US 4,312,645 A · Separator assembly

Abstract

A filtering assembly for an air intake duct for a turbine device for normally removing particulate matter entrained in the air being introduced to the turbine device through the air duct. The improved filtering assembly comprises a filter element for removing particulate matter entrained in air passing therethrough which is mounted in the air duct so that at least a section of the filter element is movable between a filtering position and bypass position. More particularly, the filter element is mounted in the air duct so that when it is in the filtering position, substantially all of the air passing through the air duct passes through the filter element and so that when it is in the bypass position, a substantial amount of the air passing through the air duct bypasses the filter. A suitable sensing device is provided for sensing the pressure differential of the air across the filter element in the air duct and a clamping device is provided which normally clamps the filter element in the filtering position. The clamping device is actuable to release the filter element from the filtering position to allow the filter element to move to the bypass position when the pressure differential sensed by the sensing device is above a predetermined pressure difference. In this manner, air flow will be maintained to the turbine, even if the filter becomes clogged or stopped, thereby preventing a situation in which the turbine might otherwise be starved of sufficient air flow.

Claims8

Dependent claims

A separator assembly for an air intake duct of a turbine device for normally removing particulate matter entrained in air being introduced into said turbine device, said air being introduced to flow through said air duct in a first direction, said separtator assembly comprising:

separating means for removing particulate matter entrained in air passing therethrough;
frame means for supporting said separating means;
pivotal mounting means for pivotably mounting said frame means in said air duct so as to pivot about an axis extending in a second direction which is transverse to said first direction, and so that said frame means when mounted in said air duct is pivotably movable between a first position in which said separating means is arranged in said air duct so that substantially all of the air passing through said air duct passes through said separating means, and a second position in which said separating means is arranged so that air passing through said air duct bypasses said separating means;
sensing means for sensing the pressure differential of the air across said separating means;
and
clamping means for normally clamping said frame means in said first position when said frame means is mounted in said air duct, said clamping means being operatively connected to said sensing means so that said clamping means is responsive to said sensing means sensing a pressure differential greater than a predetermined pressure difference to release said frame means from said first position so that the air flowing into said air duct causes said frame means to pivot about said axis toward said second position, whereby air flow will be maintained to the turbine device.

3 more elements

a first separating stage for removing particulate matter entrained in air passing therethrough;
first stage mounting means for fixedly mounting said first separator stage in said air duct so that substantially all of the air passing through said air duct passes through said first separating stage;
a second separating stage for removing particulate matter entrained in air passing therethrough;
frame means for supporting said second separator stage;
second stage mounting means for pivotably mounting said frame means in said air duct so as to pivot about an axis extending in a second direction which is transverse to said first direction, and so that said frame means when mounted in said air duct is pivotably movable between a first position in which said second separating stage is arranged in said air duct so that substantially all of the air passing through said air duct passes through said second separating stage, and a second position in which said second separating stage is arranged so that air passing through said air duct bypasses said second separating stage;
sensing means for sensing the pressure differential of the air across at least one of said first and second separating stages;
and
clamping means for normally clamping said frame means in said first position when said frame means is mounted in said air duct, said clamping means being operatively connected to said sensing means so that said clamping means is responsive to said sensing means sensing a pressure differential greater than a predetermined pressure difference to release said frame means from said first position so that the air flowing through said air duct causes said frame means to pivot about said axis towards said second position, whereby air flow will be maintained to the turbine device.

5 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Separator assembly

Life of this patent

Separator assembly

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims8