CN115776912A

CN115776912A - Air treatment system

Info

Publication number: CN115776912A
Application number: CN202180047945.7A
Authority: CN
Inventors: K·E·库提斯
Original assignee: Microchip Technology Inc
Current assignee: Microchip Technology Inc
Priority date: 2020-12-10
Filing date: 2021-12-09
Publication date: 2023-03-10
Also published as: WO2022125723A1; DE112021006368T5

Abstract

An air treatment system includes a cyclone filter and an electrostatic filtration system. The cyclone filter can include: a cyclone chamber; a cyclone chamber inlet configured to receive air including suspended particles; and a cyclone chamber outlet configured to output the treated air toward a respiratory interface, such as a mask or a face shield. The cyclone filter generates a rotating airflow that removes at least some particles from the air in the cyclone filter. The electrostatic filtration system is configured to charge the particles in the cyclone chamber with a first polarity to create an electrostatic attraction of the particles to a particle removal system charged with a second, opposite polarity to remove additional particles from the cyclone filter. The air treatment system can also include an ultraviolet purification system to deliver ultraviolet radiation (e.g., UVC radiation) to kill, destroy, or otherwise affect organic particles in the air being treated.

Description

Air treatment system

Related patent application

This application claims priority from commonly owned U.S. provisional patent application No. 63/123,523, filed on 10.12.2020, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference for all purposes.

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to air treatment systems, and more particularly, to air treatment systems for providing treated air for breathing.

Background

Systems for filtering or purifying breathing air include face masks and other devices that filter airborne contaminants from the environment. Many masks utilize passive filters, such as cloth or cellulose filters. However, such passive filters often provide limited virucidal properties. Passive filters can become clogged with use, which can continually restrict airflow through the filter. A clogged filter may also pose a health risk to the wearer because the filter may contain viral and/or bacterial contaminants. Some masks allow for the replacement of passive filters, but this can be a difficult task. Replacement of passive filters may require extensive filter replacement, which may be expensive, and may also require frequent disposal of hazardous organic waste (spent filters).

There is a need for a filtration system that effectively removes contaminants (e.g., organic and inorganic particles) to provide treated air for breathing.

Disclosure of Invention

An air treatment system is provided for separating and removing a quantity of particles from a volume of air to produce treated air for breathing. In some examples, the air treatment system may deliver treated air to or towards the person's respiratory system, e.g., via a mask or a face shield. As another example, an air treatment system may deliver treated air to a room or other environment that may be occupied by one or more humans or animals.

As used herein, "particles" refers to any solid and/or liquid particles suspended in air, which may include organic and/or inorganic particles, such as dust, pollen, mold spores, soot, smoke, salt particles, liquid droplets, bacteria, virus particles, or any other type of particle, and may include particles of any size, including coarse, fine, and/or ultrafine particles. Further, as used herein, "treated air" means air treated by an air treatment system, which treatment may include (a) separating and removing particles from the air and/or (b) treating the particles with an ultraviolet purification system, as described below.

In some examples, air handling systems combine multiple components and systems for separating and removing particles from air. For example, the air handling system may include a cyclone filter in combination with an electrostatic filtration system for separating and removing particles from a volume of air. Generally, cyclone filters remove larger particles from air, while electrostatic filtration systems utilize electrostatic attraction to remove smaller particles. The cyclonic filter may comprise a cyclone chamber configured to receive air through the inlet and to generate a swirling (cyclonic) flow within the cyclone chamber that separates at least some particles (especially larger particles) from the air, the separated particles being transferable to a particle removal system. For example, the separated particles may fall into a particle reservoir at the bottom of the cyclone chamber.

The electrostatic filtration system may improve the performance of the cyclone filter, for example by facilitating separation and removal of particles, especially small particles (e.g. having a diameter below 100 microns, below 20 microns or even below 10 microns, for example including particles having a diameter in the range 2.5 microns to 10 microns), from the cyclone chamber. Although certain bacteria and viruses have diameters below about 2 microns (e.g., many viruses have diameters in the range of 20 nanometers to 500 nanometers), cyclone filters and electrostatic filtration systems can effectively remove water droplets and dust particles that carry bacteria and viruses.

In some examples, the electrostatic filtration system operates by: (a) Applying a first charge having a first polarity (e.g., a high voltage negative charge) to a conductive surface of the cyclone chamber, thereby charging particles in the cyclone chamber with the first charge, and (b) applying a second charge having an opposite polarity to the first charge to a conductive surface of a particle removal system (e.g., a conductive surface of a particle reservoir at the bottom of the cyclone chamber). When air enters the cyclone chamber, the electrically conductive surfaces of the cyclone chamber impart a first polarity (e.g., negative charge) on particles in the air, such that the particles are electrostatically repelled from the cyclone chamber walls and electrostatically attracted and pulled toward a particle removal system (e.g., particle reservoir) that is charged with an opposite second polarity (e.g., positive charge). The inlet and outlet of the cyclone chamber may also be charged at a first polarity to repel charged particles such that the particles are only electrostatically attracted to the particle removal system (e.g., particle reservoir).

In some examples, the inner surface of the cyclone chamber may be lined with an electrically conductive material having antimicrobial/antiviral properties, such as silver, copper or a copper alloy (e.g. brass or bronze). In other examples, the inner surface of the cyclone chamber may be lined with any other suitable electrically conductive material, such as lead, tin, molybdenum, zirconium, zinc, stainless steel, nickel, cobalt or titanium.

Additionally, some examples include a uv purification system configured to deliver uv radiation to the cyclone chamber to affect organic particles present in the cyclone chamber. For example, the ultraviolet purification system may deliver ultraviolet C (UVC) radiation to the cyclone chamber to kill, destroy, or otherwise alter virus and/or bacterial particles in the cyclone filter. In one example, the UVC purification system may deliver UVC radiation having a wavelength in the range of 200nm to 280nm into the cyclone chamber. The cyclone chamber may be lined with a highly reflective material, such as silver or stainless steel, to promote reflection or scattering of UVC radiation in the cyclone chamber.

Further, some examples include a pressure-based control system that includes at least one pressure sensor and control electronics to dynamically control operation of the air handling system based on pressure measurements from the pressure sensor, e.g., to reduce power consumption and thereby extend battery life. The air treatment system may be configured to detect inhalation events and/or exhalation events and selectively enable, disable, or otherwise control operation of the electrostatic filtration system and/or the ultraviolet purification system based on the detected inhalation events and/or exhalation events. For example, the air treatment system may be configured to activate the electrostatic filtration system and/or the ultraviolet purification system only when the user is actively using the air treatment system for breathing, such as by automatically activating such system(s) when a user inhalation event is detected based on pressure, and deactivating such system(s) after a defined period of time when no inhalation event is detected. As another example, the air treatment system may be configured to activate the electrostatic filtration system and/or the ultraviolet purification system only during the inhalation phase of each breath.

The airflow through the cyclone filter (i.e. through the cyclone chamber) may be supplied in any suitable manner, for example continuously, intermittently or otherwise. For example, in some examples, the cyclonic filter may be configured to deliver a pressurized flow of treated air to the user via a mask or face shield, for example using a blower (e.g., fan) or other means to provide a continuous or intermittent positive pressure air flow through the cyclonic filter and delivered to the user. In other examples, the air flow through the cyclonic filter may be provided by the user's breath, for example where the system includes a sealed mask. When the user inhales, a negative pressure is created, which draws a quantity of air into the cyclone filter, where the particles are removed and/or treated by ultraviolet radiation (e.g., UVC radiation), and delivers the treated air to the user via the face mask.

One aspect provides an air treatment system including a cyclone filter and an electrostatic filtration system. The cyclone filter includes: a cyclone chamber; an inlet configured to receive air including particles into the cyclone chamber; an outlet configured to output the processed air from the cyclone chamber, wherein the cyclone filter is configured to promote a rotating airflow within the cyclone chamber to remove at least a portion of the particles from the received air; and a particulate removal system configured to receive particulates removed from the received air by the cyclone filter. The electrostatic filtration system includes electrostatic filtration system electronics configured to apply a first charge having a first polarity to the particles in the cyclone chamber and a second charge having a second polarity opposite the first polarity to the particle removal system such that the particles in the cyclone chamber become charged with the first polarity and are electrostatically attracted to the particle removal system.

In one example, the electrostatic filtration system electronics are configured to apply the first charge having the first polarity to at least one conductive surface of the cyclone chamber, thereby applying the first charge to the particles in the cyclone chamber, and apply the second charge having the second polarity opposite the first polarity to at least one conductive surface of the particle removal system.

In one example, the at least one electrically conductive surface of the cyclone chamber comprises silver or copper.

In one example, the air handling system further includes a pressure sensor configured to monitor air pressure, and pressure-based control electronics configured to dynamically control the electrostatic filtration system based on the monitored air pressure. In one example, the pressure-based control electronics are configured to dynamically control, based on the monitored air pressure, at least one of: (a) A first voltage having the first polarity to at least one electrically conductive surface of the cyclone chamber or (b) a second voltage having the second polarity to at least one electrically conductive surface of the particle removal system.

In one example, the pressure-based control electronics are configured to automatically detect an inhalation event based on the monitored air pressure, the automatically detected inhalation event comprising at least one of an inhalation start, an inhalation end, or an inhalation occurrence, and automatically control the electrostatic filtration system based on the detected inhalation event.

In one example, the pressure-based control electronics are configured to automatically detect an inhalation event based on the monitored air pressure; automatically enabling an electrostatic filtration system in response to the detected inhalation event; automatically detecting a non-inhalation period during which no inhalation event is detected for a defined non-inhalation threshold duration; and automatically deactivating the electrostatic filtration system in response to the detected non-inhalation period.

In one example, the control electronics are configured to detect a start of inhalation by a user based on the monitored air pressure, activate the electrostatic filtration system in accordance with the detected start of inhalation, detect an end of inhalation by the user based on the monitored air pressure, and deactivate the electrostatic filtration system in accordance with the detected end of inhalation.

In one example, the air treatment member includes an ultraviolet purification system configured to deliver ultraviolet radiation to the cyclone chamber to affect at least some of the particles in the received air. In one example, the ultraviolet purification system is configured to deliver ultraviolet C (UVC) radiation to the cyclone chamber to affect organic particles in the cyclone chamber. In one example, the air treatment includes a pressure sensor configured to monitor air pressure, and pressure-based control electronics configured to control at least one of the electrostatic filtration system or the ultraviolet purification system as a function of the monitored air pressure. In one example, the pressure-based control electronics are configured to dynamically control the delivery of ultraviolet radiation to the cyclone chamber based on the monitored air pressure.

In one example, an air treatment system includes a pressure sensor configured to monitor air pressure and pressure-based control electronics configured to automatically detect an inhalation event based on the monitored air pressure, the automatically detected inhalation event including at least one of an inhalation start, an inhalation end, or an inhalation occurrence, and automatically control the ultraviolet purification system based on the detected inhalation event.

In one example, the pressure-based control electronics are configured to automatically detect an inhalation event based on the monitored air pressure; automatically enabling the ultraviolet purification system in response to the detected inhalation event; automatically detecting a non-inhalation period during which no inhalation event is detected for a defined non-inhalation threshold duration; and automatically deactivating the ultraviolet purification system in response to the detected non-inhalation period.

In one example, an air treatment system includes a pressure sensor configured to monitor air pressure and pressure-based control electronics configured to detect a start of inhalation by a user based on the monitored air pressure, activate an ultraviolet purification system according to the detected start of inhalation, detect an end of inhalation by the user based on the monitored air pressure, and deactivate the ultraviolet purification system according to the detected end of inhalation.

In one example, the particle removal system includes a particle reservoir configured to receive and store particles removed from the cyclone chamber.

In one example, the air treatment system includes a replaceable filter disposed downstream of the cyclone filter outlet. In one example, the replaceable filter comprises a cloth or cellulose filter cartridge.

In one example, the air handling system includes a blower configured to generate a positive pressure airflow through the cyclone filter.

In one example, the air handling system includes a breathing interface configured to connect the cyclone filter with a user's breathing system such that a rotational airflow in the cyclone chamber is generated by inhalation by the user. In one example, the respiratory interface includes a mask.

In one example, the air treatment system is a self-contained wearable system.

In one example, an air handling system is configured for connection to a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system.

In one example, the cyclone filter is configured to generate a rotating airflow in the cyclone chamber to push at least a portion of the particles in the cyclone chamber radially outward, causing clusters of particles to fall downward toward the particle removal system.

Another aspect provides an air treatment system for treating contaminated air. The air treatment system comprises: a cyclone filter configured to receive air including particles and to generate a rotating airflow to remove at least some of the particles; an ultraviolet purification system configured to deliver ultraviolet radiation to the cyclone filter to kill or destroy organic particles of the particles included in the cyclone filter; and an electrostatic filtration system configured to charge the particles in the cyclone filter to facilitate removal of the particles from the cyclone filter by electrostatic forces.

In one example, the electrostatic filtration system includes electronics configured to apply a first charge having a first polarity to the particles in the cyclone filter and a second charge having a second polarity opposite the first polarity to a particle removal system such that the particles in the cyclone filter become charged with the first polarity and are electrostatically attracted to the particle removal system.

Drawings

Example aspects of the disclosure are described below in conjunction with the appended drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 illustrates an example air treatment system including a cyclone filter and an electrostatic filtration system;

FIG. 2 illustrates an example air handling system including a cyclone filter, an electrostatic filtration system, and a pressure-based control system;

FIG. 3 illustrates an example air treatment system including a cyclone filter, an electrostatic filtration system, and an ultraviolet purification system;

FIG. 4 illustrates an example air treatment system including a cyclone filter, an electrostatic filtration system, an ultraviolet purification system, and a pressure-based control system;

FIG. 5A illustrates an example air treatment system connected to a Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) system for recirculating treated air to a room;

FIG. 5B illustrates an example air treatment system coupled to a Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) system for providing treated air to a room; and is

Fig. 5C shows an example air treatment system coupled to a Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) system for delivering treated air out of a room containing contaminated air.

It should be understood that reference numerals for any illustrated element appearing in multiple different figures have the same meaning in the multiple figures, and references or discussions herein of any illustrated element in the context of any particular figure also apply to every other figure, if any, in which the same illustrated element is shown.

Detailed Description

An air treatment system is provided for removing particles from a volume of air to produce treated air for breathing. The air treatment system may include a cyclone filter and an electrostatic filtration system. The cyclone filter can include: a cyclone chamber; a cyclone chamber inlet configured to receive air comprising suspended particles; and a cyclone chamber outlet configured to output the treated air towards a respiratory interface, such as a mask or a face shield. The cyclone filter generates a rotating airflow that removes at least some particles from the air in the cyclone filter. The electrostatic filtration system may be configured to charge the particles in the cyclone chamber with a first polarity to create electrostatic attraction of the particles to a particle removal system charged with a second, opposite polarity to remove additional particles from the cyclone filter. The air treatment system can also include an ultraviolet purification system to deliver ultraviolet radiation (e.g., UVC radiation) to kill, destroy, or otherwise affect organic particles in the air being treated.

FIG. 1 illustrates an example air treatment system 100. The air treatment system 100 includes a cyclone filter 110, an electrostatic filtration system 120, and a particle removal system 130. The cyclone filter 110 is generally operable to remove particles P from a volume of air to be treated, which are delivered to the particle removal system 130. The electrostatic filtration system 120 is operable to generate electrostatic forces to further facilitate removal of the particles P from the cyclone filter 110, as discussed below.

The cyclone filter 110 includes a cyclone chamber 112, an inlet 114 and an outlet 116. The inlet 114 is configured to receive air including suspended particles P into the cyclone chamber 112. The shape of the cyclone chamber 112 creates a rotating (also referred to as "cyclonic") airflow within the cyclone chamber for the received air, and the received air is then fed out of the cyclone chamber 112 through the outlet 116. In some examples, the cyclone chamber 112 includes at least one outer wall 113 that defines a conical, cylindrical, or other suitable shape for generating a rotating airflow in the cyclone chamber 112.

The rotating airflow in the cyclone chamber 112 creates centrifugal forces that drive or push at least some of the suspended particles P (including, for example, larger particles, such as particles above 100 microns in diameter) radially outward toward the cyclone chamber outer wall 113. The outwardly driven particles P may collect or cluster together, and the clustered particles P may then fall downward (due to gravity) along the cyclone outer chamber wall 113 to the particle removal system 130. The general flow path of the particles P radially outwards towards the cyclone chamber outer wall 113 is indicated by the arrow PCF where they cluster and fall downwards towards the particle removal system 130. Thus, the cyclone filter 110 is configured to promote a rotating airflow within the cyclone chamber to remove at least a portion of the particles P from the received air.

As shown in fig. 1, the particle removal system 130 may include a particle reservoir 132 configured to collect and store particles P removed from the cyclone chamber 112. Alternatively, the particle removal system 130 may be, for example, a conduit 136 for delivering particles P back into the environment (e.g., in a direction away from the cyclone chamber inlet 114) or into a removal reservoir.

As noted above, the electrostatic filtration system 120 also facilitates the removal of particles P, particularly small particles (e.g., less than 100 microns, less than 20 microns, or even less than 10 microns in diameter, including, for example, particles in the range of 2.5 microns to 10 microns in diameter), from the air in the cyclone filter 110. The electrostatic filtration system 120 includes electrostatic filtration system electronics 121 including a power supply 122, a microcontroller 124, and a separator 126. The power source 122 may include a battery (e.g., where the air treatment system 100 is embodied as a wearable or portable system) or a power cord for connection to an electrical grid.

Separator 126 includes (a) a first terminal 126a conductively connected to inner surface 115 of cyclone chamber outer wall 113; and a second terminal 126b conductively coupled to a surface 133 (e.g., an inner surface) of the particle removal system 130 (e.g., particle reservoir 132). The cyclone chamber inner surface 115 and the particle removal system surface 133 may be formed of, coated with, or lined with an electrically conductive material (e.g., metal).

The microcontroller 124 is configured to control the splitter 126 to:

(a) Applying a first voltage (e.g., a negative voltage) having a first polarity to the electrically conductive cyclone chamber inner surface 115 to charge the particles P in the cyclone chamber 112 with the first polarity (e.g., to produce negatively charged particles P), an

(b) A second voltage (e.g., a positive voltage) having an opposite second polarity is applied to the conductive particle removal system surface 133.

Due to the voltage applied by the separator 126, the charged particles P (e.g., negatively charged particles P) in the cyclone chamber 112 become electrostatically attracted to the particle removal system 130 (e.g., the positively charged surface 133 of the particle removal system 130) having an opposite charge to the particles P. This electrostatic attraction creates an acceleration of the charged particles P towards the particle removal system 130, as indicated by arrow PEF. In other words, electrostatic attraction pulls the charged particles P towards the particle removal system 130.

The electrostatic attraction provided by the electrostatic filtration system 120 may be particularly useful for removing particles P from the cyclone filter 110 that are not effectively removed by the operation of the cyclone chamber 112 described above, e.g., smaller or lower mass particles P that are not sufficiently affected by the centrifugal forces associated with the rotating airflow in the cyclone chamber 112 (described above) will be driven outward, cluster with other particles P, and fall due to gravity toward the particle removal system 130 (e.g., particles that follow a path generally indicated by arrow PCF).

The electrostatic filtration system electronics 121 can apply any suitable voltage polarity and magnitude to the conductive cyclone chamber inner surface 115 and the conductive particle removal system surface 133 to create electrostatic attraction of the particles P to the particle removal system 130.

For example, with respect to polarity, in some examples, the electrostatic filtration system electronics 121 (e.g., microcontroller 124 and separator 126) can (a) apply a negative voltage to the electrically conductive cyclone chamber inner surface 115 to charge the particles P in the cyclone chamber 112 with a negative charge, and (b) apply a positive voltage to the electrically conductive particle removal system face 133 to attract the negatively charged particles P. In other examples, the electrical polarity may be reversed, which provides a similar electrostatic attraction of the particles P toward the particle removal system 130. In other words, in some examples, the electrostatic filtration system electronics 121 can apply a positive voltage to the electrically conductive cyclone chamber inner surface 115 (thereby positively charging the particles P in the cyclone chamber 112) and a negative voltage to the electrically conductive particle removal system surface 133, thereby attracting the positively charged particles P.

With respect to size, in some examples, the electrostatic filtration system electronics 121 may apply a first negative voltage in the range of 5kV to 10kV to the conductive cyclone chamber inner surface 115 and apply a second voltage of 0V to the conductive particle removal system surface 133.

As discussed above, the cyclone chamber inner surface 115 and the particle removal system surface 133 may be formed of, coated with, or lined with a conductive material (e.g., metal) such that the

surfaces

115 and 133 may be charged by the electrostatic filtration system electronics 121. In some examples, the cyclone chamber inner surface 115 and/or the particle removal system surface 133 may be formed of, coated with, or lined with an electrically conductive material having antimicrobial or antiviral properties, such as, without limitation, silver, copper, or a copper alloy (e.g., brass or bronze).

Referring to fig. 1, after (rotationally) flowing through the cyclone chamber 112, wherein at least a portion of the particles P are removed from the air by the cyclone filter 110 and the electrostatic filtration system 120 as discussed above, the treated air TA exits the cyclone chamber 112 through the outlet 116 to the respiratory interface 140, which is configured to provide the treated air TA for breathing by one or more persons. In some examples, the respiratory interface 140 may include: a mask, a face shield including an air outlet, or any other device configured to deliver treated air TA into or near a person's mouth and/or nose. In other examples (e.g., the examples shown in fig. 5A-5C discussed below), the respiratory interface 140 may include an outlet structured to deliver the treated air TA to a room or other environment for breathing by one or more persons.

In some examples, the respiratory interface 140 may connect the cyclone filter 110 with the user's respiratory system in a manner that transmits pressure generated by the user's respiratory system to the cyclone chamber 112 such that aspects of the user's breath (e.g., inhalation and/or exhalation) create or facilitate a rotational airflow in the cyclone chamber 112 for removing particles P from air received via the cyclone chamber inlet 114. For example, the respiratory interface 140 may include a mask configured to seal or partially seal against the face of a user (e.g., around the mouth, nose, or both of the user). When a user inhales (inhales), a negative pressure is created in the user's respiratory system, which creates a suction force in the cyclone chamber 112 that creates an airflow into the cyclone chamber inlet 114, around the cyclone chamber 112 (rotating airflow), and out through the cyclone chamber outlet 116 to the respiratory interface (i.e. mask) 140.

In some examples, the air handling system 100 includes a blower (e.g., a fan) 118 to generate or promote a positive pressure airflow into the cyclone chamber 112 via the cyclone chamber inlet 114, around the cyclone chamber 112 (rotating the airflow), and through the cyclone chamber outlet 116 to the respiratory interface 140. For example, an air handling system 100 in which the respiratory interface 140 does not generate a flow of air through the air handling system 100 (e.g., in which the respiratory interface 140 does not seal against the face of a user) may include a blower 118 to generate a positive pressure flow of air through the air handling system 100. As another example, blower 118 may be provided to facilitate or supplement the flow of air through air handling system 100 where respiratory interface 140 is structured to generate an air flow through air handling system 100 (e.g., where respiratory interface 140 is at least partially sealed against the face of a user). In some examples, the blower 118 may be battery powered, such as by a power source (e.g., a battery) 122 in common with the electrostatic filtration system 120 and/or other electronic components of the air treatment system 100.

In some examples, at least one processed air delivery conduit 150 (e.g., at least one flexible or rigid hose, tube, or other conduit) may be connected between the cyclone chamber outlet 116 and the respiratory interface 140. In some examples, a replaceable filter 160 may be disposed downstream of the cyclone filter outlet 116 for removing additional particulates P from the treated air TA. Replaceable filter 160 may include a cloth or cellulose filter cartridge, or other type of replaceable air filter. Because the cyclone filter 110 and the electrostatic filtration system 120 can remove a significant amount of particles P upstream of the replaceable filter 160, the replaceable filter 160 can receive significantly less particles P than many conventional replaceable filters. Thus, the replaceable filter 160 may allow for a lower frequency of replacement than conventional replaceable filters of this type.

FIG. 2 illustrates an example air treatment system 200 according to one example. The air treatment system 200 may be similar to the air treatment system 100 shown in fig. 1, and further includes a pressure-based control system 202 configured to control at least one operational aspect of the air treatment system 200 based on a detected pressure or defined pressure change. The pressure-based control system 202 may include at least one pressure sensor 210 configured to monitor air pressure at one or more locations in the air handling system 200. In one example, the pressure-based control system 202 may maintain a running average using an analog integrator on the incoming sensor signal, and the integrator output may be connected to a comparator. The other input of the comparator may be directly connected to the input from the sensor 210. When the input drops suddenly, the slow moving integrator output provides a threshold and the linear sensor input will trigger detection.

In one example, the pressure-based control system 202 may use an analog integrator to maintain a running average of the pressure signal from the pressure sensor 210, and the integrator output may be passed to a comparator. The other input of the comparator may be directly connected to the input from the sensor 210. When the sensor signal suddenly drops, the slow moving integrator output provides a threshold and the linear sensor input will trigger a defined pressure detection.

Fig. 2 shows two example positions of the pressure sensor 210, namely a first example position in the particle reservoir 132 and a second example position at the processed air delivery conduit 150 connected between the cyclone chamber outlet 116 and the respiratory interface 140.

The pressure-based control system 202 also includes pressure-based control electronics 212 configured to dynamically control the electrostatic filtration system 120 (a) via a connection with the microcontroller 124 and/or (b) the blower 118, as a function of the air pressure monitored by the pressure sensor 210. The pressure-based control electronics 212 may include a microcontroller or other processor and control logic stored in memory. In some examples, pressure-based control electronics 212 may be configured to automatically detect inhalation events and/or exhalation events based on pressure measurements from pressure sensor 210. The type of inhalation event may include inhalation start, inhalation end, and inhalation occurrence; and the types of exhalation events may include an exhalation start, an exhalation end, and an exhalation occurrence. In one example, pressure-based control electronics 212 may detect inhalation events and/or exhalation events (e.g., without limitation, inhalation onset, inhalation end, inhalation occurrence, exhalation onset, exhalation end, and/or exhalation occurrence), for example, by comparing pressure measurements from pressure sensor 210 to one or more stored threshold pressure values and/or reference pressure data or patterns, or otherwise analyzing the pressure measurements.

With respect to the electrostatic filtration system 120, the pressure-based control electronics 212 may be configured to automatically detect inhalation events and/or exhalation events, and dynamically control the electrostatic filtration system 120 in response to the detected inhalation events and/or exhalation events. Dynamically controlling the electrostatic filtration system 120 may include activating or deactivating the electrostatic filtration system 120, or otherwise controlling the voltage applied to the conductive cyclone chamber inner surface 115 and/or the conductive particle removal system surface 133, such as by providing a control signal to the microcontroller 124, or by direct control of the separator 126 (connection not shown).

In some examples, the pressure-based control electronics 212 may be configured to dynamically control the electrostatic filtration system 120 based on a detected inhalation event (e.g., inhalation start, inhalation end, or inhalation occurrence).

In one example, the pressure-based control electronics 212 may detect an inhalation event, such as an inhalation start, an inhalation end, or an inhalation occurrence, based on pressure measurements from the pressure sensor 210 (e.g., by comparing such pressure measurements to defined threshold and/or reference pressure data or patterns). The pressure-based control electronics 212 may be configured to automatically enable the electrostatic filtration system 120 upon detection of a defined inhalation event (e.g., inhalation initiation or inhalation occurrence) and continue to operate the electrostatic filtration system 120 until a "non-inhalation" period is detected in which no inhalation event is detected for a defined non-inhalation threshold duration (e.g., 15 seconds), and in response, disable the electrostatic filtration system 120, e.g., until the next inhalation event is detected. In this manner, the pressure-based control electronics 212 may be configured to automatically activate and operate the electrostatic filtration system 120 only when a user is breathing using the air treatment system 100, which may extend battery life or otherwise reduce power consumption.

A non-inspiratory threshold duration (e.g., 15 seconds) for triggering deactivation of the pressure-based control electronics 212 may be set based on a typical or average maximum duration between breaths (and stored in the pressure-based control electronics 212). In one example, the pressure-based control electronics 212 may provide a user interface for setting or adjusting the non-inhalation threshold duration, for example, based on the breathing habits of a particular user, or a preference for automatically deactivating the electrostatic filtration system 120.

In another example, the pressure-based control electronics 212 may be configured to automatically detect each inhalation start based on pressure measurements from the pressure sensor 210, activate the electrostatic filtration system 120 according to each detected inhalation start (e.g., at each detected inhalation start), automatically detect each inhalation end based on pressure measurements from the pressure sensor 210, and deactivate the electrostatic filtration system 120 according to each detected inhalation end (e.g., at each detected inhalation end or at a defined delay period (e.g., 1 second) after each detected inhalation end) such that the electrostatic filtration system 120 is activated only during the inhalation phase of each breath, which may extend battery life or otherwise reduce power consumption.

With respect to the blower 118, the pressure-based control electronics 212 may be configured to automatically detect inhalation events and/or exhalation events, and to dynamically control the blower 118 based on the detected inhalation events and/or exhalation events. Dynamically controlling the electrostatic filtration system 120 may include activating or deactivating the blower 118, or otherwise controlling the power applied to the blower 118, for example, to control the pressure and/or airflow generated by the blower 118. For example, blower 118 may be controlled to maintain a low positive pressure in respiratory interface (e.g., mask) 140 to automatically adjust for pressure loss due to leaks.

FIG. 3 illustrates an example air treatment system 300 according to one example. The air treatment system 300 may be similar to the air treatment system 100 shown in FIG. 1, and further includes a UV purification system 302 configured to deliver UV radiation into the cyclone chamber 112 to affect the particles P in the cyclone chamber 112. As shown, the ultraviolet purification system 302 may include an ultraviolet LED 310 and a corresponding LED driver 312.

In some examples, the ultraviolet purification system 302 may deliver ultraviolet C (UVC) radiation to the cyclone chamber 112 to affect organic particles included in particles P in the air received within the cyclone chamber 112, e.g., to kill, destroy, or otherwise alter bacteria or virus particles in the cyclone chamber 112. Some or all of such organic particles may also be removed from the air and delivered to the particle removal system 130 by operation of the cyclone filter 110 and/or the electrostatic filtration system 120 described above. The LED driver 312 may be responsive to the microcontroller 124, which the microcontroller 124 may provide control signals to the LED driver 312. Power may be provided to the LED driver 312 from a power source 122 (connections not shown).

FIG. 4 illustrates an example air treatment system 400 according to one example. The air treatment system 400 may be similar to the air treatment system 100 shown in fig. 1, and further include the pressure-based control system 202 as described above with respect to fig. 2 and the ultraviolet purification system 302 as described above with respect to fig. 3. The pressure-based control electronics 212 may be configured to dynamically control (a) the electrostatic filtration system 120, (b) the ultraviolet purification system 302, and/or (c) the blower 118, each in accordance with the air pressure monitored by the pressure sensor 210.

In some examples, pressure-based control electronics 212 may be configured to (a) automatically detect an inhalation event and/or an exhalation event based on pressure measurements from pressure sensor 210, and (b) control both electrostatic filtration system 120 and ultraviolet purification system 302 based on the detected inhalation event and/or exhalation event. For example, the pressure-based control electronics 212 may be configured to automatically detect each inhalation start based on pressure measurements from the pressure sensor 210, activate the electrostatic filtration system 120 and the ultraviolet purification system 302 according to each detected inhalation start, automatically detect each inhalation end based on pressure measurements from the pressure sensor 210, and deactivate the electrostatic filtration system 120 and the ultraviolet purification system 302 according to each detected inhalation end, such that the electrostatic filtration system 120 and the ultraviolet purification system 302 are activated only during the inhalation phase of each breath, which may extend battery life, or otherwise reduce power consumption.

Any of the example air treatment systems discussed above may be embodied as a self-contained wearable system. For example, the cyclone filter 110, electrostatic filtration system 120, and ultraviolet purification system 302 (if present) may be disposed in a soft or rigid housing configured to be carried by a backpack, shoulder strap, chest strap, waist belt (belt), or secured to a user's shirt, pants, hat, helmet, or other article of clothing or wearable protective equipment.

FIG. 5A shows an example air treatment system 500a connected to a Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) system 502 for providing treated air to a room 510. The various components of the air treatment system 500 may be similar to the corresponding components of any of the air treatment systems 100-400 described above. Although the air handling system 500a is shown as being disposed downstream of the HVAC system 520, the air handling system 500a may alternatively be disposed upstream of the HVAC system 520, or may be disposed within the HVAC system 520.

As shown, the HVAC system 520 may receive air including suspended particles P from the room 510. The air handling system 500 may receive air with particles P via the inlet 114. The cyclone filter 110 and the electrostatic filtration system 120 may remove particles P from the air, and the ultraviolet purification system 302 may kill, destroy, or otherwise alter the organic particles P in the cyclone chamber 112, as discussed above. Filtered air discharged through the outlet 116 may be delivered back to the room 510 via the treated air delivery duct 150.

Fig. 5B shows an example air treatment system 500B that is similar to air treatment system 500a, but is arranged to treat an external source of contaminated air, and deliver the treated air to a room 510. Fig. 5C illustrates an example air treatment system 500C that is similar to air treatment system 500a, but is arranged to treat contaminated air in a room 510 to deliver a treated air stream outside the room 510.

Claims

1. An air treatment system, the air treatment system comprising:

a cyclone filter, the cyclone filter comprising:

a cyclone chamber;

an inlet configured to receive air including particles into the cyclone chamber;

an outlet configured to output the processed air from the cyclone chamber;

wherein the cyclone filter is configured to promote a rotating airflow within the cyclone chamber to remove at least a portion of the particles from the received air; and

a particle removal system configured to receive particles removed from the received air by the cyclone filter; and

an electrostatic filtration system comprising electrostatic filtration system electronics configured to:

applying a first charge having a first polarity to the particles in the cyclone chamber; and

applying a second charge having a second polarity opposite the first polarity to the particle removal system;

causing the particles in the cyclone chamber to become charged with the first polarity,

and is electrostatically attracted to the particle removal system.

2. The air treatment system of claim 1, wherein the electrostatic filtration system electronics are configured to:

applying the first charge having the first polarity to at least one electrically conductive surface of the cyclone chamber, thereby applying the first charge to the particles in the cyclone chamber; and

applying the second electrical charge having the second polarity opposite the first polarity to at least one electrically conductive surface of the particle removal system.

3. The air handling system of claim 2, wherein the at least one conductive surface of the cyclone chamber comprises silver or copper.

4. An air handling system according to any of claims 1-3, further comprising:

a pressure sensor configured to monitor air pressure; and

pressure-based control electronics configured to dynamically control the electrostatic filtration system as a function of the monitored air pressure.

5. The air handling system of claim 4, wherein the pressure-based control electronics are configured to dynamically control, based on the monitored air pressure, at least one of: (a) A first voltage having the first polarity to at least one electrically conductive surface of the cyclone chamber or (b) a second voltage having the second polarity to at least one electrically conductive surface of the particle removal system.

6. The air treatment system of any of claims 4-5, wherein the pressure-based control electronics are configured to:

automatically detecting an inhalation event based on the monitored air pressure, the automatically detected inhalation event comprising at least one of an inhalation start, an inhalation end, or an inhalation occurrence; and

automatically controlling the electrostatic filtration system based on the detected inhalation event.

7. The air handling system of claim 6, wherein the pressure-based control electronics are configured to:

automatically detecting an inhalation event based on the monitored air pressure;

automatically enabling the electrostatic filtration system in response to the detected inhalation event;

automatically detecting a non-inhalation period during which no inhalation event is detected for a defined non-inhalation threshold duration; and

automatically deactivating the electrostatic filtration system in response to the detected non-inhalation period.

8. The air treatment system of claim 4, wherein the control electronics are configured to:

detecting an inhalation onset of a user based on the monitored air pressure;

activating the electrostatic filtration system in accordance with the detected onset of inhalation;

detecting an end of inhalation by the user based on the monitored air pressure; and

deactivating the electrostatic filtration system in accordance with the detected end of draw.

9. The air treatment system of any of claims 1-8, further comprising an ultraviolet purification system configured to deliver ultraviolet radiation to the cyclone chamber to affect at least some of the particles in the received air.

10. The air handling system of claim 9, wherein the ultraviolet purification system is configured to deliver ultraviolet C (UVC) radiation to the cyclone chamber to affect organic particles in the cyclone chamber.

11. An air handling system according to any of claims 9-10, further comprising:

a pressure sensor configured to monitor air pressure; and

pressure-based control electronics configured to control at least one of the electrostatic filtration system or the ultraviolet purification system as a function of the monitored air pressure.

12. The air handling system of claim 11, wherein the pressure-based control electronics are configured to dynamically control the delivery of ultraviolet radiation to the cyclone chamber based on the monitored air pressure.

13. The air handling system of claim 9, further comprising:

a pressure sensor configured to monitor air pressure; and

pressure-based control electronics configured to:

automatically controlling the ultraviolet purification system based on the detected inhalation event.

14. The air handling system of claim 13, wherein the pressure-based control electronics are configured to:

automatically enabling the ultraviolet purification system in response to the detected inhalation event;

automatically deactivating the ultraviolet purification system in response to the detected non-inhalation period.

15. The air handling system of claim 9, further comprising:

a pressure sensor configured to monitor air pressure; and

pressure-based control electronics configured to:

detecting an onset of inhalation by the user based on the monitored air pressure;

activating the ultraviolet purification system in accordance with the detected onset of inhalation;

deactivating the ultraviolet purification system based on the detected end of inhalation.

16. The air handling system of any of claims 1 to 15, wherein the particle removal system includes a particle reservoir configured to receive and store particles removed from the cyclone chamber.

17. An air treatment system according to any one of claims 1 to 16, further comprising a replaceable filter arranged downstream of the cyclone filter outlet.

18. The air treatment system of claim 17, wherein the replaceable filter comprises a cloth or cellulose filter cartridge.

19. The air handling system of any of claims 1-18, further comprising a blower configured to generate a positive pressure airflow through the cyclone filter.

20. The air handling system of any of claims 1 to 19, further comprising a breathing interface configured to connect the cyclone filter with a user's breathing system such that a rotational airflow in the cyclone chamber is generated by inhalation by the user.

21. The air treatment system of any one of claims 1-20, wherein the respiratory interface comprises a mask.

22. The air treatment system according to any one of claims 1 to 21, wherein the air treatment system is a self-contained wearable system.

23. The air treatment system of any of claims 1-22, wherein the air treatment system is configured for connection to a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system.

24. The air handling system of any of claims 1 to 23, wherein the cyclone filter is configured to generate a rotating airflow in the cyclone chamber to push at least a portion of the particles in the cyclone chamber radially outward, causing a cluster of particles to fall downward toward the particle removal system.

25. An air treatment system for treating contaminated air, the air treatment system comprising:

a cyclone filter configured to receive air including particles and to generate a rotating airflow to remove at least some of the particles;

an ultraviolet purification system configured to deliver ultraviolet radiation to the cyclone filter to kill or destroy organic particles of the particles included in the cyclone filter; and

an electrostatic filtration system configured to charge the particles in the cyclone filter to facilitate removal of the particles from the cyclone filter by electrostatic forces.

26. The air treatment system of claim 25, wherein the electrostatic filtration system comprises electronics configured to:

applying a first charge having a first polarity to the particles in the cyclone filter; and

applying a second electrical charge having a second polarity opposite the first polarity to the particle removal system,

such that the particles in the cyclone filter become charged with the first polarity and are electrostatically attracted to the particle removal system.

27. A method comprising operation of an air treatment system according to any one of claims 1 to 26.