Air filter arrangement having first and second filter media dividing a housing and methods

• US 6,210,469 B1
• Filed: 02/26/1999
• Issued: 04/03/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 02/26/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Donaldson Company Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Donaldson Company Incorporated
• Inventors: Tokar, Joseph C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Simmons, David A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Hopkins, Robert A.
• Application Number:
  US09/259,022
• Time in Patent Office: 767 Days
• Field of Search: 55/318, 55/319, 55/332, 55/321, 55/462, 55/467, 55/472, 55/480, 55/486, 55/489, 55/502, 95/286, 95/287
• US Class Current: 95/287
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/102 Dust separators cyclones A47L9/16
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/122 flat
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2267/40 Different types of filters
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2277/20 Inclined, i.e. forming an angle of between 0° and 90°
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2279/55 for cleaning appliances, e.g. suction cleaners
• 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 46/42 Auxiliary equipment or operation thereof
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 46/527 in wound arrangement
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 46/62 connected in series
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 46/71 with pressurised gas, e.g. pulsed air
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 50/20 Combinations of devices covered by groups B01D45/00 and B01D46/00

Abstract

A filter arrangement includes a housing having first and second stage regions of filtering. The air flows through an inlet and into a first chamber having a cross-sectional area larger than the inlet. The air expands and particles drop to the bottom of the chamber. The air then passes through the first stage filter media. Additional particles are trapped by the filter media and dropped to the bottom of the first chamber. The air then flows into a second chamber and then through a second stage filter arrangement. Additional particles are removed in the second stage filter arrangement. The air is then exhausted. One preferred application is in a shop-vacuum. Methods of cleaning air and changing out the filters are provided herein.

Claims

1. A filter arrangement comprising:

(a) a housing including a dirty airflow inlet and a clean airflow outlet;

(i) said inlet defining a first cross-sectional area;

(b) a first air expansion chamber in said housing downstream of said inlet;

said first chamber defining a second cross-sectional area larger than said first cross-sectional area;

(i) said first chamber defining a particle collection container;

(c) a second chamber in said housing downstream of said first chamber;

said second chamber having a third cross-sectional area smaller than said second cross-sectional area;

(d) a first region of filtering media between said first and second chambers;

(i) said first region of filtering media constructed and arranged to remove at least a portion of particles from the dirty airflow and deposit the particles in said particle collection container;

(e) a third chamber in said housing downstream from said second chamber;

(i) said third chamber defining a clean air plenum;

(f) a second region of filtering media downstream of said second chamber;

(i) said second region of filtering media being oriented within said third chamber;

(ii) said second region of filtering media constructed and arranged to remove at least a portion of particles from the dirty air flow;

(iii) said second region of filtering media comprising a removable and replaceable element of fluted media;

(A) said fluted media comprising a plurality of flutes;

each of said flutes having an upstream portion and a downstream portion;

(i) selected ones of said flutes having the upstream portion open and downstream portion closed, and selected ones of said flutes having the upstream portion closed and downstream portion open;

(iv) said second region of filtering media including a handle member projecting therefrom;

said handle member secured to an inner core of said second region of filtering media;

(A) said handle member including a projection sized to be grasped by a human hand; and

(v) said second region of filtering media including a seal member secured to an outer periphery thereof;

said seal member forming a seal between said second and third chambers.

2. A filter arrangement according to claim 1 wherein:

(a) said second region of filtering media is oriented 60-120 degrees relative to said first region of filtering media.

3. A filter arrangement according to claim 2 wherein:

(a) said first region of filtering media comprises a removable and replaceable panel filter having a pleated screen.

4. A filter arrangement according to claim 3 wherein:

(a) said pleated screen is sized to remove particles greater than a size of about 300 microns.

5. A filter arrangement according to claim 2 wherein:

(a) said second region of filtering media has a race-track shaped cross-section.

6. A filter arrangement according to claim 2 further including:

(a) a baffle member between said inlet and said second chamber.

7. A filter arrangement according to claim 6 wherein:

(a) said inlet is oriented 60-120 degrees relative to said first chamber.

8. A filter arrangement according to claim 7 further including:

(a) a blower apparatus oriented between said third chamber and said outlet.

9. A filter arrangement according to claim 1 wherein:

(a) said handle member is a finger hook.

10. A method of servicing a vacuum filter apparatus comprising:

(a) accessing a vacuum filter housing to expose first and second filter elements;

(i) the second filter element comprising a removable and replaceable element of fluted media;

(a) the fluted media comprising a plurality of flutes;

each of the flutes having an upstream portion and a downstream portion;

selected ones of the flutes having the upstream portion open and downstream portion closed, and selected ones of the flutes having the upstream portion closed and downstream portion open;

(b) removing the first filter element from the housing;

(c) grasping a handle member on the second filter element and pulling the handle to break a seal between the second filter element and the housing;

the handle member secured to an inner core of said second filter element and sized to be gripped by a human hand; and

(d) removing the second filter element from the housing.

11. A method according to claim 10 including:

(a) said step grasping a handle member includes grasping a finger hook.