Having Means For Driving Gas Flow (e.g., Fan, Blower, Etc.) Patents (Class 96/63)
  • Patent number: 7767005
    Abstract: An apparatus for filtering particulate matter from a gas. The apparatus includes at least one tube with a substantially axially located ionizer structure, and a fan for propelling the gas through the at least one tube. The ionizer structure includes a flat blade extending axially along at least a substantial part of the tube and having a saw tooth shape with a high number of sharp teeth placed regularly along the blade edges. The blade is twisted about its own longitudinal centerline to provide rotation for a gas stream flowing along the tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2010
    Inventor: Roger A Gale
  • Publication number: 20100154631
    Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention provides a system for removing foreign objects from the airstream entering an inlet system of a turbomachine. This system may include an electrostatic system that may be configured to charge conductive, or partially conductive foreign objects that are in the airstream flowing through the system. This system may create an electric field to drawing the charged foreign objects, allowing for a collecting section to remove the charged foreign objects from the airstream. An embodiment of the present invention may provide an automatic accumulation system for collecting the foreign objects removed from the airstream. An embodiment of the present invention may provide an automatic cleaning system for cleaning components of the collecting section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2008
    Publication date: June 24, 2010
    Inventors: Rahul J. Chillar, Stephen D. Hiner, Aaron M. Smith
  • Patent number: 7740686
    Abstract: A modular ductwork assembly decontaminates an air stream circulating within an heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system. The assembly includes (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 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. Each of the modules is arranged substantially adjacent to at least one of the other modules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2010
    Inventor: Karen Metteer
  • Publication number: 20100126343
    Abstract: An electrically enhanced air filter apparatus for filtering particles from moving air is described. The apparatus includes a filter arranged so particles approach the filter a filter speed and pass through an ionizer at an ionizer speed, and is configured so the filter speed is less than the ionizer speed. The ionizer is arranged to guide the moving air in an ionizer airflow direction and generates an ionizing electric field having ionizer field direction substantially perpendicular to the ionizer airflow direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2008
    Publication date: May 27, 2010
    Applicant: DELPHI TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Donald John Enzinna, Ilya Reyzin
  • Publication number: 20100122629
    Abstract: Air purifier containing an air blower and a rotating brush, such brush having long flexible bristles made of a material that is capable of developing negative triboelectric charge. During a part of the rotation cycle, the bristles move across a surface that can accumulate a positive charge. This cause the bristle to charge negatively. The air impurities are attracted to negatively charged bristles and discharged into a collecting bin.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2009
    Publication date: May 20, 2010
    Inventor: Jacob Fraden
  • Patent number: 7713330
    Abstract: A tower ionizer air cleaner is provided. The tower ionizer air cleaner includes a tower chassis, with a base of the tower chassis including a small footprint, one or more airflow inlet openings in the tower chassis, one or more airflow outlet openings in the tower chassis and substantially opposite to the one or more airflow inlet openings, and an ionizer element positioned within the tower chassis. The tower ionizer air cleaner further includes one or more fan units substantially vertically located within the tower ionizer air cleaner and affixed to the tower chassis. The one or more fan units are configured to provide an airflow between the one or more airflow inlet openings and the one or more airflow outlet openings and through the ionizer element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Assignee: Oreck Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: John R. Bohlen, Thomas A. Oreck, Bruce Kiern, Christopher M. Paterson, Charles W. Reynolds
  • Patent number: 7708814
    Abstract: Carbon dioxide contained within exhaust gas is combined with bivalent metal ions such as calcium ions or the like in concentrated salt water to form precipitated calcium carbonate and then can be expelled out. Such an environmental friendly design is realized by a bottle upside down device with a bottle neck exit on a bottom. A piston inside the device can be elevated to a top portion to produce a near vacuum air pressure inside the device. All the brine, exhaust gas, and oxygen, ozone drawn together into the device can be accelerated to form, at least, precipitated calcium carbonate to reduce carbon dioxide contained within the exhaust gas. Chemical reaction is accelerated by a high voltage discharger below the piston and by flashing a portion of water to atomize the brine. A heater can heat up the near vacuum device to accelerate chemical reaction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Inventor: Chia-Chang Liu
  • Patent number: 7704300
    Abstract: The invention refers to a device and a method for cleaning a gas containing particulate impurities. The device includes a main separator having an inlet for the gas, an outlet for the gas and a rotating member provided between the inlet and the outlet. The rotating member is adapted to bring the gas to rotate for separating by means of centrifugal forces a main amount of the particulate impurities from the gas, wherein a rest amount of the particulate impurities remains in the gas. The device also includes an additional separator adapted to separate substantially the whole rest amount. The additional separator includes an electrostatic filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2010
    Assignee: Alfa Laval Corporate AB
    Inventor: Stefan Szepessy
  • Patent number: 7674323
    Abstract: An apparatus for filtering particulate matter from a gas. The apparatus includes at least one tube with a substantially axially located ionizer structure, and a fan for propelling the gas through the at least one tube. The ionizer structure includes a flat blade extending axially along at least a substantial part of the tube and having a saw tooth shape with a high number of sharp teeth placed regularly along the blade edges. The blade is twisted about its own longitudinal centerline to provide rotation for a gas stream flowing along the tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2010
    Inventor: Roger A. Gale
  • Patent number: 7658785
    Abstract: System for separating particles from an environment, the system including a perforated screen and an ionisation electrode in the environment for creating an electrostatic potential between the electrode and the screen to attract the particles to the screen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2010
    Assignee: Vestergaard Frandsen SA
    Inventor: Mikkel Vestergaard Frandsen
  • Patent number: 7651555
    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: August 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2010
    Inventors: Jeffrey L. Roseberry, Robert A. Darling
  • Publication number: 20090293718
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for an ionizer according to various aspects of the present invention include an amplifier disposed within an open ended housing. The air amplifier is used to supply an amplified airflow that may then be passed through an air neutralization system thereby neutralizing the amplified airflow before exiting the housing. A pressurized gas may be injected into an internal portion of the air amplifier where it is mixed with an ambient airflow before exiting the air amplifier as an amplified airflow.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2009
    Publication date: December 3, 2009
    Inventors: DONALD M. HUGHES, Inuka D. Renstrom
  • 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
  • Patent number: 7621985
    Abstract: An air purifier to improve air quality for breathing is disclosed. A magnetized torch module that passes a large air flow is designed. The emission spectroscopy of the torch indicates that the plasma effluent carries an abundance of reactive atomic oxygen (RAO), which can effectively kill all kinds of microbes. The invention employs two torch modules which run alternately to generate non-thermal plasma for air treatment via both thermal/non-thermal processes. The air flow through the on-torch module is mainly treated thermally. A controlling air valve is designed to direct the exiting airflow of the off-torch module to pass through the plasma torch of the on-torch module for non-thermal treatment. The controlling air valve also works to turn the torch modules on and off synchronizing with the closing and opening of the two air valves in the controlling air valve. This device purifies ambient air in a fast rate and kills microbes thoroughly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2009
    Assignee: Adventix Technologies Inc.
    Inventor: Spencer P. Kuo
  • Patent number: 7615106
    Abstract: A control device repeats first air volume control and second air volume control for a predetermined number of times irrespective of a control state at that time while forcedly driving an ion generator, when a bacteria elimination shower switch is turned on. In the first air volume control, a sirocco fan generates an air flow having a predetermined air volume. In the second air volume control, the sirocco fan generates an air flow having an air volume smaller than the predetermined air volume. Therefore, a bacteria elimination effect is enhanced in an air conditioning apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2009
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Akihiro Yasukawa
  • 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: 7553354
    Abstract: An apparatus (10) and method for recovering elemental carbon, elemental sulfur, elemental iron, elemental gold and other elemental materials from an air flow including a funnel-shaped receptor (14) and an inverted cone-shape electrode node body (12) spaced from the funnel receptor, a funnel-shaped reaction zone (45) between the outer surface of the electrode node body and the inner surface (60) of the receptor for receiving the air flow, and a plurality of point source electrodes (36) mounted to the electrode node body (12) and projecting into the reaction zone (45). The electrode node body (12) and the receptor (14) are electrically isolated from each other, the receptor (14) is connected to ground, and a voltage source is electrically connected to the electrode node body (12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2009
    Assignee: Absalut Ecology Establishment
    Inventor: Alexander Vasilievich Borisenko
  • 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
  • Patent number: 7537647
    Abstract: The present invention is an air purifier including an ionizing assembly that operates to charge particulate material in an air flow passing through the purifier. The charged particulate material is attracted to and retained by a filter element disposed downstream of the ionization assembly and having an electrical charge opposite to the charged particulate material. The purified air passing through the filter is directed out of the device, optionally in conjunction with a fragrance that is added to the purified air flow. The ionizing assembly is formed with a ground member disposed adjacent the ionizing member to keep the electrons generated by the ionizing assembly within the purifier, and thus prevent static discharges from occurring outside of the purifier. The air flow is directed by a fan through the purifier in an angular and substantially laminar manner, such that the efficiency of the purifier is increased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2009
    Assignee: S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc.
    Inventors: Joel E. Adair, Rene Maurice Beland, James R. Crapser, C. Scott Eagleton, Thomas P. Gasper, Dennis W. Gruber, Jeffrey L. Harwig, Padma Prabodh Varanasi
  • Patent number: 7534288
    Abstract: Electrostatic system is for optimal charging of aerosols and particulates. In order to improve their collection, the system uses a combination of DC field and AC fields produced by multiple AC electrodes. The system minimizes the size and power consumption of the device, as well as increasing the collection efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2009
    Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventor: Leslie Bromberg
  • Patent number: 7524357
    Abstract: An air/oil separator for use in a gas turbine engine includes a centrifugal separation stage in fluid communication with a downstream electrostatic separation stage. The centrifugal separation stage rotationally drives an electric generator to power the electrostatic separation stage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2009
    Assignee: Pratt & Whitney Canada Corp.
    Inventor: Robert Allan Daukant
  • Patent number: 7510599
    Abstract: A device for purification of a gas flow containing condensable vapors including a shell (7) defining a sealed volume, a cooler to quench the gas flow, a rotating assembly (42) having a rotor (44) and a cylindrical separation and filtration skirt (54) composed of serrated circular rings (56) mounted on the rotor and rotating with it; a support tube (48) mounted on the rotor (44) and carrying a turbulator-scraper device (50) a cylindrical electrode (94) surrounding the separation and filtration skirt (54) and a central counter-electrode (78) to create an electrostatic field in the shell (7), a purified gas outlet tube, a condensates outlet pipe (40) and impact separation plates (64) fixed on the rings of the skirt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Assignee: Commissariat a l'Energie Atomique
    Inventors: Meryl Brothier, Jean-Pierre Turchet, Pierre Estubier
  • Patent number: 7488375
    Abstract: A fan cooling system for use with an electronic apparatus having a fan for providing a cooling draft and adapted to remove draft-borne dust includes: an input module for receiving a control instruction; a programmable logic module electrically connected to the input module and adapted to validate the control instruction received by the input module and output a logic result in accordance with the control instruction; and an electrostatic module comprising an electrostatic filtering unit and an electrostatic controlling unit electrically connected to the electrostatic filtering unit and the programmable logic module, wherein the electrostatic filtering unit adjoins the fan to take the cooling draft, and the electrostatic controlling unit applies static electricity to the electrostatic filtering unit in accordance with the logic result sent from the programmable logic module and thus enables the electrostatic filtering unit to electrostatically adsorb draft-borne dust.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2009
    Assignee: Inventec Corporation
    Inventor: Ting-Kai Chen
  • Patent number: 7461835
    Abstract: An air humidifier has an electric fan unit arranged in a housing for delivering a through-flow of air between feed-air and discharge-air openings in the housing; at least one filter device for the through-flow of air; and a device for releasing liquid to the through-flow of air. A first housing component accommodates the fan unit with filter strips and feed-air and discharge-air openings. A second housing component is a vessel for storing liquid. The two housing components form autonomous structural units which can be fixed to and detached from one another. It is possible for the first housing component to be utilized as a separate unit independently of the second housing component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2008
    Assignee: Petz Industries GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Gunter Petz, Rolf Petz
  • Publication number: 20080190294
    Abstract: In an ionizer composed of an electrode needle cartridge and a main body block, the electrode needle cartridge is provided with an electrode needle for generating an ion, a high voltage generating device for applying high voltage to the electrode needle, and a receiving connector for connecting a feeding connector, and the main body block is provided with an air-blowing outlet serving as an electrode needle housing portion, an air passing-through hole for supplying air to the air-blowing outlet, and a connecting port for connecting an air piping. The electrode needle cartridge is configured such that when the electrode needle cartridge and the main body block are connected or separated, the electrode needle is inserted into or removed from the air-blowing outlet from a rear end portion side of the air-blowing outlet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2008
    Publication date: August 14, 2008
    Applicant: SMC Corporation
    Inventors: Toshio SATO, Gen Tsuchiya
  • Publication number: 20080120989
    Abstract: A discharge unit (30) and a heat exchanger (20) are disposed in an air passageway (15). In the discharge unit (30), a rod-like discharge electrode (31) and a plate-like counter electrode (32) are disposed perpendicular to the flow of air, and lie along the heat exchanger (20). Upon application of voltage to both the electrodes (31, 32), streamer discharge is performed between the electrodes (31, 32), whereby an active species capable of decomposition of a component to be processed is produced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2006
    Publication date: May 29, 2008
    Inventors: Toshio Tanaka, Kenkichi Kagawa, Kanji Motegi, Ryuji Akiyama
  • Publication number: 20080110343
    Abstract: An electronic device is provided. The electronic device includes a body, an aromatic odor generating unit, and a fan. The aromatic odor generated by the aromatic odor generating unit is exhausted from the body of the electronic device through an air outtake by air flow produced by the fan, so as to achieve an improved operation environment. In addition, a negative ion generating module is disposed on the electronic device; therefore, the aromatic odor can mix with the negative ions and then be exhausted from the body of the electronic device to provide the functions for invigorating people's spirits or satisfying the balancing of body physiques.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2006
    Publication date: May 15, 2008
    Inventor: Kuo-Yang Cheng
  • Patent number: 7368003
    Abstract: Systems for and methods of providing air purification and cleaning in combination with odor elimination in a single unit, such as a tabletop unit for home or office use, are disclosed. The air cleaning device includes a housing, an air intake port, an air movement mechanism, a pre-ionizer, a filter, a post-ionizer, an air exhaust port, and a flow chamber for holding a compound such as an odor elimination supply. An air movement mechanism, ozone removal mechanism, and/or filter/odor elimination assembly may also be present.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2008
    Assignee: S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc.
    Inventors: James R. Crapser, Milan L. Zdrubecky, René Maurice Béland
  • Patent number: 7364605
    Abstract: A photo-electronic air purifying disinfector firstly filters out airborne impurities using a washable filter screen. It then utilizes an activated carbon filter to filter out airborne bacteria and germs. The bacteria and germs which are capable of passing through the activated carbon filter are then eliminated by extreme-UV light emitted by extreme-UV light tubes. It also utilizes a negative ion generator to boost the level of anions in the air before being discharged. These two modes operate in the following manner: the first mode involves cathodic high-voltage output that is discharged via a carbonized fibre. The ionized air is then expelled by a fan. The second mode eliminates bacteria, germs and mould from air as it passes extreme-UV light tubes by exposure to extreme-UV light emitted by these extreme-UV light tubes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2008
    Assignee: John Manufacturing Limited
    Inventor: John Se-Kit Yuen
  • Publication number: 20080078291
    Abstract: An air/oil separator for use in a gas turbine engine comprises a centrifugal separation stage in fluid communication with a downstream electrostatic separation stage. The centrifugal separation stage rotationally drives an electric generator to power the electrostatic separation stage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2006
    Publication date: April 3, 2008
    Applicant: PRATT & WHITNEY CANADA CORP.
    Inventor: Robert Allan DAUKANT
  • Publication number: 20080053309
    Abstract: An air conditioning apparatus includes a cabinet having air inlet and outlet openings and an intense field dielectric air filtration system disposed in the cabinet between the inlet and outlet openings. The filtration system includes a field charging unit and a filter unit. The filter unit may be mounted for removal from the cabinet on spaced apart support brackets connected to the cabinet or to a frame of the field charging unit. Electrical contact elements may be supported by the support brackets for engagement with corresponding contact elements on the filter unit and charging unit for establishing electrical communication between a power supply and the charging unit and filter unit, respectively. A shorting bar is aligned with the contact members on the filter unit for discharging high voltage potential upon removal of the filter unit from the cabinet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2006
    Publication date: March 6, 2008
    Applicant: AMERICAN STANDARD INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: Mark D. Woodruff, Kirk W. Beason, Larry Stephen Bias, Robert G. Roycroft, Lester D. Sherrow, Stephen J. Vendt
  • Patent number: 7318856
    Abstract: An air transporter-conditioner device is disclosed that can include an elongated housing having a bottom, a top and an elongated side wall. The housing can have an inlet located adjacent to the bottom and an outlet located adjacent to the elongated side wall, an emitter electrode and a collector electrode and a high voltage generator operably connected to both electrodes. An impeller can be used to draw air into the housing through the inlet and direct the air toward the outlet. The housing can also include a second elongated side wall and a baffle which can include a plurality of deflectors positioned along the second elongated side wall. The baffle can include a plurality of elongated columns of varying lengths and each column can include a deflector. The device can further include a second inlet located adjacent to the elongated side wall and a germicidal lamp located inside the elongated housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2008
    Assignee: Sharper Image Corporation
    Inventors: Charles E. Taylor, Andrew J. Parker
  • Patent number: 7316729
    Abstract: An air cleaner is provided according to an embodiment of the invention. The air cleaner includes an air duct including an inlet end and an outlet end, a pre-filter positioned at the inlet end, an electrostatic precipitator positioned in the air duct downstream of the pre-filter, a post-filter positioned in the air duct downstream of the electrostatic precipitator, and a fan unit positioned in the air duct downstream of the post-filter. Airflow travels from the inlet end to the outlet end. The airflow first encounters the pre-filter, encounters the electrostatic precipitator after encountering the pre-filter, encounters the post-filter after encountering the electrostatic precipitator, and encounters the fan unit after encountering the post-filter. Each of the pre-filter, the electrostatic precipitator, and the post-filter can be separately installed and removed from the air duct.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2008
    Assignee: Oreck Holdings LLC
    Inventors: Christopher M. Paterson, Charles W. Reynolds, Owen T. Bourgeois
  • Patent number: 7311756
    Abstract: An indoor air quality system for a structure is provided. The indoor air quality system includes a ventilation system and a corona discharge apparatus. The ventilation system directs air through the structure. The corona discharge apparatus is positioned within the ventilation system and is operable to filter the air and to move the air through the ventilation system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Assignee: Ranco Incorporated of Delaware
    Inventor: Nicholas Ashworth
  • Patent number: 7300495
    Abstract: A flue gas treatment system for a fossil-burning power plant having a fuel source and a boiler includes a barrier filter downstream of the boiler, the barrier filter including an electrostatically-stimulated fabric filter utilizing high-permeability fabric, having an air permeability of at least 75 acfm/sq.ft. A method of treating flue gas includes generating a flue gas; and passing substantially 100% of the flue gas from a boiler directly through an electrostatically-stimulated fabric filter incorporating high-permeability fabric with an air permeability of at least 75 acfm/sq.ft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2007
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Robert W. Taylor
  • Patent number: 7285155
    Abstract: The present invention provides an air treatment device including a housing, an emitter electrode configured within the housing and a collector electrode configured within the housing and positioned downstream from the emitter electrode. The device preferably increases the ions produced for a start up period after the device is initially turned on, wherein the device automatically decreases ion production after the desired period. The device preferably includes a first and second voltage source to selectively increase and decrease voltages applied to the emitter and/or collector electrode to adjust the ion production. In one embodiment, the device includes a voltage controller to selectively adjust the voltage provided by the voltage source for the start up period and normal operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2007
    Inventors: Charles E. Taylor, Andrew J. Parker, Igor Y. Botvinnik, Shek Fai Lau, Gregory S. Snyder, John Paul Reeves
  • Patent number: 7273515
    Abstract: A 4-in-1 photo-electronic air purifying and conditioning system, which utilizes alternating current suitable for use in all weather conditions has activated carbon filters used in the first stage to eliminate impurities, germs and bacteria in the air drawn into the system. The bacteria and germs which are capable of passing through the activated carbon filter are then eliminated by extreme-UV light emitted by extreme-UV light tubes. A negative ion generator is used to boost the level of anions in the air before being discharged. These two modes operate in the following manner: the first mode involves high-voltage cathodic output that is discharged via carbonized fibers. The ionized air is then expelled by a fan. The second mode eliminates bacteria, germs and mould from air as it passes extreme-UV light tubes by exposure to extreme-UV light emitted by these extreme-UV light tubes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2007
    Assignee: John Manufacturing Limited
    Inventor: John Se-Kit Yuen
  • Patent number: 7261764
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a methods, apparatuses and systems that utilize electric currents to direct the deposition of particulate matter to various surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2007
    Assignee: Sarnoff Corporation
    Inventor: Timothy Allen Pletcher
  • 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: 7244290
    Abstract: An electrostatic room air cleaner includes a housing having a given profile and a plurality of electrostatic precipitation collector units arrayed in the housing with a common fan to circulate room air through the plurality of electrostatic precipitation collector units simultaneously. A total clean air delivery rate is delivered that is determined as the arithmetic sum of the clean air delivery rates of the plurality of electrostatic precipitation collector units arrayed in the housing of given profile. The greater the number of units arrayed, the smaller may be their size, and the easier they are to handle, maintain and replace.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2007
    Assignee: Headwaters, Inc.
    Inventors: Rudy A. Vandenbelt, Charles M. Lanning, Ross L. Cowie
  • 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: 7214949
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for ion generation are adapted such that an ionization process is controlled temporally, to first initiate, then to halt the breakdown of the gas before a destructive plasma or glow is formed. This method controls the release of energy to the gas in such a manner as to create ions but prevent the heating of the gas. The primary advantages of this ion generation mechanism are its simplicity, efficiency and its ability to create ions at ambient temperature and pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2007
    Assignee: Thorrn Micro Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Daniel Jon Schlitz
  • 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: 7163572
    Abstract: An air purifier for removing particles in air includes an outer casing, and an ionizer module. The ionizer module includes a power unit and an ionizing electrode unit, electrically connected to the power unit. The ionizing electrode unit includes a first electrode set as an electrode terminal disposed within the outer casing at an air inlet, a second electrode set disposed within the outer casing at an air outlet, and a third electrode set disposed within the outer casing at a position between the first and second electrode set, wherein a voltage of the third electrode set is higher than a voltage of the first electrode set for drawing the air from the first electrode set to the second electrode set via the second electrode set while dirt particles contained in the air is trapped on the second and the third electrode sets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2007
    Assignee: Foshan Shunde Nasi Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: ZhuHuan Liang, GuoSheng Huang
  • Patent number: 7156899
    Abstract: The present invention provides a power generation facility that is adapted to clean large air masses. Air from the environment, which normally contains the most pollutants, is directed into an air flow path through which large quantities of air are directed by a plurality of large diameter fans. The large air flow is directed through electrically insulated cooling fins which cool heated gas from power generators. The electrically insulated cooling fans have a voltage applied thereto and act as electrodes used to produce an electric field that attracts particles such as pollutants. In a preferred embodiment, a charging section is utilized within the air flow prior to the electrically insulated cooling fins to charge the particles with a charge opposite to the voltage applied to the cooling fins to thereby attract the particles to the cooling fins. A cooling fin washing system with pressurized jets is provided in one embodiment to wash the pollutants from the surface of the cooling fins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: Canatxx Energy, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Ross K. Hill, Paul J. Grimes, Charles E. Lawrence
  • Patent number: 7141098
    Abstract: A filtration system for filtering particulates from air. A plurality of point ionization sources are positioned in the proximity of the periphery of an air flow channel and being oriented to generate ions in the proximity of the air flow channel in a direction generally upstream from each respective one of the plurality of point ionization sources. A particulate collection surface is positioned within the air flow channel in a downstream direction from the plurality of point ionization sources. The particulate collection surface is electrostatically charged in an opposite direction with respect to ground than the electrical charge of the ions. An ion trap is positioned within the air flow channel between the plurality of ionization sources and the particulate collection surface. The ion trap is relatively electrically neutral as compared with the particulate collection surface and the ions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2006
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Zhiqun Zhang, Robert M. Swinehart
  • Patent number: 7115158
    Abstract: A ceiling fan that incorporates into its blades both a system for air purification by removing dust and other particulate pollutants from the air in a room through ionization of the air stream passing over an ionizer grid and also a system for heating and cooling the air stream passing over the blades. The device provides a room conditioner for efficiently heating or cooling and maintaining a room at a temperature comfortable to the user. The device also provides negative ion generation through the use of the ionizer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2006
    Inventor: Stephen Ray Landrum
  • Patent number: 7052524
    Abstract: An air purifier is provided for mounting to a leading edge of a fan paddle so that equal, mirror-image portions reside above and below the fan paddle. The air purifier is formed with a synthetic fiber filter medium assembled to a lattice framework. Adhesive tape strips are positioned on the framework for mounting the air purifier to the fan paddle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2006
    Inventor: Albert D. Venezzio, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6989050
    Abstract: An analytical instrument device is provided which can be used for analyzing industrial gas and air emissions. The device is operative to accumulate aerosols from gases and includes an atomizer connected to a gas pumping system, a needle, and a high-tension power supply. The atomizer includes a hollow cylinder provided with a dosing hole which is arranged in the central part of a lateral surface thereof. The gas pumping system includes a dosing hole of the atomizer with a needle arranged therein. The needle is provided with a movable platform for moving it in relation to the atomizer. An orthogonal system used for introducing the gas flow through the dosing hole of the atomizer makes it possible to essentially increase (by 6 times) a pumping speed and correspondingly to reduce the time of a sample accumulation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2006
    Inventors: Alexandr Akhatovich Ganeev, Sergei Evgenievich Sholupov
  • Patent number: 6984259
    Abstract: An air purification and disinfection apparatus incorporates an air inlet filter (1) spanning the intake of the apparatus, an ultraviolet light source (2) for treating the air within a chamber (14) of the apparatus, and an equalising screen (3) spanning the outlet of the apparatus. The chamber (14) is lined with a reflective sheet (11) or coating such that the ultraviolet light is reflected around the chamber (14). The air inlet filter (1) removes larger airborne particles from the airflow prior to entering the chamber (14). The light source (2) may be located in the chamber (14) or in a housing (16) which communicates with the chamber (14). With the reflective surface of the chamber (14), the intensity of the light source (2) can be maintained when dirt begins to build up on the light source (2), thereby extending the length of time that passes between each cleaning of the light source (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2006
    Assignee: UVGI Systems Limited
    Inventor: Gordon Hurst