Ceiling fan with germicidal capabilities

Abstract

A fan for generating germicidal light is disclosed, which may be adapted to mount to a ceiling. The fan includes a hub connected to a plurality of fan blades. A motor is adapted to rotate the hub. A support is adapted to support the hub and motor from the ceiling. A lighting module may include a tray adapted to receive the support, the tray including one or more lights for providing ultraviolet germicidal light. The light may be provided by LEDs on a circuit board adapted for positioning around the support without dismounting the support from the ceiling, such as one comprised of wedge-shaped segments. The modular circuit board may form part of an uplight module supported by a housing for the motor.

1 . A fan adapted to be mounted to a ceiling, comprising:
 a hub connected to a plurality of fan blades;   a motor adapted to rotate the hub;   a support adapted to support the hub and motor from the ceiling; and   a tray adapted to receive the support, the tray including one or more lights for providing ultraviolet germicidal light on a circuit board comprising an annular structure including a plurality of interconnected segments.   
     
     
         2 . The fan according to  claim 1 , wherein the circuit board is fastened to an upper surface of the tray. 
     
     
         3 . (canceled) 
     
     
         4 . The fan according to  claim 1 , wherein the tray is adapted to support one or more lights or the circuit board at an angle relative to a horizontal plane. 
     
     
         5 . The fan according to  claim 1 , further including a light-transmissive lens for overlying the one or more lights, the tray forming an opaque base to which the circuit board is fastened. 
     
     
         6 .- 7 . (canceled) 
     
     
         8 . The fan according to  claim 1 , wherein the circuit board comprises at least two semi-annular portions connected by a connector. 
     
     
         9 . The fan according to  claim 1 , wherein the circuit board includes one or more lights adapted for generating non-ultraviolet light. 
     
     
         10 . The fan according to  claim 1 , further including a controller for controlling a wavelength of light produced by the one or more lights. 
     
     
         11 . The fan according to  claim 1 , further including a circuit for generating a signal indicative of a need to service the one or more lights based on a time of operation of the motor. 
     
     
         12 . (canceled) 
     
     
         13 . The fan according to  claim 1 , further including a vane for guiding air generated by the plurality of fan blades toward the one or more lights. 
     
     
         14 . The fan according to  claim 1 , wherein the tray includes a plurality of fins connected to a surface to which the circuit board is fastened for promoting heat exchange. 
     
     
         15 . The fan according to  claim 1 , wherein the tray includes a stanchion adapted to engage the support, and further including a fastener for fastening the stanchion to the support. 
     
     
         16 .- 30 . (canceled) 
     
     
         31 . The fan according to  claim 1 , wherein the one or more lights are positioned above the tray and adapted to project light directed upwardly toward the ceiling to which the fan is mounted. 
     
     
         32 . The fan according to  claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of interconnected segments is wedge-shaped. 
     
     
         33 . The fan according to  claim 1 , wherein the tray comprises an open receptacle having a flat upper surface for supporting the one or more lights. 
     
     
         34 . A fan adapted to be mounted to a ceiling, comprising:
 a hub connected to a plurality of fan blades;   a motor adapted to rotate the hub;   a support adapted to support the hub and motor from the ceiling; and   a tray adapted to receive the support, the tray including one or more lights for providing ultraviolet germicidal light, the one or more lights being provided on a C-shaped circuit board.   
     
     
         35 . The fan according to  claim 34 , wherein the circuit board is fastened to an upper surface of the tray. 
     
     
         36 . The fan according to  claim 34 , further including a light-transmissive lens for overlying the one or more lights, the tray forming an opaque base to which the circuit board is fastened. 
     
     
         37 . The fan according to  claim 34 , wherein the one or more lights are positioned above the tray and adapted to project light directed upwardly toward the ceiling to which the fan is mounted. 
     
     
         38 . The fan according to  claim 34 , wherein the tray comprises an open receptacle having a planar upper surface for supporting the one or more lights. 
     
     
         39 . The fan according to  claim 34 , wherein the C-shaped circuit board includes a slot adapted for receiving the support in a direction transverse to an axis of rotation of the fan. 
     
     
         40 . The fan according to  claim 34 , further including a circuit for generating a signal indicative of a need to service the one or more lights based on a time of operation of the motor. 
     
     
         41 . A fan adapted to be mounted to a ceiling, comprising:
 a hub connected to a plurality of fan blades;   a motor adapted to rotate the hub;   a support adapted to support the hub and motor from the ceiling; and   a tray adapted to receive the support, the tray including a circuit board including one or more lights for providing ultraviolet germicidal light, wherein the circuit board comprises at least two semi-annular portions connected by a connector.   
     
     
         42 . The fan according to  claim 41 , wherein the circuit board is fastened to an upper surface of the tray. 
     
     
         43 . The fan according to  claim 41 , wherein the tray is opaque. 
     
     
         44 . The fan according to  claim 41 , wherein the circuit board includes one or more lights adapted for generating non-ultraviolet light. 
     
     
         45 . The fan according to  claim 41 , further including a controller for controlling a wavelength of light produced by the one or more lights. 
     
     
         46 . The fan according to  claim 41 , further including a circuit for generating a signal indicative of a need to service the one or more lights based on a time of operation of the motor. 
     
     
         47 . The fan according to  claim 41 , further including a vane for guiding air generated by the plurality of fan blades toward the one or more lights. 
     
     
         48 . A fan adapted to be mounted to a ceiling, comprising:
 a hub connected to a plurality of fan blades;   a motor adapted to rotate the hub;   a support adapted to support the hub and motor from the ceiling; and   a tray adapted to receive the support, the tray including one or more lights for providing ultraviolet germicidal light; and   a circuit for generating a signal indicative of a need to service the one or more lights based on a time of operation of the motor.   
     
     
         49 . The fan according to  claim 48 , further including a circuit board having the one or more lights, the circuit board comprising an annular structure including a plurality of interconnected segments. 
     
     
         50 . The fan according to  claim 49 , wherein the circuit board is C-shaped.