Apparatus for monitoring performance of air filter and air filter assembly

Abstract

The present disclosure provides an apparatus for monitoring a performance of an air filter. The air filter includes a perimeter frame and a filter media. The filter media is configured to be disposed in an airflow such that at least a portion of the airflow passes through the filter media. The apparatus is configured to be coupled to the perimeter frame or the filter media. The apparatus includes a sensor board extending between a first board end and a second board end and at least one flap configured to receive the airflow from the filter media. The at least one flap is coupled to the sensor board. The at least one flap is movable relative to the sensor board between, at least one initial position in absence of the airflow and at least one indicating position in presence of the airflow.

1 . An apparatus for monitoring a performance of an air filter, the air filter comprising a perimeter frame and a filter media placed within the perimeter frame, the filter media being configured to be disposed in an airflow such that at least a portion of the airflow passes through the filter media, the filter media comprising an upstream side and a downstream side, the apparatus configured to be coupled to the perimeter frame or the filter media, the apparatus comprising:
 a sensor board extending between a first board end and a second board end;   at least one flap configured to receive the airflow associated with the filter media and extending between a first flap end and a second flap end, the at least one flap coupled to the sensor board, wherein at least one flap end is coupled to the sensor board, wherein the at least one flap or sensor board is movable relative to the other, between at least one initial position in the absence of the airflow through the apparatus, and at least one indicating position in the presence of the airflow through the apparatus;   at least one sensor disposed on the sensor board and configured to detect the movement of the at least one flap relative to the sensor board; and   a processor configured to receive and process data relating to the movement of the at least one flap relative to the sensor board.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising an output unit communicably coupled to the processor and configured to provide an output indicative of a loading condition of the filter media. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein when the at least one sensor detects the movement of the at least one flap from the at least one initial position to the at least one indicating position relative to the sensor board, the processor processes data relating to such movement, and the output unit provides the output indicative of a clear state of the filter media. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein when the at least one sensor detects the movement of the at least one flap from the at least one indicating position to the at least one initial position relative to the sensor board, the processor processes data relating to such movement, and the output unit provides the output indicative of a clogged state of the filter media. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the sensor board is disposed upstream of the at least one flap. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the sensor board is disposed downstream of the at least one flap. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein in the at least one indicating position of the at least one flap, the at least one flap and the sensor board are arranged substantially parallel and adjacent to each other. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a communication module configured to transmit the data wirelessly or through a wired connection from the at least one sensor to the processor. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a power source configured to power the at least one sensor. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the apparatus is disposed at the downstream side of the filter media. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , further comprising a sensor housing configured to be removably coupled to the perimeter frame or the filter media and disposed at the downstream side of the filter media, wherein the sensor housing encloses the sensor board, the at least one flap, and the at least one sensor. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the sensor housing comprises at least one opening, wherein at least a portion of the airflow passing through the filter media enters into the sensor housing. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one sensor is a capacitive sensor. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein the at least one sensor is configured to detect a change in capacitance of the at least one flap due to the movement of the at least one flap between the at least one initial position and the at least one indicating position relative to the sensor board. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the first flap end is pivotally coupled to the sensor board, such that in response to the airflow through the apparatus, the at least one flap is pivotally movable between the at least one initial position and the at least one indicating position relative to the sensor board. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein in response to the airflow through the apparatus, the at least one flap flexes or bends between the at least one initial position and the at least one indicating position relative to the sensor board. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the first flap end is coupled to the sensor board proximate to the first board end. 
     
     
         18 . An air filter assembly comprising:
 an air filter comprising a perimeter frame and a filter media placed within the perimeter frame, the filter media being configured to be disposed in an airflow such that at least a portion of the airflow passes through the filter media, the filter media comprising an upstream side and a downstream side; and   the apparatus of  claim 1  for monitoring a performance of the air filter, wherein the apparatus is configured to be coupled to the perimeter frame or the filter media.   
     
     
         19 . The air filter assembly of  claim 18 , wherein the apparatus is disposed at the downstream side of the filter media.