ESCALATOR HANDRAIL BELT DECONTAMINATION SYSTEM AND METHOD

Abstract

The escalator handrail decontamination system includes at least one sealed decontamination unit, for safe and localized decontamination environment, including at least one ozone generator, at least one ozone concentration sensor at the decontamination zone, at least one ozone destruction unit for converting ozone to oxygen; at least one ozone safety sensor for monitoring ozone level in the area surrounding the moving handrail belt; at least one secondary ozone destruction unit downstream of the at least one safety sensor; an intermediate controller and a central controller. The ozone output from the EHDS ozone generator is constantly monitored by an ozone concentration sensor to ensure minimum efficacy levels of ozone are maintained and to ensure ozone output remains within designated safety levels. The EHDS is positioned at the unseen lower section of the revolving handrail.

Claims

1. Escalator handrail belt (6) decontamination system comprising an ozone generator characterised in that it comprises at least one sealed decontamination unit (1, 1) comprising at least one ozone generator, at least one ozone concentration sensor (3), at least one first ozone destruction unit (4); and further comprises at least one ozone safety sensor (5, 5), at least one secondary ozone destruction unit (7, 7), an intermediate controller (8), and a central controller (9).

2. Method for decontamination of escalator handrail belt (6) using ozone characterised in that ozone level is monitored in the at least one sealed escalator handrail belt (6) decontamination unit (1, 1), ozone is converted into oxygen by the at least one first ozone destruction unit (4) in the at least one sealed decontamination unit (1, 1), ozone level is further monitored downstream of the at least one sealed decontamination unit (1, 1) by the at least one ozone safety sensor (5, 5), moving handrail belt (6) is further treated with at least one secondary ozone destruction unit (7, 7).

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] The function and efficacy of the EHDS is outlined in the drawings and descriptions. The individual parts in the drawing are not to scale, but intended to illustrate the application and principles of the invention.

[0011] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of the EHDS installed within an escalator environment;

[0012] FIG. 2 shows the decontamination unit of EHDS.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0013] The EHDS comprises at least one sealed decontamination unit (1, 1) comprising an ambient air assisted ozone generator (not shown in the drawings), wherein the ozone generator may be inside the decontamination unit (1) or outside (not shown in the drawings), positioned close to a moving handrail belt (6); an ozone sensor (3) to monitor ozone concentration close to and near the surface of the moving handrail belt (6); a first ozone destruction unit (4) for removing ozone from the moving handrail belt surface. In addition the system comprises at least one ozone safety sensor (5, 5) for monitoring ozone presence on the moving handrail belt (6) after the moving handrail belt leaves the decontamination unit or units (1, 1) and at least one further destruction unit (7, 7) positioned after the at least one ozone safety sensor (5, 5) or each ozone safety sensors (5, 5) in case of multiple sensors (5, 5). Also an intermediate controller (8) is installed at the site for communication of all system elements with the central control unit (9).

[0014] The handrail belt (6), moving at approximately 1-2 feet (0.30-0.61) per second, enters the at least one decontamination unit (1, 1), which is secured to the escalator truss frame, through entrance cavity which has a built-in sealed design preventing the generated ozone from leaving the at least one decontamination unit (1, 1)) through said entrance cavity. The ozone is generated and transferred locally to the zone of disinfection and preferably at close proximity to the moving handrail belt (6) surface. The ozone concentration is monitored by a concentration sensor (3) at the zone of disinfection. The sensor is positioned so that it can sense the ozone concentration level as close to the surface of the moving handrail belt (6) as possible. The first ozone destruction unit (4), which may be a heating unit for heating the handrail belt and its close surroundings, removes ozone at least from the surface of the handrail belt (6) before it leaves the at least one decontamination unit (1, 1) through exit cavity which has a built-in sealed design preventing the generated ozone from leaving the decontamination unit (1, 1) through said exit cavity. The ozone destruction unit (4) removes ozone by heating the ozone gas and converting it to oxygen.

[0015] The moving handrail belt may enter several subsequent decontamination units (1, 1) for maximum efficacy.

[0016] After the handrail belt leaves the at least one decontamination unit (1, 1) or, if several are used, the last decontamination unit, it passes through at least one ozone safety sensor (5, 5) monitoring the presence of ozone on the surface of the handrail belt. If ozone is detected, this area of the handrail belt and the area adjacent to it is treated by a secondary ozone destruction unit (7, 7), such as a heating unit. Any number of ozone safety sensors with secondary destruction units downstream of the at last one decontamination unit may be used depending on the escalator construction. In this way the handrail belt is efficiently disinfected by ozone which is removed from the surface of the handrail belt before it emerges for contact with users. If the EHDS system comprises more than one decontamination unit (1, 1), the ozone treatment in each of them is controlled in such a way to ensure efficacy and safety. If the EHDS system comprises more than one safety sensor (5, 5), the secondary ozone destruction unit (7, 7), or units (7, 7), after each of the safety sensor (5, 5), are operated so that ozone is removed from the surface of the handrail belt before it emerges for contact with users.

[0017] According to each escalator site, installation of the EHDS may include multiples of these key parts, positioned approximately one meter apart, according to maximum decontamination impact, determined for example by longer escalators or moving walkways with correspondingly longer handrails, with more contact areas to be covered by the EHDS for efficacy.

[0018] Although numerous characteristics and advantages together with structural details and features have been listed in the present description of the invention, the description is provided as an example fulfillment of the invention. Without departing from the principles of the invention, there may be changes in the details, especially in the form, size and layout, in accordance with most widely understood meanings of the concepts and definitions used in claims.