UV air purifier with baffle system

1 . An air purifier comprising:

a housing for installation in or on a wall or ceiling of a building space;

a UV light sterilizing chamber in the housing for directing a flow of air therethrough in a flow direction extending between first and second opposing ends of the chamber;

a UV light source mounted in the sterilizing chamber for emitting UV light to sterilize air flowing through the sterilizing chamber, the UV light source being oriented in the flow direction so as to extend in the direction between the first and second ends;

a first port on the housing communicated to the UV light sterilizing chamber at the first end thereof for permitting flow of the air between the sterilizing chamber and the building space via the first port, the first port being oriented at an angle to the flow direction for facing the building space;

a fan for generating the flow of the air from the building space and through the UV light sterilizing chamber and first port, the fan being distal from the first port;

a plurality of baffles mounted adjacent the first port,

wherein the plurality of baffles are arranged in a spaced apart arrangement to provide a series of flow channels including a series of port guiding surfaces and a series of chamber guiding surfaces, the port guiding surfaces being configured to direct the air flowing between the flow channels and the first port and the chamber guiding surfaces being configured to direct the air flowing between the flow channels and the sterilizing chamber,

wherein the port guiding surfaces are oriented towards the first port for directing the air flowing between the flow channels and the first port, and the chamber guiding surfaces for directing the air flowing between the flow channels and the sterilizing chamber are oriented generally perpendicularly to the flow direction.

2 . The air purifier according to claim 1 , wherein the baffles of the plurality thereof having anti-reflective surfaces that reduce or eliminate reflection of the UV light emitted by the UV light source to reduce or eliminate emittance through the first port.

3 . The air purifier according to claim 1 , wherein the plurality of baffles are arranged in a nested, spaced apart arrangement with the first baffle walls of adjacent baffles overlapping each other in a spaced apart manner and the second baffle walls overlapping each other in a spaced apart manner.

4 . The air purifier according to claim 1 , wherein the housing has first and second parallel main walls and side walls connecting the main walls, the first port being an opening in the first wall;

wherein each baffle of the plurality thereof includes a first baffle wall extending towards the first port and a second baffle wall extending generally perpendicularly to the main walls at an inner end of the first baffle wall, the first baffle walls providing the port guiding surfaces and the second baffle walls providing the chamber guiding surfaces.

5 . The air purifier according to claim 4 , wherein each baffle of the plurality thereof has the first and second baffle walls thereof connected to one another.

6 . The air purifier according to claim 5 , wherein each baffle of the plurality thereof is L-shaped with the first and second baffle walls essentially perpendicular.

7 . The air purifier according to claim 6 , wherein the plurality of baffles are oriented such that the first baffle walls extend towards the first port essentially parallel to the first main wall of the housing and the second baffle walls are essentially perpendicular to the first main wall of the housing.

8 . The air purifier according to claim 6 , wherein the plurality of baffles are arranged in a stepped, nested, spaced apart arrangement with the first baffle walls of adjacent baffles overlapping each other in a spaced apart manner and the second baffle walls overlapping each other in a spaced apart manner.

9 . The air purifier according to claim 7 , wherein the plurality of baffles are arranged in a stepped, nested, spaced apart arrangement with the first baffle walls of adjacent baffles overlapping each other in a spaced apart manner and the second baffle walls overlapping each other in a spaced apart manner.

10 . The air purifier according to claim 1 , further comprising

a second port on the housing communicated to the UV light sterilizing chamber at the second end thereof for permitting flow of the air between the sterilizing chamber and the building space via the second port, the second port being oriented at an angle to the flow direction for facing the building space;

wherein the plurality of baffles mounted adjacent the first port is a first plurality and the air purifier further comprises a second plurality of baffles mounted adjacent the second port, the fan being between the second plurality of baffles and the second port for generating flow via the second port,

the baffles of the second plurality being arranged in a spaced apart arrangement to provide a series of flow channels including a series of port guiding surfaces and a series of chamber guiding surfaces, the port guiding surfaces being configured to direct the air flow between the flow channels and the fan generating the flow via the second port, the chamber guiding surfaces being oriented generally in the flow direction for directing the air flowing between the flow channels and the sterilizing chamber.

11 . The air purifier according to claim 10 , wherein the baffles of the second plurality thereof baffles have anti-reflective surfaces that reduces or eliminates reflection of the UV light emitted by the UV light source to reduce or eliminate emittance through the second port.

12 . The air purifier according to claim 11 , wherein the housing includes a fan chamber with a wall between the fan chamber and the sterilizing chamber, the wall having an opening for communicating the fan chamber and the sterilizing chamber, and wherein the fan chamber has the second port and the fan is positioned in the fan chamber.

13 . The air purifier according to claim 12 , wherein the fan is configured to draw the flow of air in from the building space through the second port and deliver the flow of air through the sterilizing chamber and out to the building space through the first port.

14 . The air purifier according to claim 13 , further comprising a filter mounted in the second port.

15 . An air purifier comprising:

a housing having first and second main walls for installation in or on a wall or ceiling of a building space with the first main wall facing the building space;

a UV light sterilizing chamber in the housing for directing a flow of air therethrough in a flow direction extending between first and second opposing ends of the chamber;

a UV light source mounted in the sterilizing chamber for emitting UV light to sterilize air flowing through the sterilizing chamber, the UV light source being oriented in the flow direction so as to extend in the direction between the first and second ends;

a first port on the housing communicated to the UV light sterilizing chamber at the first end thereof for permitting flow of the air between the sterilizing chamber and the building space via the first port;

a second port on the housing communicated to the UV light sterilizing chamber at the second end thereof for permitting flow of the air between the sterilizing chamber and the building space via the second port;

a fan adjacent the second port for generating the flow of the air to draw the flow of air in from the building space through the second port and deliver the flow of air through the UV light sterilizing chamber and out the first port;

a plurality of baffles mounted adjacent the second port and the fan for receiving the air flowing out from the fan into the sterilizing chamber, the baffles of the plurality providing a series of port guiding surfaces for directing the air flowing from the fan generating the flow through the second port, the baffles of the plurality also providing a series of chamber guiding surfaces oriented generally in the flow direction for directing air flowing from the baffles into the sterilizing chamber;

wherein the plurality of baffles are arranged in a spaced apart arrangement to provide a series of flow channels including the port and chamber guiding surfaces with the port guiding surfaces extending away from the first main wall such that the flow channels open towards the second main wall;

wherein the spaced apart arrangement of the plurality of baffles is a stepped, nested, spaced apart arrangement that extends generally diagonally away from the fan and away from the first main wall.

16 . The air purifier according to claim 15 , wherein the port guiding surfaces are oriented generally perpendicularly to the flow direction.

17 . The air purifier according to claim 15 , wherein the the first and second main walls of the housing are parallel and the housing has side walls connecting the main walls, the first port being an opening in the first wall;

wherein each baffle of the plurality thereof includes a first baffle wall extending towards the sterilizing chamber and a second baffle wall extending generally perpendicularly to the main walls at an outer end of the first baffle wall, the first baffle walls providing the chamber guiding surfaces and the second baffle walls providing the port guiding surfaces.

18 . The air purifier according to claim 17 , wherein each baffle of the plurality thereof has the first and second baffle walls thereof connected to one another.

19 . The air purifier according to claim 18 , wherein each baffle of the plurality thereof is L-shaped with the first and second baffle walls essentially perpendicular.

20 . The air purifier according to claim 19 , wherein the plurality of baffles are oriented such that the first baffle walls are essentially parallel to the first main wall of the housing and the second baffle walls extend essentially perpendicular to the first main wall of the housing.

21 . The air purifier according to claim 19 , wherein the plurality of baffles are arranged in the stepped, nested, spaced apart arrangement with the first baffle walls of adjacent baffles overlapping each other in a spaced apart manner and the second baffle walls overlapping each other in a spaced apart manner.

22 . The air purifier according to claim 20 , wherein the plurality of baffles are arranged in the stepped, nested, spaced apart arrangement with the first baffle walls of adjacent baffles overlapping each other in a spaced apart manner and the second baffle walls overlapping each other in a spaced apart manner.

23 . The air purifier according to claim 15 , further comprising a cover on the first main wall that is removable or openable to the access the UV light source.

24 . An air purifier comprising:

a housing for installation in or on a wall or ceiling of a building space;

a UV light sterilizing chamber in the housing for directing a flow of air therethrough in a flow direction extending between first and second opposing ends of the chamber;

a UV light source mounted in the sterilizing chamber for emitting UV light to sterilize air flowing through the sterilizing chamber;

a first port on the housing communicated to the UV light sterilizing chamber at the first end thereof for permitting flow of the air between the sterilizing chamber and the building space via the first port, the first port being oriented at an angle to the flow direction for facing the building space;

a fan for generating the flow of the air from the building space and through the UV light sterilizing chamber and first port, the fan being distal from the first port;

a plurality of baffles mounted adjacent the first port,

wherein the plurality of baffles are arranged in a spaced apart arrangement to provide a series of flow channels including a series of port guiding surfaces and a series of chamber guiding surfaces, the port guiding surfaces being configured to direct the air flowing between the flow channels and the first port and the chamber guiding surfaces being configured to direct the air flowing between the flow channels and the sterilizing chamber,

wherein the port guiding surfaces are oriented towards the first port for directing the air flowing between the flow channels and the first port, and the chamber guiding surfaces are oriented towards the sterilizing chamber generally in the flow direction for directing air flowing between the flow channels and the sterilizing chamber,

wherein the housing has first and second main walls and side walls connecting the main walls, the first port being an opening in the first wall;

wherein each baffle of the plurality thereof includes a first baffle wall extending towards the sterilizing chamber and a second baffle wall extending toward the first port, the first baffle walls providing the chamber guiding surfaces and the second baffle walls providing the port guiding surfaces,

wherein each baffle of the plurality thereof has the first and second baffle walls thereof connected to one another,

wherein the plurality of baffles are oriented such that the first baffle walls extend essentially parallel to the first main wall and the flow direction and the second baffle walls extend at an angle toward the first main wall and the first port,

wherein the plurality of baffles are arranged in a nested, spaced apart arrangement with the first baffle walls of adjacent baffles overlapping each other in a spaced apart manner and the second baffle walls overlapping each other in a spaced apart manner.

25 . An air purifier comprising:

a housing for installation in or on a wall or ceiling of a building space;

a UV light sterilizing chamber in the housing for directing a flow of air therethrough in a flow direction extending between first and second opposing ends of the chamber;

a UV light source mounted in the sterilizing chamber for emitting UV light to sterilize air flowing through the sterilizing chamber;

a first port on the housing communicated to the UV light sterilizing chamber at the first end thereof for permitting flow of the air between the sterilizing chamber and the building space via the first port, the first port being oriented at an angle to the flow direction for facing the building space;

a fan for generating the flow of the air from the building space and through the UV light sterilizing chamber and first port, the fan being distal from the first port;

a plurality of baffles mounted adjacent the first port,

wherein the plurality of baffles are arranged in a spaced apart arrangement to provide a series of flow channels including a series of port guiding surfaces and a series of chamber guiding surfaces, the port guiding surfaces being configured to direct the air flowing between the flow channels and the first port and the chamber guiding surfaces being configured to direct the air flowing between the flow channels and the sterilizing chamber,

wherein the port guiding surfaces are oriented towards the first port for directing the air flowing between the flow channels and the first port, and the chamber guiding surfaces are oriented towards the sterilizing chamber generally in the flow direction for directing air flowing between the flow channels and the sterilizing chamber,

wherein the housing has first and second main walls and side walls connecting the main walls, the first port being an opening in the first wall,

wherein each baffle of the plurality thereof includes a first baffle wall extending towards the sterilizing chamber and a second baffle wall extending toward the first port, the first baffle walls providing the chamber guiding surfaces and the second baffle walls providing the port guiding surfaces,

wherein each baffle of the plurality thereof has the first and second baffle walls thereof connected to one another,

wherein the plurality of baffles are oriented such that the first baffle walls extend essentially parallel to the first main wall and the flow direction and the second baffle walls extend at an angle toward the first main wall and the first port,

wherein the first and second baffle walls of each baffle of the plurality thereof are connected by at least one intermediate baffle wall.

26 . An air purifier comprising:

a housing for installation in or on a wall or ceiling of a building space;

a UV light sterilizing chamber in the housing for directing a flow of air therethrough in a flow direction extending between first and second opposing ends of the chamber;

a UV light source mounted in the sterilizing chamber for emitting UV light to sterilize air flowing through the sterilizing chamber;

a first port on the housing communicated to the UV light sterilizing chamber at the first end thereof for permitting flow of the air between the sterilizing chamber and the building space via the first port, the first port being oriented at an angle to the flow direction for facing the building space;

a fan for generating the flow of the air from the building space and through the UV light sterilizing chamber and first port, the fan being distal from the first port;

a plurality of baffles mounted adjacent the first port,

wherein the plurality of baffles are arranged in a spaced apart arrangement to provide a series of flow channels including a series of port guiding surfaces and a series of chamber guiding surfaces, the port guiding surfaces being configured to direct the air flowing between the flow channels and the first port and the chamber guiding surfaces being configured to direct the air flowing between the flow channels and the sterilizing chamber,

the air purifier further comprising:

a second port on the housing communicated to the UV light sterilizing chamber at the second end thereof for permitting flow of the air between the sterilizing chamber and the building space via the second port, the second port being oriented at an angle to the flow direction for facing the building space;

wherein the plurality of baffles mounted adjacent the first port is a first plurality and the air purifier further comprises a second plurality of baffles mounted adjacent the second port, the fan being between the second plurality of baffles and the second port for generating flow via the second port,

the baffles of the second plurality being arranged in a spaced apart arrangement to provide a series of flow channels including a series of port guiding surfaces and a series of chamber guiding surfaces, the port guiding surfaces being configured to direct the air flow between the flow channels and the fan generating the flow via the second port, the chamber guiding surfaces being oriented generally in the flow direction for directing the air flowing between the flow channels and the sterilizing chamber,

wherein the housing includes a fan chamber with a wall between the fan chamber and the sterilizing chamber, the wall having an opening for communicating the fan chamber and the sterilizing chamber, and wherein the fan chamber has the second port and the fan is positioned in the fan chamber.

27 . The air purifier according to claim 26 , wherein the fan is configured to draw the flow of air in from the building space through the second port and deliver the flow of air through the sterilizing chamber and out to the building space through the first port.

28 . The air purifier according to claim 27 , further comprising a filter mounted in the second port.

29 . An air purifier comprising:

a housing for installation in or on a wall or ceiling of a building space;

a UV light sterilizing chamber in the housing for directing a flow of air therethrough in a flow direction extending between first and second opposing ends of the chamber;

a UV light source mounted in the sterilizing chamber for emitting UV light to sterilize air flowing through the sterilizing chamber;

a first port on the housing communicated to the UV light sterilizing chamber at the first end thereof for permitting flow of the air between the sterilizing chamber and the building space via the first port;

a second port on the housing communicated to the UV light sterilizing chamber at the second end thereof for permitting flow of the air between the sterilizing chamber and the building space via the second port;

a fan adjacent the second port for generating the flow of the air to draw the flow of air in from the building space through the second port and deliver the flow of air through the UV light sterilizing chamber and out the first port;

a plurality of baffles mounted adjacent the second port and the fan for receiving the air flowing out from the fan into the sterilizing chamber, the baffles of the plurality providing a series of port guiding surfaces for directing the air flowing from the fan generating the flow through the second port, the baffles of the plurality also providing a series of chamber guiding surfaces oriented generally in the flow direction for directing air flowing from the baffles into the sterilizing chamber;

wherein the plurality of baffles are arranged in a spaced apart arrangement to provide a series of flow channels including the port and chamber guiding surface;

wherein the port guiding surfaces are oriented generally perpendicularly to the flow direction;

wherein the plurality of baffles are arranged in a stepped, nested, spaced apart arrangement.

30 . The air purifier according to claim 29 , wherein the stepped arrangement extends generally diagonally away from the fan and away from a first main wall including the second port.

31 . The air purifier according to claim 15 , wherein each baffle of the plurality thereof includes a first baffle wall providing the chamber guiding surfaces and a second baffle wall providing the port guiding surfaces, wherein the plurality of baffles are oriented such that the first baffle walls extend at a first angle towards the second main wall of the housing and the sterilizing chamber, and wherein the second baffle walls extend at a second angle toward the second main wall of the housing and the fan.

32 . The air purifier according to claim 31 , wherein the first and second walls of the baffles are connected in a V-shape.

33 . An air purifier comprising:

a housing for installation in or on a wall or ceiling of a building space;

a UV light sterilizing chamber in the housing for directing a flow of air therethrough in a flow direction extending between first and second opposing ends of the chamber;

a UV light source mounted in the sterilizing chamber for emitting UV light to sterilize air flowing through the sterilizing chamber;

a first port on the housing communicated to the UV light sterilizing chamber at the first end thereof for permitting flow of the air between the sterilizing chamber and the building space via the first port, the first port being oriented at an angle to the flow direction for facing the building space;

a fan for generating the flow of the air from the building space and through the UV light sterilizing chamber and first port, the fan being distal from the first port;

a plurality of baffles mounted adjacent the first port,

wherein the plurality of baffles are arranged in a spaced apart arrangement to provide a series of flow channels including a series of port guiding surfaces and a series of chamber guiding surfaces, the port guiding surfaces being configured to direct the air flowing between the flow channels and the first port and the chamber guiding surfaces being configured to direct the air flowing between the flow channels and the sterilizing chamber,

wherein the port guiding surfaces are oriented towards the first port for directing the air flowing between the flow channels and the first port, and the chamber guiding surfaces are oriented towards the sterilizing chamber generally in the flow direction for directing air flowing between the flow channels and the sterilizing chamber,

wherein the housing has first and second main walls and side walls connecting the main walls, the first port being an opening in the first wall;

wherein each baffle of the plurality thereof includes a first baffle wall extending towards the sterilizing chamber and a second baffle wall extending toward the first port, the first baffle walls providing the chamber guiding surfaces and the second baffle walls providing the port guiding surfaces,

wherein each baffle of the plurality thereof has the first and second baffle walls thereof connected to one another,

wherein the plurality of baffles are oriented such that the first baffle walls extend at a first angle towards the first main wall of the housing and the sterilizing chamber, and wherein the second baffle walls extend at a second angle toward the first main wall of the housing and the first port.

34 . The air purifier according to claim 24 , wherein each baffle of the plurality thereof is L-shaped with the first and second baffle walls essentially perpendicular.

35 . The air purifier according to claim 25 , wherein the plurality of baffles are arranged in a nested, spaced apart arrangement with the first baffle walls of adjacent baffles overlapping each other in a spaced apart manner, the second baffle walls overlapping each other in a spaced apart manner, and the intermediate baffle walls overlapping each other in a spaced apart manner.

36 . The air purifier according to claim 25 , wherein the at least one intermediate baffle wall includes a third baffle wall essentially parallel to the first baffle wall of the housing connected to the second baffle wall and a fourth baffle wall extending at an angle with respect to the flow direction towards the first main wall and connected to the first baffle wall and the third baffle wall.

37 . The air purifier according to claim 33 , wherein the plurality of baffles are arranged in a nested, spaced apart arrangement with the first baffle walls of adjacent baffles overlapping each other in a spaced apart manner and the second baffle walls overlapping each other in a spaced apart manner.

38 . The air purifier according to claim 34 , wherein the plurality of baffles are oriented such that the first baffle walls are essentially parallel to the first main wall of the housing and the second baffle walls extend towards the first port essentially perpendicular to the first main wall of the housing.

39 . The air purifier according to claim 35 , wherein the at least one intermediate baffle wall includes a third baffle wall essentially parallel to the first baffle wall of the housing connected to the second baffle wall and a fourth baffle wall extending at an angle with respect to the flow direction towards the first main wall and connected to the first baffle wall and the third baffle wall.