UVC Dosimeter Integrating Capacitor Zero Bias Circuit
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current UVC light dosimeters are either expensive and unsuitable for widespread use or imprecise, failing to provide accurate numeric dose results and maintaining accuracy over a wide dynamic range, which is necessary for ensuring adequate disinfection while minimizing over-dosing and equipment wear.
Innovation Solution
A UVC light dosimeter with a photodiode, integrating capacitor, and amplifier circuitry that maintains zero bias voltage, coupled with digital and wireless communication interfaces, allowing for precise measurement and display of radiation doses, and capable of operating over a wide power dynamic range with low power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If current UVC light dosimeters are used, then radiation dose monitoring is available, but they are either expensive and unsuitable for widespread use or imprecise and fail to provide accurate numeric dose results
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a disposable dosimeter design where the photodiode, integrating capacitor, and amplifier circuitry are integrated into a single-use device. This eliminates the need for expensive, reusable equipment while maintaining measurement accuracy. The dosimeter is discarded after a single measurement cycle, making it cost-effective for widespread deployment without requiring complex calibration or maintenance infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
The dosimeter incorporates self-contained amplifier circuitry that automatically maintains zero bias voltage across the photodiode during measurement. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for external bias voltage sources or complex power management systems, reducing manufacturing costs while ensuring precise measurements through automatic electrical compensation.
2Reliability
If high-intensity UVC light is used for disinfection, then pathogen neutralization is effective, but over-dosing occurs causing equipment wear and unnecessary energy consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The dosimeter provides real-time feedback on cumulative radiation dose through the integrating capacitor, which accumulates charge proportional to the UVC exposure. The amplifier circuitry continuously monitors this integration and can trigger shutdown or alarm conditions when predetermined dose thresholds are reached, preventing over-dosing and associated energy waste and equipment wear while ensuring sufficient disinfection.
Solution Approach 2:
The system establishes predetermined dose thresholds in advance that represent sufficient disinfection levels for different surfaces and pathogens. By programming these thresholds before operation, the system automatically stops UVC exposure once the required dose is achieved, eliminating the need for continuous high-intensity operation and preventing unnecessary energy consumption and equipment wear.
3Measurement precision
If continuous monitoring of cumulative radiation is performed, then accurate disinfection verification is achieved, but power consumption increases reducing battery life
Solution Approach 1:
The dosimeter performs continuous monitoring through the integrating capacitor during the UVC exposure period, then enters a low-power state between measurements. The amplifier circuitry maintains zero bias voltage passively during idle periods, requiring minimal power. This periodic active monitoring approach ensures accurate cumulative radiation verification during operation while extending battery life during storage and inter-measurement intervals.
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces active power-consuming monitoring mechanisms with a passive integrating capacitor that continuously accumulates radiation charge without requiring power input during integration. The amplifier circuitry only actively processes signals when needed, substituting continuous active monitoring with a passive integration approach that maintains measurement precision while dramatically reducing power consumption.
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
Enables accurate and cost-effective monitoring of UVC radiation doses, ensuring sufficient disinfection without over-dosing, and allowing for real-time data transmission and remote activation, thus extending battery life and reducing equipment wear.
Implementation Method 1
a photodiode; an integrating capacitor electrically coupled with the photodiode
Implementation Method 2
The amplifier circuitry is configured to maintain a substantially zero bias voltage between an anode and a cathode of the photodiode while monitoring the cumulative radiation
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein are methods, systems, and devices for monitoring cumulative radiation. In one embodiment, a device includes a photodiode; an integrating capacitor electrically coupled with the photodiode; a voltage discharge switch electrically coupled with the integrating capacitor; and amplifier circuitry electrically coupled with the photodiode and the integrating capacitor. The amplifier circuitry is configured to maintain a substantially zero bias voltage between an anode and a cathode of the photodiode monitoring the cumulative radiation. The integrating capacitor is configured to provide a delta voltage representative of radiation received since the beginning of a charge cycle of the integrating capacitor.