UV-Absorbing Flow Passage Device for Air Handling System Safety
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing air handling systems face challenges in safely attenuating ultraviolet (UV) radiation, which is used to inactivate pathogens, while minimizing exposure to human maintenance workers and preventing component degradation.
Innovation Solution
A device comprising a plurality of elongate flow passages with internal walls coated to absorb UV radiation, designed for insertion in air handling system ducting sections, allowing airflow while attenuating UV radiation to safe levels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If UV radiation is used to inactivate pathogens in recirculated air, then air quality and safety are improved, but UV radiation exposure to human operators and component degradation worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The device divides the airflow path into multiple separate elongate flow passages, each with UV-absorbing internal walls. This segmentation allows UV radiation to be contained and attenuated within each passage while maintaining overall air circulation, thereby protecting operators and components from excessive UV exposure while preserving pathogen inactivation benefits
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces UV-absorbing materials (such as carbon-based coatings or UV-absorbing plastics) as intermediary substances on the internal walls of flow passages. These materials act as mediators that absorb UV radiation while allowing air to pass through, thereby reducing UV exposure to operators and components without compromising the pathogen inactivation function
2Object-affected harmful factors
If UV-absorbing coatings are applied to internal walls to attenuate UV radiation, then UV radiation attenuation is improved, but manufacturing complexity worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The patent explores different UV-absorbing materials with varying absorption characteristics, wall thicknesses, and coating applications to achieve the required UV attenuation level. By optimizing these parameters, the design balances effective UV radiation attenuation with manufacturing feasibility and cost considerations
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 device effectively attenuates UV radiation to safe exposure levels for human operators and reduces component degradation, while minimizing impedance to airflow, thus enhancing safety and system efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
each of the elongate flow passages comprises one or more internal walls comprising a coating configured to absorb a proportion of incident ultraviolet radiation
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments described herein relate to a device for attenuating ultraviolet radiation in an air handling system, wherein the device is arranged for insertion in a ducting section of the air handling system, the device comprising: a plurality of elongate flow passages, wherein each of the plurality of elongate flow passages is configured to permit airflow through the elongate flow passage from an inlet of the device to an outlet of the device; wherein each of the elongate flow passages comprises one or more internal walls comprising a coating configured to absorb a proportion of incident ultraviolet radiation.