IP Library Granted Patent US 12,698,921
Granted Patent B2
US 12,698,921 · App. 17/897,418 · Granted Aug 4, 2026

Duct adaptor for an ion generation device and ion generation device for use therein

Inventors: Joseph Lehman (Mooresville, NC); Jeremy Ferden (Salisbury, NC)
Assignee: Global Plasma Solutions, Inc.
F24F13/0209A61L9/22F24F8/30H01T23/00A61L2209/15
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,698,921
App. No.
17/897,418
Granted
Aug 4, 2026
Kind
B2
Abstract

An adaptor for engagement to an air duct. The adaptor includes a back portion with an aperture within the back portion, a bellow adjacent the back portion with an opening positioned in a corresponding relationship with the aperture of the back portion, a top portion adjacent the bellow and spaced-apart from the back portion. A ring member is rotationally engaged to the back portion and disposed within the aperture of the back portion and the opening of the bellow. The ring member receives an ion generation device configured to engaged the ring member and containing a cleaning device for periodically cleaning a pair of electrodes.

Claims (31)

1 . An adaptor configured to adapt to a surface of a duct, the adapter comprising:

a back portion with an aperture disposed within the back portion;

a bellow adjacent the back portion with an opening corresponding to the aperture in the back portion; and

a ring member disposed within the aperture and engaged to the bellow, wherein the ring member is configured to receive an ion generation device, and wherein upon placement of the ion generation device, the ion generation device is positioned at least partially within the aperture disposed within the back portion, wherein the adapter is held into place relative to the duct via at least one elongate retention device defined around the duct.

2 . The adaptor according to claim 1 , further comprising a top portion with a central opening configured to allow the bellow and ring member to extend there through.

3 . The adaptor according to claim 1 , wherein the bellow is flexible.

4 . The adaptor according to claim 1 , wherein the back portion contains a plurality of slots surrounding the aperture.

5 . The adaptor according to claim 1 , wherein the ring member is pivotally connected to the back portion.

6 . The adaptor according to claim 1 , further comprising a top portion adjacent an engagement surface of the bellow disposed along the periphery of the bellow, wherein a portion of the bellow and ring member extend through a central opening in the top portion.

7 . An adaptor, comprising:

a back portion containing an aperture that extends from the front side to the back side of the back portion;

a bellow adjacent the front side of the back portion containing an opening; and

a ring member disposed within the aperture of the back portion and the opening of the bellow containing an interior surface and an exterior surface, wherein the interior surface defines a passageway and the exterior surface is engaged to the bellow, wherein the ring member is configured to receive an ion generation device, and wherein upon placement of the ion generation device, the ion generation device is positioned at least partially within the aperture disposed within the back portion, wherein the adapter is held into place relative to a duct via at least one elongate retention device defined around the duct.

8 . The adaptor according to claim 7 , further comprising a top portion adjacent spaced-apart from the back portion by the bellow and including at least one bracket for receiving an elongate retention device for engaging the adaptor to the surface of a duct.

9 . The adaptor according to claim 7 , further comprising a retention rib for engaging an ion generation device.

10 . The adaptor according to claim 7 , wherein the ring member is rotationally engaged to the back portion.

11 . An ion generation device, comprising:

a base portion with a circular cross-section;

an engagement member disposed within a cavity of the base portion;

a top portion adjacent the engagement member;

an ionization module electrically coupled to at least one electrode disposed adjacent the exterior surface of the top portion for emitting ions into the air surrounding the ion generation device; and

a cleaning device for contacting the electrodes, wherein the cleaning device is a t-shape with a crossbar of the t-shape extending in two directions to contact the electrodes, wherein the crossbar is curved in a direction of the top portion to contact the electrodes.

12 . The ion generation device according to claim 11 , further comprising an electrode retention clip disposed within an electrode bore positioned on the top portion, wherein the electrode retention clip contains a top portion and a hollow shaft, whereby the hollow shaft is inserted into the electrode bore and configured for the electrode to be at least partially contained within the hollow shaft and a portion of the electrode extending through a bore in the top portion of the ion generation device.

13 . The ion generation device of claim 11 , wherein at least a portion of the base portion is removable from the engagement member to allow for securing of the ion generation device.

14 . The ion generation device of claim 11 , wherein the at least one electrode of the ionization module comprises a first electrode and a second electrode, wherein the cleaning device contacts each of the first electrode and the second electrode during a cleaning process.

15 . The ion generation device of claim 14 , wherein the first electrode and the second electrode are spaced at 180 degrees from one another.

16 . The ion generation device of claim 14 , wherein the cleaning device comprises a t-shape that extends outwardly, wherein the cleaning device contacts the first electrode and the second electrode simultaneously during the cleaning process.

17 . The ion generation device of claim 14 , wherein the cleaning device defines a bar that rotates about a center of the top portion.

18 . The ion generation device of claim 17 , wherein the bar is fixed in a curved position in the direction of the top portion.

19 . The ion generation device of claim 11 , further comprising an adapter configured to adapt to a surface of a duct, wherein the adapter comprises a back portion with an aperture disposed within the back portion, a bellow adjacent the back portion with an opening corresponding to the aperture in the back portion; and a ring member disposed within the aperture and engaged to the bellow, wherein the ring member is configured to engage the engagement member, and wherein upon engagement between the ring member and the engagement member, the top portion is positioned at least partially within the aperture disposed within the back portion, wherein the adapter is held into place relative to a duct via at least one elongate retention device defined around the duct.

20 . The ion generation device of claim 19 , wherein the adapter is attachable to a circular duct.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Aug 29, 2022
From: LEHMAN, JOSEPH; FERDEN, JEREMY
To: GLOBAL PLASMA SOLUTIONS, INC.
Reel/Frame 060924/0480 →
Continuity (4)
Provisional Application 63238307 · Aug 30, 2021
Provisional Application 63238323 · Aug 30, 2021
Provisional Application 63238020 · Aug 27, 2021
Related Publication 20230069269A1 · Mar 2, 2023
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