Gas separation – Multiple separators – each with discrete and longitudinally... – Centrifugal
Reexamination Certificate
1999-06-30
2001-06-26
Simmons, David A. (Department: 1724)
Gas separation
Multiple separators, each with discrete and longitudinally...
Centrifugal
C055S435000, C055S436000, C055S447000, C055SDIG003
Reexamination Certificate
active
06251153
ABSTRACT:
CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
Not Applicable
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH
Not Applicable
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The field of the invention is centrifugal air filters, and more particularly, centrifugal grease extractors for commercial kitchens.
Centrifugal air filters are used to extract impurities suspended in air by causing the air to enter a helical path in a vortex chamber and subjecting the impurities to a centrifugal force. The impurities are propelled away from the vortex center and impinge upon chamber walls. The air exits the vortex chamber leaving the impurities behind in the chamber.
One particular use for centrifugal air filters is to extract impurities, such as grease, from grease-laden air formed in commercial kitchens during cooking. These grease extractors are typically a cleanable or replaceable component of kitchen ventilation systems disposed above a cooking area, such as a stove or the like. A fan in the ventilation system draws grease-laden air through the filter which extracts the grease from the air prior to exhausting the air into the atmosphere. The extracted grease runs down the filter walls and is collected for proper disposal.
One prior art centrifugal air purifier disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,872,892, has parallel vortex chambers. Each chamber has a pair of inlets formed in the filter front. The grease-laden air enters one of the chambers through the chamber inlets and exits substantially perpendicular to the direction of entering air through outlets in the chamber ends. This particular configuration allows at least a portion of the grease-laden air to pass directly from the inlet to the outlet without being subject to the vortex action necessary to release the grease suspended in the air. Furthermore, this particular application cannot be mounted in a standard baffle filter hood. Because the ends of the filter must remain open, a special mounting bracket is required.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a centrifugal air filter suitable for extracting impurities suspended in air. The filter includes a front wall, a rear wall spaced from the front wall, and a perimeter wall joining the front and rear walls forming a cavity therebetween. Dividers divide the cavity into a plurality of vortex chambers. Each vortex chamber has a pair of inlets proximal opposing chamber ends and formed in the filter front wall, and an outlet formed in the filter rear wall generally centrally disposed between the inlets.
A general objective of the present invention is to provide an air filter having an improved extraction efficiency. By providing an air filter having a vortex chamber with front inlets disposed proximal each chamber end and a centrally disposed rear outlet, air entering the vortex chamber cannot pass through the chamber without entering a helical path.
Another objective of the present invention is to provide an air filter which is easy to assemble. By forming the vortex chambers with dividers and interlocking adjacent dividers with tabs and slots formed on the dividers, the need to secure each vortex chamber to a base is eliminated and the filter assembly is simplified.
These and other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the description that follows. In the description reference is made to the accompanying drawings which form a part hereof and in which there is shown by way of illustration embodiments of the invention. Such embodiments do not necessarily represent the full scope of the invention. Reference should therefore be made to the claims herein for interpreting the scope of the invention.
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