Multifunction Disinfection Drone Apparatus and Method

An autonomous drone operated remotely via wireless networks is instructed by its owner flying about in an unoccupied room to activate a system of selectable air and surface disinfection modules. An air purifier captures particles in ambient air and switches on an oscillating motion tubular shaped cage mounted with a plurality of Ultraviolet C spectrum, long range zoom and focusable lens LED projectors to disinfect virus and bacteria. A fan assisted forced air Ozone generator module speeds up disinfecting inconspicuous spots to destroy hidden viruses. Disinfection is completed after the half-life time of dispensed Ozone and an oxygen recovery module rapidly converts residual ozone still in air back to normal oxygen molecules enabling a shortened waiting time for occupants to return to the treated room. A negative ions module subsequently switches on to refresh the air.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority to Provisional Application 63/100,701 filed Mar. 26 2020 by Simon Siu-Chi Yu and also claims benefit to Provisional application No. 63/101,110 filed Apr. 18 2020, both titled ‘Multi Function Disinfection Drone Apparatus and Method’ each incorporated herein by reference, each in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Consumer grade home use UV virus disinfection devices are generally for arms length, close distance application. They are ineffective for disinfecting an average size bedroom due to UV attenuates following the inverse-square-law. That is the effectiveness or intensity of the disinfection changes in inverse proportion to the square of the distance from the source.

Commercial grade institutional UV virus disinfection machines employing high power Mercury arc lamps or pulsed Xenon arc lamps are very expensive and these types of devices rely on reflected lights bounced from walls and ceiling. The pulsed Xenon noises irritate people and some people can't tolerate flashing lights. Their output power attenuation also follows the inverse-square-law. All occupants are ordered to vacate the area to be treated with this technology.

Automated mobile ultraviolet light devices that continuously emit UV-C in the range of 254 nm can be placed in patient rooms after patient discharge and terminal cleaning has been performed. A number of these devices can be set to kill vegetative bacteria or to kill spores. These systems often reduce the VRE and MRSA by four or more log 10, andC. difficileby 1-3 log 10. In one comparative trial, a continuous UV-C light system resulted in lower log reductions than a micro-condensation hydrogen peroxide vapor system. Advantages of the mobile, continuous UV-C light devices include their ease of use, minimal need for special training of environmental services personnel, and unlike hydrogen peroxide vapor systems, the ability to utilize the devices without having to seal room vents or doors. Recently, a prospective, multicenter randomized controlled trial comparing a mobile continuous UV-C light system with standard and other enhanced surface disinfection methods has been completed. Results of the trial should be published in the near future.

A pulsed-xenon device, which does not use mercury bulbs to produce UV light, emits light in the 200-320 nm range. It has been shown to significantly reduce pathogens in patient rooms. The manufacturer recommends placing device in 3 locations in a room with 5-7 min cycles (shorter than with some continuous UV-C systems). While a few studies utilizing the device reported reductions inC. difficileinfection, a more recent 8-month study in a large institution found no significant reduction inC. difficileinfection rates hospital-wide or on four units with highC. difficileinfection rates. One carefully-performed trial which compared the pulsed-xenon system with a continuous UV-C light device found that log 10 reductions of pathogens achieved with the pulsed-xenon system were lower than with the continuous UV-C light device. Additional evaluation of the pulsed-xenon UV system by independent investigators is needed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The UAVD (unmanned aerial vehicle drone) includes a control and communications module comprising an electronic central processing unit (CPU), a wireless communication unit, an electronic camera and audio A/V unit and a bus configured to interconnect all drone modules. The UAVD further includes a navigation module comprising a set of 360 degree obstacle avoidance sensors and positioning unit (GPS) configured to autonomously direct the drone to avoid obstacles while in flight.

The disinfection drone is self sufficiently equipped with batteries for its own propeller motor and dedicated power for its accessories. The drone has adapter brackets to accept a cartridge comprising various modules for various purposes. The removable and configurable modular cartridges comprise a front-end Ultraviolet C spectrum LED light module to disinfect incoming polluted air and to excite the Titanium Oxide coated particle catch plates.

The removable and configurable modular cartridge comprises a set of Titanium Oxide coated electrostatic charged plates in a module to convert bacteria to harmless gas through a photocatalysis reaction. Disinfecting is safe when occupants are present in the area because photocatalysis does not contain UV or ozone. The removable and configurable modular cartridges comprise a set of negative ion emitter modules to refreshing air. The removable and configurable modular cartridges comprise a rear-end Oxygen recovery Ultraviolet C spectrum LED light module to rapidly convert ozone to normal oxygen molecules.

The disinfection drone comprises a set of high voltage charged screens in a module to electrocute flying insects. The drone comprises a set of Ozone generators module to disinfect inconspicuous spots which are infected with viruses and to destroy agricultural pests and control algae growth. The (346 pm) Pico meter ozone penetrates the pest's body and causes plugging in their respiratory organs. The module further comprises an oxygen tank to boost concentration and production of ozone. Another advantage of the Ozone generator module comprises a blower fan housing a set of ozone generator plates. Ozone is forced out by the fast spinning blower fan. The ozone generator module can be detached from the drone body and becomes a handheld disinfection sprayer with invisible ozone.

The drone further comprises a module, tubular shaped cage, mounted with a vacuum tube ultraviolet C spectrum projector to disinfect virus and bacteria. The light irradiation from vacuum tube projectors are reflected and focused with reflectors aimed at infected targets. The drone further comprises a module, tubular shaped cage, mounted with a solid state semiconductor ultraviolet C spectrum projector in coherent and non-coherent irradiation to disinfect virus and bacteria over long range. The non-coherent LED light is focused with adjustable focal lenses.

The coherent Laser diode is focusable with an external focal lens for extended distance. The disclosure disinfects viruses, bacteria, mold, agricultural pests and controls algae growth without chemical spray. The disclosure disinfects the entire room from floor to ceiling with minimum blind spots for applications in a very tight spaces for users who don't have trained skills in flying a drone.

The disclosure further comprises an autonomous mobile robot in addition to the disclosed drone systems. The autonomous mobile robot combines a telescopic screw drive tension pole, temporally fixed on a floor with a ceiling tension spring. A screw drive carriage carries the drone as it flies around governed by a screw thread moving up or down with the drone's propeller vector forces. The room is therefore swept with UV irradiate from floor to ceiling.

The autonomous mobile robot plus drone systems are employed for Upper-Room germicidal UV-C airborne virus disinfection. The autonomous mobile robot combines a motorized screw drive shaft mounted on a motorized floor stand with wheels resting on the floor without ceiling support. A carriage connects the screw drive shaft thereto and the drone flies around governed by the screw thread moving up or down via the drone's propellers vector forces or with the motorized screw drive shaft rotation when the drone detects there are no occupants in the room. When the system detects occupants, the drone raises itself to a ceiling level which is above the occupant's head for continuously disinfecting with UV-C irradiation. The disclosure also includes human avoidance object and face detection to avoid its UV beams irradiating the occupants.

The disclosure further includes the removal of the ozone generator module from the drone becomes a handheld ozone sprayer operates by a worker to blast at the occupant, causing viruses dislodge for disinfection.

This disclosure is directed to using drones to disinfect airborne and surface virus, bacteria, mold, control algae growth and destroy agricultural pests. The disclosure is also used for non liquid and non chemical spray personal disinfection. The drone projects a plurality of tightly focused UV beams in a sweeping pattern along with up-down motions to effectively disinfect viruses in long range as well as at short ranges.

The disclosure solves the output attenuation issues of prior applications and devices since it is able to disinfect a large area without following the inverse-square-law. Occupants are also allowed in the area being treated due to an application of advanced technology in the disclosed multi-function disinfection system.

Other aspects and advantages of embodiments of the disclosure will become apparent from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, illustrated by way of example of the principles of the disclosure herein.

Throughout the description, similar and same reference numbers may be used to identify similar and same elements in the several embodiments and drawings. Although specific embodiments of the invention have been illustrated, the invention is not to be limited to the specific forms or arrangements of parts so described and illustrated. The scope of the invention is to be defined by the claims appended hereto and their equivalents.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference will now be made to exemplary embodiments illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used herein to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the disclosure is thereby intended. Alterations and further modifications of the inventive features illustrated herein and additional applications of the principles of the inventions as illustrated herein, which would occur to a person of ordinary skill in the relevant art and having possession of this disclosure, are to be considered within the scope of the invention.

FIG. 1is the multi function drone10equipped with motor50which drives propeller51installed on the motor shaft54in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The motor50is mounted on support frame53. Drone housing52comprises drone computer CPU33which communicates with GPS device35and Wi-Fi wireless unit34and a 360 degree obstacle avoidance device23with information feeds from video camera20. Antenna22sends and receives data to its remote controller. A speaker15announces a message to warn occupants nearby the area to vacate during the drone in operation. Dedicated battery37only serves the drone while battery38powers all accessories such as removable and configurable modular cartridge assembly100including ultraviolet C generator power supply42,81and high voltage generator modules92,60,36and70. The removable and configurable modular cartridge assembly100comprises particle collector module61, front-end UV-C LED module80, negative ions generator module71and a rear-end oxygen recovery UV-C generator84. The cartridge assembly100can be removed if not being used by loosening up mounting nut101. On the bottom of cartridge100is mounted vacuum tube UV-C module40. The module40is a hollow core tubular shaped cage mounted with multiple units of UV-C tubes44installed in their focusing reflectors47. A fan91assisted Ozone generator90is installed sideways of drone10mounted on articulate joint58to spray ozone gas in any direction indicated by arrow97. An oxygen tank95feeds concentrated oxygen into the ozone generator90to boost Ozone production. Drone10also eradicates flying insects such as mosquitoes by equipped cage300which includes high voltage screen55and56protected by an isolated screen57guard against accidental electric shock when the cage300is electrified.

Turning toFIG. 2is an advanced version of the multifunction drone10equipped with motor50which drives propeller51installed on the motor shaft54in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The motor50is mounted on support frame53. Drone housing52comprises drone computer CPU33in communication with GPS device35and Wi-Fi wireless unit34and 360 degree obstacle avoidance device23which supplies information from video camera20. Antenna22sends and receives data to its remote controller. A speaker15announces a message to warn occupants nearby the area to vacate during the drone in operation. Dedicated battery37only serves the drone while battery38powers all accessories such as cartridge assembly100which includes ultraviolet C generator power supply142, Bland high voltage generator modules92,60,36and70. The removable and configurable modular cartridge assembly100comprises particle collector module61, front-end UV-C LED module80, negative ions generator module71and a rear-end oxygen recovery UV-C generator84. The cartridge assembly100can be removed if not being used by loosening up mounting nut101. On the bottom of cartridge100is mounted with a solid state semiconductor UV-C module140. The module140is a hollow core tubular shaped cage mounted with multiple units of UV-C zoom and focusable LED projector144. A fan91assisted Ozone generator90installed on sideways of drone10is mounted on articulate joint58to spray ozone gas in any direction. An oxygen tank95feeds concentrated oxygen via hose96into the ozone generator90to boost Ozone production. Drone10also eradicates flying insects such as mosquitoes by equipping cage300with high voltage screens55and56protected by an isolated screen57to guard against accidental electric shock when the cage300is electrified.

As described herein, the LED144is zooming and focusable, adjustable from wide beam coverage to narrow tight beam irradiation as shown inFIG. 2A. The efficiency of inactivation on a virus depends on the quantity of photons striking the virus. Commercial virus disinfection machines costs hundreds of thousands of dollars and include a single Xenon gas arc lamp or multiple elongated tubes Mercury vapor arc lamps. They are designed to be floor operated and require a very long treatment time for disinfection due to their UV light dispersing omnidirectionally. They use very high output power UV vacuum tubes to compensate the losses due to distance to reach a target. Turning toFIG. 2Fillustrates the UV also follows the inverse-square-law of intensity, I=power divided by 4 π times radius square. Their quantities of UV photos reaching the target are in the rate of hyperbolic diminishing returns.

The disclosure uses LED144or laser diode244to eliminate the physical inverse-square-law disadvantage. Returning toFIG. 2A, the LED144used inFIG. 2is small, very tiny footprint unidirectional point source light which is easy to adapt an optical lens to zoom and focus its light beam pattern. The lens of LED144zooms in or out to focus light to a highly concentrated tight photon beam146to efficiently inactivate viruses in minimal time. To cover an entire space with UV irradiation, turning toFIG. 2Bas illustrated, the drone10hovers on air and includes two tightly focused UV beams146striking on wall400. Turning toFIG. 2C, the drone hovers while switches on motor160rotate the LED module140as indicated by arrow161for two lines of UV beams146striking the wall400. The line of beam146is placed on pulse mode for illustration purpose; a continuous line of light146is preferred. Then inFIG. 2Dwith the same condition asFIG. 2C, switches on the vibration motor170indicated by arrow171. The two lines of UV beam146further fill and over scan without missing any void. To fully irradiate the wall400with UV, the drone10flies in ascent and descent motions indicated by arrow184between elevations from floor and ceiling as illustrated onFIG. 2E. Using zoom and focusing UV beam via an LED as illustrated inFIG. 2, or a laser diode version inFIG. 3enable disinfection in long range with shorter time and each pixel of beam remaining as powerful as from the light source to the target. The laser diode244version is ideal for large space disinfection with an optical focus lens attached in front of the diode244.

Turning toFIG. 3is another version of the advanced multi function drone10equipped with motor50driving propeller51installed on the motor shaft54in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The motor50is mounted on support frame53. Drone housing52comprises drone computer CPU33in communication with GPS device35and Wi-Fi wireless unit34and 360 degree obstacle avoidance device23which provides information from video camera20. Antenna22sends and receives data to its remote controller. A speaker15announces a message to warn occupants nearby the area to vacate during the drone operation. Dedicated battery37only serves the drone while battery38powers all accessories such as cartridge assembly100which includes ultraviolet C generator power supply242,81and high voltage generator modules92,60,36and70. The removable and configurable modular cartridge assembly100comprises particle collector module61, front-end UV-C LED module80, negative ions generator module71and a rear-end oxygen recovery UV-C generator84. The cartridge assembly100can be removed if not being used by loosening up mounting nut101. On the bottom of cartridge100is mounted a solid state semiconductor UV-C module240. The module240is a hollow core tubular shaped cage mounted with multiple units of UV-C solid state Laser diode (LD) projector244. A fan91assisted Ozone generator90installed sideways of drone10mounted on articulate joint58sprays ozone gas in any direction. An oxygen tank95feeds concentrated oxygen via hose96into the ozone generator90to boost Ozone production. Drone10also eradicates flying insects such as mosquitoes via a cage300which includes high voltage screens55and56protected by an isolated screen57to guard against accidental electric shock when the cage300is electrified.

FIG. 4shows a top view of drone10in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. An electrified high voltage cage300comprises oppositely charged screen mesh55and56. Flying insects such as mosquitoes13contact the screens55,56and are immediately zapped to death. The safety protection screen57extends from the drone's10body to the top thereof. Also shown is ozone generator90, its oxygen tank95and its injection hose96. Air current pulls into top of drone10as indicated with arrow59.

FIG. 5shows the bottom view of the vacuum tube UV-C drone10in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure. Shown are cartridge assembly100, a cartridge mounting cage102mounted with multiple units of vacuum tube UV-C bulb44around hollow core tubular shaped cage module40, power supply cable43connect to power supply42and articulate joint58which allows ozone generator90to aim at any angle. Inside the ozone generator90there are ceramic ozone discharge plates94. Purified air exhaust flow from bottom of drone10is indicated with arrow59.

Turning toFIG. 6is shown the bottom view of solid state semiconductor LED UV-C drone10in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. Shown are cartridge assembly100, a cartridge mounting cage102mounted with multiple units of solid state UV-C LED projector144around hollow core tubular shaped cage module140, power supply cable143connected to power supply142and articulate joint58which allows ozone generator90to aim at any angle. Inside the ozone generator90there is located a ceramic ozone discharge plate94.

There are plurality of UV projectors144installed on the outer surface of tubular shaped cage module140. The projectors144are electronically partitioned in addressable array configurations. The arrays communicate with the drone camera20to perform live object and face detection of human presence. A specific array which registered a human presence corresponding to camera20captures an image switched off accordingly to avoid the occupants being irradiated with UV-C beams146from the specific projectors144in the areas. The UV-C beams146in the arrays are human avoidant and pre-programmed for a sequence of actions for the cage module140to perform and are self directed to avoid occupants being irradiated.FIG. 6shows the camera20for detecting humans in zones B, C and D. The projectors144are active only in Zone A in this embodiment.

Turning toFIG. 7is shown the bottom view of a solid state semiconductor laser diode UV-C drone10. The cartridge assembly100, a cartridge mounting cage102mounted with multiple units of solid state UV-C laser diode projectors244around the hollow core tubular shaped cage module240, power supply cable243connected to power supply242and articulate joint58allow ozone generator90to aim at any angle. Inside the ozone generator90there is ceramic ozone discharge plate94.

There are plurality of UV projectors244installed on the outer surface of tubular shaped cage module240. The projectors244are electronically partitioned in an addressable array configuration. The arrays communicate with the drone camera20which performs live object and face detection of human presence. A specific array registers human presence that corresponds to camera20capturing an image switched off accordingly to avoid the occupants being irradiated with UV-C beams246from the specific projectors244in the areas. The UV-C beams246in the arrays are human avoidant and pre-programmed with a sequence of actions for the cage module240to perform and self direct to avoid occupants being irradiated.FIG. 7shows the camera20detecting a human in zone A, B and D. The projectors244are active only in Zone C in the present embodiment.

FIG. 8is the top view of a front-end LED UV-C light module80taken out from removable and configurable modular cartridge100. The UV-C light disinfects the passing air pulled in from propellers. The UV-C is also used to excite TIO2 coatings on the surfaces of particle collector plates.

FIG. 9is the top view of spaced apart electrostatic TIO2 coated plates per module61taken out from cartridge100in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The titanium oxide is a metal oxide semiconductor coated on plates63and64configured to convert polluted air to harmless CO2 and water via a photocatalysis reaction by irradiating UV light from module80.

FIG. 10is a top view of a negative ions generator module71taken out from a cartridge100in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The negative ions help polluted air particles particulate on the floor and refresh the room air.

FIG. 11is a top view of a rear-end LED UV-C light module84taken out from a cartridge100in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The 240 nm to 340 nm UV-C light function is for rapidly converting residual ozone still in the air back to normal oxygen molecules; it is a simulated method to decompose ozone.

Turning toFIG. 12is a perspective view of a vacuum tube UV-C module40in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The module40is a hollow core, tubular shaped cage attached to a mount102. The mount102is bolted on a bottom of drone10cartridge100through the hardware nut101. Multiple units of vacuum tube UV-C bulbs44are installed on the surface area of module40. Light beam46is shown irradiated rather than a tight beam.

FIG. 12Ashowing one of UV-C bulb44installed in a focusing reflector47to boost its light output efficacy in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

InFIG. 13, a perspective view of a solid state semiconductor Laser Diode UV-C module240is illustrated in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The module240is a hollow core, tubular shaped cage attached to mount102. The mount102is bolted on bottom of drone10cartridge100through the hardware nut101. Multiple units of solid state semiconductor Laser Diode UV-C projectors244are installed on the surface area of module240. Light beam246irradiates a pattern shown via a non focused coherent beam for a wider spread of light coverage. A small focusing lens can be attached in front of the diode244enabling the laser to become coherent and focused for very long range disinfection application. The resulting focused and coherent laser beam is very powerful and users should wear eye protection gear since UV-C is invisible to humans. A visible red 650 nm laser pointer diode258is added to guide the scanning area and signaling no human traffic is allowed in the area. The projectors244are grouped and assigned to different arrays for addressing and partitioning.

FIG. 13Ashows one of UV-C laser diodes244without a focusing lens in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Turning toFIG. 14is the perspective view of ozone generation element94, a corona discharge ceramic plate98taken out from ozone generator module90in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. A fan91pulls in natural air59which contains 21% of the oxygen passing element94to become ozone. An oxygen tank95injects extra pure oxygen via hose96to boost ozone level. The kinetic diameter of ozone is slightly larger than 346 Pico meters.

As it is gas, its able to seep into gaps and be very powerful to disinfecting viruses hidden in inconspicuous space. Naturally the sun irradiates a broad spectrum of UV light that creates ozone and restores ozone to normal oxygen molecules in the Stratosphere.

FIG. 15illustrates oxygen molecules, O2 in the upper stratosphere absorbing short wavelength UV radiation between 100 nm to 240 nm dissociating into ozone in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. Ozone, O3 is a strong absorber of longer wavelength electromagnetic radiation between 240 nm to 340 nm. The absorbed energy converts ozone into normal oxygen molecules O2. The disclosure uses the rear-end oxygen recovery module84comprising an array of UV-C about 265 nm LED to rapidly convert residual ozone passing through module84pulled in from the propeller blades51of drone10.

Turning toFIG. 16is the perspective view of drone10as shown and described inFIG. 2. The safety protection screen57is removed to show only two cross bars to remind users of safety features. The cage300is shown comprising two layers of electrified high voltage screens55,56. Insects, such as mosquitoes13carrying diseases including dengue virus are electrocuted upon contact with the cage300. A set of fans91assist forced air ozone modules90attached on articulated joints58directing ozone in any direction. Pure oxygen stored in tanks95is optional for boosting ozone production level. A color flashlight17is mounted on the nozzle of ozone generator90for warning ozone is being sprayed because ozone is invisible to humans. On bottom of drone10is mounted a bi-directional rotating motion motor160indicating with arrow161that module140is installed with multiple units of solid state semiconductor UV-C LED144. The LED144zooms and is focus adjustable from wide beam coverage to a narrow tight beam as shown onFIG. 2A.FIG. 16Ais an open center turntable102,103used for connecting drone10and the projector module140.

Turning toFIG. 17is illustrated an autonomous mobile robot plus a drone10configured for wide area disinfection system500for users who have no knowledge of flying a drone10in a very crowded tight space. The drone10is equipped with LED UV module140. The drone10further comprises a detachable stab-in mount bracket198connected to a screw drive carriage181. The carriage181includes a threaded rack194which can engage to the telescopic tension screw drive shaft180. The disengage lever186is shown in a position relative to the carriage181engaged with the threads of the screw drive pole180. The top of screw drive shaft180can be temporarily fixed to the ceiling by a bumper188for a more secure sturdy support from tipping over, or just using its motorized floor stand187without ceiling support. When the system10is turned on, the drone10tends to rotate depending on the force differential. For example, as shown inFIG. 17Ais the top view of a drone10. There are four Propeller blades51controlled by its system gyro. If Blades A1, B1spin faster than A2, B2, the drone10steers in a clockwise direction shown by arrow185. Likewise, if blades A2and B2spin faster than A1and B1, the result is steering counter-clockwise. Drone10remains still when all blades51are at the same speed. The levers186lock the threaded rack194of carriage181onto the screw drive180. The drone10will follow the threads pattern of screw drive180to rotate in a direction indicated by arrow185either going up or coming down in a controlled manner. To bring the drone10to a particular height, a user simply activates the screw drive shaft motor190while keeping the drone10in a still position. Another alternative is to simply twist the lever186clockwise to disengage the threaded rack194to free carriage181. The drone10now can slide up and down freely along the screw drive shaft180as shown by arrow182.

FIG. 17Bis one of the motorized rotary shadow reflectors210which bounce back forward going UV light beam146to reach the backside of a target. The rotating reflector210includes a plurality of shiny mirrors, but without reflector210the backside of the target will not be disinfected. It is important to let the drone10fly in ascenting and descenting motions through the two sets of counter-rotating blades51to create air turbulence199. This turbulence action199dislodges dust, virus and the like on airborne surfaces. It is sucked in from top of drone10passing a series of treatment modules80,61,71,84then exits from bottom of drone10indicated by wind arrow59. Other than using screw drive shaft180, the shaft180can use a belt drive or chain drive or linear actuator653to serve the same purpose.

The motorized floor stand187includes extendable legs for a taller screw drive shaft180to add stability. The screw drive shaft180can be driven by stepping motor190to rotate the shaft180shown in arrow191. A ring nut183adjusts the height of the shaft to maximize the effectiveness of the system500. The system500further includes a motor196to drive the floor stand187on wheels189autonomously as indicated by direction195via the drone10navigation system20,22,23,33,34and35. A battery pack197provides power for the system500. Utility power192is available for recharging the battery197. Since the system500should operate in an unoccupied room, it also includes human avoidant features. A smart phone193is used to remote control the system500movements. Users can monitor the operation with FPV (First-Person View) via Wi-Fi from a smartphone.

InFIG. 18is an Upper-Room germicidal overhead disinfecting autonomous mobile robot plus a drone10system600in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure. Illustrated here is circulating still air in a room with the help of drone10and propeller51downdraft indicated by arrow59. The drone's propellers51create a convection air current so that polluted air and viruses are pulled into the drone10to be purified by the cartridge module100. The viruses raised to a ceiling level will be inactivated by UV-C module140. The upper-room disinfection with UV-C is useful in almost any situation in homes, schools, churches, restaurants and more. When the camera20detects an occupant, the human avoidant object and face detection drone10will automatically rise to ceiling level about seven feet from the floor. The UV-C beams146irradiate above occupant's head assured by the camera20. After the occupant leaves the room, the system600starts irradiating the vacant room from floor to ceiling.

Turning toFIG. 19is a personal portable isolation ozone disinfection booth system650constructed of plastic panel booth651or a lightweight pop-up enclosed canopy in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The user610protects themselves with active ozone filtering mask620comprising UV LED ozone decomposer660lined with manganese oxides or activated carbon690in padding. A commercially available mask from 3M Particulate Respirator 8514, N95 and eye protection gear can substitute the mask620shown here to keep the user safe by avoiding excessive exposure to ozone. The portable disinfection booth system650illustrates the motorized floor stand187is not needed. A simpler two sections or multi sections conceal the screw drive shaft linear actuator653instead of the sample shown inFIG. 18via an exposed single piece high reach long screw drive shaft180for high ceiling application. However, care should be taken in considering safety that wind turbulence199can lift a person's long hair to catch in the exposed turning screw drive shaft180. The bottom section of actuator653is stationary. The screw drive motor190provides the ascent and decent motion to drone10via drone mounting bracket652shown on arrow654. The system650can be placed in the front porch on a house or door entrance of a school to disinfect each individual prior to admitting entrance to the interior of respective establishments will benefit everyone's health. The sample linear actuator653when fully extended reaches nine feet (2.7 meter) tall and contracts to a much shorter length for ease of transport.

The forced air assisted ozone generator90can be detached from drone10for use as a portable disinfectant sprayer unlike the conventional liquid mist sprayer fogging with chemicals. The ozone generator90sprays ozone instead to disinfect viruses and can be used to spray high concentrations of ozone to destroy farm pests.

FIG. 20displays the mask620used inFIG. 19worn by the occupant610in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.FIG. 20Ais a side exposed view of mask620showing fabric621and battery680which powers the reusable ozone decomposing UV LED stick670shown onFIG. 20Bover wavelengths 200 nm to 340 nm. A passive activated carbon ozone filter690installed in slanted position slows down air velocity to provide added safety to when LED670fails. Airflow59shown inFIG. 20Amixed with residual ozone enters into the decomposer box660irradiated with UV LED670to decompose ozone to stable diatomic oxygen (normal oxygen molecules). An exhale check valve compartment681provides moisten fluid to be irradiated with UV LED670prior to exiting the mask620. The passive filter690is made from activated carbon, manganese oxides and the like. An USB socket682picks up power from a smart phone or another portable power source to greatly extend the run time of the mask620.

The illustration inFIG. 21depicts the ozone generator90removed from drone10in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. A worker14performs ozone spray for virus disinfection.FIG. 21Ashows the ozone sprayer90carrying a small oxygen tank to boost ozone output to increase its effectiveness. A color flashlight17can be red or green mounted on the nozzle of the ozone generator90to guide the worker14to aim the invisible ozone. Ozone will decompose into normal oxygen molecules in about fifteen minutes in open air.

FIG. 22illustrates the various functions the drone10can perform in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The invention installs a rear-end UV-C light about 265 nm in wavelength into module84with the help from drone's propellers51to re-circulate the residual ozone that is still floating on air rapidly converted back to normal harmless oxygen. The rear-end UV-C module84shortens the half-life of ozone decomposition time, thus allowing occupants to return to the treated area in shorter wait time for their health safety. The disclosure further utilizes the module ozone90to destroy agricultural pests such as caterpillars via a high concentration of ozone to plug the insect's respiratory system cause damage to their internal organs. An alternative to flexible drive shaft150and250shown inFIG. 2, 3is substituted with an open center turn table shown inFIG. 16Aintegrated to adapter ring103and the mount102of UV module40,140and240to provide oscillation motion. The disclosure uses object and face detection to protect occupant from irradiation of UV-C. Focused UV-C beams can be continuous operated in the upper-room configuration.