# US 12,178,927 B2 · Gasper knob sanitization > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 12,178,927 B2 - Document ID: US12178927B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 17/590,730 - Filed: 2022-02-01 - Published: 2022-08-04 - Granted: 2024-12-31 - Earliest claimed: 2021-02-02 - Assignees: B/E Aerospace, Inc. - Applicants: B/E Aerospace, Inc. - Inventors: John John Kocherry; Santosh Kumar Tripathy - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12178927B2 ## CPC - A61L 2/10: Ultraviolet [UV] radiation - B64D 11/00: Passenger or crew accommodation; Flight-deck installations not otherwise provided for - B64D 13/00: Arrangements or adaptations of air-treatment apparatus for aircraft crew or passengers, or freight space - B64D 13/06: the air being conditioned (pressurising B64D13/02) - B64F 5/30: Cleaning aircraft - A61L 2202/11: Apparatus for generating biocidal substances, e.g. vaporisers, UV lamps - B64D 11/0626: {with individual temperature or ventilation control} - B64D 2011/0053: {Cabin passenger reading lights} - B64D 2013/003: {Cabin ventilation nozzles} - B64D 2013/0603: {Environmental Control Systems} - A61L: METHODS OR APPARATUS FOR STERILISING MATERIALS OR OBJECTS IN GENERAL; DISINFECTION, STERILISATION OR DEODORISATION OF AIR; CHEMICAL ASPECTS OF BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES; MATERIALS FOR BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES (preservation of bodies or disinfecting characterised by the agents employed A01N; preserving, e.g. sterilising, food or foodstuffs A23; preparations for medical, dental or toiletry purposes A61K) - B64D: EQUIPMENT FOR FITTING IN OR TO AIRCRAFT; FLIGHT SUITS; PARACHUTES; ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF POWER PLANTS OR PROPULSION TRANSMISSIONS IN AIRCRAFT - B64F: GROUND OR AIRCRAFT-CARRIER-DECK INSTALLATIONS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR USE IN CONNECTION WITH AIRCRAFT; DESIGNING, MANUFACTURING, ASSEMBLING, CLEANING, MAINTAINING OR REPAIRING AIRCRAFT, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; HANDLING, TRANSPORTING, TESTING OR INSPECTING AIRCRAFT COMPONENTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR ## Abstract An air gasper knob system for an overhead Passenger Service Unit (PSU) includes an annular gasper knob of a UV transparent material. The annular gasper knob defines an air passage therethrough, and extends about the air passage from a first annular end face to a second annular end face. The system also includes a UV illuminator mounted to the gasper knob, oriented to transmit UV illumination through the UV transparent material to sanitize exterior surfaces of the gasper knob. A method of sanitizing an air gasper knob comprises illuminating a gasper knob in an overhead PSU using UV illumination to destroy infectious agents on surfaces of the gasper knob. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An air gasper knob system for an overhead Passenger Service Unit (PSU), the system comprising: an annular gasper knob of a UV transparent material, wherein the annular gasper knob defines an air passage therethrough, and where the annular gasper knob extends about the air passage from a first annular end face to a second annular end face; and a UV illuminator mounted to the gasper knob, oriented to transmit UV illumination through the UV transparent material to sanitize exterior surfaces of the gasper knob. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The system as recited in claim 1, wherein the UV illuminator is embedded in the gasper knob. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The system as recited in claim 1, wherein the UV illuminator includes a light emitting diode (LED) configured to emit UV illumination. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The system as recited in claim 1, wherein the UV illuminator includes a strip of LEDs configured to emit UV illumination. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The system as recited in claim 4, wherein the strip of LEDs is annular and is embedded in the gasper knob proximate to the first annular end face of the gasper knob. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The system as recited in claim 5, wherein the strip of LEDs is embedded in the gasper knob with the LEDs oriented to illuminate toward the second annular end face of the gasper knob. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The system as recited in claim 6, further comprising a valve assembly configured to open and close a flow of air by turning the gasper knob about an axis of rotation, wherein the first annular end face of the gasper knob is at an inlet end of the gasper knob mounted to the valve assembly, and wherein the second annular end face of the gasper knob is at an outlet end of the gasper knob extending away from a nozzle assembly. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The system as recited in claim 7, wherein the nozzle assembly includes a central cone configured to engage and disengage a rim in the valve assembly by turning of the gasper knob to control air flow through the gasper knob from a pressurized air source in fluid communication with the nozzle assembly. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The system as recited in claim 8, further comprising at least one reading light and/or at least one flight attendant call button mounted in a PSU panel with the nozzle assembly, wherein the at least one reading light and/or at least one flight attendant call button are electrically connected to a source of electrical power, and wherein the LEDs are electrically connected to the source of electrical power. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The system as recited in claim 9, wherein the gasper knob is one of a plurality of gasper knobs each having a respective illuminator electrically connected to the source of electrical power.