Chemical apparatus and process disinfecting – deodorizing – preser – Chemical reactor – With means applying electromagnetic wave energy or...
Reexamination Certificate
1999-11-19
2001-02-20
Mayekar, Kishor (Department: 1741)
Chemical apparatus and process disinfecting, deodorizing, preser
Chemical reactor
With means applying electromagnetic wave energy or...
C422S186150
Reexamination Certificate
active
06190622
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention is directed to an apparatus for producing ozone from a gas mixture comprising or containing oxygen.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Ozone generators are known which employ corona discharge to produce ozone from oxygen by action of oxygen atoms on oxygen molecules. The generators typically employ voltages in excess of 20,0000 volts and frequencies of 50 to 5,000 Hz. The high voltage transformers and the general geometry of the generators is large and they are difficult to construct and maintain. Accordingly, such ozone generators are typically assembled by hand thereby causing them to be expensive and difficult to produce in large quantities.
Overall, such generators are not adaptable for the manufacture on a high throughput basis which would be required for use of the ozone generator in an electrical apparatus for retail consumer sale. Further, such ozone generators are not suitable for inclusion in consumer appliances due to their large size and geometry.
SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
In accordance with the present invention there is provided an apparatus for producing ozone from oxygen comprising a high voltage electrode connectable to a current source, a ground electrode spaced from the high voltage electrode and having an upstream end and a downstream end, a dielectric element positioned between the high voltage electrode and the ground electrode and defining a path for air flow between the dielectric element and the ground electrode; and, a current collector positioned downstream of the high voltage electrode and comprising an extension of the ground electrode.
In one embodiment, the current collector is integrally formed as part of the ground electrode. Preferably, the portion of the ground electrode that extends downstream beyond the high voltage electrode is at least ten times the transverse width of the air flow path downstream of the high voltage electrode.
In another embodiment, the dielectric element substantially encases the high voltage electrode. The dielectric element may encase all but the upstream end of the high voltage electrode. Preferably, the dielectric element is positioned adjacent the high voltage electrode to define a dead air space therebetween.
In a further embodiment, the ground electrode surrounds the dielectric element, the high voltage electrode is positioned in the dielectric element and positioning members are provided to maintain the high voltage electrode substantially centrally positioned within the ground electrode.
In another embodiment, the ozone generator further comprises an upstream end member and a downstream end member. The ground electrode extends between the end members and surrounds the dielectric element. The high voltage electrode is positioned in the dielectric element and positioning members associated with at least one of the end members are provided to maintain the high voltage electrode substantially centrally positioned within the ground electrode. Preferably, one of the positioning members is provided adjacent the end of the high voltage electrode and the beginning of the current collector. In another embodiment, the upstream end member has an air inlet and the downstream end member has an air outlet, and an air flow path extends from the air inlet, through the path between the ground electrode and the dielectric element, through the current collector and through the air outlet. The positioning members may engage only a portion of the dielectric element to define a space between the positioning members and the dielectric element for air flow therethrough.
In another embodiment, the ozone generator further comprises an electrically conductive engagement member connectable to a current source. The high voltage electrode has a tail portion extending outwardly from the dielectric element and engageable with the electrically conductive engagement member. The high voltage electrode is connectable to the current source via the engagement of the electrically conductive engagement member and the tail portion, whereby the engagement of the electrically conductive engagement member and the tail portion maintains the high voltage electrode in the dielectric element. The upstream end member may have an air inlet and the electrically conductive engagement member may be positioned in the air inlet to define a electrically conductive gas conduit.
In another embodiment, an outer member is spaced from the dielectric element to define a fluid flow path between the outer member and the dielectric element through which a cooling fluid may flow. Preferably, the outer member comprises a second dielectric element.
In another embodiment, the ozone generator further comprises an electrically conductive engagement member connectable to a current source and a heat sink associated with the electrically conductive engagement member. The high voltage electrode is thermally and electrically connected to the electrically conductive engagement member.
The current source may be selected from a source for producing an alternating current, a source for producing a direct current and a source for producing a pulsed direct current.
In accordance with an alternate embodiment of the instant invention, there is provided an apparatus for producing ozone from oxygen comprising a high voltage electrode connectable to a current source, a ground electrode spaced from the high voltage electrode and having an upstream end and a downstream end, a dielectric element positioned between the high voltage electrode and the ground electrode and spaced from the ground electrode to define an air flow path between the dielectric element and the ground electrode; and, an upstream end member having an air inlet, positioning members extending between the upstream end member and the dielectric element to position the upstream end of the dielectric element spaced from the ground electrode, and openings extending from the air inlet to the air flow path.
In accordance with an alternate embodiment of the instant invention, there is provided an apparatus for producing ozone from oxygen comprising a dielectric element having an opening, a high voltage electrode, at least a portion of the high voltage electrode positioned in the opening of the dielectric element, the high voltage electrode having a first engagement member, a ground electrode spaced from the dielectric element and having an upstream end and a downstream end, an path for air flow extending between the dielectric element and the ground electrode; and, an upstream end member having a second engagement member, the engagement of the first and second members maintaining the high voltage electrode in position relative to the dielectric element.
The ozone generator may further comprise an electrically conductive member connectable to a current source. The upstream end member may have a recess therein for receiving the electrically conductive member with the first engagement member electrically connecting the high voltage electrode to the electrically conductive member when the first and second members are engaged. Preferably, the electrically conductive member comprises the second engagement member and the recess extends through the upstream end member and is sized for allowing passage of the high voltage electrode therethrough. In this embodiment, the ozone generator may further comprise a downstream end member having an air outlet and the recess may comprise an air inlet. An air flow path may thus extend from the air inlet, through the path between the ground electrode and the dielectric element and through the air outlet.
An advantage of the instant invention is that it produces an ozone generator which has a size sufficiently compact so as to be incorporated into various consumer sized electrical appliances such as vacuum cleaners, water filters, air filters and the like. It is known that ozone is an effective disinfectant. However, prior art ozone generators have been too cumbersome and too difficult to manufacture for inclusion in consumer appliances. By using an ozone generator accordin
Conrad Helmut Gerhard
Conrad Wayne Ernest
Philips Richard Stanley
Szylowiec Ted
Bereskin & Parr
Fantom Technologies Inc.
Mayekar Kishor
Mendes da Costa Philip C.
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