Filter Element Arrangement and Portable Air Cleaner Incorporating Same

• US 20100269461A1
• Filed: 11/07/2008
• Published: 10/28/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 11/09/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: United Air Specialists, Inc (Parker-Hannifin Corporation)
• Original Assignee: United Air Specialists, Inc (Parker-Hannifin Corporation)
• Inventors: Zorb, Brad, Foust, Dave, Haynam, Travis
• Granted Patent: US 8,430,941 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 55/432
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2271/022 Axial sealings
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2273/30 Means for generating a circulation of a fluid in a filtration system, e.g. using a pump or a fan
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 46/0005 Mounting of filtering elements within casings, housings or frames B01D46/2422 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 46/2411 Filter cartridges
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 46/2414 End caps including additional functions or special forms
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 46/4227 Manipulating filters or filter elements, e.g. handles or extracting tools
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 46/521 using folded, pleated material

Abstract

A portable dust collection air cleaner assembly is provided. A access hatch is hinged to a dust collection bin to provide ready access to the filter element. The filter element may include an outer annular flange carrying a gasket that rests upon, engagement and seals against a top panel of the dust collection bin.

Claims

1. An air cleaner assembly, comprising:

a particulate collection bin having a top panel defining an opening;

a hatch arranged over the opening;

a hinge connecting the hatch to the particulate collection bin so that may be pivot about the hinge between open and closed positions;

a filter element installed into the opening, the filter element including a ring of filter media and top and bottom end caps mounted to opposed ends of the filter media, the top end cap including an annular flange extending radially outward relative to the ring of filter media and carrying a seal that rests upon and seals against the top panel around the opening.

2. The air cleaner assembly of claim 1, wherein the hatch includes a top wall and a bottom wall in spaced relation and a sidewall extending therebetween and connected the top and bottom walls, the bottom wall defining a second opening, a top end of the filter element projecting up through the second opening when the hatch is in the closed position.

3. The air cleaner assembly of claim 2 wherein the seal extends around the flange to include a first annular portion compressed between the bottom wall and the flange and an annular sealing portion between the flange and the top panel.

4. The air cleaner assembly of claim 3, further comprising a latch mechanism between the hatch and the particulate collection bin in spaced relation to the hinge having a latched position compressing the hatch upon the first annular portion of the seal.

5. The air cleaner assembly of claim 4, wherein the sidewall is at least partially perforated to provide an air outlet.

6. The air cleaner assembly of claim 5, further comprising an air intake region having a blower, the blower arranged to blow unfiltered air into the particulate collection bin, radially inward through the media.

7. The air cleaner assembly of claim 6, wherein the filter element is supported by the top end cap on the particulate collection bin with only the top end cap and the seal contacting the particulate collection bin when the filter element is mounted to the housing.

8. The air cleaner assembly of claim 7, wherein the top and bottom walls of the hatch are generally parallel, wherein the sidewall includes two first panels that are generally parallel and also perpendicular to the top and bottom walls, and two second panels that are parallel relative to each other but oblique relative to the top and bottom panels.

9. The air cleaner assembly of claim 8, wherein the perforated region is through one of the second panels and arranged to direct clean air outlet flow diagonally downward toward a floor surface.

10. The air cleaner assembly of claim 9, wherein the second opening of the hatch is larger than the opening in the top panel and concentrically arranged in the closed position.

11. The air cleaner assembly of claim 9, further comprising a control panel for operating the blower on a side of the air

12. The air cleaner assembly of claim 11, wherein the air cleaner assembly is portable wherein the particulate collection bin is mounted upon wheels.

13. A replacement filter element configured for use with the air cleaner assembly of claim 1.

14. A filter element for use with an air cleaner having a hatch and a particulate collection bin, the particulate collection bin having a top panel with a circular opening, the filter element including:

a ring of pleated filter media with between about 1 and 6 inches pleat depth, between 100 and 1,000 square feet of media surface area, having an outer diameter of between 10 and 30 inches;

a closed bottom end cap sealingly connected to a bottom end of the ring of pleated filter media;

a top end cap sealingly connected to a top end of the ring of pleated filter media, the top end cap having an outer annular wall surrounding a periphery of the ring of pleated media and an annular flange projecting radially outward therefrom, the outer annular wall being sized just smaller than the circular opening and the flange extending to a periphery larger than the circular opening, the flange carrying an annular seal extending at least along a bottom side of the flange, wherein the top end cap provides means for supporting the filter element in the particulate collection bin so that only the top end cap and the seal contact the particulate collection bin when the filter element is mounted to the housing, and wherein the filter element weighs between 20 and 120 lbs.

15. The filter element of claim 14, wherein the top end cap is of a different gauge thickness and strength than the bottom end cap.

16. The filter element of claim 14, wherein the annular seal is a slip gasket extending around the flange to cover top and bottom sides of the flange.

17. The filter element of claim 14, further comprising a cage in surrounding relation of the filter media.

18. The filter element of claim 14, wherein the end caps define annular wells with adhesive material therein bonding the end caps to opposing ends of the pleated filter media.

19. The filter element of claim 14, wherein the filter element weighs between 45 and 90 lbs, has a pleat depth of between 2 and 4 inches, and between 300 and 600 square feet of media surface area and a diameter of between 15 and 25 inches.

20. The filter element of claim 14, further including a handle on the top end cap traversing an outlet port formed in the top end cap.