Ultraviolet light-emitting module and disinfecting system
AssigneeThe Boeing Company
InventorsJamie J. Childress, Arthur E. Brockschmidt, Jr.
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Modules, systems and methods that disinfect surfaces using ultraviolet (UV) light are disclosed. In one aspect, a UV light-emitting module comprises an enclosure comprising a rear wall and a face plate spaced from the rear wall and comprising a light-transmitting aperture. At least one sidewall extends between the rear wall and the face plate, and at least one UV light emitter is within the enclosure. A ventilation opening is located in one or more walls selected from (1) the rear wall and (2) the at least one sidewall.
Claims20
An ultraviolet (UV) light-emitting module for disinfecting one or more components, the UV light-emitting module comprising:
- an enclosure comprising:
- a rear wall;
- a plurality of fins extending from the rear wall;
- a face plate spaced from the rear wall and comprising a light-transmitting aperture;
- and
- at least one sidewall extending between the rear wall and the face plate;
- and
- at least one UV light emitter within the enclosure,
- wherein a ventilation opening is located in one or more walls selected from (1) the rear wall and (2) the at least one sidewall.
A system for disinfecting one or more components, the system comprising:
- a plurality of ultraviolet (UV) light-emitting modules, wherein each of the UV light-emitting modules comprises:
- an enclosure comprising:
- a rear wall;
- a face plate spaced from the rear wall and comprising a light-transmitting aperture;
- and
- at least one sidewall extending between the rear wall and the face plate;
- and
- at least one UV light emitter within the enclosure, and
- a housing that encloses the plurality of UV light-emitting modules, the housing comprising at least one cooling fan that directs air into the housing and at least one housing ventilation exit opening through which air escapes,
- wherein each of the UV light-emitting modules comprises a sidewall ventilation opening in the at least one sidewall and a rear wall ventilation opening in the rear wall, and the housing ventilation exit opening is pneumatically coupled to the rear wall ventilation opening.
A method of assembling an ultraviolet (UV) light-emitting module for disinfecting one or more components, the method performed using an enclosure that includes a rear wall and a face plate spaced from the rear wall and having a light-transmitting aperture, and four sidewalls extending between the rear wall and the face plate, at least one UV light emitter support fabricated from a fluoropolymer, at least one cooling feature selected from (1) a sidewall ventilation opening in at least one sidewall and (2) a heat sink feature extending from the rear wall, and at least one UV light emitter comprising an elongated lamp that comprises a first end having a first terminal and an opposing second end having a second terminal, the method comprising:
- seating the elongated lamp in the at least one UV light emitter support fabricated from the fluoropolymer within the enclosure;
- securing a first lead wire to the first terminal of the elongated lamp;
- and
- securing a second lead wire to the second terminal of the elongated lamp.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.