Abstract: A self-cleaning apparatus comprising a rotary drum filter which collects foreign matter on one surface of the filter media thereof, and a cleaning apparatus that includes an endless belt having openings formed therein and arranged for axial movement along the surface of the filter media, the belt being mounted for such movement on a plenum chamber having an extending slot which communicates with the openings in the belt during such movement thereof whereby a vacuum imposed within the plenum chamber will act to remove foreign matter from the filter media surface. The belt includes retaining means which permit a variety of nozzle elements or imperforate plates to be mounted on the belt at its openings.

Abstract: Means are provided for continuous filtration of foreign matter from a fluid stream, without requiring a discontinuance of filtration to clean filter surfaces. The apparatus alternately directs the fluid to be filtered to one or another of a plurality of filter compartments, each containing a filter medium. Sensing means are provided to sense the condition of filter clogging in the compartments, and diverting means are provided to divert the flow of fluid to a compartment having a relatively clean filter, when a clogging condition is sensed. Thus, the fluid stream is always directed to a filtering compartment having relatively clean filter media therein. Additionally, means are provided for cleaning the filter medium in a compartment not being used.

Abstract: Apparatus for filtering air discharged from a cotton gin, so as to minimize the likelihood of contamination of the ambient atmosphere by airborne particulate waste from the gin. The exhaust air from the gin is fed to a housing containing, as initial filtering means, an inertial classifier in which relatively large particulate matter is screened from the air and dropped by gravity to the bottom of the housing below the inertial classifier screen, where it is collected and discharged, preferably by a compacting screw conveyor. A major part of the air along with entrained relatively smaller particles of foreign matter is passed through the inertial classifier screen.

Abstract: A nozzle mounting for the stripper nozzle employed for cleaning the filter media of rotary drum filters. The improved mounting is formed by a stripper duct having a stationary portion and a traversing portion telescoping with respect to said stationary portion, and mounted adjacent the drum filter along a line parallel to the axis of the drum filter. The traversing portion of the duct is coupled to and supports a plurality of equally spaced nozzles, and this traversing duct portion is mounted for reciprocation a distance equal to the spacing between the nozzles so that upon reciprocation of the traversing duct portion, each nozzle will be moved across the media surface rotating with the drum to strip waste therefrom, so that all areas of the media will be cleaned.

Abstract: Method and apparatus are disclosed for eliminating or minimizing air borne dust, fly, lint and the like particulate matter, and static accumulations thereof generated by the movement of sliver into the coiler trumpet of a sliver coiler. Coiler head cleaning is accomplished by confining an air flow path over the head of the coiler and establishing an air flow stream along said path to entrain dust, fly, lint and the like particulate matter released by the sliver moving into the coiler trumpet. Apparatus is provided comprising an enclosure confining a volume of air over the coiler head, with an opening leading into the enclosure through which air flowing across the trumpet is admitted. A suction connection is formed in the enclosure remote from the air inlet with air flow established in a path through the enclosure between the air inlet and the suction connection.

Abstract: A control valve arrangement implementing the use of pneumatic valves to control air flow for textile machinery blowdown, and the remote control of such pneumatic valves by means of remotely located solenoid valves. In air flow systems employing pneumatic valves of the type having a constrictable flexible annulus arranged within a rigid conduit with air under pressure selectively admissible to a space between the annulus and the surrounding conduit wall so as to effect constriction of the annulus to close off the passage through the conduit, solenoid actuated control valves have conventionally been employed to control the flow of fluid to said space between annulus and conduit to effect annulus constriction. Where these solenoid actuated control valves are located at control points which are remote from the pneumatic valve, it is found that the release of the annulus constricting air pressure is delayed due to the time delay between solenoid actuation and pressure change at the remote pneumatic valve.

Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed for capturing lint, dust, fly and the like particulate matter released by the passage of sliver to the trumpet of an orbital sliver coiler utilizing an annular plenum arranged to surround the circumferential path of travel of the trumpet of the coiler. The plenum is formed with a stationary outer plenum section having an outlet connected to a suction hose, and a rotating inner plenum section formed with an inlet opening arranged adjacent and moving with the trumpet of the coiler. Air and particulate matter released by the sliver is drawn through the inlet opening into the plenum.

Abstract: An improvement in air filtering apparatus of the type having means for providing intermittent reverse flow of air through the filter media of the apparatus to dislodge any accumulations of material from the filter media. Such apparatus is conventionally formed with a collecting air chamber receiving the air to be filtered, which is then fed to a filtered air chamber separated from the collecting chamber by a grid plate with air passages therethrough. Filter media such as filter bags or the like are arranged in the grid plate air passages to filter the air passing through to the filtered air chamber. The invention provides an improved air plenum blower fan arrangement providing a relatively straight reverse air flow path from the fan discharge to improve the efficiency of air transfer between the fan and the filter media to effect desired cleaning of the filter media.