Including Baffling, Deflection, Or Restriction Of Gas Flow Patents (Class 95/78)
  • Patent number: 7513933
    Abstract: A filter assembly particularly useful in electronically enhanced air cleaning systems including a fibrous filter media. A conductive electrode is affixed to the fibrous filter media, so that the conductive electrode makes physical contact to the fibrous filter media in a plurality of substantially planar locations. The conductive electrode is coupled to a potential that enables neutralizing charge that accumulates on the filter media during operation to be removed thereby maintaining high efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2009
    Assignee: StrionAir, Inc.
    Inventors: Rex Coppom, Sven Coppom, Brian Coppom
  • Patent number: 7510599
    Abstract: A device for purification of a gas flow containing condensable vapors including a shell (7) defining a sealed volume, a cooler to quench the gas flow, a rotating assembly (42) having a rotor (44) and a cylindrical separation and filtration skirt (54) composed of serrated circular rings (56) mounted on the rotor and rotating with it; a support tube (48) mounted on the rotor (44) and carrying a turbulator-scraper device (50) a cylindrical electrode (94) surrounding the separation and filtration skirt (54) and a central counter-electrode (78) to create an electrostatic field in the shell (7), a purified gas outlet tube, a condensates outlet pipe (40) and impact separation plates (64) fixed on the rings of the skirt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Assignee: Commissariat a l'Energie Atomique
    Inventors: Meryl Brothier, Jean-Pierre Turchet, Pierre Estubier
  • Publication number: 20090071328
    Abstract: In one embodiment, apparatuses and methods for collecting particulates use an aperture air flow control system and an inline series of alternating discharge and grid type electrodes each with a separate electrical circuit centrally located between either parallel grid electrodes or plate electrodes. In another embodiment, an external enclosed pre-discharger design and physical arrangement improves agglomeration of sub-micron particles. In yet another embodiment, an external opposing dual channel discharger design also improves agglomeration of particles. In another embodiment, two or more separate electrode arrangements are used within a collecting chamber to improve the operation and collection efficiency of the apparatus. The present invention also preferably increases the frequency of recharging the particles, to increase collection efficiency.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2008
    Publication date: March 19, 2009
    Inventor: John P. Dunn
  • Publication number: 20090031896
    Abstract: In one embodiment an electronic device comprises a housing defining a chamber, a circuit board positioned in the chamber and comprising at least one integrated circuit, an air inlet port and an air outlet port formed in the housing, a fluid flow generator to generate an air flow across the circuit board in the chamber, and an electrostatic air filtration system to filter air entering the chamber from the air inlet port.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2007
    Publication date: February 5, 2009
    Inventors: Benjamin Abraham, Yancy Chen
  • Publication number: 20080250926
    Abstract: A method for air purification from dust comprising electrically charging dust by means of air ionization; and collecting the charged dust by means of an electric field force, performed in a common airflow while changing the direction of the airflow at least once by an angle of more than 135°.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2007
    Publication date: October 16, 2008
    Inventor: Yefim Riskin
  • Patent number: 7435288
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a system for effectively filtering particulate matter from exhaust gas. Exemplary embodiments of the invention provides a system for capturing diesel-powered vehicle particulate matter in exhaust gas, the system including: a detour channel at the interior of the entrance to the diesel particulate filter, an electrode located in front of the detour channel and operable to ionize the particulate matter, and a control unit operable to control operation of the electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2008
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventor: Kangsoo Lee
  • Patent number: 7393385
    Abstract: An apparatus useful for electrostatic deposition (ESD) of aerosol particles and methods of depositing the aerosol particles onto a substrate are disclosed. The ESD apparatus and the method of the present invention are useful for electrostatically depositing nanoparticles produced by gas-phase synthesis onto a substrate where the velocity of the flow of aerosol can be controlled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2008
    Assignee: Corning Incorporated
    Inventors: Calvin Thomas Coffey, Curtis Robert Fekety, Andrey V Filippov, Clinton Damon Osterhout, Martin Andrew Sala, Carlton Maurice Truesdale
  • Patent number: 7381245
    Abstract: An arrangement for treating room air has a first air quality sensor in an external air conduit of an air conditioning device. An ionization apparatus, an ozone sensor, an air humidity sensor, an airflow sensor, and at least one air temperature adjusting device are arranged in the supply conduit between air conditioning device and room. Chamber or hood devices forming a component of the room are coupled to the supply conduit. A side of the chamber or hood devices has openings ensuring convection of the supply air into the room. A recirculating air conduit branches off an exhaust conduit to the air-conditioning device. A second air quality sensor is arranged in the recirculating air conduit. A control device is connected to first air quality sensor, ozone sensor, air humidity sensor, airflow sensor, second air quality sensor, and the air temperature adjusting device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2008
    Assignee: LK Luftqualität AG
    Inventor: Werner Fleischer
  • Patent number: 7377957
    Abstract: A method of utilizing a filter having a filter body removing solid particles from a fluid, in order to extend the life cycle of the filter body before cleaning or replacement thereof is required, characterized in applying to the fluid, upstream of the filter body, an AC electrical field of a frequency and intensity to agglomerate solid particles in the fluid reaching the filter body, such as to reduce the number of smaller particles in the fluid tending to clog the filter body. Also described are a plurality of filter constructions for extending the life cycle of the filter body in accordance with the above method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2008
    Assignees: Innovative Defense Technologies Ltd.
    Inventor: Gideon Rosenberg
  • Publication number: 20080092736
    Abstract: A multi-stage collector for multi-pollutant control that contains alternating narrow and wide sections with glow discharge electrodes in some narrow sections, a uniform electric field in wide sections for collecting particles charged by the glow discharge and streamer discharge electrodes in wide or narrow sections that convert and destroy harmful gaseous pollutants such as SO2, NOx and volatile organic compounds as well as convert heavy metals such as mercury into a particulate form. Steady state streamer discharge is supported by non-pulsed power supply. The streaming discharge can convert the polluting gases into nitric and sulfuric acid which can be removed by combining it with ammonia to form solid salts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2007
    Publication date: April 24, 2008
    Inventors: Henry Krigmont, Yuri Akishev
  • Patent number: 7361207
    Abstract: A system useful for electrostatic deposition (ESD) of aerosol particles and methods of depositing the aerosol particles onto a substrate are disclosed. The ESD system and the method of the present invention are useful for electrostatically depositing nanoparticles produced by gas-phase synthesis, using an induction particle generator, onto a substrate. Direct current may be used with minimized corona leakage in the system, which would otherwise be damaging to the induction particle generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2008
    Assignee: Corning Incorporated
    Inventors: Calvin Thomas Coffey, Andrey V Filippov, Clinton Damon Osterhout, Martin Andrew Sala, Carlton Maurice Truesdale
  • Publication number: 20080078291
    Abstract: An air/oil separator for use in a gas turbine engine comprises a centrifugal separation stage in fluid communication with a downstream electrostatic separation stage. The centrifugal separation stage rotationally drives an electric generator to power the electrostatic separation stage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2006
    Publication date: April 3, 2008
    Applicant: PRATT & WHITNEY CANADA CORP.
    Inventor: Robert Allan DAUKANT
  • Patent number: 7318858
    Abstract: A system for separating oxygen from air operates at a pressure less than atmospheric. The oxygen separation system includes an entry port for ambient air, and at least two separate exhaust ports through which separate exhaust streams are drawn by separate suction sources. The oxygen separation system further includes a low-energy ionization portion that favors creation of molecular oxygen ions, and a higher-energy portion disposed between the ionization portion and one of the exhaust ports. A plurality of gas-permeable electrodes are charged to different voltages to provide the different portions inside the separator. An exhaust stream taken from the anode side of the separator is enriched in oxygen relative to ambient air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2008
    Assignee: Parsa Investment, L.P.
    Inventor: Komad Parsa
  • Patent number: 7316734
    Abstract: A volatile organic compound treatment apparatus including an adsorber coming into contact with a gas to be treated and adsorbing volatile organic compounds; a plurality of pairs of electrodes, divided into a plurality of groups, which generate electric discharge so that a part of the adsorber is exposed to the electric discharge; and an electric discharge control mechanism for controlling whether or not the electric discharge is generated in what pair of the electrodes by applying a voltage to every group of the pair of electrodes such that different parts of the adsorber are sequentially exposed to the electric discharge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2008
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Koji Ohta, Masaki Kuzumoto, Yasuhiro Tanimura, Hajime Nakatani, Toshiaki Yoshizumi, Hideo Ichimura
  • Patent number: 7316729
    Abstract: An air cleaner is provided according to an embodiment of the invention. The air cleaner includes an air duct including an inlet end and an outlet end, a pre-filter positioned at the inlet end, an electrostatic precipitator positioned in the air duct downstream of the pre-filter, a post-filter positioned in the air duct downstream of the electrostatic precipitator, and a fan unit positioned in the air duct downstream of the post-filter. Airflow travels from the inlet end to the outlet end. The airflow first encounters the pre-filter, encounters the electrostatic precipitator after encountering the pre-filter, encounters the post-filter after encountering the electrostatic precipitator, and encounters the fan unit after encountering the post-filter. Each of the pre-filter, the electrostatic precipitator, and the post-filter can be separately installed and removed from the air duct.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2008
    Assignee: Oreck Holdings LLC
    Inventors: Christopher M. Paterson, Charles W. Reynolds, Owen T. Bourgeois
  • Patent number: 7297182
    Abstract: An apparatus for removing particulate matter from a biomass combustion gas stream, the apparatus having a mist-producing element that mixes a gas stream entering the apparatus with liquid droplets; a Wet Electrostatic Precipitator (WESP) section that includes ionizing electrodes that electrically charge the particulate matter and the intermixed liquid droplets and collecting surfaces under the influence of an electrical field which attract and remove electrically-charged particulate matter and intermixed liquid droplets from the gas stream; and a scrubbing section that provides for additional scrubbing of the gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2007
    Assignee: Eisenmann Corporation
    Inventors: Isaac Ray, Mark A. West, Boris Altshuler, Bradley L. Ginger
  • Patent number: 7252701
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method of cleaning an electric filter and to an electric filter. In the method gas containing particles is fed to a chamber (2) of the electric filter. The gas is further fed to gas channels (5) in an emission system (3) provided in the chamber (2). What is brought about is electric charging of the particles in the gas and attachment to the separation electrode (1). Gas purified of particles is removed from the gas channel (5). The separation electrode (1) is shaken with shaker (8) to remove the particles attached to the separation electrode (1) therefrom. In this method, the gas flow is limited in such a gas channel (5) which adjoins the separation electrode (1) to be shaken by the shaker (8) when the separation electrode (1) to be shaken by the shaker (8) is shaken.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: ALSTOM Technology Ltd
    Inventor: Juha Tolvanen
  • Patent number: 7235120
    Abstract: A battery (16) drives an electric motor (17) which in turn drives a fan (18). A circuit board (20) controls the operation of the motor and fan to maintain the flow rate. Air is drawn through an inlet (22) and out through a vent (24). Foam discs (32) and (34) may extract particles from the air and an electrostatic filter may attract aerosols in the air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2007
    Assignee: University of Bradford
    Inventor: John Hugh Dennis
  • Patent number: 7226497
    Abstract: A ventilation system for a building is provided. The ventilation system includes a pair of passages between the interior and exterior of the building and at least one corona discharge apparatus for drawing fluid through the passages. The ventilation system may also include an energy recovery ventilator for transferring energy, humidity or the combination of energy and humidity between the fluid flowing through the two passages. Variable flow rates through the passages are provided by varying the voltage to the corona discharge apparatus. In addition, the corona discharge apparatuses may filter the air flowing through the passages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2007
    Assignee: Ranco Incorporated of Delaware
    Inventor: Nicholas Ashworth
  • Patent number: 7208030
    Abstract: An apparatus analyzes components of particulate materials suspended in air. The apparatus includes a container into which the air is introduced, a discharging electrode arranged in the container to electrically charge the particulate materials contained in the air, a dust collecting electrode arranged in the container to collect charged particulate materials utilizing electric potential difference, and a device for separating volatile components contained in the particulate materials collected on the dust collecting electrode. A gas analyzer is connected to the container into which the volatile components of the particulate materials separated in the container are introduced, to analyze the volatile components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2007
    Assignee: Shimadzu Corporation
    Inventor: Shinichiro Totoki
  • Patent number: 7160358
    Abstract: Contaminant laden gas streams from wood product dryer operations, and other sources, are purified. The gas stream first is saturated with moisture by contacting the gas stream with fine liquid droplets which entrain particulates. The gas stream then is subjected to a plurality of separate particulate and liquid droplet removal steps before a droplet-free gas stream having substantially reduced particulate contaminant levels is passed to a burner for removal of volatile organic compounds from the gas stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Assignee: Turbosonic Inc.
    Inventors: Edward F. Spink, Robert A. Allan
  • Patent number: 7156899
    Abstract: The present invention provides a power generation facility that is adapted to clean large air masses. Air from the environment, which normally contains the most pollutants, is directed into an air flow path through which large quantities of air are directed by a plurality of large diameter fans. The large air flow is directed through electrically insulated cooling fins which cool heated gas from power generators. The electrically insulated cooling fans have a voltage applied thereto and act as electrodes used to produce an electric field that attracts particles such as pollutants. In a preferred embodiment, a charging section is utilized within the air flow prior to the electrically insulated cooling fins to charge the particles with a charge opposite to the voltage applied to the cooling fins to thereby attract the particles to the cooling fins. A cooling fin washing system with pressurized jets is provided in one embodiment to wash the pollutants from the surface of the cooling fins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: Canatxx Energy, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Ross K. Hill, Paul J. Grimes, Charles E. Lawrence
  • Patent number: 7156898
    Abstract: A method and apparatus using deep pleated filters to provide efficient and safe electrically enhanced filtering (EEF), with ultra low pressure drop, higher efficiency of particulate removal and higher dirt holding capacity over the life of the filter. An EEF may be constructed with a housing, with or without an internal air moving device such as a fan, a deeply pleated filter, preferably a V-pack filter with sets of downstream ground electrodes and charge transfer electrodes borne by the exterior surface of the filter packs that form the filtering element. An ionizer assembly that ionizes the gas and charges particles entering the deeply pleated filter and also transfers a charge to the charge transfer electrodes on the filter pack. A plate seals the gasket on the filtering element against the ionizing assembly. A high electrical potential is applied to charging elements in the ionizer and, in some embodiments, a fan or motor assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Inventor: Rajan A. Jaisinghani
  • Patent number: 7156902
    Abstract: A gas separation apparatus combines the technologies of electrostatic precipitators and centrifugal particle separators into a single unit. At an inlet into the gas separation apparatus, a water spray is introduced into the gas stream. The water spray may include various chemical additives, typically selected to react with or neutralize the particulates as they are mixed with the water or for other benefit. The resulting water and particulate mixture, which is much more dense than air, is centrifugally separated and collected through a drain tube outlet. In addition to the centrifugal forces applied to the gas and water stream, an electrical field of magnitude sufficient to produce coronal discharge is also applied to a central electrode. The electric field is generated between the cylinder wall and the central electrode, to assist the centrifugal forces and thereby remove additional particulate beyond that ordinarily removed by a standard centrifugal separator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: Electric Power Research Institute
    Inventor: Ralph F. Altman
  • Patent number: 7146797
    Abstract: An exhaust gas purification system including a catching reactor for attracting particulate matters in an exhaust gas from an engine by electrostatic force, a main exhaust path and an auxiliary exhaust path provided on the exit side of the catching reactor, a PM filter provided in the auxiliary exhaust path for filtrating and processing the exhaust gas, and a flow path control valve for selectively connecting the exit side of the catching reactor to the main exhaust path or the auxiliary exhaust path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2006
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hideo Yahagi
  • Patent number: 7112236
    Abstract: A multistage space-efficient electrostatic collector cleans a gas flowing therethrough along a gas flow path having a first stage provided by a first corona discharge zone along the gas flow path, and a second stage provided by a second corona discharge zone along the gas flow path and spaced along the gas flow path from the first corona discharge zone. A method is provided for increasing residence time within the corona discharge zone of gas flowing through an electrostatic collector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2006
    Assignee: Fleetguard, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory W. Hoverson, Scott P. Heckel
  • Patent number: 7098462
    Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention provides a system for ionizing airborne particulates. The system includes an insulating substrate and a first electroplated structure on the insulating substrate. This first electroplated structure includes an anchor and a probe structure on the anchor that is separate from the insulating substrate. A second electroplated structure is included on the insulating substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2006
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Beelee Chua, Anthony S. Wexler, Norman C. Tien, Debbie A. Niemeier, Britt A. Holmén
  • Patent number: 7086535
    Abstract: A separator for intended use in separating particles having a selected charge from a particle mixture entrained in or carried by a fluid flow is disclosed. The separator comprises a tubular, elongated body for receiving the fluid flow. At least one and preferably a pair of electrodes may be provided to create an electric field in at least a portion of the body through which the fluid flow passes, and at least one partition defines first and second channels for receiving the flow downstream of the portion of the body including the electric field. In one embodiment, the electrode is oriented such that a direction of an electrical field force acting on particles having a selected charge passing through the electric field is not perpendicular to a direction of gravity. A system incorporating the separator is disclosed, along with a diffuser and related methods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2006
    Assignee: University of Kentucky Research Foundation
    Inventors: John M. Stencel, Tapiwa Zabron Gurupira
  • Patent number: 7052524
    Abstract: An air purifier is provided for mounting to a leading edge of a fan paddle so that equal, mirror-image portions reside above and below the fan paddle. The air purifier is formed with a synthetic fiber filter medium assembled to a lattice framework. Adhesive tape strips are positioned on the framework for mounting the air purifier to the fan paddle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2006
    Inventor: Albert D. Venezzio, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7048780
    Abstract: An air purifier has a simply manufactured and assembled ionizer, which increases the charging efficiency for dust particles through maximally increased discharge spaces and prevents electrical accidents. The air purifier includes an ionizer and a collector. The ionizer includes two ground electrode units and at least one discharge electrode, the two ground electrode units each having one or more electrodes, each formed in a hollow semi-cylindrical shape, the two ground electrode units being joined to face each other, the at least one discharge electrode being placed in spaces formed between the hollow semi-cylindrically shaped electrodes of the joined ground electrode units, thus charging dust particles passing through the spaces between the hollow semi-cylindrically shaped electrodes. The collector is electrically charged with a polarity opposite to a polarity of the charged dust particles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2006
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Young-Saeng Kim, Chan-Jung Park
  • Patent number: 7008465
    Abstract: An improved cartridge, typically in cylindrical or panel form that can be used in a dry or wet/dry vacuum cleaner. The cartridge is cleanable using a stream of service water, or by rapping on a solid object, or by using a compressed gas stream, but can provide exceptional filtering properties even for submicron particulate in the household or industrial environment. The cartridge has a combination of nanofiber filtration layer on a substrate. The nanofiber and substrate are engineered to obtain a maximum efficiency at reasonable pressure drop and permeability. The improved cartridge constitutes at least a substrate material and at least a layer including a non-woven, fine fiber separation layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2006
    Assignee: Donaldson Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Kristine M. Graham, Timothy H. Grafe, Mark A. Gogins
  • Patent number: 6966939
    Abstract: The invention describes a multi-layer filter structure and the use of a multi-layer filter structure for the dust removal from gases, wherein a coarse dust filter layer, a fine dust filter layer, and a support layer are disposed behind one another in the direction from the inflow side to the outflow side, and which is designed such that the fiber diameter distribution within the coarse dust filter layer and fine dust filter layer has a gradient, and that the fiber diameters of the coarse dust filter layer and fine dust filter layer continually decrease from the inflow side to the outflow side. This multi-layer filter structure may be used in a filter cassette for industrial dust removal, as well as in a stationary or mobile home dust cleaning device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2005
    Assignees: Branofilter GmbH, Sandler AG
    Inventors: Jürgen Rammig, Uwe Schmierer, Ulrich Hornfeck, Roland Straub
  • Patent number: 6932857
    Abstract: A multi-stage collector of the type used to collect particles from industrial gas. The collector can contain multiple narrow and wide zones formed by a plurality of parallel corrugated plates. Contained in the narrow zones can be elongated electrodes with sharp leading and/or trailing edges. These electrodes can provide a non-uniform electric field near their sharp edges leading to corona discharge. The corona discharge causes particulate matter in the gas flow to become charged. The region in narrow zones away from the sharp edges of the electrodes resembles a parallel plate capacitor with relatively uniform electric field. In this region, particles can be collected on the plates and on the electrode. Wide regions can contain barrier filters (bag filters) with conductive surfaces. The collector can also be used to clean inlet gas in gasification plants and to collect re-usable materials from a gas stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2005
    Inventor: Henry Krigmont
  • Patent number: 6926758
    Abstract: An electrostatic filter (1) has a chamber (11) into which a gas stream is introduced. An ioniser (19) in the form of an electrode array (20) is located in the chamber (11) and creates an ionising zone through which the gas stream passes. A charged outlet (21) is located downstream from the ioniser (19). As the gas stream passes through the ionising zone, the unwanted particles therein are charged and urged away from the outlet (21) by the ioniser (19). Charged particles approaching the outlet (21) are also electrostatically repelled therefrom, permitting “clean” gas to be extracted through the outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2005
    Assignee: Indigo Technologies Group Pty Ltd
    Inventor: Rodney John Truce
  • Patent number: 6905029
    Abstract: A method, system, apparatus, and article of manufacture provide a cross-flow migration classifier capable of separating particles. The classifier provides a channel through which a sample, having one or more particles, passes in a first direction, wherein the channel comprises two or more walls that are permeable to a flow of fluid. A cross-flow enters the channel through one of the permeable walls and exits through another of the permeable walls. An imposed field is applied in a second direction that is counter to the cross-flow and having an orthogonal component to the first direction. The imposed field causes one or more of the particles to migrate at a first velocity opposite and/or equal to a second velocity of the cross-flow. The particles that migrate opposite to the cross-flow are continuously discharged from the cross-flow migration classifier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2005
    Assignee: California Institute of Technology
    Inventor: Richard C. Flagan
  • Patent number: 6899745
    Abstract: An air cleaner electrode assembly includes an elongated collector electrode and a plurality of elongated discharge electrodes arranged around the collector electrode. A fan may move air in a direction parallel to a length of the electrodes. The collector electrode may have a plurality of distinct faces where at least one discharge electrode is associated with a corresponding face. A cleaning shuttle may be configured to ride on and remove debris from the elongated electrodes. A voltage differential across the electrodes and the fan speed may be adjusted independently of each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2005
    Assignee: Kaz, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen M. Gatchell, Chi-Hsiang Wang
  • Patent number: 6872238
    Abstract: Fine particles of dust and other pollutants in gas streams are agglomerated to form larger particles which are more easily filtered in downstream processing. In one embodiment, particles in successive portions of the gas stream are charged with opposite polarity, and the gas stream is introduced into an Evasé portion (12) to slow it down. Particles of different sizes have differential deceleration and therefore mix generally in the direction of flow, leading to agglomeration of oppositely-charged particles. In another embodiment, a gas stream is divided into substreams in respective parallel passages, and the particles in adjacent passages are charged to opposite polarity. Deflectors at the downstream end of the passages cause substreams of particles of opposite polarity to mix, with resultant agglomeration of oppositely charged particles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2005
    Assignee: Indigo Technologies Group Pty Ltd.
    Inventor: Rodney John Truce
  • Patent number: 6858064
    Abstract: In an apparatus for the purification of a gas which apparatus includes a three section conduit with an ionization and cleaning section in which particles contained in water-saturated air are ionized and then conducted through a chamber with grounded walls so that part of the particles are deposited on these walls, an additional cleaning section which includes grounded tubes past which the gas is conducted to remove additional charged particles and a filter section in which dry remaining fine particles are removed from the gas stream, the deposited particles are flushed from all three sections and the flushing water including the particles is cleaned and recycled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2005
    Assignee: Forschungszentrum Karlsruhe GmbH
    Inventors: Andrei Bologa, Thomas Wäscher, Hans-Rudolf Paur, Werner Baumann
  • Patent number: 6827761
    Abstract: Particles in a fluid flow are concentrated by a combination of electrical charging and focussing and passage through a virtual impact concentrator. The fluid is passed through an electrical charging section and an electrical focussing section and then to a virtual impact concentrator. The majority of charged particles in a selected size range are collected through a minor discharge passage extending axially from the virtual impact concentrator. The invention is particularly suitable for sampling engine exhaust gases and ambient aerosols.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2004
    Assignee: Her Majesty The Queen in Right of Canada as represented by the Minister of the Environment
    Inventor: Lisa A. Graham
  • Patent number: 6790259
    Abstract: An improved method is disclosed for cleaning a flow of gaseous fluid, such as room air, from particles present in the fluid, the gaseous fluid being ionized, and using a conductive grid placed across and upstream of the filter for protecting the filter from being charged by free ions. An air purifier filter cartridge using the ion-intercepting grid of the invention is also disclosed. The grid may be connected to or electrically insulated from the ionizer ground potential, with equal effect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2004
    Assignee: Blueair AB
    Inventors: Bengt Rittri, Johan Wennerstrom
  • Patent number: 6790004
    Abstract: A ceiling-fan air purifier and freshener has an edge clip (1) which is adapted to be clipped onto leading edges of fan blades (2) of ceiling fans (3) in either direction of rotation has a gluey adhesive (11) on a top surface of the edge clip. The gluey adhesive captures and contains dust and germs that are too small to be retained by air strainers and filters and that can increase instead of stop growth of germs in room air. It is intended to be used for hospitals, residences and businesses. The edge clip is adapted for: (a) reliable attachment, (b) structural compatibility with select classes of ceiling fans, (c) easy removal, (d) low-cost replacement and (d) user-friendliness. It is adaptable for being colored and designed for matching aesthetics of the select classes of ceiling fans and use conditions. The gluey adherent can include predetermined surface corrugation and unevenness for maximizing germ and particle retainment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2004
    Inventor: Donald V. Steinheiser
  • Patent number: 6779976
    Abstract: A method for removing pollutants from a gas such as air includes attaching a multi-layer stack of sheets to the surface of a fan blade. The sheets have a tacky surface disposed on their outward facing side, so that as the fan blade rotates pollutants are captured by the tacky surface. When the tacky surface of the top most sheet becomes contaminated with pollutants, it is peeled off to expose a clean uncontaminated next lower sheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2004
    Inventors: Nancy A. Carfagna, Paul D. Carfagna
  • Patent number: 6773489
    Abstract: An electrical type grid electrostatic collector/separator removes particles from an air stream. The apparatus includes multiple parallel grids that act as the porous material, enclosed in a sealed compartment so that the entrained air flows parallel and between one or more centrally located grids. A direct current high voltage field is established between the grids with the polarities alternating between facing grids. The system is preferably used for conductive and semi-conductive materials because of the ease at which the particles can receive an induced charge. The charged particles are separated and collected when they are attracted toward the relatively open wire or woven grids and pass laterally through and onto the next attracting grid until they are out of the air stream and generally fall by gravity to the collection vessel. When non-conductive particles are present, external methods of pre-charging by corona discharge are preferably used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2004
    Inventor: John P. Dunn
  • Patent number: 6736878
    Abstract: An dry horizontal flow electrostatic precipitator wherein a portion of the gas flow passing through the precipitator is extracted from the upper portion of the casing, such extraction flow having a lower particle concentration than gas flow at the bottom portion of the casing due to re-entrainment. The extraction gas flow is extracted by a manifold positioned at the top of the casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2004
    Inventor: Arthur G. Hein
  • Patent number: 6706086
    Abstract: A dust filter bag having a highly porous backing material ply and a method for producing the dust filter bag. The dust filter bag includes at least one filter material ply and at least one backing material ply, the backing material ply possessing an air permeability of at least 900 l/m2 x s, a burst strength of at least 70 kPa, a rupture strength longitudinally better than 10 and transversely better than 3 N, a flexural rigidity longitudinally better than 0.5 cN cm2 and transversely better than 0.25 cN cm2, a basis weight of 30-80 g/m2 and a droplet sink-in time of less than 10 minimum. The dust filter bag can be produced by the following steps: mixing fibers including cellulose fibers and fusible fibers into a homogenous fiber mix, processing the fiber mix into a fiber web by wet laying, drying the fiber web, curing the dried fiber web by thermofusion into a backing material ply, processing the backing material ply with a filter material ply into a raw bag, and finishing the raw bag into a dust filter bag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2004
    Assignee: FiberMark Gressner GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Dietmar Emig, Ernst Raabe, Albrecht Klimmek
  • Publication number: 20040025690
    Abstract: A multi-stage collector of the type used to collect particles from industrial gas. The collector can contain multiple narrow and wide zones formed by a plurality of parallel corrugated plates. Contained in the narrow zones can be elongated electrodes with sharp leading and/or trailing edges. These electrodes can provide a non-uniform electric field near their sharp edges leading to corona discharge. The corona discharge causes particulate matter in the gas flow to become charged. The region in narrow zones away from the sharp edges of the electrodes resembles a parallel plate capacitor with relatively uniform electric field. In this region, particles can be collected on the plates and on the electrode. Wide regions can contain barrier filters (bag filters) with conductive surfaces. The collector can also be used to clean inlet gas in gasification plants and to collect re-usable materials from a gas stream.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2003
    Publication date: February 12, 2004
    Inventor: Henry Krigmont
  • Patent number: 6663695
    Abstract: A method for cleaning air utilizing an air cleaner which is smaller than conventional air cleaners, wherein a filter is formed on the peripheral portion of a disk and the filter is bent into a wave-shape such that irregularities of the wave are formed in the radial direction of the disk, so that air existing on the inside area of the disk is discharged to the outside of the disk through the filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2003
    Assignee: Kankyo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hidetoshi Ike, Yasushi Ishikawa, Shigemi Watanabe, Kazunari Kakuta
  • Publication number: 20030177901
    Abstract: A multi-stage collector of the type used to collect particles from industrial gas. The collector can contain multiple narrow and wide zones formed by a plurality of parallel corrugated plates. Contained in the narrow zones can be elongated electrodes with sharp leading and/or trailing edges. These electrodes can provide a non-uniform electric field near their sharp edges leading to corona discharge. The corona discharge causes particulate matter in the gas flow to become charged. The region in narrow zones away from the sharp edges of the electrodes resembles a parallel plate capacitor with relatively uniform electric field. In this region, particles can be collected on the plates and on the electrode. Wide regions can contain barrier filters (bag filters) with conductive surfaces. The collector can also be used to clean inlet gas in gasification plants and to collect re-usable materials from a gas stream.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2003
    Publication date: September 25, 2003
    Inventor: Henry Krigmont
  • Patent number: 6602311
    Abstract: A fiber spinning device and process for manufacturing a web of fibers including a homogeneous mixture of fibers of different characteristics. Monocomponent fibers of different polymers can be extruded side-by-side from the same die system. Sheath/core bicomponent fibers can be alternated with monocomponent fibers formed of the same core polymer as used in the bicomponent fibers. Bicomponent fibers having a common core polymer and different sheath polymers can be extruded from alternate spinneret orifices in the same die plate. Multiple distribution plates are provided with surface grooves or depressions to direct polymer materials from independent sources to only selected spinneret openings in an array of spinneret openings while maintaining the polymers segregated from each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2003
    Inventor: Richard M. Berger
  • Patent number: 6589314
    Abstract: A size preferential electrostatic agglomerator is provided for agglomerating small particles with larger “carrier” particles. The agglomerator includes an inlet for receiving a gas flow, a separator for separating the gas flow into flow streams based on the size of the particles therein, an ionization region for imparting an opposite electrical charge to each of the flow streams, an agglomeration region receiving the flow streams to facilitate the agglomeration of the oppositely charged particles, and an outlet for exhausting the gas flow containing agglomerated particles to facilitate collection, processing or other activity on the agglomerated particles. The present invention provides an efficient system for gathering large amounts of small particles in a gas flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2003
    Assignee: Midwest Research Institute
    Inventors: Andrew E. Page, Plamen Doynov