Layered, Laminated, Or Coated Patents (Class 96/69)
  • Patent number: 6488731
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a pleated filter made of a multi-layer filter medium, including at least one filter paper layer having area weights of 30-100 g/m2, a microfiber nonwoven fabric layer having area weights 5-120 g/m2 and a support nonwoven fabric layer made of synthetic, polymeric fibers having area weights of 10-120 g/m2. The layers of the pleated filter contain fused polymer areas by which the fabric layers are bonded to the paper layer, and by which the fabric layers are made firmer within themselves. When subject to a fractional efficiency test at an initial pressure difference of at most 180 Pa, at a boundary speed of approximately 2.62 m/s and a flow speed through the filter medium of approximately 0.13 m/s, the pleated filter is able to separate at least 90% of particles greater than 0.3 &mgr;m, at least 92% of particles greater than 0.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2002
    Assignee: Firma Carl Freudenberg
    Inventors: Wolfram Schultheiss, Felix Herberg, Jörg Stöckler
  • Patent number: 6461409
    Abstract: A device for the treatment of a flowing gas, such as an exhaust gas, includes at least one pair of smooth electrodes that are arranged opposite each other so that they form between them a discharge space through which a gas flows. For each pair of electrodes, at least one electrode is coated with a dielectric material on a side facing the discharge space. At least one electrode has one or more thickened areas facing the discharge space. The one or more thickened area has at least one opening through which the gas can flow. A device may be used in the cleaning of exhaust gases from internal combustion engines of motor vehicles as well as the cleaning of waste gases of power plants or waste incinerating plants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2002
    Assignee: Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Foerderung der Angewandten Forschung e.V.
    Inventors: Willi Neff, Klaus Pochner, Franz-Josef Trompeter, Jens Kamp
  • Patent number: 6454839
    Abstract: An electrofiltration apparatus is provided having at least one electrostatically charged polymeric film layer having surface structures. The film layers may be configured as a collection cell that has the structured film layer defining a plurality of ordered inlet openings through a face of the collection cell and corresponding air pathways, thereby forming an open, porous volume. The air pathways are defined by a plurality of flow channels formed by the structured film layers. The electrofiltration apparatus is coupled with an ionizer which actively induces charges onto the particles to be removed by the collection cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2002
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Joel K. Hagglund, Thomas I. Insley, Todd W. Johnson
  • Patent number: 6432175
    Abstract: An electret is described that includes a surface modified polymeric article having surface fluorination produced by fluorinating the polymeric article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2002
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Marvin E. Jones, Christopher S. Lyons, David B. Redmond, Jeffrey L. Solomon, Seyed Abolhassan Angadjivand
  • Patent number: 6428610
    Abstract: The present invention is directed toward a filter media for a high efficiency particulate air (“HEPA”) filter including a multiplicity of adjacent electrostatically charged piles of nonwoven fabric. The invention further includes a method of making a HEPA filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2002
    Assignee: The University of Tennessee Research Corporation
    Inventors: Peter Tsai, Sanjiv R. Malkan
  • Patent number: 6419871
    Abstract: The present invention is drawn to an improved electrostatic filter medium comprising a web of electret fibers which have been treated with fluorine-containing plasmas at a deposition amount of about 0.03 g/m2 to about 1.5 g/m2; electrostatically charged; rinsed; and dried. The present invention is further drawn to a method of producing non-woven webs which have been treated with a fluorine-containing plasma at a deposition amount of about 0.03 g/m2 to about 1.5 g/m2; electrostatically charged; rinsed; and dried.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2002
    Assignee: Transweb, LLC.
    Inventor: Kumar Ogale
  • Patent number: 6409806
    Abstract: An electret is described that includes a surface modified polymeric article having surface fluorination produced by fluorinating the polymeric article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2002
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Marvin E. Jones, Christopher S. Lyons, David B. Redmond, Jeffrey L. Solomon, Seyed Abolhassan Angadjivand
  • Patent number: 6398852
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a device (1;1′;1″; 1′″; 1″″; 1′″″) for air cleaning, especially from electrically charged particles, the device (1;1′;1″; 1′″; 1″″; 1′″″) including an air flow channel (2;2′;2″; 2′″; 2″″; 2′″″), an air transporting mechanical fan (3;3′;3″; 3′″; 3″″; 3′″″), a precipitator (4;4′;4″; 4′″; 4″″; 4′″″), a high voltage source (5;5′;5″; 5′″; 5″″; 5′″″), the precipitator (4;4′;4″; 4′″; 4″″; 4′″″) including two band-like electrode elements that are wound several times around an axis or bobbin body (7;7′;7″; 7′″; 7″″; 7′″″), a gap distance being present betwee
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2002
    Assignee: Eurus Airtech AB
    Inventor: Andrzej Loreth
  • Patent number: 6391259
    Abstract: A frame-type ozone generator (242) has a plurality of elongated electrodes (201, 202) deployed in substantially parallel, spaced relation to each other so as to form a substantially flat electrode array, and a flow generator (241) for generating a flow of oxygen containing gas through the electrode array in a direction substantially perpendicular to the electrode array. Each of the electrodes is formed from an electrically conductive core (211) covered with polyvinyl-difluoride (212). Preferably, each electrode array is arranged within a frame (206) of a given area. Also disclosed are an apparatus for treating a product with ozone-containing gas in which pressure-waves are used to enhance effectiveness of the ozone treatment, and a two-chamber batch method for implementing treatment of a product with possibly harmful gases such as ozone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2002
    Assignee: Ozontech Ltd.
    Inventors: Boris Malkin, Gena Perlov, Shmuel Yannai
  • Patent number: 6375721
    Abstract: The invention relates to an ionization filter for purifying air that is enriched with dust particles and other inorganic and organic pollutants. The filter has at least one electrically charged emission electrode for producing electrically conductive particles, and at least one passive electrode for collecting the pollutant particles that are in movement in the electric field between the emission electrode and the passive electrode. In accordance with the invention, an extra layer having denaturing properties is placed in the flow path of the pollutant particles that are to be precipitated. This layer is preferably composed of strongly acidic and strongly alkaline layers, or vice versa, with a neutral intermediate layer between layers of different pH values in each case. Micro-organisms, such as bacteria, fungi, spores and/or allergens which move in the electric field of the ionization filter are simultaneously destroyed by this denaturing property.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2002
    Inventor: Heinz Hölter
  • Patent number: 6361589
    Abstract: A device is provided for cleaning air from charged particles in an air flow duct. The device includes at least one precipitator panel including one or more precipitator units that are arranged so that their inlets have a large extension relative to the cross-sectional area of the air flow duct and a relatively small extension in the direction of the air flow through the units. The precipitator panels include at least two electrode elements preferably connected to a high voltage source and located such that all air in the air flow duct passes through the respective electrode elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2002
    Assignee: Eurus Airtech AB
    Inventor: Andrzej Loreth
  • Patent number: 6322615
    Abstract: A novel air filter design for use in residential and commercial heating and air conditioning systems comprising a laminated unit having a filter media where the upstream side of the filter media having a porous layer of passive electrostatic netting. The air filter design has a corrugation configuration to increase the available surface area when compared to conventional flat filters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2001
    Inventor: Rick L. Chapman
  • Publication number: 20010039879
    Abstract: An air filtration filter formed of material such as a resin bound fiber forming a woven or non-woven fabric, thermoplastic netting, tacifing resin solution and/or antimicrobial agents in which said material is compounded or coated to contain 0.01 to 20% by weight of a positive and/or negative charge control agent and then charging the filter to apply an electrostatic charge to the filter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2000
    Publication date: November 15, 2001
    Inventor: Rick L. Chapman
  • Patent number: 6290757
    Abstract: A ceramic honeycomb nitrogen purification device is provided including a source gas, a set of gaseous nitrogen passages, a set of oxygen disposal passages, an electroded oxygen conducting ceramic membrane, an electrical power source, an oxygen sensor, and nitrogen purification control circuitry. The source gas includes gaseous nitrogen. The set of gaseous nitrogen passages defines respective source nitrogen input openings and purified nitrogen output openings. The set of oxygen disposal passages defines disposed oxygen output openings, wherein a plurality of the gaseous nitrogen passages are exclusively dedicated to individual ones of the oxygen disposal passages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2001
    Assignee: CeramPhysics, Inc.
    Inventor: William N. Lawless
  • Patent number: 6261342
    Abstract: A method of removing particulate solid or liquid aerosol from a gas, which method comprises the step of: passing a particulate solid or liquid aerosol containing gas through an electret filter that comprises a polymer and a performance enhancing additive, wherein the electret filter has a thermally stimulated discharge current (TSDC) spectrum exhibiting a peak having a width at half height of less than about 30° C., as measured by TSDC test procedure 3.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2001
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Alan D. Rousseau, Marvin E. Jones, Betty Z. Mei
  • Patent number: 6251171
    Abstract: An electrostatic air cleaner includes a corona charging section and a precipitation section. The charging section includes a first and a second array of substantially parallel earth wires, each array being disposed in a respective plane substantially perpendicular to the direction of air flow, and a third array of substantially parallel corona wires sandwiched between the first and second arrays. With this design, the spacing between earth wires and the spacing between corona wires can be selected independently to obtain the most favorable corona discharge conditions. The arrangement also enables easy cleaning of the earth wires.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2001
    Assignee: U.S. Philips Corporation
    Inventors: Johannes Marra, Arjen Boogaard
  • Patent number: 6241810
    Abstract: An electrostatic filter for the separation of particles includes a particle charging unit arranged upstream, includes at least one corona wire for the charging of particles and a particle collector unit arranged downstream relative to it. The particle collecting unit includes two groups of plate-like elements (1, 1′) arranged essentially parallel between each other and the flow direction through the device at a predetermined distance from each other, wherein a first group of elements (1) is connected to earth (3) and a second group of elements (1′) is electrically insulated with reference to the device and to the first group of elements (1) and that the elements (1, 1′) essentially are made of one or more non-hygroscopic polymer materials with a mass resistivity which preferably lies within the region of 1×102 &OHgr;cm to 1×108 &OHgr;cm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2001
    Assignee: Purocell S.A.
    Inventors: Göran Wikström, Ulf Hörnquist
  • Patent number: 6238466
    Abstract: Novel electret articles containing a polymer and a performance-enhancing additive can be identified by their thermally stimulated conductivity characteristics or their filtration properties. Electret articles such as nonwoven filter webs and respirators exhibit superior oily mist loading performance, low penetration and a small pressure drop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2001
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Alan D. Rousseau, Marvin E. Jones, Betty Z. Mei
  • Patent number: 6231643
    Abstract: A membrane is used as a collection substrate in an electrostatic precipitator (ESP). Possible material choices include fibers in the form of woven mats, screens made from stainless steel wires or fiber reinforced polymer composite membranes. The membranes have a tensile bias applied during operation, and have impulse tensile force applied during a dust removal step. By combining a dry ESP membrane field with wet-film cleaning field, it may be possible to improve collection efficiencies both by reducing turbulence and eliminating re-entrainment losses due to rapping. Through implementation of new materials that resist hostile ESP environments, the invention enhances the possibility of using novel technologies, such as pulsed corona and others, suitable for removal of molecules such as NOx and SOx, which is very important for meeting proposed PM2.5 EPA emissions regulations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2001
    Assignee: Ohio University
    Inventors: Hajrudin Pasic, Md Khairul Alam, David J. Bayless
  • Patent number: 6214094
    Abstract: The thermally stimulated discharge current of an electret article can be used to identify electret articles that exhibit superior filtration properties. Electret filters that exhibit superior properties not achieved in similarly constructed filters contain fibers that are made from a blend of a polymer and a performance-enhancing additive. The electret filters exhibit an initial detectable DOP penetration of less than 5% and an average Min@Chl of greater than 200 mg DOP as measured by DOP Filter Web Loading Test Procedure 1. These new electrets are particularly useful in a respirator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2001
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Alan D. Rousseau, Marvin E. Jones, Betty Z. Mei
  • Patent number: 6187271
    Abstract: Electrostatic precipitator is disclosed, including a discharge unit having ground electrodes and discharge electrodes, and a collecting unit having collecting electrodes and positive electrodes, wherein the discharge unit is applied of a voltage enough to emit a photo-energy which can activate a photo-catalyst, and a component in the electrostatic precipitator contains the photo-catalyst, or a separate photo-catalyst filter containing the photo-catalyst is provided within a reach of the photo-energy emitted from the discharge unit , thereby the photo-energy from the discharge unit activating the photo-catalyst, whereby providing a simple structured electrostatic precipitator making sterilization and deodorization at a low cost.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2001
    Assignee: LG Electronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Sung Hwa Lee, Young Ki Hong, Kwang Ok Kang, Soo Yeon Shin, Kyeng Wook Heo, Jung Hun Kang, Akira Mizno
  • Patent number: 6187412
    Abstract: A silicon article including a silicon base and columns extending from the silicon base. The columns define a gap between the columns which is devoid of material so that the article can act as a filter or heat sink. Also disclosed is a method of making the silicon article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2001
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Michael D. Armacost, Peter D. Hoh, Son V. Nguyen
  • Patent number: 6183536
    Abstract: A vacuum filter bag is constructed of layers which include a high air permeability multipurpose layer positioned upstream in the direction of air flow of a second filtration layer. The second filtration layer can be a wet-laid filter paper, a dry-laid filter paper or a spunbond nonwoven. The multipurpose layer can be made of high bulk meltblown nonwoven, dry-laid or wet-laid high dust holding capacity paper spunblown modular or microdenier spunbond. The high dust capacity papers are characterized by greater thickness and higher air permeability than is normally used in traditional filter layers of vacuum cleaner bag structures. These characteristics allow the high capacity papers to filter large dirt particles and to capture within their pores large amounts of dust particles. This protects the downstream second filtration layer from shock loading and enables the composite structure to pass air at high rate at low pressure differential for much longer than conventional vacuum cleaner bags.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2001
    Assignee: Airflo Europe, N.V.
    Inventors: Bas Schultink, Jan Schultink
  • Patent number: 6171369
    Abstract: A disposable vacuum cleaner filter bag is constructed of layers which include a filtration grade meltblown fleece layer having a basis weight of about 10-50 g/m2 and air permeability of about 100-1000 L/(m2×s) and a coarse filter layer in which the coarse filter layer is placed upstream of the filtration grade meltblown fleece layer. The coarse filter layer can include either wet-laid high dust capacity paper, dry-laid high dust capacity paper, high bulk meltblown nonwoven, Spunblown (Modular) nonwoven or microdenier spunbond nonwoven. Juxtaposition of the layers causes the coarse filter layer to capture large dirt particles and permits the filtration grade meltblown fleece layer to capture much of the remaining dust particles. The novel bag exhibits high air permeability and low pressure drop at high dust loading. A method of filtering gas through such a filter is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2001
    Assignee: Airflo Europe, N.V.
    Inventors: Bas Schultink, Jan Schultink
  • Patent number: 6159421
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for cleaning a gas for preventing the contamination of a surface of a substrate in a localized space are disclosed. A photocatalyst is provided in a selected area of the localized space and the photocatalyst, as it is illuminated with light, is contacted by the gas to be treated, whereby any noxious gases are removed from the treated gas. Alternatively, a unit apparatus composed of an ultraviolet radiation source, a photocatalyst, a photoelectron emitter and an electrode is installed in a selected area of the localized space and the gas to be treated is passed through the unit apparatus, whereby noxious gases and particulates are removed from the treated gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2000
    Assignee: Ebara Corporation
    Inventor: Toshiaki Fujii
  • Patent number: 6123752
    Abstract: A high efficiency filtration medium comprised of a nonwoven filter web of electret charged fibers of a nonconductive thermoplastic resin having a resistivity greater than 10.sup.14 ohm-cm, preferably polypropylene. The nonwoven filter web has a basis weight (BW) of less than 60 grams/m.sup.2, an effective fiber diameter (EFD) of less than 5 microns and a penetration (PEN) of less than 0.03%, wherein the ratio);BW/(EFD.PEN)is greater than 200. The invention filter medium can be easily used in applications requiring HEPA performance at relatively low pressure drops.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2000
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Tien Wu, Richard Kinderman, Seyed Angadjivand
  • Patent number: 6117216
    Abstract: An electrostatic precipitator for purifying air from charged particles. The precipitator includes at least a pair of electrode elements (R and A) spaced apart by a gap distance (a). The electrode elements are moisture-proof. At least one of the electrode elements is composed of a high ohmic cellulose material and is coated with a thin moisture-proof layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2000
    Assignee: Strainer LPB Aktiebolag
    Inventor: Andrzej Loreth
  • Patent number: 6090189
    Abstract: An electrostatic filter for the separation of particles includes a particle charging unit arranged upstream, including at least one corona wire for the charging of particles and a particle collector unit arranged downstream relative to it. The particles collecting unit includes two groups of plate-like elements (1, 1') arranged essentially parallel between each other and the flow direction through the device at a predetermined distance from each other, wherein a first group of elements (1)is connected to earth (3) and a second group elements (1') is electrically insulated with reference to the device and to the first group of elements (1) and that the elements (1, 1') essentially are made of one or more non-hygroscopic polymer materials with a mass resistivity which preferably lies within the region of 1.times.10.sup.2 .OMEGA.cm to 1.times.10.sup.8 .OMEGA.cm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2000
    Assignee: Purocell S.A.
    Inventors: Goran Wikstrom, Ulf Hornquist
  • Patent number: 6071330
    Abstract: An electric dust collector that does not need an exhaust fan or special equipment for preventing dust from flying off. An incinerator is formed on a building, and a smokestack is raised so that it is integrated with the wall of the incinerator. The smokestack is formed from metallic sheeting and lined with refractories. A beam is installed over the smokestack. The beam is electrically insulated using insulatores. A discharge electrode is suspended form the beam at the center of the smokestack. The discharge electrode has many needle-like discharge pins almost in its lower half part. The negative pole of a DC high-voltage power supply is connected with the discharge electrode, while the positive pole is grounded and connected with the metallic sheeting constituting the smokestack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2000
    Assignee: Galaxy Yugen Kaisha
    Inventors: Makoto Matsubara, Wataru Watanabe
  • Patent number: 6056809
    Abstract: An air filter for use in residential and commercial heating and air conditioning systems including a laminated unit (100) having a filter media (102) where either side of the filter media (102) has a porous layer (104, 106) of passive electrostatic netting. The air filter has a corrugation configuration (142, 144) to increase the available surface area when compared to conventional flat filters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2000
    Assignee: Rick L. Chapman
    Inventor: Rick L. Chapman
  • Patent number: 6042637
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2000
    Inventor: Stanley Weinberg
  • Patent number: 6036738
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2000
    Assignee: Shanbrom Technologies LLC
    Inventor: Edward Shanbrom
  • Patent number: 6003434
    Abstract: A method for affecting liquid droplets in a gas stream includes the steps of flowing a gas stream containing liquid droplets through a housing and positioning at least one surface in the housing, wherein the surface generates an electrical charge at high temperatures. The corresponding apparatus is characterized by a at least one surface generating an electrical charge at high temperatures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 21, 1999
    Inventor: Malte E.C. Forster
  • Patent number: 5993738
    Abstract: A method for disinfecting an airstream containing microorganisms by electrostatic precipitation by passing the airstream through the space between at least one grounded collection plate having at least one electrode spaced apart therefrom connected to a source of electrical potential, wherein the improvement comprises contacting the airstream with a photocatalyst having a predetermined band gap energy coated on the surface of each grounded collection plate and illuminated with photons having a wavelength corresponding to the band gap energy of the photocatalyst, so that at least a portion of the microorganisms that collect on the grounded collection plate are destroyed by photocatalytic oxidation. Devices embodying disinfecting methods are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 30, 1999
    Assignee: Universal Air Technology
    Inventor: D. Yogi Goswani
  • Patent number: 5993521
    Abstract: A two-stage electrostatic filter includes an ionization section which is arranged in an upstream part of a throughflow passage (28) and includes a wire-like corona electrode (31) which is disposed in an ionization chamber (29) and connected to one pole of an electric high voltage source (16). The filter further includes a target electrode (21;37) which is spaced from the corona electrode (31) and connected to another pole of the high voltage source. A capacitator separator (30) is located in a downstream part of the throughflow passage (28) and includes a first and second group of electrode elements (32,33) which are placed side-by-side in spaced-apart relationship. The electrode elements (32) of the first group are placed alternately with the electrode elements (33) of the second group and are adapted to lie on a potential which is different from the potential on which the electrode elements (33) of the second group lie.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 30, 1999
    Assignee: TL-Vent AB
    Inventors: Andrzej Loreth, Vilmos Torok
  • Patent number: 5980614
    Abstract: An air cleaning apparatus, especially for cleaning of room air, includes an ionizing device (14) having a unipolar ion source formed by a corona discharge electrode, an electrostatic precipitator (12) connected to a high-voltage source (15) and having a flow-through passageway (18) for air to be cleaned and two groups of electrode elements (16, 17) disposed in the flow-through passageway, the electrode elements (16) of one group being interleaved with and spaced from the electrode elements (17) of the other group and arranged to be at a potential different from that of the said other group. The corona discharge electrode (21) is arranged such that the ions generated at the electrode can diffuse essentially freely away from the electrode and thereby diffuse substantially freely throughout the room in which the ionizing device (14) is positioned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 9, 1999
    Assignee: TL-Vent AB
    Inventors: Andrzej Loreth, Vilmos Torok
  • Patent number: 5964926
    Abstract: Disclosed is an improved filter formed from a non-dielectric material which has been coated with a dielectric material and electret treated by, for example, DC corona discharge treatment. Also disclosed is a method for the formation of the filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 12, 1999
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventor: Bernard Cohen
  • Patent number: 5938823
    Abstract: Air cleansing apparatus includes an electrostatic precipitator in which the collector plates are made of, for instance, reticulated chemical vapor deposited silicon carbide, or reticulated silicon carbide ceramic coated with titanium nitride, zirconium diboride, or chemical vapor deposited silicon carbide. Microorganisms entrained on the collector plates are thermally degraded or vaporized by microwave radiation directed against the plates during a sterilization period which follows a collection period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 17, 1999
    Assignee: Carrier Corporation
    Inventors: David A. Condit, Timothy N. Obee, Willard H. Sutton, Richard R. Grzybowski, Christopher M. Pater, Antonio Rinaldi, Sunita Satyapal, Wayde R. Schmidt, Charles R. Winston, Michael Winter
  • Patent number: 5935303
    Abstract: An electrostatic filter includes a fibrous component including a mixture of wool and synthetic fibers and a resinous component including a perfluoroalkyl acrylate copolymer resin and a p-tert-butylphenol formaldehyde resin, which resinous component is adhering to the fibrous component, both of the fibrous substrate component and the resinous component being in electrostatically charged conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 10, 1999
    Assignee: Koken Ltd.
    Inventor: Kazushi Kimura
  • Patent number: 5902380
    Abstract: A dust collector efficiently collects dust, especially fine dust (submicron particles). The dust collector, which removes dust and/or mist contained in a gas, includes a charger for charging the dust and/or mist contained in a gas, a sprayer for spraying the charged dust or charged mist or spraying a dielectric material to the charged dust or mist, an electric field former for forming an electric field for subjecting the dielectric material to dielectric polarization, and a collector for collecting the dielectric material which has arrested the charged dust and/or the charged mist.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 11, 1999
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazutaka Tomimatsu, Yasutoshi Ueda
  • Patent number: 5888274
    Abstract: A method is provided for specifying and altering the electrical properties of fibers and fabrics. This allows the prescription of filter media prepared from these constituents for consistently optimum or near optimum performance in the collection of particulate matter. The method may include the steps of determining the triboelectric properties of fabrics having other desirable filter media characteristics, modifying the triboelectric properties of these fabrics as needed to preferentially selected properties and utilizing, selectively, modified fabrics as the filter medium for optimally attracting gas entrained electrically charged particles to the surface of the filter. The modification of the triboelectric properties may be realized chemically or by dyeing the fibers and fabric.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 30, 1999
    Assignee: Edward R. Frederick
    Inventor: Edward R. Frederick
  • Patent number: 5888276
    Abstract: An apparatus for reducing electrostatic charge of particles in a waste container. In one embodiment the waste container is coated with a liquid having a viscosity sufficient to prevent tribocharging between the waste container and the waster toner particles, and to collect toner particles deposited from the cyclone separator into the waste container. Another embodiment describes the use of a flange extending into the waste container to prevent tribocharging that can cause explosions in the waste toner bottle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 30, 1999
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Michael J. Price, Andrew T. McKenna, Bruce J. Parks, Robert E. Rosdahl, Jr., Douglas A. Lundy
  • Patent number: 5882383
    Abstract: Apparatus for drying flowing gas includes a generally cylindrical vessel having a gas inlet and a gas outlet, two perforated plates of different metals in contact with each other transverse the interior of the vessel, and a third perforated plate downstream from the two mutually contacting plates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 16, 1999
    Inventor: Alan W. Dingfelder
  • Patent number: 5837035
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and an apparatus for electrostatically precipitating suspended matter from a gas flow, wherein a precipitation electrode which is flown through by the gas flow is provided in the form of a perforated plate behind an ionization source in the direction of flow. The perforated plate has openings which are tapered on their edges in the manner of cutting edges towards the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 17, 1998
    Assignee: Maxs AG
    Inventors: Werner Braun, Joseph Gebhart, Jerry Rzeznik, Gerhard Scheuch, Knut Sommerer
  • Patent number: 5814135
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 29, 1998
    Inventor: Stanley Weinberg
  • Patent number: 5792242
    Abstract: There is provided a nonwoven electret fiber filter formed with a nonwoven web of electret fibers needle-punched to an open scrim support. The scrim support material has individual discrete open areas with an average cross-sectional area as viewed from the plane of the filter media of at least 0.25 mm.sup.2, preferably 1.0 mm.sup.2, and a pressure drop across the scrim support, without the filter web, of less than 1.5 mm H.sub.2 O measured at 98.4 meters/min gaseous face velocity. The resulting filter has enhanced lifetimes, a low pressure drop and high filtration efficiencies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 11, 1998
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Co.
    Inventor: Thomas E. Haskett
  • Patent number: 5766318
    Abstract: In an electrostatic precipitator for an electrostatic filter at least one group (11 and/or 12) of electrode or plate elements of like polarity are made of or coated with a semiconducting or dissipative material, and the electrode elements of at least one group (12) include, or are associated with, a screen (16) of an insulating material at the edge thereof which is directed against the stream (A) of air through the precipitator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 16, 1998
    Assignee: TL-Vent Aktiebolag
    Inventors: Andrzej Loreth, Vilmos Torok
  • Patent number: 5753013
    Abstract: Apparatus for drying flowing gas includes a generally cylindrical vessel having a gas inlet and a gas outlet, two perforated plates of different metals in contact with each other transverse the interior of the vessel, and a third perforated plate downstream from the two mutually contacting plates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 19, 1998
    Inventor: Alan W. Dingfelder
  • Patent number: 5741352
    Abstract: An attractive portable air cleaner effectively purifies air in a room or office for added comfort and a healthier environment. Instead of using expensive custom-made filters, the air cleaner uses regular toilet paper or paper towels for customer convenience and lower customer costs. A quiet blower system circulates air through the air cleaner. Ion emitters are positioned near the intake and collector plates support and charge the paper media.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 21, 1998
    Assignee: Jing Mei Industrial Holdings, Ltd.
    Inventors: Joseph E. Ford, Donald N. Jursich, Raymond Chan
  • Patent number: 5667562
    Abstract: There is provided a vacuum cleaner filter medium which is a nonwoven spunbond web of conjugate spunbond fibers. The web has a Frazier permeability of at least 250 CFM, an NaCI efficiency of at least 65 percent, a Gurley Stiffness of at least 20 mg, and a pressure drop of 0.5 or less mm H.sub.2 O. The conjugate fibers are made from polymers, more particularly polyolefins, still more particularly polypropylene and polyethylene in a side-by-side configuration. The filter medium is treated by a hot-air knife and through-air bonded during the production process. The medium is also electret treated. The medium has sufficient stiffness to be converted into a filter by conventional techniques. While this invention is directed mainly to air purification and filtration, other gasses may be filtered as well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 16, 1997
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventor: David Grant Midkiff