Ultraviolet Discharge Lamp Apparatuses Having Optical Filters Which Attenuate Visible Light

• US 20120313532A1
• Filed: 06/08/2011
• Published: 12/13/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 06/08/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Xenex Disinfection Services, LLC.
• Original Assignee: Xenex Healthcare Services, LLC
• Inventors: Stibich, Mark Andrew, Wolford, James Blaine, Garfield, Alexander Nathan, Rathgeber, Martin
• Granted Patent: US 9,093,258 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 315/150
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2/10 Ultraviolet radiation
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2/26 Accessories or devices or components used for biocidal treatment
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2202/11 Apparatus for generating biocidal substances, e.g. vaporisers, UV lamps
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2202/25 Rooms in buildings, passenger compartments
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 5/208 for use with infrared or ultraviolet radiation, e.g. for separating visible light from infrared and/or ultraviolet radiation
• CPC Class Codes: H01J 61/40 by light filters; by coloured coatings in or on the envelope

Abstract

The apparatuses disclosed herein include a discharge lamp configured to emit ultraviolet and visible light, an optical filter configured to attenuate visible light, and a power circuit configured to operate the discharge lamp. Some embodiments of the apparatuses are configured such that ultraviolet light emitted from the discharge lamp and passed through the optical filter encircles an exterior surface of the apparatus. Some cases of the apparatuses include a sensor system configured to monitor a first parameter associated with the operation of the discharge lamp and a second parameter associated with the transmittance of the optical filter. Some of the apparatuses include a means for moving the optical filter while the apparatus is in operation. In some cases, the apparatuses may be configured such that the optical filter may be arranged in and out of alignment with the discharge lamp. In some embodiments, the optical filter may be a multifaceted.

Claims

1. An apparatus for disinfecting a room, wherein the apparatus comprises:

a discharge lamp configured to emit ultraviolet light and visible light;

an optical filter configured to attenuate a majority amount of visible light emitted from the discharge lamp;

a power circuit configured to operate the discharge lamp; and

a support structure containing the power circuit and supporting the discharge lamp, wherein the apparatus is configured such that at least some ultraviolet light emitted from the discharge lamp and passed through the optical filter is propagated to a region which encircles an exterior surface of the apparatus, and wherein the ultraviolet light propagated to the encircling region during an operation of the apparatus collectively occupies the entirety of the encircling region.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the optical filter is an optical filter glass material.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the optical filter is a film disposed upon an optically transparent substrate.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the optical filter is configured to pass a majority amount of ultraviolet light in a range of approximately 260 nm to approximately 265 nm emitted from the discharge lamp.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the discharge lamp is a pulsed light source.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein a rate of solarization of the optical filter is approximately a whole number multiple of a degradation rate of the discharge lamp.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the optical filter comprises a wall of an encasement enclosing the discharge lamp.

8. An apparatus, comprising:

a discharge lamp configured to emit ultraviolet light and visible light, wherein the apparatus is absent of optics for producing a laser from light emitted from the discharge lamp;

an optical filter, wherein the apparatus is configured to accommodate the optical filter in alignment with the discharge lamp, and wherein the optical filter is an ultraviolet band-pass filter or a visible light band-stop filter;

a power circuit configured to operate the discharge lamp; and

a means for moving the optical filter while the apparatus is in operation.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the optical filter is multifaceted.

10. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the optical filter is part of a moveable assembly surrounding the discharge lamp, wherein the moveable assembly further comprises a reflector opposing the optical filter.

11. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the means for moving the optical filter comprises a means for rotating the optical filter around the discharge lamp.

12. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the means for moving the optical filter comprises a means for oscillating the optical filter.

13. The apparatus of claim 8, further comprising:

a sensor configured to collect data regarding characteristics of a room in which the apparatus is arranged; and

a controller for retrieving data from the sensor, determining one or more movement parameters of the optical filter based on the data, and sending a command to the means for moving the optical filter which is in accordance with the one or more movement parameters.

14. An apparatus, comprising:

a discharge lamp configured to emit ultraviolet light and visible light, wherein the apparatus is absent of optics for producing a laser from light emitted from the discharge lamp;

an optical filter configured to attenuate visible light, wherein the apparatus is configured to accommodate the optical filter in alignment with the discharge lamp;

a power circuit configured to operate the discharge lamp; and

a sensor system configured to monitor a first parameter associated with the operation of the discharge lamp and a second parameter associated with the transmittance of the optical filter.

15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the first parameter is selected from the group comprising pulse count, ultraviolet light dose, and ultraviolet light intensity.

16. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the second parameter is either ultraviolet light dose or ultraviolet light intensity.

17. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the first and second parameters are the same type of parameter.

18. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the first and second parameters are different.

19. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the sensor system comprises a single sensor configured to measure the first and second parameters, and wherein the single sensor is arranged to receive light passed through the optical filter.

20. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the discharge lamp is disposed within an encasement, and wherein the sensor system comprises:

a first sensor configured to measure the first parameter and arranged within the encasement; and

a second sensor configured to measure the second parameter and arranged to receive light passed through the optical filter.