Apparatus and methods for ozone generation and degradation

Abstract

Devices and methods for sterilizing an enclosed space using ozone are disclosed herein. Various embodiments of the devices and methods also provide for accelerated degradation of the ozone upon sterilization. In some embodiments, a disclosed sterilization unit includes a first housing defining an ozone generation cavity, an ozone generator disposed within the ozone generation cavity, a second housing defining an ozone degradation cavity, and an ozone degrader disposed within the ozone degradation cavity. The sterilization unit of various embodiments is configured to cycle air between the enclosed space and the ozone generation cavity during an ozone generation cycle to sterilize the enclosed space; similarly, the unit is further configured to cycle air between the enclosed space and the ozone degradation cavity during an ozone degradation cycle to return the air within the enclosed space to safe ozone levels.

1 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A sterilization unit system for decontaminating an enclosed space, comprising:
 a sterilization unit configured to be positioned within the enclosed space to be decontaminated, the sterilization unit comprising:
 an ozone generation cavity; 
 an ozone degradation cavity; 
 an ozone generator disposed within the ozone generation cavity, configured to ozonize air that enters the ozone generation cavity during an ozone generation cycle; 
 an ozone degrader disposed within the ozone degradation cavity, configured to remove ozone from air within the ozone degradation cavity during an ozone degradation cycle; and 
   a remote control panel separately located from the sterilization unit, wherein commands are sent from the remote control panel to the sterilization unit, wherein the remote control panel is positioned outside of the enclosed space while the sterilization unit is disposed within the enclosed space,   wherein the remote control panel is configured to receive input data related to the enclosed space and the ozone generation cycle, wherein the sterilization unit is programmed to calculate the appropriate run time for ozone generation based on the data inputted to the remote control panel.   
     
     
         22 . The sterilization unit system of  claim 21 , wherein the sterilization unit is programmed to calculate the appropriate run time for ozone degradation. 
     
     
         23 . The sterilization unit of system  claim 21 , wherein the sterilization unit comprises one or more sensors configured to detect the humidity, pressure, temperature, and/or current ozone level in the enclosed space. 
     
     
         24 . The sterilization unit system of  claim 21 , wherein the remote control panel is configured to control ozone generation intensity. 
     
     
         25 . The sterilization unit system of  claim 21 , wherein the remote control panel is configured to control the start time of the ozone generation cycle. 
     
     
         26 . The sterilization unit system of  claim 21 , wherein the remote control panel is configured to control the start time of the ozone degradation cycle. 
     
     
         27 . The sterilization unit system of  claim 21 , wherein the remote control panel is configured to regulate the speed at which air is pulled from the enclosed space into the ozone generation cavity. 
     
     
         28 . The sterilization unit system of  claim 21 , wherein the remote control panel is configured to set the day and time that the ozone generation cycle begins. 
     
     
         29 . The sterilization unit system of  claim 21 , wherein the remote control panel comprises a touchscreen. 
     
     
         30 . The sterilization unit system of  claim 21 , wherein the data related to the enclosed space and the ozone generation cycle is inputted by a user. 
     
     
         31 . The sterilization unit system of  claim 21 , wherein the enclosed space is a hospital room, an automobile, or a hotel room. 
     
     
         32 . A method of decontaminating an enclosed space, the method comprising:
 positioning a sterilization unit within the enclosed space the sterilization unit comprising:
 an ozone generation cavity; 
 an ozone degradation cavity; 
 an ozone generator disposed within the ozone generation cavity, configured to ozonize air that enters the ozone generation cavity during an ozone generation cycle; 
 an ozone degrader disposed within the ozone degradation cavity, configured to remove ozone from air within the ozone degradation cavity during an ozone degradation cycle; and 
 wherein a remote control panel is separately located from the sterilization unit, wherein commands are sent from the remote control panel to the sterilization unit, wherein the remote control panel is positioned outside of the enclosed space while the sterilization unit is disposed within the enclosed space; 
   receiving, at the remote control panel, input data related to the enclosed space and data related to the ozone generation cycle, wherein the sterilization unit is programmed to calculate the appropriate run time for ozone generation;   running the ozone generation cycle to convert at least some of the oxygen into ozone within the ozone generation cavity;   discharging ozonized air into the enclosed space from the ozone generation cavity;   running the ozone degradation cycle to convert at least some of the ozonized air into deozonized air within the ozone degradation cavity; and   discharging deozonized air into the enclosed space from the ozone degradation cavity.   
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 32 , further comprising detecting the current ozone level in the enclosed space. 
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 32 , wherein the enclosed space is a hospital room. 
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 32 , wherein the enclosed space is an automobile. 
     
     
         36 . The method of  claim 32 , wherein the enclosed space is a hotel room. 
     
     
         37 . The method of  claim 32 , further comprising a delayed start giving personnel time to leave the enclosed space. 
     
     
         38 . The method of  claim 32 , further comprising providing a countdown of the time remaining until an ozone generation cycle is scheduled to begin. 
     
     
         39 . The method of  claim 32 , wherein the remote control panel is in wireless communication with the sterilization unit. 
     
     
         40 . The method of  claim 32 , wherein the remote control panel provides the status of the sterilization unit.