AU2023219878A1

AU2023219878A1 - Dust extraction device

Info

Publication number: AU2023219878A1
Application number: AU2023219878A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Andrew Fanning; William Palmer
Original assignee: Fanca Technologies Pty Ltd
Current assignee: Fanca Technologies Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2016-08-05
Filing date: 2023-08-23
Publication date: 2023-09-07
Also published as: AU2016210764A1

Abstract

A dust extraction device for filtering air, the dust extraction device including a filter housing having at least one air filter, an inlet housing fluidly connected to the 5 filter housing, a fan assembly including a fan, a fan inlet and a fan outlet, the fan assembly fluidly connecting the filter housing to the fan outlet, and a support frame for supporting the filter housing, inlet housing and the fan assembly, the support frame having a plurality of extendable legs attached thereto, extendable between a raised position and a lowered position.

Description

DUST EXTRACTION DEVICE

FIELD OF INVENTION The present invention relates to a dust extraction device. The present invention has particular but not exclusive application for a mobile dust extraction device. Reference will be made in the specification to use of the invention for filtering air. This use is by way of example only and the invention is not limited to this use.

O BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Dust extraction systems are used to remove dust (including other airborne particulates) from an environment. Dust extraction is important as excess exposure to dust and particulates can cause illness and damage to lungs. Industrial premises such as factories that produce dust and airborne particulates typically have dedicated dust extraction systems. Dedicated dust extraction systems are generally large purpose built systems that extract dust and particulates from captured air and exhaust cleaned air. A problem with these dedicated systems is that that they are installed at a particular location. Being in a fixed location, the extraction systems cannot adequately service other nearby locations should the industrial processes be relocated or new processes commenced. These fixed extraction systems are not transportable. The fixed extraction systems also require significant cost and time to install and decommission.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to overcome or at least alleviate one or more of the above mentioned problems with dust extraction systems and/or provide the consumer with a useful or commercial choice.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In one aspect the present invention broadly resides in a dust extraction device for filtering air, the dust extraction device including: a filter housing having at least one air filter; an inlet housing fluidly connected to the filter housing; a fan assembly including a fan, a fan inlet and a fan outlet, the fan assembly fluidly connecting the filter housing to the fan outlet; and a support frame for supporting the filter housing, inlet housing and the fan assembly, the support frame having a plurality of extendable legs attached thereto, extendable between a raised position and a lowered position. Preferably each of the plurality of extendable legs are extendable in a vertical direction. Preferably each of the plurality of extendable legs are further extendable in a lateral direction relative to a longitudinal axis of the support frame. Preferably the plurality of extendable legs are hydraulically extended and retracted. Preferably the dust extraction device further includes a hydraulic pump. Preferably the hydraulic pump provides hydraulic force to extended and retracted the plurality of extendable legs. Preferably the plurality of extendable legs assist in loading and unloading the dust extraction device from a flatbed truck. Preferably the support frame has substantially the same base dimensions as a 20' intermodal container. Preferably the support frame is adapted to be transported on 20' intermodal container bolsters. Preferably the support frame complies with ISO standard 668. Preferably the support frame complies with ISO standard 1496-1. Preferably the support frame supports the hydraulic pump. Preferably the inlet housing includes at least one inlet for introducing air. Preferably the inlet housing includes at least one baffle plate. Preferably the at least one baffle plate deflects the introduced air. Preferably the at least one baffle plate is tilted in a backwards direction relative to the direction of flow of the introduced air through the at least one inlet. Preferably the dust extraction device further includes a hopper. Preferably the hopper is located beneath the inlet housing. Preferably the hopper is fluidly connected to the inlet housing. Preferably the hopper is located beneath the filter housing. Preferably the hopper is fluidly connected to the filter housing. More preferably the hopper is located beneath the inlet housing and the filter housing. Preferably the hopper has a separator that inhibits flow of air between the inlet housing and the filter housing via the hopper. Preferably the hopper collects dust that drops down from the inlet housing and from the filter housing. Preferably the dust extraction device further includes a conveyor. Preferably the conveyor is located below the hopper. Preferably the conveyor is fluidly connected to the hopper. Preferably the conveyor is adapted to convey dust collected by the hopper towards a discharge outlet. Preferably the discharge outlet discharges dust from the dust extraction device. Preferably the conveyor is an auger conveyor. Preferably the conveyor is hydraulically driven. Preferably a valve is located between the conveyor and the discharge outlet. Preferably the valve inhibits air from being introduced into the dust extraction device via the discharge port. Preferably the valve is a rotary valve. Preferably the fan is driven by a motor. Preferably the motor is a diesel motor. Preferably the diesel motor is a variable speed diesel motor. Alternatively, the motor may be a hydraulic motor, electric motor, internal combustion motor, or the like. Preferably the fan produces a vacuum to move air through the dust extraction device. Preferably the fan is a centrifugal fan. Preferably each of the at least one air filter is a fibrous media filter. More preferably each of the at least one air filter is a pleated fibrous media filter. For example, each of the at least one air filter may be a pleated paper air filter. Preferably the dust extraction device further includes an air compressor. Preferably the air compressor is located in an air compressor housing. Preferably the air compressor provides compressed air which is blown across the at least one air filter to displace dust that has been filtered from the air. Preferably the displaced dust drops down to the hopper. Preferably the dust extraction device further includes a computer processing unit (CPU). Preferably the CPU is located in a control housing. Preferably the CPU is adapted to control and monitor the dust extraction device. Preferably the CPU is adapted to control the fan. More preferably the CPU is adapted to control the motor that drives the fan. Preferably the CPU is adapted to control the plurality of extendable legs. Preferably the CPU is adapted to control the conveyor. Preferably the CPU is adapted to control the valve. Preferably the CPU is adapted to control the air compressor. Preferably the CPU is adapted to monitor the fan. More preferably the CPU is adapted to monitor at least one sensor attached to the fan. Preferably the CPU is adapted to monitor an emission sensor. Preferably the emission sensor is located in the fan outlet. Preferably the emission sensor is a broken bag detector. Preferably the CPU is adapted to monitor the at least one air filter. Preferably the CPU is adapted to monitor airflow through the dust extraction device. Preferably the dust extraction device includes differential pressure sensors.

Preferably the differential pressure sensors are located before and after the at least one air filter to indicate if the at least one air filter is blocked. In a further aspect the present invention broadly resides in a dust extraction device described above for filtering air, the dust extraction device including: a filter housing having at least one air filter; an inlet housing fluidly connected to the filter housing; a fan assembly including a fan, a fan inlet and a fan outlet, the fan assembly fluidly connecting the filter housing to the fan outlet; and a support frame for supporting the filter housing, inlet housing and the fan assembly, the support frame having a plurality of extendable legs attached thereto, extendable between a raised position and a lowered position, wherein in use, the plurality of extendable legs support the dust extraction device on a ground surface, and wherein the fan moves air from the inlet housing through the filter housing, through the fan inlet and out through the fan outlet, and wherein the at least one air filter filters the air. In a further aspect the present invention broadly resides in a method of filtering air, including the steps of: positioning a dust extraction device in a desired location; extending a plurality of extendable legs attached to the dust extraction device to support the dust extraction device on a ground surface; introducing air into the dust extraction device; and moving the air through a filter housing having at least one air filter to filter the air. Preferably the step of positioning a dust extraction device in a desired location further includes using a vehicle to position the dust extraction device in the desired location. Preferably the vehicle is a flatbed truck. Preferably the step of extending a plurality of extendable legs attached to the dust extraction device to support the dust extraction device on a ground surface further includes extending the plurality of extendable legs to lift the dust extraction device off the vehicle. Preferably the method further includes the step of removing the vehicle from underneath the dust extraction device. Preferably the method further includes the step of diverting the introduced air using a baffle plate.

Preferably the step of moving the air through a filter housing having at least one air filter to filter the air includes using a fan to move the air. Preferably the fan is a centrifugal fan. The features described with respect to one aspect also apply where applicable to all other aspects of the invention. Furthermore, different combinations of described features are herein described and claimed even when not expressly stated.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In order that the present invention can be more readily understood reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings which illustrate a preferred embodiment of the invention and wherein: Figure 1 is an isometric front view of a dust extraction device according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 is an isometric rear view of the dust extraction device of Figure 1; Figure 3 is an isometric front view of the dust extraction device of Figure 1 with movable legs extended; and Figure 4 is schematic side view of an inlet housing according to an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT With reference to Figures 1 and 2 there is shown a dust extraction device 10. The dust extraction device 10 has an inlet housing 12, having two inlets 14. The inlet housing 12 is fluidly connected to a filter housing 16 containing air filters (not shown). The filter housing 16 is fluidly connected to a fan inlet 18 of a fan in the form of a centrifugal fan 20, which is fluidly connected to a fan outlet in the form of an exhaust 22. A hopper 24 is located beneath the inlet housing 12 and the filter housing 16 and fluidly connected to both the inlet housing 12 and the filter housing 16. A conveyor in the form of an auger conveyor 26 is located beneath the hopper 24. The auger conveyor 26 is connected to a discharge port 28 via a rotary valve 30.

A motor in the form of a diesel motor 32 drives the centrifugal fan 20. The dust extraction device 10 has an air compressor 34. The air compressor 34 is fluidly connected to the filter housing 16. The use of the air compressor 34 will be explained in greater detail below. The dust extraction device 10 has a frame 36. The frame 36 supports the inlet housing 12, the filter housing 16, the centrifugal fan 20, the hopper 24, the auger conveyor 26, the diesel motor 32 and the air compressor 34. The frame 36 has substantially the same base dimensions as a 20' intermodal container. The dust extraction device 10 has extendable legs 38 attached to the frame 36. Each of the extendable legs has an upper portion 40 and a lower portion 42 which extends downwardly from the upper portion. The extendable legs 38 also have a lateral extending portions 44, which are adapted to extend the extendable legs 38 in a lateral direction relative to a longitudinal axis (not shown) of the frame 36 (the lateral extending portions 44 will be described in more detail with reference to Figure 4 below). The dust extraction device 10 has a hydraulic assembly 46. The hydraulic assembly 46 provides hydraulic power to the extendable legs 38. The dust extraction device 10 has a CPU in the form of a control unit 48. The control unit 48 controls the diesel motor 32, which drives the centrifugal fan 20. The control unit 48 controls the auger conveyor 26 and the rotary valve 30. The control unit 48 controls the hydraulic assembly 46, which in turn controls the extendable legs 38. The control unit 48 controls the air compressor 34. The control unit 48 monitors the centrifugal fan 20 using a sensor (not shown) to determine if the centrifugal fan 20 is rotating. The control unit 48 monitors the air leaving the exhaust 22 using an emission sensor (not shown). The control unit 48 monitors the air filters (not shown) using sensors (not shown) which measures the amount of dust on the air filters. In use with reference to Figures 1-2, the centrifugal fan 20 is driven by the diesel motor 32 to move air to be filtered through the inlets 14, through the inlet housing 12, through the filter housing 16 and through the air filters (not shown), through the fan inlet 18, through the centrifugal fan 20 and out through the exhaust 22. As the air moves through the inlet housing 12, heavier particles of dust that drop down are collected by the hopper 24. As the air moves through the air filters (not shown) in the filter housing 16, the dust that is filtered by the air filters (not shown) and drops down is collected by the hopper 24. The dust collected by the hopper 24 is funneled down to the auger conveyor 26, which conveys the dust to the discharge port 28. The rotary valve 30 enables the dust to discharge from the discharge port 28 while inhibiting air from being sucked into the dust extraction device 10 via the discharge port 28. As dust collects on the air filters (not shown), compressed air from the air compressor 34 is blown across the air filters (not shown) to dislodge the dust. The dislodged dust then falls down towards the hopper 24. With reference to Figure 3, there is shown the dust extraction device 10 of Figures 1 and 2 with the extendable legs 38 extended. The extendable legs 38 are extended in both the vertical direction and in the lateral direction. The lateral extending portions 44 each have an inner portion 50 and outer portions 52 which extend laterally from the respective inner portion 50. The outer portions 52 are attached to the upper portions 40 of each respective extendable leg 38. Hydraulic rams (not shown) extend and retract extendable the legs 38 in both the vertical and lateral directions. In use, with reference to figure 3, after the dust extraction device 10 has been moved into a predetermined location by a flatbed truck (not shown), the extendable legs 38 are extended in both the vertical and lateral directions, lifting the dust extraction device off the flatbed of the truck (not shown). The flatbed truck (not shown) can then drive away, leaving the dust extraction device 10 in the predetermined location. It will be appreciated that this can also occur in reverse enabling the flatbed truck (not shown) to drive the dust extraction device away from the predetermined location. With reference to Figure 4, there is shown a side view of the inlet housing 12. The inlet housing 12 has a baffle plate 54 (shown in dotted line format). The baffle plate 54 is tilted towards the inlets 14 of the inlet housing 12. In use with reference to Figure 4, the air entering the inlet housing 12 through inlets 14 (indicated by arrow 60) is deflected by the baffle plate 54. Heavy dust particles (indicated by arrow 62) drop towards the bottom of the inlet housing 12 and into the hopper 24 (best seen in figure 1). Lighter dust particles (as indicated by arrow 64 are carried by the air over the baffle plate 54 and leave the inlet housing 12 (as indicated by arrow 66). The lighter dust particles are then filtered by air filters (not shown) in the filter housing 16 (best seen in figures 1-3).

ADVANTAGES An advantage of the preferred embodiment of the dust extraction system includes that the dust extraction system can be easily transported and can be operational in a very short period of time. An advantage of having a diesel or petrol motor powering the fan is that the dust extraction system does not require an external power supply such as a mains connection.

VARIATIONS It will of course be realised that while the foregoing has been given by way of illustrative example of this invention, all such and other modifications and variations thereto as would be apparent to persons skilled in the art are deemed to fall within the broad scope and ambit of this invention as is herein set forth. Throughout the description and claims of this specification the word "comprise" and variations of that word such as "comprises" and "comprising", are not intended to exclude other additives, components, integers or steps.

Claims

1. A dust extraction device for filtering air, the dust extraction device including: a filter housing having at least one air filter; an inlet housing fluidly connected to the filter housing; a fan assembly including a fan, a fan inlet and a fan outlet, the fan assembly fluidly connecting the filter housing to the fan outlet; and a support frame for supporting the filter housing, inlet housing and the fan assembly, the support frame having a plurality of extendable legs attached thereto, extendable between a raised position and a lowered position.

2. A dust extraction device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the inlet housing includes at least one baffle plate.

3. A dust extraction device as claimed in claim 1, further including a hopper, an auger conveyor and a discharge port, wherein in use the hopper funnels dust from the inlet housing and the filter housing to the auger conveyor and the auger conveyor conveys the dust to the discharge port.

4. A dust extraction device as claimed in claim 3, further including a valve located between the auger conveyor and the discharge port.

5. A dust extraction device as claimed in claim 4, wherein the valve is a rotary valve.

6. A dust extraction device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the plurality of extendable legs are extendable in a vertical direction.

7. A dust extraction device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the plurality of extendable legs are further extendable in a lateral direction relative to a longitudinal axis of the support frame.

8. A dust extraction device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the fan is driven by a motor.

9. A dust extraction device as claimed in claim 8, wherein the motor is a diesel motor.

10. A dust extraction device for filtering air, the dust extraction device including: a filter housing having at least one air filter; an inlet housing fluidly connected to the filter housing; a fan assembly including a fan, a fan inlet and a fan outlet, the fan assembly fluidly connecting the filter housing to the fan outlet; and a support frame for supporting the filter housing, inlet housing and the fan assembly, the support frame having a plurality of extendable legs attached thereto, extendable between a raised position and a lowered position, wherein in use, the plurality of extendable legs support the dust extraction device on a ground surface, and wherein the fan moves air from the inlet housing through the filter housing, through the fan inlet and out through the fan outlet, and wherein the at least one air filter filters the air.

11. A dust extraction device as claimed in claim 10, further including an air compressor, wherein the air compressor provides compressed air which is blown across the at least one air filter to displace dust that has been filtered from the air.

12. A dust extraction device as claimed in claim 10, further including at least one baffle plate located in the inlet housing, wherein the at least one baffle plate deflects the air as it moves through the inlet housing.

13. A dust extraction device as claimed in claim 10, further including a computer processing unit which controls the plurality of extendable legs and the fan.

14. A method of filtering air, including the steps of: positioning a dust extraction device in a desired location; extending a plurality of extendable legs attached to the dust extraction device to support the dust extraction device on a ground surface; introducing air into the dust extraction device; and moving the air through a filter housing having at least one air filter to filter the air.

15. A method as claimed in claim 14, wherein the step of positioning a dust extraction device in a desired location further includes using a vehicle to position the dust extraction device in the desired location.

16. A method as claimed in claim 15, wherein the step of extending a plurality of extendable legs attached to the dust extraction device to support the dust extraction device on a ground surface further includes extending the plurality of extendable legs to lift the dust extraction device off the vehicle.

17. A method as claimed in claim 16, further including the step of removing the vehicle from underneath the dust extraction device.

18. A method as claimed in claim 14, further including the step of diverting the introduced air using a baffle plate.

19. A method as claimed in claim 14, wherein the step of moving the air through a filter housing having at least one air filter to filter the air includes using a fan to move the air.

20. A method as claimed in claim 19, wherein the fan is a centrifugal fan.