HVAC Filter with Embedded Transverse Beam Clogging Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing HVAC filtering systems for detecting clogging are cumbersome due to the need for separate emitters and receivers, making them difficult to implement and maintain, especially in compact spaces like electrical cabinets.
Innovation Solution
A clogging measurement filtering system with embedded fouling measurement units, where the transmitter and receiver emit and receive beams transversely to the air flow within the filter, integrated with a processing unit for data conversion and storage, and connected to an external central unit for wireless or wired communication, allowing for automatic filter replacement when thresholds are exceeded.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate emitters and receivers are used for clogging detection, then measurement functionality is achieved, but device complexity and installation difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the emitter, receiver, and processing unit into an integrated measurement unit that is embedded directly in the filter housing. This merging eliminates the need for separate components and reduces installation complexity while maintaining clogging detection functionality through the transverse beam arrangement.
Solution Approach 2:
The measurement unit is nested within the filter structure itself, with the emitter and receiver positioned in recesses of the filter housing. This nesting approach allows the measurement functionality to be incorporated into the existing filter without requiring additional external components or complex installation.
2Volume of moving object
If transverse beam arrangement is used, then measurement unit size is reduced, but beam path length through filter decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent positions the emitter and receiver in specific recesses of the filter housing to create an optimized local measurement path. The transverse arrangement allows the beam to traverse the filter media at a point where the path length is sufficient for accurate measurement while keeping the overall measurement unit compact.
3Ease of manufacture
If embedded measurement units are used, then implementation is simplified, but filter replacement frequency increases
Solution Approach 1:
The measurement unit continuously monitors filter clogging levels and provides feedback through signal processing. When the filter reaches a critical clogging threshold, the system generates an alert signal to indicate that filter replacement is needed, enabling proactive maintenance and optimizing the filter service life.
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
This solution simplifies implementation and maintenance by embedding measurement units within the filter, reducing size and wiring needs, enabling reliable and dynamic contamination level monitoring with automatic filter replacement, thus reducing maintenance costs and enhancing predictive maintenance capabilities.
Implementation Method 1
a transmitter (100) arranged to emit a beam and a receiver (101) arranged to receive said beam
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4B
Figure 5~6
AI summary
The invention relates to a filtering system for a heating, ventilation or air conditioning installation, comprising: - a filter (1) made of a filtering material and intended to be crossed by a flow of air (F), - at least one unit (10) for measuring fouling comprising an emitter (100) arranged to emit a beam and a receiver (101) arranged to receive said beam, - a processing unit (106) arranged to control the emission of the beam by said emitter (100) and to process the signal generated by the receiver after reception of the beam, - the fouling measurement unit (10) being embedded in the said filter (1), - the said transmitter (100) being arranged with respect to the said receiver (101) to emit a beam in a direction transverse to that of the air flow (F).