TOROIDAL-SHAPED TREATMENT DEVICE FOR DISINFECTING A FLUID SUCH AS AIR OR WATER

• US 20140271353A1
• Filed: 10/31/2012
• Published: 09/18/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 11/02/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Science Ventures Denmark A/S
• Original Assignee: Syddansk Universitet
• Inventors: Rubaek, Thomas, Oestergaard, John Erland
• Granted Patent: US 9,168,321 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 422/24
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2/10 Ultraviolet radiation
• CPC Class Codes: B05D 3/067 Curing or cross-linking the coating
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 1/325 Irradiation devices or lamp constructions
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2103/008 Originating from marine vessels, ships and boats, e.g. bilge water or ballast water
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2201/009 Apparatus with independent power supply, e.g. solar cells, windpower, fuel cells for electrolysis apparatus C02F2201/46165
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2201/3222 Units using UV-light emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2201/3228 Units having reflectors, e.g. coatings, baffles, plates, mirrors
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2305/10 Photocatalysts
• CPC Class Codes: Y02A 20/212 Solar-powered wastewater sewage treatment, e.g. spray evaporation

Abstract

There is provided a treatment device for disinfecting a fluid being configured as a conduit for conveying a flow of fluid to be treated, said device being toroidal-shaped with an inner concave parabolic surface, wherein the device is provided with apertures extending from the outer to the inner surface of the toroidal-shaped device; one or more UV LED(s) provided in the apertures thereby enabling emitted light to be transmitted through the apertures into the interior part of the device for disinfecting said fluid; a power source for powering the UV LEDs, wherein the inner surface is made from a light reflecting material, and the apertures are sealed in the ends extending into the interior part of the device by a UV-transparent material.

Claims

1. A treatment device for disinfecting a fluid configured as a conduit for conveying a flow of fluid to be treated, said device being toroidal-shaped with an inner concave parabolic surface, wherein:

the device is provided with apertures extending from the outer to the inner surface of the toroidal-shaped device;

one or more UV LED(s) provided in the apertures thereby enabling emitted light to be transmitted through the apertures into the interior part of the device for disinfecting said fluid; and

a power source for powering the UV LEDs, wherein the inner surface is made from a light reflecting material, and the apertures are sealed in the ends extending into the interior part of the device by a UV-transparent material.

2. The device of claim 1 further comprising one or more ultrasound transducers provided in the apertures or on the outer surface of the device so as to direct ultrasound waves into the interior part of the device.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein the LED(s) are arranged in the apertures close to the interior part of the device.

4. The device of claim 1 further comprising sensing means for sensing the light level in the fluid and generate a signal in dependence thereon and wherein said power source is operable to control energising of said one or more LED(s) in response to said signal.

5. The device of claim 1, where the one or more LED(s) comprises a light emitting portion, and a electrical connection portion, arranged such that said light emitting portion extends into the interior part of the device, and said electrical connection portion is located inside the aperture.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein circuitry for the operation of said LED(s) is located around an external surface of the device.

7. The device of claim 6, wherein said circuitry is provided on a flexible printed circuit board wrapped around said device.

8. The device of claim 1, wherein the light reflecting material is titanium dioxide (TiO₂).

9. The device of claim 1, wherein a rotor for generating power is connected to the LEDs, said rotor being powered by the flow of fluid to be treated.

10. Use of a device according to claim 1 for disinfecting a water flow, such as water from ship ballast tanks.

11. Use of a device according to claim 1 for curing of coatings and paints on the surface of circular or other objects.