CN107525629B

CN107525629B - Scanning device for filter leak detection

Info

Publication number: CN107525629B
Application number: CN201710453201.0A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 汉普斯·伊萨克松
Original assignee: Confield Group
Current assignee: Camfil Investment Co.,Ltd.; Confield Group
Priority date: 2016-06-15
Filing date: 2017-06-15
Publication date: 2021-03-12
Anticipated expiration: 2037-06-15
Also published as: CN207622931U; WO2017216316A1; CN107525629A

Abstract

A scanning apparatus (130) for filter leakage detection is provided, the scanning apparatus comprising at least one scanning device (131a, 131b) arranged for scanning a respective filter (122a, 122 b). Each scanning device comprises a scanning probe (132a, 132b) and a moving mechanism (133a, 133b), the scanning probe (132a, 132b) covering the full width of a respective filter surface of the scanning device, the moving mechanisms (133a, 133b) each being operable to displace the scanning probe over the filter in a direction perpendicular to the scanning probe. The scanning device comprises an elongated rotatable actuator (134) arranged to extend parallel to the scanning probe. Each moving mechanism is coupled to an actuator. Thus, a scanning is provided which is performed in a controlled manner, which scans several adjacently arranged filters from a side access position, in particular a filter in a cabinet at a side access of more than one filter depth.

Description

Scanning device for filter leak detection

Technical Field

The invention relates to a scanning device and a moving mechanism for filter leakage detection.

Background

In air ventilation systems requiring high efficiency filters, such as High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filters or other high efficiency filters, it is known to use filter housings in which filter units are secured and mechanically clamped in effect to seal the respective filter units within the filter housing. When sealing a high efficiency filter with such a mechanical clamping mechanism, it is necessary to ensure that any bypass or leakage around the seal is less than the maximum penetration of the filter. It is also necessary to ensure that the entire filter surface is free of any pin-hole leaks or other defects. This technique is described, for example, in section B.6 of ISO 14644-3. Similar and more stringent tests are also specified in national standards, such as the chinese standard for biosafety exhaust HEPA filtration facilities. The test can be performed as a single point average behind the filter or by scanning close to the filter surface. The former method requires sampling at more than 20 tube diameters behind the filter to ensure that the individual samples are thoroughly mixed, while the latter method, while preferred and more accurate, requires gaskets near and around the filter surface. The latter process of scanning close to the surface is practically more impossible if the fan is placed behind the filter, thus creating a negative pressure. Any access to the filter area will open the passage of air into the duct and reduce or even completely remove the flow through the filter, making testing impossible. Thus, the present invention discusses a system that allows such scanning.

Filter housings having filter frame assemblies and clamping mechanisms as described above are commonly used in critical filtration applications such as, for example, nuclear power, pharmaceutical and hazardous laboratories. Very high safety standards are thus applied which comply with the increasingly stringent requirements of, for example, the biosafety authorities. Periodic retesting or even replacement of filters is required to comply with regulatory requirements and may involve periodic replacement of a large number of filters. A potential problem with the above-described types and other clamping mechanisms is that any errors made during replacement of the filter in the air ventilation system (e.g., if the filter is not properly positioned, the gasket is not fully functional, the clamping mechanism is not properly closed, etc.) may result in leakage of hazardous materials into the surrounding environment. Furthermore, with certain types of HEPA filters, the filter surface is very fragile and may even be damaged by light touch.

For the reasons mentioned above, it is imperative in certain applications to check that a filter mounted within a filter housing is leak free and meets a filtration rating. This is accomplished by including a scanning probe as part of the filter housing by which air is collected downstream of the filter and analyzed for undesirable substances. A scanning probe having an air inlet and providing an air sample to the analyzer is moved in a controlled manner at a defined distance close to the filter surface in order to obtain a sample from a very small area of the filter at the right time. If the analyzer should be able to detect leaks as the concentration increases, very small regions need to be probed. It is therefore desirable to mount the probe as close as possible to the filter surface without impeding the air flow from the filter to the probe.

Different concepts of test probes that move to scan the filter area have been developed. One such test probe is an elongated test probe that extends along the length or width of the filter and is moved back and forth perpendicular to its longitudinal extent by some manual or motorized mechanism, such as a pneumatic cylinder, drive screw, or the like, to scan the area near the surface of the filter. A typical elongated test probe is made from a tube having several inlet holes and a central outlet, the several inlet holes being distributed along the length of the test probe through the tube wall.

Summary of The Invention

It would be advantageous to provide an alternative and improved scanning device and movement mechanism for a scanning device which is durable and cost effective, and which is easy to replace and install. Furthermore, it would be advantageous to provide a scanning device suitable for use with a filter housing having a plurality of filter units.

To better address this problem, in a first aspect of the invention, a scanning apparatus for filter leak detection of at least one filter is proposed, the scanning apparatus comprising at least one scanning device arranged for scanning the respective filter. Each scanning device comprises a scanning probe that covers the full width of a respective filter surface of the scanning device and a movement mechanism operable to displace the scanning probe over the filter in a direction perpendicular to the scanning probe. The scanning device comprises at least one elongated rotatable actuator arranged to extend parallel to the scanning probe. Each moving mechanism is coupled to an actuator. If desired, even if a single rotatable actuator would simplify construction and therefore be preferred, a set of rotatable concentrically arranged actuators (e.g., telescoping actuators) or a set of linked adjacent actuators arranged along the same longitudinal axis could be used.

The scanning device is advantageously arranged to be able to scan several adjacently arranged filters from a side access position in a controlled manner, in particular filters in a side access cabinet (side access cabinet) at more than one filter depth. Since each scanning probe covers the full width (or length) of each filter unit, preferably including the sealing section of the filter unit, the total filter surface area of the filter housing can advantageously be scanned in a single scan. Furthermore, by providing a movement along a direction perpendicular with respect to the longitudinal extension of the scanning probe over a range of movement (preferably selected to coincide with the height of the filter unit), scanning of filters of mixed sizes with the same scanning speed is provided. For example, a side approach to the cabinet containing one filter unit of 610x 610(mm) (height x width) size and one filter unit of 610x 305(mm) size will experience the same scanning speed/time for both filter units, since the scanning is performed along the same distance (e.g., between the top and bottom of each filter unit).

The function of the actuator is to provide mechanically linked scanning probe movement, which will control multiple scanning devices with the same actuator. It is noted that the direction of movement of the scanning probe may alternatively be along the depth direction, i.e. when the filter unit is arranged with the top surface arranged and the filter unit is thus arranged horizontally.

According to an embodiment of the scanning device, the moving mechanism comprises a drive wheel, e.g. a pulley, a crank shaft, a gear (cog wheel), connected to the actuator, and comprises a drive element driven by the drive wheel.

According to an embodiment of the scanning device, the moving mechanism further comprises a guide rail arranged for guiding the movement of the scanning probe, which is advantageous. By providing a guide for the movement of the scanning probe, the tolerance for movement of the drive element itself is increased without compromising the scanning of the scanning probe.

According to an embodiment of the scanning device, the moving mechanism further comprises a slide arranged for movement along the guide rail, and the scanning probe is fixed to or releasably attached to said slide.

The guide rails and slides advantageously provide lateral stability to the scanning probe as it moves. The guide rail advantageously provides a fixed predetermined distance between the scanning probe and the filter surface.

According to an embodiment of the scanning device, the drive element is arranged to extend between an upper end position and a lower end position (preferably arranged at the top and bottom of the filter, respectively). The scanning probe may be attached directly to the drive element.

According to an embodiment of the scanning device, the number of gear steps (gear) of the driving wheel is selected to provide a preselected scanning speed. The scan speed may be selected to provide a preselected scan speed per revolution of the actuator. Advantageously, the drive wheel may be replaceable and different scanning speeds may be selected, for example by varying the drive wheel diameter to provide different gearing of the drive wheel (gearing).

In a preferred embodiment of the invention the number of steps of the drive wheel is selected to provide a scanning speed of 5cm/s per revolution of the actuator, which meets the requirements of section b.6 of standard ISO 14644-3. By connecting the drive wheel in the form of a gear wheel to an actuator (drive shaft) having a preselected number of teeth, the transmission ratio of the movement of the scanning probe in a direction perpendicular to the scanning probe to the number of revolutions (rpm) of the actuator (e.g. when driven by a crank or motor) can be selected. This advantageously makes the scanning apparatus easy to adopt with different test standards that suggest different linear probe scanning speeds.

According to an embodiment of the scanning device, the drive element is one of a toothed belt, a chain, a flat belt and a rope. When the drive element is a toothed belt and the drive wheel is a gear wheel, a controlled movement of the scanning probe is provided, which in turn allows the position of the scanning probe to be advantageously calculated by disclosure of a position calculation.

According to an embodiment of the scanning device, the drive element comprises a reinforced rope, in particular a rope reinforced with steel or Kevlar, which improves the mechanical stability of the drive element, e.g. prevents the drive element from stretching over time, making the tension mechanism superfluous.

According to an embodiment of the scanning device, the actuator is a drive shaft rotated by a crank handle, a motor device controlled by scanning equipment (which may include a computer, an analyzer and valves), or some other suitable rotating mechanism. This provides an easy to handle system without the need to use long moving rods or the like extending from the filter unit housing when performing the scanning process.

According to an embodiment of the scanning device, the range of motion of the scanning probe is bounded by the first end position and the second end position, i.e. the scanning probe is movable between the first end position and the second end position in a direction perpendicular to its longitudinal extension, and the actuator is arranged within the range of motion, i.e. the actuator is arranged parallel to the longitudinal extension of the scanning probe, but within the scanning area of the filter, thereby providing a lateral access of the actuator with respect to the filter housing.

According to an embodiment of the scanning apparatus, the at least one scanning probe is one of a group of probes seamlessly covering the full length of each filter surface and seal segment, a multi-chamber probe, a tube having a number of inlet holes distributed through the tube wall along the length of the test probe, and a V-bank filter scanning probe.

According to an embodiment of the scanning device, the actuator comprises a set of concentrically arranged actuators (e.g. telescopic actuators), or a set of coupled adjacent actuators arranged along the same longitudinal axis.

According to one aspect of the inventive concept, there is provided a scanning apparatus for filter leak detection, the scanning apparatus comprising an elongated rotatable actuator and at least one movement mechanism operable to displace a respective elongated scanning probe over a respective filter in a direction perpendicular to a longitudinal direction of the scanning probe, the elongated scanning probe covering a full width of its respective filter surface, and the at least one movement mechanism being connected to the elongated rotatable actuator, the elongated rotatable actuator being arranged to extend parallel to the longitudinal direction of the scanning probe. If desired, the actuator is a set of rotatable concentrically arranged actuators (e.g., telescoping actuators), or a set of linked adjacent actuators arranged along the same longitudinal axis. However, the use of a single rotatable actuator simplifies the construction and is therefore preferred. Different embodiments and advantages of such a scanning device have been described above with reference to embodiments of a scanning apparatus employing a scanning device as contemplated by the present invention.

According to an aspect of the inventive concept, there is provided a filter housing comprising a scanning device as described above or a scanning apparatus as described above.

Brief Description of Drawings

The invention will now be described in more detail and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

fig. 1a and 1b are perspective views schematically illustrating a filter housing including an embodiment of a scanning apparatus according to the present inventive concept;

fig. 2a and 2b illustrate an exploded perspective view and a perspective view, respectively, of an embodiment of a moving mechanism according to the present inventive concept; and

fig. 3 to 5 are perspective views illustrating embodiments of the inventive concept.

Description of the embodiments

Referring now to fig. 1a and 1b, a filter assembly 100 for an air filter unit comprises a filter housing 110, the filter housing 110 being adapted to be mounted in an air ventilation system. The filter housing 110 includes a cabinet 111 having an upstream air inlet 115, a downstream air outlet 113, opposed

side walls

117, 118, and opposed top and

bottom walls

119, 120, the upstream air inlet 115 being bounded by an air inlet frame 116, the downstream air outlet 113 being bounded by an air outlet frame 114 (see fig. 1b) and located at the air inlet 115, the

opposed side walls

117, 118 having the spatial orientation shown in fig. 1b and may be referred to as first and

second side walls

117, 118, the opposed top and

bottom walls

119, 120 extending between and attached to the air inlet and outlet frames 116, 114. The door 112 is disposed at the first sidewall 117. When the door 112 is closed, the door 112 seals the first sidewall 117.

The top and bottom walls may also serve as side walls with the filter housing 110 mounted differently in the air ventilation system. Thus, in the present application, reference to space is in relation to air flow through the filter housing, i.e. upstream and downstream reference. First and

second side walls

117, 118 extend between and are connected to the air inlet frame 116 and the air outlet frame 114 and between the top wall 119 and the air inlet frame 116.

The door 112 is arranged to selectively seal a filter access port 121, which filter access port 121 is configured to facilitate installation of a

filter unit

122a, 122b (which is shown in an installed state in fig. 1b) into the filter housing 110 (and removal of the

filter unit

122a, 122 b). Mounting includes receiving and clamping the filter unit to sealingly engage a face (e.g., on a flange) of the air inlet frame 116 (not shown in detail). The door 112 is coupled to the cabinet 111 by a hinge 123. The door includes a seal (not visible) that engages a face of the first sidewall 117 when the door 112 is in the closed position, thereby sealing the filter access port.

Referring now to fig. 1b, an embodiment of a scanning device 130 according to the present invention is arranged downstream of the

filter units

122a, 122b in the interior volume of the cabinet 111. (the cover with the venting structure sealingly engaged with the exit frame 114 is omitted in the figures for simplicity.) the scanning device 130 is configured with two separate scanning means 131a, 131b, each positioned at a

respective filter unit

122a, 122 b. This arrangement enables access to each of the filter frame and the surface in order to achieve a desired specific (spatial) resolution of leak detection. Each scanning apparatus has an elongate scanning probe 132a, 132B and an associated moving mechanism 133a, 133B, the moving mechanism 133a, 133B being operable to displace its respective scanning probe 132a, 132B in a direction perpendicular to the direction of longitudinal extension of the scanning probe 132a, 132B between two end positions (labelled a and B in figure 1B) at the top and bottom respectively of its respective filter unit 122a, 122B. Since each

scanning probe

132a, 132b of the

scanning device

131a, 131b covers the full distance necessary to scan its

respective filter unit

122a, 122b (i.e. the filter unit area optionally plus the width of its sealing area), only movement in one direction perpendicular to the

scanning probe

132a, 132b is required to cover the scan of the entire filter surface. The range of movement in a direction perpendicular to the scanning probes 132a, 132B is defined by a first end position a at the top wall 119 of the housing and a second end position B at the bottom wall 120 of the housing, or alternatively the range of movement may be defined as the distance between an upper end position and a lower end position, the upper end position and the lower end position being arranged at the top and bottom of the filter area, respectively.

Each respective moving

mechanism

133a, 133b extends perpendicular to the longitudinal extension of the scanning probe between the inner surface of the top wall 119 and the inner surface of the bottom wall 120. An embodiment of the moving mechanism will be explained in more detail below with reference to fig. 2a and 2 b.

Still referring to fig. 1a and 1b, an elongated and rotatable actuator (or set of actuators) is arranged to extend within the filter housing 110 in a direction parallel to the

scanning probes

132a, 132b, and here the moving

mechanisms

133a and 133b are coupled to the same actuator 134. If desired, a set of concentrically arranged rotatable actuators may be used, even though a single rotatable actuator would simplify the construction and is therefore preferred. The actuator 134 is also coupled to a rotation mechanism, here a crank operable from outside the chassis 111, by an airtight penetration arranged within the first side wall 117. Other applicable rotary drive means for the rotary actuator include, for example, a motor, or a motor device controlled by the scanning equipment.

According to an embodiment of the inventive concept, the actuator is arranged/positioned within an area covered by the range of motion of the scanning probe, i.e. between the first end position a and the second end position B.

Referring now to fig. 2a, according to an embodiment of the invention, the scanning device 131 comprises a moving mechanism 133, the moving mechanism 133 comprising a drive wheel 135, the drive wheel 135 being arranged to receive an actuator 134 (not shown in fig. 2 a) and to engage with the actuator 134 such that when the actuator 134 rotates, the drive wheel 135 rotates. The drive element 136 is suspended between a first end wheel 137 and a second end wheel 138. The first and second end wheels may be gears or free wheels. The first end wheel 137 is arranged in a suspension support element 139, the suspension support element 139 being fixed to the first end portion 157 of the support rail 154. The suspended support element 139 is arranged to be fixed at the top wall 119 inside the housing 110 by means of suitable fastening means, such as screws, rivets, quick-connect fittings, etc., not shown. Corresponding means are provided for the second end wheel 138, the second end wheel 138 being arranged in a suspension support element 140, the suspension support element 140 being fixed to the support rail 154 at a second end portion 158. The suspended support element 140 is further arranged to be fixed at the bottom wall 120 inside the housing 110 by means of suitable fastening means, such as screws, rivets, quick-connect fittings, etc., not shown.

The drive element 136 is arranged perpendicularly with respect to the actuator and the scanning probe 132. The drive element 136 is also engaged with a drive wheel 135, the drive wheel 135 rotating with rotation of the actuator, thereby driving the drive element 136. The rail 154 is here an elongated metal profile having a first side 155 and a second side 156 and opposite first 157 and second 158 end portions. In order to stabilize the drive wheel 135 and limit the lateral movement of the drive element 136, a support structure 143, substantially U-shaped and having support flanges, holds the drive element in place and provides a base for mounting the drive wheel 135 and optionally the guide wheel 142. The support structure 143 is attached to the second side 156 of the rail 154 and the drive element 136 is suspended circumferentially around the rail 154 in its longitudinal direction, see fig. 2b, which shows how the

end wheels

137, 138 and the rail 154 provide the drive element 136 with a guide track 144, the drive element 136 also being engaged with the drive wheel 135 via the guide wheel 142. The slider 141 is attached to the drive element 136 on a portion of the drive element disposed on the first side 155 of the rail 154. The slider 141 and the guide rail 154 are provided with complementary tracks 160, 161 (which receive each other) such that the slider 141 follows the guide rail 154 when the actuator 134/drive wheel 135 moves the drive element 136. Alternatively, the scanning probe 132 may be attached directly to the drive element.

According to one embodiment, the drive wheel 135 is a gear and the drive element 136 is a toothed belt. In this exemplary embodiment, the actuator is a drive shaft of circular cross-section that is received by the gear 135 and engages the gear 135 such that when the actuator is rotated, the gear drives the toothed belt 136. Other shapes of the actuator cross-section may be suitable, such as square, toothed, etc. As shown in fig. 2b, the scanning probe 132 is connected to a slide 141 arranged on a guide rail 154. The slider 141 carries the scanning probe 132. The drive element (toothed belt) 136 is also suspended around an upper end position gear 137 and a lower end position gear 138, the upper end position gear 137 and the lower end position gear 138 being arranged with a predetermined diameter. The diameters of the upper end position gear 137 and the lower end position gear 138 are selected to enable the probe slide to be moved to the topmost and bottommost ends of the filter so that the entire filter surface can be scanned in one scanning cycle.

The toothed belt may be reinforced by steel or kevlar fibre ropes to prevent the toothed belt from stretching over time, making the tension mechanism superfluous.

The scanning device according to the invention is adapted to be implemented with quick connections to make the device easy to disassemble and reassemble, for example if it needs to be repaired or retrofitted into an existing filter unit cabinet.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the number of drive wheel steps is selected to provide a preselected scan speed. In one embodiment of the scanning apparatus, the actuator is a crank shaft, and the number of steps of the drive wheel and crank is selected to provide a scanning speed of 5 cm/s. For a typical filter unit size of 60 cm in height, the scan takes 12 seconds and the crank needs to be rotated 12 times.

Referring now to fig. 3, a scanning device 230 according to the present invention is arranged in a filter housing 200, the filter housing 200 having a cabinet 211 arranged for fitting three adjacently arranged filter units (not shown in the drawings). The scanning device 230 has a similar arrangement to the embodiment shown in fig. 1a and 1b described above, but here comprises three adjacently arranged moving

mechanisms

231a, 231b and 231c, which three adjacently arranged moving

mechanisms

231a, 231b and 231c are all engaged with a common actuator 234, the actuator 234 extending parallel to the

scanning probe

132a, 132b, 132c of each moving mechanism. Each

scanning probe

132a, 132b, 132c is here adapted to scan a filter unit having the same width and height. In an alternative embodiment, adjacently arranged scanning probes are adapted to scan filter units having different widths but the same height.

Fig. 4 and 5 show two further embodiments of

scanning devices

330 and 430 according to the invention, wherein the

scanning devices

330 and 430 are arranged in

filter housings

300 and 400 having

housings

311 and 411, respectively, the

housings

311 and 411 being arranged for fitting four filter units and a single filter unit arranged adjacently, respectively.

In the scanning apparatus 330 shown in fig. 4, four moving

mechanisms

331a, 331b, 331c, 331d are positioned at respective filter units (not shown in the figure). The two

actuators

334a and 334b extend parallel to the

scanning probe

332a, 332b, 332c, 332d of each respective moving

mechanism

331a, 331b, 331c, 331 d. Crank handles 335a and 335b are arranged on the outside of the housing 311 and thereby enable the scanning of the filter unit to be initiated when the filter unit is mounted in the filter housing. Each

scanning probe

332a, 332b, 332c is here adapted to scan a filter unit having the same width and height. In an alternative embodiment, adjacently arranged scanning probes are adapted to scan filter units having different widths but the same height.

Furthermore, those skilled in the art will understand which features of the different embodiments may be combined, although not explicitly written out above.

While the invention has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description, such illustration and description are to be considered illustrative or exemplary and not restrictive; the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments.

Other variations to the disclosed embodiments can be understood and effected by those skilled in the art in practicing the claimed invention, from a study of the drawings, the disclosure, and the appended claims. In the claims, the word "comprising" does not exclude other elements or steps, and the indefinite article "a" or "an" does not exclude a plurality. The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used to advantage. Any reference signs in the claims should not be construed as limiting the scope.

Claims

1. A scanning apparatus for filter leak detection of at least one filter having a chassis, the scanning apparatus comprising at least one scanning device arranged to scan a respective filter,

each scanning device includes:

an elongated scanning probe covering the full width of a respective filter surface of the scanning probe; and

a moving mechanism extending perpendicular to a longitudinal extension direction of the scanning probe and connected with the scanning probe for displacing the scanning probe over the filter in a direction perpendicular to the scanning probe, wherein the moving mechanism further comprises a guide rail arranged for guiding a movement of the scanning probe,

the scanning apparatus comprises an elongated rotatable drive shaft connected with each moving mechanism for activating the moving mechanism, wherein the elongated rotatable drive shaft is arranged to extend parallel to the scanning probe, and a rotation mechanism connected with the elongated rotatable drive shaft for rotating the elongated rotatable drive shaft and arranged to be operable from outside the enclosure, wherein the scanning probe of each scanning device is arranged on an upstream side of the moving mechanism and the elongated rotatable drive shaft.

2. A scanning device according to claim 1, wherein the movement mechanism further comprises a slide arranged for movement along the guide rail and the scanning probe is attached to the slide.

3. The scanning apparatus of claim 1 wherein the movement mechanism comprises a drive wheel and a drive element, the drive wheel being connected to the elongate rotatable drive shaft and the drive element being driven by the drive wheel.

4. A scanning apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the movement mechanism comprises a drive wheel and a drive element, the drive wheel being connected to the elongate rotatable drive shaft and the drive element being driven by the drive wheel.

5. A scanning device according to claim 3, wherein the drive element is arranged to extend between an upper end position and a lower end position, the upper end position and the lower end position being arranged at the top and bottom of the filter, respectively.

6. A scanning device according to claim 4, wherein the drive element is arranged to extend between an upper end position and a lower end position, the upper end position and the lower end position being arranged at the top and bottom of the filter, respectively.

7. A scanning device according to any of claims 3-6, wherein the number of steps of the drive wheel is selected to provide a preselected scanning speed.

8. A scanning device according to any of claims 3-6, wherein the drive element is one of a toothed belt, a chain, a flat belt and a cord.

9. The scanning device of claim 7, wherein the drive element is one of a toothed belt, a chain, a flat belt, and a cord.

10. A scanning device according to any of claims 3-6 and 9, wherein the drive element comprises a reinforced cable.

11. A scanning device according to claim 7, wherein the drive element comprises a reinforced cable.

12. A scanning device according to claim 8, wherein the drive element comprises a reinforced cable.

13. A scanning device according to any of claims 3-6 and 9, wherein the drive element comprises a rope with steel or kevlar fibres.

14. A scanning device according to claim 7, wherein the drive element comprises a rope of steel or Kevlar fibre.

15. A scanning device according to claim 8, wherein the drive element comprises a rope of steel or Kevlar fibre.

16. A scanning device according to any of claims 1-6, 9, 11-12 and 14-15, wherein said elongated rotatable drive shaft is rotated by means of a crank handle, a motor arrangement controlled by scanning equipment.

17. A scanning device according to claim 7, wherein the elongate rotatable drive shaft is rotated by a crank handle, a motor arrangement controlled by scanning equipment.

18. A scanning device according to claim 8, wherein the elongated rotatable drive shaft is rotated by a crank handle, a motor arrangement controlled by scanning equipment.

19. A scanning device according to claim 10, wherein the elongated rotatable drive shaft is rotated by a crank handle, a motor arrangement controlled by scanning equipment.

20. A scanning device according to claim 13, wherein the elongated rotatable drive shaft is rotated by a crank handle, a motor arrangement controlled by scanning equipment.

21. The scanning device of any of claims 1-6, 9, 11-12, 14-15, and 17-20, wherein a range of motion of the scanning probe is defined by a first end position and a second end position, and wherein the elongate rotatable drive shaft is disposed within the range of motion.

22. The scanning device of claim 7, wherein a range of motion of the scanning probe is bounded by a first end position and a second end position, and wherein the elongate rotatable drive shaft is disposed within the range of motion.

23. The scanning device of claim 8, wherein a range of motion of the scanning probe is bounded by a first end position and a second end position, and wherein the elongate rotatable drive shaft is disposed within the range of motion.

24. The scanning device of claim 10, wherein a range of motion of the scanning probe is bounded by a first end position and a second end position, and wherein the elongate rotatable drive shaft is disposed within the range of motion.

25. The scanning device of claim 13, wherein a range of motion of the scanning probe is bounded by a first end position and a second end position, and wherein the elongate rotatable drive shaft is disposed within the range of motion.

26. The scanning device of claim 16, wherein a range of motion of the scanning probe is bounded by a first end position and a second end position, and wherein the elongate rotatable drive shaft is disposed within the range of motion.

27. The scanning device of any of claims 1-6, 9, 11-12, 14-15, 17-20, and 22-26, wherein at least one scanning probe is one of: a set of probes that seamlessly covers the full length of each filter surface and seal segment, a multi-chamber probe, a tube with several inlet holes distributed through the tube wall along the length of the test probe, and a V-bank filter scanning probe.

28. The scanning device of claim 7, wherein at least one scanning probe is one of: a set of probes that seamlessly covers the full length of each filter surface and seal segment, a multi-chamber probe, a tube with several inlet holes distributed through the tube wall along the length of the test probe, and a V-bank filter scanning probe.

29. The scanning device of claim 8, wherein at least one scanning probe is one of: a set of probes that seamlessly covers the full length of each filter surface and seal segment, a multi-chamber probe, a tube with several inlet holes distributed through the tube wall along the length of the test probe, and a V-bank filter scanning probe.

30. The scanning device of claim 10, wherein at least one scanning probe is one of: a set of probes that seamlessly covers the full length of each filter surface and seal segment, a multi-chamber probe, a tube with several inlet holes distributed through the tube wall along the length of the test probe, and a V-bank filter scanning probe.

31. The scanning device of claim 13, wherein at least one scanning probe is one of: a set of probes that seamlessly covers the full length of each filter surface and seal segment, a multi-chamber probe, a tube with several inlet holes distributed through the tube wall along the length of the test probe, and a V-bank filter scanning probe.

32. The scanning device of claim 16, wherein at least one scanning probe is one of: a set of probes that seamlessly covers the full length of each filter surface and seal segment, a multi-chamber probe, a tube with several inlet holes distributed through the tube wall along the length of the test probe, and a V-bank filter scanning probe.

33. The scanning device of claim 21, wherein at least one scanning probe is one of: a set of probes that seamlessly covers the full length of each filter surface and seal segment, a multi-chamber probe, a tube with several inlet holes distributed through the tube wall along the length of the test probe, and a V-bank filter scanning probe.

34. A scanning device according to any of claims 1-6, 9, 11-12, 14-15, 17-20, 22-26 and 28-33, wherein said elongated rotatable drive shaft comprises a set of concentrically arranged drive shafts, a telescoping drive shaft, or a set of coupled adjacent drive shafts arranged along the same longitudinal axis.

35. The scanning apparatus of claim 7, wherein the elongated rotatable drive shaft comprises a set of concentrically arranged drive shafts, a telescoping drive shaft, or a set of coupled adjacent drive shafts arranged along the same longitudinal axis.

36. The scanning apparatus of claim 8, wherein the elongated rotatable drive shaft comprises a set of concentrically arranged drive shafts, a telescoping drive shaft, or a set of coupled adjacent drive shafts arranged along the same longitudinal axis.

37. The scanning apparatus of claim 10, wherein the elongated rotatable drive shaft comprises a set of concentrically arranged drive shafts, a telescoping drive shaft, or a set of coupled adjacent drive shafts arranged along the same longitudinal axis.

38. The scanning apparatus of claim 13, wherein the elongated rotatable drive shaft comprises a set of concentrically arranged drive shafts, a telescoping drive shaft, or a set of coupled adjacent drive shafts arranged along the same longitudinal axis.

39. The scanning apparatus of claim 16, wherein the elongated rotatable drive shaft comprises a set of concentrically arranged drive shafts, a telescoping drive shaft, or a set of coupled adjacent drive shafts arranged along the same longitudinal axis.

40. The scanning apparatus of claim 21, wherein the elongated rotatable drive shaft comprises a set of concentrically arranged drive shafts, a telescoping drive shaft, or a set of coupled adjacent drive shafts arranged along the same longitudinal axis.

41. The scanning apparatus of claim 27, wherein the elongated rotatable drive shaft comprises a set of concentrically arranged drive shafts, a telescoping drive shaft, or a set of coupled adjacent drive shafts arranged along the same longitudinal axis.

42. A scanning apparatus for filter leak detection of at least one filter, the scanning apparatus comprising:

an elongate rotatable drive shaft; and

at least one moving mechanism extending perpendicular to a longitudinal extension direction of an elongated scanning probe and connected with the scanning probe for displacing the scanning probe over a respective filter in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal extension direction of the scanning probe, the scanning probe covering a full width of a respective filter surface, wherein the at least one moving mechanism comprises a guide rail arranged for guiding a movement of the scanning probe, and the at least one moving mechanism is connected to and activated by the elongated rotatable drive shaft, which is arranged to extend parallel to the longitudinal extension direction of the scanning probe.

43. A filter housing comprising a scanning device according to any one of claims 1 to 41, or a scanning apparatus according to claim 42.