Modular ductwork decontamination assembly

• US 9,696,049 B2
• Filed: 09/30/2014
• Issued: 07/04/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 01/22/2007
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Karen Metteer
• Original Assignee: Karen Metteer
• Inventors: Metteer, Karen
• Primary Examiner(s): Orlando, Amber R
• Assistant Examiner(s): Turner, Sonji
• Application Number:
  US14/503,343
• Publication Number:
  US 20150050190A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,008 Days
• Field of Search: 95 2, 95 3, 95 58, 95 63, 95 69, 95 70, 95 78, 96 16, 96 18, 96 19, 96 52, 96 55, 96 57, 96 63, 96 64, 96 74, 96 94, 96224, 422 24, 422 28, 422123, 422124, 42218607, 42218613
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2209/16 Connections to a HVAC unit
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2209/212 Use of ozone, e.g. generated by UV radiation or electrical discharge
• 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 9/02 using substances evaporated in the air by heating or combustion
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 9/12 Apparatus, e.g. holders, therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 9/20 Ultraviolet radiation
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 9/22 Ionisation
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2251/104 Ozone
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2257/106 Ozone
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2257/708 Volatile organic compounds V.O.C.'s
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2257/90 Odorous compounds not provided for in groups B01D2257/00 - B01D2257/708
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2257/91 Bacteria; Microorganisms
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2259/804 UV light
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 53/32 by electrical effects other than those provided for in group B01D61/00
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 53/323 by electrostatic effects or by high-voltage electric fields
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 53/72 Organic compounds not provided for in groups B01D53/48 - B01D53/70, e.g. hydrocarbons
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 53/75 Multi-step processes
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 1/78 with ozone C02F1/4672 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2201/782 Ozone generators
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2303/04 Disinfection
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2307/14 : Treatment of water in water supply networks, e.g. to prevent bacterial growth
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 8/10 : by separation, e.g. by filtering
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 8/192 : by electrical means, e.g. by applying electrostatic fields or high voltages
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 8/194 : by filtering using high voltage
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 8/20 : by sterilisation
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 8/22 : using UV light
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 8/26 : using ozone
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 8/30 : by ionisation
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 8/40 : by ozonisation for sterilisation F24F8/26
• CPC Class Codes: Y02A 50/20 : Air quality improvement or preservation, e.g. vehicle emission control or emission reduction by using catalytic converters
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49716 : Converting

Abstract

A modular ductwork assembly decontaminates an air stream circulating within a heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system. The assembly includes one or more of (a) an ionizing module for removing particulates from the air stream, (b) a sterilization module for neutralizing airborne pathogens present in the air stream, (c) an ozone treatment module for neutralizing pathogens or odoriferous or gaseous constituents or volatile organic compounds (VOCs) present in the air stream, optionally (d) baffles for slowing and disrupting the flow rate and promoting turbulence in the air stream traveling through the modules, optionally (e) a fan module for directing a treated air stream, optionally (f) an ozone sensor, optionally (g) a monitoring or ozone control means, and optionally (h) a means of delivering and repurposing generated ozone. Each of the modules is arranged substantially adjacent to at least one of the other modules.

Claims

1. A modular ductwork assembly for decontaminating an air stream circulating within an HVAC system, the assembly comprising more than one modular component wherein each of said modules are arranged substantially adjacent each other and wherein each of said modules are selected from the group consisting of

(1) an ionizing module for removing particulates from said air stream;

(2) a sterilization module for neutralizing airborne pathogens present in said air stream; and

(3) an ozone treatment module for neutralizing odoriferous or gaseous constituents present in said air stream.

2. The ductwork decontamination assembly of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of baffles for disrupting the air stream traveling through the modules.

3. The ductwork decontamination assembly of claim 1 further comprising at least one ozone sensor for monitoring gaseous ozone levels.

4. The ductwork decontamination assembly of claim 1, further comprising a control module by which ozone levels may be controlled.

5. The ductwork decontamination assembly of claim 1, further comprising an alarm by which ozone levels may be monitored.

6. The ductwork decontamination assembly of claim 1, further comprising a conveyance means to bring ozone produced by the ozonating module to at least one designated water system for the purpose of decontaminating the water system.

7. The ductwork decontamination assembly of claim 1, further comprising a fan module for directing said air stream through said modules.

8. The ductwork decontamination assembly of claim 1, wherein at least one of said modules comprises a latchable door for accessing said module interior.

9. The ductwork decontamination assembly of claim 1, wherein one of said modules is an ionizing module and said ionizing module comprises at least one ionizer.

10. The ductwork decontamination assembly of claim 1, wherein one of said modules is a sterilization module and said sterilization module comprises at least one lamp capable of directing ultraviolet radiation toward said air stream.

11. The ductwork decontamination assembly of claim 5, wherein said at least one lamp is capable of directing at least one of ultraviolet radiation, ultraviolet-C, ultraviolet-X, or other safe form of sterilizing light toward said air stream.

12. The ductwork decontamination assembly of claim 1, wherein one of said modules is an ozone treatment module and said ozone treatment module comprises at least one ozone generator.

13. The ductwork decontamination assembly of claim 8, wherein said at least one ozone generator comprises a plurality of ozone generators.

14. A method for decontaminating an air stream circulating within an HVAC system, the method comprising arranging more than one module substantially adjacent to at least one of the other modules and interposing said modules in said air stream wherein said modules are selected from the group consisting of (1) an ionizing module for removing particulates from said air stream;

(2) a sterilization module for neutralizing airborne pathogens in said air stream; and

(3) an ozone treatment module for neutralizing odoriferous or gaseous constituents or volatile organic compounds in said air stream.

15. The method of decontaminating an air stream circulating within an HVAC system of claim 14, further comprising interposing at least one ozone sensor in a remote location for at least one of monitoring or controlling ozone levels.

16. The method for decontaminating an air stream circulating within an HVAC system of claim 14, further comprising disrupting the air stream through the modules using a plurality of baffles.

17. The method for decontaminating an air stream circulating within an HVAC system of claim 14, further comprising directing said air stream through said modules using a fan module.

18. The method for decontaminating an air stream circulating within an HVAC system of claim 14, wherein said method utilizes an ionizing module and said ionizing module comprises at least one ionizer.

19. The method for decontaminating an air stream circulating within an HVAC system of claim 14, wherein said method utilizes a sterilization module and said sterilization module comprises at least one lamp capable of directing ultraviolet radiation toward said air stream.

20. The method for decontaminating an air stream circulating within an HVAC system of claim 14, wherein said method utilizes at least one ozone treatment module and said ozone treatment module comprises at least one ozone generator.