DEVICE FOR ABATING AIR-BORNE MICROBIOLOGICAL COMPONENTS

Described herein is a device for abating microbiological components present in an air flow, comprising: a main body, said main body being provided, on its surface, with a first aperture and a second aperture; a plurality of shelves positioned within said main body, each shelf being provided with at least one through hole; a plurality of UV electromagnetic sources arranged between said shelves so as to emit UV light within said main body; a first fan, connected to said first aperture and adapted to suck air into said main body; a control unit configured for driving said plurality of UV electromagnetic sources and said suction fan; wherein said first aperture and said second aperture and each hole of each shelf are in fluidic communication; wherein said main body has a minimum volume Vem given by the following relation:      V  em   =    D  ⁢     1   I    ⁢  nV     where D is the abatement dose necessary for abating a microbiological species by 99%, I is the mean intensity of the electromagnetic field of said plurality of UV electromagnetic sources, and nV is the aeraulic capacity of the device.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates, in general, to the field of devices for air sterilization. In particular, the present invention concerns a device for abating air-borne microbiological components.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART

As is known, several scientific studies have shown that air-borne microorganisms are sensitive to UV electromagnetic fields.

In particular, the article entitled: “Repair of ultraviolet light induced damage inmicrococcus radiophilus, an extremely resistant microorganism”, Journal of Bacteriology, 1976; and the article entitled: “Predicted inactivation of viruses of relevance to biodefense by solar radiation”, Journal of Virology, 2005, analyze the behaviour of different microbiological species in the presence of a UV electromagnetic field.

Several devices are known which utilize UV electromagnetic fields in order to abate microbiological components.

For example, patent application US 2020/0206375 A1 describes a portable UV-C disinfection apparatus. In particular, said apparatus comprises UV-C emitters coupled to a housing having a planar surface and UV-C sensors configured to measure the amount of UV-C light irradiated onto a target surface. A controller determines the amount of UV-C radiation necessary for disinfecting such surface.

The Applicant perceived the need for providing an alternative UV electromagnetic-wave device that allows achieving air purification.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a device for abating air-borne microbiological components, comprising:a main body provided, on its surface, with a first aperture and a second aperture;a plurality of shelves positioned within said main body, each shelf being provided with at least one through hole;a plurality of UV electromagnetic sources arranged between said shelves so as to emit UV light within said main body;a first fan, connected to said first aperture and adapted to suck air into said main body;a control unit configured for driving said plurality of UV electromagnetic sources and said suction fan;wherein said first aperture and said second aperture and each hole of each shelf are in fluidic communication.

According to another embodiment, the device further comprises:a battery adapted to supply power to said suction fan, said plurality of UV electromagnetic sources and said control unit;a face mask adapted to cover the mouth and/or the nose of a user.a flexible hose provided with a first end and a second end, wherein:said first end is connected to said second aperture;said second end is connected to said face mask.

These and other objects are achieved through the device as described in the appended claims, which are an integral part of the present description.

In the drawings, the same reference numerals and letters identify the same or functionally equivalent parts.

The figures are provided herein merely for illustrative purposes and are not drawn in scale.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

In the following, a device for abating air-borne microbiological components is identified as a whole by reference numeral100.

With reference toFIG.1, the device100comprises a main body101. The main body101is provided, on its surface, with a first aperture102and a second aperture103.

Preferably, the main body101is a box-shaped body having a first surface101aand a second surface101bthat are substantially parallel to each other. Even more preferably, the first surface101aand the second surface101bare substantially flat and parallel to each other.

As an alternative, the main body101is a body having a substantially cylindrical shape, with a first surface101aand a second surface101bsubstantially parallel to each other.

Preferably, the first aperture102is formed in the first surface101aand the second aperture103is formed in the second surface101b.

Preferably, the first aperture102and the second aperture103are substantially circular. Preferably, the first aperture102and the second aperture103have the same diameter.

Alternatively, the first aperture102and the second aperture103have different shapes and/or different dimensions.

As shown inFIGS.1and2, the device100according to the present invention comprises a plurality of shelves110a,110b,110c,110d. Such shelves110a,110b,110c,110dare positioned within the main body101.

Preferably, adjacent shelves are positioned within the main body101at a distance X greater than or equal to 5 mm.

Preferably, the first surface101aand the second surface101bconstitute, respectively, one shelf.

Preferably, adjacent shelves are positioned in such a way as to be parallel to each other. Preferably, adjacent shelves are positioned in such a way as to be parallel to and equidistant from each other.

Preferably, each shelf110a,110b,110c,110dhas a surface that reflects, at least partially, electromagnetic waves having a wavelength of 100 nm to 400 nm. For example, each shelf110a,110b,110c,110dis made of teflon or aluminium.

Preferably, the inner surface of the main body101has a surface that reflects, at least partially, electromagnetic waves having a wavelength of 100 nm to 400 nm. For example, the inner surface of the main body101is made of teflon or aluminium.

Alternatively, the reflecting surfaces of each shelf110a,110b,110c,110dand/or of the main body101are made by deposition of materials that reflect, at least partially, electromagnetic waves having wavelength of 100 nm to 400 nm. The processes for depositing materials onto surfaces are known and will not be described herein.

According to the present invention, each shelf110a,110b,110c,110dis provided with at least one through hole111a,111b,111c,111d(FIG.2).

In the following, holes formed in one same shelf will be generally identified by reference numeral111a.

Preferably, the holes111aformed in a respective shelf110ahave at least one of the following features:the holes111ahave different geometric shapes;the holes111aare located in irregular positions on the respective shelf110a.

The expression “holes111alocated in irregular positions on a respective shelf” means that the holes are formed in the shelf in a manner such that, considering one hole, at least two adjacent holes have different center-to-center distances.

Preferably, each shelf110a,110b,110c,110dcomprises a first half-part110′ and a second half-part110″. Preferably, at least one through hole111ais formed in the first half-part of a respective shelf110a.

Preferably, the second half-part of each shelf110a,110b,110c,110dis solid. In other words, the second half-part of each shelf110a,110b,110c,110dhas no holes.

Preferably, as shown inFIG.4, the shelves110a,110b,110c,110dare positioned within the main body101in such a way that, in a plan view, holes111a,111b,111c,111dformed in adjacent shelves110a,110b,110c,110dare mutually offset.

The Applicant observes that:by positioning the shelves110a,110b,110c,110dat a constant distance or at different distances from each other; and/orby making the holes111a,111b,111c,111din adjacent shelves in such a way that, in a plan view, they are not mutually aligned and/or have different geometric shapes;
it is possible to obtain a turbulent flow within the device100.

The UV electromagnetic sources121a,121b,121c, . . . ,121nare positioned on the lateral surface of the main body101. In particular, the UV electromagnetic sources121a,121b,121c, . . . ,121nare positioned on the lateral surface of the main body101in such a way as to emit UV light within the main body101.

As shown inFIGS.3and4, a number N of sources of such plurality of UV electromagnetic sources121a,121b,121c, . . . ,121nare interposed between two adjacent shelves110a,110b.

In particular, the lateral surface of the main body101and two adjacent shelves110a,110bdelimit a portion of the inner volume of the main body101. A number N of UV electromagnetic sources121a,121b,121c,121d(e.g. N=4) are positioned on the lateral surface of the main body101delimited by such adjacent shelves110a,110b. Such UV electromagnetic sources121a,121b,121c,121dgenerate, within the volume delimited by two parallel shelves, a UV electromagnetic field preferably having a mean intensity in excess of 5 mW/cm2.

It should be noted that the first aperture102, the second aperture103and each hole111a,111b,111c,111dof each shelf110a,110b,110c,110dare in fluidic communication with one another.

As shown inFIG.4, the device100comprises a first fan131, connected to the first aperture102. The first fan131sucks air Fin into the main body101. Note that the amount of air supplied into the main body101can be adjusted by suitably controlling the revolution speed of the first fan131.

As shown inFIG.5, the device100comprises a control unit140. The control unit140is configured for driving each UV electromagnetic source121a,121b,121c, . . .121nand the first suction fan131.

Preferably, the device100further comprises a second fan132. The second fan132is connected to the second aperture103. The first fan131and the second fan132are driven by the control unit140, generating an air flow within said main body101. It should be noted that by appropriately controlling the revolution speed of the first and second fans131,132it is possible to adjust the velocity of the air flow Fout-Fin. Even more preferably, the first fan131and the second fan132generate an air flow Fout-Fin that, as it crosses the main body101, moves in a turbulent manner within the main body101.

In particular, as shown inFIG.4, the first fan131and the second fan132(if present) generate an air flow Fout-Fin that crosses the main body101.

In particular:the air flow Fout-Fin is conveyed into the main body101by the first fan131, positioned at the first aperture102;the air flow F crosses the hole(s) formed in the first half-part of the first shelf110aand reaches the volume V1comprised between the first shelf110aand the second shelf110b. As it crosses the volume V1, the air flow absorbs a first dose of UV electromagnetic waves;the air flow Fout-Fin crosses the hole (s) formed in the first half-part of the second shelf110band reaches the volume V2comprised between the second shelf110band the third shelf110c. As it crosses the volume V2, the air flow absorbs a second dose of UV electromagnetic waves;the air flow Fout-Fin crosses the hole (s) formed in the first half-part of the third shelf110cand reaches the volume V3comprised between the third shelf110cand the fourth shelf110d. As it crosses the volume V3, the air flow absorbs a third dose of UV electromagnetic waves;the air flow Fout-Fin crosses the hole (s) formed in the first half-part of the fourth shelf110dand exits the main body101again through the second aperture103or through the second fan132(if present) positioned at the second aperture103.

Therefore, it should be noted that, as it crosses each volume V1, V2, V3, delimited by adjacent shelves, the air flow receives a dose of UV electromagnetic radiations. The number of shelves110a,110b,110c, . . .110nand the number of sources of UV electromagnetic waves121a,121b,121c, . . . ,121nare selected in such a way as to obtain an average dose of UV electromagnetic radiation capable of reducing or deactivating bacteria and/or viruses and/or other bacterial species.

As is known, UV radiation deactivates bacteria, viruses and other microbial species by directly acting upon their DNA/RNA. In particular, UV radiation can penetrate the cell membrane and break the structure of the DNA/RNA of such bacteria, viruses and/or other microbial species.

Different pathogenic agents have different resistance to the UV electromagnetic field. In particular, in order to deactivate such bacteria, viruses and other microbial species it is necessary to provide an absorbed dose expressed by the following relation:

where D is the absorbed dose, measured in thousandths of Joule per square centimeter (mJ/cm2); I is the intensity of the electromagnetic field I, measured in thousandths of Watt per square centimeter (mW/cm2), and T is the dwell time within the electromagnetic field I, measured in seconds (s).

By way of example, below are listed the values of the doses necessary for reducing some viruses and bacteria by 99%:as far as bacteria are concerned, in order to abate the twenty-four different strains ofEscherichia coliit is necessary to provide a dose in the range of [2-8 mJ/cm2], while the three strains ofLegionella pneumophilarequire a dose in the range of [3.2-5 mJ/cm2] and the two strains ofStreptococcus faecalisrequire a dose in the range of [6.5-8.8 mJ/cm2];as far as viruses are concerned, in order to abate the seven strains of Poliovirus it is necessary to provide a dose in the range of [11-17 mJ/cm2];as far as protozoa are concerned, in order to abate the thirteen strains ofCryptosporidium parvumit is necessary to provide a dose in the range of [1-10 mJ/cm2].

Advantageously, with reference toFIG.6, the dose D absorbed by an air flow Fout-Fin flowing within the main body101of the device100can be adjusted by appropriately controlling one or more of the following parameters:air flow rate; by activating the control system140to drive the first fan131and the second fan132(if present) in such a way as to adjust the aeraulic capacity of the device100according to the environment to be treated;number of active sources of UV electromagnetic waves between two adjacent shelves; for example, the control system140is configured for turning on or off a number M of the plurality of sources of UV electromagnetic waves121a,121b,121c,121d. Note that by turning on or off a number M of sources of UV electromagnetic waves it is possible to adjust the dose that is supplied to the air flow through the main body of the device100;mean intensity of the UV electromagnetic field generated by the sources of UV electromagnetic waves121a,121b,121c,121dinterposed between adjacent shelves110a,110b. For example, by means of the control system140it is possible to control the power supplied to each source of UV electromagnetic waves121a,121b,121c,121d.

With reference toFIGS.5,7and8, according to a preferred embodiment of the invention the device100further comprises:a battery151adapted to supply power to the first suction fan131, each UV electromagnetic source121a,121b,121c, . . . ,121nand the control unit140.a face mask152adapted to cover the mouth and/or the nose of a user.a flexible hose153provided with a first end and a second end.

The first end of the flexible hose153is connected to the second aperture103of the main body101; the second end of the flexible hose153is connected to the face mask152.

It should be noted that, according to this embodiment, the device100can be used as a personal sanitization device.

Preferably, the first suction fan131is configured for taking in an air volume greater than or equal to 500 m3/h.

According to the present invention, the main body101of the device100preferably has a minimum volume Vemgiven by the following relation:

where D is the abatement dose necessary for abating a microbiological species by 99%, I is the mean intensity of the electromagnetic field, and nV is the aeraulic capacity of the device100.

In other words, the minimum volume Vemcontaining the electromagnetic field necessary for deactivating/reducing a given bacterial species (or biological particulate matter) is directly proportional to the dose necessary for neutralizing that particular bacterial species (or biological particulate matter). Preferably, the minimum volume Vemcontaining the electromagnetic field necessary for deactivating/reducing a given bacterial species (or biological particulate matter) is directly proportional to the aeraulic capacity of the device100(i.e. directly proportional to the air flow Fout-Fin within the main body101) and inversely proportional to the mean intensity of the electromagnetic field generated by the plurality of sources of UV electromagnetic waves121a,121b,121c,121d.

It should be noted that, considering a device100suitable for abating a plurality of microbiological species, the dose D corresponds minimum dose necessary for abating that microbiological species which has the highest resistance to radiations (i.e. that microbiological species which requires the highest dose). In other words, the dose D necessary for calculating the minimum volume Vemcorresponds to the highest dose D that can be delivered by the device100, with equal aeraulic capacity nV.

The Applicant observes that, advantageously, the intensity of the electromagnetic field emitted by each one of the sources of UV electromagnetic waves121a,121b,121c,121dis controlled by controlling both the number of sources and the current intensity supplied to each source of UV electromagnetic waves121a,121b,121c,121d. By way of example, assuming that the device100is to be installed in a room for treating air-borne pathogenic agents sensitive to a dose in the range of 2-8 mJ/cm2, the device100may have the following specifications (with reference to the graph ofFIG.6):an aeraulic capacity (i.e. the volumetric flow rate of the device100) of 500 m3/h;a total mean intensity of the UV electromagnetic field within the main body101of 10 mW/cm2;a maximum dose of UV electromagnetic waves of 10 mJ/cm2;a minimum volume of the main body101of 120 cm3.

Assuming that the device100is to be used as a personal air sanitization device (FIG.7) suitable for treating air-borne pathogenic agents sensitive to a dose in the range of 2-20 mJ/cm2, the device100may have the following specifications (with reference to the graph ofFIG.8):an aeraulic capacity (i.e. the volumetric flow rate of the device100) of 10 m3/h;a total mean intensity of the UV electromagnetic field within the main body101of 10 mW/cm2;a maximum dose of UV electromagnetic waves of 20 mJ/cm2;a minimum volume of the main body101of 8 cm3.

As aforementioned, according to one embodiment of the present invention the main body101has a cylindrical shape.

According to such an embodiment, the first aperture102and the second aperture103are preferably aligned along the longitudinal axis Y-Y of the main body101(FIG.9).

Preferably, the device100further comprises a fixing rod181. The fixing rod181is positioned along the longitudinal axis Y-Y. In particular, the fixing rod181is fixed, at its ends, to the first aperture102and to the second aperture103in any known manner (e.g. by means of suitable supporting arms—not shown—welded to the lateral surface of the first aperture102and second aperture103).

Preferably, each shelf110a,110b,110cis a circular shelf, the diameter of which is smaller than the diameter of the main body101.

Preferably, each shelf110a,110b,110cis fixed to the fixing rod181. For example, each shelf110a,110b,110chas a respective fixing hole at its center; each shelf110a,110b,110cis keyed onto the fixing rod181.

Preferably, such shelves110a,110b,110care fixed to the fixing rod181in such a way as to be parallel to each other. Even more preferably, such shelves110a,110b,110care fixed to the fixing rod181in such a way as to be parallel to and equidistant from each other.

It should be noted that, when such shelves110a,110b,110care positioned in the main body101, respective spaces S1, S2, S3are created between the outer perimeter of each shelf110a,110b,110cand the inner surface of the main body101. Preferably, such spaces S1, S2, S3have a crown shape, even more preferably a circular crown shape.

Preferably, the first fan131and the second fan132(if present) generate an air flow Fout-Fin that, as it crosses the main body101, moves in a turbulent manner within the main body101.

The present invention offers some important advantages.

Advantageously, many different viruses and/or bacteria can be abated by directly controlling the velocity of the air flow within the device100.

Advantageously, it is possible to set up the control system140for executing air sanitization cycles in order to abate different viruses and/or bacteria that may be present in a room.

Advantageously, the device100has a modular structure that allows the construction of devices suitable for treating different air amounts.