Pneumatic control system for air filter cleaning apparatus

Claim 1

Dust removal means comprising: a. casing means defining, a dust laden air chamber having an inlet, a clean air pressure chamber, and a clear air discharge chamber having an outlet; b. a dust removal outlet from said dust laden air chamber; c. a plurality of hollow filter elements in said dust laden air chamber having their interiors in communication with said clean air pressure and discharge chambers; d. individual normally closed valve means between the interior of each of said filter elements and said clean air pressure chamber; e. filter cleaning means for cleaning said filter, comprising an inlet to said clean air pressure chamber adapted to be connected to a pressure source of clean air; f. and control means for said filter cleaning means, comprising: 1. a plurality of quick opening valves connected to said valve means and operative to open selected ones of said valve means, 2. a housing defining a pressure chamber having a plurality of outlet ports each adapted to be connected to a different one of said quick opening valves, and an inlet port for connection to a source of air under pressure, 3. a control arm in said chamber, said control arm having an outer end and an inner end portion, and an air passage extending longitudinally therethrough, said outer end being disposed to engage said housing adjacent said outlet ports, 4. means mounting said control arm in said housing for intermittent movements of said arm in a direction whereby said air passage registers at the outer end of the arm successively with each of said outlet ports, 5. a pneumatically operated valve communicating with said valve passage at the inner end portion of said control arm, 6. control arm operating means for imparting said intermittent movement to said arm and including an actuator movable alternately in opposite direction. 7. and a pneumatic circuit including said pressure source and other valve means for opening said pneumatically operated valve to permit air to escape therethrough from each of said quick opening valves in succession responsive to movements of said actuator in one direction and to close said pneumatically operated valve responsive to movements of said actuator in an opposite direction and during movement of said arm from each outlet port to the next succeeding outlet port.