Impeller Upstream Of Separating Media Patents (Class 55/473)
  • Patent number: 6911060
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a floor standing treatment device that has a front panel and a mainframe assembly adapted to be removably attachable to the front panel. The mainframe assembly has an integrally molded latching mechanism having a latch and one or more L shaped guides configured to cooperate with one or more pairs stops for limiting lateral movement of the latch. The latch is adapted to engage a portion of the front panel for securely attaching the front panel to the mainframe assembly. The air purifier may also have a cavity positioned along a bottom edge of a back housing to house an electrical cord provided with the air purifier. Additionally, the air purifier may also have an elongated slot positioned at the apex of the mainframe assembly for allowing one or two handed carrying of the air purifier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2005
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Ali Kaylan, Guolian Wu, Armando Luisi, Andrew D. Litch, Paul B. Allard
  • Patent number: 6880516
    Abstract: An intake system for preparing combustion air (1) is for an internal combustion engine of a portable handheld work apparatus. The intake system includes: a carburetor (2); an air filter (3) which is connected upstream of the carburetor (2); and, a filter case (4) which closes the air filter (3) from the outside. A combustion air channel (5) leads from a take-up opening (6) in a cooling air fan (7) of the engine to an inlet opening (24) in the filter case (4). The filter case (4) includes at least one defined ventilation opening (8) for connecting an inner space (9) of the filter case (4) to the ambient air. The flow cross section of the ventilation opening (8) is so designed that the airflows through the inlet opening (24), the intake opening (18) of the carburetor (2) and the ventilation opening (8) are compensated at the rated rpm of the engine and that a uniform pressure level adjusts in the inner space (9) of the filter case (4).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2005
    Assignee: Andreas Stihl AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Georg Maier, Fritz Kiesewetter, Andreas Bähner, Ralf Tuckermann, Axel Klimmek
  • Patent number: 6868821
    Abstract: A fan arrangement of an internal combustion engine, especially of a portable handheld work apparatus, includes a fan wheel (5) and a spirally-shaped fan housing at least partially enclosing the fan wheel. A take-out opening (13) is provided in the fan arrangement at the region of the moved air flow for diverting a combustion air flow for the engine. The combustion air flow is branched-off from the air flow. The take-out opening (13) is arranged in radial direction directly outside of the fan wheel (5) and is so configured that the take-out opening (13) defines a window (14) which, referred to the flow direction (S), has a small width at a forward edge and that the width as well as the depth of the window (14) increases to a rearward edge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2005
    Assignee: Andreas Stihl AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Georg Maier, Fritz Kiesewetter
  • Patent number: 6849100
    Abstract: A fresh air duct is configured to direct fresh air filtered by an air conditioning system towards a clean room downstream from the fresh air duct, the fresh air having a first level of particle density. A separate particle filter in the fresh air duct, located downstream from the air conditioning system and upstream from the clean room, is configured to further filter the fresh air to provide filtered fresh air having a second level of particle density therein that is less than the first level. Related methods are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2005
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chang-Su Lim, Suk-Hee Im, Jung-Sung Hwang
  • Patent number: 6811587
    Abstract: A biological hazard mitigation apparatus permitting a material handling operation in the vicinity of a work area includes a plenum pneumatically coupled and proximate to one side of the work area, a filter sized to trap biological hazards and including an exhaust port, a blower including an inlet port and an exhaust port, and ducting pneumatically coupling the exhaust port of the filter to the inlet port of the blower, wherein the filter is disposed in the plenum, and adjacent surfaces of the filter and the plenum are substantially equal in surface area. If desired, the ducting includes first and second ducts, permitting a silencer to be disposed between the first and second ducts. Methods for operating the apparatus are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2004
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Richard A Lorey, Michael A Pompeii, Dale W Sisson, William E. Blakley, II
  • Patent number: 6811593
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an air-cleaning device for air cleaning in sensitive environments such as operating rooms, drug manufacture, microchip production (processing industry) and similar areas. More specifically, the present invention relates to an air-cleaning device that allows for precise distribution and flow rate within sensitive environments by utilizing a combination of adjustable air ducts, filters, and air distribution which is mobile and changeable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2004
    Assignee: Toul Meditech AB
    Inventors: Tomas Hansson, Ulf Hörnqvist
  • Patent number: 6808546
    Abstract: A device for exhaust air processing of clean rooms has a least one fresh air supply and at least one exhaust air device connected to a work room. At least one processing device is arranged in the work room. At least one supply line and at least one exhaust air line are connected to the processing device. At least one first filter is arranged in the at least one exhaust air line of the processing device, wherein the at least one exhaust air line is connected at least to one of the supply line of the processing device and the fresh air supply line of the work room.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2004
    Assignee: M+W Zander Facility Engineering GmbH
    Inventor: Martin Schottler
  • Patent number: 6797027
    Abstract: A filter assembly for removing particulate contaminants and chemical contaminants from an incoming dirty air stream for a fuel cell. The filter assembly also includes a noise suppression element that reduces sound waves or noise emanating from any equipment, such as a compressor. The filter assembly can include a particulate filter portion for removing physical or particulate contaminants, a chemical filter portion for removing chemical contaminants, or can have both portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2004
    Assignee: Donaldson Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Eivind Stenersen, William Michael Nyman, Richard Thomas Canepa
  • Patent number: 6783578
    Abstract: An air purification apparatus is disclosed that includes a HEPA or ULPA cartridge filter having mounted axially therein an UV lamp extending from a closed end of the cartridge. An air channeling housing is provided for removably mounting the combination filter and lamp assembly for ingress of an air stream through the open end of the combination filter and lamp assembly and for egress of the air stream through the filter medium. A fan can be mounted in the housing either upstream or downstream of the combination filter to provide the means for flowing air through the housing for decontamination by both the filter and UV irradiation provided by the combination filter and lamp assembly. With this arrangement, all contaminants trapped on the filter are within the combination filter and lamp assembly for constant illumination by the UV lamp to destroy bacteria both in the incoming air stream and while resident on the interior of the filter assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2004
    Assignee: Isolate, Inc.
    Inventor: Bernard William Tillman, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6773477
    Abstract: A portable air purifier for reducing pollutants in the passenger cabin of a vehicle to concentrations at least as low as the US-EPA National Ambient Air Quality Standards for: carbon monoxide, ozone, nitrogen dioxide, sulfur dioxide, lead, and particulate matter; plus benzene to a European ambient air standard. The purifier includes an air inlet and air outlet in communication with the vehicle cabin, with air circulation provided by a DC electric motor/blower attachable to a vehicle power plug. The filter assembly includes a specified series of filter media packets and a HEPA filter. The machine's preferred location is in the center of a rear seat where it can serve as an armrest/console and be secured by a seat belt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2004
    Inventor: Marie DeHarpport Lindsay
  • Patent number: 6758874
    Abstract: A wet/dry vacuum cleaner includes a debris collection drum having a top opening and a power head covering the top opening of the collection drum, which has an inlet and an outlet. A rotating filter filters dust laden air and is suspended from the power head extending into the collection drum. The power head has an impeller to draw dust laden air, through the inlet, into the collection drum, through the filter, to remove particulate from the dust laden air and to discharge the filtered air through the outlet. The impeller is driver by an electric motor. A stationary blade within the collection drum scrapes an outer surface of the rotating filter, while rotating, to remove accumulated globs of debris from the outer surface of the filter and drop the debris into the collection drum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2004
    Inventor: John P. Hunter, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6746502
    Abstract: An electronics assembly includes a chassis and a panel mounted on the chassis. The panel has an air filter on a surface of the panel which is retained in position on the panel by one or more retaining elements (80), for example plastics rivets, that can be operated to allow release of the air filter from the panel. The air filter can be changed very quickly during maintenance of the assembly without the need to switch the assembly off during changing of the air filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2004
    Assignee: Sun Microsystems, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew John Yair, John David Schnabel, Sean Conor Wrycraft, Stephen Paul Haworth
  • Patent number: 6733557
    Abstract: An installation includes a worktop, a first wall and a device for the close protection of products arranged on the worktop, whereby the products are sensitive to contamination from the ambient environment. The products are protected by diffusion of a sterile air stream in a direction substantially perpendicular or parallel to the worktop. The device extends along the worktop and has a least one end adjoining the first wall so that there is an air gap between the end and the first wall. The end is formed by a porous second wall made of perforated material, extending substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the device, in such a way as to create in the gap a sterile air leakage directed outward away from the worktop, whereby the sterile air leakage counters any ambient air induction into the gap toward the worktop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2004
    Assignee: U.N.I.R. Ultra Proprre-Nutrition Industrie-Recherche
    Inventors: Didier Beudon, Pierre Bridenne
  • Patent number: 6716265
    Abstract: An air treatment apparatus has a housing and a vent cover. The housing has a treatment element, at least one entrance and a fan secured in the hollow housing and facing the entrance. The vent cover is detachably and replaceably attached to the housing. At least one vent is selectively defined in one of the top face and the front face of the vent cover. With such an air treatment apparatus, the vent cover can be interchanged between a jet-flow one or a laminar-flow one.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2004
    Assignee: Industrial Technology Research Institute
    Inventors: Chien-Chang Hung, Hsu-Cheng Chiang, Chung-Shu Pan
  • Patent number: 6699301
    Abstract: The invention relates to a filter ventilator that can be installed within an aperture in a wall, in particular the wall of a switch cabinet, circuit box, device housing or the like. The filter ventilator includes at least one ventilator motor (16, 50) with fan blades and a filter (14), which is positioned ahead of the ventilator motor (16) in the airstream. In accordance with the invention a build-in frame (10) with attachment means (24) and an insertion frame (12) are provided. The build-in frame (10) can be permanently fixed within the aperture. The insertion frame (12) is removably inserted into the build-in frame (10), the ventilator motor (16) is releasably connected to the insertion frame (12) and the filter (14) is removably set into the insertion frame (12). In addition, an exhaust filter is provided, which is constructed like the filter ventilator but includes no ventilator motor (16).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2004
    Assignee: Stego-Holding GmbH
    Inventor: Hartmut Eisenhauer
  • Patent number: 6666912
    Abstract: An air cleaning apparatus that includes a housing, a fan, an ultraviolet lamp, and a cylindrical filter. The housing has a separation plate that defines an air inlet region and an air outlet region inside the housing. The separation plate has a vent. An air inlet is formed through an outer surface of the air inlet region. An air outlet is formed through an outer surface of the air outlet region. A holder is located in the longitudinal direction of the housing. A fan is mounted in the air inlet region proximate to the vent of the separation plate. An ultraviolet lamp is mounted inside the holder. A cylindrical filter has a rotating part at one end thereof. The holder is arranged inside the cylindrical filter, and the rotating part is rotatably engaged with the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2003
    Inventor: Jason Yan
  • Patent number: 6660070
    Abstract: An air purifier includes a cabinet, an electrically driven fan, a replaceable filter element, and an air quality sensor. A display provides a visual indication of the air quality condition. A microprocessor is programmed to control the speed of the fan automatically according to the air quality condition. The microprocessor also computes when the filter element must be changed by totalling the time of operation and its speed (which equals air quality) so that for example the filter element will be changed more often (used for less aggregate time) when the air purifier is operated in a poor quality environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2003
    Assignee: Simatelex Manufactory Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chi Cheung Chung, Stephen Wai-Kin Chan, Wing-Chung Li
  • Publication number: 20030205038
    Abstract: A portable, light-weight exhaust fan that can be easily and quickly carried to and set up in a localized area to safely, efficiently and substantially remove airborne materials thereby overcoming the above and other drawbacks of conventional exhaust fans. Exhaust fans in accordance with aspects of the present invention may be used to ventilate a localized area such as an enclosed room and may be placed in any aperture such as a window or doorway to remove substantially all airborne material from the air passing therethrough, and to exhaust filtered air directly or indirectly to the surrounding environment. An exhaust fan constructed such that air traveling along an exhaust path through the fan is prevented from contacting components of the fan that can be damaged by exposure to the airborne materials. This enables the exhaust fan to efficiently remove airborne materials from a localized area while preventing the same materials from adversely affecting the operation of the fan.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2003
    Publication date: November 6, 2003
    Inventor: Michael E. Goyetche
  • Publication number: 20030188520
    Abstract: A filter system for a free-standing air blowing fan having a support stand, motor driven fan blades and a cage about at least portions of the blades, is described. The filter system comprises a filter support hub defined by a solid circumferential wall. The filter support hub is secured about or forms part of the cage. The hub is also provided with filter retention attachments rearwardly thereof for removable securement of a flat annular disc-shaped air filter behind the fan blades and cage. The filter support hub has a projecting air shield front edge projecting forwardly of a central planar axis of the fan blades of the fan to prevent ingress air flow from a front opened end of the filter support hub when the fan is operating. All the ambient air is accordingly drawn from the back through the filter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2002
    Publication date: October 9, 2003
    Inventor: Paul Boulva
  • Patent number: 6626969
    Abstract: An apparatus for mounting a vacuum cleaner filter bag on a vacuum cleaner fill tube includes a filter bag panel. The panel is configured to be grasped by a hand to mount the bag on the fill tube. The panel has an inner edge defining an opening for receiving the fill tube when the bag is mounted on the fill tube. The panel further has an outer edge. A first recessed section of the outer edge is sized and shaped to receive a single finger of the hand when the hand grasps the panel. The first recessed section has a first innermost location. A second recessed section of the outer edge is sized and shaped to receive the thumb of the hand when the hand grasps the panel. The second recessed section has a second innermost location. The innermost locations are spaced apart from each other along an imaginary straight line extending across the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2003
    Assignee: The Scott Fetzer Company
    Inventor: Daniel L. Steele
  • Patent number: 6626972
    Abstract: A smoke exhauster includes a housing having a front opening and a rear orifice, for receiving two filter devices respectively. One or more fan devices are disposed in the housing for generating air to flow through filter devices, and a device may be used for selectively guiding the air to flow through either of the filter devices and includes one or more stop panels secured to the housing for blocking the air passages to the filter devices or includes a cover engaged onto the orifice of the housing for blocking the orifice of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2003
    Inventors: Chao Cheng Chiang, Chi Shyong Chiang
  • 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: 6616722
    Abstract: A portable air cleaner designed to remove particles and unwanted gases from a room to provide for a healthier and cleaner environment. The portable air cleaner includes a high air volume circulating design and operates quietly and efficiently. The air exhaust of the air cleaner includes a plurality of arcuate vanes radiating outwardly from the interior of the air cleaner. The vanes are disposed in a non-symmetrical arrangement the air exhaust to reduce pressure drop and to minimize operation noise.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2003
    Assignee: HMI Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Mark A. Cartellone
  • Patent number: 6599341
    Abstract: A portable, light-weight exhaust fan that can be easily and quickly carried to and set up in a localized area to safely, efficiently and substantially remove airborne materials thereby overcoming the above and other drawbacks of conventional exhaust fans. Exhaust fans in accordance with aspects of the present invention may be used to ventilate a localized area such as an enclosed room and may be placed in any aperture such as a window or doorway to remove airborne material from the air passing therethrough, and to exhaust filtered air directly or indirectly to the surrounding environment. The exhaust fan can be constructed such that air traveling along an exhaust path through the fan is prevented from contacting components of the fan that can be damaged by exposure to the airborne materials. This enables the exhaust fan to efficiently remove airborne materials from a localized area while preventing the same materials from adversely affecting the operation of the fan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2003
    Inventor: Michael E. Goyetche
  • Patent number: 6579333
    Abstract: An air purifier has a rotatable power plug capable to be inserted directly into a common socket and to be turned around to suit to different directions and positions of various sockets to increase facility in use. Besides, the body of the air purifier is provided with a bulb inside and a bulb switch on an upper side to turn on or turn off the bulb, thus also serving as a lamp lighting at night.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2003
    Assignee: Hung Hsin Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Ping Huang
  • Patent number: 6521006
    Abstract: A vacuum cleaner capable of efficiently separating and eliminating dust and dirt is provided. The vacuum cleaner including a body having open and closed spaces divided by a partition, a suction brush connecting port formed on the upper side of the body and interconnected with the open space, an interconnecting hole formed on the partition for interconnecting the open and closed spaces, a motor mounted in the closed space of the body for generating a suction force, and a dirt collecting unit detachably mounted in the open space of the body for centrifugally separating dirt and dust contained in the air sucked in through the suction brush connecting port by the motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2003
    Assignee: Samsung Kwangju Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kyu-Chang Park, Jang-Keun Oh, Jeong-Gon Song
  • Patent number: 6514304
    Abstract: A ceiling fan having a rotatable plate. A filtering media is disposed proximate the peripheral edge of plate and rotatable therewith. A number of curved fan blades are coupled with and extend from the plate, and are disposed annularly to define a central opening so that air is pulled toward the blades and through the filter media. In another embodiment, a ceiling fan has a circular plate with a number of fan blades attached to the plate and arranged in a ring shape. The circular plate has a number of spacers that are coupled with a lower ring. At least one section of filter media is located between the plate and the ring. Also, at least one door is coupled with the plate and is located at the peripheral edges of the plate and ring to cover at least a section of the filter media.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2003
    Inventor: Paul Fiacco
  • Publication number: 20020189215
    Abstract: A portable, light-weight exhaust fan that can be easily and quickly carried to and set up in a localized area to safely, efficiently and substantially remove airborne materials thereby overcoming the above and other drawbacks of conventional exhaust fans. Exhaust fans in accordance with aspects of the present invention may be used to ventilate a localized area such as an enclosed room and may be placed in any aperture such as a window or doorway to remove substantially all airborne material from the air passing therethrough, and to exhaust filtered air directly or indirectly to the surrounding environment. An exhaust fan constructed such that air traveling along an exhaust path through the fan is prevented from contacting components of the fan that can be damaged by exposure to the airborne materials. This enables the exhaust fan to efficiently remove airborne materials from a localized area while preventing the same materials from adversely affecting the operation of the fan.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2002
    Publication date: December 19, 2002
    Inventor: Michael E. Goyetche
  • Patent number: 6487075
    Abstract: A dustproof structure for a communication device is disclosed, in which the whole area of the air filter can be effectively used, the dust collecting efficiency can be improved at low cost, and an increase in the pressure loss can be prevented. The air filter comprises a first air filter section and a second air filter section, wherein the first air filter section is provided at an area closer to the fan, within which the air flow is concentrated, and the second air filter section is provided at another area farther from the fan, and the first air filter section has a dust collecting efficiency higher than that of the second air filter section, while the second air filter section has a pressure loss lower than that of the first air filter section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2002
    Assignee: NEC Corporation
    Inventor: Masayuki Negishi
  • Patent number: 6480381
    Abstract: A dustproof structure for a communication device is disclosed, in which the whole area of the air filter can be effectively used, the dust collecting efficiency can be improved at low cost, and an increase in the pressure loss can be prevented. The air filter comprises a first air filter section and a second air filter section, wherein the first air filter section is provided at an area closer to the fan, within which the air flow is concentrated, and the second air filter section is provided at another area farther from the fan, and the first air filter section has a dust collecting efficiency higher than that of the second air filter section, while the second air filter section has a pressure loss lower than that of the first air filter section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2002
    Assignee: NEC Corporation
    Inventor: Masayuki Negishi
  • Patent number: 6478838
    Abstract: An air treatment appliance for treating surrounding air including a body. A spider-mount mounted to the body has a motor mounted thereto in cantilever fashion. A fan attached to the motor may be a radial fan, and is operable to draw in surrounding air and cause it to flow through the appliance. A grommet between the motor and the spider-mount dampens vibrations from the motor. A filtering mechanism in the path of the airflow helps filter out undesirable material from the surrounding air. A radial airflow guide downstream from the fan efficiently guides the airflow to be expelled in a predetermined direction. The motor is at least partially accommodated by the spider-mount and the fan. The apparatus results in reduced noise and vibration during operation of the appliance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2002
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Anne Margaret McSweeney, James Jacob Morton, Jr., Dan Roger Maxwell, Guolian Wu, Murray Malone Mallard, Christopher Paul Campbell
  • Patent number: 6471739
    Abstract: Dehumidifier housing including a lower housing having a barrier part fitted vertically between a compressor and a water tank inside of a cabinet, a drain part formed in a horizontal direction above the barrier part for collecting condensate dehumidified at a heat exchanger and draining the water tank, and sidewalls formed at both sides of the barrier part and the drain part in a front and rear direction and supported on an inside of the cabinet, an upper housing having an orifice part with an air flow hole in a central portion, and a rim part around the orifice part in front and rear direction and supported on an inside of the cabinet, and coupling means for coupling the lower housing and the upper housing, thereby enhancing rigidity and dehumidifying effect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2002
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Nam Seob Eom
  • Publication number: 20020152894
    Abstract: An air filtration device for intake of atmospheric air, removal of contaminants from the atmospheric air, expulsion of filtered air, includes a housing configured for application directly to an electrical outlet and provides air intake from the front surface of the housing and air expulsion from the side of the housing to utilize a wall surface to disperse the filtered air. An indicator is provided to communicate that a filter should be changed, and a filter orientation system is provided to allow proper orientation of the filter with respect to air flow.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2002
    Publication date: October 24, 2002
    Applicant: Hamilton Beach/Proctor-Silex, Inc.
    Inventors: Lawrence M. Pillion, Anthony V. Cruz, Matt R. Ragland
  • Patent number: 6447586
    Abstract: An air treatment appliance having an external body at least partially constructed of a translucent material. An air inlet and an air outlet in the external body permit airflow through the device. A fan inside the body is operable to draw in air through the air inlet and to expel it through the air outlet and the air may be passed through a filter mechanism in the device. At least some components of the interior of the air treatment appliance having a condition capable of visibly changing during an operation of the appliance, such as the filter mechanism and the fan, are visible from the exterior through the translucent material of the external body such that the condition is visible from the exterior of the external body through the translucent material. The translucent material may be clear, colored, or a predetermined combination of colors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2002
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventor: Christopher Paul Campbell
  • Patent number: 6444004
    Abstract: A fan unit is provided comprising: a fan blower (12) configured to emit air in a plurality of directions in an airflow plane; first and second guide surfaces (27A,27B) disposed on a first side of the fan blower in the airflow plane to define together with a wall part(25A), a first airflow path leading to a first airflow channel, and third and fourth guide surfaces(27C) and (27D) disposed on a second, opposite, side of the fan blower(12)in the airflow plane, to define with a wall means (25B) a second airflow path leading to a second airflow channel, the guide surfaces(27A,27B,27C,27D) being mounted on separate guide means (24A,24B,24C,24D) which are identical to one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2002
    Assignee: Kyodo-Allied Industries Ltd.
    Inventor: Lee Zong Tang
  • Patent number: 6440190
    Abstract: A portable, light-weight exhaust fan that can be easily and quickly carried to and set up in a localized area to safely, efficiently and substantially remove airborne materials thereby overcoming the above and other drawbacks of conventional exhaust fans. Exhaust fans in accordance with aspects of the present invention may be used to ventilate a localized area such as an enclosed room and may be placed in any aperture such as a window or doorway to remove substantially all airborne material from the air passing therethrough, and to exhaust filtered air directly or indirectly to the surrounding environment. An exhaust fan constructed such that air traveling along an exhaust path through the fan is prevented from contacting components of the fan that can be damaged by exposure to the airborne materials. This enables the exhaust fan to efficiently remove airborne materials from a localized area while preventing the same materials from adversely affecting the operation of the fan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2002
    Inventor: Michael E. Goyetche
  • Patent number: 6421238
    Abstract: A dustproof structure for a communication device is disclosed, in which the whole area of the air filter can be effectively used, the dust collecting efficiency can be improved at low cost, and an increase in the pressure loss can be prevented. The air filter comprises a first air filter section and a second air filter section, wherein the first air filter section is provided at an area closer to the fan, within which the air flow is concentrated, and the second air filter section is provided at another area farther from the fan, and the first air filter section has a dust collecting efficiency higher than that of the second air filter section, while the second air filter section has a pressure loss lower than that of the first air filter section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2002
    Assignee: NEC Corporation
    Inventor: Masayuki Negishi
  • Publication number: 20020088213
    Abstract: An air treatment appliance for treating surrounding air, comprising a body. A spider-mount mounted to the body has a motor mounted thereto in cantilever fashion. A fan attached to the motor may be a radial fan, and is operable to draw in surrounding air and cause it to flow through the appliance. A grommet between the motor and the spider-mount dampens vibrations from the motor. A filtering mechanism in the path of the airflow helps filter out undesirable material from the surrounding air. A radial airflow guide downstream from the fan efficiently guides the airflow to be expelled in a predetermined direction. The motor is at least partially accommodated by the spider-mount and the fan. The apparatus results in reduced noise and vibration during operation of the appliance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 10, 2001
    Publication date: July 11, 2002
    Inventors: Anne Margaret McSweeney, James Jacob Morton, Dan Roger Maxwell, Guolian Wu, Murray Malone Mallard, Christopher Paul Campbell
  • Publication number: 20020069626
    Abstract: An air filtering device including a circular plate, plurality of fan blades fixedly attached to the circular plate, the fan blades extending downwardly from the lower surface of the circular plate; a filter frame having an air permeable cylindrical inner wall, having an upper wall, having a lower wall, and having an air permeable cylindrical outer wall, the air permeable cylindrical inner wall, the air permeable cylindrical outer wall, the upper wall and the lower wall defining a cylindrical filtering media containing space; air filtering media extending annularly around the air permeable cylindrical inner wall within the cylindrical filtering media containing space; and, filter frame attaching means attaching the filter frame so that it extends annularly around the outer edges of the fan blades.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2002
    Publication date: June 13, 2002
    Inventor: Paul Fiacco
  • Patent number: 6402613
    Abstract: A portable environmental control system for evacuating particulate laden, toxic, and explosive gasses from an interior space includes a flexible partition for erection at the interior space, and a first section of flexible duct connected to the partition and to an electric motor driven blower unit having an explosion proof ducted fan. A second section of duct is connected to the blower unit and may be connected to a filter unit mountable in a window of an interior room or to a collapsible plenum having plural filter units mounted therein for treating and returning air evacuated from the space back into the space. The blower unit may be placed within a space having a high concentration of explosive gasses for evacuating the gasses by way of an elongated duct section connected to an elevating mechanism to discharge gasses out of doors above ground level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2002
    Inventor: David B. Teagle
  • Patent number: 6379434
    Abstract: An industrial vacuum assembly suitable for use with waste material hoppers, particularly bin-type hoppers, is described. The assembly includes a vacuum powerhead and a hopper. Mounted between the powerhead and the hopper is a vented partition adapted to collect fiberous material in the hopper and serve as a barrier to restrict the fiberous material from entering into the powerhead. The partition is adapted to disrupt the airflow within the hopper such that fiberous material drawn into the hopper becomes entangled together in the hopper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2002
    Assignee: Hi-Vac Corporation
    Inventor: William G. Petrole
  • Patent number: 6372024
    Abstract: The system removes contaminating gases, such as radon, from water using a bubbling action. Contaminated water is sprayed together with air through a duct to a bottom region of a bubbling container. The water and air move generally in the same direction through the system, allowing the flow rate to be varied while maintaining forced air/water contact. The aerated contaminated water bubbles upwardly through the bubbling container and passes through one or more diffusing or mixing plates causing the aerated contaminated water to further break out contaminating gases into the air. At the top region of the bubbling container, the contaminating gases are vented while the decontaminated water flows into a tank. The decontaminated water can then be pumped to a desired location, for example, to a house water system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2002
    Inventors: Russell E. Prescott, Perrin T. Prescott
  • Patent number: 6372005
    Abstract: A ceiling fan having a rotatable plate. A filtering media is disposed proximate the peripheral edge of plate and rotatable therewith. A number of curved fan blades are coupled with and extend from the plate, and are disposed annularly to define a central opening so that air is pulled toward the blades and through the filtering media. In another embodiment, a ceiling fan has a circular plate with a number of fan blades attached to the plate and arranged in a ring shape. The circular plate has a number of spacers that are coupled with a lower ring. At least one section of filter media is located between the plate and the ring. Also, at least one door is coupled with the plate and is located at the peripheral edges of the plate and ring to cover at least a section of the filter media.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2002
    Inventor: Paul Fiacco
  • Patent number: 6368393
    Abstract: A fan filter unit for use in cleanrooms is provided, which decreases efficiently the concentration of chemical substance existing in the atmosphere while the expansion of the air circulating space and the electric power consumption increase of the fan-driving motor are suppressed. The unit comprises an enclosure having an air inlet through which an outside air is introduced into the enclosure and an air outlet through which a cleaned air is emitted or discharged from the enclosure; a chemical filter mounted in the enclosure to remove chemical substance existing in the outside air; a dust filter mounted in the enclosure to remove dust existing in the outside air; a fan mounted in the enclosure to introduce the outside air into the enclosure through the air inlet and to emit the cleaned air to outside of the enclosure; and a bypassing path for returning part of the outside air that has penetrated the chemical filter to an upstream side of the fan without penetrating the dust filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2002
    Assignee: NEC Corporation
    Inventor: Takanori Hironaka
  • Patent number: 6361590
    Abstract: A portable air cleaner including a housing defining an air inlet, an air outlet, and an air flow path therebetween, a centrifugal blower retained within the air flow path and operable to draw air through the inlet and a filter retained within the housing and disposed to transmit air circulating in the air flow path out of the outlet. Also included is a conveyor surrounding the blower and defining a scroll shaped passage having one end disposed to receive air from the blower and an opposite end disposed to discharge air into the filter, the conveyor being shaped and arranged to obstruct all rectilinear paths between the blower and the opposite end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2002
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Duane L. Gilbert, Jr., Stephen M. Gatchell
  • Patent number: 6348086
    Abstract: In one embodiment, the filter cartridge comprises a mesh structure forming a generally annular cylinder comprising a center opening, a plurality of compartments containing a filter medium, and spaces between the compartments. The spaces between the compartments comprise substantially unimpeded airflow passages that permit airflow even when the filter medium is fully loaded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2002
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Michael R. Harms, Charles D. Cowman
  • Patent number: 6344065
    Abstract: A vertical air blowing fan having an air filter is described. The vertical fan has an elongated housing provided with a foot support for maintaining the housing upright. The housing is provided with an air inlet opening and an air outlet opening. A cylindrical fan is provided in the housing for drawing ambient air in the inlet opening and out through the outlet opening in a substantially tangential path inside the housing to create a substantial airflow in an area outside the housing. A filter retention member secures a filter frame curved over and against the air inlet opening. The air filter membrane is removably engageable across the opening. The filter membrane is capable of holding its shape when held in position. The filter membrane is retained outwardly curved tight against the air inlet opening of the housing wall whereby the filter delineates a convex shape against the air being drawn into the inlet opening to resist deformation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2002
    Inventor: Paul Boulva
  • Publication number: 20010049927
    Abstract: A modular air circulation and filtration unit, which can be conveniently installed in any conventional drop ceiling, as well as, other types of ceilings is disclosed. The circulation and filtration unit includes a housing, an electric rotary blade fan assembly, and one or more air filters. The sealed housing is shaped and dimensioned to approximate the panel space of a conventional drop ceiling or the joist spacing of conventional joist ceilings. The housing can also be modified to mount directly to the ceiling sheathing. The housing includes a flat base and an arcuate top which enclose the fan and filters. The housing also includes a hinged outlet vent and one or more hinged inlet vents, which support and provide access to the air filters. The fan assembly is mounted inside the housing interior with one or more fan cowlings isolating the fan blades from the inlet vents.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2001
    Publication date: December 13, 2001
    Inventor: Robert Toepel
  • Patent number: 6310770
    Abstract: A dustproof structure for a communication device is disclosed, in which the whole area of the air filter can be effectively used, the dust collecting efficiency can be improved at low cost, and an increase in the pressure loss can be prevented. The air filter comprises a first air filter section and a second air filter section, wherein the first air filter section is provided at an area closer to the fan, within which the air flow is concentrated, and the second air filter section is provided at another area farther from the fan, and the first air filter section has a dust collecting efficiency higher than that of the second air filter section, while the second air filter section has a pressure loss lower than that of the first air filter section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2001
    Assignee: NEC Corporation
    Inventor: Masayuki Negishi
  • Publication number: 20010029728
    Abstract: An air purifier (10) is provided having a housing (11) having a grilled air inlet (12), a grilled air outlet (13), and a control panel (14). The air purifier (10) also includes a pre-filter (16), a main filter (17), a blower (18) and a controller (19), all mounted within the housing (11). The controller (19) has a central processing unit having a permanent memory for storing the program instructions for operation and control of the air purifier, a working memory, and a non-volatile memory for the permanent storage of programs and counters. The controller is programmable so as to control the operation of the blower according to time and speed parameters entered into memory.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2001
    Publication date: October 18, 2001
    Inventors: Arthur Massey, Larry S. Bias, Francisco J. Carbajal