Abstract:
A modular filtration assembly for filtration of fluids, the capacity of the assembly depending upon the selected number of filtration modules included in the assembly. Each of the modules is made up of two identical housing members connected together in inverse, head-to-tail configuration and providing for inflow and outflow of fluid to and from a filter unit disposed in a recess formed by the two housing members. A housing inlet and housing outlet serve the function of assembly inlet and assembly outlet when the modules are assembled to one another to form the filtration assembly, providing for modularity and affording flexibility of capacity of the assembly.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     This invention relates to the filtration of fluids in general, and more particularly to a novel filtration assembly made up of a plurality of identical filtration modules, whereby to simplify the manufacturing process, and adapted to be connected together so as to form an economical filtration assembly of a selected size and capacity.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     It is known to provide filtration assemblies adapted to receive cassette-type filter units. However, such assemblies are generally monolithic, cumbersome, heavy and costly to manufacture. Such assemblies also lack the flexibility of variable fluid output because their pre-set design is not modular. Their capacity depends on the design of a base model, which is determined by the initial output requirement and is fixed once and for all. Thus, manufacturers lack a product whose fluid handling capacity can be custom-configured to the unique needs of each user or application, and users lack a flexible product which is adaptable to their changing needs, such as, for example, when there are changes in the size of the structures which are to have their contents filtered, or changes in the fluid volumes which need to be filtered, or the constant change of variables found in the exhaust of toxins in air or water, etc.  
         [0003]     Among other things, consideration must be given to several issues relating to the filtration of a fluid. More particularly, for many types of filters, each filter unit can only handle a certain quantity of fluid before the capacity of the filter unit is reached. Thus, in order to handle a larger volume of fluid, more filter units may need to be provided. However, if the filter units are disposed serially, such as that shown in  FIG. 1 , each additional filter unit F adds to fluid resistance, thereby necessitating larger fans or pumps to force the fluid through the series of filter units. On the other hand, if the filter units F are disposed in parallel, such as that shown in  FIG. 2 , fluid resistance may be kept down but the overall size of the filter assembly grows, sometimes to impractical proportions. Thus, in many cases the use of serial or parallel filter configurations is impractical for the task at hand.  
         [0004]     There is thus a need for a novel filtration assembly modular in nature, such that a single basic design can be easily modified in assembly to suit a particular user&#39;s needs, and can subsequently be modified by the user in accordance with changes in capacity requirements.  
         [0005]     And there is a need for an improved construction design that simplifies the manufacturing process and allows cost reduction.  
         [0006]     And there is a need for a novel filter assembly which provides a new and improved filter configuration.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0007]     Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a novel filtration assembly adapted for assembly so as to provide a selected output, and adapted, once in use, for easy modification so as to provide for a changed output requirement.  
         [0008]     Another object of the present invention is to provide a filtration assembly which is adapted for simple, low-cost, mass production, and which includes one or more identical filtration modules, each having an input collection chamber and an output collection chamber for the fluids to be treated, the filtration assembly including a selected number of the identical filtration modules, each filtration module including a filter unit placed within the filtration module, and releasably retained in the module.  
         [0009]     A further object of the present invention is to provide a modular filtration assembly of reduced cost, size, weight, maintenance and set-up, the output of which is determined by a selected number of identical filtration modules, each of the modules being made up of two identical, interconnected L-shaped housing members, arranged in a reversed, head-to-tail configuration, between which are placed one or more mobile cassette-type filter units. One of the module housing members directs the input of the fluid to be treated towards the filter unit, and the other module housing member directs the output of the treated fluid from the filter unit. Each of the housing members includes two openings, each adapted to flow input and output fluids of each filtration module.  
         [0010]     With the above and other objects in view, a feature of the invention is the provision of a low-cost, mass production filtration assembly of minimum size and weight, and reduced set-up and maintenance.  
         [0011]     A further feature of the invention is the provision of such a filtration assembly which includes a selected number of identical filtration modules, each including two identical housing members connectable to one another in a reverse, head-to-tail arrangement, with each housing member having two openings for the fluid being filtered.  
         [0012]     In accordance with a further feature of the invention, there is provided a fluid filtration assembly comprising at least one filtration module, the module comprising first and second identical housing members connectable together in a reverse, head-to-tail arrangement so as to form a recess adapted to receive a filter unit, each of the housing members being provided with a collection chamber having a pair of openings aligned with each other, and a wall portion extending outwardly from the collection chamber and defining one wall of the aforementioned filter recess when the two identical housing members are connected together, the one wall being spaced from the filter unit so as to form a filter input chamber or a filter output chamber (depending on the direction of fluid flow within the fluid filtration module), and wherein the two openings are each adapted to serve as a fluid inlet, the walls permitting fluid flow therebetween and through the filter unit, and the two openings each being further adapted to serve as a fluid outlet, depending on the direction of fluid flow within the fluid filtration module.  
         [0013]     In accordance with a still further feature of the invention, there is provided a fluid filtration assembly comprising at least one filtration module, the module comprising a first housing member comprising a first collection chamber in communication with a first wall extending therefrom, the first housing member having a first fluid inlet and a first fluid outlet, respectively, in opposed walls of the first collection chamber and in alignment with each other; a second housing member comprising a second collection chamber in communication with a second wall extending therefrom, the second housing member having a second fluid inlet and a second fluid outlet, respectively, in opposed walls of the second collection chamber and in alignment with each other; the first and second collection chambers and the first and second walls defining a recess for receiving and retaining a filter unit, wherein one of the fluid inlets is open to receive fluid flow and one of the fluid outlets is open to discharge filtered fluid, and wherein the received fluid flows through the fluid inlet, one of the collection chambers, along one of the walls, through the filter, along the other of the walls, through the other of the collection chambers, and out of the module through the fluid outlet.  
         [0014]     The above and other features of the invention, including various novel details of construction and combinations of parts, will now be more particularly described with reference to the accompanying drawings and pointed out in the claims. It will be understood that the particular assembly embodying the invention is shown by way of illustration only and not as a limitation of the invention. The principles and features of this invention may be employed in various and numerous embodiments without departing from the scope of the invention. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0015]     Reference is made to the accompanying drawings in which is shown an illustrative embodiment of the invention, from which its novel features and advantages will be apparent.  
         [0016]     In the drawings:  
         [0017]      FIG. 1  is a schematic view showing a plurality of filter elements arranged in series;  
         [0018]      FIG. 2  is a schematic view showing a plurality of filter elements arranged in parallel;  
         [0019]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a housing member;  
         [0020]      FIG. 3A  is a top plan view of the housing member of  FIG. 3 ;  
         [0021]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a filtration module including two identical and interchangeable housing members of  FIGS. 3 and 3 A connected together in a reverse, head-to-tail configuration, and a filter unit disposed in the module;  
         [0022]      FIG. 4A  is a top plan view of the module and filter unit of  FIG. 4 ;  
         [0023]      FIG. 5  is another perspective view of a filtration module including two identical and interchangeable housing members of  FIG. 3  and  3 A connected together in a reverse, head-to-tail arrangement, and a filter unit disposed in the module;  
         [0024]      FIG. 5A  is a top plan view of the module and filter unit of  FIG. 5 ;  
         [0025]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of an assembly of a plurality of identical modules and filter units shown in  FIGS. 4 and 4 A;  
         [0026]      FIG. 6A  is a top plan view of the assembly of  FIG. 6 ;  
         [0027]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of a further assembly disposed in a cradle and having an assembly inlet and an assembly outlet;  
         [0028]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of an assembly of modules on a cradle covered for use; and  
         [0029]      FIG. 9  is a perspective view of the assembly of  FIG. 8  placed on a rooftop and being provided with filter units for filtration of a gaseous fluid. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0030]     Referring to  FIGS. 3, 3A ,  4 ,  4 A,  5  and  5 A, it will be seen that a housing member A includes a wall  2  and a collection chamber  3 . The wall  2  is provided with seal members  1  ( FIG. 3 ) which project out of the plane of the wall so as to facilitate forming a filter input chamber  20 , or a filter output chamber  20  ( FIGS. 4A and 5A ), depending on the direction of air flow. The collection chamber  3  is provided with a first opening  4  and a second opening  8  aligned with the first opening  4 . Collection chamber  3  also comprises a third opening  22  adjacent wall  2 , whereby fluid can flow between collection chambers  3  and filter input chambers  20  and fluid output chambers  20 .  
         [0031]     As is shown in  FIGS. 4, 4A ,  5  and  5 A, a pair of identical housing members A are adapted to be connected together in an inverse, head-to-tail configuration, so as to form a filtration module  15  having a recess  13  configured and sized to receive at least one filter unit  6 . When a filter unit  6  is disposed in recess  13 , wall  2  and seal members  1  will, in conjunction with the adjacent filter unit  6 , form a filter input chamber  20 , or a filter output chamber  20 , depending on the direction of air flow. Each module  15  may be provided with one or more straps  24  and clamp devices  7  to hold the housing members A together and the filter units  6  securely in the recesses  13 . Each housing member A may further be provided with a spring, such as leaf spring  5 , for spreading the various elements apart when straps  24  and clamp devices  7  are released, e.g., such as when needed to remove a filter unit from the module.  
         [0032]     Significantly, each filtration module  15  is formed by two identical housing members A arranged in an inverse, head-to-tail configuration. Thus, only one configuration of housing member A needs to be fabricated in order to form a complete filtration module  15  and, indeed, in order to form a large assembly  14  ( FIGS. 6 and 6 A) of filtration modules  15 . As a result, manufacturing and inventory issues are greatly simplified and costs dramatically reduced.  
         [0033]     Each of the housing members A is provided with a second opening  8  disposed in alignment with the first opening  4  of the housing member. As illustrated in  FIGS. 4A, 5A  and  6 A, the first openings  4  may serve as inlets  10  or outlets  11  and, as illustrated in  FIG. 6A , are engageable with second openings  8  of adjacent housing members. In an assembly  14  ( FIGS. 6 and 6 A) comprising multiple filtration modules  15 , exposed and unused second openings  8  may be covered with a cover plate  9 , such that a complete assembly comprising a plurality of filtration modules  15  includes a single inlet  10  and a single outlet  11 , with a plurality of essentially parallel paths therebetween.  
         [0034]     Significantly, and looking now at  FIG. 6A , for an assembly comprising a plurality of filtration modules  15 , by blocking off the exposed second opening  8  with plate  9 , air entering inlet  10  of an end filtration module  15  will pass into a series of collection chambers  3  and be forced, in a parallel fashion, through a plurality of filters  6 , and then be collected by the series of downstream collection chambers  3  for discharge through the single outlet  11 . Thus, while such an assembly  14  may appear at first view to be a plurality of filter units arranged in series (and with the attendant advantages of economy of space), it actually operates as a plurality of filters arranged in parallel. This is a significant design advantage.  
         [0035]     As may be seen in  FIGS. 7 and 8 , the assembly  14  of modules  15  may be placed in a cradle  12 , with or without the filter units  6 .  
         [0036]     In operation, two identical L-shaped housing members A are connected together to form a filtration module  15  having the recess  13 , which is adapted to receive one or more of the filter units  6 , which may be held together by various tightening devices such as, for example, straps  24  equipped with the clamp devices  7 . Springs  5  separate the elements when clamps  7  are released. Each pair of housing members A, configured as shown in  FIGS. 4 and 4 A, i.e., in inverse, head-to-tail configuration, comprise a filtration module  15 , the housing members A being interlocked one into the other, forming the filtration module  15  whose input  10  receives the fluids to be treated, and whose output  11  discharges the treated fluids after being treated by the filter units  6 . As shown in  FIG. 6A , a plurality of the modules  15  may be connected together, by way of interfitting of the first openings  4  and the second openings  8 , to form a complete, multi-module assembly  14 . Where only one module  15  is to be used in the assembly  15 , the second opening  8  of both housing members A are closed off, e.g., with plates  9 ; where multiple modules  15  are to be used in assembly  14 , only the two exposed second openings  8  are closed off with plates  9 , the remaining second openings  8  being used to provide fluid flow through the various modules  15 .  
         [0037]     In  FIG. 7 , there is depicted an example of a filtration assembly  14  made up of five modules  15  which themselves are each made up of two identical housing members A of the type shown in  FIG. 3 . The number of modules  15  is selected according to the filtration task at hand. The cradle  12  is designed to receive the modules.  
         [0038]     In  FIG. 8  there is illustrated an assembly  14  of three modules  15  mounted in a cradle  12  and prepared for use. The number of modules in the assembly can be selected according to the filtration requirements of the user. If desired, the cradle  12  can be provided with a support structure S for supporting a coverlet C (only a portion of which is shown in  FIG. 8 ), whereby to shield the assembly  14  from the environment (e.g., rain, snow, etc.). Significantly, the use of the skeleton S and coverlet C provides an inexpensive, easy-to-erect shield which may be quickly and easily removed when desired to provide universal access for unit maintenance, filter replacement and assembly reconfiguration.  
         [0039]     The assembly  14  may be placed on a rooftop  16  ( FIG. 9 ), or other selected location, and provided with appropriate filter units  6 . In the assembly shown in  FIG. 9 , air enters the assembly by way of an inlet  10  leading from the interior of the building (not shown) underlying the rooftop  16 , passes through three modules  15  simultaneously, and then on to an outlet  11  which serves as a vent to the atmosphere. Alternatively, the airflow may be in the opposite direction, i.e., it may enter the assembly through element  11 , pass through the filtration assembly and then be introduced into the building through element  10 . In each of the modules  15 , the received fluid flows through one of the collection chambers, along one of the walls, through the filter unit, along the other of the walls, through the other of the collection chambers, and out of the module through the fluid outlet open to discharge fluid.  
         [0040]     If the filtration capacity requirements change in time, the user need only add additional modules to, or remove modules from, the filtration assembly.  
         [0041]     There is thus provided a filtration assembly of filtration modules for filtering fluids, gases or liquids, the assembly making available low-cost, mass production of filtration modules of reduced size, weight, maintenance and set-up, and which may easily be combined to provide a multi-filter assembly, with each filter module comprising a plurality of identical, L-shaped housing members connectable to one another in inverse, head-to-tail configuration, each module ensuring the inflow and outflow of fluid in each module and the intake and discharge of the fluids in the assembly.  
         [0042]     It is to be understood that the present invention is by no means limited to the particular construction herein disclosed and/or shown in the drawings, but also comprises any modification or equivalent within the scope of the claims.