Abstract:
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.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    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. 
         [0002]    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. 
         [0003]    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 
       [0004]    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. 
         [0005]    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. 
         [0006]    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. 
         [0007]    The features, functions, and advantages that have been discussed can be achieved independently in various embodiments of the present invention or may be combined in yet other embodiments further details of which can be seen with reference to the following description and drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0008]      FIG. 1  is a flow diagram of an aircraft production and service methodology. 
           [0009]      FIG. 2  is a block diagram of an aircraft. 
           [0010]      FIG. 3  is a schematic diagram of one embodiment of a decontamination system. 
           [0011]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a cart in which the system of  FIG. 3  may be deployed. 
           [0012]      FIG. 5  is a side view of the cart of  FIG. 4 . 
           [0013]      FIG. 6  is an end view of the cart of  FIGS. 4 and 5 . 
           [0014]      FIG. 7  is a block diagram of another embodiment of a decontamination system. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0015]    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. 
         [0016]    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. 
         [0017]    Referring more particularly to the drawings, embodiments of the disclosure may be described in the context of aircraft manufacturing and service method  100  as shown in  FIG. 1  and an aircraft  200  as shown in  FIG. 2 . During pre-production, aircraft manufacturing and service method  100  may include specification and design  102  of aircraft  200  and material procurement  104 . 
         [0018]    During production, component and subassembly manufacturing  106  and system integration  108  of aircraft  200  takes place. Thereafter, aircraft  200  may go through certification and delivery  110  in order to be placed in service  112 . While in service by a customer, aircraft  200  is scheduled for routine maintenance and service  114  (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 method  100 . 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. 
         [0019]    Each of the processes of aircraft manufacturing and service method  100  may be performed or carried out by a system integrator, a third party, and/or an operator (e.g., a customer). For the purposes of this description, a system integrator may include, without limitation, any number of aircraft manufacturers and major-system subcontractors; a third party may include, for example, without limitation, any number of venders, subcontractors, and suppliers; and an operator may be an airline, leasing company, military entity, service organization, and so on. 
         [0020]    As shown in  FIG. 2 , aircraft  200  produced by aircraft manufacturing and service method  100  may include airframe  202  with a plurality of systems  204  and interior  206 . Examples of systems  204  include one or more of propulsion system  208 , electrical system  210 , hydraulic system  212 , and environmental system  214 . 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. 
         [0021]    Apparatus and methods embodied herein may be employed during any one or more of the stages of aircraft manufacturing and service method  100 . For example, without limitation, components or subassemblies corresponding to component and subassembly manufacturing  106  may be fabricated or manufactured in a manner similar to components or subassemblies produced while aircraft  200  is in service. 
         [0022]    Also, one or more apparatus embodiments, method embodiments, or a combination thereof may be utilized during component and subassembly manufacturing  106  and system integration  108 , for example, without limitation, by substantially expediting assembly of or reducing the cost of aircraft  200 . Similarly, one or more of apparatus embodiments, method embodiments, or a combination thereof may be utilized while aircraft  200  is in service, for example, without limitation, to maintenance and service  114  may be used during system integration  108  and/or maintenance and service  114  to determine whether parts may be connected and/or mated to each other. 
         [0023]    The description of the different advantageous embodiments has been presented for purposes of illustration and description, and is not intended to be exhaustive or limited to the embodiments in the form disclosed. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art. Further, different advantageous embodiments may provide different advantages as compared to other advantageous embodiments. The embodiment or embodiments selected are chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the embodiments, the practical application, and to enable others of ordinary skill in the art to understand the disclosure for various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. 
         [0024]    Turning now to  FIG. 3 , a schematic diagram of a decontamination product dispersion system  300  is depicted in accordance with an illustrative embodiment. System  300  includes two storage tanks  310  and  312 , sometimes referred to as canisters, though it is easily understood that fewer or additional storage tanks could be incorporated into the system  300 . The separate tanks  310  and  312  hold 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 compressor  320  and  322  though is would be fairly straightforward to develop a system similar to system  300  that utilizes only one compressor. 
         [0025]    Air from the respective compressors  320  and  322  passes through a compressed air shut off valve  330 ,  332 , a pressure regulator  340 ,  342 , and is operatively coupled to a pressure relief valve  350 ,  352  prior to entering the respective fluid storage tank  310 ,  312 . Each of the tanks  310 ,  312  is in fluid communication with a pressure gauge  360 ,  362 . 
         [0026]    The embodiment of system  300  illustrated in  FIG. 3  includes a plurality of nozzles  370 ,  372 ,  374 ,  376 , and  378 . In the embodiment, pressurized fluid from tank  310  passes through valve  380  (when opened) to nozzles  370  and  372 . Prior to reaching nozzles  370  and  372 , the pressurized fluid is combined with air pressure from compressor  320 , which passes through valve  390  (when opened). Similarly, pressurized fluid from tank  312  passes through valve  382  (when opened) to nozzles  374  and  376 . Prior to reaching nozzles  374  and  376 , the pressurized fluid is combined with air pressure from compressor  322 , which passes through valve  392 . In the illustrated embodiment, nozzle  376  is a hand nozzle and is operated separately from nozzles  370 ,  372 ,  374 , and  376 . In the embodiment, pressurized fluid from tank  312  passes through valve  384  (when opened) to nozzle  378 . Prior to reaching nozzle  378 , the pressurized fluid is combined with air pressure from compressor  322 , which passes through valve  394 . In embodiments, nozzles  370 ,  372 ,  374 ,  376 , and  378  are electrostatic nozzles. As such, power sources  396  and  398  are included within system  300 , and provide power to the electrostatic charging system associates with the various individual nozzles. 
         [0027]    The above described system  300  is, in at least one embodiment, installed in a rolling cart  400  sized to fit in most vehicles such as aircraft and other transportation vehicles as depicted in  FIG. 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. 
         [0028]    Referring specifically to  FIG. 4 , it is a perspective view of cart  400  which includes nozzles  370 ,  372 , and  374  as well as tanks  310  and  312 . This embodiment of cart  400  is sized for movement down the aisle of a typical commercial aircraft. Further, this embodiment of cart  400  is 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, cart  400  can 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 nozzle  378  (shown in  FIG. 3 ) which is denoted as being a hand operated nozzle (and shown in  FIG. 5  in a storage location within cart  400 ). After the initial localized spraying, the cart  400  can 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 nozzles  370 ,  372 ,  374 , and  376 . In one embodiment, during the automatic operation of cart  400 , 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. 
         [0029]      FIG. 5  is a side view of cart  400  with a cover panel removed. In this figure, one placement of tanks  310  and  312 , air compressors  320  and  322  and nozzles  370 ,  372 ,  374 , and  376  are shown as well as some of the fluid communication apparatus therebetween. In embodiments, nozzles  370 ,  372 ,  374 , and  376  are stationary, with respect to cart  400 , while in other embodiments nozzles  370 ,  372 ,  374 , and  376  are capable of movement (automatic or manual) in one or more dimensions. 
         [0030]    An end view of cart  400 , as shown in  FIG. 6 , provides further information regarding placement of nozzles  370 ,  372 ,  374 , and  376  within cart  400  while also providing relative dimensions of cart  400 . As can be easily discerned from review of  FIG. 6 , cart  400  is easily adaptable to provide decontamination capabilities for airlines. The service/food cart configuration of decontamination system  300  is easily available within an airplane in case of an outbreak of a germ or virus. Decontamination system  300  within cart  400  enables decontamination of an airplane and return of the aircraft to operation within a day. Droplets from decontamination system  300  are utilized to reach relatively complex geometric surfaces including the areas that are difficult for airline personnel to reach. 
         [0031]    The above described cart  400  and system  300  may be modified to include many features and optional equipment. For example,  FIG. 7  is a block diagram of a decontamination system  500 , configured for placement on a cart, which illustrates several of these options. For simplicity, certain of the items described with respect to  FIG. 1  are not shown or described with respect to  FIG. 7 . 
         [0032]    In the illustrated embodiment, decontamination system  500  includes a tank  502  and compressor  504  which are fluidly connected to one another. Several items may be associated with tank  502  including a flowmeter  510  for measuring a flow of decontamination fluid out of tank  502 , a pressure gauge  512  for measuring the pressure within tank  502 , and a fluid gauge  514  for determining an amount of decontamination fluid remaining within tank  502 . 
         [0033]    As the pressurized decontamination fluid exits tank  502  and passes through flowmeter  510 , it is dispersing to one or more nozzles.  FIG. 7  illustrates the components of one nozzle system  520  that includes an electrostatic charging system  522 , the nozzle  524 , and a nozzle directional control  526 . Note that one or more additional nozzle systems  520  may be incorporated into decontamination system  500 . In embodiments, nozzle directional control  526  may include a stepper motor or other device that causes the nozzle  524  to move across a range of positions as the decontamination agent is dispersed. 
         [0034]    A power supply  530  may be included within system  500  providing the voltage necessary to operate the compressor  504 , the various electrostatic charging systems  522 , the nozzle directional controllers  526 , as well as a cart drive system  540  and a cart controller  550 . In embodiments, power supply  530  utilizes an external power source, and in other embodiments, powers supply  530  utilizes aircraft generated power. The controller is utilized to control operation of the cart including movement of the cart via cart drive system  540 , operation of the tank  502  and compressor  504  combination based on data received at a display  560 . The controller  550  may be further programmed to provide signals to cart drive system  540  to control a rate of movement, and direction of movement of the cart. In embodiments, display  560  includes data from one or more of the flowmeter  510 , pressure gauge  512 , and tank level gauge  514 . 
         [0035]    For automatic movement of the cart using cart drive system  540 , via controller  550 , a sensor system  570  may 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. 
         [0036]    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, cart  400  with system  300  installed 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. 
         [0037]    One unique aspect of system  300  is 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 cart  400 , system  300  can be easily stored onboard an aircraft and drastically reduce aircraft decontamination turn around time, positively impacting aircraft operation and contributing to airline cost saving. 
         [0038]    Outside of commercial aircraft use, system  300  can 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. 
         [0039]    This written description uses examples to disclose various embodiments, which include the best mode, to enable any person skilled in the art to practice those embodiments, including making and using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope is defined by the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they have structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from the literal languages of the claims.