U.S. patent application number 14/548859 was filed with the patent office on 2015-05-21 for techniques for improving indoor air quality.
The applicant listed for this patent is Timothy A. Zwijack. Invention is credited to Timothy A. Zwijack.
Application Number | 20150140919 14/548859 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 53173771 |
Filed Date | 2015-05-21 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150140919 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Zwijack; Timothy A. |
May 21, 2015 |
TECHNIQUES FOR IMPROVING INDOOR AIR QUALITY
Abstract
Indoor air quality can be improved by monitoring, with at least
one air quality sensor, at least one air quality factor of a target
environment. Then, based on the collected air quality factor, a
HVAC system or an air purification system can be adjusted in order
to more efficiently maintain the indoor air quality. Systems that
may be used to improve indoor air quality can contain a
photo-catalytic oxidation-based air purification system and can
communicate with at least one air quality sensor, other
purification systems, HVAC system controllers, or a computer
configured to monitor and control the air purification systems and
HVAC systems.
Inventors: |
Zwijack; Timothy A.;
(Camdenton, MO) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Zwijack; Timothy A. |
Camdenton |
MO |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
53173771 |
Appl. No.: |
14/548859 |
Filed: |
November 20, 2014 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61906730 |
Nov 20, 2013 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
454/256 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F24F 2110/70 20180101;
F24F 2003/1628 20130101; F24F 2011/0002 20130101; F24F 2110/68
20180101; F24F 11/30 20180101; F24F 2110/50 20180101; F24F 2110/74
20180101; F24F 2110/72 20180101; F24F 2110/66 20180101; F24F 3/1603
20130101; F24F 2110/76 20180101 |
Class at
Publication: |
454/256 |
International
Class: |
F24F 3/16 20060101
F24F003/16 |
Claims
1. A method for improving indoor air quality of a target
environment comprising: monitoring, with at least one air quality
sensor, at least one air quality factor of the target environment,
wherein the target environment is in communication with an air
purification system, the at least one air quality sensor, and at
least one supply duct of an HVAC system, and the at least one air
quality sensor is in communication with an HVAC system controller
of the HVAC system and the air purification system; and based on
the at least one air quality factor, adjusting at least one of: an
air intake on the HVAC system; air supplied to the target
environment by the HVAC system through the at least one supply
duct; or the target environment air directed through the air
purification system.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one air quality
sensor is in communication with the HVAC system controller of the
HVAC system and the air purification system via a computer
configured to control the HVAC system and the air purification
system based on the at least one air quality factor.
3. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one air quality
sensor is in direct communication with a supply duct of the HVAC
system.
4. The method of claim 1, wherein the air purification system
comprises the at least one air quality sensor.
5. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one air quality
factor is one or more air quality factors selected from the group
consisting of humidity, carbon dioxide concentration, carbon
monoxide concentration, radon concentration, sulfur dioxide
concentration, oxygen concentration, formaldehyde concentration,
NOx concentration, ozone concentration, bioaerosol concentration,
pathogen concentration, bacteria concentration, mold concentration,
pollen concentration, and VOC concentration.
6. The method of claim 1, wherein the air purification system
comprises at least one system for infusing ion clusters into the
target environment.
7. The method of claim 6, wherein the at least one air quality
sensor is in direct communication with an intake opening of the air
purification system.
8. The method of claim 1, wherein the monitoring and adjusting is a
periodic process based on the at least one air quality factor.
9. The method of claim 2, wherein the least one air quality sensor
is in communication with the computer via a wireless
connection.
10. The method of claim 2, wherein the least one air quality sensor
is in communication with the computer via a wired connection.
11. A system comprising: an air purification system comprising a
housing including an intake opening and an outflow opening, wherein
the housing is configured to accept a photo-catalytic oxidation
component such that the photo-catalytic oxidation component is in
communication with the intake and outflow openings; and at least
one air quality sensor configured to: monitor at least one air
quality factor of a target environment; and communicate with the
air purification system, a HVAC system controller of a HVAC system,
or a computer configured to monitor and control the air
purification system and the HVAC system.
12. The system of claim 11, wherein the at least one air quality
sensor is positioned at the intake opening.
13. The system of claim 11, wherein the at least one air quality
sensor is one or more sensors selected from the group consisting of
a humidity sensor, a carbon dioxide sensor, a carbon monoxide
sensor, a radon sensor, a sulfur dioxide sensor, an oxygen sensor,
a formaldehyde sensor, a NOx sensor, an ozone sensor, a bioaerosol
sensor, a pathogen sensor, a bacteria sensor, a mold sensor, a
pollen sensor, and a VOC sensor.
14. The system of claim 11, wherein the photo-catalytic oxidation
component includes an ion cluster generation component.
15. The system of claim 11, wherein the air purifier comprises: an
ion cluster generation component; a fan configured to force air
through the intake opening and along a route; wherein a portion of
the route comprises at least one of a first path or a second path;
wherein the first path includes: a straight path from the fan,
through the ion cluster generation component, and through the
outflow opening; wherein the second path includes: a first segment
from the fan and through the ion cluster generation component, and
a second segment from the end of the first segment and extending
downwardly through the outflow opening; and wherein interior
surface areas of the housing adjacent to the route are electrically
insulating.
16. The system of claim 15, wherein the route comprises the first
path.
17. The system of claim 15, wherein the route comprises the second
path.
18. The system of claim 15, wherein the interior surface areas of
the housing adjacent the route comprise fiberglass.
19. The system of claim 15, wherein: the housing comprises a top
portion and a bottom portion connected by a hinge; the fan is
mounted to the top portion; and the top portion is configured to
accept the ion cluster generation component.
20. The system of claim 15, wherein: the housing comprises a sloped
area between the ion cluster generation component and the outflow
opening; and the sloped area is configured to direct air along the
second segment of the second path.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Patent Application Ser. No. 61/906,730, filed on Nov. 20, 2013, the
entirety of which is incorporated by reference herein.
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
[0002] [Not Applicable]
PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT
[0003] [Not Applicable]
SEQUENCE LISTING
[0004] [Not Applicable]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0005] Generally, this application relates to air quality
improvements. In particular, this application relates to systems
and techniques for improving indoor air quality with reduced energy
consumption.
[0006] Indoor air quality is important in buildings to maintain
occupant health, well-being, and productivity, and potentially
avoid liability. One method to improve indoor air quality in
buildings is to use outside ventilation air for dilution of the
inside air. Unfortunately, this method may be associated with a
significant energy load. Buildings that attempt to reduce the
outdoor air intake rates to save on energy costs without adequately
addressing indoor air quality requirements frequently experience
degradation in indoor air quality. As a result, there may be a
perceived conflict between energy-efficient ventilation and indoor
air quality.
[0007] Space conditioning typically includes space heating, space
cooling, and ventilation. However, it also can include
dehumidification and improvements in indoor air quality levels.
Space conditioning may account for a significant share of total
primary building energy use. Particularly, ventilation methods that
allow for reduced outdoor air intake rates can have an impact on
building use. First, reduced outdoor air intake rates may translate
into reductions in ventilation fan energy use. Second, reduced
outdoor air intake rates can reduce energy use associated with the
conditioning of outside ventilation air (e.g., heating, cooling,
and dehumidification of outside ventilation air). Outdoor
ventilation air requires heating on cold days, which imposes a
heating load. On hot days, outdoor ventilation air imposes cooling
and, in humid atmospheres, dehumidification loads. The energy for
conditioning of outdoor ventilation air may be greater than the
energy required by the fans to move the ventilation air. The
potential energy savings associated with reduced outdoor air intake
rates are typically not readily available and they are also
difficult to estimate because they greatly depend on many operating
parameters, including local climate, air distribution systems, and
whether or not the building uses an economizer or energy
recovery.
[0008] More specifically, ASHRAE Standard 62.1 defines acceptable
indoor air quality as: "air in which there are no known
contaminants at harmful concentrations as determined by cognizant
authorities and with which a substantial majority (80% or more) of
the people exposed do not express dissatisfaction." Furthermore,
the standard defines ventilation as: "the process of supplying air
to or removing air from a space for the purpose of controlling air
contaminant levels, humidity, or temperature within the space."
But, the standard does not guarantee a healthy environment. It
acknowledges that there are many factors that could lead to
unacceptable indoor air quality in buildings that meet the
standard, including the diversity and distribution of contaminants,
the susceptibility and sensitivity of the occupants to airborne
contaminants, and the effects of other factors that influence
human, comfort and health.
[0009] Thus, it can be challenging to design a system for
improvement and maintenance of indoor air quality that is
energy-efficient without compromising indoor air quality.
Therefore, it may be useful to provide systems and techniques for
improving indoor air quality that may reduce these issues and other
undesirable effects.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE APPLICATION
[0010] According to techniques of the application, methods are
provided for improving indoor air quality of a target environment
while substantially decreasing the energy consumed, for example, by
HVAC systems, to maintain the air quality of the target
environment.
[0011] The method comprises monitoring, with at least one air
quality sensor, at least one air quality factor of the target
environment, wherein the target environment is in communication
with an air purification system, the at least one air quality
sensor, and at least one supply duct of a HVAC system, and the at
least one air quality sensor is in communication with a HVAC system
controller of a HVAC system and the air purification system; and
based on the at least one air quality factor, adjusting one or more
of (a) the fresh air intake on the HVAC system; (b) the fresh air
supplied to the target environment by the HVAC system through the
at least one supply duct; or (c) the target environment air
directed through the air purification system.
[0012] In another aspect, this application provides systems for
monitoring and controlling the air quality of a target environment
that comprise (a) an air purification system comprising a housing
having an intake opening and an outflow opening, wherein the
housing is configured to accept a photo-catalytic oxidation device
that is in communication with the intake and outflow openings; and
(b) at least one air quality sensor for monitoring at least one air
quality factor of a target environment, wherein the air quality
sensor is configured to communicate with the air purification
system, a HVAC system controller of the HVAC system, or a computer
configured to monitor and control the air purification system and
the HVAC system.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] FIGS. 1A-1C illustrate different views of an embodiment of a
system for improving the air quality of a target environment,
according to techniques of the present application.
[0014] FIGS. 2A-2F illustrate different views of an embodiment of
an air purification system (e.g., an ion cluster infusing system),
according to techniques of the present application.
[0015] FIGS. 3A and 3B illustrate embodiments of sensing units
according the techniques of the present application.
[0016] The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed
description of certain techniques of the present application, will
be better understood when read in conjunction with the appended
drawings. For the purposes of illustration, certain techniques are
shown in the drawings. It should be understood, however, that the
claims are not limited to the arrangements and instrumentality
shown in the attached drawings. Furthermore, the appearance shown
in the drawings is one of many ornamental appearances that can be
employed to achieve the stated functions of the system.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE APPLICATION
[0017] Referring to FIG. 1A, indoor air quality of a target
environment 110 of a building 100 can be improved by monitoring at
least one air quality factor of the target environment with at
least with at least one air quality sensor contained in a sensing
unit 130 within the target environment.
[0018] An embodiment of a sensing unit 130 is shown in FIG. 3A, and
contains a radio 300 (e.g., for wirelessly communicating with other
systems as described in detail below) that can communicate with a
processor 310. The processor 310 can be in communication with one
or more individual air sensors 320, a display 330, and a user
interface 340. Another embodiment of a sensing unit 130 is shown in
FIG. 3B, wherein a command module 350 (that may contain a radio,
processor, user interface and/or display) is in communication with
a plurality of individual air sensors 320 that may be arrayed about
the command module 350.
[0019] The air quality sensors are placed in communication with the
target environment. The target environment is also in communication
with an air purification system 140 and at least one supply duct
125 (e.g., via a damper controller 122) of a HVAC system 120. The
air purification system 140 may be optionally in communication with
a supply duct 125 (e.g., via damper controller 122) of the HVAC
system 120.
[0020] The HVAC system 120 can be any residential or commercial
system for handling fresh air intake and conditioning to a building
and can include, for example, a heating and/or air-conditioning
unit or an air handler unit or exhaust units (e.g., roof-top
blowers), and can be controlled by a HVAC system controller 124.
The HVAC system controller 124 can be configured to control, for
example, the intake air volume to the building, recirculation and
exhaust volumes, and to address individual target environments
within the building by, for example, adjusting dampers within
building ducts to change the air volume provided through the ducts
by communicating (via a wired or wireless connection) with damper
controllers 122. The HVAC system 120 may include an economizer and
may include an additional air purifier, such as a photo-catalytic
oxidation device for operation in areas and times of high outside
pollution levels.
[0021] Suitable target environments 110 include, for example, a
room, a hallway, or a floor of a building or the entire building
100. Buildings include residences, hospitals, schools (e.g.,
classrooms or cafeterias), theaters, hotels, amphitheaters,
offices, supermarkets, restaurants, warehouses, outpatient
facilities, daycare facilities, health clubs (e.g., weight rooms,
pools, dressing rooms), commercial buildings such as stand-alone
retail, strip malls, large malls, and the like.
[0022] The air quality factor can correspond to any particulate or
volatile component that may be harmful to the health of individuals
in the target environment 110. For example, the target environment
air quality factor can correspond to one or more air quality
factors selected from the group consisting of humidity, carbon
dioxide concentration, carbon monoxide concentration, radon
concentration, sulfur dioxide concentration, oxygen concentration,
formaldehyde concentration, NO.sub.x concentration, ozone
concentration, bioaerosol concentration, pathogen concentration,
bacteria concentration, mold concentration, pollen concentration,
and VOC concentration. Examples of VOCs include, solvents from
paints or coatings, such as hydrocarbons, ethyl acetate, glycol
ethers, and acetone; gasoline vapors, chlorofluorocarbons, benzene,
methylene chloride, perchloroethylene, methyl tert-butyl ether
(MTBE), and formaldehyde.
[0023] Suitably, the at least one air quality sensor 130 is in
communication with a HVAC system controller 124 of HVAC system 120
and the air purification system 140. However, the at least one air
quality sensor may be in communication with a computer 150 that is
configured to control the HVAC system 120, a damper controller 122
in supply vent 125, or the air purification system 140. In any
case, control of the HVAC system 120, the damper controller 122,
and the air purification system 140 is based on the at least one
air quality factor.
[0024] The air quality sensor 130 can be in communication with the
computer 150 via a wired or a wireless connection. Computer 150 can
be any computer suitable to control the air purification system
140, the HVAC system 120 via the HVAC system controller 124, or the
damper controller 122, such as, a personal computer, a tablet
computer (e.g., an iPad.RTM.), or a srnartphone (e.g., an
iPhone.RTM.).
[0025] Then, based on the at least one air quality factor that is
monitored by the air quality sensor, adjustment can be made to one
or more of (a) the fresh air intake 121 on the HVAC system 120; (b)
the fresh air supplied to the target environment 110 by the HVAC
system 120 through the at least one supply duct 125 (for example,
by adjusting a damper controller 122 or at the supply duct outlet
to the target environment); and/or (c) the target environment air
directed through the air purification system (for example, by
opening or closing an intake opening 141 on the air purification
system 140 or by increasing or decreasing the volume of target
environment air directed through and out outlet opening 142 of the
air purification system 140), to maintain an acceptable air quality
in the target environment 110.
[0026] The monitoring and adjusting can be a periodic process based
on the at least one air quality factor. By periodic it is meant
that the air quality factor can be measured once every second, 5
seconds, 10 seconds, 30 seconds, 1 minute, 2 minutes, 5 minutes, 10
minutes, 15 minutes, 30 minutes, or hour, and an adjustment can be
made at each time interval in response to the air quality
factor.
[0027] Where an air quality factor reaches a value that is above a
threshold, or the value is seen to be increasing at an unacceptable
rate, then, the fresh air intake 121 on the HVAC system 120, the
fresh air supplied to the target environment 110 by the HVAC system
120 through the at least one supply duct 125, and/or the target
environment air directed through the air purification system 140
can be adjusted to maintain an acceptable air quality in the target
environment. Suitable limits for indoor environmental contaminant
levels may be set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
[0028] Advantageously, by controlling the fresh air supply to the
target environment based on the preceding monitoring and adjusting,
the energy consumed to maintain the air quality of the target
environment can be reduced.
[0029] FIG. 1B focuses on an embodiment of the target environment
110. The air purification system 140 in the preceding can comprise
the at least one air quality sensor as part of a sensing unit 130,
as described above. The at least one air quality sensor can be
positioned in communication with an intake opening 141 of the air
purification system 140 in order to monitor the air being pulled
from the target environment 110 and prior to the target environment
air being pulled through the air purification system 140.
[0030] Examples of air purification systems 140 include, for
example, one or more media filters, high-efficiency particulate
arrestance (HEPA) filters, electrofiltration, UVGI and filter
systems, gas sorption and filter systems, bipolar ionization and
filter systems, photocatalytic oxidation and filter systems, and
UV/ozone catalytic oxidation and filter systems, and combinations
thereof. In one example, the air purification system 140 can
comprises a purifier 145 for infusing ion clusters into the target
environment 110, such as one or more bipolar ionization system,
photocatalytic oxidation system, or UV/ozone catalytic oxidation
system
[0031] The photo-catalytic oxidation ("PCO") devices can generate
ions that may have bactericidal properties, and therefore may be
useful for removing bacteria, molds, viruses, or other microbes.
The ions may be generated when an ultraviolet light impinges on a
photo catalyst, such as TiO.sub.2. PCO devices may use passive or
active techniques to draw air from the target environment into
proximity with a photo-catalytic device
[0032] A PCO device may generate ion clusters. Ion clusters may
hold a relatively large amount of charge that can be effective for
damaging or destroying microbes. Such ion clusters may also be
relatively fragile, and devices utilizing such clusters should
minimize turbulence, collisions, or contact with a conductive,
grounded, or oppositely charged object or surface that may tend to
damage or destroy the ion clusters.
[0033] Referring to FIG. 1C, a single target environment 110 may
contain a plurality of air purification systems 143, 144, for
purifying the air therein (two are shown in FIG. 1C for clarity).
In such instances, at least one of the air purification systems,
here denoted 143, comprises the at least one air quality sensor
within a sensing unit 130 for monitoring the target environment air
quality, and can be referred to as a "smart box." The smart box 143
is in communication with at least a HVAC system controller 124 of
the HVAC system 120 and optionally damper controller 122 or a
computer 150 that is configured to control a HVAC system controller
124 of the HVAC system 120, damper controller 122, and the air
purification systems 143, 144.
[0034] Where there are a plurality of air purification systems in a
single target environment, one such system may be the smart box 143
that contains the sensing unit 130 and the second air purification
systems 144 may be under the control of the smart box 143 either
directly or via the computer 150. Control of the second air
purification systems may be via a wired or wireless connection
between smart box 143 and either the computer 150 or the second air
purification systems 144. For example, a single target environment
110 may contain one smart box 143, a plurality of second air
purifier systems 144 (e.g., 2, 3, 4, etc.) that are wirelessly
controlled by the smart box 143 or wirelessly controlled via the
computer 150 based on the air quality factor measured by the air
quality sensor 130 of smart box 143.
[0035] A system is also provided that can be used for performing
the methods of this application. The system can comprise (a) an air
purification system comprising at least one air purifier having a
housing having an intake opening and an outflow opening, wherein
the housing is configured to accept a photo-catalytic oxidation
device (e.g., an ion cluster generation component) that is in
communication with the intake and outflow openings; and (b) at
least one air quality sensor for monitoring at least one air
quality factor of a target environment, wherein the air quality
sensor is configured to communicate with the air purification
system, a HVAC system controller, or a computer configured to
monitor or control the air purification system and the HVAC
system.
[0036] In particular, at least one air purifier may infuse ion
clusters into a target environment and can include a housing, a
fan, and an ion cluster generation component. The housing has
intake and outflow openings. The housing may have a top portion and
a bottom portion connected by a hinge. The fan (for example, a
cross-flow blower) may be mounted to the top portion of the
housing. The housing may have a sloped area between the ion cluster
generation portion and the outflow opening. The housing may mounted
within an opening for a 2'.times.2' or a 2'.times.4' ceiling
tile.
[0037] The fan forces air through the intake opening and along a
route. The interior surface areas of the housing adjacent to the
route are electrically insulating (for example, the surface areas
may be fiberglass).
[0038] The route can take either a first path or a second path. The
first path goes along a straight path from the fan, through the at
least one air sensor, through ion cluster generation component, and
through the outflow opening.
[0039] As noted above, the at least one air quality sensor can be
positioned at the intake opening of the air purification system in
order to monitor the air being pulled from the target environment
and through the air purifier. The at least one air quality sensor
can be one or more sensors such as a humidity sensor, a carbon
dioxide sensor, a carbon monoxide sensor, a radon sensor, a sulfur
dioxide sensor, an oxygen sensor, a formaldehyde sensor, a NOx
sensor, an ozone sensor, a bioaerosol sensor, a pathogen sensor, a
bacteria sensor, a mold sensor, a pollen sensor, or a VOC
sensor.
[0040] The second path goes along a first segment and a second
segment. The first segment runs from the fan and through the ion
cluster generation component. The second segment runs from the end
of the first segment and extends downwardly through the outflow
opening. The sloped area of the housing may direct air along the
second segment. The interior surface areas of the housing adjacent
to the route are electrically insulating (for example,
fiberglass).
[0041] In particular, FIGS. 2A-2F illustrate different views of an
ion infusing system 200, according to a first technique of the
present application. FIGS. 2A-2C show the system 200 upside down to
improve the clarity of this application. The system 200 is
indicated right-side up in FIGS. 2D-2E.
[0042] FIGS. 2A and 2B show a system 200 for infusing ions, such as
ion clusters, into a target environment, according to a technique
of the present application. The system 200 may have a housing
including a bottom portion 210 and a top portion 230. Again, these
figures show the system upside down, so the bottom side 210 is
depicted as being above the top side 230. The top side 230 and
bottom side 210 may be connected by a connector 220, such as a
hinge. The top portion 230 may include an upper surface 260, a well
portion 240, and a sloped portion 250.
[0043] The bottom portion 210 may include cut-away areas. Turning
to FIGS. 2E and 2F, it can be seen that such contours of the bottom
portion may form openings 212 and 214. As will be further
discussed, the opening 212 may be an outflow opening and the
opening 214 may be an intake opening. The openings may be different
sizes (as shown), may be centered (as shown with opening 214), or
may be offset (as shown with opening 212).
[0044] FIG. 2C illustrates the system 200 as including a fan 270,
an ion cluster generation component 280, and sensing unit 290
containing air sensors 291. Four air sensors 291 are shown for as
an example and for clarity, and may be mounted to the bottom
portion 210 of the system. However, any number of air sensors 291
may be present, for example 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 16, and the like in
the same position, depending on the number of air quality factors
to be monitored. The air sensors 291 may be positioned parallel to
the flow path from the intake to output openings such that the air
being sampled flows over the air sensors 291. The ion cluster
generation component 280 may be a photo-catalytic oxidization
("PCO") device. Other types of PCO devices may include
radio-frequency devices, penning traps, plasmatrons, or electron
cyclotron resonance devices. The fan 270 may be a cross-flow
blower, a bladed fan, or a worm-drive blower.
[0045] The top portion 230 may be configured to accept the fan 270
and the ion cluster generation component 280. The well portion 240
may be able to accommodate portions of the fan 270 or the ion
cluster generation component 280. The well portion 240 may also
accommodate other components, such as a power bus. The fan 270 and
the ion cluster generation component 280 may be mounted to the
upper surface 260.
[0046] A cross-sectional illustration of the system 200 is shown in
FIG. 2D. The dotted lines illustrate the flow of air when the fan
270 is operating. The fan draws or forces (for simplicity,
"forces") air in through the intake opening 214. Some of the air
passes through the fan 270 and then proceeds along a route. Some of
the air passes through the sensing unit 290 and over the air
sensors 291 and then proceeds along a route. The route may have
different possible paths.
[0047] One type of path is a substantially straight path. Such a
path goes in a substantially straight line from the fan 270,
through the ion cluster generation component 280, and through the
outflow opening 212. Another type of path has two segments. The
first segment goes from the fan 270 and through the ion cluster
generation component 280. The second segment extends downwardly
from the first segment and goes through the outflow opening 212.
The sloped portion 250 may direct the air along the second segment.
Other types of paths are also possible, such as paths that do not
go through the fan 270 or the ion cluster generation component
280.
[0048] The sloped portion 250 may be at a relatively shallow angle
(for example, 45.degree. or less). By using a shallow-angled slope
portion 250, it may be possible to direct ion clusters downwardly
into the target environment without causing undue damage to the ion
clusters through collisions or turbulence. The surface areas of the
system 200 near the route may be electrically insulating. This may
prevent discharge of the ion clusters before they enter the target
environment. For example, the top portion 230 and the bottom
portion 210 may be made from fiberglass.
[0049] FIGS. 2E and 2F illustrate two views of the system 200 when
installed in a ceiling. The system is shown as located or mounted
in the space for a 2'.times.2' ceiling tile. The bottom portion 210
may project below the plane of the ceiling. The openings 212 and
214 may sit below the plane of the ceiling. The top portion 230
cannot be seen in FIGS. 2E and 2F because it is located above the
ceiling plane in these figures.
[0050] It will be understood by those skilled in the art that
various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted
without departing from the scope of the novel techniques disclosed
in this application. In addition, many modifications may be made to
adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the
novel techniques without departing from its scope. Therefore, it is
intended that the novel techniques not be limited to the particular
techniques disclosed, but that they will include all techniques
falling within the scope of the appended claims.
* * * * *