Electro-kinetic ionic air refreshener-conditioner for pet shelter and litter box

Abstract

A hand-holdable electro-kinetic electro-static ionic air refreshener-conditioner for a pet shelter or litter box includes a self-contained ion generator that provides electro-kinetically moved air with ions and safe amounts of ozone. The ion generator includes a high voltage pulse generator whose output pulses are coupled between first and second electrode arrays. Preferably the first array comprises one or more pin-like electrodes and the second array comprises one or more washer-like electrodes. Preferably a ratio between effective area of an electrode in the second array compared to effective area of an electrode in the first array exceeds about 15:1 and preferably is about 20:1. An electric field produced by the high voltage pulses between the arrays produces an electrostatic flow of ionized air containing safe amounts of ozone. Optionally, a sensor detectors odor adjacent the refreshener-conditioner causes the ion generator to be activated when sensed odor exceeds a predetermined threshold. Odor-activation of the ion generator can be open or closed loop. A bias electrode, electrically coupled to the second array electrodes, affects net polarity of ions generated. The outflow of ionized air and ozone is thus conditioned.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A self-contained hand-held sized electro-kinetic air transporter-conditioner adapted for use with an animal container, comprising: 
 a housing defining at least one vent;    means for attaching said housing to a portion of said animal container; and    a self-contained ion generator, disposed within said housing;    said ion generator producing ionized air that flows electrostatically from said vent.    
     
     
         2 . The transporter-conditioner of    claim 1   , wherein said ion generator includes: 
 a high voltage generator outputting a signal whose duty cycle may be varied from about 10% to about 100%;    an electrode assembly comprising a first electrode array effectively coupled to a first output port of said generator, and a second electrode array effectively coupled to a second output port of said generator, wherein one said output port may be at a same potential as ambient air;    wherein particulate matter in ambient air is electrostatically attracted to said second electrode array, and wherein said ion generator further creates ozone that flows electrostatically from said vent.    
     
     
         3 . The transporter-conditioner of    claim 2   , wherein said high voltage generator has a characteristic selected from a group consisting of (a) said high voltage generator provides a first potential measurable relative to ground to said first electrode array and provides a second potential measurable relative to ground to said second electrode array, and (b) said high voltage generator provides a first positive potential measurable relative to ground to said first electrode array and provides a second negative potential measurable relative to ground to said second electrode array.  
     
     
         4 . The transporter-conditioner of    claim 1   , wherein said animal container is selected from a group consisting of (i) an animal kennel, (ii) an animal house, and (iii) an animal litter box.  
     
     
         5 . The transporter-conditioner of    claim 2   , wherein: 
 said first electrode array includes at least one metal wire electrode; and    said second electrode array includes at least two electrically conductive electrodes that in cross-section define a “U”-shape-having a bulbous nose region and first and second trailing edge regions;    the “U”-shaped electrodes being disposed such that said bulbous nose regions facing said metal wire electrode and are equidistant therefrom.    
     
     
         6 . The transporter-conditioner of    claim 5   , wherein an electrode in said second electrode array has at least one characteristic selected from a group consisting of (i) a portion of one trailing edge region is longer than a remaining trailing edge region on said electrode, (ii) said trailing edge region defines at least one pointed projection facing downstream, and (iii) a ratio of effective radius of an electrode in said second electrode array to effective radius of said metal wire electrode exceeds about 15:1.  
     
     
         7 . The transporter-conditioner of    claim 2   , wherein: 
 said first electrode array includes at least one electrode selected from a group consisting of (i) an electrically conductive tapered pin-shaped electrode, and (ii) a portion of conductive material having a end defining a plurality of projecting conductive fibers; and    said second electrode array includes an electrically conductive ring-shaped electrode defining a central through opening, said second electrode disposed coaxial with and in a downstream direction from an emitting end of an electrode in said first electrode array.    
     
     
         8 . The transporter-conditioner of    claim 7   , wherein said first electrode array includes at least one said pin-shaped electrode, and said second electrode array has at least one characteristic selected from a group consisting of (i) said ring-shaped electrode defines in cross-section a tapered region terminating towards said central through opening, (ii) said ring-shaped electrode defines in cross-section a rounded region terminating towards said central through opening, (c) said ring-shaped electrode defines in cross-section a rounded profile terminating in said through opening, (d) a ratio of effective radius of said ring-shaped electrode to effective radius of said pin-shaped electrode exceeds about 15:1, (e) said pin-shaped electrode includes tungsten, (f) said pin-shaped electrode includes stainless steel, (g) said pin-shaped electrode includes projecting fibers of carbon, and (h) said ring-shaped electrode includes stainless steel.  
     
     
         9 . The transporter-conditioner of    claim 2   , wherein: 
 said first electrode array includes at least one metal wire electrode; and    said second electrode array includes at least two electrically conductive electrodes that in cross-section define an “L”-shape having a curved nose region;    the “L”-shaped electrodes being disposed such that said curved nose regions face said metal wire electrode and are equidistant therefrom.    
     
     
         10 . The transporter-conditioner of    claim 2   , wherein: 
 said first electrode array includes at least one metal wire electrode; and    said second electrode array includes at least two rod-like electrically conductive electrodes;    the rod-like electrodes being disposed such that said curved nose regions face said metal wire electrode and are equidistant therefrom, and    a ratio of radius of one of said rod-like electrodes to radius of said wire electrode exceeds about 15:1.    
     
     
         11 . The transporter-conditioner of    claim 2   , further including at least one of (i) a bias electrode for determining net polarity of ions generated by said transporter-conditioner, and (ii) means for detecting odor adjacent said system and for energizing said ion generator when detected said odor exceeds a predetermined threshold.  
     
     
         12 . A self-contained hand-held sized electro-kinetic air transporter-conditioner adapted for use with an animal container, comprising: 
 a housing defining at least one vent;    means for attaching said housing to a portion of said animal container; and    a self-contained ozone generator, disposed within said housing;    said ozone generator producing ozone that flows electrostatically from said vent to condition ambient air.    
     
     
         13 . The electro-kinetic air transporter-conditioner of    claim 12   , wherein said ozone generator includes an ion generator comprising: 
 a high voltage generator outputting a signal whose duty cycle may be varied from about 10% to about 100%;    an electrode assembly comprising a first electrode array effectively coupled to a first output port of said generator, and a second electrode array effectively coupled to a second output port of said generator, wherein one said port may be at a same potential as ambient air;    said ion generator further creating ozone that flows electrostatically from said vent.    
     
     
         14 . The electro-kinetic air transporter-conditioner of    claim 13   , wherein: 
 said first electrode array includes at least one metal wire electrode; and    said second electrode array includes at least two electrically conductive electrodes that in cross-section define a “U”-shape having a bulbous nose region and first and second trailing edge regions;    the “U”-shaped electrodes being disposed such that said bulbous nose regions facing said metal wire electrode and are equidistant therefrom.    
     
     
         15 . The electro-kinetic air transporter-conditioner of    claim 14   , wherein an electrode in said second electrode array has at least one characteristic selected from a group consisting of (i) a portion of one trailing edge region is longer than a remaining trailing edge region on said electrode, (ii) said trailing edge region defines at least one pointed projection facing downstream, and (iii) a ratio of effective radius of an electrode in said second electrode array to effective radius of said metal wire electrode exceeds about 15:1.  
     
     
         16 . The electro-kinetic air transporter-conditioner of    claim 12   , wherein said animal container is selected from a group consisting of (i) an animal kennel, (ii) an animal house, and (iii) an animal litter box.  
     
     
         17 . The electro-kinetic air transporter-conditioner of    claim 13   , wherein: 
 said first electrode array includes at least one electrode selected from a group consisting of (i) an electrically conductive tapered pin-shaped electrode, and (ii) a portion of conductive material having a end defining a plurality of projecting conductive fibers; and    said second electrode array includes an electrically conductive ring-shaped electrode defining a central through opening, said second electrode disposed coaxial with and in a downstream direction from an emitting end of an electrode in said first electrode array.    
     
     
         18 . The electro-kinetic air transporter-conditioner of    claim 13   , wherein said first electrode array includes at least one said pin-shaped electrode, and said second electrode array has at least one characteristic selected from a group consisting of (i) said ring-shaped electrode defines in cross-section a tapered region terminating towards said central through opening, (ii) said ring-shaped electrode defines in cross-section a rounded region terminating towards said central through opening, (c) said ring-shaped electrode defines in cross-section a rounded profile terminating in said through opening, (d) a ratio of effective radius of said ring-shaped electrode to effective radius of said pin-shaped electrode exceeds about 15:1, (e) said pin-shaped electrode includes tungsten, (f) said pin-shaped electrode includes stainless steel, (g) said pin-shaped electrode includes projecting fibers of carbon, and (h) said ring-shaped electrode includes stainless steel.  
     
     
         19 . The electro-kinetic air transporter-conditioner of    claim 13   , wherein: 
 said first electrode array includes at least one metal wire electrode; and    said second electrode array includes at least two electrically conductive electrodes that in cross-section define an “L”-shape having a curved nose region;    the “L”-shaped electrodes being disposed such that said curved nose regions face said metal wire electrode and are equidistant therefrom.    
     
     
         20 . The electro-kinetic air transporter-conditioner of    claim 13   , wherein: 
 said first electrode array includes at least one metal wire electrode; and    said second electrode array includes at least two rod-like electrically conductive electrodes;    the rod-like electrodes being disposed such that said curved nose regions face said metal wire electrode and are equidistant therefrom.    
     
     
         21 . The electro-kinetic air transporter-conditioner of    claim 20   , wherein a ratio of radius of one of said rod-like electrodes to radius of said wire electrode exceeds about 15:1.  
     
     
         22 . The electro-kinetic air transporter-conditioner of    claim 12   , further including: 
 means for sensing odor adjacent said animal container; and    means for energizing said ozone generator when sensed said odor exceeds a predetermined threshold, said means for energizing operating in a mode selected from a group consisting of (i) open loop such that said ozone generator is energized for a predetermined time, and (ii) closed loop such that said ozone generator is energized as a function of time required to reduced sensed said odor below a desired threshold.    
     
     
         23 . A method of electro-kinetically providing an animal container with a flow of cleaned air containing ions and ozone, the method comprising: 
 (a) providing a housing that includes an ion generator having an electrode assembly comprising a first electrode array and a second electrode array;    (b) attaching said housing to a portion of said animal container; and    (c) disposing within said housing a high voltage generator having a first output port electrically coupled to said first electrode array, and having a second output port electrically coupled to said second electrode array, wherein one said port may be at a potential of ambient air;    wherein at least some ambient air is ionized and electrostatically moved through said housing, said ionized air including ozone.    
     
     
         24 . The method of    claim 23   , wherein: 
 said animal container is selected from a group consisting of (i) an animal kennel, (ii) an animal house, and (iii) an animal litter box.    
     
     
         25 . The method of    claim 23   , wherein: 
 said first electrode array includes at least one metal wire electrode; and    said second electrode array includes at least two electrically conductive electrodes that in cross-section define a “U”-shape having a bulbous nose region and first and second trailing edge regions;    the “U”-shaped electrodes being disposed such that said bulbous nose regions facing said metal wire electrode and are equidistant therefrom.    
     
     
         26 . The method of    claim 23   , further including a bias electrode, coupled to said second electrode array so as to control charge of ions output from said housing.  
     
     
         27 . The method of    claim 23   , wherein: 
 said first electrode array includes an electrically conductive tapered pin-shaped electrode;    said second electrode array includes an electrically conductive ring-shaped electrode defining a central through opening and being electrically coupled to a second output port of said generator, said second electrode being disposed coaxial with and in a downstream direction from a tapered end of said tapered pin-shaped electrode.    
     
     
         28 . The method of    claim 23   , wherein: 
 said first electrode array includes at least one metal wire electrode; and    said second electrode array includes at least two electrically conductive rod-like electrodes; said rod-like electrodes being equidistant from said metal wire electrode.    
     
     
         29 . The method of    claim 23   , further including: 
 (d) sensing odor adjacent said animal container and energizing said ion generator when sensed said odor exceeds a predetermined threshold;    wherein energizing said ion generator is carried out in a mode selected from a group consisting of (i) open loop such that said ion generator is energized for a predetermined time, and (ii) closed loop such that said ion generator is energized as a function of time required to reduced sensed said odor below a desired threshold.