Air purifying apparatus

Claim 2

An air purifying apparatus comprising: a conductive central plate having a substantially planar side and edge surfaces and a planar end surface, said end surface being substantially perpendicular to both said side and edge surfaces for carrying an electrical charge of a first polarity capable of attracting airborne particle impurities; a substantially planar dielectric layer having a first surface butting against and contacting said planar end surface and generally perpendicular to said side and edge surfaces of said central plate; a substantially planar conductive backing plate oriented in a plane parallel to said dielectric layer, perpendicular to said side and edge surfaces of said central plate, and butting against and engaging a second side of said dielectric layer, which second dielectric layer side is opposite to the side contacted by said central plate, said backing plate carrying an electric charge of a second polarity which is opposite from said first polarity and capable of attracting airborne particle impurities whereby an electric field is created between said central plate and said backing plate for producing ozone adjacent said end surface of said central plate where that end surface butts against said first surface of said dielectric layer; and means for applying an electrical voltage to said central plate and backing plate to provide said central plate and backing plate with opposite polarity electrical charges, respectively, and an electrical field between said plates.

Claim 3

An air purifying apparatus as recited in claim 1 further comprising: said means for applying an electrical voltage to said central plate and backing plate including a transformer having a first output of a first polarity, a second output of a second polarity, said first polarity being opposite from said second polarity and an input adapted to be coupled to a power source; a substantially parallel, spaced, first plurality of said central plates coupled to said first output for carrying an electric charge of said first polarity, said central plates having side and edge surfaces parallel to other such side surfaces and substantially planar end surfaces, said end surfaces being oriented substantially perpendicular to said side and edge surfaces and oriented along a first common plane with other such end surfaces; said substantially planar first dielectric layer being oriented along said first common plane and butting against said end surfaces; and said substantially planar conductive backing plate being oriented parallel to said first common plane, butting against said first dielectric layer on said second side of said first dielectric layer, and coupled to said second output for carrying an electric charge of said second polarity, thereby creating an electric field of sufficient voltage gradient between said central plates and said first backing plate to produce ozone adjacent said central plates and to attract airborne particle impurities to said central plates and said first backing plate.

Claim 4

An air purifying apparatus comprising: a conductive central plate having a substantially planar side surface and a planar end surface, said end surface being substantially perpendicular to said side surface, for carrying an electrical charge of a first polarity capable of attracting airborne particle impurities; a substantially planar dielectric layer having a first surface butting against said end surface and generally perpendicular to said side surface of said central plate; a substantially planar conductive backing plate oriented in a plane parallel to said dielectric layer and butting against a second side of said dielectric layer opposite to said central plate, for carrying an electric charge of a second polarity, opposite from said first polarity and capable of attracting airborne particle impurities, thereby creating an electric field between said central plate and said backing plate for producing ozone adjacent said central plate; and means for applying an electrical voltage to said central plate and backing plate to provide said central plate and backing plate with opposite polarity electrical charges, respectively, and an electrical field between said plates; said means for applying an electrical voltage to said central plate and backing plate including a transformer having a first output of a first polarity, a second output of a second polarity, said first polarity being opposite from said second polarity and an input adapted to be coupled to a power source; a substantially parallel, spaced, first plurality of said central plates coupled to said first output for carrying an electric charge of said first polarity, said central plates having side surfaces parallel to other such side surfaces and substantially planar end surfaces, said end surfaces being oriented substantially perpendicular to said side surfaces and oriented along a first common plane with other such end surfaces; said substantially planar first dielectric layer being oriented along said first common plane and abutting against said end surfaces; said substantially planar conductive backing plate being oriented parallel to said first common plane, butting against said first dielectric layer on said second side of said first dielectric layer, and coupled to said second output for carrying an electric charge of said second polarity, thereby creating an electric field of sufficient voltage gradient between said central plates and said first backing plate to produce ozone adjacent said central plates and to attract airborne particle impurities to said central plates and said first backing plate; a substantially parallel, spaced, second plurality of said conductive central plates coupled to said first output for carrying a charge of said first polarity, said second plurality of central plates having a first extremity coupled to said first plurality of central plates and a second extremity including end surfaces of said second plurality of central plates which are oriented along a second common plane being parallel to and spaced from said first common plane; a substantially planar second dielectric layer oriented along said second common plane and butting against said end surfaces of said second plurality of central plates; and a second substantially planar conductive plate oriented parallel to said second common plane, butting against said second dielectric layer on the opposite side of said second dielectric layer from said central plates, and coupled to said second output for carrying a charge of said second polarity and thereby creating an electric field of sufficient voltage gradient between said central plates and said second backing plate to produce ozone adjacent said central plates and to attract airborne particle impurities to said central plates and said second backing plate.

Claim 5

An air purifying apparatus comprising: a conductive central plate having a substantially planar side surface and a planar end surface, said end surface being substantially perpendicular to said side surface, for carrying an electrical charge of a first polarity capable of attracting airborne particle impurities; a substantially planar dielectric layer having a first surface butting against said end surface and generally perpendicular to said side surface of said central plate; a substantially planar conductive backing plate oriented in a plane parallel to said dielectric layer and butting against a second side of said dielectric layer opposite to said central plate, for carrying an electric charge of a second polarity, opposite from said first polarity and capable of attracting airborne particle impurities, thereby creating an electric field between said central plate and said backing plate for producing ozone adjacent said central plate; and means for applying an electrical voltage to said central plate and backing plate to provide said central plate and backing plate with opposite polarity electrical charges, respectively, and an electrical field between said plates; said means for applying an electrical voltage to said central plate and backing plate including a transformer having a first output of a first polarity, a second output of a second polarity, said first polarity being opposite from said second polarity and an input adapted to be coupled to a power source; a substantially parallel, spaced, first plurality of said central plates coupled to said first output for carrying an electric charge of said first polarity, said central plates having side surfaces parallel to other such side surfaces and substantially planar end surfaces, said end surfaces being oriented substantially perpendicular to said side surfaces and oriented along a first common plane with other such end surfaces; said substantially planar first dielectric layer being oriented along said first common plane and abutting against said end surfaces; said substantially planar conductive backing plate being oriented parallel to said first common plane, butting against said first dielectric layer on said second side of said first dielectric layer, and coupled to said second output for carrying an electric charge of said second polarity, thereby creating an electric field of sufficient voltage gradient between said central plates and said first backing plate to produce ozone adjacent said central plates and to attract airborne particle impurities to said central plates and said first backing plate; a substantially parallel, spaced, second plurality of said conductive central plates coupled to said first output for carrying a charge of said first polarity, said second plurality of central plates having a first extremity coupled to said first plurality of central plates and a second extremity including end surfaces of said second plurality of central plates which are oriented along a second common plane being parallel to and spaced from said first common plane; a substantially planar second dielectric layer oriented along said second common plane and butting against said end surfaces of said second plurality of central plates; and a second substantially planar conductive plate oriented parallel to said second common plane, butting against said second dielectric layer on the opposite side of said second dielectric layer from said central plates, and coupled to said second output for carrying a charge of said second polarity and thereby creating an electric field of sufficient voltage gradient between said central plates and said second backing plate to produce ozone adjacent said central plates and to attract airborne particle impurities to said central plates and said second backing plate.

Claim 6

An air purifying apparatus as recited in claim 3 further comprising: a connecting means for coupling said first backing plate to said second backing plate and applying a compressing force to said central plates and said dielectric layers intermediate said first and second backing plates.

Claim 7

An air purifying apparatus as recited in claim 4 further comprising: an elongated conductive central core pin passing through said first plurality and said second plurality of central plates for coupling together and supporting said first and second pluralities of central plates; and a plurality of spacers mounted on and along said central core pin, said spacers being located between adjacent central plates.

Claim 8

An air purifying apparatus as recited in claim 5 further comprising: a housing surrounding said central plates having a top air access opening and a bottom air access opening whereby air can flow between said top and bottom openings in a predetermined direction, the planes of said central plates being positioned generally parallel to said predetermined direction such that air flow between said top and bottom air access openings is parallel to said side surfaces of said central plates and said first and second common planes.

Claim 9

An air purifying apparatus as recited in claim 6 further comprising: a potentiometer coupled to said input of said transformer for varying the voltage applied to said transformer by said power source.

Claim 10

An air purifying apparatus as recited in claim 5 wherein said transformer has a turns ratio of about 1 to 44, said central plates, said central core pin, said spacers and said backing plates are stainless steel, said dielectric layer is mica.

Claim 11

An air purifying apparatus comprising: a transformer having a first output of a first polarity, a second output of a second polarity, said first polarity being opposite from said second polarity and an input adapted to be coupled to a power source; a substantially parallel, spaced first plurality of conductive stainless steel central plates coupled to said first output for carrying an electric charge of said first polarity, said central plates having side surfaces parallel to other such side surfaces and substantially planar end surfaces, said end surfaces being oriented substantially perpendicular to said side surfaces and oriented along a first common plane with other such end surfaces; a substantially planar first dielectric mica layer oriented along said first common plane and butting against said end surfaces; a first substantially planar conductive stainless steel backing plate oriented parallel to said first common plane, butting against said first dielectric layer on the opposite side of said first dielectric layer from said end surfaces, and coupled to said second output for carrying an electric charge of said second polarity, thereby creating an electric field of sufficient voltage gradient between said central plates and said first backing plate to produce ozone adjacent said central plates and to attract airborne particle impurities to said central plates and said first backing plate; a substantially parallel, spaced second plurality of conductive stainless steel central plates coupled to said first output for carrying a charge of said first polarity, said second plurality of central plates having a first extremity coupled to said first plurality of central plates and a second extremity including said end surfaces of said second plurality of central plates oriented along a second common plane, said second common plane being parallel to and spaced from said first common plane; a substantially planar second dielectric mica layer oriented along said second common plane and butting against said end surfaces of said second plurality of central plates; a second, substantially planar, conductive, stainless steel backing plate oriented parallel to said second common plane, butting against said second dielectric layer from said central plates, and coupled to said second output for carrying a charge of said second polarity and thereby creating an electric field of sufficient voltage gradient between said central plates and said second backing plate to produce ozone adjacent said central plates and to attract airborne particle impurities to said central plates and said second backing plate; a connecting means for coupling said first backing plate to said second backing plate and applying a compressing force to said central plates and said dielectric layers intermediate said first and second backing plates; an elongated conductive stainless steel central core pin passing through said first plurality and said second plurality of central plates for coupling together and supporting said first and second pluralities of central plates; a plurality of stainless steel spacers mounted on and along said central core pin, said spacers being located between adjacent central plates, so only one of said central plates from said first plurality and only one of said central plates from said second plurality are located between adjacent spacers; a housing surrounding said central plates having a top air access opening and a bottom air access opening whereby air can flow between said top and bottom openings in a predetermined direction, the planes of said central plates being positioned generally parallel to said predetermined direction such that air flow between said top and bottom air access openings is parallel to said side surfaces of said central plates and said first and second common planes; and a potentiometer coupled to said input of said transformer for varying the voltage applied to said transformer by said power source.

Claim 12

An air purifying apparatus comprising: a transformer having a first output of a first polarity, a second output of a second polarity, said first polarity being opposite from said second polarity and an input adapted to be coupled to a power source; a substantially parallel, spaced first plurality of conductive stainless steel central plates coupled to said first output for carrying an electric charge of said first polarity, said central plates having side surfaces parallel to other such side surfaces and substantially planar end surfaces, said end surfaces being oriented substantially perpendicular to said side surfaces and oriented along a first common plane with other such end surfaces; a substantially planar first dielectric mica layer oriented along said first common plane and butting against said end surfaces; a first substantially planar conductive stainless steel backing plate oriented parallel to said first common plane, butting against said first dielectric layer on the opposite side of said first dielectric layer from said end surfaces, and coupled to said second output for carrying an electric charge of said second polarity, thereby creating an electric field of sufficient voltage gradient between said central plates and said first backing plate to produce ozone adjacent said central plates and to attract airborne particle impurities to said central plates and said first backing plate; a substantially parallel, spaced second plurality of conductive stainless steel central plates coupled to said first output for carrying a charge of said first polarity, said second plurality of central plates having a first extremity coupled to said first plurality of central plates and a second extremity including said end surfaces of said second plurality of central plates oriented along a second common plane, said second common plane being parallel to and spaced from said first common plane; a substantially planar second dielectric mica layer oriented along said second common plane and butting against said end surfaces of said second plurality of central plates; a second, substantially planar, conductive, stainless steel backing plate oriented parallel to said second common plane, butting against said second dielectric layer from said central plates, and coupled to said second output for carrying a charge of said second polarity and thereby creating an electric field of sufficient voltage gradient between said central plates and said second backing plate to produce ozone adjacent said central plates and to attract airborne particle impurities to said central plates and said second backing plate; a connecting means for coupling said first backing plate to said second backing plate and applying a compressing force to said central plates and said dielectric layers intermediate said first and second backing plates; an elongated conductive stainless steel central core pin passing through said first plurality and said second plurality of central plates for coupling together and supporting said first and second pluralities of central plates; a plurality of stainless steel spacers mounted on and along said central core pin, said spacers being located between adjacent central plates, so only one of said central plates from said first plurality and only one of said central plates from said second plurality are located between adjacent spacers; a housing surrounding said central plates having a top air access opening and a bottom air access opening whereby air can flow between said top and bottom openings in a predetermined direction, the planes of said central plates being positioned generally parallel to said predetermined direction such that air flow between said top and bottom air access openings is parallel to said side surfaces of said central plates and said first and second common planes; and a potentiometer coupled to said input of said transformer for varying the voltage applied to said transformer by said power source.

Claim 13

Air purifying apparatus for electrostatically precipitating airborne impurity particles and for eliminating odors comprising a grid assembly and means for connecting said assembly to a source of electrical power, said assembly including a pair of spaced, electrically conductive first plate means for carrying an electrical charge of a first polarity; central, electrically conductive, planar, plate means intermediate of and extending between said first plate means for carrying an electrical charge of a second polarity opposite said first polarity, said central plate means including end surfaces generally parallel to and adjacent to each of said respective first plate means and generally perpendicular to the other surfaces of said central plate means, dielectric means interposed between each of said first plate means and said respective end surfaces of said central plate means to prevent direct electrical contact therebetween; and means for securing said first plate means and central plate means whereby said dielectric means are held firmly therebetween and in engagement with said first plate means and central plate means.

Claim 14

Air purifying apparatus for electrostatically precipitating airborne impurity particles and for eliminating odors comprising a grid assembly and means for connecting said assembly to a source of electrical power, said assembly including a pair of spaced, electrically conductive first plate means for carrying an electrical charge of a first polarity; central, electrically conductive, planar, plate means intermediate of and extending between said first plate means for carrying an electrical charge of a second polarity opposite said first polarity, said central plate means including end surfaces generally parallel to and adjacent to each of said respective first plate means and generally perpendicular to the other surfaces of said central plate means, dielectric means interposed between each of said first plate means and said respective end surfaces of said central plate means to prevent direct electrical contact therebetween; and means for securing said first plate means and central plate means whereby said dielectric means are held firmly therebetween and in engagement with said first plate means and central plate means.

Claim 15

The air purifying apparatus of claim 10 including a plurality of said central plate means each being spaced from one to another for ease in cleaning particle impurities therefrom.

Claim 16

The air purifying apparatus of claim 10 wherein said means for securing said first plate means and central plate means include at least one electrically conductive connecting means extending between said first plate means out of contact with said central plate means.

Claim 17

The air purifying apparatus of claim 10 wherein said means for securing said first plate means and central plate means include means for clamping said first plate means toward one another and firmly sandwiching said dielectric means between and in engagement with said first plate means and central plate means.