Filtration assembly and system

Abstract

A filter includes filter media and defines an inner plenum. The inner plenum has a cross-sectional dimension extending crosswise of the filter. The cross-sectional dimension decreases from adjacent the upstream side toward to downstream wall to a location disposed intermediate the upstream side and the downstream wall. The cross-sectional dimension of the inner plenum increases from adjacent the intermediate location toward the downstream wall.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A filter assembly comprising:
 a back wall comprising filter media and located on a downstream side;   a first aperture formed on an upstream side, the first aperture having a cross-sectional dimension;   at least one sidewall comprising filter media, the at least one sidewall extending between the back wall and the first aperture;   a second aperture positioned between the first aperture and the back wall, the second aperture having a cross-sectional dimension, wherein the cross-sectional dimension of the second aperture is smaller than the cross-sectional dimension of the first aperture.   
     
     
         2 . The filter assembly according to  claim 1 , further comprising a front filter coupled to a portion of the first aperture. 
     
     
         3 . The filter assembly according to  claim 2 , wherein the front filter is coupled to the first aperture by at least one of sewing, gluing, and ultrasonically welding. 
     
     
         4 . The filter assembly according to  claim 1 , further comprising a wrap circumscribing the at least one side wall at least partially forming the cross-sectional dimension of the second aperture. 
     
     
         5 . The filter assembly according to  claim 1 , further comprising at least one vane extending through the at least one sidewall to form the cross-sectional dimension of the second aperture. 
     
     
         6 . The filter assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the filter media is a nonwoven synthetic material. 
     
     
         7 . A filter assembly comprising:
 a top surface comprising filter media, the top surface having at least one aperture extending through the top surface, the first aperture having a maximum cross-sectional dimension;   a back surface comprising filter media;   a middle filter media extending between the top surface and the back surface;   a void defined between the top surface and the back surface, the void having a maximum cross-sectional dimension, wherein the maximum cross-sectional dimension of the void is larger than the maximum cross-sectional dimension of the first aperture.   
     
     
         8 . The filter assembly according to  claim 7 , wherein the top surface is coupled to the middle filter media by at least one of gluing, sewing, and ultrasonically welding. 
     
     
         9 . The filter assembly according to  claim 7 , wherein the middle filter media is different than the filter media of the top surface. 
     
     
         10 . The filter assembly according to  claim 7 , wherein the middle filter media is different than the filter media of the back surface. 
     
     
         11 . The filter assembly according to  claim 7 , further comprising a housing circumscribing the top surface, back surface, and middle filter media. 
     
     
         12 . The filter assembly according to  claim 7 , wherein at least a portion of at least one of the filter media of the top surface, the middle filter media, and the filter media of the back surface is fabricated includes polyester. 
     
     
         13 . The filter assembly according to  claim 7 , wherein the middle filter media has a length extending between the top surface and the back surface, the length being at least 1 inch (2.54 cm). 
     
     
         14 . A filter assembly comprising:
 a housing;   a first filter media layer positioned within the housing, further comprising a plurality of apertures formed through the first filter media layer; and   a second filter media layer positioned within the housing, wherein the first filter media layer is positioned at least partially over the second filter media layer such that a void is created between the first and second filter media layers.   
     
     
         15 . The filter assembly according to  claim 14 , wherein the second filter media layer includes a plurality of pleats. 
     
     
         16 . The filter assembly according to  claim 14 , wherein the first filter media layer includes a plurality of pleats. 
     
     
         17 . The filter assembly according to  claim 14 , wherein the first filter media is coupled to the second filter media by at least one of sewing, gluing, and ultrasonically welding. 
     
     
         18 . The filter assembly according to  claim 14 , wherein the first filter media layer is fabricated from a material that is different from a material of the second filter media layer. 
     
     
         19 . The filter assembly according to  claim 14 , wherein at least one of the first and second filter media layers includes polyester. 
     
     
         20 . The filter assembly according to  claim 14 , wherein the plurality of apertures are at least one of circular, oval, square, triangular, and rectangular. 
     
     
         21 . A filter comprising:
 an upstream side defining a first aperture;   a downstream wall comprising filter media, a length of the filter extending between the upstream side and the downstream wall;   at least one side wall comprising filter media and extending lengthwise between the front side and the back wall,   wherein the front side, the downstream wall and the at least one side wall together define an inner plenum in flowable communication with the first aperture;   wherein the inner plenum has a cross-sectional dimension extending crosswise of the filter, the cross-sectional dimension decreasing from adjacent the upstream side toward to downstream wall to a location disposed intermediate the upstream side and the downstream wall, the cross-sectional dimension of the inner plenum increasing from adjacent the intermediate location toward the downstream wall.   
     
     
         22 . The filter according to  claim 21 , wherein the inner plenum has a generally hourglass shape in longitudinal section. 
     
     
         23 . The filter according to  claim 21 , wherein the at least one side wall defines a second aperture at the intermediate location, the first aperture having a cross-sectional area greater than a cross-sectional area of the second aperture.