Fluid filtration system and method of use

Abstract

A system comprising a housing; a filter retained within the housing; optionally, an activation mechanism configured to, during operation, activate the filter; and a flow controller configured to urge fluid through the filter.

We claim: 
     
         1 . An air filtration system comprising:
 a housing defining:
 an air purification volume; 
 an inlet comprising a first opening proximal a first end of the housing, wherein the inlet is arranged along a first broad face of the housing; 
 an outlet comprising a second opening proximal a second end of the housing, wherein the outlet is arranged along the first broad face of the housing; and 
 an airflow pathway between the inlet and the outlet, through the air purification volume; 
   a prefilter retained within the air purification volume;   a photocatalytic filter within the air purification volume downstream of the prefilter along the airflow pathway, the photocatalytic filter comprising a photocatalytic material;   a plurality of light strips within the air purification volume, each light strip comprising an ultraviolet light source configured to directly illuminate the photocatalytic filter during operation, wherein the strips are separated from one another by a gap, wherein the airflow pathway intersects the gap;   an impeller module coupled to the housing and configured to urge air along the airflow pathway; and   a power supply mounted within the housing, proximal the inlet, wherein the power supply is arranged along a second broad face of the housing opposing the first broad face, wherein the power supply is configured to release less than a threshold concentration of volatile compounds.   
     
     
         2 . An air filtration system comprising:
 a housing defining an air purification volume;   a prefilter within the air purification volume, the prefilter comprising photocatalytic material;   a photocatalytic filter within the air purification volume downstream of the prefilter along an airflow pathway, the photocatalytic filter comprising the photocatalytic material;   a plurality of light strips arranged within the air purification volume, each light strip comprising a light source arranged on a side of the light strip proximal the photocatalytic filter; and   an impeller module coupled to the housing and configured to urge air along the airflow pathway.   
     
     
         3 . The air filtration system of  claim 2 , wherein an irradiance of optical energy at the prefilter is less than a threshold irradiance. 
     
     
         4 . The air filtration system of  Claim 3 , wherein the photocatalytic filter is illuminated with at least the threshold irradiance. 
     
     
         5 . The air filtration system of  Claim 4 , wherein the threshold irradiance is approximately 50 Watts per squared meter. 
     
     
         6 . The air filtration system of  claim 1 , wherein the light strips are arranged between the prefilter and the photocatalytic filter, wherein the airflow pathway passes between the light strips. 
     
     
         7 . A fluid filtration system comprising:
 a housing defining:
 a lumen; 
 an inlet comprising a first opening proximal a first end of the housing; 
 an outlet comprising a second opening proximal a second end of the housing; and 
 a flow pathway between the inlet and the outlet, through the lumen; 
   a photocatalytic filter retained within the lumen of the housing, wherein the flow pathway intersects the photocatalytic filter, the photocatalytic filter comprising a photocatalytic material disposed on a substrate;   a plurality of light sources retained within the lumen and configured to illuminate the photocatalytic filter during operation, wherein light sources of the plurality of light sources are separated by a light source gap, wherein the flow pathway passes through the light source gap; and   an impeller module coupled to the housing and arranged along the flow pathway upstream of the photocatalytic filter.   
     
     
         8 . The fluid filtration system of  claim 7 , wherein the photocatalytic filter comprises an electrically conductive support material in electrical contact with the photocatalytic material. 
     
     
         9 . The fluid filtration system of  Claim 7 , wherein the housing comprises a housing translation system. 
     
     
         10 . The fluid filtration system of  Claim 7 , wherein the outlet is fluidly connected to a negative pressure source. 
     
     
         11 . fluid filtration system of  Claim 7 , wherein the photocatalytic filter divides the lumen into an upper plenum and a lower plenum, wherein the photocatalytic filter is secured to the housing by a cam and follower mechanism, wherein when the cam and follower mechanism is engaged, the flow pathway from the lower plenum to the upper plenum must pass through the photocatalytic filter. 
     
     
         12 . The fluid filtration system of  Claim 7 , further comprising a prefilter retained within the lumen upstream of the photocatalytic filter relative to the flow pathway. 
     
     
         13 . The fluid filtration system of  claim 12 , wherein the plurality of light sources is arranged between the prefilter and the photocatalytic filter. 
     
     
         14 . The fluid filtration system of  claim 12 , wherein the prefilter comprises an antibiological coating. 
     
     
         15 . The fluid filtration system of  claim 14 , wherein the antibiological coating comprises the photocatalytic material. 
     
     
         16 . The fluid filtration system of  claim 12 , wherein the prefilter comprises a sorbent coating configured to sorb organic compounds. 
     
     
         17 . The fluid filtration system of  Claim 7 , further comprising a second plurality of light sources arranged to illuminate the photocatalytic filter during operation, wherein the second plurality of light sources are arranged downstream of the photocatalytic filter relative to the flow pathway. 
     
     
         18 . The fluid filtration system of  Claim 7 , further comprising a power supply configured to provide electrical power to the plurality of light sources and the impeller module, wherein the power supply is configured to release less than a threshold quantity of volatile organic compounds. 
     
     
         19 . The fluid filtration system of  Claim 7 , wherein the housing defines a rectangular prism, wherein the first end comprises a bottom of the housing, wherein the second end comprises a top of the housing, wherein the first opening is arranged on a first broad face of the housing, wherein the second opening is arranged on the first broad face of the housing. 
     
     
         20 . The fluid filtration system of  Claim 7 , wherein fluid expelled from the outlet into an environment proximal the housing does not substantially disturb fluid flow in the environment.