System for purifying air having a catalyst filter

Abstract

The present invention provides for a filter system having a catalyst filter configured for placement in a filter housing. The catalyst filter has a first band and a second band of material. Each band has a length of material extending in a longitudinal direction. Each band has a first wall and a second wall, each wall facing in an opposite direction from the other wall. A portion of each first wall is coated with a catalyst material, which receives light emitted by a light source to break down contaminants passing in air through the housing and over the catalyst material. Each of the first and second bands extends continuously along its longitudinal axis traversing the catalyst filter without being intersected by other structure of the catalyst filter. The first and second bands of material diverge relative to each other across the catalyst filter. The first wall of each band is optically exposed to light from the light source. Such light from a light source at least partially disposed to emit light between the first and second bands of material is received on the catalyst material of the first walls of both the first and second bands of material without being at least partially blocked by one of the first and second bands or other structure of the catalyst filter.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A filter system for purifying air, comprising:
 a housing for a catalyst filter, wherein the housing is configured to direct air to the catalyst filter;   a catalyst filter disposed within the housing, the catalyst filter comprising one or more first catalyst-coated surfaces configured to breakdown contaminants in air passing over the one or more first catalyst-coated surfaces;   a first lamp disposed to emit light onto the one or more first catalyst-coated surfaces, wherein the light emitted by the first lamp activates the first catalyst-coated surfaces to purify air passing over the one or more first catalyst-coated surfaces; and   wherein the first lamp is positioned substantially outside the flow of air to the catalyst filter.   
     
     
         2 . The filter system of  claim 1 , wherein the lamp is disposed within the housing in a position that does not substantially reduce the flow of air through the housing to the catalyst filter. 
     
     
         3 . The filter system of  claim 1 , wherein the catalyst filter has a perimeter and the lamp is disposed adjacent to the perimeter of the catalyst filter and outside the flow of air to the catalyst filter. 
     
     
         4 . The filter system of  claim 1 , wherein the catalyst filter has a perimeter, the perimeter defining:
 a perimeter height dimension traversing the catalyst filter; and   a corresponding perimeter width dimension, perpendicular to the perimeter height dimension and traversing the catalyst filter;   wherein a first plane, aligned with the flow of air through the housing, extends through the catalyst filter perimeter defining an end of the perimeter height dimension;   wherein a second plane, aligned with the flow of air through the housing, extends through the catalyst filter perimeter defining an end of the perimeter width dimension; and   wherein no portion of the first lamp is positioned on the side of the first plane or the second plane in where the catalyst filter is disposed.   
     
     
         5 . The filter system of  claim 1 ,
 wherein the catalyst filter has a perimeter with dimensions of a perimeter height and a corresponding perimeter width, which dimensions define a filter plane; and   wherein the lamp is disposed adjacent to the catalyst filter, intersecting or aligned with the filter plane, and outside the flow of air into the catalyst filter.