CA2221272C - A twin filter for compressed air - Google Patents
A twin filter for compressed air Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- CA2221272C CA2221272C CA002221272A CA2221272A CA2221272C CA 2221272 C CA2221272 C CA 2221272C CA 002221272 A CA002221272 A CA 002221272A CA 2221272 A CA2221272 A CA 2221272A CA 2221272 C CA2221272 C CA 2221272C
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- filter
- valves
- chamber
- ball
- compressed air
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired - Fee Related
Links
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
- B01D—SEPARATION
- B01D46/00—Filters or filtering processes specially modified for separating dispersed particles from gases or vapours
- B01D46/42—Auxiliary equipment or operation thereof
- B01D46/44—Auxiliary equipment or operation thereof controlling filtration
- B01D46/46—Auxiliary equipment or operation thereof controlling filtration automatic
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
- B01D—SEPARATION
- B01D46/00—Filters or filtering processes specially modified for separating dispersed particles from gases or vapours
- B01D46/56—Filters or filtering processes specially modified for separating dispersed particles from gases or vapours with multiple filtering elements, characterised by their mutual disposition
- B01D46/58—Filters or filtering processes specially modified for separating dispersed particles from gases or vapours with multiple filtering elements, characterised by their mutual disposition connected in parallel
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
- B01D—SEPARATION
- B01D2267/00—Multiple filter elements specially adapted for separating dispersed particles from gases or vapours
- B01D2267/30—Same type of filters
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
- B01D—SEPARATION
- B01D2273/00—Operation of filters specially adapted for separating dispersed particles from gases or vapours
- B01D2273/16—Means for selecting a filter element of a group of filters for a special purpose other than cleaning a filter
Landscapes
- Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
- Filtering Of Dispersed Particles In Gases (AREA)
Abstract
The object of the invention is a twin filter for compressed air, in which there are two filters (3) set in parallel and an arrangement of valves (2, 4) to direct compressed air through a selected filter (3), whi ch arrangement of valves includes inlet valves (2) to distribute compressed air from the inlet (1) to the selected filter (3) and an arrangement of counter-valves (4) to direct the compressed air from the selected filter to the compressed air outlet (5.1). The arrangement of count er- valves includes a ball chamber (8) formed in the housing structure, at the ends of which are inlet connections (14) and an outlet connection (5) in the centre. A ball (9) is arranged to close that inlet connection (14) in which there is no pressure. The ball chamber consists of a filter element (10) that is, as such, known, in the central area of which a ring-like outlet channel (11) is formed, which collects the outle t flow to the outlet connection (5).
Description
A TWIN FILTER FOR COMPRESSED AIR
The object of the invention is a twin filter for compressed air, in which there are two filters set in parallel and a set of valves for directing the compressed air through the selected filter, the set of valves including inlet valves to distribute the compressed air from the inlet to the selected filter and an arrangement of counter valves to direct the compressed air from the selected filter to the compressed air outlet, which arran-gement of counter valves consists of two counter valves that are set opposite one another and are connected to one another by a chamber, to which valves are connected inlet connections and an outlet connection, and in which a ball is arranged to close the unpressurized inlet connection. The invention is also concerned with an arrangement of counter valves for other purposes.
Modern compressed air filters use synthetic cylindrical pipes, elements, which are set into the water-removal cup, when the compressed air filter can also separate water, in addition to filtering. Filter elements of this type are made by several manufacturers, among them the American company Numatics, MI.
Such filter elements are made with different grades of coar-seness, so that it is possible to speak of, for example, a 5~
element. This means that such an element will not permit par-ticles with a diameter greater than 5~ to pass through it. The element filter must be changed now and then, when the pressure loss across it becomes too great to use. The flow through the filter must then be cut. Twin filters are therefore used for uninterrupted air distribution, these having two filters set in parallel in such a way that, with the aid of a suitable arran-gement of valves, the flow can be switched from one side to the other. A blocked filter can then be changed at the same time as the flow continues unbroken through the other filter.
In one known twin filter, there is a T-piece, after which there are various shut-off valves, by means of which the flow can be manually opened to the desired side and correspondingly shut off from the other side. There is a danger that the operator may close both shut-off valves. On one side of the filters two spring-loaded counter-valves are used, in both of which a ball moves in a pressure chamber formed by a drilled hole, both chambers being connected to the other by a connecting drilled hole. Channels are led from the filter to the ends of the ball chamber while the flow exits from the middle of the connecting hole. The spring then closes the opposite counter-valve, shutting the valve that has been cut off. However, a counter-valve arrangement of this kind limits the flow.
This invention is intended to create a new kind of twin filter for compressed air, which has new characteristics compared to known twin filters, while also making the operation of a twin filter easier, without the risk of operating errors.
The characteristic features of a twin filter for compressed air according to the invention are described in the accompanying Claims.
It is most advantageous, if the cage structure that carries the ball is formed by a filter element that is as such known, but mechanical structures are also possible in principle. A filter element can be used to create a suitable pressure loss, which will drive the ball reliably to the other end.
A twin filter according to the invention together with a filter element used in the ball chamber also provides the additional advantage that, if filter elements run out, for a short period there is still the pressure chamber coarse filter left after the filter proper, which is in any event preferable to a break in operation or a total lack of any filter. Other advantages and embodiments of the invention appear later.
In what follows, the invention is illustrated by reference to the accompanying Figures, which show one twin filter for com-pressed air in accordance with the invention.
The object of the invention is a twin filter for compressed air, in which there are two filters set in parallel and a set of valves for directing the compressed air through the selected filter, the set of valves including inlet valves to distribute the compressed air from the inlet to the selected filter and an arrangement of counter valves to direct the compressed air from the selected filter to the compressed air outlet, which arran-gement of counter valves consists of two counter valves that are set opposite one another and are connected to one another by a chamber, to which valves are connected inlet connections and an outlet connection, and in which a ball is arranged to close the unpressurized inlet connection. The invention is also concerned with an arrangement of counter valves for other purposes.
Modern compressed air filters use synthetic cylindrical pipes, elements, which are set into the water-removal cup, when the compressed air filter can also separate water, in addition to filtering. Filter elements of this type are made by several manufacturers, among them the American company Numatics, MI.
Such filter elements are made with different grades of coar-seness, so that it is possible to speak of, for example, a 5~
element. This means that such an element will not permit par-ticles with a diameter greater than 5~ to pass through it. The element filter must be changed now and then, when the pressure loss across it becomes too great to use. The flow through the filter must then be cut. Twin filters are therefore used for uninterrupted air distribution, these having two filters set in parallel in such a way that, with the aid of a suitable arran-gement of valves, the flow can be switched from one side to the other. A blocked filter can then be changed at the same time as the flow continues unbroken through the other filter.
In one known twin filter, there is a T-piece, after which there are various shut-off valves, by means of which the flow can be manually opened to the desired side and correspondingly shut off from the other side. There is a danger that the operator may close both shut-off valves. On one side of the filters two spring-loaded counter-valves are used, in both of which a ball moves in a pressure chamber formed by a drilled hole, both chambers being connected to the other by a connecting drilled hole. Channels are led from the filter to the ends of the ball chamber while the flow exits from the middle of the connecting hole. The spring then closes the opposite counter-valve, shutting the valve that has been cut off. However, a counter-valve arrangement of this kind limits the flow.
This invention is intended to create a new kind of twin filter for compressed air, which has new characteristics compared to known twin filters, while also making the operation of a twin filter easier, without the risk of operating errors.
The characteristic features of a twin filter for compressed air according to the invention are described in the accompanying Claims.
It is most advantageous, if the cage structure that carries the ball is formed by a filter element that is as such known, but mechanical structures are also possible in principle. A filter element can be used to create a suitable pressure loss, which will drive the ball reliably to the other end.
A twin filter according to the invention together with a filter element used in the ball chamber also provides the additional advantage that, if filter elements run out, for a short period there is still the pressure chamber coarse filter left after the filter proper, which is in any event preferable to a break in operation or a total lack of any filter. Other advantages and embodiments of the invention appear later.
In what follows, the invention is illustrated by reference to the accompanying Figures, which show one twin filter for com-pressed air in accordance with the invention.
Figure 1 shows the flow diagram for a twin filter for compressed air according to the invention.
Figure 2 shows front view of a compressed air filter according to the invention.
Figure 3 shows a side view of the twin filter in Figure 1.
Figure 4 shows a top view of the twin filter in Figure 1.
Figure 5 shows a cross-section of the ball chamber housing.
The main components of the twin filter comprise two proper filters 3, an inlet valve 2 connecting them, and a casing component 15, in which there is a valve arrangement 4 formed by a crossover counter-valve. The compressed air inlet 1 is a direct inlet to a three-way valve. In this way, instead of two separate valves, a three-way valve is used as the inlet valve 2, which has the additional property that it does not cut off the air in the intermediate position, but instead the change takes place smoothly.
In the intermediate position, the compressed air feed thus comes through both filters. In valves of this kind, there may be for example a T-channel ball.
In both filters 3, a filter element 3.1, which has typically a coarseness grade of 5~, is used. The air enters the ball chamber housing through the channels in casing component 15. With reference to Figure 4, the outlet from the ball chamber housing takes place through an outlet connection 5, located in the centre. The outlet pressure is monitored with the aid of meter 6, which shows if the filter becomes blocked, so that the compressed air feed must be switched through the other element, which has been changed earlier.
Casing component 15 is advantageously formed from two parts 15.1 and 15.2, in which case the machining required is fairly simple. The casing component has holes 14 drilled axially in both parts of the housing. There are cylindrically machined linings for the filter element 10 parallel to the drilled holes 14. In the larger piece 15.2, there is a concentric cylindrical machining for the outlet channel 11. The outlet connection 5 extends to this outlet channel 11. When the casing component 15 is assembled, the parts 15.1 and 15.2 are set opposite each other in such a way that the filter 10 and the flat ring gaskets 13 at its ends remain in the cylindrical space 12. In addition, the ball 9 is naturally placed inside element 10. Ring gasket 17 is used in the interface 1.6 between parts 15.1 and 15.2. The counter-valves are formed at the ends of the same chamber when ball 9 acts as a shut-off member at each end in turn.
If the coarseness of the proper filters is 5~, a filter element l0 with a coarseness of, e.g. 40~. is used in this ball chamber. Filter element Numatics type EKF30A has been tested. This means that in an emergency there need not be any filter in the twin filter, all filtration being taken care of by this coarser filter element 10.
Naturally, situations of this kind should be avoided, because changing filter 10 will cause a break in flow. The coarseness of the filter element should be 2 - 50 times greater than in the proper filter, and should be generally in the range 5 - 200.
During operation, the flow from the pressure side pushes the ball 9 against the edges of the opening of the drilled hole 14 of the opposite inlet connection. The flat ring gasket 13 extends, however, to the edges of the opening in such a way that the ball is never in direct contact with the edges of the opening.
In summary, it can be stated that a twin filter according to the invention has the advantage of providing more reliable operation by eliminating an operating error, in which both separate valves are closed simultaneously. The three-way valve used never shuts the flow into the intermediate position, so that the change of the filter element takes place without a break in flow. The crossover counter valve according to the invention permits a greater flow than previously through the ball chamber, while also providing possible additional filtering for a situation in which the proper filter element is blocked and a new element is not available.
It is naturally possible to use the counter-valve arrangement 5 according to the invention elsewhere than in a twin filter. It can be used to control two inlet sources entering the same line.
Figure 2 shows front view of a compressed air filter according to the invention.
Figure 3 shows a side view of the twin filter in Figure 1.
Figure 4 shows a top view of the twin filter in Figure 1.
Figure 5 shows a cross-section of the ball chamber housing.
The main components of the twin filter comprise two proper filters 3, an inlet valve 2 connecting them, and a casing component 15, in which there is a valve arrangement 4 formed by a crossover counter-valve. The compressed air inlet 1 is a direct inlet to a three-way valve. In this way, instead of two separate valves, a three-way valve is used as the inlet valve 2, which has the additional property that it does not cut off the air in the intermediate position, but instead the change takes place smoothly.
In the intermediate position, the compressed air feed thus comes through both filters. In valves of this kind, there may be for example a T-channel ball.
In both filters 3, a filter element 3.1, which has typically a coarseness grade of 5~, is used. The air enters the ball chamber housing through the channels in casing component 15. With reference to Figure 4, the outlet from the ball chamber housing takes place through an outlet connection 5, located in the centre. The outlet pressure is monitored with the aid of meter 6, which shows if the filter becomes blocked, so that the compressed air feed must be switched through the other element, which has been changed earlier.
Casing component 15 is advantageously formed from two parts 15.1 and 15.2, in which case the machining required is fairly simple. The casing component has holes 14 drilled axially in both parts of the housing. There are cylindrically machined linings for the filter element 10 parallel to the drilled holes 14. In the larger piece 15.2, there is a concentric cylindrical machining for the outlet channel 11. The outlet connection 5 extends to this outlet channel 11. When the casing component 15 is assembled, the parts 15.1 and 15.2 are set opposite each other in such a way that the filter 10 and the flat ring gaskets 13 at its ends remain in the cylindrical space 12. In addition, the ball 9 is naturally placed inside element 10. Ring gasket 17 is used in the interface 1.6 between parts 15.1 and 15.2. The counter-valves are formed at the ends of the same chamber when ball 9 acts as a shut-off member at each end in turn.
If the coarseness of the proper filters is 5~, a filter element l0 with a coarseness of, e.g. 40~. is used in this ball chamber. Filter element Numatics type EKF30A has been tested. This means that in an emergency there need not be any filter in the twin filter, all filtration being taken care of by this coarser filter element 10.
Naturally, situations of this kind should be avoided, because changing filter 10 will cause a break in flow. The coarseness of the filter element should be 2 - 50 times greater than in the proper filter, and should be generally in the range 5 - 200.
During operation, the flow from the pressure side pushes the ball 9 against the edges of the opening of the drilled hole 14 of the opposite inlet connection. The flat ring gasket 13 extends, however, to the edges of the opening in such a way that the ball is never in direct contact with the edges of the opening.
In summary, it can be stated that a twin filter according to the invention has the advantage of providing more reliable operation by eliminating an operating error, in which both separate valves are closed simultaneously. The three-way valve used never shuts the flow into the intermediate position, so that the change of the filter element takes place without a break in flow. The crossover counter valve according to the invention permits a greater flow than previously through the ball chamber, while also providing possible additional filtering for a situation in which the proper filter element is blocked and a new element is not available.
It is naturally possible to use the counter-valve arrangement 5 according to the invention elsewhere than in a twin filter. It can be used to control two inlet sources entering the same line.
Claims (11)
1. A twin filter for compressed air, in which there are two filters set in parallel and an arrangement of valves to direct compressed air through a selected filter, which arrangement of valves includes inlet valves to distribute compressed air from an inlet to the selected filter and an arrangement of counter-valves to direct the compressed air from the selected filter to a compressed air outlet, which arrangement of counter-valves includes a housing with two counter-valves opposing each other and connected to one another by a chamber, via which inlets to the chamber connections are connected with a central outlet connection which extends to an outlet channel, and in which a ball is arranged to close that chamber inlet in which there is no pressure, wherein the chamber consists of a cylindrical cage structure to carry the ball, in which the counter-valves are formed at the ends of this chamber, while the ball acts as a shut-off member at each end in turn.
2. A twin filter in accordance with Claim 1, wherein the cage structure is formed by a filter element, and which has an annular outlet channel formed in the centre of it, which collects the outlet flow from the outer surface of the filter element into the outlet connection.
3. A twin filter in accordance with Claim 2, wherein the ball chamber consists of longitudinal holes drilled to the chamber inlets, a cylindrical space with a greater diameter than the holes for the filter element, and a central annular outlet channel of still greater diameter.
4. A twin filter in accordance with Claim 3, wherein at each end of the filter element a flat ring gasket is used, which extends around the opening of the corresponding chamber inlet, so that the flat ring gasket remains between the ball and the edge of the inlet.
5. A twin filter in accordance with any one of Claims 2 to 4, wherein the filtration limit of the filter element is for particles 2 to 50 times greater than the twin filters.
6. A twin filter in accordance with Claim 5, wherein the filtration limit is in the range 5 to 200ยต.
7. A twin filter in accordance with any one of Claims 2 to 6, wherein said housing is in two parts, with the interface located at the end of the annular outlet channel.
8. A twin filter in accordance with any one of Claims 2 to 7, wherein the inlet valves are formed by a single three-way valve, in which there is a T-channel ball or similar arranged in such a way that the compressed air distribution changes smoothly from one side to the other without closing in the intermediate position.
9. A compressed air counter-valve arrangement for leading compressed air from a selected inlet connection to an outlet, which counter-valve arrangement consists of a housing with two counter-valves set opposite one another and linked to each other by a ball chamber, to which valves the chamber inlet is connected, with a central outlet connection which extends to an outlet channel, and in which a ball is arranged to close that chamber inlet that has no pressure, wherein the ball chamber is formed by a filter element, and in which the counter-valves are formed in the ends of the ball chamber, with the ball acting as a closing member at each end in turn, and in which there is an annular outlet channel formed in the central area of the chamber, which collects the outlet flow into the outlet connection.
10. A counter-valve arrangement in accordance with Claim 9, wherein at each end of the filter element a flat ring gasket is used, which extends round the chamber inlet, so that the flat ring gasket remains between the ball and the chamber inlet.
11. A counter-valve arrangement in accordance with either one of Claims 9 and 10, wherein said housing is in two parts with the interface located at the end of the annular outlet channel.
Applications Claiming Priority (3)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| FI952758A FI98049C (en) | 1995-06-06 | 1995-06-06 | Double compressed air filter |
| FI952758 | 1995-06-06 | ||
| PCT/FI1996/000300 WO1996039240A1 (en) | 1995-06-06 | 1996-05-28 | A twin filter for compressed air |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2221272A1 CA2221272A1 (en) | 1996-12-12 |
| CA2221272C true CA2221272C (en) | 2006-07-25 |
Family
ID=36708637
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002221272A Expired - Fee Related CA2221272C (en) | 1995-06-06 | 1996-05-28 | A twin filter for compressed air |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA2221272C (en) |
-
1996
- 1996-05-28 CA CA002221272A patent/CA2221272C/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| CA2221272A1 (en) | 1996-12-12 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| EEER | Examination request | ||
| MKLA | Lapsed |