Abstract:
A module containing a pair of generally concentric cylinders with a dielectric cylinder disposed therebetween is connected to a source of air under pressure to provide an air flow intermediate the concentric cylinders and on either side of the encircled dielectric cylinder. Clips, connected to a source of high voltage, detachably engage the outer cylinder and a boss electrically connected to the inner cylinder to provide a voltage potential between the generally concentric cylinders of sufficient magnitude to cause an electrostatic discharge through the space therebetween. The use of an electrically high resistance dielectric cylinder between the generally concentric cylinders will tend to provide a uniform electrostatic discharge along the length of the generally concentric cylinders. The oxygen molecules within the air flow between the generally concentric cylinders will be converted, to some extent, to ozone molecules and provide an ozone enriched air flow into a plenum and an outflow therefrom through tubing to a point of use. As the module is readily detached from its mechanically and electrically associated clips, it is readily replaced in the event of malfunction. Moreover, the electrically conducting cylinders may be of inexpensive metallic tubing and the dielectric cylinder may be inexpensive glass tubing. The electric circuitry providing a voltage potential sufficient to produce electrostatic discharge is primarily an inexpensive step-up transformer.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]    The present application includes subject matter contained in and claims priority to the subject matter disclosed in a provisional application entitled “Ozone Generator” filed Jan. 23, 2002 and assigned Ser. No. 60/351,446 directed to an invention made by the present inventor. 
     
    
     
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    An ozone generator is a device for producing ozone (O 3 ) from a source of oxygen by subjecting the oxygen to a high voltage electrostatic discharge. For example, a lightning strike produces ozone and the distinctive smell of ozone can be sensed if one is reasonably close to the lightning strike.  
           [0003]    Ozone can also be created by irradiating a source of oxygen, such as air, with ultraviolet light. Various devices of this type have been available for decades. One of the problems with irradiating a source of air with ultraviolet radiation is the expense of the lamp which must have an envelope that is transparent to ultraviolet radiation, such as quartz. Lamps of this type are relatively expensive. Furthermore, these lamps do bum out or otherwise cease functioning for a multitude of reasons. When such malfunction occurs, the lamp must be replaced, which is generally a cumbersome and time-consuming endeavor. Moreover, such replacement generally requires a skilled technician as it may be dangerous and/or difficult for a layman to perform such maintenance/repair.  
           [0004]    Devices for producing ozone by producing an electrical discharge in the presence of an oxygen conveying gas, such as air, have been available for decades. Such devices are generally large and cumbersome. Moreover, they are usually expensive to obtain. Furthermore, they are generally expensive to maintain, not only because of the costs of the replacement parts but the skill required generally demands that a skilled technician perform all maintenance and repair work.  
           [0005]    Ozone is an unstable powerful bleaching and oxidizing agent and is used to purify and deodorize air as well as to sterilize water. It is often used in solution as a viricide and bactericide in medical and quasi medical applications. Relatively recently it has been introduced as a gas into aquariums with pronounced results over that of conventional aerators. However, ozone generators presently available are too bulky and too expensive for general home use in aquariums as well as in other applications wherein the oxidizing properties of ozone would be beneficial.  
         BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0006]    The ozone generator of the present invention is a module having a threaded shaft serving as an electrode and which mechanically secures the various elements with one another. A first generally concentric cylinder of electrically conducting material is in electrical contact with the threaded shaft. A generally concentric cylinder of dielectric material envelopes the first concentric cylinder in spaced apart relationship. A second generally concentric cylinder of electrically conducting material envelopes the dielectric cylinder in spaced apart relationship. Air inflow is channeled between the first and second cylinders on either side of the dielectric cylinder and may exhaust through the cylindrical space within the first cylinder and about the threaded shaft. High voltage electrical power is provided by electric circuitry through a pair of clips, one of them engaging a boss electrically connected to the threaded shaft, which shaft is in electrical contact with the first cylinder, and the other clip engaging the external surface of the second cylinder. As the air passes intermediate the first and second cylinders, it is subjected to an electrostatic discharge and ozone is produced. By use of these clips, the module can be readily replaced by disengaging it from the clips and re-engaging a replacement module. Necessarily, the tubing conveying the air to the module and the ozonated air from the module must first be disconnected and subsequently reconnected. The size of the module may be relatively small and mounted within a small container also having the electrical components for generating the electrostatic discharge located therein. To increase the space for generating ozone, additional concentric cylinders may be incorporated.  
           [0007]    It is therefore a primary object of the present invention is to provide a replaceable module for generating ozone.  
           [0008]    Another object of the present invention is to provide a removably mounted ozone generator within a compact container also enclosing electrical components necessary to create an electrostatic discharge within the ozone generator.  
           [0009]    Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a pair of generally concentric cylinders serving as the electrodes for generating an electrostatic discharge within air disposed therebetween to produce ozone enriched air.  
           [0010]    Still another object of the present invention is to provide an ozone generator module constructed of inexpensive easily available materials.  
           [0011]    A further object of the present invention is to provide an ozone generator module having a plurality of concentrically mounted pairs of electrodes for generating an electrostatic discharge to produce ozone in an oxygen containing gas passing therethrough.  
           [0012]    A yet further object of the present invention is to provide an inexpensive throw-away module for generating ozone.  
           [0013]    A still further object of the present invention is to provide a method for inexpensively generating ozone.  
           [0014]    These and other objects of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art as the description thereof proceeds.  
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0015]    The present invention will be described with greater specificity and clarity with reference to the following drawings, in which:  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 1 illustrates a container for housing a replaceable ozone generator module and the electrical components necessary to produce an electrostatic discharge;  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 2 is an end view taken along lines  2 - 2 , as shown in FIG. 1;  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 3 is an end view taken along lines  3 - 3 , as shown in FIG. 1;  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 4 illustrates an exploded view of the ozone generator module;  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines  5 - 5 , as shown in FIG. 4;  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines  6 - 6 , as shown in FIG. 5;  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of a variant of the ozone generator module;  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines  8 - 8 , as shown in FIG. 7;  
         [0024]    [0024]FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines  9 - 9 , as shown in FIG. 7;  
         [0025]    [0025]FIG. 10 is an end view taken along lines  10 - 10 , as shown in FIG. 7;  
         [0026]    [0026]FIG. 11 illustrates a further variant of the ozone generator;  
         [0027]    [0027]FIG. 12 is an end view taken along lines  12 - 12 , as shown in FIG. 11;  
         [0028]    [0028]FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines  13 - 13 , as shown in FIG. 11; and  
         [0029]    [0029]FIG. 14 illustrates a yet further variant showing three cylinders of electrically conductive material forming two pairs of concentric electrodes for generating ozone.  
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0030]    Referring to FIGS. 1, 2 and  3  there is illustrated an ozone generator  10  housed within a container  12 . An air pump  14  delivers a supply of air through tubing  16 , as depicted by arrow  18 , to a module  20 . The module includes the operative elements for generating ozone upon application of electrical power and as a result of air passing therethrough. The ozone enriched air is discharged through tubing  22 , as depicted by arrow  24 . A cover  26  is removably formed as part of container  12  to permit any necessary maintenance of the components within the container and for replacement of module  20  when required. Electric circuitry  30  for creating an electrostatic discharge within module is housed within container  12 . The electric circuitry includes an electrical conductor  32  adapted to be connected to a source of electrical power, a fuse  34  and a transformer  36 . A pedestal  40  is mounted upon base  42  of the container and supports a clip  44 . The clip is electrically connected to the output of electric circuitry  30  via an electrical conductor  46 . A similar pedestal  48  is mounted upon and extends upwardly from base  42  and supports a further clip  50 . This clip is electrically connected to electric circuitry  30  via an electrical conductor  52 . Module  20  includes a stud or boss  60  of electrically conducting material and extends from one end of the module. Clip  44  supports the boss and electrically interconnects the module with electrical circuitry  30 . The module includes a hollow tube or cylinder  62  of electrically conducting material, such as inexpensive metallic tubing. Cylinder  62  is supported by and electrically connected to clip  50 . Thereby, module  20  is secured within container  12  by clips  44 , 50  and is easily replaceable.  
         [0031]    Referring jointly to FIGS. 4, 5, and  6 , details of the structure of module  20  will be described. A threaded rod  70  of electrically conductive material slidably engages a passageway  72  extending through block  74 . A nipple  76  supports tubing  16  and is threaded engagement with passageway  78  in block  74 . Thereby, air is conveyed to and through the block. A further nipple  80  supporting tubing  22  is in threaded engagement with passageway  82  in block  74 . An end cap  84  penetrably and slidably receives threaded rod  70  through passageway  86 . Upon mounting end cap  84  upon the threaded rod adjacent block  74 , a plenum  88  is formed therebetween. To seal the end cap with the block, an O-ring  90  may be employed, as illustrated. It is noted that passageway  78 , conveying air into module  20 , is in fluid communication with plenum  88 . One or more passageways  92 ,  94 ,  96 ,  98  (see also FIG. 4) are in fluid communication with plenum  88  and extend through block  74  to a hollow annular ring  100 . Block  110  penetrably and slidably receives threaded rod  70  through passageway  112 . An end cap  114  is in threaded engagement with threaded rod  70  and bears against block  110  to form a plenum  116  therebetween.  
         [0032]    The integrity of plenum  116  is maintained by O-ring  117 , or the like, inserted between end cap  114  and block  110 . A plurality of passageways  118 ,  120 ,  122  and  124  (see also FIG. 6) extend through block  110  from plenum  116  to a hollow annular ring  126 . An annular depression  130  of annular ring  100  is formed in block  74 . This depression may include a stepped base  132 , as illustrated in FIG. 5. A corresponding annular depression  134  of annular ring  126  is formed in block  110 . Annular depression  134  may also include a stepped base  136 , as illustrated. Passageways  92 ,  94 ,  96  and  98  are in fluid communication with annular ring  100 . Similarly, passageways  118 ,  120 ,  122  and  124  are in fluid communication with annular ring  126 . A tube or cylinder  140  of electrically conductive material, such as inexpensive metallic tubing, is mounted in each of annular depressions  130 , 134  and may be supported adjacent the inner radial wall, as illustrated. Cylinder  62  is also supported in each of annular depressions  130 , 134  and may be adjacent the radially outward radial wall of the annular depressions, as illustrated. If stepped bases are formed in the respective annular depressions, one of the cylinders would rest upon one of the bases and the other cylinder would rest upon another of the bases. A dielectric cylinder  146  of dielectrical material, such as inexpensive glass tubing, is supported in annular rings  100 ,  126 . The dielectric cylinder is disposed intermediate and generally concentric with cylinders  62 ,  140 . Such location provides a cylindrical air space  148  between cylinder  140  and dielectric cylinder  146  and a further cylindrical air space  150  between the dielectric cylinder and cylinder  62 . A coil spring  152  encircles threaded rod  70  between nuts  154 , 156  in threaded engagement with the threaded rod. By tightening the nuts, the coil spring will tend to assume a wave-like configuration and thereby come into electrical contact with inner surface  158  of cylinder  140  and electrical contact is thereby established between the threaded rod and cylinder  140 .  
         [0033]    Assembly of module  20  may be accomplished as follows. Threaded rod  170  is brought into threaded engagement with end cap  114 . Block  110  is slipped onto the threaded rod along with O-ring  117  to be located between the end cap and the block. Cylinder  140  is slipped onto the threaded rod and seated within annular depression  134 . Similarly, dielectric cylinder  146  and cylinder  62  are slipped on in generally concentric relationship with cylinder  140  and seated in annular ring  126  and annular depression  134 , respectively. Block  74  is slipped onto the threaded rod to nest cylinders  140 ,  62  and dielectric cylinder  146 , in annular depression  130  and annular ring  142 , respectively. O-ring  90  and end cap  84  are slipped over the threaded rod and into engagement with block  74 . Boss  60  is brought into threaded engagement with threaded rod  70  to compress the end caps against their respective blocks and to secure each of the cylinders between the blocks.  
         [0034]    Inflowing air, as represented by arrow  18 , flows through block  74  into plenum  88 . From the plenum, the air flows through each of passageways  92 ,  94 ,  96  and  98  into annular ring  100  and annular depression  130 . Thence, the air flows on either side of dielectric cylinder  146  and between cylinders  62 ,  140  into annular depression  134  and annular ring  126  in block  110 . From there, the air flows through each of passageways  118 ,  120 ,  122  and  124  into plenum  116 . The air from plenum  116  is exhausted through annular space  160  surrounding threaded rod  70  within block  110  into the interior space defined by inner surface  158  of the cylinder  140  and into passageway  82  in block  74 . It is exhausted from block  74  through passageway  82 , as represented by arrow  24 .  
         [0035]    Cylinder  140  is electrically connected to clip  44  via spring  152 , nuts  154 , 156 , threaded rod  70  and boss  60  engaged by clip  44 . Clip  50  directly electrically engages cylinder  62 . Upon energization of electric circuitry  30 , a substantial potential difference will be present between cylinder  140  and cylinder  62 . This potential difference is sufficient to create an electrostatic discharge therebetween. The presence of dielectric cylinder  146  creates a uniform high resistance between the inner and outer cylinders to urge even distribution of electrical discharges along the cylinders. The electrostatic discharges through the air flowing intermediate cylinders  140 ,  62  will result in some of the oxygen molecules being converted to ozone molecules. Accordingly, the air outflow from block  74  into tubing  22 , will be ozone enriched air.  
         [0036]    Referring jointly to FIGS. 7, 8,  9  and  10 , an ozone generator variant module  170 , similar to module  20 , will be described. Elements essentially the same as or comparable with corresponding elements discussed with respect to module  20  will be given the same reference numerals. End cap  114  is in threaded engagement with threaded rod  70 , which threaded rod also supports block  110 . Block  110  is similar to that described with respect to module  20  but includes certain differences, which will be now discussed. A passageway  172  extends through the block to provide fluid communication between plenum  116  and the space interior of cylinder  140 . A sleeve  174  is supported upon block  110  coincident with an annular indentation  176 . A seal between the block and the sleeve is provided by an O-ring  178 . Electrical connection between threaded rod  70  and cylinder  140  may be provided by a clip  180  mounted upon the threaded rod and between nuts  154 , 156  to extend radially and bear against surface  158  of the cylinder to make good electrical contact.  
         [0037]    Block  74 , penetrably mounted on threaded rod  70 , includes an annular indentation  182  to receive and support the end of sleeve  174 . The junction therebetween may be sealed with an O-ring  184 . A passageway  186  extends through the block for receiving a rod  188  (or other electrical conductor) in electrical contact with cylinder  62 . A high voltage is impressed upon cylinder  62  and threaded rod  70  via respective electrical conductors  192 , 194  connected to electric circuitry  30  (see FIG. 1). A pair of nuts  196 , 198  may be employed to secure rod  188  with end cap  84  to maintain it in electrical contact with cylinder  62 ; or, if such electrical contact is essentially solid/permanent, to support the end of the rod extending from end cap  84 . A nut  200  is in threaded engagement with rod  70  and bears against end cap  84  to maintain the various components compressed between the respective end caps.  
         [0038]    In operation, air is introduced, as depicted by arrow  18 , through passageway  78  into plenum  88 . From the plenum, the air passes through a plurality of passageways  92 ,  94 ,  96  and  98  on each side of dielectric cylinder  146  and between cylinders  140 ,  62 . The air is conveyed therefrom through a plurality of passageways  118 ,  120 ,  122  and  124  into plenum  116 . The air is exhausted from plenum  116  through passageway  172  and through passageway  112  encircling a threaded rod  70  and into cylindrical space  202 . The air is exhausted from the cylindrical space through passageway  82 , as depicted by arrow  24 . As the air passes between cylinders  140 ,  62 , it will be subjected to repetitive electrostatic discharges as a result of the high potential therebetween. Such electrostatic discharges will convert oxygen molecules to ozone molecules. The resulting air with entrained ozone molecules will be exhausted through passageway  82 . To prevent leakage of air around the ends of cylinders  140 ,  62 , the cylinders may be in sealed engagement with blocks  74 , 110 . However, sleeve  174  encircling these cylinders and being in sealed engagement with the blocks will preclude an escape of air other than through passageway  82 . Thus, sealing of the individual cylinders is not critical to operation of variant module  170  since at least most of the air flowing thereinto will be subjected to electrostatic discharges to create ozone.  
         [0039]    [0039]FIGS. 11, 12 and  13  jointly illustrate a further variant  210  of the ozone generator. For convenience and brevity, numerals relating to structure common with previously described elements will be retained. Air to be ozonated enters end cap  84  through passageway  202  into plenum  88 , as depicted by arrow  18 . The air within the plenum flows through passageways  92 ,  94 ,  96  and  98  into the space between outer cylinder  62  and inner cylinder  140  on either side of dielectric cylinder  146 . The air exhausts therefrom through passageways  118 ,  120 ,  122 , and  124  (see also FIG. 6) into plenum  116  within end cap  114 . The ozonated air exhausts through passageway  204 , as depicted by arrow  24 .  
         [0040]    In this embodiment, cylinders  62  and  140  are preferably in sealed engagement with blocks  74  and  110  to prevent air leakage outside of variant module  210 . Such sealing is readily accomplished with a mastic or adhesive of some type. Alternatively, sufficient sealing may be accomplished if cylinders  62 ,  140  have a tight or press fit within annular depressions  130 ,  134 .  
         [0041]    As described with respect to module  20  and illustrated in FIG. 1, variant module  210  may be connected to electric circuitry  30  by clip  44  engaging boss  60  and clip  50  engaging the exterior of cylinder  62 . Upon application of a relatively high voltage between cylinders  62 ,  140 , and a flow of air into plenum  88 , the air flowing in between the cylinders will be subjected to electrostatic discharges. Such electrostatic discharges will convert some oxygen molecules into ozone molecules. Thereby, the air exhausting from plenum  116  will be ozone enriched.  
         [0042]    [0042]FIG. 14 illustrates a yet further variant module  220  for generating ozone. In the following description, parts or elements common with previously described functionally equivalent elements will be given common reference numerals. Threaded rod  70  threadedly engages end cap  114  and block  110  is supported on the treaded rod by penetrable engagement with passageway  112 . The block includes an annular recess  222  for receiving one end of cylinder  140 . A further hollow annular ring  224  receives one end of dielectric cylinder  146  and another annular recess  226  receives one end of cylinder  62 . A further hollow annular ring  228  receives dielectric cylinder  230  and a further annular recess  232  receives one end of cylinder  234 . Block  74  includes similar annular rings and recesses; specifically, annular recess  236  receives an end of cylinder  140 , annular ring  238  receives an end of dielectric cylinder  146 , annular recess  240  receives an end of cylinder  62 , annular ring  242  receives an end of dielectric cylinder  230  and annular recess  244  receives an end of cylinder  234 .  
         [0043]    A plurality of passageways, of which passageways  118 ,  122  are shown, interconnect annular ring  244  with plenum  116  defined by end cap  114 . A plurality of passageways, of which passageways  246 ,  248  are shown, interconnect annular ring  224  with plenum  116 . These passageways and the passageways described below may be equiangularly spaced about threaded rod  70 , as shown, for instance, in FIG. 10. A plurality of passageways, of which passageways  92 ,  96  are shown, interconnect annular ring  238  with plenum  88  in end cap  84 . A plurality of further passageways, of which passageways  250 ,  252  are shown, interconnect annular ring  242  with plenum  88 .  
         [0044]    As described above with respect to the module shown in FIG. 7 and  10 , clip  180  is secured to threaded rod  70  by nuts  154 ,  156  to establish electrical contact between the threaded rod and surface  158  of cylinder  140 . Boss  60 , in threaded engagement with the threaded rod, is captured by clip  44  (see FIG. 1) to connect the threaded rod to one conductor of electric circuitry  30 , such as conductor  46 . The exterior surface of cylinder  234  is engaged by a clip equivalent to clip  50  to electrically interconnect cylinder  234  with electric circuitry  30 ; as cylinders  140  and  234  are at the same voltage potential, clip  50  is also connected to conductor  46 . A conductor  260  is in electrical contact with cylinder  62 . This conductor may extend through block  74  and end cap  84 , as illustrated. Preferably, the fit of the electrical conductor within the block and the end cap is sufficiently tight to minimize air flow therepast. As cylinder  62  is intermediate cylinders  140 ,  234  and to establish voltage difference therebetween, conductor  260  is in electrical contact with conductor  52  of electric circuitry  30 . A clip equivalent to clip  50  (see FIG. 1), is electrically connected in parallel with clip  44 , as set forth above. Clip  44  detachably clips onto boss  60  and the equivalent of clip  50  detachably clips onto cylinder  234 . Thereby, cylinders  140  (via clip  180  and threaded rod  70 ) and cylinder  234  are at essentially the same voltage. An electrical conductor, equivalent to electrical conductor  52  shown engaged with clip  50  in FIG. 1 is connected to conductor  260 . Thereby, cylinder  62  is at a voltage potential different from that of cylinders  140  and  234 .  
         [0045]    Upon energizing pump  14  (see FIG. 1) or the equivalent, air will flow into plenum  88  through passageway  78 , as depicted by arrow  18 . The air from the plenum will flow through a plurality of passageways, such as passageways  92 ,  96 , into space  262  intermediate cylinder  140  and dielectric cylinder  146  and space  264  intermediate dielectric cylinder  146  and cylinder  62 . Air will outflow through a plurality of passageways  118 ,  122  into plenum  116 . Similarly, air from plenum  88  will flow through passageways  250 ,  252  into space  266  intermediate cylinder  62  and dielectric cylinder  230  and into space  268  intermediate dielectric cylinder  230  and cylinder  234 . Air will outflow through a plurality of passageways  246 ,  248  into plenum  116 . The air will be exhausted from plenum  116  through passageway  88 , as depicted by arrow  24 . With the application of a voltage potential between cylinder  62  and each of cylinders  140 ,  234 , electrostatic discharges will occur between cylinders  140 ,  62  and between cylinders  62 ,  234 . These electrostatic discharges will cause conversion of oxygen molecules in the air flowing therepast into ozone molecules. Accordingly, the air entering plenum  116  will include ozone and the ozonated air will outflow through passageway  88 .