Device for sanitizing the air-conditioning system of vehicles using radiant catalytic ionization

Abstract

A device for sanitizing the air-conditioning system of vehicles using radiant catalytic ionization is provided. The device is mounted in a casing that includes a UVX lamp surrounded by a metal alloy that converts air/oxygen therein into a purifying plasma comprising hydroxyl radicals and hydrogen peroxide.

1 . A system for sanitizing air, comprising:
 a framework having an intake for receiving surrounding air into the framework and an outlet for passing a purifying plasma out of the framework;   a fan configured to move surrounding air into the intake, through the framework, and out of the outlet;   an ultraviolet lamp; and   an air-permeable catalyst structure positioned so as to at least partially surround the ultraviolet lamp, the catalyst structure including a noble metal alloy catalyst and being configured to allow passage of air through the catalyst structure,   wherein the catalyst structure is configured to generate oxygen radicals, but not ozone, upon exposure to ultraviolet light emitted by the ultraviolet lamp, and   wherein the generated oxygen radicals transform the surrounding air received into the intake into the purifying plasma.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the generated oxygen radicals include hydrogen peroxide and hydroxyl radicals. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the oxygen radicals consist essentially of hydrogen peroxide and hydroxy radicals. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the catalyst structure has a honeycomb or mesh structure. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the intake and outlet are disposed directly opposite one another. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 5 , wherein the catalyst structure and ultraviolet lamp are located within the framework between the intake and the outlet in a direct path of passing air. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the system is configured such that during operation the composition of the purifying plasma, as formed within the framework at the catalyst structure where the generated oxygen radicals combine with passing air, is the same as the purifying plasma exiting the outlet. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the noble metal alloy catalyst primarily comprises titanium dioxide. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a cell for controlling operation of the ultraviolet lamp. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the fan is configured to operate at a plurality of ventilation speeds. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a digital timer in relay configured to allow the system to operate for a predetermined amount of time when activated. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a number of operations counter that counts a number of operations the system has performed. 
     
     
         13 . A vehicle air sanitation system comprising a vehicle having an air conditioning system, the air conditioning system including the system for sanitizing air according to  claim 1 . 
     
     
         14 . A method of sanitizing a surrounding air environment, the method comprising:
 providing a system for sanitizing air as in  claim 1 ;   operating the ultraviolet lamp and the fan to thereby generate purifying plasma and pass the purifying plasma out of the outlet into the surrounding air environment.   
     
     
         15 . A system for sanitizing air, comprising:
 a framework having an intake for receiving surrounding air into the framework and an opposing outlet for passing a purifying plasma out of the framework;   a fan configured to move surrounding air into the intake, through the framework, and out of the outlet;   an ultraviolet lamp disposed between the intake and the outlet; and   an air-permeable catalyst structure positioned so as to at least partially surround the ultraviolet lamp, the catalyst structure including a noble metal alloy catalyst and being configured to allow passage of air through the catalyst structure,   wherein the catalyst structure is configured to generate oxygen radicals which include hydrogen peroxide and hydroxyl radicals, but not ozone, upon exposure to ultraviolet light emitted by the ultraviolet lamp,   wherein the generated oxygen radicals transform the surrounding air received into the intake into the purifying plasma, and   wherein the system is configured such that during operation the composition of the purifying plasma, as formed within the framework at the catalyst structure where the generated oxygen radicals combine with passing air, is the same as the purifying plasma exiting the outlet.   
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein the noble metal alloy catalyst primarily comprises titanium dioxide. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein the catalyst structure has a honeycomb or mesh structure. 
     
     
         18 . A vehicle air sanitation system comprising a vehicle having an air conditioning system, the air conditioning system including the system for sanitizing air according to  claim 15 . 
     
     
         19 . A method of sanitizing a surrounding air environment, the method comprising:
 providing a system for sanitizing air as in  claim 15 ;   operating the ultraviolet lamp and the fan to thereby generate purifying plasma and pass the purifying plasma out of the outlet into the surrounding air environment.   
     
     
         20 . A system for sanitizing air, comprising:
 a framework having an intake for receiving surrounding air into the framework and an opposing outlet for passing a purifying plasma out of the framework;   a fan configured to move surrounding air into the intake, through the framework, and out of the outlet;   an ultraviolet lamp disposed between the intake and the outlet; and   an air-permeable catalyst structure positioned so as to at least partially surround the ultraviolet lamp and so as to be within a path of passing air, the catalyst structure including a noble metal alloy catalyst and being configured to allow passage of air through the catalyst structure,   wherein the catalyst structure is configured to generate oxygen radicals which consist essentially of hydrogen peroxide and hydroxyl radicals, but not ozone, upon exposure to ultraviolet light emitted by the ultraviolet lamp,   wherein the generated oxygen radicals transform the surrounding air received into the intake into the purifying plasma as the air passes the ultraviolet lamp and the catalyst structure, and   wherein the system is configured such that during operation the composition of the purifying plasma, as formed within the framework at the catalyst structure where the generated oxygen radicals combine with passing air, is the same as the purifying plasma exiting the outlet, and therefore during operation the system contains no ozone within the framework or at the outlet.