PRE-FILTRATION AND MAINTENANCE SENSING FOR EXPLOSION-PROOF ENCLOSURES

• US 20140013940A1
• Filed: 09/11/2013
• Published: 01/16/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 12/22/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cooper Technologies Company (Eaton Corporation PLC.)
• Original Assignee: Graig E. Decarr
• Inventors: Manahan, Joseph Michael, DeCarr, Graig E.
• Granted Patent: US 9,302,213 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 95/1
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 46/46 automatic
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 7/20181 Filters; Louvers

Abstract

A filter system for an explosion-proof enclosure is described herein. The filter system can include a pre-filter assembly located outside the explosion-proof enclosure. The pre-filter assembly can include a pre-filter material configured to control air passing therethrough. The filter system can also include a filter assembly coupled to the pre-filter assembly. The filter assembly can further control the air received from the pre-filter assembly and passing therethrough into the explosion-proof enclosure.

Claims

1. A maintenance sensing system for an enclosure, the maintenance sensing system comprising:

a filter system located in an aperture of the enclosure and configured to control air flowing into the enclosure, wherein the enclosure is suitable for potentially explosive environments;

a sensor configured to measure an operating value of an operating parameter inside the enclosure, wherein the operating value is associated with the air flowing into the enclosure through the filter system;

a control device operatively coupled to the sensor and configured to;

receive the operating value from the sensor;

determine that the operating value exceeds a threshold value; and

perform, based on determining that the operating value exceeds a threshold value, a maintenance operation to reduce the operating value of the operating parameter inside the enclosure.

2. The maintenance sensing system of claim 1, wherein the maintenance operation comprises sending an alert to a user that maintenance of the filter system is required.

3. The maintenance sensing system of claim 1, further comprising:

a reverse air flow mechanism located within the enclosure and configured to reverse a direction of the air flowing into the enclosure,

wherein the maintenance operation performed by the control device comprises blowing the air from inside the enclosure back through the filter system using the reverse air flow mechanism.

4. The maintenance sensing system of claim 1, further comprising:

a vibration mechanism located proximate to the filter system and configured to cause a controlled vibration of the filter system,

wherein the maintenance operation performed by the control device comprises vibrating the filter system using the vibration mechanism.

5. The maintenance sensing system of claim 1, further comprising:

a paddle of a mechanical cleaning device coupled to the enclosure,

wherein the paddle is configured to strike a portion of the filter system, and

wherein the maintenance operation performed by the control device comprises striking the portion of the filter system using the mechanical arm.

6. The maintenance sensing system of claim 1, wherein the maintenance operation comprises sending a notification to a user.

7. The maintenance sensing system of claim 1, wherein the maintenance operation is performed on a pre-filter assembly of the filter system, wherein the pre-filter assembly is located outside the enclosure and comprises a pre-filter material configured to control air passing therethrough.

8. The maintenance sensing system of claim 7, wherein the pre-filter assembly further comprises a reinforcement structure positioned between the pre-filter material and the filter assembly.

9. The maintenance sensing system of claim 7, wherein the pre-filter assembly comprises pre-filter material, wherein the pre-filter material comprises a density that prevents particles beyond a certain size from passing through the pre-filter assembly.

10. The maintenance sensing system of claim 7, wherein the pre-filter assembly filters a larger surface area than a remainder of the filter system.

11. A method for sensing when maintenance for an enclosure is required, the method comprising:

receiving, from a sensor, an operating value of an operating parameter inside the enclosure, wherein the operating value is associated with air flowing through a filter system into the enclosure, wherein the enclosure is suitable for potentially explosive environments;

determining that the operating value exceeds a threshold value; and

performing, based on determining that the operating value exceeds the threshold value, a maintenance operation to reduce the operating value of the operating parameter.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the maintenance operation comprises blowing the air from inside the enclosure back through the filter system using a reverse air flow mechanism located inside the enclosure, wherein the reverse air flow mechanism is configured to reverse a direction of the air flowing into the enclosure.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein the maintenance operation comprises vibrating the filter system using a vibration mechanism located proximate to the filter system and configured to cause a controlled vibration of the filter system.

14. The method of claim 11, wherein the maintenance operation comprises striking the portion of the filter system using a mechanical arm coupled to the enclosure and configured to strike the portion of the filter system.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the maintenance operation further comprises sending a notification to a user if striking the portion of the filter system using the mechanical arm fails to reduce the operating value of the operating parameter.

16. The method of claim 11, wherein the filter system comprises a pre-filter assembly, wherein the maintenance operation is performed on the pre-filter assembly.

17. The method of claim 11, further comprising:

determining, after performing the maintenance operation, that the operating value is less than the threshold value; and

ceasing, based on determining that the operating value is less than the threshold value, the maintenance operation.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the operating value is determined to be less than the threshold value based on a passage of time.

19. The method of claim 17, wherein the operating value is determined to be less than the threshold value based on a reading from the sensor.

20. The method of claim 11, wherein the threshold value is among a plurality of threshold values, wherein each of the plurality of threshold values determines an amount of time that the maintenance operation is performed.