Abstract: An air conditioner device includes a first electrode array and a second electrode array. A mechanism, that cleans the electrode(s) in a first electrode array, includes a length of flexible insulating material that projects from a base of the second electrode array towards the first electrode array. As a user moves the second electrode array up or down within the conditioner housing, the electrode(s) in the first array are frictionally cleaned.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
October 14, 2003
Date of Patent:
July 29, 2008
Assignee:
Sharper Image Corp
Inventors:
Shek Fai Lau, Jimmy Luther Lee, Andrew J. Parker
Abstract: A device with speakers can include a cable unit with a connection plug connectable to a portable media unit. The cable can provide an audio signal from the portable media unit to a speaker of the device. The cable be attached to the portable media unit. A removable module for housing the plug and cable is also provided.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
June 20, 2005
Date of Patent:
July 15, 2008
Assignee:
Sharper Image Corp.
Inventors:
Richard J. Thalheimer, Edward C. McKinney, Tristan M. Christianson, Andrew J. Parker
Abstract: A computer game system uses an infrared sensor which produces an infrared light to produce pulse of infrared light. Optics focus reflections from the infrared light pulse from different portions of the environment to different detectors in a 2D array of detectors. The detectors produce indications of the distance of the closest objects. The indications can be used by a processor to determine each action. The determined action can be used as input to a computer game. The infrared sensor can also be used with a musical keyboard system.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
September 2, 2004
Date of Patent:
June 3, 2008
Assignee:
Sharper Image Corp.
Inventors:
Andrew J. Parker, Charles E. Taylor, Patricia I. Brenner
Abstract: An electro-kinetic air conditioner for removing particulate from the air creates an airflow using no moving parts. The conditioner includes an ion generator that has an electrode assembly including a first array of emitter electrodes, a second array of collector electrodes, and a high voltage generator. Preferably, a third or leading or focus electrode is located upstream of the first array of emitter electrodes, and/or a trailing electrode is located downstream of the second array of collector electrodes. The device can also include an interstitial electrode located between collector electrodes, an enhanced collector electrode with an integrally formed trailing end, and an enhanced emitter electrode with an enhanced length in order to increase emissivity.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
April 1, 2003
Date of Patent:
June 3, 2008
Assignee:
Sharper Image Corporation
Inventors:
Jim L. Lee, Charles E. Taylor, Shek Fai Lau
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.
Abstract: An air treatment apparatus including a plurality of electrodes coupled to a voltage generator. The air treatment apparatus has a structure defining an array of openings.
Abstract: A strip-shaped emitter electrode including at least one emission edge extending along the length of such emitter electrode. When the strip-shaped emitter electrode is coupled to a voltage supply, current or an electrical charge at the emission edge ionizes the air and generates corona discharge, resulting in ion production. Erosion occurs at the emission edge such that the lifespan of the strip emitter electrode is dependent, at least in part, on the width of the strip emitter electrode.
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.
Abstract: An air-conditioning device including a housing having at least one grill, an electrode assembly and a driver electrode. Both the electrode assembly and the driver electrode are supported by the housing. The electrode assembly includes a portion that is removable from the housing, and the driver electrode is removable from the housing independent from the removable portion of the electrode assembly.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
July 25, 2005
Date of Patent:
December 25, 2007
Assignee:
Sharper Image Corporation
Inventors:
Charles E. Taylor, Andrew J. Parker, Igor Y. Botvinnik, Shek Fai Lau, Gregory S. Snyder, John Paul Reeves
Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a method and apparatus for moving air using an air treatment apparatus, the air treatment apparatus preferably including at least one first electrode, at least one second electrode, and at least one third electrode, and at least a portion of the third electrode is positioned downstream of the second electrode. The air treatment apparatus includes a grill configured to be attached to the air treatment apparatus, and the grill is movable between a first position in which the grill covers the portion of the third electrode and a second position in which the portion of the third electrode is uncovered. The grill is attached to or detached from the housing when in the second position.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
December 8, 2004
Date of Patent:
November 6, 2007
Assignee:
Sharper Image Corporation
Inventors:
Charles E. Taylor, Andrew J. Parker, Igor Y. Botvinnik, Shek Fai Lau, Gregory S. Snyder, John Paul Reeves
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 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.
Abstract: An electro-kinetic electro-static air conditioner that can include a self-contained ion generator that provides electro-kinetically moved air with ions. The ion generator can include a high voltage pulse generator whose output pulses are coupled between first and second electrode arrays. An air conditioner device can include a first electrode array and a second electrode array. Self-cleaning mechanisms are disclosed including a mechanism that cleans the electrode(s) in a first electrode array having a length of material that projects from a movable member in the housing towards the first electrode array. As a user moves the second electrode array up or down within the conditioner housing, the electrode(s) in the first array is frictionally cleaned.
Type:
Application
Filed:
August 11, 2006
Publication date:
June 28, 2007
Applicant:
The Sharper Image Corporation
Inventors:
Shek Lau, Andrew Parker, Charles Taylor, Gregory Snyder, John Reeves
Abstract: An electro-kinetic electro-static air conditioner with a bead member having a bore, through which a wire-like electrode passes. The bead is moved along the wire to frictionally clean the wire-like electrode when an electrode array is removed. A bead lifting arm is mounted to the electrode array. The bead lifting arm can move the bead to clean the electrode as the electrode array is removed from the air conditioner for cleaning. The electro-kinetic electro-static air conditioner has insulated parts which protect against high voltage arcing and conductive deposits relative to the electrodes.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
April 12, 2004
Date of Patent:
May 22, 2007
Assignee:
Sharper Image Corporation
Inventors:
Shek Fai Lau, Andrew Parker, Gregory S. Snyder, John Paul Reeves