BACKGROUND
Field
This disclosure relates generally to a vapor release device.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Additional advantages and details are explained in greater detail below with reference to the exemplary embodiments that are illustrated in the accompanying schematic figures, in which:
FIG. 1 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a release device according to a non-limiting embodiment;
FIG. 2 illustrates a cartridge for use in a release device according to a non-limiting embodiment;
FIG. 3 illustrates a release device according to a non-limiting embodiment;
FIGS. 4-5 illustrate exploded views of the release device of FIG. 1 according to a non-limiting embodiment;
FIGS. 6-11 illustrate components of the non-limiting embodiment of the release device shown in FIG. 1;
FIGS. 12-14 illustrate a release device according to another non-limiting embodiment; and
FIGS. 15-17 illustrate a release device according to other non-limiting embodiments.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
For purposes of the description hereinafter, the terms “end,” “upper,” “lower,” “right,” “left,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” “top,” “bottom,” “lateral,” “longitudinal,” and derivatives thereof shall relate to the embodiments as they are oriented in the drawing figures. However, it is to be understood that the embodiments may assume various alternative variations and step sequences, except where expressly specified to the contrary. It is also to be understood that the specific devices and processes illustrated in the attached drawings, and described in the following specification, are simply exemplary embodiments or aspects of the invention. Hence, specific dimensions and other physical characteristics related to the embodiments or aspects disclosed herein are not to be considered as limiting.
A release device is provided to disperse a vapor from a compound that is absorbed/adsorbed into solid particles.
According to a first non-limiting embodiment, a cross-sectional view of which is shown in FIG. 1, a release device 100 includes a housing 110, a metallic plate, and two fans 112, 114 (a fan underneath the metallic plate 114 and a second fan 112 on top of the lid). It will be appreciated that other heating elements may be used, such as a ceramic plate, a ceramic or metallic coil, and/or the like. A power source is used to heat the metallic plate with resistive heating. In some non-limiting embodiments, the metallic plate may be heated up to 90° C. However, it will be appreciated that various temperatures may be used depending on the particle being released. The fan underneath the metallic plate facilitates the release of the vapor from the particles and movement of the vapor upwards. The fan on top of the lid of the housing disperses the vapor into the surrounding atmosphere or space. The release device includes an entrance filter 118 and an exit filter 116.
In operation, a cartridge (e.g., a cassette or other device) including a compound is placed on the metallic plate. A cartridge 200 is shown in FIG. 2 according to a non-limiting embodiment. A cartridge 200 may include a permeable fabric 210 on a bottom side and a filter on a top side such that a compound is held between the bottom side and the top side. The cartridge may be sized and shaped so as to be inserted into the housing of the release device and to be arranged on or near the metallic plate or other heating element.
Once the cartridge is inserted or placed in the release device, air at an ambient temperature may enter one or more openings in the housing. The heated plate, in turn, heats the air and/or the cartridge (and the compound contained therein). The heated air passes through the solid particles which releases vapor.
Referring now to FIG. 3, a release device 300 is shown according to a non-limiting embodiment. As shown, the release device 300 has a lid 310 that opens with hinges, apertures in the underside of the lid, a metallic plate 312 in a cavity of the bottom portion of the housing, a control panel 314, and a switch. It will be appreciated that various arrangements and implementations may be used.
FIGS. 4 and 5 show exploded views of the non-limiting embodiment of the release device shown in FIG. 1. From top to bottom, the components are as follows: lid with outlet 410; housing 412 for exit fan; exit filter 413 (attached to bottom of housing for exit fan); entrance filter 414 (attached to top of housing 416 for cassette); housing 416 for cassette or compound and entrance filter; housing 418 for heating element and entrance fan; and base 422 and housing 420 for electronic components.
FIGS. 6-8 show components of the non-limiting embodiment of the release device shown in FIG. 1. The dimensions and arrangements shown in FIGS. 6-8 are for illustrative purposes only.
FIG. 6 is a top view and a side view of a lid of a release device according to a non-limiting embodiment. As shown, the lid includes a filter arranged over an outlet such that vapor produced in the release device is outputted through the filter. FIG. 7 is a bottom view of the lid.
FIG. 8 shows a top view and a side view of a section of the release device containing the electronic controlling elements according to a non-limiting embodiment. A control panel (e.g., an input device) is arranged on an exterior housing of the release device for receiving user input.
FIG. 9 shows a top view and a side view of an intake fan of a release device according to a non-limiting embodiment.
FIG. 10 shows a top view and a side view of a receiving area of a release device according to a non-limiting embodiment. The receiving area receives a compound, such as a compound included in a cartridge or otherwise placed in the area. A heating element is arranged in a cavity of the release device. FIG. 11 shows a top view and a side view of an input filter device according to a non-limiting embodiment. The input filter device moves air from outside of the release device to inside the release device through an inlet in a housing of the release device.
Referring now to FIGS. 12-14, a release device is shown according to a further non-limiting embodiment. FIG. 12 depicts a perspective view of a release device. FIG. 13 depicts a top view of the release device shown in FIG. 12.
FIG. 14 shows a cross-sectional view of the release device shown in FIG. 12 through the line A-A shown in FIG. 13. A top of the release device includes an outlet (8) coupled with a fan (1). An inlet (9) toward a bottom end of the release device provides air into the release device from the surrounding atmosphere. Circuitry, one or more processors, and/or other electronic components (7) may be arranged in a bottom end of the release device or elsewhere. A high pressure fan (5) is coupled to the inlet to pull air into the release device. A heating element (6) is arranged in the release device to heat the air that is received through the inlet (9). The heated air is forced through an entry filter (4) in the release device, although it will be appreciated that the entry filter (4) may also filter the intake air before it is heated. The heated air then moves into a container (3), such as a glass vial, having a bottom opening and a top opening. The container (3) may be of various shapes and, in some non-limiting embodiments, may be funnel-shaped. An exit filter (2) is arranged at the top opening.
With continued reference to FIG. 14, in operation a compound is placed in the container (3) and electricity is supplied to the release device. The heated air that enters the container (3) heats and/or agitates the compound, releasing vapor that passes through the exit filter (2) and the outlet (8), aided by the fan (1) coupled to the outlet (8). It will be appreciated that, in some non-limiting embodiments, a single fan may be used at the inlet or outlet to move air into and/or out of the release device.
With continued reference to FIG. 14, the container (3) may be made from a material such as glass, Teflon®, or polypropylene. A bottom side of the container may include one or more apertures as an air inlet (9). One or more of the filters (2), (4) may include a porous glass or nylon filter, as examples, that block solid particles (e.g., blocking particles having dimensions ranging from 40 to 200 µm, as one possible non-limiting example). Hot air (e.g., between approximately 60° C. to 90° C.) is blown in through the filter (4) to release a vapor from a compound that is absorbed/adsorbed into solid particles. The heated air may be provided by, for example, a heat gun, one or more heating elements (6) and fans (5), and/or the like. The movement of the particles under the action of the air flow will facilitate heat transfer and removal of vapor stored in the solid compound. The vapor is then forced through the outlet and the vapor is dispersed into the surrounding space. The release device may include one or more input devices and/or controls to adjust temperature, air velocity, air pressure, and/or the like to optimize the release of the vapor.
FIG. 15 shows a non-limiting embodiment of a bio-decontamination device that relies on hot air to fluidize the dry vaporizable hydrogen peroxide (VHP) formulation.
FIG. 16 shows a non-limiting embodiment of the components of the bio-decontamination device shown in FIG. 15. A bio-decontamination device assembly may include: a site (1) adapted to introduce a cassette containing a dryVHP formulation; a pressurization and air heating element (2) arranged to pressurize and/or heat the dryVHP formulation in the cartridge; a fan (3) including a heating element; a fan (4) that delivers air to the cartridge at site (1); an electronic control unit (5); a site (6) to introduce a cassette containing the aeration formulation; fans (7) that diffuse the air around the unit; and a touchscreen (8) or other input device. The electronic control unit (5) may be in electrical communication with the pressurization and air heating element (2) and fans (3) (7) to control these devices.
As shown in FIG. 16, in a non-limiting embodiment ambient air enters through the fan (4) and flows through the pressurization and air heating element (2), where it is rapidly heated before passing through the cylindrical cassette (which may be any shape and/or size in non-limiting embodiments) including the dryVHP formulation with the cassette arranged inside the bio-decontamination site (1). At site (1), the hot air enters the device through a filter that impedes dryVHP powder from being dropped into other components or areas of the device and forces the dryVHP formulation to randomly move (i.e., fluidization). In this process, the hot air removes hydrogen peroxide vapor which exits through a filter (which may be the same type of filter as the entrance filter or a different type of filter) that impedes dryVHP powder from being released while enabling hydrogen peroxide-enriched air to exit. The hydrogen peroxide-enriched air may include vapor and/or a combination of vapor and microdroplets. The filter may be a HEPA filter, for example, that blocks 99.97% of particles that are larger than 0.3 micrometers. The filter may also include a TYVEK filter, in addition to or alternatively to, the HEPA filter. A TYVEK filter may reduce the rate of released hydrogen peroxide-enriched air and/or may block the microdroplets, letting only the vapor escape. It will be appreciated that various filters and combinations of filters may be used to control the nature and amount of the hydrogen peroxide-enriched air that is released. For example, for certain applications with sensitive electronic components, it may be desired to block microdroplets but not vapor because the microdroplets may be more corrosive than the vapor. The fan (3) also releases hot air (e.g., by heating the air that passes through it) to help disperse hydrogen peroxide vapor in the closed environment while also maintaining the desired temperature at the exit filter.
With continued reference to FIG. 16, two outer fans (7) without a heating element also aid the spread of the hydrogen peroxide vapor in the closed environment. In site (6), another cylindrical cassette is placed that includes an aeration formulation including a catalyzer, between a bottom and top filter (which may be the same type of filter as used at site (1)). When the bio-decontamination module is finished, the prototype alters its air flow from site (1) to site (6). As a result, the air enters through site (4) but it is not heated as it flows towards site (6), where the hot air enriched in hydrogen peroxide is mixed with the catalyzer to promote hydrogen peroxide decomposition into water and oxygen and its consequent release. As a result of this process, the closed environment in which the release device is used is biodecontaminated and no hydrogen peroxide should be present.
In other non-limiting embodiments, the fan (3) with a heating element will help circulate released vaporized hydrogen peroxide in the surroundings by providing air flow into the surroundings and may also control the exit air temperature. In some non-limiting embodiments, the release device may contain additional fans, without heating elements, to further aid circulation of vaporized hydrogen peroxide in the surrounding area.
In another non-limiting embodiment, an aeration module may be configured to stop the bio-decontamination process. For example, after the bio-decontamination is completed, the release device may continuously intake air from the surroundings but will stop heating the air. The intake air may include excess hydrogen peroxide from the environment. The intake air will no longer be directed to the cylindrical cassette with powder hydrogen peroxide during this part of the process. Instead, the air will flow to a secondary cylindrical cassette. The secondary cylindrical cassette may include a catalyzer that decomposes vaporized hydrogen peroxide into water and oxygen.
In some non-limiting embodiments, the water and oxygen from decomposed hydrogen peroxide are captured within the release device and/or released into the surroundings. The residual vaporized hydrogen peroxide in the cylindrical cassette placed at site (1) may be released or captured after bio-decontamination is complete. The air intake may switch to the secondary cylindrical cassette at site (6) after completion of the de-contamination process, which causes air flow of the main cylindrical cassette at site (1) to stop. The release device may be configured with one or more sensors to detect hydrogen peroxide levels in the surroundings to signal completion of bio-decontamination by, for example, activating a display device (a screen (8), one or more LED indicators, and/or the like) and/or generating an audible notification.
FIG. 17 shows a non-limiting embodiment of a release device. The release device includes a deposit cavity 171 for depositing a material containing dryVHP, a deposit cavity 172 for an aeration formulation, a display screen 173 for displaying one or more parameters, and a heating module 174 for heating the dryVHP material.
Although non-limiting embodiments have been described in detail for the purpose of illustration based on what is currently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that such detail is solely for that purpose and that the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments, but, on the contrary, is intended to cover modifications and equivalent arrangements that are within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. For example, it is to be understood that the present invention contemplates that, to the extent possible, one or more features of any embodiment can be combined with one or more features of any other embodiment.
Patent Application
20230130091
