# US 10,319,569 B2 · Self cleaning ion generator device

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- Number: US 10,319,569 B2
- Document ID: US10319569B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 15/297,638
- Filed: 2016-10-19
- Published: 2017-02-09
- Granted: 2019-06-11
- Earliest claimed: 2014-12-19
- Assignees: Global Plasma Solutions, Inc.
- Applicants: Charles Houston Waddell
- Inventors: Charles Houston Waddell
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10319569B2

## CPC

- B08B 1/32: using rotary cleaning members
- A61L 9/22: Ionisation
- B01D 53/323: {by electrostatic effects or by high-voltage electric fields}
- B08B 1/50: involving cleaning of the cleaning members
- H01J 37/32541: {Shape}
- H01J 37/32568: {Relative arrangement or disposition of electrodes; moving means}
- H01J 37/32862: {In situ cleaning of vessels and/or internal parts}
- H01T 23/00: Apparatus for generating ions to be introduced into non-enclosed gases, e.g. into the atmosphere
- B01D 2257/708: Volatile organic compounds V.O.C.'s
- B01D 2257/91: Bacteria; Microorganisms
- B01D 2258/06: Polluted air
- B01D 2259/4508: for cleaning air in buildings
- B01D 2259/818: Employing electrical discharges or the generation of a plasma
- B08B: CLEANING IN GENERAL; PREVENTION OF FOULING IN GENERAL
- A61L: METHODS OR APPARATUS FOR STERILISING MATERIALS OR OBJECTS IN GENERAL; DISINFECTION, STERILISATION OR DEODORISATION OF AIR; CHEMICAL ASPECTS OF BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES; MATERIALS FOR BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES (preservation of bodies or disinfecting characterised by the agents employed A01N; preserving, e.g. sterilising, food or foodstuffs A23; preparations for medical, dental or toiletry purposes A61K)
- B01D: SEPARATION (separating solids from solids by wet methods B03B, B03D; by pneumatic jigs or tables B03B; by other dry methods B07; magnetic or electrostatic separation of solid materials from solid materials or fluids, separation by high-voltage electric fields B03C; centrifuges, vortex apparatus B04; presses per se for squeezing-out liquid from liquid-containing material B30B9/02; treatment of water C02F, e.g. softening by ion-exchange C02F1/42; {arrangements of air intake cleaners in gas turbine plants F02C7/05} ; arrangements or mounting of filters in air-conditioning, air-humidification or ventilation F24F13/28)
- H01J: ELECTRIC DISCHARGE TUBES OR DISCHARGE LAMPS (spark-gaps H01T; electric arc lamps H05B31/00; particle accelerators H05H)
- H01T: SPARK GAPS; OVERVOLTAGE ARRESTERS USING SPARK GAPS; SPARKING PLUGS; CORONA DEVICES; GENERATING IONS TO BE INTRODUCED INTO NON-ENCLOSED GASES (overvoltage protection circuits H02H)

## Abstract

The present invention provides methods and systems for a self-cleaning ion generator that includes a self-cleaning ion generator device that includes a bottom portion, a top portion, and a sidewall, and at least one electrode extending from the top portion, and a cleaning apparatus for cleaning the at least one electrode.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A self-cleaning ion generator device, comprising:
a base that extends to an outer edge having a keyhole shape, the base has an upper portion and a bottom portion, the upper portion has an arcuate shape and the bottom portion is square shaped, a sidewall that extends from the outer edge of the base to an upper edge forming a storage compartment within the base and sidewall; and a top portion engaged to the upper edge of the sidewall enclosing the storage compartment;
two electrodes extending from the top portion; and
a cleaning apparatus for cleaning the electrodes.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The self-cleaning ion generator device of claim 1, wherein the cleaning apparatus is powered by a motor for rotation during periodic intervals.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The self-cleaning ion generator device of claim 1, wherein the electrodes are selectively secured to an ion generator disposed within the storage compartment.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The self-cleaning ion generator device of claim 1, further comprising a collar extending from the device for mounting the device.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The self-cleaning ion generator device of claim 1, further comprising at least one cleaning head disposed on the cleaning apparatus for cleaning the electrodes.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The self-cleaning ion generator device of claim 1, wherein the electrodes consists of a brush with a plurality of bristles extending therefrom.

### Claim 7

A self-cleaning ion generator device, comprising:
a base that extends to an outer edge having a keyhole shape, the base has an upper portion and a bottom portion, the upper portion has an arcuate shape and the bottom portion is square shaped, a sidewall extends from the outer edge of the base to an upper edge forming a storage compartment within the base and sidewall, and a top portion having a top side and engaged to the upper edge of the sidewall enclosing the storage compartment; two electrodes extending from the housing;
a cleaning apparatus for cleaning the electrodes;
the base contains two circular bores for receiving two circular magnets, wherein the magnets are flush with the bottom side of the base; and
a foam covering the top side of the top portion.

### Claim 8 (depends on 7)

A self-cleaning ion generator device according to claim 7, further comprising an ion generator housed within the storage compartment for receiving the electrodes.

### Claim 9 (depends on 7)

A self-cleaning ion generator device according to claim 7, further comprising a motor housed within the housing and rotationally engaged to the cleaning apparatus for activating the cleaning apparatus at a predetermined interval.

### Claim 10 (depends on 7)

A self-cleaning ion generator device according to claim 7, further comprising a display for providing a visual indication indicating the device is operating.

### Claim 11 (depends on 7)

A self-cleaning ion generator device according to claim 7, further comprising two bottom retention flanges extending outward from the outer edge of the base and two upper retention flanges that extend outwardly from the sidewall, wherein the upper retention flanges and lower retention flanges are offset from each other.

### Claim 12

A method of producing ions, comprising:
providing a base that extends to an outer edge having a keyhole shape, the base has an upper portion and a bottom portion, the upper portion has an arcuate shape and the bottom portion is square shaped, a sidewall extends from the outer edge of the base to an upper edge forming a storage compartment within the base and sidewall, and a top portion having a top side engaged to the upper edge of the sidewall enclosing the storage compartment, two electrodes extend from the top portion, a cleaning apparatus for cleaning the electrodes, the base contains two circular bores for receiving two circular magnets, wherein the magnets are flush with the bottom side of the base, and a foam covering the top side of the top portion; and positioning the top portion within a conduit such that the two electrodes are aligned generally perpendicular to the direction of airflow within the conduit.

### Claim 13 (depends on 12)

The method of producing ions according to claim 12, further comprising providing a collar for mounting the ion generator.

### Claim 14 (depends on 12)

The method of producing ions according to claim 12, further comprising mounting the ion generator after a prefilter and before a cooling coil in the conduit.

### Claim 15 (depends on 12)

A method of producing ions according to claim 12, further comprising an integral motor and cleaning head for self cleaning.

### Claim 16 (depends on 12)

The method of producing ions according to claim 12, wherein the self-cleaning device is integral to the ion device structure or designed for post installation to an ion device with the electrodes providing the self-cleaning.