Patent Publication Number: US-2022218864-A1

Title: Far-uvc device for use in inactivating airborne pathogens

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present application relates to an air purification device, and more particularly to a device for inactivating airborne pathogens such as bacteria, and viruses in personal space, point-of-use applications. 
     2. Description of Related Art 
     Of recent importance in society is the spread of communicable diseases. Efforts are being taken to minimize transmission in different ways. One area of difficulty is how to eliminate or minimize transmission in society where groups of people are in close quarters. Individuals can spread airborne pathogens to other individuals in proximity through aerosol transmission even if they are asymptomatic. These pathogens can also land on surfaces where they can be spread to others who come in contact with the surface. 
     Current solutions focus on treatment of an entire volume of defined air as a whole and not on individual vicinities around a user in the defined volume. This broad approach to disinfect the entire volume of air is inferior and potentially counterproductive as it encourages the spread of any airborne pathogen amongst those in the defined volume prior to the actual disinfection. Disinfecting the air in this manner relies on air passing through potentially occupied space to reach the disinfecting device, causing the spreading of the airborne pathogens before they can be inactivated. These solutions are also dependent on proper air circulation and are not effective in regions of poor air circulation. 
     One work-around is to maintain social distancing, currently defined as separation of six feet or greater. However, this is not always possible or practical, especially in mass transit, waiting rooms, gatherings such as entertainment venues, restaurants, and classroom situations. Redesign of mass transit craft and/or vehicles to allow social distancing or to introduce barriers between personal spaces introduces delays and cost overhead and further economic impact due to costs associated with designing, building, remodeling and recertification among others and delays in returning to prior service levels. 
     Reducing occupancy to meet social distancing needs leads to reduced revenue and higher operating costs per passenger in mass transit situations. This also holds true for entertainment venues where the number of customers per event is reduced due to social distancing requirements. In classroom situations it results in fewer students per classroom and can render schools unable to provide adequate in-person education for all students. 
     Although strides have been made with respect to air filtration and treatment, shortcomings remain. Therefore, a need exists for a novel device to address the issue of point-of-use disinfection of personal air space of individuals in close proximity to each other without drawing air that has passed through the personal air space of others, potentially picking up harmful airborne pathogens. A further need exists for the application of this solution to numerous different situations where individuals will be in close proximity with each other. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is an object of the present application to provide an ultraviolet germicidal irradiation (UVGI) system for inactivating airborne pathogens including but not limited to bacteria and viruses in a person&#39;s local environment introduced through various means including exhalation. The device draws in air from the area surrounding or in the immediate vicinity of a person, irradiates the air using far-UVC 222-nm light, and exhausts the disinfected air. Far-UVC commonly refers to the subset of ultraviolet (UV) spectrum C band light frequencies from 207 to 222 nanometers (nm). This device utilizes far-UVC light nominally in the 222-nm region. 
     An object of the device is to continually disinfect the air within its treatment envelope, thereby reducing the time airborne pathogens can remain suspended in the air, and as a result reducing the concentration of airborne pathogens in that area. This provides an advantage over other solutions where the airborne pathogens can remain suspended in the air until reaching a disinfection device whose intake is located in a different part of the treatment area or where air flow is inadequate due to poor circulation or other reasons. 
     The system and device is situated in close proximity to a user and ideally in front of the user where breath is exhaled to assist in capturing the user&#39;s air. It operates with people in their operating envelope and does not require the evacuation of the cabin or room for treatment. The air passes through an inlet adjacent to the user and is directed by one or more baffles and flows by an LED array. One or more filters may be used. An air fan is used to force flow of the air through the device. An electronic system is used to optionally regulate the operation of the system. One or more sensors may be used to detect air quality and permit self-regulation of the device/system as a whole. For applications requiring status reporting and/or remote control, an electronic system consisting of an electronic controller and one or more sensors can be added. This addition can permit remote control and status reporting of such parameters. 
     It is an object of the present application to have the device and system be adaptable for use in many areas of public space. These may extend into but are not limited to areas of transportation, industrial, medical, military, educational, entertainment, food service, and personal individual use. The device is inherently scalable since it is implemented on a per-user basis rather than per square foot basis. This allows for it to be equally applicable to both large and small spaces. 
     The device is configured to be economical and easily installed in existing locations with minimal impact. The device should reduce spread of pathogens to surface areas because they are drawn into the device while airborne and inactivated before they can settle. This device has broad applicability in the inactivation of airborne pathogens. 
     It is a further object of the present application that this device does not produce ozone and therefore requires no ozone mitigation. Prior devices produce ozone as a result of the use of longer wavelength UV light. 
     Ultimately the invention may take many embodiments. In these ways, the present invention overcomes the disadvantages inherent in the prior art. The more important features have thus been outlined in order that the more detailed description that follows may be better understood and to ensure that the present contribution to the art is appreciated. Additional features will be described hereinafter and will form the subject matter of the claims that follow. 
     Many objects of the present application will appear from the following description and appended claims, reference being made to the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification wherein like reference characters designate corresponding parts in the several views. 
     Before explaining at least one embodiment of the present invention in detail, it is to be understood that the embodiments are not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The embodiments are capable of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. 
     As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the various purposes of the present design. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present application. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The novel features believed characteristic of the application are set forth in the appended claims. However, the application itself, as well as a preferred mode of use, and further objectives and advantages thereof, will best be understood by reference to the following detailed description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic of a far-UVC device and system according to an embodiment of the present application. 
         FIG. 2  is a representative functional view of the device and system of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is a top view of an LED array in an exemplary embodiment of the device and system of  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 4  is an enlarged front view of the LED array in  FIG. 3 . 
         FIG. 5  is a front view of the embodiment of the device and system of  FIGS. 3 and 4 . 
         FIG. 6  is a side view of the device and system of  FIG. 5 . 
         FIG. 7  is a view of ballasts used to power the LED array in the device and system of  FIG. 5 . 
     
    
    
     While the embodiments and method of the present application is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawings and are herein described in detail. It should be understood, however, that the description herein of specific embodiments is not intended to limit the application to the particular embodiment disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the process of the present application as defined by the appended claims. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Illustrative embodiments of the preferred embodiment are described below. In the interest of clarity, not all features of an actual implementation are described in this specification. It will of course be appreciated that in the development of any such actual embodiment, numerous implementation-specific decisions must be made to achieve the developer&#39;s specific goals, such as compliance with system-related and business-related constraints, which will vary from one implementation to another. Moreover, it will be appreciated that such a development effort might be complex and time-consuming but would nevertheless be a routine undertaking for those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of this disclosure. 
     In the specification, reference may be made to the spatial relationships between various components and to the spatial orientation of various aspects of components as the devices are depicted in the attached drawings. However, as will be recognized by those skilled in the art after a complete reading of the present application, the devices, members, apparatuses, etc. described herein may be positioned in any desired orientation. Thus, the use of terms to describe a spatial relationship between various components or to describe the spatial orientation of aspects of such components should be understood to describe a relative relationship between the components or a spatial orientation of aspects of such components, respectively, as the embodiments described herein may be oriented in any desired direction. 
     The embodiments and method in accordance with the present application overcomes one or more of the above-discussed problems commonly associated with the prior art discussed previously. In particular, a far-UVC device and system  101  is configured to inactivate airborne pathogens such as bacteria, and viruses in personal space, ideally with point-of-use applications. The air is disinfected in an individual&#39;s personal space at or near the exhalation point and does not have to pass through other people&#39;s space for treatment. Air that escapes the envelope of personal space without being disinfected (such as from a violent cough or sneeze) can be picked up by an adjacent or nearby device and disinfected in that space. Thereby neighboring devices act as supplemental disinfecting devices for air to eliminate further spread of any airborne pathogen. 
     Device  101  includes the use of LED arrays that are small, safe, semi-conductor devices that can be mass produced economically. This device is small and compact due to the use of smaller and more compact components. These LED arrays provide advantages over prior devices due to their large and bulky size, in part due to their purpose to sterilize a full room and their use of large, bulky components such as mercury lamps. 
     The LED arrays are not breakable glass lamps which often containing mercury. This eliminates the concerns over exposure of hazardous components when broken. The arrays utilize 222-nm wavelength far-UVC light which is accepted as safe and not in need of mitigation devices for safe human exposure. This is an advantage over prior devices using longer UV wavelengths that are dangerous to humans due to risks including but not limited to skin cancer, and damage to eyes. Devices using these longer wavelengths must include provisions to mitigate these risks. These and other unique features are discussed below and illustrated in the accompanying drawings. 
     The embodiments and method will be understood, both as to its structure and operation, from the accompanying drawings, taken in conjunction with the accompanying description. Several embodiments of the assembly may be presented herein. It should be understood that various components, parts, and features of the different embodiments may be combined together and/or interchanged with one another, all of which are within the scope of the present application, even though not all variations and particular embodiments are shown in the drawings. It should also be understood that the mixing and matching of features, elements, and/or functions between various embodiments is expressly contemplated herein so that one of ordinary skill in the art would appreciate from this disclosure that the features, elements, and/or functions of one embodiment may be incorporated into another embodiment as appropriate, unless otherwise described. 
     Referring now to the Figures wherein like reference characters identify corresponding or similar elements in form and function throughout the several views. The following Figures describe embodiments of the present application and its associated features. With reference now to the Figures, embodiments of the present application are herein described. It should be noted that the articles “a”, “an”, and “the”, as used in this specification, include plural referents unless the content clearly dictates otherwise. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 1  in the drawings, a schematic of a far-UVC device and system  101  is illustrated. Device  101  is configured to capture air for the purpose of inactivating airborne pathogens such as bacteria, and viruses in personal space, point-of-use applications. Device  101  acts as a localized disinfecting system within a larger volume of space. Device  101  includes a plenum  104  (see  FIG. 2 ) that has an inlet  103   a  and an outlet  103   b . Air is drawn through the plenum via a fan  105 . The air is passed across an LED array  107  and optionally through a filter  109 . Baffles  111  are used to direct the air in the plenum. One or more optional sensors  113  may be used to monitor the air and/or track performance of the overall components in the device  101  and system. An optional electronic controller  115  may be included to regulate performance and communicate captured data to interested parties. 
     As seen in  FIG. 1 , controller  115  is operable with any or all of the components of device  101 . Device  101 , either alone or together with optional controller  115 , acts to form the system used to inactivate airborne pathogens. It is understood that the particular quantities of each component are not limited to a singular or plural amount and that the illustrated quantities are not meant to be limiting. Device  101  may include any number of components necessary to fulfill its intended purpose. 
     Referring now also to  FIG. 2  in the drawings, a representative functional view of device  101  is illustrated. As seen, air enters through inlet  103   a  and passes through plenum  104 . The air passes through optional filter  109  and through the UV light emitted via array  107 . The baffles  111  are located within plenum  104  and are used to direct the air flow by array  107  through the device  101 . The fan  105  maintains a positive flow of air through device  101  and eventually exhausts the disinfected air out outlet  103   b.    
     The specific location of each component within the device may vary with application. Different applications may center around transportation industries, buildings, and industrial applications to name a few. Transportation uses can be and are not limited to aircraft, and buses and other vehicles such as cars and trucks and tractor trailers. Building applications may involve seating areas in airports and terminals. Industrial uses can be and are not limited to personal devices worn for hazardous protection in areas of contamination. Medical uses can be and are not limited to doctor&#39;s offices, functions on or near hospital beds, the use by medical personnel in self-contained protection gear, and the possible use by family or guardian members to attend close-by hospitalized patients. Military uses can be and are not limited to the use by military personnel individually or in all types and manner of military vehicles. In educational surroundings the uses can be and are not limited to individual student desks and tables where they work and congregate. It can also be used by teachers at their desks and tables. Any industry may have a use for device  101  and each application may dictate some variations in location for each component. 
     Optional filter  109  is ideally located at one end of plenum  104  while exhaust air fan  105  is located at the other end of the air plenum  104 . LED arrays  107  and their mounts  119  should be located within the air plenum between the input air filter  109  and the exhaust air fan  105 . In order to direct air across the light emitting portion of LED arrays  107 , air baffles  111  should be positioned between the input air filter  109  and the exhaust air fan  105  side of the LED arrays  107 . Air baffles  111  create multiple air flow paths through the air plenum  104 . The air baffle caps  117  are located as indicated in  FIG. 3  to constrain air flow to only those paths that cause air to flow across the LED arrays  107 . Air flowing across LED arrays  107  is irradiated by light strong enough to inactivate airborne pathogens. 
     Referring now also to  FIGS. 3 and 4  in the drawings, an exemplary view of two LED arrays  107  within plenum  104  is illustrated.  FIG. 3  is a top view to show a representative embodiment of device  101 .  FIG. 4  is a front sectional view showing two arrays  107  from  FIG. 3 . Optional filter  109  is shown covering at least a portion of the air flow area. This is appropriate if and when the inlet  103   a  is from a side of the plenum as opposed to the top as shown in  FIG. 2 . The baffles  111  are coupled to the plenum  104  and optionally to any portion of the interior sides of the plenum  104 . Air baffle caps  117  constrain air flow to the air flow areas as shown in  FIG. 3 . The arrays  107  are situated to one side of an interior surface of the plenum  104 . 
     The air baffle caps  117  are configured to direct air through the defined air flow areas so all air passes through the UV light emitted from the light emitting region of each LED array  107 . These air flow areas are irradiated by light from the LED arrays  107  with sufficient energy to inactivate pathogens that are harmful to humans. 
     Also of note in  FIG. 3  is the incorporation of dual air flow areas. Plenum  104  may include one or more air flow areas that may act independent from one another or in combination with respect to each other. Each air flow area is shown to have an array  107 . In this depicted embodiment, the air flow areas are side by side. The arrays  107  are also side by side. The orientation of the arrays may differ in that they may be on opposite sides of plenum  104 , they may be one above the other, or in any other relative position when compared to other arrays. 
     Device  101  contains any number of LED arrays  107 , as driven by the requirements of each application. As an example, an application requiring a small amount of air flow might contain only one LED array whereas an application requiring a large amount of air flow might contain numerous LED arrays. Likewise, the height, width, thickness, and type of material used to construct the device also varies between applications. Arrays  107  are mounted via mount  119  to an interior wall of the plenum  104 . The mount  119  may take any shape sufficient to ensure the stability of array  107  to the plenum surface. The mount  119  is configured so as to avoid obstruction of the UV emitted lights from each array  107  where possible. 
     Referring now also to  FIG. 5  in the drawings, a front view of device  101  as seen from  FIGS. 3 and 4  is illustrated.  FIG. 5  shows the optional input air filter  109  at the top and air exhaust fans  105  at the bottom, but this orientation can change in accordance with requirements of a specific application. Also, some applications may require contoured air plenum  104  walls rather than the straight walls shown in these figures. Louvers or additional duct work to direct air flow into or out of the device  101  may be added before the input air filter  109  and/or after the air exhaust fans  105 , if required by a specific application. 
       FIG. 5  is an elevation view of the device that illustrates how air enters through the input air filter  109 , flows through the air plenum  104  within the air flow areas defined by the air baffles  111 . The air and pathogens then flow across the active light emitting regions of the LED arrays  107  and exits through the air exhaust fans  105 . Fan input power wires can be either plugged into or directly connected to any appropriate and convenient power source, such as optional controller  115 . The optional input air filter&#39;s primary purpose is to reduce the potential for particles such as dust and debris of entering the air plenum  104  and to protect the components of the device. It is understood that filter  109  may constrain some airborne pathogens in some embodiments. It is also understood that filter  109  may not be used in some embodiments. 
     Referring now also to  FIG. 6  in the drawings, a side view of the device as seen in  FIG. 5  is shown.  FIG. 6  is a side view of the device and provides a clear view of the air path from input air filter  109  across the LED arrays  107  and through the air exhaust fans  105 . The elevation break shown on this figure illustrates that the elevation as well as other dimension of this device can vary with application requirements. 
     Referring now also to  FIG. 7  in the drawings, a front view of ballasts is illustrated.  FIG. 7  is a view of the ballast(s)  121  that serve as a power supply for the LED array(s)  107  and may be incorporated into controller  115 . Ballasts  121  can be mounted at any convenient location near the air plenum  104 . Also shown are the ballast input wires  123  and output power wires  125 , respectively. The input power wires  123  can be either plugged into or directly connected to any appropriate and convenient power source, depending on the specific application. Depending on the application, the ballast output power wires  125  can be either plugged into a connector near the LED array(s)  107  or connected directly to the LED arrays  107 . More than one ballast  121  could be required depending on the number of LED arrays required by the specific application. 
     In operation, a user may turn on or off device  101 . Fan  105  affects the speed at which air passes through device  101 . The speed of air movement correlates to the time the air has to be disinfected through exposure to the UV light of arrays  107  where it is irradiated by far-UVC light of appropriate frequency and sufficient concentration over a sufficient period of time to inactivate airborne pathogens passing through the device. It is understood that the speed at which air moves through device  101  may be predetermined or set by others than the user. Power levels to arrays  107  may influence the acceptable levels of air speed through device  101 . It is understood that device  101  can activate or deactivate one or more arrays  107  to compensate for air speed changes and/or selectively adjust the air flow area. 
     These descriptions and figures show representative views of device  101 . The number of components used in these diagrams and descriptions is one example and should not be regarded as limiting. The number of these components used can vary according to the embodiment and application of the device. This device includes applications with any number of LED arrays and various physical configurations as necessary to satisfy details of each specific application. 
     The figures illustrate some general schematic and representative views for device  101  and its system. Other figures provide an exemplary view of how it may look in application. The dimensions, spacing, and orientations are dependent upon the particular application. For example, the mass transit application of this device may envision each seating position with its own device whether incorporated into the seat or some partition in front of it, or another suitable location. This allows the aggregation of their coverage areas to provide coverage of the cabin/seating area without drawing air potentially containing airborne pathogens across the cabin. 
     The distribution of these benefits throughout the cabin/seating area provides a cumulative advantage. This is an advantage over room air devices due to the requirement of the air to cycle through the airspace of the room before returning to the treatment device, thereby requiring any air potentially containing airborne pathogens to travel through potentially occupied airspace potentially exposing other individuals and surfaces before it reaches the disinfecting device. This same advantage exists over devices that disinfect the air as it transits through air ducts since the air to be disinfected must transit potentially occupied space to be drawn into the duct. 
     In aerospace industries, device  101  may be installed into aircraft seat backs and space dividers. This eliminates the need to adjust current air flow circulation systems. This would cut cost of redesigning and recertifying aircraft and retraining crews. In the case where this device is installed into airline seat backs, there would be a revenue savings from not reducing seat count/occupancy due to not occupying the center seat(s) in a three-seat or more configuration in order to maintain social distancing. 
     Another option is the inclusion of sensors  113 . Sensors  113  may be in communication with controller  115  and configured to monitor and assess different functional aspects of the components of device  101  and/or the air that passes therethrough. As seen in  FIG. 2 , sensors  113  can be located in or in communication with any component, such as array  107 , fan  105 , and so forth. The cross-sectional area of the air flow area may be monitored for instance. Additionally, plenum  104  may include one or more sensors which may be directed to air quality and air speed. The effectiveness of arrays  107  may be analyzed in real time and changes to fan speed, power output by arrays  107 , and the like may be automatically adjusted. The use of sensors permits the feedback to third party users to assess performance. 
     As alluded to previously, another embodiment of this device envisions individually contained protective gear allowing a wearer to move freely in environments such as classrooms, hospitals, nursing homes, etc. 
     The particular embodiments disclosed above are illustrative only, as the application may be modified and practiced in different but equivalent manners apparent to those skilled in the art having the benefit of the teachings herein. It is therefore evident that the particular embodiments disclosed above may be altered or modified, and all such variations are considered within the scope and spirit of the application. Accordingly, the protection sought herein is as set forth in the description. It is apparent that an application with significant advantages has been described and illustrated. Although the present application is shown in a limited number of forms, it is not limited to just these forms, but is amenable to various changes and modifications without departing from the spirit thereof.