Fluid sterilization system

• US 9,457,119 B2
• Filed: 03/15/2013
• Issued: 10/04/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 12/11/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Aerobiotix LLC
• Original Assignee: Aerobiotix, Inc.
• Inventors: Kirschman, David Louis
• Primary Examiner(s): Orlando, Amber R
• Assistant Examiner(s): PRECHT, BRITANNY E.
• Application Number:
  US13/838,367
• Publication Number:
  US 20140157989A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,299 Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2/087 Particle radiation, e.g. electron-beam, alpha or beta radiation
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2/26 Accessories or devices or components used for biocidal treatment
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2209/14 Filtering means
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 9/20 Ultraviolet radiation
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2273/30 Means for generating a circulation of a fluid in a filtration system, e.g. using a pump or a fan
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 46/0002 Casings; Housings; Frame constructions
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 46/0028 provided with antibacterial or antifungal means
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 46/546 using nano- or microfibres
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 46/62 connected in series

Abstract

A fluid filtration system is shown. The fluid filtration system utilizes a one-piece or multiple piece containers having a plurality of radiation-transmissible media adapted to receive light, such as ultraviolet light, white light or other wavelength light. The radiation-transmissible media are situated in the container and at least one or a plurality of radiation sources, such as ultraviolet lamps, are situated in an array in proximity to the radiation-transmissible media. The radiation-transmissible media interrupts the flow and velocity of the fluid stream passing through the container to extend the duration of radiation for any contaminants and also provide enlarged surface areas for the contaminants to be received and ultimately exposed to the radiation. In one example, the radiation-transmissible media may be tubular or spherical sections that are hollow or solid and made of quartz.

Claims

1. A fluid sterilization system comprising:

a container;

radiation-transmissible media situated in said container; and

a radiation source;

said radiation-transmissible media being adapted to provide both mechanical filtration by physically capturing organisms as they are carried through the container in a fluid stream and substantially capturing organisms as they are carried through the container in a fluid stream and through said radiation-transmissible media, said radiation being an appropriate amount to disinfect said fluid stream and at least one surface of said radiation-transmissible media;

said radiation-transmissible media comprising a plurality of discrete and individual media that are randomly situated and distributed in said container and confined by said container, each of said plurality of discrete and individual media being tubular and having a wall having an inner surface and an outer surface, said inner surface defining a hollow passageway;

wherein said container is generally planar and lies in a first imaginary plane, said radiation source comprises a plurality of ultraviolet lamps arrayed in a linear pattern in a second imaginary plane above said container.

2. The fluid sterilization system as recited in claim 1 wherein said radiation-transmissible media comprises at least one of quartz media, glass or polymer.

3. The fluid sterilization system as recited in claim 2 wherein said radiation-transmissible media comprises a plurality of media, each of which are generally the same size.

4. The fluid sterilization system as recited in claim 2 wherein said radiation-transmissible media comprises a plurality of media having different sizes or dimensions.

5. The fluid sterilization system as recited in claim 1 wherein said radiation-transmissible media comprises quartz media.

6. The fluid sterilization system as recited in claim 5 wherein said container comprises a plurality of said quartz media.

7. The fluid sterilization system as recited in claim 6 wherein said plurality of said quartz media comprises different predetermined shapes.

8. The fluid sterilization system as recited in claim 7 wherein said predetermined shape is at least one of a circular shape, a cylindrical shape, a spherical shape, or a polygonal shape.

9. The fluid sterilization system as recited in claim 6 wherein said plurality of said quartz media comprises generally the same predetermined shape.

10. The fluid sterilization system as recited in claim 9 wherein said predetermined shape is at least one of a circular shape, a cylindrical shape, a spherical shape, or a polygonal shape.

11. The fluid sterilization system as recited in claim 10 wherein said plurality of discrete and individual media comprises a plurality of said quartz media.

12. The fluid sterilization system as recited in claim 9 wherein said predetermined shape is coated or doped with at least one of an ultraviolet emission material or a fluorescent material.

13. The fluid sterilization system as recited in claim 5 wherein at least one of a size or amount of said radiation-transmissible media is adapted to at least one of vary a path of said fluid stream, disrupt said fluid stream, or slow a velocity of said fluid stream.

14. The fluid sterilization system as recited in claim 1 wherein said radiation source is at least one of white light or an ultraviolet radiation source.

15. The fluid sterilization system as recited in claim 1 wherein said radiation source is an ultraviolet radiation source.

16. The fluid sterilization system as recited in claim 1 wherein said at least one of a size of said media or a number of said media are selected in response to a velocity of said fluid stream through said container.

17. The fluid sterilization system as recited in claim 1 wherein said first and second imaginary planes are generally parallel.

18. The fluid sterilization system as recited in claim 1 wherein said container is generally cylindrical and said radiation source comprises a plurality of ultraviolet lamps arrayed generally radially around said container.

19. The fluid sterilization system as recited in claim 1 wherein said radiation source comprises a plurality of ultraviolet lamps arranged in a generally circular array, wherein said plurality of ultraviolet lamps generally surround said radiation-transmissible media.

20. The fluid sterilization system as recited in claim 1 wherein said container is a one-piece construction that houses both said radiation-transmissible media and said radiation source.

21. The fluid sterilization system as recited in claim 1 wherein said container is adapted to receive said radiation-transmissible media and a second member comprises a frame that receives and supports said radiation source.

22. The fluid sterilization system as recited in claim 21 wherein said second member is adjacent to said radiation-transmissible media either upstream or downstream of said radiation-transmissible media.

23. The fluid sterilization system as recited in claim 1 wherein said radiation-transmissible media is substantially transparent to light.

24. A fluid sterilization system comprising:

a container;

radiation-transmissible media situated in said container; and

a radiation source;

said radiation-transmissible media being adapted to provide both mechanical filtration by physically capturing organisms as they are carried through the container in a fluid stream and substantially capturing organisms as they are carried through the container in a fluid stream and through said radiation-transmissible media, said radiation being an appropriate amount to disinfect said fluid stream and at least one surface of said radiation-transmissible media;

said radiation-transmissible media comprising a plurality of discrete and individual media that are randomly situated and distributed in said container and confined by said container, each of said plurality of discrete and individual media being tubular and having a wall having an inner surface and an outer surface, said inner surface defining a hollow passageway;

wherein said container is generally planar and lies in a first imaginary plane, said radiation source comprises a plurality of ultraviolet lamps arrayed in a linear pattern in a second imaginary plane within or adjacent to said container;

said system further comprising;

a mobile housing adapted to house said container containing said plurality of ultraviolet lamps, said plurality of said radiation-transmissible media and said plurality of ultraviolet lamps;

said mobile housing having at least one fan or blower and a controller for controlling operation of said at least one fan or blower and said plurality of ultraviolet lamps.

25. The fluid sterilization system as recited in claim 24 wherein said mobile housing comprises a housing having at least one locator frame for removably locating said container to a desired position in said housing such that said radiation-transmissible media interrupts a fluid stream.

26. A filtration assembly for use in a fluid filtration system, said filtration assembly comprising:

a container; and

radiation-transmissible media situated in said container;

said container being adapted to be situated in said fluid filtration system in proximate relationship to a radiation source to provide both mechanical filtration by physically capturing organisms as they are carried through the container in a fluid stream and substantially simulataneously permitting transmission of radiation from said radiation source through said radiation-transmissible media, said radiation being an appropriate amount to disinfect said fluid stream and at least one surface of said radiation-transmissible media;

said radiation-transmissible media comprising a plurality of discrete and individual media that are randomly situated and distributed in said container and confined by said container, each of said plurality of discrete and individual media being tubular and having a wall having an inner surface and an outer surface, said inner surface defining a hollow passageway;

wherein said container is generally planar and lies in a first imaginary plane, said radiation source comprises a plurality of ultraviolet lamps arrayed in a linear pattern in a second imaginary plane in said fluid filtration system, said second imaginary plane being generally parallel to said first imaginary plane after said container is situated in said fluid filtration system.

27. The filtration assembly as recited in claim 26 wherein said radiation-transmissible media comprises at least one of quartz media, glass or polymer.

28. The filtration assembly as recited in claim 27 wherein said radiation-transmissible media comprises different predetermined shapes.

29. The filtration assembly as recited in claim 27 wherein said radiation-transmissible media comprises generally the same predetermined shape.

30. The filtration assembly as recited in claim 29 wherein said predetermined shape is at least one of a circular shape, a cylindrical shape, a spherical shape, or a polygonal shape.

31. The filtration assembly as recited in claim 29 wherein said predetermined shapes are coated or doped with at least one of an ultraviolet emission material or a fluorescent material.

32. The filtration assembly as recited in claim 27 wherein said at least one of a size of said radiation-transmissible media or a number of said radiation-transmissible media are selected in response to a velocity of said fluid stream through said container.

33. The filtration assembly as recited in claim 26 wherein said radiation source is a ultraviolet radiation source.

34. The filtration assembly as recited in claim 26 wherein said radiation-transmissible media is coated or doped with at least one of an ultraviolet emission material or a fluorescent material.

35. The filtration assembly as recited in claim 26 wherein said container is generally cylindrical and said radiation source comprises a plurality of ultraviolet lamps arrayed generally radially around said container after said container is situated in said fluid filtration system.

36. The filtration assembly as recited in claim 26 wherein said radiation-transmissible media are generally the same size.

37. The filtration assembly as recited in claim 26 wherein said radiation-transmissible media have different sizes or dimensions.

38. The filtration assembly as recited in claim 26 wherein at least one of a size of said radiation-transmissible media is adapted to at least one of vary a path of said fluid stream, disrupt said fluid stream, or slow a velocity of said fluid stream.

39. The filtration assembly as recited in claim 26 wherein said radiation source comprises a plurality of ultraviolet lamps arranged in a generally circular array, wherein said plurality of ultraviolet lamps generally surround said radiation-transmissible media.

40. The filtration assembly as recited in claim 26 wherein said container is a one-piece construction that houses both said radiation-transmissible media and said radiation source.

41. The filtration assembly as recited in claim 26 wherein said container is adapted to receive said radiation-transmissible media and a second member comprises a frame that receives and supports said radiation source.

42. The filtration assembly as recited in claim 41 wherein said second member is stacked on said radiation-transmissible media and downstream of said radiation-transmissible media.

43. A filtration assembly for use in a fluid filtration system, said filtration assembly comprising:

a container; and

radiation-transmissible media situated in said container;

said container being adapted to be situated in said fluid filtration system in proximate relationship to a radiation source to provide both mechanical filtration by physically capturing organisms as they are carried through the container in a fluid stream and substantially simulataneously permitting transmission of radiation from said radiation source through said radiation-transmissible media, said radiation being an appropriate amount to disinfect said fluid stream and at least one surface of said radiation-transmissible media;

said radiation-transmissible media comprising a plurality of discrete and individual media that are randomly situated and distributed in said container and confined by said container, each of said plurality of discrete and individual media being tubular and having a wall having an inner surface and an outer surface, said inner surface defining a hollow passageway;

wherein said fluid filtration system comprises;

a mobile housing adapted to receive and house said container, said mobile housing being moveable by hand and containing a plurality of ultraviolet lamps arranged in a second imaginary plane such that they become operatively associated with said container after said container is mounted in said mobile housing;

said mobile housing further comprising;

at least one fan or blower for generating said fluid stream through said mobile housing; and

a controller for controlling operation of said at least one fan or blower and said plurality of ultraviolet lamps.

44. The filtration assembly as recited in claim 43 wherein said mobile housing comprises a housing having at least one locator frame for removably locating said container to a desired position in said housing such that said radiation-transmissible media interrupts a fluid stream.

45. A filtration assembly for use in a fluid filtration system, said filtration assembly comprising:

a container; and

radiation-transmissible media situated in said container;

said container being adapted to be situated in said fluid filtration system in proximate relationship to a radiation source to provide both mechanical filtration by physically capturing organisms as they are carried through the container in a fluid stream and substantially simulataneously permitting transmission of radiation from said radiation source through said radiation-transmissible media, said radiation being an appropriate amount to disinfect said fluid stream and at least one surface of said radiation-transmissible media;

said radiation-transmissible media comprising a plurality of discrete and individual media that are randomly situated and distributed in said container and confined by said container, each of said plurality of discrete and individual media being tubular and having a wall having an inner surface and an outer surface, said inner surface defining a hollow passageway;

wherein said container is generally planar and lies in a first imaginary plane, said radiation source comprises a plurality of ultraviolet lamps arrayed in a linear pattern in a second imaginary plane above said container;

said system further comprising;

a mobile housing adapted to house said container containing said plurality of ultraviolet lamps, a plurality of quartz media and said plurality of ultraviolet lamps;

said mobile housing having at least one fan or blower and a controller for controlling operation of said at least one fan or blower and said plurality of ultraviolet lamps.