Cooled Pulsed Light Decontamination Device
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing decontamination devices using pulsed light face challenges with heating issues due to the absorption of light energy by both treated objects and machine components, limiting processing rates and reducing lamp lifespan, especially since xenon flash lamps emit most energy in the visible and infrared spectrum.
Innovation Solution
A high-speed decontamination device utilizing cooled pulsed light with integrated cooling means, including a cooling fluid circulation system within the positioning and illumination components, to maintain the decontamination zone at a low temperature, and optimizing the xenon flash lamp's energy injection to extend its lifespan while maintaining UV-C range intensity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If xenon flash lamps are used for pulsed light decontamination, then decontamination effectiveness is improved, but thermal effects and heating of components increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the harmful thermal component from the xenon flash lamp system by introducing selective cooling means that target specific heated components (lamp housing, reflector, positioning mechanisms) while allowing the UV-C generating function to continue uninterrupted. The cooling system removes excess heat from critical components without interfering with the light pulse generation capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The cooling system applies local quality by providing targeted cooling to specific components that generate heat during operation. Different components receive cooling based on their specific thermal needs - the lamp housing receives cooling to maintain structural integrity, the reflector receives cooling to prevent thermal deformation, and positioning mechanisms receive cooling to maintain dimensional stability. This localized approach prevents overheating without requiring system-wide cooling.
2Productivity
If high power xenon flash lamps are used to increase processing rate, then productivity is improved, but lamp lifespan decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling system performs preliminary action by pre-cooling critical components before each high-power pulse sequence and maintaining continuous cooling during operation. This preliminary thermal management prevents thermal accumulation that would otherwise degrade lamp performance and reduce lifespan, allowing the lamp to operate at high power levels consistently without premature failure.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates feedback mechanisms that monitor lamp performance and thermal conditions in real-time. Temperature sensors and power monitoring systems provide feedback to the control system, which adjusts power delivery and cooling intensity dynamically. This feedback loop prevents overheating and extends lamp lifespan while maintaining high processing rates through optimized power management.
3Temperature
If cooling means are integrated into positioning means to reduce temperature, then thermal effects are minimized, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the cooling function with existing structural components to reduce overall system complexity. The cooling channels are integrated into the lamp housing structure, the reflector mounting mechanism, and the positioning mechanism bodies. This integration allows the cooling system to share structural support functions with existing components, reducing the need for separate cooling structures and simplifying the overall device architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated cooling components serve multiple functions simultaneously. For example, the lamp housing provides both structural support and thermal management; the reflector mounting mechanism provides both positioning and cooling; the positioning mechanism bodies provide both guidance and thermal regulation. This multi-functionality reduces the total number of separate components needed, offsetting the added complexity of the cooling system.
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 high treatment rates for heat-sensitive objects while minimizing thermal effects and extending lamp life, ensuring efficient decontamination and reducing maintenance costs, with the cooling system effectively managing temperature and maintaining the UV-C range's decontamination effectiveness.
Implementation Method 1
cooling means making it possible to maintain the temperature of the decontamination zone substantially below a predetermined temperature when said decontamination zone is illuminated, which cooling means comprise means for circulating a cooling fluid integrated in the positioning means
Implementation Method 2
Electrical energy is stored in an electrical capacitor. A high voltage signal (several tens of kV) triggers the ignition of an electric arc in the gas contained in the lamp. The release of electrical energy in turn produces light emission by ionization of the gas.
Implementation Method 3
The part of UV radiation (between 200 and 300 nm) included in the flash causes, by the combination of a photothermal effect and a photochemical reaction, the destruction of the microorganisms present on the product subjected to the treatment
Implementation Method 4
The photothermal effect is due to the fact that the radiation absorbed by the micro-organisms causes a sudden increase in temperature. The absorption of the energy received causes the rupture of cell membranes and the destruction of microorganisms.
Implementation Method 5
The photochemical effect results from the absorption of UV rays by the DNA of microorganisms. This absorption exhibits maxima around 200 nm and 257 nm, respectively. It causes breaks and the formation of abnormal bonds within the strands of DNA molecules, which prevent their replication.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a device and appliance for the high-speed decontamination of objects by means of pulsed light, including: an illuminating means suitable for illuminating a decontamination area in which the objects are arranged, said illuminating means being suitable for producing streams of light pulses having wavelengths of 200 nm to 300 nm and an adjustable pulse rate; and a positioning means suitable for positioning the objects in the decontamination area according to a predetermined arrangement, characterised in that the invention also includes a cooling means suitable for maintaining the temperature of the decontamination area substantially below a predetermined temperature when said decontamination zone is illuminated, said cooling means including a means for circulating a cooling fluid built into the positioning means.