Centralized Deep-UV Light Distribution for Building Disinfection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing UV disinfection systems, particularly those using mercury lamps and 222 nm lamps, are costly, require frequent maintenance, emit harmful wavelengths, and are inefficient for large-scale disinfection due to the need for numerous individual lamps, posing environmental and economic challenges.
Innovation Solution
A centralized UV light generation system using semiconductor lasers and frequency converters generates deep-UV radiation, which is distributed through optical fibers or capillaries to multiple locations, allowing localized extraction and control of UV light intensity and wavelength, optimizing disinfection and reducing costs by minimizing the number of generators needed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If multiple individual UV lamps are installed throughout a building for disinfection, then disinfection coverage is improved, but device complexity and installation cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple UV light sources into a single centralized generator that produces deep-UV light, which is then distributed through an optical fiber network to multiple locations throughout the building. This merging approach maintains comprehensive disinfection coverage while reducing the number of individual UV lamps from many distributed units to one centralized unit.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces optical fibers as an intermediary medium to transport deep-UV light from the centralized generator to various distribution points throughout the building. This intermediary allows the UV light to be delivered to multiple locations without requiring multiple UV lamp installations, solving the contradiction between coverage area and device complexity.
2Reliability
If mercury lamps are used for UV disinfection, then disinfection capability is achieved, but environmental harm and maintenance cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the wavelength parameter of the UV light source by generating deep-UV light at wavelengths of 200-230 nm through frequency doubling of infrared or visible light. This parameter change eliminates the need for mercury lamps while maintaining disinfection capability, as the deep-UV light in this wavelength range is effective for pathogen deactivation without the environmental hazards of mercury.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mercury lamp-based UV generation system with a laser-based frequency conversion system. Instead of using mercury arc discharge to produce UV light, the system uses infrared or visible laser light that is frequency-doubled to generate deep-UV light, thereby eliminating mercury usage and its associated environmental harm while preserving disinfection reliability.
3Reliability
If air is extracted and disinfected through HVAC system, then disinfection is provided, but time delay increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by disinfecting air at the point of use before pathogens can be introduced or spread. The deep-UV light sources are positioned to irradiate air in rooms and enclosed spaces directly, deactivating pathogens immediately rather than waiting for air to be extracted, circulated through HVAC, and returned. This eliminates the time delay associated with HVAC-based disinfection.
4Reliability
If 254 nm UV light is used for disinfection, then pathogen deactivation is achieved, but human safety concerns increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the wavelength parameter from 254 nm UV light to deep-UV light in the 200-230 nm range through frequency doubling. This parameter change maintains pathogen deactivation effectiveness while improving human safety, as the deep-UV light at these shorter wavelengths is less harmful to human tissue and does not penetrate skin as deeply as 254 nm UV light.
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 provides efficient, cost-effective, and safe deep-UV disinfection across large areas, adhering to human exposure limits, with reduced maintenance and installation costs, and allows for tailored UV wavelengths for specific pathogens, enhancing disinfection efficacy.
Implementation Method 1
generating laser light with a semiconductor laser or an array of semiconductor lasers
Implementation Method 2
The light generated by the semiconductor laser is guided to a frequency converter
Data Source
AI summary
A light generation and light distribution method. The method includes generating laser light with a semiconductor laser or an array of semiconductor lasers at a generation location. Light generated by the semiconductor laser is guided to a frequency converter. Light converted by the frequency converter is directed to a plurality of distribution locations. The distribution locations can be remote or local. A light generation and light distribution system includes a semiconductor laser or array of lasers at a generation location. A frequency-conversion optical component modifies the wavelength of the radiation generated by the semiconductor laser to one or more desired wavelengths for disinfection, medical therapy, photochemical processes, and/or lighting. Light extraction and distribution optical components extract from the distribution system a portion of the light in the system so as to provide for one or more of disinfection, medical therapies, general or background lighting, and photochemical processes.