Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING
PURIFIED OR OZONE ENRICHED AIR TO REMOVE
CONTAMINANTS FROM FLUIDS
1 CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
2 This application is a continuation-in-part of copending U.S. Patent
Application Serial
3 No. 09/156,422, entitled "Method and Apparatus for Producing Purified or
Ozone Enriched
4 Air", filed September 18, 1998, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S.
Patent Application
Serial No. 08/932,1 OI, entitled "Method and Apparatus for Removing
Contaminants from a
6 Contaminated Air Stream", filed on September 17, 1997. In addition, this
application claims
7 priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 60/064,348,
entitled "Method
8 and Apparatus for Producing Purified or Ozone Enriched Air to Remove
Contaminants from
9 Fluids", filed on November 5, 1997, from U.S. Provisional Patent Application
Serial No.
60/064,520, entitled "Method and Apparatus for Removing Contaminants from Air
Streams
11 Within Air Treatment Systems," filed on November 5, 1997, and from U.S.
Provisional
12 Patent Application Serial No. 601094,574, entitled "Method and Apparatus
for Producing
13 Purified or Ozone Enriched Air to Remove Contaminants from Objects", filed
on July 29,
14 1998. The disclosures in the above-referenced patent applications are
incorporated herein by
reference in their entireties.
16 BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
17 1. Technical Field
18 The present invention pertains to a method and apparatus for producing
purified or
19 ozone enriched air to remove contaminants from fluids. In particular, the
present invention
pertains to a method and apparatus for exposing a contaminated fluid stream to
ozone and
21 germicidal radiation to remove contaminants from that fluid stream to
produce purified fluid.
22 In addition, the present invention may be disposed within an air treatment
system (e.g.,
23 HVAC system, humidifier, heating and/or air conditioning units, etc.) to
remove
24 contaminants from air streams within those air treatment systems and return
purified air to a
surrounding environment.
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1 2. Discussion of Related Art
2 Currently, there are numerous devices known as deodorizing machines
utilizing ozone
3 and/or ultraviolet (LTV) radiation to sanitize and deodorize air in a
treated space (i.e., typically
4 a room). Generally, these devices generate large amounts of ozone gas to
attain the ozone
concentration level necessary to facilitate deodorizing' and sterilizing the
air. Since ozone
6 concentration levels required for sterilization are sufficiently high to be
dangerous to people
7 andlor animals, the use of these devices is typically limited to odors whose
removal is
8 difficult (e.g., smoke from fires, organic material spilled on clothing,
etc.). Further, when the
9 devices are used in the proximity of people and/or animals, health
authorities require that
ozone concentrations be reduced to safe levels. However, these reduced or
"safe" levels tend
11 to be too Iow to effectively deodorize and clean the air. Moreover, such
devices typically use
12 the germicidal qualities of the ultraviolet radiation to destroy bacteria
in the air, but generally
13 either expose the treated space to high levels of radiation, thereby posing
health risks to
14 people and/or animals, such as eye trauma and skin lesions, or use very Iow
levels of
1 S radiation requiring long exposure times.
16 The prior art attempts to obviate the aforementioned problems by exposing
air from
17 the treated space to ozone or LTV radiation internally of a device to
thereby shield against the
18 above-mentioned harmful effects. For example, Burt (U.S. Patent No.
3,486,308) discloses
19 an air treatment device having a UV radiation source to sterilize air and a
plurality of baffles
disposed within the interior of the device housing. The baffles increase an
air flow path
21 within the device beyond the dimensions of the device housing to expose the
air to radiation
22 for greater periods of time. The UV source produces radiation at a
particular intensity to
23 avoid production of ozone.
24 Japanese Publication JP I-224030 discloses an air cleaner including an
ozone
generating section, on ozone-air mixing section and a filter section. The
filter section may
26 include a pair of filters having an alkaline component and ozone-purifying
material,
27 respectively. Alternatively, the filter section may include a single filter
having both an
28 alkaline component and ozone-purifying material to clean air. The air
cleaner further
29 includes a winding air flow path for the air stream to traverse during
cleaning.
The prior art devices disclosed in the Burt patent and Japanese Publication
suffer from
31 several disadvantages. In particular, the Burt device does not utilize
ozone, thereby typically
2
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1 only removing bacterial contaminants (e.g., germs) within an air stream and
enabling non-
2 bacterial or other contaminants, such as odor causing contaminants, to be
returned to a
3 surrounding environment. Conversely, the air cleaner disclosed in the
Japanese Publication
4 employs only ozone to clean the air, thereby possibly destroying only a
portion of bacterial
contaminants within the air stream while returning residual bacterial
contaminants to a
6 surrounding environment.
7 The prior art attempted to overcome the above mentioned disadvantages by
8 employing ozone in combination with UV radiation to remove virtually all
contaminants
9 from an air stream. In particular, Chesney (U.S. Patent No. 2,150,263)
discloses a system for
internally cleaning, sterilizing and conditioning air within the system. A
stream of air is
11 washed and subsequently exposed to UV radiation which generates ozone such
that the
12 combination of UV radiation and ozone destroys virtually all bacteria in
the air stream.
13 Excess ozone is removed via pumps and utilized for various purposes.
14 Hirai (U.S. Patent No. 5,015,442) discloses an air sterilizing and
deodorizing system
wherein UV radiation generates ozone to oxidize and decompose odor-causing
components
16 in the air. The ozone is then removed by a catalyzer in conjunction with,
and prior to,
17 germicidal UV radiation where the UV radiation also removes germs and
sterilizes the air.
1 g Monagan (U.S. Patent No. 5,601,?86) discloses an air purifier including a
housing
19 having an irradiation chamber, an air inlet for directing air into the
irradiation chamber, a
radiation source disposed within the irradiation chamber and an air outlet
formed in the
21 housing fox discharging air to the environment. The radiation source
preferably emits ozone-
22 producing radiation within one wavelength interval, and germicidal
radiation within another
23 wavelength interval, whereby the emitted radiation serves to destroy
microorganisms and
24 deodorize the air.
LeVay et al (U.S. Patent No. 5,614,151) discloses an electrodless sterilizer
using
26 ultraviolet andlor ozone. The sterilizer includes an energy source to
excite a gas contained
27 within a bulb and produce ultraviolet radiation, preferably strongest at
253.7 nanometers, that
28 may be utilized to sanitize substances. Further, the radiation may be used
to generate ozone
29 that, either alone or in combination with the radiation, may sanitize
substances. The bulb
may be shaped to enable substances (e.g., liquid) to pass through the bulb for
sterilization, or
31 to enclose and shield objects (e.g., small articles) within the bulb from
the energy source.
32 Moreover, the bulb may be located at the end of a waveguide, or radiation
may be transmitted
3
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1 from the bulb via an optic feed to sanitize inaccessible surfaces of
substances. In addition, an
2 ozone generator may be utilized to apply ozone to an external substance,
whereby flexible
3 hosing connected to the ozone generator includes a nozzle to control
discharge of ozone onto
4 a substance.
The Chesney, Hirai, Monagan and LeVay et al systems suffer from several
6 disadvantages. Specifically, the Chesney and LeVay et al systems typically
utilize a single
7 wavelength of UV radiation (e.g., approximately 254 nanometers) which may
not be optimal
8 for both generating ozone and destroying bacteria. In fact, this wavelength
is generally
9 utilized for its germicidal effects and tends to destroy ozone, thereby
degrading the effect of
ozone within the air stream. Although the Monagan system utilizes a radiation
source
11 emitting ozone-producing and germicidal radiation, an air stream is exposed
to each type of
12 radiation simultaneously, thereby enabling the germicidal radiation to
destroy produced
13 ozone and degrade the effect of ozone within the air stream. Further, the
Chesney system
14 includes a relatively lengthy compartment for treating air, thereby
increasing the size and cost
1 S of the system. The Hirai system typically utilizes independent radiation
sources to generate
16 ozone and germicidal radiation, thereby increasing system cost and
complexity. Moreover,
17 the Hirai system does not provide a safety feature where the ozone
generating source may be
18 operable when the germicidal or ozone removing source becomes inoperable,
thereby leading
19 to emissions of dangerous ozone concentrations from the system. In
addition, the Hirai
system employs a relatively short, narrow area for ozone generation, while the
Monagan
21 system includes a radiation source having adjacent portions emitting ozone
generating and
22 germicidal radiation, and a substantially linear path disposed within an
irradiation chamber
23 for an air stream to traverse the radiation source. Thus, the effects of
ozone within an air
24 stream in the Hirai and Monagan systems are degraded since there is
generally a minimal
amount of time and/or space for the ozone to interact with the air prior to
exposure to
26 germicidal radiation.
27 Although the LeVay et al system may sanitize substances via ozone and
ultraviolet
28 radiation, the ozone is typically generated by a single wavelength of
radiation (e.g.,
29 approximately 254 nanometers) that tends to destroy ozone as described
above, thereby
minimizing the effects of ozone on the substance. Further, the LeVay et al
system sanitizes a
31 liquid substance by introducing ozone into the liquid subsequent to
exposure of that liquid to
32 germicidal radiation, thereby enabling the liquid to contain ozone
concentration levels
4
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1 sufficient to cause possible harm to people and/or animals that contact the
treated liquid. The
2 LeVay et al patent further discloses systems for applying ultraviolet
radiation or ozone to
3 surfaces of substances external of those systems. The radiation may be
applied to the
4 external substance via a light pipe or optic feed, while ozone may be
applied via a nozzle
disposed at an end of flexible hosing attached to an ozone generator. However,
these devices
6 may not fully expose the substance surfaces to the ultraviolet radiation or
ozone, thereby
7 incompletely sanitizing the substance. Moreover, the ultraviolet radiation
or ozone is applied
8 to the substance surfaces typically without preventive or containment
measures, thereby
9 enabling radiation and ozone to be released to the surrounding environment
and cause
possible harm to people and/or animals in the vicinity of the substance as
described above.
11 OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
12 Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to expose fluids to
ozone and
13 ultraviolet radiation to remove contaminants from the fluids.
14 It is another object of the present invention to reduce costs and minimize
the size of
an ozone generating chamber within a system for removing contaminants from
fluids by
16 utilizing an ozone chamber configured to reduce air through-flow velocity
(i.e., increase the
17 amount of time air resides within the ozone chamber to reduce air flow
velocity through the
18 ozone chamber) to enable ozone generated in the ozone chamber to interact
and mix with an
19 air stream to produce ozone enriched air to remove contaminants from
fluids.
Yet another object of the present invention is to maintain ozone concentration
levels
21 at low or "safe" levels in a system for removing contaminants from fluids
by utilizing a single
22 radiation source in the system to emit radiation of different wavelengths
from different
23 sections of the source to generate ozone and perform germicidal functions
on the fluid,
24 respectively. The entire single radiation source can become disabled only
as a unit, thereby
preventing generation of ozone when the germicidal radiation or ozone-removing
section is
26 inoperable.
27 Still another object of the present invention is to control ozone
concentration levels by
28 utilizing a radiation source end-cap having various configurations to
regulate emission of
29 ozone generating radiation from the radiation source.
5
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I A further object of the present invention is to utilize replaceable
cartridges with a
2 system for removing contaminants firom fluids to facilitate versatility and
easy maintenance
3 of the system.
4 Yet another object of the present invention is to remove contaminants fibm
air
streams within air treatment systems (e.g., HVAC system, humidifier, heating
andlor air
6 conditioning units, etc.) and return purified air to a surrounding
environment.
7 The aforesaid objects are achieved individually and in combination, and it
is not
8 intended that the present invention be construed as requiring two or more of
the objects to be
9 combined unless expressly required by the claims attached hereto.
According to the present invention, a method and apparatus for removing
11 contaminants from a contaminated air stream is accomplished by a system in
which air is
I2 drawn in as a stream into the system housing toward its base and flows
through an ozone
13 generating chamber. An ozone generating ultraviolet (UV) radiation source
disposed within
14 the ozone chamber emits ultraviolet radiation having a wavelength of
approximately 185
nanometers to irradiate the air and generate ozone which oxidizes contaminants
(e.g.,
16 bacteria, virus, odor-causing element, etc.) residing in the air stream.
The ozone chamber is
17 typically configured to include winding or other types of air flow paths,
or to induce a
18 vortical air flow, to reduce air through-flow velocity and maintain the air
stream within the
19 ozone chamber for a residence time sufficient for the ozone to interact
with the air.
Subsequent to traversing the ozone chamber, the air stream enters a germicidal
chamber
2I disposed adjacent the ozone chamber. The germicidal chamber may also be
configured to
22 have winding or other types of air flow paths, and includes a germicidal UV
radiation source.
23 The germicidal UV radiation source irradiates the air stream and destroys
bacteria and breaks
24 down ozone residing therein. The germicidal UV radiation source generates
radiation having
a wavelength of approximately 254 nanometers to destroy bacteria, viruses,
mold spores and
26 ozone remaining after the interaction of air and ozone in the ozone
chamber. The radiation
27 source typically includes a single combination UV radiation emitting bulb
with different
28 sections of the bulb emitting radiation of different respective wavelengths
(e.g., 185 and 254
29 nanometers). The different sections of the bulb are disposed in the
corresponding ozone and
germicidal chambers. Alternatively, the radiation sources may all be
implemented by
31 separate independent bulbs emitting radiation having wavelengths of
approximately 185 or
32 254 nanometers depending upon the chamber in which the bulb is disposed.
The bulbs may
6
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1 be powered by a conventional AC ballast (for use in stationary areas), or a
conventional DC
2 ballast connected to a battery or other DC power source to enable the system
to be porkable
3 and used in mobile environments (e.g., cars, boats, trucks, trailers, etc.).
In addition, the
4 combination bulb may further include end-caps of various configurations to
align the bulb for
power connections and/or to regulate emission of ozone generating radiation
and control
6 production of ozone.
7 The resulting sterilized air from the germicidal chamber may pass through a
catalytic
8 converter disposed adjacent the germicidal chamber to remove any remaining
ozone by either
9 converting the ozone back to oxygen, or filtering the ozone from the air
stream. An internal
fan disposed adjacent the ozone chamber draws air into the system from the
base and through
11 the chambers. The system is typically constructed of injection molded
plastic, whereby the
12 system housing includes two symmetrical halves. Alternatively, the system
may be
13 constructed of foam having a plastic or other suitable rigid covering.
Symmetrical portions
14 of the ozone and germicidal chamber configurations are molded into the
respective
symmetrical halves such that the symmetrical halves are connected (e.g.,
snapped or
16 otherwise fastened together) to form the system. In addition, the system
may include a bulb
17 holder that is disposed on the system top surface and extends inta the
system interior to
18 secure the bulb. The bulb holder extracts the bulb from the system upon
removing the bulb
19 holder from the system top surface.
Moreover, the system may include an additional germicidal chamber.
Specifically,
21 the system has substantially the same configuration described above except
that that the
22 system ozone chamber is disposed between a pair of germicidal chambers. The
initial
23 germicidal chamber exposes an air stream to germicidal radiation to remove
contaminants
24 from that stream, while the subsequent ozone and germicidal chambers treat
the stream in
substantially the same manner described above. A combination bulb emitting
germicidal
26 radiation from two different bulb sections and ozone generating radiation
from an additional
27 bulb section is disposed with the bulb sections positioned within the
corresponding
28 germicidal and ozone chambers. A fan, disposed proximate the initial
germicidal chamber,
29 draws air through the system.
The system may further be configured to utilize a baffling arrangement to
control air
31 through-flow velocity through the system. In particular, the system is
substantially similar
32 to, and functions in substantially the same manner as, the two chamber
system described
7
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1 above, except that the system includes a series of baffles to form a
serpentine path through
2 the system. The baffles include an alternating pattern of openings that
collectively direct an
3 air stream in a winding pattern through the system chambers to remove
contaminants from
4 that stream.
The system may alternatively be configured to utilize a replaceable cartridge.
6 Specifically, a stationary base is mounted in a desired area, whereby a
replaceable cartridge is
7 attached to the base. The base contains the system electrical components
(e.g., fan, ballast,
8 etc.), while the cartridge houses the chambers and radiation source. The
cartridge may
9 further be disposed in a plenum without the base or a fan, whereby the
cartridge is connected
to a power source and plenum air flow directs air through the system. The
cartridge may be
I 1 of various shapes and sizes and is periodically replaced, thereby
facilitating versatility and
12 easy maintenance of the system.
13 The system may be configured for installation within a wall or ceiling.
Specifically, a
14 ceiling or wall unit has a similar configuration as described above and
includes a pair of
ozone chambers and a pair of germicidal chambers. The ozone and germicidal
chambers
16 within each pair are respectively disposed adjacent each other, and
function in parallel in
17 substantially the same manner described above. The ozone and germicidal
chambers are
18 each constructed within a block of foam wherein the ozone chambers each
include a winding
19 path to reduce air through-flow velocity and enable generated ozone to mix
and interact with
an air stream. Air is directed by the ozone chambers to corresponding
germicidal chambers
21 to remove bacteria from the air stream as described above. The germicidal
chambers are
22 disposed adjacent a corresponding ozone chamber and share a common area
formed within
23 the foam block. A combination bulb and an additional radiation source
emitting germicidal
24 radiation are disposed within each germicidal chamber, while a fan,
disposed proximate the
germicidal chambers, draws air through the system. Alternatively, the ceiling
or wall unit
26 may include a single ozone chamber and a single germicidal chamber formed
in the foam
27 block, and a plurality of combination bulbs to treat the air in
substantially the same manner
28 described above.
29 The system may be further utilized to remove contaminants from liquids by
exposing
the liquid to ozone and germicidal radiation. Specifically, a system ozone
chamber produces
31 ozone and includes a tortuous or winding path to enable the produced ozone
to interact with
32 the air. The ozonated air is injected into the liquid, while a system
germicidal chamber
8
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1 exposes the ozonated liquid to germicidal radiation to remove residual
contaminants and
2 ozone. A combination radiation source is typically utilized to provide ozone
generating and
3 germicidal radiation within the chambers. The system may be disposed along
pipelines or to
4 a faucet to purify drinking or other water within a dwelling or other
building. Moreover, the
system may ozonate water for application to food or other items to remove
contaminants
6 from those items.
In addition, the air sterilization systems described above may be utilized
within air
8 treatment systems (e.g., HVAC system, humidifier, heating and/or air
conditioning units,
9 etc.) to remove contaminants from an air stream within these air treatment
systems and return
purified air to the surrounding environment.
11 The above and still further objects, features and advantages of the present
invention
12 will become apparent upon consideration of the following detailed
description of specific
13 embodiments thereof, particularly when taken in conjunction with the
accompanying
14 drawings wherein like reference numerals in the various figures are
utilized to designate like
components.
16 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
17 Fig. 1 is a side view in elevation of a system for removing contaminants
from a
18 contaminated air stream to produce purified or ozone enriched air including
a combination
19 exhaust vent and bulb holder to facilitate placement and removal of an
ultra-violet (UV)
radiation emitting bulb within the system interior according to the present
invention.
21 Fig. 2 is a top view in plan of the combination exhaust vent and bulb
holder of the
22 system of Fig. 1.
23 Fig. 3 is a side view in elevation and partial section of the system of
Fig. 1.
24 Fig. 4 is an exploded view in perspective of an end-cap and associated
connector for
the ultra-violet (UV) radiation emitting bulb of the system of Fig. 1
according to the present
26 invention.
2'7 Fig. 5 is an exploded view in perspective of an alternative embodiment of
the end-cap
28 and associated connector of Fig. 4.
29 Fig. 6 is a view in perspective of an end-cap for the ultra-violet (UV)
radiation
emitting bulb of the system of Fig. 1 that controls intensity of radiation
emitted from the bulb
31 to regulate production of ozone according to the present invention.
9
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1 Fig. 7 is a view in perspective of an alternative embodiment of the end-cap
of Fig. 6.
2 Fig. 8 is a view in perspective of a combination ultra-violet (U~ radiation
emitting
3 bulb including an end-cap having windows to regulate emission of ozone
generating radiation
4 according to the present invention.
Fig. 9 is a side view in elevation and partial section of a portion of an
alternative
6 embodiment of the system of Fig. 1 including an additional germicidal
chamber to remove
7 contaminants from a contaminated air stream to produce purified or ozone
enriched air.
8 Fig. 10 is a view in perspective of an internal structure of a system for
producing
9 purified or ozone enriched air including a series of baffles forming a
tortuous or serpentine
air flow path through the system according to the present invention.
11 Fig. 11 is an exploded view in perspective of an alternative embodiment of
the system
12 of Fig. 10.
13 Fig. 12 is an exploded view in perspective of a system including a base and
a
14 replaceable cartridge having ozone and germicidal chambers and a radiation
source for
producing purified or ozone enriched sir according to the present invention.
16 Fig. 13 is a view in perspective of the rear portion of the cartridge of
the system of
17 Fig. 12.
18 Fig. 14 is a view in perspective of a cartridge component for forming the
cartridge of
19 the system of Fig. 12.
Fig. 1 S is an exploded view in perspective and partial section of the
cartridge of the
21 system of Fig. 12 diagrammatically illustrating the air flow path through
the cartridge.
22 Fig. 16 is a view in elevation and partial section of an alternative
configuration for the
23 cartridge of the system of Fig. 12.
24 Fig. 17 is a view in elevation and partial section of another configuration
for the
cartridge of the system of Fig. 12.
26 Fig. 18 is a view in perspective of the replaceable cartridge of the system
of Fig. I2
27 configured for use within plenums of vehicles or other locations (e.g.,
ducts) according to the
28 present invention.
29 Fig. 19 is a view in perspective of the rear portion of the cartridge of
the system of
Fig. 18.
31 Fig. 20 is a view in perspective of an end-cap for use with the cartridge
radiation
32 source of the system of Fig. 12 according to the present invention.
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1 Fig. 21 is a view in perspective and partial section of the end-cap of Fig.
20.
2 Fig. 22 is a view in elevation and partial section of the end-cap of Fig. 20
disposed
3 within the cartridge of the system of Fig. 12 to interface the cartridge
radiation source
4 according to the present invention.
Fig. 23 is an exploded view in perspective of a system for removing
contaminants
6 from a contaminated air stream to produce purified or ozone enriched air,
typically
7 configured for installation within a ceiling or wall according to the
present invention.
8 Fig. 24 is a view in perspective of an end-cap for an ultra-violet (UV)
radiation
9 emitting bulb of the system of Fig. 23.
Fig. 25 is a top view in plan of a portion of another embodiment of the system
of Fig.
11 23 including a single ozone chamber and a single germicidal chamber to
remove
I2 contaminants form a contaminated air stream to produce purified or ozone
enriched air.
13 Fig. 26 is a view in elevation and partial section of a system for removing
14 contaminants from liquid flowing within a pipeline according to the present
invention.
Fig. 27 is a side view in elevation and partial section of a sink utilizing a
system to
16 remove contaminants from tap water as the tap water flows to or from the
sink faucet
I7 according to the present invention.
18 Fig. 28 is a side view in elevation and partial section of a sink utilizing
the system of
19 Fig. 27 for ozonating water to apply ozonated water to food or other items
to remove
contaminants from those items.
21 Fig. 29 is a view in elevation and partial section of a portion of an air
treatment
22 system including a humidifier employing a drum to introduce moisture into
an air stream, and
23 an air sterilization system to remove contaminants from the air stream and
enable the air
24 treatment system to return purified treated air to a surrounding
environment according to the
present invention.
26 Fig. 30 is a view in elevation and partial section of a portion of an air
treatment
27 system including a humidifier employing a spray nozzle to introduce
moisture into an air
28 stream, and an air sterilization system to enable the air treatment system
to return purified
29 treated air to a surrounding environment according to the present
invention.
Fig. 31 is a side view in elevation and partial section of an exemplary stand
alone
31 humidifier including an air sterilization system for removing contaminants
from an air stream
11
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1 to enable the humidifier to return purified treated air to a surrounding
environment according
2 to the present invention.
3 DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
4 A system 2a for removing contaminants from a contaminated air stream to
produce
purified or ozone enriched air including a combination exhaust vent and bulb
holder is .
6 illustrated in Figs. 1 - 3. Specifically, system 2a includes a generally
cylindrical housing 5
7 extending from a base 3, ozone and germicidal chambers 8, I6, a UV radiation
source 36,
8 typically implemented by a combination ultraviolet radiation emitting bulb
and typically
9 disposed. at the approximate center of the ozone and germicidal chambers, a
ballast (not
shown), preferably conventional, for supplying current to radiation source 36,
and an internal
11 fan (not shown) for drawing air through the system. The radiation source
may be
12 implemented by a single bulb having an ozone section 12 and germicidal
section 14 emitting
13 radiation at different wavelengths (e.g., approximately 18S and 254
nanometers) from the
I4 ozone and germicidal sections, respectively. The bulb typically includes
coated or
specialized glass or other material that filters radiation to enable specific
sections of the bulb
16 to emit radiation having particular wavelengths (e.g., ozone section 12 and
germicidal section
17 14). Alternatively, the radiation source may be implemented by two
independent bulbs
18 disposed in the respective ozone and germicidal chambers, whereby each
independent bulb
19 emits radiation having a particular wavelength (e.g., approximately 185 or
254 nanometers).
Housing 5 includes a middle portion that has cross-sectional dimensions
slightly larger than
21 the cross-sectional dimensions of the housing end portions such that the
housing has a shape
22 similar to a barrel. Base 3 is typically constructed of upper and lower
supports 15, 17 (Fig.
23 1), whereby the supports are attached to each other via legs or connectors
18 disposed
24 between the supports. Lower support 17 serves as a stand for the system,
while upper
support 15 typically contains the system electrical components, such as a
ballast and fan {not
26 shown) for supplying current to the radiation source and directing air
through the system,
27 respectively. However, the fan may be disposed anywhere in the system
capable of directing
28 air through the system, while the electrical components may be disposed in
the system in any
29 fashion. Legs 18 separate upper and lower supports 15, 17 by a slight
distance to form an air
intake 7 that serves to permit air to enter the system. Base 3 may
alternatively be constructed
31 of a single support configured to enable air to enter the system.
12
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1 Air from a surrounding environment is drawn into the system thmugh air
intake 7 by
2 the internal fan (not shown) and is directed via the housing internal
structure to flow into
3 ozone chamber 8, typically disposed above and adjacent the internal fan and
air intake.
4 Ozone chamber 8 includes ozone section 12 of radiation source 36 and a path
10 that serves
to decrease air through-flow velocity (i.e., the path increases residence time
of an air stream
6 within the ozone chamber, thereby decreasing velocity of the air stream
through the chamber)
7 and enhance ozone distribution within the air stream. The end of radiation
source 36 adjacent
8 ozone section 12 is placed within a power connector 19 disposed at the
approximate center of
9 the bottom portion of the ozone chamber. The power connector may
alternatively be
disposed anywhere in the ozone chamber capable of receiving the end of the
radiation source.
11 It is to be understood that the terms "top", "bottom", "upper", "lower",
'bp", "down",
I2 "height", "width", "length", "thickness", "depth", "front", "rear", "near",
"far", "back",
13 "side", "horizontal" and "vertical" are used herein merely to facilitate
descriptions of points
14 of reference and do not limit the present invention to any specific
configuration or
orientation. Power connector 19 provides current from a ballast (conventional
and not shown)
16 to radiation source 36, and may be implemented by any conventional or other
type of
17 connector, such as the connectors described below for Figs. 4 - 5. The end
of radiation
18 source 36 adjacent germicidal section 14 is placed within a bulb holder 30
of an exhaust vent
19 28 whereby the exhaust vent is disposed on the system top surface with the
bulb holder
extending from the exhaust vent into the system interior. The radiation source
extends from
21 power connector 19 toward bulb holder 30 with the ozone and germicidal
sections typically
22 disposed at the approximate center of the respective ozone and germicidal
chambers,
23 however, the ozone and germicidal sections may be disposed in the
respective ozone and
24 germicidal chambers in any fashion. Alternatively, system 2a may be
configured such that
radiation source 36 has a portion of germicidal section 14 disposed within the
ozone chamber
26 to enable the path to combine the effects of ozone producing and germicidal
radiation to
27 further remove contaminants from the air stream and to control ozone
concentration within
28 the air stream (i.e., the greater the germicidal portion disposed in the
ozone chamber, the
29 lower the ozone concentration within the air stream).
Path 10 receives an air stream entering ozone chamber 8 from the approximate
bottom
31 center of the ozone chamber proximate ozone section 12 and transversely
directs the air
32 stream away from ozone section 12 toward housing 5. Ozone section 12
generates ozone
13
CA 02309215 2000-OS-OS
WO 99112777 PCT/US98/23586
1 within the air stream, while path 10 reduces air through-flow velocity and
enables the ozone
2 to mix and interact with the air stream to oxidize contaminants. A plurality
of reversing
3 passages 31 form path 10, whereby the passages are defined by spaces between
a plurality of
4 walls 20, 29. Walls 20, 29 are disposed within the ozone chamber between
upper and lower
ozone dividers 25, 27 that define the confines of the ozone chamber. Walls 20
each extend
6 from an end of upper divider 2S substantially parallel to each other toward
lower divider 27,
7 whereby the length of each wall 20 is slightly less than the distance
between the upper and
8 lower dividers to form a gap that enables the air stream to enter and
traverse succeeding
9 passages 31. Similarly, walls 29 each extend from an intermediate portion of
lower divider
27 such that ozone section 12 is disposed between walls 29 and walls 29 are
disposed
11 between walls 20. Walls 29 each extend from lower divider 27 toward upper
divider 25,
12 whereby the length of each wall 29 is slightly less than the distance
between the upper and
13 lower dividers to form a gap that enables the air stream to enter and
traverse succeeding
14 passages 31. The upper and lower ozone dividers maintain the air stream
within ozone
chamber 8, and isolate the ozone chamber from the remaining portions of the
housing.
16 Ozone dividers 25, 27 typically extend across the housing interior to
prevent the air stream
17 from bypassing portions of path 10. Lower divider 27 includes an opening
toward its
18 intermediate portion to permit the air stream to enter ozone chamber 8,
while upper divider
19 25 is of sufficient size to form gaps between the upper divider periphery
and housing 5 to
permit air to enter germicidal chamber 16 from the ozone chamber. However, the
air intake
21 and upper and lower ozone dividers may be arranged in any manner to
facilitate traversal of
22 the ozone and germicidal chambers by an air stream. Housing 5 and its
internal structural
23 components may be constructed of injection molded plastic or other material
and molded
24 within substantially symmetrical halves of the housing. In other words,
symmetrical portions
of walls 20, 29, ozone dividers 25, 27 and the remaining structural components
of housing 5
26 (e.g., the germicidal chamber) may be molded into corresponding halves of
housing 5 such
27 that when the halves are connected (e.g., the halves may be snapped
together or connected
28 utilizing any connection technique), the ozone chamber, path and other
housing components
29 are formed.
Upon entering ozone chamber 8 from air intake 7, the air stream traverses path
10
31 wherein the air through-flow velocity is reduced to enable ozone, generated
by ozone section
32 12, to mix with the air stream to oxidize and remove contaminants within
the air stream.
14
CA 02309215 2000-OS-OS
WO 99122777 PCT/US98/23586
1 Further, when a portion of germicidal section I4 is disposed within the
ozone chamber,
2 radiation emitted from the germicidal section enhances removal of
contaminants from the air
3 stream. Once the air stream traverses path 10, the air stream Leaves the
ozone chamber and
4 enters germicidal chamber 16. Germicidal chamber 16 includes germicidal
section 14 of
radiation source 36 that emits germicidal UV radiation to destroy contaminants
and ozone
6 within the air stream. Housing 5 may include reflective material within the
germicidal
7 chamber to enhance the germicidal effect of radiation emitted from
germicidal section 14.
8 The germicidal chamber typically shields a user from any visual UV light,
and is isolated
9 from the ozone chamber. The sterilized air from the germicidal chamber is
exhausted from
I O the system through exhaust vent 28 to the surrounding environment.
11 Exhaust vent 28 is substantially elliptical, but may be of any shape, and
is disposed at
12 the approximate center of the system top surface. Exhaust vent 28 includes
bulb holder 30
13 having a user gripping portion 32 preferably disposed at the approximate
center of the
14 exhaust vent. Gripping portion 32 is typically substantially circular, but
may be of any shape
and may be disposed anywhere on the exhaust vent. Bulb holder 30 further
includes a bulb
16 receptacle 21 that typically extends from the approximate center of
gripping portion 32 into
17 the germicidal chamber to engage the end of radiation source 36 adjacent
germicidal section
18 14 as described above. The receptacle may alternatively extend from any
portion of gripping
19 portion 32, and may include any type of clamp, brace, bracket, receptacle
or other mechanism
for engaging the radiation source. Bulb holder 30 facilitates removal and
placement of
21 radiation source 36 within the system interior. In particular, removal of
radiation source 36
22 from the system interior is facilitated by extracting bulb holder 30 from
the system via
23 gripping portion 32. Since radiation source 36 is attached to the bulb
holder, the radiation
24 source is also extracted, thereby disconnecting the radiation source from
power connector 19.
Thus, the radiation source is disabled prior to removal from the system
interior to prevent
26 exposure to direct W light. Conversely, placement of a UV bulb into the
system is
27 facilitated by disposing bulb holder 30, containing a LTV bulb, back onto
the system, via
28 gripping portion 32, with the bulb extending into power connector 19. The
bulb is enabled
29 when the bulb is disposed within power connector 19 and gripping portion 32
is placed on the
system top surface, thereby preventing exposure to direct LTV light. System 2a
may be of any
31 shape or size with the chambers and path configured in any manner and the
bulb holder
32 disposed on the system in any fashion at any location. Further, the system
may be mounted
CA 02309215 2000-OS-OS
WO 99122777 PCT/US98I23586
1 on a wall or other structure (e.g., typically including the fan and
electrical components
2 disposed within the system with or without the base), and may be utilized
with an exhaust
3 vent without the bulb holder. The housing and its internal structure may be
constructed of
4 any suitable material and, by way of example only, the system may include a
height of
approximately thirteen inches with the housing being constructed of injection
molded plastic.
6 The ozone generation and application of germicidal radiation may be
controlled to produce
7 ozone enriched air having a particular ozone concentration level for various
applications as
8 described below.
9 Power connector 19 of system 2a may be a custom connector to specifically
interface
radiation source 36 to a ballast as illustrated in Fig. 4. Specifically, an
end-cap 72 is disposed
11 at an end of radiation source 36 (Fig. 3) adjacent ozone section 12. The
end-cap is shown
12 generally cylindrical, but may be of any shape, and includes an open top
portion for receiving
13 the end of radiation source 36. The bottom portion of the end-cap is cut-
off or truncated at
14 opposing locations on the end-cap (e.g., angularly displaced by
approximately 180°) to form
1 S a generally rectangular cross-section having rounded edges along the
shorter rectangular
16 cross-sectional dimension. The truncated cross-section extends from the
bottom toward the
17 top of the end-cap for approximately one-quarter of the end-cap height. A.n
overhang 74 is
18 formed proximate each of the locations on the end-cap where the truncated
and non-truncated
19 portions of the end-cap interface (i.e., the interface between the
generally circular and
rectangular cross-sections of the end-cap) since the non-truncated portion
includes cross-
21 sectional dimensions greater than the cross-sectional dimensions of the
truncated portion. A
22 plurality of pins 76, preferably four, is dispos~i on and extends from the
end-cap bottom.
23 The pins are substantially cylindrical, but may be of any shape and any
quantity (e.g., at least
24 one), and accommodate wiring from radiation source 36 to interface a power
plug 78 for
connection to a ballast (not shown).
26 End-cap 72 is received within a female plug 71 that interfaces power plug
78. Female
27 plug 71 includes a substantially cylindrical head 73 and a series of
extensions 75, 77
28 alternately extending downward from the bottom periphery of head 73 to
engage power plug
29 78. However, head 73 may be of any shape and has cross-sectional dimensions
greater than
end-cap 72 to receive the end-cap and enable the end-cap to interface power
plug 78 as
31 described below. Substantially rectangular dividers 61, 63 are disposed
within and extend
16
CA 02309215 2000-OS-OS
WO 99/Z2777 PCT/US98~23586
1 substantially in parallel across the interior confines of head ?3. The
dividers may
2 alternatively be of any shape and are separated by a sufficient distance to
receive the
3 truncated portion of end-cap 72 between the dividers, while enabling
overhangs 74 to engage
4 the divider top surfaces in response to proper manipulation of the end-cap
within head 73. In
other words, dividers 61, 63 and overhangs 74 interact to form a guiding
mechanism to
6 enable alignment of end-cap 72 with power plug 78.
7 Extensions 75 of female plug 71 are substantially rectangular and taper in
thickness
8 toward their distal ends, while extensions 77 of female plug 71 are
substantially trapezoidal
9 and taper in width toward their distal ends. The distal portion of each
extension 77 has a
thickness slightly greater than the thickness of the remaining portions of
that extension. The
11 distal portion thickness of each extension 77 tapers distally toward the
distal end of that
12 extension whereby a ledge or hook 79 is formed proximate the interface
between a proximal
13 portion and the thicker distal portion of the extension to engage power
plug 78. However,
14 extensions 75, 77 may be of any shape and may include any mechanism to
engage the power
plug. When radiation source 36 is disposed within system 2a as described
above, the
16 radiation source, and hence, end-cap 72, is manipulated such that the
truncated portion of the
17 end-cap resides between dividers 61, 63, while overhangs 74 engage dividers
61, 63 of head
18 73 to align pins 76 for connection to power plug 78.
19 Power plug 78 is a generally rectangular block having a top surface
including
receptacles 65, preferably four, for receiving corresponding pins 76 from end-
cap 72,
21 however, the power plug may be of any shape and may include any quantity of
receptacles.
22 Power plug 78 includes a substantially rectangular cross-section with an
upper portion
23 truncated or cut-off along the shorter rectangular cross-sectional
dimension to form ledges
24 67. The proximal portion of power plug 78 tapers in width toward the power
plug proximal
end and interfaces wiring 69, typically including wiring for each pin 76, that
respectively
26 connects pins 76 to a ballast (not shown) to provide power to the radiation
source. Power
27 plug 78 is inserted within female plug 71 such that hooks 79 of extensions
77 engage the
28 bottom portion of the power plug. The power plug is oriented within female
plug 71 in a
29 manner to receive pins 76 within receptacles 65 when end-cap 72 is properly
oriented within
head 73 as described above.
31 An alternative embodiment for power connector 19 of system 2a is
illustrated in Fig.
32 S. Power connector 19 is substantially similar to the power connector
described above for
17
CA 02309215 2000-OS-OS
WO 99/22777 PGTIUS98n3586
1 Fig. 4 except that a different guiding mechanism is implemented to align end-
cap 72 with
2 power plug 78. Specifically, end-cap 72 is generally cylindrical having an
open top portion
3 as described above. The bottom portion of the end-cap includes a series of
substantially
4 rectangular notches or recesses 81 extending from the end-cap bottom toward
the end-cap top
for approximately one-quarter of the end-cap height. The notches are angularly
spaced from
6 one another about the end-cap outer surface by approximately ninety degrees,
and taper in
7 width as the notches extend into the end-cap surface. Female plug 71 is
substantially similar
8 to the female plug described above and includes a substantially cylindrical
head 73 having
9 extensions 75, 77 alternately extending downward from the bottom periphery
of head 73 to
engage power plug 78 as described above. The distal portions of extensions 77
include hooks
I 1 79 to engage power plug 78 as described above. Head 73 includes a
plurality of pegs or posts
12 82 of generally triangular cross-section disposed about the interior
surface of head 73 and
13 extending between the top and bottom portions of the head. Posts 82 are
angularly spaced
14 from one another about the head interior surface by approximately ninety
degrees, and
transversely extend from the head interior surface for a distance slightly
less than the depth of
I6 notches 81. End-cap 72 is placed within female plug 7I and manipulated such
that posts 82
17 engage notches 81. The notches and posts orient end-cap 72 within female
plug 71 in a
18 proper manner to align pins 76 for interfacing power plug 78 as described
above.
19 Alternatively, the notches and posts may be of any shape or size, may be of
any quantity and
may be disposed on the respective end-cap and female plug in any manner
capable of
21 aligning the end-cap with the power plug. Further, the end-cap and female
plug may be
22 configured with any structures in any manner capable of aligning the end-
cap with the power
23 plug.
24 Power plug 78 is substantially similar to the power plug described above
and includes
a series of receptacles 65 for receiving corresponding pins 76 of end-cap 72.
Power plug 78
26 interfaces wiring 69 at its proximal end that respectively connects pins 76
to a ballast (not
27 shown) to provide power to the radiation source as described above. Power
plug 78 is
28 inserted within female plug 71 such that hooks 79 of extensions 77 engage
the bottom portion
29 of the power plug as described above. Receptacles 65 receive corresponding
pins 76 when
end-cap 72 is properly oriented within head 73 via notches 81 and posts 82 as
described
31 above.
18
CA 02309215 2000-OS-OS
WO 99/22777 PCT/US98I23586
1 In order to utilize the guiding mechanisms of female plug 71 described above
for
2 radiation sources having conventional or other types of ends or connectors,
an adapter may be
3 utilized to interface these radiation sources to female plug 71 and power
plug 78. For
4 example, the adapter may be similar in configuration to the end-caps
described above and
interface terminals or wiring from a radiation source. The radiation source
and adapter are
6 manipulated as described above for proper connection to power plug 78 via
female plug 71.
7 The adapter may be similar in configuration to any of the end-cap
embodiments described
8 above (e.g., Figs. 4 and 5), or may be any adapter capable of interfacing
radiation source 36
9 to female plug 71 and power plug 78.
In addition, end-cap 72 may control production of ozone within ozone chamber 8
as
1 I illustrated in Figs. 6 - 7. End-cap 72 is similar to the end-caps
described above except that
12 the end-cap is elongated to cover a portion of radiation source 36. The end-
cap may be
13 configured as described above for Figs. 4 - 5 to implement the guiding
mechanisms; but by
14 way of example and to facilitate this description, the end-cap is
illustrated in a configuration
I S not employing those guiding mechanisms. Specifically, end-cap 72 is
substantially
16 cylindrical and elongated to extend along and cover ozone section 12 of
radiation source 36,
17 however, the end-cap may be of any shape or size. The end-cap includes an
open top portion
18 to receive ozone section 12 of radiation source 36 and is typically
constructed of materials
19 that block or prevent passage of radiation from the source. Slots 89 are
defined in the end-
cap to regulate the amount of radiation emitted in the ozone chamber (i.e.,
the amount of
2I radiation permitted to pass from the bulb through the end-cap into the
ozone chamber),
22 thereby controlling ozone production. Slots 89 are typically elliptical and
defined in end-cap
23 72 about the exterior end-cap surface in a non-overlapping manner angularly
spaced a slight
24 distance from each other toward the upper portion of the end-cap (Fig. 6).
Alternatively,
slots 89 may be defined about the end-cap exterior surface in an overlapping
or helical
26 fashion toward the upper portion of the end-cap (Fig. 7). However, the
slots may be of any
27 size or shape, may be of any quantity and may be defined in the end-cap in
any fashion to
28 facilitate particular radiation intensities within the ozone chamber to
produce desired ozone
29 concentrations. End-cap 72 may include predetermined slot arrangements to
produce a
desired ozone concentration level, or may include a particular slot
arrangement that is used in
31 conjunction with a radiation emitting bulb having a coating (e.g., a
coating to block radiation,
32 such as Teflon) on the bulb to block radiation emissions from certain
sections of the bulb.
19
CA 02309215 2000-OS-OS
WO 99122777 PCT/US98I23586
1 The coating may be utilized to block radiation emission from sections of the
bulb coincident
2 specific slots 89 of end-cap 72 to control radiation intensity and ozone
production as
3 described above.
4 Shielding of ozone section 12 may be further accomplished via an end-cap 72
having
windows for regulating emission of ozone generating radiation from radiation
source 36 as
6 illustrated in Fig. 8. Specifically, radiation source 36 includes ozone
section 12 and
7 germicidal section 14 as described above, ozone regulating end-cap 72 and a
germicidal end-
8 cap 178. Radiation source 36 is typically disposed within a system with
ozone and
9 germicidal sections 12, 14 respectively disposed in the ozone and germicidal
chambers as
described above. Germicidal end-cap 178 is substantially cylindrical and
typically includes
11 an open bottom portion with cross-sectional dimensions greater than the
cross-sectional
12 dimensions of radiation source 36 to receive the end of the radiation
source adjacent
13 germicidal section 14. End-cap 178 covers a slight portion of germicidal
section 14, and may
14 be of any size or shape.
Ozone regulating end-cap 72 is substantially cylindrical and includes an open
top
16 portion with cross-sectional dimensions greater than the cross-sectional
dimensions of
17 radiation source 36 to receive the end of the radiation source adjacent
ozone section 12. End-
18 cap 72 may cover any portion of ozone section 12, may be of any size or
shape and may be
19 constructed of any suitable materials, such as plastic, that block or
prevent passage of
radiation from the ozone section. A series of openings or windows 174 are
defined in end-
21 cap 72 to regulate the amount of ozone generating radiation emitted in the
ozone chamber
22 (e.g., the amount of ozone generating radiation permitted to pass from the
radiation source
23 through the end-cap into the ozone chamber), thereby controlling ozone
production.
24 Windows 174 are substantially rectangular and are generally defined within
end-cap 72
toward an end-cap upper portion. The windows are arranged about the end-cap
exterior
26 surface in a non-overlapping manner angularly spaced a slight distance from
each other, and
27 may include a glass or other radiation transparent covering. By way of
example only, end-
28 cap 72 includes four windows each having a width (e.g., transverse) or
shorter rectangular
29 dimension of approximately one-quarter of an inch. The remaining portions
of end-cap 72
block radiation, thereby enabling windows 174 to regulate the amount of ozone
generating
31 radiation present within the ozone chamber and the quantity of ozone
produced. Windows
32 174 may be of any size or shape, and may be disposed in any quantity (e.g.,
at least one) and
CA 02309215 2000-OS-OS
WO 99/22777 PCT/US98/Z3586
1 in any fashion about end-cap 72 to facilitate emission of particular
radiation intensities
2 within the ozone chamber to produce desired ozone concentrations.
3 In addition, end-cap 72 includes pins or prongs 76 that extend distally from
the end-
4 cap distal end to enable radiation source 36 to receive power from a ballast
(not shown)
within the system. The pins are typically substantially cylindrical, but may
be of any shape
6 or size and may be constructed of any suitable materials. The pins are
generally implemented
7 by any type of conventional pins that enable connection to a connectar or
power source. By
8 way of example only, end-cap 72 includes four pins arranged in a box-like
configuration of
9 two rows and two columns, however, the end-cap may include any quantity
(e.g., at least
one) of pins arranged on the end-cap in any fashion. Alternatively, end-cap 72
may include a
11 ballast to directly provide power to the radiation source from the end-cap,
and may be
12 configured to implement the guiding mechanisms described above for figs. 4 -
S.
13 Ozone production may alternatively be controlled by disposing a sleeve
about ozone
14 section 12 to regulate radiation intensity within ozone chamber 8. In
particular, the sleeve is
constructed of material that blocks radiation and may be manipulable by gears
or other
16 mechanical and/or electrical devices to slide along and cover various
portions of ozone
I7 section 12. The sleeve may be of any shape or size, and may include a fixed
length to slide
18 along and cover a specific portion of the ozone section. Alternatively, the
sleeve may be
19 collapsible or compressed to expand and contract along the ozone section to
selectively cover
specific portions or areas of the ozone section to control radiation intensity
within the ozone
21 chamber. Further, ozone production may similarly be controlled via a sleeve
in substantially
22 the same manner described above by regulating emission of germicidal
radiation within the
23 germicidal chamber since germicidal radiation removes ozone from the air
stream as
24 described above. The sleeve may be manipulable along the entire radiation
source to control
emission of ozone generating and/or germicidal radiation emitted from the
radiation source
26 depending upon the position of the sleeve along the source. Moreover, the
radiation source
27 may be coated (e.g., with Teflon) in a particular fashion to control
emission of ozone
28 generating and/or gernnicidal radiation from the radiation source. The
coating blocks
29 radiation emission, whereby the ozone and/or germicidal sections of the
radiation source may
be coated in any fashion to achieve a desired radiation intensity. The coating
may be utilized
31 to control ozone production by blocking radiation emitted from the
radiation source in a
32 manner similar to that described above for the sleeve.
21
CA 02309215 2000-OS-OS
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1 System 2a may include various configurations to reduce air through-flow
velocity and
2 enhance distribution of ozone within the air stream. For example, the ozone
and germicidal
3 chambers may include various winding, vortical or helical paths for the air
stream to traverse,
4 or the ozone chamber may include a vortex chamber to control air flow as
described in the
aforementioned patent applications. In addition, system 2a may be configured
to include an
6 additional germicidal chamber as illustrated in Fig. 9. Specifically, system
2b is substantially
7 similar to and functions in a similar manner as system 2a described above
except that system
8 2b includes an additional germicidal chamber to remove contaminants from an
air stream
9 prior to the air stream traversing an ozone chamber. System 2b includes
ozone chamber 8 and
germicidal chambers 16a, 16b wherein the ozone chamber is disposed between the
germicidal
11 chambers. The ozone and germicidal chambers are substantially similar to
and function in
12 substantially the same manner as the ozone and germicidal chambers
described above.
13 Radiation source 36 is similar to the radiation source described above and
includes ozone
14 section 12 emitting radiation having a wavelength of approximately 185
nanometers, and
germicidal sections 14a, 14b that each emit radiation having a wavelength of
approximately
16 254 nanometers as described above. The radiation source may be configured
such that ozone
17 section 12 and germicidal sections 14a, 14b each emit radiation at a high
intensity or each
18 section emits radiation at a low intensity, or ozone section 12 emits
radiation at a low
19 intensity, while germicidal sections 14a, 14b emit radiation at a high
intensity. However, the
radiation source may be configured for any desired radiation intensity
emission, whereby the
21 radiation intensities may be controlled by coating sections of the
radiation source or any other
22 techniques described above. Radiation source 36 is disposed within system
2b such that
23 ozone section 12 and germicidal sections 14a, 14b reside within ozone
chamber 8 and
24 germicidal chambers 16a, 16b, respectively. Air enters system 2b via an
intake (not shown)
as described above and is directed into germicidal chamber 16a. Germicidal
chamber 16a
26 exposes the air stream to germicidal radiation emitted by germicidal
section 14a to remove
27 contaminants from the air stream as described above. The air stream
subsequently enters
28 ozone chamber 8 via an opening defined in the intermediate portion of lower
ozone divider
29 27 as described above.
Ozone chamber 8 receives the air stream from germicidal chamber 16a and
exposes
31 the air stream to radiation emitted from ozone section 12 to produce ozone.
Path 10 is
32 formed within ozone chamber 8 via upper and lower ozone dividers 25, 27 and
walls 20, 29
22
CA 02309215 2000-OS-OS
WO 99/22777 PCT/US98I23586
1 as described above to reduce air through-flow velocity and permit generated
ozone to mix
2 and interact with the air stream to remove contaminants. Since contaminants
are initially
3 removed from the air stream within germicidal chamber 16a prior to
traversing ozone
4 chamber 8 as described above, lesser quantities of contaminants reside
within the air stream,
thereby reducing the quantity of ozone needed to purify the air. Thus, ozone
chamber 8
6 includes dimensions less than the dimensions of the ozone chamber described
above, while
7 ozone section 12 encompasses a smaller portion of radiation source 36 than
the ozone section
8 described above in order to produce reduced quantities of ozone for removal
of the residual
9 contaminants from the air stream. The air stream traverses path 10 wherein
ozone generated
from radiation emitted by ozone section 12 interacts and mixes with the air
stream to remove
11 contaminants as described above.
12 After traversing path 10, the air stream enters germicidal chamber 16b via
gaps
13 between upper divider 25 and the system housing as described above. The
germicidal
14 chamber exposes the air stream to germicidal radiation emitted from
germicidal section I4b
to remove contaminants and ozone from the air stream to produce sterilized
air. Thus, the
16 system sterilizes air with reduced quantities of ozone, thereby enhancing
removal of ozone
17 from the air stream. System 2b may include any quantity of chambers
arranged in any
I8 fashion with radiation source 36 including any quantity of sections
emitting radiation at
19 specific wavelengths.
System 2a described above may include various configurations to reduce air
through-
21 flow velocity and enhance distribution of ozone within the air stream. An
exemplary
22 embodiment of the system described above having an alternative
configuration to reduce air
23 through-flow velocity and enhance distribution of ozone within the air
stream is illustrated in
24 Fig. I0. Specifically, system 2c is similar to system 2a described above
and includes a
housing 5, ozone and germicidal chambers 8, 16, a combination radiation source
36 having
26 an ozone section 12 and a germicidal section 14, and an internal fan 22.
Fan 22 draws an air
27 stream from a surrounding environment into the system and directs the air
stream into ozone
28 chamber 8. Ozone chamber 8 is disposed adjacent fan 22 and includes ozone
section 12 of
29 radiation source 36 and a serpentine or tortuous air flow path formed by a
plurality of baffles
42, 44 to enhance distribution of ozone within the air stream. Ozone section
12 typically is
31 covered by end-cap 72 described above to regulate emission of ozone
generating radiation
32 within the ozone chamber and the amount of ozone produced. The serpentine
path within
23
CA 02309215 2000-OS-OS
WO 99122777 PCT/US98I23586
1 ozone chamber 8 is generally formed by three baffles (e.g., baffle 44
disposed between a pair
2 of baffles 42), however, the path may be formed by any quantity (e.g., at
least one) of baffles
3 disposed within the ozone chamber in any fashion. Windows 174 of end-cap 72
are
4 preferably disposed in the ozone chamber between two baffles positioned
toward germicidal
section 14.
6 Two types of baffles are generally employed to form the air flow path. In
particular,
7 baffle 42 is substantially annular and includes an opening 84 defined toward
the baffle center
8 and a plurality of recesses or cut-out portions 46 disposed about the baffle
peripheral edge.
9 The baffle opening includes dimensions slightly greater than the cross-
sectional dimensions
of radiation source 36 to receive the radiation source. By way of example
only, baffle 42
11 includes a cross-sectional dimension between non-recessed baffle portions
of approximately
12 five inches, and a cross-sectional dimension between baffle recesses 46 of
approximately four
13 inches. Thus, each baffle recess 46 extends from a peripheral baffle edge
toward the baffle
14 center for approximately one-half inch. Baffle 44 is substantially annular
and includes an
opening 86 defined toward the baffle center, whereby the opening generally
includes
16 dimensions substantially greater than the cross-sectional dimensions of the
radiation source.
17 By way of example only, baffle 44 includes a cross-sectional diameter of
approximately five
18 inches, while the baffle opening includes a cross-sectional diameter of
approximately three
19 inches. However, openings 84, 86 may be of any suitable size or shape. The
substantially
central openings 84, 86 defined in baffles 42, 44 receive radiation source 36,
while an air
21 stream alternately flows through recesses 46 of baffles 42 and
substantially central opening
22 86 of baffle 44 to traverse the ozone chamber in a serpentine or tortuous
manner. By way of
23 example only, the distance between the first and third baffle (e.g.,
baffles 42) within ozone
24 chamber 8 is approximately two inches. Radiation emitted through windows
174 spreads
throughout the ozone chamber, thereby irradiating the air stream prior to the
air stream
26 entering the germicidal chamber. In effect, baffles 42, 44 enlarge the
ozone chamber by
27 directing the air stream in a serpentine manner, thereby lengthening the
ozone chamber path
28 and creating turbulence to mix the ozone with the air stream.
29 Germicidal chamber 16 is disposed adjacent ozone chamber 8 and similarly
includes a
series of baffles 52, 54. Germicidal chamber baffles 52, 54 are disposed in an
alternating
31 fashion within the germicidal chamber and are typically separated by a
distance greater than
32 the separation distance of the baffles in the ozone chamber. Baffle 52 is
substantially similar
24
CA 02309215 2000-OS-OS
WO 99122777 PGT/US98/23586
1 to baffle 42 described above, while baffle 54 is substantially similar to
baffle 44 described
2 above. The air stream flows in a serpentine manner through germicidal
chamber baffles 52,
3 54 in substantially the same manner described above for ozone chamber
baffles 42, 44, while
4 being exposed to germicidal radiation to remove residual contaminants and
ozone from the
air stream. The air flow path through the germicidal chamber is typically
formed by four
6 baffles (e.g., two each of baffles 52, 54 alternately disposed preferably
with baffle 54
7 initiating the baffle arrangement), however, the path may be formed by any
quantity of
8 baffles disposed within the germicidal chamber in any fashion. Additional
baffles 64 are
9 disposed beyond the radiation source (e.g., the radiation source length is
less than the length
of housing 5) between germicidal chamber 16 and a system exhaust in order to
enable
11 baffles 64 to maintain the emitted radiation within the system. Baffles 64
are substantially
12 similar to baffles 44, 54 described above, whereby the system generally
includes two baffles
13 64 to maintain emitted radiation within the system. However, the system may
include any
14 quantity (e.g., at least one) of baffles 64 to handle the emitted
radiation. It is to be
i 5 understood that baffles 42, 44, 52, 54 and 64 may be of any shape or size,
may be configured
16 in any manner and may be constructed of any suitable materials to direct
air flow in a
17 tortuous manner through housing 5.
18 Air flow through system 2c is described. Specifically, air enters system 2c
via an air
19 intake (not shown) and is directed by fan 22 into ozone chamber 8. The air
stream traverses
the serpentine path formed by baffles 42, 44 described above, whereby the air
stream is
21 exposed to ozone generating radiation emitted through end-cap windows 174
from ozone
22 section 12 of radiation source 36. The ozone generating radiation produces
ozone within the
23 air stream, while the serpentine path formed by baffles 42, 44 enables the
ozone to mix and
24 interact with the air steam to remove contaminants. The air stream
subsequently enters
germicidal chamber 16 and traverses the serpentine path formed by germicidal
chamber
26 baffles 52, 54 described above. The air stream is exposed to germicidal
radiation from
27 germicidal section 14 to remove residual contaminants and ozone from the
air stream.
28 Subsequent to the germicidal chamber, the sterilized air stream traverses
additional baffles 64
29 and returns to the surrounding environment via a system exhaust.
An alternative embodiment of the system of Fig. 10, especially for use as a
wall unit,
31 is illustrated in Fig. 11. Specifically, system 2d includes a housing 5,
ozone and germicidal
32 chambers 8, 16, a combination radiation source (not shown), an exhaust vent
I31, a fan 22
CA 02309215 2000-OS-OS
WO 99122777 PCTIUS98/23586
1 and a ballast 4. Housing 5 is typically constructed of foam and includes
front and rear
2 components Sa, Sb that interface to form the system housing. Housing
component Sa is
3 generally semi-cylindrical having an open top portion and a partially closed
bottom portion.
4 A substantially rectangular recess 127 is disposed toward the bottom of
housing component
Sa and includes a generally semi-circular opening defined in the recess floor.
A series of
6 slots 68 are further defined and longitudinally spaced apart in the interior
surface of housing
7 component Sa with each slot extending in the direction of a housing
component transverse
8 axis along an interior perimeter of that housing component. Housing
component Sb is in the
9 form of a generally trapezoidal block having a substantially semi-circular
channel 40 defined
in the block. The channel extends in the direction of a block longitudinal
axis, thereby
11 providing the block with partially open top and bottom portions. A series
of slots 169,
12 substantially similar to slots 68, are defined and longitudinally spaced
apart in the interior
13 surface of channel 40 and extend in the direction of a channel transverse
axis along an
14 interior channel perimeter. The bottom portion of housing component Sb
includes a
substantially rectangular recess 60 having a generally semi-circular opening
defined in the
16 recess floor. Further, a substantially rectangular recess 66 is disposed in
a block side wall
17 toward the bottom portion of housing component Sb to house ballast 4.
18 Housing components Sa, Sb interface to form a substantially cylindrical
passageway
19 to treat an air stream, while slots 68 and recess 127 of housing component
Sa are respectively
positioned coincident slots 169 and recess 60 of housing component Sb. Slots
68, 169 form
21 receptacles to receive and secure baffles within the system that direct an
air stream in a
22 serpentine manner as described below. Recesses 60, 127 of the housing
components form a
23 substantially rectangular receptacle to receive fan 22, while the recess
floor openings enable
24 air to be drawn into and through the system by the fan. An external housing
cover (not
shown), typically constructed of plastic, is generally placed over housing S.
26 Ozone chamber 8 is disposed adjacent fan 22 and includes baffles 43, 44
that form a
27 serpentine air flow path through the ozone chamber in a similar manner as
described above
28 for system 2c. The path thmugh the ozone chamber is typically formed by
three baffles (e.g.,
29 baffle 43 disposed between a pair of baffles 44), however, the baffles may
be arranged in any
fashion and may be of any quantity (e.g., at least one). Baffle 43 is
substantially annular and
31 includes an opening 85 defined toward the baffle center having dimensions
slightly greater
32 than the cross-sectional dimensions of the radiation source. Further,
baffle 43 includes
26
CA 02309215 2000-OS-OS
WO 99/22777 PCTIUS98/235$6
1 openings 177 defined about an exterior surface of baffle 43 toward the
baffle peripheral
2 edges, whereby the openings are arranged in a non-overlapping manner
angularly spaced a
3 slight distance from each other. Openings 177 are generally rectangular
having curved edges
4 along their longer rectangular dimension, however, the openings may be of
any shape, size or
quantity (e.g., at least one}. The radiation source is substantially similar
to radiation source
6 36 described above and is typically positioned such that ozone section 12 is
disposed through
7 the openings defined toward the centers of baffles 43, 44 as described
above. Baffle 44 is
8 substantially annular and includes an opening 86 substantially greater than
the cross-sectional
9 dimensions of the radiation source as described above. Air flows within the
ozone chamber
through opening 86 of baffle 44 and openings 177 of baffle 43, whereby baffles
44 direct air
11 inward toward the radiation source, while openings 177 direct air outward
toward
12 passageway walls to form a serpentine air flow path through the ozone
chamber. An air
I3 stream is directed into the ozone chamber via fan 22, whereby the air is
exposed to ozone
14 generating radiation as described above. The serpentine path formed by
baffles 43, 44
enables generated ozone to mix and interact with the air stream to remove
contaminants.
16 , Germicidal chamber 16 is disposed adjacent ozone chamber 8 and similarly
includes
I7 baffles 53, 54 alternately arranged to form a serpentine path through the
germicidal chamber
18 in substantially the same manner described above. The germicidal chamber
typically
19 includes four baffles (e.g., two each of baffles 53, 54 alternately
disposed preferably with
baffle 53 initiating the baffle arrangement), however, the baffles may be
arranged in any
21 fashion and may be of any quantity (e.g., at least one). Baffle 53 is
substantially similar to
22 baffle 43 described above, while baffle 54 is substantially similar to
baffle 44 described
23 above. The air stream enters the germicidal chamber from ozone chamber 8,
whereby the air
24 stream traverses the serpentine path formed by baffles 53, 54 and is
exposed to germicidal
radiation from the radiation source germicidal section to remove residual
contaminants and
26 ozone from the air stream. Sterilized air exits the germicidal chamber and
returns to the
27 surrounding environment via exhaust vent 131. Exhaust vent 131 is typically
substantially
28 circular and includes a bulb holder 121 extending from the vent into the
system to engage an
29 end of the radiation source adjacent the germicidal section. Bulb holder
121 is generally
cylindrical having cross-sectional dimensions slightly larger then the cross-
sectional
31 dimensions of the radiation source to receive the radiation source end. The
exhaust and bulb
27
CA 02309215 2000-OS-OS
WO 99/22777 PCTNS981Z3586
I holder vent permit placement and removal of the radiation source within the
system and may
2 be of any shape or size.
3 Air flow through system 2d is described. The air flow path is substantially
similar to
4 the air flow path described above for system 2c (Fig. 10). Specifically, air
enters the system
S via an air intake (not shown) and is directed into ozone chamber 8 by faa
22. The air stream
6 traverses the alternating sequence of openings 86 of baffles 44 and openings
177 of baffle 43
7 to flow in a serpentine manner through the ozone chamber. Ozone generating
radiation is
8 emitted by the radiation source (not shown) to generate ozone within the air
stream. The
9 serpentine path enables the ozone to mix and interact with the air steam to
permit the ozone
to remove contaminants. The air and ozone mixture enters germicidal chamber 16
from the
11 ozone chamber and traverses the alternating sequence of openings 86 of
germicidal baffles S4
12 and openings 177 of baffles S3 to flow in a serpentine fashion through the
germicidal
13 chamber as described above. The air stream is exposed to germicidal
radiation to remove
14 residual contaminants and ozone from the air stream to produce sterilized
air, whereby the
1 S sterilized air flows through exhaust vent 131 to return to the surrounding
environment.
16 A system employing a replaceable cartridge for producing purified or ozone
enriched
17 air is illustrated in Figs. 12 - 13. Specifically, system 2e is similar to
systems 2a, 2c - 2d
18 described above and includes a base 102 for housing system electrical
components (e.g.,
19 ballast, fan, etc.) and a cartridge 100a having ozone and germicidal
chambers 8, 16 and
radiation source 36 (Fig. 1 S). Base 102 is typically disposed in an area
containing air to be
21 treated, while cartridge 100a is connected to the base to treat the air in
the surrounding
22 environment. The camidge is preferably disposable and may be replaced as
needed, while
23 the base receives and interacts with the replaceable cartridges to remove
contaminants from
24 an air stream. Base 102 is typically substantially rectangular and includes
dimensions greater
2S than the cross-sectional dimensions of the cartridge to enable the base to
receive the
26 cartridge. The base houses the electrical components for system 2e and
includes fans 22
27 (e.g., at least one fan) to direct air from a surrounding environment into
cartridge 100a, a
28 ballast 4 to provide current to the radiation source, a power receptacle
101 for facilitating
29 connections between the cartridge and power sources (e.g., ballast), and
any other electrical
components needed by the system. Ballast 4 may be an A.C. ballast, whereby
base 102 is
31 connected to an A.C. power source, such as a conventional wall outlet jack.
Alternatively,
32 base 102 may include a D.C. ballast and either be connected to a vehicle
power system or
28
CA 02309215 2000-OS-OS
WO 99/22777 PCT/US98/23586
1 have a battery for powering the ballast. The power receptacle typically
includes a series of
2 pin receptacles to receive elongated pins 176 from a radiation source end-
cap. The power
3 receptacle may be implemented by any conventional or other receptacle,
whereby the pin
4 receptacles may be of any quantity, shape or size, and may be arranged in
any fashion.
Further, the base components (e.g., ballasts, power receptacles, etc.) may be
of any quantity
6 (e.g., at least one) and may be arranged in any fashion capable of
performing their desired
7 functions. Moreover, the base and cartridge each may be of any size or
shape, and may be
8 disposed in any fashion capable of enabling the base to provide power to and
direct air
9 through the cartridge.
14 Cartridge 100a typically includes cartridge components I04 that interface
to form the
1 I car6ridge housing. Each cartridge component is configured to essentially
implement half of
12 the cartridge housing (e.g., two substantially identical cartridge
components may be utilized
I3 to form the cartridge housing). The cartridge includes ozone and germicidal
chambers and a
I4 radiation source, and is configured to direct air in a serpentine manner
and to treat the air in
substantially the same manner as the systems described above. The cartridge is
typically
16 constructed of plastic foam (e.g., polystyrene, expanded polypropylene
foam, closed cell or
17 packaging foam, heat seal foam, or foams from the group of polyvinyl
aromatic hydrocarbons
18 or any other foam), but may be constructed of any suitable materials.
Further, the foam may
19 be a combination of foams or treated with various liners or chemicals via
vacuum metalizing
or other techniques for handling of liquids, fire retardation or to increase
foam capabilities
21 (e.g., strength, tolerance to heat, cold, liquid, chemicals, etc.). An
indicator I08, preferably a
22 conventional light emitting diode (LED), is disposed on the cartridge
toward the cartridge
23 rear portion to indicate operation of the radiation source. The indicator
generally receives
24 power from receptacle 101 and monitors the radiation source. A sleeve 112
is typically
disposed over and covers cartridge 100a, whereby the sleeve is preferably
constructed of
26 plastic, but may be constructed of any suitable materials.
27 Cartridge component 104 for forming the cartridge housing is illustrated in
Fig. 14.
28 Specifically, cartridge component 104 is in the form of a rectangular block
having side walls
29 128, 130 and a channel I 14 extending in a direction of a block
longitudinal axis. Channel
114 includes side walls 133, 135 and a series of walls 120, 122 alternately
disposed and
31 longitudinally separated by a slight distance within the channel. Wall 120
occupies the space
32 between the bottom portions of channel side walls I33, 135 and extends from
the channel
29
CA 02309215 2000-OS-OS
WO 99I2Z777 PCT/US9$123586
1 floor toward the channel side wall upper edges. Wall 120 is configured with
cut-away
2 segments to form gaps between upper edge portions of wall 120 and the
channel side walls to
3 enable an air stream to traverse those gaps during treatment as described
below. A generally
4 semi-circular recess 124 is disposed toward the approximate center of the
upper portion of
wall 120 and extends from that upper portion inwardly toward the wall center.
Recess 124
6 typically receives and secures the radiation source within the cartridge in
close fitting
7 relation.
g Wall 122 is similarly disposed between the channel side walls and extends in
a
9 direction of a channel transverse axis along the interior channel perimeter.
A generally semi-
circular recess 126 is disposed proximate the center of the upper edge portion
of wall 122 and
11 extends inwardly from that upper edge portion toward the wall bottom.
Recess 126 includes
12 dimensions greater than the dimensions of recess 124 to permit air flow
through recess 126
13 during treatment as described below. Channel 114 typically includes seven
walls (e.g., four
I4 walls 120 and three walls 122 disposed in alternating fashion with each
wall I22 disposed
between a pair of walls 120), whereby the first three walls typically form
ozone chamber 8,
16 while the remaining walls generally form germicidal chamber 16. However,
the ozone and
17 germicidal chambers may each include any quantity of walls (e.g., at least
one) arranged in
18 any fashion. Block side walls 128, 130 are configured to enable cartridge
components 104 to
I9 interlock, whereby a raised tab portion or step 134 is disposed toward the
approximate
longitudinal center of the upper edge of side wall 128, while a corresponding
recess 136 is
21 disposed toward the approximate longitudinal center of the upper edge of
side wall 130. The
22 raised tab portion and recess include substantially the same dimensions
such that the tab of
23 one cartridge component snugly fits into the recess of another cartridge
component to
24 interlock the cartridge components and form the cartridge housing. However,
the block may
include any fastening devices or techniques to enable cartridge components to
interlock.
26 When cartridge components interface, the components form the internal
structure of
27 ozone and germicidal chambers 8, 16 to remove contaminants from an air
stream as
28 illustrated in Fig. 15. Specifically, cartridge 100a is formed by two
identical interlocking
29 cartridge components 104 and includes ozone chamber 8 and germicidal
chamber 16. The
cartridge components interface as described above, whereby edges of walls 120,
122 of each
31 cartridge component are positioned coincident each other to respectively
form walls 140, 142
32 that direct air flow through the cartridge. Wall 140 includes an opening
146 defined toward
CA 02309215 2000-OS-OS
WO 99122777 PCT/U898n3586
1 the approximate center of wall 140. Opening 146 is formed by recesses 124 of
coincident
2 edges of walls 120 and includes dimensions only slightly greater than or
equal to the cross-
3 sectional dimensions of radiation source 36 to receive ozone section 12 of
the source.
4 Openings 144 are defined in wall 140 toward, the cartridge side walls to
direct an air stream
S away from the radiation source as the air stream traverses the ozone
chamber. Wall 142
6 includes an opening 148 defined toward the approximate center of wall 142.
Opening 148 is
7 formed by recesses 126 of coincident edges of walls 122 and includes
dimensions
8 substantially greater than the cross-sectional dimensions of radiation
source 36 to direct the
9 air stream toward the radiation source as the air stream traverses the ozone
chamber. The
sequence of walls 140, 142 within the ozone chamber directs the air stream to
alternately
11 flow with an outward flow component toward the cartridge side walls and
then with an
12 inward flow component toward the radiation source, thereby directing the
air stream through
13 the ozone chamber in a generally three-dimensional serpentine manner. Air
entering the
14 ozone chamber is exposed to ozone generating radiation that produces ozone
within the air
stream, whereby walls 140, 142 direct the air stream in a serpentine fashion
to mix the ozone
16 with the air stream to remove contaminants. Ozone chamber 8 typically
includes three walls
17 (e.g., wall 142 disposed between a pair of walls 140), however, the ozone
chamber may
18 include any quantity (e.g., at least one) of walls arranged in any fashion.
19 Germicidal chamber 16 is disposed adjacent ozone chamber 8, whereby
openings 14b,
148 receive and secure germicidal section 14 within the germicidal chamber.
Air enters
21 germicidal chamber 16 from ozone chamber 8 and is exposed to germicidal
radiation to
22 remove residual contaminants and ozone residing within the air stream.
Openings 148 of
23 walls 142 and openings 144 of walls 140 direct the air stream to flow in a
serpentine manner
24 through the germicidal chamber in substantially the same manner described
above, whereby
sterilized air from the germicidal chamber returns to a surrounding
environment via a system
26 exhaust (not shown). Germicidal chamber 16 typically includes four walls
(e.g., two each of
27 walls 140, 142 disposed in an alternating fashion preferably with wall 142
initiating the
28 arrangement), however, the germicidal chamber may include any quantity
(e.g., at least one)
29 of walls arranged in any fashion.
Operation of the system is described with reference to Figs. 12 - i 3 and 1 S.
Initially,
31 base 102 is disposed in an appropriate location (e.g., room, vehicle, duct
system, etc.).
32 Cartridge 100a including radiation source 36 is connected to base 102 via
receptacle 101 to
31
CA 02309215 2000-OS-OS
WO 99IZ2777 PCT/US98/23586
1 provide power to the cartridge and direct air through the system. An air
stream from a
2 surrounding environment is directed into the system, via fan 22, and enters
ozone chamber 8.
3 The air stream is exposed to ozone generating radiation and traverses a
serpentine air flow
4 path formed by openings in walls 140, 142 as described above. The serpentine
air flow path
enables the ozone to mix and interact with the air stream to remove
contaminants. The air
6 stream subsequently enters germicidal chamber 16 wherein the air stream is
exposed to
7 germicidal radiation to remove residual contaminants and ozone residing
within that air
8 stream. The air stream traverses the serpentine air flow path within the
germicidal chamber
9 formed by openings in walls 140, 142 and exits the system via a system
exhaust. The base
and cartridge may be of any shape or size to accommodate any sized areas or
various
lI applications.
12 The cartridge described above may include various configurations to produce
a
13 serpentine air flow path and reduce through-flow velocity in the ozone
chamber. An
14 exemplary configuration for the cartridge to provide a serpentine air flow
path is illustrated in
Fig. I6. Specifically, cartridge 100b includes ozone chamber 8, germicidal
chamber 16 and a
16 pair of combination radiation sources 36 each having an ozone section 12
and germicidal
17 section 14 as described above. However, cartridge 100b may include any
quantity (e.g., at
18 least one) of radiation sources. Cartridge side wall 128 (e.g., the
leftmost side wall as viewed
19 in Fig. 16) includes dividers 150 extending from that side wall toward side
wall 130 (e.g., the
rightmost side wall as viewed in Fig. 16), while side wall 130 includes
dividers 152
21 extending from that side wall toward side wall 128. Dividers 150 each
extend from side wall
22 128 for a distance slightly less than the distance between side walls 128,
130, thereby
23 forming respective gaps between dividers 150 and side wall I30. Similarly,
dividers 152
24 each extend from side wall 130 for a distance slightly less than the
distance between side
walls 128, 130, thereby forming respective gaps between dividers 152 and side
wall 128.
26 Dividers 150, 152 are interleaved to form successive passageways that
collectively define a
27 serpentine path 10 through the cartridge. A plurality of posts I38 are
disposed along path 10
28 to reduce air through-flow velocity and generate turbulence within the
flowing air.
29 Radiation sources 36 extend in the direction of a longitudinal axis of the
cartridge and
are disposed toward the approximate center of the front and rear cartridge
wails. Ozone
31 chamber 8 generally occupies the portion of serpentine path 10 residing
between a cartridge
32 front wall and a divider 152 positioned closest to the front wall. An end-
cap 72 is disposed
32
CA 02309215 2000-OS-OS
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1 over ozone section I2 of each radiation source, and includes windows (not
shown) to regulate
2 emission of ozone generating radiation and production of ozone. End-caps 72
interface base
3 102 (e.g., with plural ballasts) to supply power to the cartridge. Air
enters ozone chamber 8
4 via an intake 154 defined in the cartridge front wall toward side wall 130,
and is exposed to
ozone generating radiation from ozone section 12 to produce ozone. The air
stream traverses
6 posts 138, disposed within the ozone chamber toward side wall 128, to reduce
air through-
? flow velocity and enable the ozone to rnix with the air.
8 Germicidal chamber 16 effectively occupies the remaining portion of path 10
and
9 similarly includes posts 138 or other forms of obstruction to reduce air
through-flow velocity
and generate turbulence in the flowing air. The air stream is exposed to
germicidal radiation
11 from germicidal section 14 of radiation source 36 to remove residual
contaminants and ozone
12 as the air stream traverses the path within the germicidal chamber. The air
stream exits the
13 system and returns to the surrounding environment via an exhaust 156
defined in the
14 cartridge rear wall toward side wall 128. Each radiation source 36 includes
a germicidal end-
cap I78 that receives an end of the radiation source adjacent its germicidal
section to secure
16 the radiation source in the cartridge.
17 Air flow through cartridge 100b is described. Specifically, an air stream
enters
18 cartridge 100b via intake 154 and is directed into ozone chamber 8. The air
stream is
19 exposed to ozone generating radiation from ozone section 12 of each
radiation source and
produces ozone to remove contaminants. The air stream traverses path 10 and
posts 138 that
21 enable the ozone to efficiently mix and interact with the air stream to
remove contaminants.
22 The air stream flows through path 14 and enters germicidal chamber 16 where
the air stream
23 is exposed to germicidal radiation from germicidal section 14 of each
radiation source to
24 remove residual contaminants and ozone. The air stream traverses path 10
and posts 138 and
exits the system to the surrounding environment via exhaust 156.
26 An alternative configuration for the cartridge is illustrated in Fig. I7.
Specifically,
27 cartridge 100c includes ozone chamber 8, germicidal chamber 16, and a pair
of combination
28 radiation sources 36 each having an ozone section 12 and germicidal section
14 as described
29 above. However, cartridge 100c may include any quantity (e.g., at least
one) of radiation
sources. Cartridge side wall 130 (e.g., the rightmost side wall as viewed in
Fig. 17) includes
31 a divider I62 extending from that side wall toward side wall 128 (e.g., the
leftmost side wall
32 as viewed in Fig. 17). Divider 162 extends from side wall 130 for a
distance slightly less
33
CA 02309215 2000-OS-OS
WO 99/22777 PCTNS98/23586
1 than the distance between side walls 128, 130 to form a gap between divider
162 and side
2 wail 128. A divider 1 S 8 extends from divider 162 toward the cartridge rear
wall substantially
3 in parallel to side wall 128. Divider 158 has a length slightly less than
the distance between
4 divider 162 and the cartridge rear wall to form a gap between divider 158
and the cartridge
rear wall. A divider 160 extends from the cartridge rear wall toward divider
162, and
6 includes a length slightly less than the distance between the cartridge rear
wall and divider
7 162 to form a gap between divider 160 and divider 162. The dividers form
passageways
8 through the cartridge that collectively define serpentine path 10. A
plurality of posts 138 are
9 disposed within path 10 to reduce air through-flow velocity and generate
turbulence in the
i 0 flowing air as described above.
11 Radiation sources 36 extend in the direction of a longitudinal axis of the
cartridge and
12 are disposed between dividers 158, 160 toward the approximate center
between side walls
13 128, 130. Ozone chamber 8 occupies the portion of path 10 between the
cartridge front wall
14 and divider 162. An end-cap 72 is disposed over ozone section 12 of each
radiation source,
and includes windows (not shown) to regulate emission of ozone generating
radiation and
16 production of ozone. End-caps 72 interface base I02 (e.g., with plural
ballasts) to supply
17 power to the cartridge. Air enters ozone chamber 8 via an intake I54
defined in the cartridge
18 front wall toward side wall 130, and is exposed to ozone generating
radiation from ozone
19 section 12 to produce ozone. The air stream traverses posts 138 disposed
along path 10
toward side wall 128 to reduce air through-flow velocity and enable the ozone
to mix with
21 the air. The portion of path 10 between divider 158 and side wall 128
essentially serves as a
22 dwell time chamber to enable the ozone to mix and interact with the air.
23 Germicidal chamber 16 effectively occupies the remaining portions of path
10
24 subsequent to the dwell time chamber (e.g., the portions of path 10 between
dividers 158 and
160 and between side wall 130 and divider 160). In other words, the germicidal
chamber
26 occupies the portions of path 10 capable of receiving germicidal radiation
from germicidal
27 section 14 of each radiation source. The germicidal chamber similarly
includes posts 138 to
28 reduce air through-flow velocity and generate turbulence in the air. The
air stream is exposed
29 to germicidal radiation from germicidal section 14 of each radiation source
to remove
residual contaminants and ozone as the air stream traverses the path within
the germicidal
31 chamber. Further, a conventional or other type of filter 198 may be
disposed adjacent divider
32 162 to remove particulate or other contaminants from the air stream during
traversal of the
34
CA 02309215 2000-OS-OS
WO 99/Z2777 PCTNS98I23586
1 path. The air stream exits the system and returns to the surrounding
environment via exhaust
2 156 defined in the cartridge rear wall toward side wall 130. Radiation
sources 36 each
3 include a germicidal end-cap 178 that receives an end of a corresponding
radiation source
4 adjacent germicidal section 14 to secure that radiation source within the
cartridge.
Air flow through cartridge 100c is described. Specifically, an air stream
enters
6 cartridge 100c via intake 154 and is directed into ozone chamber 8. The air
stream is
7 exposed to ozone generating radiation from ozone section 12 of each
radiation source and
8 produces ozone to remove contaminants. The air stream traverses the dwell
chamber within
9 path l0 and posts 138 that enable the ozone to mix and interact with the air
stream to remove
contaminants. The air stream flows through path 10 and enters germicidal
chamber 16 where
11 the air stream is exposed to germicidal radiation from germicidal section
14 of each radiation
12 source. The germicidal radiation removes residual contaminants and ozone
from the air
13 stream. The air stream traverses path 10 and posts 138 within the
germicidal chamber, and
14 exits the system to the surrounding environment via exhaust 156.
A cartridge configured for use within plenums of vehicles or other locations
(e.g.,
16 ducts of HVAC systems) is illustrated in Figs. 18 - 19. Specifically,
cartridge 100d is
17 substantially similar to and functions in substantially the same manner as
the cartridges
18 described above except that the cartridge includes a connector 106 to
provide power to the
19 cartridge. Cartridge 100d may include any of the cartridge configurations
described above
(e.g., with plural connectors for Figs. 16 - 17), and is typically inserted
within a plenum of a
21 vehicle. Connector 106 interfaces a radiation source end-cap and extends to
connect the
22 cartridge to a vehicle or other power supply. The connector may be
implemented by any
23 conventional or other type of connector, and may be configured in any
fashion (e.g., to
24 handle multiple radiation sources) to facilitate connection between the
cartridge and power
source. Light indicator 108 may receive power from the power supply via
connector 106.
26 Cartridge 100d is typically inserted within the plenum such that air
flowing within the
27 plenum directly flows through the cartridge. A fan may be disposed on the
cartridge to assist
28 in directing air through the cartridge, however, plenum air flow is
generally sufficient to
29 enable treatment of the air stream by the cartridge. An air stream enters
the cartridge,
whereby the air stream traverses the cartridge ozone and germicidal chambers
to facilitate
31 removal of contaminants from the air stream in substantially the same
manner described
CA 02309215 2000-OS-OS
WO 99!22777 PCTNS98I23586
1 above. Purified air may then be returned to the vehicle interior or other
surrounding
2 environment.
3 A radiation source end-cap for use with a cartridge to insulate the
cartridge from
4 radiation source temperatures is illustrated in Figs. 20 - 21. Specifically,
end-cap 164
includes a bulb receptacle 166, a support 170 and a flange 172. Bulb
receptacle 166 is
6 generally cylindrical having an open top portion to receive an end of a
radiation source. The
7 bulb receptacle includes a series of grooves 274 defined in the receptacle
exterior surface and
8 extending in the direction of a receptacle longitudinal axis. Similarly, a
series of ridges 276
9 are defined in the interior surface of bulb receptacle 166 coincident
grooves 274 and extend
in the direction of a receptacle longitudinal axis. The bulb receptacle
includes cross-sectional
11 dimensions substantially similar to the cross-sectional dimensions of the
radiation source
12 such that ridges 276 extend from the receptacle interior surface to snugly
receive an end of
13 - the radiation source. The bulb receptacle typically covers the ozone
section and includes air
14 vents 180 to permit cooling of the radiation source. The bulb receptacle
may be constructed
of any suitable materials capable of blocking radiation, and includes windows
I74 as
16 described above to regulate emission of ozone generating radiation and
production of ozone.
17 By way of example only, bulb receptacle 166 has a height of approximately
one and three-
18 quarters inches with an inner cross-sectional dimension of slightly greater
than one-half inch.
19 Bulb receptacle 166 is disposed toward the approximate center of a top
surface of
support 170, whereby pins 176 extend from the distal end of receptacle I66
into the support
21 interior to facilitate power connections for the radiation source. The
receptacle generally
22 includes four pins typically arranged in a box-like configuration of two
rows and two
23 columns with the pin mws separated by a distance of approximately 0.3
inches, however, the
24 receptacle may include any quantity of pins arranged in any fashion.
Support 170 is
generally cylindrical, and includes an open bottom portion to enable access to
the pins. The
26 support has cross-sectional dimensions greater than the cross-sectional
dimensions of
27 receptacle 166. The support top surface interfaces the support side
surfaces in such a manner
28 to form a rounded junction or intersection. Flange or ledge 172 is disposed
toward the
29 bottom of the support, and extends from and about the support exterior
surface. By way of
example only, the flange is disposed approximately one and one-half inches
from the support
31 top surface. Support 170 is typically inserted within a receptacle in a
cartridge, whereby
32 flange 172 secures the end-cap in place, while support 170 elevates or
provides sufficient
36
CA 02309215 2000-OS-OS
WO 99/22777 PCf/US98IZ3586
1 distance between the cartridge and portion of the radiation source having
substantial
2 temperatures.
3 Operation of a radiation source and end-cap is described with reference to
Fig. 22.
4 Initially, an end of a radiation source 36 is inserted into bulb recept$cle
166 of end-cap 164.
Support 170 is typically inserted within an opening formed in a cartridge
toward the cartridge
6 rear wall (e.g., opening 146 in wall 140 (Fig. 15)). Flange 172 serves as a
stop to secure the
7 radiation source in that opening. Connector 106 of cartridge 100d may be
inserted into the
8 open bottom portion of support 170 to interface pins 176 or, alternatively,
pins 176 may be
9 elongated to extend beyond the end-cap to interface receptacle 101 of base
102 (e.g.,
cartridge 100a) in order to provide power to the respective cartridges.
Support 170 provides
11 sui~cient distance between the end of the radiation source and the
cartridge housing,
12 whereby the end of the radiation source typically incurs substantial
temperatures.
13 Essentially, the end-cap maintains heat generated by the radiation source
away from the foam
14 cartridge housing, while the air vents permit air to pass over and cool the
extreme
temperatures of the bulb. In other words, the end-cap raises the hot bulb away
from the foam
16 cartridge housing to prevent substantial temperatures of the radiation
source from affecting
17 the housing.
18 A system 2f for removing contaminants from an air stream to produce
purified or
19 ozone enriched air, typically for installation within a ceiling or wall, is
illustrated in Fig. 23.
System 2f is substantially similar to the corresponding ceiling or wall units
disclosed in the
21 aforementioned patent applications. Specifically, system 2f includes a
cover or housing 240,
22 chamber block 242, electrical component assembly 244, and a base 246. Base
246, typically
23 constructed of molded plastic or other suitably sturdy material, includes
substantially
24 rectangular front, rear, side and bottom walls 90, 92, 94, 96,
respectively, that collectively
define a base interior. The bottom wall is substantially flat, while the
front, rear and side
26 walls are slightly tilted outward to expand the base interior. The upper
portions of the front,
27 rear and side walls are not tilted, but rather, extend in a substantially
vertical fashion to form
28 a base periphery 98. An intake vent 48 is disposed on base front wall 90,
while an exhaust
29 vent 50 is disposed on base rear wall 92. Base 246 may fiuther include
dividing walls (not
shown) to prevent contact between the incoming contaminated air from intake
vent 48 and
31 the outgoing sterilized air to be exhausted through exhaust vent 50, and to
distribute the
32 incoming air stream from intake vent 48 to different ozone chambers as
described below. A
37
CA 02309215 2000-OS-OS
WO 99/2777 PCTNS98123586
1 platform (not shown) is disposed slightly below base periphery 98 to cover
and form an air
2 chamber within the base interior. The platform is substantially rectangular
and includes
3 dimensions slightly less than the dimensions of periphery 98 to form gaps or
openings
4 between the platform and periphery adjacent the intake and exhaust vents.
The openings
enable incoming air to enter the system from intake vent 48, and enable
outgoing air from the
6 system to be exhausted through exhaust vent 50. The system may be inserted
within a ceiling
7 or wall such that only base 246 is visible within a room to enable the
intake and exhaust vents
8 to respectively receive and exhaust air to the room.
9 Chamber block 242 is typically a substantially rectangular block having
cross-
sectional dimensions slightly less than base 24b in order to be disposed on
the base platform.
11 Block 242 is typically constructed of expandable polypropylene close cell
foam, a
12 lightweight and sound and shock absorption material. However, chamber block
242 may be
13 constructed of any other materials capable of forming ozone and germicidal
chambers as
14 described below. Chamber block 242 includes a pair of isolated ozone
chambers 8a, 8b and a
pair of germicidal chambers 16a, 16b, whereby each ozone and germicidal
chamber is
I6 substantially similar to and functions in substantially the same manner as
the respective
17 corresponding ceiling or wall unit ozone and germicidal chambers described
in the
18 aforementioned patent applications. Specifically, ozone chambers 8a, 8b
respectively include
19 paths 10a, lOb formed into the foam block serving to reduce air through-
flow velocity and
enhance ozone distribution within the air stream as described above. The paths
are each
21 essentially defined by a winding groove or channel formed in the chamber
block to reduce air
22 through-flow velocity and mix generated ozone with the air stream to remove
contaminants
23 as described above. Paths 10a, l Ob are each formed toward the front
portion of the chamber
24 block and extend toward the rear block portion into respective germicidal
chambers 16a, 16b.
Paths 10a, lOb tend to be mirror images of each other and direct air streams
to enter the
26 respective germicidal chambers.
27 Germicidal chambers 16a, 16b are formed in chamber block 242 adjacent
respective
28 ozone chambers 8a, 8b. The air streams from ozone chamber paths 10a, lOb
enter the
29 respective germicidal chambers from opposing sides of the chamber block.
The germicidal
chambers are collectively defined by a substantially rectangular recess formed
~in the chamber
31 block wherein the germicidal chambers are typically not isolated, but
rather, share a common
32 area. Air streams from the ozone chambers are directed through the
respective ozone
38
CA 02309215 2000-OS-OS
WO 99/22777 PCT/US98/23586
1 chamber paths and enter germicidal chambers 16a, 16b or, in other words, the
chamber block
2 recess. The ozone and germicidal chambers each include radiation sources,
whereby the
3 radiation sources are disposed on electrical component assembly 244 for
disposal within
4 chamber block 242 as described below. The ozone and germicidal chambers may
alternatively include any of the configurations described above to reduce air
thmugh-flow
6 velocity and enable generated ozone to mix with the air as described above.
The ozone
7 generation and application of germicidal radiation may be controlled to
pmduce ozone
8 enriched air having a particular ozone concentration level for various
applications as
9 described below.
Electrical component assembly 244 is typically constructed of sheet metal or
other
11 suitably sturdy material and preferably includes two combination radiation
sources 36
12 described above, two radiation sources 62 emitting germicidal radiation
similar to germicidal
13 section 14 of radiation source 36, fan 252 and other electrical components
for the system,
14 such as ballasts (not shown): The assembly typically includes a top wall
254, a front wall
256 and a rear wall 258. Each wall is substantially rectangular, whereby the
front and rear
16 walls respectively extend from the top wall front and rear edges
substantially perpendicular to
17 the top wall. Top wall 254 has dimensions slightly less than the dimensions
of the recess
18 within chamber block 242 forming the germicidal chambers such that assembly
244 is
19 inserted within that recess. Rear wall 258 extends from top wall 254 for a
distance
substantially similar to the depth of the chamber block recess such that fan
252 is
2I substantially flush with a recess peripheral edge when assembly 244 is
disposed within the
22 recess. Front wall 256 extends from top wall 254 substantially parallel to
rear wall 258 for a
23 distance slightly less than the extension of the rear wall. Fmnt wall 256
includes an opening
24 260 disposed toward the approximate center of each front wall side edge,
and a pair of
receptacles 264 (not shown on front wall 256 in Fig. 23) disposed between
openings 260.
26 Similarly, rear wall 258 includes a receptacle 264 disposed coincident each
opening 260 and
27 receptacle 264 disposed on front wall 256. Openings 260 disposed on front
wall 256 and
28 their corresponding receptacles 264 disposed on rear wall 258 each receive
a combination
29 radiation source 36 such that the ozone section of the radiation source
extends through
opening 260 and is disposed external of the assembly, while germicidal section
14 remains
31 within the assembly. Similarly, corresponding receptacles 264 disposed on
the front and rear
32 walls receive radiation sources 62. Receptacles 264 disposed on rear wall
258 typically
39
CA 02309215 2000-OS-OS
WO 99122777 PCTNS98/23586
1 include power connectors to provide current to the radiation sources from a
ballast (not
2 shown) via an end-cap described below. Fan 252 is attached to rear wall 258
below the
3 radiation sources (e.g., as viewed in Fig. 23), and is typically implemented
by a barrel or
4 other type of fan or blower device to draw air through the system.
An end-cap for radiation sources 36, 62, enabling insertion of the radiation
sources
6 within connectors of receptacles 264, is illustrated, by way of example
only, in Fig. 24.
7 Specifically, end-cap 72 includes an open top portion and has dimensions
slightly greater
8 than the cross-sectional dimensions of radiation sources 36, 62 to receive
an end of one of
9 those radiation sources. The end-cap receives the end of radiation source 36
adjacent ozone
section 14, or an end of radiation source 62 in its open top portion and
includes a generally
11 rectangular cross-section that tapers toward an end-cap far side (e.g., as
viewed in Fig. 24) to
12 form a rounded peak along the shorter rectangular cross-sectional
dimension. A groove or
13 channel 83 extends between the lower and upper end-cap portions at the
approximate center
14 of the end-cap near side (e.g., as viewed in Fig. 24}. The channel forms a
ridge on the
I S corresponding interior surface of the end-cap to secure the end-cap to an
end of a radiation
16 source. Substantially cylindrical pins 76, preferably four, are disposed on
an exterior near
17 side surface of end-cap 72 and extend transversely away from the end-cap.
The pins
18 accommodate wiring from the radiation source and interface a power
connector disposed
19 within receptacle 264 of assembly 244 as described above. The transversely
extending pins
of end-cap 72 enable the radiation sources to be placed within and removed
from assembly
21 244 in a substantially horizontal manner, thereby permitting replacement of
the radiation
22 sources without removing assembly 244 from the ceiling or wall unit.
Assembly front and
23 rear walls 256, 258 (Fig. 23) typically include slots or grooves to permit
placement and
24 removal of radiation sources from assembly 244 in this fashion. The end-cap
and pins may
be of any size or shape, whereby the end-cap may include any quantity of pins
disposed
26 anywhere on the end-cap. Alternatively, radiation sources 36, 62 may be
implemented by
27 conventional or other radiation sources utilizing an adapter to interface
power connectors
28 within power receptacles 264 in substantially the same manner described
above. The adapter
29 may be similar in configuration to the end-cap described above, or include
any adapter
capable of interfacing a radiation source to the power connector within
receptacle 264.
31 Referring back to Fig. 23, assembly 244 is disposed within the chamber
block recess
32 forming the germicidal chambers as described above. Top wall 254 is
disposed toward the
CA 02309215 2000-OS-OS
WO 99/22777 PCT/US98/Z3586
1 recess bottom, while rear wall 258 is positioned toward the rear portion of
the recess with
2 front wall 256 disposed adjacent the ozone chambers. Ozone sections 12 of
combination
3 radiation sources 36 extend through openings 260 in assembly front wall 256
into respective
4 ozone chambers 8a, 8b, via a gap provided in the chamber block between the
ozone and
germicidal chambers, to provide necessary radiation to generate ozone as
described above. A
6 germicidal section 14 of a radiation source 36 and an adjacent radiation
source 62 of
7 assembly 244 are disposed within each germicidal chamber. Thus, each
germicidal chamber
8 includes a germicidal section of the combination radiation source and an
additional radiation
9 source to generate the required germicidal radiation. Since the germicidal
chambers share a
common area, the radiation sources disposed on assembly 244 combine to remove
11 contaminants and ozone from the air streams received from the respective
ozone chambers.
12 Chamber block 242 may be constructed of a light colored or white foam
having sufficient
13 reflective properties to reflect radiation from the radiation sources
within the ozone and
14 germicidal chambers. The reflective property of the ozone and germicidal
chambers
increases radiation intensity to enhance the effects of the ozone generating
and germicidal
16 radiation described above.
17 Chamber block 242, having assembly 244 disposed therein as described above,
is
18 placed on the base platform wherein cover 240 is placed over the chamber
block and attached
19 to the base. Cover 240 is typically constructed of injection molded plastic
or other suitably
sturdy material, and includes substantially rectangular top, front, rear and
side walls 284, 285,
21 286, 287, respectively, that collectively define the cover interior. The
bottom portions of the
22 front, rear and side walls include a ledge 88 transversely extending from
the respective walls
23 to enable attachment of the cover to the base. The cover interior includes
dimensions slightly
24 larger than chamber block 242 to receive and cover the chamber block as
described above.
System 2f is typically installed within a ceiling or wall, whereby air enters
the system via
26 intake 48 and sterilized air is returned to the environment via exhaust
vent 50 (e.g., as
27 indicated by the arrows in Fig. 23) as described above. The air flaw path
through system 2f
28 is substantially similar to the air flow paths through the corresponding
systems described in
29 the aforementioned patent applications. By way of example only, the system
typically
includes a length of approximately twenty-four inches, a width of
approximately twenty-four
31 inches, and an approximate height of eight inches.
41
CA 02309215 2000-OS-OS
WO 99/22777 PCT/IJS98123586
1 An alternative configuration for system 2f, including a single ozone chamber
and a
2 single germicidal chamber, is illustrated in Fig. 25. Specifically, system
2g is substantially
3 similar to and functions in substantially the same manner as system 2f
described above for
4 Fig. 23 except that system 2g includes a single ozone chamber and a single
germicidal
chamber, whereby the germicidal chamber includes a modified assembly 245
having four
6 radiation sources 36. However, any quantity (e.g., at least one) of
radiation sources may be
7 utilized. It is to be understood that the system illustrated in Fig. 25 is
inverted relative to the
8 system shown in Fig. 23, however, the system of Fig. 25 is typically mounted
in substantially
9 the same manner and at substantially the same orientation as the system
described above and
shown in Fig. 23. System 2g includes ozone chamber 8 and germicidal chamber 16
having
11 modified assembly 245 disposed therein to provide radiation from radiation
sources 36.
12 Ozone chamber 8 includes path 10 defined by a winding groove or channel
formed in
13 chamber block 242 to reduce air through-flow velocity and mix generated
ozone with the air
14 stream to remove contaminants from the air stream as described above.
Germicidal chamber 16 is defined by a substantially rectangular recess formed
in
16 chamber block 242 adjacent ozone chamber 8 as described above, while
assembly 245 is
17 substantially similar to assembly 244 described above except that assembly
245 includes a
18 modified configuration to accommodate combination radiation sources 36 and
the alternative
19 arrangement of system 2g. In particular, assembly 245 includes top wall
254, rear wall 258,
and source walls 55, 57. Top wall 254 has dimensions slightly less than the
dimensions of
21 the recess within chamber block 242 forming the germicidal chamber such
that assembly 245
22 is inserted within that recess as described below. Rear wall 258 is
substantially rectangular
23 and extends from a top wall rear edge substantially perpendicular to the
top wall, while each
24 source wall is substantially rectangular and extends from a side edge of a
front portion of the
top wail substantially perpendicular to the top wall. Rear wall 258 extends
from top wall 254
26 for a distance substantially similar to the depth of the block recess,
while source walls 55, 57
27 extend from top wall 254 for approximately one-half the height of the rear
wall. The upper
28 portions of each source wall 55, 57 transversely extend toward each other
to fore respective
29 ledges or shelves 35, 37 in facing relation. Ledge 35 typically includes
receptacles 264 that
include power connectors for connecting radiation sources 36 to a ballast (not
shown) as
31 described above. Ledge 37 includes holders 253 that correspond to and
coincide with
32 receptacles 264 on ledge 35. Holders 253 include a resilient substantially
semi-circular
42
CA 02309215 2000-OS-OS
wo ~n2~~~ rcrius~3ss6
1 member and have dimensions slightly less than the cross-sectional dimensions
of radiation
2 sources 36. Holders 253 receive portions of radiation sources 36 toward
ozone section 12
3 and resiliently engage the radiation source via the resilient member to
provide a snug fit,
4 while receptacles 264 receive the ends of radiation sources 36 adjacent
germicidal sections 14
as described above. Fan 252 is disposed on rear wall 258 such that the fan is
substantially
6 flush with a recess peripheral edge when assembly 245 is disposed within the
recess to draw
7 air through the system as described above.
8 Assembly 245 is disposed within germicidal chamber 16 with top wall 254
positioned
9 toward the recess bottom, rear wall 258 positioned toward a recess far side
edge (e.g., as
viewed in Fig. 25), source wall 55 positioned toward the bottom portion of the
germicidal
11 chamber and source wall 57 positioned adjacent the ozone chamber. In
essence, assembly
12 245 is disposed in the chamber block recess at an orientation rotated
approximately ninety
13 degrees from the orientation of assembly 244 within the chamber block
recess described
14 above. Radiation sources 36 are disposed within receptacles 264 and holders
253 as
described above and extend beyond the holders into ozone chamber 8 via gaps
provided in
16 chamber block 242 between the ozone and germicidal chambers. Radiation
sources 36 are
17 disposed such that ozone section 12 extends into ozone chamber 8, while
germicidal sections
18 14 reside within the germicidal chamber to provide the necessary radiation
within the
19 respective chambers to remove contaminants from the air stream as described
above.
Air flows through the system in substantially the same manner described above
for
21 Fig. 23. Initially, air enters ozone chamber 8 and path 10 via an intake
(not shown) as
22 described above. Ozone sections 12 of radiation sources 36 emit radiation
within the ozone
23 chamber to generate ozone that interacts with the air stream to remove
contaminants as
24 described above. Path 10 directs the air stream in a winding fashion
through the ozone
chamber to enable the generated ozone to mix and interact with the air stream
to remove
26 contaminants as described above. Upon traversing path 10, the air stream
enters germicidal
27 chamber 16, whereby the germicidal chamber exposes the air stream to
germicidal radiation
28 from germicidal sections 14 of radiation sources 36 to remove contaminants
and ozone from
29 the air stream as described above. Fan 252 draws air through the system and
directs purified
air back to the surrounding environment via an exhaust vent (not shown) as
described above.
31 Assembly 245 may include any quantity of radiation sources of the
combination or single
43
CA 02309215 2000-OS-OS
WO 99IZ2777 PGT/US98I23586
1 radiation emitting type, and may further accommodate the end-cap and adapter
arrangements
2 described above.
3 In addition, the ceiling or wall unit may be implemented by or as a
replaceable
4 cartridge system in substantially the same manner described above for system
2e.
Specifically, a base housing system electrical components may be disposed
within a ceiling
6 or wall, while a cartridge having the ozone and germicidal chambers and
corresponding
7 radiation sources may be connected to the base as described above. The ozone
and
8 germicidal chambers may have any of the configurations described above. The
cartridge
9 and/or base may be visible, or the cartridge and/or base may be partially or
totally hidden and
include mechanisms (e.g., guides, tubes, etc.) to draw air into the system and
return treated
11 air to a surrounding environment. Alternatively, the cartridge may be
utilized in the ceiling
12 or wall without the base and be connected to a power source as described
above.
13 The systems described above may be constructed of any suitable materials,
however,
14 certain materials, such as plastics, may be vulnerable to ozone and
germicidal radiation. In
order to prevent damage to those systems utilizing vulnerable materials, the
ozone and
16 germicidal chamber structures may be lined with metallic sheets, a metallic
coating or
17 include an additive that enables the structures (e.g., bulb terminals, end-
caps, adapters,
18 sleeves, casing, wiring sleeves, chambers, etc.) to withstand ozone and
ozone generating and
I9 germicidal radiation. Further, the metallic sheets, metallic coating or
additive may reflect the
ultraviolet energy radiation to increase radiation, intensity within the
chambers to enhance
21 ozone formation and removal of contaminants.
22 Microwave energy may be utilized by the systems described above in
conjunction
23 with ozone and germicidal radiation to f~uther remove contaminants.
Specifically, the
24 systems described above may include a magnetron or other conventional
microwave energy
generating device disposed within the ozone and/or germicidal chambers, or in
an additional
26 microwave chamber disposed anywhere in the system exposing the air stream
to microwave
27 energy. Alternatively, the magnetron may be disposed anywhere in the system
or external of
28 the system or chambers, whereby generated microwave energy may be directed
into the
29 ozone, germicidal and/or microwave chambers. The microwave energy kills
bacteria residing
in the air stream, while the ozone and germicidal radiation remove
contaminants as described
31 above. In addition, radiation source 36 may be implemented by an
electrodeless bulb that
32 emits radiation in response to microwave energy. The microwave energy may
be generated
44
CA 02309215 2000-OS-OS
WO 99/22777 PCT/US98l23586
1 within or directed into the ozone and/or germicidal chambers to remove
contaminants and
2 activate radiation source 36. Alternatively, radiation source 36 may be
implemented by
3 independent electrodeless radiation emitting bulbs wherein microwave energy
is generated
4 within or directed into both the ozone and germicidal chambers to remove
contaminants and
activate the respective bulbs. For an example of the structure and operation
of electrodeless
6 lamps, reference is made to U.S. Patent Nos. 3,872,349 (Spero et al),
4,042,850 (Ury et al)
7 and 5,614,151 (LeVay et al), the disclosures of which are incorporated
herein by reference in
8 their entireties.
9 Enhanced contaminant removal from an air stream may be accomplished by
disposing
filters (e.g., .washable or disposable filters) or other devices within the
systems described
11 above to remove particles, such as allergens, smoke, or other particles,
residing within the air
12 stream. Specifically, the systems may include various conventional or other
types of filters
13 disposed at any location within the system. The filters remove smoke and
other particles
14 from the air stream, while the system removes other contaminants within the
air stream via
ozone and germicidal radiation as described above. Preferably, the filters
remove particles
16 from the air stream subsequent to sterilization of the air to enable
washing or disposal of the
17 filter without an adverse effect on the environment (e.g., only sterilized
particles are returned
18 to the environment when a filter is washed or replaced). For an example of
utilizing filters to
19 remove particles from air, reference is made to U.S. Patent Nos. 5,18b,903
(Cornwell) and
5,221,520 (Comwell), the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by
reference in their
21 entireties.
22 Alternatively, the systems described above may use electrical techniques to
remove
23 particles from an air stream. For example, the systems may include a
precipitator having
24 plates separated by a particular distance. An air stream passes between the
plates, whereby
an electrostatic field residing between the plates causes smoke or other
particles to separate
26 from the air stream and cling to the plates. The precipitator or plates may
be disposed
27 anywhere in the system to remove the particles from the air stream, while
the system removes
28 other contaminants within the air stream via ozone and germicidal radiation
as described
29 above. Preferably, the precipitator removes particles from the air stream
subsequent to
sterilization of the air to prevent adverse effects on the environment (e.g.,
non-sterile particles
31 being returned to the environment) as described above. A particle
collection receptacle may
32 be disposed proximate the plates, whereby the plates may be manipulated or
vibrated by
CA 02309215 2000-OS-OS
WO 99lZ2777 PCTIUS98/23586
1 various techniques, such as ultrasound or mechanical and/or electrical
manipulation, to
2 facilitate dislodgment of particles from the plates and into the collection
receptacle. The
3 collection receptacle may be filled with water or other liquid to maintain
the particles within
4 the receptacle, whereby the collection receptacle is periodically emptied to
remove the
captured particle contents. The particle removal is particularly suited to a
commercial
6 environment, such as stores, restaurants and bars, to purify and remove
cigarette and cigar
7 smoke or other particles from the air. However, the particle removal may be
suited for any
8 other environment such as homes, medical facilities, etc. It is to be
understood that any other
9 conventional techniques for particle removal may be utilized by the systems,
such as filtering,
charging particles for attraction to a particular structure, or washing the
air stream. For an
11 example of electrically removing particles from an air stream, reference is
made to U.S.
12 Patent Nos. 3,785,124 (Gaylord) and 3,788,041 (Gaylord), the disclosures of
which are
13 incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.
14 in addition to the foregoing, the systems described above may remove or
reduce
contaminants within an air stream, such as bacteria, mold spores and viruses,
alone or
16 attached to dust, via electrostatic attraction of the contaminants. In
particular, activation of
17 the internal fan, especially within systems utilizing sheet metal or other
conductors, enables
18 removal or reduction of contaminants in the air stream. The activation of
the fan generates an
19 electrostatic charge that attracts and temporarily maintains contaminants
within the air stream
on the surface of the fan or the system housing and/or structure. Residual
ozone, generated by
21 the system during prior operation and residing within the ozone chamber,
may interact with
22 these surfaces to remove microbes attracted to the surfaces (e.g., either
attracted directly to
23 the surface or attached to particles attracted to the surfaces). The fan
and other system
24 surfaces having a charge accumulation essentially attract particles that
also develop an
electrostatic charge. This effect may be utilized as a separate operating mode
of the systems.
26 For an example of an electric field attracting, removing or reducing
contaminants within the
2? air, reference is made to the Gaylord patents described above and to U.S.
Patent No.
28 3,976,448 (Eng et al) the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by
reference in its
29 entirety.
Ozone enriched air may be produced and exhausted from the systems described
31 above, whereby the ozone concentration within the ozone enriched air may be
controlled in
32 various fashions. For example, the residence time of air within the ozone
and germicidal
46
CA 02309215 2000-OS-OS
WO 99122777 PCT/US98/23586
1 chambers may be adjusted to produce a desired ozone concentration. The
residence time may
2 be controlled via configuration of the path, controlling flow within a
vortex chamber,
3 adjusting the size of the chambers or any other techniques. Further, the
intensity of radiation
4 in each chamber (e.g., the size of the radiation sources), or the portion of
the gernlicidal
S radiation source in the ozone chamber may be adjusted to control ozone
concentration.
6 Intensity of radiation may be controlled by periodically disabling or
shielding the ozone or
7 germicidal radiation source via the sleeve or end-cap as described above to
respectively
8 control generation or destruction of ozone. Alternatively, the systems
described above may
9 include a single chamber exposing air to various combinations of ozone
generating and
germicidal radiation to produce either purified air or various levels of ozone
enriched air.
11 Ozone enriched ancUor purified air may be utilized for various
applications. For
12 example, since ozone is effective for repelling insects, the systems
described above may be
i 3 configured to produce ozone enriched air and may be placed in rooms,
cabinets, closets or
14 other areas. The ozone enriched air produced by the systems rnay be
exhausted from the
1 S systems, thereby repelling insects within the surrounding area. Further,
the purifying
16 characteristics of ozone enriched air may be utilized to purify liquids,
such as tap water
17 flowing to or within houses or buildings, as illustrated in Fig. 26.
Specifically, system 2h is
I8 similar to and functions in substantially the same manner as the systems
described above
19 except that the air and ozone mixture from the ozone chamber is injected
into a liquid, while
the germicidal chamber exposes the ozone injected liquid to germicidal
radiation to remove
21 ozone and contaminants from the liquid in substantially the same manner
described above.
22 System 2h includes housing 222, an inlet 93, an outlet 9S and a channel or
liquid passage 23
23 disposed between the inlet and outlet to enable liquid to flow from the
inlet through the
24 system to the outlet. Housing 222 is typically substantially rectangular,
but may be of any
2S size or shape and may be constructed of any suitable materials (e.g.,
plastics). The housing
26 includes.ozone chamber 8, germicidal chamber I6 and radiation source 36
that each function
27 in substantially the same manner described above. The housing further
includes a fan (not
28 shown) and other electrical components (not shown, e.g., ballast, wiring)
that draw air
29 through the system and provide power to radiation source 36, respectively.
The ballast may
be implemented by an A.C. ballast connected to a power line, or a D.C. ballast
connected to a
31 battery disposed within the system. Radiation source 36 includes ozone
section 12 and
32 germicidal section 14 as described above, and is disposed within housing
222 such that ozone
47
CA 02309215 2000-OS-OS
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1 section 12 and germicidal section 14 reside within ozone chamber 8 and
germicidal chamber
2 16, respectively. System 2h is typically disposed along a pipeline 204
directing liquid to
3 various destinations, such as pipes containing tap water extending into
houses or other
4 buildings. The system is inserted within pipeline 204 by removing a pipeline
section and
attaching inlet 93 and outlet 95 to respective pipeline section ends 99 via
connectors 97.
6 Connectors 97 may be implemented by any conventional or other connectors
forcing a liquid
7 tight seal, while the system may alternatively be inserted within the
pipeline utilizing any
8 conventional or other techniques, such as welding. Liquid flows through
pipeline 204 into
9 channel 23 of system 2h via inlet 93, whereby the system purifies the liquid
and directs the
liquid back to pipeline 204 via outlet 95 to enable the purified liquid to
flow to a pipeline
l I destination as described below. A conventional or other type of filter
(not shown) may be
12 disposed toward the inlet or outlet to capture particulate or other matter
residing in the liquid.
13 Ozone chamber 8 is disposed proximate the liquid flow within channel 23 and
14 includes slots 24 defined in housing 222 toward an upper portion of the
ozone chamber to
receive an air stream from a surrounding environment. The slots may be of any
quantity or
16 size and are formed to enable air to enter the system, while maintaining
ultra-violet radiation
17 emitted from ozone section 12 within the ozone chamber. An internal fan
(not shown) is
18 typically disposed proximate slots 24 and utilized to draw air into the
system and through the
19 ozone chamber. Ozone chamber 8 further includes a winding path 10 formed by
a series of
succeeding passages 49 defined between walls 26 alternately extending from
opposing ozone
21 chamber side walls 33, 34. Walls 26 extend across the ozone chamber for a
distance slightly
22 less than the distance between side walls 33, 34 to form gaps between walls
26 and side walls
23 33, 34 to enable the air stream to traverse succeeding passages 49. An air
stream enters the
24 ozone via chamber via slots 24 and is exposed to radiation emitted from
ozone section 12 to
generate ozone within the air stream. The air stream subsequently traverses
path 10 wherein
26 the generated ozone mixes and interacts with the air stream to remove
contaminants as
27 described above. The path andlor intensity of radiation emitted by ozone
section 12 may be
28 adjusted to produce a desired ozone concentration as described above. The
ozone enriched
29 air is injected into the liquid flow within channel 23 via a nozzle 91. The
nozzle is disposed
toward inlet 93 within a passage 49 disposed adjacent channel 23, and injects
the ozone
31 enriched air into the liquid to remove contaminants from the liquid in
substantially the same
32 manner described above. The liquid flow in combination with nozzle 91 mix
the ozone
48
CA 02309215 2000-OS-OS
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1 enriched air with the liquid to enable the ozone to remove contaminants as
described above.
2 The ozone chamber typically includes a width greater than the width of the
germicidal
3 chamber to enable the liquid to flow within channel 23 from the ozone
chamber toward the
4 germicidal chamber, thereby facilitating mixing and interaction of the ozone
enriched air with
S the liquid prior to treatment of the liquid by the germicidal chamber. For
an example of
6 injecting gases into liquids via nozzles, reference is made to U.S. Patent
Nos. 4,382,866
7 (Johnson), 4,491,551 (Johnson), 4,562,014 (Johnson), 4,563,286 (Johnson et
al) and
8 4,655,933 (Johnson et al), the disclosures of which are incorporated herein
by reference in
9 their entireties.
Subsequent to injection of ozone enriched air into the liquid flowing within
channel
11 23, the liquid flows toward germicidal chamber 16. Germicidal chamber 16 is
disposed
12 adjacent ozone chamber 8 and proximate the liquid flowing within channel 23
to expose that
13 liquid to germicidal radiation emitted from germicidal section 14.
Germicidal chamber 16
14 includes a radiation transparent floor 59, preferably constructed of glass
or plastic, to
maintain liquid within channel 23 (e.g., prevent liquid from entering the
germicidal
16 chamber), while enabling germicidal radiation from germicidal section 14 to
remove ozone
17 and contaminants from the liquid in substantially the same manner described
above.
18 Further, system 2h may be implemented by or as a replaceable cartridge
system in
19 substantially the same manner described above for system 2e. Specifically,
a base housing
system electrical components and a liquid channel may be disposed along a
pipeline as
21 described above, while a cartridge having the ozone and germicidal chambers
and
22 corresponding radiation sources may be connected to the base as described
above. The ozone
23 and genmicidal chambers may contain any of the previously described
configurations to
24 expose the liquid to ozone and germicidal radiation as described above.
The system may be disposed along various fluid flows to purify fluid during
travel to
26 a particular destination, however, the system is typically utilized to
purify tap water flowing
27 into houses, buildings or other structures. In addition, the system may be
utilized within
28 these structures to purify tap water flowing to or from a sink faucet as
illustrated in Fig. 27.
29 Specifically, system 2i is substantially similar to system 2h described
above for Fig. 26, and
may be utilized to purify tap water flowing to or from sink faucets, such as
sink faucets
31 residing within bathrooms, kitchens, or other locations. A sink 47,
typically disposed within
32 a bathroom or kitchen counter 51, includes a faucet 39 having a spout 41
and a handle 38 to
49
CA 02309215 2000-OS-OS
wo ~nZ~~~ Pcnus9sn3ss6
1 control temperature and flow of tap water from the spout into the sink.
Faucet 39 typically
2 receives tap water from a pipe 80 disposed within counter 51 that supplies
tap water from
3 pipeline 204 (Fig. 26) via a plumbing system (not shown). System 2i may be
disposed along
4 pipe 80 in substantially the same manner described above for disposing
system 2h along
pipeline 204 to purify tap water prior to the tap water flowing through faucet
39.
6 Alternatively, system 2i may include appropriate dimensions for attachment
to faucet
7 39 proximate spout 41. Specifically, inlet 93 may include dimensions
sufficient for
8 connection to spout 41, whereby threads may be disposed on the inlet
interior surface for
9 attachment to the spout. However, system 2i may be connected to the spout
via any
conventional or other fastening techniques or may include larger dimensions
and interface
11 spout 41 via an adapter . A conventional aerator 243, typically attached to
faucet spouts, may
I2 be attached to inlet 93 or outlet 95 to enhance flow into and out of system
2i. Tap water
13 flows from spout 41 into inlet 93 wherein system 2i purifies the tap water
in substantially the
14 same manner described above for system 2h as the water flows through the
system within
channel 23 (Fig. 26) and toward outlet 95.
16 In order to facilitate treatment of food or other items, system 2i may be
configured to
17 provide ozonated water to a sink spray nozzle as illustrated in Fig. 28.
Specifically, sink 47
18 is substantially similar to the sink described above except that faucet 39
includes temperature
19 and flow control knobs 182 and sink spray nozzle I84. The nozzle includes a
trigger
mechanism I86 to enable flow of water from the nozzle. The faucet typically
receives tap
21 water from a pipe 80 (Fig. 27) that supplies tap water from pipeline 204
via a plumbing
22 system (not shown). Similarly, nozzle 184 receives water from a pipe 70
connected to either
23 pipe 80 or pipeline 204. System 2i is disposed along pipe 70 in
substantially the same
24 manner described above and is typically configured such that the germicidal
chamber
removes only a portion of ozone from the water, thereby supplying ozonated
water to nozzle
26 I84. The ozonated water may be applied, via the nozzle, to various food or
other items, such
27 as fruits, vegetables, meat, etc., to remove contaminants from those items.
Alternatively,
28 system 2i may be configured to include only the ozone chamber portion to
produce ozonated
29 water for nozzle 184.
In addition, the systems described above may be employed in various air
treatment
31 systems (e.g., HVAC system, humidifier, heating and/or air conditioning
units, etc.) to purify
32 air streams within these air treatment systems prior to the air streams
returning to a
CA 02309215 2000-OS-OS
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I surrounding environment as illustrated in Fig. 29. Specifically, air
sterilization system 2j is
2 substantially similar to the air sterilization systems (e.g., systems 2a, 2c
- 2g) described above
3 and may be disposed within a duct or compartment 103 of an air treatment
system, typically
4 an HVAC system for a house, building, vehicle (e.g., train, airplane, boat,
etc.) or other
structure. However, system 2j may equally be disposed within humidifiers,
heating and/or air
6 conditioning units or any other air treatment systems to remove contaminants
from air
7 streams within those systems. Compartment 103 typically includes a
humidifier 105 for
8 introducing moisture into an air stream either prior or subsequent to
treatment of the air
9 stream by the air treatment system. Humidifier 105 includes a liquid
container 107,
preferably containing water, and a drum 109 for transferring liquid from
liquid container 107
11 into the air stream. Drum 109 is substantially cylindrical, but may be of
any shape, and is
12 disposed within or proximate liquid container 107 in contact with the
liquid. A rod or bar
13 110 is disposed through drum 109 along a drum longitudinal axis to enable
the drum to rotate
14 about the rod relative to the liquid residing within liquid container 107.
Drum 109 includes a
liquid absorbent or sponge type material 111 disposed on and covering the drum
exterior
16 surface to absorb the liquid within liquid container 107 as the drum
rotates about rod 110. A
17 motor or other mechanical and/or electrical device may be utilized to
control rotation of drum
18 109, whereby the drum typically rotates at a relatively low rate to enable
liquid from material
19 111 to be placed into the air stream. An air stream flowing through
compartment 103
interfaces material 111, whereby liquid from liquid container 107 absorbed by
the material is
21 introduced into the air stream as the air stream flows by drum 109.
Container 107 may be
22 connected to a liquid supply, such as a plumbing system, to enable material
111 to introduce
23 liquid into the air stream.
24 System 2j includes an air intake vent 115 and an exhaust vent 116 and may
be
disposed proximate humidifier 105 to remove contaminants from the air stream
subsequent to
26 the air stream receiving moisture from drum 109. However, system 2j may be
disposed prior
27 to humidifier 105 to remove contaminants from the air stream to enable the
humidifier to
28 introduce moisture into a purified air stream. System 2j further includes
an ozone chamber
29 as described above disposed toward the upper portion of the system
proximate intake vent
115, and a germicidal chamber as described above disposed toward a lower
portion of the
31 system proximate exhaust vent 116. The ozone and germicidal chambers and
intake and
32 exhaust vents may alternatively be arranged in any fashion. The system
receives the air
51
CA 02309215 2000-OS-OS
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1 stream from humidifier 105 via intake vent 115 and exposes the air stream to
ozone and
2 germicidal radiation in substantially the same manner described above to
return purified air to
3 compartment 103 via exhaust vent 116. Humidifier I05 and system 2j may be
arranged in
4 any fashion and may be disposed anywhere in the air treatment system either
prior or
subsequent to treatment of the air stream by the air treatment system (e.g.,
humidifier 1 OS and
6 system 2j may be disposed adjacent as described above, or one may be
disposed prior to
7 treatment of the air stream by the air treatment system, while the other is
disposed subsequent
8 to the air treatment). Further, liquid container 107 may include a
germicidal radiation source
9 to expose the liquid within the container to germicidal radiation to remove
contaminants firm
that liquid in substantially the same manner described above for an air
stream. In addition,
11 system 2j may be similar in configuration to system 2b (Fig. 9) described
above wherein
12 liquid container 107 may utilize germicidal section 14a of radiation source
36 to remove
13 contaminants. For example, liquid container 107 may be disposed within a
modified
14 germicidal chamber 16a of system 2b for exposure to germicidal radiation
from germicidal
I S section 14a as described above. For examples of utilizing radiation
sources to purify liquids,
16 such as water, reference is made to U.S. Patent Nos. S,I66,527 (Solymar),
5,422,487 (Sauska
17 et al) and 5,614,151 (LeVay et al), the disclosures of which are
incorporated herein by
18 reference in their entireties.
19 Alternatively, compartment 103 may include a humidifier 205 that introduces
moisture into the air stream via a spray nozzle as illustrated in Fig. 30.
Specifically,
21 compartment 103 and air sterilization system 2j are respectively
substantially similar to the
22 compartment and air sterilization system described above for Fig. 29.
Compartment 103
23 typically includes a humidifier 205 for introducing moisture into an air
stream and air
24 sterilization system 2j for removing contaminants from the air stream as
described above.
Humidifier 205 includes a generally enclosed liquid container or tank 207,
preferably
26 containing water, and a substantially cylindrical spray nozzle 220 disposed
on the liquid
27 container top surface, however, the liquid container may include an open or
partially open top
28 portion, while the spray nozzle may be of any shape or size, and may be
implemented by any
29 conventional or other type of nozzle. Spray nozzle 220 utilizes liquid
residing within liquid
container 207 to generate a spray or mist to introduce moisture into the air
stream. An air
31 stream flowing through compartment 103 interfaces the mist generated by
spray nozzle 220,
32 thereby introducing moisture into the air stream. Liquid container 20? may
include a
52
CA 02309215 2000-OS-OS
WO 99122777 PCTNS98I23586
1 pressure device or pumping mechanism to transfer liquid to the nozzle, and
is typically
2 connected to a liquid supply, such as a plumbing system, to maintain
generation of the mist.
3 System 2j is disposed proximate humidifier 205 and receives the air stream
from the
4 humidifier via intake vent 115 as described above. The system exposes the
air stream to
ozone and germicidal radiation in substantially the same manner described
above to return
6 purified air to compartment 103 via exhaust vent 116 as described above.
Humidifier 205
7 and system 2j may be arranged in any fashion and may be disposed anywhere in
the air
8 treatment system either prior or subsequent to treatment of the air stream
by the air treatment
9 system (e.g., humidifier 205 and system 2j may be disposed adjacent as
described above, or
one may be disposed prior to treatment of the air stream by the air treatment
system, while
11 the other is disposed subsequent to the air treatment). Further, liquid
container 207 may
12 include a germicidal radiation source to expose the liquid to germicidal
radiation to remove
13 contaminants from the liquid as described above. Alternatively, system 2j
may be similar in
14 configuration to system 2b (Fig. 9) described above, whereby liquid
container 207 may
utilize germicidal section 14a of radiation source 36 to remove contaminants
in substantially
16 the same manner described above.
17 Air sterilization may similarly be utilized within stand alone humidifiers
to remove
18 contaminants from an air stream and return purified treated air to
surrounding environments,
19 such as rooms or other areas. An exemplary stand alone humidifier including
an air
sterilization system is illustrated in Fig. 31. Specifically, a stand alone
humidifier 300
21 includes a housing 302, constructed of any suitable materials (e.g.,
plastics), having a liquid
22 container or receptacle 306, a liquid overflow container 308, a moisture
assembly 310 for
23 introducing moisture into an air stream, and an air sterilization system 2k
for removing
24 contaminants from the air stream as described below. Housing 302 is
substantially
rectangular, but may be of any shape, and includes substantially rectangular
front, rear and
26 bottom walls 312, 314, 326, respectively, and substantially rectangular
side walls (not shown)
27 that collectively define the housing interior. A substantially rectangular
cover 316 is
28 disposed on the housing top surface and extends into the housing interior
to support a fan 318
29 that draws air through the humidifier. Cover 316 may alternatively be of
any shape and
includes slots 320 to permit the air stream to return to a surrounding
environment. Slots 320
31 may be of any size, shape or quantity, and may be arranged in any fashion.
53
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WO 99/Z2777 PCT/US98/23586
1 Air enters humidifier 300 via slots 322 defined in a lower portion of
housing rear wall
2 314. Slots 322 may be of any size, shape or quantity, and may be arranged in
any fashion.
3 A filter 324, typically conventional, may be disposed on the housing
exterior or interior
4 surface coincident slots 322 to initially remove particles and/or
contaminants from an
incoming air stream. Moisture assembly 310 is disposed coincident, but
separated by a slight
6 distance from, slots 322 to introduce moisture into the air stream. Moisture
assembly 310
7 may include any liquid absorbing or other material, or may be implemented by
any assembly,
8 preferably a wicking type assembly as known in the art, that is capable of
introducing
9 moisture into the air stream. Liquid container 306, preferably containing
water, is disposed
below slots 322 toward housing bottom wall 326, and may be integral with the
housing rear
11 and bottom walls. Moisture assembly 310 is typically disposed within or
proximate liquid
12 container 306 in contact with the liquid to draw the liquid into the
assembly for introduction
13 into an air stream as the air stream flows through the assembly as
described below. Supports
14 328 suspend moisture assembly 310 proximate slots 322 and direct the air
stream from slots
322 into the assembly. Liquid container 306 typically receives liquid from
storage containers
16 (not shown) disposed on the housing side walls, while liquid overflow
container 308 is
17 disposed adjacent liquid container 306 to receive excess liquid from the
liquid container to
18 prevent the liquid container from overflowing. Alternatively, liquid
container 306 may be
19 connected to a plumbing system to receive liquid.
System 2k is substantially similar to the air sterilization systems (e.g.,
systems 2a, 2c -
21 2g) described above and includes an intake vent 115 and exhaust vent 116 as
described
22 above. The system includes an ozone chamber as described above disposed
toward a lower
23 portion of the system proximate intake vent 115, and a germicidal chamber
as described
24 above disposed toward an upper portion of the system proximate exhaust vent
116.
However, the ozone and germicidal chambers and intake and exhaust vents may be
arranged
26 in any fashion. System 2k is disposed proximate moisture assembly 310 to
receive an air
27 stream from the assembly via intake vent 115. The system exposes the air
stream to ozone
28 and germicidal radiation in substantially the same manner described above
to return purifiai
29 air to the humidifier via exhaust vent 116. An air guiding mechanism (e.g.,
a vane, wall,
valve, etc., not shown) may be disposed between the assembly and system 2k to
direct the air
31 stream to intake vent 115.
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1 In order to enhance purification of the air stream, a germicidal radiation
source, such
2 as an ultra-violet (UV) radiation emitting bulb, may be disposed within
liquid container 306
3 and/or liquid overflow container 308 to remove contaminants from the liquid
as described
4 above. Further, system 2k may be similar in configuration to system 2b (Fig.
9) described
above wherein the liquid andlor overflow containers may utilize germicidal
section 14a of
6 radiation source 36 to remove contaminants as described above.
7 An air stream from a surrounding environment is drawn through filter 324 and
slots
8 322 into humidifier 300 by fan 318. The air stream traverses moisture
assembly 310 wherein
9 liquid, preferably water, from liquid container 306 is introduced into the
air stream as the air
stream flows thmugh the assembly. Subsequent to traversing moisture assembly
310, system
11 2k removes contaminants from the air stream as described above and returns
the purified air
12 stream to the humidifier. Fan 318 draws the purified air through slots 320
in cover 316 to
13 return purified treated air to the surrounding environment. The humidifier
components may
14 be arranged or configured in any fashion capable of introducing moisture
into an air stream.
Further, the air sterilization system may be disposed anywhere within any type
of stand alone
16 or other humidifiers or other air treatment systems to remove contaminants
from an air
17 stream within that system as described above. Moreover, the air
sterilization system may be
18 of any size or shape and may be configured in any fashion to accommodate an
air treatment
19 system. In addition, the air sterilization system may be configured to
produce ozone enriched
air having a slight ozone concentration level to permit ozone to remove
contaminants residing
21 within ducts, compartments or other areas or surfaces of an air treatment
system. For
22 examples of the structure and operation of stand alone humidifiers,
reference is made to U.S.
23 Patent Nos. 5,037,583 (Hand), 5, I 10,511 (Hand), 5,133,904 (Pepper) and
5,250,232 (Pepper
24 et al), the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference in
their entireties.
It will be appreciated that the embodiments described above and illustrated in
the
26 drawings represent only a few of the many ways of implementing a method and
apparatus for
27 producing purified or ozone enriched air to remove contaminants from
fluids.
28 The bulb holder system may be of any shape or size, and may be constructed
of any
29 suitable materials. The bulb holder system components may be arranged in
any manner
within the system housing and the base may be implemented by any stand or base
capable of
31 supporting that system and its electrical components. The ballasts for the
radiation sources
32 may be implemented by any conventional DC (e.g., for portable systems) or
AC ballast or
CA 02309215 2000-OS-OS
WO 99/22777 PCTIUS98/23586
1 other circuitry to supply current to the radiation sources. The radiation
source may be
2 implemented by a single bulb or device capable of emitting radiation at the
prescribed
3 wavelengths, or independent sources each emitting radiation at a specified
wavelength. The
4 system may include any quantity of radiation sources (e.g., at least one) of
any shapes
disposed in any manner within the system. The bulb holder may be implemented
by any
6 gripping or other device capable of manipulating the bulb. The exhaust vent
may be of any
7 shape and may be integral with or independent of the bulb holder (i.e., the
bulb holder and
8 vent may be implemented by separate devices). The internal fan may be
implemented by any
9 quantity of any conventional or other types of fans or devices for drawing
air through the
system, such as a fan, blower or device to create a differential pressure in
the system to cause
11 air flow through the system. The fan or other devices may be disposed in
the system in any
12 manner capable of directing air through the system. Further, the fan or
devices may include
13 variable flow rates to cause air to flow through the system at various
rates. For example,
14 larger areas may require greater flow rates to enable air within these
larger areas to be rapidly
and efficiently treated by the system. The system may include any quantity
(e.g., at least
16 one) of any shaped ozone and germicidal chambers.
17 The bulb holder system may be constructed by any quantity of pieces having
any
18 portion of the system molded therein, whereby the pieces may collectively
be attached in any
19 manner to form the system. The bulb connector may be implemented by any
conventional or
other type of connector. The path may be any path or other configuration
capable of reducing
21 air through-flow velocity and enabling the ozone to mix and interact with
the air. The ozone
22 chamber may include a portion of the germicidal section of the radiation
source to combine
23 the effects of both types of radiation to enhance removal of contaminants.
Further, the
24 systems described above may include a catalytic converter or other filter
disposed adjacent
the germicidal chamber to remove residual ozone from the air stream.
26 The various ozone and germicidal chamber configurations described above may
be of
27 any size or shape, may be oriented in any fashion, may be implemented by
any suitable
28 materials, may utilize any of the radiation sources described above, and
may be implemented
29 in any of the systems described above. Further, the combination radiation
sources described
above may include any proportion of ozone section to germicidal radiation
section, whereby
31 the ozone section includes a lesser portion of the source than the
germicidal section for the
32 various configurations. The combination and independent radiation sources
described above
56
CA 02309215 2000-OS-OS
WO 99122777 PCT/US98I23586
1 may be configured to emit radiation at any desired wavelengths. Moreover,
the combination
2 radiation sources described above typically only operate when each section
is operable to
3 prevent ozone generation without germicidal radiation to destroy the ozone.
4 The bulb end-caps may include any configuration or conventional guiding
mechanisms to align the end-cap for power or other connections. The power
plugs may be of
6 any shape or size, may be implemented by any conventional or other
connector, and may
7 include any quantity (e.g., at least one) of receptacles for connecting
corresponding pins to a
8 power source. Similarly, the female plug may be implemented by any
conventional or other
9 plug, and may include any quantity (e.g., at least one) of extensions or
pegs or other
configurations to align the end-cap with the power plug. Further, the end-cap
may include
11 any quantity (e.g., at least one) of pins of any shape or size and arranged
in any fashion to
12 establish power connections for the radiation source.
13 The ozone-regulating end-caps may include slots, windows or other openings
of any
14 quantity (e.g., at least one), shape or size, arranged in any fashion on
the end-cap. Further,
I5 the slots, windows or other openings of the end-caps may include a
radiation transparent
16 covering. It is to be understood that the ozone-regulating end-cap may
include any pattern of
17 openings to control emission of ozone generating radiation and production
of ozone.
18 Moreover, the ozone-regulating end-caps may include the mechanisms
described above for
19 alignment of the end-cap for connections. The alignment and ozone-
regulating end-caps may
be utilized with independent, combination or other radiation sources.
21 The systems described above may include any quantity (e.g., at least one)
of ozone
22 and germicidal chambers, whereby each chamber may have any suitable
configuration, shape
23 or size to treat a fluid. Further, the systems described above may include
a single chamber
24 exposing the fluid to ozone and germicidal radiation. Moreover, the systems
descnnea
above may utilize any quantity of independent radiation sources of any shape
or size within
26 each chamber, or any quantity of combination radiation sources of any shape
or size having a
27 plurality of sections with each section disposed in and emitting radiation
at an appropriate
28 wavelength for a corresponding chamber. The radiation sources may be
disposed within the
29 systems described above in any fashion. The fans of the systems described
above may be
implemented by any quantity of any conventional or other types of fans or
devices for
31 drawing air through the systems, such as a fan, blower or device to create
a differential
32 pressure in the system to cause air flow through the system. The fans or
other devices may
57
CA 02309215 2000-OS-OS
WO 99122777 PCTIUS98/23586
1 be disposed in or external of the systems described above in any manner
capable of directing
2 air through the systems. The fan or devices may include variable flow rates
to cause air to
3 flow through the systems at various rates. The air flow paths within the
ozone andlor
4 germicidal chambers of the systems described above may be any path or other
configuration
capable of reducing air through-flaw velocity and enabling the ozone to mix
and interact with
6 the air. The systems described above may include or be connected to any type
of ballast or
7 power source, and include any conventional or other corresponding connectors
or circuitry.
8 The components of the systems described above may be arranged in any
fashion.
9 The systems employing baffles may include any quantity (e.g., at least one)
of baffles
within the ozone and germicidal chambers to direct air flow thmugh the
systems, and any
11 quantity of additional baffles to maintain radiation within the systems.
The radiation limiting
12 baffles may be disposed within the germicidal chamber or at any other
suitable location. The
13 baffles may each include various configurations or openings of any quantity
(e.g., at least
14 one), shape or size, and may be constructed of any suitable materials. The
systems may
similarly be of any shape or size, and constructed of any suitable materials.
16 The cartridges described above may be of any shape or size, and may include
any
17 quantity of ozone and germicidal chambers, radiation sources or other
system electrical or
18 other components. The radiation sources may be implemented by combination
bulbs or
19 independent radiation sources emitting radiation at particular wavelengths.
The cartridge
ozone and germicidal chambers may include any configurations that reduce
through-flow
21 velocity through the system. The posts may be of any quantity, shape or
size, and may be
22 disposed in any fashion in the chambers. The chambers may alternatively
include any type of
23 obstacle or mechanism to reduce through-flow velocity. The cartridges are
preferably
24 disposable and periodically replaced, however, a base and cartridge may be
implemented as
an integral disposable unit. The base may be of any shape or size, include any
quantity (e.g.,
26 at least one) of ballasts, fans or other electrical or system components
arranged in any
27 fashion, and may be constructed of any suitable materials. The cartridges
may each be
28 constructed as a single unit or be formed from any quantity of the same or
different
29 components. A base and cartridge may be disposed at any suitable location
to treat fluids.
The cartridges are preferably constructed of foam, but may be constructed of
any suitable
31 materials.
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1 The cartridges may further be utilized without the base and include a
connector for
2 receiving power, whereby a cartridge is disposed within a fluid flow that
flows through the
3 cartridge, such as in a plenum or duct. The cartridge radiation source end-
cap may be of any
4 shape or size capable of displacing the bulb a sufficient distance from the
cartridge wall, and
may be utilized in any of the cartridge or other system embodiments described
above. The
6 cartridge end-cap windows or openings may include a radiation transparent
covering. A
7 cartridge with connector may be disposed at any suitable location, such as
within walls,
8 ceilings, vehicle plenums, ducts or other locations.
9 The ceiling or wall unit may be of any size or shape, or constructed of any
suitable
material and may include any of the ozone and germicidal chamber
configurations described
11 above. The ceiling unit may include any quantity of combination and/or
independent
12 radiation sources disposed in any manner within the chambers. The
electrical assembly may
13 be constructed of any suitable material and may support any quantity of
electrical
14 components, fans, radiation sources or other components. Further, the
electrical and other
components may be disposed on the assembly in any fashion. The fan may be
implemented
16 by any quantity of any conventional fans or other types of devices
described above and
17 disposed anywhere in the system for directing air through the system. The
fans or devices
I 8 may include variable flow rates as described above. The base may be
configured to direct air
19 to and from the chambers in any fashion. The ceiling unit components (e.g.,
block, cover,
base, etc.) may be connected or fastened by any conventional or other
fastening techniques.
21 The ceiling unit radiation source end-cap may be of any shape or size and
include any
22 quantity of pins of any shape or size disposed at any desired location or
orientation.
23 The systems for removing contaminants from liquids may include any quantity
(e.g.,
24 at least one) of ozone and germicidal chambers and any quantity (e.g., at
least one) of
combination or independent radiation sources of any shape or size arranged in
any fashion.
26 The ozone chamber may include any suitable configuration to mix ozone with
the air stream,
27 while the germicidal chamber may include any configuration to expose the
liquid to
28 germicidal radiation. Further, the germicidal radiation source may be
disposed at any
29 location, such as within the liquid channel, to expose the liquid to
germicidal radiation. The
ozone and germicidal chambers may be configured and disposed within the
systems in any
31 suitable fashion. The systems may be of any size or shape to accommodate
various sized
32 fluid transports, and may be connected to the transports via any
conventional or other
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1 fastening techniques. The ozone injecting nozzle may be implemented by any
conventional
2 or other device for injecting ozone into liquid. The filter may be disposed
at any location
3 within the systems to remove particles or other matter from the liquid. The
filter may be of
4 any quantity, shape or size, and may be implemented by any conventional or
other type of
filter for removing particles. The systems may be disposed at any suitable
location along a
6 fluid transport. The systems may be configured to produce ozonated liquid
for application to
7 various items. The ozone concentration may be controlled by regulating
either or both of the
8 ozone generating and germicidal radiation. Alternatively, the systems may
include only the
9 ozone chamber to produce ozonated liquid, or the ozone and germicidal
chambers may be
reversed such that liquid is exposed to germicidal radiation prior to
introduction of ozone into
11 the liquid. The systems may be utilized with any type of applicator at any
location to ozonate
12 water or other liquid from a liquid supply for application of the ozonated
liquid to various
13 objects.
14 The systems described above may be disposed in air treatment systems, such
as
HVAC systems, humidifiers, air conditioning and/or heating systems, or other
devices to
16 purify air streams within those devices and return purified air to the
surrounding
17 environment. The systems may be disposed at any locations within the
devices prior,
18 subsequent or during treatment of the air by those devices for purifying an
air stream.
19 It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the
specific
embodiments discussed herein, but may be implemented in any manner that
utilizes ozone
21 generation via a configuration that reduces air through-flow velocity to
enable the ozone to
22 interact with the air (e.g., any path configuration or other mechanism to
reduce air through-
23 flow velocity), and germicidal radiation to remove contaminants from a
fluid stream.
24 From the foregoing description it will be appreciated that the invention
makes
available a novel method and apparatus for producing purified or ozone
enriched air to
26 remove contaminants from fluids wherein air is exposed to UV radiation at a
first wavelength
27 to generate ozone while traversing an ozone chamber configured to reduce
air through-flow
28 velocity and to enhance ozone distribution in the air. The ozone oxidizes
contaminants in a
29 fluid stream, whereby the fluid stream is exposed to UV radiation at a
second wavelength to
destroy bacteria and ozone in the fluid.
31 Having described preferred embodiments of a new and improved method and
32 apparatus for producing purified or ozone enriched air to remove
contaminants from fluids, it
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1 is believed that other modifications, variations and changes will be
suggested to those skilled
2 in the art in view of the teachings set forth herein. It is therefore to be
understood that all
3 such variations, modifications and changes are believed to fall within the
scope of the present
4 invention as defined by the appended claims.
61
