Method and apparatus for v-bank filter bed scanning

• US 7,334,490 B2
• Filed: 10/24/2006
• Issued: 02/26/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 10/24/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Camfil Farr, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Camfil Farr, Inc.
• Inventors: Huza, Mark, Morse, Thomas C.
• Primary Examiner(s): NOLAND, THOMAS
• Application Number:
  US11/552,409
• Publication Number:
  US 20070089490A1
• Time in Patent Office: 490 Days
• Field of Search: 7386353-86354, 738/635.8, 738/636.1, 738/647.3, 738/643.4, 738/633.1, 738/665, 738/659, 73/38, 73/40, 73/407, 964/13, 964/17
• US Class Current: 73/865.9
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2273/18 Testing of filters, filter elements, sealings
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 46/0086 Filter condition indicators
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 46/121 V-type arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 15/08 Investigating permeability, pore-volume, or surface area of porous materials
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 15/0806 Details, e.g. sample holders, mounting samples for testing
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2001/2291 Movable probes, e.g. swivelling, swinging
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2015/084 Testing filters

Abstract

Embodiments of the invention generally related to a method and apparatus foe scanning a v-bank filter. In one embodiment, an apparatus for scanning a v-bank filter includes a hollow body having first and second ends. An outlet, formed at the second end of the body, is adapted for coupling a testing device to an interior volume of the body. A plurality of holes are formed through the body and are fluidly coupled to the interior volume. In another embodiment, a method for scanning a v-bank filter includes inserting a probe having a plurality of sample ports into a filter adjacent a filter pack, and traversing the probe along the filter pack. In yet another embodiment, a method for scanning a v-bank filter includes scanning a slot of a v-bank filter with a probe, and collecting samples of gas passing through the filter and into the probe.

Claims

1. A method for testing a v-bank filter, comprising:

inserting a probe having a plurality of sample ports between banks of filtration media of a v-bank filter; and

traversing the probe along one of the filter banks.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein traversing further comprises:

moving the probe at a speed of 1-2 inches per second (25.4-50.8 millimeters per second) across the filter while scanning.

3. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

sampling two facing media banks simultaneously.

4. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

challenging the filter with an aerosol having a concentration of at least about 12 μ

g/l.

5. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

drawing samples into the probe from multiple apertures, wherein an orifice of an aperture furthest from a test instrument is greater than an orifice of an aperture closest to the test instrument.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein inserting further comprises:

moving the probe into the filter until a guide extending from the probe engages the filter.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

delivering a first sample from a first bank of the banks of filtration media through a first exit port of the probe; and

delivering a second sample from a second bank of the banks of filtration media through a second exit port of the probe without mixing the samples.