Self-cleaning air filtration apparatus and method

An air filter assembly comprising:

• a filter media;
• a closed end cap secured to a first end of the filter media;
• a seal member secured to a second, opposite end of the filter media, the second end being open, and the seal member being open to form a clean air outlet;
• a screen assembly secured to a central portion of the filter media between the first and second ends;
• and
• a debris catch tray having a debris ejection slot for ejecting debris to the surrounding environment, wherein
• the debris catch tray is positioned at the second end of the filter media,
• the debris catch tray includes a plurality of support tabs spaced circumferentially on the debris catch tray, the support tabs being arranged to support the filter media and the screen assembly with the support tabs projecting radially inward beyond the filter media and the screen assembly in a radial direction relative to a central axis passing through a center of the air filter assembly,
• the debris ejection slot projects radially inward from an outer circumferential surface of the debris catch tray, and
• the support tabs extend continuously from a position radially outward of the filter media and the screen assembly to a position radially inward of the filter media and the screen assembly.