With Indicating, Signal, Or Alarm Means Patents (Class 96/26)
  • Patent number: 11609179
    Abstract: A method and apparatus (1) for monitoring particles flowing in a stack are disclosed. The method comprises emitting light from a light source along an optical path for scattering from the particles, rotating a rotatable monitoring assembly (15) mounted in the optical path, and detecting the scattered light using a detector. The rotatable monitoring assembly (15) contains at least two in apertures, and the method further comprises rotating the rotatable monitoring assembly (15) into a plurality of different configurations. In an operation configuration, light passes through the rotatable monitoring assembly (15) and into the stack unimpeded. In a zero-check configuration, the rotatable monitoring assembly (15) blocks the light from reaching the stack. In a span-check configuration, light of varying intensity passes from the light source through the rotatable monitoring assembly (15) into the stack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2023
    Assignee: ENVEA UK Ltd
    Inventors: David Christopher Unitt, Trevor Allan Lye, Bruce Greetham
  • Patent number: 10871434
    Abstract: A particulate detector that is used to detect a particulate in gas, the particulate detector includes an electric-charge generator that applies an electric charge generated by electric discharge to the particulate in the gas that is introduced into a gas flow path to obtain a charged particulate and a first collector that collects an excess electric charge that is not applied to the particulate and a second collector that collects the charged particulate and a detection unit that corrects a second physical quantity that varies in response to the charged particulate collected by the second collector on the basis of a first physical quantity that varies in response to the excess electric charge collected by the first collector and that detects an amount of the particulate on the basis of the corrected second physical quantity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2020
    Assignee: NGK Insulators, Ltd.
    Inventors: Keiichi Kanno, Hidemasa Okumura, Kazuyuki Mizuno
  • Patent number: 10724398
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a turbine system includes a compressor, an intake section including a filter house and an inlet duct. The intake section is coupled to the compressor, and the filter house is upstream from the inlet duct. The turbine system also includes one or more sensors disposed in the intake section, and a processor configured to receive sensor data from the one or more sensors, one or more filter degradation rates for one or more filtration stages of the filter house, or some combination thereof, predict a compressor degradation rate for the compressor using a compressor degradation prediction model that provides a function of performance of the compressor based on the sensor data, the one or more filter degradation rates, or some combination thereof, and perform one or more preventative actions based on the compressor degradation rate prediction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2020
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Hua Zhang, Bradly Kippel, David Trayhan, Iris Hu
  • Patent number: 9061229
    Abstract: A clogged filter detector has a transmitter and a sensor which are held in place by a transmitter bracket and a sensor bracket, respectively. The transmitter emits a beam of electromagnetic radiation, and the sensor is positioned in the path of this beam at a point such that the beam travels through a filter between the transmitter and the sensor. The transmitter and sensor are mis-aligned with the air flow at the point where the beam contacts the filter. The transmitter alternates between a transmitting mode and a dormant mode, and the transmitter emits a plurality of electromagnetic pulses during each transmitting mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2015
    Assignee: Filtersmarts, Inc.
    Inventors: David J. Wilson, Jr., Douglas Morris
  • Publication number: 20150059580
    Abstract: A particle collector for collecting biological material using electrostatic precipitator (ESP) technology including a removable ESP collection tube having an electrode wire suspended therein, a high voltage power supply coupled to the electrode wire for generating an ionization field within the collection tube causing smaller particles entering the collection tube to precipitate onto the walls of the collection tube, electronics including a microcontroller for controlling the operation of the collector, and a housing assembly for housing the collection tube, the high voltage power supply and the electronics.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2014
    Publication date: March 5, 2015
    Inventors: Joseph W. Clement, Peter J. Anderson, Micah R. Decker, Thomas J. Keeley, Mary E. Pierce, Valorie T. Ryan, Darren J. Radke
  • Patent number: 8814996
    Abstract: Active carbon filters and systems that are operative to detect active carbon filter degradations are provided. The active carbon filter can include a carbon filter comprising activated carbon and defining a filter surface; a first piezoelectric wafer active sensor on the filter surface that is electrically isolated from the carbon filter; and a second piezoelectric wafer active sensor on the filter surface that is electrically connected to the filter surface; and an impedance monitoring device electrically connected to the first piezoelectric wafer active sensor and the second piezoelectric wafer active sensor. Methods are also disclosed for determining if any degradation has occurred in an active carbon filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: University of South Carolina
    Inventors: Victor Giurgiutiu, Jingjing Bao, Gregory William Peterson, Glenn Rubel
  • Publication number: 20140202334
    Abstract: A filter system and method utilizing a plurality of filters each with an electrically conductive material portion for conducting an electric current while the filter maintains a tight seal and for not conducting the electric current when the filter does not maintain the tight seal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2013
    Publication date: July 24, 2014
    Applicant: BHA Altair, LLC
    Inventors: Alston Ilford Scipio, Sanji Ekanayake, Luis Alberto Soto Romero
  • Publication number: 20140102295
    Abstract: A filtration system includes a frame directing a fluid flow through the filtration system. An ionization array is located in the frame and has an ionizer current flowing therethrough. The system further includes a media filter having a plurality of media fibers arranged to capture particles flowing therethrough and a conductive surface located at the media filter and having a filter current flowing therethrough. A comparator is utilized to determine a difference between the ionizer current and the filter current, and compare that difference to a predetermined range.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2012
    Publication date: April 17, 2014
    Inventor: Peter Johannes Mckinney
  • Publication number: 20140069274
    Abstract: An air filtration system includes a frame directing an airflow through the air filtration system and a media filter. The media filter includes a plurality of media fibers arranged to capture particles flowing therethrough and a conductive surface located at the media filter and having a conductivity within a selected range. Two or more contact pads are located at the media filter and are alignable with an electrical circuit located at the frame to determine whether a resistance across the conductive plane is within a selected resistance range. A method of installing a media filter in an air filtration system includes inserting the media filter into a frame of the air filtration system and aligning one or more contact pads of the media filter with one or more grounding pads of the frame. A resistance across the media filter is measured.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2012
    Publication date: March 13, 2014
    Applicant: Carrier Corporation
    Inventor: Peter Johannes McKinney
  • Patent number: 8652240
    Abstract: There is provided a fine particle sensor for detecting fine particles in exhaust gas, including an ion generating unit for generating ions by corona discharge, a charging unit for charging the fine particles by some of the generated ions, an ion trapping unit for trapping a remainder of the generated ions and a casing for accommodating therein the charging unit and the ion trapping unit in a given arrangement direction. The casing has a gas inlet hole and a gas outlet hole formed in a circumferential wall thereof so that the exhaust gas flows in the charging unit through the gas inlet hole and flows out of the ion trapping unit through the gas outlet hole. The gas inlet hole and the gas outlet hole are arranged in such a manner as to at least partially overlap each other when viewed in the given arrangement direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: NGK Spark Plug Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takeshi Sugiyama, Masayuki Motomura, Toshiya Matsuoka, Keisuke Tashima, Hitoshi Yokoi
  • Publication number: 20130247759
    Abstract: Collection enhanced materials, flue gas additives, and methods of making the enhanced materials and flue gas additives are provided. In one embodiment, a down stream addition system configured to control material passing through a metering device from a vessel to a gaseous exhaust path extending between a unit and an exhaust flue of the unit is provided. In alternative embodiments, methods are provided for introducing at least one of a flue gas additive and a collection enhanced material to a gaseous exhaust stream exiting a unit; exposing and removing at least a portion of at least one a of flue gas additive and a collection enhanced material from a gaseous exhaust stream exiting a unit prior to entering an exhaust flue; and recycling at least a portion of material removed a from a gaseous exhaust stream exiting a unit back to the gaseous exhaust stream without passing through the unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2013
    Publication date: September 26, 2013
    Applicant: INTERCAT EQUIPMENT, INC.
    Inventors: MARTIN EVANS, RAYMOND PAUL FLETCHER, MEHDI ALLAHVERDI, GUIDO ARU, PAUL DIDDAMS, XUNHUA MO, WILLIAM REAGAN, SHANTHAKUMAR SITHAMBARAM
  • Patent number: 8491709
    Abstract: To provide a small active oxygen generating device capable of efficiently continuously generating active oxygen while supplying oxygen in the air. In the active oxygen generating device in which water is made to exist between an anode and a cathode composed of a base material containing a conductive polymer and by turning on electricity between the anode and the cathode, the conductive polymer deoxidizes the oxygen dissolved in the water to generate active oxygen, the cathode is rotatably installed about a conductive horizontal axis with part of the surface being projected over the surface of the water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Shiro Takeuchi, Akira Shiga, Takuya Furuhashi
  • Patent number: 8372183
    Abstract: This invention relates to a detection system for particles suspended in a gas. The detection system includes an electrostatic precipitator constructed to collect the particles from the gas onto a collection surface using the force of an induced electrostatic charge on the particles. The detection system also includes an optical probe coupled with the electrostatic precipitator and constructed to probe the particles with a beam in order to detect the particles. The body of the electrostatic precipitator has a geometry that allows the beam to travel from the optical probe to the collection surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Assignees: Orono Spectral Solution, Inc., University of Maine System Board of Trustees
    Inventors: Luke D. Doucette, Carl P. Tripp, Brian J. Ninness
  • Publication number: 20120255439
    Abstract: A flying air purifier includes a flying unit configured to fly within a space at a first elevation. The flying unit is also configured to fly within the space at a second elevation. The flying air purifier also includes an air purifier mounted to the flying unit and configured to remove particles from air within the space at the first elevation and at the second elevation. The air purifier includes an air inlet having a first charge and an air outlet having a second charge, wherein the second charge is opposite of the first charge.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2011
    Publication date: October 11, 2012
    Applicant: Empire Technology Development LLC
    Inventor: Aya Seike
  • Patent number: 8273161
    Abstract: An air vent air purifier includes a grill portion and a housing that is attached to the bottom of the grill portion. The housing fits within a forced air vent. The housing encloses an ionization grid, control circuitry and energy source. When energized, air flowing through the vent from the air handling device passes through the ionization grid, where it is ionized, thereby cleaning the air throughout the entire room. The grill may include a decorative element to match the décor of a room. Batteries provide the energy. A series of indicator lights indicate a power on condition and the level of the battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2012
    Inventor: Shaam P Sundhar
  • Publication number: 20120234172
    Abstract: There is provided a fine particle sensor for detecting fine particles in exhaust gas, including an ion generating unit for generating ions by corona discharge, a charging unit for charging the fine particles by some of the generated ions, an ion trapping ions for trapping a remainder of the generated ions and a casing for accommodating therein the charging unit and the ion trapping unit in a given arrangement direction. The casing has a gas inlet hole and a gas outlet hole formed in a circumferential wall thereof so that the exhaust gas flows in the charging unit through the gas inlet hole and flows out of the ion trapping unit through the gas outlet hole. The gas inlet hole and the gas outlet hole are arranged in such a manner as to at least partially overlap each other when viewed in the given arrangement direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2012
    Publication date: September 20, 2012
    Applicant: NGK SPARK PLUG CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Takeshi SUGIYAMA, Masayuki MOTOMURA, Toshiya MATSUOKA, Keisuke TASHIMA, Hitoshi YOKOI
  • Patent number: 8268040
    Abstract: A method and a system for controlling dust particle emissions from an electrostatic precipitator (1), which has a first and a second bus-section (16, 20), are provided. Dust particle emissions are controlled by observing that a rapping event of the first bus-section (16) is about to be initiated, verifying, before allowing the rapping event of the first bus-section (16) to be initiated, that the second bus-section (20) is ready to receive the dust particles to be released during the rapping event of the first bus-section (16), and then initiating, after verification, the rapping event of the first bus-section (16).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Assignee: ALSTOM Technology Ltd
    Inventors: Scott A. Boyden, Anders Karlsson
  • Patent number: 8231716
    Abstract: A self-alarming air cleaner is disclosed. The air cleaner includes an air filter element (1), a light emitting element (2) and a light sensor (3). The light emitting element (2) and the light sensor (3) are both faced to the air filter element (1). The light emitted from the light emitting element (2) is reflected by the air filter element (1) or permeated to the air filter element (1), then forms an area of light attenuation where the light sensor (3) is located. The light emitting element (2) and the light sensor (3) connect with a circuit which has an alarming device. When much dust is accumulated on the air filter element (1), the intensity of the light reaching the light sensor (3) is weakened and the alarming device (4) can give an alarm automatically.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2012
    Inventor: Chiwai Patrick Poon
  • Publication number: 20120085230
    Abstract: An electrostatic coalescer includes an outer wall defining a flow path for receiving a process fluid comprising primarily a gas, a power source, and a plurality of electrode plates coupled to the power source to generate an electrical field across the flow path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2009
    Publication date: April 12, 2012
    Applicant: FMC Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Mohamed Reda Akdim, Govert L. Kruijtzer, Pavel Antsiferov
  • Patent number: 8034170
    Abstract: A real-time monitoring system that monitors various aspects of the operation of a refrigerant-cycle system is described. In one embodiment, the system includes a processor that measures power provided to the refrigerant-cycle system and that gathers data from one or more sensors and uses the sensor data to calculate a figure of merit related to the efficiency of the system. In one embodiment, the sensors include one or more of the following sensors: a suction line temperature sensor, a suction line pressure sensor, a suction line flow sensor, a hot gas line temperature sensor, a hot gas line pressure sensor, a hot gas line flow sensor, a liquid line temperature sensor, a liquid line pressure sensor, a liquid line flow sensor. In one embodiment, the sensors include one or more of an evaporator air temperature input sensor, an evaporator air temperature output sensor, an evaporator air flow sensor, an evaporator air humidity sensor, and a differential pressure sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2011
    Inventor: Lawrence Kates
  • Publication number: 20110168463
    Abstract: A system and method is provided for electrostatic air filtering in automotive vehicles, such as electric and hybrid electric vehicles. The system includes an electrical distribution system and an electrostatic filtering system having discharge electrodes and an accumulation electrode. The distribution system is in high-voltage electrical communication with the filtering system as well as an electric motor and a high-voltage energy storage device in the vehicle. In operation, the distribution system distributes high-voltage electric power to the filtering system. The filtering system receives the high-voltage electric power to generate a high-voltage electrostatic potential between the accumulation electrode and the discharge electrodes to remove particulates from air flowing through a region of the electrostatic filtering system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2010
    Publication date: July 14, 2011
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: William Paul Perkins, Renata Michaela Arsenault, Jimmy H. Kapadia, Steven A. Daleiden, Alan McDonald, Richard Michael Isaacs, Allen Dennis Dobryden, Matthew Fleming
  • Patent number: 7959869
    Abstract: An air-transporter conditioner device includes a housing defining an inlet and an outlet. An electro-kinetic system is disposed in the housing to create an airflow moving from the inlet to the outlet. A timer measures a time period corresponding to the electro-kinetic system and causes an indicator light to illuminate when the measured period reaches a threshold. An arc sensing circuit detects arcing between the first and second electrode arrays of the electro-kinetic system. The electro-kinetic system is turned off in response to arcing being detected by the arc sensing circuit. An indicator light can also specify that arcing has been detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: Sharper Image Acquisition LLC
    Inventors: Charles E. Taylor, Shek Fai Lau, Andrew J. Parker, Tristan M. Christianson, Gregory S. Snyder, Edward C. McKinney, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7947110
    Abstract: A method of operating a filtration system that filters flue gas, which includes particulate matter and a gaseous pollutant. The filtration system may include a fabric filter, which is cleaned with periodic pulse cleanings, a discharge electrode upstream of the fabric filter, which imparts an electric charge to at least some of the particulate matter before the particulate matter collects on the fabric filter, a sorbent, which is injected into the flue gas upstream of the fabric filter and absorbs at least some of the gaseous pollutant, and a fan, which draws the flue gas through the fabric filter. The filtration system may have a pulse cleaning interval setting that may be manipulated by an operator of the filtration system. The pulse cleaning interval setting may be the time between the pulse cleanings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2011
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Robert W. Taylor
  • Patent number: 7938896
    Abstract: An air cleaner including touch points is provided according to an embodiment of the invention. The air cleaner includes a chassis and one or more visually coded touch points on the chassis. The one or more visually coded touch points include indicia of user-contactable components of the air cleaner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2011
    Assignee: Oreck Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: Christopher M. Paterson, Dennis T. Lamb, Bruce Kiern, Owen T. Bourgeois, Paul Moshenrose, Shane Cohen
  • Patent number: 7909918
    Abstract: An intense field dielectric air filtration system includes a perimeter frame for wall or ceiling mounting at the inlet of a return air duct for an air conditioning apparatus. A door including a grille disposed thereon is mounted for movement on the frame between working and non-working positions for access to an air filter unit, a pre-filter unit and an intense field particle charging unit. Contacts on the filter unit and the field charging unit engage cooperating contacts on an enclosure mounted on the frame when the door is closed to supply electrical power. An interlock is provided to interrupt power when the door is moved to an open position or the grille is removed. A control system disposed in the enclosure includes user control features accessible when the door is in an open position. An alternate embodiment includes a support frame for positioning the filtration system in ductwork or the like other than a return air inlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2011
    Assignee: Trane International, Inc.
    Inventors: Larry S. Bias, Kristin Lyn Schaefer, Shannon L. Smith, John Mark Hagan, Mark David Woodruff, Daniel Joseph Mitchell, Cassius J. Mullen, Timothy H. Cauley, Robert Beasley
  • Patent number: 7909910
    Abstract: A vacuum clean-out system including a separator chamber and associated collection chamber for removing liquid material and debris from a vacuum output and providing a vacuum return line free of contaminants. A vacuum exhaust line is coupled to a cyclonic separator chamber that induces a circular rotation within the incoming vacuum stream, causing the liquid and debris to impinge the chamber's surfaces and fall to the bottom thereof while the “clean” vacuum is drawn upwards into a return line. The collection chamber is maintained at the same negative pressure as the separator chamber so that the accumulating liquid and debris easily drains into the collection chamber. A sensor associated with the collection chamber may be used to determine when the collection chamber is full and needs to be discharged. At that point, the separator chamber is isolated from the collection chamber, the collection chamber is vented and the accumulated material is discharged and/or analyzed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2011
    Assignee: TBW Industries Inc.
    Inventor: Stephen J. Benner
  • Patent number: 7875100
    Abstract: A method is provided for indicating the useful service life of a gas filtration and purification system comprising steps of embedding two or more mass-responsive electronic sensors (e.g., surface acoustic wave devices) in a sorbent bed of a filtration cartridge, wherein the mass-responsive electronic sensors are coated with a non-conductive absorptive organic polymer; passing a gas containing a volatile chemical of interest through the filtration cartridge and in contact with the two mass-responsive electronic sensors; and measuring a difference in an electronic property between the two mass-responsive electronic sensors. In such a manner, the two mass-responsive electronic sensors act as internal references with respect to each other, thereby eliminating variations in temperature, interferents, pressure, and the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2011
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Michael W. Wright
  • Patent number: 7857893
    Abstract: An air cleaner is provided according to an embodiment of the invention. The air cleaner includes a high voltage power supply configured to provide a high voltage to a collector cell and a shut-down circuit coupled to the high voltage power supply. The shut-down circuit is configured to monitor an electrical current supplied to the collector cell, remove electrical power to the collector cell if the electrical current exceeds a predetermined cell current threshold for a predetermined time period, and generate an indication if the electrical power is removed from the collector cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2010
    Assignee: Oreck Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: Bruce Kiern, Christopher M. Paterson, John Relman Bohlen
  • Patent number: 7833322
    Abstract: An air treatment apparatus that includes an electrode assembly, a voltage supply, a current sensing device operably coupled to the electrode assembly, and a voltage control device coupled to the current sensing device and the voltage supply. The voltage control device is configured to regulate the level of voltage based on the level of current flowing through the current sensing device to maintain the voltage and current in the electrode assembly within designated ranges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Assignee: Sharper Image Acquisition LLC
    Inventors: Igor Y. Botvinnik, Charles E. Taylor
  • Patent number: 7833323
    Abstract: There is provided a flotage trapping device using electrostatic field. The flotage trapping device has a body including a power source portion and a boosting portion fed from the power source portion, and a collector portion including a collector to which the plus and/or minus high voltage obtained from the boosting portion is applied. The collector portion is formed as a collector cassette by unitizing the collector portion in the form of a cassette. A fixing mechanism is provided between the body and the collector cassette for connecting and disconnecting the body and the collector cassette through one-touch operation. The electric connector for high voltage is provided between the body and the collector cassette for electrically connecting and disconnecting the body and the collector cassette through one-touch operation. As a result the collector cassette is detachably mounted on the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Inventors: Makoto Takayanagi, Akitoshi Takagi, Yasunori Imagawa
  • Patent number: 7828882
    Abstract: An illuminating air purifier is disclosed. In an embodiment, the illuminating air purifier includes an air ionizer, a back plate, and a light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2010
    Inventor: Dan L. Dietz
  • Publication number: 20100192772
    Abstract: A self-alarming air cleaner is disclosed. The air cleaner includes an air filter element (1), a light emitting element (2) and a light sensor (3). The light emitting element (2) and the light sensor (3) are both faced to the air filter element (1). The light emitted from the light emitting element (2) is reflected by the air filter element (1) or permeated to the air filter element (1), then forms an area of light attenuation where the light sensor (3) is located. The light emitting element (2) and the light sensor (3) connect with a circuit which has an alarming device. When much dust is accumulated on the air filter element (1), the intensity of the light reaching the light sensor (3) is weakened and the alarming device (4) can give an alarm automatically.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2008
    Publication date: August 5, 2010
    Inventor: Chiwai Patrick Poon
  • Patent number: 7749303
    Abstract: A method is provided for indicating the useful service life of a gas filtration and purification system comprising steps of embedding two or more mass-responsive electronic sensors (e.g., surface acoustic wave devices) in a sorbent bed of a filtration cartridge, wherein the mass-responsive electronic sensors are coated with a non-conductive absorptive organic polymer; passing a gas containing a volatile chemical of interest through the filtration cartridge and in contact with the two mass-responsive electronic sensors; and measuring a difference in an electronic property between the two mass-responsive electronic sensors. In such a manner, the two mass-responsive electronic sensors act as internal references with respect to each other, thereby eliminating variations in temperature, interferents, pressure, and the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2010
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Michael W. Wright
  • Publication number: 20100147150
    Abstract: Systems and methods for cleaning emitter electrodes of air conditioner systems are provided. The air conditioning system includes an emitter electrode, a collector electrode and a high voltage generator to provide a high voltage potential difference between the emitter and collector electrodes. The system also includes a cleaning member having a channel through which the emitter electrode passes. A plunger mechanism and a spring, or a lever and a fulcrum, are used to force the cleaning member to travel upward along the emitter electrode to thereby frictionally removing debris from the emitter electrode. This description is not intended to be a complete description of, or limit the scope of, the invention. Other features, aspects, and objects of the invention can be obtained from a review of the specification, the figures and the claims.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2010
    Publication date: June 17, 2010
    Inventors: Andrew J. Parker, Charles E. Taylor, Shek Fai Lau
  • Patent number: 7736418
    Abstract: The aim of the invention is to be able to adapt an item of visualization or optimization software with the least possible amount of effort made on any electrostatic filter configurations. To this end, the invention provides that the electrostatic filter, the high-voltage supply units, and the auxiliary functional units can be used by the software modules in the server component as objects with characteristic features and with characteristic methods, that are capable of being accessed as information, which only exists in the server component, for the client modules via data interfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2010
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Norbert Graβ
  • Publication number: 20100132560
    Abstract: An air vent air purifier comprises a grill portion and a housing that is attached to the bottom of the grill portion. The housing fits within a forced air vent. The housing encloses an ionization grid, control circuitry and energy source. When energized, air flowing through the vent from the air handling device passes through the ionization grid, where it is ionized, thereby cleaning the air throughout the entire room. The grill may include a decorative element to match the decor of a room. Batteries provide the energy. A series of indicator lights indicate a power on condition and the level of the battery.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 28, 2008
    Publication date: June 3, 2010
    Inventor: Shaam P. Sundhar
  • Patent number: 7632340
    Abstract: An air purifier includes a housing having an air inlet, an air outlet and an airflow path therethrough. The housing has a top, a bottom and a plurality of sides. An air filter is located within the housing in the airflow path and a motor is located within the housing. The motor includes a motor shaft and a fan is on the motor shaft for urging air into the air inlet, through the airflow path and out of the air outlet. A cover is removably mounted to the housing proximate the air inlet and a base is removably mounted to the housing. The air purifier is positionable in one of a vertical operating orientation when the weight of the housing is supported by the base and a horizontal operating orientation when the weight of the housing is supported by one of the sides of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2009
    Assignee: Hamilton Beach Brands, Inc.
    Inventors: Martin Patrick Brady, Mark Francis Turner, Cuong Truong
  • Patent number: 7625424
    Abstract: An air cleaner is provided according to an embodiment of the invention. The air cleaner includes a high voltage power supply configured to provide a high voltage to a collector cell and a shut-down circuit coupled to the high voltage power supply. The shut-down circuit is configured to monitor an electrical current supplied to the collector cell, remove electrical power to the collector cell if the electrical current exceeds a predetermined cell current threshold for a predetermined time period, and generate an indication if the electrical power is removed from the collector cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2009
    Assignee: Oreck Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: Bruce Kiern, Christopher M. Paterson, John Relman Bohlen
  • Patent number: 7615106
    Abstract: A control device repeats first air volume control and second air volume control for a predetermined number of times irrespective of a control state at that time while forcedly driving an ion generator, when a bacteria elimination shower switch is turned on. In the first air volume control, a sirocco fan generates an air flow having a predetermined air volume. In the second air volume control, the sirocco fan generates an air flow having an air volume smaller than the predetermined air volume. Therefore, a bacteria elimination effect is enhanced in an air conditioning apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2009
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Akihiro Yasukawa
  • Publication number: 20090235817
    Abstract: An air scrubber, system, and method of use are provided. The air scrubber includes an electrospray nozzle for creating an ionic fluid electrospray plume; an air sample intake positioned to provide an air sample interacting with the ionic fluid electrospray plume; and a counter electrode positioned to collect the electrospray plume. The selected chemicals in the air sample are captured by ionic fluid electrospray plume and accumulate on the counter electrode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2009
    Publication date: September 24, 2009
    Applicant: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Alex Gu, Adam Dewey McBrady, Wei Yang
  • Patent number: 7524362
    Abstract: An air treatment assembly for treating air passing through an air duct comprises a frame defining an interior space and having an inlet opening providing access to the interior space, an air treatment medium sized to be inserted into the interior space through the inlet opening, and a keyed connection between the frame and the air treatment medium to control the engagement of the air treatment medium with the frame. The air treatment assembly also comprises a frame defining an interior space, an air treatment medium sized to be received within the interior space, and an air quality module integrated with the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2009
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Guolian Wu, Andrew D. Litch, Alexander J. Karp
  • Publication number: 20090056536
    Abstract: A method is provided for indicating the useful service life of a gas filtration and purification system comprising steps of embedding two or more mass-responsive electronic sensors (e.g., surface acoustic wave devices) in a sorbent bed of a filtration cartridge, wherein the mass-responsive electronic sensors are coated with a non-conductive absorptive organic polymer; passing a gas containing a volatile chemical of interest through the filtration cartridge and in contact with the two mass-responsive electronic sensors; and measuring a difference in an electronic property between the two mass-responsive electronic sensors. In such a manner, the two mass-responsive electronic sensors act as internal references with respect to each other, thereby eliminating variations in temperature, interferents, pressure, and the like.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2007
    Publication date: March 5, 2009
    Applicant: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventor: Michael W. WRIGHT
  • Patent number: 7494536
    Abstract: A bypass factor of an evaporator is used to indicate when an air filter of an HVAC is clogged. The bypass factor represents the amount of air that is bypassed without direct contact with the evaporator. As the air filter clogs, the bypass factor decreases. The bypass factor can also be used for early detection of clogging of the air filter. A first bypass factor is calculated by using the temperature measurements, and a second bypass factor is calculated by using the airflow rate of the air. The difference between the two bypass factors determines the error. An increase in the error indicates that the air filter is clogged. A coefficient of performance of the evaporator can also be calculated to detect if the air filter is clogged. A decrease in the coefficient of performance indicates that the air filter is clogged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2009
    Assignee: Carrier Corporation
    Inventors: Pengju Kang, Mohsen Farzad, Alan Finn, Payman Sadegh
  • Publication number: 20090007778
    Abstract: Provided is an air purifier, comprising: a body having an air inlet and an air outlet, a blower, an electric control box, an electrostatic absorption device and a carbon dioxide sensor. The air purifier effectively removes dust particles and bacteria in the air, measures and controls the carbon dioxide content in the air, displays the content of carbon dioxide to users and helps to protect human health.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2008
    Publication date: January 8, 2009
    Inventor: Yue ZHANG
  • Publication number: 20080250928
    Abstract: A dual ion generating module is incorporated into a conventional household appliance. The module alternately generates both positive (Antions) and negative (Anions) ions when the appliance is powered.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2007
    Publication date: October 16, 2008
    Inventors: Donald DeSalvo, Ho-Keung Mann
  • Publication number: 20080250929
    Abstract: There is provided a flotage trapping device using electrostatic field. The flotage trapping device comprises a body including a power source portion and a boosting portion for boosting, fed from the power source portion, and a collector portion including a collector to which the plus and/or minus high voltage obtained from the boosting portion is applied. The collector portion is formed as a collector cassette by unitizing the collector portion in the form of cassette. A fixing mechanism is provided between the body and the collector cassette for connecting and disconnecting the body and the collector cassette through one-touch operation. The electric connecters for high voltage is provided between the body and the collector cassette for electrically connecting and disconnecting the body and the collector cassette through one-touch operation. As a result the collector cassette is detachably mounted on the body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2008
    Publication date: October 16, 2008
    Inventors: Makoto Takayanagi, Akitoshi Takagi, Yasunori Imagawa
  • Patent number: 7435287
    Abstract: An air cleaner is provided that includes one or more ionizing panels having at least one ionizing wire in connection with a voltage source. One or more collector cells separate from the one or more ionizing wire panels are releasably received within the air cleaner housing to establish an electrical connection between the collector cell and the voltage source for applying a voltage potential between the collector cell and the ionizing wire. The collector cell may be removed from the air cleaner to permit cleaning of the collector cell separate from the ionizing panels. The air cleaner monitors at least one variable indicative of the operation of the air cleaner. Upon determining that the variable has reached a predetermined level indicative of a significant amount of dust accumulation, a controller activates a light source to illuminate indicia on a display screen which indicates a need for servicing the air cleaner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2008
    Assignee: Emerson Electric Co.
    Inventors: Gordon Holmes, Damon Drumm, John M. Sartain
  • Patent number: 7413594
    Abstract: An air cleaner is provided according to an embodiment of the invention. The air cleaner includes a power supply, an electrostatic precipitator cell, and a door. The door closes the electrostatic precipitator cell inside the air cleaner. The air cleaner further includes a door switch that is actuated by the door when the door is substantially closed. The air cleaner further includes a cell presence switch. The electrostatic precipitator cell actuates the cell presence switch when the electrostatic precipitator cell is at least partially inserted into the air cleaner. The cell presence switch and the door switch enable electrical power to be supplied from the power source to one or more air cleaner components when the electrostatic precipitator cell is at least partially inserted into the air cleaner and when the door is substantially closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2008
    Assignee: Oreck Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: Christopher M. Paterson, Bruce Kiern
  • Publication number: 20080134896
    Abstract: An air cleaner is provided that comprises one or more ionizing panels having at least one ionizing wire in connection with a voltage source. One or more collector cells separate from the one or more ionizing wire panels are releasably received within the air cleaner housing to establish an electrical connection between the collector cell and the voltage source for applying a voltage potential between the collector cell and the ionizing wire. The collector cell may be removed from the air cleaner to permit cleaning of the collector cell separate from the ionizing panels. The air cleaner monitors at least one variable indicative of the operation of the air cleaner. Upon determining that the variable has reached a predetermined variable indicative of a significant amount of dust accumulation, an activates a light source to illuminate indicia on a display screen which indicates a need for servicing the air cleaner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2006
    Publication date: June 12, 2008
    Inventors: Gordon Holmes, Damon Drumm, John M. Sartain
  • 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