Bypass air filer

Abstract

A bypass air filter is provided for attachment to the return air duct of an existing forced air conditioning system. The bypass air filter has a housing that defines a bypass air channel between an air inlet opening and an air outlet opening. The housing attaches directly to the return air duct so that the air inlet and outlet openings connect with complementary openings in the return air duct. This arrangement eliminates the need for bypass air ducting between the return air duct and the bypass air filter. The housing retains an air filter, which bisects the bypass air channel, and a fan for drawing air in through the air inlet opening through the air filter and out the air outlet opening. An upstream baffle extends from the housing into the upstream air flow through the return air duct to direct air into the air inlet opening. A downstream baffle extends from the housing away from the upstream air flow through the return air duct to draw air out of the air outlet opening. This arrangement increases the efficiency of the bypass air filter.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.