Refrigerator with Ultraviolet Light Emitting Diode

Abstract

Embodiments of the invention include a sealed compartment and a door disposed on a side of the sealed compartment, and a cooler for cooling an interior of the sealed compartment. At least one light emitting diode configured to emit light having a peak wavelength in the ultraviolet range is positioned to emit ultraviolet light in the sealed compartment.

What is being claimed is: 
     
         1 . An apparatus comprising:
 a sealed compartment;   a door disposed on a side of the sealed compartment;   at least one light emitting diode configured to emit light having a peak wavelength in the ultraviolet range positioned to emit ultraviolet light in the sealed compartment; and   a cooling device to cool an interior of the sealed compartment.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising an ultraviolet-reflective material disposed on a sidewall of the sealed compartment. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising a fan to circulate ambient gas in the sealed compartment. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the at least one light emitting diode is disposed on a movable stage. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 4  further comprising control circuitry configured to move the movable stage. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising a drawer disposed within the sealed compartment, wherein:
 the at least one light emitting diode is positioned to emit ultraviolet light in the drawer; and 
 the drawer is removable from the sealed compartment. 
 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising control circuitry connected to the at least one light emitting diode, wherein the control circuitry is configured to periodically activate the at least one light emitting diode. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising an indicator that indicates when the at least one light emitting diode is forward biased. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the at least one light emitting diode is disposed in an air circulation hub, the air circulation hub further comprising:
 a cover; 
 a body, wherein the at least one light emitting diode is disposed between the cover and the body; 
 an opening in the cover; 
 a fan disposed between body and the at least one light emitting diode; and 
 a filter disposed between the fan and the at least one light emitting diode. 
 
     
     
         10 . A method comprising:
 providing a structure comprising:   a sealed compartment;
 a door disposed on a side of the sealed compartment; and 
 at least one light emitting diode configured to emit light having a peak wavelength in the ultraviolet range positioned to emit ultraviolet light in the sealed compartment; and 
 cooling an interior of the sealed compartment to a temperature below ambient temperature. 
   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10  wherein the at least one light emitting diode is mounted on a movable stage, the method further comprising moving the movable stage. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11  further comprising activating the at least one light emitting diode while moving the movable stage. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 10  further comprising activating a fan positioned to circulate ambient gas within the sealed compartment.