Pneumatic Reverse Flushing Patents (Class 55/302)
  • Patent number: 7608138
    Abstract: Provided is an apparatus 1 for measuring pressure loss in a filter 2, which apparatus includes filter holding means 3; fluid passing means; flow rate measuring means; pressure loss measuring means; and a flow path 6 which connects the four means such that a fluid can pass between the means. The apparatus further includes flow rate regulating means having a mainstream path 7; a tributary path 8 which is branched from the mainstream path 7 and communicates with the outside; and one or more flow path opening/closing members 9 capable of, in conjunction with the level of the fluid flow rate as measured through the flow rate measuring means, opening or closing the mainstream path 7 or the tributary path 8 such that the flow path opening ratio of each of the paths varies continuously or intermittently. The apparatus achieves reliable and convenient measurement of pressure loss with the flow rate of the fluid which passes through the filter 2 being maintained at a constant level by the flow rate regulating means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2009
    Assignee: NGK Insulators, Inc.
    Inventors: Satoshi Sakashita, Mitsuo Takahashi
  • Patent number: 7608121
    Abstract: An endless filtering sheet, having an interior entrained about rollers, extends in a path of movement over an air inlet in a housing for receiving air flow and presents an exterior from which dirt and debris collected from the incoming air flow and which dirt and debris is removed in a horizontal reach by gravity and/or an air flow. A drive mechanism continuously moves the sheet in the endless path to provide a continuously operating air filtration system for a heat exchanger in a HVAC system that is self-cleaning.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2009
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Eugene C. Boyer, Gregory J Kowalski
  • Patent number: 7588613
    Abstract: A movable filter system is provided for moving one or more filters of a filter assembly between an operative position and a maintenance position. In one embodiment, a filter assembly is secured to a telescoping rod assembly so that it may be moved between operative and maintenance positions. Positioning the rod assembly vertically allows gravity to move the rod assembly to an extended position, and a winch and cable may be used to move the rod assembly to a retracted position. Keyways and channels may be used within the rods of the telescoping rod assembly so as to maintain rotational positioning of the filter assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2009
    Assignee: Deseret Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott A. Gubler, Daniel Esplin
  • Patent number: 7585343
    Abstract: A cleaning system for a gas turbine inlet filter mounted to a tubesheet. The filter defines an upstream side at which particulates are separated from a fluid stream passing through the filter and a downstream side substantially free of the particulates. The cleaning system includes a blowpipe for supplying a pressurized fluid. A one-piece nozzle is made from a tubular member having a substantially constant cross-section extending along the length of the member. The nozzle is permanently attached to the blowpipe at a first end portion. The nozzle is in fluid communication with the blowpipe to direct a cleaning pulse of the pressurized fluid from a second opposite end portion into the downstream side of the filter to dislodge particulates into the upstream side. An aspirator is formed in the nozzle at an upstream location spaced from the second end portion of the nozzle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2009
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Jack Thomas Clements
  • Publication number: 20090217630
    Abstract: A particulate filtration device having a cleaning assembly including the cleaning nozzle that accelerates gas toward the downstream surface of the filter media. The cleaning nozzle comprises an inlet portion defining a converging inlet path, a throat portion defining a narrowest portion of the nozzle, and an outlet portion defining a diverging path and ending at an exit edge. The inlet portion, throat portion, and outlet portion collectively create an inner surface of the nozzle. The nozzle defines a centerline and an exit half angle relative to the centerline, and the exit half angle is about ten degrees. The nozzle has a throat area at the throat portion and an exit area at the exit edge. A ratio of the exit area to the throat area is about 1.4. A portion of the inlet portion adjacent the throat portion has a throat inlet radius, and a portion of the outlet portion adjacent the throat portion has a throat outlet radius. The throat outlet radius is larger than the throat inlet radius.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 29, 2008
    Publication date: September 3, 2009
    Applicant: VENTUREDYNE, LTD.
    Inventor: Glenn W. Bitner
  • Patent number: 7582141
    Abstract: A cone (36) and a ring (38) are accessories separately used during respective phases of cleaning a diesel particulate filter (10, 10?) in a cleaning machine that uses compressed air pulses to clean the substrate (12) where particulate matter in engine exhaust has been trapped. In one phase the ring covers the outer perimeter margin of one end face of the substrate, and in the other phase the cone covers a central inner zone of the end face.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2009
    Assignee: International Truck Intellectual Property Company, LLC
    Inventor: Mark S. Ehlers
  • Publication number: 20090211209
    Abstract: A cartridge element and a dust collector is provided that can achieve a decrease in the size of a dust collector using a cartridge element, can effectively disperse dust, can be easily used, and has a simple structure. The cartridge element is a plate-type element and comprises a planate filter 1 composed of a cylindrically formed pleated filter medium, a cap 2 that maintains the pleats and the opening of it in a planate shape, an upper-end member 3, and a reinforcing material 4 that is made by pipes or a round bar that is made by resin.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2009
    Publication date: August 27, 2009
    Inventors: Hidenori Ikeno, Hiroaki Watanabe, Kazuhiko Kitahora
  • Patent number: 7569093
    Abstract: A filtering system for monitoring fluid emissions from a process includes a plurality of filter assembly sections arranged in a parallel fluid flow manner with respect to each other so as to selectively receive a sample fluid (e.g., a sample gas) entering at an inlet of the system. Each filter assembly section includes a filter unit to filter particulate materials from a fluid flowing through the filter, first and second valves disposed at upstream and downstream locations of the filter unit, and a blowback flow path configured to selectively direct a cleaning fluid through the filter unit in a direction that opposes a direction in which the sample fluid flows through the filter unit. Each filter assembly section can be selectively isolated from other portions of the system so as to prevent the sample fluid from flowing through the filter assembly section while allowing a cleaning fluid to be delivered through the blowback flow path of the filter assembly section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2009
    Assignee: American Air Liquide, Inc.
    Inventors: Pavol Pranda, William A. Von Drasek, Kenneth A. Mulderink
  • Publication number: 20090183472
    Abstract: The purpose of this invention is to provide a pleated-type filter used for an apparatus for collecting dust that is optimally designed and to provide the apparatus for collecting dust using the filter, wherein the pleated-type filter can keep the resistance to its ventilation low when the filter is installed in the apparatus for collecting dust so that the pleats are directed vertically, and wherein the area for installing the main bodies of the pleated-type filters can be reduced as much as possible. The ratio of the apertures of the pleats (P/H) that is defined by the intervals (P) between the crests of adjacent pleats of the main body and the heights (H) of its pleats ranges from 0.1 to 0.3. The ratio is determined based on the relationship between the area for installing the pleated-type filters and the ratio of the apertures of the pleats (P/H).
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2007
    Publication date: July 23, 2009
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Amano, Hiroaki Watanabe, Hidenori Ikeno, Tomoyuki Suzuki
  • Patent number: 7563295
    Abstract: A filter including a filter housing with an essentially horizontal partition wall that divides the filter housing into a clean-air chamber and a dust chamber. The partition wall is provided with a number of apertures in which a number of filter bags are provided that are secured to the partition wall and extend down into the dust chamber. The filter is provided with an inlet portion in open communication with the dust chamber in a level that is above a lowermost end of the filter bags, wherein the inlet portion is configured for introducing a dust-containing flow of air into the dust chamber, from there it can be sucked through the filter bags and up into the clean-air chamber, from where the filtered air is discharged through a clean air outlet. A number of diffuser elements are arranged in the inlet portion outside the filter housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2009
    Assignee: Simatek A/S
    Inventor: Christian Andersen
  • Patent number: 7534278
    Abstract: A granulator device (101) for the treatment of powdered products comprises a closed container (102) forming a chamber (103) for treatment of the products, filter elements (104, 105) projecting into the treatment chamber (103), the filter elements comprising a multi-layer filtering wall (105) through which a fluid current can pass, and powder removing parts (106; 107, 108, 109, 110) designed to diffuse at least one service fluid directed towards at least the filtering wall (105); the powder removing parts (106; 107, 108, 109, 110) having at least first diffuser nozzles (107) and at least second diffuser nozzles (108) to diffuse the service fluid so as to free the filtering wall (105) of the powders trapped in it; there also being parts (140, 142, 147) for supporting and driving the filter elements (104, 105) which can change the angle of the filter elements (104, 105) from a first operating position, in which at least the first nozzles (107) act on the filtering wall (105), to a second operating position in wh
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2009
    Assignee: I.M.A. Industria Macchine Automatiche S.p.A.
    Inventors: Salvatore Fabrizio Consoli, Andrea Nora, Roberto Trebbi
  • Patent number: 7521025
    Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a honeycomb structural body for use in a filter, which can be provided with a large amount of catalyst, can suppress an increase in pressure loss upon collecting particulates, can have a high particulate collecting capability and can efficiently carry out a regenerating process and a toxic gas purifying process. The honeycomb structural body of the present invention is a pillar-shaped honeycomb structural body that is mainly composed of inorganic fibers and has a structure in that a large number of through holes are placed in parallel with one another in the length direction with a partition wall interposed therebetween. Herein, the inorganic fibers, which form the honeycomb structural body, are arranged in such a manner that more fibers are aligned along a face perpendicular to the forming direction of the through holes rather than aligned along a face in parallel with the forming direction of the through holes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2009
    Assignee: Ibiden Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazushige Ohno, Masafumi Kunieda
  • Patent number: 7517376
    Abstract: An air supply system and valve is disclosed which provides a reverse pulse of air for cleaning a filter element located in a filter house. A valve is also disclosed for use in the air supply system. The system includes a pressure vessel adapted to contain a volume of compressed air to be used for supplying the reverse pulse, the pressure vessel having a wall with at least one outlet aperture therein. The valve is mounted to the wall around the aperture to control the flow of air from the pressure vessel, the valve means comprising a valve body having an inlet, an outlet and a flow passage connecting the inlet and outlet, the inlet, the outlet and the flow passage generally extending axially through the valve body, a valve seat surrounding the flow passage, and a valve closure member movable towards and away from the valve seat into closed and open positions to thereby close or open the flow passage, and operating means for moving the valve closure member between the closed and open positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2009
    Assignee: Goyen Controls Co. Pty. Ltd.
    Inventor: Andrew John McCausland
  • Patent number: 7517393
    Abstract: A jet pulse chamber venturi collector wherein a venturi is provided between the upper end portions of adjacent columns of filter stacks mounted in a dust collector housing wherein particulate laden gases flow downwardly through the venturi and are accelerated to such a degree so as to be pushed directly into the dust collecting hopper. A double pulse cleaning system fires a first pulse of compressed air into the interior of the filter stacks, which is instantaneously followed by a second pulse.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2009
    Inventor: Kenneth L. Richard
  • Patent number: 7513922
    Abstract: An air filter for electric welding includes a box having an opening for connecting with a sucking tube, an dividing plate dividing the box into an upper chamber communicating with the opening and a lower chamber, a spark blocker inside the upper chamber, a movable filter device set under the spark blocker inside the upper chamber and provided with a cloth filter, a blower inside the lower chamber, and an extractable screening device installed outside it and communicating with the lower chamber. In using, when the blower is switched on, the air is sucked in from the sucking tube to the spark blocker, the movable filter device, the blower and the extractable screening device orderly, blocking sparks completely and achieving an effective filtration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2009
  • Patent number: 7503170
    Abstract: The invention concerns a structure (11) comprising a filtering member (21) comprising intake conduits (35) for the gases to be filtered, and conduits (37) for extracting the filtered gases, separated from the intake conduits (35) by porous filtering walls (43). The intake conduits (35) emerge into openings (49) for discharging respective residues, provided downstream of the respective intake openings (47). The openings discharging residues (49) of the intake conduits (35) open into a common manifold (25) for receiving solid filtering residues, forming counter-pressure means for the intake conduits (35). Said manifold (25) is isolated from the extracting conduits (37). The invention is applicable to particulate filters for exhaust gases of a motor vehicle diesel engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2009
    Assignee: Saint-Gobain Centre de Recherches et d'Etudes Europeen
    Inventors: Dominique Dubots, Nicolas Bonnail
  • Patent number: 7497886
    Abstract: There is also provided a dust extraction module for use with a power tool, the dust extraction module having: a dust collection chamber (50) having an inlet (52) connectable in fluid communication with an outlet (44) of a dust-extracting duct (40) of the power tool, and having an outlet (54) in fluid communication with atmospheric air; and a filter (60) locatable in fluid flow between the outlet of the dust collection chamber and the atmospheric air; wherein the dust collection chamber (50) has a substantially circular cross section, the inlet (52) to the dust collection chamber is at the perimeter of the circle and the outlet (54) of the dust collection chamber is from the middle of the circle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2009
    Assignee: Black & Decker Inc.
    Inventor: Andrew Walker
  • Patent number: 7485163
    Abstract: There are provided a nozzle capable of enhancing the straight-advancing capability of jetted fluid to increase the back wash effect of a filter member, and a filter-type dust collector capable of effectively carrying out dust removal from a filter member with such a nozzle. To this end, the nozzle has a Laval nozzle section secured to the inside of an outer tube at its proximal end and a fluid guide section disposed at the leading end of the outer tube. The fluid guide section has a plurality of suction holes elongated in the flowing direction of the pressurized fluid. This nozzle is mounted on a pulse header tube of a dust removal device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2009
    Assignee: Takuma Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Satoshi Yoshimoto
  • Patent number: 7479170
    Abstract: A bag house air filtration system with minimal recirculation uses new inlet airflow patterns and cleaning processes. Inlet air enters the bag house. An input plenum changes the velocity profile. Dirty inlet air is split into two plenums, and then passed through guide vanes. A clean air plenum contains a series of individual compartments with a pre-set number of filter bags that are effectively cleaned during a single cleaning cycle. Each individual compartment has a door or louver mounted above the bag openings that is opened and closed during the cleaning cycle. An automatic control system continuously senses bag house pressure drop and activates the cycle when needed. The doors open and close in a pre-set pattern to drop the dust cakes from the bags and restore air flow to normal pressures. Closing a door mounted above the bags creates a reversal of pressure that removes the dust cake.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2009
    Inventor: Jerry R. Collette
  • Publication number: 20090000471
    Abstract: According to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, a system for removing matter from a filtering device of a work machine includes a gas pressurization assembly. An element of the gas pressurization assembly is removably attachable to a first orifice of the filtering device without removing the filtering device from a work machine to which the filtering device is connected. The system also includes a heat source fluidly connected to the gas pressurization assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2008
    Publication date: January 1, 2009
    Inventors: Cheryl Lynn Sellers, David Thaler, Mark T. Grimm, Jeremy Trethewey, Natalie Noel Vanderspiegel, Richard A. Crandell, Dong Fel, Roger A. Hudson, Mark Alan Gasper, Herbert DaCosta, Eric Charles Fluga, Hemant Prasad Malhampatti, Bruce Frazier, Matthew Fletcher
  • Patent number: 7468082
    Abstract: A self cleaning gas filtration system for filtering contaminants from a flow of gas. A filter element is disposed within a housing and configured to receive a first flow of gas from an inlet in the housing. A pressurized gas source is fluidly coupled to at least one tube having a plurality of perforations. The perforations are configured to backflush the filter with a second flow of gas from the gas source. An outlet is configured to receive at least a portion of the second flow of gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2008
    Inventor: Robert R. Gordon
  • Patent number: 7465328
    Abstract: An improved dust collector for a power tool is employed. The dust collector includes a body portion, a neck portion and a head portion, wherein the body portion is disposable on the power tool so that during the cutting operation the body portion will receive and direct the air, dust, and debris to the head portion via the neck portion to either be exhausted out or to be collected in a dust collection volume. Preferably, the body portion has a series of openings to allow the user to view the cutting wheel during the cutting operation. The body portion may also have an internal directional member for efficiently directing the flow of air, dust, and debris. The head portion is preferably rotatably connected to the neck portion to allow the user to rotate the head portion to a desired position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2008
    Assignee: Black & Decker Inc.
    Inventors: Paul K. Trautner, Philip T. Miller
  • Patent number: 7462222
    Abstract: According to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, a system for removing matter from a filtering device includes a gas pressurization assembly. An element of the assembly is removably attachable to a first orifice of the filtering device. The system also includes a vacuum source fluidly connected to a second orifice of the filtering device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2008
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Cheryl L. Sellers, Daniel S. Nordyke, Richard A. Crandell, Gregory Tomlins, Dong Fei, Alexander Panov, William H. Lane, Craig F. Habeger
  • Patent number: 7459091
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a method and apparatus for separating particles and dissolved matter from a fluid stream. Specifically, the present invention includes a first pressure source which transports untreated fluid into a separator annulus with a filter element disposed therein. The untreated fluid is placed under appropriate pressure sufficient to produce turbulent flow, increased particle kinetics and/or cavitation physics allowing the desired fluid to penetrate and pass into and through the filter media. The filtered fluid is then transported to a collection tank. The contaminant particulate matter retained by the filter media may be removed by the instantenous reverse pressurization of the separator annulus by a second pressure source thereby removing the contaminant particles away from contact with the filter media, and which may then be transported to a waste collection tank or a concentrator for further treatment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2008
    Assignee: LJC Technologies, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Raymond Ford Johnson, Markley Dean Johnson, Rodney Grage
  • Patent number: 7452831
    Abstract: The filter fabric containing polyphenylene sulfide fibers, characterized in that the following (1) and/or (2) is satisfied is used to provide a filter fabric and a bag filter composed of the filter fabric excellent in dust-collecting efficiency and high in mechanical strength: (1) Containing at least two webs, one of which on the dust side contains 50 wt % or more of heat resistant fibers with a fiber, diameter of 15 ?m or less, while the other web on the clean side contains 50 wt % or more of heat resistant fibers with a fiber diameter of 20 ?m or more (2) Containing a web containing polyphenylene sulfide staple fibers with their fineness kept in a range from 1 to 3 dtex and fluorine-based staple fibers with their fineness kept in a range from 2 to 4 dtex.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2008
    Assignee: Toray Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenko Yamada, Motoki Nagase
  • Patent number: 7438735
    Abstract: A filter apparatus includes a gas-impermeable outer conduit having an open end and a closed end. The interior of the outer conduit is axially divided into first and second sides. A first clean and first dirty flow path are defined within the first side. A first gas-permeable liner separates the first clean flow path from the first dirty flow path and from the open end. A second clean and second dirty flow path, are defined within the second side. A second gas-permeable liner separates the second clean flow path from the second dirty flow paths and from the open end. A control valve connects one of the first clean and second clean flow paths to an exhaust conduit, and connects the other clean flow path to a selectively pulsed supply of cleaning gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventor: Jeffery P. Kelsey
  • Patent number: 7422626
    Abstract: A method of declogging at least one filter of a plant for manufacturing uranium oxide from uranium hexafluoride, including separating, from the wall of the filter, uranium oxyfluoride particles deposited, by a stream of inert gas such as nitrogen, injected into the filter, in a counter-currentwise direction to the flow of hydrofluoric acid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2008
    Assignee: Societe Franco-Belge de Fabrication de Combustible - FBFC
    Inventor: André Feugier
  • Patent number: 7410530
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a pulse cleaner for cleaning a diesel exhaust treatment device. The pulse cleaner includes a cabinet, a diesel exhaust treatment device mount positioned within the cabinet for mounting the diesel exhaust treatment device during pulse cleaning, and a collection filter positioned within the cabinet for collecting material displaced from the diesel exhaust treatment device during cleaning. The pulse cleaner also includes a pulse generator for generating pulses that are each directed at a majority of a face of the diesel exhaust treatment device when the diesel exhaust treatment device is mounted at the diesel exhaust treatment device mount. The pulse generator includes a pressure tank for accumulating pressurized air, and a valve arrangement that flushes the pressurized air from the tank. A pulse of air for cleaning the diesel exhaust treatment device is generated each time the tank is flushed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignee: Donaldson Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Wayne M. Wagner, Mary Joanne Lorenzen, John T. Herman
  • Patent number: 7410529
    Abstract: According to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, a system for removing matter from a filtering device of a work machine includes a gas pressurization assembly. An element of the gas pressurization assembly is removably attachable to a first orifice of the filtering device without removing the filtering device from a work machine to which the filtering device is connected. The system also includes a heat source fluidly connected to the gas pressurization assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Cheryl Lynn Sellers, David Thaler, Mark T. Grimm, Jeremy Trethewey, Natalie Noel Vanderspiegel, Richard A. Crandell, Dong Fei, Roger A. Hudson, Mark Alan Gasper, Herbert DaCosta, Eric Charles Fluga, Hemant Prasad Mallampalli, Bruce Frazier, Matthew Fletcher
  • Patent number: 7410521
    Abstract: A system for removing matter from a filtering device includes a flow receiving device having a plurality of blocking portions. Each of the plurality of blocking portions is configured to substantially block a flow directed by a corresponding at least one of a plurality of filter passages of the filtering device. The system further includes a positioning assembly configured to assist in positioning the flow receiving device within the filtering device and relative to a filter media of the filtering device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Cheryl L. Sellers, Orlando Sellers, II
  • Publication number: 20080184679
    Abstract: A particulate removal tool and method are provided to remove the particulates such as ash and soot from a particulate filter. The particulate filter can be placed on a filter holder in a housing of the tool where a quick burst of air can be provided to clean the particulate filter. The air then can travel to a container which includes additional filter to filter the air. A vacuum can be used to remove additional particulates from the container.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2008
    Publication date: August 7, 2008
    Inventors: Jim Jirele, Stan Norland, William Clayton Brown, Jamie Erin Stringfield, David Painter, Mark Gasper, Eric Vinyard, James Sarnes, Jade Katinas, Jason Scott Cooper, Cheryl Lynn Sellers, James Josh Driscoll
  • Patent number: 7402189
    Abstract: An autonomously-cleaned conditioning system conducts a routine purge cycle to clear accumulated particulates from a filter, concentrator, or both. The purge cycle is conducted by reversing air flow through the filter and/or concentrator. Air flow is reversed on a periodic basis or on the occurrence of a condition, such as a reduction in air flow exiting the concentrator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2008
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventors: Scott M. Maurer, Francesco Pellegrino, Kevin J. Tupper, Robert D'italia, Thomas J. Psinakis, Edward J. Vinciguerra
  • Patent number: 7393387
    Abstract: The invention is an apparatus for cleaning one or more cylindrical filters. An enclosure contains the entire apparatus in which each filter is supported on its own pair of rotating horizontal rollers. An assembly of air nozzles adjacent to a first end of each rotating filter is moved radially across the filter end to blow the particles out of the filter and into a particle collector at the second end. A second assembly of air nozzles at the second end then operates in a similar manner. The positions of the air nozzles are manually adjusted for filters of differing length. A simpler unit has only one assembly of air nozzles, but requires manually reversing the position of the filter for the second operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2008
    Inventor: Andreas Heisey
  • Patent number: 7384455
    Abstract: According to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, a method of detecting matter within a filtering device includes measuring a metric indicative of a first quantity of matter within the filtering device and removing a portion of the matter from the filtering device. The method also includes measuring a metric indicative of a second quantity of matter remaining within the filtering device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2008
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Cheryl L. Sellers, Dong Fei, Jill R. Akers, Bappaditya Banerjee, Mark A. Gasper, Daniel S. Nordyke, Richard A. Crandell, Orlando Sellers, II, Christie S. Ragle, Ronald Silver, Julie M. Faas, Paul W. Park, Jeremy Trethewey
  • Publication number: 20080127826
    Abstract: An air cleaner includes a housing with a dirty air inlet, a clean air outlet, and an interior. A tubesheet is in the housing interior having a plurality of openings. A panel-style filter arrangement is oriented such that each one of the openings in the tubesheet is covered by the panel-style filter arrangement. A plurality of blowpipes are provided. Each blowpipe is oriented to direct a fluid pulse at a respective one of the openings in the tubesheet covered by the panel-style filter arrangement. An accumulator arrangement is oriented adjacent to the openings in the tubesheet on a downstream side of the tubesheet. The accumulator arrangement includes, for each opening in the tubesheet, a first and second plate adjacent to opposite ends of the tubesheet opening. Adjacent openings in the tubesheet share a same first or second plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2007
    Publication date: June 5, 2008
    Inventor: Thomas D. Raether
  • Publication number: 20080127825
    Abstract: An air cleaner is provided including a housing having a dirty air inlet, a clean air outlet, and an interior. A tubesheet is in the housing interior and has a plurality of openings. The tubesheet is oriented in one of either a generally horizontal or a generally vertical position. A plurality of panel-style filters is provided, with each filter being mounted in a respective one of the openings in the tubesheet. The air cleaner also has a plurality of blowpipes, with each blowpipe being oriented to direct a fluid pulse at a respective one of the panel-style filters at an angle that is: (i) not normal to a plane of the openings in the tubesheets; and (ii) not in line with a general direction of filtration flow through the respective panel-style filter. A method of pulse cleaning panel-style filters oriented in openings of a tubesheet is provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2007
    Publication date: June 5, 2008
    Inventor: Thomas D. Raether
  • Publication number: 20080127827
    Abstract: A method of pulse cleaning filter media in panel, cylindrical, conical, or V-pack style filter in an opening of a tubesheet is provided. The method includes directing a fluid pulse at the filter media at an angle that is: (i) not normal to a plane of the opening of the tubesheet; and (ii) not in line with the general direction of the filtration flow through the filter media. An air cleaner is provided including a housing including a dirty air inlet, a clean air outlet, and an interior. A tubesheet is in the housing interior having a plurality of openings. In the plurality of openings of the tubesheet are mounted filters with filter media. There is a plurality of blow pipes, with each blow pipe being pointed to direct at a fluid pulse a respective one of the filters at an angle that is: (i) not normal to a plane of the opening in the tubesheet; and (ii) not in line with the general direction of filtration flow through the respective filter media.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2007
    Publication date: June 5, 2008
    Inventor: Thomas D. Raether
  • Patent number: 7371266
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a filter cleaning device, in particular, diesel particulate filters. In one embodiment, the device includes a source of high pressure fluid and a mechanism transport the fluid to a nozzle or nozzles; an actuator for moving the nozzles; a controller with logic for instructing the actuator to automatically move the nozzle or nozzles across the surface of the filter; a collection device and suction device downstream of the filter; and ducting to transport the fluid between parts of the system. In one embodiment, a second collection device is used downstream of the suction device to provide additional particulate removal. There are three methods proposed for providing high pressure cleaning fluid to the filter face: 1) rotating the filter and rotating the jet about an axis outside of the filter; 2) moving a nozzle in two perpendicular directions (i.e., x-y); and 3) rotating a radial nozzle about the central axis of the filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2008
    Inventors: Michael Streichsbier, Richard G. Lemke, Dean Wehrley, Bradley L. Edgar, Marc D. Rumminger
  • Patent number: 7357829
    Abstract: Multiple storage tanks and multiple valves that open simultaneously allow gas charges stored at superatmospheric pressure in the tanks to simultaneously discharge and form a single substantial percussion pulse that dislodges particulate matter from a diesel particulate filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2008
    Assignee: International Truck Intellectual Property Company, LLC
    Inventor: Mark S. Ehlers
  • Publication number: 20080083333
    Abstract: A dust collector includes a collection unit including a suction pipe and a Roots blower outwardly discharging the air having passed through the collection unit. The collection unit further includes a rotational shaft rotatably mounted in a housing of the case and disposed so as to face an interior of the case, a rotary filter mounted on the shaft and including a cylindrical porous core and a filter material attached to an outer circumference of the core and having a number of folds made of nonwoven cloth with a mesh into a continuous zigzag shape, an air blower nozzle blowing on an outer surface of the rotary filter pressure air produced by drive of the blower in a reverse direction thereby to clean the filter, and a recovery bag accommodating the dust or the like removed from the rotary filer during cleaning by the air blower nozzle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2006
    Publication date: April 10, 2008
    Inventors: Yasuna Yokoi, Toshiaki Kato, Masafumi Takeda, Yoshinobu Ito
  • Patent number: 7354469
    Abstract: A Vacuum conveyor device (10) with a multi-stage filter system, has at least one inner filter (10A), one outer filter (10B), and one filter adapter (20) especially for air-tight and/or fluid-tight insertion of at least one of the filters, for which the outer filter is arranged up-stream of the inner filter. In order of preparing a filter system for a vacuum conveyor device, which features both the cleaning-related elements of conventional filters and also the safety-related advantages of multi-stage systems, but which remains compact in structure, the one or more inner filters (10A) are used as carrier units for the one or more outer filters (10B) that can be mounted on or inserted into these inner filters and can be connected or are connected to the filter adapters (20).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2008
    Assignee: Volkmann GmbH
    Inventor: Thilo Volkmann
  • Patent number: 7338544
    Abstract: A method for cleaning a filter having Z-media includes providing a filter having Z-media and cleaning the media construction by directing a pulse of compressed gas into the media construction through the downstream flow face. Filter elements useable with such methods include elements made of Z-media. An example system utilizing the method includes a gas turbine air intake system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2008
    Assignee: Donaldson Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy D. Sporre, Jim C. Rothman, Michael W. Handley, Thomas D. Raether
  • Patent number: 7326265
    Abstract: The invention concerns a method for cleaning the upstream surface (14) of a particulate filter (10) of a heat engine exhaust line, the filter (20) being arranged in a casing (12) having an outlet (22) for exhaust gases. The method comprises a step which consists in circulating a liquid flux through the particulate filter (10) from its downstream surface (18) towards its upstream surface (14) viewed from the direction of exhaust gas flow in the filter. The liquid flux circulated through the particulate filter (10) has a flow rate higher than 50 litres/minute and is distributed over the main part of the downstream surface (18) of the particulate filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2008
    Assignee: Faurecia Systemes d'Echappement
    Inventors: Jean-Philippe Zilliox, Bertrand Figueras
  • Publication number: 20080022856
    Abstract: A cleaning system for a gas turbine inlet filter mounted to a tubesheet. The filter defines an upstream side at which particulates are separated from a fluid stream passing through the filter and a downstream side substantially free of the particulates. The cleaning system comprises a blowpipe for supplying a pressurized fluid. A one-piece nozzle is made from a tubular member having a substantially constant cross-section extending along the length of the member. The nozzle is permanently attached to the blowpipe at a first end portion. The nozzle is in fluid communication with the blowpipe to direct a cleaning pulse of the pressurized fluid from a second opposite end portion into the downstream side of the filter to dislodge particulates into the upstream side. An aspirator is formed in the nozzle at an upstream location spaced from the second end portion of the nozzle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2006
    Publication date: January 31, 2008
    Inventor: Jack Thomas Clements
  • Publication number: 20080022855
    Abstract: A filter cleaning system for use with a fabric filter mounted in a housing and defining an upstream side at which particulates are separated from a fluid stream passing through the filter and collected. The fabric filter also has a downstream side that is substantially free of the particulates. The filter cleaning system comprises a blowpipe for supplying a pressurized fluid. A one-piece nozzle is made from a tubular member having a substantially constant cross-section extending along the length of the member. The nozzle is attached to the blowpipe at a first end portion. The nozzle is in fluid communication with the blowpipe to direct a portion of the pressurized fluid from a second opposite end portion into the downstream side of the filter to dislodge particulates from the upstream side. An aspirator is located upstream and spaced from the second end portion of the nozzle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2006
    Publication date: January 31, 2008
    Inventor: Jack Thomas Clements
  • Patent number: 7320717
    Abstract: A dust collecting filter such as a honeycomb-type industrial filter for the industrial filtering of gas containing solid particles is provided. The filter includes a plurality of collateral inlet and outlet channels separated by shared filtering boundaries. The inlet channels coalesce at both their extremities into opposite inlet plenums, and the outlet channels similarly coalesce into an outlet plenum at at least one of their extremities. The filter is easily cleanable by flow reversal without dead-end accumulation of particles in the inlet channels since they do not have any dead-end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2008
    Assignee: Biothermica Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Paulo Goes Koeberle
  • Patent number: 7309366
    Abstract: A process and apparatus for cleaning filter cake from the interior of a baghouse bag. A nozzle through which compressed gas flows is positioned on the interior of a bag such that gas is directed to, and thereby disrupts, the filter cake. The compressed gas flows in the same direction as a gas that is being filtered by the baghouse, thereby avoiding the effects of reverse-flow cleaning.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2007
    Inventor: Robert M. Jensen
  • Patent number: 7300481
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for cleaning filters for dust-laden waste gases, including several filter elements (2) which are arranged vertically in a filter housing (1) and which have an upper open end (16) and a lower closed end (15) with at least one feed line (9) for the dust-laden waste gases and at least one discharge line (11) for the cleaned waste gases, in addition to a device for injecting surges of compressed air into the open end (16) of the filter elements (2). In order to reduce pressure fluctuations in the filter and to provide efficient cleaning with pulsations of compressed air in the low pressure range i.e. from approximately 0.8 to 3 bars, the filter is divided into several filter modules (1) respectively including at least one filter element (2). At least two filter modules (1) are arranged in a filter housing (10) or a filter chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2007
    Assignee: Scheuch GmbH
    Inventor: Alois Scheuch
  • Patent number: 7296402
    Abstract: A diesel particulate filter of a motor vehicle is cleaned of ash, typically using equipment already available in a service shop. The filter apparatus is disconnected from the exhaust system of a motor vehicle. The filter apparatus is reversed and reconnected to the motor vehicle's exhaust system in a configuration opposite to which the filter apparatus was originally connected. The engine is started and allowed to run at a high idle and no load engine speed to blow ash from the diesel particulate filter into the exit tubing. The ash is then collected in an ash collector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2007
    Assignee: International Truck Intellectual Property Company, LLC
    Inventor: Anthony J. Cook
  • Patent number: 7294169
    Abstract: A method for operating a filter assembly having a filter medium includes applying a constant or nearly constant static DC potential to dust entering the filter assembly and the filter medium, passing dust-laden gas through the filter medium in a first direction through the filter assembly while the filter medium is statically charged with the DC potential, measuring pressure drop through the filter assembly, and, in response to the pressure drop meeting a preset limit, reversing the polarity of the DC potential to thereby allow dust particles on the filter medium to drop off the filter medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2007
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Robert W. Taylor