Techniques for directing ultraviolet energy towards a moving surface

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12115269-B2
Application number	US-202117313204-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	May 6, 2021
Priority date	Sep 29, 2020
Publication date	Oct 15, 2024
Grant date	Oct 15, 2024

Abstract

An ultraviolet (“UV”) emission device may emit energy towards a movable surface of a conveyor system. A housing of the UV emission device may attach to a frame of the conveyor system. A lateral edge of the housing may extend across the moveable surface. The housing and a portion of the moveable surface may be inclined with respect to the frame. A barrier bracket of the UV emission device may support an absorptive barrier along the lateral edge, the absorptive barrier configured to contact the moveable surface. In a first position of the barrier bracket, the absorptive barrier contacts the moveable surface and the barrier bracket activates an interlock switch. In a second position of the barrier bracket, the barrier bracket deactivates the interlock switch. Responsive to deactivation of the interlock switch, a controller may provide a control signal to decrease power to the UV energy emission element.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A control system for an ultraviolet (“UV”) emission element, the control system comprising:
a controller;
a power regulator configured to provide power to the UV energy emission element; and
an interlock switch configured to indicate a contact status between i) a moveable surface of a conveyor system and ii) an absorptive barrier configured to maintain contact with the moveable surface during motion of the moveable surface, wherein the absorptive barrier is supported via a barrier bracket arranged along an edge of a housing of the UV energy emission element,
wherein the controller is configured for:
identifying, responsive to receiving a status data signal from the interlock switch, a status of the interlock switch, wherein:
a first value of the status data signal indicates a closed status of the interlock switch with respect to a first position of the barrier bracket, and
a second value of the status data signal indicates an open status of the interlock switch with respect to a second position of the barrier bracket; and

based on the identified status of the interlock switch, providing a control signal to modify power output by the power regulator, wherein:
responsive to identifying the closed status of the interlock switch, the controller provides a first control signal to the power regulator, the first control signal configuring the power regulator to provide power to the UV energy emission element, and
responsive to identifying the open status of the interlock switch, the controller provides a second control signal to the power regulator, the second control signal configuring the power regulator to decrease power to the UV energy emission element.

2. The control system of claim 1 , wherein the second control signal further configures the power regulator to cause the UV energy emission element to enter a dimmed state.

3. The control system of claim 1 , further comprising a current sensor configured to detect current to a motor of the conveyor system, the motor configured to drive the moveable surface,
wherein the controller is further configured for:
receiving a current sense signal from the current sensor, wherein a first value of the current sense signal indicates motor activity driving the moveable surface; and
responsive to receiving the current sense signal indicating the motor activity, providing a third control signal to the power regulator, the third control signal configuring the power regulator to provide power to the UV energy emission element.

4. The control system of claim 1 , further comprising a thermal sensor configured to detect a temperature within the housing of the UV energy emission element,
wherein the controller is further configured for:
receiving a temperature signal from the thermal sensor;
determining, via a comparison of the temperature signal to a temperature threshold, that the temperature within the housing of the UV energy emission element exceeds the temperature threshold; and
responsive to determining that the temperature within the housing exceeds the temperature threshold, providing a third control signal to a fan configured to modify an airflow into or out of the housing, wherein the third control signal configures the fan to increase the airflow.

5. The control system of claim 4 , wherein the controller is further configured for:
subsequent to providing the third control signal, receiving an additional temperature signal from the thermal sensor, the additional temperature signal indicating a subsequent temperature within the housing;
determining, via a comparison of the additional temperature signal to the temperature threshold, that the subsequent temperature within the housing exceeds the temperature threshold; and
responsive to determining that the subsequent temperature within the housing exceeds the temperature threshold, providing a fourth control signal to the power regulator, the fourth control signal configuring the power regulator to decrease power to the UV energy emission element.

6. The control system of claim 4 , wherein the controller is further configured for determining the temperature threshold based on a data signal indicating an ambient temperature of an environment of the conveyor system.

7. The control system of claim 1 , further comprising a current sensor configured to detect current to the UV energy emission element,
wherein the controller is further configured for:
receiving a current sense signal from the current sensor, wherein a value of the current sense signal indicates current received by the UV energy emission element;
determining, via a comparison of the value of the current sense signal to a current sense threshold, that the UV energy emission element is receiving insufficient current; and
responsive to determining that the UV energy emission element is receiving insufficient current, providing a third control signal to the power regulator, the third control signal configuring the power regulator to decrease power to the UV energy emission element.

8. The control system of claim 7 , wherein the controller is further configured for:
responsive to determining that the UV energy emission element is receiving insufficient current, providing a data display signal, the data display signal indicating an emission element fault.

9. The control system of claim 1 , the housing having a longitudinal edge and a lateral edge, wherein:
the moveable surface is configured to contact the longitudinal edge and the lateral edge, and
the interlock switch is located at an intersection of the longitudinal edge and the lateral edge, such that (i) the closed status of the interlock switch is responsive to the contact of the housing and the moveable surface at the longitudinal edge and the lateral edge and (ii) the open status of the interlock switch is responsive to an interruption of the contact of the housing and the moveable surface at the longitudinal edge and the lateral edge.

10. The control system of claim 9 , wherein:
an interior of the housing is formed by the housing, the moveable surface, the longitudinal edge, and the lateral edge, and
the contact of the housing and the moveable surface at the longitudinal edge and the lateral edge encloses the UV energy emission element within the interior of the housing.

11. The control system of claim 9 , wherein the absorptive barrier supported via the barrier bracket is arranged along the lateral edge of the housing such that the contact of the housing and the moveable surface at the longitudinal edge and the lateral edge includes the contact between the absorptive barrier and the moveable surface,
wherein the open status of the interlock switch is further responsive to an interruption of the contact between the absorptive barrier and the moveable surface.

12. The control system of claim 1 , further comprising a motion-sensing component configured to detect a motion of one or more of the moveable surface or a motor of the conveyor system, the motor configured to drive the moveable surface,
wherein the controller is further configured for:
receiving an activity signal from the motion-sensing component, wherein a first value of the activity signal indicates one or more of motion of the moveable surface or motor activity driving the moveable surface; and
responsive to receiving the activity signal, providing a third control signal to the power regulator, the third control signal configuring the power regulator to provide power to the UV energy emission element.

13. The control system of claim 1 , further comprising a UV level sensor configured to detect output of the UV energy emission

Assignees

• Abl Ip Holding Llc
• ABL Holding Holding LLC

Inventors

• Mccanless Forrest Starnes
• Shoop Jr Charles Richard
• Rodriguez Yan

Classifications

• A61L2202/11

  Apparatus for generating biocidal substances, e.g. vaporisers, UV lamps · CPC title

• A61L2202/14

  Means for controlling sterilisation processes, data processing, presentation and storage means, e.g. sensors, controllers, programs · CPC title

• A61L2202/17

  Combination with washing or cleaning means · CPC title

• B65G45/00

  Lubricating, cleaning, or clearing devices · CPC title

• A61L2202/122

  Chambers for sterilisation · CPC title