CA3230538A1 - Pre-separator unit - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a pre-separator unit (30) intended for separating particles entrained in a raw gas flow, which unit comprises two parts (24, 26), wherein one of the two parts (24) comprises side tabs (32, 34) formed by folding over two opposite sides, wherein the other part (26) comprises marginal recesses (36, 38), and wherein the side tabs (32, 34) engage in the marginal recesses (36, 38) in the folded-over state.

Description

Description Pre-separator unit The invention proposed here relates to the technical field of separating particles entrained in an air flow (raw gas flow), in particular separating paint particles entrained by what is known as a paint mist in the form of a raw gas flow (paint mist separation).
Devices, namely separator devices, are already known for this purpose, for example in the form of the separator device described in EP 2 532 409 B and described therein as a filter module, or in the form of the separator device described in DE 10 2014 003 608 Al and also described therein as a filter module, or in the form of the device described in CN
209985061 U.
One problem addressed by the proposed invention is that of specifying an addition, in particular an addition that increases the service life (the usage duration) of the separator device, that can be efficiently used together with a separator device according to EP 2 532 409 B or DE 10 2014 003 608 Al or together with a separator device according to the priority application DE 20 2021 104 962.6 (filing date: 14/09/2021; title:
separator device).
A separator device which the invention proposed here takes as a starting point comprises an outer frame which receives a separator element or a plurality of separator elements in its interior. During operation, the raw gas flow loaded with particles flows through a separator device of this kind. The outer frame of the separator device accordingly comprises, in each case, a large-area opening for the entry of the raw gas flow (inflow opening) and for the exit of the raw gas flow (outflow opening).
The problem mentioned at the outset is solved according to the invention by means of a device, namely a pre-separator unit intended for separating particles entrained in a raw gas flow, wherein the pre-separator unit comprises at least a first and a second part, or, in a specific embodiment, at least a first and a second surface portion corresponding to the first and the second part, wherein one of the two parts comprises side tabs formed by folding over two opposite sides, wherein the other of the two parts comprises marginal recesses, and wherein the side tabs engage in the marginal recesses in the folded-over state.

The side tabs form an L-shaped profile together with the adjacent surface of the relevant part, and this gives this part considerable stability. By the side tabs engaging in the recesses in the other part, they are held in the folded-over state. A pre-separator unit thus results which effectively withstands the forces acting when separating particles entrained in a raw gas flow and is still quick and easy to produce. The forces acting when separating particles include the pressure acting on the pre-separator unit owing to the incoming raw gas flow (comparable to the wind pressure) and the weight of separated particles.
The problem mentioned at the outset is also solved according to the invention by a method for obtaining a pre-separator unit that can be used together with a separator device. In the same way as the separator device, the pre-separator unit is intended for separating particles entrained in a raw gas flow. It comprises a first and a second part and side tabs are formed on one of the two parts by folding over two opposite sides of said parts. The other part comprises marginal recesses and the side tabs are inserted into these recesses in the folded-over state. Another aspect of the invention proposed here is a method for obtaining a combination of a pre-separator unit as described here and in the following and a separator device. The separator device and the pre-separator unit are intended for separating particles entrained in a raw gas flow. The separator device comprises a frame for receiving at least one separator element and comprises two openings, an inflow opening and an outflow opening, in the frame. To obtain the combination of the pre-separator unit and the separator device, the pre-separator unit is arranged in or on the frame in the region of the inflow opening by means of insertion tabs of the pre-separator unit, which are introduced into the inflow opening.
The remaining claims relate to advantageous configurations of the invention.
Dependency references used in this case within the claims refer to the further development of the subject matter of the claim in question by the features of the respective dependent claim.
They are not to be understood as dispensing with achieving standalone protection of subject matter for the features or combinations of features in a dependent claim.
Furthermore, with regard to an interpretation of the claims and the description when specifying a feature more precisely in a dependent claim, it should be assumed that a limitation of this kind is not found in the respectively preceding claims or a more general embodiment of the claimed device. Each reference in the description to aspects of dependent claims should therefore also be expressly interpreted as a description of optional features without this being specifically noted.

2 In a preferred embodiment of the pre-separator unit, both of the parts thereof are interconnected in one piece such that two surface portions interconnected in one piece result instead of the previously separate parts. These surface portions correspond, however, to the parts of the two-part embodiment and the surface portions are accordingly often referred to as parts (first part, second part). In the case of a one-piece pre-separator unit, its use is particularly simple because there is no need to combine two separate parts.
The claims filed with the application are the proposed wording, without prejudice to achieving further protection. Since the features in the dependent claims can specifically form separate and independent inventions with regard to the prior art on the priority date, the applicant reserves the right to turn these or other combinations of features that were previously only disclosed in the description and/or the drawings into subject matter of independent claims or declarations of division. They can also contain standalone inventions which contain a configuration that is independent of the subjects of the claims in question.
To avoid any unnecessary repetition, it is applicable to the further description that features and details that are described in connection with the separator device or the pre-separator unit are of course also applicable in connection with and to a method for obtaining a pre-separator unit that can be used together with a separator device and a method for obtaining a combination of a separator device and a pre-separator unit, and vice versa.
Accordingly, the relevant method can also be developed by means of individual method features or a plurality of method features which relate to the function or the design of individual features or a plurality of features of the separator device or the pre-separator unit, and the separator device or the pre-separator unit can accordingly be developed by features that result on the basis of the method. Therefore, features and details which are described in conjunction with the method or one of the methods are of course also applicable in connection with and to the separator device or the pre-separator unit, and vice versa, and therefore mutual reference is always made or can be made to the individual aspects of the proposed invention with regard to the disclosure.
As already set out in the priority application (DE 20 2021 104 962.6), the use of a pre-separator unit as described here and in the following is taken into consideration as an addition to a separator device and for use with a separator device.
When attached to the outside of a relevant separator device, or at least on the outside in front of a relevant separator device, the pre-separator unit comes into contact first with a

3 raw gas flow flowing into the relevant separator device. The pre-separator unit therefore functions as an input-side or upstream separator stage in relation to the separator device positioned downstream of the pre-separator unit in the flow direction of the raw gas flow.
Some of the particles entrained in the raw gas flow are therefore already separated out at the pre-separator unit. This increases the service life of the separator device. The two parts of the pre-separator unit or, in a one-piece embodiment, the single part comprising the two parts in the form of surface portions, are preferably delivered flat-packed. This therefore only requires a very small amount of space and therefore entails low transport costs. The manual measures for obtaining the pre-separator unit, namely in particular folding, and for attaching the pre-separator unit to a separator device are extremely simple, can also be carried out by untrained personnel, and also only require a short amount of time. Over time, a plurality of the pre-separator units proposed here can be used with the same separator device by removing a pre-separator unit that has reached its absorption limit and attaching a new pre-separator unit to the separator device.
Exemplary embodiments of the invention are explained in greater detail in the following with reference to the drawings. Objects or elements that correspond to one another are provided with the same reference signs in all the figures.
The exemplary embodiments should not be considered to limit the invention.
Instead, in the context of the present disclosure, additions and modifications are entirely possible, in particular those that, for example by combining or modifying individual features or method steps described in connection with those described in the general or specific part of the description and found in the claims and/or the drawings, can be derived by a person skilled in the art with regard to the solution to the problem and, by way of combinable features, result in new subject matter or new method steps or method step sequences.
In the drawings:
Fig. 1 shows a known separator device comprising an inflow opening and an outflow opening, Fig. 2 and Fig. 3 show two parts that can be combined to form a pre-separator unit in the flat state, Fig. 4 and Fig. 5 show the two parts from Fig. 2 and Fig. 3 in a state in which they can be combined with one another, Fig. 6 to

4 Fig. 9 show a pre-separator unit formed by the two parts according to Fig. 2 and Fig. 3 or Fig. 4 and Fig. 5, Fig. 10 shows a pre-separator unit according to Fig. 6 to Fig. 9 in a state in which it is attached to a separator device, Fig. 11 shows two parts that are interconnected in one piece and can be combined to form a pre-separator unit in the flat state, Fig. 12 to Fig. 16 show a pre-separator unit formed by the two parts according to Fig.
11, Fig. 17 shows a pre-separator unit according to Fig. 12 to Fig. 16 in a state in which it is attached to a separator device, and Fig. 18 shows a pre-separator unit according to Fig. 12 to Fig. 16 in a state in which it is attached to a separator device in a different orientation compared with the situation in Fig.
17.
The view in Fig. 1 shows, by way of example and by means of the image elements of the view in Fig. 1 of EP 2 532 409 B, which was mentioned at the outset, a separator device 10, specifically in the form of a snapshot during its production. A separator device and also the separator device 10 shown comprise an outer frame 12 and at least one separator element 14 in the frame 12. The frame 12 is a conventional cardboard box, for example, as is otherwise also used for packaging and/or shipping purposes. The at least one separator element 14 is placed in the frame 12. The dashed lines shown how and where the separator element 14 is placed in the frame 12 in the separator device 10 shown. In the view in Fig. 1, the cardboard box (the frame 12) is still open in order to receive the separator element 14. After receiving the separator element 14, the cardboard box (the frame 12) is closed, for example glued shut.
In EP 2 532 409 B, the separator element 14 is a multilayer paper filter sheet. For the invention proposed here, it does not expressly come down to a particular type of separator element 14 or to a particular number of separator elements 14, and, accordingly, the separator device 10 is considered to be a separator device 10 intended for separating particles entrained in an air flow, in particular paint particles, comprising an outer, cuboid frame 12 and at least one separator element 14 placed therein.
The frame 12 of the separator device 10 acts as a housing for the at least one separator element 14 in the interior of the frame 12 (in the interior of the housing). A
cardboard box as mentioned above or as in EP 2 532 409 B always comes into consideration as a frame 12. Each mention of the term "frame" should always accordingly be interpreted as a

5 cardboard box acting as a frame 12 and the term "frame" at least covers the term "cardboard box", but also covers other options for receiving at least one separator element 14, for example a crate made of wood, metal, plastics material, or the like.
The frame 12 comprises two large-area openings 20, 22, in particular in side walls opposite one another. During operation, an air flow (raw gas flow) loaded with particles, for example paint particles, flows through the separator device 10. This flow enters the frame 12, and therefore the separator device 10 as a whole, through one of the openings 20, 22. This opening 20 is accordingly the entry opening or inflow opening 20.
The raw gas flow exits the frame 12, i.e. the separator device 10, again through the other opening 22. This opening 22 is accordingly the exit opening or outflow opening 22. In the view in Fig. 1, each of the reference lines extends to a margin line of these openings 20, 22.
When the raw gas flow flows through the separator device 10, it passes through the at least one separator element 14 in the interior of the frame 12, such that separation of particles entrained in the raw gas flow takes place in a manner known per se in principle.
The views in Fig. 2 and Fig. 3 and in Fig. 4 and Fig. 5 each show two pre-separator unit parts 24, 26. These are rectangular in shape. In Fig. 2 and Fig. 3, these parts 24, 26 are shown in the flat state. In Fig. 4 and Fig. 5, the same parts 24, 26 are shown in a state in which they can be combined with one another and attached to a separator device 10.
The two parts (pre-separator unit parts) 24, 26 are preferably structured, for example by comprising a plurality of holes 28 in their surface (only some are labeled).
The number, shape, and/or distribution of the holes 28 is not important, and the view in the drawings is expressly only an example. In the case of structuring of the parts 24, 26 by means of a plurality of holes 28, the parts 24, 26 are perforated. In other words: In the case of structuring of the parts 24, 26 by means of a plurality of holes 28, the parts 24, 26 have a grid-like form owing to the holes 28, with groups of differently sized holes 28 coming into consideration as holes 28, as shown by way of example.
The two parts 24, 26 can be combined to form a pre-separator unit 30 (Fig. 6) and can be arranged on the frame 12 of a separator device 10 individually or in the combined state, and are combined with one another to obtain a pre-separator unit 30 and are arranged on the frame 12 of a separator device 10 individually or in the combined state.
The arrangement on the frame 12 takes place in and/or on the inflow opening 20.

6 For differentiation, the two parts (pre-separator unit parts) 24, 26 are sometimes referred to as the first part (first pre-separator unit part) 24 and the second part (second pre-separator unit part) 26.
In order to combine the two parts (pre-separator unit parts) 24, 26, two opposite sides, provided for this purpose, of one of the two parts 24, 26 (in the exemplary embodiment, the opposite sides of the first part 24) are folded over. They are folded over by an angle of 900 or at least substantially 90 relative to the remaining surface of the first part 24. By these sides being folded over, folded-over side tabs 32, 34 (first tab 32, second tab 34) are formed on the opposite sides. In the view in Fig. 4, the second tab 34 is partially concealed by the first part 24. When the two parts 24, 26 are combined, these two side tabs 32, 34 are inserted into marginal, slot-like recesses 36, 38 (Fig. 3 and Fig. 5) in the other part 26 (in the exemplary embodiment, the second part 26) and are inserted therein in the state in which the two parts 24, 26 are combined with one another. The recesses 36, 38 are marginal recesses 36, 38 because they originate from one of the edges (the margin line) of the second part 26. The recesses 36, 38 are optionally oriented transversely to the adjacent margin line or at least substantially transversely to this margin line of the second part 26. The recesses 36, 38 can also be referred to as slots. The edge comprising the recesses 36, 38 is referred to as the first edge 40 for reference. The opposite edge is the second edge 42.
By being inserted into the recesses 36, 38, the side tabs 32, 34 are fixed in the folded-over configuration. The folded-over side tabs 32, 34 stabilize the first part 24. Each folded-over side tab 32, 34 forms an L-shaped profile together with the adjacent surface of the first part 24, and this gives the first part 24 considerable stability.
To improve the stability of the combination of the two parts 24, 26, preferably, an elongate slot 44 is provided in one of the two parts 24 and a marginal, blade-like support portion 46 is provided on the other part 26. In the exemplary embodiment, the part 24 comprising the side tabs 32, 34 (the first part 24) comprises the elongate slot 44, specifically in parallel with the edge closest to (adjacent to) the slot 44 and close to this edge.
Accordingly, the part 26 comprising the marginal recesses 36, 38 (the second part 26) comprises the blade-like support portion 46. The elongate slot 44 is positioned between the structuring of the part 24 intended for separating particles and the closest edge, i.e.
between the region having the holes 28 and the edge closest to the slot 44.

7 When combining the two parts 24, 26 (when inserting the tabs 32, 34 into the recesses 36, 38), the blade-like support portion 46 is inserted into the elongate slot 44 and, in the combined state of the two parts 24, 26, the blade-like support portion 46 is inserted into the elongate slot 44. The blade-like support portion 46 engages in the elongate slot 44.
In the embodiment shown, the blade-like or tongue-like support portion 46 (blade-like in the sense of a turbine blade; tongue-like in the sense of a tongue of a tongue and groove joint) is produced on the second part 26, in the region of its first edge 40 by the second part 26 being shortened in some pieces in the region of the recesses 36, 38 (i.e. in the region of its corners) and in the direction of the recesses 36, 38. A longer portion (longer in a longitudinal measurement along the part 26 and transversely to its first edge 40) remains along the first edge 40 between the shortened portions in the region of the corners, and this region is referred to as the blade-like support portion 46.
The views in Fig. 6, Fig. 7, Fig. 8 and Fig. 9 each show two parts 24, 26 combined with one another.
In the combined state, they enclose an angle and form a pre-separator unit 30, namely a pre-separator unit 30 that can be attached to a separator device 10.
The connection of the two parts 24, 26 is made in the region of the point of the angle.
Here, the support portion 46 engages in the slot 44. The views in Fig. 6 and Fig. 7 are isometric views of the pre-separator unit 30. The views in Fig. 8 and Fig. 9 show the pre-separator unit 30 according to Fig. 6 and Fig. 7 in a view from above and a side view, respectively.
To connect the two parts 24, 26, either separately or in a form in which they are already connected to one another, to the frame 12 of a separator device 10, tabs, which are referred to as insertion tabs 50, 52 for the purposes of differentiation, namely one insertion tab 50, 52 on each of the two parts 24, 26, are provided. The insertion tabs 50, 52 are folded over from the remaining surface of the relevant part 24, 26, as shown in Fig. 4 and Fig. 5, for example.
The view in Fig. 10 shows a separator device 10 and a pre-separator unit 30 attached to the separator device 10, namely a pre-separator unit 30 according to Fig. 6 to Fig. 9. The pre-separator unit 30 is attached to the separator device 10 at its inflow opening 20. In the view in Fig. 10, the inflow side of the separator device 10 comprising the inflow opening 20 is denoted by the text "front", merely for orientation and for the purposes of differentiation. This also applies to corresponding subsequent views.

8 The description below deals with an advantageous embodiment of a pre-separator unit 30 as described above. The special feature is that it is not based on a combination of two separate parts 24, 26. Instead, this is a one-piece element. Instead of the previously (Fig.
2 to Fig. 9) separate parts 24, 26, there are now surface portions 24, 26 (first surface portion 24, second surface portion 26), namely surface portions 24, 26 that are interconnected in one piece and in an articulated manner. The two surface portions 24, 26 each substantially have, when taken in isolation, the features of the previously described, respectively corresponding part 24, 26.
For this reason and for improved readability of the description below, the surface portions 24, 26 that are interconnected in one piece and in an articulated manner are also referred to as parts 24, 26 in the following, since they each form a part of the pre-separator unit 30, but are interconnected in one piece and in an articulated manner in this specific embodiment. In other words: The first surface portion 24 is the first part 24, and vice versa, and the second surface portion 26 is the second part 26, and likewise vice versa.
The preceding description of the two-part embodiment accordingly applies to the surface portions/parts 24, 26 of the one-piece embodiment, and therefore reference is made thereto to avoid repetition. However, in the two-part embodiment, the slot 44 and the support portion 46 are provided for connecting the two separate parts 24, 26.
In the one-piece embodiment, it is not necessary to connect the parts 24, 26, because they are already connected due to their one-piece nature. In the one-piece embodiment, the surface portions/parts 24, 26 therein accordingly do not comprise any slot 44 or any support portion 46 of this kind.
The articulated connection between the two parts 24, 26 in the one-piece embodiment, i.e.
the two surface portions 24, 26, is in the region of a fold 54 (Fig. 12 and Fig. 16) or a folding mark. Here, one of the parts is folded over relative to the other part. To obtain the pre-separator unit 30, as described above, the side tabs 32, 34 are folded over and the folded-over tabs 32, 34 are inserted into the recesses 36, 38 provided for this purpose.
The views in Fig. 11, Fig. 12, Fig. 13, Fig. 14 and Fig. 15, corresponding to the views in Fig. 6, Fig. 7, Fig. 8 and Fig. 9, each show a pre-separator unit 30 having two parts 24, 26 interconnected in one piece. The pre-separator unit 30 is intended to be attached to a separator device 10 and can be attached to a separator device 10. The view in Fig. 11, analogously to the views in Fig. 2 and Fig. 3, shows the two parts 24, 26 (the two surface portions 24, 26) of the pre-separator unit 30. The view in Fig. 12, analogously to the views

9 in Fig. 4 and Fig. 5, shows the parts 24, 26 comprising folded-over side tabs 32, 34 and likewise folded-over insertion tabs 50, 52. The views in Fig. 13 and Fig. 14, analogously to the views in Fig. 6 and Fig. 7, are isometric views of the pre-separator unit 30. The views in Fig. 15 and Fig. 16 show the pre-separator unit 30 from Fig. 12, 13 and 14 in a view from above and a side view, respectively.
The view in Fig. 17, analogously to the view in Fig. 10, shows a separator device 10 and a pre-separator unit 30 attached to the separator device 10, namely a pre-separator unit 30 according to Fig. 12 to Fig. 16. The pre-separator unit 30 is attached to the separator device 10 at its inflow opening 20.
The view in Fig. 18 shows the same separator device 10 and the same pre-separator unit 30 as the view in Fig. 17. Unlike the view in Fig. 17, the pre-separator unit 30 is now attached to the inflow opening 20 so as to be rotated by 90 . In other words:
In the view in Fig. 17, the pre-separator unit 30 is attached to the inflow opening 20 of the separator device 10 such that a horizontal orientation of the fold 54 results and, in the view in Fig.
18, the pre-separator unit 30 is attached to the inflow opening 20 of the separator device

10 such that a vertical orientation of the fold 54 results. These two attachment options apply accordingly to the two-part embodiment of the pre-separator unit 30.
The connection of the pre-separator unit 30, both in two-part form (Fig. 2 to 10) and in one-piece form (Fig. 11 to 18), to the frame 12 of a relevant separator device 10 is made by means of the insertion tabs 50, 52. The insertion tabs 50, 52 are inserted into the inflow opening 20 in the separator device 10.
The views in Fig. 10 and Fig. 17 each show a situation in which the insertion tabs 50, 52 are inserted into the inflow opening 20 in the region of a lower edge of the inflow opening 20 and in the region of an upper edge of the inflow opening 20, respectively.
The view in Fig. 18 shows a situation in which the insertion tabs 50, 52 are inserted into the inflow opening 20 in the region of the side edges of the inflow opening 20.
The at least one separator element 14 in the interior of the frame 12 preferably brings about the mounting of the insertion tabs 50, 52 on/in the frame 12. The at least one separator element 14 in the interior of the frame 12 particularly preferably brings about the mounting of one of the insertion tabs 50, 52, in particular the insertion tab 50 on the first part 24 of the pre-separator unit 30, on/in the frame 12 and on the upper edge of the inflow opening 20 there, i.e. counter to the gravitational force.

The frame 12 preferably receives the at least one separator element 14 in a tight fit. When said element is received in a tight fit, the at least one separator element 14 adjoins at least the side wall of the frame 12 comprising the inflow opening 20 and the opposite side wall at least with an initially small oversize and resulting compression of the separator element 14 or the relevant separator element 14. Each insertion tab 50, 52 introduced into the inflow opening 20 and inserted there between the inside of the side face of the frame 12 comprising the inflow opening 20 and the at least one separator element 14 received in the frame 12 in a tight fit is then clamped there. This tab is clamped between the inside of the side face of the frame 12 comprising the inflow opening 20 on one side and the at least one separator element 14 received in the frame 12 in a tight fit on the other side. It is clamped by the at least one separator element 14 received in the frame 12 in a tight fit pressing the relevant insertion tab 50, 52 against the inside of the side face of the frame 12 comprising the inflow opening 20. In this configuration, the clamped insertion tab 50, 52 is particularly well fixed at least to an extent that is sufficient for use of the pre-separator unit 30 for separating particles entrained in a raw gas flow.
Specifically, this also applies to an insertion tab 50 which is introduced on the upper edge of the inflow opening and is also mounted there in the clamped state counter to the gravitational force.
20 Additionally or alternatively to mounting of this kind by clamping, mounting by form fit or by adhesion, basting, stapling, or the like also comes into consideration.
For example, the insertion tabs 50, 52 are inserted into the inflow opening 20 until their free edges each hit a limit provided for this purpose (a stop provided for this purpose) in the interior of the frame 12. They are inserted into the inflow opening 20 only over the extent of the insertion tabs 50, 52 in any case. The remaining part of the pre-separator unit 30 remains/is positioned outside the frame 12.
In the embodiment of the one-piece variant shown, the angle enclosed by the two parts 24, 26 is 5 90 . In the embodiment of the two-part variant shown, the angle enclosed by the two parts 24, 26 can also be > 90 . In the two embodiments shown, the angle enclosed by the two parts 24, 26 of the pre-separator unit 30 is preferably <
90 , and particularly preferably the enclosed angle is in a range of 60 to 70 .
The pre-separator unit 30 is attached to the frame 12 of a relevant separator device 10 (and, where necessary, an already used pre-separator unit 30 is previously removed)

11 without tools or at least substantially without tools, and this can also be readily carried out by untrained personnel and can be done in a very short time.
The main individual aspects of the description submitted here can therefore be summarized as follows: A pre-separator unit 30 and a separator device 10 comprising a pre-separator unit 30 of this kind are specified. The pre-separator unit 30 and the separator device 10 are intended for separating particles entrained in a raw gas flow. The pre-separator unit 30 increases the service life of the separator device 10.
The pre-separator unit 30 comprises two separate parts 24, 26, or, in a preferred embodiment, comprises two parts 24, 26 that are interconnected in one piece and in an articulated manner. The two parts 24, 26 are or can be combined to form a pre-separator unit 30 and the pre-separator unit 30 is or can be arranged on a frame 12 of the separator device 10 in the region of the inflow opening 20.

12 List of reference signs 10 Separator device 12 Frame 14 Separator element 16, 18 (free) 20 Opening, inflow opening (in the frame 12) 22 Opening, outflow opening (in the frame 12) 24 (First) pre-separator unit part, (first) part, (first) surface portion of each pre-separator unit 30 26 (Second) pre-separator unit part, (second) part, (second) surface portion of each pre-separator unit 30 28 Hole 30 Pre-separator unit 32 Side tab (on the first part 24) 34 Side tab (on the first part 24) 36 Marginal recess (on the second part 26) 38 Marginal recess (on the second part 26) 40 First edge 42 Second edge 44 Slot 46 Support portion 48 (free) 50 Insertion tab 52 Insertion tab 54 Fold

13

Claims (10)

Claims

1. A pre-separator unit (30) comprising a first and a second part (24, 26), wherein the pre-separator unit (30) is intended for separating particles entrained in a raw gas flow, wherein one of the two parts (24) comprises side tabs (32, 34) formed by folding over two opposite sides, wherein the other of the two parts (26) comprises marginal recesses (36, 38), and wherein the side tabs (32, 34) engage in the marginal recesses (36, 38) in the folded-over state.

2. The pre-separator unit (30) according to claim 1, wherein the two parts (24, 26) are interconnected in one piece.

3. The pre-separator unit (30) according to claim 1 or 2, comprising one insertion tab (50, 52) on each of the parts (24, 26) for attaching the pre-separator unit (30) to a separator device (10).

4. A separator device (10) for separating particles entrained in a raw gas flow and comprising a pre-separator unit (30) according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. The separator device (10) according to claim 4 and comprising a frame (12) for receiving at least one separator element (14) and two openings (20, 22), an inflow opening (20) and an oufflow opening (22), in the frame (12), wherein the pre-separator unit (30) is arranged in or on the frame (12) in the region of the inflow opening (20).

6. The separator device (10) according to claim 5 and comprising at least one separator element (14) received in the frame (12) of the separator device (10) in a tight fit, wherein the separator element (14) or at least one separator element (14) clamps insertion tabs (50, 52) of the pre-separator unit (30), which are introduced into the inflow opening (20), in the interior of the frame (12).

7. A use of a separator device (10) according to any one of claims 4, 5 or 6 together with a pre-separator unit (30) according to any one of claims 1, 2 or 3 combined therewith for separating particles entrained in a raw gas flow.

8. A method for obtaining a pre-separator unit (30) that can be used together with a separator device (10), wherein the pre-separator unit (30) is intended for separating particles entrained in a raw gas flow and comprises a first and a second part (24, 26), wherein side tabs (32, 34) are formed on one of the two parts (24) by folding over two opposite sides of said parts, wherein the other of the two parts (26) comprises marginal recesses (36, 38), and wherein the side tabs (32, 34) are inserted into the marginal recesses (36, 38) in the folded-over state.

9. A method for obtaining a combination of a pre-separator unit (30) according to any one of claims 1, 2 or 3 and a separator device (10), wherein the separator device (10) and the pre-separator unit (30) are intended for separating particles entrained in a raw gas flow, wherein the separator device (10) comprises a frame (12) for receiving at least one separator element (14) and two openings (20, 22), an inflow opening (20) and an outflow opening (22), in the frame (12), and wherein the pre-separator unit (30) is arranged in or on the frame (12) in the region of the inflow opening (20) by means of insertion tabs (50, 52) of the pre-separator unit (30), which are introduced into the inflow opening (20).

10. The method according to claim 9, wherein the at least one separator element (14) is received in the frame (12) of the separator device (10) in a tight fit and wherein the separator element (14) or at least one separator element (14) clamps the insertion tabs (50, 52), which are introduced into the inflow opening (20), in the interior of the frame (12).