Abstract:
A liquid treatment system receives untreated liquid from a pressurized source and outputs treated liquid on demand. An ozone containing gas from a generator is combined with untreated liquid to accomplish the desired treatment before the liquid is output; and the necessary operations include pumping, venting, a demand event switch, and a control system to accomplish the necessary functions. A valved liquid passageway conducts untreated liquid to a contact region, accumulated gas is vented from the system. A demand event can be manual operation of an output switch or manual operation of an outflow valve that causes a liquid level change within the system. Treated liquid outflow can occur by gravity, as a passive outflow in response to opening an inflow valve, and as an active outflow driven by a pump.
Abstract:
This ozone appliance for the professional dental office and other medical applications introduces dissolved ozone into dental and surgical operatory water lines. This dissolved ozone can not only disinfect water and water lines; it can also reduce gum bleeding, gingivitis, bad breath, teeth stains and oral bacteria. Additionally, it can aid in wound disinfection in surgery and attack microbial contamination of water from dental and surgical operatory water lines and attached hand pieces and dispensing devices by automatically killing waterborne germs and destroying biofilms where germs can hide and grow. It can, therefore, be used to disinfect water lines in dental operations and for other medical applications such as providing liquid containing ozone for cleaning and disinfecting skin prior to surgery (and tissue exposed during surgery). Further, a unit connected to operatory water lines can give an audible or other alarm if the water becomes unsafe.
Abstract:
A corona discharge ozone generator has an inter-electrode gap established by dielectric spacers that engage gap confronting surfaces and are distributed in the gap so that the electrodes need not be self-supporting. Also, gas flow impedance material, which can include the gap spacers, is distributed in the gap to ensure substantially uniform flow of an oxygen containing gas.
Abstract:
A diffuser for dispersing gas bubbles into a liquid is formed of gas permeable material having a high surface tension at an interface with the liquid and a low surface tension in a region inward from the interface. The upstream region with the low surface tension resists liquid backflow, and the high surface tension of the interface keeps the bubbles small as they depart from the diffuser and enter the liquid.
Abstract:
A batch liquid purifier using a reservoir, an ozone generator, and a pumping system is arranged for contacting the liquid with an ozone containing gas so that it is purified either during a direct outflow to a purified liquid chamber or during a circulational flow back to the reservoir. The flow circuit can include a liquid gas separator and venting of gas to atmosphere via an ozone concentration reducer. Pumping, valving, and controls can be accomplished in a variety of ways.
Abstract:
Contact lenses are purified by contact with ozone in a compact system that includes an ozone generator, a purifying liquid in a lens chamber, and a pumping system for flowing liquid and gas in a way that brings ozone dissolved in a purifying liquid into contact with the lenses. In some embodiments, undissolved ozone can also contact the lenses. Several preferred arrangements are shown for accomplishing the lens purification with such an ozone disinfection system.