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Radon exhaust system with a diagnostic bypass filter apparatus

  • US 9,140,461 B2
  • Filed: 05/01/2012
  • Issued: 09/22/2015
  • Est. Priority Date: 05/01/2012
  • Status: Expired due to Fees
First Claim
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1. A diagnostic bypass filter apparatus in an exhaust system for blocking falling ice which forms inside said exhaust system, debris, birds and animals which enter from the discharge end of said exhaust system, for diverting water which forms inside said exhaust system, for permitting visual inspections and internal cleaning of said diagnostic bypass filter apparatus, for permitting access to the inside of said diagnostic bypass filter apparatus for air quality and air flow testing, said exhaust system comprising an exhaust side having a hollow interior and an inner surface, a flexible exhaust coupling, a diagnostic bypass filter apparatus, a hollow exhaust pipe elbow, a hollow exhaust pipe on which ice and condensate may be formed, a discharge end with a vent housing where debris, birds and animals may enter, a suction side having a hollow interior, and a fan apparatus interposed between said exhaust side and said suction side and coupled to each of said exhaust side and said suction side to form a conduit through which a gaseous fluid may be conveyed, wherein said gaseous fluid is drawn by said fan apparatus from said suction side and expelled by said fan apparatus through said exhaust side, said diagnostic bypass filter apparatus comprising:

  • a diagnostic bypass filter housing comprising a first open end and a second open end with a continuous hollow interior between said first open end and said second open end communicating between said first open end and said second open end having an elongated curved elbow configuration providing an angle between the said first open end and the said second open end a diagnostic bypass filter housing bulge area, the bulge area having a circular section with an expanded circumference at a midsection forming an eccentric ellipse shaped expansion of said diagnostic bypass filter housing, said first open end communicating with said exhaust side of said fan apparatus to said hollow interior thereof and said second open end communicating through said exhaust side to said hollow interior thereof in a manner maximizing air flow; and

    a filter, with an axis of said filter substantially coincident with an axis of said first open end of said diagnosis bypass filter housing and said enlarged center elliptical bulge of said diagnostic bypass filter housing, comprising a diameter being dimensioned to fit said hollow interior circumference of the center of the said enlarged elliptical bulge and angular bend section of said diagnostic bypass filter housing, being arranged in a manner forming a barrier comprising said inner surface of the of said diagnostic bypass filter housing and an outer edge of said screen positioned to block falling ice, debris, birds and animals which may form and/or enter said exhaust system; and

    a gutter supporting said filter comprising a crescent shape gutter floor constructed as part of said hollow interior of said diagnostic bypass filter housing extending half way around said hollow interior of said diagnostic bypass filter and located at a lower apex of said elliptical bulge, said gutter substantially coincident with the axis of said first open end of said diagnosis bypass filter housing and positioned to collect condensate and melted ice which may drain within said diagnostic bypass filter housing; and

    air flow indicators comprising flexible, light-weight ribbon type material attached at their bottoms to said filter on the exit air flow side of the filter with their upper portion being lifted upwardly by air flow produced below by said fan apparatus providing visual system performance evaluation without entering said diagnostic bypass filter housing; and

    a drain spout comprising a hollow interior having a first open end and a second open end, said hollow interior communicating between said first open end and said second open end, said first open end of said drain spout communicating through said diagnostic bypass filter housing to said hollow interior there of immediately adjacent to the lowest point of a conical surface of said gutter and within said gutter, said second open end communicating with the outside of the said diagnostic bypass filter housing; and

    a removable observation window located in said diagnostic bypass filter housing between said filter and said first open end of said diagnostic bypass filter at an upper apex of said elliptical bulge comprising an access opening having a hollow female threaded interior having a first open and a second open end, said hollow female threaded interior communicating between said first open end and second open end, said first open end communicating with the outside of said diagnostic bypass filter housing and said second open end communicating with the interior of said elliptical bulge, and having a see through closure cap with male threads to match said access opening hollow female threaded interior having a bolt head configuration built in suitable for wrenching said closure cap on and off providing for the inspection and servicing of the interior of the diagnostic bypass filter, and sealing said access opening, andthree observation windows located in said diagnostic bypass filter housing between said filter and said first open end of said diagnostic bypass filter housing, having two of said observation windows diametric to each other on the sides of said diagnostic bypass housing and the third said observation window diametric to said removable observation window providing the capability for visual inspection of said interior of the diagnostic bypass filter housing while said exhaust system is operating.

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