Patent Publication Number: US-7897118-B2

Title: Air conditioner device with removable driver electrodes

Description:
CLAIM OF PRIORITY 
     The present application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. 119(e) to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/590,688, filed Jul. 23, 2004, entitled “Air Conditioner Device With Removable Driver Electrodes” (now expired), which is hereby incorporated herein by reference. 
     CROSS-REFERENCE APPLICATIONS 
     The present invention is related to the following patent applications and patents, each of which is incorporated herein by reference: 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/074,207, filed Feb. 12, 2002, entitled “Electro-Kinetic Air Transporter-Conditioner Devices with Interstitial Electrode” (now abandoned); 
     U.S. Pat. No. 6,176,977, entitled “Electro-Kinetic Air Transporter-Conditioner”; 
     U.S. Pat. No. 6,544,485, entitled “Electro-Kinetic Device with Anti Microorganism Capability”; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/074,347, filed Feb. 12, 2002, entitled “Electro-Kinetic Air Transporter-Conditioner Device with Enhanced Housing”, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,911,186; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/717,420, filed Nov. 19, 2003, entitled “Electro-Kinetic Air Transporter And Conditioner Devices With Insulated Driver Electrodes” (now abandoned); 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/625,401, filed Jul. 23, 2003, entitled “Electro-Kinetic Air Transporter And Conditioner Devices With Enhanced Arcing Detection And Suppression Features”, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,984,987; 
     U.S. Pat. No. 6,350,417 issued May 4, 2000, entitled “Electrode Self Cleaning Mechanism For Electro-Kinetic Air Transporter-Conditioner”; 
     U.S. Pat. No. 6,709,484, issued Mar. 23, 2004, entitled “Electrode Self-Cleaning Mechanism For Electro-Kinetic Air Transporter Conditioner Devices; 
     U.S. Pat. No. 6,350,417 issued May 4, 2000, and entitled “Electrode Self Cleaning Mechanism For Electro-Kinetic Air Transporter-Conditioner”; 
     U.S. Patent Application No. 60/590,735, filed Jul. 23, 2004, entitled “Air Conditioner Device With Variable Voltage Controlled Trailing Electrodes” (now expired); 
     U.S. Patent Application No. 60/590,960, filed Jul. 23, 2004, entitled “Air Conditioner Device With Individually Removable Driver Electrodes” (now expired); 
     U.S. Patent Application No. 60/590,445, filed Jul. 23, 2004, entitled “Air Conditioner Device With Enhanced Germicidal Lamp” (now expired); 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/004,397, filed Dec. 3, 2004, entitled “Air Conditioner Device With Enhanced Germicidal Lamp” (now abandoned); 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/006,344, filed Dec. 7, 2004, entitled “Air Conditioner Device With Removable Driver Electrodes” (now abandoned); 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/003,034, filed Dec. 3, 2004, entitled “Air Conditioner Device With Removable Driver Electrodes” (now abandoned); 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/003,671, filed Dec. 3, 2004, entitled “Air Conditioner Device With Variable Voltage Controlled Trailing Electrodes” (now abandoned); 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/003,516, filed Dec. 3, 2004, entitled “Air Conditioner Device With Individually Removable Driver Electrodes” (now abandoned); 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/003,032, filed Dec. 3, 2004, entitled “Air Conditioner Device With Enhanced Germicidal Lamp” (now abandoned); and 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/003,894, filed Dec. 3, 2004, entitled “Air Conditioner Device With Removable Driver Electrodes” (now abandoned). 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is related generally to a device for conditioning air. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The use of an electric motor to rotate a fan blade to create an airflow has long been known in the art. Although such fans can produce substantial airflow (e.g., 1,000 ft 3 /minute or more), substantial electrical power is required to operate the motor, and essentially no conditioning of the flowing air occurs. 
     It is known to provide such fans with a HEPA-compliant filter element to remove particulate matter larger than perhaps 0.3 μm. Unfortunately, the resistance to airflow presented by the filter element may require doubling the electric motor size to maintain a desired level of airflow. Further, HEPA-compliant filter elements are expensive, and can represent a substantial portion of the sale price of a HEPA-compliant filter-fan unit. While such filter-fan units can condition the air by removing large particles, particulate matter small enough to pass through the filter element is not removed, including bacteria, for example. 
     It is also known in the art to produce an airflow using electro-kinetic techniques, whereby electrical power is converted into a flow of air without utilizing mechanically moving components. One such system is described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,789,801 to Lee (1988), depicted herein in simplified form as  FIG. 1A , which is hereby incorporated by reference. System  10  includes an array of first (“emitter”) electrodes or conductive surfaces  20  that are preferably spaced-apart symmetrically from an array of second (“collector”) electrodes or conductive surfaces  30 . The positive terminal of a generator such as, for example, pulse generator  40  which outputs a train of high voltage pulses (e.g., 0 to perhaps +5 KV) is coupled to the first array  20 , and the negative pulse generator terminal is coupled to the second array  30  in this example. 
     In another particular embodiment shown herein as  FIG. 1B , second electrodes  30  are preferably symmetrical and elongated in cross-section. The elongated trailing edges on the second electrodes  30  are symmetrically and elongated in cross-section. The elongated trailing edges on the second electrodes  30  provide increased area upon which particulate matter  60  entrained in the airflow can attach. While the electrostatic techniques disclosed by the &#39;801 patent are advantageous over conventional electric fan-filter units, further increased air conditioning efficiency would be advantageous. One method of increasing air conditioning efficiency is to position driver electrodes between the collector electrodes whereby the driver electrodes aid in driving the particulates toward the collector electrodes. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
         FIG. 1A  illustrates a plan, cross sectional view, of the electro-kinetic air conditioner system according to the prior art. 
         FIG. 1B  illustrates a plan cross sectional view of the electro-kinetic air conditioner system according to the prior art. 
         FIG. 2A  illustrates a perspective view of the device in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2B  illustrates a perspective view of the device in  FIG. 2A  with the removable collector electrode in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 3A  illustrates an electrical block diagram of the high voltage power source of one embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 3B  illustrates an electrical block diagram of the high voltage power source in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 4  illustrates a perspective view of the electrode assembly according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 5  illustrates a plan view of the electrode assembly according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 6  illustrates a perspective view of the air conditioner system according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 7A  illustrates an exploded view of the air conditioner system in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 7B  illustrates a perspective cutaway view of the air conditioner system in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 8A  illustrates a perspective view of the front exhaust grill with the driver electrodes coupled thereto in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 8B  illustrates a detailed view of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 8A  in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 9A  illustrates a perspective view of the air conditioner system with an electrode assembly positioned therein. 
         FIG. 9B  illustrates a perspective view of the air conditioner system with an electrode assembly partially removed in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 10A  illustrates a perspective view of an electrode assembly in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 10B  illustrates an exploded view of an electrode assembly in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION 
     Embodiments of the present invention are directed to method and apparatus for moving air preferably using an air conditioning system therein, with or without a fan, whereby the system preferably includes at least one emitter electrode, at least one collector electrode, at least one driver electrode disposed adjacent to the collector electrode, and at least one trailing electrode positioned downstream of the collector electrode. The collector electrode and the driver electrode are removable from the device. In one embodiment, the driver electrodes are removable from the device and/or the collector electrode. The ability to remove the collector electrode as well as the driver electrode allows for easy cleaning of the electrodes. In one embodiment, the present device includes a removable exhaust grill upon which the driver electrode and trailing electrode are coupled to. The removable grill allows the user to easily clean the driver electrode without having to remove the collector electrode. 
     One aspect of the present invention is directed to an air-conditioning device which comprises a housing that has an inlet and an outlet. The present invention includes an ion generator that is located in the housing and is configured to at least create ions in a flow of air. Also, the invention includes a driver electrode that is located proximal to the outlet, wherein the driver electrode is removable from the housing. 
     Another aspect of the present invention is directed to an air-conditioning device which comprises a housing with a removable grill. The present invention includes an ion generator which is located in the housing; and a driver electrode that is located adjacent to a collector electrode of the ion generator, wherein the driver electrode is coupled to the removable grill. 
     Another aspect of the present invention is directed to an air-conditioning device which comprises a housing which has an upper portion with a removable grill. The present invention includes an emitter electrode located in the housing as well as a collector electrode located in the housing, wherein the collector electrode is removable through the upper portion of the housing. The present invention includes a high voltage source that is operatively connected to at least one of the emitter electrode and the collector electrode. The present invention includes a driver electrode that is preferably coupled to the removable grill, wherein the driver electrode is removable from the housing. 
     Another aspect of the present invention is directed to an air-conditioning device which comprises a housing, an emitter electrode that is located in the housing, and a collector electrode located in the housing, wherein the collector electrode is removable from the housing. The present invention includes a high voltage source that is adapted to provide a voltage differential between the emitter electrode and the collector electrode. The present invention includes a driver electrode that is preferably removable from the housing with the collector electrode, wherein the driver electrode is removable from the collector electrode when the collector electrode is removed from the housing. 
     In yet another aspect of the present invention, an air-conditioning device which comprises a housing having an inlet grill and an outlet grill. The present invention includes at least one emitter electrode positioned within the housing proximal to the inlet grill. The present invention includes at least two collector electrodes, each having a leading portion and a trailing portion, wherein the collector electrodes are positioned proximal to the outlet grill. The present invention includes a high voltage source that is adapted to provide a voltage differential between the at least one emitter electrode and the collector electrodes. The present invention includes at least one removable driver electrode that is positioned between the at least two second electrodes proximal to the trailing portions. 
     Another aspect of the present invention is directed to a method of providing an air-conditioning device which comprises providing a housing; positioning an emitter electrode in the housing; and positioning a collector electrode downstream of the emitter electrode. The present method includes coupling a high voltage source that is adapted to provide a voltage differential between the emitter electrode and the collector electrode and positioning a removable driver electrode adjacent to the collector electrode in the housing. 
     Another aspect of the present invention includes a method of removing an electrode assembly for cleaning. The electrode assembly is positioned within an elongated housing of an air-conditioning device, wherein the housing has an upper portion and a grill that is configured to be selectively removable from a side of the housing. The electrode assembly includes an emitter electrode which is spaced from the collector electrodes. The electrode assembly includes a driver electrode positioned between the collector electrodes, wherein the emitter electrode and the collector electrodes are electrically coupled to a high voltage source. The method comprises lifting the electrode assembly from the housing through the upper portion, wherein the collector electrodes are at least partially exposed. The method further comprises removing the driver electrode from the lifted electrodes assembly. The method further alternatively comprises removing the grill from the side of the housing, wherein the driver electrode is at least partially exposed and is capable of being removably secured to an interior surface of the grill. 
     Another aspect of the present invention is directed to a method of removing an electrode assembly which includes collector and driver electrodes for cleaning. The electrode assembly is positioned within a housing of an air-conditioning device, wherein the housing has an upper portion. The method comprising the step of lifting the electrode assembly from the housing through the upper portion, wherein the collector electrodes and the driver electrodes are accessible. 
     Another aspect of the present invention is directed to a method of removing an electrode assembly which includes collector and driver electrodes for cleaning. The electrode assembly is positioned within a housing of an air-conditioning device, wherein the housing has an upper portion. The method comprises the step of lifting the electrode assembly from the housing through the upper portion. The method also includes the step of removing the driver electrode from the lifted electrode assembly. 
     Another aspect of the present invention is directed to a method of cleaning a driver electrode that is positioned within an elongated housing of an air-conditioning device which has a grill that is removable from a side of the housing. The method comprises removing the grill from the side of the housing, wherein the driver electrode is at least partially exposed. 
       FIGS. 2A and 2B  illustrate one embodiment of the air conditioner system  100  whose housing  102  includes rear-located intake vents with vent grills or louvers  104 , front-located exhaust vents with vent grills or louvers  106 , and a base pedestal  108 . The system  100  includes at least one emitter electrode  232  and at least one collector electrode  242 , which is preferably removable as discussed below. The front and rear grills  104 ,  106  preferably include several fins, whereby each fin is a thin ridge spaced-apart from the next fin so that each fin creates minimal resistance as air flows through the housing  102 . In one embodiment, the fins are arranged vertically and are directed along the elongated vertical upstanding housing  102  of the unit  100  ( FIG. 6 ). Alternatively, as shown in  FIGS. 2A and 2B  the fins are perpendicular to the electrodes  232 ,  242  and are configured horizontally. The inlet and outlet fins are aligned to give the unit a “see through” appearance. Thus, a user can “see through” the unit  100  from the inlet to the outlet or vice versa. The user will see no moving parts within the housing, but just a quiet unit that cleans the air passing therethrough. Other orientations of fins and electrodes are contemplated in other embodiments, such as a configuration in which the user is unable to see through the unit  100 , whereby the unit  100  contains a germicidal lamp  290  ( FIG. 3A ) therein. 
     The unit  100  is energized by activating switch S 1  on the top surface of the housing  102 , whereby high voltage or high potential output by the voltage generator  170  produces ions at the emitter electrode  232  which are attracted to the collector electrodes  242 . The ions move from an “IN” to an “OUT” direction from the emitter electrodes  232  to the collector electrodes  242  and are carried along with air molecules. In one embodiment, the device  100  electro-kinetically produces an outflow of ionized air. In another embodiment, the device  100  is an electro-static precipitator, whereby the device  100  produces ions in an airflow created by a fan or other device. The “IN” notation in  FIG. 2A  denotes the intake of ambient air with particulate matter  60  through the inlet vents. The “OUT” notation in  FIG. 2A  denotes the outflow of cleaned air through the outlet vent substantially devoid of the particulate matter  60 . In the process of generating the ionized airflow, appropriate amounts of ozone (O 3 ) are beneficially produced. It is alternatively desired to provide the inner surface of the housing  102  with a shield to reduce detectable electromagnetic radiation. For example, a metal shield (not shown) is disposed within the housing  102 , or portions of the interior of the housing  102  are alternatively coated with a metallic paint to reduce such radiation. 
       FIG. 3A  illustrates an electrical circuit diagram for the system  100 , according to one embodiment of the present invention. The system  100  has an electrical power cord that plugs into a common electrical wall socket that provides a nominal 110VAC. An electromagnetic interference (EMI) filter  110  is placed across the incoming nominal 110VAC line to reduce and/or eliminate high frequencies generated by the various circuits within the system  100 , such as the electronic ballast  112 . In one embodiment, the electronic ballast  112  is electrically connected to a germicidal lamp  290  (e.g. an ultraviolet lamp) to regulate, or control, the flow of current through the lamp  290 . A switch  218  is used to turn the lamp  290  on or off. The EMI Filter  110  is well known in the art and does not require a further description. In another embodiment, the system  100  does not include the germicidal lamp  290 , whereby the circuit diagram shown in  FIG. 3A  would not include the electronic ballast  112 , the germicidal lamp  290 , nor the switch  218  used to operate the germicidal lamp  290 . 
     The EMI filter  110  is coupled to a DC power supply  114 . The DC power supply  114  is coupled to the first HVS  170  as well as the second high voltage power source  172 . The high voltage power source can also be referred to as a pulse generator. The DC power supply  114  is also coupled to the micro-controller unit (MCU)  130 . The MCU  130  can be, for example, a Motorola 68HC908 series micro-controller, available from Motorola. Alternatively, any other type of MCU is contemplated. The MCU  130  can receive a signal from the switch S 1  as well as a boost signal from the boost button  216 . The MCU  130  also includes an indicator light  219  which specifies when the electrode assembly is ready to be cleaned. 
     The DC Power Supply  114  is designed to receive the incoming nominal 110VAC and to output a first DC voltage (e.g., 160VDC) to the first HVS  170 . The DC Power Supply  114  voltage (e.g., 160VDC) is also stepped down to a second DC voltage (e.g., 12VDC) for powering the micro-controller unit (MCU)  130 , the HVS  172 , and other internal logic of the system  100 . The voltage is stepped down through a resistor network, transformer or other component. 
     As shown in  FIG. 3A , the first HVS  170  is coupled to the first electrode set  230  and the second electrode set  240  to provide a potential difference between the electrode sets. In one embodiment, the first HVS  170  is electrically coupled to the driver electrode  246 , as described above. In addition, the first HVS  170  is coupled to the MCU  130 , whereby the MCU receives arc sensing signals  128  from the first HVS  170  and provides low voltage pulses  120  to the first HVS  170 . Also shown in  FIG. 3A  is the second HVS  172  which provides a voltage to the trailing electrodes  222 . In addition, the second HVS  172  is coupled to the MCU  130 , whereby the MCU receives arc sensing signals  128  from the second HVS  172  and provides low voltage pulses  120  to the second HVS  172 . 
     In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, the MCU  130  monitors the stepped down voltage (e.g., about 12VDC), which is referred to as the AC voltage sense signal  132  in  FIG. 3A , to determine if the AC line voltage is above or below the nominal 110VAC, and to sense changes in the AC line voltage. For example, if a nominal 110VAC increases by 10% to 121 VAC, then the stepped down DC voltage will also increase by 10%. The MCU  130  can sense this increase and then reduce the pulse width, duty cycle and/or frequency of the low voltage pulses to maintain the output power (provided to the HVS  170 ) to be the same as when the line voltage is at 110VAC. Conversely, when the line voltage drops, the MCU  130  can sense this decrease and appropriately increase the pulse width, duty cycle and/or frequency of the low voltage pulses to maintain a constant output power. Such voltage adjustment features of the present invention also enable the same system  100  to be used in different countries that have different nominal voltages than in the United States (e.g., in Japan the nominal AC voltage is 100VAC). 
       FIG. 3B  illustrates a schematic block diagram of the high voltage power supply in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. For the present description, the first and second HVSs  170 ,  172  include the same or similar components as that shown in  FIG. 3B . However, it is apparent to one skilled in the art that the first and second HVSs  170 ,  172  are alternatively comprised of different components from each other as well as those shown in  FIG. 3B . 
     In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 3B , the HVSs  170 ,  172  include an electronic switch  126 , a step-up transformer  116  and a voltage multiplier  118 . The primary side of the step-up transformer  116  receives the DC voltage from the DC power supply  114 . For the first HVS  170 , the DC voltage received from the DC power supply  114  is approximately 160 Vdc. For the second HVS  172 , the DC voltage received from the DC power supply  114  is approximately 12 Vdc. An electronic switch  126  receives low voltage pulses  120  (of perhaps 20-25 KHz frequency) from the MCU  130 . Such a switch is shown as an insulated gate bipolar transistor (IGBT)  126 . The IGBT  126 , or other appropriate switch, couples the low voltage pulses  120  from the MCU  130  to the input winding of the step-up transformer  116 . The secondary winding of the transformer  116  is coupled to the voltage multiplier  118 , which outputs the high voltage pulses to the electrode(s). For the first HVS  170 , the electrode(s) are the emitter and collector electrode sets  230  and  240 . For the second HVS  172 , the electrode(s) are the trailing electrodes  222 . In general, the IGBT  126  operates as an electronic on/off switch. Such a transistor is well known in the art and does not require a further description. 
     When driven, the first and second HVSs  170 ,  172  receive the low input DC voltage from the DC power supply  114  and the low voltage pulses from the MCU  130  and generate high voltage pulses of preferably at least 5 KV peak-to-peak with a repetition rate of about 20 to 25 KHz. The voltage multiplier  118  in the first HVS  170  outputs between 5 to 9 KV to the first set of electrodes  230  and between −6 to −18 KV to the second set of electrodes  240 . In the preferred embodiment, the emitter electrodes  232  receive approximately 5 to 6 KV whereas the collector electrodes  242  receive approximately −9 to −10 KV. The voltage multiplier  118  in the second HVS  172  outputs approximately −12 KV to the trailing electrodes  222 . In one embodiment, the driver electrodes  246  are preferably connected to ground. It is within the scope of the present invention for the voltage multiplier  118  to produce greater or smaller voltages. The high voltage pulses preferably have a duty cycle of about 10%-15%, but may have other duty cycles, including a 100% duty cycle. 
     The MCU  130  is coupled to a control dial S 1 , as discussed above, which can be set to a LOW, MEDIUM or HIGH airflow setting as shown in  FIG. 3A . The MCU  130  controls the amplitude, pulse width, duty cycle and/or frequency of the low voltage pulse signal to control the airflow output of the system  100 , based on the setting of the control dial S 1 . To increase the airflow output, the MCU  130  can be set to increase the amplitude, pulse width, frequency and/or duty cycle. Conversely, to decrease the airflow output rate, the MCU  130  is able to reduce the amplitude, pulse width, frequency and/or duty cycle. In accordance with one embodiment, the low voltage pulse signal  120  has a fixed pulse width, frequency and duty cycle for the LOW setting, another fixed pulse width, frequency and duty cycle for the MEDIUM setting, and a further fixed pulse width, frequency and duty cycle for the HIGH setting. 
     In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, the low voltage pulse signal  120  modulates between a predetermined duration of a “high” airflow signal and a “low” airflow signal. It is preferred that the low voltage signal modulates between a predetermined amount of time when the airflow is to be at the greater “high” flow rate, followed by another predetermined amount of time in which the airflow is to be at the lesser “low” flow rate. This is preferably executed by adjusting the voltages provided by the first HVS to the first and second sets of electrodes for the greater flow rate period and the lesser flow rate period. This produces an acceptable airflow output while limiting the ozone production to acceptable levels, regardless of whether the control dial S 1  is set to HIGH, MEDIUM or LOW. For example, the “high” airflow signal can have a pulse width of 5 microseconds and a period of 40 microseconds (i.e., a 12.5% duty cycle), and the “low” airflow signal can have a pulse width of 4 microseconds and a period of 40 microseconds (i.e., a 10% duty cycle). 
     In general, the voltage difference between the first set  230  and the second set  240  is proportional to the actual airflow output rate of the system  100 . Thus, the greater voltage differential is created between the first and second set electrodes  230 ,  240  by the “high” airflow signal, whereas the lesser voltage differential is created between the first and second set electrodes  230 ,  240  by the “low” airflow signal. In one embodiment, the airflow signal causes the voltage multiplier  118  to provide between 5 and 9 KV to the first set electrodes  230  and between −9 and −10 KV to the second set electrodes  240 . For example, the “high” airflow signal causes the voltage multiplier  118  to provide 5.9 KV to the first set electrodes  230  and −9.8 KV to the second set electrodes  240 . In the example, the “low” airflow signal causes the voltage multiplier  118  to provide 5.3 KV to the first set electrodes  230  and −9.5 KV to the second set electrodes  240 . It is within the scope of the present invention for the MCU  130  and the first HVS  170  to produce voltage potential differentials between the first and second sets electrodes  230  and  240  other than the values provided above and is in no way limited by the values specified. 
     In accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention, when the control dial S 1  is set to HIGH, the electrical signal output from the MCU  130  will continuously drive the first HVS  170  and the airflow, whereby the electrical signal output modulates between the “high” and “low” airflow signals stated above (e.g. 2 seconds “high” and 10 seconds “low”). When the control dial S 1  is set to MEDIUM, the electrical signal output from the MCU  130  will cyclically drive the first HVS  170  (i.e. airflow is “On”) for a predetermined amount of time (e.g., 20 seconds), and then drop to a zero or a lower voltage for a further predetermined amount of time (e.g., a further 20 seconds). It is to be noted that the cyclical drive when the airflow is “On” is preferably modulated between the “high” and “low” airflow signals (e.g. 2 seconds “high” and 10 seconds “low”), as stated above. When the control dial S 1  is set to LOW, the signal from the MCU  130  will cyclically drive the first HVS  170  (i.e. airflow is “On”) for a predetermined amount of time (e.g., 20 seconds), and then drop to a zero or a lower voltage for a longer time period (e.g., 80 seconds). Again, it is to be noted that the cyclical drive when the airflow is “On” is preferably modulated between the “high” and “low” airflow signals (e.g. 2 seconds “high” and 10 seconds “low”), as stated above. It is within the scope and spirit of the present invention the HIGH, MEDIUM, and LOW settings will drive the first HVS  170  for longer or shorter periods of time. It is also contemplated that the cyclic drive between “high” and “low” airflow signals are durations and voltages other than that described herein. 
     Cyclically driving airflow through the system  100  for a period of time, followed by little or no airflow for another period of time (i.e. MEDIUM and LOW settings) allows the overall airflow rate through the system  100  to be slower than when the dial S 1  is set to HIGH. In addition, cyclical driving reduces the amount of ozone emitted by the system since little or no ions are produced during the period in which lesser or no airflow is being output by the system. Further, the duration in which little or no airflow is driven through the system  100  provides the air already inside the system a longer dwell time, thereby increasing particle collection efficiency. In one embodiment, the long dwell time allows air to be exposed to a germicidal lamp, if present. 
     Regarding the second HVS  172 , approximately 12 volts DC is applied to the second HVS  172  from the DC Power Supply  114 . The second HVS  172  provides a negative charge (e.g. −12 KV) to one or more trailing electrodes  222  in one embodiment. However, it is contemplated that the second HVS  172  provides a voltage in the range of, and including, −10 KV to −60 KV in other embodiments. In one embodiment, other voltages produced by the second HVS  172  are contemplated. 
     In one embodiment, the second HVS  172  is controllable independently from the first HVS  170  (as for example by the boost button  216 ) to allow the user to variably increase or decrease the amount of negative ions output by the trailing electrodes  222  without correspondingly increasing or decreasing the amount of voltage provided to the first and second set of electrodes  230 ,  240 . The second HVS  172  thus provides freedom to operate the trailing electrodes  222  independently of the remainder of the electrode assembly  220  to reduce static electricity, eliminate odors and the like. In addition, the second HVS  172  allows the trailing electrodes  222  to operate at a different duty cycle, amplitude, pulse width, and/or frequency than the electrode sets  230  and  240 . In one embodiment, the user is able to vary the voltage supplied by the second HVS  172  to the trailing electrodes  222  at any time by depressing the button  216 . In one embodiment, the user is able to turn on or turn off the second HVS  172 , and thus the trailing electrodes  222 , without affecting operation of the electrode assembly  220  and/or the germicidal lamp  290 . It should be noted that the second HVS  172  can also be used to control electrical components other than the trailing electrodes  222  (e.g. driver electrodes and germicidal lamp). 
     As mentioned above, the system  100  includes a boost button  216 . In one embodiment, the trailing electrodes  222  as well as the electrode sets  230 ,  240  are controlled by the boost signal from the boost button  216  input into the MCU  130 . In one embodiment, as mentioned above, the boost button  216  cycles through a set of operating settings upon the boost button  216  being depressed. In the example embodiment discussed below, the system  100  includes three operating settings. However, any number of operating settings are contemplated within the scope of the invention. 
     The following discussion presents methods of operation of the boost button  216  which are variations of the methods discussed above. In particular, the system  100  will operate in a first boost setting when the boost button  216  is pressed once. In the first boost setting, the MCU  130  drives the first HVS  170  as if the control dial S 1  was set to the HIGH setting for a predetermined amount of time (e.g., 6 minutes), even if the control dial S 1  is set to LOW or MEDIUM (in effect overriding the setting specified by the dial S 1 ). The predetermined time period may be longer or shorter than 6 minutes. For example, the predetermined period can also preferably be 20 minutes if a higher cleaning setting for a longer period of time is desired. This will cause the system  100  to run at a maximum airflow rate for the predetermined boost time period. In one embodiment, the low voltage signal modulates between the “high” airflow signal and the “low” airflow signal for predetermined amount of times and voltages, as stated above, when operating in the first boost setting. In another embodiment, the low voltage signal does not modulate between the “high” and “low” airflow signals. 
     In the first boost setting, the MCU  130  will also operate the second HVS  172  to operate the trailing electrode  222  to generate ions, preferably negative, into the airflow. In one embodiment, the trailing electrode  222  will preferably repeatedly emit ions for one second and then terminate for five seconds for the entire predetermined boost time period. The increased amounts of ozone from the boost level will further reduce odors in the entering airflow as well as increase the particle capture rate of the system  100 . At the end of the predetermined boost period, the system  100  will return to the airflow rate previously selected by the control dial S 1 . It should be noted that the on/off cycle at which the trailing electrodes  222  operate are not limited to the cycles and periods described above. 
     In the example, once the boost button  216  is pressed again, the system  100  operates in the second setting, which is an increased ion generation or “feel good” mode. In the second setting, the MCU  130  drives the first HVS  170  as if the control dial S 1  was set to the LOW setting, even if the control dial S 1  is set to HIGH or MEDIUM (in effect overriding the setting specified by the dial S 1 ). Thus, the airflow is not continuous, but “On” and then at a lesser or zero airflow for a predetermined amount of time (e.g. 6 minutes). In addition, the MCU  130  will operate the second HVS  172  to operate the trailing electrode  222  to generate negative ions into the airflow. In one embodiment, the trailing electrode  222  will repeatedly emit ions for one second and then terminate for five seconds for the predetermined amount of time. It should be noted that the on/off cycle at which the trailing electrodes  222  operate are not limited to the cycles and periods described above. 
     In the example, upon the boost button  216  being pressed again, the MCU  130  will operate the system  100  in a third operating setting, which is a normal operating mode. In the third setting, the MCU  130  drives the first HVS  170  depending on the which setting the control dial S 1  is set to (e.g. HIGH, MEDIUM or LOW). In addition, the MCU  130  will operate the second HVS  172  to operate the trailing electrode  222  to generate ions, preferably negative, into the airflow at a predetermined interval. In one embodiment, the trailing electrode  222  will repeatedly emit ions for one second and then terminate for nine seconds. In another embodiment, the trailing electrode  222  does not operate at all in this mode. The system  100  will continue to operate in the third setting by default until the boost button  216  is pressed. It should be noted that the on/off cycle at which the trailing electrodes  222  operate are not limited to the cycles and periods described above. 
     In one embodiment, the present system  100  operates in an automatic boost mode upon the system  100  being initially plugged into the wall and/or initially being turned on after being off for a predetermined amount of time. In particular, upon the system  100  being turned on, the MCU  130  automatically drives the first HVS  170  as if the control dial S 1  was set to the HIGH setting for a predetermined amount of time, as discussed above, even if the control dial S 1  is set to LOW or MEDIUM, thereby causing the system  100  to run at a maximum airflow rate for the amount of time. In addition, the MCU  130  automatically operates the second HVS  172  to operate the trailing electrode  222  at a maximum ion emitting rate to generate ions, preferably negative, into the airflow for the same amount of time. This configuration allows the system  100  to effectively clean stale, pungent, and/or polluted air in a room which the system  100  has not been continuously operating in. This feature improves the air quality at a faster rate while emitting negative “feel good” ions to quickly eliminate any odor in the room. Once the system  100  has been operating in the first setting boost mode, the system  100  automatically adjusts the airflow rate and ion emitting rate to the third setting (i.e. normal operating mode). For example, in this initial plug-in or initial turn-on mode, the system can operate in the high setting for 20 minutes to enhance the removal of particulates and to more rapidly clean the air as well as deodorize the room. 
     In addition, the system  100  will include an indicator light which informs the user what mode the system  100  is operating in when the boost button  216  is depressed. In one embodiment, the indicator light is the same as the cleaning indicator light  219  discussed above. In another embodiment, the indicator light is a separate light from the indicator light  219 . For example only, the indicator light will emit a blue light when the system  100  operates in the first setting. In addition, the indicator light will emit a green light when the system  100  operates in the second setting. In the example, the indicator light will not emit a light when the system  100  is operating in the third setting. 
     The MCU  130  provides various timing and maintenance features in one embodiment. For example, the MCU  130  can provide a cleaning reminder feature (e.g., a 2 week timing feature) that provides a reminder to clean the system  100  (e.g., by causing indicator light  219  to turn on amber, and/or by triggering an audible alarm that produces a buzzing or beeping noise). The MCU  130  can also provide arc sensing, suppression and indicator features, as well as the ability to shut down the first HVS  170  in the case of continued arcing. Details regarding arc sensing, suppression and indicator features are described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/625,401 which is incorporated by reference above. 
       FIG. 4  illustrates a perspective view of one embodiment of the electrode assembly  220  in accordance with the present invention. As shown in  FIG. 4 , the electrode assembly  220  comprises a first set  230  of at least one emitter electrode  232 , and further comprises a second set  240  of at least one collector electrode  242 . It is preferred that the number N 1  of emitter electrodes  232  in the first set  230  differ by one relative to the number N 2  of collector electrodes  242  in the second set  240 . Preferably, the system includes a greater number of collector electrodes  242  than emitter electrodes  232 . However, if desired, additional emitter electrodes  232  are alternatively positioned at the outer ends of set  230  such that N 1 &gt;N 2 , e.g., five emitter electrodes  232  compared to four collector electrodes  242 . Alternatively, instead of multiple electrodes, single electrodes or single conductive surfaces are substituted. 
     The material(s) of the electrodes  232  and  242  should conduct electricity and be resistant to the corrosive effects from the application of high voltage, but yet be strong and durable enough to be cleaned periodically. In one embodiment, the emitter electrodes  232  are fabricated from tungsten. Tungsten is sufficiently robust in order to withstand cleaning, has a high melting point to retard breakdown due to ionization, and has a rough exterior surface that promotes efficient ionization. The collector electrodes  242  preferably have a highly polished exterior surface to minimize unwanted point-to-point radiation. As such, the collector electrodes  242  are fabricated from stainless steel and/or brass, among other appropriate materials. The polished surface of electrodes  232  also promotes ease of electrode cleaning. The materials and construction of the electrodes  232  and  242 , allow the electrodes  232 ,  242  to be light weight, easy to fabricate, and lend themselves to mass production. Further, electrodes  232  and  242  described herein promote more efficient generation of ionized air, and appropriate amounts of ozone. 
     As shown in  FIG. 4 , the electrode assembly  220  is electrically connected to the high voltage source unit, such as a high voltage pulse generator  170 . In one embodiment, the positive output terminal of the high voltage source  170  is coupled to the emitter electrodes  232 , and the negative output terminal of high voltage source  170  is coupled to the collector electrodes  242  as shown in  FIG. 4 . This coupling polarity has been found to work well and minimizes unwanted audible electrode vibration or hum. However, while generation of positive ions is conducive to a relatively silent airflow, from a health standpoint it is desired that the output airflow be richer in negative ions than positive ions. It is noted that in some embodiments, one port (preferably the negative port) of the high voltage pulse generator  170  can in fact be the ambient air. Thus, the collector electrodes  242  need not be connected to the high voltage pulse generator  170  using a wire. Nonetheless, there will be an “effective connection” between the collector electrodes  242  and one output port of the high voltage pulse generator  170 , in this instance, via ambient air. Alternatively the negative output terminal of unit  170  is connected to the emitter electrodes  232  and the positive output terminal is connected to the collector electrodes  242 . 
     When voltage or pulses from the high voltage source  170  are generated across the emitter and collector electrodes  232 ,  242 , a plasma-like field is created surrounding the emitter electrodes  232 . This electric field ionizes the ambient air between the emitter and the collector electrodes  232 ,  242  and establishes an “OUT” airflow that moves towards the collector electrodes  242  Ozone and ions are generated simultaneously by the emitter electrodes  232  from the voltage potential provided by the high voltage source  170 . Ozone generation can be increased or decreased by increasing or decreasing the voltage potential at the emitter electrodes  232 . Coupling an opposite polarity potential to the collector electrodes  242  accelerates the motion of ions generated at the emitter electrodes  232 , thereby producing ions. Molecules as well as particulates in the air thus become ionized with the charge emitted by the emitter electrodes  232  as they pass by the electrodes  232 . As the ions and ionized particulates  60  move toward or along the collector electrodes  242 , the opposite polarity of the collector electrodes  242  causes the ionized particles  60  to be attracted and thereby move toward the collector electrodes  242 . Therefore, the collector electrodes  242  collect the ionized particulates  60  in the air, thereby allowing the device  100  to output cleaner, fresher air. 
       FIG. 5  illustrates a plan view schematic of one embodiment of the electrode assembly  220 . Each collector electrode  242  in the embodiment shown in  FIG. 5  includes a nose  243 , two parallel trailing sides  244  and an end  241  opposite the nose  243 . In addition, the electrode assembly  220  includes a set of driver electrodes  246 . The driver electrodes  246  include two sides which are parallel to each other, as well as a front end and a rear end. In another embodiment, the driver electrode is a wire or a series of wires configured in a line. Although two driver electrodes  246  are shown, it is apparent that any number of driver electrodes, including only one, is contemplated within the scope of the present invention. 
     In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 5 , the driver electrodes  246  are located midway, interstitially between the collector electrodes  242 . It is preferred that the driver electrodes  246  are positioned proximal to the trailing end  241  of the collector electrodes  242 , although not necessarily. In one embodiment, the driver electrodes  246  are electrically connected to the positive terminal of the high voltage source  170 , as shown in  FIG. 5 . In another embodiment, the driver electrodes  246  are electrically connected to the emitter electrodes  232 . Alternatively, the driver electrodes  246  have a floating potential or are alternatively grounded. Ionized particles traveling toward the driver electrodes  246  are preferably repelled by the driver electrodes  246  towards the collector electrodes  242 , especially in the embodiment in which the driver electrodes  246  are positively charged. 
     As shown in  FIG. 5 , each insulated driver electrode  246  includes an underlying electrically conductive electrode  253  that is covered by a dielectric material  254 . In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, the electrically conductive electrode  253  is located on a printed circuit board (PCB) covered by one or more additional layers of insulated material  254 . Exemplary insulated PCBs are generally commercially available and may be found from a variety of sources, including for example Electronic Service and Design Corp, of Harrisburg, Pa. Alternatively, the dielectric material  254  could be heat shrink tubing wherein during manufacture, heat shrink tubing is placed over the conductive electrodes  253  and then heated, which causes the tubing to shrink to the shape of the conductive electrodes  253 . An exemplary heat shrinkable tubing is type FP-301 flexible polyolefin tubing available from 3M of St. Paul, Minn. 
     Alternatively, the dielectric material  254  may be an insulating varnish, lacquer or resin. For example, a varnish, after being applied to the surface of a conductive electrode, dries and forms an insulating coat or film, a few mils (thousands of an inch) in thickness, covering the electrodes  253 . The dielectric strength of the varnish or lacquer can be, for example, above 1000 V/mil (Volts per thousands of an inch). Such insulating varnishes, lacquers and resins are commercially available from various sources, such as from John C. Dolph Company of Monmouth Junction, N.J., and Ranbar Electrical Materials Inc. of Manor, Pa. 
     Other possible dielectric materials that can be used to insulate the driver electrodes  246  include ceramic or porcelain enamel or fiberglass. These are just a few examples of dielectric materials  254  that can be used to insulate the driver electrodes  246 . It is within the spirit and scope of the present invention that other insulating dielectric materials  254  can be used to insulate the driver electrodes  246 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 5 , the electrode assembly  220  preferably includes a set of at least one trailing electrode  222  positioned downstream of the collector electrodes  242 . In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 5 , three trailing electrodes  222  are positioned directly downstream and in-line with the collector electrodes  242 . In another embodiment, the trailing electrodes  222  are positioned adjacent to the collector electrodes  242 . In another embodiment, the trailing electrodes  222  are positioned adjacent to the driver electrodes  246 . The trailing electrodes  222  are preferably electrically connected to the negative terminal of the high voltage source  170 , whereby the trailing electrodes  222  promote additional negative ions into the air exiting the unit  100 . The trailing electrodes  222  are configured to be wire shaped and extend substantially along the length of the electrode assembly  220 . The wire shaped trailing electrodes  222  are advantageous, because negative ions are produced along the entire length of the electrode  222 . This production of negative ions along the entire length of the electrode  222  allows more ions to be freely dissipated in the air as the air flows past the electrode assembly  220 . Alternatively, or additionally, the trailing electrode  222  is a triangular shape with pointed ends, instead of a wire. 
       FIG. 6  illustrates a perspective view of the air conditioner device in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. The device  400  of the present invention includes a housing  402 A which is coupled to the base  403 , whereby the housing  402 A preferably stands upright from the base  403  and has a freestanding, elongated shape. The housing  402 A also includes a top surface  436  which includes one or more switches  401  as well as a liftable handle  406 . The switch  401  has already been discussed and it is contemplated that the switch  401  replaces or substitutes switches S 1 , S 2 , S 3  shown in  FIGS. 2A and 2B . The housing  402 A has a cylindrical shape and generally has a front end  432  as well as and a back end  434 . The outlet vent, also referred to as the exhaust grill  402 B, is coupled to the front end  432  of the housing  402 A, and an inlet or intake grill  402 C is coupled to the back end  434  of the housing  402 A. 
     The exhaust grill  402 B and intake grill  402 C preferably include fins which run longitudinally or vertically along the length of the upstanding housing  402 A as shown in  FIGS. 6 and 7A . However, it is contemplated by one skilled in the art that the fins are configured in any other direction and are not limited to the vertical direction. 
     In one embodiment shown in  FIG. 7A , the driver electrodes are removable by removing the exhaust grill  402 B from the housing  402 A. The removable exhaust grill  402 B allows the user convenient access to the electrode assembly  420  as well as to the driver electrodes  246  to clean the electrode assembly  420  and/or other components. The exhaust grill  402 B is removable either partially or completely from the housing  402 A as shown in  FIG. 7A . In particular, the exhaust grill  402 B includes several L-shaped coupling tabs  421  which secure the exhaust grill  402 B to the housing  402 A. The housing  402 A includes a number of receiving slots  423  which are positioned to receive and engage the L-shaped coupling tabs  421  when the exhaust grill  402 B is coupled to the housing  402 A. The exhaust grill  402 B is removed from the housing  402 A by lifting the exhaust grill  402 B in an upward, vertical direction relative to the housing  402 A to raise the L-shape coupling tabs  421  from the corresponding engaging slots  423  on the housing  402 A. Once the L-shaped coupling tabs  421  are disengaged, the user is able to pull the exhaust grill  402 B laterally away from the housing  402 A to expose the electrode assembly  420  within the housing  402 A. In one embodiment, the exhaust grill  402 B is coupled to the housing  402 A by any alternative mechanism. For example only, the exhaust grill  402 B is attached to the housing  402 A on a set of hinges, whereby the exhaust grill  402 B pivotably opens with respect to the housing  402 A to allow access to the electrode assembly. It is preferred that the driver electrodes  246  and collector electrodes  242  are configured to allow the collector electrodes  242  to be vertically lifted while the driver electrodes  246  remain within the housing  402 A. 
       FIG. 7B  illustrates a cutaway view of the back end  434  of the air conditioner device  400  in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. As shown in  FIG. 7B , the electrode assembly  420  is positioned within the housing  402 A and the exhaust grill  402 B is coupled thereto. As shown in  FIG. 7B , the collector electrodes of the electrode assembly  420  preferably includes a top mount  404 A, a bottom mount  404 B, and several collector electrodes  242 ,  246  positioned therebetween. In particular, a number of collector electrodes  242  are coupled to the top mount  404 A and the bottom mount  404 B and positioned therebetween. The collector electrodes  242  are preferably positioned parallel to one another. In addition, as shown in  FIG. 7B , two driver electrodes  246  are located within the housing  402 A and positioned in between the parallel collector electrodes  242 . The collector electrodes  242  and driver electrodes  246  are positioned proximal to the exhaust grill  402 B to cause the air to flow out of the unit  400  through the exhaust grill  402 B. In addition the electrode assembly  420  includes one or more emitter electrodes which are attached to the emitter electrode pillars  410  disposed on the top and bottom mounts  404 A,  404 B, respectively. The emitter electrodes are shown in dashed lines in  FIG. 7B  for clarity purposes. 
       FIG. 8A  illustrates a perspective view of the removable exhaust grill  402 B in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. As shown in  FIG. 8A , the exhaust grill  402 B includes a top end  436  and a bottom end  438 . The grill  402 B preferably has a concave shape. In one embodiment, the length of the exhaust grill  402 B is substantially the height of the elongated housing  402 A, although it is not necessary. The driver electrodes  246  are securely coupled to one or more clips  416  disposed on the interior surface of the exhaust grill  402 B as shown in  FIG. 8A . The clips  416  are located on the inside of the exhaust grill  402 B to position the driver electrodes  246  preferably in between the collector electrodes  242 , as discussed above, when the grill  402 B is coupled to the body  402 A. The driver electrodes  246  are removably coupled to the clips  416  by a friction fit in one embodiment. The driver electrodes  246  are removable from the clips by any other method or mechanism. In one embodiment, the driver electrodes  246  are not removable from the clips  416  of the exhaust grill  402 B. 
     The driver electrodes  246  are preferably coupled to the negative terminal ( FIG. 7B ) or ground of the high voltage generator  170  ( FIG. 3A ) via a pair of conductors located on the top base component  404 A and/or bottom base component  404 B. Alternatively the conductors are positioned elsewhere in the device  400 . The conductors provide voltage to or ground the driver electrodes  246  when the exhaust grill  402 B is coupled to the housing portion  402 A. The conductors come into contact with the driver electrodes  246  when the exhaust grill  402 B is coupled to the housing  402 A. Thus, the driver electrodes  246  are energized or grounded when the exhaust grill  402 B is secured to the housing  402 A. In contrast, the driver electrodes  246  are not energized when the exhaust grill  402 B is removed from the housing  402 A, because the driver electrodes  246  are not in electrical contact with the conductors. This allows the user to clean the driver electrodes  246 . It is apparent to one skilled in that art that any other method is alternatively used to energize the driver electrode  246 . 
     In one embodiment, the grill  402 B includes the set of trailing electrodes  222  which are disposed downstream of the driver electrodes  246  and near the inner surface of the exhaust grill  402 B. An illustration of the trailing electrodes  222  is shown in  FIG. 8B . It should be noted that the trailing electrodes  222  are present in  FIG. 8A , although not shown for clarity purposes. In the embodiment that the driver electrodes  246  are removable from the exhaust grill  402 B, the user is able to access to the trailing electrodes  222  for cleaning purposes. In another embodiment, driver electrodes  246  are not removable and the trailing electrodes  222  include a cleaning mechanism such as a slidable member or the like such as by way of example, a bead (not shown), as described above with respect to cleaning the emitter electrodes  232  in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,350,417 and 6,709,484, which are incorporated by reference above 
     The trailing electrodes  222  are preferably secured to the interior of the exhaust grill  402 B by a number of coils  418 , as shown in  FIGS. 8A and 8B . As shown in  FIGS. 8A and 8B , the coils  418  and the trailing electrodes  222  are preferably coupled to an attaching member of  426 . The attaching member  426  is secured to the inner surface of the exhaust grill  402 B, whereby the attaching member  426  and electrodes  222  remain with the grill  402 B when the grill  402 B is removed from the housing  402 A. Although not shown in the figures, the present invention also includes a set of coils  418  also positioned near the top  436  of the exhaust grill  402 B, whereby the coils  418  hold the trailing electrodes  222  taut against the inside surface of the exhaust grill  402 B. Alternatively, the length of the trailing electrodes  222  are longer than the distance between the coils  418  on opposite ends of the exhaust grill  402 B. Therefore, the trailing electrodes  222  are slack against the inside surface of the exhaust grill  402 B. Although three sets of coils  418  and three trailing electrodes  222  are shown in  FIGS. 8A and 8B , it contemplated that any number of trailing electrodes  222 , including only one trailing electrode, is alternatively used. 
     The attaching member  426  is preferably conductive and electrically connects the trailing electrodes  222  to the high voltage generator  172  ( FIG. 3A ) when the exhaust grill  402 B is coupled to the housing  402 A. The attaching member  426  comes into contact with a terminal of the high voltage generator  170  when the exhaust grill  402 B is coupled to the housing  402 A. Thus, the trailing electrodes  222  are energized when the exhaust grill  402 B is secured to the housing  402 A. In contrast, the trailing electrodes  222  are not energized when the exhaust grill  402 B is removed from the housing  402 A, because the attaching member  426  is not in electrical contact with the generator  172 . This allows the user to clean the trailing electrodes  222 . It is apparent to one skilled in that art that any other method is alternatively used to energize the trailing electrodes  222 . 
     Although the trailing electrodes  222  are shown coupled to the interior surface of the exhaust grill  402 B, the trailing electrodes  222  are alternatively configured to be free-standing downstream from the collector electrodes  242 . Thus, the trailing electrodes  222  remain stationary with respect to the housing  402 A when the exhaust grill  402 B and/or the collector electrodes of the electrode assembly  420  is removed from the unit  400 . In one embodiment, the freestanding trailing electrodes  222  are attached to a set of brackets, whereby the brackets are removable from within the housing  402 A. Alternatively, the brackets are secured to the housing, and the trailing electrodes  222  are not removable from within the housing  402 A. 
     In operation, once the exhaust grill  402 B is removed from the housing  402 A, the user is able to remove the driver electrodes  246  from the clips  416  by simply pulling on the driver electrodes  246 . Alternatively, the driver electrodes  246  are disengaged from the clips  416  by any other appropriate known method or mechanism. Alternatively, the driver electrodes  246  are secured to the exhaust grill  402 B and can be cleaned as secured to the exhaust grill  402 B. As stated above, in one embodiment, the user is also able to clean the trailing electrodes  222  ( FIG. 8B ) once the driver electrodes  246  are disengaged from the clips  416 . 
     With the exhaust grill  402 B removed, the electrode assembly  420  within the housing  402 A is exposed. In one embodiment, the user is able to clean the emitter  232  and the collector electrodes  242  while the electrodes are positioned within the housing  402 A. In one embodiment, the user is able to vertically lift the handle  406  and pull the collector electrodes  240  of the electrode assembly  420  telescopically out through the upper portion of the housing  402 A without having to remove the exhaust grill  402 B. The user is thereby able to completely remove the collector electrodes  240  of the electrode assembly  420  from the housing portion  402 A and have complete access to the collector electrodes  242 . Once the collector electrodes  242  are cleaned, the user is then able to re-insert the collector electrodes  240  of the electrode assembly  420  vertically downwards, with the assistance of gravity, into the housing portion of  402 A until the collector electrodes  240  of the electrode assembly  420  is secured inside the housing portion  402 A. With the driver electrodes  246  secured to the exhaust grill  402 B, the user is able to couple the exhaust grill  402 B to the housing portion  402 A in the manner discussed above. Thus, it is apparent that the collector electrodes  240  of the electrode assembly  420  and the exhaust grill  402 B are independently removable from the housing  402 A to clean the electrodes. In one embodiment, the electrode assembly  420  includes a mechanism which includes a flexible member and a slot for capturing and cleaning the emitter electrode  232  whenever the electrode assembly  420  is inserted and/or removed. More detail regarding the mechanism is provided in U.S. Pat. No. 6,709,484 which was incorporated by reference above. 
       FIGS. 9A and 9B  illustrate another embodiment of the air conditioner device  500  in accordance with the present invention. The embodiment shown in  FIG. 9A  is similar to the device  400  described in  FIGS. 6-8B . However, the driver electrodes  246  in the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 9A-10B  are removably secured to the collector electrode assembly  540  and are removable from the housing  502 A with the collector electrode assembly  540 . In one embodiment, the exhaust grill is not removable from the housing portion  502 A. In another embodiment, the exhaust grill is removable from the housing portion  502 A in the manner described above in regards to  FIGS. 6-8B . 
     In the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 9A-100B , the collector electrode assembly  540  is removable from the unit  500  by lifting the handle  506  in a vertical direction and pulling the collector electrode assembly  540  telescopically out of the housing  502 A. The driver electrodes  246  are then removable from the collector electrode assembly  540  after the collector electrode assembly  540  has been removed from the unit  500 , as will be discussed below. 
       FIG. 10A  illustrates a perspective view of the collector electrode assembly  540  in accordance with the present invention. As shown in  FIG. 10A , the collector electrode assembly  540  comprises the set of collector electrodes  242  and the set of driver electrodes  246  positioned adjacent to the collector electrodes  242 . As shown in  FIG. 10A , the collector electrodes  242  are coupled to a top mount  504 A and a bottom mount  504 B, whereby the mounts  504 A,  504 B preferably arrange the collector electrodes  242  in a fixed, parallel configuration. The liftable handle  506  is coupled to the top mount  504 A. The top and bottom mounts  504 A,  504 B are designed to allow the collector electrodes  242  to be inserted and removed from the device  500 . The top and/or the bottom mounts  504 A,  504 B include one or more contact terminals which electrically connect the collector electrodes  242  to the high voltage source  170  when the collector electrodes  242  are inserted in the housing  502 A. It is preferred that the contact terminals come out of contact with the corresponding terminals within the housing  502 A when the collector electrodes  242  are removed from the housing  502 A. 
     In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 10A , three collector electrodes  242  are positioned between the top mount  504 A and the bottom mount  504 B. However, any number of collector electrodes  242  are alternatively positioned between the top mount  504 A and the bottom mount  504 B. The collector and driver electrodes  242 ,  246 , as shown in  FIGS. 10A and 10B , are preferably symmetrical about the vertical axis, which is designated as the axis parallel to the electrodes  242 ,  246  in one embodiment. Alternatively, or additionally, the collector and driver electrodes  242 ,  246  are symmetrical about the horizontal axis, which is designated as the axis perpendicular and across the electrodes  242 ,  246 . It is apparent to one skilled in the art that the electrode assembly is alternatively non-symmetrical with respect to the vertical and/or the horizontal axis. 
     In addition as shown in  FIG. 10A , a set of driver electrodes  246  are positioned between a top driver mount  516 A and a bottom driver mount  516 B. Although two driver electrodes  246  are shown between the top driver mount  516 A and a bottom driver mount  516 B, any number of driver electrodes  246 , including only one driver electrode, is contemplated. The top driver mount  516 A and bottom driver mount  516 B are configured to allow the driver electrodes  246  to be removable from the collector electrodes  242 , as discussed below. The top and bottom driver mounts  516 A and  516 B preferably include a set of contact terminals which deliver voltage from the high voltage pulse generator  170  ( FIGS. 4 and 5 ) to the driver electrodes  246  when the driver electrodes  246  are coupled to the collector electrodes  242 . Alternatively, the driver electrodes  246  are grounded. Accordingly, the top and/or bottom driver mounts  516 A,  516 B include contact terminals which come into contact with the contact terminals of the mount(s)  504  when the driver electrodes  246  are coupled to the collector electrodes  242 . 
     The collector electrode assembly  540  includes a release mechanism  518  located in the top mount  504 A in one embodiment. The release mechanism  518 , when depressed, releases the locking mechanism which secures the top and bottom driver mounts  516 A,  516 B to the top and bottom mounts  504 A,  504 B. Any appropriate type of locking mechanism is contemplated and is well known in the art. In one embodiment, the release mechanism  518  unfastens the top driver mount  516 A from the collector electrode assembly  540 , allowing the top driver mount  516 A to pivot out and release the bottom driver mount  516 B from a protrusion that the bottom driver mount  516 B is fitted over and held in place by. Thus, the driver electrodes  246  are removable as shown in  FIG. 10B . Alternatively, the bottom driver mount  516 B includes protrusions  517  that can retain the driver electrodes in the bottom mount  504 B of the collector electrode array  540 . In another embodiment, the driver electrodes  246  are removed from the collector electrode assembly  540  by being slid in a direction perpendicular to the elongated length of the collector electrode assembly  540  as shown in  FIG. 10B . It is apparent that the release mechanism  518  is alternatively located elsewhere in the collector electrode assembly  540 . As shown in  FIG. 10B , the driver electrodes  246  are removable by lifting or pulling the driver electrodes  246  from the collector electrodes  242  upon activating the release mechanism  518 . In particular, the top and/or bottom driver mounts  516 A,  516 B are lifted from the top and bottom mounts  504 A,  504 B, respectively. The removed driver electrodes  246  are then able to be easily cleaned. In addition, the removal of the driver electrodes  246  increases the amount of space between the collector electrodes  242 , thereby allowing the user to easily clean the collector electrodes  242 . 
     In one embodiment, securing the driver electrodes  246  to the top and bottom mounts  504 A,  504 B, the user aligns the bottom driver mount  516 B with the bottom mount  504 B. Once aligned, the user pivots the top driver mount  516 A toward the top mount  504 A until the locking mechanism engages the corresponding feature(s) in the top and/or bottom mounts. The driver electrodes  246  are then secured to the rest of the collector electrode assembly  540 , whereby the electrode assembly  520  is then able to be inserted back into the housing  502 A as one piece. In another embodiment, the driver electrodes  246  are secured to the top and bottom mounts  504 A,  504 B by aligning the top and bottom driver mounts  516 A,  516 B with the top and bottom mounts  504 A,  504 B and laterally inserting the top and bottom driver mounts  516 A,  516 B into the receptacles of the top and bottom mounts  504 A,  504 B until the locking mechanism engages the corresponding feature(s) in the top and/or bottom mounts  504 A, 504 B 
     As stated above, the driver electrodes  246  are preferably symmetrical about the vertical and/or horizontal axis. In one embodiment, the top and bottom driver mounts  516 A,  516 B are configured such that the driver electrodes  246  are able to be reversibly coupled to the top and bottom mounts  504 A,  504 B. Thus, the bottom driver mount  516 B would couple to the top mount  504 A, and the top driver mount  516 A would couple to the bottom mount  504 B. This feature allows the driver electrodes  246  to properly operate irrespective of whether the driver electrodes  246  are right-side-up or upside down. In another embodiment, less than all of the driver electrodes  246  are removable from the mounts  504 A,  504 B, whereby one or more of the driver electrodes  246  are independently removable from one another. 
     In another embodiment, the driver electrodes  246  removable from the collector electrodes  242  without first removing the entire collector electrode assembly  540  from the housing  502 A. For example, the user can remove the exhaust grill  402 B ( FIG. 8A ) and depress the release mechanism  518 , whereby the driver electrodes  246  are pulled out through the front of the housing  502 A. The user is then able to clean the collector electrodes  242  still positioned with the housing  502 A. The user is also alternatively able to then lift the collector electrodes  242  out of the housing  502 A by lifting the handle  506  as discussed above. 
     The foregoing description of preferred and alternative embodiments of the present invention has been provided for the purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the relevant arts. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application, thereby enabling others skilled in the art to understand the invention for various embodiments and with various modifications that are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is intended that the scope of the invention be defined by the claims and their equivalence.