METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR SANITIZING WATER USING AN ULTRAVIOLET LIGHT

• US 20120037571A1
• Filed: 02/10/2010
• Published: 02/16/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 02/10/2009
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Perry D. Felix
• Original Assignee: Perry D. Felix
• Inventors: Felix, Perry D.
• Application Number:
  US13/148,572
• Publication Number:
  US 20120037571A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 210/748.11
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 1/325 Irradiation devices or lamp constructions
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2201/3221 Lamps suspended above a water surface or pipe
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2201/3222 Units using UV-light emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2201/3224 Units using UV-light guiding optical fibers
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2201/3226 Units using UV-light emitting lasers
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2201/326 Lamp control systems
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2209/005 Processes using a programmable logic controller [PLC]

Abstract

The present invention provides a method and apparatus for sanitizing consumable water using an ultraviolet light. The water is exposed to the ultraviolet light for a preselected duration of time and at a desired power level to achieve a desired level of sanitization.

Claims

1. A method for sanitizing water, the method comprising:

directing ultraviolet light into a conduit capable of carrying water therein;

measuring an intensity of the ultraviolet light within the conduit; and

controlling the intensity of the ultraviolet light introduced into the conduit based on the measured intensity of ultraviolet light within the conduit to provide sanitized water.

2. A method, as set forth in claim 1, wherein directing ultraviolet light into the conduit further comprises directing ultraviolet light through a sidewall in conduit in a direction transverse to the direction of flow of water within the conduit.

3. A method, as set forth in claim 1, wherein directing the ultraviolet light into the conduit further comprises directing ultraviolet light through a sidewall in conduit in a direction transverse to a direction of flow of water within the conduit and expanding the path of the ultraviolet to illuminate a substantial portion of a cross sectional region of the conduit.

4. A method, as set forth in claim 1, wherein directing ultraviolet light into the conduit further comprises directing ultraviolet light through a sidewall in the conduit in a direction substantially coaxial to a direction of flow of water within the conduit.

5. A method, as set forth in claim 1, wherein directing ultraviolet light into the conduit further comprises directing ultraviolet light through a sidewall in the conduit in a direction substantially coaxial to a direction of flow of water within the conduit and expanding the path of the ultraviolet to illuminate a substantial portion of a cross sectional region of the conduit.

6. A method, as set forth in claim 1, further comprising disturbing the flow of water in the conduit in a region adjacent a location where the ultraviolet light is introduced into the conduit.

7. A method, as set forth in claim 1, wherein directing ultraviolet light into the conduit further comprises directing ultraviolet laser light into the conduit.

14. A method, as set forth in claim 1, wherein directing ultraviolet light into the conduit further comprises directing ultraviolet laser light into the conduit.

8. A method for sanitizing water, the method comprising:

directing ultraviolet light into a conduit capable of carrying water therein;

measuring a parameter of the water within the conduit associated with sanitization of the water; and

controlling the intensity of the ultraviolet light introduced into the conduit based on the measured parameter of the water.

9. A method, as set forth in claim 8, wherein directing ultraviolet light into the conduit further comprises directing ultraviolet light through a sidewall in conduit in a direction transverse to the direction of flow of water within the conduit.

10. A method, as set forth in claim 8, wherein directing the ultraviolet light into the conduit further comprises directing ultraviolet light through a sidewall in conduit in a direction transverse to a direction of flow of water within the conduit and expanding the path of the ultraviolet to illuminate a substantial portion of a cross sectional region of the conduit.

11. A method, as set forth in claim 8, wherein directing ultraviolet light into the conduit further comprises directing ultraviolet light through a sidewall in the conduit in a direction substantially coaxial to a direction of flow of water within the conduit.

12. A method, as set forth in claim 8, wherein directing ultraviolet light into the conduit further comprises directing ultraviolet light through a sidewall in the conduit in a direction substantially coaxial to a direction of flow of water within the conduit and expanding the path of the ultraviolet to illuminate a substantial portion of a cross sectional region of the conduit.

13. A method, as set forth in claim 8, further comprising disturbing the flow of water in the conduit in a region adjacent a location where the ultraviolet light is introduced into the conduit.

15. An apparatus for sanitizing water, the apparatus comprising:

a container for housing water;

an ultraviolet light; and

means for transmitting the ultraviolet light into the container housing the water.

16. An apparatus, as set forth in claim 15 wherein the ultraviolet light further comprises an ultraviolet laser.

17. An apparatus, as set forth in claim 15, further comprising:

a sensor for measuring a parameter of the water associated with sanitization of the water; and

a controller for controlling the intensity of the ultraviolet light introduced into the container based on the measured parameter.

18. An apparatus, as set forth in claim 15, further comprising:

a sensor for measuring an intensity of the ultraviolet light within the water; and

a controller for controlling the intensity of the ultraviolet light introduced into the conduit based on the measured intensity of ultraviolet light within the conduit to provide sanitized water.

19. An apparatus, as set forth in claim 15, wherein the container is a conduit configured to receive flowing water therein and wherein the means for transmitting the ultraviolet light into the conduit further comprises a port for receiving ultraviolet into the conduit along a path that is substantially transverse to the direction of water flowing in the conduit.

20. An apparatus, as set forth in claim 15, wherein the container is a conduit configured to receive flowing water therein and wherein the means for transmitting the ultraviolet light into the conduit further comprises a port for receiving ultraviolet into the conduit along a path that is substantially coaxial to the direction of water flowing in the conduit.