The present invention relates generally to an ion generator device for individual residential or recreational use, and more generally relates to a wall plug-in generator device that ionizes air for individual residential or recreational use.
Air and other fluids are commonly treated and delivered for a variety of applications. For example, in heating, ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC) applications, air may be heated, cooled, humidified, dehumidified, filtered or otherwise treated for delivery into residential, commercial or other spaces.
Needs exist for improved systems and methods of treating and delivering air for these and other applications, especially in residential or recreational living areas. It is to the provision of improved systems and methods meeting these needs that the present invention is primarily directed.
According to an embodiment of the present invention, a wall plug-in ion generator device that includes a base, a housing selectively secured to the base, at least one electrode for generating ions, a fan disposed within the housing, and a power supply for providing voltage to the at least one electrode for producing ions.
According to yet another embodiment of the present invention, the wall plug-in ion generator device that includes a base that has a vertical portion and a horizontal portion, the horizontal portion contains an opening for allowing air to flow within the device.
According to yet another embodiment of the present invention, the wall plug-in ion generator device includes at least two prongs positioned on the base for engaging an electrical connector.
According to yet another embodiment of the present invention, the wall plug-in ion generator device includes a filter media disposed in close proximity to the opening.
According to yet another embodiment of the present invention, the wall plug-in ion generator device includes a fan positioned within the housing.
According to yet another embodiment of the present invention, the wall plug-in ion generator device includes two electrodes.
According to yet another embodiment of the present invention, the wall plug-in ion generator device includes a plurality of holes on the housing.
According to yet another embodiment of the present invention, the wall plug-in ion generator device includes a housing, at least one electrode for generating ions positioned within the housing, a fan disposed within the housing, and a power supply for providing voltage to the at least one electrode for producing ions.
According to yet another embodiment of the present invention, a method of producing ions that includes providing an ion generator device with a base, a front side, a back side, and at least one electrode and engaging the device to an electrical connector.
According to yet another embodiment of the present invention, the method of producing ions includes allowing voltage to flow through the power supply and to the at least one electrode for producing ions.
The present invention is illustrated and described herein with reference to the various drawings, in which like reference numbers denote like method steps and/or system components, respectively, and in which:
The present invention may be understood more readily by reference to the following detailed description of the invention taken in connection with the accompanying drawing figures, which form a part of this disclosure. It is to be understood that this invention is not limited to the specific devices, methods, conditions or parameters described and/or shown herein, and that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments by way of example only and is not intended to be limiting of the claimed invention. Any and all patents and other publications identified in this specification are incorporated by reference as though fully set forth herein.
Also, as used in the specification including the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include the plural, and reference to a particular numerical value includes at least that particular value, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Ranges may be expressed herein as from “about” or “approximately” one particular value and/or to “about” or “approximately” another particular value. When such a range is expressed, another embodiment includes from the one particular value and/or to the other particular value. Similarly, when values are expressed as approximations, by use of the antecedent “about,” it will be understood that the particular value forms another embodiment.
Referring now specifically to the drawings, a wall plug-in ion generator device is illustrated in
The housing 12 extends generally outwardly from the outer sides of the vertical portion of the base 14 in an arcuate fashion, as shown in
The device 10 contains an opening 15 for allowing air to penetrate the device 10, as shown in
As illustrated in
The base 14 of the housing 12 may be selectively secured to the housing 12 for allowing a different housing 12 to be engaged to the base 14.
A circuit board 20, as illustrated in
The device 10 preferably produces approximately equal amounts of positive ions and negative ions, regardless of airflow velocity or other conditions such as humidity or temperature. In example forms, the device 10 produces positive ions and negative ions in a concentration of at least about 109 ions/second. In alternate embodiments, the device generates negative ions only, or positive ions only, or generates negative ions and positive ions in unequal quantities. The device 10 optionally utilizes nano-electronic components allowing the device to be very compact, requiring less than 1 watt/ion generator module, for example less than 0.5 watts/ion module, and in further examples less than 0.36 watts per ion module.
The device 10 may include two electrodes + and − within the housing 12 that are aligned generally perpendicularly to the direction of the airflow generated by the fan 16, to prevent recombination of the positively charged ions with the negatively charged ions. Alternatively, the electrodes may only produce + electrons or − electrons.
The treatment of air by delivery of ionization to an airflow within a residential or recreational living space according to the systems and methods of the present invention may be utilized for various purposes. For example, application of ionization to air may be utilized to abate allergens, pathogens, odors, gases, volatile organic compounds, bacteria, virus, mold, dander, fungus, dust mites, animal and smoke odors, and/or static electricity in a treated air space to which the airflow is directed. Ionization of air in living and working spaces may reduce building related illness and improve indoor air quality; and additionally can reduce the quantity of outside air needed to be mixed with the treated indoor air, reducing heating and cooling costs by enabling a greater degree of air recirculation.
Although the present invention has been illustrated and described herein with reference to preferred embodiments and specific examples thereof, it will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that other embodiments and examples may perform similar functions and/or achieve like results. All such equivalent embodiments and examples are within the spirit and scope of the present invention and are intended to be covered by the following claims.
Number | Date | Country | |
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62064563 | Oct 2014 | US |