Excimer Lamp Pulsed Power Converter for Stable Far-UVC Disinfection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional disinfection procedures for aircraft cabins are time-consuming and difficult to verify, affecting operational efficiency and the effectiveness of pathogen removal on surfaces.
Innovation Solution
A power supply system utilizing a wide band gap device and an inductor to generate nanosecond pulsed power for excimer lamps, enabling efficient and stable Far-UVC light emission for sanitization, with a low voltage input and high frequency output.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional disinfection procedures are used, then pathogen reduction is achieved, but the process is time-consuming and reduces operating efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs pulsed power delivery to the excimer lamp, switching the power converter between charging and discharging modes to generate high-voltage nanosecond pulses. This periodic action enables intense disinfection bursts followed by brief recharge intervals, achieving thorough pathogen reduction while maintaining rapid cycle times that preserve aircraft operating efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The power converter dynamically changes electrical parameters by switching between two operating modes: charging mode (where the inductor stores energy) and discharging mode (where the inductor delivers high-voltage pulses to the excimer lamp). This parameter transformation enables the system to deliver high peak power for effective disinfection while maintaining low average power consumption for rapid cycling
2Reliability
If high power is delivered to the excimer lamp for effective disinfection, then pathogen reduction effectiveness improves, but lamp life and stability are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The system delivers disinfection energy in short nanosecond pulses rather than continuous high power. The wide band gap device switches between charging and discharging modes, creating brief intense discharge bursts followed by rapid recharge periods. This pulsed operation reduces cumulative thermal stress on the excimer lamp while maintaining effective pathogen destruction during each pulse
Solution Approach 2:
The power converter transforms electrical parameters by storing energy at lower voltage during charging mode and releasing it as high-voltage nanosecond pulses during discharging mode. This parameter transformation allows the excimer lamp to receive high peak power for effective disinfection while the average power remains lower, extending lamp operational life
3Device complexity
If conventional power supply is used for excimer lamp, then system simplicity is maintained, but disinfection stability and efficiency are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The wide band gap device enables precise control of electrical parameters by switching between charging and discharging modes. This control capability ensures stable voltage and current delivery to the excimer lamp, producing homogeneous gas discharge across the lamp surface and consistent Far-UVC output for reliable disinfection
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces conventional power supply circuitry with a wide band gap device-based power converter. This substitution enables more efficient energy conversion and better control over the charging/discharging cycles, resulting in improved gas discharge stability and reduced energy losses while maintaining manageable system complexity
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 increases the lifespan of excimer lamps, reduces operating temperature, and provides a stable and homogeneous gas discharge, effectively disinfecting aircraft surfaces with minimal footprint and high power density.
Implementation Method 1
a power converter comprising a wide band gap device and an inductor, wherein the wide band gap device is selectively switchable between a first mode wherein the inductor is configured to be electrically charged and a second mode wherein the inductor is configured to be electrically discharged to the excimer lamp
Implementation Method 2
an excimer lamp configured to emit Far-UVC light
Data Source
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AI summary
A sanitization apparatus (113; 200) includes an excimer lamp (210) and a power converter (201). The power converter (201) comprises a wide band gap device (214) and a planar inductor (216). The wide band gap device (214) is selectively switchable between a first mode wherein the inductor (216) is electrically charged and a second mode wherein the inductor is electrically discharged. The wide band gap device (214) may be repeatedly switched between the first and second modes to generate a nano second pulse output voltage waveform.