Air filter for grease filtering

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing air filters in kitchen ventilation systems are ineffective in completely removing small grease particles and gaseous grease, leading to fire hazards, increased maintenance demands, odor nuisances, and contamination of buildings and surroundings.

Innovation Solution

An air filter system equipped with a mechanical separation element, a UV source, and a catalyst coating that transforms grease into carbon dioxide, water, and a pulverized carbon compound using UV light, enhancing grease separation and reducing odor nuisances while maintaining efficiency and ease of maintenance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If a rotating perforated plate is used for grease filtering, then solid impurities can be separated from airflow, but small grease particles and gaseous grease penetrate through the perforations causing fire hazards and odor nuisances

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegrease removal efficiencyVSAvoidfire hazard and odor nuisance

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by transforming grease from a hazardous state to a safe state through chemical decomposition. The catalyst coating (e.g., metal oxides like manganese oxide, copper oxide) changes the chemical parameters of grease, breaking down gaseous grease and small particles into carbon dioxide, water, and carbon compounds, thereby eliminating fire hazards and odors while maintaining the mechanical separation function of the rotating plate

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses composite materials by combining the mechanical separation element (rotating perforated plate) with a chemical treatment layer (c catalyst coating on the inner wall of the filter housing). This composite structure allows the rotating plate to handle solid impurities while the catalyst coating simultaneously treats gaseous grease and small particles, resolving the limitation of the rotating plate alone

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Productivity

If a rotating perforated plate is used for grease filtering, then solid impurities are removed, but grease accumulates on filter elements and in the air duct requiring frequent cleaning

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveparticle separation capabilityVSAvoidfilter and air duct cleaning demand

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the harmful accumulation of grease into a beneficial process by using the catalyst coating to decompose grease as it passes through the filter. Instead of grease accumulating on the rotating plate and in the air duct, the catalyst continuously breaks down grease molecules, transforming them into harmless substances that can be easily removed with airflow, significantly reducing cleaning frequency and effort

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

3Productivity

If a rotating perforated plate is used for grease filtering, then some particles are removed, but grease migrates through the air duct to the building surroundings causing contamination

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveparticle removal rateVSAvoidbuilding and surroundings contamination

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The catalyst coating transforms the harmful migrating grease into beneficial decomposition products. As grease would normally migrate through the air duct to contaminate the building and surroundings, the catalyst coating intercepts and decomposes it into carbon dioxide, water, and carbon compounds, converting a contamination source into a clean exhaust process

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

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 system effectively removes grease particles and gaseous impurities, reducing fire hazards and maintenance needs, while minimizing pressure loss and odor issues, and is easy to maintain with a long service life.

Implementation Method 1

UV light and a catalyst coating inside the filter are adapted to transform the physical state of grease flowing into the air duct along with the airflow

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhotolysis: Photodissociation

Implementation Method 2

UV light and a catalyst coating inside the filter are adapted to transform the physical state of grease flowing into the air duct along with the airflow

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCatalysis: Catalysis

Data Source

PatentUS11248805B2Air filter for grease filtering

Publication Date: 2022.02.15 JEVEN

AI summary

The application relates according to one embodiment to an air filter for grease filtering. The filter includes a filter mounting element for installing the filter in connection with an intake opening of an air ventilation duct, at least one mechanical separation element for separating solid impurities from flowing air, and a UV source mounting element capable of being fitted with a UV source for generating UV light. The UV light and a catalyst coating present inside the filter are adapted to transform the physical state of grease flowing into the ventilation duct along with the airflow.