Rotating disinfection device containing ultraviolet emitters

Abstract

To provide apparatuses, systems and methods for disinfection in which one or more of UV emitters are rotatable to adjust their fields of illumination.SOLUTION: An apparatus includes a disinfecting device 100. The disinfecting device 100 includes a shell 120 configured to rotate about an axis, UV emitters 130 that are configured to emit UV light 122, and rotational couplings 124 that couple the UV emitters 130 to the shell 120 and provide multi-axial rotation of the UV emitters 130 relative to the shell 120.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1A

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001]

[0001] This disclosure relates to the field of disinfection, and more particularly to disinfecting enclosed spaces such as the interior of an aircraft. [Background technology]

[0002]

[0002] Confined spaces present challenges with regard to preventing infection because the interior of the confined space is shared by all occupants of the confined space. Furthermore, many confined spaces, even particularly small ones such as aircraft or restrooms, accommodate large numbers of people throughout the day. Thus, potential avenues for infection exist within the confined space in that infected individuals who visit the confined space may contaminate surfaces therein, and these contaminated surfaces become vectors by which others using the confined space may become infected.

[0003] Even with efforts to clean enclosed spaces multiple times per day, the risk of infection, especially with regard to virulent diseases, can be non-trivial. To further compound this problem, many surfaces that become contaminated throughout the day may not be in the direct line of sight of occupants, making the cleaning personnel's job of disinfecting those surfaces easy to forget.

[0004]

[0004] It would therefore be desirable to have a method and apparatus that takes into account at least some of the problems discussed above, as well as other possible problems. Summary of the Invention

[0005]

[0005] Embodiments described herein provide a disinfection device that houses ultraviolet (UV) emitters on a shell. One or more of the UV emitters can rotate to adjust their radiation field. Furthermore, the shell can rotate (i.e., spin) to rotate the UV emitters, thereby increasing the number and amount of surfaces disinfected by direct UV light transmission. In one embodiment, the UV emitters' distance from one another, their various angles of orientation relative to one another, and their rotation with the shell during disinfection operations illuminate a greater variety of surfaces within the enclosed space. Thus, multiple UV emitters illuminate a greater amount of surface area than can be achieved via a single point-source UV emitter. This increases the variety of surfaces covered by disinfecting UV light and reduces the chance of the enclosed space becoming contaminated.

[0006] One embodiment is an apparatus that includes a sterilization device including a shell configured to rotate about an axis, an ultraviolet light emitter configured to emit UV light, and a rotational coupling that couples the UV emitter to the shell and provides multi-axis rotation of the UV emitter relative to the shell.

[0007] A further embodiment is an apparatus including a sterilization device. The sterilization device includes a core member, a cylindrical shell surrounding the core member and configured to rotate about the core member, and an ultraviolet (UV) emitter securely attached to the periphery of the shell. The sterilization device also includes the UV emitter rotatably coupled to the shell and configured to rotate polyaxially relative to the shell, a motor for spinning the shell about the core member, and a support for orienting the sterilization device in an upright position.

[0008] A further embodiment is a method for disinfecting an enclosed space, the method including installing a disinfection device on a surface within the enclosed space, the disinfection device including a shell that rotates about an axis, ultraviolet (UV) emitters mounted on the shell and configured to emit UV light, and a rotary coupling that provides multi-axis rotation of one or more of the UV emitters relative to the shell, adjusting an orientation of one or more of the UV emitters via the rotary coupling, activating the UV emitters to emit UV light from the UV emitters, and rotating the shell about the axis while the UV light is being emitted.

[0009]

[0009] Other exemplary embodiments (e.g., methods and computer-readable media related to the above-described embodiments) may also be described below. The above-described features, functions, and advantages may be realized alone in various embodiments or may be combined in yet other embodiments. These embodiments may be more fully understood with reference to the following description and drawings.

[0010]

[0010] Some embodiments of the present disclosure will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which the same reference numbers represent the same elements or same types of elements, and in which: [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1A] 1 is a schematic diagram of a disinfection device in an exemplary embodiment. [Figure 1B] FIG. 10 is a further schematic diagram of a disinfection device in an exemplary embodiment. [Figure 2] 1 illustrates a disinfection device in an exemplary embodiment. [Figure 3] 1 illustrates a disinfection device in an exemplary embodiment. [Figure 4] 1 illustrates a disinfection device in an exemplary embodiment. [Figure 5]1 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a UV emitter with an adjustable head, which can be incorporated into a disinfection device. [Figure 6] 1 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a UV emitter with an adjustable head that can be integrated into a disinfection device. [Figure 7] 1 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a UV emitter with an adjustable head that can be integrated into a disinfection device. [Figure 8] 1 illustrates a sterilization device rotating within an enclosed space in an exemplary embodiment. [Figure 9] 1 illustrates a sterilization device rotating within an enclosed space in an exemplary embodiment. [Figure 10] 1 illustrates a disinfection device located within the cabin of an aircraft in an exemplary embodiment; [Figure 11] FIG. 1 is a flow diagram illustrating a method for disinfecting an enclosed space in an exemplary embodiment. [Figure 12] 1 illustrates an aircraft in an illustrative embodiment. [Figure 13] FIG. 1 is an illustration of a flowchart of an aircraft manufacturing and service method in accordance with an illustrative embodiment. [Figure 14] FIG. 1 is an illustration of a block diagram of an aircraft in an illustrative embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012]

[0021] The drawings and the following description provide specific exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. Therefore, it should be understood that those skilled in the art can devise various devices not explicitly described or shown herein to embody the principles of the present disclosure, but that such devices are within the scope of the present disclosure. Furthermore, any examples described herein are intended to aid in understanding the principles of the present disclosure and should not be construed as being limited to the specifically recited examples and conditions. Consequently, the present disclosure is not limited to the specific embodiments or examples described below, but is limited by the claims and their equivalents.

[0013]

[0022] 1A is a schematic diagram of a sterilization device 100 in an exemplary embodiment. The sterilization device 100 includes any suitable system, device, or component capable of performing sterilization by emitting ultraviolet (UV) light. The sterilization device 100 includes a shell 120, which comprises an elongated housing. The shell 120 may have any suitable cross-sectional shape (e.g., circular, hexagonal, square, etc.). The sterilization device 100 also includes a UV emitter 130. The UV emitter 130 includes components that emit UV light 122 to sterilize surfaces.

[0014]

[0023] The UV emitter 130 couples to the shell 120 via a rotational coupling 124. The rotational coupling 124 may include a ball joint, a universal joint, and / or other components that allow the UV emitter 130 to rotate along multiple axes (e.g., all three axes: X, Y, and Z) relative to the shell 120 to change the illumination field. In this embodiment, the rotational coupling 124 is located near the top of the shell 120, but in further embodiments, the rotational coupling 124 may additionally or alternatively be located circumferentially along the middle or bottom of the shell 120.

[0015]

[0024] Shell 120 rotates about axis 121, such as a central axis of shell 120. Shell 120 is coupled to UV emitter 130, so that rotation of shell 120 causes UV emitter 130 to rotate and illuminate an area of ​​the enclosed space with UV light 122. UV light 122 disinfects by inactivating genetic material within viruses and / or bacteria near the surface, thereby rendering the surface inert.

[0016]

[0025] FIG. 1B is a schematic diagram of the sterilization device 100 in an exemplary embodiment. FIG. 1B shows additional components of the sterilization device 100 of FIG. 1A in one embodiment. In this embodiment, the sterilization device 100 includes a core member 150. The core member 150 is an elongated body. In this embodiment, a centerline of the core member 150 defines an axis 121. In one embodiment, the core member 150 is a cylinder formed from a material such as metal, plastic, composite material, etc. In this embodiment, the shell 120 is configured to rotate about the axis 121 relative to the core member 150. The shell 120 may have a hollow interior surrounding at least a portion of the core member 150. For example, the shell 120 may include a hollow cylinder disposed around the core member 150 such that the shell 120 and the core member 150 are concentric.

[0017]

[0026] In this embodiment, additional UV emitters 130 may be mounted around the periphery C of the shell 120, for example, distributed radially along the periphery. Each of these UV emitters 130 occupies a unique combination of vertical position 112 and radial position 110. Thus, as the shell 120 spins, each of the UV emitters 130 mounted around the periphery of the shell 120 provides a separate radiation field.

[0018]

[0027] The core member 150 is elevated by supports 114 (e.g., legs, wheels, etc.), which hold the core member 150 in an upright position. This ensures that the shell 120 does not come into contact with the floor or other surface during rotation, which prevents rotation of the shell 120 from causing the sterilization device 100 to move or jostle.

[0019]

[0028] 2-4 show an exemplary embodiment of a sterilization device 100. The sterilization device 100 is installed in an upright position 290 atop a surface 260, which may include the boundary (e.g., a floor) of an enclosed space 270 or an object within the enclosed space 270. For example, the sterilization device 100 may be installed on a surface such as an aisle of an aircraft. In such an embodiment, the sterilization device 100 is sized for placement within the aisle.

[0020]

[0029] In this embodiment, the UV emitters 130 are physically coupled to the shell 120. In one embodiment, some of the UV emitters 130 are rotatably coupled to the shell 120 via rotational couplings 124. Other UV emitters 130 are rigidly attached to the shell 120 and do not connect with the rotational couplings 124.

[0021]

[0030] In this embodiment, each of the UV emitters 130 includes a head 234 that houses a UV light emitting diode (LED) and a body 232 that houses a power source. Each head 234 includes an optical surface 236 that is transparent to the UV light 122 and protects the UV LED of the UV emitter 130 from physical damage (e.g., resulting from impact).

[0022]

[0031] UV emitter 130 emits UV light 122 through optical surface 236. The UV light 122 is absorbed by surfaces in a direct line of sight of optical surface 236 of head 234, and the UV light 122 inactivates genetic material within viruses and / or bacteria disposed on the surface, rendering them inactive. In one embodiment, head 234 emits UV light 122 at a wavelength of 222 nanometers, which is safe for humans. In such an embodiment, UV emitter 130 may continue to emit UV light even while enclosed space 270 is occupied (e.g., by cleaning personnel).

[0023]

[0032] In this embodiment, the UV emitters 130 are arranged in a staggered configuration such that each of the UV emitters 130 occupies a different vertical position 112 (and optionally, radial position 110) on the shell 120. Thus, as the shell 120 rotates, the UV emitters 130 are activated, and as the shell 120 rotates, each UV emitter 130 on the shell covers a different radiation field.

[0024]

[0033] By adjusting the angle and position of the head of the UV emitter 130, the UV emitter 130 can illuminate (e.g., directly illuminate) different portions of the enclosed space within fields F1, F2, F3, F4, F5, F6, etc. To further increase the amount of surface area disinfected by the sterilization device 100, the shell 120 rotates about the core member 150 in direction 222.

[0025]

[0034] In one embodiment, both the shell 120 and the core member 150 are made from a rigid material 214 (e.g., plastic, metal, ceramic, carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP), etc.). The legs 212 include four legs each pivotally attached to the core member 150, and in this embodiment, are rotatably attached to the core member 150 to facilitate folding the sterilization device 100. The legs 212 maintain the sterilization device 100 in an upright position 290 and prevent the sterilization device 100 from tipping. Specifically, the legs 212 have a length such that tilting of the sterilization device 100 is prevented regardless of torques that would be applied by various possible orientations of the UV emitters 130 on the sterilization device 100.

[0026]

[0035] FIG. 3 is a block diagram representing the internal components of the sterilization device 100 of FIG. 2 in an exemplary embodiment. Many of these internal components include electronics within the shell 120 that rotate together with the shell 120. By incorporating the electronics and power system into the shell 120, these components spin continuously with the shell 120 without becoming tangled. This allows the shell 120 to spin continuously without encountering tangled wiring or other problems. According to FIG. 3, a power system in the form of a battery 330 is disposed within the shell 120. The battery 330 provides power to the UV emitters 130, including those rigidly fixed to the shell 120 and those rotatably fixed to the shell 120, via the rotational coupling 124. The battery 330 is electrically coupled to a plug 332. The plug 332 allows the battery 330 to be supplied with power via the electrical system (e.g., via an outlet) to recharge the sterilization device 100 during rest periods.

[0027]

[0036] 3 also reveals that the rotary coupling 124 defines a passageway that allows the wires 370 to pass through the UV emitter 130. The wires 370 include excess length, which allows the wires 370 to adjust to any shape changes caused by repositioning the rotary coupling 124 during operation without pinching or placing the wires 370 in tension. Because all of the electrical components of the sterilization device 100 are integrated into the shell 120, rotation of the shell 120 does not cause twisting of the wires 370. This allows the shell 120 to rotate infinitely, clockwise or counterclockwise, depending on the force applied by the motor 320.

[0028]

[0037] In one embodiment, the motor 320 is disposed within or otherwise coupled to the shell 120 and rotatably secured to the core member 150 via a chuck 322, rod, bolt, or other component. The motor 320 may itself include a rotor 324 that is coupled to or mechanically coupled to the core member 150. In such an embodiment, spinning the rotor 324 of the motor 320 causes the core member 150 to spin (e.g., by meshing teeth on the motor with the teeth in the core member 150). The motor 320 may drive the shell 120 at any suitable rotational rate around the core member 150. However, to conserve energy, the motor 320 may rotate the shell 120 at a speed between one revolution per second and one revolution per minute. A battery 330 powers the motor 320.

[0029]

[0038] The controller 340 commands the operation of the sterilization device 100. In one embodiment, the controller 340 includes logic for switching to the battery 330 when power is interrupted at the plug 332. In a further embodiment, the controller 340 monitors the battery 330 and reports a low battery condition by illuminating the indicator 350 if the amount of energy stored in the battery 330 falls below a threshold level (e.g., 20%). In a further embodiment, the controller 340 activates the UV emitter 130 and the motor 320 for a limited period of time in response to receiving input from a user (e.g., pressing an "on" button on the controller 340). This ensures that disinfection lasts a predetermined disinfection period (e.g., 15 minutes) and also ensures that battery power is not wasted after disinfection is completed. In one embodiment, the controller 340 is implemented as a custom circuit, a hardware processor executing programmed instructions stored in memory, or some combination thereof.

[0030]

[0039] The buttons 342 and 344 provide input to the controller 340, which may be utilized to activate or deactivate the motor 320, the UV emitter 130, etc. Additionally, in some embodiments, the remote 360 ​​transmits wireless signals to the controller 340 to direct the operation of the sterilization device 100. The remote 360 ​​may be particularly desirable in embodiments in which the motor 320 is configured to spin at a high speed (e.g., from one rotation per second to one rotation every five seconds, or faster), because in such embodiments, the buttons 342 and 344 may be difficult to reach manually.

[0031]

[0040] 3 further shows that in one embodiment, each leg 212 is pivotally attached to the core member 150 via a hinge 312. The hinge 312 is held in place by friction, so the amount of force required to reposition the hinge 312 is greater than the amount of force equal to the weight of the sterilization device 100. This prevents the sterilization device 100 from collapsing under its own weight when deployed.

[0032]

[0041] Figure 4 is a top perspective view of the sterilization device 100 of Figures 2-3 in an exemplary embodiment. In this embodiment, the shell 120 of the sterilization device 100 rotates in a clockwise direction 400 in response to the motor 320 interacting with the core member 150. Figure 4 makes evident the increased amount of rotational freedom afforded to the UV emitters 130 located at the top of the sterilization device 100, as these UV emitters 130 can be adjusted to a wide variety of angles and positions by the rotational linkages 124.

[0033]

[0042] 5-7 show an exemplary embodiment of a UV emitter 130 having a head 234 that is adjustable and can be docked to the sterilization device 100. The UV emitter 130 of the sterilization device 100 of FIG. 2 can include an adjustable emitter of the type shown in FIGS. 5-7 to further enhance the ability of the sterilization device 100 to illuminate a larger volume of surfaces within an enclosed space with UV light 122. In this way, even UV emitters 130 fixed to the shell 120 of the sterilization device 100 can adjust their irradiation field, which enhances the ability of the sterilization device 100 to perform disinfection of a wide variety of enclosed spaces.

[0034]

[0043] FIG. 5 illustrates a UV emitter 130 that includes a body 232. The body 232 couples to a head 234 having an optical surface 236 via a neck 500 (e.g., including a ball joint 508, a universal joint, etc.). The optical surface 236 emits UV light 122. The neck 500 allows rotation of the head 234 relative to the body 232 along multiple axes (e.g., along X, Y, and / or Z or some subset thereof; along a central axis 502 of the body 232; along axes 504 and / or 506; etc.). In one embodiment, the neck 500 tightly couples to the head 234 and the body 232. Thus, to reorient the neck 500, a force greater than the weight of the head 234 or the body 232 is required to overcome friction between the head 234, the body 232, and / or the neck 500. This prevents the head 234 from sagging or otherwise changing position after it has been rotated to the desired angle through the neck 500 .

[0035]

[0044] Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view of the UV emitter 130, showing that the body 232 houses a power supply 610 that converts received electrical energy into a desired voltage (e.g., 24 volts) and / or amperage for use by the light emitting diodes (LEDs) 620. Figure 6 also shows internal wiring 630 that electrically connects the power supply 610 to the LEDs 620. The internal wiring 630 reaches the LEDs 620 through passages 510 in the neck 500. That is, for each of the UV emitters 130, the neck 500 defines a passage 510 that houses the internal wiring 630 that couples the LEDs 620 of the UV emitter 130 to the power supply 610 of the UV emitter 130.

[0036]

[0045] The length L1 of the internal wiring 630, when held taut, exceeds the length L2 corresponding to the distance between the LED 620 and the power source 610. This extra length allows the internal wiring 630 to move to accommodate repositioning of the neck 500 without being pinched or placed under tension.

[0037]

[0046] 7 provides a perspective view in which the head 234 of the further UV emitter 130 has been adjusted to a new position via the neck 500. As shown in FIG. 7, the head 234 of the further UV emitter 130 has rotated about the central axis 502 of the body as well as about axis 700.

[0038]

[0047] While the above figures describe the configuration of the sterilization device 100 and the UV emitter 130 within the sterilization device 100, the following Figures 8-10 show the arrangement and operation of the sterilization device 100 to facilitate disinfection of surfaces in an exemplary embodiment.

[0039]

[0048] 8 shows a sterilization device 100 rotating within an enclosed space 810 of a room 800 in an exemplary embodiment. The enclosed space 810 includes multiple objects 802, 804, and 806, each having a surface 812, 814, and 816. The heads 234 of the UV emitter 130 of the sterilization device 100 are vertically and horizontally separated from one another and can be positioned at different angles along the X, Y, and Z axes. This separation, combined with the ability to adjust the heads 234 to unique orientations 852, 854, 856, and 858, allows the heads 234 to emit UV light that directly illuminates the surfaces 812, 814, and 816 in different spaces Z1, Z2, and Z3, even if the surfaces 812, 814, and 816 are positioned in different locations and oriented in different directions. In other words, each head 234 directly illuminates a different combination of surfaces and / or portions of the objects 802, 804, and 806. Because UV light is absorbed, rather than reflected, by most surfaces, direct illumination of surfaces 812, 814, and 816 via head 234 is highly desirable. Such an ability to disinfect all of surfaces 812, 814, and 816 is not possible from any point source of UV light. Thus, disinfection device 100 provides a technical advantage by allowing a greater number of surfaces, positioned at a greater number of angles, to be disinfected via a single disinfection device installation.

[0040]

[0049] 9 shows that after rotation of the disinfection device 100, new spaces Z4, Z5 and Z6 are directly illuminated with UV light, which further increases the amount of surface area disinfected by the disinfection device during operation.

[0041]

[0050] 10 shows multiple examples of sterilization devices 100 located within a cabin 1000 of the barrel section 29 of an aircraft 10 in an exemplary embodiment. In this embodiment, the sterilization devices 100 are installed in an aisle 1010 between flights (e.g., while cargo is being loaded and unloaded before and after a flight). The sterilization devices 100 operate to sterilize surfaces in the cabin 1000. In one embodiment, in which the sterilization devices 100 emit UV light having a wavelength of 222 nanometers, the sterilization devices 100 are not harmful to humans and may operate in the presence of humans (e.g., cleaning staff) for any suitable purpose. This allows cleaning staff to sterilize portions of the aircraft via the sterilization devices 100 while manually performing other tasks (e.g., vacuuming, removing trash, etc.).

[0042]

[0051] Exemplary details of the operation of the sterilization device 100 are described with respect to Figure 11. For this embodiment, assume that an aircraft waits between flights for cleaning during an ongoing health crisis that may last for days.

[0043]

[0052] 11 is a flow diagram illustrating a method 1100 for disinfecting a confined space, according to an exemplary embodiment, that may be performed between aircraft flights to achieve desired disinfection of the aircraft cabin. The steps of method 1100 are described with reference to the disinfection device 100 of FIG. 1, but one skilled in the art will understand that method 1100 may be performed in other systems and / or devices. The steps of the flow diagrams described herein are not exhaustive and may include other steps not shown. The steps described herein may also be performed in an alternative order.

[0044]

[0053] The method 1100 includes placing 1102 a sterilization device 100 including a shell 120 holding UV emitters 130 on a surface 816 within the enclosed space 810. In one embodiment, this includes configuring the sterilization device 100 from an undeployed (closed) position to an deployed (open) position by pivoting the legs 212 about the hinges 312, thereby allowing the legs 212 to stably support the weight of the sterilization device 100. The sterilization device 100 can be placed on any stable surface (e.g., a level surface). However, in many embodiments, a surface is selected that allows the sterilization device 100 to illuminate a large portion of the enclosed space 810.

[0045]

[0054] The method 1100 further includes adjusting 1104 the orientation of the UV emitters 130 with the shell 120. In one embodiment, this includes manually adjusting the orientation of the heads 234 relative to the bodies 232 of the UV emitters 130 and pivoting some of the UV emitters 130 from the shell 120, such as via the rotary coupling 124, to ensure that the heads 234 of different ones of the UV emitters 130 illuminate different fields. That is, adjusting the orientation of the heads increases the amount of surface area of ​​the enclosed space exposed to UV light. In one embodiment, the orientation of the UV emitters 130 is adjusted so that each UV emitter 130 illuminates a different space within the enclosed space (e.g., zones Z1, Z2, Z3, etc.) as the shell spins through a full rotation. In a further embodiment, the adjusting is performed automatically by the controller 340 (e.g., by operating the powered rotary coupling 124) according to a pre-programmed set of desired orientations of the enclosed space.

[0046]

[0055] The method 1100 further includes activating 1106 the UV emitters 130 of the sterilization device 100, thereby emitting UV light 122 from each of the UV emitters 130. Activating the UV emitters 130 may be performed by the controller 340 completing a circuit causing electricity to flow between the battery 330 and the UV emitters 130. In one embodiment, emitting UV light includes emitting UV light at a wavelength of 222 nanometers.

[0047]

[0056] In one embodiment, activating 1106 includes pressing a button 342 coupled to the controller 340, which causes the controller 340 to turn on, thereby allowing power to flow from the battery 330 to the UV emitter 130. This causes the LEDs 620 of the UV emitter to emit UV light 122. The UV light is absorbed by bacteria and viruses on surfaces 812, 814, and 816 within the enclosed space 810, providing energy that damages the genetic information in the bacteria and viruses, rendering them inactive. In yet another embodiment, the remote 360 ​​sends a command to the controller 340 to activate the UV emitter 130.

[0048]

[0057] The method 1100 further includes rotating 1108 the shell 120 about the axis 121 while the UV light is being emitted. In one embodiment, this includes activating the motor 320 of the sterilization device 100, which causes the shell 120 to spin while the UV light 122 is being emitted. Activating the motor 320 may be performed by the controller 340 completing a circuit that allows electricity to flow between the battery 330 and the motor 320. Furthermore, activating the motor 320 and activating the UV emitter 130 may be performed simultaneously. In one embodiment, a button 344 coupled to the controller 340 is pressed, which causes the controller 340 to allow power to flow from the battery 330 to the motor 320. In a further embodiment, pressing the button 342, or activating the UV emitter 130 by another means, further activates the motor, initiating the rotation or spinning of the shell 120. In yet another embodiment, the remote 360 ​​sends commands to the controller 340 to activate the motor 320 .

[0049]

[0058] Method 1100 provides a technical advantage by allowing a single, portable disinfection device to illuminate objects from a wide variety of radiation fields, thereby increasing the total surface area of ​​an enclosed space that can be disinfected from a single location. Example

[0050]

[0059] In the following examples, further processes, systems and methods are described in the context of disinfection devices for enclosed spaces.

[0051]

[0060] 12 , a diagram of an aircraft 10 is shown in which the systems and methods described herein may be implemented. In this illustrative example, aircraft 10 includes wings 15 and 16 attached to a fuselage 28 having a nose 12. Aircraft 10 includes engine 13 attached to wing 15 and engine 14 attached to wing 16. A tail section 18 is also attached to fuselage 28. Horizontal stabilizer 20, horizontal stabilizer 21, and vertical stabilizer 22 are attached to tail section 18 of fuselage 28. Fuselage 28 itself is formed from multiple barrel sections 29 joined together. In this embodiment, three barrel sections 29 are numbered, although any suitable number of barrel sections 29 may be utilized to form fuselage 28 as a matter of design choice.

[0052]

[0061] Referring more specifically to the drawings, embodiments of the present disclosure may be described in the context of an aircraft manufacturing and service method 1300 shown in Figure 13 and an aircraft 1302 shown in Figure 13. During pre-production, the method 1300 may include specification and design 1304 of the aircraft 1302 and material procurement 1306. During production, component and subassembly manufacturing 1308 and system integration 1310 of the aircraft 1302 occurs. The aircraft 1302 may then undergo certification and delivery 1312 and be placed into service 1314. While in operation by a customer, the aircraft 1302 is scheduled for routine maintenance and service 1316, which may include modification, reconfiguration, refurbishment, etc. Apparatus and methods embodied herein may be used in any suitable stage or stages of manufacturing and maintenance described in method 1300 (e.g., specification and design 1304, materials procurement 1306, component and subassembly manufacturing 1308, system integration 1310, certification and delivery 1312, operation 1314, maintenance and service 1316) and / or in any suitable component of aircraft 1302 (e.g., airframe 1318, systems 1320, interior 1322, propulsion system 1324, electrical system 1326, hydraulic system 1328, environmental system 1330).

[0053]

[0062] Each of the processes of method 1300 may be performed or implemented by a system integrator, a third party, and / or an operator (e.g., a customer). As used herein, a system integrator may include, but is not limited to, any number of aircraft manufacturers and major system subcontractors, a third party may include, but is not limited to, any number of vendors, subcontractors, and suppliers, and an operator may be an airline, a leasing company, a military entity, a service organization, etc.

[0054]

[0063] 13 , aircraft 1302 produced by method 1300 may include an airframe 1318 with a number of systems 1320 and an interior 1322. Examples of systems 1320 include one or more of a propulsion system 1324, an electrical system 1326, a hydraulic system 1328, and an environmental system 1330. Any number of other systems may be included. While an aerospace example is shown, the principles of the invention may be applied to other industries, such as the automotive industry.

[0055]

[0064] As described above, apparatus and methods embodied herein may be used in any one or more of the stages of manufacturing and maintenance described in method 1300. For example, components or subassemblies corresponding to component and subassembly manufacturing 1308 may be fabricated or manufactured in a manner similar to components or subassemblies manufactured while the aircraft 1302 is in service. Also, one or more apparatus embodiments, method embodiments, or a combination thereof may be utilized in subassembly manufacturing 1308 and system integration 1310, for example, by significantly streamlining the assembly of the aircraft 1302 or significantly reducing the cost of the aircraft 1302. Similarly, one or more apparatus embodiments, method embodiments, or a combination thereof may be utilized while the aircraft 1302 is in service, for example, but not limited to, maintenance and service 1316. Thus, the present invention may be used in any stage described herein, or any combination thereof (e.g., specification and design 1304, materials procurement 1306, component and subassembly manufacturing 1308, system integration 1310, certification and delivery 1312, operation 1314, maintenance and maintenance 1316), and / or in any suitable component of aircraft 1302 (e.g., airframe 1318, systems 1320, interior 1322, propulsion system 1324, electrical system 1326, hydraulic system 1328, and / or environmental system 1330).

[0056]

[0065] In one embodiment, a part comprises a portion of the airframe 1318 and is manufactured during component and subassembly manufacturing 1308. The part is then incorporated into the aircraft in system integration 1310 and may then be used in service 1314 until wear renders the part unusable. The part may then be scrapped and replaced with a newly manufactured part in maintenance and service 1316. Components and methods of the present invention may be used throughout component and subassembly manufacturing 1308 to manufacture new parts.

[0057]

[0066] Any of the various control elements (e.g., electrical or electronic components) shown or described herein may be implemented as hardware, processor-implemented software, processor-implemented firmware, or some combination thereof. For example, an element may be implemented as dedicated hardware. A dedicated hardware element may be referred to as a “processor,” “controller,” or some similar terminology. When provided by a processor, functionality may be provided by a single dedicated processor, by a single shared processor, or by multiple individual processors, some of which may be shared. Furthermore, explicit use of the terms “processor” or “controller” should not be construed as referring solely to hardware capable of executing software, but may implicitly include, without limitation, digital signal processor (DSP) hardware, network processors, application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs) or other circuitry, field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), read-only memory (ROM) for storing software, random access memory (RAM), non-volatile storage, logic, or any other physical hardware component or module. Also, a control element can be implemented as instructions executable by a processor or computer to perform the function of that element. Some examples of instructions are software, program code, and firmware. The instructions are operable when executed by a processor to instruct the processor to perform the function of that element. The instructions can be stored in a storage device readable by the processor. Some examples of storage devices are digital or solid-state memory, magnetic storage media such as magnetic disks and magnetic tapes, hard drives, or optically readable digital data storage media. The present disclosure includes embodiments according to the following clauses:

[0058] Clause 1. An apparatus comprising a disinfection device, said disinfection device comprising: a shell configured to rotate about an axis; an ultraviolet (UV) emitter configured to emit UV light; a rotational coupling that couples the UV emitter to the shell and provides multi-axis rotation of the UV emitter relative to the shell; An apparatus comprising:

[0059] Clause 2. A core member surrounded by said shell and defining said axis, a core member that remains stationary while the shell rotates about the axis; UV emitters secured to the shell around its periphery and positioned at various radial and vertical positions along the periphery; a support for holding the disinfection device in an upright position; 10. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

[0060] Clause 3. The apparatus of clause 1, further comprising a motor disposed within the shell and configured to rotate the shell about the axis.

[0061] Clause 4. The apparatus of clause 1, further comprising a battery disposed within the shell, the battery configured to power the UV emitter.

[0062] Clause 5. The apparatus of clause 1, wherein each of the UV emitters comprises a body holding a power source and a head holding a UV light emitting diode (LED), the head including a neck that allows multi-axis rotation of the head relative to the body.

[0063] Clause 6. The apparatus of clause 5, wherein the UV LEDs in each of the heads are protected by an optical surface that is transparent to UV light.

[0064] Clause 7. The device of clause 1, wherein the UV emitter emits UV light at a wavelength of 222 nanometers.

[0065] Clause 8. An apparatus comprising a disinfection device, said disinfection device comprising: A core member; a cylindrical shell that surrounds the core member and is configured to rotate around the core member; an ultraviolet (UV) emitter securely attached to the periphery of the shell; a UV emitter rotatably coupled to the shell and configured to rotate about multiple axes relative to the shell; a motor for spinning the shell around the core member; a support for orienting the disinfection device in an upright position; An apparatus comprising:

[0066] Clause 9. The apparatus of clause 8, wherein the UV emitters rigidly attached to the periphery of the shell are distributed radially along the shell.

[0067] Clause 10. The apparatus of clause 8, further comprising a battery disposed within the shell for powering the UV emitter.

[0068] Clause 11. The apparatus of clause 10, wherein the battery powers the motor.

[0069] Clause 12. The apparatus of clause 8, wherein the support comprises legs each pivotally attached to the core member.

[0070] Clause 13. The apparatus of clause 8, wherein the UV emitter rotatably coupled to the shell is attached to the shell via a rotational coupling.

[0071] Clause 14. The apparatus of clause 8, wherein the UV emitter emits UV light at a wavelength of 222 nanometers.

[0072] Clause 15. An apparatus as described in clause 8, wherein the disinfection device is dimensioned for placement in an aisle of an aircraft.

[0073] Article 16. Methods for disinfecting enclosed spaces, comprising: placing a sterilization device on a surface within the enclosed space, the sterilization device including a shell that rotates about an axis, ultraviolet emitters mounted on the shell and configured to emit UV light, and a rotary coupling that provides multi-axis rotation of one or more of the UV emitters relative to the shell; adjusting an orientation of the one or more UV emitters via the rotational connection; activating the UV emitter to emit UV light from the UV emitter; rotating the shell about the axis while the UV light is being emitted; A method comprising:

[0074] Clause 17. The method of clause 16, wherein the enclosed space is an aircraft cabin.

[0075] Clause 18. The method of clause 16, further comprising powering a motor that rotates the shell via a battery within the shell.

[0076] Clause 19. The method of clause 16, including adjusting the orientation of the UV emitters in the shell so that each UV emitter illuminates a different space within the enclosed space.

[0077] Clause 20. The method of clause 16, wherein emitting UV light includes emitting UV light at a wavelength of 222 nanometers.

[0078]

[0067] Although specific embodiments are described herein, the scope of the disclosure is not limited to those specific embodiments. The scope of the disclosure is defined by the following claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. An apparatus comprising a disinfection device, the disinfection device comprising: a shell configured to rotate about an axis; a core member surrounded by the shell and defining the axis, the core member remaining stationary while the shell rotates about the axis; a UV emitter configured to emit UV light; a rotational coupling connecting the UV emitter to the shell and providing multi-axis rotation of the UV emitter relative to the shell; An apparatus comprising:

2. The UV emitters are fixed to the shell around its periphery and positioned at various radial and vertical positions along its periphery; a support for holding the disinfection device in an upright position; The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising:

3. The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a motor disposed within the shell and configured to rotate the shell about the axis.

4. The device of claim 1 , further comprising a battery disposed within the shell and configured to power the UV emitter.

5. 10. The device of claim 1, wherein each of the UV emitters comprises a body that holds a power source and a head that holds a UV light emitting diode (LED), the head including a neck that allows multi-axis rotation of the head relative to the body.

6. The apparatus of claim 5 , wherein the UV LEDs in each of the heads are protected by an optical surface that is transparent to UV light.

7. The device of claim 1 , wherein the UV emitter emits UV light at a wavelength of 222 nanometers.

8. 1. A method for disinfecting an enclosed space, comprising: placing a sterilization device on a surface within the enclosed space, the sterilization device including a shell that rotates about an axis, a core member surrounded by the shell and defining the axis, the core member remaining stationary while the shell rotates about the axis, UV emitters mounted on the shell and configured to emit UV light, and a rotational coupling that provides multi-axial rotation of one or more of the UV emitters relative to the shell; adjusting an orientation of the one or more UV emitters via the rotational connection; activating the UV emitter to emit UV light from the UV emitter; rotating the shell about the axis while the UV light is being emitted; A method comprising:

9. The method of claim 8 , wherein the enclosed space is an aircraft cabin.

10. The method of claim 8 , further comprising powering a motor that rotates the shell via a battery within the shell.

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