Self-cleaning air filter

A self-cleaning air filter assembly connected to an associated compressed air source comprising:

• a housing defining a chamber located therein;
• a hollow filter element disposed within the chamber such that an open interior volume is defined within the filter element and an exterior volume is defined between the filter element and an interior wall of the housing, whereby during a filtering cycle a negative pressure differential between the interior volume and the exterior volume draws airflow inward through the filter element and during a self-cleaning cycle a positive pressure differential between the interior volume and the exterior volume forces airflow outward through the filter element;
• a nozzle configured to direct a pulse of compressed gas into the interior volume of the filter element;
• a valve in communication with the housing and connected to the associated compressed air source for selectively releasing a pulse of compressed air into the nozzle whereby dust is dislodged from an exterior surface of the filter element into the housing chamber;
• and
• a vent mounted to a side wall of the housing, over an opening therein, for venting the pulse of compressed air from the housing, the vent comprising a frame, a diaphragm mounted for reciprocation in relation to the frame and shiftably seated over the sidewall opening between an open position spaced from the sidewall opening and a closed position covering the sidewall opening, and a spring for urging the diaphragm into the closed position.