IoT enabled smart filter device

A filter apparatus for use with a filter comprising:

• a power supply device, a control device, a first actuator, a second actuator, a first actuator arm, a second actuator arm, a light source system, a light sensor system, a first enclosure, a second enclosure, and a connection device;
• wherein the power supply device supplies power to the control device, the first actuator, the second actuator, the light source system, and the light sensor system;
• wherein the power supply device, the control device, the first actuator, the first actuator arm, and one of the light source system and the light sensor system are enclosed in the first enclosure;
• wherein the second actuator, the second actuator arm, and the other of the light source system and the light sensor system are enclosed in the second enclosure;
• wherein the connection device couples the power supply device, the control device, the first actuator, and the one of the light source system and the light sensor system of the apparatus enclosed in the first enclosure with the second actuator and the other of the light source system and the light sensor system enclosed in the second enclosure;
• wherein the first actuator arm is coupled with the first actuator and the light source system;
• wherein the second actuator arm is coupled with the second actuator and the light sensor system;
• wherein the first actuator actuates the first actuator arm to place the light source system at a first location in close proximity to one side of a membrane of the filter responsive to one or more actuation control signals received from the control device;
• wherein the second actuator actuates the second actuator arm to place the light sensor system at a second location in close proximity to the opposite side of the membrane and facing the light source system responsive to the one or more actuation control signals received from the control device;
• wherein the light source system generates light responsive to one or more light source system activation signals received from the control device;
• and
• wherein the light sensor system measures in a first measurement the intensity of light generated by the light source system and transmitted through the filter responsive to one or more light sensor system activation signals.

A method for measuring particle size dependent efficiency of a filter using a filter apparatus comprising the steps of:

• mounting the filter apparatus on a frame of the filter or on a location of a duct of an HVAC system where the filter is installed;
• placing a light source system at a first location in close proximity to a first side of a membrane of the filter responsive to one or more actuation control signals received from a control device included in the filter apparatus;
• placing a light sensor system at a second location in close proximity to a second side opposite to the first side of the membrane and facing the light source system responsive to the one or more actuation control signals;
• generating light of a first wavelength selected from two or more distinct wavelengths responsive to one or more light source system activation signals;
• measuring a first value of the intensity of a portion of light of the first wavelength generated by the light source system and transmitted through the filter responsive to one or more light sensor system activation signals;
• generating light of a second wavelength selected from the two or more distinct wavelengths responsive to the one or more light source system activation signals;
• measuring a second value of the intensity of a portion of light of the second wavelength generated by the light source system and transmitted through the filter responsive to the one or more light sensor system activation signals;
• placing the light source system at a third location in close proximity to the first side of the membrane responsive to the one or more actuation control signals;
• placing the light sensor system at a fourth location in close proximity to the second side of the membrane and facing the light source system in the third location responsive to the one or more actuation control signals;
• generating light of the first wavelength responsive to the one or more light source system activation signals;
• measuring a third value of the intensity of a portion of light of the first wavelength generated by the light source system in the third location and transmitted through the filter responsive to the one or more light sensor system activation signals;
• generating light of the second wavelength responsive to the one or more light source system activation signals received from the control device;
• measuring a fourth value of the intensity of a portion of light of the second wavelength generated by the light source system in the third location and transmitted through the filter responsive to the one or more light sensor system activation signals;
• generating the value of a first particle size efficiency parameter based on the first value and the third value;
• generating the value of a second particle size efficiency parameter based on the second value and the fourth value;
• and
• generating a filter status alert based on the value of the first particle size efficiency parameter and the value of the second particle size efficiency parameter.