Sterilization System

Abstract

To provide a system and a method for prohibiting the spread of pathogens between passengers onboard a vehicle during a trip, such as between passengers in an internal cabin of an aircraft during a flight, without risking harm to the passengers.SOLUTION: A sanitizing system includes a plurality of ultraviolet (UV) lamps and a control unit that includes one or more processors. The UV lamps are attached to various locations within an internal cabin of a vehicle. The UV lamps are configured to receive electrical power from a power source onboard the vehicle and to emit UV light into the internal cabin during a trip of the vehicle. The control unit is operatively connected to the UV lamps and configured to modify the electrical power supplied to one or more of the UV lamps located in a common area of the internal cabin based on occupancy of the common area.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to systems and methods that can be used to sterilize structures and air within enclosed structures, such as vehicle cabins. [Background technology]

[0002] Vehicles, such as commercial aircraft, are used to transport passengers between various locations. Systems are currently being developed for disinfecting or otherwise sterilizing surfaces to kill or neutralize various harmful microorganisms or other pathogens. Typical methods for disinfecting surfaces within an aircraft involve significant manual labor by one or more crew members. For example, some crew members may spray and wipe surfaces within the interior cabin of the aircraft with cleaning chemicals. Other crew members may slowly wave a wand that emits ultraviolet (UV) radiation at surfaces near the interior cabin. The UV radiation can kill or neutralize some microorganisms or other pathogens when held in a specific vicinity of the target surface for at least a specified amount of time.

[0003] Additionally, many commercial vehicles, such as aircraft, have HEPA filters in their air conditioning systems that can trap microorganisms and pathogens. HEPA filters receive and purify air as it leaves or enters the cabin. HEPA filters and frequent cleaning of the cabin between flights are some of the methods used to ensure the health of passengers and crew aboard aircraft. Additional sterilization methods can be used to supplement HEPA filters and chemical cleaning. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] What is needed are systems and methods for preventing the spread of pathogens between passengers on a vehicle during a trip, such as between passengers in the interior cabin of an aircraft in flight, without risking harm to the passengers. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] With these needs in mind, certain embodiments of the present disclosure provide a disinfection system that includes a plurality of ultraviolet (UV) lamps and a control unit including one or more processors. The UV lamps are mounted at various locations within an interior passenger compartment of a vehicle. The UV lamps are configured to receive power from a power source onboard the vehicle and to emit UV light within the interior passenger compartment during a trip of the vehicle. The control unit is operably connected to the UV lamps and configured to vary the power supplied to one or more of the UV lamps located in a common area of ​​the interior passenger compartment based on occupancy of the common area.

[0006] In one or more embodiments, a method for sterilizing a vehicle is provided. The method includes providing power from a power source onboard the vehicle to a plurality of ultraviolet (UV) lamps mounted at various locations within an interior passenger compartment of the vehicle, such that the UV lamps emit UV light within the interior passenger compartment during a trip of the vehicle. The method also includes varying the power provided to one or more of the UV lamps located in a common area of ​​the interior passenger compartment based on occupancy of the common area.

[0007] In one or more embodiments, a sterilization system is provided that includes multiple ultraviolet (UV) lamps, one or more sensors, and a control unit including one or more processors. The UV lamps are mounted at various locations within an interior passenger compartment of a vehicle. The UV lamps are configured to receive power from a power source onboard the vehicle and emit UV light into the interior passenger compartment during a trip of the vehicle at a specified wavelength or narrow wavelength range that is safe for human tissue. One or more sensors are mounted within the interior passenger compartment and configured to monitor a common area of ​​the interior passenger compartment. The control unit is operably connected to the UV lamps and the one or more sensors. The control unit is configured to determine occupancy of the common area based on signals received from the one or more sensors and to modify power supplied to one or more of the UV lamps located in the common area based on the determined occupancy of the common area. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of an aircraft according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2A] FIG. 1 is a plan view of an interior cabin of an aircraft, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2B] FIG. 2 is a plan view of an interior cabin of an aircraft according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 3] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a sterilization system according to one embodiment. [Figure 4] 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a sterilization system within the interior passenger compartment of a vehicle according to one embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 1 is an interior perspective view of a toilet in the interior passenger compartment of a vehicle. [Figure 6] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the area immediately outside the toilet within the interior passenger compartment of a vehicle. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a galley within the interior passenger compartment of the vehicle. [Figure 8] FIG. 1 is a side view of the passenger seating area of ​​the interior cabin showing a group of passenger seats on one side of the aisle. [Figure 9] FIG. 1 is a side view of one UV lamp of a sterilization system according to one embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a side view of a UV lamp of a sterilization system according to another embodiment. [Figure 11] 1 is a flow chart of a method for sterilizing and disinfecting air and surfaces within the interior passenger compartment of a vehicle. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description of specific embodiments, will be better understood when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. As used herein, the use of "a" or "an" preceding an element or step in the singular does not exclude a plurality of elements or steps. Furthermore, references to "one embodiment" are not intended to exclude the existence of additional embodiments that incorporate the recited features. Furthermore, unless expressly stated otherwise, embodiments "comprising" or "having" one or more elements having a particular state may include additional elements that do not have that state.

[0010] Certain embodiments of the present disclosure provide a sterilization system and method for disinfecting the interior cabin of a vehicle, such as a commercial aircraft. The sterilization system includes a group of ultraviolet (UV) lamps disposed within the interior cabin. The UV lamps are positioned and controlled to emit UV light within the interior cabin while the vehicle is in motion, such that the UV light sterilizes the air and surfaces within the interior cabin. The UV lamps may be controlled to emit UV light filtered at a specified wavelength or narrow wavelength range that is safe for human tissue. For example, the specified wavelength may be 222 nm. The UV lamps are positioned to sterilize the air and surfaces before they can be cleaned by air filtering (e.g., with a HEPA filter) and manual application of a chemical cleaning agent. At least some of the UV lamps can be operated to continuously emit UV light for an extended period of time. For example, at least some of the UV lamps can be turned on (e.g., activated) to continuously emit UV light for the entire duration of the trip, from the time passengers board the vehicle to the time they disembark. The continuous UV radiation kills or neutralizes pathogens, inhibiting their spread in the air and on surfaces while the vehicle is in motion between cabin wash and air conditioning cycles.

[0011] In the embodiments disclosed herein, at least some of the UV lamps are located in areas of the interior cabin available for use by more than one person, even if not simultaneously. Such areas are referred to herein as common areas. In contrast to areas around passenger seats that are available only to one person, common areas are shared among multiple passengers and / or crew members. Common areas can include restrooms, aisles, vehicle entrance areas, vehicle exit areas (if distinct from entrance areas), galleys, areas outside restrooms, crew quarters, suites for first-class passengers, etc. As used herein, common areas do not refer to general passenger seating areas such as coach seats, but can refer to aisles extending through general passenger seating areas because aisles are used by multiple passengers and crew members. UV lamps located in common areas emit UV light to sterilize and disinfect the common areas. Common areas can have intermittent occupancy. For example, during takeoff and landing of an aircraft, passengers and crew members remain seated, so at least a portion of the common area may be unoccupied.

[0012] The sterilization system disclosed herein controls the operation of UV lamps in common areas based on the occupancy of the common area. For example, a UV lamp may receive greater power when the associated common area is occupied, or shortly after the common area is occupied, than when the associated common area is unoccupied for an extended period of time. Receiving greater power, the UV lamp emits UV light with greater intensity and / or range within the irradiation field, thereby killing or neutralizing a greater amount or percentage of pathogens per unit time than UV light with a lower intensity caused by operating the UV lamp at a lower power level. High-intensity UV light at greater power can be used to rapidly sterilize the common area. For example, the common area may be rapidly sterilized on an interval-time basis or occupant-by-occupant basis, such that rapid sterilization occurs between or after each occupant in the common area. When the common area is unoccupied, power to the UV lamps in the common area may be reduced or even shut off to conserve energy compared to operating the UV lamps in the common area at a high power level or setting for the entire trip or at least for an extended period of time. Thus, the power supplied to UV lamps in common areas can be selectively modulated or changed based on occupancy to provide rapid sterilization when needed while limiting power consumption.

[0013] Occupancy, as referred to herein, refers to whether at least one person is present in a designated area and is therefore generally referred to in a binary sense. The sterilization system can detect that an area is occupied without necessarily determining additional information, such as the number or identities of people present in the area. Occupants in a common area can refer to any person, such as passengers or crew members. In embodiments described herein, the sterilization system controls UV lamps located in the common area in different modes or settings based on the occupancy status of the common area.

[0014] One or more technical effects of the disinfection system include reducing the spread of pathogens, both in the air and on surfaces, between vehicle occupants (e.g., passengers and crew) during a vehicle trip. For example, the disinfection system can quickly disinfect air and surfaces in common areas between occupants, such that pathogens released by a preceding occupant in the common area are killed or neutralized before or while a subsequent occupant is present in the common area. Another technical effect is that the presence and operation of the disinfection system does not adversely affect passenger health or trip enjoyment, because the filtered UV light emitted by the disinfection system is neither distracting nor harmful to passengers. Furthermore, while UV lamps require energy from a power source to operate, the disinfection system can modulate UV lamp settings based on occupancy to reduce the total energy consumed (compared to permanently operating at a medium or high power setting), thereby desirably limiting power consumption without sacrificing passenger health and safety. The disinfection system can ensure compliance with regulations requiring a safe environment within an aircraft cabin during flight.

[0015] 1 illustrates a front perspective view of an aircraft 10 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The aircraft 10 includes a propulsion system 12 including, for example, engines 14. Optionally, the propulsion system 12 may include more engines 14 than are shown. The engines 14 are supported by wings 16 of the aircraft 10. In other embodiments, the engines 14 may be supported by a fuselage 18 and / or a tail 20. The tail 20 may also support a horizontal stabilizer 22 and a vertical stabilizer 24.

[0016] The fuselage 18 of the aircraft 10 defines an interior cabin, which may include a flight deck or cockpit, one or more work sections (e.g., a galley, personnel carry-on baggage areas, etc.), one or more passenger sections (e.g., first class, business class, and coach sections), one or more lavatories, etc.

[0017] Alternatively, instead of aircraft, embodiments of the present disclosure may be used with various other vehicles, such as automobiles, buses, train vehicles, ships, etc. For example, the sterilization systems disclosed herein may be implemented in the interior passenger compartments of passenger trains, buses, passenger boats, etc. Embodiments of the present disclosure may also be used in connection with enclosed areas within fixed structures, such as commercial and residential buildings. For example, the sterilization systems and methods disclosed herein may be installed and operated within theaters, concert venues, houses of worship, office buildings, stores, etc., where sustained UV light of non-harmful wavelengths can provide continuous disinfection of air and surfaces.

[0018] FIG. 2A illustrates a plan view of an interior cabin 30 of an aircraft according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. The interior cabin 30 may be located within the fuselage 18 of the aircraft 10 shown in FIG. 1 . For example, one or more fuselage walls may define the interior cabin 30. The interior cabin 30 includes multiple sections, including a forward section 33, a first class section 34, a business class section 36, a forward galley station 38, an extended economy or coach section 40, a standard economy coach section 42, and an aft section 44. The interior cabin 30 also includes multiple restrooms 45. It should be understood that the interior cabin 30 may include more or fewer sections than shown. For example, the interior cabin 30 may not include a first class section or may include more or fewer galley stations than shown. Each section may be separated by a cabin transition area 46, which may include a class divider assembly 48.

[0019] As shown in FIG. 2A , the interior compartment 30 includes two passageways 50 and 52 that extend a substantial length of the interior compartment 30 and lead to the rear section 44. The passageways 50 and 52 extend to an exit path or doorway 60. An exit door 62 is located at the end of the exit path 60. The exit path 60 may be perpendicular to the passageways 50 and 52. The interior compartment 30 may include more exit paths 60 than are shown, at different locations. Optionally, the interior compartment 30 may have fewer or more passageways than are shown. For example, the interior compartment 30 may include a single passageway extending through the center of the interior compartment 30 that leads to the rear section 44. The sterilization systems described herein may be used to sterilize the air and various structures within the interior compartment 30.

[0020] 2B shows a plan view of an interior cabin 80 of an aircraft in accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure. The interior cabin 80 may be within the fuselage 18 of the aircraft 10 shown in FIG. 1. For example, one or more fuselage walls may define the interior cabin 80. The interior cabin 80 includes multiple sections, including a main cabin 82 having passenger seats 83 and an aisle 84, and an aft section 85 behind the main cabin 82. The interior cabin 80 also includes a toilet 87. The interior cabin 80 may include more or fewer sections than shown.

[0021] The interior cabin 80 has a single passageway 84 that extends a substantial length of the interior cabin 80 and leads to an aft section 85. The passageway 84 may extend through the center of the interior cabin 80 such that the passageway 84 is coaxial with a central longitudinal plane 86 of the interior cabin 80. The passageway 84 extends to an exit path or doorway 90, which is the area adjacent to the entrance of the aircraft. An exit door 92 is located at the end of the exit path 90. The exit path 90 may be perpendicular to the passageway 84. The sterilization systems described herein may be used to sterilize the air and various structures within the interior cabin 80.

[0022] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a sterilization system 100 according to one embodiment. The sterilization system 100 includes multiple ultraviolet (UV) lamps 120 mounted within an interior cabin of a vehicle, such as cabin 30 shown in FIG. 2A or cabin 80 shown in FIG. 2B. The UV lamps 120 are controlled to generate and emit UV light within the interior cabin to sterilize and disinfect the air and surfaces within the interior cabin. The UV lamps 120 may include excimer bulbs. The UV lamps 120 may be located in various areas throughout the interior cabin. For example, some UV lamps 120 may be located near passenger seats and positioned to emit UV light within respective radiation fields encompassing seated passengers. Other UV lamps 120 may be located in common areas, such as restrooms, aisles, galleys, and entrance and exit routes. The sterilization system 100 is configured to keep at least some of the UV lamps 120 on and continuously operating and emitting radiation, even in the presence of passengers, such as during boarding, taxiing, flight, and disembarkation. Unlike current practices that provide only intermittent disinfection, such as chemically cleaning the cabin between flights and filtering a given volume of air each time that volume of air is drawn through the return register of the environmental control system, sterilization system 100 continuously disinfects surfaces and airborne pathogens. Sterilization system 100 can also provide repeated rapid disinfection of certain high-traffic common areas based on occupancy of the common areas.

[0023] The sterilization system 100 includes a UV lamp 120, a control unit 170, a power supply 172, input devices 174, output devices 176, and sensors 178. The sterilization system 100 is located onboard a vehicle, such as the aircraft 10 shown in FIG. 1, or within an enclosed space of a fixed building or structure. The power supply 172 provides power to the UV lamp 120 to power the generation of UV light. The power supply 172 may be a generator that converts mechanical energy into electrical energy. Various conductive wires and cables may conduct power from the power supply 172 to the UV lamp 120. For example, the UV lamp 120 may utilize the same power supply 172 and conductive paths that provide power to other components in the cabin, such as personal lights and fans in the passenger service unit (PSU), cabin lighting, and appliances in the galley. For example, the UV lamp 120 may be plugged into the same electronics package that controls the cabin lighting.

[0024] The control unit 170 is operatively connected to the UV lamps 120, input devices 174, output devices 176, and sensors 178 via wired and / or wireless communication paths. The control unit 170 generates control signals to control the operation of the UV lamps 120. The generated control signals can be based on signals (e.g., data) received from the sensors 178. The control unit 170 represents hardware circuitry that includes and / or is connected to one or more processors 182 (e.g., one or more microprocessors, integrated circuits, microcontrollers, field programmable gate arrays, etc.). The control unit includes and / or is connected to a tangible, non-transitory, computer-readable storage medium (e.g., memory) 184. For example, the memory 184 may store program instructions (e.g., software) that are executed by the one or more processors 182 to perform the operations of the control unit 170 described herein.

[0025] The control unit 170 can control the UV lamps 120 by controlling the presence and amount of power (e.g., voltage and current) supplied to each of the UV lamps 120. Optionally, the control unit 170 is operably connected to at least one switching device 180 along a circuit or bus between the power source 172 and the UV lamps 120. The switching device 180 is configured to selectively open (or interrupt) a circuit to block power conduction to one or more of the UV lamps 120 and close (or establish) a circuit to allow power conduction to one or more of the UV lamps 120. The switching device 180 can represent or include a solid-state relay, an electromechanical relay, an optical switch, a DC-DC converter, or the like. While a single switching device 180 is shown, the sterilization system 100 may include multiple switching devices 180 independently controlled by the control unit 170. For example, each UV lamp 120 may be electrically connected to a different switching device 180 to enable independent control of each UV lamp 120. Alternatively, multiple UV lamps 120 located within the same general area can be electrically connected to the same switching device 180, thereby allowing control over all of the multiple UV lamps 120 within that general area by activating a single switching device 180. One or more of the switching devices 180 can allow variable control over the amount of power supplied to an associated UV lamp 120 in addition to simply turning the lamps 120 on (e.g., active and emitting UV light) and off (e.g., inactive and not emitting UV light). For example, at least one switching device 180 can be controlled to supply maximum power to an associated UV lamp 120 and one or more reduced power levels, such as a medium power level and a low non-zero power level.

[0026] In one embodiment, the UV light emitted by UV lamps 120 is controlled to allow occupants (e.g., passengers and crew) to be harmlessly exposed to UV light for extended periods of time. For example, the emitted UV light may have a specified wavelength or narrow band of wavelengths that has been experimentally determined to be harmless to human tissue with prolonged exposure. Thus, even if UV lamps 120 continuously emit UV light for the duration of the flight, passengers will not be harmed. UV lamps 120 may be configured or constructed to produce only the specified wavelengths or narrow bands. Alternatively, filters may be utilized that absorb or dissipate wavelengths outside of the specified wavelengths or narrow bands, such that the UV light emitted in the illumination field consists solely of the specified wavelengths or narrow bands.

[0027] In a non-limiting example, the specified wavelength is 222 nm. Germicidal UV light with a wavelength of 222 nm has been shown to kill pathogens (such as viruses and bacteria) instead of inactivating them. In contrast, UVC light with a wavelength of 254 nm inactivates pathogens by interfering with their DNA, resulting in temporary inactivation, but not killing them. Instead, pathogens can be reactivated by exposure to normal white light at a reactivation rate of approximately 10% per hour. Therefore, UVC light with a wavelength of 254 nm may be ineffective in illuminated areas, such as the interior passenger compartment of a vehicle. Furthermore, UVC light with a wavelength of 254 nm is not recommended for human exposure because it may be able to penetrate human cells. In contrast, germicidal UV light with a wavelength of 222 nm is safe for human exposure and kills pathogens. Furthermore, germicidal UV light having a wavelength of 222 nm may be emitted at full power within 1 millisecond of the UV lamp 120 being activated (in contrast, UVC light having a wavelength of 254 nm may take several seconds or minutes to reach full power).

[0028] The input device 174 may represent or include a selector knob, a workstation computer, a tablet computer, a handheld computer (e.g., a smartphone), a keyboard, a touchpad, a joystick, etc. to enable a pilot or another operator to control the sterilization system 100. For example, an operator may enter user input via the input device 174 to turn the UV lamps 120 on and off and select a power setting for one or more UV lamps 120. The output device 176 may be an integrated display device onboard the aircraft and / or a display screen on a personal computer, tablet, or handheld computer (e.g., a smartphone). The control unit 170 may generate control signals to control the output device 176 to display notifications indicating the operational status of the sterilization system 100. The operational status may include whether the sterilization system 100 is on or off and the power setting or level of the UV lamps 120. The operational status represents the status of different subgroups that may be operating at different power settings. For example, the operational status may indicate that the UV lamps 120 in the restroom are off and the UV lamps 120 in the PSU above the passenger seats are on.

[0029] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating a sterilization system 100 within an interior cabin 122 of a vehicle, according to one embodiment. The interior cabin 122 has multiple common areas 126. FIG. 4 illustrates a first common area 124 (“CA1”), a second common area 125 (“CA2”), and at least a third common area 126 (“CAn”), indicating that there may be more than three common areas 124-126. Each of the common areas 124-126 may represent a restroom, an area immediately outside the restroom, a galley, an aisle, a crew compartment, a divider assembly between two different zones of the interior cabin 122, or an area adjacent to an entrance to the vehicle. Referring to FIG. 2A , the common areas 124-126 may be the restroom 45, the area immediately outside the restroom 45, the aisles 50, 52, the galley 38, an exit path or doorway area 60 adjacent to an entrance to the aircraft, an inter-zone divider assembly 48, a door 62, etc. Referring to FIG. 2B, common areas 124-126 may be doors 92, doorway areas 90, hallways 84, restrooms 87, and the like.

[0030] The sterilization system 100 includes a first subset 128 of one or more UV lamps 120 in a first common area 124, a second subset 130 of one or more UV lamps 120 in a second common area 125, and a third subset 132 of one or more UV lamps 120 in a third common area 126. Each of the subsets 128, 130, 132 of UV lamps 120 emits UV light within a respective common area 124-126 to sterilize and disinfect the air and surfaces within that common area 124-126.

[0031] The UV lamps 120 in subsets 128, 130, and 132 are electrically connected to a common bus 134, which is powered by a power supply 172 (shown in FIG. 3). In the illustrated embodiment, switching devices 180 (e.g., 180A, 180B, and 180C) are disposed between the bus 134 and each of the different subsets 128, 130, and 132 of UV lamps 120. A control unit 170 (shown in FIG. 3) can independently control the operation of the UV lamps 120 in the different common areas 124-126 via the switching devices 180A, 180B, and 180C. For example, the control unit 170 can turn off the UV lamps 120 in the first common area 124 by generating a control signal to switching device 180A, which opens or blocks the conductive path from the bus 134 to the first subset 128 of UV lamps 120. The control unit 170 can also utilize switching devices 180A, 180B, 180C to vary the power levels supplied to different subsets 128, 130, 132 of the UV lamps 120 at a given time, with the first subset 128 receiving a higher power level and the second subset 130 receiving a lower, reduced power level during a common period. Changing the power levels supplied to the UV lamps 120 changes the intensity and / or range of UV light emitted from the UV lamps 120, affecting the dose of UV radiation emitted per unit time. Dose indicates the amount or percentage of pathogens that can be killed or neutralized by the UV light.

[0032] The sterilization system 100 includes at least one sensor 178 associated with each of the common areas 124-126. The sensor 178 monitors the common areas 124-126, and signals generated by the sensor 178 are used to determine occupancy of the common areas 124-126, such as whether a person is present in each of the common areas 124-126 at any given moment. The sensor 178 may be a pressure sensor, a proximity sensor, a motion sensor, or the like. For example, a pressure sensor may be installed under the floor of the common areas 124-126 to detect people walking through the common areas 124-126. In another example, a motion sensor may be installed on the doors of the common areas 124-126, such as restrooms, to indicate when the door is opened or closed. Other motion sensors may detect the movement of people within the common areas by tracking different positions of people over time. One or more motion sensors may be optical sensors that detect movement when a light beam is interrupted, such as when a person enters or exits a room. Proximity sensors may utilize infrared and / or microwave radiation to determine when a person is within a specified proximity of the sensor. Sensor 178 may generate signals that are transmitted to control unit 170 periodically or irregularly at regular intervals in response to detected monitored variations, such as a broken light beam. The sensor signals may identify the source of the signals, such as the individual sensor generating each signal.

[0033] The control unit 170 receives signals from the sensors 178 and analyzes the signals to determine occupancy of each of the common areas 124-126. For example, if a person is within a specified proximity of a proximity sensor 178 in the first common area 124, the control unit 170 determines that the first common area 124 is occupied based on the sensor signal from that proximity sensor 178. Once a person is no longer within the specified proximity, the signal generated by the proximity sensor 178 is analyzed by the control unit 170 to determine that the common area 124 is unoccupied.

[0034] FIG. 5 shows an interior perspective view of a toilet 200 in an interior cabin of a vehicle, such as any of the interior cabins described herein. For example, the toilet 200 may be either the toilet 45 shown in FIG. 2A or the toilet 87 shown in FIG. 2B. The toilet 200 is an example of an enclosed common area in the interior cabin available to passengers aboard the vehicle. The toilet 200 may represent one of the common areas 124-126 shown in FIG. 4. The toilet 200 includes a floor 202, a toilet bowl 204, a mirror 206, a sink 208, walls 210, a ceiling 212, and a door (not shown) for establishing privacy. The UV lamp 120 of the sterilization system 100 is located within the toilet 200. The UV lamp 120 is configured to emit UV light into the toilet 200 to sterilize air and surfaces. The UV light is transmitted within an irradiation field 214, which refers to a three-dimensional volume in space defined by the propagation of UV light waves (e.g., rays) emitted by the UV lamp 120. The width of the irradiation field may depend on mechanical features of the UV lamps 120, such as reflectors, collimators, lenses, etc., and may optionally be set to provide a predetermined width. Although not shown in Figure 5, one or more of the sensors 178 of the disinfection system 100 may be located within the toilet 200, such as mounted on a wall 210, under the floor 202, in the ceiling 212, or in the door.

[0035] FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of an area 220 immediately outside a restroom in an interior passenger compartment of a vehicle, such as any of the interior passenger compartments described herein. The area 220 is an example of a common area within the interior passenger compartment available to passengers aboard the vehicle. The area 220 may represent one of the common areas 124-126 shown in FIG. 4. The area 220 includes a first wall 222 and a second wall 224 extending from the first wall 222 at a lateral angle, such as perpendicularly. A door 226 to the restroom is attached along the first wall 222. The second wall 224 extends along a passageway 228 toward passenger seats (not shown). Optionally, the area 220 may also represent an area adjacent to an entrance to the vehicle. For example, a vehicle door 230 is located on a fuselage wall 231 adjacent to the first wall 222. The first wall 222 may be between the vehicle door 230 and the second wall 224. Passengers may occupy and traverse area 220 when boarding the vehicle through vehicle door 230, entering the restroom, waiting to enter the restroom, exiting the restroom, and / or disembarking from the vehicle.

[0036] In the illustrated embodiment, two UV lamps 120 of the sterilization system 100 are located within the region 220 and positioned to emit UV light within the region 220. One UV lamp 120 is mounted along the ceiling 232 of the region 220, and the other UV lamp 120 is mounted on the trunk wall 231 or the first wall 222. The irradiation fields 214 of the two UV lamps 120 may overlap within the region 220. Although not shown, one or more of the sensors 178 of the sterilization system 100 are positioned within the region 220, such as mounted on the first wall 222, the trunk wall 231, the ceiling 232, etc., to monitor occupancy within the region 220.

[0037] FIG. 7 shows a perspective view of a galley 240 within an interior cabin of a vehicle, such as any of the interior cabins described herein. The galley 240 is an example of a common area within the interior cabin available to passengers aboard the vehicle. The galley 240 may represent one of the common areas 124-126 shown in FIG. 4. The galley 240 includes various cabinets 242 and appliances, such as a coffee maker 244. The galley 240 also includes a galley cart 246. The galley 240 may be occupied by flight crew members preparing food and beverages for passengers, disposing of trash, etc. Some flight crew members may sit in the galley during the takeoff and landing phases of a trip. Passengers pass through the galley during boarding and disembarking.

[0038] In the illustrated embodiment, the two UV lamps 120 of the sterilization system 100 are located within the cooking chamber 240 and are positioned to emit UV light within the cooking chamber 240. Both UV lamps 120 are mounted along the ceiling 248 of the cooking chamber 240. The UV lamps 120 may be spaced apart so that the radiation fields 214 of the two UV lamps 120 overlap to substantially cover the cooking chamber 240. Although not shown, one or more of the sensors 178 of the sterilization system 100 are positioned within the cooking chamber 240, such as mounted on the ceiling 248, along the floor of the cooking chamber 240, on a cabinet 242, etc., to monitor occupancy within the cooking chamber 240.

[0039] FIG. 8 illustrates a side view of a passenger seating area 260 of an interior cabin showing a group 262 of passenger seats 264 on one side of an aisle 266. The interior cabin is within a vehicle and may be any of the interior cabins described herein. The aisle 266 within the passenger seating area 260 is an example of a common area available to passengers and crew aboard the vehicle. The aisle 266 may represent one of the common areas 124-126 shown in FIG. 4. The passenger seating area 260 also includes a storage compartment 268 for storing passenger carry-on baggage. The storage compartment 268 may be located above the seats 264. A ceiling 270 is located above the aisle 266. Passengers may occupy the aisle 266 when walking to or leaving their seats 264, such as during boarding and disembarking and trips to the lavatory.

[0040] In the illustrated embodiment, three UV lamps 120 of the sterilization system 100 are located within the area of ​​the aisle 266. For example, the UV lamps 120 are mounted to the ceiling 270 above the aisle 266 and positioned to emit UV light toward the aisle 266. The UV lamps 120 can be spaced along the length of the aisle 266 at designated intervals that allow the radiation fields 214 of adjacent UV lamps 120 to partially overlap above the aisle 266 to provide substantial sterilization coverage of the aisle area. In the illustrated embodiment, multiple sensors 178 of the sterilization system 100 are located within the aisle area and spaced along the length of the aisle 266. For example, the sensors 178 may be mounted above or below the floor 272 of the aisle 266 to monitor occupancy of the aisle 266. The sensors 178 may also be pressure sensors mounted below the floor 272 to monitor occupants walking on the floor 272 based on the force of footsteps on the floor 272.

[0041] In one embodiment, the sensors 178 can be aligned with different corresponding UV lamps 120 along the length of the corridor 266, allowing tracking of a person walking along the corridor 266 based on the order in which the sensors 178 detect the person's footsteps. The control unit 170 (shown in FIG. 3 ) can optionally vary the power supplied to different UV lamps 120 along the corridor 266 at a given time based on the person's tracked movement on the corridor 266. As described in more detail below, the control unit 170 can effectively divide the corridor 266 into different segments 274 along its length. When a person passes through a first segment 274A, the control unit 170 can increase the power supplied to the UV lamps 120 in the first segment 274 to increase the intensity and / or range of UV light emitted by that UV lamp 120 and quickly disinfect the area just occupied by the person walking along the corridor 266. Subsequently, the control unit 170 increases the power supplied to adjacent UV lamps 120 in the direction the person is walking after the person passes through an adjacent segment 274. After a specified amount of time, control unit 170 reduces the power supplied to UV lamps 120 to conserve energy. As a result, sensor 178 enables control unit 170 to sequentially operate UV lamps 120 to track people's movements along pathway 266 and kill or neutralize pathogens emitted by people as they walk along pathway 266. Control unit 170 can also use the person's tracked movements to initiate rapid (high power level) sanitization while the person is still within segment 274, thereby killing pathogens before they can be inhaled or encountered by the person.

[0042] FIG. 9 shows a side view of one of the UV lamps 120 of the sterilization system 100, according to one embodiment. The UV lamp 120 includes a housing 150, a bulb 152, a cover sheet 154 or lens, and a reflector 156. The bulb 152 and reflector 156 are held within a cavity 158 defined by the housing 150 and the cover sheet 154. The bulb 152 emits UV light into an irradiation field 214 that penetrates the cover sheet 154, which is transparent or at least translucent. The bulb 152 may be an excimer bulb. The reflector 156 is reflective and positioned such that the bulb 152 is between the reflector 156 and the cover sheet 154. The reflector 156 is shaped and positioned to reflect light that strikes the surface of the reflector 156 toward the cover sheet 154. The reflector 156 may be at least partially curved around the bulb 152. The walls of the housing 150 may be opaque to prevent light transmission through the walls, and may optionally be reflective, ensuring that the illumination field 214 is defined by the light that transmits through the cover sheet 154. The UV lamp 120 may include additional components such as a convex or concave lens, hardware for mounting the bulb 152 to the housing 150, and circuitry for providing power to the bulb 152.

[0043] In one embodiment, the illumination field 214 is static and remains constant during operation of the UV lamp 120. For example, the reflector 156 may be mounted in a fixed position within the housing 150. In another embodiment, the reflector 156 may rotate or pivot to change the size of the illumination field 214.

[0044] FIG. 10 shows a side view of one of the UV lamps 120 of a sterilization system 100 according to another embodiment. The reflector 156 is coupled to an actuator that is controlled to pivot and / or translate the reflector 156 to change the angle of the reflector 156 relative to the bulb 152 and cover sheet 154. In the position shown, the reflector 156 is off-centered to the right, and the irradiation field 214 (shown in solid lines) is tilted to the left. As the reflector 156 is gradually moved to a position off-centered to the left, the irradiation field 214 (not shown) shifts to the right. As a result, over multiple cycles, UV light is transmitted over a wider illumination range area 160 than the static lamp 120 shown in FIG. 9. The illumination range area 160 represents the outermost edge of the irradiation field 214 over a full cycle of the moving reflector 156, and the dashed line represents the edge when the reflector 156 is off-centered to the left. In another embodiment, instead of moving the reflector 156, the entire housing 150 or a lens within the housing can be pivoted or rotated to provide a larger illumination coverage area 160.

[0045] FIG. 11 is a flow chart of a method 300 for sterilizing and disinfecting air and surfaces within the interior passenger compartment of a vehicle. Method 300 is particularly applicable to sterilizing common areas that may have high traffic of multiple passengers and / or crew. Method 300 may be performed by sterilization system 100 described above with reference to FIGS. 1-10. Certain steps of method 300 may be performed by control unit 170 shown in FIG. 3 based on programmed logic or instructions. Method 300 optionally includes more steps, fewer steps, and / or different steps than those described.

[0046] At 302, power is provided to UV lamps 120 at various locations within the interior cabin 122 of the vehicle. The power may be provided by an onboard power source 172, such as a generator. At 304, the UV lamps 120 are controlled to emit UV light into the interior cabin 122 during a vehicle trip at a specified wavelength or narrow wavelength range that is safe for human tissue. The specified wavelength may be 222 nm. At 306, a common area 126 of the interior cabin 122 is monitored for occupancy of the common area 126. The common area 126 may be a restroom, an area immediately outside the restroom, a galley, a hallway, a crew compartment, a dividing area between two different zones of the interior cabin, or an area adjacent to an entrance to the vehicle. Occupancy may be monitored using one or more sensors 178 mounted to detect the presence of a person within the common area 126.

[0047] At 308, it is determined whether an occupant of the common area 126 has left the common area 126. For example, a signal from the sensor 178 can be analyzed to determine when an occupied common area 126 becomes at least temporarily unoccupied. This can occur, for example, when a person in a restroom exits the restroom through a door. If it is determined that an occupant has left the common area 126, the flow proceeds to 310. At 310, the power supplied to one or more UV lamps 120 in the common area 126 is increased so that the one or more UV lamps 120 in the common area 126 operate at a high power level for a specified period of time. The high power level, which is a relative term, refers to a power level that causes the UV lamps 120 to emit UV light at an intensity and / or range that provides rapid sterilization of the common area 126. The high power level can represent 80%, 90%, 95%, 100%, etc., of the rated output of the UV lamps 120. The UV lamps 120 may operate at a lower power level while an occupant is in the common area 126, as long as the occupant does not enter the common area 126 within a specified period of time after the previous occupant exited the common area 126, as described below. The specified period of time is application specific and generally refers to the minimum amount of time required to deliver a desired dose of UV radiation to the common area 126 to quickly kill or neutralize pathogens in the air and on surfaces. The specified period of time may be based on the size of the common area 126, the number of UV lamps 120 in the common area 126, and the power output of the UV lamps 120 at the high power level. In non-limiting examples, the specified period of time may be 10 seconds, 20 seconds, 30 seconds, 45 seconds, or 1 minute. On the other hand, if the occupant has not exited the common area 126, the method 300 returns to 306 for continued monitoring of the common area 126.

[0048] At 312, at the expiration of the specified time period, another determination is made as to whether the common area 126 is occupied because the UV lamps 120 in the common area 126 are operating at a high power level. If the common area 126 is occupied by another person when the time period expires, flow proceeds to 314. At 315, the power supplied to one or more UV lamps 120 in the common area 126 is changed to operate the UV lamps 120 at a first reduced power level that is lower than the high power level. The first reduced power level may be classified as a medium power level or a low power level. The UV lamps 120 continue to emit UV light, but the UV light is less intense and / or in range than the UV light emitted during the specified time period. Thus, the UV lamps 120 can continue to sterilize the common area 126 while it is occupied by another person.

[0049] On the other hand, if the common area 126 is unoccupied upon expiration of the period, method 300 proceeds to 316. At 316, the power supplied to one or more UV lamps 120 in the common area 126 is changed to either shut off the UV lamps 120 in the common area 126 or operate the UV lamps 120 at a second reduced power level. For example, the UV lamps 120 may be turned off to stop emitting UV light into the common area 126 until another occupant of the common area 126 exits the common area 126. Alternatively, the UV lamps 120 may remain on and emit UV light at a second reduced power level, which may be lower than the high power level and the first reduced power level. For example, the second reduced power level may be a low power level, also referred to as a maintenance level (the first reduced power level may be a medium power level). After step 314 or 316, method 300 returns to 306 to continue monitoring the common area 126 for occupancy. Modulating the power supplied to (e.g., consumed by) UV lamps 120 in common areas 126 of interior guest rooms 122 to provide short bursts of high intensity UV light based on occupancy can be used to kill pathogens in an energy efficient manner.

[0050] In another embodiment of method 300, upon expiration of the specified time period following step 310, method 300 essentially jumps directly to step 316. For example, regardless of whether common area 126 is occupied or not, after the specified time period has expired, UV lamps 120 in common area 126 are turned off or operated at a reduced (e.g., lower) power level, and flow returns to 306. UV lamps 120 remain off or at the reduced power level until it is determined at 308 that the subsequent occupant has exited common area 126, so that the method returns to 310. Additionally, this disclosure includes examples according to the following clauses:

[0051] Clause 1. A plurality of ultraviolet (UV) lamps (120) mounted at various locations within an interior passenger compartment of a vehicle, the UV lamps (120) configured to receive power from a power source (172) onboard the vehicle and to emit UV light within the interior passenger compartment during a trip of the vehicle; a control unit (170) including one or more processors (182) and operably connected to the UV lamps (120), the control unit (170) varying power supplied to one or more of the UV lamps (120) located in common areas of the interior guest room based on occupancy of the common areas; A sterilization system (100) comprising:

[0052] Clause 2. The disinfection system (100) of clause 1, wherein in response to detecting that an occupant of the common area has exited the common area, the control unit (170) is configured to operate one or more UV lamps (120) located in the common area at a high power level for a specified period of time to provide rapid disinfection of the common area.

[0053] Clause 3. The sterilization system (100) of clause 2, wherein in response to detecting that the common area is occupied at the expiration of a specified period of time, the control unit (170) is configured to operate one or more UV lamps (120) located in the common area at a reduced power level that is lower than the high power level.

[0054] Clause 4. The sterilization system (100) of clause 3, wherein the reduced power level is a medium power level that is less than the high power level and greater than the low non-zero power level.

[0055] Clause 5. A sterilization system (100) as described in clause 2, 3, or 4, wherein in response to detecting that the common area is unoccupied upon expiration of a specified period of time, the control unit (170) is configured to do one of the following: (i) turn off one or more UV lamps (120) located in the common area to stop emitting UV light, or (ii) operate one or more UV lamps (120) located in the common area at a reduced power level lower than the high power level.

[0056] Clause 6. The sterilization system (100) of clause 5, wherein the reduced power level is a low, non-zero power level.

[0057] Clause 7. The sterilization system (100) of any one of clauses 1 to 6, wherein the common area is one of a toilet, an area immediately outside the toilet, a galley, a hallway, a crew compartment, a partition assembly between two different zones of the interior passenger compartment, or an area adjacent to an entrance to the vehicle.

[0058] Clause 8. A sterilization system (100) as described in any one of clauses 1 to 7, further comprising one or more sensors (178) mounted within the interior passenger compartment and operably connected to the control unit (170), wherein the one or more sensors (178) monitor the common area, and the control unit (170) determines occupancy of the common area based on signals received from the one or more sensors (178).

[0059] Clause 9. The sterilization system (100) of clause 8, wherein the one or more sensors (178) include at least one of a pressure sensor, a proximity sensor, or a motion sensor.

[0060] Clause 10. A sterilization system (100) as described in any one of clauses 1 to 9, wherein the one or more sensors (178) include a plurality of sensors (178), and at least a subset of the sensors (178) are pressure sensors (178) positioned below the interior passenger compartment floor to monitor occupants walking on the floor.

[0061] Clause 11. A sterilization system (100) according to any one of clauses 1 to 10, wherein the UV lamp (120) is configured to emit UV light at a specified wavelength or narrow wavelength range that is safe for human tissue.

[0062] Clause 12. The sterilization system (100) of clause 11, wherein the specified wavelength is 222 nm.

[0063] Clause 13. The sterilization system (100) of any one of clauses 1 to 12, wherein the vehicle is an aircraft.

[0064] Clause 14. Providing power from a power source (172) onboard the vehicle to a plurality of ultraviolet (UV) lamps (120) mounted at various locations within the interior passenger compartment of the vehicle, such that the UV lamps (120) emit UV light within the interior passenger compartment during a trip of the vehicle; Varying the power supplied to one or more of the UV lamps (120) located in the common area of ​​the interior guest room based on occupancy of the common area; A method comprising:

[0065] Clause 15. further comprising monitoring the common area for occupancy via one or more sensors (178); modifying the power supplied to one or more of the UV lamps (120) in the common area in response to detecting that an occupant of the common area has exited the common area includes operating the one or more UV lamps (120) at a high power level for a designated period of time to provide rapid disinfection of the common area; The method described in clause 14.

[0066] Clause 16. The method of clause 15, wherein modifying the power supplied to one or more of the UV lamps (120) in the common area in response to detecting that the common area is occupied at the expiration of a specified period of time comprises operating the one or more UV lamps (120) at a first reduced power level that is lower than the high power level.

[0067] Clause 17. The method of clause 16, wherein in response to detecting that the common area is unoccupied upon expiration of a specified period of time, modifying the power supplied to one or more of the UV lamps (120) in the common area includes one of the following steps: (i) turning off one or more UV lamps (120) located in the common area to cease emitting UV light, or (ii) operating one or more UV lamps (120) at a second reduced power level that is lower than the first reduced power level.

[0068] Clause 18. The method of any one of clauses 14 to 17, further comprising controlling the UV lamp (120) to emit UV light at a specified wavelength or narrow wavelength range that is safe for human tissue upon prolonged exposure.

[0069] Clause 19. The method of any one of clauses 14 to 18, wherein the common area is one of a toilet, an area immediately outside the toilet, a galley, a corridor, a crew compartment, a dividing area between two different zones of the interior passenger compartment, or an area adjacent to an entrance to the vehicle.

[0070] Clause 20. A plurality of ultraviolet (UV) lamps (120) mounted at various locations within the interior passenger compartment of the vehicle, the UV lamps (120) configured to receive power from a power source (172) onboard the vehicle and to emit UV light within the interior passenger compartment during a trip of the vehicle at a specified wavelength or narrow wavelength range that is safe for human tissue; one or more sensors (178) mounted within the interior passenger compartment and configured to monitor common areas of the interior passenger compartment; a control unit (170) including one or more processors (182) and operably connected to the UV lamps (120) and one or more sensors (178), the control unit (170) determining occupancy of the common area based on signals received from the one or more sensors (178), and modifying power supplied to one or more of the UV lamps (120) located in the common area based on the determined occupancy of the common area; A sterilization system (100) comprising:

[0071] As described herein, embodiments of the present disclosure provide systems and methods for using UV light to sterilize and disinfect surfaces, air, and people within the interior passenger compartment of a vehicle, particularly in high-traffic common areas, without harming people exposed to the UV light. Additionally, embodiments of the present disclosure provide a self-contained, easy-to-use, and safe system and method for using UV light to sterilize air and surfaces within the interior vehicle passenger compartment and modulating the power consumption of the UV light to conserve energy.

[0072] Various spatial and directional terms, such as top, bottom, bottom, middle, side, horizontal, vertical, front, etc., may be used to describe embodiments of the present disclosure, with the understanding that such terms are used solely with respect to the orientation shown. The orientation may be flipped, rotated, or otherwise changed so that top becomes bottom and vice versa, horizontal becomes vertical, etc.

[0073] As used herein, a structure, constraint, or element that is "configured to" perform a task or operation is specifically structurally shaped, constructed, or adapted to correspond to the task or operation. For purposes of clarity and to avoid doubt, an object that can merely be modified to perform a task or operation is not "configured to" perform a task or operation as used herein.

[0074] As used herein, value modifiers such as "about," "substantially," and "approximately" inserted before a numerical value indicate that the value may represent other values ​​within a specified threshold range above and / or below the specified value, such as values ​​within 5%, 10%, or 15% of the specified value.

[0075] It should be understood that the above description is intended to be illustrative, and not limiting. For example, the above-described embodiments (and / or aspects thereof) can be used in combination with each other. In addition, many modifications can be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the various embodiments of the present disclosure without departing from its scope. While the dimensions and types of materials described herein are intended to define the parameters of various embodiments of the present disclosure, the present embodiments are by no means limiting and are exemplary. Many other embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art upon review of the above description. The scope of the various embodiments of the present disclosure should, therefore, be determined with reference to the appended claims, along with the full range of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. In the appended claims and this detailed description, the terms "including" and "in which" are used as equivalents to the plain English terms "comprising" and "wherein," respectively. Furthermore, the terms "first," "second," and "third," etc., are used merely as labels and are not intended to impose numerical requirements on their objects. Furthermore, the following claim limitations are not written in means-plus-function form and are not to be construed under 35 U.S.C. §112(f) unless such claim limitations expressly use the phrase "means for" following a recitation of the functional void of further structure.

[0076] This description uses examples to disclose various embodiments of the present disclosure, including the best mode, and also enables any person skilled in the art to practice various embodiments of the present disclosure, including making and using any device or system and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope of various embodiments of the present disclosure is defined by the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. If an example has structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of a claim, or if the example includes equivalent structural elements that have insubstantial differences from the literal language of a claim, such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0077] 10 aircraft 12 Propulsion System 14 Engine 16 wings 18 Torso 20 tail fin 22 Horizontal stabilizer 24 Vertical stabilizer 30 interior rooms 33 Front Section 34 First Class Section 36 Business Class Section 38 Forward Galley Station, Galley 40 Extended Economy or Coach Section 42 Standard Economy Coach Section 44 rear section 45 Toilet 46 Guest room transition area 48 Class Divider Assembly 50 aisles 52 Passage 60 Doorway Areas, Doorways, Exit Paths 62 Exit Door 80 interior rooms 82 Main guest room 83 passenger seats 84 Passage 85 rear section 86 Central longitudinal surface 87 Toilet 90 Doorway Area, Doorway, Exit Path 92 Exit Door 100 Sterilization System 120 UV lamps, static lamps, common area 122 Interior Guest Rooms 124 Common Area 125 Common Area 126 Common Area 128 subset 130 subset 132 subset 134 Common Bus 150 Housing 152 Valve 154 Cover Sheet 156 Reflector 158 Cavity 160 lighting range area 170 Control Unit 172 Power supply 174 Input Devices 176 Output Devices 178 Proximity Sensor 180 Switching Device 180A Switching Device 180B Switching Device 180C Switching Device 182 processors 184 memory 200 Toilet 202 beds 204 Toilet 206 Mirror 208 Sink 210 Wall 212 Ceiling 214 irradiation field 222 The First Wall 224 The Second Wall 226 Doors 228 Passage 230 Vehicle Door 231 Fuselage wall 232 Ceiling 240 Galley 242 Cabinet 244 Coffee Maker 246 Galley Cart 248 Ceiling 260 passenger seating area 262 passenger seats 264 groups 264 passenger seats 266 Passage 268 Storage Compartment 270 Ceiling 272 beds 274 segments 274A Segment

Claims

1. a plurality of ultraviolet (UV) lamps (120) mounted at various locations within an interior passenger compartment of the vehicle, the UV lamps (120) configured to receive power from a power source (172) onboard the vehicle and to radiate UV light into the interior passenger compartment during a trip of the vehicle; a control unit (170) including one or more processors (182) and operably connected to the UV lamps (120), the control unit (170) varying the power supplied to one or more of the UV lamps (120) located in a common area (126) of the interior passenger compartment based on occupancy of the common area (126); Equipped with In response to detecting that an occupant of the common area (126) has exited the common area (126), the control unit (170) is configured to operate the one or more UV lamps (120) located in the common area (126) at a high power level for a specified period of time to provide rapid disinfection of the common area (126); The sterilization system (100) is configured such that the control unit (170) operates the one or more UV lamps (120) at a lower power level while an occupant is present in the common area (126) unless the occupant enters the common area (126) within a specified period of time after a preceding occupant has exited the common area (126).

2. 2. The sterilization system (100) of claim 1, wherein in response to detecting that the common area is occupied at the expiration of the specified period of time, the control unit (170) is configured to operate the one or more UV lamps (120) located in the common area at a reduced power level that is lower than the high power level.

3. 3. The sterilization system (100) of claim 2, wherein the reduced power level is a medium power level that is less than the high power level and greater than a low non-zero power level.

4. 4. The sterilization system (100) of claim 1, 2, or 3, wherein, in response to detecting that the common area is unoccupied at the expiration of the specified period, the control unit (170) is configured to do one of: (i) turn off the one or more UV lamps (120) located in the common area to stop emitting UV light; or (ii) operate the one or more UV lamps (120) located in the common area at a reduced power level that is lower than the high power level.

5. The sterilization system (100) of claim 4, wherein the reduced power level is a low, non-zero power level.

6. 6. The sterilization system (100) of any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the common area is one of a toilet, an area immediately outside the toilet, a galley, a hallway, a crew compartment, a partition assembly between two different zones of the interior passenger compartment, or an area adjacent to an entrance to the vehicle.

7. 7. The sterilization system (100) of any one of claims 1 to 6, further comprising one or more sensors (178) mounted within the interior passenger compartment and operably connected to the control unit (170), the one or more sensors (178) monitoring the common area, and the control unit (170) determining the occupancy of the common area based on signals received from the one or more sensors (178).

8. The sterilization system (100) of claim 7, wherein the one or more sensors (178) include at least one of a pressure sensor, a proximity sensor, or a motion sensor.

9. 9. The sterilization system (100) of claim 1, wherein the one or more sensors (178) include a plurality of sensors (178), at least a subset of the sensors (178) being pressure sensors (178) positioned below the interior passenger compartment floor to monitor occupants walking on the floor.

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