Patent Description:
The recent novel-coronavirus (SARS-COV-<NUM>) outbreak has negatively impacted the safety and health of many people. Pathogens can be transmitted via direct airborne transmission between users or via indirect contact transmission from different users occupying the same space at different times. For example, lingering pathogens may remain on contact surfaces of an aircraft cabin to be spread to passengers and/or crew members on a subsequent flight. The safety of passengers and crew members may be improved by performing disinfecting treatments to surfaces, such as seats, ceiling/wall panels, handles, and lavatory surfaces, etc., to mitigate the presence of pathogens on such surfaces. However, conventional disinfection procedures between flights may take time and may thus adversely affect the operating efficiency of the aircraft (increased interval time between flights), and the effectiveness and quality of such conventional treatments are often difficult to verify/track. <CIT> describes a light frequency upconversion of laser light for cleansing. <CIT> describes advanced oxidation of dangerous chemical and biological sources. <CIT> describes disinfectant through packaging. <NPL> describes "compact deep UV systems at <NUM> Based on Frequency Doubling of GaN Laser Diode Emission".

A sanitization system for an aircraft is disclosed herein and defined in claim <NUM>.

In various embodiments, the second wavelength is between <NUM> and <NUM>. The nonlinear crystal may be configured to for second harmonic generation (SHG). The first portion of the light and the second portion of the light may be collimated. The first portion of the light may provide a visual indication that the surface is being sanitized. The light source may be one of a laser pump or a light emitting diode (LED).

A sanitization system for an aircraft is disclosed herein. The sanitization system may comprise: a controller; and a sanitization apparatus in operable communication with the controller, the sanitization apparatus comprising a light source configured to emit a light having a first wavelength between <NUM> and <NUM> and a nonlinear crystal configured to convert a portion of the light from the light source to a second wavelength between <NUM> and <NUM>, the controller configured to command the sanitization apparatus to scan a predetermined area.

In various embodiments, the sanitization apparatus is configured to direct a beam of the portion of the light having the second wavelength toward the predetermined area. The sanitization apparatus may be further configured to direct a second beam that is collimated with the beam toward the predetermined area. The second beam may include the first wavelength. The second beam may provide a visual indication that the predetermined area is being sanitized. The sanitization system may further comprise a plurality of the sanitization apparatus. The sanitization apparatus may be configured to scan the predetermined area with the portion of the light having the second wavelength in response to receiving the command to scan the predetermined area. The sanitization system may further comprise a passenger service unit including the sanitization apparatus.

A method of sanitizing a surface is disclosed herein. The method may comprise: generating a light having a first wavelength between <NUM> and <NUM>; converting the light into a first portion of the light having the first wavelength and a second portion of the light having a second wavelength, the second wavelength being half the first wavelength; and directing the second portion of the light toward the surface to be sanitized.

In various embodiments, generating the light having the first wavelength is through one of a laser pump or a light emitting diode (LED). According to the invention, converting the light is through a nonlinear crystal. In various embodiments, directing the second portion of the light toward the surface is through a prism. The method may further comprise directing the first portion of the light in a first direction that is collimated with a second direction of the second portion of the light. The method may further comprise scanning a predetermined area of the surface with the second portion of the light.

The subject matter of the present invention is particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of the specification. A more complete understanding of the present invention, however, may best be obtained by referring to the following detailed description and claims in connection with the following drawings.

While these various embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, it should be understood that other embodiments may be realized and that changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention as in the appended claims.

In various embodiments, Far-UV (<NUM> wavelength light) has promise to work in occupied spaces but may utilize significant power to disinfect an entirety of a cabin. Additionally, Far-UV (<NUM> wavelength light) may have limitations as to total dosage a human may receive. In various embodiments, integrating Far-UV (<NUM> wavelength light) via excimer lamps would be relatively expensive and utilize heavy high power intensity light sources, such as excimer lamps. Excimer lamps utilize a high voltage supply and have a large gas discharge. In various embodiments, the systems and methods disclosed herein are configured to generate a first light with a first wavelength, convert a portion of the first light to a second light with a second wavelength, the second wavelength being half the first wavelength, and/or maintain a portion of the first light as an indicator. In various embodiments, the first wavelength is between <NUM> and <NUM>, or between <NUM> and <NUM>, or approximately <NUM>.

In various embodiments, the sanitization system disclosed herein, may enable an output light of Far-UV (<NUM> wavelength light) to actively disinfect surfaces during flight in a safe manner while limiting power restrictions via low voltage light source and a sanitization apparatus configured for frequency doubling.

With reference to <FIG>, a cabin <NUM> of an aircraft <NUM> is shown, according to various embodiments. The aircraft <NUM> may be any aircraft such as an airplane, a helicopter, or any other aircraft. The aircraft <NUM> may include various lighting systems <NUM> that emit visible light to the cabin <NUM>. Pathogens, such as viruses and bacteria, may remain on surfaces of the cabin <NUM>, and these remaining pathogens may result in indirect contact transmission to other people (e.g., subsequent passengers). For example, the cabin <NUM> may include overhead bins <NUM>, passenger seats <NUM> for supporting passengers <NUM>, handles <NUM>, lavatory surfaces, and other structures/surfaces upon which active pathogens may temporarily reside. As will be discussed further below, in order to reduce the transmission/transfer of pathogens between passengers, one or more of the lighting systems <NUM> may blend disinfecting electromagnetic radiation output into the visible light in order to facilitate disinfection of the cabin <NUM> (e.g., during flights and/or between flights). The lighting systems <NUM> may be broken down into different addressable lighting regions that could be used on an aircraft. For example, the regions on an aircraft may include sidewall lighting, cross-bin lighting, over wing exit lighting, ceiling lighting, direct lighting, flex lights, reading lights, dome lights, lavatory lights, mirror lights, cockpit lights, cargo lights, etc. The regional breakdown of the lighting system allows lighting control over broad areas of the aircraft. In various embodiments, lighting system <NUM> may be disposed in/incorporated by a passenger service unit (PSU) for a row of seats. As such, a lighting system <NUM> could be provided for each row of an aircraft, as well as for each section of different sections of a given row of an aircraft.

Referring now to <FIG> a schematic view of a sanitization system <NUM> for an aircraft cabin, is illustrated, in accordance with various embodiments. In various embodiments, the sanitization system <NUM> comprises a main control system <NUM> and a plurality of PSUs (e.g., first PSU <NUM>, second PSU <NUM>, third PSU <NUM>, etc.). Although illustrated as including three PSUs, the number of PSUs of a sanitization system <NUM> is not limited in this regard. For example, a PSU may be disposed in each row of seats disposed in a respective column of an aircraft cabin. For example, a cabin with <NUM> rows and <NUM> columns may have <NUM> PSUs (e.g., each row in each column having a PSU). In various embodiments, the PSUs are not limited to rows in the aircraft cabin and may be placed throughout the aircraft cabin as well. For example, PSUs, in accordance with the present disclosure, may be disposed in the lavatory, aisles, cockpit, or any other area of an aircraft cabin where it may be desirable to have sanitization.

In various embodiments, the main control system <NUM> includes a controller <NUM> and a memory <NUM> (e.g., a database or any appropriate data structure; hereafter "memory <NUM>" also may be referred to as "database <NUM>"). The controller <NUM> may include one or more logic devices such as one or more of a central processing unit (CPU), an accelerated processing unit (APU), a digital signal processor (DSP), a field programmable gate array (FPGA), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or the like (e.g., controller <NUM> may utilize one or more processors of any appropriate type/configuration, may utilize any appropriate processing architecture, or both). In various embodiments, the controller <NUM> may further include any non-transitory memory known in the art. The memory <NUM> may store instructions usable by the logic device to perform operations. Any appropriate computer-readable type/configuration may be utilized as the memory <NUM>, any appropriate data storage architecture may be utilized by the memory <NUM>, or both.

The database <NUM> may be integral to the control system <NUM> or may be located remote from the control system <NUM>. The controller <NUM> may communicate with the database <NUM> via any wired or wireless protocol. In that regard, the controller <NUM> may access data stored in the database <NUM>. In various embodiments, the controller <NUM> may be integrated into computer systems onboard an aircraft. Furthermore, any number of conventional techniques for electronics configuration, signal processing and/or control, data processing and the like may be employed. Also, the processes, functions, and instructions may can include software routines in conjunction with processors, etc..

System program instructions and/or controller instructions may be loaded onto a non-transitory, tangible computer-readable medium having instructions stored thereon that, in response to execution by the processor, cause the controller <NUM> to perform various operations. The term "non-transitory" is to be understood to remove only propagating transitory signals per se from the claim scope and does not relinquish rights to all standard computer-readable media that are not only propagating transitory signals per se. Stated another way, the meaning of the term "non-transitory computer-readable medium" and "non-transitory computer-readable storage medium" should be construed to exclude only those types of transitory computer-readable media which were found in In Re Nuijten to fall outside the scope of patentable subject matter under <NUM> U.

The instructions stored on the memory <NUM> of the controller <NUM> may be configured to perform various operations, such as performing cleaning schedules between flights, cleaning a specific row in response to a trigger (i.e., a sneeze or the like), etc..

In various embodiments, the main control system <NUM> from <FIG> further comprises a power source <NUM> and a display device <NUM>. The power source <NUM> may comprise any power source known in the art, such as a battery, a solar source, an alternating current (AC) source, a rechargeable source, or the like. In various embodiments, the display device <NUM> may be configured to provide inputs into the control system <NUM> and alternate between various modes (e.g., alternating from an in-flight mode to a post-flight mode or the like). In various embodiments, the sanitization system <NUM> may alternate modes automatically in response to detecting a change in mode is desired, as described further herein.

In various embodiments, the main control system <NUM> is in operable communication with each PSU in the plurality of PSUs (e.g., PSUs <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>). In various embodiments, each PSU comprises a local controller (e.g., controllers <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>). Each local controller (e.g., controllers <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) may be in accordance with main controller <NUM>). For example, each local controller (e.g., controllers <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) may include one or more logic devices such as one or more of a central processing unit (CPU), an accelerated processing unit (APU), a digital signal processor (DSP), a field programmable gate array (FPGA), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or the like (e.g., controllers <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> may utilize one or more processors of any appropriate type/configuration, may utilize any appropriate processing architecture, or both). In various embodiments, the controllers <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> may each further include any non-transitory memory known in the art. The memory may store instructions usable by the logic device to perform operations. Any appropriate computer-readable type/configuration may be utilized as the memory, any appropriate data storage architecture may be utilized by the memory, or both.

In various embodiments, each PSU (e.g., PSUs <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) may comprise light(s) (e.g., light(s) <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>), a sanitization apparatus (e.g., sanitization apparatus <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>), and/or sensor(s) (e.g., sensors <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>), and a local energy storage device (e.g., energy storage <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>). As described further herein, the controller <NUM> may command the various local controllers (e.g., controllers <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) to instruct the devices therein. In various embodiments, the local energy storage device (e.g., energy storage <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) may comprise any electrical storage device, such as a capacitor, a supercapacitor, a superconducting magnetic storage, or the like.

In various embodiments, the power source <NUM> is sized and configured to power all of the lights (e.g., light(s) <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, etc.) of all of the PSUs (e.g., PSUs <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, etc.) of a sanitization system <NUM>. Since the sanitization apparatuses (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) utilize a light source having a wavelength between <NUM> and <NUM>, significantly less power may be utilized during a sanitization process as disclosed further herein. In this regard, the power source <NUM> may be kept similar to a typical power source <NUM> for an aircraft cabin control system, in accordance with various embodiments.

In various embodiments there may be a single sensor or a plurality of sensors for each PSU. For example, sensor(s) (e.g., sensor(s) <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) may each include a microphone array, an occupancy sensor, a manual trigger, or a combination thereof. In this regard, the sanitization system <NUM> may be configured to detect occupancy and/or configured to detect an event where cleaning may be desired, such as a detecting a sneeze, a cough, or the like.

In various embodiments, each sanitization apparatus (e.g., sanitization apparatus <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) may be connected via digital communications, discrete communications, or wireless communications to a respective local controller (e.g., controllers <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>). In various embodiments, a respective local controller may be configured to monitor a health of a respective sanitizer, as well as a life of a respective sanitization apparatus. For example, controller <NUM> may be configured to receive light source life data from the sanitization apparatus <NUM>, each PSU (e.g., PSUs <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) may be configured to track a total dosage of FAR-UV supplied to a given area. For example, the controller <NUM> of PSU <NUM> may receive a duration that sanitization apparatus <NUM> has been in operation and limit operation when a threshold dosage is being approached.

Referring now to <FIG>, a schematic view of the sanitization apparatus <NUM> from <FIG>, in accordance with various embodiments. In various embodiments, the sanitization apparatus <NUM> comprises a light source <NUM>. In various embodiments, the light source <NUM> may comprise a light emitting diode (LED), a Nd:YAG/LBO laser, a lnGaN laser diode, an lnGaN laser pump source or the like. In various embodiments, any light source capable of generating a light with a first wavelength between <NUM> and <NUM> is within the scope of this disclosure. In various embodiments, the light source may weigh significantly less than a light source capable of generating a UVC wavelength (e.g., between <NUM> and <NUM>). In various embodiments, the light source <NUM> is in operable communication with a controller (e.g., a local controller <NUM> from <FIG> and/or a main controller <NUM>). In this regard, in response to receiving a signal from a controller, the light source <NUM> may be activated and generate a wavelength between <NUM> and <NUM>, or between <NUM> and <NUM>, or approximately <NUM>.

According to the invention, the sanitization apparatus <NUM> further comprises a nonlinear crystal <NUM>. The nonlinear crystal <NUM> is configured to double a frequency of a portion of an incoming light, in accordance with various embodiments. In various embodiments, the non-linear crystal <NUM> is configured for second harmonic generation (SHG). In various embodiments, it may be desirable to use a crystal material which can be critically phase-matched at room temperature, because noncritical phase matching often involves the operation of the crystal in a temperature-stabilized crystal oven.

In various embodiments, the nonlinear crystal <NUM> may be any nonlinear crystal configured for frequency doubling, such as lithium niobate, lithium tantalate, potassium niobate, potassium titanyl phosphate, potassium dihydrogen phosphate, potassium dideuterium phosphate, lithium triborate, cesium lithium borate, β-barium borate, bismuth triborate, cesium borate, yttrium calcium oxyborate, strontium beryllium borate, zinc germanium diphosphide, silver gallium sulfide and elenide, gallium selenide, cadmium selenide, or the like. The present disclosure is not limited in this regard.

With brief reference now to <FIG>, a nonlinear crystal <NUM> in accordance with various embodiments, is illustrated. The nonlinear crystal <NUM> may comprise alternating layers of a first semiconductor and a second semiconductor. For example, the first semiconductor may comprise Alumina Gallium Nitride and the second semiconductor may comprise Gallium Nitride. The nonlinear crystal <NUM> is configured for second harmonic generation. In this regard, two photons of the same frequency interact with the nonlinear crystal <NUM>, are combined, and generate a new photon with twice the energy of the initial photons individually. In various embodiments, as illustrated light having a first wavelength enters the nonlinear crystal <NUM> where nonlinear phase-matching stores energy within the nonlinear crystal and outputs a second harmonic wave (e.g., ω<NUM> = <NUM> x ω<NUM>), a residual wave having the same wavelength as the input, and heat. In various embodiments, the second harmonic wave may have less energy relative to the input wave (e.g., between <NUM>% and <NUM>%). In this regard, the light converter <NUM> may have similar or better efficiency compared to UVC light sources, such as excimer lamps, which have approximately <NUM>% efficiency. Thus, the systems and methods disclosed herein may result in a significantly lighter, portable, and/or less expensive UVC sanitization device, in accordance with various embodiments.

According to the invention, the nonlinear crystal <NUM> is configured to receive a light having a first wavelength and output a first portion of the light with the first wavelength, a second portion of the light with a second wavelength, the second wavelength half the first wavelength, and heat.

According to the invention, the output from the nonlinear crystal <NUM> is received by a prism <NUM> configured to direct the light received from the nonlinear crystal. For example, the first portion of the light with the first wavelength may directed through first output <NUM> of the prism <NUM> and the second portion of the light with the second wavelength may be directed through a second output <NUM>. In various embodiments, the first output and the second output may be collimated (i.e., parallel or the like). In this regard, the first wavelength may indicate to a person that the area is being sanitized as the first wavelength would have greater visibility relative to the second wavelength, in accordance with various embodiments. Although illustrated as being separated, the first wavelength and the second wavelength may be coaxial in accordance with various embodiments. In this regard the first wavelength may indicate more clearly a location being sanitized, in accordance with various embodiments. Additionally, in various embodiments, the residual light of the first wavelength through output <NUM> may be mixed with an additional light source (e.g., light(s) <NUM> from <FIG>) to create white light, such as for use as a reading light or the like. Although described with respect to sanitization apparatus <NUM>, any sanitization apparatus disclosed herein (e.g., sanitization apparatuses <NUM>, <NUM>) may be in accordance with sanitization apparatus <NUM> from <FIG>, in accordance with various embodiments.

Referring now to <FIG>, a method of sanitization a portion of an aircraft is illustrated, in accordance with various embodiments. The method may comprise receiving, via a controller, a scanning command (step <NUM>). The scanning command may include a predefined area. In various embodiments, since the output from the prism of <NUM> of the sanitization apparatus <NUM> is a beam, it can be directed in a manner similar to a barcode scanner or the like. In contrast, excimer lamps, and other far-UV light sources cannot generate a beam or light that can be directed. Thus, the systems and methods disclosed herein may facilitate scanning areas and avoiding people when sanitizing a particular area. In this regard, sensor(s) <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> from <FIG> may include infrared sensors, LiDAR sensors, or the like. The sensors may be configured to detect and identify people, and the controller (e.g.,, main controller <NUM> or local controllers <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) may be configured to command the sanitization apparatus to direct the output beam(s) away from people, in accordance with various embodiments.

The method <NUM> may further comprise scanning a predetermined area in response to receiving the scanning command (step <NUM>). In various embodiments, the predetermined area may be an area that commonly comes into contact with passengers, such as tray tables, arm rests, or the like. In various embodiments, scanning the predetermined area may be an active scanning where portions of the area are avoided in response to detecting a person as described previously herein.

Referring now to <FIG>, a perspective view of a portion of the sanitization system <NUM> from <FIG> is illustrated, in accordance with various embodiments. The sanitization system <NUM> includes the light(s) <NUM> and the sanitization apparatus <NUM>. In various embodiments, each light light(s) <NUM> may correspond to a seat in a respective row. For example, a first light <NUM> may be configured to align towards a first seat <NUM> in a row <NUM> of in the aircraft cabin <NUM>. In this regard, each light in the light(s) <NUM> in a PSU <NUM> may be configured to emit light towards a seat in a row of the respective PSU <NUM>.

In various embodiments, the sanitization apparatus <NUM> in a PSU <NUM> includes the light source <NUM>, the nonlinear crystal <NUM>, and the prism <NUM> from <FIG>. Although illustrated as including a plurality of the sanitization apparatus <NUM>, any number of sanitization apparatuses <NUM> for a respective PSU <NUM> is within the scope of this disclosure. In various embodiments, the local controller <NUM> (or main controller <NUM>) from <FIG> may adjust a beam direction of a respective sanitization apparatus <NUM> during a sanitization process (e.g., method <NUM>). In various embodiments, the sanitization system <NUM> may be configured to direct the light away from a passenger's head (e.g., towards the tray tables, or the like).

Claim 1:
A sanitization system for an aircraft, the sanitization system comprising:
one or more controllers (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) and a plurality of passenger service units (PSUs) (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>), each of the plurality of passenger service units (PSUs) (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) comprising a sanitization apparatus (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) in operable communication with the one or more controllers (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) the sanitization apparatus (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) comprising
a light source (<NUM>) configured to emit a light having a first wavelength between <NUM> and <NUM>;
a nonlinear crystal (<NUM>) disposed proximal to the light source (<NUM>), the nonlinear crystal (<NUM>) configured to receive the light having the first wavelength and output a first portion of the light having the first wavelength and a second portion of the light having a second wavelength, the second wavelength being half the first wavelength; and
a prism (<NUM>) configured to receive the first portion of the light and the second portion of the light, the prism (<NUM>) configured to direct the second portion of the light toward a surface to be sanitized, wherein the one or more controllers (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) is configured to command the sanitization apparatus (<NUM>) to scan a predetermined area, and wherein the one or more controllers (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) is configured to limit operation of one of the plurality of sanitization apparatuses (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) when a threshold dosage of FAR-UV supplied to said predetermined area is being approached.