WO2022144922A1

WO2022144922A1 - System for generating germicidal properties in air conditioning systems in vehicles using ultraviolet light

Info

Publication number: WO2022144922A1
Application number: PCT/IN2021/051216
Authority: WO
Inventors: Vaibhav Verma
Original assignee: Vaibhav Verma
Priority date: 2020-12-31
Filing date: 2021-12-29
Publication date: 2022-07-07

Abstract

The present invention portrays to application of ultraviolet electromagnetic radiation in disinfection of air flowing through air conditioning and air circulation systems (AC system) in vehicles by installing a UV source device inside the vehicle. Herein, air flowing though the AC system is exposed to ultraviolet range of electromagnetic radiation and the UV light eliminates the microorganisms and pathogens present in the airstream by damaging their DNA/RNA and also automatically eliminating odour from the airstream. This invention also provides methods to further enhance the efficiency of the system with the use of photocatalyst materials and/or by installation of reflective materials in the system. Hence, providing the facility of eliminating bacteria, virus, fungus, etc. present in air therefore disinfecting the airstream flowing through the AC system.

Description

“SYSTEM FOR GENERATING GERMICIDAL PROPERTIES IN AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEMS IN VEHICLES USING ULTRAVIOLET

LIGHT”

Field of Invention:

The present invention portrays to application of ultraviolet electromagnetic radiation in disinfection of air flowing through air conditioning and air circulation systems (herein referred to as “AC system”) in vehicles by the utilisation of a UV source device. Hence providing the facility of eliminating bacteria, virus, fungus, etc. present in air, when the air flows through AC system hence disinfecting the air in the vehicles.

Background:

Background description includes information that may be useful in understanding the present invention. It is not an admission that any of the information provided herein is prior art or relevant to the presently claimed invention, or that any publication specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art.

Air is essential for all living organisms to stay alive and function. However, air is also a very common medium for microorganisms/pathogens such as bacteria, virus, etc. to communicate. Air can lead to transmission of pathogens and contamination of whole rooms, houses or even buildings. In recent times, with the rise of virus like COVID-19, it is has been observed that if one infected person is present in a room or a vehicle with other people, then the other people have a very high risk of getting infected through the air circulated in the environment. Many other pathogens, including but not limited to bacteria, virus, fungus, parasite, prion, etc. have the ability to transmit/spread in the same way through air. Such pathogens enter the body while breathing and lead to various diseases.

In order to reduce chances of contact from such pathogens, humans can regularly wash hands and wear face masks but these methods cannot be effectively performed 24 hours daily. Since wearing masks for a long time i creates various problems and the same cannot be performed while in home or while sleeping. Also, most of the vehicles utilised in human transportation require long durations of ride time and hence increase the risk of infections. Disinfection of air from such pathogens is currently a very tedious and costly process and is presently unavailable for the society. Hence, a method of disinfecting the air is urgently required in order to efficiently and economically reduce the risks of such pathogens and help in controlling pandemics.

Humans have always had the capacity and desire to change their habitats to increase their comfort and convenience. One of such requirements has been to alter the temperature of their environments and this has been achieved through the invention of air conditioning and air circulation systems that basically convert the nature of the airstream flowing through them as per requirement. AC systems are used in both large commercial areas/buildings and domestic environments. However, after the commercialization of the same, the cost and size of AC systems has reduced and their efficiency has increased. Hence, they have now become a very common appliance to be installed in vehicles.

Air conditioning and air circulation systems (herein collectively referred to as “AC system”) have now become necessary to be installed in vehicles such as automobiles, trains, aircrafts, ships, etc. (herein collectively referred to as “Vehicles”)

Along with amendment in the temperature of the air, various methods have also been used for filtration and purification of the airstream flowing through AC system. Methods have been used to filter dust particles, particulates through air using sieve like filters with different properties. Such methods can be applied to a certain extent to reduce the pathogens in the air but this method certainly cannot kill them completely, therefore still leaving chances of infection. Also, no mechanism is currently available for disinfection of air inside vehicles. Previously UV light has been used for disinfection of water, materials, goods, fruits/vegetables, clothes, etc. in such applications, the desired product is exposed to UV light and it kills the pathogens present on the exposed surface of the product, hence, disinfecting the exposed surface.

Also, some methods were invented for use of UV lights for HVAC system but they were only intended for large/industrial HVAC system for disinfection of mechanical components like cooling coils, duct components, etc. and they were either costly, inefficient, had an awkward fitting mechanism and also were not available for vehicles.

Also, currently general air purifiers cannot perform the elimination of pathogens from air and such air purifiers need additional power source for circulating the air through them and they also need periodic replacements of various parts. Therefore, increasing maintenance costs and proving to be inefficient.

Currently, no particular or feasible solution is present to disinfect the air present in vehicles and hence a very huge risk is imposed of community transmission of pathogens in personal as well as public transport vehicles.

Therefore there is an need to overcome the above mentioned problems associated with the traditionally available method or system.

All publications herein are incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each individual publication or patent application were specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference. Where a definition or use of a term in an incorporated reference is inconsistent or contrary to the definition of that term provided herein, the definition of that term provided herein applies and the definition of that term in the reference does not apply.

As used in the description herein and throughout the claims that follow, the meaning of “a,” “an,” and “the” includes plural reference unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Also, as used in the description herein, the meaning of “in” includes “in” and “on” unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. All methods described herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g. “such as”) provided with respect to certain embodiments herein is intended merely to better illuminate the invention and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the invention otherwise claimed. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed element essential to the practice of the invention.

Objective :

The present invention discloses an air decontamination technique that can easily facilitate the feature of disinfection of air flowing through the AC system in vehicles by installation of UV source device to eliminate the pathogens present in the airstream. The disclosed technique can easily be employed in already installed/active or new/under manufacturing vehicles.

The principle objective of this invention is to provide a system for disinfection of air flowing through AC system in vehicles, from microorganisms and pathogens by exposing the air to ultraviolet electromagnetic radiation emitted by a UV source device.

Another objective of this invention is to reduce the odour in air by exposing such particles present in the airstream to UV light and automatically protecting the exposed parts of the system from mold formation.

Another objective of this invention is to increase the efficiency of the system by use of photocatalyst materials and/or installation of reflective materials in the vehicle.

Another objective of this invention is to increase the efficiency of the system by installing a moisture amplification device to drastically increase the production of free radicals.

Summary:

The present invention provides a method to disinfect airstream flowing through AC system with the use of ultraviolet electromagnetic radiation, in which, the air flowing through the AC system is exposed to ultraviolet (UV) electromagnetic radiation emitted by the UV source device and the pathogens in the air are exterminated due to the effect of UV light.

Ultraviolet range (between 100-400nm specially Ultraviolet-C between 200- 280nm) of electromagnetic radiation has germicidal properties which help in disinfection of surfaces and mediums including air and fluids. UV at these germicidal wavelengths damage a microorganism's DNA/RNA so that it cannot reproduce, hence, making it harmless.

The main effect of ultraviolet electromagnetic radiation on biological systems works by two methods, (i) it produces a large number of free radicals that destabilise macromolecules and (ii) it is absorbed by the DNA molecules in the cells of microorganisms and cause alterations that damage the microorganism.

It is a well-known fact that short wavelength rays (such as UV) interact with water molecules in the cell to produce free radicals (-OH). Such free radicals lack an electron and attack other molecules such as cell proteins or DNA to absorb their electron. Many free radicals may retrieve electrons from the same large cell molecule and cause changes in the molecule in a way that makes its role useless.

The most common change in the DNA molecule brought about by UV irradiation and consequently by the free radicals occur at locations on the molecule where two thymine (one of the bases that make up DNA) bases occur adjacent to each other. UV irradiation causes the two thymine bases to fuse to each other on the same strand. Such structures are called thymine dimers and cause a distortion in the shape of DNA. Thus, when next time it goes for DNA replication, a wrong base may be incorporated at the thymine dimer position on the strand being synthesised. This would constitute a site of mutation and when it involves a protein that plays a role in cell survival, it will be lethal. Hence exposing the air to ultraviolet electromagnetic radiation will disinfect the airstream from any microorganisms/pathogens present in the same. Apart from the main motive of disinfection of air, this method has additional benefits like reduction of odour from air due to exposure to UV radiation. Since, UV light interacts with water molecules in the air to produce free radicals (O- and -OH), these free radicals go on to oxidise the complex molecules found in the air and as an outcome, the end result is a sequential and instantaneous gas breakdown, which eliminates the air from odour causing molecules. Hence, this method is also effective in increasing the ambience of the surrounding. Also, UV radiation protects the exposed AC system parts from mold formation by eliminating the mold forming microorganisms.

Brief Description of drawings:

The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the present disclosure, and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure and together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the present disclosure.

Figure 1 illustrates the working principle of an air conditioner.

Figure 2 illustrates a layout of AC system in automobiles.

Figure 3 illustrates a layout of AC system in trains.

Figure 4 illustrates a layout of AC system in aircrafts.

Figure 5 illustrates a brief flowchart of working mechanism of AC system in Vehicles.

Figure 6a illustrates a few UV source devices.

Figure 6b illustrates a moisture amplification device.

Figure 7 visualises a few UV source devices placed in AC system in an automobile.

Figure 8 visualises a few UV source devices placed in AC system in a train. Figure 9 visualises a few UV source devices placed in AC system in an aircraft.

Figure 10 illustrates a flowchart of working mechanism of this disclosure.

Detailed Description:

In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the present invention. It will be apparent to one skilled in the art that embodiments of the present invention may be practiced without some of these specific details.

The following is a detailed description of embodiments of the disclosure depicted in the accompanying drawings. The embodiments are in such detail as to clearly communicate the disclosure. However, the amount of detail offered is not intended to limit the anticipated variations of embodiments; on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims.

AC system works on the basis of refrigeration cycle, sometimes on evaporation or free cooling basis also. In all such systems, the airstream flowing through the system is converted as per the desire of the user. Hence, the present invention does not need any additional power/mechanism for inducing air circulation, since air is already flowing through the AC system and the UV source device is placed such that the flowing air is exposed to the ultraviolet electromagnetic radiation emitted by the UV source device.

Figure 1 illustrates the working mechanism of an air conditioner. Consisting of an evaporator coil (1 ), condenser coil (2), compressor (3), coolant pipelines (4), cabin air input (5), cabin air output (6), outdoor air input (7) and outdoor air output (8).

Chilled coolant flows through evaporator coil (1 ) and cabin air (5) (6) is passed from the evaporator coil which causes heat exchange from cabin air to the coolant. The coolant is then further processed by the compressor (3) and then is passed through the condenser coil (2), where the heat from coolant is exchanged to outdoor air (7) (8) and the cycle repeats.

Figure 2 illustrates the mechanism of AC system (9) in automobiles. Consisting of outdoor air inlet (10), recirculation inlet (1 1 ), outdoor air input (12), recirculated air input (13), input control valve (14), air filter (15), blower (16), evaporator coil (19), heater (20), blend valve (17), duct valves (18), air ducts (21 ). The arrows in the figure indicate the flow of the air through the system.

In an automobile AC system (9), the air input is taken from two sources as per the requirements from the user. One source is the outdoor air (12), which is fed through the outdoor air inlet (10) and the second is the cabin air (13) which is recirculated within the vehicle and is fed from the recirculation inlet (1 1 ) and the flow of these is adjusted with the help of input control valve (14). The air then passes through the air filter (15) and is further passed through the evaporator coil (19) and electric heater (20) to alter the temperature of the air. The blend valve (17) assists in proper mixing of chilled and heated air in order to maintain the desired temperature. The blower (16) is liable to propel the air for its circulation through the system (9). The processed air is then passed through the cabin ducts (21 ) towards different areas of the vehicle into the cabin and the airflow through the ducts is controlled with the help of the duct valves (18).

Figure 3 illustrates the mechanism of AC system (22) in trains, visualising outdoor air inlet (23), recirculation inlet (24), blower fan (25), air filter (26), evaporator coil (27), chilled air output (28), condenser coil (29), compressor (30), recirculation inlet (31 ), outdoor air inlet (32), air filter (33), heater (34), blower fan (35), heated air output (36). The arrows in the figure indicate the flow of the air through the system.

AC system (22) in trains may have separate systems for heating and cooling, however, they work on a similar method. Outdoor air (23) (32) and recirculated air (24) (31 ) is fed with the help of a blower fan (25) (35) and is first passed through the air filter (26) (33) and then flows through the evaporator coil (27) and/or heater (34) and the processed air (28) (36) is then circulated through the ducts in the cabin.

Figure 4 illustrates the mechanism of AC system (37) in aircrafts, visualising outdoor air input (38), recirculation inlet (39), ducts (40), HEPA air filters (45), air conditioning unit (41 ), cabin air output (42), underfloor air outlet (43), air discharge outlet (44). The arrows in the figure indicate the flow of the air through the system.

In an aircraft AC system (37), the outdoor air is fed from the air inlet (38), and the cabin recirculated air is fed from the recirculation inlet (39), the air is then circulated through ducts (40) and is passed through the HEPA filters (45) and then is processed by the air conditioner (41 ). The processed air is then released into the cabin from cabin air outlet (42) and then the air is transferred to the underfloor area from the underfloor air outlet (43) and the air is then discharged from the aircraft through discharge outlet (44) to the atmosphere.

Figure 5 illustrates a brief flowchart of the working mechanism of AC system in vehicles. The air input is obtained from outdoor air and cabin recirculated air, it is then passed through air filters and is fed into the air conditioner. The processed air is then distributed in the vehicle cabin with the help of an air distribution system and the ambient air is released in the cabin.

Figure 6a illustrates a few UV source devices with visualisation from different angels, such as quartz lamp (47) with a conventional method of installation of the baten (48) on the holder and the power for the same is supplied through electric wires (46). Similarly, LED based devices (49) and LED strip (50) which work on the basis of light emiting diodes (51 ) are also meant to be used in a similar manner as disclosed. These UV source devices are meant to release light of the ultraviolet range (between 100- 400nm specially UV-C between 200-280nm). The power of the device (measured in W{watt}) can vary as per the needs of the user. Various devices are available that can generate ultraviolet range of electromagnetic radiation, such as LED, Quartz, Low pressure mercury lamp, Excimer Lamp, Pulsed Xenon Lamp, etc. and all such devices even if invented in future can be easily used in a similar manner as disclosed in this present disclosure and is/are within the scope of this disclosure.

When the air is exposed to electromagnetic radiation of ultraviolet range, the microorganisms/pathogens in the same are eliminated by the following procedure :

Short wavelength rays (such as UV) interact with water molecules in the cell to produce free radicals (-OH). Such free radicals lack an electron and attack other molecules such as cell proteins or DNA to absorb their electron. Many free radicals may retrieve electrons from the same large cell molecule and cause changes in the molecule hence making the microorganism disabled.

The most common change in the DNA molecule brought about by UV irradiation and consequently by the free radicals occur at locations on the molecule where two thymine (one of the bases that make up DNA) bases occur adjacent to each other. UV irradiation causes the two thymine bases to fuse to each other on the same strand. Such structures are called thymine dimers and cause a distortion in the shape of DNA. Thus, when next time it goes for DNA replication, a wrong base may be incorporated at the thymine dimer position on the strand being synthesised. This would constitute a site of mutation and when it involves a protein that plays a role in cell survival, it will be lethal. Hence exposing the air to ultraviolet electromagnetic radiation disinfects the airstream from any microorganisms/pathogens present in the same. Apart from the main motive of disinfection of air, this method has additional benefits like reduction of odour from air due to exposure to UV radiation. Since, UV light interacts with water molecules in the air to produce free radicals (O- and -OH), these free radicals go on to oxidise the complex molecules found in the air and as an outcome, the end result is a sequential and instantaneous gas breakdown, which eliminates the air from odour causing molecules. Hence, this method is also effective in increasing the ambience of the surrounding. Also, UV light protects the exposed AC parts from mold formation by eliminating the mold forming microorganisms.

Figure 6b illustrates a moisture amplification device (1 a) consisting of an ultrasonic transducer (3a), water (2a), air inlet (4a), fan (12a), power supply (8a), water inlet (9a), water storage area (10a), and moisturised air outlet (1 1 a).

The moisture amplification device (1 a) has been designed to produce intensely moisturized air. The water (2a) from the water storage area (10a) is converted into minute (water) particles (5a) by the ultrasonic transducer (3a) which oscillates at ultrasonic frequency (greater than 20,000 hertz) and hence this forms an extremely fine mist of water which quickly evaporates with air flow, hence producing intensely moisturized air (7a) to feed into the system. Further, this intensely moisturized air (7a) is circulated with the help of a fan (12a) and is mixed with air coming from air inlet (4a) which leads to an output of intensely moisturized air (7a) via a moisturized air outlet (1 1 a). The water inlet (9a) provides consistent input of water (2a) into the device. The presence of fan (12a) allows fast mixing of air from air inlet (4a) and fine mist of water to produce intensely moisturized air (7a), thereby, further increasing the effectiveness of the UV based disinfecting mechanism. In one embodiment, the moisture amplification device (1 a) may be without the fan (12a). In absence of the fan (12a), the fine mist of water gets mixed with the air coming from air inlet (4a) and is naturally driven out through the moisturized air outlet (1 1 a). The absence of fan (12a) in the moisture amplification device (1 a) significantly reduces the size of the moisture amplification device (1 ), thereby, making the moisture amplification device ii (1 a) easily adaptable to any application where ultraviolet or ionization based disinfecting mechanism is used.

This intensely moisturised air (7a) from the moisture amplification device (1 a) is then further circulated with the air stream of the system and when exposed to UV radiation, the water molecules present in the airstream are broken down by the effect of UV radiation to produce hydrogen and hydroxide ions.

These free radicals are highly unstable and react with pathogens and render them inactive. This device can be used additionally to increase the efficiency of the system. Similar methods to increase moisture in air can be applied such as evaporation based amplification device which shall pass air through a wet membrane to increase moisture content and consequently increase the efficiency. Further, when used in air conditioning systems, the water input can also be provided by the condensed water which is usually drained out.

In brief, the moisture amplification device (1 a) consisting of the water inlet (9a) and the ultrasonic transducer (3a) to create an output of intensely moisturized air configured to provide the intensely moisturized air to the system for disinfection of air flow/airstream.

UV Light

The moisture amplification device (1 a) consists of the ultrasonic transducer (3a) to form an extremely fine mist of water to increase moisture content in air.

The moisture amplification device (1 a) consists of a porous membrane or wick instead of the ultrasonic transducer (3a) to evaporate water into the airstream.

The moisture amplification device (1 a) consists of the fan (12a) to induce air circulation to allow mixing of the air and the fine mist of water.

The moisture amplification device (1 a) consists of the water storage area (10a). The moisture amplification device (1a) consists of the water inlet (9a) to provide water input.

The moisture amplification device (1 a) consists of the air inlet (4a) to provide air input.

Figure 7 visualises a UV source device (52) (53) (54) (55) (56) (57) (58) (59) (60) (61 ) placed in the AC system (9) in an automobile.

In an automobile AC system (9), the air flows chronologically through outdoor air inlet (10) and recirculation inlet (1 1 ), air filters (15), blower (16), evaporator coil (19), heater (20), ducts (21 ) and then is released in the vehicle cabin. The UV source device is placed or arranged internally with the AC system (9) such that the airstream (air flowing through the AC system) is exposed to the UV radiation. Hence, a few exemplary placements have been visualised in Figure 7 such as the UV source device (52) (also, referred as a first device) near the outdoor air inlet (10), the UV source device (53) (also, referred as a second device) near the recirculation inlet (1 1 ), the UV source device (54) (also, referred as a third device) near the air filters (15), the UV source device (55) (also, referred as a fourth device) near the blower (16), the UV source device (56) (also, referred as a fifth device) near the evaporator coil (19), the UV source device (57) (also, referred as a sixth device) near the heater (20), the UV source device (58) (also, referred as a seventh device), the UV source device (59) (also, referred as an eighth device), the UV source device (60) (also, referred as a ninth device), and the UV source device (61 ) (also, referred as a tenth device) in the air distribution ducts (21 ).

Furthermore, Figure 7 visualises a moisture amplification device (1 a) installed to provide intensely moisturised air (7a) into the automobile AC system (9). The moisture amplification device (1 a) is installed in the automobile AC system (9) such that it provides an output of intensely moisturized air (7a) and the UV source device (54) is installed to irradiate the airstream with UV light and the air is circulated with the help of a blower (16). The intensely moisturized air (7a) from the moisture amplification device (1 a) is circulated with the air stream of the system and when exposed to UV radiation, the water molecules present in the airstream are broken down by the effect of UV radiation to produce hydrogen and hydroxide ions. Since the number of free radicals produced is directly proportional to moisture content in air, this disclosure further enhances the efficiency of the system.

Figure 8 visualises a UV source device (62) (63) (64) (65) (66) (67) (68) (69) placed in the AC system (22) in a train.

In AC system (22) of a train, the air flows chronologically through outdoor air inlet (23) (32), recirculation inlet (24) (31 ), air filters (26) (33), evaporator coil (27) and/or heater (34) and then is released in the vehicle cabin through ducts. The UV source device is placed or arranged internally with the AC system (22) such that the airstream (air flowing through the AC system) is exposed to the UV radiation. Hence, a few exemplary placements have been visualised in Figure 8 such as the UV source device (62) (also, referred as an eleventh device) near the air inlet (23) (24), the UV source device (63) (also, referred as a twelfth device), the UV source device (64) (also, referred as a thirteenth device) in the air circulation ducts, the UV source device (65) (also, referred as a fourteenth device) near the air inlet (31 ) (32), the UV source device (66) (also, referred as a fifteenth device) near the heater (34) and the UV source device (67) (also, referred as a sixteenth device), the UV source device (68) (also, referred as a seventeenth device) and the UV source device (69) (also, referred as a eighteenth device) in the air circulation ducts.

Furthermore, Figure 8 visualises a moisture amplification device (1 a) installed to provide intensely moisturised air (7a) into the AC system (22) of a train. The moisture amplification device (1 a) is installed in the AC system (22) of a train such that it provides an output of intensely moisturized air (7a) and the UV source device (62) is installed to irradiate the airstream with UV light. The intensely moisturized air (7a) from the moisture amplification device (1 a) is circulated with the air stream of the system and when exposed to UV radiation, the water molecules present in the airstream are broken down by the effect of UV radiation to produce hydrogen and hydroxide ions. Since the number of free radicals produced is directly proportional to moisture content in air, this disclosure further enhances the efficiency of the system.

Figure 9 visualises a UV source device (70) (71 ) (72) (73) (74) (75) (76) (77) placed in the AC system (37) in an aircraft.

In an aircraft AC system (37), the air flows chronologically through outdoor air inlet (38) and recirculation inlet (39), air filters (45), air conditioner (41 ) and is released in the cabin through ducts, the air further flows from the cabin to the underfloor area and is discharged from the discharge outlets (44). The UV source device is placed or arranged internally with the AC system (37) such that the airstream (air flowing through the AC system) is exposed to the UV radiation. Hence, a few exemplary placements have been visualised in Figure 9 such as the UV source device (70) (also, referred as a nineteenth device), and the UV source device (71 ) (also, referred as a twentieth device) near the air inlets (38) (39), the UV source device (72) (also, referred as a twenty first device), and the UV source device (73) (also, referred as a twenty second device) near the HEPA filters (45), the UV source device (74) (also, referred as a twenty third device), the UV source device (75) (also, referred as a twenty fourth device), the UV source device (76) (also, referred as a twenty fifth device), and the UV source device (77) (also, referred as a twenty sixth device) in the air circulation ducts.

Furthermore, Figure 9 visualises a moisture amplification device (1 a) installed to provide intensely moisturised air (7a) into the aircraft AC system (37). The moisture amplification device (1 a) is installed in the aircraft AC system (37) such that it provides an output of intensely moisturized air (7a) and the UV source device (74) is installed to irradiate the airstream with UV light. The intensely moisturized air (7a) from the moisture amplification device (1 a) is circulated with the air stream of the system and when exposed to UV radiation, the water molecules present in the airstream are broken down by the effect of UV radiation to produce hydrogen and hydroxide ions. Since the number of free radicals produced is directly proportional to moisture content in air, this disclosure further enhances the efficiency of the system.

In all the above mentioned systems, the airstream already flows through the system and hence no special change/amendment is required to be done on the system for this disclosure to work. The main motive of this disclosure is to place a UV source device inside an AC system such that the airstream flowing through the AC system is exposed to UV radiation. Hence, the airstream will be disinfected from pathogens with the effect of UV light. For a better understanding of the same, Figure 10 illustrates a brief flowchart of the working method of this disclosure. Also, since the UV source device is placed inside the AC system, it eliminates the risk of unnecessary leakage/escape of UV rays which could lead to unnecessary exposure to nearby people and surroundings.

Additionally, photocatalyst materials such as titanium dioxide, strontium titanate, etc. can also be installed along with the UV source device in the system in order to enhance the performance of the device by initiating the process of photocatalysis, which excites the UV light rays inbound on the photocatalyst material, which consequently increases the amount of free radicals and hence increases the efficiency of the system.

Additionally, the interior portion of the system can be covered/coated with reflective materials such that the UV light inbound to such surfaces is reflected, which would increase the intensity of the UV light within the system and hence increase the efficiency of the system.

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, a method of disinfecting air flowing through AC system comprises the steps of : Installation of UV source device in the vehicle such that the UV source device provides exposure of air to UV light while the air circulates through the AC system. The air hence gets disinfected from microorganisms/pathogens by the effect of UV light. If the specification states a component or feature “may”, “can”, “could”, or “might” be included or have a characteristic, that particular component or feature is not compulsorily required to be included or have the characteristic.

Exemplary embodiments have been described more fully herein with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which exemplary embodiments are shown. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be limited to the embodiments set forth herein. These embodiments have been provided in order to make this disclosure thorough and complete in order to fully convey the scope of the invention to those of ordinary skill in the art. Moreover, all statements herein reciting embodiments of the invention, as well as specific examples thereof, are intended to encompass both structural and functional equivalents thereof. Additionally, it is intended that such equivalents include both currently known equivalents as well as equivalents developed in the future (i.e., any elements developed that perform the same function, regardless of structure/size).

Each of the appended claims defines a separate invention, which for infringement purposes is recognised as including equivalents to the various elements or limitations specified in the claims. Depending on the context, all references below to the "invention" may in some cases refer to certain specific embodiments only. In other cases it will be recognised that references to the "invention" will refer to subject matter recited in one or more, but not necessarily all, of the claims.

Various terms as used herein are shown below. To the extent a term used in a claim is not defined, it should be given the broadest definition that persons in the pertinent art have given that term as reflected in printed publications and issued patents at the time of filing.

While the foregoing describes various embodiments of the invention, other and further embodiments of the invention may be devised without departing from the basic scope thereof. The scope of the invention is determined by the claims that follow. The invention is not limited to the described embodiments, versions or examples, which are included to enable a person having ordinary skill in the art to make and use the invention when combined with information and knowledge available to the person having ordinary skill in the art.

Claims

The claims:

1. A system for disinfecting air comprising: an air conditioning and air circulation systems (AC system) in/of a vehicle; and at least one ultraviolet (UV) source device arranged internally with the AC system in the vehicle to irradiate air flowing through the AC system with UV light.

2. The system for disinfecting air as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the at least one UV source device comprises Light-Emitting Diode (LED), Quartz lamp, low pressure mercury lamp, Excimer lamp, and Pulsed Xenon lamp.

3. The system for disinfecting air as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the at least one UV source device generates an electromagnetic radiation with wavelength between 100 and 400nm.

4. The system for disinfecting air as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the AC unit is one of an air conditioner, and an air cooler.

5. The system for disinfecting air as claimed in claim 1 , wherein a photocatalyst material is arranged along with the at least one UV source device to initiate a process of photocatalysis for exciting the UV light inbound on the photocatalyst materials.

6. The system for disinfecting air as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the portions of the AC unit and/or vehicle exposed to the UV light are coated with reflective material to reflect the UV light.

7. The system for disinfecting air as claimed in claim 1 , further comprising a moisture amplification device arranged with the AC unit to increase moisture content in the air flowing through the AC unit.

8. The system for disinfecting air as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the at least one UV source device disinfects the air and removes odour from the air flowing through the AC unit by breaking down the odour causing molecules.

9. The system for disinfecting air as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the at least one UV source device disinfects the air and protects the exposed parts of the AC unit from mold formation by eliminating the mold forming microorganisms.

10. The system for disinfecting air as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the at least one UV source device is powered by a separate power source or by a power source of the AC unit.