System for treating air
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing air treatment systems are inadequate in effectively sterilizing and filtering air in large spaces or targeted areas, failing to remove harmful airborne pathogens such as viruses and bacteria, which poses a risk to public health and hygiene in various settings.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of air treatment systems that combine ultraviolet-C (UV-C) light sterilization with high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) and Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value (MERV) filtration, utilizing UV-C bulbs and filters to sanitize and filter air, creating a virtual barrier or targeted treatment zones to prevent the spread of pathogens.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional air treatment systems are used, then air flow is maintained, but sterilization effectiveness is insufficient and pathogens are not removed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines UV-C sterilization technology with HEPA/MERV filtration systems in a single air treatment unit. The UV-C chamber and filter assembly work together in series to provide both chemical sterilization and physical filtration, achieving comprehensive pathogen removal that neither system could accomplish alone.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a hydroxyl radical generator as an intermediary component between the UV-C source and the filter. This intermediary converts UV-C energy into hydroxyl radicals that chemically react with and neutralize pathogens, enhancing the sterilization effectiveness beyond what UV-C alone could achieve.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If air treatment systems are added to sterilize air, then pathogen removal improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The air treatment system is designed to perform multiple functions within a single integrated unit: UV-C sterilization, hydroxyl radical generation, HEPA/MERV filtration, and air circulation. This multi-functional design achieves comprehensive pathogen removal without requiring separate standalone systems for each function.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a nested structure where the UV-C chamber contains the hydroxyl radical generator, which is positioned within the air passage. The filter assembly is then integrated around this nested configuration, creating a compact multi-layered system that maximizes sterilization effectiveness while minimizing overall device footprint.
3Reliability
If UV-C sterilization is used, then pathogen inactivation is achieved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The UV-C bulbs are designed to operate continuously at low power consumption levels, maintaining constant sterilization effectiveness without requiring periodic high-power pulses. This continuous low-power operation achieves reliable pathogen inactivation while minimizing overall energy consumption compared to intermittent high-power systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces energy-intensive mechanical sterilization methods with UV-C electromagnetic radiation, which requires significantly less energy to achieve the same sterilization effect. The UV-C bulbs convert electrical energy directly into sterilizing radiation without the mechanical complexity and energy consumption of high-temperature or high-pressure sterilization systems.
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
These systems consistently remove and sanitize airborne pathogens, including coronaviruses and influenza, providing clean air that reduces the risk of infection and improves hygiene in occupied spaces, with UV-C light capable of inactivating viruses and bacteria in a single pass through the system.
Implementation Method 1
sterilization can be performed by one or more ultraviolet-C ('UV-C') sources that emit UV-C light (i.e., 200 to 280 nm)... UV-C light capable of inactivating viruses and bacteria
Implementation Method 2
filtration can be performed by one or more filters with a sufficiently high Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value ('MERV') rating and/or one or more High Efficiency Particulate Air ('HEPA') filters
Data Source
AI summary
A system for treating air includes a first vent and second vent and an air passage in fluid communication between the first and second vents. Air is drawn into the first vent, moved through the air passage, and expelled from the second vent. The air passage includes an ultraviolet-C (“UV-C”) chamber, comprising a UV-C source, and a filter located after the UV-C chamber in the air passage and exposed to the UV-C source. Air moved through the air passage is treated by the UV-C source and then the filter. Such system may be used to treat air containing coronavirus particles.