Abstract:
A wash down filtered fan apparatus for cooling and filtering a cabinet enclosure housing electromechanical equipment and sensitive electronics is provided consisting of an intake housing and exhaust housing. A blower mounted within an intake housing induces ambient air for cooling while a plurality of downwardly angled baffles provide protection at both intake and exhaust ports preventing the threat of detrimental external elements consisting of dust, residue, rain, pressurized water and other splashing liquids from penetrating such apparatus and cabinet enclosure housing.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE PRESENT INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to a wash down filtered fan apparatus in combination with a sealed enclosure enfolding electromechanical equipment for protection from detrimental external elements. More particularly, this invention relates to an apparatus that protects computers, electronic systems and electromechanical equipment from harsh industrial environments and outside weather conditions while at the same time serving as a means for cooling these components. 
     2. Description of the Prior Art 
     Industry and manufacturing in America and globally have emerged with the widespread use of a variety of electronically and computer controlled systems as well as the more traditional electromechanical equipment. Thus, to protect these systems from harsh industrial environments same are typically placed in sealed enclosures or work stations that permit efficient operation without the threat of being exposed to exterior contaminates including dust, residue, rain and liquids that have the potential to cause serious damage. Since the electromechanical equipment and electronics generate heat within the enclosure, various cooling equipment such as air conditioners, heat exchangers, in-line compressed air coolers and filtered fan systems are used to maintain required operating temperatures within the enclosure. 
     These systems treat the enclosed air only, while sealing out the potential contaminated ambient environment. In cases where the ambient air is near room temperature (70-85 degrees Fahrenheit) and when there is not a threat of rain or splashing liquids present outside the enclosure, a filtered fan system is used to maintain a constant flow of filtered ambient air through the enclosure. These systems, typically are less costly than closed-looped systems and simply employ a fan which induces the cooler ambient air through a filter media into the enclosure, therefore creating a positive pressure inside the enclosure forcing the hot enclosure air out through an exhaust vent. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,573,562 entitled “Water Type Filter for Electrical Equipment Vent” and issued to Schauwecker discloses an air filter venting assembly employing a sloped filter placement in a channel with a bottom opening which vents air out through a bottom of the channel. Another concept is explored in U.S. Pat. No. 6,149,698 entitled “Apparatus for Installing a Ventilation Fan” issued to Uehara wherein there is disclosed an air filtering system fixture that is used in conjunction with a building ventilation fan to eliminate contaminated air from leaving or entering a building. A third type of vent is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,201,879 entitled “Vent for Enclosures” issued to Steele. This invention discloses an air-venting device serving to eliminate water from entering an enclosure through the vent while providing a safety device to eliminate tampering by a vertically mounted baffle blocking any attempt to stick a probe through the vent from the outside. 
     The prior art fails to provide a system that is capable of filtering and cooling electromechanical equipment and sensitive electronics while simultaneously preventing splashing liquids, rain water and other adverse conditions from entering an enclosure. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide an innovative wash down filtered fan apparatus in combination with a sealed enclosure which protects electromechanical equipment and sensitive electronics from detrimental external elements. 
     It is the further object of the present invention to eliminate the threat of splashing liquids, water sprays, rain, snow and/or direct hose down occurring in the environment surrounding the enclosure from entering same. 
     It is the further object of the present invention to provide in addition to a ventilating system a powerful filtered cooling system for operation in connection with a sealed enclosure. 
     It is the further object of the present invention to provide an innovative wash down filtered fan apparatus that is easily adaptable to existing sealed enclosures. 
     It is the further object of the present invention to provide a durable and inexpensive means of protecting electromechanical equipment and sensitive electronics from detrimental external elements. 
     It is the further object of the present invention to save users a considerable amount of time previously necessary to repair, clean and replace electromechanical equipment and sensitive electronics from damage caused by detrimental external elements. 
     And yet, the further object of this invention is to provide a wash down filtered fan apparatus in combination with a sealed enclosure enfolding electromechanical equipment for protection from detrimental external elements, comprising an intake housing secured to a first vertical surface of said sealed enclosure having a downwardly oriented intake inlet port, an intake outlet port, and at least one intake baffle located upward from said intake inlet port; a suction means secured within said intake housing for inducing ambient air into said intake inlet port for passage into said sealed enclosure and about said electromechanical equipment extracting heat from said electromechanical equipment; an exhaust housing secured to a second opposing vertical surface of said sealed enclosure having an exhaust inlet port for acceptance of high temperature end air internally generated within said sealed enclosure, a downwardly oriented exhaust outlet port, at least one exhaust baffle located upward from said exhaust outlet port, functioning in combination to promote efficient exit of said high end temperature air to said ambient air. 
     These objects, as well as other objects and advantages of the present invention, will be become apparent from the following description, in reference to the illustrations appended hereto. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     For a better understanding of the invention, reference may be had to the accompanying drawings, in which: 
     FIG. 1 a cross sectional view of a wash down filtered fan apparatus in combination with a sealed enclosure enfolding electromechanical equipment and/or sensitive electronic 
     FIG. 2 represents a side cross-section view of an intake housing; 
     FIG. 2A represents a perspective break out view of an intake housing; 
     FIG. 3 represents a side cross-section view of an exhaust housing; 
     FIG. 3A represents a perspective break out view of an exhaust housing; 
     FIG. 4 depicts an intake rear wall of an intake base panel; 
     FIG. 5 depicts an exhaust rear wall of an exhaust base panel. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Referring to the drawings, FIG. 1 is cross-sectional side elevation view of a wash down filtered fan apparatus  10  in combination with a sealed enclosure  12  enfolding electromechanical equipment  14  for protection from detrimental external elements in ambient air  82 . Typically sealed enclosure  12  is supported above a surface  100  by a first enclosure support foot  90   a  and a second enclosure support foot  90   b . Specifically, electromechanical equipment  14  along with computers and sensitive electronic systems are often housed in sealed enclosure  12  requiring particular care with respect to harsh industrial environments and outside weather conditions. Thus, residues, rain, snow and other liquids are a constant threat to electromechanical equipment  14  computers and other sophisticated electronic apparatus. A wash down filtered fan apparatus  10  has been designed to include intake housing  16  and exhaust housing  18  which effectively prevent any threat of water, spray, rain and/or direct pressurized water which may be sprayed into an intake inlet port  24  or exhaust outlet port  62 . Wash down filtered fan apparatus  10  may be constructed from a variety of materials with stainless steel being preferential. 
     As is shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, an intake housing  16  is secured by first enclosure fasteners  54   a ,  54   b ,  54   c ,  54   d ,  54   e ,  54   f , preferably a plurality of nuts and bolts, to a first vertical surface  20   a  of said sealed enclosure  12  having a downwardly oriented intake inlet port  24 , an intake outlet port  26  and a plurality of downwardly angled intake baffles  28   a ,  28   b ,  28   c  and  28   d  located upward from said intake inlet port  24 . A blower assembly  30  is secured by blower assembly fasteners  32   a  and  32   b , preferably a plurality of nuts and bolts, upward from intake baffles  28   a ,  28   b ,  28   c  and  28   d  within intake housing  16  for inducing ambient air  82  into intake inlet port  24 , through an intake passage  36  following intake directional air flow  78  and into sealed enclosure  12  circulating around and about electromechanical equipment  14  for cooling purposes. As shown in FIG.  2  and FIG. 2A, intake housing  16  consists of two major components being intake base panel  22   a  and intake cover panel  22   b  that fit together to form a box, whereby baffles  28   a ,  28   b ,  28   c  and  28   d  are secured by intake baffle fasteners  29   a ,  29   b ,  29   c  and  29   d , preferably a plurality of nuts and bolts, to a pair of opposing intake sidewalls, one of which is shown as intake sidewall  92 . Baffles  28   a ,  28   b ,  28   c  and  28   d  extend a width of intake housing  16  and are preferably oriented downward at a 75° angle, staggered at a spaced distance from each other. Although a 75° angle is preferred for maximum efficiency, this angle may be varied in either direction. Intake cover panel  22   b  is designed with an open side  23  facing intake base panel  22   a  such that when assembled baffles  28   a ,  28   b ,  28   c  and  28   d  form a barrier allowing ambient air  82  to flow freely through intake passage  36  around and about baffles  28   a ,  28   b ,  28   c  and  28   d , but at the same time functioning to block entrance of liquids and other harsh elements from entering into sealed enclosure  12 . 
     An air permeable filter  38  shown in FIG.  2  and FIG. 2A, is horizontally and removably secured to slide into and out of a channel  40  downward from blower assembly  30  and upward from intake baffles  28   a ,  28   b ,  28   c  and  28   d  within intake housing  16 . Permeable filter  38  functions to screen out undesirable air borne particulate from entrance into sealed enclosure  12 . Permeable filter  38  is inserted and removed to and from channel  40  through channel aperture  42  shown in FIG. 2 for easy cleaning and replacement of permeable filter  38 . Channel  42  is located between open side  23  of intake housing  16  for fitting flush to vertical intake surface  34   a  of intake base panel  22   a  and second opposing vertical intake surface  34   b  of intake cover plate  22   b . Channel  40  is sealed with a removable cover plate  43  conforming to a shape and size of channel aperture  42 . Permeable filter  38  functions in cooperation with blower assembly  30  and intake baffles  28   a ,  28   b ,  28   c  and  28   d  to filter ambient air  82  which is being drawn into wash down filtered fan apparatus  10  by a powerful suction force created by blower assembly  30 . Thus, the protected area within sealed enclosure  12  is kept clean and cool. After installing permeable air filter  38 , a removable cover plate  43  is secured over a cover plate gasket  44  by cover plate fasteners  45   a  and  45   b , preferably a plurality of nuts and bolts, and a perimeter of channel aperture  42  between an outside vertical intake surface  86  and inside surface of cover plate  43 . 
     As is shown in FIGS. 1 and 5, an exhaust housing  18  is secured by second enclosure fasteners,  55   a ,  55   b ,  55   c ,  55   d ,  55   e , and  55   f , preferably a plurality of nuts and bolts, to a second opposing vertical surface  20   b  of sealed enclosure  12  having an exhaust inlet port  60  for acceptance of high end air temperature air  84  which is internally generated within sealed enclosure  12 . FIG.  3  and FIG. 3A illustrate a downwardly oriented exhaust outlet port  62  that functions in cooperation with a plurality of downwardly angled exhaust baffles  64   a ,  64   b ,  64   c  and  64   d  located upward from an exhaust outlet port  62  to promote efficient exit of high end temperature air  84  following exhaust directional air flow  80  through exhaust passage  66  for return back to ambient air  82 . As is shown in FIG. 3, exhaust housing assembly  18  consists of two major components being exhaust base panel  58   a  and exhaust cover panel  58   b  that fit together to form a second box, whereby baffles  64   a ,  64   b ,  64   c  and  64   d  are secured by exhaust baffle fasteners  65   a ,  65   b ,  65   c  and  65   d , preferably a plurality of nuts and bolts to a pair of opposing exhaust sidewalls one of which is shown as exhaust sidewall  94 . Exhaust baffles  64   a ,  64   b ,  64   c  and  64   d  extend a width of exhaust housing  18  and are preferably oriented downward at a 75° angle, staggered at a spaced distance from each other. Although 75° is the preferred angle for maximum efficiency, this angle may vary in either direction Exhaust cover panel  58   b  is designed with an open side  59  facing exhaust base panel  58   a  such that when assembled, exhaust baffles  64   a ,  64   b ,  64   c  and  64   d  form a barrier allowing high end temperature air  84  to flow freely through exhaust passage  66  around exhaust baffles  64   a ,  64   b ,  64   c  and  64   d , but at the same time functioning to block entrance of liquids and other harsh elements into sealed enclosure  12 , exhaust baffles  64   a ,  64   b ,  64   c  and  64   d.    
     To assemble intake housing  16 , intake base panel  22   a  is secured to intake cover panel  22   b  by intake housing fasteners  52   a ,  52   b ,  52   c ,  52   d  and  52   e . Once intake housing  16  is assembled, it is ready to be secured to sealed enclosure  12  on first vertical surface  20   a  such that intake outlet port  26  corresponds in shape and size to first cutout  46   a  within first vertical surface  20   a  enabling free flow of ambient air  82  into sealed enclosure  12 . A gasket is provided at a perimeter of first cutout  46   a  for insertion between sealed enclosure  12  and intake housing  16  to ensure a watertight seal. Likewise, to assemble exhaust housing  18 , exhaust base panel  58   a  is secured to exhaust cover panel  58   b  by exhaust housing fasteners  68   a ,  68   b ,  68   c ,  68   d  and  68   e . Once exhaust housing  18  is assembled, it is ready to be secured to sealed enclosure  12  on second opposing vertical surface  20   b  such that exhaust inlet port  60  corresponds in shape and size to second cutout  46   b  within second opposing vertical surface  20   b  enabling free flow of high end temperature air  84  into exhaust housing  18 . A gasket is provided at a perimeter of second cutout  46   b  for insertion between sealed enclosure  12  and intake housing  16  to ensure a watertight seal. As is shown in FIG.  4  and FIG. 5, intake outlet port  26  within intake rear wall  96  an exhaust inlet port  60  within exhaust rear wall  98  are preferably constructed in the form of outlet lattice grid  48  and inlet lattice grid  50  respectively, for additional filtration purposes in keeping sealed enclosure  12  free from damaging particulate. As is seen in FIG. 2, once intake housing  16  is assembled, an intake base ledge  74  extends partially over intake inlet port  24 . Likewise, once exhaust housing  18  is assembled, exhaust base ledge  76  extends partially over exhaust outlet port  62 . Thus, intake base ledge  74  allows free flow of ambient air  82  into intake housing  16  adding additional protection from splashing liquids and other damaging elements. Exhaust base ledge  76  provides additional protection at exhaust outlet port  62  without inhibiting high end temperature air  84  from exiting exhaust housing  18 . 
     Blower assembly  30  is preferably constructed consisting of an electric motor in connection with any of a variety of centrifugal fans encased within a housing. As is shown in FIG. 4, an electrical power source  70  is provided to said electric motor, which may be activated and deactivated by any of a variety of electrical switches  7 .