WO2022093582A1

WO2022093582A1 - Air shield with uv-c sterilization

Info

Publication number: WO2022093582A1
Application number: PCT/US2021/055632
Authority: WO
Inventors: Reginald B. HOWARD
Original assignee: Howard Reginald B
Priority date: 2020-10-26
Filing date: 2021-10-19
Publication date: 2022-05-05

Abstract

Disclosed is a smartphone-controlled personnel protection equipment (PPE) that utilize HEPA filtering and UV-C lighting to remove air borne bacteria, pathogens and viruses from air. The device is designed to be worn around an individual's neck and shoulder as shown in figure 1 to provide an individual with 360 degrees of air shield protection. For additional protection, there is a hat shield assembly that operates the same as the collar air duct assembly except it filters and sanitize air flowing upward from the collar unit to provide a complete cone of protection for an individual who may be infected with a contagious virus. Additional features include an ultrasonic proximity sensor that a user can preset a distance to allow the device to automatically turn on or off when someone comes within a preset distance. There are four different configurable modes of protection up to HAZMAT level of protection

Description

Title of Invention (MPEP 606):

Air Shield with UV-C Sterilization

(A) Cross-Reference to related applications (MPEP 201.11): None

(B) Statement regarding federally sponsored research or development: (MPEP 310): None

(C) The names of the parties to a joint research agreement (37 CFR 1.71 (g): None

(D) Reference to a “Sequence Listing,” a table, or a computer program listing appendix submitted on compact disc and an incorporation-by-reference of the material on the compact disc.: None

(E) Margins. The sheets must not contain frames around the sight (i.e., the usable surface), but should have scan target points (i.e., crosshairs) printed on two cater-comer margin corners.

Done

(F) Background of the Invention ((MPEP 608.01(c))

This invention was not made with government support. The government has no certain rights in the invention. A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material to which a claim for copyright is made. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure, as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent file or records but reserves all other copyright rights whatsoever.

BACKGROUND

Light has been used to disinfect pathogens on surfaces, in air and in water. The term pathogen is defined to mean any microscopic organism capable of causing disease or infection in a human. These include bacteria, viruses, spores, and fungi. The term inactive refers to rendering a pathogen inactive, or unable to infect a human. This may include killing the pathogen, rendering it unable or less able to replicate, or rendering it unable to infect a human. Some known systems use ultraviolet (UV) light to inactivate pathogens. Herein, we adopt the standard definitions, as follows: ultraviolet light refers to light having wavelengths in the range 100 nanometers (nm) to 400 nm; the four sub-ranges within the UV range include the Vacuum UV from 100 to 200nm, UVC from 200 nm to 280nm; UVB from 280 nm to 315 nm; and UVA from 315 to 400 nm. Although the visible colors are not rigorously defined in the lighting industry, we adopt commonly used definitions for violet and blue as comprising about 400 to about 450 nm, and about 450 nm to about 490 nm, respectively. Some known systems use UV light in the range of 200 nm to 300 nm, including the UVC range and some of the UVB range, to inactivate pathogens by damaging their DNA or RNA and rendering them incapable of reproduction, thus incapable of causing disease in human. This range of 200 nm to 300 nm is referred to in the literature, and herein, as the germicidal range. Light sources such as low-pressure and medium pressure mercury lamps, and pulsed xenon lamps are known to inactivate pathogens by irradiation of fluids (e.g., water or air or other fluids) and surfaces with wavelengths in the germicidal range.

US Patent 10,344,992, B2 discloses an invention that provides lighting and ventilation with a main housing. The main housing can include an inlet through which air can be received within the main housing and an outlet through which the air can exit the main housing. A fan wheel can be supported in the main housing, and it can be operable to generate a flow of air. US Patent 9,981,052 B2 discloses a lighting system that includes a light source configured to generate a light source toward one or more surfaces or materials. The light source is configured to generate an inactivating portion of the light including wavelengths in a range of 280 nm to 380 nm, including no more than 0.001 watts of actinic ultraviolet light per square meter of floor area of ultraviolet light, and including no more than 100 watts of blue light per steradian per square meter of floor area.

(G) Brief Summary of Invention

Description: Disclosed is personal protection equipment (PPE) capable of providing 3 levels of protection against air borne bacteria, air borne pathogens and viruses. There is a collar unit consisting of two air intakes, each equipped with a fan, HEPA filter, UV-C lamp and a directional air duct. There is a left and right side of the collar unit that slides in and out of one another to make it adjustable to different neck and different shoulder sizes. There are adjustable air vents that allow the direction of air flow outside of the unit. As each fan sucks air into the air intake there are directional air ducts that bends the air flow 90 degrees such that the air flow towards and across each UV-C lamp. Afterwards, each UV-C lamp sanitize the air of any air bome bacteria, pathogens and viruses as it crosses each UV-C lamp. Next the air exits the collar unit through another 90-degree curved up air duct that directs the air up and out via into a 360- degree external vent. Inside each air duct is a non reflective surface that helps prevent any light from exiting the air vent a long with the 90-degree bend in the air duct. There is an optional electric heater inside of each intake that heats the air. There is an optional air condition connection to one of the air intakes that allows cool air from a thermoelectric powered air conditioner backpack unit to cool the air. Hence this solution provides an individual with 360 degrees of clean pollutant free and germ-free air while at the same time protecting them from potential air borne contaminates outside of the air shield. There are also a front and back distance measuring proximity sensor on the collar unit that allows an individual to preset a distance that will cause the collar and hat shield unit to automatically turn-on when . Furthermore, the Air Shield device can be configured to provide an individual with three levels of protection. The first level of protection is a mask less solution that is designed to protect an individual who is not infected with a contagious disease. In this configuration, only the collar assembly or hat shield assembly is needed to provide an individual with 360 degree of air shield protection. A collar unit can be worn around the collar to provide an upward flowing 360 degrees of air. Likely wise the hat shield can be worn to provide a downward flow of 360- degree air flow protection. The second level of protection consist of combining the hat shield with a collar unit to provide a complete cone of protection by using the hat shield to refilter and sanitize the upward flowing air from the collar unit. Also note that the hat shield can blow air downward or upward. This level of protection is for an individual who has tested positive for a contagious disease like COVID 19 or for someone who requires full protection without having to where a face mask. The third level of protection offers maximum protection against air borne bacteria, pathogens and viruses for first responders at highrisk and/or military folks in hazmat situations. Level 3 adds to level 2 physical protection with an airtight hood, heating, cooling, wireless communication and a body garment. The unit is battery powered with a solar panel option for recharging the battery in the field. The helmet has a transparent shield that includes air ventilation inside of the hood because one fan serves as the air intake and a second fan serving as the exhaust. The air inside of the helmet can be either heated with a heater inside of the air ducts or cooled with a backpack thermoelectric air conditioner unit. There is wireless headphone communication from the helmet microphone and headphone to a smartphone or remote speaker and microphone. There is a front and rear ultrasonic proximity sensor for measuring a preset distance that will automatically turn on the device. The entire unit can be controlled remotely via wireless smartphone communications to a computer controller that controls fan speed, UV-C lamps, ultrasonic sensors, heater and air condition unit. To complete the protection package, there is an infrared thermometer that allow an individual to measure an individual temperature. And, finally, there a handheld UV-C sanitizer for sanitizing surfaces. The best mode of configuration for this device is the collar unit worn around an individual’s neck and shoulder to provide first level of protection. This device can best serve individuals that serve the public for example in hospitals, schools, restaurants, hotels, airlines, buses, trains, policemen, arm forces personnel, or frontline workers in general.

Brief Description of Drawings

Fig. 1 Air Shield Assy - Illustrates the complete assembly of the Air Shield system without a hood attached. Also show the air flow from the air ducts forming a cone of protection 360 degrees around the upper shoulder and head areas. This sketch also shows all majorcomponents. Fig. 2 Air Shield with helmet - Same drawing as figure 1 accept with a helmet attached to the air duct assembly. The helmet and body suite are combined to achieve HAZMAT level of protection. Also shown is the ventilation system where one fan intakes outside air and the second filter exhaust the air.

Fig. 3 Collar Assy - Illustrates all major system components of the collar duct assembly. Fig. 4 Fan and HEP A filter- Illustrates how the fan and HEP A filter are assembled.

Fig. 5 Consumer version of collier with small fans and low profile.

Fig. 6 Hat Shield - Illustrates all major components of the hat shield.

Fig. 7 Three Major Configuration - Show three configurations of the air shield.

Fig 8 Smartphone - Illustrates wiring to all devices controlled by the micro-controller (I) Detailed Description of Invention

Description: Disclosed is air shield personnel protection equipment (PPE) design to protect an individual from air borne bacteria, pathogens and viruses using 360 degrees of air that has been filtered and UV-C sanitized. The device consists of the following major components. There is two piece retractable and expandable collar air duct assembly 50 that is arrange in a circular shape and sit on an individual shoulder. The collar air duct 50 unit consist of a left side and right side that slide in and out of one another to allow the air duct to adjustable to fit different neck sizes and different sizes. The collar air duct 50 has an adjustable fin for directing the air flow upward around an individual’s upper shoulder and head area. There are two fans 90 each with a HEPA filter 60 in front of each fan for filtering pollutants from the air. An optional air heater 70 is inside each air intake that can heat air for comfort. There is a A/C intake hose 184 that connects from the right side of the collar duct assembly 50 to the A/C backpack. There is an A/C outlet hose 185 that connect on the right side of the collar duct assembly 50 and connects to the outlet side of the backpack 182 with a thermoelectric air conditioner 183 mounted inside. There is an optional helmet/hood 10a with a transparent face shield with an airtight seal to a body suit/jacket 180. When a helmet/hood 10a is installed, the left fan motor 90 direction is reversed using controls from a smartphone software application that has a wireless connection to a computer controller mounted inside the collar air duct assembly 50. This allows the left fan 90 to exhaust air from the helmet/hood 10a while the right fan 90 intakes air. The exhaust air is also sanitized with a HEPA filter 60 and UV-C lamp 110. There is a wireless headphone and microphone in the helmet/hood 10b that can communicate with an external speaker 170 or a smartphone via wireless connection. There is an ultrasonic proximity distance measuring radar 130 that detects when another person is within a preset distance and automatically turn on the fans 90 and UV-C lamps 110. A smartphone application services as a remote-control device 140 that communicates wireless to a CPU controller 290 that allows it to control all electronic devices. The smartphone software application is capable controlling and monitoring: fan speed and direction, heater temperature, A/C on/off, UV-C lights on/off, and ultrasonic proximity sensors distances. A photocell 400 and capacitor 410 are used to detect when a UV-C lamp 110 is burned-out by measuring the charge rate of the capacitor based on the resistance of a photocell when it is exposed to light verse darkness. There is a clothing jacket or body suite 180 that attaches to a hood 10a via an airtight environmentally sealed connection. There is a hat shield assembly 222 that intakes upward flowing air from the collar air bus assembly 50 and re-sanitize the air with a HEPA filter 60 and UV-C lamp 110. There is a rain shield 221 on the hat shield 222 to prevent rain and debris from entering the air duct. There is a thermo-sealed backpack with a thermoelectric Peltier 183 that provides air conditioning to the collar air duct 50 via flexible hoses. When the air conditioning unit is not being used for cooling, the air intake and air outlets are sealed off with thermo caps to allow the unit to be used as a refrigerator. The refrigerator has a hinged door that opens to allow food items to be stored inside. The temperature for both the refrigerator and air conditioning unit are controlled and monitored by the A/C unit itself.

There is a solar panel 430 mounted on a thermo-insulated backpack 182 to charge the battery when sunlight is available. The device runs on batteries 100 that can be charged via a USB port, vehicle cigarette lighter adapter, and AC plug adapter. The device has the following multiple configuration: The first level of protection is a mask less solution that is designed to protect an individual who is not infected with a contagious disease. In this configuration, only the collar assembly or hat shield assembly is needed to provide an individual with 360 degree of air shield protection. A collar unit can be worn around an individual’s neck to provide an upward flowing 360 degrees of air. This same level of protection can be achieved also by utilizing a hat shield with its fans blowing air downward to provide 360-degree air flow protection. The second level of protection consist of combining the hat shield with a collar unit to provide a complete cone of protection by using the hat shield to refilter and sanitize the upward flowing air from the collar unit. Also note that the hat shield can blow air downward or upward. This level of protection is for an individual who has tested positive for a contagious disease like COVID 19 or for someone who requires full protection without having to where a face mask. The third level of protection offers maximum protection against air borne bacteria, pathogens and viruses for first responders at highrisk and/or military folks in hazmat situations. Level 3 adds to level 2 physical protection with an airtight hood, heating, cooling, wireless communication and a body garment. The unit is battery powered with a solar panel option for recharging the battery in the field. The helmet has a transparent shield and is ventilated inside of the hood with one fan serving as the air intake and a second fan serving as the exhaust. The air inside of the helmet can be either heated with a heater inside of the air ducts or cooled with a backpack thermoelectric air conditioner unit. There is wireless headphone communication from the helmet microphone and headphone to a smartphone or remote speaker and microphone. There is a front and rear ultrasonic proximity sensor for measuring a preset distance that will automatically turn on the device. The fourth level of protection includes the third level plus a handheld UV-C sanitizer 150 and an infrared thermometer 420. The handheld sanitizer is battery powered and can be recharge via a USB port. The infrared thermometer 420 runs on a software application on a smartphone 140 via a USB port. Both items are kept in a fanny belt a long with a rechargeable battery 100. Backpack 182 with refrigerator and/or personal A/C unit 183 - In this configuration, the backpack air conditioner unit can be used as a standalone A/C unit or refrigerator for campers or travelers with an extra compartment in the backpack for storage. There is also an optional solar panel and solar charger for recharging a battery. The solar panel is mounted on the outside of the backpack. Transportation mode - This mode is designed to provide extra protection against air borne particles by directing the air flow down from both the hat shield and the collar unit fans. This mode of operation is particularly useful with helping to keep airborne particles down at the floor level particularly on airplanes, buses and trains etc.. . .

1) handheld UV-C sanitizer, infrared thermometer and battery contained in a fanny belt.

Claims

1) Claim 1 claims a personal protection device that utilizes air purification system worn around an individual’s neck and shoulders that sanitizes and purifies 360 degrees cone of upward flowing air that protects an individual from air borne bacteria, air borne pathogens and viruses and consist of a collar assembly bus 50, characterized by a means to intake air via fans 90; a UV-C lamp 110, characterized by a means to sanitize the air of air borne bacteria, air borne pathogens and viruses with UV-C light; curved air vents 40, characterized by the ability to block light from entering and exiting air vent; a filter 60, characterized by the means to remove pollutants from the air; an electric air heater 70, characterized by a means to heat intake air; a thermoelectric unit 183, characterized by a means to cool in take air; an radar device, characterized by an electronic means to measure distance, a LED lamp 190, characterized by a means to create a light source; a UV-C hand sanitizer, characterized by a means to sanitize bacteria on surfaces; an infrared thermometer 150a, characterized by a means to measure an individual’s body temperature;

2) Claim 2 includes claim 1 and claims a smartphone control system that controls all aspects of an air purification system using a software application that connects wireless to a central processing unit (CPU) controller 290 mounted inside of a collar air duct assembly 50 and controls and monitors all electronic devices: a CPU characterized by a means to control a fan 90 for intaking air and blowing air through air vents; a CPU, characterized a means to control and monitor an electric heater 70; a CPU, characterized by a means to monitor and control a UV-C lamps 110; a CPU, characterize by a means to control and monitor a distance measuring radar 130; a CPU, characterized by means to control and monitor a thermoelectric device 183; a CPU, characterized a means to control and monitor a battery 100; a CPU characterized by a means to control and monitor a solar panel; a CPU characterized by a means to recharge a handheld sanitizer 150 via a USB port or vehicle cigarette lighter; ) Claim 3 includes claim 1 and claim 2 and claims a personal protection device with multiple configurations, a first level of protection, characterized by collar assembly 50 or hat shield assembly 222 that provide an individual with 360 degree of upward air flow from a collar assembly or downward air flow from a hat shield; a second level of protection, characterized by combining the hat shield 222 with a collar assembly 50 to provide a column of air of protection that utilize the hat shield to refilter and sanitize the upward flowing air from the collar unit; a third level of protection, characterized by combining level 2 with a hood and or a body garment that provide HAZMAT level of protection with an airtight hood, heating, cooling, wireless communication and ultrasound proximity sensor; a fourth level of protection includes the third level plus a handheld UV-C sanitizer, infrared thermometer and battery contained in a fanny belt.