GB1095094A - Machine and method for washing filters - Google Patents

Abstract

1,095,094. Cleaning of air-filters. C. A. FLARSHEIM. Jan. 8, 1965, No. 918/65. Heading BIT. A wire mesh air-filter is placed in a rotating drum (Figs. 1 to 9, not shown) and is washed and subsequently recoated with adhesive by means of spray heads 494, 498 which extend and reciprocate vertically within the drum, being driven by the drum rotation through linkages. Filters are fixed in rectangular compartment (145) of the drum (Fig. 4, not shown), and the drum is rotated by motor (94), firstly dry to remove dust centrifugally, then alkaline cleaning fluid from container (66) is delivered to head 494, followed by water. After further dry centrifuging, oil-based adhesive from heated tank (74) is directed by pump (80) to head 498 to recoat filters. Figs. 1-9 illustrate a prior art machine with spray heads (270, 272, 282) rotating on fixed horizontal axes by passage of fluid therethrough, but in a machine as claimed the reciprocating heads 494, 498 replace these. Liquids drain from compartment (145) through corner holes (148) having vacuum inducing outlets (Fig. 9) into sump (116). As illustrated, machine is mounted on wheels and connected up to electrical and water supply when needed, with a sump discharging to drain, but the sump could collect and recycle fluids separately and only electrical supply is then needed. Compartment (145) has spring-loaded false bottom (Fig. 3) against which filters are pushed in through access holes (140) which are then closed by doors (186) and bolted. Sliding doors (40) in the housing top expose doors (186) of the drum when drum is manually rotated into alignment. Cleaning fluid in tank (66) is expelled therefrom and diluted by water supplied through, pipe (290), valves (292, 294) being solenoid-operated. The cleaning cycle above is controlled by a timer motor which, once energised by manually turning its shaft to starting position, rotates four cams which control motor (94), pump (80), valves (292, 294) and a brake which stops the drum when motor (94) is switched off. Motor (120) driving sump pump (118) runs continuously, but a float (122) prevents valves (292, 294) from opening if sump level rises too far.