Cleaning arrangement including filters and ultraviolet radiation

• US 5,891,399 A
• Filed: 01/17/1997
• Issued: 04/06/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 12/22/1993
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Klean As
• Original Assignee: Klean As
• Inventors: Owesen, Yngvar S.
• Primary Examiner(s): MCKANE, ELIZABETH L
• Application Number:
  US08/666,342
• Time in Patent Office: 809 Days
• Field of Search: 422/24, 422/117, 422/107, 422/114, 422/121, 96/16, 96/57, 96/58, 96/224, 95/69, 454/187
• US Class Current: 422/121
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 9/20 Ultraviolet radiation
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 8/158 using active carbon
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 8/194 by filtering using high voltage
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 8/22 using UV light
• CPC Class Codes: Y02A 50/20 Air quality improvement or preservation, e.g. vehicle emission control or emission reduction by using catalytic converters

Abstract

A device used in an air purifying system. The device includes an ultraviolet radiation source, a pre-filter, and a post-filter. The pre-filter is arranged adjacent to the ultraviolet light source such that the pre-filter is irradiated by the ultraviolet light source to destroy bacteria, virus, or other organisms on the pre-filter. The device also includes a cover that is movable between an open and closed position. In the closed position, the device operates in a passive mode to irradiate air within the device and to filter air through filters in the device. In the open position, the device operates in an active mode to irradiate an area external of the device and to simultaneously filter air through a filter in the device.

Claims

1. A device used in an air purifying system, the device comprising:

a housing through which air flows, the housing having an inlet and an outlet;

an ultraviolet light source positioned in said housing;

a particulate pre-filter positioned in said housing and located upstream of said ultraviolet light source with respect to a direction of air flow;

a post-filter positioned in said housing and located downstream of said ultraviolet light source with respect to the direction of air flow, said particulate pre-filter being located adjacent to said ultraviolet light source such that said particulate pre-filter is irradiated by said ultraviolet light source when said ultraviolet light source is activated, said particulate pre-filter also preventing ultraviolet light from said ultraviolet light source from passing through said particulate pre-filter to said inlet;

a fan located downstream of said ultraviolet light source with respect to the direction of airflow and located upstream of said post-filter with respect to the direction of airflow;

a cover moveable between an open position in which ultraviolet light from said ultraviolet light source is permitted to irradiate an area external of said housing and a closed position in which said ultraviolet light from said ultraviolet light source is prevented from irradiating said area external of said housing; and

remotely controlled means which upon appropriate signal moves said cover between said closed position defining a passive mode in which air within the housing is irradiated by ultraviolet light from said ultraviolet light source and air is filtered through said particulate pre-filter and said post-filter, and said open position defining an active mode in which said area external of said housing is irradiated by ultraviolet light from said ultraviolet light source and air is filtered through at least one of said particulate pre-filter and said post-filter.

2. The device as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a detection device for detecting the presence of a human or an animal and signaling said remotely controlled means.

3. The device as claimed in claim 2, wherein said detection device includes an IR detector.

4. The device as claimed in claim 2, wherein said detection device is attached to said housing.

5. The device as claimed in claim 2, wherein said detection device is located at a location remote from said housing.

6. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said particulate pre-filter is an EU4 filter.

7. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said ultraviolet light source includes an ultraviolet tube located along a longitudinal axis of said housing.

8. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said post-filter includes a bioclimatic filter positioned in said housing and located downstream of said ultraviolet light source with respect to the direction of air flow.

9. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said post-filter includes a carbon filter located downstream of said ultraviolet light source with respect to the direction of air flow.

10. The device as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a sensor device for sensing movement and deactivating said ultraviolet light source upon sensing movement.

11. The device as claimed in claim 1, further comprising controlling means for controlling a radiation strength of said ultraviolet light source.

12. The device as claimed in claim 1, further comprising regulating means for regulating an amount of air flow through said housing.

13. The device as claimed in claim 1, in combination with a ventilation system, said system having a plurality of air duct branches for providing air to said inlet or for discharging air from said outlet.