Air-Flow Activated Germicidal UV-C Lights in HVAC System with Electromagnetic Induction and Other Proximity Sensor Technologies

• US 20140294666A1
• Filed: 03/29/2013
• Published: 10/02/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 03/29/2013
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Benjamin D. Liu
• Original Assignee: Benjamin D. Liu
• Inventors: Liu, Benjamin D.
• Application Number:
  US13/853,566
• Publication Number:
  US 20140294666A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 422/4
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2/00 Methods or apparatus for disinfecting or sterilising materials or objects other than foodstuffs or contact lenses; Accessories therefor for contact lenses A61L12/00; atomisers for disinfecting agents A61M; sterilisation of packages or package contents in association with packaging B65B55/00; treatment of water, waste water, sewage or sludge C02F; disinfecting paper D21H21/36; disinfecting devices for water closets E03D; articles having provision for disinfection, see the relevant subclasses for these articles, e.g. H04R1/12
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 9/00 Disinfection, sterilisation or deodorisation of air body deodorants A61Q15/00; purifying air by respirators A62B, A62D9/00; separating dispersed particles from gases or vapours B01D45/00 - B01D51/00, B03C3/00; chemical or biological purification of waste gases B01D53/34; production of ozone C01B13/10; air-conditioning systems incorporating sterilisation F24F3/16, F24F8/20

Abstract

UV-C light assembly is designed to kill germs (bacteria, molds, protozoa, virus, and yeast) in the forced airstreams of HVAC systems. Thus the UV-C light kills and prevents the spreading of germs into other rooms or spaces. An air-flow activated switch is invented for turning on the UV-C lights when airstream passes through and turning off when airstream stops the flowing in the HVAC systems. The invented air-flow activated switches include electromagnetic induction and other proximity sensor switches such as infrared, ultrasonic, capacitive, laser, radar, inductive and etc. The UV-C light assembly is installed inside air duct. The UV-C germicidal assembly is an easy add-on to an existing HVAC system for indoor air purification. The UV-C light sources are either LEDs or discharge lamps.

Claims

1. This author invented an air-flow activated germicidal UV-C light in HVAC system with electromagnetic induction and other proximity sensor technologies.

2. The author uses the electric current generated through electromagnetic induction from the conductor coils and magnets in a fan placed in the air stream of a HVAC duct as input signals for the microcontroller and relay drive to turn on or to turn off the UV-C light.

5. According to claims 2, 3, 4, the author can use other types of proximity sensors such as laser, radar, capacitive, inductive, sonar, and etc. as air-flow-induced action devices to provide input signals for the microcontroller and relay drive to turn on or to turn off the UV-C lights.

7. According to claim 2, 3, 4, 5, the electromagnetic induction device or other proximity sensors turn on the UV-C light assembly when the air flows inside the HVAC duct. The electromagnetic induction device or other proximity sensors turn off the UV-C light assembly when the air doesn'"'"'t flow inside the HVAC duct.

8. According to claim 2, 3, 4, 5, UV-C light lamps and sensors can be placed anywhere inside HVAC ducts where airstream passes.

9. According to claim 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, UV-C assembly can be placed wholly inside the HVAC duct, or only the UV-C lamp and sensor are place inside the UV-C duct while the base and other parts of the assembly are mounted outside of the duct.

3. In the same token, the author uses infrared sensor (a type of proximity sensor) and an air-flow-induced action device, for example a shutter, to provide input signals for the microcontroller and relay drive to turn on or to turn off the UV-C light.

4. In the same token, the author uses ultrasound sensor (another type of proximity sensor) and an air-flow-induced action device, for example a spring loaded movable object, to provide input signals for the microcontroller and relay drive to turn on or to turn off the UV-C light.

6. UV-C light illuminates a section of HVAC duct. The UV-C light purifies airstream that passes through the section by killing the viruses, bacteria, and dust mites.