Condensate Reservoir UV-C Control for Accurate Level Sensing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing non-contact liquid level sensors in condensate pumps are prone to bacteriological contamination, leading to inaccurate readings and requiring costly maintenance, while biocidal chemicals used to address this issue affect sensor performance and are environmentally unfriendly.

Innovation Solution

A method and system utilizing UV-C illumination of interior surfaces within the condensate reservoir, controlled by a microprocessor, to sterilize surfaces only when the liquid level is below a predetermined threshold, coordinated with pump operation to minimize power consumption and ensure safety.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If biocidal chemicals are introduced into the pump reservoir to prevent bacteriological growth, then contamination is reduced, but the dielectric constant of water changes affecting capacitance sensor readings and environmental harm occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesensor operationVSAvoidcapacitance value

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the approach from chemical treatment to physical treatment using UV-C illumination. This parameter change eliminates the need for biocidal chemicals that alter water's dielectric constant, thereby maintaining accurate capacitance sensor readings while still preventing bacteriological growth through UV-C sterilization of the reservoir interior surfaces

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the chemical system (biocidal products) with a physical/optical system (UV-C illumination). This substitution eliminates the harmful side effects of chemicals on both sensor measurements and the environment, while achieving the same goal of preventing contamination through UV-C induced DNA damage in microorganisms

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If biocidal chemicals are introduced into the pump reservoir to prevent bacteriological growth, then contamination is reduced, but environmental harm occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesensor operationVSAvoidenvironmental impact

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

UV-C radiation acts as a powerful oxidizing agent that destroys organic matter and microorganisms through photo-oxidation. This natural oxidation process eliminates the need for harmful biocidal chemicals while effectively preventing bacteriological growth in the reservoir

Inventive Principle:

Principle #38Strong oxidants (Accelerated oxidation)

3Reliability

If UV-C illumination is applied continuously to sterilize reservoir surfaces, then bacteriological growth is prevented, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesterilization effectivenessVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements periodic action by controlling UV-C illumination to operate only during specific conditions: when liquid level is below the sensor and when pump is not running. This periodic operation maintains sterilization effectiveness while dramatically reducing energy consumption compared to continuous operation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses feedback from the liquid level sensor and pump status to control UV-C illumination. The microprocessor receives signals about liquid level and pump operation, then automatically adjusts UV-C illumination accordingly, ensuring sterilization occurs only when conditions are appropriate, thus optimizing both effectiveness and energy efficiency

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

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

Effectively sterilizes surfaces to prevent contamination, maintains sensor accuracy, reduces maintenance costs, and minimizes energy usage by optimizing UV-C exposure based on liquid levels and system coordination.

Implementation Method 1

illuminating the surface with UV-C in dependence on the sensed liquid level being at or below a predetermined level at which the surface is at least partially exposed

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectUV-C sterilization: Photo-oxidation

Implementation Method 2

One way to detect liquid levels within a reservoir is to use a capacitance sensor

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCapacitance sensing: Capacitance

Data Source

PatentEP4729077A1UV-c sterilization control

Publication Date: 2026.04.22 ASPEN PUMPS LIMITED

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Figure 3a~3b

AI summary

There is provided a method of sterilizing an interior surface of a reservoir (10) in a pump system, comprising the steps of: sensing a level of liquid in the reservoir (10); and illuminating the surface with UV-C in dependence on the sensed liquid level being at or below a predetermined level at which the surface is at least partially exposed. Improved efficiency of decontamination is thus achieved by only activating the UV-C when the relevant surface is exposed. The UV-C illumination may be coordinated with operation of the pump so that the UV-C light source (60) is activated only when the pump (40) is not pumping and vice versa.