LIQUID DISINFECTING MODULE

Abstract

The present disclosure concerns module for disinfecting water by UV radiation, for example source or miming water to be disinfected for the purpose of serving as drinking water. In particular, the present disclosure provides a UV-LED radiation-based modules for disinfecting water before consumption, the modules include at least one removable lens for prolonging the service life of the module.

Claims

1.-54. (canceled)

55. A UV-radiation disinfection module for disinfecting water, the module comprises: at least one disinfection chamber extending along a longitudinal axis, and having at least one water inlet and at least one treated water outlet with a water flow path defined therebetween, and a UV radiation unit, comprising at least one UV radiation source, and one or more lenses positioned between the UV radiation source and the disinfection chamber for focusing UV radiation from the UV radiation source into the disinfection chamber, at least one of said one or more lenses being a user-removable lens, removably received in the UV radiation unit, the disinfection chamber being configured to permit exposure of said water to UV radiation emitted from the UV radiation source during flow of water along the flow path.

56. The module of claim 55, wherein said removable lens is displaceable along an extraction axis, perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, between a functional position in which it is received within the UV radiation unit and positioned between the UV radiation source and the disinfection chamber, and a non-functional position, in which it is extracted from the UV radiation unit.

57. The module of claim 55, wherein said removable lens has an optical magnification of between about 0% to 500%.

58. The module of claim 55, further comprising at least one stationary lens, positioned between said user-removable lens and said UV radiation source.

59. The module of claim 55, wherein the at least one water inlet being positioned proximal to a first end of the disinfection chamber and the at least one treated water outlet being positioned proximal to the opposite second end of the disinfection chamber.

60. The module of claim 5, wherein the at least one UV radiation unit being positioned at said second end, and wherein said first end is fitted with one or more mirror elements for reflecting UV radiation into the disinfection chamber.

61. The module of claim 55, wherein the disinfection chamber is generally cylindrical, and having one or more narrowing sections.

62. The module of claim 55, wherein the disinfection chamber is cylindrical, and having an axial hollow bore formed out of co-axial frustoconical cavities, consecutively arranged along the longitudinal axis, with their narrow ends being integral one with the other to form a narrowing point, wherein the focal point of the removable lens coincides with the point of the narrowing point.

63. The module of claim 55, wherein the disinfection chamber comprises a UV-reflecting liner coating at least a portion of the internal surface of the disinfection chamber.

64. The module of claim 55, wherein the disinfection chamber encases an internal sleeve, co-axial with the disinfection chamber, wherein the internal sleeve has the shape of an hourglass to form a narrowing point.

65. The module of claim 55, wherein the disinfection chamber is detachably attached to the UV radiation unit.

66. The module of claim 55, wherein the UV radiation unit comprises at least one fluid-flow passage configured to pass a cooling fluid through the unit.

67. The module of claim 55, wherein the UV radiation source is a UV-LED.

68. The module of claim 55, wherein the UV radiation unit and the disinfection chamber are integral one with the other and extending along a longitudinal axis defined therebetween, and a liquid conduit forming liquid communication between the UV radiation unit and the disinfection chamber, the UV radiation unit further comprises a housing with a water inlet located at a bottom section of the housing and a water outlet located at a side wall of the housing and forming a first liquid flow path therebetween, and a UV radiation source assembly housed within the housing, formed within the UV radiation source assembly is a liquid sealed chamber that housing said at least one UV radiation sources, the at least one UV radiation sources being coupled to a heat sink positioned at the bottom of the liquid sealed chamber, such that the heat sink is thermally coupled to the first flow path thereby heat is removed from the heat sink by the water flowing through the first flow path; the disinfection chamber having a chamber inlet and a chamber outlet defining a second liquid flow path therebetween, and the disinfection chamber having an internal face along the second liquid flow path with at least a portion thereof covered by a reflective surface such that UV radiation from the UV radiation source is reflected by the reflective surface into the water flowing in the second flow path thereby disinfecting the water; the liquid conduit formed between the water outlet of the UV radiation unit and the chamber inlet of the disinfection chamber, thereby forming the liquid communication between the radiation unit and the disinfection chamber.

69. The module of claim 68, wherein the internal face of the disinfection chamber is lined with a radiation-transmissive lining.

70. The module of claim 55, wherein the water inlet is configured to establish liquid communication with a water source.

71. The module of claim 55, wherein the disinfection chamber outlet is configured to establish liquid communication with a water dispenser or a dispensing outlet of a water dispenser.

72. The module of claim 55, wherein the disinfection chamber outlet is linkable to a spout.

73. A beverage dispenser comprising at least one UV-radiation disinfection module of claim 55.

74. A water spout unit for dispensing UV-disinfected water, the spout unit comprising a UV-radiation disinfection module having a water module inlet and a water module outlet, and a spout linked to the water module outlet, the UV-radiation disinfection module comprising a UV radiation unit and a disinfection chamber integral therewith and extending along a longitudinal axis defined therebetween, and a water conduit forming a fluid communication between the UV radiation unit and the disinfection chamber, the UV radiation unit comprises a housing with a water inlet located at a bottom section of the housing and in liquid communication with the module water inlet, and a water outlet located at a side wall of the housing and forming a first liquid flow path therebetween, and a UV radiation source assembly housed within the housing, formed within the UV radiation source assembly is a liquid sealed chamber that houses one or more UV radiation sources, the one or more UV radiation sources being coupled to a heat sink positioned at the bottom of the liquid sealed chamber, such that the heat sink is thermally coupled to the first flow path thereby heat is removed from the heat sink by the water flowing through the first flow path, the liquid sealed chamber and the disinfection chamber having at least one common, UV radiation-transmissive wall, such that UV radiation from the one or more radiation source is transmitted into the disinfecting chamber; the disinfection chamber having a chamber inlet and a chamber outlet defining a second fluid flow path therebetween, and the disinfection chamber having an internal face along the second liquid flow path with at least a portion thereof covered by a reflective surface such that radiation from the UV radiation source is reflected by the reflective surface into the water flowing in the second flow path thereby disinfecting the water; the water conduit formed between the water outlet of the UV radiation unit and the chamber inlet of the disinfection chamber, thereby forming the liquid communication between the radiation unit and the disinfection chamber, wherein the UV radiation-transmissive wall is a user-removable lens.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0059] In order to better understand the subject matter that is disclosed herein and to exemplify how it may be carried out in practice, embodiments will now be described, by way of non-limiting example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0060] FIG. 1 is a longitudinal cross-section through a UV-radiation disinfection module according to an embodiment of this disclosure.

[0061] FIG. 2A shows an isometric view of a UV-radiation disinfection module according to another embodiment of this disclosure; FIG. 2B shows a longitudinal cross section of the module of FIG. 2A; FIG. 2C shows the cross section of FIG. 2B, showing the water flow path through the module; FIG. 2D shows the embodiment of FIG. 2B, however with an internal hourglass-shaped sleeve.

[0062] FIGS. 3A-3B are isometric and longitudinal cross-sectional views, respectively, of a UV-radiation disinfection module according to a configuration of the module of FIGS. 2A-2D.

[0063] FIG. 4 shows a longitudinal cross section through a module according to another embodiment of this disclosure.

[0064] FIG. 5 shows a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a further embodiment of the module of this disclosure.

[0065] FIG. 6A is a perspective view of a water dispenser comprising a UV-radiation disinfection module according to this disclosure.

[0066] FIG. 6B is a longitudinal cross section through the dispenser unit of FIG. 6A.

[0067] FIG. 7A is a perspective view of a spout unit that comprises a module according to an embodiment of this disclosure.

[0068] FIG. 7B is a longitudinal cross section through the spout unit of FIG. 7A.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0069] In the following, the present disclosure will be elaborated and illustrated through description of some specific embodiments with reference to the annexed drawings. It is to be understood that the figures are intended to exemplify the general principles of this disclosure and are not to be construed in any way to be limiting.

[0070] Referring first to FIG. 1, shown are longitudinal cross-sections through a UV-radiation disinfection module according to an embodiment of this disclosure. Module 100 includes a UV radiation unit 102 and a disinfection chamber 104, arranged along a longitudinal axis 106 of module 100. The disinfection chamber 104 comprises a water inlet 108 (located at a first end 107 of the disinfection chamber), and a treated water outlet 110 (located at a second end 109 of the disinfection chamber), with a water flow path 112 defined therebetween. In order to regulate flow of water through the disinfection chamber, as well as to create an area in which the volume of water is reduced to enable increased efficiency of UV disinfection, chamber 104 of in this example has an internal, hourglass-shaped cavity 114. The narrowing of the flow path 115 changes the flow profile of water along the flow path, thereby causing local region(s) along the flow path in which radiation can be focused on relatively small volumes of water. The cavity 114 is typically lined or coated by a UV-reflective material, hence causing reflections of the UV light rays, and increasing exposure of the water to UV radiation along the flow path.

[0071] Although in this specific example the narrowing of the flow path is provided the shape of the cavity of the chamber, it is to be understood that the chamber can have a cylindrical shape, and comprise an hourglass shaped internal sleeve made of or coated by UV-reflecting material (not shown).

[0072] UV radiation unit 102 includes a UV-LED radiation source 116 which is configured to irradiate UV radiation into the disinfection chamber 104 during flow of water along the flow path 112. While in this specific example only a single UV-LED radiation source is shown, it is to be understood that more than a single UV-LED source can be utilized. In order to focus the UV radiation into the flowing water, one or more lenses can be positioned between the UV radiation source 116 and the disinfection chamber 104. User-removable lens 120 is positioned between the UV-LED radiation source 116 and the disinfection chamber 104, such as to form a physical barrier between the UV radiation module and the disinfection chamber. As lens 120 typically comes into contact with the water flowing through the module, it is removably received within the UV radiation module. In this specific example, the lens 120 is held in position within a groove 122, and can be displaced out of the groove by pulling onto handle 124, that is associated with the lens, in order to remove the lens out from module 100. This enables replacement of the removable lens or cleaning thereof when needed, permitting a user to replace the lens whenever required in order to maintain efficiency of UV radiation transmittance through the lens throughout the service life of the module.

[0073] The removable lens 120 typically has optical magnification of between about 0% and 500%.

[0074] In this specific example, the UV radiation module further comprises a stationary lens 125, which can function to provide initial or preliminary focusing of the UV radiation emitted from the source 116. It is to be understood, however, that in other configurations (not shown), this stationary lens is optional.

[0075] Formed in the UV radiation unit 102 is also a fluid-flow passage 126 through which a cooling fluid, such as water or air can be provided, permitting disposing of the heat formed by the UV-LED source 116 during operation of the module.

[0076] Another configuration of the UV-radiation disinfection module is shown in FIGS. 2A-2D. Module 200 has a module water inlet 202, a water module outlet 204, a radiation unit 206 and a disinfection chamber 208, with a longitudinal axis 210 extending between the inlet 202 and the outlet 204.

[0077] The description below makes occasional reference to a top or bottom, and is to be referred to with respect to longitudinal axis 210. It is to be understood that this is done for convenience of description only. As can be appreciated in use the orientation has no functional significance and it may be coupled to the appliance or system in any desired orientation according to various engineering or other considerations.

[0078] Radiation unit 206 comprises a housing 207 with a water inlet 212, fluidly linked to water module inlet 202 and located at a bottom section of the housing and a water outlet 214 located at a side wall of the housing and forming a first liquid flow path 233 therebetween (seen in FIG. 2C). A UV radiation source assembly, generally designated 216, is housed within the housing 207, and has a liquid sealed chamber 218 formed therein. The liquid sealed chamber 218 houses one or more UV radiation sources 220 (e.g. UV-LED devices), which are coupled to a heat sink 222 positioned at the bottom of the liquid sealed chamber. As the heat sink is thermally coupled to the first flow path, heat can be removed from the heat sink by the water flowing through the first flow path.

[0079] Separating between the liquid sealed chamber 218 and the disinfection chamber 208, is a user-removable lens 224, made of a UV radiation-transmissive material, e.g. quartz, to enable radiation emitted from the UV-LED 220 to be transmitted and focused into the disinfection chamber 208.

[0080] The disinfection chamber has a chamber inlet 230 and a chamber outlet 232 (fluidly linked to water module outlet 204) defining a second liquid flow path 231 therebetween (better seen in FIG. 2C). The disinfection chamber has an internal face 234 along the second liquid flow path with at least a portion thereof covered by a reflective surface 236 such that UV radiation from the UV radiation source is reflected by the reflective surface into the water flowing in the second flow path thereby disinfecting the water.

[0081] A water conduit 240 is formed between the water outlet 214 and the chamber inlet 230, thereby forming the liquid communication between the radiation unit 206 and the disinfection chamber 208.

[0082] As can be seen in FIG. 2D, chamber 208 can also incorporate an hourglass internal sleeve 242 (which can be made of or coated by a UV-reflective material), in order to control and direct the water flow through the disinfection chamber and permit focusing of radiation into relatively small volumes of water flowing through the narrowing formed by the internal sleeve.

[0083] Another configuration of the module is shown in FIGS. 3A-3B, showing a module 200′ similar to that of FIGS. 2A-2D, however including a replaceable lens. Module 200′ has a module water inlet 202′, a water module outlet 204′, a UV radiation unit 206′ and a disinfection chamber 208′, and a replaceable lens assembly 270.

[0084] Radiation unit 206′ comprises a housing 207′ with water module inlet 202′ functioning also as water inlet 212′ and located at a bottom section of the housing and a water outlet 214′, forming a first liquid flow path therebetween. UV-LED 220′ is housed within the housing 207′, within a liquid sealed chamber 218′ formed between lens 272 a heat-conductive separation plate 274 (plate 274 separating between the heat sink 222′ and the UV-LED 220′). The UV-LED 220′ is coupled to the heat sink 222′ through the separation plate 274, such that flow of water through the first flow path removes heat from the heat sink.

[0085] Water then flows through a second flow path, defined between chamber inlet 230′ and a chamber outlet 232′ (also functioning as module outlet 204′), and disinfected by the UV radiation during its flow through the disinfection chamber.

[0086] Lens module 270 comprises removable lens 272 and handle 276. The lens 272 is removably received within a groove or slot 278, such that a user can remove the lens when replacement thereof is needed.

[0087] FIG. 4 shows another embodiment of a module 300 according to this disclosure. The device of FIG. 4 is similar to the device of FIGS. 2A-3B, hence, elements having the same functionality were given like numerals shifted by 100. For example, inlet 302 in FIG. 4 has the same function as inlet 202 in FIGS. 2A-2D. The reader is referred to the description above for a detailed description of these elements.

[0088] In module 300, the internal face of the disinfection chamber 308 is lined with a radiation-transmissive lining, in this case a quartz tube 350. By proper design, tube 350 elongates liquid motion within the chamber 308, resulting in a longer exposure of the liquid to the radiation, and “forces” liquid to flow within the focal point of the radiation source 320 hence ensuring a desired predetermined antimicrobial treatment of the water. It is to be understood that while only one tube 350 is shown, it is also contemplated within the scope of this disclosure that two or more such tubes can be utilized, each being in liquid communication with the disinfection chamber inlet and the disinfection chamber outlet, such that each of the tubes constituted a second liquid flow path, thus further increasing the surface area exposed to the radiation.

[0089] FIG. 5 shows another embodiment of a module 400 according to this disclosure. The module of FIG. 5 is similar to the device of FIGS. 2A-2D, hence, elements having the same functionality were given like numerals shifted by 200. For example, inlet 402 in FIG. 5 has the same function as inlet 202 in FIGS. 2A-2D. The reader is referred to the description above for a detailed description of these elements.

[0090] In module 400, the disinfection chamber 408 comprises a horizontal plate 460, axially spaced-apart from the removable lens 424, and forms a partition of the disinfection chamber. The horizontal plate 460 is typically made of a UV radiation-transmissive material, e.g. quartz, and has at least one orifice 462 for controlling the flow of liquid through the disinfection chamber. The orifice 462 is located at the focal point of the radiation source 320 hence ensuring that the flowing liquid absorbs a maximum amount of radiation.

[0091] As noted, the UV-radiation disinfection module of this disclosure may be linkable to various end units, such as liquid dispensers and spouts for dispensing disinfected liquid. The module may be configured for temporary association with the dispenser, spout or liquid supply line, as to permit its replacement and/or maintenance when needed.

[0092] For example, as seen in FIGS. 6A-6B, an exemplary water dispenser 500 is shown. Water dispenser 500 comprises one or more water treatment cartridges 502 (such as a filtering unit or a unit that removes various contaminants from the water, and/or adds various additives to the water), that in this specific example receives water to be treated from water reservoir 504. It is to be noted that instead of reservoir 504 can be replaced by a liquid-communication to a running water source (such as a water supply line, not shown). After treatment by the water treatment cartridges 502, water is pumped through the UV-radiation disinfection module, e.g. module 100 (or alternatively modules 200, 200′, 300 or 400), for UV disinfection, and from there out of the dispensing nozzle 506 for dispensing to the user. In case heated water needs to be dispensed, water can be heated through heating unit 508 before dispensing to the user.

[0093] Alternatively, the disinfection module may be an integral part of a spout unit. An exemplary spout unit in which the disinfection device is integrally formed with a spout is shown in FIGS. 7A-7B. Spout unit 600 comprises a unit body 602, which (as can better be seen in FIG. 7B) houses the disinfection module (100, 200, 200′, 300, or 400). The unit also comprises a user-operable lever mechanism 604 to permit and control liquid (i.e. water) flow through the unit. Unit 600 is being fed liquid through one or more supply lines, in this case two supply lines 606 and 608 for supplying hot and cold water to the unit. The housing is integrally formed with a spout 610, which is in liquid communication with the outlet 208 of the disinfection device, as can be seen in FIG. 7B.

[0094] It is to be understood that although described as separate embodiments, various combinations of the embodiments described herein are contemplated and are within the scope of this disclosure. For example, one or more quartz tubes can be utilized together with the quartz horizontal plate in order to maximize radiation treatment efficiency.

[0095] As noted, the disinfection device of this disclosure may be linkable to various end units, such as liquid dispensers and spouts for dispensing disinfected liquid. The device may be configured for temporary association with the dispenser, spout or liquid supply line, as to permit its replacement and/or maintenance when needed.