Air filtering apparatus

• US 5,447,544 A
• Filed: 11/17/1993
• Issued: 09/05/1995
• Est. Priority Date: 11/17/1993
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Air Engineers, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Air Engineers, Inc.
• Inventors: Birdwell, Gaylon W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Bushey, Charles S.
• Application Number:
  US08/153,761
• Time in Patent Office: 657 Days
• Field of Search: 55/385.2, 55/471, 55/472, 55/481, 55/483, 55/485, 55/493, 55/497, 55/501, 55/502, 55/504, 55/511, 55/480, 55/494, 55/508, 55/274, 96/134, 96/136, 96/138
• US Class Current: 96/423
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2265/025 making use of ramps or cams
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2267/40 Different types of filters
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 46/0005 Mounting of filtering elements within casings, housings or frames B01D46/2422 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 46/10 Particle separators, e.g. dust precipitators, using filter plates, sheets or pads having plane surfaces
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 46/521 using folded, pleated material
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 46/62 connected in series
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 46/88 Replacing filter elements
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 13/28 Arrangement or mounting of filters
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 8/10 by separation, e.g. by filtering
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 8/108 using dry filter elements
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 8/15 by chemical means

Abstract

An air filtering apparatus and filter mounting device for sealing a filter within an air filtering apparatus, utilizes at least one cam surface to force a filter to compress a gasket to provide an effective seal between the air filter and its associated air outlet.

Claims

1. A filter mounting device for use in an air filtering apparatus which includes a cabinet having at least one filter access door, a filter, and an air outlet for air exiting the filter, comprising:

a) a first frame having first and second ends and a front and a rear, and adapted to be fixedly secured within the cabinet adjacent the filter access door and beneath the air outlet;

b) a second frame having first and second ends and a front and a rear, disposed beneath the first frame in a spaced relationship with respect to the first frame to define a filter receiving cavity with the second frame adapted to support the filter;

c) a means for substantially simultaneously moving the first and second ends of the second frame upwardly, from a first position which permits a filter to be loosely disposed within the filter receiving cavity, toward the first frame into a second position with the filter disposed in a sealed relationship with respect to the air outlet, including at least cam surface, associated with each of the first and second ends of the second frame;

the cam surfaces permitting relative movement between the second frame and the cam surfaces and causes the second frame to move to, and from, the first position; and

(d) a means for biasing the second frame into the second position, the biasing means being a spring, having first and second ends, disposed at each of the ends of the second frame, the first end of each spring being connected to an end of the second frame, and the second end of each spring being connected to a slide plate.

2. The filter mounting device of claim 1, wherein the moving means includes two slide plates with a slide plate disposed at both ends of the first and second frames;

each slide plate having an upper and a lower end; and

the lower end of each slide plate has the at least one cam surface associated therewith.

3. The filter mounting device of claim 2, wherein the upper end of one slide plate is mounted to the first end of the first frame and the upper end of the other slide plate is connected to the second end of the first frame;

each slide plate being movably mounted to the first frame for relative movement between each slide plate and the first frame in a direction toward and away from the front of the first frame.

4. The filter mounting device of claim 2, wherein the at least one cam surface is at least one inclined slot formed in the lower end of each slide plate;

and the first and second ends of the second frame each have at least one pin, and each pin is disposed within one of the inclined slots of the slide plate.

5. The filter mounting device of claim 2, wherein the moving means further includes a means for actuating the moving means to provide relative movement between the second frame the slide plates.

6. The filter mounting device of claim 5, wherein the actuating means is at least one handle connected to each of the first and second ends of the first frame, the at least one handle having an upper and a lower end, the upper end of the at least one handle being pivotally connected to at least one of the ends of the first frame, and the lower end of the at least one handle connected to one of the slide plates whereby upon rotation of the at least one handle, with respect to the first frame, relative movement is provided between the second frame and the cam surfaces of each slide plate to cause the second frame to move to, and from, the first position.

7. The filter mounting device of claim 5, wherein the actuating means is at least one threaded shaft which is received in at least one journal bearing associated with at least one slide plate, whereby upon rotation of the at least one threaded shaft within the at least one journal bearing, relative movement is provided between the second frame and the cam surfaces of each slide plate to cause the second frame to move to, and from, the first position.

8. The filter mounting device of claim 2, including an indicator means for indicating when the second frame is in the first position.

9. The filter mounting device of claim 8, wherein the indicator means is an elongate member secured to at least one slide plate, the elongate member extending outwardly toward the front of the first frame, and when the second frame is in the first position the elongate member is adapted to contact the filter access door and prevent the filter access door from being attached to the cabinet.

10. The filter mounting device of claim 2, wherein the second frame has an upwardly extending lip on a portion of the top of the second frame, which lip positions the filter upon the second frame.

11. The filter mounting device of claim 2, including a means for locking the second frame in the first position.

12. The filter mounting device of claim 11, wherein the locking means is at least one notched portion formed in at least one slide plate, and a handle pivotally mounted to the first member and connected to at least one slide plate, is releasably received within the at least one notched portion to releasably lock the second frame in the first position.

13. The filter mounting device of claim 2, wherein the bottom of the first frame has a gasket which is compressed by the filter abutting the gasket, when the second frame is in the second position.

14. An air filtering apparatus for providing filtered air to an enclosed space, comprising:

a) a cabinet, including at least one filter access door;

b) an unfiltered air inlet in the cabinet for unfiltered air;

c) a filtered air outlet in the cabinet;

d) at least one filter disposed in the cabinet, the at least one filter having an air inlet and an air outlet associated therewith in the cabinet;

e) a blower disposed in the cabinet for drawing unfiltered air from the unfiltered air inlet, through the at least one filter and outwardly through the filtered air outlet;

f) a filter mounting device disposed in the cabinet, the filter mounting device including a first frame, having first and second ends and a front and a rear, fixedly secured within the cabinet adjacent the at least one filter access door and beneath the air outlet associated with the at least one filter;

a second frame, having first and second ends and a front and a rear, disposed beneath the first frame in a spaced relationship with respect to the first frame to define a filter receiving cavity with the at least one filter being disposed upon, and supported by, the second frame; and

a means for substantially simultaneously moving the first and second ends of the second frame upwardly, from a first position which permits the at least one filter to be loosely disposed within the filter receiving cavity, toward the first frame, into a second position with the at least one filter disposed in a sealed relationship with respect to the air outlet, including at least one cam surface, associated with each of the first and second ends of the second frame;

the cam surfaces permitting relative movement between the second frame and the cam surfaces and causes the second frame to move to, and from, the first position; and

(g) a means for biasing the second frame into the second position, the biasing means being a spring, having first and second ends, disposed at each of the ends of the second frame, the first end of each spring being connected to an end of the second frame, and the second end of each spring being connected to a slide plate.

15. The air filtering apparatus of claim 14, wherein the moving means includes two slide plates with a slide plate disposed at both ends of the first and second frames;

each slide plate having an upper and a lower end; and

the lower end of each slide plate has the at least one cam surface associated therewith.

16. The air filtering apparatus of claim 15, wherein the upper end of one slide plate is mounted to the first end of the first frame and the upper end of the other slide plate is connected to the second end of the first frame;

each slide plate being movably mounted to the first frame for relative movement between each slide plate and the first frame in a direction toward and away from the front of the first frame.

17. The air filtering apparatus of claim 15, wherein the at least one cam surface is at least one inclined slot formed in the lower end of each slide plate;

and the first and second ends of the second frame each have at least one pin, and each pin is disposed within one of the inclined slots of the slide plate.

18. The air filtering apparatus of claim 15, wherein the moving means further includes a means for actuating the moving means to provide relative movement between the second frame and the slide plates.

19. The air filtering apparatus of claim 18, wherein the actuating means is at least one handle connected to each of the first and second ends of the first frame, the at least one handle having an upper and a lower end, the upper end of the at least one handle being pivotally connected to at least one of the ends of the first frame, and the lower end of the at least one handle connected to one of the slide plates whereby upon rotation of the at least one handle, with respect to the first frame, relative movement is provided between the second frame and the cam surfaces of each slide plate to cause the second frame to move to, and from, the first position.

20. The air filtering apparatus of claim 18, wherein the actuating means is at least one threaded shaft which is received in at least one journal bearing associated with at least one slide plate, whereby upon rotation of the at least one threaded shaft within the at least one journal bearing, relative movement is provided between the second frame and the cam surfaces of each slide plate to cause the second frame to move to, and from, the first position.

21. The air filtering apparatus of claim 14, including an indicator means for indicating when the second frame is in the first position.

22. The air filtering apparatus of claim 21, wherein the indicator means is an elongate member secured to at least one slide plate, the elongate member extending outwardly toward the front of the first frame, and when the second frame is in the first position the elongate member contacts the filter access door and prevents the filter access door from being attached to the cabinet.

23. The air filtering apparatus of claim 15, wherein the second frame has an upwardly extending lip on a portion of the top of the second frame, which lip positions the filter upon the second frame.

24. The air filtering apparatus of claim 15, including a means for locking the second frame in the first position.

25. The air filtering apparatus of claim 24, wherein the locking means is at least one notched portion formed in at least one slide plate, and a handle pivotally mounted to the first frame member and connected to at least one slide plate, is releasably received within the at least one notched portion to releasably lock the second frame in the first position.

26. The air filtering apparatus of claim 15, wherein the bottom of the first frame has a gasket which is compressed by the filter abutting the gasket, when the second frame is in the second position.

27. A filter mounting device for use in an air filtering apparatus which includes a cabinet having at least one filter access door, a filter, and an air outlet for air exiting the filter, comprising:

a) a first frame having first and second ends and a front and a rear, and adapted to be fixedly secured within the cabinet adjacent the filter access door and beneath the air outlet;

b) a second frame having first and second ends and a front and a rear, disposed beneath the first frame in a spaced relationship with respect to the first frame to define a filter receiving cavity with the second frame adapted to support the filter;

c) a means for substantially simultaneously moving the first and second ends of the second frame upwardly, from a first position which permits a filter to be loosely disposed within the filter receiving cavity, toward the first frame into a second position with the filter disposed in a sealed relationship with respect to the air outlet, including at least one cam surface, associated with each of the first and second ends of the second frame;

the cam surfaces permitting relative movement between the second frame and the cam surfaces and causes the second frame to move to, and from, the first position; and

(d) the moving means further includes a means for actuating the moving means to provide relative movement between the second frame and slide plates disposed at both ends of the first and second frames and the actuating means is at least one handle connected to each of the first and second ends of the first frame, the at least one handle having an upper and a lower end, the upper end of the at least one handle being pivotally connected to at least one of the ends of the first frame, and the lower end of the at least one handle connected to one of the slide plates whereby upon rotation of the at least one handle, with respect to the first frame, relative movement is provided between the second frame and the cam surfaces of each slide plate to cause the second frame to move to, and from, the first position.

28. The filter mounting device of claim 27, wherein each slide plate has an upper and a lower end;

and the lower end of each slide plate has the at least one cam surface associated therewith.

29. The filter mounting device of claim 28, wherein the upper end of one slide plate is mounted to the first end of the first frame and the upper end of the other slide plate is connected to the second end of the first frame;

each slide plate being movably mounted to the first frame for relative movement between each slide plate and the first frame in a direction toward and away from the front of the first frame.

30. The filter mounting device of claim 28, wherein the at least one cam surface is at least one inclined slot formed in the lower end of each slide plate;

and the first and second ends of the second frame each have at least one pin, and each pin is disposed within one of the inclined slots of the slide plate.

31. The filter mounting device of claim 28, further including a means for biasing the second frame into the second position.

32. The filter mounting device of claim 31, wherein the biasing means is a spring, having first and second ends, disposed at each of the ends of the second frame, the first end of each spring being connected to an end of the second frame, and the second end of each spring being connected to a slide plate.

33. The filter mounting device of claim 27, wherein the actuating means is at least one threaded shaft which is received in at least one journal bearing associated with at least one slide plate, whereby upon rotation of the at least one threaded shaft within the at least one journal bearing, relative movement is provided between the second frame and the cam surfaces of each slide plate to cause the second frame to move to, and from, the first position.

34. The filter mounting device of claim 28, including an indicator means for indicating when the second frame is in the first position.

35. The filter mounting device of claim 34, wherein the indicator means is an elongate member secured to at least one slide plate, the elongate member extending outwardly toward the front of the first frame, and when the second frame is in the first position the elongate member is adapted to contract the filter access door and prevent the filter access door from being attached to the cabinet.

36. The filter mounting device of claim 28, wherein the second frame has an upwardly extending lip on a portion of the top of the second frame, which lip positions the filter upon the second frame.

37. The filter mounting device of claim 28, including a means for locking the second frame in the first position.

38. The filter mounting device of claim 37, wherein the locking means is at least one notched portion formed in at least one slide plate, and a handle pivotally mounted to the first frame member and connected to at least one slide plate, is releasably received within the at least one notched portion to releasably lock the second frame in the first position.

39. The filter mounting device of claim 28, wherein the bottom of the first frame has a gasket which is compressed by the filter abutting the gasket, when the second frame is in the second position.

40. An air filtering apparatus for providing filtered air to an enclosed space, comprising:

a) a cabinet, including at least one filter access door;

b) an unfiltered air inlet in the cabinet for unfiltered air;

c) a filtered air outlet in the cabinet;

d) at least one filter disposed in the cabinet, the at least one filter having an air inlet and an air outlet associated therewith in the cabinet;

e) a blower disposed in the cabinet for drawing unfiltered air from the unfiltered air inlet, through the at least one filter and outwardly through the filtered air outlet; and

f) a filter mounting device disposed in the cabinet, the filter mounting device including a first frame, having first and second ends and a front and a rear, fixedly secured within the cabinet adjacent the at least one filter access door and beneath the air outlet associated with the at least one filter;

a second frame, having first and second ends and a front and a rear, disposed beneath the first frame in a spaced relationship with respect to the first frame to define a filter receiving cavity with the at least one filter being disposed upon, and supported by, the second frame; and

a means for substantially simultaneously moving the first and second ends of the second frame upwardly, from a first position which permits the at least one filter to be loosely disposed within the filter receiving cavity, toward the first frame, into a second position with the at least one filter disposed in a sealed relationship with respect to the air outlet, including at least one cam surface, associated with each of the first and second ends of the second frame;

the cam surfaces permitting relative movement between the second frame and the cam surfaces and causes the second frame to move to, and from, the first position; and

the moving means further includes a means for activating the moving means to provide relative movement between the second frame and slide plates disposed at both ends of the first and second frames, the activating means being at least one handle connected to each of the first and second ends of the first frame, the at least one handle having an upper and a lower end, the upper end of the at least one handle being pivotally connected to at least one of the ends of the first frame, and the lower end of the at least one handle connected to one of the slide plates whereby upon rotation of the at least one handle, with respect to the first frame, relative movement is provided between the second frame and the cam surfaces of each slide plate to cause the second frame to move to, and from, the first position.

41. The air filtering apparatus of claim 40, wherein each slide plate has an upper and a lower end;

and the lower end of each slide plate has the at least one cam surface associated therewith.

42. The air filtering apparatus of claim 41, wherein the upper end of one slide plate is mounted to the first end of the first frame and the upper end of the other slide plate is connected to the second end of the first frame;

each slide plate being movably mounted to the first frame for relative movement between each slide plate and the first frame in a direction toward and away from the front of the first frame.

43. The air filtering apparatus of claim 41, wherein the at least one cam surface is at least one inclined slot formed in the lower end of each slide plate;

and the first and second ends of the second frame each have at least one pin, and each pin is disposed within one of the inclined slots of the slide plate.

44. The air filtering apparatus of claim 41, further including a means for biasing the second frame into the second position.

45. The air filtering apparatus of claim 44, wherein the biasing means is a spring, having first and second ends, disposed at each of the ends of the second frame, the first end of each spring being connected to an end of the second frame, and the second end of each spring being connected to a slide plate.

46. The air filtering apparatus of claim 40, wherein the actuating means is at least one threaded shaft which is received in at least one journal bearing associated with at least one slide plate, whereby upon rotation of the at least one threaded shaft within the at least one journal bearing, relative movement is provided between the second frame and the cam surfaces of each slide plate to cause the second frame to move to, and from, the first position.

47. The air filtering apparatus of claim 40, including an indicator means for indicating when the second frame is in the first position.

48. The air filtering apparatus of claim 47, wherein the indicator means is an elongate member secured to at least one slide plate, the elongate member extending outwardly toward the front of the first frame, and when the second frame is in the first position the elongate member contacts the filter access door and prevents the filter access door from being attached to the cabinet.

49. The air filtering apparatus of claim 41, wherein the second frame has an upwardly extending lip on a portion of the top of the second frame, which lip positions the filter upon the second frame.

50. The air filtering apparatus of claim 41, including a means for locking the second frame in the first position.

51. The air filtering apparatus of claim 50, wherein the locking means is at least one notched portion formed in at least one slide plate, and a handle pivotally mounted to the first frame member and connected to at least one slide plate, is releasably received within the at least one notched portion to releasably lock the second frame in the first position.

52. The air filtering apparatus of claim 41, wherein the bottom of the first frame has a gasket which is compressed by the filter abutting the gasket, when the second frame is in the second position.