Predicting spherical irradiance for volume disinfection
OwnerIan Edward Ashdowninventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Given the complexity of architectural spaces and the need to calculate spherical irradiances, it is difficult to determine how much ultraviolet radiation is necessary to adequately kill airborne pathogens. An interior environment with luminaires is modeled. Spherical irradiance meters are positioned in the model and the direct and indirect spherical irradiance is calculated for each sensor. From this, an irradiance field is interpolated for a volume of interest, and using known fluence response values for killing pathogens, a reduction in the pathogens is predicted. Based on the predicted reduction, spaces are built accordingly, and ultraviolet luminaires are installed and controlled.
Claims20
A method for reducing pathogens in an interior environment, the method comprising the steps of:
- positioning, by a processor, spherical irradiance meters in a model of the interior environment;
- calculating, by the processor, for each spherical irradiance meter, a total spherical irradiance;
- interpolating, by the processor, the total spherical irradiances to result in a three-dimensional spherical irradiance field;
- calculating, by the processor, using the three-dimensional spherical irradiance field and a fluence response value of a pathogen, a predicted reduction in the pathogen in the interior environment;
- and
- controlling at least one ultraviolet luminaire in the interior environment to provide the predicted reduction.
A method for predicting spherical irradiance for disinfecting an interior environment, the method comprising the steps of:
- positioning, by a processor, spherical irradiance meters in a model of the interior environment;
- calculating, by the processor, for each spherical irradiance meter, a total spherical irradiance;
- interpolating, by the processor, the total spherical irradiances to result in a three-dimensional spherical irradiance field;
- calculating, by the processor, using the three-dimensional spherical irradiance field and a fluence response value of a pathogen, a predicted reduction in the pathogen in the interior environment;
- mounting an irradiation sensor in an ultraviolet luminaire in the interior environment;
- periodically measuring, using the irradiation sensor, a radiant flux output of the ultraviolet luminaire;
- using the radiant flux output and the model to recalculate the three-dimensional spherical irradiance field;
- and
- comparing the recalculated three-dimensional spherical irradiance field or a recalculated predicted reduction in the pathogen to a threshold that results in an alarm being triggered if met.
A system for reducing pathogens in an interior environment, the system comprising:
- a processor;
- a non-transient computer-readable memory storing instructions, which, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to:
- position spherical irradiance meters in a model of the interior environment;
- calculate, for each spherical irradiance meter, a total spherical irradiance;
- interpolate the total spherical irradiances to result in a three-dimensional spherical irradiance field;
- and
- calculate, using the three-dimensional spherical irradiance field and a fluence response value of a pathogen, a predicted reduction in the pathogen in the interior environment;
- and
- one or more ultraviolet luminaires that provide the predicted reduction in the interior environment.
A system for predicting spherical irradiance for disinfecting an interior environment, the system comprising:
- a processor;
- a non-transient computer-readable memory storing instructions, which, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to:
- position spherical irradiance meters in a model of the interior environment;
- calculate, for each spherical irradiance meter, a total spherical irradiance;
- interpolate the total spherical irradiances to result in a three-dimensional spherical irradiance field;
- and
- calculate, using the three-dimensional spherical irradiance field and a fluence response value of a pathogen, a predicted reduction in the pathogen in the interior environment;
- and
- a controller which is connected to the processor and controls one or more ultraviolet luminaires in the interior environment to provide the predicted reduction.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.