Ozone Patents (Class 204/176)
  • Publication number: 20030121770
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for the use of ozone as a sterilant for many classes of surgical instruments which are at least partially metallic. Three features are the connection of a voltage carrying part of the instrument to be sterilized as the electrode of an ozone generating cell, which employs a glow discharge and maintaining the temperature of this electrode below 500° C., and that no solid dielectric exists between opposed electrodes in the ozone generating cell. Ozone is thereby localized about voltage carrying and any non-voltage carrying parts of the electrode connected instrument. The control of electrode heating helps to maintain the increasing atmospheric concentration of the ozone, which will however eventually reach a natural limit. Local heating of the electrode configuration is controlled where the instrument to be sterilized is connected at least periodically as the negative electrode. This helps to avoid the avalanche of the ozone generating glow discharge into an unproductive arc.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2001
    Publication date: July 3, 2003
    Inventor: James F. McNulty
  • Patent number: 6565716
    Abstract: A dielectric barrier discharge system includes first and second non-thermal plasma reactors which are coupled together in series. The first reactor includes a first surface discharge electrode which defines a first discharge path along the first surface discharge electrode. The second reactor includes second and third electrodes which are separated by a gap and define a second discharge path which extends across the gap. The system can be used to decompose hazardous compounds in a liquid or a gas, such as in power plant flue gases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2003
    Assignees: Regents of The University of Minnesota, R.D. Offutt Company
    Inventors: R. Roger Ruan, Paul L. Chen, Anrong Ning, Richard L. Bogaard, Donald G. Robinson, Shaobo Deng, Hongbin Ma, Chuanshuang Bie
  • Patent number: 6517713
    Abstract: A water purification system for a swimming pool, pond, aquatic mammal tank, spa or fountain, which is simple to operate, low in maintenance, and highly reliable. The system comprises at least an ozonator and an electrolytic chlorinator. The system preferably comprises, in sequence, a vortex separator for initial separation of particulates; optionally an absorption or adsorption filter which may be a conventional pool filter using sand, diatomaceous earth, or paper cartridge as filtering medium; an ozone injector; an ozone contact chamber having a top end and a bottom end, wherein said water stream injected with ozone enters at or near said top end and is withdrawn from at or near said bottom end; and an electrolytic chlorinator for production of chlorine which is then oxidized to oxychlorine species.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2003
    Inventor: Joseph Gargas
  • Patent number: 6517787
    Abstract: The present invention discloses an ozone generator with reduced NOx comprising an air stream generating device; a drying device; an electrical field generating unit; a high-voltage generating device; and a cooling device. The flow velocity of the air stream in the ozone generating area can be increased by the air stream generating device up to 700 s.c.c.m. The temperature in the ozone generating area can be lowered by the cooling system to lower than 10° C. The amount of NOx produced by the disclosed ozone generator can be reduced substantially.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2003
    Inventors: Ren-Jang Wu, Shen-Jen Chen, Yih-Fang Lin
  • Patent number: 6508982
    Abstract: An air-cleaning apparatus and air-cleaning method whereby air is cleaned with an air flow containing ions and ozone generated by corona discharge. The apparatus has a wind tunnel part including a trumpet-shaped member (3) having an opening at the bottom thereof and a cylindrical member (4) connected to the opening at the bottom of the trumpet-shaped member (3). The wind tunnel part has a titanium dioxide metal evaporated onto the surface thereof. A needle electrode (1) is placed in front of the trumpet-shaped member (3) of the wind tunnel part near an axis of the trumpet-shaped member (3). An annular electrode is formed on the inner surface of the wind tunnel part. A high-voltage generating unit applies a high voltage between the needle electrode (1) and the annular electrode (2). A housing (10) accommodates the needle electrode (1), the annular electrode (2) and the wind tunnel part and has an air inlet (11) on a side thereof closer to the needle electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2003
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Seisui
    Inventor: Masami Shoji
  • Publication number: 20030006131
    Abstract: An ozone production rate control method and a device using dual frequency in an apparatus employing a silent discharge technique are provided. The method includes the steps of: generating a control signal for controlling the ozone production rate; creating, responsive to the control signal, an adjusted signal having an ON/OFF time ratio adjusted depending on the control signal; producing, responsive to the adjusted signal, a low-frequency pulse and a high-frequency signal; and controlling an ON/OFF time ratio of the high-frequency signal. The device includes an ON/OFF time ratio adjusting unit, a low-frequency pulse oscillation circuit, a high-frequency oscillation circuit, and a multiplier.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2002
    Publication date: January 9, 2003
    Applicant: KOREA INSTITUTE OF SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Seung Hee Han, Yeon Hee Lee, Gyu Jin Ha, In Bae Jung, Jang Seop Kim
  • Patent number: 6488819
    Abstract: A process and reactor for chemical conversion is taught. The process allows the selective breaking of chemical bonds in a molecule by use of fast rise alternating current or fast rise pulsed direct current, each fast rise portion being selected to have a suitable voltage and frequency to break a selected chemical bond in a molecule. The reactor for carrying out such a process includes a chamber for containing the molecule and a generator for generating and applying the selected fast rise current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2002
    Assignee: TI Properties, Inc.
    Inventors: Wayne Ernest Conrad, Richard Stanley Phillips, Andrew Richard Henry Phillips, Helmut Gerhard Conrad
  • Publication number: 20020170817
    Abstract: The invention provides for the generating of a corona or other electric discharge and provides for the passing of a gas through the corona to effect ionizing, creating of ozone or the like. The ionized gas, ozone, etc., may be used for various purposes, such as the disinfecting of water or some other material, the filtering of one material, such as iron, minerals, or other materials, from another or other function.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 10, 2002
    Publication date: November 21, 2002
    Inventor: Paul R. Goudy
  • Patent number: 6482370
    Abstract: The present invention uses ozonated water as a cleaning agent to eliminate bacterial and biofilm in dental water lines instead of using cleaning solutions. The ozonated water disinfects/sterilizes and cleans quickly and without leaving any residue, because the ozone quickly converts to oxygen and goes into the atmosphere. Thus, little or no rinsing is required after using the ozonated water to clean a machine or device. More particularly, the present invention utilizes an apparatus for disinfecting water to make it virtually microbe-free and maintaining it in a continuous microbe-free condition for use at a center for dental applications. Water is ozonated and provided for disinfecting water lines during a cleaning cycle and stored in a pressurized reservoir for use in a variety of dental instruments such as drills, syringes and an expectoration bowl.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2002
    Assignee: Marco Equipment Distributors, Inc.
    Inventors: Ralph L. Holsclaw, Ray S. Ellis, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6475352
    Abstract: A water treatment apparatus is operated by providing water to be treated in a reactor; passing air through a gas flow path which includes an ozone generator wherein the passage of the air through the ozone generator produces ozone enriched air, and subsequently introducing the ozone enriched air into the reactor from the gas flow passage; providing an electric current source for powering the ozone generator; providing an member to emit a signal (preferably a visible signal) representative of the level of current drawn by the ozone generator; and, using a sensor to monitor the signal produced by the member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2002
    Assignee: Fantom Technologies Inc.
    Inventor: Wayne Conrad
  • Patent number: 6468400
    Abstract: A method for optimizing a concentration of ozone produced by a corona discharge ozone generator. The method includes applying a DC voltage to a primary winding of a transformer of the ozone generator at a driving frequency of about half the resonant frequency of a tank circuit of the ozone generator. The DC voltage may also be applied to and withdrawn from the primary winding at a duty cycle of about 50%. When a desired driving frequency is selected, the method includes selecting a corona cell having a capacitance that, along with the secondary inductance of the transformer of the ozone generator, produces a resonant frequency of about twice the selected driving frequency. Ozone generators and improved ozone generators that are configured to produce ozone in accordance with the disclosed methods are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2002
    Inventor: Durand M. Smith
  • Publication number: 20020146357
    Abstract: An ozone-generating faucet includes an ozone generator mounted on a mixer tube between a water supply tube and a spout, a water intake valve connected between the mixer tube and the water supply tube to control supply of water from the water supply tube to the mixer tube, an electromagnetic valve controlled to close/open the water intake valve, the ozone generator including an ozone-generating unit, a control circuit board, and an ozone supply tube connected between the ozone-generating unit and the mixer tube, the control circuit board being controlled by switch means to turn on the ozone generator and open the electromagnetic valve, enabling ozone to be supplied to water running through the mixer tube.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2001
    Publication date: October 10, 2002
    Inventor: Kuo-Chung Yeh
  • Publication number: 20020098131
    Abstract: An electro-kinetic electrostatic air conditioner includes a self-contained ion generator that provides electro-kinetically moved air with ions and safe amounts of ozone. The ion generator includes a high voltage pulse generator whose output pulses are coupled between first and second electrode arrays. Preferably the first array comprises one or more wire electrodes spaced staggeringly apart from a second array comprising hollow “U”-shaped electrodes. Preferably a ratio between effective area of an electrode in the second array compared to effective area of an electrode in the first array exceeds about 15:1 and preferably is about 20:1. An electric field produced by the high voltage pulses between the arrays produces an electrostatic flow of ionized air containing safe amounts of ozone. A bias electrode, electrically coupled to the second array electrodes, affects net polarity of ions generated. The outflow of ionized air and ozone is thus conditioned.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2001
    Publication date: July 25, 2002
    Applicant: Sharper Image Corporation
    Inventors: Charles E. Taylor, Shek Fai Lau
  • Publication number: 20020085948
    Abstract: A sanitizing device employs electrophoresis to circulate ozone formed by an ozone generator to sanitize a household item within an interior-sanitizing chamber of the sanitizing device. The electrophoretic movement of air increases the efficiency of ozone generation by the ozone generator. The electrophoretic generator includes two electrodes and a half wave rectifying diode. The electrophoretic generator is connected to a transformer that supplies high voltage pulses to the electrophoretic and ozone generators. The voltage pulse at one of the electrophoretic generator electrodes is half wave rectified by the half wave rectifying diode. The resulting voltage difference between the two electrodes causes a pulsating electric field between the two electrodes. Electrophoretic movement of air is thereby induced, and ozone produced by the ozone generator is circulated within and substantially throughout the sanitizing device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 2, 2001
    Publication date: July 4, 2002
    Inventor: Fred J. Conforti
  • Publication number: 20020079212
    Abstract: An electro-kinetic electro-static air conditioner includes a self-contained ion generator that provides electro-kinetically moved air with ions and safe amounts of ozone. The ion generator includes a high voltage pulse generator whose output pulses are coupled between first and second electrode arrays. Preferably the first array comprises one or more wire electrodes spaced staggeringly apart from a second array comprising hollow “U”-shaped electrodes. Preferably a ratio between effective area of an electrode in the second array compared to effective area of an electrode in the first array exceeds about 15:1 and preferably is about 20:1. An electric field produced by the high voltage pulses between the arrays produces an electrostatic flow of ionized air containing safe amounts of ozone. A bias electrode, electrically coupled to the second array electrodes, affects net polarity of ions generated. The outflow of ionized air and ozone is thus conditioned.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2001
    Publication date: June 27, 2002
    Applicant: Sharper Image Corporation
    Inventors: Charles E. Taylor, Shek Fai Lau
  • Publication number: 20020076370
    Abstract: There is disclosed an apparatus and method using meta-stable radicals to treat air and porous solid mediums contaminated with organic material including bacteria, viruses, microbes and chemical contaminants. In a preferred embodiment, the meta-stable radicals are generated using a pulsed corona discharge apparatus. Further, in a most preferred embodiment, the meta-stable radical mixture includes ozone.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2001
    Publication date: June 20, 2002
    Inventors: Sik-Lam Wong, Henry Ming-Fat Sze, Siu-Kwong Lam, Steven Pomeroy
  • Publication number: 20020060189
    Abstract: A method of treating water with ozone in a household water treatment apparatus comprises providing water to be treated in a reactor and current to an ozone generator; using a water pump to circulate at least a portion of the water to be treated through a fluid flow path and a venturi; using the passage of water through a venturi provided in the fluid flow path to draw air through a gas flow path which includes an ozone generator wherein the passage of the air through the ozone generator produces ozone enriched air, and subsequently drawing the ozone enriched air into the fluid flow path from the gas flow passage; monitoring the rate of flow of air through the gas flow passage; monitoring the current drawn by the ozone generator; and, terminating the treatment if one or both the rate of flow of air and the current drawn by the ozone generator vary from preset values.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 12, 2001
    Publication date: May 23, 2002
    Inventor: Wayne Conrad
  • Patent number: 6391259
    Abstract: A frame-type ozone generator (242) has a plurality of elongated electrodes (201, 202) deployed in substantially parallel, spaced relation to each other so as to form a substantially flat electrode array, and a flow generator (241) for generating a flow of oxygen containing gas through the electrode array in a direction substantially perpendicular to the electrode array. Each of the electrodes is formed from an electrically conductive core (211) covered with polyvinyl-difluoride (212). Preferably, each electrode array is arranged within a frame (206) of a given area. Also disclosed are an apparatus for treating a product with ozone-containing gas in which pressure-waves are used to enhance effectiveness of the ozone treatment, and a two-chamber batch method for implementing treatment of a product with possibly harmful gases such as ozone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2002
    Assignee: Ozontech Ltd.
    Inventors: Boris Malkin, Gena Perlov, Shmuel Yannai
  • Publication number: 20020058000
    Abstract: A method for optimizing a concentration of ozone produced by a corona discharge ozone generator. The method includes applying a DC voltage to a primary winding of a transformer of the ozone generator at a driving frequency of about half the resonant frequency of a tank circuit of the ozone generator. The DC voltage may also be applied to and withdrawn from the primary winding at a duty cycle of about 50%. When a desired driving frequency is selected, the method includes selecting a corona cell having a capacitance that, along with the secondary inductance of the transformer of the ozone generator, produces a resonant frequency of about twice the selected driving frequency. Ozone generators and improved ozone generators that are configured to produce ozone in accordance with the disclosed methods are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 12, 2001
    Publication date: May 16, 2002
    Inventor: Durand M. Smith
  • Publication number: 20020054839
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for generating a polyatomic form of a prescribed element is disclosed. The apparatus includes a chamber and a plasma source. The plasma source is coupled to the chamber for producing plasma of the prescribed element from a supply of the element in a gaseous state. The plasma includes at least a mixture of single atomic and double atomic species of the prescribed element. Lastly, a quencher is disposed within the chamber proximate an output of the plasma source for facilitating generation of the polyatomic form of the prescribed element from the mixture of single atomic and double atomic species of the prescribed element. In one embodiment, the element is oxygen and the polyatomic form is ozone.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2001
    Publication date: May 9, 2002
    Applicant: Chen Laboratories, L.P.
    Inventor: Yee Yvonne Chen
  • Patent number: 6372097
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for generating a polyatomic form of a prescribed element is disclosed. The apparatus includes a chamber and a plasma source. The plasma source is coupled to the chamber for producing plasma of the prescribed element from a supply of the element in a gaseous state. The plasma includes at least a mixture of single atomic and double atomic species of the prescribed element. Lastly, a quencher is disposed within the chamber proximate an output of the plasma source for facilitating generation of the polyatomic form of the prescribed element from the mixture of single atomic and double atomic species of the prescribed element. In one embodiment, the element is oxygen and the polyatomic form is ozone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2002
    Assignee: Chen Laboratories
    Inventor: Yee Yvonne Chen
  • Publication number: 20010047929
    Abstract: A process and reactor for chemical conversion is taught. The process allows the selective breaking of chemical bonds in a molecule by use of fast rise alternating current or fast rise pulsed direct current, each fast rise portion being selected to have a suitable voltage and frequency to break a selected chemical bond in a molecule. The reactor for carrying out such a process includes a chamber for containing the molecule and a generator for generating and applying the selected fast rise current.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2001
    Publication date: December 6, 2001
    Inventors: Wayne Ernest Conrad, Richard Stanley Phillips, Andrew Richard Henry Phillips, Helmut Gerhard Conrad
  • Publication number: 20010042691
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for manufacturing high concentration ozone gas, characterized by employing a pressure swing adsorbing apparatus having a plurality of adsorbing layers filled with ozone adsorbent, in which the ozone adsorbent is one or two or more kinds of adsorbent selected from the group consisting of high silica pentasyl zeolite, dealuminized fogersite, and mesoporous silicate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2001
    Publication date: November 22, 2001
    Applicant: MITSUBISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Jun Izumi, Akinori Yasutake, Nariyuki Tomonaga, Hiroyuki Tsutaya
  • Patent number: 6309514
    Abstract: A process and reactor for chemical conversion is taught. The process allows the selective breaking of chemical bonds in a molecule by use of fast rise alternating current or fast rise pulsed direct current, each fast rise portion being selected to have a suitable voltage and frequency to break a selected chemical bond in a molecule. The reactor for carrying out such a process includes a chamber for containing the molecule and a generator for generating and applying the selected fast rise current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2001
    Assignee: TI Properties, Inc.
    Inventors: Wayne Ernest Conrad, Richard Stanley Phillips, Andrew Richard Henry Phillips, Helmut Gerhard Conrad
  • Patent number: 6277248
    Abstract: A method of operating ozone production facilities comprises supplying a starting gas from oxygen production facilities alone to an ozonizer when the consumption of oxygen is within the production capacity of the oxygen production facilities; or mixing pure oxygen gas from liquid oxygen facilities with the gas from the oxygen production facilities, and supplying the resulting mixed gas as the starting gas to the ozonizer, when the consumption of oxygen exceeds the production capacity of the oxygen production facilities. Thus, the ozone production facilities, even if small in scale, can always supply an ozone-containing gas having an arbitrary ozone concentration, ranging from the maximum to a lower concentration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2001
    Assignee: Fuji Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hisamichi Ishioka, Sanae Suzuki, Makoto Toraguchi
  • Patent number: 6270733
    Abstract: A tubular ozone generator comprises concentric inner tubular electrode/dielectric with inner electrode in intimate length-to-length contact with dielectric and outer tubular electrode with corona discharge zone between the inner tubular electrode/dielectric and outer tubular electrode. A dielectric of the inner tubular electrode/dielectric has a sealed end and an open end. The outer tubular electrode has an open exhaust end concentric with the sealed end of the dielectric and a closed end that forms a port with the open end of the dielectric. A tubular gas injector is situated within and concentric with the inner tubular electrode/dielectric and in conductive electrical contact with an electrode portion of the inner tubular electrode/dielectric. The sealed end of the dielectric is sealed with a transparent end cap to permit visual inspection of an electrode of the electrode/dielectric during operation of the generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2001
    Inventor: Raymond M. Rodden
  • Patent number: 6252012
    Abstract: A method of forming a diffusion barrier on an article of a polymer blend of (i) a high surface energy polymer and (ii) a low surface energy polymer. Most commonly the low surface energy polymer is an organosilicon polymer, as a polysilane or a polysiloxane. The surface of the article is exposed to ozone and ultraviolet radiation to form a diffusion barrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2001
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Frank Daniel Egitto, Luis Jesus Matienzo, Bruce Otho Morrison, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20010004046
    Abstract: An electro-kinetic electro-static air conditioner includes a self-contained ion generator that provides electro-kinetically moved air with ions and safe amounts of ozone. The ion generator includes a high voltage pulse generator whose output pulses are coupled between first and second electrode arrays. Preferably the first array comprises one or more wire electrodes spaced staggeringly apart from a second array comprising hollow “U”-shaped electrodes. Preferably a ratio between effective area of an electrode in the second array compared to effective area of an electrode in the first array exceeds about 15:1 and preferably is about 20:1. An electric field produced by the high voltage pulses between the arrays produces an electrostatic flow of ionized air containing safe amounts of ozone. A bias electrode, electrically coupled to the second array electrodes, affects net polarity of ions generated. The outflow of ionized air and ozone is thus conditioned.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2000
    Publication date: June 21, 2001
    Applicant: THE SHARPER IMAGE
    Inventors: Charles E. Taylor, Shek Fai Lau
  • Patent number: 6212883
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for treating exhaust gas produced from the combustion of fuels is disclosed. Pollutants such as unburnt hydrocarbons, carbon monoxides, oxides of nitrogen and oxides of sulfur are oxidized by ozone in an ozone contractor, and then resolved by water vapor in a muffler, so that they can be reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2001
    Assignee: Moon-Ki Cho
    Inventor: Han-Yong Kang
  • Patent number: 6193852
    Abstract: The present invention is a low temperature ozone generator using a cryogenic cooling medium. The present invention also provides an efficient method of producing ozone using a cryogenic cooling medium. Finally, the invention is to a method for producing ozone efficiently using liquid nitrogen as the cooling medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2001
    Assignee: The BOC Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Louis D. Caracciolo, Willy J. Masschelein
  • Patent number: 6176977
    Abstract: An electro-kinetic electro-static air conditioner includes a self-contained ion generator that provides electro-kinetically moved air with ions and safe amounts of ozone. The ion generator includes a high voltage pulse generator whose output pulses are coupled between first and second electrode arrays. Preferably the first array comprises one or more wire electrodes spaced staggeringly apart from a second array comprising hollow “U”-shaped electrodes. Preferably a ratio between effective area of an electrode in the second array compared to effective area of an electrode in the first array exceeds about 15:1 and preferably is about 20:1. An electric field produced by the high voltage pulses between the arrays produces an electrostatic flow of ionized air containing safe amounts of ozone. A bias electrode, electrically coupled to the second array electrodes, affects net polarity of ions generated. The outflow of ionized air and ozone is thus conditioned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2001
    Assignee: Sharper Image Corporation
    Inventors: Charles E. Taylor, Shek Fai Lau
  • Patent number: 6171452
    Abstract: Controlled generation of ozone is provided by flowing air around an electrodeless low pressure discharge lamp having high ultraviolet transmission properties. Power to the lamp is controlled by a circuit that is driven by a photocell for detecting visible light emissions from a phosphor triggered by ultraviolet radiation from the lamp upon the phosphor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2001
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Joseph Darryl Michael
  • Patent number: 6153151
    Abstract: A system and method for generating ozone for use in open or closed loop process applications using a fluid, such as water, as a primary process medium, including: a water storage tank, supplied by a water supply line, for temporarily storing water for treatment and subsequent use in a process; an electromagnetic flux unit connected to the water supply line for exposing water supplied to the tank to an electromagnetic field thereby magnetically polarizing contaminants and dissolved solids present in the water; an apparatus for producing highly pure oxygen from ambient air for use as a feed gas in generating ozone; a corona discharge ozone generator for producing high purity ozone from a highly pure oxygen feed gas; an impeller apparatus, including a rapidly rotating shear impeller, for injecting ozone, created by the ozone generator, into water wherein the ozone is absorbed thus yielding a substantially high level of dissolved ozone gas in a given volume of water; an apparatus for measuring the concentration o
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2000
    Inventors: Douglas A. Moxley, Stephen C. Perry
  • Patent number: 6093289
    Abstract: There is provided a highly efficient and compact ozone generating apparatus in which a very short air gap of about 0.2 mm is formed at high accuracy. Non-discharge portions are dispersed and disposed to cover an entire discharge space, or a spacer is provided to form the non-discharge portion. Further, an elastic body is mounted on a back face of an electrode, thereby enhancing an air gap accuracy of the discharge space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2000
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masaki Kuzumoto, Youichiro Tabata, Shigenori Yagi, Kenji Yoshizawa, Masahiro Mukai, Junji Ochi, Tateki Ozawa
  • Patent number: 6027688
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for the inactivation of infectious organisms such as viruses, bacteria, fungi and protozoa, and especially for the inactivation of human immunodeficiency virus in proteinaceous material such as blood and blood products, without adversely affecting the normal physiological activity of the material, by contacting it for a time interval of only about 16 seconds with an ozone-oxygen mixture having an ozone concentration of only about 27 .mu./ml. The apparatus includes a gas-liquid contact apparatus through which the material and ozone-oxygen mixture flow in contacting, counter-current relationship, and an ozone generator which produces an ozone-oxygen mixture having a resonant frequency of about 7.83 Hz. The apparatus and method of the invention provide precise control of the concentration of ozone and the contact time between the material to be treated and the ozone-oxygen mixture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2000
    Assignee: Polyatomic Apheresis, Ltd.
    Inventor: Basil E. Wainwright
  • Patent number: 6027701
    Abstract: An ozone generator includes a vessel provided at one end with a feed gas chamber for receiving a feed gas through an inlet and at the other end with an ozonized gas chamber, communicating with an outlet, for receiving an ozonized gas, a cylindrical tube ground electrode having a dielectric on an inner peripheral surface for communicating the feed gas chamber with ozonized gas chamber, a hollow cylindrical high voltage electrode having a predetermined discharge gap with respect to the dielectric and disposed concentrically with the cylindrical tube ground electrode, and a high frequency power source for applying a voltage between the ground electrode and the high voltage electrode. Cooling water is supplied to a water jacket surrounding the ground electrode and formed within the vessel and to the hollow cylindrical high voltage electrode to cool both electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2000
    Assignee: Fuji Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hisamichi Ishioka, Makoto Toraguchi, Takaya Nishikawa, Hideaki Nishii
  • Patent number: 6022456
    Abstract: A recirculating loop method for producing and/or using ozone is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of: supplying a gas mixture comprising oxygen and a catalyst, generating ozone from the gas mixture, and recirculating the gas mixture. In a preferred method, the method comprises the additional steps of: reacting the ozone with a chemically reactive species and adding sufficient oxygen to the oxygen and noble gas mixture to maintain the specific oxygen to noble gas ratio. Preferably, the ozone is generated by electrical discharge from oxygen and noble gas mixtures of a volume ratio of not greater than 9 to 1 oxygen to catalyst gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2000
    Assignee: Valdosta State University
    Inventor: Thomas J. Manning
  • Patent number: 5939030
    Abstract: A system and method for generating ozone for use in open or closed loop process applications using a fluid, such as water, as a primary process medium, including: a water storage tank, supplied by a water supply line, for temporarily storing water for treatment and subsequent use in a process; an electromagnetic flux unit connected to the water supply line for exposing water supplied to the tank to an electromagnetic field thereby magnetically polarizing contaminants and dissolved solids present in the water; an apparatus for producing highly pure oxygen from ambient air for use as a feed gas in generating ozone; a corona discharge ozone generator for producing high purity ozone from a highly pure oxygen feed gas; an impeller apparatus, including a rapidly rotating shear impeller, for injecting ozone, created by the ozone generator, into water wherein the ozone is absorbed thus yielding a substantially high level of dissolved ozone gas in a given volume of water; an apparatus for measuring the concentration o
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 17, 1999
    Inventors: Douglas A. Moxley, Stephen C. Perry
  • Patent number: 5939618
    Abstract: The present invention discloses an apparatus and a method for detecting a gas leakage from a gas reactor by utilizing flow sensors mounted on and in fluid communication with a gas inlet conduit and a gas outlet conduit. The volume of gas flow through the inlet conduit and the outlet conduit are continuously monitored while the gas reactor is in its operating mode so that any gas leakage can be detected and the gas reactor can be shut off or bypassed in order to eliminate fire and safety hazards.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 17, 1999
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Tien J. Hu, Jeng D. Tseng
  • Patent number: 5929324
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a gas generating device that is equipped with a gas leakage detection and control system which includes a multiple number of gas generating units each equipped with flow sensors for detecting flow rates in and out of the unit and a unit controller. The gas generating device is controlled by a main controller so that when leakage in a generating unit is detected, the unit is shut off and bypassed while the outputs of the other generating units can be increased to make up the shortage such that such that the total output from the gas generating device is not affected. The present invention novel apparatus further provides the capability that any leakage in the piping system which connects the multiple number of generating units can be detected by using flow sensors installed in a main gas inlet and a main gas outlet such that the total gas flow rates coming in and going out can be continuously monitored.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 27, 1999
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tien Chen Hu, Philip Jan Lin
  • Patent number: 5855856
    Abstract: An ozone generating apparatus includes an ozone generator having concentric electrodes and a means for generating a corona discharge between the electrodes, a pump for recirculating a portion of the ozone-containing gas leaving the generator through a conduit which is configured to receive a portion of the ozone containing gas, and a heat exchanger for cooling the recirculated portion of the ozone-containing gas. An oxygen-containing gas is also introduced to the heat exchanger and combined with the recirculated gas portion to form a feed gas which is chilled in the heat exchanger and then introduced into the generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 5, 1999
    Assignee: Ozone Sterilization Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Eskil L. Karlson
  • Patent number: 5855762
    Abstract: A method of controlling an oxygen generation device of the kind including a ceramic membrane through which an electrical current is passed whilst ambient air is supplied to one side of the membrane, the membrane allowing oxygen in the supplied air to diffuse therethrough by ionic transport when the membrane is at or above an operating temperature, at a rate dependant upon the electrical current, there being a plenum or the like to recover the oxygen at a second side of the membrane, the method comprising regulating the electrical current passing through the membrane by switching the electrical current on and off and varying the proportion of current-on time in a given time interval (t) in dependence upon a feedback signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 5, 1999
    Assignee: Normalair-Garrett (Holdings) Limited
    Inventors: Robert John Phillips, Ralph Gordon William Taylor
  • Patent number: 5847494
    Abstract: A corona discharge reactor which has a central electrode in the form of a metal rod with radial projections and a cylindrical outer electrode surrounding the inner electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 8, 1998
    Assignee: AEA Technology plc
    Inventors: Keith Howard Bayliss, John Sydney Carlow
  • Patent number: 5810978
    Abstract: A method of reducing metallic impurities in an ozone gas piping means, which entails producing ozone gas in an ozone-generating means and piping the produced ozone gas to stainless steel piping means, wherein the ozone gas is produced from a raw material oxygen gas containing at least one additional gas selected from the group consisting of nitrogen, helium, carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide and ozone; the additional gas being used in an amount of 0.025% by volume or more in total, with the proviso that nitrogen is not used as or in said additional gas in an amount of more than 1.0% by volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 22, 1998
    Assignee: Sumitomo Precision Products Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Suguru Nakatsuka, Shiro Mukai, Jiro Kobayashi, Seiji Nakamoto
  • Patent number: 5792326
    Abstract: Ozonizer (10) which supplies a feed gas to ozone generating cell (11) under application of a high voltage and which delivers an ozone gas through an ozone gas transport path (consisting of pipes (14) and (15)) as it has been generated in said ozone generating cell (11) is characterized in that the ozone gas transport path is furnished with means for removing at least one of NOx, HF and SOx (in the drawings, the means is for removing NOx) and that the ozone gas from the ozone generating cell (11) is passed through said removing means, whereby at least one of NOx, HF and SOx in said ozone gas is removed before it is delivered to a subsequent stage. The product ozone is not contaminated with Cr compounds at all or insufficiently contaminated to cause any practical problems in the fabrication of highly integrated semiconductor devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 11, 1998
    Inventors: Minoru Harada, Ryoichi Shinjo, Manabu Tsujimura, Rempei Nakata, Kunihiro Miyazaki, Naruhiko Kaji, Yutaka Nakano
  • Patent number: 5785824
    Abstract: An ozone producing apparatus including: an oxygen atom producing portion (6) for dissociating a supplied oxygen gas at a low pressure not more than atmospheric pressure so as to produce a first gas containing oxygen atoms; an ozone producing portion (a throat 3 and a diffuser 4) for mixing the first gas containing oxygen atoms supplied from the oxygen atom producing portion with a second gas containing oxygen, and allowing the first and second gases to react with each other for producing ozone; and a low pressure feeding (2, 9) means for reducing a pressure in the oxygen atom producing portion (6) at a specified low value not more than atmospheric pressure, and feeding the first gas to the ozone producing portion in a pressure reduction state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 28, 1998
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Jiro Kitayama, Toshinori Yagi, Masaaki Tanaka, Norikazu Tabata
  • Patent number: 5766447
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device for treating an aqueous solution, in which a pulsed electric field is generated in the aqueous solution between two electrodes. In accordance with the invention, at least one of the electrodes is covered with a layer of a dielectric material which, during operation of the device, completely separates this (these) electrode(s) from the aqueous solution. This measure in accordance with the invention enables field strengths to be used which are much higher than those permissible in the known devices. The use of an oxygen-containing gas and a bipolarly pulsed electric field leads to a further improvement of the method in accordance with the invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 16, 1998
    Assignee: U.S. Philips Corporation
    Inventor: Yves L. M. Creijghton
  • Patent number: 5632868
    Abstract: Ozonizer (10) which supplies a feed gas to ozone generating cell (11) under application of a high voltage and which delivers an ozone gas through an ozone gas transport path (consisting of pipes (14) and (15)) as it has been generated in said ozone generating cell (11) is characterized in that the ozone gas transport path is furnished with means for removing at least one of NOx, HF and SOx (in the drawings, the means is for removing NOx) and that the ozone gas from the ozone generating cell (11) is passed through said removing means, whereby at least one of NOx, HF and SOx in said ozone gas is removed before it is delivered to a subsequent stage. The product ozone is not contaminated with Cr compounds at all or insufficiently contaminated to cause any practical problems in the fabrication of highly integrated semiconductor devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 27, 1997
    Assignee: Ebara Corporation
    Inventors: Minoru Harada, Ryoichi Shinjo, Manabu Tsujimura, Rempei Nakata, Kunihiro Miyazaki, Naruhiko Kaji, Yutaka Nakano
  • Patent number: 5630915
    Abstract: A liquid decontamination method and apparatus uses a series of pulsed electrical arcs across electrodes placed within a liquid stream which passes through a decontamination module. Sufficient energy is delivered by a pulse generator to the electrodes whereby lethal ultraviolet radiation and mechanical shock waves are created by the arcs within the decontamination module. A plurality of modules can be operated in parallel or in series to vary the capacity of the apparatus. Gas is injected through one of the electrodes to facilitate the generation of arcs within the liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 20, 1997
    Inventors: Hugh W. Greene, Paul E. Chism, Jr.
  • Patent number: RE36972
    Abstract: An electrolytic cell for generating a mixed oxidant that is rich in ozone is disclosed. The cell disassociates a brine solution to generate ozone and chlorine based oxidants. The improved cell design allows the ratio of ozone to the other oxidants to be optimized, thereby providing a more efficient sterilization solution. The ozone production is adjusted by adjusting the residence time of the brine solution in the cell and the orientation of the cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2000
    Assignee: Miox Corporation
    Inventors: Forrest A. Baker, Wesley L. Bradford