Ultraviolet Discharge Lamp Apparatuses Having Optical Filters Which Attenuate Visible Light

• US 20150320897A1
• Filed: 07/21/2015
• Published: 11/12/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 06/08/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Xenex Disinfection Services, LLC.
• Original Assignee: Xenex Disinfection Services, LLC.
• Inventors: Stibich, Mark Andrew, Wolford, James Blaine, Garfield, Alexander Nathan, Rathgeber, Martin
• Granted Patent: US 9,773,658 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• 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; and

an optical filter arranged adjacent to the discharge lamp, wherein the optical filter comprises an exterior surface of the apparatus, and wherein the optical filter is configured to;

pass a majority amount of ultraviolet light emitted from the discharge lamp in a range of approximately 200 nm to approximately 320 nm; and

attenuate a majority amount, but not all visible light emitted from the discharge lamp.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus is configured such that at least some ultraviolet light emitted from the discharge lamp and passed through the optical filter is distributed multi-directionally into an ambient of the apparatus.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, 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 is between approximately 2 feet and approximately 4 feet from a floor of a room in which the apparatus is arranged.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, 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

the ultraviolet light propagated to the encircling region collectively occupies the entirety of the encircling region during an operation of the apparatus without user intervention.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a base supporting the discharge lamp and the optical filter, wherein the discharge lamp and the optical filter extend beyond an exterior surface of the base.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a reflector disposed below or above the optical filter to respectively redirect light emitted from the optical filter upwardly or downwardly exterior to the apparatus.

7. 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.

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

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the optical filter encircles the discharge lamp.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the discharge lamp is a flashlamp.

11. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a fan disposed at one end of the discharge lamp and an ozone filter disposed an opposing end of the discharge lamp.

12. An apparatus, comprising:

a discharge lamp configured to emit ultraviolet light;

a housing encircling the discharge lamp, wherein the sidewalls of the housing are transparent to ultraviolet light, and wherein the discharge lamp and the housing are arranged in the apparatus such that ultraviolet light emitted from the discharge lamp and transmitted through the housing is projected exterior to the apparatus;

a fan disposed below the discharge lamp for drawing air into the housing; and

an ozone filter disposed above the discharge lamp, wherein the ozone filter comprises a width greater than a width of an interior cavity formed by sidewalls of the housing.

13. The apparatus of claim 12, further comprising a reflector disposed adjacent to the ozone filter exterior to and proximate an upper end of the housing to redirect light emitted from the housing downwardly.

14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the reflector is disposed beneath the ozone filter.

15. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the reflector encircles the housing.

16. The apparatus of claim 12, further comprising a reflector disposed exterior to and proximate a lower end of the housing to redirect light emitted from the housing upwardly.

17. The apparatus of claim 12, further comprising a cap component arranged above the ozone filter such that exhaust discharged from the ozone filter is routed to the side of the apparatus.

18. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein an upper surface the ozone filter comprises an exterior surface of the apparatus such that exhaust discharged from the ozone filter is directed above the apparatus.

19. An apparatus, comprising:

a discharge lamp configured to emit ultraviolet light;

a housing encircling the discharge lamp, wherein the sidewalls of the housing are transparent to ultraviolet light, and wherein the discharge lamp and the housing are arranged in the apparatus such that ultraviolet light emitted from the discharge lamp and transmitted through the housing is projected exterior to the apparatus;

a gas inlet disposed at a lower end of the housing;

a gas outlet disposed at an upper end of the housing; and

a cap component disposed above the gas outlet to redirect exhaust discharged from the gas outlet to a side of the apparatus.

20. The apparatus of claim 19, further comprising a reflector disposed below the cap component exterior to and proximate the upper end of the housing to redirect light emitted from the housing downwardly.

21. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein the reflector is disposed below a region at which the redirected exhaust is discharged from the apparatus.

22. The apparatus of claim 19, further comprising an ozone filter disposed near the gas outlet above the discharge lamp.

23. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein the ozone filter comprises a width substantially similar to a width of an interior cavity formed by sidewalls of the housing encircling the discharge lamp.

24. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein the ozone filter comprises a width greater than a width of an interior cavity formed by sidewalls of the housing encircling the discharge lamp.

25. The apparatus of claim 22, further comprising a reflector disposed below the cap component, adjacent the ozone filter, and exterior to and proximate the upper end of the housing to redirect light emitted from the housing downwardly.

26. The apparatus of claim 25, wherein the reflector is disposed beneath the ozone filter.