Anti-Shadowing Ultraviolet "C" (UV-C) Virus Irradiation and Deactivation Chamber with Ozone Re-circulation and Neutralization

Abstract

An anti-shadowing virus irradiation and deactivation device comprised of air chambers having multiple ultraviolet “C” light sources, with a selectable recirculation path to harness ozone gas produced, and a system to neutralize said ozone gas upon exit.

Claims

1. A virus irradiation and deactivation device comprised of, a plurality of fans, a uni-directional passageway, one or more chambers equipped with multiple UV-C light sources, and a means to decompose ozone (O3) gas into oxygen (O2).

2. The device of claim 1, further comprised of an airflow recirculation passage, airflow control valves, and a microcontroller and software to coordinate all functions.

3. The device of claim 2, further comprised of rotating louvers to disperse air inside said chambers.

4. The device of claim 3, further comprised of receptacles to attach hoses from infected patient's masks or tents,

5. The virus irradiation and deactivation device of claim 11 further comprising wherein said UV-C light sources are light emitting diodes.

6. The device of claim 5, further comprised of, batteries, and an attachment to an intake port of a face mask.

7. A method for disinfecting and/or decontaminating air contaminated by airborne viruses safely in the presence of people in an environment, comprising: (a) drawing said air using one or more fans through a uni-directional airflow passageway, (b) directing said air from said airflow passageway into one or more chambers, wherein each of said one or more chambers is equipped with multiple UV C light sources, and (c) decomposing ozone produced by said UV-C light sources back into oxygen, and (d) discharging decontaminated air from step (c) into said environment.

8. A virus irradiation and deactivation device comprising, an opaque enclosure, said enclosure having an air ingress port and air egress port, said air ingress port connected to a hot zone conduit, a first-pass conduit, said first-pass conduit joined at a junction to said hot zone conduit wherein a non-return airflow flap is disposed at said junction, said first-pass conduit having a recirculation aperture, a first UV-C source, said first UV-C source positioned in said first-pass conduit, said first pass conduit connected to a single bombardment chamber or a first bombardment chamber of a plurality of bombardment chambers which are connected in series, said plurality of bombardment chambers having a first bombardment chamber and a last bombardment chamber, said first bombardment chamber having a plurality of UV-C sources, a pressure optimized fan positioned to draw air sequentially into said first-pass conduit, into said single bombardment chamber or said plurality of bombardment chambers, and to a bifurcation valve or flap, said bifurcation flap connected either to said single bombardment chamber or to the last bombardment chamber in the plurality of bombardment chambers, said bifurcation valve or flap configured to direct airflow to either a recirculation conduit or to an exit conduit, said exit conduit terminating at said egress port, said recirculation conduit further connected to said recirculation aperture wherein air directed into said recirculation conduit from said bifurcation valve or flap re-enters said first-pass conduit, means for controlling fan speed and power to the UV-C sources, coordinating opening and closing of the valves and/or flaps, means for providing electrical power to the device.

9. The virus irradiation and deactivation device of claim 8 further comprising wherein said single bombardment chamber or said plurality of bombardment chambers are spherical, and further comprising wherein each of the spherical bombardment chambers has UV-C sources arranged in either: (a) a tetrahedral arrangement, or (b) an octahedral arrangement.

10. The virus irradiation and deactivation device of claim 9 further comprised of rotating louvers arranged to disperse air inside each of the spherical bombardment chambers.

11. The virus irradiation and deactivation device of claim 3 further comprising wherein said UV-C sources are arranged in either: (a) a tetrahedral arrangement, or (b) an octahedral arrangement.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0036] FIG. 1 An overall x-ray view of the device and its most visible parts

[0037] FIG. 2 An overall x-ray view of the device showing airflow direction with arrow marks

[0038] FIG. 3 Close-up view of a louver equipped circular joint for the spherical UV-C chambers

[0039] FIG. 4 Close-up view of three filters used for ozone decomposition and airflow-driving fans

[0040] FIG. 5 Shows typical use of the device, connected to the face mask of a COVID19 patient

[0041] FIG. 6 An overall x-ray view of a version of the device with rectangular UV-C lamp chamber

[0042] FIG. 7 An overall x-ray view of the device showing controller, power supply, cord, and plug

[0043] FIG. 8 A battery-powered, portable version of the device using light emitting diodes

REFERENCE NUMERALS IN DRAWINGS

[0044] 101 Ingress portal (infected air) and louvre

[0045] 102 Spherical UV-C bombardment chambers

[0046] 103 UV-C bulbs

[0047] 104 Hose receptacles (infected air)

[0048] 105 Ozone decomposition filters

[0049] 106 Control Panel

[0050] 107 Egress port and louvre

[0051] 201 Ingress airflow-optimized fan

[0052] 202 ‘Hot zone’ passageway

[0053] 203 Non-return airflow flap

[0054] 204 First UV-C light source

[0055] 205 Recirculation aperture and one-way valve cover

[0056] 206 ‘First pass zone’ passageway

[0057] 207 Pressure-optimized fan (at entrance to UV-C chambers)

[0058] 208 Second UV-C light source (at end of passageway)

[0059] 209 Louver-equipped joints

[0060] 210 L valve or V flap for recirculation path or exit path

[0061] 211 Recirculation path

[0062] 212 Exit path

[0063] 213 Egress port particle filter and airflow-optimized fan as a single unit

[0064] 301 Rotating louver on Spherical joint

[0065] 302 PCB or other small electric motor

[0066] 303 Spherical joint seals

[0067] 401 Manganese oxide filter

[0068] 402 Nickel oxide filter

[0069] 403 Activated carbon filter

[0070] 404 Inbound speed-controlled static pressure-optimized fans

[0071] 405 Outbound speed-controlled static pressure-optimized fans

[0072] 501 Patient breathing mask

[0073] 502 Patient hose for exhaled infected air

[0074] 503 Hose receptacle (one of five)

[0075] 601 Rectangular UV-C bombardment chambers

[0076] 602 UV-C lamps

[0077] 603 ‘First pass zone’ pressure fan

[0078] 604 Square version of louver-equipped chamber joints

[0079] 701 Power supply

[0080] 702 Microcontroller box

[0081] 703 Power cable input port

[0082] 704 Power cable and plug

[0083] 801 Particle filter

[0084] 802 Small fan

[0085] 803 Anti-shadowing chamber

[0086] 804 UV-C light emitting diodes

[0087] 805 Lithium batteries

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0088] For the sake of clarity, several parts such as internal wiring, sockets, connectors, particle filters at ingress and egress ports, UV-protective lining used inside the device, partitions, support structure for the chambers, roller wheels, handles, etc. have been omitted from the drawings.

[0089] FIG. 1 is an overall x-ray view of the device and its most visible parts, beginning with the ingress portal (101) for infected air. This portal is protected by a louvre that matches the device pathways in design so that no UV-C light can be seen being emitted from its aperture. The louvre also prevents large objects or animals from entering into the device. There is no filter used at this portal because it would only cause viruses to aggregate at the filter rather than be processed by the device. A one-way flexible valve or flap (not shown) is attached to the ingress portal to prevent air from inside the device from exiting.

[0090] Also shown are the spherical anti-shadowing chambers (102) with multiple UV-C bulbs (103). These anti-shadowing chambers are where the viruses are repeatedly bombarded with UV-C to ensure its destruction. To the top of the device are hose receptacles (104) that gently draw in exhaled infected air from patients. Five hose receptacles are shown in this example, and each of these receptacles have one-way valves for flaps (not shown) to prevent air from inside the device to exit.

[0091] Any surface inside the device that is exposed to UV-C light should be lined, treated or painted with aluminium (not shown) or other UV-C resistant substance to prevent degradation.

[0092] Hoses attached to masks or tents on infected patients at one end, and to the present invention at the other end, is the most effective means for preventing doctors and nurses from being infected by COVID19 patients. Today, dangerous virus-laden air from infected patients are merely exhaled into hospital rooms and worse, unwittingly circulated throughout the hospital via the room's air conditioning vents, if that same room is not built with bio-containment.

[0093] Also shown are the ozone decomposition filters (105) which contain chemical elements that break down the ozone gas produced by the UV-C light sources back into oxygen (this will be discussed in greater detail later). The status of the device and various operating options is displayed and altered via a control panel (106). The device needs only to be powered on to provide its virus destroying abilities to a room.

[0094] The egress port (107) of the device has a louvre that likewise prevents large objects or animals from entering the device. The egress port also contains a particle filter (not shown). The air coming out of this egress port has been cleaned of viruses and ozone, and thus safe to breathe.

[0095] FIG. 2 shows an overall x-ray view of the device with arrow marks to depict how air travels through it. As mentioned previously the ingress port draws infected air through a one-way valve or flap (not shown). The negative air pressure is produced by an airflow-optimized fan (201) behind the ingress port.

[0096] The infected air then travels though the ‘hot zone’ passageway (202), meaning that the air here has not been processed in any way and still dangerous. This passageway serves as a buffer while the air further down the device is being processed to remove viruses. At the end of the ‘hot zone’ passageway is a non-return flap (203) that prevents infected air from going back up the passageway. Note that the non-return flap here can be replaced with an ‘L’ valve or other similar devices.

[0097] The first UV-C light source (204) then greets and partially disinfects the incoming virus-infected air from the ‘hot zone’. Note that LEDs, lamps, and other forms of UV-C light sources can be used here, not just bulbs. This first UV-C light source is at very close proximity to the recirculation aperture and one-way valve cover (205) which remains closed while the non-return flap of the hot zone is open. The partially disinfected air now travels up the first pass zone passageway (206) aided by a pressure-optimized fan (207) at the end of the first pass zone.

[0098] When the recirculation aperture is open and the hot zone flap is closed, processed air laden with ozone is drawn into the first pass zone passageway, driven by the aforementioned pressure-optimized fan. The ozone gas further disinfects the air and the passageway itself.

[0099] Towards the end of the first pass zone passageway is a second UV-C light source (208) that further assists in disinfecting the air and the immediate area near it. The aforementioned (speed-controlled) pressure optimized fan then forces the air into the entrance towards the spherical UV-C bombardment chambers.

[0100] Louver-equipped joints (209) at the entrance to the first spherical chamber and in between the rest of the spherical chambers ensures that the air inside the spheres are diffused or swirled so as to prevent the formation of a well-defined vortex of air running through one or more spheres, since such a well-defined airflow will protect viruses from being destroyed by the UV-C light.

[0101] A “L” valve or flap for recirculation path or exit path (210) is found at the end of the series of spherical chambers, the entrance to which can be aided by an optional static pressure-optimized fan (not shown). This L valve or flap is controlled by a microcontroller (not shown here) in unison with all of the fans and other valves or flaps.

[0102] Two airflow paths are available, one towards the recirculation path (211) and the other towards the exit path (212). At the end of the exit path is a particle filter (not shown) and an airflow-optimized fan (213) leading to the louvre-protected egress port.

[0103] FIG. 3 shows a close-up view of the air diffusing louver-equipped circular joints (209) mentioned earlier, that is located in between the spherical anti-shadowing UV-C chambers. The rotating louvers (301) are either passive (non-powered) or moved by PCB motors or other small electric motors (302) which are connected to the microcontroller of the device (not shown here). Spherical joint seals (303) ensure that the infected air inside the spherical anti-shadowing chambers does not leak out of the system.

[0104] FIG. 4 is a close-up view of the three filters used for ozone decomposition. This is image is inverted in relation to the overall view in FIG. 2. The arrow symbol denotes direction of airflow. A set of static pressure-optimized fans (404) drive the now-disinfected air through the first filter in the airflow path, which is the manganese oxide filter (401), followed by the nickel oxide filter (402). Both chemical elements in these filters strip one molecule of oxygen from the harmful ozone (03) gas passing through it, to convert it into oxygen (O2).

[0105] Other methods and chemical compositions can be used to decompose ozone gas back to oxygen, and used instead of these filters if they are more efficient. An activated carbon filter (403) is used thereafter to remove the pleasant but harmful odor of ozone. Another set of speed-controlled static pressure-optimized fans (405) is placed at the end of this rather thick set of filters to push the now relatively ozone-free sanitized air out the egress portal of the device.

[0106] FIG. 5 shows a bed-ridden COVID 19 patient wearing a face mask (501). That face mask has an inhalation port that draws air from an oxygen-enriched air tank to the right of the patient. The face mask also has an exhalation port which is connected a hose (502) that is attached to the first of five hose receptacles (503) on the device shown in FIG. 1.

[0107] The use of the hose receptacles will significantly increase the number of effective ‘disinfected air changes per hour’ that the device can accomplish, and it can also reduce the physical size and cost of the device, depending upon the number of patients to be simultaneously serviced.

[0108] The most ideal setup in a hospital room is to use two separate devices, one for direct attachment to patient's masks or tents, and the other dedicated to processing the ambient air inside the same room. If used in this manner there will be nearly zero incidents of doctors and nurses getting infected by the patients that they are attending to.

[0109] FIG. 6 shows an overall x-ray view of a different version of the device in FIG. 1 that instead has rectangular chamber (601) using long UV-C lamps (602). These chambers are easier to package, however the challenge as mentioned previously, is ensuring that the anti-shadowing capability is not compromised by equidistant spacing of the UV-C lamps. As such, variations in lamp locations (in relation to the prior chamber's apertures are recommended.

[0110] A static pressure-optimized fan (603) is used to drive the air into the first of the rectangular chambers. This fan is repositioned differently from that of the spherical chamber version. Louver-equipped chamber joints (604) this time with square-shaped seals are added at the entrance to and between these rectangular chambers. An optional static pressure optimized fan (not shown) can be added at the entrance of the previously mentioned “L” valve or flap to drive the air with more force towards the recirculation or exit paths.

[0111] FIG. 7 is another overall x-ray view of the device, this time showing the location of the power supply (701), the microcontroller box (702), the power input port (703) and the attached cord and power plug (704).

[0112] Various sensors (not shown) can be added to the device to increase safety. These sensors can warn doctors and nurses of any anomaly (e.g. fan failure, bulb burned out, airflow is blocked, internal temperature is too high, etc.) via a buzzer and warning message on the control panel (106).

[0113] The fans, servos, motors, microcontroller, power supply, optional sensors and other electronic parts such as connectors, wires, and crimping tools can be bought from Adafruit.com, Sparkfun.com, Polulu.com, Digikey.com, Mouser.com, HobbyKing.com, MicroCenter.com and Amazon.com.

[0114] Acrylic pipes, aluminium sheets, enclosures, spherical and rectangular chambers, valves and flaps can be bought from ePlastics.com, U.S. Plastics.com, Plastic-Domes-Spheres.com, Home Depot, Lowe's, and Amazon.com.

[0115] The UV-C light sources in bulb, long lamp, and LED forms and their matching sockets, bases and reflectors can be bought from AtlantaLightBulbs.com, IntlLightTech.com, 1000 Bulbs.com, Mouser.com, Digikey.com, Boston Electronics (BosElec.com), Amazon.com, Home Depot and Lowe's.

[0116] Filters and activated carbon can be bought from Home Depot, Lowe's, and Amazon.com. The manganese oxide, nickel oxide can be bought from Amazon.com, AmericanElements.com and SigmaAldrich.com. Medical grade hoses and receptacles can be bought from WTFarley.com, PrecisionMedical.com and OhioMedical.com.

[0117] It is recommended that if any parts used in the device are 3D printed, they must be covered with metallic paint to protect against UV-C light. 3D filaments are not affected by UV-C light can be used, but these are generally expensive. 3D printing filaments, parts and supplies can be sourced from Ultimaker.com, E3D-online, MatterHackers.com, and Amazon.com. 3D printers can be sourced from Prusa Research, Lulzbot, Voron Designs, and many others.

[0118] The overall combination of the features of the present invention is unique and non-obvious. Further evidence is the fact that hospitals and clinics currently attending to COVID-19-infected patients are not using any similar anti-shadowing virus-destroying device.

Description of Alternate Embodiments

[0119] FIG. 8 shows an open frame of a portable anti-shadowing UV-C virus irradiation chamber and deactivation device for personal use, which can fit on a belt. The sidings of this portable device have been removed for clarity. An array of UV-C light emitting diodes (801) is shown. Behind these LEDs is a lithium battery (802) in pouch form that is roughly the same size as the UV-C LED array. The positive and negative terminals of the battery are clearly seen. The microcontroller (not shown) of the device is positioned behind the battery for protection.

[0120] Opposite to the array of UV-C LEDs is another identical array (not shown). The frame of the device (804) has a grill with a miniaturized louvre design (805) and a HEPA filter (not shown) to minimize UV-C light from being seen from the outside. As air enters the grill of the portable device, it is immediately bombarded by UV-C light from both facing LED arrays. Air is drawn by small fans (not shown) into another particulate filter (not shown), towards the hose receptacle (805) to which a breathing hose (not shown) is attached. This breathing hose leads to the intake port of a face mask (not shown, but similar to item number 501 in FIG. 5) for doctors and nurses.

[0121] The same parts shown in FIG. 8 can be modified and embedded into the back side of a full face mask so as to remove the need for a separate breathing hose. This miniaturized version of the present invention is yet another level of active protection for doctors and nurses who are attending to COVID19 infected patients. It will certainly provide far more protection than a passive N95 mask.

[0122] Face masks (3M brand is recommended), including snorkeling or diver-type full face masks can be bought from the following stores: Amazon.com, Home Depot, Lowe's, Scuba.com, Walmart.com, ScubaCenter.com, PADI.com, and AmericanDivingSupply.com. Modified parts for these face masks are normally 3D printed, but must be covered in paint or other safe filler material since the printed part can have air holes between layers if printed incorrectly.

Operation—Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0123] The device is simple to operate. Once plugged into a wall socket and positioned in the hospital room it needs only to be powered on.

[0124] It would be best to position the device in the center of the room if possible. An optional hose attachment (mentioned earlier) allows face masks or intubation tubes of infected patients to be directly attached to the device. Doing so would immediately make the room significantly safer for attending doctors and nurses.

[0125] The present invention has two operating modes: ‘recirculation mode’ and ‘simple pass-through’ mode. Recirculation mode is the default.

[0126] In the ‘recirculation mode’, the device fills the pathways and all anti-shadowing chambers with air from the outside. The collected air is bombarded with UV-C light and then re-circulated back into the system to harness the ozone gas that was generated by the UV-C light sources. This re-circulation process is repeated as necessary.

[0127] It must be emphasized that the objective of the recirculation measure is to increase the safety margin that the processed air has been fully disinfected of viruses.

[0128] Thereafter, the now-disinfected but ozone-laden air is forced through a series of filters, which decomposes ozone (O3) back into oxygen (O2) before the disinfected air is released through a particulate filter back into the room.

[0129] In contrast, the ‘simple pass through mode’ does not avail of recirculation. Instead, the air travels through the system linearly, with the device's fans generally rotating at a slower velocity. The UV-C light sources are run at their maximum illumination and voltage to compensate for the loss of exposure time gained if recirculation was enabled.

[0130] However, simple pass through mode is more appropriate for UV-C lamp with higher ‘lumens’, to match the same ‘safety factor’ provided by recirculation mode.

[0131] It is recommended that the use of the present invention be limited to hospitals and medical clinics. It is not intended for casual household use, except for safely isolating an infected family member. UV-C and ozone are not selective and can also destroy other micro-organisms that are beneficial or even essential to human life and all other forms of life.

Conclusions, Ramifications and Scope

[0132] The lethality and incredible infectiousness of COVID-19 caught the entire world by surprise. To date two million people have been infected, up from one million people just weeks earlier. Around the world, and tens of thousands have died.

[0133] The norms of daily life across the globe changed. Physical distance was imposed, travel is restricted, meetings in groups banned. People are now too scared of getting infected such that normal, formerly genial social interactions have started to fray.

[0134] We cannot afford to continually lose doctors and nurses to COVID-19 or other pandemics, because if we do, that would cause irreparable panic and a collapse of civility, if not civilization.

[0135] The present invention enables virus-destruction capability despite close proximity to people. That unprecedented capability is vital to restoring the confidence of the general public, and will greatly assist in bringing daily life back to a semblance of normality.

[0136] Worrisomely, several medical studies from different countries have reported that some COVID19 patients who have supposedly recovered from the virus have been found to be re-infected.

[0137] Likewise, some medical experts have voice their concern that COVID19 may become a seasonal disease, similar to the flu, except that COVID19 is much more lethal. The potential for such a permanent threat makes the versatility and active protection provided by the present invention simply invaluable.

[0138] Because of the urgent need to prevent more loss of life among our heroic doctors, nurses, and infected patients, I would like to request expedited processing of this application, including the permission to discuss it openly—immediately, so that I can start to gather the needed resources to manufacture and distribute this device to hospitals and medical clinics everywhere.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

[0139] The industrial applicability of this shielded anti-shadowing ultra violet “C” virus irradiation and deactivation chamber with ozone re-circulation and neutralization should be self-evident, most especially since the COVID-19 virus epidemic is still raging globally today.