Patent ID: 6235072
Filing Date: 2001-05-22
Classification: B01D,B08B,B25J,Y10S

Abstract:
A glove box filter system for circulating gas through an environment contained in a glove box having an outlet and an inlet so as to remove contaminants from the glove box environment and prevent contaminants from entering the glove box environment, comprising:an outlet conduit adapted for connection to the glove box outlet for providing a path for removal of gas from the glove box environment;a first filter stage in communication with said outlet conduit for receiving the removed gas and for filtering out contaminants contained in the removed gas, said first filter stage having an access chamber for housing a removable filter;a circulation conduit in communication with said first filter stage and with the glove box inlet for receiving the filtered gas from said first filter stage;a blower connected to said circulation conduit for moving gas in said circulation conduit through the inlet and outlet of the glove box;a second filter stage in communication with said circulation conduit for fine-filtering the filtered gas prior to re-entry of the filtered gas to the glove box environment through the glove box inlet; andan isolation valve connected to said circulation conduit and movable between an open position for allowing gas to flow through said circulation conduit, and a closed position for preventing gas flow through said circulation conduit, said closed position preventing contaminants present in said first filter stage housing from entering the glove box environment during removal of the removable filter contained in said first filter stage housing.