# US 5,700,190 A · Flowhood work station

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- Number: US 5,700,190 A
- Document ID: US5700190A
- Status: Granted
- Kind: A
- Application number: 08/704,268
- Filed: 1996-08-28
- Granted: 1997-12-23
- Earliest claimed: 1996-08-28
- Assignees: SEH America, Inc.
- Inventors: Roy P. Johnson; Donald L. Wilkinson
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US5700190A

## CPC

- B08B 15/023: {Fume cabinets or cupboards, e.g. for laboratories}
- F24F 3/163: Clean air work stations, i.e. selected areas within a space which filtered air is passed
- B08B 2215/003: with the assistance of blowing nozzles
- B08B: CLEANING IN GENERAL; PREVENTION OF FOULING IN GENERAL
- F24F: AIR-CONDITIONING; AIR-HUMIDIFICATION; VENTILATION; USE OF AIR CURRENTS FOR SCREENING (removing dirt or fumes from areas where they are produced B08B15/00; vertical ducts for carrying away waste gases from buildings E04F17/02; tops for chimneys or ventilating shafts, terminals for flues F23L17/02)

## Abstract

A flowhood work station has an inspection chamber having a perforated inspection surface. An air filtration housing is in fluid communication with the perforated inspection surface. A blower is capable of directing air downwardly through the perforated inspection surface. A return air plenum is in fluid communication with the perforated inspection surface and with the air filtration housing. The return air plenum captures a substantial portion of the air passing through the perforated inspection surface and directs the air to the air filtration housing.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A flowhood work station in a clean room having a ceiling-mounted air vent, comprising:
(a) an inspection chamber having a vertical back wall and two vertical side walls and a perforated inspection surface, said inspection chamber further defining a front opening opposite said back wall to allow access from said clean room to said perforated inspection surface;
(b) an air filtration housing in fluid communication with said ceiling mounted air vent and said perforated inspection surface;
(c) a blower within said housing capable of directing air downwardly through said perforated inspection surface; and
(d) a return air plenum in fluid communication with said perforated inspection surface and with said air filtration housing that captures a substantial portion of said air passing through said perforated inspection surface and directs said air to said air filtration housing.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The flowhood work station of claim 1 wherein said air filtration housing substantially encloses said ceiling-mounted air vent.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The flowhood work station of claim 1, including a diffuser disposed between said perforated inspection surface and said blower.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The flowhood work station of claim 1, including a damper disposed between said return air plenum and said air filtration housing.

### Claim 5 (depends on 4)

The flowhood work station of claim 4 wherein said damper is adjustable to control said air directed into said air filtration housing by said return air plenum.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The flowhood work station of claim 1 including at least one electrostatic dissipation device within said inspection chamber.