SELF ACTUATING ROTARY DUST VALVE

• US 20110012043A1
• Filed: 07/13/2010
• Published: 01/20/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 07/15/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Mann+Hummel GmbH (Hummel Familien-Beteiligungsgesellschaft mbH + Co. KG)
• Original Assignee: Mann+Hummel GmbH (Hummel Familien-Beteiligungsgesellschaft mbH + Co. KG)
• Inventors: Babb, Kevin Brian, Metternich, Jeremy
• Granted Patent: US 8,752,736 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 251/304
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 46/4272 Special valve constructions adapted to filters or filter elements
• CPC Class Codes: F02M 35/08 with means for removing dust, particles or liquids from cleaners; with means for indicating clogging; with by-pass means; Regeneration of cleaners
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 1/223 with a plurality of valve members
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 5/0605 with particular plug arrangements, e.g. particular shape or built-in means
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 5/12 Arrangements for modifying the way in which the rate of flow varies during the actuation of the valve

Abstract

The present invention relates to a self actuating rotary dust valve particularly for discharging dust from an engine air cleaner. The rotary dust valve includes a valve body having an inlet port, an outlet port and a rotor chamber interposed therebetween. A rotary dust ejection member is enclosed in the rotor chamber and supported for rotation about a fixed axis. A plurality of fin members are provided angularly spaced about and secured to the hub member. Adjacent pairs of the fin members define at least one dust pocket therebetween to receive dust from the air cleaner to be ejected. The rotor chamber and the fin members are cooperatively shaped and configured to maintain a continuous air lock closure. The dust valve is operable by any of: gravity and vibration to rotate and thereby to discharge the dust buildup through the outlet port or alternately by other drive means.

Claims

1. A rotary dust valve, comprising:

a valve body having an inlet port, an outlet port and a rotor chamber interposed therebetween;

a rotary dust ejection member having;

a plurality of fin members defining at least one dust pocket therebetween, wherein at least one of said dust pockets open to said inlet port when in a first position and open to said outlet port when in a second position, each of said dust pockets opening to no more than one of said ports at a time;

wherein said rotary dust ejection member is operable by any of;

gravity, vibration, electric motor or vacuum motor.

2. A rotary dust valve, comprising:

a valve body having an inlet port, an outlet port and a rotor chamber interposed therebetween;

a rotary dust ejection member having;

a fixed axis of rotation extending through a central portion of said rotor chamber;

a hub member rotatably supporting said rotary dust ejection member to rotate in said rotor chamber about said axis of rotation;

a plurality of fin members, each fin member extending radially outwards from and secured to said hub member, said fins sharing a common size and shape, said fin members angularly spaced apart on said hub relative to said axis and configured to rotate in unison about said axis, wherein adjacent pairs of said fin members define at least one dust pocket therebetween;

wherein said fin members are arranged such that as said fin members rotate about said axis, at least one of said dust pockets open to said inlet port when in a first position and open to said outlet port when in a second position, each of said dust pockets opening to no more than one of said ports at a time;

wherein said dust pockets are configured to receive dust from said inlet port when in said first position and to discharge dust through said outlet port when in said second position;

wherein said rotor chamber and said fin members are cooperatively shaped and configured to maintain a continuous air lock closure between said inlet and outlet port as said fin members rotate about said axis within said chamber, providing pressure and air flow separation between said inlet and outlet ports;

wherein said fin members rotate in unison about said axis such that dust buildup in said dust pocket in said first position is operable by any of;

gravity, vibration, electric motor or vacuum motor to rotate said duct pocket with buildup into said second position to discharge said dust buildup through said outlet port.

3. The rotary dust valve according to claim 2, wherein said fin members are angularly positioned about said axis for uniform angular displacement between adjacent fin members.

4. The rotary dust valve according to claim 2, further comprising cylindrical shaft portions extending axially from opposing ends of said hub member, said shaft portions sized to extend to and receive support from opposing sidewalls of said rotor chamber.

5. The rotary dust valve according to claim 2, further comprising

two pin members, each secured to an opposing sidewall of said rotor chamber, said pins positioned along said axis and protruding inwardly along said axis into said chamber;

and wherein

opposing ends of said hub member have a bore, said bore configured to receive and rotate upon said pins.

6. The rotary dust valve according to claim 2, further comprising a shaft having a length selected to extend between and receive support from opposing sidewalls of said rotor chamber, said shaft aligned with said axis, said shaft extending through an axially aligned bore in said hub member.

7. The rotary dust valve according to claim 6, wherein said hub and fin members rotate upon said shaft.

8. The rotary dust valve according to claim 6, wherein said shaft rotatably supports said hub and fin members on said opposing sidewalls.

9. The rotary dust valve according to claim 2, wherein said fin members are planar.

10. The rotary dust valve according to claim 2, wherein said dust value is positioned with said inlet port positioned vertically above said outlet port.

11. The rotary dust valve according to claim 2, wherein said inlet port is connected to an air cleaner of an internal combustion engine.

12. The rotary dust valve according to claim 2, wherein said fin members have a shape selected from any of planar, curved, S-shaped, concave, or convex.