Ozone Sterilization Unit with Integrated Degradation Cavity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current decontamination methods for enclosed spaces are either time-intensive, limited in effectiveness, cytotoxic, or impractical for sterilizing large or immobile items, and fail to thoroughly address airborne and hard-to-reach contaminants.
Innovation Solution
A sterilization unit that generates ozone within an enclosed space and includes a degradation component to quickly return the air to safe levels, using ozone generators and degraders, with automated control and separate or integrated ozone generation and degradation cavities, allowing for thorough and safe sterilization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If ozone is generated to sterilize enclosed spaces, then sterilization effectiveness is improved, but human exposure to harmful ozone increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system operates in periodic cycles: ozone generation phase for sterilization, followed by ozone degradation phase to reduce levels to safe concentrations. This periodic operation allows achieving effective sterilization while ensuring human safety during occupancy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces ozone degradation components (catalysts, activated carbon filters, or enzymatic materials) as intermediaries that convert harmful ozone back to oxygen. These degradation mechanisms act as a bridge between sterilization effectiveness and human safety, eliminating the harmful byproduct while maintaining the sterilization benefit.
2Reliability
If spray disinfectant is used to decontaminate surfaces, then surface disinfection is achieved, but time consumption and labor requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical cleaning methods (spraying and wiping) with ozone generation that automatically distributes sterilizing gas throughout the enclosed space. This substitution eliminates manual labor and time-consuming surface-by-surface treatment, achieving comprehensive disinfection through gas-phase oxidation.
3Reliability
If ultraviolet radiator is used for disinfection, then small enclosed spaces can be sterilized, but coverage is limited to directly exposed areas
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses ozone gas (a pneumatic medium) instead of ultraviolet light to achieve sterilization. Gas naturally diffuses and penetrates all areas of the enclosed space including shadowed regions, crevices, and hard-to-reach surfaces, providing uniform coverage without line-of-sight limitations.
4Reliability
If steam-in-place sterilization is implemented, then thorough sterilization is achieved, but equipment cost and infrastructure requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs ozone generation using relatively simple electrical discharge or catalytic components without requiring expensive steam-generation infrastructure. The ozone is generated in-situ and degrades naturally or through simple catalysts, eliminating the need for complex steam production, distribution, and condensation systems.
Data Source
AI summary
Devices and methods for sterilizing an enclosed space using ozone are disclosed herein. Various embodiments of the devices and methods also provide for accelerated degradation of the ozone upon sterilization. In some embodiments, a disclosed sterilization unit includes a first housing defining an ozone generation cavity, an ozone generator disposed within the ozone generation cavity, a second housing defining an ozone degradation cavity, and an ozone degrader disposed within the ozone degradation cavity. The sterilization unit of various embodiments is configured to cycle air between the enclosed space and the ozone generation cavity during an ozone generation cycle to sterilize the enclosed space; similarly, the unit is further configured to cycle air between the enclosed space and the ozone degradation cavity during an ozone degradation cycle to return the air within the enclosed space to safe ozone levels.