SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR EMITTING RADIANT ENERGY

• US 20140374612A1
• Filed: 08/21/2014
• Published: 12/25/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 01/14/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Skytron, LLC.
• Original Assignee: Infection Prevention Technologies LLC
• Inventors: Statham, Mark, Engler, Eric, Fister, Steve, Gilling, Robert L., Kenny, Thomas A., Sayers, Rory, Starrs, Clinton
• Granted Patent: US 10,064,968 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 250/372
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2/0047 Ultraviolet radiation
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2/24 Apparatus using programmed or automatic operation
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 9/20 Ultraviolet radiation
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 1/32 with ultraviolet light
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2201/326 Lamp control systems
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 1/32 adapted for automatic variation of the measured or reference value regulation of light intensity G05D25/00
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 1/4228 arrangements with two or more detectors, e.g. for sensitivity compensation
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 1/429 applied to measurement of ultraviolet light using counting tubes G01T

Abstract

Field balancing may be performed with an irradiation system including a plurality of adjustable radiant-energy emitters. The irradiation system powers the radiant-energy emitters from a power source and radiant energy is emitted from the radiant-energy emitters, where an amount of radiant energy emitted from each emitter is capable of being varied based on power received from the power source. A plurality of radiant-energy sensors detects an amount of radiant energy which includes radiant energy created directly by at least one of the radiant-energy emitters. The amount of radiant energy detected at at least two of the radiant-energy sensors is compared, and at least one of the radiant-energy emitters is adjusted by varying the power received from the power source so that the amount of radiant energy detected at each of the radiant-energy sensors tends towards becoming approximately equal. The emitting of radiant energy from each radiant-energy emitter is terminated when a total amount of radiant energy emitted from the plurality of adjustable radiant-energy emitters exceeds a predetermined threshold value, where the threshold value is sufficient to allow the total amount of radiant energy emitted from the plurality of adjustable radiant-energy emitters to sanitize a particular area in which the emitters are located.

Claims

1. A system for irradiating an area with radiant energy, comprising:

a mobile housing;

a receiver associated with the housing;

at least one power source;

at least one radiant-energy emitter for emitting radiant energy, the at least one radiant-energy emitter associated with the housing and powered by the at least one power source, wherein radiant energy emitted from the at least one radiant-energy emitter is capable of being varied based on power received from the power source;

at least one radiant-energy sensor assembly remote from the housing, the sensor assembly including at least one radiant-energy sensor and a transmitter, the at least one radiant-energy sensor assembly detecting an amount of radiant energy during operation of the system and transmitting information regarding the amount to the receiver, wherein the amount of radiant energy detected includes radiant energy created directly by the at least one radiant-energy emitter and radiant energy reflected off items in the area; and

control logic configured to vary the power received by the at least one radiant-energy emitter and configured to terminate the emitting of radiant energy by the at least one radiant-energy emitter based on the information transmitted from the transmitter to the receiver.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the housing is movable via a robotic drive system.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the radiant energy is ultraviolet (UV) light.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein the UV light has wavelengths in a range from about 100 nanometers to about 280 nanometers (UV-C).

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the control logic is configured to position the at least one radiant-energy emitter between an inactive position and an active position based upon the amount of radiant energy detected at the at least one radiant-energy sensor.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one radiant-energy emitter includes an adjustable reflector to reflect emitted radiant energy in a particular direction.

7. The system of claim 1, further comprising a hygrometer in communication with the control logic for determining an amount of relative humidity in the area.

8. The system of claim 1, further comprising an image analysis system in communication with the control logic for detecting motion and changes in the area to prevent emitter activation in the event of an obstruction or occupancy.

9-14. -14. (canceled)

15. A system for irradiating an area with radiant energy, comprising:

a housing;

a receiver associated with the housing;

at least one power source;

at least one radiant-energy emitter for emitting radiant energy, the at least one radiant-energy emitter associated with the housing and powered by the at least one power source, wherein the at least one radiant-energy emitter emits an adjustable flux of radiant energy during operation of the system dependent on the power received from the at least one power source;

at least one wireless sensor assembly remote from the housing, the wireless sensor assembly including at least one radiant-energy sensor, an amplifier, and a transmitter, the at least one wireless sensor assembly detecting an amount of radiant energy during operation of the system and transmitting information regarding the amount to the receiver, wherein the amount of radiant energy detected includes radiant energy created directly by the at least one radiant-energy emitter and radiant energy reflected off items in the area; and

control logic configured to vary the power received by the at least one radiant-energy emitter and configured to terminate the emitting of radiant energy by the at least one radiant-energy emitter based on the information transmitted from the transmitter to the receiver.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein the wireless sensor assembly includes a battery system for powering the assembly.

17. The system of claim 16, wherein the wireless sensor assembly includes a photo-voltaic cell for converting flux into power to charge the battery system.

18. The system of claim 15, wherein the housing is mobile.

19. The system of claim 15, wherein the radiant energy is ultraviolet (UV) light.

20. The system of claim 19, wherein the UV light has wavelengths in a range from about 100 nanometers to about 280 nanometers (UV-C).