RF Resonance PPE Decontamination With Reflection-Absorbing Liner

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current decontamination techniques for personal protective equipment (PPE) are inefficient, with slow disinfecting cycles, supply chain issues, less than 100% effectiveness, and non-portability, particularly evident during the COVID-19 pandemic, as they rely on vaporized hydrogen peroxide which requires frequent replenishment and has uncertain penetration through PPE layers.

Innovation Solution

A system and method utilizing radio frequency (RF) energy at a resonant frequency to deactivate or destroy contaminants within PPE by molecular resonance, employing a container with RF absorbing liners to minimize reflections and ensure uniform power density, allowing for efficient and portable decontamination at room temperature.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If vaporized hydrogen peroxide is used for decontamination, then decontamination can be achieved, but the process is slow and requires frequent replenishment

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedecontamination speedVSAvoiddisinfecting cycle time

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the chemical-based vaporized hydrogen peroxide system with an electromagnetic field-based RF energy system. The RF energy system uses electromagnetic fields to directly interact with and destroy contaminants through molecular resonance, eliminating the need for chemical replenishment and significantly reducing processing time while maintaining decontamination effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the fundamental operating parameter from chemical concentration (hydrogen peroxide vapor) to electromagnetic frequency (RF energy at resonant frequency). By operating at the resonant frequency of water molecules and contaminants, the system achieves rapid energy transfer and contaminant destruction without the slow diffusion and penetration limitations of chemical vapors.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If RF energy is used to decontaminate items, then deactivation of contaminant is achieved, but reflection of RF energy may reduce efficiency

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontaminant deactivation effectivenessVSAvoidRF energy reflection

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces RF-absorbing material as an intermediary between the RF energy source and the reflective container walls. This material absorbs reflected RF energy and converts it to heat, preventing harmful reflections that would reduce decontamination efficiency and potentially cause hot spots or unsafe conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent converts the potentially harmful reflected RF energy into beneficial thermal energy through the use of RF-absorbing material. The absorbed RF energy is transformed into heat that assists in the decontamination process, turning what would be a waste or harmful factor into a useful contribution to contaminant destruction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

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 RF-based decontamination system effectively and efficiently deactivates or destroys contaminants like the COVID-19 virus on PPE, offering faster processing times, high effectiveness, and portability, suitable for various applications including healthcare and hospitality settings, without the need for frequent hydrogen peroxide replenishment.

Implementation Method 1

output radio frequency (RF) energy at a frequency substantially equal to a resonant frequency of the contaminant... to deactivate, damage, or destroy the contaminant by molecular resonance

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMolecular resonance: Resonance

Implementation Method 2

an RF absorbing liner disposed on interior surfaces of the container and configured to absorb and reduce reflection of at least some of the RF energy

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRF energy absorption: Absorption (EM radiation)

Data Source

PatentUS11986566B2System and method for decontamination of materials

Publication Date: 2024.05.21 RAYTHEON CO

AI summary

A system includes a container configured to hold one or more items contaminated with a contaminant. The system also includes a power amplifier configured to output radio frequency (RF) energy at a frequency substantially equal to a resonant frequency of the contaminant. The system further includes a horn connected to the power amplifier and configured to propagate the RF energy along a length of the container and through the one or more items to deactivate, damage, or destroy the contaminant by molecular resonance. In addition, the system includes an RF absorbing liner disposed on interior surfaces of the container and configured to absorb and reduce reflection of at least some of the RF energy.