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US 10,852,638 B2Granted
Systems and methods for operating a light system
AssigneeThe Boeing Company
InventorMelanie L. Kimsey-Lin
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
In an example, a method of operating an ultraviolet (UV) light source includes providing a supply power to the UV light source, and activating, using the supply power, the UV light source to emit UV light during a series of activation cycles. The method also includes, during at least one activation cycle in the series, sensing the UV light emitted by the UV light source to measure an optical parameter of the UV light. The optical parameter is related to an antimicrobial efficacy of the UV light. The method further includes adjusting, based on the measured optical parameter, an electrical parameter of the supply power to maintain a target antimicrobial efficacy of the UV light over the series of activation cycles.
Claims20
A method of operating an ultraviolet (UV) light source, comprising:
- providing a supply power to the UV light source;
- activating, using the supply power, the UV light source to emit UV light during a series of activation cycles;
- during at least one activation cycle in the series, sensing the UV light emitted by the UV light source to measure an irradiance of the UV light, wherein the irradiance is related to an antimicrobial efficacy of the UV light;
- performing a comparison, using the irradiance measured during the at least one activation cycle, of the antimicrobial efficacy of the UV light to a target level of antimicrobial efficacy to be maintained;
- and
- maintaining a target antimicrobial efficacy of the UV light over the series of activation cycles by controlling, based on the comparison, an intensity of the UV light source,
- wherein controlling the intensity of the UV light source comprises adjusting, based on the measured irradiance, an electrical parameter of the supply power to maintain the target antimicrobial efficacy of the UV light over the series of activation cycles, and
- wherein, for a given value of the electrical parameter, the intensity of the UV light emitted by the UV light source depreciates over the series of activation cycles.
5 more elements
A light control system, comprising:
- a power converter configured to convert an input power received from a power source to a supply power, wherein the supply power has an electrical parameter that is adjustable by the power converter;
- an ultraviolet (UV) light source configured to receive the supply power and emit UV light during a series of activation cycles, wherein an intensity of the UV light emitted by the UV light source is based, at least in part, on the electrical parameter of the supply power;
- a light sensor configured to measure an irradiance of the UV light emitted by the UV light source, wherein the irradiance is related to an antimicrobial efficacy of the UV light;
- and
- a control device communicatively coupled to the power converter and the light sensor, wherein the control device is configured to maintain a target antimicrobial efficacy of the UV light over the series of activation cycles by iteratively performing a plurality of acts comprising:
- receiving, from the light sensor, a sensor signal indicating the irradiance measured by the light sensor,
- performing a comparison of the irradiance indicated by the sensor signal to a target optical parameter, wherein the target optical parameter is related to the target antimicrobial efficacy, and
- based on the comparison, providing a feedback signal to the power converter to cause the power converter to adjust the electrical parameter of the supply power for a next activation cycle in the series.
5 more elements
A method of operating a ultraviolet (UV) light source, comprising:
- receiving an input power from a power source;
- and
- performing, using the input power and the UV light source, a series of activation cycles to disinfect an environment, wherein each activation cycle comprises:
- converting the input power to a supply power, wherein an electrical parameter of the supply power is adjustable, wherein the electrical parameter has a baseline value for an initial activation cycle in the series,
- activating, using the supply power, the UV light source to emit UV light,
- sensing the UV light emitted by the UV light source to measure an irradiance of the UV light, wherein the irradiance is related to an antimicrobial efficacy of the UV light,
- comparing the measured irradiance to a target optical parameter, wherein the target optical parameter is related to a target antimicrobial efficacy of the UV light,
- deciding, based on the comparing, whether to adjust the electrical parameter for a next activation cycle in the series or maintain the electrical parameter for the next activation cycle,
- if the decision is to adjust the electrical parameter, then adjusting the electrical parameter for the next activation cycle to adjust the antimicrobial efficacy of the UV light for the next activation cycle, and
- if the decision is to maintain the electrical parameter, then maintaining the electrical parameter for the next activation cycle,
- wherein, for at least one activation cycle in the series, the decision is to adjust the electrical parameter, and
- wherein, for a given value of the electrical parameter, an intensity of the UV light emitted by the UV light source depreciates over the series of activation cycles.
9 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.