Abstract: An apparatus and method of purifying air where a photocatalyst is exposed to ambient air to purify it from bacteria, hydrocarbons, and volatile organic compounds. The apparatus can contain a vertical reactor containing the photocatalyst either on sheets, in a web-like structure, or in a fibrous mass, or any other way of holding it. The photocatalyst can be excited with an ultraviolet light source. Air rises through the reactor by natural convection caused by heat from a transformer and/or from the ultraviolet light.

Abstract: A method of determining remote gas concentration values from remote gas sensors. The method is particularly applicable to heated metal oxide sensors; however, it is not restricted to this type of sensor. A polynomial fit is made of a sensor's gas response curve for each sensor in the system. Usually this is a third order polynomial; however, any other order can be used. The sensors response at zero concentration is a zero or root of the polynomial. This root is factored out of the polynomial reducing it one degree. It is possible to factor out more than one real root if such a root is known further reducing the order of the polynomial. The coefficients of the reduced polynomial are scaled and stored as absolute values in binary words at the remote. At least one additional word is used to store exponents and signs. These words are transmitted to a central location on demand so that the gas response curve can be recreated.

Abstract: An eraser is placed on or near the end of the cover of a felt tip pen. The cover is inserted into the bottom of the pen or on the bottom of the pen itself. For a tapered cover type of pen, the eraser is placed on the flat upper end. For a raised or dimple type of cover, the eraser is placed concentrically around the end away from the dimple like a girdle or belt or flat on the bottom of the pen body. On a type of pen that resembles a fountain pen, the eraser is placed on the top cover on a flat area that may be slightly angled. The eraser can also be an annular ring on the base of the pen body. The eraser can be removable from the pen or can be attached with adhesive.

Abstract: A felt tip pen cover with an attached eraser or a felt tip pen with an eraser on its bottom. The present invention places an eraser on or near the end of the cover that is inserted into the bottom of the pen or on the bottom of pen itself. For a tapered cover type of pen, the eraser is placed on the flat upper end. For a raised or dimple type of cover, the eraser is placed concentrically around the end away from the dimple like a girdle or belt or flat on the bottom of the pen body. On a type of pen that resembles a fountain pen, the eraser is placed on top cover on a flat area that may be slightly angled. The eraser can also be an annular ring on the base of the pen body. The addition of an eraser to a felt tip pen leads to the novel ability to erase and make corrections without having to search for a large eraser.

Abstract: Small modules directly situated at power outlets in buildings, that contain at least one sensor gather and report local environmental data such as temperature, humidity, carbon dioxide concentration, motion, particulate matter concentration, carbon monoxide, methane, or other parameters. The local modules report data back over existing building power wiring to a central unit. The central unit may store or reduce data for reporting over to a computer over a conventional RS-232 link. The data can be used to prove compliance with environmental and safety regulations and requirements or used to control HVAC equipment. Also, the data can be displayed or used with energy price tier systems.

Abstract: A reaction chamber is filled with a fine fibrous material capable of holding powdered anatase titanium dioxide. Embedded in the fibrous mesh is a source of ultraviolet light that is used to photo-excite the titanium dioxide. Air containing carbon monoxide is passed through the reaction chamber, and carbon monoxide is oxidized to carbon dioxide which then passes out of the filter. An alternative embodiment is a rectangular plate several feet square containing fibrous material containing titanium dioxide. Ultraviolet light impinges on the fibrous material photo-exciting the titanium dioxide. When air from an HVAC system is passed through the filter, carbon monoxide is oxidized into carbon dioxide and thus effectively removed from the air. Ultraviolet light can alternatively be supplied to the filter via lossy optical waveguides or fiber optics. These waveguides may be coated with titanium dioxide or the titanium dioxide may be separately suspended in the filter.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for replacing existing thermostats in buildings with physically small, inexpensive sensor array units that gather local environmental data such as temperature, humidity, carbon dioxide concentration, motion, particulate matter concentration, possibly toxic gas presence, and other parameters. The local arrays report data back over existing building wiring including thermostat wires and building power to a central data logging node. The central data logging node stores and reduces data for reporting over to a computer over a conventional RS-232 link. The data is used to prove compliance with environmental and safety regulations and requirements.