Electrostatic vapor/aerosol generator with method and apparatus for conditioning building spaces
First Claim
1. Vaporizing emitter apparatus for generating electrostatically charged aerosols and vapors comprising:
- a capillary unit of elongated, tubular configuration having a vapor dispensing end, said capillary unit comprising an elongated tubular support and a vaporizing emitter sleeve disposed and supported on the tubular support in embracing relation thereto, said emitter sleeve being comprised of nonconductive fibers woven in an annular configuration to comprise a plurality of capillament bundles, with each bundle comprising a plurality of elongated fibers extending longitudinally of said elongated tubular support and terminating at their free ends in a bundle of freely extending fiber tips at the vapor dispensing end of said capillary unit from which vapor is emitted;
an electrical conductor having a contact terminal defining a single electrode unit for conducting high voltage direct current to said emitter sleeve disposed in close proximity to said emitter sleeve;
means for the controlled supply of liquid to said capillary unit, whereby liquid passes through said capillary unit in proximity to said electrode and is electrostatically charged and dispensed as vapor or aerosol from said fiber tips at the dispensing end of said capillary unit.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The controlled generation of vapors and/or aerosols from liquids is accomplished by applying a regulated, DC voltage to a wicklike, porous emitter or generator assembly which is supplied with the desired liquid to be vaporized. An electrostatic charge is applied to the liquid by means of an electrode positioned in contact with the wick assembly and connected to the DC power supply. The wick assembly includes a porous, capillary material, such as braided fibers, through which the liquid passes to exposed, vapor-emitting fiber tips.
The environment in a room, enclosed spaced of any kind, or a building may be aromatically conditioned and/or have its quality modified and enhanced by using a selected liquid conditioning substance such as an aromatic oil, deodorant, disinfectant, fumigant, fungicide, insecticide, or bactericide. Charged, conditioning vapors may be discharged into the circulating air of a building air conditioning system by mounting an emitter assembly within an air handling duct, directly in the moving air stream.
102 Citations
19 Claims
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1. Vaporizing emitter apparatus for generating electrostatically charged aerosols and vapors comprising:
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a capillary unit of elongated, tubular configuration having a vapor dispensing end, said capillary unit comprising an elongated tubular support and a vaporizing emitter sleeve disposed and supported on the tubular support in embracing relation thereto, said emitter sleeve being comprised of nonconductive fibers woven in an annular configuration to comprise a plurality of capillament bundles, with each bundle comprising a plurality of elongated fibers extending longitudinally of said elongated tubular support and terminating at their free ends in a bundle of freely extending fiber tips at the vapor dispensing end of said capillary unit from which vapor is emitted; an electrical conductor having a contact terminal defining a single electrode unit for conducting high voltage direct current to said emitter sleeve disposed in close proximity to said emitter sleeve; means for the controlled supply of liquid to said capillary unit, whereby liquid passes through said capillary unit in proximity to said electrode and is electrostatically charged and dispensed as vapor or aerosol from said fiber tips at the dispensing end of said capillary unit. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. Vaporizing emitter apparatus for generating electrostatically charged aerosols and vapors comprising:
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a capillary unit of elongated, tubular configuration having a vapor dispensing end, said capillary unit comprising an elongated tubular support and a vaporizing emitter sleeve disposed and supported on the tubular support in embracing relation thereto, said emitter sleeve being comprised of nonconductive fibers woven in an annular configuration as a ribbon to comprise a plurality of capillament bundles, with each bundle comprising a plurality of elongated fibers extending longitudinally of said elongated tubular support and terminating at their free ends in a bundle of freely extending fiber tips at the vapor dispensing end of said capillary unit from which vapor is emitted, said elongated fibers being woven in said ribbon and held in the capillament bundles by threads or fibers cross-woven through said ribbon and extending transversely to the longitudinal direction of extent of the elongated fibers; an electrical conductor having a contact terminal defining an electrode for conducting high voltage direct current to said emitter sleeve disposed in close proximity to the emitter sleeve; and means for the controlled supply of liquid to the capillary unit, whereby liquid passes through the capillary unit in proximity to the electrode and is electrostatically charged and dispensed as vapor or aerosol from the fiber tips at the dispensing end of the capillary unit. - View Dependent Claims (15)
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16. Vaporizing emitter apparatus for generating electrostatically charged aerosols and vapors comprising:
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a plurality of capillary units of tubular configuration positioned concentrically, one inside of the other, each of said capillary units having a dispensing end from which vapor is emitted, and comprising an elongated tubular support and a vaporizing emitter sleeve disposed and supported on the tubular support in embracing relation thereto, each of said emitter sleeves being comprised of nonconductive fibers woven in an annular configuration to comprise a plurality of capillament bundles, with each bundle comprising a plurality of elongated fibers extending longitudinally of said elongated tubular supports and terminating at their free ends in a bundle of freely extending fiber tips at the vapor dispensing end of each of said capillary units, from which vapor is emitted, with said tubular supports being concentrically disposed with respect to each other and of gradually increasing diameter, and with the vapor dispensing ends of the capillary units being disposed at the same end of the emitter apparatus adjacent to each other; an electrical conductor having a contact terminal defining an electrode for conducting high voltage direct current to the emitter apparatus and disposed in close proximity to the emitter sleeve of at least one of the plurality of capillary units; and means for supplying liquid to said capillary units, whereby liquid on the emitter sleeves of the adjacent capillary units is electrostatically charged with vapor being dispensed from the freely extending fiber tips at the vapor dispensing end of each of the capillary units. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19)
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Specification