Note : Les descriptions sont présentées dans la langue officielle dans laquelle elles ont été soumises.
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RADIATION SOURCE MODULE
TECHNICAL FIELD
Generally, the present invention relates to radiation source module and
to a fluid treatment system incorporating a radiation source module.
BACKGROUND ART
Ultraviolet light radiation systems used in applications such as water
disinfection are well known in municipal, industrial and domestic
applications.
Typically, such systems rely on ultraviolet lamps as a source of radiation.
Ultraviolet lamps normally require a power supply (sometimes referred
to as a ballast) connected between the lamp and a main source of electricity
in
order to transform, regulate and/or control the electrical energy supplied to
the
lamp. Conventionally, power supplies in these applications, whether electronic
or electromagnetic, require mounting in a dry location, protected from water
or moisture. It is also known that these conventional power supplies dissipate
a portion of transformed energy as waste heat that results in an increase in
the
temperature of the power supply components. Further, ambient conditions
surrounding the power supply can result in higher operating temperatures for
the power supply components.
Since excessively high temperatures shorten the lifetime of the power
supply and/or can cause sudden catastrophic failure, it is normally necessary
for
the system designed to incorporate a means for removing waste heat and
limiting the impact of hot ambient environments.
Ultraviolet systems which require relatively low power lamps normally
can adequately dissipate the waste heat from the power supplies via natural
convection of the ambient air environment in which they are used. Examples of
such systems may be found in:
United States Patent 4,482,809;
United States Patent 4,872,980; and
United States Patent 5,006,244.
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In recent years, significant interest has been expressed in the use of
higher power lamps in ultraviolet radiation systems. These higher power lamps
normally require either large cabinets with forced air cooling to house the
power supplies and/or complex arrangements for forced air and/or cooling
liquid if the power supplies are to be housed in more compact enclosures. See,
for example, any of the following:
United States Patent 5,418,370;
United States Patent 5,539,210; and
United States Patent 5,590,390 (Re.36,896).
The need to use large cabinets to house the power supplies renders it
difficult to install such systems in a small area. Further, the capital costs
of the
system increase. Still further, air flow into and out of these cabinets is
often
hindered by blocked filters, necessitating additional maintenance. Still
further,
if forced liquid cooling is used, the capital costs and complexity of the
system
increases.
Additionally, further complexity and expense is associated with the
above systems in that individual conductors must be used to carry electrical
power over the relatively long distance from the power supply to the lamp. The
problems associated with these relatively long conductors becomes more
difficult to solve when higher frequency alternating current is used to
operate
the lamps.
It would be desirable to have a radiation source module which could be
used in a fluid treatment system to overcome one or more of the above-
identified disadvantages of the prior art.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to provide a novel radiation
source module which obviates or mitigates at least one of the above-mentioned
disadvantages of the prior art.
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It is another object of the invention to provide a fluid treatment system
which obviates or mitigates at least one of the above-identified disadvantages
of the prior art.
Accordingly, in one of its aspects, the present invention provides a
radiation source module comprising a frame having a first support member, at
least one radiation source assembly extending from and in engagement with the
first support member, a radiation source disposed in the radiation source
assembly, connection means for affixing the radiation source module in a fluid
treatment system and a power supply connected to the frame and adapted to be
in contact with a fluid.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Embodiments of the present invention will be described with
reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
Figures 1-10 illustrate various depictions of a first preferred
embodiment of the present radiation source module;
Figures 11-13 illustrate various depictions of a second preferred
embodiment of the present radiation source module;
Figure 14 illustrates a depiction of a third preferred embodiment of
the present radiation source module; and
Figures 15-17 illustrate various depictions of a fourth preferred
embodiment of the present radiation source module.
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BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Thus, the present invention relates to a novel arrangement of power
supplies ~~~d for radiation source modules in order to obviate or mitigate the
above-mentioned problems of the prior art while the invention will be
described
with reference to ultraviolet radiation source modules and fluid treatment
systems incorporating such modules, those with skill in the art that will
recognise that the invention can be used in connection with a radiation source
generally and in connection with various fluids including liquids and gases.
The preferred embodiment of the present invention is to dispose the
power supply or supplies in the radiation source module such that it is
submerged in the fluid being treated by the radiation sources in the radiation
source module. This provides a relatively high capacity cooling medium for the
power supply facilitating the use of higher power radiation sources. This
arrangement also can eliminate the need for larger enclosures to house the
power supply. A further advantage of this arrangement is that the power supply
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or supplies can be located in closer proximity to the radiation sources
thereby
minimizing the length of conductors between the radiation sources and the
power supply.
An alternate embodiment of the invention is to dispose the power supply
or supplies in a contained fluid (preferably a liquid) which is remote from
the
fluid being treated. This arrangement may be useful in circumstances where the
fluid being treated is not suitable for immersion of the power supply. Yet a
further embodiment relates to a system in which the power supply is immersed
in a fluid, and the radiant energy from the radiation source is used to
irradiate
a gas or mixture of gases for the purposes of treating contaminants therein. A
practical example where this could be desirable is where air stripping is used
to remove contaminants from water and then the contaminant laden air is
irradiated. In this example, there is a readily available water source in
which
the power supply may be immersed to provide adequate cooling without the
need for additional enclosures or cooling apparatus.
Another embodiment of the invention relates to a design wherien a
portion of the power supply is partly immersed in the fluid being treated to
facilitate waste heat dissipation.
Figures 1-17 illustrate various embodiments of the present invention.
Accompanying each Figure is text which provides further detail concerning
each embodiment.
Generally, the embodiment illustrated in Figures 1-10 relates to a
radiation source module which may be used in a fluid treatment system such as
the one illustrated in United States Patent 5,590,390. As illustrated, a power
supply (ballast) is disposed between an extension from the support leg and the
quartz sleeve, lamp combination. The components may be connected via a
combination of fasteners (e.g., screws, etc.) and/or snap-connectors. In the
illustrated embodiment, the ballast is shown to be fully fluid submersible.
Further, in the illustrated embodiment, a single ballast is provided for each
lamp assembly. As will be apparent to those of skill in the art, waste heat
which is generated by the ballast is simply dissipated in the fluid being
treated.
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Further, the length of conductor needed to convey electricity to the ballast
from
the source of electricity is relatively short. In Figures 5-10, further detail
is
provided on how the ballast is installed in the module and a sealing
arrangement
is described to prevent ingress of fluid into the ballast area from either the
support leg side or the lamp, protective sleeve side. The specific components
within the ballast are shown generally only as these are conventional and
within
the purview of a person skilled in the art. In a preferred embodiment, the
power conversion device is housed in a sealed chamber which comprise a heat
conducting, dielectric fluid to facilitate cooling - see Figures 9 and 11.
With reference to Figure 1, there is illustrated a radiation source module
100 which comprises a support member 110. Connected to support member
110 is a connection bar 120. Emanating from support member 110 are four
support arms 130. A radiation source assembly 140 is provided and comprises
a radiation lamp 145 disposed within a radiation transparent protective sleeve
150. A power supply 155 is interposed between each support arm 130 and each
radiation source assembly 140 in a fluid tight manner.
With reference to Figure 2, there is illustrated an enlarged portion of
power supply 155 in Figure 1. Thus, power supply 155 comprises a pair of O-
rings 157,159. Emanating from the proximal end of power supply 155 is an
electrical plug 161 comprising a series of pins 163. A number of threaded
appatures 165 are also provided on the proximal side of power supply 155. A
series of screws 167 are passed through support arm 130 and engage threaded
apertures 165 of power supply 155 in a fluid tight manner.
Figure 5 illustrates a sectional view of preferred embodiment of power
supply 155 and how it is connected to support arm 130 and protective sleeve
150 of radiation source assembly 140.
As illustrated, a sleeve holder 170 is attached to protective sleeve 150.
Sleeve holder 170 is capable of biassing away from the longitudinal axis of
protective sleeve 150. As will be understood by those of skill in the art,
this
biassing action, in combination with a series of O-rings 175, serves to
provide
a fluid tight seal between sleeve holder 170 and power supply 150. Disposed
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within power supply 155 is a circuit board 200 comprising electrical
components of the power supply 155.
Figures 6-8 illustrate various other views of power supply 155.
Figures 9-10 illustrate construction of power supply 155. Thus, there
is illustrated a ballast shell 180. Circuit board 200 is connected to a first
end-
cap 182 via electrical connections 184. Opposed to this are lamp leads 186
which are connected to a second end-cap 188 comprising receptacles 190 for
connection to lamp 145. First end-cap 182 and second end-cap 188 are
connected to ballast shell 180 via the series of screws 192 which, in
combination with O-rings 194 serve to provide a fluid tight seal to obviate or
mitigate fluid ingress to circuit board 200 within ballast shell 180.
In Figures 11-13, there is illustrated and alternative embodiment of the
present radiation source module. Again, the module illustrated in Figures 11-
13 may be used in a fluid treatment system such as the one described in United
States Patent 5,590,390. In this case, the power supply or ballast is located
on
a face of the support leg opposed to the face from which the lamp/protective
sleeve emerges. As illustrated, one power supply will control a pair of lamps.
As will be apparent to those of skill in the art, advantages of the embodiment
illustrated in Figures 11-13 include simpler sealing mechanisms with respect
to
mitigating or obviating fluid ingress to the power supply. Further, in order
it
service the power supply, it is not necessary to break the seal between the
quartz sleeve and remainder of the module. The detail of the power supply is
similar to the embodiment illustrated in Figures 1-10.
With reference to Figures 11-13, there is illustrated a radiation source
module 200 comprising a support member 210 and a connection bar 220.
Emanating from support member 210 are four support arms 230. Connected
to each support arm 230 is a radiation source assembly 250. On the opposed
side of support member 210 are a pair of power supplies 255 each of which
comprise a ballast 257 and a gasket 265 which are affixed to support member
210 via screws 260.
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With reference to Figures 12 and 13, it will be seen that power supply
255 comprises a ballast 257 having a male electrical connector 259. Male
electrical connector 259 engages a female electrical connector 261 on support
member 210.
Figure 13 illustrates various components of Figure 12 from a different
view. As shown, connector 259 comprises an O-ring 258 and a series of
electrical contact pins 262.
With reference to Figure 14, there is illustrated yet a further
modification to the present radiation source module. Specifically, the power
supply is in the form of bar which is secured to the support leg in the module
at a face opposite to the face from which the lamp/protective sleeve extend.
As
shown, the electrical connections between the support leg and the power supply
are above the water level thereby further facilitating keeping the internal
circuitry of the power supply dry with respect to mitigating or obviating
fluid
ingress to the power supply. Further, in order to service the power supply, it
is not necessary to break the seal between the quartz sleeve and remainder of
the module.
With reference to Figure 14, there is a illustrated a further embodiment
of the present radiation source module. Thus, there is illustrated a radiation
source module 300 comprising a support member 310 and a connection arm
320. Emanating from support member 310 are four support arms 330 which are
connected to respective radiation source assembly 340. On the opposite side of
support member 310 is an elongate power supply 355 comprising a ballast 357
and a gasket 365 which are attached to support member 310 via a series of
screws 360. Ballast 357 has a pair of male electrical connection plugs 359
which engage a pair of female electrical connector plugs 261 on support
member 310.
In Figures 15-17 yet a further modification is illustrated. In this case,
the circuitry of the power supply is attached to a portion of the module which
is outside the fluid being treated. At least a portion of the power supply
housing is heat conducting and this portion is in contact with or at least
partially
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immersed in the fluid being treated. For example, as illustrated, a heat
conductive "fm" may extend from the power supply housing into the fluid being
treated thereby facilitating dissipation of heat generated by the power
supply.
While a particular "fin" profile is illustrated, those of skill in the art
will
immediately recognize that the particular shape of the "fm" profile is not
restricted.
With reference to Figures 15-17, there is illustrated another embodiment
of the present radiation source module. Thus, there is illustrated a radiation
source module 400 comprising a support member 410 and a connection bar 420.
Emanating from support member 410 are four support arms 430. Each support
arm 430 is connected to a radiation source assembly 440. Depending from
connection bar 420 is a power supply 455. Power supply 455 comprises a
ballast 457 and a gasket 465 which are connected to connection bar 420 via a
series of screws 460. Ballast 457 comprises a pair of male electrical
connectors
459 which engage with a pair of female electrical connectors (not shown) in
connecting arm 420. Depending downwardly from ballast 457 is a cooling fin
470. In one embodiment, cooling fin 470 may be a solid heat conductive
material which will serve to convey heat generated from the ballast to the
fluid
being treated (i.e., the fluid acts as a heat sink). In another embodiment, a
fm
may be hollow and, optionally, filled with a cooling fluid to assist in heat
transfer from the ballast to the fluid being treated.
While the present invention has been described with reference to
preferred and specifically illustrated embodiments, it will of course be
understood by those skilled in the art that various modifications to these
preferred embodiments and illustrated embodiments may be made without
departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. For example, while
present radiation source module has been illustrated with reference to a
module
suitable for use in the fluid treatment system described in United States
Patent
5,590,390, those with skill in the art will readily appreciate that the
present
invention could be applied readily to a "double-legged" module similar to the
ones illustrated in United States Patents 4,482,809, 4,872,980 and 5,006,244.
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Still further, with reference to the embodiments illustrated in Figures 1-14,
it
is possible to modify the power supply shell to include projecting fins (not
shown) which would serve to facilitate heat dissipation and create mixing
thereby improving efficiency of fluid treatment in the radiation zone. Still
further, while various of the embodiments specifically described hereinabove
with reference to the drawings relate to the use of a power supply
conventionally used to power ultraviolet radiation sources - e. g. , low
frequency
AC (50 Hz to 500 kHz) power supplies - those of skill in the art will readily
appreciate that alternate power supplies may be used with the present
radiation
source module without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
For example, any of the following alternate power supplies may be used in the
present radiation source module: a direct current power supply, other high
radio
frequency power supplies or a microwave excitation power supply . The present
invention is particularly applicable in respect of the latter two alternate
power
IS supplies where efficiency improvements and reductions of electromagnetic
interference are seen as the power supply and radiation source are moved in
closer proximity to one another. Still further, while various of the
embodiments specifically described hereinabove with reference to the drawings
relate to direct immersion or submersion of the power supply resulting in
direct
heat exchange between the power supply and the fluid being treated, those of
skill in the art will immediately recognize that the power supply may be
encased
in another structure (e.g., the support leg for the radiation source) which is
directly in contact with the fluid to provide heat exchange with the fluid
being
treated thereby obtaining the benefits of the invention without departing from
the spirit or scope thereof. Other modifications which do not depart from the
spirit and scope of the present invention will be apparent to those of skill
in the
art.
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LEGEND OF THE FIGURES
Figure Description
1 UV light module with submerged power supply:
isometric
view
2 Submerged power supply disconnected from
module frame
and lamp and sleeve
3 UV light module with submerged power supply:
side view
4 Submerged power supply disconnected from
module frame
and lamp and sleeve
Sealed power supply shown secured and
sealed to the
module frame member (left). A plug conveying
electrical
input power and status/control signals
is connected to the
power supply at left.
The sleeve holder is secured to the power
supply case via
releasable tabs that engage in corresponding
slots. O-rings
seal the sleeve holder against the outer
case of the power
supply.
The plug at right carries electrical power
from the power
supply to the lamp.
6 Sealed power supply shown in sectional
view prior to being
fastened in a secure and sealed manner
to module frame
member (on left side of drawing).
Electrical input to the power supply and
control and status
signals connect through the plug at left.
The plug at right conveys electrical power
to the lamp.
Note that the sleeve is not shown in this
view for purpose
of clarity.
7 At right is shown at the end of the sleeve
holder, with o-
rings and tabs for sealing and securing
the sleeve to the
power supply case. Note that the lamp
is not shown in this
view for purpose of clarity.
8 Sealed power supply shown assembled in
sectional view
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9 Secondary (upper) end-cap is connected
to wires after the
primary endcap and circuit board are installed.
Prior to securing secondary endcap, the
power supply
cavity may be filled with a suitable heat
conducting high
dielectric (ie: does not conduct electricity)
material such as
FluorinertTM Liquid # FC-40 manufactured
by 3MTM
Use of heat conducing material as described
above improves
the transfer of waste heat (generated by
the power supply)
from the power supply to the case, which
in turn transfers
the heat to the ambient liquid (typically
water).
Primary endcap (lower) is wired to circuit
board prior to
insertion into case.
11 UV light module with power supply secured
to frame
member and submerged beneath liquid surface.
Note that
in this arrangement it is possible to have
more than one
lamp operated from a single power supply
(shown with one
power supply operating two lamps, electrical
connections
through a single plug).
Power supply electronics are completely
sealed within
watertight case.
Internal cavity within power supply case
may be filled with
a suitable heat conducting high dielectric
(ie: does not
conduct electricity) material such as FluorinertT"~
Liquid #
FC-40 manufactured by 3MT"~
Use of hear conducting material as described
above
improves the transfer of waste heat (generated
by the power
supply) from the power supply to the case,
which in turn
transfers the heat to the ambient liquid
(typically water).
12 Electrical connections for input power,
output power to
lamps, and control/status signals are achieved
via sealing
plug.
Gasket between module frame member and
power supply
provides additional seal to prevent water
from reaching
electrical connections.
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13 Plug connector shown utilizes sealing
O-rings to prevent
water ingress into the area where electrical
contacts mate.
Electrical connections for input power,
output power to
lamps, and control/status signals are
achieved via sealing
plug.
14 The power supply case geometry, when secured
to the
module frame member, can be arranged such
that it is
substantially submerged beneath the liquid
top surface,
but the electrical connections are above
the liquid top
surface.
Such an arrangement allows the heat generating
components to be cooled by the liquid
that substantially
surrounds the ballast case, while allowing
the electrical
connectors to be rated only for appropriate
weather
resistance and temporary submersion (rather
than being
rated for continuous submersion). This
results in less
costly and less complex electrical connection
devices.
15 Power supply case (with electronic components
housed
within) shown secured to the module frame
member above
the top surface level of the liquid.
The power supply is substantially above
the top surface
level of the liquid, but has at least
on heat conductive
surface in direct contact with the liquid.
In the illustration
of Fig 15, a heat conducting fin protrusion
extends from the
power supply case downward into the liquid.
Heat
generated by the electronic components
is conducted via the
fin from the power supply case and discharged
into the
liquid.
This arrangement allows that the power
supply case and
connections be rated only for appropriate
weather resistance
and temporary submersion, resulting in
less complex and
less costly construction.
16 As Fig 15, but with power supply detached
from module
frame member.
17 Power supply of Fig 15 and Fig 16, with
heat conductive
finned protrusion extending from case.
