With Means Exposing Gas To Electromagnetic Wave Energy Or Corpuscular Radiation Patents (Class 422/121)
  • Patent number: 8685255
    Abstract: A method of operating a capacitive deionization cell using a regeneration cycle to increase pure flow rate and efficiency of the cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Voltea B.V.
    Inventors: Sean Knapp, Marshall L. Leffew, II
  • Patent number: 8679403
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method of providing photocatalytic activity. Nanoparticulate matter comprising a strontium titanate ferrite of the general formula SrTi1-xFexO3- is provided, in which x is any value from 0 to 1. The nanoparticulate matter is exposed to electromagnetic radiation of a wavelength from about 380 nm to about 800 nm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: Nanyang Technological University
    Inventors: Ooi Kiang Tan, Ying Hu
  • Patent number: 8679409
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a filter device. The filter device comprises a housing with an air inlet and an filtered air outlet; a high voltage electric field region provided between two ends of the housing, wherein the direction of the electric field is perpendicular to the direction along which the air is introduced into the housing; an ionization source provided in the electric field region to ionize the ionizable pollutants present in the air introduced from the air inlet and form the resultant ionized pollutants which will move towards both ends of the housing under the influence of the electric field; and a discharging device for discharging the ionized pollutants which have arrived at the ends of the housing out of the filter device. The present invention also relates to a filtering method of using the filter device, and a trace detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: Nuctech Company Limited
    Inventors: Yangtian Zhang, Jin Lin
  • Publication number: 20140079595
    Abstract: An embedded multifunctional air purifier used in a kitchen is installed in a predetermined space of a cupboard and includes a casing, a front filter, an electrostatic dust collector, an air extraction module, a photocatalyst module and a vitamin C filter. An air inlet and an air outlet are formed on a front side of the casing; an air channel is formed in the casing; the front filter is installed at the air inlet; the electrostatic dust collector id installed at a front section of the air channel; the air extraction module and the photocatalyst module are installed at a rear section of the air channel; and the vitamin C filter is installed at the air outlet, so as to eliminate fume odor and germs in the kitchen and provides the function of producing vitamin C.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Publication date: March 20, 2014
    Applicant: KOMPASS TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: CHING-CHENG KAO, CHING-HUNG CHIEN
  • Publication number: 20140079596
    Abstract: A bipolar ionization device in which fiberglass is used as the dielectric. In one embodiment, a fiberglass board is used, with the anode on one side of the board and the cathode on the other side of the board. A number of flat boards can be stacked, with spacing between them to allow air flow to scavenge ions, with stanchions providing both mounting and electrical connections to the ionization devices. In another embodiment, a fiberglass tube is used, with the cathode inside the tube and the anode outside the tube.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2012
    Publication date: March 20, 2014
    Applicant: CLEAN AIR GROUP, INC.
    Inventor: Hal Ross Gurman
  • Publication number: 20140061027
    Abstract: A fluid treatment apparatus comprising: a reactor vessel defining a chamber and having an inlet and an outlet to allow fluid to flow through the chamber; a UV light source adapted to transmit light within the chamber; and a plurality of catalyst members comprising a catalytic outer surface, the catalyst members being freely contained within the chamber, wherein the apparatus is adapted to cause the catalyst members to move around within the chamber as fluid flows through the chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2011
    Publication date: March 6, 2014
    Inventors: Neil Polwart, Steve Barfield, Graham Tyrie
  • Patent number: 8658101
    Abstract: A photocatalytic device has an ultraviolet light source and a plurality of photocatalytic structures, such as hydrated quad-metallic catalyst surfaces. The photocatalytic device has curved reflectors that are positioned to reflect ultraviolet light against a face of the photocatalytic structures. The curved reflectors are shaped to minimize the distance traveled by the ultraviolet light between the light source and the photocatalytic structure. The curved reflector is further shaped to direct reflected ultraviolet against the surface of the photocatalytic structure in a perpendicular direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: Dust Free, LP
    Inventor: Gregg William Burnett
  • Patent number: 8658085
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for irradiating partly formed packages (10) with electron beam irradiation from at least one electron beam sterilizing device (18), characterized in that it comprises: providing at least one partly formed package (10) to be irradiated in a gaseous environment, and exposing the gaseous environment to a pre-determined pressure regulation cycle and exposing the partly formed package (10) to irradiation at least during a portion of said pressure regulation cycle. The invention also relates to a device for realizing said method. The invention further relates irradiation of a packaging material web.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: Tetra Laval Holdings & Finance S.A.
    Inventors: Anders Kristiansson, Lars Ake Näslund
  • Publication number: 20140050610
    Abstract: A photo-catalytic cell may produce bactericidal molecules in air by passing air across catalyst coated targets. Ultraviolet (UV) energy may be emitted from a source. A first portion of the UV energy from the source may be applied directly onto the targets. A second portion of the UV energy from the source may be reflected onto the targets.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2013
    Publication date: February 20, 2014
    Applicant: PURADIGM, LLC
    Inventor: David E. Tupman
  • Publication number: 20140050611
    Abstract: According to an embodiment of the present invention, an apparatus for ionizing air includes a first reflector and a first target. The first reflector receives direct UV energy (from a UV emitter) and reflects it to form reflected UV energy. The first target has an inner face that also receives direct UV energy (from the UV emitter). The first target also has an outer face that receives the reflected UV energy from the first reflector. The faces of the first target are coated with a photo-catalytic coating. The first target may also have passages between the faces.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2013
    Publication date: February 20, 2014
    Applicant: PURADIGM, LLC
    Inventors: Wallace Weston Warren, David E. Tupman
  • Publication number: 20140037522
    Abstract: Apparatus comprising: a fumehood; and an air treatment device for purging unwanted substances from the exhaust air of the fumehood, the air treatment device comprising: a non-thermal plasma reactor stage for producing air byproducts comprising O., N., OH. and O3 and introducing those air byproducts into the exhaust air of the fumehood so as to treat the exhaust air of the fumehood; and a catalyst stage downstream of the non-thermal plasma reactor stage for further treating the air downstream of the non-thermal plasma reactor stage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 4, 2013
    Publication date: February 6, 2014
    Inventors: Francois Hauville, Cédric Herry
  • Patent number: 8642058
    Abstract: The present application is directed to a novel composition which acts as a barrier to noxious agents while adding self-detoxifying catalytic treatments to neutralize the noxious and harmful warfare agents when applied for example on a fabric, or other solid support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignees: U.S. Army Natick Soldier Research, Development and Engineering Center Chemical Technology Team, Stedfast Inc.
    Inventors: Hamid Benaddi, Heidi Schreuder-Gibson
  • Publication number: 20140030144
    Abstract: An apparatus (100 and/or 200) and corresponding method (500) for air sterilization and disinfection can include an electronics and control module (110 and/or 210), a means for drawing air from the surrounding environment into the apparatus (120 and/or 220), an air management chamber (130 and/or 230), and a housing (170 and/or 270). The means for drawing air from the surrounding environment into the apparatus (120 and/or 220) mobilizes latent pathogens in the environment and draws them into the apparatus (100 and/or 200) for sterilization and disinfection. The air management chamber (130 and/or 230) provides for exposure of the airborne pathogens to UV radiation, via UV LEDs (150 and/or 250), with a dosage sufficient to penetrate the cell walls and destroy the pathogens. The electronics and control module (110 and/or 210) powers the apparatus (100 and/or 200) and interfaces with the electronic components. The housing (170) forms the outer shell of the apparatus (100).
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2013
    Publication date: January 30, 2014
    Inventors: Mark D. Krosney, William O. T. Peschke, William E. Reisenaur
  • Publication number: 20140017135
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate generally to air sanitation and disinfection, and particularly to air sanitation and disinfection for aerospace applications.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2013
    Publication date: January 16, 2014
    Inventors: Razmik B. Boodaghians, Kevin Huang, Christoph Goeschel, Christina Ortolan, Vikram Chauhan
  • Patent number: 8628726
    Abstract: The invention relates to a photocatalyst comprising a ?-SiC cellular foam and a photocatalytically active phase, deposited directly on said cellular foam or on an intermediate phase deposited on said cellular foam. The average size of the cells is between 2500 ?m and 5000 ?m. The foam can comprise nanotubes or nanofibers (particularly of carbon, SiC, and TiO2) that consist of, or carry as an intermediate phase, a photocatalytically active phase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2014
    Assignees: Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Universite de Strasbourg
    Inventors: Cuong Pham-Huu, Nicolas Keller, Marc-Jacques Ledoux, Valérie Keller-Spitzer, Dominique Begin, Mathieu Grandcolas, Izabela Janowska, Shabnam Hajesmaili
  • Publication number: 20140003996
    Abstract: A method for filtering odors out of an air flow during which an air now containing odorous substances is guided through a filtering device equipped with an odor filter, whereby the odor filter has activated carbon or a similar substance serving as filtering material. As an additional method step, the inventive method provides that the particles contained in the air flow are at least partially ionized and/or dissociated before entering the odor filter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2013
    Publication date: January 2, 2014
    Inventor: Manfred H. LANGNER
  • Patent number: 8603391
    Abstract: A method for reducing the biological contamination of indoor air and sanitizing the walls and surfaces in a closed space, which method comprises causing a stream of air to flow upwardly through a treatment zone, and to contact, on a substantially horizontally aligned perforated surface, with a stream of brine solution having Redox potential of not less than 500 mV, whereby an active layer is formed on said horizontally aligned perforated surface, in which layer the brine and air mix, and delivering the treated air which exits said treatment zone into the space to be sanitized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: Megair Ltd.
    Inventors: David Itzhak, Michael Dov Teicher
  • Publication number: 20130323128
    Abstract: In order to disinfect and to detoxify a fluid, a photoreactor contains at least two light sources. One light source activates the catalytic function of a semiconductor material in the fluid to reduce the concentration of contaminants in the fluid, such as by breaking down organic contaminants into non-toxic compounds. A second light source acts directly on living biological entities to sterilize or kill them and thereby disinfect the fluid, and can also serve to activate a semiconductor photocatalyst that in turn causes further damage to biological contaminants. The semiconductor photocatalyst is desirably attached to an optically transmitting fiber substrate in the fluid. The second light source in one embodiment is external to the fluid and illuminates the photocatalyst through transmitting surfaces in a fluid containment vessel. The light sources can comprise respective sets of plural LEDs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2013
    Publication date: December 5, 2013
    Applicant: UVCleaning Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark D. Owen, James Thorne, Manoj K. Sammi
  • Publication number: 20130313104
    Abstract: An air cleaning system may provide effective and evenly distributed removal of organic contaminants from airflow. An ultraviolet light emitting diode (UV LED) source may emit ultraviolet light onto a photocatalyst on a support in airflow where airflow is between the UV LED source and the photocatalyst.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2012
    Publication date: November 28, 2013
    Applicant: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: STEPHEN YATES, GREGORY ALLAN LAND
  • Patent number: 8585980
    Abstract: According to an embodiment of the present invention, an apparatus for ionizing air includes a first reflector and a first target. The first reflector receives direct UV energy (from a UV emitter) and reflects it to form reflected UV energy. The first target has an inner face that also receives direct UV energy (from the UV emitter). The first target also has an outer face that receives the reflected UV energy from the first reflector. The faces of the first target are coated with a photo-catalytic coating. The first target may also have passages between the faces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: Puradigm, LLC
    Inventors: David E. Tupman, Wallace Weston Warren
  • Patent number: 8585979
    Abstract: A photo-catalytic cell may produce bactericidal molecules in air by passing air across catalyst coated targets. Ultraviolet (UV) energy may be emitted from a source. A first portion of the UV energy from the source may be applied directly onto the targets. A second portion of the UV energy from the source may be reflected onto the targets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: Puradigm, LLC
    Inventor: David Tupman
  • Patent number: 8562913
    Abstract: A system for filtering and purifying air within a closed environment. Air is drawn through a sequence of six filtration and purification stages, comprising, in order, an electrostatic prefilter to remove airborne impurities >=3 microns, an ultraviolet light source, a catalytic surface effective for breaking down hydrocarbons, a HEPA or other particulate filter for mechanically capturing airborne particles, a gas absorption filtration medium for removing volatile organic compounds and comprised primarily of activated charcoal, and an ionization module. The UV light is directed both upstream and downstream. The catalytic surface is semitransparent to UV light so that UV light strikes and kills microbes in the HEPA or other particulate filter medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: Acepower Logistics, Inc.
    Inventor: Bruce R. Searle
  • Publication number: 20130259741
    Abstract: A non-thermal plasma (NTP) system treats fluid flows (e.g., air) containing pollutants (e.g., VOCs; particulate) using two or more stages, each operated to produce NTP with a respective frequency targeted toward one or more pollutants. NTP generation cell assemblies or dielectric barrier discharge devices are arranged in stages along a flow path. Parallel flow paths with multiple stages may be employed. NTP fields in successive stages operate at a different frequency, power density and/or waveforms, which are controlled to be a vibrational harmonic of a targeted compound. Power density can be adjusted to only create gaseous ionized species or to incinerate organic airborne, suspended particulate in situ. Automatic fault detection employs a split ground current so that an imbalance indicates a fault. A faulted component is automatically isolated. Automatic re-routing allows operation with only slightly degraded performance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2013
    Publication date: October 3, 2013
    Applicant: AIR PHASER ENVIRONMENTAL LTD.
    Inventor: Douglas Philip Lanz
  • Publication number: 20130236365
    Abstract: An air purification system formed from an adsorptive photo-catalytic oxidation device and a method of regenerating the oxidation device is disclosed. The air purification may be configured to be installed within an air duct of a central air handling system. The air purification system may also include an ultraviolet light emitted by the ultraviolet light source to breakdown captured volatile organic compounds into elemental carbon dioxide and water vapor and to irradiate air moving past the ultraviolet light and surfaces to reduce contaminants The ultraviolet light source may be positioned to expose the adsorptive photo-catalytic oxidation device to ultraviolet light emitted by the ultraviolet light source to breakdown captured volatile organic compounds into elemental carbon dioxide and water vapor and to irradiate air moving past the ultraviolet light to reduce contaminants.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2013
    Publication date: September 12, 2013
    Inventor: Christopher C. Willette
  • Patent number: 8529831
    Abstract: A system for air purification based on in-situ photocatalytic oxidation and ozonation includes a single multi-functional Ti02-based coating having photocatalytic activity for oxidation in the presence of a sufficient ozone supply and UV irradiation to synergistically oxidize gaseous pollutants at ambient conditions. Also disclosed is a method for removing gaseous pollutants using ozone and UV irradiation to simultaneously activate the photocatalytic oxidation in the presence of the Ti02-based coating to remove up to about 84% of the gaseous pollutants within 5 minutes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignees: Nano and Advanced Materials Institute Limited, Institute Company Limited
    Inventors: Wing Kei Ho, Jian Hui Huang
  • Patent number: 8530870
    Abstract: An extreme ultraviolet light source apparatus in which a target material is irradiated with a laser beam and turned into plasma and extreme ultraviolet light is emitted from the plasma may include: a chamber in which the extreme ultraviolet light is generated; an electromagnetic field generation unit for generating at least one of an electric field and a magnetic field inside the chamber; and a cleaning unit for charging and separating debris adhered to an optical element inside the chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: Gigaphoton Inc.
    Inventors: Kouji Kakizaki, Shinji Nagai, Tatsuya Yanagida
  • Patent number: 8529830
    Abstract: The present invention belongs to the technical field of air sterilizing and purification and in particular relates to a plasma air sterilizing and purifying device and an air sterilizing and purifying method. The plasma air sterilizing and purifying device comprises a plasma reactor, a pulse power supply, a fan component, a control device, a power adaptor, and a housing case, wherein the reactor is provided with positive electrodes formed by several nickel-chromium alloy wires or nickel-chromium alloy belts, and the two ends of each positive electrodes are fixed in the corresponding grooves on the micro-discharge preventive conductor rail; and a pulse power supply has a digital control circuit with an oscillator, an error amplifier and a PWM comparator inside which converts signals into a digital control current to control the width of the high-voltage pulse.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: Shanghai Tianyun Environmental Protection Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yunzheng Zhou, Jianwei Fu, Jin Zhou
  • Publication number: 20130189162
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a photocatalyst unit. More particularly, the photocatalyst unit includes a body made of a plate with openings at upper and lower sides thereof and having one or more pairs of opposing lamp fixing means provided therein; ultraviolet radiation lamps each coupled to the lamp fixing means; a photocatalyst member coupled to the body and having a surface coated with a photocatalyst, wherein the photocatalyst member includes a plurality of plates disposed orthogonally to the ultraviolet radiation lamps, wherein the plates are disposed parallel to a flow direction of air and spaced to each other in order to form gaps between adjacent plates; and photocatalyst filters each disposed on upper and lower sides of the photocatalyst member and mounted on the body to cover upper and lower sides of the body, wherein the photocatalyst filters are applied with a photocatalyst.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2011
    Publication date: July 25, 2013
    Applicant: SMARTECH CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Cheolgyu Jeong
  • Publication number: 20130183201
    Abstract: Filter media for an active field polarized media air cleaner includes two layers of dielectric material with a higher resistance air permeable screen sandwiched between the lower resistivity electric layers. The filter media may further include a mixed fiber filter layer having fibers from different sides of the triboelectric scale. The filter media may further include a layer of relatively higher density dielectric material followed by a layer of relatively lower density dielectric material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2012
    Publication date: July 18, 2013
    Applicant: ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT CONFEDERATION, INC.
    Inventors: Forwood C. Wiser, George R. Summers, Benjamin H. Kaeppner
  • Publication number: 20130183214
    Abstract: A modular ductwork assembly decontaminates an air stream circulating within a heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system. The assembly includes one or more of (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 pathogens or odoriferous or gaseous 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, optionally (e) a fan module for directing a treated air stream, optionally (f) an ozone sensor, optionally (g) a monitoring or ozone control means, and optionally (h) a means of delivering and repurposing generated ozone. Each of the modules is arranged substantially adjacent to at least one of the other modules.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2013
    Publication date: July 18, 2013
    Inventor: Karen Metteer
  • Patent number: 8481985
    Abstract: This specification relates to an improved method, process and apparatus for disinfecting and sterilizing all types of surfaces and indoor air and room air contaminated with microorganisms. The improved apparatus consists of a multi-wavelength narrow spectral width UV source that is more effective than mercury based 254 nm germicidal lamps for destroying the DNA and outer shell or membrane of virus, bacteria, spores and cists.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Inventor: S. Edward Neister
  • Patent number: 8475723
    Abstract: A Dielectric Barrier Discharge Plasma Generation Cell (DBDPGC) includes a plurality of hot electrodes interspersed with a plurality of ground electrodes whereby a power supply connected between the hot and ground electrodes creates a non-thermal plasma between the electrodes. The hot electrodes are hermetically sealed. A cleaning solution is applied to the electrodes to wash gas stream contaminants and/or reaction by products off the electrodes at times during operation of the cell when desired to clean the electrodes to maintain cell efficiency. A catalyst solution can be applied to the electrodes after cleaning. Where a plurality of cells are electrically connected in parallel, shorts in a cell can be detected by sensing the difference in currents feed to each of the plurality of cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: IONO2X Engineering, L.L.C.
    Inventor: Allan D. Keras
  • Patent number: 8471227
    Abstract: An extreme ultraviolet light source apparatus in which a target material is irradiated with a laser beam and turned into plasma and extreme ultraviolet light is emitted from the plasma may include: a chamber in which the extreme ultraviolet light is generated; an electromagnetic field generation unit for generating at least one of an electric field and a magnetic field inside the chamber; and a cleaning unit for charging and separating debris adhered to an optical element inside the chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: Gigaphoton Inc.
    Inventors: Kouji Kakizaki, Shinji Nagai, Tatsuya Yanagida
  • Publication number: 20130142692
    Abstract: Air is purified through the use of a photo catalytic oxidation (PCO) and ultraviolet C (UVC) photon treatment. A single-stage PCO/UVC reactor includes an activated carbon filter (ACF) having titanium dioxide embedded therewithin or thereupon. A UVC set of lamps are disposed upstream and downstream of the ACFs. The UVC sets of lamps impinge UVC photons on the ACFs, initiating the PCO process and completely oxidizing toxic VOCs into carbon dioxide and water. The ACFs act to absorb and hold the VOCs (and intermediate breakdown organic compounds, such as formaldehyde) until the PCO process can completely break down the VOCs into carbon dioxide and water. A multiple stage UVC/PCO reactor may be used, if required and depending on the concentration of contaminants in the incoming air. In addition to detoxification, the UVC and PCO together sterilize the air by destroying viruses, bacteria and molds.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2011
    Publication date: June 6, 2013
    Inventor: Mohamed H. Tarifi
  • Patent number: 8454889
    Abstract: A gas treatment system has a housing defining an interior space adapted for holding liquid therein. The housing has an inlet port and an outlet port spaced from the inlet port so that gas passing through the interior space flows through the liquid therein. A gas delivery system directs gas to be treated into the interior space of the housing at the inlet port. An ultrasonic waveguide assembly is disposed within the interior space of the housing and includes an ultrasonic horn disposed at least in part intermediate the inlet port and the outlet port of the housing. The ultrasonic horn is operable at an ultrasonic frequency to ultrasonically energize liquid within the housing. An ultraviolet light source is for emitting ultraviolet light into the interior space of the housing to treat liquid flowing from the inlet port to the outlet port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Allen Janssen, John Gavin MacDonald
  • Patent number: 8455843
    Abstract: An ultraviolet ionizing unit for an air purifying that treats all air passing therethrough. The unit has a housing with an air ingress opening at first end, an air egress opening at a second end, an open end, at least two spaced apart internal retainers formed inside the housing, and a cavity formed in a space between the two spaced apart internal retainers. Two sections of ion generating material are retained in a spaced apart manner by the two spaced apart internal retainers. Spacers are used to hold a U-shaped UV lamp in the cavity, provide cushioning of the UV lamp therein, and providing additional sealing so that all air passing through the ionizing unit will be treated. A housing end cap covers the open end of the housing and retains the UV lamps therein so that the ion generating materials is fully exposed by UV light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Assignee: Presser Direct LLC
    Inventors: Mark Presser, Ira Smolens
  • Publication number: 20130129565
    Abstract: A filter (100) comprising at least one antibacterial layer (101) consisting of nano-silver particles and at least one ultraviolet photocatalytic layer (102).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2010
    Publication date: May 23, 2013
    Inventor: Ah Eng Siaw
  • Patent number: 8444922
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to purification and/or sterilization techniques and devices. Methods and systems are provided herein for removing contaminants from air using a combination of an ionic liquid and a reactive oxygen species.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: Empire Technology Development LLC
    Inventor: Takahisa Kusuura
  • Patent number: 8440143
    Abstract: An air purifier is provided, including a body comprising a wall defining an interior space, a first opening to the interior space, and a second opening to the interior space. In one example the body is a tubular body. An airflow pathway is provided through the tubular body defined between the first and second openings. A source of ultraviolet radiation is arranged to emit ultraviolet radiation into the interior space. A photocatalyst is arranged within the interior space and along the airflow pathway, and the ultraviolet radiation can be emitted onto at least a portion of the surface of the photocatalyst to activate the photocatalyst. In one example, the wall includes an aperture, and a cover is coupled to the body about the aperture and configured to enclose the source of ultraviolet radiation. In another example, the air purifier includes turbulence structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: Nordea Bank AB (publ)
    Inventor: William Joseph Liptak
  • Patent number: 8440154
    Abstract: A process has been developed to selectively dissociate target molecules into component products compositionally distinct from the target molecule, wherein the bonds of the target molecule do not reform because the components are no longer reactive with each other. Dissociation is affected by treating the target molecule with light at a frequency and intensity, alone or in combination with a catalyst in an amount effective to selectively break bonds within the target molecule. Dissociation does not result in re-association into the target molecule by the reverse process, and does not produce component products which have a change in oxidation number or state incorporated oxygen or other additives because the process does not proceed via a typical reduction-oxidation mechanism. Target molecules include ammonia for waste reclamation and treatment, PCB remediation, and targeted drug delivery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: Fahs Stagemyer, LLc
    Inventors: Richard W. Fahs, II, Matthew D. W. Fahs
  • Patent number: 8436878
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus in one embodiment of the present invention is an image forming apparatus that includes a main body that performs processing to form an image on a recording paper, the image forming apparatus including, an ion generating section that is external to the main body, generates ions and emits those ions to the outside.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2013
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kazuhisa Yoneda, Hiroyuki Nagao, Hidenobu Mandai, Kazuhiro Matsuyama, Yasushi Nakamura, Yoshiya Kinoshita
  • Patent number: 8431098
    Abstract: Embodiments of the technology disclosed herein include exemplary gas purifiers that use cyclonic separation and photocatalytic purification to oxidize contaminants in unpurified gas. One such gas purifier includes a vessel that defines a tapered cyclonic chamber. Unpurified gas enters the chamber and induces a gas vortex. Photocatalytic particles in the chamber become suspended in the vortex and mix with contaminants in the incoming gas. A light source activates the photocatalytic particles, which oxidize the contaminants to purify the gas. The purified gas exits via the wide of end of the chamber. Cyclonic action forces the photocatalytic particles out of the chamber's narrow end to a recycling conduit, which conveys the photocatalytic particles back into the chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2013
    Assignee: Empire Technology Development LLC
    Inventor: Kraig Anderson
  • Patent number: 8398923
    Abstract: An air decontamination device comprises an air stream generator (20), a non-thermal plasma filter (22), an ultraviolet (UV) radiation emitting device (24), an ozone catalyzing device (26), and a hydrocarbon emitter (28). The air stream generator (20) generates and directs an air stream through or across the non-thermal plasma filter (22), the UV radiation emitting device (24), the ozone catalyzing device (26), and the hydrocarbon emitter (28). The plasma filter (22) produces free radicals by which contaminants in the air stream are neutralized. The UV radiation emitting device (24) breaks down ozone in the air stream, catalyzed by the ozone catalyzing device (26). The hydrocarbon emitter (28) discharges an aromatic hydrocarbon into the air stream to preferentially react with residual ozone so that the air stream becomes suitable for human exposure. A method is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Assignee: Tri-Air Developments Limited
    Inventor: Alan Mole
  • Patent number: 8398928
    Abstract: An ultraviolet treatment chamber for treating exhaust streams, particularly those containing organic particulates, utilizes ultraviolet light energy very efficiently. This is done by setting up a circulating flow in a treatment plenum so that all of the effluent experiences a substantially uniform residence time without the need for baffles or other flow controllers that would block the ultraviolet light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Assignee: Oy Halton Group Ltd.
    Inventors: Rick A. Bagwell, Darrin W. Beardslee, Derek W. Schrock, Andrey V. Livchak
  • Patent number: 8388900
    Abstract: An assembly and method for treating or otherwise improving an atmosphere contained within an enclosed space. The enclosed space can be a container such as a bag or other housing for equipment, food and/or suitable material. Ozone is generated within an atmosphere that is exposed to the material. The generated ozone is mixed with the atmosphere. At least a portion of the generated ozone is then removed from the mixed atmosphere. The assembly and method can be used to treat contaminated sports equipment and the like, as well as to treat food storage atmospheres, such as those exposed to fresh fruits and vegetables.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: Primaira, LLC
    Inventors: Karen Benedek, Philip C. Carbone, Derek Affonce
  • Publication number: 20130052113
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device for the purification of air by passing a flow of the air through a filter having a photocatalytic action subjected to UV lighting, said filter comprising a felt of mineral fibers, the fibers of which are coated with a material having a photocatalytic action, the residence time of the air in contact with the filter being greater than 70 msec and the UV lighting having a power of less than 35 mW per cm2 of lit surface of filter having a photocatalytic action. The invention is particularly effective in removing volatile organic compounds from the air.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2011
    Publication date: February 28, 2013
    Applicant: SAINT-GOBAIN QUARTZ S.A.S.
    Inventors: Laurent Molins, Audrey Durand
  • Publication number: 20130052090
    Abstract: A photo-catalytic oxidizing (PCO) assembly including a PCO substrate including a first and second outer surface, and a plurality of air passages having a depth that extend between the first outer surface to the second outer surface at an angle that is not orthogonal to the first outer surface is described. A photo-catalyst is disposed on the substrate and stimulated using an ultra violet light source. An air cleaner using the PCO assembly is also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2011
    Publication date: February 28, 2013
    Inventor: John R. Bohlen
  • Publication number: 20130034470
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides devices and methods for making a light emitting diode (LED) activated photocatalyst air filter. One or more embodiments include a filter material that includes a photocatalyst, and a frame that includes an array of a number of LEDs positioned on the frame to project a wavelength of light directed toward the filter material, wherein the array of LEDs is positioned a distance from the filter material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2011
    Publication date: February 7, 2013
    Applicant: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: Li Wang, Xuanbin Liu
  • Publication number: 20130028797
    Abstract: This document describes a high intensity air purifier, a super oxidation purifier, and a controller for controlling operation of any of various purification systems. The air purifier includes an air purifier system coupled within a housing having an air inlet and an air outlet. The air purifier system includes a pre-filter coupled to the air inlet, an axial fan for receiving and forwarding air from the air inlet. The air purifier further includes a UV reaction chamber having a UV-light source for providing UV light to the forwarded air from the air inlet and a reflective lining to reflect the provided UV light, to provide UV purified air from the UV reaction chamber. The air purifier further includes a chemical catalyst cartridge for receiving the UV purified air from the UV reaction chamber, for further purifying the UV purified air, and a post filter coupled to the air outlet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2012
    Publication date: January 31, 2013
    Inventor: Rolf Engelhard
  • Publication number: 20130028796
    Abstract: A purification unit for purifying air by a photocatalytic reaction includes a first light source which emits light; a first reflection plate which reflects the light emitted from the first light source; and a plurality of purification plates which cause the photocatalytic reaction by irradiation of the light emitted from the first light source. In this arrangement, at least one of the purification plates is disposed between the first reflection plate and the first light source, and the light emitted from the first light source is transmitted through the purification plate disposed between the first reflection plate and the first light source, and then is reflected on the first reflection plate for irradiation onto the purification plates.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2012
    Publication date: January 31, 2013
    Applicant: SANYO Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Morio Nakatani, Katsutoshi Hibino, Yoshiyuki Matsumura