Filter integrity testing in clean rooms and the like

• US 5,563,334 A
• Filed: 04/11/1995
• Issued: 10/08/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 04/15/1994
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Sartorius AG
• Original Assignee: Sartorius AG
• Inventors: Bracht, Karl, Gehne, Ingo
• Primary Examiner(s): Williams, Hezron E.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Politzer, Jay L.
• Application Number:
  US08/420,240
• Time in Patent Office: 546 Days
• Field of Search: 73/38, 342/350
• US Class Current: 73/38
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2201/56 Wireless systems for monitoring the filter
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2201/58 Power supply means for regenerating the filter
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2273/18 Testing of filters, filter elements, sealings
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 46/42 Auxiliary equipment or operation thereof
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 46/46 automatic
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 65/102 Detection of leaks in membranes

Abstract

There is disclosed a process and apparatus for testing the integrity of filter elements located in protected environments such as clean rooms and the like, principally characterized by wireless electromagnetic transmission of test data between the filter test apparatus located in the protected environment and data evaluation means located outside the protected environment. The process and apparatus are especially suitable for testing ultra- and micro-filtration filter elements.

Claims

1. An apparatus for testing the integrity of at least one filter element in a protected environment having special cleanliness and safety requirements, comprising:

(a) a filter module located in said protected environment containing at least one filter element to be tested;

(b) a filter test unit located in said protected environment and coupled to said filter module, said filter test unit including a source of pressurized gas for testing filter elements and an optical data transmitter for transmitting filter test data;

(c) an inductively chargeable power supply for said filter test unit and an inductive charging unit located outside of said protected environment and inductively coupled to said power supply; and

(d) a data receiver interface located outside of said protected environment for receiving filter test data from the filter test unit

wherein said filter test unit and said data receiver interface are optically linked through an optically transmissive window separating said protected environment from an outside environment.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said inductively chargeable power supply emits a wireless demand signal when said power supply is low, said inductive charging unit responding to said signal to inductively charge said power supply.