Patent Publication Number: US-2006018810-A1

Title: Air conditioner device with 3/2 configuration and individually removable driver electrodes

Description:
CLAIM OF PRIORITY  
      The present application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. 119(e) to co-pending U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/590,960, filed Jul. 23, 2004, entitled “Air Conditioner Device With Individually Removable Driver Electrodes,” (Attorney Docket No. SHPR-01361USQ) 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” (Attorney Docket No. SHPR-01041USN);  
      U.S. Pat. No. 6,176,977, entitled “Electro-Kinetic Air Transporter-Conditioner” (Attorney Docket No. SHPR-01041US0);  
      U.S. Pat. No. 6,544,485, entitled “Electro-Kinetic Device with Anti Microorganism Capability” (Attorney Docket No. SHPR-01028US0);  
      U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/074,347, filed Feb. 12, 2002, and entitled “Electro-Kinetic Air Transporter-Conditioner Device with Enhanced Housing” (Attorney Docket No. SHPR-01028US5);  
      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” (Attorney Docket No. SHPR-01414US1);  
      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” (Attorney Docket No. SHPR-01361USB);  
      U.S. Pat. No. 6,350,417 issued May 4, 2000, entitled “Electrode Self Cleaning Mechanism For Electro-Kinetic Air Transporter-Conditioner” (Attorney Docket No. SHPR-01041US1);  
      U.S. Pat. No. 6,709,484, issued Mar. 23, 2004, entitled “Electrode Self-Cleaning Mechanism For Electro-Kinetic Air Transporter Conditioner Devices (Attorney Docket No. SHPR-01041US5);  
      U.S. Pat. No. 6,350,417 issued May 4, 2000, and entitled “Electrode Self Cleaning Mechanism For Electro-Kinetic Air Transporter-Conditioner” (Attorney Docket No. SHPR-01041US1);  
      U.S. Patent Application No. 60/590,688, filed Jul. 23, 2004, entitled “Air Conditioner Device With Removable Driver Electrodes” (Attorney Docket No. SHPR-01361USA);  
      U.S. Patent Application No. 60/590,735, filed Jul. 23, 2004, entitled “Air Conditioner Device With Variable Voltage Controlled Trailing Electrodes” (Attorney Docket No. SHPR-01361USG);  
      U.S. Patent Application No. 60/590,445, filed Jul. 23, 2004, entitled “Air Conditioner Device With Enhanced Germicidal Lamp” (Attorney Docket No. SHPR-01361USR);  
      U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______, filed Dec. 3, 2004, entitled “Air Conditioner Device With Enhanced Germicidal Lamp” (Attorney Docket No. SHPR-01361USY);  
      U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______, filed Dec. 3, 2004, entitled “Air Conditioner Device With Removable Driver Electrodes” (Attorney Docket No. SHPR-01414US7);  
      U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______, filed Dec. 3, 2004, entitled “Air Conditioner Device With Variable Voltage Controlled Trailing Electrodes” (Attorney Docket No. SHPR-01414US8);  
      U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______, filed Dec. 3, 2004, entitled “Air Conditioner Device With Individually Removable Driver Electrodes” (Attorney Docket No. SHPR-01414US9);  
      U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______, filed Dec. 3, 2004, entitled “Air Conditioner Device With Enhanced Germicidal Lamp” (Attorney Docket No. SHPR-01414USA); and  
      U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______, filed Dec. 3, 2004, entitled “Air Conditioner Device With Removable Driver Electrodes” (Attorney Docket No. SHPR-01414USB). 
    
    
     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 technique 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  FIGS. 1A and 1B , which is hereby incorporated by reference. System  10  includes an array of first (“emitter”) electrodes or conductive surfaces  20  that are spaced-apart 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.  
      The high voltage pulses ionize the air between the arrays  20 ,  30  and create an airflow  50  from the first array  20  toward the second array  30 , without requiring any moving parts. Particulate matter  60  entrained within the airflow  50  also moves towards the second electrodes  30 . Much of the particulate matter is electrostatically attracted to the surfaces of the second electrodes  30 , where it remains, thus conditioning the flow of air that is exiting the system  10 . Further, the high voltage field present between the electrode sets releases ozone O 3 , into the ambient environment, which eliminates odors that are entrained in the airflow.  
      In the particular embodiment of  FIG. 1A , the first electrodes  20  are circular in cross-section, having a diameter of about 0.003″ (0.08 mm), whereas the second electrodes  30  are substantially larger in area and define a “teardrop” shape in cross-section. The ratio of cross-sectional radii of curvature between the bulbous front nose of the second electrode  30  and the first electrodes  20  exceeds 10:1. As shown in  FIG. 1A , the bulbous front surfaces of the second electrodes  30  face the first electrodes  20 , and the somewhat “sharp” trailing edges face the exit direction of the airflow. In another particular embodiment shown herein as  FIG. 1B , second electrodes  30  are 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. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES  
       FIG. 1A  illustrates a plan, cross-sectional view, of a prior art electro-kinetic air transporter-conditioner system.  
       FIG. 1B  illustrates a plan, cross-sectional view of a prior art electro-kinetic air transporter-conditioner system.  
       FIG. 2  illustrates a perspective view of the device in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.  
       FIG. 3  illustrates a plan view of the electrode assembly in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.  
       FIG. 4  illustrates a side view of the driver electrode in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.  
       FIG. 5A  illustrates an electrical block diagram of the high voltage power source of one embodiment of the present invention.  
       FIG. 5B  illustrates an electrical block diagram of the high voltage power source in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.  
       FIG. 6  illustrates an exploded view of the device shown in  FIG. 2  in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.  
       FIG. 7  illustrates a perspective view of the collector electrode assembly in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.  
       FIG. 8A  illustrates a perspective view of the air-conditioner device with collector electrodes removed in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.  
       FIG. 8B  illustrates an exploded view of the air-conditioner device with collector electrodes and driver electrodes removed in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.  
       FIG. 8C  illustrates a cross-sectional view of the air-conditioner device in  FIG. 8A  along line C-C in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.  
       FIG. 9  illustrates a perspective view of the front grill with trailing electrodes thereon in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION  
      An air transporting and/or conditioning device comprising a housing having an inlet and outlet grill, an emitter electrode configured within the housing, a collector electrode configured within the housing and positioned downstream from the emitter electrode, and a driver electrode removable from the housing independent of the collector electrode and the grills. The driver electrode is preferably removable from the housing through a side portion of the housing. Preferably, the driver electrode is insulated with a dielectric material and/or a catalyst. Preferably, a removable trailing electrode is configured within the housing and downstream of the collector electrode. Preferably, a first voltage source electrically is coupled to the emitter electrode and the collector electrode, and a second voltage source electrically is coupled to the trailing electrode. The second voltage source is independently and selectively controllable of the first voltage source.  
       FIG. 2  depicts one embodiment of the air transporter-conditioner system  100  whose housing  102  preferably includes a removable rear-located intake grill  104 , a removable front-located exhaust grill  106 , and a base pedestal  108 . Alternatively, a single grill provides both an air intake and an air exhaust with an air inlet channel and an air exhaust channel communicating with the grill and the air movement system within. The housing  102  is preferably freestanding and/or upstandingly vertical and/or elongated. Internal to the transporter housing  102  is an ion generating unit  220  ( FIG. 3 ), also referred to as an electrode assembly, which is preferably powered by an AC:DC power supply that is energizable or excitable using a switch S 1 . S 1  is conveniently located at the top  124  of the housing  102 . Located preferably on top  124  of the housing  102  is a boost button  216  which can boost the ion output of the system, as will be discussed below. The ion generating unit  220  ( FIG. 3 ) is self-contained in that, other than ambient air, nothing is required from beyond the housing  102 , save external operating potential, for operation of the present invention. In one embodiment, a fan is utilized to supplement and/or replace the movement of air caused by the operation of the electrode assembly  220  ( FIG. 3 ), as described below. In one embodiment, the system  100  includes a germicidal lamp ( FIG. 3 ) which reduces the amount of microorganisms exposed to the lamp when passed through the system  100 . The germicidal lamp  290  ( FIG. 5A ) is preferably a UV-C lamp that emits radiation having wavelength of about 254 nm, which is effective in diminishing or destroying bacteria, germs, and viruses to which it is exposed. More detail regarding the germicidal lamp is described in the U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/074,347, which is incorporated by reference above. In another embodiment, the system  100  does not utilize the germicidal lamp  290 .  
      The general shape of the housing  102  in the embodiment shown in  FIG. 2  is that of an oval cross-section. Alternatively, the housing  102  includes a differently shaped cross-section such as, but not limited to, a rectangular shape, a figure-eight shape, an egg shape, a tear-drop shape, or circular shape. As will become apparent later, the housing  102  is shaped to contain the air movement system. In one embodiment, the air movement system is the ion generator  220  ( FIG. 3 ), as discussed below. Alternatively, or additionally, the air movement system is a fan or other appropriate mechanism.  
      Both the inlet and the outlet grills  104 ,  106  are covered by fins, also referred to as louvers  134 . In accordance with one embodiment, each fin  134  is a thin ridge spaced-apart from the next fin  134 , so that each fin  134  creates minimal resistance as air flows through the housing  102 . As shown in  FIG. 2 , the fins  134  are vertical and are directed along the elongated vertical upstanding housing  102  of the system  100 , in one embodiment. Alternatively, the fins  134  are perpendicular to the elongated housing  102  and are configured horizontally. In one embodiment, the inlet and outlet fins  134  are aligned to give the unit a “see through” appearance. Thus, a user can “see through” the system  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  134  and electrodes are contemplated in other embodiments, such as a configuration in which the user is unable to see through the system  100  which contains the germicidal lamp  290  ( FIG. 5A ) therein, but without seeing the direct radiation from the lamp  290 . More details regarding this configuration are described in the U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/074,347 which is incorporated by reference above. There is preferably no distinction between grills  104  and  106 , except their location relative to the collector electrodes  242  ( FIG. 6 ). Alternatively, the grills  104  and  106  are configured differently and are distinct from one another. The grills  104 ,  106  serve to ensure that an adequate flow of ambient air is drawn into or made available to the system  100  and that an adequate flow of ionized air that includes appropriate amounts of ozone flows out from the system  100  via the exhaust grill  106 .  
      When the system  100  is energized by activating switch S 1 , high voltage or high potential output by the ion generator  220  produces at least ions within the system  100 . The “IN” notation in FIG.  2  denotes the intake of ambient air with particulate matter  60  through the inlet grill  104 . The “OUT” notation in  FIG. 2  denotes the outflow of cleaned air through the exhaust grill  106  substantially devoid of the particulate matter  60 . It is desired to provide the inner surface of the housing  102  with an electrostatic shield to reduce detectable electromagnetic radiation. For example, a metal shield is disposed within the housing  102 , or portions of the interior of the housing  102  are alternatively coated with a metallic paint.  
       FIG. 3  illustrates a plan view of the electrode assembly in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. The electrode assembly  220  is shown to include the first electrode set  230 , having the emitter electrodes  232 , and the second electrode set  240 , having the collector electrodes  242 , preferably downstream from the first electrode set  230 . In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 3 , the electrode assembly  220  also includes a set of driver electrodes  246  located interstitially between the collector electrodes  242 . It is preferred that the electrode assembly  220  additionally includes a set of trailing electrodes  222  downstream from the collector electrodes  242 . It is preferred that the number Ni 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. It is apparent that other numbers and arrangements of emitter electrodes  232 , collector electrodes  244 , trailing electrodes  222  and driver electrodes  246  are alternatively configured in the electrode assembly  220  in other embodiments.  
      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 preferably 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. 3 , one embodiment of the present invention includes a first high voltage source (HVS)  170  and a second high power voltage source  172 . The positive output terminal of the first HVS  170  is coupled to the emitter electrodes  232  in the first electrode set  230 , and the negative output terminal of first HVS  170  is coupled to collector electrodes  242 . This coupling polarity has been found to work well and minimizes unwanted audible electrode vibration or hum. It is noted that in some embodiments, one port, such as the negative port, of the high voltage power supply can in fact be the ambient air. Thus, the electrodes  242  in the second set  240  need not be connected to the first HVS  170  using a wire. Nonetheless, there will be an “effective connection” between the collector electrodes  242  and one output port of the first HVS  170 , in this instance, via ambient air. Alternatively the negative output terminal of first HVS  170  is connected to the first electrode set  230  and the positive output terminal is connected to the second electrode set  240 .  
      When voltage or pulses from the first HVS  170  are generated across the first and second electrode sets  230  and  240 , a plasma-like field is created surrounding the electrodes  232  in first set  230 . This electric field ionizes the ambient air between the first and the second electrode sets  230 , 240  and establishes an “OUT” airflow that moves towards the second electrodes  240 , which is herein referred to as the ionization region. It is understood that the IN flow preferably enters via grill(s)  104  and that the OUT flow exits via grill(s)  106  as shown in  FIG. 2 .  
      Ozone and ions are generated simultaneously by the first electrodes  232  as a function of the voltage potential from the HVS  170 . Ozone generation is increased or decreased by respectively increasing or decreasing the voltage potential at the first electrode set  230 . Coupling an opposite polarity voltage potential to the second electrodes  242  accelerates the motion of ions from the first set  230  to the second set  240 , thereby producing the airflow in the ionization region. 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 move toward the second set  240 , the ions and ionized particles push or move air molecules toward the second set  240 . The relative velocity of this motion is increased, by way of example, by increasing the voltage potential at the second set  240  relative to the potential at the first set  230 . Therefore, the collector electrodes  242  collect the ionized particulates in the air, thereby allowing the device  100  to output cleaner, fresher air.  
      As shown in the embodiment in  FIG. 3 , at least one output trailing electrode  222  is electrically coupled to the second HVS  172 . The trailing electrode  222  generates a substantial amount of negative ions, because the electrode  222  is coupled to relatively negative high potential. In one embodiment, the trailing electrode(s)  222  is a wire positioned downstream from the second electrodes  242 . In one embodiment, the electrode  222  has a pointed shape in the side profile, e.g., a triangle. Alternatively, at least a portion of the trailing edge in the second electrode  242  has a pointed electrode region which emits the supplemental negative ions, as described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/074,347 which is incorporated by reference above.  
      The negative ions produced by the trailing electrode  222  neutralize excess positive ions otherwise present in the output airflow, such that the OUT flow has a net negative charge. The trailing electrodes  222  are preferably made of stainless steel, copper, or other conductor material. The inclusion of one electrode  222  has been found sufficient to provide a sufficient number of output negative ions. However, multiple trailing wire electrodes  222  are utilized in another embodiment.  
      When the trailing electrodes  222  are electrically connected to the negative terminal of the second HVS  172 , the positively charged particles within the airflow will be attracted to and collect on the trailing electrodes  222 . In a typical electrode assembly with no trailing electrode  222 , most of the particles will collect on the surface area of the collector electrodes  242 . However, some particles will pass through the system  100  without being collected by the collector electrodes  242 . The trailing electrodes  222  can also serve as a second surface area to collect the positively charged particles. In addition, the energized trailing electrodes  222  can energize any remaining un-ionized particles leaving the air conditioner system  100 . While the energized particles are not collected by the collector electrode  242 , they may be collected by other surfaces in the immediate environment in which collection will reduce the particles in the air in that environment.  
      The use of the driver electrodes  246  increase the particle collection efficiency of the electrode assembly  220  and reduces the percentage of particles that are not collected by the collector electrode  242 . This is due to the driver electrode  246  pushing particles in air flow toward the inside surface  244  of the adjacent collector electrode(s)  242 , which is referred to herein as the collecting region. The driver electrode  246  is preferably insulated which further increases particle collection efficiency as discussed below.  
      It is preferred that the collecting region between the driver electrode  246  and the collector electrode  242  does not interfere with the ionization region between the emitter electrode  232  and the collector electrode  242 . If this were to occur, the electric field in the collecting region might reduce the intensity of the electric field in the ionization region, thereby reducing the production of ions and slowing down the airflow rate. Accordingly, the leading end (i.e., upstream end) of the driver electrode  246  is preferably set back (i.e., downstream) from the leading end of the collector electrode  242  as shown in  FIG. 3 . The downstream end of the driver electrode  246  is even with the downstream end of the collector electrode  242  as shown in  FIG. 3 . Alternatively, the downstream end the driver electrode  246  is positioned slightly upstream or downstream from the downstream end of the collector electrode  242 .  
      The emitter electrode  232  and the driver electrode  246  may or may not be at the same voltage potential, depending on which embodiment of the present invention is practiced. When the emitter electrode  232  and the driver electrode  246  are at the same voltage potential, there will be no arcing which occurs between the emitter electrode  232  and the driver electrode  246 .  
      As stated above, the system of the present invention will also produces ozone ( 03 ). In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, ozone production is reduced by preferably coating the internal surfaces of the housing with an ozone reducing catalyst. In one embodiment, the driver electrodes  246  are coated with an ozone reducing catalyst. Exemplary ozone reducing catalysts include manganese dioxide and activated carbon. Commercially available ozone reducing catalysts such as PremAir™ manufactured by Englehard Corporation of Iselin, N.J., is alternatively used. Some ozone reducing catalysts are electrically conductive, while others are not electrically conductive (e.g., manganese dioxide). Preferably the ozone reducing catalysts should have a dielectric strength of at least 1000 V/mil (one-hundredth of an inch).  
       FIG. 4  illustrates a side view of an insulated driver electrode  246  in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. The driver electrode  246  is preferably plate shaped and has a top end  260  and a bottom end  262  in one embodiment. As shown in  FIG. 4 , near the top end  260  is a receiving hook  263  which allows the driver electrode  246  to be attached to the housing  102 . In addition, near the bottom end  262  is a detent  265  which secures the driver electrode  246  within the housing and prevents the driver electrode  246  from pivoting. In another embodiment, the driver electrode  246  comprises a series of conductive wires arranged in a line parallel to the collector electrodes  242  as discussed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,176,977, which is incorporated by reference above.  
      As shown in  FIG. 4 , the insulated driver electrode  246  includes an electrically conductive electrode  253  that is coated with an insulating dielectric material  254 . In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, the driver electrode is made of a non-conducting substrate such as a printed circuit board (PCB) having a conductive member which is preferably covered by one or more additional layers of insulated material  254 . Exemplary insulated PCBs are generally commercially available and maybe found from a variety of sources, including for example Electronic Service and Design Corp, of Harrisburg, Pa. In embodiments where the driver electrode  246  is not insulated, the driver electrode  246  simply includes the electrically conductive electrode  253 . In one embodiment, the insulated driver electrode  246  includes a contact terminal  256  along the top end  260 . In another embodiment, the terminal  256  is located along the bottom end  262  or elsewhere in the driver electrode  246 . The terminal  256  electrically connects the driver electrode  246  to a voltage potential (e.g. HVS), and alternatively to ground. The electrically conductive electrode  253  is preferably connected to the terminal  256  by one or more conductive trace lines  258  as shown in  FIG. 4 . Alternatively, the electrically conductive electrode  253  is directly in contact with the terminal  256 .  
      In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, the insulating dielectric material  254  is a heat shrink material. During manufacture, the heat shrink material is placed over the electrically conductive electrode  253  and then heated, which causes the material to shrink to the shape of the conductive electrode  253 . An exemplary heat shrinkable material is type FP-301 flexible polyolefin material available from 3M® of St. Paul, Minn. It should be noted that any other appropriate heat shrinkable material is also contemplated. In another embodiment, the dielectric material  254  is an insulating varnish, lacquer or resin. For example only, a varnish, after being applied to the surface of the underlying electrode  253 , dries and forms an insulating coat or film which is a few mil (thousands of an inch) in thickness. The dielectric strength of the varnish or lacquer can be, for example, above 1000 V/mil. Such insulating varnishes, lacquer 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  254  that can be used to insulate the driver electrode  253  include, but are not limited to, ceramic, porcelain enamel or fiberglass.  
      The extent that the voltage difference (and thus, the electric field) between the collector electrodes  242  and un-insulated driver electrodes  246  can be increased beyond a certain voltage potential difference is limited due to arcing which may occur. However, with the insulated drivers  246 , the voltage potential difference that can be applied between the collector electrodes  242  and the driver electrodes  246  without arcing is significantly increased. The increased potential difference results in an increased electric field, which also significantly increases particle collecting efficiency.  
      In one embodiment, the driver electrodes  246  are electrically connected to ground as shown in  FIG. 3 . Although the grounded drivers  246  do not receive a charge from either the first or second HVS  170 ,  172 , the drivers  246  may still deflect positively charged particles toward the collector electrodes  242 . In another embodiment, the driver electrodes  246  are positively charged. In particular, the drivers  246  are electrically coupled to the positive terminal of either the first or second HVS  170 ,  172 . The emitter electrodes  232  apply a positive charge to particulates passing by the electrodes  232 . In order to clean the air of particles, it is desirable that the particles stick to the collector electrode  242  (which can later be cleaned). The electric fields which are produced between the driver electrodes  246  and the collector electrodes  242  will thus push the positively charged particles toward the collector electrodes  204 . Generally, the greater this electric field between the driver electrodes  246  and the collector electrodes  242 , the greater the migration velocity and the particle collection efficiency of the electrode assembly  220 . In yet another embodiment, the driver electrodes  246  are electrically coupled to the negative terminal of either the first or second HVS  170 ,  172 , whereby the driver electrodes  246  are preferably charged at a voltage that is less than the negatively charged collector electrodes  242 .  
       FIG. 5A  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 110 VAC. An electromagnetic interference (EM) filter  110  is placed across the incoming nominal 110 VAC 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. 5A  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 110 VAC and to output a first DC voltage (e.g., 160 VDC) to the first HVS  170 . The DC Power Supply  114  voltage (e.g., 160 VDC) is also stepped down to a second DC voltage (e.g., 12 VDC) 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. 5A , 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. 5A  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 , where by 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 12 VDC), which is referred to as the AC voltage sense signal  132  in.  FIG. 5A , to determine if the AC line voltage is above or below the nominal 110 VAC, and to sense changes in the AC line voltage. For example, if a nominal 110 VAC 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 110 VAC. 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 100 VAC).  
       FIG. 5B  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. 5B . 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. 5B .  
      In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 5B , 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. 5A . 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. 6  illustrates an exploded view of the system  100  in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. As shown in the embodiment in  FIG. 6 , the upper surface of housing  102  includes a user-liftable handle member  112  to lift the collector electrodes  242  from the housing  102 . In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 6 , the lifting member  112  lifts the collector electrodes  242  upward, thereby causing the collector electrodes  242  to telescope out of the aperture  126  in the top surface  124  of the housing  102  and, and if desired, out of the system  100  for cleaning. In addition, the driver electrodes  246  are removable from the housing  102  horizontally, as shown in  FIG. 8B . In one embodiment, the driver electrodes  246  are exposed within the housing  102  when the exhaust grill  106  is removed from the housing  102 . In another embodiment, the driver electrodes  246  are exposed within the housing  102  when the inlet grill  104  and preferably the collector electrodes  242  are removed from the housing  102 . When exposed within the housing  102 , the driver electrodes  246  are removed in a lateral direction, whereby the driver electrodes  246  are removable independent of the collector electrodes  242 .  
      In one embodiment, the collector electrodes  242  are lifted vertically out of the housing  102  while the emitter electrodes  232  ( FIG. 3 ) remain in the system  100 . In another embodiment, the entire electrode assembly  220  is configured to be lifted out of the system  100 , whereby the first electrode set  230  and the second electrode set  240  are lifted together, or alternatively independent of one another. In  FIG. 6 , the top ends of the collector electrodes  242  are connected to a top mount  250 , whereas the bottom ends of the collector electrodes  242  are connected to a bottom mount  252 . In another embodiment, a mechanism is coupled to the bottom mount  252  which includes a flexible member and a slot for capturing and cleaning the emitter electrodes  232  whenever the collector electrodes  242  are moved vertically by the user. More detail regarding the cleaning mechanism is provided in the U.S. Pat. No. 6,709,484 which is incorporated by reference above.  
      As shown in  FIG. 6 , the inlet grill  104  as well as the exhaust grill  106  are removable from the system  100  to allow access to the interior of the system  100 . The inlet grill  104  and the exhaust gril  1   106  are removable either partially or fully from the housing  102 . In particular, as shown in the embodiment in  FIG. 6 , the exhaust grill  106  as well as the inlet grill  104  include several L-shaped coupling tabs  120  which secure the respective grills to the housing  102 . The housing  102  includes a number of L-shaped receiving slots  122  which are positioned to correspondingly receive the L-shaped coupling tabs  120  of the respective grills. The inlet grill  104  and the exhaust grill  106  is alternatively removable from the housing  102  using alternative mechanisms. For instance, the grill  106  can be pivotably coupled to the housing  102 , whereby the user is given access to the electrode assembly upon swinging open the grill  106 .  
       FIG. 7  illustrates a perspective view of the collector electrode assembly  240  in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. As shown in  FIG. 7 , the collector electrode assembly  240  includes the set of collector electrodes  242  coupled between the top mount  250  and the bottom mount  252 . The top and bottom mounts  250 , 252  preferably arrange the collector electrodes  242  in a fixed, parallel configuration. The liftable handle  112  is coupled to the top mount  250 . The top and/or the bottom mounts  250 , 252  include one or more contact terminals which electrically connect the collector electrodes  242  to the first high voltage source when the collector electrodes  242  are inserted in the housing  102 . It is preferred that the contact terminals come out of contact with the corresponding terminals within the housing  102  when the collector electrodes  242  are removed from the housing  102 .  
      In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 7 , three collector electrodes  242  are positioned between the top mount  250  and the bottom mount  252 . However, any number of collector electrodes  242  are alternatively positioned between the top mount  250  and the bottom mount  252 . As shown in  FIG. 7 , the top mount  250  includes a set of indents  268 , and the bottom mount  252  also includes a set of indents  270 . The indents  268 , 270  in the top and bottom mounts  250 , 252  allow the collector electrode assembly  240  and the driver electrodes  246  to be inserted and removed from the housing  102  without interfering or colliding with one another. As stated above, the driver electrodes  246  are positioned interstitially between adjacent collector electrodes  242  ( FIG. 3 ). Thus, indents  268 , 270  allow the collector electrodes  242  to be vertically inserted or removed from the housing  102  while the driver electrodes  246  remain positioned within the housing  102 . Likewise, indents  268 , 270  allow the driver electrodes  246  to be horizontally inserted or removed from the housing  102  while the collector electrodes  242  remain positioned within the housing  102 . In summary, the driver electrodes  246  are inserted and removed from the housing  102  in a horizontal direction, whereas the collector electrodes  242  are preferably inserted and removed from the housing in a vertical direction. Further in summary, in the embodiment shown in  FIG. 7 , a driver electrode  246  would be positioned in each indented area  270  when the both, the driver electrodes  246  and the collector electrode assembly  240  is positioned in the housing  102 .  
      As desired, the driver electrodes  246  are preferably removable from the system  100 . As shown in  FIGS. 8A and 8B , within the housing  102  is a front section  271  near the top of the housing  102  having aperture guides  272  therethrough. The aperture guides  272  are in communication with engaging tracks  280  ( FIG. 8C ) within the housing  102 , whereby the guides  272  allow the driver electrodes  246  to be properly inserted and removed from the engaging tracks  280  ( FIG. 8C ). It should be noted that although the driver electrodes  246  are shown to be insertable and removable from the front portion of the housing  102 , as shown in  FIG. 8B , the driver electrodes  246  are alternatively insertable and removable from the rear of the housing  102 .  
       FIG. 8C  illustrates a cross-sectional view of the air-conditioner device in  FIG. 8A  along line C-C in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. As shown in  FIG. 8C , the top end of each driver electrode  246  fits, preferably with a friction fit, in between the engaging tracks  280  proximal to the top end  260  and the protrusion  276  proximal to the bottom of the housing  102 . In one embodiment, the engaging tracks  280  are electrically connected to the high voltage source  170 . In another embodiment, the engaging tracks  280  are electrically connected to ground. The tracks  280  preferably include a terminal which comes into contact with the terminal  256  when the driver electrode  246  is secured within the housing  102 . Thus, in one embodiment, when the driver electrodes  246  are coupled to the engagement tracks  280 , voltage is able to be applied to the driver electrodes  246  from the high voltage source  170 , if desired. In the preferred embodiment, the engaging tracks  280  provide an adequate ground connection with the driver electrodes  246  when the driver electrodes  246  are secured thereto.  
      In one embodiment, the driver electrodes  246  are inserted as well as removed from the housing  102  in a horizontal direction. In another embodiment, the driver electrode  246  is inserted into the housing  102  by first coupling the bottom end  262  to the housing and pivoting the driver electrode  246  about its bottom end  262  to couple the hook  263  to a securing rod  282  within the housing. In particular, the detent  265  in the bottom end  262  is mated with the protrusion  276  and the driver electrode  246  is able to pivot about the protrusion  276  until the securing rod  282  is secured within the securing area  263 . When the driver electrode  246  is in the resting position, the protrusion  276  is engaged to the detent  265  and the secondary protrusion  278  is in contact with the bottom end  262 . In addition, the top end  260  is engaged with the respective engagement track  280  in a friction fit, whereby the terminal  256  is electrically coupled to a voltage source or ground. The driver electrode  246  is thus secured within the securing area  263  and is not able to be inadvertently removed. Removal of the driver electrode  246  is performed in the reverse order. It should be noted that insertion and/or removal of the driver electrode  246  is not limited to the method described above. In addition, it is apparent that the driver electrode  246  is coupled to and removed from the housing  102  using other appropriate mechanisms and are not limited to the protrusion  276  and engagement tracks  280  discussed above. Thus, each driver electrode  246  is independently and individually removable and insertable with respect to one another as well as with respect to the exhaust grill  106  and collector electrodes  242 . Therefore, the driver electrodes  246  will be exposed when the intake grill  104  and/or exhaust grill  106  are removed and can also be cleaned without needing to be removed from the housing  102 . However, if desired, anyone of the driver electrodes  246  is able to be removed while the collector electrodes  242  remain within the housing  102 .  
       FIG. 9  illustrates a perspective view of the front grill with trailing electrodes thereon in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. As shown in  FIG. 9 , the trailing electrodes  222  are coupled to an inner surface of the exhaust grill  106 . This arrangement allows the user to clean the trailing electrodes  222  from the housing  102  by simply removing the exhaust grill  106 . Additionally, placement of the trailing electrodes  222  along the inner surface of the exhaust grill  106  allows the trailing electrodes  222  to emit ions directly out of the system  100  with the least amount of airflow resistance. More details regarding cleaning of the trailing electrodes  222  are described in U.S. Patent Application No. 60/590,735 which is incorporated by reference above.  
      The operation of cleaning the present system  100  will now be discussed. The exhaust grill  106  is first removed from the housing  102 . This is done by lifting the exhaust grill  106  vertically and then pulling the grill  106  horizontally away from the housing  102 . Additionally, the inlet grill  106  is removable from the housing  102  in the same manner. In one embodiment, once the exhaust grill  106  is removed from the housing  102 , the trailing electrodes  222  is exposed, and the user is able to clean the trailing electrodes  222  on the interior of the grill  106  ( FIG. 9 ). In one embodiment, the user is able to clean the collector and driver electrodes  242 , 246  while the electrodes  242 , 246  are positioned within the housing  102 . In another embodiment, the user is able to pull the collector electrodes  242  telescopically out through an aperture  126  in the top end  124  of the housing  106  as shown in  FIG. 6  and have access to the driver electrodes  246 .  
      The driver electrodes  246  are able to be cleaned while positioned within the housing or alternatively by removing the driver electrodes  246  laterally from the housing  102  ( FIG. 8B ). This is preferably done by slightly lifting the driver electrode  246  and pulling the driver electrode  246  along the engagement tracks  280  ( FIG. 8C ) out through the aperture guides  272  in the front section  271 . In another embodiment, the driver electrodes  246  are removable via the back side of the housing  102  by first removing the inlet grill  104 . Upon removing the driver electrodes  246 , the user is able to clean the driver electrodes  246  by wiping them with a cloth. It should be noted that the driver electrodes  246  are removable from the housing  102  when the collector electrodes  242  are either present or removed from the housing  102 . In addition, the driver electrodes  246  are individually removable or insertable into the housing  102 .  
      Once the collector and driver electrodes  242 , 246  are cleaned, the user then inserts the collector and driver electrodes  242 ,  246  back into the housing  102 , in one embodiment. In one embodiment, this is done by moving the collector electrodes  242  vertically downwards through the aperture  126  in the top end  124  of the housing  102 . Additionally, the driver electrodes  246  are horizontally inserted into the housing  102  as discussed above. The user is then able to couple the inlet grill  104  and the exhaust grill  106  to the housing  102  in an opposite manner from that discussed above. It is contemplated that the grills  104 ,  106  are alternatively coupled to the housing  102  before the collector electrodes  242  are inserted. Also, it is apparent to one skilled in the art that the electrode set  240  is able to be removed from the housing  102  while the inlet and/or exhaust grill  104 ,  106  remains coupled to the housing  102 .  
      The foregoing description of the above 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.