US3765051A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus for cleaning filter elements or the like
Assignee: A-Nu Inc
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Filing: 1971-11-12
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Granted: 1973-10-16
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Expires: 1991-11-12
Abstract
Abstract An improved apparatus for cleaning filter elements or the like wherein an external spray assembly and an internal spray assembly are adjustably supported to direct cleaning fluid onto the external and the internal peripheral surfaces of the filter elements being cleaned, and wherein the filter elements are adjustably supported in a cleaning position by a drive roller assembly and a bias roller assembly, each cooperating to position the filter element in predetermined cleaning positions during a cleaning cycle. The apparatus includes a drying assembly supporting the filter element in a drying position wherein the cleaning fluid is removed from the filter element via a vacuum produced in a drying chamber, during a drying cycle. The drying cycle and the cleaning cycle are each automatically controlled.
Inventors
- 👤 C Wanat
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 04:27
CPC Classifications
B; B01; B01D; B01D46/00; B01D46/24; B01D46/2403; B01D46/2411; B01D41/00; B01D41/04; B01D46/26; B01D46/42; B01D46/44; B01D46/46; B01D46/66; B01D46/68; B01D46/682; B01D46/70; B01D46/72; B01D2273/00; B01D2273/28
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
294 words
Apparatus for cleaning filter elements having an inner peripheral surface and an outer peripheral surface, comprising: a cabinet means; filter element support means supported by the cabinet means engageable with a portion of the filter element for supporting the filter element in predetermined cleaning positions during the cleaning cycle, comprising: a drive roller rotatingly supported in the cabinet means, the drive roller engageable with a portion of the inner peripheral surface of the filter element Rotatingly moving the filter element to predetermined cleaning positions in a rotating position of the drive roller; means rotatingly driving the drive roller; and bias roller means rotatingly supported in the cabinet means, the bias roller means rollingly engageable with a portion of the outer peripheral surface of the filter element biasing the filter element generally toward the drive roller for maintaining the driving engagement between the filter element and the drive roller; means supported by the cabinet means spraying cleaning fluid onto predetermined portions of the filter element during the cleaning cycle; a support surface connected to a portion of the cabinet means having an aperture formed therethrough, the support surface engageable with the filter element for supporting the filter element in a drying position during the drying cycle, the inner peripheral surface of the filter element encompassing the aperture in the support surface in a drying position of the filter element; a cover engageable with a portion of the filter element, the cover being supportable via the filter element above the support surface for forming the drying chamber; and vacuum means supported by the cabinet means having a portion in communication with the drying chamber and providing a vacuum in a portion of the drying chamber removing cleaning fluid from the filter element during the drying cycle.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
294 words
Apparatus for cleaning filter elements having an inner peripheral surface and an outer peripheral surface, comprising: a cabinet means; filter element support means supported by the cabinet means engageable with a portion of the filter element for supporting the filter element in predetermined cleaning positions during the cleaning cycle, comprising: a drive roller rotatingly supported in the cabinet means, the drive roller engageable with a portion of the inner peripheral surface of the filter element Rotatingly moving the filter element to predetermined cleaning positions in a rotating position of the drive roller; means rotatingly driving the drive roller; and bias roller means rotatingly supported in the cabinet means, the bias roller means rollingly engageable with a portion of the outer peripheral surface of the filter element biasing the filter element generally toward the drive roller for maintaining the driving engagement between the filter element and the drive roller; means supported by the cabinet means spraying cleaning fluid onto predetermined portions of the filter element during the cleaning cycle; a support surface connected to a portion of the cabinet means having an aperture formed therethrough, the support surface engageable with the filter element for supporting the filter element in a drying position during the drying cycle, the inner peripheral surface of the filter element encompassing the aperture in the support surface in a drying position of the filter element; a cover engageable with a portion of the filter element, the cover being supportable via the filter element above the support surface for forming the drying chamber; and vacuum means supported by the cabinet means having a portion in communication with the drying chamber and providing a vacuum in a portion of the drying chamber removing cleaning fluid from the filter element during the drying cycle.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
244 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the filter element support means is defined further to include: a wall secured to a portion of the cabinet means having a pair of arcuately shaped apertures formed therethrough, each aperture lying in a substantially coplanar horizontal plane; a pair of roller shafts, each roller shaft having one end portion thereof movably extending through one of the apertures formed in the wall, each one of the bias rollers being rollingly supported on one end of one of the roller shafts; a pair of pivot bars, one end of each pivot bar secured to the end of one of the roller shafts, generally opposite the end of the roller shafts rollingly supporting the bias rollers; a pivot shaft having one end portion secured to the wall and the opposite end portion pivotally extending through the end of each pivot bar, generally opposite the end of each pivot bar connected to one of the roller shafts providing a common pivot axis for the pivot bars, the pivot bars being pivotable in a bias open direction and in a bias close direction to move the roller shafts in the apertures of the wall thereby moving the bias rollers in a bias open direction generally away from the filter element and in a bias close direction generally toward engagement with the filter element; and means to pivotally move the pivot bars in a bias open direction and in a bias close direction.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
69 words
The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the means to move the pivot bars is defined further to include: a pair of levers, one end of each lever secured to a portion of one of the pivot bars, the levers movable in one direction to pivot the pivot bars in a bias open direction and movable in one other direction to pivot the pivot bars in a bias close direction.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
53 words
The apparatus of claim 3 wherin the means to move the pivot bars is defined further to include: a bias spring having one end connected to one of the pivot bars and the opposite end connected to the other pivot bar, the bias spring biasing the pivot bars in a bias close direction.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
59 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the means spraying cleaning fluid is defined further to include: internal spray nozzle means supported by the cabinet means directing cleaning fluid onto the inner peripheral surface of the filter element; and external spray nozzle means supported by the cabinet means directing cleaning fluid onto the outer peripheral surface of the filter element.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
95 words
The apparatus of claim 5 wherein the means spraying the cleaning fluid is defined further: adjustable support meaNs secured to a portion of the cabinet means adjustably connected to the external spray nozzle means and the internal spray nozzle means, the distance between the internal spray nozzle means and the inner peripheral surface of the filter element and the distance between the external spray nozzle means and the outer peripheral surface of the filter element each adjustable via the adjustable connection between the adjustable support means and the internal and the external spray nozzle means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
255 words
The apparatus of claim 1 defined further to include: a first fluid reservoir retaining a rinse-type fluid connected to the means spraying cleaning fluid onto the filter element; a second fluid reservoir retaining a detergent type fluid connected to the means spraying cleaning fluid onto the filter element; pump means interposed between the first and the second fluid reservoir means and the means spraying cleaning fluid, the pump means pumping cleaning fluid from the first and the second fluid reservoirs through the means spraying cleaning fluid when in fluidic communication therewith and in a driven position of the pump means; means to drive the pump means in an actuated position thereof; first control valve means interposed between the first fluid reservoir and the pump means interrupting fluidic communication therebetween in one position thereof; second control valve means interposed between the second fluid reservoir and the pump means interrupting fluidic communication therebetween in one position thereof; and control means connected to the first control valve means, the second control valve means, and the means to drive the pump means, the control means actuating the means to drive the pump means for a predetermined period of time during the cleaning cycle and positioning the first control valve means and the second control valve means to establish fluidic communication between the first fluid reservoir and the second fluid reservoir and the means spraying cleaning fluid for predetermined periods of time during the cleaning cycle, thereby controlling the cleaning cycle and the cleaning fluid sprayed onto the filter element.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
87 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the vacuum means is defined further to include: vacuum pump means connected to the aperture in the support surface providing a vacuum in a portion of the drying chamber in a driven position thereof; means to drive the vacuum pump means in an actuated position thereof; and control means connected to the means to drive the vacuum pump means actuating the vacuum pump means for a predetermined period of time during the drying cycle in one position of the control means.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-10-15 | 1977-04-16 | 1977-10-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-10-15 | 1981-04-16 | 1981-10-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-10-15 | 1985-04-16 | 1985-10-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |