Patents by Inventor Keith G. Woolard

Keith G. Woolard has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 10006848
    Abstract: The system and method for testing a filter containment system. A containment system may include a filter housing with a diverging transition section mounted upstream and a converging transition section mounted downstream. An upstream test section can be arranged upstream of the diverging transition section. During a test of the filter, and aerosol can be dispersed substantially evenly across a cross-sectional area of the upstream test section. The downstream test section can be arranged downstream of the converging transition section. The downstream test section may optionally include a mixer that disturbs the airflow. The downstream test section can also include a sampling array, downstream of the mixer that simultaneously samples the airflow substantially evenly across the cross-sectional area of the downstream test section for the presence of aerosol.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2018
    Assignee: CAMFIL USA, INC.
    Inventors: Keith G. Woolard, Larry E. Bland, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9468880
    Abstract: Embodiments described herein relate to a roomside replaceable fan filter unit having an integral aerosol injector ring. The roomside replaceable fan filter unit has a housing. The housing has a top wall having an inlet disposed therethrough, a plurality of sidewalls sealingly attached to the top wall at a first end, wherein the top wall and sidewalls partially enclose an interior volume, a mounting flange attached to the sidewalls on a second end extending from the sidewall in a direction from the interior volume, a sealing element disposed on the sidewall proximate the second end, wherein the sealing element extends into the interior volume and is adapted to sealingly engage a replaceable air filter, and a filter receiving aperture is disposed about the sealing element of the housing. An aerosol injector and a fan blade positioned to drive air through the inlet and into the housing, wherein the fan blade is disposed between the aerosol injector and the filter receiving aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Assignee: CAMFIL USA, INC.
    Inventors: Keith G. Woolard, Sean O'Reilly
  • Publication number: 20160256809
    Abstract: Embodiments described herein relate to a roomside replaceable fan filter unit having an integral aerosol injector ring. The roomside replaceable fan filter unit has a housing. The housing has a top wall having an inlet disposed therethrough, a plurality of sidewalls sealingly attached to the top wall at a first end, wherein the top wall and sidewalls partially enclose an interior volume, a mounting flange attached to the sidewalls on a second end extending from the sidewall in a direction from the interior volume, a sealing element disposed on the sidewall proximate the second end, wherein the sealing element extends into the interior volume and is adapted to sealingly engage a replaceable air filter, and a filter receiving aperture is disposed about the sealing element of the housing. An aerosol injector and a fan blade positioned to drive air through the inlet and into the housing, wherein the fan blade is disposed between the aerosol injector and the filter receiving aperture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2016
    Publication date: September 8, 2016
    Inventors: Keith G. WOOLARD, Sean O'REILLY
  • Patent number: 9360411
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a containment system having a primary air inlet and an alternate inlet. In one embodiment, a containment system includes a housing configured to retain a main filter, the housing having a primary air inlet and an access door configured to access an interior of the housing. The access door has an alternate airflow inlet. In another embodiment, an air distribution plate includes a front surface having a first edge and an opposing second edge, wherein the front surface is configured to allow air to pass therethrough. Flow resistance through the front surface is greater proximate the second edge relative the first edge. In yet another embodiment, a method for testing a filter includes closing a damper and flowing air into a containment housing through an inlet formed though an access door and across an air distribution plate to a filter, and testing the filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Assignee: CAMFIL USA, INC.
    Inventors: Keith G Woolard, Larry E Bland, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9352261
    Abstract: Embodiments described herein relate to a method for utilizing a roomside replaceable fan filter unit having an integral aerosol injector ring. The method begins by replacing a used filter from the fan filter unit with a replacement filter from a roomside of the fan filter unit. Air is then pulled into a housing of the replaceable fan filter unit and out through the replacement filter to the roomside by a fan module. Finally, an aerosol challenge is provided at a location adjacent and upstream of the fan module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2016
    Assignee: CAMFIL USA, INC.
    Inventors: Keith G. Woolard, Sean O'Reilly
  • Publication number: 20160097706
    Abstract: The system and method for testing a filter containment system. A containment system may include a filter housing with a diverging transition section mounted upstream and a converging transition section mounted downstream. An upstream test section can be arranged upstream of the diverging transition section. During a test of the filter, and aerosol can be dispersed substantially evenly across a cross-sectional area of the upstream test section. The downstream test section can be arranged downstream of the converging transition section. The downstream test section may optionally include a mixer that disturbs the airflow. The downstream test section can also include a sampling array, downstream of the mixer that simultaneously samples the airflow substantially evenly across the cross-sectional area of the downstream test section for the presence of aerosol.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2015
    Publication date: April 7, 2016
    Inventors: Keith G. WOOLARD, Larry E. BLAND, JR.
  • Publication number: 20160097705
    Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure generally include a scan module configured to scan a filter for leaks. In one example, the scan module includes a housing having a plurality of scan probes disposed therein. A movement mechanism is coupled to the plurality of scan probes. The movement mechanism is operable to simultaneously displace the plurality of scan probes within the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2015
    Publication date: April 7, 2016
    Inventor: Keith G. WOOLARD
  • Publication number: 20160096135
    Abstract: An access door that includes a scanning mechanism for a containment system, a containment system having the same, and a method for leak testing a filter installed in the containment system are described herein. In one embodiment, a containment system is disclosed that includes a housing having a downstream test section access port selectively sealed by a downstream test section access door. A displacement assembly is coupled to the downstream test section access door and is operable to move a plurality of probes disposed in the housing relative to the test section access door.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2015
    Publication date: April 7, 2016
    Inventor: Keith G. WOOLARD
  • Publication number: 20160067646
    Abstract: Embodiments described herein relate to a method for utilizing a roomside replaceable fan filter unit having an integral aerosol injector ring. The method begins by replacing a used filter from the fan filter unit with a replacement filter from a roomside of the fan filter unit. Air is then pulled into a housing of the replaceable fan filter unit and out through the replacement filter to the roomside by a fan module. Finally, an aerosol challenge is provided at a location adjacent and upstream of the fan module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2015
    Publication date: March 10, 2016
    Inventors: Keith G. WOOLARD, Sean O'REILLY
  • Patent number: 9186610
    Abstract: Embodiments described herein relate to roomside replaceable fan filter units. In one embodiment, a roomside replaceable fan filter unit includes a housing having a filter receiving aperture and an air inlet, an aerosol injector, and a fan filter unit. The fan filter unit is coupled to the housing between the aerosol injector and the filter receiving aperture. In another embodiment, a roomside replaceable fan filter unit includes a housing having a sidewalls and a top wall that define an interior volume, an air inlet formed in the top wall, and a filter receiving aperture disposed opposite the top wall. The roomside replaceable fan filter unit also includes a fan filter unit disposed in the interior volume between the air inlet and the filter receiving aperture. The roomside replaceable fan filter unit includes an aerosol injector disposed upstream of the fan filter unit in the interior volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2015
    Assignee: CAMFIL USA, INC.
    Inventors: Keith G. Woolard, Sean O'Reilly
  • Patent number: 9084955
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention generally provide a filter frame assembly adapted for clamping in a housing is provided. The frame assembly includes a frame having a downstream frame member coupled to a cross-member, the downstream frame member and cross-member adapted to fit within the housing. At least two clamp mechanisms are coupled to frame assembly. Each of the clamp mechanisms include a rotatable rod coupled to a handle which is used to displace the frame assembly. The handle is configured to be clear of a filter receiving aperture defined above the cross-member when the handle is in both of an open or a closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2015
    Assignee: Camfil USA, Inc.
    Inventor: Keith G. Woolard
  • Publication number: 20140260981
    Abstract: Embodiments described herein relate to roomside replaceable fan filter units. In one embodiment, a roomside replaceable fan filter unit includes a housing having a filter receiving aperture and an air inlet, an aerosol injector, and a fan filter unit. The fan filter unit is coupled to the housing between the aerosol injector and the filter receiving aperture. In another embodiment, a roomside replaceable fan filter unit includes a housing having a sidewalls and a top wall that define an interior volume, an air inlet formed in the top wall, and a filter receiving aperture disposed opposite the top wall. The roomside replaceable fan filter unit also includes a fan filter unit disposed in the interior volume between the air inlet and the filter receiving aperture. The roomside replaceable fan filter unit includes an aerosol injector disposed upstream of the fan filter unit in the interior volume.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: CAMFIL FARR, INC.
    Inventors: Keith G. Woolard, Sean O'Reilly
  • Publication number: 20140131539
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention generally provide a filter frame assembly adapted for clamping in a housing is provided. The frame assembly includes a frame having a downstream frame member coupled to a cross-member, the downstream frame member and cross-member adapted to fit within the housing. At least two clamp mechanisms are coupled to frame assembly. Each of the clamp mechanisms include a rotatable rod coupled to a handle which is used to displace the frame assembly. The handle is configured to be clear of a filter receiving aperture defined above the cross-member when the handle is in both of an open or a closed position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2014
    Publication date: May 15, 2014
    Applicant: CAMFIL FARR, INC.
    Inventor: Keith G. WOOLARD
  • Patent number: 8673041
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention generally provide a filter frame assembly adapted for clamping in a housing is provided. The frame assembly includes a frame having a downstream frame member coupled to a cross-member, the downstream frame member and cross-member adapted to fit within the housing. At least two clamp mechanisms are coupled to frame assembly. Each of the clamp mechanisms include a rotatable rod coupled to a handle which is used to displace the frame assembly. The handle is configured to be clear of a filter receiving aperture defined above the cross-member when the handle is in both of an open or a closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: Camfil Farr, Inc.
    Inventor: Keith G. Woolard
  • Publication number: 20140053634
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a containment system having a primary air inlet and an alternate inlet. In one embodiment, a containment system includes a housing configured to retain a main filter, the housing having a primary air inlet and an access door configured to access an interior of the housing. The access door has an alternate airflow inlet. In another embodiment, an air distribution plate includes a front surface having a first edge and an opposing second edge, wherein the front surface is configured to allow air to pass therethrough. Flow resistance through the front surface is greater proximate the second edge relative the first edge. In yet another embodiment, a method for testing a filter includes closing a damper and flowing air into a containment housing through an inlet formed though an access door and across an air distribution plate to a filter, and testing the filter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2013
    Publication date: February 27, 2014
    Applicant: CAMFIL FARR, INC.
    Inventors: Keith G. WOOLARD, Larry E. Bland, JR.
  • Publication number: 20120204523
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention generally provide a filter frame assembly adapted for clamping in a housing is provided. The frame assembly includes a frame having a downstream frame member coupled to a cross-member, the downstream frame member and cross-member adapted to fit within the housing. At least two clamp mechanisms are coupled to frame assembly. Each of the clamp mechanisms include a rotatable rod coupled to a handle which is used to displace the frame assembly. The handle is configured to be clear of a filter receiving aperture defined above the cross-member when the handle is in both of an open or a closed position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2011
    Publication date: August 16, 2012
    Inventor: Keith G. Woolard