System and method for treating air in an occupiable space

Abstract

The combination of: a building structure defining an occupiable space; and a system for treating air within the occupiable space. The air treating system has: a) a conduit system including at least a first conduit portion for guiding air in a predetermined path between first and second locations, the conduit portion having a plurality of outlets between the first and second locations arranged so that a portion of a volume of air traveling between the first and second locations is discharged into the occupiable space through the plurality of outlets; and b) source of UV light to which air traveling between the first and second locations is exposed before discharging through the plurality of outlets. The invention is also directed to a method of treating air, as with the air treating system.

1 . In combination:
 a building structure defining an occupiable space; and   a system for treating air within the occupiable space,   the air treating system comprising:   a) a conduit system including at least a first conduit portion for guiding air in a predetermined path between first and second locations,   the conduit portion having a plurality of outlets between the first and second locations arranged so that a portion of a volume of air traveling between the first and second locations is discharged into the occupiable space through the plurality of outlets; and   b) a source of UV light to which air traveling between the first and second locations is exposed before discharging through the plurality of outlets.   
     
     
         2 . The combination according to  claim 1  wherein the air treating system further comprises an air mover that causes air to travel between the first and second locations. 
     
     
         3 . The combination according to  claim 1  wherein the air treating system is a self-contained portable unit that is selectively movable to different locations within the occupiable space. 
     
     
         4 . The combination according to  claim 1  wherein the conduit system is fixedly connected to the building structure. 
     
     
         5 . The combination according to  claim 1  wherein the air treatment system has an inlet through which air is delivered to the conduit system. 
     
     
         6 . The combination according to  claim 5  wherein the building structure and air treatment system are configured so that outside air is delivered to the air treatment system inlet. 
     
     
         7 . The combination according to  claim 5  wherein the building structure and air treatment system are configured so that air within the occupiable space is delivered to the air treatment system inlet so as to be recirculated within the occupiable space. 
     
     
         8 . The combination according to  claim 1  wherein the building structure is configured to define a plurality of stalls for livestock. 
     
     
         9 . The combination according to  claim 2  wherein the air mover comprises a fan that pressurizes air to force air though the conduit system. 
     
     
         10 . The combination according to  claim 2  wherein the air mover is configured to create a low pressure region that causes air to be drawn through the conduit system. 
     
     
         11 . The combination according to  claim 1  wherein the first conduit portion extends in a substantially horizontal line. 
     
     
         12 . The combination according to  claim 1  wherein the first conduit portion extends in a substantially vertical line. 
     
     
         13 . The combination according to  claim 8  wherein the plurality of stalls comprises first and second stalls, at least one of the outlets is arranged to discharge air closer to the first stall than the second stall and at least another of the outlets is arranged to discharge air closer to the second stall than the first stall. 
     
     
         14 . The combination according to  claim 1  wherein the first conduit portion has a tubular shape with a peripheral wall and the plurality of outlets are formed through the peripheral wall. 
     
     
         15 . A method of treating air within an occupiable space, the method comprising the steps of:
 effecting germicidal irradiation treatment of air within the occupiable space; and   controllably delivering air after effecting treatment thereof in discrete discharge patterns at different locations within the occupiable space.   
     
     
         16 . The method of treating air according to  claim 15  wherein the step of controllably delivering air comprises controllably delivering air under pressure. 
     
     
         17 . The method of treating air according to  claim 15  wherein the step of controllably delivering air comprises delivering air through first and second discrete outlets on at least one conduit portion. 
     
     
         18 . The method of treating air according to  claim 15  further comprising the step of recirculating and effecting further germicidal irradiation treatment of the air after the air is delivered into the occupiable space. 
     
     
         19 . The method of treating air according to  claim 15  further comprising the step of moving a portable unit into the occupiable space to effect the treatment and delivery of the treated air. 
     
     
         20 . The method of treating air according to  claim 15  wherein the occupiable space is configured to confine livestock in a plurality of discrete stalls. 
     
     
         21 . The combination according to  claim 1  wherein the first conduit portion comprises a fabric material with the plurality of outlets comprising pores defined by yarns and/or fibers making up the fabric. 
     
     
         22 . The combination according to  claim 1  wherein the first conduit portion comprises a fabric material through which the plurality of outlets are formed.