Filter clogging monitoring systems and methods

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

It is difficult to determine when kitchen exhaust hood filters become clogged, as visual inspection is challenging and unreliable, increasing the risk of fire and requiring periodic cleaning or replacement.

Innovation Solution

A system using temperature and pressure sensors to monitor filter clogging without direct visual inspection, comparing measured data to baseline values to detect changes indicative of clogging and sending automatic alerts.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If visual inspection is used to detect filter clogging, then the method is simple and low-cost, but the detection reliability is poor and requires direct access to the filter

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetection reliabilityVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces temperature and pressure sensors as intermediary devices that indirectly measure filter clogging conditions without requiring direct visual inspection. The temperature sensor detects heat buildup on the non-exhaust side, while the pressure sensor measures pressure differential across the filter, both serving as mediators to infer clogging status remotely through physical parameter changes

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical/visual inspection method with electronic sensing and data processing systems. Instead of manually viewing the filter, the system uses electronic sensors to detect temperature and pressure changes, then processes this data algorithmically to determine clogging status, substituting mechanical inspection with electronic measurement and computational analysis

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If periodic manual cleaning is used to maintain filters, then the system is simple to operate, but the maintenance timing is imprecise and may allow dangerous clogging levels

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefire safetyVSAvoidoperation simplicity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback system where temperature and pressure sensors continuously monitor filter conditions, compare readings against baseline values, and provide feedback signals when clogging thresholds are approached. This feedback loop enables proactive maintenance scheduling based on actual filter state rather than fixed time intervals, improving fire safety by detecting dangerous conditions before they occur

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary detection of filter clogging conditions before they reach dangerous levels. By establishing baseline temperature and pressure values when the filter is clean, then monitoring for deviations that indicate clogging, the system enables maintenance to be performed proactively before fire hazards develop, rather than reactively after problems occur

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Difficulty of detecting and measuring

If the filter is located within the hood, then the design is compact, but the filter becomes difficult to visually inspect without disassembly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinspection difficultyVSAvoidhood volume utilization

Core Design Contradiction:

Difficulty of detecting and measuringVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent places temperature and pressure sensors in proximity to the filter within the hood structure, using these sensors as intermediaries to detect filter conditions remotely. The temperature sensor positioned on the non-exhaust side and the pressure sensor measuring differential pressure both enable inspection without requiring physical access to the filter, maintaining the compact hood design while eliminating inspection difficulties

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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

Enables reliable, automatic detection of filter clogging, reducing the risk of fire and facilitating timely maintenance by monitoring temperature and pressure changes across the filter.

Implementation Method 1

the temperature will increase (via residual heat build-up) on the non-exhaust side of the filter

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectResidual heat build-up:

Implementation Method 2

pressure will decrease on the exhaust side of the filter when the filter begins to clog due to reduced air flow through the filter

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure decrease:

Implementation Method 3

A fan in the exhaust hood draws the air away from the cooking area and into the exhaust hood. The air is then drawn through a filter within the hood

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure gradient: Pressure Gradient

Data Source

PatentUS10399028B2Filter clogging monitoring systems and methods

Publication Date: 2019.09.03 TYCO FIRE PRODUCTS LP

AI summary

Systems and methods for monitoring clogging in a cooking hood (120) are disclosed. The systems and methods can include measuring temperature in the non-exhaust side of a filter (110) and measuring pressure in an exhaust side of the filter (110) using temperature and pressure sensors (140,160). The systems and methods can further include comparing the measured temperatures and pressures to baseline temperature and pressure values to determine if clogging occurs using the controller (170), which is communicatively coupled with the temperature and pressure sensors (140,160).