U.S. patent application number 11/061967 was filed with the patent office on 2005-09-29 for electro-kinetic air transporter and/or conditioner devices with features for cleaning emitter electrodes.
This patent application is currently assigned to Sharper Image Corporation. Invention is credited to Lau, Shek Fai, Parker, Andrew J., Taylor, Charles E..
Application Number | 20050210902 11/061967 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34988144 |
Filed Date | 2005-09-29 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050210902 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Parker, Andrew J. ; et
al. |
September 29, 2005 |
Electro-kinetic air transporter and/or conditioner devices with
features for cleaning emitter electrodes
Abstract
Systems and methods for cleaning emitter electrodes of air
conditioner systems are provided. The air conditioning system
includes an emitter electrode, a collector electrode and a high
voltage generator to provide a high voltage potential difference
between the emitter and collector electrodes. The system also
includes a cleaning member having a channel through which the
emitter electrode passes. A plunger mechanism and a spring, or a
lever and a fulcrum, are used to force the cleaning member to
travel upward along the emitter electrode to thereby frictionally
removing debris from the emitter electrode. This description is not
intended to be a complete description of, or limit the scope of,
the invention. Other features, aspects, and objects of the
invention can be obtained from a review of the specification, the
figures and the claims.
Inventors: |
Parker, Andrew J.; (Novato,
CA) ; Taylor, Charles E.; (Punta Gorda, FL) ;
Lau, Shek Fai; (Foster City, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
FLIESLER MEYER, LLP
FOUR EMBARCADERO CENTER
SUITE 400
SAN FRANCISCO
CA
94111
US
|
Assignee: |
Sharper Image Corporation
San Francisco
CA
|
Family ID: |
34988144 |
Appl. No.: |
11/061967 |
Filed: |
February 18, 2005 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60545698 |
Feb 18, 2004 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
62/230 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B03C 3/746 20130101;
Y02A 50/20 20180101; A61L 9/22 20130101; F24F 8/30 20210101; B03C
3/743 20130101; F24F 2221/22 20130101; F24F 8/192 20210101; B03C
3/28 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
062/230 |
International
Class: |
F25B 001/00 |
Claims
What is claimed:
1. An air conditioning system, comprising: an emitter electrode; a
collector electrode; a high voltage generator to provide a high
voltage potential difference between said emitter electrode and
said collector electrode; a cleaning member associated with said
emitter electrode; and means for projecting said cleaning member
upward along said emitter electrode; wherein said cleaning member
frictionally removes debris from said emitter electrode as it
projects upward along said emitter electrode.
2. The system of claim 1, wherein said cleaning member include a
channel through which said emitter electrode passes
3. The system of claim 1, wherein said means for projecting said
cleaning member upward comprises: a spring; and a plunger mechanism
to compress said spring, and said spring to project said cleaning
member upward along said emitter electrode when said spring is
allowed to expand after being compressed.
4. The system of claim 1, wherein said means for projecting said
cleaning member to travel upward comprises: a lever including a
first end and a second end, said second end resting at least
partially under said cleaning member; and a fulcrum positioned
between said first and second ends of said lever; wherein a
downward force on said first end of said lever translates to an
upward force on said second end of said lever, as said lever pivots
about said fulcrum, thereby causing said cleaning member to project
upward along said emitter electrode and to frictionally remove
debris from said emitter electrode.
5. The system of claim 1, further comprising an actuating means for
maneuvering said means for projecting said cleaning member
upward.
6. The system of claim 5, further comprising a controller to
control said actuating means so that said cleaning member is
periodically projected upward along said emitter electrode to
remove debris from said emitter electrode.
7. The system of claim 5, further comprising a controller to
control said actuating means so that said cleaning member is
projected upward along said emitter electrode to remove debris from
said emitter electrode, in response to detecting arcing between
said emitter electrode and said collector electrode.
8. The system of claim 5, further comprising a button or switch
that activates said actuating means.
9. The system of claim 1, wherein said means for projecting said
cleaning member upward can be manually operated.
10. The system of claim 9, further comprising an indicator that
identifies to a user that they should manually operate said means
for projecting said cleaning member upward.
11. The system of claim 1, further comprising: a freestanding
housing within which said emitter electrode, said collector
electrode, and said high voltage generator are contained, said
housing including at least one air vent.
12. An air conditioning system, comprising: an emitter electrode; a
collector electrode; a high voltage generator to provide a high
voltage potential difference between said emitter electrode and
said collector electrode; a cleaning member associated with said
emitter electrode; a spring; and a plunger mechanism to compress
said spring, and said spring to project said cleaning member upward
along said emitter electrode when said spring is allowed to expand
after being compressed; wherein said cleaning member frictionally
removes debris from said emitter electrode as it projects upward
along said emitter electrode.
13. The system of claim 12, wherein said cleaning member includes a
channel through which said emitter electrode passes.
14. The system of claim 12, wherein gravity will cause said
cleaning member to travel downward along said emitter electrode,
after said cleaning member has been projected upward along said
emitter electrode; and wherein said cleaning member frictionally
removes debris from said emitter electrode as it travels downward
along said emitter electrode.
15. The system of claim 12, further comprising an electromagnetic
solenoid to pull said plunger mechanism in a downward direction,
thereby compressing said spring.
16. The system of claim 12, further comprising a piezoelectric
actuator to pull said plunger mechanism in a downward direction,
thereby compressing said spring.
17. The system of claim 12, further comprising an actuating means
for pulling said plunger mechanism in a downward direction, thereby
compressing said spring.
18. The system of claim 17, further comprising a controller to
control said actuating means so that said cleaning member is
periodically projected upward along said emitter electrode to
remove debris from said emitter electrode.
19. The system of claim 17, further comprising a controller to
control said actuating means so that said cleaning member is
projected upward along said emitter electrode to remove debris from
said emitter electrode, in response to detecting arcing between
said emitter electrode and said collector electrode.
20. The system of claim 17, further comprising a button or switch
that activates said actuating means.
21. The system of claim 12, wherein said plunger mechanism can be
manually pulled in a downward direction to compress said
spring.
22. The system of claim 21, further comprising an indicator that
identifies to a user that they should manually pull down said
plunger mechanism and then release said plunger mechanism.
23. The system of claim 12, further comprising: a freestanding
housing within which said emitter electrode, said collector
electrode, and said high voltage generator are contained, said
housing including at least one air vent.
24. An air conditioning system, comprising: an emitter electrode; a
collector electrode; a high voltage generator to provide a high
voltage potential difference between said emitter electrode and
said collector electrode; and a cleaning member; a lever including
a first end and a second end, said second end resting at least
partially under said cleaning member; and a fulcrum positioned
between said first and second ends of said lever; wherein a
downward force on said first end of said lever translates to an
upward force on said second end of said lever, as said lever pivots
about said fulcrum, thereby causing said cleaning member to be
projected upward along said emitter electrode and to frictionally
remove debris from said emitter electrode.
25. The system of claim 24, wherein said cleaning member includes a
channel through which said emitter electrode passes.
26. The system of claim 24, wherein gravity will cause said
cleaning member to travel downward along said emitter electrode,
after said cleaning member has been projected upward along said
emitter electrode; and wherein said cleaning member frictionally
removes debris from said emitter electrode as it travels downward
along said emitter electrode.
27. The system of claim 24, wherein said second end of said lever
includes a slit so that said second end can straddle said emitter
electrode.
28. The system of claim 24, further comprising an indicator that
identifies to a user that they should manually push down said first
end of said lever.
29. The system of claim 24, further comprising: a freestanding
housing within which said emitter electrode, said collector
electrode, and said high voltage generator are contained, said
housing including at least one air vent.
30. The system of claim 24, further comprising: at least one of an
electromagnetic solenoid and a piezoelectric actuator to maneuver
the first end of the lever.
31. An air conditioning system, comprising: an emitter electrode; a
collector electrode; a high voltage generator to provide a high
voltage potential difference between said emitter electrode and
said collector electrode; a freestanding housing within which said
emitter electrode, said collector electrode, and said high voltage
generator are contained, said housing including at least one air
vent; a cleaning member associated with said emitter electrode; an
actuating means for projecting said cleaning member upward along
said emitter electrode; wherein said cleaning member frictionally
removes debris from said emitter electrode as it projects upward
along said emitter electrode; and a controller to control said
actuating means so that said cleaning member is automatically
projected upward along said emitter electrode to remove debris from
said emitter electrode.
32. The system of claim 31, wherein said controller controls said
actuating means to periodically project said cleaning member upward
along said emitter electrode.
33. The system of claim 31, wherein said controller controls said
actuating means to project said cleaning member upward along said
emitter electrode, in response to detecting arcing between said
emitter electrode and said collector electrode.
Description
PRIORITY CLAIM
[0001] This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. 119(e) to
U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/545,698, filed Feb. 18,
2004 (Attorney Docket No. SHPR-01430US0), which is incorporated
herein by reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates generally to devices that
electrically transport and/or condition air. More specifically, the
present invention relates to systems and methods for cleaning the
emitter electrodes of such devices.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] It is known in the art to produce an airflow using
electro-kinetic techniques, by which electrical power is converted
into a flow of air without mechanically moving components. Such
systems were described, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 4,789,801 to
Lee (1988), as well as in U.S. Pat. No. 6,176,977 to Taylor et al.
(2001). As is described in these patents, an electro-kinetic air
transporter and conditioner system typically includes a first array
of emitter electrodes and second array of collector electrodes,
with each array including one or more electrodes. Driver electrodes
(also known as interstitial electrodes) may also be used, to
increase the collecting efficiency of a system. While the collector
electrodes are typically in need of cleaning more often then the
emitter electrodes, the emitter electrodes can eventually
accumulate a deposited layer or coating of fine ash-like material.
It would be useful to provide new schemes for cleaning emitter
electrodes.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
[0004] FIGS. 1A and 1B illustrate an exemplary electro-kinetic
conditioner system.
[0005] FIG. 2A illustrates an electro-kinetic conditioner system
that includes wire loop emitter electrodes, in accordance with
embodiments of the present invention.
[0006] FIGS. 2A-2D illustrate various mechanisms for removing
debris from the wire loop emitter electrodes of FIG. 2A, in
accordance with embodiments of the present invention.
[0007] FIG. 2E illustrates an embodiment of the present invention
in which a wire emitter electrode is unwound from one spool and
wound onto another spool, according to an embodiment of the present
invention.
[0008] FIGS. 3A-3E illustrate embodiments of the present invention
where a spring is used to move, and more specifically project, a
cleaning member along an emitter electrode.
[0009] FIGS. 4A and 4B illustrate embodiments of the present
invention where a lever mechanism is used to move, and more
specifically project, a cleaning member along an emitter electrode.
FIGS. 4C and 4D are top views of exemplary levers that can be used
in the embodiments shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B.
[0010] FIGS. 5A-5C illustrate embodiments of the present invention
where a plucker is used to vibrate an emitter electrode.
[0011] FIGS. 6A and 6B illustrate embodiments of the present
invention where a vibrating unit is used to vibrate an emitter
electrode.
[0012] FIG. 7 illustrates embodiments of the present invention
where a current control circuit is used to heat an emitter
electrode.
[0013] FIG. 8 is a block diagram of an exemplary circuit used to
the drive and control an electro-kinetic conditioner system,
according to embodiments of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0014] The purpose of emitter electrodes (e.g., wire shaped
electrodes), of electro-kinetic air transporter and conditioner
systems, is to produce a corona discharge that ionizes (i.e.,
chargers) the particles in the air in the vicinity of the emitter
electrodes. Collector electrodes, which typically have an opposite
charge as the emitter electrodes, will attract the charged
particles, causing the charged particles to stick or collect on the
collector electrodes, thereby cleaning the air. As described in
U.S. Pat. No. 6,350,417, to Lau et al. (2002) the collector
electrodes can be removed from a housing (containing the
electrodes), manually cleaned, and then returned to the housing
(e.g., through a top of the housing). While the collector
electrodes are typically in need of cleaning more often then the
emitter electrodes, the emitter electrodes can eventually
accumulate a deposited layer or coating of fine ash-like material.
Additionally, dendrites may grow on the emitter electrodes. If such
deposits (also referred to hereafter as debris) are allowed to
accumulate, the efficiency of the system will eventually be
degraded. Further, such deposits (i.e., debris) may also produce an
audible oscillation that can be annoying to persons near the
system.
[0015] Accordingly, the '417 patent teaches various schemes for
cleaning the emitter electrodes. In one embodiment, a sheet or
strip of electrically insulating material extends from a base
associated with the collector electrodes. When the collector
electrodes are vertically removed from a top of the housing (and
when returned to the housing), the insulating material scrapes
against the emitter electrodes, frictionally cleaning the emitter
electrodes. Additional details are provided in the '417 patent,
which is incorporated herein by reference. While this embodiment of
the '417 patent is very effective, it would be beneficial to
provide further techniques for cleaning emitter electrodes that do
not rely on the removal of the collector electrodes.
[0016] In another embodiment, the '417 patent teaches the use of
bead-like mechanisms to clean emitter electrodes. In this
embodiment, the beads have a channel through which the wire-like
emitter electrodes extend. By rotating the housing (which contains
the electrodes), the beads are caused to slide along the emitter
electrodes, thereby frictionally cleaning the emitter electrodes.
While this embodiment of the '417 patent is very effective, it
would be beneficial to provide further techniques for cleaning
emitter electrodes that do not rely on rotation of a housing.
[0017] U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/278,193 to Reeves et al.
(now allowed), filed Oct. 21, 2002, discloses a bead lifting
mechanism, that causes bead-like cleaners, similar to those in the
'417 patent, to be lifted when the collector electrodes are
vertically removed from the housing (which contains the
electrodes). While this embodiment of the '193 application is very
effective, it would be beneficial to provide further techniques for
cleaning emitter electrodes that do not rely on removal of the
collector electrodes.
[0018] Embodiments of the present invention are related to
electro-kinetic air transporter-conditioner systems and methods. In
accordance with embodiments of the present invention an emitter
electrode comprises a wire loop, and debris is frictionally removed
from the emitter electrode by a scraper, brush, or cleaning wheel
as the wire loop is rotated. In other embodiments, various schemes
are provided for causing a cleaning member to move along an emitter
electrode, thereby frictionally removing debris from the emitter
electrode. In further embodiments, debris is vibrated off an
emitter electrode. In still other embodiments, an emitter electrode
is heated such that debris is burned off the electrode. Other
features and advantages of the invention will appear from the
following description in which the preferred embodiments have been
set forth in detail, in conjunction with the accompanying drawings
and claims.
[0019] FIG. 1A illustrates schematically, an exemplary
electro-kinetic conditioner system 100. The system includes a first
array 110 (i.e., emitter array) of emitter electrodes 112, a second
array 120 (i.e., collector array) of collector electrodes 122 and a
third array 130 of driver electrodes 130. While each array is shown
as including multiple electrodes, an array can include as few as
one electrode. In this embodiment, the emitter array 110 is shown
as being connected to a positive terminal of a high voltage
generator 140, and the collector array 120 is shown as being
connected to a negative terminal of the high voltage generator 140.
The third array 130 of driver electrodes 132 is shown as being
grounded. Each driver electrode can be insulated, as disclosed in
U.S. patent application Ser. No., 10/717,420, filed Nov. 19, 2003,
which is incorporated herein by reference. Further, it is noted
that embodiments of the present invention also relate to electrode
arrangements that do not include driver electrodes 132.
[0020] As shown in FIG. 1B, the above described electrodes are
likely within a housing 102. The exemplary housing 102 includes
intake vents 104, outlet vents 106, and a base pedestal 108.
Preferably, the housing 102 is free standing and/or upstandingly
vertical and/or elongated. The base 108, which may be pivotally
mounted to the remainder of the housing, allows the housing 102 to
remain in a vertical position.
[0021] The electro-kinetic transporter and conditioner system is
likely powered by an AC-DC power supply that is energizable or
excitable using switch S1. Switch S1, along with the other user
operated switches such as a control dial 144, are preferably
located on or near a top 103 of the housing 102. Additional, a
boost button 116, as well as one or more indicator lights 118, can
be located on the housing 102. The whole system is self-contained
in that other than ambient air, nothing is required from beyond the
housing 102, except perhaps an external operating voltage, for
operation.
[0022] A user-liftable handle member 142 is shown as being affixed
the collector array 120 of collector electrodes 122, which normally
rests within the housing 102. The housing 102 also encloses the
array 110 of emitter electrodes 112 and the array 130 of driver
electrodes 132. In the embodiment shown, the handle member 142 can
be used to lift the collector array 110 upward causing the
collector electrodes 122 to telescope out of the top of the housing
102 and, if desired, out of the housing 102 for cleaning, while the
emitter electrode array 110 and the driver electrodes array 130
remain within the housing 102. As is evident from FIG. 1B, the
collector array 110 can be lifted vertically out from the top 103
of the housing along the longitudinal axis or direction of the
elongated housing 102. This arrangement with the collector
electrodes 122 removable through a top portion of the housing 102,
makes it easy for a user to pull the collector electrodes 122 out
for cleaning, and to return the collector electrodes 122, with the
assistance of gravity, back to their resting position within the
housing 102. If desired, the driver array 130 may be made similarly
removable.
[0023] There need be no real distinction between vents 104 and 106,
except their locations relative to the electrodes. These vents
serve to ensure that an adequate flow of ambient air can be drawn
into the housing 102 and made available to the electrodes, and that
an adequate flow of ionized cleaned air moves out from housing
102.
[0024] During operation of system 100, the high voltage generator
140 produces a high voltage potential difference between the
emitter electrodes 112 (of the emitter array 110) and the collector
electrodes 122 (of the second array 120). For example, the voltage
on the emitter electrodes 112 can be +6 KV, while the voltage on
the collector electrodes 322 can be -10 KV, resulting in a 16 KV
potential difference between the emitter electrodes 312 and
collector electrodes 322. This potential difference will produces a
high intensity electric field that is highly concentrated around
the emitter electrodes 112. More specifically, a corona discharge
takes place from the emitter electrodes 112 to the collector
electrodes 122, producing charged ions. Particles (e.g., dust
particles) in the vicinity of the emitter electrodes 112 are
charged by the ions. The charged ions are repelled by the emitter
electrodes 112, and are attracted to and deposited on the collector
electrodes 122.
[0025] In embodiments that include driver electrodes 132 (which are
preferably, but not necessarily insulated), further electric fields
are produced between the driver electrodes 132 and the collector
electrodes 122, which further push the particles toward the
collector electrodes 122. Generally, the greater this electric
field between the driver electrodes 132 and collector electrodes
122, the greater the particle collection efficiency.
[0026] The freestanding housing 102 can be placed in a room (e.g.,
near a comer of a room) to thereby clean the air in the room,
circulate the air in the room, and increase the concentration of
negative ions in the room. The number of electrodes shown in FIG. 1
is merely exemplary, and is not meant to be limiting. As mentioned
above, a system 100 can include as few as one emitter electrode 112
and one collector electrode 122.
[0027] Other voltage arrangements are also likely, as explained in
the '420 application, which was incorporated by reference above.
For example, the emitter electrodes 112 can be grounded (rather
than being connected to the positive output terminal of the high
voltage generator 140), while the collector electrodes 122 are
still negatively charged, and the driver electrodes 132 are still
grounded. Alternatively, the driver electrodes 132 can be connected
to the positive output terminal of the high voltage generator 140
(rather than being grounded), the collector electrodes 122 are
negatively charged, and the emitter electrodes 112 are still
grounded. In another arrangement, the emitter electrodes 112 and
driver electrodes 132 can be grounded, while the collector
electrodes 122 have a high negative voltage potential or a high
positive voltage potential. It is also possible that the instead of
grounding certain portions of the electrode arrangement, the entire
arrangement can float (e.g., the driver electrodes 132 and the
emitter electrodes 112 can be at a floating voltage potential, with
the collector electrodes 122 offset from the floating voltage
potential). Other voltage variations are also possible while still
being within the spirit as scope of the present invention.
[0028] The emitter electrodes 112 are likely wire-shaped, and are
likely manufactured from a wire or, if thicker than a typical wire,
still has the general appearance of a wire or rod. While the
collector electrodes are typically in need of cleaning more often
then the emitter electrodes, the emitter electrodes can eventually
accumulate a deposited layer or coating of fine ash-like material.
Additionally, dendrites may grow on the emitter electrodes. If such
deposits are allowed to accumulate, the collecting efficiency of
the system will eventually be degraded. Further, such deposits may
produce an audible oscillation that can be annoying to persons near
the system. Embodiments of the present invention relate to new
systems and methods for cleaning emitter electrodes.
[0029] FIG. 2A illustrates emitter electrodes 112' according to
embodiments of the present invention. In these embodiments, each
emitter electrode 112' is made from a loop of wire that is strung
around a pair of rotatable wheels or pulleys 202. In the
arrangement shown, the plane of the each wire loop is generally
parallel with the flat downstream walls of the collector electrodes
122. With this arrangement, half of each wire loop 112' will be
closer to the collector electrodes 122 that the other half of that
loop.
[0030] In another embodiment (not shown), each wire loop 112' is in
a common plane, which is generally perpendicular to the downstream
flat walls of the collector electrodes 122. In such an embodiment,
both halves of each wire loop 112' will be equally distant from the
collector electrodes 122, allowing each half of the wire loop 112'
to simultaneously act as an ion emitting surface. By making the
diameter of each pulley equal to a desired distance between
adjacent emitter electrodes, the two halves of each wire loop 112'
will be the desired distance apart. It is also within the scope of
the present invention that the wire loop emitter electrodes 112'
are not parallel with the collector electrodes 122.
[0031] For each pair of pulleys 202, at least a portion of one of
the pulleys 202 can be electrically connected to the positive or
negative terminal of the voltage source 140 (or to ground), to
thereby impart a desired voltage potential to the wire loop emitter
electrode 112' strung around the pulleys 202.
[0032] Each wire loop emitter electrode 112' can be rotated by
rotating one of the pair of pulleys 202 around which the wire 112'
is strung. For example, rotation of the lower pulleys 202 (and/or
upper pulleys 202) will cause the wire loop emitter electrodes 112'
to rotate, allowing for frictional cleaning of the wire emitter
electrodes 112', as will be described with reference to FIGS.
2B-2D. A common shaft 204 can connect all of the lower pulleys 202
(or upper pulleys), thereby allowing a single motor 206 or manual
mechanism to rotate all of the wire loop emitter electrodes 112'.
Alternatively, the pulleys can be connected through a gear system,
or the like. Where a motor is used to rotate the pulleys, a button
to activate the motor can be placed on the system housing 102. In
other embodiments, the motor can be periodically activated, or
activated in response to some event, such as detection of arcing,
or detection of the system being turned on, etc. Alternatively, a
crank, thumbwheel, or other manual mechanism can be placed on (or
be accessible from) the system housing 102 and used to allow for
manual rotation of the pulleys 202. In accordance with an
embodiment of the present invention, an indicator (e.g., a light)
can tell a user when they should use a manual mechanism to rotate,
and thus clean, the wire emitter electrodes 112'.
[0033] Referring now to FIG. 2B, a pair of pulleys 202 and a single
wire loop emitter electrode 112' are shown. Also shown is a scraper
220, which is used to frictionally clean the emitter electrode 112'
as it is rotated. In accordance with an embodiment of the present
invention, the scraper 220 is made from a sheet or strip of
flexible insulating material, such as those marketed under the
trademarks MYLAR and KAPTON. The sheet of insulating material
includes a first end 222 attached within the housing 102 and a free
end 224 that scrapes against the emitter electrode 112' as it is
rotated. This sheet 220 can be attached within the housing so that
the sheet faces the emitter electrodes 112' and is nominally in a
plane perpendicular the emitter electrode 112'. Such sheet material
preferably has high voltage breakdown, high dielectric constant,
can withstand high temperature, and is flexible. Although not
required, a slit can be located (e.g., cut) in the free end 224 of
the sheet such that wire electrode fits 112' into the slit.
[0034] Whenever one of the pulleys 202 is rotated, the wire loop
emitter electrode 112' rotates and frictionally scrapes against the
free end 224 of the scraper 220 (or the slit cut therein), causing
debris to be frictionally removed from the wire loop emitter
electrode 112', thereby cleaning the electrode 112'.
[0035] In accordance with another embodiment of the present
invention, the scraper 220 is inflexible, and has a free end biased
against the wire electrode 112', so that it scrapes against the
wire electrode 112' as the wire electrode 112' rotates. As with the
flexible embodiment, the inflexible scraper 220 may or may not
include a slit within which with wire electrode fits 112'.
[0036] embodiments including more than one wire loop emitter
electrode 112', there can be a separate scraper 220 for each wire
loop electrode 112'. Alternatively, a single scraper 220 can be
made wide enough to clean more than one, and possible all, of the
wire loop electrodes 112'. Such a scraper 220 may or may not
include a slit that corresponds to each electrode 112' that it
cleans.
[0037] Referring now to FIG. 2C, in accordance with another
embodiment of the present invention, an additional rotatable pulley
or wheel 230 is located adjacent one of the pulleys 202 about which
the wire loop emitter electrode 112' rotates. An outer surface 232
of the wheel 230, referred to hereafter as a cleaning wheel,
contacts a portion of the emitter electrode 112' as the electrode
112' is rotated about the pulleys 202. The outer surface 232 is
preferably rough or bristled, so that the cleaning wheel 230 cleans
debris from the electrode 112' as it comes in contact with the
electrode 112'. Friction between the wire loop emitter electrode
112' and the outer surface 232 of the cleaning wheel 230 will cause
the cleaning wheel 230 to rotate, when the wire loop emitter
electrode 112' rotates. Accordingly, there is no need for a
separate motor or other mechanism for rotating the cleaning wheel
230, although one can be included. It is also possible that the
rotation of the cleaning wheel 230 could be used to cause one of
the pulleys 202 to rotate, thereby causing the rotation of the wire
loop emitter electrode 112'. It is also possible that gears, or the
like, connect a pulley 202 and the cleaning wheel 230, so that they
both are rotated by a common motor or manual mechanism. Preferably,
the cleaning wheel 230 and adjacent pulley 202 rotate in opposite
directions, as shown in FIG. 2C.
[0038] Alternatively, or additionally, a cleaning wheel 230' be
placed at other locations adjacent the wire loop emitter electrode
112', as shown in phantom.
[0039] Referring now to FIG. 2D, in accordance with another
embodiment of the present invention, a brush 240 is located
adjacent to and in contact with the wire loop emitter electrode
112'. The brush 240 cleans debris from the emitter electrode 112'
as it rotates past the brush 240. The brush 240 includes bristles
242 which extend at least as far as, and possibly past, an adjacent
portion of the electrode 112'. The bristles 242 preferably have a
high voltage breakdown, have a high dielectric constant, and can
withstand high temperature. The brush 240 can be attached within
the housing 102 so that the bristles 242 extend toward the emitter
electrode 112'. In FIG. 2D, the brush 240 is shown as being located
between the two pulleys 230. It is also possible that the brush 240
can be located adjacent one of the pulleys 202.
[0040] In embodiments including more than one wire loop emitter
electrode 112', there can be a separate brush 240 for each wire
loop electrode 112'. Alternatively, a single brush 240 can be made
wide enough to clean more than one, and possible all, of the wire
loop electrodes 112'.
[0041] It is to be understood that in the embodiments of FIGS. 1A,
1B, 2A, 2B, 2C and 2D, if desired, the portion of each wire loop
112' that is further from the collector electrodes 122 can be
shielded from the portion of each wire loop 112' that is closest to
the collector electrodes 122, so that the further portion of the
wire loop 112' does not interfere with the portion of the wire loop
112' that is closest to the collector electrode 122. This can be
accomplished, for example by including an insulating shield or wall
between each pair of pulleys 202.
[0042] Referring now to FIG. 2E, in another embodiment of the
present invention, a wire emitter electrode 112" is unwound from
one pulley or spool 202 (e.g., the lower spool) and wound onto a
second pulley or spool 202 (e.g., the upper spool). As with the
above described embodiments, a motor, hand crank, thumb wheel, or
any other mechanism for rotating the windup pulley 202 (e.g., the
lower wheel) can be used. If a motor is used, the motor can be
periodically activated, or activated in response to some event,
such as detection of arcing, or detection of the system being
turned on, detection of a button being pressed, etc. In this
embodiment, rather than cleaning the wire emitter electrode 112', a
debris covered portion of the wire 112" gets wound up, and an
unused clean portion of the wire 112" gets unwound and exposed, to
act as the emitter. Eventually, when the wire 112" is used up, a
new spool or wheel 202 of wire 112" can be installed. This
embodiment is somewhat analogous to a rotating cloth towel machine,
which is commonly used in commercial restrooms.
[0043] In embodiments including more than one emitter electrode,
there can be a separate spool 202 for each emitter electrode 112".
Alternatively, a single spool can be made wide enough to contain
multiple wound emitter electrodes 112", which are spread apart from
one another along the wide spool.
[0044] FIGS. 3A-3E will now be used to describe how a spring loaded
cleaning member 302, can be used to clean an emitter electrode 112.
As shown in FIG. 3A, the member 302 will normally rest near the
bottom of the emitter electrode 112, above a spring 306 (but not
necessarily in direct contact with the spring 306, as can be
appreciated from FIGS.3D and 3E). The emitter electrode 112 passes
through a channel 304 through the member 302. The member 302 is
preferably fabricated from a material that can withstand high
temperature and high voltage, and is not likely to char, e.g.,
ceramic, glass, or an appropriate plastic.
[0045] In response to the spring 306 being compacted or downwardly
biased, as shown in FIG. 3B, the spring (when released) will cause
the member 302 to move upward, and more specifically project
upward, along the emitter electrode 112, as shown in FIG. 3C.
Preferably, the force produced by the spring 306 is sufficient to
cause the member 302 to project upward the entire length of the
emitter electrode 112. Eventually, gravity will cause the member
302 to travel downward along the emitter electrode 112, where it
will eventually come to rest near the bottom of the emitter
electrode 112, where it started. The member 302 will frictionally
remove debris from the emitter electrode 112 is it moves upward,
and as it moves downward.
[0046] The member 302 need not be circular, and may instead have
any other shape, such as cylindrical, bell shaped, square, oval,
etc. While it may be easiest to form the channel 304 with a
circular cross-section, the cross-section could in fact be
non-circular, e.g., triangular, square, irregular shaped, etc. The
channel 304 maybe formed through the center of the member 302, or
may be formed off-center to give asymmetry to the member 302. An
off-centered member will have a mechanical moment and will tend to
slightly tension the emitter electrode 112 as the member slides up
and down, and can improve cleaning characteristics. It is also
possible that the channel be slightly inclined, to impart a
different frictional cleaning action.
[0047] The spring 306 can be compressed (i.e., loaded) in various
manners. In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention,
a plunger-like mechanism 310 is used to compress the spring 306,
similar to how a plunger compresses a spring in a pin-ball machine.
The plunger-like mechanism 310 can be manually pulled downward. As
shown in FIG. 3E, in other embodiments, the plunger 310 can be part
of, or controlled by, an electromagnetic solenoid or a
piezoelectric actuator mechanism 312, which can be used to pull the
plunger-like mechanism downward. When the plunger 310 is released,
manually, or electrically, the spring 306 will cause the member 302
to project upward along the emitter electrode 112, as explained
above. Other ways of controlling the plunger 310 are also within
the spirit and scope of the present invention.
[0048] Where a solenoid or actuator mechanism 312 is used, a button
to activate the mechanism can be placed on the system housing
(e.g., 102). In another embodiment, the solenoid or actuator 312
can be activated periodically, or activated in response to some
event, such as detection of arcing, or detection of the system
being turned on, etc. In accordance with an embodiment of the
present invention, an indicator (e.g., a light) can tell a user
when they should manually pull the plunger 310, which can be
arranged in such a manner that it is accessible from outside the
housing 102.
[0049] embodiments including more than one emitter electrode 112,
there can be a separate cleaning member 302 and spring 306 for each
emitter electrode 112. There can also be a separate plunger 310,
and even a separate electromagnetic solenoid or piezoelectric
actuator mechanism 312, for each cleaning member 304.
Alternatively, a plurality of plungers 310 can be linked together
and controlled by a single electromagnetic solenoid or
piezoelectric actuator mechanism 312. It is even possible that a
wide cleaning member 302 can include multiple channels 304, and
thus be used to clean more than one, and possible all, of the
emitter electrodes 112.
[0050] In another embodiment, described with reference to FIGS. 4A
and 4B, a lever 402 pivots about a fulcrum 404. A first end 406 of
the lever 402 can extend outside the housing 102 (e.g., through an
opening in the housing 102) so that it is accessible to a user. A
second end 408 of the lever 402 rests under the cleaning member
302. As shown in FIG. 4B, when a downward force is applied to the
first end 406 of the lever 402 (e.g., due to a user pushing down
with their finger), the second end 408 pivots upward, causing the
member 302 to project upward (and eventually fall downward),
thereby frictionally cleaning debris from the emitter electrode
112.
[0051] Referring to FIG. 4C, which is a top view of an exemplary
lever 402, the second end 408 likely includes a slit 410, so that
the second end 408 can straddle the emitter electrode 112 and be
under the member 302 when it is at rest. The lever 402 and fulcrum
404 can be arranged and/or weighted such that the second end 408
falls downward when the user stops pushing down on the first end
404. Alternatively, or additionally, the member 302 will cause the
second end 408 to move downward when the member 302 travels back
down the emitter electrode 112 due to gravity.
[0052] In embodiments including more than one emitter electrode
112, there can be a separate lever 402 for each electrode 112. The
first ends 404 of the multiple levers 402 can be connected together
so that a user need only push down one lever to clean multiple
emitter electrodes 112. Alternatively, the second end 408 of a
single lever 402 can be made wide enough such that when it pivots
upward, it forces multiple cleaning members 302 upward, and thus, a
single lever 402 can be used to clean multiple emitter electrodes
112. In such an embodiment, the second end 408 likely includes a
slit 410 for each emitter electrode 112 that it is used to clean,
as shown FIG. 4D, which is the top view of a level 402 according to
an alternative embodiment of the present invention. This enables
the second end 408 to straddle multiple emitter electrodes 112 and
be under multiple cleaning members 302 when they are at rest. It is
also possible that a single lever 402 can be used to force a single
cleaning member 302 upward, where the single member 302 is a wide
cleaning member that includes multiple channels 304, to thereby
clean multiple, and possible all, of the emitter electrodes
112.
[0053] The lever 402 can be controlled by an electromagnetic
solenoid or a piezoelectric actuator mechanism, similar to the
mechanism 312 discussed above with reference to FIG. 3E. Other ways
of, and mechanisms for, controlling the lever 402 are also within
the spirit and scope of the present invention.
[0054] Where a solenoid or actuator mechanism is used, a button to
activate the mechanism can be placed on the system housing (e.g.,
102). In another embodiment, the solenoid or actuator can be
activated periodically, or activated in response to some event,
such as detection of arcing, or detection of the system being
turned on, etc. In accordance with an embodiment of the present
invention, an indicator (e.g., a light) can tell a user when they
should manually use the lever 402 to clean the emitter electrode(s)
112.
[0055] In another embodiment, described with reference to FIGS.
SA-5C, a plucker 502 is used to pluck an emitter electrode 112, to
thereby vibrate the emitter electrode 112, causing debris to fall
off the emitter electrode. The plucker 502 includes a first end
506, which can extend outside the housing 102 (e.g., through an
opening in the housing 102) so that it is accessible to a user. A
second end 508 of the plucker 502 includes a lip 510 or similar
structure that can be used to engage the emitter electrode 112. The
plucker 502 can rest in a channel 512 or be supported by another
structure. As shown in FIG. 5B, the plucker 502 can be moved toward
the emitter electrode 112, such that the lip 510 engages the
emitter electrode 112. When the plucker 502 is then pulled away
from the emitter electrode 112, the emitter electrode 112 will
vibrate, as exaggeratedly shown in FIG. 5C. Such vibration will
cause at least a portion of the debris that accumulates on the
emitter electrode 112 to shake free.
[0056] In an alternative embodiment, rather than having a plucker
502 that moves toward and away from the emitter electrode 112, a
plucker can rotate in a plane that is generally perpendicular to
the emitter 112. A lip or similar structure can engage the emitter
electrode 112 when the plucker is rotated toward the emitter
electrode 112. Then, when the plucker is rotated away from the
emitter electrode 112, the emitter electrode 112 will vibrate,
thereby causing at least a portion of the debris that accumulates
on the emitter electrode 112 to shake free. In still another
embodiment, a plucker can pluck the emitter electrode 112 when it
is rotated toward and past the emitter electrode 112.
[0057] In embodiments including more than one emitter electrode
112, there can be a separate plucker 502 for each electrode 112.
Alternatively, a single plucker can be made to pluck multiple
emitter electrodes at once.
[0058] As mentioned above, the first end 506 of the plucker 502 can
extend outside the housing 102, thereby enabling a user to manually
operate the plucker 502. Alternatively, the plucker 502 can be
controlled by, an electromagnetic solenoid or a piezoelectric
actuator mechanism, similar to the mechanism 312 discussed above
with reference to FIG. 3E. Other ways of, and mechanisms for,
controlling the plucker 502 are also within the spirit and scope of
the present invention.
[0059] Where a solenoid or actuator mechanism is used, a button to
activate the mechanism can be placed on the system housing (e.g.,
102). In another embodiment, the solenoid or actuator can be
activated periodically, or activated in response to some event,
such as detection of arcing, or detection of the system being
turned on, etc. In accordance with an embodiment of the present
invention, an indicator (e.g., a light) can tell a user when they
should manually use the plucker 502 to clean the emitter
electrode(s) 112.
[0060] There are other schemes for vibrating an emitter electrode
112, to cause debris to shake free from the emitter electrode 112.
For example, a vibrating unit 602 can be connected to one end of
the emitter electrode 112, as shown in FIG. 6A. Alternatively, the
vibrating unit 602 can be connected somewhere along the length of
the emitter electrode, as shown in FIG. 6B. The vibrating unit 602
can include a piezoelectric vibrator. In another example, the
vibrating unit 602 can include a simple DC motor with an eccentric
weight connected to the rotor shaft of the DC motor. In another
embodiment, the rotor of the DC motor is eccentric, to thereby
produce vibration. Alternatively, the vibrating unit 602 can use
electro-magnetics to produce vibration. In another example, the
vibrating unit 602 includes a vibratory gyroscope. These are just a
few examples of how the vibrating unit 602 can vibrate the emitter
electrode 112. Other mechanisms for vibrating the emitter electrode
112 are also within the spirit and scope of the present
invention.
[0061] In embodiments including more than one emitter electrode
112, there can be a separate vibrating unit 602 for each emitter
electrode 112. Alternatively, a single vibrating unit 602 can be
used to vibrate multiple, and possible all, of the emitter
electrodes 112.
[0062] A button to activate the vibrating unit 602 can be placed on
the system housing (e.g., 102). In another embodiment, the
vibrating unit 602 can be activated periodically, or activated in
response to some event, such as detection of arcing, or detection
of the system being turned on, etc. In accordance with an
embodiment of the present invention, an indicator (e.g., a light)
can tell a user when they should press the button that will
activate the vibrating unit 602.
[0063] In another embodiment, a sufficient current is applied to an
emitter electrode 112 so as to heat the emitter electrode 112 to a
sufficient temperature to cause debris collected on the emitter
electrode to be burned off. This can be accomplished, e.g., by
connecting a current control circuit 702 between the voltage source
140 and the emitter electrode 112, as shown in FIG. 7. Using simple
transistors and/or resistors, the current control circuit 702 can
provide one current/voltage to the emitter electrode(s) 112 when
the emitter electrode(s) 112 is being used to charged particles, in
the manner discussed above with reference to FIG. 1A. The current
control circuit 702 can provide a different current/voltage
(likely, a significantly higher current) to heat up the emitter
electrode(s) 112, thereby cleaning the emitter electrode(s)
112.
[0064] A button to initiate electrode heating can be placed on the
system housing 102. In another embodiment, the current control unit
702 can be instructed to cause the heating of the emitter
electrode(s) 112 periodically, or in response to some event, such
as detection of arcing, or detection of the system being turned on,
etc. In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, an
indicator (e.g., a light) can tell a user when they should press
the button that will initiate the heating of the emitter
electrode(s) 112.
[0065] FIG.8 illustrates an electrical block diagram for driving
the electro-kinetic systems described above, according to
embodiments of the present invention. An electrical power cord that
plugs into a common electrical wall socket provides a nominal 110
VAC. An electromagnetic interference (EMI) filter 810 is placed
across the incoming nominal 110 VAC line to reduce and/or eliminate
high frequencies generated by the various circuits. Batteries can
alternatively be used to power systems, as would be clear to one of
ordinary skill in the art.
[0066] A DC Power Supply 814 is designed to receive the incoming
nominal 110 VAC and to output a first DC voltage (e.g., 160 VDC)
for the high voltage generator 140. The first DC voltage (e.g., 160
VDC) is also stepped down through a resistor network to a second DC
voltage (e.g., about 12 VDC) that a micro-controller unit (MCU) 830
can monitor without being damaged. The MCU 830 can be, for example,
a Motorola 68HC908 series micro-controller, available from
Motorola. In accordance with an embodiment of the present
invention, the MCU 830 monitors the stepped down voltage (e.g.,
about 12 VDC), which is labeled the AC voltage sense signal in FIG.
8, to determine if the AC line voltage is above or below the
nominal 110 VAC, and to sense changes in the AC line voltage. For
example, if a nominal 110 VAC increases by 10% to 121 VAC, then the
stepped down DC voltage will also increase by 10%. The MCU 830 can
sense this increase and then reduce the pulse width, duty cycle
and/or frequency of the low voltage pulses to maintain the output
power (provided to the high voltage generator 140) to be the same
as when the line voltage is at 110 VAC. Conversely, when the line
voltage drops, the MCU 830 can sense this decrease and
appropriately increase the pulse width, duty cycle and/or frequency
of the low voltage pulses to maintain a constant output power. Such
voltage adjustment features of the present invention also enable
the same unit to be used in different countries that have different
nominal voltages than in the United States (e.g., in Japan the
nominal AC voltage is 110 VAC).
[0067] The high voltage pulse generator 140 is coupled between the
first electrode array 110 and the second electrode array 120, to
provide a potential difference between the arrays. Each array can
include one or more electrodes. The high voltage generator 140 may
additionally, or alternatively, apply a voltage potential to the
driver electrode array 130. The high voltage pulse generator 140
may be implemented in many ways. In the embodiment shown, the high
voltage pulse generator 140 includes an electronic switch 826, a
step-up transformer 816 and a voltage multiplier 818. The primary
side of the step-up transformer 816 receives the first DC voltage
(e.g., 160 VDC) from the DC power supply. An electronic switch
receives low voltage pulses (of perhaps 20-25 KHz frequency) from
the micro-controller unit (MCU) 830. Such a switch is shown as an
insulated gate bipolar transistor (IGBT) 826. The IGBT 826, or
other appropriate switch, couples the low voltage pulses from the
MCU 830 to the input winding of the step-up transformer 816. The
secondary winding of the transformer 816 is coupled to the voltage
multiplier 818, which outputs high voltages to the emitter and
collector electrode arrays 110 and 120. In general, the IGBT 826
operates as an electronic on/off switch. Such a transistor is well
known in the art and does not require a further description.
[0068] When driven, the generator 140 receives the low input DC
voltage (e.g., 160 VDC) from the DC power supply 814 and the low
voltage pulses from the MCU 830, and generates high voltage pulses
of preferably at least 5 KV peak-to-peak with a repetition rate of
about 20 to 25 KHz. Preferably, the voltage multiplier 818 outputs
about 6 to 9 KV to the emitter array 110, and about 12 to 18 KV to
the collector array 120. It is within the scope of the present
invention for the voltage multiplier 818 to produce greater or
smaller voltages. The high voltage pulses preferably have a duty
cycle of about 10%-15%, but may have other duty cycles, including a
100% duty cycle.
[0069] The MCU 830 receives an indication of whether the control
dial 144 is set to the LOW, MEDIUM or HIGH airflow setting. The MCU
830 controls the pulse width, duty cycle and/or frequency of the
low voltage pulse signal provided to switch 826, to thereby control
the airflow output, based on the setting of the control dial 114.
To increase the airflow output, the MCU 830 can increase the pulse
width, frequency and/or duty cycle. Conversely, to decrease the
airflow output rate, the MCU 830 can reduce the pulse width,
frequency and/or duty cycle. In accordance with an embodiment, the
low voltage pulse signal (provided from the MCU 830 to the high
voltage generator 140) can have a fixed pulse width, frequency and
duty cycle for the LOW setting, another fixed pulse width,
frequency and duty cycle for the MEDIUM setting, and a further
fixed pulse width, frequency and duty cycle for the HIGH
setting.
[0070] The MCU 830 can provide various timing and maintenance
features. For example, the MCU 830 can provide a cleaning reminder
feature (e.g., a 2 week timing feature) that provides a reminder to
clean the emitter electrodes 112 and/or collector electrode 122
(e.g., by causing indicator light 118 to turn on amber, and/or by
triggering an audible alarm (not shown) that produces a buzzing or
beeping noise). The MCU 830 can also provide arc sensing,
suppression and indicator features, as well as the ability to shut
down the high voltage generator 140 in the case of continued
arcing. The MCU 830 can also initiate the cleaning of the emitter
electrode(s) (112, 112', 112"), periodically, in response to arcing
being detected, in response to a button being pressed by a user,
etc. For example, referring back to the embodiments of 2A-2D, the
MCU 830 can control the rotation of wire loop emitter electrode
112', e.g., by controlling one or more motors that rotate one or
more pulleys 202. Referring back to FIG. 2E, the MCU 830 can
similarly control the winding and unwinding of emitter electrode
112". Referring back to FIGS. 3A-3E, the MCU 830 can control the
electro-mechanical mechanism 312 used to control the plunger 306.
The MCU 830 may even control an electro-mechanical mechanism that
appropriately maneuvers the lever 402, of FIGS. 4A-4D, or the
plucker 502 of FIGS. 5A-5C. In another embodiment, the MCU 830
controls the vibrating unit 602 discussed with reference to FIGS.
6A and 6B. The MCU 830 may also control the heating of emitter
electrodes 112, e.g., by controlling the current control unit 702,
discussed above with reference to FIG. 7.
[0071] The MCU 830 can detect arcing in various manners. For
example, an arc sensing signal can be provided to the MCU 830, as
shown in FIG. 8. The arc sensing signal can be compared to an
arcing threshold, to determine when arcing occurs. An arcing
threshold may exist for each of the various setting of the control
dial 144. For example, there can be a high threshold, a medium
threshold and a low threshold. These thresholds can be current
thresholds, but it is possible that other thresholds, such as
voltage thresholds, can be used.
[0072] The arc sensing signal can be periodically sampled (e.g.,
one every 10 msec) to produce a running average current value. The
MCU 830 can perform this by sampling the current at the emitter of
the IGBT 826 of the high voltage generator 140 (see FIG. 8). The
running average current value can be determined by averaging a
sampled value with a previous number of samples (e.g., with the
previous three samples). A benefit of using averages, rather than
individual values, is that averaging has the effect of filtering
out and thereby reducing false arcing detections. However, in
alternative embodiments no averaging is used. The average current
value can be compared to the appropriate threshold value. If the
average current value does not equal or exceed the threshold value,
then it is determined that arcing is not occurring. If the average
current value is equal to or exceeds the threshold value, then it
is determined that arcing is occurring, and the MCU 830 can attempt
to stop the arcing by cleaning the emitter electrode using one of
the embodiments discussed above.
[0073] Alternatively, the MCU 830 may simply turn on an indicator
(e.g., indicator light 118) to inform a user that the emitter
electrode(s) and collector electrode(s) should be cleaned. The user
can then use one of the above described embodiments to clean the
emitter electrodes. The collector electrodes are most likely
cleaned by manually removing them from the housing, as was
discussed above with respect to FIG. 1B. More detailed and
alternative algorithms for detecting arcing are provided in
commonly assigned U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/625,401,
entitled "Electro-Kinetic Air Transporter and Conditioner Devices
with Enhanced Arcing Detection and Suppression Features," filed
Jul. 23, 2003, which is incorporated herein by reference. Other
schemes for detecting arcing are also within the spirit and scope
of the present invention.
[0074] Many of the above described features of the present
invention relate to cleaning emitter electrodes of electro-kinetic
air transporter and conditioner devices. However, these features
can also be used to clean wire-like emitter electrodes in
electrostatic precipitator (ESP) devices that do not
electro-kinetically transport air. ESP devices are similar to
electro-kinetic air transporter and conditioner devices in that
both types of devices electronically condition the air using
emitter electrodes, collector electrodes, and possibly driver
electrodes. However, ESP devices often rely on a mechanical means
for moving air, such as a fan, rather than on electro-kinetic air
movement. Nevertheless, debris may similarly accumulate on the
emitter electrodes of ESP devices, thereby degrading the efficiency
of the ESP system, and possibly producing annoying audible
oscillations. Accordingly, the above described emitter cleaning
features of the present invention can also be applied to ESP
devices. Collectively, electro-kinetic air transporter and
conditioner devices and ESP devices will be referred to hereafter
simply as air conditioning devices, since both types of devices
condition the air by electronically cleaning the air and producing
ions.
[0075] The foregoing descriptions of the preferred embodiments of
the present invention have been provided for the purposes of
illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive
or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed. Many
modifications and variations will be apparent to the practitioner
skilled in the art. Modifications and variations may be made to the
disclosed embodiments without departing from the subject and spirit
of the invention as defined by the following claims. Embodiments
were chosen and described in order to best describe the principles
of the invention and its practical application, thereby enabling
others skilled in the art to understand the invention, the various
embodiments and with various modifications that are suited to the
particular use contemplated. It is intended that the scope of the
invention be defined by the following claims and their
equivalents.
* * * * *