UV-C Lamp HVAC Integration for Pathogen Eradication
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional HVAC systems are inadequate in effectively purifying air in closed environments, failing to sufficiently prevent the spread of airborne diseases such as viruses and bacteria, due to outdated ventilation systems and insufficient air filtration.
Innovation Solution
An ultraviolet air purifying system that utilizes UV-C lamps integrated with HVAC systems, monitored by sensors and a computing device to ensure real-time data compliance with thresholds, operating the UV-C lamps to disinfect air and supply clean, disinfected air while incorporating safety measures to prevent harmful UV-C radiation exposure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional HVAC systems use traditional air filtration and ventilation methods, then the system structure remains simple and cost-effective, but the air purification effectiveness is insufficient to prevent spread of airborne diseases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines UV-C disinfection lamps with the existing HVAC air handling units, integrating pathogen elimination functionality into the conventional air filtration system. The UV-C lamps are positioned within the air flow path to disinfect air alongside the mechanical filtration process, creating a hybrid purification system that addresses both particulate and biological contaminants.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces sensor devices as intermediaries to monitor air quality parameters and UV-C lamp operation status. These sensors detect pathogens, particulate matter, and operational conditions, providing feedback to the control system to optimize purification effectiveness while maintaining system reliability without excessive complexity.
2Reliability
If UV-C lamps are operated continuously to maximize pathogen elimination, then air disinfection effectiveness improves, but energy consumption and potential harmful radiation exposure increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback control through sensor devices that continuously monitor air quality conditions and UV-C lamp performance. The control system adjusts UV-C lamp operation based on real-time sensor data, activating lamps when pathogen levels or air quality indicators warrant disinfection and deactivating them when conditions are safe, thereby optimizing effectiveness while minimizing harmful radiation exposure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the UV-C lamp operation dynamic rather than static, allowing the system to adjust lamp activation and intensity based on real-time air quality conditions, occupancy detection, and operational parameters. This dynamic control enables the system to provide maximum disinfection effectiveness when needed while reducing or eliminating UV-C exposure during periods when it is unnecessary or potentially harmful.
3Reliability
If real-time sensor monitoring and control systems are added to verify UV-C operation and air quality, then system reliability and verification capability improve, but device complexity and initial cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs sensor devices and control systems that perform multiple functions: monitoring air quality parameters, verifying UV-C lamp operation, detecting occupancy conditions, and providing feedback for optimization. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated components for each monitoring task, thereby improving verification capability while limiting the increase in overall system complexity.
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 eradicates pathogens and biological agents in the air stream by timed exposure to UV-C light, providing a direct control system verification and data feedback to building management systems, enhancing air quality and safety within enclosed spaces.
Implementation Method 1
utilizes UV-C lamps integrated with HVAC systems, operating the UV-C lamps to disinfect air
Implementation Method 2
Effectively eradicates pathogens and biological agents in the air stream by timed exposure to UV-C light
Data Source
AI summary
A method includes receiving, by at least one processor, realtime data associated with airflow in a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system from at least one sensor device, comparing, by the at least one processor, the realtime data from the at least one sensor device with a particular value for each sensor, operating, by the at least one processor, at least one ultraviolet C (UV-C) lamp device in the HVAC system, purifying air in the HVAC system using the at least one UV-C lamp device while confirming, by the at least one processor, that the realtime data from the at least one sensor device is within a particular threshold of each particular value for each sensor, and supplying clean, disinfected air to the airflow in the HVAC system.