US4918568A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Air quality control systems
Assignee: AIR PHYSICS CORP
•
Filing: 1988-04-22
•
Granted: 1990-04-17
•
Expires: 2008-04-22
Abstract
Abstract Air quality control systems for rooms or other enclosed spaces relying on generators which supply charges to particles present in the air thereby purifying or otherwise controlling the condition of the air. A source of high voltage is connected to radiating surfaces of various configurations carrying electrostatic charges. A fan or other air circulating device including natural air movement insures adequate contact of the air with the charges generated to thereby achieve the desired quality control. Operating mechanisms provided in the system include voltage varying circuitry to permit adjustment of the generating intensity. A sensor is provided to detect variations in conditions thereby permitting automatic voltage variations. A remote control station is comtemplated where independent environments may be involved and where separate control of these environments is desired. Switching of the system polarity enable production of positive or negative electrostatic charges depending on the atmospheric conditions encountered.
Inventors
- 👤 Judson F. Stone
- 👤 Harold O. Schwartz
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 20:20
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01T; H01T23/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 28
Claim 1
Independent Claim
130 words
An air quality control system for altering the state of small particles present in the air such as organisms, dust and smoke, an enclosed space comprising a source of high voltage, a charged surface exposed within said space adapted to develop either a positive or negative electrostatic charge on said surface, said surface being connected to said source of high voltage whereby a continuous electrostatic charge is applied to said surface, means for switching the polarity of said source of high voltage to achieve either a continuous and non-pulsing positive electrostatic charge, and means providing for circulation of air relative to said charged surface whereby the electrical charges of said small particles present in the air located proximate said charged surface are altered due to exposure to said electrostatic charge.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
130 words
An air quality control system for altering the state of small particles present in the air such as organisms, dust and smoke, an enclosed space comprising a source of high voltage, a charged surface exposed within said space adapted to develop either a positive or negative electrostatic charge on said surface, said surface being connected to said source of high voltage whereby a continuous electrostatic charge is applied to said surface, means for switching the polarity of said source of high voltage to achieve either a continuous and non-pulsing positive electrostatic charge, and means providing for circulation of air relative to said charged surface whereby the electrical charges of said small particles present in the air located proximate said charged surface are altered due to exposure to said electrostatic charge.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
A system in accordance with claim 1 including means for varying the magnitude of said high voltage applied.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
31 words
A system in accordance with claim 1 including means for detecting the charge of particles in the air, and means for controlling said switching means in response to the charge detected.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
36 words
A system in accordance with claim 2 including means for detecting the charge of particles in the air, and means for controlling the means for varying the high voltage applied in response to the charge detected.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
127 words
An air quality control system for altering the state of small particles present in the air such as organisms, dust and smoke, an enclosed space comprising a source of high voltage, a charged surface exposed within said space adapted to develop either a positive or negative electrostatic charge on said surface, said surface being connected to said source of high voltage whereby a continuous, non-pulsing, electrostatic charge is applied to said surface, means for varying the magnitude of the high voltage applied to thereby vary said continuous electrostatic charge, and means providing for circulation of air relative to said charged surface whereby the electrical charges of said smaller particles present in the air located proximate said charged surface are altered due to exposure to said electrostatic charge.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
127 words
An air quality control system for altering the state of small particles present in the air such as organisms, dust and smoke, an enclosed space comprising a source of high voltage, a charged surface exposed within said space adapted to develop either a positive or negative electrostatic charge on said surface, said surface being connected to said source of high voltage whereby a continuous, non-pulsing, electrostatic charge is applied to said surface, means for varying the magnitude of the high voltage applied to thereby vary said continuous electrostatic charge, and means providing for circulation of air relative to said charged surface whereby the electrical charges of said smaller particles present in the air located proximate said charged surface are altered due to exposure to said electrostatic charge.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
36 words
An system in accordance with claim 5 including means for detecting the charge of particles in the air, and means for controlling the means for varying the high voltage applied in response to the charge detected.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
30 words
A system in accordance with either claims 1 or 9 wherein said radiating surface comprises a planar surface forming at least part of a control surface defining said enclosed space.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
51 words
A system in accordance with claims 1 or 5 comprising a frame disposed within said enclosed space, a filter medium supported by said frame, and means for circulating said air through said filter medium, said charge radiating surface also being supported by said frame and being positioned adjacent said filter medium.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
62 words
A system in accordance with either of claims 1 or 5 comprising a frame disposed within said enclosed space, a filter medium supported by said frame, and means for circulating air through said filter medium, said filter medium comprising electrically conductive material, and said high voltage source being connected to said filter medium whereby said filter medium provides said charge radiating surface.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
41 words
A system in accordance with either of claims 1 or 5 including a housing defining an interior passage for movement of said air therethrough, and wherein said charge radiating surface defines at least part of the interior surface of said housing.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
40 words
A system in accordance with either of claims 1 or 5 including a housing defining an interior passage for circulation of air therethrough, a filter medium disposed within said passage, and said charge radiating surface being disposed within said passage.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
38 words
A system in accordance with claim 11 wherein said filter medium comprises electrically conductive material, and said source of high voltage being connected to said filter medium whereby said charge radiating surface is provided by said filter medium.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
171 words
An air quality control system for altering the state of small particles present in the air such as organisms, dust and smoke, an enclosed space comprising a source of high voltage, a charged surface exposed within said space adapted to develop either a positive or negative electrostatic charge on said surface, said surface being connected to said source of high voltage whereby a continuous electrostatic charge is applied to said surface, means for switching the polarity of said source of high voltage to achieve either a continuous and non-pulsing positive electrostatic charge or a continuous and non-pulsing negative electrostatic charge, means providing for circulation of air relative to said charged surface, whereby the electrical charges of said small particles present in the air located proximate said charged surface are altered due to exposure to said electrostatic charge, means for detecting the charge of particles in the air, and microprocessor control means connected between said detecting means and said switching means for controlling said switching means in response to the charge detected.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
171 words
An air quality control system for altering the state of small particles present in the air such as organisms, dust and smoke, an enclosed space comprising a source of high voltage, a charged surface exposed within said space adapted to develop either a positive or negative electrostatic charge on said surface, said surface being connected to said source of high voltage whereby a continuous electrostatic charge is applied to said surface, means for switching the polarity of said source of high voltage to achieve either a continuous and non-pulsing positive electrostatic charge or a continuous and non-pulsing negative electrostatic charge, means providing for circulation of air relative to said charged surface, whereby the electrical charges of said small particles present in the air located proximate said charged surface are altered due to exposure to said electrostatic charge, means for detecting the charge of particles in the air, and microprocessor control means connected between said detecting means and said switching means for controlling said switching means in response to the charge detected.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
194 words
An air quality control system for altering the state of small particles present in the air such as organisms, dust and smoke, an enclosed space comprising a source of high voltage, a charged surface exposed within said space adapted to developed either a positive or negative electrostatic charge on said surface, said surface being connected to said source of high voltage whereby a continuous electrostatic charge is applied to said surface, means for switching the polarity of said source of high voltage to achieve either a continuous and non-pulsing positive electrostatic charge or a continuous and non-pulsing negative electrostatic charge, means providing for circulation of air relative to said radiating surface whereby the electrical charges of said small particles present in the air located proximate said charged surface are altered due to exposure to said electrostatic charge, means for varying the magnitude of said high voltage applied, means for detecting the charge of particles in the air, and microprocessor control means connected between said detecting means and said means for varying the magnitude of said high voltage applied for controlling the means for varying the high voltage applied in response to the charge detected.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
194 words
An air quality control system for altering the state of small particles present in the air such as organisms, dust and smoke, an enclosed space comprising a source of high voltage, a charged surface exposed within said space adapted to developed either a positive or negative electrostatic charge on said surface, said surface being connected to said source of high voltage whereby a continuous electrostatic charge is applied to said surface, means for switching the polarity of said source of high voltage to achieve either a continuous and non-pulsing positive electrostatic charge or a continuous and non-pulsing negative electrostatic charge, means providing for circulation of air relative to said radiating surface whereby the electrical charges of said small particles present in the air located proximate said charged surface are altered due to exposure to said electrostatic charge, means for varying the magnitude of said high voltage applied, means for detecting the charge of particles in the air, and microprocessor control means connected between said detecting means and said means for varying the magnitude of said high voltage applied for controlling the means for varying the high voltage applied in response to the charge detected.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
149 words
An air quality control system for altering the state of small particles present in the air such as organisms, dust and smoke, an enclosed space comprising a source of high voltage, a charged surface exposed within said space adapted to develop either a positive or negative electrostatic charge on said surface, said surface being connected to said source of high voltage whereby a continuous electrostatic charge is applied to said surface, means for switching the polarity of said source of high voltage to achieve either a continuous and non-pulsing positive electrostatic charge or a continous and non-pulsing negative electrostatic charge, means providing for circulation of air relative to said charged surface whereby the electrical charges of said small particles present in the air located proximate said charged surface are altered due to exposure to said electrostatic charge, and wherein said switching means is located remote from said enclosed space.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
149 words
An air quality control system for altering the state of small particles present in the air such as organisms, dust and smoke, an enclosed space comprising a source of high voltage, a charged surface exposed within said space adapted to develop either a positive or negative electrostatic charge on said surface, said surface being connected to said source of high voltage whereby a continuous electrostatic charge is applied to said surface, means for switching the polarity of said source of high voltage to achieve either a continuous and non-pulsing positive electrostatic charge or a continous and non-pulsing negative electrostatic charge, means providing for circulation of air relative to said charged surface whereby the electrical charges of said small particles present in the air located proximate said charged surface are altered due to exposure to said electrostatic charge, and wherein said switching means is located remote from said enclosed space.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
161 words
An air quality control system for altering the state of small particles present in the air such as organisms, dust and smoke, an enclosed space comprising a source of high voltage, a charged surface exposed within said space adapted to develop either a positive or negative electrostatic charge on said surface, said surface being connected to said source of high voltage whereby a continuous electrostatic charge is applied to said surface, means for switching the polarity of said source of high voltage to achieve either a continuous and non-pulsing negative electrostatic charge, means providing for circulation of air relative to said radiating surface whereby the electrical charges of said small particles present in the air located proximate said charged surface are altered due to exposure to said electrostatic charge, and including means for varying the magnitude of said high voltage applied, and wherein said means for varying the magnitude of said high voltage applied is located remote from said enclosed space.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
161 words
An air quality control system for altering the state of small particles present in the air such as organisms, dust and smoke, an enclosed space comprising a source of high voltage, a charged surface exposed within said space adapted to develop either a positive or negative electrostatic charge on said surface, said surface being connected to said source of high voltage whereby a continuous electrostatic charge is applied to said surface, means for switching the polarity of said source of high voltage to achieve either a continuous and non-pulsing negative electrostatic charge, means providing for circulation of air relative to said radiating surface whereby the electrical charges of said small particles present in the air located proximate said charged surface are altered due to exposure to said electrostatic charge, and including means for varying the magnitude of said high voltage applied, and wherein said means for varying the magnitude of said high voltage applied is located remote from said enclosed space.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
173 words
An air quality control system for altering the state of small particles present in the air such as organisms, dust and smoke, an enclosed space comprising a source of high voltage, a charged surface exposed within said space adapted to develop either a positive or negative electrostatic charge on said surface, said surface being connected to said source of high voltage whereby a continuous, non-pulsing, electrostatic charge is applied to said surface, means for varying the magnitude of the high voltage applied to thereby vary said continuous electrostatic charge, means providing for circulation of air relative to said charged surface whereby the electrical charges of said small particles present in the air located proximate said charged surface are altered due to exposure to said electrostatic charge, means for detecting the charge of particles in the air, and microprocessor control means connected between said detecting means and said means for varying the magnitude of said high voltage applied for controlling the means for varying the high voltage applied in response to the charge detected.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
173 words
An air quality control system for altering the state of small particles present in the air such as organisms, dust and smoke, an enclosed space comprising a source of high voltage, a charged surface exposed within said space adapted to develop either a positive or negative electrostatic charge on said surface, said surface being connected to said source of high voltage whereby a continuous, non-pulsing, electrostatic charge is applied to said surface, means for varying the magnitude of the high voltage applied to thereby vary said continuous electrostatic charge, means providing for circulation of air relative to said charged surface whereby the electrical charges of said small particles present in the air located proximate said charged surface are altered due to exposure to said electrostatic charge, means for detecting the charge of particles in the air, and microprocessor control means connected between said detecting means and said means for varying the magnitude of said high voltage applied for controlling the means for varying the high voltage applied in response to the charge detected.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
174 words
An air quality control system for altering the state of small particles present in the air such as organisms, dust and smoke, an enclosed space comprising a source of high voltage, a charged surface exposed within said space adapted to develop either a positive or negative electrostatic charge on said surface, said surface being connected to said source of high voltage whereby a continuous, non-pulsing, electrostatic charge is applied to said surface, means for varying the magnitude of the high voltage applied to thereby vary said continuous electrostatic charge, means providing for circulation of air relative to said charged surface whereby the electrical charges of said small particles present in the air located proximate said charged surface are altered due to exposure to said electrostatic charge, means for detecting the charge of particles in the air, and means for controlling the means for varying the high voltage applied in response to the charge detected, and wherein said means for varying the magnitude of said high voltage applied is located remote from said enclosed space.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
174 words
An air quality control system for altering the state of small particles present in the air such as organisms, dust and smoke, an enclosed space comprising a source of high voltage, a charged surface exposed within said space adapted to develop either a positive or negative electrostatic charge on said surface, said surface being connected to said source of high voltage whereby a continuous, non-pulsing, electrostatic charge is applied to said surface, means for varying the magnitude of the high voltage applied to thereby vary said continuous electrostatic charge, means providing for circulation of air relative to said charged surface whereby the electrical charges of said small particles present in the air located proximate said charged surface are altered due to exposure to said electrostatic charge, means for detecting the charge of particles in the air, and means for controlling the means for varying the high voltage applied in response to the charge detected, and wherein said means for varying the magnitude of said high voltage applied is located remote from said enclosed space.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
142 words
An air quality control system for altering the state of small particles present in the air such as organisms, dust and smoke, an enclosed space comprising a source of high voltage, a charged surface exposed within said space adapted to develop either a positive or negative electrostatic charge on said surface, said surface being connected to said source of high voltage whereby a continuous non-pulsing electrostatic charge is applied to said surface, means for varying the magnitude of the high voltage applied to thereby vary said continuous electrostatic charge, means providing for circulation of air relative to said charged surface whereby the electrical charges of said small particles present in the air located proximate said charged surface are altered due to exposure to said electrostatic charge, and means for switching from a continuous positive electrostatic charge to a continuous negative electrostatic charge.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
142 words
An air quality control system for altering the state of small particles present in the air such as organisms, dust and smoke, an enclosed space comprising a source of high voltage, a charged surface exposed within said space adapted to develop either a positive or negative electrostatic charge on said surface, said surface being connected to said source of high voltage whereby a continuous non-pulsing electrostatic charge is applied to said surface, means for varying the magnitude of the high voltage applied to thereby vary said continuous electrostatic charge, means providing for circulation of air relative to said charged surface whereby the electrical charges of said small particles present in the air located proximate said charged surface are altered due to exposure to said electrostatic charge, and means for switching from a continuous positive electrostatic charge to a continuous negative electrostatic charge.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1993-04-16 | 1993-10-16 | 1994-04-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1997-04-16 | 1997-10-16 | 1998-04-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2001-04-16 | 2001-10-16 | 2002-04-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |