Modular Electrostatic Air Filtration for HVAC Transport

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional air filtration systems in transport compartments face limitations due to space constraints, high air flow rates, and small static pressure, which restrict the use of larger filters and require frequent maintenance, increasing costs and downtime.

Innovation Solution

An electrostatic air filtration system with a modular design that uses a pre-filter section, an ionizing section, and a collecting section, employing electrostatic forces to capture airborne particles, allowing for larger spacing between components and reducing air flow resistance, and enabling longer intervals between maintenance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional fiber filters or rubber foam mats are used for air filtration, then airborne particles can be captured, but the filter gaps close quickly requiring frequent maintenance and the filters cannot handle high air flow rates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefiltration effectivenessVSAvoidmaintenance interval

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical filtration system (fiber filters or foam mats that physically block particles) with an electrostatic precipitation system. The system uses ionizing wires to charge particles and collecting plates to attract and capture them through electrostatic forces, eliminating the need for physical filter media that clog over time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the fundamental parameter of particle capture from mechanical blocking to electrostatic attraction. By ionizing the air and charging particles, then using electrostatic fields to collect them, the system maintains constant collection efficiency without the performance degradation seen in conventional filters.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If larger filters with higher air flow resistance are used, then more particles can be captured, but the space available in transport compartments is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveparticle capture efficiencyVSAvoidfilter size

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The electrostatic precipitation system replaces bulky mechanical filters with a compact design consisting of ionizing wires and collecting plates. This substitution allows for high particle capture efficiency in a much smaller volume, suitable for transport compartment constraints.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The filtration system is divided into functional segments: an ionizing section with wires that charge particles, and a collecting section with plates that capture charged particles. This segmentation allows the system to achieve high efficiency in a compact, modular configuration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Productivity

If conventional filters are used to handle high air flow rates, then air can be filtered, but the static pressure is insufficient and filter performance is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveair flow rateVSAvoidstatic pressure

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSStress or pressure

Solution Approach 1:

The electrostatic precipitation system replaces mechanical filtration that relies on pressure differential across filter media with an electrostatic field-based system. The ionizing wires and collecting plates create electrostatic forces that capture particles independently of high static pressure, enabling effective filtration at high air flow rates with low pressure loss.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 captures airborne particles with reduced air flow resistance and extended maintenance intervals, improving efficiency and reducing maintenance costs by utilizing electrostatic forces and a modular configuration.

Implementation Method 1

an ionizing section configured to create a first electrostatic field, the ionizing section configured to electrically charge fine particles passing through the ionizing section

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrostatic field: Electric Field

Implementation Method 2

a collecting section configured to create a second uniform electrostatic field and a ground surface plate, wherein the second uniform electrostatic field is configured to attract the electrically charged fine particles to the ground surface plate

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrostatic attraction: Electrostatic Induction

Data Source

PatentUS9873310B2Air filtration system and method for a HVAC unit in a transport compartment

Publication Date: 2018.01.23 THERMO KING CORP

AI summary

Air filtration systems and methods for HVAC units in transport compartments are provided. The air filtration systems and methods described herein use electrostatic forces to capture airborne particles and include a modular design so as to be configured to the space requirements of the transport compartment and reduce air flow resistance. The air filtration system includes one or more modular filtration units. Each of the modular filtration units includes a pre-filter section, an ionizing section and a collecting section.