System and method for germicidal sanitizing of an elevator or other enclosed structure

• US 8,680,496 B2
• Filed: 08/26/2013
• Issued: 03/25/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 08/06/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Elevated Health Systems, LLC
• Original Assignee: Elevated Health Systems, LLC
• Inventors: Leben, David G.
• Primary Examiner(s): Souw, Bernard E
• Application Number:
  US14/010,004
• Publication Number:
  US 20130341533A1
• Time in Patent Office: 211 Days
• Field of Search: 250/365, 250/372, 250/461.1, 250/504.R, 422/1, 422/3, 422/22, 422/24, 422/55, 422/62, 422/107, 422/108, 422/119, 422/186, 422/186.3, 422/300, 422/307, 422/455.11, 187/277, 187/276, 187/392, 187/391, 187/397, 187/413, 187/414
• US Class Current: 250/504.R
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2/10 Ultraviolet radiation
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2202/14 Means for controlling sterilisation processes, data processing, presentation and storage means, e.g. sensors, controllers, programs
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2202/25 Rooms in buildings, passenger compartments
• CPC Class Codes: B66B 11/0226 Constructional features, e.g. walls assembly, decorative panels, comfort equipment, thermal or sound insulation
• CPC Class Codes: B66B 11/024 Ventilation systems

Abstract

A system for sanitizing an enclosed structure has a plurality of sensors, a germicidal ultraviolet light source, and a controller. A first sensor detects the presence of humans or animals within the enclosed structure, and a second sensor detects the position of at least one door of the enclosed structure. The ultraviolet light source provides electromagnetic radiation in the ultraviolet range. The controller receives inputs from the first and second sensors and instructs emission or cessation of emission of the electromagnetic radiation based on the received input.

Claims

1. A sanitizing system for use within an enclosed structure, the system comprising:

a sensor to detect the presence of humans or animals within the enclosed structure and to transmit an input signal indicating the presence of humans or animals;

a germicidal ultraviolet light source to provide electromagnetic radiation in the ultraviolet range; and

a controller to receive the input signal and to provide for the ultraviolet light source to emit the electromagnetic radiation within an exposed area of the enclosed structure,

wherein the controller is operable to instruct the ultraviolet light source to cease emitting the electromagnetic radiation within the exposed area of the enclosed structure when the controller receives the input signal indicating the presence of humans or animals within the enclosed structure.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the sensor includes a motion detector.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the sensor includes a thermal sensor.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the sensor is a first sensor and the system further includes a second sensor for detecting tampering with the sanitizing system.

5. The system of claim 1, further including a fan mounted proximate the light source for cooling the light source.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the controller is operable to activate the light source for a predetermined period of time comprising a sanitizing cycle.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein a length of time of the sanitizing cycle may be modified based on factors affecting sanitizing of the enclosed structure.

8. The system of claim 6, wherein the controller is operable to resume sanitizing for a remaining time of said predetermined period of time for said sanitizing cycle upon interruption of the sanitizing cycle due to receipt of the input signal.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein the controller is associated with a memory and stores data regarding the sanitizing cycle in said memory.

10. A sanitizing system for use within an enclosed structure, the system comprising:

a sensor to detect an open or a closed position of at least one access point of the enclosed structure and to transmit an input signal indicating the access point is open;

a germicidal ultraviolet light source to provide electromagnetic radiation in the ultraviolet range; and

a controller to receive the input signal and to provide for the ultraviolet light source to emit the electromagnetic radiation within an exposed area of the enclosed structure,

wherein the controller is operable to instruct the ultraviolet light source to cease emitting the electromagnetic radiation within the exposed area of the enclosed structure when the controller receives the input signal indicating the access point is open.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein the sensor is located proximate the access point.

12. The system of claim 10, further including a protective cover for the ultraviolet light source.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein the sensor is mounted on the protective cover for detecting an open or a closed position of at least one access point of the enclosed structure.

14. The system of claim 10, wherein the sensor is a first sensor and the system further includes a second sensor for detecting tampering with the sanitizing system.

15. The system of claim 10, further including a fan mounted proximate the light source for cooling the light source.

16. The system of claim 10, wherein the controller is operable to activate the light source for a predetermined period of time comprising a sanitizing cycle.

17. The system of claim 16, wherein a length of time of the sanitizing cycle may be modified based on factors affecting sanitizing of the enclosed structure.

18. The system of claim 16, wherein the controller is operable to resume sanitizing for a remaining time of said predetermined period of time for said sanitizing cycle upon interruption of the sanitizing cycle due to receipt of the input signal.

19. The system of claim 18, wherein the controller is associated with a memory and stores data regarding the sanitizing cycle in said memory.