UV-c based Anti-microbial air circulation system
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing air circulation systems, particularly those using UV-C lights for disinfection, face challenges in continuously purifying air due to intermittent operation and the risk of UV-C light exposure to humans, which can lead to health issues like cancer, while also allowing aerosolized viruses to spread before reaching the purification system.
Innovation Solution
A modular UV-C based air circulation system for suspended ceilings that includes a UV light assembly with baffles to prevent UV-C light escape, connected to intake and exhaust assemblies with fans to ensure continuous air circulation and purification, allowing environmental air to be treated without exposing it to harmful UV-C wavelengths.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If UV-C lights are placed within the suspended ceiling structure for air disinfection, then the germicidal effectiveness is improved, but the risk of UV-C light exposure to humans increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the ceiling space into multiple zones with separate UV-C modules, each treating a specific air flow path. This segmentation allows targeted disinfection while limiting the exposure zone, reducing the risk to occupants while maintaining effective pathogen deactivation in the treated air streams.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces air as an intermediary medium between the UV-C light source and the human environment. UV-C lights are positioned to disinfect air streams that are then circulated through the HVAC system, allowing indirect treatment of the environment without direct UV-C exposure to occupants. The baffle assembly acts as a physical intermediary to contain and direct the UV-C radiation only within the air treatment chamber.
2Use of energy by moving object
If air circulation systems operate intermittently to reduce energy consumption, then the use of energy is improved, but the ability to continuously deactivate aerosolized viruses deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system integrates UV-C disinfection with the existing HVAC air circulation cycles, ensuring that every time air is circulated through the system—whether continuously or intermittently—it receives UV-C treatment. This approach maintains continuous virus deactivation capability aligned with the actual operational needs of the HVAC system, rather than requiring separate continuous operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The UV-C module is designed to work with the existing HVAC system's operational schedule, serving multiple functions: disinfecting air during HVAC operation, integrating with thermal conditioning cycles, and adapting to varying occupancy patterns. This multi-functionality allows the system to maintain effective pathogen deactivation while following the energy-efficient operational patterns of the building's climate control system.
3Reliability
If UV-C lights are positioned to treat air streams, then the air purification effectiveness is improved, but the risk of UV-C light leakage into the environment increases
Solution Approach 1:
The air treatment chamber is designed with asymmetric geometry where the UV-C light source is positioned to illuminate only the specific air stream path from intake to exhaust. The chamber dimensions and light positioning create an asymmetric illumination pattern that concentrates UV-C energy on the moving air while leaving surrounding areas, including potential leakage paths, in shadow. This asymmetric design maximizes purification effectiveness while minimizing leakage risk.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs opaque baffle assemblies and shielding structures that act as flexible barriers to contain UV-C radiation within the air treatment chamber. These shielding elements are strategically positioned to block any potential leakage paths while maintaining airflow, creating a contained environment where UV-C lights can operate at full effectiveness without exposing the broader space to harmful radiation.
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 system effectively disinfects air by maintaining continuous operation and preventing UV-C light exposure to the environment, providing a safe and efficient method for air purification, capable of deactivating 99% of pathogens with controlled UV dosage and residence time.
Implementation Method 1
UV-C light causes damage to the nucleic acid in DNA by forming covalent bonds between certain adjacent bases in the DNA. The formation of these bonds prevents the DNA from being 'unzipped' for replication, and the organism is neither able to produce molecules essential for life process, nor is it able to reproduce.
Implementation Method 2
Both fans are positioned at an acute angle from vertical and are adapted to circulate air through the chamber wherein the air resides in the internal chamber for at least one tenth of one second (0.1 seconds)
Implementation Method 3
The intake channel and the exhaust channel include a baffle assembly adapted to restrict UVC wavelength light from exiting from either the intake opening or the exhaust opening
Data Source
AI summary
An UV-C based anti-microbial air circulation system for a suspended ceiling. The air circulation system comprises a UV light assembly having an internal chamber containing at least one UVC light. The UV light assembly is bookended by an intake assembly on one side and an exhaust assembly on the opposite side. An internal channel flows from an intake opening into the UV light assembly and out an exhaust opening. Angled fans move the air through the system so that air is exposed to at least one tenth of one second of UV-C light to disinfect it.