MANIFOLD COMPATIBLE ELECTROLYTIC CELL (EO CELL) WITH COPLANAR FLUIDIC AND ELECTRICAL CONNECTION SCHEME

Abstract

An electrolytic ozone cell that a housing that includes an interfacial seal, a top plate, and bottom plate. The electrolytic ozone cell also includes an internal compartment that having a pair of contact plates, and a tolerance compressor. The tolerance compressor compresses an electrode-membrane-electrode stack that is disposed between the pair of contact plates and the tolerance compressor alters its shape in order to maintain compressive forces on the electrode-membrane-electrode stack.

Claims

1. An electrolytic ozone cell comprising: a housing including: an interfacial seal; a top plate; and bottom plate; and an internal compartment that includes at least: a pair of contact plates; a tolerance compressor that compresses an electrode-membrane-electrode stack which includes a pair of electrodes and at least one proton exchange membrane, wherein the electrode-membrane-electrode stack is disposed between the pair of contact plates and the tolerance compressor is configured to alter the dimensions of the tolerance compressor responsive to thinning of the proton exchange membrane, in order to maintain compressive forces on at least the electrode-membrane-electrode stack.

2. The electrolytic ozone cell of claim 1, wherein a housing of the electrolytic cell is configured to be coupled to a manifold assembly of an aqueous ozone ultrasonic scaler Systems such that it has a flush coplanar interface with the manifold surface.

3. The electrolytic ozone cell of claim 1, wherein the pair of contact plates are titanium (Ti) contact plates.

4. The electrolytic ozone cell of claim 1, wherein the pair of electrodes are boron dope diamond (BDD) electrodes.

5. The electrolytic ozone cell of claim 1, wherein an electrode of the pair of electrodes is a perforated silicon plate with a boron doped diamond coating.

6. The electrolytic ozone cell of claim 5, wherein the boron doped diamond coating has a thickness of between 1.00 nm up and 15 μm.

7. The electrolytic ozone cell of claim 1, wherein the pair of electrodes and the proton exchange membrane form an electrode-membrane-electrode stack and the tolerance compressor provides compression for the electrode-membrane-electrode stack over a range of between 2 to 50% of the thickness of the tolerance compressor.

8. The electrolytic ozone cell of claim 1, wherein the tolerance compressor is inert to ozone.

9. The electrolytic ozone cell of claim 1, wherein the tolerance compressor is made from a closed-cell ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM) foam material.

10. The electrolytic ozone cell of claim 1, wherein a path for water flow is based on a thickness and inner profile of a contact plate of the pair of contact plates.

11. The electrolytic ozone cell of claim 1, wherein the electrolytic ozone cell comprises more than one pair of pair of electrodes.

12. The electrolytic ozone cell of claim 1, wherein an electrical contact zone of a contact plate of the pair of contact plates is accessed through the top plate by a spring-loaded electrical contact so that the contact plate provides electrical current to an electrode of the pair of electrodes.

13. The electrolytic ozone cell of claim 1, wherein a contact plate and an electrode are integrated together to form an electrode unit that provide provides direct electrical contact for a spring-loaded electrical contact.

14. The electrolytic ozone cell of claim 1, wherein the cell is configured to control a velocity of water that flows over an area of bubble formation along triple phase boundaries (TPB) formed by an electrode-water-membrane intersection.

15. The electrolytic ozone cell of claim 12, wherein the electrolytic ozone cell further includes an inner bottom gasket wherein the inner bottom gasket and the tolerance compressor seal off one or more surfaces of the pair of contact plates to create one or more dry electrical contact zones on the tabs of the pair of contact plates.

17. The electrolytic ozone cell of claim 1, wherein the electrode-membrane-electrode stack includes one or more pairs of electrodes in the same cell.

18. The electrolytic ozone cell of claim 17, wherein the one or more pairs are each independently controlled.

19. An apparatus comprising: a water supply for delivering water to an electrolytic ozone cell; a gas separator disposed in a recirculation loop of a fluid pathway that also contains the electrolytic cell; and the electrolytic ozone cell; wherein the electrolytic ozone cell further comprises: a housing including: an interfacial seal; a top plate; and bottom plate; and an internal compartment that includes at least: a pair of contact plates; a tolerance compressor that compresses an electrode-membrane-electrode stack which includes a pair of electrodes and at least one proton exchange membrane, wherein the electrode-membrane-electrode stack is disposed between the pair of contact plates and the tolerance compressor is configured to alter the dimensions of the tolerance compressor responsive to thinning of the proton exchange membrane, in order to maintain compressive forces on at least the electrode-membrane-electrode stack.

20. (canceled)

21. (canceled)

22. (canceled)

23. (canceled)

24. A computer system comprising: a processor configured to control an operation of an electrolytic ozone cell; and the electrolytic ozone cell; wherein the electrolytic ozone cell further comprises: a housing including: an interfacial seal; a top plate; and bottom plate; and an internal compartment that includes at least: a pair of contact plates; a tolerance compressor that compresses an electrode-membrane-electrode stack which includes a pair of electrodes and at least one proton exchange membrane, wherein the electrode-membrane-electrode stack is disposed between the pair of contact plates and the tolerance compressor is configured to alter the dimensions of the tolerance compressor responsive to thinning of the proton exchange membrane, in order to maintain compressive forces on at least the electrode-membrane-electrode stack.

25. (canceled)

26. (canceled)

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

[0031] To easily identify the discussion of any particular element or act, the most significant digit or digits in a reference number refer to the figure number in which that element is first introduced. Certain novel features believed characteristic of the invention are set forth in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, as well as a preferred mode of use, further objectives and advantages thereof, will best be understood by reference to the following detailed description of the illustrative embodiments when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0032] FIG. 1 depicts a block diagram of an aqueous ozone ultrasonic scaler system 100 in accordance with one embodiment.

[0033] FIG. 2 depicts an exploded view of a manifold compatible electrolytic cell in accordance with illustrative embodiments.

[0034] FIG. 3 depicts an inner components image of a single electrode pair manifold compatible electrolytic cell in accordance with an illustrative embodiment.

[0035] FIG. 4 depicts an image of electrodes and membranes in accordance with an illustrative embodiment.

[0036] FIG. 5 depicts a membrane image demonstrated degradation and thinning in accordance with an illustrative embodiment.

[0037] FIG. 6 depicts an image of a tolerance compressor element and electrolytic cell cross section in accordance with an illustrative embodiment.

[0038] FIG. 7 depicts a perspective view of an ultrasonic dental scaler with integrated ozone generators in accordance with an illustrative embodiment.

[0039] FIG. 8 depicts transparent housing views in accordance with an illustrative embodiment.

[0040] FIG. 9 depicts a top and bottom perspective view of the manifold assembly in accordance with an illustrative embodiment.

[0041] FIG. 10 depicts a top perspective view of a manifold assembly in accordance with an illustrative embodiment.

[0042] FIG. 11 depicts a bottom perspective view of a manifold assembly in accordance with an illustrative embodiment.

[0043] FIG. 12 depicts a bottom perspective view of a manifold assembly showing electrolytic cell location in accordance with an illustrative embodiment.

[0044] FIG. 13 depicts a cross sectional view of manifold assembly showing electrolytic cell electrical connections in accordance with an illustrative embodiment.

[0045] FIG. 14 depicts an electrolytic cell built with two pairs of electrodes in accordance with an illustrative embodiment.

[0046] FIG. 15 depicts a cross-sectional image of a cell showing bubble clearance gap above electrode in accordance with an illustrative embodiment.

[0047] FIG. 16 depicts a sketch of an electrolytic cell footprint with symmetrical fluidic and electrical connections in accordance with an illustrative embodiment.

[0048] FIG. 17 depicts a sketch of an electrode with a tab to provide direct electrical contact in accordance with an illustrative embodiment.

[0049] FIG. 18 depicts a computer system in accordance with illustrative embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0050] The illustrative embodiments described herein are directed to a manifold compatible electrolytic ozone (EO) cell with coplanar fluidic and electrical connection scheme. The illustrative embodiments recognize that a goal in conventional electrolysers is to produce pure hydrogen and high pressures, so a very robust structure is required. This design goal means is not suitable for low cost and portable devices. The illustrative embodiments further recognize that conventional electrolysers generally achieve very low levels of dissolved ozone in the solution, due to the requirement to avoid releasing excessive gaseous ozone, the absence of gas management components in the system, and their operation at ambient pressure.

[0051] FIG. 1 depicts a block diagram of a general aqueous ozone ultrasonic scaler system 100 in which an electrolytic ozone cell 104 may be embedded in accordance with one embodiment. The system includes a water supply 102 and an electrolytic ozone cell 104 that oxidizes the water to form ozone in solution. During startup the system attains a defined pressure by two means, a primary water pump 112c and/an air pump 112a (or air pump 112b) to drive fluid to a scaler/ultrasonic handpiece 106. A gas separator 110a, gas separator 110b separates gaseous ozone from the flow of water delivered to the ultrasonic handpiece 106. UV sensor 108 directly monitors the level of ozone in the water. Non-ozonated operation can also be delivered through the ozone generator 114 portion of the system by turning off the current to the electrolytic ozone cell 104, the cell current can also be operated at a significantly lower level or pulsed infrequently at a current necessary to produce ozone, so that a non-detectable level of ozone is delivered to maintain the cleanliness of the waterlines in the system.

[0052] To support form factor and serviceability requirements, a low profile manifold compatible electrolytic ozone cell 104 is disclosed that minimizes space requirements while delivering an EO cell that can fully charge a dental system from, for example, 0 ppm to 6 ppm of ozonated water within a short period of time compared to conventional solutions (e.g., within 30 seconds). This ozone gas production rate and long life is achieved by maintaining a low current density on the membrane and efficiently releasing bubbles as the form at the triple phase boundary (electrode-membrane-water junction). The efficient bubble release is achieved by controlling the water velocity over the face of the electrodes. By controlling the cross-sectional area in the electrode region and maintaining both system pressure (e.g., 19-24 psi, typically 22 psi) and the flow rate through the cell. The velocity of the water in the cell can be controlled to help remove bubbles and replenish the TPB with fresh water to continue feeding the electrolytic process.

[0053] The system of the present disclosure comprises the following main elements. A housing made up of an interfacial seal 202, top plate 204, and bottom plate 216, when joined form the main body of the electrolytic ozone cell 104, defines the dimensions of the inner compartment of the electrolytic ozone cell 104, provides a means for securing the cell to a manifold surface, creates internal fluid paths, and provides a coplanar interface for connecting both fluid and electrical current. The electrolytic ozone cell 104 may have several internal components: Tolerance compressor 206, contact plates such as Ti contact plates 208 (Titanium contact plates), electrodes such as BDD electrodes 210(Boron Doped Diamond electrodes), proton exchange membranes 212, and inner bottom gasket/seal 214. BDD has the overpotential to create ozone. In alternative embodiments, materials that are suitable for medical devices may be used. For example, lead oxide makes ozone but may not be used as it is poisonous. These internal components establish the electrolytic cell, the distribution of current in the cell, seals for separating inner fluid and gas pathways (i.e., anolyte and catholyte) and a means for maintaining adequate compressive forces on the inner assembly. Additional elements may be added without changing the essentials of the system disclosed herein. Methods and embodiments for each of these elements are detailed herein.

[0054] Conventional cells may also produce some oxygen as a byproduct, which further increases the utility of the produced water for treatments targeting anaerobic organisms but does not decrease the value of the AO solution for the primary purpose of scaling. Cells may also produce some hydrogen peroxide, and this component of the solution is also beneficial for cleaning, bleaching, and antimicrobial effects. In some cases, a synergistic effect of ozone and hydrogen peroxide is known and can be advantageously used by the system.

[0055] The Electrolytic Cell

[0056] Electrochemical ozone generation by direct oxidation of water, in place of the formation of O3 from O2 as in the gas phase, is a complex electrochemical process in which the catalytic electrode surface is the site of a network of reactions via several different adsorbed intermediates. The network of reactions produces a mixture of oxygen and ozone. The chemical properties of the catalyst surface affect the proportion of ozone production, but the oxygen-forming pathway is energetically more favorable and typically at least half of the electrode current forms oxygen even on the most ozone-promoting surfaces. The microscopic physical chemistry of the process is not fully understood, even though the relative ozone vs oxygen forming rates of different catalysts have been extensively studied and large differences observed.

[0057] Conventionally, a goal has been to achieve as high a rate of oxygen evolution (and hence hydrogen production) as possible, at the lowest achievable cell voltage, because this directly influences the energy cost of the process. Much of the electrolysis is done directly, with a conductive electrolyte carrying the current between the electrodes. However, a proton-conductive membrane to carry a proton current but that does not allow other species to pass at appreciable rates can be used herein. This allows electrolysis of pure water to be achieved, with significant advantages in terms of chemical simplicity and absence of unwanted byproducts. The proton conductive membranes may be sulfonated derivatives of Teflon, such as Nafion, Aquivion, and similar products. These cells are usually called Proton Exchange Membrane Water Electrolysers (PEMWE).

[0058] Conventional PEMWE industrial cells in e.g., the Membrel process for oxygen/hydrogen production have cell voltages which when are increased and ozone-selective catalysts are used, have their achievable working lifetime decreasing considerably, due to membrane and electrode degradation in the extremely oxidizing environment, and in particular due to some free radical mediated reactions that effectively attack the membrane polymer.

[0059] The selective formation of ozone instead of oxygen has hydrogen as a waste product, and the target of the present disclosure is not necessarily the lowest energy cost but rather the combination of a high dissolved ozone concentration and a long working lifetime of the cell. To achieve this objective, electrodes of boron doped diamond can be used, to take advantage of this material's preferential ratio of ozone to oxygen formation. However, BDD as a material presents some practical challenges, as it is essentially equivalent to diamond in terms of mechanical properties and has to be made by direct synthesis of a doped diamond layer on a suitable substrate to form a layer of controlled conductivity. Thus, a BDD electrode may be relatively expensive and fragile. Though platinum may be used in some circumstances, platinum oxides may pollute the membrane over time.

[0060] In one embodiment, the cell 104 includes a pair of perforated silicon plates with a thin boron doped diamond coating, the thin boron doped diamond coating being from, for example, less than 100 nm up to 15 typically 5 and can be coated more than 25 μm with a layer of proton conducting membrane 212 between them, and flow passages for the water and released gases to pass over the perforated surfaces. This configuration provides the necessary 3-phase boundary regions at the edge of every hole in the plate. Thus, the BDD electrode may be a perforated silicon plate with a boron doped diamond coating.

[0061] System Level Polarity Switching

[0062] One embodiment of the system described herein includes a design where both the cathode recirculation path 118 and the anode recirculation path 116 of the electrolytic ozone cell 104 are symmetrical so that the gas separators 110b, 110a for the cathode and anode respectively are identical in size, construction, volume, and their ability to separate gas bubbles from the fluid. In addition, both sides may require a dissolved ozone sensor, such as either two UV sensors 108 or one sensor that can measure two separate fluid paths, or a single sensor that has a series of isolation valves that can redirect either side of the system through the sensor will provide the system with the ability to monitor ozone gas in either the cathode recirculation path 118 or the anode recirculation path 116. The potential to measure ozone gas in both paths simultaneously or alternating measurement from one side of the system to the other could provide added self-diagnostics. By monitoring both sides a decision can be made to maintain the anode as the anode or if ozone levels are acceptably low (less than 0.2 ppm or lower or undetectable) the system could reverse polarity. The polarity to the cell may be changed through an H-bridge and provides output flow from whichever side of the system is producing ozone. Another benefit to monitoring ozone levels in both the anode and cathode is to monitor for gas crossover. Ozone in the cathode recirculation path 118 could indicate early signs of cell membrane perforation or loss of fluid and or gas seals. This type of self-diagnostic may help to both mitigate safety concerns as well as alert the end users prior to a loss of functionality or performance.

[0063] The need to switch system polarity may come from a need to maintain fluid levels in the catholyte and two important system characteristics related to reliability. During operation water molecules are pulled through the membrane 212 via electro-osmosis. Overtime the catholyte separator may increase in its fluid level. Without a drain or reason to discharge from the cathode side of the system the cathode separator will fill up and eventually need to be drained. By switching the overall system polarity daily, the small increase in fluid level from a day of usage will be easily managed. The reliability requirements related to polarity switching stem from the electrolytic cells long-term performance objectives and the need to maintain the cleanliness of the water in the catholyte without the need for special startup or shutdown process steps. The membrane degradation that occurs from the interaction of ozone and other oxidative species (HO, H2O2, H3O . . . ) can be distributed over both sides of the cell extending the life of each membrane. Furthermore, the catholyte may be exchanged daily and each side of the system may be ozonated preventing stagnant water and eliminating the possibility for microbial contamination.

[0064] There are conventional optical methods for detecting the level of dissolved ozone in water taking advantage of the ultraviolet light absorbance of ozone. However, changes in the mechanics and optical path (i.e., debris, aging of the UV source) may require an offset correction. By implementing a daily polarity change to the system the previous days catholyte water, water with dissolved hydrogen, can be used for zeroing out any sensor offsets making a correction without the variable concentration of an absorbing constituent in the water.

[0065] Turning now to FIG. 2, an exploded view of a manifold compatible electrolytic ozone cell 104 (manifold compatible EO cell) is shown. The assembly contains an interfacial seal 202 to create a fluid seal between the EO cell 104 and the surface of a fluidic manifold. The top plate 204 and bottom plate 216 are joined to provide a rigid housing and to form the inner cavities that surround the inner components (i.e., contact plates, electrodes, membranes . . . ). The top and bottom plate direct water flow to and from the electrode pair 210. Separate water paths are formed by assembling all the components such that catholyte (cathode recirculation path 118) side of the electrolytic ozone cell 104 prevents water and gas from mixing or crossing over to the anolyte side (anode recirculation path 116) of the EO cell and vice versa. The top and bottom plate also define the cross-sectional area of the fluid path creating the necessary flow velocity to strip bubbles from the electrode and membrane surface and carry them away from the EO cell as they are formed. The tolerance compressor 206 provides both an inner seal to form the top side fluidic cavity and seals off the electrical contact area, however it also manages the tolerance stack up from the internal assembly by compressing and changing its overall thickness. The tolerance compressor 206 also produces and maintains a clamping force on the electrode assembly, namely the two Ti contact plates 208, two electrodes 210, and one or more and desirably, two or more proton exchange membranes 212. Two membranes may improve life and may prevent mechanical shear stress from damaging the membrane. Further, two membranes may tend to slide, but the BDD electrode may grip said two electrodes. The inner bottom gasket/seal 214 seals the bottom plates to form the opposite side fluidic cavity. The inner bottom gasket/seal 214 also gathers the two electrodes 210 and two proton exchange membranes 212 into its inner rectangular opening presenting them orthogonally to the upper and lower contact plate 208. The tolerance compressor 206 and/or the inner bottom gasket/seal 214 seal off the surface of the contact plates 208 to create a dry electrical contact zone on the small tab 220 or electrical contact zone of the contact plates. This electrical contact zone can be accessed through the top plates by spring loaded electrical contacts (e.g., pogo pins) so that the contact plates can provide electrical current to the electrodes during electrolysis. Both the tolerance compressor 206 and the inner bottom gasket/seal 214 create a seal with the top plate and bottom plate to prevent water and gas from leaking out of the seam between in the assembly. The assembly screws 218 secure the top and bottom plates and generate the forces necessary to compress the tolerance compressor 206 and inner bottom gasket/seal 214 to force the electrodes tightly onto the proton exchange membranes and secure the top and bottom plates together.

[0066] Turning now to FIG. 3, an image of the inner components of a single electrode pair manifold compatible electrolytic cell is shown in different orientations.

[0067] FIG. 4 shows an example photograph of the inside surface of the Boron Doped Diamond coated electrodes and Proton exchange membranes after 77 hours of an example test operation which produced 6 ppm ozone using a closed loop control (˜12V and 0.3 A). “White damage” (created by visible light diffusion that may be due to blistering in the membrane) on the ozone side can be seen. Blistering may create zones in the membrane that are less conductive. By putting the cell back together with the same electrodes and membranes to test if the seal would hold, and running the test for 18.6 hours, it was found that the cell did not show cross over.

[0068] FIG. 5 is an image of a proton exchange membrane 212 after several 100 hours of operation demonstrating how the electrodes move closer to each other as the proton exchange membrane thins under the constant degradation that occurs during electrolysis. This thinning is managed by the tolerance compressor which maintains an adequate clamping force on the electrode pair during the life of the EO cell. Taking up tolerances for the material stack up to be either at maximum material or least material conditions is another important aspect of the tolerance compressor. Each assembly may achieve a minimal normal force (in the y direction of FIG. 2) to produce an acceptable EO cell impedance. Too low of a clamping force only use a portion of the electrode surface, reducing the EO cells' ability to produce ozone. Too high of a clamping force caused by a maximum material condition may result in electrode damage, membrane damage, or over compression on seals resulting in a loss of fluid pathway. The tolerance compressor 206 addresses all these concerns. The material may be inert to ozone and may provide adequate compression over a large range of compression, for example 2 to 10%, or 2 to 30%, or 10 to 50%, or 2 to 50% of its thickness. This high level of compression and material compatibility can be achieved by materials such as a closed-cell ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM) foam.

[0069] FIG. 6 highlights the location and thickness of the tolerance compressor in a cross-sectional view 602 which also demonstrates how the tolerance compressor applies force to the internal stack-up of components after the top and bottom plates reduce its thickness during the assembly process. The compressible layer 604 (or tolerance compressor 206) accounts for any thinning of the proton exchange membrane 212 such that compressive forces on at least the electrode-membrane-electrode stack 606 are maintained. That is, the proton exchange membrane 212 may experience thinning from the mechanical seating into the surface of boron doped diamond coating as well as the loss of membrane material from membrane degradation. The membrane 212 may also swell from initial hydration from a dry state. Thus, the tolerance compressor 206 compresses or expands to accommodate the shrinking or the swelling. Further, taking up tolerances for the material stack up to be either at maximum material or least material conditions is another important aspect of the tolerance compressor. Each assembly may achieve a minimal normal force to produce an acceptable EO cell impedance. Too low of a clamping force may only use a portion of the electrode surface, reducing the EO cells' ability to produce ozone. Too high of a clamping force caused by a maximum material condition “MMC” (all parts are at their maximum tolerance and the assembly is tight) may result in electrode damage, membrane damage, or over compression on seals resulting in a loss of fluid pathway. The tolerance compressor 206 addresses all these concerns.

[0070] FIG. 7 shows an embodiment of a scaler equipped with an aqueous ozone generator. In order to maintain the size of the scaler a fluidic manifold may be envisioned. The manifold enables a scaler without dramatically changing its footprint or size to produce aqueous ozone. A fluidic system capable of emptying water from a consumable is added. A pressurized system (e.g., 17 to 25 psi, typically 22 psi) is generated. Said water is converted via electrolysis into ozonated water via a closed loop control circuit equipped with a UV absorbance sensor to maintain ozone concentration, and this water is delivered to an ultrasonic handpiece 106.

[0071] FIG. 8, shows a transparent housing view, demonstrating a manifold assembly 804 integrated into an ultrasonic scaler housing.

[0072] FIG. 9 provides a top perspective 902 and a bottom perspective 904 view of the manifold assembly. The manifold assembly 804 may include 5 core submodules. The manifold compatible electrolytic ozone cell 104 may in an exemplary embodiment provide a coplanar seal (e.g., interfacial seals 202 disposed in the x-z plane of top plate as shown in FIG. 2) departing from fluidic fittings (e.g., push to connect or barbed fluid fitting). The electrolytic ozone cell 104 may be designed for volume production installation. It is characterized as having a simplified electrode, contact scheme, and seal arrangement. The interfacial seal 202 and low-profile design (relatively short height in the y-direction of FIG. 2 compared to conventional designs) make it compact and able to directly support existing industrial ultrasonic scaler system designs and manifold integration. For example, should the assembly to be welded, it may be 4-6 mm thick instead of, for example, 12-25 mm thick to accommodate threads and fittings and other assembly hardware. Inline catalyst 906 (O3 removal) may destroy ozone gas, by converting it from ozone to oxygen (O2) so that excess ozone gas can be vented from the manifold. The Inline catalyst O3 removal may be designed as an integrated body into the manifold assembly 804. The design may provide underside access to support serviceability as catalyst used to destroy ozone could be a serviceable element. A UV sensor 108 may utilize the absorbance of ultraviolet light by ozone to quantify the ozone concentration. The UV sensor 108 may have a simplified tolerance stack, thermal stability and reduced size compared to conventional UV sensors to support the integration into the aqueous ozone ultrasonic scaler system 100, and its optics pathway may be shared across both anode and cathode pathways to reduce the number of fluidic valves required to support intermittent (e.g., daily) polarity switching. As each other day the catholyte side is changed over to the anolyte side and the uv sensor 108 may be required to monitor the water recirculating in the anolyte side of the manifold. A magnet float level sensing 908 may be designed to monitor the fluid levels in the gas separators. The gas separators 110a, 110b may maintain a fluid level during operation, thus, the float provides a stable indicator of the water level which can then be tracked via an array of Hall effect sensors. The sensitivity of the magnetic float level sensing provides enough fidelity for real-time flowrate monitoring, providing the system and user with information the volume of water being dispensed per unit time (e.g., 20 ml/min). The magnet float level sensing 908 may be configured to be mechanically independent to eliminate the dependence on optical or capacitive sensors that may see sloshing, droplets, or bubbles in their level sensing. A reduced size pressure relieve valve 910 (PRV), compared to conventional sizes may provide stable low hysteresis regulation of the system pressure (i.e., 15 to 30 psi, more typically 19 to 21 psi, 19.5 to 22.5 psi range). Thus, the “reduced” size of the PRV 910 is intended to support the small footprint of the aqueous ozone ultrasonic scaler system 100.

[0073] FIG. 10 provides a top perspective 902 of an example manifold assembly 804 showing that the electrical connections for the electrolytic ozone cell 104 can be installed after the electrolytic ozone cell 104 has been mounted, secured, and sealed off with the manifold.

[0074] FIG. 11, illustrates a bottom perspective 904 of an example manifold assembly 804. This figure depicts the low profile of the electrolytic ozone cell 104 and a housing (top and bottom plates) of the electrolytic cell which is configured to be coupled to the manifold assembly 804 of an aqueous ozone ultrasonic scaler system 100 such that it has a flush coplanar interface with the manifold surface 1102 (in the lengthwise/horizontal direction of the assembly 804, i.e., x-z plane as shown in FIG. 11).

[0075] FIG. 12, depicts a bottom perspective 904 view of an exemplary manifold assembly 804 showing an example electrolytic ozone cell 104 and a location of the cell in the manifold assembly 804. In the figure, details of the cell's interfacial seals 202 are depicted as an O-ring interface. However, a single gasket may be fashioned to replace the four 0-rings and provide a gas tight and fluidic tight seal between the electrolytic ozone cell 104 and the manifold surface.

[0076] FIG. 13 shows a cross sectional view 1304 of manifold assembly 804 showing electrolytic ozone cell electrical connections.

[0077] Spring loaded pogo pins 1302 extend down through the manifold and reach into the cell 104 to engage the contact plates (Ti contact plate 208) electrically. The pogo pins 1302 may generate the normal force required to produce a reliable electrical connection with the contact plates (e.g., Titanium contact plates), while also taking up variation in dimensional tolerances as they collapse during their compression between the EO cell contact plate and a pogo support structure on the opposite side of the manifold. In an illustrative embodiment, the pogo pins are terminated into a printed circuit board that is connected either directly or via a small board-to-board cable harness back to the main control board. The pogo pins deliver the electrical current that drives the electrolytic reaction in the EO cell. Wires may be soldered to the pogo pins 1302 at solder locations 1306 and pogo pins 1302 may make contact with the Ti contact plates 208 at top contact 1308 and bottom contact 1310.

[0078] FIG. 14, illustrates an alternative embodiment with the electrolytic ozone cell 104 being built with two pairs of electrodes. The electrolytic ozone cell 104 can be configured with one, two, or more electrode pairs. An advantage of having two pairs of BDD electrodes 210, each independently controlled such that each electrode has a contact plate, and a separate electrical connection is that the fluid flows through both electrode pairs, so that they are plumbed in series by channels within the manifold. Alternatively, a cell design could be developed that had a single fluid inlet and a single fluid outlet, so that the cell provides the fluidic interconnection between the two pairs of electrodes. Electrically however they have separate constant current drive circuits. This enables a main controller to turn on either one or both pairs. Both pairs of electrodes may be used in order to build up the concentration of ozone quickly, after the system has been off or in a prolonged sleep mode (overnight, between patients, or over lunch). The current to each pair can also be independently controlled so that each pair can receive a range of currents from no current, to 150 ma, or from 100 to 1000 ma (typically 250 ma per cell). Each pair can be run independently so that one pair of electrodes can be off while the other is used to maintain the ozone concentration (0.2 to 22 ppm, typically 6 ppm).

[0079] FIG. 15, shows a cross-sectional area of an electrolytic ozone cell 104 showing a bubble clearance gap 1502 above electrode. The dimensions of the fluidic path about the electrode are shown, with the bubble clearance gap 1502 being linked to the overall system requirements, namely recirculation flow rates (volume per unit time), rate of ozone production, output flow rate from the system, and the ozone setpoint. Between the BDD electrode 210 and the bottom plate 216, a fluid path is formed by the thickness and inner profile of the Ti contact plate 208. This fluid path controls the velocity of the water moving over the face of the BDD electrode 210. Too slow of a fluid flow (e.g., large gap and low flow rate) may result in bubbles becoming entrapped and reducing the efficiency of the electrolytic ozone cell 104 as fresh water cannot reach the triple phase boundary. A similar fluid path is formed on the opposite side of this pair of electrodes; however, the tolerance compressor forms this fluid path. In an alternative design an additional member or outer layer may be included in the tolerance compressor to provide a rig uniform wall comparable to the bottom housing surface. Maintaining a fully symmetrical design directly supports polarity switching, such that either side of the electrode pair can become the cathode or anode.

[0080] FIG. 16, depicts an electrolytic ozone cell 104 footprint with symmetrical fluidic and electrical connections. A symmetrical footprint may eliminate the need to orient the cell with the manifold. This may directly support the ease of manufacturing the assembly and serviceability. Because the cell is fully symmetrically, both electrically and fluidically, there may be no initial orientation requirements. The flow path into the cell and the exit path from the cell as shown may have no variation in geometry and the electrical polarity of each pair of electrodes may be intended to be reversed on a periodic (e.g., daily) basis to improve reliability of the cell and to flush the catholyte every other day. A fully symmetrical cell design may eliminate the need for mechanical keying features and the possibility of damaging the coplanar interface by securing the cell in the wrong orientation. Assume that the cell of FIG. 16 has two sides, side A and side B, the footprint may be configured to have a side A electrical contact 1602, a side A outlet 1604, a side B outlet 1606, a side B electrical contact 1608, a side B inlet 1610, and a side A inlet 1612.

[0081] FIG. 17, shows an electrode 1702 with example dimensions, having a tab 1704 to provide direct electrical contact, depicting a configuration that may eliminate a need for a separate contact plate. Thus, the contact plate has been integrated into the electrode. The electrode may be made from a titanium sheet, its profile may be stamped, laser cut, or etched. Or the electrode may be formed by metal injection molding or powder medal sintering. This titanium substrate may then be coated with boron doped diamonds using vapor deposition. The coating is conductive and can cover the entire substrate or alternatively the tab could be masked prior to coating to provide a titanium surface for the electrical connection. This tabbed electrode eliminates the needs for a contact plate and reduces part count and simplifies assembly steps.

[0082] Having described the apparatus, reference will now be made to FIG. 18, which shows a block diagram of a computer system 1800 that may be employed in accordance with at least some of the illustrative embodiments herein. Although various embodiments may be described herein in terms of this exemplary computer system 1800, after reading this description, it may become apparent to a person skilled in the relevant art(s) how to implement the disclosure using other computer systems and/or architectures.

[0083] In one example embodiment herein, at least some components of the aqueous ozone ultrasonic scaler system 100 in which the electrolytic ozone cell 104 is disposed may form or be included in the computer system 1800 of FIG. 18. The computer system 1800 includes at least one computer processor 1806. The computer processor 1806 may include, for example, a central processing unit (CPU), a multiple processing unit, an application-specific integrated circuit (“ASIC”), a field programmable gate array (“FPGA”), or the like. The computer processor 1806 may be connected to a communication infrastructure 1802 (e.g., a communications bus, a cross-over bar device, a network). In an illustrative embodiment herein, the computer processor 1806 includes a CPU that that controls the electrolytic ozone cell 106 and timing of the ozone formation process.

[0084] The display interface 1808 (or other interface such) forwards text, video graphics, and other data from the communication infrastructure 1802 (or from a frame buffer (not shown)) for display on display unit 1814. For example, the display interface 1808 may include a video card with a graphics processing unit or may provide an operator with an interface for controlling the apparatus.

[0085] The computer system 1800 may also include an input unit 1810 that may be used, along with the display unit 1814 by an operator of the computer system 1800 to send information to the computer processor 1806, such as information to control the operation of the electrolytic ozone cell 104. The input unit 1810 may include for example, a touchscreen monitor. In one example, the display unit 1814, the input unit 1810, and the computer processor 1806 may collectively form a user interface.

[0086] One or more steps of providing ozonated water to an ultrasonic scaler handpiece may be stored on a non-transitory storage device in the form of computer-readable program instructions. To execute a procedure, the computer processor 1806 loads the appropriate instructions, as stored on storage device, into memory and then executes the loaded instructions.

[0087] The computer system 1800 may further comprise a main memory 1804, which may be a random-access memory (“RAM”), and also may include a secondary memory 1818. The secondary memory 1818 may include, for example, a hard disk drive 1820 and/or a removable-storage drive 1822 (e.g., a floppy disk drive, a magnetic tape drive, an optical disk drive, a flash memory drive, and the like). The removable-storage drive 1822 reads from and/or writes to a removable storage unit 1826 in a well-known manner. The removable storage unit 1826 may be, for example, a floppy disk, a magnetic tape, an optical disk, a flash memory device, and the like, which may be written to and read from by the removable-storage drive 1822. The removable storage unit 1826 may include a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing computer-executable software instructions and/or data.

[0088] In further illustrative embodiments, the secondary memory 1818 may include other computer-readable media storing computer-executable programs or other instructions to be loaded into the computer system 1800. Such devices may include removable storage unit 1828 and an interface 1824 (e.g., a program cartridge and a cartridge interface); a removable memory chip (e.g., an erasable programmable read-only memory (“EPROM”) or a programmable read-only memory (“PROM”)) and an associated memory socket; and other removable storage units 1828 and interfaces 1824 that allow software and data to be transferred from the removable storage unit 1828 to other parts of the computer system 1800.

[0089] The computer system 1800 may also include a communications interface 1812 that enables software and data to be transferred between the computer system 1800 and external devices. Such an interface may include a modem, a network interface (e.g., an Ethernet card or an IEEE 802.11 wireless LAN interface), a communications port (e.g., a Universal Serial Bus (“USB”) port or a FireWire® port), a Personal Computer Memory Card International Association (“PCMCIA”) interface, Bluetooth®, and the like. Software and data transferred via the communications interface 1812 may be in the form of signals, which may be electronic, electromagnetic, optical or another type of signal that may be capable of being transmitted and/or received by the communications interface 1812. Signals may be provided to the communications interface 1812 via a communications path 1816 (e.g., a channel). The communications path 1816 carries signals and may be implemented using wire or cable, fiber optics, a telephone line, a cellular link, a radio-frequency (“RF”) link, or the like. The communications interface 1812 may be used to transfer software or data or other information between the computer system 1800 and a remote server or cloud-based storage (not shown).

[0090] One or more computer programs or computer control logic may be stored in the main memory 1804 and/or the secondary memory 1818. The computer programs may also be received via the communications interface 1812. The computer programs include computer-executable instructions which, when executed by the computer processor 1806, cause the computer system 1800 to perform the methods as described hereinafter. Accordingly, the computer programs may control the computer system 1800 and other components of the aqueous ozone ultrasonic scaler system 100.

[0091] In another embodiment, the software may be stored in a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium and loaded into the main memory 1804 and/or the secondary memory 1818 using the removable-storage drive 1822, hard disk drive 1820, and/or the communications interface 1812. Control logic (software), when executed by the computer processor 1806, causes the computer system 1800, and more generally the apparatus, to perform the some or all of the methods described herein.

[0092] Lastly, in another example embodiment hardware components such as ASICs, FPGAs, and the like, may be used to carry out the functionality described herein. Implementation of such a hardware arrangement so as to perform the functions described herein will be apparent to persons skilled in the relevant art(s) in view of this description.