Voltage Sensing Means Patents (Class 96/24)
  • Patent number: 11690460
    Abstract: An air purifying bed tent is disclosed, having a tent made from a semipermeable material suspended over a raised platform, thereby creating an enclosure for a user to be inside. An air purifying device is connected to the top of the tent, letting purified air into the enclosure and creating a local clean air zone for users. The positive pressure difference building up in the enclosure from the constantly added clean air forces clean air out through a plurality of openings, primarily through creases in the semipermeable material around the raised platform. Should the skirting be completely sealed, the semipermeable material will let out the pure air to a higher degree, ensuring a stable and easy touse operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: Blueair AB
    Inventor: Johan Daniel Wennerström
  • Publication number: 20150082980
    Abstract: An air cleaning apparatus includes ion generation electrode, a collecting electrode, and a support portion. The ion generation electrode is configured to apply a high-voltage to thereby form a high-voltage electric field between the collecting electrode and the ion generation electrode. A passage is formed between the ion generation electrode and the collecting electrode along the high-voltage electric field direction. The support portion is configured to provide electrical isolation and mechanical support for the ion generation electrode and the collecting electrode. A surface of the support portion between the ion generation electrode and the collecting electrode comprises a surface coating layer configured to resist ion bombardment and the accidental arcing. A transformer frequency adjusting system includes a frequency storage cell, a control module, and a drive module, and can work with the air cleaning apparatus, alone, or with other apparatuses.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2014
    Publication date: March 26, 2015
    Inventors: YIGANG LIU, HONGYU RAN, XIANGHUI GAO
  • Publication number: 20140096680
    Abstract: An air filtration system includes a frame directing an airflow through the air filtration system and a power supply. An ionization array is located in the frame across the airflow and connected to the power supply. The power supply provides a first voltage to the ionization array. A field wire is located in the frame downstream from the ionization array and is energized to a second voltage only by an electrical energy discharge from the ionization array. A method of operating an electrically enhanced air filtration system includes energizing an ionization array, located across an airflow through the air filtration system, to a first voltage via electrical power supplied by a power supply. Electrical energy is discharged from the ionization array into the airflow. A field wire downstream of the ionization array is energized to a second voltage only by the discharge of electrical energy from the ionization array.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2012
    Publication date: April 10, 2014
    Applicant: CARRIER CORPORATION
    Inventors: Alan Ackley, Maurice L. Frappier, Ronald L. Bowman
  • Patent number: 8623116
    Abstract: Provided is a method of controlling the operation of an electrostatic precipitator (6) using a control strategy for a power to be applied between at least one collecting electrode (28) and at least one discharge electrode (26). The control strategy is directed to controlling, directly or indirectly, a power range and/or a power ramping rate. As such, the temperature of a process gas is measured. When the control strategy controls a power range, a power range is selected based on the measured temperature, an upper limit value of the power range being lower at a high temperature of said process gas, than at a low temperature. When the control strategy controls a power ramping rate, a power ramping rate is selected based on the measured temperature, a power ramping rate being lower at a high process gas temperature, than at a low process gas temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: ALSTOM Technology Ltd
    Inventor: Anders Nils Gustav Karlsson
  • Publication number: 20130269518
    Abstract: A device for purifying air from non-desired gases and particles, in the case of nuclear power plants from radiating particles and gaseous iodine, and for extermination of microorganisms and removal from the air. The device includes a purifying chamber through which the air to be purified is arranged to flow. In the structurally grounded purifying chamber ionized air (1) is led to a water dust or vapor which can be oxidized with hydrogen peroxide (6) and by increasing the voltage level of the ionization to produce ozone and to be led further to high voltage operated ion blast tips (8) producing a continuous ion jet, which is directed onto collecting surfaces (9) and taking with it droplets, particulate materials and gaseous components connected to them. The volume of the air to be purified determines the shape and volume of the purifying device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2011
    Publication date: October 17, 2013
    Applicant: AAVI TECHNOLOGIES LTD
    Inventor: Veikko Ilmari Ilmasti
  • 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: 8535419
    Abstract: A modular amine plant having a front-end module and a back-end module in fluid communication with each other. The front-end module having pre-fabricated connections for the association of various equipment including: a filter, an absorption tower, and a flash tank. The back-end module having pre-fabricated connections for the association of other various equipment including: a heat exchanger, a distillation tower, and a reboiler. The modular amine plant capable of being installed at a site in less than about 5 days. The modular amine plant further having moment forces sufficient to withstand wind speeds of about 100 miles per hour.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: Zephyr Gas Services LLC
    Inventors: Glen Wind, John Kenton Thompson, Lance Perryman
  • Patent number: 8475562
    Abstract: A gas purification apparatus capable of removing fine particles of substantially any size without lowering the efficiency of gas supply. A loader module of a substrate processing apparatus includes a fan filter unit for producing a downward flow of atmospheric air in the internal space of a transfer chamber. The fan filter unit includes a fan for generating an atmospheric air flow, a filter of mesh structure for trapping and removing particles mixed in the atmospheric air flow, an irradiation heater disposed between the fan and the filter, and a high temperature part disposed in the atmospheric air flow and higher in temperature than the filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventor: Tsuyoshi Moriya
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20120255436
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling the electrical power applied to an electrically driven oxygen separation device having one or more composite membrane elements to separate oxygen from an oxygen containing feed. The composite membrane elements have a resistance increasing during the operation thereof that would act to reduce oxygen output if applied voltage were held constant. In order to increase the time interval for renewing the composite membrane elements, the electrical potential difference is controlled such that the electric current drawn by the elements remains at a substantially constant level by increasing the electrical potential difference as the resistance increases until a predetermined voltage level is reached. Once this level is obtained, the electrical potential difference is maintained at a constant level and the electric current being drawn and the oxygen output is allowed to decay to a predetermined low level after which the element or elements are replaced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 7, 2011
    Publication date: October 11, 2012
    Inventors: Michael J. Collins, David F. Suggs, Sadashiv M. Swami, Richard M. Kelly
  • 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: 20110209611
    Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to cyclonic separation or filtering of nanoparticles suspended in a gas. A plume of liquid droplets may be generated using an ultrasound or other generator. The gas may be mixed with the plume of liquid droplets, which may have received an electrostatic charge prior to mixing, to promote preferential adhesion of the nanoparticles to the liquid droplets. The gas with suspended nanoparticles and suspended liquid particles may flow through a cyclonic separator that spins rapidly, causing the cleaned gas to flow out of the filter while the liquid with adhered nanoparticles may be discharged, collected, and/or re-used in the plume generator. By causing nanoparticles to adhere to larger liquid particles, the filter may allow the filtering and collection of much smaller particles than current systems may filter under atmospheric pressure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2010
    Publication date: September 1, 2011
    Inventor: Ezekiel Kruglick
  • 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: 7833323
    Abstract: There is provided a flotage trapping device using electrostatic field. The flotage trapping device has a body including a power source portion and a boosting portion fed from the power source portion, and a collector portion including a collector to which the plus and/or minus high voltage obtained from the boosting portion is applied. The collector portion is formed as a collector cassette by unitizing the collector portion in the form of a cassette. A fixing mechanism is provided between the body and the collector cassette for connecting and disconnecting the body and the collector cassette through one-touch operation. The electric connector for high voltage is provided between the body and the collector cassette for electrically connecting and disconnecting the body and the collector cassette through one-touch operation. As a result the collector cassette is detachably mounted on the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Inventors: Makoto Takayanagi, Akitoshi Takagi, Yasunori Imagawa
  • 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: 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
  • Publication number: 20100154633
    Abstract: Systems and methods for cleaning emitter electrodes of air conditioner systems are provided. The air conditioning system includes an emitter electrode, a collector electrode and a high voltage generator to provide a high voltage potential difference between the emitter and collector electrodes. The system also includes a cleaning member having a channel through which the emitter electrode passes. A plunger mechanism and a spring, or a lever and a fulcrum, are used to force the cleaning member to travel upward along the emitter electrode to thereby frictionally removing debris from the emitter electrode. This description is not intended to be a complete description of, or limit the scope of, the invention. Other features, aspects, and objects of the invention can be obtained from a review of the specification, the figures and the claims.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 9, 2010
    Publication date: June 24, 2010
    Inventors: Andrew J. Parker, Charles E. Taylor, Shek Fai Lau
  • 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
  • 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: 7651548
    Abstract: The frequency of a cyclically varying voltage, (fv), is made equal to or higher than the frequency of a streamer discharge, (fs), thereby making it possible to reduce the discharge delay time which is caused in a single streamer discharge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2010
    Assignee: Daikin Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshio Tanaka, Kenkichi Kagawa, Kanji Motegi
  • Patent number: 7572323
    Abstract: The invention relates to a fluid separating device with a lower section with a fluid feeding device and a liquid discharging device, an upper section with a fluid feeding device and a gas discharging device, a contact device which is constructed in such a manner that gas, which rises from the lower section into the upper section, comes into contact with liquid which sinks from the upper section into the lower section. Thereby, the rising gases can be depleted of components which are soluble in said liquid. Furthermore, a measuring device for determining the quantity of liquid and/or the alterations thereof is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2009
    Assignee: SFC Smart Fuel Cell AG
    Inventors: Jens Müller, Volker Harbusch, Markus Huber, Christian Böhm, Kurt Rothkopf, Manfred Stefener
  • Publication number: 20090178562
    Abstract: A dust collector is provided in the main body of a POS terminal so that the dust in the main body can be caught into the dust collector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2009
    Publication date: July 16, 2009
    Applicant: TOSHIBA TEC KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Masatoshi Nochi
  • 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: 7497893
    Abstract: A method for handling a fluid may be incorporated into the operation of, for example, a corona discharge device and an electric power supply. Such a corona discharge device typically 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. A relationship between alternating and direct (or constant, non-time varying) components of the voltage may be expressed as (Vac/Vdc)?(Iac/Idc).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2009
    Assignee: Kronos Advanced Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Igor A. Krichtafovitch
  • 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: 20080250929
    Abstract: There is provided a flotage trapping device using electrostatic field. The flotage trapping device comprises a body including a power source portion and a boosting portion for boosting, fed from the power source portion, and a collector portion including a collector to which the plus and/or minus high voltage obtained from the boosting portion is applied. The collector portion is formed as a collector cassette by unitizing the collector portion in the form of cassette. A fixing mechanism is provided between the body and the collector cassette for connecting and disconnecting the body and the collector cassette through one-touch operation. The electric connecters for high voltage is provided between the body and the collector cassette for electrically connecting and disconnecting the body and the collector cassette through one-touch operation. As a result the collector cassette is detachably mounted on the body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2008
    Publication date: October 16, 2008
    Inventors: Makoto Takayanagi, Akitoshi Takagi, Yasunori Imagawa
  • Publication number: 20080196579
    Abstract: A method for the acceleration of an electromagnetic rapper, particularly for an electrostatic precipitator, which includes a metal cylinder as a hammer, an electrical coil for lifting the metal cylinder and a coil energizer for energizing the electrical coil. For cleaning a surface the metal cylinder is lifted by an initial electrical pulse generated by the coil energizer. The coil energizer supplies the electrical coil with an additional electrical pulse so that the metal cylinder is accelerated when it has reached the maximum point of its trajectory.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2007
    Publication date: August 21, 2008
    Applicant: ALSTOM TECHNOLOGY LTD
    Inventor: Anders Johansson
  • Patent number: 7371354
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for compensating for variations in line voltages the power an electro-kinetic air transporter and conditioner device. The electro-kinetic air transporter and conditioner device includes a high voltage generator that provides a potential difference between at least one emitter electrode and at least one collector electrode. The high voltage generator is driven by both a DC voltage obtained from an AC voltage source, and a low voltage pulse signal. The DC voltage is stepped down to produce a voltage sense signal indicative of a level of AC voltage source. The voltage sense signal is monitored. At least one of a pulse width, duty cycle and frequency of the low voltage pulse signal is adjusted, based on the monitored voltage sense signal, in order to substantially maintain the potential difference at a desired level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2008
    Assignee: Sharper Image Corporation
    Inventor: Shek Fai Lau
  • Patent number: 7364606
    Abstract: Provided are a hollow inner electrode constituted by an electrically conductive filter capable of capturing particulates, a cylindrical outer electrode circumferentially surrounding the electrode, a housing incorporated in a flow passage of exhaust and accommodating the electrodes and, a temperature sensor for detecting temperature of the exhaust and an electric discharge controller for controlling electric power to be distributed to the electrodes and on the basis of a detected value of the temperature sensor. When the temperature of the exhaust obtained by the temperature sensor is lowered, electric power necessary for generation of discharge plasma is distributed by the discharge controller to the electrodes and, thereby oxidizing the particulates captured by the electrode to reduce electricity consumption.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2008
    Assignee: Hino Motors, Ltd.
    Inventors: Masatoshi Shimoda, Koichi Machida, Takatoshi Furukawa
  • Patent number: 7357828
    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: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2008
    Assignee: Oreck Holdings LLC
    Inventor: John Relman Bohlen
  • Publication number: 20080047433
    Abstract: An air purifier comprises 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. So that, the air purifier, according environment, change the operating mode to improve the air quality.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2007
    Publication date: February 28, 2008
    Inventors: CHIEH OUYANG, WEI OUYANG
  • 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: 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: 7182805
    Abstract: An air conditioning device for heating and/or an environment is provided. The air conditioning device includes a heat exchanging apparatus, a passage, and a corona discharge apparatus. The passage is in thermal communication with the heat exchanging apparatus and extends between an inlet and an outlet. The corona discharge apparatus is disposed within the passage to draw a fluid from the environment into the passage through the inlet, move the fluid through the passage to permit the heat exchanger to remove or heat the fluid, and expel the fluid through the outlet into the environment. As such, the environment is cooled or heated. Embodiments of the present invention include package terminal air conditioners (PTACs), room air conditioners (RACs), and mini-split heating and cooling systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Assignee: Ranco Incorporated of Delaware
    Inventor: Debra Jean Reaves
  • 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: 7081152
    Abstract: A gas separation apparatus which uses electrostatic precipitators and a DC power supply is controlled to optimally remove moderate to high resistivity ash. The DC power supply is pulse width modulated to maximize the product of the peak electric field and the average electric field. The method used to optimize operation includes selecting initial on and off times for the power supply, operating the power supply using the initial off and on times, and progressively decreasing the off time. A determination is made whether the off time may be further decreased. Ultimately, the on and off time intervals that produce the highest peak and average voltage are determined, and the system is operated using these parameters. A procedure may be periodically repeated to monitor the process and detect if there has been a change in the system that would require new time intervals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2006
    Assignee: Electric Power Research Institute Incorporated
    Inventors: Ralph F. Altman, Robert N. Guenther
  • Patent number: 6899748
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for removing contaminants from gas streams. A first step involves selecting a contaminant to be removed from a gas stream and determining a characteristic ionizing energy value required to selectively ionize the selected contaminant with minimal effect on other contaminants in the gas stream. A second step involves applying the characteristic ionizing energy value to the gas stream and selectively ionizing the selected contaminant. A third step involves capturing the selected contaminant after ionization.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2005
    Inventor: Moustafa Abdel Kader Mohamed
  • Patent number: 6824587
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for removing contaminants from gas streams. A first step involves selecting a contaminant to be removed from a gas stream and determining a characteristic ionizing energy value required to selectively ionize the selected contaminant with minimal effect on other contaminants in the gas stream. A second step involves applying the characteristic ionizing energy value to the gas stream and selectively ionizing the selected contaminant. A third step involves capturing the selected contaminant after ionization.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2004
    Inventor: Moustafa Abdel Kader Mohamed
  • Patent number: 6461405
    Abstract: A method of operating an electrostatic precipitator (7) includes feeding the precipitator with electric power generated by a power supply (10) according to a regime adapted to impart between the precipitator electrodes a voltage having a DC component and an AC component. A control unit (8) measures the electrode voltage, establishes a voltage peak value and a voltage mean value, and computes the product of peak value by mean value to arrive at an index of expected performance (IEP). Operating set points are tuned so as to maximize this index of expected performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2002
    Assignee: F.L. Smidth Airtech A/S
    Inventor: Victor Reyes
  • Patent number: 6368391
    Abstract: Disclosed is a portable air filtration system for removing contaminants from room air. In one embodiment, the air filtration system comprises a power supply and an air blower module electrically connected to the power supply. The air filtration system further comprises an ionization module engaged with the air blower module and comprising a first control grid and a high voltage grid electrically connected to the power supply. The air filtration system further comprises a filter module removably engaged with the ionization module. The filter module comprises a filter and a second control grid. Engagement of the filter module and the ionization module creates an electrical connection between the second control grid and the power supply. Activation of the air filtration system creates a first ionization field between the high voltage grid and the first control grid and a second ionization field between the high voltage grid and the second control grid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2002
    Assignee: Healthway Products Company, Inc.
    Inventors: William E. O'Hara, Richard T. Briggs, Max Bablok, Herbert Hildebrandt, Richard H. Chapman, Robert S. Englert, Mark A. Ferguson, Timothy R. Fitch, Scott W. Osiecki, Fred A. Marconi, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20010011499
    Abstract: A method of operating an electrostatic precipitator (7) comprises feeding the precipitator with electric power generated by a power supply (10) according to a regime adapted to impart between the precipitator electrodes a voltage having a DC components and an AC component. A control unit (8) measures the electrode voltage, establishes a voltage peak value and a voltage mean value, and computes the product of peak value by mean value to arrive at an index of expected performance (IEP) . Operating set points are tuned so as to maximize this index of expected performance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2001
    Publication date: August 9, 2001
    Inventor: Victor Reyes
  • Patent number: 6056808
    Abstract: An apparatus for ionizing air to remove particulate matter. The apparatus including an ionizer and a bracket for mounting the ionizer and a bracket for mounting the ionizer in a duct or enclosure. The ionizer includes a series of electrodes which span a portion of the duct. The electrodes are energized by a high voltage circuit and an ionic wind is created between the electrode and duct. The ionic wind sweeps particles in the air to the duct which provides a collector electrode. In another embodiment, a ring collector electrode is also provided for spanning the inner portion of the duct. The high voltage circuit includes a DC power supply, a high voltage transformer, a high voltage multiplier stage and a push-pull switching circuit. The DC power supply receives AC power and generates a DC output which is coupled to the primary of the transformer. The push-pull switching circuit produces a controlled and efficient AC output in the transformer by alternately switching the primary winding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2000
    Assignee: DKW International Inc.
    Inventor: Hans W Krause
  • Patent number: 6033565
    Abstract: System for treating gases or liquids by corona discharge, comprising: a) a corona discharge space through which the gases or fluids to be treated are guided; b) a corona wire inside the corona discharge space; c) a source for supplying high voltage pulses, whereby the output of the source is connected to the corona wire; d) sensors for measuring the power dissipated in the corona discharge space; e) an electromagnetically compatible case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2000
    Assignee: Stichting voor de Technische Weteschappen
    Inventors: Egbertus Johannes Maria Van Heesch, Hendriekus Wilhelmus Maria Smulders, Robertus Hendricus Petrus Lemmens, Pieter Cornelis Tobias Van Der Laan
  • Patent number: 5578112
    Abstract: An apparatus for ionizing air to remove particulate matter. The apparatus including an ionizer and a bracket for mounting the ionizer in a duct or enclosure. The ionizer includes a series of electrodes which span a portion of the duct. The electrodes are energized by a high voltage circuit and an ionic wind is created between the electrode and duct. The ionic wind sweeps particles in the air to the duct which provides a collector electrode. In another embodiment, a ring collector electrode is also provided for spanning the inner portion of the duct. The high voltage circuit includes a DC power supply, a high voltage transformer, a high voltage multiplier stage and a push-pull switching circuit. The DC power supply receives AC power and generates a DC output which is coupled to the primary of the transformer. The push-pull switching circuit produces a controlled and efficient AC output in the transformer by alternately switching the primary winding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 26, 1996
    Assignee: 999520 Ontario Limited
    Inventor: Hans W. Krause
  • Patent number: 5401299
    Abstract: Air purification system where air is subjected to complex electrical field resulting from a DC voltage and AC frequency in kilovolt and kilohertz range respectively, applied to screen assembly in air path. DC amplitude and AC frequency self regulate to selected parameters. Parameters are selectable independently of one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 28, 1995
    Assignee: CRS Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Arnold C. Kroeger, Curt J. Lawnicki, Thomas M. Smedley
  • Patent number: 4065309
    Abstract: The information legibility of multi-color graphic material is enhanced by a method illustrated as follows: Frames of panchromatic silver-halide black and white negative film are separately exposed through red, green, and blue transmitting filters respectively to an image of the original multicolor material. The negative images on the frames of film are developed and fixed, and then printed on respective red, green, and blue-dye developing positive transparency materials. The red-dye, green-dye and blue-dye positive transparencies are then superimposed and retained in register.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 1976
    Date of Patent: December 27, 1977
    Inventor: Sol Domeshek
  • Patent number: 4028105
    Abstract: A photosensitive material for making a color separation record is imaged through a color separation filter. An electroluminescent panel having an image reversal property is then placed on the material. The panel is imaged through a color correction filter and radiates a negative color removal image onto the material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 1975
    Date of Patent: June 7, 1977
    Inventors: Yoshio Ono, Takashi Sakamoto
  • Patent number: 4010032
    Abstract: A photosensitive material such as photographic film is exposed with a color image through a color separation filter. An electroluminescent plate is placed over the film and exposed with the color image first through the color separation filter with the plate charged to one electrical polarity and again through a color and contrast compensating filter with the plate charged to the opposite polarity. A high electrical potential is applied to the electroluminescent plate causing the plate to radiate a luminescent image onto the film as a color and contrast compensation exposure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 1975
    Date of Patent: March 1, 1977
    Inventors: Yoshio Ono, Takashi Sakamoto
  • Patent number: 3953135
    Abstract: A method of approximating the characteristic curves of a color film exposed at a variety of color temperatures is provided.The method involves the use of a linear curve which relates the .DELTA. log E change of blue and green exposure with change of color temperature. This linear curve is derived experimentally from the characteristic curves obtained by exposing several color negative films to a sensitometer, including a step tablet and a means for varying color temperatures. The films are exposed at color temperatures ranging from 2900.degree.K to 6700.degree.K and then processed in a color developer. Transmission densities of the developed film to red, green, and blue light are determined with a densitometer and the results plotted as a curve relating red, blue, and green density to relative log exposure. These characteristic curves are then analyzed by placing them over the curves obtained at 6700.degree.K so that the red curves are superimposed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 1975
    Date of Patent: April 27, 1976
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventors: Marilyn Levy, Milan Schwartz