Interior systems within aircraft or other passenger vehicles consist or seating systems, lavatory systems, entertainments systems, galley systems, galley systems, and various other systems. Each of these systems may be touched by crew or passengers while in use. When one or more passengers or crewmen are infected by a microbe (e.g., virus, bacteria, or fungus), the microbe may be transmitted to any surface of the on-board systems via touch, sneezing, coughing, or other transmission mechanisms. These surfaces may be touched and retained by another person, effectively transmitting the microbe. Current system to disinfect aircraft interiors include manual spraying and wiping surfaces with disinfection solution, a method that is time consuming, and uses toxic materials that may degrade interior surfaces over time. Accordingly, it is desirable to provide a system that avoids the shortcomings of conventional approaches.
A disinfection system is disclosed. In one or more embodiments, the disinfection system includes a base. In one or more embodiments, the disinfection system further includes a first arm mechanically coupled to the base at a first joint, wherein the first arm is configured to rotate along a first axis. In one or more embodiments, the disinfection system further includes a second arm mechanically coupled to the first arm at a second joint, wherein the second arm is configured to rotate along a second axis. In one or more embodiments, the disinfection system further includes an emission module mechanically coupled to the second arm at a third joint and configured rotate along a third axis comprising one or more scanners wherein the one or more scanners are configured to emit electromagnetic energy upon a first surface, wherein the electromagnetic energy is configured to disinfect the first surface. In one or more embodiments, the disinfection system further includes a sensor configured to detect the presence of a person at the first surface. In one or more embodiments, the disinfection system further includes a first actuator operationally coupled to at least one of the first arm the second arm, or the emission module. In one or more embodiments, the disinfection system further includes a controller communicatively coupled to the emission module, the scanner, and the first actuator. In one or more embodiments, the controller includes at least one processor. In one or more embodiments, the controller further includes a memory coupled to the at least one processor. In one or more embodiments, the memory includes instructions stored upon that, when executed by the at least one processor, causes the controller to determine an absence of a person adjacent to the first surface. In one or more embodiments, the memory includes instructions stored upon that, when executed by the at least one processor, causes the controller to activate at least one of the one or more scanners. In one or more embodiments, the memory includes instructions stored upon that, when executed by the at least one processor, causes the controller to focus the electromagnetic energy on the first surface.
In some embodiments of the disinfection system, the emission module further comprises a swivel block. In some embodiments of the disinfection system, the emission module further comprises at least one third arm coupled to the swivel block at a fourth joint, wherein the at least one third arm is configured to rotate along a fourth axis, wherein the at least one third arm comprises at least one of the one or more scanners.
In some embodiments of the disinfection system, the second arm is configured as a second telescopic arm.
In some embodiments of the disinfection system, the second telescopic arm is configured to rotate along a cylindrical axis.
In some embodiments of the disinfection system, the third arm is configured as a third telescopic arm; wherein the third telescopic arm comprises at least one of the one or more scanners.
In some embodiments of the disinfection system, the third telescopic arm is configured to rotate along a cylindrical axis.
In some embodiments of the disinfection system, the disinfection system further includes comprising a rail slidably coupled to the base.
In some embodiments of the disinfection system, the rail is attached to an interior surface of a vehicle.
In some embodiments of the disinfection system, the emission module further comprises a focusing lens. In some embodiments of the disinfection system, the emission module further comprises a lens frame. In some embodiments of the disinfection system, the emission module further comprises a rotary actuator communicatively coupled to the controller configured to rotate the at least one of the lens frame or at least one of the one or more scanners.
In some embodiments of the disinfection system, the base is configured to attach to a passenger seat.
In some embodiments of the disinfection system, the electromagnetic energy is configured as at least one of ultraviolet light or infrared light.
In some embodiments of the disinfection system, the sensor is configured as a motion sensor.
In some embodiments of the disinfection system, the sensor is configured as a heat sensor.
In some embodiments of the disinfection system, the base further comprises at least one of the one or more scanners.
In some embodiments of the disinfection system the rotary actuator is configured to align the focusing lens with the one of the one or more scanners, wherein the electromagnetic energy is emitted from the one of the one or more scanners as a narrowly focused beam. In some embodiments of the disinfection system, the rotary actuator is configured to position the focusing lens out of alignment with the one of the one or more scanners, wherein the electromagnetic energy is emitted from the one of the one or more scanners as a broadly focused beam.
This Summary is provided solely as an introduction to subject matter that is fully described in the Detailed Description and Drawings. The Summary should not be considered to describe essential features nor be used to determine the scope of the Claims. Moreover, it is to be understood that both the foregoing Summary and the following Detailed Description are example and explanatory only and are not necessarily restrictive of the subject matter claimed.
The detailed description is described with reference to the accompanying figures. The use of the same reference numbers in different instances in the description and the figures may indicate similar or identical items. Various embodiments or examples (“examples”) of the present disclosure are disclosed in the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings. The drawings are not necessarily to scale. In general, operations of disclosed processes may be performed in an arbitrary order, unless otherwise provided in the claims. In the drawings:
Before explaining one or more embodiments of the disclosure in detail, it is to be understood that the embodiments are not limited in their application to the details of construction and the arrangement of the components or steps or methodologies set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. In the following detailed description of embodiments, numerous specific details may be set forth in order to provide a more thorough understanding of the disclosure. However, it will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of the instant disclosure that the embodiments disclosed herein may be practiced without some of these specific details. In other instances, well-known features may not be described in detail to avoid unnecessarily complicating the instant disclosure.
As used herein a letter following a reference numeral is intended to reference an embodiment of the feature or element that may be similar, but not necessarily identical, to a previously described element or feature bearing the same reference numeral (e.g., 1, 1a, 1b). Such shorthand notations are used for purposes of convenience only and should not be construed to limit the disclosure in any way unless expressly stated to the contrary.
Further, unless expressly stated to the contrary, “or” refers to an inclusive or and not to an exclusive or. For example, a condition A or B is satisfied by any one of the following: A is true (or present) and B is false (or not present), A is false (or not present) and B is true (or present), and both A and B are true (or present).
In addition, use of “a” or “an” may be employed to describe elements and components of embodiments disclosed herein. This is done merely for convenience and “a” and “an” are intended to include “one” or “at least one,” and the singular also includes the plural unless it is obvious that it is meant otherwise.
Finally, as used herein any reference to “one embodiment” or “some embodiments” means that a particular element, feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment disclosed herein. The appearances of the phrase “in some embodiments” in various places in the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment, and embodiments may include one or more of the features expressly described or inherently present herein, or any combination of or sub-combination of two or more such features, along with any other features which may not necessarily be expressly described or inherently present in the instant disclosure.
A disinfection system for interiors, such as vehicle interiors, is disclosed. The disinfection system uses electromagnetic energy to kill and/or sterilize microbes on surfaces, such as passenger seats. The disinfection system includes motion or temperature sensors to detect the presence of people, which upon detection of people, the system will turn off, or otherwise prevent the electromagnetic energy from reaching the people. The disinfection system also includes a framework of actuators, arms, and other mechanical and software componentry that enable the disinfection system to intelligently and efficiently disinfect interior surfaces.
The passenger aircraft 100 may include one or more seats 104 and may include one or more luggage bins 108. The disinfection system 100 may be attached to any components or interior surfaces of the aircraft 102, including but not limited to the aircraft floor, the one or more seats 104, the one or more luggage racks, a lavatory wall, a galley wall, and within the cockpit.
In some embodiments, the disinfection system 100 is attached to an interior surface via a rail, as partially illustrated in a perspective view in
The scanners 314 may include any type of ultraviolet light- or infrared light-emitting technology including but not limited to light-emitting diodes (LED), mercury vapor lights, shortwave fluorescent lamp tubes, “black light” incandescent lamps, gas-discharge lamps, and lasers. For example, one or more scanners may be configured as an ultraviolet-emitting LED.
The second arm 312 is mechanically coupled to the first arm 308 at a second joint 310 and to the emission module 304 at a third joint 316. The second arm 312 is configured to rotate along a second axis 320 relative to any plane of the attachment surface 204 of the rail 200. For example, the second axis 320 may be configured as approximately parallel to the attachment surface 204 of the rail 200. The emission module 304 is configured to rotate along a third axis 324 relative to any plane of the attachment surface 204 of the rail 200. For example, the second axis 324 may be configured as approximately parallel to the attachment surface 204 of the rail 200.
It is to be understood that the first axis 303, second axis 320, third axis 324, and any subsequent axes of rotation within components of the disinfection system 100 may have any orientation in relationship from each other, and one or more axes may be identical depending on the positioning of the emission module. Importantly, the disinfection system 100 is configured with multiple degrees of freedom that (e.g., via the first joint 302, second joint 310, and third joint 316, allow the emission module to be freely arranged in many different positions. The first joint 302, second joint 310, and/or third joint 316 may be configured with any type of mechanical joint that allows rotation along one or more degrees of freedom between two bodies including but not limited to a pin joint, a ball joint, a knuckle joint, a turnbuckle, a cotter joint, a bolted, joint, a screw joint, or a universal joint. The first joint 302, second joint 310, and/or third joint 316 may be articulated manually and/or by any actuating technology.
In some embodiments, the disinfection system 100 includes a first actuator 404 operating at the interface between the first arm 308 and the second arm 312 (e.g., at the second joint 310). The first actuator 404 may be configured as any type of moving and controlling mechanism including but not limited to a rotary actuator or servomotor. The second arm 312 may be configured as a second telescoping arm. For example, the second arm 312 may be configured as an automated two-element telescopic arm (e.g., operated via a linear activator) that can extend to approximately twice the length of the retracted second 312 arm. The second arm may also include a first telescoping clamp configured to prevent the telescoping arm from prematurely extending and/or preventing rotational movement of the first arm 308 and/or second arm 312.
The second arm is coupled to the emission module 304 via a swivel block 408 at third joint 316. Motion of the swivel block 408 relative to the second arm 312 may be controlled via a second actuator 412 operating at the third joint 316. The second actuator 412 may be configured as any type of moving and controlling mechanism as described herein.
The one or more scanners 314 are disposed upon a third arm 416 mechanically coupled to the swivel block 408. The third arm 416 may be attached to the swivel block 408 via a block clamp 420 configured to allow for rotation of the third arm 416 via a third actuator 424. The third arm 416 may be configured as a third telescopic arm, comprised of two of more telescopic sections 428. One or more of the telescopic sections 428 may include one or more of the one or more scanners 314 (e.g., located on the side of each telescopic sections or on the cylindrical face of the terminal telescopic section). The telescopic sections 428 may be extended and retracted via a linear activator. The third arm may also include a second telescoping clamp configured to prevent the one or more telescopic sections 428 from prematurely extending.
It should be understood that the arms, actuators, joints, may be operationally coupled in any configuration that facilitates the positioning of the emission module 304 relative to the base 300. For example, the first actuator 404 may be operationally coupled to the first arm 308, second arm 312, and/or third arm 416. Therefore, the above description and illustration should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention.
The memory 1004 can be an example of tangible, computer-readable storage medium that provides storage functionality to store various data and/or program code associated with operation of the controller 508, such as software programs and/or code segments, or other data to instruct the controller 508, and possibly other components of the disinfection system 100, to perform the functionality described herein. Thus, the memory 1004 can store data, such as a program of instructions for operating the disinfection system 100, including its components (e.g., controller 508), and so forth. It should be noted that while a single memory 1004 is described, a wide variety of types and combinations of memory 1004 (e.g., tangible, non-transitory memory) can be employed. The memory 1004 can be integral with the controller 508, can comprise stand-alone memory, or can be a combination of both. Some examples of the memory 1004 can include removable and non-removable memory components, such as random-access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), flash memory (e.g., a secure digital (SD) memory card, a mini-SD memory card, and/or a micro-SD memory card), solid-state drive (SSD) memory, magnetic memory, optical memory, universal serial bus (USB) memory devices, hard disk memory, external memory, and so forth.
The controller 520100 further includes a communication interface 1008. The communication interface 1008 can be operatively configured to communicate with components of the disinfection system 100. For example, the communication interface 1008 can be configured to retrieve data from the controller 508 or other components, transmit data for storage in the memory 1004, retrieve data from storage in the memory 1004, and so forth. The communication interface 1008 can also be communicatively coupled with the controller 508 to facilitate data transfer between components of the disinfection system 100. It should be noted that while the communication interface 1008 is described as a component of the controller 508, one or more components of the communication interface 1008 can be implemented as external components communicatively coupled to the controller 508 via a wired and/or wireless connection.
The control system 1000 further includes a scanner subsystem 1012 communicatively coupled to the controller 508 configured to transfer data and/or signals between one or more scanners 314 and the controller 508. The control system 1000 further includes an actuator subsystem 1016 communicatively coupled to the controller 508 configured to transfer data and/or signals between one or more actuators (e.g., first actuator 404, second actuator 412, or extension/retraction actuators) and the controller 508. The control system 1000 further includes a sensor subsystem 1020 communicatively coupled to the controller 508 configured to transfer data and/or signals between one or more sensors (e.g., infrared sensor or heat sensor) and the controller 508.
The control system 1000 further includes a user interface 1024 configured communicatively coupled to the controller 508. The user interface 1024 may include any technology that can receive input and/or transmit output to a user including but not limited to switches, button, displays, touch displays, or keyboards. The user interface may also be configured as a wirelines or wireless interface utilizing waveforms including but not limited to wi-fi, Bluetooth, and 5G. For example, a flight attendant may interact with the disinfection system 100 via a mobile device (e.g., a smart phone) connected by Bluetooth technology.
The control system 1000 further includes a power subsystem 1028 communicatively coupled to the controller 508 configured to manage electrical power for the disinfection system 100. For example, the power subsystem 1028 may harness and manage electrical power from an aircraft main electrical system. In another example, the power subsystem 1028 may manage power from an internal or external battery.
At one or points in the method 1100, the method will include one or more steps 1112 of checking the operational status (e.g. affirmative or on-line) of the disinfection system 100. For example, if the first actuator of step 110 is unable to actuate, the disinfection system 100 may perform a step 1114 of informing the crew of the error (e.g., via the user interface 1024), for which the crew and/or disinfection system 100 may perform a maintenance step 1116. If the operational status does not indicate an error, the disinfection system 100 may then progress through step 1118 of extending the second arm 312, step 1119 of actuating the second actuator 408, and step 1120 of releasing the second telescopic clamp. The disinfection system 100 may further progress through step 1122 of actuating the third actuator 424, step 1124 of extending the third arm 308 (e.g., by extending the telescopic sections 428), step 1126 of powering on the scanners 314 (e.g., ultraviolet-emitting diodes), and a step 1128 of rotating the telescopic sections 428 of the third arm 308. The disinfection system may 100 also perform a step 1130 of powering on the scanners 314 located on the base 300. Step 1130 may be performed separately, or in concert with, step 1126.
One the scanners 314 have been powered on and are in the correct position, the method 1100 may further progress through a step 1130a, 1130b of initiating the disinfection cycle. While the disinfection system 100 is actively disinfecting, the method 1100 may further progress to a step 1134 of determining if a person has entered the scanning area (e.g., via the one or more sensors 504). If the one or more sensors detect the entry of a person (e.g., or other living entity) into the scanning area, the method 1100 may progress through a step 1136 of powering off the scanners 314. If no entry into the scanning area is determined, the method 110 may further progress to step 1138 of completing the disinfection cycle.
The first joint 1212, second joint 1220, and/or third joint 1228 may be configured of any type of mechanical joint that allows rotation along one of more degrees of freedom between two bodies including but not limited to a pin joint, a ball joint, a knuckle joint, a turnbuckle, a cotter joint, a bolted, joint, a screw joint, or a universal joint. The first joint 1212, second joint 1220, and/or third joint 1228 may be articulated manually and/or by any actuating technology (e.g., as described herein). The first joint 1212, second joint 1220, and/or third joint 1228 facilitates rotation around an axis independent from each other. Therefore, the emission module 1224 is positionable via multiple degrees of freedom relative to the base 1204.
In some embodiments the disinfection system 1200 may contain one or more sensors 1232 configured to detect movement or the presence of a person. The one or more sensors 1232 may include any sensor technology described herein (e.g., motion sensors, heat sensors). For example, multiple sensors 1232 may be attached to different sides or surfaces of the base 1204. For instance, the multiple sensors 1232 may be arranged in a redundant and/or overlapping manner so that a passenger will be detected even if a single sensor 1232 malfunctions or is blocked.
Once the disinfection system 1200 has determined that no person is in the area to be scanned, the disinfection system 1200 may then perform a step 1610 of selecting a mode of scanning. For example, the disinfection system 1200 may include a step 1612 of activating the first scan mode and a step 1616 of bringing the focusing lens 1310 in line with the scanners 314. Alternatively, the disinfection system may include a step 1620 of activating the second scan mode and a step 1622 of moving the focusing lens 1310 out of the path of the scanners 314. The method 1600 may then proceed with a step 1624 of powering of the scanners 314 and a step 1626 of initiating the disinfection protocol.
Once the disinfection protocol has been initiated, the disinfection system 1200 may perform and/or repeat a step 1628 of determining if a person has entered the area to be scanned (e.g., via the one or more sensors 504). If a person is detected within the area to be scanned, the method may proceed to a step 1630 of powering off of the diodes the proceeding to the step of 1608 to detect if the person has left the area to be scanned. It is important to turn off ultraviolet scanning equipment, as brief exposure to ultraviolet light may damage skin and retinal tissue. If a person is not detected, the method may proceed with a step 1632 of completing the disinfection protocol.
It is to be understood that embodiments of the methods disclosed herein may include one or more of the steps described herein. Further, such steps may be carried out in any desired order and two or more of the steps may be carried out simultaneously with one another. Two or more of the steps disclosed herein may be combined in a single step, and in some embodiments, one or more of the steps may be carried out as two or more sub-steps. Further, other steps or sub-steps may be carried in addition to, or as substitutes to one or more of the steps disclosed herein.
Although inventive concepts have been described with reference to the embodiments illustrated in the attached drawing figures, equivalents may be employed and substitutions made herein without departing from the scope of the claims. Components illustrated and described herein are merely examples of a system/device and components that may be used to implement embodiments of the inventive concepts and may be replaced with other devices and components without departing from the scope of the claims. Furthermore, any dimensions, degrees, and/or numerical ranges provided herein are to be understood as non-limiting examples unless otherwise specified in the claims.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
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202041024568 | Jun 2020 | IN | national |
202041024569 | Jun 2020 | IN | national |
The present application constitutes a divisional application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/340,700, filed Jun. 7, 2021, which claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) of Indian Provisional App. No. 202041024568 (filed Jun. 11, 2020), entitled “AIRCRAFT INTERIOR SCANNING AND DISINFECTING SYSTEM FOR ENTIRE AIRCRAFT FLIGHT CYCLE” and Indian Provisional App. No. 202041024569 (filed Jun. 11, 2020), entitled “AIRCRAFT CEILING MOUNTED SCANNING AND DISINFECTING SYSTEM”, which are both incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
Number | Date | Country | |
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Parent | 17340700 | Jun 2021 | US |
Child | 18652244 | US |