Air intake filter assemblies with actuatable filter slats for heating, ventilation, and/or air conditioning (HVAC) systems

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Solution Overview

Problem

HVAC systems face reduced airflow and efficiency due to debris accumulation on microchannel heat exchangers, which existing filters address inadequately by causing a pressure drop in the airflow path.

Innovation Solution

A filter assembly with movable filter sections and fine filtration material, including inner and outer coarse filters, and a removably loaded fine filter with features that accumulate debris while minimizing pressure drop, is designed to capture both coarse and fine debris, adjustable between open and closed configurations to optimize filtration based on environmental conditions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If existing filters are used to capture debris, then debris protection is improved, but pressure drop increases and airflow is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedebris protectionVSAvoidpressure drop

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSStress or pressure

Solution Approach 1:

The filter assembly is divided into multiple independent filter slats that can be selectively positioned. Each slat contains filtration material and can be independently adjusted between open and closed positions, allowing partial filtration while maintaining airflow pathways, thus reducing overall pressure drop while still providing debris protection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The filter slats are made movable rather than fixed, allowing the system to dynamically adjust the filtration level. The slats can be positioned in different configurations (fully closed, partially open, fully open) to balance debris protection and airflow requirements, optimizing performance under varying operating conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Object-affected harmful factors

If filter slats are closed to capture debris, then filtration effectiveness is improved, but airflow passage is blocked

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefiltration effectivenessVSAvoidairflow passage

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The continuous filter surface is segmented into multiple discrete slats with gaps between them. This segmentation allows airflow to pass through the gaps while debris is captured by the filtration material on the slats, achieving both filtration effectiveness and maintained airflow passage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions of the filter assembly have different functions: the filter slats provide filtration where needed, while the gaps between slats provide airflow pathways. This local differentiation of quality allows simultaneous achievement of filtration and airflow objectives.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Object-affected harmful factors

If fine filtration material is used, then debris capture is improved, but pressure drop increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedebris captureVSAvoidpressure drop

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSStress or pressure

Solution Approach 1:

The fine filtration material is applied only on the slat surfaces rather than forming a continuous barrier. The segmented structure with gaps between slats reduces the total filtration area required, thereby reducing pressure drop while maintaining effective debris capture on the slat surfaces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Filtration is applied partially rather than completely blocking the airflow path. The filter slats provide sufficient filtration coverage to capture debris while leaving gaps that allow airflow to pass with minimal resistance, avoiding excessive filtration action that would cause high pressure drop.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The filter assembly effectively captures debris, reducing pressure drop and improving HVAC system efficiency by minimizing energy consumption and maintaining airflow, while being adaptable to varying environmental debris levels.

Implementation Method 1

each comprising a fine filtration material, each disposed within the support structure

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhysical filtration: Filter (physical)

Implementation Method 2

features that accumulate debris while minimizing pressure drop

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDebris accumulation:

Data Source

PatentUS11759742B2Air intake filter assemblies with actuatable filter slats for heating, ventilation, and/or air conditioning (HVAC) systems

Publication Date: 2023.09.19 JOHNSON CONTROLS LIGHT COMMERCIAL IP GMBH

AI summary

The present disclosure relates generally to air intake filter assemblies, and more particularly to air intake assemblies for an outdoor portion of a heating, ventilation, and/or air conditioning (HVAC) system. In an embodiment, a filter assembly is configured to filter an airflow entering an air intake of a HVAC unit. The filter assembly includes a support structure and a plurality of filter slats, each having a fine filtration material, each disposed within the support structure, and wherein the plurality of filter slats is configured in a louvered relationship and actuated between a closed configuration through which the airflow passes and an open configuration through which the airflow passes.