초록

A method and apparatus for filtering particulate and condensation are provided. The filter is a multi-state filter that reduces contamination from sources other than the desired source by having its filtering components encased and compacted together.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A method for filtering gases in a gas analyzer device comprising the steps of:providing a filter holder having an upper portion and a lower portion;locating a first filter element having a two stage particulate filter comprising an inner filter element and an outer filter element in said upper po

1. A method for filtering gases in a gas analyzer device comprising the steps of:providing a filter holder having an upper portion and a lower portion;locating a first filter element having a two stage particulate filter comprising an inner filter element and an outer filter element in said upper portion of said filter holder;locating a second filter element in said lower portion of said filter holder;receiving a gas in said filter holder;passing said gas through said first filter element; andpassing said gas through said second filter element. 2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:analyzing the filtered gas after it has passed through both the first and second filter elements. 3. A multi-stage filtration assembly for a gas analyzer system comprising:a filter bolder forming a chamber having a lower portion and an upper portion;a filter element located in said chamber, said filter element having a first filter located in said upper portion of said chamber, wherein the first filter is a two stage particulate filter comprising an inner filter element and an outer filter element; anda second filter located in said lower portion of said chamber. 4. The assembly of claim 3, further comprising:a filter connector located on said upper portion; anda nozzle located on said lower portion. 5. The assembly of claim 3, further comprising:a filter cap to retain said first filter in said upper portion; anda filter base to retain said second filter in said lower portion. 6. The assembly of claim 5, further comprising:a filter connector located on said filter cap; anda nozzle located on said filter base. 7. The assembly of claim 6, wherein said filter cap and said filter base are threadably engagable with the upper portion and the lower portion respectively. 8. The assembly of claim 3, wherein the filter holder is made of a clear material. 9. The assembly of claim 3, wherein the outer filter element filters particulates greater than approximately 1 micron. 10. The assembly of claim 3, wherein the inner filter element filters particulates greater than approximately 0.3 microns. 11. The assembly of claim 3, wherein the second filter comprises a filtering foam. 12. The assembly of claim 11, wherein said foam is approximately 0.040 inches thick. 13. A multi-stage filtration system for a gas analyzer system comprising:a means for receiving a gas in a filter holder having an upper portion and a lower portion;a means for locating a first filter element having a two stage particulate filter comprising an inner filter element and an outer filter element in said upper portion of said filter holder;a means for passing said gas through said first filter element;a means for locating a second filter element in said lower portion of said filter holder; anda means for passing said gas through the second filter element located in said lower portion of said filter holder. 14. The system of claim 13, wherein the outer filter element filters particulates greater than approximately 1 micron. 15. The system of claim 13, wherein the inner filter element filters particulates greater than approximately 0.3 microns. 16. The system of claim 13, wherein the second filter element comprises a filtering foam. 17. The system of claim 16, wherein the foam is approximately 0.040 inches thick. 18. The system of claim 13, further comprising:a first means for retaining the first filter element in the upper portion; anda second means for retaining the second filter element in the lower portion. 19. The system of claim 18, wherein said first and second means for retaining are threadably engagable with said upper and lower portion, respectively. 20. The system of claim 19, wherein said first means for retaining comprises a filter cap; andsaid second means for retaining comprises a filter base. 21. The system of claim 20, further comprising:a filter connector coupled to said filter cap; anda nozzle coupled to said filter base.