U.S. patent application number 11/184400 was filed with the patent office on 2005-12-01 for sensing and notification systems and methods.
Invention is credited to Baca, Anthony Michael, Ortiz, Luis M., Wichers, Donald W..
Application Number | 20050263444 11/184400 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 31190945 |
Filed Date | 2005-12-01 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050263444 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Baca, Anthony Michael ; et
al. |
December 1, 2005 |
Sensing and notification systems and methods
Abstract
A water-borne hazard detection and notification system deployed
between water treatment facilities and water's points of use can
include sensors (e.g., flow rate, microorganism detectors, and
chemical detectors) and can be microprocessor controlled. Sensors
detect microorganisms and/or chemicals within a water distribution
system. Treatment areas can be deployed at various stages along a
water distribution system, allowing for protection redundancy.
Detector and/or treatment systems can be networked to remote
monitoring systems (e.g., networked data/communications equipment
located with agencies operating and command and control units)
through wired and/or wireless network communication means and
devices. Data networked monitoring and assessment can enable rapid
deployment of counter measures (e.g., valve shut-off, UV treatment,
field team deployment). Systems can be staged, providing for a
system comprising more than one detection, shut-off and/or
treatment. Staging can provide for concentrated redundancy prior to
delivery of water to its point of use.
Inventors: |
Baca, Anthony Michael;
(Albuquerque, NM) ; Ortiz, Luis M.; (Albuquerque,
NM) ; Wichers, Donald W.; (Albuquerque, NM) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Luis M. Ortiz
Ortiz & Lopez, PLLC
Registered Patent Attorneys
P.O. Box 4484
Albuquerque
NM
87196-4484
US
|
Family ID: |
31190945 |
Appl. No.: |
11/184400 |
Filed: |
July 18, 2005 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
11184400 |
Jul 18, 2005 |
|
|
|
10389355 |
Mar 13, 2003 |
|
|
|
6919019 |
|
|
|
|
60364509 |
Mar 14, 2002 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
210/97 |
Current CPC
Class: |
C02F 1/006 20130101;
C02F 1/325 20130101; C02F 2209/36 20130101; C02F 2201/3228
20130101; C02F 2209/008 20130101; A61C 1/0076 20130101; C02F
2201/3226 20130101; C02F 2209/40 20130101; Y02W 10/37 20150501;
C02F 2201/3224 20130101; C02F 2201/326 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
210/097 |
International
Class: |
B01D 021/24 |
Claims
We claim:
1. A water-borne hazard detection and notification system,
comprising: water-borne hazard detection sensors deployed after a
water treatment facility at nodes along a water distribution system
leading to points of water use, said sensor for detection
biological microorganims or chemicals; and communications deployed
with said sensors for notifying at least one remote monitoring
system about detection by said at least one water-borne detection
sensor of hazardous biological microorganisms or chemicals flowing
through said water distribution system.
2. The invention of claim 1, further comprising treatment areas
deployed at said nodes for providing ultraviolet light into water
containing said biological microorganisms or chemicals.
3. The invention of claim 2, further comprising flow sensors
deployed at said nodes and ultraviolet laser light sources located
within said treatment areas, wherein said sensors turn on the
ultraviolet laser light sources whenever fluid flow through said
nodes is sensed.
4. The invention of claim 1, further comprising filters deployed at
at least one of input or output points relative to said nodes.
5. The invention of claim 1, further comprising at least one
shut-off valve deployed at said nodes, said at least one shut-off
valve responsive to at least one of said detectors or said remote
monitoring systems by blocking water flow through said nodes.
6. The invention of claim 1, said treatment area further comprising
a junction box having an entry point for receiving water from input
tubing connected to the input portion of the junction box and an
exit point to allow treated water to continue moving towards said
points of use, and at least one ultraviolet laser light source
coupled to the junction box to enable ultraviolet light to
illuminate the water when it is located within the junction
box.
7. The invention of claim 6 wherein said ultraviolet laser light
source can be provided in the form of at least one of: a fiber
optic line coupled to a laser and also coupled to the junction box,
or as at least one laser directly coupled to the junction box, at
at least one point about the junction box.
8. The invention of claim 6 wherein the junction box further
comprises a stainless steel, watertight housing wherein internal
surfaces of the housing are highly polished to allow for reflection
of light.
9. The invention of claim 8 wherein said junction box further
comprises at least one of reflectors, deflectors and diffusers
within said housing to scatter light provided by said ultraviolet
laser light source.
10. The invention of claim 6 further including at least one of
baffles or walls that are formed within the housing to create flow
channels throughout the housing, wherein said at least one of
baffles or walls slow down water flow within said treatment area
thereby providing more opportunities for ultraviolet light exposure
of water and its treatment.
11. The invention of claim 6 wherein said treatment area includes a
housing comprising baffles formed therein, said baffles creating
chambers in a serpentine configuration that enable the flow of
water through said chambers within the housing.
12. The invention of claim 11 further comprising at least one
ultraviolet laser light source assigned to each chamber, wherein
each of said ultraviolet laser light source can be tuned to a
unique wavelength.
13. A water-borne hazard detection and water treatment system for
deployment at nodes along a water distribution system, comprising:
at least one detector, said detector for detecting the presence of
biological microorganisms or chemicals in water; a communication
system, said communication system for reporting detection of the
biological microorganisms or chemicals by said at least one
detector to at least one remote monitoring system and for receiving
treatment commands from said at least one remote monitoring system;
and a treatment area comprising a housing having an entry point for
receiving water into said treatment area and an exit point for to
allow treated water to continue moving towards its point of use and
at least one ultraviolet laser light source coupled to the housing,
said treatment area for providing ultraviolet light into water
containing biological microorganisms or chemicals.
14. The invention of claim 13, further comprising at least one
shut-off valve responsive to said detector or said at least one
remote monitoring system by preventing water flow.
15. The invention of claim 14 wherein said housing is watertight
and comprised of stainless steel internal surfaces that are highly
polished.
16. The invention of claim 14 wherein said housing further
comprises at least one of reflectors, deflectors and diffusers to
scatter light provided by said ultraviolet laser light source.
17. The invention of claim 13 said housing further including walls
forming channels defining a serpentine configuration wherein water
can flow through said channels.
18. A water-borne hazard detection and notification system,
comprising: at least one detector located in nodes deployed along a
water distribution system towards water's intended point of use,
said detector for detecting the presence of biological
microorganisms or chemicals in water flowing towards its intended
point of use; a communication system, said communication system for
reporting detection of the biological microorganisms or chemicals
by at least one detector deployed in at least one of the nodes to
at least one remote monitoring system; and at least one shut-off
valve deployed at or near at least one of the nodes, said at least
one shut-off valve responsive to at least one of said detectors or
said remote monitoring systems by blocking water flow through said
nodes.
19. The invention of claim 18 further comprising a treatment area,
said treatment area including a housing having an entry point for
receiving water into said treatment area and an exit point for to
allow treated water to continue moving towards its point of use and
at least one ultraviolet laser light source coupled to the housing,
said treatment area for providing ultraviolet light into water
containing biological microorganisms, wherein treatment is provided
within said treatment area in response to treatment commands
received from said at least one remote monitoring system through
said communication system.
20. The invention of claim 19, wherein said housing is watertight
and comprised of stainless steel internal surfaces that are highly
polished, includes at least one of reflectors, deflectors and/or
diffusers for scattering light provided by said at least one
ultraviolet laser light source, and includes walls that form
channels which define a serpentine configuration wherein water can
flow.
21. The invention of claim 19, further comprising a variable
wavelength controller, wherein said at least one ultraviolet laser
light source can be adjusted by said variable wavelength controller
in response to detection by said detector, thereby enabling for
precise targeting of detected microorganisms.
22. The invention of claim 19, further comprising: a variable
wavelength controller provided to adjust the wavelength of light
produced by the ultraviolet laser light source in response to
detection by said at least one detector.
23. The invention of claim 19, further comprising a flow sensor
wherein said flow sensor can cause said at least one ultraviolet
laser light source to be turned on whenever water flow through said
treatment area is sensed.
24. The invention of claim 19, further comprising at least one
filter deployed near at least one of said input or output
points.
25. The invention of claim 19, further comprising: includes a
housing comprising baffles formed therein, said baffles creating
chambers in a serpentine configuration that enable the flow of
water through said chambers within the housing; at least one
ultraviolet laser light source assigned to each of said chambers,
wherein each of said ultraviolet laser light source can be tuned to
a unique wavelength.
Description
APPLICATION PRIORITY
[0001] This application claims priority as a continuation
application to patent application Ser. No. 10/389,355, filed Mar.
13, 2003, entitled "LASER WATER DETECTION, TREATMENT AND
NOTIFICATION SYSTEMS AND METHODS", which claims priority to a
provisional patent application Ser. No. 66/364,509 filed Mar. 14,
2002 entitled "LASER WATER DETECTION, TREATMENT AND NOTIFICATION
SYSTEMS AND METHODS."
BACKGROUND
[0002] The water supplied to U.S. communities is potentially
vulnerable to terrorist attacks by insertion of biological agents.
The possibility of such attacks is now of considerable concern.
Biological agents could be a threat if they were inserted at
critical points in a water supply system; theoretically, they could
cause a large number of casualties.
[0003] History repeats itself. Deliberate chemical biological
contamination of water supplies has been a common occurrence
throughout history. Attacks have ranged from the crude dumping of
human and animal cadavers into water supplies to well orchestrated
contamination with anthrax and cholera. Cyanide has been used as a
deadly waterborne poison for thousands of years. In ancient Rome,
Nero eliminated his enemies with cherry laurel water (cyanide is
the chief toxic ingredient). In the U.S. Civil War, Confederate
soldiers shot and left farm animals to rot in ponds during General
Sherman's march, compromising the Union water supply. During World
War II, the Japanese attacked at least 11 Chinese cities, intending
to contaminate food and water supplies with anthrax, cholera, and
various other bacteria. Hitler's forces also released sewage into a
Bohemia reservoir, deliberately sickening the rival population.
[0004] Terrorists are still using chemical or biological weapons
(CW/BW). The Aum Shinrikyo Cult attacked a Tokyo subway with sarin
gas in 1995 and they are known to have produced and unsuccessfully
attempted to use anthrax and botulism toxin nine times as well. In
1985 the Rajneesh religious cult sickened 750 people in The Dalles,
Oregon, by spreading salmonella bacteria on local salad bars. In an
unprecedented violation of the Geneva Conventions, Yugoslav federal
forces, or those allied with them, appear to have poisoned wells
throughout Kosovo in October/November 1998. Those responsible
dumped animal carcasses and hazardous materials (chemicals like
paints, oil, and gasoline) into seventy percent of area wells,
deliberately sickening the populace and denying them the use of the
wells. Since the horrific events of Sep. 11, 2001, Anthrax again
surfaced as a threat when a nameless, faceless terrorist used the
U.S. Postal Service to deliver biological weapons in the form of
letters to senior Government officials and the press.
[0005] Despite a history of armies poisoning rival water supplies,
institutional dogma has generally downplayed the risk of asymmetric
chemical and biological attacks on water. Nationally recognized as
critical infrastructures, water systems are vulnerable to disabling
attacks. At present, most governments and their relevant agencies
lack comprehensive or robust remediation and counter terrorism
processes to address this great potential threat.
[0006] The nation's water infrastructure seems impossible to fully
secure. The sheer vastness of the system with its "raw water"
reservoirs and tens of thousands of miles of exposed aqueducts and
pipeline with little or minimal security, make it logically and
fiscally impossible to completely police. The nation's water system
is a delicate balance of interlocking components that includes: the
water supply system (dams, reservoirs, wells, etc.); water
treatment system; and the water distribution system (pipes, pumps
storage tanks, etc.). These systems are mostly aging and in urgent
need of upgrading, not simply to bolster them from terrorist attack
but to keep them adequately handling the growing water needs of the
21st Century.
[0007] Raw water is generally treated at the treatment plant to
meet federal, state standards, or Department of Defense (for
overseas fixed installations) guidelines and to improve its taste
and corrosion characteristics. To meet standards, contaminants must
be removed or neutralized. Treatment requirements vary greatly
depending on raw water quality and community population (these
factors affect which standards apply). A small system supplied by a
secure well might only require simple chlorination. Larger systems
with surface sources have multiple filtration, physical/chemical
modification and disinfection units. Common in the U.S., but
typically not used in Europe, chlorine disinfectant is added to
kill microbial contamination and residual chlorine is maintained to
control microbial life within the system. Examples of other
chemical addition are precipitation of iron or other metals,
reduction of the water's corrositivity and adding fluoride for
children. Upon treatment, the water is considered potable or safe
to drink.
[0008] By its very nature a treatment plant provides both security
from and facilitates chemical or biological attack. Treatment
processes may very well remove/neutralize an agent introduced into
the raw water or local system. On the other hand, it is the
controlling point for system quality where chemicals are
deliberately and systematically added to the water. The plant lends
itself as an ideal attack point for water downstream in the system.
Therefore, treatment plants are potential critical points of a
water distribution system.
[0009] Two particular points in the water system are also of
particular vulnerability and could provide harmful effectiveness to
terrorists; water intakes and water distribution:
[0010] Water intakes: The potential for contamination increases as
water dilution decreases, and such is the case for water intakes.
There are 6,800 public supply drinking water intakes on rivers
alone in the U.S. Likewise; intakes at the mouths of reservoirs or
lakes are also vulnerable targets. Contaminates introduced at the
intakes have a far better chance of reaching the population than if
introduced elsewhere.
[0011] Water distribution: This component of the water supply is
the most vulnerable. Pipelines wander for thousands of unprotected
miles; aqueducts snake through largely unpopulated areas. A person
with a crude knowledge of hydraulics and a bicycle tire pump and
access to a kitchen faucet could introduce toxins into any local
water distribution system, thus endangering thousands. There are
few robust security methods in place to protect these distribution
systems.
[0012] The distribution system is an underground network of iron,
concrete or PVC (plastic) pipes that transport the treated water
under pressure to the consumers. Ultimately, water is plumbed into
each building from these underground mains. High pressure makes it
difficult, though not impossible, to inject material into the
typically buried lines. A distribution system typically has a
variety of valve pits and other control points where maintenance
personnel, or an adversary, may gain access to the water.
[0013] Though relatively secure, the system pipes and valves are
critical points. Any adversary with access to basic chemical,
petrochemical, pharmaceutical, biotechnological or related industry
can produce biological or chemical (e.g., "biochem") weapons into
water supply systems. Compared to aerial attack (inhalation or skin
contact), effective doses are easier to obtain in water (less
dilution than air and directly ingested by the target), and in many
cases the materials are more stable (protected from ultraviolet and
temperature extremes, although exposed to chlorine). To effectively
kill or disable from drinking water chemical and biological agents
must be:
[0014] 1. Weaponized, meaning it can be produced and disseminated
in large enough quantities to cause desired effect.
[0015] 2. A viable water threat, meaning it is infectious or toxic
from drinking water.
[0016] 3. Stable, meaning the agent maintains its structural and
virulent effects in water.
[0017] 4. Chlorine resistant, meaning the agent isn't significantly
oxidized by free available chlorine (FAC) present in most American
water systems. Chlorine susceptibility can be negated by
inactivation of system chlorination devices.
[0018] There are two types of biological threats, pathogens and
toxins. Pathogens are live organisms, such as bacteria, viruses or
protozoa, which infect and cause illness and/or death. The other
are: biological toxins, chemicals derived from organisms, primarily
bacteria and fungi, which cause chemical toxicity resulting in
illness and/or death. It is believed that for less than $10,000,
anyone with gear no more sophisticated than a home brewing kit,
protein cultures and personal protection can cultivate trillions of
bacteria with relatively little personal risk.
[0019] Mankind wages a constant battle against pathogens. Bacteria,
viruses, protozoa, nematodes fungi, and others are the causes of
most infectious diseases. Living organisms, they require a host
population and certain environmental conditions (temperature,
humidity/water, and protection from sunlight) for survival. Upon
infection, the pathogen must "grow" in the host. This latency
period requires time, depending on the organism, from hours to
weeks.
[0020] To date, there are insufficient systems and methods for
protecting public drinking water sources. It is desirable by the
present inventors that sensing and notification system for public
water distribution systems be taught herein so that security over
such a precious resource can be achieved.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0021] The present inventors have determined that sensing and
notification is an important aspect of physical security that has
not been implemented to protect water supplies. In accordance with
features of the present invention, sensing and notification systems
can include detection nodes networked to a remote monitoring (e.g.,
command and control units) through wired and/or wireless networking
and communication systems. Networked monitoring and assessment can
enable rapid deployment of counter measures within affected water
distribution systems and populated communities, to include
emergency shut-off of control valves that can be associated with
the present systems.
[0022] In addition to sensing and notification systems, treatment
areas can be included to cleanse water, a system which can be
presented in the form of a junction box having an entry point for
receiving water from input tubing connected to the input portion of
the junction box and an exit point for to allow treated water to
continue moving towards its point of use. At least one laser light
source is coupled to the junction box. The laser light source can
be provided in the form of at least one fiber optic line coupled to
a laser and also coupled to the junction box, or as at least one
laser directly coupled to the junction box, at one or several
points about the junction box for delivery of light from laser(s)
into the treatment area and onto microorganisms carried by
water.
[0023] A filtration capability can be included near or before the
entry point of the treatment area. Filtration can reduce or
eliminate particles from water prior to sensing or treatment.
Particles can cause light to be absorbed or scattered, thereby
reducing the effectiveness of laser treatment, therefore filtration
prior to laser treatment is preferred. Filtration can also be
provided after treatment, thereby removing additional particulates
and/or killed microorganisms.
[0024] The junction box can comprise of a stainless steel,
watertight housing. The internal surfaces of the housing can be
highly polished to allow for reflection of light. Reflectors,
deflectors and/or diffuser can be included within the housing to
scatter light.
[0025] Baffles or walls can be formed within the housing in order
to create flow channels throughout the housing, thereby providing
more opportunities for light treatment. The baffles or walls can
provide for a serpentine configuration of flow chambers within the
housing. Laser light sources can be provided for/within each
chamber of the serpentine configuration. When more than one laser
is used, each laser can be tuned to (or selected to perform at) a
unique wavelength.
[0026] A flow sensor can be provided to turn on the laser light
source(s) whenever flow through the junction box is sensed. A
microorganism detector can be included near the entry point to
detect the presence of harmful microorganism. A control means
responsive to the detector and/or the flow sensor can turn on the
laser light source(s) in response to an indication of either or
both flow and/or microorganism detection. Furthermore, a variable
wavelength controller can be provided to adjust the wavelength of
light produced by laser light source(s). Adjustment to the
illumination/wavelength of laser light sources(s) can be in
response to said detector, thereby enabling for precise targeting
of detected microorganisms.
[0027] As with sensors, treatment systems can be staged as part of
a larger system, providing for a system comprising more than one
treatment area and associated laser light sources that are coupled,
one after the other. Such staging can provide for concentrated
redundancy prior to delivery of water to its point of use.
Treatment systems can include means to detect and/or analyze
microorganisms and/or chemicals within a water distribution system.
Detection and/or analysis systems can be deployed at various stages
along a water distribution system, near, or as part of, a treatment
system, thereby allowing for protection (e.g., detection,
treatment) redundancy.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0028] The novel features believed characteristic of this invention
are set forth in the appended claims. The invention itself,
however, as well as a preferred mode of use, further objects, and
advantages thereof, will best be understood by reference to the
following detailed description of an illustrative embodiment when
read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:
[0029] FIG. 1 is as illustration of a laser water treatment system
in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;
[0030] FIG. 2 is an illustration of a laser water treatment system
including laser light source depth deployments in accordance with
another embodiment of the present invention;
[0031] FIG. 3 is as illustration of a laser water treatment system
including a serpentine-like configuration in accordance with yet
another embodiment of the present invention;
[0032] FIG. 4 is an illustration of a laser water detection and
treatment system including sensors and a microprocessor in
accordance with the present invention;
[0033] FIG. 5 is as illustration of a laser water treatment system
including filtration in accordance with another embodiment of the
present invention;
[0034] FIG. 6 is an illustration of a laser water detection and
treatment system included stages of more than one system in
accordance with another embodiment of the present invention;
and
[0035] FIG. 7 is an illustration of laser water detection and
treatment systems in communication with remote monitoring and
control agencies in accordance with another embodiment of the
present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0036] The following description is presented to enable persons
skilled in the art to make and use the invention, and is provided
in the context of particular applications and its requirements.
Various modifications to the disclosed embodiments will be readily
apparent to those skilled in the art, and the general principles
defined herein may be applied to other embodiments and applications
without departing from the spirit and scope of the present
invention.
[0037] Thus, the present invention is not intended to be limited to
the embodiments shown, but is to be accorded the widest scope
consistent with principles and features disclosed herein. Although
preferred embodiments of the present invention are described
herein, those skilled in the art can appreciate that a number of
varying embodiments may be implemented in accordance with the
present invention.
[0038] The following U.S. Patent Application, which is the parent
of this continuation, is incorporated herein by reference in its
entirety for its teaching: U.S. patent Ser. No. 10/389,355 entitled
"LASER WATER DETECTION, TREATMENT AND NOTIFICATION SYSTEMS AND
METHODS" by Baca et al., scheduled to receive U.S. Pat. No.
6,919,019 when it issues on Jul. 19, 2005.
[0039] Referring to FIG. 1, detection and/or treatment systems 101
can communicate with remote monitoring and control agencies 130
through communication means known in the art. Network 150
communications can be wired and wireless, public and private,
secured and unsecured. The field of communications is well
developed, therefore it should be appreciated to those skilled in
the art that wired 115 and wireless 125 communication equipment can
be used to provide at least one of detection, analysis and/or
treatment information to remote agencies 130. For example, public
wireless network 150 generally communicate using standards and
networks such as, among others, 3G, WAP, CDMA, TDMA, GPRS and CPDP.
These standards can be used to provide communications between
deployed systems (101 through N) at nodes along a water
distribution network 140 and responsible monitoring agencies 130
operated by Government and private concerns.
[0040] Referring to FIG. 2, more than one system can be provided in
stages in order to maximize sensing and notification and/or
treatment success. As shown in FIG. 2, a first treatment system 101
is coupled to a second treatment system 102. Subsequent treatment
systems N can be further coupled in line with a prior treatment
system. It should be appreciated that each stage (e.g., .101, 102 .
. . N) can be tasked to target (e.g., detect and/or impede) the
same microorganisms, or can be assigned specific targets and
wavelengths.
[0041] For example, when a biological or chemical agent is detected
at system 101, then emergency shut-off procedures can be initiated
by the agency 130 to a remote valve 160 that is located safely
downstream from the harmful agent. It should be appreciated that
monitoring and control can be carried out by a central computing
system, thereby providing for automated command and control. It
should also be appreciated that a command and control agency 130
can also utilize the assets of a computer to analyze the threat and
suggest, or automatically initiate, valve shut-off for several
valves deployed throughout the water distribution system (thereby
effectively shutting down and isolating the potential threat).
[0042] Also, Internet Packet (IP) protocol communication is well
known in the data communications art. Therefore, the skilled should
appreciate that systems and controllers 130 can communicate status
and functions through data networks 150 (e.g., the Internet or
private data networks). It should further be appreciated that a
hybrid of communications, or communication redundancy, can be
provided at each node in an entire system in order to ensure
communication is sustained. As broadband communications assets
continue to be deployed (e.g., WiFi and Bluetooth communications),
it should be appreciated that components within a larger system can
communicate status and render command remotely.
[0043] Furthermore, it should be appreciated that systems and
components deployed throughout water distribution systems can be
monitored by personnel in the field using portable wireless devices
170, such as laptops, PDAs (personal digital assistants),
Smartphones, and other handheld wireless data-, and network-enabled
devices that can be deployed in a field environment.
[0044] In addition to a sensing and notification (S&N) system
as described hereinbefore, evasive action can be taken with
additional components added to the S&N system. Ultraviolet
sterilization is one proven method of eliminating a variety of
harmful waterborne microorganisms. Short-wave ultraviolet light
(e.g., 253.7 nanometers) kills waterborne microorganisms with ease,
providing they are exposed to the radiation for a sufficient length
of time. The UV light breaks the "DNA chain" thus preventing the
microorganism from reproducing. All UV sterilizers are generally
provided as a hollow chamber containing an appropriately sized
cylindrical UV bulb. Water enters the chamber at the sterilizer
inlets, circulates within it for the proper length of time (dwell
time) to ensure a high kill rate and returns to the tank via the
sterilizer outlet. For maximum benefit, UV sterilizer must
generally be run on a continuous 24 hour-per-day basis. UV
sterilizers are also highly effective at controlling algae blooms
in both marine and freshwater aquaria.
[0045] The portion of the UV light spectrum known to affect living
organisms ranges in wavelengths from 190 nm to 400 nm and is
divided into 3 bands: UVa, UVb, and UVc. The UVc light band of from
100 nm to 280 nm is often referred to as the germicidal band. UVa
and UVb light bands are not useful for water sterilization. Many
factors, however, affect the overall effectiveness of UV
sterilization: the size of the organism may affect the
effectiveness of ultraviolet sterilization (the larger the organism
the greater the dosage of UVc light required); UV power (the lamp
wattage required for sterilization is related to flow rate of water
through the UV sterilizer); contact time (determined by the flow
rate of the water through the UV sterilizer, very critical);
temperature; and the use of quartz sleeves with UV lamps (the
amount of UVc output of the UV lamp dependent on the temperature at
which it operates.
[0046] Referring to FIG. 3, the light source can be provided in the
form of a fiber optic cable 15 that extends from a light source 10
to a treatment area 20, so as to carry light from the source 10
through a coupling 25 into the treatment area 20. Light deflectors
30, reflectors 35 or diffusers, e.g., of conical shape, inside the
treatment area 20, can be used to spread and/or scatter light rays
(shown as dashed arrows) throughout the treatment area 20 so that
the light rays can interfere with microorganism contained within
water passing through the treatment area 20. Reflector/deflector
surfaces to enable effective light scatter are known in the optical
arts. Water is carried to the treatment area 20 from a supply line
60. The supply line is coupled to an input port 64 at the treatment
area 20. The supply line 60 is again coupled to the treatment area
20 at an exit port 66. It should be appreciated that the treatment
area 20 as shown in the drawing can be a self-contained unit that
is spliced into an existing water line 60.
[0047] The light source 10 can be comprised of any suitable
commercially available lighting source useful for emitting light at
wavelengths necessary for destroying microorganisms, e.g., a
mercury vapor lamp or laser for providing UV radiation. Depending
on its environmental application (e.g., constructive limitations of
the housing for the treatment area), a laser would preferably be
operated intermittently and on low power to the extent the system
is enabling the killing or disablement of microorganisms without
damaging treatment equipment. But it should be appreciated that
lasers or light sources at very high power can also be used
depending on the durability of housing materials).
[0048] The treatment area and laser configuration can take many
forms in order to increase exposure time and laser redundancy.
Referring to FIG. 4, a treatment area 20 is shown wherein more than
one laser 10 is coupled to the housing of the treatment area 20.
Coupling 25 can be directly 17 or by fiber optic 15. Also shown is
the placement of laser sources at various depths A, B and C within
the treatment area 20. Light sources at various depths within a
treatment area will increase exposure and intensity throughout a
treatment area. A laser beam is effective to finite depths
depending on laser power and water clarity; therefore many light
sources at various depths can overcome loss of laser effectiveness
due to beam scatter/diffraction within the treatment area 20.
Again, optical reflectors, deflectors and/or diffusers can be used
in combination with laser source depth to provide effective
fluorescence within the treatment area and about the water
contained therein.
[0049] Another proposed treatment area design is provided in a
serpentine configuration. As seen in FIG. 5, water entering the
treatment area 20 from the waterline 60 at coupling 64 is carried
through the treatment area 20 in a serpentine flow pattern because
of various partitions 70 built into the treatment area 20. Although
four compartments are shown in the illustration, it should be
appreciated that more or less compartment can be provided for water
flow and light exposure. Furthermore, it should be appreciated that
internal surfaces can be rounded, smooth and/or polished in order
to promote ease of water flow and maximum light exposure, yet
reducing flow restriction. Lasers 10, or fibers, can be coupled to
the housing at throughout the various compartments formed by the
partitions 70. The serpentine configuration increases exposure
because of the increased number of light sources 10 coupled to the
housing and also because of the added length and volume created by
the compartments. Exposure time of microorganisms to radiation is
generally increased because the serpentine flow pattern creates
length to the flow of water.
[0050] Referring to FIG. 6, another embodiment of the present
invention is illustrated. The system 400 can include a
microorganism sensor 70 is deployed near the entry point 64 to the
treatment area 20. The sensor 70 can be coupled to a microprocessor
80 (e.g., computer) where sensor input is analyzed to determine if
targeted harmful microorganisms exist in water flowing through the
pipeline 60. If microorganisms are detected, the microprocessor can
control the illumination by light sources 10. The microprocessor
can also control the wavelength the light sources illuminate at
where it is determined that a particular wavelength of light is
most effective against a detected microorganism. The microprocessor
can also control more than one light source 10 independently.
[0051] A flow sensor 75 can also be provided as part of the system
400 in addition to, or instead of, the microorganism sensor 70. The
flow sensor 75 can sense if water is flowing through the treatment
area, and in response can turn on the light source(s) 10. It should
be appreciated that the flow sensor 75 can be located either at the
entry point 64, exit point 66 or within the treatment area 20. Use
of the flow sensor 75 will control the amount of time that light
sources are turned on. The light sources 10 can turn off when flow
is no longer sensed, or after a set time period in which case a
timer. Timing can be provided by a microprocessor 80 for each light
source 10.
[0052] Referring to FIG. 7, a system 500 is shown wherein
filtration 90 is incorporated along pipeline 60 before the entry
point 64 of the treatment area 20. A filter can remove particles,
which would interfere with or absorb the light intended for water
treatment. It should be appreciated that a filter 95 could also be
provided along pipeline 60 after the treatment area and exit point
66.
[0053] The embodiments and examples set forth herein are presented
in order to best explain the present invention and its practical
application and to thereby enable those skilled in the art to make
and utilize the invention. However, those skilled in the art will
recognize that the foregoing description and examples have been
presented for the purpose of illustration and example only. The
description as set forth is not intended to be exhaustive or to
limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. Many
modifications and variations are possible in light of the above
teaching without departing from the spirit and scope of the
following claims.
* * * * *