U.S. patent number RE34,980 [Application Number 08/148,687] was granted by the patent office on 1995-06-27 for vacuum suction machine with high efficiency filter and operating interlock.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Minuteman International, Inc.. Invention is credited to Margaret Karadimas, Rick McLeod, Gary E. Palmer, Jerome E. Rau.
United States Patent |
RE34,980 |
Rau , et al. |
June 27, 1995 |
Vacuum suction machine with high efficiency filter and operating
interlock
Abstract
A vacuum motor and fan are mounted within a housing, the lower
end of which receives a high efficiency particle filter. The bottom
of the housing includes a series of projections adapted to be
received in corresponding apertures on an upper flange of the
filter to prevent replacing the filter with an improper one. The
projection/apertures also promote proper seating of the seal
between the filter canister and the housing. A separate projection
on the filter engages and actuates a lock-out switch carried by the
housing to permit the machine to operate only when the filter is of
proper size and capacity and it is properly seated on the
housing.
Inventors: |
Rau; Jerome E. (Hoffman
Estates, IL), Palmer; Gary E. (Roselle, IL), McLeod;
Rick (Lake In The Hills, IL), Karadimas; Margaret
(Bloomingdale, IL) |
Assignee: |
Minuteman International, Inc.
(Addison, IL)
|
Family
ID: |
24679448 |
Appl.
No.: |
08/148,687 |
Filed: |
November 5, 1993 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
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Reissue of: |
667743 |
Mar 11, 1991 |
05102435 |
Apr 7, 1992 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
55/467; 15/339;
55/482; 55/DIG.34 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47L
5/365 (20130101); A47L 9/122 (20130101); A47L
9/125 (20130101); A47L 9/1472 (20130101); Y10S
55/34 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
A47L
5/36 (20060101); A47L 9/10 (20060101); A47L
5/22 (20060101); B01D 046/00 () |
Field of
Search: |
;55/274,467,470-473,482,484,500,385.1,385.2,DIG.3,DIG.34
;15/339 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Other References
Pullman Holt Asbestos and Hazardous Waste Vacuums, 12 pages (May
1987), Pullman Holt, Tampa Florida 33687..
|
Primary Examiner: Miles; Tim R.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Emrich & Dithmar
Claims
We claim:
1. In a vacuum machine for collecting hazardous materials, the
combination comprising: a motor housing having an air discharge
opening and an air inlet opening: a motor and a vacuum fan mounted
within said housing for generating a vacuum in a portion of said
housing in fluid communication with said air inlet opening: a
container providing a reservoir for collecting material and
including an air intake; means for mounting said motor housing to
said container; a high efficiency particle filter having a canister
with a generally cylindrical side wall; said filter being mounted
to the bottom of said motor housing and covering said inlet
opening, said filter including at least one actuating member; a
switch connected in circuit with said vacuum motor and mounted to
said housing such that when said filter is properly/assembled to
said housing said actuating member of said filter engages and
actuates said switch to permit said motor to be energized; said
canister including an upper circular mounting flange and said motor
homing including a bottom wall receiving said mounting flange of
said filter, one of said mounting flange and bottom wall defining a
circular peripheral groove and the other defining a circular
peripheral tongue in said groove and .[.seal.]. .Iadd.sealed
.Iaddend.therewith. said filter being assembled to said motor
housing; means for releasably securing said mounting flange to the
bottom motor housing; and wherein one of said mounting flange and
bottom wall defines a plurality of projections and the other
defines a plurality of apertures in register with and receiving
said projections such that said filter is properly assembled to
said housing, thereby to preclude improper assembly of a filter to
said housing. .Iadd.
2. An improved high efficiency particle filter for use in a vacuum
machine for collecting hazardous materials having a motor housing
with an air discharge opening and an air inlet opening, a motor and
a vacuum fan mounted within said housing for generating a vacuum,
and a portion of said housing being in fluid communication with
said air inlet opening, a container providing a reservoir for
collecting material and including an air intake, said motor housing
being mounted in said container, a switch connected in circuit with
said vacuum motor and mounted to said motor housing and permitting
said motor to be energized when said switch is actuated, said motor
housing including a bottom wall defining said air inlet opening and
including a circular peripheral sealing tongue extending about said
air inlet opening on the bottom surface thereof and further
including a plurality of locating apertures spaced at predetermined
locations about said air inlet opening of said motor housing, said
filter comprising: a canister having a generally cylindrical side
wall and including an upper circular mounting flange adapted to be
mounted to the bottom wall of said motor housing and covering said
inlet opening, said filter including at least one actuating member
adapted to engage said switch to enable said vacuum motor to be
energized when said filter is properly assembled to said housing,
said upper circular mounting flange of said filter further
including circular means adapted to engage said sealing tongue of
said motor housing to seal therewith when said filter is mounted to
said bottom wall of said motor housing under compression of the
mounting means, said mounting flange of said filter further
defining a plurality of projections located to be received in said
locating apertures of said bottom wall of said housing to register
therewith and be received therein when said filter is assembled to
said housing. .Iaddend. .Iadd.3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein
said sealing means located in said mounting flange of said filter
comprises a peripheral groove adapted to receive and seal with said
peripheral tongue of said bottom wall of said housing. .Iaddend.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to vacuum suction machines having a
high efficiency particulate air filter which are designed for the
safe removal of hazardous materials, such as those containing
asbestos or the like.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Vacuum suction machines have come into widespread use for the
removal of hazardous materials. Such machines typically employ a
number of filter stages. The initial filters are used to remove
debris and particles of larger size, and a final stage usually
consists of a special filter known in the art as a high efficiency
particulate air or HEPA filter. HEPA filters are especially
designed to remove particles from air passing through the filter
where the particle size extends down to microscopic levels.
HEPA filters, like other filters, become clogged with use and have
to be replaced periodically. It is important that a replacement
HEPA filter have the same capacity and specifications as the
original HEPA filter because when a HEPA filter is replaced, it is
enclosed within the machine and cannot ordinarily be seen by the
operator. And an operator may not always take the precaution of
opening the machine to make sure that the HEPA filter being used is
a proper one.
It is also possible that some operators who are particularly
careless may remove the HEPA filter and use the vacuum suction
machine for other, more conventional uses. When the operator
replaces the machine after conventional use, a careless operator
may fail to put the HEPA filter back in the machine or to note on
the machine that it is not equipped with a HEPA filter. Subsequent
operation of such a machine without a HEPA filter for removal of
hazardous material would obviously present a hazard to a subsequent
operator.
It is also important that HEPA filters be designed for proper
sealing with the housing for the vacuum motor because there is a
substantial pressure drop across the filter and if there is any
leakage of contaminated air around, rather than through the filter,
such a condition could also present a hazard to the environment and
to operators.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention overcomes the above problems by providing an
actuating member attached to the canister of the HEPA filter which
cooperates with and is received in the motor housing. A position
switch is mounted to the housing and senses the actuating member on
the filter when the filter is properly assembled to the motor
housing. The position switch is connected in circuit with the motor
and operating switch so that when the HEPA filter is properly in
place the motor is enabled to operate, and when the HEPA filter is
removed, the motor is disabled.
The canister on the HEPA filter includes an upper mounting flange
which is provided with two series or apertures. One set of
apertures is used to mount the filter to the motor housing, and the
other set of apertures is located to receive a corresponding set of
projections integral with the motor housing. Thus, when the filter
is assembled to the housing, the filter is properly located so that
the mounting flange engages the housing in the proper location and
angular disposition. These projections and apertures further
prevent replacement of the original HEPA filter with another filter
which may not meet the specifications of the machine. If a
replacement filter does not have the proper capacity or removal
specifications. It may fail to meet government specifications or it
may present a hazard during operation.
The projections and apertures also insure proper seating of the
filter on the motor housing to effect a seal between the two. A
tongue-in-groove seal is formed between the motor housing and the
filter canister. The effectiveness of the seal is insured when the
filter is properly located and assembled to the filter housing.
Other features and advantages of the present invention will be
apparent to persons skilled in the an from the following detailed
description of a preferred embodiment accompanied by the attached
drawing wherein identical reference numerals will refer to like
parts in the various views.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
FIG. 1 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a vacuum suction
machine incorporating the present invention;
FIG. 2 is an enlarged vertical cross section of the filter and the
lower portion of the motor housing in assembled relation; and
FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the motor housing and HEPA
filter prior to assembly.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Turning first to FIG. 1, there is shown a five-stage vacuum suction
machine generally designated 10 including a container or canister
11, in the general form of a cylinder or drum. The container 11
forms a receptacle for collecting debris and it has an open top on
which is mounted a vacuum motor housing generally designated 12. In
the side wall of the container 11, toward the bottom, there is an
intake assembly 13 to which a hose coupled to a removal tool would
ordinarily be attached. An tubular extension 15 is attached to the
inner part of the intake 13, and it extends within the lower
portion of the container 11. A paper bag is mounted to the
extension 15 for collecting larger debris; and the bag 16 acts as a
first or course filter, as well as a disposable refuse bag.
A second paper bag 18 and a cloth filter bag 19 are located within
the container 11, and they act as the second and third filter
stages respectively. The upper perimeter of the outer paper bag 18
is folded over the upper edge of the container 11, and the upper
perimeter of the cloth bag 19 is secured to a mounting ring 20 to
which an inner wire frame or basket 21 is mounted. The frame 21
prevents the bags 18, 19 from collapsing onto the HEPA filter, as
described below.
The motor housing 12 includes an upper section or dome 23 and a
lower section or base 24 which includes an integral bottom 225. The
central portion of the bottom of the motor housing is in the form
of a grill or grid 25A (FIG. 3) so that air can readily pass
through it, as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art.
Housed within the upper portion 23 of the motor housing is an
electric motor generally designated 27 which is connected to and
drives a vacuum blower generally designated 28. The motor and
blower are mounted to a plate 29; and the upper section 23, lower
section 24 and motor mounting plate 29 are all secured together by
fasteners 30. Below the vacuum blower 28 there is an adapter plate
32A which is sealed to the blower intake and partially defines the
upper portion of a vacuum chamber generally designated 34. Chamber
34 is in communication with the discharge of a high efficiency
particulate air (HEPA) filter generally designated 35 via grid 25A
formed in the bottom of the motor housing, as seen best in FIG. 2.
An impact filter assembly generally designated 36 is mounted to the
bottom of the HEPA filter 35.
A cover 36A provided with a handle 37A is conventionally mounted to
the top of the upper section 23 of the motor housing by means of
fasteners fitted through spacers 38A. The cover 36A has a side
skirt 39A, the lower portion of which is spaced above the upper
section 23 of the motor housing to define a peripheral aperture 40A
through which air is drawn to cool the motor. The cooling air is
exhausted outwardly through 20 openings between upper section 23
and the motor mounting plate 29.
Air carrying debris passes through the five filter stages described
above, the chamber 34 and the vacuum blower 28, from which the air
is exhausted radially outward at 28A. The clean air is then
exhausted outwardly between the motor mounting plate 29 and the
lower housing section 24. What has been described thus far is
generally representative of vacuum suction machines used for
removal of hazardous material which have been commercially
available prior to the instant invention.
Turning now to FIGS. 2 and 3, the HEPA filter 35 includes a
generally cylindrical side wall 37, an upper mounting flange 38, an
upper peripheral projection ring 39 and a lower flange 40. A
conventional filter labyrinth of paper generally designated 42
forms the actual filtering material of the HEPA filter.
The pre-filter or fourth-stage filter (or "impact" filter, as it is
sometimes referred) 36 includes a mounting ring 44 which snaps onto
the mounting flange 40 at the base of the canister 37 of the HEPA
filter, and which includes a lower grid 45, and an upper filter
retainer 47. Between the lower grid 45 and the upper retainer grid
45 47, there is a layer of filter material 48. The centers of the
upper and lower grids 45, 46 may be pinned together by a
fastener/spacer 49, as illustrated.
Turning now to the HEPA filter as seen in FIG. 2, it includes a
lower grid 50 immediately above the impact filter 36 and below the
particulate filter medium 42, which conventionally consists of a
labyrinth of paper and spacers. The upper ring 39 includes upwardly
extending projections or fingers 52, 53 respectively, which are
located at diagonally opposite positions on the ring 39. The ring
39 is attached, as by chemical bonding or heat or sonic welding to
the inner surface of the side wall 37. From FIG. 2, it will be seen
that the bottom wall 25 of the lower section 24 of the motor
housing is provided with first and second apertures 54, 55 for
receiving the fingers 52, 53 respectively. Similarly, the adapter
plate 32 is provided with an aperture 57 for receiving the plunger
or actuator of an electrical position switch $8 (sometimes referred
to as the lockout switch) mounted to a flange 59. The location of
the aperture 57 is such that when the HEPA filter is properly
seated, one of the actuating fingers, 52, 53 engages the plunger of
the switch 58 to actuate it.
The switch 58 is connected in circuit with the power lead from the
main on/off switch mounted on the motor housing. The switch 58 is a
normally open switch so that when the HEPA filter is removed, the
switch 58 is opened and disables or "locks out" the motor by
opening a power line to the motor. When the HEPA filter is properly
assembled to the motor housing, however, one of the actuating
fingers or members 52, 53 actuates the switch 58 and enables the
motor to operate normally. The HEPA filter is secured to the bottom
wall 25 of the lower section of the motor housing by threaded
fasteners 61 which are received through apertures 62 in the
mounting flange 38. As best seen in FIG. 3, there are eight such
apertures 62 on the mounting flange 38 of the HEPA filter for
receiving fasteners.
There are four additional apertures designated 65 in FIG. 3 and
located at predetermined locations which register with projections
or pins extending from the bottom plate 25 of the motor housing.
The pins 66 on the motor housing and apertures 65 on the HEPA
filter must register and mesh before the filter can be assembled
and fastened to the housing. This insures that filters of improper
size or capacity will not be used in the machine. This combination
of pins and apertures also helps locate the filter in angular
orientation so that the actuating members 52, 53 are in proper
register with the apertures 54, 55 of the bottom plate during
assembly. This combination further insures proper seating of a
tongue-in-groove seal 68 between the bottom wall of the motor
housing and the upper mounting flange 38 of the HEPA filter.
In the illustrated embodiment, an annular groove of wedge-shaped
cross section 69 is formed in the flange 38 facing upwardly, to
receive a correspondingly shaped annular tongue 71 formed on the
bottom of the motor housing 25 (See FIGS. 2 and 3). Conversely, the
tongue 71 could be formed on the HEPA filter and the groove could
be formed in the bottom surface of the motor housing. Both the
tongue and the groove extend around the periphery of the filter and
form a desirable labyrinth seal between the motor housing and the
HEPA filter when the HEPA filter is properly assembled and fastened
to the motor housing to insure that air does not pass around the
filter but, rather, is forced to pass through the filter in
operation.
It will thus be apparent to persons skilled in the art that the
arrangement of projections and apertures is a first measure against
the use of improper filters and they further insure proper assembly
and seal engagement. It will also be appreciated that a complete
peripheral seal in the form of a tongue-in-groove arrangement
provides a labyrinth seal and desirably insures a continuous seal
between the motor housing and the HEPA filter. Finally, the
finger/actuators 52, 53 also serve to locate the filter relative to
the motor housing and to insure against improper filter
replacement, but they also preclude operation of the machine
without the presence of a HEPA filter.
Having thus disclosed in detail a preferred embodiment of the
invention, persons skilled in the art will be able to modify
certain of the structure which has been illustrated and to
substitute equivalent elements for those disclosed while continuing
to practice the principle of the invention; and it is, therefore,
intended that all such modifications and substitutions be covered
as they are embraced within the spirit and scope of the appended
claims.
* * * * *