Abstract: A hydraulically powered mixing aerator rides on an upright beam member for submersion in a body of water such as an equalization basin, oxidation ditch or sludge holding tank used in sewage treatment plants. The aerator employs a submersible, hydraulically powered mixing motor driving a propeller which is mounted on the beam member by a slidable bracket for height adjustment. The beam member is swingably supported to allow adjustment of the vertical plane angle. Because the beam member is also mounted for rotation, substantially any attitude or position of the mixer can be selected for creating an efficient flow pattern within the body of water. The speed at which the propeller is rotated, and therefore, the rate at which the water is circulated and aerated, is selectively adjustable. The hydraulically driven motor provides for a low speed and high torque rotation of the propeller without the use of a reduction gear.

Abstract: Apparatus for separating and displacing the plates of a filter press, one by one, is provided with a rail mounted above and extending along the length of the press on which a trolley is supported. The trolley is movable reciprocably along the rail by an endless envelope change drive, entrained with a sprocket wheel fixed on a shaft, journalled in the trolley. A separating device is supported in the trolley for movement reciprocably perpendicular to the direction of movement of the trolley toward and away from the filter plates. The separating device is connected to the sprocket shaft so that rotation of the shaft lifts or lowers a separating wedge relative to the filter plates separating the first of the filter plates and enabling the trolley to displace it alone.

Abstract: Plastics recycling apparatus in which an elongated tubular body has a core member therein and in which the core member has leading and trailing conical heads for directing the flow of molten material through the elongated tubular body. Inner and outer annular chambers are provided for the flow of material through a wall between the chambers while the material is being heated by energized coils about one of the chambers. The material flows to the discharge under pressure and passes through discharge orifices to form plastic ribbons which are cooled and then cut into pellets for reuse.

Abstract: A filter press separates a raw liquid into a filtrate and a filter residue. The filter press includes a plurality of filter residue separating members each composed of a pair of confronting members between which a slit passage for passing a filter cloth is formed, and each provided between a pair of spaced support frames fixed to a lower portion of each filter plate, while a wedge-like edge portion is formed at the upper edge of one of the confronting members of the filter residue separating member for smoothly separating the filter residue from the filter cloth without any damage to the surface of the filter cloth.

Abstract: In an extruder of the type including an extruding cylinder with an outlet at one end thereof and an extruding screw rotatably disposed in the cylinder and circumferentially formed with a feed flight member for forwarding a plasticized material through the outlet of said cylinder for extrusion through a screen located at the fore end of the extruding cylinder, a screen/diverter changing mechanism including a retainer box fixed to the fore outlet end of the extruding cylinder and internally defining a flow passage of the plasticized material to be extruded; a slide body movable transversely in a guide bore of the retainer box across the flow passage thereof; a screen unit detachably fitted in the slide body and having a screen and a plurality of nozzles; a diverter unit detachably fitted in the slide body and having a diverting flow passage for diverting the flow of the plasticized material from the cylinder; a drive mechanism linked to the slide body for selectively positioning either the screen unit or divert

Abstract: A filter assembly or unit having end caps or fittings which are held together by tie rods with a filter casing between them and sealed to them. A filter cartridge is within the casing. Each end fitting or cap is constructed to provide a slideway to receive a sliding member that seals to the end fitting and which sealing engages an end of the filter casing. The sliding members can be secured to the end fittings. The sliding members along with the filter casing can be removed laterally from the assembly, the end fittings or caps remaining coupled in an air or gas line containing fluid to be filtered. In this manner the cartridge or cartridges can be replaced in the filter casing without uncoupling the end fittings from the an air or gas line and without disassembling the cage formed by the end fittings and the tie rods.

Abstract: An agitation tank adapted to contain a slurried pulp or slurry containing particles, such as carbon particles, to be separated from the slurry. The tank has a screen unit removably mounted therein, the screen unit having a hollow body provided with an opening and a screen across the opening to allow the slurry to pass into the hollow body but to prevent the particles in the tank from passing into the hollow body. The slurry in the hollow body can then pass out of the screen unit and the tank through an outlet which communicates with the interior of the hollow body and an adjacent vessel. The screen unit can be removed from the tank to permit replacement of the screen surrounding the hollow body. The screen is removably mounted on the screen unit by a clamp to permit rapid change of the screen if the screen becomes defective.

Abstract: A plate-type filter press having a cleaning truck movable in the direction of movement of the slidable filter plates embodies a drive and a pusher adapted to be brought into engagement with the filter plates. The cleaning truck has a releasable brake and the pusher is extensible by the drive in the direction of movement of the filter plates.

Abstract: A fluid filtering device is provided for use with a fluid reservoir. The filtering device comprises a housing having an elongated tubular and cylindrical part defining an interior chamber. A fluid port is formed at one end of the housing and the port is open to the chamber. The housing is secured within the reservoir so that the housing is submerged below the reservoir fluid level. A fluid passageway is formed through the housing to establish fluid communication between the fluid in the reservoir and the housing chamber. An elongated guide member is also secured to the upper end of the tubular housing part so that the guide member extends upwardly from the housing. A filter assembly comprising a tubular filter element and a coaxial elongated extension is manually insertable over both the guide member and the tubular housing part whereupon the filter element is fluidly positioned between the housing chamber and the fluid in the reservoir.

Abstract: The upper ends of filter cloths attached to two adjacent filter plates are connected to a filter medium hanger suspended from suspension arms pivotally mounted on one of the filter plates in the upper regions on opposite sides thereof. Arm rests for supporting the suspension arms are provided on the other filter plate in the upper regions on opposite sides thereof. When the filter plates are moved from their closed state for filtration to their opened state upon completion of filtration, the suspension arms, tilting as supported by the arm rests, are caused to vibrate, thereby accelerating the stripping of the cake which has accumulated on the filter cloths connected to the filter medium hanger.

Abstract: A screening apparatus for molten plastic material flowing from an extruder comprising a housing mounted on the extruder and having a feed channel for flow of the plastic material therefrom and a slide member mounted for slidable movement in the housing with a clearance therebetween. The slide member contains replaceable screen elements adapted for being positioned in the path of flow of the plastic material flowing from the extruder to effect screening thereof. In order to seal the clearance between the slide member and the housing to prevent outflow of plastic material therefrom, a flange is mounted on the housing to surround the slide member with a gap therebetween. This permits normal free-sliding movement of the slide member in the housing. The flange contains cooling channels to permit flow of a coolant to cool plastic material in the gap and solidify the plastic material to prevent outflow of plastic material from the gap.

Abstract: This invention provides means to screen long, slender objects from a flowing fluid, and more particularly provides means to clear jammed objects therefrom. The screening means comprises a set of opposed, aligned, undulating surfaces, preferably formed as corrugated plates, located within a conduit, that can be moved apart to permit the removal of trapped debris. The plates are so mounted as to be transversely movable relative to the conduit, and are each movable relative to the adjacent plates so as to permit increasing the separation between adjacent plates when the plates are moved to outside of the conduit. The liquid screening means of this invention can usefully be included in a suction type dredging device, between the inlet nozzle and the pump.

Abstract: A dual-flow band screen includes a carrying frame and a screening band which is mounted so as to move in an endless loop on the frame. A support wall is associated with the carrying frame, which support wall overall extends perpendicularly to generatrices of its screening band, while possessing an opening opposite the latter, and which support wall laterally forms engagement lips by means of which it is capable of engaging with the guides in a sluice.

Abstract: In a screw extrusion device used for extruding plastics materials, a filter or tool-carrier is disposed at the downstream or outlet end of the extruder, an annular pressure element bearing on the carrier so as to secure and seal the carrier in its operative position. The carrier is displaceable perpendicularly to the flowpath of the plastics material so as to permit facile changing of the filter element. The annular pressure element is acted upon by hydraulic fluid, the hydraulic circuit including an annular pressure chamber. The inner and outer walls of the chamber are formed, respectively, by concentric metal bellows. One end of each bellows is mounted on the pressure element and the other end thereof on a housing.

Abstract: The invention relates to a small volume outlet apparatus for multiple shaft screw machines for highly viscous materials at the discharge end of a multiple shaft screw having a sieve changing device arranged in it.

Abstract: A filter assembly for fluid containing microbial agents comprises a base ining a first broad filter supporting surface for receiving an appropriate microbial filter membrane, and at least one fluid drain disposed therebeneath to conduct the fluid carrying the microbial samples away from the filter membrane. One or more cover plates may be detachably mounted over the filter supporting surface of the base to sandwich the filter membrane. The cover plates define a corresponding number of tapering inlet ports in axial alignment with the fluid drains disposed in the base to assist in the rapid passage of the microbe-containing fluid to the filter membrane. The inlet ports terminate in reduced-diameter orifices, and ring-like projections annularly disposed about the orifices compress the filter membrane between the cover plate and the base, and form a fluid-tight sandwiching seal that prevents the microbe-containing fluid from escaping past the exposed filter area.

Abstract: A disinfectant system for intermingling a disinfectant with an effluent to be treated, such as wastewater, to kill pathogens therein, the system enhancing contact between the effluent and the disinfectant to effect a rapid and efficient disinfection action. The system includes an ejector through which a minor portion of the effluent is pumped to produce a motive fluid which induces a disinfectant therein to produce a concentrated disinfectant fluid. Th ejector terminates in a cylindrical diffuser section having a closed end and at least two circumferential series of orifices whereby the disinfectant fluid is discharged therefrom as high velocity jets which project radially with respect to the longitudinal axis of the section.

Abstract: Rectangular filter cartridges are locked into a filter by means of a cam. Cartridges are readily replaceable.

Abstract: A membrane filter assembly is disclosed which employs at least one filter membrane and includes support means to prevent overflexing or overstressing of the filter membrane when high fluid pressures occur. The membrane support means includes a substantially co-extensive support or back-up surface spaced a small distance from the membrane to allow liquid flow therethrough but to prevent stretching or flexing beyond its elastic limit. Preferably the support surface comprises a second filter membrane in parallel flow relationship with the first to provide high flow rates during normal flow conditions but which flex together during high pressures conditions to mutually support one another and to prevent further flexure of either membrane beyond its elastic limit.

Abstract: A filter has a vertically disposed housing, a support plate and vertical filter elements fixed at their upper ends to the support plate and supported thereby in the housing. A water outlet tube passes through the center of the support plate and exits at the base of the filter. The water outlet pipe is connected to the support plate in leak-tight manner and the portion of the filter located above the support plate is removable.

Abstract: A filter apparatus for separating particles of oil from waste water comprises a housing having an inlet and an outlet and a filter element arranged therebetween. The filter element is in the form of a self-supporting body comprising small pieces of soft foamed plastic material having open cells. The foamed plastic material has been subjected to mechanical, non-disintegrating pressure shocks of a magnitude sufficient to rupture the cell walls. Thereafter the pieces are joined together under pressure by means of a bonding agent.

Abstract: A slide-plate filter apparatus particularly for plastic stock under pressure in which rigid filter plate sections carrying corresponding sections of filter media are fed in a continuing sequence across the flow path of the plastic stock is provided with off-set retainer plates for directing plastic stock which is forced between the filter plate sections into a path which includes filter media, so that no unfiltered plastic stock can pass through the apparatus.

Abstract: A change device for sieves used for filtering plastic materials. The change device comprises a sieve holder having a bore for the throughflowing material and a slot extending transversely thereto, in which there are sealingly retained in work position sieve supports or carriers containing sieves. By means of a work cylinder it is possible, without interrupting the transport of the material which is being processed, to eject and replace the contaminated sieve by a new sieve. The rapid change device is particularly suitable for installation in an extruder for fabricating rubber hoses for automobile tires, the installation of such rapid change device advantageously being accomplished between the extruder and the injection head.

Abstract: According to the invention, a cartridge filter for cleaning liquids and gases from mechanical impurities comprises compartments containing filtering cartridges, a pressure difference indicator and a control unit. The compartments are provided with cover plates having pipes for filtering and cleaning the compartments containing the cartridges, perforated guides and a spring device for locking the cartridges. The filter is also provided with mechanisms for moving the compartments and cover plates and a device for storing and replacing the filtering cartridges. The filter according to the invention enables an improved productivity owing to the elimination of manual operations of disassembly, replacement of cartridges and assembly of the filter, compliance with sanitary requirements and reduction of losses of filtered product.

Abstract: An apparatus for membrane filtration comprises an inlet and an outlet, as well as a central permeate discharge tube. The supporting tubes supporting filtration membranes are disposed in two concentric rows. The outer row contacts the outer wall of the apparatus and the inner row contacts the permeate discharge tube. The centers of the supporting tubes of the first row are on a circle having a diameter of twice the diameter of the supporting tubes. The centers of the supporting tubes of the second row are on a circle having a diameter of 4.times.diameter of a supporting tube.times. cos 15.degree..

Abstract: A bottom loaded filter assembly for filtering radioactive liquids through a replaceable cartridge filter. The filter assembly includes a lead-filled jacket enveloping a housing having a chamber therein for the filter cartridge. A track arrangement carries a hatch for sealing the chamber. A spacer plug supports the cartridge within guide means associated with the inlet conduit in the chamber. The plug and cartridge drop out of the chamber when the hatch is unbolted and move laterally of the chamber. During cartridge replacement, a new plug and cartridge are supported in the guide means by a spacer bar inserted across the track means under the chamber. The hatch is then slid under the chamber and bolted to the vessel, engaging an O-ring to seal the chamber.

Abstract: An apparatus for removing residue deposits on filtration elements is disclosed which significantly reduces the time necessary for cleaning the filters. This apparatus utilizes an improved arrangement of spray nozzles so as to effectively clean the filter leaf assemblies and the housing which encloses the filter leaves. The apparatus can incorporate semiautomatic and automatic control mechanisms to reduce or eliminate human error in the cleaning of the filters. The apparatus increases production time in the filtering process and thus increases the capacity of the filters.

Abstract: A filter press having a slurry feed inlet arranged at the lower ends of filter cloths at locations outside filter chambers formed by filter plates thereby enabling the filter cloths to entirely open when the filter plates are opened to facilitate discharge of cakes adhered to the filter cloths.

Abstract: A cradle system used in purification systems for releasably capturing and reversibly displacing a set of cylindrically contoured filter cartridges mounted thereon. The cradle system includes at least a first longitudinally extending cradle frame having a pair of first rod members within which the filter cartridges are mounted. At least a second longitudinally extending cradle frame having a pair of longitudinally extending and transversely displaced second rod members is coupled to the first cradle frame. Coupling is provided by a cradle rotational securement mechanism which constrains the first cradle frame to the second cradle frame but allows rotational displacement of one cradle frame with respect to another.

Abstract: In the method described fluid containing magnetizable particles is introduced into a separating chamber containing a fluid-permeable mass of magnetizable material and held therein for a finite length of time. During this time the magnetizable material is moved into a magnetic field where the fluid is drained from the magnetizable material leaving magnetizable particles entrained in this material. This draining may be achieved either by providing relative movement between the separating chamber and the magnetizable material or by discharging the fluid from the separating chamber. The magnetic separator described comprises a plurality of interconnected separating chambers, and associated masses of magnetizable material, which are moved continuously through a separating zone in which a magnetic field is established by a magnet. In this zone each mass of magnetizable material is drained and, outside this zone, the magnetizable particles entrained in the magnetizable material are removed by flushing.

Abstract: A filter press comprising filter cake discharge means including hammers which give upper portions of filter cloths vibrations caused by circular movement of the hammers to facilitate discharge of filter cakes adhered to the filter cloths after filtration.

Abstract: A vertically disposed centrifugal pressure filter for suspensions has a closed casing containing a sectional hollow rotary shaft, the long section of which is equipped with filter disks within the casing. A relatively short shaft section has a plug-in connection with the lower end of the long shaft section and has bearing in an outside bearing casing detachably connected to the filter casing. Dynamic sealing means is provided between the short shaft section and the bearing casing, so that when the bearing casing and short shaft section are disconnected from the filter casing and long shaft section, the seal for the short shaft section is not disturbed. The filtrate passes through the shaft sections and to the outside through the bearing casing.

Abstract: A rapid cleaning filter utilized in a liquid fertilizer system including an elongate tank having a screen filter element longitudinally disposed in the tank with an entry slot in the end of the tank for quick removal from the tank; sealing means around that portion of the filter element extending outwardly of the tank and a quick release latching arm for holding the element in sealing relation with the tank.

Abstract: A drain trap pipe with an access port and filtration member including a pipe having a straight portion terminating in a curved portion overlying the straight portion. A tubular extension is connected to and communicating with the pipe substantially at the juncture of said straight portion and said curved portion. The extension portion has formed on the inner surface thereof opposed channel formations into which the edges of a filtration member are inserted. The filtration member extends the length of the extension and the diameter of the pipe with a transparent cap on the outer end of the extension.

Abstract: A universal dialyzer end cap which provides a connection between a kidney dialyzer and a blood tubing line. The end cap is constructed of a material which allows a firm connection to the dialyzer while at the same time is of a configuration which does not allow blood to contact the surface of the end cap when properly attached to a kidney dialyzer.

Abstract: A retaining device for fluid treatment apparatus having a stack of membranes and spacers in which the stack is clamped between two end plates which are provided with a projection or opening and two side plates which are provided with an opening or projection co-operating therewith, movement of the sideplates relative to the end plates, parallel to the end plates, effecting movement together of the end plates due to inclined surfaces on the projections and/or openings.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for handling the problem of crud formation in solvent extraction equipment. "Crud" is the name commonly given to the thick interfacial layer of semi-floatable material that accumulates and interferes with many solvent extraction operations.The apparatus disclosed is used in combination with mixer-settler equipment, and it includes a rotatable shaft, a blade mounted on the shaft, apparatus for moving the shaft and blade across a plane parallel to the surface of the liquid inside a rectangular settler vessel, equipment for rotating the blade and shaft about the shaft's longitudinal axis, and a locking device for locking the blade into an extended or retracted position.

Abstract: A filter press for mechanically separating solids from liquid, slurries, suspensions and the like having a rigid frame including a first stationary end member which is a filter press head, a second stationary end member, and a pair of side rail members which extend horizontally and parallel to each other and which are supported at their opposite ends by the stationary end members. The filter press also includes a first and a second set of filter plates mounted for sliding movement on said side rail members and means interconnecting the plates in each set to allow limited travel of the interconnected plates away from one another while also allowing adjacent plates to move into abutting relationship with one another.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for continuous removal of liquids from sludges. The apparatus includes an endless driven lower pervious belt and an endless driven upper impervious belt. The impervious belt is supported by an upper frame positioned above a fixed lower frame member by spring-loaded, adjustable hydraulic cylinders. The two belts are driven at different speeds to provide continuous shear on sludge pressed between the belts. Each belt is supported on a plurality of horizontally spaced rollers with the rollers for the upper belt and the rollers for the lower belt being longitudinally offset from each other. The horizontal roller spacing from the point of contact of the upper belt to the sludge as it is fed in between the belts is of a diminishing progression which may be arithmetic, geometric, or a combination thereof from the point of contact of the upper belt on the sludge to the discharge end.

Abstract: A slide filter for filtering plastic stock and other materials having a slide plate movable within a housing, across the path of material flow. The housing contains sealing means to prevent leakage of the material to the outside of the housing. The slide plate includes one or more recesses bounded by wall means within which a mechanical screen or sand pack filter is positioned.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for assembling stacked annular filtering elements under constant pressure. The device comprises a support which provides an abutment for one end of the stack of filtering elements, a presser member which provides an abutment for the other end of the stack, and a calibrated spring which biases the presser member towards the support while trapping the stack of elements between the two abutments. The device is useful for the manufacture of filters used particularly for the filtration of oils.

Abstract: Disclosed is a device for loading and unloading modules relative to a pressure vessel and utilized in reverse osmosis systems. The device includes an elongated support for receiving the modules, a fluid actuated cylinder located at one end of the support and a clamp at the opposite end of the support for clamping the support to the open end of the pressure vessel. As each module is disposed on the support, the cylinder is actuated to extend its piston whereby the piston head displaces the module along the support into the open end of the pressure vessel. Additional modules are similarly loaded into the pressure vessel whereby the modules are serially arranged within the pressure vessel.

Abstract: A screen changer mounted between a flowable plastic extruder and a die has a clamp frame movable rectilinearly across the extrusion passage by fluid piston and cylinder means to successively position one of four screen blocks across the passage. A used block is removable from the frame at one end, whereupon latch mechanism retains three blocks while the frame retracts to receive a fresh block. Each block contains a filter recess, a purge recess and a pre-fill groove in the upstream face, so that the incoming block is pre-filled with plastic and purged while moving into position across the passage.

Abstract: Apparatus for filtering heat-softened plastic material under pressure of extrusion comprising a substantially continuous screen with screw means for positively moving the same past the filtering area, said screw means being located in a passage open to the fluid plastic material, with means to harden the plastic material in the passage into a nut in which the filter is embedded. The screw means also functions to prevent the solidified slug (nut) from escaping, preventing leakage.

Abstract: A fluid reservoir and filter combination includes a reservoir made of upper and lower sections with a filter support assembly comprising a base mounted in the lower section and a hold-down assembly mounted in the upper section. The filter assembly includes misalignment accommodating means comprising a particular configuration of the hold-down assembly including an elongated sleeve for extending into a filter element and a collar slidably mounted on the sleeve and biased toward the filter element for sealingly engaging the end of the filter element. The dimensions of the collar and sleeve element are such as to accommodate lateral misalignment of a filter element supported on the base member with respect to the hold-down assembly. Longitudinal misalignment is accommodated by means of the length of the sleeve member.

Abstract: A filter device comprising a cylindrical tubular housing with a plurality of cartridge filters slidably disposed within a central bore of the housing. Each cartridge filter includes a tubular filter element disposed between a front end cap and a back end cap of the cartridge filter. A fluid inlet formed through the housing of the filter assembly communicates with the outer periphery of the filter element while the internal surface of the filter element communicates with an outlet formed in the housing via a bore formed through the front end cap of the next adjacent cartridge filter. Both the front end cap and the back end cap form a sealing engagement with the central bore of the housing so that as the filter element becomes dirty or clogged, a clean cartridge filter may be axially positioned in the housing to filter the fluid flow between the inlet and outlet without disrupting the fluid flow rate through the filter assembly.

Abstract: A filter press has a support frame; a plurality of face-to-face oriented filter plates movable towards and away from one another and forming a filter plate stack; a closing device connected to the filter plates for exerting thereon a pressure with which the filter plates are urged to one another; a closing pressure regulator coupled to the closing device; a stationarily supported path-sensing signal transmitter connected to the closing device; and a sensor arm connected at least indirectly to one of the filter plates for displacing the sensor arm by, and as a function of the motion of, that filter plate. The sensor arm is coupled to the path-sensing signal transmitter for controlling the closing pressure of the closing device by the signal transmitter as a function of the position of the sensor arm.

Abstract: Apparatus to separate a mixture of liquids of different specific gravities, e.g. oil and water, said apparatus having in a closed vessel a separation space with means for controlling the discharge of lighter liquid therefrom and a multiple filter provided beneath said separation space and consisting of a series of filtering cloths separated from one another by intermediate chambers, the upper wall of each intermediate chamber being provided with passages opening into the lower region of the separation space and controllable by valve means.The invention relates to an apparatus for the separation of a mixture of liquids of different specific gravities, e.g.

Abstract: A simplified screen changer is provided which is particularly suitable for the extrusion of synthetic resinous thermoplastics. Screens are supported in a recessed movable plate. The screen on the upstream side is sealed against leakage by means of an extrusion pressure actuated sealing ring. The apparatus is of simple and rugged construction.

Abstract: Separation apparatus useful particularly for ultrafiltration in which a series of membranes are mounted in superposed relationship with membrane supports, and, where appropriate, distribution plates therebetween, the membranes being mounted in subassemblies so that the flow of fluid through the individual chambers between the membranes of a particular sub-assembly is substantially in parallel. .Iadd.