Electro-kinetic device with enhanced anti-microorganism capability

• US 6,544,485 B1
• Filed: 01/29/2001
• Issued: 04/08/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 01/29/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Sharper Image Acquisition, LLC (ThreeSixty Group Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: Sharper Image Corporation (ThreeSixty Group Ltd.)
• Inventors: Taylor, Charles E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Mayekar, Kishor
• Application Number:
  US09/774,198
• Time in Patent Office: 799 Days
• Field of Search: 422/121, 422/186.04, 422/186.3, 422/186.12
• US Class Current: 422/186.04
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 9/015 using gaseous or vaporous substances, e.g. ozone A61L9/20 takes precedence ; evaporation in general B01B1/005
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 9/20 Ultraviolet radiation
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 9/22 Ionisation
• CPC Class Codes: B60H 3/0071 Electrically conditioning the air, e.g. by ionizing
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 8/22 using UV light

Abstract

An electronic device generates an output airflow that is subjected to UV radiation from a germicidal lamp within the device. The airflow preferably is created electro-kinetically by coupling high voltage pulses across an electrode system that includes small radius first array electrodes and larger radius second array electrodes. The airflow is also accompanied by generation of ions and/or ozone. If desired, airflow may be created with a fan instead of, or to augment, electro-kinetic generation. The device optionally includes a moisture-containing material whose proximity to the airflow can augment humidity in the airflow.

Claims

1. An air transporter-conditioner comprising:

a housing defining at least one input port and one output port, and an air channel therebetween;

a germicidal ultraviolet lamp, disposed in said housing, to emit radiation upon being energized;

wherein said housing is configured to preclude human viewing of radiation emitted directly from said lamp when said lamp is energized;

an electro-kinetic system, disposed in said housing, to create an airflow moving from said input port downstream to said output port, and to subject at least a portion of said airflow to at least a portion of radiation emitted by said lamp;

said electro-kinetic system including a first electrode array having at least one electrically conductive electrode with a distal effective radius R1, and spaced-apart therefrom in a downstream direction therefrom a second electrode array having at least one electrically conductive electrode with a distal effective radius R2, where R2≧

10R1, and further including a high voltage system configured to output pulses of duty cycle from about 10% to about 100% and being at least 5 KV magnitude peak-to-peak, said high voltage system coupled between said first electrode array and said second electrode array;

wherein relative to air entering said input port, air exiting said output port of said air-transporter conditioner has at least one of (a) reduced levels of microorganisms, (b) reduced amount of particulate matter, (c) ions, and (d) ozone.

2. The air transporter-conditioner of claim 1, further including a material able to retain liquid disposed in said housing to augment said airflow with at least one of (a) humidity, (b) scent, and (c) medicinal content.

3. The air transporter-conditioner of claim 1, wherein at least one electrode in said first electrode array has a tapered profile.

4. The air transporter-conditioner of claim 1, wherein at least one electrode in said first electrode array is pointed.

5. The air transporter-conditioner of claim 1, wherein at least one electrode in said first electrode array has a distal end comprising electrically conductive fibers.

6. The air transporter-conditioner of claim 1, wherein at least one electrode in said second electrode array defines an opening through which at least a portion of said airflow may pass, and further has a smooth and continuous surface surrounding airflow passing through said second electrode array.

7. The air transporter-conditioner of claim 1, wherein at least one electrode in said second electrode array defines a circular opening through which at least a portion of said airflow may pass, and is disposed symmetrically downstream from an electrode in said first electrode array.

8. The air transporter-conditioner of claim 1, wherein said first electrode array includes at least two concentric elements that each define a tapered cross-section in a downstream direction.

9. The air transporter-conditioner of claim 1, wherein said second electrode array includes at least two concentric elements that each define a rounded cross-section in an upstream direction.

10. The air transporter-conditioner of claim 1, wherein:

said first electrode array includes at least two concentric elements that each define a tapered cross-section in a downstream direction;

said second electrode array includes at least two concentric elements that each define a rounded cross-section in an upstream direction;

wherein an adjacent-most electrode in said first electrode array is symmetrically disposed relative to a pair of adjacent-most electrodes in said second electrode array.

11. The air transporter-conditioner of claim 10, wherein said first electrode array and said second electrode array comprise a single cylindrically-shaped electrode system.

12. The air transporter-conditioner of claim 11, wherein at least two electrodes in said second electrode array are staggered in distance relative to an adjacent-most electrode in said first electrode array.

13. An air transporter-conditioner, comprising;

a housing having an inlet and an outlet;

an ion generator configured to create an airflow between the inlet and the outlet, the generator having a first group of electrodes, a second group of electrodes, and a high voltage generator coupled between the first and second group of electrodes; and

a germicidal lamp configured to expose the airflow to germicidal light to reduce microorganisms within the airflow, the lamp disposed within the housing so that the lamp is not viewable by an individual.

14. The air transporter-conditioner as recited in claim 13, wherein the first group of electrodes includes at least one electrode with a characteristic selected from the group consisting of (i) a tapered pin-shaped electrode that terminates in a pointed tip, (ii) a tapered pin-shaped electrode that terminates in a plurality of individual fibers, and (iii) a plurality of concentric circles.

15. The air transporter-conditioner as recited in claim 13, wherein the second group of electrodes includes at least one electrode with a characteristic selected from the group consisting of (i) an elongated cylindrical tube, and (ii) a plurality of concentric circles.

16. The air transporter-conditioner as recited in claim 13, wherein the second group of electrodes is downstream of the first group of electrodes.

17. The air transporter-conditioner as recited in claim 13, further including a moisture retaining element to place into the airflow at least one of the following characteristics selected from the group consisting of (i) humidity, (ii) scent, and (iii) medicinal content.

18. The air transporter-conditioner as recited in claim 13, wherein the housing further has vanes to slow down the velocity of the airflow as it passes the germicidal lamp, exposing the airflow to the germicidal light for an increased period of time.

19. The air transporter-conditioner as recited in claim 13, wherein the internal surface of the housing is diffused to minimize deflection of the ultraviolet light emitted from the germicidal lamp, and further to minimize the static charge build up.

20. The air transporter-conditioner as recited in claim 13, wherein the germicidal lamp is a type UV-C lamp that preferably emits ultraviolet radiation having a wave length of approximately 254 nm.

21. The air transporter-conditioner as recited in claim 13, wherein the longitudinal axis of the germicidal lamp is parallel to the airflow to maximize the length of time the microorganisms are subjected to the radiation emitted by the germicidal lamp.

22. An air transporter-conditioner, comprising

a housing having an inlet and an outlet;

means for creating an airflow between the inlet and the outlet, and further for generating ionized air and ozone;

means for reducing microorganisms in the airflow; and

means for placing into the airflow at least one of the following characteristics selected from the group consisting of (i) humidity, (ii) scent, and (iii) medicinal content.

23. An air transporter-conditioner as recited in claim 22, wherein the means for creating an airflow includes an ion generator having a first group of electrodes and a second group of electrodes, and further including a high voltage generator coupled between the first and second group of electrodes.

24. An air transporter-conditioner as recited in claim 23, wherein the first group of electrodes includes at least one electrode with a characteristic selected from the group consisting of (i) a tapered pin-shaped electrode that terminates in a pointed tip, (ii) a tapered pin shaped electrode that terminates in a plurality of individual fibers, and (iii) a plurality of concentric circles.

25. An air transporter-conditioner as recited in claim 23, wherein the second group of electrodes includes at least one electrode with a characteristic selected from the group consisting of (i) an elongated cylindrical tube, and (ii) a plurality of concentric circles.

26. An air transporter-conditioner as recited in claim 23, wherein the second group of electrodes is downstream of the first group of electrodes.

27. An air transporter-conditioner as recited in claim 22, wherein the means for reducing microorganism is a germicidal lamp exposing the airflow to germicidal light.

28. An air transporter-conditioner as recited in claim 27, wherein the longitudinal axis of the germicidal lamp is parallel to the airflow to maximize the length of time the microorganisms are subjected to the radiation emitted by the germicidal lamp.

29. An air transporter-conditioner, comprising;

a housing having an inlet and an outlet;

an ion generator configured to create an airflow between the inlet and the outlet; and

a germicidal lamp upstream of said ion generator configured to expose the airflow to germicidal light to reduce microorganisms within the airflow.

30. An air transporter-conditioner, comprising;

a housing having an inlet and an outlet;

an ion generator configured to create an airflow between the inlet and the outlet; and

a germicidal lamp configured to expose the airflow to germicidal light to reduce microorganisms within the airflow, the lamp disposed within the housing so that the lamp is not viewable by an individual.

31. An air transporter-conditioner, comprising;

a housing having an inlet and an outlet;

an ion generator configured to create an airflow between the inlet and the outlet; and

a germicidal device upstream of said ion generator configured to reduce microorganisms within the airflow.

32. An air transporter-conditioner, comprising;

a housing having an inlet and an outlet;

an ion generator configured to create an airflow between the inlet and the outlet; and

a germicidal device configured to reduce microorganisms within the airflow, the device disposed within the housing so that the device is not directed at said ion generator.

33. An air transporter-conditioner, comprising

a housing having an inlet and an outlet;

means for creating an airflow between the inlet and the outlet, and further for generating ionized air; and

means for reducing microorganisms in the airflow located upstream of said airflow creating means.

34. An air transporter-conditioner, comprising

a housing having an inlet and an outlet;

means for creating an airflow between the inlet and the outlet, and further for generating ionized air; and

means for reducing microorganisms in the airflow, which microorganism reducing means is dispensed within said housing;

wherein said housing is configured to preclude human viewing of said means for reducing microorganisms.

35. An air transporter-conditioner, comprising

a housing having an inlet and an outlet;

means for creating an airflow between the inlet and the outlet, and further for generating ionized air and ozone; and

means for reducing microorganisms in the airflow, which reducing means is not directed at said creating means.

36. An air transporter-conditioner comprising:

a housing defining at least one input port and one output port, and an air channel therebetween;

a germicidal ultraviolet lamp, disposed in said housing, to emit radiation upon being energized;

wherein said housing is configured to preclude human viewing said lamp when said lamp is energized;

an electro-kinetic system, disposed in said housing, to create an airflow moving from said input port downstream to said output port, and to subject at least a portion of said airflow to at least a portion of radiation emitted by said lamp;

said electro-kinetic system including a first electrode array having at least one electrically conductive electrode with a distal effective radius RI, and spaced-apart therefrom in a downstream direction therefrom a second electrode array having at least one electrically conductive electrode with a distal effective radius R2, where R2≧

10R1, and further including a high voltage system configured to output pulses of duty cycle from about 10% to about 100% and being at least 5 KV magnitude peak-to-peak, said high voltage system coupled between said first electrode array and said second electrode array;

wherein relative to air entering said input port, air exiting said output port of said air-transporter conditioner has at least one of (a) reduced levels of microorganisms, (b) reduced amount of particulate matter, (c) ions, and (d) ozone.

37. An air transporter-conditioner comprising:

a housing defining at least one input port and one output port, and an air channel therebetween;

a germicidal ultraviolet lamp, disposed in said housing, to emit radiation upon being energized;

wherein said housing is configured to preclude human viewing said lamp;

an electro-kinetic system, disposed in said housing, to create an airflow moving from said input port downstream to said output port, and to subject at least a portion of said airflow to at least a portion of radiation emitted by said lamp;

said electro-kinetic system including a first electrode array having at least one electrically conductive electrode with a distal effective radius R1, and spaced-apart therefrom in a downstream direction therefrom a second electrode array having at least one electrically conductive electrode with a distal effective radius R2, where R2≧

10R1, and further including a high voltage system configured to output pulses of duty cycle from about 10% to about 100% and being at least 5 KV magnitude peak-to-peak, said high voltage system coupled between said first electrode array and said second electrode array;

wherein relative to air entering said input port, air exiting said output port of said air-transporter conditioner has at least one of (a) reduced levels of microorganisms, (b) reduced amount of particulate matter, (c) ions, and (d) ozone.