TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to systems and methods for purifying air utilizing UV exposure.

BACKGROUND

There is a need for improved cleaning systems designed to keep spaces and air clean, especially personal spaces. People are constantly in environments where there is little air exchange. People drive in cars, sleep in campers, work indoors, etc. People are also in common areas with other people where there is stagnant air or relatively low air exchange, such as in an airplane, bus, train, etc. People in these environments worry, or should worry, about microorganisms, bacteria, viruses and other harmful elements in the air. The inventors have discovered new and useful ways of combating the poor air conditions in such environments.

SUMMARY

In accordance with exemplary and non-limiting embodiments, an air purification system comprises a UVC light source arranged within an internal space of a purification chamber and adapted to irradiate the internal space with UVC, an airflow system arranged to introduce environmental air from outside of the air purification system into the internal space of the purification chamber and expel purified air from the purification chamber back outside of the air purification system, and a light blocking system arranged to block a substantial amount of the irradiated UVC from emitting outside of the air purification system, the light blocking system comprising a high-air-flow open structure mounted in the airflow system of the purification chamber, wherein the open structure comprises a front surface, rear surface and a thickness, wherein the front and rear surfaces have a plurality of open areas connected through the thickness, and wherein at least one of the plurality of open areas is of a size with respect to the thickness to block light from traversing the thickness when an angle of incidence is less than approximately 10 degrees.

In accordance with exemplary and non-limiting embodiments, a method comprises remotely instructing an air purification system situated in a car to operate to achieve a requested air quality the air purification system comprising a UVC light source arranged within an internal space of a purification chamber and adapted to irradiate the internal space with UVC, an airflow system arranged to introduce environmental air from outside of the air purification system into the internal space of the purification chamber and expel purified air from the purification chamber back outside of the air purification system and a light blocking system arranged to block a substantial amount of the irradiated UVC from emitting outside of the air purification system, the light blocking system comprising a high-air-flow open structure mounted in the airflow system of the purification chamber, wherein the open structure comprises a front surface, rear surface and a thickness, wherein the front and rear surfaces have a plurality of open areas connected through the thickness, and wherein at least one of the plurality of open areas is of a size with respect to the thickness to block light from traversing the thickness when an angle of incidence is less than approximately 10 degrees, and issuing instructions for the car to proceed to a pick-up location for a passenger.

