Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
65 words
A method of cleaning air comprising the steps of: irradiating a photo-electron discharge member (20, 21) with ultraviolet rays, electrically charging the fine particles by using the photo-electrons generated due to said irradiation, and thereafter removing the charged fine particles from the air, characterized in that the irradiation of ultraviolet rays to said photo-electron discharge member (20, 21) is carried out in an electric field.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein said electric field voltage is 0.1 to 10 kV, preferably 0.1 to 1 kV.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
111 words
An apparatus for cleaning air according to the method as defined by claim 1 or 2, comprising a photo-electron discharge member (20, 21) for electrically charging the fine particles contained in the air, an utraviolet ray irradiation portion (9) irradiating ultraviolet rays to a metal surface (21) of the photo-electron discharge member (20, 21), and a charged fine particle collecting portion (10) on an air flow passage from an air inlet port to an air outlet port, characterized in that the photo-electron discharge member further comprises an electrode (20), and that a voltage is applied between said electrode (20) and said metal surface (21) of the photo-electron discharge portion (20, 21).
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
An apparatus according to claim 3, characterized in that said photo-electron discharge member (20, 21) is a material having small photo-electric work function.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
58 words
An apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said photo-electron discharge member (21) is formed of material selected from a group consisting of Ba, Sr, Ca, Y, Gd, La, Ce, Nd, Th, Pr, Be, Zr, Fe, Ni, Zn, Cu, Ag, Pt, Cd, Pb, Al, C, Mg, Au, In, Bi, Nb, Si, Ta, Ti, Sn and P, and compounds thereof.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
65 words
An apparatus according to claim 4 wherein said photoelectron discharge member (21) is formed of a composite material of at least two substances selected from the group consisting of Ba, Sr, Ca, Y, Gd, La, Ce, Nd, Th, Pr, Be, Zr, Fe, Ni, Zn, Cu, Ag, Pt, Cd, Pb, Al, C, Mg, Au, In, Bi, Nb, Si, Ta, Ti, Sn and P, and compounds thereof.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
30 words
An apparatus according to claim 5, characterized in that said photo-electron discharge member (21) is formed of an alloy of Ag and Mg, Cu and Be or Ba and Al.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
30 words
An apparatus according to claim 4, characterized in that said photo-electron discharge member (21) is formed of a material selected from the group consisting of brass, bronze and phosphorus bronze.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
30 words
An apparatus according to claim 3 and any one of claims 4 to 8, characterized in that the electrode (20) and the metal surface (21) are formed of separate material.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
24 words
An apparatus according to claim 3 and any one of claims 4 to 9, characterized in that the electrode (20) is a mesh shape.