Techniques for improving indoor air quality

Abstract

Indoor air quality can be improved by monitoring, with at least one air quality sensor, at least one air quality factor of a target environment. Then, based on the collected air quality factor, a HVAC system or an air purification system can be adjusted in order to more efficiently maintain the indoor air quality. Systems that may be used to improve indoor air quality can contain a photo-catalytic oxidation-based air purification system and can communicate with at least one air quality sensor, other purification systems, HVAC system controllers, or a computer configured to monitor and control the air purification systems and HVAC systems.

1 . A method for improving indoor air quality of a target environment comprising:
 monitoring, with at least one air quality sensor, at least one air quality factor of the target environment, wherein the target environment is in communication with an air purification system, the at least one air quality sensor, and at least one supply duct of an HVAC system, and the at least one air quality sensor is in communication with an HVAC system controller of the HVAC system and the air purification system; and   based on the at least one air quality factor, adjusting at least one of: an air intake on the HVAC system; air supplied to the target environment by the HVAC system through the at least one supply duct; or the target environment air directed through the air purification system.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one air quality sensor is in communication with the HVAC system controller of the HVAC system and the air purification system via a computer configured to control the HVAC system and the air purification system based on the at least one air quality factor. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one air quality sensor is in direct communication with a supply duct of the HVAC system. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the air purification system comprises the at least one air quality sensor. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one air quality factor is one or more air quality factors selected from the group consisting of humidity, carbon dioxide concentration, carbon monoxide concentration, radon concentration, sulfur dioxide concentration, oxygen concentration, formaldehyde concentration, NOx concentration, ozone concentration, bioaerosol concentration, pathogen concentration, bacteria concentration, mold concentration, pollen concentration, and VOC concentration. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the air purification system comprises at least one system for infusing ion clusters into the target environment. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the at least one air quality sensor is in direct communication with an intake opening of the air purification system. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the monitoring and adjusting is a periodic process based on the at least one air quality factor. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the least one air quality sensor is in communication with the computer via a wireless connection. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the least one air quality sensor is in communication with the computer via a wired connection. 
     
     
         11 . A system comprising:
 an air purification system comprising a housing including an intake opening and an outflow opening, wherein the housing is configured to accept a photo-catalytic oxidation component such that the photo-catalytic oxidation component is in communication with the intake and outflow openings; and   at least one air quality sensor configured to:
 monitor at least one air quality factor of a target environment; and 
 communicate with the air purification system, a HVAC system controller of a HVAC system, or a computer configured to monitor and control the air purification system and the HVAC system. 
   
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the at least one air quality sensor is positioned at the intake opening. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the at least one air quality sensor is one or more sensors selected from the group consisting of a humidity sensor, a carbon dioxide sensor, a carbon monoxide sensor, a radon sensor, a sulfur dioxide sensor, an oxygen sensor, a formaldehyde sensor, a NOx sensor, an ozone sensor, a bioaerosol sensor, a pathogen sensor, a bacteria sensor, a mold sensor, a pollen sensor, and a VOC sensor. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the photo-catalytic oxidation component includes an ion cluster generation component. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the air purifier comprises:
 an ion cluster generation component;   a fan configured to force air through the intake opening and along a route;   wherein a portion of the route comprises at least one of a first path or a second path;   wherein the first path includes:
 a straight path from the fan, through the ion cluster generation component, and through the outflow opening; 
   wherein the second path includes:
 a first segment from the fan and through the ion cluster generation component, and 
 a second segment from the end of the first segment and extending downwardly through the outflow opening; and 
   wherein interior surface areas of the housing adjacent to the route are electrically insulating.   
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein the route comprises the first path. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein the route comprises the second path. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein the interior surface areas of the housing adjacent the route comprise fiberglass. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein:
 the housing comprises a top portion and a bottom portion connected by a hinge;   the fan is mounted to the top portion; and   the top portion is configured to accept the ion cluster generation component.   
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein:
 the housing comprises a sloped area between the ion cluster generation component and the outflow opening; and   the sloped area is configured to direct air along the second segment of the second path.