Abstract: A porous, conical structure for submersion in a body of water for rotation by water action. A screw blade in the structure confines as well as propels fish toward an outlet end of the porous structure. A support structure for the porous, conical structure may be embodied in a buoyant platform while a modified form of the collector utilizes a permanent ground supported structure. A receptacle is provided at the outlet end of the porous, conical structure for reception of fish and other collected matter. The receptacle may be a walled structure or the end of a bypass conduit enabling diversion of the collected matter and water away from the body of water. A lift and pivoted bearing permit elevating of porous, conical structure from the body of water.

Abstract: A batch-action apparatus for filtering a fluid medium comprises a hermetically sealed housing (1) communicating with systems (9, 10 and 11) for feeding the fluid medium, discharging the clean medium, and evacuating filter cake.The housing (1) accommodates a flexible filter hose (2) one end (4) of which is turned inside out and attached to the housing (1), whereas the other end (7) thereof is connected to a hoisting mechanism (3) acting to move the hose (2) relative to the fixed end (4) of this hose. The end (4) of the hose (2) turned inside out forms an annular cavity (8) to which the fluid medium is fed and which varies in volume under the action of filter cake build-up or in response to the movement executed by the hoisting mechanism (3).

Abstract: In the cleansing especially of cooling water for a heat exchanger the installation of rotationally symmetric filter bodies in the cooling water feeder pipe and suction of sediments across a suction nozzle rotating on the windward side. Difficulties result therein in the production of a required back-flow through the filter and the avoidance of lateral airfluxes in front of the filter surface, as a certain gap is necessary between filter and suction nozzle for holding the sediments.

Abstract: A filtering device for filtering a thermoplastic material by passing a continuous filter across a passage through which the material is caused to flow at an elevated temperature and pressure. The filter is passed through entry and exit ports flanking the passage. Seals on the filter cooperate in sealing engagement with the walls of the entry port to prevent the flowable thermoplastic material from escaping therethrough. The exit port is larger than the entry port, and is sealed off by a solidified plug of the thermoplastic material bonded to the filter. The pressure of the thermoplastic material in the filter passage forces the plug out of the exit port into contact with an external stop, with that portion of the plug in contact with the stop being selectively heated to accommodate controlled emergence of the plug and the filter bonded thereto.

Abstract: An intermittent-action apparatus for filtering liquid has a sealed casing (1) in which a hollow cylinder (8) is mounted so as to define with the casing (1) an annular space (9) communicating with a system for removing precipitate. A driven drum (12) is provided in the upper part of the casing (1), and one end (11) of a filtering hose (10) is secured to the drum, the other end (13) of the hose being turned inside out and secured along the perimeter to the hollow cylinder (8) so as to define around the remaining part of the hose an annular space (14) for liquid being filtered, the annular space varying in volume during accumulation of precipitate therein and during movement of the hose under the action of the drum.

Abstract: An improved reverse osmosis unit is provided for use in a water purification system, wherein the reverse osmosis unit includes an integral control valve for regulating water inflow in response to system demand for purified water. The reverse osmosis unit includes a feed water inlet receiving a supply of ordinary tap water or the like for flow through a reverse osmosis cartridge having a membrane for separating the water inflow into a relatively pure water supply and a reject water supply with impurities concentrated therein. The pure water supply is coupled through a pure outlet port for collection within an appropriate storage vessel to await dispensing through a faucet valve or the like, whereas the reject water supply flows through a reject outlet port for discharge to a drain.

Abstract: As a preliminary step, the dirty filter is dried to remove substantially all moisture from the dust on the filter. The filter is then spun in a closed cabinet. Simultaneously, a jet of pressurized air is reciprocated in close proximity along the inner surface of the filter. Also at the same time, suction is maintained on the cabinet, to remove dust-laden air and assist in the dislodging of the dust from the filter paper. By the combined actions of spinning, close-coupled reverse air jetting, and suction, the dust can substantially all be removed from the dirty filter.

Abstract: An apparatus for filtering a fluid medium has a sealed ring-shaped body in the interior of which is movably mounted a flexible filtering member having a toroidal shape. Slide valves divide the interior of the body into two portions, one of which receives the supply of fluid medium to be cleaned and removes the fluid medium cleaned by the filtering member, while the other cleans the filtering member by removing cake from it.

Abstract: A pre-filtering apparatus for pre-filtering raw material to be pressed by a continuous screw press having a hopper includes a filtering screen arranged rotatably within the hopper about a shaft, so that the inside space of the hopper is divided into two portions. The raw material is supplied into the one of the two portions which communicates with the continuous screw press. Water, oils and fats extracted by the screen from the raw material are discharged out of the hopper through an outlet pipe provided to the hopper at a position above the shaft.

Abstract: This invention comprises a valve filter unit (23, 53) comprising a filter (24, 54) the face (25, 55) of which extends angularly to the flow of a fluid medium toward same, and having perforations (26) formed therein; the filter (24, 54) biased by a spring (33, 63) toward a first position wherein the fluid is forced to flow through the filter (24, 54) to remove foreign particles therefrom; said filter (24, 54) movable against the spring (33, 63) in response to additional pressure of the fluid to unseat the filter (24, 54) from its first position engagement with a surface (40, 66) of the conduit (12, 51) within which the filter (24, 54) is mounted, the additional pressure occurring due to a valve (21) downstream from the filter (24, 54) moving away from a closed position with its seat (22) such that the fluid moves quickly past the filter (24, 54) and through the space formed between the filter (24, 54) and the surface (40, 66), thereby cleansing both the filter surface (25, 55) and the mating surfaces of the va

Abstract: An arrangement for scraping the filtered solids build-up from the surface of a drum filter is disclosed, in which a scraper is mounted with an edge against the surface so that rotation of the drum will accomplish scraping of the surface. Clutching engagement with a rotary drive member is produced by a predetermined extent of axial shifting of the drum against the resistance of a spring bias force. The drum is also arranged to be subjected to an axial pressure force developed by flow through the filter so that clutching engagement is automatically produced upon build-up of solids to a predetermined extent to cause a level of pressure force to be developed to produce a consequent axial shifting sufficient to produce clutching engagement and rotation of the drum. A drag out conveyor moving through the tank engages a rotary sprocket which comprises the rotary drive member, and the scraper edge and drum are positioned to directly deposit the scraped solids on the conveyer to be removed from the tank.

Abstract: A tamper resistant animal guard for a drain pipe outlet having self cleaning prongs for preventing the admission of small animals while allowing sticks, leaves and other debris to flow from a drain pipe is provided by the utilization of a plurality of individually rotatable prongs axially disposed on an axle or shaft. A mounting bracket for mounting the axle or shaft is preferably of a flexible material to conform to the inside circumference of the drain pipe while engaging the ends of the axle or shaft which extends substantially across the diameter of the drain pipe.

Abstract: A centrifugal filter separator system operable to separate from oil under pressure, contaminants and water. The centrifuged water port of the centrifugal filter separator of the system is coupled to a differential pressure responsive, sensor control, which automatically senses the presence of a layer of centrifuged water against the internal surface of the rotating drum of the centrifugal separator. The sensor control is coupled to a flow control circuit which in conjunction with the differential pressure sensor control causes automatic removal of an existing layer of centrifuged water from the rotating drum via the water exit port of the separator. When there is no adequate depth layer of centrifuged water on the inner surface of the rotating drum, the sensor control deactivates the water removal circuit, while the flow control circuit maintains a minimum generally constant flow of liquid from the water port of the separator for priming purposes.

Abstract: Liquid filter devices, particularly for irrigation systems are known to comprise automatic, periodic reverse-flow rinsing arrangements, whereby water is flushed in the opposite direction to release clogged particles from the filter member. The disclosed devices utilize the reverse, flushing water flow to release the filter member of the device from its normal, stationary position, and rinse it by jets. The jets are also useful to impart a rotatable movement to the filter member. In the case of disc filters, the discs become released and spaced from each other, and individually spin during the rinsing thereof.

Abstract: A filter device is disclosed in which the filter element is made to spin about itself during reverse-flow, flushing operational stage thereof. The device comprises a sprinkle member rotatably supported inside the filter element. Reaction forces generated by water jets forced through the sprinkle member cause its rotation, and the filter element is then caused to rotate by the jets sprayed against its inner surface. In a preferred embodiment disclosed, the filter is of the disc-type, provided with a hydraulic cylinder adapted to release the compact engagement of the disc. The discs become separated from each other, each disc being imparted the rotational movement of the rotating jets.

Abstract: A filter consisting of a housing, a rigid, porous filtering element, means for forming a primary filter path along the filtering element, and a non-rigid expanding element, wherein when a solution to be filtered flows through the primary flow path, filtrate passes through the rigid filtering element and particulate matter is retained on or in the filtering element. When the filter surface becomes clogged, the incoming solution is bypassed, reduced, or discontinued and the non-rigid expanding element expanded to first form discrete compartments of filtrate between the expanding element and the filtering element and secondly to force the discrete volumes of filtrate back through the filtering element into the flow path for removal. In one embodiment, the housing and filtering element consist of hollow cylinders and the expanding element extends lengthwise through the interior of the filtering element, expanding outwardly to expel particulate matter.

Abstract: A flow-through filter including a two-stage valve head assembly and a filtering body which is designed to provide a helical flow path for the solution over a cylindrical porous filter which captures the particulate matter contained by the solution being filtered. An extended filtering capacity is achieved due to the ability of the filter to remove and eject separated solids retained by the porous filter. An expander tube is positioned within the filter and, when connected to a pressure source, the expander tube forces solids from the pores and into the primary volume of the filter where a flushing medium is circulated. The filter clearing is made possible by an accurately controlled and metered volume of uniformly distributed reverse flow which effectively lifts the solid material out of the pores.

Abstract: A centrifugal filter separator system operable to separate from oil under pressure solid contaminants, by depositing them on the internal wall of a rotating drum, powered by reaction jet nozzles, while also separating water from oil and extracting it from the rotating drum through a water extraction circuit. A water-oil mixture from the water extraction circuit is passed through a pressurized gravity type separator, from which the separated oil is returned, on a continuous basis, back to the centrifugal filter separator system, while the quantity of the water retained in the gravity type separator is controlled by a water ejecting automatic control, responsive to the position of the water-oil miniscus, or to the position of the layer of water-oil emulsion separating water and oil within the separator.

Abstract: A centrifugal filter separator system operable to separate from oil under pressure solid contaminants, by depositing them on the internal wall of a rotating drum, powered by reaction jet nozzles, while also separating water from oil and extracting it from the rotating drum through a water extraction circuit. A water-oil mixture from the water extraction circuit is passed through a pressurized gravity type separator, from which the separated oil is returned, on a continuous basis, back to the centrifugal filter separator, while the water is retained in the gravity type separator. Flow of the mixture of water and oil through the extraction circuit is regulated in respect to change of viscosity of the extracted liquid, but relatively independent of pressure within the rotating drum for maximum efficiency of the gravity type separator.

Abstract: A centrifugal separator for separating contaminants from contaminated oil has an outer casing and a rotor within that casing mounted for rotation about a vertical axis. Oil under pressure enters the rotor at one end and at the other end exits through jets into a chamber within the casing which is normally filled with air. As the jets of oil impinge upon the inner wall of the casing, a small amount of air becomes entrained in the oil and as the oil flows to a sump, the air is gradually removed from the interior of the casing. In order to prevent a build-up of oil within the casing, which could interfere with rotation of the rotor, air under pressure is supplied to the interior of the casing by means of a float-operated valve member so that while the valve member is normally closed, any increase in the oil level will cause the float to rise with that oil level and thereby open the valve to allow additional air to enter into the interior of the casing.

Abstract: A magnetic apparatus comprising an electromagnetic coil surrounding a feed water inlet tube, having an electrical D.C. winding about the tube and a ferromagnetic helix closely fitting within the inside of the tube rotating in response to water pressure. The magnetic helix which rotates in response to water flow in the casing fits quite closely to the inner wall of the tube, the helix being only slightly smaller than the inside diameter of the tube to thereby create a flow directed tangentially along the tube surface the helix further creates an induced electromagnetic field interaction with the winding to direct the magnetic lines of force within the casing. This combines electromagnetic forces and water flowing forces to prevent calcareous deposition along the walls of said casing and to assist in keeping the walls of deposits.

Abstract: A counter flow separator, for removing solid particles from a liquid, which includes a housing with an internal, peripheral helical surface and a turbine rotatable therein for forcing liquid through the housing with the particles passing down the helical surface to the bottom of the housing and the liquid passing upwardly through and out of the housing, and wherein the force of the liquid causes the rotation of the turbine.

Abstract: A strainer device for purification of pulp suspensions comprises a strainer drum with a cylindrical mantle provided with strainer openings. Between the strainer openings are inclined surfaces forming an angle with the flow direction of the suspension, in order that particles contacting the surfaces are given a component of movement radially outwards.

Abstract: A filter module wherein the fluid to be filtered is projected into a chamber containing a floating bed of buoyant bodies confined within the chamber at the top side and wherein the point of entry of the fluid is constantly moved about the center of the bed so that successive portions of the bed are subjected to weltering while the remainder is quiescent such that the solids are separated from the bodies dispersed by weltering and gravitate to the bottom of the module and are drawn off and the filtrate is drawn off through the quiescent portion of the bed at the top.

Abstract: High pressure fluid systems, such as fuel injection systems for an engine or hydraulic controls, often experience high pressure fluctuations which can cause cavitation in the system components plus secondary fuel injection in the fuel systems. Apparatus (10) is provided for dampening the pressures in such systems, as well as filtering the fluid. The apparatus (10) has a filtering element (36) which does not substantially restrict fluid flow but is movable in response to pressure waves in the fluid which are directed onto the filtering element (36). The filtering element (36) thereby filters the fluid and tends to dampen the effects of the pressure waves, which create the pressure fluctuations, by resisting their movement through the fluid system.

Abstract: A high pressure transfer device and a method of continuously conveying a liquid suspension of particulate material utilizing the transfer device are provided. The device includes a pocketed rotor rotatable in a housing, with a center screen mounted in each rotor. The screen is mounted within each pocket interior so that as liquid under pressure enters the pocket through its inlet the screen will move to enlarge the volume between the inlet and the screen. This is accomplished by forming each screen as two screen portions and mounting the screen portions for pivotal movement with respect to a center post extending in the pocket coextensive with the rotor axis of rotation. Stops are provided extending from the pocket walls to prevent the screen portions for pivoting into alignment with the pocket inlet or outlet, and each pocket preferably has a substantially circular cross-sectional internal configuration.

Abstract: A backwashable filtering device is described comprising a housing having a filter body and a backwash nozzle disposed therein, characterized in that the backwash nozzle is fixed with respect to the housing, the filter body is rotatably mounted with respect to the backwash nozzle, and the filtering device further includes a rotor and gear drive means rotating the filter body by the energy of the backwash fluid flowing through the nozzle.

Abstract: An apparatus for separating suspended solids from a liquid includes a tank, a floating bed of granular filter material held at the upper portion of the tank at the time of filtration, a feed pipe for feeding the liquid at a position between a filtering section and a sedimenting section, a hollow member or members which are arranged within the tank at a position below the position of the filter bed but above the position of the feed pipe, an air supply pipe which blows air up through the hollow member or members, thereby creating a turbulence required for effective backwashing, an arrangement for bringing the filter bed down to a position where the lowermost surface of the filter bed is held below a position substantially flush with the top end of the hollow member or members, a means for discharging a filtrate from the tank which is arranged in the top portion thereof, and a means for discharging a deposit of the suspended solids from the tank, which is equipped at the bottom portion thereof.

Abstract: A self-cleaning filter and vortexer is provided in which a filter rotates over the clean fluid outlet port of a vortexer cannister in the direction of the flow of fluid into the tangential inlet port of the vortexer. The peripheral velocity of a freely rotating filter will approximate the flow velocity of the fluid into the tangential inlet port to enhance the centrifugal acceleration effect of the vortexer and the dynamic cleaning of the filter medium. This acceleration enhances centrifugal separation of the heavier particulates in the vortexer and enhances the dynamic cleaning of the fines and other particulates from the filter medium. The drive mechanism for rotating the filter may be designed to be uneven so as to shake the filter medium as it rotates. The flow of fluid will pass thru the filter medium and be exhausted as a cleaned fluid into the outlet port of the vortexer cannister.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for dewatering a suspension of comminuted fiber material and liquid. A suspension is passed in a given direction in a container of generally circular cross-section having a hydraulic piston mounted generally concentrically therein. There are no movable components extending between the piston and the walls of the container in which it is disposed, therefore leakage from the container is minimized. The piston has screens for separating liquid from the suspension associated therewith, and is movable in the same direction as the suspension flow during removal of some liquid from the suspension, and is movable in a direction opposite to the direction of fluid flow to facilitate cleaning of the screens and to return the piston to a position wherein it can move in the direction of flow again.