Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
~ 7~9~
The present invention relates to a dust separator
apparatus with a noise attenuation device.
Further, the present invention relates to apparatus
for separating particulates from a gas stream having a separated
gas outflow control with means for disturbing the flow of in-
coming dirty gas so as to attenuate noise created by the gas
stream. More particularly, dust separating apparatus of the
louvre-type wherein dust is separated from the dirty gas stream
th~ough louvres disposed to abruptly change the direction of
flow of the dirty gas stream and having means for creating a
turbulent flow in the stream of dirty gas upstream of the louvres
and attenuating noise created by the gas stream.
Various louvre-type dust separating devices are gen-
erally known, and a particular louvre-type dust separator which
functions particularly well is disclosed in U.S. Patent 3,155,474,
issued on ~ovember 3, 1974 to R.W. Sexton. This separator is
comprised of a casing having a dirty gas inlet at one end, a
particulate matter outlet at the other end, and converging lou-
vred side walls which converge toward each other in a direction
from the dirty gas inlet toward the particulate matter outlet.
In addition, the separator has a partition intermediate the
louvred side walls to divide the casing into two adjacent con-
verging dirty gas stream passages.
While this separator functions particularly well for
separating particulate matter from a gas stream, a noise is
generated at some gas flow rates by the gas flowing through the
louvred side walls. Under some conditions, this noise may be
objectionable although it is not harmful.
One application for this louvre-type dust separator
is for the air intakes of Diesel motors used in railroad engines. -
Typically, railroad engines are rarely turned off even while
the railroad engine is inactively sitting in a railroad yard,
r ~,~
.
.. . . . .
Y99~ ~
~. .
but the motor throttle is set at an idle position. Under some
conditions, a noise is generated by the air passing through the
louvred walls of the dust separator which can be heard over the
sound of the idling Diesel motor by persons near the railroad
engine.
The present invention recognizes the problem of noise
generation in louvre-type dust separators and provides a solu- .
tion which is straightforward and economical, requires virtually : : ~
no maintenance and which does not adversely effect the separation .~-
efficiency of the dust separatorO ~;~
More particularly, the present invention provides an
apparatus for separating particulate matter from a gas stream,
comprising: a housing defining at least one converging dirty ~ -
gas passageway with a dirty gas inlet at the other end, louvres
formed in at least one wall of the housing defining the passage-
way; and means for creating turbulence in the dirty gas stream
as it flows in the converging dirty gas passageway to attenuate
noise generated by the dirty gas stream.
Several advantageous embodiments of the present
invention are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein
like numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views,
and in which:
Figure 1 is a partially broken away isometric view
illustrating one embodiment of the present
invention installed in an apparatus for
separating particulate matter from a gas
stream,
Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view taken in the
direction of arrows 2-2 in Figure 1,
Figure 3 is an isometric view of another advantageous
embodiment of the present inventlon,
Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view taken in the
~1!379~9
direction of arrows ~-4 in Figure 3,
Figure 5 is an isometric view of another advantageous : embodiment of the present invention,
Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view taken in the
direction of arrows 6-6 in Figure 5,
Figure 7 is an isometric view of another advan-
tageous embodiment of the present inven-
tion, :
Figure 8 is an isometric view illustrating another
advantageous embodiment of the present
invention installed in an apparatus for
separating particulate matter from an
air stream, ~.
Figure 9 is a cross-sectional view taken in the
direction of arrows 9-9 in Figure 8;
Figure 10 is an isometric:.view of another advan- ;
tageous embodiment of the present inven-
tion;
Figure 11 is a cross-sectional view taken in the
direction of arrows 11-11 in Figure 10,
Figure 12 is an isometric view of another advan-
tageous embodiment of the present in-
vention'
Figure 13 is a cross-sectional view taken in the
direction of arrows 13 - 13 in Figure 12,
Figure 14 is an isometric view of another advan-
tageous embodiment of the present
invention;
Figure 15 is a cross-sectional view taken in the
direction of arrows 15 - 15 in Figure
14,
Figure 16 is an isometric view of another advan-
tageous embodiment of the present invention,
-- 3
' ,
~ 3,9
Figure 17 is an isometric view of another advanta-
yeous embodiment of the present inven-
tion, .
Figure 18 is an isometric view of another advan-
tageous embodiment of the present in-
vention,
Figure 19 is a cross-sectional view taken in
the direction of arrows 19-19 in Fig-
ure 18,
Figure 20 is an isometric view of another advan- `~
tageous embodiment of the present in-
vention,
Figure 21 is a partially broken away isometric
view illustrating another advantageous
- embodiment of the present invention
installed in an apparatus for separat-
ing particulate matter from a gas ~ .
stream,
Figure 22 is a cross-sectional view taken in the
direction of arrows 22-22 in Figure 21;
Figure 23 is an isometric view of another advanta-
geous embodiment of the present inven-
tion,
Figure 24 is a cross-sectional view taken in the
direction of arrows 24-24 in Figure 23,
Figure 25 is an isometric view of yet another
advantageous embodiment of the present
invention;
Figure 26 is a cross-sectional view taken in the
direction of arrows 26-26 in Figure
25, and,
Figure 27 is an isometric view of the advantageous
-- 4 --
:
79~9
embodiment of Figures 25 and 26 installed
on a wall of an apparatus for separating
particulate matter from a gas stream.
Referring to Figures 1 and 2, there is shown appara- ~
tus 10 for separating particulate matter from a gas. Apparatus :.
of this general type are well known in the art and comprise a
casing having spaced end walls 14 and spaced converging side -
walls 16 and 18 defining a converging dirty air passageway 20.
The upstream edges of the four adjoining walls 14, 16 and 18
define the perimeter of a dirty gas inlet 22 and the downstream
edges define the perimeter of a particulate matter outlet 24. . -
It is to be noted that the side walls 16 and 18 converge toward
each other in the direction of the particulate outlet 24, thus,
forming a diminishing flow area for the gases and solids passing
therethrough. The side wall 18 further comprises spaced louvres
26 which longitudinally extend transverse to the direction of
gas flow from the dirty gas inlet 22. These spaced louvres 26
define a clean gas outlet 28 between each adjacent louvre. As .
can be best seen in Figure 2, each of the louvres is inclined to
the plane of the wall 18 in a direction generally counter the :.
flow of incoming dirty gas through the dirty gas inlet 22. This
orientation of the louvres 26 produces an abrupt change in the
direction of the dirty gas stream flowing in the passageway 20,
thus, centrifugalizing the particulate matter from the gas ..
stream.
The wa~1 16 comprises means, generally denoted as
the numeral 30, for creating a turbulence in the dirty gas
stream.
With continued reference to Figures 1 and 2, the
turbulent creating means 30 comprises a plurality of spaced apart
projections 32 disposed in a row transverse to the air stream
and extending in a row at an obtuse angle into the dirty gas
9~t9
stream from a location proximate the upstream edge of the wall
16.
Another advantageous embo~iment of the turbulent flow
creating means 30 is shown in Figures 3 and 4 as comprises a
plurality of spaced apart projections 132 disposed in a row
transverse to the dirty gas stream and extending at an obtuse
angle into the dirty gas stream from a location between the
upstream edge and the downstream edge of the wall 16.
Turning to Figures 5 and 6 which show another
embodiment of the turbulent flow creating means 30 comprising
the row of spaced apart projections 32 and the row of spaced
apart projections 132 disposed in spaced parallel relationship.
Figure 7 illustrates the turbulent flow creating
means 30 as comprising a plurality of spaced apart projections
232 extending at an obtuse angle into the dirty gas stream from
various locations over the entire planar face of the wall 16.
Figures 8 and 9 illustrate the apparatus 10 having
turbulent flow creating means 30 comprisiny a plurality of spaced
apart projections 332 disposed in a row transverse to the air
stream and extending at an acute angle into the dirty gas stream
from a location proximate the upstream edge of the wall 16.
Figures 10 and 11 illustrate another advantageous
embodiment of the turbulent flow creating means 30 as comprising
a plurality of spaced apart projections 432 disposed in a row
transverse to the air stream and extending at an acute angle
to the dirty gas stream from a location between the upstream
edge and the downstream edge of the wall 16.
Figures 12 and 13 illustrate the turbulent flow
creating means 30 as comprising the row of spaced apart projec-
tions 332 and the row of spaced apart projections 432 disposed
in spaced parallel relationship.
Figures 14 and 15 show the turbulent flow creating
means 30 as comprising a pIurality of spaced projections 532
- 6 -
' ' . . ,':-.- . , . . , , . :':'
~ 9
disposed in a row transverse to the dirty gas stream and extend-
ing at a right angle to the planar face of the wall 16 into the
dirty gas stream from a location proximate the upstream edge
of the wall 16.
Figure 16 illustrates the turbulent flow creating
means 30 as comprising a plurality of spaced apart projections
632 disp.osed in a row transverse to the dirty gas stream and each
extending at a right angle to the planar face of the wall 16 into
the dirty gas stream from a location between the upstream and
downstream edges of the wall 16.
Figure 17 illustrates the turbulent flow creating
means 30 as comprising both the row of spaced apart projections
532 and the row of spaced apart projections 632 in spaced paral-
lel relationship.
Turning now to Figures 18 and 19, there is shown
another advantageous embodiment of the turbulent flow creating
means comprising a row of spaced apart projections 732. In this
embodiment the planar surface of each projection 732 is trans-
versely inclined or tilted relative to the direction of flow of
dirty gas as well as projecting longitudinally into the dirty
gas stream at a predetermined angle to the planar surface of the
wall 16.
Figure 20 illustrates a further advantageous embodi-
ment of the turbulent flow creating means 30 which comprises
a row of spaced apart projections 832. In this embodiment, each
projection 832 is twisted through a predetermined angle about
its longitudinal axis as well as projecting into the dirty gas
stream at a predetermined angle to the planar surface of the
wall 16.
Referring to Figures 21 and 22, there is shown another
known form of an apparatus 110 for separating particulate matter
from a gas. Again, apparatus of this type are generally known
999
in the art and comprise a casing having spaced end walls 11~,
spaced converging side walls 115 and 118 and a partition wall 116
positioned generally centrally between the converging side walls
115, 118 and cooperating therewith to define two juxtaposed con-
verging dirty gas passageways 120 and 121. The upstream edges
of the four walls 114, 115 and 118, and the upstream edge of the
partition wall 116 define the perimeter of the dirty gas inlets
122 and 123 of the passageways 120 and 121, respectively. The
downstream edges of the four walls 114, 115 and 118, and the
downstream edge of the partition wall 116 define the perimeter
of the particulate matter outlet 124 and 125 of the passageways
120 and 121, respectively. The side wall 115 and 118 converge
toward each other in.the direction of t~e particulate matter
outlets 124 and 125, thus, forming a diminishing flow area for
the gases and solids passing through the passageways 120 and
121. The side walls 115 and 118 further comprise spaced louvres
126 which longitudinally extend transverse to the direction of
gas flow from the dirty inlets 122, 123. These spaced louvres
126 define clean gas outlets 128 between adjacent louvres. As
can be best seen in Figure 22, each of the louvres 126 is in-
clined to the plane of its respective wall 115 and 118 in a
direction generally counter the flow of incoming dirty gas
through the dirty gas inlets. This orientation of the louvres
126 pxoduces an abrupt change in the direction of the dirty
gas stream flowing in~the dirty gas passageways 120, 121, thus
; centrifugalizing particulate matter from the gas stream.
The partition wall 116 includes turbulent flow
creating means 30 comprising a plurality of spaced apart pro-
jections 932 disposed in a row transverse to the air stream.
and extending at an acute angle into the dirty air stream enter-
ing each passageway 120 and 121 from a location proximate the .
upstream edge of the partition wall 116. As a manufacturing
- 8 -
37~9
expedient, it will be noted that alternating projections extend -
into one passageway and the other projections extend into the
other passageway.
Figures 23 and 24 illustrate another advantageous
embodiment of the turbulent flow creating means 30 which com-
prises the row of spaced apart projections 932 and another row
of projections 1032 disposed parallel to the row of projections
932 and transversely to the dirty gas stream and extending at an
acute angle into the gas stream from a location between the
upstream edge and downstream edge of the partition wall 116.
Again, as a manufacturing expedient alternating projections ex-
tend into one passageway and the other projections extend into
the other passageway.
It should be clearly understood at this point that
any of the embodiments of the turbulent flow creating means :
illustrated in Figures 1 through 7 and 10 through 20 can be used
with the apparatus 110 which has two dirty gas passages just as
advantageously as with the apparatus 10 which has one dirty gas
passageway.
One means for forming the above-discussed projections
in the wall 16 and 116 proximate the upstream edge thereof is
to cut a plurality of parallel spaced apart slits open at one
end to the upstream edge of the wall and extending a predeter-
mined length therefrom thereby forming a plurality of tongues
between the slits. In the apparatus 10 comprising one dirty gas `
passageway alternating tongues are bent at a desired angle to
the wall 16 to project into the dirty gas passageway. In the
apparatus 110 comprising two dirty gas passageways, alternating
tongues ar~ bent at a predetermined angle to project into one
passageway and the other tongues are bent at a predetermined
angle to project into the other passageway. The slits can be
: conveniently cut into the wall 16 and 116 by any conventional
means such as a saw or die.
_ g _ : ~
~, .
: -
- : . . - :
.. ,
~L0~37999
The above~discussed advantageous embodiments of the
turbulent creating means 30 are conveniently formed in the
wall 16 and 116 during the manufacture oE an apparatus 10 or
110. However, the previously discussed turbulent flow creating
means 30 may not be so conveniently formed in already fabricated
apparatus 10 and 110.
Figures 25, 26, and 27 illustrate one advantageous
embodiment of the turbulent flow creating means 30 which can be
conveniently installed in the apparatus 10 or 110 in the field
without having to remove the apparatus from an installation.
The turbulent flow creating means 30 of Figures 25 - 27 is an
add-on device and comprises a generally U-shaped mounting body :
34 and a plurality of projections 35 formed in and disposed at
a predetermined angle to each leg 36 of-the mounting body 34.
Therefore, when this embodiment is installed in an apparatus
10 or 110, the projections will extend at a predetermined angle
into the dirty gas passageways. As can best be seen in Figure 27,
this embodiment is installed on the upstream edge of the wall
16 or 116 of the apparatus 10 or 110, respectively. To install
this embodiment, the channel 38 defined between the legs 36 is
placed in registration with the upstream edge of the wall 16,
116 and then displaced so that the upstream edge is received
therein. Any convention means can be used to secure this em-
bodiment to the wall 16, 116. For example, it can be screwed,
riveted or welded in place. One convenient means which has
been found is to stake the U-shaped mounting body 34 to the
wall 16. This involves using a sharp tool to cut small tabs
40 in the legs 36 and displacing the tabs 40 inwardly of the
wall so that the tabs 40 cut into the wall 16 and thereby tight-
ly grip it.
~ oise is generated in the dust separation apparatusat various volume rate oE gas flow therethrough. This noise may
-10-
.. .. . . .. . .. . . .. ..
7~9~
be caused by the louvres vibrating, it may be caused by vibrations
created in the air stream itself, or the noise may be caused by
a combination o~ louvre vibration and air stream vibration. What-
ever the cause of the noise, it has been found in practice that
the present invention eliminates the noise generation or greatly
reduces the sound pressure levels.
It is theori~ed that the present invention functions
as a gas stream spoiler by creating a turbulent gas stream ~low
thereby inhibiting the gas stream columns, formed in the gas
10~ stream as it passes through the gas outlets formed between ad-
jacent louvres, from vibrating.
The ~oregoing detailed description is given prim-
arily for clarity of understanding and no unnecessary limitations
should be understood therefrom for modifications will become
obvious to those skilled in the art upon reading this disclosure
and may be made without departing ~rom the spirit o~ the inven- .
tion or the scope of the appended claims.
-- 11 --
..
.
