Automated portable and submersible ozone generator

• US 20050284745A1
• Filed: 02/11/2005
• Published: 12/29/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 02/11/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Rod A. Smith
• Original Assignee: Rod A. Smith
• Inventors: Smith, Rod A.
• Granted Patent: US 7,687,040 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 204/176
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2/202 Ozone
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 9/12 Apparatus, e.g. holders, therefor
• CPC Class Codes: C01B 13/115 characterised by the electrical circuits producing the electrical discharge
• CPC Class Codes: C01B 2201/10 Dischargers used for production of ozone
• CPC Class Codes: C01B 2201/22 Constructional details of the electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: C01B 2201/62 Air
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 2207/20 Charging or discharging characterised by the power electronics converter
• CPC Class Codes: H02M 7/53838 using a single commutation path

Abstract

The present invention is directed to a portable ozone generator for use in small, confined, uninhabited spaces, such as refrigerators. The generator has a clam shell top and bottom. The bottom is of unitary construction and houses batteries. The top house electrical components, including circuitry for time generation of ozone.

Claims

1. A apparatus for use in a home refrigerator comprising:

a unitary bottom shell for housing batteries,

a top cover;

means for generating ozone disposed in the top cover; and

time-control circuitry also disposed in the top cover, the time-control circuitry automatically controlling the duration of periods of generation of ozone and intermittent standby periods.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the bottom shell and top cover are constructed of plastic and fit together in snap-fit configuration.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a high-voltage transformer, wherein the high-voltage transformer produces a voltage output from about 2,000 volts to about 3,000 volts.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the means for generating ozone comprises needles having sharp points at the ends and the arrangement of needles comprises at least two rows.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the means for generating ozone further comprises a steel mesh configured as a screen or net.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the device generates ozone for about 8 to about 12 minutes and has a standby cycle in which no ozone is generated for a period of time from about 210 to about 250 minutes during the automatic operation of the apparatus.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the device generates ozone for two minutes with fifty minutes standby period between ozone generation.

8. A method for deodorizing the inside of a home size refrigerator comprising the steps:

obtaining a unitary bottom shell for housing batteries,

obtaining a top cover;

obtaining means for generating ozone disposed in the top cover;

obtaining a time-control circuitry also disposed in the top cover, the time-control circuitry automatically controlling the duration of periods of generation of ozone and intermittent standby periods; and

automatically generating ozone for pre-selected cycle of time.

9. The method of claim 8 wherein the ozone generating cycle comprising:

generating ozone inside the refrigerator for a period of time from about 8 minutes to about 12 minutes and providing a standby cycle in which the generation of ozone is discontinued for a period of time from about 210 minutes to about 250 minutes, and automatically repeating the ozone generating and standby cycles.

10. The method of claim 8 wherein the ozone generating cycle comprising:

generating ozone inside the refrigerator for a period of time for about two minutes with fifty minute intervening standby periods.