Abstract:
An integrated flow through water sterilization device within a sanitary faucet fixture. A portion of the flow path has a plurality of ultraviolet radiation generating LED&#39;s arranged around a transparent flow conduit within the faucet. The ultraviolet radiation generating LED&#39;s effectively sterilize the water as it flows through and is dispensed by the faucet. A hydro-electric generator is driven by a water flow to the faucet upon demand and provides electrical power for the ultraviolet radiation generating LED&#39;s as water is used.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Technical Field 
     This invention is directed to the sterilization of potable water at the dispensing outlet. More specifically, the use of ultraviolet radiation lamps to affect a sterilization of drinking water by exposing the water stream to UV radiation using a germicidal UV light source. 
     2. Description of Prior Art 
     Prior art devices of this type can be seen, for example, in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,017,734, 5,626,768, 6,570,173 and 6,521,192. 
     Most prior art patents are directed to remote ultraviolet lamp systems that use a traditional ultraviolet lamp directing the ultraviolet radiation to a housing or jacket about the lamp through which water flows. 
     In U.S. Pat. No. 6,570,731 a protective sleeve about a UV lamp is shown. Also see U.S. Pat. No. 5,505,192 in which a lamp cooling for a UV lamp reactor assembly is disclosed for treating a fluid medium where the lamp is operable at high temperatures in excess of 300 degrees centigrade. 
     Other patents for water purification use similar UV lamp configurations for treating water, see U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,017,734, 5,626,768. 
     In U.S. Pat. No. 6,521,194 an ozone generating faucet is disclosed that uses a faucet mounted ozone generator to produce ozone which is then infused into the water stream as it passes through the faucet thereby sterilizing the water using the sterilizing properties of ozone. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     A water sterilization faucet providing a self-contained source of electrical energy to energize low voltage ultraviolet light assemblies surrounding a transparent water flow conduit of the faucet. The UV light assembly utilizes highly efficient UV LED&#39;s as a light source which have low energy demands due to their high efficiency in converting electrical energy into effective sterilizing UV radiation. A pair of miniature hydro-electric generators are driven by the actual flow demand of the faucet energizing the LED assemblies and sterilizing the water as it passes therethrough. 
    
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a side elevational view with a portion cut away of the purification faucet; 
         FIG. 2  is an enlarged partial sectional view of the LED UV light conductive assembly removably secured within the spout of the faucet; 
         FIG. 3  is an enlarged section on lines  3 - 3  of  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the water purification faucet illustrating multiple hydro-electric generators therewith; 
         FIG. 5  is an enlarged perspective view of an alternate form of the invention for field use to sterilize a supply of water through a hose or other piping orientation; 
         FIG. 6  is an enlarged cross-sectional view on lines  6 - 6  of  FIG. 5 . 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1-3  of the drawings, a water purification faucet  10  of the invention can be seen having a control mixture valve assembly  11  with a pair of water supply inlet lines  12  and  13  as is well known and understood within the art. A dispensing spout  14  extends from the control mixing valve assembly  11  having a fluid conduit  15  formed within with an outlet nozzle at  16 . 
     A sterilization module  17  of the invention can be seen forming a mid-section  14 A of the spout  14  engaged about a portion  18  of the fluid conduit  15 . The conduit portion  18  is transparent to provide maximum exposure to the sterilization module  17  which is removably secured thereon. 
     In this example, the fluid conduit portion  18  is made from synthetic resin material and is supported by the base portion  19  of the spout  14 . It will be evident that other conduits and spout configurations can be used so long as a portion of the conduit is transparent, as noted above. 
     The sterilization module  17  of the invention is preferably formed of a pair of half-arcuate elongated elements  20  and  21  hinged together by a longitudinal hinge  22  formed there within. Each of the elements  20  and  21  is formed from a molded section of synthetic resin material with a plurality of ultraviolet emitting low voltage LED&#39;s  23  mounted within so as to be exposed over an inner effacing surfaces  20 A and  21 A of the respective elements. 
     Each of the UV emitting LED&#39;s  23  generate ultraviolet radiation in a wave length of approximately 253.7 nanometers which is established to have an excellent germicidal effect. 
     The UV LED&#39;s  23  are in evenly spaced longitudinal and transverse relation to one another embedded within the inner surfaces  20 A and  21 A of the respective elements  20  and  21  with the respective power lead wires W electrically interconnected to electrical supply wire net  25  (shown in broken lines) which in turn has pairs of registerable interconnected conductors  26 . Corresponding electrical receptacle fittings  27  extend from the spout  14  with lead wires W extending therefrom to a pair of electrically interconnected hydro-electric generators  28  and  29  below the faucet assembly as best seen in  FIG. 4  of the drawings. 
     The hydro-generators  28  and  29  have respected inflow and outflow ports  30 A,  30 B,  31 A and  31 B for receiving faucets hot and cold water supply lines  12  and  13  and inlet supply water lines  32  and  33  therein a will be well understood by those skilled in the art. 
     Referring now back to  FIGS. 2 and 3  of the drawings, the sterilization module  17  of the invention can be seen wherein the arcuate elements  20  and  21  have interengagement areas at  34  and  35  formed therein which frictionally engage with corresponding registration ridges  34 A and  35 A extending from the respective extensions  36  and  37  of the base  19  of the spout  14 . 
     In operation, the sterilization module  17  is hinged open longitudinally and engaged over the conduit portion  18  of the faucet and resiliently locked thereon by the hereinbefore described inner engagement areas  34  and  35 . Again it will be evident that other inner engagement and interlocking configurations can be used to join the respective arcuate elements  20  and  21  together onto the spout  14  around the transparent portion  18  of the fluid conduit  15  as hereinbefore described. 
     The positioning and registration of the sterilization module  17  engages the respective electrical interconnects  26  and receptacle fittings  27  to provide electrical power for the embedded ultraviolet radiation emitting LED&#39;s  23 . 
     In operation, upon water demand when the valve assembly  11  is open by handle  11 A, either individual hydro-electric generator  29  or  30  or both are activated depending on the water demand imparted by the valve assembly  11  and will begin generating a positive electrical energy for the interconnected ultraviolet radiation emitting LED&#39;s  23  within the sterilization module  17  which will radiate the water flow F as it passes through the transparent conduit portion  18  of the fluid conduit  15 . 
     It will be evident that the low power requirement of the ultraviolet radiation emitting LED&#39;s  23  can easily be provided for by the hydro-electric generators  28  and  29  with any usable fluid flow rate and incremental duration achieved by the typical water use within reasonable parameters. 
     It will also be noted that the number of ultraviolet radiation emitting LED&#39;s  23  will be proportionate to the length of the sterilization module  17  and the diameter of the water conduit portion  18  extending therethrough. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 5 and 6  of the drawings, an alternate form of the invention can be seen as a portable (field) sterilization device  40  for use in remote locations or as a temporary water treatment device. The sterilization device  40  has a central cylindrical body member  41  with oppositely disposed ends  42  and  43 . Respective threaded engagement male and female fittings  44  and  45  extend therefrom for interconnecting to corresponding hose fittings (not shown) or other potable and or temporary water treatment venues as required. The central cylindrical body member  41  has a plurality of ultraviolet radiation emitting LED&#39;s  46  in longitudinal and annular spaced relation to one another embedded within positioned about a tubular passageway  47  formed thereby. The ultraviolet radiation emitting LED&#39;s  46  are electrically interconnected to a self-contained source of electrical power via a wire harness  48  shown in broken lines within the central cylinder body member  41 . The self-contained power source for the ultraviolet radiation emitting LED&#39;s  46  is an electrical generator assembly  49  integrated between the cylindrical body member  41  and the threaded end fitting  44 . The electrical generator  49 , best seen in  FIG. 5  of the drawings, has an annular housing  50  with a multiple veined impellor  51  rotatably positioned within. In this example, the ends of the impellor  51  have magnetic tips at  52  with electro-magnetic generation coil  53  within the housing  50  thereabout which will induce electrical output to interconnected output wires  53  as the multi-veined impellor  51  spins. Alternately, a commercially available miniature hydro-electric generator can be used as is well known and understood within the art that will utilize a fluid flow indicated by the directional flow arrows FF across the impellor or conductive turbines (not shown) supplying power to the hereinbefore described sterilization system. 
     In operation, as the water flow FF passes through the electric generation assembly  49 , power is supplied to multiple ultraviolet radiation emitting LED&#39;s  46  lining the cylindrical body member  41  around the tubular passageway  47  formed within so as water flow FF proceeds therethrough it is effectively sterilized by the ultraviolet radiation emitting LED&#39;s. 
     It will thus be seen that a new and novel sterilization system for a self-contained domestic water supply faucet and portable field operable water system has been illustrated and described and that it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the invention.