Current Sensing Means Patents (Class 96/22)
  • Patent number: 11344895
    Abstract: The pulse firing pattern for a transformer of an electrostatic precipitator comprises first elements indicative of a pulse to be fired and second elements indicative of a pulse to not be fired. The pulse firing pattern further comprises couples of adjacent second elements and at least two first elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Assignee: ANDRITZ AKTIEBOLAG
    Inventors: Carl Marcus Williamsson, Nanda Kishore Dash, Anders Nils Gustav Karlsson, Inger Elisabeth Önnerby Pettersson
  • Patent number: 11311888
    Abstract: The invention concerns an electrostatic precipitator comprising an ionisation stage, a collector stage and a power supply. The power supply comprises a first high-voltage power supply unit for applying a first DC high voltage to the ionization stage and a second high-voltage power supply unit for applying a second DC high voltage to the collector stage. The first high-voltage power supply unit is configured to operate the ionization stage current-controlled. A current sensor required for this is advantageously arranged in the return line carrying low voltage, for which purpose the first high-voltage power supply unit and the second high-voltage power supply unit are galvanically isolated from the mains connection and from each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2022
    Assignee: Clean Air Enterprise AG
    Inventor: Kaspar Schindler
  • Publication number: 20140102295
    Abstract: A filtration system includes a frame directing a fluid flow through the filtration system. An ionization array is located in the frame and has an ionizer current flowing therethrough. The system further includes a media filter having a plurality of media fibers arranged to capture particles flowing therethrough and a conductive surface located at the media filter and having a filter current flowing therethrough. A comparator is utilized to determine a difference between the ionizer current and the filter current, and compare that difference to a predetermined range.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2012
    Publication date: April 17, 2014
    Inventor: Peter Johannes Mckinney
  • Patent number: 8690989
    Abstract: A system for enhancing air quality by collecting airborne particles. The system includes at least one ground plane, at least one corona point, an ionization field strength adjustment mechanism and a cleaning mechanism. The at least one ground plane is operably mounted proximate to where the airborne particles are present. The at least one ground plane includes at least one ground plane surface. The least one corona point operably is mounted to the at least one ground plane for causing an accumulation of particles to be deposited on the at least one ground plane surface. The ionization field strength adjustment mechanism enables a distance between the at least one corona point and the at least one ground plane to be adjusted. The cleaning mechanism is capable of removing the accumulation of particles from the at least one ground plane surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Baumgartner Environics, Inc
    Inventors: John Baumgartner, Matthew Baumgartner
  • 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: 8491709
    Abstract: To provide a small active oxygen generating device capable of efficiently continuously generating active oxygen while supplying oxygen in the air. In the active oxygen generating device in which water is made to exist between an anode and a cathode composed of a base material containing a conductive polymer and by turning on electricity between the anode and the cathode, the conductive polymer deoxidizes the oxygen dissolved in the water to generate active oxygen, the cathode is rotatably installed about a conductive horizontal axis with part of the surface being projected over the surface of the water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Shiro Takeuchi, Akira Shiga, Takuya Furuhashi
  • Patent number: 8460430
    Abstract: A system for enhancing air quality within a poultry production facility that includes an enclosure, at least one ground plane, at least one corona point and a corona point position adjustment mechanism. The enclosure is adapted to receive a plurality of poultry. The at least one ground plane is mounted with respect to the enclosure. The corona point position adjustment mechanism enables a distance between the at least one corona point and the at least one ground plane to be adjusted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: Baumgartner Environics, Inc.
    Inventors: John Baumgartner, Matthew Baumgartner
  • Patent number: 8404020
    Abstract: A method for monitoring operation of a rapper in an electrostatic precipitator using a rapper control system is described. The method includes determining model electrical characteristics of the rapper. The model electrical characteristics of the rapper correspond to model mechanical operating characteristics of the rapper. The method also includes storing data corresponding to the model electrical characteristics and the model mechanical operating characteristics of the rapper, determining actual electrical characteristics of the rapper, and comparing the actual electrical characteristics of the rapper to the stored model electrical characteristics to determine actual mechanical operating characteristics of the rapper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignee: Babcock & Wilcox Power Generation Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Terry Lewis Farmer, Vivek Badami, Charles Erklin Seeley, David F. Johnston, Michael M. Mahler, Timothy Gerald Lawrence
  • Patent number: 8337599
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an oxygen concentrator in which a pulsation detection device for detecting pulsation of oxygen supplied and a control device for controlling an amount of air supplied from a compressor based on the detection results in a pressure swing adsorption-type oxygen concentrator, which is equipped with an adsorption bed filled with an adsorbent capable of selectively adsorbing nitrogen relative to oxygen, the compressor for supplying air to the adsorption bed, a channel switching valve to repeat in a constant timing an adsorption step, in which air is supplied from the compressor to the adsorption bed to isolate concentrated oxygen and a desorption step, in which the adsorption bed is evacuated to regenerate the adsorbent and a flow rate measuring device for determining a supply flow rate of concentrated oxygen produced and an amount of oxygen produced is controlled by a feedback with a flow rate sensor by itself after paying attention to variation of a product flow rate caused by sup
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: Teijin Pharma Limited
    Inventor: Hisashi Kiritake
  • Publication number: 20120103184
    Abstract: This application describes a method and apparatus for removing a wide range of particles from a source of gas flow or separation of particulates from dust, mist, or vapor generating devices. An innovative use of open porous materials, which causes little pressure drop, in combination with an electrostatic grids structure is described. The apparatus is capable of removing particulates in the size range 0.01 to 1 micrometer with efficiencies as high as 99.5%. A key feature of the apparatus is that the air to be purified flows parallel to the filters instead of through them, which results in very low power consumption.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2011
    Publication date: May 3, 2012
    Applicant: CLARKSON UNIVERSITY
    Inventor: Xinli JIA
  • Publication number: 20120037001
    Abstract: Clean corona gas ionization by separating contaminant byproducts from corona generated ions includes establishing a non-ionized gas stream having a pressure and flowing in a downstream direction, establishing a plasma region of ions and contaminant byproducts in which the pressure is sufficiently lower than the pressure of the non-ionized gas stream to prevent at least a substantial portion of the byproducts from migrating into the non-ionized gas stream, and applying an electric field to the plasma region sufficient to induce at least a substantial portion of the ions to migrate into the non-ionized gas stream.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2011
    Publication date: February 16, 2012
    Inventors: Peter GEFTER, Aleksey Klochkov, John E. Menear, Lyle Dwight Nelsen
  • Patent number: 8114204
    Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method for transmitting information between a device within a housing to a second device, preferably a test or monitoring unit, outside of the housing. There are numerous issues associated with transferring information from within a sealed housing to an external device. In some cases, the use of wires inside the housing may be impractical, due to internal conditions, such as fluid flow, pressure or temperature. In one embodiment, the antenna of the external RF reading device is electrically connected to the dome of the housing. In another embodiment, the device within the housing is electrically connected to a housing component. In another embodiment, the gasket is used to pass information from within the housing to an external device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: Millipore Corporation
    Inventors: Michael T. Grzonka, Michael Joens, Aaron Burke
  • Publication number: 20110308384
    Abstract: A system for enhancing air quality by collecting airborne particles. The system includes at least one ground plane, at least one corona point, an ionization field strength adjustment mechanism and a cleaning mechanism. The at least one ground plane is operably mounted proximate to where the airborne particles are present. The at least one ground plane includes at least one ground plane surface. The least one corona point operably is mounted to the at least one ground plane for causing an accumulation of particles to be deposited on the at least one ground plane surface. The ionization field strength adjustment mechanism enables a distance between the at least one corona point and the at least one ground plane to be adjusted. The cleaning mechanism is capable of removing the accumulation of particles from the at least one ground plane surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 1, 2011
    Publication date: December 22, 2011
    Applicant: BAUMGARTNER ENVIRONICS. INC.
    Inventors: John Baumgartner, Matthew Baumgartner
  • Patent number: 8070139
    Abstract: The present invention provides a system for dispensing an air treatment and audibly indicating the dispensing and/or a change in the dispensing intensity. An exemplary audible indicator may include a pattern of a plurality of audible indicators having the same or different durations, having the same or different intensities, separated by the same or different intervals, and having the same or different audible impressions. Different audible indicators are associated with different device states, such as not dispensing, dispensing to create ambiance, dispensing in response to a malodor, or dispensing to offset habituation. Different audible indicators may also be associated with different malodors, or different intensities of the same or different malodors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: The Dial Corporation
    Inventors: Sanam Nassirpour, Jeffrey Bankers, Jeff Gaunt
  • Publication number: 20110253539
    Abstract: An electrostatic coalescer includes an outer wall defining a flow path for receiving a process fluid. A plurality of electrode plates is disposed within the flow path. A controller includes an inductor and a signal generator. The inductor is coupled in parallel with the plurality of electrode plates. The inductor and the plurality of electrode plates define a resonant circuit. The signal generator is coupled to the plurality of electrode plates and operable to apply an alternating current signal to the plurality of electrode plates at a frequency corresponding to a resonant frequency of the resonant circuit in the presence of the process fluid. The signal generator varies the frequency of the alternating current signal based on a positive feedback signal received from the resonant circuit to maintain resonance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2009
    Publication date: October 20, 2011
    Inventors: Mohamed Reda Akdim, Govert L. Kruijtzer, Pavel Antsiferov
  • Publication number: 20110113963
    Abstract: A high-performance labyrinth type air treatment apparatus includes a positively (negatively) charged dust collector mounted in an air passage inside a shell, the positively (negatively) charged dust collector having positively (negatively) charged dust collecting panels arranged in such a manner that a labyrinth-like detoured air path is defined through the positively (negatively) charged dust collector, an air ionization control means having discharge/emitting terminals arranged in the labyrinth-like detoured air path, and an electric fan for causing flowing of air through the positively (negatively) charged dust collector so that negatively (positively) charged heteroparticles carried in currents of air flowing through the labyrinth-like detoured air path are forced, to strike repeatly against the positively (negatively) charged dust collecting panels and then effectively adhered to the positively (negatively) charged dust collecting panels, achieving extremely high air purification.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2009
    Publication date: May 19, 2011
    Inventors: Fu-Chi Wu, Steven Wu
  • 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: 7857893
    Abstract: An air cleaner is provided according to an embodiment of the invention. The air cleaner includes a high voltage power supply configured to provide a high voltage to a collector cell and a shut-down circuit coupled to the high voltage power supply. The shut-down circuit is configured to monitor an electrical current supplied to the collector cell, remove electrical power to the collector cell if the electrical current exceeds a predetermined cell current threshold for a predetermined time period, and generate an indication if the electrical power is removed from the collector cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2010
    Assignee: Oreck Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: Bruce Kiern, Christopher M. Paterson, John Relman Bohlen
  • Patent number: 7833322
    Abstract: An air treatment apparatus that includes an electrode assembly, a voltage supply, a current sensing device operably coupled to the electrode assembly, and a voltage control device coupled to the current sensing device and the voltage supply. The voltage control device is configured to regulate the level of voltage based on the level of current flowing through the current sensing device to maintain the voltage and current in the electrode assembly within designated ranges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Assignee: Sharper Image Acquisition LLC
    Inventors: Igor Y. Botvinnik, Charles E. Taylor
  • Patent number: 7828940
    Abstract: An onsite chemistry air filtration system to remove gaseous contaminants from air is disclosed. The onsite chemistry air filtration system of the present invention comprises: a conventional particulate filtration section, a photochemical filtration section, a static gas phase filtration section and a catalytic filtration section. The conventional particulate filtration section captures solids and condensables. In the photochemical filtration section, UV lamps generate bio-destruction and surface photochemical activity on a semiconductor catalyst material, provide a radiation source to irradiate airborne contaminant molecules and to energize their states to promote reactions and generate airborne ozone and radicals. In the static gas phase filtration section, gas phase filtration media is used to capture contaminants, concentrate them in a relatively confined space and allow airborne generated chemistries to concentrate and react in-situ, thereby creating a regeneration effect on the media.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2010
    Inventors: Jeffrey L. Roseberry, Robert A. Darling
  • Publication number: 20100269691
    Abstract: A system for enhancing air quality within a poultry production facility that includes an enclosure, at least one ground plane, at least one corona point and a corona point position adjustment mechanism. The enclosure is adapted to receive a plurality of poultry. The at least one ground plane is mounted with respect to the enclosure. The corona point position adjustment mechanism enables a distance between the at least one corona point and the at least one ground plane to be adjusted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2010
    Publication date: October 28, 2010
    Applicant: Baumgartner Environics, Inc.
    Inventors: John Baumgartner, Matthew Baumgartner
  • Patent number: 7815719
    Abstract: A system and method for ionization detection in electrically enhanced air filtration systems is described. One embodiment includes a system for electrically enhanced air filtration, the system including an electrically enhanced filter having a filter and an ionizing electrode disposed on an upstream side of the filter; a control device connected to the electrically enhanced filter, wherein the control device can control the electrically enhanced filter; and an ionization detector, wherein the ionization detector is adjacent to the electrically enhanced filter and wherein the ionization detector is connected to the control device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Assignee: StrionAir, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter J. McKinney, Adam J. Cohen
  • Patent number: 7811365
    Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method for transmitting information between a device within a housing to a second device, preferably a test or monitoring unit, outside of the housing. There are numerous issues associated with transferring information from within a sealed housing to an external device. In some cases, the use of wires inside the housing may be impractical, due to internal conditions, such as fluid flow, pressure or temperature. In one embodiment, the antenna of the external RF reading device is electrically connected to the dome of the housing. In another embodiment, the device within the housing is electrically connected to a housing component. In another embodiment, the gasket is used to pass information from within the housing to an external device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: Millipore Corporation
    Inventors: Michael T. Grzonka, Michael Joens, Aaron Burke
  • Patent number: 7785404
    Abstract: An air purifier includes a housing, a high voltage power supply, a first electrode assembly in which a wire-like first electrode is either the only first electrode or, alternatively, is spaced sufficiently far from any other such first electrodes so as to avoid undesirable effects upon each other, and a second electrode assembly in which there are a plurality of blade-like second electrodes. The air purifier can be of the type in which air flows through the housing as a result of electro-kinetic effects. To increase air flow velocity, the voltage between first and second electrodes is relatively high, such as 23-50 kV, and the first and second electrodes are accordingly spaced apart a relatively great distance, such as at least 30 mm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Assignee: Sylmark Holdings Limited
    Inventors: Shengwen Leng, Guangsheng Liu
  • Patent number: 7736418
    Abstract: The aim of the invention is to be able to adapt an item of visualization or optimization software with the least possible amount of effort made on any electrostatic filter configurations. To this end, the invention provides that the electrostatic filter, the high-voltage supply units, and the auxiliary functional units can be used by the software modules in the server component as objects with characteristic features and with characteristic methods, that are capable of being accessed as information, which only exists in the server component, for the client modules via data interfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2010
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Norbert Graβ
  • Publication number: 20100071558
    Abstract: An air cleaner is provided according to an embodiment of the invention. The air cleaner includes a high voltage power supply configured to provide a high voltage to a collector cell and a shut-down circuit coupled to the high voltage power supply. The shut-down circuit is configured to monitor an electrical current supplied to the collector cell, remove electrical power to the collector cell if the electrical current exceeds a predetermined cell current threshold for a predetermined time period, and generate an indication if the electrical power is removed from the collector cell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2009
    Publication date: March 25, 2010
    Inventors: Bruce Kiern, Christopher M. Paterson, John Relman Bohlen
  • Publication number: 20100024639
    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: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2008
    Publication date: February 4, 2010
    Inventor: Robert W. Taylor
  • Patent number: 7655068
    Abstract: A method to facilitate improving electrostatic precipitator performance is provided. The method includes providing an electrostatic precipitator including an inlet, a collector chamber and an outlet, where the collector chamber includes a plurality of discharge electrodes and a plurality of collector electrodes. The method also includes defining a respective discharge electrode V-I performance for each of the plurality of discharge electrodes, identifying a particle removal characteristic for each respective discharge electrode based on the respective discharge electrode V-I performance for each of the plurality of discharge electrodes and positioning each of the plurality of discharge electrodes in the electrostatic precipitator according to the particle removal characteristic for each respective discharge electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2010
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: David Johnston, James Easel Roberts, Robert Warren Taylor, Yingneng Zhou, Abdelkrim Younsi, Jennifer Lynn Molaison, Wei Wu
  • Patent number: 7625424
    Abstract: An air cleaner is provided according to an embodiment of the invention. The air cleaner includes a high voltage power supply configured to provide a high voltage to a collector cell and a shut-down circuit coupled to the high voltage power supply. The shut-down circuit is configured to monitor an electrical current supplied to the collector cell, remove electrical power to the collector cell if the electrical current exceeds a predetermined cell current threshold for a predetermined time period, and generate an indication if the electrical power is removed from the collector cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2009
    Assignee: Oreck Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: Bruce Kiern, Christopher M. Paterson, John Relman Bohlen
  • Publication number: 20090185958
    Abstract: The present invention provides a system for dispensing an air treatment and audibly indicating the dispensing and/or a change in the dispensing intensity. An exemplary audible indicator may comprise a pattern of a plurality of audible indicators having the same or different durations, having the same or different intensities, separated by the same or different intervals, and having the same or different audible impressions. Different audible indicators are associated with different device states, such as not dispensing, dispensing to create ambiance, dispensing in response to a malodor, or dispensing to offset habituation. Different audible indicators may also be associated with different malodors, or different intensities of the same or different malodors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2009
    Publication date: July 23, 2009
    Applicant: THE DIAL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Sanam Nassirpour, Jeffrey Bankers, Jeff Gaunt
  • Patent number: 7553353
    Abstract: A system for decontaminating a gas is provided. The system includes: a passageway containing at least one set of two or three electrodes. If the set contains three electrodes, it has two outer electrodes electrically connected together and one inner electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2009
    Inventor: Jean-Pierre Lepage
  • Patent number: 7465340
    Abstract: Parts-attaching grooves are formed at both side surfaces of an ionizer main body, and an auxiliary member for extending parts is detachably latched to the parts-attaching grooves. Parts, such as sensors, filters, and so forth are extended by means of the auxiliary member. The aforementioned parts attaching grooves are constructed such that a lower side groove wall is slanting in a gradually outside-down manner toward a groove opening side, and further the auxiliary member includes a projection edge for latching, at a tip end of left and right side walls, and the auxiliary member is attached to the aforementioned ionizer main body by means of elastically latching the projection edge to the aforementioned parts-attaching groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2008
    Assignee: SMC Corporation
    Inventors: Toshio Sato, Satoshi Suzuki, Gen Tsuchiya
  • Patent number: 7452403
    Abstract: A system for detecting partial discharge activity in an electrostatic precipitator is provided. The system includes one or more sensors configured to receive and transmit signals representative of voltage or current behavior of the electrostatic precipitator. The system also includes a processor configured to receive the signals from the one or more sensors and configured for detecting one or more occurrences of partial discharge activity in the electrostatic precipitator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2008
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Abdelkrim Younsi, Yingneng Zhou, David Fulton Johnston, Terry Lewis Farmer, Robert Warren Taylor
  • Publication number: 20080072758
    Abstract: An air filtering apparatus for electrolyzing water to generate electrolytic water containing active oxygen species and filtering air by using the electrolytic water, including an air filtering unit having a gas-liquid contact member to which the electrolytic water containing the active oxygen species is circulatively supplied so as to be brought into contact with air, an electrical conductivity detecting unit for detecting the electrical conductivity of water in the air filtering unit, and a water exchange judging unit for judging on the basis of the detected electrical conductivity whether water exchange is necessary or not.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2007
    Publication date: March 27, 2008
    Applicant: SANYO ELECTRIC CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Mitsuhiro Dobashi
  • Publication number: 20080034963
    Abstract: An air cleaner is provided according to an embodiment of the invention. The air cleaner includes a high voltage power supply configured to provide a high voltage to a collector cell and a shut-down circuit coupled to the high voltage power supply. The shut-down circuit is configured to monitor an electrical current supplied to the collector cell, remove electrical power to the collector cell if the electrical current exceeds a predetermined cell current threshold for a predetermined time period, and generate an indication if the electrical power is removed from the collector cell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2006
    Publication date: February 14, 2008
    Inventors: Bruce Kiern, Christopher M. Paterson, John Relman Bohlen
  • Publication number: 20080011162
    Abstract: An air cleaner including a constant current power supply is provided according to an embodiment of the invention. The air cleaner includes a collector cell and a constant current power supply coupled to the collector cell. The constant current power supply is configured to maintain a substantially constant electrical current output to the collector cell, compare an output voltage of the constant current power supply to an upper voltage threshold VU and to a lower voltage threshold VL, and shut down the constant current power supply if the output voltage is not between the upper voltage threshold VU and the lower voltage threshold VL.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2006
    Publication date: January 17, 2008
    Inventor: John Relman Bohlen
  • Patent number: 7267711
    Abstract: A compact electrostatic precipitator is designed specifically for use in connection with eliminating particles from crankcase emissions of a Diesel engine. Such emissions may carry solid soot particles as well as suspended oil droplets. The electrostatic precipitator has an electrode housing in which a high voltage electrode is mounted, and the emissions from the crankcase of a Diesel engine are passed across the electrode to an outlet. A high voltage power supply is mounted in a separate housing, and the output of the high voltage power supply is connected to the electrode only when the electrode housing and the power supply housing are properly mated, to thereby disable the high voltage connection to the electrode when the power supply housing is removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2007
    Assignee: MSP Corporation
    Inventor: Benjamin Y. H. Liu
  • Patent number: 7261765
    Abstract: An electrostatic precipitator having a plurality of electrostatic precipitation units positioned within the electrostatic precipitator. Each of the electrostatic precipitation units includes a plurality of negative wire electrodes and a plurality of positive electrode plates. The electrostatic precipitation units are arranged such that spacing between the negative wire electrodes of a first electrostatic precipitation unit is a first distance apart, and spacing between the negative wire electrodes of additional electrostatic precipitation units is less than the spacing between the negative wire electrodes of the first electrostatic precipitation unit. Moreover, a variable voltage is applied to the each of the electrostatic precipitation units between the positive electrode plates and the negative wire electrodes so as to cause particles in the exhaust gas to adhere to the positive electrode plates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2007
    Assignee: Anzai, Setsu
    Inventor: Hideo Katayama
  • Patent number: 7258723
    Abstract: A particulate filter assembly includes an electrode assembly, a particulate filter positioned in an electrode gap defined between two electrodes of the electrode assembly, a power supply electrically coupled to the electrode assembly, and a controller for controlling operation of the power supply to apply a regenerate-filter signal to the electrode assembly to oxidize particulates collected by the particulate filter. An associated method of regenerating the particulate filter is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2007
    Assignee: Arvin Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Wilbur H. Crawley, Randall J. Johnson, Stephen P. Goldschmidt
  • Patent number: 7122070
    Abstract: A device for handling a fluid includes a corona discharge device and an electric power supply. The corona discharge device includes at least one corona discharge electrode and at least one collector electrode positioned proximate each other so as to provide a total inter-electrode capacitance within a predetermined range. The electric power supply is connected to supply an electric power signal to said corona discharge and collector electrodes so as to cause a corona current to flow between the corona discharge and collector electrodes. An amplitude of an alternating component of the voltage of the electric power signal generated is no greater than one-tenth that of an amplitude of a constant component of the voltage of the electric power signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2006
    Assignee: Kronos Advanced Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Igor A. Krichtafovitch
  • Patent number: 6951582
    Abstract: An air purifier device includes a fan unit in an electrically conductive housing for drawing ambient air into the housing via an air inlet, and an electrically conductive dust-collecting member in the housing and disposed adjacent to an air outlet. A detecting unit is operable so as to provide a control signal in response to at least one of a change in electrical characteristics of the housing due to body contact therewith, and a change in electrical characteristics of the dust-collecting member due to excessive accumulation of dust thereon. A power control unit is operable to supply electric power to a negative ion generating unit such that a drive voltage is applied to an ionizing member of the negative ion generating unit, and is responsive to the control signal from the detecting unit to interrupt supply of the electric power to the negative ion generating unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2005
    Inventors: Sung-Lin Tsai, Chun-Ming Wu
  • Patent number: 6761752
    Abstract: A gas particle partitioner (GPP) removes particles from an aerosol with high efficiency and with no or minimum changes to the thermodynamic conditions and chemical composition of the gas phase of the aerosol. A permeable grid electrode surrounds a corona wire and separates an interior corona discharge area from an exterior aerosol charging zone. A particle free fluid washes the corona discharge area to minimize any transport of gas components produced by corona discharge to the aerosol. The charged particles in the aerosol are deflected by an electric field in a fractionator to selectively produce a particle free sample stream, which is then separated by a flow splitter from the aerosol.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2004
    Assignee: Rupprecht & Patashnick Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Heinrich Fissan, Frank Jordan, Thomas Kuhlbusch
  • Patent number: 6540812
    Abstract: An improved method and system is provided to control the rapping process used to clean the internal collection plates and discharge electrodes of electrostatic precipitators. The system obtains the performance characteristics of a first rapper and calculates a rapper lift value. The system then obtains performance characteristic data from two or more additional rappers and calculates rapper lift values for each of the rappers. Finally, the system compares the rapper lift value of each additional rapper and adjusts its performance characteristics so that it substantially approximates the performance characteristics of the first rapper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2003
    Assignee: BHA Group Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Terry L. Farmer, David F. Johnston, Sven Richter, Michael M. Mahler
  • Patent number: 6287368
    Abstract: Apparatus for the purification of air, flue gases in which apparatus the air, flue gases or equivalent are directed into a duct, in which apparatus the air, flue gases are ionized, and in which apparatus charged impurity particles (7) present in the air, flue gases or equivalent are attracted by one or more collector surfaces (2) by virtue of a difference in the states of charge, causing the particles to settle on the surface. The air, flue gases are ionized by virtue of one or more ionizing electrodes (5) directed at a collector surface. The distance between the ionizing electrode or equivalent and the collector surface and the difference between the state of electric charge of the collector surface and the charged impurity particles are so adjusted that the impurity particles will move essentially directly towards the collector surface and settle on it.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2001
    Assignee: Oy Airtunnel Ltd.
    Inventor: Veikko Ilmasti
  • Patent number: 5770068
    Abstract: A stationary hydraulic jump is utilized in a multi-phase mixing system to mix components present in a plurality of separate phases. The flow rate and film height of a liquid phase in a first pipe section is metered and combined with a flow rate metered gas phase to form a stationary hydraulic jump in a second pipe section. The jump position is monitored and maintained stationary. A mixed fluid flows from the jump. A variety of solid, liquid, and gaseous components may be mixed in the hydraulic jump through appropriate selection of the liquid and gas phase components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 23, 1998
    Assignee: Ohio University
    Inventor: W. Paul Jepson
  • Patent number: 5707422
    Abstract: A method for use in an electrostatic precipitator unit, of controlling, with a view to cleaning an incoming dust-laden gas, the supply of conditioning agent to the incoming contaminated gas upstream of the precipitator unit. The precipitator unit includes discharge electrodes and collecting electrodes, between which a varying high voltage is maintained by means of a pulsating direct current supplied thereto. The frequency, the pulse charge and/or pulse length of the pulsating direct current are so varied that a plurality of frequency-charge-length combinations are obtained. For each combination, a figure of merit is measured or calculated. The figures of merit are used for establishing an optimal combination. The supply of conditioning agent is adjusted in dependence upon the pulse frequency of the established optimal combination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 13, 1998
    Assignee: ABB Flakt AB
    Inventors: Hans Jacobsson, Kjell Porle
  • Patent number: 5556448
    Abstract: An improved electrostatic precipitator system is provided for use in high-grease atmospheres in which the grease is electrically conductive. The precipitator includes high-voltage insulators that are both located in areas unlikely to accumulate electrically-conductive grease and that, in themselves, can operate in a high-voltage system without tracking, even when a certain amount of conductive grease has accumulated on the insulators' surfaces. In a multi-cell precipitator system, a high-voltage insulator is provided as part of a cell-to-cell assembly that receives high-voltage electricity on one side of its insulator, and conducts that electricity to its opposite side, and is placed in a specially-shaped cut-out in the bulkhead between the cell chambers, in which the cut-out is shaped so as to minimize the amount of grease that may accumulate upon the cell-to-cell assembly's insulators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 17, 1996
    Assignee: United Air Specialists, Inc.
    Inventors: William A. Cheney, John T. Grady, Jr., Victor L. Sellers, Kevin Lefler, Robert S. Wilks
  • Patent number: 5531959
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for solid phase extraction chromatography is disclosed in which the flow rate of a fluid, such as the motive pressurized gas is monitored, adjusted and compared with a standardized pressure curve which is correlative of a sample being processed. By monitoring and adjusting changes in flow rate, which can correspond to process initialization, beginning, ending and key fractionating points, and correlating to a standard, the cycle time for assaying the sample in question can be maximized and multiple samples can pass through analysis automatically and quickly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 2, 1996
    Assignee: Hamilton Company
    Inventors: James E. Johnson, Christopher B. Shumate, Andy W. Siu, Ronald Gundlach
  • Patent number: 5456741
    Abstract: An air purifier has discharge electrodes which generate a corona emission. These discharge electrodes are disposed within a flow passage provided in the air purifier along with a blower. Also included in the air purifier is a filter which scavenges contaminant particles in the air charged by the discharge electrodes. A control unit detects a discharge current of the discharge electrodes to control a rotational speed of the blower in accordance with the detected emission current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 10, 1995
    Assignees: Nippondenso Co., Ltd., Nippon Soken Inc.
    Inventors: Toshihiro Takahara, Kenichi Katou, Masakazu Takeichi
  • Patent number: 5356597
    Abstract: The present invention provides a flue gas conditioning system and method for generating conditioning agent used in the removal of entrained particles in a flue gas flow with an electrostatic precipitator. The invention involves the use of a catalytic converter movable between an operative position where the flue gas flows through the catalyst and converts SO.sub.2 contained in the flue gas to SO.sub.3 when conditioning agent is needed and an inoperative position where the flue gas does not flow through the catalyst when conditioning agent is no longer needed. The movable catalytic converter and related assembly may take variable configurations to accommodate various flue gas ductworks and space limitations and may carry one or more SO.sub.2 /SO.sub.3 converters providing a plurality of open and generally parallel flow paths of the flue gas that are formed by a catalyst effective over a wide range of temperatures for the controlled conversion of preferably a low percentage of SO.sub.2 in the flue gas to SO.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 1992
    Date of Patent: October 18, 1994
    Assignee: Wilhelm Environmental Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert A. Wright, George R. Dennis