KR20110059609A - Apparatus having electrolysis cell and indicator light illuminating through liquid - Google Patents

Abstract

Apparatus 10, 400, 500, 500 ', 700, 800, 980 are provided, which are electrolytic cells 18, 50, 80, 406, 552, 708, 804, liquid passing through the electrolysis apparatus Flow paths and indicator lights 414, 416, 594, 596. The indicator light is illuminated as a function of the operating characteristics of the electrolysis cell, and the luminous flux 522 emitted from the indicator light illuminates the liquid along at least a portion of the flow path.

Description

A device having an electrolytic cell and an indicator light illuminated through a liquid {APPARATUS HAVING ELECTROLYSIS CELL AND INDICATOR LIGHT ILLUMINATING THROUGH LIQUID}

The present invention relates to electrochemical activation of fluids, and more particularly to electrolysis cells and corresponding methods.

Electrolysis cells are used to change one or more properties of a fluid in a variety of different applications. For example, electrolysis cells are used in cleaning / sterilization applications, the medical industry and semiconductor manufacturing processes. Electrolysis cells are also used in a variety of other applications and have different configurations.

For cleaning / sterilization applications, electrolysis cells are used to produce electrochemically activated (EA) liquids and cathodic electrolytic activity (EA) liquids. The positive electrode EA liquid has known sterilization properties, and the negative electrode EA liquid has known cleaning characteristics. Examples of cleaning and / or sterilizing systems are disclosed in U.S. Publication No. 2007/0186368 A1, published August 16, 2007 by Field et al.

The present invention relates to electrochemical activation of a fluid, and more particularly to an electrolysis cell and a corresponding method.

One aspect of the invention is directed to an apparatus having an electrolysis cell, a liquid flow path through the electrolysis cell, and an indicator light. The indicator light is illuminated as a function of the operating characteristics of the electrolysis cell, and the luminous flux emitted from the indicator light illuminates the liquid along at least part of the flow path.

Another aspect of the invention relates to a method. The method includes moving the liquid to a portable nebulizer; Electrolyzing the liquid with an electrolysis cell accompanying the atomizer to produce an electrolyzed liquid; Spraying the electrolyzed liquid: sensing operating characteristics of the electrolysis cell; Illuminating at least a portion of at least one of the liquid or the electrolyzed liquid as a function of said operating characteristic.

Another aspect of the invention relates to a portable nebulizer. The nebulizer includes a vessel, a nozzle and a liquid flow path from the raised to the nozzle. An electrolysis cell and a pump are connected to the flow path. Positioned to illuminate at least one of the vessel or the flow path.

In a particular embodiment of the invention, the indicator is illuminated as a function of the operating characteristics of the electrolysis cell. For example, the operating characteristics include the electrical current drawn by the electrolysis cell.

In a particular embodiment of the invention, the indicator light is

A first indicator having a first color and illuminated when the electrical current is within the first current range and off when the electrical current is outside the first current range; And

And a second indicator having a second, different color, illuminated when the electrical current is outside the first current range, and turning off when the electrical current is within the first current range.

In a particular embodiment of the invention, at least one illumination of the vessel or flow path is visible from the outside of the nebulizer.

For example, the indicator light is positioned such that the luminous flux from the indicator light passes through the liquid contained in at least one of the vessel or flow path and is visible from the outside of the atomizer.

The Summary of the Invention is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to be used to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, or to assist in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter. The claimed subject matter is not limited to implementations that solve any or all disadvantages noted in the background.

Portable nebulizers of the present invention can be used in a variety of different applications, for example, portable, mobile, stationary, wall mounted, electric, non-electric cleaning / sterilization vehicles, wheeled. Which can be accommodated in a variety of different types of devices and the like.

1 is a simplified schematic diagram of a portable nebulizer according to one exemplary aspect of the present invention.
2 shows one embodiment of an electrolysis cell having an ion-selective membrane.
3 shows an electrolysis cell without an ion-selective membrane according to another embodiment of the present invention.
4A is a partial view of a conductive polymer electrode having a plurality of rectilinear apertures in a regular grid pattern in accordance with an aspect of the present invention.
4B is a partial view of a conductive polymer electrode having a plurality of curved apertures of different sizes in a regular grid pattern in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention.
4C is a partial view of a conductive polymer electrode having a plurality of irregular and regular shaped openings having various and different shapes and sizes in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 5 shows one embodiment of an electrolysis cell having a tube shape according to one exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
6 shows a waveform diagram illustrating a voltage pattern applied to an anode and a cathode in accordance with an exemplary aspect of the present invention.
7 is a block diagram of a system with an indicator in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, which may be incorporated into any embodiment disclosed herein, for example.
8A is a perspective view of a nebulizer having indicator lights illuminating through the liquid accompanying the nebulizer.
8B is a perspective view of a nebulizer with indicator lights illuminating through liquid accompanying the nebulizer, in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 8C is a perspective view of the top of the nebulizer shown in FIG. 8B.
9A and 9B are left-hand side housings of the nebulizer shown in FIG. 8B, and are perspective views of the right-hand side housing of the nebulizer shown in FIG. 9C 8B.
10 shows various components installed in the left housing.
11A and 11B show a liquid reservoir accompanying the nebulizer shown in FIG. 8B.
12A is an enlarged fragmentary view of a pump / cell assembly installed in a barrel of a housing.
12B is a perspective view of the pump / cell assembly removed from the housing.
12C is a perspective view of the bottom of the trigger / removed pump / cell assembly.
FIG. 13 is an exploded view of the mounting bracket of the assembly shown in FIGS. 12A-12C.
14A and 14B are perspective views of the trigger of the nebulizer shown in FIG. 8B.
15A and 15B are perspective views of a trigger boot that covers the trigger.
FIG. 16A is a detail view of the lower compartment of the housing half; FIG.
FIG. 16B shows a circuit board and a battery mounted in the compartment shown in FIG. 16A.
17 is a perspective view of a mobile washing machine implementing an electrolysis cell in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.
18 is a simplified block diagram of an electrolysis cell mounted on a platform according to another embodiment of the present invention.
19 is a perspective view of a full-surface washer according to another embodiment of the present invention.
20 is a block diagram illustrating a control circuit for controlling various components in the portable nebulizer shown in FIGS. 8-16 in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

One aspect of the invention relates to a method and apparatus for electrolyzing liquids.

1. cell sprayer

Electrolysis cells can be used in a variety of different applications, including, for example, portable, mobile, stationary, wall mounted, electric, non-electric cleaning / sterilization vehicles, and wheels. And different types of devices and the like. In this embodiment, the electrolysis cell is integrated into a portable nebulizer.

1 is a simplified schematic diagram of a portable nebulizer 10 according to one exemplary aspect of the present invention. The nebulizer 10 includes a reservoir 12 for storing liquid to be processed and sprayed through the nozzle 14. In one embodiment, the liquid to be treated comprises an aqueous composition, such as ordinary tap water.

Sprayer 10 includes inlet filter 16, one or more electrolysis cells 18, tubes 20 and 22, pump 24, actuator 26, switch 28, circuit boards and control electronics 30. ) And a battery 32. Although not shown in FIG. 1, the tubes 20 and 22 may be individually housed in, for example, the neck and barrel of the sprayer 10. The lid 34 seals the reservoir 12 with attention to the neck of the sprayer 10. The battery 32 may comprise, for example, a disposable battery and / or a rechargeable battery, and, for example, when operated by a circuit board and control electronics 30, may include an electrolysis cell 18 and a pump ( 24) to provide power.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the actuator 26 is a trigger-style actuator that activates a momentary switch 28 between an open state and a closed state. For example, if the user holds the hand trigger in the pressed state, the trigger operates the switch in the closed state. When the user releases the hand trigger, the trigger activates the switch in the open state. However, the actuator 26 may have other forms in other embodiments and may be removed in additional embodiments. In embodiments lacking a separate actuator, switch 28 can be actuated directly by the user. When switch 28 is open and in a non-conducting state, control electronics 30 does not run electrolysis cell 18 and pump 24. When switch 28 is closed and in the conducting state, control electronics 30 activates electrolysis cell 18 and pump 24. Pump 24 draws liquid from reservoir 12 through filter 16, electrolysis cell 18 and tube 20, and directs liquid out of tube 22 and nozzle 14. Depending on the nebulizer, the nozzle 14 may or may not be adjusted to select between, for example, spraying a stream of water, misting like a mist, or spraying a spray.

The switch 28 itself is a push-button switch, toggle, rocker, any mechanical linkage and / or capacitive, resistive plastic, thermal shown in FIG. 1. It may have any suitable actuator type, such as any non-mechanical sensor, such as inductive, or the like. The switch 28 may have any suitable contact arrangement, such as a single pole single throw (SPST) or the like.

In another embodiment, the pump 24 is replaced with a mechanical pump, such as a hand-trigged positive displacement pump, where the actuator trigger 26 acts directly on the pump by mechanical activity. In this embodiment, the switch 28 may be operated separately from the pump 24, such as a power switch, to power the electrolysis cell 18. In a further embodiment, the battery 32 is removed and power is delivered to the nebulizer 10 from an external power source, such as through a power cord, plug and / or contact terminal.

The arrangement shown in FIG. 1 is merely provided as an example which does not limit the invention. The nebulizer 10 may have any other structural and / or functional configuration. For example, the pump 24 may be located downstream of the cell 18, as shown in FIG. 1, with respect to the direction of fluid flow from the reservoir 12 to the nozzle 14, or Upstream of (18).

As described in more detail below, the nebulizer stores the liquid to be sprayed onto the surface to be cleaned and / or sterilized. In one non-limiting embodiment, the electrolysis cell 18 converts the liquid into positive and negative EA liquids before being injected from the nebulizer as an output spray. The anolyte and catholyte EA solutions may be sprayed as separate spray outputs, such as through a combined mixture or through separate tubes and / or nozzles. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the anode EA liquid and the cathode EA liquid are sprayed as a combined mixture. In the case of a nebulizer provided with a small and intermittent output flow rate, the electrolysis cell 18 may have a small package and may be powered, for example, by a battery accompanying the package or nebulizer.

2. Electrolysis Battery

The electrolysis cell includes any fluid treatment cell applied to apply an electric field through a fluid between at least one positive electrode and at least one negative electrode. The electrolysis cell has any suitable number of electrodes, chambers for storing any suitable number of fluids, and any suitable number of fluid inputs and fluid outputs. The cell can be applied to treat any fluid, such as liquid or gas-liquid bonds. The cell may comprise one or more ion-selective membranes between the positive and negative electrodes, or may be constructed without any ion-selective membranes. Here, an electrolysis cell having an ion-selective membrane is referred to as a "functional generator."

Electrolysis cells can be used in a variety of different applications and are disclosed in US Patent Publication No. 2007/0186368, published on August 16, 2007, by the nebulizer and / or the field described in connection with FIG. It can have a variety of different structures that are not limited to the structure. Thus, while the various components and processes are described herein in connection with electrolysis only for the case of a nebulizer, these components and processes may be applied and integrated into other applications than the nebulizer.

3. Electrolysis cell with membrane

3.1 Battery structure

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating one embodiment of an electrolysis cell 50 that may be used, for example, with the nebulizer shown in FIG. 1. The electrolysis cell 50 receives the liquid to be treated from the liquid source 52. Liquid source 52 may include a tank or other solution reservoir, such as reservoir 12 in FIG. 1, or may include a fitting or other inlet receiving liquid from an external source.

The cell 50 has one or more anode chambers 54 and one or more cathode chambers 56, known as reaction chambers, which are separated by ion exchange membranes 58, such as cation or anion exchange membranes. One or more anodes 60 and cathodes 62 (only one of each electrode is shown) are disposed in each anode chamber 54 and cathode chamber 56, respectively. The anode 60 and cathode 62 may be made of any suitable material, such as conductive polymer, titanium coated with precious metals such as titanium and / or platinum, or any other suitable electrode material. In one embodiment, at least one anode or cathode may be made entirely or at least partially of a conductive polymer. The electrode and each chamber may have any suitable shape and structure. For example, the electrode can be in the form of a flat plate, coaxial plate, rod, or a combination thereof. Each electrode may have a solid structure, for example, or may have one or more openings. In one embodiment, each electrode is formed of a mesh. In addition, the plurality of cells 50 may be connected in series or in parallel with other cells, for example.

Electrodes 60 and 62 are electrically connected to opposite terminals (not shown) of a conventional power source. The ion exchange membrane 58 is located between the electrode 60 and the electrode 62. The power supply may provide a positive and negative polarity with a constant DC output voltage, a pulsed or modulated DC output voltage and / or a pulsed or modulated AC output voltage. The power supply may have any suitable voltage level, current level, duty-cycle or waveform.

For example, in one embodiment, the power supply applies the supply voltage to the plate in a relatively steady state. The power supply (and / or control electronics) includes a DC / DC converter that uses a pulse-width modulation (PWM) control scheme to control the voltage and current outputs. Other types of power supplies may also be used, which may or may not be pulsed at other voltage and power ranges. Variables are application-specific.

During operation, raw water (or other liquid to be treated) is supplied from source 52 to both anode chamber 54 and cathode chamber 56. In the case of a cation exchange membrane, depending on the application of a DC voltage potential between the anode 60 and the cathode 62, such as a voltage in the range from about 5 volts to about 28 volts, The cation moves to the cathode 62 through the ion exchange membrane 58, and the anion present in the anode chamber 54 moves to the anode 60. However, negative ions present in the cathode chamber 56 cannot pass through the cation exchange membrane and thus remain in the cathode chamber 56.

As a result, the battery 50 electrochemically activates the raw water by at least partially utilizing electrolysis, and the electrochemically activated water in the form of an acidic anolyte component 70 and a basic catholyte component. To produce.

If desired, the anolyte and catholyte can be produced at different rates, for example, through modifications to the structure of the electrolysis cell. For example, if the most important function of EA water is washing, the cell can be configured to produce more catholyte than anolyte. Optionally, for example, if the important function of EA water is sterilization, the cell can be configured to produce more anolyte than catholyte. In each case, the concentration of reactive species may also vary.

For example, a battery may have a 3: 2 ratio of negative plate to positive plate to produce more catholyte than anolyte. Each negative plate is separated from each positive plate by a respective ion exchange membrane. Thus, there are three cathode chambers for two anode chambers. This configuration produces approximately 60% catholyte versus 40% anolyte. Other ratios can also be used.

3.2 Reaction Examples

In addition, the water molecules in contact with the anode 60 is electrochemically oxidized to oxygen (O ₂ ) and hydrogen ions (H ⁺ ) in the anode chamber 54, and the water molecules in contact with the cathode 62 are cathodic chambers ( 56) electrochemically reduced to hydrogen gas (H ₂ ) and hydroxide ions (OH ⁻ ). Hydrogen ions in the anode chamber 54 are allowed to pass through the cation-exchange membrane 58 to the cathode chamber 56 where hydrogen ions are reduced to hydrogen gas and oxygen gas in the anode chamber 54 The raw water is oxidized to form the anolyte 70. Since common tap water typically contains sodium chloride and / or other chlorides, anode 60 oxidizes the chloride present to form chlorine gas. As a result, a significant amount of chlorine is produced, and the pH of the anolyte component 70 gradually becomes acidic over time.

As mentioned above, the water molecules in contact with the cathode 62 are electrochemically reduced to hydrogen gas and hydroxide ions (OH ⁻ ), and when a voltage potential is applied, the cations in the anode chamber 54 are positive and negative. It moves to the cathode chamber 56 through the exchange membrane 58. These cations can be used to ionically bond with the hydroxide ions produced at the cathode 62, and hydrogen gas bubbles are formed in the liquid. Over time, a significant amount of hydroxide ions accumulate in the cathode chamber 56 and react with the cation to form a basic hydroxide. In addition, the hydroxide remains in the cathode chamber 56 because the cation-exchange membrane does not allow negatively charged hydroxide ions to pass through the cation-exchange membrane. As a result, a significant amount of hydroxide is produced in the cathode chamber 56, and the pH of the catholyte component 72 gradually becomes basic over time.

The electrolysis process in the function generator 50 allows the formation of metastable ions and radicals in the anode chamber 54 and the cathode chamber 56 and concentration of the reaction species.

The electrochemical activation process typically occurs by electron recovery at the anode 60 or electron introduction at the cathode 62, which causes changes in physicochemical properties, including the structural, energy and catalytic properties of the raw material. The raw water (anode or catholyte) is activated near the electrode surface, where the electric field strength can reach very high levels. This region may be referred to as an electric double layer (ELD).

During the electrochemical activation process, water dipoles are generally aligned in the electric field, resulting in the destruction of some of the hydrogen bonds in the water molecules. In addition, a single-linked hydrogen atom is bonded to a metal atom (eg, platinum atom) at the cathode 62, and a single-connected oxygen atom is bonded to a metal atom (eg, platinum atom) at the anode 60. do. These bound atoms are dispersed two-dimensionally on the surface of each electrode until they participate in further reactions. Other atom and polyatomic groups may also be similarly bonded to the surfaces of the anode 60 and the cathode 62 and may also be reacted afterwards. Molecules produced on surfaces such as oxygen (O ₂ ) and hydrogen (H ₂ ) can enter small cavities (ie bubbles) in liquid water as a gas, or be solvated by liquid water. It may be. These gaseous bubbles are either dispersed or suspended in the liquid raw water.

The size of the bubbles in the gaseous state may vary depending on various variables such as the pressure applied to the feed water, the composition of salts and other components in the feed water and the degree of electrochemical activation. Accordingly, gaseous bubbles may have a variety of different sizes and include, but are not limited to, macrobubbles, microbubbles, nanobubbles, and mixtures thereof. In embodiments that include macrobubbles, examples of suitable average bubble diameters for the bubbles produced include diameters in the range of about 500 micrometers to about 1 millimeter. In embodiments that include microbubbles, examples of suitable average bubble diameters for the bubbles produced include diameters in the range of about 1 micrometer to less than about 500 micrometers. In embodiments comprising nanobubbles, examples of suitable average bubble diameters for the resulting bubbles include diameters of less than about 1 micrometer, specifically suitable average bubble diameters include diameters of less than about 500 nanometers, More specifically, suitable average bubble diameters include diameters less than about 100 nanometers.

Since the molecules on the surface are attracted more to the molecules in the water than the gas molecules on the electrode surface, the surface tension at the gas-liquid interface increases the attraction between molecules away from the surface of the anode 60 and the cathode 62. occurs by attraction. In contrast, large quantities of water molecules are equally attracted in all directions. Thus, in order to increase the possible interaction energy, surface tension causes molecules on the electrode surface to enter the bulk of the liquid.

In embodiments in which gaseous nanobubbles are produced, the gas within the nanobubbles (ie, bubbles having a diameter of less than about 1 micrometer) is stable in the feedstock for a significant duration, despite the small diameter of the nanobubbles. Is in. Without being bound by theory, the surface tension at the gas / liquid interface drops when the curved surface of the gas bubble approaches the molecular dimension. This reduces the natural tendency of nanobubbles to disappear.

In addition, the nanobubble gas / liquid interface is charged due to the voltage potential applied through the film 58. The charge creates a force against the surface tension and slows or prevents the disappearance of the nanobubbles. The presence of similar charges at the interface reduces the apparent surface tension, and charge repulsion acts in the opposite direction to surface minimization due to surface tension. Any influence may be increased by the presence of additional charged materials favorable to the gas / liquid interface.

The natural state of the gas / liquid interface represents a negative charge. Other ions with high polarity and / or low surface charge densities such as Cl ⁻ , ClO ⁻ , HO ₂ ⁻ and O ₂ ⁻ are also favorable to the gas / liquid interface like hydrated electrons. Water soluble radicals also prefer to remain at this interface. Thus, the nanobubbles present in the catholyte (i.e., water flowing through the cathode chamber 56) are negatively charged, while the anolyte (i.e., water flowing through the anode chamber 54) retains charge (natural negative charge). It has almost no positive charge left). Thus, catholyte nanobubbles will not lose their charge even when mixed with anolyte.

In addition, due to excessive potential at the cathode, gas molecules such as O ₂ may be charged in the nanobubbles to increase the total charge of the nanobubbles. The surface tension of the charged nanobubbles at the gas / liquid interface can be reduced compared to the case where the uncharged nanobubbles and their size are stabilized. This can be qualitatively recognized from the fact that surface tension minimizes the surface, whereas charged surface tends to magnify minimizing repulsion between similar charges. Temperature rises at the electrode surface, due to excessive power losses required for electrolysis, may increase nanobubble formation by decreasing local gas solubility.

Since the repulsive force between similar charges increases in inverse proportion to the square of their distance, the outward pressure increases as the bubble diameter decreases. The effect of the charge is to reduce the effect of surface tension, while surface tension tends to reduce the surface while surface charge tends to enlarge it. Thus, equilibrium is reached when these opposing forces are equal. For example, assuming that the surface charge density at the inner surface of the gas bubble (radius r) is Φ (e- / m2), the outward pressure ("P _out ") is solved by solving the NavierStokes equation. Can be obtained,

P _out = Φ ² / 2Dε ₀ (Equation 1)

Where D is the relative dielectric constant of the gas bubble (assuming 1) and "ε ₀ " is the vacuum transmittance (ie, 8.854 pF / m).

The pressure inside the aircraft ("P _in ") due to surface tension is

P _in = 2g / rP _out to be. (Equation 2)

Here, "g" is surface tension (0.07198 J / m <2>) at 25 degreeC.

Thus, if these pressures are equal, the semi-diameter of the gas bubble is

r = 0.28792 ε ₀ / Φ ² . (Equation 3)

Thus, for nanobubbles having diameters of 5 nanometers, 10 nanometers, 20 nanometers, 50 nanometers and 100 nanometers, the calculated charge densities at 0.20, 0.14, 0.10, 0.06 and 0.04 e- / n m 2 bubble surface area. Such charge density can be easily obtained due to the use of an electrolysis cell (eg, electrolysis cell 18). The nanobubble radius increases as the total charge on the bubble increases to two thirds of the power. Under these conditions at equilibrium, the effective surface tension of the fuel at the nanobubble surface is zero, and the presence of charged gas in the bubble increases the size of the stable nanobubble. Further reduction in bubble size will not indicate that a decrease in internal pressure will drop below atmospheric pressure.

In various situations within the electrolysis cell (eg, electrolysis cell 18), the nanobubbles may split into even smaller bubbles due to the surface charge. For example, the radius is "r", and the total charge "q" of the bubble is assumed to split into two bubbles of shared volume and charge, and (the radius _{r 1/2 = r / 2} 1/3, the charge _{q 1/2 = q / 2} ), ignoring the Coulomb (Coulomb) interaction between the bubbles, calculation of the change in energy due to surface tension (△ E _ST) and surface charge change (△ E _q) is,

_{△ E ST = +2 (4πγr 1} /2 2) - 4πγr 2 = 4πγr 2 (2 1/3 - 1) ( Equation 3) and

(식 4) 로 주어진다.

It is given by (Equation 4).

If the total energy change that occurs when ΔE _ST + ΔE _q is negative, the bubble is metastable, thereby

(식 5) 가 제공되며,

(Equation 5) is provided,

Here the relationship between the radius and the charge density Φ is provided.

(식 6)

(Equation 6)

Thus, when the diameter of the nanobubbles is 5 nanometers, 10 nanometers, 20 nanometers, 50 nanometers and 100 nanometers, the calculated charge densities for the divided bubbles are 0.12, 0.08, 0.06, 0.04 and 0.03 e, respectively. -/ n m 2 bubble surface area. When the surface charge densities are the same, the diameter of the bubble, typically when the apparent surface tension is reduced to zero, is about three times larger than when dividing the bubble into two. Thus, without additional energy input, the nanobubbles will generally not be split.

The gas-state nanobubbles described above can be used to attach to dust particles, thereby transferring ionic charge. Nanobubbles are usually attached to hydrophobic surfaces found on dust particles, which release water molecules from the interface of high energy water / hydrophobic surfaces with favorable negative free energy changes. In addition, the nanobubbles flatten and disperse in contact with the hydrophobic surface and reduce the curvature of the nanobubbles due to the resulting drop in internal pressure caused by surface tension. This provides additional favorable free energy release. Charged and coated dust particles are more easily separated from each other due to repulsion between similar charges, and the dust particles enter the solution as colloidal particles.

In addition, the presence of nanobubbles on the particle surface increases the pickup of particles by micro-sized gaseous bubbles and may be produced during the electrochemical activation process. The presence of nanobubbles on the surface also reduces the size of dust particles that can be picked up by this action. This pickup helps to remove dust particles from the floor surface and prevents redeposition. Also, as can be seen by the high surface tension of water, due to the large ratio of gas / liquid surface area to volume obtained with gaseous nanobubbles, the water molecules located at these contact surfaces are retained by fewer hydrogen bonds. do. Due to this reduction in hydrogen bonding to other water molecules, water at this interface is usually more reactive than water, will hydrogen bond faster with other molecules, and will exhibit faster hydration.

For example, at an efficiency of 100%, one ampere current is sufficient to produce 0.5 / 96,485.3 moles of hydrogen (H ₂ ) molecules per second, which is equivalent to 5.18 micromoles of hydrogen per second, with a temperature of 0 ° C. and 1 At atmospheric pressure equals 5.18 * 22.429 microliters per second hydrogen in gaseous state. It is also equivalent to 125 microliters of gaseous hydrogen per second at a temperature of 20 ° C. and a pressure of 1 atmosphere. Since the partial pressure of hydrogen in the atmosphere is substantially zero, the equilibrium hydrogen solubility in the electrolyzed solution is also substantially zero, and hydrogen is in the gas cavity (eg macrobubbles, microbubbles and / or nanobubbles). maintain.

The flow rate of the electrolyzed solution was 0.12 U.S. per minute. Assuming gallons, there is 7.571 milliliters of water flowing through the electrolysis cell per second. Thus, there is 0.125 / 7.571 liters of gaseous hydrogen in the bubble contained per 1 liter of the electrolyzed solution at a temperature of 20 ° C. and a pressure of 1 atmosphere. This is equivalent to 0.0165 liters of gaseous hydrogen per liter of solution, less than any gaseous hydrogen which is dissolved to supersaturate and escapes from the liquid surface.

The volume of the 10 nanometer-diameter nanobubbles is 5.24 * 10 ^-22 liters, which covers about 1.25 * 10 ^-16 square meters when bound to the hydrophobic surface. Thus, one liter of solution will have up to 3 * ^10-19 bubbles at a temperature of 20 ° C. and a pressure of 1 atmosphere, with the combined surface covering a potential of about 4000 square meters. Assuming that the surface layer is only one molecule thick, it provides a concentration of more than 50 millimoles of active surface water molecules. This concentration represents the maximum amount, and even when the nanobubbles have larger volume and greater internal pressure, the potential covering the surface remains large. In addition, only a small percentage of the surface with dust particles needs to be covered by the nanobubbles so that the nanobubbles have a cleaning effect.

Thus, the gaseous nanobubbles produced during the electrochemical activation process are attached to the dust particles and are advantageous for transferring their charge. The final charged and coated dust particles are more easily separated from each other due to repulsion between their similar charges. They enter the solution to form a colloidal suspension. In addition, the charge at the gas / water interface is counteracting the surface tension, reducing its effect and the resulting contact angle. In addition, the nanobubble coating of dust particles enhances the pick-up of macrobubbles and microbubbles in the gas phase with greater buoyancy introduced. In addition, the large surface area of the nanobubbles provides a significant amount of more reactive water, which allows for faster hydration of appropriate molecules.

4. ion exchange membrane

As described above, the ion exchange membrane 58 may include a cation exchange membrane (ie, a proton exchange membrane) or an anion exchange membrane. Suitable cation exchange membranes for membrane 58 include partially or fully fluorinated ionomers, polyaromatic ionomers, and combinations thereof. Examples of suitably commercially available ionomers for the membrane 58 are sulfonated tetrafluoroethylene copolymers available under the trade name "NAFION" of EI du Pont de Nemours and company, Wilmington, Delaware. Polymers; Perfluorinated carboxylic acid ionomers available under the "FLEMION" trade name of Asahi Glass Co., Ltd., Japan; Perfluorinated sulfonic acid ionomers available in the "ACIPLEX" trade name of Asahi Chemical Industries co. Ltd., Japan, and combinations thereof. However, in other embodiments any ion exchange membrane may be used.

5. Sandblast

The positive and negative EA liquid outputs may be connected to the injector 74, which may include any type of injector, or injectors such as outlets, fittings, spikes, spray heads, cleaning / sterilization devices or heads, and the like. can do. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, injector 74 includes a spray nozzle 14. There may be an injector for each output 70 and 72 or a combined injector for both outputs.

In one embodiment, the anolyte and catholyte outputs are mixed into a common output stream 76 and fed to injector 74. As disclosed in US Patent Publication No. 2007/0186368 to Field et al., The anolyte and catholyte may be mixed together in the dispensing system of the cleaning device and / or on the surface or object to be cleaned, at least Temporarily retains favorable cleaning and / or bactericidal properties. Even when anolyte and catholyte are mixed, they are initially not in equilibrium and thus temporarily retain improved cleaning and / or sterilization properties.

For example, in one embodiment, even when two liquids are mixed together, the cathode EA water and the anode EA water retain other electrochemically activated properties for at least 30 seconds. During this time, the other electrochemically activated properties of the two types of liquids do not immediately neutralize. This allows the beneficial properties of each liquid to be utilized during normal cleaning operations. After a relatively short period of time, the mixed anolyte EA liquid and catholyte EA liquid on the surface being rapidly washed are significantly neutralized to the original pH and ORP of the feed liquid (eg tap water). In one embodiment, the mixed positive and negative EA liquids are mixed with ORP and pH 6 between ± 50 mV in less than one minute from the time the positive and negative EA liquid outputs are produced by the electrolysis cell. Neutralizes significantly to pH between pH 8. Thereafter, the returned liquid can be treated in any suitable way.

However, in other embodiments, the mixed positive and negative EA liquids may maintain ORP outside the range of ± 50 mV and pH outside the range between pH 6 and pH 8 for more than 30 seconds, depending on the nature of the liquid, or It may be neutralized after a time range of over minutes.

6. Electrolysis cell without ion-selective membrane

3 shows an electrolysis cell 80 without an ion selective membrane in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. The cell 80 includes a reaction chamber 82, a positive electrode 84 and a negative electrode 86. The chamber 82 may be distinguished by, for example, the outer wall of the battery 80, the outer wall of the storage vessel or conduit in which the electrodes 84 and 86 are located, or the electrode itself. The positive electrode 84 and the negative electrode 86 may be made of any suitable material or combination thereof, such as titanium coated with a conductive polymer, precious metals such as titanium and / or platinum. The positive electrode 84 and the negative electrode 86 are connected to a conventional power source such as the battery 32 shown in FIG. In one embodiment, the electrolysis cell 80 includes its own container that separates the chamber 82 and is located in the flow path of the liquid to be treated, such as in the flow path of a portable atomizer or mobile floor cleaning apparatus.

During operation, liquid is supplied by the source 88 and introduced into the reaction chamber 82 of the electrolysis electricity 80. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the electrolysis cell 80 does not include an ion exchange membrane that separates the reaction product at the positive electrode 84 and the reaction product at the negative electrode 86. In embodiments in which tap water is used as the liquid to be treated for cleaning, water is introduced into the chamber 82 and after applying a voltage potential between the anode 84 and the cathode 86, the contact with the anode 84 or its Nearby water molecules are electrochemically oxidized to oxygen (O ₂ ) and hydrogen ions (H ⁺ ), and water molecules in contact with or near the cathode 86 are hydrogen gas (H ₂ ) and hydroxide ions (OH ⁻ ). Is electrochemically reduced. Other reactions may also occur and the specific reaction depends on the composition of the liquid. Since there are no physical barriers separating the reaction products from each other, the reaction products from both electrodes can be mixed to form, for example, an oxygenated fluid 89. Alternatively, by using a dielectric barrier, such as an opaque film (not shown) disposed between the anode and the cathode, for example, the anode 84 can be separated from the cathode 84.

7. Example of electrode pattern

As noted above, at least one of the positive electrode or the negative electrode may be formed wholly or at least partially of a conductive polymer, such as used in static dissipating devices. Examples of suitable conductive polymers are commercially available from RTP Company of Winona, Minnesota, USA. For example, the electrode may be formed of a conductive plastic compound having a surface resistance of 10 ⁰ to 10 ¹² ohm / sq, such as 10 ¹ to 10 ⁶ ohm / sq. However, in other embodiments, electrodes having surface resistance outside these ranges may be used.

In the case of conductive polymers, the electrodes can be easily molded or formed into any desired shape. For example, the electrode can be injection mold. As described above, one or more of the electrodes may form a mesh with rectangular openings of regular size in a grid shape. However, the openings or openings may have any shape such as circular, triangular, curved, straight, regular and / or irregular. The curved opening has at least one curved edge. In the case of injection molding, for example, the shape and size of the opening can be easily adjusted in a specific pattern. However, these patterns can also be formed with metal electrodes in other embodiments of the present invention.

The openings can be sized or positioned to increase the surface area of the electrode for electrolysis and can promote the generation of gas bubbles in the liquid to be treated.

4A is a partial view of a conductive polymer electrode 100 having a plurality of straight (eg, rectangular) openings 102 in a regular grid pattern in accordance with an aspect of the present invention.

4B is a partial view of conductive polymer electrode 104 having a plurality of curved (eg, circular) openings 106 of different sizes in a regular grid pattern in accordance with another embodiment. Using different size openings in the same electrode may facilitate the generation of different size gas bubbles along the edges of the opening during electrolysis.

4C is a partial view of a conductive polymer electrode 108 having a plurality of irregular and regularly formed openings 110 having various and different shapes and sizes in accordance with another embodiment. In this embodiment, the various openings 110 define various open areas. One or more openings 110 may include one or more internal points, such as points 112, which will facilitate the generation of additional gas bubbles and reaction species during electrolysis. These openings form a polygon with at least one interior angle that is greater than 180 degrees, for example, at point 112. In yet another embodiment, the opening may have a plurality of cabinet angles greater than 180 degrees.

In addition, the electrodes may be formed with one or more other non-uniform features, such as spikes and burs, which further increase the electrode surface area. The spikes may be arranged in a regular pattern or an irregular pattern, and may have the same size and shape, or may have different sizes and / or shapes.

For example, the electrolysis cell may be configured to include a positive electrode and a negative electrode, wherein at least one of the positive electrode or the negative electrode is of a second size (and / or different from a plurality of first openings having a first size (and / or shape)). Or a plurality of second openings having a shape). In one embodiment, the electrolysis cell also includes an ion selective membrane disposed between the anode and the cathode, which separates the anode chamber and the cathode chamber, respectively.

In a further embodiment, at least two openings in the set comprising a plurality of first openings and second openings have a different shape (and / or size) than the other. In a further embodiment, at least three openings in the set comprising a plurality of first openings and second openings have a shape (and / or size) different from the others.

The plurality of first openings and the second openings may have a curved shape and / or a polygonal shape formed with at least one curved edge. At least one of the plurality of first openings or the second openings may be arranged in a regular pattern or an irregular pattern.

At least one of the plurality of first and second openings may have a polygonal shape with at least one interior angle greater than 180 degrees.

In a further embodiment, the electrodes shown in FIGS. 4A-4C are made of a conductive metal material. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 4A, the electrode 100 may be formed of a metal mesh and may or may not be plated with another material such as platinum.

8. Examples of Tubular Electrodes

The electrode itself may have any suitable shape, such as in the form of a flat plate, coaxial plate, cylindrical rod, or a combination thereof. 5 illustrates an example of an electrolysis cell 200 having a tube shape according to an exemplary embodiment. A part of the battery 200 is cut for the purpose of explanation. In this embodiment, the cell 200 is an electrolysis cell having a tubular housing 202, a tubular outer electrode 204, and a tubular inner electrode 206 separated from the outer electrode by a suitable distance, such as 0.040 inches. Other spacing sizes may also be used, such as, but not limited to, spacing in the range of 0.020 inches to 0.080 inches. Either the inner electrode or the outer electrode can act as an anode / cathode depending on the relative polarity of the applied voltage.

In one embodiment, the outer electrode 204 and the inner electrode 206 have a conductive polymer structure with openings as shown, for example, in FIGS. 4A-4C. However, in another embodiment, one or both electrodes may be a solid structure.

The electrodes 204 and 206 may be made of any suitable material, such as conductive polymer, titanium coated with precious metals such as titanium and / or platinum, or other electrode material. Also, for example, a plurality of cells 200 may be connected in series or in parallel with each other.

In certain embodiments, at least one of the anode or cathode may be formed of a metal mesh having a rectangular opening of regular size in a grid shape. In certain embodiments, the mesh is formed of 0.023 inch diameter T316 stainless steel with a grid pattern of 20 * 20 grid openings per square inch. However, other dimensions, arrangements, and materials may be used in other examples.

The ion selective membrane 208 is positioned between the outer electrode 204 and the inner electrode 206. In one particular embodiment, the ion selective membrane comprises "NAFION" by EI du Pont de Nemours and company, which is cut to 2.55 inches x 2.55 inches and then wrapped around the inner tubular electrode 206, For example, the seam overlap is secured with a contact adhesive, such as 3M Company's # 1357 adhesive. In addition, other dimensions and materials may be used in other embodiments.

In this embodiment, the space volume inside the tubular electrode 206 is blocked by the solid inner core 209 to promote liquid flow between the electrodes 204 and 206 and the ion selective membrane 208. This liquid flow is conductive and completes the electrical circuit between the two electrodes. The electrolysis cell 200 can have any suitable dimension. In one embodiment, cell 200 may be about 4 inches in length and about 3/4 inch in outer diameter. The length and diameter may be selected to control the amount of bubbles produced, such as nanobubbles and / or microbubbles, and treatment time per volume of liquid.

The cell 200 may include suitable fittings on one or both ends of the cell. Any method of attachment may be used, such as plastic quick-connect fittings. For example, one fitting may be configured to connect to the output tube 20 shown in FIG. 1. Another fitting may be configured to be connected to, for example, the inlet filter 16 or the inlet tube. In another embodiment, one end of the cell 200 is left open to draw liquid directly from the reservoir 12 in FIG.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 5, the cell 200 produces anolyte EA liquid in an anode chamber between one of the electrodes 204 or 206 and the ion selective membrane 208, and among the electrodes 204 or 206. Cathode EA liquid is produced in the cathode chamber between the other and the ion selective membrane 208. Since the positive electrode EA liquid and the negative electrode EA liquid enter the tube 20, the flow paths of the positive electrode EA liquid and the negative electrode EA liquid merge at the outlet of the cell 200 (in the embodiment shown in FIG. 1). As a result, the nebulizer 10 sprays the mixed positive and negative EA liquids through the nozzles 14.

In one embodiment, once the pump 24 and electrolysis cell 18 (eg, cell 200 shown in FIG. 5) are activated, tubes 20 and 22 are electrochemically activated liquid. The diameters of the tubes 20 and 22 are kept small so that they are quickly loaded into the furnace. Any non-activated liquid in the tubes and pumps is kept in small volumes. Thus, in an embodiment in which the control electronics 30 activates the pump and electrolysis cell in response to the operation of the switch 28, the nebulizer 10 is provided at the nozzle 14 in an “on demand” manner. Of the mixed anolyte and catholyte EA liquids, except that they remain in the tubes 20 and 22 and the pump 24, without the intermediate step of producing mixed EA liquid and storing the anolyte and catholyte EA liquids. Substantially all are sprayed from the sprayer. If switch 28 is not actuated, pump 24 is in the " off " state and electrolysis cell 18 is not running. When the switch is operated in the closed state, the control electronics 30 switch the pump 24 to the "on" state and start the electrolysis cell 18. In the "on" state, the pump 24 pumps water from the reservoir 12 through the cell 18 and out of the nozzle 14.

Other activation sequences may also be used. For example, the control circuit 30 may be configured to run the electrolysis cell 18 for a period of time before operating the pump 24 in order to allow the raw water to be more electrochemically activated prior to injection.

The running time from the battery 18 to the nozzle 14 can be made very short. In one embodiment, the nebulizer 10 sprays the mixed anolyte and catholyte within a very short period of time during which the anolyte and catholyte are produced by the electrolysis cell 18. For example, the mixed liquor may be sprayed within the time of 1 second, 3 seconds and 5 seconds when the anolyte and catholyte are produced.

9. Control circuit

Referring again to FIG. 1, the control electronics 30 may include any suitable control circuitry, for example, may be implemented in hardware, software, or a combination of both.

The control circuit 30 includes a printed circuit board that includes an electronic device that powers and controls the operation of the pump 24 and the electrolysis cell 18. In one embodiment, the control circuit 30 includes a power source having an output connected to the pump 24 and the electrolysis cell 18, which controls the power delivered to the two devices. The control circuit 30 also has an H-bridge which can selectively invert the polarity of the voltage applied to the electrolysis cell 18, for example as a function of the control signal generated by the control circuit. Include. For example, the control circuit 30 can be configured to change the polarity in a predetermined pattern, such as every 5 seconds with a 50% duty cycle. In another embodiment described in greater detail below, the control circuit 30 is configured to first apply a voltage to the cell to have a first polarity, and only reverse the polarity periodically for a very short time. Frequent reversal of polarity provides the electrode with a self-cleaning function, can reduce the scaling or accumulation of deposits on the electrode surface, and can extend the life of the electrode.

In the case of a portable nebulizer, it is inconvenient to carry a large battery. Thus, the power available to pumps and cells is somewhat limited. In one embodiment, the drive power for the cell ranges from about 8 volts to about 28 volts. However, since the typical flow rate through the nebulizer and the electrolysis cell is quite low, only a relatively small current is needed to effectively activate the liquid through the cell. At low flow rates, the residence time in the cell is relatively large. The longer the liquid remains in the cell while the cell is running, the greater the electrochemical activation within practical limits. This allows the sprayer to adopt a smaller capacity battery and a DC-DC converter, stepping up the voltage from low current to the desired output voltage.

For example, the nebulizer may involve one or more batteries having an output voltage of about 3 volts to 9 volts. In certain embodiments, the nebulizer may carry four AA batteries, each having a nominal output voltage of 1.5 volts from 500 milliampere-hours to about 3 amperes-hours. If the batteries are connected in series, the nominal output voltage has a nominal output voltage of 6 volts with a capacity of about 500 milliamps-hours to 3 amps-hours. This voltage can be raised stepwise in the range of 18 volts to 28 volts, for example, via a DC-DC converter. Thus, the desired electrode voltage can be obtained at a sufficient current.

In another particular embodiment, the nebulizer may involve ten nickel-metal hydride batteries, each having a nominal output voltage of about 1.2 volts. If the batteries are connected in series, the nominal output voltage is between 10 volts and 12.5 volts with a capacity of about 1800 milliampere-hours. This voltage can be raised or lowered stepwise in the range of 8 volts to at least 28 volts, for example, via a DC-DC converter. Thus, the desired electrode voltage can be obtained at a sufficient current.

The ability to produce large voltages and adequate current through the cell can be beneficial for applications where ordinary tap water is supplied to the cell and converted to liquids with improved cleaning and / or sterilization properties. Normal tap water has a relatively low electrical conductivity between the electrodes of the cell.

Examples of suitable DC-DC converters include Series A / SM surface mount transducers from PICO Electronics, Inc., Pilham, NY, USA and Boost of ON Semiconductor, Phoenix, Arizona, USA. boost) NCP3064 1.5A Step-Up / Down / Inverting Switching regulators.

In one embodiment, the control circuit controls the DC-DC converter based on the sense current drawn from the electrolysis cell, which obtains a current draw within the predetermined current range through the cell. Output a voltage that is controlled to In certain embodiments, for example, the target current draw is about 400 milliamps. In another embodiment, the target current is 350 milliamps. In other embodiments other currents and ranges may be used. The desired current draw may depend on the structure of the electrolysis cell, the nature of the liquid to be treated and the desired property of the final electrochemical reaction.

A block diagram illustrating an embodiment of a control electronics is described in more detail below with reference to FIGS. 7-20.

10. Electrolysis cell drive voltage

As noted above, the electrodes of an electrolysis cell can be driven in a variety of different voltage and current patterns depending on the particular application of the cell. It is desirable to limit the scaling at the electrode by periodically inverting the voltage polarity applied to the electrode. Accordingly, the terms "anode" and "cathode" and the terms "anode solution" and "cathode solution", which are used in the description and claims of the invention, may be interchanged with each other. This tends to remove anti-charged scaling deposits.

In one embodiment, the electrodes are driven at one polarity for a certain time (eg, about 5 seconds), and then at the opposite polarity for about the same time. Since the positive and negative EA liquids are mixed at the outlet of the cell, this process essentially produces some positive and negative EA liquids.

In another embodiment, the electrolysis cell is controlled to produce a fairly constant positive and negative EA liquid from each chamber without complicated valving. In prior art electrolysis systems, complex and expensive valving is used to maintain a constant anolyte and catholyte through each outlet and still allow the polarity to be reversed to minimize scaling. For example, referring to FIG. 2, when the polarity of the voltage applied to the electrode is reversed, the anode 60 becomes a cathode and the cathode 62 becomes an anode. Outlet 70 will deliver catholyte instead of anolyte, and outlet 72 will deliver anolyte instead of catholyte. Thus, in the case of the prior art approach, when the voltage is reversed, valving may be used to connect the outlet 70 with the cathode chamber 56 and the outlet 72 with the anode chamber 54. As a result, a constant anolyte or catholyte flows into each output. Instead of using such complex valving, one embodiment of the present invention obtains a substantially constant output through the voltage pattern supplied to the electrode.

6 is a waveform diagram illustrating a voltage pattern applied to an anode and a cathode according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. A substantially constant, relatively positive voltage is applied to the anode, and a substantially stable, relatively negative voltage is applied to the cathode. However, periodically, each voltage is briefly pulsed with a relatively opposite polarity to remove scale deposits. In this embodiment, a relatively positive voltage is applied to the anode and a relatively negative voltage is applied to the cathode during times t0-t1, t2-t3, t4-t5 and t6-t7. During the time t1-t2, t3-t4, t5-t6 and t7-t8, the voltage applied to each electrode is reversed. The inverted voltage level may have the same magnitude as the non-inverted voltage level or may have a different magnitude as needed.

Each instantaneous polarity switching frequency can be selected as desired. As the frequency of inversion increases, the amount of scaling decreases. However, in the case of platinum coated electrodes, the electrodes may emit small amounts of platinum. As the frequency of inversion decreases, scaling may increase. In one embodiment, the time period between inversions ranges from about 1 second to about 600 seconds, as shown by arrow 300. Other periods outside this range may also be used.

The time period over which the voltage is reversed can also be selected as desired. In one embodiment, the inversion time period represented by arrow 302 is in the range of about 50 milliseconds to 100 milliseconds. Other periods outside this range may also be used. In this embodiment, the time period of normal polarity 303, such as between times t2 and t3, is at least 900 milliseconds.

In addition, the voltage may be periodic or aperiodic and optionally inverted. In a particular embodiment, the time period 300 between inversions is one second, and the voltage between the electrodes for each period of the waveform is applied with normal polarity for 900 milliseconds and then with inverted polarity for 100 milliseconds.

In this range, for example, without the need for valving, each anode chamber produces a fairly constant anolyte EA liquid output, and each cathode chamber produces a fairly constant cathode EA liquid output.

If the number of anodes is different from the number of cathodes, for example, the ratio is 3: 2, or if the surface area of the anode is different from the surface area of the cathode, the applied voltage pattern may be any of the anolyte or catholyte in this manner. It can be used to produce more of one quantity and can emphasize the cleaning or sterilization properties of the liquid produced. For example, if cleaning is to be emphasized, more electrodes can be driven with a relatively negative polarity to produce more catholyte, and fewer electrodes are relatively to produce less anolyte. It can be driven with a positive polarity. If sterilization should be emphasized, more electrodes can be driven with a relatively positive polarity to produce more anolyte, and fewer electrodes are relatively negative polarity to produce less catholyte Can be driven.

If the anolyte output and catholyte output are mixed into a single output stream before spraying, the combined anolyte output and catholyte output liquid can be adjusted to emphasize cleaning over sterilization, or sterilization over cleaning. In one embodiment, the control circuit includes an additional switch that allows the user to select between a cleaning mode and a sterilization mode. For example, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the nebulizer 10 may include a user-operable wash / sterilization mode switch mounted to the nebulizer.

In one exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a portable nebulizer such as that shown in FIGS. 1 and 8 involves a tubular electrolysis cell such as that shown in FIG. 5. The electrolysis cell is driven at a voltage that emphasizes improved cleaning properties by producing a greater amount of negative electrode EA liquid than the positive electrode EA liquid per unit time. In the cell 200, the outer cylindrical electrode 204 has a larger diameter and therefore has a larger surface area than the inner cylindrical electrode 206. To emphasize the improved cleaning characteristics, the control circuit drives the cell 200 such that the outer electrode 204 acts as the cathode and the inner electrode 206 acts as the anode during most of the driving voltage pattern period. Since the negative electrode has a larger surface area than the positive electrode, the cell 200 will produce more catholyte per unit of time through the combined outlet of the cell. Referring to FIG. 6, in this embodiment, the control circuit applies a relatively positive voltage to the anode 206 during the times t 0 -t 1, t 2 -t 3, t 4 -t 5, and t 6 -t 7, and a relatively negative voltage. Is applied to the cathode 204. During the time t1-t2, t3-t4, t5-t6 and t7-t8, the voltage applied to each electrode is inverted for a while.

In this embodiment, the nebulizer is only filled with ordinary tap water. Thus, the liquid electrochemically activated or pumped by the cell 200 consists solely of tap water. The tap water is electrochemically activated, as described herein, and injected through a spray nozzle as a mixed anolyte and catholyte stream. Thus, when the amount of catholyte in the mixed stream exceeds the amount of anolyte, the spray output has improved cleaning properties. In another embodiment, the improved sterilization properties can be emphasized by first making the electrode 204 an anode and making the electrode 206 a cathode using, for example, the waveform shown in FIG. 6.

Frequent and brief polarity reversals for de-scaling electrodes may tend to cause the material often used to plate electrodes, such as platinum, away from the electrode surface. Thus, in one embodiment, the electrodes 204 and 206 include unplated electrodes such as metal electrodes or conductive plastic electrodes. For example, the electrode can be an unplated metal mesh electrode.

11. Status indicator illuminating through liquid

11.1 Control circuit for the nebulizer shown in FIGS. 1 and 8-16

Another aspect of the invention relates to providing an indicator that can be recognized by a human, which indicates the functional state of the electrolysis cell, such as the redox potential of the EA liquid. The nebulizer and / or other devices disclosed herein can be modified to include a visual indicator of the redox potential of the output liquid.

The power level consumed by the electrolysis cell can be used to determine whether the cell is operating correctly and whether the liquid produced by the cell (sprayed water, EA anolyte and / or EA catholyte) is electrochemically activated to a sufficient level. Can be. Power consumption below a reasonable level may reflect various potential issues, such as the use of raw materials having a low electrolyte content (eg, low sodium / mineral content) or ultra-high purity raw materials, where water is contained within the functional generator. It does not conduct electrical current of sufficient level. Thus, for example, current consumption may also indicate high or low levels of redox potential. In addition, the current drawn by the pump may be used to indicate whether there is a problem, such as whether the pump is operating correctly or not.

7 is a block diagram of a system 400 with indicators in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, and may be incorporated into any embodiment disclosed herein, for example. System 400 includes power source 402, such as a battery, control electronics 404, electrolysis cell 406, pump 408, current detectors 410 and 412, indicator lights 414 and 416, switch 418 ) And a trigger 420. For simplicity, the liquid input and output of the electrolysis cell 404 are not shown in FIG. For example, all components of system 400 may be powered by the same power source 402 or two or more separate power sources.

The control electronics 404 receives user control inputs such as the operation state and trigger 420 of the electrolysis cell 406, the pump 408 and the indicator lights 414 and 416 based on the current operating mode of the system 400. It is connected to control. In this embodiment, the switch 418 is connected in series between the power source 402 and the control electronics 404, and from and to the power input of the control electronics 404 depending on the state of the trigger 420. It is provided to connect and disconnect the power source 402. In one embodiment, the switch 418 includes a general-open switch at the moment of closing when the trigger 420 is pressed and opening when the trigger 420 is not pressed.

In another embodiment, the switch 418 consists of an on / off toggle switch that is actuated separately from, for example, the trigger 420. Trigger 420 activates a second switch that is coupled to a possible input of control electronics 404. Other configurations can also be used.

In both embodiments, when the trigger 42 is pressed, the control electronics 404 becomes available to produce the appropriate voltage output for driving the electrolysis cell 406 and the pump 408. For example, the control electronics 404 may produce a first voltage pattern for driving the electrolysis cell 406 and a second voltage pattern for driving the pump 408, as in the pattern described herein. If the trigger 420 is not depressed, the control electronics will be cut off from power or unable to produce output voltages to the battery 406 and the pump 408.

The current detectors 410 and 412 are electrically connected in series with the electrolysis cell 406 and the pump 408, respectively, each representing a respective electric current drawn through the cell 406 and the pump 408. Provide a signal to the control electronics 404. For example, such a signal may be an analog signal or may be a digital signal.

In certain embodiments, the system 400 includes a detector 410 that senses the current drawn by the electrolysis cell 406, but includes a detector 412 that senses the current drawn by the pump 408. I never do that. The control electronics 404 includes a microcontroller, such as the MC9S08SH4CTG-ND Microcontroller, available from Digi-Key Corporation, Ship River Pulse, Minn., Which is Dallas, Texas, USA. Controls the DRV8800 full-bridge motor driver circuit available from Texas Instruments Corporation. The driver circuit has an H-switch for driving the output voltage to the electrolysis cell 406 according to the voltage pattern controlled by the microcontroller. The H-switch has a current sense output that can be used by the microcontroller to sense the current drawn by the battery 406.

The control electronics 404 compares the detector output with a predetermined threshold current level or range and then operates the indicators 414 and 416 as a function of one or both of the comparisons. For example, the threshold current level or range can be selected to represent a predetermined power consumption level.

Each of the indicators 414 and 416 may include any visually recognizable indicator, such as an LED. In one embodiment, the indicator lights 414 and 416 have different colors to indicate different operating states. For example, indicator light 414 may be green, which indicates an electrolysis cell and / or pump that is normally and properly functioning when illuminated, and indicator 416 may be red when illuminated Indicates a problem in the operating state of the electrolysis cell and / or the pump. In a particular embodiment, the nebulizer includes four green LEDs 414 and four red LEDs 416 for strong illumination of the liquid in the nebulizer.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 7, the control electronics 404 operates the indicator lights 414 and 416 as a function of the current level sensed by the current detectors 410 and / or 412. For example, control electronics 404 may turn off (or turn on) one or both of the indicators as a function of whether the sensed current level is above or below the threshold level, or within a specific range. For example, the indicator lights 414 and 416 may operate by a common ground or separate power signal provided by the control electronics 404.

In one embodiment, when the sensed current level of battery 406 is above each threshold level (within a predetermined range), control electronics 404 is in a green " on " ) And turn off the red indicator light (416). Conversely, if the sensed current level of battery 406 is below a certain threshold level, control electronics 404 illuminates red indicator 416 in a normal " on " state and a green indicator " 414).

If the current drawn by the pump 408 is outside the predetermined range, the control electronics 404 adjusts the green indicator light 414 between the on and off states. Any suitable range, such as between 1.5 amps and 0.1 amps, can be used for the pump current. Other ranges may also be used. In further embodiments, when the sensed current levels in both cell 406 and pump 408 are each within a predetermined range, control electronics 404 illuminates green indicator 414 in a normal " on " state. Turn off the red indicator 416, otherwise, illuminate the red indicator 416 and turn off the green indicator 414.

In another embodiment, when the sensed current level is above the threshold level, the one or more indicators operate in a normal " on " state, and when the sensed current level of the electrolysis cell 406 is below the threshold level, the problem is solved. Cycle between the "on" and "off" states at a selected frequency to indicate. In other embodiments, multiple threshold levels and frequencies may be used. In addition, a plurality of separate-control indicators may be used, each instructing operation within a predetermined range. Alternatively or additionally, the control electronics may be configured to change the illumination level of the one or more indicators, for example, as a function of the sensed current level for one or more thresholds or ranges. In additional embodiments, separate indicator lights may be used to separately indicate the operating states of the electrolysis cell and the pump. Other configurations can also be used.

11.2 Illumination through liquids

As will be described in detail below, the indicator lights 414 and / or 416 may be located in an apparatus such as an atomizer to illuminate the liquid itself before and / or after treatment by the electrolysis cell 404. For example, when illuminated, the luminous flux produces luminous flux within a visible wavelength range that is visually recognizable through the liquid from a viewpoint external to the device. For example, the liquid may scatter at least some of the light, giving the visual impression that the liquid itself is illuminated. In one embodiment, the device comprises a reservoir, lumen or other component for storing liquid, and when illuminated to transmit at least a portion of the light produced by the indicators 414 and / or 416. Located and at least translucent material and / or portions thereof. Such containers, lumens or other components may be at least partially visible from the outside of the device.

The term “at least translucent” includes any term that means that a human can recognize at least some of the light that is translucent, semi-transparent, fully transparent, and the indicator.

8-16 illustrate examples of portable nebulizers 500 and 500 'having an electrolysis cell and at least one indicator light, wherein at least some of the light illuminated from the indicator can be recognized by a human from the perspective of the atomizer. The particular nebulizer configuration and structure shown in the figures is provided by way of example and not by way of limitation. In FIGS. 8-16 the same reference numerals are used for the same or similar components.

Referring to FIG. 8A, the nebulizer 500 includes a housing 501 that forms a base 502, a neck 504, and a barrel or head 506. The end of barrel portion 506 includes a nozzle 508 and a drip / splash guard 509. For example, the drip / splash guard 509 also serves as a convenient hanger for hanging the sprayer 500 in a utility cart. As will be described in detail below, the housing 501 has a clamshell type structure with substantially symmetrical left and right surfaces attached together, such as by screws. The base portion 502 houses a reservoir 510 that acts as a reservoir for the liquid to be processed and sprayed through the nozzle 508. The reservoir 510 has a threaded inlet 512 and a neck extending through the base portion 502 and having a screw cap so that the reservoir 510 is filled with liquid. Inlet 512 is threaded to accept a cap seal.

In this embodiment, the side wall of the housing base portion has a plurality of openings or windows 520 along the periphery so that the container 510 can be seen. In this embodiment, the opening 520 is formed without a housing material in the opening. In another embodiment, the opening is formed by at least a translucent material. In another embodiment shown in FIG. 8B, the entire housing or part thereof is at least translucent.

Similarly, the container 510 is formed of a material that is at least translucent. For example, the storage container 510 may be made of a blow mold made of a transparent polyester material. As will be described in detail below, housing 501 also includes a circuit board carrying a plurality of LED indicators 594 and 596 corresponding to lights 414 and 416 shown in FIG. 7. The back is positioned below the base of the storage container 510, and transmits light to any liquid in the storage container through the outer wall of the base of the storage container 510. The liquid disperses at least a portion of the light, thereby exhibiting the appearance of the illuminated liquid. This illumination can be seen from the perspective of the exterior of the housing 501 through the opening 520. Other lighting characteristics such as color and / or on / off control, intensity, etc. of the light controlled by the control electronics can be observed through the opening 510 and give the user an indication of the functional state of the sprayer. Arrow 522 is transmitted through the liquid in the reservoir 510 and represents illumination from the indicator light visible from the outside of the sprayer through the opening 520 in the housing 501.

For example, the liquid may be illuminated with a green LED to indicate that the electrolysis cell and / or pump is functioning properly. Thus, the user can confirm that the treated liquid sprayed from the nozzle 508 has improved cleaning and / or sterilization properties as compared to the raw liquid stored in the reservoir 510. In addition, illumination of the raw material liquid in the reservoir 510 gives the impression that the liquid has "special" and improved properties, even before it is processed.

Similarly, if the electrolysis cell and / or pump are not functioning properly, the control electronics illuminate the red LEDs, giving the raw liquid a red appearance. This gives the user the impression that a problem exists and that the sprayed liquid may not have improved cleaning and / or sterilization properties.

Although illumination can be seen through the reservoir 510 in the embodiment shown in FIG. 8A, the indicator can be positioned to illuminate any portion of the flow path from the liquid inlet to the sprayer and the nozzle 508. , Upstream and / or downstream of any component of the electrolysis cell. The housing can be modified in any way such that the illumination can be seen by the user. For example, the liquid may be illuminated in a delivery tube extending from the output of the electrolysis cell to the nozzle 508. The barrel portion 506 may be modified to include an opening that exposes the delivery tube, or a portion of the tube may extend along the exterior of the barrel portion 506.

FIG. 8B is a perspective view of the nebulizer 500 ′ without the window 520 in the embodiment shown in FIG. 8A. In this embodiment, the entire housing 501 or a portion of the housing is at least translucent. For example, the housing 501 may be made of polycarbonate. The same reference numerals are used in FIG. 8B as those used in FIG. 8A for the same or similar components. Although not explicitly shown in FIG. 8B, in the case of a translucent housing, the internal components of the nebulizer 500 ′ can be seen through the housing 501 in terms of being external to the housing. For example, the storage container 510 shown in dotted lines and the liquid stored therein can be seen through the housing 501. In this embodiment, there are four red LEDs 594 and four green LEDs 596 shown in dotted lines arranged in pairs at each corner of the nebulizer. Thus, when the LEDs 594 and / or 596 are illuminated, the liquid diffuses at least some of the light and gives the appearance of the illuminated liquid. This illumination can be viewed from the outside of the housing 501 in the same manner as shown in FIG. 8A, except that the illumination is not limited to “window 520”.

FIG. 8C is a perspective view of the back of the barrel 506 (or head) of the sprayer 500 ′ and shows an electrical power jack 523 connected to a cord of a battery charger (not shown). In embodiments involving batteries that the nebulizer 500 ′ can recharge, these batteries may be recharged through the jack 523.

9-16 show more detailed portions of the particular nebulizer 500 'shown in FIG. 8B.

9A and 9B are perspective views of the seating surface 501a of the housing 501, and FIG. 9C is a perspective view of the right surface 501b of the housing 501.

The left side 501a and the right side 501b, when attached to each other, form a plurality of compartments in which the various components of the sprayer are located. For example, the housing base portion 502 may include a first compartment 531 with a liquid reservoir 510, a second compartment with a circuit board supporting control electronics, as shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B. 532, a third compartment 533 with a plurality of batteries for powering the control electronics. Barrel portion 506 includes compartment 534 with an electrolysis cell and a pump.

10 illustrates various components installed in the seat 501a of the housing 501. Storage vessel 510 is installed in compartment 531, circuit board 540 is installed in compartment 532, battery 542 is installed in compartment 533, pump / cell assembly is compartment 534 is installed. The various tubes connecting the reservoir 510, the pump / cell assembly and the nozzle 508 are not shown in FIG. 10.

11A and 11B show the storage container 510 in more detail. FIG. 11A is a perspective view of the storage container 510, and FIG. 11B is a partial view of a cross section of the inlet 512 of the storage container 510 installed in the housing 501A. O-shaped ring 548 seals the outer diameter surface of the neck of inlet 512 in housing 501A. Threaded inlet 512 accepts a cap (not shown) that seals the inlet opening. The reservoir 510 further includes an outlet 549 that receives a tube (not shown) that draws liquid from the reservoir 510. For example, the tube may include an inlet filter as described in connection with FIG. 1.

12A is an enlarged partial view of a pump / cell assembly installed in the barrel portion 506 of the half of the housing 501A. 12B is a perspective view of the pump / cell assembly removed from the housing. 12C is a perspective view of the bottom of the pump / cell assembly with the trigger removed.

Pump / cell assembly 544 includes electrolysis cell 552 and pump 550 mounted to bracket 554. Pump 550 is electrolytic cell 552 through a first port 555 and another tube (not shown) fluidly connected to a tube (not shown) extending from outlet 549 of reservoir 510. Has a second port 555 fluidly connected to the inlet 556.

Electrolysis cell 552 has an outlet 557 fluidly connected to nozzle 508. In one embodiment, the electrolysis cell 552 corresponds to the tubular electrolysis cell 200 described with reference to FIG. 5. However, in other embodiments any suitable electrolysis cell may be used and the cell may have any shape and / or structure. For example, the cell may be cylindrical, as shown in FIG. 5, or have a substantially flat, parallel plate of electrodes. O-shaped ring 560 provides a seal against nozzle 508 of housing 501.

Sprayer 500 'further includes a trigger 570, which actuates momentary push-button on / off switch 572. The trigger 570 acts in a pivot 574 fashion when pressed by the user. The spring 576 shown in FIG. 12 biases the trigger 570 in the normal depressed state, leaving the switch 572 in the off state. The switch 572 has an electrical lead 578 connected to the control electronics on the circuit board 540 shown in FIG. 10.

As described in connection with the block diagram shown in FIG. 7, when trigger 570 is pressed, switch 572 operates in an “on” state, thereby powering the control electronics, pump 550 and The electrolysis cell 552 is operated. When activated, the pump 550 draws liquid from the reservoir 510, pumps liquid through the electrolysis cell 552, and delivers the combined positive and negative EA liquids to the nozzle 508. . If the pump 550 and / or electrolysis cell 552 are functioning properly, the control electronics may also be stored in the storage vessel 510 with LEDs installed inside or at another location on the circuit board or sprayer 500 '. Illuminates the liquid inside.

13 shows the bracket 554 in more detail.

14A and 14B are perspective views of trigger 570. Trigger 570 has a set of openings 580 that accept one or a plurality of pins that separate the pivot points of the trigger.

15A and 15B are perspective views of the trigger boot 584 covering the trigger. Boot 584 provides a protective layer for trigger 570 and seals the edge of housing 501 to the trigger.

16A shows compartments 532 and 533 in half of housing 501A in more detail. 16B shows circuit board 540 mounted in compartment 532 and battery 542 mounted in compartment 533.

The circuit board 540 also includes a plurality of LEDs 594 and 596. In this embodiment, the LED is located on the top surface of the circuit board 540, and the light emitted from the LED illuminates the liquid in the reservoir 510 through the base portion of the reservoir. Other configuration arrangements can also be used. For example, the LEDs can be separately controlled with different colors as described above to indicate different operating states or features.

12. Illumination through liquids from other devices

As in the case of an electrolysis cell or indicator light (s), the features and methods described herein may be used in a variety of different devices such as nebulizers, mobile surface cleaners and / or standalone or wall mounted electrolysis platforms. For example, they are on (or off-board) a mobile surface cleaner such as a mobile hard floor surface cleaner, a mobile soft floor surface cleaner, or a mobile surface cleaner that can be applied to hard floors and soft floors or other surfaces. Can be implemented.

US Publication No. 2007/0186368 to Field et al. Discloses various devices in which the features and methods described herein may be used, such as a mobile surface cleaner with a movable body configured to circumscribe the surface. The movable body has a tank for storing wash liquid, such as tap water, a liquid injector and a flow path from the tank to the liquid injector. The electrolysis cell is connected to the flow path. The electrolysis cell has an anode chamber and a cathode chamber separated by an ion exchange membrane, and electrochemically activates tap water that has passed through the function generator.

The function generator converts tap water into anolyte and catholyte EA liquids. For example, the anolyte EA liquid and the catholyte EA liquid may be applied separately to the surface to be cleaned and / or sterilized, or may be combined and sprayed together through the cleaning head to form a combined positive and negative EA liquid on the device.

US Publication No. 2007/0186368 to Field et al. Also discloses other structures in which the various structural components and processes disclosed herein may be used separately or together. For example, a wall-mounted platform for producing anolyte EA liquid and catholyte EA liquid is disclosed.

Any of these devices can be configured to provide a visual indication of the functional operating state or operating characteristics of the electrolysis cell, wherein the illumination of the indicator can be seen through the liquid from a perspective outside the device. The indicator need not be on the observer's direct line of sight, but may be outside the line of sight. For example, illumination can be seen due to scattering and / or scattering of light, such as through a liquid.

In one embodiment, the wall-mounted platform supports a liquid flow path from the inlet of the electrolysis cell and the platform to the outlet of the platform through the electrolysis cell. At least a portion of the flow path is at least translucent and can be seen from outside of the platform. The platform further includes an indicator light as shown in FIG. 7 that illuminates the liquid along at least a portion of the flow path, such as along the platform's reservoir and / or tube.

13. removable surface washer

As in the case of electrolysis cells, the features and methods described herein can be used in a variety of different applications such as nebulizers, mobile surface cleaners and / or standalone or wall-mounted electrolysis platforms. For example, they can be implemented on (or externally) a mobile washer, such as a mobile hard floor surface washer, a mobile soft floor surface washer, or a mobile surface washer that can be applied to hard floors and soft floors or other surfaces.

US Publication No. 2007/0186368 to Field et al. Discloses various devices in which the features and methods described herein may be used, such as a mobile surface cleaner with a movable body configured to circumscribe the surface. The movable body has a tank for storing wash liquid, such as tap water, a liquid injector and a flow path from the tank to the liquid injector. The electrolysis cell is connected to the flow path. The electrolysis cell has an anode chamber and a cathode chamber separated by an ion exchange membrane, and electrochemically activates tap water that has passed through the function generator.

The function generator converts tap water into anolyte and catholyte EA liquids. For example, the anolyte EA liquid and the catholyte EA liquid may be applied separately to the surface to be cleaned and / or sterilized or may be combined on a device to form a combined anolyte EA liquid and a catholyte EA liquid and sprayed together through the cleaning head. .

FIG. 17 illustrates one or more of the mobile hard and / or soft surface cleaner 700 disclosed in US 2007/0186368 to Field et al., In which one or more of the features and / or methods described above may be implemented. An Example is shown. 17 is a perspective view of the washer 700 with its lid in the open position.

In this embodiment, the cleaner 700 is a walk-behind cleaner used for hard floor surfaces such as concrete, tile, vinyl, terrazzo, and the like, and in other embodiments, the cleaner 700 May be configured as a ride-on, attachable, towed-behind cleaner that performs the cleaning and / or sterilization operations as described herein. In further embodiments, the cleaner 700 may be applied to cleaning soft floors, such as carpets, or in further embodiments, both hard floors and soft floors. The cleaner 700 may include an electric motor powered via an on-board power source such as a battery or an electrical cord. For example, the internal combustion engine system can alternatively be used independently or in combination with an electric motor.

The cleaner 700 generally includes a base portion 702 and a lid 704, which are attached along one surface of the base portion 702 by a hinge (not shown), and the base 702. It opens up to provide access to the interior of the. Base portion 702 includes a tank that contains a major cleaning and / or sterile liquid component or liquid, such as ordinary tap water that is processed during a cleaning / sterilization operation and applied to the bottom surface. For example, in another way, the liquid may be processed inside or outside the washer before being stored in the tank 706. Washer 700 also includes an electrolysis cell 708 that treats the liquid before it is applied to the bottom to be cleaned. For example, the treated liquid may be applied to the floor directly and / or via the wash head. The treated liquid applied to the bottom may comprise an anolyte EA liquid stream, a catholyte EA liquid stream, both the anolyte EA liquid stream and the catholyte EA liquid stream and / or combined anolyte and catholyte EA liquid streams. The battery 408 may include an ion exchange membrane and may be configured without an ion exchange membrane.

US Publication No. 2007/0186368 to Field et al. Also discloses other structures in which the various structural components and processes disclosed herein may be utilized separately or together. For example, a wall-mounted platform for producing anolyte and catholyte EA liquids is disclosed. For example, the platform can be controlled with a control voltage pattern as described herein.

14. Wall Mounted Platform

For example, FIG. 18 shows a simplified block diagram of a wash liquid generator 800 mounted to the platform 802 in accordance with an exemplary embodiment. The platform 802 may be carried, moved by an operator or a vehicle, attached to another device, such as a cleaning or maintenance trolley, a mop bucket, or moved by a human, floor, wall. And may be mounted or positioned on a bench, or on a facility on another surface. In a particular embodiment, the platform 802 is mounted to the wall of a facility that loads a cleaning device with a cleaning and / or sanitizing solution, such as a mop bucket, a mobile cleaning machine, and the like.

Platform 802 includes an inlet 803 that receives liquid, such as tap water, from a source. For example, alternatively, platform 802 may include a tank that holds a supply of liquid to be treated. Platform 802 includes one or more electrolysis cells 804 and control circuit 806 as described above. Electrolysis cell 804 may have any structure or other suitable structure described herein. Platform 802 is also not limited to what is disclosed herein and can include any other device or component.

One or a plurality of paths from the output of the electrolysis cell 804 may be configured to spray the positive and negative EA liquids separately, or to spray the mixed positive and negative electrode EA liquids through the outlet 808. For example, unused anolyte or catholyte may be directed to a waste tank or drain on platform 802. In embodiments in which both the anolyte EA liquid and the catholyte EA liquid are injected through the outlet 808, the outlet may have separate anolyte ports and catholyte ports and / or binding ports, for example, as described above. Deliver a mixture of anolyte and catholyte. In addition, any embodiment herein may include one or more storage tanks for storing the anolyte and / or catholyte produced by the electrolysis cell.

In a particular embodiment, the electrolysis cell 804 includes at least one anode and at least one cathode separated by at least one ion selective membrane, forming one or more anode chambers and a cathode chamber. For example, the outlet 808 has separate anolyte and catholyte ports and is fluidly connected to the anode chamber and the cathode chamber, respectively, without any flow valving. Control circuit 806 operates the positive and negative electrodes in the voltage pattern described above with respect to FIG. 6, with each anolyte port providing a fairly constant anolyte EA liquid output, and each catholyte port providing a fairly constant catholyte EA liquid. Supply the output. A fairly constant, relatively positive voltage is applied to the anode, and a fairly constant, relatively negative voltage is applied to the cathode. Periodically, each voltage is briefly pulsed with a relatively opposite polarity to remove scale deposits.

If the number of anodes is different from the number of cathodes, for example, the ratio is 3: 2, or if the surface area of the anode is different from the surface area of the cathode, the applied voltage pattern may be any of the anolyte or catholyte in this manner. It can be used to produce more of one quantity and can emphasize the cleaning or sterilization properties of the liquid produced. Other ratios can also be used. The platform 802 is a switch or other user input device that operates a control circuit that selectively inverts the voltage pattern applied to each electrode to produce a greater amount of anolyte or catholyte depending on the state of the switch as needed. 810 may further include.

15. Pre Surface Washer

19 is a perspective view of a full surface cleaning assembly 980 described in detail in US Pat. No. 6,425,958. The cleaning assembly 980 is one having electrodes and control circuits disclosed herein, such as, for example, but not limited to those described or illustrated in connection with FIG. 1 or any other embodiment disclosed herein. It is modified to include a liquid distribution path having the above electrolysis cell.

The cleaning assembly 980 may, for example, deliver one or more of the following liquids, namely anode EA water, cathode EA water, mixed anode and cathode EA water or other electrically charged liquid to the floor to be cleaned or from the cleaned floor. And selectively withdraw. For example, liquids other than water or liquids other than water can be used.

For example, the cleaning assembly 980 can be used to clean the hard surface of the bathroom or any other space having at least one hard surface. Cleaning assembly 980 includes a cleaning device and an accessory for use with the cleaning device for cleaning the surface, as disclosed in US Pat. No. 6,425,958. The cleaning assembly 980 includes a housing 981, a handle 982, a wheel 983, a plumbing hose 984, and various accessories. The accessory is a bottom brush 985 with an extended handle 986 fitted therein, a first piece 987 and a second piece 988 of a two piece double band rod and various additional bags not shown in FIG. 19. Supplies, including vacuum hoses, blower hoses, sprayer hoses, blower hose nozzles, spray guns, squeegee bottom tool attachments, gulper tools, and tank fill hoses (assemblies) (Which may be connected to a port on 980). The assembly has a housing that includes a tank or a removable liquid reservoir and a recovery tank or a removable recovery liquid reservoir. The cleaning assembly 980 is used to clean the surface by spraying the cleaning liquid onto the surface through a sprayer hose. Blower hoses are used to dry the surface and to evaporate the liquid on the surface in the desired direction. A vacuum hose is used to clean the surface by sucking liquid from the surface and into a recovery tank in the cleaning device 980. Vacuum hoses, blower hoses, sprayer hoses, and other accessories used with the cleaning assembly 980 are accompanied with the cleaning device 980 for ease of movement.

In addition, similar to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 8-16, any of the devices shown or described in FIGS. 17-19 may illuminate the liquid itself before or after treatment by the electrolysis cell 404. And one or more indicator lights 414 and / or 416 (shown in FIG. 7) located on the device. For example, when illuminated, the light produces a luminous flux in the visible light wavelength range that is visually recognizable through the liquid from a point of view external to the device. For example, the liquid diffuses at least some of the light and gives a visual impression that the liquid itself is illuminated. In one embodiment, the device comprises a reservoir, lumen or other component for storing a liquid and, when illuminated, at least translucent positioned to transmit at least some of the light produced by the indicators 414 and / or 416. Material and / or portions thereof. This container, lumen, or other component may be at least partially visible from the exterior of the device.

16. Control circuit for the nebulizer shown in FIGS. 8-16

20 is a block diagram illustrating control circuitry for controlling various components within portable nebulizers 500 and 500 ′ shown in FIGS. 8-16 in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Important components of the control circuit include the microcontroller 1000, the DC-DC converter 1004 and the output driver circuit 1006.

Power for the various components is supplied by battery pack 542 accompanying the nebulizer, for example, as shown in FIG. 16B. In a particular embodiment, battery pack 542 includes ten nickel-metal hydride batteries, each having a nominal output voltage of about 1.2 volts. Since the batteries are connected in series, the nominal output voltage is between 10 volts and 12.5 volts with a capacity of about 1800 milliampere-hours. For example, the hand triggers 570, 572 shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B apply a 12 volt output voltage from the battery pack 542 to the voltage regulator 1003 and the DC-DC converter 1004. Any suitable voltage regulator may be used, such as the LM7805 regulator from Fairchild Semiconductor Corporation. In a particular embodiment, voltage regulator 1003 provides a 5 volt output voltage that powers various electrical components in the control circuit.

The DC-DC converter 1004 generates an output voltage applied through the electrodes of the electrolysis cell 552. The converter is controlled by a microcontroller, stepping up or down the drive voltage to obtain the desired current draw through the electrolysis cell. In a particular embodiment, the converter 1004 can step up or down a voltage in the range of 8 volts to 28 volts or more to obtain a current draw of about 400 milliamps through the electrolysis cell 552 and pump 550 pumps water out of nozzle 508 from reservoir 510 through battery 552 (FIGS. 8A and 8B). The voltage required depends in part on the conductivity of the water between the electrodes of the cell.

In a particular embodiment, the DC-DC converter 1004 includes an A / SM series surface mount converter from PICO Electronics, Inc., Philham, NY. In another embodiment, NCP3064 1.5A Step-Up / Down / Inverting Switching regulators from ON Semiconductor, Phoenix, Arizona, are related to the boost art. Other circuits may be used in other embodiments.

The output driver circuit 1006 selectively inverts the polarity of the driving voltage applied to the electrolysis cell 552 as a function of the control signal generated by the microcontroller 1000. For example, the microcontroller 1000 can be configured to change the polarity in a predetermined pattern as described and / or illustrated with respect to FIG. 6. Output driver 1006 may also provide an output voltage to pump 550. For example, the other way, the pump 550 can accept the output voltage directly from the output of the trigger switch (570, 572).

In a particular embodiment, output driver circuit 1006 includes an available DRV 8800 full bridge motor driver circuit from Texas Instruments corporation, Dallas, Texas. Other circuits may be used in other embodiments. The driver circuit 1006 has an H-switch for driving the output voltage to the electrolysis cell 552 according to the voltage pattern controlled by the microcontroller. The H-switch has a current sense output that can be used by the microcontroller to sense the current drawn by the battery 552. The sense resistor R _SENSE represents the sensed current and develops a voltage applied to the microcontroller 1000 as a feedback voltage. The microcontroller 1000 monitors the feedback voltage and outputs the appropriate drive voltage by controlling the converter 1004 to maintain the desired current draw.

The microcontroller 1000 also monitors the feedback voltage to verify that the electrolysis cell 552 and the pump 550 are operating properly. As discussed above, the microcontroller 1000 can operate the LEDs 594 and 596 as a function of the current level sensed by the output driver circuit 1006. For example, the microcontroller 1000 may turn off (and optionally selectively) one or both sets of LEDs 594 and 596 as a function of whether the sensed current level is above or below the threshold level or within a range. Turn on).

In a particular embodiment, the microcontroller 1000 includes a microcontroller, such as the MC9S08SH4CTG-ND Microcontroller available from Digi-Key Corporation, Ship River Pulse, Minnesota, USA.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 20, the lighting control of the circuit includes output resistors R1 and R2 and pull-up resistor R3, red LED diodes D1-D4 and pull-down transistors ( And a first "red" LED control leg formed by Q1). The microcontroller 1000 has a first control output, which selectively turns on and off the red LEDs D1 to D4 by turning on and off the transistor Q1. The lighting control portion of the circuit further includes a second “green” LED control leg formed by the pull-up resistor R4, the green LED diodes D5-D8 and the pull-down transistor Q2. The microcontroller 1000 has a second control output, which selectively turns on and off the green LEDs D5-D8 by turning on and off the transistor Q2.

The control circuit further includes a control header 1002, which provides a reprogrammable output of the microcontroller 1000.

In certain embodiments, components 1000, 1002, 1003, 1004, 1006, R1-R4, D1-D8 and Q1-Q2 are on circuit board 540 shown in FIG.

The control circuit shown in FIG. 20 also includes a charging circuit (not shown) that charges the battery in the battery pack 542 with energy received through the power jack 523 shown in FIG. 8C.

One or more control functions shown herein may be implemented by hardware, software, firmware, or the like, or a combination thereof. Such software, firmware, and the like are stored on computer-readable media such as memory devices. Any computer-readable memory device can be used, such as a disk drive, solid state drive, flash memory, RAM, ROM, a resistor set on an integrated circuit.

While the invention has been described in connection with one or more embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that changes may be made in form and detail without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention and / or the appended claims.

Claims (20)

Electrolysis cell;
A liquid flow path through the electrolysis cell;
And a light beam illuminated as a function of operating characteristics of the electrolysis cell, wherein the luminous flux emitted from the indicator light comprises an indicator light illuminating at least a portion of the flow path. The device of claim 1, wherein the indicator light is disposed in the flow path such that the light flux is visually recognizable through the liquid in the flow path from a perspective outside the device. The device of claim 2, further comprising a housing that is at least translucent and includes a window from which at least a portion of the luminous flux radiates. 3. The apparatus of claim 2, further comprising a housing comprising at least a translucent member from which at least a portion of the luminous flux radiates. The device of claim 1, wherein the liquid flow path comprises a vessel upstream of the electrolysis cell along the flow path and the indicator light is positioned to illuminate the liquid in the vessel. The device of claim 1, wherein the device is
Electrolysis cell;
A pump connected to the flow path;
Vessel in the flow path containing the liquid to be treated by the electrolysis cell
Nozzles in the flow path;
And a portable nebulizer having a control circuit electrically connected to the electrolysis cell. 7. The device of claim 6, wherein the indicator is positioned to illuminate a liquid in the container. 8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein at least a portion of the container is at least translucent. 9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the container further comprises a housing in which the container is disposed, the housing comprising at least a translucent member in which at least a portion of the luminous flux in the container is viewed from a perspective outside the housing. The device of claim 1, wherein the operating characteristic comprises an electrical current drawn by an electrolysis cell. The method of claim 10, wherein the indicator light
A first indicator having a first color and illuminated when the electrical current is within the first current range and off when the electrical current is outside the first current range; And
And a second indicator having a second different color, illuminated when the electrical current is outside the first current range, and turning off when the electrical current is within the first current range. Moving the liquid to the portable nebulizer;
Electrolyzing the liquid with an electrolysis cell accompanying the atomizer to produce an electrolyzed liquid;
Spraying the electrolyzed liquid:
Sensing operating characteristics of the electrolysis cell;
Illuminating at least a portion of at least one of the liquid or the electrolyzed liquid as a function of the operating characteristic. 13. The method of claim 12, wherein said operating characteristic comprises an electrical current drawn by an electrolysis cell. 13. The method of claim 12, wherein the at least some of the illumination is visible from the outside of the container. Vessel;
Nozzle;
A liquid flow path from the vessel to the nozzle;
A cell decomposition battery in the flow path;
A pump in the flow path; And
Portable nebulizer comprising an indicator light positioned to illuminate at least one of the vessel or flow path 16. The portable atomizer of claim 15, wherein said indicator light is illuminated as a function of operating characteristics of an electrolysis cell. 17. The portable atomizer of claim 16 wherein said operating characteristic comprises an electrical current drawn by an electrolysis cell. The method of claim 17, wherein the indicator light
A first indicator having a first color and illuminated when the electrical current is within the first current range and off when the electrical current is outside the first current range; And
And a second indicator having a second different color, illuminated when the electrical current is outside the first current range, and turning off when the electrical current is within the first current range. 17. The portable sprayer of claim 16 wherein at least one illumination of said vessel or flow path is visible from the outside of the vessel. 17. The portable nebulizer of claim 16, wherein the indicator is positioned such that the light flux from the indicator passes through the liquid contained in at least one of the vessel or the flow path and is visible from a perspective outside the vessel.

Images