Patent ID: 8057608

Claim:
An extraction device for a filter element containing collected particles and an extraction fluid; wherein said extraction device is operable to extract from said filter element at least some of said extraction fluid and at least some of said collected particles; and wherein said extraction device comprises: an extraction chamber; wherein said extraction chamber comprises a filter support; wherein said filter element is removably located in said extraction chamber on said filter support; wherein said extraction device further comprises a vibration apparatus that is operable to vibrate said filter element, to urge at least some of said collected particles to move from said filter element and into said extraction fluid, to form a particle-laden extraction fluid; wherein said extraction device further comprises a piston located in said extraction chamber; and wherein said piston is operable to compress said filter element against said filter support during a compression stroke of said piston, to urge at least some of said particle-laden extraction fluid out of said filter element, to form a piston-extracted portion of said particle-laden extraction fluid; wherein said extraction device further comprises a discharge bore for said extraction chamber that is operable to convey at least part of said piston-extracted portion of said particle-laden extraction fluid out of said extraction chamber; wherein a portion of said extraction chamber that is located between said piston and said filter element is operable to contain compressed air and wherein said extraction device is operable to use said compressed air to urge at least some of said particle-laden extraction fluid out of said filter element, to form a compressed air-extracted portion of said particle-laden extraction fluid; and wherein said discharge bore is operable to convey at least part of said compressed air-extracted portion of said particle-laden extraction fluid out of said extraction chamber.