Air filter with integrated pressure sensor

Abstract

The present application relates to an air filter provided with a built-in air pressure sensor capable of measuring a pressure drop of the filter when the built-in air pressure sensor is mounted. An air filter includes a frame structure and filter media disposed in the frame structure and forming a plurality of V-shaped slots or pockets. A hydrostatic tip is mounted to extend upstream within one of the plurality of V-slots or pockets.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an air filter with an integrated pressure sensor. Background Art

[0002] This section provides background information related to the present disclosure which is not necessarily prior art.

[0003] Filtration systems are commonly used in many environments to ensure that clean air is supplied to a desired machine or environment. It would be desirable in the art to provide a system that can identify when a filter is full of debris and needs to be replaced or cleaned. Summary of the invention

[0004] This section provides a general summary of the disclosure, and is not a comprehensive disclosure of its full scope or all of its features.

[0005] The present disclosure provides an air filter having a built-in air pressure sensor, which, when installed, is capable of measuring the pressure drop of the filter. According to one aspect of the present disclosure, an air filter includes a frame structure and a filter medium disposed in the frame structure and forming a plurality of V-shaped grooves (V-banks) or pockets. The static pressure tip is installed to extend upstream in one of the plurality of V-shaped grooves or pockets.

[0006] According to another aspect, a static pressure tip includes an L-shaped probe having at least one side aperture in communication with a central bore.

[0007] According to another aspect, a pressure sensor is connected to an L-shaped probe via an elongated tube.

[0008] According to another aspect, an L-shaped probe is mounted to the frame structure.

[0009] According to another aspect, the frame structure includes a plurality of crossbars disposed between a plurality of V-shaped grooves or pockets.

[0010] According to another aspect, the static pressure tip is mounted to one of the plurality of crossbars.

[0011] According to a further aspect, the frame structure is made of plastic.

[0012] According to another aspect, the static pressure tip is mounted through an aperture in the frame structure.

[0013] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, an air filter includes a frame structure and a filter medium disposed in the frame structure and forming a plurality of V-shaped grooves or pockets. An L-shaped probe is mounted to the frame structure to extend upstream within one of the plurality of V-shaped grooves or pockets and includes at least one side aperture communicating with a central hole, the L-shaped probe being connected to a pressure sensor via an elongated tube.

[0014] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, an air filter includes a frame structure and a filter medium arranged in the frame structure and forming a plurality of V-shaped grooves or pockets. An L-shaped probe is installed to extend upstream in one of the plurality of V-shaped grooves or pockets, wherein the static pressure tip is installed through an aperture in the frame structure.

[0015] Further areas of applicability will become apparent from the description provided herein.The description and specific examples in this summary are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] The drawings described herein are for illustrative purposes only of selected embodiments and not all possible implementations, and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

[0017] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a filter assembly having a static pressure tip according to the principles of the present disclosure;

[0018] Figure 2 is a front plan view of a filter assembly having a static pressure tip according to the principles of the present disclosure;

[0019] Figure 3 is a front plan view of a filter assembly having a static pressure tip according to the principles of the present disclosure; and

[0020] Figure 4A and Figure 4B is a perspective view of an exemplary static pressure tip in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure.

[0021] Corresponding reference numerals indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views of the drawings. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0022] Example embodiments will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0023] refer to Figure 1 , shows a filter assembly 10 including a frame structure 12, the frame structure including an upper wall 12a, a lower wall 12b and a pair of side walls 12c, 12d. The frame structure may also include a plurality of crossbars 14 extending across the downstream face of the frame structure 12. The frame structure 12 may be made of plastic, metal or other rigid material.

[0024] Filter media 16 is attached to frame structure 12 and defines a plurality of V-shaped grooves or pockets 18 (four of which are shown). For purposes of this disclosure, the term pocket is intended to include any shape of pocket including a V-shaped groove as a pocket having a V-shaped shape. Filter media 16 is supported by frame structure 12 in the V-shaped groove or pocket shape. Filter media 16 may be pleated and may be made of any known filter media.

[0025] The static pressure tip 20 is shown mounted in two alternative locations within an aperture 22 formed in the frame structure 12. The aperture 22 may be formed in the upper wall, lower wall, or side walls 12a-12d of the frame structure 12. Alternatively, the aperture 22 may be formed in the crossbar 14 of the frame structure 12. Figure 4A , Figure 4B As shown, the static pressure tip 20 may include an L-shaped probe including a distal end having a pointed tip 20a that points in an upstream direction of the airflow through the filter medium 16 and extends into the V-shaped groove or pocket 18. The probe includes a pair of openings 20b that open in a lateral direction relative to the upstream direction and communicate with an inner bore 20c that extends to a proximal end 20d of the probe 20. Figure 2 As shown, the proximal end 20d of the probe is connected to a tube 24, which is connected to a differential pressure gauge (or measuring device) 26, such as but not limited to a manometer. The static pressure tip 20 may have a mounting fixture 28 for mounting the static pressure tip 20 within the aperture 22 of the frame structure 12. Figure 4A As shown, the mounting clamp 28 may include a threaded base 30 that receives a washer 32 and a nut 34 that may clamp the frame structure 12. Figure 4B As shown, alternative clamping devices may also be used, including but not limited to a clamping plate 36 that may be press-fit or otherwise secured to the proximal end of the hydrostatic tip 20. Figure 2 As shown, the tube 24 may include a fitting 42 that extends through an aperture in the filter media 16 or frame structure 20 for directing the tube 24 to the exterior of the filter assembly 10 .

[0026] In use, the static pressure tip 20 can be used to detect a pressure differential across the filter by comparing a measured pressure downstream of the filter to a measured pressure upstream of the filter detected by a sensor (not shown). The pressure differential is related to the normal pressure drop caused by the filter media 16 and the additional amount of clogging caused by filtered debris that accumulates on the filter media 16. When the pressure differential reaches a predetermined level, the controller 40 can provide a warning signal that the filter assembly 10 needs to be replaced or cleaned.

[0027] Exemplary embodiments are provided so that the present disclosure will be complete and the scope will be fully conveyed to those skilled in the art. A large number of specific details (such as examples of specific parts, devices and methods) are set forth to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments of the present disclosure. It is clear to those skilled in the art that specific details need not be adopted, that the exemplary embodiments can be implemented in many different forms, and that any embodiment should not be construed as limiting the scope of the present disclosure. In some exemplary embodiments, well-known processes, well-known device structures, and well-known technologies are not described in detail.

[0028] The terms used herein are only used for the purpose of describing specific exemplary embodiments and are not intended to be limiting. As used herein, the singular forms "one", "a kind of" and "said" may be intended to also include plural forms unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. The terms "include", "comprise" and "have" are inclusive, and therefore specify the presence of the features, integers, steps, operations, elements and / or parts, but do not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, parts and / or groups thereof. The method steps, processes and operations described herein should not be interpreted as necessarily requiring execution in the particular order discussed or described, unless specifically indicated as the order of execution. It should also be understood that additional or alternative steps may be adopted.

[0029] When an element or layer is referred to as being "on another element or layer," "engaged to," "connected to," or "coupled to" another element or layer, it may be directly on, engaged to, connected to, or coupled to another element or layer, or there may be intervening elements or layers. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being "directly on another element or layer," "directly engaged to," "directly connected to," or "directly coupled to" another element or layer, there may be no intervening elements or layers. Other words used to describe the relationship between elements should be interpreted in a similar manner (e.g., "between" versus "directly between," "adjacent" versus "directly adjacent," etc.). As used herein, the term "and / or" includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

[0030] Although the terms first, second, third, etc. can be used to describe various elements, components, regions, layers and / or sections in this article, these elements, components, regions, layers and / or sections should not be limited by these terms. These terms may only be used to distinguish an element, component, region, layer or section from another region, layer or section. Terms such as "first", "second" and other numerical terms do not imply sequence or order when used in this article unless the context clearly indicates. Therefore, the first element, component, region, layer or section discussed below may be referred to as the second element, component, region, layer or section without departing from the teaching of the exemplary embodiment.

[0031] For ease of description, spatially related terms such as "inside", "outside", "below", "below", "lower", "above", "upper", etc. may be used herein to describe the relationship of an element or feature relative to another one or more elements or features as shown in the figure. Spatially related terms may be intended to also cover different orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figure. For example, if the device in the figure is turned over, the elements described as "below" or "below" other elements or features will be oriented to be "above" other elements or features. Therefore, the exemplary term "below" can cover both the orientations of above and below. The device can be oriented in other ways (rotated 90 degrees or in other orientations), and the spatially relative descriptive terms used herein are also interpreted accordingly.

[0032] The above description of the embodiments has been provided for illustration and description purposes. The description is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the present disclosure. The individual elements or features of a particular embodiment are generally not limited to the particular embodiment, but are interchangeable where appropriate and can be used in selected embodiments, even if the embodiment is not specifically shown or described. Changes may also be made in many aspects as well. Such changes should not be considered as departing from the present disclosure, and all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the present disclosure.

Claims

1. An air filter, comprising: Frame structure; a filter medium disposed in the frame structure and forming a plurality of pockets; as well as A static pressure tip is mounted to extend upstream within one of the plurality of pockets.

2. The air filter of claim 1, wherein the static pressure tip comprises an L-shaped probe having at least one side aperture in communication with a central bore.

3. The air filter of claim 2, further comprising a pressure sensor connected to the L-shaped probe via an elongated tube.

4. The air filter of claim 2, wherein the L-shaped probe is mounted to the frame structure.

5. The air filter of claim 1, wherein the frame structure includes a plurality of cross bars disposed between the plurality of pockets.

6. The air filter of claim 5, wherein the static pressure tip is mounted to one of the plurality of cross bars.

7. The air filter of claim 1, wherein the frame structure is made of plastic.

8. The air filter of claim 7, wherein the static pressure tip is mounted through an aperture in the frame structure.

9. An air filter comprising: Frame structure; a filter medium disposed in the frame structure and forming a plurality of pockets; as well as An L-shaped probe is mounted to the frame structure to extend upstream within one of the plurality of pockets and has at least one side port communicating with the central bore, the L-shaped probe being connected to a pressure sensor via an elongated tube.

10. The air filter of claim 9, wherein the frame structure includes a plurality of cross bars disposed between the plurality of pockets.

11. The air filter of claim 10, wherein the static pressure tip is mounted to one of the plurality of cross bars.

12. The air filter of claim 9, wherein the frame structure is made of plastic.

13. The air filter of claim 12, wherein the static pressure tip is mounted through an aperture in the frame structure.

14. An air filter comprising: Frame structure; a filter medium disposed in the frame structure and forming a plurality of pockets; as well as An L-shaped probe is mounted to extend upstream within one of the plurality of pockets, wherein the static pressure tip is mounted through an aperture in the frame structure.

15. The air filter of claim 14, further comprising a pressure sensor connected to the L-shaped probe via an elongated tube.

16. The air filter of claim 14, wherein the L-shaped probe is mounted to the frame structure.

17. The air filter of claim 14, wherein the frame structure includes a plurality of cross bars disposed between the plurality of pockets.

18. The air filter of claim 17, wherein the static pressure tip is mounted to one of the plurality of cross bars.

19. The air filter of claim 14, wherein the frame structure is made of plastic.

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