Projection of germicidal ultra-violet light by edgelit substrate

Abstract

A novel purification device is provided which projects Ultra-Violet wavelength light to create curtain-like beams that impair germs and pathogens exposed thereto or passing through the beams. A preferred embodiment described herein is comprised of a powered Light Emitting Diode to produce light, mounted edgelight-fashion onto an optically clear substrate light guide that has clear remote outer edges for light projection. Substrate utilized herein is an optically clear sheet such as acrylic that guides the edge-mounted L.E.D. produced Ultra-Violet wavelength light to its remote edges, projecting it outwardly through surrounding air and onto surfaces in light beams emitting from edges of the substrate, projected in suitable strength and wavelength UV-C to create a curtain-like partition, a barrier deadly to airborne or surface germs, and renders germs exposed to the light dead, damaged or inert.

Claims

1. A light guide assembly comprising a light source, positioned upon an edge of clear substrate which has clear edges and a front side, a back side and a thickness between, guiding said light through said substrate and projects said light from clear remote edges of said substrate.

2. A light guide assembly of claim 1. Wherein the light source is at least one ultra-violet lightwave light emitting diode and power supply, of sufficiently powerful ultra-violet wavelength light, that when positioned in a properly placed location upon a clear edge of said clear substrate, projects from remote clear edges of said substrate, creating a light curtain through which passing live pathogens are damaged or cannot survive and protects users from contacting harmful live pathogens.

Description

DRAWINGS AND DESCRIPTION

[0018] Simply stated, this is an uncomplicated device. In a basic embodiment, there are only three primary components involved in creation of this purification device:

[0019] 1) An electrical power supply source, 100, and connecting means, 110, which in the preferred embodiment is of proper voltage and amperage to adequately supply said ultra-violet lighting in edge-light fashion for projection of a UV-C light curtain, for example, many U.V. wavelength L.E.D.'s operate in the range of 4.5 to 20 volts DC, for which numerous forms of direct-current batteries exist and are readily available on the open market.

[0020] 2) A Light Emitting Diode or a diode-powered light bar, 200, which in the preferred embodiment is at least one L.E.D., and is of high intensity-UV-C light within the 200 nm-300 nm wavelength range and of adequate power to kill germs, mounted in edgelight fashion upon;

[0021] 3) A suitable optically clear substrate, 300, a light guide having a front side and a backside, such as acrylic or plexiglass sheet or panel with a thickness of 1 mm or more, and having clear outer edges for the acceptance and guidance of input light from the LED, and the projection at clear remote edges of said light in beams to create a UV-C light curtain, 400, which is harmful or deadly to pathogens.

[0022] Now we must examine the illustrations:

[0023] FIG. 1.A. shows a cross-sectional view of an embodiment employing basic construction of the novel device and is comprised of:

[0024] An electrical power supply source, 100, of sufficient voltage and amperage, connected by wiring, 110, to;

[0025] An ultra-violet wavelength producing light emitting diode, 200, of high intensity UV-C light within the 200 nm-300 nm wavelength range and of adequate power to kill germs, mounted in edgelight fashion upon;

[0026] A suitable optically conductive substrate material, 300, a clear sheet having clear or polished edges for light input, guidance and outward projection of UV-C light, 400, from its remote edges. In this embodiment, an acrylic sheet, 300, with thickness of at least 1 mm and clear edges for input from said L.E.D., 200, and clear edges for light projection is employed;

[0027] Projected UV-C germicidal light beams, 400, of 200 nm to 300 nm, collectively create the desired germicidal UV-C light curtain, 400, neutraling germs contacting the curtain.

[0028] FIG. 1.B. is a second cross-sectional view, and illustrates some modifications anticipated which produce increased efficiency:

[0029] An optically clear substrate sheet or panel, 300, wherein a “light wedge”, 310, as described and taught in 2013 in U.S. Pat. No. 8,529,113 B2, by the present inventor, is adapted as an upgrade to the present invention. A properly fitted light wedge integrates with the substrate sheet and creates a wider edge surface along the light input edge;

[0030] A wider, larger and stronger light emitting diode, 200, can be edge mounted while not increasing the overall thickness of the primary sheet or panel of clear substrate, 300, and thus greatly increases the intensity and efficacy of the light beam projections, 400, emitted from the optically conductive substrate, 300, of this dis-infecting device whereby UV light emits from clear remote outer edges;

[0031] A heat sink is also shown, 210, as a larger and more powerful L.E.D. presence may generate significantly more heat in this embodiment wherein a larger diode, 200, is employed;

[0032] A power supply, 100, with wiring connections, 110, supplying proper voltage and amperage is obviously necessary in order to adequately supply said UV-C light beams strong enough to effectively clear live airborne pathogens with beams, 400;

[0033] Reflective layers, 320, on both sides of the substrate, 300, increase light guidance efficiency as these layers prevent light losses and the light is now completely guided towards the remote edges, whereupon its exit and projection from said edges form the desired dis-infecting germicidal curtain; 400.

[0034] Both examples, when powered, project UV light beams, 400, from outer edges of the substrate, and create UV light curtains, 400, with the specific effect of rendering airborne or surface viral, bacterial or mold pathogens contacted by the curtain, 400, to be damaged and harmless to users of these devices.

[0035] We next examine the illustration of FIG. 2.A., a simple face-shield worn over the head having a light system employing construction of FIG. 1.A. above, whereas. a face-shield would cover some of the wearer's face. This shows how a substrate piece, 300, a face-shield, wraps about a wearer's forehead and a row of L.E.D.s, 200, would be mounted at the top so as to shine downward into the face-shield sheet, 300, or substrate, from the top and results in a light curtain, 400, out of the bottom edge, as shown in FIG. 1.A., the cut-away view. Light, 400, shines down and out of the bottom of the face-shield. Emitted light, 400, will extend outward in conformance to the lower edge of substrate, 300, from side to side in front of user's face and so dis-infects live air-bourne pathogens which pass through the light beams, 400, prior to their contact with the user's face.

[0036] The illustration of FIG. 2.B. is a variation adaptable to any type hat with a brim, with truncated light guide substrate, 300, extending down from the brim just an inch or so, an anticipated use of the technology as a germ shield whereby light creates a curtain, 400, which in the proper strength of UV-C projection dis-infect live air-bourne pathogens passing through said curtain, 400, prior to contacting the user's face.

[0037] Following are various embodiments all having similar components.

[0038] We next examine the illustration of FIG. 3.A., protection of an area where, for example, people may be seated, or an office cubicle. A circular shade or umbrella shaped light guide, 300, to project said curtain of U.V. purifying light in a way which forms a cone-like area of protected air in an environment around an area, and users may gather and all would receive benefits of protection by the projected light curtain, 400.

[0039] We next examine the illustration of FIG. 3.B. where light guide substrate, 300, is constructed having four sides of optically suitable substrate. Within the perimeters of the four UV curtains, 400, formed within the shade, all who may inhabit benefit from protective dis-infection properties

[0040] We next examine the illustration of FIG. 4.A., an application designed as a partition protecting one side from the other is a wall or a shield light guide substrate, 300, easily adapting the U.V. L.E.D., 200, edgelighting to create a U.V. lightwave curtain of pathogen protection which no live viral threat can cross or pass through, and protects each side from transferred pathogens from individuals on one side to others across the U.V. light curtain, 400.

[0041] We next examine the illustration of FIG. 4.B. A further adaption of edgelight technology providing additional flexibility in the positioning and effective closing of all gaps in protection of a defined atmosphere. A center-mounted U.V. L.E.D., 200, gives a 360 degree curtain of protection. For example, partitioning and shielding one entire side of a room from another simply by positioning a center-lit substrate, 300, so a U.V. curtain, 400, extends from floor to ceiling. So, a U.V. curtain, 400, encompass pathways airborne pathogens may cross and thereby provides protection by creating a partition curtain, 400, which pathogens die crossing.

[0042] Note that all cited embodiments are comprised of the following basic components which create the desired effect:

[0043] A power supply, 100, having any means of electrical connection, 110, together with;

[0044] At least one light emitting diode, 200;

[0045] A suitable light guide substrate, 300, clear at edges for input light on a clear edge, and projected light which exits the substrate at clear remote edges and thus enables;

[0046] The desired effect, being a projected light curtain, 400.

[0047] The examples illustrate a partial range of embodiments in various shapes and sizes of optically suitable substrates that lend themselves to a variety of applications and provide airbourne germicidal dis-infection benefits for its users as described herein. It is anticipated that many obvious applications may be adapted, but any light curtain projection device of this type uses the technology described herein.