U.S. patent number RE35,433 [Application Number 08/038,561] was granted by the patent office on 1997-01-28 for coalescer filter and method.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Alexander Machinery, Inc.. Invention is credited to William J. Alexander, III.
United States Patent |
RE35,433 |
Alexander, III |
January 28, 1997 |
Coalescer filter and method
Abstract
A coalescer filter is illustrated for removing material from a
gas wherein a collection of liquid coalesced by passing a gaseous
stream upwardly within a coalescing material packed in an upright
cylindrical housing is facilitated by creating a pressure drop in a
tube .[.by venturi action.]. .Iadd.in an inlet air stream
.Iaddend.and communicating the pressure drop to a canister. The use
of a float valve is also illustrated for controlling the discharge
of liquid collected in a sealed drainage canister receiving
coalesced liquid from a lower portion of an upright column or
housing containing coalescing material through which a gaseous
stream is passed upwardly.
Inventors: |
Alexander, III; William J.
(Mauldin, SC) |
Assignee: |
Alexander Machinery, Inc.
(Mauldin, SC)
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Family
ID: |
27066596 |
Appl.
No.: |
08/038,561 |
Filed: |
March 25, 1993 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
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808188 |
Dec 13, 1991 |
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Reissue of: |
541070 |
Jun 20, 1990 |
05061300 |
Oct 29, 1991 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
95/24; 55/431;
55/466; 55/482; 95/287 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B01D
46/0023 (20130101); B01D 46/0031 (20130101); B01D
46/42 (20130101); B01D 53/266 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
B01D
53/26 (20060101); B01D 053/26 () |
Field of
Search: |
;55/320,318,322,323,218,219,431,466,482,DIG.17 ;95/117,118,24,287
;96/121,131,139,152 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Other References
Alexco, "Alexander Coalescer Filter", Alexander Machinery, Inc.,
Mauldin, S.C., 1989..
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Primary Examiner: Chiesa; Richard L.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Bailey; Ralph
Parent Case Text
.Iadd.This application is a continuation of application Ser. No.
07/808,188, filed Dec. 13, 1991, now abandoned.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A coalescer filter for removing a liquid from a gas
comprising:
an upright housing;
coalescing material packed in said housing
an inlet .Iadd.conduit .Iaddend.for gas through which an unfiltered
gaseous stream enters a lower portion of said upright housing and
is directed upwardly into said coalescing material;
a drainage opening positioned laterally of said inlet .Iadd.conduit
.Iaddend.receiving liquid coalesced in said housing;
a canister below said inlet .Iadd.conduit .Iaddend.for collecting
said liquid from said drainage opening; and
a tube extending upwardly from said canister into said gaseous
stream .Iadd.in said inlet conduit .Iaddend.creating a pressure
.[.drop in said tube.]. .Iadd.differential between said drainage
opening and said canister;.Iaddend.
whereby a negative pressure gradient is created in said canister
facilitating a flow of liquid into said canister.
2. The structure set forth in claim 1 including a drain in said
canister for controlling discharge of liquid therefrom.
3. The structure set forth in claim 2 wherein said drain includes a
float valve.
4. A coalescer air filter comprising
an upright cylindrical housing containing coalescing: material;
an air inlet .Iadd.conduit .Iaddend.through which an unfiltered air
stream enters a central lower portion of said upright housing and
is directed upwardly into said coalescing material;
a drainage opening positioned laterally of said air inlet
.Iadd.conduit .Iaddend.receiving liquid coalesced in said
housing;
a canister below said air inlet .Iadd.conduit .Iaddend.for
collecting said liquid from said drainage opening; and
an air tube extending upwardly from said canister into said air
stream .Iadd.in said inlet conduit;.Iaddend.
whereby a pressure .[.drop in said air tube.]. .Iadd.differential
between said drainage opening and said canister .Iaddend.caused by
said air .[.flow.]. .Iadd.stream .Iaddend.facilitates a flow of
liquid into said canister by reducing air pressure in said
canister.
5. A coalescer air filter comprising:
an upright cylindrical housing containing coalescing material
packed therein;
an air inlet .Iadd.conduit .Iaddend.through which an unfiltered air
stream enters a lower portion of said upright housing and is
directed upwardly into said coalescing material;
a drainage opening positioned laterally of said air inlet
.Iadd.conduit .Iaddend.receiving liquid coalesced in said
housing;
a canister for collecting said liquid from said drainage
opening;
a tube extending from said canister into said air stream .Iadd.in
said inlet conduit; .Iaddend.and
a float valve in said canister controlling the discharge of liquid
collected in said canister;
whereby a pressure .[.drop in said tube.]. .Iadd.differential
between said drainage opening and said canister .Iaddend.caused by
said air stream facilitates a flow of liquid into said canister by
reducing air pressure in said canister.
6. The structure set forth in claim 5 including an upright housing
containing a filter carried in side by side relation with said
first mentioned upright housing receiving air from an upper portion
of said first mentioned housing for downward movement through said
filter. .[.
7. The method of removing liquids from an air stream comprising the
steps of:
providing an upright cylindrical housing containing coalescing
material:
forming an air stream in said cylindrical housing upwardly through
said coalescing material;
causing said liquids contained within said air stream to coalesce
and flow downwardly by gravity in a direction opposite to the
upward flow of said gaseous stream; and
causing a pressure drop in a canister receiving coalesced liquids
by positioning a tube having one end in said canister and the other
end in said air stream to create a pressure drop in said
canister.].. .[.
8. The method of removing liquids from air comprising the steps
of:
forming an air stream;
providing an upright cylindrical housing containing coalescing
material;
introducing air to said cylindrical housing through said coalecing
material;
causing liquids contained within said air to coalesce and flow
downwardly; and
causing a pressure drop in a canister positioned below said housing
receiving coalescend liquids by positioning a tube having one end
in said canister and the other end in said air stream to create a
pressure drop in said canister..].
9. The method set forth in claim .[.8.]. .Iadd.11
.Iaddend.including the step of utilizing a float drain in said
canister to drain coalesced liquid therefrom.
10. The method set forth in claim .[.8.]. .Iadd.11
.Iaddend.including the step of positively expelling coalesced
contaminants from said canister utilizing an automatic filter drain
in a bottom of said canister. .Iadd.
11. The method of removing liquids from air comprising the steps
of:
forming an inlet air stream;
providing an upright cylindrical housing containing coalescing
material;
introducing said inlet air stream to said cylindrical housing
through an inlet air conduit and thence upwardly through said
coalescing material;
causing liquids contained within said air to coalesce and flow
downwardly;
causing a pressure drop in a canister positioned below said housing
receiving coalesced liquids by positioning a tube having one end in
said canister and the other end in said inlet air stream in said
conduit prior to passage through said coalescing material to create
a pressure drop in said canister;
draining said liquids from a lower portion of said housing through
an opening spaced laterally of said inlet air conduit with the aid
of said pressure drop in the canister..Iaddend.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a coalester filter and method for the
removal of liquid from air and other gases.
A filter and method is illustrated in U.S. Pat. No. 4,801,313 and
in continuation application Ser. No. 07/265,895 filed Nov. 2, 1988,
now abandoned wherein a gaseous stream is directed from an orifice
of lesser diameter upwardly directly into a column packed with
coalescing material. Other patents of interest include U.S. Pat.
No. 1,458,005, which discloses a vertical expansion chamber
containing no coalescing material but through which an upward flow
is created and passes through a foraminous partition into an
absorbent material. Of further interest is U.S. Pat. No. Re.
32,989, wherein a downward gaseous flow is first initiated in a
vertical column containing a coalescing material from whence the
gaseous flow is carried laterally and upwardly into a column
containing absorbent material. U.S. Pat. No. 4,822,387 illustrates
the use of a cartridge containing coalescing material through which
an upward air flow is carried although there is no air stream since
the air flow occurs upwardly through the entire cross section of
the cartridge. A float valve is positioned in a lower end of an
envelope containing the cartridge at an upper end.
An air or gaseous stream as contemplated herein occupies at least
initially a cross section less than the cross section of the column
containing coalescing material. The stream is centrally disposed in
that a substantial portion is intermediate or away from the inner
wall of the column, as originating from the inlet orifice
illustrated herein, to permit coalescence of liquid with downward
flow thereof by gravity opposite the direction of the stream.
Accordingly, it is an important object of the present invention to
facilitate the collection and discharge of coalesced liquid from
the coalescing column of the filter.
Another object of the invention is the positive expulsion of the
coalesced liquid from the collection canister to avoid the
necessity of providing air flow to cause drainage as
heretofore.
Another important object of the invention is to provide a
collection canister for the coalesced liquid with an effective and
efficient means of discharge as well as ease of servicing and
effective mounting and sealing.
Another important object of the invention is to prevent large and
expensive air loss, on a continuous basis, in the discharge of
coalesced and collected liquids.
Another object of the invention is to prevent large pressure drops
across the unit normally associated with the discharge of coalesced
liquids.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It has been found that collection of liquid in a drainage container
or canister from an upright housing into which coalescing material
is packed and through which a gaseous stream is generated flowing
in an intermediate or central portion of the housing containing the
coalescing material is facilitated by positioning a tube having one
end disposed in an inlet for the gaseous stream into the housing
while the other end is positioned within the drainage container
creating a negative pressure gradient which serves as an additive
force to that of gravity complementing same for removal of
coalesced material and solids.
It has been further found that drainage from the drainage container
can be facilitated by positioning a float valve therein. Preferably
the valve is to be of the pneumatically powered hydraulically
differentially operated kind which is completely automatic for
positive ejection of the liquids coalesced from the interior of the
canister to atmosphere or a piped away drain via a threaded opening
at the lower extremity of the automatic drain.
The air tube in the air stream allows the liquid to drain into a
canister that is sealed except when draining liquid in response to
the action of the float valve. No air seepage from the canister is
required in order to discharge liquid therefrom. Theretofore, as in
the structure of U.S. Pat. No. 4,801,313, an excessive quantity of
air must flow with the coalesced liquids to assure tile discharge
of said coalesced liquids form the collection area, due to a
requirement for a constant discharge of air, whether or not any
coalesced liquids are present.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The construction designed to carry out the invention will be
hereinafter described, together with other features thereof.
The invention will be more readily understood from a reading of the
following specification and by reference to the accompanying
drawings forming a part thereof, wherein an example of rite
invention is shown and wherein:
FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a coalescer filler and
method of operation in accordance with the invention wherein a
canister is positioned below a drainage opening in an upright
coalescer housing;
FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view illustrating the collecting
area for liquid coalesced in said coalescer housing;
FIG. 3 is a sectional elevation taken on the line 3--3 in FIG. 1
illustrating a coalescer filter and method in accordance with the
invention illustrating an air tube connecting the inlet flow of air
or other gas into the coalescing material with a discharge
container or canister positioned therebeneath for collecting the
liquid coalesced material, together with a float valve in the
canister, for controlling liquid flow from the canister; and
FIG. 4 is a perspective view, with parts broken away, further
illustrating the canister and valve constructed in accordance with
tile invention.
DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
A coalescer air filter has an upright cylindrical housing or column
A containing suitable coalescing material B, An air inlet C is
provided through which an unfiltered air flow enters a central
lower portion of the upright housing and is directed upwardly as an
air stream into the coalescing material. A drainage opening D is
positioned laterally of the air inlet receiving liquid, and any
solids contained therein, coalesced in the housing. A drainage
container E is carried below the air inlet for collecting liquid
from the drainage opening. An air tube F extends upwardly from the
drainage container into the air flow whereby a differential
pressure gradient in the air tube caused by the air flow
facilitates a flow of liquid into the drainage container by
reducing air pressure in said drainage container or canister. A
float valve or automatic filter drain G is carried in the canister
for controlling discharge of liquid therefrom. preferably by
positive ejection of coalesced material.
FIGS. 1 and 3 illustrate the positioning of an upright cylindrical
housing or column A containing coalescing material B between an
upper support 10 and a lower or base support 11. The base support
has an inlet connection 12 for gas on one end and an outlet line 13
for the filtered air or gas on the other end of the base 11. The
upper support 10 and the base 11 are connected as by elongated
bolts 14 which are provided with heads 15 and washers 16 on one end
and which are threaded as at 17 on the other end into the base 11.
Air is introduced through an orifice of lesser cross section than
said coalescer so as to be a stream flowing into the column A
through the orifice C. Moisture or liquid collected as a result of
coalescence is collected and passes through the drainage opening D.
The upper support 10 has a horizontal passageway 18 (FIG. 3)
through which an air flow 18a passes from an upper end of the
housing A.
The flow 18a passes downwardly through an upright housing or column
19 which contains a suitable filter material 20 (FIG. 3) to the
outlet 13.
A canister or drainage container E is carried beneath the inlet C
and is received on threads 21a on a ring 21 suitably fixed to the
base member 11 as by screws 21b. It is important to note that the
canister E has a reduced lip 22 defining a recess 22a for
positioning a compressible ring such as the O-ring 22b above the
internal threads 22c and extending above the upper surface of the
lip 22 to form a seal when compressed between the lip and the
bottom of the base 11 and within a recess 21c in the ring 21. This
provides an effective seal in order to prevent air leakage as might
interfere with drainage.
The inlet connection 12 is threadably received within the bore 12a
while the outlet 13 is threadably received in the bore 13a within
the base 11. The air inlet C is provided in the form of a tubular
orifice receiving inlet air or gas from the inlet connection 12 and
directing same upwardly as a centrally disposed air stream which
has a diameter less than that of the column A. This permits the air
flow to directly impinge upon the fibrous metallic non-absorptive
coalescing material which may be of the type known as "GOODLOE"
which is well known to the prior art and described in U.S. Pat.
Nos. Re. 32,989 and 4,801,313, although other preferably
non-absorptive porous material suitable for promoting coalescence
may be used. The coalesced material including liquid moves or flows
downwardly along the wall of the column and is collected in the
area 23 about the inlet orifice C. .Iadd.The inlet orifice C, the
inlet connection 12 and bore 12a form an inlet conduit through
which an inlet gas or air stream flows. .Iaddend.
By thus directing the gas from which material is to be coalesced
upwardly in a stream within the coaleating material packed in the
column, the stream expands and as a fountain and the coalesced
material is separated and flows downwardly by gravity. Thus,
coalescence takes place by directing the gaseous stream through the
coalescing material upwardly against the force of gravity.
The expanded flow of the gaseous stream passes through the openings
10a and 10b and through the openings 10c and 10d into a downward
flow extending across the filter column 19. The upward gaseous
stream in the column A is centrally disposed or located in that it
is preferably sufficiently spaced from the wall of the column A at
least initially to permit coalescence with downward flow of
separated material against the upward flow of the gaseous stream to
permit upward coalescence with a downward flow of separated
material als against the upwardflow of the gaseous stream.
The flow of coalesced liquid material through the drainage opening
D is aided by producing a pressure differential between the upper
opening D and the canister E into which the coalesced material
flows. This is accomplished by the provision of a tube F which may
be centrally disposed within the air stream flowing into the inlet
orifice C on one end. This is illustrated as being accomplished
within the bore or duct 12a within the base, but such may extend
into the orifice C so long as a pressure differential is achieved.
The important point is that one end of the tube is in a
concentrated air flow or stream to create a pressure drop which is
transferred to a canister for collecting the liquid coalesced
material. The other end of the tube F is disposed in the canister E
transferring the pressure differential therein.
Preferably the float valve G is used in combination with the tube F
as described above. The float valve is preferably of the type
schematically illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4 and may be of a type
supplied by Parker Hannifin Corporation, Otsego, Mich. 49078, and
designated "automatic filter drain." The automatic filter drain G
is positioned in the bottom of the canister E and includes a
diaphragm 24 which is responsive to differential pressures created
by the level of liquid in the canister across said diaphragm,
ejecting liquids in the canister from same to air passage 25
permitting liquid to be drained through the threaded drain 26 which
is threaded to accept, if required, a drain line, for the
positively ejected liquids. The diaphragm 24 and the air passage 25
are contained in the housing 27 which is internally vented to the
atmosphere and which is positioned by the nut 28 at the bottom of
the canister.
In the absence of liquid the diaphragm 24 is seated closing the air
passage 25. In view of the negative pressure gradient transferred
by the tube F to the canister, flow of the coalesced liquid
materials through the passage D to the canister is increased. The
discharge is positively accomplished by means of the automatic
filter drain positioned at the bottom of the canister E.
Thus, the collection of the coalesced liquid with solid impurities
is facilitated by the provision of the canister which receives the
liquid from the drainage passage D. In view of the negative
pressure gradient created by the tube F to the canister, flow of
liquid through the passage D to the canister is increased. The
discharge is positively accomplished by means of the automatic
filter drain positioned in the bottom of the canister E. The
particular float valve described and illustrated is especially
efficient and is preferred, although any float valve which operates
efficiently as an automatic drain responsive to liquid level may be
utilized. Other drain valves such as automatic float drains, cycle
drains, or, electrically or pneumatically timed drain valves may be
employed.
While a preferred embodiment of the invention has been described
using specific terms, such description is for illustrative purposes
only, and it is to be understood that changes and variations may be
made without departing from the spirit or scope of the following
claims.
* * * * *