Variable Flow Filter Force Monitoring for Adaptive Maintenance Alerts

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing filtration systems are inadequate for accurately determining the clogging or dirtiness of filters in variable flow environments, leading to inefficient maintenance and performance issues in HVAC and industrial applications.

Innovation Solution

A filtration system equipped with a sensor to measure forces exerted by the filter media, which communicates with a receiver to determine the loading condition, and a control system that adjusts thresholds based on operating conditions and environmental factors to generate a filter status notification.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If physical inspection or scheduled replacement of filters is used, then maintenance is performed, but system performance is negatively impacted due to unnecessary replacements or missed maintenance intervals

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefilter maintenance reliabilityVSAvoidsystem performance

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual physical inspection and scheduled replacement systems with an automated electronic monitoring system that uses sensors to detect filter loading conditions in real-time, enabling precise maintenance timing without manual intervention

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements continuous feedback through sensors that monitor filter loading conditions and communicate with a receiver to trigger maintenance alerts, creating a closed-loop system that adapts to actual filter status rather than following fixed schedules

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Reliability

If filter replacement is performed at scheduled intervals, then maintenance is ensured, but energy consumption increases and system lifespan is reduced due to premature replacement

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemaintenance assuranceVSAvoidenergy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The filter monitoring system performs self-assessment through integrated sensors that continuously evaluate the filter's own loading condition, eliminating the need for external scheduled inspections and enabling on-demand maintenance only when actually needed

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Device complexity

If existing techniques are used to determine filter loading, then simplicity is maintained, but measurement precision is insufficient in variable flow environments

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem simplicityVSAvoidfilter loading measurement

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adapts to variable flow conditions by using sensors that continuously adjust measurements based on real-time airflow variations, maintaining measurement accuracy across changing operating conditions rather than relying on static thresholds

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

4Device complexity

If no monitoring system is used, then device complexity is low, but filter deformation occurs due to undetected excessive loading

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemonitoring system complexityVSAvoidfilter integrity

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The monitoring system takes preliminary action by detecting filter loading conditions before they reach dangerous levels, triggering maintenance alerts in advance to prevent filter deformation and failure rather than reacting after damage occurs

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

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 precise determination of filter loading, preventing unnecessary maintenance, reducing energy consumption, and extending system lifespan by triggering alerts before filter deformation occurs.

Implementation Method 1

a sensor coupled to the filter media to measure a force exerted by the filter media

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectForce measurement: Force

Data Source

PatentUS10610819B2System for determining force imparted by a filter in a variable flow environment and related methods of use

Publication Date: 2020.04.07 MAGNI POWER CO

AI summary

A control system for a variable flow filtration system that is configured for receiving an operating condition of a variable speed impeller of the variable flow filtration system; determining a threshold filter force associated with the received operating condition to determine an increased threshold filter force proportionally to increases in the received operating condition; receiving one or more real-time environmental conditions of the variable flow filtration system; modifying the determined threshold filter force based on the received one or more real-time environmental conditions; receiving a real-time filter force imparted by a filter of the variable flow filtration system on a load cell or other filtration system component, the filter force being imparted by a flow of gas or fluid driven by the variable speed impeller; comparing the received real-time filter force to the modified determined threshold filter force; and generating a filter status notification based on the comparison.