WO2022223362A1

WO2022223362A1 - Illumination systems for limiting reflectance of electromagnetic radiation

Info

Publication number: WO2022223362A1
Application number: PCT/EP2022/059695
Authority: WO
Inventors: Bryan DUMLER; Stephanie Miller; Alexander James ROSS; Sohana Karim ARNI; Reed Alan Bradford
Original assignee: Signify Holding B.V.
Priority date: 2021-04-19
Filing date: 2022-04-12
Publication date: 2022-10-27

Abstract

An illumination system (100) comprising: a housing (104); a radiation source (118) arranged within and at least partially encompassed by the housing, the radiation source configured to generate an electromagnetic radiation (120) at a first radiant energy level (140); and an absorption panel (106) configured to receive the electromagnetic radiation at the first radiant energy level and reflect at least a portion of the electromagnetic radiation into an environment (E) around the housing at a second radiant energy level (142) less than the first radiant energy level, wherein a relative distance between the housing (104) and the absorption panel (106) is configured to be adjusted to alter the second radiant energy level (142).

Description

Illumination systems for limiting reflectance of electromagnetic radiation

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure is directed generally to illumination systems, specifically to illumination systems with disinfecting radiation.

BACKGROUND

Disinfecting illumination systems with ultraviolet (UV) lamps must comply with Underwrites Laboratories (UL) standards when installed and operated. To meet UL requirements, a particular fixture must have 0.2 microwatts per square centime of UV irradiance at just over 2 meters (approximately 7 feet) from the UV source. UL standards assume that the natural reflectivity of the ceiling surrounding the fixture is 10% while the natural reflectivity of the walls surrounding the fixture is 5%. However, this reflectivity is subject to extreme fluctuations depending on the environment within which the fixture is installed. In some environments the natural reflectivity of the surrounding surfaces can reach as high as 45% depending on materials. Therefore, when installed on site, a fixture that passed UL testing can still fail UL requirements when installed at a given location.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure provides an illumination system that includes at least one source of radiation, e.g., a UV or UV-C radiation source, configured to disinfect a volume of surrounding air as well as an absorption panel that is capable of being positioned at a relative distance from the disinfecting radiation source, such that the absorption panel is configured to absorb a substantial portion of the radiation emitted. In some examples, the absorption panel is configured to absorb all radiation emitted by the disinfecting radiation source. The illumination system can also utilize a louvered baffle that is configured to receive the disinfecting radiation and reflect at least a portion of the radiation at a known distribution angle. In some examples, the louvered baffle is configured to reflect all of the radiation in a known distribution angle. Thus, the combination of the total angular distribution of the radiation produced by the louvered baffle and the position of the absorption panel defines an adaptable disinfecting volume relative to the surrounding environment. In one example, the illumination system also includes one or more sources of radiation configured to illuminate the surrounding environment with visible light. By providing an absorption panel configured to absorb a substantial portion of the radiation emitted from the radiation source, the effects of the variable reflectivity of the materials in the surrounding environment at the time of installation can be minimized and/or eliminated completely, effectively ensuring that UL standards are met.

To that end, in one example, an illumination system is provided, the illumination system including a housing; a radiation source arranged within and at least partially encompassed by the housing, the radiation source configured to generate an electromagnetic radiation at a first radiant energy level; an absorption panel configured to receive the electromagnetic radiation at the first radiant energy level and reflect at least a portion of the electromagnetic radiation into an environment around the housing at a second radiant energy level less than the first radiant energy level.

In one aspect, the radiation source is a Ultraviolet (UV), Germicidal UV, or UV-C radiation source.

In one aspect, the illumination system further includes a baffle arranged to receive the electromagnetic radiation from the radiation source, and reflect or refract the electromagnetic radiation at a first angle.

In one aspect, the first angle is less than or equal to 30 degrees.

In one aspect, the housing is a suspended housing, wherein the housing is secured to an external support via a plurality of support cables.

In one aspect, the absorption panel is connected to a plurality of self-locking components that detachably secure the absorption panel to the plurality of support cables.

In another example, an illumination system is provided, the illumination system including: a first housing; a first radiation source arranged within and at least partially encompassed by the first housing, the first radiation source configured to generate a first electromagnetic radiation in a first direction; a second radiation source connected to the first housing, the second radiation source configured to generate a second electromagnetic radiation of a first radiant energy level in a second direction opposite the first direction; and an absorption panel configured to receive the second electromagnetic radiation at the first radiant energy level and reflect at least a portion of the second electromagnetic radiation into an environment around the first housing at a second radiant energy level less than the first radiant energy level. In one aspect, the illumination system further includes a second housing fixedly secured to the first housing, the second housing configured to at least partially encompass the second radiation source.

In one aspect, the second radiation source is a Ultraviolet (UV), Germicidal UV, or UV-C radiation source.

In one aspect, the illumination system also includes a baffle arranged to receive the second electromagnetic radiation from the second radiation source, and reflect or refract the second electromagnetic radiation at a first angle.

In one aspect, the first angle is less than or equal to 30 degrees.

In one aspect, the first radiation source includes one or more Light Emitting Diodes (LED), an LED array, halogen, or florescent radiation source.

In one aspect, the first housing is a suspended housing, wherein at least the first housing is secured to an external support via a plurality of support cables.

In one aspect, the absorption panel is slidingly secured to the plurality of support cables.

These and other aspects of the various embodiments will be apparent from and elucidated with reference to the embodiment(s) described hereinafter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings, like reference characters generally refer to the same parts throughout the different views. Also, the drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead generally being placed upon illustrating the principles of the various embodiments.

FIG. 1 is a front perspective, partially-exploded, view of an illumination system according to the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a front perspective exploded view of an illumination system according to the present disclosure.

FIG. 3A is a front perspective view of a baffle according to the present disclosure.

FIG. 3B is a cross-sectional view of the baffle illustrated in FIG. 3A taken generally along plane 3B according to the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 is a bottom perspective view of an installed illumination system according to the present disclosure. FIG. 5A is a side elevation view of an example installation of an illumination system according to the present disclosure.

FIG. 5B is a side elevation view of an example installation of an illumination system according to the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Transitioning now to the figures, the following description should be read in view of FIGS. 1-2. FIG. 1 illustrates a front perspective, partially exploded, view of illumination system 100, and FIG. 2 illustrates a front perspective, exploded view, of illumination system 100 according to the present disclosure. In some examples, as illustrated in FIG. 1, illumination system 100 includes a first housing 102, a second housing 104, and an absorption panel 106. First housing 102 is intended to be a substantially unitary member, that has been molded or extruded to shape. As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, first housing 102 is extruded or molded into a substantially longitudinal member that is open at both ends and one or more sides. For example, first housing 102 is formed with a substantially hollow interior defined by open proximate and distal ends, as well as an open bottom (e.g., the side of first housing 102 facing down in FIG. 2). As illustrated in FIG. 2, the open space within first housing 102 is configured to receive component parts used to generate illumination light or radiation. Although the examples below describe illumination system 100 with two housings, i.e., first housing 102 and second housing 104, it should be appreciated that in some examples illumination system 100 can optionally include one housing. For example, only a single housing (e.g., second housing 104) can be utilized. Although not illustrated, in the event that only second housing 104 is utilized by illumination system 100, first housing 102 can be replaced by an extruded body substantially matching the length of second housing 104 and formed with a U-shaped cross-sectional profile.

In the examples that include first housing 102, e.g., the examples illustrated in FIGS. 1-2, first housing 102 includes component parts used to generate illumination radiation to illuminate an environment E (shown in FIG. 4) surrounding illumination system 100 , e.g., one or more of a plurality of first radiation sources 108, a driver 110, a first reflector 112, and a diffuser 114. First radiation sources 108 are intended to be Light Emitting Diode (LED) lamps, bulbs, tubes, or other visible light sources that generate substantially white illumination light within environment E. In one example, first radiation sources 108 are LED tube lights. In other examples, first radiation sources 108 are intended to be LED lights or LED tape applied directly to first reflector 112 (discussed below). It should be appreciated that other color spectrums of light are possible. As will be discussed below with respect to FIG. 4, first radiation sources 108 are intended to produce a first electromagnetic radiation 116 that includes wavelengths of light in a combination that produces substantially white light or other known color bands for illuminating environments such as offices, hospitals, classrooms, homes, etc. In other words, first electromagnetic radiation 116 is intended to include only radiation with wavelengths in the visible spectrum of radiation capable of being perceived by the human eye. In examples where first radiation sources 108 are LED tube lights as illustrated in FIGS. 1-2, first housing 102 includes a driver 110, e.g., an LED driver, configured to receive electrical energy from a power supply (not shown), e.g., an internal battery, internal supercapacitor, or mains power supply, and convert that electrical energy into an appropriate voltage and current to energize first radiation sources 108 such that they generate first electromagnetic radiation 116. It should be appreciated that in the event first radiation sources 108 are fluorescent tubes, bulbs, or lamps, driver 110 can be a ballast configured to convert electrical current from a similar power supply to generate first electromagnetic radiation 116. Additionally, in some examples, first housing 102 also includes one or more reflectors, e.g., first reflector 112 and one or more diffusing elements, e.g., diffuser 114. As illustrated in FIG. 2, first reflector 112 is a downward facing reflective trough or tray and is positioned above first radiation sources 108 when illumination system 100 is fully assembled. First reflector 112 can be coated or finished such that the lower surface of the first reflector 112 receives first electromagnetic radiation 116 from first radiation sources 108 and reflects a substantial portion of first electromagnetic radiation 116 in a first direction DR1, i.e., downward, as shown in FIGS. 1-2. First reflector 112 also acts as a divider, i.e., prevents first electromagnetic radiation 116 from propagating into other portions of first housing 102 as well as second housing 104 (discussed below). As first electromagnetic radiation 116 is intended to illuminate environment E with visible light, in some examples, it is desirable to mix or otherwise diffuse the electromagnetic radiation produced by first radiation sources 108. In these examples, first housing 102 also includes diffuser 114. Diffuser 114 is formed as a plate, sheet, panel, cover, or other member configured to cover the bottom opening of first housing 102 when illumination system 100 is fully assembled, and is made of a material configured to receive first electromagnetic radiation 116 from first radiation sources 108 and scatter, reflect, refract, or otherwise diffuse first electromagnetic radiation 116, prior to allowing first electromagnetic radiation 116 to propagate into environment E. In one example, diffuser 114 is an acrylic sheet configured to cover the bottom opening of first housing 102 when illumination system is fully assembled. Diffuser 114 is intended to take harsh, excessively bright, or highly directive electromagnetic radiation from the sources, e.g., first radiation sources 108, and spread or scatter the radiation to soften, or reduce and/or eliminate glare generated by the radiation emitted by the illumination system 100 before entering environment E.

In some examples, first housing 102 is fixedly secured to second housing 104. Similarly to first housing 102, second housing 104 is intended to be a substantially unitary member, that has been molded or extruded to shape. As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, second housing 104 is extruded or molded into a substantially longitudinal member that is open at both ends and one or more sides. For example, second housing 104 is formed with a substantially hollow interior defined by open proximate and distal ends, as well as an open top (e.g., the side of second housing 104 facing upward in FIG. 2). As illustrated in FIG. 2, the open space within second housing 104 is configured to receive component parts used to generate disinfecting radiation. In the examples illustrated, second housing 104 includes component parts used to generate disinfecting radiation within a portion of environment E, i.e., within disinfecting volume DV (shown in FIG. 4). The disinfecting radiation is generated by one or more of a plurality of second radiation sources 118. Second radiation sources 118 are intended to be Ultraviolet (UV), UV-C, or germicidal UV lamps, bulbs, or tubes or any other radiation source configured to emit radiation having wavelengths within the range of 100-400 nm, or more specifically, within the range of 100-280 nm. As will be discussed below with respect to FIG. 4, second radiation sources 118 are intended to produce a second electromagnetic radiation 120 that includes wavelengths of radiation that disinfect or sanitize air within disinfecting volume DV within environment E. In examples where second radiation sources 118 are UV-C tube lamps, as illustrated in FIGS. 1-2, second housing 104 can include one or more pairs of socket mounts 122 configured to engage with second radiation sources 118, and a ballast or driver (not shown) configured to receive electrical energy from a power supply (not shown), e.g., an internal battery, internal supercapacitor, or mains power supply, and convert that electrical energy into an appropriate voltage and current to energize second radiation sources 118 such that they generate second electromagnetic radiation 120. In some examples, as shown in FIG. 2, second housing 104 includes a second reflector 124 configured to direct radiation into disinfecting volume DV. As illustrated in FIG. 2, second reflector 124 is an upward facing reflective trough or tray and is positioned below second radiation sources 118 when illumination system 100 is fully assembled. Second reflector 124 can be coated or finished such that the upper surface of the second reflector 124 receives second electromagnetic radiation 120 from second radiation sources 118 and reflects a substantial portion of second electromagnetic radiation 120 in a second direction DR2, i.e., upward and opposite first direction DR1, as shown in FIGS. 1-2. Second reflector 124 also acts as a divider, i.e., prevents second electromagnetic radiation 120 from propagating into other portions of second housing 104 as well as first housing 102.

In the examples illustrated, second housing 104 of illumination system 100 also includes a baffle 126. Baffle 126 is intended to fit within or sit on top of second housing 104. In one example, baffle 126 is intended to sit on one or more flanges of second reflector 124 and within the confines of the external walls of second housing 104. As shown in FIG. 1 this arrangement results in baffle 126 being recessed within or flush with a top plane of second housing 104. In some examples, baffle 126 freely sits on second reflector 124 and in other examples, baffle 126 is fixedly secured to second reflector 124 of second housing 104 via one or more fasteners or via a friction fit. Baffle 126 is configured to receive second electromagnetic radiation 120 and reflect at least a portion of second electromagnetic radiation 120 at at least first angle Q with respect to a normal N (shown in FIG. 3B) of the upper surface of baffle 126.

FIG. 3 A illustrates a front perspective view of baffle 126 in isolation. FIG. 3B illustrates a cross-sectional view of baffle 126 taken generally across plane 3B in FIG. 3 A. In some examples, baffle 126 is a hex louver baffle. In other examples, as illustrated in FIGS. 3A-3B, baffle 126 is a square or rectangular baffle and includes a plurality of longitudinal walls 128 and a plurality of lateral walls 130. The plurality of longitudinal walls 128 are arranged at an angle, e.g., first angle Q, such that any second electromagnetic radiation 120 (discussed above) that contacts the sides of longitudinal walls 128 are reflected at first angle Q. As such, the angle of each longitudinal wall 128 can be varied and the angle used will have a proportional effect on the first angle Q of the reflected second electromagnetic radiation 120 when it leaves baffle 126. In some examples, first angle Q is selected from the range of 1-45 degrees measured from normal N of the baffle 126. In some examples, first angle is selected from the range of 10-30 degrees measured from normal N of the baffle 126. In some examples, first angle is less than 30 degrees, or in some examples less than 15 degrees. In other examples, first angle Q is 25 degrees measured from normal N of baffle 126. As illustrated in FIG. 3B, it should be appreciated that one or more longitudinal walls 128 can be arranged at a positive value of first angle Q while one or more longitudinal walls 128 is arranged at a negative value of first angle Q. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 3B, half of the longitudinal walls 128 (i.e., the four right-most walls in FIG. 3B) are angled at a positive Q value, e.g., 25 degrees from normal N, while the other half (i.e., the four left-most walls) of longitudinal walls 128 are angled at a negative Q value, e.g., 25 degrees from normal N. The configuration illustrated and described defines the angular confines of a disinfecting volume DV (shown in FIG. 4) with a total angular distribution of 50 degrees (positive 25 degrees from the first half of the longitudinal walls 128 and 25 degrees from the second half of the longitudinal walls 128). As will be discussed below, it should be appreciated that the total volume of the disinfecting volume DV is a factor of the total angular distribution chosen as well as the distance (e.g., first distance D1 or second D2, shown in FIGS. 5A-5B) between baffle 126 and absorption panel 106.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 4, once assembled, the open ends of first housing 102 and the open ends of second housing 104 can be sealed or covered by one or more cover panels 134. The cover panels 134 are intended to affix over the exterior of first housing 102 and second housing 104 such that the edges of each cover panel 134 are flush with the longitudinal sides of first housing 102 and second housing 104. Although not illustrated in detail, in some examples, the ends of first housing 102 and second housing 104, as well as the four comers of each cover panel 134 include a plurality of apertures or through-bores configured to receive a plurality of pins which secure each cover panel 134 to first housing 102 and second housing 104.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1-4, illumination system 100 includes an absorption panel 106 configured to receive and absorb at least a portion of the second electromagnetic radiation 120 emitted by second radiation sources 118, effectively reducing the reflected radiation within environment E to within acceptable Underwrites Laboratories (UL) standards. In some examples, absorption panel 106 is a plate, panel, or other substantially planar member having a first surface 136 (shown in FIG. 4) arranged to face first housing 102 and second housing 104 during operation, and a second surface 138 (shown in FIG. 5B) 136 arranged to face away from first housing 102 and second housing 104 during operation. Additionally, as will be discussed below, absorption panel 106 includes one or more apertures configured to receive and slidingly engage with support cables 144 and/or self locking components 146. At least the first surface 136 of absorption panel 106 is intended to receive the second electromagnetic radiation 120 from second electromagnetic radiation source 118 at a first radiant energy 140, and reflect or refract the second electromagnetic radiation 120 toward the environment E at a second radiant energy 142, where the second radiant energy 142 is less than the first radiant energy 140. In some examples, first surface 136 of absorption panel 106 is coated, textured, or painted, with a material configured to absorb at least a portion of second electromagnetic radiation 120, i.e., coated, textured, or painted with a material that has a low reflectance properties. In one example, first surface 136 is painted or coated with a material that absorbs a substantial portion of UV radiation, e.g., carbon black, titanium oxide, and zinc oxide materials. In some examples, the ratio of incident radiation to emitted or reflected radiation (e.g., of second electromagnetic radiation 120) of absorption panel 106 is 100: 1. In other examples, the ratio of incident to reflected radiation is 50:1, 25:1, 20:1, 15:1, 10:1, or 5:1. By limiting the reflected or emitted radiation of second electromagnetic radiation 120, e.g., by limiting the amount of radiant energy reflected off of absorption panel 106, illumination system 100 is capable of being installed in any environment regardless of the inherent reflectivity of the surfaces around illumination system 100 such that any installation meets acceptable UL standards.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1-5B, first housing 102 and/or second housing 104 are intended to be suspended housings, i.e., suspended from an external support ES such as a ceiling, support beam, rafter, etc. To that end, in some examples, illumination system 100 includes a plurality of support cables 144 configured to suspend the first housing 102 and/or the second housing 104 a fixed distance from external support ES. In one example, the plurality of support cables are aircraft cables or tethers with a sufficient tension or tensile strength to support the mass of the first housing 102, the second housing 104, and all the internal components discussed above. A first end of each support cable 144 is fixedly secured to external support ES, e.g., the ceiling of a room, while the second end of each support terminates within one or more self-locking components 146 capable of being secured to at least a portion of first housing 102 and/or second housing 104. In one example, the self locking components 146 are components manufactured by GripLock Systems ®, and are configured to couple each support cable 144 to either end of first hosing 102. In one example, the self-locking components 146 configured to secure support cables 144 to first housing 102 and/or second housing 104 are side-exit self-locking components.

Furthermore, as provided above, absorption panel 106 can also include one or more self-locking components 146 that allow for the vertical position of absorption panel 106 to change relative to the first housing 102, the second housing 104, and/or the external support ES. In the examples illustrated, the self-locking components 146 used to secure the absorption panel 106 to support cables 144 are bottom-exit self-locking components. In one example, absorption panel 106 can include one or more apertures disposed between first surface 136 and second surface 138. Each aperture is configured to receive at least a portion of support cable 144 and/or at least one self-locking component 146. The coupling of the absorption panel 106 to each support cable 144 via at least one self-locking component 146 allows an installer or user of illumination system 100 to adjust the relative distance between the second housing 104 and first surface 136 of absorption panel 106. In other words, absorption panel 106 is slidingly engaged with support cables 144. By adjusting the relative distance between second housing 104 and absorption panel 106, and given the fixed angle at which second electromagnetic radiation 120 is emitted from baffle 126, e.g., +/- first angle Q, the disinfecting volume DV can be increased or decreased proportionately. For example, as shown in FIG. 5A, which illustrates a side elevational view of one example installation of illumination system 100, absorption panel 106 is secured directly to external support ES, e.g., directly to the ceiling of a room, such that second surface 138 of absorption panel 106 is in contact with ceiling. In this position, the fixed length of the support cables 144 places second housing 104 a first distance D1 from the absorbing surface of absorption panel 106, i.e., first surface 136. This fixed distance Dl, plus the limited total angular distribution of second electromagnetic radiation 120 provided through baffle 126, creates a large disinfecting volume DV. This larger disinfecting volume DV increases the volume of air (and other germs, viruses, or contaminants) through the disinfecting radiation created by second radiation source(s) 118, thus increasing the rate of disinfection of the air within environment E. As shown in FIG. 5B, which illustrates a side elevational view of another example installation of illumination system 100, by utilizing the self-locking components 146 secured to absorption panel 106, the installer or user of illumination system 100 can control the relative position of absorption panel 106 relative to second housing 104 and/or external support ES. For example, as shown, absorption panel 106 can be lowered to approximately half of the fixed length of support cables 144. Once lowered to this second distance D2 from second housing 104 (where second distance D2 is less than first distance Dl), the self locking components 146 arranged between absorption panel 106 and support cables 144 are configured to lock and hold absorption panel in position. By reducing the relative distance between second housing 104 and first surface 136 of absorption panel 106, the disinfecting volume DV can be decreased proportionately. It should be appreciated that the position selected for the absorption panel 106 is not limited to discrete positions and can include locations or positions along the entire length of support cables 144. It should also be appreciated that, the disinfecting volume DV can be changed by adjusting the relative position of the absorption panel 106 as discussed herein and/or by adjusting the total angular distribution of second electromagnetic radiation 120 as it leaves baffle 126. Furthermore, the position of the absorption panel 106 can be selected at a location that guarantees that the all of the second electromagnetic radiation 120 that leaves second housing 104 contacts first surface 136 of absorption panel 106 to maximize the absorption effects as discussed herein.

All definitions, as defined and used herein, should be understood to control over dictionary definitions, definitions in documents incorporated by reference, and/or ordinary meanings of the defined terms.

The indefinite articles “a” and “an,” as used herein in the specification and in the claims, unless clearly indicated to the contrary, should be understood to mean “at least one.”

The phrase “and/or,” as used herein in the specification and in the claims, should be understood to mean “either or both” of the elements so conjoined, i.e., elements that are conjunctively present in some cases and disjunctively present in other cases. Multiple elements listed with “and/or” should be construed in the same fashion, i.e., “one or more” of the elements so conjoined. Other elements may optionally be present other than the elements specifically identified by the “and/or” clause, whether related or unrelated to those elements specifically identified.

As used herein in the specification and in the claims, “or” should be understood to have the same meaning as “and/or” as defined above. For example, when separating items in a list, “or” or “and/or” shall be interpreted as being inclusive, i.e., the inclusion of at least one, but also including more than one, of a number or list of elements, and, optionally, additional unlisted items. Only terms clearly indicated to the contrary, such as “only one of’ or “exactly one of,” or, when used in the claims, “consisting of,” will refer to the inclusion of exactly one element of a number or list of elements. In general, the term “or” as used herein shall only be interpreted as indicating exclusive alternatives (i.e. “one or the other but not both”) when preceded by terms of exclusivity, such as “either,” “one of,” “only one of,” or “exactly one of.”

As used herein in the specification and in the claims, the phrase “at least one,” in reference to a list of one or more elements, should be understood to mean at least one element selected from any one or more of the elements in the list of elements, but not necessarily including at least one of each and every element specifically listed within the list of elements and not excluding any combinations of elements in the list of elements. This definition also allows that elements may optionally be present other than the elements specifically identified within the list of elements to which the phrase “at least one” refers, whether related or unrelated to those elements specifically identified.

It should also be understood that, unless clearly indicated to the contrary, in any methods claimed herein that include more than one step or act, the order of the steps or acts of the method is not necessarily limited to the order in which the steps or acts of the method are recited.

In the claims, as well as in the specification above, all transitional phrases such as “comprising,” “including,” “carrying,” “having,” “containing,” “involving,” “holding,” “composed of,” and the like are to be understood to be open-ended, i.e., to mean including but not limited to. Only the transitional phrases “consisting of’ and “consisting essentially of’ shall be closed or semi-closed transitional phrases, respectively.

While several inventive embodiments have been described and illustrated herein, those of ordinary skill in the art will readily envision a variety of other means and/or structures for performing the function and/or obtaining the results and/or one or more of the advantages described herein, and each of such variations and/or modifications is deemed to be within the scope of the inventive embodiments described herein. More generally, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that all parameters, dimensions, materials, and configurations described herein are meant to be exemplary and that the actual parameters, dimensions, materials, and/or configurations will depend upon the specific application or applications for which the inventive teachings is/are used. Those skilled in the art will recognize, or be able to ascertain using no more than routine experimentation, many equivalents to the specific inventive embodiments described herein. It is, therefore, to be understood that the foregoing embodiments are presented by way of example only and that, within the scope of the appended claims and equivalents thereto, inventive embodiments may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described and claimed. Inventive embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to each individual feature, system, article, material, kit, and/or method described herein. In addition, any combination of two or more such features, systems, articles, materials, kits, and/or methods, if such features, systems, articles, materials, kits, and/or methods are not mutually inconsistent, is included within the inventive scope of the present disclosure.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. An illumination system (100) comprising: a housing (104); a radiation source (118) arranged within and at least partially encompassed by the housing, the radiation source configured to generate an electromagnetic radiation (120) at a first radiant energy level (140); and an absorption panel (106) configured to receive the electromagnetic radiation at the first radiant energy level and reflect at least a portion of the electromagnetic radiation into an environment (E) around the housing at a second radiant energy level (142) less than the first radiant energy level, wherein a relative distance between the housing (104) and the absorption panel (106) is configured to be adjusted to alter the second radiant energy level (142).

2. The illumination system of claim 1, wherein the radiation source is a Ultraviolet (UV), Germicidal UV, or UV-C radiation source.

3. The illumination system of claim 1, further comprising a baffle (126) arranged to receive the electromagnetic radiation from the radiation source, and reflect or refract the electromagnetic radiation at a first angle (Q).

4. The illumination system of claim 3, wherein the first angle is less than or equal to 30 degrees.

5. The illumination system of claim 1, wherein the housing is a suspended housing, wherein the housing is secured to an external support (ES) via a plurality of support cables (144).

6. The illumination system of claim 5, wherein the absorption panel is connected to a plurality of self-locking components (146) that detachably secure the absorption panel to the plurality of support cables.

7. An illumination system (100) comprising: a first housing (102); a first radiation source (108) arranged within and at least partially encompassed by the first housing, the first radiation source configured to generate a first electromagnetic radiation (116) in a first direction (DR1); a second radiation source (118) connected to the first housing, the second radiation source configured to generate a second electromagnetic radiation (120) of a first radiant energy level (140) in a second direction (DR2) opposite the first direction; and an absorption panel (106) configured to receive the second electromagnetic radiation at the first radiant energy level and reflect at least a portion of the second electromagnetic radiation into an environment (E) around the first housing at a second radiant energy level (142) less than the first radiant energy level, wherein a relative distance between the first housing (102) and the absorption panel (106) is configured to be adjusted to alter the second radiant energy level (142).

8. The illumination system of claim 7, further comprising a second housing (104) fixedly secured to the first housing, the second housing configured to at least partially encompass the second radiation source.

9. The illumination system of claim 7, wherein the second radiation source is a Ultraviolet (UV), Germicidal UV, or UV-C radiation source.

10. The illumination system of claim 7, further comprising a baffle (126) arranged to receive the second electromagnetic radiation from the second radiation source, and reflect or refract the second electromagnetic radiation at a first angle (Q).

11. The illumination system of claim 10, wherein the first angle is less than or equal to 30 degrees.

12. The illumination system of claim 7, wherein the first radiation source includes one or more Light Emitting Diodes (LED), an LED array, halogen, or florescent radiation source.

13. The illumination system of claim 7, wherein the first housing is a suspended housing, wherein at least the first housing is secured to an external support (ES) via a plurality of support cables (144).

14. The illumination system of claim 13, wherein the absorption panel is slidingly secured to the plurality of support cables.

15. The illumination system of claim 13, wherein the absorption panel is connected to a plurality of self-locking components (146) that detachably secure the absorption panel to the plurality of support cables.