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US 6,685,891 B2Granted
Apparatus and method for purifying air
AssigneeChelsea Group Ltd.
InventorsGeorge Benda, John E. Groetsema
Life of this patent
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AssigneeChelsea Group Ltd.
InventorsGeorge Benda, John E. Groetsema
Estimating the term…
An apparatus and method of purifying air where a photocatalyst is exposed to ambient air to purify it from bacteria, hydrocarbons, and volatile organic compounds. The apparatus can contain a vertical reactor containing the photocatalyst either on sheets, in a web-like structure, or in a fibrous mass, or any other way of holding it. The photocatalyst can be excited with an ultraviolet light source. Air rises through the reactor by natural convection caused by heat from a transformer and/or from the ultraviolet light.
A device for purifying air comprising:
A device for purifying air in a room comprising, in combination:
A compact device that plugs directly into a room wall power outlet for purifying air in a room, this device comprising an internal passageway running from bottom to top of the device such that air can be drawn into the bottom of the device and expelled from the top of the device, the air passing by a photocatalyst in the passageway and being purified, the photo-catalyst being activated by an ultraviolet light source also located in the passageway, the ultraviolet light source being powered by a transformer sized to produce excess heat, this excess heat causing air to rise and pass through the passageway.
A device for purifying air consisting essentially of:
A device for purifying air comprising:
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.
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From the US filing history. Foreign family members aren’t listed.
Disinfection, sterilisation or deodorisation of air
Ultraviolet radiation: using a photocatalyst or photosensitiser
Ventilation: in combination with air cleaning
For industrial applications: for fluid treatments
Term ended 17 Apr 2020 (estimated)
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to the field of air quality and more particularly to an apparatus and method for purifying air.
2. Description of Related Art
FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention. Electrical prongs are clearly seen.
FIG. 2 shows a cut-away diagram of the interior of a particular embodiment.
FIG. 3 shows an embodiment of the present invention as it is used to purify air in a room.
Turning to FIG. 1, a perspective view of one embodiment of the present invention is seen. The unit can be made small enough to plug directly into an electrical outlet. The unit can contain electrical power prongs 4 on its backside for this purpose. Of course, it could be equipped with a power cord for normal plug-in. I could also use a wall plug transformer with a low voltage cord to the unit, or it could use batteries. When the unit is directly plugged into a wall power outlet, the prongs themselves provide mechanical support for the unit.
The unit can be housed in a plastic shell 1 for lightness and appearance. The shell or enclosure can however be any material including, but not limited to, plastic, wood, metal, or any other rigid material. Several holes or slots 3 can be provided on the top of the unit for purified air to exit the invention. These can be holes, slots, a nozzle, or any other means for air to exit the enclosure 1. The unit is also provided with slots, a hole, or any other means for contaminated air to enter the enclosure at the bottom. This entrance port 5 cannot be seen in FIG. 1.
The power prongs 4 can be directly connected to a power module or power supply 2. While this module 2 is shown external to the enclosure 1 in FIG. 1, it should be noted that this power supply or module can be inside the enclosure 1 so that the back of the unit is flat.