UV Ring Purification Assembly for HVAC Air Disinfection
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing HVAC systems struggle to effectively neutralize or remove dust, viruses, bacteria, and other microorganisms from air flowing through ducts, despite the use of ultraviolet (UV) lights and electrostatic filters.
Innovation Solution
A purification assembly is introduced that includes a housing with UV radiation sources configured to emit UV radiation along a longitudinal axis, utilizing a ring of UV radiation sources facing the open ends and the axis, and optionally incorporating resonating cavities and reflective surfaces to enhance UV intensity and coverage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If UV lights are installed in HVAC ducts to neutralize microorganisms, then air purification effectiveness is improved, but UV radiation intensity is insufficient to achieve thorough disinfection
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple UV radiation sources are combined within a single housing unit and positioned to face different directions (upstream, downstream, and longitudinal axis). This merging of multiple light sources creates overlapping radiation zones that ensure comprehensive coverage and sufficient intensity throughout the duct cross-section, resolving the issue of insufficient UV intensity while maintaining effective air purification.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from conventional single-direction or two-direction UV lighting to a three-dimensional radiation pattern by positioning sources facing upstream, downstream, and the longitudinal axis simultaneously. This multi-dimensional approach ensures that UV radiation reaches pathogens from all directions within the duct, achieving thorough disinfection that overcomes the limitation of insufficient intensity in traditional configurations.
2Reliability
If UV radiation sources are increased to improve disinfection, then pathogen neutralization is enhanced, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a moderate number of UV radiation sources (three to seven sources) positioned strategically to create overlapping radiation zones, rather than using an excessive number of sources. This partial action approach achieves sufficient pathogen neutralization through optimized geometric arrangement and directional coverage, avoiding the need for high power consumption while maintaining effective disinfection.
3Reliability
If purification assembly is added to ductwork, then air cleaning capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The purification assembly is designed as a universal component that can be integrated into standard HVAC ductwork without requiring custom modifications. The housing serves multiple functions: containing UV radiation sources, directing airflow, and providing structural support. This multi-functionality reduces overall system complexity while maintaining effective air cleaning capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The purification assembly is designed as a modular, self-contained unit that can be independently installed within existing ductwork. This segmentation allows for easy installation and maintenance without disrupting the overall HVAC system, reducing the perceived complexity by presenting a simple plug-and-play solution rather than a complex integrated system.
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 assembly achieves efficient disinfection and purification of air by increasing UV radiation intensity and ensuring thorough exposure of pathogens, while minimizing power consumption and maintaining airflow volume.
Implementation Method 1
A ring of ultraviolet (UV) radiation sources is coupled with an interior surface of the housing, and the UV radiation sources are each configured to emit UV radiation toward the longitudinal axis
Implementation Method 2
efficient disinfection and purification of air by increasing UV radiation intensity and ensuring thorough exposure of pathogens
Data Source
AI summary
Purification assemblies and methods of use. A method of using a purification assembly, the purification assembly having a housing having a first open end and an opposite second open end, the housing defining an interior volume, and a longitudinal axis extending between the first open end and the second open end. The method includes forming a ring of UV radiation sources on an interior surface of the housing, wherein the longitudinal axis extends through the ring, and wherein at least a first set of the UV radiation sources lie on a plane. The method also includes causing the first set of UV radiation sources to emit UV radiation along the plane and flowing a stream of air through the housing toward the ring of UV radiation sources, wherein the intensity of the UV radiation exceeds a threshold along the entirety of the plane within the housing.