AU2021104958A4

AU2021104958A4 - Air cleaning and sterilization systems and methods thereof

Info

Publication number: AU2021104958A4
Application number: AU2021104958A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Ping Wang; Angela Wu; Bob Wu; Siyong WU
Original assignee: Kingsford Neue Tech Pty Ltd
Current assignee: Kingsford Neue Technology Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2020-09-29
Filing date: 2021-08-05
Publication date: 2021-09-30
Anticipated expiration: 2029-08-05

Abstract

The present disclosure provides ultraviolet light-based air cleaning and sterilization system and method for air purification and disinfection. The air cleaning and sterilization system includes an air inlet; an air outlet; a plurality of airflow walls forming a plurality of airflow oscillation paths for ultraviolet (UV) power, wherein the plurality of airflow walls comprises UV reflection coatings of UV reflection material to confine and to concentrate the UV power across the plurality of airflow oscillation paths; a plurality of UV light emitting diode (LED) arrays in the plurality of airflow oscillation paths on the plurality of airflow walls to generate intensive UV irradiation; a first UV absorption space in the air inlet to prevent UV leakage; and a second UV absorption space in the air outlet to prevent UV leakage.

Description

EDITORIAL NOTE

2021104958

THERE ARE NINETEEN PAGES OF DESCRIPTION ONLY TECHNICAL FIELD

The presently disclosed subject matter generally relates to the air cleaning systems, and more particularly to an air cleaning and sterilization system that condenses and distributes ultraviolet (UV) light to kill airborne bacteria, microbes, bugs, and viruses as air flows through the air cleaning and sterilization system.

BACKGROUND

Any references to methods, apparatus or documents of the prior art are not to be taken as constituting any evidence or admission that they formed, or form part of the common general knowledge.

An air cleaner can keep indoors in a comfortable environment by blowing purified air indoors. In general, most air cleaners used these days can filter dust, etc. by using filters, but the filter function is gradually deteriorated due to contaminants. Also many bacteria, pathogens, and heavy metals are generated in the ducts that have been left uncleaned for a long time in dust and accumulated contaminants and introduced into the room through the ventilator that may cause respiratory diseases as well as many diseases. Prior to replacing or cleaning the filter or the air ducts, it contained unsanitary problems such as odour due to various bacteria inhabiting pollutants such as dust attached to the filter and causing various diseases.

Existing air cleaners generally use a non-woven fabric type filter using an electrostatic precipitating type electrostatic filter, a polypropylene (PP) resin fibre or polyethylene (PE) resin fibre, and the like to purify the air in general. Generally, the filtration material used for manufacturing air filters is the filtering paper based on cellulose fibres impregnated with phenolic, epoxy or acrylic resins. The impregnation of cellulose fibres protects it from water, oil and fuel fumes. However, it is possible to filter dust with this type of filter, but its structure was difficult to disinfect fine bacteria or viruses, or to remove volatile organic compounds (VOC's), odour removal, and ethylene gas.

Further, some of the existing air cleaners include a blower, a casing, a prefilter, and an air-cleaning member. The casing sucks in indoor air and blows out purified air indoors. The blower sucks indoor air into the casing from the suction port, and blows out the cleaned air indoors. The prefilter covers the suction port, and removes relatively large-sized dust, dust, and the like contained in the air sucked into the casing from the air. The air-cleaning member passes before the air after passing through the prefilter is blown indoors. In the air cleaning member, dust or dust having a relatively small diameter that is not removed by the prefilter is removed from the air.

Some air cleaners use the activated carbon deodorization filter made of activated carbon for deodorization. It suffers from a limitation that the deodorizing performance and durability are not good and the harmful microorganisms contained in the air cannot be sterilized.

It is known that ultraviolet (UV) light sterilizes biological material such as bacteria, microbes, bugs, and viruses. This property of UV light has been utilized to sterilize air in buildings by simply placing UV lamps in the building's air ducts. One drawback with this approach is that biological material may not be exposed to UV light for a long enough time to be sufficiently sterilized.

Further, there exists an air purification system that uses a method of irradiating ultraviolet light to a photocatalyst filter coated with a photocatalyst on a filter, such as copper or aluminium, has been introduced, and microorganisms having a large particle size are collected and sterilized by the photocatalyst filter, but the photocatalyst and ultraviolet light are irradiated. Due to lack of surface area and UV irradiation time for bacteria, microorganisms having a small particle size (nano size), bacteria, etc. are not sure of sterilization performance, but also have a problem of replacing and managing filters every time. There are some safety issues of photocatalytic oxidation (PCO) air filter. There are a lot of UV-PCO products in the markets though. Researchers from various labs, such as Concordia University and Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory found that the air filter with PCO cleaned the air more efficiently but could produce formaldehyde as a by-product, a known human carcinogen. That's one of reasons why we employ our oscillation paths in our air cleaner systems.

Further, the irradiating ultraviolet light to the photocatalyst filter initially has sterilization and purification performance, but as the use time passes, contaminants such as dust accumulate on the filter, resulting in deterioration of performance. The users have to spend money at frequent intervals for replacement of the filter and maintenance of the air purification systems. Additionally, the air filter with photocatalyst filter cleaned the air more efficiently but could produce formaldehyde as a by-product, a known human carcinogen. Active property decay of photocatalyst filter is a problem in some cases. In some extent, a complete deactivation of the photocatalytic oxidation may occur after multiple consecutive PCO reactions due to the fully occupation of the active sites by the intermediates. Majority of UV and photocatalyst filter based (UV- PCO) cleaning systems use a single array of UV irradiation and the decayed PCO could dramatically reduce the UV irradiation in the air flow paths.

The UV based air purification system include a filter that rotates by the force of the wind flowing from the blower fan motor of the air conditioner to remove the contaminants such as dust and the like loaded on the filter naturally. In other words, by rotating the photocatalyst filter, contaminants such as fine dust are loaded on the photocatalyst filter to naturally remove the cause of deterioration of the photocatalyst performance. But such system also requires maintenance at regular intervals.

It would be attractive, practically and commercially, to provide an improved air cleaning and sterilization system that condenses and distributes ultraviolet (UV) light to kill airborne bacteria, microbes, bugs, and viruses as air flows through the system.

It is an object of the present invention to overcome or ameliorate the above- discussed disadvantages of the prior art, or at least offer a useful alternative.

SUMMARY

To overcome limitations in the prior art described above, and to overcome other limitations that will be apparent upon reading and understanding the present specification, aspects described herein are directed towards systems, apparatuses, and methods for air cleaning and sterilization.

An object of the present disclosure to provide an air cleaning and sterilization system that condenses and distributes ultraviolet (UV) light to kill airborne bacteria, microbes, bugs, and viruses as air flows through the air cleaning and sterilization system. The system includes a plurality of airflow walls that form multiple airflow oscillation paths. The air flow walls may oscillate air through intensive UV irradiation, which includes UV reflection coatings, arrays of UV light emitting diodes (or tubes) in the airflow oscillation paths, two UV absorption coating spaces (one at air inlet and one at air outlet), an air pump (or driving fan), and an ozone filter in the air outlet. In some embodiments, the air cleaning and sterilization system may be fitted (or installed) into a central air conditioning system or freestanding air-conditioning unit. Alternatively, the air cleaning and sterilization system can be built up as an air self-contained room air disinfection or purification unit.

Further, the disclosed air cleaning and sterilization system use includes photocatalytic oxidation (PCO) air filters arranged within the oscillation paths with multiple UV irradiation systems that may result in much less effect of the decayed PCO on air cleaning and sterilization system. Further, the system uses one or more UV LED arrays for UV irradiation to reduce the effect of the decayed PCO.

The present disclosure provides an air cleaning and sterilization system for cleaning and sterilizing air. The air cleaning and sterilization system may also be referred as system throughout the draft without change in its meaning. The system includes an air inlet, an air outlet, and a plurality of airflow walls forming a plurality of airflow oscillation paths. Each of the plurality of airflow walls comprises one or more layers of UV reflection coatings of UV reflection material to confine and to concentrate UV power across the plurality of airflow oscillation paths. The system also includes a plurality of UV irradiation systems to generate intensive UV irradiation in the plurality of airflow oscillation paths. Each of the plurality of UV irradiation systems comprises a plurality of UV light emitting diode (LED) arrays in the plurality of airflow oscillation paths on the plurality of airflow walls to generate intensive UV irradiation. Further, the system includes a first UV absorption space in the air inlet to prevent UV leakage; and a second UV absorption space in the air outlet to prevent UV leakage.

According to an aspect of the present disclosure, the system also includes an air pump.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the system may include an air filter in front of the air inlet.

In some embodiments, the plurality of UV LED arrays emits UV-C light.

According to another embodiment of the present disclosure, the plurality of airflow walls may include one or more layers of UV absorption coatings made of UV absorption material. In some embodiments, combinations of SiO2 with the high-index component consisting of Ta2O5, TiO2, Nb2O5, or HfO2 are commonly used for UV absorption coatings. In some embodiments, a shape of the plurality of airflow walls is selected from at least one of a square, rectangular, circular (or concentric circle), round, and curved. When the airflow walls are in square shape, then squared airflow oscillation paths may form. Similarly when the airflow walls are in circular shape, then circular airflow oscillation paths may form. Various shapes not mentioned herein may also be possible for the airflow walls.

According to another embodiment of the present disclosure, the air outlet further comprises one or more ozone filters to reduce ozone leakage. Each of the one or more ozone filters may include at least two meshes. An ozone absorption material is filled between the at least two meshes.

In some embodiments, the one or more layers of UV reflection coatings are fabricated onto the plurality of airflow walls. The plurality of airflow walls that forms the plurality of airflow oscillation paths may be fabricated so as to increase time that the air stays in UV irradiation, and to physically limit UV irradiation within the plurality of airflow oscillation paths.

According to another embodiment of the present disclosure, the plurality of UV LED arrays is co-operated onto the plurality of airflow walls for emitting intensive UV irradiation within the plurality of airflow oscillation paths.

According to another embodiment of the present disclosure, the one or more ozone filters are configured to reduce ozone leakage or possible ozone leakage in or from the system.

The present disclosure also provides a method for sterilizing biological material from the air. The method includes employing a plurality of airflow walls forming a plurality of airflow oscillation paths to increase time that air stays in UV irradiation. The plurality of airflow walls may be employed in a chamber. The plurality of airflow oscillation paths may also physically limit UV irradiation within the plurality of airflow oscillation paths. The method further includes placing a plurality of UV irradiation systems to generate intensive UV irradiation in the plurality of airflow oscillation paths. Each of the plurality of UV irradiation systems may include a plurality of UV light emitting diode (LED) arrays in the plurality of airflow oscillation paths on the plurality of airflow walls to generate intensive UV irradiation. The method furthermore includes at least one of fabricating or coating one or more layers of UV reflection materials on the plurality of airflow walls to confine and to concentrate UV power across the airflow oscillation paths. In some embodiments, UV-C light, one of three types of ultraviolet light, is used for air cleaning and sterilization. This invisible form of light can safely kill germs, mould, mildew, and in some cases even bacteria and viruses.

In some embodiments, a shape of the plurality of the airflow walls may vary and may be selected from at least one of a square, rectangular, circular, round, curved, or any other suitable shape.

In some embodiments of the method of the present disclosure, the plurality of UV LED arrays is co-operated onto the plurality of airflow walls for emitting intensive UV irradiation within the plurality of airflow oscillation paths.

The method may also include applying a first UV absorption space in an air inlet and a second UV absorption space in an air outlet to reduce UV leakage, the first and second UV absorption spaces are coated with one or more layers of suitable UV absorption materials. Further, the first and second UV absorption spaces are cooperated with the plurality of airflow oscillation paths respectively with an air inlet and an air outlet. In a non-limiting example carbon black may be used as the UV absorption material.

Further, the method may include employing one or more ozone filters at a front end of the air outlet of the air cleaning and sterilization system to reduce ozone leakage (or possible ozone leakage). Each of the one or more ozone filters may also include at least two meshes. An ozone absorption material may be filled between the at least two meshes.

In some embodiments, the method may also include employing at least one of an air pump and an air filter in front of the air inlet.

The present disclosure further provides a method for cleaning and sterilizing air. The method includes providing an air cleaning and sterilizing system. The system includes an air pump, an air inlet, an air filter in front of the air inlet, an air outlet, and a plurality of airflow walls forming a plurality of airflow oscillation paths. Each of the plurality of airflow walls comprises one or more layers of UV reflection coatings of UV reflection material to confine and to concentrate UV power across the plurality of airflow oscillation paths. In some embodiments, the one or more layers of the UV reflection coating are fabricated onto the plurality of airflow walls. Further, the system includes a plurality of UV irradiation systems to generate intensive UV irradiation in the plurality of airflow oscillation paths. Each of the plurality of UV irradiation systems may comprise a plurality of UV light emitting diode (LED) arrays in the plurality of airflow oscillation paths on the plurality of airflow walls. The system also includes a first UV absorption space in the air inlet to prevent UV leakage; and a second UV absorption space in the air outlet to prevent UV leakage. The plurality of UV LED arrays is configured to emit UV-C light.

The present disclosure furthermore provides an ultraviolet (UV) based air cleaning and sterilization system for cleaning and sterilizing air. The system includes an air inlet and an air outlet. The system also includes a plurality of airflow walls forming a plurality of airflow oscillation paths for ultraviolet (UV) power. The plurality of airflow walls comprises one or more layers of UV reflection coatings of UV reflection material to confine and to concentrate UV power across the plurality of airflow oscillation paths. The system also includes a plurality of photocatalytic oxidation (PCO) air filters placed in an alternate arrangement with respect to the plurality of airflow walls. The system also includes a plurality of UV irradiation systems to generate intensive UV irradiation in the plurality of airflow oscillation paths. Each of the plurality of UV irradiation systems may include a plurality of UV light emitting diode (LED) arrays in the plurality of airflow oscillation paths on the plurality of airflow walls. Further, the system also includes a first UV absorption space in the air inlet to prevent UV leakage and a second UV absorption space in the air outlet to prevent UV leakage.

In some embodiments, the UV based air cleaning and sterilization system also includes at least one of an air pump and an air filter in front of the air inlet.

According to an aspect of the present disclosure, in the UV based air cleaning and sterilizations system, the plurality of UV LED arrays emits UV-C light.

In some embodiments, the plurality of airflow walls comprises one or more layers of UV absorption coatings made of UV absorption material. Further, a shape of the plurality of airflow walls may vary. The shape of the plurality of airflow walls is selected from at least one of a square, rectangular, circular, round, curved, and any other suitable shape.

In an embodiment, the air outlet further comprises one or more ozone filters to reduce ozone leakage, wherein each of the one or more ozone filters comprises at least two meshes, wherein an ozone absorption material is filled in between the at least two meshes.

Further, the plurality of airflow walls forming the plurality of airflow oscillation paths in the UV based air cleaning and sterilization system, is fabricated so as to increase time that the air stays in UV irradiation, and to physically limit UV irradiation within the plurality of airflow oscillation paths.

In the UV based air cleaning and sterilization system, the plurality of UV LED arrays is configured to emit UV-C light.

Other and further aspects and features of the disclosure will be evident from reading the following detailed description of the embodiments, which are intended to illustrate, not limit, the present disclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The illustrated embodiments of the disclosed subject matter will be best understood by reference to the drawings, wherein like parts are designated by like numerals throughout. The following description is intended only by way of example, and simply illustrates certain selected embodiments of devices, systems, and processes that are consistent with the disclosed subject matter as claimed herein.

Figure 1A is a vertical cross-section view of an exemplary air cleaning and sterilization system demonstrating a part of the system through which air will flow;

Figure 1B is a schematic horizontal cross-section view of the air cleaning and sterilization system;

Figure 2 is a detailed schematic horizontal cross-sectional view of the air inlet of the air cleaning and sterilization system of Figure 1A from which air will be distributed;

Figure 3 is a detailed schematic cross-sectional view of UV absorption coatings of the air cleaning and sterilization system of Figure 1A;

Figure 4 is a detailed schematic horizontal cross-sectional view of an oscillation path through which air in the air cleaning and sterilization system will flow;

Figure 5 is a detailed schematic cross-sectional view of UV reflection coatings of the air cleaning and sterilization system;

Figure 6 is a detailed schematic horizontal cross-sectional view of an air outlet of the air cleaning and sterilization system;

Figure 7 is a detailed schematic cross-sectional view of an ozone filter of the air outlet of the air cleaning and sterilization system;

Figure 8A is a vertical cross-section view of another exemplary air cleaning and sterilization system demonstrating a part of the system through which air will flow;

Figure 8B is a schematic horizontal cross-section view of the air cleaning and sterilization system of Figure 8A; and

Figure 9 is a detailed schematic cross-sectional view of UV absorption coatings of the air cleaning and sterilization system of Figure 8A.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Preferred features, embodiments and variations of the invention may be discerned from the following detailed description, which provides sufficient information for those skilled in the art to perform the invention. The detailed description is not to be regarded as limiting the scope of the preceding summary of the invention in any way.

The present disclosure provides systems and methods of air cleaning and sterilization.

In some embodiments, the air cleaning and sterilization system may be fitted (or installed) into a central air conditioning system or freestanding air-conditioning unit. Alternatively, the air cleaning and sterilization system can be built up as an air self contained room air disinfection or purification unit.

An embodiment of the present disclosure provides an air cleaning and sterilization system comprising a plurality of airflow oscillation paths formed by a plurality of airflow walls and a plurality of arrays of ultraviolet light emitting diodes (LEDs) for emitting ultraviolet light such that the UV light is provided in said airflow-oscillation paths. In some embodiments, the airflow walls are parallel to each other.

Another embodiment of the present disclosure provides an air cleaning and sterilization system comprising a plurality of airflow paths with UV reflection coatings. The UV reflection coatings may help to confine and to concentrate UV power across the plurality of oscillation paths. The UV reflection coatings may be composed of materials such as, but not limited to, compounds, non-metal or metals such as, but not limited to, aluminium. A non-limiting example of the UV reflection material for UV reflection coating may include Teflon (polytetrafluoroethylene).

Yet another embodiment of the present disclosure provides a method of UV absorption spaces to reduce possible UV leakage by using an air cleaning and sterilization system. The method includes providing a plurality of airflow oscillation paths and at least two UV absorption coating spaces at both ends of each of the plurality of airflow oscillation paths. The coatings may be made up of materials such as, but not limited to, compounds, metal or non-metal such as amino silane and carbon black- based materials.

According to an aspect of the present disclosure, the method also includes providing an ozone absorption filter to reduce possible ozone leakage. The ozone absorption filter may be present at the far end of the plurality of airflow oscillation paths. The ozone absorption filter may be made with compounds, metal or non-metal such as active carbon-based materials.

Figure. 1A is a vertical cross-section view 10A of an exemplary air cleaning and sterilization system 100 demonstrating a part of the system 100 through which air will flow. Throughout the draft, the terms system and "air cleaning and sterilization system 100 are used interchangeably without change in their meaning. The system 100 includes an air pump 102, an air inlet 104, a plurality of airflow walls 120 forming a plurality of airflow oscillation paths 106 for ultraviolet light (or power), and an air outlet 108. The system 100 is a UV light-based air purification system. As air passes through the system 100, it eventually goes through a chamber comprising the plurality of airflow walls 120 that exposes the particles of the air to the UV light. The system 100 purifies the air by disrupting the core DNA of these pathogens. Further, the system 100 prevents the pathogens from multiplying and hence preventing people to become sick.

The UV light is part of the electromagnetic spectrum, which makes up all wavelengths of electromagnetic radiation, including light, radio waves and x-rays which are arranged according to frequency and wavelength. The UV light is a special type of radiation that part of the invisible section that makes up the electromagnetic spectrum, hence cannot be seen by the naked eye. The wavelength of the UV light may be from 400 nm (750 THz) to 10 nm (30 PHz), shorter than that of visible light but longer than X- rays. The UV light is divided into three sub-bands, UV-A, UV-B, and UV-C. The UV-A and UV-B are harmful to people. The UV-C light, on the other hand, is a powerful form of radiation that's harmless to people, but excellent at killing microorganisms, such as germs and viruses. In some embodiments, the air cleaning and sterilization system 100 may use UV-C light to purify the air. In some embodiments, the system 100 may also include an air filter in front of the air inlet 104.

Figure 1B is a schematic horizontal cross-section view 10B of the air cleaning and sterilization system 100 showing a direction of airflow between the airflow walls 120. In some embodiments, the plurality of airflow walls 120 may include one or more UV absorption coatings 118 made of a suitable UV absorption material. In a non-limiting example, combinations of SiO2 with the high-index component consisting of Ta2O5, TiO2, Nb2O5, or HfO2 may be used as UV absorption material for the UV absorption coatings 118. Figure 2 is a detailed schematic cross-sectional view 20 of the one or more UV absorption coatings 118 on the airflow walls 120 of the air cleaning and sterilization system 100 of Figure 1A. In some embodiments, multiple layers of the UV absorption coatings 118 may directly be fabricated onto the plurality of airflow walls 120.

A detailed schematic horizontal cross-sectional view 30 of the air inlet 104 of the air cleaning and sterilization system 100 of Figure 1A from which air will be distributed is shown in the Figure 3. The air enters through the air inlet 104 for purification. The purified air exits from the air outlet 108.

Turning now to Figure 4, where a detailed schematic horizontal cross-sectional view 40 of an oscillation path of the plurality of airflow oscillation paths 106 through which air in the air cleaning and sterilization system 100 of Figure 1A will flow is shown. The plurality of airflow walls 120 comprises UV reflection coatings 110 to confine and to concentrate the UV power across the plurality of airflow oscillation paths 106. Figure 5 illustrates a detailed schematic cross-sectional view 50 of the UV reflection coatings 110 of the air cleaning and sterilization system 100. The UV reflection coatings 110 may be made up of suitable UV reflection material 122. In some embodiments, the plurality of airflow walls 120 comprises one or more layers of the UV reflection coatings 110. Further, in some embodiments, the UV reflection coatings 110 may be fabricated with the plurality of airflow walls 120. The UV reflection coatings 110 may help to confine and to concentrate UV power across the airflow oscillation paths 106. The non-limiting examples of the UV reflection material 122 may include stainless steel and aluminium. The stainless steel may be used for the UV reflection coatings 110, as its surface is highly resistive to microbial growth, it has 20 - 28% reflectance of UV light. In a non limiting example, Aluminium (AI) may be used for the UV reflection coatings 110 as aluminium has a high reflectivity for ultraviolet rays in the wavelength range of 250 nm to 400 nm. Furthermore, an aluminium foil is lightweight and has high workability that makes it suitable for the ultraviolet reflection coatings 110. In some embodiments, the UV reflective coatings 110 may be applied in the oscillation paths 106.

The plurality of airflow walls 120 forming the plurality of airflow oscillation paths 106 (the airflow oscillation paths may also be referred as UV airflow oscillation paths) is fabricated so as to increase time that air stays in UV irradiation, and to physically limit

UV irradiation within the plurality of airflow oscillation paths 106. The shape of the plurality of airflow walls 120 are shown to be rectangular in the Figures 1A-1B forming rectangular plurality of airflow oscillation paths 106. But a person ordinarily skilled in the art will understand that the shape of the plurality of airflow walls 120 may vary and hence the shape of the plurality of airflow oscillation paths 106.

Further, the system 100 includes a plurality of UV irradiation systems configured to generate intensive UV irradiation. Each of the plurality of UV irradiation systems may include a plurality of UV light emitting diode (LED) arrays 112 in the plurality of airflow oscillation paths on the plurality of airflow walls. The plurality of UV LED arrays 112 may be present on the plurality of airflow walls 120. Further, the plurality of UV LED arrays 112 may be co-operated onto the plurality of airflow walls 120 for emitting intensive UV irradiation within the plurality of airflow oscillation paths 106. The system 100 also includes a first UV absorption space 114A in or located near the air inlet 104 to prevent UV leakage. Furthermore, the system 100 includes a second UV absorption space 114B in the air outlet 108 to prevent UV leakage. The plurality of UV LED arrays 112 may emit ultraviolet light such that ultraviolet light is provided in the airflow oscillation paths 106. In some embodiments, the plurality of UV light LED arrays 112 emits UV-C light.

Figure 6 is a detailed schematic horizontal cross-sectional view 60 of the air outlet 108 of the air cleaning and sterilization system 100. The air outlet 108 further comprises one or more ozone filters 116 comprising at least two meshes 124. Figure 7 is a detailed schematic cross-sectional view 70 of the one or more ozone filters 116 of the air outlet of the air cleaning and sterilization system 100. An ozone absorption material 126 is filled between the two meshes 124. The iron oxide materials absorb ozone well, hence in some embodiments, they may be used as the ozone absorption material 126. The one or more ozone filters 116 may reduce possible ozone leakage. The one or more ozone filters 116 may be at the far end of each of the airflow oscillation paths 106. Further, in some embodiments, the one or more ozone filters 116 could be made with compounds, metal or non-metal such as, but not limited to, active carbon-based materials.

The air cleaning and sterilization system 100 oscillates air through intensive UV irradiation, which includes the UV reflection coatings 110, the UV LED arrays 112 (or tubes) in the oscillation paths 106, the two UV absorption coating spaces 114A-114B (at air inlet 104 and the air outlet 108), the air pump 102 (or driving fan), and the one or more ozone filters 116 in the air outlet 108. The air cleaning and sterilization system 100 utilizes airflow oscillation in intensive UV irradiation. The air cleaning and sterilization system 100 manipulates airflow to push air through a snaking path (oscillation paths 106) that exposes air to UV irradiation. Each paths' walls i.e. airflow walls 120 are coated with the UV reflection material 122 to form the UV reflection coatings 110 in order to confine the UV power to the oscillation paths 106. The UV reflection material 122 may comprise compounds, organic materials, or metals such as, but not limited to, aluminium. A non-limiting example of the UV reflection material 122 may include Teflon (polytetrafluoroethylene). To operate, the air pump 102 (or a fan) drives air through the oscillation paths 106, pushing air and its accompanying biological material through a path (i.e. the paths 106) that exposes it to UV light for a substantial amount of time within the air cleaning and sterilization system 100. Intensive UV irradiation acts to kill this biological material as air flows through the plurality of airflow oscillation paths 106. To reduce the leakage, at least two UV absorption coating spaces 114A-114B are employed at both ends of the air inlet 104 and air outlet 108. The UV absorption coatings 118 may be composed of compounds, metal or non-metal, such as, but not limited to, amino silane and carbon black-based materials. In some embodiments, the airflow walls 120 may include multiple layers of the UV absorption coatings 118.

The air cleaning and sterilization system 100 is configured to clean and sterilize the air passing through the plurality of airflow oscillation paths 106. The air cleaning and sterilization system 100 has airflow oscillation paths 106 in intensive ultraviolet (UV) irradiation. The UV irradiation in the air cleaning and sterilization system 100 may form ozone. There is water vapour naturally in the air. The UV irradiating the ozone and water in the airflow oscillation paths 106 causes the formation of highly reactive hydroxyl radicals, which assist in sterilising air.

In some embodiments, the plurality of airflow walls 120 is encapsulated in a chamber.

The disclosed air cleaning and sterilization system 100 uses ultraviolet light technology to keep viruses and other microorganisms from reproducing and infecting a home, office, or other indoor space. The UV light may purify the air by damaging the genetic material that controls the reproduction of these organisms, making it impossible for them to reproduce. This may stop these illness-inducing microbes in their tracks and prevents the spread of various diseases and other problems. The disclosed air cleaning and sterilization system 100 may maximize both the removal of particulate matter from the air and the killing of germs and bacteria.

Figure 8A is a vertical cross-section view 80A of another exemplary air cleaning and sterilization system 200 demonstrating a part of the system 200 through which air can flow. The air cleaning and sterilization system 200 hereinafter may also be referred as system 200 or a UV based air cleaning and sterilization system 200 without change in its meaning. The system 200 includes an air pump 202, an air inlet 204, a plurality of airflow walls 220 forming a plurality of airflow oscillation paths 206 for ultraviolet light (or power), a plurality of photocatalytic (PCO) filters 216, and an air outlet 208. In some embodiments, the plurality of photocatalytic (PCO) filters 216 are arranged or placed in an alternate arrangement with respect to the plurality of airflow walls. The system 200 is a UV light-based air purification system. As air passes through the system 200, it eventually goes through a chamber comprising the plurality of airflow walls 220 that exposes the particles of the air to the UV light. The system 200 purifies the air by disrupting the core DNA of these pathogens. Further, the system 200 prevents the pathogens from multiplying and hence preventing people to become sick.

In some embodiments, the system 200 also includes an air pump. Further, in some embodiments, the system 200 also includes an air filter in front of the air inlet 204. Further, the system 200 may include a plurality of UV irradiation systems to generate intensive UV irradiation in the plurality of airflow oscillation paths 206. Each of the plurality of UV irradiation systems comprising a plurality of UV light emitting diode (LED) arrays 212 in the plurality of airflow oscillation paths 206 on the plurality of airflow walls 220. In some embodiments, the plurality of UV LED arrays 212 emits UV-C light. The use of the plurality of UV LED arrays 212 may reduce the side effect of PCO. Further, the plurality of airflow walls 220 forms a plurality of airflow oscillation paths 206 for ultraviolet (UV) power. Each of the plurality of airflow walls 220 comprises one or more layers of UV reflection coatings 210 of UV reflection material to confine and to concentrate the UV power across the plurality of airflow oscillation paths. A non- limiting example of the UV reflection material may include Teflon (polytetrafluoroethylene).

Further, the system 200 includes a first UV absorption space in the air inlet 204 to prevent UV leakage; and a second UV absorption space in the air outlet 208 to prevent UV leakage.

Figure 8B is a schematic horizontal cross-section view 80B of the air cleaning and sterilization system of Figure 8A. In some embodiments, the air outlet 208 may further comprise one or more ozone filters (similar to 116) to reduce ozone leakage. Each of the one or more ozone filters may include at least two meshes. An ozone absorption material may be filled in between the at least two meshes. In some embodiments, the plurality of airflow walls 220 forming the plurality of airflow oscillation paths 206 is fabricated so as to increase time that the air stays in UV irradiation, and to physically limit UV irradiation within the plurality of airflow oscillation paths 206. A shape of the plurality of airflow walls 220 is shown to be rectangular in the Figure 8A, but the shape of the walls 220 may vary. In some embodiments, the shape of the walls 220 may be square, rectangular, circular, round, and curved. The PCO filters 216 may result in efficient cleaning and the use of the plurality of UV LED arrays 212 may reduce side effects (i.e. formation of formaldehyde which is a by-product of PCO) of PCO. Further, the system 200 uses oscillation paths 206 with multiple UV irradiation systems this may result in much less effect of the decayed PCO on the system 200. The system 200 may be suitable for use as air conditioning systems in buildings with high population density, such as hospitals, hotels and cruise ships.

Figure 9 is a detailed schematic cross-sectional view 90 of UV absorption coatings 210 of the UV based air cleaning and sterilization system 200 of Figure 8A. The plurality of airflow walls 220 may include one or more layers of UV absorption coatings 218 made of UV absorption material. In a non-limiting example, combinations of SiO2 with the high-index component consisting of Ta2O5, TiO2, Nb2O5, or HfO2 may be used as UV absorption material for the UV absorption coatings 218. The air enters through the air inlet 204 for purification. The purified air exits from the air outlet 208.

An embodiment of the present disclosure provides a method of airflow oscillation in enhanced UV irradiation to efficiently sterilize biological material. The non-limiting examples of the biological material may include bacteria, microbes, bugs, and viruses. The method includes employing a plurality of airflow oscillation paths to increase time that air stays in UV irradiation. The paths may physically limit UV irradiation within the paths' region. Each of the plurality of airflow oscillation paths comprises a wall. The method also includes placing a plurality of UV light emitting diode (LED) arrays in each of the plurality of airflow oscillation paths to generate intensive UV irradiation. The method further includes coating a UV reflection material on the wall of each of the plurality of airflow oscillation paths to form a UV reflecting arrangement. The UV reflecting arrangement is configured to confine and concentrate UV power across the plurality of airflow oscillation paths.

According to an aspect of the present disclosure, the walls of the plurality of airflow oscillation paths are fabricated so as to increase time that air stays in UV irradiation, and also to physically limit UV irradiation within the plurality of airflow oscillation paths.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the plurality of UV LED arrays is co-operated onto the walls of airflow oscillation paths, thereby emitting intensive UV irradiation within the plurality of airflow oscillation paths.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the UV reflection coatings confines and concentrates the UV power across the plurality of airflow oscillation paths.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the method also includes applying at least two UV absorption spaces in both air inlet and air outlet to reduce possible UV leakage. Said spaces are coated with UV absorption materials. The UV absorption spaces are cooperated with the plurality of airflow oscillation paths respectively with an air inlet and an air outlet. The non-limiting examples of the UV absorption materials may include carbon black, titanium dioxide, zinc oxide, and oxybenzone.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the method also includes employing an ozone filter at a front end of the air outlet of the air cleaning and sterilization system to reduce possible ozone leakage. The ozone filter may be made up of ozone absorption materials. The terms ozone filter and an ozone absorption filter are used interchangeably throughout the draft without change in its meaning.

The present disclosure furthermore provides an air cleaning and sterilization system for cleaning and sterilizing air. The system includes an air pump, an air inlet, and an air outlet comprising an ozone filter comprising two meshes, wherein an ozone absorption material is filled between the two meshes. The ozone filter is configured to reduce ozone leakage. The system also includes a plurality of airflow walls forming a plurality of airflow oscillation paths. The plurality of airflow walls comprises UV reflection coatings of UV reflection material to confine and to concentrate UV power across the plurality of airflow oscillation paths. The plurality of airflow walls further comprises UV absorption coatings of UV absorption material. The system also includes plurality of UV light emitting diode (LED) arrays in the plurality of airflow oscillation paths on the plurality of airflow walls to emit intensive UV irradiation within the plurality of airflow oscillation paths.

Further, the system also includes first UV absorption space in the air inlet and a second UV absorption space in the air outlet to prevent UV leakage.

The disclosed system utilizes airflow oscillation in intensive UV irradiation. This system may manipulate airflow to push air through a snaking path that exposes air to UV irradiation. Each paths' walls may be coated with UV reflecting films (or UV reflection coatings) in order to confine the UV power to the paths. The material of the UV reflecting films may include compounds, organic materials, or metals such as aluminium. To operate, an air pump (or a fan) drives air through the oscillation paths, pushing air and its accompanying biological material through a path that exposes it to UV light for a substantial amount of time within the device. Intensive UV irradiation acts to kill this biological material as air flows through the device's paths.

There may be minor UV irradiation leakage from the oscillation paths. In order to reduce the leakage, the disclosed air cleaning and sterilization system employs two UV absorption coating spaces at both ends of the air inlet and air outlet. The coatings could be composed of compounds, metal or non-metal, such as amino silane and carbon black-based materials.

There may also be an amount of ozone escaping from the oscillation paths. Ozone is harmful to human-beings. In order to remove this harmful material from the airflow, an ozone filter is used at the end of the chamber i.e. the air outlet and air inlet. In some embodiments, the ozone filter may be made from materials such as, but not limited to, compounds, metal or non-metal, such as active carbon-based materials.

The present disclosure furthermore provides an air cleaning and sterilization system that includes a plurality of photocatalyst (PCO) filters and a plurality of oscillation airflow oscillation paths comprising a plurality of UV LED arrays. The plurality of UV LED arrays may reduce the effect of decayed PCO. Further, the system comprises an ozone filter or multiple ozone filters comprising multiple materials confined in multi-mesh confinement structures to reduce ozone leakage.

The air cleaning and sterilization systems disclosed in the present disclosure may be used and may be suitable for air conditioning systems in buildings with high population density, such as hospitals, hotels and cruise ships.

In some embodiments, the air cleaning and sterilization system comprises squared shape oscillation paths. In alternative embodiments, the air cleaning and sterilization system comprises rounded or curved or circular shape oscillation paths.

In some embodiments, the UV reflection coatings are fabricated onto the plurality of oscillation walls directly. For example, a phase of Al coating/surfacing may be used on the oscillation walls.

In some embodiments, the air cleaning and sterilization system comprises an air filter in front of the air inlet. Such the air cleaning and sterilization system may be used an independent unit for cleaning and sterilizing air.

In compliance with the statute, the invention has been described in language more or less specific to structural or methodical features. The term "comprises" and its variations, such as "comprising" and "comprised of' is used throughout in an inclusive sense and not to the exclusion of any additional features. It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to specific features shown or described since the means herein described comprises preferred forms of putting the invention into effect. The invention is, therefore, claimed in any of its forms or modifications within the proper scope of the appended claims appropriately interpreted by those skilled in the art.

Throughout the specification and claims (if present), unless the context requires otherwise, the term "substantially" or "about" will be understood to not be limited to the value for the range qualified by the terms.

Any embodiment of the invention is meant to be illustrative only and is not meant to be limiting to the invention. Therefore, it should be appreciated that various other changes and modifications can be made to any embodiment described without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

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2021104958

THERE ARE FOUR PAGES OF CLAIMS ONLY

Claims

What is claimed is: 1. An air cleaning and sterilization system for cleaning and sterilizing air, comprising: an air inlet; an air outlet; a plurality of airflow walls forming a plurality of airflow oscillation paths for ultraviolet (UV) power, wherein each of the plurality of airflow walls comprises one or more layers of UV reflection coatings of UV reflection material to confine and to concentrate the UV power across the plurality of airflow oscillation paths; a plurality of UV irradiation systems to generate intensive UV irradiation in the plurality of airflow oscillation paths, wherein each of the plurality of UV irradiation systems comprises a plurality of UV light emitting diode (LED) arrays in the plurality of airflow oscillation paths on the plurality of airflow walls; a first UV absorption space in the air inlet to prevent UV leakage; and a second UV absorption space in the air outlet to prevent UV leakage.
2. The air cleaning and sterilization system of claim 1 further comprising at least one of: an air pump; and an air filter in front of the air inlet.
3. The air cleaning and sterilization system of claim 1 further comprising a plurality of photocatalytic oxidation (PCO) air filters placed in an alternate arrangement with respect to the plurality of airflow walls.
4. The air cleaning and sterilization system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of airflow walls comprises one or more layers of UV absorption coatings made of UV absorption material, further wherein a shape of the plurality of airflow walls is selected from at least one of a square, rectangular, circular, round, and curved.
5. The air cleaning and sterilization system of claim 1, wherein the air outlet further comprises one or more ozone filters to reduce ozone leakage, wherein each of the one or more ozone filters comprises at least two meshes, wherein an ozone absorption material is filled between the at least two meshes.
6. The air cleaning and sterilization system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of airflow walls forming the plurality of airflow oscillation paths is fabricated so as to increase time that the air stays in UV irradiation, and to physically limit UV irradiation within the plurality of airflow oscillation paths.
7. The air cleaning and sterilization system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of UV LED arrays is co-operated onto the plurality of airflow walls for emitting intensive UV irradiation within the plurality of airflow oscillation paths, wherein the plurality of UV LED arrays emits UV-C light.
8. A method for sterilizing biological material from the air, comprising: employing a plurality of airflow walls forming a plurality of airflow oscillation paths to increase time that air stays in UV irradiation, and physically limit UV irradiation within the plurality of airflow oscillation paths; placing a plurality of UV irradiation systems to generate intensive UV irradiation in the plurality of airflow oscillation paths, wherein each of the plurality of UV irradiation systems comprising a plurality of UV light emitting diode (LED) arrays in the plurality of airflow oscillation paths on the plurality of airflow walls; and at least one of fabricating or coating one or more layers of UV reflection materials on the plurality of airflow walls to confine and concentrate UV power across the airflow oscillation paths.
9. The method of claim 8, wherein a shape of the plurality of airflow walls is selected from at least one of a square, rectangular, circular, round, and curved.
10. The method of claim 8 further comprising applying a first UV absorption space in an air inlet and a second UV absorption space in an air outlet to reduce UV leakage, the first and second UV absorptions spaces are coated with on or more layers of UV absorption materials, further wherein the first and second UV absorption spaces are cooperated with the plurality of airflow oscillation paths respectively with an air inlet and an air outlet.
11. The method of claim 8 further comprising employing one or more ozone filters at a front end of the air outlet of the air cleaning and sterilization system to reduce ozone leakage, wherein each of the one or more ozone filters comprises at least two meshes, wherein an ozone absorption material is filled between the at least two meshes.
12. The method of claim 8 further comprising employing at least one of: an air pump; and an air filter in front of the air inlet.
13. The method of claim 8 further comprising placing a plurality of photocatalytic oxidation (PCO) air filters in an alternate arrangement with respect to the plurality of airflow walls.
14. A method for cleaning and sterilizing air, comprising:

providing an air cleaning and sterilizing system, wherein the air cleaning and sterilizing system comprising: an air pump; an air inlet; an air filter in front of the air inlet; an air outlet; a plurality of airflow walls forming a plurality of airflow oscillation paths, wherein each of the plurality of airflow walls comprises one or more layers of UV reflection coatings of UV reflection material to confine and to concentrate UV power across the plurality of airflow oscillation paths; a plurality of UV irradiation systems to generate intensive UV irradiation in the plurality of airflow oscillation paths, wherein each of the plurality of UV irradiation systems comprising a plurality of UV light emitting diode (LED) arrays in the plurality of airflow oscillation paths on the plurality of airflow walls, wherein the plurality of UV LED arrays is configured to emit UV-C light; a first UV absorption space in the air inlet to prevent UV leakage; and a second UV absorption space in the air outlet to prevent UV leakage.
15. An ultraviolet (UV) based air cleaning and sterilization system for cleaning and sterilizing air, comprising: an air inlet; an air outlet; a plurality of airflow walls forming a plurality of airflow oscillation paths for ultraviolet power, wherein each of the plurality of airflow walls comprises one or more layers of UV reflection coatings of UV reflection material to confine and to concentrate the UV power across the plurality of airflow oscillation paths, wherein a shape of the plurality of airflow walls is selected from at least one of a square, rectangular, circular, round, and curved; a plurality of photocatalytic oxidation (PCO) air filters placed in an alternate arrangement with respect to the plurality of airflow walls; a plurality of UV irradiation systems to generate intensive UV irradiation in the plurality of airflow oscillation paths, wherein each of the plurality of UV irradiation systems comprising a plurality of UV light emitting diode (LED) arrays in the plurality of airflow oscillation paths on the plurality of airflow walls; a first UV absorption space in the air inlet to prevent UV leakage; and a second UV absorption space in the air outlet to prevent UV leakage.
16. The UV based air cleaning and sterilization system of claim 15 further comprising at least one of: an air pump; and an air filter in front of the air inlet.
17. The UV based air cleaning and sterilization system of claim 15, wherein the plurality of airflow walls comprises one or more layers of UV absorption coatings made of UV absorption material, further wherein a shape of the plurality of airflow walls is selected from at least one of a square, rectangular, circular, round, and curved.
18. The UV based air cleaning and sterilization system of claim 15, wherein the air outlet further comprises one or more ozone filters to reduce ozone leakage, wherein each of the one or more ozone filters comprises at least two meshes, wherein an ozone absorption material is filled in between the at least two meshes.
19. The UV based air cleaning and sterilization system of claim 15, wherein the plurality of airflow walls forming the plurality of airflow oscillation paths is fabricated so as to increase time that the air stays in UV irradiation, and to physically limit UV irradiation within the plurality of airflow oscillation paths.
20.The UV based air cleaning and sterilization system of claim 15, wherein the plurality of UV LED arrays is configured to emit UV-C light.

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