Patent Document

BACKGROUND 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     This invention relates to aroma diffusion and more particularly, to novel systems and methods for combining germicidal protection, and aromatic diffusion in enclosed habitable spaces. 
     2. Background Art 
     Germicidal protection technology exists in sanitary industrial applications, such as restroom air germicidal protection, toilet bowl and tank purification systems, odor-control pellets, tablets, atomizers, and the like. These systems may be passive, operating strictly on vapor pressure, or maybe electrically powered, such as by heaters, lamps, fans, and the like. 
     Likewise, it has been found suitable to use fragrances in association with many cleaning products. These vary from kitchen soaps for dishes, to floor cleaning materials, carpet cleaners, and the like. That is, in general, it is known to put fragrances in cleaning systems. Accordingly, cleaning solvents, soaps, detergents, and the like may include fragrances leaving residual fragrance following cleaning. Nevertheless, the intention of the cleaning product itself is to either clean up “dirt” or “soil” from furniture, floors, walls, curtains, and the like, or to otherwise scrub away foreign matter. 
     On the other hand, disinfectants, antimicrobial materials, antiseptic materials, and the like are also used. For example, hospitals, are a case in point in which numerous germicidal liquids, vapors, pads, wipes, tools, and the like are used to wipe down surfaces, floors, restrooms, toilet facilities, sinks, and the like in order to control microbes such as germs, bacteria, viruses, and the like. 
     Meanwhile, an industry has developed around aromatherapy. Aromatherapy is typically directed to the infusion of an atmospheric environment, such as a room, home, kitchen, store, or the like with a scent selected from, for example, a fragrance or an essential oil, such as citrus, lavender, lemon, ginger, cinnamon, and so forth. This may be done by burning candles, heating a wax carrier that is infused with the oil, or the like. In other embodiments, essential oils may be vaporized in atomizers and distributed into a room. 
     It would be an advance in the art to provide an improved, industrial-strength system for combining germicidal protection, purification of air, infusion of selective aromatic materials, and the like in a single unit. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In view of the foregoing, in accordance with the invention as embodied and broadly described herein, a method and apparatus are disclosed in one embodiment of the present invention as including a system may include an electrical module, flanked by an ultraviolet germicidal module, a filtration module, and a diffuser module. In this integrated system, for example, air is drawn from an ambient surrounding the system, into the germicidal module. There, an ultraviolet light source operates directly, and on a catalytic screen to provide catalytic oxidation of live organisms, such as viruses, bacteria, and the like. Accordingly, the germicidal module draws in air, purifying that air by eradicating microbes, such as bacteria and viruses. 
     Meanwhile, a filtration system upstream from the germicidal module may do an initial screening for macroscopic particles, such as dust, and the like. Downstream from the germicidal module, a filtration module, or multiple filtration modules, may then capture any residual materials, such as the destroyed microbes, smaller particles of dust, and the like. In certain embodiments, the filtration module may include different types of filters, different porosities of filters, filters containing a porosity size of sieve, and the like. Otherwise, filter media such as paper, fiberglass, non woven fiber, foam, oil foam, oiled bath filaments, synthetic fiber filaments, metal filaments, coated filaments, or the like may be used as filter media in the filter module. 
     Downstream from the filter module is an electrical module that includes several functions. For example, a controller for operating the time, including operational cycle or duty cycle time, the delay time between operational duty time cycles, the volume of flow of an aromatic material, as well as bulk or bypass air control may be included in a control panel. Meanwhile, a display having other controls for setting up and operating a system in accordance with the invention may be provided. 
     The electrical module may also include a fan module for providing bulk air , most of which is bypass air. By bypass air is meant air that is not driven through a diffuser to participate in the diffusion of an aromatic liquid. Typically, the fan will provide the bulk transfer of air into the entire system, including filtration systems, as well as that passed into the diffuser system to an outlet. Typically, a small portion of that same air, treated by the germicidal module and the filtration module, will be drawn into a pump or compressor. 
     The entire system may be enclosed in a case suitable for use as a standing unit on a support surface, such as a shelf or floor. A handle may provide for carrying, suspending, or otherwise positioning the system overhead in a habitable space. 
     By habitable space is meant space that can be occupied by a living animal, such as a person, cattle, fowl, or the like. Thus, the habitable space may or may not be dwelling space. Habitable spaces may include chicken coops, other poultry sheds, cattle barns, milking parlors, rooms, halls, or the like. It is preferable in most environments to use air purification and aromatic treatment of environments in enclosed spaces, rather than wide open spaces where bulk transfer by atmospheric breezes may substantially reduce the efficiency of such a system. 
     In general, a case or housing around a system in accordance with the invention may be selectively openable, closable, lockable, and so forth in order to provide security, tamper-proofing, reliability, limitations on access to the controls and adjustment parameters, and so forth. 
     In certain embodiments, the housing may also include apertures, or relief portions that may be readily transformed into apertures by penetrating therethrough with fasteners. In certain embodiments, the relief portions are thinned wall portions that eliminate open apertures unused in the housing. These provide for creation of apertures by penetration by a fastener through a comparatively thin wall coincident with the outer surface of the housing, and provided with relief interior thereto. Thus, the hole is not a through hole, but is a very thinly walled blind hole. 
     In certain embodiments, the apparatus in accordance the invention may be suspended overhead, may be carried, may be set on a surface to support it, or may be mounted to a wall. In any event, the system may be used in any or all such configurations. 
     The pump or compressor will then compress that portion of air drawn out of the principal flow, and pass it into a diffuser. Diffusers in accordance with the invention have been described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,878,418 issued Feb. 1, 2011 to Sevy, and U.S. Pat. No. 8,047,813 issued on Nov. 1, 2011 to Sevy, both of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties. 
     In addition to the diffuser system as described in the foregoing patent applications, with the pumps or compressors disclosed therein, a system in accordance with the invention may include an improved diffuser nozzle system including a micro-cyclone. 
     The micro-cyclone operates as a channel, enclosed, and spiraling upward a full height of the channel, while circumnavigating or spiraling around the internal diameter of the diffuser housing. It traverses an angular distance of from about 180 to about 400 degrees. Typically, a design set point is about 330 degrees for the total swept angle of the micro-cyclone. The micro-cyclone tends to operate as a cyclone separator to remove comparatively larger diameter, heavier droplets from the stream of entrained and diffused vapor droplets in the compressed airflow. 
     The micro-cyclone may have a dam operating as a baffle prior to air exit, further providing direction changes, small apertures, and the like in order to limit sound and strip off heavy droplets. It may provide a gap therein to allow backflow of any coalesced liquid that has been stripped off against a wall of the micro-cyclone or dam. 
     Another benefit of a system in accordance with the invention is an adapter that adapts a fitting of the diffuser to a matched fitting of a supply reservoir. Supply reservoirs and fittings may come in all types of sizes and shapes. In order to accommodate an arbitrary selection of a supply reservoir, various adapters are provided in accordance with the invention to interface with the reservoir of substantially any supplier. A user may obtain a supply of aromatic liquid from any source, and use the container therefrom, or fill a generic reservoir, fitted by the adapter to the diffuser. This improves over conventional systems that rely on canister reservoirs having integrated diffusers. These, typically, are proprietary, and lock out the ability of an owner or operator to choose a source of supply, a reservoir style or type. The invention provides an economical escape from the investment in a proprietary cartridge replacement history required to operate a diffuser. 
     The system described hereinabove also may include a shroud to conduct the primary or bulk airflow away from the diffuser, entraining therein, through eduction by the principal flow drawing in the diffuser flow, diffused liquid droplets. The mixed flow passes out of a directional shroud, through louvers or a grill into a habitable space. 
     In general, a system in accordance with the invention may operate by drawing in environmental air from an enclosed space to be treated, filtering that air initially, followed by a germicidal exposure, such as by a catalytic oxidation, an ultraviolet irradiation or both energy sources. Catalysis may occur typically on a metal plate or screen, followed by filtering through multiple filter media modules to remove residual, comparatively smaller inorganic particles, as well as destroyed microbes, and the like. 
     Bypassing the diffuser by a certain portion of the air flow permits cooling of electrical module containing controls, pumps, fans, and the like. A fan, for example, may be driving the principal (bulk) flow of air. The principal flow may thereby cool the motor of the fan, as well as the motors in the air pumps acting as compressors. Meanwhile, electrical controls and electronics may be cooled by the principal airflow, most of which end up bypassing the diffuser. 
     After cooling electrical equipment in the electrical module, the principal flow of air may pass on into a chamber that contains the diffuser module. In fact, the chamber containing the diffuser and reservoir may be considered a part of the diffuser module of the system. 
     Meanwhile, an extracted flow taken from the principal flow may be compressed by a pump, compressor, or the like to be passed into a diffuser. A diffuser may draw in air, or induct air into the pump, compress the air, then educt (entrain by eduction; momentum transfer) an essential oil or other liquid as comminuted (atomized) droplets, into the high speed, high pressure flow passing into a nozzle from a feed line. Following atomization, a series of baffles, including the micro-cyclone discussed above may result in a separation of the comparatively larger particles from the flow. Thus, only particles sufficiently small to flow with the airflow and not settle out for minutes remain. 
     Overly large particles provide a number of problems. First, they are a waste of an expensive product, the liquid, such as aromatic oil, disinfection, biocide, microbicide, fragrance, or the like. Meanwhile, they also result in too rapid a settling time in the environment. The ratio of their weight to drag forces do not result in a dwell time over a minute, or preferably five to ten minutes, or more preferably ten to thirty minutes. Thus, rather than remaining in the air, until they have evaporated or been otherwise incorporated into the atmosphere of the enclosed environment, they may instead settle out relatively quickly, onto surfaces, furniture, floors, into HVAC systems, or the like. It has been found suitable to take out the largest droplets by baffling, the micro-cyclone, and so forth. 
     Following this separation, eduction of the diffuser flow into the principal flow is conducted by passing the principal flow up around the diffuser, in the same direction as the diffused, liquid-droplet-laden, diffusion stream, toward a shroud for exit through an outlet. The outlet may be movable, such as rotatable, to provide for directing a stream of the principal flow of air, purified, treated with a liquid, such as an aromatic oil. The stream may be aimed in a direction to promote a long entrainment plume into a room. 
     For example, by providing a substantial flow, out a hydraulic diameter (hydraulic diameter is four times the area divided by the wetted perimeter of an opening) of the unit, a jet or plume may be extend a distance of over twenty outlet diameters may typically be valuable before the outgoing airstream of principal flow has decayed to insignificance. 
     In certain embodiments, selection of the liquid to be contained within the reservoir of the diffuser system provides additional germicidal action by the diffused liquid droplets in the enclosed, habitable space or environment. The germicidal module provides for purification of the principal flow, including air to be run through the diffuser. Meanwhile, the filtration assists in keeping a clean system without dust particles, and with no collection of live microbes in any location in the system. For example, the germicidal module is upstream from the filtration module to assure that a filtration system containing moisture and live microbes is not permitted to exist nor persist in the system. 
     However, downstream, the system persists in its germicidal activities when the proper liquids are selected. Antibacterial liquids, antimicrobial liquids, disinfectants, essential oils that have antimicrobial effects, or the like may be used, combined, or otherwise placed in the diffuser module. Such provide downstream antibacterial or antimicrobial activities in the treated space. 
     In certain embodiments, the diffusers may draw from multiple reservoirs. In other embodiments, multiple diffusers may be used in the diffusion module. Nevertheless, it has been found suitable in most environments, to use a single diffuser with a reservoir filled with a suitable liquid. That liquid may be a combined mixture of various liquids in a preselected volumetric fraction suitable to the environmental space to be treated. 
     A system in accordance with the invention may be used in numerous environments. For example, aroma therapists provide systems for creation of an environment associated with the therapy. The essential oil or other liquids used in the diffuser may be part and parcel of, or may be an adjunct to, a particular exercise, treatment, or the like. Similarly, massage therapists may use the system for relaxation. Naturopaths may use the system for various respiratory therapy, such as the use of eucalyptus, raven sara, rosemary, or the like. Similarly, peppermint may be used as a relaxant. Likewise, other alternatives may be used for pain or physiological treatments. 
     Reiki practitioners may use essential oils that are not just combinations of alcohols, phenols, and turpines, but may provide other emotional or treatment benefits. Aromatherapy enthusiasts, such as retailers and consultants for oil sales companies require a dependable method to diffuse oils in demonstrations and work environments. Likewise, cosmetologists, hospitals, as discussed above, spas, and the like may provide distribution of particular oils suited to specific needs. 
     For example, essential oils such as lavender, marjoram, mandarin, palo santo, may be used for relaxation of anxiety or insomnia. Similarly, antifungal agents such as niaouli, tea tree, and the like may be used for manicure or pedicure treatments. Other essential oils such as geranium, clary sage, ylang ylang, rose, jasmine, and the like may be used for mood improvements. Frankincense, lavender, helychrisum, or the like may be used for facial treatments, tissue restoration, damage prevention for tissues, free radical scavenging, and the like. 
     Similarly, essential oils such as peppermint, ginger, and palo santo may provide other benefits. In educational environments, atomized diffusion into classrooms may be used to make them more desirable, or to provide various responses. Typically, black pepper, cardamom, eucalyptus, peppermint, rosemary, marjoram, basil, bergamot, lemon, lemongrass, verbena, and the like may be suitable. Also, thieves&#39; oil is considered to be a prophylactic for respiratory ailments and the like. 
     Meanwhile, events, retail outlets, shopping malls, casinos, grocery stores, airlines, hotels, and the like may use a system in accordance with the invention to provide a particular area with an aroma that masks other less inviting odors, tends to increase a particular state of mind among customers, or both. For example, the smell of coffee upon entrance into a retail establishment, such as a book store with a coffee shop, or a grocery store with a deli, and the like has been found to increase coffee sales by hundreds of percentage points Likewise, scent branding specialists may use the system in order to determine the best ambient scent for anything from a retail establishment, to a car dealership, or the like. 
     The entertainment industry, real estate agencies, banks, veterinary hospitals, pet stores, sporting events, and the like may diffuse scents calculated and tested to provide suitable responses. Meanwhile, the entire hospitality industry is in need of suitable, reliable, easily maintainable systems to provide aromatic environments. Thus, cruise ships, airlines, ski resorts, fitness centers, amusement parks, theaters, resorts, and the like may use a system in accordance with the invention. 
     In certain environments, pest control may be effected. Proper selection provides a fumigation system for bed bugs, other bugs, viruses, and other microbes. For example, cedar, peppermint, clove, and lemon, have been shown to eradicate various types of bugs and pests in hotel rooms. A system in accordance with the invention with handle and feet to render it portable, allows a chamber made to effectively provide an extermination function while cleaning hotel rooms. Exterminators may find essential oils safer and nontoxic as methods as getting rid of pests using a system in accordance with invention. 
     Meanwhile, other processing plants, particularly food processing plants where avoidance of bacteria is important may be benefited by a system in accordance with the invention. Individual homeowners and businesses may likewise benefit. Care centers, chiropractic centers, other medical entities like hospitals, dentists, hospice sponsors, home healthcare professionals, and the like may use a system in accordance with the invention to provide essential oil treatments, medical treatments, environmental germicidal treatments, and the like. 
     Medication processes, trauma mitigation, property protection, and the like may be benefited by liquids chosen to be attractive, or repulsive. Similarly, training, such as law enforcement training where the smell of gun powder, rancid or putrid smells, other uncomfortable or unfamiliar smells, or the like which may affect judgment, may be used to create more realistic environments for training. 
     Similarly, military training may benefit from soldiers trained in the presence of selected odors contributing to a more realistic environment. As one of the five senses, the sense of smell is particularly acute in many persons, and causes many sensations and reactions that are not ordinarily achievable in maneuvers. A realistic situation includes sight, sound, and smell for best training. 
     Similarly, livestock and poultry growers may use a system in accordance with the invention for air purification, disinfectant, or antimicrobial action, and the like. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The foregoing features of the present invention will become more fully apparent from the following description and appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Understanding that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are, therefore, not to be considered limiting of its scope, the invention will be described with additional specificity and detail through use of the accompanying drawings in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a front, top quarter, perspective view of an apparatus in accordance with the invention, showing the housing or case with the door or cover open; 
         FIG. 2  is a front elevation view of the system, in the base portion of the case, absent the cover; 
         FIG. 3  is a front perspective view of the base portion of the housing for a system in accordance with the invention; 
         FIG. 4  is a rear perspective view of the inside of the cover; 
         FIG. 5  is a front, top quarter, perspective view of a system in accordance with the invention, in a closed and operable configuration; 
         FIG. 6  is a top, rear quarter, perspective view thereof; 
         FIG. 7  is an exploded, perspective view of a germicidal module from the system of  FIGS. 1-6 ; 
         FIG. 8  is an exploded, perspective view of one embodiment of a filtration module of the system of  FIGS. 1-6 ; 
         FIG. 9  is a front perspective view, partially cut away for visibility, of the electrical module of the system of  FIGS. 1-6 ; 
         FIG. 10  is a rear, exploded, perspective view of the electrical module of  FIG. 9 ; 
         FIG. 11  is a rear, perspective, exploded view of the frame of the electrical module of  FIGS. 9 and 10 ; 
         FIG. 12  is an exploded, perspective view of the components of the diffuser module in the system of  FIGS. 1-19 ; 
         FIG. 13  is a front elevation view of the system of  FIGS. 1-19 ; 
         FIG. 14  is a rear elevation view thereof; 
         FIG. 15  is a right end elevation view thereof; 
         FIG. 16  is a left end elevation view thereof; 
         FIG. 17  is a top plan view thereof; 
         FIG. 18  is a bottom plan view thereof; and 
         FIG. 19  is a schematic block diagram of one embodiment of a process in accordance with the invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     It will be readily understood that the components of the present invention, as generally described and illustrated in the drawings herein, could be arranged and designed in a wide variety of different configurations. Thus, the following more detailed description of the embodiments of the system and method of the present invention, as represented in the drawings, is not intended to limit the scope of the invention, as claimed, but is merely representative of various embodiments of the invention. The illustrated embodiments of the invention will be best understood by reference to the drawings, wherein like parts are designated by like numerals throughout. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1-6 , while referring generally to  FIGS. 1-19 , a system  10  in accordance with the invention may be manufactured as a modular system, susceptible to user maintenance and repair, onsite. Moreover, a system  10  in accordance with the invention provides not only aroma diffusion or diffusion of an operating liquid atomized to be introduced into an atmosphere of an enclosed space, but also purification of the air used to drive the system  10 , and to atomize the liquid. As used herein, the liquid will typically be an oil, such as an essential oil used for aromatherapy, antibacterial treatment of a space, or the like. Such liquids may include oils, alcohols, other solvents, antimicrobials, and the like. Such liquids may also be combinations of various components, in order to obtain multiple benefits from a single liquid combination. 
     In the illustrated embodiment, the system  10  may be driven by an electrical module  11  that contains the powered components of the system  10 . The entire system  10  may be enclosed in a housing  12  that includes a base  14  and door  16  that close together in a clamshell-like arrangement. For example, a germicidal module  13  may fit in the base  14 , upstream from the electrical module  11 . Meanwhile, downstream, through a collar  15 , formed as a relief  15  or collar  15  in the base  14  and door  16 , may be an exit port for treated air. 
     In the illustrated embodiment, a retainer  17  or clip  17  may be formed on the door  16 , or on the base  14  to hold spare parts, replacement components, and the like. For example, a holder for filter media may be used. However, more difficult items to locate may be such items as tubes, which may wear, age, or the like. Thus, a retainer  17  or clip  17  in the case  12 , or multiple retainers  17 , may be used to provide readily-accessible components, that may need replacement over time. 
     A lock  18  may be useful for multiple reasons. For example, tampering with controls may be expensive, damaging to the system  10 , damaging to the environment being treated by the system  10 , or may be problematic, given the value of liquids that may be dispensed in the system  10 . Thus, providing a lock  18  will assure that the base  14  and door  16  are locked together and inaccessible by unauthorized persons. In one embodiment a key on a retractable line system  191  is hidden from view in the well  70  of the base  14 . Thus, a key is retracted into the well  70 , not visible to a casual observer, yet accessible to an authorized, knowledgeable person servicing the system  10 . Thus the lock  18  provides some protection against tampering, while the key retractor  191  provides a spring-loaded, retractable line holding a key ring with a key available. Such retractable line systems are often worn by maintenance personnel as a retractable key ring on a belt-connected assembly as known in the art. 
     Filtration may be done upon intake, but also through a filter module  19  positioned between the germicidal module  13 , and the electrical module  11  downstream therefrom. In the illustrated embodiment, the passage of air is from an inlet  20  through a filter  22 . Air passes then into the germicidal module  13 , followed by the filter module  19 , and the electrical module  11 . The electrical module  11  is thereby cooled by the principal flow of air flowing through the system  10 . 
     In the illustrated embodiment, the germicidal module  13  may include a baffle  23 . The outer surface, or convex surface of the baffle  23  may serve as an air baffle to redirect air into the chamber  24 . The chamber  24  or ultraviolet chamber  24  operates by a light source  26  emitting an ultraviolet light irradiation. Typically, the light source  26  will emit a strong ultraviolet wavelength of light that is reflected from the concave side of the baffle  23  as a reflector  23 . That is, the baffle  23  may operate as a baffle  23  for air incoming from the inlet  20 , but also on the opposite face thereof, operate as a reflector  23 . Thus, a highly reflective material, such as a metal, may be disposed on the back or downstream face of the baffle  23 . 
     Typically, the indirect light from the source, may thus be recycled, or recaptured, by the reflector  23 . In one embodiment, a catalytic screen  28 , such as a metal, or metallic-coated, screen may operate to ionize oxygen. Ionized oxygen may result in free oxygen ions, but will often result in creation of ozone, a combination of three atoms of oxygen, that is fundamentally unstable, and highly reactive. Thus, any microbe, such as a bacterium, virus, or the like, may be killed directly by ultraviolet radiation, may be damaged or killed by oxidation by an oxygen ion near the catalytic screen  28 , or may be influenced by both. One kill mechanism is typically pure radiation from the light source  26 , whether direct or reflective. Another is chemical damage to a cellular organism by oxygen ions. Oxygenation, or oxidation is effectively the same effect as burning. The temperature may not be as high, but the chemical result is that of oxidation or consuming. Accordingly, the reaction of chemicals within a microbe can destroy the cell. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1-2 , while referring generally to  FIGS. 1-19 , a system  10  in accordance with the invention may include one or more filters in a filter module  19 . For example, in the illustrated embodiment, two sides of the filter module  19  are combined on a slide  29  or center portion  29 . The slide  29  operates as a frame  29  holding a filter  30  upstream, captured behind a grill  31 , and a second filter  32  downstream, captured by a grill  33 . In the illustrated embodiment, the filter  30  may have a mesh size smaller than the incoming filter  22 , but larger than that of the third level filter  32  downstream. 
     In the illustrated embodiment, various combinations of filters  22 ,  30 ,  32  may be used. In certain embodiments, the grills  31 ,  33  may operate as frames, engaging the slide  29 . The grills  31 ,  33  may be glued as a unitary system to the slide  29 , all three being formed of similar or compatible plastics. They may be solvent or adhesive bonded to one another. In other embodiments, brackets on the slide  29  may receive the grills  31 ,  33  sliding thereinto, to form a unitary filtration module  19 . 
     In certain embodiments, fibers treated with capture materials that will hold items that stay on impact may be suitable. In some embodiments, a mat, bat, fiber, fabric, or the like may be used for the second filter  32  in the filter module  19 . For example, a folded paper filter, a folded screen, a folded glass fiber mesh, non woven fabric, or the like may be used. In any suitable embodiment, the power used to drive air or draw air through the filtration module  19  should be matched with the drag, caused by porosity or the size and number of apertures in the filters  30 ,  32 . One must be aware that the system  10  will adjust to match the power requirements for airflow with the airflow and the filtration capacity. In certain embodiments, the filtration may be sub-micron in at least one of the filters  30 ,  32 . In other embodiments, the filtration may be done to sub micron sizes by a tortuous path, that does not have an affirmatively smaller aperture, but rather simply attaches and holds such particles. 
     A control system  34  may be contained within the electrical module  11 . For example, in the illustrated embodiment, various control buttons  35  may provide operational controls such as set up. 
     For example, in the illustrated embodiment, a set of control buttons  35  may provide set up of the system, with information displayed on a display  37  in which the control buttons  35  are integrated. Meanwhile, placed thereabove, is a set of knobs  36  or controller knobs  36  that control the operation of the fan, the output volumetric flow of liquid from the diffuser, the delay time between operation in a less than a 100 percent duty cycle, and the total run time in each individual cycle of the overall duty cycle. 
     Meanwhile, the buttons  35  associated with the display  37  may control for example, a computer program selection. It may scroll through various programmatic operational schemes. A selection button for setting or confirming a particular setting, opening up settings for operation, closing settings as acceptable or confirmed, and the like may also be included. 
     Meanwhile, incremental buttons may be included for incrementing week, hour, minute, seconds, or the like on a clock for program timing. Meanwhile, a decrement button may be included for decrementing weeks, hours, minutes, or seconds of time. Meanwhile, there may be available a button for erasing or backing over a previous selection, and the like. Typically, a reset key to return to a default position, or to return to a known location in the process of programming may be available as well. In certain embodiments, various on and off switches as well as programming and operating indicators may be included. 
     The control system  34  may be installed effectively behind or against the back of a recessed portion  38  of the electrical module  11 . In the illustrated embodiment, the various control knobs  36   a ,  36   b ,  36   c ,  36   d , are used to control, respectively, the fan speed, the pump pressure and effective output, the rest time or wait time, sometimes referred to as dead time or delay time, in which the system is not operating, and the run time duration of operation after a rest time, respectively. Thus, the overall passage of air, the amount of atomized or diffused liquid, the down time, and the run duration, may all be controlled directly by the controller knobs  36 . It should be noted herein that all reference numerals refer to specific items. Trailing letters following reference numerals refer to specific instances of the item identified by the reference numeral. Thus, the control knobs  36   a ,  36   b ,  36   c ,  36   d  correspond to specific instances of control knobs  36  generally. It is proper to refer the number alone to mean any or all, and to the number with the reference letter to identify a specific instance. 
     A pump housing  39  or pump housing portion  39  of the electrical module  11  may house one or more pumps  40 . These pumps may be as described in the patents incorporated hereinabove by reference. In certain embodiments, the system  10  may operate with a single pump  40 . In other embodiments, two pumps  40  may be operated in parallel to feed compressed air to the diffuser  46  of diffused liquid. 
     Considering the overall structure of the electrical module  11 , a front panel  41  may actually include a pump housing portion  39  defining the space in which the pumps  40  will reside, as well as a control portion  38  or recessed portion  38  that will hold the control system  34 , with its control buttons  35  and knobs  36  Likewise, the display  37  is positioned in the recess portion  38 . In the illustrated embodiment, a fan housing  66  or fan housing portion  66  may fill out the remainder of the front panel  41 . More will be discussed about the various constituent components in addition to the panel  41  of the electrical module  11 . 
     The handle  42  is secured by brackets  43  to the electrical module  11 . For example, the electrical module  11  contains two or more motors. The controllers also contain electrical components. Electrical components constitute weight. Thus, additional strength, modularity, and support are engineered into the electrical module  11 . The handle  42  secured by brackets  43  to the module  11 , may lift the entire system  10 . It may lift the electrical module  11  out, once securements are removed that hold the electrical module  11  inside the base  14  of the housing  12 . 
     The pumps  40  provide compressed air, purified through the germicidal module  13  and filter module  19 , typically as that principal flow of air passes through the electrical module  11 , cooling the electrical components therein. Thus, the fan  64  in the fan housing  66  or fan housing region  66 , draws and drives the principal airflow. Nevertheless, a portion of the airflow is drawn off from the principal airflow to the one or more pumps  40  to pressurize a flow of air in a line  44  feeding the diffusion module  45 . 
     The diffusion module  45 , may be thought of as the arrangement of components, or the housed region including all the components. Thus, in the illustrated embodiment, the pressure line  44  feeds directly into a diffuser  46  or atomizer  46 . This atomizer  46  has been discussed in detail in the patents incorporated herein by reference. The atomizer  46  feeds a flow of atomized liquid droplets out through a nozzle  48 . 
     At the opposite end from the nozzle  48 , the diffuser  46  connects by way of an adapter  50  to a reservoir  52 . The reservoir  52  is supported by a seat  54  formed into, or attached to the housing  12 . In the illustrated embodiment, the seat  54  is secured to the base portion  14  of the housing  12 . It may be supported by, or may be in contact with, the bottom or floor of the door  16  of the housing  12  in certain embodiments. 
     The diffuser module  45  receives the principal flow of air passed from the electrical module  11  into the diffusion module  45 . Thus, the principal flow of air, after warming itself by cooling the electrical module  11 , is passed through the space of the diffuser module  45 . The flow of air past the nozzle  48  acts as an eductor drawing with itself, by a transfer of momentum thereto, the flow of compressed air. Entrained therein are the ultra-small-diameter liquid droplets from the nozzle  48  as generated in the diffuser  46 . 
     Various separation schemes, discussed in the patents incorporated herein by reference, as well as elsewhere in this disclosure, identify the operation of the diffuser  46  and the nozzle  48 . Obtaining a comparatively very small droplet size of liquid droplets is hereby defined as obtaining a size thereof entrained into the flow of air out of the nozzle  48 , and into the shroud  56  such that droplets persist for from about one to about  30  minutes in ambient air without settling out. Thus, the entire flow, including the portion drawn off by the pumps  40  into the line  44 , is recombined by eduction to enter the shroud  56 . 
     That director  56  provides an exit  60  or outlet  60  from the system  10 . In the illustrated embodiment, the shroud  56  may be rotated with respect to the collar  15  in the housing  12  to provide directionality. Moreover, a grill  58  or louvers  58  may be formed at the outlet  60  to provide vanes to direct flow exiting the system  10  through the outlet  60  of the shroud  56 . 
     Practically, the germicidal capability of the system  10  is served in at least two ways by the shroud  56  or director  56 . The volumetric flow rate provided by a fan  64  is selected to provide an exit velocity through the outlet  60  that will project into the enclosed spaced serviced by the system  10 . By maintaining a suitable volumetric flow rate (cubic feet per minute, cubic meters per second, or the like), the system  10  may project an entrainment jet from the exit  60 , directed by the orientation of the housing  56  or shroud  56 , and the louvers  58 . Typically, twenty outlet diameters of distance may still include or demonstrate velocity of the jet or plume being projected from the outlet  60 . 
     For example, near the outlet  60 , the jet or plume of air, laden with liquid droplets travels at a substantially faster velocity than surrounding air, which is substantially still. According to the rules of Newtonian momentum transfer, and the equations thereof, well understood fluid mechanics, the jet will exchange momentum with the surrounding air, slowing the outer perimeter of the jet, and speeding up the engaged portion of the surrounding air. With additional distance away from the outlet  60 , the jet will expand in size, decrease in maximum velocity, and spread out its velocity distribution in space. 
     The plume will occupy more area, have less speed, and involve more volume and mass of air. Thus, the diffuser  46  diffuses into the principal flow by an eduction scheme with the nozzle  48  inside the housing  12 . The educted flow of scented air passes out of the shroud  56 , through the outlet  60 , and continues to entrain ambient air in a jet extending many diameters away from the outlet  60 . This may be actual diameter, and may be characterized in equations using effective diameter. 
     Effective diameter in fluid mechanics is referred to as a hydraulic diameter. A hydraulic diameter is four times the area available for passage of a fluid divided by the wetted perimeter, or the overall perimeter to which the passing fluid is exposed. 
     The diffuser module  45  may include, or operate cooperatively with windows  62  or sight glasses  62 . For example, the sight windows  62  or sight glasses  62  may include flexible, closed windows fitted into the corners of the housing  12  to prevent the free flow of air in or out through the windows  62 . Meanwhile, the windows  62  provide a sight glass  62  for observation of the liquid level in the reservoir  52 . The sight glasses  62  or windows  62  may be spaced at approximately one quarter, one half, three quarters, and full height, with respect to the shoulder of the reservoir  52 . More or fewer of these sight windows  62  may be formed in the housing  12  as desired. 
     A fan  64  in the fan housing  66  may be of a suitable form, whether a squirrel-cage, centrifugal, screw, or rotary impeller type. It has been found that a rotary screw impeller, such as a pancake fan  64  serves adequately with minimum electrical power draw. 
     A hinge pin  49  may connect the base  12  to the cover  14 . In the illustrated embodiment, an ejector pin  49  serves this function well by providing a head that would normally function as the ejection portion itself, and the push rod acting as the hinge pin  49 . By proper sizing and a suitable core pull, the ejector pin  49  serves as a hinge pin  49 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 3-4 , while continuing to refer generally to  FIGS. 1-19 , the housing  12  of the system  10  may include a back portion or base  14 . A front portion or cover  16  operates as a door  16  opening the housing  12  to expose the modules  11 ,  13 ,  19 ,  45  therewithin. In the illustrated embodiment, the components have been removed to show the structure of the housing  12 . 
     One may note that the apertures  20  or inlets  20  to which first stage filters  22  are fitted, occupy corners of the housing  12 . Likewise, the lock  18  requires a shape that causes an incursion into the interior of the housing  12 . Nevertheless, the shape of the germicidal module  13  accommodates the relief required to receive the lock  18 . 
     A series of slots  67  includes slots  67   a ,  67   b ,  67   c , and may include others. The slots  67  receive the individual components. For example, the slot  67   a  receives the germicidal module  13 , fitting around an outer rim of the housing thereof. The slots  67  are formed by rails  68  or guides  68 . In the illustrated embodiment, the edges of the respective components  11 ,  13 ,  19 ,  45  may be formed to be received by the slots  67 , as constrained by the rails  68  or guides  68 . Thus, the rails  68  or guides  68  in combination with their respective modules  11 ,  13 ,  19 ,  45  form somewhat of a seal urging all of the principal airflow to pass therethrough. 
     A detent  69  corresponding to certain slots  67  may provide capture of a module  13 ,  19 . Thus, in certain embodiments, the modules  11 ,  13 ,  19  may be hand insertable, retained, and removable, all without tools. An undercut in each of the detents  69   a ,  69   b  may be matched by a swell or expansion in the dimensions of an outer rim of a module  11 ,  13 ,  19 , thus providing for ready insertion, snap to lock, and snap to unlock and remove. 
     A well  70  may encroach on the inner volume of the base  14 . In the illustrated embodiment, the well  70  provides an external well  70  that can receive a power supply, plugs, other power connection devices, and the like. Thus, the system  10  may be totally integrated to connect to a power source by a suitable means, including a transformer or other power supply, without affecting the outer envelope, that is the outer volume or the outer volumetric maxima, of the system  10 . Mounted against a wall, for example, the base  14  can contain in the well  70  a power supply or plugs to a wall or line power source. The well  70  may be provided with an aperture  71  for passing cables, as necessary, through from outside the housing  12  inside to the controller system  34 , pumps  40 , and fans  64  in the electrical module  11  of the system  10 . 
     Various bosses  72  may be formed, of any suitable length, as needed, such as for receiving fasteners. Relieved regions  73  may represent surfaces flush with the outer surface of the housing  12 , but recesses that pass almost through those outer surfaces. The relieved regions  73  may provide a comparatively thinner wall in the housing  12  in order to readily receive a fastener penetrating therethrough. 
     For example, a user can punch the point of a screw through the relieve region  73 , due to the very thin wall. On the other hand, spurious sources or leaks of air may not spring up through unused holes or other apertures in the walls of the housing  12 . Thus, a variety of relieve regions  73  may be provided through which a user or installer can puncture, typically the hand, a screw or other sharp pointed fastener. 
     Hinge lugs  74  may be formed in each of the base  14  and door  16  portions of the housing  12 . In one innovative design of a housing  12  in accordance with the invention, the hinge lugs  74  are sized to match a diameter of an ejection pin  49  from an injection molding machine. Meanwhile, the drive shaft for driving an ejector pin  49  may have a diameter selected to be the diameter of a hole formed by a core pull through the hinge lugs  74 . Thus, total alignment of the hinge lugs  74 , may be formed by a core pull element that is removed before the mold is opened. Thus, assembly may be done by sliding a new ejector pin  49  down, as a hinge pin  49 , through each of the hinge lugs  74 , to make a piano-hinge type of attachment of the door  16  to the housing  12 . 
     Slots  75  may be formed to receive the brackets  43  of the handle  42 . Thus, the electrical module  11  may be released by removing fasteners, and may be picked up and taken out of the base  14 , directly, without removal of or from the handle  42 . For example, in the illustrated embodiment, the brackets  43  are integrally and homogeneously formed with the framing structure of the electrical module  11 . They capture the handle  42  during assembly. Thus, the handle  42  is integrated with the electrical module  11 , which may then be integrated with the overall housing  12 , and other modules  13 ,  19 ,  45 . 
     In the illustrated embodiment, the rails  68   c  may capture and seal a portion of the electrical module  11  securely to the base  14  of the housing  12 . The rails  68   c  operate as guides about the slots  67   c  formed by the rail sets  68   c . Each receives a matching edge of a portion of the electrical module  11 . Various apertures and fasteners (e.g. screws) may secure the electrical module  11  into the case  12  or housing  12 . 
     Typically, the weights of the germicidal module  13  and filter module  19  typically weighing ounces, are such that the detents  69  exert sufficient force to maintain them in place. In contrast, the electrical module  11  may weigh several pounds owing to the motors, magnets, wire, and the like contained therein. Accordingly, it is normally safer to have the electrical module  11  firmly maintained within the slots  67  by fasteners through the walls of the housing  12 , rather than simply by detents  69 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 5-6 , while continuing to refer generally to  FIGS. 1-19 , a system  10  encased in a housing  12  may be carried by a handle  42  for temporary duty. For example, a chambermaid, homeowner, or traveler may carry the system  10  by handle  42  from room to room for use. Feet secured to the bottom of the housing  12  may support the system  10  on a surface, such as a desk, cabinet, counter, or the like in order to treat a room. 
     A homeowner, a chambermaid, or the like may carry the system  10  by the handle  42  into a room, activate it by powering it up from wall current, operating it according to the control system  34 , for a temporary time period. The effect may be one of providing a scenting of the enclosed area, fumigation, extermination of microbes or bugs, or any combination. In other embodiments, apertures in the base  14  may receive fasteners to secure the system  10  to a wall. 
     Meanwhile, from the exterior, the sight glass windows  62  may be used to determine the condition of the reservoir  52 , and its content level. The lock  18  may be accessed for opening and closing the housing  12 . Typically, the shroud  56  rotates in the collar  15 , which may include a keeper securing to the housing  12  a rim or flange of the shroud  56 . This maintains position, yet provides for rotary motion with respect to the housing  12 . Thus, the louvers  58  at the outlet  60  may be aimed in any suitable direction. 
     Referring to  FIG. 7 , while continuing to refer generally to  FIGS. 1-19 , the germicidal module  13  may include a box  76  or housing  76  that operates as a frame  76  to contain the remaining components thereof. In the illustrated embodiment, for example, a baffle  23  defines a light chamber  24  served by a reflector  23  on the concave side of the baffle  23  formed on the convex side of the barrier  23 . Typically, as illustrated, a ballast  78  may operate in conjunction with a light source  26  in the light chamber  24 . Typically, the light band is in the ultraviolet region in order to provide the best, direct germicidal effect. 
     The catalytic screen  28  and the reflector  23  may include catalytic metals to provide for catalysis of oxygen atoms from ambient air as charged, ionic particles. Light irradiation in the ultraviolet bandwidth of the light source  26  may provide direct killing of microbes, such as bacteria and viruses. The catalysis of oxygen into oxygen ions at the metallic screen  28  provides oxygen ions, ozone, or both to react chemically with the cells of microbes and viruses, thereby destroying them. 
     The keeper  80  is secured, and may be shaped to support or register the catalytic screen  28  thereon, holding the catalytic stream  28  against edges of the baffle  23  or reflector  23 . The entire assembly may be secured by the keeper  80  within the rim or edge of the housing  76  of the germicidal module  13 . Securement may be by glue, fasteners, clips, screws, or the like. 
     The registers  77  space the baffle  23  or reflector  23  properly to clamp or otherwise hold the catalytic screen  28  between a rail  79  or edge  79  of the baffle element  23  and the keeper  80 . The registers  77  thus fit against the edge  79  or rail  79  providing a reaction force for the clamping by the keeper  80 . The keeper  80  is provided with an aperture sized to expose the majority of the catalytic screen  28  to the passage of air through the aperture and out of the germicidal module  13 . 
     In certain embodiments, the germicidal module  13  may have a rim sized to snap into a detent  69 , at the end of traverse or sliding along a slot  67 . Thus, for example, a slot  67   a  may receive a rim of a housing  76 , which may then be snapped into a detent  69   a  once in the proper position. Thus, the germicidal module  13  may be removed for service, replacement, repair, or the like. No tools are required. 
     In addition to viruses, bacteria, and the like, the germicidal module  13  is also responsive to kill plant matter, such as mold spores, and the like. In general, the photo catalytic oxidation process will oxidize anything that is reactive, which includes substantially all living single-cell matter and the like. The chemical reaction with oxygen effectively destroys by oxidation, which is the same chemical effect observed in rust, burning, or the like. 
     Referring to  FIG. 8 , the filter module  19  may include a slide  29  fitted to a slot  67  and capable of securement by a detent  69 . Thus, a grill  31  may secure a first filter medium  30  against the grill of the slide  29 . The slide  29  may be thought of as the backbone, or base  29  of the filter module  19 . On the opposite side of the slide  29 , a second, usually different, filter medium  32  may be secured by another grill  33 . The grills  31 ,  33  may be glued to the slide  29 . In other embodiments, the grills  31 ,  33  may be secured by sliding, snapping, clipping, or other fastening mechanisms to the slide  29 . 
     In the illustrated embodiment, the slide  29  includes a rim that is offset, such that the grill thereof is closer to the grill  31  of the first filter medium  30 , and an additional space is provided to receive the other, second, filter medium  32 . Thus, the grills  31 ,  33  may actually be the same size, even identical, and yet a filter medium  30 ,  32  need not be the same size. Thus, an offset of the grill in the slide  29  may provide additional space for filter medium  32 . In this way, folded media may operate as the second filter medium  32 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 9 , the electrical module  11  is illustrated in isolation from the overall system  10 . In the illustrated embodiment, as discussed hereinabove, the handle  42  is inherent or organic to the electrical module  11 . Brackets  43  may be secured to, and even molded homogenously with the appropriate portions of the frame  81 . 
     The frame  81  represents the structural elements of the electrical module  11 . For example, in the illustrated embodiment, the frame  81  or cage  81  may include sides  82  or side panels  82 . These may be mirror images of one another. A top panel  83  may secure to the side panels  82 , thus forming a more-or-less rectangular structure. 
     In the illustrated embodiment, the brackets  43  are molded homogenously with, from the same material at the same time, the side panels  82 . A bottom panel  84  may secure to each of the side panels  82 , at the bottom ends thereof. A support  85  or sled  85  may support one or more pumps  40 . The support  85  or sled  85  may ride on slides  86  or rails  86  formed in each of the side panels  82 . In this way, the entire pump assembly constituted by the pumps  40  on their sled  85  may be withdrawn, serviced, and replaced in the frame  81 , by an individual user. 
     As a practical matter, the edges  87  of the side panels  82  may fit into the slots  67   c  between the rails  68   c  in the base  14  of the housing  12 . Rather than circular apertures, such as blind holes for receiving screws, slots  88  may be formed in each of the panels  82 ,  83 ,  84  to receive fasteners. By using self-tapping screws, for example, adequate strength may be obtained, and each of the panels  82 ,  83 ,  84  may be manufactured by a simple two-piece mold, with no core pulls required. 
     In selected embodiments, a slide  29  may be configured to have a reduced height on one side. Thus, the slide  29  may slide into a fixture, or slot  88  in the base  14  of the housing  12 . Moreover, in certain embodiments, the slide  29  itself is not planar symmetrical along the axis of flow, or distribution of the components, of  FIG. 8 . For example, as illustrated, the grill portion of the slide  29  is toward the left side, but an extension exists on the right side. Accordingly, a larger cavity is created between the slide  29 , and the grill  33  than is formed between the slide  29  and the grill  31 . For example, in folded medium  32 , such as paper, folded fiberglass, or glass mats, additional axis space may be required. 
     Accordingly, the cavity formed between the slide  29  and the grill  33  may be larger than that of the cavity between the slide  29  and the grill  31 . Thus, the filter medium  32  may be thicker by any preselected amount than the filter medium  30 . In the illustrated embodiment, for example, the grill of the slide  29  actually extends into the outer framing toward the grill  31 . In contrast, the grill  33  is spaced away therefrom and may house a larger thickness of filter medium  32 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 9-11 , while continuing to refer generally to  FIGS. 1-19 , the electrical module  11  may be secured together by fasteners, such as screws, rivets, or the like. Typically, screws embedded through apertures in the various panels  82 ,  83 ,  84 , may be received into slots  88  in adjacent panels  82 ,  83 ,  84 , for securing the frame  81  together. Typically, the components, such as a control system  34 , display  37 , pumps  40 , and fans  64  may be secured to their respective panels  82 ,  83 ,  84  by suitable fasteners in blind holes, slots, or the like. 
     However, threading a screw type fastener into a side of a flat or comparatively flat object is not a problem. Such cavities may be molded with suitable draft in a two-piece injection mold or other molding system. Thus, the end-or edge-oriented fasteners, which must penetrate the slots  88 , would otherwise require core pulls. This effort may be avoided in the illustrated, manufactured product. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 10-11 , while continuing to refer generally to  FIGS. 1-19 , the electrical module  11  is illustrated in exploded view showing details of each of the components therein. For example, the fan  64  operates secured to one side panel. The knobs  36  of the controller  34 , and the display  37 , all on the front side thereof, fit through apertures in the front panel  41 . 
     The various bosses  72  may be formed, to the extent needed, at any suitable length. They may have blind holes formed therein for receiving self-tapping screws or other fasteners, such as rivets. Thus, the securement of the various panels  82 ,  83 ,  84  may be complete, to one another and the securement of the components  34 ,  40 ,  64  thereto may also be effected. 
     Typically, the fan  64  will be protected by an open material in the corresponding side panel  82 . A large and open grill system may be formed where appropriate to encourage cooling air flow through the electrical module  11  and over all of the components therein. Meanwhile, the rails  86  may be formed in the side panels  82  to receive the sled  85  supporting the pumps  40 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 12 , while continuing to refer generally to  FIGS. 1-19 , the diffuser module  45  includes several components, including a choice of reservoirs  52 . Again, trailing reference letters refer to specific instances of the item identified by the reference number. Thus, it is proper to speak of any or all of the reservoirs  52 , or of each individual reservoir  52   a ,  52   b ,  52   c ,  52   d  as appropriate. 
     In the illustrated embodiment, the diffuser module  45  may include or be incorporated within a region of the housing  12  that houses all the components illustrated in  FIG. 12 . In one embodiment, a diffuser  46  may be provided with an adapter  50 . The adapter  50  may include a fixture  93  or fitting  93  adapted to fit with, within, or without (outside) the diffuser  46 . 
     A line  44  or tube  44  is shown for carrying liquid from the reservoir  52  up through the line and into the diffuser  46 . Similarly, the fitting  93  fits or is adapted to connect, such as by threads, bayonet fitting, slot, compression fitting, or the like with the diffuser  46 . 
     Likewise, the adapter  50  also includes a fitting  94  configured to fit with a specific type of fitting  95  of a reservoir  52 . In the illustrated embodiment, various sizes of reservoirs  52   a ,  52   b ,  52   c ,  52   d  are illustrated. The system  10 , and the diffuser module  45 , in particular, will accommodate any of the reservoirs  52  illustrated and more. Other shapes and sizes may also be used. 
     This is contrast to typical systems. Conventionally, canisters or cartridges contain liquids to be atomized. The diffuser  46 , or whatever mechanism was used as an atomizer  46  is typically built into the cap or top portion of the cartridge-type reservoir  52 . As a result, customer selection of reservoir type, size, content, and operating system  10  using such reservoir for delivery for atomized liquids, has been limited, constricted, and rendered much more expensive. 
     Sufficient expense is involved that most atomization systems for industrial applications are not even sold. They are typically owned and maintained by a supplier of the canister or cartridge style reservoir  52 . In the illustrated embodiment, a supply of adapters  50  can fit any common reservoir type  52 . For example, one ounce, two ounce, eight ounce, sixteen ounce, and thirty two ounce bottles of essential oils are available. Similarly, other bottle styles and sizes, made of various materials, whether glass or polymer, are also available. 
     The adapters  50  in accordance with the invention adapt between the diffuser  46 , and any suitable reservoir  52  requested by a customer. Therefore, the adapter  50  provides for a universal diffuser module  45 , adaptable virtually to any source of liquids. Moreover, a user may simply select a particular type of reservoir  52 , use an adapter  50  suitable for that reservoir  52 , and then refill or re-purchase a generic reservoir  52  for use in the system  10 . 
     The atomizer  46  may be fitted with a micro-cyclone  90 . The micro-cyclone  90  or cyclone  90  contains a spiral channel  91 . The channel  91  begins below a central plane  96 , which is actually defined by a plate  96  formed thereby. In one embodiment, the micro-cyclone  90  is cast in a two-piece mold, as a comparatively thin walled casting. Vacuum forming may even operate to make such devices in certain embodiments. 
     As a vacuum formed or injection-molded part, the micro-cyclone  90  may be formed in two halves, each having a base plate  96  or plane  96  on which half the spiraling channel  91  or spiral-shaped channel  91  is formed. By remaining connected, at one small area or region, the two halves of the micro-cyclone  90  may be folded together, and snapped closed. For example, an aperture in one half, and a button or extension in the other half provide a detent to tie down the two halves together. Thus, held on one side by a continuation of the flange  96  or plate  96 , the micro-cyclone  90  folds in half to double up. It snaps together to form the central plate  96 , with a channel  91  spiraling from fully below the plate  96  to fully above it. 
     The entire cross-sectional area of the channel  91  may remain constant throughout the entire spiraling circular route, from below the plate  96  to above the plate  96 . In the illustrated embodiment, it has been found appropriate and best functioning to keep the size of the channel  91  at constant area, and cross-section. Some atomized liquid particles, passing out through the channel  91  from the atomizer  46 , pass into the channel  91 , and out the nozzle  48 . 
     Any larger particles, or the comparatively larger particles in the stream of air, tend to smash and coalesce against the inside of the outer wall of the channel  91 . They drip back into the atomizer  46 , or diffuser  46 , to be re-atomized. Thus, only the comparatively smallest range of droplets is passed out to the nozzle  48 . This provides higher efficiency, more effectiveness, and eliminates collection of oil droplets on surfaces outside the system  10 . 
     In certain embodiment, the micro-cyclone  90  may include a dam  92  that begins at the innermost radius of the upper opening of the channel  91 . It then passes in spiraling, circular, arcuate shape around to the upper outside wall of the channel  91 . Eventually its lower edge rides up along that wall to the pre-selected height of the dam  92 . The dam  92  typically ends at a gap just before the wall of the channel  91  at which it begins, at its innermost diameter. The gap provides for the retrieval or return of any oil that collects within the dam  92 . 
     The dam  92  performs three significant functions. From its position in the micro-cyclone  90 , the dam  92  collects liquid, makes a constructive gap, and changes direction of the flow. The dam  92  serves to fit close (from 10 to 50 mils, usually about 20) to a corresponding dam within the nozzle  48 . Thus, the air must pass through a slot between the dam  92 , and a corresponding dam extending down within the nozzle  48 . Thus, an additional sharp change in direction tends to collect out overly large particles that are not small enough to remain entrained substantially with the air at any velocity within the system  10 . 
     The dam  92  also serves as a noise barrier. In fact, the micro-cyclone  90 , itself, by extending around an angle or included angle of about 330 degrees (typically from about 250 to about 380, and most preferably less than 360 degrees of included angle, with a target at about 330 degrees) provides a barrier to the passage of internal noise. Thus, the diffuser  46  operates extremely quietly compared to conventional diffusers. 
     In the illustrated embodiment, views of the micro-cyclone  90 , moving in a clockwise direction, beginning in the upper right corner, show a top plan view, a right side elevation view, a bottom plan view, and a left side elevation view. In the center, the micro-cyclone  90  is shown in its two halves, separated. In reality, the two halves are never separated by that distance, since they are hinged together at one edge, and snapped together at an opposite edge of the plane  96  or plate  96 . 
     In the illustrated embodiment, the bottle  52  or other type of reservoir  52  may be fitted to a seat  54  for support. The seat  54  may be formed in or may be secured to the housing  12 , such as by securement to the base  14 . Padding, by way of expandable, elastomeric, polymeric foam pads may be provided to stabilize a reservoir  52  with respect to the housing  12 , the seat  54 , or both. Thus, by adding or subtracting pads, or simply compressing pads, various sizes of reservoirs  52  may be fitted into the diffuser module  45 . 
     The aperture, with the attachment penetrating therethrough, is visible in the small circle in the upper right hand corner of the top plan view. In the bottom plan view, the stud fit into the aperture is on the opposite side of the plane  96  or flange  96  thereof. Meanwhile, the noise suppression capability of the micro-cyclone  90  comes partly as a matter of the circuitous route, through the channel  91  and beyond. The plate  96  or flange  96  blocks the propagation of sound waves directly out of the barrel or central cavity of the diffuser  46 . Similarly, by maintaining constant effective lengths, cross-section, and diameter, whistling is reduced in the channel  91 . By diameter is meant the effective diameter. The cross-sectional area, long and short dimensions, shape, which tends to be a rounded rectangular shape and so forth, are maintained substantially constantly throughout the entire circular spiral rise of the channel  91  in the micro-cyclone  90 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 13-18 , the design of the apparatus  10  is viewed from a front elevation, rear elevation, right end elevation, left end elevation, top plan, and bottom plan view. In the illustrated embodiment, various apertures  98 ,  99  may be provided. For example, certain apertures  98  may be formed to provide a location for extending fasteners through the wall of the housing  12  in order to secure selected components of the various modules  11 ,  13 ,  19 ,  45  within the housing  12 . Other apertures  99  are formed to receive feet that will support the housing  12  and the system  10  on a surface. 
     Referring to  FIG. 19 , a process  100  in accordance with the invention may begin outside the system  10  by drawing  102  a quantity or flow volume of ambient air from a treated, enclosed, habitable space. Typically, upon drawing  102  a quantity of air through the inlet  20 , filtering  104  is completed at a highest (e.g. largest, grossest) size consideration by filters  22  or filter media  22  positioned in the inlet  20 . Typically, foam filter media backed by keepers, may be deformed into the corner shape of the housing  12  in order to fit snuggly within the inlets  20 . 
     Following this outermost, largest-particle-size filtering  104 , exposure  106  to a germicidal module  13  may occur. Exposure  106  may include exposure to ultraviolet light, ozone, oxygen ions, or the like. In the illustrated embodiment, exposure  106  may include all three. That is, ultraviolet light provides a direct kill of microbes, while catalytic screens  28  may provide ionization of oxygen for the formation of oxygen radicals and ozone to react with and kill microbes. Catalysis  108  may occur on the reflector  23  or baffle  23  of the germicidal module  13 , but will typically occur in about the catalytic screen  28  as a result of the ultraviolet light or ultraviolet irradiation. 
     Filtering  110  by a filter medium  30  is second in the overall flow of the principal flow through the system  10 . It may be followed by filtering  112  through an additional, typically more restrictive, filter medium  32 . Bypassing  114  may include drawing the majority of the principal flow coming through the inlets  20  and filter module  19  into the electrical module  11 . 
     Meanwhile, a flow of air passing into pumps  40  is drawn from the principal flow, and pressurized to flow into a line  44  driving a diffuser  46 . Thus, bypassing  114  is substantially supporting the cooling  116  of the components within the electrical module  11 . For example, the actual majority of airflow typically bypasses the diffuser  46 . It first passes into the electrical module  11 , cooling  116  the principal electrical components, such as the fan  64 , pump  40  or pumps  40 , and the control system  34  with its associated electronics. It then flows around the outside of the diffuser  46 . 
     The fan  64  provides for the drawing  102  of the principal flow of air. Meanwhile, the fan also draws the principal flow of air over the components in the electrical module  11 . Accordingly, the cooling  116  is driven by the fan  64 . Likewise, by passing through the fan  64 , the bypass flow is compressed  118  to a certain much lesser extent by the fan  64 . A pressure rise across the fan  64  is a result of the work put into the airflow by the fan  64 . Thus, the fan  64  slightly compresses the flow of the bypass air. 
     Induction  120  by the pumps  40  draws air from the principal flow, typically upstream from the fan  64 , into the diffuser  46 . In certain embodiments, the flow may be drawn from an area downstream of the fan, thus providing additional pressure rise or a net higher gauge pressure as an output of the pumps  40 . 
     Compression  118  by the pumps  40 , or a single pump in certain embodiments, is completed before passing an output from the pumps  40  into the line  44 . Typical operational capacities of the pumps may be about 1.7 PSI (12 kpa) gauge or pressure increase in the flow. Approximately 0.12 CFM (3.5 liters per minute) flow through the two pumps, and out the controlling orifice of the diffuser  46 . A single pump will produce approximately the same pressure rise, but will reduce the volumetric flow rate to about 0.09 CFM (2.5 liters per minute). The compression  118  results in a flow of air that induces  120  or causes atomization. 
     Typically, the pumps  40  may compress air by about 1 to about 3 pounds per square inch (7 kpa to 21 kpa). However, it has been found that a set point of about 1.7 pounds per square inch (12 kpa) rise (gauge pressure above atmospheric) is appropriate through the pumps  40  to the nozzle  48  of the diffuser  46 . 
     Typically, atomization  124  will occur by eduction, wherein the flow of compressed air over or near an opening drawing from the reservoir  52 , will impart momentum to the fluid (liquid). This strips away liquid, thus drawing more liquid out of the tube, and atomizing  124  that liquid into a range of small particles. As a practical matter, in one embodiment, a feed line may receive a flow of comparatively higher speed air passing over the top thereof, thus stripping liquid from the feed line, and imparting a momentum transfer, with a corresponding draw in pressure. Thus, the liquid droplets are entrained within the air stream, thrown toward a nozzle cone, and ejected out a small aperture in the point of that cone against an opposite wall. 
     Atomization  124  as described is completed by an eductor. The eductor may operate in a classical concentrical, collinear, or parallel path arrangement. Alternatively, eduction may be done by one flow transverse to another, as described. The air flow thereby transferring momentum to the liquid available at a surface, is stripping droplets away from the surface. Movement of liquid calls for replacement liquid in the tube. The eductor may eject out a nozzle sized and shaped to match the plume of the eduction air flow. 
     Separation  126  may occur by various events. In one presently contemplated embodiment, the micro-cyclone  90  described hereinabove fits just above a nozzle, and receives liquid droplets entrained in the compressed airflow. 
     The micro-cyclone  90  typically requires a spiraling flow, flowing tangentially with respect to a radius and circumference of the diffuser  46 . Meanwhile, the eductor operates to eject along a radius of the diffuser module  46  or the outer housing  46  of the diffuser module  45 . Thus, the change in direction results in any large particles being thrown against an opposite wall by the eductor. Only the comparatively smaller particles remain with the air, pass up through the spiral path of the micro-cyclone  90 . Moreover, the direct impact of droplets against an opposing wall results in an absolute and total change of direction. Change of direction should be at least 90 degrees, and will typically be closer to 180 degrees. 
     The momentum and energy transfer from the wall to the droplets may result in additional atomization of particles. The comparatively larger particles from this separation stage pass down through a passage into the reservoir  52  for recycling. Those that are sufficiently small to remain entrained pass into the micro-cyclone  90 . 
     As described hereinabove, the micro-cyclone  90  then takes the droplets remaining in the airflow, and subjects them to centrifugal forces, thus throwing the comparatively larger particles of this distribution (size range) remaining in the entrained flow against the walls of the micro-cyclone channel  91 . Subsequently droplets striking a solid surface coalesce and flow back down the sloping channel  91 , into the reservoir  52  below. 
     Ultimately, only the comparatively smallest range of particles initially entrained in the airflow can eventually pass into and through the micro-cyclone  90 , and past the gap between the dam  92  and a corresponding dam  92  in the nozzle  48 . 
     Following atomization  124  as described, separation  126  in the diffuser  46  itself and later in the micro-cyclone  90  fixture inside the diffuser  46 , as well as passing over the dam  92  through a narrow slot between the dam  92  and the micro-cyclone  90  and the dam  92  in the nozzle  48 , the eduction  128  by the principal flow occurs. Eduction  128  occurs as the principal flow, flowing through the portion of the housing  12  that houses the diffuser module  45 , passes by the nozzle  48 , entraining the output of the nozzle  48 . 
     The nozzle  48  may be any suitable shape, and may be straight, flat, tapered, non tapered, or the like. Typically, the eduction by the principal flow past the nozzle  48  further mixes and entrains the droplets and their carrier airstream from the pumps  40  into the shroud  56  toward the outlet  60  of the system  10 . Following eduction  128 , diffusion  130  occurs by momentum transfer between the flow of air proceeding from the nozzle  48 , with its entrained droplets of the liquid from the reservoir  52 , and the principal airflow. Eventually, the shroud  56  provides ducting  132  of the flow and the shroud  56  in combination with the louvers  58  provide directing  134  of that flow into the enclosed, habitable space. Again, a top cap on the shroud  56  may operate to impart a final change of direction, and may be tapered to facilitate a smoother turn by the airflow. 
     Ultimately, proper selection of a liquid for reservoir  52  to be used in the system  10  may result in antisepsis, disinfectant, extermination, fumigation, or germicidal activity by the fog or micro droplets themselves in the enclosed space. For example, various antibiotics, antiseptics, antimicrobial devices, and simply certain essential oils cause germicidal and fumigation activity in the enclosed space treated by the system  10 . 
     In certain embodiments, the shroud  56  may be replaced with a conventional 90-degree elbow of polymeric, e.g., polyvinyl fluoride (PVC) pipe. The shroud  56  has been sized, such that the collar  15  will receive a pipe elbow that has been provided with an O-ring-type of cut in order that it may be captured by the collar  15 . Thus, the system  10  may feed treated air directly through an elbow  56 , rather than a shroud  56 , into a heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) system. 
     In certain embodiments, dual, silent pumps, as described in U.S. Pat. No. 8,047,813, incorporated hereinabove by reference, may be used in single or multiple arrangements. A support  85  for mounting the pumps may be mounted on the rails  86  of the frame  81 . A single pump  40  will provide an output of about 0.09 CFM (2.5 liters per minute) at about 1.7 PSI (12 kpa). In certain embodiment, a purchaser may purchase a system  10  absent two pumps  40 , and use a single pump, with about two thirds the volume, and the same pressure for operation of the diffuser  46 . Later, to improve capacity, an additional pump may be added to the system  10 . Similarly, with the filtration module  19 , improved filters may be included, and the fan  64  may be upgraded for a higher pressure differential. Thus, smaller mesh sizes may be used in the filtration  30 ,  32  with an upgrade in the power of the fan  64 . 
     In some embodiments, the germicidal module  13  may be replaced with another or a different type of filter module  19 . Thus, the expense of operation, as well as the expense of the module  13  may be eliminated if such a feature is deemed unnecessary. Thus, additional filtering, or no filtering, other than the original filter module  19  may be installed. 
     The fan system  64  is modular and may be changed out to alter power or volume flow rate capacity. The filter modules  19  may be swapped out, added, or changed. The germicidal module  13  may be eliminated, replaced with the filter module  19 , or the like. 
     Similarly, at the opposite end of the system  10 , the liquid reservoir  52  may be sized to fit virtually any practical demand. The adapters  50  may be selected to adapt to different sizes, manufacturers, or other sources of reservoirs  52 , or the content liquid therein. Likewise, users may select their own reservoir  52  and fill according to their own bulk purchases of liquids. Thus, the system  10  is entirely modular at the behest of the user. In certain embodiments, the germicidal module  13  may be disabled in order to simply use the system  10  for its post-eduction germicidal and aroma effects of the diffuser  46 . In other embodiments, the filter module  19  may still be absent or used as the first, last, only, combined filter. Thus, the initial filter  22  may suffice for a system  10  that is installed principally as a germicidal fogging machine to disperse or otherwise atomize a germicidal agent from the reservoir  52 . 
     In certain embodiments, the micro-cyclone  90  may include a registration notch designed to register the micro-cyclone  90  in a plane of the flange  96 . Thus, the flange  96  has a notch that registers, typically with the incoming pressurized line  44 . Accordingly, this registration places the inlet or opening of the channel  91  above, but facing in the same direction as the injection or ejection nozzle feeding from the line  44 . 
     The result is that the spray atomized from the initial eductor and nozzle must first proceed toward the opposite wall, internal wall, of the atomizer  46 , change direction after smashing into the wall in the comparatively largest particles, and proceed along the wall in a circumferential direction in order to come back around at least 180 degrees. A design point is about 230 degrees to arrive at the opening to the channel  91 . The atomized liquid droplets in the entrained pressurized air must travel forward to a wall, change direction by at least a 90 degree angle, proceed about 180 degrees around the circumference of the interior of the atomizer  46 , rising to enter into the entrance of the channel  91 . 
     Thus, a first stage separation occurs outside the nozzle  48  as comparatively large droplets coalesce against a film of oil or other liquid from the reservoir  52 , collecting on the wall opposite the eductor inside the diffuser  46 . A second stage separation occurs as the micro-cyclone  90  throws off the next smallest, comparatively larger particles still entrained in the compressed airflow during their transit through the micro-cyclone  90 . The third stage of separation is the change in direction, and constriction of flow in passing over the dam  92  and through a slot between the dams  92  of the micro-cyclone  90  and the final eduction nozzle  48 , in order to enter that nozzle  48 . 
     Significantly, each of the first, second, and third separation processes operates in a significant length of less than an 0.4 inch (1 centimeter). Moreover, the shortest significant length for each is typically on the order of about one eighth inch, in the narrower dimension of the micro-cyclone  90  channel  91 , and in the gap of about 0.060 inches (1.5 mm) between the dams  92  in the micro-cyclone  90  and the nozzle  48 . Thus, each significant length, or maximum significant length of the various separation processes is successively smaller than its predecessor. From about ⅜ inch to about ⅛ inch by about 5/16 inch width and height dimensions on the channel  91 , to a 0.06 inches (1.5 mm) gap on the final separator. 
     Moreover, each of the first, second, and third separation processes involves a change of direction. First, about 230 degrees, then a change of direction of about 330 degrees, and then two changes of direction, each of about 90 degrees, actually constituting a full change of 90 degrees to horizontal, followed by 90 degrees to vertical. 
     In a system  10  in accordance with the invention, the liquid in the reservoir  52  is not contaminated because the air drawn into the air pump has been purified, including all air through the fan  64 , around the reservoir  52 , and sent out into the room. Microbes, such as bacteria and viruses are eliminated before air reaches the compressor or fan. Thus, the system  10  may purify, filter, compress, diffuse, fan force, fumigate, in substantially any combination of such features. 
     Conventional systems recirculate liquids in ways that can contaminate their reservoirs. Here, only the comparatively smallest particles are discharged, those that remain airborne for from about one to about 30 minutes. Many will persist for an hour, and the minimum persistence time may be increased to five, ten, or twenty minutes. Only these smallest atomized particles leave the bottle, while the heavier particles recirculate. This is an even greater advantage if the liquid itself is not a germicide, wherein microbes could propagate. 
     Users may make an arbitrary selection of liquids, absent conventional contracts for proprietary liquids and cartridges, with captive customers and monopolistic profit margins. Any user or supplier may use the system  10 , buy or sell any diffusable liquid, purchase or rent the diffusing system, buy or sell their own oils or other liquids, without being locked into a contract for any constituent of operation. Virtually any generic, refillable bottle may be used with any generic liquid suitable for atomizing. 
     The Air purifying industry may use the system  10  to add fragrance to pre-cleaned air, and may supply its own filter media. The Fragrance industry can use the system  10  to fill a room with a selected aromatic material without contamination over long term use. The essential oil industry can use the system to provide health benefits (e.g., like eucalyptus oil, citrus, etc.), a pleasant atmosphere, or aromatherapy for wellbeing. Agricultural enterprises can use it for animal husbandry, such as milking parlors, barns, poultry coops for chickens, turkeys, game hens, and the like, horse stables, and the like. 
     Individual patients may use it for respiratory care, such as asthma or allergy control, purifying air, adding therapeutic amounts of decongestants like eucalyptus or other liquids, distributing masking or germicidal aromas, or the like. In general the system may be controlled, programmed, or both, as described to deliver a therapeutic amount of a suitable liquid for any of the foregoing uses, at a rate selected for effectiveness, economy, safety, or other technical criterion. A user may select the liquid, the air flow rate (bulk or bypass volumetric flow rate), the diffusion rate (mass flow rate) of liquid atomized during operation, the wait time between diffusion operation, the operation time with each diffusion on-off cycle, as well as schedule and calendaring. 
     The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its purposes, functions, structures, or operational characteristics. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative, and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims, rather than by the foregoing description. All changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.

Technology Category: 1