Abstract:
The present invention provides a method and apparatus for sterilizing articles using an ozone-containing gas, where condensation of water from the sterilization atmosphere during the sterilization process is substantially prevented. The inventive sterilization method includes providing a sterilization chamber and placing an article into the sterilization chamber. The sterilization chamber is sealed prior to equalizing the temperature of the article and the atmosphere in the sterilization chamber. A vacuum is applied to achieve a preselected vacuum pressure in the sterilization chamber. Once the vacuum pressure is set, water vapour is supplied to the sterilization chamber. Ozone-containing gas is then supplied to the sterilization chamber and the sterilization chamber remains sealed for a preselected treatment period, where the sterilization chamber remains sealed throughout the whole process. Finally, vacuum in the sterilization chamber is released.
Abstract:
A compact, inexpensive, large-capacity ozone generator with increased ease of apparatus maintenance. An ozone power supply includes an n-phase inverter for obtaining an AC voltage having a predetermined frequency and outputting an n-phase AC voltage waveform; n reactors and an n-phase transformer for converting an n-phase AC voltage to a high AC voltage; n high-voltage terminals for outputting the n-phase high AC voltage; and a low-voltage terminal having a common potential. Ozone generator units are electrically divided into n pieces within a discharge chamber. Each ozone generator unit includes n high-voltage electrode terminals and one low-voltage electrode terminal, common to all ozone generator units. Each ozone generator unit supports an n-phase AC discharge to generate ozone.
Abstract:
An apparatus for generating an effective concentration of ozone for killing bacteria, viruses and other harmful microorganisms includes a housing having an ozone chamber defining an enclosed space for containing elevated concentrations of ozone. The ozone chamber includes ports providing access to the interior of the ozone chamber. A second chamber of the apparatus houses an ozone reactor. A programmable control circuit operates both the ozone reactor and a pump for directing ambient air to the ozone reactor. The control circuit includes a motion detector mounted in the ozone chamber for activating the ozone generator of the invention and initiating the generation of ozone directed into the ozone chamber of the apparatus of the invention.
Abstract:
The present invention provides a system for supplying a gas capable of supplying a gas at a proper flow rate and forming a gas at a proper rate from a gas-forming unit. The invention provides a system for supplying a gas including a gas-forming unit, a gas supply passage for supplying a gas produced from the gas-forming unit, a gas flow rate controller provided in the gas supply passage, a gas discharge passage provided in parallel with the gas supply passage to discharge the gas produced from the gas-forming unit, and a pressure controller provided in the gas discharge passage to control the pressure of the gas flowing through the gas discharge passage. In the above system for supplying a gas, it is possible to optimize the flow rate of the gas that is supplied and the amount of the gas generated by the gas-forming unit.
Abstract:
An apparatus and method for the use of ozone as a sterilant for many classes of surgical instruments which are at least partially metallic. Three features are the connection of a voltage carrying part of the instrument to be sterilized as the electrode of an ozone generating cell, which employs a glow discharge and maintaining the temperature of this electrode below 500null C., and that no solid dielectric exists between opposed electrodes in the ozone generating cell. Ozone is thereby localized about voltage carrying and any non-voltage carrying parts of the electrode connected instrument. The control of electrode heating helps to maintain the increasing atmospheric concentration of the ozone, which will however eventually reach a natural limit. Local heating of the electrode configuration is controlled where the instrument to be sterilized is connected at least periodically as the negative electrode. This helps to avoid the avalanche of the ozone generating glow discharge into an unproductive arc. There is no tendency for a glow to arc transition to occur from a field enhancement at an irregular surface. The glow discharge is rendered more stable when no solid dielectric exists between opposed electrodes in the ozone generating cell and a smooth surfaced plate acts as an anode, the electric field distribution provides the necessary accelerating field everywhere over a cathode object for production of ultraviolet light, soft x-rays and charged particles with energies sufficient to sterilize on impact with the surface. The slightly enhanced field at a surface irregularity caused by a contaminating microbe will rapidly disappear as the enhanced field destroys the microbe.
Abstract:
A sterilizing and air conditioning electronic urinal includes a power rectifier circuit, a microcomputer control unit, a sensitivity control circuit, time delay circuit, a high voltage generating circuit, an ozone generator, a mixing device, a flushing solenoid valve circuit, an heater, an air pump circuit, and others. By aforesaid components, the electronic urinal can be operated with the internal program of the microcomputer control unit and therefore, the objects of water-saving and foul-removing are achieved.
Abstract:
An ozone production rate control method and a device using dual frequency in an apparatus employing a silent discharge technique are provided. The method includes the steps of: generating a control signal for controlling the ozone production rate; creating, responsive to the control signal, an adjusted signal having an ON/OFF time ratio adjusted depending on the control signal; producing, responsive to the adjusted signal, a low-frequency pulse and a high-frequency signal; and controlling an ON/OFF time ratio of the high-frequency signal. The device includes an ON/OFF time ratio adjusting unit, a low-frequency pulse oscillation circuit, a high-frequency oscillation circuit, and a multiplier.
Abstract:
An ozone generator is disclosed in which ozone production is controlled through corona voltage and airflow. The ozone from the generator converts perchloroethylene vapor in dry cleaning effluents into environmentally acceptable compounds. Ozone generation is controlled in response to the perchloroethylene vapor concentration in the mixture that is discharged from a mixing chamber in the apparatus. Other features include an inflatable retention chamber for allowing the ozone and perchloroethylene reaction to go to completion and improved means for cleaning the glass plates in the ozone generator by sliding the plates out of the generator structure.
Abstract:
A control system for an ozone generating system includes a temperature responsive portion which is responsive to the temperature of the ozonized gas by interrupting the coupling of high voltage to the electrodes of an ozone generating unit when the temperature of the ozonized gas reaches a level below the temperature at which said ozonized gas rapidly dissociates, the circulation of the gas to be ozonized through said unit continuing during the interruption of high voltage, and a timer sequencing portion for automatically initiating circulation of air through the ozone generating unit a given predetermined period prior to the coupling of high voltage to the electrodes of the ozone generating unit and for automatically terminating the coupling of high voltage to said electrodes of the ozone generating unit a given period prior to termination of air circulation when ozonization is to be terminated.
Abstract:
A unique combination of one and preferably a pair of gas drying units for drying oxygen containing gas to be ozonized and a corona discharge ozone generating unit is provided by a vortex tube unit having an inlet for receiving dried air to be ozonized, a cool air outlet carrying the slow moving molecules of the gas to the inlet of the ozone generating unit and a warm air outlet connected through passageways extending to openings in the drying units for circulating warm air for drying saturated gas drying units. Where two drying units are provided, the air to be dried and ozonized is preferably alternately automatically fed to the inputs of the two drying units, and the warm air outlet of the vortex tube unit is alternately fed through the air drying unit so the drying unit which at a given instant is not receiving air to be dried is itself being dried by warm de-moisturizing air.