Dynamic particle separation for use in HVAC systems

A fluid dynamic filter assembly for use in building ventilation systems to remove particles from inflowing contaminated air flowing in a predetermined direction in said assembly, said assembly comprising a plurality of arrays of multiple helical particle separator units,

• wherein each helical particle separator unit comprises:
• a longitudinal axis
• an inlet opening disposed concentrically about said axis for receiving a portion of the inflowing contaminated air along said axis;
• at least one blade spirally oriented about said axis and configured to divide contaminated air received from said inlet opening into a composite airflow about said axis comprising a clean air core surrounded a boundary layer of particle-laden air;
• an outlet opening disposed concentrically about said axis for issuing the core of clean air from the separator unit;
• a waste opening disposed annularly about said outlet opening for conducting said boundary layer out of the separator unit;
• wherein the plurality of arrays is configured with the longitudinal axes of said multiple particle separator units in a mutually parallel orientation and parallel to said predetermined direction;
• an arrangement for scavenging particles removed from the contaminated air comprising a waste receptacle configured and disposed to collect the removed particles from said plurality of arrays;
• and
• wherein said plurality of arrays are positioned in coplanar relation and in immediate adjacency.

A building ventilation system fluid dynamic filter assembly for removing particles from inflowing contaminated air flowing in a predetermined direction in said system, said assembly comprising:

• a plurality of at least first and second arrays of multiple helical particle separator units, each particle separator unit comprising:
• a longitudinal axis
• an inlet opening disposed concentrically about said axis for receiving a portion of the inflowing contaminated air along said axis;
• at least one blade configured to divide contaminated air received from said inlet opening into a composite airflow about said axis comprising a clean air core surrounded a boundary layer of particle-laden air;
• an outlet opening disposed concentrically about said axis for issuing the core of clean air from the separator unit;
• a pressure equalizer line connected between at least said first and second arrays to maintain the pressures within those arrays equal to one another;
• and
• a waste opening disposed for conducting said boundary layer out of the separator unit;
• and
• an air temperature modifying unit arranged to receive and modify the temperature of clean outflow air from said plurality of arrays.

A building ventilation system fluid dynamic filter assembly for removing particles from inflowing contaminated air flowing in a predetermined direction in said system, said assembly comprising:

• a plurality of at least first and second arrays of multiple helical particle separator units, each particle separator unit comprising:
• a longitudinal axis
• an inlet opening disposed concentrically about said axis for receiving a portion of the inflowing contaminated air along said axis;
• at least one blade configured to divide contaminated air received from said inlet opening into a composite airflow about said axis comprising a clean air core surrounded a boundary layer of particle-laden air;
• an outlet opening disposed concentrically about said axis for issuing the core of clean air from the separator unit;
• wherein at least the first and second arrays are positioned in coplanar relation and immediately adjacent one another, each being configured with the longitudinal axes of said multiple particle separator units in a mutually parallel orientation and parallel to said predetermined direction;
• and
• a waste opening disposed for conducting said boundary layer out of the separator unit;
• and
• an air temperature modifying unit arranged to receive and modify the temperature of clean outflow air from said plurality of arrays.