Cleaning arrangement for a UV light

Abstract

The invention discloses a cleaning assembly (38) that is fitted to an UV light to automatically clean the outer surface (104) of the tube when the cleaning assembly (38) is moved relative to the UV tube (12).

Description

[0001] CLEANING ARRANGEMENT FOR A UV LIGHT

[0002] FIELD OF INVENTION

[0003] The invention is in the field of UV lights used in the treatment of water, more in particular cleaning arrangements for UV lights.

[0004] BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0005] UV disinfection lamps are widely used in various industry. They are used in water treatment systems, aquaculture, medical, aquaponics, fruit and vegetable packaging facilities, sewerage treatment plants and many more industries.

[0006] During the UV water disinfection process, as water passes through a UV water treatment system, living organisms in water are exposed to UV light which attacks the genetic code of the microorganism and rearranges the DNA / RNA, eliminating the microorganisms ability to function and reproduce. The problem is that within days either the UV Tube or quarts tube covering the UV tube starts to foul-up and gets covered by algae and / or sediment. As the efficacy of the UV System is dependent on the contaminated water being exposed to the UV light, the efficacy of the UV sterilization system decreases as the surface is more and more fouled up. Depending on the contamination in the water, some UV systems can lose 50-100% efficacy within weeks of installation. Most of the larger more expensive systems have motorized systems that move a cleaning brush / blade over the UV lamp or quarts tube on a regular basis to ensure the glass remains transparent. These systems are however expensive and provided for larger commercial installations. Sealing these systems against water leaks in one of the biggest problems as the electrical driven motors must be external and the cleaning system inside the water. Smaller systems do not have these motorized cleaning systems and is dependent on the user manually removing the UV Lamp or quartz tube on a regular basis and cleaning it. This is time consuming and is normally not done leading to very inefficient UV sterilization systems.

[0007] It is an object of the present invention to ameliorate at least some of the abovementioned problems.

[0008] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0009] In accordance with an embodiment of the invention there is provided a self cleaning disinfectant light assembly for use in the treatment of water, the self cleaning disinfectant light assembly comprising: a UV tube, optionally fitted in a quartz tube / sleeve, that is in communication with an inlet for receiving a fluid and an outlet for discharging a purified fluid; and a cleaning means fitted to the UV tube or the optional quartz tube / sleeve for cleaning an external surface of one the UV tube or the optional quartz tube when displaced relative to the UV tube or optional quartz tube.

[0010] The cleaning means may be a cleaning assembly that may be displaceable relative to the UV tube or optional quartz tube between a rest position, in which no motive / driving force is applied to the cleaning means, and a displaced position in which a motive force is applied to the cleaning means thereby causing the cleaning means to clean an outer surface of the UV tube or optional quartz tube.

[0011] The cleaning means may be displaced by a motive force of pressurised fluid, such as water that is in contact with and flows over an outer surface of one of the UV tube and the optional quartz tube, wherein displacement of the cleaning means relative to one of the UV tube and optional quartz tube results in the displacement of the cleaning means over the external surface of the tube thereby resulting in the cleaning of the outer surface of one of the UV tube and optional quartz tube. The cleaning means may comprise a spiral blade that is located along the length of one of the UV tube and optional quartz tube, and may further comprise a cleaning member extending from the spiral blade.

[0012] In another embodiment, the cleaning means may be an arrangement of spaced apart support members / blades. Each cleaning member may be arranged on one of the UV tube and optional quartz tube such that the cleaning member is positioned to be in direct contact with an outer surface of the UV tube. The arrangement of support members may be in the form of a helix and the blade members may be arranged at an angle relative to a longitudinal axis of one of the UV tube and optional quartz tube.

[0013] The cleaning means may be rotatably connected to one of the UV tube and quartz tube such that the cleaning means can be rotatably displaced relative to a fixed, non-moving UV tube.

[0014] The UV light assembly may comprise a housing for accommodating the UV tube and the cleaning assembly. The housing may be an opaque outer tube.

[0015] The UV light assembly may comprise a bearing means mounted on at least one end of the spiral blade. The bearing means may be in the form of a thrust bearing. The thrust bearing may comprise an outer surface, and inner surface and rolling elements such as balls fitted in a raceway provided between the inner and outer surfaces. The bearing means allows the spiral blade to rotate freely therein when exposed to the motive force of water flowing along the spiral blade. The UV light assembly may comprise a monitoring means to monitor movement of the cleaning means relative to the one of the UV tube and quartz tube.

[0016] The monitoring means may include at least one first magnet that is fitted to the cleaning means and a second magnet that is located away from the first housing and fitted on the housing, wherein the second magnet being arranged to be displaced by a magnetic motive force of the first magnet as the first magnet is displaced relative to the second magnet.

[0017] The cleaning means may comprise a first holder for holding the at least one first magnet.

[0018] The housing may also comprise a holder for holding the second magnet.

[0019] According to another aspect of the invention there is provided a self-cleaning UV light comprising: a UV light tube; a cleaning means fitted to the UV light tube for cleaning an external surface of the UV tube when displaced (by a motive force) relative to the UV light tube.

[0020] According to another aspect of the invention there is provided a disinfectant light assembly comprising: a UV light tube; a housing accommodating the UV light tube; and a cleaning assembly for cleaning an external surface of the UV tube when displaced (by a motive force) relative to the UV light tube and for selectively / optionally cleaning an internal surface of the housing.

[0021] According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a cleaning assembly for a UV tube or tube accommodating the UV tube, the cleaning assembly comprising a support member that is moveably connected along the length of the UV tube or tube accommodating the UV tube, the support member being displaceable relative to the UV tube or tube accommodating the UV tube, the cleaning assembly further comprising a cleaning member or plurality of cleaning members arranged to be in contact with an outer surface of the UV tube or tube accommodating the UV tube when the support member is displaced relative to the UV tube or tube accommodating the UV tube.

[0022] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] The objects and features of the present invention will become fully apparent from following the description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Undertaking that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are therefore, not to be considered limiting its scope, the invention will be described and explained with additional specific and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings in which:

[0024] In the drawings:

[0025] Figure 1 - shows an exploded view diagram of a UV light assembly in accordance with a first embodiment of the invention;

[0026] Figure 2 - shows an assembled perspective view of the UV light assembly of Figure 1 ;

[0027] Figure 3 - shows a front view of the UV light assembly of Figure 2;

[0028] Figure 4 - shows an exploded view of a UV light assembly in accordance with a second embodiment of the invention;

[0029] Figure 5 - shows an assembled perspective view of the UV light assembly of

[0030] Figure 4; and

[0031] Figure 6 - shows a side view of the UV light assembly of Figure 5. DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0032] While various inventive aspects, concepts and features of the invention may be described and illustrated herein as embodied in combination in the exemplary embodiments, these various aspects, concepts and features may be used in many alternative embodiments, either individually or in various combinations and subcombinations thereof. Unless expressly exclude herein all such combinations and subcombinations are intended to be within the scope of the present invention. Still further, while various alternative embodiments as to the various aspects, concepts and features of the invention - such alternative structures, configurations, methods, devices and components, alternatives as to form, fit and function, and so on may be described herein, such descriptions are not intended to be a complete or exhaustive list of available alternative embodiments, whether presently known or later developed.

[0033] According to an aspect of the invention there is provided a self cleaning UV light assembly shown in the drawings by reference numeral 10, where like numerals denote similar parts. The UV light assembly is generally for use as a disinfectant in the treatment of water.

[0034] As shown in Figures 1 to 3, the UV light assembly comprises an elongate, cylindrical UV light tube 12 having a first end 14 and a second opposite end 16. The UV light tube 12 may be optionally fitted I accommodated in a quartz sleeve (not shown). The first end 14 of the UV light tube 12 is arranged to be fitted in a first channel 20 of a first end cap 18 such that the UV tube 12 can be secured in the first channel 20 so that it is prevented from rotating during use. The first end cap 18 is cylindrical and defines the channel 20 which extends between opposite ends of the first end cap 18. A first end cap seal ring 22 is fitted on an opposite end of the first end cap 18. A first end cover 24 abuts the first end cap seal ring 22 and secures the ring 22 to the first end cap 18. The first end cap cover 24 defines an opening 26 that is arranged to be aligned with the channel 20 of the first end cap 18 when it is fitted to the first end cap 18.

[0035] Similar, the second end 16 of the UV light tube 12 is arranged to be securely fitted in a channel 30 of a second end cap 28. The second end cap 28 is cylindrical and defines the channel 30 which extends between opposite inner and outer ends of the second end cap 28. A second end cap seal ring 32 is fitted on an outer end of the second end cap 28. A second end cover 34 abuts the second end cap seal ring 32 and secures the ring 32 to the second end cap 28. The second end cap cover 32 defines an opening 36 that is arranged to be aligned with the channel 32 of the second end cap 28 when it is fitted to the second end cap 28.

[0036] The UV light assembly 10 further comprises a cleaning means / assembly 38 that is fitted to the UV tube 12 for cleaning an external surface of the UV tube 12, in use. The cleaning means 38 comprises a support in the form of a spiral blade 40 that is rotatably fitted around the UV tube 12 via first and second fitting members 42, 44, respectively, which are respectively secured proximate the ends 14, 16 of the UV tube 12. The spiral blade 40 is continuous and provided along the length of the UV tube 12. However, it is envisaged that the spiral blade 40 may not be continuous but may comprise of spaced apart blade members connected to the UV tube 12 by dedicated fitting members, which altogether are arranged in the form of a spiral, in particular a helix. The spiral blade 40 is curved and arranged at an angle to face an outer surface of the UV tube 12. A cleaning member in the form of, for example a brush (not shown), is removably fitted by suitable securing means (not shown but similar to the type described below with reference to Figure 4) on the spiral blade 40 and arranged to be in contact with the outer surface of the UV tube 12.

[0037] Although only a UV tube 12 is shown in the drawings, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the UV tube 12 may be housed in a quartz tube I sleeve (not shown) and therefore the cleaning means 38 may be arranged on the quartz tube (not shown).

[0038] The UV light assembly 10 further comprises a housing in the form of a hollow, opaque tube 46 for accommodating the UV tube 12 and the cleaning means 38 fitted thereto. The housing may be made of stainless steel or any other suitable material. The housing 46 has a first opened end 46.2 and an opposite second opened end 46.4. A first T-tube 48 having an opened end 50, an opened end 52 that is connected to the first end 46.2 of the housing 46, and a water inlet end 54. A second T-tube 56 having an opened end 58, an opened end 60 that is connected to the second end 46.4 of the housing 46, and a water outlet end 62.

[0039] Turning our attention to Figures 4 to 6, the UV light assembly comprises a first screw-on end cap 82 that threadably secures to the end 50 of the first T-tube 48, and also comprises a first nut 84 that threadably secures to a first threaded shaft 83 extending from an outer face of the first screw-on end cap 82. As shown in Figures 4 to 6, the assembly comprises a second screw-on end cap 86 that threadably secures to a threaded end 58 of the second T-tube 56. A seal, in the form an O-ring 98 is provided between the screwn-on end cap 86 and threaded end 58 to seal the interface between the second screw-on end cap 86 and the second T-tube 56 to prevent water from leaking out of the second T-tube 56. The UV light assembly further comprises a second nut 90 that has an opened end 92. A washer, in particular a silicon washer 96 is provided between the the second nut 90 and a second threaded shaft 88 extending from an outer face of the second screw-on end cap 86. The washer 96 also ensures that water leakage is prevented between the shaft 88 and the second nut 90.

[0040] A bearing means 100, in the form of a thrust bearing is provided in between the O-ring 98 and second screw-on end cap 86 and is arranged to be secured on a portion of the UV tube 12 between the second end 16 of the UV tube 12 and the second fitting member 44. The bearing means 100 includes an inner surface 102 which faces the second T-tube 56, an outer surface 104 which faces the second screw-on end cap 86, and rolling elements (not shown), such as glass balls, fitted in a raceway 106 defined in each of the inner and outer surfaces 102, 104. The inner and outer surfaces 102, 104, respectively, of the bearing means 100 are typically constructed from a UV resistant plastic material. Although one bearing means 100 is described and shown, it is possible for another bearing means 100 to be fitted on the other end of the UV tube 12. In general, the bearing means 100 will reduce the contact area of the cleaning assembly 38 against the surfaces of the screw-on end-caps 82, 86 thereby allowing for easier rotation of the cleaning assembly Each of the segments of the spiral blade 40 of the cleaning means 38 comprises a securing arrangement 94 in the form of a clip arrangement, see Detail A in Figure 4, which is arranged to secure a suitable cleaning member such as a brush (not shown) onto the segments of the spiral blade 40. The brushes (not shown) are preferably arranged on the to be in contact with an outer surface of the U V light tube 12. However, additional suitable brushes (not shown) may also be secured to the blade 40 and arranged such that they contact an inner surface of the housing 46, so that in use, the additional suitable brushes (not shown) clean an inner surface of the housing 46.

[0041] In use, water is arranged to be fed under pressure into the housing 46 via the inlet end 54, so that water flows over the UV tube 12. While flowing over the UV tube 12, the motive force of the pressurised water engages the spiral blade 40 and causes the spiral blade 40 to rotate relative to the UV tube 12 which is held in position by the shafts of the first and second end caps 18, 28 in Figures 1 to 3, or held in position by the shaft on the first screw-on end cap 82 and second screw-on end cap 86, while being allowed to rotate in the bearing means 100 that presses against the second screw-on cap 86 (see Figures 4 to 6). In rotating the spiral blade 40, the brushes (not shown) secured to the spiral blade 40 engages the outer surface of the UV tube 12 and cleans the UV tube 12. The water that is exposed to the UV light emitted by the UV tube 12 is disinfected. The additional brushes (not shown) are also configured to engage and clean the inner surface of the housing 46.

[0042] Although not shown in Figure 4, the UV light assembly 10 also comprises a non-invasive monitoring means 64 which is shown in more detail with reference to Figures 1 to 3 and 5 to 6. The non-invasive monitoring means 64 is arranged to monitor movement of the cleaning means 38 inside the housing 42. The monitoring means 64 includes a ring 66 that is fitted around the spiral blade 40, preferably at the centre of the UV tube 12 so that the ring 66 can also rotate along with the blade 40 relative to the UV tube 12. A first magnet holder 68 holding a first magnet 70 having a first polarity, in particular a positive charge, is fitted on a first protruding side of the ring 66. A second magnet holder 72 holding a second magnet 74 having a second polarity, in particular a negative polarity, is fitted on a second protruding side of the ring 66 that is diametrically opposed to the first protruding side. The monitoring means further comprises a clip 76 that is fitted externally on the housing 46. The clip 76 is fitted substantially at the centre of the housing 46 so as to be aligned with the ring 66.

[0043] A third magnet holder 78 holding a third magnet 80 is fitted in a cavity (not clearly shown) defined by the clip 76 and is arranged to freely rotate / flip within the clip 76. A window (not shown) covers the cavity (not shown) which accommodated the third magnet holder 78 and third magnet 80 to enable a user to see (i.e. have visual access to) the third magnet 78 that is held in the clip 76. The third magnet 80, in the form of a disc shaped magnet that is painted in a first colour, for example, black on one of its faces (not shown) and a second colour, for example, white on an opposite face (not shown) thereof. In use, as the spiral blade 40 is rotated by the motive force of the pressurised water, the ring 66 also rotates along with the spiral blade 40. Rotation of the ring 66 results in the first and second magnets 70, 74 to also rotate with the ring 66. In rotating the first and second magnets 70, 74 , the magnetic force of the first and second magnets 70, 74 causes the third magnet 80 to rotate / flip within the clip 76 as the first and second magnets 70, 74 are rotated relative to the third magnet 80. The flipping of the third magnet 80 inside the clip 76 would visually indicate, via the window (not shown), that the spiral blade 40 is rotating within the housing 44.

[0044] The UV light assembly 10 is beneficial in that it is cost effective. It does not require motorization. In addition, the cleaning means 38 can be fitted with most sized UV lamp systems. The cleaning means 38 are arranged to clean the outer surface of the UV tube 12, and can also be configured to clean the inner surface of the housing 46, or both at the same time. Another advantage is that the UV light assembly 10 can be made into a small UV lamp systems and this makes it to be much more efficient than traditional systems. Lastly, the UV light assembly 10 saves in weekly and monthly manual cleaning costs and labour.

Claims

CLAIMS1 . A disinfectant light assembly for use in the treatment of water, the disinfectant light assembly comprising: a UV tube or a sleeve accommodating the UV tube, the UV tube or sleeve being in fluid flow communication with an inlet for receiving water and an outlet for discharging disinfected water; and a cleaning assembly fitted to the UV tube or sleeve for cleaning an external surface of the UV tube or sleeve when displaced relative to the UV tube or sleeve.

2. The disinfectant light assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the cleaning assembly is displaceable relative to the UV tube or sleeve between a rest position, in which no motive / driving force is applied to the cleaning assembly, and a displaced position in which a motive force is applied to the cleaning assembly thereby causing the cleaning assembly to clean an outer surface of the UV tube or sleeve.

3. The disinfectant light assembly according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the cleaning assembly is displaceable by a motive force of pressurised water that is in contact with and flows over an outer surface of the UV tube or sleeve, wherein displacement of the cleaning assembly relative to the UV tube or sleeve results in rotational displacement of the cleaning assembly over the external surface of theUV tube or sleeve thereby resulting in the cleaning of the outer surface of the UV tube or sleeve.

4. The disinfectant light assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a housing accommodating the UV tube or sleeve and the cleaning assembly fitted to the UV tube or sleeve, the housing having an inlet end for receiving water into the housing and an opposite outlet end for discharging disinfected water.

5. The disinfectant light assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the cleaning assembly comprises a continuous support member that is located externally along the length of the UV tube or sleeve, and further comprise a cleaning member or plurality of cleaning members extending from the continuous support member.

6. The disinfectant light assembly according to claim 5, wherein the continuous support member is arranged externally on the UV tube or sleeve in the form of a spiral.

7. The disinfectant light assembly according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the cleaning member or plurality of cleaning members extend from the support member so as to be in direct contact with the UV tube or sleeve.

8. The disinfectant light assembly according to claim 5 or 6 when dependent on claim 4, wherein the cleaning assembly comprises a first set of the cleaning membersthat extend from the support member so as to be in direct contact with an outer surface of the UV tube or sleeve, and a second set of the cleaning members that extend from the support member so as to be in direct contact with an inner surface of the housing.

9. The disinfectant light assembly according to any one of claims 4 to 8, comprising a monitoring means to monitor movement of the cleaning assembly.

10. The disinfectant light assembly according to claim 9, comprising at least one first magnet that is fitted to the cleaning assembly and a second magnet that is fitted to the housing, wherein the second magnet being arranged to be displaced by a magnetic motive force of the at least one first magnet as the at least one first magnet is displaced relative to the second magnet.1 1. The disinfectant light assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a bearing means fitted to at least one end of the UV tube or sleeve.

12. A cleaning assembly for a UV tube or a sleeve accommodating a UV tube, the cleaning assembly comprising a support member that is configured to be moveably connected along the length of the UV tube or sleeve, the support member being configured to be displaceable relative to the UV tube or sleeve, the cleaning assembly further comprising a cleaning member or plurality of cleaning members arranged to be in contact with an outer surface of the UV tube or sleeve when the support member is displaced relative to the UV tube or sleeve, in use.

13. The cleaning assembly according to claim 12, wherein the support member is arranged externally of the UV tube in the form of a spiral, in use.

14. The cleaning assembly according to claim 12 or claim 13, wherein the cleaning member or plurality of cleaning members is a brush or brushes.

15. The cleaning assembly according to any one of claims 12 to 14, comprising securing means for securing the cleaning member or plurality of the cleaning members on the support member.

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