Apparatus for conditioning air

Abstract

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

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . An apparatus for conditioning air, comprising: 
 a vertically elongated housing including lower and upper ends;    an intake vent located near the lower end of said housing;    an outlet vent located near the upper end of said housing;    a vertical air channel defined within said housing, between said intake vent and said outlet vent; and    an ion generator, disposed in said housing, to produce at least one of ions and ozone in an airflow generally moving vertically upward from said intake vent to said outlet vent, through said vertical air channel.    
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said ion generator comprises: 
 at least one emitter electrode;    at least one collector electrode; and    a high voltage generator coupled between said emitter and collector electrodes.    
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein said outlet vent is configured such that at least a portion of the airflow is redirected from the generally vertically upward direction to an outward direction that includes a horizontal component.  
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 3 , further comprising a fan to assist in movement of the airflow.  
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein said fan is located close to one of the lower and upper ends of said vertically elongated housing.  
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein said housing comprises a base adapted to rest on a substantially horizontal surface.  
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein at least a portion of particulate matter in air, entering said inlet vent close to the horizontal surface, becomes electrostatically attached to an outer surface of said at least one collector electrode before exiting said outlet vent.  
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a germicidal ultraviolet lamp, disposed in said housing, to radiate the airflow moving through said vertical channel.  
     
     
         9 . An apparatus for conditioning air, comprising: 
 a freestanding vertically elongated housing including lower and upper ends, said freestanding vertically elongated housing including a base near the lower end adapted to support said vertically elongated housing when said base is placed on a substantially horizontal surface within a room;    an intake vent located near said base of said housing;    an outlet vent located near the upper end of said housing;    a vertical air channel defined within said housing, between said intake vent and said outlet vent;    an ion generator, disposed in said housing, to produce at least one of ions and ozone in an airflow generally moving vertically upward from said intake vent to said outlet vent, through said vertical air channel, said ion generator comprising: 
 at least one emitter electrode;  
 at least one collector electrode; and  
 a high voltage generator coupled between said emitter and collector electrodes,  
 wherein a surface area of said at least one collector electrode is significantly greater than a surface area of said at least one emitter electrode, the surface area of said at least one collector electrode providing a substantial area for debris in the airflow to adhere to.  
   
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein said outlet vent is configured such that at least a portion of the airflow is redirected from the generally vertically upward direction to an outward direction that includes a horizontal component.  
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein at least a portion of particulate matter in air, entering said inlet vent close to the horizontal surface, becomes electrostatically attached to said surface area of said at least one collector electrode before exiting said outlet vent.  
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , further comprising a fan to assist in movement of the airflow.  
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein said fan is located close to one of the lower and upper ends of said vertically elongated housing.  
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , further comprising a germicidal ultraviolet lamp, disposed in said housing, to radiate the airflow moving through said vertical channel.  
     
     
         15 . An apparatus for conditioning air, comprising: 
 a vertically elongated housing including lower and upper ends;    an intake vent located near the lower end of said housing;    an outlet vent located near the upper end of said housing;    a vertical air channel defined within said housing, between said intake vent and said outlet vent;    an ion generator, disposed in said housing, to produce at least one of ions and ozone in an airflow generally moving vertically upward from said intake vent to said outlet vent, through said vertical air channel; and    a fan to assist in movement of the airflow.    
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein said fan is located close to one of the lower and upper ends of said vertically elongated housing.  
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein said ion generator comprises: 
 at least one emitter electrode;    at least one collector electrode; and    a high voltage generator coupled between said emitter and collector electrodes.    
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , further comprising a germicidal ultraviolet lamp, disposed in said housing, to radiate the airflow moving through said vertical channel.