Multi-panel air filter
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional HVAC system air filters effective in removing small contaminants like airborne molecular contaminants and VOCs tend to restrict airflow and are often discarded prematurely, leading to increased energy consumption and landfill waste.
Innovation Solution
A multi-panel air filter with a V-bank filter element comprising angled filter panels that form V-configurations, supported by a top and bottom member within a frame, allowing for increased surface area and reduced pressure drop, enabling periodic cleaning and reuse.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If highly effective air filters are used to remove airborne molecular contaminants and VOCs, then filtration effectiveness is improved, but airflow restriction increases and energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The filter element transitions from a conventional flat 2D structure to a three-dimensional V-bank configuration with multiple angled panels. This dimensional change increases the effective filtration surface area within the same footprint, allowing more contaminants to be captured without increasing airflow resistance, thereby maintaining filtration effectiveness while reducing energy consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The filter element is divided into multiple separate filter panels arranged in a V-bank configuration. Each panel can be independently cleaned and reused, and the segmented structure creates multiple airflow paths that reduce overall resistance. This segmentation allows the system to maintain high filtration effectiveness while reducing the energy penalty associated with single-point clogging.
2Reliability
If highly effective air filters are used to remove small contaminants, then filtration effectiveness is improved, but airflow restriction increases
Solution Approach 1:
By configuring filter panels at angles to form a V-bank three-dimensional structure, the invention expands the filtration surface area vertically and diagonally rather than only horizontally. This dimensional expansion provides more filtration capacity without narrowing the airflow passage, thus maintaining both high filtration effectiveness and adequate airflow productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The multiple angled panels create parallel airflow channels that distribute air flow across different sections of the filter. This segmentation prevents any single area from becoming a bottleneck, allowing the system to achieve high filtration effectiveness while maintaining unrestricted airflow through the distributed paths.
3Productivity
If conventional air filters are discarded when dirty or clogged, then airflow is restored, but waste increases and operational costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of discarding the entire filter assembly when contaminated, the invention enables recovery and reuse of the filter panels through periodic cleaning. The V-bank configuration with accessible panels allows for easy removal, cleaning, and reinstallation, transforming a disposable system into a reusable one that reduces waste while maintaining airflow productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The segmented panel structure allows individual panels to be removed and cleaned independently rather than requiring disposal of the entire filter. This segmentation enables the recovery and reuse of filtration media, reducing waste generation while maintaining system airflow through periodic restoration of panel permeability.
4Use of energy by stationary object
If conventional air filters are replaced prematurely to increase airflow, then energy costs decrease, but manufacturing waste increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention implements a recovery system where filter panels are periodically cleaned and reused instead of being discarded. This extends the service life of the filtration media, reducing the frequency of replacements needed to maintain airflow, thereby lowering operational energy costs while simultaneously reducing the manufacturing waste associated with producing new filters.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs periodic cleaning cycles for the filter panels rather than continuous operation until failure. This periodic maintenance restores airflow characteristics without requiring premature replacement, reducing both operational energy costs and manufacturing waste by extending the usable life of each filter panel through repeated cleaning and reuse cycles.
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 multi-panel air filter effectively removes airborne molecular contaminants and VOCs without obstructing airflow, extending the life of downstream filters and reducing energy consumption by allowing for periodic cleaning and reuse, thus minimizing waste.
Implementation Method 1
the V-bank filter element is configured to remove airborne molecular contaminants and volatile organic compounds from an airstream
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus and methods are provided for an air filter for removing contaminants from air within interior building spaces. The air filter comprises a V-bank filter element for removing contaminants from an airstream flowing through a HVAC system. The V-bank filter element includes filter panels that are angled with respect to one another to form adjacent V-configurations such that front edges of adjacent filter panels are placed in contact and rear edges of adjacent filter panels similarly placed in contact. A top member and a bottom member receive top and bottom edges of the filter panels for supporting the V-configurations. A frame couples with the top member and the bottom member and orients the V-bank filter element within the HVAC system such that the airstream is directed through the V-bank filter element. Openings are disposed in the frame for allowing the airstream to enter the V-bank filter element.