WO2020198439A1

WO2020198439A1 - Ring uv led unit for water disinfection

Info

Publication number: WO2020198439A1
Application number: PCT/US2020/024901
Authority: WO
Inventors: Razmik B. Boodaghians; Darrel Edward HOFMANN
Original assignee: Mag Aerospace Industries, Llc
Priority date: 2019-03-26
Filing date: 2020-03-26
Publication date: 2020-10-01

Abstract

A UV LED unit that may be positioned with respect to a water- carrying pipe. The general goal is to deliver UV LED light into the pipe in order to disinfect/purify water carried therein. A UV LED ring that supports one of more UV LED bulbs is used to treat water in a pipe. Embodiments may find particular use onboard passenger transportation vehicles, on which water disinfection can present particular challenges.

Description

RING UV LED UNIT FOR WATER DISINFECTION

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application is related to and claims priority benefits from U.S. Provisional Application Serial No. 62/823,822, filed on March 26, 2019, entitled“UV LED Ring for Water Disinfection,” the entire contents of each of which are hereby incorporated by this reference.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0002] According to certain embodiments of this disclosure, there is provided a UV

LED unit that may be positioned with respect to a water-carrying pipe. The general goal is to deliver UV LED light into the pipe in order to disinfect/purify water carried therein. Embodiments may find particular use onboard passenger transportation vehicles, on which water disinfection can present particular challenges.

BACKGROUND

[0003] Disinfection of the potable water supply onboard transportation vehicles is needed in order to guarantee safe and healthy water quality. For example, water systems on aircraft are complicated systems that usually include a tank, a pressurization system to deliver the water to the points of use, and one or more systems for maintaining water quality and disinfection. There are a number of reasons why clean, potable water is needed on-board a vehicle, such as an aircraft. For example, clean water is needed for handwashing in the lavatory sinks, and potable water is needed to brew coffee or hot tea for passenger consumption.

[0004] The issue of water quality, and in particular, of potable water quality, on passenger transportation vehicles and equipment, such as aircraft, trains, boats and ships, and the like is becoming more of a concern to regulatory authorities. This is particularly true in the United States with respect to the potable water supplies contained on board commercial aircraft. Regulatory standards have been enacted that require water on board passenger vehicles to be disinfected according to certain standards. Passenger airlines must thus implement appropriate aircraft water disinfection protocols.

[0005] U.S. Patent No. 4,871,452 to Kohler, et ah, entitled“On-Board Water Supply,” discloses equipment for purifying waste water from galleys, sinks, and toilets of aircraft. Waste water from these areas discharges to a tank, after which it passes through a mechanical filter, a bed of active carbon, ozone and osmotic stages, and a disinfection stage involving addition of chlorine and irradiation with ultraviolet (“UV”) light. Thereafter, the water is made available to aircraft passengers for certain uses.

[0006] U.S. Patent No. 6,143, 185 to Tracy, et al. entitled“Treatment System for

Aircraft Toilet Waster Water” discloses alternate systems for decontaminating waste water from aircraft toilets, sinks, and galleys. They too include a mechanical particulate filter, activated carbon, and a source of UV light. Alternatively, according to the Tracy patent, the waste water may be exposed to microwaves or treated with chlorine or iodine. A sensor may be used to measure“the level of clarity of the treated water as an indication of its purity” and restrict opening of a control valve until acceptable clarity levels are obtained.

[0007] However, these systems and methods are primarily directed at purifying wastewater removed from the aircraft. Airlines and other passenger transportation vehicle companies must also ensure that the potable water (i.e., drinkable water) aboard the aircraft is fit for human consumption by employing appropriate disinfection protocols. But disinfection upon upload and periodic disinfection sampling does not always adequately address the issue of contamination introduced in uploaded water, which is of particular concern for aircraft flying to and from, and being serviced in, non-industrialized areas. In addition, air must be introduced into the water storage and dispensing system on the aircraft in order to maintain pressurization, as well as to drain the system during routine servicing. This air can introduce pathogens that can multiply and cause unsanitary conditions and unacceptable water quality in the intervals between samplings or disinfection procedures. In effect, because the water storage and dispensing system is routinely exposed to the outside environment, potable water quality cannot always be ensured without some form of additional treatment.

[0008] Ultraviolet treatment eliminates bacteria, viruses, spores and mold in the water and works similar to the way that strong sunlight can permanently purify water by making biological impurities inactive. Ultraviolet lamps are generally designed to destroy the links in these micro-organisms’ DNA so that they are de-activated and cannot reproduce. The crucial hydrogen bonds that link the DNA chain together rupture when exposed to light between the wavelengths of about 220nm to about 310nm. As discussed above, UV water treatment has been used in many water purification circumstances, including on-board passenger transport vehicles such as aircraft, in order to treat and purify the water circulating on-board.

[0009] There are currently a number of water treatment solutions being employed and/or studied for use on-board aircraft. For example, one way that water can be treated is via UV mercury lamps. These lamps deliver an ultraviolet light to the water in the system and have been found beneficial because the treatment does not change the taste or odor of the water, it kills bacteria, viruses and protozoan, it is compact and easy to use, and it can prevent biofilm if the system is kept clean. However, one of the disadvantages of mercury UV lamps for water treatment is that they require a medium to high electrical demand, which means that when used on-board a vehicle such as an aircraft, they pull electrical power from the aircraft engines and/or an auxiliary power unit (APU). Increased usage of aircraft power from the engines results in higher fuel consumption and costs. Other disadvantages are that UV mercury lamps require cleaning and new lamps annually, and if a mercury lamp is broken, there exists a chance for mercury contamination of the water to be treated. Additionally, UV lamps take a while to power on if not in constant use.

[0010] A further method of water treatment that has been explored is the use of UV

LED (light emitting diode) light for water treatment. In addition to the mercury lamp benefits, the use of UV LED light also has the advantage of being able to use a wider UV band with multiple LED wavelengths, can offer a high power output with less power consumption than UV lamps, UV LEDs have greater longevity, power up quickly without requiring a delay time built into the system for the UV light source to reach its optimum UV energy output, and do not contain mercury. Some companies have been manufacturing UV lamps and LED systems for water sanitation and disinfection, but few of the available systems are designed for use on board a transportation vehicle or an aircraft. For example, some systems are being developed and investigated for use in treating city-scale water by companies such as Trojan Technologies and Sterilite. However, most of these proposed technologies use outdated UV lamp designs as opposed to LEDs. Aquionics is a company that provides a UV LED system called the UV- Pearl™. This system provides a separate unit, which can be integrated into a water line system or used as a stand-alone unit. However, this system is not an inline system that is incorporated into the actual water supply line. Instead, it is a stand-alone unit that is incorporated into a break in the line, and thus does not become a part of the actual water line itself. It is not truly “in line” with the water supply line.

[0011] U.S. Patent No. 9,376,333 to Boodaghians et al. describes an inline UV LED water disinfection and heating system. That disclosure provides a side module that supports one or more UV LEDs. The module has a curved lens that isolates the LEDs from water flow within the water line, and a plurality of LED water line tube sections are spaces along a water supply line.

[0012] For existing aircraft, retrofitting a UV disinfection device can be costly, space prohibitive, and require extra wiring (power and operating status), extra plumbing, and the resulting systems may be unable to operate at the proper level of initial designed performance. Other incarnations have used UV purification units at aircraft water upload on the ground, but that too must be a fully-integrated device at the system level. There is also a need to further disinfect the water once it has been circulating in the aircraft water pipe system for a period of time, as the water may also need to be treated on an on-going basis, particularly as it is being delivered to the point of use.

[0013] Therefore, a current need exists for a UV LED system for use in a vehicle or aircraft environment that is space efficient, energy efficient, accessible, and that is located in close proximity to a power supply and a water-system plumbing. It is also desirable to provide a system that can be added to existing systems, as opposed to having to replace the entire plumbing system on the vehicle.

SUMMARY

[0014] Accordingly, the present inventors have designed an improved water treatment system. The system provides a UV LED unit that can be incorporated directly into a water carrying line, between water pipe sections. The system provides rechargeable batteries that may be used to power the water disinfection. Further features are described herein.

[0015] The terms “invention,” “the invention,” “this invention” “the present invention,”“disclosure,”“the disclosure,” and“the present disclosure,” used in this patent are intended to refer broadly to all of the subject matter of this patent and the patent claims below. Statements containing these terms should be understood not to limit the subject matter described herein or to limit the meaning or scope of the patent claims below. Embodiments of the invention covered by this patent are defined by the claims below, not this summary. This summary is a high-level overview of various aspects of the invention and introduces some of the concepts that are further described in the Detailed Description section below. This summary is not intended to identify key or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used in isolation to determine the scope of the claimed subject matter. The subject matter should be understood by reference to appropriate portions of the entire specification of this patent, any or all drawings and each claim. [0016] According to certain embodiments of this disclosure, there may be provided a

UV LED unit or ring that is used to disinfect water flowing within a water pipe. The UV LED unit may be inserted between water pipe sections or it may be provided as a ring that closes around a water pipe section. In a specific example, there is provided a UV LED water treatment unit for use with a water-carrying pipe, the unit comprising an inlet and an outlet; a UV LED ring that supports one of more UV LED bulbs, the UV LED ring enclosed within a housing; a pipe connection system that connects the housing to water pipe ends. There may also be provided O-ring seals that secure the UV LED ring within the housing. There may also be an inner sleeve that protects the UV LED from water flowing within the water pipe section. Venting holes may be provided on the housing. A power/control source may also be provided. In a specific example, the power/control source comprises a control base, a removable control module with a charging port, and one or more rechargeable batteries. There may also be a charging dock for recharging the one or more rechargeable batteries. The unit may be secured between two water pipe sections via a pipe connection system that comprises a set of hydro clamps.

[0017] In a further example, there may be provided a UV LED ring that is configured to fit around a water pipe, the ring comprising: first and second halves, a hinge, and a fastener, wherein the ring comprises one or more UV LEDS along the first half, the second half, or both.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] Figure l is a side perspective view of one embodiment of a UV LED unit.

[0019] Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of the UV LED unit of Figure 1.

[0020] Figure 3 is a side perspective exploded view of the UV LED unit of Figure 1.

[0021] Figure 4 is a side perspective view of the UV LED unit of Figure 1 with a power cable.

[0022] Figure 5 is a side perspective view of the UV LED unit of Figure 1, illustrating multiple pre-charged batteries that may be available for extended use.

[0023] Figure 6 is a side perspective view of the UV LED unit of Figure 1 with a charging deck.

[0024] Figure 7 is a side perspective view of the UV LED unit of Figure 1, illustrating various status indicators. [0025] Figure 8 is a side perspective view of the UV LED unit of Figure 1 with a power and data cable that can connect to an external source for remote monitoring of the battery and LED status.

[0026] Figure 9 is a side perspective view of the UV LED unit of Figure 1 with a portion of the housing cut away to illustrate the UV LED ring and various LED modules.

[0027] Figure 10 is a side perspective view of a UV LED unit that has a widened UV

LED ring.

[0028] Figure 11 is a side perspective view of a UV LED unit clamped between two water line sections.

[0029] Figure 12 is a schematic illustration of various end interfaces that are available for use with a UV LED unit.

[0030] Figure 13 is a schematic illustrating a clampable option of a UV LED ring.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0031] Embodiments of the present disclosure provide the use of UV LEDs (ultra violet light emitting diodes) in order to treat water that is circulating on-board a passenger transport vehicle. The systems described allow an existing water line tube or supply line to be retrofit with UV LEDs for water treatment along that portion of the water supply line. This allows the water line itself to form an inline treatment chamber. The UV LEDs may be arranged in any array, such as radially and/or longitudinally, within a unit that is secured between two water line sections or within a ring that is positioned around a water line section.

[0032] Referring now to Figures 1 and 2, in one example, a UV LED unit 10 is provided as a stand-alone unit 10 that can be secured between two water- carrying pipe sections, as described further below. The unit 10 has an inlet 12 and an outlet 14 that can be secured between two sections of water- carrying pipe. As will be described further below, the inlet 12 and the outlet 14 may be provided with various or multiple optional and interfaces, which allow the UV LED unit 10 to be used with various different types of water supply pipes.

[0033] The UV LED unit 10 itself has an inner LED ring 16 (shown in FIG. 2) that supports one or more ultraviolet (UV) light emitting diodes (LEDS) or LED modules 18. As used herein, the term LED or UV LED is intended to mean a germicidal UV LED. Germicidal wavelengths are at about 240 nm to about 280 nm. As shown by the cross- sectional view of Figure 2, the LED ring 16 is sealed within an outer housing 20 via o-ring seals 22. A quartz or otherwise UV transparent material inner sleeve 24 is positioned to protect the LED ring 16 from water flowing through the unit 10.

[0034] The outer housing 20 may have one or more optional heat venting holes 26. These venting holes 26 can be effective in releasing heat generated by the LED ring 16 in use. It is also possible to cover the venting holes 26 in conditions in which the heat generated by the UV LEDs is desirably absorbed by the passing water.

[0035] The unit 10 also has a power/control source 28 associated therewith. The power/control source 28 can be powered via battery, as outlined below. In other embodiments, the power/control source 28 can plug directly into the aircraft or vehicle power source via a corded connection or use another type of external power source.

[0036] In one specific example, the power/control source 28 of the UV LED unit 10 may be a rechargeable battery system. Figures 3-7 show one embodiment of such a rechargeable battery system. As shown by Figure 3, a control base 30 may be mounted on the unit 10. Positionable on the control base 30 is a removable control module 32. This module 32 may have a charging port 34. Figure 4 shows a charging cable 36 received by the charging port 34 and connectable to external power. Charging port 34 may have an optional waterproof cover to prevent corrosion or water intrusion. Positionable on the removable control module 32 is a removable/rechargeable battery 38. Figure 5 illustrates the use of multiple rechargeable (or pre-charged) batteries 38 that may be available for extended use. A charging dock 40 may be provided as a part of the system that can charge the batteries 38 or that can be used for battery diagnostics. One example is illustrated by Figure 6. It may be necessary to determine a battery status of and“in use” battery, as shown by Figure 7. In this instance, the control module 32 may be provided with various indicators 42. One indicator may reflect battery status and a second indicator may reflect UV LED status. For example, a first indicator 42a may function as a light that indicates that the battery is full via a first color or indicator, and that the battery needs charging via a second color or indicator. A second indicator 42b may function as a UV LED status indicator, indicating that the ring is operating correctly via a first color or indicator, and that the ring is not operating by a second color or indicator. This can allow the operator to identify whether any system malfunction is due to a low battery, or a defective UV LED.

[0037] In an alternate specific example, there may be provided a charging box that has an impression of the entire UV LED unit 10 (similar to a wedding ring jewelry box) in which the UV LED unit 10 may be stored and charged. Once the UV LED unit 10 is placed into the charging box, its battery poles/contacts make contact with an electrical energy supply source that is either hardwired to a power inlet of the box or via a conductive mechanism (e.g., a conductive matt inside bottom of the box mating via an interface (bottom of the box) with power source). In another example, a charging dock may be provided. The charging dock may be powered by electric power, external power, or wireless. After an appropriate charging time, the UV LED until 10 battery is charged and ready for use on demand.

[0038] In a further embodiment, it is possible for a separate power and data cable

44 to cooperate with the charging port 34. This power and data cable can connect to an external source in order to provide power and/or status monitoring of the battery and the UV LED ring status.

[0039] It is possible for one or more LED bulbs 18 (referred to as an LED POD or an LED module) to be added to or removed from the UV LED ring 16. (The term“LED POD” is used to refer to a unit that contains a single LED bulb and“LED module” is used to refer to a unit that contains more than one LED bulb.) This is illustrated by Figure 9. In one example, the diameter of the UV LED ring 16 can be enlarged (as compared to the water pipe). This can allow more LEDs to be positioned around the diameter of the UV LED ring. In another example, the UV LED ring can be lengthened (e.g., like a belt), so that is can accommodate more UV LEDs. For example, Figure 10 illustrates a double UV LED ring 16', which is twice the width of the ring shown by Figure 9. It should be understood that triple or quadruple rings, or any other appropriate number of with increases, may be provided. In another possibility, additional UV LED rings 16 may be added in sequence. For example, more than one ring 16 may be positioned within a single unit 10. This allows the system to be varied to meet various purification requirements or flow size paths. More LEDs may be added to achieve a higher or desired level of purification. [0040] The LED bulbs 18 may be connected in series or in parallel. Alternatively, each strap of the LED bulbs may be connected to a battery for power delivery.

[0041] As shown by Figure 1 1 , the UV LED unit 10 may be secured to ends of water pipes 50 via a pipe connection system. One exemplary pipe connection system comprises a set of quick release clamps 52. These types of clamps 52 allow a user to open and secure the clamp manually, without requiring any additional components. In a specific example, the clamp 52 may have two curved halves separated by a hinge with connection features to secure the curved halves around the ends of the water pipes 50. These types of clamps 52 are typically referred to as hydro clamps, and their use as well understood in the water treatment industry. They may also be referred to as quick release clamps.

[0042] In another example, the described embodiments may provide a UV LED ring

60 with an adjustable fastener mechanism that can fit around a water-carrying pipe 50. In a specific example, the fastener functions to secure the UV LED ring in place, such that the ring fits around the pipe, similar to the way a hydro clamp functions. In one example, the UV LED ring is provided as having two curved halves 62 separated by a hinge 64. The hinge 64 allows the two curved halves 62 to open and clamp around a water pipe. A fastener 66 or other type of securing feature can maintain the two halves secured to one another, such that the ring encircles the diameter of the water pipe 50. For this application, the water pipe may be made of quartz and/or may have segments of quartz or any material that allows the transmission of the UV light. The ring 60 may have one or more UV LEDS along the first half, the second half, or both.

[0043] Figure 12 illustrates multiple end interface possibilities that may be available. For example, it is possible for the inlet to have a V-band, a Hydro flow, or a straight opening. It is possible for the outlet to have a V-band, a Hydro flow, or a straight opening.

[0044] The subject matter of certain embodiments of this disclosure is described with specificity to meet statutory requirements, but this description is not necessarily intended to limit the scope of the claims. The claimed subject matter may be embodied in other ways, may include different elements or steps, and may be used in conjunction with other existing or future technologies. This description should not be interpreted as implying any particular order or arrangement among or between various steps or elements except when the order of individual steps or arrangement of elements is explicitly described.

[0045] It should be understood that different arrangements of the components depicted in the drawings or described above, as well as components and steps not shown or described are possible. Similarly, some features and sub-combinations are useful and may be employed without reference to other features and sub-combinations. Embodiments of the invention have been described for illustrative and not restrictive purposes, and alternative embodiments will become apparent to readers of this patent. Accordingly, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above or depicted in the drawings, and various embodiments and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the claims below.

Claims

CLAIMS That which is claimed is:

1. A UV LED water treatment unit (10) for use with a water-carrying pipe (50), the unit comprising: an inlet (12) and an outlet (14); a UV LED ring (16) that supports one of more UV LED bulbs (18), the UV LED ring enclosed within a housing (20); a pipe connection system that connects the housing to water pipe ends.

2. The unit of claim 1, further comprising O-ring seals (22) to secure the UV LED ring (16) within the housing (20).

3. The unit of claim 1, further comprising an inner sleeve (24).

4. The unit of claim 1, further comprising venting holes (26).

5. The unit of claim 1, further comprising a power/control source (28).

6. The unit of claim 5, wherein the power/control source comprises a control base (30), a removable control module (32) with a charging port (34), and one or more rechargeable batteries (38).

7. The unit of claim 6, further comprising a charging dock (40) for recharging the one or more rechargeable batteries (38).

8. The unit of claim 1, wherein the pipe connection system comprises a set of hydro clamps (52).

9. A UV LED ring (60) configured to fit around a water pipe, the ring comprising: first and second halves (62), a hinge (64), and a fastener (66), wherein the ring comprises one or more UV LEDS along the first half, the second half, or both.