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US 6,544,485 B1Granted
Electro-kinetic device with enhanced anti-microorganism capability
AssigneeSharper Image Corporation
InventorCharles E. Taylor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An electronic device generates an output airflow that is subjected to UV radiation from a germicidal lamp within the device. The airflow preferably is created electro-kinetically by coupling high voltage pulses across an electrode system that includes small radius first array electrodes and larger radius second array electrodes. The airflow is also accompanied by generation of ions and/or ozone. If desired, airflow may be created with a fan instead of, or to augment, electro-kinetic generation. The device optionally includes a moisture-containing material whose proximity to the airflow can augment humidity in the airflow.
Claims37
An air transporter-conditioner comprising:
- a housing defining at least one input port and one output port, and an air channel therebetween;
- a germicidal ultraviolet lamp, disposed in said housing, to emit radiation upon being energized;
- wherein said housing is configured to preclude human viewing of radiation emitted directly from said lamp when said lamp is energized;
- an electro-kinetic system, disposed in said housing, to create an airflow moving from said input port downstream to said output port, and to subject at least a portion of said airflow to at least a portion of radiation emitted by said lamp;
- said electro-kinetic system including a first electrode array having at least one electrically conductive electrode with a distal effective radius R1, and spaced-apart therefrom in a downstream direction therefrom a second electrode array having at least one electrically conductive electrode with a distal effective radius R2, where R2≧10R1, and further including a high voltage system configured to output pulses of duty cycle from about 10% to about 100% and being at least 5 KV magnitude peak-to-peak, said high voltage system coupled between said first electrode array and said second electrode array;
- wherein relative to air entering said input port, air exiting said output port of said air-transporter conditioner has at least one of (a) reduced levels of microorganisms, (b) reduced amount of particulate matter, (c) ions, and (d) ozone.
3 more elements
An air transporter-conditioner, comprising;
- a housing having an inlet and an outlet;
- an ion generator configured to create an airflow between the inlet and the outlet, the generator having a first group of electrodes, a second group of electrodes, and a high voltage generator coupled between the first and second group of electrodes;
- and
- a germicidal lamp configured to expose the airflow to germicidal light to reduce microorganisms within the airflow, the lamp disposed within the housing so that the lamp is not viewable by an individual.
1 more element
An air transporter-conditioner, comprising
- a housing having an inlet and an outlet;
- means for creating an airflow between the inlet and the outlet, and further for generating ionized air and ozone;
- means for reducing microorganisms in the airflow;
- and
- means for placing into the airflow at least one of the following characteristics selected from the group consisting of (i) humidity, (ii) scent, and (iii) medicinal content.
2 more elements
An air transporter-conditioner, comprising;
- a housing having an inlet and an outlet;
- an ion generator configured to create an airflow between the inlet and the outlet;
- and
- a germicidal lamp upstream of said ion generator configured to expose the airflow to germicidal light to reduce microorganisms within the airflow.
1 more element
An air transporter-conditioner, comprising;
- a housing having an inlet and an outlet;
- an ion generator configured to create an airflow between the inlet and the outlet;
- and
- a germicidal lamp configured to expose the airflow to germicidal light to reduce microorganisms within the airflow, the lamp disposed within the housing so that the lamp is not viewable by an individual.
1 more element
An air transporter-conditioner, comprising;
- a housing having an inlet and an outlet;
- an ion generator configured to create an airflow between the inlet and the outlet;
- and
- a germicidal device upstream of said ion generator configured to reduce microorganisms within the airflow.
1 more element
An air transporter-conditioner, comprising;
- a housing having an inlet and an outlet;
- an ion generator configured to create an airflow between the inlet and the outlet;
- and
- a germicidal device configured to reduce microorganisms within the airflow, the device disposed within the housing so that the device is not directed at said ion generator.
1 more element
An air transporter-conditioner, comprising
- a housing having an inlet and an outlet;
- means for creating an airflow between the inlet and the outlet, and further for generating ionized air;
- and
- means for reducing microorganisms in the airflow located upstream of said airflow creating means.
1 more element
An air transporter-conditioner, comprising
- a housing having an inlet and an outlet;
- means for creating an airflow between the inlet and the outlet, and further for generating ionized air;
- and
- means for reducing microorganisms in the airflow, which microorganism reducing means is dispensed within said housing;
- wherein said housing is configured to preclude human viewing of said means for reducing microorganisms.
2 more elements
An air transporter-conditioner, comprising
- a housing having an inlet and an outlet;
- means for creating an airflow between the inlet and the outlet, and further for generating ionized air and ozone;
- and
- means for reducing microorganisms in the airflow, which reducing means is not directed at said creating means.
1 more element
An air transporter-conditioner comprising:
- a housing defining at least one input port and one output port, and an air channel therebetween;
- a germicidal ultraviolet lamp, disposed in said housing, to emit radiation upon being energized;
- wherein said housing is configured to preclude human viewing said lamp when said lamp is energized;
- an electro-kinetic system, disposed in said housing, to create an airflow moving from said input port downstream to said output port, and to subject at least a portion of said airflow to at least a portion of radiation emitted by said lamp;
- said electro-kinetic system including a first electrode array having at least one electrically conductive electrode with a distal effective radius RI, and spaced-apart therefrom in a downstream direction therefrom a second electrode array having at least one electrically conductive electrode with a distal effective radius R2, where R2≧10R1, and further including a high voltage system configured to output pulses of duty cycle from about 10% to about 100% and being at least 5 KV magnitude peak-to-peak, said high voltage system coupled between said first electrode array and said second electrode array;
- wherein relative to air entering said input port, air exiting said output port of said air-transporter conditioner has at least one of (a) reduced levels of microorganisms, (b) reduced amount of particulate matter, (c) ions, and (d) ozone.
3 more elements
An air transporter-conditioner comprising:
- a housing defining at least one input port and one output port, and an air channel therebetween;
- a germicidal ultraviolet lamp, disposed in said housing, to emit radiation upon being energized;
- wherein said housing is configured to preclude human viewing said lamp;
- an electro-kinetic system, disposed in said housing, to create an airflow moving from said input port downstream to said output port, and to subject at least a portion of said airflow to at least a portion of radiation emitted by said lamp;
- said electro-kinetic system including a first electrode array having at least one electrically conductive electrode with a distal effective radius R1, and spaced-apart therefrom in a downstream direction therefrom a second electrode array having at least one electrically conductive electrode with a distal effective radius R2, where R2≧10R1, and further including a high voltage system configured to output pulses of duty cycle from about 10% to about 100% and being at least 5 KV magnitude peak-to-peak, said high voltage system coupled between said first electrode array and said second electrode array;
- wherein relative to air entering said input port, air exiting said output port of said air-transporter conditioner has at least one of (a) reduced levels of microorganisms, (b) reduced amount of particulate matter, (c) ions, and (d) ozone.
3 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.