FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to the evacuation and drying of contaminant-trapping filters, and more particularly to the evacuation and drying of contaminant-trapping filters that have had retained contaminants initially loosened by an ultrasonic apparatus.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Contaminant-trapping filters, such as a filter using an aqueous resistant filter substrate, are used in many places including on diesel engines, in refined-gas lines, among others.

[0003] Diesel particulate filters are used to lower particulate matter emissions from diesel engines. A diesel particulate filter removes both inorganic and organic particulate matter from the exhaust gas stream of a diesel engine. The filter is tailored to particular requirements as determined by the specific parameters of the diesel engine, to maintain the most favorable exhaust backpressure for the engine and exhaust system.

[0004] Typically, a diesel particulate filter includes a housing containing a substrate with various passages for the exhaust to travel through. The porous substrate in the interior of the diesel particulate filter consists of thousands of small parallel channels, typically oriented along the longitudinal direction of the diesel particulate filter. Adjacent channels in the filter are alternately plugged at each end. This arrangement of channels and porous walls forces the exhaust gases to flow through the porous walls. The porous walls act as the medium for filtering out the particulates that are too big to pass through the porous walls, which remain deposited in the channels.

[0005] In order to help prevent the particulates from creating an obstruction to the exhaust gas flow, the overall filter system provides a regeneration mechanism that involves raising the temperature of the filter to incinerate the particulates in the diesel particulate filter. Typically, regeneration involves heating the particulate matter to combustion or oxidation levels. However, regeneration does not remove all particulate matter. The particulate matter that remains becomes trapped in the diesel particulate filter and must be periodically removed. Accordingly, diesel particulate filters require periodic cleaning to relieve the elevated back pressure. If a filter becomes blocked, the filter, and even the engine, can become damaged through excessive back pressure.

[0006] One method of cleaning clogged diesel particulate filters is to blow compressed air through them. The problem with this method is that the air stream and particulate tend to "blow back" on the operator of the compressed air equipment. Further, the particulate is compacted into the bottom of the blind hole passages consequently reducing the useful life expectance of the filter each time it is cleaned using the air pressure method.

[0007] Another method and system for flushing ash from a diesel particulate filter involves using an ultrasonic bath, such as is disclosed in U.S. Published Application No. 2005/0011357, published January 20, 2005, to Crawley, and entitled Method and System For Flushing Ash From a Diesel Particulate Filter. The system and method include a conduit for supplying a fluid from a fluid supply to an outlet of a diesel particulate filter. A pump slowly reverse flows the fluid through the diesel particulate filter. An acoustic wave source generates an acoustic wave, such as an ultrasonic wave, through the fluid in the diesel particulate filter to assist in dislodging the ash from the diesel particulate filter, while the fluid carries the ash out the inlet of the diesel particulate filter. The ash may be filtered from the fluid after the fluid exits the diesel particulate filter, so that the fluid may be reused. [0008] The problem with this type of system and method is that the diesel particulate filter must be dried afterwards. Further, a significant amount of small particulate remains on the diesel particulate filer even after cleaning.

[0009] It has been found by the present inventor that an air knife can be used to evacuate contaminants from a diesel particulate filter once the retained contaminants have been initially loosened in an ultrasonic bath. The following prior art patents deal with the use of air knives in somewhat similar situations.

[00010] United States Patent No. 6,990,751 issued January 31, 2006, to Riley et at., and entitled Rotatable Air

Knife, discloses an air knife or air nozzle manifold for drying or blowing off passing articles moved by a conveyor system. A coupling permits rotation of the air knife or air nozzle manifold relative to the air inlet duct leading from a blower. The air knife or air nozzle manifold has opposing ends located equidistant from a longitudinal axis of rotation relative to a stationary element of the coupling. Thrust nozzles are provided at each of the opposing ends of the air knife or air nozzle manifold to deflect a certain portion of the air from the plenum chamber to provide thrusting jets of air that rotate the air knife or air nozzle manifold about the longitudinal axis. The flow of air emitted from the air knife or air nozzle manifold is thereby directed onto the passing articles from different directions as the articles move by. The efficiency of drying and blowing off the articles to be processed is thereby significantly improved.

[00011] United States Patent No. 6,260,231 issued July 17, 2001, to Bybee et al., and entitled Air Knife Drying

System, discloses a system for drying printed circuit boards in a liquid cleaning apparatus. The liquid cleaning apparatus includes a series of air knife dryers enclosed within two drying modules. The first drying module houses a first set of top and bottom air knife dryers which includes at least one top air knife dryer, positioned above a conveyor belt carrying printed circuit boards through the liquid cleaning apparatus, and at least one bottom air knife dryer, positioned below the conveyor belt. The air knife dryers may be symmetrically opposed and aligned above and below the conveyor belt. The liquid cleaning apparatus further includes side air knife dryers disposed along the conveyor belt between the first drying module and the second drying module. [00012] United States Patent No. 5,074,242 issued December 24, 1991, to Bricmont, and entitled Air Knife, discloses an air knife formed of a plurality of independently controllable pressure chambers for permitting gas in an assortment of differential pressures to be simultaneously discharged from separate segmental portions along the length of the air knife nozzle in order to produce an essentially uniform and desired coating thickness on a continuously moving and continuously coated work piece regardless of strip thickness, width, camber, and velocity. The air knife includes a plurality of baffles positioned inside the barrel of the air knife for dividing the barrel into at least three distinct pressure chambers. The baffles are adjustably positionable along the length of the barrel in order to establish the desired segmental lengths along the air knife nozzle from which the differentially pressurized gas is discharged from the air knife. In the first illustrated embodiment, a computer continuously adjusts and controls the pressure in each chamber, and the position of air knife with respect to the workpiece.

[00013] It is an object of the present invention to provide a system for evacuating contaminants from contaminant-trapping filters.

[00014] It is an object of the present invention to provide a system for evacuating contaminants from diesel particulate filters.

[00015] It is an object of the present invention to provide a system for evacuating contaminants from contaminant-trapping filters, wherein the system for evacuating contaminants from contaminant-trapping filters thoroughly evacuates debris from the contaminant-trapping filters.

[00016] It is an object of the present invention to provide a system for evacuating contamina nts from contaminant-trapping filters, wherein the system for evacuating contaminants from contaminant-trapping filters thoroughly evacuates debris from the diesel particulate filters. [00017] It is an object of the present invention to provide a system for evacuating contaminants from contaminant-trapping filters, wherein the system for evacuating contaminants from contaminant-trapping filters thoroughly evacuates debris from the contaminant-trapping filters using an ultrasonic bath, and subsequently uses air to secondarily evacuates debris from the contaminant-trapping filters.

[00018] It is an object of the present invention to provide a system for evacuating contaminants from diesel particulate filters, wherein the system for evacuating contaminants from diesel particulate filters thoroughly evacuates debris from the diesel particulate filters using an ultrasonic bath, and subsequently uses air to secondarily evacuates debris from the diesel particulate filters.

[00019] It is an object of the present invention to provide a system for evacuating contaminants from contaminant-trapping filters, wherein the system for evacuating contaminants from contaminant-trapping filters is inexpensive to manufacture.

[00020] It is an object of the present invention to provide a system for evacuating contaminants from diesel particulate filters, wherein the system for evacuating contaminants from diesel particulate filters is inexpensive to manufacture.

[00021] It is an object of the present invention to provide a system for evacuating contaminants from contaminant-trapping filters, wherein the system for evacuating contaminants from contaminant-trapping filters is inexpensive to maintain. [00022] It is an object of the present invention to provide a system for evacuating contaminants from diesel particulate filters, wherein the system for evacuating contaminants from diesel particulate filters is inexpensive to maintain.

[00023] It is an object of the present invention to provide a system for evacuating contaminants from contaminant-trapping filters, wherein the system for evacuating contaminants from contaminant-trapping filters is inexpensive to operate.

[00024] It is an object of the present invention to provide a system for evacuating contaminants from diesel particulate filters, wherein the system for evacuating contaminants from diesel particulate filters is inexpensive to operate.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[00025] In accordance with one aspect of the present invention there is disclosed a novel system for evacuating contaminants from contaminant-trapping filters. The system comprises a contaminant-receiving container; a filter support apparatus for supporting a contaminant-trapping filter in contaminant-depositing relation with respect to the contaminant-receiving container; an air nozzle for directing a flow of air through the contaminant-trapping filter, thereby forcing contaminants from the contaminant-trapping filter; wherein, in use, a contaminant-trapping filter is placed, using the filter support apparatus, in contaminant-depositing relation with respect to the contaminant-receiving container, and air is blown by the air nozzle through the contaminant-trapping filter, to thereby substantially evacuate residual contaminants from the contaminant-trapping filter, for retention of the contaminants in the contaminant-receiving container. [00026] In accordance with another aspect of the present invention there is disclosed a novel method of evacuating contaminants from contaminant-trapping filters. The method comprising the steps of placing a contaminant- trapping filter onto a contaminant-receiving container at an opening therein, in substantially sealed relation thereto; forcing a stream of air through the contaminant-trapping filter to thereby substantially evacuate residual contaminants from the contaminant-trapping filter; and receiving the stream of air and the residual debris and fluid in the contaminant- receiving container; and retaining the contaminants in the contaminant-receiving container.

[00027] Other advantages, features and characteristics of the present invention, as well as methods of operation and functions of the related elements of the structure, and the combination of parts and economies of manufacture, will become more apparent upon consideration of the following detailed description and the appended claims with reference to the accompanying drawings, the latter of which is briefly described herein below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[00028] The novel features which are believed to be characteristic of the present invention, as to its structure, organization, use and method of operation, together with further objectives and advantages thereof, will be better understood from the following drawings in which a first illustrated embodiment of the invention will now be illustrated by way of example. It is expressly understood, however, that the drawings are for the purpose of illustration and description only, and are not intended as a definition of the limits of the invention. In the accompanying drawings:

[00029] Figure 1 is a perspective view of the first illustrated embodiment of the system for evacuating contaminants from contaminant-trapping filters according to the present invention, showing the boom arm over the ultrasonic bath and the contaminant-trapping filter disposed within the ultrasonic bath; [00030] Figure 2 is a perspective view of the first illustrated embodiment of the system for evacuating contaminants from contaminant-trapping filters of Figure 1, with the winch having raised the contaminant-trapping filter above the ultrasonic bath;

[00031] Figure 3 is a perspective view of the first illustrated embodiment of the system for evacuating contaminants from contaminant-trapping filters of Figure 1, with the boom arm having moved the contaminant-trapping filter over to the second portion of the system for evacuating contaminants from contaminant-trapping filters;

[00032] Figure 4 is a perspective view of the first illustrated embodiment of the system for evacuating contaminants from contaminant-trapping filters of Figure 1, with the boom arm having lowered the contaminant-trapping filter onto the second portion of the system for evacuating contaminants from contaminant-trapping filters;

[00033] Figure 5 is an enlarged perspective view of the second portion of the system for evacuating contaminants from contaminant-trapping filters of Figure 1, with the boom arm having lowered the contaminant-trapping filter onto the second portion of the system for evacuating contaminants from contaminant-trapping filters;

[00034] Figure 6 is an enlarged side elevational view of the second portion of the system for evacuating contaminants from contaminant-trapping filters of Figure 5;

[00035] Figure 7 is an enlarged cross-sectional side elevational view of the second portion of the system for evacuating contaminants from contaminant-trapping filters similar to Figure 6;

[00036] Figure 8 is an enlarged side elevational view of the second portion of the system for evacuating contaminants from contaminant-trapping filters similar to Figure 6, but with the splash guard having been lowered to an in use position where it is secured to the splash-guard-receiving collar; [00037] Figure 9 is an enlarged cross-sectional side elevational view of the second portion of the system for evacuating contaminants from contaminant-trapping filters similar to Figure 8;

[00038] Figure 10 is an enlarged perspective view from above of the outer container of the second portion of the system for evacuating contaminants from contaminant-trapping filters;

[00039] Figure 11 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the second portion of the system for evacuating contaminants from contaminant-trapping filters similar to Figure 9, but also showing the air knife being rotated and showing the lines of airflow through the second portion of the system for evacuating contaminants from contaminant- trapping filters;

[00040] Figure 12 is a perspective view of the second illustrated embodiment of the system for evacuating contaminants from contaminant-trapping filters according to the present invention, showing a contaminant-trapping filter in place and the vertically movable hood in a raised position;

[00041] Figure 13 is a perspective view of the second illustrated embodiment of the system for evacuating contaminants from contaminant-trapping filters of Figure 12, but showing the vertically movable hood in a lowered position; and,

[00042] Figure 14 is front elevational view of the control panel of the second illustrated embodiment of the system for evacuating contaminants from contaminant-trapping filters of Figure 12.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE FIRST AND SECOND EMBODIMENTS [00043] Referring to Figures 1 through 14, of the drawings, it will be noted that Figures 1 through 11 are directed to a first illustrated embodiment of the system and method according to the present invention, and Figures 12 through 14 are directed to a second illustrated embodiment of the system and method according to the present invention.

[00044] Reference will now be made to Figures 1 through 11, which show the first illustrated embodiment of the present invention, as indicated by general reference numeral 100. The present invention comprises system 100 is for evacuating contaminants from contaminant-trapping filters. In the first illustrated embodiment as illustrated, and for the sake of clarity, diesel particulate filters 106 will be discussed, although the system may be used for evacuating contaminants from other types of contaminant-trapping filters. Accordingly, the first illustrated embodiment of the system 100 for evacuating contaminants from contaminant-trapping filters according to the present invention, as discussed and illustrated, is also for evacuating contaminants from, and also drying, diesel particulate filters 106. In brief, the system 100 for evacuating contaminants from contaminant-trapping filters comprises an ultrasonic bath 110, a boom arm 120, a winch apparatus 130, a filter placement arm apparatus 140, a contaminant-receiving container 150, an outer container 160, a filter support apparatus 170, a first air flow outlet 171a, an air suction apparatus 180, a splash guard 190 and an air nozzle 200.

[00045] More particularly, the system 100 for evacuating contaminants from contaminant-trapping filters comprises a first portion of the present invention, as indicated by the general reference numeral 102, that preferably includes an ultrasonic bath 110 for loosening and dislodging contaminants from the diesel particulate filter 106. The ultrasonic bath 110 consists of a rectangular tank 112 of appropriate size to contain up to five diesel particulate filters 106 therein. It has been found that rectangular tank 112 of about sixty inches in length, thirty inches in width and twenty- eight inches in depth is suitable. Any other suitable size could be used. [00046] The rectangular tank 112 has a substantially hollow interior 114 and has a hinged lid 116 for covering the substantially hollow interior 114 of the tank 112 during use. Ultrasonic transducers 115 are mounted within the rectangular tank 112. An electrically operable winch apparatus 130 is mounted within a substantially horizontal boom arm 120. The controls for the electrically operable winch apparatus 130 may be mounted in any convenient location. The winch apparatus 130 is used to lower the diesel particulate filters 106 into the ultrasonic bath 110, as indicated by arrow "A" in Figure 1, and to raise the diesel particulate filters 106 from the ultrasonic bath 110, as indicated by a rrow "B" in Figure 1, thereby removing the diesel particulate filters 106 from the ultrasonic bath 110.

[00047] The substantially horizontal boom arm 120 has a mounting end 122 and a free end 124, and tracks 126 within the boom arm 120 to permit horizontal travel of the winch apparatus 130 along the substantially horizontal boom arm 120 generally between the mounting end 122 and the free end 124. The electrically operable winch apparatus 130 is mounted on the horizontal boom arm 120 by means of the tracks 126 within the boom arm 120, for selective movement along the boom arm 120, as indicated by arrow "C" and by arrow "D" in Figures 1, 2, and 4, by means of a manual crank mechanism having a crank handle 128 mounted adjacent the mounting end 122 of the boom arm 120. The motion of the crank handle 128 is indicated by arrow "E" and arrow "f" in Figure 2.

[00048] Alternatively, the winch 130 could be moved along the tracks 126 by a selectively operable electric motor (not specifically shown).

[00049] The boom arm 120 is mounted at its mounting end 122 in pivotable relation on a support structure 129, specifically a vertical pole anchored to a floor, for pivotal movement as indicated by arrow "G" in Figure 3, between an ultrasonic submerged position, as shown in Figures 1, 2 and 4, and a contaminant evacuating position, as shown in Figure 3. In the ultrasonic submerged position, the boom arm 120 is in position to raise and lower the diesel particulate filters 106, as discussed above, and in position to retain the contaminant-trapping filter 106 within the ultrasonic bath 110 for initially loosening contaminants from the diesel particulate filter 106. In the contaminant evacuating position, the boom arm 120 is in position to deliver a contaminant-trapping filter, such as the diesel particulate filter 106, in place over the filter support apparatus 170 of the outer container 160.

[00050] Each diesel particulate filter 106 is clamped by a selectively operable jaw mechanism 132 connected to the free end 136 of the cable 134 from the winch apparatus 130. When a diesel particulate filter 106 is in place in the ultrasonic submerged position or in the contaminant evacuating position, the diesel particulate filter 106 can be selectively released from the selectively operable jaw mechanism 132.

[00051] In the Figures, general reference numeral 104 indicates a second portion of the system 100 for evacuating contaminants from contaminant-trapping filters. The second portion 104 of the system 100 for evacuating contaminants from contaminant-trapping filters comprises the contaminant-receiving container 150, the outer container 160, the filter support apparatus 170, the first air flow outlet 171a, the air suction apparatus 180, the splash guard 190 and the air nozzle 200.

[00052] In the first illustrated embodiment, as illustrated, the substantially cylindrical contaminant-receiving container 150 has a top end 151 and a bottom end 152, a peripheral wall 154 extending between the top end 151 and the bottom end 152, a bottom floor 155, a top opening 156, and a substantially hollow interior 157. The peripheral wall 154 of the contaminant-receiving container 150 is substantially solid, or in other words, preferably is generally closed off to the ambient surroundings. The contaminant-receiving container 150 defines a longitudinal axis "L" extending between the top end 151 and the bottom end 152. The longitudinal axis "L" defines the orientation of the system 100 for evacuating contaminants from contaminant-trapping filters and the orientation of a diesel particulate filter 106 when it is in its contaminant evacuating position, over the outer container 160.

[00053] The substantially hollow interior 157 is for receiving the loosened particles from the diesel particulate filter 106 that is in place over the contaminant-receiving container 150. The top opening 156 is for receiving air flow and waste contaminants therethrough into the substantially hollow interior 157 of the contaminant-receiving container 150. Preferably, but not necessarily, the circular top opening 156 is the same size or nearly the same size as the substantially hollow interior 157 of the contaminant-receiving container 150 in order to maximize the diameter of diesel particulate filter 106 that can be accommodated by the contaminant-receiving container 150.

[00054] The substantially cylindrical outer container 160 has a top end 161 that is generally adjacent the top end

151 of the contaminant-receiving container 150, and a bottom end 162, a peripheral wall 164 extending substantially between the top end 161 and the bottom end 162, a bottom floor 165, and a top opening 166. The peripheral wall 164 of the outer container 160 is substantially solid, or in other words, preferably is generally closed off to the ambient surroundings, and defines a substantially hollow interior 167. The top opening 166 is for receiving the contaminant- receiving container 150 into the substantially hollow interior 167 of the outer container 160. The substantially cylindrical outer container 160 also defines a longitudinal axis "L" extending between the top end 161 and the bottom end 162, for defining the orientation of the system 100 for evacuating contaminants from contaminant-trapping filters and the orientation of a diesel particulate filter 106 when it is in its contaminant evacuating position, over the outer container 160.

[00055] A plurality of generally parallel risers 168 rest on the bottom floor 165 of the outer container 160. The bottom floor 155 of the contaminant-receiving container 150 is supported by the risers 168. Further, the risers 168 define a vertical space 163 into which an electrical heater element 169 is inserted through a female threaded aperture 169a in the bottom portion of the outer container 160. A co-operating male threaded portion 169b on the electrical heater element 169 threadibly engages the female threaded aperture 169 to retain the electrical heater element 169 in place. The vertical space 163 contains a water/glycol mixture 163a for evenly distributing the heat from the electrical heater element 169 to the contaminant-receiving container 150. As such, the electrical heater element 169 is disposed in heat delivery relation with respect to the contaminant-receiving container 150, and more specifically with respect to the substantially hollow interior 157 of the contaminant-receiving container 150. The heat helps to evaporate the liquid that remains in the diesel particulate filter 106. Further, the heat helps to evaporate the liquid trapped by the contaminants, or in other words to dry the contaminants that accumulates in the contaminant-receiving container 150, so that the contaminants may be more conveniently disposed of.

[00056] Such elevation of the bottom floor 155 of the contaminant-receiving container 150 and the use of the water/glycol mixture 163a precludes intense heat transfer from the electrical heater element 169 directly to a small area of the contaminants 109 on the bottom floor 155 of the contaminant-receiving container 150. Instead, the heat from the electrical heater element 169 is generally evenly distributed to the contaminants on the bottom floor 155 of the contaminant-receiving container 150.

[00057] Further, the contaminant-receiving container 150 is disposed within the outer container 160 in horizontally spaced relation therefrom, to thereby create a circumferential gap 167a therebetween. This circumferential gap 167a allows the contaminant-receiving container 150 to be retained in readily removable and replaceable relation within the outer container 160.

[0005S] The present invention further comprises a filter support apparatus 170 for supporting a diesel particulate filter 106 in contaminant-depositing relation with respect to the contaminant-receiving container 150. The filter support apparatus 170 itself is positioned over the contaminant-receiving container 150 in contaminant-depositing relation, and more specifically, over the top opening 156 at the top end 151 of the contaminant-receiving container 150, for receiving a diesel particulate filter 106 thereon. In the first illustrated embodiment, as illustrated, the filter support apparatus 170 comprises a substantially circular lid 170 supported by the outer container 160, and more specifically placeable in substantially sealed relation with respect to the outer container 160 at the top opening 166 thereof. Further, the lid 170 is ring-shaped and has a central aperture 172, and preferably comprises a lower support portion 173 and an upper sealing portion 174 supported by the lower support portion 173. The lower support portion 173 comprises a screen material. The upper sealing portion 174 is made from gasket material, preferably from closed cell foam. Further, the upper sealing portion 174 comprise an outer ring 174a and an inner ring 174b that are substantially concentric with each other, with the central aperture 172 formed in the inner ring 174b.

[00059] The present invention further comprises a splash-guard-receiving collar 176 extending upwardly from the lid 170 in surrounding relation to the central aperture 172. Preferably the splash-guard-receiving collar 176 is substantially annularly shaped and made from a suitable metal or plastic material. The bottom portion of the splash- guard-receiving collar 176 is disposed between the outer ring 174a and an inner ring 174b, with the outer ring 174a disposed in substantially sealed relation with respect to the outer surface 176a of the bottom portion of the of the splash- guard-receiving collar 176 and the inner ring 174b disposed in substantially sealed relation with respect to the inner surface 176b of the bottom portion of the of the splash-guard-receiving collar 176.

[00060] In use, the diesel particulate filter 106 is placed in supported relation on the filter support apparatus

170 such that the longitudinal axis "F" of the diesel particulate filter 106 is substantially aligned with the longitudinal axis "L" of contaminant-receiving container 150. The filter support apparatus 170 seals off the circular opening at the top end 161 of the outer container 160, to thereby preclude air flow and contaminants from escaping into the ambient surroundings.

[00061] The first air flow outlet 171a is disposed in the contaminant-receiving container 150 adjacent the top end 151 of the contaminant-receiving container 150. Similarly a second air flow outlet 171b is disposed in the outer container 160 adjacent the top end 161 of the outer container 160. The first air flow outlet 171a and the second air flow outlet 171b are in fluid communication one with the other, and preferably are directly aligned with each other. The air flow originates from the air nozzle 200.

[00062] The first air flow outlet 171a is disposed in the contaminant-receiving container 150 for permitting the egress of air from the substantially hollow interior 167 of the contaminant-receiving container 150, through the first air flow outlet 171a in the contaminant-receiving container 150, through the substantially hollow interior 167 of the outer container 160, and out through the second air flow outlet 171b in the outer container 160. An air suction apparatus 180, such as a vacuum pump, is disposed in fluid communication with the first air flow outlet 171a and the second air flow outlet 171b, and more specifically is physically connected in air suctioning relation with the second air flow outlet 171b, and therefore also with the first air flow outlet 171a, to thereby suction air from the substantially hollow interior 157 of said contaminant-receiving container 150 through the first air flow outlet 171a and the second air flow outlet 171b.

[00063] The present invention further comprises a moisture deflector 179 disposed within the contaminant- receiving container 150 adjacent the first air flow outlet 171a. In the first illustrated embodiment, as illustrated, the moisture deflector 179 comprises a formed metal plate that is secured to the inner surface of the peripheral wall 154 of the contaminant-receiving container 150 by means of welding, to partially cover the first air flow outlet 171a. The moisture deflector 179 substantially precludes any moisture that still remains in the air flow from traveling out of the contaminant-receiving container 150 and the outer container 160 and into the vacuum pump 180.

[00064] The substantially cylindrically shaped splash guard 190 is for generally covering the diesel particulate filter 106, during use of the present invention, and is mounted on the filter placement arm apparatus 140. The weight of the splash guard 190 is offset by the counterweight 142 connected to the splash guard 190 via a cable 144 supported by a pair of pulleys 146.

[00065] The splash guard 190 has a closed top 196, a peripheral wall 194 extending between the top end 191 and the bottom end 192, an open bottom 195 and a substantially hollow interior 197, and is made from a suitable material such as a suitable plastic material or a suitable lightweight sheet steel material. The splash guard 190 is substantially solid, or in other words, preferably is generally closed off to the ambient surroundings to preclude the escape of contaminants during operation of the present invention. [00066] The filter placement arm apparatus 140 is for mounting the splash guard 190 in moveable relation between a non-use position and an in-use position. In the in-use position, the splash guard 190 is disposed in substantially surrounding relation with respect to a diesel particulate filter 106 placed on the filter support apparatus 170 of the outer container 160, as aforesaid. In the non-use position, the splash guard 190 is disposed away from the in-use position, and more specifically, is disposed above the in-use position by a distance sufficient to permit the diesel particulate filter 106 to be placed on the filter support apparatus 170 of the outer container 160 by the filter placement arm apparatus 140.

[00067] As can be best seen in Figures 5 through 8, and 10, the present invention further comprises an air nozzle

200 for directing a flow of air through the diesel particulate filter 106, thereby forcing contaminants from said diesel particulate filter 106. In the first illustrated embodiment, as illustrated, the air nozzle 200 comprises an air knife 200, but any other suitable type of nozzle or the like could be used.

[00068] The air knife 200 is disposed within the splash guard 190 so as to be disposed over a diesel particulate filter 106 covered by the splash guard 190. The air knife 200 is connected to a vertically rotatable arm 202 depending from a ratchet drive mechanism 204. As can be readily seen in Figure 9, the air knife 200 is rotatable, as indicated by arrow " " in Figure 11, about an axis "K" that is substantially parallel to, and preferably aligned with, the longitudinal axis "F" of the diesel particulate filter 106.

[00069] In use, a diesel particulate filter 106 is placed using the filter support apparatus 170, in contaminant- depositing relation with respect to the contaminant-receiving container 150. More specifically, the diesel particulate filter 106 is placed on the filter support apparatus 170, by the boom arm 120 and the winch apparatus 130. The splash guard 190 is then lowered by the filter placement arm apparatus 140 such that the splash guard 190 is retained at a selected vertical relation the diesel particulate filter 106, such that the diesel particulate filter 106 is generally retained within the substantially hollow interior of the splash guard 190. More specifically, the splash guard 190 is lowered into the splash-guard-receiving collar 176 until the air knife 200 is a short distance above the diesel particulate filter 106. The two pins 177 are then inserted through the appropriate ones of the vertically aligned apertures 178 in the splash-guard- receiving collar 176 and into receiving apertures 198 in the splash guard 190.

[00070] A stream of air 206 is blown by the air knife 200 through the diesel particulate filter 106, along the direction of its longitudinal axis "F", to thereby dry the diesel particulate filter 106 and remove residual contaminants therefrom. The loosened particulate is generally collected in the contaminant-receiving container 160.

[00071] The air is also suctioned through the contaminant-receiving container 150, out the first air flow outlet

171a, as indicated by arrow "X" in Figure 11, through the outer container 160, and out the second air flow outlet 171b, as indicated by arrow "Y" in Figure 11, to thereby help dry the diesel particulate filter 106 and remove residual particulate therefrom.

[00072] Reference will now be made to Figures 12 through 14, which show the second illustrated embodiment of the system according to the present invention, as indicated by general reference numeral 300. The present invention comprises system 300 is for evacuating contaminants from contaminant-trapping filters, such as a diesel particulate filters 306. The second illustrated embodiment 300 is fundamentally similar to the first illustrated embodiment 100 except for some structural differences. The most noticeable difference is that the major components and housings are rectangular in shape.

[00073] There is an enclosure 450 immediately beside the contaminant-receiving container 360. The air suction apparatus 380 is encased within the enclosure 450, for reasons of aesthetics and safety. Various PLC controls 452 and most of the wiring 454 are also housed within the enclosure 450. A control panel 460, as shown in Figure 14, is disposed on top of the enclosure 450. [00074] A four-position switch 462 on the control panel 460 permits the manual selection of length of time of operation of the air suction apparatus 380. As configured, a time of fifteen, thirty, forty-five, or sixty minutes can be selected by the rotating the four-position switch 462. Typically, a fifteen minute period will be used to run a pressure differential test on an unclean contaminant-trapping filter 306. In this mode, the air suction apparatus 380 works but the air knife 400 will not. A magnehelic gauge 466 in the control panel 460 will record the reading of the unclean contaminant-trapping filter 306. A shut-off button 468 can be pressed if the test is completed before the allotted time.

[00075] Also, in the second illustrated embodiment, the splash guard comprises a vertically movable hood 390, with splash shields 392 connected to the hood 390. The vertically movable hood 390 is supported for vertical movement by at least one linear bearing block, and as illustrated, is supported by two linear bearing blocks 394, with each linear bearing block 394 mounted on a suitable vertically oriented slide 396. There is also at least one sensor 398 for determining the relative position of the hood 390 and the contaminant-trapping filter 306.

[00076] Further, in the second illustrated embodiment, the ratchet drive mechanism of the first illustrated embodiment is replaced by an electrically powered rotatable drive mechanism 304, namely a twelve (12) volt DC motor, or any other suitable rotatable drive mechanism. The electrically powered rotatable drive mechanism 304 is easy to control accurately.

[00077] Further, there is an air heater 420 for heating the flow of air directed through the contaminant-trapping filter, namely the diesel particulate filters 306. The air heater 420 is mounted within the hood 390 above and in-line with and in air-delivery relation with the air nozzle 400, for providing heated air to the air nozzle 400. The heated air dries the diesel particulate filter 306 that is in place in the system 300 more quickly than non-heated air. [00078] Further, the second illustrated embodiment comprises a rinse station 440 for receiving a cleaned contaminant-trapping filter, such as a diesel particulate filter 306, and for rinsing the cleaned diesel particulate filter 306 received therein. The rinse station 440 is operated by a suitable control on the control panel 460.

[00079] In use, after the contaminant-trapping filter 306 has been cleaned in the ultrasonic bath (such as the ultrasonic bath 110 shown in the first illustrated embodiment), the contaminant-trapping filter 306 is placed on the rubber gasket upper sealing portion 374 of the lid 370 over the correct sized central aperture 372.

[00080] The hood 390 is then lowered to the filter, from a raised position as shown in Figure 12, to a lowered position, as shown in Figure 13. The two sensors 398 will detect when the air knife 400 is within about four (4) centimeters of the top of the contaminant-trapping filter 306. The air knife 400 must sit above the contaminant-trapping filter 306 between the two sensors 398 for air knife 400 to work. If the hood 390 is too low and therefore to close to the air knife 400, the sensor beam will be broken by the contaminant-trapping filter 306 and the air knife 400 will not activate.

[00081] When it is in the correct range, the hood 390 will be manually locked in place and a light on the control panel 460 will indicate that the hood 390 is within range and the system 300 will operate as intended.

[00082] A selection of fifteen, thirty, forty-five, or sixty minutes can be selected using the rotating the four- position switch 462. The start button 461 can be pushed, which causes the air suction apparatus 380 to start, the air for the air knife 400 to be released, the air heater 420 to turn on to heat the incoming flow of air, the air knife 400 to begin to spin, and the electrical heater element 369 in the glycol solution under the contaminant-receiving container 350 to turn on. [00083] As typically programmed, the air knife 400 will turn for approximately ten minutes only. Regardless of the amount of time selected, in order to conserve air while performing the initial burst of air needed to help clear the passages of the contaminant-trapping filter 306. At ten minutes, the air knife 400, the air supply and air heater 420 will turn off. The air suction apparatus 380 will continue for the cycle length of fifteen, thirty, forty-five, or sixty minutes as selected.

[00084] The electrical heater element 369 will remain on until it reaches a temperature of about two-hundred

(200) degrees Fahrenheit (about ninety-three (93) degrees Celcius), and then will turn off. When the system 300 has completed its cycle a final test of the pressure differential will be completed to determine the filter cleanliness.

[00085] In an alternative embodiment of the present invention (not specifically shown), it is contemplated that the filter placement arm apparatus is vertically lockable such that it can suspend the splash guard over the diesel particulate filter at the appropriate vertical position above the outer container.

[00086] As can be understood from the above description and from the accompanying drawings, the present invention provides a system for evacuating contaminants from contaminant-trapping filters, including diesel particulate filters, wherein the system for evacuating contaminants from contaminant-trapping filters thoroughly evacuates contaminant-trapping filters in conjunction with an ultrasonic bath, and subsequently uses air to evacuate contaminants from the filters, wherein the system for evacuating contaminants from contaminant-trapping filters is inexpensive to manufacture, is inexpensive to maintain, is inexpensive to operate, and is easy to operate, all of which features are unknown in the prior art.

[00016] Other variations of the above principles will be apparent to those who are knowledgeable in the field of the invention, and such variations are considered to be within the scope of the present invention. Further, other modifications and alterations may be used in the design and manufacture of the system for evacuating contaminants from contaminant-trapping filters according to the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope of accompanying claims.