Methods for dispersing decontamination products

• US 9,474,816 B2
• Filed: 03/18/2014
• Issued: 10/25/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 01/11/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: The Boeing Co.
• Original Assignee: The Boeing Co.
• Inventors: Park, Shawn Hyunsoo, Sheahan, James J. Jr., Morris, Charles E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Joyner, Kevin
• Application Number:
  US14/218,054
• Publication Number:
  US 20140205502A1
• Time in Patent Office: 952 Days
• Field of Search: 422/33
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2/22 Phase substances, e.g. smokes, aerosols or sprayed or atomised substances
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2202/15 Biocide distribution means, e.g. nozzles, pumps, manifolds, fans, baffles, sprayers
• 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: B05B 5/03 characterised by the use of gas , e.g. electrostatically assisted pneumatic spraying B05B5/04, B05B5/043, B05B5/047 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 5/1608 the liquid or other fluent material being electrically conductive

Abstract

An electrostatic spraying system for decontamination of a vehicle is described. The system includes a wheeled platform sized to fit inside the vehicle, at least one tank operable to contain one or more decontaminant agents, the tanks supported by said wheeled platform, a plurality of nozzles affixed to the wheeled platform, wherein each nozzle is positioned for distribution of the decontaminant agents in at least one pre-determined direction, an electrostatic charging system connected to each of the nozzles for applying an electrostatic charge to the decontaminant agents as the agents are dispersed, and at least one compressor in communication with the tanks for pressurizing the decontaminant agents. The one or more compressors are capable of providing a pressure sufficient to provide a constant distribution of the decontaminant agents through the electrostatic nozzles.

Claims

1. A method for dispersing a decontamination agent within a vehicle cabin, said method comprising:

dispersing the decontamination agent from a tank positioned within a rolling cart to one or more defined areas within the vehicle cabin;

positioning a plurality of automatically operated electrostatic nozzles at different heights along the rolling cart, the plurality of automatically operated electrostatic nozzles for distribution of the decontamination agent in at least one predetermined direction, wherein each automatic electrostatic nozzle is configured cycle through a predetermined range of motion for movement in one or more dimensions independently from each other when dispersing the decontamination agent, wherein the plurality of automatically operated electrostatic nozzles are selectively positioned between a spray position and a stowable position within the rolling cart, the plurality of automatically operated electrostatic nozzles remaining attached to the rolling cart when moved in the one or more dimensions;

applying an electrostatic charge to the decontamination agent with an electrostatic charging system connected to at least one of the plurality of automatically operated electrostatic nozzles, wherein the electrostatic charge is applied as the decontamination agent is dispersed; and

pressurizing the decontamination agent with at least one compressor in communication with the tank, the at least one compressor capable of providing a pressure sufficient to provide a substantially constant distribution of the decontamination agent through at least one of the plurality of automatically operated electrostatic nozzles.

2. The method according to claim 1 further comprising moving the rolling cart along a defined path within the vehicle cabin.

3. The method according to claim 2 further comprising dispersing the decontamination agent from the tank to additional areas of the vehicle cabin via the plurality of automatically operated electrostatic nozzles, the dispersing occurring, at least in part, as the rolling cart moves along the defined path within the vehicle cabin.

4. The method according to claim 2 wherein moving the rolling cart along a defined path within the vehicle comprises operating a drive system connected to the rolling cart configured to impart a rate of motion upon the rolling cart.

5. The method according to claim 4 further comprising controlling the rate of motion of the rolling cart with the drive system.

6. The method according to claim 4 further comprising utilizing signals received from a sensor system to guide the rolling cart along the defined path.

7. The method according to claim 1 further comprising regulating a pressure within the tank generated by the at least one compressor.

8. The method according to claim 1 further comprising utilizing vehicle generated power to operate at least one of the electrostatic charging system or the at least one compressor.

9. The method according to claim 1 further comprising sizing the rolling cart to be received within a storage area operable for storing a cart.