WO2023149899A1

WO2023149899A1 - Device-adaptable exofilter system

Info

Publication number: WO2023149899A1
Application number: PCT/US2022/015378
Authority: WO
Inventors: John Burke NYCZ
Original assignee: Medformance, Llc
Priority date: 2022-02-04
Filing date: 2022-02-04
Publication date: 2023-08-10

Abstract

An exofilter system includes a filtration body having an interior portion and an exterior portion, a first sealable opening disposed on a first filtration body side, the first sealable opening comprising a first sealable edge configured to removably seal with a second sealable edge, and a second sealable opening disposed on a second filtration body side, the second sealable opening comprising a third sealable edge configured to removably seal with a fourth sealable edge. The first sealable opening provides an installation opening deformable to position the filtration body such that it surrounds an object disposed at the interior portion of the filtration body and removably attach the first sealable edge to the second sealable edge. The second sealable opening provides a deformable opening having an adjustable shape and size, where the filtration body is sealable to a power supply cable that powers the object disposed at the interior portion.

Description

DEVICE-ADAPTABLE EXOFILTER SYSTEM

BACKGROUND

[0001] Filter replicable filter media for point-of-use machines that utilize ambient air for machine functionality are often expensive. For this reason, users tend to delay replacement of the air filters to conserve monetary spending. In especially dirty environments having a relatively high amount of particulate contaminates in the air, a machine filter that becomes clogged may not allow adequate air to filter through the system, causing machine malfunction or failure.

[0002] In the case of air filtration equipment where the input air is to be filtered to clean the ambient air, the output air may not be filtered adequately. For example, an air filtration system that is self-contained and movable to a point of use can be used to treat ambient air in a horse stall for horses recovering from illness or used to treat ambient air in a chicken coop for medically recovering poultry. In such environments, the point-of-use air filter may draw in dusty, contaminated air having particles that can cause the filter in the device to clog prematurely. This may require frequent and expensive filter changes to keep the device operating normally. Moreover, animals in the environment may not receive the full benefit of machine capabilities or may not receive any benefit at all due to machine misuse.

[0003] It is with respect to these and other considerations that the disclosure made herein is presented.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0004] The detailed description is set forth with reference to the accompanying drawings. The use of the same reference numerals may indicate similar or identical items. Various embodiments may utilize elements and/or components other than those illustrated in the drawings, and some elements and/or components may not be present in various embodiments. Elements and/or components in the figures are not necessarily drawn to scale. Throughout this disclosure, depending on the context, singular and plural terminology may be used interchangeably.

[0005] FIG. 1 depicts an exofilter in accordance with the present disclosure.

[0006] FIG. 2 illustrates the exofilter of FIG. 1 with a first sealable opening enlarged to install air handling equipment in accordance with the present disclosure.

[0007] FIG. 3 illustrates the exofilter of FIG. 1 with a second sealable opening enlarged to install a power supply cable for air handling equipment in accordance with the present disclosure.

[0008] FIG. 4 depicts the second sealable opening after being repositioned around a power supply cable in accordance with the present disclosure.

[0009] FIG. 5 illustrates an example air filtration system in accordance with the present disclosure.

[0010] FIG. 6 depicts a flow diagram of an example method for pre-filtration of input air to an air handling device in accordance with the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Overview

[0011] The described systems, devices, and methods include a device-adaptable exofilter system configurable to provide pre-filtration of input air for a point-of-use air handling device that uses ambient air in its operative functionality. As used herein, the term exofilter refers to a filter media envelope configured to surround an air handling device such that the filter media performs a first-stage or “pre-filter” to input air used by the air handling device. Because the entire surface area of the exofilter (or nearly the entire surface) is exposed to both the interior portion and the exterior ambient air, the entire device operates as filter media that can remove a high volume of particulate matter without becoming clogged as compared to a filter media limited by the area of a conventional input air filtration cavity.

[0012] In some aspects, particulate matter floating in ambient air that would normally be drawn into the air filter system of the air handling device is filtered through the filtration media that comprises the body of the exofilter system. According to embodiments described hereafter, the exofilter system may be used with or as part of an air handling device (such as, for example, an air treatment system, a machine, work tool, computer, etc.). Although a conventional pre-filter may become clogged quickly in dirty environments due to a limited area for filter media, the present device is designed to filter air over a comparatively large area filtration area, because the entire device securely envelops the air handling device.

[0013] The disclosed exofilter system may include a first sealable opening that allows for easy installation and removal of the air handling equipment at an interior portion of the exofilter media. According to one or more embodiments, the exofilter system further includes openings for power cords that supply power to the air filter system, while providing a convenient and adaptable opening configured to seal around power cords, cables, input plumbing, or other objects that connect the air handling device to power or other resources outside of the exofilter system.

[0014] According to another embodiment of the present disclosure the air filtration system may further include a metallic protective cage disposed on an exterior surface of the exofilter. In some aspects, the metallic protective cage may include one or more mounting brackets configured to rigidly attach the system to a vertical wall. This configuration provides all surfaces of the exofilter to be exposed to ambient air while at the same time protecting the air handling device and exofilter from damage due to animal chewing. In one example embodiment, the disclosed device may be installed in a horse stall, where the air handling equipment is an electrically powered air filter.

[0015] The disclosed devices and methods may prolong the length of useful operation of expensive filters used in the air filtration or other air handling devices by removing airborne particulate matter. In some aspects, for a 12-month useful life air filter, the disclosed device and methods may extend filter life by preventing or mitigating un-filtered air from entering the device enclosed in the exofilter system.

[0016] These and other advantages of the present disclosure are provided in greater detail herein.

Illustrative Embodiments

[0017] The disclosure will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which example embodiments of the disclosure are shown, and not intended to be limiting.

[0018] FIG. 1 depicts an exofilter system 100 that includes exofilter 102 comprising a filtration body 104, a first sealable opening 108, and a second sealable opening 110, in accordance with the present disclosure.

[0019] The first sealable opening 108 forms an openable and re-sealable passageway to an interior portion 103 of the exofilter 102, such that an air handling device 106 may be installed at the interior portion 103 of the exofilter through the first sealable opening 108. The exofilter 102 may be powered via a power supply cable 112 that may be positioned through the second sealable opening 110.

[0020] The filtration body 104, although illustrated as generally cubic in shape, may take other dimensions that accommodate smaller or larger air handling equipment. In one embodiment, the filtration body 104 comprises metallic mesh that provides air pre- filtration for airflow passing from the exterior 101 to the interior portion 103. One advantage of a metallic filtration body material is washability of the exofilter by removing the exofilter, washing the filtration body with running water or an appropriate solvent or surfactant, and reinstallation of the exofilter 102 on the air handling device 106.

[0021] According to another embodiment, the filtration body 104 comprises a polymer mesh. For example, the material may be a polyester mesh having filtration capabilities that meet the airflow requirements of the air handling device. In other aspects, polyethylene or other materials may be used. [0022] In another embodiment, the exofilter may include an internal wire frame (not shown in FIG. 1) configured to hold a shape that maintains full surface area of the exofilter 102.

[0023] In yet another embodiment, the filtration body 104 may be or include filtration media having structure to self-support its own weight and hold the general tent shape around the air handling device 106.

[0024] The first sealable opening 108 may be opened for the installation of the exofilter 102 around the air handling device 106 such that the air handling equipment is completely enclosed (except for the power supply cable 112 that may pass through the second sealable opening 110) by the exofilter. The first sealable opening 108 may be opened during the installation process and re-sealed such that ambient input air from the exterior 101 of the exofilter 102 must pass through the filtration body 104 before entering an input port (not shown in FIG. 1) of the air handling device 106. By encapsulating the air handling device 106 completely, the exofilter 102 provides particulate matter filtration to the input air using all surfaces of the exofilter 102 that are exposed to ambient air and unobstructed. This feature provides the benefit of a far greater surface area for filtration of airborne particles than conventional air filtration devices, while allowing the flexibility to support air handling devices of various shapes, sizes, and airflow throughput. Moreover, with increased filtration area associated with the entire device, the exofilter 102 may not become clogged as quickly as conventional filtration devices, which provides an increase in operational efficiency for the enclosed air handling device 106.

[0025] FIG. 2 illustrates the exofilter of FIG. 1 with the first sealable opening 108 in an open condition, in accordance with the present disclosure. The first sealable opening 108 is shown in FIG. 2 in a deformed or enlarged condition such that the air handling device 106 may pass through an enlarged opening 202 created by the unsealed and opened edges of the resealable opening. The first sealable opening 108 comprises a first sealable edge 204 and a second sealable edge 206 which may include fabric sealing or fastening elements such as, for example, hook and loop fastener where a hook strip (hook strip not shown in FIG. 2) is configured on a first sealable edge 204 and configured to seal to and be openable from a second sealable edge 206 configured as a loop strip (not shown in FIG. 2).

[0026] According to another embodiment, one or more of the first sealable edge 204 and/or the second sealable edge 206 may include an adhesive strip (not shown in FIG. 2) that may be sealable, openable, and re-sealable to the opposing sealable edge.

[0027] In yet another embodiment, the first sealable opening 108 may open and close via a zipper (not shown in FIG. 2).

[0028] Although depicted in the figures as having a first sealable opening extending from a base of the exofilter 102 to the tope of the exofilter 102, it is contemplated that the first sealable opening may extend to the upper-most portion of the exofilter 102, and/or extend past the front edge of the exofilter 102 across the bottom of the exofilter 102. It should also be appreciated that the exofilter 102 may be oriented in other orientations such that the first resealable opening extends across a front face of the device instead of vertically from the apparent base of the exofilter 102 to the apparent top of the exofilter 102. This is an advantage of embodiments of the present disclosure, such that the exofilter may be oriented in various ways around the air handling device 106 to accommodate various features, shapes, and power supply cable 112 exit points.

[0029] FIG. 3 illustrates an enlarged view of the exofilter 102, and more particularly, of the second sealable opening 110 with the power supply cable 112 exiting the device, presumably to power the air handling device 106, in accordance with the present disclosure. As explained above, the exofilter 102 may be powered via the power supply cable 112, which may be positioned through the second sealable opening 110. The second sealable opening may be enlarged, opened, deformed, etc. to create an opening 302 that allows the power supply cable 112 to pass through. Accordingly, the second sealable opening may include closing means that provide a resealable closure to itself and around the power supply cable 112.

[0030] For example, the second sealable opening 110 includes a third sealable edge 304 and a fourth sealable edge 306, one or more of those edges including a fabric sealing or fastening element such as, for example, hook and loop fastener where a hook strip (hook strip not shown in FIG. 3) is configured on the third sealable edge 304 and configured to seal to and be openable from the fourth sealable edge 306 configured as a loop strip (not shown in FIG. 3).

[0031] In another embodiment, one or more of the third sealable edge 304 and/or the fourth sealable edge 306 may include an adhesive strip (not shown in FIG. 2) that may be sealable, openable, and re-sealable to the opposing sealable edge.

[0032] Accordingly, the second sealable opening 110 provides a deformable opening that may conform to cords of various shapes and diameters.

[0033] FIG. 4 depicts the second sealable opening 110 after being repositioned around the power supply cable 112, in accordance with the present disclosure. It should be appreciated that a tight seal 402 that encloses the power supply cable 112 is possible, such that a cable of various sizes and shapes may be sealed with the exofilter 102. Accordingly, the second sealable opening 110 provides a deformable and resealable opening 404 that seals around the various shapes of equipment power cords or other input channels. For example, the second sealable opening 110 is adjustably conformable to any power supply cable 112 having a diametric dimension from approximately 1mm to approximately 40mm. [0034] Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a prefiltration device that satisfies long-felt needs industries such as, for example, agriculture and husbandry. For example, in the field of husbandry, animals are sometimes recovering from illness or a medical procedure in a stall that typically has environmental contaminates that may be difficult to control. For example, in equine environments, even the most pristine horse stables have disadvantageous air quality due to airborne particulate matter that may be ill- suited for a recovering horse. It is sometimes the practice to configure the horse stall in equine recovery areas with an air filtration system to assist in removing airborne environmental contaminants that may prolong or work against the horse’s recovery. Conventional solutions have several drawbacks, such as quickly clogged air filters due to the dusty environment. As explained above, the presently disclosed exofilter provides great advantage due to its increased surface area used for filtration. [0035] However, those in agricultural industries, and particularly those working with horses are aware that horses tend to compulsively chew anything within reach to them in their stall. Accordingly, it is advantageous to provide an air filtration system that remedies these environmental factors that are yet unanswered by conventional devices and methods. [0036] FIG. 5 illustrates an example air filtration system 500, in accordance with the present disclosure. The air filtration system 500 may include an exofilter 502, an air handling device 504 disposed in an interior portion 506 of the exofilter 502. The air handling equipment may be, for example, air filtration equipment, and a metallic protective cage 508 disposed on an exterior surface of the exofilter 502. The metallic protective cage 508 may include one or more mounting brackets 510 disposed on one or more faces of the metallic protective cage 508 such that the air filtration system 500 may be mountable on a vertical wall or equipment side proximate to a horse stall, or in the horse stall itself.

[0037] In one aspect, the metallic protective cage 508 may serve to protect the exofilter 502 and the air handling device 504 from environmental hazards such as animals, equipment damage due to moving equipment, or other hazards. The metallic protective cage 508 may be comprised of steel, aluminum, or any suitable metallic alloy that may withstand the biting force of an animal. Although shown with an open top portion, it should be appreciated that the air filtration system 500 may include a metallic protective cage 508 having a hinged, clamped, or otherwise fastened lid that may protect the air filtration device from environmental harms such as rain, cleaning overspray, etc.

[0038] In the field of husbandry, great care is taken to prevent introduction of ignition sources that may ignite combustible materials commonly used in the environment, such as dry hay, grasses, sawdust, etc. Accordingly, it is advantageous to provide an exofilter having a filtration body 512 that is non-flammable and spark insulative such that a spark is unable to travel to an exterior portion 514 of the exofilter 502 when the first sealable opening and the second sealable opening (e.g., 108 and 110, respectively, as most clearly shown in FIG. 1) are sealed, and the spark originates from the interior portion 506. [0039] Bovine and swine environments are examples of extremely dusty environments that provide great disadvantage to conventional systems. The disclosed embodiments may provide increased efficiency of air handling devices used in such environments.

[0040] In industrial settings such as manufacturing and construction industries, embodiments of the present disclosure further provide advantages to the protection of tooling, finishing, and manufacturing equipment that may utilize air in the operation of the device. For example, even when the ambient air is used only for device cooling purposes, the air handling equipment may provide only simple vent louvres for air to cool internal circuitry or mechanisms. The airborne particulate matter in such environments may clog integrated filtration systems in such equipment, where the condition of the airflow may not be closely monitored. Accordingly, the clogged air ducts may only be discovered when the air handling equipment begins to malfunction or fails completely due to environmental dust and contaminates.

[0041] Similarly, in the construction industry, mold mildew, radiation, and remodeling operations are dusty environments, with relatively high amounts of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and other particulate pollutants and irritants. Frequent filter changes to air handling equipment may be expensive and time-consuming. The present embodiments provide a pre-filtration solution such that a great area of pre-filtration filter media is used and clearly observable, because the entire exofilter (e.g., 102, 502) is viewable and usable as a filtration device. By comparison, conventional filtration systems rely on a filter or pre-filter limited by the area of the air input duct that supplies airflow to the air handling device.

[0042] FIG. 6 is a flow diagram of an example method 600 for method for pre-filtration of input air to an air handling device, according to the present disclosure. FIG. 6 may be described with continued reference to prior figures, including FIGS. 1-5. The following process is exemplary and not confined to the steps described hereafter. Moreover, alternative embodiments may include steps that are shown or described herein and may include these steps in a different order than the order described in the following example embodiments. [0043] Referring first to FIG. 6, at step 605, the method 600 may commence with providing a first sealable opening disposed on a first filtration body side of an exofilter comprising a filtration body having an interior portion and an exterior portion, where the first sealable opening includes a first sealable edge configured to removably seal with a second sealable edge. In some aspects, the deformable air filtration media may be disposed to filter input air to the air handling device.

[0044] This step may include positioning an air handling device at the interior portion of the exofilter. In some aspects, the air handling device may include a second air filter, which may be a replicable or cleanable air filter, and the deformable air filtration media provides a first air filtration, and the second air filter provides a second air filtration for the input air to the air handling device.

[0045] At step 610, the method 600 may further include providing a second sealable opening disposed on a second filtration body side, the second sealable opening having a third sealable edge configured to removably seal with a fourth sealable edge. This step may include providing an opening for the power supply cable of the air filtration device to pass through the exofilter.

[0046] This step may further include configuring the second sealable opening to be a deformable opening having an adjustable shape and size that may accommodate various dimensions of power supply cables. For example, the second sealable opening may be provided to be adjustable to conform to an exterior surface of an air handling device power cord having a diametric dimension from 1mm to 40mm. In other aspects, the air handling device may include multiple devices having independent power requirements. Accordingly, this step may include providing the second sealable opening such that it is adjustable to conform to a plurality of power supply cables.

[0047] At step 615, the method 600 further includes positioning an air handling device at the interior portion of the exofilter, where the first sealable opening provides an installation opening deformable to position the filtration body such that it surrounds the air handling device disposed at the interior portion of the filtration body. Accordingly, this step may include detaching the first sealable edge from the second sealable edge and creating a gap in the exofilter at the first sealable opening sufficient to pass through air handling equipment.

[0048] At step 620, the method 600 may further include surrounding the air handling device with an exofilter comprising deformable air filtration media. This step may include positioning the air handling equipment in an orientation that allows the power supply cable to pass through the second sealable opening and resealing the first sealable opening by mechanically actuating the first edge and the second edge to close any gap opened during step 615. For example, resealing may include pressing, zipping, sticking, or otherwise actuating sealing means for connecting the first sealable edge to the second sealable edge and closing any opening affected at the first sealable opening.

[0049] At step 625, the method 600 may further include positioning a power supply cable through the second sealable opening. Accordingly, this step may include opening or deforming the third sealable edge and the fourth sealable edge such that a diameter is created sufficient to pass the power supply cable through the opening. This step may further include pulling the power supply cable through the exofilter via the second sealable opening and orienting the second sealable opening around the periphery of the power supply cable such that a seal is made between the third sealable edge and the fourth sealable edge.

[0050] At step 630, the method 600 may further include sealing the second sealable opening by fastening the third sealable edge to the fourth sealable edge to create a seal with an exterior surface of the power supply cable. This step may include removing any remaining gap in the second sealable opening proximate to the power supply cable. This step may further include pressing, sticking, or otherwise fastening the third sealable edge to the fourth sealable edge. Resealing the second sealable opening may include pressing, sticking, or otherwise actuating sealing means for connecting the third sealable edge to the fourth sealable edge and closing any opening affected at the second sealable opening.

[0051] At step 635, the method 600 may further include powering the air handling device via the power supply cable such that the exofilter provides air filtration to input air entering the air handling device. [0052] In the above disclosure, reference has been made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof, which illustrate specific implementations in which the present disclosure may be practiced. It is understood that other implementations may be utilized, and structural changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. References in the specification to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” “an example embodiment,” etc., indicate that the embodiment described may include a particular feature, structure, or characteristic, but every embodiment may not necessarily include the feature, structure, or characteristic. Moreover, such phrases are not necessarily referring to the same embodiment. Further, when a feature, structure, or characteristic is described in connection with an embodiment, one skilled in the art will recognize such feature, structure, or characteristic in connection with other embodiments whether explicitly described.

[0053] It should also be understood that the word “example” as used herein is intended to be non-exclusionary and non-limiting in nature. More particularly, the word “example” as used herein indicates one among several examples, and no undue emphasis or preference is being directed to the particular example being described.

[0054] Regarding the processes, systems, methods, heuristics, etc. described herein, it should be understood that, although the steps of such processes, etc. have been described as occurring according to a certain ordered sequence, such processes could be practiced with the described steps performed in an order other than the order described herein. It further should be understood that certain steps could be performed simultaneously, that other steps could be added, or that certain steps described herein could be omitted. In other words, the descriptions of processes herein are provided for the purpose of illustrating various embodiments and should in no way be construed so as to limit the claims.

[0055] Accordingly, it is to be understood that the above description is intended to be illustrative and not restrictive. Many embodiments and applications other than the examples provided would be apparent upon reading the above description. The scope should be determined, not with reference to the above description, but should instead be determined with reference to the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. It is anticipated and intended that future developments will occur in the technologies discussed herein, and that the disclosed systems and methods will be incorporated into such future embodiments. In sum, it should be understood that the application is capable of modification and variation.

[0056] All terms used in the claims are intended to be given their ordinary meanings as understood by those knowledgeable in the technologies described herein unless an explicit indication to the contrary is made herein. In particular, use of the singular articles such as “a,” “the,” “said,” etc. should be read to recite one or more of the indicated elements unless a claim recites an explicit limitation to the contrary. Conditional language, such as, among others, “can,” “could,” “might,” or “may,” unless specifically stated otherwise, or otherwise understood within the context as used, is generally intended to convey that certain embodiments could include, while other embodiments may not include, certain features, elements, and/or steps. Thus, such conditional language is not generally intended to imply that features, elements, and/or steps are in any way required for one or more embodiments.

Claims

CLAIMS THAT WHICH IS CLAIMED IS:

1. An exofilter comprising: a filtration body having an interior portion and an exterior portion; a first sealable opening disposed on a first filtration body side, the first sealable opening comprising a first sealable edge configured to removably seal with a second sealable edge; and a second sealable opening disposed on a second filtration body side, the second sealable opening comprising a third sealable edge configured to removably seal with a fourth sealable edge; wherein the first sealable opening provides an installation opening deformable to position the filtration body such that it surrounds an object disposed at the interior portion of the filtration body and removably attach the first sealable edge to the second sealable edge.

2. The exofilter according to claim 1, wherein the first sealable edge removably seals to the second sealable edge via one or more of a hook and loop fastener, a zipper, and an adhesive strip.

3. The exofilter according to claim 1, wherein the second sealable opening provides a deformable opening having an adjustable shape and size.

4. The exofilter according to claim 2, wherein the second sealable opening is adjustably conformable to any shape power supply cable having a diametric dimension from approximately 1mm to approximately 40mm.

5. The exofilter according to claim 1, wherein the third sealable edge removably seals to the fourth sealable edge via one or more of a hook and loop fastener and an adhesive strip.

6. The exofilter according to claim 1, wherein the filtration body is non-flammable and spark insulative such that a spark is unable to travel to an exterior portion of the exofilter when the first sealable opening and the second sealable opening are sealed and the spark originates from the interior portion.

7. An air filtration system, comprising: an exofilter comprising a filtration body having an interior portion and an exterior portion; a first sealable opening disposed on a first filtration body side, the first sealable opening comprising a first sealable edge configured to removably seal with a second sealable edge; a second sealable opening disposed on a second filtration body side, the second sealable opening comprising a third sealable edge configured to removably seal with a fourth sealable edge; and an air handling device disposed at the interior portion of the exofilter, wherein the first sealable opening provides an installation opening deformable to position the filtration body such that it surrounds the air handling device disposed at the interior portion of the filtration body and removably attach the first sealable edge to the second sealable edge.

8. The air filtration system of claim 7, wherein the second sealable opening provides a deformable opening having an adjustable shape and size.

9. The air filtration system according to claim 8, wherein the second sealable opening is adjustable to conform to an exterior surface of an air handling device power cord having a diametric dimension from 1mm to 40mm.

10. The air filtration system according to claim 7, wherein the filtration body comprises deformable air filtration media disposed to filter input air to the air handling device.

11. The air filtration system according to claim 10, wherein the air handling device comprises a second air filter, and the deformable air filtration media provides a first air filtration and the second air filter provides a second air filtration for the filter input air to the air handling device.

12. The air filtration system according to claim 7, wherein the first sealable edge removably seals to the second sealable edge via one or more of a hook and loop fastener, a zipper, and an adhesive strip.

13. The air filtration system according to claim 7, wherein the third sealable edge removably seals to the fourth sealable edge via one or more of a hook and loop fastener and an adhesive strip.

14. The air filtration system according to claim 7, wherein air filtration media comprises one or more of a polyester mesh and a metallic mesh.

15. The air filtration system according to claim 7, further comprising a metallic protective cage disposed proximate to an exterior surface of the exofilter.

16. The air filtration system according to claim 15, wherein the metallic protective cage further comprises: one or more mounting brackets configured to rigidly attach to a wall; and further comprises a base that supports the air handling device.

17. The air filtration system according to claim 15, wherein the metallic protective cage further comprises a supporting surface configured to support the air handling device and the exofilter.

18. The air filtration system according to claim 7, wherein the exofilter is washable.

19. The air filtration system according to claim 7, wherein the filtration body is nonflammable and spark insulative such that a spark is unable to travel to an exterior portion of the exofilter when the first sealable opening and the second sealable opening are sealed and the spark originates from the interior portion.

20. A method for pre-filtration of input air to an air handling device, the method comprising: providing a first sealable opening disposed on a first filtration body side of an exofilter comprising a filtration body having an interior portion and an exterior portion, wherein the first sealable opening comprises a first sealable edge configured to removably seal with a second sealable edge; providing a second sealable opening disposed on a second filtration body side, the second sealable opening comprising a third sealable edge configured to removably seal with a fourth sealable edge; positioning an air handling device at the interior portion of the exofilter, wherein the first sealable opening provides an installation opening deformable to position the filtration body such that it surrounds the air handling device disposed at the interior portion of the filtration body and removably attach the first sealable edge to the second sealable edge; surrounding the air handling device with an exofilter comprising deformable air filtration media; sealing the first sealable opening by fastening the first sealable edge to the second sealable edge; positioning a power supply cable through the second sealable opening; sealing the second sealable opening by fastening the third sealable edge to the fourth sealable edge to create a seal with an exterior surface of the power supply cable; and powering the air handling device via the power supply cable such that the exofilter provides air filtration to input air entering the air handling device.