A system and method for automatically cleaning air filters of a medical imaging system is provided. The method includes monitoring an air filter operating condition, determining that the air filter operating condition is not within a pre-determined threshold, and providing a control signal to at least one air filter. The at least one air filter comprises a motor, drive shaft, rotatable passive shaft, continuous belt air filter, and a stationary filter brush. The drive shaft is rotatably coupled to the motor. The continuous belt air filter is coupled to the drive shaft and the passive shaft. The stationary filter brush is mounted against the continuous belt air filter. The method includes rotating, by the motor in response to the control signal, the drive shaft to translate the continuous belt air filter around and between the drive shaft and the rotatable passive shaft, and across the stationary filter brush.