Ultraviolet Gradient Sterilization, Disinfection, and Storage System

• US 20140060104A1
• Filed: 08/28/2013
• Published: 03/06/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 08/28/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sensor Electronic Technology Incorporated (Seoul Semiconductor Co., Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: Sensor Electronic Technology Incorporated (Seoul Semiconductor Co., Ltd.)
• Inventors: Shur, Michael, Shatalov, Maxim, Bettles, Timothy James, Bilenko, Yuri, Smetona, Saulius, Dobrinsky, Alexander, Gaska, Remigijus
• Granted Patent: US 9,981,051 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 62/264
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2/10 Ultraviolet radiation
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 17/042 Air treating means within refrigerated spaces air conditioning in general F24F
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 2317/0417 using an UV-lamp

Abstract

Ultraviolet radiation is directed within an area. The storage area is scanned and monitored for the presence of biological activity within designated zones. Once biological activity is identified, ultraviolet radiation is directed to sterilize and disinfect designated zones within the storage area.

Claims

1. A system comprising:

at least one ultraviolet radiation source configured to generate ultraviolet radiation directed within a storage area; and

a monitoring and control system for managing the storage area by performing a method comprising;

monitoring at least one of;

the storage area or a set of items located in the storage area; and

controlling ultraviolet radiation generated by the at least one ultraviolet radiation source based on the monitoring by delivering a targeted ultraviolet radiation to at least one designated zone within the storage area.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the monitoring comprises:

scanning the storage area at a first time for a first density of a biological activity;

scanning the storage area at a second time for a second density of the biological activity; and

comparing the first density and the second density.

3. The system of claim 2, the method further comprising scanning the storage area at a third time for a third density of the biological activity and comparing the second density and the third density.

4. The system of claim 1, the method further comprising generating an alarm in response to a maximum ultraviolet radiation within storage area.

5. The system of claim 1, the method further comprising generating an alarm in response to a presence of biological activity.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein monitoring the storage area comprises:

delivering radiation within the storage area; and

detecting fluorescent images of biological activity within the storage area.

7. The system of claim 1, the method further comprising controlling at least one of:

a target time scheduling and a target radiation direction for the at least one ultraviolet radiation source.

8. A food storage device comprising:

a storage area configured to store at least one perishable food item;

at least one ultraviolet radiation source configured to generate ultraviolet radiation directed within the storage area; and

a monitoring and control system for managing the storage area by performing a method comprising;

monitoring at least one of;

the storage area or a set of items located in the storage area; and

controlling ultraviolet radiation generated by the at least one ultraviolet radiation source based on the monitoring by delivering a targeted ultraviolet radiation to at least one designated zone within the storage area.

11. The storage device of claim 8, the method further comprising generating an alarm in response to a maximum ultraviolet radiation within storage area.

12. The storage device of claim 8, the method further comprising generating an alarm in response to a presence of biological activity.

13. The storage device of claim 8, wherein monitoring the storage area comprises:

delivering radiation within the storage area; and

detecting fluorescent images of biological activity within the storage area.

14. The storage device of claim 8, the method further comprising controlling at least one of:

a target time scheduling and a target radiation direction for the at least one ultraviolet radiation source.

9. The storage device of claim 9, wherein the monitoring comprising:

scanning the storage area at a first time for a first density of a biological activity;

scanning the storage area at a second time for a second density of the biological activity; and

comparing the first density and the second density.

10. The storage device of claim 9, the method further comprising scanning the storage area at a third time for a third density of the biological activity and comparing the second density and the third density.

15. A refrigeration device comprising:

a storage area configured to store at least one refrigerated item;

a component configured to control at least one environmental condition of the storage area, wherein the at least one environmental condition includes at least one of;

a temperature, a humidity, a gas convection, or a fluid convection;

at least one ultraviolet radiation source configured to generate ultraviolet radiation directed within the storage area; and

a monitoring and control system for managing the storage area by performing a method comprising;

monitoring at least one of;

the storage area or a set of items located in the storage area; and

controlling ultraviolet radiation generated by the at least one ultraviolet radiation source based on the monitoring by delivering a targeted ultraviolet radiation to at least one designated zone within the storage area.

16. The device of claim 15, wherein the monitoring comprising:

scanning the storage area at a first time for a first density of a biological activity;

scanning the storage area at a second time for a second density of the biological activity; and

comparing the first density and the second density.

17. The device of claim 16, the monitoring further comprising scanning the storage area at a third time for a third density of the biological activity and comparing the second density and the third density.

18. The device of claim 15, the method further comprising generating an alarm in response to a maximum ultraviolet radiation within storage area.

19. The device of claim 15, the method further comprising generating an alarm in response to a presence of biological activity.

20. The device of claim 15, wherein monitoring the storage area comprises:

delivering radiation within the storage area; and

detecting fluorescent images of biological activity within the storage area.

21. The device of claim 15, the method further comprising controlling at least one of:

a target time scheduling and a target radiation direction for the at least one ultraviolet radiation source.