Patents Assigned to Steril-Aire, Inc.
  • Patent number: 9792804
    Abstract: A method and system of remotely monitoring an operational status of electronic discharge devices in an air purification system senses emitted radiation at a location proximate the air purification system, alone or in combination with a determination of an amount of time remaining in an operational lifetime of the electronic discharge device, or an amount of power delivered to at least one of the electronic discharge devices. A determination of the operational status of at least one of the electronic discharge devices is made based on at least emitted radiation, and the status information is transmitted to a remote monitoring unit that receives the status information and displays an indicator of operational status. In one embodiment, the operational status of a UV-C germicidal lamp may be monitored using optically sensitive devices located within a purification system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Assignee: Steril-Aire, Inc.
    Inventors: Kanghong Zhang, Robert M. Culbert, Robert Scheir, Richard Mueller
  • Patent number: 9588188
    Abstract: A method and system of remotely monitoring an operational status of electronic discharge devices in an air purification system senses emitted radiation at a location proximate the air purification system, alone or in combination with a determination of an amount of time remaining in an operational lifetime of the electronic discharge device, or an amount of power delivered to at least one of the electronic discharge devices. A determination of the operational status of at least one of the electronic discharge devices is made based on at least emitted radiation, and the status information is transmitted to a remote monitoring unit that receives the status information and displays an indicator of operational status. In one embodiment, the operational status of a UV-C germicidal lamp may be monitored using optically sensitive devices located within a purification system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: Steril-Aire, Inc.
    Inventors: Kanghong Zhang, Robert M. Culbert, Robert Scheir, Richard Mueller
  • Publication number: 20100213945
    Abstract: A method and system of remotely monitoring an operational status of electronic discharge devices in an air purification system senses emitted radiation at a location proximate the air purification system, alone or in combination with a determination of an amount of time remaining in an operational lifetime of the electronic discharge device, or an amount of power delivered to at least one of the electronic discharge devices. A determination of the operational status of at least one of the electronic discharge devices is made based on at least emitted radiation, and the status information is transmitted to a remote monitoring unit that receives the status information and displays an indicator of operational status. In one embodiment, the operational status of a UV-C germicidal lamp may be monitored using optically sensitive devices located within a purification system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2009
    Publication date: August 26, 2010
    Applicant: STERIL-AIRE, INC.
    Inventors: Kenneth E. GILLELAND, Robert M. CULBERT, Robert SCHEIR, Richard MUELLER
  • Publication number: 20100095844
    Abstract: A portable room air purifier includes a hollow cylindrical air filter disposed within a housing and having an inner surface circumscribing a cylindrical air treatment space and an outer surface. A sorbant material is disposed on the inner surface of the air filter and a germicidal lamp is disposed within the cylindrical air treatment space to emit germicidal light within the space and incident upon the sorbant material on the inner surface of the air filter. A fan is disposed in the housing to draw air from the cylindrical air treatment space through the air filter such that the air enters the filter through the inner surface and exits the filter through the outer surface. The portable room air purifier preferably includes an electrical circuit configured to power the fan and the germicidal lamp when the housing is in an assembled condition, and to deactivate both the fan and the lamp when the housing is disassembled.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2008
    Publication date: April 22, 2010
    Applicant: Steril-Aire, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth E. Gilleland, Robert M. Culbert, Robert Scheir
  • Patent number: 7459694
    Abstract: There is disclosed a mobile germicidal system and a process of decontaminating a wall and a ceiling of a room of undesirable substances. The system comprises a frame, a displacement device and an germicidal lamp. The displacement device is selected from the group comprising a wheel, a castor, a ball, a disk, a drum, a roller, and a traction belt. The displacement device is affixed to the frame. The germicidal lamp is affixed to the frame at a non-vertical incline. The process comprises providing a mobile germicidal system comprising an germicidal lamp having an enclosure having an exposed portion, at least a portion of the exposed portion disposed non-vertically and emitting ultraviolet radiation from the germicidal lamp at a wavelength substantially at 253.7 nm through all points in a horizontal area 6? directly above the mobile germicidal system while generating an insignificant quantity or less of ozone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2008
    Assignee: Steril-Aire, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Scheir, Robert Culbert
  • Patent number: 7354175
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for an environmentally resistant germicidal lamp are disclosed. A cover may have a material resistant to at least one of dripping, light splashing, light spraying of liquid and condensation. The cover may have a first section having an opening for receiving a base of a lamp, and an inner surface for encompassing and being slightly larger than an outer cross section of the base when the first section receives the base. The cover may have a second section having an opening for receiving a socket of an electric discharge lamp fixture, and an inner surface for encompassing and being slightly larger than an outer cross section of the socket when the second section receives the socket. The cover may shield and partially enclose electrical contacts of either the base or the socket from at least one of dripping, light splashing, light spraying of liquid and condensation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2008
    Assignee: Steril-Aire, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Culbert, William Ryczek
  • Patent number: 7282728
    Abstract: There is disclosed an electric discharge lamp fixture and a process of assembling a modular germicidal system. The electric discharge lamp fixture may be attached to and receive substantial mechanical support solely from at least one other electric discharge lamp fixture. The process of assembling the modular germicidal system may comprise electrically connecting an electric discharge lamp fixture to an other electric discharge lamp fixture, wherein connecting the electric discharge lamp fixture to the other electric discharge lamp fixture aligns the electric discharge lamp fixture for mounting to the other electric discharge lamp fixture. The process of assembling the modular germicidal system may comprise mounting the electric discharge lamp fixture to the other electric discharge lamp fixture, wherein the electric discharge lamp fixture receives substantial mechanical support solely from at least the other electric discharge lamp fixture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2007
    Assignee: Steril-Aire, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert Culbert
  • Patent number: 7278272
    Abstract: There is disclosed a marine air conditioning system and a process for cleaning and maintaining the marine air conditioning system. The marine air conditioning system may comprise a marine air conditioner, a bracket and a germicidal lamp. The marine air conditioner may comprise an evaporator coil and a drain pan. The evaporator coil may include a surface. The drain pan may be disposed below the evaporator coil. The bracket may be attacked to the marine air conditioner. The germicidal lamp may be upstream of the evaporator coil. The germicidal lamp may receive mechanical support from the bracket. The germicidal lamp may be adapted to emit ultraviolet radiation at a wavelength substantially at 253.7 nm towards the surface and the drain pan and generate an insignificant quantity or less of ozone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2007
    Assignee: Steril-Aire, Inc.
    Inventors: Trevor Lee Huston, Robert Scheir, Robert Culbert
  • Patent number: 7238326
    Abstract: There is disclosed a germicidal treatment system having a status indicator. The germicidal treatment system comprises at least one mounting assembly attachable to an outside of a wall of an air handling apparatus. Each of the mounting assemblies includes a germicidal lamp and a ballast. The germicidal lamp is coupled to the ballast. The germicidal treatment system includes a power cord to receive electrical power and to provide electrical power to the ballast. A status indicator to indicate the functioning status of the germicidal treatment system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2007
    Assignee: Steril-Aire, Inc.
    Inventor: Kanghong Zhang
  • Patent number: 7140749
    Abstract: There is disclosed a recessed cantilever mount and an installation process. The mount may comprise a cradle adapted to attach to a wall of a chassis and extend through an opening of the wall into the chassis, a retainer adapted to attach to the cradle and secure a stem of an electric discharge device to the cradle, wherein the stem is at least partially recessed in the cradle, and a tube of the electric discharge device is recessed within the chassis. The process may comprise recessing a base of a cradle through an opening in a wall of a chassis of an air handler selected from the group comprising a PTAC and a unit ventilator, securing the cradle to the wall, inserting a tube of an electric discharge device through an opening of the base into the chassis, and securing a rim of the electric discharge device against the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2006
    Assignee: Steril-Aire, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert Culbert
  • Patent number: 6997578
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for an environmentally resistant germicidal lamp are disclosed. A cover may have a material resistant to at least one of dripping, light splashing, light spraying of liquid and condensation. The cover may have a first section having an opening for receiving a base of a lamp, and an inner surface for encompassing and being slightly larger than an outer cross section of the base when the first section receives the base. The cover may have a second section having an opening for receiving a socket of an electric discharge lamp fixture, and an inner surface for encompassing and being slightly larger than an outer cross section of the socket when the second section receives the socket. The cover may shield and partially enclose electrical contacts of either the base or the socket from at least one of dripping, light splashing, light spraying of liquid and condensation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Assignee: Steril-Aire, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Culbert, William Ryczek
  • Patent number: RE40022
    Abstract: A germicidal lamp for harsh environments is disclosed. The germicidal lamp is suited for outdoor installation on an HVAC system or related components. The germicidal lamp is made from materials resistant to splashing water, etc., and includes plural seals to protect the interior of the fixture and prevent leakage or contamination into or out of the HVAC system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2008
    Assignee: Steril-Aire, Inc.
    Inventors: Forrest B. Fencl, Robert M. Culbert