# US 9,919,067 B2 · Compressor with an internal disinfecting UV light source > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 9,919,067 B2 - Document ID: US9919067B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 14/628,385 - Filed: 2015-02-23 - Published: 2015-06-18 - Granted: 2018-03-20 - Earliest claimed: 2009-07-09 - Applicants: Donald Nevin - Inventors: Donald Nevin - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9919067B2 ## CPC - A61L 2/10: Ultraviolet [UV] radiation - A61L 2/104: Ultraviolet C [UVC] - A61L 9/20: Ultraviolet radiation - F04B 41/02: having reservoirs - A61L 2103/23: {Containers other than laboratory or medical, e.g. bottles or mail} - Y10T 137/8376: Combined - Y10T 137/86051: Compressed air supply unit - 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) - F04B: POSITIVE-DISPLACEMENT MACHINES FOR LIQUIDS; PUMPS (machines for liquids, or pumps, of rotary-piston or oscillating-piston type F04C; non-positive-displacement pumps F04D; pumping of fluid by direct contact of another fluid or by using inertia of fluid to be pumped F04F) - Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION ## Abstract The air compressor has an air intake, a tank, means for pressurizing the air in the tank and an air outlet connected to the tank. High power UV LED light sources are mounted within the tank to disinfect the interior tank surface. The UV LED light sources preferably have an output wavelength within the range of 250 nm to 365 nm, most preferably within the range of 260 nm to 270 nm. Preferably, the light output of the light sources is pulsed. The light source has a cover for protecting the light source which may take the form of a quartz diverging lens. Air flow is directed through the area proximate the light source to remove particles from the light source cover. The effect of this air flow can be amplified by creating turbulence proximate the light sources utilizing a member with an arcuate profile. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An air compressor having a closed chamber for accumulating pressurized air, said chamber having an air inlet through which air may enter said chamber and an air outlet through which air may exit said chamber, said chamber being defined in part by a wall having an interior surface, a pressurizing pump located directly on said chamber and connected to said chamber air inlet for providing pressurizing air to said chamber and UV LED light source means mounted within said chamber, prior to said air outlet, for disinfecting said interior surface of said chamber wall, wherein said UV LED light source means has an output wavelength within the range of 250 nm to 365 nm. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The compressor of claim 1 wherein said light source means comprises a UV LED with an output wavelength within the range of 260 nm to 270 nm. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The compressor of claim 1 wherein said light source means further comprises a UV LED and cover means for protecting said UV LED. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The compressor of claim 1 wherein said light source means comprises a UV LED and lens means for directing the light from said UV LED toward a portion of said interior surface. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The compressor of claim 1 wherein said interior surface of said chamber wall comprises a portion of said interior surface opposite to the portion of said interior wall where said UV LED light source means is mounted. ### Claim 6 (depends on 4) The compressor of claim 4 wherein said portion of said interior surface of said chamber wall comprises the bottom of said interior surface of said chamber wall. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The compressor of claim 1 comprising means for preventing particle buildup proximate said light source means. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The compressor of claim 1 further comprising means for directing air flow in the area proximate said light source means to prevent particle buildup on said light source means. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The compressor of claim 1 further comprising means for creating turbulence in the area proximate said light source means to prevent particle buildup on said light source means. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The compressor of claim 9 wherein said turbulence creating means comprises a member with an arcuate profile. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The compressor of claim 1 wherein said light source means comprises a plurality of UV LED light sources. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The compressor of claim 11 wherein said light sources are situated at spaced locations along said interior chamber wall. ### Claim 13 (depends on 11) The compressor of claim 11 wherein said light sources are situated in a row along said interior surface of said chamber wall. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The compressor of claim 1 wherein said light source means comprises a UV LED mounted to said interior surface of said chamber wall. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The compressor of claim 1 wherein said light source means comprises more than one UV LED mounted to said interior surface of said chamber wall. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) The compressor of claim 1 further comprising power control means for pulsing the light output of said light source means. ### Claim 17 An air compressor having a closed chamber for accumulating pressurized air, said chamber having an air inlet through which air may enter said chamber and an air outlet through which air may exit said chamber, said chamber being defined in part by a wall having an interior surface, a pressurizing pump connected directly to said chamber air inlet for providing pressurizing air to said chamber and UV LED light source means mounted within said chamber, prior to said air outlet, for disinfecting said interior surface of said chamber wall, wherein said UV LED light source means has an output wavelength within the range of 250 nm to 365 nm. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The compressor of claim 17 wherein said light source means comprises a UV LED with an output wavelength within the range of 260 nm to 270 nm. ### Claim 19 (depends on 17) The compressor of claim 17 further comprising power control means for pulsing the light output of said light source means. ### Claim 20 An air compressor having a closed chamber for accumulating pressurized air, said chamber having an air inlet through which air may enter said chamber and an air outlet through which air may exit said chamber, said chamber being defined in part by a wall having an interior surface, a pressurizing pump connected directly to said chamber for providing pressurizing air to said chamber air inlet and UV LED light source means mounted within said chamber, prior to said air outlet, for disinfecting said interior surface of said chamber wall, wherein said UV LED light source means has an output wavelength within the range of 250 nm to 365 nm. ### Claim 21 (depends on 20) The compressor of claim 20 wherein said light source means comprises a UV LED with an output wavelength within the range of 260 nm to 270 nm. ### Claim 22 (depends on 20) The compressor of claim 20 further comprising power control means for pulsing the light output of said light source means.