TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present disclosure relates to the field of air sanitization. More particularly the present disclosure relates to a filtering device for neutralizing airborne pathogens.

BACKGROUND

[0002] Background description includes information that may be useful in understanding the present invention. It is not an admission that any of the information provided herein is prior art or relevant to the presently claimed invention, or that any publication specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art.

[0003] Photocatalytic Oxidation (PCO) is widely used for neutralizing airborne pathogens and cleaning the air. This technology uses UV radiation to create advanced oxidation products using catalysts like TiO2 coating on surfaces to sterilize the air. Although PCO is an effective technology, there are some setbacks related to the photocatalyst materials. Some of the setbacks include: most of the semiconductor materials are not visible light active or show poor activity thus requiring UV radiation which has safety hazards for users. Due to their high energy bandgap, more energy is required to initiate the oxidation process which increases the overall cost of the PCO technology. Agglomeration of nanoparticles in the chemical coating weakens the benefits of nanoparticles and their properties deteriorate which leads to a drop in its efficacy. Difficult separation of catalyst after photocatalysis from aqueous solution leads to further decline in efficacy of the product. Another technique used is photo-hydro-ionization (PHI), which is an indoor air quality (IAQ) technology to minimize and neutralize indoor air pollutants such as bacteria, viruses, mold, gases (VOCs), and odors. Photo-hydorionization (PHI) is similar to PCO technology, the only difference being that PHI cells create H2O2 (Hydrogen Peroxide) ions. The rate of disappearance of H2O2 is very high which means that device will be only effective for 1-6 months. The demerits of PCO also apply to PHI because this technology uses the same photocatalyst materials as PCO.

[0004] There is, therefore, a need for an improved technique or device for neutralizing the airborne pathogens, which is free from above discussed problems. OBJECTS OF THE PRESENT DISCLOSURE

[0005] Some of the objects of the present disclosure, which at least one embodiment herein satisfy are as listed hereinbelow.

[0006] It is an object of the present disclosure to provide a filtering device for an air conditioning system, which is capable of effectively neutralizing airborne pathogens.

[0007] It is an object of the present disclosure to provide a filtering device for an air conditioning system, which is cost-effective since complex and costly components are used.

[0008] It is an object of the present disclosure to provide a filtering device for an air conditioning system, which does not release hydrogen peroxide ions.

[0009] It is an object of the present disclosure to provide a filtering device for an air conditioning system, which does not cause agglomeration.

SUMMARY

[0010] The present disclosure relates to the field of air sanitization. More particularly the present disclosure relates to a filtering device for neutralizing airborne pathogens.

[0011] An aspect of the present disclosure pertains to a filtering device adapted to be configured with an air conditioner. The device includes a base plate and a top plate. A plurality of membranes vertically configured between the base plate and the top plate. Each of the plurality of membranes comprises a nano-particle solution spread on a surface of the plurality of membranes. Each of the plurality of membranes comprises a light source configured with the plurality of membranes for illuminating the plurality of membranes.

[0012] In an aspect, the plurality of membranes may be made of a material comprising any metal such as but is not limited to or combination of aluminium, zinc, magnesium, galvanized iron, and stainless steel.

[0013] In an aspect, the plurality of membranes may comprise perforations.

[0014] In an aspect, the nano-particle solution may comprise silver nanoparticles and titanium oxide.

[0015] In an aspect, the light source may produce a visible light to illuminate the plurality of membranes.

[0016] In an aspect, the visible light may illuminate the plurality of membranes to release silver nanoparticle ions and silver ions from the nano-particle solution, and the released, on a surface of the plurality of membranes, silver nano-particle ions and the silver ions interact with biomolecules containing phosphorous and sulfur to generate reactive oxygen species. [0017] In an aspect, the air may get neutralized, of the airborne pathogens, when comes in contact with the surface, having the reactive oxygen species, of the plurality of membranes. [0018] Yet another aspect of the present disclosure pertains to the air conditioning system comprising a filtering device configured at an outlet of the air conditioning system. The filtering device comprises a base plate, a top plate, and a plurality of membranes vertically configured between the base plate and the top plate. The plurality of membranes comprises a nano-particle solution spread on a surface of each membrane of the plurality of membranes. Each of the plurality of membranes comprises a light source configured with the plurality of membranes for illuminating the plurality of membranes.

[0019] Various objects, features, aspects, and advantages of the inventive subject matter will become more apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments, along with the accompanying drawing figures in which like numerals represent like components.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0020] The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the present disclosure, and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the present disclosure. The diagrams are for illustration only, which thus is not a limitation of the present disclosure.

[0021] In the figures, similar components and/or features may have the same reference label. Further, various components of the same type may be distinguished by following the reference label with a second label that distinguishes among the similar components. If only the first reference label is used in the specification, the description is applicable to any one of the similar components having the same first reference label irrespective of the second reference label.

[0022] FIG. 1A illustrates an exemplary representation of a filtering device, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0023] FIG. IB illustrates an exploded view of the filtering device, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0024] FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary representation of a plurality of membranes of the filtering device, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0025] FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary representation of a light source holding plate, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0026] The following is a detailed description of embodiments of the disclosure depicted in the accompanying drawings. The embodiments are in such detail as to clearly communicate the disclosure. However, the amount of detail offered is not intended to limit the anticipated variations of embodiments; on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the scope of the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims.

[0027] In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the present invention. It will be apparent to one skilled in the art that embodiments of the present invention may be practiced without some of these specific details.

[0028] The present disclosure relates to the field of air sanitization. More particularly the present disclosure relates to a filtering device for neutralizing airborne pathogens.

[0029] The present disclosure elaborates upon a filtering device adapted to be configured with an air conditioner. The device includes a base plate and a top plate. A plurality of membranes vertically configured between the base plate and the top plate. Each of the plurality of membranes comprises a nano-particle solution spread on a surface of the plurality of membranes. Each of the plurality of membranes comprises a light source configured with the plurality of membranes for illuminating the plurality of membranes.

[0030] In an embodiment, the plurality of membranes can be made of a material comprising metal such as but is not limited to any or combination of aluminium, zinc, magnesium, galvanized iron, and stainless steel.

[0031] In an embodiment, the plurality of membranes can comprise perforations.

[0032] In an embodiment, the nano-particle solution can comprise silver nanoparticles and titanium oxide.

[0033] In an embodiment, the light source can produce a visible light to illuminate the plurality of membranes.

[0034] In an embodiment, the visible light can illuminate the plurality of membranes to release silver nanoparticle ions and silver ions from the nano-particle solution, and the released, on a surface of the plurality of membranes, silver nano-particle ions and the silver ions interact with biomolecules containing phosphorous and sulfur to generate reactive oxygen species. [0035] In an embodiment, the air can get neutralized, of the airborne pathogens, when comes in contact with the surface, having the reactive oxygen species, of the plurality of membranes.

[0036] Yet another embodiment of the present disclosure pertains to the air conditioning system comprising a filtering device configured at an outlet of the air conditioning system. The filtering device comprises a base plate, a top plate, and a plurality of membranes vertically configured between the base plate and the top plate. The plurality of membranes comprises a nano-particle solution spread on a surface of each membrane of the plurality of membranes. Each of the plurality of membranes comprises a light source configured with the plurality of membranes for illuminating the plurality of membranes.

[0037] FIG. 1A illustrates an exemplary representation of a filtering device, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0038] FIG. IB illustrates an exploded view of the filtering device, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0039] FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary representation of a plurality of membranes of the filtering device, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0040] FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary representation of a light source holding plate, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0041] As illustrated, a filtering device 100 adapted to be configured with an air conditioner can include a base plate 102 and a top plate 106. A plurality of membranes 104-1, 104-2,. . . 104-N (collectively referred as a plurality of membranes 104, hereinafter) that can be vertically configured between the base plate 102 and the top plate 106. The plurality of membranes 104 can be made of a material comprising any or combination of aluminium, zinc, and magnesium. Each of the plurality of membranes 104 can include a nano-particle solution spread on a surface of the plurality of membranes. Each of the plurality of membranes 104 can include a light source (not shown) configured with the plurality of membranes for illuminating the plurality of membranes. The light source can be positioned at but is not limited to a centre of the plurality of membranes.

[0042] In an embodiment, the plurality of membranes 104 can include but is not limited to honeycomb structure perforations 110. The nano-particle solution can include silver nanoparticles and titanium oxide. The light source can produce a visible light to illuminate the plurality of membranes. The visible light, from the light source, can be configured to illuminate the plurality of membranes 104. The illumination of the plurality of membranes can facilitate releasing, on a surface of the plurality of membranes, of silver nanoparticle ions and silver ions from the nano-particle solution applied over the surface of the plurality of membranes 104. The released silver nano-particle ions and the silver ions can interact with biomolecules containing phosphorous and sulfur and generate reactive oxygen species. The air can get neutralized, of the airborne pathogens, when comes in contact with the surface, having the reactive oxygen species, of the plurality of membranes.

[0043] Yet another embodiment of the present disclosure pertains to the air conditioning system comprising a filtering device 100 configured at an outlet of the air conditioning system. The filtering device comprises a base plate, a top plate, and a plurality of membranes vertically configured between the base plate and the top plate. The plurality of membranes comprises a nano-particle solution spread on a surface of each membrane of the plurality of membranes. Each of the plurality of membranes comprises a light source configured with the plurality of membranes for illuminating the plurality of membranes.

[0044] In an embodiment, the plurality of membranes 104 can be coupled with the base plate 102 and the top plate 106 through mechanical coupling such as nut-bolts arrangement, screws arrangement, clips etc. the light source can be held using a light source holder plate 112 (FIG. 3) configured at a centre of the each of the plurality of membranes 104. The proposed filtering device 100 do not require UV light and can activate reaction in visible light also. No hydrogen peroxide ions are released as a by-product of the chemical reaction between the visible light and the nano-particle solution applied on the surface of the plurality of membranes 104.

[0045] Moreover, in interpreting the specification, all terms should be interpreted in the broadest possible manner consistent with the context. In particular, the terms “comprises” and “comprising” should be interpreted as referring to elements, components, or steps in a nonexclusive manner, indicating that the referenced elements, components, or steps may be present, utilized, or combined with other elements, components, or steps that are not expressly referenced. Where the specification claims refer to at least one of something selected from the group consisting of A, B, C ....and N, the text should be interpreted as requiring only one element from the group, not A plus N, or B plus N, etc.

[0046] While the foregoing describes various embodiments of the invention, other and further embodiments of the invention may be devised without departing from the basic scope thereof. The scope of the invention is determined by the claims that follow. The invention is not limited to the described embodiments, versions, or examples, which are included to enable a person having ordinary skill in the art to make and use the invention when combined with information and knowledge available to the person having ordinary skill in the art. ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION

[0047] The proposed invention provides a filtering device for an air conditioning system, which is capable of effectively neutralizing airborne pathogens.

[0048] The proposed invention provides a filtering device for an air conditioning system, which is cost-effective since complex and costly components are used.

[0049] The proposed invention provides a filtering device for an air conditioning system, which does not release hydrogen peroxide ions.

[0050] The proposed invention provides a filtering device for an air conditioning system, which does not cause agglomeration.