US3925673A - Apparatus for generating heavy oxygen molecules - Google Patents

Abstract

An air ionizing apparatus for producing heavy oxygen molecules includes an electrode assembly and a transformer source of high electrical potential for the electrode assembly. The latter comprises an open-ended rectangular metallic container within which are retained three flattened tubular spirals of metal wire mesh, the middle one of which is isolated by dielectric inserts, and the outer ones of which contact the container. Each is wound to form effectively a tube within a tube and is locked in such form by downwardly bent portions of the outer end of the spiral engaging the mesh directly below. One side of the high potential is connected by means of the container to the outer electrodes. The center electrode is removably connected to a high voltage post by a wire contact mounted upon opposite walls of the inner electrode tube and resiliently engaging a terminal post leading to the other side of the high potential source.

Description

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Dec. 9, 1975 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS APPARATUS FOR GENERATING HEAVY OXYGEN MOLECULES Joseph E. Wright, Jr., 1119 E. Prairie Ave., Wheaton, 111. 60187 Filed: July 11, 1974 Appl. No.: 487,644

Related U.S. Application Data Continuation of Ser. No. 340,296, March 12, 1973, abandoned.

Inventor:

US. Cl. 250/432; 21/74 A", 250/539 Int. Cl? H01J 37/00 Field of Search 250/539, 432, 435, 436;

21/74 R, 74 A, 102 R References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 8/1965 Trikllis 250/539 3/1967 Caplan 250/539 8/1948 United Kingdom 250/539 Primary Examiner-Craig E. Church [57] ABSTRACT An air ionizing apparatus for producing heavy oxygen molecules includes an electrode assembly and a transformer source of high electrical potential for the electrode assembly. The latter comprises an open-ended rectangular metallic container within which are retained three flattened tubular spirals of metal wire mesh, the middle one of which is isolated by dielectric inserts, and the outer ones of which contact the container. Each is wound to form effectively a tube within a tube and is locked in such form by downwardly bent portions of the outer end of the spiral engaging the mesh directly below. One side of the high potential is connected by means of the container to the outer electrodes. The center electrode is removably connected to a high voltage post by a wire contact mounted upon opposite walls of the inner electrode tube and resiliently engaging a terminal post leading to the other side of the high potential source.

11 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures US, Patant Dec. 9, 1975 3,925,673

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44 FIG.4 40

APPARATUS FOR GENERATING HEAVY OXYGEN MOLECULES This is a continuation, of application Ser. No. 340,296, filed March 12, 1973 now abandoned.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates in general to apparatus for generating oxygen of higher than normal molecular weights, and more particularly'to apparatus accomplishing such generation by means of subjecting air to an electrical discharge.

It has long been known that when ordinarily occurring oxygen, whose molecular form may be symbolized as is ionized, that is, subjected to an electrical discharge, some of the 0 oxygen will be converted to molecules of heavier molecular weight, such as 0 O and 0 These heavy oxygen forms, particularly those above 0 are highly useful oxydizing agents, especially in air purification applications, since they destroy bacteria, fungi, and other foreign matter responsible, for example, for objectionable odors.

In order to exploit these principles, various types of ionizing apparatus have been constructed, all of which depend on an electrical discharge to produce heavy oxygen forms and obtain the purification benefits described above. However, few of the prior art ionizing devices have met with much success or have been fully satisfactory, and inefficiency and excessive cost in construction and operation has prevented wide acceptance of the devices. Also, the typical prior art apparatus has tended to produce relatively less of the higher order heavy oxygen and relatively more of the lower order 0 oxygen, thereby further impairing effectiveness. Thus, the problem has remained in the art of obtaining an effective yield of heavy oxygen with an apparatus of acceptable efficiency and susceptible of rapid straightforward fabrication so as to keep costs within reasonable bounds.

One area of major expense, as well as of inordinate influence on the performance of the apparatus, is that of the electrodes between which the electrical discharge for converting O to higher forms is maintained. Yet the problem of providing a suitable electrode assembly from the viewpoints of expense, effectiveness, practicality and convenience in use has not been satisfactorily solved, and has inhibited the use of heavier oxygen producing apparatus, despite the growing need and interest in air purification in recent years.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, the present invention satisfies the need for air purification apparatus and solves the problems evident in the prior art by providing an air ionizing apparatus of superior effectiveness and efficiency, as well as convenience of use, while at the same time reducing complexity and fabrication costs.

The apparatus includes a plurality of electrode elements each comprised of a tubular spiral of metal wire mesh wound so as to define effectively an inner tube coaxially within an outer tube. Such spiral includes an inner portion overlapped by an outer portion, with the end of the outer portion being at least partially inwardly bent and engaging the inward portion of the electrode element.

In this manner the spiral electrode is locked into the loop within a loop configuration, which has been found to give a particularly advantageous amount of heavy oxygen for a given energy expenditure. Yet fabrication is greatly simplified as compared to prior electrode expedients.

The apparatus further includes means for retaining the electrode elements in a side-by-side parallel aligned array and dielectric means for effecting an insulating separation between adjacent electrode elements of the array. Finally, included are means for establishing an electric discharge between adjacent ones of the elec- 0 trode elements to ionize the air about the electrode elements and produce heavier molecular forms of oxygen.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of the generator of the present invention, with the housing thereof partially cut away to show the internal components;

FIG. 2 is a bottom view of the generator of FIG. 1, showing the control and power supplying components of the generator;

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the generator of FIGS. 1 and 2, showing the heavy oxygen generating portion thereof;

FIG. 4 is a partial cross-sectional view of the heavy oxygen generating portion of the generator shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, taken along line 4--4 of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 4A is a perspective view showing details of an element of the generator portion of FIG. 4.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION While this invention is susceptible of embodiment in many different forms, there is shown in the drawings and will herein be described in detail a preferred embodiment of the invention, with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the invention to the embodiment illustrated. The scope of the invention will be pointed out in the appended claims.

Referring now to the drawing, the complete generating apparatus of the present invention including its principal elements is shown in FIG. 1. It may be seen that the generator is made up of a housing assembly 10, a transformer and control assembly 20, and an electrode assembly 40, with the latter two being secured upon opposite sides of a frame support 12, which in turn is secured within the housing 10. The housing also includes a louvered cover plate shown partially in FIG. 1 at 14 to allow air into the interior of the generator for cooling purposes and for the conversion of its oxygen to heavier forms. The housing 10 in general forms a fully enclosed, rectangular enclosure for the generator so as to prevent contact between the user and the electrically charged components, except for openings to allow control components to protrude therefrom for manipulation by the user.

The transformer of the assembly 20 furnishes the electrical energy to power the generator, and includes a primary winding 22 and a secondary winding 24. Primary winding 22 is supplied with ordinary volt alternating current from line 26, through fuse 28, rheostat 30 and on-off switch 32. Rheostat 30 enables the user to control the amount of power being supplied to the generating process, and thereby to control the production of heavy oxygen, Secondary winding 24 terminates in two output lines 33 and 34, the former of which is secured to a high voltage insulated terminal member 36, and the latter of which is secured to frame support 12 by a fastener 37 (FIG. 2). High voltage terminal member 36, which is secured to frame support 12 and protrudes on the opposite side thereof from transformer 20, includes a metallic post 38 passing centrally and axially therethrough and through frame support member 12, and to which is bolted secondary output lead 33. Accordingly, one side of the high potential from transformer is found at frame support 12, while the other side of the high potential is present at post 38 of terminal member 26.

The electrode assembly 40 is secured to the same side of frame support 12 as terminal 36 and is comprised of a metallic container 42, three electrode elements 45, 46, and 47, and means for effecting an insulating separation between adjacent electrode elements, as will be described below. Container 42 is of generally rectangular form, but open at two ends to permit air to enter therewithin. Also, container 42 is metallic and preferably of stainless steel, as are the electrode elements, to inhibit corrosion.

Container 42 comprises two U-shaped portions 43 and 44, which are assembled to form a generally rectangular enclosure which is square in cross-section (taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 1 and shown in FIG. 4). However, portion 44 is of greater length than portion 43, as best seen in FIG. 1. As viewed in FIG. 4, portion 43 has legs 43a and 43b connected by side 430, with both legs being shorter than side 43c. Portion 44 has legs 44a and 44b connected by side 446, all of equal width in cross-section. Side 430 is slightly larger in width than side 44c, to permit portions 43 and 44 to be brought together so that legs 43a and 43b overlap legs 44a and 44b, and side 43c bridges legs 43a and 43b, thereby forming container 42. Screws 55, passing through the respective overlapped pairs of legs of portions 43 and 44, lock such legs together to form the unitary sides 42a and 42b of container 42. Since portion 44 is longer than portion 43, a protruding section 444 (see FIGS. 1 and 3) is defined. Portion 44d is integral with sides 44a, 44b, and 44c and extends outwardly from one end of container 42. Holes are provided in the section of portion 44d which is integral with side 44c, whereby the assembly 40 is secured with screws 41 to frame support 12.

Retained within container 42 are the electrode elements 45, 46 and 47, as best seen in FIG. 4 cross-sectional view and the FIG. 4A perspective view, for sustaining the electrical discharge for obtaining heavier oxygen. Each of such electrodes is constructed of a single rectangular piece of metallic wire mesh, preferably of stainless steel, folded into a resilient flattened tubular configuration to be described below in more detail. Each electrode is approximately of the same cross-sectional area and configuration, with a relatively long width (in the direction of side 42a) comparable to that of container 42, and a relatively narrow height (in the direction of side 44c), thereby defining nearly flat top and bottom electrode sides. The container 42 retains the three electrodes, whose length is somewhat less than that of container 42, or side 430, in side-byside aligned parallel array, with the sides thereof in mutually facing attitude.

The flattened tubular spiral construction of each of the electrodes 45-47 may be described as effectively an inner tube 56 lying coaxially within an outer tube 58. From FIGS. 4 and 4a, it may be seen that both inner tube 56 and outer tube 58 in cross-section taken transverse to the element axis define flattened ellipses, with that of the former being narrower along its minor axis, but with both having approximately equal major axes. Thus, with the illustrated preferred construction, both inner tube 56 and outer tube 58 have respective lower sides 56a and 58a, and upper sides 56b and 58b which are generally parallel to each other, with the lower sides 56a and 58a of each electrode relatively closely spaced, as are the lower sides 56b and 58b thereof. Further, both flattened tubes have outer longitudinal edges, inner tube 56 having edges 56c and 56d, and outer tube 58 having edges 58c and 58d, with edges 56c and 580 in contact, and edges 56d and 58d also in contact.

The means for effecting an insulating separation between alternate electrode elements, necessary in order for the electrodes to function, include four dielectric plates 50-53. Each is preferably of mica and of a width matching that of sides 42a and 42b of the container, and of a length somewhat greater than that of side 43c. Plates 50 and 51 are respectively positioned between elements 45 and 46, and between elements 46 and 47, electrically isolating element 46 from the other two elements. In order to isolate element 46 from sides 43c and 440 of the container, dielectric plates 52 and 53 are positioned between the edges of plates 50 and 51 and the sides 43c and 440, fully covering the inside surfaces of such sides.

As may be seen from FIG. 4, dielectric plates 50 and 51 are perpendicular to plates 52 and 53, and sides 42a and 42b of container 42. Both outside electrodes 45 and 47, while respectively contacting dielectric plates 51 and 50 along one of their outer sides, also contact the container sides 42a and 42b along their opposite outer sides. The entire assembly of dielectric plates and elements is retained frictionally within the container 42, due to the resiliency of the electrodes 45 through 47. Thus, plates 50 and 51 are tightly and resiliently held between the facing outer sides of the electrodes, while plates 52 and 53 are tightly and resiliently held respectively against container sides 44c and 430 by the longitudinal edges of the three electrodes. Screws 55, which hold the container 42 together, protrude into outside electrodes 45 and 47, and help to anchor them and as well as to insure an optimum electrical connection between the container and these elements. The dielectric plates 50-53 extend lengthwise beyond the ends of the electrodes (FIG. 3) to lengthen the path around them to the container metal and further protect against high voltage electrical shorting.

With the just-described electrode assembly package, it will be appreciated that the standardization of the elements and the dielectric plates to one configuration, and the isolation of the center electrode together with the electrical association of the outside electrodes with the container. results in unusually easy assembly and simplicity of design. Only one type of dielectric, and one type of electrode is needed for the package, yet the electrode assembly is not only rapidly constructed, but it is also inherently more reliable because of its simple symmetric configuration.

The loop within a loop configuration afforded by the use of a spiral electrode has been found highly advantageous in producing improved yields of heavy oxygen as compared to other electrode configurations. Yet the one-piece and one-operation formation of the tube within a tube by means of the spiral configuration achieves these advantages in a highly convenient, durable, and simplified manner. The spacing between inner tube 56 and outer tube 58, that is, between tube sides 56a and 58a, and sides 56b and 58b, may be easily and precisely controlled during formation of the electrodes.

This insures uniform electrical characteristics both.

within each element and as compared to the other elements, as well as the maintenance of optimum air circulation about the wire mesh material of each electrode. Both a superior degree of interaction between opposed electrode elements, as 'well as a superior degree of interaction between electrodes and the surrounding air is thereby achieved.

In order to securely lock the electrode in the abovedescribed configuration, the outer end 60 of the mesh forming the spiral is arranged to partially overlap upper side 58b of outer tube 58. The trailing edge of overlapping end 60 has a fraction of an inch of protruding wires, typical ones of which are denominated as 60a, which are bent inwardly, preferably at right angles, to end 60 they thus engage upper side 58b of the outer tube 58, which is the portion of the electrode which lies immediately inwardly, by penetrating the spacings of the mesh material. One or more of the protruding wires, preferably at each end, are then further bent back parallel against tube 58 for an even more secure electrode package. Such parallel-bent wires are marked as 60b in FIG. 4A. Not only is the electrode configuration secured, but a more positive electrical conduction is achieved; furthermore, any protruding wires which might otherwise scratch or penetrate a dielectric plate are redirected away from the dielectric material.

To complete the electrode assembly 40, a wire connector clip 61 having a pair of opposed elongated legs 62 and 64 (see FIG. 3) is passed longitudinally along inner tube 56 and into the wire mesh material of inner electrode 46, so that each of the legs at one of their ends 62a and 64a engages a respective side 56b and 56a of inner tube 56 (see also FIG. 4), and protrudes centrally outwardly and longitudinally of the element. At the other end of the clip, the legs 62 and 64 are joined by a curved section 65 of narrow radius, causing the spacing between legs near the closed end to become progressively more restricted. Thus, a closed narrow loop of narrowing cross-section is provided which resiliently resists any further separation of the legs.

In order to bring the proper electrical potential to the respective electrodes, clip 61 is positioned over terminal post 38, with opposite legs 62 and 64, and curved section 65, resiliently engaged about the post. Preferably, post 38 is threaded, and nut 68 is screwed down along the post 38 against clip 61 to secure the connection mechanically and electrically. In this manner, output line 33 from transformer secondary winding 22 is connected to the inner electrode element 46. At the same time, container 42 is secured in mechanical and electrical contact with frame support 12 by screws 41, and consequently the outer electrodes 45 and 47 are thereby connected through container 42 to output line 34 of transformer secondary 22. When the transformer primary is energized by turning switch 32 on and setting the rheostat at a desired level, the inner and outer electrodes are respectively supplied with opposite sides of a high electrical potential. Thereupon, a corona discharge is established between adjacent electrodes, that is, between both inner electrode 46 and outer electrode 45 and between inner electrode 46 and outer electrode 47. The air about the electrodes is thereby ionized to produce heavy oxygen forms, with the substantial percentage being forms heavier than 0 I claim:

1. Air purification apparatus comprising: a plurality of electrode elements each comprised of a flattened tubular spiral of metal wire'mesh wound so as to define effectively an inner tube coaxially within an outer tube and so that the inner tube is of substantially the same width as said outer tube; means for retaining said electrode elements in a side-by-side array with the tubes thereof generally aligned and parallel; dielectric means for effecting an insulating separation between adjacent electrode elements of said array; and means for establishing an electric discharge between adjacent ones of said elements.

2. Apparatus as in claim 1, in which both said inner tube and said outer tube define in cross-section a flattened ellipse, said inner and outer tube also each defining respective first and second sides generally parallel to each other.

3. Apparatus as in claim 2, which further includes a rectangular metallic container with open ends in which said electrode elements are contained so that the ends thereof face said open ends, a first set of dielectric plates separates alternate ones of said elements, and a second set of dielectric plates perpendicular to the first set separates said elements from two sides of said container.

4. Apparatus as in claim 3, in which said dielectric plates extend beyond said electrode element ends to extend the insulating path between said element and said container.

5. Apparatus as in claim 3, in which said container contains three electrode elements and the inner one thereof is separated from the outer two thereof by a first pair of said plates while a second pair of said plates perpendicular to said first pair separates all of said elements from two sides of said container, said outer electrodes contacting the remaining two sides of said container.

6. Air purification apparatus comprising: a plurality of electrode elements each comprised of metal wire mesh spiral having an inner end and an outermost end and arranged in a flattened tubular configuration having an inner loop portion overlapped by an outer loop portion with the outermost end of said spiral being at least partially inwardly bent and engaging said inner loop portion of each electrode element; means for retaining said electrode elements; in a side-by-side aligned parallel array, dielectric means for effecting an insulating separation between adjacent electrode elements of said array; and means for establishing an electric discharge between alternate ones of said elements.

7. Apparatus as in claim 6, in which said electrode tubular configuration is a spiral arranged to define effectively an inner tube coaxially within an outer tube.

8. Apparatus as in claim 7, in which said outermost end is comprised of a plurality of protruding and inwardly-bent wires engaging said outer tube, with at least some of said wires being again bent parallel to said outer tube after engagement therewith.

9. Air purification apparatus comprising: a plurality of electrodes each comprised of metal wire mesh arranged in a flattened tubular configuration and having at least four substantially coextensive mesh layers; a metallic container having open ends for retaining said electrodes so that said electrodes are in a side-by-side parallel array and with each electrode end adjacent one of said open container ends; dielectric means for effecting an insulating separation between adjacent electrodes of said array; a source of electrical potential supplying first and second outputs; a terminal member located adjacent one of said open ends of said containers, said terminal being connected to one of said outputs and having a protruding metallic post; and first and second connector means for joining alternate ones of said electrodes respectively to said first and second electrical outputs, at least one of said connector means including a twolegged wire clip resiliently engaging opposite inner walls of one of said electrodes and protruding outwardly and longitudinally of said one electrode, said wire clip being adaptable to resiliently engage said post between its respective legs so as to provide a path between said one electrical output and said one electrode.

10. Apparatus as in claim 9, in which said electrode tubular configuration is a spiral arranged to define effectively an inner tube coaxially within an outer tube.

11. Apparatus as in claim 9 in which said container is rectangular, said plurality of side-by-side electrodes is limited to three electrodes, said container closely and resiliently confines said electrodes, said dielectric means consists of four dielectric plates, a first pair of which separate the inner one of said electrodes from the outer two of said electrodes, a second pair of which separate the electrodes from two sides of the said container with said outer electrodes contacting the remaining two sides of said container, said remaining two container sides comprise said first connector means, and said wire clip engages said inner element and comprises said second connector means, with said other output of the electrical potential source being connected to said container.

Claims (11)

1. AIR PURIFICATION APPARATUS COMPRISING: A PLURALITY OF ELECTRODE ELEMENTS EACH COMPRISED OF A FLATTENED TUBULAR SPIRAL OF METAL WIRE MESH WOUND SO AS TO DEFINE EFFECTIVELY AN INNER TUBE COXIALLY WITHIN AN OUTER TUBE AND SO THAT THE INNER TUBE IS OF SUBSTANTIALLY THE SAME WIDTH AS SAID OUTER TUBE; MEANS FOR RETAINING SAID ELECTRODE ELELMENTS IN A SIDE-BY SIDE ARRAY WITH THE TUBES THEEOF GENERALLY ALIGNED AND PARALLEL; DIELECTRIC MEANS FOR EFFECTING AN INSULATING SEPARATION BETWEEN ADJACENT ELECTRODE ELEMENTS OF SAID ARAY; AND MEANS

2. Apparatus as in claim 1, in which both said inner tube and said outer tube define in cross-section a flattened ellipse, said inner and outer tube also each defining reSpective first and second sides generally parallel to each other.

3. Apparatus as in claim 2, which further includes a rectangular metallic container with open ends in which said electrode elements are contained so that the ends thereof face said open ends, a first set of dielectric plates separates alternate ones of said elements, and a second set of dielectric plates perpendicular to the first set separates said elements from two sides of said container.

4. Apparatus as in claim 3, in which said dielectric plates extend beyond said electrode element ends to extend the insulating path between said element and said container.

5. Apparatus as in claim 3, in which said container contains three electrode elements and the inner one thereof is separated from the outer two thereof by a first pair of said plates while a second pair of said plates perpendicular to said first pair separates all of said elements from two sides of said container, said outer electrodes contacting the remaining two sides of said container.

6. Air purification apparatus comprising: a plurality of electrode elements each comprised of metal wire mesh spiral having an inner end and an outermost end and arranged in a flattened tubular configuration having an inner loop portion overlapped by an outer loop portion with the outermost end of said spiral being at least partially inwardly bent and engaging said inner loop portion of each electrode element; means for retaining said electrode elements; in a side-by-side aligned parallel array, dielectric means for effecting an insulating separation between adjacent electrode elements of said array; and means for establishing an electric discharge between alternate ones of said elements.

7. Apparatus as in claim 6, in which said electrode tubular configuration is a spiral arranged to define effectively an inner tube coaxially within an outer tube.

8. Apparatus as in claim 7, in which said outermost end is comprised of a plurality of protruding and inwardly-bent wires engaging said outer tube, with at least some of said wires being again bent parallel to said outer tube after engagement therewith.

9. Air purification apparatus comprising: a plurality of electrodes each comprised of metal wire mesh arranged in a flattened tubular configuration and having at least four substantially coextensive mesh layers; a metallic container having open ends for retaining said electrodes so that said electrodes are in a side-by-side parallel array and with each electrode end adjacent one of said open container ends; dielectric means for effecting an insulating separation between adjacent electrodes of said array; a source of electrical potential supplying first and second outputs; a terminal member located adjacent one of said open ends of said containers, said terminal being connected to one of said outputs and having a protruding metallic post; and first and second connector means for joining alternate ones of said electrodes respectively to said first and second electrical outputs, at least one of said connector means including a twolegged wire clip resiliently engaging opposite inner walls of one of said electrodes and protruding outwardly and longitudinally of said one electrode, said wire clip being adaptable to resiliently engage said post between its respective legs so as to provide a path between said one electrical output and said one electrode.

10. Apparatus as in claim 9, in which said electrode tubular configuration is a spiral arranged to define effectively an inner tube coaxially within an outer tube.

11. Apparatus as in claim 9 in which said container is rectangular, said plurality of side-by-side electrodes is limited to three electrodes, said container closely and resiliently confines said electrodes, said dielectric means consists of four dielectric plates, a first pair of which separate the inner one of said electrodes from the outer two of said electrodes, a second pair of which separate the electrodes from two sides of the said container with said outer electrodes contacting the remaining two sides of said container, said remaining two container sides comprise said first connector means, and said wire clip engages said inner element and comprises said second connector means, with said other output of the electrical potential source being connected to said container.

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