Patent GB-1278488-A (GB)
Title: Vortex air cleaner assembly having uniform particle removal efficiency throughout the array of air cleaners
IPC: B04C3/04
Filed: 1969-06-25
Abstract: 1278488 Vortex separators PALL CORP 25 June 1969 [28 June 1968] 32036/69 Heading B2P In a vortex air cleaner assembly comprising an array of vortex air cleaners in which there is normally a lower scavenge flow from at least one of the cleaners than from the other cleaners of the array, flow restricting means is provided in the flow path between the scavenge port of the array and the scavenge passages of the said other cleaners so as to restrict the scavenge flow therefrom thereby minimizing the variation in scavenge flow among all air cleaners of the array. In Figs. 4 and 5, tubular air cleaners 25 are mounted in apertures 20, 21 in front and rear support plates 6, 7 forming part of a housing 5 and resiliently mounted by rubber liners 12 disposed in channels 15 formed on the edges of the rim 8 of the housing. Each air cleaner comprises a nylon tubular body 26 having a nylon helical vaned deflector 29 adhesively secured in its inlet 24 and a tubular clean air outlet member 27 extending into its outlet 35 and defining therewith an annular scavenge passage 30 for the removal of dirt particles. The scavenge passages 30 of the cleaners communicate with a scavenge chamber 52 formed within the housing 5 and having a scavenge port 40 in the rim 8 connected to a blower. A plate 50, which may consist of a number of joined plate sections or, as shown, of a single convoluted plate, extends from the plate 6 towards the plate 7 and terminates just short thereof to define flow restricting passages 60 between the scavenge passages 30 of the cleaners and the scavenge port 40. The plate 50 divides the array of tubes into portions separated by flow ducts 56. At the ends 58 of the ducts the plate 50 extends completely between the plates 6 and 7 and at the opposite ends of the ducts barriers 38 are provided to prevent communication between the portions of the array so as to prevent the pressure condition in one portion of the array from affecting that in another portion. The pasages 60 are narrower adjacent the air cleaners, e.g. A, closest to the port 40 then adjacent the cleaners, e.g. B, furthest from the port. In a modification, instead of the plate 50 being spaced from the rear plate 7 it may extend completely between the plates 6 and 7 and be provided with an aperture therein. In a further modification. Fig. 6, a partition 70 divides the array of tubes into two separate segments with separate scavenge ports 40a, 40b. Separate scavenge flows are provided for each segment by separate eductors 41a, 41b powered by compressed air fed from a source 65 via lines 66 and nozzles 34a, 34b. Each segment is divided into portions by a convoluted plate 50a, 50b as in Fig. 5. In a still further modification. Fig. 7 (not shown), the convoluted plate 50 is dispensed with and instead the flow restricting means is formed in each of the air cleaners, or in only each of those nearest the outlet port (40), by a lip (78) on that end of the respective tubular member (27) which defines the annular scavenge passage (30) with the outlet 35 of the tubular body (26). The outlet port (40) in this case is provided with an eductor (41) as a scavenge pumping device.