Abstract: A water filtration technique is designed to maximize the efficient performance of a variety of granular filtration media. The technique maintains the granular filtration media in a compacted state between a perforated outer media container and a perforated inner media container, where the perforated inner media container is a smaller similitude of the perforated outer media container. In the preferred embodiment of the filtration device of the present invention, the perforated outer and inner media containers are substantially spherical. By maintaining the granular filtration media in a static-state throughout filtration, highly efficient filtration is achieved. In contrast, during the backwash function, the normal inward flow is reversed to outward radial flow and granular filtration media is agitated, fluidized and quickly and vigorously cleaned. A plurality of high-velocity centrally-located water jets create the outward radial flow during backwashing.

Abstract: An apparatus for circulating water in a swimming pool including a strainer that is connected to a swimming pool unfiltered intake with a pump connected to the strainer for pumping water from the strainer to a filter. The filter in turn is connected to a swimming pool filtered return for depositing the filtered water into the swimming pool. The invention includes a valve connected to the pump, strainer and filter for temporarily altering the flow of water from the swimming pool drain to the pump and back through the strainer in a direction that is opposite to the flow of water from the swimming pool drain to a waste drain. A method for cleaning the residue collected by a strainer in a swimming pool water circulation system is also included that also includes altering the flow of water from the swimming pool intake to a pump, in order that the pump may pump water in a direction opposite to the normal flow of water through a strainer to remove particles contained in the strainer.

Abstract: An apparatus for circulating water in a swimming pool including a strainer that is connected to a swimming pool unfiltered intake with a pump connected to the strainer for pumping water from the strainer to a filter. The filter in turn is connected to the swimming pool filtered return for depositing the filtered water into the swimming pool. The invention includes a valve connected to the pump strainer and filter for temporarily altering a flow of water from the swimming pool unfiltered intake or the filtered return to the pump and back through the strainer in a manner to provide a flow of water across the surface of the strainer to remove debris contained upon the strainer surface. A method for cleaning the residue collected by a strainer in a swimming pool water circulation system is also included that includes altering the flow of water from a swimming pool unfiltered intake to a pump and through the strainer in a manner to remove particles collected on the surface of the strainer.