Patent — available for licensing
Multi-Stage Filtration System
A NASA invention available to explore as a licensing opportunity.
About this technology
Overview
Innovators at NASA's Glenn Research Center have developed a unique multi-stage filtration system to collect a wide range of particle sizes with minimal filter changes. This breakthrough capability keeps high-efficiency media and devices from becoming overloaded with larger particles. Glenn's system uses an impactor filter to capture larger particle matter through inertial separation and impaction methods on collection surfaces. After becoming heavily loaded, this filter can be cleaned automatically through a unique feed system, thereby reducing maintenance costs. In this way, the device provides a pre-filter stage that protects the more critical stages of the filter system, thereby extending the life of high-efficiency particulate arresting (HEPA) filter systems that are designed to capture fine and ultrafine particles. In an effort to reduce maintenance even further, the fine-particle filter media is provided in a scroll mechanism that is advanced to successive clean sections as needed. Highly sensitive filtration systems can be challenging to maintain and protect, so Glenn's system, which provides time and power savings offers great potential for commercial development.