System and method of controlling operation of a liquid diffusion appliance

Abstract

A method and system of controlling operation of a diffusion appliance to treat the atmosphere within an enclosed space. The appliance may be programmed to operate according to a control scheme specifying a flow rate of liquid to a diffusion means and a periodic operation of the diffusion means. Control schemes may be associated with different volumes of spaces to be treated by the appliance. Anti-fatigue schemes may provide variation of the flow rate or periodic operation of the appliance. Initiation controls schemes may be used to start treatment of the space before the appliance is programmed to operate according to one of the control schemes.

1 . A method of controlling a liquid diffusion appliance comprising:
 providing an enclosed space to be treated by a liquid and with which the appliance is in fluid communication, the appliance including a reservoir of liquid and a means of diffusing the liquid into the air of the space;   providing a plurality of control schemes for the appliance which based on characteristics of the liquid and a level of treatment desired for the space, each of the control schemes specifying operational parameters for the appliance including a flow rate of liquid, and a periodic timing of operation of the diffusion means;   providing the diffusion means including a venturi in fluid communication with the liquid reservoir, and the venturi in fluid communication with a source of compressed gas, and wherein operation of the diffusion means comprises release of the pressurized gas into the venturi, the release of the gas into the venturi operating to draw liquid from the reservoir into the venturi where the liquid mixes with the gas at the desired flow rate and then dispersing the gas and liquid mixture into the space;   determining a volume of the space to be treated;   selecting one of the control schemes based on the volume of the space to be treated;   operating the appliance based on the selected control scheme.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising;
 providing each the control schemes includes a common flow rate for the appliance while providing for variations in the timing of the operation of the appliance.   
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the liquid to be dispersed is a pest repellent compound and the desirable level of liquid dispersed within the space is an effective amount to drive away existing pests within the space and deter the entry of new pests into the space. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the liquid to be dispersed is an anti-pathogenic compound and the desirable level of the liquid dispersed within the space is an effective amount to remediate at least one pathogen within the space. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the liquid to be dispersed is an anti-pathogenic compound and the desirable level of the liquid dispersed within the space is an effective amount to prevent the entry of at least one pathogen into the space. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the liquid to be dispersed is a scent compound and the desirable level of the liquid dispersed within the space is an effective amount to produce a particular scent within the space. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the liquid to be dispersed is a odor remediation compound and the desirable level of the liquid to be dispersed within the space is an effective amount to remediate an odor within the space. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , further comprising providing a sensor within the space, the sensor configured to sense the odor to be remediated, wherein when the sensor detects the odor to be remediated within the space, the appliance is operated according to the selected control scheme to disperse an effective amount of the odor remediation compound within the space until the sensor no longer detects the odor within the space, and when the odor to be remediated is no longer detected, the appliance ceases operation. 
     
     
         9 . A system for treating an enclosed space with a liquid, the system comprising:
 an appliance with a diffusion means in fluid communication with the space and also connected to a liquid reservoir containing the liquid to be dispersed;   the diffusion means including a venturi in fluid communication with the liquid reservoir, and the venturi in fluid communication with a source of compressed gas, and wherein operation of the diffusion means comprises release of the pressurized gas into the venturi, the release of the gas into the venturi operating to draw liquid from the reservoir into the venturi where the liquid mixes with the gas at the desired flow rate and the dispersing the gas and liquid mixture into the space; and,   a controller connected to the appliance, the controller including a plurality of control schemes for dispersion of the liquid into the space, each control scheme defining operational parameters for the appliance including a periodic operation of the diffusion means and a flow rate of liquid from the reservoir through the diffusion means, each of the control schemes corresponding to a particular volume within the space and effective to disperse a desired level of the liquid within the space.   
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 9 , further comprising each the control schemes including a common flow rate for the appliance while providing for variations in the timing of the operation of the appliance. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the liquid to be dispersed is a pest repellent compound and the desirable level of liquid dispersed within the space is an effective amount to drive away existing pests within the space and deter the entry of new pests into the space. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the liquid to be dispersed is an anti-pathogenic compound and the desirable level of the liquid dispersed within the space is an effective amount to remediate at least one pathogen within the space. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the liquid to be dispersed is an anti-pathogenic compound and the desirable level of the liquid dispersed within the space is an effective amount to prevent the entry of at least one pathogen into the space. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the liquid to be dispersed is a scent compound and the desirable level of the liquid dispersed within the space is an effective amount to produce a particular scent within the space. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the liquid to be dispersed is a odor remediation compound and the desirable level of the liquid to be dispersed within the space is an effective amount to remediate an odor within the space. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising providing a sensor within the space and operationally connected to the controller, the sensor configured to sense the odor to be remediated, wherein when the sensor detects the odor to be remediated within the space, the appliance is operated according to the selected control scheme to disperse an effective amount of the odor remediation compound within the space until the sensor no longer detects the odor within the space, and when the odor to be remediated is no longer detected, the appliance ceases operation.