Ceiling tile with built-in air flow mechanism

What is this patent about?

’026 is related to the field of indoor environmental control, specifically focusing on integrated air circulation and purification systems designed for commercial and industrial spaces. The invention addresses the dual challenges of maintaining air quality and providing efficient lighting within the constraints of standard suspended ceiling architectures. By combining mechanical ventilation with germicidal treatment, the system aims to mitigate 'sick building syndrome' and the spread of airborne pathogens while managing the thermal load of high-efficiency lighting components.

The underlying idea behind ’026 is the transformation of a standard ceiling tile footprint into a self-contained germicidal kill chamber that simultaneously manages heat and air purity. The inventor recognized that the space above a drop ceiling could be utilized to house a low-profile ventilation system that forces air through internal baffles lined with reflective materials. By integrating UV-C light sources within these enclosed airways, the system creates a high-intensity irradiation zone that decontaminates air as it passes through, while the resulting airflow is strategically directed to cool LED strips, thereby extending their operational lifespan.

The claims of ’026 focus on an air circulation and purification device housed within a structure configured to fit a standard ceiling tile grid. The independent claims specify a combination of at least one fan and a baffle system that defines a dedicated internal airway between the fan intake and an exhaust vent. Central to the protected design is a UV kill chamber located within this airway, which includes a UV light source and a specialized UV-shield or screen positioned to prevent harmful radiation from escaping the housing into the room below.

In practice, the device functions by drawing air upward from the room through a central fan and pushing it into a lateral air chamber. Inside this chamber, the air is subjected to UV-C wavelengths, typically between 200 to 280 nanometers, which disrupt the DNA of viruses and bacteria. To maximize the effectiveness of this treatment, the internal surfaces of the baffles are coated with UV-reflective material, such as stainless steel, ensuring that the light bounces throughout the airway to increase the probability of pathogen neutralisation before the air is exhausted back into the environment.

This invention differentiates itself from prior approaches by consolidating air purification, ventilation, and lighting into a single modular unit that requires only one electrical connection. Unlike traditional HVAC systems that rely on central filtration, this device provides localized source control of contaminants. Furthermore, the use of internal baffles and UV-screens solves the safety problem of using germicidal light in occupied spaces, as it ensures that the 'kill zone' remains entirely hidden from the sightlines of people in the room while still allowing for high-volume air exchange.