Corrugated Filter Element for Compact Heat Exchange Ventilation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing ventilation systems face challenges in compactness and efficiency, as larger heat exchangers are needed to maintain performance, which compromises available space and increases costs in urban areas.

Innovation Solution

A compact heat exchange system with a filter element featuring a corrugated, oblong shape with air filtering and distribution means, providing improved air distribution and heat transfer efficiency by directing airflow effectively over the heat exchanger, and incorporating multiple filtering materials with varying resistance to optimize airflow and reduce pressure drop.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If a larger heat exchanger is installed to maintain or increase performance, then heat exchange efficiency is improved, but device compactness deteriorates and available space increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheat exchange efficiencyVSAvoiddevice compactness

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The filter element is divided into multiple filtering material portions (first portion with higher resistance, second portion with lower resistance) that are arranged in specific configurations. This segmentation allows different regions to perform specialized functions, optimizing airflow distribution across the heat exchanger surface without increasing overall device volume.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different filtering material portions are positioned at specific locations to create local variations in airflow resistance. The first portion receives the main part of the air stream and distributes it across the interface, while the second portion extends sideways to optimize local airflow patterns. This local quality differentiation improves heat exchange efficiency within the same compact volume.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Device complexity

If traditional filtering elements (vertical filter or filter mousse) are used, then device simplicity is maintained, but air distribution over the heat exchanger deteriorates and pressure drop increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefilter structure simplicityVSAvoidair distribution efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The filtering material portions are arranged in a horizontal configuration with peaks and valleys extending in the longitudinal direction, creating a three-dimensional airflow distribution pattern. This dimensional change allows air to be distributed more effectively across the heat exchanger surface compared to traditional vertical or mousse filters, improving productivity without excessive complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Ease of manufacture

If uniform filtering material is used throughout the filter element, then manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but airflow resistance distribution deteriorates and fan power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefilter material uniformityVSAvoidfan power consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The filter element incorporates filtering material portions with different initial airflow resistance values at different locations. The first portion has higher resistance to receive and distribute the main air stream, while the second portion has lower resistance to facilitate airflow. This local quality variation optimizes pressure drop characteristics, reducing fan power consumption compared to uniform filtering material.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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 enhances heat exchange efficiency, reduces pressure drop, and lowers energy consumption by ensuring better air distribution and flow through the heat exchanger, while maintaining performance and compactness.

Implementation Method 1

ventilation has been used to recover heat from air extracted from a room of a building by transferring heat from the extract air, ETA, to outdoor air, ODA, entering the building

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeat transfer: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 2

heat exchanger at a crossing point of a first and second air passageway... such that the first and second air passageway are in a heat-exchanging relationship to each other

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectConvection: Convection

Implementation Method 3

filter element comprises air filtering and distribution means for filtering the supplied air stream and distributing the supplied air stream over the area of the interface

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFiltration: Filter (physical)

Data Source

PatentEP3839361A1Building with demand-controlled heat exchange system for ventilation, heat exchange ventilation system and heat exchange system

Publication Date: 2021.06.23 VERO DUCO NV

Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2
Figure 3A

AI summary

The invention relates to a filter element for a heat exchange system, said filter element being provided at an interface between an inlet branch of the heat exchange system via which an air stream is supplied and an airflow passage through a heat exchanger of the heat exchange system. The filter element comprises air filtering and distribution means for filtering the supplied air stream and distributing the supplied air stream over the area of the interface. The air filtering and distribution means has a corrugated, oblong shape having peaks and valleys extending in a longitudinal direction of the filter element, such as a first filtering material pleated in fanfold manner having longitudinal pleats.