Atomization separating and silencing apparatus and method

Abstract

A modular, integrated, combination air purification and aroma diffuser includes a UV and catalytic oxidation germicidal cell and multiple filtrations as pre-treatment of air diffusing essential oils or other liquids as ultra-fine droplets entrained in airflow into enclosed, habitable spaces. Liquid microbicide, insecticide, fumigant, or aroma therapy is kept cleaner by eradication of microbes. Comparatively larger droplets are separated out and recycled to the reservoir after initial atomization. An electrical module, between a purifier and filters upstream and a diffuser downstream, includes a pump, a fan, and a controller for both. Staged, double-eduction, triple-separation processes include a micro-cyclone for quiet, well diffused flow of ultra-fine droplets.

What is claimed and desired to be secured by United States Letters Patent is: 
     
         1 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . An apparatus comprising:
 a housing receiving from an ambient a first flow of air from a space to be conditioned;   a germicidal module positioned in the housing to apply a germicidal process to the first flow;   a filtration module comprising a filter passing therethrough the first flow;   a compressor increasing a pressure in a second flow, constituting at least a portion of the first flow, above an ambient pressure;   a diffuser capable of drawing from a reservoir and atomizing into the second flow a liquid as droplets; and   the housing, positioning contents thereof to be capable of discharging the second flow containing at least some of the droplets entrained therein.   
     
     
         22 . The apparatus of  claim 21 , comprising a fan operably connected to move the first flow through the housing, recombining the second flow into the first flow. 
     
     
         23 . The apparatus of  claim 21 , comprising a director conducting the first flow directly from the diffuser into the space. 
     
     
         24 . The apparatus of  claim 21 , wherein the filter is positioned downstream from the germicidal module. 
     
     
         25 . The apparatus of  claim 21 , wherein the germicidal module comprises a light capable of operating as an irradiator. 
     
     
         26 . The apparatus of  claim 21 , comprising a controller capable of controlling at least two of duration of time in an “on” condition, duration of time in an “off” condition, and a flow rate of the second flow. 
     
     
         27 . The apparatus of  claim 21 , comprising a mount, including at least one of:
 a handle operably connected to suspend the apparatus;   feet capable of supporting the housing on a supporting surface; and   brackets capable of rendering the housing securable to a wall.   
     
     
         28 . The apparatus of  claim 27 , wherein the brackets comprise apertures shaped to secure by at least one fastener to the wall. 
     
     
         29 . The apparatus of  claim 21 , comprising registration stations capable of securing to the housing each of the germicidal module, filtration module, compressor, and diffuser, in series. 
     
     
         30 . The apparatus of  claim 21 , wherein:
 the housing is shaped to receive therein the reservoir;   the diffuser comprises an adapter capable of sealing directly to the reservoir;   the germicidal module comprises an ultraviolet, photo-catalytic irradiator;   the filtration module is positioned downstream from the germicidal module; and   the apparatus comprises a separator capable of separating from the second flow comparatively larger droplets while leaving comparatively smaller droplets.   
     
     
         31 . An apparatus comprising:
 a housing receiving a first flow of ambient air;   a germicidal module positioned in the housing and capable of destroying bacteria in the first flow;   a filtration module comprising a filter passing therethrough the first flow;   a pump increasing a pressure in a second flow, constituting at least a portion of the first flow, above an ambient pressure;   a diffuser capable of atomizing a liquid, received from a reservoir, into droplets in the second flow discharging from the housing.   
     
     
         32 . The apparatus of  claim 31 , comprising the housing positioning contents thereof to be capable of reintroducing the second flow into the first flow and discharging the first flow containing at least some of the droplets entrained therein. 
     
     
         33 . The apparatus of  claim 32 , comprising a fan operably connected to move the first flow through the housing. 
     
     
         34 . The apparatus of  claim 33 , comprising a director conducting the first flow directly from the diffuser into a space to be conditioned by the apparatus. 
     
     
         35 . The apparatus of  claim 34 , wherein:
 the filter is positioned downstream from the germicidal module; and   the germicidal module comprises a light as an irradiator.   
     
     
         36 . The apparatus of  claim 31 , comprising a controller capable of controlling at least two of duration of time the diffuser is in an “on” condition, duration of time in an “off” condition, and a flow rate of the second flow. 
     
     
         37 . The apparatus of  claim 31 , comprising:
 a controller capable of controlling at least two of duration of time the apparatus is in an “on” condition operating, duration of time in an “off” condition not operating, and a flow rate of the second flow; and   a mount, including at least one of a handle operably connected to suspend the apparatus, feet capable of supporting the housing on a supporting surface; and brackets capable of rendering the housing securable to a wall.   
     
     
         38 . The apparatus of  claim 27 , wherein the brackets comprise apertures shaped to secure by at least one fastener to the wall. 
     
     
         39 . The apparatus of  claim 31 , comprising registration stations capable of securing to the housing each of the germicidal module, filtration module, compressor, and diffuser, in series. 
     
     
         40 . The apparatus of  claim 39 , wherein:
 the housing is shaped to receive therein the reservoir;   the diffuser comprises an adapter capable of sealing directly to the reservoir;   the germicidal module comprises an ultraviolet, photo-catalytic irradiator;   the filtration module is positioned downstream from the germicidal module; and   the apparatus comprises a separator capable of separating from the second flow comparatively larger droplets while leaving comparatively smaller droplets.