Water treatment system

Abstract

A water treatment system includes a washer having a tub that is supplied with water, and an activated oxygen generator for producing ionic species of oxygen in a gaseous stream of air, the gaseous stream of air being selectively introduced into the tub. An integrated controller is provided for controlling both the washer and the activated oxygen generator, thus coordinating operation of the washer and the activated oxygen generator.

1 . A water treatment system, comprising: 
 a washer having a tub that is supplied with water;    an activated oxygen generator for producing ionic species of oxygen in a gaseous stream of air, said gaseous stream of air being selectively introduced into said tub; and    an integrated controller for controlling both said washer and said activated oxygen generator, thereby coordinating operation of said washer and said activated oxygen generator.    
   
   
       2 . The water treatment system of  claim 1 , wherein: 
 said activated oxygen generator includes an ultraviolet lamp and a metallic shroud disposed about said ultraviolet lamp, said metallic shroud and said ultraviolet lamp being protected within a housing.    
   
   
       3 . The water treatment system of  claim 2 , wherein: 
 said metallic shroud is aluminum.    
   
   
       4 . The water treatment system of  claim 2 , wherein: 
 said activated oxygen generator includes a vibrational damping member in abutting contact with said ultraviolet lamp.    
   
   
       5 . The water treatment system of  claim 4 , wherein: 
 said vibrational damping member is a spring.    
   
   
       6 . The water treatment system of  claim 2 , wherein: 
 said housing includes an air filter operatively connected adjacent one distal end of said ultraviolet light, said air filter screening particulates from said gaseous stream of air prior to said gaseous stream of air being irradiated by said ultraviolet light.    
   
   
       7 . An activated oxygen generator for producing ionic species of oxygen in a stream of ambient air, comprising: 
 an ultraviolet lamp;    a metallic shroud surrounding a portion of said ultraviolet lamp, said metallic shroud and said ultraviolet lamp being protected within a housing; and    wherein said stream of ambient air enters said housing through a first end cap, becomes irradiated by said ultraviolet lamp and exits said housing via a second end cap.    
   
   
       8 . The activated oxygen generator of  claim 7 , wherein: 
 said metallic shroud is aluminum.    
   
   
       9 . The activated oxygen generator of  claim 7 , further comprising: 
 a vibrational damping member in abutting contact with said ultraviolet lamp.    
   
   
       10 . The activated oxygen generator of  claim 9 , wherein: 
 said vibrational damping member is a spring.    
   
   
       11 . The activated oxygen generator of  claim 7 , further comprising: 
 an air filter operatively connected to said first end cap, said air filter screening particulates from said stream of ambient air prior to said stream of ambient air being irradiated by said ultraviolet light.    
   
   
       12 . The activated oxygen generator of  claim 7 , wherein: 
 said ultraviolet lamp generates light at both a 254 nm wavelength as well as at a 185 nm wavelength.    
   
   
       13 . A method of treating a stream of ambient air so as to produce an enriched gaseous stream of said ambient air, said method comprising the steps of: 
 arranging an ultraviolet lamp within a housing;    forming a first aperture in said housing to permit the ingress of said stream of ambient air into said housing;    forming a second aperture in said housing to permit the egress of said stream of ambient air out of said housing;    compelling said stream of ambient air to enter said housing via said first aperture;    irradiating said stream of ambient air with said ultraviolet lamp;    compelling said stream of ambient air to exit said housing via said second aperture; and    disposing a metallic reflector about said ultraviolet lamp.    
   
   
       14 . The method of treating a stream of ambient air so as to an enriched gaseous stream of said ambient air according to  claim 13 , further comprising the steps of: 
 arranging an air filter in operative communication with said first aperture, said air filter screening particulates from said stream of ambient air prior to said stream of ambient air being introduced into said housing.    
   
   
       15 . The method of treating a stream of ambient air so as to produce ionic species of oxygen in said ambient air according to  claim 14 , further comprising the steps of: 
 forming said air filter from a stainless steel mesh.    
   
   
       16 . The method of treating a stream of ambient air so as to produce an enriched gaseous stream of said ambient air according to  claim 13 , further comprising the steps of: 
 operating said ultraviolet lamp so that light is emitted at a 254 nm wavelength.    
   
   
       17 . The method of treating a stream of ambient air so as to produce an enriched gaseous stream of said ambient air according to  claim 16 , further comprising the steps of: 
 operating said ultraviolet lamp so that light is emitted at a 185 nm wavelength.    
   
   
       18 . The method of treating a stream of ambient air so as to produce an enriched gaseous stream of said ambient air according to  claim 13 , further comprising the steps of: 
 arranging a damping member within said housing and in abutting contact with said ultraviolet lamp.    
   
   
       19 . A method of cleaning items in a tub of a washer by introducing an enriched gaseous stream of ambient air into said tub, said method comprising the steps of: 
 arranging an ultraviolet lamp within a housing;    attaching said housing to said washer;    forming a first aperture in said housing to permit the ingress of said stream of ambient air into said housing;    forming a second aperture in said housing to permit the egress of said stream of ambient air out of said housing;    compelling said stream of ambient air to enter said housing via said first aperture;    irradiating said stream of ambient air with said ultraviolet lamp;    compelling said irradiated stream of ambient air to exit said housing via said second aperture;    introducing said irradiated stream of ambient air to said tub; and    monitoring a concentration of said ionic species of oxygen within said tub to ensure that said concentration of said ionic species of oxygen does not exceed 1 ppm.    
   
   
       20 . A method of cleaning items in a tub of a washer by introducing an enriched gaseous stream of ambient air into said tub according to  claim 19 , said method further comprising the steps of: 
 disposing a metallic reflector about said ultraviolet lamp.