Capacitor Bank Control for Pulsed Light Disinfection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing liquid and surface treatment systems rely on energy-intensive and costly methods using reactive chemical agents, which can leave residual chemicals that pose health risks, and traditional light-based systems are inefficient and expensive.
Innovation Solution
A scalable liquid, air, or surface treatment system utilizing high intensity broad-spectrum pulsed light sourced from a non-mercury flash lamp, powered by a capacitor bank adjustable for energy supply, and controlled by a smart system that adjusts fluence based on input data from sensors or data sources.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If reactive chemical agents are used for liquid and surface treatment, then disinfection effectiveness is improved, but harmful residual chemicals are introduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces chemical-based disinfection with a physical light-based system. Specifically, it uses high-intensity pulsed light (HIPL) generated by a flash lamp to achieve disinfection through photolysis and generation of reactive oxygen species, eliminating the need for chemical agents and their harmful residues while maintaining effective pathogen elimination
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs controlled variation of light pulse parameters including duration (microsecond to millisecond range), intensity (high peak power), and wavelength spectrum (broad-spectrum UV to visible) to optimize disinfection effectiveness. By adjusting these parameters, the system achieves effective pathogen inactivation without requiring chemical substances
2Object-generated harmful factors
If traditional light-based treatment systems are used, then chemical-free disinfection is achieved, but energy consumption and floor space requirement increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses pulsed illumination rather than continuous lighting. The flash lamp operates in brief high-intensity pulses (microsecond to millisecond duration) separated by intervals, delivering the required disinfection dose while minimizing total energy consumption. This periodic action allows the same disinfection effect with fraction of the energy that would be required for continuous operation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a capacitor bank to store electrical energy and deliver it in concentrated high-power pulses to the flash lamp. This dynamic energy delivery system enables brief intense light bursts for disinfection, followed by low-power inter-pulse periods, dramatically reducing average energy consumption compared to continuous high-power operation
3Object-generated harmful factors
If traditional light-based treatment systems are used, then chemical-free disinfection is achieved, but system size and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the treatment system into modular functional components: a flash lamp module, a capacitor bank module, a control circuit module, and a trigger circuit module. This segmentation allows for compact integration, independent optimization of each component, and scalable deployment. The modular architecture reduces overall system complexity and enables more space-efficient design compared to monolithic traditional systems
Solution Approach 2:
The high-intensity pulsed light system is designed to perform multiple functions: disinfection of liquids, surfaces, and air; degradation of chemical contaminants; and potential integration with sensors for smart monitoring. This multi-functionality consolidates what would otherwise require separate systems into one compact unit, reducing overall device complexity and space requirements
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 eliminates, reduces, or renders inert microbiological contaminants, achieving high disinfection rates with lower energy consumption and costs, while avoiding the use of harmful chemicals.
Implementation Method 1
The capacitor bank is connected to the at least one capacitor power supply and a high intensity light source, where the capacitor bank includes a plurality of capacitors connected in series and/or in parallel
Implementation Method 2
high intensity broad-spectrum pulsed light (HIPL), high intensity broad-spectrum pulsed light (BSPL), or pulsed white light (PWL) to eliminate, reduce, degrade, or render inert or nullify physical, chemical or microbiological contaminants
Implementation Method 3
The destruction of physical, chemical, biological and microbiological contaminants very commonly involves the use of reactive chemical agents
Data Source
AI summary
An adjustable power supply circuit for a treatment and/or disinfection system using high intensity broad-spectrum pulsed light that includes a capacitor power supply, a capacitor bank connected to the capacitor power supply and a high intensity light source, a trigger circuit including a trigger coil connected to the high intensity light source, and a controller. The capacitor bank includes a plurality of capacitors connected in series and/or in parallel, where the capacitor bank is adjustable to adjust an amount of energy supplied to the high intensity light source. The controller receives input data and controls charging of the capacitor bank by the at least one capacitor power supply to power the high intensity light source at a desired voltage and triggers the trigger circuit to turn on the light source at the desired voltage to strobe pulsed light with an amount of fluence to treat contaminants.