Multi wave sterilization system

• US 9,750,830 B2
• Filed: 08/28/2013
• Issued: 09/05/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 08/28/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sensor Electronic Technology Incorporated (Seoul Semiconductor Co., Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: Sensor Electronic Technology Incorporated (Seoul Semiconductor Co., Ltd.)
• Inventors: Shur, Michael, Shatalov, Maxim, Bettles, Timothy James, Bilenko, Yuri, Smetona, Saulius, Dobrinsky, Alexander, Gaska, Remigijus
• Primary Examiner(s): Walters, Ryan J
• Assistant Examiner(s): Mendoza-Wilkenfe, Erik
• Application Number:
  US14/012,652
• Publication Number:
  US 20140060096A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,469 Days
• 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 9/20 Ultraviolet radiation
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 3/00 Devices using other cold materials; Devices using cold-storage bodies
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 3/04 Stationary cabinets
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 23/00 Control of temperature

Abstract

Ultraviolet radiation is directed within an area. The target wavelength ranges and/or target intensity ranges of the ultraviolet radiation sources can correspond to at least one of a plurality of selectable operating configurations including a virus destruction operating configuration and a bacteria disinfection operating configuration. Each configuration can include a unique combination of the target wavelength range and target intensity range.

Claims

1. A system comprising:

at least one ultraviolet radiation source configured to generate ultraviolet radiation directed within a storage area; and

a monitoring and control system for managing the storage area by performing a method comprising;

enabling selection of each of a plurality of selectable operating configurations, the plurality of selectable operating configurations including;

a virus destruction operating configuration, and a bacteria disinfection operating configuration, wherein each selectable operating configuration includes a unique combination of a target wavelength range, a target intensity range, and a target pattern for the ultraviolet radiation;

monitoring, using data received from at least one of;

a visual camera or a chemical sensor, a set of current conditions of at least one of;

the storage area or a set of items located in the storage area; and

controlling ultraviolet radiation generated by the at least one ultraviolet radiation source using a selected one of the plurality of selectable operating configurations and the set of current conditions.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein a target wavelength range for the at least one ultraviolet radiation source in the virus destruction operating configuration is approximately 190 nanometers to approximately 265 nanometers.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the ultraviolet radiation generated in the virus destruction operating configuration is continuous.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the target wavelength range for the at least one ultraviolet radiation source in the bacteria disinfection operating configuration is approximately 260 nanometers to approximately 290 nanometers.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein the ultraviolet radiation generated in the bacteria disinfection operating configuration is intermittent.

6. The system of claim 1, the method further comprising controlling at least one of:

a target time scheduling and a target radiation direction for the at least one ultraviolet radiation source.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein an intensity of the ultraviolet radiation in the virus destruction operating configuration is higher than an intensity of the ultraviolet radiation in the bacteria disinfection operating configuration.

8. A food storage device comprising:

a storage area configured to store at least one perishable food item;

at least one ultraviolet radiation source configured to generate ultraviolet radiation directed within the storage area; and

a monitoring and control system for managing the storage area by performing a method comprising;

enabling selection of each of a plurality of selectable operating configurations, the plurality of selectable operating configurations including;

a virus destruction operating configuration, and a bacteria disinfection operating configuration, wherein each selectable operating configuration includes a unique combination of a target wavelength range, a target intensity range, and a target pattern for the ultraviolet radiation;

monitoring, using data received from at least one of;

a visual camera or a chemical sensor, a set of current conditions of at least one of;

the storage area or a set of items located in the storage area; and

controlling ultraviolet radiation generated by the at least one ultraviolet radiation source using a selected one of the plurality of selectable operating configurations and the set of current conditions.

9. The storage device of claim 8, wherein a target wavelength range for the at least one ultraviolet radiation source in the virus destruction operating configuration is approximately 190 nanometers to approximately 265 nanometers.

10. The storage device of claim 9, wherein the ultraviolet radiation generated in the virus destruction operating configuration is continuous.

11. The storage device of claim 8, wherein the target wavelength range for the at least one ultraviolet radiation source in the bacteria disinfection operating configuration is approximately 260 nanometers to approximately 290 nanometers.

12. The storage device of claim 11, wherein the ultraviolet radiation generated in the bacteria disinfection operating configuration is intermittent.

13. The storage device of claim 8, the method further comprising:

controlling at least one of;

a target time scheduling and a target radiation direction for the at least one ultraviolet radiation source.

14. The storage device of claim 8, wherein an intensity of the ultraviolet radiation in the virus destruction operating configuration is higher than an intensity of the ultraviolet radiation in the bacteria disinfection operating configuration.

15. A refrigeration device comprising:

a storage area configured to store at least one refrigerated item;

a component configured to control at least one environmental condition of the storage area, wherein the at least one environmental condition includes at least one of;

a temperature, a humidity, a gas convection, or a fluid convection;

at least one ultraviolet radiation source configured to generate ultraviolet radiation directed within the storage area; and

a monitoring and control system for managing the storage area by performing a method comprising;

enabling selection of each of a plurality of selectable operating configurations, the plurality of selectable operating configurations including;

a virus destruction operating configuration, and a bacteria disinfection operating configuration, wherein each selectable operating configuration includes a unique combination of a target wavelength range, a target intensity range, and a target pattern for the ultraviolet radiation;

monitoring, using data received from at least one of;

a visual camera or a chemical sensor, a set of current conditions of at least one of;

the storage area or a set of items located in the storage area; and

controlling ultraviolet radiation generated by the at least one ultraviolet radiation source using a selected one of the plurality of selectable operating configurations and the set of current conditions.

16. The device of claim 15, wherein a target wavelength range for the at least one ultraviolet radiation source in the virus destruction operating configuration is approximately 190 nanometers to approximately 265 nanometers.

17. The device of claim 16, wherein the ultraviolet radiation generated in the virus destruction operating configuration is continuous.

18. The device of claim 15, wherein the target wavelength range for the at least one ultraviolet radiation source in the bacteria disinfection operating configuration is approximately 260 nanometers to approximately 290 nanometers.

19. The device of claim 18, wherein the ultraviolet radiation generated in the bacteria disinfection operating configuration is intermittent.

20. The device of claim 15, the method further comprising:

controlling at least one of;

a target time scheduling and a target radiation direction for the at least one ultraviolet radiation source.

21. The device of claim 15, wherein an intensity of the ultraviolet radiation in the virus destruction operating configuration is higher than an intensity of the ultraviolet radiation in the bacteria disinfection operating configuration.