Air sterilization and disinfection apparatus and method

摘要

An apparatus (100 and/or 200) and corresponding method (500) for air sterilization and disinfection can include an electronics and control module (110 and/or 210), a means for drawing air from the surrounding environment into the apparatus (120 and/or 220), an air management chamber (130 and/or 230), and a housing (170 and/or 270). The means for drawing air from the surrounding environment into the apparatus (120 and/or 220) mobilizes latent pathogens in the environment and draws them into the apparatus (100 and/or 200) for sterilization and disinfection. The air management chamber (130 and/or 230) provides for exposure of the airborne pathogens to UV radiation, via UV LEDs (150 and/or 250), with a dosage sufficient to penetrate the cell walls and destroy the pathogens. The electronics and control module (110 and/or 210) powers the apparatus (100 and/or 200) and interfaces with the electronic components. The housing (170) forms the outer shell of the apparatus (100).

主权项

1. An apparatus for sterilizing and disinfecting air, the apparatus comprising:
an air management chamber that creates a turbulent flow such that airborne pathogens are exposed to a dosage of UV radiation sufficient to penetrate and kill the pathogens, comprising: an inlet; an outlet; and one or more reaction tubes; a means for creating a convective air exchange in a room to mobilize latent pathogens and directing the convective air exchange into the inlet of the air management chamber; a sensor means for monitoring the irradiance level in each reaction tube; a high efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter located at the outlet of the air management chamber; a filter impregnated with silver ions and citric acid located at the outlet of the air management chamber; an electronics and control module located outside of the airflow path; an externally visible indicator means to tell the user that the apparatus is working; and an external housing that surrounds the apparatus.