Particulate and virus barrier
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current air filtration systems in public and manufacturing settings lack the capacity to create pressurized and filtered zones, allowing airborne particulates and viruses to pass beyond physical barriers, posing a risk to employees and customers due to insufficient airflow and static pressure.
Innovation Solution
A modular, self-contained air filtration system that uses HEPA filters and ionization to create a high-volume, low-velocity air curtain around individuals, forming a personal bubble of filtered and ionized air, with an air plenum design that captures and neutralizes particulates and viruses, and can be linked for larger areas.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If physical barriers are used to limit particulate and virus transfer, then some protection is provided, but the barriers do not create pressurized filtered zones allowing particulates to pass unfiltered
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies pneumatic principles by using high-velocity air curtains and pressurized filtered air zones to create a physical barrier effect through air flow rather than solid materials. The air plenum system generates pressurized zones that actively push particulates away, providing more reliable protection than passive physical barriers alone.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces filtered air as an intermediary substance between the physical barrier and the particulates. This intermediary pressurized air zone acts as an active shield that particulates must overcome, enhancing the effectiveness of the physical barrier structure.
2Quantity of substance
If general air distribution systems are used to meet code requirements, then economical air supply is provided, but the systems lack excess airflow capacity and static pressure for additional filtration devices
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the air distribution system into modular air plenum units that can be independently installed and operated. Each unit contains its own filtration and air curtain generation capabilities, allowing the system to be scaled by adding more modules rather than requiring a complete system redesign.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds a vertical dimension to air distribution by installing air plenums at ceiling level that project filtered air downward in pressurized zones. This vertical air flow dimension complements the horizontal air distribution, creating three-dimensional protected spaces without overloading the existing HVAC capacity.
3Speed
If high volumes of filtered air are provided at low velocity over employees, then a personal bubble of filtered air is created, but high-velocity air curtain is needed around the perimeter to maintain the barrier
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different air velocities to different spatial zones within the air plenum system. The center region provides low-velocity filtered air for employee comfort and breathing, while the perimeter regions generate high-velocity air curtains to contain and deflect particulates. This localized velocity differentiation optimizes both protection and comfort.
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 effectively creates a positive pressure area with filtered air, capturing and restricting particulates and viruses, providing enhanced protection beyond physical barriers, with minimal energy consumption and integration capabilities with existing HVAC systems.
Implementation Method 1
The modular system according to the present disclosure produces a shower of HEPA filtered and ionized air around the employee
Implementation Method 2
Any particulate of virus that is trapped in the HEPA filter within the air plenum will be destroyed by the ionization and left as harmless particulate
Implementation Method 3
The amount of filtered and pressurized air in a specific area can create an effective barrier... by creating a positive pressure area of filtered air that will capture and restrict the particulates and viruses
Data Source
AI summary
An air plenum provides protection from viruses and particulates to a user located beneath the air plenum. The air plenum has a housing with a fan centrally located within the housing. Low-velocity air is emitted downwardly from the fan through a perforated screen on a lower side of the housing onto the user. A slot diffuser extends around a lower periphery of the housing and emits high-velocity air downwardly to form an air curtain around the user. The higher velocity air of the air curtain reduces the ability of unwanted particulate matter to enter the area that is below the perforated screen.