Breathing Air Compressor UVC Filtration System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing air compressors used for generating breathing air do not effectively remove viral and bacterial contaminants from ambient air, posing health risks to users.
Innovation Solution
A UV radiation filtration system with a cylindrical housing and flow-through UV chamber, integrated with a particulate air filter and sensors, that uses ultraviolet light to destroy viruses and bacteria, while monitoring airflow and UV radiation levels to ensure safe breathing air production.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a UV radiation filtration system is added to an air compressor, then viral and bacterial contaminants are destroyed, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The UV radiation emitter is integrated into the air compressor housing, merging the filtration function with the existing compressor structure. The emitter is positioned within the air flow path so that the same housing serves both compression and sterilization purposes, eliminating the need for a completely separate filtration system.
Solution Approach 2:
The air compressor system is enhanced to perform multiple functions: air compression, UV radiation for viral/bacterial destruction, and airflow monitoring. The controller coordinates these functions, allowing the single device to ensure both air supply and air purification, reducing the need for additional standalone systems.
2Reliability
If airflow monitoring and control systems are added, then air compressor starvation is prevented, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
A flow sensor continuously monitors the airflow through the compressor and provides feedback to the controller. When the controller detects that airflow falls below a threshold indicating potential starvation, it adjusts the compressor operation or alerts the user, preventing air supply interruption through closed-loop control.
Solution Approach 2:
The system monitors airflow parameters in advance to detect conditions that could lead to compressor starvation before they occur. By identifying trends in airflow reduction, the controller can take preliminary actions such as adjusting compression rates or notifying operators to prevent complete air supply failure.
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 system effectively sanitizes air by destroying viral and bacterial contaminants, preventing air compressor starvation and ensuring safe breathing air for human consumption, with alerts and monitoring features to maintain system functionality.
Implementation Method 1
an ultraviolet radiation emitter is centrally located along a central axis of the flow-through UV radiation chamber, the purpose being to radiate, with ultraviolet energy, air that flows through the UV radiation chamber to destroy viruses and bacteria present in the air
Data Source
AI summary
A breathing air compressor having an inlet air ultraviolet C light radiation emitter and viral and bacterial filtration system for air introduced into the air compressor. The viral and bacterial filtration system includes a cylindrical housing that includes a UVC radiation emitter mounted in a flow-through UVC radiation chamber, an inlet air particulate filter, and a flowmeter for measuring the volume and rate of flow of air to destroy viruses and bacteria present in any air flowing through the UVC chamber that is input air to an air compressor. The air compressor is typically used for generating breathing air for persons such as firemen and SCUBA divers. A controller and monitor unit is connected to the UVC radiation emitter and the flowmeter to shut down the air compressor to prevent air starvation.