Device for treating a liquid by UV-C radiation and water fountain comprising it

Abstract

Device for treating a liquid by UV-C radiation and water fountain comprising it. The device comprises a liquid treatment chamber (6), at least one LED (22) emitting UV-C light, for irradiating the liquid to be treated circulating in the treatment chamber (6) with its UV-C radiation, a plurality of inlet channels (11) through which the liquid to be treated enters the treatment chamber (6) and an outlet orifice (12) of the treatment chamber (6), through which the liquid leaves the treatment chamber (6) once treated, said inlet channels (11) being arranged concentrically around the liquid outlet orifice (12) and following a truncated cone configuration whose small base faces the at least one LED (22). Figure for abstract: Fig.3

Description

Title of the invention: Device for treating a liquid by UV-C radiation and water fountain comprising it

[0001] The present application relates to devices for treating a liquid by ultraviolet (UV) radiation, such as water.

[0002] Such devices are in particular intended to be arranged in a beverage dispensing device, such as for example a water fountain, and in particular near a beverage dispensing point.

[0003] Devices for treating water using UV radiation are, for example, known from patent applications DE202022104664, US2019 / 0225509 and US11,104,590

[0004] It remains necessary to increase the irradiation level with ultraviolet light irradiating the liquid by means of such devices, in order to improve the disinfection effect of the irradiation. However, increasing the number of light-emitting devices to achieve a suitable disinfection effect results in an increase in cost.

[0005] The present invention aims to improve existing devices and further lead to other advantages.

[0006] To this end, it proposes a device for treating a liquid by UV-C radiation, comprising a liquid treatment chamber, at least one LED (i.e. a light-emitting diode) emitting UV-C light, for irradiating the liquid to be treated circulating in the chamber with its UV-C radiation, a plurality of inlet channels through which the liquid to be treated enters the treatment chamber and an outlet through which the liquid leaves the treatment chamber once treated, said inlet channels being arranged concentrically around the liquid outlet and following a truncated cone configuration whose small base faces the at least one LED.

[0007] Thanks to these arrangements, the flow of water entering the treatment chamber is directed in the form of jets onto the UV-C light source (the LED(s)) and more precisely towards the top of the cone of light formed by the LED(s), where the light intensity is maximum, for disinfection with maximum efficiency.

[0008] According to an arrangement that is original in itself, because it can be implemented without the specific configuration of the liquid inlet and outlet channels, as defined above, the device comprises a cooling channel surrounding a heat exchanger on which an electronic card carrying the LED(s) is fixed, the cooling channel communicating fluidly with an inlet of liquid to be treated in the treatment device at one of its ends and with the plurality of channels entrance at its other end.

[0009] The device according to the invention may further comprise all or part of the following characteristics, which may be combined:

[0010] - the device comprises a treated liquid flow passage extending from the outlet of the treatment chamber to a distribution point of the treated liquid;

[0011] - the chamber and, where appropriate, the flow passage, have a surface internal reflecting UV-C radiation to the distribution point;

[0012] - the chamber and, where appropriate, the flow passage, are formed from a material reflecting UV-C radiation, preferably a fluoropolymer, such as polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE);

[0013] - the at least one LED is located in a fluid-tight housing, separate from the treatment chamber with a window transparent to UV-C radiation;

[0014] - the cooling channel is formed between a body in which the chamber and the heat exchanger, and the latter;

[0015] - the body has internally ribs spacing the body from the chamber of treatment ;

[0016] - the flow passage comprises a first tube then a second tube forming a angle with the first tube, and a distribution point of the treated liquid;

[0017] - the flow passage is partially frustoconical in the first tube and the second tube;

[0018] - the axis of the part of the flow passage located in the first tube forms a angle greater than 90°, preferably equal to 100°, with the axis of the part of the flow passage located in the second tube and an oblique surface facing the part of the flow passage located in the first tube operates the junction between the two parts of the flow passage;

[0019] - the first and second tubes are housed in a mounted distribution head removable on the body with the possibility of mounting according to different angular positions of a liquid inlet tube in the device, connected to the body;

[0020] - the inlet channels are formed by complementarity of shapes between grooves arranged in the edge of the outlet orifice and one end of the first tube housed in the orifice.

[0021] According to another aspect of the present invention, there is also provided a water fountain comprising a device as described above, with all or part of the aforementioned characteristics and providing similar advantages.

[0022] According to specific provisions of this fountain, which can be combined:

[0023] - the treatment device is mounted on the fountain so that the treatment chamber treatment is arranged inclined downwards;

[0024] - the fountain comprises control means for cyclical lighting of the at least one LED, intended to prevent back-contamination between the distribution point and the rest of the treatment device.

[0025] Other advantages and characteristics of the present invention will emerge from the detailed reading which follows, with reference to the appended drawings, given for illustrative purposes and in no way limiting, among which:

[0026] [Fig.l] represents a processing device according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0027] [Fig.2] shows the device of [Fig.l] in exploded view;

[0028] [Fig. 3] is a sectional view of the device of Figures 1 and 2;

[0029] [Fig.4] represents the device of [Fig.3] with an illustration of the circulation of the liquid and the path of the UV rays;

[0030] [Fig.5] is a schematic perspective view illustrating the different positions possible water inlet tube in the treatment device; and

[0031] [Fig.6] is a partial schematic view of a water fountain comprising a device according to an embodiment of the present invention, positioned in an inclined manner.

[0032] As primarily illustrated in Figures 1 to 5, a treatment device according to one embodiment of the present invention is a system for disinfecting a liquid, such as water, flowing therethrough.

[0033] According to this embodiment, the device for treating the liquid by ultraviolet radiation comprises a disinfection reactor having a reactor body 1, on which an orientable reactor head 2 is mounted.

[0034] From an inlet end of liquid to be treated in the treatment device to a distribution point of the liquid are successively housed in the reactor body, a heat exchanger 3 for cooling an electronic card 4, then this electronic card on which is mounted an LED 22 emitting UV-C light to irradiate the liquid to be treated circulating in the treatment device and provided with a supply circuit thereof, a window 5 transparent to UV-C, a treatment chamber 6 reflecting the UV-C light, then in the orientable head 2, an inner head 7 or fluidic connection tube of the treatment chamber 6 to a liquid outlet tube 8 forming a distribution point of the treated liquid.

[0035] This liquid outlet tube 8 is fitted into the inner head 7, and fixed by a screw 9 to the swivel head 2, a seal 10 ensuring the seal at the junction of the outlet tube 8 and the inner head 7.

[0036] At the other end, the liquid to be treated enters the treatment chamber 6 through a plurality of inlet channels 11 and leaves through an outlet orifice 12 once treated. As illustrated more precisely in Figures 3 and 4, these inlet channels 11 are arranged concentrically around the outlet orifice 12 and in a truncated cone configuration, the small base of which faces the LED 22 emitting UV-C light.

[0037] Thus, as mentioned above, the flow of water entering the treatment chamber 6 is directed in the form of jets onto the LED 22 and more precisely towards the top of the cone of light formed by the latter, that is to say in practice its center, where the light intensity is maximum.

[0038] The flow of water then leaves the treatment chamber 6 through the outlet orifice 12 thereof and enters a second treatment chamber formed by the inner head 7 and having a truncated cone-shaped passage 13 extended by a cylindrical narrowing 14 of this head, which opens onto a passage 15 of this head having a general configuration in the form of a triangular prism, and which precedes a passage 16 of the outlet tube 8, itself formed by a cylindrical section 16a followed by a truncated cone-shaped section 16b then again by a cylindrical section 16c at the end of the outlet tube 8 forming the distribution point.

[0039] It will also be observed that the treatment chamber 6 is formed by a cup 17 whose bottom is crossed by the outlet orifice 12, and whose edge of the orifice is provided with grooves regularly distributed around its circumference and has a truncated cone section in order to form by means of these grooves the said inlet channels 11 arranged in a truncated cone configuration.

[0040] The inner head 7 has on the side of this orifice 12 a crown 18 of triangular section, made in one piece with the rest of the inner head 7 and housed in the orifice 12 so as to delimit with the grooves the inlet channels 11.

[0041] This crown 18 does not occupy the entire thickness of the inner head 7 in order to allow the inlet channels 11 to communicate fluidly with a cooling channel 19.

[0042] More precisely, the reactor body 1 is provided internally with a plurality of ribs 20 distributed over its circumference, so as to leave the cooling channel 19 between the internal surface of this body 1 and the treatment chamber 6, while centering the cup 17 in the body 1. The latter is fluidically connected to a liquid inlet 21 provided in the treatment device, at its end opposite that communicating with the plurality of liquid inlet channels 11 in the treatment chamber 6.

[0043] In practice, a liquid inlet tube 23 communicates, in the context of the present embodiment, on the side of the reactor body 1 with the inlet 21 to create a liquid vortex in the cooling channel 19 around the heat exchanger 3 used to cool the electronic card 4. This heat exchanger 3 is made of a material that is a very good heat conductor, here coated aluminum or stainless steel, is thus constantly cooled by the liquid circulating around it.

[0044] The circulation of liquid thus obtained from the inlet into the treatment device and up to the distribution point is illustrated by the dotted arrows in [Fig.4].

[0045] This [Fig. 4] also illustrates by means of solid arrows the irradiation of the liquid by the UV-C light generated by the LED 22. As can be seen in this [Fig. 4], the inner surface of the treatment chamber 6, the inner head 7 and the outlet tube 8 reflects the UV-C light, in order to be able to continue not only the irradiation effect in the treatment chamber 6 but then also to the distribution point. For this, the cup 17 forming the treatment chamber, the inner head 7 and the outlet tube 8 are, here, made of a material reflecting UV light, here a fluoropolymer, and preferably polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), offering a very efficient and uniform diffuse reflection of the UV light and resistance to the formation of biofilm and limescale on its surfaces.

[0046] Alternatively, the internal surface of these elements can be coated with a coating of a material reflecting UV-C rays.

[0047] In practice, the LED is chosen to emit UV-C rays, that is to say rays generally having a wavelength between approximately 100 nm and 400 nm, and more particularly a wavelength between approximately 153 nm and 280 nm for UV-C, and preferably a wavelength between approximately 240 nm and 280 nm to ensure better decontamination capacity (destruction of viruses and bacteria present in the liquid).

[0048] It will also be noted that (see [Fig. 4]) the axis of the treatment chamber 6 and of the flow passage formed by the inner head 7 forms an angle α greater than 90°, preferably equal to 100°, with the axis formed by the flow passage of the outlet tube, so that the UV rays arriving on the inclined plane surface 15a formed by the passage 15 in the form of a triangular prism and facing the flow passage of the inner head 7 travel substantially parallel to the axis formed by the flow passage of the outlet tube 8, thanks to maximum irradiation of the outlet tube 8. This inclined surface 15a itself makes, here, an angle [3 of 40° with the axis of the treatment chamber 6 and of the flow passage formed by the inner head 7.

[0049] The truncated cone sections provided in the outlet tube 8 and in the inner head 7 allow the UV rays to be concentrated, for the benefit of optimal irradiation of the liquid.

[0050] As can still be seen in the figures, the LED 22 is surface mounted on the electronic card 4 connected for the power supply to a power cable 28.

[0051] This card 4 is located in a fluid-tight housing 24 adjoining the treatment chamber 6. In practice, the sealing is obtained by a seal 25 arranged at the junction between the heat exchanger 3, forming in practice this housing 24, and the quartz window 5. On the side of this window opposite the housing 24, a seal 26 is also provided between the window 5 and the cup 17 forming the treatment chamber 6.

[0052] It will also be observed that this heat exchanger 3 is here screwed into the body 1, while the electronic card 4 is also screwed by means of screws 32 onto the bottom of the housing 24.

[0053] Furthermore, thanks to different screw holes 30 provided both on the orientable head 2 and on the reactor body 1 so as to be able to fix this head on the body according to different angular positions of this reactor body, it is possible, as illustrated by [Fig. 5], to also arrange the liquid inlet tube 23 according to different angular positions, dictated by the possibilities of connecting the water inlets to the treatment device.

[0054] Two other seals are also provided, one 29 between the inner head 7 and the body 1 and the other 27 between the exchanger 3 and this same body 1, at the inlet end of the cooling channel.

[0055] It will also be observed in Figures 4 and 6 that the device can also be mounted inclined on a beverage dispensing device, here a water fountain 31, in order to avoid or at least limit the water stagnating in the device.

[0056] Cyclic lighting of the LED may also be provided to prevent back-contamination between the distribution point and the rest of the treatment device.

[0057] Of course, the present invention is not limited to the preceding description or to the appended figures, but extends to any variant within the reach of those skilled in the art.

[0058] In particular, instead of a single LED, an array of LEDs may be provided on the electronic card.

Claims

Claims

1. Device for treating a liquid by UV-C radiation, comprising a liquid treatment chamber (6), at least one LED (22) emitting UV-C light, for irradiating the liquid to be treated circulating in the treatment chamber (6) with its UV-C radiation, characterized in that it comprises a plurality of inlet channels (11) through which the liquid to be treated enters the treatment chamber (6) and an outlet orifice (12) of the treatment chamber (6), through which the liquid leaves the treatment chamber (6) once treated, said inlet channels (11) being arranged concentrically around the liquid outlet orifice (12) and following a truncated cone configuration whose small base faces the at least one LED (22).

2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises a cooling channel (19) surrounding a heat exchanger (3) on which is fixed an electronic card (4) carrying the at least one LED (22), the cooling channel communicating fluidly with an inlet (21) of liquid to be treated in the treatment device at one of its ends and with the plurality of inlet channels at its other end.

3. Device according to claim 2, characterized in that the cooling channel is formed between a body (1) in which the treatment chamber and the heat exchanger are housed, and the latter.

4. Device according to claim 3, characterized in that the body has internally ribs spacing the body from the treatment chamber.

5. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a flow passage for treated liquid extending from the outlet orifice of the treatment chamber to a distribution point for the treated liquid.

6. Device according to claim 5, characterized in that the flow passage comprises a first tube (7) then a second tube (8) forming an angle with the first tube, and a distribution point for the treated liquid.

7. Device according to claim 6, characterized in that the inlet channels are formed by complementary shapes between grooves formed in the edge of the outlet orifice and one end of the first tube housed in the orifice.

8. Device according to one of claims 6 and 7, characterized in that the flow passage is partially frustoconical in the first tube and the second tube.

9. Device according to one of claims 6 to 8, characterized in that the axis of the part of the flow passage located in the first tube forms an angle greater than 90°, preferably equal to 100°, with the axis of the part of the flow passage located in the second tube and an oblique surface facing the part of the flow passage located in the first tube operates the junction between the two parts of the flow passage.

10. Device according to one of claims 6 to 9, characterized in that the first and second tubes are housed in a distribution head removably mounted on a body (1) in which the treatment chamber is housed, with the possibility of mounting according to different angular positions of a liquid inlet tube in the device, connected to the body.

11. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the chamber and, where appropriate, the flow passage, have an internal surface reflecting the UV-C radiation up to the distribution point.

12. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the chamber and, where appropriate, the flow passage, are formed from a material reflecting UV-C radiation, preferably a fluoropolymer, such as polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE).

13. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one LED is located in a fluid-tight housing (24), separated from the treatment chamber by a window (5) transparent to UV-C radiation.

14. A water fountain (31) comprising a treatment device according to any one of the preceding claims.

15. Fountain according to claim 14, characterized in that the treatment device is mounted on the fountain so that the treatment chamber (6) is arranged inclined downwards.

16. Fountain according to claim 14 or 15, characterized in that it comprises control means for cyclical lighting of the at least one LED (22), intended to prevent retro-contamination between the distribution point and the rest of the treatment device.

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