Self-cleaning air flow for air-conditioned facilities
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional HVAC systems inefficiently distribute air, leading to stagnant, cold air at lower levels, which can harbor pathogens and require excessive energy for heating, and lack effective disinfection mechanisms for infectious disease patients.
Innovation Solution
A self-cleaning air flow system with UV-C disinfection and specialized filtration, delivering disinfected air from the bottom and recirculating used air for thorough disinfection, using bi-directional valves and UVC units to ensure clean air circulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional HVAC systems recirculate air through ceiling-mounted supply and return vents, then air circulation is maintained in the space, but cold stagnant air accumulates at lower levels where pathogens can harbor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional ceiling-to-floor air flow pattern by implementing floor-level supply vents and ceiling-level return vents. This reversal ensures that conditioned air is delivered at floor level to displace and eliminate stagnant cold air, while return air is captured at ceiling level where it naturally accumulates due to thermal buoyancy. The inversion fundamentally changes the air circulation pattern to prevent pathogen accumulation at lower levels.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by positioning supply vents specifically at floor level and return vents at ceiling level, creating different air flow characteristics at different vertical locations. The floor-level supply creates upward moving conditioned air that mixes with and displaces stagnant air, while ceiling-level return captures the warmest, most buoyant air. This localized differentiation optimizes air circulation and pathogen removal throughout the vertical space.
2Ease of manufacture
If conventional HVAC systems position supply and return vents on the ceiling, then installation is simplified, but excessive energy is required to heat the space due to cold air stagnation at lower levels
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional ceiling-mounted vent configuration by positioning supply vents at floor level and return vents at ceiling level. This inversion places supply vents where they can directly address the cold air stagnation problem at lower levels, eliminating the need for excessive heating energy to warm stagnant air. The floor-level supply vents deliver conditioned air directly to the zone where it is most needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates equipotentiality in the air circulation system by aligning supply and return vents with the natural thermal convection patterns. Warm air naturally rises to the ceiling while cooler air remains at floor level; the patent positions return vents at the ceiling to capture warm air and supply vents at the floor to deliver conditioned air, creating a balanced system that works with rather than against natural convection currents, thereby reducing energy consumption.
3Ease of operation
If conventional HVAC systems recirculate air without disinfection mechanisms, then air circulation is maintained, but airborne pathogens such as viruses and bacteria remain infective
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the harmful pathogens from the recirculated air by introducing UV-C disinfection units into the air handling system. The UV-C lights are positioned to irradiate air streams within the air handler, effectively neutralizing viruses and bacteria before the air is redistributed through the building. This extraction of pathogens allows the air circulation function to continue while eliminating the harmful effects of airborne pathogens.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces UV-C radiation as an intermediary agent between the recirculated air and the pathogens. The UV-C light acts as a mediator that transfers energy to the pathogens, disrupting their genetic material and rendering them non-infective. This intermediary mechanism allows the air circulation system to maintain airflow while effectively disinfecting the air without requiring physical filtration or chemical treatment.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Improves air quality and reduces energy consumption by ensuring disinfected air distribution from the bottom, effectively neutralizing pathogens and preventing outbreaks in enclosed spaces.
Implementation Method 1
The microorganisms in the airflow are exposed to the germicidal far UV-C light produced by the light sources for an optimal duration resulting in their neutralization
Implementation Method 2
a far UV-C light source that produces germicidal far UV-C light
Implementation Method 3
The airflow diverter is configured to create a serpentine airflow pathway for the incoming airflow
Data Source
AI summary
An air flow delivery system for delivering conditioned air to an enclosure housing infectious disease patients, includes: (a) an air intake pipe having a first bidirectional valve therein, wherein when the bidirectional valve is in an open state, ambient air enters the enclosure; (b) an air handler, the air handler coupled to the air intake pipe; and (c) an air supply duct installed within at least one wall of the enclosure, wherein the air supply duct delivers conditioned air from the air handler to one or more air supply vents positioned at or near a bottom surface of the enclosure. The enclosure is selected from a group consisting of a pavilion, a building, a room, a nursing home, an airplane, a vehicle, a train, a ship, a critical care unit in a hospital, and a free-standing, mobile enclosure.