Patent Description:
Systems are currently being developed to disinfect or otherwise sanitize surfaces within vehicles, for example, that use ultraviolet (UV) light. A UV light sanitizing system may include multiple UV lamps that emit UV light within a space. Typically, each of the UV lamps is separately and individually powered. For example, each UV lamp may have its own power circuitry for power conversion, modulation, and/or the like. The UV lamps may each have a power cable that plugs into an external power source, such as an electrical outlet. The power components, such as circuitry, cables, and connectors, add to the complexity and cost of the UV lamps. Due at least in part to the presence of the power components, the UV lamps also may be undesirably large. The large size and/or requirement to access an external power source may make installation of the UV lamps within a room difficult. Furthermore, it may be difficult to hide or conceal the UV lamps due to the size, and the conspicuous UV lamps may be aesthetically undesirable. Another drawback is that the UV lamps may not be able to be mounted proximate to the target components that are illuminated by the UV light. The energy of the UV light applied to a target surface drops considerably with increasing distance between the UV source and the target. When compared to mounting the UV lamps closer to the target, the increased distance would require emitting UV light for a longer duration and/or at a higher output level to achieve a comparable dose of UV light on the target. The longer duration and/or increased power consumption during a sanitizing process indicate reduced efficiency.

As for background art, document <CIT>, in accordance with its abstract, states a decontamination apparatus and method involving a base, and a plurality of sources that each emit UVC light to render a target object pathogen reduced. A plurality of adjustable supports couple the sources to the base, and a controller is coupled to the base to be operatively connected to the sources to control emission of the UVC light. A housing is removably installed on the base to protect the plurality of sources. A remote control is provided to the housing and includes a user interface that receives a input from a user and transmits a control instruction to the controller based on the input received, resulting in desired operation of the sources by the controller.

Document <CIT>, in accordance with its abstract, states an apparatus for sanitizing a point-of-contact surface that includes a housing configured to be affixed about a portion of said point of contact. The housing has an interior in or through which the point of contact may be accessed and an anterior opening for access to the interior. The apparatus includes one or more sources of a sanitizing agent configured to direct the sanitizing agent toward a location where at least a portion of the point-of-contact surface is disposed. One or more of an anterior dome, an inner surface, and a posterior surface are also configured to reflect the sanitizing agent toward the location where at least a portion of the point-of-contact surface is disposed.

Document <CIT>, in accordance with its abstract, states a mobile body configured to travel over a surface inside an aircraft cabin. A source of UV radiation is mounted to the mobile body and configured to direct UV radiation to the surface at a predetermined dosage. At least two articulated arms are mounted to the mobile body, and UV lamps mounted respectively on the arms. The mobile body is a trolley or cart for negotiating an aircraft aisle.

Document <CIT>, in accordance with its abstract, states an ultraviolet (UV) light sanitizing system and method configured to sanitize at least one surface within an enclosed space. The UV light sanitizing system includes a UV light assembly that is selectively moveable between a stowed position and a deployed position. The UV light assembly is stowed within a stowage chamber connected to the enclosed space in the stowed position. The UV light assembly deploys out of the stowage chamber and into the enclosed space in the deployed position.

A need exists for a system and a method for improving the efficiency of the sanitizing process using UV lamps, reducing cost, and increasing the flexibility and concealability of mounting UV lamps within a room. Further, a need exists for a system and a method for controlling the UV intensity and/or UV pattern over an area as desired to sanitize one or more target components positioned throughout a space. The desired UV intensity and/or pattern may vary across the area as desired.

With those needs in mind, certain embodiments of the presently claimed invention provide a sanitizing system that includes multiple ultraviolet (UV) lamps and a power supply module. The UV lamps each include one or more UV emitters configured to emit UV light. The UV lamps are positioned to emit the UV light towards one or more target components within a space. The power supply module is electrically connected to each of the UV lamps and configured to provide electrical energy to the UV lamps to power the UV emitters to sanitize the one or more target components.

Certain embodiments of the presently claimed invention provide a method for sanitizing. The method includes electrically connecting multiple ultraviolet (UV) lamps to a power supply module. Each of the UV lamps includes one or more UV emitters configured to emit UV light. The UV lamps are positioned to emit the UV light towards one or more target components within a space. The power supply module is configured to provide electrical energy to the UV lamps to power the UV emitters to sanitize the one or more target components.

Certain embodiments of the presently claimed invention provide a sanitizing system that includes multiple ultraviolet (UV) lamps and a power supply module. The UV lamps are mounted within a room of a vehicle. Each of the UV lamps includes one or more UV emitters configured to emit UV light. At least some of the UV lamps are disposed at spaced apart locations from one other within the room to emit the UV light towards different target components within the room. The power supply module is electrically connected to each of the UV lamps and to a vehicle electrical system. The power supply module is configured to receive electrical energy from the vehicle electrical system and distribute the electrical energy to the UV lamps via different electrically conductive leads to power the UV emitters to sanitize the target components.

Certain embodiments of the presently claimed invention provide a sanitizing system that includes multiple ultraviolet (UV) lamps and a power supply module configured to be electrically connected to each of the UV lamps. Each of the UV lamps includes one or more UV emitters configured to emit UV light towards one or more target components within a space. The power supply module is configured to provide electrical energy to the UV lamps to power the UV emitters to sanitize the one or more target components.

Certain embodiments of the presently claimed invention provide a system that includes a power supply module configured to be electrically connected to each of multiple ultraviolet (UV) lamps. The UV lamps are configured to emit UV light towards one or more target components within a space. The power supply module is configured to provide electrical energy to the UV lamps to power the UV lamps to sanitize the one or more target components.

The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description of certain embodiments will be better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. Further, references to "one embodiment" are not intended to be interpreted as excluding the existence of additional embodiments that also incorporate the recited features. Moreover, unless explicitly stated to the contrary, embodiments "comprising" or "having" an element or a plurality of elements having a particular condition can include additional elements not having that condition.

Certain embodiments of the presently claimed invention provide a system and method for sanitizing (for example, disinfecting, decontaminating, cleaning, or the like) one or more components within a target space. Certain embodiments of the presently claimed invention provide systems and methods that allow for powering an array of multiple UV lamps by a single power supply. The power supply distributes electrical energy (e.g., power) among the array of UV lamps, and may adjust or modulate the electrical energy that is supplied to the UV lamps to control output levels of the UV light emitted by the UV lamps.

<FIG> illustrates a perspective view of a sanitizing system <NUM> within a space <NUM>, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The sanitizing system <NUM> includes a plurality of ultraviolet (UV) lamps <NUM> configured to emit UV light into the space <NUM>. In the example of <FIG>, the plurality of UV lamps <NUM> includes three UV lamps. In particular, three UV lamps 104a, 104b, 104c are shown in <FIG>. The sanitizing system <NUM> also includes a power supply module <NUM>. The power supply module <NUM> is electrically connected to each of the UV lamps <NUM> and powers the UV lamps <NUM> to generate UV light for sanitizing (or disinfecting) the space <NUM>. The sanitizing system <NUM> optionally includes more or less than three UV lamps <NUM> electrically connected to the power supply module <NUM>.

In <FIG>, the space <NUM> is illustrated as a lavatory. However, other spaces are possible as well. For instance, in one or more embodiments, the sanitizing system <NUM> may monitor and emit UV light into a space that can be any space in or around a vehicle, building, structure, facility, or the like. Further, the space may be an enclosed area or room, but need not be enclosed.

The UV lamps <NUM> are positioned to emit the UV light towards one or more target components <NUM> within the space <NUM> for sanitizing the target components <NUM> via the application of UV light. The target components <NUM> may have surfaces that receive frequent contact from persons that access the space <NUM>. In the illustrated embodiment, the one or more target components <NUM> include a toilet <NUM>, a sink <NUM>, and a door of the lavatory.

Within examples, at least some of the UV lamps <NUM> are positioned (e.g., located and oriented) to emit UV light towards different target components <NUM>. For example, the first UV lamp 104a is positioned to emit UV light towards the toilet <NUM>, or at least a part of the toilet <NUM>. The first UV lamp 104a may emit UV light towards a flush actuator <NUM> (e.g., lever, button, etc.) of the toilet <NUM>. The second UV lamp 104b is positioned to emit UV light towards the sink <NUM> and optionally towards the surrounding region, such as a faucet <NUM> and/or a countertop <NUM>. The third UV lamp 104c is positioned to emit UV light towards the door used to enter and exit the lavatory. For example, the third UV lamp 104c may be positioned to direct the UV light towards high-touch areas of the door, such as a handle, a push plate, and/or a latching mechanism for locking the door. Optionally, two or more UV lamps <NUM> may be positioned to emit UV light towards a common target component. Multiple UV lamps positioned to emit UV light towards a common target component can, for instance, help provide a desired total UV output to sanitize that target component, more quickly sanitize that target component, and/or reduce shadows resulting from the UV light. For example, a fourth UV lamp may be included that is also positioned to emit UV light towards the countertop <NUM> from a different angle relative to the second UV lamp 104b to reduce shadows.

In one example, the sanitizing system <NUM> according to one or more of the previous examples comprises a lavatory <NUM>, which includes a toilet <NUM>, a sink <NUM> and a door, and at least the first UV lamp 104a of the UV lamps <NUM> is oriented to emit UV light toward the toilet <NUM> of the lavatory, at least a second UV lamp 104b of the UV lamps <NUM> is oriented to emit UV light toward a the sink <NUM> of the lavatory, and at least a third UV lamp 104c of the UV lamps <NUM> is oriented to emit UV light toward the door of the lavatory.

In an example, at least some of the UV lamps <NUM> are mounted at spaced apart locations from one another within the space <NUM>. For instance, the three UV lamps 104a-c in <FIG> are spaced apart from each other within the space <NUM>, with UV lamp 104a at location 122a, UV lamp 104b at location 122b, and UV lamp 104c at location 122c. In an alternative embodiment, however, at least two of the UV lamps <NUM> may be physically adjacent and/or mechanically connected to one another. Optionally, UV lamps <NUM> that are located in that same or adjacent positions may still be oriented to emit UV light towards different target components <NUM>. The spaced apart locations 122a-c of the UV lamps <NUM> and distance between the spaced apart locations 122a-c can be selected based on the target component or components that the UV lamp is intended to sanitize.

The power supply module <NUM> is electrically connected to the UV lamps <NUM> and provides electrical energy to power the UV lamps <NUM>. The power supply module <NUM> may be an electrical device that includes processing circuitry and power modulation circuitry disposed within a case or housing. In one or more embodiments, the power supply module <NUM> receives electrical energy from a power source and distributes the electrical energy among the UV lamps <NUM>. The power supply module <NUM> may independently control the allocation of electrical energy supplied to each of the UV lamps <NUM>. The power supply module <NUM> may modify the electrical energy that is received by adjusting, converting, and/or modulating the electrical energy, and may supply the electrical energy that is modified to at least some of the UV lamps <NUM>.

In one or more embodiments, at least some (e.g., at least one) of the UV lamps <NUM> are spaced-apart from the power supply module <NUM>. For example, the power supply module <NUM> is discrete and spaced apart from each of the three UV lamps 104a-c in <FIG>, and are separately mounted within the space <NUM>. The power supply module <NUM> is electrically connected to the UV lamps <NUM> via respective electrically conductive leads <NUM> (also referred to herein as leads <NUM>). Each of the leads <NUM> extends from the power supply module <NUM> to a different one of the UV lamps 104a-c to provide an electrically conductive pathway therebetween. The leads <NUM> may include or represent one or more insulated electrically conductive elements, such as one or more electrical wires, power cables, or the like. In another embodiment, at least one UV lamp <NUM> may be mechanically integrated with the power supply module <NUM> (instead of all UV lamps <NUM> spaced apart from the power supply module <NUM>). For example, in <FIG>, the second UV lamp 104b could be mechanically integrated within a housing of the power supply module <NUM>, such that the lead <NUM> between the UV lamp 104b and the power supply module <NUM> is internal to the housing.

In an embodiment, the power supply module <NUM> and the UV lamps <NUM> are mounted within the space <NUM>. For example, the UV lamps <NUM> may be installed on walls, a floor, or a ceiling; along the underside of structures (e.g., mirrors); on visible-light emitting light sources; and/or the like. The power supply module <NUM> may be installed on a wall, the ceiling, the floor, behind a structure (e.g., a mirror, vanity, etc.), or even behind a wall, above the ceiling, or below the floor. The components are fixed in place via fasteners, such as screws, clips, and/or the like. The components of the sanitizing system <NUM>, such as the power supply module <NUM>, the UV lamps <NUM>, and the leads <NUM> may be inconspicuously installed within the lavatory to avoid interfering with the general use of the lavatory. For example, the leads <NUM> may be routed through or behind walls and the other components may be at least partially hidden behind walls or other structures.

The sanitizing system <NUM> powers multiple UV lamps from a single power supply module, which provides example benefits over known UV light systems where each UV lamp includes an individual, separate power supply, such as its own power circuitry for power conversion, modulation, and/or the like. The UV lamps may each have a power cable that plugs into an external power source, such as an electrical outlet, and/or a rechargeable battery for operational periods that do not utilize an external power source. Using the power supply module <NUM> to distribute electrical energy to multiple UV lamps provides several example benefits over the known UV light systems, including increased efficiency and reduced cost attributable to eliminating power circuit devices. For example, the single power supply module <NUM> can perform the functions of the power circuit devices integrated into the UV lamps of the known systems. Eliminating the power circuit devices from the individual UV lamps permits a reduction in the size or form factor of the UV lamps, without sacrificing power output. The UV lamps <NUM> of the disclosed sanitizing system <NUM> that are each connected to the single power supply module <NUM> can thus be smaller than existing UV lamps that each have a different power supply module. The smaller UV lamps <NUM> provide improved aesthetics in the space by occupying less space. The smaller size may also enable locating the UV lamps <NUM> more proximate to the target components <NUM> within the space (relative to larger UV lamps). For example, the smaller UV lamps <NUM> can be inconspicuously mounted behind or within structures that would not be possible for larger UV lamps. Locating the UV lamps <NUM> close to target components <NUM> may improve energy efficiency and reduce power consumption per dosage of UV light applied to the target components <NUM>. For example, the UV lamps <NUM> in <FIG> may be disposed within <NUM> inches (<NUM> meters) of the corresponding target components <NUM>. The dose or amount of UV light applied to a surface depends on both the energy of the UV light (e.g., intensity or irradiance) and the duration of the UV light application. The energy of the UV light applied to the surface drops considerably with increasing distance between the UV source and the surface. Locating the UV lamps <NUM> closer to the target components <NUM> relative to the relative proximities of larger, conventional UV lamps, enables providing a designated UV dosage to the target components <NUM> by consuming less energy and/or in a shorter length of time than the same dosage applied by the larger, conventional lamps.

Another example benefit provided by the sanitizing system <NUM> is the ability to vary UV output as desired such that some regions within the space <NUM> may be illuminated with a greater irradiance or intensity of UV light than other regions within the space <NUM> that also receive UV light. For example, the sanitizing system <NUM> can modulate or adjust the operation of the UV lamps <NUM> individually to provide a desired UV pattern within the space <NUM>, such as by controlling a first subset of the UV lamps <NUM> to emit a greater irradiance of UV light than a second subset of the UV lamps <NUM>. The disclosed arrangement of a single power supply module <NUM> that power an array of small UV lamps <NUM> can allow regions of the illuminated field to have significantly different levels of UV. The disclosed arrangement also may provide the example benefit of increasing the available power output of the UV lamps <NUM> relative to existing UV lamps that are limited to a fixed power supply. For example, existing UV emitters may be limited to a specific power level, such as <NUM> W. The sanitizing system <NUM> disclosed herein may enable driving the UV lamps <NUM> connected to the power supply module <NUM> to significantly greater power levels, such as <NUM> W or more.

As mentioned above, in one or more embodiments, the sanitizing system <NUM> may monitor and emit UV light into a space <NUM> that can be any space in or around a vehicle, building, structure, facility, or the like. The space <NUM> may be an enclosed area or room, but need not be enclosed. In <FIG>, the space <NUM> is a lavatory room. In embodiments in which the sanitizing system <NUM> is installed within vehicles, the vehicles can be passenger vehicles such as buses, trains, aircraft, marine vessels, or the like. In a commercial aircraft, the sanitizing system <NUM> can be located within a cargo area, a flight deck, a lavatory, a lavatory waiting area, a passenger seating area or cabin, a galley, a crew rest, an assembly area, and other areas in which individuals, passengers, flight crew, ground crew, and/or maintenance personnel may occupy or enter. For example, the space <NUM> of <FIG> may be located within a vehicle, such as within the internal cabin of a commercial aircraft. Non-limiting examples of buildings or facilities in which the sanitizing system <NUM> can be installed include theatres, concert venues, arenas, places of worship, banquet halls, commercial businesses, factories, hospitals, and/or the like.

The space <NUM> in <FIG> is a room that defines the space, but the sanitizing system <NUM> is not limited to a single room. For example, the sanitizing system <NUM> may be present in any space, including a space that includes multiple rooms, hallways, and the like. Using the lavatory example shown in <FIG>, the sanitizing system <NUM> may optionally include one or more UV lamps disposed outside of the lavatory, such as in a galley, a passenger seating area, or the like. The power supply module <NUM> may distribute power to the UV lamps <NUM> within the lavatory and the one or more UV lamps outside of the lavatory. The sanitizing system <NUM> may be configured to sanitize a space defined by an internal cabin of a vehicle, or alternatively may sanitize only a portion of the internal cabin, such as only the lavatory. Optionally, a vehicle may have multiple sanitizing systems <NUM> disposed at different locations within the internal cabin for sanitizing different portions and target components. For example, the sanitizing system <NUM> shown in <FIG> may represent a first sanitizing system, and a second sanitizing system (the same as or similar to the sanitizing system <NUM>) may be disposed within a passenger seating area.

<FIG> illustrates a schematic diagram of the sanitizing system <NUM> according to an embodiment of the presently claimed invention In the illustrated embodiment, the power supply module <NUM> receives electrical energy from an external power source <NUM>, which is separate and discrete from the power supply module <NUM>. The power source <NUM> may be a vehicle electrical system onboard a vehicle or an electrical system of a building or facility. For example, the vehicle electrical system may be a power circuit that is integrated on a vehicle and powers various electrical loads, such as passenger service units (PSUs), appliances in a galley, interior lighting, air flow, and/or the like. In an alternative embodiment, the external power source <NUM> may be a battery, a generator, or the like.

The power supply module <NUM> may be electrically connected to the external power source <NUM> via a power conditioning circuit <NUM>. The power conditioning circuit <NUM> may include one or more rectifiers, power factor correction circuits, and/or capacitors for electromagnetic interference filtering. The power conditioning circuit <NUM> may be electrically connected to the external power source <NUM> via a power cable <NUM>. The power cable <NUM> may removably plug into an outlet of the vehicle electrical system, which represents the external power source <NUM>. The power conditioning circuit <NUM> may be spaced apart from the power supply module <NUM> and electrically connected to the power supply module <NUM> via a power cable <NUM>. For example, the power supply module <NUM> may receive electrical energy along a conductive pathway that extends from the external power source <NUM> along the power cable <NUM> to the power conditioning circuit <NUM>, and then along the power cable <NUM> to the power supply module <NUM>. In an alternative embodiment, the power conditioning circuit <NUM> may be integrated with the power supply module <NUM>, such as contained within a housing <NUM> of the power supply module <NUM>. The power cable <NUM> may be omitted in such an alternative embodiment.

In an embodiment, the power supply module <NUM> receives electrical energy from the power conditioning circuit <NUM> and controls distribution of the electrical energy among the UV lamps <NUM> that are connected to the power supply module <NUM>. The electrical energy received from the power conditioning circuit <NUM> may be direct current (DC). For example, the power conditioning circuit <NUM> may receive alternating current (AC) electrical energy from the external power source <NUM>, via the first power cable <NUM>, and convert the AC electrical energy to DC electrical energy. The power conditioning circuit <NUM> may supply the DC electrical energy via the second power cable <NUM> to the power supply module <NUM>. The power supply module <NUM> may convert the DC electrical energy to AC electrical energy, which is supplied to the UV lamps <NUM> via the respective electrically conductive leads <NUM> to power the generation of UV light.

Each of the UV lamps <NUM> has one or more UV emitters <NUM> that generate the UV light. In the illustrated embodiment in <FIG>, each of the UV lamps <NUM> has one UV emitter <NUM>. The UV lamps <NUM> in the sanitizing system <NUM> may have different numbers of UV emitters <NUM>. For example, <FIG> illustrates a UV lamp <NUM> of the sanitizing system <NUM> according to an alternative embodiment. In <FIG>, the UV lamp <NUM> has two UV emitters <NUM> (in particular, UV emitter 212a and UV emitter 212b). Optionally, at least some UV lamps <NUM> may have more than two UV emitters <NUM>. Referring to both <FIG> and <FIG>, the UV emitters <NUM> are held by respective enclosures <NUM> or housings of the UV lamps <NUM>. In an embodiment, at least some of the UV emitters <NUM> are excimer emitters that have a gas enclosed in a tube. The gas may include or represent a noble gas, such as krypton chloride (KrCl). In an embodiment, the enclosures <NUM> may be open (e.g., having a large opening) to permit airflow across the UV emitters <NUM> for heat dissipation. Furthermore, the openings in the enclosures <NUM> may be beneficial for allowing free air movement over electrodes of the UV emitters <NUM>. If the enclosures <NUM> were closed, the UV may ionize air that is bounded within the enclosed area, which may require lowering an upper voltage limit of the UV lamp <NUM> (relative to the open enclosures) to prohibit the ionized air from arcing over.

The UV emitters <NUM> may operate by receiving high voltage, high frequency electrical energy, which excites the gas. The gas releases excitation energy in the form of UV photons. The UV emitters <NUM> may be configured to emit UV light having a wavelength within a range between <NUM> and <NUM>. For example, the UV emitters <NUM> may emit UV light at a narrow wavelength range centered about a designated wavelength, such as <NUM>. In a non-limiting example, the UV emitters <NUM> may be an excimer emitter, such as a KrCl excimer emitter. Optionally, some of the UV lamps <NUM> may have different types of UV emitters relative to one another. Various types of UV emitters <NUM> and UV lamps <NUM> may be utilized in the sanitizing system <NUM>.

The UV lamps <NUM> may require electrical energy having relatively high voltage and relatively high frequency to provide sufficient excitation of the gases in the UV emitters <NUM>. With reference to <FIG>, the power supply module <NUM> is a high voltage and high frequency power supply. The power supply module <NUM> modifies the received electrical energy to provide the high voltage, high frequency electrical energy to the UV lamps <NUM>, which is suitable and/or required to excite the gas molecules in each of the UV lamps <NUM>. The frequency of the electrical energy supplied to the UV lamps <NUM> may be at least <NUM> and no greater than <NUM>, such as at least <NUM> and no greater than <NUM>. The voltage that is supplied to the UV lamps <NUM> from the power supply module <NUM> may be at least <NUM> kV and no greater than <NUM> kV, such as at least <NUM> kV and no greater than <NUM> kV.

The leads <NUM> extend from the housing <NUM> of the power supply module <NUM> across an intervening space to the enclosures <NUM> of the UV lamps <NUM>. The high voltage and high frequency electrical energy is supplied from the power supply module <NUM> along the corresponding leads <NUM>. Optionally, the UV lamps <NUM> may be rated to receive no more than <NUM> watts (W) of power, such as <NUM> W. The power supply module <NUM> includes various power modulating circuitry <NUM> (shown in <FIG>) for modifying the received electrical energy to output electrical energy that has properties or characteristics that are within appropriate ranges for the UV lamps <NUM>. The modified electrical energy may have different properties or characteristics than the received electrical energy. The power supply module <NUM> may also control the operations of the UV lamps <NUM>, such as activating and deactivating the UV lamps <NUM>, selectively activating or deactivating individual UV lamps <NUM>, and modulating the power output of the UV lamps <NUM>.

Optionally, the sanitizing system <NUM> may include one or more cooling fans <NUM> to actively cool the UV emitters <NUM>. Cooling the UV emitters <NUM> via the cooling fan(s) <NUM> or another cooling mechanism may enable the UV lamps <NUM> to handle an increased amount of electrical energy (e.g., power level) supplied by the power supply module <NUM>. In <FIG>, a cooling fan <NUM> blows air across the UV lamps <NUM>. Optionally, discrete cooling fans <NUM> could be integrated onto the enclosures <NUM> of the UV lamps <NUM> for individual cooling. The facing edges of the high voltage electrodes may be insulated as well to withstand the greater power levels.

<FIG> illustrates a schematic block diagram of the power supply module <NUM> of the sanitizing system <NUM> according to an embodiment of the presently claimed invention The power supply module <NUM> in <FIG> includes a control unit <NUM>, power modulating circuitry <NUM>, and switch devices <NUM>. The power modulating circuitry <NUM> receives the electrical energy (e.g., power) from the power conditioning circuit <NUM>. The power modulating circuitry <NUM> may include one or more pulse width modulation (PWM) devices <NUM> (e.g., pulse width modulated integrated circuits), one or more transformers <NUM>, one or more transistors <NUM>, and/or the like, in addition to associated circuitry such as conductive traces, resistors, and the like. The power modulating circuitry <NUM> and/or the power supply module <NUM> may include an integrated DC power supply to power the PWM devices <NUM>. The one or more transformers <NUM> may be or include full bridge transformers, push-pull transformers, or the like. The one or more transistors <NUM> drive the transformers <NUM>.

The switch devices <NUM> are electrically connected between the power modulating circuitry <NUM> and the leads <NUM> that extend to the UV lamps <NUM>. The switch devices <NUM> function as gatekeepers to individually control which UV lamps <NUM> receive the electrical energy. For example, each switch device <NUM> may be associated with a different one of the leads <NUM> and UV lamps <NUM>. In such an example, each of the UV lamps <NUM> is individually electrically connected to the power supply module <NUM> via a respective switch device. In the illustration shown in <FIG>, the power supply module <NUM> may include three switch devices 306a, 306b, 306c to control the power supplied to each of the three UV lamps 104a-c. For example, switch device 306a controls the power supplied to the UV lamp 104a; switch device 306b controls the power supplied to UV lamp 104b; and switch device 306c controls the power supplied to UV lamp 104c. The switch devices <NUM> can selectively operate in an open, non-conducting state and a closed, conducting state. When the switch device <NUM> is in the closed state, an electrically conductive pathway is established between the power supply module <NUM> and a corresponding UV lamp <NUM> to supply power to that UV lamp <NUM>. When the switch device <NUM> is in the open state, the electrically conductive pathway is blocked, which prevents the supply of power to that UV lamp <NUM>. The switch devices <NUM> may be configured to withstand high voltages and high frequency current. The switch devices includes a vacuum switch. The vacuum switches use at least a field effect transistors (FETs) or insulated-gate bipolar transistor (IGBTs). Conventional switch devices, like relays, are not appropriate for use as the switch devices <NUM> because the high voltage, high frequency current may arc over when the relay attempts to open. In another example, the switch devices <NUM> may include semiconductors, such as FETs and/or IGBTs, without an associated vacuum switch. The switch devices <NUM> could include, for example, a pair of high voltage IGBTs arranged back-to-back or a pair of high voltage FETs arranged back-to-back.

The control unit <NUM> represents hardware circuitry that includes and/or is connected with one or more processors <NUM> (e.g., one or more microprocessors, integrated circuits, microcontrollers, field programmable gate arrays, etc.). The control unit <NUM> includes and/or is connected with a tangible and non-transitory computer-readable storage medium (e.g., memory) <NUM>. For example, the memory <NUM> may store programmed instructions (e.g., software) that is executed by the one or more processors <NUM> to perform the operations of the control unit <NUM> described herein. The control unit <NUM> may be communicatively connected to the switch devices <NUM> and the power modulating circuitry <NUM> to selectively control and modulate the power supplied to the UV lamps <NUM>. For example, the control unit <NUM> may send control signals to actuate the switch devices <NUM> between the closed and open states.

In an embodiment, each UV lamp <NUM> may have a switch that is communicatively connected to the switch device <NUM> that is associated with that specific UV lamp <NUM>. For example, actuation of the switch on the UV lamp <NUM> may trigger the switch device <NUM> to break the conductive path and deactivate the UV lamp <NUM>. Optionally, the UV lamps <NUM> may have a small auxiliary LED that is used to initiate the lamp ionization. For example, the LED may flash when power is initially received by the UV lamp <NUM>, and the photons emitted by the LED may excite the gas within the UV emitters <NUM>. An electrical control signal generated by the control unit <NUM> to actuate the switch <NUM> may also power the LED to initiate the lamp ionization.

The control unit <NUM> can control the components of the power supply module <NUM> to selectively distribute electrical energy with controlled power characteristics to the various UV lamps <NUM> in the array of UV lamps <NUM> to adjust UV irradiance or intensity over time and/or area within the space. For example, the control unit <NUM> may have multiple ways to control the output of the UV lamps <NUM>. First, the control unit <NUM> can universally activate and deactivate the UV lamps <NUM> by selectively turning ON and OFF the UV lamps <NUM>. For example, the control unit <NUM> may open each of the switch devices <NUM> to turn OFF the UV lamps <NUM>, or may actuate a different, universal switch upstream of the switch devices <NUM> to block power to the switch devices <NUM>.

The control unit <NUM> may also control the UV light output level into the space <NUM> by varying which UV lamps <NUM> are active and emitting UV light over time. By selectively actuating the switch devices <NUM>, the control unit <NUM> can modify a number of the UV lamps that receive the electrical energy from the power supply module <NUM> during a given time period. For example, the control unit <NUM> may block the electrical energy to some UV lamps <NUM>, which may as a result increase the magnitude of electrical energy (e.g., the power) delivered to other UV lamps <NUM> that remain active. The UV lamps <NUM> that are selected to the active subset may be based on various considerations, such as priority of the target components sanitized by the UV lamps, detected occupancy of a person in the area targeted by the UV lamps, and the like. For example, lower priority target components, such as components that are used and/or touched less often, may be sanitized less often than higher priority target components in the space. Furthermore, if a person is detected in a first area of the space, then the UV lamps <NUM> that direct UV light into the first area may be temporarily deactivated while the UV lamps <NUM> that direct UV light into a second area which is unoccupied may remain activated. The control unit <NUM> can selectively activate and deactivate the individual UV lamps <NUM>, relative to each other, via the switch devices <NUM>.

Another way that the control unit <NUM> may control the UV output of the UV lamps <NUM> is by modulating the electrical energy that is supplied to the UV lamps <NUM> via controlling the power modulating circuitry <NUM>. For example, the control unit <NUM> may generate control signals to modify the transistors <NUM> associated with the transformers <NUM> and/or the PWM devices <NUM>. Such modification may modify certain properties of the electrical energy, such as the voltage, frequency, and pulse width. In an example, the power supply module <NUM> (via the control unit <NUM>) may power the UV lamps <NUM> at a high power level during a startup time period while the UV lamps <NUM> warm up. The startup time period may last about <NUM> second, about <NUM> seconds, or the like. After the startup time period, the power supply module <NUM> may power the UV lamps <NUM> at a nominal power level for the remainder of the operating time. The nominal power level may be lower than the high power level. For example, the high power level may be at least <NUM>% greater than the nominal power level, such as between <NUM>% and <NUM>% greater than the nominal power level. The nominal power level may be less than <NUM> W, such as <NUM> W, <NUM> W, <NUM> W, or the like. The control unit <NUM> may be able to uniformly modulate the power to the UV lamps <NUM> by modifying the power modulating circuitry <NUM>. The control unit <NUM> may be configured to modulate the electrical energy via the power modulating circuitry <NUM> and change which UV lamps <NUM> receive electrical energy via the switch devices <NUM> during a common time period.

The output levels of the UV lamps <NUM> may also be modulated or controlled based on the lead lengths of the electrically conductive leads <NUM>. Referring back to <FIG>, the leads <NUM> have respective lead lengths which represent the length of the lead <NUM> between the power supply module <NUM> and the UV lamp <NUM>. The lead length may affect the UV output level limit of the UV lamps <NUM>. For example, the longer the lead <NUM>, the higher the capacitance, which changes resonance along the lead <NUM>. The lap current, or an upper limit of the lap current, can be increased due to the change in resonance. This phenomenon may be applied by selecting different lead lengths to control output levels of the UV lamps <NUM>. For example, longer lengths of leads <NUM> may be selected for connecting to UV lamps <NUM> that are desired to provide higher-energy (e.g., brighter, greater irradiance) UV light, and shorter lengths for UV lamps <NUM> that are permitted to emit lower-energy UV light. In <FIG>, the lead <NUM> electrically connected to the first UV lamp 104a is longer than the leads <NUM> connected to the other two UV lamps 104b, 104c. Due to the longer lead <NUM>, the first UV lamp 104a may inherently emit a greater output level of UV light than the second and third UV lamps 104b, 104c, even if the power supply module <NUM> supplies uniform electrical energy to each of the leads <NUM>. In an example, a greater output level may be desired for a UV lamp that is farther from its corresponding target component(s) than desired for another UV lamp that is closer to its corresponding target component(s). Therefore, in an example, the length of lead <NUM> is selected based on the distance between the UV lamp and its corresponding target component(s). Optionally, if uniform UV output (e.g., brightness) across the array of UV lamps <NUM> is desired, the electrically conductive leads <NUM> may be formed to have the same lead length.

<FIG> illustrates a flow chart <NUM> of a sanitizing method according to an embodiment of the presently claimed invention. Referring to <FIG>, the method begins at <NUM>, at which UV lamps <NUM> are mounted within a space <NUM>. At least some of the UV lamps <NUM> may be mounted at different locations within the space <NUM>, such as proximate to different corresponding target components <NUM> within the space <NUM>. At <NUM>, the UV lamps <NUM> are electrically connected to a power supply module <NUM>. The power supply module <NUM> may be electrically connected to the UV lamps <NUM> via respective electrically conductive leads <NUM> that extend from the UV lamps <NUM> to the power supply module <NUM>.

At <NUM>, electrical energy is supplied to the UV lamps <NUM>, via the power supply module <NUM>, to power UV emitters <NUM> of the UV lamps <NUM> to emit UV light into the space. At <NUM>, the electrical energy supplied to the UV lamps <NUM> by the power supply module <NUM> is modulated. The electrical energy may be modulated based on, or due to, variations in the lead lengths of at least some of the electrically conductive leads <NUM> relative to one another to control UV output levels of the UV lamps <NUM>. For example, lead length may affect the UV output power level due to inherent resonant frequencies along the length of the lead <NUM>, so controlling the lead length that can be used to modulate the electrical energy. The electrical energy may be modulated to power the UV lamps <NUM> at a high power level during a startup time period, and to power the UV lamps at a nominal power level after the startup time period. The nominal power level is lower than the high power level.

At <NUM>, the output level of the UV light emitted by the UV lamps <NUM> is adjusted by modifying, via switch devices <NUM> of the power supply module <NUM>, a number of UV lamps <NUM> that receive the electrical energy from the power supply module <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates a perspective top view of an aircraft <NUM>, according to an embodiment of the presently claimed invention. The aircraft <NUM> includes a fuselage <NUM>. While various embodiments are discussed in connection with aircraft, it may be again noted that other embodiments may be utilized in connection with, for example, other vehicle, such as ships, or ground-based vehicles such as buses or trains.

The fuselage <NUM> of the aircraft <NUM> defines an internal cabin <NUM>, which may include a cockpit, one or more work sections (for example, galleys, personnel carry-on baggage areas, and the like), one or more passenger sections (for example, first class, business class, and coach sections), and an aft section in which an aft rest area assembly may be positioned. The internal cabin <NUM> includes one or more lavatories, for example, the lavatories <NUM> shown in <FIG>.

Alternatively, instead of an aircraft, embodiments of the presently claimed invention may be used with various other vehicles, such as automobiles, buses, locomotives and train cars, watercraft, spacecraft, and the like. Further, embodiments of the presently claimed invention may be used with respect to fixed structures, such as commercial and residential buildings.

<FIG> illustrates a top plan view of the internal cabin <NUM> of the aircraft <NUM>, according to an embodiment of the presently claimed invention. One or more lavatories <NUM> may be located within the internal cabin <NUM>. Each lavatory <NUM> includes a lavatory floor <NUM>. The lavatories <NUM> may include floor assemblies (e.g., floor assembly <NUM>) as discussed herein, which may be secured within a portion of the fuselage. The floor assembly <NUM> is configured to form a portion of a floor <NUM> (e.g., lavatory floor <NUM>) in an enclosed space <NUM> (e.g., aircraft lavatory, ship lavatory, or lavatory of ground-based vehicles such as buses or trains), or to be positioned on or in a floor <NUM> of an enclosed space <NUM>.

Embodiments of the presently claimed invention are used to disinfect various components within a space, such as the enclosed space <NUM> in the internal cabin <NUM>. Alternatively, instead of an aircraft, embodiments of the presently claimed invention may be used with various other vehicles, such as automobiles, buses, locomotives and train cars, watercraft, and the like. Further, embodiments of the presently claimed invention may be used with respect to fixed structures, such as commercial and residential buildings.

<FIG> illustrates a perspective interior view of an internal cabin <NUM> of an aircraft, according to an embodiment of the presently claimed invention. The internal cabin <NUM> includes outboard walls <NUM> connected to a ceiling <NUM>. Windows <NUM> may be formed within the outboard walls <NUM>. A floor <NUM> supports rows of seats <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, a row <NUM> may include two seats <NUM> on either side of an aisle <NUM>. However, the row <NUM> may include more or less seats <NUM> than shown. Additionally, the internal cabin <NUM> may include more aisles than shown.

Overhead stowage bin assemblies <NUM> are secured to the ceiling <NUM> and/or the outboard wall <NUM> above and inboard from the PSU <NUM> on either side of the aisle <NUM>. The overhead stowage bin assemblies <NUM> are secured over the seats <NUM>. The overhead stowage bin assemblies <NUM> extend between the front and rear end of the internal cabin <NUM>. Each stowage bin assembly <NUM> may include a pivot bin or bucket <NUM> pivotally secured to a strongback (hidden from view in <FIG>). The overhead stowage bin assemblies <NUM> may be positioned above and inboard from lower surfaces of the PSUs <NUM>. The overhead stowage bin assemblies <NUM> are configured to be pivoted open in order to receive passenger carry-on baggage and personal items, for example. Embodiments of the presently claimed invention shown and described with respect to <FIG> may be used to sanitize various structures shown within the internal cabin <NUM>, such as the passenger seats <NUM>, monuments, stowage bin assemblies <NUM>, components on and within lavatories, galley equipment and components, and/or the like.

As used herein, the term "outboard" means a position that is further away from a central <NUM> as compared to another component.

As described herein, certain embodiments of the presently claimed invention provide systems and methods that allow for powering an array of multiple UV lamps by a single power supply. The embodiments also provide systems and methods for using the array of UV lamps to sanitize or disinfect target components within a space, such as an internal cabin of a vehicle or an area within the internal cabin.

As used herein, the term "control unit," "central processing unit," "CPU," "computer," or the like may include any processor-based or microprocessor-based system including systems using microcontrollers, reduced instruction set computers (RISC), application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), logic circuits, and any other circuit or processor including hardware, software, or a combination thereof capable of executing the functions described herein. Such are exemplary only, and are thus not intended to limit in any way the definition and/or meaning of such terms. For example, the control unit <NUM> may be or include one or more processors that are configured to control operation, as described herein.

The control unit <NUM> is configured to execute a set of instructions that are stored in one or more data storage units or elements (such as one or more memories), in order to process data. For example, the control unit <NUM> may include or be coupled to one or more memories. The data storage units may also store data or other information as desired or needed. The data storage units may be in the form of an information source or a physical memory element within a processing machine.

The set of instructions may include various commands that instruct the control unit <NUM> as a processing machine to perform specific operations such as the methods and processes of the various embodiments of the subject matter described herein. The set of instructions may be in the form of a software program. The software may be in various forms such as system software or application software. Further, the software may be in the form of a collection of separate programs, a program subset within a larger program, or a portion of a program. The software may also include modular programming in the form of object-oriented programming. The processing of input data by the processing machine may be in response to user commands, or in response to results of previous processing, or in response to a request made by another processing machine.

The diagrams of embodiments herein may illustrate one or more control or processing units, such as the control unit <NUM>. It is to be understood that the processing or control units may represent circuits, circuitry, or portions thereof that may be implemented as hardware with associated instructions (e.g., software stored on a tangible and non-transitory computer readable storage medium, such as a computer hard drive, ROM, RAM, or the like) that perform the operations described herein. The hardware may include state machine circuitry hardwired to perform the functions described herein. Optionally, the hardware may include electronic circuits that include and/or are connected to one or more logic-based devices, such as microprocessors, processors, controllers, or the like. Optionally, the control unit <NUM> may represent processing circuitry such as one or more of a field programmable gate array (FPGA), application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), microprocessor(s), and/or the like. The circuits in various embodiments may be configured to execute one or more algorithms to perform functions described herein. The one or more algorithms may include aspects of embodiments disclosed herein, whether or not expressly identified in a flowchart or a method.

While various spatial and directional terms, such as top, bottom, lower, mid, lateral, horizontal, vertical, front and the like can be used to describe embodiments of the presently claimed invention it is understood that such terms are merely used with respect to the orientations shown in the drawings.

It is to be understood that the above description is intended to be illustrative, and not restrictive. For example, the above-described embodiments (and/or aspects thereof) can be used in combination with each other. In addition, many modifications can be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the various embodiments of the presently claimed invention without departing from their scope. While the dimensions and types of materials described herein are intended to define the parameters of the various embodiments of the disclosure, the embodiments are by no means limiting and are exemplary embodiments. Many other embodiments will be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reviewing the above description. The scope of the presently claimed invention should, therefore, be defined by the appended claims, In the appended claims and the detailed description herein, the terms "including" and "in which" are used as the plain-English equivalents of the respective terms "comprising" and "wherein. " Moreover, the terms "first," "second," and "third," etc. are used merely as labels, and are not intended to impose numerical requirements on their objects.

Claim 1:
A sanitizing system (<NUM>) comprising:
multiple ultraviolet (UV) lamps (<NUM>) each including one or more UV emitters (<NUM>) configured to emit UV light, wherein the UV lamps (<NUM>) are positioned to emit the UV light towards one or more target components (<NUM>) within a space (<NUM>);
a power supply module (<NUM>) electrically connected to each of the UV lamps (<NUM>) and configured to provide electrical energy to the UV lamps (<NUM>) to power the UV emitters (<NUM>) to sanitize the one or more target components (<NUM>),
wherein each of the UV lamps (<NUM>) is individually electrically connected to the power supply module (<NUM>) via a respective switch device (<NUM>) comprising a vacuum switch, at least one IGBT, or at least one FET.