Air purification apparatus and method

• US 20070125230A1
• Filed: 12/01/2005
• Published: 06/07/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 12/01/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: George P. Powell Jr
• Original Assignee: George P. Powell Jr
• Inventors: Powell, George, Keeter, William
• Granted Patent: US 7,722,708 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 95/210
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2257/90 Odorous compounds not provided for in groups B01D2257/00 - B01D2257/708
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 47/022 by using a liquid curtain B01D47/06 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 17/08 Fountains drinking fountains E03B9/20; wash fountains E03C1/16
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 1/32 with ultraviolet light
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 1/78 with ozone C02F1/4672 takes precedence

Abstract

An indoor air purification apparatus and method includes a watertight chamber including a top portion having a water inlet, a first air portal, a second air portal, a bottom portion, and a plurality of shelves mounted between the top portion and the bottom portion. Water continuously flows from the water inlet at the top of the chamber, typically falling over the shelves to a reservoir. Typically, a water pump returns the water to the water inlet at the top portion of the chamber through at least one conduit leading from the reservoir. An air pump typically drives the room air through the chamber from one air portal to the other and back into the room. The room air is purified as it mixes with the water cascading over the shelves.

Claims

1. An air purification apparatus comprising:

a. a watertight chamber comprising a top portion having a water inlet, a bottom portion, a first air portal, a second air portal, and a plurality of shelves mounted between the top portion and the bottom portion;

b. a means for supplying water to the water inlet; and

c. a means for driving room air through the chamber from one air portal to the other,

whereby water supplied to the water inlet falls from the top portion of the chamber and cascades over the plurality of shelves to the bottom portion of the chamber, the cascading water mixing with and purifying the room air as it is driven through the chamber.

2. The air purification apparatus of claim 1, wherein the means for driving room air through the chamber is adapted to drive room air from the first air portal to the second air portal.

3. The air purification apparatus of claim 1, wherein the means for driving room air through the chamber is adapted to drive room air from the second air portal to the first air portal.

4. The air purification apparatus of claim 1, wherein the means for driving room air through the chamber is an air pump in fluid communication with room air outside the chamber.

5. The air purification apparatus of claim 1, further including a germicidal light source positioned for directing radiant energy toward the air and water within the chamber.

6. The air purification apparatus of claim 5, wherein the germicidal light source emits ultraviolet light of a wavelength capable of producing ozone.

7. The air purification apparatus of claim 1, further including an ozone source positioned for directing ozone toward the air and water within the chamber.

8. The air purification apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a reservoir in fluid communication with the bottom portion for holding a quantity of water therein, at least one conduit, and a water pump in fluid communication with the reservoir and the at least one conduit for driving water from the bottom portion to the water inlet.

9. The air purification apparatus of claim 8, wherein the reservoir, the at least one conduit and the water pump are contained within the watertight chamber.

10. The air purification apparatus of claim 8, wherein the water pump is a submersible pump and is positioned within the reservoir for contacting the water.

11. The air purification apparatus of claim 8, further including an irradiation compartment having a housing and a germicidal light source positioned for directing radiant energy toward the air and water within the chamber.

12. The air purification apparatus of claim 11, wherein the irradiation compartment is located within the reservoir.

13. The air purification apparatus of claim 11, wherein the irradiation compartment is located outside of the reservoir.

14. The air purification apparatus of claim 11, wherein a portion of the at least one conduit extends through the housing of the irradiation compartment, the portion of the at least one conduit extending through the housing of the irradiation compartment constructed of either an ultraviolet transparent or ultraviolet translucent material, such that ultraviolet light is transmitted to the water through that portion of the conduit.

15. The air purification apparatus of claim 11, wherein the water pump is positioned downstream of the irradiation compartment.

16. The air purification apparatus of claim 1, wherein the means for supplying water to the water inlet comprises a water faucet and the bottom portion of the chamber comprises a drain for emptying the water from the watertight chamber after the water has cascaded over the shelves.

17. An air purification apparatus comprising:

a. a watertight chamber comprising a top portion having a water inlet, a bottom portion, a first air portal, and a second air portal;

b. a plurality of shelves mounted within the chamber between the top portion and the bottom portion;

c. a reservoir in fluid communication with the bottom portion for holding a quantity of water therein;

d. at least one conduit having a first end positioned for receiving water from the reservoir and a second end positioned for supplying water to the water inlet;

e. a water pump in fluid communication with the reservoir and the at least one conduit for driving water from the bottom portion to the water inlet; and

f. an air pump in fluid communication with room air outside the chamber for driving room air through the chamber from one air portal to the other,

whereby water supplied to the water inlet falls from the top portion of the chamber and cascades over the plurality of shelves to the reservoir, mixing with and purifying the room air driven through the chamber.

18. A method of air purification, comprising:

a. providing a watertight chamber for mixing water and room air, the chamber comprising a top portion having a water inlet, a bottom portion, a first air portal, a second air portal, and a plurality of shelves mounted between the top portion and the bottom portion;

b. supplying water to the water inlet, causing the water to cascade over the shelves as it falls to the bottom portion; and

c. driving room air through the chamber from one air portal to the other to mix the cascading water with the room air driven through the chamber, whereby the room air driven through the chamber is purified.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the step of supplying water to the water inlet comprises driving the water to the water inlet through at least one conduit leading from a reservoir for holding a quantity of water therein located at the bottom portion of the watertight chamber, the watertight chamber further comprising the reservoir, the at least one conduit, and a water pump in fluid communication with the reservoir and the at least one conduit for driving water to the water inlet.

20. The method of claim 18, wherein the watertight chamber further includes an air pump in fluid communication with room air outside the chamber for driving room air through the chamber from one air portal to the other.