Positive air pressure isolation system

• US 7,625,277 B2
• Filed: 05/24/2007
• Issued: 12/01/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 05/24/2006
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: American Innovative Research Corp.
• Original Assignee: American Innovative Research Corp.
• Inventors: Palmer, David W.
• Primary Examiner(s): McAllister; Steven B
• Assistant Examiner(s): OREILLY, PATRICK F
• Application Number:
  US11/805,776
• Publication Number:
  US 20070275651A1
• Time in Patent Office: 922 Days
• Field of Search: 454/238, 454/255, 454/340, 454/341, 454/187, 962/24, 553/852
• US Class Current: 454/255
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 9/20 Ultraviolet radiation
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 1/04 Dust-free rooms or enclosures
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/30 for purposes related to the operation of the system, e.g. for safety or monitoring
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/64 using pre-stored data
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/77 by controlling the speed of ventilators
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 2011/0004 to create overpressure in a room
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 2110/00 Control inputs relating to air properties
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 2110/32 of the outside air
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 2110/40 Pressure, e.g. wind pressure
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 8/108 using dry filter elements
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 8/192 by electrical means, e.g. by applying electrostatic fields or high voltages
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 30/70 Efficient control or regulation technologies, e.g. for control of refrigerant flow, motor or heating

Abstract

An air-pressure-control system, the system comprising a system inlet, a system outlet, and a variable-speed fan configured to operate at a speed. A motor controller in communication with the fan is configured to control the speed of the fan. A differential-pressure transducer configured to monitor an air pressure at the system inlet and an air pressure at the system outlet. A closed-loop pressure controller in communication with the motor controller and differential-pressure transducer, wherein the pressure controller is configured to vary the speed of the fan based on the pressure differential between the inlet and outlet of the system, thereby controlling a pressure within a space. An ultraviolet kill chamber may be disposed between the inlet and outlet to expose airborne particulate to UV radiation. The system may also have a filter located within an air-flow path between the system inlet and system outlet.

Claims

1. An air-pressure control system, the system comprising:

a self-contained unit housing extending through a structural opening in a wall of a building;

a system inlet in a first sidewall of the housing;

a system outlet in a second sidewall of the housing, which is opposite to the first sidewall;

a first filter located within an airflow path between the system inlet and system outlet;

a variable-speed fan configured to operate at a speed, the variable-speed fan being reversible;

a motor controller in communication with the fan and configured to control the speed of the fan;

a differential-air-pressure transducer configured to monitor an air pressure differential between the system inlet and the system outlet;

a closed-loop controller in communication with the motor controller and the differential-pressure transducer, wherein the closed-loop controller is configured to vary the speed of the fan based on the pressure differential between the inlet and outlet of the system, thereby controlling a pressure within a space; and

a control panel provided on the housing in communication with the closed-loop controller and configured to receive setpoint values and to change the speed or a direction of the fan based on the setpoint value;

wherein the control panel includes a switch having a positive pressure position and a negative pressure position, the fan operating in a first direction to create a controlled substantially constant positive pressure within the space when the switch is in the positive pressure position, the fan operating in a second direction to create a controlled substantially constant negative pressure within the space when the switch is in the negative pressure position.

2. An air-pressure-control system according to claim 1, wherein the closed-loop controller includes:

a microprocessor configured to compare an output from the differential pressure transducer and the setpoint value and adjust the speed or direction of the fan based on the difference between the differential-air-pressure transducer output and the setpoint value.

3. An air-pressure-control system according to claim 2, further comprising a safety sensor in communication with the microprocessor and configured to alarm when the air-pressure-control system is not operating at the setpoint values.

4. An air-pressure-control system according to claim 3, wherein the safety sensor is an air-flow safety sensor.

5. An air-pressure-control system according claim 2, further comprising:

a germicidal radiation chamber located within the airflow path in the air-pressure-control system, wherein the germicidal radiation chamber includes at least one UV light source.

6. An air pressure control system according to claim 5, the system further including an air flow sensor located within the germicidal radiation chamber.

7. An air pressure control system according to claim 6, wherein the air flow sensor is in communication with the microprocessor such that the microprocessor can control the fan speed based on a signal transmitted by the air flow sensor.

8. An air pressure control system according to claim 5, the system further comprising a UV sensor located within the germicidal radiation chamber and configured to measure an amount of UV radiation.

9. An air pressure control system according to claim 8, wherein the UV sensor is in communication with the microprocessor such that the microprocessor can control the fan speed based on a signal transmitted by the UV sensor.

10. An air-pressure-control system according to claim 5, wherein airflow through the germicidal radiation chamber is substantially laminar.

11. An air-pressure-control system according to claim 10, wherein the germicidal radiation chamber has an interior wall having a reflective surface, the interior wall reflecting the UV light generated from the light source across the airflow path.

12. An air-pressure-control system according to claim 11, wherein the interior wall having the reflective surface is parallel to the laminar airflow.

13. An air-pressure control system according to claim 1, wherein the first filter is a translucent glass fiber filter.

14. An air-pressure-control system according to claim 13, wherein the translucent glass fiber filter is mounted within a metal frame.

15. An air pressure control system according to claim 1, the system further comprising a cover having a closed and open position configured to close the system inlet when the system is not in use, thereby preventing airflow through the system.

16. An air pressure control system according to claim 15, the system further comprising an interlock switch connected to the cover and configured to sense a position of the cover and prevent system operation if the cover is in the closed position.

17. An air-pressure-control system according to claim 1, wherein the differential-air-pressure transducer is an anemometer.

18. An air-pressure-control system, the system comprising:

a self-contained unit housing extending through a structural opening in a wall of a building;

a system inlet in a first sidewall of the housing;

a system outlet in a second sidewall of the housing, which is opposite to the first sidewall;

a variable-speed fan configured to operate at a speed, the variable-speed fan being reversible;

a motor controller in communication with the fan and configured to control the speed of the fan;

a differential-air-pressure transducer configured to monitor an air pressure differential between the system inlet and the system outlet;

a closed-loop controller in communication with the motor controller and the differential-pressure transducer, wherein the closed-loop controller is configured to vary the speed of the fan based on the pressure differential between the inlet and outlet of the system, thereby controlling a pressure within a space; and

a control panel provided on the housing in communication with the closed-loop controller and configured to receive setpoint values and to change the speed or a direction of the fan based on the setpoint value;

wherein the control panel includes a switch having a positive pressure position and a negative pressure position, the fan operating in a first direction to create a controlled substantially constant positive pressure within the space when the switch is in the positive pressure position, the fan operating in a second direction to create a controlled substantially constant negative pressure within the space when the switch is in the negative pressure position.

19. An air-pressure-control system according to claim 18, wherein the closed-loop controller includes:

a microprocessor configured to compare an output from the differential pressure transducer and the setpoint value and adjust the speed or direction of the fan based on the difference between the differential-air-pressure transducer output and the setpoint value.

20. An air-pressure-control system according to claim 19, further comprising a safety sensor in communication with the microprocessor and configured to alarm when the air-pressure-control system is not operating at the setpoint values.

21. An air-pressure-control system according to claim 18, further comprising:

a germicidal radiation chamber located within an airflow path in the air-pressure-control system, wherein the germicidal radiation chamber includes at least one UV light source.

22. An air-pressure-control system according to claim 21, further comprising baffles located at an at least one end of the germicidal radiation chamber, wherein the baffles are configured to prevent UV light from exiting the germicidal radiation chamber.

23. An air-pressure-control system, the system comprising:

a self-contained unit housing extending through a structural opening in a wall of a building;

a system inlet in a first sidewall of the housing;

a system outlet in a second sidewall of the housing, which is opposite to the first sidewall;

a means for moving air between an exterior and a closed space, the means for moving air being reversible in direction;

a differential-air-pressure transducer configured to monitor an air pressure differential between the system inlet and the system outlet;

a closed-loop controller in communication with the means for moving air and differential-air-pressure transducer, wherein the closed-loop controller is configured to vary a rate at which the air is moved based on the pressure differential between the inlet and outlet of the system, thereby controlling a pressure within the closed space; and

a control panel provided on the housing in communication with the closed-loop controller and configured to receive setpoint values and to change the speed or a direction of the means for moving air based on the setpoint value;

wherein the control panel includes a switch having a positive pressure position and a negative pressure position, the means for moving air operating in a first direction to create a controlled substantially constant positive pressure within the space when the switch is in the positive pressure position, the means for moving air operating in a second direction to create a controlled substantially constant negative pressure within the space when the switch is in the negative pressure position.

24. An air-pressure-control system according to claim 23, wherein the closed-loop controller includes:

a microprocessor configured to compare an output from the differential-air-pressure transducer and the setpoint value and adjust the speed or direction of the means for moving air based on the difference between the differential-air-pressure transducer output and the setpoint value.

25. An air-pressure-control system according to claim 23, further comprising:

a germicidal radiation chamber located within an airflow path in the air-pressure-control system, wherein the germicidal radiation chamber includes at least one UV light source.

26. An air pressure control system, the system comprising:

a self-contained unit housing extending through a structural opening in a wall of a building;

a first unidirectional air path including a first air path inlet in a first sidewall of the housing and a first air path outlet in a second sidewall of the housing, which is opposite to the first sidewall;

a second unidirectional air path including a second air path inlet and second air path outlet;

a variable-speed fan located within the first unidirectional air path and configured to operate at a speed, the variable-speed fan being reversible;

a motor controller in communication with the variable-speed fan and configured to control the speed of the variable-speed fan;

a differential-air-pressure transducer located within the second unidirectional air path and configured to monitor an air pressure differential between the second air path inlet and the second air path outlet;

a closed-loop controller in communication with the motor controller and differential-air-pressure transducer, wherein the closed-loop controller is configured to maintain a pressure in a space by varying the speed of the fan based on the pressure differential between the air pressure at the second air path inlet and the air pressure at the second air path outlet; and

a control panel provided on the housing in communication with the closed-loop controller and configured to receive setpoint values and to change the speed or a direction of the fan based on the setpoint value;

wherein the control panel includes a switch having a positive pressure position and a negative pressure position, the fan operating in a first direction to create a controlled substantially constant positive pressure within the space when the switch is in the positive pressure position, the fan operating in a second direction to create a controlled substantially constant negative pressure within the space when the switch is in the negative pressure position.

27. An air-pressure-control system according to claim 26, wherein the closed-loop controller includes:

a microprocessor configured to compare an output from the differential-air-pressure transducer and the setpoint value and adjust the speed or direction of the fan based on the difference between the differential-air-pressure transducer output and the setpoint value.

28. The air-pressure-control system according to claim 26, further comprising:

a germicidal radiation chamber located within the first airflow path in the air-pressure-control system, wherein the germicidal radiation chamber includes at least one UV light source.

29. An air-pressure-control system according to claim 26, wherein the first unidirectional air path and the second unidirectional air path are reversible.