UV Barrier Zone with Adaptive Irradiance and Protective Collar
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ultraviolet light systems are ineffective in consistently deactivating aerosol pathogens suspended in air due to varying air currents and UV irradiance levels, which require adjustment to ensure sufficient exposure duration and strength for pathogen deactivation.
Innovation Solution
A novel ultraviolet light system with a radial pattern of lamps, reflectors, and sensors that create a Barrier Zone for pathogen deactivation, incorporating air velocity monitoring and adaptive UV irradiance adjustment, along with a collar to prevent UV exposure to humans and animals, and Internet connectivity for remote diagnostics and control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If UV light intensity is increased to ensure pathogen deactivation, then pathogen deactivation effectiveness is improved, but risk of UV exposure to humans and animals increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a collar as an intermediary component that physically blocks UV light from projecting downward toward humans and animals. This mediator allows the system to maintain high UV intensity for pathogen deactivation while preventing harmful exposure to living organisms through the blocking structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The UV irradiance is made non-uniform through the collar structure, creating different UV exposure levels in different spatial zones. The area above the collar receives high UV intensity for effective pathogen deactivation, while the area below the collar is protected from UV exposure, allowing localized optimization of both effectiveness and safety.
2Loss of time
If UV irradiance is increased to deactivate pathogens more quickly, then exposure duration is reduced, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts UV irradiance parameters based on real-time air velocity measurements. When air currents are strong and pathogens move through the treatment zone quickly, the system increases UV intensity to compensate for reduced exposure time. When air currents are calm, the system reduces intensity, optimizing the balance between deactivation effectiveness and energy consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback control system where sensors continuously monitor air velocity and provide this information to a controller that adjusts UV lamp intensity accordingly. This closed-loop feedback mechanism ensures the UV irradiance is optimized in real-time based on actual pathogen exposure conditions, preventing both over-irradiation and under-irradiation.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If a collar is added to block UV light projection, then safety for humans and animals is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The collar serves multiple functions simultaneously: it blocks downward UV projection to protect humans and animals, it structures the upward UV beam for effective pathogen deactivation, and it provides a mounting structure for the UV lamps. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate protective components, thereby limiting the increase in overall device complexity.
4Stability of the object's composition
If air velocity varies in the treatment zone, then pathogen exposure consistency deteriorates, but system adaptability is improved
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from a static UV irradiance setup to a dynamic one where UV intensity automatically adjusts in response to varying air velocities. The real-time monitoring and adjustment capability allows the system to maintain consistent pathogen deactivation effectiveness despite changing environmental conditions, while demonstrating adaptability to different operational scenarios.
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
Effectively deactivates aerosol pathogens by ensuring sufficient UV irradiance and exposure duration, while preventing inadvertent UV exposure to humans and animals, and allowing for remote monitoring and adaptation to changing environments.
Implementation Method 1
an array of ultraviolet (UV) lamps that when energized produce a Barrier Zone upward and away from the upper surface of the upper body of the assembly wherein the array of ultraviolet lamps deactivate one or more pathogens
Implementation Method 2
an array of reflectors disposed on an upper surface of the upper mounting body and under the array of ultraviolet lamps
Implementation Method 3
The upper body may further include a collar that effectively blocks any UV light emitted by the ultraviolet lamps from reaching any humans below the plane of the upper body of the assembly
Data Source
AI summary
An improved pathogen deactivating ultraviolet light system and methods of use. UV light is used to deactivate aerosol pathogens, which can travel in the upper air spaces within internal spaces, such as office spaces, warehouses, and most other structures. There is a great and imperative need and desire to reduce and eliminate airborne and aerosol pathogens in the world today. The area and volume upon which some embodiments of the present invention will project the deactivating UV light are known as a “Barrier Zone.” The present invention is a novel and improved manner of creating such a Barrier Zone.