AIRFLOW SYSTEM FOR A BUILDING AND METHOD OF USING THE SAME TO PROVIDE CONTAMINATION MITIGATION FOR OCCUPANTS OF THE BUILDING

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This non-provisional application claims priority to pending U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 63/738,753, filed Dec. 24, 2024, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

This non-provisional patent application is also related to contemporaneously filed U.S. non-provisional patent application Serial Number ______, titled AIRFLOW SYSTEM FOR A BUILDING AND METHOD OF USING THE SAME TO PROVIDE CONTAMINATION MITIGATION FOR OCCUPANTS OF THE BUILDING, having Attorney Docket Number 23-1839-US-NP, filed on Jun. 3, 2025, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety. By mention in this CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION section, the application having Serial Number ______ and Attorney Docket Number 23-1839-US-NP is not admitted to be prior art with respect to this application having Serial Number ______ and Attorney Docket Number 23-1838-US-NP.

FIELD

The disclosure relates generally to airflow systems and methods for a building, and more particularly, to airflow systems and methods for interior airflow spaces in an office building, such as aisleways, cafeterias, restrooms, and elevators, to provide contamination mitigation and respiratory isolation for occupants of the office building against biological and chemical agents.

BACKGROUND

Pandemics, biological warfare using biological weapons, and chemical warfare using chemical weapons can cause harm or death to humans, and increasing attention has been given to systems and methods to prevent or mitigate such harm or death and to make buildings safe for human occupants. The recent COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019) pandemic revealed vulnerabilities in airflow systems, such as heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems, in office buildings and commercial buildings, and concern that the air in office buildings and commercial buildings contains a virus that is not detectable remains an issue.

Known safety measures during and after the COVID-19 pandemic used by occupants in office buildings and commercial buildings included wearing face masks, social distancing, and sanitizing the work area. However, cloth face masks have been found not to be effective, and face masks that are more effective may be uncomfortable to wear. Further, effective face masks may be able to block coronavirus-carrying respiratory droplets, but may not be able to block smaller aerosol or airborne particles. In addition, sanitizing the work area, such as frequently wiping down surfaces, may be expensive and time consuming to implement and maintain, and such sanitizing does not address the quality and purification of the air in the work area and does not solve the spread of airborne viruses.

Another known safety measure used during and after the COVID-19 pandemic in office buildings and commercial buildings included the use of an air filter designed to trap and kill the coronavirus with heat. The coronavirus dies at 158 degrees Fahrenheit. Some air filters use a grid of wires heated to 392 degrees Fahrenheit. However, such a filter may have limited usefulness to coronavirus since the dwell time the air is heated to 392 degrees Fahrenheit may be insufficient to kill all the viruses passing through it. It may also not have the capability of heating to higher temperatures, e.g., above 392 degrees Fahrenheit, to kill other biological agents and chemical agents that can only be destroyed at higher temperatures. The combination of a limited temperature and a short dwell time results in a system that does not reduce the risk to near zero.

Another known safety measure used during and after the COVID-19 pandemic in office buildings and commercial spaces included the use of a far conventional ultraviolet (UV) light in air duct systems to destroy coronavirus airborne droplets and other viruses and microbes on surfaces. However, the range of temperatures studied with such far conventional UV light is narrow, e.g., 74 degrees Fahrenheit to 95 degrees Fahrenheit. Moreover, such far conventional UV light does not reduce the risk to near zero. In addition, use of germicidal ultraviolet (UV) light can destroy airborne viruses but may damage human skin and eyes, and must be used in empty rooms with no human occupants. However, the germicidal UV light may be used inside air ducts.

In addition, known High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filters have been used to filter and capture airborne particles. Such HEPA filters can effectively remove up to 99.7% of airborne particulate matter, such as dust, pollen, mold, bacteria, and airborne particles, down to a size of 0.3 μm (zero point three micron). COVID-19 particles are estimated to have a size of 0.06 to 0.14 micron. Thus, although HEPA filters may be able to filter some COVID-19 particles, it may not be able to filter all sizes of COVID-19 particles. Moreover, such HEPA filters require regular replacement and maintenance to function properly.

Accordingly, there is a need in the art for an improved airflow system and method for buildings, such as office buildings and commercial buildings, that provide effective respiratory isolation and cross-contamination prevention between occupants in interior airflow spaces in buildings, that create one or more air barriers and/or an airflow field of air around occupants in interior airflow spaces, such as aisleways, cafeterias, restrooms, and elevators, where the occupants are moving, or stationary or substantially stationary for a short period of time, that provide contamination mitigation for occupants of buildings against contamination by biological agents and chemical agents, that do not require any filters to change or maintain, and that provide advantages over known systems and methods.

SUMMARY

Example implementations of the present disclosure provide an airflow system for a building and method of using the same. As discussed in the below detailed description, versions of the airflow system for a building and method of using the same may provide significant advantages over known systems and methods.

In one version of the disclosure, there is provided an airflow system for a building. The airflow system comprises at least one air purification system providing purified air and receiving recirculated air. The airflow system further comprises at least one air supply assembly, supplying the purified air from the at least one air purification system to at least one interior airflow space in the building. The at least one interior airflow space comprises one or more of, an aisleway, a cafeteria, a restroom, and an elevator in the building. One or more occupants are in the at least one interior airflow space in a position for a time period in a time range of 5 (five) seconds to 59 (fifty-nine) minutes. The position comprises one of, a moving position, a stationary position, or a substantially stationary position.

The airflow system further comprises at least one air return assembly, returning the recirculated air from the at least one interior airflow space to the at least one air purification system. The recirculated air comprises one or more of, internal air from the at least one interior airflow space, and contaminated air contaminated by one or more of, one or more biological agents, including one or more biological agents shed by one or more contaminated occupants in the at least one interior airflow space, and one or more chemical agents.

The airflow system further comprises one or more directional airstreams formed between the at least one air supply assembly and the at least one air return assembly in the at least one interior airflow space. The one or more directional airstreams comprise one or more of, the purified air, the internal air, and the contaminated air.

The one or more directional airstreams comprise at least one or more of, a directed airflow field around each of the one or more occupants and each of the one or more contaminated occupants, in the at least one interior airflow space, to provide a direct-path-to-return airflow for breathed air breathed by each of the one or more occupants and each of the one or more contaminated occupants, and to provide a respiratory isolation for each of the one or more occupants and each of the one or more contaminated occupants; one or more air barriers between each of the one or more occupants and each of the one or more contaminated occupants, in the at least one interior airflow space, to prevent the breathed air breathed by each of the one or more occupants and each of the one or more contaminated occupants from crossing the one or more air barriers, and to provide the respiratory isolation for, and between, each of the one or more occupants, and each of the one or more contaminated occupants; and an airflow field around each of the one or more occupants, and each of the one or more contaminated occupants, positioned in the stationary position, or in the substantially stationary position, in the at least one interior airflow space, wherein the airflow field has an airflow velocity that is less than airflow velocities of the directed airflow field and the one or more air barriers.

The airflow system further comprises at least one control system controlling the airflow system. The airflow system provides a contamination mitigation for each of the one or more occupants in the at least one interior airflow space, against contamination by one or more of, the one or more biological agents, including the one or more biological agents shed by each of the one or more contaminated occupants in the at least one interior airflow space, and the one or more chemical agents.

In another version of the disclosure, there is provided an airflow system for an office building. The airflow system comprises at least one air purification system providing purified air and receiving recirculated air. The airflow system further comprises an air management system.

The air management system comprises at least one air supply duct assembly, supplying the purified air from the at least one air purification system to at least one interior airflow space in the office building. The at least one air supply duct assembly comprises one or more air supply ducts and one or more air supply vents. The at least one interior airflow space comprises one or more of, an aisleway, a cafeteria, a restroom, and an elevator in the office building. One or more occupants are in the at least one interior airflow space in a position for a short time period in a time range of 5 (five) seconds to 59 (fifty-nine) minutes. The position comprises one of, a moving position, a stationary position, or a substantially stationary position.

The air management system further comprises at least one air return duct assembly, returning the recirculated air from the at least one interior airflow space to the at least one air purification system. The at least one air return duct assembly comprises one or more air return ducts and one or more air return vents. The recirculated air comprises one or more of, internal air from the at least one interior airflow space, and contaminated air contaminated by one or more of, one or more biological agents, including one or more biological agents shed by one or more contaminated occupants in the at least one interior airflow space, and one or more chemical agents.

The air management system further comprises one or more directional airstreams formed between the at least one air supply duct assembly and the at least one air return duct assembly in the at least one interior airflow space. The one or more directional airstreams comprise one or more of, the purified air, the internal air, and the contaminated air.

The one or more directional airstreams comprise at least one or more of, a directed airflow field around each of the one or more occupants and each of the one or more contaminated occupants, in the at least one interior airflow space, to provide a direct-path-to-return airflow for breathed air breathed by each of the one or more occupants and each of the one or more contaminated occupants, and to provide a respiratory isolation for each of the one or more occupants and each of the one or more contaminated occupants; one or more air barriers between each of the one or more occupants and each of the one or more contaminated occupants, in the at least one interior airflow space, to prevent the breathed air breathed by each of the one or more occupants and each of the one or more contaminated occupants from crossing the one or more air barriers, and to provide the respiratory isolation for, and between, each of the one or more occupants, and each of the one or more contaminated occupants; and an airflow field around each of the one or more occupants, and each of the one or more contaminated occupants, positioned in the stationary position, or in the substantially stationary position, in the at least one interior airflow space, wherein the airflow field has an airflow velocity that is less than airflow velocities of the directed airflow field and the one or more air barriers.

The airflow system further comprises one or more sensors positioned in the at least one interior airflow space. The airflow system further comprises at least one control system controlling the airflow system. The airflow system provides a contamination mitigation for each of the one or more occupants in the at least one interior airflow space, against contamination by one or more of, the one or more biological agents, including the one or more biological agents shed by each of the one or more contaminated occupants in the at least one interior airflow space, and the one or more chemical agents.

In another version of the disclosure, there is provided a method of using an airflow system in a building to provide a contamination mitigation for one or more occupants in the building. The method comprises installing the airflow system in the building. The airflow system comprises at least one air purification system providing purified air and receiving recirculated air.

The airflow system further comprises at least one air supply assembly, supplying the purified air from the at least one air purification system to at least one interior airflow space in the building. The at least one interior airflow space comprises one or more of, an aisleway, a cafeteria, a restroom, and an elevator, in the building. One or more occupants are in the at least one interior airflow space in a position for a short time period in a time range of 5 (five) seconds to 59 (fifty-nine) minutes. The position comprises one of, a moving position, a stationary position, or a substantially stationary position.

The airflow system further comprises at least one air return assembly, returning the recirculated air from the at least one interior airflow space to the at least one air purification system. The recirculated air comprises one or more of, internal air from the at least one interior airflow space, and contaminated air contaminated by one or more of, one or more biological agents, including one or more biological agents shed by one or more contaminated occupants in the at least one interior airflow space, and one or more chemical agents.

The airflow system further comprises one or more directional airstreams formed between the at least one air supply assembly and the at least one air return assembly in the at least one interior airflow space. The one or more directional airstreams comprise one or more of, the purified air, the internal air, and the contaminated air.

The one or more directional airstreams comprise at least one or more of, a directed airflow field around each of the one or more occupants and each of the one or more contaminated occupants, in the at least one interior airflow space, to provide a direct-path-to-return airflow for breathed air breathed by each of the one or more occupants and each of the one or more contaminated occupants, and to provide a respiratory isolation for each of the one or more occupants and each of the one or more contaminated occupants; one or more air barriers between each of the one or more occupants and each of the one or more contaminated occupants, in the at least one interior airflow space, to prevent the breathed air breathed by each of the one or more occupants and each of the one or more contaminated occupants from crossing the one or more air barriers, and to provide the respiratory isolation for, and between, each of the one or more occupants, and each of the one or more contaminated occupants; and an airflow field around each of the one or more occupants, and each of the one or more contaminated occupants, positioned in the stationary position, or in the substantially stationary position, in the at least one interior airflow space, wherein the airflow field has an airflow velocity that is less than airflow velocities of the directed airflow field and the one or more air barriers.

The airflow system further comprises at least one control system controlling the airflow system.

The method further comprises supplying, with the at least one air supply assembly, the purified air from the at least one air purification system to the at least one interior airflow space in the building. The method further comprises flowing the one or more directional airstreams between the at least one air supply assembly and the at least one air return assembly in the at least one interior airflow space, to form one or more of, the directed airflow field, the one or more air barriers, and the airflow field, for each of the one or more occupants in the at least one interior airflow space, and each of the one or more contaminated occupants.

The method further comprises returning, with the at least one air return assembly, the recirculated air from the at least one interior airflow space to the at least one air purification system. The airflow system provides the contamination mitigation for each of the one or more occupants in the at least one interior airflow space, against contamination by one or more of, the one or more biological agents, including the one or more biological agents shed by each of the one or more contaminated occupants in the at least one interior airflow space, and the one or more chemical agents.

The features, functions, and advantages that have been discussed can be achieved independently in various versions of the disclosure or may be combined in yet other versions, further details of which can be seen with reference to the following description and drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The disclosure can be better understood with reference to the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate preferred and exemplary versions, but which are not necessarily drawn to scale. The drawings are examples and not meant as limitations on the description or claims.

FIG. 1 is an illustration of a system block diagram of an exemplary version of an airflow system of the disclosure for a building;

FIG. 2 is an illustration of a side view of an exemplary airflow system of the disclosure for an aisleway in a retrofitted building showing a contaminated occupant walking in the aisleway;

FIGS. 3A-3H are illustrations of a side view of an exemplary airflow system of the disclosure for an aisleway showing an airflow system position sequence of a contaminated occupant walking in the aisleway;

FIG. 4 is an illustration of a side view of another exemplary airflow system of the disclosure for an aisleway showing a contaminated occupant walking in the aisleway and airflow flowing in two directions;

FIG. 5 is an illustration of a top view of another exemplary version of an airflow system of the disclosure for an aisleway;

FIG. 6A is an illustration of a side view of an exemplary airflow system of the disclosure for a cafeteria showing two cafeteria tables, where there is no contaminated air in an interior of the cafeteria;

FIG. 6B is an illustration of a top view of the cafeteria tables of FIG. 6A, where there is no contaminated air in the interior of the cafeteria;

FIG. 6C is an illustration of a side view of an exemplary airflow system of the disclosure for a cafeteria showing two cafeteria tables, where there is a contaminated occupant seated at one of the cafeteria tables breathing contaminated air in an interior of the cafeteria;

FIG. 6D is an illustration of a top view of the cafeteria tables of FIG. 6C, where there is the contaminated occupant seated at one of the cafeteria tables breathing contaminated air in the interior of the cafeteria;

FIG. 6E is an illustration of a side view of an exemplary airflow system of the disclosure for a cafeteria showing two cafeteria tables, where there is a contaminated occupant in an area between the two cafeteria tables, breathing contaminated air in an interior of the cafeteria;

FIG. 6F is an illustration of a top view of the cafeteria tables of FIG. 6E, where the cafeteria tables have a circular tabletop shape, and where there is the contaminated occupant in the area between the two cafeteria tables breathing the contaminated air in the interior of the cafeteria;

FIG. 6G is an illustration of a top view of cafeteria tables having a scalloped tabletop shape, and where there is a contaminated occupant in the area between the two cafeteria tables breathing contaminated air in an interior of the cafeteria;

FIG. 7A is an illustration of a side view of an exemplary airflow system of the disclosure for a restroom, where there is a contaminated occupant seated in a restroom stall breathing contaminated air;

FIG. 7B is an illustration of a front view of the airflow system for the restroom of FIG. 7A, showing the contaminated occupant seated in the restroom stall breathing the contaminated air;

FIG. 7C is an illustration of a perspective view of partitions of the restroom of FIG. 7A, and showing airflow into, through, and out of the partitions;

FIG. 8A is an illustration of a side view of an exemplary airflow system of the disclosure for an elevator, where there is a contaminated occupant standing between elevator partitions breathing contaminated air;

FIG. 8B is an illustration of a top view of an airflow system of the disclosure for an elevator with each occupant standing between elevator partitions;

FIG. 9A is an illustration of a perspective view of an elevator partition of FIG. 8A;

FIG. 9B is an illustration of a perspective view of an elevator stall with two elevator partitions in the elevator of FIG. 8B, and showing airflow into, through, and out of the elevator partitions;

FIG. 9C is an illustration of a perspective view of three (3) elevator stalls each with elevator partitions, in the elevator of FIG. 8B, and showing airflow into, through, and out of the elevator partitions;

FIG. 10A is an illustration of a side view of an exemplary airflow system of the disclosure for an elevator with a coiled hose system;

FIG. 10B is an illustration of a side view of the airflow system and elevator of FIG. 10A, showing a first position of an elevator movement sequence;

FIG. 10C is an illustration of a side view of the airflow system and elevator of FIG. 10A, showing a second position of the elevator movement sequence;

FIG. 10D is an illustration of a side view of the airflow system and elevator of FIG. 10A, showing a third position of the elevator movement sequence; and

FIG. 11 is an illustration of a flow diagram of an exemplary version of a method of the disclosure.

The figures shown in this disclosure represent various aspects of the versions presented, and only differences will be discussed in detail.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Disclosed versions will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which some, but not all of the disclosed versions are shown. Indeed, several different versions may be provided and should not be construed as limited to the versions set forth herein. Rather, these versions are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and fully convey the scope of the disclosure to those skilled in the art.

This specification includes references to “one version” or “a version”. The instances of the phrases “one version” or “a version” do not necessarily refer to the same version. Particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner consistent with this disclosure. All features disclosed in the specification, including the claims, abstract, and drawings, and all the steps in any method or process disclosed, may be combined in any combination, except combinations where at least some of such features and/or steps are mutually exclusive. Each feature disclosed in the specification, including the claims, abstract, and drawings, can be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent, or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise.

As used herein, “comprising” is an open-ended term, and as used in the claims, this term does not foreclose additional structures or steps.

As used herein, “configured to” means various parts or components may be described or claimed as “configured to” perform a task or tasks. In such contexts, “configured to” is used to connote structure by indicating that the parts or components include structure that performs those task or tasks during operation. As such, the parts or components can be said to be configured to perform the task even when the specified part or component is not currently operational (e.g., is not on).

As used herein, the terms “first”, “second”, etc., are used as labels for nouns that they precede, and do not imply any type of ordering (e.g., spatial, temporal, logical, etc.).

As used herein, an element or step recited in the singular and preceded by the word “a” or “an” should be understood as not necessarily excluding the plural of the elements or steps. As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. As also used herein, the term “combinations thereof” includes combinations having at least one of the associated listed items, wherein the combination can further include additional, like non-listed items.

As used herein, the phrase “at least one of,” when used with a list of items, means different combinations of one or more of the listed items may be used, and only one of each item in the list may be needed. In other words, “at least one of” means any combination of items and number of items may be used from the list, but not all of the items in the list are required. The item may be a particular object, a thing, or a category.

Now referring to FIG. 1, FIG. 1 is an illustration of a system block diagram of an exemplary version of an airflow system (AFS) 10 of the disclosure for a building 12. The blocks in FIG. 1 represent elements, and lines connecting the various blocks do not imply any particular dependency of the elements. Furthermore, the connecting lines shown in the various Figures contained herein are intended to represent example functional relationships and/or physical couplings between the various elements, but it is noted that other alternative or additional functional relationships or physical connections may be present in versions disclosed herein. One or more of these blocks may be combined, divided, or combined and divided into different blocks when implemented in an illustrative example. Further, the illustration of the airflow system 10 in FIG. 1 is not meant to imply physical or architectural limitations to the manner in which an illustrative example may be implemented. Other components in addition to, or in place of, the ones illustrated may be used. Some components may be unnecessary.

As shown in FIG. 1, the airflow system 10 is preferably designed for a building (BLDG.) 12, such as an office buildings (BLDG.) 12a, a commercial building (BLDG.) 12b, or another suitable building. As further shown in FIG. 1, in one version, the building 12, such as the office building 12a or the commercial building 12b, may comprise a retrofitted building (BLDG.) 12c that is already existing and already built, and that can be retrofitted with the airflow system 10, such as a retrofitted airflow system (AFS) 10a, by installing the retrofitted airflow system 10a in, or at, the retrofitted building 12c. As further shown in FIG. 1, in another version, the building 12, such as the office building 12a or the commercial building 12b, may comprise a new build building (BLDG.) 12d that is newly built, or in the process of being built, and in which the airflow system 10, such as a new build air flow system (AFS) 10b, is installed or incorporated in or at the new build building 12d.

As shown in FIG. 1, the building 12, such as the office building 12a or the commercial building 12b, has one or more interior airflow spaces 14 within the building 12. As further shown in FIG. 1, the interior airflow space 14 may comprise an aisleway 16 (see also FIG. 2) or hallway, a cafeteria 20 (see also FIG. 6A), an restroom 22 (see also FIG. 7A), an elevator 24 (see also FIG. 8A), or another suitable interior airflow space 14 in the building 12.

The airflow system 10 may further optionally comprise one or more sensors 25 (see FIG. 1) positioned in, or in proximity to, the at least one interior airflow space 14. The one or more sensors 25 may comprise one or more sound sensors 25a (see FIG. 1) to detect sounds, for example, a sneeze 26 (see FIG. 1), or another type of sound. The sensors 25 may further comprise motion sensors to detect one or more occupants (OCC.(S)) 28 (see FIG. 1), such as one or more human occupants (OCC.(S)) 28a (see FIG. 1), in the interior airflow space 14 in the building 12. The sensors 25 may further comprise temperature sensors, including semiconductor-based sensors, thermocouple sensors, resistance temperature detectors, and negative temperature coefficient thermistors; humidity sensors, including capacitive sensors, resistive sensors, and thermal sensors; pressure sensors; contact sensors to indicate whether a duct or valve is open or closed; air quality sensors to monitor toxins, dust, nitrogen dioxide, ozone, and other substances in air 30 (see FIG. 1); infrared (IR) sensors; sensors that sense or detect contamination (CONTAM.) agents 32 (see FIG. 1) comprising one or more of, one or more biological (BIOL.) agents (BA) 34 (see FIG. 1), and one or more chemical (CHEM.) agents (CA) 36 (see FIG. 1); or other suitable sensors 25.

The airflow system 10 is configured to supply air 30 (see FIG. 1), such as purified air 30a (see FIG. 1), to each interior airflow space 14, and is configured to exhaust recirculated (RECIRC.) air 30b (see FIG. 1) from each interior airflow space 14. The recirculated air 30b comprises internal air 30c (see FIG. 1) in and from the interior airflow space 14. The recirculated air 30b may further comprise contaminated air 30d (see FIG. 1) contaminated by one or more contamination agents 32 (see FIG. 1) comprising one or more of, one or more biological agents 34 (see FIG. 1), including, and comprising, one or more biological agents 34 shed by one or more contaminated (CONTAM.) occupants (OCC.(S)) 28b in the interior airflow space 14, and one or more chemical agents 36 (see FIG. 1). The recirculated air 30b may further comprise breathed air 30e (see FIG. 1), breathed by the one or more occupants 28 in the interior airflow space 14, including the contaminated occupants 28b.

As shown in FIG. 1, the biological agents 34 and/or the chemical agents 36 may be in the air 30 as a result of a pandemic 38, for example, a COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019) pandemic. As further shown in FIG. 1, the biological agents 34 and/or the chemical agents 36 may further be in the air 30, as a result of a biological (BIOL.) weapon release 40, or biological weapon, i.e., bioweapon, event, or a chemical (CHEM.) weapon release 42, or a chemical weapon event, or another release event, where one or more biological agents 34, or bioweapons, and/or one or more chemical agents 36, or chemical weapons, are released in the air 30 due to a terrorist event, a war, an attack, an accidental or unintentional release, or another type of release or event.

As shown in FIG. 1, the one or more biological agents 34 may comprise one or more airborne biological agents (BA(S)) 34a. The one or more biological agents 34 may further comprise one or more, airborne pathogens; respiratory pathogens; airborne viruses; respiratory viruses; airborne microbes; respiratory microbes; airborne coronaviruses, including SARS-CoV-2 (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2), COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019), and MERS (Middle East respiratory syndrome); ebola virus; Zika virus; West Nile virus; Marburg virus; influenza virus, including, airborne influenza virus, influenza A virus, influenza B virus, influenza C virus, avian flu, and swine flu; smallpox virus; monkeypox virus; streptococcus pneumoniae causing pneumonia; mycobacterium tuberculosis causing tuberculosis; bacillus anthracis causing anthrax; aspergillus fumigatus causing lung aspergillosis; pneumonic plague; black mold airborne spores; ricin mist; ricin powder; or another type of biological agent 34.

As shown in FIG. 1, the one or more chemical agents 36 may comprise one or more airborne chemical agents (CA(S)) 36a. The one or more chemical agents 36 may further comprise one or more, respiratory chemical agents; phenoxy herbicide (Agent Orange); choking agents, such as agents that irritate the nose, throat, and lungs when inhaled, including chlorine, chloropicrin, diphosgene, and phosgene; blister agents, such as agents that affect the eyes, respiratory tract, and skin, including sulfur mustard, nitrogen mustard, lewisite, and phosgene oxime; blood agents, such as agents that inhibit the ability of cells to use oxygen, including hydrogen cyanide, cyanogen chloride, and arsine; and nerve agents, such as agents that block the Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) enzyme in the nervous system, which causes hyper-stimulation of muscles including tabun, sarin, soman, cyclosarin, venomous agent X, or another type of chemical agent 36.

As shown in FIG. 1, the occupants 28 may include one or more contaminated occupants 28b, one or more aisleway occupants (OCC.(S)) 28c, one or more office cubicle occupants (OCC.(S)) 28d (see FIG. 2), one or more cafeteria occupants (OCC.(S)) 28e, one or more restroom occupants (OCC.(S)) 28g, one or more elevator occupants (OCC.(S)) 28 h, one or more animal occupants 28j such as dogs and/or cats or other types of animals, or other types of occupants 28 in the building 12.

Preferably, the one or more occupants 28 are in the interior airflow space 14 in a position (POS.) 44 for a time period 45 (see FIG. 1), such as a short time period 45a (see FIG. 1), or a brief time period, in a time range of 5 (five) seconds to 59 (fifty-nine) minutes. As shown in FIG. 1, the position (POS.) 44 comprises one of, a moving position (POS.) 44a, a stationary position (STATION. POS. (SP)) 44b, or a substantially stationary position (SUBST. SP) 44c. The moving position 44a means the occupant 28 is moving through the interior airflow space 14, such as walking, running, moving in a wheelchair, a walker, or another walking assisted apparatus, or otherwise advancing along, or through, the interior airflow space 14. The stationary position 44b or the substantially stationary position 44c means the occupant 28 is not moving, such as not walking, not running, not moving in a wheelchair, a walker, or another walking assisted apparatus, or otherwise not advancing along, or through, the interior airflow space 14, and the occupant 28 is standing, standing still, sitting, or in another stationary or substantially stationary position, for the time period 45, such as the short time period 45a.

Each interior airflow space 14 is designed for a direct-path-to-return airflow (DA) 46 (see FIG. 1). As discussed in more detail below, a directed airflow field 115 (see FIG. 1) may be formed around an occupant 28 in the interior airflow space 14, including if the occupant 28 is also a contaminated occupant 28b, for example, when the occupant 28 is moving in the moving position 44a, along an aisleway 16, and the directed airflow field 115 provides a direct-path-to-return airflow 46, such as a short direct-path-to-return airflow (DA) 46 (see FIG. 1), for breathed air 30e, including contaminated air 30d, breathed by the occupant 28 in the interior airflow space 14, including if the occupant 28 is also a contaminated occupant 28b. The directed airflow field 115 provides a respiratory isolation 112 (see FIG. 1), for an occupant 28, including if the occupant 28 is a contaminated occupant 28b.

The direct-path-to-return airflow 46 is designed and achieved for which there is a very low probability of an occupant 28, such as a human occupant 28a, in the building 12, breathing air 30, such as contaminated air 30d, that has already been breathed by another occupant 28, such as another human occupant 28a, including a contaminated occupant 28b, nearby in the interior airflow space 14, and in turn, any other occupant 28, such as any other human occupant 28a, including a contaminated occupant 28b, in the building 12 in any other interior airflow space 14.

The airflow system 10 provides a contamination (CONTAM.) mitigation 48 (see FIG. 1) for occupants 28 (see FIG. 1), such as human occupants 28a (see FIG. 1), including contaminated occupants 28b, and/or animal occupants 28j, in the building 12 against contamination by one or more of, the one or more biological agents 34, and the one or more chemical agents 36.

As shown in FIG. 1, the airflow system 10 comprises at least one air purification system 50 providing purified air 30a and receiving recirculated air 30b. In one version, the air purification system (PURIF. SYS.) 50 comprises a compressor assembly (ASSY. (CA)) 52 (see FIG. 1) that intakes external air 30f (see FIG. 1) from the outside environment and also intakes the recirculated air 30b from the interior airflow spaces 14. As further shown in FIG. 1, the compressor assembly 52 may comprise a reciprocating compressor assembly (CA) 52a, a multi-cylinder compressor assembly (CA) 52b, a multi-nozzle turbine compressor assembly (CA) 52c, a generator turbine compressor assembly (CA) 52d, or another suitable compressor assembly 52.

The compressor assembly 52 may have at least one compressor 54 (see FIG. 1) to compress, and thereby heat, the external air 30f and the recirculated air 30b, to obtain compressed air 30g (see FIG. 1), such as compressed air 30g contaminated with one or more of, the one or more biological agents 34, and the one or more chemical agents 36. The compressor 54 compresses, and thereby heats, one or more of, the external air 30f, and the recirculated air 30b, to, and at, an effective temperature (TEMP.) 55 (see FIG. 1), such as an elevated temperature, or high temperature, in a temperature range of from 140° F. (one-hundred forty degrees Fahrenheit) (60° C. (sixty degrees Celsius)) to 1500° F. (one thousand five hundred degrees Fahrenheit) (816° C. (eight hundred sixteen degrees Celsius)), and more preferably, in a temperature range of from 158° F. (one hundred fifty-eight degrees Fahrenheit) (70° C. (seventy degrees Celsius)) to 600° F. (six hundred degrees Fahrenheit) (316° C. (three-hundred sixteen degrees Celsius)). The compressor 54 compresses, and thereby heats, one or more of, the external air 30f, and the recirculated air 30b, to, and at, an effective pressure (PRESS.) 56 (see FIG. 1), such as an elevated pressure or high pressure.

The compressed air 30g may be purified in a plenum 58 (see FIG. 1) to obtain the purified air 30a. The compressed air 30g is preferably maintained at the effective temperature 55, such as the elevated temperature or high temperature, for an effective dwell time 59 (see FIG. 1), comprising a range of 0.5 (zero point five) second to 30 (thirty) minutes, and more preferably, heated at the effective temperature 55 for the effective dwell time 59 comprising a range of 1 (one) second to 5 (five) minutes.

As shown in FIG. 1, in one version, the compressor assembly 52 further comprises at least one decompressor 60 coupled to the at least one plenum 58. The decompressor 60 is configured to decompress, and decompresses, and thereby cools, the purified air 30a to a cooled temperature preferably in a range of from 25° F. (twenty-five degrees Fahrenheit) (−3.9° C. (minus three point nine degrees Celsius)) to 80° F. (eighty degrees Fahrenheit) (26° C. (twenty-six degrees Celsius)), and more preferably, in a range of from 65° F. (sixty-five degrees Fahrenheit) (18° C. (eighteen degrees Celsius)) to 74° F. (seventy-four degrees Fahrenheit) (24° C. (twenty-four degrees Celsius)), to obtain decompressed (DECOMP.) air 30h. The cooled temperature is less than, or lower than, the effective temperature 55, such as the elevated temperature or high temperature.

The compressor assembly 52 may be coupled to one or more air outlets to direct the purified air 30a out of the compressor assembly 52 to an air management system 62 (see FIG. 1), and the compressor assembly 52 provides a purified air supply, or a clean air supply, to the air management system 62. Exhaust air 30i (see FIG. 1) may comprise some purified air 30a exhausted out of one of the air outlets of the compressor assembly 52, and exhausted into the atmosphere external to the building 12.

The purified air 30a comprises a purified air supply, or a clean air supply, that is supplied, or flows, out of the compressor assembly 52 and into the air management system 62. The air management system 62 is part of the airflow system 10. The air management system 62 is coupled to the air purification system 50, and comprises a duct network 64 (see FIGS. 1, 2 6A) comprised of a plurality of ducts 66 (see FIGS. 1, 2, 6A) that may have one or more duct valves 68 (see FIGS. 1, 2, 6A). As shown in FIG. 1, the air management system 62 of the airflow system 10 comprises at least one air supply (AS) assembly (ASSY.) 70, such as at least one air supply duct (ASD) assembly (ASSY.) 72, supplying the purified air 30a from the at least one air purification system 50 to the at least one interior airflow space 14 in the building 12.

The air supply assembly 70, such as the air supply duct assembly 72, comprises one or more air supply ducts (ASD) 78 (see FIGS. 1, 2, 6A). Each air supply duct 78 of the air supply assembly 70, such as the air supply duct assembly 72, has one or more supply first ends 74 (see FIGS. 2, 3A, 6A, 7A) coupled to the at least one air purification system 50 and one or more supply second ends 76 (see FIGS. 2, 6A, 7A) coupled to the at least one interior airflow space 14 in the building 12, such as the office building 12a or the commercial building 12b.

As shown in FIG. 1, in one version, the one or more air supply ducts 78 may comprise one or more first air supply ducts (ASD) 78a, one or more second air supply ducts (ASD) 78b, and/or one or more third air supply ducts (ASD) 78c. Each of the one or more air supply ducts 78 has one or more air pressures (AP) 80 (see FIG. 1) inside each air supply duct 78. Preferably, in one version, each of the one or more first air supply ducts 78a can supply a low air pressure (AP) 80a (see FIG. 1) airflow 31, and/or can supply a moderate air pressure (AP) 80b (see FIG. 1) airflow 31, where low air pressure 80a airflow 31 preferably has a low air pressure 80a (see FIG. 1) in a range of from 0.000000119 psf (pound-force per square foot) to 0.0000119 psf, and where moderate air pressure 80b airflow 31 preferably has a moderate air pressure 80b (see FIG. 1) in a range of from 0.0000119 psf to 0.001190083 psf. As used herein, pound-force per square foot (psf) is a unit of pressure, such as dynamic pressure of airflow, where a force of one pound-force (lbf) is applied to an area of one square foot (ft²). In other versions, the low air pressure 80a may be less than 0.000000119 psf or greater than 0.0000119 psf. In other versions, the moderate air pressure 80b may be less than 0.0000119 psf or greater than 0.001190083 psf.

Preferably, in one version, each of the second air supply ducts 78b can supply a high air pressure (AP) 80c (see FIG. 1) airflow 31, and/or can supply a very high air pressure (AP) 80d (see FIG. 1) airflow 31, where high air pressure 80c airflow 31 preferably has a high air pressure 80c (see FIG. 1) in a range of from 0.019041322 psf to 0.119008264 psf, and where very high air pressure 80d airflow 31 preferably has a very high air pressure 80d of 0.267768595 psf to 26.7768595 psf. In other versions, the high air pressure 80c may be less than 0.019041322 psf or greater than 0.119008264 psf. In other versions, the very high air pressure 80d may be less than 0.267768595 psf or greater than 26.7768595 psf.

Preferably, in one version, each of the third air supply ducts 78c may comprise a port 79 (see FIG. 6C) to compressed air 30g (see FIG. 6C) that can be supplied at a very high air pressure 80d, and which may be activated, for example, when an occupant 28 in the interior airflow space 14 sneezes.

The one or more air supply ducts 78, discussed in further detail below, may comprise one or more of, one or more sidewall air supply ducts 78d (see FIG. 3A), one or more floor air supply ducts 78e (see FIG. 6A), one or more ceiling air supply ducts 78f (see FIG. 7A), one or more heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) air supply ducts 78g (see FIG. 5), one or more table air supply ducts 78h (see FIG. 6A), one or more partition air supply ducts 78i (see FIG. 7A), one or more restroom stall side air supply ducts 78j, one or more restroom sink air supply ducts 78k, one or more elevator partition air supply ducts 78l, or other suitable air supply ducts 78.

The air supply assembly 70, such as the air supply duct assembly 72, further comprises one or more of air supply vents 82 configured to open and to close, to control an airflow (AF) 31 (see FIG. 1) of the purified air 30a into the at least one interior airflow space 14. The one or more air supply vents 82, discussed in further detail below, may comprise one or more of, one or more sidewall air supply vents 82a (see FIG. 3A), one or more floor air supply vents 82b (see FIG. 6C), one or more ceiling air supply vents 82c (see FIG. 7A), one or more table air supply vents 82d (see FIG. 6A), one or more partition air supply vents 82e (see FIG. 7A), one or more restroom stall side air supply vents 82f, one or more restroom sink air supply vents 82g, one or more elevator partition air supply vents 82h, or other suitable air supply vents 82.

In one version, as shown in FIG. 6B, and discussed in further detail below with regard to FIG. 6B, the one or more table air supply vents 82d preferably comprise one or more tabletop center vents 84a, one or more tabletop side vents 84b, one or more table edge side vents 84c, and one or more under table side vents 84d (see FIG. 6A). The one or more table air supply vents 82d may also comprise other suitable types of table air supply vents 82d.

In one version, the one or more floor air supply vents 82b may comprise one or more grated floor vents 86 (see FIG. 1) in a grated floor 88 (see FIG. 1) in the interior airflow space 14.

As shown in FIG. 1, the air management system 62 of the airflow system 10 further comprises at least one air return (AR) assembly (ASSY.) 90, such as at least one air return duct (ARD) assembly (ASSY.) 92, returning the recirculated air 30b from the at least one interior airflow space 14 to the at least one air purification system 50. The recirculated air 30b comprises one or more of, internal air 30c (see FIG. 1) from the at least one interior airflow space 14, and contaminated air 30d (see FIG. 1) contaminated by one or more of, one or more biological agents 34 (see FIG. 1), including, or comprising, one or more biological agents 34 shed by one or more contaminated occupants 28b in the at least one interior airflow space 14, and one or more chemical agents 36 (see FIG. 1).

The air return assembly 90, such as the air return duct assembly 92, comprises one or more air return ducts (ARD) 94 (see FIGS. 1, 2, 6A, 7A). Each air return duct 94 of the air return assembly 90, such as the air return duct assembly 92, has one or more return first ends 96 (see FIGS. 6A, 7A) coupled to the at least one interior airflow space 14 in the building 12, such as the office building 12a or the commercial building 12b, and each has one or more return second ends 98 (see FIGS. 6A, 7A) coupled to the at least one air purification system 50.

As shown in FIG. 1, in one version, the one or more air return ducts 94 may comprise one or more first air return ducts (ARD) 94a, one or more second air return ducts (ARD) 94b, and/or one or more third air return ducts (ARD) 94c. Each of the one or more air return ducts 94 has one or more air pressures (AP) 80 (see FIG. 1) inside each air return duct 94. Preferably, in one version, each of the one or more first air return ducts 94a can return low air pressure 80a (see FIG. 1) airflow 31, and/or can return moderate air pressure 80b (see FIG. 1) airflow 31, where low air pressure 80a airflow 31 preferably has a low air pressure 80a (see FIG. 1) in a range of from 0.000000119 psf (pound-force per square foot) to 0.0000119 psf, and where moderate air pressure 80b airflow 31 preferably has a moderate air pressure 80b (see FIG. 1) in a range of from 0.0000119 psf to 0.001190083 psf. In other versions, the low air pressure 80a may be less than 0.000000119 psf or greater than 0.0000119 psf. In other versions, the moderate air pressure 80b may be less than 0.0000119 psf or greater than 0.001190083 psf.

Preferably, in one version, each of the second air return ducts 94b can supply a high air pressure (AP) 80c (see FIG. 1) airflow 31, and/or can supply a very high air pressure (AP) 80d (see FIG. 1) airflow 31, where high air pressure 80c airflow 31 preferably has a high air pressure 80c (see FIG. 1) in a range of from 0.019041322 psf to 0.119008264 psf, and where very high air pressure 80d airflow 31 preferably has a very high air pressure 80d of 0.267768595 psf to 26.7768595 psf. In other versions, the high air pressure 80c may be less than 0.019041322 psf or greater than 0.119008264 psf. In other versions, the very high air pressure 80d may be less than 0.267768595 psf or greater than 26.7768595 psf.

Preferably, in one version, each of the third air return ducts 94c have a vacuum system or a vacuum port 95 (see FIG. 6C) to return compressed air 30g (see FIG. 6C) at a very high air pressure 80d, and which may be activated, for example, when an occupant 28 in the interior airflow space 14 sneezes.

One or more of the one or more air return ducts 94 may contain one or more ultraviolet (UV) lights (see FIGS. 1, 7A) within an interior 101 (see FIG. 7A) of one or more of the plurality of air return ducts 94. The one or more ultraviolet lights 100 may be optionally used and located in the air return ducts 94 to aid in deactivating or destroying one or more of the one or more biological agents 34 and/or one or more of the chemical agents 36. As an alternative to the ultraviolet lights 100, or in addition to the ultraviolet lights 100, the air return ducts 94 may have one or more grates with heated wires inside the air return ducts 94, or another suitable device or assembly to aid in deactivating or destroying one or more of the one or more biological agents 34.

The one or more air return ducts 94 may include and comprise one or more ceiling air return ducts (ARD) 94d (see FIGS. 1, 2), one or more HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) air return ducts (ARD) 94e (see FIGS. 1, 2), or other suitable air return ducts 94.

As shown in FIG. 1, the air return assembly 90, such as the air return duct assembly 92, comprises one or more air return vents 104. The one or more air return vents 104 may comprise one or more ceiling air return vents 104a (see FIGS. 1, 2), one or more heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) air return vents 104b (see FIGS. 1, 2), or other suitable air return vents 104.

One or more of the air supply vents 82 and one or more of the air return vents 104 may each have one or more louvers 102 (see FIGS. 1, 3B). The louvers 102 are a series of slats that can be used to control the airflow 31 (see FIG. 1) through the air supply vents 82 and the air return vents 104. The louvers 102 may be fixed or stationary, or adjustable. The louvers 102 allow airflow 31 into the interior airflow space 14, and into the air return vents 104 and air return ducts 94. The louvers 102 direct airflow 31 where desired based on how much air pressure is exerted against the louvers 102. The louvers 102 are preferably made of metal such as aluminum, steel, or another suitable metal, or wood, or another suitable material.

As shown in FIG. 1, the airflow system 10, and the air management system 62 of the airflow system 10, comprise one or more airstreams 105, such as one or more directional airstreams 106, formed between the at least one air supply assembly 70 and the at least one air return assembly 90 in the at least one interior airflow space 14. The one or more directional airstreams 106 preferably comprise upwardly flowing airstreams 107a (see FIG. 6A). The one or more directional airstreams 106 may also comprise sideways flowing airstreams, including sideways flowing airstreams 107b (see FIG. 6A) that initially flow sideways and then flow upwardly.

The one or more airstreams 105, such as the one or more directional airstreams 106, comprise one or more of, the purified air 30a, the internal air 30c, and the contaminated air 30d.

The one or more directional airstreams 106 comprise at least one or more of, a directed airflow field 115 (see FIGS. 1, 2) around each of the one or more occupants 28 (see FIG. 2) and each of the one or more contaminated occupants 28b, where an occupant 28 may include and comprise a contaminated occupant 28b, in the at least one interior airflow space 14. The directed airflow field 115 provides a direct-path-to-return airflow 46 (see FIG. 1), such as a short direct-path-to-return airflow 46a (see FIG. 1), for breathed air 30e, including contaminated air 30d, breathed by each of the one or more occupants 28 and each of the one or more contaminated occupants 28b. The directed airflow field 115 further provides a respiratory isolation 112 (see FIG. 1) for each of the one or more occupants 28 and each of the one or more contaminated occupants 28b. The directed airflow field 115 preferably provides a short path for contaminated air 30d from the source, such as from a contaminated occupant 28b. For example, contaminated air 30d from the contaminated occupant 28b is sucked into the air return duct 94 (see FIG. 2) through openable air return vents 104 (see FIG. 2) that may have louvers 102 (see FIG. 2), where the air return vents 104 are near the source of the contaminated air 30d. The directed airflow field 115 may flow in an intermittent manner 124 (see FIG. 1), for example, in the aisleway 16 (see FIG. 2), the restroom 22 (see FIG. 7A), or the elevator 24 (see FIG. 8A). Alternatively, the directed airflow field 115 may flow in a constant manner, for example, in the cafeteria 20 (see FIG. 6A).

With the directed airflow field 115, preferably the occupant 28 is moving in the moving position 44a, and purified air 30a is supplied, for example, in the aisleway 16, at a same speed as a walking speed of an occupant 28 walking in the aisleway 16. Preferably, the directed airflow field 115 flows at a high airflow velocity 114c (see FIG. 1) in a range of 4 (four) feet per second to 10 (ten) feet per second.

The directed airflow field 115 could also be formed if an occupant 28 is standing in the aisleway 16 or in another interior airflow space 14 for a brief period of time. If the occupant 28 is in the stationary position 44b (see FIG. 1), or the substantially stationary position 44c (see FIG. 1), in the location of the directed airflow field 115, the purified air 30a may be made warmer if it is too cold, by controlling the temperature of the purified air 30a flowing in the directed airflow field 115 to make it warmer.

The one or more directional airstreams 106 further comprise at least one or more of, one or more air barriers 116 (see FIGS. 1, 6A) between each of the one or more occupants 28 and each of the one or more contaminated occupants 28b, where an occupant 28 may include and comprise a contaminated occupant 28b, in the at least one interior airflow space 14, to prevent the breathed air 30e breathed by each of the one or more occupants 28 and each of the one or more contaminated occupants 28b from crossing the one or more air barriers 116. The air barriers 116 provide respiratory isolation 112 for, and between, each of the one or more occupants 28, and each of the one or more contaminated occupants 28b. The occupant 28, including or comprising the contaminated occupant 28b, may be in stationary position 44b or the substantially stationary position 44c, or in the moving position 44a, at the location of the one or more air barriers 116. However, the occupant 28 needs to stay in the location of the one or more air barriers 116 and not cross the one or more air barriers 116, in order to have the respiratory isolation 112. Preferably, the one or more air barriers 116 flow at a high airflow velocity 114c (see FIG. 1) in a range of 4 (four) feet per second to 10 (ten) feet per second.

The one or more directional airstreams 106 further comprise at least one or more of, an airflow field 118 (see FIG. 1) around each of the one or more occupants 28, and each of the one or more contaminated occupants 28b, positioned in the stationary position 44b, or in the substantially stationary position 44b, in the at least one interior airflow space 14, where the airflow field 118 has an airflow velocity 114 (see FIG. 1) that is less than airflow velocities 114 of the directed airflow field 115 and the one or more air barriers 116. Preferably, the airflow field 118 flows at a moderate airflow velocity 114b (see FIG. 1) in a range of 0.1 (zero point one) foot per second to 1 (one) foot per second.

The rate of the airflow field 118 may vary depending on various circumstances and may intermittent or constant. The moderate airflow velocity 114b is fast enough to transport contaminated air 30d to the air return assembly 90 in a reasonable amount of time, for example, 10 (ten) seconds to about one minute. If there are multiple air supply vents 82 (see FIG. 1) in an interior airflow space 14, for example, the airflow velocities 114 of the air 30 coming out of each air supply vent can be arranged such that the designed airflow functions as it should.

The one or more airstreams 105, such as the one or more directional airstreams 106, comprise at least one or more of, one or more first directional airstreams 106a (see FIG. 6A), and one or more second directional airstreams 106b (see FIG. 6A). The one or more directional airstreams 106 may also comprise one or more third directional airstreams 106c (see FIG. 6A), and/or one or more fourth directional airstreams 106d (see FIG. 6C).

The one or more first directional airstreams 106a comprise the one or more air barriers 116 (see FIGS. 6A, 6C) between each of the one or more occupants 28, including each of the one or more contaminated occupants 28b, in the interior airflow space 14, to provide respiratory isolation 112 (see FIG. 1), with and using the one or more air barriers 116, for each of the one or more occupants 28, including each of the one or more contaminated occupants 28b, in the interior airflow space 14. Preferably, the airflow velocity (AV) 114 (see FIG. 1) of the one or more first directional airstreams 106a is the high airflow velocity (AV) 114c (see FIG. 1) in a range of 4 (four) feet per second to 10 (ten) feet per second.

The one or more second directional airstreams 106b comprise the airflow field 118 (see FIGS. 1, 6A) around each of the one or more occupants 28, including each of the one or more contaminated occupants 28b, in the interior airflow space 14. Preferably, the airflow velocity (AV) 114 of the one or more second directional airstreams 106b is a moderate airflow velocity (AV) 114b (see FIG. 1) in a range of 0.1 (zero point one) foot per second to 1 (one) foot per second. The one or more second directional airstreams 106b have an airflow velocity 114 that is less than an airflow velocity 114 of the one or more first directional airstreams 106a. The one or more first directional airstreams 106a have an airflow velocity 114 that is greater than the airflow velocity 114 of the one or more second directional airstreams 106b.

The one or more airstreams 105, such as the one or more directional airstreams 106, create a separate airflow (AF) bounded space 108 (see FIG. 1) for each of one or more occupants 28 in the at least one interior airflow space 14, including the one or more contaminated occupants 28b, to provide cross-contamination (CONTAM.) prevention 110 (see FIG. 1) between each separate airflow bounded space 108, and to provide respiratory isolation 112 (see FIG. 1) for each of the one or more occupants 28, including the one or more contaminated occupants 28b.

Each airstream 105, such as each directional airstream 106, has an airflow velocity 114 (see FIG. 1) or flow rate of the airflow 31. As shown in FIG. 1, the airflow velocity (AV) 114 comprises a low airflow velocity (AV) 114a, the moderate airflow velocity (AV) 114b, the high airflow velocity (AV) 114c, and a very high airflow velocity (AV) 114d. Preferably, the airflow velocity 114 of the low airflow velocity 114a is in a range of 0.01 (zero point zero one) foot per second to 0.1 (zero point one) foot per second. Preferably, the airflow velocity 114 of the moderate airflow velocity 114b is in a range of 0.1 (zero point one) foot per second to 1 (one) foot per second. Preferably, the airflow velocity 114 of the high airflow velocity 114c is in a range of 4 (four) feet per second to 10 (ten) feet per second. Preferably, the airflow velocity 114 of the very high airflow velocity 114d is in a range of 15 (fifteen) feet per second to 150 (one-hundred fifty) feet per second.

When the airstreams 105, such as the one or more directional airstreams 106, for example, the one or more first directional airstreams 106a, have the high airflow velocity 114c, they comprise the one or more air barriers 116 (see FIG. 1), such as one or more protective virtual barriers 117 (see FIG. 1) around each of the one or more occupants 28, including one or more contaminated occupants 28b, in the interior airflow space 14, to isolate each of the one or more occupants 28, including the one or more contaminated occupants 28b, against contamination by another occupant 28, including the contaminated occupant 28b. When there is a fast moving airflow 31d (see FIG. 1) at a high airflow velocity 114c, between, around, surrounding, in front of, and/or behind each of the one or more occupants 28 in the interior airflow space 14, each of the one or more occupants 28, including any contaminated occupants 28b, in the interior airflow space 14 have respiratory isolation 112 from each other. The air barriers 116 (see FIG. 1) of airflow 31 with high airflow velocity 114c isolate the breathed air 30e (see FIG. 1), and breathing, of each of the one or more occupants 28 from the breathed air 30e, and breathing, of each of the other one or more occupants 28 in the interior airflow space 14. The air barriers 116 may also be shared, for example between elevator stalls 244 (see FIG. 8B).

When the airstreams 105, such as the one or more directional airstreams 106, for example, the one or more second directional airstreams 106b, have the moderate airflow velocity 114b, they flow past each of the one or more occupants 28, including each of the one or more contaminated occupants 28b, for the duration of time each of the one or more occupants 28, including each of the one or more contaminated occupants 28b, is in the interior airflow space 14, for the time period 45 (see FIG. 1), such as the short time period 45a (see FIG. 1). The moderate airflow velocity 114b draws contaminated air 30d either directly into an air return duct 94 or into the air barrier 116 of the one or more first directional airstreams 106a. When there is an airflow field 118 (see FIGS. 1, 2A-2C, 3A-3C, 5B, 5D) of slow moving airflow 31b (see FIG. 1), such as airflow 31 that is moderately to slow moving, for example, a normal airflow 31c (see FIG. 1), at a moderate airflow velocity 114b (see FIG. 1) around, surrounding, in front of, and/or behind each of the one or more occupants 28, including one or more contaminated occupants 28b, in the interior airflow space 14, there is preferably no cooling from a draft of cool air to the one or more occupants 28, including the one or more contaminated occupants 28b, with the slow moving airflow 31b, such as the airflow 31 that is moderately to slow moving, with the moderate airflow velocity 114b. The airflow 31 needs to be a slow moving airflow 31b, such as airflow 31 that is moderately to slow moving, so the one or more occupants 28, including the one or more contaminated occupants 28b, do not experience cooling from a draft of cool air.

When the airstreams 105, such as the one or more directional airstreams 106, for example, the one or more fourth directional airstreams 106d (see FIG. 6C), have the very high airflow velocity 114d, for example, a surge airflow 31e (see FIG. 1), they may be activated by an occupant 28, such as a contaminated occupant 28b, sneezing, and sound sensors 25a (see FIG. 1) detect the condition and immediately and quickly increase the airflow velocity 114 (see FIG. 1) of the high airflow velocity 114c to the very high airflow velocity 114d, that is, sufficiently fast enough to prevent any sneeze droplets from crossing the air barriers 116 between and/or around occupants 28. After a few seconds, the very high airflow velocity 114d can be reduced to high airflow velocity 114c again since those sneeze droplets have been consumed by an air return duct 94.

The main purpose of the airflow system 10 disclosed herein is to provide the directed airflow field 115 of fast moving airflow 31d (see FIG. 1), preferably when the occupant is in the moving position 44a, and to provide the one or more air barriers 116 of fast moving airflow 31d, to provide respiratory isolation 112 (see FIG. 1) between one or more occupants 28, including one or more contaminated occupants 28b, in the interior airflow space 14, and to provide the airflow field 118 of airflow 31 that is moderately moving to slow moving, around each of the one or more occupants 28, including the one or more contaminated occupants 28b, in the interior airflow space 14.

A flow arrangement 120 (see FIG. 1) of the one or more directional airstreams 106 in the interior airflow space 14 prevents the one or more occupants 28 in the interior airflow space 14, including one or more contaminated occupants 28b, from contaminating each other. The airflow system 10 provides contamination mitigation 48 (see FIG. 1) for each of the one or more occupants 28 in the at least one interior airflow space 14, against contamination by one or more of, the one or more biological agents 34 (see FIG. 1), including the one or more biological agents 34 shed by the one or more contaminated occupants 28b in the at least one interior airflow space 14, and the one or more chemical agents 36 (see FIG. 1).

The one or more interior airflow spaces 14 are designed for the direct-path-to-return airflow 46 (see FIG. 1). The direct-path-to-return airflow 46 is designed and achieved for which there is a very low probability of an occupant 28, such as a human occupant 28a, of the building 12, breathing air 30, such as contaminated air 30d, that has already been breathed by another occupant 28, such as another human occupant 28a, including a contaminated occupant 28b, nearby in the interior airflow space 14, and in turn, any other occupant 28, such as any other human occupant 28a, including a contaminated occupant 28b, in the building 12 in any other interior airflow space 14.

The air supply assembly 70, such as the air supply duct assembly 72, and the air return assembly 90, such as the air return duct assembly 92, can create controlled airflow patterns 122 (see FIG. 1) in the one or more interior airflow spaces 14 in an intermittent manner 124 (see FIG. 1), to mitigate the one or more occupants 28 in the building 12 from breathing contaminated air 30d contaminated by one or more of, the one or more biological agents 34, and the one or more chemical agents 36. The intermittent manner 124 means the purified air 30a is introduced, or flows, into the interior airflow spaces 14 only when the one or more occupants 28, such as the one or more human occupants 28a, is/are present in the interior airflow space 14. For example, airflow 31 (see FIG. 1) is preferably regulated and turned on and off, and an airflow velocity 114 (see FIG. 1) of the airflow 31 is preferably adjusted to follow or track the occupant 28, as the occupant 28 moves, or is stationary, for the time period 45, such as the short time period 45a (see FIG. 1), such as walking in the aisleway 16, or briefly stopping in the aisleway 16 and then resuming walking in the aisleway 16 of the building 12.

As shown in FIG. 1, the airflow system 10 further comprises at least one control system 126 that controls the airflow system 10. In one version, the control system 126 may comprise a sensor control network 128 with one or more controllers 130, one or more power supplies 132 to power the control system 126, one or more software programs 134, and one or more computers 136 configured to run the one or more software programs 134. As shown in FIG. 1, in one version, the control system 126 is a central control system 126a, coupled to the compressor assembly 52, the air supply assembly 70 such as the air supply duct assembly 72, and the air return assembly 90 such as the air return duct assembly 92, via connector elements 138, such as wired connector elements 138a (see FIG. 2), or wireless connector elements 138b (see FIG. 6A). In another version, the control system 126 comprises a distributed control system 126b, in which the sensor control network 128, controllers 130, power supplies 132, and computers 136 with software programs 134, are distributed at each interior airflow space 14, or at several interior airflow spaces 14 on the same floor or on adjacent floors of the building 12.

The air purification system 50 and the air management system 62 of the airflow system 10 preferably supplies the purified air 30a having a greatly increased reliability, for example, a 10⁻⁹ reliability, that occupants 28 (see FIGS. 1, 2, 3C, 6A), such as human occupants 28a (see FIG. 1), are not contaminated by one or more of, the one or more biological agents 34, and the one or more chemical agents 36, released in external air 30f (see FIG. 1), to become contaminated air 30d external to the one or more buildings 12, or outside the one or more buildings 12, and/or released by one or more contaminated occupants 28b (see FIG. 1) located inside the building 12, such as inside the interior airflow spaces 14 inside the building 12.

In another version, there is provided an airflow system 10 (see FIG. 1) for an office building 12a (see FIG. 1). The airflow system 10 comprises at least one air purification system 50 (see FIG. 1) providing purified air 30a (see FIG. 1) and receiving recirculated air 30b (see FIG. 1). The airflow system 10 further comprises an air management system 62 (see FIG. 1). The air management system 62 comprises at least one air supply duct assembly 72 (see FIG. 1), supplying the purified air 30a from the at least one air purification system 50 to at least one interior airflow space 14 (see FIG. 1) in the office building 12a. The at least one air supply duct assembly 72 comprises one or more air supply ducts 78 (see FIG. 1) and one or more air supply vents 82 (see FIG. 1). The at least one interior airflow space 14 comprises one or more of, an aisleway 16 (see FIGS. 1, 2), a cafeteria 20 (see FIGS. 1, 6A), a restroom 22 (see FIGS. 1, 7A), and an elevator 24 (see FIGS. 1, 8A) in the office building 12a. One or more occupants 28 are in the at least one interior airflow space 14 in a position 44 (see FIG. 1) for a time period 45 (see FIG. 1) in a time range of 5 (five) seconds to 59 (fifty-nine) minutes. The position 44 comprises one of, a moving position 44a (see FIGS. 1, 2), a stationary position 44b (see FIGS. 1, 6A), or a substantially stationary position 44b (see FIGS. 1, 7A).

The airflow system 10 further comprises at least one air return duct assembly 92 (see FIG. 1), returning the recirculated air 30b from the at least one interior airflow space 14 to the at least one air purification system 50. The at least one air return duct assembly 92 comprises one or more air return ducts 94 (see FIG. 1) and one or more air return vents 104 (see FIG. 1). The recirculated air 30b comprises one or more of, internal air 30c (see FIG. 1) from the at least one interior airflow space 14, and contaminated air 30d (see FIG. 1) contaminated by one or more of, one or more biological agents 34 (see FIG. 1), including, or comprising, one or more biological agents 34 (see FIG. 1) shed by one or more contaminated occupants 28b (see FIG. 1) in the at least one interior airflow space 14, and one or more chemical agents 36 (see FIG. 1).

The airflow system 10 further comprises one or more directional airstreams 106 (see FIG. 1) formed between the at least one air supply duct assembly 72 and the at least one air return duct assembly 92 in the at least one interior airflow space 14. The one or more directional airstreams 106 comprise one or more of, the purified air 30a, the internal air 30c, and the contaminated air 30d.

The one or more directional airstreams 106 comprise at least one or more of, a directed airflow field 115 (see FIG. 1) around each of the one or more occupants 28 and each of the one or more contaminated occupants 28b, in the at least one interior airflow space 14, to provide a direct-path-to-return airflow 46 (see FIG. 1) for breathed air 30e breathed by each of the one or more occupants 28 and each of the one or more contaminated occupants 28b, and to provide a respiratory isolation 112 (see FIG. 1) for each of the one or more occupants 28 and each of the one or more contaminated occupants 28b. The one or more directional airstreams 106 further comprise at least one or more of, one or more air barriers 116 (see FIG. 1) between each of the one or more occupants 28 and each of the one or more contaminated occupants 28b, in the at least one interior airflow space 14, to prevent the breathed air 30e breathed by each of the one or more occupants 28 and each of the one or more contaminated occupants 28b from crossing the one or more air barriers 116, and to provide the respiratory isolation 112 for, and between, each of the one or more occupants 28, and each of the one or more contaminated occupants 28b. The one or more directional airstreams 106 further comprise at least one or more of, an airflow field 118 (see FIG. 1) around each of the one or more occupants 28, and each of the one or more contaminated occupants 28b, positioned in the stationary position 44b, or in the substantially stationary position 44b, in the at least one interior airflow space 14, wherein the airflow field 118 has an airflow velocity 114 (see FIG. 1) that is less than airflow velocities 114 of the directed airflow field 115 and the one or more air barriers 116.

The airflow system 10 may further optionally comprise one or more sensors 25 (see FIG. 1) positioned in the at least one interior airflow space 14. The airflow system 10 further comprises at least one control system 126 (see FIG. 1) controlling the airflow system 10. The airflow system 10 provides a contamination mitigation 48 (see FIG. 1) for each of the one or more occupants 28 in the at least one interior airflow space 14 in the office building 12a, against contamination by one or more of, the one or more biological agents 34, including the one or more biological agents 34 shed by the one or more contaminated occupants 28b in the at least one interior airflow space 14, and the one or more chemical agents 36.

Now referring to FIG. 2, FIG. 2 is an illustration of a side view of an exemplary airflow system 10 of the disclosure for an interior airflow space 14 comprising an aisleway 16 in a building 12, such as an office building 12a, for example, a retrofitted building 12c, showing an occupant 28, such as a contaminated occupant 28b, walking in a position 44, such as a moving position 44a, in the aisleway 16. The contaminated occupant 28b is emitting breathed air 30e which is contaminated air 30d in an interior 140 of the aisleway 16. FIG. 2 shows a contaminated condition 141, such as a contaminated aisleway condition 141a, with the contaminated air 30d being breathed by the contaminated occupant 28b.

As shown in FIG. 2, the airstreams 105, such as the directional airstreams 106, comprise the directed airflow field 115 that follows the contaminated occupant 28b, as the contaminated occupant 28b walks along the aisleway 16. Purified air 30a is supplied by the air purification system 50, through the air supply duct 78 of the air supply assembly 70 comprising the dedicated air supply assembly 70a, and into the aisleway 16 at the same speed as the contaminated occupant 28b is walking along the aisleway 16. The sensors 25 (see FIG. 2) positioned at the aisleway 16 are configured to detect, and do detect, a location 142 (see FIG. 2) and a moving speed 143 (see FIG. 2) of the occupant 28, such as the contaminated occupant 28b, comprising a moving occupant 28k (see FIG. 2). The location 142 of the contaminated occupant 28b is detected and determined by the sensors 25 (see FIG. 2). The sensors 25 may also detect the presence of the occupant 28 when the occupant 28 enters the aisleway 16, and one or more sensors 25 signal the airflow system 10 to supply the purified air 30a into the aisleway 16 as directional airstreams 106 comprising the directed airflow field 115 of a moving airflow 31a around the moving occupant 28k, as the moving occupant 28k moves along the aisleway 16.

The contaminated air 30d, as well as internal air 30c in the interior airflow space 14, and purified air 30a supplied by the air supply duct 78, are returned to ceiling air return vents 104a that are opened and are close to the location 142 of the contaminated occupant 28b. FIG. 2 shows the louvers 102, such as ceiling louvers 102a, in an open position 144a. The other ceiling louvers 102a are in a closed position 144b (see FIG. 2). FIG. 2 shows the air return vents 104, such as ceiling air return vents 104a, in an open position 145a. The other ceiling air return vents 104a are in a closed position 145b (see FIG. 2).

The ceiling louvers 102a and the ceiling air return vents 104a may be actuatable based on input from the sensors 25. The actuatable ceiling louvers 102a and the actuatable ceiling air return vents 104a follow the location 142 of the occupant 28 walking in the aisleway 16, with data supplied by the sensors 25. There may also be feedback to control the airflow 31 at the ceiling louvers 102a and at the ceiling air return vents 104a. The one or more directional airstreams 106 (see FIGS. 1, 2) are adjustable in real time, via the at least one control system 126 (see FIGS. 1, 2), to follow movement of each of the one or more occupants 28 (see FIGS. 1, 2) in the moving position 44a (see FIGS. 1, 2) in the interior airflow space 14 (see FIGS. 1, 2), and to adjust for a location 142 (see FIGS. 1, 2) of each of the one or more occupants 28 in the interior airflow space 14.

The contaminated air 30d from the contaminated occupant 28b is sucked into the air return duct 94 (see FIG. 2) of the air return assembly 90, such as the dedicated air return assembly 90a, through air return vents 104 (see FIG. 2), such as ceiling air return vents 104a, in the open position 145a, and louvers 102 (see FIG. 2), such as ceiling louvers 102a, in the open position 144a. The air return vents 104, such as the ceiling air return vents 104a, and the louvers 102, such as the ceiling louvers 102a, that are in the open position 144a are near the source of the contaminated air 30d breathed by the contaminated occupant 28b below. The occupant 28, such as the contaminated occupant 28b, is in the directed airflow field 115 of moving airflow 31a that makes it almost impossible for the occupant's 28 breathed air 30e, such as the contaminated air 30d, to travel to another occupant 28, but must directly flow to the ceiling air return vents 104a above.

As shown in FIG. 2, the directed airflow field 115 provides a direct-path-to-return airflow 46, such as a short direct-path-to-return airflow 46a, for the breathed air 30e, such as the contaminated air 30d, breathed by each of the one or more occupants 28 and each of the one or more contaminated occupants 28b. The directed airflow field 115 preferably provides a short path for the contaminated air 30d from the source, such as from the contaminated occupant 28b, to the air return assembly 90. The breathed air 30e comprising the contaminated air 30d (see FIG. 2) breathed by the moving occupant 28k is directly returned to the dedicated air return assembly 90a in the direct-path-to-return airflow 46, to prevent any contaminated air 30d breathed by the moving occupant 28k from traveling to office cubicle occupants 28d (see FIG. 2) in their office cubicles 18 (see FIG. 2) or to another occupant 28 that may be in the aisleway 16 or in the building 12. The directed airflow field 115 further provides respiratory isolation 112 (see FIG. 1) for the contaminated occupant 28b, and prevents contamination of the office cubicle occupants 28d (see FIG. 2) in their office cubicles 18 (see FIG. 2) and prevents contamination to another occupant 28 that may be in the aisleway 16 or in the building 12.

As shown in FIG. 2, the aisleway 16 has an aisleway floor 146, an aisleway ceiling 148, and a plurality of aisleway sidewalls 150. FIG. 2 further shows the air supply assembly 70, such as the air supply duct assembly 72, comprising one or more air supply ducts 78. As shown in FIG. 2, each air supply duct 78 has a supply first end 74 coupled to the air purification system 50 and a supply second end 76 coupled to the interior airflow space 14. FIG. 2 further shows the air return assembly 90, such as the air return duct assembly 92, comprising one or more air return ducts 94. Each air return duct 94 has a return first end 96 (see FIG. 2) coupled to the interior airflow space 14, and a return second end 98 (see FIG. 2) coupled to the air purification system 50.

As shown in FIG. 2, the aisleway ceiling 148 comprises one or more ceiling air return ducts 94d, and one or more air return vents 104, returning the purified air 30a and the internal air 30c, including any contaminated air 30d, from an interior 140 of the aisleway 16, as the recirculated air 30b. The one or more air return vents 104 are positioned at the aisleway ceiling 148, so that the one or more airstreams 105 (see FIG. 2), such as one or more directional airstreams 106 (see FIG. 2), comprise the directed airflow field 115 around an occupant 28 (see FIGS. 1, 2), such as a contaminated occupant 28b (see FIGS. 1, 2), to prevent office cubicle occupants 28d (see FIG. 2) in office cubicles 18 (see FIG. 2) from breathing any contaminated air 30d (see FIG. 2) from the contaminated occupant 28b in the aisleway 16.

As further shown in FIG. 2, the airflow system 10 comprises the control system 126 that controls the airflow system 10. The control system 126 is positioned between the air management system 62 coupled to the interior airflow space 14 and the air purification system 50, via connector elements 138, such as wired connector elements 138a (see FIG. 2). The connector elements 138 may also comprise wireless connector elements 138b (see FIG. 6A), or other suitable connector elements 138. As shown in FIG. 2, the control system 126 is also coupled to one or more sensors 25 in the interior airflow space 14. As shown in FIG. 2, the control system 126 comprises a sensor control network 128 to control the sensors 25, a controller 130, a power supply 132 to power the control system 126, and a computer 136 with a software program 134. As shown in FIG. 2, in one version, the control system 126 comprises a central control system 126a, coupled between the air management system 62 and the air purification system 50, via the connector elements 138, such as wired connector elements 138a. In another version, the connector elements 138 may comprise wireless connector elements 138b (see FIG. 6A).

In one version, as shown in FIG. 2, the aisleway floor 146 of the aisleway 16 comprises a structural aisleway floor 146a. In another version, the aisleway floor 146 may comprise a false floor (not shown) having a floor cavity (not shown) with the structural aisleway floor 146a underneath the floor cavity. The floor cavity of the false floor can supply air 30 (see FIG. 1), such as purified air 30a (see FIG. 1), from the air purification system 50 (see FIG. 2), such as the plenum 58 (see FIG. 1), into the interior 140 of the aisleway 16. The floor cavity, or opening, is hollow to house one or more air supply ducts 78 (see FIG. 1), such as one or more floor air supply ducts 78e (see FIG. 6A).

Now referring to FIGS. 3A-3H, FIGS. 3A-3H are illustrations of a side view of an exemplary airflow system 10 of the disclosure for an interior airflow space 14, such as an aisleway 16, showing an airflow system position sequence 152 of an occupant 28, such as a human occupant 28a, for example, a contaminated occupant 28b, moving in a position 44, such as a moving position 44a, for example, walking, in, and along, the aisleway 16. FIGS. 3A-3H show the airflow system 10 in the interior airflow space 14 comprising the aisleway 16 in a building 12, such as an office building 12a. The building 12 may be a retrofitted building 12c (see FIG. 2) or a new build building 12d (see FIG. 1).

FIGS. 3A-3H show the air purification system 50, the air management system 62 (see FIG. 3A), the air supply assembly 70 comprising the dedicated air supply assembly 70a with the air supply duct assembly 72 comprising one or more air supply ducts 78, such as one or more sidewall air supply ducts 78d. As shown in FIGS. 3A-3H, each air supply duct 78 has the supply first end 74 coupled to the air purification system 50 and the supply second end 76 coupled to the interior airflow space 14. FIGS. 3A-3H further show the air return assembly 90 comprising the dedicated air return assembly 90a with the air return duct assembly 92 comprising one or more air return ducts 94, such as ceiling air return ducts 94d. As shown in FIGS. 3A-3H, each air return duct 94 has a return first end 96 coupled to the interior airflow space 14, and a return second end 98 coupled to the air purification system 50.

FIGS. 3A-3H further show the control system 126 positioned between the air management system 62 and the air purification system 50, via connector elements 138, such as wired connector elements 138a. The connector elements 138 may also comprise wireless connector elements 138b (see FIG. 6A), or other suitable connector elements 138. FIGS. 3A-3H further show the control system 126 coupled to the sensors 25 in the interior airflow space 14, and show the sensor control network 128, the controller 130, the power supply 132, and the computer 136 with the software program 134.

FIG. 3A shows a first position 152a of the airflow system position sequence 152. No occupant 28 (see FIG. 3B) is in the aisleway 16. FIG. 3A shows the interior airflow space 14, such as the aisleway 16, and shows the aisleway 16 intersecting with intersecting aisleways 16a at each end of the aisleway 16. The intersecting aisleway 16a at each end of the aisleway 16 may also have the same airflow system 10 as shown in FIGS. 3A-3H for the aisleway 16. Office cubicle occupants 28d (see FIG. 3A) are in their office cubicles 18 (see FIG. 3A) adjacent to the aisleway 16. FIG. 3A shows the aisleway floor 146, the aisleway ceiling 148, and the plurality of aisleway sidewalls 150. As shown in FIG. 3A, the plurality of aisleway sidewalls 150 comprise an aisleway entrance sidewall 150a, an aisleway exit sidewall 150b, and one or more aisleway middle sidewalls 150c located between the aisleway entrance sidewall 150a and the aisleway exit sidewall 150b. FIG. 3A further shows the sensors 25 coupled to the aisleway ceiling 148. FIG. 3A further shows the air supply duct 78, such as the sidewall air supply duct 78d, and the air return ducts 94, such as the ceiling air return duct 94d, and a sidewall air return duct 94f. As shown in FIG. 3A, the louvers 102 (see FIG. 3B), such as sidewall louvers 102b (see FIG. 3B), for example, aisleway entrance sidewall louvers 102c, are closed in the closed position 144b, and the sidewall air supply vents 82a are closed in the closed position 145b.

FIG. 3B shows a second position 152b of the airflow system position sequence 152. The sensors 25 (see FIG. 3B) detect that an occupant 28, such as a human occupant 28a, is approaching an aisleway entrance 153a. As shown in FIG. 3B, the louvers 102 such as sidewall louvers 102b, for example, aisleway entrance sidewall louvers 102c, are partially open in a partially open position 144c, in the air supply duct 78, such as the sidewall air supply duct 78d, formed in a wall cavity 154 of the aisleway entrance sidewall 150a. As further shown in FIG. 3B, the air supply vents 82, such as the sidewall air supply vents 82a, are partially open in a partially open position 145c. The airflow 31 (see FIG. 3B) rate of the air 30 (see FIG. 3B), such as the purified air 30a (see FIG. 3B), is about 50% (fifty percent). The time to open the louvers 102 and the air supply vents 82 may be about 0.1 second to about 0.5 second, or another suitable time. The time to open the louvers 102 and the air supply vents 82 is preferably brief or fast, so that the airflow velocity 114 of the airflow 31 can match or approximately match the moving speed 143 (see FIG. 2) of the moving occupant 28k (see FIG. 2) moving along the aisleway 16, but not so brief or fast that there would be a loud snapping sound or other type of sound as the louvers 102 and the air supply vents 82 open.

FIG. 3C shows a third position 152c of the airflow system position sequence 152. The sensors 25 (see FIG. 3C) have detected that the occupant 28, such as a contaminated occupant 28b (see FIG. 3C), for example, an aisleway occupant 28c (see FIG. 3C), has approached and entered the aisleway entrance 153a (see FIG. 3C) of the aisleway 16 from the intersecting aisleway 16a. As shown in FIG. 3C, the occupant 28, such as the contaminated occupant 28b, for example, the aisleway occupant 28c, enters the aisleway 16 and breathes breathed air 30e, such as contaminated air 30d. As shown in FIG. 3C, the louvers 102 such as sidewall louvers 102b, for example, aisleway entrance sidewall louvers 102c, are open in the open position 144a, such as a fully open position. As further shown in FIG. 3C, the air supply vents 82, such as the sidewall air supply vents 82a, are open in the open position 145a, such as a fully open position. As further shown in FIG. 3C, the louvers 102, such as the ceiling louvers 102a, move to an open position 144a to direct the air 30, such as the purified air 30a, the internal air 30c, and the contaminated air 30d into the air return duct 94, such as the ceiling air return duct 94d, in the location 142, or vicinity, of the occupant 28. FIG. 3C further shows the directed airflow field 115 comprised of the airstreams 105, such as the directional airstreams 106, around the occupant 28, such as the contaminated occupant 28b, and that follows the occupant 28, as the occupant 28 moves in the position 44, such as the moving position 44a, for example, walking, along the interior airflow space 14, such as the aisleway 16. The airflow 31 (see FIG. 3C) rate of the air 30 (see FIG. 3C), such as the purified air 30a (see FIG. 3C), is about 100% (one hundred percent).

FIG. 3D shows a fourth position 152d of the airflow system position sequence 152. As shown in FIG. 3D, the occupant 28, such as the contaminated occupant 28b, for example, a moving occupant 28k, continues moving in the position 44, for example, the moving position 44a, such as walking, along the aisleway 16. FIG. 3D further shows the directed airflow field 115 comprised of the airstreams 105, such as the directional airstreams 106, around the occupant 28, such as the contaminated occupant 28b, that follows the occupant 28, such as the moving occupant 28k, as the occupant 28 moves in the position 44, such as the moving position 44a, along the aisleway 16. FIG. 3D further shows the louvers 102 such as sidewall louvers 102b, for example, aisleway entrance sidewall louvers 102c, open in the open position 144a, such as the fully open position. As further shown in FIG. 3D, the air supply vents 82, such as the sidewall air supply vents 82a, are open in the open position 145a, such as the fully open position. As further shown in FIG. 3D, the louvers 102, such as the ceiling louvers 102a, directly in front of and above, the location 142 of the contaminated occupant 28b, move to the open position 144a, to direct the air 30, such as the purified air 30a, the internal air 30c, and the contaminated air 30d into the air return duct 94, such as the ceiling air return duct 94d, in the location 142, or vicinity, of the occupant 28. In addition, as further shown in FIG. 3D, the air return vents 104, such as the ceiling air return vents 104a, directly in front of, and above, the location 142 of the contaminated occupant 28b, move to the open position 145a, to receive the purified air 30a, the internal air 30c, and the contaminated air 30d into the air return duct 94, such as the ceiling air return duct 94d. The other ceiling louvers 102a that were previously open are now in the closed position 144b (see FIG. 3D), and the other ceiling air return vents 104a that were previously open are now in the closed position 145b (see FIG. 3D). The air return vents 104, such as the ceiling air return vents 104a (see FIGS. 1, 3D), sidewall air return vents 104c (see FIG. 3E), and/or floor air return vents, can be opened and closed to follow the occupant 28 in the moving position 44a (see FIG. 3D) in the interior airflow space 14 (see FIG. 3D). The one or more directional airstreams 106 (see FIGS. 1, 2, 3D) are adjustable in real time, via direction of the at least one control system 126 (see FIGS. 1, 2, 3D), to follow movement of each of the one or more occupants 28 (see FIGS. 1, 2, 3D), such as moving occupants 28k (see FIG. 3D), in the moving position 44a (see FIGS. 1, 2, 3D) in the interior airflow space 14 (see FIGS. 1, 2, 3D), and to adjust for a location 142 (see FIGS. 1, 2, 3D) of each of the one or more occupants 28 in the interior airflow space 14.

As shown in FIG. 3D, in one version, the dedicated air supply assembly 70a comprises the sidewall air supply duct 78d located in the aisleway entrance sidewall 150a, a plurality of sidewall air supply vents 82a located in the aisleway entrance sidewall 150a, and a plurality of aisleway entrance sidewall louvers 102c located in the aisleway entrance sidewall 150a. As further shown in FIG. 3D, in one version, the dedicated air return assembly 90a comprises an air return duct 94, such as a sidewall air return duct 94f, located in the aisleway exit sidewall 150b, a plurality of sidewall air return vents 104c located in the aisleway exit sidewall 150b, a plurality of aisleway exit sidewall louvers 102d located in the aisleway exit sidewall 150b, one or more ceiling air return ducts 94d located in the aisleway ceiling 148, a plurality of ceiling air return vents 104a located in the aisleway ceiling 148, and a plurality of ceiling louvers 102a located in the aisleway ceiling 148.

FIG. 3E shows a fifth position 152e of the airflow system position sequence 152. The occupant 28, such as the contaminated occupant 28b, for example, the moving occupant 28k, reaches an aisleway exit 153b of the aisleway 16, where the aisleway 16 intersects with the intersecting aisleway 16a. As shown in FIG. 3E, the contaminated air 30d breathed by the contaminated occupant 28b at the aisleway exit 153b and the intersecting aisleway 16a flows out of the aisleway 16 and enters the air return duct 94, such as the sidewall air return duct 94f, formed in the wall cavity 154 of the aisleway exit sidewall 150b, and flows to the air purification system 50, where it is purified. FIG. 3E further shows the louvers 102, such as sidewall louvers 102b, for example, aisleway exit sidewall louvers 102d, in the aisleway exit sidewall 150b, in an open position 144a, such as the fully open position. As further shown in FIG. 3E, the air return vents 104, such as sidewall air return vents 104c, are open in the open position 145a, such as the fully open position. As further shown in FIG. 3E, the louvers 102, such as the ceiling louvers 102a, directly in front of the location 142 of the contaminated occupant 28b move to the open position 144a, and the air return vents 104, such as the ceiling air return vents 104a, move to the open position 145a, to direct the air 30, such as the purified air 30a, the internal air 30c, and the contaminated air 30d into the air return duct 94, such as the ceiling air return duct 94d, and into the sidewall air return duct 94f, in the location 142, or vicinity, of the occupant 28. The other ceiling louvers 102a that were previously open are now in the closed position 144b, and the other ceiling air return vents 104a that were previously open are now in the closed position 145b.

FIG. 3F shows a sixth position 152f of the airflow system position sequence 152. The occupant 28 (see FIG. 3E) has exited the aisleway 16 and has walked down the intersecting aisleway 16a. The airflow 31 of air 30, such as purified air 30a, continues to flow at 100% (one hundred percent) rate for a short period of time. As shown in FIG. 3F, the louvers 102, such as sidewall louvers 102b, for example, the aisleway entrance sidewall louvers 102c in the aisleway entrance sidewall 150a, and the aisleway exit sidewall louvers 102d in the aisleway exit sidewall 150b, are in the open position 144a, such as the fully open position. As further shown in FIG. 3F, the air supply vents 82, such as the sidewall air supply vents 82a, are open in the open position 145a, such as the fully open position. As further shown in FIG. 3F, the air return vents 104, such as the sidewall air return vents 104c, are open in the open position 145a, such as the fully open position. As further shown in FIG. 3F, other ceiling louvers 102a that were previously open are now in the closed position 144b, and the other ceiling air return vents 104a that were previously open are now in the closed position 145b.

FIG. 3G shows a seventh position 152g of the airflow system position sequence 152. As shown in FIG. 3G, the louvers 102 such as sidewall louvers 102b, for example, the aisleway entrance sidewall louvers 102c in the aisleway entrance sidewall 150a, and the aisleway exit sidewall louvers 102d in the aisleway exit sidewall 150b, are in a partially closed position 144d. As further shown in FIG. 3G, the air supply vents 82, such as the sidewall air supply vents 82a, are partially closed in a partially closed position 145d. As further shown in FIG. 3G, the air return vents 104, such as the sidewall air return vents 104c, are partially closed in a partially closed position 145d. The ceiling louvers 102a (see FIG. 3E) and the ceiling air return vents 104a (see FIG. 3E) remain closed. The airflow 31 (see FIG. 3G) rate of the air 30 (see FIG. 3G), such as the purified air 30a (see FIG. 3G), is about 50% (fifty percent).

FIG. 3H shows an eighth position 152h of the airflow system position sequence 152. As shown in FIG. 3H, the louvers 102 (see FIG. 3G) such as sidewall louvers 102b (see FIG. 3G), for example, the aisleway entrance sidewall louvers 102c (see FIG. 3G) in the aisleway entrance sidewall 150a, and the aisleway exit sidewall louvers 102d (see FIG. 3G) in the aisleway exit sidewall 150b, are now in the closed position 144b. As further shown in FIG. 3H, the air supply vents 82 (see FIG. 3G), such as the sidewall air supply vents 82a (see FIG. 3G) in the aisleway exit sidewall 150b, and the air return vents 104 (see FIG. 3G), such as the sidewall air return vents 104c (see FIG. 3G), in the aisleway exit sidewall 150b, are now in the closed position 145b. The airflow 31 (see FIG. 3G) rate is zero.

Now referring to FIG. 4, FIG. 4 is an illustration of a side view of another exemplary airflow system 10 of the disclosure for an interior airflow space 14, such as an aisleway 16, showing an occupant 28, such as a contaminated occupant 28b, standing in the aisleway 16 in a building 12, such as an office building 12a. The building 12 may comprise a retrofitted building 12c (see FIG. 1) or a new build building 12d (see FIG. 1). FIG. 4 shows the interior airflow space 14, such as the aisleway 16, and shows the aisleway 16 intersecting with intersecting aisleways 16a at each end of the aisleway 16. The intersecting aisleway 16a at each end of the aisleway 16 may also have the same airflow system 10 as shown in FIG. 4 for the aisleway 16. As shown in FIG. 4, the contaminated occupant 28b is standing in a position 44, such as a stationary position 44b, in the aisleway 16, and is emitting breathed air 30e, which is contaminated air 30d, into an interior 140 of the aisleway 16.

In this version of the airflow system 10, as shown in FIG. 4, the airflow 31 of air 30, such as purified air 30a, flows in two directions, such as a first direction 156a and a second direction 156b, from the air supply assembly 70, such as the dedicated air supply assembly 70a, to obtain an airflow 31 that is balanced from both ends of the aisleway 16, when the occupant 28, such as a standing occupant 28l, is standing, such as in a stationary position 44b, in the aisleway 16. As shown in FIG. 4, the air management system 62 comprises the dedicated air supply assembly 70a with the air supply duct assembly 72 comprising air supply ducts 78, such as sidewall air supply ducts 78d, where one sidewall air supply duct 78d is located in the aisleway sidewall 150, such as the aisleway entrance sidewall 150a, and one sidewall air supply duct 78d is located in the aisleway sidewall 150, such as the aisleway exit sidewall 150b. As shown in FIG. 4, the dedicated air supply assembly 70a further comprises a plurality of air supply vents 82, such as a plurality of sidewall air supply vents 82a, located in the aisleway entrance sidewall 150a and located in the aisleway exit sidewall 150b. As shown in FIG. 4, the dedicated air supply assembly 70a further comprises a plurality of sidewall louvers 102b, such as aisleway entrance sidewall louvers 102c located in the aisleway entrance sidewall 150a, and such as aisleway exit sidewall louvers 102d located in the aisleway exit sidewall 150b.

FIG. 4 shows the sidewall air supply vents 82a in both the aisleway entrance sidewall 150a and the aisleway exit sidewall 150b in the open position 145a. FIG. 4 further shows the aisleway entrance sidewall louvers 102c located in the aisleway entrance sidewall 150a and the aisleway exit sidewall louvers 102d located in the aisleway exit sidewall 150b in the open position 144a.

As shown in FIG. 4, the airflow system 10 further comprises the air return assembly 90, such as the dedicated air return assembly 90a. As shown in FIG. 4, the dedicated air return assembly 90 comprises one or more air return ducts 94, such as one or more ceiling air return ducts 94d, located in the aisleway ceiling 148, a plurality of air return vents 104, such as a plurality of ceiling air return vents 104a located in the aisleway ceiling 148, and a plurality of louvers 102, such as a plurality of ceiling louvers 102a, located in the aisleway ceiling 148.

As shown in FIG. 4, the contaminated air 30d, as well as internal air 30c in the interior airflow space 14, and purified air 30a supplied by the air supply ducts 78, are returned to ceiling air return vents 104a that are opened and are near the location 142 of the contaminated occupant 28b. FIG. 4 shows the louvers 102, such as ceiling louvers 102a, in the open position 144a, and shows the air return vents 104, such as the ceiling air return vents 104a, in the open position 145a.

As shown in FIG. 4, the airstreams 105, such as the directional airstreams 106, comprise the directed airflow field 115 around the contaminated occupant 28b. Purified air 30a is supplied by the air purification system 50, through the air supply ducts 78 of the air supply assembly 70 comprising the dedicated air supply assembly 70a, and into the aisleway 16 from both of the first direction 156a and the second direction 156b. The sensors 25 (see FIG. 4) positioned at the aisleway 16 are configured to detect, and do detect, the location 142 (see FIG. 4) and the moving speed 143 (see FIG. 4), or lack of movement, of the occupant 28, such as the contaminated occupant 28b, comprising the moving occupant 28k (see FIG. 4).

The contaminated air 30d, as well as the internal air 30c in the interior airflow space 14, and the purified air 30a supplied by the air supply ducts 78 and mixed with the contaminated air 30d and internal air 30c, are returned as recirculated air 30b through the ceiling air return vents 104a that are opened and are near the location 142 of the contaminated occupant 28b, and through the ceiling air return duct 94d, and then returned to the air purification system 50 to be purified or repurified.

As shown in FIG. 4, the directed airflow field 115 provides a direct-path-to-return airflow 46, such as a short direct-path-to-return airflow 46a, for the breathed air 30e, such as the contaminated air 30d, breathed by each of the one or more occupants 28 and each of the one or more contaminated occupants 28b. As shown in FIG. 4, the aisleway 16 has the aisleway floor 146, the aisleway ceiling 148, and the aisleway sidewalls 150. As shown in FIG. 4, each air supply duct 78 has the supply first end 74 coupled to the air purification system 50 and the supply second end 76 coupled to the interior airflow space 14, and the air return duct 94 has the return first end 96 coupled to the interior airflow space 14, and the return second end 98 coupled to the air purification system 50.

As further shown in FIG. 4, the airflow system 10 comprises the control system 126 that controls the airflow system 10. As shown in FIG. 4, the control system 126 is positioned between the air management system 62 coupled to the interior airflow space 14 and the air purification system 50, via connector elements 138, such as wired connector elements 138a. The connector elements 138 may also comprise wireless connector elements 138b (see FIG. 6A), or other suitable connector elements 138. As further shown in FIG. 4, the control system 126 is also coupled to one or more sensors 25 in the interior airflow space 14. As shown in FIG. 4, the control system 126 comprises the sensor control network 128 to control the sensors 25, the controller 130, the power supply 132 to power the control system 126, and the computer 136 with the software program 134. As shown in FIG. 4, in one version, the control system 126 comprises a central control system 126a, coupled between the air management system 62 and the air purification system 50, via the connector elements 138, such as wired connector elements 138a.

Now referring to FIG. 5, FIG. 5 is an illustration of a top view of another exemplary version of an airflow system 10 of the disclosure for an interior airflow space 14 comprising an aisleway 16 in a building 12, such as an office building 12a. The building 12 may be a retrofitted building 12c (see FIG. 1) or a new build building 12d (see FIG. 1). As shown in FIG. 5, the aisleway 16 is adjacent to an office cubicle 18 on one side and is adjacent to an open area 158 on the other side. As further shown in FIG. 5, the airflow system 10 comprises air supply ducts 78, such as ceiling air supply ducts 78f, that have an oversized configuration 160, or size, to accommodate a large volume of air 30, such as purified air 30a, to supply an airflow 31, such as an increased airflow 31f, of the purified air 30a, to the aisleway 16. FIG. 5 further shows air supply vents 82, such as large air supply vents 82i, that are in the open position 145a and that are sized to accommodate the increased airflow 31f. FIG. 5 further shows louvers 102 in the open position 144a. The large air supply vents 82i may be in the ceiling, on the floor, in the sidewalls, or another suitable location. FIG. 5 further shows air supply vents 82, such as small side air supply vents 82j, along the aisleway sidewalls 150, to keep the increased airflow 31f aligned and flowing smoothly. The small side air supply vents 82j may also be in the ceiling, on the floor, or another suitable location. As further shown in FIG. 5, the airflow system 10 comprises one or more air return ducts 94, such as ceiling air return ducts 94d, that have an oversized configuration 160a, or size, to accommodate return of the large volume of air 30, such as internal air 30c (see FIG. 1), contaminated air 30d (see FIG. 1), and/or purified air 30a alone, or mixed with the internal air 30c and/or contaminated air 30d, that is recirculated as recirculated air 30b, from the aisleway 16. The one or more air return ducts 94 with the oversized configuration 160a may also be in the floor or another suitable location.

Such increased airflow 31f may be used in times of increased threat, where a volume of airflow 31 for the building 12, such as the entire building 12, can be increased. Such increased airflow 31f may further be used when an occupant 28 (see FIG. 2) visits an office cubicle occupant 28d (see FIG. 2) in the office cubicle 18 (see FIG. 2). Such increased airflow 31f may further be used in the interior airflow space 14, such as the aisleway 16, or other interior airflow spaces 14, for occupants 28 who are older or at high risk to provide added protection.

Now referring to FIGS. 6A-6G, FIGS. 6A-6G show an exemplary airflow system 10 of the disclosure for the interior airflow space 14 comprising the cafeteria 20 in the building 12 (see FIGS. 6A, 6C, 6E), such as the office building 12a (see FIGS. 6A, 6C, 6E). The building 12 may comprise a retrofitted building 12c (see FIG. 1) or a new build building 12d (see FIG. 1). As shown in FIGS. 6A, 6B, 6C, the cafeteria 20 comprises the air supply assembly 70 comprising the dedicated air supply assembly 70a, and the air return assembly 90 comprising the dedicated air return assembly 90a. As further shown in FIGS. 6A, 6B, 6C, the cafeteria 20 comprises the cafeteria floor 162, the cafeteria ceiling 164, cafeteria sidewalls 166, and one or more airflow hoods 168 coupled to the cafeteria ceiling 164. At least one cafeteria sidewall 166 has a cafeteria door (not shown) or entrance (not shown), and the cafeteria sidewalls 166 preferably enclose the cafeteria 20.

As shown in FIGS. 6A-6G, the cafeteria 20 further comprises a plurality of cafeteria tables 170, such as a first cafeteria table 170a (see FIGS. 6A-6B), and a second cafeteria table 170b (see FIGS. 6A-6B), having one or more air supply ducts 78, such as one or more table air supply ducts 78h. The airflow hood 168 is preferably positioned above the one or more table air supply ducts 78h.

As further shown in FIGS. 6A, 6B, 6C, the cafeteria 20 may comprise one or more sensors 25, such as one or more sound sensors 25a, one or more coupled to one or more of the plurality of cafeteria tables 170. The cafeteria 20 may further comprise motion sensors to detect one or more occupants 28 in the interior airflow space 14 comprising the cafeteria 20, or the cafeteria 20 may further comprise other suitable sensors 25. As shown in FIGS. 6A-6G, the cafeteria 20 further comprises one or more cafeteria areas 172, such as one or more cafeteria common areas 172a, present between the plurality of cafeteria tables 170, for moving between the plurality of cafeteria tables 170 and across the cafeteria floor 162 and through the cafeteria 20.

As shown in FIGS. 6B, 6D, and 6F, in one version, the cafeteria table 170 has a tabletop shape 174 comprising a circular tabletop shape 174a. In another version, as shown in FIG. 6G, the cafeteria table 170 has a tabletop shape 174 comprising a scalloped tabletop shape 174b. The scalloped tabletop shape 174b allows the one or more air barriers 116 (see FIG. 6G) to more completely surround the cafeteria occupant 28e (see FIG. 6G) seated in the stationary position 44b (see FIG. 6G). As shown in FIG. 6G, the cafeteria table 170 with the scalloped tabletop shape 174b has scalloped portions 175, or concaved portions, formed around a perimeter 176 of the cafeteria table 170. In other versions, the cafeteria table 170 may have another tabletop shape 174 such as a rectangular tabletop shape, an oval tabletop shape, or another suitable shape.

As shown in FIGS. 6B, 6D, 6F, 6G, each of the cafeteria tables 170 further comprises one or more table air supply vents 82d coupled to one or more table air supply ducts 78h. As shown in FIGS. 6B, 6D, 6F, 6G, the one or more table air supply vents 82d comprise one or more of, one or more tabletop center vents 84a designed for vertical airflow 31g (see FIGS. 6A, 6C) to flow out of one or more center portions 184 of the cafeteria table 170, and one or more of tabletop side vents 84b designed for vertical airflow 31g (see FIGS. 6A, 6C) flowing out of one or more tabletop side portions 186 of the cafeteria table 170. As shown in FIGS. 6A, 6B, 6C, 6D, the one or more table air supply vents 82d further comprise one or more table edge side vents 84c designed for horizontal airflow 31h to flow out of one or more table edges 188 (see FIGS. 6B, 6D) of the cafeteria table 170, and one or more under table side vents 84d designed for horizontal airflow 31h to flow out of under table portions 190 of the cafeteria table 170 under the cafeteria table 170.

As shown in FIGS. 6A, 6C, 6E, the airflow system 10 comprises the one or more directional airstreams 106 flowing between the dedicated air supply assembly 70a and the dedicated air return assembly 90a in an interior 180 of the cafeteria 20 at each of the plurality of cafeteria tables 170. As shown in FIGS. 6A, 6C, 6E, the one or more directional airstreams 106 comprise one or more first directional airstreams 106a comprising at least the purified air 30a flowing out of the one or more tabletop center vents 84a and out of the one or more table edge side vents 84c, into the cafeteria 20, into the one or more airflow hoods 168, and into the dedicated air return assembly 90a. As shown in FIGS. 6A, 6C, 6E, the one or more first directional airstreams 106a comprise one or more of, the one or more air barriers 116 between cafeteria occupants 28e at each of the plurality of cafeteria tables 170, and/or the directed airflow field 115 around one or more cafeteria occupants 28e in the moving position 44a, or in the stationary position 44b or the substantially stationary position 44c. The first directional airstreams 106a flow at a high airflow velocity 114c (see FIG. 1) in a range of 4 feet per second to 10 feet per second.

As shown in FIGS. 6A, 6C, 6E, the one or more second directional airstreams 106b comprising at least the purified air 30a flow out of the one or more tabletop side vents 84b, into the cafeteria 20, into the one or more airflow hoods 168, and into the dedicated air return assembly 90a. The one or more second directional airstreams 106b comprise the airflow field 118 around each of the cafeteria occupants 28e at the cafeteria table 170. The one or more second directional airstreams 106b each flow at a moderate airflow velocity 114b (see FIG. 1) in a range of 0.1 foot per second to 1 foot per second.

As shown in FIGS. 6A, 6C, 6E, the one or more third directional airstreams 106c comprising at least the purified air 30a flow from the one or more under table side vents 84d, into the cafeteria 20, into the one or more airflow hoods 168, and into the dedicated air return assembly 90a. The one or more third directional airstreams 106c are configured to prevent lingering of one or more of, the one or more biological agents 34 (see FIG. 1) and the one or more chemical agents 36 (see FIG. 1), in the cafeteria 20. The one or more third directional airstreams 106c flow at a low airflow velocity 114a (see FIG. 1) in a range of 0.01 foot per second to 0.1 foot per second. A flow arrangement 120 (see FIG. 1) of the one or more directional airstreams 106 in the cafeteria 20 prevents the cafeteria occupants 28e from contaminating each other.

As shown in FIG. 6C, the cafeteria table 170 may further optionally comprise one or more sensors 25, such as one or more sound sensors 25a, coupled to the cafeteria table 170. The one or more sound sensors 25a may sense a sound, such as a sneeze 26 (see FIGS. 1, 6C), from a cafeteria occupant 28e, such as a contaminated occupant 28b, and when the sneeze 26 is sensed by the one or more sound sensors 25a, one or more fourth directional airstreams 106d (see FIG. 6C) may be activated having a very high airflow velocity 114d (see FIG. 1) in a range of 15 (fifteen) feet per second to 150 (one-hundred fifty) feet per second. In one version, the first directional airstreams 106a (see FIG. 6C) may be activated to increase the airflow velocity 114 (see FIG. 1) from the high airflow velocity 114c (see FIG. 1) in the range of 5 (five) feet per second to 10 (ten) feet per second, to the very high airflow velocity 114d (see FIG. 1) in a range of 15 (fifteen) feet per second to 150 (one-hundred fifty) feet per second, to form the fourth directional airstream 106d (see FIG. 6C).

As shown in FIGS. 6A, 6C, 6E, the airflow system 10 further comprises the control system 126, such as the central control system 126a, positioned between the air management system 62 coupled to the interior airflow space 14 and the air purification system 50, via connector elements 138, such as wireless connector elements 138b. The connector elements 138 may also comprise wired connector elements 138a (see FIG. 2), or other suitable connector elements 138. As further shown in FIGS. 6A, 6C, 6E, the control system 126 comprises the sensor control network 128 to control the sensors 25, the controller 130, the power supply 132 to power the control system 126, and the computer 136 with the software program 134.

FIG. 6A is an illustration of a side view of the exemplary airflow system 10 of the disclosure for the interior airflow space 14 comprising the cafeteria 20, and representing a nominal condition 178, where there is no contaminated air 30d (see FIG. 6C) in the interior 180 of the cafeteria 20. FIG. 6A shows two cafeteria tables 170, and shows two of five occupants 28, such as cafeteria occupants 28e, seated at one cafeteria table 170, such as the first cafeteria table 170a, and three of six occupants 28, such as cafeteria occupants 28e, seated at the other cafeteria table 170, such as the second cafeteria table 170b. The cafeteria occupants 28e that are seated are each seated at the cafeteria tables 170 in a cafeteria chair 182, in the stationary position 44b or in the substantially stationary position 44c, and are not walking around. FIG. 6A further shows one occupant 28, such as a cafeteria occupant 28e, for example, a moving occupant 28k, in the moving position 44a, moving, such as walking, in the cafeteria area 172, such as the cafeteria common area 172a.

FIG. 6A shows the air supply assembly 70, such as the air supply duct assembly 72, comprising one or more air supply ducts 78, such as floor air supply ducts 78e and table air supply ducts 78h. As shown in FIG. 6A, the air supply duct 78 has the supply first end 74 coupled to the air purification system 50 and the supply second end 76 coupled to the interior airflow space 14. FIG. 6A further shows the air return assembly 90, such as the air return duct assembly 92, comprising one or more air return ducts 94, such as ceiling air return ducts 94d. As shown in FIG. 6A, the one or more air return ducts 94 have return first ends 96 coupled to the interior airflow space 14, and a return second end 98 coupled to the air purification system 50. FIG. 6A further shows ultraviolet lights 100 in the air return duct 94. The air return duct assembly 92, having the air return ducts 94, such as ceiling air return ducts 94d, return air 30, such as recirculated air 30b, from the interior airflow space 14 comprising the cafeteria 20 to the air purification system 50. As further shown in FIG. 6A, ceiling air return ducts 94d comprise HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) air return ducts 94e.

As further shown in FIG. 6A, airstreams 105, such as directional airstreams 106, flow between the dedicated air supply assembly 70a and the dedicated air return assembly 90a in an interior 180 of the cafeteria 20 at and around each of the plurality of cafeteria tables 170 and at and around the moving occupant 28k and the occupants 28 seated at the cafeteria tables 170. As shown in FIG. 6A, first directional airstreams 106a comprising at least the purified air 30a flow from the dedicated air supply assembly 70a, through the floor air supply duct 78e, through a floor air supply vent 82b, through the table air supply duct 78h, through table air supply vents 82d, such as tabletop center vents 84a and table edge side vents 84c, out of the cafeteria table 170 and into the airflow hood 168, into an air return vent 104, such as a ceiling air return vent 104a, and into the air return duct 94, such as the ceiling air return duct 94d, and out to the air purification system 50, where the recirculated air 30b is purified. The first directional airstreams 106a comprise one or more air barriers 116 between cafeteria occupants 28e at each of the plurality of cafeteria tables 170, and the first directional airstream 106a flowing at a high airflow velocity 114c (see FIG. 1) in a range of 4 (four) feet per second to 10 (ten) feet per second. The air barriers 116 are preferably activated when the cafeteria 20 has at least one occupant 28 with one occupant 28 seated on one side of the at least one occupant 28, or occupants 28 seated on either side of the at least one occupant 28. If the cafeteria 20 is empty, the air barriers 116 will preferably not be activated. If the cafeteria 20 is sparsely populated, the air barriers 116 may be activated where they are needed and where occupants 28 are seated at one or more cafeteria table 170.

As further shown in FIG. 6A, second directional airstreams 106b comprising at least the purified air 30a flow from the dedicated air supply assembly 70a, through the floor air supply duct 78e, through the floor air supply vent 82b, through the table air supply duct 78h, through table air supply vents 82d, such as tabletop side vents 84b, out of the cafeteria table 170 and into the airflow hood 168, into an air return vent 104, such as a ceiling air return vent 104a, and into the air return duct 94, such as the ceiling air return duct 94d, and out to the air purification system 50, where the recirculated air 30b is purified.

As further shown in FIG. 6A, third directional airstreams 106c comprising at least the purified air 30a flow from the dedicated air supply assembly 70a, through the floor air supply duct 78e, through the floor air supply vent 82b, through the table air supply duct 78h, through table air supply vents 82d, such as under table side vents 84d, out of the cafeteria table 170 and into the airflow hood 168, into an air return vent 104, such as a ceiling air return vent 104a, and into the air return duct 94, such as the ceiling air return duct 94d, and out to the air purification system 50, where the recirculated air 30b is purified.

FIG. 6B is an illustration of a top view of the cafeteria tables 170 of FIG. 6A, where there is no contaminated air 30d (see FIG. 6C) in the interior 180 of the cafeteria 20. FIG. 6B shows the cafeteria 20 in the nominal condition 178, where there is no contaminated air 30d (see FIG. 6C) in the interior 180 of the cafeteria 20.

FIG. 6C is an illustration of a side view of the exemplary airflow system 10 of the disclosure for the cafeteria 20 showing two cafeteria tables 170, where there is a contaminated occupant 28b seated at one of the cafeteria tables 170 breathing contaminated air 30d in the interior 180 of the cafeteria 20 and emitting a sneeze 26. FIG. 6C shows the cafeteria 20 in a contaminated condition 141, such as a contaminated cafeteria condition 141b, having the contaminated occupant 28b breathing contaminated air 30d in the interior 180 of the cafeteria 20. FIG. 6C further shows, in one version, a third air supply duct 78c comprising a port 79 to compressed air 30g that can be supplied at a very high air pressure 80d (see FIG. 1), and which may be activated, for example, when the occupant 28 in the interior airflow space 14 sneezes. FIG. 6C further shows, in one version, a third air return duct 94c having a vacuum system or a vacuum port 95 to return compressed air 30g at a very high air pressure 80d (see FIG. 1), and which may be activated, for example, when an occupant 28 in the interior airflow space 14 sneezes.

FIG. 6D is an illustration of a top view of the cafeteria tables 170 of FIG. 6C, where there is the contaminated occupant 28b seated at one of the cafeteria tables 170 breathing the contaminated air 30d in the interior 180 of the cafeteria 20. FIG. 6D shows the cafeteria 20 in the contaminated condition 141, such as the contaminated cafeteria condition 141b, having the contaminated occupant 28b breathing contaminated air 30d in the interior 180 of the cafeteria 20.

FIG. 6E is an illustration of a side view of the exemplary airflow system 10 of the disclosure for the cafeteria 20 showing two cafeteria tables 170, where there is a contaminated occupant 28b that is a moving occupant 28k, walking in the cafeteria area 172, such as the cafeteria common area 172a, between the two cafeteria tables 170, breathing contaminated air 30d in the interior 180 of the cafeteria 20. FIG. 6E shows the cafeteria 20 in the contaminated condition 141, such as the contaminated cafeteria condition 141b, having the contaminated occupant 28b breathing contaminated air 30d in the interior 180 of the cafeteria 20.

FIG. 6F is an illustration of a top view of the cafeteria tables 170 of FIG. 6E, where the cafeteria tables 170 have a tabletop shape 174, such as a circular tabletop shape 174a, and where there is the contaminated occupant 28b that is the moving occupant 28k, walking in the cafeteria area 172, such as the cafeteria common area 172a, between the two cafeteria tables 170, breathing contaminated air 30d in the interior 180 of the cafeteria 20. FIG. 6F shows the cafeteria 20 in the contaminated condition 141, such as the contaminated cafeteria condition 141b, having the contaminated occupant 28b breathing contaminated air 30d in the interior 180 of the cafeteria 20.

FIG. 6G is an illustration of a top view of cafeteria tables having a tabletop shape 174, such as a scalloped tabletop shape 174b, and where there is the contaminated occupant 28b that is the moving occupant 28k, walking in the cafeteria area 172, such as the cafeteria common area 172a, between the two cafeteria tables 170, breathing contaminated air 30d in the interior 180 of the cafeteria 20. FIG. 6G shows the cafeteria 20 in the contaminated condition 141, such as the contaminated cafeteria condition 141b, having the contaminated occupant 28b breathing contaminated air 30d in the interior 180 of the cafeteria 20. As shown in FIG. 6G, the scalloped tabletop shape 174b allows the one or more air barriers 116 to more completely surround the cafeteria occupant 28e seated in the stationary position 44b.

Now referring to FIGS. 7A-7B, FIGS. 7A-7B show an exemplary airflow system 10 of the disclosure for the interior airflow space 14 comprising the restroom 22 in the building 12, such as the office building 12a. As shown in FIGS. 7A-7B, the building 12 comprises a retrofitted building 12c. In another version, the building 12 may comprise a new build building 12d (see FIG. 1). FIG. 7A is an illustration of a side view of the exemplary airflow system 10 of the disclosure for the restroom 22, where there is a contaminated occupant 28b, such as a restroom occupant 28g, seated on a toilet seat 192 of a toilet 194 in a restroom stall 196. As shown in FIG. 7A, the contaminated occupant 28b is breathing air 30, such as breathed air 30e, for example, contaminated air 30d, in an interior 198 of the restroom 22, such as the restroom stall 196. FIG. 7A shows the contaminated occupant 28b, such as the restroom occupant 28g, positioned, such as seated, in a position 44, such as a substantially stationary position 44c, on the toilet 194 in the restroom stall 196. FIG. 7A shows the restroom 22 in a contaminated condition 141, such as a contaminated restroom condition 141c. The airflow system 10 for the restroom 22 prevents restroom occupants 28g (see FIG. 7A) from contaminating each other.

FIG. 7B is an illustration of a front view of the airflow system 10 for the restroom 22, of FIG. 7A, showing the contaminated occupant 28b, such as the restroom occupant 28g, seated on the toilet seat 192 of the toilet 194 in the restroom stall 196. As shown in FIG. 7B, the contaminated occupant 28b is breathing air 30, such as contaminated air 30d, in the interior 198 of the restroom 22, such as in the restroom stall 196.

The restroom 22 comprises the at least one air supply assembly 70 (see FIGS. 7A-7B) comprising a restroom stall dedicated air supply assembly 70b (see FIG. 7B), and a restroom sink dedicated air supply assembly 70c (see FIG. 7A), and comprises the at least one air return assembly 90 (see FIGS. 7A-7B) comprising a restroom stall dedicated air return assembly 90b (see FIGS. 7A-7B) and a restroom sink dedicated air return assembly 90c (see FIG. 7A). As shown in FIG. 7A, the air return assembly 90 may include ultraviolet lights 100 within the air return duct 94. The restroom 22 may further comprise a urinal dedicated air supply assembly and a urinal dedicated air return assembly.

As shown in FIGS. 7A-7B, the restroom 22 further comprises a restroom floor 200, a restroom ceiling 202, and restroom sidewalls 204. As shown in FIG. 7A, the restroom 22 further comprises one or more restroom sinks 206, and a restroom area 208, such as a restroom common area 208a, between the one or more restroom stalls 196 and the one or more restroom sinks 206, for moving between the one or more restroom stalls 196 and the one or more restroom sinks 206 and across the restroom floor 200. The restroom 22 may further comprise one or more urinals (not shown).

As shown in FIG. 7A, the restroom 22 may further comprise one or more sensors 25 coupled to one or more portions 211 of the interior 198 of the restroom 22. In one version, as shown in FIG. 7A, the sensors 25 are coupled to the restroom ceiling 202.

As shown in FIG. 7B, the restroom stall 196 further comprises restroom stall sides 210, such as two restroom stall sides 210, each having a wall cavity 154a with one or more air supply ducts 78, such as one or more sidewall air supply ducts 78d, and one or more air supply vents 82, such as one or more sidewall air supply vents 82a. As shown in FIG. 7A, the restroom stall 196 has a restroom stall door 212.

As shown in FIG. 7B, the restroom stall dedicated air supply assembly 70b comprises one or more restroom stall side air supply ducts 78j located in one or more of the wall cavities 154a of the two restroom stall sides 210 of each of the one or more restroom stalls 196. As shown in FIG. 7B, the restroom stall dedicated air supply assembly 70b further comprises one or more restroom stall side air supply vents 82f located in one or more of the two restroom stall sides 210 of each of the one or more restroom stalls 196.

As shown in FIG. 7A, the restroom sink dedicated air supply assembly 70c comprises one or more air supply ducts 78, such as one or more sidewall air supply ducts 78d, for example, one or more restroom sink air supply ducts 78k, located in one or more wall cavities 154b of the restroom sidewalls 204, and one or more air supply vents 82, such as one or more sidewall air supply vents 82a, for example, one or more restroom sink air supply vents 82g, located in one or more of the restroom sidewalls 204. As further shown in FIG. 7A, the sidewall air supply duct 78d further has one or more air supply vents 82, such as one or more sidewall air supply vents 82a, for example, one or more restroom area air supply vents 82k.

As shown in FIGS. 7A-7B, the restroom stall dedicated air return assembly 90b comprises one or more air return ducts 94, such as one or more ceiling air return ducts 94d, for example, one or more restroom stall ceiling air return ducts 94g located in the restroom ceiling 202. As shown in FIGS. 7A-7B, the restroom stall dedicated air return assembly 90b further comprises one or more air return vents 104, such as one or more ceiling air return vents 104a, for example, one or more restroom stall ceiling air return vents 104d located in the restroom ceiling 202.

As shown in FIG. 7A, the restroom sink dedicated air return assembly 90c comprises one or more air return ducts 94, such as one or more ceiling air return ducts 94d, for example, one or more restroom sink ceiling air return ducts 94h located in the restroom ceiling 202. As shown in FIG. 7A, the restroom sink dedicated air return assembly 90c further comprises one or more air return vents 104, such as one or more ceiling air return vents 104a, for example, one or more restroom sink ceiling air return vents 104e located in the restroom ceiling 202.

As shown in FIG. 7A, each air supply duct 78 has a supply first end 74 coupled to the air purification system 50 and a supply second end 76 coupled to the interior airflow space 14. As further shown in FIG. 7A, each air return duct 94 has a return first end 96 coupled to the interior airflow space 14, and a return second end 98 coupled to the air purification system 50.

As shown in FIG. 7A, the restroom 22 may further comprise one or more partitions 214 coupled to one or more of the one or more restroom sidewalls 204, and positioned adjacent, or adjacent to, or near, one or more sides 216 of one of the one or more restroom sinks 206 to separate each of the one or more restroom sinks 206. The partitions 214 keep the restroom occupants 28gvirtually separated from each other at the restroom sink 206 and in the restroom area 208, such as the restroom common area 208a. The partitions 214 are discussed in further detail below with respect to FIG. 7C.

As shown in FIG. 7A, airstreams 105, such as directional airstreams 106, flow between the dedicated air supply assembly 70a and the dedicated air return assembly 90a in an interior 198 of the restroom 22 at the restroom sink 206, in the restroom area 208, and in the restroom stall 196, such as around the restroom occupant 28g (see FIG. 7B). As shown in FIG. 7A, first directional airstreams 106a comprising at least the purified air 30a flow from the dedicated air supply assembly 70a, through the sidewall air supply duct 78d, through the sidewall air supply vents 82a, and into the air return vents 104, such as the ceiling air return vents 104a, and into the air return duct 94, such as the ceiling air return duct 94d, and out to the air purification system 50, where the recirculated air 30b is purified. The first directional airstreams 106a comprise one or more air barriers 116 at the partitions 214 between the one or more restroom sinks 206, and comprise the directed airflow field 115 in the restroom area 208, such as the restroom common area 208a, for example, if a restroom occupant 28g is standing or moving in the restroom area 208. The first directional airstream 106a flow at a high airflow velocity 114c (see FIG. 1) in a range of 4 (four) feet per second to 10 (ten) feet per second.

As further shown in FIG. 7B, airstreams 105, such as directional airstreams 106, for example, second directional airstreams 106b, comprising at least the purified air 30a flow from the dedicated air supply assembly 70a, through the sidewall air supply ducts 78d, through the sidewall air supply vent 82a, through the restroom stall 196, and into the air return vents 104, such as the ceiling air return vents 104a, and into the air return duct 94, such as the ceiling air return duct 94d, and out to the air purification system 50, where the recirculated air 30b is purified.

FIG. 7A further shows the control system 126 positioned between the air management system 62 and the air purification system 50, via connector elements 138, such as wired connector elements 138a. The connector elements 138 may also comprise wireless connector elements 138b (see FIG. 6A), or other suitable connector elements 138. FIG. 7A further shows the sensor control network 128, the controller 130, the power supply 132, and the computer 136 with the software program 134.

Now referring to FIG. 7C, FIG. 7C is an illustration of a perspective view of the partitions 214, such as a first partition 214a and a second partition 214b, for coupling around or near the sides 216 (see FIG. 7A) of the restroom sink 206 (see FIG. 7A) of the restroom 22, of FIG. 7A, and showing airflow 31 into, through, and out of the partitions 214.

As shown in FIG. 7C, each partition 214 comprises two panels 218, such as a first panel 218a and a second panel 218b, coupled together in a spaced apart relationship 220, to form a substantially hollow cavity 222. The two panels 218 may be made of a transparent material 224 (see FIG. 7C), an opaque material, a non-transparent material, or another suitable material. As shown in FIG. 7C, each partition 214 further comprises one or more spacer members 226 coupled to each of the two panels 218 and spanning interior portions 228 of the substantially hollow cavity 222 of the two panels 218. As shown in FIG. 7C, airflow 31 of air 30, such as purified air 30a, flows through each of the one or more partitions 214 to provide one or more air barriers 116. The one or more air barriers 116 provide respiratory isolation 112 (see FIG. 1) between restroom occupants 28g who may be at restroom sinks 206 that are adjacent to each other.

As further shown in FIG. 7C, airflow 31 of air 30, such as purified air 30a, is supplied via the air supply duct 78 with the supply first end 74 coupled to the air purification system 50. A first portion 230a of the purified air 30a flows out a top exit 232a of the first partition 214a, and flows toward the restroom ceiling 202 (see FIG. 7A). A second portion 230b of the purified air 30a flows through the substantially hollow cavity 222 of the first partition 214a and out a front exit 234 of the first partition 214a, and travels to a front entrance 236, or intake, on the second partition 214b. The second portion 230b of purified air 30a flows through the substantially hollow cavity 222 of the second partition 214b and exits at a back exit 238 of the second partition 214b. A third portion 230c of the purified air 30a is also supplied to a back entrance 240 of the second partition 214b, and the third portion 230c exits out of a top exit 232b of the second partition 214b, and flows toward the restroom ceiling 202 (see FIG. 7A).

Now referring to FIGS. 8A-8B, FIG. 8A is an illustration of a side view of an exemplary airflow system 10 of the disclosure for an interior airflow space 14 comprising an elevator 24, in a building 12, such as an office building 12a. The building 12 may be a retrofitted building 12c (see FIG. 1) or a new build building 12d (see FIG. 1). FIG. 8A shows a contaminated occupant 28b, such as an elevator occupant 28h, positioned, such as standing, in a stationary position 44b between elevator partitions 242 in an elevator stall 244 and breathing contaminated air 30d. FIG. 8B is an illustration of a top view of an airflow system 10 of the disclosure for an elevator 24 with each occupant 28, such as each elevator occupant 28h, positioned, such as standing, in a stationary position 44b between elevator partitions 242 in an elevator stall 244.

As shown in FIG. 8A, the elevator 24 comprises the at least one air supply assembly 70 comprising a dedicated air supply assembly 70a, the at least one air return assembly 90 comprising the dedicated air return assembly 90a, the elevator floor 246 (see also FIG. 8B), the elevator ceiling 248, a plurality of elevator sidewalls 250 (see also FIG. 8B), an elevator door 252 (see also FIG. 8B), one or more elevator partitions 242 (see also FIG. 8B), one or more sensors 25 coupled to one or more portions 254 of an interior 256 (see also FIG. 8B) of the elevator 24, such as coupled to the elevator ceiling 248, and an elevator area 258 (see also FIG. 8B), such as an elevator common area 258a (see also FIG. 8B), between the elevator door 252 and the one or more elevator stalls 244, for moving between the elevator door 252 and the one or more elevator stalls 244, and across the elevator floor 246, and through the elevator 24.

The one or more sensors 25 in the elevator 24 may comprise one or more sound sensors 25a (see FIG. 6A) to detect or sense a sound, such as a sneeze 26 (see FIGS. 1, 6C), from a cafeteria occupant 28e, such as a contaminated occupant 28b, and when the sneeze 26 is detected or sensed by the one or more sound sensors 25a, one or more fourth directional airstreams 106d (see FIG. 6C) may be activated having a very high airflow velocity 114d (see FIG. 1) in a range of 15 (fifteen) feet per second to 150 (one-hundred fifty) feet per second. Similar to the cafeteria 20, the elevator 24 has first directional airstreams 106a (see FIG. 8A) that may be activated to increase the airflow velocity 114 (see FIG. 1) from the high airflow velocity 114c (see FIG. 1) in the range of 5 (five) feet per second to 10 (ten) feet per second, to the very high airflow velocity 114d (see FIG. 1) in a range of 15 (fifteen) feet per second to 150 (one-hundred fifty) feet per second, to form the fourth directional airstream 106d (see FIG. 6C). When the airstreams 105, such as the one or more directional airstreams 106, for example, the one or more fourth directional airstreams 106d (see FIG. 6C), have the very high airflow velocity 114d, for example, a surge airflow 31e (see FIG. 1), they may be activated by an occupant 28, such as a contaminated occupant 28b, sneezing, and sound sensors 25a (see FIG. 1) detect the condition and immediately and quickly increase the airflow velocity 114 (see FIG. 1) of the high airflow velocity 114c to the very high airflow velocity 114d, that is, sufficiently fast enough to prevent any sneeze droplets from crossing the air barriers 116 between and/or around occupants 28. After a few seconds, the very high airflow velocity 114d can be reduced to high airflow velocity 114c again since those sneeze droplets have been consumed by an air return duct 94. In addition, in times of increased threat, for example, with a biological weapon release 40 (see FIG. 1), a chemical weapon release 42 (see FIG. 1), a pandemic 38, or another threat event, the volume of airflow 31 and the airflow velocity 114 of air 30, such as purified air 30a, for the elevator 24, as well as the entire building 12, can be increased.

As shown in FIG. 8A, the elevator floor 246 has a floor cavity 259 that supplies air 30, such as purified air 30a, from the air purification system 50, such as the plenum 58 (see FIG. 1). As shown in FIG. 8A, the elevator floor 246 has one or more air supply ducts 78, such as one or more floor air supply ducts 78e, and one or more air supply vents 82, such as one or more floor air supply vents 82b, in the floor cavity 259. The floor cavity 259, or opening, is hollow to house, or function, as one or more air supply ducts 78, such as one or more floor air supply ducts 78e. As shown in FIGS. 8A-8B, in one version, the elevator floor 246 may comprise a grated floor 88 with grated floor vents 86, supplying air 30, such as purified air 30a, from the floor cavity 259 and the air purification system 50.

As shown in FIG. 8B, the elevator partitions 242 are coupled, or attached, to the plurality of elevator sidewalls 250. As further shown in FIG. 8B, the elevator partitions 242 form the elevator stalls 244 by bounding side portions 260, such as two side portions 260, of each of the elevator stalls 244 with the elevator partitions 242, such as two elevator partitions 242, and the elevator stalls 244 are configured to each hold, and do hold, an elevator occupant 28h.

As shown in FIG. 8A, the elevator partitions 242 are coupled to the air supply ducts 78, such as the floor air supply ducts 78e, flowing the directional airstreams 106, such as the first directional airstreams 106a, upwardly from the elevator floor 246 to the elevator ceiling 248, and comprising the one or more air barriers 116 around the elevator occupant 28h in the elevator stall 244. Preferably, the one or more air barriers 116 flow at the high airflow velocity 114c (see FIG. 1) in a range of 4 (four) feet per second to 10 (ten) feet per second. FIG. 8A further shows a directed airflow field 115 comprised of first directional airstreams 106a. The directed airflow fields 115 provide a direct-path-to-return airflow 46, such as a short direct-path-to-return airflow 46a. Preferably, the directed airflow field 115 flows at the high airflow velocity 114c (see FIG. 1) in a range of 4 (four) feet per second to 10 (ten) feet per second. As shown in FIG. 8A, air 30, such as contaminated air 30d, from the contaminated occupant 28b flows to the elevator ceiling 248 and is sucked into the air return vents 104, such as the ceiling air return vents 104a, and into the air return duct 94, such as the ceiling air return duct 94d, as recirculated air 30b, that then flows to the air purification system 50 for purification. FIG. 8A further shows the airflow field 118 comprised of the second directional airstreams 106b flowing from the elevator floor 246 to the elevator ceiling 248. The airflow field 118 flows at the moderate airflow velocity 114b (see FIG. 1) in a range of 0.1 (zero point one) foot per second to 1 (one) foot per second. FIG. 8A further shows internal air 30c.

As further shown in FIG. 8B, the elevator partitions 242 are arranged between the elevator occupants 28h in the elevator stalls 244. As shown in FIG. 8B, individual air barriers 116 are formed in front of each elevator occupant 28h between adjacent elevator partitions 242, such as a first elevator partition 242a and a second elevator partition 242b. Preferably, the air barriers 116 flow at a high airflow velocity 114c (see FIG. 1) in a range of 4 (four) feet per second to 10 (ten) feet per second. The adjacent elevator partitions 242, such as a first elevator partition 242a and a second elevator partition 242b, alternate between being a supply or a return.

As shown in FIG. 8B, two elevator partitions 242 comprise the first elevator partition 242a, and the second elevator partition 242b aligned with, and spaced apart from, the first elevator partition 242a, with an elevator stall 244a formed between the first elevator partition 242a and the second elevator partition 242b. An airflow 31 having the high airflow velocity 114c (see FIG. 1) in a range of 4 feet per second to 10 feet per second, flows between edges 262a (see FIG. 8B) of the first elevator partition 242a and edges 262b (see FIG. 8B) of the second elevator partition 242b to form the air barrier 116 in front of the elevator occupant 28h positioned, such as standing, in the stationary position 44b or the substantially stationary position 44c, in the elevator stall 244a. The airflow 31 at the high airflow velocity 114c forms a protective virtual barrier 117 (see FIG. 8B) in front of each elevator occupant 28h in each elevator stall 244a between two elevator partitions 242. The elevator occupant 28h only encounters the airflow 31 with the high airflow velocity 114c when the elevator occupant 28h crosses the air barrier 116. The elevator occupant 28h is only exposed to the airflow 31 with the high airflow velocity 114c, for a brief time period during an elevator ride up or down. In one version, the airflow 31 with the high airflow velocity 114c can be decreased to a lower airflow velocity 114 when the elevator occupant 28h crosses the air barrier 116. A sensor 25 (see FIG. 8A) can detect when the elevator occupant 28h crosses the air barrier 116. As shown in FIG. 8B, adjacent partitions alternate between a first elevator partition 242a, such as a supply elevator partition 242c, and a second elevator partition 242b, such as a return elevator partition 242d.

Now referring to FIGS. 9A-9B, FIGS. 9A-9B show versions of the elevator partitions 242 and arrangements of the elevator partitions 242. FIG. 9A is an illustration of a perspective view of an elevator partition 242 of FIG. 8A. FIG. 9B is an illustration of a perspective view of an elevator stall 244 with two (2) elevator partitions 242, such as a first elevator partition 242a in the form of a supply elevator partition 242c, and a second elevator partition 242b in the form of a return elevator partition 242d, in the elevator 24 of FIGS. 8A and 8B, and showing airflow 31 into, through, and out of the elevator partitions 242. FIG. 9C is an illustration of a perspective view of three (3) elevator stalls 244, each with elevator partitions 242 bounding sides 260 of each elevator stall 244, in the elevator 24 of FIG. 8B, and showing airflow 31 into, through, and out of the elevator partitions 242.

As shown in FIG. 9A, each elevator partition 242 comprises two panels 264, or face sheets, such as a first panel 264a and a second panel 264b, coupled together in a spaced apart relationship 220a, to form a substantially hollow cavity 222a. The two panels 264 may be made of a transparent material 224a (see FIG. 9A), an opaque material, a non-transparent material, or another suitable material. As shown in FIG. 9A, the elevator partition 242 further comprises one or more spacer members 226a coupled to each of the two panels 264 and spanning interior portions 228a of the substantially hollow cavity 222a of the panels 264. The spacer members 226a between the two panels 264, or face sheets, provide sufficient structural rigidity. In another version, webs may be used instead cylindrical spacer members.

As shown in FIG. 9B, airflow 31 of air 30, such as purified air 30a, flows through each of the one or more elevator partitions 242, such as the first elevator partition 242a in the form of the supply elevator partition 242c, and the second elevator partition 242b in the form of the return elevator partition 242d, to provide one or more air barriers 116. The one or more air barriers 116 provide respiratory isolation 112 (see FIG. 1) between elevator occupants 28h (see FIG. 8B) who are in elevator stalls 244 that are adjacent to each other.

As further shown in FIG. 9B, airflow 31 of air 30, such as purified air 30a, is supplied via the air supply duct 78 with the supply first end 74 coupled to the air purification system 50. As further shown in FIG. 9B, the purified air 30a flows through the substantially hollow cavity 222a of the first elevator partition 242a and out a front exit 234a, such as edges 262a, or output, of the first elevator partition 242a, and travels to a front entrance 236a, such as edges 262b, or intake, on the second elevator partition 242b. The purified air 30a flows through the substantially hollow cavity 222a of the second elevator partition 242b and exits at a back exit 238a of the second elevator partition 242b. As shown in FIG. 9B, a space 266 in between the first elevator partition 242a and the second elevator partition 242b will have either a positive pressure 268 or a negative pressure 270.

FIG. 9C shows three (3) elevator stalls 244, such as each first elevator stall 244b, second elevator stall 244c, and third elevator stall 244d, with elevator partitions 242, such as first elevator partition 242a and second elevator partition 242b bounding sides 260 of first elevator stall 244b, and second elevator partition 242b and third elevator partition 242e bounding sides 260 of second elevator stall 244c, and third elevator partition 242e and fourth elevator partition 242f bounding sides 260 of third elevator stall 244d, and showing airflow 31 of purified air 30a into, through, and out of the elevator partitions 242.

As shown in FIG. 9C, airflow 31 of air 30, such as purified air 30a, flows through each of the one or more elevator partitions 242 to provide air barriers 116. The air barriers 116 provide respiratory isolation 112 (see FIG. 1) between elevator occupants 28h (see FIG. 8B) who are in elevator stalls 244 that are adjacent to each other.

As further shown in FIG. 9C, airflow 31 of air 30, such as purified air 30a, is supplied via the air supply ducts 78 with the supply first end 74 coupled to the air purification system 50, and recirculated air 30b is returned to the air purification system 50 via air return ducts 94, with the return second end 98. As further shown in FIG. 9C, the purified air 30a flows through the substantially hollow cavity 222a of the first elevator partition 242a and out front exit 234a, such as edges 262a, or output, of the first elevator partition 242a, and travels to front entrance 236a, such as edges 262b, or intake, on the second elevator partition 242b. The purified air 30a flows through the substantially hollow cavity 222a of the second elevator partition 242b and exits at back exit 238a of the second elevator partition 242b. As shown in FIG. 9C, a space 266 in between the first elevator partition 242a and the second elevator partition 242b will have either a positive pressure 268 or a negative pressure 270.

Now referring to FIGS. 10A-10D, FIGS. 10A-10D show the exemplary airflow system 10 of FIG. 8A for the interior airflow space 14 comprising the elevator 24, where the elevator 24 has a coiled hose system 272 with coiled hoses 274, such as an air supply coiled hose 274a and an air return coiled hose 274b. FIG. 10A is an illustration of a side view of the exemplary airflow system 10 of FIG. 8A of the disclosure for the elevator 24 and having the coiled hose system 272 with the coiled hoses 274. The coiled hoses 274 allows elevator vertical movement 276 (see FIG. 10A) of the elevator 24 to occur without affecting, such as changing, a supply volume 278 of air 30, such as purified air 30a, of the airflow system 10.

As shown in FIG. 10A, the airflow system 10 comprises the air supply assembly 70, such as the dedicated air supply assembly 70a, comprising the coiled hose 274, such as the air supply coiled hose 274a supported by a plurality support members 280, such as a plurality of air supply support members 280a, spaced along a length 282a of the air supply coiled hose 274a. As further shown in FIG. 10A, the airflow system 10 comprises the air return assembly 90, such as the dedicated air return assembly 90a, comprising the coiled hose 274, such as the air return coiled hose 274a, supported by a plurality of support members 280, such as a plurality of air return support members 280b, spaced along a length 282b of the air return coiled hose 274b. The air supply coiled hose 274a and the air return coiled hose 274b allow for the elevator vertical movement 276 (see FIG. 10A) of the elevator 24 to occur without affecting, such as changing, a supply volume 278 (see FIG. 10A) of air 30, such as purified air 30a, in the air supply coiled hose 274a, and without affecting, such as changing, a return volume 284 of air 30, such as recirculated air 30b, in the air return coiled hose 274b. The air supply coiled hose 274a and the air return coiled hose 274b are both flexible so that they can retract and extend easily. As the air supply coiled hose 274a and the air return coiled hose 274b extend and retract, the supply volume 278 inside the air supply coiled hose 274a and the return volume 284 inside the air return coiled hose 274b does not change significantly.

As shown in FIG. 10A, the air supply coiled hose 274a is supported by the plurality of air supply support members 280a, spaced at intervals along the air supply coiled hose 274a. The air supply support members 280a may comprise pulleys, the radius of which are ratioed to a drive pulley moving the elevator 24, or may comprise other suitable air supply support members 280a. As further shown in FIG. 10A, the air return coiled hose 274b is supported by the plurality of air return support members 280b, spaced at intervals along the air return coiled hose 274b. The air return support members 280b may comprise pulleys, the radius of which are ratioed to a drive pulley moving the elevator 24, or may comprise other suitable air return support members 280b.

FIG. 10B is an illustration of a side view of the airflow system 10 and the elevator 24 of FIG. 10A, showing an elevator movement sequence 286, such as a first position 286a of the elevator movement sequence 286. As shown in FIG. 10B, in the first position 286a, the elevator 24 is at a lower elevation position 288, and the air supply coiled hose 274a with the air supply support members 280a is in a retracted position 290, such as a fully retracted position 290a, and the air return coiled hose 274b with the air return support members 280b is in an extended position 292, such as a fully extended position 292a.

FIG. 10C is an illustration of a side view of the airflow system 10 and the elevator 24 of FIG. 10A, showing a second position 286b of the elevator movement sequence 286. As shown in FIG. 10C, in the second position 286b, the elevator 24 moves in an upward direction 294a to an intermediate elevation position 296, and the air supply coiled hose 274a with the air supply support members 280a is in an extended position 292, such as a partially extended position 292b, and the air return coiled hose 274b with the air return support members 280b is also in an extended position 292, such as a partially extended position 292b.

FIG. 10D is an illustration of a side view of the airflow system 10 and elevator 24 of FIG. 10A, showing a third position 286c of the elevator movement sequence 286. As shown in FIG. 10D, in the third position 286c, the elevator 24 moves further upward in an upward direction 294b to an upper elevation position 298, and the air supply coiled hose 274a with the air supply support members 280a is in an extended position 292, such as a fully extended position 292a, and the air return coiled hose 274b with the air return support members 280b is in a retracted position 290, such as a fully retracted position 290a.

Now referring to FIG. 11, FIG. 11 is an illustration of a flow diagram of an exemplary version of a method 400 of the disclosure. In another version of the disclosure, there is provided the method 400 of using an airflow system 10 in a building 12, such as an office building 12a (see FIG. 1), or a commercial building 12b (see FIG. 1), to provide a contamination mitigation 48 (see FIG. 1) for one or more occupants 28 (see FIG. 1), such as one or more human occupants 28a (see FIG. 1), in the building 12. The blocks in FIG. 11 represent operations and/or portions thereof, or elements, and lines connecting the various blocks do not imply any particular order or dependency of the operations or portions thereof, or elements. FIG. 11 and the disclosure of the steps of the method 400 set forth herein should not be interpreted as necessarily determining a sequence in which the steps are to be performed. Rather, although one illustrative order is indicated, it is to be understood that the sequence of the steps may be modified when appropriate. Accordingly, certain operations may be performed in a different order or simultaneously.

As shown in FIG. 11, the method 400 comprises the step of installing 402 the airflow system 10 in the building 12. As discussed above in detail with regard to FIG. 1, the airflow system 10 comprises at least one air purification system 50 providing purified air 30a and receiving recirculated air 30b.

As shown in FIG. 1, the airflow system 10 further comprises at least one air supply assembly 70, supplying the purified air 30a from the at least one air purification system 50 to at least one interior airflow space 14 in the building 12. The at least one interior airflow space 14 comprises one or more of, an aisleway 16 (see FIGS. 1, 2, 3A-3I, 4), a cafeteria 20 (see FIGS. 1, 6A-6G), a restroom 22 (see FIGS. 1, 7A-7B), and an elevator 24 (see FIGS. 1, 8A-8C, 10A-10D), in the building 12. One or more occupants 28 (see FIGS. 1, 2, 6A, 7A, 8B) are in the at least one interior airflow space 14 in a position 44 (see FIGS. 1, 2, 6A, 7A, 8A) for a time period 45 (see FIG. 1), such as a short time period 45a (see FIG. 1), in a time range of 5 (five) seconds to 59 (fifty-nine) minutes. The position 44 comprises one of, a moving position 44a (see FIGS. 1, 2), a stationary position 44b (see FIGS. 1, 6A), or a substantially stationary position 44c (see FIGS. 1, 7A).

As shown in FIG. 1, the airflow system 10 further comprises at least one air return assembly 90, returning the recirculated air 30b from the at least one interior airflow space 14 to the at least one air purification system 50. The recirculated air 30b comprises one or more of, internal air 30c from the at least one interior airflow space 14, and contaminated air 30d (see FIG. 1) contaminated by one or more of, one or more biological agents 34 (see FIG. 1), including, or comprising, one or more biological agents 34 shed by one or more contaminated occupants 28b (see FIG. 1) in the at least one interior airflow space 14, and one or more chemical agents 36 (see FIG. 1).

As shown in FIG. 1, the airflow system 10 further comprises one or more airstreams 105, such as one or more directional airstreams 106, formed between the at least one air supply assembly 70 and the at least one air return assembly 90 in the at least one interior airflow space 14. The one or more directional airstreams 106 comprise one or more of, the purified air 30a, the internal air 30c, and the contaminated air 30d.

The one or more directional airstreams 106 comprise at least one or more of, a directed airflow field 115 (see FIGS. 1, 2) around each of the one or more occupants 28 (see FIGS. 1, 2) and each of the one or more contaminated occupants 28b (see FIGS. 1,2), in the at least one interior airflow space 14 (see FIGS. 1, 2), to provide a direct-path-to-return airflow 46 (see FIGS. 1, 2) for breathed air 30e (see FIGS. 1, 2) breathed by each of the one or more occupants 28 and each of the one or more contaminated occupants 28b, and to provide a respiratory isolation 112 (see FIG. 1) for each of the one or more occupants 28 and each of the one or more contaminated occupants 28b; one or more air barriers 116 (see FIGS. 1, 6C) between each of the one or more occupants 28 (see FIGS. 1, 6C) and each of the one or more contaminated occupants 28b (see FIGS. 1, 6C), in the at least one interior airflow space 14 (see FIGS. 1, 6C), to prevent the breathed air 30e (see FIGS. 1, 6C) breathed by each of the one or more occupants 28 and each of the one or more contaminated occupants 28b from crossing the one or more air barriers 116, and to provide the respiratory isolation 112 (see FIG. 1) for, and between, each of the one or more occupants 28, and each of the one or more contaminated occupants 28b; and an airflow field 118 (see FIGS. 1, 7A) around each of the one or more occupants 28 (see FIGS. 1, 7A), and each of the one or more contaminated occupants 28b (see FIGS. 1, 7A), positioned in the stationary position 44b (see FIG. 1), or in the substantially stationary position 44b (see FIGS. 1, 7A), in the at least one interior airflow space 14 (see FIGS. 1, 7A), wherein the airflow field 118 has an airflow velocity 114 (see FIG. 1) that is less than airflow velocities 114 of the directed airflow field 115 and the one or more air barriers 116.

As shown in FIG. 1, the airflow system 10 further comprises at least one control system 126 controlling the airflow system 10. The installing 402 the airflow system 10 in the building 12 may further comprise, installing the airflow system 10 optionally comprising one or more sensors 25 (see FIG. 1) positioned in the at least one interior airflow space 14.

As shown in FIG. 11, the method 400 further comprises the step of supplying 404, with the at least one air supply assembly 70, the purified air 30a from the at least one air purification system 50 to the at least one interior airflow space 14 in the building 12.

As shown in FIG. 11, the method 400 further comprises the step of flowing 406 the one or more airstreams 105, such as the one or more directional airstreams 106, between the at least one air supply assembly 70 and the at least one air return assembly 90 in the at least one interior airflow space 14, to form, or comprising, at least one or more of, the directed airflow field 115, the one or more air barriers 116, and the airflow field 118, for each of the one or more occupants 28 in the at least one interior airflow space 14, including the one or more contaminated occupants 28b.

As shown in FIG. 11, the method 400 further comprises the step of returning 408, with the at least one air return assembly 90, the recirculated air 30b from the at least one interior airflow space 14 to the at least one air purification system 50.

The airflow system 10 provides the contamination mitigation 48 (see FIG. 1) for each of the one or more occupants 28 in the at least one interior airflow space 14, against contamination by one or more of, the one or more biological agents 34, including the one or more biological agents 34 shed by each of the one or more contaminated occupants 28b in the at least one interior airflow space 14, and the one or more chemical agents 36.

The step of installing 402 the airflow system 10 in the building 12 may further comprise installing 402 the airflow system 10 in the building 12 further comprising, installing and retrofitting a retrofitted airflow system 10a (see FIG. 1) in a retrofitted building 12c (see FIG. 1).

The step of installing 402 the airflow system 10 in the building 12 may further comprise installing 402 the airflow system 10 in the building 12 further comprising, installing a new build airflow system 10b (see FIG. 1) in a new build building 12d (see FIG. 1).

The step of installing 402 the airflow system 10 in the building 12 may further comprise installing 402 the airflow system 10 in the building 12 further comprising, installing the airflow system 10 where the at least one air supply assembly 70 comprises an air supply duct assembly 72 comprising one or more air supply ducts 78. The one or more air supply ducts 78 comprise one or more of, one or more sidewall air supply ducts 78d, one or more floor air supply ducts 78e, one or more ceiling air supply ducts 78f, one or more table air supply ducts 78h, one or more partition air supply ducts 78i, or another suitable air supply duct 78.

The at least one air supply assembly 70 comprises one or more of air supply vents 82 configured to open and to close, to control an airflow 31 of the purified air 30a into the at least one interior airflow space 14. The one or more air supply vents 82 comprise one or more of, one or more sidewall air supply vents 82a, one or more floor air supply vents 82b, one or more ceiling air supply vents 82c, one or more table air supply vents 82d, one or more partition air supply vents 82e, or another suitable air supply vent.

The step of installing 402 the airflow system 10 in the building 12 may further comprise installing 402 the airflow system 10 in the building 12 further comprising, installing the airflow system 10 where the at least one air return assembly 90 comprises an air return duct assembly 92 (see FIG. 1) comprising one or more air return ducts 94 (see FIG. 1), including one or more ceiling air return ducts 94d, and one or more air return vents 104, including one or more ceiling air return vents 104a.

The step of installing 402 the airflow system 10 in the building 12 may further comprise installing 402 the airflow system 10 in the building 12 further comprising, installing the airflow system 10 where the one or more biological agents 34 comprise one or more, airborne biological agents 34a (see FIG. 1), airborne pathogens, respiratory pathogens, airborne viruses, respiratory viruses, airborne microbes, respiratory microbes, airborne coronaviruses, including SARS-CoV-2 (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2), COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019), MERS (Middle East respiratory syndrome), ebola virus, Zika virus, West Nile virus, Marburg virus, influenza virus, including, airborne influenza virus, influenza A virus, influenza B virus, influenza C virus, avian flu, and swine flu, smallpox virus, monkeypox virus, streptococcus pneumoniae causing pneumonia, mycobacterium tuberculosis causing tuberculosis, bacillus anthracis causing anthrax, aspergillus fumigatus causing lung aspergillosis, pneumonic plague, black mold airborne spores, ricin mist, and ricin powder.

The step of installing 402 the airflow system 10 in the building 12 may further comprise installing 402 the airflow system 10 in the building 12 further comprising, installing the airflow system 10 where the one or more chemical agents 36 comprise one or more, airborne chemical agents 36a (see FIG. 1), respiratory chemical agents, phenoxy herbicide, choking agents including chlorine, chloropicrin, diphosgene, and phosgene; blister agents including sulfur mustard, nitrogen mustard, lewisite, and phosgene oxime; blood agents including hydrogen cyanide, cyanogen chloride, and arsine; and nerve agents including tabun, sarin, soman, cyclosarin, and venomous agent X.

The step of installing 402 the airflow system 10 in the building 12 may further comprise installing 402 the airflow system 10 in the building 12 further comprising, installing the airflow system 10 where the at least one interior airflow space 14 comprises the aisleway 16 (see FIGS. 1, 2). In one version, as shown in FIG. 2, the aisleway 16 has an air supply assembly 70 comprising a dedicated air supply assembly 70a, an air return assembly 90 comprising a dedicated air return assembly 90a, an aisleway floor 146, an aisleway ceiling 148, and a plurality of aisleway sidewalls 150.

As shown in FIG. 2, the aisleway ceiling 148 comprises one or more ceiling air return ducts 94d, and one or more air return vents 104, returning the purified air 30a and the internal air 30c, including any contaminated air 30d, from an interior 140 of the aisleway 16, as the recirculated air 30b. The one or more air return vents 104 are positioned at the aisleway ceiling 148, so that the one or more airstreams 105 (see FIG. 2), such as one or more directional airstreams 106 (see FIG. 2), form and comprise the directed airflow field 115 around an occupant 28 (see FIGS. 1, 2), such as a contaminated occupant 28b (see FIGS. 1, 2), to prevent office cubicle occupants 28d (see FIG. 2) in office cubicles 18 (see FIG. 2) from breathing any contaminated air 30d (see FIG. 2) from the contaminated occupant 28b in the aisleway 16.

As shown in FIG. 3A, the plurality of aisleway sidewalls 150 comprise the aisleway entrance sidewall 150a, an aisleway exit sidewall (150b), and one or more aisleway middle sidewalls 150c located between the aisleway entrance sidewall 150a and the aisleway exit sidewall 150b. As shown in FIG. 3A, the aisleway 16 further comprises one or more sensors 25 positioned at the aisleway 16. The sensors 25 are and configured to detect, and do detect, a location 142 (see FIG. 2) and a moving speed 143 (see FIG. 2) of a moving occupant 28k moving along the aisleway 16. The sensors 25 are further configure to activate control of, and do activate control of, the airflow velocity 114 (see FIG. 1) of the purified air 30a (see FIG. 2) supplied to the aisleway 16, so that the airflow velocity 114 matches the moving speed 143 of the moving occupant 28k.

When the one or more sensors 25 detect the moving occupant 28k in the aisleway 16, the purified air 30a is supplied in the aisleway 16 and forms and comprises the directed airflow field 115 (see FIG. 2) of a moving airflow 31a (see FIG. 2) around the moving occupant 28k, as the moving occupant 28k moves along the aisleway 16. The breathed air 30e (see FIG. 2) breathed by the moving occupant 28k (see FIG. 2) is directly returned to the dedicated air return assembly 90a (see FIG. 2) in the direct-path-to-return airflow 46 (see FIG. 2), such as a short direct-to-path-return airflow 46a (see FIG. 2), to prevent any contaminated air 30d (see FIG. 2) breathed by the moving occupant 28k from traveling to another of any of the one or more occupants 28 in the aisleway 16 and in the building 12.

The step of installing 402 the airflow system 10 in the building 12 may further comprise installing 402 the airflow system 10 in the building 12 further comprising, installing the airflow system 10 where the at least one interior airflow space 14 comprises the cafeteria 20. As shown in FIG. 6A, the cafeteria 20 has the at least one air supply assembly 70 comprising the dedicated air supply assembly 70a, the at least one air return assembly 90 comprising the dedicated air return assembly 90a, the cafeteria floor 162, the cafeteria ceiling 164, cafeteria sidewalls 166, with at least one cafeteria sidewall 166 having a cafeteria door (not shown) or entrance (not shown), and a plurality of cafeteria tables 170 having one or more air supply ducts 78, such as one or more table air supply ducts 78h. As shown in FIG. 6A, the cafeteria 20 further comprises one or more airflow hoods 168 coupled to the cafeteria ceiling 164 and positioned above the one or more table air supply ducts 78h. As shown in FIG. 6A, the cafeteria 20 may further comprise one or more sensors 25, such as one or more sound sensors 25a, coupled to one or more of the plurality of cafeteria tables 170, such as one or more motion sensors to detect the presence of occupants 28, or one or more other types of sensors 25. As shown in FIG. 6A, the cafeteria 20 further comprises one or more cafeteria areas 172, such as one or more cafeteria common areas 172a, between the plurality of cafeteria tables 170, for moving between the plurality of cafeteria tables 170 and across the cafeteria floor 162 and through the cafeteria 20.

The cafeteria table 170 has one or more table air supply ducts 78h, and one or more table air supply vents 82d coupled to the one or more table air supply ducts 78h. As shown in FIG. 6B, in one version, the one or more table air supply vents 82d comprise one or more of, one or more tabletop center vents 84a, one or more tabletop side vents 84b, one or more table edge side vents 84c, and one or more under table side vents 84d (see FIG. 6A). The one or more table air supply vents 82d prevent contaminated air 30d breathed by a contaminated occupant 28b in the cafeteria 20 from traveling laterally to an adjacent cafeteria occupant 28f (see FIG. 6C).

As shown in FIGS. 6A, 6C, the cafeteria table 170 may further optionally comprise one or more sensors 25, such as one or more sound sensors 25a, coupled to the cafeteria table 170. The one or more sound sensors 25a may sense a sound such as a sneeze 26 (see FIG. 1) from a cafeteria occupant 28e, such as a contaminated occupant 28b, and when the sneeze 26 is sensed by the one or more sound sensors 25a, one or more fourth directional airstreams 106d (see FIG. 6C) are activated having a very high airflow velocity 114d (see FIG. 1) in a range of 15 (fifteen) feet per second to 150 (one-hundred fifty) feet per second. In one version, the first directional airstreams 106a (see FIG. 6C) may be activated to increase the airflow velocity 114 (see FIG. 1) from the high airflow velocity 114c (see FIG. 1) in the range of 5 feet per second to 10 feet per second, to the very high airflow velocity 114d (see FIG. 1) in a range of 15 (fifteen) feet per second to 150 (one-hundred fifty) feet per second, to form the fourth directional airstream 106d (see FIG. 3C).

As shown in FIGS. 6B, 6D, and 6F, in one version, the cafeteria table 170 has a tabletop shape 174 comprising a circular tabletop shape 174a. In another version, as shown in FIG. 6G, the cafeteria table 170 has a tabletop shape 174 comprising a scalloped tabletop shape 174b. As shown in FIG. 6G, the cafeteria table 170 with the scalloped tabletop shape 174b has scalloped portions 175, or concaved portions, formed around a perimeter 176 of the cafeteria table 170. In other versions, the cafeteria table 170 may have another tabletop shape 174 such as a rectangular tabletop shape, an oval tabletop shape, or another suitable shape.

As shown in FIGS. 6B, 6D, 6F, 6G, each of the cafeteria tables 170 further comprises one or more table air supply vents 82d coupled to one or more table air supply ducts 78h. As shown in FIGS. 6B, 6D, 6F, 6G, the one or more table air supply vents 82d comprise one or more of, one or more tabletop center vents 84a designed for vertical airflow 31g (see FIGS. 6A, 6C) to flow out of one or more center portions 184 of the cafeteria table 170, and one or more of tabletop side vents 84b designed for vertical airflow 31g (see FIGS. 6A, 6C) flowing out of one or more tabletop side portions 186 of the cafeteria table 170. As shown in FIGS. 6A, 6B, 6C, 6D, the one or more table air supply vents 82d further comprise one or more table edge side vents 84c designed for horizontal airflow 31h to flow out of one or more table edges 188 of the cafeteria table 170, and one or more under table side vents 84d designed for horizontal airflow 31h to flow out of under table portions 190 of the cafeteria table 170 under the cafeteria table 170.

As shown in FIGS. 6A, 6C, 6E, the airflow system 10 comprises the one or more directional airstreams 106 flowing between the dedicated air supply assembly 70a and the dedicated air return assembly 90a in an interior 180 of the cafeteria 20 at each of the plurality of cafeteria tables 170. As shown in FIGS. 6A, 6C, 6E, the one or more directional airstreams 106 comprise one or more first directional airstreams 106a comprising at least the purified air 30a flowing out of the one or more tabletop center vents 84a and out of the one or more table edge side vents 84c, into the cafeteria 20, into the one or more airflow hoods 168, and into the dedicated air return assembly 90a. As shown in FIGS. 6A, 6C, 6E, the one or more first directional airstreams 106a comprise one or more of, the one or more air barriers 116 between cafeteria occupants 28e at each of the plurality of cafeteria tables 170, and/or the directed airflow field 115 around one or more cafeteria occupants 28e in the moving position 44a, or in the stationary position 44b or the substantially stationary position 44c. The first directional airstreams 106a flow at a high airflow velocity 114c (see FIG. 1) in a range of 4 feet per second to 10 feet per second.

As shown in FIGS. 6A, 6C, 6E, the one or more second directional airstreams 106b comprising at least the purified air 30a flow out of the one or more tabletop side vents 84b, into the cafeteria 20, into the one or more airflow hoods 168, and into the dedicated air return assembly 90a. The one or more second directional airstreams 106b comprise the airflow field 118 around each of the cafeteria occupants 28e at the cafeteria table 170. The one or more second directional airstreams 106b each flow at a moderate airflow velocity 114b (see FIG. 1) in a range of 0.1 foot per second to 1 foot per second.

As shown in FIGS. 6A, 6C, 6E, the one or more third directional airstreams 106c comprising at least the purified air 30a flow from the one or more under table side vents 84d, into the cafeteria 20, into the one or more airflow hoods 168, and into the dedicated air return assembly 90a. The one or more third directional airstreams 106c are configured to prevent lingering of one or more of, the one or more biological agents 34 and the one or more chemical agents 36, in the cafeteria 20. The one or more third directional airstreams 106c flow at a low airflow velocity 114a (see FIG. 1) in a range of 0.01 foot per second to 0.1 foot per second. A flow arrangement 120 (see FIG. 1) of the one or more directional airstreams 106 in the cafeteria 20 prevents the cafeteria occupants 28e from contaminating each other.

The step of installing 402 the airflow system 10 in the building 12 may further comprise installing 402 the airflow system 10 in the building 12 further comprising, installing the airflow system 10 where the at least one interior airflow space 14 comprises, as shown in FIGS. 7A-7B, the restroom 22 having the at least one air supply assembly 70 comprising a restroom stall dedicated air supply assembly 70b, and a restroom sink dedicated air supply assembly 70c, and the at least one air return assembly 90 comprising a restroom stall dedicated air return assembly 90b and a restroom sink dedicated air return assembly 90c. The restroom 22 may further comprise a urinal dedicated air supply assembly and a urinal dedicated air return assembly. As shown in FIGS. 7A-7B, the restroom 22 further comprises the restroom floor 200, the restroom ceiling 202, and the restroom sidewalls 204. As further shown in FIGS. 7A-7B, the restroom 22 comprises one or more restroom stalls 196, each with two restroom stall sides 210 (see FIG. 7B) and a restroom stall door 212 (see FIG. 7A), and having one or more sidewall air supply ducts 78d (see FIG. 7B) in wall cavities 154a (see FIG. 7B) in the restroom stall sides 210. As further shown in FIG. 7A, the restroom 22 comprises one or more restroom sinks 206, one or more sensors 25 coupled to one or more portions 211 of an interior 198 of the restroom 22, and a restroom area 208 between the one or more restroom stalls 196 and the one or more restroom sinks 206, for moving between the one or more restroom stalls 196 and the one or more restroom sinks 206 and across the restroom floor 200, and through the restroom 22. The restroom 22 may also have one or more urinals (not shown).

The step of installing 402 the airflow system 10 in the building 12 may further comprise installing 402 the airflow system 10 in the building 12 further comprising, installing the airflow system 10 where the at least one interior airflow space 14 comprises, as shown in FIGS. 8A-8B, the elevator 24 having the at least one air supply assembly 70 comprising a dedicated air supply assembly 70a, the at least one air return assembly 90 comprising a dedicated air return assembly 90a, the elevator floor 246, the elevator ceiling 248, the plurality of elevator sidewalls 250, the elevator door 252, one or more elevator partitions 242 coupled to one or more of the plurality of elevator sidewalls 250, one or more sensors 25 coupled to one or more portions 254 of an interior 256 of the elevator 24), and the elevator area 258, such as the elevator common area 258a, between the elevator door 252 and the one or more elevator stalls 244, for moving between the elevator door 252 and the one or more elevator stalls 244, and across the elevator floor 246, and through the elevator 24.

As shown in FIG. 8B, the one or more elevator partitions 242 form one or more elevator stalls 244 by bounding side portions 260 of each of the one or more elevator stalls 244 with the one or more elevator partitions 242, such as two elevator partitions 242. As shown in FIG. 8B, the one or more elevator stalls 244 are configured to each hold an elevator occupant 28h. As shown in FIG. 8A, the one or more elevator partitions 242 are coupled to one or more air supply ducts 78, such as one or more floor air supply ducts 78e, flowing the one or more directional airstreams 106, such as the first directional airstreams 106a, and comprising and forming the one or more air barriers 116 around the elevator occupant 28h in one of the one or more elevator stalls 244.

Disclosed versions of the airflow system 10 (see FIG. 1) and method 400 (see FIG. 11) provide for an improved airflow system 10 and method 400 for buildings 12, such as office buildings 12a (see FIG. 1) and commercial buildings 12b (see FIG. 1), and may be used with a retrofitted building 12c (see FIG. 1) or a new build building 12d (see FIG. 1). In particular, the airflow system 10 and method 400 are used with interior airflow spaces 14 comprising an aisleway 16 (see FIG. 2), a cafeteria 20 (see FIGS. 6A-6G), a restroom 22 (see FIGS. 7A-7B), and an elevator 24 (see FIGS. 8A-8C). One or more occupants 28 in the interior airflow space 14 are in a position 44 (see FIG. 1) comprising one of, a moving position 44a (see FIGS. 1, 2), a stationary position 44b (see FIG. 1), or a substantially stationary position 44c (see FIG. 1), in the interior airflow space 14 for a time period 45 (see FIG. 1), such as a short time period 45a (see FIG. 1), preferably in a time range of 5 (five) seconds to 59 (fifty-nine) minutes.

The airflow system 10 and method 400 provide a volume of airflow 31 (see FIG. 1) and an airflow velocity 114 (see FIG. 1) of air 30 (see FIG. 1), such as purified air 30a (see FIG. 1), from an air purification system 50 (see FIG. 1) to the interior airflow space 14 (see FIG. 1), and provides for adjusting of the volume of airflow 31 and airflow velocity 114 by the occupant 28 depending on various conditions. For example, in times of increased threat, for example, with a pandemic 38 (see FIG. 1), a biological weapon release 40 (see FIG. 1), a chemical weapon release 42 (see FIG. 1), or another threat event, the volume of airflow 31 and the airflow velocity 114 of air 30, such as purified air 30a, for the whole building 12 can be increased. The airflow system 10 can also be beneficial for a biological weapon release 40, a chemical weapon release 42, or another threat event. The airflow system 10 can also be beneficial for situations less severe than a pandemic 38. For example, the airflow system 10 may be used to avoid spreading common colds.

In addition, the airflow system 10 provides the one or more directional airstreams 106 comprising at least one or more of, a directed airflow field 115 (see FIGS. 1, 2) around each of the one or more occupants 28 (see FIGS. 1, 2) and each of the one or more contaminated occupants 28b (see FIGS. 1,2), in the at least one interior airflow space 14 (see FIGS. 1, 2), to provide a direct-path-to-return airflow 46 (see FIGS. 1, 2) for breathed air 30e (see FIGS. 1, 2) breathed by each of the one or more occupants 28 and each of the one or more contaminated occupants 28b, and to provide a respiratory isolation 112 (see FIG. 1) for each of the one or more occupants 28 and each of the one or more contaminated occupants 28b; one or more air barriers 116 (see FIGS. 1, 6C) between each of the one or more occupants 28 (see FIGS. 1, 6C) and each of the one or more contaminated occupants 28b (see FIGS. 1, 6C), in the at least one interior airflow space 14 (see FIGS. 1, 6C), to prevent the breathed air 30e (see FIGS. 1, 6C) breathed by each of the one or more occupants 28 and each of the one or more contaminated occupants 28b from crossing the one or more air barriers 116, and to provide the respiratory isolation 112 (see FIG. 1) for, and between, each of the one or more occupants 28, and each of the one or more contaminated occupants 28b; and an airflow field 118 (see FIGS. 1, 7A) around each of the one or more occupants 28 (see FIGS. 1, 7A), and each of the one or more contaminated occupants 28b (see FIGS. 1, 7A), positioned in the stationary position 44b (see FIG. 1), or in the substantially stationary position 44b (see FIGS. 1, 7A), in the at least one interior airflow space 14 (see FIGS. 1, 7A), wherein the airflow field 118 has an airflow velocity 114 (see FIG. 1) that is less than airflow velocities 114 of the directed airflow field 115 and the one or more air barriers 116.

Further, if more than one airflow system 10 is provided, the airflow systems 10 may supply air 30, such as purified air 30a, having different temperatures, e.g., one hot, one cold, and the air supplies may be mixed to obtain a comfortable airflow 31 for the occupant 28.

Many modifications and other versions of the disclosure will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which this disclosure pertains having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings. The versions described herein are meant to be illustrative and are not intended to be limiting or exhaustive. Although specific terms are employed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation. Functionally equivalent methods and apparatuses within the scope of the disclosure, in addition to those enumerated herein, are possible from the foregoing descriptions. Such modifications and variations are intended to fall within the scope of the appended claims. The present disclosure is to be limited only by the terms of the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled.