US 11,904,267 B2
Apparatus and method for irradiating air in an air circulation system of a vehicle
Bryce A. Vandyke, Everett, WA (US); Kevin S. Callahan, Shoreline, WA (US); and Stephen M. Trent, Seattle, WA (US)
Assigned to The Boeing Company, Arlington, VA (US)
Filed by THE BOEING COMPANY, Chicago, IL (US)
Filed on Mar. 4, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/192,366.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/041,709, filed on Jun. 19, 2020.
Prior Publication US 2021/0394103 A1, Dec. 23, 2021
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. B01D 46/00 (2022.01); A61L 9/014 (2006.01); A61L 9/20 (2006.01); B01D 39/20 (2006.01); B01D 46/24 (2006.01); B01D 46/42 (2006.01); B01D 46/44 (2006.01); B01D 46/52 (2006.01); B64D 13/06 (2006.01)
CPC B01D 46/0028 (2013.01) [A61L 9/014 (2013.01); A61L 9/20 (2013.01); B01D 39/2055 (2013.01); B01D 46/0004 (2013.01); B01D 46/0005 (2013.01); B01D 46/2414 (2013.01); B01D 46/4245 (2013.01); B01D 46/442 (2013.01); B01D 46/444 (2013.01); B01D 46/521 (2013.01); B64D 13/06 (2013.01); A61L 2209/12 (2013.01); A61L 2209/14 (2013.01); A61L 2209/15 (2013.01); A61L 2209/16 (2013.01); A61L 2209/22 (2013.01); B01D 2265/04 (2013.01); B01D 2279/40 (2013.01); B01D 2279/65 (2013.01); B64D 2013/0651 (2013.01); B64D 2013/0688 (2013.01)] 19 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An apparatus for irradiating air in an air circulation system of a vehicle, comprising:
a filter unit configured to couple to a recirculating-air conduit connected to the air circulation system, the filter unit having an inlet end;
a filter disposed at the inlet end of the filter unit, comprising a wall of filter media having a shape that defines an interior volume of the filter;
an ultraviolet light disposed on an end plate, configured to be mounted with the ultraviolet light positioned in the interior volume of the filter and the end plate against an open end of the filter,
wherein the ultraviolet light is configured to emit ultraviolet radiation substantially at between 222 nm and 265 nm for irradiating air flow through the filter into the air circulation system;
a lens that encloses the ultraviolet light and is secured to the end plate to establish a sealed volume; and
a ventilation tube extending through the end plate into the sealed volume enclosed by the lens for enabling venting and extraction of ozone or gaseous effluence released in the event of breakage or failure of the ultraviolet light, to thereby inhibit release of ozone into the air circulation system.