Ultra violet detector/indicator

• US 7,479,641 B2
• Filed: 09/12/2006
• Issued: 01/20/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 04/28/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Tommy Chi-Kin Wong
• Original Assignee: Tommy Chi-Kin Wong
• Inventors: Wong, Tommy Chi-Kin
• Primary Examiner(s): Porta; David P
• Assistant Examiner(s): Baker; David S
• Application Number:
  US11/518,900
• Publication Number:
  US 20070007467A1
• Time in Patent Office: 861 Days
• Field of Search: 250/372
• US Class Current: 250/372
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 1/429 applied to measurement of ultraviolet light using counting tubes G01T
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 1/50 using change in colour of an indicator, e.g. actinometer
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 1/58 using luminescence generated by light

Abstract

An ultraviolet detector/indicator comprises of a column, hemisphere, cake, or wire where a light receiving front and a light emitting front are respectively installed on the two ends with connections, and a light guide unit, which contains the material that strengthens the ultraviolet or adjusts the spectrum is installed between the two fronts. According to the foregoing structure, the ultraviolet detector/indicator installed in the enclosure of an ultraviolet sterilization apparatus is exempted from the external power source for transferring invisible ultraviolet into visible light. In addition, a calorimetric scale printed with various color shades is installed to assist the user in verifying the ultraviolet strengths should aging or damage of the ultraviolet lamp fail functions of the apparatus. Furthermore, an interface connecting to the enclosure is installed to facilitate the replacement of ultraviolet detector/indicator.

Claims

1. In combination,

an enclosure of a fluid processing apparatus;

an ultraviolet lamp installed in the enclosure for sterilization; and

an ultraviolet detector/indicator installed at an external wall of the enclosure, wherein the ultraviolet detector/indicator comprises;

a light receiving end to receive ultraviolet light from the ultraviolet lamp,

a light emitting end disposed outside the enclosure,

a light guide transmitting light between the two ends,

material to transfer ultraviolet energy into visible light between the light receiving end and the light emitting end, the material adjusting a spectrum, and

a colorimetric scale which is printed with various color shades disposed adjacent to at least one of the ends,

whereby ultraviolet light inside the enclosure is indicated by visible light at the light emitting end.

2. The combination according to claim 1, wherein the light guide comprises an optical fiber.

3. The combination according to claim 2, comprising a power cable having a remote end, wherein the optical fiber is flexible and extends along the power cable, and wherein the light emitting end is located at the remote end of the power cable.

4. The combination according to claim 3, wherein the material to transfer ultraviolet energy into visible light adjusts a spectrum and a colorimetric scale which is printed with various color shades is disposed adjacent to at least one of the ends.

5. The combination according to claim 3, wherein the material to transfer ultraviolet energy into visible light adjusts a spectrum and a colorimetric scale which is printed with various color shades is disposed adjacent to at least one of the ends.

6. The combination according to claim 1, wherein the ultraviolet detector/indicator comprises a column.

7. The combination according to claim 6, wherein the column comprises a hollow column containing the material to transfer ultraviolet energy into visible light.

8. The combination according to claim 7, wherein the material to transfer ultraviolet energy into visible light comprises fluorescent powder.

9. The combination according to claim 1, comprising an interface which connects to an upper or a lower end where the ultraviolet detector/indicator is installed in the enclosure, whereby the ultraviolet detector/indicator is replaceably installed in the enclosure.

10. The combination according to claim 9, wherein the interface comprises a threaded cock.

11. The combination according to claim 1, wherein the colorimetric scale cinctures the wall of the enclosure.

12. The combination according to claim 1, wherein the ultraviolet detector/indicator comprises a ring and the colorimetric scale is embraced by the ring.

13. The combination according to claim 1, wherein the colorimetric scale sleeves a column.

14. The combination according to claim 1, wherein the ultraviolet detector/indicator comprises a cake.

15. The combination according to claim 1, wherein the fluid is liquid.

16. The combination according to claim 1, wherein the light receiving end, the light emitting end, and the light guide are separate units.

17. The combination according to claim 1, wherein the light receiving end, the light emitting end, and the light guide are integrated into a collective structure.

18. The combination according to claim 1, wherein the material to transfer ultraviolet energy into visible light is selected from the group consisting of silica gel and its derivatives, PTFE (Polytetrafluoroethylene) and its derivatives, and PMMA (Poly Methyl Methacrylate) and its derivatives.

19. The combination according to claim 1, comprising characters or signs, pervious or opaque to the ultraviolet, installed on the surface of the light emitting end.