Air filter

Abstract

An air filter including a base and a first and second frame element is disclosed. Each frame element is coupled to the base. The frame elements have an oscillating shape having a first portion relatively close to the base and a second portion relatively farther from the base. A filter element generally follows the oscillating shape of the frame elements. An air filter system is also disclosed. The air filter system can include the air filter and an air filter container. The air filter container contains the air filter and directs air through the air filter in a predetermined direction. An air filter is disclosed including a support structure and an oscillating shaped filter element attached to the support structure. The oscillating shape increases the air filter surface area for a given volume.

We claim: 
     
         1 . An air filter comprising:
 a base;   a first and second frame element, each frame element coupled to the base and having an oscillating shape having a first portion relatively close to the base and a second portion relatively farther from the base; and   a filter element that generally follows the oscillating shape of the frame elements.   
     
     
         2 . The air filter of  claim 1 , wherein the frame elements are curved between the first and second portion. 
     
     
         3 . The air filter of  claim 1 , wherein the frame elements have a generally sinusoidal shape. 
     
     
         4 . The air filter of  claim 1 , wherein the frame elements are the same size and shape. 
     
     
         5 . The air filter of  claim 1 , wherein the frame elements and the base are formed as a single assembly. 
     
     
         6 . The air filter of  claim 1 , wherein the filter element comprises of a pleated paper filter element. 
     
     
         7 . The air filter of  claim 1 , further comprising a reinforcing device. 
     
     
         8 . The air filter of  claim 7 , wherein the reinforcing device comprises a pair of wire screens on opposite sides of the filter element. 
     
     
         9 . An air filter system comprising:
 an air filter including:   a base;   a first and second frame element, each frame element coupled to the base and having an oscillating shape having a first portion relatively close to the base and a second portion relatively farther from the base;   a filter element that generally follows the oscillating shape of the frame elements; and   an air filter container, containing the air filter, the air filter container configured to direct air through the air filter in a predetermined direction.   
     
     
         10 . The air filter system of  claim 9 , wherein the frame elements are curved between the first and second portion. 
     
     
         11 . The air filter system of  claim 9 , wherein the frame elements have a generally sinusoidal shape. 
     
     
         12 . The air filter system of  claim 9 , wherein the frame elements are the same size and shape. 
     
     
         13 . The air filter system of  claim 9 , wherein the frame elements the base and the frame elements are formed as a single assembly. 
     
     
         14 . The air filter system of  claim 9 , wherein the reinforcing device comprises a pair of wire screens on opposite sides of the filter element. 
     
     
         15 . The air filter system of  claim 9 , wherein the air filter container directs air through the air filter in a direction perpendicular to a flat base, the air entering from the base side and exiting the filter assembly in a direction through the filter element. 
     
     
         16 . The air filter system of  claim 9 , wherein the air filter container directs air through an air filter in a direction perpendicular to a flat base, the air entering through the filter element and exiting from the base side. 
     
     
         17 . The air filter system of  claim 9 , wherein the air filter container flows through the air filter in a direction parallel to a flat base such that air is filtered by the filter element multiple times. 
     
     
         18 . The air filter system of  claim 9 , wherein the air filter container directs air through an air filter at an angle to a flat base such that air is filtered by the filter element multiple times. 
     
     
         19 . An air filter comprising:
 a support structure; and   an oscillating shaped filter element attached to the support structure, the oscillating shape increasing the air filter surface area for a given volume.