Portable UV Chamber Mounting for Lightweight Water Purification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing water purification systems are often too heavy or bulky for transportation to areas of need, require power that is not available, and fail to effectively remove both chemical and biological contaminants such as pesticides and infectious disease carriers.
Innovation Solution
A portable liquid filtration device with a housing, inlet, outlet, ozone chamber, and UV chamber that sanitizes water using UV light, featuring a mounting assembly with rails and clamps for securing the UV chamber, allowing for repositioning and accommodating different configurations, and includes a robust design for easy transportation and operation without external power.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If water purification systems include multiple filtration steps with ozone and UV light, then contaminant removal effectiveness is improved, but device weight and bulk increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple filtration functions (ozone generation, UV irradiation, and physical filtration) into a single integrated portable device. The housing contains all components including the ozone generator, UV chamber with lamp, and filter elements, merging what would traditionally be separate systems into one unified unit that weighs less than 50 pounds.
Solution Approach 2:
The device performs multiple purification functions simultaneously - chemical contamination removal through ozone, biological contaminant destruction through UV light, and physical particle filtration. This multi-functional approach allows a single device to address various contaminant types without requiring multiple separate systems.
2Productivity
If water purification systems are designed for high capacity output, then productivity is improved, but device complexity and power requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into distinct functional modules: an ozone generator section, a UV chamber section, and filter elements. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently while maintaining overall system portability and simplicity. The modular design enables high capacity output without requiring a complex monolithic structure.
3Stability of the object's composition
If UV chamber is securely mounted to housing, then structural stability is improved, but device assembly complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting assembly uses adjustable clamps with grip arms that can be positioned and secured at different locations on the rails. This dynamic mounting system allows the UV chamber to be firmly secured while enabling easy adjustment and simplifying assembly, as the clamps can be quickly positioned and locked into place without complex fastening procedures.
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 provides efficient removal of chemical and biological contaminants, weighs less than 50 pounds, and can produce up to 1,600,000 liters of potable water before needing repair, making it suitable for emergency use in areas with limited access and power.
Implementation Method 1
an ultraviolet (UV) chamber in downstream flow communication with the inlet. The UV chamber includes a UV lamp configured to irradiate the liquid with UV light
Implementation Method 2
the flange provides a friction fit between the clamp and the rails
Data Source
AI summary
A portable liquid filtration device includes a portable housing, an inlet defined on the portable housing and oriented to receive liquid therethrough, an outlet defined on the portable housing and oriented to discharge liquid therethrough, and an ultraviolet (UV) chamber in downstream flow communication with the inlet. The UV chamber includes a UV lamp configured to irradiate the liquid with UV light. The device further includes a mounting assembly for coupling the UV chamber to the housing. The mounting device includes a set of rails coupled to the housing and defining a corresponding rail notch, and a clamp. The clamp includes a first grip arm at a first end of the clamp and a flange at a second end of the clamp. The first grip arm is shaped to secure the UV chamber to the clamp and the flange provides a friction fit between the clamp and the rails.