METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR V-BANK FILTER BED SCANNING

• US 20080087074A1
• Filed: 12/12/2007
• Published: 04/17/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 10/24/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Camfil Farr, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Camfil Farr, Inc.
• Inventors: Morse, Thomas, Huza, Mark
• Granted Patent: US 7,552,621 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 73/38
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2273/18 Testing of filters, filter elements, sealings
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 46/0086 Filter condition indicators
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 46/121 V-type arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 15/08 Investigating permeability, pore-volume, or surface area of porous materials
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 15/0806 Details, e.g. sample holders, mounting samples for testing
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2001/2291 Movable probes, e.g. swivelling, swinging
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2015/084 Testing filters

Abstract

Embodiments of the invention generally related to a method and apparatus for scanning a v-bank filter. In one embodiment, an apparatus for scanning a v-bank filter includes a hollow body having first and second ends. An outlet, formed at the second end of the body, is adapted for coupling a testing device to an interior volume of the body. A plurality of holes are formed through the body and are fluidly coupled to the interior volume. In another embodiment, a method for scanning a v-bank filter includes inserting a probe having a plurality of sample ports into a filter adjacent a filter pack, and traversing the probe along the filter pack. In yet another embodiment, a method for scanning a v-bank filter includes scanning a slot of a v-bank filter with a probe, and collecting samples of gas passing through the filter an into the probe.

Claims

1. A probe for scan testing a v-bank filter, comprising:

a hollow body having an interior volume, a first end and a second end, the hollow body configured to extend between banks of a v-bank filter during testing;

an outlet formed at the second end of the body and adapted for coupling to a testing device the interior volume; and

a first plurality of apertures formed through the body and fluidly coupled to the interior volume.

2. The probe of claim 1, wherein the first plurality of apertures are linearly arranged.

3. The probe of claim 1, further comprising a second plurality of apertures fluidly coupled to the interior volume of the body, the second plurality of apertures formed in an opposite side of the body relative the first plurality of apertures.

4. The probe of claim 3, wherein the first plurality of apertures are formed in a first leg of the body and the second plurality of apertures are formed in a second leg of the body, the legs defining an acute angle therebetween.

5. The probe of claim 1, further comprising:

a guide coupled to the body and configured to prevent the body from extending more than a predefined depth between the banks of the filter.

6. The probe of claim 1, wherein at least two of the first plurality of apertures have different effective orifice sizes.

7. The probe of claim 6, wherein the first plurality of apertures are arranged in order of orifice size.

8. A probe for scan testing a v-bank filter, comprising:

an elongated hollow body sealed at a first end and having a port at a second end; and

a tapered slot formed through a wall of the body, wherein a wide end of the tapered slot is orientated towards the first end of the body.

9. A method for testing a v-bank filter, comprising:

providing a challenge to a v-bank filter having at least two adjacent banks of filter media arranged in a “

v”

configuration;

scanning a probe across an opening defined between the adjacent banks of filter media;

sampling air passing through the banks of filter media and into the probe; and

determining if a sample is indicative of a leak.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein scanning further comprises:

moving a first sample port formed in a body of the probe across the opening; and

moving a second sample port formed in the body of the probe across a second opening defined adjacent the first opening.

11. The method of claim 9, wherein scanning further comprises:

moving the probe at a speed of less than about 0.1875 inches per second (0.48 cm/sec).

12. The method of claim 9, wherein scanning further comprises:

moving the probe at a speed of less than about 0.125 inches per second (0.32 cm/sec).

13. The method of claim 9, further comprising:

challenging the filter with at least about 300,000,000 particles per cubic foot (about 8,495,050 particles per cubic meters).

14. The method of claim 9, further comprising:

providing at least 2000 cfm (56.6 cubic meters per minute) of air flow through the filter.

15. The method of claim 9, wherein scanning further comprises:

engaging a guide of the probe with the filter.