Ozone and particulate detection and mitigation method

Abstract

A method of operating a far-ultraviolet C (Far UV-C) lamp within an enclosed environment includes activating a lamp that emits a Far UV-C irradiation. A sensor detects presence of a contaminant within the enclosed environment. If the contaminant present within the enclosed environment exceeds a threshold the detected contaminant is abated by at least one of decreasing an irradiation level of said Far UV-C lamp and increasing a flow of air throughout the enclosed environment.

Description

OZONE AND PARTICULATE DETECTION AND MITIGATION METHODPRIOR APPLICATIONS

[0001] The present application claims priority to United States Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 539,474 filed on September 20, 2023, the contents of which are included herein in entirety.TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] The present invention relates generally to reducing the amount of ozone and particulates within an environment that utilizes a light-emitting apparatus and, more particularly, toward a system and method of reducing the amount of ozone and particulates within an environment that utilizes a far ultraviolet light emitting device.BACKGROUND

[0003] Far short-wavelength ultraviolet irradiation emitting lamps, referred to as Far UV- C lamps, are known to be utilized for inactivating pathogens in the air, on surfaces, and in water. However, it is suspected that a minimal amount of ozone is emitted from Far UV-C lamps. Further, it is suspected that the ozone emitted from the Far UV-C lamps can chemically react with other particles in the atmosphere to form particulates that are potentially harmful to humans when inhaled.

[0004] Although most experts believe that the amount of ozone emitted from these lamps will either be absorbed into real-world settings, for example furniture and rugs, or dissipate due to standard air circulation in both indoor and outdoor spaces, to address these suspected issues it would be advantageous to actively reduce ozone levels in response to detecting actual ozone and / or particulate levels within an atmosphere utilizing a Far UV-C lamp.SUMMARY

[0005] It would be beneficial to address either or both of these potential concerns by utilizing an ozone sensor or detector and / or a particulate sensor or detector when Far UV-C technology is utilized to ensure appropriate levels of ozone and / or particulates are maintained.[0006| The current invention satisfies these needs by configuring a method of reducing the level of ozone and / or particulates within an atmosphere of an environment. The method includes the steps of detecting an amount of ozone and / or an amount of particulates within an atmosphere where a Far UV-C lamp is utilized, each of which are known contaminants within and enclosed environment; determining whether the amount of ozone detected within the atmosphere is greater than a predetermined ozone amount, if an amount of ozone is determined within the atmosphere; determining whether the amount of particulates detected within the atmosphere is greater than a predetermined particulate amount, if an amount of particulates is determined within the atmosphere; reducing irradiation level or deactivating the Far UV-C lamp when either the amount of ozone detected within the atmosphere is greater than the predetermined ozone amount or the amount of particulates detected within the atmosphere is greater than the predetermined particulate amount.

[0007] The current invention further satisfies these needs by configuring a system of reducing the level of ozone and / or particulates within an atmosphere of an environment. The system includes a lamp that emits a far-ultraviolet irradiation, also referred to as Far UV-C, an ozone sensor and / or a particulate sensor within the environment, and a processor. The processor is in communication with the lamp, the ozone sensor, if an ozone sensor is utilized in the environment, and the particulate sensor, if a particulate sensor is utilized in the environment. The ozone sensor detects the amount of ozone in the atmosphere. The particulate sensor detects the amount of particulates in the atmosphere. The processor determines whether the amount of ozone in the atmosphere, from data received from the ozone sensor, is greater than a predetermined amount of ozone, if an ozone sensor is utilized in the environment. Further, the processor determines whether the amount of particulates in the atmosphere, from data received from the particulate sensor, is greater than a predetermined amount of particulates, if a particulate sensor is utilized in the environment. The processor controls deactivation of the lamp when the processor determines that the amount of ozone in the atmosphere is greater than the predetermined amount of ozone, if an ozone sensor is utilized in the environment. Further, the processor controls deactivation of the lamp when the processor determines that the amount of particulates in the atmosphere is greater than the predetermined amount of particulates if a particulate sensor is utilized in the environment.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS[0008| Advantages of the present disclosure will be readily appreciated as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein:

[0009] Figure 1 shows an embodiment of a system of the present invention implemented in an environment utilizing a Far UV-C lamp; and

[0010] Figure 2 shows a flow diagram illustrating the operation of the ozone and particulate reduction system within an atmosphere of an environment utilizing a Far UV-C lamp.DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

[0011] Figure 1 shows an exemplary system for reducing the level of ozone and / or particulates within an atmosphere of an environment 10, generally at 12. The system 12 includes a lamp 14 that emits a far-ultraviolet C (Far UV-C) light 16, an ozone sensor 18 and / or a particulate sensor 20, and a processor 22 that is in communication with the Far UV-C lamp 14 and the ozone sensor 18, and that is in communication with the particulate sensor 20. The sensors 18, 20 are each suited for detecting ozone and particulate contaminants within the enclosed environment 10. When the Far UV-C lamp 14 is activated, or on, the lamp 14 can potentially generate ozone within the atmosphere of the environment 10 in which it is utilized. The ozone that is generated by the Far UV-C lamp 14 can potentially generate particulates within the atmosphere by chemically reacting with volatiles in the atmosphere to form particulates that are potentially harmful to humans when inhaled.

[0012] The environment 10 may be an indoor room including, but not limited to, an indoor room of a residential building or an indoor room of a commercial building. It could also be the inside of a vehicle including, but not limited to, an automobile, a truck, a bus, a recreational vehicle, an airplane, a helicopter, a train, a ship, a boat, or any other similar type of vessel.

[0013] The ozone sensor 18 is positioned within the environment 10 and detects an amount of ozone that is within the atmosphere of the environment 10. The ozone sensor 18 may be attached directly to the Far UV-C lamp 14 or may be positioned within the environment 10 at a location that is remote from the Far UV-C lamp 14, for example attached to a wall 24 or a ceiling 26 within the environment 10. The ozone sensor 18 is in communication with the processor 22and transmits its data 28 to the processor 22. The processor 22 analyzes the ozone sensor data received including the amount of ozone detected and determines whether the amount of ozone detected in the atmosphere is greater than a predetermined or threshold amount of ozone. The predetermined amount of ozone is determined based on acceptable levels of ozone for safety purposes.

[0014] The system 12 may also further comprise a particulate sensor 20, either instead of the ozone sensor 18 or in addition to the ozone sensor 18. When a particulate sensor 20 is utilized, the particulate sensor 20 is positioned within the environment 10 that detects an amount of particulates in the atmosphere. Similar to the ozone sensor 18, the particulate sensor 20 may be attached directly to the Far UV-C lamp 14 or may be positioned within the environment 10 remote from the Far UV-C lamp 14, for example on a wall 24 or a ceiling 26 within the environment 10. The particulate sensor 20 is in communication with the processor 22 and transmits particulate data 30 to the processor 22. The processor 22 receives and analyzes the particulate sensor 20 data received including the amount of particulates detected and determines whether the amount of particulates detected in the atmosphere is greater than a predetermined amount of particulates. The predetermined amount of particulates is determined based on acceptable levels of particulates for safety purposes.

[0015] The processor 22 controls activation and deactivation of the Far UV-C lamp 14 based on the determined amount of ozone and / or particulates in the atmosphere. When the amount of ozone in the atmosphere is greater than the predetermined amount of ozone when the Far UV- C lamp 14 is activated, the processor 22 will send a signal 32 to deactivate, or turn off, the Far UV-C lamp 14 or otherwise reduce irradiation energy. Deactivation of the Far UV-C lamp 14 will terminate generation of ozone in the atmosphere of the environment 10. Alternatively, a level of irradiation of the lamp 14 may be reduced that will in turn reduce the amount of ozone generation. In this manner, a balanced approach may be achieved pathogen reduction and ozone generation.

[0016] Similarly, when a particulate sensor 20 is utilized and the amount of particulates in the atmosphere is greater than the predetermined amount of particulates in the atmosphere, the processor 20 will send a signal 32 to deactivate, or turn off, the Far UV-C lamp. Deactivation of the Far UV-C lamp 14 will reduce the amount of particulates in the atmosphere by reducing the amount of ozone being released into the atmosphere and therefore there is less ozone that canchemically react with other volatiles in the atmosphere to form particulates that are potentially harmful to humans when inhaled.

[0017] When an ozone sensor 18 and a particulate sensor 20 are both utilized within the environment 10, and the processor 22 determines that either the amount of ozone in the atmosphere is greater than the predetermined amount of ozone or the amount of particulates in the atmosphere is greater than the predetermined amount of particulates, then the processor 22 will send a control signal 32 to deactivate the Far UV-C lamp 14.

[0018] The system further includes a ventilation system 34 that utilizes a fan 35 to circulate air within the atmosphere of the environment 10. The processor 22 is in communication with the ventilation system and transmits a signal 36 to control activation and deactivation of the ventilation system 34 based on the determined amount of ozone and / or particulates in the atmosphere. The activation of the ventilation system within the atmosphere may be a switch to an “on” status from an “off’ status or it may be a switch from a decreased circulation status to an increased circulation status. The ventilation system 34 may circulate air within the environment by drawing air from the environment 10 through an outlet 38 from the environment 10, through a filtration system 40, and back into the environment 10 through an inlet 42. Further, the ventilation system may vent to an outdoor environment 44.

[0019] When the amount of ozone and / or particulates in the atmosphere is greater than the predetermined amount of ozone and / or the predetermined amount of particulates when the Far UV-C lamp 14 is activated, the processor 22 will send a signal 36 to activate the ventilation system 34 in addition to deactivating the Far UV-C lamp 14. Activation of the ventilation system 34 will increase circulation of the air within the atmosphere of the environment.

[0020] The processor 22 continually receives data from either or both the ozone sensor 18 and the particulate sensor 20. In the case where both sensors 18, 20 are present, the processor 22 continually receives data from both of them. If only one or the other ozone sensor 18 or particulate sensor 20 is present, the processor 22 continually receives data from the one that is present. The processor 22 continually determines whether the amount of ozone in the atmosphere, based on the received ozone sensor data 28, is greater or less than the predetermined amount of ozone. Further, when a particulate sensor 20 it utilized, the processor 22 continually determines whether theamount of particulates in the atmosphere, based on the received particulate sensor data 30, is greater or less than the predetermined amount of particulates in the atmosphere.

[0021] In one embodiment, the Far UV-C lamp 14 will remain deactivated for a predetermined period of time once it is deactivated by the processor 22 before being reactivated. Similarly, the ventilation system 34 will remain activated for a predetermined period of time once it is activated by the processor 22 before being deactivated. The predetermined period of time is controlled by a timer 50 within the processor 22.

[0022] Alternatively, the processor 22 continuously processes the incoming data 28, 30 from the ozone sensor 18 and / or the particulate sensor 20 to determine whether the amount of ozone in the atmosphere is greater than the predetermined amount of ozone and / or whether the amount of particulates in the atmosphere is greater than the predetermined amount of particulates. When both an ozone sensor 18 and a particulate sensor 20 are utilized within the environment 10, as soon as the processor 22 determines that the amount of ozone detected within the atmosphere is less than the predetermined amount of ozone and the amount of particulates detected within the atmosphere is less than the predetermined amount of particulates, the processor 22 signals to control 32 activation of the Far UV-C lamp 14, resulting in the Far UV-C lamp 14 being turned on. When only an ozone sensor 18 or a particulate sensor 20 is utilized within the environment 10, as soon as the processor 22 determines that the amount of ozone or particulates detected within the atmosphere is less than the predetermined amount of ozone or particulates, the processor 22 signals to control 32 activation of the Far UV-C lamp 14, resulting in the Far UV-C lamp 14 being turned on. Thus, the Far UV-C lamp 14 and the ventilation system 34 are continuously adjusted in response to the processor 22 feedback from the sensors 18, 20 relative to the threshold.

[0023] Similarly, when the processor 22 determines that the amount of ozone and / or particulates detected within the atmosphere is less than the predetermined amount of ozone and / or particulates, the processor 22 signals to control 36 deactivation of the ventilation system 34.

[0024] The Far UV-C lamp 14 may be attached to a surface within the environment 10, including but not limited to, attachment of the Far UV-C lamp 14 directly or to a wall 24, a ceiling 26, or to a floor 27, or to a drone 46 that is within the environment 10 or to a handheld instrument 48 that is within the environment 10.

[0025] In Figure 1, Far UV-C lamp 14 that emits Far UV-C lamp 16 is attached to the ceiling 26 of environment 10. An ozone sensor 18 and / or a particulate sensor 20 may be directly attached to Far UV-C lamp 14. In an alternative embodiment, a Far UV-C lamp 14a that emits Far UV-C light 16a is attached to a drone 46 that is movable within the environment 10. An ozone sensor 18a and / or a particulate sensor 20a may be directly attached to the Far UV-C lamp 14a or directly to the drone 46. In another alternative embodiment, a Far UV-C lamp 14b that emits Far UV-C lamp 16b is attached to a handheld instrument 48 that is utilized within the environment 10. An ozone sensor 18b and / or a particulate sensor 20b may be directly attached to the Far UV-C lamp 14b or directly to the handheld instrument 48.

[0026] It is within the scope of this invention that the system includes two or more ozone sensors and / or two or more particulate sensors that are within the atmosphere. The processor is capable of communicating with multiple ozone sensors and multiple particulate sensors and processing information from them. Further, the processor is capable of controlling the Far UV-C lamp or multiple UV-C lamps and the ventilation system based on signals received from multiple ozone sensors and multiple particulate sensors.

[0027] The processor 22 is either in wired or wireless communication with each of the Far UV-C lamp 14 or lamps 14a, 14b, the ventilation system 34, the ozone sensor 18 or multiple ozone sensors, and the particulate sensor 20 or multiple particulate sensors.

[0028] Figure 2 illustrates an exemplary method for reducing the level of ozone and / or particulates within an atmosphere of an environment. When a lamp 14 that emits a far-ultraviolet C (Far UV-C) irradiation 16 is activated (step 100), ozone and particulates are generated within the atmosphere in the environment. An amount of ozone is detected within the atmosphere by either an ozone sensor or an ozone detector, hereinafter referred to as an ozone sensor 18 (step 102). Alternatively, or in addition, an amount of particulates is detected within the atmosphere by either a particulate sensor or a particulate detector, hereinafter referred to as a particulate sensor 20 (step 104).

[0029] A processor 22 receives data transmitted from the ozone sensor 18 and determines whether an amount of ozone was detected by the ozone sensor 18 (step 106). If the processor 22 determines that an amount of ozone was detected, then the processor 22 determines whether the amount of ozone that is detected within the atmosphere is greater than a predetermined amount ofozone (step 108). If the processor 22 determines that the amount of ozone present within the environment 10 is greater than a predetermined amount of ozone, the Far UV-C lamp 14 is deactivated (step 110).

[0030] Further, when a particulate sensor is utilized within the environment, processor 22 receives data transmitted from the particulate sensor 20 and determines whether an amount of particulates was detected by the particulate sensor 20 (step 112). If the processor 22 determines that an amount of particulates was detected, then the processor 22 determines whether the amount of particulates that is detected within the atmosphere is greater than a predetermined amount of particulates (step 114). If the processor 22 determines that the amount of particulates present within the environment 10 is greater than a predetermined amount of particulates, the Far UV-C lamp 14 is deactivated (step 110).

[0031] Further, if either the amount of ozone detected within the atmosphere is greater than the predetermined ozone amount (step 108) or the amount of particulates detected within the atmosphere is greater than the predetermined particulate amount (step 114) a ventilation system 34 may be activated within the environment (step 116) in addition to deactivating the Far UV-C lamp (step 110). The ventilation system may vent to an outdoor environment.

[0032] Next, at a later point in time, the amount of ozone within the atmosphere is detected (step 118). Alternatively, or in addition, the amount of particulates within the atmosphere is detected (step 120).

[0033] The processor 22 determines whether the amount of ozone detected, at the later point in time, is less than the predetermined amount of ozone (step 122). If the processor 22 determines that the amount of ozone detected within the atmosphere, at the later point in time, is less than the predetermined ozone amount, then the processor sends a control signal to activate the Far UV-C lamp from the deactivated state (step 124).

[0034] Similarly, the processor 22 determines whether the amount of particulates detected, at the later point in time, is less than the predetermined amount of particulates (step 126). If the processor 22 determines that the amount of particulates detected within the atmosphere, at the later point in time, is less than the predetermined particulates amount, then the processor sends a control signal to activate the Far UV-C lamp from the deactivated state (step 124).

[0035] Further, if the processor 22 determines that the amount of ozone detected within the atmosphere, at the later point in time, is less than the predetermined ozone amount (step 122), and determines that the amount of particulates detected within the atmosphere, at the later point in time, is less than the predetermined particulates amount (step 126), then the processor 22 may send a control signal to the ventilation system 34 to deactivate from the activated state (step 128).

[0036] The invention has been described in an illustrative manner, and it is to be understood that the terminology, which has been used, is intended to be in the nature of words of description rather than of limitation. Many modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings. It is, therefore, to be understood that within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced other than as specifically described.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A method of operating a far-ultraviolet C (Far UV-C) lamp within an enclosed environment, comprising the steps of: activating a lamp that emits a Far UV-C lamp; detecting presence of a contaminant within the enclosed environment; determining if the contaminant present within the enclosed environment exceeds a threshold; and abating the detected contaminant by at least one of decreasing an irradiation level of said Far UV-C lamp and increasing a flow of air throughout the enclosed environment.

2. The method set forth in claim 1, wherein said step of detecting presence of a contaminant is further defined by detecting presence of at least one of ozone and aerosol particulate matter.

3. The method set forth in claim 2, wherein said step of determining if the contaminant present within the enclosed environment exceeds a threshold is further defined by determining if either ozone or aerosol particulates disposed within the enclosed environment exceeds a threshold.

4. The method set forth in claim 1, wherein said step of decreasing an irradiation level of said Far UV-C lamp is further defined by terminating irradiation of said Far UV-C lamp.

5. The method set forth in claim 1, wherein said step of detecting presence of a contaminant within the enclosed environment is further defined by detecting presence of a contaminant at a location proximate to said Far UV-C lamp.

6. The method set forth in claim 1, wherein said step of detecting presence of a contaminant within the enclosed environment is further defined by detecting presence of a contaminant at a location spaced from said Far UV-C lamp.

7. The method set forth in claim 1 , wherein said step of increasing a flow of air throughout the enclosed environment is further defined by activating a ventilation system for ventilating the enclosed environment when the contaminant exceeds a threshold.

8. The method set forth in claim 1, further including a step of increasing the irradiation level of said Far UV-C lamp when said contaminant detected within the enclosed environment is below a threshold.

9. The method set forth in claim 8, wherein said step of determining if the contaminant present within the enclosed environment exceeds a threshold is further defined by continuously monitoring whether the contaminant present within the enclosed environment exceeds the threshold.

10. The method set forth in claim 9, further including a step of continuously increasing and decreasing the irradiation of level of the Far UV-C lamp in response to determining if the contaminant present within the enclosed environment is above or below the threshold.

11. The method set forth in claim 9, further including the step of continuously increasing and decreasing the flow of air through the enclosed environment in response to determining if the contaminant present within the enclosed environment is above or below the threshold.

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