UV Lamp Alignment Verification Using Remote Sensor
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing UV light sanitizing systems face challenges in aligning UV lamps within occupied spaces, such as aircraft lavatories, where occupancy sensors prevent technicians from being present during alignment testing.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a housing with a UV sensor, a UV recorder, and an extendable pointer, allowing for the alignment and validation of UV lamp alignment without requiring a technician to be present during UV light emission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a technician is present during UV light emission for alignment testing, then direct reading of the UV irradiance meter is possible, but the technician cannot be in the occupied space due to occupancy sensors
Solution Approach 1:
A remote UV sensor acts as an intermediary device placed at the target location to detect UV irradiance. The sensor transmits data to a recorder that can be read remotely, allowing alignment validation without technician presence in the occupied space during UV emission.
Solution Approach 2:
The manual process of placing and reading a UV irradiance meter is replaced with an automated system comprising a UV sensor, data recorder, and remote read capability. This eliminates the need for technician presence while maintaining measurement accuracy.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the technician leaves the room to illuminate UV light and record readings, then safety is maintained, but adequate validation of UV illumination and alignment cannot be performed
Solution Approach 1:
The UV sensor and recorder system operates autonomously to perform alignment validation. The system self-configures with the UV lamp, automatically records UV irradiance data, and enables remote verification, eliminating the need for technician presence while ensuring accurate validation.
Solution Approach 2:
The UV sensor provides real-time feedback on UV irradiance levels at the target location. This feedback is recorded and can be remotely accessed, allowing verification that the UV illumination meets alignment requirements without requiring the technician to be present during emission.
3Productivity
If alignment is performed based on technician estimate, then the process can continue, but the UV lamp alignment may not be optimal
Solution Approach 1:
The UV sensor is pre-positioned at the target location where UV irradiance needs to be measured. This preliminary setup allows immediate accurate measurement during alignment, eliminating the need for trial-and-error adjustments while maintaining optimal alignment precision.
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
Ensures proper alignment of UV lamps, reducing installation and testing times while improving the effectiveness of UV irradiance on target components, even in spaces that must be unoccupied during testing.
Implementation Method 1
A UV sensor is coupled to the housing. The UV sensor is configured to detect UV light emitted from one or more UV light emitters of the UV lamp and output one or more signals indicative of the UV light.
Data Source
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AI summary
A system and method for verifying a desired alignment of an ultraviolet (UV) lamp with respect to a target component include a housing. A UV sensor is coupled to the housing. The UV sensor is configured to detect UV light emitted from one or more UV light emitters of the UV lamp and output one or more signals indicative of the UV light. A UV recorder is coupled to the housing. The UV recorder is in communication with the UV sensor. The UV recorder is configured to receive the one or more signals from the UV sensor and store data regarding the one or more signals.