PORTABLE AIR STERILIZER WITH OXYGEN GENERATOR

Abstract

A personal protective wearable air sterilizing apparatus is comprised of a series of looped internal conduits, designed in such a way to allow total internal reflection of UV light, and the simultaneous sterilization of atmospheric air. The apparatus has oxygen generator using electrolysis of water and neutralizes hydrogen gas derived from the process to an inert compound such as hydrogen peroxide; or reuses the hydrogen to generate electricity.

Claims

1. An air purification apparatus, comprising: a source of ultraviolet radiation; and a looping conduit having an internal surface exhibiting total internal reflection of the ultraviolet radiation for receiving the ultraviolet radiation from the source.

2. The air purification apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: an N95 grade air filter barrier for pre-filtering air; and an electric motor driven fan for moving the air through the filter barrier into the looping conduit.

3. The air purification apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a component within the apparatus for providing oxygen by electrolysis of water.

4. The air purification apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a hydrogen utilization apparatus to utilize the hydrogen to produce electricity.

5. The air purification apparatus of claim 4, wherein the hydrogen utilization apparatus is a fuel cell.

6. The air purification apparatus of claim 1, wherein air moves through the looping conduit in a first direction, and UV light moves in a second direction opposite to the first direction.

7. The air purification apparatus of claim 1, in combination with a harness for supporting the air purification apparatus.

8. The combination of claim 7, wherein the harness is worn by a person using the air purification apparatus.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0011] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional diagram of an apparatus described herein.

[0012] FIG. 2 illustrates the connection of the apparatus of FIG. 1 to a head covering face mask.

[0013] FIG. 3 illustrates the apparatus of FIG. 1 connected to a shoulder harness.

[0014] FIG. 4 is an illustration in which the apparatus of FIG. 1 connected to a shoulder harness of FIG. 3, can be worn in use.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0015] With reference to FIG. 1, an internal view of the apparatus includes a looped conduit 15 is shown, situated within the apparatus to allow for the transmission of ultraviolet (UV) light in one direction and air and oxygen in the opposite direction. A UV lamp 2 is situated within the path of the conduit 15 to permit the light rays 3A, 3B and 3C, to reflect internally and uniformly by “total internal reflection” off the interior wall of conduit 15 so as to purify incoming air which is caused to move by a fan and motor 12. Total internal reflection may be accomplished by coating conduit 10 with a reflective coating, or by arranging an inner and an outer layer of two different refractive indices, so that total internal reflection occurs at the interfaces between the layers, as for example, in a fiber optic cable. Preferably, the air may undergo a first pass filtration by a filter system 14 equivalent to an N95 mask.

[0016] In the bottom portion of the apparatus, an electrolysis chamber may be provided to generate oxygen. The hydrogen molecule that is released from the reaction is directed to a second chamber where a chemical reaction can take place using calcium carbonate to generate Co.sub.2 and calcium as a byproduct, thereby making the hydrogen gas innocuous. The water and CO.sub.2 can be aerosolized from the system to reduce its weight:

CaCO.sub.3(s)+2H.sup.3+(aq).fwdarw.Ca.sup.2+(aq)+CO.sub.2(g)+H.sub.2O(l)

[0017] The hydrogen molecules may also be used to generate electricity using a hydrogen fuel cell, which is then used to operate the apparatus as described, continuously.

[0018] The apparatus is preferably fitted with a rechargeable or replaceable battery 11. A removable chamber is provided to add and remove calcium or any byproduct formed by a chemical reaction within the apparatus.

[0019] With further reference to FIG. 1, the mixed 100% sterilized air and oxygen is channeled out of the apparatus via port 18, as illustrated in FIG. 3.

[0020] With reference to FIG. 2, a head covering face mask 30 is shown whereby the air and oxygen mixture will enter a conduit 33 which is attached to port 18 (FIG. 1) at one end and a port 36 at the other end. The air and oxygen mixture is thus channeled to the face via port 36. Visibility is provided by a transparent window 34. A one way valve may exist at 37, in a nose covering portion 32 affixed to and covering an opening in window 34, allows exhaled air to be removed from the face mask. The air, being high in CO.sub.2, may be directed into a compartment within the apparatus to be used to facilitate a chemical reaction.

[0021] FIG. 3 is an external view of the apparatus depicting a harness including four body straps (two shoulder straps 41A and 41B, and two lower straps 40A and 40B, the latter being attached to a waist belt) which may permit the apparatus (shown as 15A, and secured to the harness by a circumferential or perimeter grip 16A in turn secured to the harness) to be worn on the back or the chest of a front line worker. A branch of the air conduit 18 may be directed towards a port to cool a full fitting body garment.

[0022] FIG. 4 is an illustration in which the apparatus of FIG. 1, connected to a shoulder harness of FIG. 3, can be worn in use.

[0023] The apparatus 15A can be miniaturized and disposed within the nose covering portion 32 (FIG. 2).

[0024] The technology as described can also be used for ventilators and personal nebulizer machines without departing from the principle of the invention.

[0025] An advantage of the apparatus disclosed herein is that there is a long path over which the air is exposed to UV light, thus permitting thorough elimination of pathogens before the user breathes the purified air. The longer path also increases the volume of the air that is purified. Another advantage of the apparatus described herein is that an N95 level filter may be used to pre-filter the air, which is then purified by being exposed to UV light.