JPH0555170B2 - - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Industrial Applications] The present invention generally relates to a method in which air or other fluids having foreign objects such as dust contained therein are passed through a filtering medium. Relating to a filter device, wherein the flow is caused to deposit the foreign matter on one surface of the filtration medium, and a cleaning mechanism is provided to remove the foreign matter collected on the surface of the filtration medium. It is something.

[Conventional technology]

One typical filter device of the above type is:
A rotating drum filter that includes a rotating support structure on which the filtration media is supported and is therefore expected to be generally cylindrical in shape. A flow of dirty fluid, such as air, passes through the filtration media from the outside surface of the filtration media to the inside of the drum, and the fluid is free of dirt, dust or other debris that may be deposited on the outside surface of the filtration media. It involves foreign objects and purified air that is sucked in from inside the drum. During use, filtered foreign matter collects on the outer surface of the filtration media and must be removed periodically to prevent it from clogging the filtration media.

One known device for cleaning the outer surface of a rotating drum filter includes a plurality of closely spaced filters in a row extending axially along the outer surface of the drum in close proximity to the outer surface of the filter. suction nozzles such that as this drum is rotated past the fixed cleaning nozzles, the suction force constantly exerted on these suction nozzles removes foreign matter from the filtration media surface. It is something to do. However, in general, this type of cleaning device requires more suction power than other types of cleaning devices, making the operating costs relatively high, and the necessary suction power to be exerted through the nozzle. It is usually more difficult to properly control.

Another known device for cleaning rotating drum filters of the above type is for mechanically moving a plurality of suction nozzles axially rearward and forward across the outer surface of the rotary drum filter. Contains structure. The device typically includes a fixed track extending axially along the outer surface of the rotating drum filter, one or more carriage members having wheels that engage the fixed track, and a fixed track extending axially along the outer surface of the rotating drum filter. and a chain drive device for reciprocating the carriage member. The carriage members have a plurality of suction nozzles mounted therein for removing foreign matter from the drum during this reciprocating movement, each of these nozzles displacing the carriage members from one end of the track to the other. It has a relatively long and flexible suction conduit attached thereto to accommodate the range of motion. This type of cleaning equipment is relatively expensive and requires a relatively large number of moving parts, which are usually operated in environments with high dust content, which is a disadvantage to reliability and correct operation. It is said that it includes
It has certain drawbacks. In addition to this, the cleaning action itself is caused by a rearward and forward movement of the nozzle, which causes the nozzle to be moved over the part of the filtration element that has just been cleaned when the carriage member changes its direction at both ends of the track. Due to movement or reciprocation, the dirtiest part of the filter element at the other end of the filter is
It will not be cleaned until the carriage has traversed the entire length of the track.

In another typical known filter device, a plurality of large, generally flat filter elements are arranged in a vertical position, facing each other, to provide a generally vertically disposed filter surface. spaced apart from the filtration surfaces of adjacent filtration elements such that a large amount of air passes between and through the filtration surfaces of the filtration elements facing each other.
The exposed facing filtration surfaces of these filtration elements are suctioned by any conventional suction source, such as a suction blower, coupled to the inside of the filtration elements, whereby airborne foreign matter is separated from the air. collected above. To maintain spacing, these filtration elements are typically arranged with only one small gap between them, and because of this close relationship and the size of the filtration elements, commercially compatible automatic filtration Unable to provide an element cleaning mechanism, the cleaning action is therefore generally performed manually, using a broom-like device to periodically wipe collected foreign matter from the filtration surface of the filtration element. This manual cleaning process is time consuming and expensive in terms of the labor required, resulting in the filter elements not being cleaned at reasonable time intervals due to the unavailability of the required labor. become.

[Problem that the invention seeks to solve]

In accordance with the present invention, a filter cleaning system is provided which overcomes the disadvantages of conventional filter cleaning systems discussed above and provides many other advantages not available with such systems.

[Means for solving problems]

The present invention provides that the filtration media is supported to provide a surface thereon for filtering the fluid passing therethrough and collecting foreign matter carried therein, as described above; A self-cleaning filter device is provided in which a belt element having a plurality of apertures is moved across the filtering surface to remove foreign matter therefrom. The belt element is disposed to move across the filtering surface and has a plurality of apertures in the belt at spaced locations along the belt and aspirates foreign matter through the apertures. A vacuum is applied to these openings for this purpose.

In one embodiment of the invention, the filtration element is a rotating drum that cylindrically supports the filtration media and is rotated about its axis and through the cleaning device. The belt is an endless band with the openings described above and is mounted to move across the rotating cylindrical filtration surface in a direction parallel to its axis. The endless belt is conveyed over two rollers, one of which is selectively driven and positioned at the extended end of a fixed plenum chamber, which is substantially closed and exposed to the filtration media. A groove is formed adjacent to the groove and extending along its length. The belt member moves along the plenum chamber with the opening in the belt communicating with the groove and a vacuum is applied to the inside of the plenum chamber so that dust and other foreign matter is removed from the filtering surface and the belt member is moved along the plenum chamber. into the plenum chamber from which it is to be discharged.

The belt member may be provided with retention means at the apertures for selectively mounting nozzle elements on the belt at one or more of the apertures, the nozzle elements extending toward the filtration media. put out A plurality of nozzle elements are used, some of which have different extension lengths, so that foreign matter on the filtration media is removed therefrom in stages. The retaining means provided on the belt are also used to support a solid plate which closes the opening in the belt when necessary.

The above rollers for supporting the endless belt are
As the apertures in the belt member move over the end walls of the plenum chamber, the suction force exerted through the apertures cleans the rollers and the area around these rollers, thereby preventing the collection of unwanted dust and other foreign matter on the rollers. spaced apart from the end wall of the plenum chamber to serve to prevent the occurrence of

In another embodiment of the invention,
The filtration element is flat and placed in a stationary vertical position. Endless belts of the type described above are arranged to move along a flat filtration surface of the filtration medium, together with a suction source that removes foreign matter through openings in the belt as described above. In this embodiment, since the filtration element is stationary, a second drive means or carriage is provided for the movement of the belt along the filtration surface in addition to the movement of this belt around its rollers. Movement of the belt around the roller is in one direction (e.g. longitudinal or perpendicular) with respect to the filtration element, and movement of the belt caused by the second drive means is in a direction different from the first direction. (for example, in the lateral or horizontal direction).

In this embodiment, a plurality of flat filter elements are preferably provided, which are arranged spaced apart and parallel to each other. The endless belt is arranged between two adjacent filtration elements by opposing extensions of the endless belt, each of which is placed in close proximity to the opposing filtration surfaces of both filtration elements to clean the contact area. The endless belt simultaneously has a first belt along its longitudinal length.
and a second direction perpendicular to this first direction. In a disclosed embodiment of the invention, an endless belt is arranged with a vertically extending flared portion such that driving one of the rollers for this belt causes its vertical movement. and a carriage is provided to support the endless belt and its support rollers, the carriage being arranged for horizontal backward and forward movement between two adjacent filter elements. Yet another embodiment of this embodiment of the invention
According to one form, a longitudinal direction device is provided for selectively positioning the carriage so that it can move along the gap between any adjacent pair of the plurality of filtration means and the belt automatically Generally, a control mechanism is provided for moving between predetermined pairs of filtration elements and for directing movement between different pairs of filtration elements so that all filtration elements will be cleaned periodically and sequentially.

Further, according to the present invention, (a) a filter device of a predetermined length is supported to allow a fluid containing foreign matter to pass therethrough so that foreign matter is deposited on one surface of the filter device; and (b) at least one opening is formed. (c) moving the endless belt in a closed state in one direction across the surface of the filtration medium so that at least one opening always faces the surface of the filtration medium; A method of cleaning a filtration medium is provided, in which a vacuum pressure is applied to an opening in the endless belt during the movement of the endless belt, and foreign matter on one surface of the filtration medium is drawn through the opening and removed from the filtration medium.

〔Example〕

Referring to the drawings, FIGS. 1-8 illustrate one embodiment of a self-cleaning filter according to the present invention, including a wall or bulkhead 10, a support frame 12 spaced therefrom, and a rotating drum filter 14. The rotating drum filter 14 is supported on a shaft 16 between the wall 10 and the support frame 12, and is rotated about the drum axis by a drive motor 18 attached thereto. The rotating drum filter 14 includes a support structure 20 to which a suitable filtration medium 22 is mounted in a cylindrical manner such that dirt and other foreign matter may be collected on its outer surface. During normal operation, wall 1
A suitable vacuum source (not shown) in the circular opening 24 at 0
A vacuum is applied from the filtration medium 22, thereby drawing the fluid of the air stream inwardly toward the filtration medium 22, causing foreign matter contained in the air to adhere to the outside surface of the filtration medium and purifying the air. It is pulled out from the opening 24. This is well known.

The present invention provides a unique arrangement for removing foreign matter adhering to the fluid intake surface of the filtration media 22. As best shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the cleaning structure includes a fixed, generally enclosed plenum chamber 26, which is preferably formed by a rectangular housing 28, the ends of which are connected to mounting brackets. 30 by 10 walls each
and support frame 12 in any convenient manner. The housing 28 extends proximate the outer surface of the filtration media 22 and has a slot 32 formed in the side of the housing 28 closest to the filtration media 22. Both ends of the housing 28 are closed by end walls 34, and a suction inlet pipe 36 is connected through the top wall of the housing 28, and the pipe 36 is connected to a vacuum source (not shown) to apply a vacuum to the interior of the housing 28. It is now possible to do so. Just beyond the end wall 34, the bracket 30 has rollers 38, 40 each rotatably mounted thereon.
An endless belt 42 is stretched around both rollers 38 and 40, and one running portion of the belt 42 is attached to the housing 2.
8 of the slots 32 are formed therein, and the other run extends along the opposite closed surface of the housing 28. This is clearly shown in FIG. The belt 42 is formed with at least one through opening 44, preferably two or more openings 44 spaced apart from each other. In the embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2,
The two openings 44 are equidistant, so that during movement of the belt 42 one of the openings 44 is always adjacent to the filtering medium 22.

Operation of the belt 42 is accomplished by attaching a drive sprocket 46 to the shaft 16 of the rotating drum 14 and providing a chain 48 extending from the drive sprocket 46 to a driven sprocket 50, with an electrically actuated clutch 51 assembled therein. In turn, it is connected to a gear reduction gear 52, which in turn is connected to the shaft 54 of the roller 40. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, belt 42 is moved across filtration media 22 to clean it when a certain amount of foreign matter has accumulated on the outer surface of filtration media 22. More specifically, as foreign matter adheres to the filtration media 22, its ability to pass air is impaired, increasing the pressure drop across the filtration media 22. As shown in Figure 8,
An electrical control circuit is provided to move the belt 42 when the pressure drop across the filtration media 22 reaches a predetermined maximum value (e.g., 2 inches of water head); such circuitry is connected to the electrical supply line 58. ,
AC/DC transformer 60, the above-mentioned electric clutch 51, and a known pressure detection switch 62
switch 62 which closes a circuit when it detects that the pressure drop across filtration media 22 has reached the predetermined maximum value, thereby energizing electrical clutch 51 to reduce roller 40.
rotation of the shaft 54 of the belt 4.
Make 2 exercise. This continues until the filtration media 22 is sufficiently clean that the pressure drop reaches a predetermined minimum value, at which point the switch 62 opens to stop the movement of the belt 42. If desired, the electric clutch 51 can be omitted so that the roller 40 is driven constantly by the rotation of the rotary drum filter 14, and the suction through the inlet pipe 36 is controlled. It is also possible to apply suction only when the filter is dirty enough to require cleaning.

In operation, the rotating drum filter 14 is continuously rotated about the shaft 16 by the drive motor 18 as fluids, such as dirty air, pass through the filtration media 22 and deposit foreign matter on its outer surface. When enough of this debris has accumulated that the pressure drop across the filter media 22 reaches a predetermined maximum value, the electrical clutch 51 is energized to move the belt 42. One run of belt 42 passes adjacent to and across the outer surface of filtration media 22, with an opening 44 in this run extending through slot 32.
communicates with the inside of the rectangular housing 28 via
The vacuum within housing 28 causes foreign matter to be drawn from filtration media 22 through opening 44 . This vacuum also acts to seal the belt 42 by drawing the overlapping portion of the belt 42 against the portion of the housing wall that defines the slot 32; The cleaning ability of the belt 42 may be improved by attracting it toward the surface. Rotation of the rotating drum filter 14 and axial movement of the belt 42 along the filter surface causes the openings 44 to move along the entire surface of the filtration media 22 to remove foreign matter therefrom. Preferably at least two openings 44 are used equally spaced along the length of the belt so that the openings 44
One of the filtration media 22 is substantially constantly engaged with the filtration media 22 for cleaning. Furthermore, because the belt 42 is moved in only one direction, certain openings 44
It should be noted that when passing one end of the filtration media 22 across, the other opening 44 tends to come into cleaning contact with the other end of the filtration media 22 . Thus, as each opening 44 begins traveling across the filtration media 22, it
It is located at the dirtiest end of 2.
This should be contrasted with the conventional reciprocating carriage and nozzle configurations described above, in which when the cleaning nozzle reaches one end of the filter media it reverses its direction to clean the filter media. The dirty end of the filtration media will not be cleaned until the nozzle has traversed the entire width of the filtration media.

Although in many applications of the invention, adequate cleaning of the filtration media 22 is obtained by providing one or more openings 44 in the belt 42, in other applications more efficient cleaning may be achieved. Preferably, the opening 44 is provided with a nozzle element in order to obtain this. According to one feature of the invention, the same belt can be used in both types of applications and other possible variations for adjusting the opening 44 can be achieved with little difficulty. As shown in FIG. 3, the belt 42 has one or more apertures 44 with retaining members
4, which retaining member 64 is preferably formed as a frame by a piece of woven fabric, whose outer circumferential edge is attached to the belt 42 by a stitch 66 and whose inner circumferential edge 68 is attached around the opening 44. The holding member 64 overlaps the belt 42 to form a pocket. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 7, the nozzle element 70 has an outwardly extending portion 72 and an opening 4 in the belt.
An opening 72' corresponding to the dimensions of 4 is formed and further has an enlarged end 74 adapted to be received within the pocket confinement formed by retaining member 64. In this way, when it is desired to use the nozzle elements 70, these elements are inserted into such pockets so that the flared end 74 is retained and the nozzle opening 7
2' communicates with belt opening 44 and extends outwardly as shown in FIG.
extends outwardly from the belt surface toward the filtration media.

The nozzle elements 70 are formed as different elements with outwardly extending portions 72 of varying lengths, and the nozzle elements 70 can be formed on the belt 42 depending on the self-cleaning filter application and the type and amount of foreign material to be treated. It will be appreciated that it can be selectively attached by the retaining member 64. Furthermore, the sixth
As shown, the belt 42 has two openings disposed relatively close to each other and a nozzle element 7 having a relatively short outward extension 72.
0 is attached to the leading belt opening in the direction of belt movement and has a somewhat longer outer extension 7.
A nozzle element 70 with 2 is attached to the rear belt opening. This configuration is particularly useful for high foreign matter loading applications, i.e. foreign matter on the filter can be removed in multiple stages, with the first leading nozzle element 70 removing a relatively thick outer layer of dirt; The rear nozzle element 70 will remove the remaining dirt.

The retaining member 64 can also selectively block or close one or more belt openings 44 by attaching an imperforate rectangular plate element 76 as shown in FIG. The plate element 76 has a tapered edge portion 78 and retains the retaining member 64.
can be easily inserted into the pocket formed by the plate element 76, whereby the adjacent belt opening 44 is covered or closed by the plate element 76. The plate element 76 and the nozzle element 70 described above are made of a suitable material having sufficient flexibility, such as polyurethane, so that these elements
The rollers 38, 40 can be passed around during the movement of the rollers 38, 40.

According to another feature of the invention, roller 3
8, 40 are spaced slightly from the end wall 34 of the rectangular housing 28, thereby opening the belt opening 44 as shown in FIG.
When one of the rollers passes through the end wall 34, a bypass passage is formed through the opening, which causes the vacuum introduced into the housing 28 to draw in air from the area surrounding the roller, thereby It also cleans such areas and rollers by drawing out foreign matter and dirt that has accumulated on them.

As explained above, the self-cleaning filter device shown in FIGS. 1 through 8 is relatively simple and inexpensive in construction and operation, and the self-cleaning filter device shown in FIGS. The movement allows the filtration media 22 to be properly cleaned. Additionally, the self-cleaning filter device has the advantage that nozzle elements 70 of various types can be quickly attached to and removed from the retaining member 64 as well as having multiple openings 44 in the belt 42 as desired. The ease and simplicity with which it can be provided and selectively used with the various nozzle elements 70 and closed by the plate element 76 provides great flexibility for use in a wide range of filter applications. .

A second embodiment of the invention is shown in FIGS. 9-15 and is used primarily for cleaning flat, stationary filters. FIG. 9 shows a plurality of such flat filtration elements 100, with the filtration elements 10
0 are upright or vertically spaced parallel to each other, with their exposed surfaces 102 facing each other. Fluid, such as air, to be passed through the filter is directed to the filter surface 10 by a conventional suction blower (not shown) connected to the inside of each filter element 100.
2, a large volume of air is drawn from the surrounding area through the space 104 between each filtration element and through the oppositely disposed filter surfaces 102 to remove and collect airborne foreign matter therein. This configuration of filtration element 100 is conventional;
Although four filtration elements 100 are shown in FIG. 9, any desired number of filtration elements can be used, e.g.
In filter systems that process air over a large area, such as in textile factories, it is common to use ten filter elements 100.

As mentioned above, the most common way to clean a filter element of the type shown in FIG. 9 is to clean it manually using a broom-like device or the like; The present invention provides a unique configuration for automatically and continuously cleaning a filter element 100. As shown in FIGS. 9 and 11, an endless belt 106 is arranged vertically and its upper and lower ends are supported by rollers in the same manner as described with respect to the embodiment of FIGS. 1 to 9;
A drive motor 108 is mounted to the belt support housing 110 and drives a lower roller through a drive shaft 112, causing the belt 106 to move vertically along the housing 110. As best shown in FIG. 12, the two vertically extending runs of the belt 106 are located on opposite sides of the housing 110, which acts as a plenum chamber, and the belt support housing 110
0 opens into an opening 116 formed in the belt 106 including a continuous slot 114 extending along a vertical extent, and one end of an elongated flexible tube 118 is connected to the side wall of the housing via a connecting box 119. and the other end is connected to a suitable vacuum source (not shown) to introduce a vacuum into the plenum chamber formed by housing 110 to draw air from opening 116 in belt 106 in the manner described above. It's starting to get worse. The opening 116 in the belt 106 can be selectively removably mounted with a nozzle 120 of the type shown in FIGS. 3, 4, 6, and 7, if desired.

The upper end of the housing 110 is a carriage 122.
A housing 110 and a belt 106 are supported vertically depending therefrom, and the carriage 12
2 includes a frame 124 and a pair of shafts 126, 128, each of which is coupled at a respective end to a pulley 130 for rotation thereof. An endless traction member 130 is disposed around each pair of aligned pulleys 130. Carriage 1
22 further includes a shaft 134 extending from the upper belt roller of belt support housing 110 and coupled to a right angle reduction unit 136 which drives shaft 128 in the manner described above for transporting carriage 122. It is configured to do this. A pair of conventional proximity sensors 138, 140 are mounted on one end of the carriage 122 and a third proximity sensor 142 is mounted on the other end of the carriage 122 to control movement of the carriage 122 in a manner described below. It's starting to be controlled.

Carriage 122 is configured to move along a set of tracks 144. A track 144 is disposed at the top of the filtration element 100 and is also connected to the carriage 12.
Two traction members 132 are arranged on the track. A pair of tracks 144 define each space 10 between filtration elements 100.
4, and a carriage 122 is provided adjacent to each 2
It is adapted to move along the space between two adjacent filtration elements 100. Figures 10 and 13
A lateral direction unit 146, detailed in the figure, is provided for each set of tracks 1 associated with each space 104 between filtration elements.
44 is provided for selectively and automatically positioning the carriage 122 as it moves along path 44. The lateral pointing unit 146 has a fixed frame 148 disposed along one longitudinal edge of the filtration element 100 and spaced outwardly therefrom. Frame 148 has a pair of flanges 150 extending along its length and folded back inward. Translation unit 152 is supported on frame 148 by slide 153 for movement along flange 150 and has a metal end wall 154 and a plurality of longitudinally extending side walls 156. Each side wall 1
56 has an inwardly folded flange 158;
Each set of flanges 158 has a space corresponding to the space between each set of tracks 144 disposed on each adjacent set of filtration elements 100. Mobile unit 1
The reciprocating movement along the flange 150 of the piston rod 152 is coupled directly to the moving unit 152.
This is done by a double acting fluid motor 160 having 62.

The operation of the embodiment shown in FIGS.
The explanation will be made in conjunction with the control circuit diagrammatically shown in the figure.
Air carrying foreign matter is drawn into the filtration element 100 through the exposed filtration surface 102 and the foreign matter collects on the filtration surface 102 . Assuming that the carriage 122 is placed in the position shown in FIG. 9 in the lateral direction unit 146, the belt 106
is moved longitudinally along the housing 110 by a drive motor 108, and the carriage 1
22 moves inwardly along the space between two adjacent filtration elements 100 in front of the lateral pointing unit 146; such movement causes the deceleration unit 1
Due to the rotation of a pulley 130 coupled to a shaft 128 driven via 36 and the corresponding movement of the traction member 132, the traction member 132
22 from the flange 158 of the transfer unit 152 to the immediately adjacent and aligned set of tracks 144 above the filtration element 100. Orbit 1
44 causes belt housing 110 and belt 106 to move filtration element 1
00 horizontally along the space between adjacent sets of belt housings 104 and 104
The size relationship of 10 is such that the two longitudinal sections of belt 106 are each proximate to the facing filtration surface 102 of filtration element 100. at the same time,
Belt 106 moves longitudinally along belt housing 110 and apertures 116 in belt 106 move along filtration surface 102 to remove foreign matter from the filtration surface in a manner similar to that described above with respect to embodiments of the present invention. Note that both longitudinal sections of the belt 106 are connected to the facing filtration surfaces 102 of two adjacent filtration elements 100.
, and these surfaces are cleaned simultaneously.

Movement of the carriage 122 toward the rear longitudinal edge of the filtration element 100 causes the carriage 122 to move toward the metal rear end wall 164 at the rear end of the filtration element 100.
This continues until the two proximity sensors 138, 140 of the carriage 122 each generate a signal. As shown in FIG.
The signal from is sent to a latch relay 166 which in turn sends a signal to a four-way solenoid valve unit 168 which controls the flow of compressed air, indicated by arrow 170, to the fluid motor 160 which operates the moving unit 152. Solenoid valve unit 168 operates to reverse the flow of compressed air to fluid motor 160 upon receiving a signal from relay 166 so that piston 162 is moved along the length of fluid motor 160. This range of movement is such that the piston 162
, the inner flange 158 is connected to the track 144 of the filtration element.
is predetermined to be moved a distance that changes its position so that it appears immediately in front of the next adjacent pair. Thus, in the position of the apparatus shown in FIG. 9, the signal produced by sensor 138 causes moving unit 152 to move one step to the right, and the right set of flanges of moving unit 152 are connected to the two right filters. Align with trajectory 144 on element 100.

Simultaneously, along with the signal produced by sensor 138, another signal is produced by sensor 140 as sensor 140 approaches rear end wall 164, and this signal is coupled to motor 10 for belt 106, as described above.
8 and the carriage 1 via the reduction unit 136.
22 direction is automatically reversed. The signal is sent to the forward/reverse motor controller 172. Thus, the carriage 122 continues to sweep back along the space 104 to clean the opposing filtration surfaces 102 until the carriage 122 enters the transfer unit 152, thereby causing the proximal unit 142 to clean the end wall 15.
4 and generates a signal that is sent to relay 166. Relay 166 operates solenoid valve 168 to drive fluid motor 160 to move piston 162 and displacement unit 152 one step to the left in FIG. 9, as described above. Mobile unit 1
52 carries a carriage 122 located entirely within the mobile unit. The signal produced by the sensor 142 is also sent to the motor controller 172 through a time delay device 174 that is adjusted to delay the signal by a predetermined amount of time (eg, 6 seconds), and the motor controller 172 is connected to the moving unit 152.
The direction of the drive motor 108 is not reversed until the motor has had time to move to the new indicated position. After a predetermined time delay, drive motor 108 is reversed to move carriage 122 to moving unit 152.
and passed along the next adjacent space 104 between the two filtration elements 100. The above-mentioned control operation is carried out when the carriage 122 moves to the last two filtration elements 1 at the left end in FIG.
This is repeated until it is positioned to move down the space 104 between 00 and 00.

a rear filtration wall 16 located adjacent to the space 104 at the rear two outer ends of the filtration element 100;
4, the light beam from the proximity sensor 138 hits the wall 1.
A plastic insert 176 is provided located at the point of impact on 64. This plastic insert 176 is shown in dotted lines in FIG. The plastic insert 176 prevents the sensor 138 from actuating when it approaches the rear wall 164 of the two outer end spaces 104, thereby
When the carriage 122 approaches the rear wall of these spaces 104, no signal is generated by the sensor 138 and the moving unit 152 does not move. Thus, when the carriage 122 reverses its direction of movement to move the transfer unit 152 rearwardly, the transfer unit is still in a position to receive the carriage 122, and as the carriage 122 approaches the end wall 154, the sensor 142 moves the translation unit 152 one step to the right and reverses the drive motor 108 (with a time delay). These are the same as described above.

As can be understood from the foregoing, the control system shown in FIG.
descends and rises in one of the spaces 104, with the carriage 122 in the last or outer space 104.
the next adjacent space 104 until it descends and rises.
, and then the carriage 122 moves in the opposite direction to the next adjacent space 104 . However, the filter belt 1
06 is automatically and continuously lowered and retracted in each space 104 in turn, and the filtration surface 102 facing each side of the space 104 is moved by the moving belt 106.
, thereby simultaneously cleaning the filtration element 10
The entire surface of 0 is continuously cleaned of foreign matter collected thereon.

Although the invention has been described with respect to the illustrated embodiment, it is not intended to be limited to this embodiment nor to exclude obvious variations from what has been suggested.

According to the present invention, the belt that moves in a fixed direction along the filtration element is provided with an opening that always faces the filtration element, and this opening applies negative pressure, so that the suction nozzle can be connected to the flexible tube. This allows an effective transmission of negative pressure to the clean area, which is not possible with conventional methods of direct connection to the vacuum source through the vacuum cleaner. In addition, since the belt described above can perform the functions of moving the cleaning area and transmitting negative pressure, it does not require many parts that perform these functions separately, which reduces the manufacturing cost of the cleaning device. .

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view in schematic diagram form of one embodiment of a self-cleaning filter embodying the invention;
2 is a detailed, partially cutaway view of the cleaning device for the filter shown in FIG. 1; FIG. 3 is a detailed view of the belt showing the retaining elements arranged around the belt opening; FIG. The figure is a sectional view of a nozzle element which can be supported on the belt by its retaining part,
FIG. 5 shows a sectional view of a solid plate element which can also be supported on a belt by its retaining member, and FIG. 6 shows a belt on which nozzles of different extension lengths are installed. Detail shown schematically, No. 7
Figure 8 is a detailed view schematically showing the position of the opening in the belt during cleaning of the roller element on which the belt is mounted; Figure 8 controls the movement of the belt in the embodiment of the invention shown in Figure 1; FIG. 9 is a wiring diagram showing the electrical circuit for a second embodiment of the invention in which a substantially flat filter is being cleaned.
FIG. 10 is a detailed slope view of the longitudinal direction indicating device shown in FIG. 9, FIG. 11 is a side view of the cleaning belt device shown in FIG. 9, and FIG. 12 is a side view of the belt shown in FIG. 9. 13 is a detailed view showing the actuating motor for the longitudinal direction device shown in FIG. 10; FIG. 14 is a plan view of the belt carriage device shown in FIG. 9; FIG. 15 is a wiring diagram showing an electrical circuit for controlling the movement of the belt in the embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 14... Rotating drum filter, 22... Filtration medium, 26... Plenum chamber, 32... Groove, 3
8, 40...Roller, 42...Endless belt, 4
4... Belt opening, 64... Holding member, 70...
Nozzle element, 76... Plate member, 100... Flat filtration element, 104... Filtering element, 106... Endless belt, 116... Opening, 120... Nozzle, 12
2,152...carriage, 138,140,1
42...sensor, 144...orbit, 146...
indicating device.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A self-cleaning filter device comprising the following (a) and (b). (a) a filtration medium supported to have a surface that filters the fluid passing therethrough and collects foreign matter; (b) cleaning said filtration medium having the following (i), (ii) and (iii): (i) belt means arranged to move in only one direction along at least a portion of the surface of said filtration medium, said belt means substantially parallel and directly facing said filtration medium; (ii) in said portion of said filtration medium, said belt means having at least one opening extending therethrough and disposed proximate and facing said filtration medium at all times; (iii) a plenum chamber connected to a vacuum source, the belt means surrounding the plenum chamber and the belt means displacing the plenum chamber; Means forming part of the wall and applying negative pressure to the opening means. 2. The filter according to claim 1, wherein the filtration medium is generally cylindrical and the belt means is provided for axial movement along the surface of the filtration medium. Clean filter device. 3. the belt means has a plurality of openings and extends around the rotating roller means at spaced apart locations along the surface of the filtration medium;
Claim 1, characterized in that it comprises an endless belt made of a flexible material, and said moving means has drive means for rotating one of said roller means for moving said belt means. Self-cleaning filter device as described. 4. The endless belt has a nozzle element provided in communication with at least some of the openings of the endless belt, and the nozzle element extends from the surface of the endless belt in a direction toward the filtration medium. 4. A self-cleaning filter device according to claim 3, characterized in that it is elongated. 5. A self-cleaning filter device according to claim 4, characterized in that the protrusion lengths of some of the nozzle elements are different from the protrusion lengths of others of the nozzle elements. 6. The endless belt has retaining means disposed adjacent to at least some of the openings, and the nozzle means is selectively engaged with and supported by the retaining means while being released from the retaining means. and is provided with non-perforated plate means;
4. A self-cleaning filter device as claimed in claim 3, wherein said non-perforated plate means is formed to extend proximate said opening in selective engagement and support by said retaining means. 7. The belt means extends along the portion of the surface of the filtration medium and has an aperture formed along the length of the plenum chamber and proximate to the filtration medium. a fully enclosed plenum chamber, the belt means comprising an endless belt member provided for movement along the length of the plenum chamber and across the opening; The negative pressure means is formed in the belt member and communicates with the opening during movement of the belt member along the plenum chamber, and the negative pressure means is coupled to the inside of the plenum chamber to apply negative pressure therein. A self-cleaning filter device according to claim 1, characterized in that: 8 The plenum chamber extends in the length direction of a rectangular tube having an opening formed in one side wall extending along the length, and the belt member has a plurality of openings extending through the opening, The self-cleaning device according to claim 7, wherein the belt member has one section extending along one side wall of the rectangular tube and another section extending along the opposite side wall of the rectangular tube. filter device. 9 Both ends of the square tube are closed by end walls,
The belt means is rotatably supported at both ends of the rectangular tube and has two rollers spaced apart from the end wall, and the endless belt member is wound around the rollers at the contact surface. The opening of the endless belt member is characterized in that the opening of the endless belt member applies a cleaning suction force when the opening passes through an end wall of the rectangular tube during movement of the belt member. A self-cleaning filter device according to claim 8. 10 The belt means and the belt moving means transport the belt means and the belt moving means along the surface of the filtration medium in a direction different from the direction of movement of the belt means caused by the belt moving means. , attached to the carriage means.
Self-cleaning filter device as described in Section. 11 The surface of the filtration medium is substantially flat, and the carriage means moves the belt means and the belt moving means in a direction substantially perpendicular to the direction of movement of the belt means caused by the belt moving means. , along the surface of the filtration medium.
The self-cleaning filter device according to item 0. 12 at least two filtration media are spaced apart from one another and arranged adjacent to each other, the carriage transporting the belt means and the belt movement means along a path of travel between the adjacent filtration media; and , characterized in that the belt moving means moves the belt means simultaneously along the filtration surfaces of both filtration media while adjoining the opening of the belt to the filtration media, thereby simultaneously cleaning both filtration media. A self-cleaning filter device according to claim 10. 13 at least three filtration media are arranged in adjacent parallel relationship with the space between each two adjacent filtration media, and said carriage means moves said belt means and said belt movement means into two adjacent filtration media. 11. The self-cleaning filter device of claim 10, wherein the self-cleaning filter device is configured to transport selectively along a path of travel between media. 14 (a) A rotating drum-shaped filter having a cylindrical filtration medium, through which air is passed and foreign matter in the air collected on one surface of the medium, and (b) a device for cleaning the filtration medium. and the cleaning device comprises: (i) a substantially airtight structure having an axially extending slot in the wall adjacent to the filtration medium and extending axially along its entire length; (ii) an endless belt having openings at spaced locations along its length, one of the flat surface areas of the endless belt extending along the length of said plenum chamber having said slot. (iii) being disposed in close proximity to the endless belt, the openings in the flat surface region of the endless belt being formed to communicate with the slots; (iv) a vacuum source connected to the interior of the plenum chamber to create a vacuum therein, drawing air through openings in an endless belt communicating with the slots; A self-cleaning filter device which removes the above-mentioned foreign substances from a filtration medium. 15. The endless belt comprises nozzle elements in at least some of the open positions, the nozzle elements extending from the endless belt towards the filtration medium, the extension length of at least some of the nozzle elements being equal to the extension length of the other nozzle elements. 15. A self-cleaning filter device according to claim 14, which has different lengths. 16. The endless belt is provided with an attachment device for removably attaching the nozzle element to the opening of the endless belt, and is provided with a non-perforated plate-like device for attaching the nozzle element instead onto the endless belt when the nozzle element is removed from the attachment device; 15. The self-cleaning filter device according to claim 14, wherein the opening of the endless belt is closed with a perforated plate-like device. 17 (a) supporting a filter device of a predetermined length to allow a fluid containing foreign matter to pass therethrough and depositing foreign matter on one surface of the filter device; (b) disposing an endless belt having at least one opening; (c) moving the endless belt in one direction over said one surface of the filtration medium in close contact so that at least one opening faces at all times; A method for cleaning a filtration medium, which comprises applying vacuum pressure to an opening in a belt to draw foreign matter on one surface of the filtration medium through the opening and removing it from the filtration medium. 18 a support surface extending along the filtration medium proximate the filtration medium to support the endless belt as it moves past the filtration medium; Claim 17, wherein an extending slot is formed and continuously communicated with the opening of the endless belt during movement over the filtration medium, and a vacuum pressure is applied to the opening of the endless belt through the slot. Method for cleaning filtration media. 19. Moving an endless belt past the filtration medium in a single direction and providing a plurality of spaced apertures along the length of the endless belt such that at least one aperture in the endless belt is always adjacent to the filtration medium. 18. The method of cleaning a filtration medium according to claim 17, wherein foreign matter is removed from the openings during movement of the endless belt. 20 At least two openings of the endless belt are formed close to each other in the length direction of the endless belt, and the distance of the first opening from the filtration medium as seen from the direction of movement of the endless belt is equal to the filtration medium of the second opening. 20. The method for cleaning a filtration medium according to claim 19, wherein the distance from the filtration medium is greater than the distance from the medium, and foreign matter on the filtration medium removed by the openings is removed in two stages using the two openings. 21 (a) at least one generally planar filtration medium having a surface for filtering a passing fluid to collect foreign matter contained in the fluid; and (b) a device for cleaning the filtration medium. , the cleaning device includes: (i) a belt device arranged to move in close proximity to the surface of the filtration medium, the belt device extending therethrough and constantly in close proximity to the filtration medium; (ii) the belt device is placed along the surface of the filtration medium in the first
(iii) a second drive device that moves the belt device along the surface of the filtration medium in a second movement direction different from the first movement direction; and (iv) applying a vacuum pressure to an aperture device of the belt device to draw foreign matter collected on the filtration media through the aperture during movement of the belt device along the surface of the filtration media. Self-cleaning filter device. 22. The self-cleaning filter device of claim 21, wherein the second direction of movement is orthogonal to the first direction of movement. 23 A patent in which the filtration media is arranged in a substantially flat and substantially upright configuration, a first drive device moves the belt device in a substantially vertical direction, and a second drive device moves the belt device in a substantially horizontal direction. Claim 2
The self-cleaning filter device according to item 1. 24. The belt device comprises an endless belt formed of a flexible material having a plurality of openings and wound around spaced apart roller devices;
22. The self-cleaning filter device of claim 21, wherein the drive device is arranged to rotate at least one of the roller devices to move the belt device in the first direction of movement. 25. The self-cleaning filter of claim 24, wherein the second drive device includes a carriage device for moving the belt device and the first drive device in a second direction of movement along the surface of the filtration medium. Device. 26 comprising at least two filtration media arranged with filtration surfaces facing each other and spaced apart, the belt device being in close contact between the filtration media and against both opposing filtration surfaces of the filtration media; A self-cleaning filter device according to claim 21, wherein the self-cleaning filter device is arranged in a self-cleaning filter device according to claim 21. 27 At least three substantially flat filtration media arranged parallel to each other and spaced apart, and with a belt arrangement and a first and second drive arrangement selectively disposed to control the filtration media. 22. A self-cleaning filter device according to claim 21, further comprising a lateral indexing device for moving the space between adjacent pairs. 28 At least three filtration media are arranged in an upright configuration, a first drive device moves the belt device in a direction corresponding to the vertical extent of the upright filtration media, and a second drive device moves the belt device in an upright configuration. 28. The device according to claim 27, wherein the belt device is moved in a direction corresponding to the horizontal extent of the filtration medium, and the lateral indexing device is arranged at the vertical edge of the filtration medium. Clean filter device. 29 A second drive device comprises a pair of tracks cooperating with each pair of filtration media and extending horizontally along the filtration media, and a carriage device arranged to move along the tracks. a carriage device for carrying a belt device and a first drive device; and a lateral indexing device for moving a belt device and a first drive device; and is formed to be movable toward a predetermined position along a pair of tracks, and the receiving device is formed to receive and support the carriage therein, whereby the carriage device is configured to receive and support the carriage. Claim 2 formed to be selectively positionable by a lateral indexing device for movement along the filtration media to a position between any two of said filtration media.
The self-cleaning filter device according to item 8. 30 moving the carriage device between two selected adjacent filtration media in a first direction of advancement from one vertical edge of the filtration media to an opposite vertical edge; automatically actuating the second drive to move in a second direction of retraction from one vertical edge of the side to another selected filtration media position; 30. The self-cleaning filter device of claim 29, further comprising a control device for operating a lateral indexing device to automatically and selectively move the carriage device for forward and backward movement. 31 (a) supporting a filtration medium exhibiting a substantially planar surface for filtering a passing fluid and collecting deposited foreign matter; and (b) having a length extending over the length of the filtration medium. (c) disposing an endless belt having at least one aperture formed therein; (d) simultaneously moving the endless belt in a second direction of movement past the filtration medium; (e) moving the endless belt across the filtration medium; A method of cleaning a filtration medium, in which a vacuum pressure is applied to an opening of an endless belt during movement, and foreign matter on the filtration medium is drawn through the opening and removed from the filtration medium. 32 Two filtration media are arranged with their filtration surfaces facing each other and spaced apart between the filtration surfaces, and an endless belt is placed between the two flat surface areas on the filtration surfaces of the two filtration media. Cleaning of filtration media according to claim 31, wherein an endless belt is disposed between two filtration media so as to closely face each other, and both filter media are cleaned by moving the endless belts. Method. 33 (a) providing at least three flat filtration media each having a surface for filtering a passing fluid and collecting foreign matter contained in the fluid; (c) having at least two longitudinally extending planar areas and defining at least one aperture; (d) disposing the belt between the selected first pair of filtration media and placing two flat areas of the belt between the selected first pairs of filtration media; (e ) At the same time, the belt is moved in a second direction of movement perpendicular to the first direction of movement, and (f) during said movement, vacuum pressure is applied to the apertures to draw foreign matter on the filtration medium through the apertures. (g) selectively positioning a belt to provide first and second movement between selected second pairs of filtration media.