FIELD OF APPLICATION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the assessment and treatment of air in an air conditioner system, and more particularly to a central duct system.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

Air pollution has emerged as one of the world’s leading health risks. Each year, more than 5.5 million people around the world die prematurely from illnesses caused by breathing polluted air. Those illnesses include lung cancer, heart disease, stroke, acute respiratory infections and chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases such as bronchitis and emphysema. Poor air quality can result in both direct and indirect costs to society, in the form of both disease burden and loss of productivity.

Air-conditioned buses, trains and buildings, as known in the art, are known to both convey odours and pathogens from the outside air, as well as cultivate them within their interior ductwork. This has been hypothesized to contribute to so-called‘sick building’ syndrome; where residents and workers in a specific building begin to experience unusual headaches, dizziness, nausea, eye, nose or throat irritation, dry cough, dry or itching skin, difficulty in concentration, fatigue, sensitivity to odours, hoarseness of voice, allergies, cold, flu-like symptoms, asthma attacks and personality changes. Here the concentration and recirculation of contaminants and pathogens within the building by the central air conditioning system is understood to play a causative role in triggering these symptoms.

Various approaches have been used in an attempt to remove contaminants and pathogens from circulating air. One is the use of mechanical systems to filter particles from the air itself. A number of these systems are presently known in the art, with High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filter systems being commonly used. HEPA filters used in central air conditioning systems are commonly rated to entrap 99.97% of particles having a size of 0.3 pm or greater. HEPA filters are known to be effective at removing air pollutants such as dust, pollen and tobacco smoke. However, most HEPA filters, as commonly used in the art, are not effective against certain pathogens such as viruses. Additionally; HEPA filters must be frequently cleaned, maintained and replaced so as not to limit the flow of air through a duct system. Additionally; clogged filters can exacerbate the problems of odours and pathogens by acting as a reservoir for moulds and bacteria.

Another approach known in the art is the use of Ultra Violet Germicidal Irradiation (UVGI) systems. These systems make use of a high-intensity source of Ultra Violet (UV) radiation, which destroys moulds and bacteria and inactivates viruses. The effectiveness of UVGI systems is dependent on a number of factors; including the gas or fluid being irradiated, the turbidity of the gas or fluid, the intensity and frequency of the light source and the dwell time of the gas or fluid within the zone of irradiation. Generally; higher intensities, longer dwell times and clearer fluids result in higher levels of pathogen destruction/inactivation. The lamps must additionally be frequently serviced and replaced in order to effectively inactivate pathogens.

Aerosol treatment systems are known in the art for dispensing perfumes and disinfectants into the air stream of central air conditioning systems. US 4,903,583 discloses a central air conditioning and heating system, having at least one duct and including an aerosol and duct treatment apparatus for treating the ducts of the said central air conditioning system. A disadvantage of this system is that it has no means of adjusting the rate and timing of aerosol dispensing in response to changes in air flow or pathogen load.

Given the above, it is clear that there exists a present need for an air quality assessment and treatment system for a centralised air conditioning system which at least partially overcomes the disadvantages of the prior art.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an air quality management system for sensing air quality and associated air conditioner devices. It is a further object of the invention to provide an air quality management system for controlling such associated devices. Finally, it is an object of the invention to provide a central air conditioning system making use of such an air quality management system.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to an aspect of the invention, there is provided an air quality management system, the system including:

a sensing means for sensing air quality and generating associated output data;

a control means for receiving the output data from the sensing means and for controlling associated air conditioning devices; and

a transmission means for transmitting data between the sensing means and the control means.

In an embodiment, the sensing means may include a temperature sensor, a humidity sensor, an air flow sensor, a particulate sensor, a sensor for an air conditioner device, a sensor for a fan, a sensor for the status of a duct, or an air quality sensor, in any combination. Here it should be understood that many different types of such sensors are known in the art.

In an embodiment, the sensing means may include a sensor for detecting the presence and concentration of gaseous pollutants. In a preferred embodiment, the gaseous pollutants may be selected from the group consisting of carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, ozone, sulphur dioxide, sulphur oxides, nitrogen and nitrogen oxides, in any combination. In a further preferred embodiment the gaseous pollutant may be carbon monoxide. Here it should be understood that many sensors for sensing gaseous pollutants, as known in the art, may be suitable for use.

In an embodiment, the sensing means may include a sensor for detecting the presence and concentration of volatile organic compounds (VOCs). In a preferred embodiment, the VOCs may be selected from the group consisting of methane, ethyl acetate, glycol ethers, acetone, benzene, formaldehyde, chlorofluorocarbons, methylene chloride, perchloroethylene and methyl terf-butyl ether, in any combination. In a further preferred embodiment the VOC may be formaldehyde. Here it should be understood that many sensors for sensing VOCs, as known in the art, may be suitable for use.

In an embodiment, the output data may further include information on the geographic location of the associated air conditioning devices.

In an embodiment, the control means may include a storage means for storing the output data, a processing means for processing the output data, or a control system for controlling the sensing means and associated air conditioning devices based on the output from the processing means and a control input, in any combination. Here it should be understood that the processing means and control system may be implemented in a number of ways, as known in the art. The control system may accordingly include a central processing unit (CPU) for the processing means and/or the control system. The control means may also include a software application, as known in the art.

In an embodiment, the system may further comprise a remote system in communication with the transmission means. In a preferred embodiment, the control input may be received from the remote system. In another preferred embodiment, the remote system may include a remote storage means for storing output data.

In an embodiment, the control means may include a display means for displaying the output data. Here it should be understood that a number of display systems and devices, as known in the art, would be suitable for use in the present invention. This may also include physical display devices associated with the system, as well as software applications displaying the output data on a remote system or device. In a preferred embodiment, the display means may display the output data in real time.

In an embodiment, the control means may be accessible by the user and a third party.

In an embodiment, the transmission means may further comprise an encoding means for encoding and decoding data. It should be further understood that the transmission means may be a number of systems and devices, as known in the art, suitable for the transmission of data. These include, but are not limited to, signal cables, fibre-optic cables and radio. A number of signal processing and transmission systems, as known in the art, are suitable for the packaging of data for transmission by the transmission means.

In an embodiment, the system may further comprise a dispensing means for dispensing articles. In a preferred embodiment, the dispensing means may be a spraying means for dispensing a spray. In a further preferred embodiment, the spraying mean may include a spray head and a reservoir. In a yet further preferred embodiment, the spray may include components selected from the group consisting of germicidal components, viricidal components, fungicidal components and aromatic components, in any combination. In a preferred embodiment, the sensing means may include a sensor for the dispensing means. In further preferred embodiment, the output data may include information from the group comprising the status of the dispensing means and the level of the reservoir, in any combination.

In an embodiment, the system may further comprise a UVGI means having a UV source and a power supply. In a preferred embodiment, the UV source may be a UV lamp. In an alternate embodiment, the UV source may be a UV laser. In a preferred embodiment, the sensing means may include a sensor for the UVGI means. In a further preferred embodiment, the output data may include information selected from the group comprising the status of the UVGI means, the status of the UV source, the status of the power supply, the UV source efficiency and UV source replacement, in any combination.

In an embodiment, the air quality management system may be applied in an air conditioner duct system. In an embodiment, the air conditioning duct system may comprise an inlet, outlet, air handling unit, return duct, central duct and any other associated ductwork. Here it should be understood that the sensors of the system may be applied to monitoring the status of the duct. This may include information regarding the airflow within the duct, information regarding leaks within the duct and information as to the concentration and origin of contaminants and pathogens within the duct. In a preferred embodiment, the output data may further include information on the geographic location of the air conditioning duct system. These and other objects, features and advantages of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art following the detailed description of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The invention will now be described in more detail, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying figures in which:

Figure 1 : depicts a schematic representation of a preferred embodiment of the system invention;

Figure 2: depicts a schematic representation of a preferred embodiment of the system the invention; and

Figure 3: depicts a schematic representation of a preferred embodiment of the system invention.

The presently disclosed subject matter will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying Examples, in which representative embodiments are shown. The presently disclosed subject matter can, however, be embodied in different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the embodiments to those skilled in the art.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

A non-limiting example of a preferred embodiment of the invention is described in more detail below. Example 1

In a preferred embodiment of the invention there is provided an air quality management system 10 comprising a sensing means 20 for sensing air quality and generating associated output data in an air conditioning system; a control means 30 for receiving the output data from the sensing means and for controlling associated air conditioning devices; and a transmission means 40 for transmitting data between the sensing means 20 and the control means 30.

The sensing means 20 includes an air quality sensor, a temperature sensor, a humidity sensor, a particulate sensor, a sulphur dioxide sensor, a sensor for detecting the presence and concentration of carbon monoxide, a sensor for detecting formaldehyde, and sensors for associated air conditioning devices.

The control means 30 receives output data from the sensing means 20 via the transmission means 40. The control means 30 further includes a processing means in the form of a CPU 32 for processing output data. The CPU 32 additionally implements a control system to control both the sensing means 20 and the associated air conditioning devices. The control system is based on the output from the processing means and a control input provided by one or more remote systems 50 in wireless electronic communication with the control means 30. The remote systems 50 may include hardware and software components, including distributed computing components 52, various personal computing devices 54 and remote servers 56. A software application implements the control system based in output data and user input. The remote systems may include various display devices in order to provide a display means for displaying output data.

In use, the air quality management system allows the remote monitoring and control of an air conditioner system, including logging and visualisation of sensor information. This allows the associated devices to be adjusted in real time to both optimise power usage and control the levels of detected contaminants, as well as providing the normal functions of an air conditioning system. The output data derived from the sensors may further be accessed by third parties in order to ensure compliance with regulatory standards of air quality. Example 2

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, there is provided an air quality management system 10 for use in a central air conditioning system having a central duct 28. The central duct 28 further comprises all associated ductwork 60 including an inlet 62, air handling unit 64, return duct, and one or more outlets 66. The air handling unit further includes a fan 70 and a filter 80. The system further comprises a sensing means 20 for sensing air quality in the atmosphere and central duct 28 and associated ductwork 60 and generating associated output data; a control means 30 for receiving the output data from the sensing means 20, and for controlling the associated air conditioning devices; a transmission means 40 for transmitting data between the sensing means 20 and the control means 30; a UVGI means 90 having a UV source 92 and a power supply 94 for supplying power to the UV source 92, and a dispensing means 100 for dispensing a spray into at least a portion of the central duct 28. The dispensing means 100 further includes a dispensing device 102, a reservoir 104 and a spray head 106. The spray includes a chemical solution having germicidal and aromatic components.

The sensing means 20 includes a temperature sensor, a humidity sensor, an airflow sensor, a particulate sensor, a sensor for detecting the status of the central duct 28, a sensor for detecting the presence and concentration of carbon monoxide, a sensor for detecting the presence and concentration of sulphur dioxide, a sensor for detecting the presence of formaldehyde, a sensor for associated air conditioning devices such as the fan 70, a sensor for air quality, a sensor for the UVGI means 90 and a sensor for the dispensing means 100.

Output data from the sensing means 20 is provided to the control means 30 via the transmission means 40. The control means 30 includes a processing means in the form of a CPU 32 for implementing a control system to control both the sensing means 20 and the associated air conditioning devices based on a control input. The control means 30 further includes a storage means for storing the output data. Output data may further be transmitted by the transmission means to a remote system 50 which acts as a secondary storage means and can provide the control input. This is done when predetermined parameters are met and/or in real time depending on the control input. This alerts the user to issues which require attention (for instance, that a UV source 92 needs to be changed or that a reservoir 104 needs to be refilled). Alternatively, the control means itself may be implemented by the remote system as a computer-implemented process.

The user can also be provided with information relevant to the efficient operation of the system itself, such as proxies for pathogen or contaminant load and the origin and location of contaminant within the central duct 28 and associated ductwork. The user can then, in turn, adjust the operation of the system using control inputs from the remote system 50. The CPU 32 further includes a timer function in order to control the system and enable or disable the operation of the fan 70, UVGI means 90 or dispensing means 100 at appropriate moments.

In operation, the inlet 62 takes air from the atmosphere into the air handling unit 64, where it is sequentially passed through the filter 80, the UVGI means 90, an evaporator coil, a fan 70 and the dispensing means 100. Air then flows from the air handling unit 64 through the central ductwork and out of the outlet 66. The central ductwork includes further UVGI means 90 and dispensing means 100. The reservoir 104 is located separately from the dispensing device 102, with fluid being pumped from the reservoir 104 to the dispensing device 102. The spray from the dispensing device 102 then exits the spray head 106, mixes with the air flow and eventually exits the outlet 66. The outlet 66 is in the form of individual diffusers which each serve a room or other defined area. Air is returned to the system by return ducts 13 which form part of the inlet 62.

The system can be applied to structures or vehicles, including (but not limited to) public areas, houses, offices, warehouses, motor vehicles, aircraft and ships.