Capacitive Electric Field Sterilizer for Airborne Pathogens
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sterilization technologies, such as microwave radiation, RF, UVC radiation, and plasma, are ineffective in achieving high kill efficacy for airborne pathogens and often require multiple passes through the device to achieve sterilization.
Innovation Solution
A sterilization device that uses a capacitive component to generate a high intensity alternating electric field along an air flow path, destroying pathogens present in the air by dielectric heating and current induction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If UVC radiation is used to destroy pathogens, then surface pathogens can be effectively sterilized, but airborne pathogens require extended exposure periods and multiple passes to achieve sufficient sterilization
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces electromagnetic radiation (UVC) with a high intensity alternating electric field generated by capacitive components. This substitution enables direct interaction with airborne pathogens through dielectric heating and current induction, achieving 99.9% pathogen destruction in a single pass without requiring extended exposure times or multiple passes through the chamber
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the fundamental parameter of sterilization from low-intensity continuous UVC radiation to high-intensity alternating electric field. By using alternating voltage at appropriate frequencies with capacitive components positioned along the air flow path, the system achieves rapid pathogen destruction while maintaining compact chamber dimensions and single-pass effectiveness
2Use of energy by moving object
If microwave radiation or RF molecular resonance is used for sterilization, then energy can be delivered to pathogens, but kill efficacy remains low and multiple passes are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the frequency and intensity parameters of electromagnetic energy application. Instead of using microwave or RF frequencies with low kill efficacy, the system uses high intensity alternating electric fields at optimized frequencies that resonate with pathogen structures, causing dielectric heating and current induction that reliably destroys pathogens in a single pass
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs alternating electric fields that induce vibrational and rotational motion in pathogen molecules through dielectric heating and current induction. This mechanical vibration at the molecular level disrupts pathogen structures and achieves high kill efficacy, replacing the ineffective gentle heating of microwave and RF methods
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
The device achieves a 99.9% reduction in airborne pathogens in a single pass, surpassing the efficacy of traditional UVC sterilization devices, and produces secondary chemical compounds like ozone and hydrogen peroxide for enhanced sterilization.
Implementation Method 1
the voltage source is configured to supply the alternating voltage to the capacitive component for causing the capacitive component to generate the electric field by electrical resonance
Implementation Method 2
destroying pathogens present in the air by dielectric heating and current induction
Implementation Method 3
the one or more pathogens are destroyed by current induced through the one or more pathogens by the electric field
Implementation Method 4
the one or more pathogens are destroyed by current induced through the one or more pathogens by the electric field
Implementation Method 5
the insulator is resistant to a corona discharge caused by ionization of air within the housing
Implementation Method 6
the insulator is resistant to a corona discharge caused by ionization of air within the housing
Data Source
AI summary
The sterilization device for pathogens includes a housing having a first end and a second end opposite to the first end, the first end having formed therein at least one air inlet and the second end having formed therein at least one air outlet, a capacitive component disposed within the housing and extending along an air flow path disposed between the at least one air inlet and air outlet, a voltage source electrically connected to the capacitive component, the voltage source configured to supply an alternating voltage to the capacitive component for causing the capacitive component to generate an electric field, and a positive displacement device disposed within the housing and configured to direct a flow of air through the at least one air inlet and towards the capacitive component. One or more pathogens present in the flow of air are destroyed by the electric field.