Sanitation Protocol Control Using Heat, UV, and Fuel Cell Power
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current sanitation methods for physical spaces face challenges such as chemical residue issues, pest resistance, high costs, and the need for extensive manual intervention due to the complexity of treating multiple pests and pathogens with different chemical formulations, as well as inadequate electrical infrastructure for heat and UV light treatments.
Innovation Solution
A software architecture and system that includes a fuel cell generator for powering heat and UV light sources, a protocol storage for multiple sanitation protocols, a controller for automatic operation, and sensors for closed-loop feedback control, allowing for the selection and execution of sanitation protocols with minimal manual intervention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If chemical treatments are used to sanitize physical spaces and treat pests, then sanitation effectiveness is improved, but chemical residues are left behind that require clean-up and may damage assets
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces chemical treatment methods with a physical treatment system using heat and UV light. The heat source raises the temperature of the physical space to sanitize it, while UV light sources provide additional pathogen treatment, eliminating the need for chemical substances and their harmful residues.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple different chemicals are applied to treat a broad spectrum of pathogens, then sanitation coverage is improved, but the complexity of treatment protocols increases and cross-reactions may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a universal sanitation approach where heat and UV light serve multiple functions simultaneously. The heat source treats both pests and pathogens, while UV light provides broad-spectrum pathogen inactivation. This multi-functional physical treatment system replaces the need for multiple specialized chemical formulations, simplifying the treatment protocol while maintaining broad sanitation coverage.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If heat and UV light sources are used to treat pests and pathogens, then chemical residue issues are eliminated, but the electrical power requirement increases to at least 15 kW to 20 kW
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a fuel cell generator as an intermediary power source between the electrical grid and the heat/UV light treatment system. The fuel cell converts chemical energy from fuel directly to electrical energy, providing the required 15-20 kW power output with advantages of portability, reduced electrical infrastructure requirements, and cleaner operation compared to conventional generators.
4Manufacturing precision
If extensive manual intervention is provided to set up and monitor sanitation processes, then treatment accuracy is improved, but operator involvement and time consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service capabilities through automated control systems that monitor and adjust sanitation parameters without continuous operator intervention. Sensors detect temperature, humidity, and other environmental conditions, automatically adjusting heat and UV light output to maintain optimal sanitation conditions. This automation preserves treatment accuracy while significantly reducing operator involvement and time consumption.
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
This system effectively sanitizes physical spaces by automatically controlling heat and UV light sources, reducing chemical residue and resistance concerns, lowering costs, and simplifying operator involvement through organized protocol management and local power generation.
Implementation Method 1
A heat source is included and is adapted to heat the physical space to a target temperature
Implementation Method 2
A UV light source is included and is adapted to irradiate the physical space with UV radiation
Implementation Method 3
BWR Innovations, LLC, the assignee of the present application, has developed a fuel cell generator that is capable of operating safely indoors and of providing at least 20 kW of energy suitable for powering heat and UV light sources
Data Source
AI summary
A software architecture and system for delivering selected sanitation protocols for multiple pathogens and pests for sanitizing a physical space. The software architecture and system generally includes a plurality of protocol identifiers linked to sanitation protocols arranged as pages in a protocol storage. Each sanitation protocol comprises a plurality of parameters arranged in tabular form for carrying out a sanitation process for one or more pathogens and/or pests. Also included are a control panel/display, controller, heat source, UV light source, and sensors. The protocol identifiers are displayed on the control panel/display and the controller retrieves the parameters of a selected sanitation protocol from the protocol storage. The controller operates in a closed-loop control arrangement with the heat source, UV light source, and sensors to automatically carry out a sanitation process according to the parameters of the selected sanitation protocol.