Method and apparatus for v-bank filter bed scanning

• US 7,552,621 B2
• Filed: 12/12/2007
• Issued: 06/30/2009
• 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): Williams; Hezron
• Assistant Examiner(s): Gissel; Gunnar J
• Application Number:
  US11/954,275
• Publication Number:
  US 20080087074A1
• Time in Patent Office: 566 Days
• Field of Search: 73/38, 738/658, 738/659, 738/635.4, 738/635.1, 738/647.3, 738/648.1
• US Class Current: 73/38
• 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 for 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 an into the probe.

Claims

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

providing a challenge to a v-bank filter having at least two adjacent banks of filter media arranged in a “

v”

configuration;

scanning a probe across a first opening defined between the adjacent banks of filter media;

sampling air passing through the banks of filter media and into the probe; and

determining if a sample is indicative of a leak.

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

moving a first sample port formed in a body of the probe across the first opening; and

moving a second sample port formed in the body of the probe across a second opening defined adjacent the first opening.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein scanning further comprises:

moving the probe at a speed of less than 0.1875 inches per second (0.48 cm/sec).

4. The method of claim 1, wherein scanning further comprises:

moving the probe at a speed of less than 0.125 inches per second (0.32 cm/sec).

5. The method of claim 1, wherein scanning further comprises:

engaging a guide of the probe with the filter.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

extending a body of the probe into the first opening between the adjacent banks of filter media prior to scanning the probe across the first opening.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein sampling air passing through the banks of filter media comprises drawing samples from facing banks of the filter media.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein sampling air passing through the banks of filter media further comprises 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.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein scanning the probe across the first opening comprises aligning the probe to the v-bank filter with one or more guides.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein scanning the probe across the first opening further comprises moving the probe by a lead screw coupled to a servo motor and controlling the rotational speed of the servo motor.

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

providing a challenge to a v-bank filter having at least two adjacent banks of filter media arranged in a “

v”

configuration;

scanning a probe across an opening defined between the adjacent banks of filter media;

sampling air passing through the banks of filter media and into the probe;

determining if a sample is indicative of a leak; and

challenging the filter with at least 300,000,000 particles per cubic foot (8,495,050 particles per cubic meters).

12. The method of claim 11, wherein scanning further comprises:

providing at least 2000 cfm (56.6 cubic meters per minute) of air flow through the filter.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein scanning further comprises:

moving a first sample port formed in a body of the probe across the first opening; and

moving a second sample port formed in the body of the probe across a second opening defined adjacent the first opening.

14. The method of claim 11, wherein scanning further comprises:

moving the probe at a speed of less than 0.1875 inches per second (0.48 cm/sec).

15. The method of claim 11, wherein scanning further comprises:

moving the probe at a speed of less than 0.125 inches per second (0.32 cm/sec).

16. The method of claim 11, wherein scanning further comprises:

engaging a guide of the probe with the filter.

17. The method of claim 11, wherein sampling air passing through the banks of filter media further comprises 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.

18. The method of claim 11, wherein scanning the probe across the first opening comprises aligning the probe to the v-bank filter with one or more guides.

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

providing a challenge to a v-bank filter having at least two adjacent banks of filter media arranged in a “

v”

configuration;

scanning a probe across an opening defined between the adjacent banks of filter media;

sampling air passing through the banks of filter media and into the probe;

determining if a sample is indicative of a leak; and

providing at least 2000 cfm (56.6 cubic meters per minute) of air flow through the filter.