Having Means For Driving Gas Flow (e.g., Fan, Blower, Etc.) Patents (Class 96/63)
  • Patent number: 11673088
    Abstract: An air conditioning apparatus according to an aspect of the present invention includes a main body including a suction part through which air is suctioned and a discharge part through which the air suctioned through the suction part is discharged, a fan disposed in the main body to allow the air to flow, an electric charge device coupled to the main body outside the main body to charge dust in the air, and a filter device disposed between the suction part and the discharge part in the main body to collect the charged dust particles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Yanghwa Lee, Chulwoo Park, Hojung Kim
  • Patent number: 10328373
    Abstract: An air conditioning apparatus according to an aspect of the present invention includes a main body including a suction part through which air is suctioned and a discharge part through which the air suctioned through the suction part is discharged, a fan disposed in the main body to allow the air to flow, an electric charge device coupled to the main body outside the main body to charge dust in the air, and a filter device disposed between the suction part and the discharge part in the main body to collect the charged dust particles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2019
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Yanghwa Lee, Chulwoo Park, Hojung Kim
  • Patent number: 8961659
    Abstract: An electrically enhanced air filtration system is disclosed which uses rear fiber charging is disclosed. In particular, a fibrous filter may be placed in an upstream position within the system with one or more ionization arrays positioned downstream or to the rear of the fibrous filter in terms of airflow direction. The fibrous filter may include a grounded side and fiber side with the grounded side being upstream of the fiber side. The ionization array may include a plurality of electrodes each extending unidirectionally toward the fibrous filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Carrier Corporation
    Inventor: Peter J. McKinney
  • Patent number: 8834799
    Abstract: An air cleaning apparatus includes an air flow duct, with an extent in an axial direction, to accommodate air flow entering the apparatus, an air-conveying fan unit disposed in the air flow duct, a precipitator connected to a high-voltage source and with a throughflow passage for air to be cleaned. The precipitator includes two electrode elements or two groups of electrode elements, each of the respective two being connected to a respective pole of the high-voltage source, and a unipolar corona electrode disposed close to one end of the air flow duct. A target electrode is disposed at radial spacing from the corona electrode, the corona electrode being so disposed that the ions generated at it can freely spread away from the corona electrode towards the target electrode, and that the target electrode surrounds the air flow entering the apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: Cair AB
    Inventor: Andrzej Loreth
  • Patent number: 8710456
    Abstract: A multi-sectional linear ionizing bar with at least four elements is disclosed. First, disclosed bars may include at least one ionization cell with at least one axis-defining linear ion emitter for establishing an ion cloud along the length thereof. Second, disclosed bars may include at least one reference electrode. Third, disclosed bars may include a manifold for receiving gas or air from a source and for delivering same past the linear emitter(s) such that substantially none of the gas/air flows into the ion cloud. Fourth, disclosed bars may include means for receiving the ionizing voltage and for delivering same to the linear emitter(s) to thereby establish the ion cloud. In this way, disclosed ionizing bars may transport ions from the plasma region toward a charge neutralization target without inducing substantial vibration of the linear emitter and without substantial contaminants from the gas/air flow reaching the linear emitter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Aleksey Klochkov, Peter Gefter, Steven Bernard Heymann, Leslie W. Partridge, Greenberry Bedford Brown, Matthew T. Antonelli
  • Patent number: 8679409
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a filter device. The filter device comprises a housing with an air inlet and an filtered air outlet; a high voltage electric field region provided between two ends of the housing, wherein the direction of the electric field is perpendicular to the direction along which the air is introduced into the housing; an ionization source provided in the electric field region to ionize the ionizable pollutants present in the air introduced from the air inlet and form the resultant ionized pollutants which will move towards both ends of the housing under the influence of the electric field; and a discharging device for discharging the ionized pollutants which have arrived at the ends of the housing out of the filter device. The present invention also relates to a filtering method of using the filter device, and a trace detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: Nuctech Company Limited
    Inventors: Yangtian Zhang, Jin Lin
  • Patent number: 8663362
    Abstract: An HVAC system having an air cleaner, a fan configured to selectively generate an air flow, wherein at least a portion of the air flow is passed through the air cleaner, and a controller configured to control the air cleaner in response to at least one of a setting for controlling the fan and an operation characteristic of the fan is disclosed. A method of controlling an air cleaner by determining an air flow related criterion value, wherein the air flow is associated with an air flow through an air cleaner, comparing the determined air flow related criterion value to a threshold criterion value, and controlling the air cleaner as a function of a result of comparing the determined air flow related criterion value to the threshold criterion value is disclosed. A method of controlling an ozone concentration outputted by an air cleaner is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Trane International Inc.
    Inventor: John Mark Hagan
  • Patent number: 8641793
    Abstract: Separation systems can utilize a combination of forces to separate constituent components of a working fluid from each other. Some separation systems utilize one or more of centrifugal and gravitational forces in the purification of hydrogen gas. Some separation systems can utilize one or more of electromotive and magnetic forces in the purification of hydrogen gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: Paradigm Waterworks, LLC
    Inventor: Lyle Bates
  • Patent number: 8628607
    Abstract: The invention relates to a system wherein the fluid stream from an object to be evacuated is filtered before it enters into the vacuum pump with the maximum purity to the level of 99% and up to the particle size of 0.3 microns with minimum pressure difference thereby improving the life cycle of pump and performance of system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2014
    Inventor: Yadapalli Kondala Rao
  • Patent number: 8613793
    Abstract: A method of modifying the airflow to the inlet of an axial fan. The method includes operating an axial fan to move air longitudinally through an air inlet opening of the axial fan, and, during operation of the axial fan, applying an electrical potential between an emitter and a collector to cause ionic air movement radially outwardly away from a central axis of the axial fan, wherein the radially outward air movement is caused upstream of the axial fan before the air reaches the air inlet opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2013
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Michael S. June, Chunjian Ni, Mark E. Steinke
  • Patent number: 8597415
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are an electric precipitator, which efficiently charges dust particles without lowering dust collecting efficiency, although a velocity of an air current is not uniform, and an air cleaner having the same. The electric precipitator includes a charger unit including at least two charge cells to charge dust particles contained in air, and a collector unit to collect the dust particles charged by the charger unit. The at least two charge cells include a first cell, through which the dust particles pass at a first velocity, and a second cell, through which the dust particles pass at a second velocity different from the first velocity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hyong Soo Noh, Jun Ho Ji, Kochiyama Yasuhiko, So Young Yun, Dong Woo Woo, Min Kyu Yeo
  • Patent number: 8541709
    Abstract: A method and a device for electrostatically separating polyvalent granular insulating materials that have good properties, are energy efficient, and easily adapt to ambient atmospheric conditions and to physiochemical properties of the granules to be separated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2013
    Assignees: APR2, Universite de Poitiers
    Inventors: Laur-Florentin Calin, Lucien Dascalescu
  • Patent number: 8492733
    Abstract: A multi-sectional linear ionizing bar with at least four elements is disclosed. First, disclosed bars may include at least one ionization cell with at least one axis-defining linear ion emitter for establishing an ion cloud along the length thereof. Second, disclosed bars may include at least one reference electrode. Third, disclosed bars may include a manifold for receiving gas or air from a source and for delivering same past the linear emitter(s) such that substantially none of the gas/air flows into the ion cloud. Fourth, disclosed bars may include means for receiving the ionizing voltage and for delivering same to the linear emitter(s) to thereby establish the ion cloud. In this way, disclosed ionizing bars may transportions from the plasma region toward a charge neutralization target without inducing substantial vibration of the linear emitter and without substantial contaminants from the gas/air flow reaching the linear emitter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Aleksey Klochkov, Peter Gefter, Steven Bernard Heymann, Leslie W. Partridge, Greenberry Bedford Brown, Matthew T. Antonelli
  • Patent number: 8491683
    Abstract: A computer system includes a computer chassis housing a processor and having a dust filter disposed in an airflow pathway through the computer chassis. A plurality of electrodes is disposed across an area of the dust filter, and a voltage source is provided having a negative terminal and a positive terminal. A controller selectively couples a first subset of electrodes to the negative terminal and selectively couples a second subset of electrodes to the positive terminal, wherein a voltage differential between the first subset of electrodes and the second subset of electrodes is sufficient to cause electrostatic movement of dust from an area of the dust filter near the first subset of electrodes to an area of the dust filter near the second subset of electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Kathy L. Brown-Fitzpatrick, Gary D. Cudak, Christopher J. Hardee, James R. Lee, John Lloyd, William E. Lohmeyer, Jr., Andrew H. Wray
  • Patent number: 8491703
    Abstract: A supply air device including supply air nozzles, through which incoming air is led into a mixing chamber and further into a room so that the supply air device induces a secondary air flow from the room. An electric particle filter and/or a cell gas filter, through which the circulating or secondary air flow is led.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: Valtion Teknillinen Tutkimuskeskus
    Inventors: Seppo Enbom, Matti Lehtimäki
  • Patent number: 8460433
    Abstract: Clean corona gas ionization by separating contaminant byproducts from corona generated ions includes establishing a non-ionized gas stream having a pressure and flowing in a downstream direction, establishing a plasma region of ions and contaminant byproducts in which the pressure is sufficiently lower than the pressure of the non-ionized gas stream to prevent at least a substantial portion of the byproducts from migrating into the non-ionized gas stream, and applying an electric field to the plasma region sufficient to induce at least a substantial portion of the ions to migrate into the non-ionized gas stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Peter Gefter, Aleksey Klochkov, John E. Menear, Lyle Dwight Nelsen
  • Patent number: 8444754
    Abstract: An air moving apparatus includes an axial fan and an electrostatic device. The axial fan has a rotatable shaft defining a central axis of the axial fan, a plurality of blades secured to the shaft, and an air inlet opening. The electrostatic device is disposed immediately upstream of the air inlet opening of the axial fan, and includes a collector and an emitter. In one embodiment, the electrostatic device includes a cylindrical collector coupled to ground and has a central axis aligned with the central axis of the axial fan. The electrostatic device further includes a plurality of emitter wires coupled to a terminal of a direct current source and extending lengthwise within the cylindrical collector. During operation of the axial fan, the application of an electrical potential between an emitter and a collector causes ionic air movement radially outwardly away from a central axis of the axial fan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Michael S. June, Chunjian Ni, Mark E. Steinke
  • Patent number: 8425658
    Abstract: An electro-kinetic or electro-static apparatus for moving fluid includes an enlogated electrode energizable with respect to at least one other electrode to generate ions and thereby motivate fluid flow there between. A cleaning device is positioned to frictionally engage at least two opposing surfaces of the elongated electrode. The cleaning device is movable along a length of the elongated electrode to thereby remove detrimental material from the at least two opposing surfaces of the elongated electrode. The cleaning device can be substantially off-center relative to the elongated electrode to frictionally bind upon the elongated electrode during movement of the cleaning device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: Tessera, Inc.
    Inventor: Jim L. Lee
  • Patent number: 8409328
    Abstract: A substrate transfer device includes an atmosphere introduction unit and an atmosphere exhaust unit provided at a top and a bottom portion of a main body of the device, respectively; and a substrate transfer mechanism provided between the atmosphere introduction unit and the atmosphere exhaust unit. The substrate transfer device further includes a downward flow forming unit provided, adjacent to the atmosphere introduction unit, to allow an atmosphere to be introduced through the atmosphere introduction unit and to downwardly flow through the substrate transfer mechanism and be exhausted through the atmosphere exhaust unit; and a gas ionizing unit for ionizing the atmosphere and a particle collecting unit for collecting particles included in the atmosphere, the gas ionizing unit and the particle collecting unit being sequentially provided in the direction in which the atmosphere downwardly flows, between the downward flow forming unit and the substrate transfer mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Assignee: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventors: Jun Yamawaku, Junji Oikawa, Hiroyuki Nakayama
  • Patent number: 8398745
    Abstract: A substrate processing apparatus includes a processing chamber for accommodating therein a processing target substrate; a gas exhaust path through which a gas inside the processing chamber is exhausted; one or more exhaust pumps provided in the gas exhaust path; and a scrubber for collecting harmful components from an exhaust gas. The apparatus further includes an ionized gas supply unit for supplying to the gas exhaust path an ionized gas for neutralizing charged particles included in the exhaust gas flowing therethrough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Assignee: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventors: Jun Yamawaku, Junji Oikawa, Hiroyuki Nakayama
  • Patent number: 8398746
    Abstract: A small area electrostatic aerosol collector includes a collector housing, an inlet nozzle that extends from the housing and an exit port that provides an exit for air to flow back out of the housing. A pumping arrangement pulls air into the housing through the inlet nozzle. The sampled air is moved through ductwork such that particulates are collected on a substrate and the air is evacuated through the exit port after collection. The collector includes a charging device positioned within the ductwork to create an electric field defining a charging point that the air passes through between the inlet nozzle and the substrate. The substrate is held at a neutral or opposite charge relative to the electric field created by the charging device. Particulates are collected on the sample substrate by containing the aerosol in a small area and by forcing the aerosol to flow near the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Assignee: Battelle Memorial Institute
    Inventors: Rodney S. Black, Edgar Fogelman, Kevin T. Hommema
  • Patent number: 8277541
    Abstract: A smoke removal apparatus, capable of operating in a confined space without ventilation of the apparatus to the atmosphere to provide removal of smoke from air to be treated. The apparatus includes one or more of the following filters: a mechanical filter; an electrostatic filter; and/or a chemical filter. The apparatus is arranged to collect smoke from a relatively higher position, pass smoke through the one or more filters/and expel treated air to a relatively lower position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: Atmosphere Control International Limited
    Inventors: Brian Hunt, Peter Row, Alex Wheatley
  • Patent number: 8268058
    Abstract: A high-performance labyrinth type air treatment apparatus includes a positively (negatively) charged dust collector mounted in an air passage inside a shell, the positively (negatively) charged dust collector having positively (negatively) charged dust collecting panels arranged in such a manner that a labyrinth-like detoured air path is defined through the positively (negatively) charged dust collector, an air ionization control means having discharge/emitting terminals arranged in the labyrinth-like detoured air path, and an electric fan for causing flowing of air through the positively (negatively) charged dust collector so that negatively (positively) charged heteroparticles carried in currents of air flowing through the labyrinth-like detoured air path are forced, to strike repeatedly against the positively (negatively) charged dust collecting panels and then effectively adhered to the positively (negatively) charged dust collecting panels, achieving extremely high air purification.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Inventors: Fu-Chi Wu, Steven Wu
  • Publication number: 20120103196
    Abstract: A thermal management apparatus includes an electrohydrodynamic fluid accelerator in which an emitter electrode and another electrode are energizable to motivate fluid flow. One of the electrodes includes a solid solution formed of a solvent metal having a first performance characteristic and a solute material having a second performance characteristic. The first and second performance characteristics are exhibited substantially independently in the electrode as the solvent metal and solute material remain substantially pure within the solid solution. A method of making an EHD product includes providing an electrode with such a solid solution and positioning the electrode relative to another electrode to motivate fluid flow when energized.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2010
    Publication date: May 3, 2012
    Applicant: TESSERA, INC.
    Inventor: Giles Humpston
  • Patent number: 8167986
    Abstract: An airborne particulate sampling device is disclosed. The device includes a conduit whose interior allows the flow of air through the device. The conduit, or at least its surface, is a conductor. The device also includes an electrode with a sharp tip or edge on or near the output side of the conduit. An electrically conducting particle collector outside the conduit is positioned so that a surface is perpendicular or approximately perpendicular to the axis of the funnel. A fan or other blower forces air through the funnel. A power supply imparts an electrostatic potential difference between the electrode, on the one hand, and the holder and particle collector, on the other hand. The electrostatic potential difference produces a corona field in the air in the vicinity of the electrode's sharp tip. The corona field imparts a charge to airborne particles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Assignee: Board of Supervisors of Louisiana State University and Agricultural and Mechanical College
    Inventors: Raymond W. Schneider, Erik Durr
  • Patent number: 8167985
    Abstract: Clean corona gas ionization by separating contaminant byproducts from corona generated ions includes establishing a non-ionized gas stream having a pressure and flowing in a downstream direction, establishing a plasma region of ions and contaminant byproducts in which the pressure is sufficiently lower than the pressure of the non-ionized gas stream to prevent at least a substantial portion of the byproducts from migrating into the non-ionized gas stream, and applying an electric field to the plasma region sufficient to induce at least a substantial portion of the ions to migrate into the non-ionized gas stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Inventors: Peter Gefter, Aleksey Klochkov, John E. Menear, Lyle Dwight Nelsen
  • Publication number: 20120036998
    Abstract: An air moving apparatus comprises an axial fan and an electrostatic device. The axial fan has a rotatable shaft defining a central axis of the axial fan, a plurality of blades secured to the shaft, and an air inlet opening. The electrostatic device is disposed immediately upstream of the air inlet opening of the axial fan, and includes a collector and an emitter. In one embodiment, the electrostatic device comprises a cylindrical collector coupled to ground and has a central axis aligned with the central axis of the axial fan, wherein the cylindrical collector has an inner diameter that is substantially the same as the diameter of an air inlet opening to the axial fan. The electrostatic device further comprises a plurality of emitter wires coupled to a terminal of a direct current source and extending lengthwise within the cylindrical collector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2010
    Publication date: February 16, 2012
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Michael S. June, Chunjian Ni, Mark E. Steinke
  • Patent number: 8080085
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for an ionizer according to various aspects of the present invention include an amplifier disposed within an open ended housing. The air amplifier is used to supply an amplified airflow that may then be passed through an air neutralization system thereby neutralizing the amplified airflow before exiting the housing. A pressurized gas may be injected into an internal portion of the air amplifier where it is mixed with an ambient airflow before exiting the air amplifier as an amplified airflow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2011
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventors: Donald M. Hughes, Inuka D. Renstrom
  • Patent number: 8048200
    Abstract: Clean corona gas ionization by separating contaminant byproducts from corona generated ions includes establishing a non-ionized gas stream having a pressure and flowing in a downstream direction, establishing a plasma region of ions and contaminant byproducts in which the pressure is sufficiently lower than the pressure of the non-ionized gas stream to prevent at least a substantial portion of the byproducts from migrating into the non-ionized gas stream, and applying an electric field to the plasma region sufficient to induce at least a substantial portion of the ions to migrate into the non-ionized gas stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Inventors: Peter Gefter, Aleksey Klochkov, John E. Menear, Lyle Dwight Nelsen
  • Patent number: 8043412
    Abstract: A portable high air volume electrostatic collection precipitator for analyzing air is provided which is a relatively small, self-contained device. The device has a collection electrode adapted to carry a variety of collecting media. An air intake is provided such that air to be analyzed flows through an ionization section with a transversely positioned ionization wire to ionize analytes in the air, and then flows over the collection electrode where ionized analytes are collected. Air flow is maintained at but below turbulent flow, Ionizable constituents in the air are ionized, attracted to the collection electrode, and precipitated in the selected medium which can be removed for analysis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2011
    Assignee: Savannah River Nuclear Solutions, LLC
    Inventor: Duane C. Carlson
  • Patent number: 8038775
    Abstract: Clean corona ionization bars separate contaminant byproducts from corona generated ions by establishing a non-ionized gas stream having a pressure and directed toward an attractive non-ionizing electric field of a charge neutralization target, by establishing a plasma region of ions and contaminant byproducts in which the pressure is sufficiently lower than the pressure of the non-ionized gas stream to prevent byproducts from migrating into the non-ionized gas stream. The ionization bar(s) may be located sufficiently close to the charged neutralization target that a non-ionizing electric field of the target induces at least a substantial portion of the ions to migrate into the non-ionized gas stream and to the neutralization target as a clean ionized gas stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Inventor: Peter Gefter
  • Patent number: 8034162
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for substantially containing dust generated along a fiber tow path extending from a creel to a compression roller in an automated fiber placement machine, by enclosing substantially all of the path of the fiber tows between the creel and the compression roller within a barrier that is substantially impermeable to dust. A dust collection apparatus may have a porous media and/or utilize an electrostatic charge for entrapping the dust.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2011
    Assignee: Ingersoll Machine Tools, Inc.
    Inventor: Tino Oldani
  • Patent number: 7998255
    Abstract: An electrostatic phase change generating apparatus is described. The apparatus causes a change of state to occur in an input gas, for example, ambient air. The electrostatic phase change generating apparatus removes moisture from air, and may be used to generate water from air, dehumidify air, cool air, and the like. The ability to generate water from air has global importance as the need for clean water increases each year. The electrostatic phase change generating apparatus uses high voltage but low current allowing for very energy efficient operations. The electrostatic phase change generating apparatus uses a phase change vessel containing a liquid, a bubbler immersed in the liquid for conveying a gas, and a high voltage source to bias the liquid with respect to an upper electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2011
    Assignee: Convergitech, Inc.
    Inventor: Dieter Wolfgang Blum
  • Publication number: 20110192284
    Abstract: The tendency of an ion wind fan to spark can be reduced by locating the emitter support portions of an isolator away from the active portions of the emitter and collector electrodes. In one embodiment, the present invention includes an ion wind fan having a first end, and a second end. The ion wind fan, in one embodiment, has a collector electrode, an emitter electrode, and an isolator supporting the collector electrode and the emitter electrode, the emitter electrode being supported by the isolator at an emitter support having an internal edge, where the distance from the internal edge of the emitter support end of the ion wind fan is less than the distance from the edge of the collector electrode end of the ion wind fan.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 9, 2010
    Publication date: August 11, 2011
    Applicant: VENTIVA, INC.
    Inventors: Brian D. Sawyer, Scott L. Gooch
  • Patent number: 7976615
    Abstract: An electro-kinetic air mover for creating an airflow using no moving parts. The electro-kinetic air mover includes an ion generator that has an electrode assembly including a first array of emitter electrodes, a second array of collector electrodes, and a high voltage generator. Preferably, a third or leading or focus electrode is located upstream of the first array of emitter electrodes, and/or a trailing electrode is located downstream of the second array of collector electrodes. The device can also include an interstitial electrode located between collector electrodes, an enhanced collector electrode with an integrally formed trailing end, and an enhanced emitter electrode with an enhanced length in order to increase emissivity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Assignee: Tessera, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles E. Taylor, Jim L. Lee
  • Publication number: 20110113963
    Abstract: A high-performance labyrinth type air treatment apparatus includes a positively (negatively) charged dust collector mounted in an air passage inside a shell, the positively (negatively) charged dust collector having positively (negatively) charged dust collecting panels arranged in such a manner that a labyrinth-like detoured air path is defined through the positively (negatively) charged dust collector, an air ionization control means having discharge/emitting terminals arranged in the labyrinth-like detoured air path, and an electric fan for causing flowing of air through the positively (negatively) charged dust collector so that negatively (positively) charged heteroparticles carried in currents of air flowing through the labyrinth-like detoured air path are forced, to strike repeatly against the positively (negatively) charged dust collecting panels and then effectively adhered to the positively (negatively) charged dust collecting panels, achieving extremely high air purification.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2009
    Publication date: May 19, 2011
    Inventors: Fu-Chi Wu, Steven Wu
  • Patent number: 7942952
    Abstract: In an electrostatic precipitator for filtering particulate matter from a gas, a fan (10) draws the gas (5) through an ioniser section (7) and a collector section (6). Ioniser blades (3) with sawtooth spikes (8) create a corona discharge (4) when charged to a high voltage, so that gas-borne particles are charged when passing through the corona area. The collector section (6) consists of a set of metallic plates (1, 2) of which every other plate (1) is connected to ground, while the remaining plates (2) receive a charge by induction from the ioniser blades (3), and act as repeller plates, pushing charged particles in the gas flow (5) over to the grounded plates (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2011
    Inventor: Roger Gale
  • Publication number: 20110100221
    Abstract: An air purifier includes a vertically disposed housing provided with a wire gauze filter, electric fans and air filter elements. The electric fans draw outside air around the floor vertically into the bottom air intake port toward the top air output port of the housing so that the flow of air, when passed out of the air output port, flows upwards to a certain elevation and is then diffused and lowered in all directions around the housing. By means of the traction of the flow of air, the pressure difference of the convection of air between the low air pressure and the high air pressure at the bottom and top sides of the housing, high concentration of car waste gas, micro dust particles, hair dust, micro fibers and other harmful industrial odors that fall to the floor due to the effect of gravity or floating nearly above the floor are sucked into the inside of the housing by the low air pressure zone at the open bottom side of the housing and then removed by the filter elements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2009
    Publication date: May 5, 2011
    Inventor: Fu-Chi Wu
  • Patent number: 7896957
    Abstract: An air purifier includes a shell with an air inlet and an air outlet. An electric field filter, an air passage and a blower are disposed inside the shell. The electric field filter includes a filter frame disposed at the air outlet and a grid base disposed under the filter frame. A filter is provided inside the filter frame. One end of the air passage connects with the grid base and the other end connects with the blower. The blower is disposed at the air inlet. The filter frame and the grid base are integrated as a hermetic whole. Due to the integrated configuration of the filter frame and the grid base, when removing out the electric field filter, the power is cut automatically. This effectively prevents an occurrence of the electroshock, and improves safety performance of the purifier. Furthermore, air leakage can be greatly reduced, for there is no gap between the filter frame and the grid base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Assignee: Shenzen Qibin Enterprises
    Inventors: Bing Zhao, Ming-Jen Wang, Junsui Wang
  • Patent number: 7883558
    Abstract: An emission treatment system includes a separation device having a vessel that includes an inlet for receiving an emission stream having entrained solid particles. A first outlet from the vessel discharges captured solid particles from the emission stream and a second outlet from the vessel discharges a clean stream having fewer entrained solid particles than the emission stream received into the separation device. A particle collector is fluidly connected with the separation device and includes a collection portion for capturing solid particles from the emission stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2011
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Eric J. Gottung, Bruce H. Easom, Sergei F. Burlatsky, Leo A. Smolensky, Luca Bertuccioli
  • Patent number: 7875099
    Abstract: An electronic device includes a housing defining a chamber, a circuit board positioned in the chamber and having at least one integrated circuit, an air inlet port and an air outlet port formed in the housing, a fluid flow generator to generate an air flow across the circuit board in the chamber, and an electrostatic air filtration system to filter air entering the chamber from the air inlet port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2011
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Benjamin Abraham, Yancy Chen
  • 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: 7846227
    Abstract: A vehicle-mounted air purifier 1 includes a main unit incorporating an ion generator. The main unit is removably arranged within a passenger space inside a vehicle. For example, if a beverage container holder 90 is provided inside the vehicle, the main unit can be removably arranged within the passenger space when given a cylindrical shape that permits it to be held in the beverage container 90. The power from which the vehicle-mounted air purifier 1 operates can be taken from a cigarette lighter power outlet 91 provided inside the vehicle through a connection cable 92. The main unit is thus arranged directly within the passenger space, and the ions generated by the ion generator inside are fed into the passenger space with higher efficiency. The main unit is removably arranged as an independent unit. Thus, even when the ion generator breaks down or otherwise its replacement becomes necessary, the arranged ion generator can be removed readily and replaced easily.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2010
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hidetoshi Gotoh, Yoshiko Gotoh, legal representative, Yasunori Gotoh, legal representative, Toshiyuki Gotoh, legal representative, Akira Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 7833310
    Abstract: An air filter, an elevator having the same, and an air conditioning control method thereof purify the air inside the elevator to make the air safe and pleasant using a micro plasma ion generator (MPI). The elevator includes a cage which moves up and down in a vertical direction of a building and an air filter which purifies the air inside the cage. The air filter includes an ion generator which generates ions by a plasma discharge to discharge the ions into the cage, a dust sensor which detects a dust contamination level in the cage, and a controller which compares the dust contamination level detected by the dust sensor with a predetermined standard contamination level and operates the ion generator If the dust contamination level is equal to or greater than the predetermined standard contamination level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jun Hyoun Kwon, Rae Eun Park, Eun Ju Ha
  • Patent number: 7828940
    Abstract: An onsite chemistry air filtration system to remove gaseous contaminants from air is disclosed. The onsite chemistry air filtration system of the present invention comprises: a conventional particulate filtration section, a photochemical filtration section, a static gas phase filtration section and a catalytic filtration section. The conventional particulate filtration section captures solids and condensables. In the photochemical filtration section, UV lamps generate bio-destruction and surface photochemical activity on a semiconductor catalyst material, provide a radiation source to irradiate airborne contaminant molecules and to energize their states to promote reactions and generate airborne ozone and radicals. In the static gas phase filtration section, gas phase filtration media is used to capture contaminants, concentrate them in a relatively confined space and allow airborne generated chemistries to concentrate and react in-situ, thereby creating a regeneration effect on the media.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2010
    Inventors: Jeffrey L. Roseberry, Robert A. Darling
  • Patent number: 7824476
    Abstract: A tunnel fan with an electrostatic filter is disclosed. The tunnel fan includes: a cylindrical shaped tunnel fan; and an electrostatic filter including a pipe assembly, the pipe assembly including a plurality of pipes arranged in parallel to form a cylindrical shape, each pipe having an electrostatic induction means for causing tiny dust to be collected by an induction voltage, wherein the electrostatic filter is coupled to a front or a rear of the tunnel fan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2010
    Inventor: Jong Seung Chung
  • Patent number: 7824475
    Abstract: According to one aspect of the invention a device for purification of air is provided, including a metal plate electrical connections connected to the metal plate in order to impress a voltage on the metal plate, a heating element for heating the metal plate, and a nozzle connected to a water supply in order to spray the metal plate with water. In further embodiments the device includes a metallic cylinder, a fan disposed at one end of the cylinder and a restriction disposed at the other end of the cylinder, together with live coils for providing an electric field, where the centre of the electric field around the coils coincides with the location of the device's other units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2010
    Inventors: Hans-Jacob Fromreide, Tomm Slater
  • Patent number: 7815720
    Abstract: A dual-filter electrically enhanced air-filtration apparatus and method are described. One embodiment includes an upstream electrically enhanced filter; a downstream electrically enhanced filter; a first control electrode adjacent to an upstream side of the upstream electrically enhanced filter; a second control electrode adjacent to a downstream side of the downstream electrically enhanced filter; and an ionizing electrode disposed between the upstream and downstream electrically enhanced filters, the ionizing electrode having an electrical potential with respect to the first and second control electrodes. Optional field electrodes may be included to enhance the electric fields associated with the upstream and downstream electrically enhanced filters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Assignee: StrionAir, Inc.
    Inventor: Peter J. McKinney
  • Patent number: 7811363
    Abstract: Provided is an air purifier, including: 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: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Inventor: Yue Zhang
  • Patent number: 7806952
    Abstract: Disclosed are apparatus, system, and method for enhancing air purification efficiency regarding a gaseous medium passing through an opening. Included is a high voltage source that creates an effective voltage field across the opening; and at least one charge bleeding element constructed and arranged to maintain an effective voltage field across the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2010
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Andrew R. Fox, Marvin E. Jones, Larry J. Carson