Chemical apparatus and process disinfecting – deodorizing – preser – Process disinfecting – preserving – deodorizing – or sterilizing – Using direct contact with electrical or electromagnetic...
Reexamination Certificate
2000-11-09
2004-11-16
Jastrzab, Krisanne (Department: 1744)
Chemical apparatus and process disinfecting, deodorizing, preser
Process disinfecting, preserving, deodorizing, or sterilizing
Using direct contact with electrical or electromagnetic...
C250S435000, C250S436000, C250S455110, C096S226000, C099S278000, C422S120000, C422S121000, C422S105000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06818177
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to methods for purifying the air, and more specifically, to systems and methods for purifying air using ultraviolet radiation that are easily customized to accommodate different air handling systems, allow for remote location of certain components and provide superior purification levels.
2. Description of the Background
Ultraviolet (UV) germicidal irradiation has been known by scientist for over 80 years to kill fungi, bacteria, virus and other contaminants. These contaminants can pose a health hazard in buildings and other enclosed environments, and have been linked to Sick Building Syndrome and Building Related Illness, among other conditions.
A number of different systems have utilized ultraviolet radiation in order to improve air quality. Some devices are designed for use in large air handling systems while others are used to purify air on a smaller scale, such as in a single room. For example, with respect to purifying airflow in an air conditioning systems, U.S. Pat. No. 5,742,063, relates to an air sanitizer attachment which can be mounted on the top of a small air duct. The sanitizer has an aluminum housing and at least one UV emitting probe having a single ended-double tube design extending vertically downward into the duct. A light sensor allows for a determination of whether the probe is on without having to remove the device or be exposed to UV radiation. The inside of the ducts may be lined with reflective material and the entire device, including the ballast, is mounted on the top of the air duct to which it is attached.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,866,076 relates to a single-ended germicidal lamp for HVAC systems that is also mounted on the duct wall. A 110V, 60 Hz ballast is used to drive the UV tube and a mounting mechanism with a spring clamp and gaskets absorbs shock and vibration to the tube.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,817,276 relates to a method of UV distribution in an air handling system for surface and air sterilization. According to this patent, the system coil and drain pan components are subjected to UV-C radiation, to kill mold and bacteria growing on the coil and drain pan. A germicidal lamp in the form of a substantially linear germicidal tube is mounted in the air duct, with the lamp base mounted inside or on the outside of the duct and a reflector incorporated in the base.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,894,130 relates to an ultraviolet sterilization unit for use in forced air heating and cooling systems. This device is designed to insure the lamps are turned off to prevent unwanted exposure to UV radiation. The unit is mounted on a duct, such as the duct for the cool air return.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,523,057 relates to an air sterilization and filtration apparatus that can be installed in an air conditioning system. This device has an activated carbon filter and a remote power supply pack that activates the ultraviolet lights only when there is air movement in the ventilation system. A tackified first filter filters the air before it passes into a reflective chamber containing a plurality of ultraviolet lamps which then passes through an activated carbon filter. The system may be attached to the air intake chamber of a residential system or may be placed inside duct work. In addition, a post germicidal lamp may be positioned downstream of a wet coil to destroy bacteria on the wet coil.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,558,158 relates to a hygienic air handler that uses ultraviolet light downstream from the heat exchanger in a highly reflective chamber to discourage microorganisms. According to this patent, the end mounts for the UV sources are disposed inside the air handler and are fastened to the walls.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,833,740 relates to an air purifier having a turbulence generator and UV lamp tubes disposed in a reflective housing. This device is useful in the air return plenum of any system. U.S. Pat. No. 5,902,552 relates to an ultraviolet air sterilization device in which a housing and one or more mounts connect to germicidal lamps via 120V, 0.3 amp ballast. The device is mounted on the air handling duct so that the lamps protrude into the air stream of the duct.
A number of other devices have been described as being useful in either a room air application or as part of an air conditioning system. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,656,242 relates to an air purifier comprising a blower, porous air filters, a plurality of ballast or RF powered UV lamps disposed in a primary radiation zone and an electrostatic filter element (electrically charged grid). A reflective member/reflective walls are used to enhance irradiation in the primary irradiation zone. The purifier may be used to purify room air, or be modified for incorporation into a heating furnace.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,112,370 relates to a device for sterilizing a forced air flow using ultraviolet radiation. An elongated housing with reflecting inner surfaces accommodates an ultraviolet radiation source. A fan for drawing in and sending out air may be used or, alternately, the device may be fitted inside the output duct of an air conditioner. In the latter embodiment, three lamps are contained in a relatively short housing. The inner surface of the housing is black or dark-coated in order to absorb radiation. U.S. Pat. No. 5,837,207 relates to a portable germicidal air filter for home use incorporating an electrostatic air filter, an ultraviolet lamp and an oscillating parabolic reflector or lens for focusing the ultraviolet radiation on an upstream side of the air filter.
A number of devices are optimized to purify smaller volumes of air, such as the air in a single room. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,997,169 relates to a self-contained room air purification system having a first filter (comprising a particulate pre-filter, an intermediate carbon filter and an innermost HEPA filter), UV germicidal lamps and a downstream carbon mesh filter. The device is portable and can be wheeled into a room.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,017,736 relates to a portable or stationary air purification system which uses a two stage filter (consisting of a pre-filter metal mesh and a submicron laminar flow cell) in connection with a high intensity ultraviolet generator to kill microorganisms. According to this patent, a fan is used to force air through a shielded enclosure. U.S. Pat. No. 4,210,429 relates to a free-standing room air purifier that incorporates UV lamps and three separate filters (a prefilter in the inlet of the blower, a main filter element vertically stacked over the blower and lamps, and a charcoal filter disposed over the main filter element). In this device, a blower draws air into the housing and fifteen-watt germicidal lamps (General Electric part No. G15T8) are disposed inside the housing.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,786,812 relates to a portable germicidal machine which uses a plurality of ultraviolet light bulbs useful to purify room air and surfaces. The ultraviolet bulbs are disposed in a housing which has an open lower end covered with a grate. A reflective surface and fan is provided above the bulbs to draw air upward into the machine. In operation, air flows through a filter into the light chamber. Semicircular reflecting shields have holes through them to allow air flow. Bacteria on surfaces beneath the device and in air passing over the surface are killed by direct and reflected ultraviolet radiation as the device passes over the surface.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,806,768 relates to an air purifying apparatus useful in a home, office, industrial plant or hospital setting to degrade microorganisms and allergens. In this device, infrared and ultraviolet lamps are disposed in a casing having an inlet and an outlet. The infra-red light is used to heat the microorganisms to make them more susceptible to UV radiation. U.S. Pat. No. 4,931,654 relates to a radiant air sterilizing and filtering apparatus. The radiant sterilizing means (UV light source) is moveable so that it may either be enclosed in the housing or extended outward from the housing. Heating means may be provided in the housing adjacent the air
Jastrzab Krisanne
Morrison & Foerster / LLP
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