Methods and systems for dispersing decontamination products

An electrostatic spraying system for decontamination of a vehicle is described. The system includes a wheeled platform sized to fit inside the vehicle, at least one tank operable to contain one or more decontaminant agents, the tanks supported by said wheeled platform, a plurality of nozzles affixed to the wheeled platform, wherein each nozzle is positioned for distribution of the decontaminant agents in at least one pre-determined direction, an electrostatic charging system connected to each of the nozzles for applying an electrostatic charge to the decontaminant agents as the agents are dispersed, and at least one compressor in communication with the tanks for pressurizing the decontaminant agents. The one or more compressors are capable of providing a pressure sufficient to provide a constant distribution of the decontaminant agents through the electrostatic nozzles.

BACKGROUND

The field of the disclosure relates generally to decontamination of enclosed spaces where persons periodically gather, and more specifically, to methods and systems for dispersing decontamination products such as biological and chemical decontamination products.

Recently, the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) pandemic has revealed a clear vulnerability regarding global disease transmission, and its effect on the global economy. One industry that was seriously affected is the transportation industry which includes the airline industry. Current concerns over the H1N1 virus have reaffirmed the effect of such pandemics on the global economy as well as the economics of the airline industry. For example, during the SARS pandemic, airlines lost billions of dollars of revenue due to maintenance and reduced aircraft availability.

The long decontamination processes, currently recommended by the CDC requires using manual wipe out of the surfaces, which can be easily seen as impacting aircraft operation and could contribute to a loss of revenues for airlines. For example, manual disinfecting of an aircraft vehicle is very time consuming. For a typical commercial aircraft this manual wipe down process can take days or even weeks to complete. As the process is performed by airline personnel, there are limitations to this “cloth and bucket” approach. Manual sprayers are known, but again, such a process can be inadequate and less efficient.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION

In one aspect, an electrostatic spraying system for decontamination of a vehicle is described. The system includes a wheeled platform sized to fit inside the vehicle, at least one tank operable to contain one or more decontaminant agents, the tanks supported by said wheeled platform, a plurality of nozzles affixed to the wheeled platform, wherein each nozzle is positioned for distribution of the decontaminant agents in at least one pre-determined direction, an electrostatic charging system connected to each of the nozzles for applying an electrostatic charge to the decontaminant agents as the agents are dispersed, and at least one compressor in communication with the tanks for pressurizing the decontaminant agents. The one or more compressors are capable of providing a pressure sufficient to provide a constant distribution of the decontaminant agents through the electrostatic nozzles.

In another aspect, a method for dispersing a decontamination agent within an aircraft cabin is provided. The method includes manually dispersing electrostatically charged decontamination agent from a tank positioned within a rolling cart to one or more defined areas within the aircraft cabin, moving the rolling cart along a defined path within the aircraft, and automatically dispersing the electrostatically charged decontamination agent from the tank to additional areas of the cabin via a plurality of electrostatically charged nozzles attached to the rolling cart, the dispersing occurring, at least in part, as the rolling cart moves along the defined path within the aircraft.

In still another aspect, an aircraft decontamination system is provided that includes a wheeled platform sized to fit within a galley cart storage area of an aircraft, a canister mounted within the wheeled platform and operable to contain a decontaminant agent, a compressor mounted within the wheeled platform and operable to apply a pressure to decontamination agent within the canister, a plurality of nozzles affixed to the wheeled platform and fluidly coupled to the canister, each nozzle positioned for distribution of the decontaminant agents in at least one pre-determined direction, an electrostatic charging system operatively attached to each of the nozzles for applying an electrostatic charge to droplets of the decontaminant agent as the decontamination agent is dispersed from the nozzles, and a manually operated nozzle attached to the canister.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As further disclosed by the described embodiments, a self contained system is described for air and ground transport vehicle systems, as well as permanently placed ground structures. The system provides a mechanism enabling the interior decontamination of such structures against influenza viruses, bacteria, chemical agents, and biological agents, to name a few. Embodiments of the device include a manually operated hand sprayer which is used for localized dispersion, and a plurality of automatically operated spray nozzles, mounted such that they will disperse decontaminants via electrostatic spray, for example, to assure complete coverage of the vehicle interior, resulting in decontamination with minimal maintenance. In one preferred embodiment, the use of electrostatic spray results in two micron to forty micron size droplets, which allows for the use of less decontamination agent than at least certain current decontamination methods and also minimizing material damages due to contact with decontaminant agents.

In one embodiment, the disclosed system is an integrated system that can be housing in a device similar to an existing aircraft service/food cart, which allows for storage within the aircraft (replacing one of the service/food carts). In one scenario, such a system would replace one of the service/food carts during a pandemic. Such a system would then be periodically guided down one or more aisles of an aircraft, manually or automatically, while manually and/or automatically dispersing one or more decontamination agents. While described in terms of a commercial aircraft implementation, other aircraft (military, private, cargo) applications are also contemplated as well as applications within ground transport vehicles and buildings. As further described within, the system is operable for the optional manual spraying of localized areas with a variety of chemical and biological decontamination agents, and further operable for the automatic spraying of the remaining areas of the aircraft, for example, using electrostatic spray nozzles for aircraft interior decontamination using such chemical, biological, and/or other decontamination agents.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, embodiments of the disclosure may be described in the context of aircraft manufacturing and service method100as shown inFIG. 1and an aircraft200as shown inFIG. 2. During pre-production, aircraft manufacturing and service method100may include specification and design102of aircraft200and material procurement104.

During production, component and subassembly manufacturing106and system integration108of aircraft200takes place. Thereafter, aircraft200may go through certification and delivery110in order to be placed in service112. While in service by a customer, aircraft200is scheduled for routine maintenance and service114(which may also include modification, reconfiguration, refurbishment, and so on). While the embodiments described herein relate generally to servicing of commercial aircraft, they may be practiced at other stages of the aircraft manufacturing and service method100. For example, a decontamination process may be implemented at various stages of aircraft production as many people have access to an aircraft and its components during a production process.

As shown inFIG. 2, aircraft200produced by aircraft manufacturing and service method100may include airframe202with a plurality of systems204and interior206. Examples of systems204include one or more of propulsion system208, electrical system210, hydraulic system212, and environmental system214. Any number of other systems may be included in this example. Although an aerospace example is shown, the principles of the disclosure may be applied to other industries, such as the automotive industry.

Apparatus and methods embodied herein may be employed during any one or more of the stages of aircraft manufacturing and service method100. For example, without limitation, components or subassemblies corresponding to component and subassembly manufacturing106may be fabricated or manufactured in a manner similar to components or subassemblies produced while aircraft200is in service.

Also, one or more apparatus embodiments, method embodiments, or a combination thereof may be utilized during component and subassembly manufacturing106and system integration108, for example, without limitation, by substantially expediting assembly of or reducing the cost of aircraft200. Similarly, one or more of apparatus embodiments, method embodiments, or a combination thereof may be utilized while aircraft200is in service, for example, without limitation, to maintenance and service114may be used during system integration108and/or maintenance and service114to determine whether parts may be connected and/or mated to each other.

Turning now toFIG. 3, a schematic diagram of a decontamination product dispersion system300is depicted in accordance with an illustrative embodiment. System300includes two storage tanks310and312, sometimes referred to as canisters, though it is easily understood that fewer or additional storage tanks could be incorporated into the system300. The separate tanks310and312hold decontamination fluid, for example, of the type that cannot be stored together. Alternatively the tanks may hold the same fluid but be fluidly connected to different nozzles as described below. Each tank is fluidly coupled to a corresponding compressor320and322though is would be fairly straightforward to develop a system similar to system300that utilizes only one compressor.

Air from the respective compressors320and322passes through a compressed air shut off valve330,332, a pressure regulator340,342, and is operatively coupled to a pressure relief valve350,352prior to entering the respective fluid storage tank310,312. Each of the tanks310,312is in fluid communication with a pressure gauge360,362.

The embodiment of system300illustrated inFIG. 3includes a plurality of nozzles370,372,374,376, and378. In the embodiment, pressurized fluid from tank310passes through valve380(when opened) to nozzles370and372. Prior to reaching nozzles370and372, the pressurized fluid is combined with air pressure from compressor320, which passes through valve390(when opened). Similarly, pressurized fluid from tank312passes through valve382(when opened) to nozzles374and376. Prior to reaching nozzles374and376, the pressurized fluid is combined with air pressure from compressor322, which passes through valve392. In the illustrated embodiment, nozzle376is a hand nozzle and is operated separately from nozzles370,372,374, and376. In the embodiment, pressurized fluid from tank312passes through valve384(when opened) to nozzle378. Prior to reaching nozzle378, the pressurized fluid is combined with air pressure from compressor322, which passes through valve394. In embodiments, nozzles370,372,374,376, and378are electrostatic nozzles. As such, power sources396and398are included within system300, and provide power to the electrostatic charging system associates with the various individual nozzles.

The above described system300is, in at least one embodiment, installed in a rolling cart400sized to fit in most vehicles such as aircraft and other transportation vehicles as depicted inFIG. 4. As further described, vaporous spraying nozzles, electrostatic charging of vapor droplets, and at least one air compressor are incorporated for vaporization and dispersion of decontamination fluid within vehicles such as ships, trains, and other large vehicles.

Referring specifically toFIG. 4, it is a perspective view of cart400which includes nozzles370,372, and374as well as tanks310and312. This embodiment of cart400is sized for movement down the aisle of a typical commercial aircraft. Further, this embodiment of cart400is sized to be roughly the same dimensions as an aircraft galley cart, and can be stored within a commercial aircraft within one of the galley cart storage areas. In use, cart400can be pushed down the aisle of a commercial aircraft as maintenance personnel manually spray the seats and open overhead bins, lavatory doors and other compartments, with, for example nozzle378(shown inFIG. 3) which is denoted as being a hand operated nozzle (and shown inFIG. 5in a storage location within cart400). After the initial localized spraying, the cart400can be manually or automatically moved down the aircraft aisle while continuing to disinfect all the remaining surfaces in the vehicle, outputting the decontamination fluid droplets from the pre-positioned nozzles370,372,374, and376. In one embodiment, during the automatic operation of cart400, an electrostatic dispersion spraying technique is performed by these nozzles to assure adherence of the decontaminating agent to the various surfaces of the aircraft for maximum effectiveness.

FIG. 5is a side view of cart400with a cover panel removed. In this figure, one placement of tanks310and312, air compressors320and322and nozzles370,372,374, and376are shown as well as some of the fluid communication apparatus therebetween. In embodiments, nozzles370,372,374, and376are stationary, with respect to cart400, while in other embodiments nozzles370,372,374, and376are capable of movement (automatic or manual) in one or more dimensions.

An end view of cart400, as shown inFIG. 6, provides further information regarding placement of nozzles370,372,374, and376within cart400while also providing relative dimensions of cart400. As can be easily discerned from review ofFIG. 6, cart400is easily adaptable to provide decontamination capabilities for airlines. The service/food cart configuration of decontamination system300is easily available within an airplane in case of an outbreak of a germ or virus. Decontamination system300within cart400enables decontamination of an airplane and return of the aircraft to operation within a day. Droplets from decontamination system300are utilized to reach relatively complex geometric surfaces including the areas that are difficult for airline personnel to reach.

The above described cart400and system300may be modified to include many features and optional equipment. For example,FIG. 7is a block diagram of a decontamination system500, configured for placement on a cart, which illustrates several of these options. For simplicity, certain of the items described with respect toFIG. 1are not shown or described with respect toFIG. 7.

In the illustrated embodiment, decontamination system500includes a tank502and compressor504which are fluidly connected to one another. Several items may be associated with tank502including a flowmeter510for measuring a flow of decontamination fluid out of tank502, a pressure gauge512for measuring the pressure within tank502, and a fluid gauge514for determining an amount of decontamination fluid remaining within tank502.

As the pressurized decontamination fluid exits tank502and passes through flowmeter510, it is dispersing to one or more nozzles.FIG. 7illustrates the components of one nozzle system520that includes an electrostatic charging system522, the nozzle524, and a nozzle directional control526. Note that one or more additional nozzle systems520may be incorporated into decontamination system500. In embodiments, nozzle directional control526may include a stepper motor or other device that causes the nozzle524to move across a range of positions as the decontamination agent is dispersed.

A power supply530may be included within system500providing the voltage necessary to operate the compressor504, the various electrostatic charging systems522, the nozzle directional controllers526, as well as a cart drive system540and a cart controller550. In embodiments, power supply530utilizes an external power source, and in other embodiments, powers supply530utilizes aircraft generated power. The controller is utilized to control operation of the cart including movement of the cart via cart drive system540, operation of the tank502and compressor504combination based on data received at a display560. The controller550may be further programmed to provide signals to cart drive system540to control a rate of movement, and direction of movement of the cart. In embodiments, display560includes data from one or more of the flowmeter510, pressure gauge512, and tank level gauge514.

For automatic movement of the cart using cart drive system540, via controller550, a sensor system570may be incorporated which in combination provides the function of maintaining the movement of the cart along a predefined course, for example, down the aisle of an aircraft, at a predefined rate.

The currently utilized decontamination methods include manual wipe out, use of manually operated spray distribution systems manually (e.g., a backpack type of system), or fogging of the vehicle. Manual wipe out, or spray distribution are very time consuming. A fogging method has to saturate the entire area. In the fogging operation, the submicron fog particles (less than 2 micron size of droplets) may stay suspended within an aircraft cabin, for example, for many hours. In addition, the fog particles may penetrate areas where such moisture is undesired, for example, wire bundles and sensitive avionics equipment, as well as leaving a residue in these areas. In contrast, cart400with system300installed therein allows the manual spraying of certain areas with minimal decontamination agent use and the automatic electrostatic vapor spray to disperse decontaminants that address the remaining areas using a single, simple to use system. The electrostatic aspect of the spray nozzles results in the dispersion of the charged decontamination agent which causes the particles to adhere to the various surfaces, for example, within the aircraft thereby also reduced the amount of time the particles are suspended in the compartment.

One unique aspect of system300is that it provides an easily adaptable, transportable, and effective decontamination tool for use within an aircraft interior and it is believed that decontamination times for a commercial aircraft will be reduced from days to hours with a far superior decontamination result. As illustrated by cart400, system300can be easily stored onboard an aircraft and drastically reduce aircraft decontamination turn around time, positively impacting aircraft operation and contributing to airline cost saving.

Outside of commercial aircraft use, system300can easily be adapted for placement on other cart configurations for use in homeland security, private and military aircraft, permanent facilities (e.g., buildings), marine vessels, trucks, buses, trains and most any form of transportation, again providing reductions in vehicle and facility down time, cost savings, all in a stand alone system.