Sterilization system and method of operation

Abstract

A sterilization system adapted for use with a selectively enclosed space includes a conduit having an inlet adapted to draw air in from the enclosed space and an outlet adapted to exhaust air into the enclosed space. An ionizer is maintained in the conduit and in close proximity to the outlet and a UV-C lamp is maintained in the conduit. A blower having a blower vent is adapted to exhaust ambient air into the enclosed space and an air quality sensor is maintained in the conduit and in close proximity to the inlet to measure at least two parameters and selectively controls the ionizer, the UV-C lamp, and the blower based on whether threshold levels of the at least two parameters are exceeded or not.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A sterilization system adapted for use with a selectively enclosed space, comprising:
 a conduit having an inlet adapted to draw air in from the enclosed space and an outlet adapted to exhaust air into the enclosed space;   an ionizer maintained in said conduit and in close proximity to said outlet, said ionizer releasing charged ions to air flowing through said conduit to selectively deactivate pathogens and air pollutants in the enclosed space and said conduit;   a UV-C lamp maintained in said conduit, said UV-C lamp selectively deactivate contaminants in air flowing through said conduit;   a blower having a blower vent adapted to exhaust ambient air into the enclosed space; and   an air quality sensor maintained in said conduit and in close proximity to said inlet, said air quality sensor measuring at least two parameters, wherein said air quality sensor selectively controls operating states of said ionizer, said UV-C lamp, and said blower based on whether threshold levels of said at least two parameters are exceeded or not.   
     
     
         2 . The system according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 an air conditioner coupled to said conduit, wherein said ionizer is maintained within said air conditioner.   
     
     
         3 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein said UV-C lamp is maintained in between said air quality sensor and said ionizer. 
     
     
         4 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein said air quality sensor detects at least one particulate matter (PM) level and turns said ionizer on for a predetermined period of time when said particulate matter level exceeds a predetermined PM threshold. 
     
     
         5 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein said air quality sensor detects an ozone level and turns said blower from a minimum operating state to a maximum operating state for a predetermined period of time when said ozone level exceeds a predetermined ozone threshold. 
     
     
         6 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein said air quality sensor detects an ozone level and turns said blower from a minimum operating state to a maximum operating state for a predetermined period of time when said ozone level exceeds a predetermined ozone threshold, and wherein said air quality sensor detects at least one PM level and turns said ionizer on for a predetermined period of time when said at least one PM level exceeds a predetermined particulate matter level threshold. 
     
     
         7 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein said air quality sensor detects an ozone level and at least one PM level and turns said UV-C lamp off for a predetermined period of time when said ozone level exceeds a predetermined ozone threshold and all of said at least one PM level is less than or equal to a predetermined particulate matter level threshold. 
     
     
         8 . A method for sterilizing a selectively enclosed space, comprising:
 installing a sterilization system in an enclosed space having an air conditioner, wherein the enclosed space has a conduit inlet and a conduit outlet associated with said air conditioner, and a blower vent, said sterilization system further comprising an ionizer, a UV-C lamp, and an air quality sensor maintained in said conduit, and a blower positioned near said blower vent;   setting operating states of said blower to a minimum operating condition, said ionizer to an off condition and said air quality sensor and said UV-lamp to an on condition as an initial condition;   determining by said air quality sensor whether an ozone value exceeds a predetermined ozone threshold and, whether at least one PM value exceeds at least one predetermined PM threshold and,   wherein if both said ozone and PM values do not exceed their respective thresholds, said operating states of said ionizer, said blower, and said UV-C lamp remain in said initial condition,   wherein if both ozone and at least one PM value exceed their respective thresholds, said operating states of said ionizer is turned on, said blower is turned to a maximum operating condition and said UV-C lamp remains on for a predetermined period of time,   wherein if said ozone value exceeds said predetermined ozone threshold and all of said at least one PM value does not exceed said at least one predetermined PM threshold value, said blower is turned to the maximum operating condition, said ionizer remains off, and said UV-C lamp is turned off for a predetermined period of time, and   wherein if said ozone value does not exceed said predetermined ozone threshold value and said at least one predetermined PM value exceeds said at least one predetermined PM threshold value, said ionizer is turned on and said blower remains at the minimum operating condition and said UV-C lamp remains on for a predetermined period of time.   
     
     
         9 . The method according to  claim 8 , further comprising:
 positioning said sensor near said conduit inlet.   
     
     
         10 . The method according to  claim 9 , further comprising:
 positioning said UV-C lamp between said sensor and said ionizer.