the third physical unit is therefore lower than in the surrounding two physical units. Advantageously, therefore, no contamination from the more highly loaded one of the two physical units passes over into the lesser loaded one of the two physical units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2004
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Kay Lederer, Steffen Hornig
  • Patent number: 6776822
    Abstract: An air filtration system according to the present invention includes an enclosure having a floor section, a top section and an opening. A ventilation subsystem within the enclosure includes an air duct having an air intake and an exhaust vent. First and second electrode arrays are positioned within the air duct so that the first array is located between the air intake and the second array and the second array is located between the exhaust vent and the first array. A voltage regulator is electrically coupled to the first and second electrode arrays to apply a voltage differential between the electrode arrays that creates an air flow within the air duct drawing air into the air intake and out of the exhaust vent. Airborne particulate matter carried through the air duct collects on the second electrode array.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2004
    Inventor: Dayne Christopher Johnson
  • Patent number: 6702662
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and a device for providing clean air in premises, wherein impure air is received or taken in into an air treatment device (1) from lower portions of the premises and cleaned or purified therein. A first partial flow (DS1) of air received or taken in into the air treatment device (1) is cooled, while a second partial flow (DS2) of air received or taken in into said air treatment device (1) is heated. The cooled air (KL) in the first partial flow (DS1) is brought to flow, through at least one cell body member (17) in at least one air discharge unit (15), slowly downwards without substantial co-ejection of surrounding air to define at least one zone of clean air (RZ) in the premises beneath the air discharge unit (15). The heated air (VL) in the second partial flow (DS2) is discharged, through an air discharge opening (16), in an upwards direction such that said heated air (VL) rises in the premises at low speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2004
    Inventor: Jan Kristensson
  • Patent number: 6645064
    Abstract: A smoke evacuation device comprises a nozzle for connection to a source of clean air supply, the nozzle being adapted to vent clean air supply in all available directions in space therefrom to provide a volume of space with clean air in the proximity of the nozzle, thereby providing visibility and breathable air to the user. The nozzle is adapted to minimize entrainment of the surrounding smoke into the volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2003
    Inventor: Bertil R. L. Werjefelt
  • Patent number: 6632132
    Abstract: A tornado type air intake and blowing device has an exhaust port communicating with an exhaust duct, an air supply chamber which is provided so as to surround the exhaust port and to which air is supplied through an air supply inlet, and air blowing ports blowing air supplied into the air supply chamber by swirling the air from the outer periphery of the exhaust port diagonally downward, the air blowing ports being provided in a side wall part of the air supply chamber, whereby the exhaust port can be formed in the entire area of the lower opening surface of the air supply chamber, the outside diameter of the air supply chamber is sufficient if it is equal to an outside diameter corresponding to the required opening diameter of the exhaust port and, accordingly, a device body can be formed compact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2003
    Assignee: Daikin Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshimasa Kikuchi, Kunihiko Miyake, Yoshinori Narikawa
  • Patent number: 6632260
    Abstract: Enclosures having adjustable clean gas flow environments and methods of enclosed pressure differential distribution technology. Specifically, clean gas flow enclosures, which provide for the isolation of materials from airborne micro-particulate contamination. An embodiment of the invention utilizes a small footprint, modular, selectable, clean-gas flow environment for handling and isolating materials. The environment can be a clean room class environment by providing filtered gas from a gas flow generator (12) through a gas filter (13) to a filtered gas flow space (20). An embodiment of the invention provides a first plenum (23) and a second plenum (26) so that both a horizontal filtered gas flow and vertical filtered gas flow may be used separately or in combination within the same filtered gas flow space (20).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2003
    Assignee: Stratotech Corporation
    Inventors: Warren G. Siemers, Gary D. Hamor
  • Patent number: 6623352
    Abstract: An air barrier system is disclosed that allows the isolation of a central volume or one volume from another without the use of physical barriers. Toroidal vortices are formed at opposing end or ends of the volume to be isolated and prevent transport inward and outward. Contemplated applications include air curtains, oxygen tents, cleanrooms and testing chamber apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2003
    Assignee: Vortex Holding Company
    Inventor: Lewis Illingworth
  • Patent number: 6623538
    Abstract: A compact, portable, lightweight, low power consuming, convenient, versatile and sterile laminar airflow device, useful in obtaining a workspace substantially devoid of airborne particulate contaminants, said device having a body (C) divided into an upper and lower chambers; the upper chamber housing one or more pre-filtration members (B), a motor (T) driving a fan (S), and one or more filters (U) located below the motor; and the lower chamber provided with a slideable front panel (M), a removable platform (X) located at the lower portion of the chamber and a perforated plane (N) placed on the removable platform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2003
    Assignee: Council of Scientific & Industrial Research
    Inventors: Rajesh Thakur, Anil Sood, Paramvir Singh Ahuja
  • Patent number: 6620038
    Abstract: A suction and exhaust device wherein air is supplied as air curtain flow through air outlet (3) while the air surrounded by the air curtain flow is sucked through suction ports (2b) to be exhausted. A supply space in the device is divided into two chambers, upper and lower, by a partition plate (41): a first supply air space (4c) on the upper side into which air from the supply air duct (5) is introduced and a second supply air space (4d) which spreads in the direction of the air outlet (3). The first and second supply air spaces (4c, 4d) are communicated with each other through annular flow equalizing channel (40R, 50R) of small channel diameter vertically extending in the outer periphery of the suction duct (3). This uniformalizes the flow rate distribution of the supply air flow from the air outlet and forms a stabilized air curtain flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Assignee: Daikin Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshimasa Kikuchi, Yoshinori Narikawa
  • Patent number: 6565035
    Abstract: A system and method for providing an air curtain for impeding the entry of dust, dirt, debris, smoke, insects and other airborne particulate matter into an interior area of an aircraft without the need for disposing heavy, bulky and high power consuming blower assemblies above the opening in the aircraft. The invention comprises a pair of air intake ducts each having a fan disposed therein. The fans draw an ambient airflow into the air intake ducts. Pressurized air from a power unit associated with the aircraft, such as an engine or auxiliary power unit, is injected into the air intake ducts. This has the effect of significantly accelerating the airflow in the air intake ducts to a velocity suitable for forming an air curtain. The air intake ducts are coupled to a manifold having a length sufficient to substantially span the opening of an aircraft at which the air curtain is formed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2003
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: John J. Kim, Won Wook Choi, Myles A. Rohrlick
  • Patent number: 6361431
    Abstract: A method for ventilating an internal space by rotating air flow comprises a step of blowing out a jet of internal air having a vertically long rectangular cross section and uniform blowout velocity distribution over the cross section horizontally along the side wall of the internal space. The jet of internal air generates a horizontal rotating air flow over the whole internal space to induce a horizontally circulating air flow and a vertically circulating air flow over the whole internal space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2002
    Inventor: Michihiko Kawano
  • Patent number: 6251006
    Abstract: A device for dynamically separating two zones by a bufer zone and two clean air curtains. When transferring objects at high speed between two zones, a buffer zone which is connected to the two zones, forms a dynamic lock in order to separate them. a dynamic confinement system placed between each pair of adjacent communication zones forms an air curtain including two or three clean air jets. The buffer zone includes a blower ceiling and an intake grill facing it.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2001
    Assignees: Commissariat a l'Energie Atomique, UNIR Ultra propre Nutrition Industrie Recherche
    Inventors: Jean-Claude Laborde, Victor Manuel Mocho
  • Patent number: 6210267
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for minimizing the amount of smoke to which a shielded person is exposed. The apparatus, or air rail, has a conduit and a fan. The conduit has an air outlet through which air is forced by the fan. In operation, the fan generates an air flow that enters the conduit and exits through the air outlet. The exited air flow is directed generally away from the shielded person and is interposed between the shielded person and the smoke. The exited air flow therefore creates a barrier which minimizes the amount of smoke to which the shielded person is exposed. By minimizing the amount of smoke to which the shielded person is exposed, the apparatus and method creates a better environment for the shielded person.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2001
    Assignee: Gaming Edge Products, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Shane Long, David Warren
  • Patent number: 6134109
    Abstract: The invention relates to a control box with a box body which can be closed off by a door and a cooler with an inner circuit consisting of a ventilator and an evaporator, and an outer circuit consisting of a compressor, a condenser and a ventilator. An air-conditioning door which can easily by used for both types of operation is provided by a novel casing construction and an appropriate distribution of the modules of the inner and outer circuits of the cooler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2000
    Assignee: Rittal-Werk Loh GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Norbert Muller, Heinrich Strackbein, Jurgen Bernhardt, Walter Nicolai
  • Patent number: 6110244
    Abstract: A clean air system a fan and a filter assembly for producing a flow of clean air and for discharging the clean air from an outlet towards a clean area. A Coanda effect device is located adjacent to the filter assembly about the whole or part of its periphery, and induces movement of air away from the flow of clean air. Any potentially contaminated air must thus overcome the outward flow of air in order to reach the clean area, thereby reducing the likelihood of contamination of the clean area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2000
    Assignee: Howorth Airtech Limited
    Inventor: Norman Jeffrey Wood
  • Patent number: 5904896
    Abstract: An air filtration and purification system, particularly adapted for treating contaminated air within a preselected zone of a building interior space, includes a filter and purifier unit comprising first and second stage particle filters, an odor neutralizer comprising an ozone generator, an activated carbon adsorbent media for extracting gaseous compositions exposed to the ozone injected into the airflow stream and an ultrahigh efficiency final stage particle filter. All filter units and the ozone generator are disposed in a cabinet together with one or more air propulsion fans interposed between the second stage particle filter and the adsorbent media. The system is particularly configured for removing air containing tobacco smoke and other contaminants from smoking areas of restaurants and other places of business and may be configured to return purified and odorized air through ceiling ducts to form an air curtain defining the zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 18, 1999
    Assignee: A. R. Grindl
    Inventor: Alan V. L. High