Patent Application
20210086582
The present invention relates to an air treatment apparatus, in particular for an air treatment apparatus for an operator environment or cab of an agricultural vehicle or a similar vehicle.
Agricultural vehicles are known to operate in environments in which many different kinds of particulate or contaminant are present. This creates a requirement for filtration of the air for operators of such vehicles when in use. The particulates may be of different sizes and of different natures, for example larger particulates such as dust, pollen and the like and smaller contaminants such as fumes, aerosols and vapours.
It is known to provide separate air filters to provide selective filtering of the air supply to a vehicle operator. For example a first filter may be used when the predominant contaminant in the working environment of the agricultural vehicle is relatively large (for example when traversing a field) and a second filter is used when the predominant contaminant in the working environment is relatively small (for example when applying a herbicide, pesticide or similar).
Also, legislation in various countries now requires the use of filters of a particular rating to filter out particular contaminants from the air introduced into the operator environment or cabin of the agricultural vehicle. For example in the EU, EU Standard EN 15695 provides for four categories of filter for cabin protection, where Category 2 protects only against dust but does not protect against aerosols and vapours, Category 3 protects against dust and aerosol, but not vapours and Category 4 protects against dust, aerosols and vapours. In this context, Category 3 filters tend to be more expensive than Category 2 filters, with Category 4 being most expensive. Accordingly, it is beneficial to the working life of the higher rated filters if they can be cleaned rather than replaced. It is a further advantage if such filters can be cleaned when in service on the agricultural vehicle rather than being removed while being cleaned (requiring replacement during cleaning or enforced downtime of the agricultural vehicle).
According to a first aspect of the present invention, an air treatment apparatus for an operator environment of an agricultural vehicle in which air to be filtered is drawn into an air filtration system, filtered and directed to an agricultural vehicle HVAC system, the HVAC system comprising an inlet plenum, a blower, other HVAC components and an outlet to the operator environment, further comprises at least one external inlet, a first filtration device having a first coarser level of filtration located between the external inlet and the HVAC inlet plenum, a second filtration device having a second finer level of filtration located between the or a further external inlet and the HVAC inlet plenum, an air filtration system blower connected to the HVAC inlet plenum, the air treatment apparatus being characterised in that the air filtration system further comprises a single valve mechanism selectively to connect either the first filtration device to the HVAC inlet plenum or the second filtration device to the inlet plenum of the HVAC system such that in use an air flow is directed from one or the other of the filtration devices to the HVAC inlet plenum.
Preferably the air treatment apparatus further comprises a bypass connected at a second end adjacent the second filtration device such that in use when the single valve mechanism connects the first filtration device to the HVAC inlet plenum a portion of an air flow through the air treatment apparatus is redirected to purge the second filtration device.
Using a single valve mechanism to manipulate the flow of air between each of the first filtration device and the second filtration device to the HVAC system as well as managing the air flow between the fresh air blower and the HVAC blower to enable cleaning of the second filtration device when the first filtration device is in use, has as an advantage the benefit of a simple construction. Other advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following description.
Preferably the second end of the bypass is located between the second filtration device and the single valve mechanism.
More preferably the single valve mechanism is located between the first filtration device and the second filtration device.
Preferably the first filtration device is adapted to filter only dust particles. Preferably the second filtration device is adapted to filter dust, aerosols and vapour.
Preferably the air filtration system blower is associated with the second filtration device, the second end of the bypass is connected between the air filtration system blower and the second filtration device and a first end of the bypass is located between the HVAC blower and the other HVAC components.
More preferably the single valve mechanism is located between the air filtration system blower and the HVAC inlet plenum.
Preferably the single valve mechanism is located between the first filtration device and the filtration system blower associated with the second filtration device.
Preferably a first end of the bypass is located between the HVAC blower and the other HVAC components.
Alternatively the air filtration system blower is located between the single valve mechanism and the HVAC inlet plenum.
Preferably the first end of the bypass is located between the second filtration device and the single valve mechanism.
More preferably, the second end of the bypass is connected to the air filtration system blower.
According to a second aspect of the present invention a method of operation of an air filtration apparatus in accordance with the first aspect of the invention is provided for.
According to third aspect of the present invention an agricultural vehicle comprises an operator environment and an air filtration apparatus in accordance with the first aspect of the invention.
The invention will now be described, by way of example only, in which
The invention will now be described in the following detailed description with reference to the drawings, wherein preferred embodiments are described in detail to enable practice of the invention. Although the invention is described with reference to these specific preferred embodiments, it will be understood that the invention is not limited to these preferred embodiments. But to the contrary, the invention includes numerous alternatives, modifications and equivalents as will become apparent from consideration of the following detailed description.
With reference to
An external inlet 6 is shown feeding a first vent or duct 8 and a second vent or duct 10 by which air to be filtered is drawn into the filtration system. In an alternative embodiment (not shown) the first and second vents or ducts 8,10 may be provided with individual external inlets. The external inlet 6 may conveniently be located in a roof housing of the cabin of the agricultural vehicle.
The first vent or duct 8 is directed to a first filtration device 12 having a first coarser level of filtration. The first filtration device 12 is conveniently suitable for extracting dust particles and the like from the externally fed air. By way of example, this may be a Category 2 dust filter. The first filtration device 12 is provided with an outlet 14. The outlet 14 is connected to a first inlet side of a valve mechanism 22.
The second vent or duct 10 is directed to a second filtration device 16 having a second finer level of filtration. The second filtration device 16 is conveniently suitable for extracting dust, aerosols, vapour and the like from the externally fed air. By way of example, this may be a Category 4 filter. The second filtration device 16 is provided with an outlet 18. An air filtration system blower 20, conveniently a fresh air blower, is associated with the second filtration device 16. The air filtration system blower 20 is provided with an inlet connected to the outlet 18 of the second filtration device 16 and an outlet connected to a second inlet side of the valve mechanism 22.
The valve mechanism 22 is provided with an outlet conduit 24. The valve mechanism allows air flow from the second filtration device 16 to the outlet conduit 24 while isolating the first filtration device 12 or, alternatively allows air flow from the first filtration device 12 to the outlet conduit 24 while isolating the second filtration device 16.
The valve mechanism 22 may be operated by any convenient means, for example automatically following a suitable signal received from a suitable sensor, automatically following actuation of a suitable device for example a sprayer, or by the direct action of a driver actuating suitable means within the cab.
In
The HVAC system typically includes additional components 28 downstream of the blower 26, such as by way of example a evaporator and a heater. The HVAC blower 26 is provided with a connecting conduit 30 to direct the air flow through the other components before delivery to the cabin by way of a cabin air supply duct 32.
A first end of a bypass channel or passage 34 is connected to the connecting conduit 30. A second end of the bypass channel or passage 34 is located between the second filtration device 16 and the associated air filtration system blower 20.
A further air recirculation path is provided by a conduit (not shown) extending between the cabin and the outlet conduit 24.
The typical operating position of the valve mechanism 22 is that shown in
To adopt the configuration shown in
Due to an overpressure created in this situation on the HVAC system side, some of the air drawn into the HVAC system will recirculate through the bypass 34 (arrow C) into the region between the second filtration device 16 and the air filtration system blower 20 to mix with the freshly filtered air from the second filtration device 16 before being drawn by the air filtration system blower 20 toward the HVAC blower.
Once the need to extract aerosols, vapour and the like has passed, the valve mechanism 22 is caused to adopt the position shown in
Air is drawn into the air filtration system through the first vent or duct 8 (arrow A) and directed through the first filtration device 12 to remove dust and the like entrained in the air. The air passes through the valve mechanism 22 to the outlet conduit 24 and most is then drawn by the HVAC system blower 26 into the HVAC system and out through the cabin air supply duct 32 (arrow B).
In addition, again due to the overpressure a portion of the air drawn into the HVAC system is drawn or recirculated through the bypass channel or passage 34 (arrow C) to the region between the second filtration unit 16 and the air filtration system blower 20, where, due to sealing of the fresh air blower in its inactive state, the recirculated air is directed back through the second filtration device 16, thereby removing trapped dust, vapour and aerosol particles and the like from the second filtration device 16 and directing these back out through vent or duct 10.
This has as an advantage that the air filtered by the first filtration device 12 is used to clean the second filtration device 16. It can be seen that the second filtration device 16 is being cleaned whenever the first filtration device 12 is in operation. It is a further advantage, with the first filtration device 12 connected to the HVAC system and the air filtration system blower 20 associated with the second filtration device 16 inactive, that the use of the portion of the treated air to clean the second filtration device 16 results in a gentler cleaning action than if the air filtration system blower associated with the second filtration device 16 is reversed to drive air back through the second filtration device 16. This results in a prolonged life for the second filtration device 16.
A second embodiment of an air treatment apparatus in accordance with the present invention is shown in
An external inlet 6 is shown feeding a first vent or duct 8 and a second vnt or duct 10 by which air to be filtered is drawn into the filtration system. In an alternative embodiment (not shown) the first and second vents or ducts 8,10 may be provided with individual external inlets. The external inlet 6 may conveniently be located in a roof housing of the cabin of the agricultural vehicle.
The first vent or duct 8 is directed to a first filtration device 12 having a first coarser level of filtration. The first filtration device 12 is conveniently suitable for extracting dust particles and the like from the externally fed air. By way of example, this may be a Category 2 dust filter. The first filtration device 12 is provided with an outlet 14. The outlet 14 is connected to a first inlet side of a valve mechanism 22.
The second vent or duct 10 is directed to a second filtration device 16 having a second finer level of filtration. The second filtration device 16 is conveniently suitable for extracting dust, aerosols, vapour and the like from the externally fed air. By way of example, this may be a Category 4 filter. The second filtration device 16 is provided with an outlet 18. The outlet 18 of the second filtration device 16 is connected to second inlet side of the valve mechanism 22.
The valve mechanism 22 is provided with an outlet conduit 24. The outlet conduit 24 is connected to an air filtration system blower, conveniently a fresh air blower 20. IN this embodiment, the fresh air blower is always on while air is being filtered The valve mechanism allows air flow from the second filtration device 16 to the outlet conduit 24 while isolating the first filtration device 12 or, alternatively allows air flow from the first filtration device 12 to the outlet conduit 24 while isolating the second filtration device 16.
The valve mechanism 22 may be operated by any convenient means, for example automatically following a suitable signal received from a suitable sensor, automatically following actuation of a suitable device for example a sprayer, or by the direct action of a driver actuating suitable means within the cab.
In
Additional HVAC components 28 such as by way of example a evaporator and a heater are typically provided downstream of the HVAC blower 26. The HVAC blower 26 is provided with a connecting conduit 30 to direct the air flow through the other components before delivery to the cabin by way of a cabin air supply duct 32.
A first end of a bypass channel or passage 34 is connected to the connecting conduit 30. A second end of the bypass channel or passage 34 is located between the second filtration device 16 and the valve mechanism 22.
A further air recirculation path is provided by a conduit (not shown) extending between the cabin and the outlet conduit 24.
The typical operating position of the valve mechanism 22 is that shown in
To adopt the configuration shown in
Some of the air drawn into the HVAC system will recirculate through the bypass 34 (arrow C) to the region between the second filtration device 16 and the valve mechanism 22 to mix with the freshly filtered air from the second filtration device 16 before being drawn again by the fresh air blower 20 toward the HVAC blower.
Once the need to extract aerosols, vapour and the like has passed, the valve mechanism 22 is caused to adopt the position shown in
Air is drawn into the air filtration system through the first vent or duct 8 (arrow A) and directed through the first filtration device 12 to remove dust and the like entrained in the air. The air passes through the valve mechanism 22 to the outlet conduit 24 through the fresh air blower 20 and then drawn by the HVAC system blower 26 into the HVAC system and out through the cabin air supply duct 32 (arrow B).
Additionally, a portion of the air drawn into the HVAC system is drawn to be recirculated back through the bypass channel or passage 34 (arrow C) to the region between the second filtration unit 16 and the valve mechanism 22, where the recirculated air is directed back through the second filtration device 16, thereby removing trapped dust, vapour and aerosol particles and the like from the second filtration device 16 and directing these back out through vent or duct 10.
A third embodiment of an air treatment apparatus in accordance with the present invention is shown in
An external inlet 6 is shown feeding a first vent or duct 8 and a second vent or duct 10 by which air to be filtered is drawn into the filtration system. In an alternative embodiment (not shown) the first and second vents or ducts 8,10 may be provided with individual external inlets. The external inlet 6 may conveniently be located in a roof housing of the cabin of the agricultural vehicle.
The first vent or duct 8 is directed to a first filtration device 12 having a first coarser level of filtration. The first filtration device 12 is conveniently suitable for extracting dust particles and the like from the externally fed air. By way of example, this may be a Category 2 dust filter. The first filtration device 12 is provided with an outlet 14. The outlet 14 is connected to a first inlet side of a valve mechanism 22.
The second vent or duct 10 is directed to a second filtration device 16 having a second finer level of filtration. The second filtration device 16 is conveniently suitable for extracting dust, aerosols, vapour and the like from the externally fed air. By way of example, this may be a Category 4 filter. The second filtration device 16 is provided with an outlet 18. The outlet 18 of the second filtration device 16 is connected to a second inlet side of the valve mechanism 22.
The valve mechanism 22 is provided with an outlet conduit 24. The outlet conduit is connected to a blower mechanism 20, conveniently a fresh air blower.
The valve mechanism allows air flow from the second filtration device 16 to the outlet conduit 24 while isolating the first filtration device 12 or, alternatively allows air flow from the first filtration device 12 to the outlet conduit 24 while isolating the second filtration device 16.
The valve mechanism 22 may be operated by any convenient means, for example automatically following a suitable signal received from a suitable sensor, automatically following actuation of a suitable device for example a sprayer, or by the direct action of a driver actuating suitable means within the cab.
In
The HVAC system typically includes additional components 28, such as by way of example a evaporator and a heater, downstream of the blower 26. The HVAC blower 26 is provided with a connecting conduit 30 to direct the air flow through the other components before delivery to the cabin by way of a cabin air supply duct 32.
A first end of a bypass channel or passage 34 is connected to the fresh air blower 20. A second end of the bypass channel or passage 34 is located between the second filtration device 16 and the valve mechanism 22.
A further air recirculation path is provided by a conduit (not shown) extending between the cabin and the outlet conduit 24.
The typical operating position of the valve mechanism 22 is that shown in
To adopt the configuration shown in
Some of the air drawn into the HVAC system will recirculate through the bypass 34 (arrow C) to the region between the second filtration device 16 and the valve mechanism 22 to mix with the freshly filtered air from the second filtration device 16 before being drawn again by the fresh air blower 20 as described above.
Once the need to extract aerosols, vapour and the like has passed, the valve mechanism 22 is caused to adopt the position shown in
Air is drawn into the air filtration system through the first vent or duct 8 (arrow A) and directed through the first filtration device 12 to remove dust and the like entrained in the air. The air passes through the valve mechanism 22 to the outlet conduit 24 through the fresh air blower 20 and then drawn by the HVAC system blower 26 into the HVAC system and out through the cabin air supply duct 32 (arrow B).
However, a portion of the air drawn into the HVAC system is drawn through the bypass channel or passage 34 (arrow C) to the region between the second filtration unit 16 and the valve mechanism 22, where the recirculated air is directed back through the second filtration device 16, thereby removing trapped dust, vapour and aerosol particles and the like from the second filtration device 16 and directing these back out through vent or duct 10.
From reading the present disclosure, other modifications will be apparent to persons skilled in the art.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1721497.4 | Dec 2017 | GB | national |
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/EP2018/082726 | 11/27/2018 | WO | 00 |
