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US 7,402,189 B2Granted
Autonomously-cleaned conditioning system
AssigneeLockheed Martin Corporation
InventorsScott M. Maurer, Francesco Pellegrino, Kevin J. Tupper, Robert D'italia, Thomas J. Psinakis, Edward J. Vinciguerra
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An autonomously-cleaned conditioning system conducts a routine purge cycle to clear accumulated particulates from a filter, concentrator, or both. The purge cycle is conducted by reversing air flow through the filter and/or concentrator. Air flow is reversed on a periodic basis or on the occurrence of a condition, such as a reduction in air flow exiting the concentrator.
Claims13
An apparatus comprising:
- a first conditioning element comprising a concentrator;
- a second conditioning element comprising a filter;
- a control system for autonomously initiating a purge cycle, wherein said control system comprises:
- (a) a downstream control valve, wherein said downstream control valve is disposed downstream of said first conditioning element and is in fluidic communication with said first conditioning element;
- and
- (b) an upstream control valve, wherein said upstream control valve:
- (i) is disposed upstream of said first conditioning element;
- (ii) is in fluidic communication with said first conditioning element;
- (iii) has a first state wherein said upstream control valve fluidically couples said concentrator to said filter;
- and
- (iv) has a second state wherein said upstream control valve fluidically couples said concentrator to a location for receiving particles that have been removed from said concentrator during said purge cycle;
- and
- a purge system for conducting the purge cycle, wherein said purge system comprises a pump, wherein said pump is fluidically coupled to said first conditioning element via said downstream control valve during said purge cycle and wherein said pump is operative to force air from said pump toward said downstream control valve, wherein during said purge cycle, gas flows through said first conditioning element in a reverse direction, wherein said reverse direction is opposite to a direction of flow during normal operation.
10 more elements
An apparatus comprising:
- an inlet filter;
- a concentrator, wherein said concentrator is fluidically coupled to said inlet filter;
- a downstream control valve, wherein said downstream control valve is fluidically coupled to said concentrator;
- a pump, wherein said pump is fluidically coupled to said concentrator via said downstream control valve during a purge cycle, and wherein:
- (a) during said purge cycle, air flows through said concentrator in a reverse direction, said reverse direction being opposite to a direction of flow during normal operation;
- and
- (b) said pump is operative to force air from said pump toward said downstream control valve;
- and
- a control system for autonomously initiating said purge cycle, wherein said control system comprises a controller, wherein said controller generates and transmits a signal that initiates a change in state of said downstream control valve, and wherein said signal is generated based on one of the following conditions:
- (i) a set period of time has elapsed;
- and
- (ii) a change in an operating parameter of said apparatus, wherein the operating parameter is selected from the group consisting of a rate of flow of air out of the concentrator during normal operation and a pressure drop across said concentrator during normal operation.
9 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.