Pulse jet filter cleaning system
AssigneeDonaldson Company, Inc.
InventorsMarty A. Barris, Thomas M. Weik, Kelly C. Robertson, Donald R. Monson, Jim C. Rothman, Pete A. Betts
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A filter-cleaning apparatus utilizes pulsed air to remove matter collected on a first surface of a filter. Reverse flow loosens the material which is collected in a hopper on the upstream side of the filter. The collected matter may then be combusted in the hopper so that the amount of material collected is minimized. The pulses are directed at the filter with a controlled shape and time to optimize reverse pulsing. Pulsing occurs while the thermal exhaust flow continues so that operation of the engine is not interrupted. A number of valves may be utilized to clean one or more filters.
Claims15
A method for cleaning at least two air filters, each filter having an associated horizontal duct portion, having air flow from above the filters and swept down, and through the filters in a substantially horizontal direction, comprising the steps of:
- (a) producing a reverse pulse of air on an outlet side of the filters during continued air flow;
- (b) directing the reverse pulse of air substantially horizontally onto the outlet side of two or more of the filters in a predetermined pattern;
- and
- (c) sweeping loosened debris from an inlet side of the filter downward to a plurality of horizontal duct portions, and down through a single vertical duct from the plurality of horizontal duct portions and collecting the loosened debris.
An apparatus for cleaning an air filter, the filter collecting matter on a first side and having air flow pass through the filter to a second side, comprising:
- (a) valve means comprising a pressure vessel accumulating pressurized air, and a plurality of pulsing valves, wherein each of the pulsing valves has a valve body located within the pressure vessel for releasing pressurized air from the pressure vessel to provide pulses of air onto the second side of the filter, and wherein the plurality of valve bodies are spaced at different distances from the second side of the filter;
- (b) means for directing the pulses of air from the plurality of pulsing valves onto the second side of the filter to loosen the collected matter;
- and,
- (c) hopper means for collecting the loosened matter.
An apparatus for cleaning air filters, the filters collecting matter on a first side and having air flow passing through the filter on a second side, comprising:
- (a) valve means for providing a pulse of air onto the second side of the filter;
- (b) a hopper for collecting loosened matter;
- (c) a crossover duct leading to the first side of least two of the filters, wherein the crossover duct includes a horizontal portion extending from each of the filters joining to form a single substantially vertical portion.
An apparatus for cleaning an air filter, the filter collecting matter on a first side and having air flow pass through the filter to a second side, comprising:
- (a) valve means for providing a pulse of air onto the second side of the filter;
- (b) means for directing the pulse of air onto the second side of the filter to loosen the collected matter;
- (c) an air inlet upstream of the filter including an inlet tube offset from a cylindrical inlet chamber, and a scroll-shaped member directing air from the inlet tube to the inlet chamber;
- (d) hopper means on the first side of the filter for collecting the loosened matter;
- and
- (e) means for combusting the collected loosened matter.
An apparatus for cleaning an air filter, the filter collecting matter on a first side and having air flow pass through the filter to a second side, comprising:
- (a) valve means for providing a pulse of air onto the second side of the filter;
- (b) means for directing the pulse of air onto the second side of the filter to loosen the collected matter;
- (c) an air inlet having a longitudinal direction upstream of the filter including an inlet tube having a longitudinal axis offset from a cylindrical inlet chamber, and a scroll-shaped member arcing between the inlet tube and the air inlet about an axis extending parallel to the longitudinal direction of the air inlet and the inlet tube axis directing air from the inlet tube to the inlet chamber;
- and
- (d) hopper means on the first side of the filter collecting the loosened matter.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.