Personal air transporter-conditioner devices with anti -microorganism capability

Abstract

A personal electro-kinetic air transporter-conditioner apparatus includes a portable housing defining an inlet vent and an outlet vent, and an air channel therebetween. An elector-kinetic system generates an air flow through the air channel. A germicidal ultraviolet lamp is disposed in the housing such that UV radiation emitted from the lamp radiates at least a portion of the air channel.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A personal electro-kinetic air transporter-conditioner apparatus, comprising: 
 a portable housing defining an inlet vent and an outlet vent, and an air channel therebetween; and    an electro-kinetic system, disposed within the housing, adapted to produce an airflow that contains at least one of ions and ozone that flows electrostatically from the inlet vent to the outlet vent, through the air channel; and    a germicidal ultraviolet lamp that emits ultraviolet (UV) radiation upon being energized, the germicidal lamp disposed in the housing such that UV radiation emitted from the lamp radiates at least a portion of the air channel;    wherein the portable housing is configured to preclude human viewing of UV radiation emitted directly from the lamp when the lamp is energized.    
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 means for increasing humidity of the airflow, disposed in the housing.    
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising 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: 
 an electrode assembly comprising a first electrode array and a second electrode array; and    a high voltage generator adapted to provide a potential difference between the first and second electrode arrays;    wherein particulate matter in the airflow is electrostatically attracted to the second electrode array.    
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein: 
 the second electrode array is located closer to the output vent than is the first electrode array, and the second electrode array includes a generally tubular electrode that is downstream from the first electrode array; and    the first electrode array is located closer to the input vent than is the second electrode array, and the first electrode array includes a pin-like electrode upstream from the generally tubular electrode.    
     
     
         6 . A personal electro-kinetic air transporter-conditioner apparatus, comprising: 
 a portable housing defining an inlet vent and an outlet vent, and an air channel therebetween; and    means for producing an airflow from the inlet vent to the outlet vent, through the air channel; and    a germicidal ultraviolet lamp that emits ultraviolet (UV) radiation upon being energized, the germicidal lamp disposed in the housing such that UV radiation emitted from the lamp radiates at least a portion of the air channel;    wherein the portable housing is configured to preclude human viewing of UV radiation emitted directly from the lamp when the lamp is energized.    
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein the means for producing airflow comprises a fan.  
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein the means for producing airflow comprises an electro-kinetic system  
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , further comprising: 
 means for increasing humidity of the airflow, disposed in the housing.    
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , further comprising a wettable material disposed in the housing to augment the airflow with at least one of: (a) humidity; (b) scent; and (c) medicinal content.  
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein the electro-kinetic system comprises: 
 an electrode assembly comprising a first electrode array and a second electrode array; and    a high voltage generator adapted to provide a potential difference between the first and second electrode arrays;    wherein particulate matter in the airflow is electrostatically attracted to the second electrode array.    
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein: 
 the second electrode array is located closer to the output vent than is the first electrode array, and the second electrode array includes a generally tubular electrode that is downstream from the first electrode array; and    the first electrode array is located closer to the input vent than is the second electrode array, and the first electrode array includes a pin-like electrode directed toward a hollow opening through the generally tubular electrode.    
     
     
         13 . A personal electro-kinetic air transporter-conditioner apparatus, comprising: 
 a portable housing defining an inlet vent and an outlet vent, and an air channel therebetween; and    a fan, disposed within the housing, adapted to produce an airflow from the inlet vent to the outlet vent, through the air channel; and    a germicidal ultraviolet lamp that emits ultraviolet (UV) radiation upon being energized, the germicidal lamp disposed in the housing such that UV radiation emitted from the lamp radiates at least a portion of the air channel;    wherein the portable housing is configured to preclude human viewing of UV radiation emitted directly from the lamp when the lamp is energized.    
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , further comprising: 
 means for increasing humidity of the airflow, disposed in the housing.    
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , further comprising a wettable material disposed in the housing to augment the airflow with at least one of: (a) humidity; (b) scent; and (c) medicinal content.  
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein the electro-kinetic system comprises: 
 an electrode assembly comprising a first electrode array and a second electrode array; and    a high voltage generator adapted to provide a potential difference between the first and second electrode arrays;    wherein particulate matter in the airflow is electrostatically attracted to the second electrode array.    
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein: 
 the second electrode array is located closer to the output vent than is the first electrode array, and the second electrode array includes a generally tubular electrode that is downstream from the first electrode array; and    the first electrode array is located closer to the input vent than is the second electrode array, and the first electrode array includes a pin-like electrode directed toward a hollow opening through the generally tubular electrode.    
     
     
         18 . A personal electro-kinetic air transporter-conditioner apparatus, comprising: 
 a portable housing defining a first inlet vent and a first outlet vent, and a first air channel therebetween, and a second inlet vent and a second outlet vent, and a second air channel therebetween;    a first electrode configuration positioned in the first air channel;    a second electrode configuration positioned in the second air channel;    each of the first and second electrode configurations including a pin electrode pointing generally toward an opening in a downstream ring electrode;    a high voltage generator adapted to provide a potential difference between the pin electrode, in each of the first and second electrode configurations, and the corresponding ring electrode, to thereby produce a first flow of ionized air through the first air channel, and a second flow of ionized air through the second air channel; and    a germicidal ultraviolet lamp that emits ultraviolet (UV) radiation upon being energized, the germicidal lamp disposed in the housing generally between the first and second air channels such that UV radiation emitted from the lamp radiates at least a portion of each of the first and second air channels;    wherein the portable housing is configured to preclude human viewing of radiation emitted directly from the lamp when the lamp is energized.    
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 18 , further comprising a wettable material disposed in the housing, near at least one of the first and second outlet vents, to augment the ionized air with at least one of: (a) humidity; (b) scent; and (c) medicinal content.  
     
     
         20 . A personal electro-kinetic air transporter-conditioner apparatus, comprising: 
 a portable housing defining an inlet vent and an outlet vent, and an air channel therebetween; and    an electro-kinetic system, disposed within the housing, adapted to produce an airflow that contains at least one of ions and ozone that flows electrostatically from the inlet vent to the outlet vent, through the air channel; and    a germicidal ultraviolet lamp that emits ultraviolet (UV) radiation upon being energized, the germicidal lamp disposed in the housing such that UV radiation emitted from the lamp radiates at least a portion of the air channel;    wherein the electro-kinetic system comprises: 
 a first electrode array;  
 a second electrode array; and  
 a voltage generator adapted to provide a potential difference between the first and second electrode arrays;  
 the second electrode array being located closer to the output vent than is the first electrode array, and the second electrode array including a generally tubular electrode that is downstream from the first electrode array;  
 the first electrode array being located closer to the input vent than is the second electrode array, and the first electrode array includes a pin-like electrode directed toward a hollow opening through the generally tubular electrode;  
 the generally tubular electrode including a smoothly outwardly flared edge in an upstream direction.  
   
     
     
         21 . The apparatus of  claim 20 , wherein the portable housing is configured to preclude human viewing of radiation emitted directly from the lamp when the lamp is energized.  
     
     
         22 . The apparatus of  claim 20 , further comprising a moisture retaining material to increase humidity of the airflow.  
     
     
         23 . A personal electro-kinetic air transporter-conditioner apparatus, comprising: 
 a portable housing defining an inlet vent and an outlet vent, and an air channel therebetween;    a electrode configuration positioned in the air channel, the electrode configuration including a pin electrode pointing generally toward an opening in a downstream ring electrode;    a high voltage generator adapted to provide a potential difference between the pin electrode and the ring electrode, to thereby produce a flow of ionized air through the air channel; and    a germicidal ultraviolet lamp that emits ultraviolet (UV) radiation upon being energized, the germicidal lamp disposed in the housing generally parallel to the air channel such that UV radiation emitted from the lamp radiates at least a portion of the air channel.    
     
     
         24 . A personal electro-kinetic air transporter-conditioner apparatus, comprising: 
 a portable housing defining a first inlet vent and a first outlet vent, and a first air channel therebetween, and a second inlet vent and a second outlet vent, and a second air channel therebetween;    a first electrode configuration positioned in the first air channel;    a second electrode configuration positioned in the second air channel;    each of the first and second electrode configurations including a pin electrode pointing generally toward an opening in a downstream ring electrode;    a high voltage generator adapted to provide a potential difference between the pin electrode, in each of the first and second electrode configurations, and the corresponding ring electrode, to thereby produce a first flow of ionized air through the first air channel, and a second flow of ionized air through the second air channel; and    a germicidal ultraviolet lamp that emits ultraviolet (UV) radiation upon being energized, the germicidal lamp disposed in the housing generally parallel to both the first and second air channels such that UV radiation emitted from the lamp radiates at least a portion of each of the first and second air channels.