Light Signal Patents (Class 96/418)
  • Patent number: 7374600
    Abstract: A method and system for preventing or minimizing false back pressure faults caused by a new particulate filter in an engine exhaust system. When a new particulate filter is placed in an engine exhaust system, the normal back pressure threshold for the fault detection system is increased by a new filter offset amount. Back pressure faults at the normal level are not recorded for a limited period of engine operation and only records back pressure faults that exceed the normal back pressure threshold by the value of the new filter offset.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2008
    Assignee: Detroit Diesel Corporation
    Inventors: Richard M. Avery, Jr., Dennis M. Letang
  • Publication number: 20080110345
    Abstract: An electronic device includes a housing comprising a vent, and a filter installed nearby the vent. The filter includes a first filter section made of a first material, and a second filter section made of a second material. The first material has better uniformity than the second material. The electronic device further includes a light emitter for emitting a light signal to the first filter section, a light receiver for receiving the light signal emitted from the light emitter, and a control unit electrically connected to the light receiver for operating the electronic device according to a receiving result of the light signal received by the light receiver.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2007
    Publication date: May 15, 2008
    Inventors: Shun-Chieh Yang, Chun-Ming Shen, Chieh-Fu Chen
  • Patent number: 7306661
    Abstract: A service recording device for a filter is particularly suited for an extraction hood with an air flow device with a variable volumetric flow. The service recording device has a counter device with a variable counting speed. The counting speed of the air flow device is thus a function of the volumetric flow of the air flow device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2007
    Assignee: BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeraete GmbH
    Inventors: Peter Rohrbach, Christoph Schmitt
  • Patent number: 7303613
    Abstract: A pressure actuated electrical switch and indicator to indicate to a user that a filter vacuum cleaner requires cleaning or replacing. In a first embodiment, the pressure actuated electrical switch measures the pressure present between the filter media and the flow inducing device to determine whether a minimum absolute pressure threshold has been exceeded. The pressure actuated switch has a chamber with two electrical leads that are connected when the pressure in the vacuum cleaner raises above a predetermined level. A tube from the chamber to the vacuum cleaner housing draws a conductive part into contact with both leads. In additional embodiments, the pressure measure is the difference in air pressure above and below the filter media, or the difference in air pressure between the pressure in the air stream between the filter media and the flow inducing source, and the ambient air pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2007
    Assignee: Euro-Pro Operating, LLC
    Inventor: Mark Rosenzweig
  • Patent number: 7264642
    Abstract: In an exhaust gas cleaning apparatus (30) in which a before and after differential pressure (?P) of a filter (32) used to trap particulates is detected for regeneration of the filter (32), a time at which, during filter regeneration, the temperature of the outlet section of the filter (32) falls below the temperature of the inlet section thereof (?T>M), using a first temperature sensor (36) and a second temperature sensor (37), is determined as being the timing of the completion of the regeneration of the filter (32). The value of the before and after differential pressure (?P) at the time of this regeneration completion is used to estimate the quantity of residual ash in the filter (32), and when this estimated residual ash quantity is the same as, or greater than, a prescribed value (PX), a replacement warning signal (K3) is output urging replacement of the filter (32).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2007
    Assignee: Bosch Automotive Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Toshihiro Hamahata, Shoko Tanida, Toru Hasegawa
  • Patent number: 7261762
    Abstract: A method and system for detecting and predicting air filter condition for an air handling system operates by determining a system resistance to air flow. The system resistance is utilized to determine a detection statistic indicative of current filter condition and to predict remaining life of the air filter. The system resistance is determined using models that approximate the expected operation of the air handling system. The approximation is then compared to actual values to obtain a difference. Once the difference between the approximated value exceeds a threshold value, an alarm is initiated that is indicative of system resistance. The remaining air filter life is then determined by using historically gathered data, or by using a known degradation rate of the air filter. Once the remaining life of the air filter is estimated, replacement can be scheduled that would coincide with other maintenance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2007
    Assignee: Carrier Corporation
    Inventors: Pengju Kang, Mohsen Farzad, Slaven Stricevic, Payman Sadegh, Alan M. Finn
  • Patent number: 7235123
    Abstract: Particle collection, transport, and detection systems are disclosed. The systems are uniquely adapted for collecting or concentrating particles from a flowing medium and then transporting the collected particles to a desired location or for subsequent analysis. Electrostatic traveling wave grids can be used in conjunction with sample concentrators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2007
    Assignee: Palo Alto Research Center Incorporated
    Inventor: David Biegelsen
  • Patent number: 7105037
    Abstract: A semiconductor manufacturing process facility requiring use therein of air exhaust for its operation, such facility including clean room and gray room components, with the clean room having at least one semiconductor manufacturing tool therein, and wherein air exhaust is flowed through a region of the clean room. The facility includes an air exhaust treatment apparatus arranged to (i) receive air exhaust after flow thereof through said region of said clean room, (ii) produce a treated air exhaust, and (iii) recirculate the treated air exhaust to an ambient air environment in the facility, e.g., to the gray room of the facility.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2006
    Assignee: Advanced Technology Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: W. Karl Olander, Joseph D. Sweeney, Luping Wang
  • Patent number: 7101420
    Abstract: Self cleaning air filtration machine and a method for using same comprising; a filter with a motor driven belt or disk or counter rotating disks that are perforated, a spray bar, a recirculation pump and supply line, a wet tank, a ultrasonic transducer, ultraviolet submersible bulbs, a water fill port, a liquid level sensor, a liquid and sediment drain port, and a power source. A preferred embodiment includes a subsonic transducer on the wet tank. A preferred embodiment includes a air diffuser, a toxic and noxious gas detection and recognition and radiation detection with automatic safety shut down and audible and visual alarm, a ultraviolet saturation chamber. A preferred embodiment includes a secondary wet filter, a secondary air diffuser, a secondary ultraviolet saturation chamber. A preferred embodiment includes a inline dryer assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2006
    Inventors: Adria Valley Anne Nelson Ellis, Rob Nelson
  • Patent number: 7094268
    Abstract: Systems and methods for removing hydrocarbons and other pollutants from roadway surfaces are provided. The systems can include a pollution trap attached to a vehicle, where the pollution trap comprises an absorbent pad, filter, or membrane. The pollution trap is affixed to the vehicle, for example, in the wheel well, on a mud flap, on the underside of a vehicle or another suitable place where the pollution trap can be exposed to a roadway pollutant. The methods described herein can include liberating roadway pollutants from a roadway and using a pollution trap to collect the liberated roadway pollutants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2006
    Assignee: 3K Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Jeffrey Krantz
  • Patent number: 7001451
    Abstract: A filter structure of a vehicle air conditioner comprises a filter cartridge provided with a plurality of filter papers within a case and a light source. The light source is provided at a position within the filter papers for radiating light toward one side of the case. The light is blocked when pollutants deposited on the filter papers are enough to cause a contaminated state of the filer to reach a preset state. A display section is provided on the case for transmitting the light, radiated from the light source, to be visually checked on the external side. Therefore, the filter structure allows a driver to check a proper exchange time of the filter visually through a display section in which a display state changes according to a contaminated state of the filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2006
    Assignee: Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Dong Il Kim
  • Patent number: 6991674
    Abstract: An air quality monitoring arrangement is associated with an enclosed cab of an agricultural tractor used for towing or carrying spraying implements for treating crop with substances which might be toxic or otherwise harmful to people. A signal from a contaminant sensor is sent to a control arrangement which compares the actual sensed contamination of the air within the cab over time with a value from a performance map representing the performance expected from normal performance of the air circulating system of the cab. When the sensed contamination is higher than that of the performance map the operator is warned of a malfunction. The blower of the air circulating system may have its speed increased so as to pressurize the cab so as to exclude the entry of contaminated air through seals and other small openings of the cab.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2006
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventor: Gunnar Dietrich
  • Patent number: 6949133
    Abstract: A compact and highly portable combination pressure swing adsorption apparatus and product gas conservation device for medical use, to produce efficiently a gas with a high concentration of oxygen and to deliver the oxygen concentrated gas to a user at selectable times and in selectable doses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2005
    Assignee: AirSep Corporation
    Inventors: Norman R. McCombs, Robert E. Casey, Michael A. Chimiak, Andrezj Klimaszewski
  • Patent number: 6923848
    Abstract: A collecting device for collecting particles floating in the atmosphere includes a collecting container; a pump for sucking the atmosphere into the collecting container; a discharge electrode disposed in the collecting container for generating single polarity ions to charge the particles in the collecting container; and a dust-collecting electrode for collecting the charged particles in the collecting container through a potential difference between the discharge electrode and the dust-collecting electrode. The dust on the dust-collecting electrode is measured and analyzed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2005
    Assignee: Shimadzu Corporation
    Inventor: Shinichiro Totoki
  • Patent number: 6764534
    Abstract: A compact and highly portable combination pressure swing adsorption apparatus and product gas conservation device for medical use, to produce efficiently a gas with a high concentration of oxygen and to deliver the oxygen concentrated gas to a user at selectable times and in selectable doses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2004
    Assignee: AirSep Corporation
    Inventors: Norman R. McCombs, Robert E. Casey, Michael A. Chimiak, Andrezj Klimaszewski
  • Patent number: 6743281
    Abstract: A fluid filtration system, such as an ambient air cleaner, employs a measurement mechanism to determine the amount of fluid flow through the system. The measurement system provides data or actuates an indicator. The indicator may have a pointer to indicate fluid flow along a gradient display that contains numeric information and/or is color coded. Alternatively, fluid flow may be displayed electronically. The indicator may be protected within a separate housing that projects from a filtration unit housing or may be disposed within a recess of the filtration unit housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2004
    Assignee: Delta International Machinery Corp.
    Inventor: David Miller
  • Publication number: 20040083895
    Abstract: A filter structure of a vehicle air conditioner comprises a filter cartridge provided with a plurality of filter papers within a case and a light source. The light source is provided at a position within the filter papers for radiating light toward one side of the case. The light is blocked when pollutants deposited on the filter papers are enough to cause a contaminated state of the filer to reach a preset state. A display section is provided on the case for transmitting the light, radiated from the light source, to be visually checked on the external side. Therefore, the filter structure allows a driver to check a proper exchange time of the filter visually through a display section in which a display state changes according to a contaminated state of the filter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2003
    Publication date: May 6, 2004
    Inventor: Dong Il Kim
  • Patent number: 6712889
    Abstract: An air filtration device for intake of atmospheric air, removal of contaminants from the atmospheric air, expulsion of filtered air, includes a housing configured for application directly to an electrical outlet and provides air intake from the front surface of the housing and air expulsion from the side of the housing to utilize a wall surface to disperse the filtered air. An indicator is provided to communicate that a filter should be changed, and a filter orientation system is provided to allow proper orientation of the filter with respect to air flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2004
    Assignee: Hamilton Beach/Proctor-Silex, Inc.
    Inventors: Lawrence M. Pillion, Anthony V. Cruz, Matt R. Ragland
  • Patent number: 6620222
    Abstract: A system for filtering air entering the housing of a computer. A filter is placed in the path of air entering the computer housing. A timing program is installed on the computer to keep track of the total amount of time the computer has run since installation or service of the filter. After the computer has run for a predetermined amount of time, the program causes the computer to prompt the computer user to change or service the filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Inventor: Troy Elliott White
  • Patent number: 6551383
    Abstract: A flow system includes an air mover operable to cause the flow. A first stage, such as a coarse filter, is disposed upstream of the air mover and operates on the flow. A second stage, such as an adsorbent cell or muffler, is disposed downstream of the air mover and further operates on the flow. Other stages, such as a fine filter, may be disposed between the first and second stages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2003
    Assignee: Agfa Corporation
    Inventors: Donald B. Richardson, Jr., Jeffery Knox, Pedro Beildeck, John L. Kremer
  • Publication number: 20020152894
    Abstract: An air filtration device for intake of atmospheric air, removal of contaminants from the atmospheric air, expulsion of filtered air, includes a housing configured for application directly to an electrical outlet and provides air intake from the front surface of the housing and air expulsion from the side of the housing to utilize a wall surface to disperse the filtered air. An indicator is provided to communicate that a filter should be changed, and a filter orientation system is provided to allow proper orientation of the filter with respect to air flow.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2002
    Publication date: October 24, 2002
    Applicant: Hamilton Beach/Proctor-Silex, Inc.
    Inventors: Lawrence M. Pillion, Anthony V. Cruz, Matt R. Ragland
  • Patent number: 6464760
    Abstract: The invention relates to a portable air sterilization and filtration apparatus for removing contaminants from the ambient atmosphere, having a housing with an inlet opening and an outlet opening, filter media and ultraviolet light source, and a motorized fan for maintaining a flow of air through the housing from the inlet opening to the outlet opening. The invention also includes easy access to the filter medium and to the ultraviolet light sources for periodic replacement or cleaning, and integrates a safety lock feature whereby the removal of the filter or the removal of an ultraviolet light source would open the power circuit to the ultraviolet light source, preventing accidental irradiation of the user. The ultraviolet light sources also activate an indicator light viewable by the user when the ultraviolet light sources are energized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2002
    Inventors: John C. K. Sham, Kumkit Kunavongvorakul
  • Patent number: 6447587
    Abstract: An air filtration device for intake of atmospheric air, removal of contaminants from the atmospheric air, expulsion of filtered air, includes a housing configured for application directly to an electrical outlet and provides air intake from the front surface of the housing and air expulsion from the side of the housing to utilize a wall surface to disperse the filtered air. An indicator is provided to communicate that a filter should be changed, and a filter orientation system is provided to allow proper orientation of the filter with respect to air flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2002
    Assignee: Hamilton Beach/Proctor-Silex, Inc.
    Inventors: Lawrence M. Pillion, Anthony V. Cruz, Matt R. Ragland
  • Patent number: 6387156
    Abstract: A filtration system, includes a filtration unit and processor. The filtration unit operates to filter ablative particles generated by thermal imaging of media and transmits a signal corresponding to a parameter, such as a pressure or pressure differential, representing a current state of the operation of the filtration unit, such as the state of the filters, during the filtering of the ablative particles. The processor receives the transmitted signals and generates, responsive to the receipt of the transmitted signal, a signal representing operator information associated with the current state operation, such as a warning or instructions for correcting a deficiency, and/or a signal to stop the imaging of the media.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2002
    Assignee: Agfa Corporation
    Inventors: Donald B. Richardson, Jr., Jeffery Knox, Pedro Beildeck, Louis M. Schoenthal, Richard Davenport, John L. Kremer
  • Patent number: 6375725
    Abstract: An end-of-service indicator for use with a respirator cartridge, the end-of-service indicator having an optical waveguide having two extremities, one of the extremities being connected to a light source, the other of the extremities being connected to a detector which measures the intensity of light guided and transmitted by the fiber. An alarm is connected to the detector and is triggered when the intensity of light measured by the detector is below a predetermined level. An important aspect of the end-of-service indicator is that at least a portion of the optical fiber is porous. In use, the end-of-service indicator is placed inside a respirator cartridge having a gas/vapor sorbent, so that when the respirator cartridge is used in a toxic environment, the gas/vapor sorbent and the porous glass gradually become saturated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2002
    Assignees: Institut National D'Optique, Institut de Recherche en Santa et Securite du Travail du Quebec
    Inventors: Pierre Bernard, Serge Caron, Marco St-Pierre, Jaime Lara
  • Publication number: 20020043157
    Abstract: An air filtration device for intake of atmospheric air, removal of contaminants from the atmospheric air, expulsion of filtered air, includes a housing configured for application directly to an electrical outlet and provides air intake from the front surface of the housing and air expulsion from the side of the housing to utilize a wall surface to disperse the filtered air. An indicator is provided to communicate that a filter should be changed, and a filter orientation system is provided to allow proper orientation of the filter with respect to air flow.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2001
    Publication date: April 18, 2002
    Inventors: Lawrence M. Pillion, Anthony V. Cruz, Matt R. Ragland
  • Patent number: 6370453
    Abstract: A self-moving device and method for the complete and full automatic examination of floor surfaces of all kind as well as for a particularly efficient suction of dust therefrom. In each case, the robot is controlled so as to explore the adjacent area and to detect the potential obstacles using special sensors before storing them in a data field. The displacement towards a new location is then carried out using the stored data until the whole accessible surface has been covered. One of the main constituent members of the robot includes an extensible arm that rests on the robot and on which contact and range sensors are arranged. When the robot is used as an automatic vacuum cleaner, an air flow is forced into the robot arm and the cleaning effect can further be enhanced by providing one or more circular rotary brushes at the front end of the arm. This device can essentially be used for domestic or industrial cleaning purposes with a view to replace traditional vacuum cleaners.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2002
    Inventor: Volker Sommer
  • Patent number: 6328791
    Abstract: An air filtration device for intake of atmospheric air, removal of contaminants from the atmospheric air, expulsion of filtered air, includes a housing configured for application directly to an electrical outlet and provides air intake from the front surface of the housing and air expulsion from the side of the housing to utilize a wall surface to disperse the filtered air. An indicator is provided to communicate that a filter should be changed, and a filter orientation system is provided to allow proper orientation of the filter with respect to air flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2001
    Assignee: Hamilton Beach/Proctor-Silex, Inc.
    Inventors: Lawrence M. Pillion, Anthony V. Cruz, Matt R. Ragland
  • Patent number: 6228155
    Abstract: An automatic detection and warning device of the filtering net of an air conditioner comprises: an outer frame installed with at least one wind inlet and at least one wind outlet, a wind groove being formed between the wind inlet and the wind outlet; a sampling filtering net installed in the wind groove of the outer frame; a detecting unit comprising a transmitter and a receiver for detecting the amount of collecting dusts on the sampling filtering net; and a circuit unit installed within the outer frame for controlling the operation of the detecting unit. Thereby, the amount of collecting dusts on the filtering net of an air conditioner can be determined so as to warn the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2001
    Inventor: Kuo Cheng Tai
  • Patent number: 6136057
    Abstract: A ventilation and filtering system for vehicles for filtering and circulating air through a vehicle. The ventilation and filtering system for vehicles includes an inlet tube having an outer end in communication with air outside a vehicle, an inner end positioned in a passenger compartment of the vehicle, and an intake fan for blowing air through the inlet tube into the passenger compartment of the vehicle. An exhaust tube has a first end positioned in a passenger compartment of the vehicle, a second end in communication with air outside the vehicle, and an exhaust fan for blowing air through the exhaust tube out of the passenger compartment of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2000
    Inventors: Anthony Dang, Loretta Redfurn
  • Patent number: 6073302
    Abstract: A detection means for filter means in vacuum cleaners, into which in addition to a vacuum cleaner bag at least one additional filter is able to be inserted. It comprises a sensor means responsive to the filter means inserted into said vacuum cleaner and switch means controlled by said sensor means for preventing switching of the vacuum cleaner motor if said filter means is not correctly recognized. The at least one electronic sensor means responsive to a detectable element in or on at least one additional filter by means of electromagnetic waves is connected with the switching means via an evaluating or processing means, adapted to check the correct position and design of the at least one detectable element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2000
    Assignee: Branofilter GmbH
    Inventor: Thomas Buscher
  • Patent number: 5997619
    Abstract: A self contained air purification system includes an upright enclosed housing defining a germicidal chamber. A primary filter having a normally upstanding longitudinal axis has outer and inner peripheral surfaces, an interior plenum, and is supported on a base member. The housing has air inlets proximate the filter and air exhaust louvers in an upper member. Ultraviolet germicidal irradiation lamps are disposed in the germicidal chamber, and a resiliently mounted fan overlies the primary filter for drawing unclean air from the environment into and through the air inlets, through the primary filter, through the plenum and then into the germicidal chamber in a vortex-shaped whirling mass air stream flowing in a protracted course around and past the irradiation lamps for maximized exposure to the lamps, a purified air stream being discharged, after a final filtration, through the air exhaust louvers, then is returned to the environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 7, 1999
    Assignee: NQ Environmental, Inc.
    Inventors: Russell P. Knuth, William F. Carey
  • Patent number: 5917141
    Abstract: An air filter monitoring device that includes an attachment mechanism for attaching the monitoring device to the cover grate of an air return of an air conditioning system and a first and a second air flow actuated switch wired electrically in series with an alerting device, such as a light emitting diode and/or an audible alarm, each having an air resistance plate positioned within an air flow chamber. The air flow chamber is formed within a housing having an adjustable air intake inlet in connection with the air flow chamber. Air flowing through the air flow chamber within a range between a first and a second predetermined value causes the first and second air flow actuated switches to activate the alerting device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 29, 1999
    Inventor: Clyde J. Naquin, Jr.