The present application relates to devices for removing, capturing and rendering harmless bio-contaminants from air streams.
Filters have long been used to remove contaminants in air handling systems. There have also been attempts to use ultra violet or UV lamps to destroy bacteria on a variety of surfaces, including filter surfaces. There is a long felt but unmet need for an effective purification unit that combines the bacteria destroying affects of UV radiation with effective purification by filtering in a more efficient and effective manner and simultaneously killing bacteria in the air stream and on the filtering medium.
The present invention provides a unique, simple combination filter and ultra-violet lamp assembly that includes a high purification filter and high power UV radiation lamp in a single replaceable and disposable unit capable of being easily installed into an existing air handling system, designed into a new air handing unit or for use in a stand alone room air purifier. The invention includes a tubular filter medium, preferably a pleated HEPA or ULPA filter mounted by opposing supporting end plates with one plate adapted for mounting a UV lamp and fixture in air sealed relationship to the filter medium such that the lamp is inside and surrounded by the filter medium and the power connecting portion of the fixture is outside the supporting end plate. The other supporting end plate has an air ingress opening therethrough.
According to one embodiment, a self contained air purification unit is provided for replaceably mounting the filter and lamp assembly within an air handling system. The unit includes a housing having at least one removable wall for access to the filter and lamp assembly for installation and removal of the assembly. The housing is constructed to channel air flow through the housing for passage into the filter and lamp assembly and out through the filter medium. According to one aspect of the invention, a fan and motor assembly is mounted within the housing to draw air through the filter and in another the fan and motor assembly is mounted within the housing to push air through the filter.