Germicidal lamp for harsh environments

Abstract

A germicidal lamp for harsh environments is disclosed. The germicidal lamp is suited for outdoor installation on an HVAC system or related components. The germicidal lamp is made from materials resistant to splashing water, etc., and includes plural seals to protect the interior of the fixture and prevent leakage or contamination into or out of the HVAC system.

Description

RELATED APPLICATION INFORMATION[0001]This application is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 08 / 773,643, filed Dec. 24, 1996 entitled “Single-Ended Germicidal Lamp for HVAC Systems,” issued Feb. 2, 1999 as U.S. Pat. No. 5,866,076, which is incorporated herein by reference.[0002]This application is related to application Ser. No. 08 / 803,350 filed Feb. 20, 1997 entitled “Method of UV Distribution in an Air Handling System,” issued Oct. 6, 1998 as U.S. Pat. No. 5,817,276, which is incorporated herein by reference.[0003]This application is related to application Ser. No. 09 / 167,376 filed Oct. 6, 1998 entitled “Reduction of Energy Consumption in a Cooling or Heating System Through UVC Irradiation,” which is incorporated herein by reference.[0004]This application is related to application Ser. No. 09 / 170,361 filed Oct. 13, 1998 entitled “Returning a Heat Exchanger's Efficiency to “As New,” which is incorporated herein by reference.[0005]This application is related to applicatio...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

"The invention is a germicidal lamp that can be installed in an HVAC system to provide UVC irradiation to components exposed to outdoor elements. The lamp is designed to withstand outdoor elements and has a ruggedized interface with its power supply. The invention also includes methods of installing and using the germicidal lamp in an air conveyance system and an HVAC system. The technical effects of the invention include improved air quality, reduced energy usage, and improved system efficiency."

Problems solved by technology

Of a more global interest though, is the cost to operate and maintain HVAC systems.

Recently, entire electrical grids have shut down on very hot days in part because of the huge electrical demand from inefficient HVAC systems running at extreme capacity.

Various reasons have contributed to the lack of success in utilizing germicidal lamps for bioaerosol control (IAQ), except for limited and specialized purposes.

The functional implementation of such devices in air moving systems has been limited generally to expensive portable units with questionable efficacy.

If such a system could be made to work, it would require an increase in fan horsepower, light energy and in the number of expensive tube replacements.

However, ozone has strict threshold limit values in air due to its strong oxidative properties and potential harm to humans.

Although numerous companies have attempted to apply germicidal lamps to HVAC systems, standard germicidal lamps have proved unsatisfactory.

Despite the clear benefits of germicidal lamps, problems such as decreased output in moving and / or low temperature air, reduced air changes and ozone production have prevented their use in all but specialized environments.

However, the ozone in these water treatment systems is controlled and not released to the atmosphere.

However, water application fixtures have not been considered or used in air treatment systems.

Also, water application fixtures have not been produced for HVAC use or for air treatment use in outdoor applications.

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