Pulse Phase Fogging System for Disinfection Saturation Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional disinfection methods, such as manual 'spray and wipe,' are labor-intensive, prone to human error, and may not effectively reach all surfaces, leading to inadequate pathogen elimination and potential cross-contamination in healthcare settings.

Innovation Solution

A fogging system comprising multiple fogging devices with wireless communication and processors that coordinate to dispense atomized disinfectant fluid in a controlled treatment cycle, including a saturation phase and pulse phase, ensuring comprehensive disinfection of enclosed areas.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If manual spray and wipe method is used for disinfection, then labor intensity is reduced, but disinfection effectiveness and coverage are insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedisinfection effectivenessVSAvoidlabor intensity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual mechanical spray and wipe operations with an automated fogging system that uses a compressor to generate pressurized air and atomize disinfectant solution through nozzles. This mechanical substitution eliminates human labor while achieving comprehensive surface coverage and pathogen elimination, directly resolving the contradiction between disinfection effectiveness and labor intensity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system employs pneumatic principles by using a compressor to generate pressurized air that atomizes the disinfectant solution. The pressurized air flows through nozzles to create fine fog particles that disperse throughout the treatment area, enabling effective disinfection without manual intervention and solving the contradiction between operational ease and disinfection quality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

2Reliability

If continuous atomized fluid dispensing is used, then pathogen elimination is effective, but fluid consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepathogen elimination effectivenessVSAvoiddisinfectant fluid consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements periodic action through pulse dispensing cycles where the compressor and atomizing nozzles operate intermittently rather than continuously. The system dispenses atomized disinfectant in controlled pulses that maintain pathogen kill thresholds while reducing overall fluid consumption. This periodic operation resolves the contradiction between reliable pathogen elimination and minimization of substance loss.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

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 a more efficient and effective disinfection process, ensuring all surfaces are reached, reducing human error and cross-contamination, while maintaining a pathogen kill threshold through targeted disinfectant saturation levels.

Implementation Method 1

a compressor coupled to the disinfectant fluid reservoir

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCompression: Compression

Implementation Method 2

an atomizing nozzle in fluid communication with the disinfectant fluid reservoir

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAtomization: Aerosol

Data Source

PatentUS10092668B2Fogging system providing atomized solution to treatment area during a treatment cycle with a pulse phase

Publication Date: 2018.10.09 GCMG CO LLC

AI summary

A fogging device for disinfecting an enclosed area with an atomized disinfectant fluid may include a housing, and an atomizing disinfectant generator carried by the housing and including a disinfectant fluid reservoir, a compressor coupled to the disinfectant fluid reservoir, and an atomizing nozzle in fluid communication with the disinfectant fluid reservoir. A first processor may be carried by the housing and coupled to the compressor and configured to perform a treatment cycle during which the compressor is operated to dispense atomized disinfectant fluid from the disinfectant fluid reservoir into the enclosed area via the atomizing nozzle. The treatment cycle may include a saturation phase wherein the compressor operates to dispense atomized disinfectant fluid continuously to bring the enclosed area to a target saturation level, and a pulse phase wherein the compressor operates to intermittently dispense atomized disinfectant fluid to maintain the enclosed area at the target saturation level.