Abstract:
A lamp standard for mounting in an air handling system composed of a stand having a plurality of channels wherein the channels span along the longitudinal axis of the stand and a plurality of lamp modules positioned over the channels. The lamp modules include a housing, a lamp bulb extending from the housing, and the wiring associated with the lamp modules are positioned within the channels. In use, the lamp standard can be installed within a heating, ventilation, or air conditioning (HVAC) system to minimize airborne and/or surface microorganism contaminants. The ultraviolet dosage delivered to the HVAC system can be controlled by varying the number of lamp standards, number of lamp modules coupled to the lamp standards, and spacing between the individual lamp standards.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     This patent application is a continuation application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/677,969 filed Oct. 1, 2003 for ULTRAVIOLET LAMP STANDARDS AND METHODS OF USE THEREOF, which application is incorporated herein by this reference thereto. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND  
       [0002]     Ultraviolet (UV) light energy has long been used in the disinfection of water, surfaces and air. The mechanism of disinfection and the effects that UV energy, particularly that in the UVC-germicidal wavelengths, is well understood. Recently, more UV applications have been made in HVAC equipment. HVAC equipment can range from small, stand-alone air cleaners to large commercial and industrial systems for buildings. In large systems, UV lamps can be mounted on rooftops or in equipment rooms.  
         [0003]     Typically, these systems contain an air handling unit (fan), heating components such as electric coils or heat exchangers, air-conditioning coils, air filter elements, and the necessary enclosure and duct work to bring building and outside air into the equipment and deliver it back to the building. UV light can then be applied at several locations within this HVAC system. Common locations may be near the filters, near surfaces which may harbor mold and bacteria, near air-conditioning coils, near drain pans and possibly in a cross-section of the duct to disinfect the moving air stream.  
         [0004]     Depending upon the application, the UV lamp fixtures can be mounted individually within the system or exterior to the ductwork incorporating fixtures that have the lamp itself protruding into the ductwork. Also, in some applications, the ballasts that power the lamps can be located within the duct and enclosed in a fixture. In many applications, the ballasts can be located external to the duct and connected to the lamps via wiring and conduit. Installations of these UV lamps are often complex and costly because the lamp fixtures typically require individual mounting and a separate supporting frame structure. Wiring these lamps can also be complex and costly as each lamp or lamp fixture via wire and conduit to operate. In addition, complex framework and fixture mounting can partially block the air paths that can contribute to loss of airflow and pressure drop.  
       SUMMARY  
       [0005]     Exemplary embodiments disclosed herein are directed to lamp standards that may be fixed within an HVAC system. According to one exemplary embodiment, the lamp standard is composed of a stand body that may have one or more lamp modules mounted thereon. The channels span the length of the lamp standard, which allow the lamp modules to be mounted at any point on the stand body. The stand body includes a plurality of channels that is sized to house the wiring associated with the lamp modules. More specifically, the base of the lamp module and the walls of the channels define an enclosed space that house the wiring associated with the lamp modules and ballasts. Accordingly, this enclosed space protects the writing from the harmful effects of the UV light emitted from the lamp bulbs.  
         [0006]     In another exemplary embodiment, the lamp standard is composed of a stand body having a first body shell and a second body shell. The first and second body shells may be coupled together to define an enclosure. Within the enclosure, the lamp modules and the power modules may be housed therein. The body shells also include a plurality of openings that are sized to allow the lamp bulbs associated with the lamp modules to extend away from the lamp standard. The wiring associated with the lamp modules and ballasts are contained within the enclosure of the lamp standard.  
         [0007]     Accordingly, the various embodiments of the lamp standard provides a means of providing UV lamps within a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system. The lamp standards have a generally low profile thereby minimizing airflow blockage. Also, the lamp standards are modular and can be adapted for various applications requiring differing UV dosages for a given area. Futhermore, by providing an enclosure within the lamp standard, the wiring associated with the lamp standard may be protected from the harmful effects of UV light and radiation. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0008]      FIG. 1  is an exemplary embodiment of a lamp standard;  
         [0009]      FIG. 2  is a cross-sectional view of the lamp standard of  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0010]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment wherein the lamp standard of  FIG. 1  is installed within a HVAC system;  
         [0011]      FIG. 4  is an exploded perspective view of an exemplary lamp module;  
         [0012]      FIG. 5  is another exemplary embodiment of a lamp standard;  
         [0013]      FIG. 6  is an exploded perspective view of a portion of the lamp standard of  FIG. 5 ; and  
         [0014]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the lamp standard of  FIG. 5  installed within a HVAC system. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0015]     The detailed description set forth below in connection with the appended drawings is intended as a description of exemplary embodiments and is not intended to represent the only forms in which the exemplary embodiments may be constructed and/or utilized. The description sets forth the functions and the sequence of steps for constructing and operating the exemplary embodiments in connection with the illustrated embodiments. However, it is to be understood that the same or equivalent functions and sequences may be accomplished by different embodiments that are also intended to be encompassed within the spirit and scope of the invention.  
         [0016]      FIG. 1  illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a lamp standard  100 . Broadly, the lamp standard  100  may be composed of a stand body  101 , a plurality of lamp modules  105  coupled to the stand body  101 , and one or more power modules  107 . As shown in  FIG. 1 , the stand body  101  has a generally X-shaped cross-section formed from intersecting walls. The intersecting walls of the stand body  101  define a plurality of channels  102 . As shown in  FIGS. 1-2 , the stand body  101  has a generally X-shaped cross-section to define a polygonal structure. More specifically, the lamp stand body  101 , as depicted in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , depict a generally square perimeter. Accordingly, lamp modules  105  may be placed on one or more of the four sides of the lamp stand  101 . As those skilled in the art will appreciate, two or more walls may be used to define a plurality of polygonal shapes such as a triangle, a rectangle, a pentagon, or other shapes known in the art.  
         [0017]     As shown in the exemplary embodiment of  FIG. 1 , the channel  102  is generally V-shaped. In alternate embodiments, the channels  102  may be rectangular or otherwise shaped to define a channel. The channels  102  are sized to house wires (not shown) that are associated with the lamp module  105  and the power module  107 . The stand body  101  also includes a plurality of grooves  103  that span along the longitudinal axis of the stand body  101  and are adjacent to the channel  102 . As shown in  FIG. 1 , the grooves  103  are continuous along the length of the stand body  101 , but in an alternate embodiment, the grooves may be intermittent (i.e., span shorter distances). The stand body  101  may also include a through-hole (not shown) that allows for the power source wiring (not shown) to be coupled to the power module  107 . As shown in  FIG. 2 , the stand body  101  may include a plurality of notches  200  that are provided within the channels  102 . The notches  200  are positioned such that they are in-line with an opposing corner of the channel  102 .  
         [0018]     Turning back to  FIG. 1 , the lamp module  105  is fastened to the stand body  101  by fastening members  104 . In one exemplary embodiment, the fastening members  104  may be screws. As those skilled in the art will appreciate, the fastening members  104  may be bolts, clamps, and/or other coupling means. According to one exemplary embodiment, the lamp module  105  is secured to the lamp stand body  101  and is configured such that the lamp bulb  106  extends from a lamp module such that it is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the stand body  101 . In an alternate embodiment, as those skilled in the art will appreciate, the lamp module  105  may be configured such that the lamp bulb  106  extends from the lamp module  105  in a direction that is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the stand body  101 . In yet another exemplary embodiment, the lamp module  105  may be configured such that the lamp bulb  100  extends from the lamp module  105  at an angle.  
         [0019]     Additionally, one or more power modules  107  may also be coupled to the stand body  101 . The power modules  107  may be electrically coupled to one or more lamp modules  105 . According to one exemplary embodiment, the power module  107  may be able to accommodate one to twenty-four lamp modules  105 . However, as those skilled in the art will appreciate, other exemplary embodiments of the power module  107  may be utilized that can handle more than twenty-four lamp modules  105 .  
         [0020]     Additionally, as shown in  FIG. 1 , a plate  108  may be placed within the channel of the stand body  101 . In alternate embodiments, the plate  108  may be secured over the channel via screws along the grooves  103 . The plates  108  provide protection for the wiring looms for the various lamp modules from the potentially degradative effects of the UV light. That is, the plate  108  may be inserted into the notch  200  and the opposing corner to cover the wires in one exemplary embodiment.  
         [0021]      FIG. 3  illustrates two lamp standards  100  that are fixed in an HVAC system. The lamp standards  100  are secured in the HVAC system by a lower mounting bracket  301  and an upper mounting bracket (not shown). Additionally,  FIG. 3  illustrates an exemplary embodiment where the lamp standard  100  has a plurality of lamp modules  105  mounted thereon and coupled to a power module  107 . The lamp modules  105  are situated on the lamp stand body  101  such that the lamp bulbs  106  extend along the x-axis and the z-axis of the HVAC vent. In other exemplary embodiments, the lamp standard  100  may include lamp modules  105  that have lamp bulbs  106  that only extend in the x-axis, the y-axis, or the z-axis, or combinations thereof.  
         [0022]      FIG. 4  illustrates an exploded view of the lamp module  105 . The lamp module comprises a cover  400  and a housing  403 . The housing is a generally rectangular structure that defines a cavity that is capable of holding within the lamp module  105 , a lamp bulb plug  402  and a means  401  for supplying power to the lamp bulbs is provided therein. As those skilled in the art will appreciate, the lamp bulb plug  402  may be substituted to accommodate the various types of lamp bulbs  106  that are known or used in the art. According to one exemplary embodiment, the lamp bulb  106  may be an ultraviolet lamp bulb. In another exemplary embodiment, the lamp bulb  106  may be a UV-C germicidal lamp. Additionally, as shown in  FIG. 1 , the lamp bulb  106  is a double-tube, double-ended lamp bulb. In another exemplary embodiment, the lamp bulb  106  may be a single-tube, single-ended lamp.  
         [0023]      FIGS. 5-6  illustrate another exemplary embodiment of a lamp standard  500 . The lamp standard  500  is composed of a first body shell  501  and a second body shell  502 . The first and second body shells  501 ,  502  may be coupled together to define a cavity (as shown in  FIG. 6 ) in which to house the lamp modules  600  and power modules  806 . The body shells  501 ,  502  may be coupled together with fasteners such as, but not limited to, screws, rivets, or the like. The body shells  501 ,  502  may be mirror images of each other and may be made from sheet metal. In other embodiments, the body shells  501 ,  502  may be made from tubing and/or extrusions. In an alternate embodiment, the power module  506  may be positioned on the outside of the lamp standard  500 . In various exemplary embodiments, the power modules  506  may be electronic or magnetic ballasts.  
         [0024]     Additionally, a plurality of openings are spaced along the length of the body shells  501 ,  502 . These openings are sized to allow the lamp bulbs  505  to protrude therethrough. According to one exemplary embodiment, lamp bulbs  505  are staggered as shown in  FIG. 5 . In alternate embodiments, the lamp standard  500  may be configured such that the opposite lamp bulbs  505  are substantially planar. As shown in  FIG. 5 , the lamp standard  500  is capable as shown to house six pairs of lamp bulbs  505 . In alternative embodiments, the lamp standards may be sized to house one or more lamp bulbs depending on the intended application or duct size. The lamp standard may also include a top-mounting bracket  503  and a bottom-mounting bracket  504  to provide at the ends of the lamp standard  500  and facilitate the installation of the lamp standard  500  within HVAC ducting  700 , as illustrated in  FIG. 7 .  
         [0025]     In another aspect, exemplary methods of using the lamp standards are disclosed herein. According to the exemplary methods, the various embodiments of the lamp standard may be used in forced air heating and/or cooling systems to minimize airborne and/or surface microorganism contaminants. In one exemplary method, the lamp standard may be mounted in a duct for airborne applications. In another exemplary method, the lamp standard may be mounted in a duct for surface applications. The lamp standard is mounted within the duct that prevents exposure to components such as, but not limited to, plastic flexible duct components, polyurethane foam insulation material, rubber hoses, and wire insulation. If mounting options are limited, UV sensitive materials can be protected with UV resistant material such as, but not limited to, aluminum foil, aluminum duct tape, metallic shields, or the like. Additionally, the lamp standard should be located within the duct such that the lamp standard brackets may be mounted on the floor and the ceiling of the duct.  
         [0026]     Once the location is determined, the UV dosage required for the desired location is determined. The desired UV dosage is determined by the number of lamp modules (and concomitantly number of lamp bulbs) and the number of lamp standards required for the space within the duct. For surface applications, if more than one lamp standard is required for the intended application, the distance between lamp standards is approximately 32 inches and the space between rows of lamp bulbs is approximately 12 inches to approximately 18 inches. If more than one lamp standard is required for the intended application, the distance between lamp standards is approximately 32 inches and the space between rows of lamp bulbs is approximately 24 inches for surface applications. As those skilled in the art will appreciate, other factors such as air temperature within the duct, air velocity, and duct reflectivity are also taken into consideration when ascertaining proper UV dosage.  
         [0027]     While the present invention has been described with regards to particular embodiments, it is recognized that additional variations of the exemplary embodiments may be devised without departing from the inventive concept.