Method and apparatus for in-situ testing of filtration systems
AssigneeCamfil Farr, Inc.
InventorsMark Huza, Thomas C. Morse
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Embodiments of the invention generally provide an apparatus and method for certifying a filter in a containment system without decontaminating the containment system prior to certification. The apparatus generally comprises a valve assembly selectable between at least three operational states. A first state prevents flow from prevents flow through a port of a housing. A second state fluidly couples the port to test equipment necessary to test a filter disposed within the housing. A third state seals the port but fluidly couples the test equipment to a decontamination system.
Claims19
A containment system, comprising:
- a housing having an airflow inlet aperture and an airflow outlet aperture;
- a filter mounting portion disposed in the housing between the inlet and outlet apertures and configured to sealingly secure a filter in the housing in a position that filters air flowing from the inlet aperture to the outlet aperture through the housing;
- a plurality of ports formed through the housing, wherein the plurality of ports include at least a downstream sample port and an upstream sample port;
- a first valve assembly having a first port coupled to the upstream sample port, a second port, and a third port, and
- a second valve assembly having a first port coupled to one of the downstream sample port, a second port, and a third port,
- wherein each of the valve assemblies have at least three operational states, wherein the operational states comprise:
- a first state preventing flow from the sample port from passing through the first port;
- a second state fluidly coupling the first and second ports;
- and
- a third state fluidly coupling the second and third ports.
A containment system, comprising:
- a housing having an airflow inlet aperture and an airflow outlet aperture;
- a filter mounting portion disposed in the housing between the inlet and outlet apertures and configured to sealingly secure a filter in the housing in a position that filters air flowing from the inlet aperture to the outlet aperture through the housing;
- at least one sample port formed through the housing;
- and
- at least one valve assembly having a first port coupled to the sample port, a second port, and a third port, and wherein the valve assembly has at least three operational states, wherein the operational states comprise:
- a first state preventing flow from the sample port from passing through the first port;
- a second state fluidly coupling the first and second ports;
- and
- a third state fluidly coupling the second and third ports.
A containment system, comprising:
- a filter housing having an airflow inlet port, an airflow outlet port, a filter access port configured with a bagging ring, a downstream sample port, and a valve assembly, where in the valve assembly is operable between states that prevent flow through the downstream sample port, opens the downstream sample port to a sampling flow path, and opens the downstream sample port to a decontaminant flow path.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.