Filter Manipulation, Shaking Or Flexing For Precluding Or Removing Encrustation Patents (Class 55/304)
  • Patent number: 7736406
    Abstract: A vacuum cleaner includes a main body accommodating therein an electric blower and a dust-removal driving body; and a filter unit including a frame body where a filter for collecting dust particles is installed and a dust removing plate provided at a downstream side of the filter, one end of the dust removing plate being fixed at the frame body. The other end of the dust removing plate is struck in an air flow direction by means related with driving the dust-removal driving body, thereby transmitting an impact on the frame body with a repulsive force thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2010
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshiki Kuroki, Hideaki Sakatani, Seiji Ishikawa, Atsushi Kitai
  • Patent number: 7704290
    Abstract: A cyclone dust collecting apparatus for a vacuum cleaner according to the present disclosure includes a cover having a suction port forcing entering air to form a whirling air current; a cyclone body connected to the cover, the cyclone body having a discharging pipe discharging the entered air; a grill disposed at the discharging pipe; and a grill cleaning unit movably disposed at the discharging pipe so as to remove dust attached to the grill.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2010
    Assignee: Samsung Gwangju Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jang-keun Oh
  • Patent number: 7687179
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a fuel cell device includes a main body, an electricity generator, a fuel cartridge, an air inlet, an air intake filter, and a vibration applying mechanism. The electricity generator is housed in the main body, and generates electricity. The fuel cartridge is detachably housed in the main body, and supplies the electricity generator with fuel for electricity generation. The air inlet draws air in from atmosphere to supply the electricity generator with the air. The air intake filter covers the air inlet and cleans air. The vibration applying mechanism causes the air intake filter to vibrate in response to the movement of the fuel cartridge with respect to the main body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2010
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventor: Yuji Takaiwa
  • Patent number: 7628830
    Abstract: An electric vacuum cleaner includes a first dust separation device configured to separate sucked dust, a first dust collection section for collecting the separated dust, a second dust separation device configured to separate the dust, a dust removing device configured to remove the dust adhering to the second dust separation device, a second dust collection section for accumulating the removed dust, a partition wall for zoning the first dust collection section and the second dust collection section and an introduction opening for introducing the removed dust into the second dust collection section; the partition wall includes a communication opening for communicating the first dust collection section to the second dust collection section and an opening and closing member for closing either of the introduction opening or the communication opening and switching the closing to the other by rotating, and the opening and closing member closes the introduction opening with a negative pressure by an electric fan and
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2009
    Assignee: Toshiba Tec Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Ohtsu, Masatoshi Tanaka, Yuji Otsuka, Yukio Machida, Mitsuru Watanabe
  • Patent number: 7615086
    Abstract: A particulate separator includes a plurality of perforated screens which remove ash particulate from flue gas. A rapper assembly dislodges ash deposits on the perforated screens by exerting a vibrating force thereon. Shafts, which are operatively connected to a rapping device, are received in the openings of perforated screens and welded thereto. The rapper exerts a force on the shaft, which, in turn, vibrates the perforated screen. The vibration of the perforated screens causes the ash deposits to fall off into the hopper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2009
    Assignee: Babcock & Wilcox Power Generation Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert E. Snyder, Eric J. Schwartz
  • Patent number: 7594941
    Abstract: The present invention provides a device for removing particulate matter from an air stream, and more particularly the present invention relates to a rotary gas cyclone separator with a dual-ducted filtering vortex finder for separating fine particles as small as 1 ?m from an air stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2009
    Assignee: University of New Brunswick
    Inventors: Ying Zheng, Jinyu Jiao, Qikai Zhang, Guogang Sun
  • Patent number: 7550021
    Abstract: A portable dust collection system for a wood shop or other dust producing environment is employed with a sander, power saw, router or other dust-producing tool such as a woodworking tool. A movable platform has a vertical intake pipe supporting a head portion formed with a shroud. A centrifugal impeller drives the intake air stream plus any entrained particles into one or more cyclonic separators, which deposit the dust in a respective drum supported on the platform beneath the cyclone. The air inlet from the tool enters the vertical pipe at a point partway up the pipe, so that large particles drop to the bottom end of the pipe, where a clean-out door is provided. The exhaust or discharge air from the cyclonic separator(s) passes out through a filter cartridge to the ambient. A deflector plate prevents the dust from eddying back into the separator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2009
    Inventor: Robert M. Witter
  • Publication number: 20090113858
    Abstract: A filtration unit having an inlet to, and outlet from, a filtration zone in which one or more filter elements are located, the filtration zone being located above a collection zone, the collection zone comprising powered movement means operable to cause particulate matter contacting such movement means to be urged towards storage means.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2006
    Publication date: May 7, 2009
    Inventors: Kevin S. MacLiver, Paul J. Smith, Maurice B. Mills
  • Patent number: 7517377
    Abstract: This dust collecting unit for use in a cleaner includes an inlet port through which air and dust is taken in, a dust catch room into which the air and dust taken in through the inlet port is led, an air flow path for separating a part of air taken in through the inlet port and ensuring air flow, an air outlet port through which the air having passed through the dust catch room and the air flow path is discharged, and a filter provided on the upstream side of the air outlet port for preventing dust from flowing to the air outlet port from the dust catch room and the air flow path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2009
    Assignee: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jun Yoshida, Kiyota Taniguchi, Kenji Toyooka
  • Publication number: 20090049808
    Abstract: In order to maintain the dust collection efficiency, it comprises: a filtration chamber 20 which has an carbon fiber outlet 10 from which carbon fibers are discharged and to which a gas including the carbon fibers is introduced; a flexible cylindrical filter cloth 22 one end of which is suspended in the filtration chamber and which collects the carbon fibers in the gas in order to clean up the gas; and a pathway 30 for cleaned-up gas which is connected to the filtration chamber 20 through the cylindrical filter cloth 22 and which allows the cleaned-up gas to pass through it.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2006
    Publication date: February 26, 2009
    Applicants: BUSSAN NANOTECH RESEARCH INSTITUTE INC., MITSUI & CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hirosuke Kawaguchi, Fuminori Munekane, Kojuro Takahashi
  • Patent number: 7485167
    Abstract: A manually moveable filter shaker for a drum-style vacuum cleaner with a drum lid and a filter bag mounted below the drum lid. The filter shaker includes a shaker handle operable from outside of the drum lid and extending through an elastically deformable pressure-tight through-hole in the drum lid and into the filter bag having a contoured bottom. The shaker handle extends to the bottom of the filter bag. Guide template control the manual movement of the shaker handles such that the shaker handle shakes the filter bag loosening accumulated debris.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2009
    Assignee: Vac-U-Max
    Inventor: David Kennedy
  • Publication number: 20090007440
    Abstract: A power cutter comprising: a housing 2; an engine 24 mounted within the housing 2; a support arm 7 mounted on the housing and which projects forward of the housing; a blade mounting mechanism 70,90, 86, 92 rotatably mounted on the end of the support arm and which is capable of being rotationally driven by the engine 24 when the engine is running; a liquid fuel aeration mechanism 126 to generate aerated fuel for the engine; an air intake 314 for the provision of air for the liquid fuel aeration device 126; an air filtration mechanism 316 to filter the air drawn in from the air intake for the liquid fuel aeration mechanism; a fuel tank 124 for providing fuel to the liquid fuel aeration mechanism; and an exhaust 146 through which the exhaust gases generated by the operation of the engine are expelled; wherein the air filtration mechanism comprises an air filter 320 comprising a plurality of pleats which hang substantially vertically downwardly when the power cutter is in its standard orientation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2008
    Publication date: January 8, 2009
    Applicant: BLACK AND DECKER INC.
    Inventors: Martin SOIKA, Manfred DROSTE
  • Publication number: 20080271419
    Abstract: A filter cleaning mechanism for a cylindrical filter within a filter box of a surface maintenance machine having a shaker plate engaging a top end of the filter and having vibrations induced via a motor and eccentric mass combination. In one example, the motor and eccentric mass are mounted to a hinged cover plate via a vibration isolating connection. A pair of slot structures may limit movement of the filter to a generally vertical direction relative to ground.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2008
    Publication date: November 6, 2008
    Inventors: Kurt Clarence Adelman, Richard William Wellens, Michael Thomas Basham
  • Publication number: 20080264007
    Abstract: A dust collecting apparatus for a vacuum cleaner is provided. The dust collecting apparatus includes a dust collecting unit detachably mounted in a main body of the vacuum cleaner, to separate and collect dust from drawn-in air flowing therein; a filter unit disposed above the dust collecting unit, the filter unit comprising a filter to filter fine dust particles contained in air from which the dust has been separated by the dust collecting unit; a top cover to cover the filter unit and to discharge the air filtered through the filter; a rotating unit, which is disposed inside the filter unit, to strike a portion of the filter and to remove the fine dust particles attached to the filter; and a dust compression plate to compress the collected dust while being moved up and down inside the dust collecting unit by power transferred from the rotating unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2007
    Publication date: October 30, 2008
    Inventors: Jang-Keun Oh, Jung-Gyun Han, Hyoun-Soo Kim
  • 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: 7346957
    Abstract: A vacuum cleaner includes an electric blower for generating a suction air stream and a dust collecting unit for collecting dirt particles contained in the suction air stream. The suction air stream passing through the dust collecting unit into the electric blower flows in an approximately linear path. A dust removing unit is provided for removing dirt particles adhered to the dust collecting unit. The dust removing unit is preferably disposed adjacent to a communication hole between the dust collecting chamber and an electric blower chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2008
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial
    Inventors: Hiroshi Nakamoto, Norihiro Tsuchiya, Tamaki Nishikori, Yasuhiro Madokoro, Yasuhiro Yuasa, Kazuhisa Morishita
  • Patent number: 7318848
    Abstract: A dust collector is disposed between an intake port and an exhaust port in a vacuum cleaner. Air flows from the intake port into the exhaust port along an airflow path in the dust collector. The dust collector includes a dust-collecting net disposed in the path, and a dust-brushing unit. When air flows from the intake port into the exhaust port, a plurality of dust brushes of the dust-brushing unit rotate to brush the net so as to remove dust from the net. Therefore, air can flow unimpeded through the net.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2008
    Assignee: Tsann Kuen Enterprise Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hei-Wang Lee
  • Patent number: 7282155
    Abstract: A device for filtering a fluid includes a fiber housing having an inlet end with at least one inlet and an outlet end with at least one outlet. The fiber housing surrounds and defines an outer bound for a plurality of fibers extending longitudinally in the fiber housing between the inlet end and the outlet end, whereby longitudinally extending interspaces is provided between the fibers, with the interspaces defining a plurality of flow passages for the fluid. At least part of the fiber housing is formed of a flexible membrane surrounding the fibers, and a compression tool is provided for creating a pressure on an outer surface of the flexible membrane thereby compressing the fibers in a radial direction at least one location along the length of the fibers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2007
    Assignee: Fibra Limited
    Inventor: Bo Boye
  • Patent number: 7282074
    Abstract: An auxiliary dust collection system can be interposed between a sander or other dust producing tool and a vacuum source, e.g., shop vacuum. This auxiliary system has a cyclonic separator connected by a flexible hose to the tool and by another hose to the vacuum source. The cone of the separator is mounted onto the lid of a drum into which the dust precipitates. For a tool that has its own blower, the vacuum source can be omitted, and the air leaving the outlet duct of the separator can be filtered and returned to the ambient. A drop in silencer formed of a sleeve or tube of acoustic foam can be positioned into the inlet side of a filter cartridge following a cyclonic separator. The silencer absorbs a significant fraction of the process noise.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2007
    Inventor: Robert M. Witter
  • Patent number: 7074248
    Abstract: A filter cleaning device for a cyclone vacuum cleaner which comprises a cyclone body having a suction port and a discharge port, a dust collecting receptacle connected to the cyclone body for collecting dusts separated from air drawn in through the suction port, and a filter connected to the discharge port and disposed inside the dust collecting receptacle. The filter cleaning device includes a manipulation unit disposed under the filter to approach to, and retreat from the filter. A connection member is interposed between the manipulation unit and the dust-removing ring for moving the dust-removing ring in association with the approaching and retreating movements of the manipulation unit. An elastic spring is interposed between the filter and the manipulation unit for urging the manipulation unit to retreat from the filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2006
    Assignee: Samsung Gwangju Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hyoung-jong Jin, Jang-keun Oh
  • Patent number: 7070636
    Abstract: A bagless vacuum cleaner (10) includes a nozzle assembly (16) having a suction nozzle for picking up dirt and debris from a surface to be cleaned and a canister assembly (18) including a cavity (32). A dust collection assembly (12) is received and held in that cavity (32). The dust collection assembly (12) includes a filtering subassembly (100) and a dust container (102). The dust container (102) has an open top (104), a bottom wall (106), a first cylindrical sidewall (108), an inlet (110), and a downwardly directed outlet (112) extending through the bottom wall. An airstream conduit is provided for conveying a vacuum airstream between the suction nozzle and the inlet. A filter (124, 138) is carried on the filtering subassembly (100). A sweeper (200) rotates relative to the filtering subassembly (100) to clean dirt and debris from at least a portion of the filter (138).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2006
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation of North America
    Inventors: Michael J. McCormick, Henry Marcussen, J. Erik Hitzelberger, Tamaki Nishikori, Richard Eric Downey
  • Patent number: 6974487
    Abstract: A device for cleaning a perforated radiator cage with at least one end face and peripheral side on an agricultural harvesting machine, wherein the device consists of an external brush which is associated with the radiator cage and which is in turn surrounded by a unitary air extractor proximate to the radiator cage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2005
    Assignee: Claas Selbstfahrende Erntemaschinen GmbH
    Inventor: Herbert Twiefel
  • Patent number: 6942717
    Abstract: A material return system of a material collection system and appertaining method permits fine material collected in a fine material collector to be returned to a main debris tank by taking advantage of the venturi effect, thus permitting a relatively trouble-free operation of the material collection system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2005
    Assignee: Vac-Con, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas W. Armstrong, Scott Johnson
  • Patent number: 6916351
    Abstract: The cyclone-type dust-collecting apparatus for a vacuum cleaner according to the disclosed invention has a grill cleaning means for automatically removing fine dusts covering the grill when the cleaner is in use. The grill cleaning means preferably comprises a grill rotating means for rotating the grill while the cleaner is in use and a dusting member disposed to extend along one side of the inner cyclone body to contact the outer circumference of the rotating grill.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2005
    Assignee: Samsung Gwangju Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jang-keun Oh
  • Patent number: 6840974
    Abstract: A self-cleaning filter and cooling system are disclosed for filtering ambient air used to cool the interior of an equipment enclosure. The system includes an enclosure for housing predetermined equipment to be cooled, the enclosure including an air intake port and an exhaust port. The system includes a blower for causing ambient air to be inducted into the enclosure through the air intake port and expelled from the exhaust port. The system also includes a filter that includes a predetermined filter media that covers the air intake port and the exhaust port. The filter moves relative to the air intake port and the exhaust port. The enclosure and blower are configured so as to create a single air flow path for equipment cooling and for discharging exhaust through the filter media to dislodge any particulate matter entrapped in the filter media.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2005
    Assignee: Spirent Communications of Rockville, Inc.
    Inventor: George R. Bailey
  • Patent number: 6814768
    Abstract: An oil separator for use in the crankcase of an internal combustion engine. A rotatable shaft is located in the crankcase and a case lead-in is sealably fixed to the crankcase and concentric to the shaft. A flat filter disk has one face which abuts the case lead-in and an opposite face which is directly secured to the shaft, so that the filter disk rotates with the shaft. Crankcase gasses flow through the filter disk and the filtered gas flows out an opening defined by the case lead-in. The case lead-in may have a flange secured to a connecting piece which passes through a crankcase wall. A draining edge on the outer surface of the case-lead-in prevents oil from contacting the filter when the shaft is at rest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2004
    Assignee: SenerTec Kraft-Wärme-Energiesysteme GmbH
    Inventor: Erhard Keller
  • Patent number: 6638329
    Abstract: A filter for filtering dust-containing air including a filter insert (2) and a cleaning device (3) having a contact element (6) mechanically contacting the filter insert along an end edge (4a/4b) of a folded dust filter element (5) forming part of the filter insert.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2003
    Assignee: Hilti Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Peter Gerold
  • Patent number: 6627166
    Abstract: The invention concerns a device for filtering gas comprising a microporous or microfibrous adsorbent filter (6) and means for forcing an air flow between an exhaust hood (2) and outlet duct (3) for the filtered air. The invention is characterized in that it comprises liquid spraying means (18) and centrifuging means arranged between the spray means and the filtered gas outlet. The particles wetted by the sprayer are blocked by the internal rotary filter and discharged with the carrier liquid towards an external container (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2003
    Inventor: François Simon
  • Patent number: 6602328
    Abstract: A gas turbine suction air filter is provided wherein, despite a large capacity, dust is easily removed by an ultrasonic washer. A gas turbine suction air filter (1) has a box-like frame member (3) and a filter cloth (5) contained in the frame member (3). The frame member (3) is made of a metal material, preferably a stainless steel. The filter cloth (5) is formed having many pleats so that many folded faces (7) are formed. No intervening member is provided between adjacent folded faces (7, 7), with only a space being arranged there. The filter cloth (5) is a non-woven fabric of a synthetic resin fiber, preferably a polypropylene fiber. While this filter (1) has a large capacity, an ultrasonic wave reaches the entire filter cloth (5) when the filter (1) is washed by an ultrasonic washer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2003
    Assignees: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd., Kawasaki Prime Mover Engineering Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshiyuki Doi, Toyosei Aota, Katsutoshi Okuno, Shigeru Maehata, Kenji Isohasi, Tatsuo Adachi, Satosi Hara
  • Patent number: 6581778
    Abstract: A powder receiving device has a loading chamber with an integral dust collector. The dust collector preferably includes at least one bag filter which filters air taken from above powder loaded into the loading chamber. The filtered air is then fed either back into the loading chamber, into a hopper where the powder is released to an external location, or out over the container from which the powder is loaded. This air flow provides for increased fluidity of the powder. The bag filter is positioned facing the loading chamber, such that when a backwash mean sends a pulse of air into the bag filter, the collected powder is dropped back into the loading chamber. The resulting powder receiving device prevents powder from escaping when powder is transferred from a container into the loading chamber. Since the powder is prevented from escaping, the powder receiving device further provides a clean workplace.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2003
    Assignee: Tsukasa Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Fumio Kato, Shinsaku Kamimura
  • Patent number: 6569218
    Abstract: A method of using vacuum-cleaner filters includes mounting a cylindrical-shaped filter cartridge coaxially on a rotatable spindle. Then air is drawn radially through a filter material wall of the filter cartridge. Periodically, the cartridge filter on the spindle is spun to dislodge any debris entrapped in the filter material by centrifugal force. Air flow is selectively drawn or pushed radially through a filter material wall of the filter cartridge. A clutch disposed between a motor and the spindle is used to periodically spin the cartridge filter on the spindle to dislodge any debris entrapped in the filter material by centrifugal force. Preferably, a motor that can be run in either a forward direction or a reverse direction is used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2003
    Inventor: David Edmond Dudley
  • Patent number: 6544309
    Abstract: An apparatus having at least one membrane filter for a superficial filtering of at least dirt particles from inflowing cooling air for cooling an electrical module and also at least one cooling device for establishing an air flow in the housing and for discharging the heated-up cooling air out of the housing from at least one air outlet, the membrane filter associated with a vibration generator to undergo a mechanical vibration which causes the dirt particles deposited on the surface to be dislodged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2003
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Bruno Hoefer, Guido Reeck
  • Patent number: 6517612
    Abstract: This invention is directed to a continuously cleanable, high performance filtration apparatus and a method for using the apparatus. The apparatus is a radial inflow centrifugal filtration device, which includes a filter element located within a chamber and rotatably coupled to a filtered fluid outlet in a bulkhead that abuts the chamber. The filter element is generally tubular, its side-walls encircling and, thus, defining an interior plenum. The filter element side-walls incorporate a filter media, preferably a laminated microporous membrane filter media. The filter element is rotatably coupled at the filtered fluid outlet by a seal which can maintain a seal as filter element rotates. Additionally, the device can include a boundary layer momentum transfer device made up of a plurality of stacked annular disks having central openings, each disk separated from adjacent disks by a desired gap. The central openings define a cavity in which the filter element is mounted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2003
    Assignee: Gore Enterprise Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven Crouch, Steve Wright, Jeffrey Storm, Wai S. Poon, Stephen K. Stark, Daniel W. Thorpe, Glenn R. Voshell
  • Publication number: 20020124729
    Abstract: A method of using vacuum-cleaner filters includes mounting a cylindrical-shaped filter cartridge coaxially on a rotatable spindle. Then air is drawn radially through a filter material wall of the filter cartridge. Periodically, the cartridge filter on the spindle is spun to dislodge any debris entrapped in the filter material by centrifugal force. Air flow is selectively drawn or pushed radially through a filter material wall of the filter cartridge. A clutch disposed between a motor and the spindle is used to periodically spin the cartridge filter on the spindle to dislodge any debris entrapped in the filter material by centrifugal force. Preferably, a motor that can be run in either a forward direction or a reverse direction is used.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2001
    Publication date: September 12, 2002
    Inventor: David Edmond Dudley
  • Patent number: 6391073
    Abstract: An air cleaner includes a cylindrical cleaning filter, and a case rotatably receiving the cleaning filter therein. A dust-removing brush is disposed to contact with a filter portion of the cleaning filter, and a manipulating device coupled to the cleaning filter and accessible from outside the case enables the cleaning filter to be rotated from outside of the case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2002
    Assignee: Kioritz Corporation
    Inventor: Hiroaki Koga
  • Patent number: 6280491
    Abstract: An apparatus for separating and filtering pollutants from a fluid flow by using inertia to separate a proportion of the pollutants from the fluid flow passing through a constricted passage between a pair of filter elements to an outlet between the filter elements. The constricted passage causes the major portion of the fluid flow to be diverted to pass through the filter elements to the outlet in a direction whereby the filtered fluid flow exits into the outlet of the constricted passage. The apparatus also includes a device to periodically clean the filter elements whilst in position in the apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2001
    Assignee: Ozone Manufacturing Pty Ltd.
    Inventor: Simon Forbes Oke
  • Patent number: 6270732
    Abstract: A particle collection apparatus has a chamber, one or more filters and a back pressure system. The filters are located in the flow path through the system to collect the particles from an input gas stream. The back pressure system applies a pulse of gas against the flow through the system to dislodge particles collected on the filters. The dislodged particles fall to a particle drain where they are removed from the system. The particle collection apparatus can be connected to a particle synthesis apparatus. The particle collection apparatus and the particle synthesis apparatus can operated at reduced pressures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2001
    Assignee: NanoGram Corporation
    Inventors: James T. Gardner, Samuel R. Phillips, Xiangxin Bi
  • Patent number: 6238464
    Abstract: A device for separating particles contained in a gas stream and the associated process use a spongy type separator to process gas streams containing liquid or solid particles of a size substantially smaller than one micrometer. The separator is advantageously made of a reticulated foam pierced with channels for the flow of the gas streams.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2001
    Assignees: Dullien Francis A.L., Institut Francais du Petrole
    Inventor: Francis A. L. Dullien
  • Patent number: 6202765
    Abstract: A device for sucking off drillings during the drilling of boreholes, comprising a suction fan (9) and a filter (10) as well as an opening closeable by a lid for emptying the drillings reception space (8) preceding the filter (10), in which, for the simple cleaning of the filter (10), the lid (12) is connected with a vibrating mechanism for the filter (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2001
    Assignee: Tamrock Voest-Alpine Bergtechnik Gesellschaft m.b.H.
    Inventors: Kurt Schaffer, Erich Brandl, Karl Schnedl
  • Patent number: 6117200
    Abstract: A mobile surface maintenance machine has a cleaning brush and a dust collection system mounted on the machine. The dust collection system includes a vacuum fan, a filter housing having an air inlet and a pleated filter element positioned within the housing with its upstream side being in communication with the housing air inlet. The filter housing has separate, side-by-side, chambers on the downstream side of the filter. There are electrically operated valves located in the filter housing on the downstream side of the filter element, with the valves being in communication with the vacuum fan. There is one valve controlling air flow from each chamber. The filter element is functionally divided into separate, but joined, pleated sections, with each section being aligned with one of the chambers. There is an electric actuator mounted on the downstream side of each pleated filter section and there is a pleat moving element associated with and movable by each electric actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2000
    Assignee: Tennant Company
    Inventors: David W. Berg, Bruce F. Field, Joseph L. Pouliot
  • Patent number: 5999769
    Abstract: An electrophotographic printing machine of the type in which an electrostatic latent image recorded on a charge retentive surface is developed with toner particles to form a visible image thereof, including; a housing having a supply of toner and developer therein; a donor member for transporting toner from the housing to the development zone; a means for conveying toner to the donor member; blower for generating a negative air stream for carrying toner therein; and a filter for removing the toner from the negative air stream, the filter including filter material and spring blower, connected thereto, for oscillating the filter material to dislodge toner material collected in the filter when the generating means is disabled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 7, 1999
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: David G. Anderson, Joseph Fantuzzo
  • Patent number: 5928414
    Abstract: A novel filter element is constructed from expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE) membrane possessing high strength which is sufficient to withstand filtration processing, as well as permitting the use of low energy to flex and clean the filter element. Further, the novel filter element of the present invention is non-linting and non-contaminating due to the ePTFE membrane structure of the filter, thereby providing excellent filtration performance for a variety of industries requiring high efficiency filtration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 27, 1999
    Assignee: W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc.
    Inventors: Raymond M. Wnenchak, John E. Bacino, Stephen K. Stark, Erik H. Wildt
  • Patent number: 5829094
    Abstract: A sweeping machine has a housing, wheels for moving the housing, a sweeping brush mounted on the housing, a hopper positioned adjacent the brush to receive dust and debris therefrom, a dust collection chamber on the housing, and a vacuum fan mounted on the housing and creating an air flow path from the brush through the hopper and to the dust collection chamber. There is a filter element in the air flow path, with the filter element including a plurality of generally parallel pleats having folds extending in a direction transverse to the air flow path. There is a pleat moving element extending generally transverse to the pleats and engaged with the pleats. An electric actuator is mounted on top of the pleats and a bar is associated with the actuator and movable upon actuation thereof. There is a spring connected between the pleat moving element and the filter frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 3, 1998
    Assignee: Tennant Company
    Inventors: Bruce F. Field, Laurence A. Jensen, Charles W. Bricher
  • Patent number: 5738706
    Abstract: The smoke filtration unit described herein has an internal cylindrical duct for ducting exhaust smoke from an exhaust flue to a shutter pivotally mounted within the cylindrical duct. The shutter can move between at least two positions. The shutter, when located in a first position, directs exhaust smoke to a cylindrical filter. An exhaust fan draws the exhaust smoke through the filter. The residual gas is vented to the atmosphere. The cylindrical filter is mounted on a vibration mount that can vibrate the filter to dislodge particulate matter that collects on the surface of the filter. The dislodged particulate matter falls into an ash collection area. The smoke filtration unit is controlled by a microcontroller that monitors temperature and pressure conditions within the unit. If excessive pressure conditions are detected, the microcontroller energizes the vibration mount to dislodge particulate matter from the filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 14, 1998
    Assignee: Air Resources, Inc.
    Inventors: Gary A. Swanander, Bruce N. Bickford, Michael Balmer
  • Patent number: 5711775
    Abstract: A sweeping machine includes a housing, wheels for moving the housing and a sweeping brush mounted on the housing. There is a hopper positioned adjacent the brush to receive dust and debris from the rotating brush. A dust collection chamber is located on the housing and a vacuum fan mounted on the housing creates an air flow path from the brush through the hopper into the dust collection chamber. A filter element is positioned in the air flow path with the filter element including a plurality of generally parallel pleats extending in a direction transverse to the air flow path. There is a plurality of electric coils positioned adjacent the pleats. A plurality of metal elements are associated with the pleats. Pulsed electric power is applied to the coils with the electromagnetic fields caused thereby moving the metal elements reciprocally back and forth and the pleats associated therewith to impart a shaking, cleaning movement to the pleats.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 27, 1998
    Assignee: Tennant Company
    Inventors: Bruce F. Field, Nilabh Narayan
  • Patent number: 5681363
    Abstract: A filter shaking arrangement includes a resilient frame disposed around an expandable filter, both of which are expanded by a fan induced air flow. The resilient frame returns resiliently to its original form upon the cessation of this air flow. This contraction of the resilient frame tends to dislodge dirt adhering to the filter as it also is forced back to its original shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 28, 1997
    Inventors: Deborah R. Tucker, Lynn A. Frederick, Jeffrey S. Louis
  • Patent number: 5673974
    Abstract: The dry dust removal device for tunnelling or extraction machines includes a suction fan (15) and suction openings (14) close to the cutting rolls (23). There is a filter element (12) arranged above the conveyor device (2) of the tunnelling or extraction machine (1), wherein closeable openings (16) are connected in the housing of the dry dust removal device (7) above the conveyor device (2) and air outlet openings (19) are connected on the opposite side of the filter element (12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 7, 1997
    Assignee: Voest-Alpine Bergtechnik Gesellschaft m.b.H.
    Inventors: Egmont Lammer, Alfred Zitz
  • Patent number: 5667682
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for filtering a fluid containing contaminants is provided whereby the apparatus includes an inlet for drawing fluid from a fluid source, a housing having attached thereto the inlet, a contaminant outlet, a clean outlet, a filtering assembly and a mechanism for agitating the filtering assembly. The filtering assembly has an upper or upstream end connected to the inlet and a lower or downstream end connected to the contaminant outlet. The filtering assembly is disposed within the housing and is connected to the contaminant outlet whereby fluid is introduced to the filter assembly at an upper end of the filtering assembly by the fluid inlet and whereby fluid is passed through the filtering assembly to provide clean, filtered fluid which is discharged via the clean outlet, and debris and other contaminants contained in the fluid are separated from the fluid and retained by the filtering assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 16, 1997
    Assignee: Water Renewal Systems L.P.
    Inventor: Kenneth Edward Laird
  • Patent number: 5603740
    Abstract: A suction source is connected to the upper end of a vertical suction tube; a plug member slides upwardly within the tube under the action of the suction source and moves down by gravity when the suction source is cut off The suction tube has a bypass port above the plug member and a valve is operated by the movement of the plug member to close and open the bypass port when the plug reaches its lower and upper limit positions respectively. Therefore, the plug continuously reciprocates up by suction and down by gravity upon sequential closing and opening of the valve. The system is incorporated in a central vacuum cleaning apparatus which provides the suction source and has a filter. The reciprocating movement of the plug drives a hammer or brush to continuously remove the dirt accumulating on the filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 18, 1997
    Inventor: Michel Roy
  • Patent number: 5446974
    Abstract: A novel filter assembly (8) for fluid bed granulator, dryer or coater machines (1) which utilize a rigid filter frame (10) consisting of a solid bottom plate (4), a donut shaped top plate (3) with said top and bottom plates being connected by side rods (5) to form a cage like frame work. Said rigid filter frame (10) is reusable, around which a pleated (13) reusable flexible filter bag (9) is fitted and clamped (7), top support plate (2) and mounting plate (12) are connected by a threaded rod (6) with a sealing gasket (11) between them.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 1993
    Date of Patent: September 5, 1995
    Inventor: Scott A. Gubler