Abstract: An electronic air cleaner (10) includes a housing (20), a mechanical prefilter (30), an electrostatic precipitator cell (40) and at least one germicidal lamp (50). The electrostatic precipitator cell (40) includes a plurality of collector plates (42) for collecting thereon particulate material from the air stream. The germicidal lamp or lamps (50) are disposed to irradiate the collector plates (42) and any particulate material collected thereon with germicidal light to destroy microbial growth that might occur on the particulate material deposited on the collector plates. Reflectors (60) may be provided in operative association with the germicidal lamp or lamps (50) to concentrate the germicidal light unto the collecting surface of the collector plates (42). A post filter (90), disposed downstream with respect to air flow of the lamp or lamps (50), is provided to remove volatile organic compounds from the air flow.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner having a reduced velocity chamber with a high velocity air inlet, an electric motor, a rotary mechanism driven by the motor for creating a vacuum in the chamber, an outlet for exhausting air from the chamber, which air flows in a selected path from the air inlet, through the chamber and out the air exhaust outlet and a disposable porous sheet filter layer in the chamber for removing large solid particles from the air. The vacuum cleaner also has an improved filter, wherein the improved filter includes a layer of material to remove very fine air particles and a layer of material to remove odors from the air.

Abstract: A miniature air purifier produces a corona discharge surrounding a needle-like emitter point connected to a negative DC power supply. The power supply operates from a nine volt battery and contains a step-up voltage inverter having a single transformer outputting high voltage spikes with a voltage multiplier operating on the output of the inverter. The production of high voltage spikes of about 200 Hz rather than a sinusoidally varying voltage significantly reduces current consumption. The needle-like emitter point is located about 1/4-inch from an 80% open mesh metallic grid held at ground potential. Corona discharge at the emitter point ionizes the air and creates ozone, and nitric oxide both of which combine with direct electron impact decomposition to detoxify and destroy a wide variety of airborne pollutants including pathogens, chemicals and allergens.

Abstract: An improved disinfecting air filter that can be used to disinfect air or other gases. The invention can be advantageously used as a standalone to control microorganisms or used with a traditional HEPA filter to effectively control all microorganisms as well as dust particles. The device contains an iodine-donating filter disposed to dispense an effective quantity of iodine vapor into the gas or air stream to be filtered. The iodine laden air then passes through a porous filter of polyvinyl acetal polymer which material has an unusual affinity for iodine and effectively removes it leaving disinfected and iodine-free air or gas.

Abstract: An oxygen generating system includes an oxygen generator having an oxygen ion conducting honeycomb structure and a heat exchanger thermally coupled to the oxygen generator. The system also includes a heater thermally coupled to the oxygen generator and a control module coupled to the oxygen generator and the heater. The control module monitors one or more of the system parameters and dynamically controls the oxygen generating system in response to the one or more system parameters such as, for example, varying the speed of a draft fan in the outlet waste air stream. A method of operating an oxygen generating system includes initializing the oxygen generating system in response to an operation status request and generating oxygen in an oxygen ion conducting honeycomb structure in response to a desired oxygen flow rate input.

Abstract: An air-cleaning apparatus is mounted on a wall to collect particulates suspended in the air through electrical control. In the air-cleaning apparatus, a box is mounted on a wall to house therein a dust-collection unit and an air fan such as cross-flow fan for blowing air. The dust-collection unit collects the particulates suspended in the air by imparting a corona electric charge to these particulates, i.e., by rendering them an electrostatic charge. The box of the air-cleaning apparatus is provided with an air outlet in its lower section and also provided with a forward-protruding air duct in its upper section. The forward-protruding air duct is provided with an air inlet in its leading edge portion.

Abstract: An ionization field is produced across the intake air flow to an internal combustion engine to increase the content of oxygen in the stream, and the stream reactivity. This ionization field may be produced between a sharp electrode and a grid or sheet, positioned in a shielded structure like the filter housing on the engine intake. Alternatively, an ultraviolet light source may be used to ionize the oxygen in the air stream. In either form the ionization field may be also used across the ventilation air stream fed to the passenger compartment as an air conditioning function, and the ionization power may be modulated along with the demand. Thus the throttle position may be sensed to modulate the voltage multiplier levels across the filter housing air stream, and the ionization power to the heater plenum chamber may be modified in accordance with the fan speed.

Abstract: A filter element useful for filtering intake air for internal combustion engines includes a first filter media separated by an air space from a second filter media. The second filter media has a greater air permeability than the first filter media, but is electrostatically charged. As a result of this arrangement, the capacity of the filter element is enhanced because large particles are trapped by the first filter media and smaller particles are trapped by the second filter media. As a result, the filter element has a longer life because, for a given contaminant condition of an air stream, unacceptable clogging of the filter element takes longer.

Abstract: An air cleaning system having a forced negative pressure generating function is provided for defining a space in a room for utilizing the space as a smoking area or the like in which contaminated air such as smoke is prevented from flowing out of the space and is cleaned. The air cleaning system having a forced negative pressure generating function has an air curtain producing unit having a blow-out port for producing air curtains to surround a predetermined space, an air sucking unit having a suction port open to the predetermined space defined by the air curtains for sucking air in the predetermined space, an air exhausting unit having an exhaust port open to the outside of the predetermined space for exhausting air sucked by the air sucking means to the outside of the predetermined space, an air cleaner unit interposed between the exhaust port and the suction port, and an air cleaner body supported by a plurality of stems for accommodating the components.

Abstract: Filter apparatus for trapping particles suspended in gaseous fluid stream generally includes a first and a second electrode with a porous filter therebetween along with electrical contacts for applying a DC voltage across the first and second electrodes. A third electrode is provided and a frame is included for removeably supporting a porous filter, along with the first, second, and third electrodes in order to electrify, by induction, the third electrode with a voltage in the third electrode in order to increase trapping of the particles by the filter apparatus.

Abstract: An indoor air pollutant destruction apparatus destroys pollutants by a corona discharge that is generated by a rapidly oscillating electric field. Free electrons generated by the corona discharge produces ozone (O.sub.3), which effectively destroys volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and biological forms such as bacteria, fungi, viruses and spores. Fine particulate materials such as smoke and dust are charged by the corona discharge, and when they pass through the rapidly oscillating electric field, they coagulate to form larger particles which are then filtered out.

Abstract: A miniature air purifier produces a corona discharge surrounding a needle-like emitter point connected to a negative DC power supply. The power supply operates from a nine volt battery and contains a step-up voltage inverter having a single transformer outputting high voltage spikes with a voltage multiplier operating on the output of the inverter. The production of high voltage spikes of about 200 Hz rather than a sinusoidally varying voltage significantly reduces current consumption. The needle-like emitter point is located about 1/4-inch from an 80% open mesh metallic grid held at ground potential. Corona discharge at the emitter point ionizes the air and creates ozone, and nitric oxide both of which combine with direct electron impact decomposition to detoxify and destroy a wide variety of airborne pollutants including pathogens, chemicals and allergens.

Abstract: An aromatic air circulation and filtration system including a plurality of scented air filters adapted to be inserted within an existing air duct system. Also, included is an electrostatic air filter that has a layer of a air pervious material with a pair of thin conductive mesh grids each coupled on an opposite side. A turbine is coupled to the electrostatic filter for supplying power. Whereby when powered, the electrostatic filter acts to attract and contain particles. Finally, a control system is included for conveniently operating the system.

Abstract: A miniature air purifier produces a corona discharge surrounding a needle-like emitter point connected to a novel negative 8,000-volt DC power supply. The power supply operates from a nine volt battery and contains a step-up voltage inverter having a single transformer outputting high voltage spikes with a voltage multiplier operating on the output of the inverter. The production of high voltage spikes of about 200 Hz rather than a sinusoidally varying voltage significantly reduces current consumption. The needle-like emitter point is located about 1/4-inch from an 80% open mesh metallic grid held at ground potential. Corona discharge at the emitter point ionizes the air and creates ozone, and nitric oxide both of which combine with direct electron impact decomposition to detoxify and destroy a wide variety of airborne pollutants including pathogens, chemicals and allergens.

Abstract: An air cleaner with separate ozone gas and ionized air outputs, and method of purifying air is provided. The air cleaner includes an exterior housing which houses an ozone generator component and a ionized air generator component. In operation, air is drawn through the air cleaner by means of a blower and is first passed through a multi-layered filter. The air then passes through an ionizer which ionizes the air and induces on it a net negative electric charge. As the ionized air is recirculated back into the device, the negatively charged air is electrostatically precipitated by the filter which maintains a net positive electric charge. The ozone generator component within the housing draws in air via an air pump which produces an output of pressurized air to the ozone generator. Within a mixing chamber of the ozone generator, the pressurized air is mixed with ozone produced therein and is then output through an independent ozone outlet tube.

Abstract: A clog-resistant filter and method for extracting fine particulate contaminants, such as smoke, from a gaseous fluid stream, such as air, uses an induced voltage electrode to efficiently capture the contaminant particles in a filter material whose pores are many times larger than the diameter of the particles to be captured. The filter material is physically so configured to further enhance that interaction and is disposed between at least a pair of electrodes of opposite polarity.

Abstract: An air purifier including a housing, a front cover, a front wire gauze filter, an anion generating pin board, a dust collector, and an active carbon filter, wherein: the housing has a plurality of parallel tracks horizontally disposed at different elevations for mounting the front wire gauze filter, the anion generating pin board, the dust collector, and the active carbon filter, a plurality of arched metal springs fixedly fastened to the parallel tracks for connecting power supply to the anion generating pin board and the dust collector, a side cover, and a micro switch which turns on power supply when the side cover is installed, or to turn off power supply when the side cover is removed from the housing; the dust collector has a plurality of equally spaced round holes over the whole area thereof, and is controlled to produce positive ions; the anion generating pin board has a plurality of triangular projecting plates perpendicularly raised from one side thereof and respectively aimed at the center of every

Abstract: A contaminated air purifying apparatus capable of decreasing particles such as dust floating in air, soot produced by a combustion engine and the like and air pollutants such as nitrogen oxides (NOx) contained in exhaust gas. Particulates such as dust, soot and the like are electrostatically negatively charged and collected in a purifying filter section by coulombic force. NOx is converted into N.sub.2 and CO.sub.2 by an action of carbon fiber or carbon particles, resulting in decreased in concentration. The carbon fiber and carbon particles are preferably modified into an increased surface area of 200 to 2000 m.sup.2 /g.

Abstract: Ionization systems in and for laundry dryers and other contexts, whereby to neutralize static electricity build-up and acidic conditions, and thereby create environmentally friendly systems for drying clothes and other fabrics, generally prolonging fabric life, reducing particle and lint entrainment, and also reducing if not eliminating acidic conditions in dryers and other environs.

Abstract: A composite filter media is formed of a plurality of layers. A central layer of electrostatically charged material formed of a carded mixture of polyolefin fibers such as polypropylene and electro-negative substituted organic resin fibers such as modacrylic acrylonitrile-vinyl, chloridevinylidene chloride copolymer efficiently filter more than 99% of 0.1 to 0.5 micron particles. A flame retardant prefilter layer of polyester removes large particles and a backing of flame retardant linear polyester provides tear resistance. An optional layer of electrostatically charged, melt blown, polyolefin such as polypropylene prevents the central layer from loading up by effectively filtering intermediate sized particles.

Abstract: An electrostatically stimulated air filter and process, contemplates a housing having an fluid intake and a fluid exhaust; a upstream electrode, disposed downstream of the fluid intake, for carrying a ground potential; a filter, disposed downstream of the prefilter, for filtering out contaminants in the fluid; an ionizing electrode, disposed between the filter and the prefilter, for carrying a second potential; and a downstream electrode, disposed downstream of the filter, for carrying a ground potential; and a fan, downstream of the filter, for driving air through the prefilter and the filter. Ionization of incoming fluid occurs as a result of electric fields generated by the downstream electrode, the ionizing electrode, and the upstream electrode. The filter comprises an upstream dielectric layer and a downstream conductive layer, usually fibers coated with activated carbon powder.

Abstract: A method of depth filtration of particles from a fluid carrying particles including providing in a deep filter a quantity of filter medium elements, at least some of the elements being ionically conductive, applying an electric field to the deep filter to cooperate with individual the elements, permitting or causing said fluid with particles to flow into the deep filter, influencing the movement of particles in the deep filter by the electric field to enhance the filtration of the particles from the fluid. Suitable elements are polyacrylic fibers treated with caustic soda to modify the surface charge, where the electrical conductivity of the fibers vary within individual fibers and between different fibers. The application also concerns an apparatus where the filter medium is supported by a plastic mesh. Disc electrodes permit drinking water to be purified.

Abstract: An image forming method comprising forming a silver image on a photographic material which comprises a substrate having a silver halide emulsion layer thereon by exposing and developing the photographic material and image-wise ion-etching away the layer to remove non-image areas of the emulsion layer, wherein the silver image is intensified or toned, if desired, before the ion-etching treatment.

Abstract: A uniform source of nuclear radiation is produced by converting a convertible surface portion of a body. The conversion can be by chemical combination or reaction, neutron bombardment, ion exchange of an element present in the convertible material with a solution of radio-active ions of the element or by permitting the radio active particles to be embodied into the surface portion. A preferred embodiment utilises conventional photographic film in which the silver halide grains are treated chemically with a radio-active material.

Abstract: A procedure is disclosed for the production of paintings on glass, the subjects of the paintings being, for example, original paintings, engravings, lithographs and like articles whose appeal is primarily aesthetic. A low-contrast image of the subject is first produced using a photographic film, preferably a fine-grain medium contrast panchromatic film, the image is projected on to a photographic glass plate which is preferably coated with a slow, blue-sensitive high contrast orthochromatic emulsion having very fine grain and very high resolution, a clear varnish is applied to the emulsion side of the glass plate and the image is colored by application of paint to the varnish coating.

Abstract: A method for producing a heat resistant, light resistant, chemically resistant and abrasion resistant noble metal image comprising forming a silver image on a photographic material which comprises a substrate having thereon at least one silver halide emulsion layer, either directly or on at least one subbing layer on the substrate, by exposing and developing the photographic material, converting the silver image into a noble metal image by contacting the silver image with a compound containing a noble metal having an ionization tendency smaller than the ionization tendency of silver, and then heating the photographic material in an oxygen-containing gas to thermally decompose and substantially remove the organic components on the substrate.

Abstract: A heat-developable light-sensitive material comprising a support having thereon at least one layer containing (a) an organic silver salt oxidizing agent; (b) a catalytic amount of a light-sensitive silver halide or a compound capable of forming a light-sensitive silver halide through reaction with the organic silver salt component (a); (c) a reducing agent; and (d) at least one compound represented by the following general formulae (I) to (III) ##STR1## in which A and B each represents different substituents selected from the group consisting of an amino group and a --OX group; X represents a hydrogen atom, an alkali metal atom, a silver atom, a mercury atom or a gold atom; R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 each represents a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, an alkyl group, an alkoxy group, an aralkyl group, an allyl group, an acyl group, an aryl group or an aryloxy group; and R.sub.3, R.sub.4 and R.sub.5 each represents a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom or an alkyl group.

Abstract: A photomask comprising a support that is transparent to ultra-violet radiation and visible light and a layer incorporating a photomask image, the image parts of which contain a complex compound of a silver halide and a diazonium, pyrylium, or thiapyrylium salt, wherein said complex compound is substantially opaque to ultra-violet radiation and blue light but substantially transmitting visible light in the wavelength range above 500 nm.

Abstract: An adjustable air filter for use in heating, ventilating, cooling, and forced air systems. The air filter includes a media for filtering air and adapted to be cut with scissors, and a frame embracing the peripheral edges of the media. The frame includes a pair of male sections and a pair of female sections respectively telescopingly receiving the male sections. Also, the frame is adapted to be cut with scissors and is preferably formed of polyvinyl chloride. Each of the male sections includes a T-shaped projection and each of the female sections includes a complementary shaped T-shaped slot adapted to telescopingly receive the T-shaped projection for preventing inward separation of the sections from one another. In the preferred form the media is of the electrostatic type and includes at least one layer of polypropylene woven in an egg-crate pattern. Also, the layer preferably includes a pad of washable polyester material.