Adsorbent breather filter
AssigneeGore Enterprise Holdings, Inc.
InventorsEdwin Dauber, Earl Ball, Darlene Gorton
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The invention relates to a device for filtering contaminants, such as particulates and vapor phase contaminants, from a confined environment such as electronic or optical devices susceptible to contamination (e.g. computer disk drives) by improving performance and possibly incorporating multiple filtration functions into a unitary filter. The filter includes flow layers which improve filter performance. Filtration functions include a passive adsorbent assembly and can include a combination of inlet, or breather filter and adsorbent filter. Moreover, recirculation filter, diffusion tube and outside mount functions can be added to the filter depending on desired functionality within the enclosure.
Claims37
An adsorbent breather assembly for removing contaminants within an enclosure having a fluid inlet/outlet port comprising:
- a) an adhesive layer;
- b) an adsorbent media adjacent to the adhesive layer, said adsorbent media having at least a bottom surface and a top surface, the adsorbent media in fluid communication with the fluid inlet/outlet port;
- c) a flow layer adjacent at least one surface of the adsorbent media;
- and
- d) a filter media attached to the adhesive layer such that the adsorbent media and the flow layer are encapsulated between the adhesive layer and the filter media.
A method of removing contaminants from an enclosure comprising the steps of:
- a) providing an enclosure defining a volume and having a fluid inlet/outlet port;
- b) providing an adhesive layer adjacent to the enclosure;
- c) providing an adsorbent having a bottom surface adjacent to the enclosure, a top surface opposite the bottom surface and at least one side surface, the adsorbent in fluid communication with the inlet/outlet port and the sealed volume;
- and
- d) providing a flow layer adjacent to the at least one surface of the adsorbent media;
- and
- e) providing a filter media attached to the adhesive layer such that the adsorbent and the flow layer are encapsulated between the adhesive layer and the filter media.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.