Ozone-based contaminant eradication system and method

Abstract

A device and method is provided for converting oxygen within air into ozone. The device has a portable housing with an air inlet and an enhanced ozone air outlet. A lamp housing is positioned within the portable housing and has a plurality of UV lamps for emitting UV radiation, the plurality of UV lamps extending from one end of the lamp housing to the other in a generally parallel configuration. The device also has a blower positioned within the portable housing for moving the air into contact with UV radiation from the plurality of UV lamps. The device further includes a plurality of baffles positioned within the lamp housing for dispersing the air as the air moves through the lamp housing. The device can be used to eliminate odors and contaminants found in the air, as well as to eliminate oils and contaminants found in water and to kill insects.

We claim: 
     
         1 . An ozone generating apparatus comprising:
 a housing defining an inlet port, positioned proximal to a first end of the housing, and an outlet port, positioned proximal to a second end of the housing;   the housing including at least a first wall and a second wall, wherein the inlet port is disposed in the first wall, and wherein the second wall is adjacent to the inlet port;   a plurality of UV lamps disposed in the housing and positioned between the first end of the housing and the second end of the housing, wherein a first end of each of the plurality of UV lamps abuts the second wall;   wherein the second wall is positioned relative to said inlet port, said plurality of UV lamps, and said outlet port, such that air flowing into said housing through the inlet port is deflected by said second wall, thereby facilitating a non-linear air-flow pattern to the outlet port to enable oxygen in the air to be converted to ozone while being exposed to radiation from the plurality of UV lamps.   
     
     
         2 . The ozone generating apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said second wall is substantially parallel to said first wall. 
     
     
         3 . The ozone generating apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said second wall is substantially perpendicular to said first wall. 
     
     
         4 . The ozone generating apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the second wall is positioned relative to said first wall, said plurality of UV lamps, and said outlet port, such that air flowing into said housing through the inlet port is deflected by said second wall, thereby causing air to flow in a spiraled pattern to the outlet port to enable oxygen in the air to be converted to ozone while being exposed to radiation from the plurality of UV lamps. 
     
     
         5 . The ozone generating apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said plurality of UV lamps comprises at least three UV lamps. 
     
     
         6 . An ozone generating apparatus comprising:
 a housing defining an inlet port and an outlet port;   the housing including at least a first wall, a second wall opposite the first wall, a third wall extending between the first wall and the second wall, and a fourth wall;   wherein the inlet port is disposed in one of the first wall or the third wall;   a plurality of UV lamps disposed in the housing and extending between the first wall and the second wall;   wherein the fourth wall is positioned relative to said inlet port, said plurality of UV lamps and said outlet port, such that air flowing into said housing through the inlet port is deflected by said fourth wall, thereby causing air to flow in a non-linear pattern to the outlet port to enable oxygen in the air to be converted to ozone while being exposed to radiation from the plurality of UV lamps.   
     
     
         7 . The ozone generating apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein said fourth wall is substantially parallel to said first wall. 
     
     
         8 . The ozone generating apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein said fourth wall is substantially perpendicular to said first wall. 
     
     
         9 . The ozone generating apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein said forth wall is adjacent to said inlet port. 
     
     
         10 . The ozone generating apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein said fourth wall is adjacent to said outlet port. 
     
     
         11 . The ozone generating apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein the fourth wall is positioned relative to said inlet port, said plurality of UV lamps, and said outlet port, such that air flowing into said housing through the inlet port is deflected by said fourth wall, thereby causing air to flow in a spiraled pattern to the outlet port to enable oxygen in the air to be converted to ozone while being exposed to radiation from the plurality of UV lamps. 
     
     
         12 . The ozone generating apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein said plurality of UV lamps comprises at least three UV lamps.