Abstract:
A gas turbine air filter system includes a frame and at least one guide attached to the frame. A first lever is attached to the frame and can pivot with respect to the frame to engage a first filter. A second lever is attached to the frame and can pivot with respect to the frame to engage a second filter. A method for securing gas turbine air filters includes inserting a first filter into a frame inside at least one guide and pivoting a first clamp connected to the frame to engage at least a portion of the first clamp with the first filter. The method further includes inserting a second filter into the frame inside the at least one guide and pivoting a second clamp to engage at least a portion of the second clamp with the second filter.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention generally involves a system and method for securing gas turbine air filters. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Commercial and industrial equipment often require a filtered source of air or other working fluid to operate. For example, a gas turbine used for power generation often draws in a large volume of ambient air to operate, and contaminants or other fine debris in the air may adversely affect the efficiency, operation, and durability of the gas turbine. As a result, a filter system at the inlet of the gas turbine may be used to remove contaminants and other fine debris from the air being supplied to the gas turbine. 
     The filter system often includes one or more pre-filters followed by a final filter. The one or more pre-filters may remove the larger contaminants and debris, and the final filter may remove the smaller contaminants and debris. Gaskets, clamps, and/or bolts are often used to precisely position the filters and securely hold the filters in place to provide an airtight pathway through which the air may flow before entering the equipment. As would be expected, the filter system requires periodic maintenance to disassemble, inspect, and/or replace the various filter stages. This maintenance may often be time-consuming, requiring specialized tools and skilled operators to ensure that the replacement filters are properly installed. If the replacement filters are not properly installed, unfiltered air may bypass the filter system, resulting in reduced operating efficiency and/or increased maintenance costs. 
     Therefore, an improved filter system that reliably positions and securely holds the filters in place without requiring tools or skilled operators would be useful. 
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Aspects and advantages of the invention are set forth below in the following description, or may be obvious from the description, or may be learned through practice of the invention. 
     One embodiment of the present invention is a gas turbine air filter system that includes a frame and at least one guide attached to the frame. A first clamp is attached to the frame and has an open position that allows a first filter to be positioned within the at least one guide and a closed position that engages at least a portion of the first clamp against the first filter. A second clamp is attached to the frame and has an open position that allows a second filter to be positioned within the guide and a closed position that engages at least a portion of the second clamp against the second filter. 
     Another embodiment of the present invention is a gas turbine air filter system that includes a frame and at least one guide attached to the frame. A first lever is attached to the frame and can pivot with respect to the frame to engage a first filter. A second lever is attached to the frame and can pivot with respect to the frame to engage a second filter. 
     Embodiments of the present invention may also include a method for securing gas turbine air filters. The method includes inserting a first filter into a frame between inside at least one guide and pivoting a first clamp connected to the frame to engage at least a portion of the first clamp with the first filter. The method further includes inserting a second filter into the frame inside the at least one guide and pivoting a second clamp to engage at least a portion of the second clamp with the second filter. 
     Those of ordinary skill in the art will better appreciate the features and aspects of such embodiments, and others, upon review of the specification. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       A full and enabling disclosure of the present invention, including the best mode thereof to one skilled in the art, is set forth more particularly in the remainder of the specification, including reference to the accompanying figures, in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a gas turbine air filter system according to one embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the system shown in  FIG. 1  with one clamp closed; 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the system shown in  FIG. 1  with both clamps closed; 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a gas turbine air filter system according to an alternate embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the system shown in  FIG. 4  with one clamp closed; and 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the system shown in  FIG. 4  with both clamps closed. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Reference will now be made in detail to present embodiments of the invention, one or more examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. The detailed description uses numerical and letter designations to refer to features in the drawings. Like or similar designations in the drawings and description have been used to refer to like or similar parts of the invention. 
     Each example is provided by way of explanation of the invention, not limitation of the invention. In fact, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that modifications and variations can be made in the present invention without departing from the scope or spirit thereof. For instance, features illustrated or described as part of one embodiment may be used on another embodiment to yield a still further embodiment. Thus, it is intended that the present invention covers such modifications and variations as come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents. 
     Various embodiments of the present invention provide systems and methods for accurately positioning and securely holding in place a plurality of filters for a gas turbine. In particular embodiments, a first or final filter may be precisely positioned between a first set of guides or brackets in a frame, and a first latch may be rotated or pivoted to hold the first or final filter securely in place. A second or pre-filter may then be precisely positioned between a second set of guides or brackets in the frame, and a second latch may be rotated or pivoted to hold the second or pre-filter securely in place. 
       FIGS. 1-3  provide perspective views of a gas turbine air filter system  10  according to one embodiment of the present invention in various operating positions. As shown, the system  10  generally comprises a frame  12 , one or more guides  14 , and first and second clamps, levers, or cantilevers  16 ,  18  configured to precisely position and securely hold a plurality of filters in place. The plurality of filters may comprise, for example, one or more pre-filters  20  designed to remove larger contaminants or debris and one or more final filters  22  designed to remove smaller contaminants or debris. As used herein, the terms first filter and second filter may be variously used to refer to either or both of the pre-filter  20  or the final filter  22  without any intention to limit or specifically associate the first or second filters with either the pre-filter  20  or the final filter  22 . 
     The frame  12  may comprise any suitable structure for securely holding the plurality of filters  20 ,  22  in place. The frame  12  may be constructed from plastic, wood, metal, or other material suitable for the anticipated temperatures and pressures of the particular environment, and the size and shape of the frame  12  may be selected to provide a complementary border around all or a portion of the particular filters  20 ,  22  being used. For example, as shown in  FIGS. 1-3 , the frame  12  may comprise a square border in anticipation of receiving similarly shaped filters  20 ,  22 . However, in particular embodiments, the frame  12  may not surround the filters  20 ,  22  entirely, and the frame  12  may surround only a portion of the filters  20 ,  22 , with the remaining portion of the filters  20 ,  22  surrounded by ducting, plastic, sheeting, and/or a combination thereof or other suitable materials for providing a substantially airtight enclosure around the filters  20 ,  22 . 
     The one or more guides  14  may be connected to the frame  12  to precisely position the filters  20 ,  22  in the system  10 . Each guide  14  or set of guides may comprise one or more flanges or tabs that extend inward from the frame  12  a predetermined distance to define a specific perimeter associated with a particular filter size. For example, as shown in  FIGS. 1-3 , each guide  14  may comprise a first surface  26  that defines a first perimeter  28  inside the frame  12 . Similarly, each guide  14  may comprise a second surface  30  that defines a second perimeter  32  inside the frame  12 . In this manner, the first surfaces  26  may contact or engage with the first filter  22  (shown in phantom in  FIG. 2 ) inserted between the guides  14  while not permitting a larger filter to fit inside the first perimeter  28  defined by the first surfaces  26 . Similarly, the second surfaces  30  may contact or engage with the second filter  20  (shown in phantom in  FIG. 3 ), but the second perimeter  32  defined by the second surfaces  30  is too large to allow the second surfaces  30  to contact or engage with the smaller first filter  22  (shown in phantom in  FIG. 2 ). As a result, the one or more guides  14  may not only precisely position the first and second filters  22 ,  20  in the system  10 , but the various perimeters  28 ,  32  defined by the first and second surfaces  26 ,  30  may also reduce the possibility that the first and second filters  22 ,  20  may be installed in the system  10  in an incorrect order. In other particular embodiments, the one or more guides  14  may include a slot or projection designed to receive or mate with a complementary fitting in the particular filters being used to further ensure that the first and second filters  22 ,  20  are installed in the correct order in the system  10 . 
     The first and second clamps, levers, or cantilevers  16 ,  18  each have a first or open position to allow one or more filters to be inserted into the frame  12  and a second or closed position to securely hold the various filters in place in the frame  12 . Each clamp, lever, or cantilever  16 ,  18  may be movably or rotatably connected to the frame  12  and/or guides  14  using a rivet, a hinge, a bolt, a swaged boss, or other device known in the art for allowing movement or rotation between two components. For example, as shown in  FIG. 1 , the first clamp  16  may be attached to the frame  12  and/or guide  14  using a rivet  34 , and the second clamp  18  may be attached to the frame  12  and/or guide  14  using a hinge  36 . The first clamp  16  may further define a longitudinal axis  38  and may comprise a tab  40  or other projection that extends substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis  38  and/or inwardly from the frame  12 . The second clamp  18  may comprise one or more arms that extend from the hinge  36 , frame  12 , and/or guide  14 . For example, as shown in  FIGS. 1-3 , the second clamp  18  may comprise a stepped arm  42  extending from one side of the hinge  36  and a cantilevered arm  44  extending from the other side of the hinge  36 . As further shown in  FIGS. 1-3 , the stepped arm  42  may be curved or bowed between the hinge  36  and the end of the second clamp  18 . 
     In particular embodiments, as shown in  FIGS. 1-3 , the system  10  may further comprise a detent  46  connected to the frame  12  and/or guides  14 . The detent  46  may engage with the first and/or second clamps  16 ,  18  to hold the first and/or second clamps  16 ,  18  in particular positions during operation of the system  10 . The detent  46  may comprise a latch, a projection, an indentation, or similar structure on one or more of the frame  12  and/or guides  14  that engages with the first and/or second clamp  16 ,  18 . For example, as shown in  FIG. 1 , the detent  46  may comprise a hook extending from the frame  12  and/or guide  14  that engages with or locks the first clamp  16  in the first or open position. By way of further example, as shown in  FIG. 3 , the same detent  46 , or another detent, may engage with or lock the second clamp  18  in the second or closed position. 
     Operation of the system  10  will now be explained with respect to  FIGS. 1-3 . In  FIG. 1 , both the first and second clamps  16 ,  18  are in the first or open position to allow one or more filters to be precisely positioned inside the frame  12  between the one or more guides  14 . In the first or open position, the first clamp  16  has been rotated or pivoted so that the tab  40  is outside or beyond the perimeters  28 ,  32  defined by the first and second surfaces  26 ,  30 , and the detent  46 , if present, may engage with the first clamp  16  to lock the first clamp  16  in the open position. In the first or open position, the second clamp  18  has similarly been rotated or pivoted so that the stepped arm  42  and cantilevered arm  44  are outside or beyond the perimeters  28 ,  32  defined by the first and second surfaces  26 ,  30 . 
     In  FIG. 2 , the first filter  22  (shown in phantom) has been inserted inside the frame  12  and the guides  14 , and the first surfaces  26  have precisely positioned the first filter  22  between the guides  14 . The first clamp  16  has also been released from the detent  46  and rotated or pivoted approximately 90 degrees to the second or closed position. In the second or closed position, the tab  40  extends inward from the frame  12  inside the first perimeter  28  defined by the first surfaces  26  of the guides  14 . As a result, in the second or closed position, at least a portion of the first clamp  16 , specifically the tab  40 , contacts or engages with the first filter  22  to securely hold the first filter  22  in place. The second clamp  18  remains in the first or open position. 
     In  FIG. 3 , the second filter  20  (shown in phantom) has been inserted inside the frame  12  and the guides  14 , and the second surfaces  30  have precisely positioned the second filter  20  between the guides  14 . The second clamp  18  has also been rotated or pivoted approximately 90 degrees to the second or closed position, and the detent  46  may engage with the second clamp  18  to lock the second clamp  18  in the closed position. In the second or closed position, the stepped arm  42  and cantilevered arm  44  extend inward from the frame  12  inside the second perimeter  32  defined by the second surfaces  30  of the guides  14 . As a result, in the second or closed position, at least a portion of the second clamp  18 , specifically the stepped arm  42  and/or the cantilevered arm  44 , contacts or engages with the second filter  20  to securely hold the second filter  20  in place. In the second or closed position, the curved or bowed portion of the stepped arm  42  and/or the cantilevered arm  44  may extend approximately 1-7 millimeters below the hinge  36  and/or detent  46  to exert additional pressure on the second filter  20  to provide a compressive seal to the second filter  20 . Inasmuch as the first filter  22  (not shown for clarity) is beneath the second filter  20 , the second clamp  18  in the closed position thus applies additional compression through the second filter  20  to the first filter  22  to further hold the first filter  22  securely in place and provide a compressive seal to the first filter  22 . 
       FIGS. 4-6  provide perspective views of a gas turbine air filter system  50  according to an alternate embodiment of the present invention in various operating positions. As shown, the system  50  again generally comprises a frame  52 , one or more guides  54 , and first and second clamps, levers, or cantilevers  56 ,  58  configured to precisely position and securely hold a plurality of filters in place. As before, the plurality of filters may comprise, for example, one or more pre-filters  60  designed to remove larger contaminants or debris and one or more final filters  62  designed to remove smaller contaminants or debris. As used herein, the terms first filter and second filter may be variously used to refer to either or both of the pre-filter  60  or the final filter  62  without any intention to limit or specifically associate the first or second filters with either the pre-filter or the final filter. 
     The frame  52  may comprise any suitable structure for securely holding the plurality of filters  60 ,  62  in place. The frame  52  may be constructed from plastic, wood, metal, or other material suitable for the anticipated temperatures and pressures of the particular environment, and the size and shape of the frame  52  may be selected to provide a complementary border around all or a portion of the particular filters  60 ,  62  being used. For example, as shown in  FIGS. 4-6 , the frame  52  may comprise a square border in anticipation of receiving similarly shaped filters  60 ,  62 . However, in particular embodiments, the frame  52  may not surround the filters  60 ,  62  entirely, and the frame  52  may surround only a portion of the filters  60 ,  62 , with the remaining portion of the filters  60 ,  62  surrounded by ducting, plastic, sheeting, and/or a combination thereof or other suitable materials for providing a substantially airtight enclosure around the filters  60 ,  62 . 
     The one or more guides  54  may be connected to the frame  52  to precisely position the filters  60 ,  62  in the system  50 . Each guide  54  or set of guides may comprise one or more flanges or tabs that extend inward from the frame  52  a predetermined distance to define a specific perimeter associated with a particular filter size. For example, as shown in  FIGS. 4-6 , each guide  54  may comprise a first surface  66  that defines a first perimeter  68  inside the frame  52 . Similarly, each guide  54  may comprise a second surface  70  that defines a second perimeter  72  inside the frame  52 . In this manner, the first surfaces  66  may contact or engage with the first filter  62  (shown in phantom in  FIG. 5 ) inserted between the one or more guides  54  while not permitting a larger filter to fit inside the first perimeter  68  defined by the first surfaces  66 . Similarly, the second surfaces  70  may contact or engage with the second filter  60  (shown in phantom in  FIG. 6 ), but the second perimeter  72  defined by the second surfaces  70  is too large to allow the second surfaces  70  to contact or engage with the smaller first filter  62  (shown in phantom in  FIG. 5 ). As a result, the one or more guides  54  may not only precisely position the first and second filters  62 ,  60  in the system  50 , but the various perimeters  68 ,  62  defined by the first and second surfaces  66 ,  70  may also reduce the possibility that the first and second filters  62 ,  60  may be installed in the system  50  in an incorrect order. In other particular embodiments, the one or more guides  54  may include a slot or projection designed to receive or mate with a complementary fitting in the particular filters being used to further ensure that the first and second filters  62 ,  60  are installed in the correct order in the system  50 . 
     The first and second clamps, levers, or cantilevers  56 ,  58  each have a first or open position to allow one or more filters to be inserted into the frame  52  and a second or closed position to securely hold the various filters in place in the frame  52 . Each clamp, lever, or cantilever  56 ,  58  may be movably or rotatably connected to the frame  52  and/or guides  54  using a rivet, a hinge, a bolt, a swaged boss, or other device known in the art for allowing movement or rotation between two components. For example, as shown in  FIG. 4 , the first and second clamps  56 ,  58  may be attached to the frame  52  and/or guides  54  using a hinge  76 . As shown in  FIGS. 4-6 , the first and second clamps  56 ,  58  may each comprise a stepped arm  82  extending from one side of the hinge  76  and a cantilevered arm  84  extending from the other side of the hinge  76 . As further shown in  FIGS. 4-6 , the stepped arms  82  may each be curved or bowed between the hinge  76  and the end of the respective clamps  56 ,  58 . 
     In particular embodiments, as shown in  FIGS. 4-6 , the system  50  may further comprise one or more detents  84  connected to the frame  52  and/or guides  54 . The detents  84  may engage with the first and/or second clamps  56 ,  58  to hold the first and/or second clamps  56 ,  58  in particular positions during operation of the system  50 . The detents  84  may comprise a latch, a projection, an indentation, or similar structure on one or more of the frame  52  and/or guides  54  that engages with the first and/or second clamp  56 ,  58 . For example, as shown in  FIGS. 4-6 , the detents  44  may comprise a hook extending from the frame  52  and/or guide  54  that engages with or locks the first and second clamps,  58  in the second or closed position. 
     Operation of the system  50  will now be explained with respect to  FIGS. 4-6 . In  FIG. 4 , both the first and second clamps  56 ,  58  are in the first or open position to allow one or more filters to be precisely positioned inside the frame  52  between the guides  54 . In the first or open position, the first and second clamps  56 ,  58  have been rotated or pivoted so that the stepped arms  82  and cantilevered arms  84  are outside or beyond the perimeters  68 ,  72  defined by the first and second surfaces  66 ,  70 . 
     In  FIG. 5 , the first filter  62  (shown in phantom) has been inserted inside the frame  52  and the guides  54 , and the first surfaces  66  have precisely positioned the first filter  62  between the guides  54 . The first clamp  56  has also been rotated or pivoted approximately 90 degrees to the second or closed position, and the detent  84  may engage with the first clamp  56  to lock the first clamp  56  in the closed position. In the second or closed position, the stepped arm  82  and cantilevered arm  84  extend inward from the frame  52  inside the first perimeter  68  defined by the first surfaces  66  of the guides  54 . As a result, in the second or closed position, at least a portion of the first clamp  56 , specifically the stepped arm  82  and cantilevered arm  84 , contacts or engages with the first filter  62  to securely hold the first filter  62  in place. In the second or closed position, the curved or bowed portion of the stepped arm  82  and/or the cantilevered arm  84  may extend approximately 1-7 millimeters below the hinge  76  and/or detent  86  to exert additional pressure on the first filter  62  to provide a compressive seal to the first filter  62 . The second clamp  58  remains in the first or open position. 
     In  FIG. 6 , the second filter  60  (shown in phantom) has been inserted inside the frame  52  and the guides  54 , and the second surfaces  70  have precisely positioned the second filter  60  between the guides  54 . The second clamp  58  has also been rotated or pivoted approximately 90 degrees to the second or closed position, and the detent  84  engages with the second clamp  58  to lock the second clamp  58  in the closed position. In the second or closed position, the stepped arm  82  and cantilevered arm  84  extend inward from the frame  52  inside the second perimeter  72  defined by the second surfaces  70  of the guides  54 . As a result, in the second or closed position, at least a portion of the second clamp  58 , specifically the stepped arm  82  and/or the cantilevered arm  84 , contacts or engages with the second filter  60  to securely hold the second filter  60  in place. In the second or closed position, the curved or bowed portion of the stepped arm  42  and/or the cantilevered arm  44  may extend approximately 1-7 millimeters below the hinge  36  and/or detent  46  to exert additional pressure on the second filter  60  to provide a compressive seal to the second filter  60 . Inasmuch as the first filter  62  (not shown for clarity) is beneath the second filter  60 , the second clamp  58  in the closed position thus applies additional compression through the second filter  60  to the first filter  62  to further hold the first filter  62  securely in place and provide a compressive seal to the first filter  62 . 
     The various embodiments described and illustrated with respect to  FIGS. 1-6  enable replacement filters to be precisely positioned and securely held in the air filter systems  10 ,  50 . Specifically, the guides ensure that the replacement filters are installed in the correct order or positions, and the systems  10 ,  50  do not include any loose parts that may require specialized tools to operate or that may result in debris if operated correctly. In addition, the various combinations of clamps, levers, or cantilevers provide single motion and fast acting operation that can be quickly and readily accomplished by relatively unskilled operators. 
     This written description uses examples to disclose the invention, including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the invention, including making and using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope of the invention is defined by the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they include structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from the literal languages of the claims.