OPERATING AND CHANGE APPARATUS FOR FILTER BODIES; FILTER BODIES AND PROCEDURE FOR FILTER CHANGE AS WELL AS A CONVEYOR WITH FILTERS

Abstract

An operating and changing apparatus for a filter body located at a filter position that displays a filter body axis of symmetry located at a filter position and in which at least one particle filter is integrated in order to remove particles from a particle-laden fluid. The filter body exhibits at least one fluid-permeable filter body opening and at least one fluid-impermeable filter body wall section. The operating and changing apparatus includes a housing that the fluid can flow through but is otherwise impermeable with a flow channel in which the filter body is so positioned that the fluid can flow through the particle filter. In the housing, the flow channel with at least one flow inlet to allow the particle-laden fluid to flow in and at least one flow outlet to allow the particle-free fluid to flow out is arranged in such a way that the fluid flow between flow inlet and flow outlet in the flow channel runs through the particle filter of the filter body. The flow channel exhibits a channel symmetric axis which runs parallel/collinear with the filter body's axis of symmetry. The flow inlet and the flow outlet are positioned offset to each other, relative to the channel symmetric axis. The flow channel and the housing incorporate a filter insertion opening and a filter disposal opening, whereby the filter insertion opening and the filter disposal opening are positioned in geometric alignment along the channel symmetric axis. A change of the particle filter takes place through exchange of the filter body with an exchange filter body with a replacement filter whereby the replacement filter body can be pushed through the filter insertion opening into the flow channel and whereby the filter body to be replaced can be pushed out of the flow channel through the filter disposal opening by the pushing-in of the replacement filter body. During the pushing in/pressing out of the filter body, the flow inlet and the flow outlet will be blocked fluidically by the impermeable filter body wall segment until the replacement filter body has reached the original filter position. As a result of this, the flow channel has not opened during the change of the particle filter and the changing of the particle filter is accomplished almost entirely without interrupting the flow.

Claims

1-16. (canceled)

17. An operating and changing apparatus for one filter body positioned at one filter position that preferably comprises a filter body axis of symmetry and in which at least one particle filter designed to remove particles from a particle-laden fluid is integrated; whereby the filter body exhibits at least one fluid-permeable filter body opening and at least one impermeable filter body wall section; whereby the operating and changing apparatus includes one housing that is permeable by the fluid and otherwise impermeable with a flow channel in which the filter body can be so positioned that the particle filter can be permeated by the fluid; whereby in the housing, the flow channel with at least one flow inlet for the inflow of the particle-laden fluid and at least one flow outlet for the outflow of the particle-free fluid is so arranged that the fluid flow between flow inlet and flow outlet in the flow channel passes through the particle filter of the filter body, that the flow channel preferably comprises a channel symmetrical axis that runs collinear or parallel with the filter body's axis of symmetry, that the flow inlet and the flow outlet are positioned offset from each other and/or with a distance between each other, preferably with respect to the channel symmetrical axis, that the flow channel and the housing include a filter insertion opening and a filter disposal opening, whereby, preferably, the filter insertion opening and the filter disposal opening are positioned along the channel symmetrical axis in geometric alignment, and that a change of the particle filter through exchange of the filter body takes place against a replacement filter body with a replacement filter, whereby the replacement filter body can be pushed through the filter insertion opening in the flow channel, whereby the filter body to be replaced can be pushed, through the insertion of the replacement filter body, out of the flow channel through the filter disposal opening, and whereby during the insertion/pressing out of the filter body, the flow inlet and/or the flow outlet are at least blocked fluidically by the impermeable filter body wall section long enough for the replacement filter body to reach the filter position so that during the exchange of the particle filter, the flow channel is not opened and so that the exchange of the particle filter takes place (almost) without affecting the flow.

18. An operating and changing apparatus for filter bodies, whereby the filter bodies preferably comprise a common dimension and/or filter body axis of symmetry oriented in the longitudinal direction, whereby in every filter body, a particle filter is integrated in each case to remove particles from a particle-laden fluid, whereby every filter body exhibits at least one filter body opening permeable by the fluid and at least one filter body wall segment impermeable to the fluid, whereby the operating and changing apparatus includes one housing that can be traversed by the fluid with a flow channel, in which an initial filter body with an initial particle filter and a second filter body, preferably identical in construction to the first filter body, with a second particle filter, preferably identical to the first particle filter, can be so arranged that the first particle filter and/or the second particle filter can be traversed by the fluid, whereby in the housing a flow channel with at least one flow inlet for the inflow of the particle-laden fluid and at least one flow outlet for the outflow of the particle-free fluid is positioned so that the fluid flow between flow inlet and flow outlet in the flow channel passes through the second particle filter of the second filter body, that the flow channel preferably comprises a channel symmetrical axis that runs collinear or parallel with the filter body's axis of symmetry, that the flow inlet and the flow outlet can be arranged offset to one another with respect to the channel symmetrical axis, that the flow channel and the housing in the area of the inlet side include a filter insertion opening and in the area of the outlet side, include a filter disposal opening, whereby, preferably, the filter insertion opening and the filter disposal opening are positioned along the channel symmetrical axis in geometric alignment, and that a particle filter exchange takes place by pushing in a replacement filter body with a replacement filter into the flow channel, whereby the replacement filter body can be pushed through the filter insertion opening in the flow channel, and whereby the initial filter body can be pushed by the insertion of the replacement filter body to the original position of the second filter body, while through sliding of the first filter body, the second filter body with the particle filter to be replaced can also be slid, whereby through the insertion of the replacement filter body and the sliding of the first filter body, the second filter body with the particle filter to be replaced can be pushed out of the flow channel through the filter disposal opening, and whereby the initial filter body after the filter change assumes the position of the second filter body in the flow channel, whereby during the insertion/pressing out of the filter body, the flow inlet and/or the flow outlet will be blocked fluidically by the impermeable filter body wall section at least long enough for the second filter body to assume the original filter position of the first filter body and the replacement filter body has assumed the original position of the second filter body, so that for the change of the particle filter, the flow channel is not opened and so that the change of the particle filter takes place (almost) without interrupting the flow.

19. The operating and changing apparatus in accordance with claim 18, whereby between the flow channel and the filter bodies, one or more sealing portions, especially seals, are positioned.

20. The operating and changing apparatus in accordance with claim 18, whereby a tubing stockpile arranged on the outside of the housing in the area of the filter disposal opening with which the filter body needing the particle filter to be replaced can be placed in one of the removable tube sections taken from the tubing stockpile mounted on the housing, whereby a tube-like film is positioned on the tubing stockpile stockpile.

21. The operating and changing apparatus in accordance with claim 20, whereby the tube section can be sealed with the pushed out filter body inside.

22. The operating and changing apparatus in accordance with claim 18, whereby at least one sealing device to seal at least one of the filter insertion opening and the filter disposal opening.

23. The operating and changing apparatus in accordance with claim 18, whereby at least one safety device built as at least one of a charging device and a travel stop in order to avoid operating errors on the operating and changing apparatus.

24. A filter body with a particle filter to remove particles from a particle-laden fluid having a body geometry of the filter body, whereby the filter body can be used in the operating and changing apparatus in accordance with claim 18.

25. The filter body according to claim 24, having at least one sealing portion, especially in a seal, wherein said at least one sealing portion, especially said at least one seal, is preferably provided by a section of the particle filter or by a portion of the filter body.

26. A filter body with a particle filter to remove particles from a particle-laden fluid having a body geometry of the filter body, whereby the filter body can be used in the operating and changing apparatus in accordance with claim 17.

27. The filter body according to claim 26, having at least one sealing portion, especially in a seal, wherein said at least one sealing portion, especially said at least one seal, is preferably provided by a section of the particle filter or by a portion of the filter body.

28. A filter body with a particle filter to remove particles from a particle-laden fluid for use in the operating and changing apparatus in accordance with claim 18, the filter body having at least one sealing portion, especially in a seal, wherein said at least one sealing portion, especially said at least one seal, is preferably provided by a section of the particle filter or by a portion of the filter body.

29. A filter body with a particle filter to remove particles from a particle-laden fluid for use in the operating and changing apparatus in accordance with claim 17, the filter body having at least one sealing portion, especially in a seal, wherein said at least one sealing portion, especially said at least one seal, is preferably provided by a section of the particle filter or by a portion of the filter body.

30. A procedure for changing a particle filter positioned in a flow of fluid at nearly constant flow rate, for which an initial particle filter in an initial filter body and the initial filter body is positioned in a flow channel that the fluid can flow through together with at least one additional, second filter body with a second particle filter, one behind the other, for which in order to change filters one replacement filter body with one replacement filter is pushed via a filter insertion opening into the channel, for which due to the pushing in of the replacement filter body into the flow channel, the first filter body and the second filter body to be replaced are pushed into the flow channel in the direction of a filter disposal opening and as a result of the sliding, the second filter body is pushed out of the channel through the filter disposal opening, whereby during the sliding of the first and the second filter body, the flow channel is sealed through an impermeable wall section of a filter body so that the flow channel is not opened because of the filter change.

31. The procedure in accordance with claim 30, under which the pushed-out filter body is packed into a film tube whereby the film tube can be removed from a film tube stockpile.

32. The procedure in accordance with claim 31, for which the film tube, after packaging the pushed-out filter, is tightly sealed and separated after sealing.

33. A conveyor to advance a product by means of a flow of fluid in a conveyor channel for which the fluid stream flows through a filtering device with at least one filter body, the conveyor having the operating and changing apparatus for the filter body according to claim 18.

34. The conveyor in accordance with claim 33, whereby the filter body has a body geometry so that it will fit into the operating and changing apparatus.

35. A conveyor to advance a product by means of a flow of fluid in a conveyor channel for which the fluid stream flows through a filtering device with at least one filter body, the conveyor having the operating and changing apparatus for the filter body according to claim 17.

36. The conveyor in accordance with claim 35, whereby the filter body has a body geometry so that it will fit into the operating and changing apparatus.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0029] The invention may take physical form in certain parts and arrangement of parts, a preferred embodiment of which will be described in detail and illustrated in the accompanying drawings which form a part hereof and wherein:

[0030] FIG. 1 shows a filter operating and changing apparatus in perspective.

[0031] FIG. 2 shows an operating and changing apparatus in side view, and

[0032] FIGS. 3 to 6 show sectional views of an apparatus like that in FIG. 2, in each case under varying operating conditions.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0033] Referring now to the drawings wherein the showings are for the purpose of illustrating preferred and alternative embodiments of the invention only and not for the purpose of limiting the same, FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of an operating and changing apparatus 1 for (HEPA) filter 2. The filter 2 can be an EPA, HEPA or ULPA filter. A fluid such as a gaseous suction flow, flows through the apparatus 1. Alternatively, a stream of gas at positive pressure can be fed through the apparatus 1. The fluid will be represented as a suction current below. FIG. 1 shows the housing 6 of apparatus 1. The housing 6 forms a channel 8, through which the suction current can be fed.

[0034] The gaseous suction current can advance products or product particles in a conveyor not shown here. The apparatus 1 can be connected to a conveyor, for example in the area where the suction current is created or where the suction current is conditioned. The suction current flows through the filter operating and changing apparatus 1, whereby the suction current is cleaned of (dust) particles by HEPA filters 2, that are positioned inside the apparatus 1.

[0035] A side view of the apparatus 1 can be obtained in FIG. 2 where flow inlet 3 und flow outlet 4 can be identified. Flow inlet 3 and flow outlet 4 each include a flange for connecting openings 3 and 4 with (not shown) pipes or channels to channel the suction current. In accordance with FIG. 2, the inlet side of apparatus 1 is positioned on top, the outlet side is positioned on the underside 5 of apparatus 1. Fasteners are also found on the underside to fasten apparatus 1 to a base or to a pump housing.

[0036] FIGS. 3 to 6 provide lateral sectional views of the apparatus 1 consistent with FIGS. 1 and 2. FIGS. 3 to 6 each show two HEPA filters 2, 2′ positioned next to one another. The filters 2, 2′ are in each case positioned in one filter body 7, 7′. Filter 2 und filter 2′ are identical, as are filter body 7 and filter body 7′. The filter bodies 7, 7′ with the filters 2, 2′ are positioned in an alignment, one behind the other, oriented on the axis of symmetry, x (see also FIG. 2) of the housing 6 of the apparatus 1. The filter bodies 7, 7′ are positioned next to one another as related to the flow direction.

[0037] The filter bodies 7, 7′ are located in a channel 8 that is formed through the housing 6. Channel 8 and filter bodies 7, 7′ have almost the same profile so that the filter bodies 7, 7′ can be positioned in the channel 8 and sealed up. The suction current travels accordingly only through HEPA filters 2, 2′ and not around the filter material and not around the filter bodies 7, 7′. The current is represented in FIG. 3 by arrows.

[0038] The current flows through the flow inlet 3 into the particle filter 2′ of the filter body 7′. From there, the current proceeds across a filter body opening on the front of the filter body 7′ in the area between filter body 7 and filter body 7′. The current then proceeds to flow outlet 4. If now filter body 7 and thereby also filter body 7′ are pushed (in FIG. 3 toward the left), flow outlet 4 and flow inlet 3 will be closed impermeably through wall sections of the filter body 7′. This means that by sliding—in other words, during exchanging of the filter body 7, 7′—the flow channel in the housing 6 of the apparatus will not be opened. The particle-bearing stream of fluid does not accordingly enter, while filter body change is taking place, i.e. while the housing is open on the end, the environment where the exchange is taking place. In addition, no or nearly no ambient air enters the flow channel while a filter change is being carried out.

[0039] The current symbolized in FIG. 3 can also flow in the opposite direction, i.e. from flow outlet 4 through filter 2′ to the flow inlet 3. A bypass can also be provided so that during the filter change, the first filter (filter 2) positioned (“parked”) in the housing will be flowed through briefly via the bypass until it then sits in the intended position caused by the filter change. The bypass can be positioned partially in the housing and/or partially outside the housing. The bypass can encompass at least one of the housing's flow openings as its own.

[0040] In FIG. 4, a replacement filter body 7″ is shown. The replacement filter body 7″ is to replace one of the inserted filters (7, 7′). To do this, the following procedure is followed: First, a filter insertion opening 9 on housing 6 is opened by removing a locking device 14. The opened condition is shown in FIG. 4; the closed condition is shown in FIG. 3. The replacement filter body 7″ with the new unused HEPA filter 2″ will be pushed into the housing 6 of the apparatus 1 from the side, as shown in FIG. 4. This succeeds since replacement filters (7″ and 2″) and the inserted filters (7, 2; 7′, 2′) are structurally identical, especially with regard to their geometric dimensions.

[0041] As a result of pushing in the replacement filter 7″ along the axis of symmetry x (in accordance with FIGS. 3, 4, 5, and 6 toward the “left”), the inserted filters 7, 7′ in the housing 6 will be slid along the direction of the axis of symmetry (likewise to the left). Whichever filter is closest to the filter disposal opening 10 (filter 7′) will be pushed out of the housing 6 and winds up from there in a segment 12 of the tubing 11.

[0042] This condition is shown in FIG. 5. The filter body 7′ with filter 2′ was pushed out of housing 6. Filter body 7 with filter 2 assumes the original position of the filter body 7′ with filter 2′. The replacement filter body 7″ with filter 2″ now sits at the original position of the filter body 7 with the filter 2. The exchanged or rather removed filter 7′, 2′ is packaged in the tubing section 12 of the tubing. The tubing 11 is stockpiled on the housing 6 to the extent that a tubing stockpile is positioned on the outside of the housing. A tubing section 12 can be removed from the tubing stockpile 13 every time a filter is changed.

[0043] By lacing up or tying off a locked tubing section 12, it can be removed from FIG. 6. The tubing section 12 can be separated from the tube 11 with a suitable release agent (knife, scissors, hot-wire). The removed and usually soiled filter 2′ in the filter body 7′ can now be safely disposed of, without having the particles collected in the filter 2′, 7′ getting into the surroundings of apparatus 1.

[0044] Should the filter class of the HEPA filters (2, 2′, 2″) be changed (Class 12 instead of Class 14, for example), it would be necessary to hold two replacement filters 2″ with the new HEPA Class at the ready and to carry out the procedure described above twice, each time with the new filter class.

[0045] While considerable emphasis has been placed on the preferred embodiments of the invention illustrated and described herein, it will be appreciated that other embodiments, and equivalences thereof, can be made and that many changes can be made in the preferred embodiments without departing from the principles of the invention. Furthermore, the embodiments described above can be combined to form yet other embodiments of the invention of this application. Accordingly, it is to be distinctly understood that the foregoing descriptive matter is to be interpreted merely as illustrative of the invention and not as a limitation.