Concentration Sensed Patents (Class 95/3)
  • Patent number: 8920537
    Abstract: A flying air purifier includes a flying unit configured to fly within a space at a first elevation. The flying unit is also configured to fly within the space at a second elevation. The flying air purifier also includes an air purifier mounted to the flying unit and configured to remove particles from air within the space at the first elevation and at the second elevation. The air purifier includes an air inlet having a first charge and an air outlet having a second charge, wherein the second charge is opposite of the first charge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: Empire Technology Development LLC
    Inventor: Aya Seike
  • Patent number: 8882884
    Abstract: An exemplary embodiment of the present invention provides a method of controlling a PAC-to-particulate ratio in a potion of an exhaust system from a furnace. The method comprises measuring a second amount of particulate exiting a particulate removal system, and controlling a first amount of particulate removed by the particulate removal system based in part on the measured second amount of particulate, such that a desired ratio of PAC-to-particulate is obtained in the portion of the exhaust system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: Southern Company
    Inventors: Damon Woodson, Brandon Looney
  • Patent number: 8845782
    Abstract: A modular ductwork assembly decontaminates an air stream circulating within a heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system. The assembly includes one or more of (a) an ionizing module for removing particulates from the air stream, (b) a sterilization module for neutralizing airborne pathogens present in the air stream, (c) an ozone treatment module for neutralizing pathogens or odoriferous or gaseous constituents or volatile organic compounds (VOCs) present in the air stream, optionally (d) baffles for slowing and disrupting the flow rate and promoting turbulence in the air stream traveling through the modules, optionally (e) a fan module for directing a treated air stream, optionally (f) an ozone sensor, optionally (g) a monitoring or ozone control means, and optionally (h) a means of delivering and repurposing generated ozone. Each of the modules is arranged substantially adjacent to at least one of the other modules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Inventor: Karen Metteer
  • Patent number: 8679225
    Abstract: An electrostatic precipitator and a method of removal of particulates from gaseous flows. A plurality of screens, secured in sets within a central chamber in a housing, include at least one set of electrically chargeable first screens and at least one set of electrically grounded second screens. For each set of chargeable screens, all the screens of the set are provided with an identical electrical charge, either positive or negative, and the set is provided with a plurality of spikes directed at the oncoming gaseous flow. At least one screen cleaning unit selectively acts on the screens of each set. The precipitator can include a plurality of central chambers in a single housing or separate housings, and the chambers can be selectively activated or deactivated. The precipitator provides improved particulate removal from gaseous flows, including hot flows having temperatures up to at least 1200° C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: Her Majesty the Queen in right of Canada as represented by the Minister of Natural Resources
    Inventors: Kourosh Zanganeh, Zahirul Hasan Khan, Carlos Salvador, Jack Jensen
  • Patent number: 8652240
    Abstract: There is provided a fine particle sensor for detecting fine particles in exhaust gas, including an ion generating unit for generating ions by corona discharge, a charging unit for charging the fine particles by some of the generated ions, an ion trapping unit for trapping a remainder of the generated ions and a casing for accommodating therein the charging unit and the ion trapping unit in a given arrangement direction. The casing has a gas inlet hole and a gas outlet hole formed in a circumferential wall thereof so that the exhaust gas flows in the charging unit through the gas inlet hole and flows out of the ion trapping unit through the gas outlet hole. The gas inlet hole and the gas outlet hole are arranged in such a manner as to at least partially overlap each other when viewed in the given arrangement direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: NGK Spark Plug Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takeshi Sugiyama, Masayuki Motomura, Toshiya Matsuoka, Keisuke Tashima, Hitoshi Yokoi
  • Patent number: 8603262
    Abstract: A cleaning apparatus may include a flow source such as a fan which creates air flow through a ventilation duct or other structure to be cleaned. A projectile source projects projectiles such as dry ice pellets proximate the structure to dislodge debris particles therefrom and introduce the dislodged debris particles into the air flow. An electrostatic precipitator removes the particles from the air flow. An upstream sensor may be used to detect the particles upstream of the electrostatic precipitator and determine if the structure is clean using a controller. A downstream sensor may be used to detect the particles downstream of the electrostatic precipitator and determine the efficiency of the electrostatic precipitator using the controller. Carbon dioxide within the air flow may also be detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Inventor: Roseanne Lambert
  • Patent number: 8585799
    Abstract: The present technology provides an air pre-treatment and monitoring device that includes an inlet port configured to receive an air flow and an outlet port configured to expel the air flow. The illustrative air pre-treatment device further includes a multiple-stage filter arranged between the inlet and outlet ports and that is configured to filter particles from the air flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: Empire Technology Development LLC
    Inventors: Yasuhisa Fujii, Masahiro Ueda
  • Publication number: 20130255482
    Abstract: Technologies are presented for applying electrical energy to a combustion reaction to produce agglomerated combustion particulates. For example, a system may include: one or more electrodes configured to apply electrical energy to a combustion reaction; a combustion zone configured to support the combustion reaction of a fuel at a fuel source; and an electrical power source operatively coupled to the one or more electrodes and configured to apply electrical energy to the combustion reaction. The combustion reaction is controlled to produce a distribution of agglomerated combustion particulates characterized by an increase in at least one of an average particulate diameter or an average particulate mass.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2013
    Publication date: October 3, 2013
    Inventor: DAVID B. GOODSON
  • Patent number: 8506674
    Abstract: A method of cleaning a dust filter includes applying a negative electrical potential to a first electrode in a first area of a dust filter and applying a positive electrical potential to a second electrode disposed in a second area of the dust filter, wherein a voltage differential between the first and second electrodes is sufficient to cause electrostatic movement of dust from the first area to the second area. Then, the method further includes applying a negative electrical potential to the second electrode and applying a positive electrical potential to a third electrode disposed in a third area of the dust filter, wherein a voltage differential between the second and third electrodes is sufficient to cause electrostatic movement of dust from the second area to the third area, and wherein the first, second and third areas are generally linearly arranged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Kathy L. Brown-Fitzpatrick, Gary D. Cudak, Christopher J. Hardee, James R. Lee, John Lloyd, William E. Lohmeyer, Jr., Andrew H. Wray
  • Patent number: 8444749
    Abstract: A fast gas is recovered from a feed gas containing a fast gas and at least one slow gas using a gas separation membrane. A controller may control a control valve associated with a partial recycle of a permeate gas from the membrane for combining with the feed gas. A controller may control a control valve associated with the backpressure of a residue gas from the membrane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: L'Air Liquide, Societe Anonyme pour l'Etude et l'Exploitation des Procedes Georges Claude
    Inventors: Edgar S. Sanders, Sarang Gadre, Michael D. Bennett, Ian C. Roman, David J. Hasse, Indrasis Mondal
  • Patent number: 8388731
    Abstract: A modular ductwork assembly decontaminates an air stream circulating within a heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system. The assembly includes one or more of (a) an ionizing module for removing particulates from the air stream, (b) a sterilization module for neutralizing airborne pathogens present in the air stream, (c) an ozone treatment module for neutralizing pathogens or odoriferous constituents or volatile organic compounds (VOCs) present in the air stream, optionally (d) baffles for slowing and disrupting the flow rate and promoting turbulence in the air stream traveling through the modules and optionally (e) a fan module for directing a treated air stream, (f) an ozone sensor, (g) a monitoring or ozone control means, (h) a means of delivering and repurposing generated ozone. Each of the modules is arranged substantially adjacent to at least one of the other modules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Inventor: Karen Metteer
  • Patent number: 8382884
    Abstract: A PM sensor is provided having high responsiveness and capable of long term detection. A PM sensor includes a sensor element that has particulate collection electrodes to which a particulate collection voltage for causing particulate matter contained in exhaust to adhere to a sensor element is applied, and measurement electrodes to which a measurement voltage for measuring an electrical characteristic of the sensor element is applied, in which, after a particulate collection voltage is applied to the particulate collection electrodes application of the particulate collection voltage is stopped in response to a predetermined condition being satisfied, the measurement voltage is applied to the measurement electrodes and the electrical characteristic of the sensor element is measured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignees: Honda Motor Co., Ltd., NGK Insulators, Ltd.
    Inventors: Tatsuya Okayama, Masanobu Miki, Keizo Iwama, Hidetaka Ozawa, Makoto Hattori, Atsuo Kondo, Takeshi Sakuma, Takashi Egami, Masahiro Tokuda
  • Patent number: 8372183
    Abstract: This invention relates to a detection system for particles suspended in a gas. The detection system includes an electrostatic precipitator constructed to collect the particles from the gas onto a collection surface using the force of an induced electrostatic charge on the particles. The detection system also includes an optical probe coupled with the electrostatic precipitator and constructed to probe the particles with a beam in order to detect the particles. The body of the electrostatic precipitator has a geometry that allows the beam to travel from the optical probe to the collection surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Assignees: Orono Spectral Solution, Inc., University of Maine System Board of Trustees
    Inventors: Luke D. Doucette, Carl P. Tripp, Brian J. Ninness
  • Patent number: 8361193
    Abstract: A system and method is provided for electrostatic air filtering in automotive vehicles, such as electric and hybrid electric vehicles. The system includes an electrical distribution system and an electrostatic filtering system having discharge electrodes and an accumulation electrode. The distribution system is in high-voltage electrical communication with the filtering system as well as an electric motor and a high-voltage energy storage device in the vehicle. In operation, the distribution system distributes high-voltage electric power to the filtering system. The filtering system receives the high-voltage electric power to generate a high-voltage electrostatic potential between the accumulation electrode and the discharge electrodes to remove particulates from air flowing through a region of the electrostatic filtering system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: William Paul Perkins, Renata Michaela Arsenault, Jimmy H. Kapadia, Steven A. Daleiden, Alan McDonald, Richard Michael Isaacs, Allen Dennis Dobryden, Matthew Fleming
  • Patent number: 8241397
    Abstract: An air scrubber, system, and method of use are provided. The air scrubber includes an electrospray nozzle for creating an ionic fluid electrospray plume; an air sample intake positioned to provide an air sample interacting with the ionic fluid electrospray plume; and a counter electrode positioned to collect the electrospray plume. The selected chemicals in the air sample are captured by ionic fluid electrospray plume and accumulate on the counter electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Alex Gu, Adam Dewey McBrady, Wei Yang
  • Patent number: 8231716
    Abstract: A self-alarming air cleaner is disclosed. The air cleaner includes an air filter element (1), a light emitting element (2) and a light sensor (3). The light emitting element (2) and the light sensor (3) are both faced to the air filter element (1). The light emitted from the light emitting element (2) is reflected by the air filter element (1) or permeated to the air filter element (1), then forms an area of light attenuation where the light sensor (3) is located. The light emitting element (2) and the light sensor (3) connect with a circuit which has an alarming device. When much dust is accumulated on the air filter element (1), the intensity of the light reaching the light sensor (3) is weakened and the alarming device (4) can give an alarm automatically.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2012
    Inventor: Chiwai Patrick Poon
  • Patent number: 8192523
    Abstract: A respirator leak detection system and method for increasing the sensitivity and accuracy of leak detection through the fit seal of a respirator. A charged particle separator is used to separate charged particles that pass therethrough and to draw charged particles away from an aerosol flow into a clean gas flow. The separator may also be configured as an aerosol concentrator that takes in a major aerosol flow and outputs a minor flow of higher particle concentration. Neutral particles having no charge, which may have passed through the filtering medium respirator and which are not indicative of fit seal leaks are not entrained in the output flow for subsequent detection, thus increasing the accuracy of the filter leak detection system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2012
    Assignee: TSI Incorporated
    Inventors: Stanley L. Kaufman, Jeremy Kolb, Ricky L. Holm
  • Publication number: 20120073433
    Abstract: An exemplary embodiment of the present invention provides a method of controlling a PAC-to-particulate ratio in a potion of an exhaust system from a furnace. The method comprises measuring a second amount of particulate exiting a particulate removal system, and controlling a first amount of particulate removed by the particulate removal system based in part on the measured second amount of particulate, such that a desired ratio of PAC-to-particulate is obtained in the portion of the exhaust system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2011
    Publication date: March 29, 2012
    Applicant: The Southern Company
    Inventors: DAMON WOODSON, Brandon Looney
  • Patent number: 8128869
    Abstract: An air sanitization system including a reactive oxygen species generator, a variable speed fan, a pathogen sensor and a controller. The reactive oxygen species generator generates reactive oxygen species from an oxygen-containing gas and discharges the reactive oxygen species to a conditioned space. The variable speed fan directs the oxygen-containing gas to the reactive oxygen species generator at a controlled speed. The pathogen sensor senses a level of airborne pathogens in the conditioned space and generates a signal indicative of the level of pathogens sensed. The controller receives the signal from the pathogen sensor and varies the speed of the variable speed fan in response to the signal to decrease a speed of the variable speed fan in response to an increase in the level of airborne pathogens sensed by the pathogen sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: Hussmann Corporation
    Inventor: Ted Wayne Sunderland
  • Publication number: 20110303086
    Abstract: The present technology provides an air pre-treatment and monitoring device that includes an inlet port configured to receive an air flow and an outlet port configured to expel the air flow. The illustrative air pre-treatment device further includes a multiple-stage filter arranged between the inlet and outlet ports and that is configured to filter particles from the air flow.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2010
    Publication date: December 15, 2011
    Inventors: Yasuhisa Fujii, Masahiro Ueda
  • Publication number: 20110277627
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an ion and ozone optimizing saturation method for indoor air. According to the method of the present invention, voltage serial pulses of one polarity type are fed to discharge ionization electrodes, and then voltage serial pulses of another polarity type are sequentially fed after a pause longer than the time for mutual recombination of anions and cations. At this time, the concentration of ions of different polarities is adjusted by changing the pulse repetition rate of a voltage pulse in a serial pulse, duration of serial pulses of the respective polarities and duration of the pause. Additionally, a voltage pulse is fed to the discharge ionization electrodes, and simultaneously or optionally, a voltage pulse having sufficient amplitude to generate a capacity type corona discharge between electrodes during the pause between serial pulses of different polarities is fed to ozonization electrodes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2011
    Publication date: November 17, 2011
    Inventor: Sun-Tae AN
  • Publication number: 20110168463
    Abstract: A system and method is provided for electrostatic air filtering in automotive vehicles, such as electric and hybrid electric vehicles. The system includes an electrical distribution system and an electrostatic filtering system having discharge electrodes and an accumulation electrode. The distribution system is in high-voltage electrical communication with the filtering system as well as an electric motor and a high-voltage energy storage device in the vehicle. In operation, the distribution system distributes high-voltage electric power to the filtering system. The filtering system receives the high-voltage electric power to generate a high-voltage electrostatic potential between the accumulation electrode and the discharge electrodes to remove particulates from air flowing through a region of the electrostatic filtering system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2010
    Publication date: July 14, 2011
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: William Paul Perkins, Renata Michaela Arsenault, Jimmy H. Kapadia, Steven A. Daleiden, Alan McDonald, Richard Michael Isaacs, Allen Dennis Dobryden, Matthew Fleming
  • Patent number: 7947110
    Abstract: A method of operating a filtration system that filters flue gas, which includes particulate matter and a gaseous pollutant. The filtration system may include a fabric filter, which is cleaned with periodic pulse cleanings, a discharge electrode upstream of the fabric filter, which imparts an electric charge to at least some of the particulate matter before the particulate matter collects on the fabric filter, a sorbent, which is injected into the flue gas upstream of the fabric filter and absorbs at least some of the gaseous pollutant, and a fan, which draws the flue gas through the fabric filter. The filtration system may have a pulse cleaning interval setting that may be manipulated by an operator of the filtration system. The pulse cleaning interval setting may be the time between the pulse cleanings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2011
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Robert W. Taylor
  • Patent number: 7862649
    Abstract: A particulate matter detection device includes a collection electrode that collects the particulate matter, a discharge electrode that allows a corona discharge to occur when a voltage is applied between the collection electrode and the discharge electrode, a measurement electrode, the impedance between the collection electrode and the measurement electrode changing when the collection electrode has collected the particulate matter, and a measurement section that detects a change in the impedance between the collection electrode and the measurement electrode, the particulate matter detection device detecting the particulate matter by charging the particulate matter contained in the gas by utilizing the corona discharge, collecting the charged particulate matter by the collection electrode by utilizing an electrostatic force, and detecting a change in the impedance between the collection electrode that has collected the particulate matter and the measurement electrode using the measurement section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2011
    Assignee: NGK Insulators, Ltd.
    Inventors: Takeshi Sakuma, Yasumasa Fujioka, Atsuo Kondo
  • Patent number: 7857892
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to an air pollution sensor system incorporated in an enclosure, the enclosure including an air handling system inside an air duct, the air duct enabling a communication between air inside the enclosure and air outside the enclosure. The air duct including an air inlet for receiving air and an air outlet for releasing handled air inside the enclosure. The air pollution sensor system includes at least one ultra fine particle sensor capable of sensing particles with a diameter in a range of approximately 5-2500 nm, preferably in a range of approximately 5-1000 nm and more preferably in a range of approximately 5-500 nm inside the enclosure and providing a pollution information signal in response to the sensing of the particles. The disclosure further relates to various types of ultra fine particle sensors and air handling systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2010
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
    Inventor: Johan Marra
  • Patent number: 7833310
    Abstract: An air filter, an elevator having the same, and an air conditioning control method thereof purify the air inside the elevator to make the air safe and pleasant using a micro plasma ion generator (MPI). The elevator includes a cage which moves up and down in a vertical direction of a building and an air filter which purifies the air inside the cage. The air filter includes an ion generator which generates ions by a plasma discharge to discharge the ions into the cage, a dust sensor which detects a dust contamination level in the cage, and a controller which compares the dust contamination level detected by the dust sensor with a predetermined standard contamination level and operates the ion generator If the dust contamination level is equal to or greater than the predetermined standard contamination level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jun Hyoun Kwon, Rae Eun Park, Eun Ju Ha
  • Patent number: 7811363
    Abstract: Provided is an air purifier, including: a body having an air inlet and an air outlet, a blower, an electric control box, an electrostatic absorption device and a carbon dioxide sensor. The air purifier effectively removes dust particles and bacteria in the air, measures and controls the carbon dioxide content in the air, displays the content of carbon dioxide to users and helps to protect human health.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Inventor: Yue Zhang
  • Publication number: 20100229724
    Abstract: A particulate matter detection device (100) includes a first electrode (10) that includes a conductive section (12) and a dielectric (14) that covers the conductive section (12), and a second electrode (20) that is disposed opposite to the first electrode (10) at an interval of 0.3 to 3.0 mm. Charged particulate matter contained in a fluid that passes through the space between the first electrode (10) and the second electrode (20), or particulate matter that is contained in a fluid and charged by a discharge that occurs due to application of a voltage between the electrodes (10) and (20) is electrically adsorbed on at least one of the electrodes (10) and (20), and the particulate matter adsorbed on the electrodes (10) and (20) is detected by measuring a change in electrical properties of the first electrode (10), or a change in electrical properties of the electrodes (10) and (20).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2010
    Publication date: September 16, 2010
    Applicant: NGK Insulators, Ltd.
    Inventors: Masahiro TOKUDA, Atsuo Kondo, Takeshi Sakuma, Takashi Egami
  • Patent number: 7785403
    Abstract: An air purifier includes a main frame, a discharging device, a dust collection device and a voltage generator. The discharging device has a discharging portion and is installed in the main frame. The dust collection device has a dust collection portion and is installed in one side of the discharging device. The air purifier can produce ozone, negative ions and static electricity by moving the discharging portion and the dust collection portion and receiving suitable voltage. The voltage generator, the discharging portion, and the dust collection portion accomplish conduction. Production of ozone, negative ions and static electricity occurs according to separation between the discharging portion and dust collection portion, as well as the particular environment of operation, thereby improving air quality.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Inventors: Chieh Ouyang, Wei Ouyang
  • Publication number: 20100139481
    Abstract: In a method of treating a gas stream, an aqueous scrubbing liquor is circulated through an essentially closed loop (20) comprising an electrochemical unit (48) for reducing the acidity of the liquor. A portion of the circulating liquor is diverted away from the closed loop (20) to a gas scrubbing unit (10). The gas stream enters the scrubbing unit (10), wherein an acid, for example HF and solid particulates, for example SiO2 particulates, within the gas stream dissolve in the diverted liquor. The diverted liquor is subsequently returned to the closed loop (20), and is replenished in the scrubbing unit (10) by fresh liquor diverted from the closed loop (20). A device (46) is provided for monitoring the acidity of the liquor at a location within the closed loop (20). The reduction in the acidity of the liquor by the electrochemical cell (48) is controlled depending on the monitored concentration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 28, 2007
    Publication date: June 10, 2010
    Inventors: Philip Chandler, Christopher Peter Jones, Patrick Fletcher, Christopher Germain
  • Publication number: 20100116126
    Abstract: A system is provided that prevents inhibition of adsorption of Hg and other heavy metals by activated carbon or other heavy metal adsorbent due to prior adsorption of sulfur trioxide (SO3) in an exhaust gas containing SO3. As it has been found that while SO3 is adsorbed, the adsorption of SO3 precedes the adsorption of Hg and other heavy metals onto activated carbon, a basic substance injection system is disposed along an exhaust gas flow channel at an upstream side of an activated carbon injection system, thereby attaining effective removal of Hg and other heavy metals from the exhaust gas by adsorption thereof onto surface pores of the activated carbon. The SO3 concentration after removal by basic substance conversion is computed from the SO3 concentration before removal, and the activated carbon injection rate can be controlled based on the concentration after removal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2008
    Publication date: May 13, 2010
    Applicant: BABCOCK-HITACHI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Jun Shimamura, Takanori Nakamoto, Toshio Katsube, Hirofumi Kikkawa, Hiroyuki Nosaka, Takayuki Saitou, Yoshinori Taguchi, Hiroshi Ishizaka
  • Publication number: 20100071548
    Abstract: In a method of treating a gas exhausted from a process chamber, the exhaust gas is conveyed to a vacuum pump (20) and a nitrogen purge gas is added to the exhaust gas for pumping with the exhaust gas. Gas exhaust from the pump is conveyed to an abatement device (28) for abating the exhaust gas. The amount of purge gas added to the exhaust gas is adjusted in response to a variation of the composition of the exhaust gas, or the composition of the gas supplied to the process chamber, to optimise the abatement of the exhaust gas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2006
    Publication date: March 25, 2010
    Applicant: THE BOC GROP PLC
    Inventor: James Robert SMITH
  • Publication number: 20100000404
    Abstract: A particulate matter detection device includes a collection electrode that collects the particulate matter, a discharge electrode that allows a corona discharge to occur when a voltage is applied between the collection electrode and the discharge electrode, a measurement electrode, the impedance between the collection electrode and the measurement electrode changing when the collection electrode has collected the particulate matter, and a measurement section that detects a change in the impedance between the collection electrode and the measurement electrode, the particulate matter detection device detecting the particulate matter by charging the particulate matter contained in the gas by utilizing the corona discharge, collecting the charged particulate matter by the collection electrode by utilizing an electrostatic force, and detecting a change in the impedance between the collection electrode that has collected the particulate matter and the measurement electrode using the measurement section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2009
    Publication date: January 7, 2010
    Applicant: NGK Insulators, Ltd.
    Inventors: Takeshi Sakuma, Yasumasa Fujioka, Atsuo Kondo
  • Publication number: 20090272263
    Abstract: An exhaust particulate filter for an engine system includes an array of filter cartridges positioned within a shell, each of the cartridges having an electrically powered heating element coupled therewith. Exhaust gases may be distributed among the cartridges according to a single distribution pattern, and the filter can be regenerated without diverting, dividing or bypassing exhaust gases from the filter. The filter cartridges may be cylindrical or wedge-shaped, or of a variety of other configurations. Regeneration may take place according to a non-axial regeneration propagation profile. Other aspects include feedback control and feedforward control of regeneration based on sensing an electrical resistance property of each of the electrically powered heating elements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2009
    Publication date: November 5, 2009
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Brett M. Bailey, Clifford E. Cotton, Christopher J. Rynders, JR., Michael J. Readey, Michael J. Pollard, Robert L. Meyer
  • Patent number: 7569100
    Abstract: An electric power supply of a discharge device which generates a streamer discharge is provided with a discharge control part. By virtue of the discharge control part, the discharge electric power of the discharge device is increased or decreased depending on the treatment amount of a component to be treated in an air purification device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2009
    Assignee: Daikin Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshio Tanaka, Kanji Motegi, Kenkichi Kagawa, Mitsuhisa Nagao, Kiyohito Hamaguchi, Tomoharu Tanzo
  • Patent number: 7540900
    Abstract: The air clarifying apparatus includes a negative ion generator and an indoor air circulator. It further includes an ozone generator having a capability of maintaining the average concentration value of ozone in an indoor atmosphere at 0.02 to 0.05 ppm, while the average concentration value of negative ions in the vicinity of the blowout port of the negative ion generator is maintained at 200,000 to 1,000,000 pieces/cc. With this configuration, the negative ions coexist with ozone having a low concentration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2009
    Assignee: Aiba Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hideshige Aiba
  • Publication number: 20090038473
    Abstract: An air filter, an elevator having the same, and an air conditioning control method thereof purify the air inside the elevator to make the air safe and pleasant using a micro plasma ion generator (MPI). The elevator includes a cage which moves up and down in a vertical direction of a building and an air filter which purifies the air inside the cage. The air filter includes an ion generator which generates ions by a plasma discharge to discharge the ions into the cage, a dust sensor which detects a dust contamination level in the cage, and a controller which compares the dust contamination level detected by the dust sensor with a predetermined standard contamination level and operates the ion generator If the dust contamination level is equal to or greater than the predetermined standard contamination level.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2008
    Publication date: February 12, 2009
    Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jun Hyoun Kwon, Ree Eun Park, Eun Ju Ha
  • Publication number: 20090031895
    Abstract: Method for producing oxygen from air, in which, for this purpose, a generator is used that generates oxygen at its outlet, from air introduced at its inlet. According to the invention, the generator operating continuously, use is made of: at least two buffer tanks for storing the oxygen generated by the generator, which are placed in parallel, and a control system for at least adjusting the flow rate and/or pressure of the oxygen produced, to the demand in flow rate and/or pressure of the application.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2006
    Publication date: February 5, 2009
    Inventors: Pascal Del-Gallo, Guylaine Gouriou
  • Patent number: 7435288
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a system for effectively filtering particulate matter from exhaust gas. Exemplary embodiments of the invention provides a system for capturing diesel-powered vehicle particulate matter in exhaust gas, the system including: a detour channel at the interior of the entrance to the diesel particulate filter, an electrode located in front of the detour channel and operable to ionize the particulate matter, and a control unit operable to control operation of the electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2008
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventor: Kangsoo Lee
  • Patent number: 7435287
    Abstract: An air cleaner is provided that includes one or more ionizing panels having at least one ionizing wire in connection with a voltage source. One or more collector cells separate from the one or more ionizing wire panels are releasably received within the air cleaner housing to establish an electrical connection between the collector cell and the voltage source for applying a voltage potential between the collector cell and the ionizing wire. The collector cell may be removed from the air cleaner to permit cleaning of the collector cell separate from the ionizing panels. The air cleaner monitors at least one variable indicative of the operation of the air cleaner. Upon determining that the variable has reached a predetermined level indicative of a significant amount of dust accumulation, a controller activates a light source to illuminate indicia on a display screen which indicates a need for servicing the air cleaner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2008
    Assignee: Emerson Electric Co.
    Inventors: Gordon Holmes, Damon Drumm, John M. Sartain
  • Patent number: 7381245
    Abstract: An arrangement for treating room air has a first air quality sensor in an external air conduit of an air conditioning device. An ionization apparatus, an ozone sensor, an air humidity sensor, an airflow sensor, and at least one air temperature adjusting device are arranged in the supply conduit between air conditioning device and room. Chamber or hood devices forming a component of the room are coupled to the supply conduit. A side of the chamber or hood devices has openings ensuring convection of the supply air into the room. A recirculating air conduit branches off an exhaust conduit to the air-conditioning device. A second air quality sensor is arranged in the recirculating air conduit. A control device is connected to first air quality sensor, ozone sensor, air humidity sensor, airflow sensor, second air quality sensor, and the air temperature adjusting device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2008
    Assignee: LK Luftqualität AG
    Inventor: Werner Fleischer
  • Publication number: 20080110337
    Abstract: A saturation level of moisture and/or other contaminants is determined in a desiccant material by determining an electrical parameter across the desiccant material. An air dryer includes a housing, a desiccant in the housing, and an electrical contact in the desiccant. A level of at least one of moisture and other contaminants is determined as a function of an electrical parameter between two electrical contacts of dissimilar materials that electrically contact the desiccant. Alternatively, the level of at least one of moisture and other contaminants is determined as a function of an amount of the reflected light received by the optical sensor from the desiccant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2006
    Publication date: May 15, 2008
    Applicant: Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems LLC
    Inventors: Fred W. Hoffman, Leonard A. Quinn, Randall W. Nichols, David J. Taneyhill, Justin R. Miller
  • Patent number: 7316734
    Abstract: A volatile organic compound treatment apparatus including an adsorber coming into contact with a gas to be treated and adsorbing volatile organic compounds; a plurality of pairs of electrodes, divided into a plurality of groups, which generate electric discharge so that a part of the adsorber is exposed to the electric discharge; and an electric discharge control mechanism for controlling whether or not the electric discharge is generated in what pair of the electrodes by applying a voltage to every group of the pair of electrodes such that different parts of the adsorber are sequentially exposed to the electric discharge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2008
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Koji Ohta, Masaki Kuzumoto, Yasuhiro Tanimura, Hajime Nakatani, Toshiaki Yoshizumi, Hideo Ichimura
  • Patent number: 7316728
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to an apparatus for combining a component from a fluid composition with a reactive fluid. The apparatus includes a hollow fiber contactor (142) having a plurality of hollow fibers contained within a housing. A reactive fluid (224), which may be on the shell or lumen side of the hollow fiber membrane, is included in the apparatus and is used for combining with a component from a fluid composition which is on the opposite side of the membrane from the reactive liquid. The reactive liquid combines with one or more components from the fluid composition and can be used for purification of the fluid composition or for the preparation of chemical reagents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2008
    Assignee: Entegris, Inc.
    Inventors: Bipin Parekh, Saksatha Ly, Jieh-Hwa Shyu, John E. Pillion
  • Patent number: 7300493
    Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus and method for controlling an air cleaning. The apparatus includes an air cleaning element, an AC high-voltage generator and a control unit. The air cleaning element generates negative ions and ozone using plasma discharge, and cleans indoor air using the negative ions and ozone. The AC high-voltage generator generates an AC high-voltage, and applies the AC high-voltage to the air cleaning element. The control unit varies at least one of the AC voltage and AC frequency applied to the air cleaning element by the AC high-voltage generator depending on a state of indoor air being cleaned using the air cleaning element. Therefore, it is possible to effectively generate negative ions while minimizing ozone generation to an acceptable level depending on a state of indoor air, thereby increasing air cleaning performance so as to sterilize and clean contaminants more efficiently.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2007
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Ho Jung Kim, In Ho Choi, Kwan Ho Yum, Ho Seon Choi
  • Patent number: 7276103
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the separation of molecules having different excitation spectra, which form components of a gas. The molecules are excited by laser pulses in a way that the molecules to be separated are transferred into a state of excitation due to multi-absorption of energy quanta from laser pulses, and in which they are extracted from the gas so that they exist in a composition determined by the form of the laser pulses. According to the invention, the laser pulses are formed by an iterative process in which each laser pulse varies in its form depending on the extracted molecules' composition after their absorption of energy quanta.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2007
    Assignee: Freie Universitat Berlin
    Inventors: Ludger Wöste, Albrecht Lindinger, Cosmin Lupulescu
  • Patent number: 7235120
    Abstract: A battery (16) drives an electric motor (17) which in turn drives a fan (18). A circuit board (20) controls the operation of the motor and fan to maintain the flow rate. Air is drawn through an inlet (22) and out through a vent (24). Foam discs (32) and (34) may extract particles from the air and an electrostatic filter may attract aerosols in the air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2007
    Assignee: University of Bradford
    Inventor: John Hugh Dennis
  • Patent number: 7208030
    Abstract: An apparatus analyzes components of particulate materials suspended in air. The apparatus includes a container into which the air is introduced, a discharging electrode arranged in the container to electrically charge the particulate materials contained in the air, a dust collecting electrode arranged in the container to collect charged particulate materials utilizing electric potential difference, and a device for separating volatile components contained in the particulate materials collected on the dust collecting electrode. A gas analyzer is connected to the container into which the volatile components of the particulate materials separated in the container are introduced, to analyze the volatile components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2007
    Assignee: Shimadzu Corporation
    Inventor: Shinichiro Totoki
  • Patent number: 7097689
    Abstract: A process and system for purifying an impure gas to produce a purified gas in a gas purification system and protecting the system from damage by a) passing a portion of a first gas stream into a reactor vessel, which exits as a second purified gas stream; b) combining a portion of the second purified gas stream with another portion of the first gas stream to form a combined gas stream; and c) passing the combined gas stream into a sensing device to regulate the flow of the first and second gas streams into the reactor vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2006
    Assignee: Praxair Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: John Fredric Billingham, Jerry Michael Mahl
  • Patent number: 7041153
    Abstract: In a method of measuring particles floating in an atmosphere, the atmosphere containing the particles is sucked into a container, ions are generated from a discharge electrode disposed in the container to charge the particles with the ions. A dust-collecting electrode is arranged in the container to electrically conduct with a ground potential, wherein the dust collecting electrode is formed of a transparent plate having a transparent conductive film on a surface thereof facing the discharge electrode. The charged particles are collected on the dust-collecting electrode disposed in the container by using a potential difference relative to the discharge electrode, and the particles on the dust-collecting electrode are measured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2006
    Assignee: Shimadzu Corporation
    Inventor: Shinichiro Totoki