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US 2003/0147783 A1Published application
Apparatuses for conditioning air with means to extend exposure time to anti-microorganism lamp
OwnerCharles E. Taylorinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An electronic device generates an output airflow that may be subjected to UV radiation from a germicidal lamp within the device. The airflow preferably is created electro-kinetically by coupling a high voltage across an electrode system that includes emitter and collector electrodes. The airflow is also accompanied by generation of ions and/or ozone. Means, such as one or more vanes, are provided to increase the amount of time that the airflow is subjected to UV radiation.
Claims32
An apparatus for conditioning air, comprising:
- a housing defining an input port and an output port, and an air channel therebetween;
- an electro-kinetic system, disposed in the housing, to create an airflow moving from the input port to the output port, through the air channel, without the use of moving parts;
- a germicidal ultraviolet lamp that emits ultraviolet (UV) radiation upon being energized, the germicidal lamp disposed in the housing such that UV radiation emitted from the lamp radiates at least a portion of the air channel;
- and
- at least one vane disposed within the air channel and positioned so as to intentionally retard velocity of the airflow, to thereby increase an effective dwell time that UV radiation emitted from the lamp can act upon the airflow.
2 more elements
An apparatus for conditioning air, comprising:
- a housing defining an input port and an output port, and an air channel therebetween;
- an electro-kinetic system, disposed in the housing, to create an airflow moving from the input port to the output port through the air channel, the electro-kinetic system including:
- a first electrode array;
- a second electrode array downstream from the first electrode array;
- and
- a high voltage generator adapted to provide a potential difference between the first electrode array and the second electrode array;
- the second electrode array including an elongated hollow electrode;
- the first electrode array including a pin-like electrode that is generally co-axial with the elongated hollow electrode of the second electrode array;
- and
- a germicidal ultraviolet lamp that emits ultraviolet (UV) radiation upon being energized, the germicidal lamp disposed in the housing such that UV radiation emitted from the lamp radiates at least a portion of the air channel.
7 more elements
An apparatus for conditioning air, comprising:
- a housing defining an input port and an output port, and an air channel therebetween;
- an electro-kinetic system, disposed in the housing, to create an airflow moving from the input port to the output port, through the air channel;
- a germicidal ultraviolet lamp that emits ultraviolet (UV) radiation upon being energized, the germicidal lamp disposed in the housing such that UV radiation emitted from the lamp radiates at least a portion of the air channel;
- first and second vanes disposed within the air channel and positioned so as to intentionally retard velocity of the airflow, to thereby increase an effective dwell time that UV radiation emitted from the lamp can act upon the airflow, the second vane being located downstream from the first vane.
1 more element
An apparatus for conditioning air, comprising:
- a housing defining an input port and an output port, and an elongated air channel therebetween, the elongated air channel having a greater length than width;
- an electro-kinetic system, disposed in the housing, to create an airflow moving from the input port to the output port, through the air channel;
- a germicidal ultraviolet lamp that emits ultraviolet (UV) radiation upon being energized, the germicidal lamp disposed in the housing such that UV radiation emitted from the lamp radiates at least a portion of the air channel;
- and
- first and second vanes disposed within the air channel and positioned so as to intentionally retard velocity of the airflow, to thereby increase an effective dwell time that UV radiation emitted from the lamp can act upon the airflow, the second vane being located downstream from the first vane.
2 more elements
An apparatus for conditioning air, comprising:
- a housing defining an input port and an output port, and an elongated air channel therebetween that has a greater length than width;
- an electro-kinetic system, disposed in the housing, to create an airflow moving from the input port to the output port, through the elongated air channel;
- a germicidal ultraviolet lamp that emits ultraviolet (UV) radiation upon being energized, the germicidal lamp disposed in the housing such that UV radiation emitted from the lamp radiates at least a portion of the elongated air channel;
- and
- the lamp comprises an elongated cylindrical shaped lamp positioned within the elongated air channel generally parallel to the length of the channel, the thereby increase an exposure time, of the airflow through the elongated channel, to UV radiation emitted from the lamp.
2 more elements
An apparatus for conditioning air, comprising:
- a housing defining an input port and an output port;
- an electro-kinetic system, disposed in the housing, to create an airflow moving from the input port to the output port, the electro-kinetic system including:
- a first electrode array;
- a second electrode array downstream from the first electrode array;
- and
- a high voltage generator adapted to provide a potential difference between the first electrode array and the second electrode array;
- the second electrode array including an elongated tubular collector electrode;
- the first electrode array including an emitter electrode upstream from the elongated collector electrode of the second electrode array;
- and
- a germicidal ultraviolet lamp that emits ultraviolet (UV) radiation upon being energized, the germicidal lamp disposed in the housing such that UV radiation emitted from the lamp radiates at least a portion of an interior of the elongated tubular collector electrode.
7 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.