Collapsible Plastic Filter Frame for High-Airflow Barn Filtration

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Solution Overview

Problem

Agricultural animal confinement facilities face challenges in providing high-efficiency air filtration to prevent the spread of diseases like PRRSV, with existing V-Bank filters being costly, time-consuming to install and maintain, and occupying significant space.

Innovation Solution

A collapsible filter assembly with a rectangular inlet and outlet frame, a housing body, and a non-V-Bank filter configuration that includes a MERV 15 or higher-rated filter media, allowing for easier installation and reduced space usage, while maintaining high air flow capacity and filtration efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If V-Bank filters with MERV 16 media are used to achieve high filtration efficiency for PRRSV, then filtration performance is improved, but installation cost and time increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefiltration efficiencyVSAvoidinstallation time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The filter assembly is divided into modular components including a housing, multiple filter elements (primary and secondary), and a support structure that can be independently assembled. This segmentation allows for easier handling and installation of individual components rather than installing a large monolithic V-Bank filter unit.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Multiple filter elements are nested within a single housing structure. The support structure contains multiple filter elements arranged in parallel, allowing several filtration units to be integrated into one assembly that occupies less space and is installed as a single unit.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Productivity

If V-Bank filters with substantial header depth are used to handle high air flow rates, then air flow capacity is improved, but space requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveair flow capacityVSAvoidspace occupation

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The filter elements are arranged in a parallel configuration within the housing rather than requiring substantial depth in a single direction. This dimensional reorganization allows the same air flow capacity to be achieved with a more compact overall footprint by utilizing multiple shallower filters working simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

Multiple filter elements are combined within a single housing structure that handles substantial air flow rates. The housing integrates several parallel filter paths, merging their capacities to achieve the required air flow handling without needing a single large-depth filter.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Reliability

If multiple separate filtration units are installed throughout the facility to prevent disease spread, then disease control effectiveness is improved, but assembly and maintenance costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedisease control effectivenessVSAvoidassembly cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple filter elements are merged into a single integrated housing assembly that can be installed as one unit. This reduces the number of separate installations required throughout the facility while maintaining multiple filtration paths for effective disease control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The housing structure serves multiple functions: it contains and supports multiple filter elements, provides a unified mounting interface for the building structure, and enables centralized maintenance access. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate support structures and simplifies installation and maintenance procedures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 solution provides effective filtration of PRRSV with reduced installation costs and space requirements, enabling efficient air flow and filtration performance comparable to traditional V-Bank filters but with a more compact and cost-effective design.

Implementation Method 1

high-efficiency air filters have proven to be effective at reducing the rate of airborne transmission of these disease agents

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhysical filtration: Filter (physical)

Data Source

PatentUS9049839B2Filter system using plastic frames along structural wall of animal confinement building

Publication Date: 2015.06.09 PARKER HANNIFIN CORP

AI summary

A filter assembly including a rectangular inlet frame having a rectangular inlet opening to receive a primary filter and optional a prefilter. The filter assembly may include a rectangular outlet frame and a housing body that is collapsible to have a flattened shipping state and an erect state. The rectangular inlet frame may also be used as a housing by itself to support and house primary filters and prefilters. A gridwork including one or more grid dividers may be used in the rectangular inlet frame to provide 2 or more openings for receipt of filters.