US 2022/0088244 A1 · UV LIGHT MONITORING SYSTEM FOR A UV DECONTAMINATION APPARATUS

Abstract

The invention provides a UV light monitoring system that is capable of estimating the UV irradiance on a target surface oriented at an arbitrary angle relative to a UV emitter that emits UV light. The UV light monitoring system can be used in a system or process for disinfecting a space, where the UV light monitoring system may enable a dose of UV light experienced by a surface in the space to be accurately estimated. The invention can alternatively or additionally provide a mechanism for determining the orientation of a UV light monitor to assist with the optimal placement of the UV light monitor within a space. The orientation is determined based on a comparison between signals received from first and second solar cells that are located on different faces of the UV light monitor.

Claims25

Dependent claims

A UV light monitoring system comprising a processor and a UV light monitor including a UV sensor, wherein the UV light monitoring system is configured to calculate a UV irradiance on a target surface that is remote from the UV light monitor based on:

UV light intensity measurements made by the UV light monitor, a first angle between the UV sensor and UV light that is generated by a UV emitter and is incident on the UV sensor;
a second angle between the target surface and UV light generated by the UV emitter that is incident on the target surface;
a distance between the UV emitter and the UV sensor;
and a distance between the UV emitter and the target surface.

1 more element

A method of disinfecting a target surface within a space, the method comprising:

positioning a UV emitter in the space;
positioning a UV light monitor on a first surface within the space, the first surface being different from the target surface;
determining a distance between the UV light monitor and the UV emitter, and a distance between the target surface and the UV light monitor;
activating the UV emitter to cause the emission of UV light;
measuring a UV irradiance of the first surface using the UV light monitor;
calculating a UV irradiance on the target surface based on:
the measured UV irradiance, an angle between the UV light monitor and UV light that is generated by the UV emitter and is incident on the UV light monitor;
an angle between the target surface and UV light generated by the UV emitter that is incident on the target surface;
the distance between the UV emitter and a UV sensor;
and the distance between the UV emitter and the target surface;
determining a disinfection cycle time for the target surface based on the calculated UV irradiance;
and
exposing the target surface to UV light from the UV emitter for a duration equal to the disinfection cycle time.

10 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Uv light monitoring system for a uv decontamination apparatus

Life of this patent

Uv light monitoring system for a uv decontamination apparatus

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims25