Air purification and decontamination for hazmat suits

• US 7,658,891 B1
• Filed: 08/23/2004
• Issued: 02/09/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 11/21/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Ronald L Barnes
• Original Assignee: Ronald L Barnes
• Inventors: Barnes, Ronald L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Mayekar; Kishor
• Application Number:
  US10/923,906
• Time in Patent Office: 1,996 Days
• Field of Search: 422/186.3, 128/205.28
• US Class Current: 422/186.03
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 9/015 using gaseous or vaporous substances, e.g. ozone A61L9/20 takes precedence ; evaporation in general B01B1/005
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 9/20 Ultraviolet radiation
• CPC Class Codes: A62B 17/006 against contamination from chemicals, toxic or hostile environments; ABC suits
• CPC Class Codes: A62B 17/04 Hoods
• CPC Class Codes: A62B 23/00 Filters for breathing-protection purposes gas-filters in general B01D
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2251/104 Ozone
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2253/102 Carbon
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2257/504 Carbon dioxide
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2257/91 Bacteria; Microorganisms
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2259/4541 for portable use, e.g. gas masks
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2259/4558 for being employed as mobile cleaners for ambient air, i.e. the earth's atmosphere
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2259/4566 for use in transportation means
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2259/4583 for removing chemical, biological and nuclear warfare agents
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2259/804 UV light
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 53/38 Removing components of undefined structure
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 53/86 Catalytic processes
• CPC Class Codes: C01B 13/10 Preparation of ozone
• CPC Class Codes: C01B 13/11 by electric discharge
• CPC Class Codes: C01B 2201/82 Treatment with ultraviolet light
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 20/151 Reduction of greenhouse gas [GHG] emissions, e.g. CO2

Abstract

This application relates to innovative apparatus and methods for efficient use of vacuum ultraviolet light and ozone to break down biological and chemical contaminants in air that flows through such apparatus, and to generate additional ozone and ozonites that further contribute to destruction of contaminants in air in a generally enclosed contaminated volume communicating with such apparatus, as well as contaminants on surfaces and within porous materials such as clothing in a generally enclosed volume, and including contaminants on the hair or skin of an individual, or on the hide or fur of an animal. A generally enclosed contaminated volume may include an interior of a hazardous materials (HAZMAT) protective suit donned by an individual, or in an environment, that was already contaminated, or a passenger compartment of a vehicle operated or parked in a contaminated area.

Claims

1. A system for providing decontaminated air for breathing comprising:

a closed volume of air,

an ozone generator coupled to receive a first flow of said air from said closed volume of air, said ozone generator configured to provide ozone to said first flow of said air and further coupled to provide an ozonated said first flow of said air back to said closed volume of air, providing a reservoir of ozonated said air,

an ozone destroyer coupled to receive a portion of said ozonated first flow of air, and provide a second flow of air substantially free of ozone, and

a breathing enclosure configured to be sealably fitted to at least a nose and mouth of a user and coupled to provide said second flow of air substantially free of ozone to the user.

2. A system as set forth in claim 1 wherein said closed volume of air further comprises a generally airtight suit for enclosing a body of the user.

3. A system as set forth in claim 2 wherein said ozone generator further comprises an ultraviolet ozone-producing lamp in a radiation exposure chamber for receiving said first flow of air.

4. A system as set forth in claim 3 wherein said ozone destroyer further comprises a selective ultraviolet light filter around at least a portion of said ultraviolet lamp, said selective ultraviolet light filter passing only wavelengths from said ultraviolet lamp that destroy said ozone, and an air passageway around an exterior of said selective ultraviolet light filter that passes said second flow of air substantially free of ozone.

5. A system as set forth in claim 3 wherein said ultraviolet lamp is configured for producing wavelengths of ultraviolet light that destroy said ozone.

6. A system as set forth in claim 3 wherein said ozone generator further comprises a second ultraviolet lamp that generates wavelengths that develop ozone, said second ultraviolet lamp mounted in a radiation exposure chamber receiving said flow of air substantially free of ozone.

7. A system as set forth in claim 2 further comprising airflow apparatus for receiving outside air and coupled to said ozone generator for providing ozonated exterior air to an interior of said generally airtight suit to slightly pressurize said generally airtight suit so that if said generally airtight suit develops leakage ozonated air will flow out of said generally airtight suit, preventing contaminated external air from entering said generally airtight suit.

8. A system as set forth in claim 7 further comprising an airflow router that routes outside air through said ozone generator to replenish said reservoir of ozonated air.

9. A system as set forth in claim 2 further comprising a first airflow router wherein during inhalation by the user, said airflow router routes said flow of ozonated air through said ozone destroyer to provide said second flow of air substantially free of ozone for breathing by the user.

10. A system as set forth in claim 9 wherein during exhalation by the user, a second airflow router unidirectionally vents exhaled air to an exterior of said generally airtight suit.

11. A system as set forth in claim 9 wherein during exhalation of air by the user, a second airflow router unidirectionally provides air into said closed volume of air.

12. A system as set forth in claim 11 further comprising a carbon dioxide scrubber in said first flow of air to said ozone generator, and during inhalation by a user, said first airflow router draws ozonated air through said carbon dioxide scrubber from said closed volume of air and removes carbon dioxide from inhaled said air.

13. A system as set forth in claim 1 wherein said ozone generator is a corona discharge ozone generator for creating ozone in said first flow of air.

14. A system as set forth in claim 1 wherein said breathing enclosure further comprises an enclosure separate from said closed volume of air, said breathing enclosure for being sealably fitted about a head of the user.

15. A system as set forth in claim 14 wherein said-breathing enclosure is a flexible hood for sealably enclosing the head of the user, and coupled to receive said second flow of air substantially free of ozone.

16. A system as set forth in claim 15 further comprising a breathing tube for unidirectionally venting exhaled air to an outside of said flexible hood.

17. A system as set forth in claim 1 wherein said closed volume of air is a passenger compartment of a vehicle.

18. A system as set forth in claim 17 wherein said breathing enclosure is a mask for sealably fitting about a nose and mouth of the user.

19. A system as set forth in claim 1 wherein said ozone generator and said ozone destroyer further comprise:

a generally light-tight housing having a plurality of discrete air passageways,

a source of ultraviolet radiation in said housing, said source of ultraviolet radiation emitting wavelengths including at least 185 nm ultraviolet radiation and 254 nm ultraviolet radiation,

a selective ultraviolet radiation filter that strongly attenuates said 185 nm ultraviolet radiation while passing said 254 nm ultraviolet radiation,

said selective ultraviolet radiation filter surrounding said source of ultraviolet radiation and configured to cooperate with said air passageways in said housing to create at least one extended in length 185 nm ultraviolet radiation exposure chamber and at least one extended in length 254 nm ultraviolet radiation chamber.

20. A system as set forth in claim 19 wherein said selective ultraviolet radiation filter is of a convoluted shape.

21. A system as set forth in claim 20 wherein said source of ultraviolet radiation is a cylindrical ultraviolet lamp and said filter is a glass cylinder having an inner diameter sufficient to enclose said cylindrical ultraviolet lamp and provide a common wall for an inner said 185 nm ultraviolet radiation exposure chamber and an outer said 254 nm ultraviolet radiation chamber, said inner chamber and said outer chamber surrounding said cylindrical ultraviolet lamp.

22. A system as set forth in claim 21 wherein said glass cylinder further comprises helical airflow-directing ridges on an outer surface of said glass cylinder, said helical airflow-directing ridges forming said 254 nm ultraviolet radiation exposure chamber.

23. A system as set forth in claim 21 wherein said convoluted shape forming said 185 nm ultraviolet radiation exposure chamber further comprises a helical structure positioned between an outer cylindrical surface of said ultraviolet lamp and an inner surface of said glass cylinder.

24. A system as set forth in claim 23 wherein said helical structure is electrically conductive and coupled to an electrical potential, for increasing efficiency of said ultraviolet lamp.

25. A system as set forth in claim 20 wherein said selective ultraviolet radiation filter of said convoluted shape further comprises a plastic material that passes said 254 nm ultraviolet radiation.

26. A system as set forth in claim 19 wherein said housing is generally cylindrical, with one end of said housing removable for cleaning and replacement of components.