Apparatus for conditioning air with anti-microorganism capability

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 housing defining an input port and an output port, and an air channel therebetween;    a germicidal ultraviolet lamp, disposed in the housing, to emit radiation upon being energized; and    an electro-kinetic system, disposed in the housing, to create an airflow moving from the input port to the output port, and to subject at least a portion of the airflow to at least a portion of radiation emitted by the lamp;    wherein the housing is configured to preclude human viewing of radiation emitted directly from the lamp when the lamp is energized.    
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein relative to air entering the input port, air exiting the output port of the housing has at least one of: (a) reduced levels of microorganisms; (b) reduced amount of particulate matter; (c) ions; and (d) ozone.  
     
     
         3 . The apparatus  claim 1 , further including a wettable material disposed in the housing to augment the airflow with at least one of: (a) humidity; (b) scent; and (c) medicinal content.  
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the electro-kinetic system comprises: 
 a first electrode array;    a second electrode array; and    a high voltage generator coupled between the first and second electrode arrays.    
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein at least one electrode in the first electrode array has a tapered profile.  
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein at least one electrode in the first electrode array is pointed.  
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein at least one electrode in the first electrode array has a distal end comprising electrically conductive fibers.  
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein at least one electrode in the second electrode array defines an opening through which at least a portion of the airflow passes.  
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein at least one electrode in the second electrode array defines an opening through which at least a portion of the airflow passes, and is disposed symmetrically downstream from an electrode in the first electrode array.  
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein the first electrode array includes at least two concentric elements that are substantially co-axial with an electrode in the first electrode array.  
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein the second electrode array includes at least two concentric elements that each define a generally rounded cross-section in an upstream direction.  
     
     
         12 . An apparatus for conditioning air, comprising: 
 a housing defining an input port and an output port, and an air channel therebetween;    a germicidal ultraviolet lamp, disposed in the housing, to emit radiation upon being energized; and    an electro-kinetic system, disposed in the housing, to create an airflow moving from the input port to the output port, and to subject at least a portion of the airflow to at least a portion of radiation emitted by the lamp, the electro-kinetic system including a first electrode array, a second electrode array, and a high voltage generator coupled between the first and second electrode arrays;    wherein the first electrode array includes at least one element defining a tapered cross-section in a downstream direction;    wherein the second electrode array includes at least two concentric elements that each define a generally circular cross-section; and    wherein the at least one electrode in the first electrode array is symmetrically disposed relative to the two concentric elements in the second electrode array.    
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the first electrode array and the second electrode array comprise a single cylindrically-shaped electrode system.  
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein at least two electrodes in the second electrode array are staggered in distance relative to the at least one electrode in the first electrode array.  
     
     
         15 . An apparatus for conditioning air, comprising; 
 a housing having an inlet and an outlet;    an ion generator configured to create an airflow between the inlet and the outlet; and    a germicidal lamp configured to expose the airflow to germicidal light to reduce microorganisms within the airflow, the lamp disposed within the housing so that the lamp is not viewable by an individual.    
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein the ion generator comprises: 
 a first electrode array;    a second electrode array; and    a high voltage generator that provides a potential difference between the first and second electrode arrays.    
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein the first electrode array includes an electrode selected from the group consisting of: (i) a tapered pin-shaped electrode that terminates in a pointed tip; (ii) a tapered pin-shaped electrode that terminates in a plurality of individual fibers; and (iii) a cylindrical tube.  
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein the second electrode array includes a plurality of elongated cylindrical tubes, with at least one of the tubes substantially within another one of the tubes.  
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein the second electrode array is downstream from the first electrode array.  
     
     
         20 . The apparatus of  claim 19 , further including a moisture retaining element to place into the airflow at least one of the following selected from the group consisting of: (i) humidity; (ii) scent; 
 and (iii) medicinal content.    
     
     
         21 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein the housing further comprises vanes to slow the airflow passing the germicidal lamp, thereby exposing the airflow to the germicidal light for an increased period of time.  
     
     
         22 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein, to reduce deflection of the ultraviolet light emitted from the germicidal tamp, the housing comprises an inner surface with a characteristic selected from the group consisting of: (i) a non-smooth finish; (ii) a non-light reflecting finish; and (iii) a non-light reflecting color.  
     
     
         23 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein the germicidal lamp emits ultraviolet radiation having a wave length of approximately 254 nm.  
     
     
         24 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein a longitudinal axis of the germicidal lamp is parallel to the airflow to maximize the length of time the microorganisms are subjected to the radiation emitted by the germicidal lamp.  
     
     
         25 . An apparatus for conditioning air, comprising; 
 a housing defining an input port and an output port, and an air channel therebetween;    an electro-kinetic system, disposed in the housing, to create an airflow moving from the input port downstream to the output port; and    a germicidal ultraviolet lamp, disposed in the housing, adapted to emit radiation and to subject at least a portion of the airflow to at least a portion of radiation emitted by the lamp;    wherein the housing is configured to preclude human viewing of the lamp.    
     
     
         26 . The apparatus of  claim 25 , wherein the electro-kinetic system comprises: 
 a first electrode array;    a second electrode array spaced-apart and in a downstream direction from the first electrode array; and    a high voltage generator coupled between the first electrode array and the second electrode array.    
     
     
         27 . The apparatus of  claim 26 , wherein relative to air entering the input port, air exiting the output port of the housing has at least one of: (a) reduced levels of microorganisms; (b) reduced amount of particulate matter; (c) ions; and (d) ozone.  
     
     
         28 . An apparatus for conditioning air, comprising: 
 a housing defining an input port and an output port, and an air channel therebetween;    an electro-kinetic system, disposed in the housing, to create an airflow moving from the input port downstream to the output port;    a germicidal ultraviolet lamp, disposed in the housing, to emit radiation upon being energized and to subject at least a portion of the airflow to at least a portion of radiation emitted by the lamp; and    wherein the housing is configured to preclude human viewing of the lamp.    
     
     
         29 . The apparatus of  claim 28 , wherein the electro-kinetic system comprises: 
 a first electrode array;    a second electrode array spaced-apart from and in downstream direction from the first electrode array; and    a high voltage system coupled between the first electrode array and the second electrode array.    
     
     
         30 . The apparatus of  claim 29 , wherein relative to air entering the input port, air exiting the output port of the housing has at least one of: (a) reduced levels of microorganisms; (b) reduced amount of particulate matter; (c) ions; and (d) ozone.  
     
     
         31 . An apparatus for conditioning air, comprising: 
 a housing defining an input port and an output port, and an air channel therebetween;    a germicidal ultraviolet lamp, disposed in the housing, to emit radiation upon being energized; and    an electro-kinetic system, disposed in the housing, to create an airflow moving from the input port to the output port, and to subject at least a portion of the airflow to at least a portion of radiation emitted by the lamp, the electro-kinetic system including: 
 a first electrode array including a generally tubular electrode;  
 a second electrode array including inner and outer generally tubular electrodes electrically connected to one another, with the inner electrode located substantially within the outer electrode; and  
 a high voltage generator coupled between the first and second electrode arrays.  
   
     
     
         32 . The apparatus of  claim 31 , wherein the housing is configured to preclude human viewing of radiation emitted directly from the lamp when the lamp is energized.  
     
     
         33 . The apparatus of  claim 32 , wherein, to reduce deflection of the ultraviolet light emitted from the germicidal lamp, the housing comprises an inner surface with a characteristic selected from the group consisting of: (i) a non-smooth finish; (ii) a non-light reflecting finish; and (iii) a non-light reflecting color.