Sterilization system with ultraviolet emitter for eradicating biological contaminants

• US 8,779,391 B2
• Filed: 02/24/2012
• Issued: 07/15/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 03/03/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Karen Flaherty
• Original Assignee: Teckni-Corp., Ltd.
• Inventors: Flaherty, Patrick, Winkler, Bruce L., Gold, Robert J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Sung, Christine
• Application Number:
  US13/404,781
• Publication Number:
  US 20120223216A1
• Time in Patent Office: 872 Days
• Field of Search: 250/461.1, 250/461.2, 250/372, 153/39
• US Class Current: 250/461.1
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 2201/04 Automatic control of the travelling movement; Automatic obstacle detection
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 2201/06 Control of the cleaning action for autonomous devices; Automatic detection of the surface condition before, during or after cleaning
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2/10 Ultraviolet radiation
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2/24 Apparatus using programmed or automatic operation
• 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 2202/16 Mobile applications, e.g. portable devices, trailers, devices mounted on vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2202/25 Rooms in buildings, passenger compartments
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/0242 using non-visible light signals, e.g. IR or UV signals

Abstract

An exemplary sterilization system includes a self-propelled robotic mobile platform for locating and eradicating infectious bacterial and virus strains on floors (and objects thereon), walls, cabinets, angled structures, etc., using one or more ultraviolet light sources. A controller allows the system to adjust the quantity of ultraviolet light received by a surface by, for example, changing the intensity of energy input to a ultraviolet light source, changing a distance between a ultraviolet light source and a surface being irradiated, changing the speed/movement of the mobile platform to affect time of exposure, and/or by returning to contaminated areas for additional passes. The mobile platform may include a sensor capable of detecting fluorescence of biological contaminants irradiated with ultraviolet light to locate contaminated areas. The system is thus capable of “seek and destroy” functionality by navigating towards contaminated areas and irradiating those areas with ultraviolet light accordingly.

Claims

1. A self-propelled system for sterilizing surfaces, the system including:

a. a robotic mobile platform having an ultraviolet light source, the robotic mobile platform being configured to neutralize biological contaminants by using the ultraviolet light source to emit ultraviolet light on a surface; and

b. a controller interfaced with the ultraviolet light source,

i. the controller being configured to control the ultraviolet light source so as to change a level of disinfection effected by the ultraviolet light source,

ii. the level of disinfection being a percentage of biological contaminants neutralized on the surface on which the ultraviolet light is emitted; and

c. a light sensor configured to detect illumination of biological contaminants irradiated with light;

wherein the robotic mobile platform does not have a vacuum so as to avoid suction that could spread contagions or that could suck contagions into the robotic mobile platform.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein the controller is configured to vary an energy intensity of the ultraviolet light source to change levels of ultraviolet light being emitted on the surface based on at least one of:

a. an amount of contamination anticipated for an area; and

b. a type of biological contaminant anticipated for an area.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein the controller is further configured to vary a physical separation distance between the ultraviolet light source and a surface to change levels of ultraviolet light being emitted on the surface based on at least one of:

a. an amount of contamination anticipated for an area; and

b. a type of biological contaminant anticipated for an area.

4. The system of claim 3 wherein the physical separation distance is changed by moving the ultraviolet light source towards or away from a surface.

5. The system of claim 1 wherein the controller is further configured to change the level of disinfection by changing a time of exposure during which a surface is exposed to the ultraviolet light.

6. The system of claim 5 wherein:

a. the robotic mobile platform is configured to travel over a surface as ultraviolet light is emitted on the surface; and

b. the time of exposure is changed by changing a speed at which the robotic mobile platform travels over the surface.

7. The system of claim 5 wherein:

a. the robotic mobile platform is configured to travel over a surface as ultraviolet light is emitted on the surface; and

b. the controller is configured to change the time of exposure of the surface to ultraviolet light by instructing the robotic mobile platform to travel over at least a portion of the surface more than once.

8. The system of claim 1 wherein the controller is configured to:

a. locate an illuminated portion of a surface; and

b. emit ultraviolet light on the illuminated portion so as to neutralize biological contaminants located thereon.

9. The system of claim 8 further including a guidance system configured to control navigation of the robotic mobile platform over surfaces, wherein the guidance system is configured to navigate the robotic mobile platform to locate a portion of a surface that illuminates.

10. The system of claim 1 wherein the ultraviolet light source can be oriented to emit light:

a. underneath the robotic mobile platform; and

b. to a side of the robotic mobile platform beyond a perimeter thereof.

11. The system of claim 1 wherein ultraviolet light can be emitted from the robotic mobile platform in an upwardly direction away from a floor over which the robotic platform travels.

12. The system of claim 1 wherein the controller is further configured to adjust an orientation of the ultraviolet light source so as to target surfaces to the side of the robotic mobile platform, above the robotic mobile platform, and below the robotic mobile platform.

13. The system of claim 1 wherein:

a. the robotic mobile platform is configured to move over surfaces; and

b. the controller is configured to adjust a movement of the robotic mobile platform based on energy reserves available at the mobile platform so as to achieve neutralization of biological contaminants over an area before available energy reserves are depleted.

14. The system of claim 1 wherein the controller is further configured to control the ultraviolet source so as to vary the level of disinfection effected by the ultraviolet source based on a level of illumination detected by the light sensor.

15. A self-propelled system for sterilizing surfaces, the system including:

a. a robotic mobile platform having an ultraviolet light source, the robotic mobile platform being configured to neutralize biological contaminants by using the ultraviolet light source to emit ultraviolet light on a surface;

b. a light sensor configured to detect illumination of biological contaminants irradiated with light; and

c. a controller interfaced with the ultraviolet light source, the controller being configured to;

i. control the ultraviolet light source so as to change a level of disinfection effected by the ultraviolet light source, the level of disinfection being a percentage of biological contaminants neutralized on the surface on which the ultraviolet light is emitted;

ii. emit ultraviolet light on a surface using the ultraviolet light source;

iii. detect a level of illumination at an irradiated portion of the surface using the light sensor; and

iv. compare the level of illumination detected by the light sensor with a threshold level of illumination, the threshold level corresponding with a level of biological contamination.

16. The system of claim 15 wherein illumination is detected via a photonic reaction in the light sensor, the light sensor being mounted on the robotic mobile platform.

17. A self-propelled system for sterilizing surfaces, the system including:

a. a robotic mobile platform configured to travel over surfaces to be irradiated with ultraviolet light;

b. an ultraviolet light source configured to emit ultraviolet light on a surface to neutralize biological contaminants;

c. a light sensor configured to detect fluorescence of biological contaminants irradiated with ultraviolet light; and

d. a controller configured to control the robotic mobile platform to irradiate surfaces using the ultraviolet light source based on fluorescence detected by the light sensor by adjusting one or both of;

i. a path travelled by the robotic mobile platform; and

ii. a speed at which the robotic mobile platform travels.

18. The system of 17 wherein:

a. the light sensor detects the fluorescence of biological contaminants in the wake of the robotic mobile platform as the robotic mobile platform travels over a portion of a surface; and

b. the controller is configured to travel over the portion of the surface a second time if the detected fluorescence exceeds a threshold level of fluorescence.