FILTRATION OF LIQUID COOLANTS
A coolant for a machine is filtered by passing some of the coolant into a discharge tube having an opening, the discharge tube supporting a filter bag. Coolant flowing into the discharge tube flows out of the tube through the opening, and then through the bag, and the filtered fluid is recirculated. An end piece, pivotably mounted to the discharge tube, prevents the bag from falling off while in operation, but can be pivoted to a position which facilitates insertion and removal of the bag. When filled, the bag can therefore easily be removed and replaced with a new bag. The invention greatly simplifies the process of filtering a coolant fluid.
The present invention relates to filtration of liquid coolants used with milling machines and the like. The invention provides a simple and economical way of filtering such coolants, and of replacing the filter when needed.
A milling device or lathe, or the like, produces considerable heat on a workpiece. This heating is countered with a continuous supply of a coolant medium, which is typically provided as a liquid, and sprayed onto the workpiece. The coolant medium is preferably recirculated and re-used.
The operation of the milling device or lathe produces particles which become entrained by, and suspended in, the coolant medium, and which must eventually be removed. In addition, some oil from the machinery will become mixed with the coolant, and should also be removed.
It is important that the flow of coolant not be interrupted while the milling device is operating, to prevent undesirable overheating of the workpiece.
A typical arrangement of the prior art is shown in
The above-described prior art system provides no convenient way of filtering the used coolant fluid. The present invention provides a simple and convenient method and apparatus which substantially improves the prior art arrangement described above. With the present invention, one can easily filter a portion of the coolant flow, and can easily replace the filter when it becomes clogged. Thus, the present invention substantially improves the efficiency of the milling process.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention includes a system for filtration of a coolant, wherein a conduit supplies coolant fluid to a nozzle, or other delivery means, disposed near a workpiece. A discharge tube, in fluid communication with the conduit, receives some of the flow of the coolant. The discharge tube has an internal channel which allows fluid to flow through the tube. The discharge tube also has an opening, which is preferably a slot, allowing fluid in the internal channel to flow out of the tube. A filter bag is disposed around the discharge tube, and is suspended therefrom. Thus, fluid entering the discharge tube flows out of the tube, through the opening, and into the filter bag, so that the fluid passing through the material of the bag becomes filtered. Filtered fluid falls out of the bag and is then recirculated.
The opening in the discharge tube is preferably a slot which extends along most of the length of the tube. The discharge tube also preferably includes a pivoting end piece, which, in a first position, allows the filter bag to slide easily onto the tube, and in a second position, holds or locks the bag in place after the bag has been inserted.
The discharge tube also includes a mounting block which facilitates the attachment of the tube to a structure, such as a wall of an enclosure housing a machine.
The present invention also includes a valve, which may be part of the discharge tube, or which may be located remotely from the tube, for controlling the flow of fluid into the tube.
The present invention also includes the specific structure of the discharge tube, as described above, and the combination of the discharge tube and the filter bag suspended therefrom.
The invention also includes a method of filtering a coolant for a machine. A discharge tube, having the structure described above, is connected to a supply conduit for coolant. The end piece is positioned parallel to the longitudinal axis of the tube, and a filter bag is positioned on the tube. The end piece is positioned perpendicular to the axis of the tube, so as to lock the filter bag in place. A valve associated with the discharge tube is then opened, allowing fluid to enter the tube, wherein such fluid flows out of the tube and into the filter bag.
When the filter bag becomes filled with particulates, it is necessary to replace the bag. The valve is closed, the end piece is pivoted to the “open” (parallel) position, and the filter bag is removed. A new filter bag is supplied, and the process described above is repeated.
The present invention therefore has the primary object of providing a method and apparatus for filtering a coolant for a machine.
The invention has the further object of enabling a filtration operation to be performed by a simple filter bag which can easily be inserted and replaced when necessary.
The invention has the further object of improving the efficiency of machines, and reducing their cost of operation, by providing a simple and inexpensive method and apparatus for filtering a coolant.
The reader skilled in the art will recognize other objects and advantages of the present invention, from a reading of the following brief description of the drawings, the detailed description of the invention, and the appended claims.
The present invention provides an apparatus and method for removing particulates from a coolant medium. As used in this disclosure, the terms “particles” and “particulates” should be interpreted to include both solid particles and liquid contaminants such as droplets of oil.
In the device of
The discharge tube 50 includes a hose attachment 55, to which a hose 56 can be affixed. Valve 57 includes knob 58 for controlling the flow of fluid through the discharge tube. A manifold or mounting block 59 provides means for mounting the discharge tube to a wall. In
The distal end of the discharge tube, i.e. the right-hand side in
The structure of the end piece and spring-loaded pin is illustrated in
The purpose of the end piece 63 is to facilitate the insertion and removal of a filter bag over the discharge tube.
After the bag is inserted over the discharge tube, the end piece 63 can be rotated to one of its perpendicular positions (such as is represented in
As noted above, the slot 52 preferably extends along most of the length of the discharge tube, so as not to interfere with the flow of fluid coolant out of the tube. The length of the slot should be slightly less than the length of the filter bag, which preferably covers the slot. If the filter bag does not span all of the slot, some fluid will fall out without being filtered. Depending on the specific configuration of the filter bag, the slot could be replaced by some other opening, having a different length or shape, if desired.
In the embodiment shown in
In the embodiments described so far, the coolant valve has been shown as part of the discharge tube.
The present invention includes the method of filtration of a coolant fluid using a filter bag disposed over a discharge tube. The end piece of the discharge tube is positioned to be parallel to the longitudinal axis of the tube. A filter bag is inserted over the discharge tube, and the end piece is rotated to a position which is perpendicular to the axis of the tube. Thus, the bag is held on the discharge tube. Some of the recirculating coolant fluid is directed into the tube. Due to the slot in the tube, the fluid flows by gravity into the bag. The bag traps particles suspended in the fluid, as well as droplets of oil in the fluid, and the filtered fluid flows through the pores in the filter material, and into a reservoir for recirculation.
When the bag becomes filled with particles and/or oil, the end piece of the discharge tube is moved to the parallel position, and the bag is removed from the tube. A new, clean bag is inserted over the discharge tube, and the process is repeated.
As is apparent from
It is important that the flow of coolant fluid to the workpiece not be interrupted. Therefore, valve 41 is set by opening it just so far as to cause a very slight reduction in flow at the nozzle. Then, the valve may be moved very slightly towards the closed position, so that the flow at the nozzle is the same as it was when valve 41 was closed. In other words, valve 41 is set to allow the discharge tube to receive the maximum practical flow of fluid, without reducing the flow to the nozzle. The proportion of the fluid that goes to the discharge tube is determined by the capacity of the pump and the size of the fluid conduits.
There are two types of preferred fabric material used for the filter bag. Both types are made of polypropylene. The first is a spun bond, and the other is a melt blown fabric. Either type may be used, depending on the application. There may be as many as four layers used to form the bag. Also, the weight of the fabric can vary. While the above-described material is preferred, the invention is not limited to use with a particular type of material.
In
The invention can be modified in still other ways. The particular material used to make the filter bag can be varied. The shape of the opening or slot, in the discharge tube, can be modified. The structure of the end piece could be different. The positioning of the device of the invention can be changed.
These and other variations, which will be apparent to the reader skilled in the art, should be considered within the spirit and scope of the following claims.
Claims
1. A system for filtration of a coolant, comprising:
- a) a conduit for supplying a fluid coolant, the conduit being connected to means for delivering some of the coolant to a workpiece,
- b) a discharge tube, the discharge tube being in fluid communication with the conduit, the discharge tube having an internal channel which permits fluid flow through the tube, the discharge tube also having an opening in communication with the internal channel and allowing fluid to flow out of the tube,
- c) a filter bag disposed around the discharge tube, and suspended from the discharge tube, the filter bag being made of a filter material, wherein fluid entering the discharge tube flows through the opening and into the bag, wherein fluid is filtered by passage through the filter material of the bag.
2. The system of claim 1, wherein the opening in the discharge tube comprises a slot which extends through a body of the discharge tube, the slot extending along most of a length of the discharge tube.
3. The system of claim 2, wherein the discharge tube is connected to an end piece, the end piece being pivotably mounted to the discharge tube, wherein the end piece can be pivoted to a position wherein the end piece is substantially parallel to the discharge tube, and to another position wherein the end piece is substantially perpendicular to the discharge tube.
4. The system of claim 3, wherein the end piece is in the position substantially perpendicular to the discharge tube, when the filter bag is in place over the tube.
5. The system of claim 3, wherein the discharge tube includes a mounting block having at least one hole for insertion of a fastener for affixing the discharge tube to a structure.
6. The system of claim 5, further comprising a valve, in fluid communication with the discharge tube, for controlling a flow of fluid into the discharge tube.
7. A discharge tube comprising:
- a) a generally cylindrical body, the body having a longitudinal axis, the body including an internal channel for fluid flow, the body having an opening which allows fluid to flow out of the tube in a direction generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the body,
- b) the cylindrical body being connected to an end piece which is pivotably mounted to the body, wherein the end piece can be pivoted to a position wherein the end piece is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the body, and to another position wherein the end piece is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the body.
8. The discharge tube of claim 7, wherein the body is connected to a mounting block, the mounting block including at least one hole through which a fastener can be inserted for affixing the discharge tube to a structure.
9. The discharge tube of claim 8, wherein the body is connected to a valve which controls a flow of fluid into the body.
10. The discharge tube of claim 9, wherein the valve is positioned adjacent to the mounting block.
11. The discharge tube of claim 9, wherein the valve is positioned remotely from the mounting block, the valve being connected to the body by a hose.
12. The discharge tube of claim 7, wherein the opening comprises a slot which extends through the body, the slot extending along most of a length of the body.
13. The discharge tube of claim 7, further comprising a filter bag, the bag comprising a pair of layers which are fastened together except at one end, wherein the bag is looped around the body, and is suspended therefrom, wherein fluid flowing into the body can flow into the filter bag.
14. A method of filtering a coolant fluid for a machine, the coolant fluid being supplied from a supply conduit, the method comprising:
- a) connecting a discharge tube to the supply conduit, the discharge tube having a longitudinal axis, the discharge tube having a generally cylindrical body defining an internal channel for fluid flow, the discharge tube also having an opening allowing fluid in the internal channel to flow out of the tube, the tube being connected to an end piece which is pivotably mounted to the tube,
- b) positioning the end piece such that the end piece is generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the tube,
- c) sliding a filter bag onto the discharge tube,
- d) positioning the end piece such that the end piece is generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the tube,
- e) actuating a valve, in fluid communication with the discharge tube, for enabling fluid to flow into the discharge tube,
- wherein fluid entering the discharge tube flows into the filter bag and becomes filtered.
15. The method of claim 14, further comprising:
- f) determining when the filter bag has become filled with particulate material,
- g) actuating the valve to stop fluid flow into the discharge tube,
- h) positioning the end piece as in step (b),
- i) sliding the filter bag off the discharge tube, and
- j) performing steps (c), (d), and (e) with a new filter bag.
16. The method of claim 15, wherein the opening comprises a slot which extends along a length of the body of the discharge tube, and wherein step (c) includes positioning the filter bag such that the bag covers substantially all of the slot.
17. The method of claim 15, further comprising recirculating fluid which has passed through the bag by pumping the fluid into the supply conduit.
Type: Application
Filed: Oct 17, 2011
Publication Date: Apr 18, 2013
Inventor: Ralph F. Polimeni, JR. (Reno, NV)
Application Number: 13/274,652
International Classification: B01D 29/00 (20060101); F16L 9/00 (20060101);