WO2023215164A1

WO2023215164A1 - System and method of sanitizing and filtering air

Info

Publication number: WO2023215164A1
Application number: PCT/US2023/020127
Authority: WO
Inventors: Todd Wilson; Janet WILSON
Original assignee: Wilson Innovations & Consulting, Llc
Priority date: 2022-05-05
Filing date: 2023-04-27
Publication date: 2023-11-09

Abstract

An air filter for use in filtering a column of air travelling therethrough has a frame. A filter medium is disposed in, and supported by, the frame for removing particulates from an airstream travelling through the filter medium. The frame having an upstream side and a downstream side. A UV light is disposed on the downstream side of the frame and emits a UV light in a direction away from the filter medium. The UV light may also be disposed on the upstream side of the frame and the UV light may also be directed inward toward the filter media.

Description

SYSTEM AND METHOD OF SANITIZING AND FILTERING AIR

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention is directed to a structure for holding, sanitizing, and filtering air as it passes through a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system, and more particularly, a structure for reducing the effect of viruses, fungi, and bacteria exiting an HVAC system and into the indoor environment.

[0002] In conventional HVAC systems air is brought in from an outside environment and is dispersed into an environment under pressure through ducts. Air is capable of carrying particles that can immediately or eventually damage or irritate anything with which the particles come into contact including components of machines or devices along with the lungs of breathing organisms. It is known to provide filters along the air pathway acting as a sieve to remove these particles while allowing the filtered air to move through the ducts.

[0003] Air is also capable of carrying viruses, fungi, and bacteria. Viruses, fungi, and bacteria, in particular can cause many illnesses within breathing organisms. They are also much smaller in size than the dust particles and dirt that HVAC systems are designed to filter.

[0004] Ultraviolet light has been utilized for many years (starting in 1892) for disinfection purposes. Ultraviolet light within the "C" band wavelength range (200-280nm) (“UVC”) has been able to reduce the transmission of many viruses, fungi, as well as bacteria. UVC light damages the DNA/RNA of microorganisms (virus, bacteria, fungi) to the point where they cannot replicate. This causes the microorganisms to die and become incapable of spreading amongst breathing organisms.

[0005] Devices that move air or are exposed to moving air often rely on filters to remove particulate matter from the air. However, the majority of viruses, fungi, and bacteria pass through conventional filters into the environment. Therefore, while the prior art filters are satisfactory, there is a need to reduce the effect of microorganisms from a column of air passing thorough an HVAC system while removing particulates from the column of air during a single passage through a filter.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] An air filter has a frame. A filter medium is disposed in, and supported by, the frame for removing particulates from an airstream travelling through the filter medium. The frame having an upstream side and a downstream side. AUV light is disposed on at least one of the downstream or upstream side of the frame and emits a UV light in a direction away or toward the filter medium respectively.

[0007] In one embodiment, the ultraviolet light is an ultraviolet "C" band light associated with the filter medium.

[0008] In another embodiment of the invention, the UVC light is associated with at least one portion of the filter medium.

[0009] In a further embodiment, the UVC light is distributed across the filter medium.

[0010] In an embodiment, the amount of UVC light associated with the filter medium is based on the surface area of the filter medium exposed to the column of air.

[0011] In a further embodiment, a method of reducing the number of particles and the effect of microorganisms in a column of air is provided comprising of a device having a UVC light associated with a filter medium and passing the column of air through the device.

[0012] In an embodiment, the method includes distributing the UVC Light throughout the filter medium.

[0013] Additional features and advantages of the present invention are described in, and will be apparent from, the following Detailed Description of the Invention and the figures BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] The features and advantages of the present invention will become more readily apparent from the following detailed description of the invention in which like elements are labeled similarly and in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of an HVAC system incorporating the air filter of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the downstream side of an air filter constructed in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the upstream side of an air filter constructed in accordance with the invention; and

FIG. 4 is a plan view of the downstream side of an air filter constructed in accordance with a second embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0015] The present invention relates to a system and method of filtering particulates from, and reducing the effectiveness of microorganisms in, a gas or mixture of gases such as air. In particular the present invention is directed to a UVC light source associated with a filter. While most easily explained with respect to an HVAC system, the filter may be employed in any system, apparatus or product that moves, conducts, or is exposed to a travelling column of gases. The present invention is further directed to a method of using the filter-to-filter particles and destroy microorganisms disposed in a gas or mixture of gases such as air.

[0016] As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, one embodiment of the present invention includes a filter. The filter includes a filter medium, respectively. In one embodiment, the filter medium is supported by a filter medium support structure. A UVC light source is associated with the filter medium.

[0017] As seen in FIG.1, an HVAC system 10, in this preferred nonlimiting embodiment, an air conditioning unit, is disposed above a floor 16 on a stand 14 Stand 14 provides spacing to enable airflow in the direction of arrows A, B into HVAC unit 10. HVAC unit 10 includes a cooling coil 12. A filter 21 is disposed between stand 14 and cooling coil 12. Air flowing in the direction of arrows B is drawn under pressure into the downstream side of filter 21 and exits in the direction of arrows C from the upstream side of filter 21. The airstream passes over cooling coil 12 and exits the HVAC system 10 through a duct 18.

[0018] Reference is now made to FIG. 2 in which the downstream side of filter 20 constructed in accordance with the invention is shown. Filter 21 includes a frame 20 having a perimeter 28 and a first set of two or more supports 32 extending across perimeter 28 at spaced intervals. A second set of supports 34 extends across perimeter 28 at spaced intervals, each second set of supports 34 intersecting a respective support 32 at a substantially right angle to provide a lattice or similar structure. A filter material 40, substantially coextensive with frame 20, is supported by frame 20 and removes particulates from air streams travelling from the upstream side of filter 21 to the downstream side of filter 21; though filter medium 40.

[0019] An ultraviolet light 22 is disposed on the downstream side of filter 21. In an alternative embodiment the ultraviolet light may also be installed on the upstream side of filter 21. Ultraviolet light 22, in a nonlimiting preferred embodiment, is formed as a strip 24 with a plurality of lights/bulbs 22A-22N disposed along strip 24. In the preferred embodiment strip 24 forms a diagonal across frame 20 (See Fig. 2). Ultraviolet light 22 is a “C” band light, emitting light in a wavelength which kills microorganisms such as bacteria, fungi, and viruses.

Ultraviolet light 22 is oriented relative to frame 20 and the path of airflow so that the bulbs 22A- 22N face away from frame 20. Again, it is within the scope of the invention for bulbs 22A-22N to also face toward the filter media. In this way the light beams emitted by bulbs 22A-22N widen over distance to substantially correspond to the area of the filter 21 at a predetermined distance from the filter 21 to kill microorganisms in the air flow across the area of the air flow as it exits from the downstream side, or enters form the upstream side of filter 21.

[0020] As seen in Fig. 1, ultraviolet light 22, in a nonlimiting alternative embodiment, is formed as a strip 24 positioned at one edge of a filter 21 to project light across a surface of filter 21 with a plurality of lights/bulbs 22A-22N Additionally, an anti-light diffusion device 42 can be placed over the UVC light source to limit the light diffusion to just the air flowing through the filter.

[0021] Ultraviolet light 22 requires power which can be provided by batteries, solar, or another electrical power source, not shown, supported in light 22 or by frame 20, or in a preferred nonlimiting embodiment by another power source (AC, solar, low voltage, etc.), not shown, coupled to light 22 by wire 52. Wire 52 is disposed within the frame and extends therefrom so as not to interfere with the operation of filter 21, or prevent insertion of filter 21 into the environment in which it will be used.

[0022] To conserve power or prolong bulb life, a switch 50, mounted to frame 20 controls operation of light 22; turning light 22 off when not needed (when air is not flowing). In a preferred non-limiting embodiment, switch 50 is mounted coplanar with frame 20, disposed within frame 20, to accommodate any HVAC filter receiving structure form factor. Alternatively switch 50 may be mounted on the upstream side of frame 20 or the downstream side of frame 20. In each embodiment, switch 50 is triggered by air flow through filter 10; turning light 22 on, when air flow is sensed, and turning light 22 off when air flow stops. Other contemplated embodiments may operatively couple airflow switch 50 to a thermostat (not shown) by way of example, turning light 22 on when HVAC system 10 is turned on, and turning light 22 off when HVAC system 10 deenergizes. It is within the scope of the invention for airflow switch to be omitted, and light shall be energized continuously.

[0023] While light 22 must be oriented to effectively emit a sufficiently wide beam of light onto the air stream passing through filter 21, if light 22 is mounted on frame 20 it can interfere with airflow as it exits filter 21. To minimize this interference, light 22 may be limited to a designated sub section of filter 21 to reduce interference.

[0024] Reference is now made to FIG. 4 in which a filter 121 generally constructed in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the of the invention is provided. Like numerals are provided to indicate like structure, the primary difference being the configuration and placement of an ultraviolet “C” light 122. Light 122 is sized and positioned to be limited to a corner of frame 20 as opposed to extending across an entire dimension (height, length, or diagonal) of frame 20. However Light 122 having a single, larger bulb 124 is also oriented to face downstream, and emits a light beam away from filter 121, which expands to substantially correspond to the area of filter 121 at a predetermined distance from filter 121. Larger bulb 124 may be installed so its light beam is directed toward the filter, either on the upstream or downstream side of the filter. Again, an anti-light diffusion device 42 can be placed over the UVC light source to limit the light diffusion to just the air flowing through the filter.

[0025] The filter medium can include any suitable material used in an air or gas filter such as HEPA air filters, HVAC filters, ULPA filters, electrostatic filters, and any other air or gas filter.

[0026] In one embodiment, the filter medium comprises at least one material structured or arranged such that a gas or mixture of gases, such as air, can flow through the filter medium at a desirable rate. To this end, the filter may comprise a porous material and/or a material including and/or defining at least one pore through which a gas can pass.

[0027] The material of the filter medium may include natural or synthetic materials. The filter medium may include materials made of organic or inorganic compounds, including polymers, mixtures, and combinations thereof.

[0028] In one embodiment, the material of the filter medium is in the form of a fiber or is fibrous. In one embodiment, the material of the filter medium can include natural fibers such as cotton or synthetic fibers such as nylon or fiberglass, for example.

[0029] The material of the filter medium may be arranged in any suitable array that enables sufficient removal of particulate matter from the air while accommodating the conduction of a gas through the filter medium at a desirable rate.

[0030] In one embodiment, the filter medium includes fibers interwoven or intertwined in a systematic fashion to form a porous material. Alternatively, the filter medium includes fibers interwoven or intertwined in a random fashion to form a porous material. Depending on how tightly the fibers are woven together, the porous material of the filter medium may be in the form of a screen, mesh, gauze, cloth, paper, or membrane-like material.

[0031] The filter medium is arrayed or structured to selectively remove certain particles from the air based on the size of the particle. To this end, the pore size of the filter medium is determined based on the size of the particle to be removed from the air conducted through the filter. The size of the particle removed from the air can occur in the range of about 0.1 .microns to about 10.0 mm. In addition, pore size of the filter medium is determined based on the desired flow characteristics through the filter medium. It should be appreciated, however, that pore size may not be uniform for all pores of the filter medium.

[0032] The filter medium may form any suitable two-dimensional planar shape such as a two- sided layer. The filter medium may include multiple sheets of the porous material layered together or structured to assume a more three-dimensional shape such as a block, cylinder, tube, honeycomb structure or any other suitable shape for the conduction of air through the filter. Accordingly, the filter medium includes an external surface and at least one internal surface.

[0033] As discussed above, in one embodiment, the filter medium 40 is supported by a filter medium support structure; frame 20. The filter medium support structure provided by frame 20 is constructed with sufficient strength and/or resilience to accommodate a tolerable range of movement of the filter medium 40 in response to a pressure placed on the surface of the filter medium 40 by a column of air. In FIGS. 1 and 2, for example the filter medium 40 is supported about the perimeter of the filter medium 40 by a substantially rigid rectangular frame 20, respectively. In one embodiment, portions other than the perimeter of the filter medium 40 may be supported or reinforced. For example, in one embodiment (not shown), a supportive mesh having a greater rigidity than the filter medium 40 can be incorporated into or associated with the filter medium 40. In one embodiment, the filter medium support structure forms a framework or matrix with which the filter medium 40 is disposed. [0034] The present invention may include any type of Ultraviolet Light source with a wavelength in the "C" band range. The UVC Light source can be produced by several different bulbs or LED's.

[0035] The UVC Light source in the physical form can be produced by a single bulb or several bulbs. The bulbs can be fluorescent or any other bulbs that can produce UVC light. The light source can also be LED generated. Either by a single LED light or several smaller LEDs.

[0036] Additionally, a biocide, such as antifungal or anti-mold material, may be included with or adjacent to the UVC light source material. Other air purifying or conditioning materials may be used.

[0037] Additionally, an anti-light diffusion device may be placed over the UVC light source to limit the light diffusion to just the air within the filter 42.

[0038] In one embodiment, a UVC Light Source is associated with the filter medium. The UVC Light Source may be distributed in a ubiquitous fashion throughout the filter as illustrated in FIG. 2 or segregated to at least one portion of the filter and/or compartmentalized as shown in FIG. 4. As illustrated in FIGs. 2, 4, the UVC Light Source of at least two of the embodiments of the present invention is segregated to at least one defined portion of the filter medium. The defined portion of the filter medium may be a percentage of the surface area or surface volume of the filter or filter medium.

[0039] One embodiment of the present invention includes multiple UVC LED lights. The UVC LED Lights are distributed across the downstream or upstream side of the filter in a diagonal pattern.

[0040] In one embodiment, several LED UVC lights are distributed on the backside of the filter.

The UVC LED lights may also be distributed on the frontside of the filter. Or an alternate configuration could be one large UVC LED light source. [0041 ] Tn one embodiment, the UVC light Source is controlled through the use of an air flow sensing switch. This switch activates the UVC light source only when air flow is present through the filter. In another embodiment the UVC light energized continuously.

[0042] In one embodiment, the air flow sensing switch can be any type of switch that disengages power when no airflow is present. Common air flow switching devices are sail switches as well as differential pressure switches.

[0043] In one embodiment, the power source for the UVC light source can either be a battery of some type (rechargeable or not) or from another power source(l 15v AC, solar, low voltage, etc ).

[0044] The UVC Light Source may be associated with the filter medium of the present invention in a variety of ways. In one embodiment, the UVC light source is attached to the backside or frontside of the filter frame. Several small LED UVC lights are diagonally attached. In another embodiment, a single LED UVC light is attached to one of the backside and frontside of the filter frame.

[0045] The filter of the present invention may be a filter containing a UVC Light source capable of being re-charged or, alternatively, the UVC light source filter can be replaced when the filter is no longer effective.

[0046] An embodiment of the present invention includes a method and structure for reducing the number of microorganisms in a gas or mixture of gases such as air. The method includes providing a UVC Light Source device having at least one light source associated with a filter medium of the device. A column of air is passed through the microorganism filtering device to destroy viruses, bacteria, fungi in the column of air while reducing the amount of particulate matter carried in the air.

[0047] It will thus be seen that the objects set forth above, among those made apparent from the preceding description, are efficiently attained and, since certain changes may be made in carrying out the above method and in the construction set forth without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description and shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

[0048] It is also to be understood that the following claims are intended to cover all of the generic and specific features of the invention herein described, and all statements of the scope of the invention which, as a matter of language, might be said to fall there between.

Claims

CLAIMS What is claimed is:

1. An air filter comprising: a frame; a filter medium is disposed in, and supported by, the frame for removing particulates from an airstream travelling through the filter medium; the frame having an upstream side and a downstream side; and a UV light disposed on one of the downstream side of the frame and the upstream side of the frame; the UV light emitting a UV light in one of a direction away from the filter medium and towards the filter medium when disposed downstream of the filter and one of away from the filter medium and towards the filter when the light is disposed upstream of the frame.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the UV light emits light in the C band.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein the UV light is disposed on only one portion of the filter medium.

4. The device of claim 2, wherein the UV light emits a beam of light which is substantially equally distributed across an air column exiting the filter at a predetermined distance from the filter medium.

5. The device of claim 1, further comprising an anti -light diffusion device placed across the UV light source.

6. A method of reducing the number of particles and the number of viruses, fungi, and bacteria in a column of air comprising the steps of: providing a device having a frame, a filter medium disposed in, and supported by, the frame for removing particulates from an airstream travelling through the filter medium; the frame having an upstream side and a downstream side; and a UV light disposed on at least one of the downstream side of the frame and/or the upstream side of the frame; the UV light emitting a UV light in a direction of one of away or a direction toward the filter medium when disposed on the downstream side of the frame and in a direction of one of a direction away or a direction toward the filter medium when disposed in the upstream side of the frame; and passing the airstream through the device.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein an anti-light diffusion device is placed over the UV light source.

8. The method of claim 5, further comprising the step of segregating the UV light to at least one portion of the filter medium.

9. The method of claim 5, wherein the UV light emits light in a “C” band frequency associated with germicidal, fungicidal, viricidal elimination.