# US 7,740,686 B2 · Modular ductwork decontamination assembly > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 7,740,686 B2 - Document ID: US7740686B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 12/017,671 - Filed: 2008-01-22 - Published: 2008-07-24 - Granted: 2010-06-22 - Earliest claimed: 2007-01-22 - Inventors: Karen Metteer - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US7740686B2 ## CPC - B01D 53/32: by electrical effects other than those provided for in group B01D61/00 - B01D 53/75: Multi-step processes - B01D 53/323: {by electrostatic effects or by high-voltage electric fields} - B01D 2251/104: Ozone - B01D 2257/708: Volatile organic compounds V.O.C.'s - B01D 2257/90: Odorous compounds not provided for in groups B01D2257/00 - B01D2257/708 - B01D 2257/91: Bacteria; Microorganisms - B01D 2259/804: UV light - 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) ## Abstract A modular ductwork assembly decontaminates an air stream circulating within an heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system. The assembly includes (a) an ionizing module for removing particulates from the air stream, (b) a sterilization module for neutralizing airborne pathogens present in the air stream, (c) an ozone treatment module for neutralizing odoriferous constituents or volatile organic compounds (VOCs) present in the air stream, optionally (d) baffles for slowing and disrupting the flow rate and promoting turbulence in the air stream traveling through the modules and optionally (e) a fan module for directing a treated air stream. Each of the modules is arranged substantially adjacent to at least one of the other modules. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A modular ductwork assembly for decontaminating an air stream circulating within an HVAC system, the assembly comprising: (a) at least one ionizing module for removing particulates from said air stream; (b) at least one sterilization module for neutralizing airborne pathogens present in said air stream; and (c) at least one ozone treatment module for neutralizing odoriferous constituents present in said air stream, wherein each of said modules is arranged substantially adjacent to at least one of the other modules. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The ductwork decontamination assembly of claim 1, further comprising: (d) a plurality of baffles for disrupting the air stream traveling through the modules. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The ductwork decontamination assembly of claim 1, further comprising a fan module for directing said air stream through said modules. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The ductwork decontamination assembly of claim 1, wherein at least one of said modules comprises a latchable door for accessing said module interior. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The ductwork decontamination assembly of claim 1, wherein said ionizing module comprises at least one ionizer. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The ductwork decontamination assembly of claim 1, wherein said sterilization module comprises at least one lamp capable of directing ultraviolet radiation toward said air stream. ### Claim 7 (depends on 5) The ductwork decontamination assembly of claim 5, wherein said at least one lamp is capable of directing at least one of ultraviolet radiation, ultraviolet-C, ultraviolet-X, or other safe form of sterilizing light toward said air stream. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The ductwork decontamination assembly of claim 1, wherein said ozone treatment module comprises at least one ozone generator. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The ductwork decontamination assembly of claim 8, wherein said at least one ozone generator comprises a plurality of ozone generators. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The ductwork decontamination assembly of claim 1, wherein the ionizing module is separated from the sterilization module and the ozone treatment module. ### Claim 11 A method for decontaminating an air stream circulating within an HVAC system, the method comprising: (a) interposing at least one ionizing module in said air stream for removing particulates therefrom; (b) interposing at least one sterilization module in said air stream for neutralizing airborne pathogens present therein; and (c) interposing at least one ozone treatment module in said air stream for neutralizing odoriferous constituents or volatile organic compounds present therein, wherein each of said modules is arranged substantially adjacent to at least one of the other modules. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The method for decontaminating an air stream circulating within an HVAC system of claim 11, further comprising: (d) disrupting the air stream through the modules using a plurality of baffles. ### Claim 13 (depends on 11) The method for decontaminating an air stream circulating within an HVAC system of claim 11, further comprising directing said air stream through said modules using a fan module. ### Claim 14 (depends on 11) The method for decontaminating an air stream circulating within an HVAC system of claim 11, wherein said ionizing module comprises at least one ionizer. ### Claim 15 (depends on 11) The method for decontaminating an air stream circulating within an HVAC system of claim 11, wherein said sterilization module comprises at least one lamp capable of directing ultraviolet radiation toward said air stream. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The method for decontaminating an air stream circulating within an HVAC system of claim 15, wherein said at least one lamp is capable of directing at least one of ultraviolet radiation, ultraviolet-C, ultraviolet-X, or other safe form of sterilizing light toward said air stream. ### Claim 17 (depends on 11) The method for decontaminating an air stream circulating within an HVAC system of claim 11, wherein said ozone treatment module comprises at least one ozone generator. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The method for decontaminating an air stream circulating within an HVAC system of claim 17, wherein said at least one ozone generator comprises a plurality of ozone generators. ### Claim 19 (depends on 11) The method for decontaminating an air stream circulating within an HVAC system of claim 11, wherein the ionizing module is separated from the sterilization module and the ozone treatment module. ### Claim 20 A method of customizing a ductwork assembly for decontaminating an air stream circulating within an HVAC system, the method comprising: (a) assessing a problem from the group comprising pathogen problems, odor problems, and particulate problems; (b) interposing at least one ionizing module in said air stream where a particulate problem is assessed; (c) interposing at least one sterilization module in said air stream where a pathogen problem is assessed; and (d) interposing at least one ozone treatment module in said air stream where an odor problem is assessed, wherein each of said modules is arranged substantially adjacent to at least one of the other modules.